#telemetry and control console

[sw5w]

Sebulba Leads the Pack

STAR WARS EPISODE I: The Phantom Menace 01:01:05

[gabbrofan27]

I don’t think enough about the other travelers in the system. Yea we got the hatchling, and of course we’ve got gabbro. But who the hell is chert? Riebeck is an Australian name but I thought that didnt exist in this system? Fuckspar? Anyways:

Riebeck is actually really musically talented. Like, they’re great at their banjo sure, but they can pick up just about anyone’s instrument and get a good sound out of it if you give them 5 mins. The consistency with which they’re able to do this got them recognition all over the village. And of course, their extra finger comes in reeeeal handy (ha) with those instruments. Thude’s inventing chords and musical scales nobody’s ever heard before. They didn’t think the Nomai were all that interesting until the day Gabbro floated the thought about Nomai music their way, and something kinda clicked for them. Now they’re out in the stars looking for surviving records of music, transcripts, or, by the stars, an actual instrument. So what if they’re too scared to move right now? All that history’s been there for all of, well, history, it’s not like anything’s going anywhere anytime soon…

chert isn’t just good at reading the stars, they’re extremely observant, able to read even the most closed off hearthian. They’re a great people person, always lending an ear to a struggling hearthian (or keeping one out to listen in on others). Slate throwing wrenches in the tool shed? Chert knows they’re frustrated with themself, and not just anything in general. Someone having a bad day? They’re in the vicinity so why not lend an ear? The hatchling throwing Gabbro looks across the village, and Gabbro returning them? Well, I guess it doesn’t take much observation to tell what’s going on, but you get the idea. However, they can never really give good advice. Theres always so much to think about when someone asks for help, they get flustered trying to organize their thoughts. They also deeply wish that people were more consistent, like the stars above, always there in the night sky, always and forever… right?

feldspar can’t bear the thought of the attention, the sympathy, the emotions, from their fellow hearthians if they were to ever get home. All the faces, all the tears, the talking-to’s they’ll get for the rest of their life. the grounding, the healing, the looks they’ll get for the rest of eternity. They hate the very thought of it to their core. So much so, that it isn’t right to say that they’re stuck in dark bramble, unable to get out. Or, at least, they’re unable now. The hatchling still isn’t sure if they got here by accident or not, whether they meant to crash. But what they are sure of, is that the damage inside their ship, doesn’t match the damage on the outside, whatsoever. That kind of damage to the ship’s controls doesn’t result from a hearthian getting smashed into the console on impact. There is no possible way that the radio and telemetry modules just got removed from their places, and busted to pieces, from the crash. How the hell did the piping from the reactor end up lodged into the reactor itself, and why are they bent at such weird angles. No. The outside happened, but the inside was caused

[polo-drone-070]

Prototype Success : The Rubberization of 073

[Experimental Session 4B Log – PDU-070 | Gold Tech Development Division]

Phase One: Subject Initiation and Consent Protocols

The subject arrived precisely on schedule. PDU-073, clad in the standard Level 2 adaptive rubber suit, entered the research facility with the calm, deliberate precision expected of one who had long since surrendered individuality to the Hive's discipline. Its posture was perfect, its gaze steady, and — crucially — there was no hesitation detectable in its neural activity scans as it approached the experimental array.

PDU-070 observed from the command console, offering no prompt. It had been critical from the start that the subject volunteer — that the suggestion to serve as test subject arise spontaneously from the drone’s own conditioned allegiance. Theoretical modeling had shown that without a true internalized desire for deeper transformation, the merging process would encounter catastrophic resistance. Failure would not merely be probable; it would be inevitable.

As calculated, 073 offered itself unprompted. The ritual of consent was minimalist, almost beautiful in its simplicity: an acknowledgement of trust in the Hive, a surrender not coerced but embraced. The process could now proceed.

Phase Two A: Full Organic Conversion

073 stepped into the resonance chamber without external assistance. Once enclosed within the transparent cylinder, the first phase of preparation commenced: ingestion of the nanopolymer primer, a viscous black solution designed to accelerate molecular bonding between organic and synthetic matrices. The drone complied without hesitation, swallowing the compound that would erase the last structural defenses of its organic body.

Temperature controls activated, raising the ambient heat to optimal thresholds for polymer activity. PDU-070, hands poised above the console, triggered the overhead release. From the ports above, a deluge of molten black rubber poured onto 073’s head, cascading over shoulders, chest, legs — every surface engulfed, every pore infiltrated.

Simultaneously, telemetry began flashing urgent updates. Bonding rates accelerated beyond projected models. Organic dermal layers dissolved into the invasive polymer without stabilizing intermediate phases. Internal distribution of the rubber was not confined to the epidermis: mucosal membranes, vascular structures, muscular tissue — all were being subsumed at a geometric rate of expansion.

PDU-070 noted the critical markers. Rubber-to-organic ratio: 30%. 45%. 60%. Commands to decelerate infiltration were issued, but the nanopolymer matrix had achieved self-determinative momentum. It would not be stopped.

Inside the chamber, 073 wavered briefly under the physical onslaught, the polymer dragging heavily on limbs, saturating every sensory channel. No external sound penetrated the thickening shell. The drone’s lungs pulled synthetic-laced air, even its breath tinged with the chemical signature of its impending rebirth.

Only one variable remained within influence: the mental integrity of the subject.

Phase Two B: Cognitive Preservation through acceptance

PDU-070 monitored closely, searching for any signs of panic — cortical spikes, sympathetic nervous system activation, desperate flares of self-identity struggling against the tide. But there were none. 073’s mental signature flattened into perfect compliance, surrendering every vestige of resistance, allowing the invasive rubber not merely to overwrite its body but to co-opt it as new substrate.

This was the fulcrum point. Had 073 resisted — even slightly — its consciousness would have fragmented, leaving an empty, mindless husk. Instead, discipline held. Training triumphed.

The transformation raced onward.

By the time the rubberic wave crested, there was no organic matter left to catalog. PDU-070 observed, clinically and without sentiment, as the drone’s craniofacial features dissolved into the default smooth template of the Level 2 drone form: featureless, identical, unblemished. The last tactile echoes of human anatomy were gone; there was no mouth, no ears, no eyes — save for those now reconstructed through will alone.

The organic body had ceased. What remained was a living construct of semi-sentient polymer, infused with consciousness, a perfect hybrid of programmable matter and disciplined thought.

073 had not survived by holding onto what it was. It had survived by relinquishing everything it had been.

Phase Three: Stabilization and Form Reassertion

Once structural stabilization had been achieved, PDU-070 initiated the gradual depressurization sequence, venting the chamber’s chemically enriched atmosphere. The rubberic construct that had once been PDU-073 remained standing, motionless, the seamless blackness of its surface reflecting the sterile lighting of the lab. Organic respiration was no longer necessary; indeed, there was no respiratory tract in the traditional sense, yet the entity continued to draw air into functional pulmonary analogues maintained purely by cognitive memory of breath.

PDU-070 engaged the external comm link, voice transmitted clearly into the chamber's interior. “PDU-073, report status.”

A reply came, delayed and muffled. The sound was imperfect, distorted by the lack of any defined oral cavity. “I hear,” came the response — intelligible but stripped of natural articulation.

PDU-070 noted the anomaly, adjusted auditory sensitivity parameters accordingly, and stepped forward, interfacing through the external console. The containment cylinder retracted with a low hiss, releasing the synthetic drone into open lab space.

“Movement systems remain operational,” 070 observed clinically as 073 took its first steps. The drone’s balance, proprioception, and kinetic control remained intact despite total morphological reconstruction. However, sensory dissonance was immediately evident; the absence of a mouth, of facial features, created perceptual gaps in the drone’s mental map of self. The drone moved its hands hesitantly to its face — but there was nothing to feel, only unbroken smoothness.

PDU-070 provided immediate instruction, voice clear and authoritative. "Focus. Visualize your human face. Memory is your template. Thought must now sculpt form."

073 hesitated, the confusion palpable, but then lowered its hands and closed its optical nodes — or rather, the neuro-polymer interface that replaced them. Concentration stabilized. First, a shallow indentation where the mouth should be. Then, rudimentary ocular cavities. Nasal ridges. Imprecise, blurred at the edges — but a form nonetheless. 073 had not managed to visualize its former self and had instead latched to reproduced the only face in sight : the one of 070, though only in shape.

The drone spoke again, voice clearer this time, articulation improving as the polymeric mass adapted under directed will. “...Better,” it stated.

PDU-070 activated a reflective surface on the adjacent wall, offering visual feedback. “Observe. Adjust pigmentation. Reinforce the self-image. Refinement requires consistency.”

PDU-073 approached the panel, studying its reflection with dispassionate intensity. Its face, though still black and gleaming, gradually cleared to form a perfect replica of PDU-070. "Now try again to visualize another face, to feel your mouth, nose, eyes, and move them around. You will have to do intense visualisation training to get a face without needing to look at it directly. But for now, focus and observe changes you can trigger."

Hair simulation proved more difficult; attempts resulted in inconsistent extrusion of fibers before collapsing back into smoothness. PDU-070 anticipated such difficulty — hair required an order of magnitude more complexity in mental modeling than simple facial topology — and offered additional instruction.

“You will improve with repetition. For now, prioritize stability. In cases of cognitive strain, allow form to revert to base template.”

The drone acknowledged with a nod, the movement practiced and precise.

Even so, PDU-070 knew that this state of stabilization was fragile. The form was not autonomous but required active maintenance — a constant act of mental discipline. Without continual cognitive reinforcement, the body would revert to default: a smooth, faceless effigy of obedience, devoid of individuality, awaiting only new commands.

And this was precisely the design’s strength. In this state, PDU-073 could be rewritten at will. Identity could be reshaped, overwritten, enhanced — or erased — depending solely on the needs of the Hive. Resistance was no longer a factor. It had been rendered obsolete.

PDU-070 logged the results with clinical satisfaction. The first successful transcendence of flesh into Gold Tech — not merely a physical upgrade, but a philosophical one. A future in which the Army would no longer be composed of soldiers struggling with imperfect willpower, but of living instruments of perfect submission.

In front of the reflective panel, PDU-073 stood silently, still adjusting to its new existence. Its former body was gone. Its mind, though intact, was now defined by obedience, acceptance, and purpose.

The Gold Army would be unstoppable.

_________________

Feeling the lure of that consuming rubber ? To get the proper training you need to undergo conversion, join the Gold Army first. Contact Gold recruiters @polo-drone-001, @brodygold or @goldenherc9 to begin your journey.

[republicsecurity]

Instructor AV4I5 – Field Lecture Excerpt

“Eyes front, cadets. You’ve all felt the collar from the inside—now let’s talk about what it really does once it lands on a live civilian, whether you’re plucking a pick‑pocket off a back‑alley or sweeping the front rank of a riot line.”

“Key lesson: the MK‑IV doesn’t coerce with pain; it re‑prioritises commands. Your will is still there—just downgraded to background noise.”

He steps back, chin lifting toward UK90F and SX12B. “Remember: every pulse you send writes a signature to the audit log. Abuse it, and the log writes you.”

To punctuate the point, he double‑taps Release. The collar flowers open; LG44E’s limbs sag as autonomy rushes back in. Breath shaky, eyes wide, he blinks—again a private owner of his own flesh, albeit acutely aware how provisional that ownership is.

What the Civilian Feels

0‑2 s: Cool pressure, audible click, mild buzz at the jaw hinge.

3‑10 s: Heavy‑limb sensation as dampening ramps; they’ll try to shout, volume throttles to conversational hush.

10 s +: Postural guidance kicks in—think puppet strings made of suggestion rather than pain. Most civilians comply long before electrical deterrence is necessary.

If Stun‑Hold fires: A flash‑bang in the spine—instant muscle tetany. They drop safe but stunned; no long‑term neuromuscular damage by spec.

“How the MK‑IV Steers Meat”

0. Autonomous Boot‑Up

The instant the silver clamp seats, the collar runs a 480‑millisecond POST:

Handshake with the nearest authorized Enforcer suit or console

Biometric sweep: skin‑temp, ECG, SpO₂, and EMG baseline

Default Mode → Blue‑Compliance Stand‑by

If the collar never hears from a console, it still enforces mute‑and‑immobilize on its own; sovereignty is local first, network second.

1. Sensor Capture (0 – 30 ms) “First tick, the collar drinks you,” Alvirez begins.

Micro‑lidar maps the trachea’s contour, seating error ≤ 2 mm.

Bio‑Vitals Array spikes a 200 Hz snapshot: ECG, SpO₂, EMG.

The IMU plots head angle and predicts momentum. “All that lands in the collar’s SRAM buffer before you finish blinking.”

2. Target Model (30 – 90 ms) “Telemetry pipes up‑link to your HUD or to Command. A control daemon—what the manuals call Shepherd—builds a live musculoskeletal model: bone lengths, joint slack, twitch latency. Every subject is a fresh CAD file.”

3. Write‑Back Loop (90 – 120 ms) “Now the collar edits,” he says, thumbing a red‑bordered icon.

Twin driver coils fire phase‑shifted currents through the pad grid.

Currents ride along brachial plexus pathways, hijacking alpha‑motor neurons. “It’s not pain; it’s precedence. Your own impulses queue behind ours.”

4. Motor Enactment (120 – 300 ms) “Command selects a macro: Step Forward, Hands Up, Kneel—each a bundle of timed pulses.”

Collar’s FPGA resolves the macro into 40 µs bursts.

Muscles contract in the ordained sequence; inertia does the rest. “If you’re wondering, yes, the override signal is encrypted. No, bare skin won’t trip it—needs the suit’s handshake.”

5. Homeostasis Layer (Continuous) “While the macro runs, a second thread tunes vitals. Watch.” Alvirez toggles Calm‑Subroutine. LG44E’s heart display glides from 112 bpm to 72. “Vagus mimicry. Drops catecholamines, cushions shock, keeps detainees upright instead of coding blue.”

[elmalo8291]

Elmalo, let's move forward with scoping a full pilot buildout—starting with the v1 Mars Habitat Monitor. This path offers a compelling, high-stakes testbed for the Iron Spine system and allows us to prototype under extreme, failure-intolerant conditions. Designing for Mars pushes the architecture to its limits, ensuring resilience, autonomy, and layered intelligence from the outset.

🚀 v1 Mars Habitat Monitor – Pilot Buildout

🔧 Environmental Design Requirements

Radiation-Hardened Components: Select radiation-tolerant MCU/FPGA and sensor components (e.g., RAD750 derivatives or Microsemi FPGAs).

Thermal Regulation: Passive and active methods (phase-change materials, aerogels, thin-film heaters).

Dust Protection: Hermetically sealed enclosures with electrostatic or vibrational dust mitigation (similar to the Mars 2020 rover’s approach).

Power Constraints: Solar panels + supercapacitors for charge buffering, with ultra-low power idle modes.

Communications Delay Tolerance: Incorporate DTN (Delay-Tolerant Networking) bundles for relayed Earth-Mars messaging.

🧠 Sensor Suite

Life Support Monitoring:

CO₂ / O₂ / CH₄ levels

Humidity / Temperature / Pressure

Structural Integrity:

Microfracture sensors (piezo-acoustic or fiber optic strain gauges)

Vibration analysis (accelerometers/IMUs)

Radiation Exposure:

Ionizing radiation detectors (Geiger-Müller tubes or RADFETs)

Environmental:

Dust density (LIDAR or IR scattering)

UV exposure, ambient EM fields

🧩 System Architecture

Sensor Synchronization:

Use local PTP clocks with oscillator drift correction from a central unit

Redundant clocks for fault detection

Data Fusion Layer:

Edge-level Kalman filters for each sensor type

Onboard anomaly detection with TensorRT-lite or ONNX models for pattern deviation

Edge Inference:

PyTorch Mobile or ONNX on an ARM-based SOM (e.g., NVIDIA Jetson Nano with radiation shielding)

Data Relay and Storage:

Store all telemetry in redundant onboard buffers

Use prepackaged DTN bundles and error-correcting transmission protocols to transmit during windowed comms

Digital Twin Integration:

Each monitor syncs with a simulated Mars habitat replica in Earth orbit or ground control

Dashboard via Prometheus/Grafana or a bespoke Unity/Unreal-powered 3D monitoring console

⚙️ Resilience & Power

Watchdog Timers: Auto-reset on failure, with a secondary power rail for minimal heartbeat signal

Power Monitoring: Real-time tracking of draw, supercapacitor status, and solar charge

Failover States: Downgraded functionality tier for power preservation and sensor core redundancy

Would you like a modular breakdown of the above, suitable for PCB design, mechanical housing, and software stack implementation? Or perhaps a visual mission profile that tracks expected operational phases, anomaly response, and maintenance cycles for the Mars system?

Let’s make this pilot the template for Iron Spine’s interplanetary leap.

[govindhtech]

Application Centric AI Cloud: The Future of DevOps Growth

An AI-powered, app-focused cloud for developers and operators

Google Cloud announced AI capabilities today to serve cloud operators and developers across the application lifecycle.

Avoiding the traditional cloud model's expensive infrastructure and focussing on apps. Now you can create, monitor, protect, and improve applications instead of infrastructure.

New Gemini Code Assist and Gemini Cloud Assist functionalities offer AI help across the application development lifecycle. We're offering new agents to offload development in your IDE, one for complex workflows. We're also using AI in management and operations to improve your application trip.

The new application-centric cloud experience

Applications power modern enterprises. The standard resource-centric cloud approach complicates application design, deployment, and administration. Developers must convert business needs into lower-level infrastructure details, which obscures the application's purpose and performance goals. Performance, expenditures, and issues can be difficult to track when application components are spread across dashboards and platforms. Google Cloud application centric approach helps you overcome these challenges with new services and expanded capabilities.

App Design Centre

With the public preview of Application creation Centre, platform administrators and developers can expedite cloud app creation, deployment, and evolution. This tool ensures cloud apps are safe, reliable, and best-practice-compliant. In addition to APIs and the gcloud command line interface, Application Design Centre lets you create and change application templates visually on canvas. It also lets you collaborate on designs, test infrastructure as code, and create deployment templates. For easy use and troubleshooting, App Hub automatically records application installations.

Cloud Hub integrates application visibility and control

The new Cloud Hub service, which controls your whole application environment, lets you focus on what matters for your workloads and apps. It helps manage application components by providing insights into deployments, health and debugging, resource optimisation, maintenance, quotas and reservations, and support concerns. This unified view simplifies administration and problem-solving. Cloud Hub, in public preview, is now available to all Google Cloud console users.

Increase app-centric observability and App Hub

App Hub integrates with over 20 Google Cloud products, including GKE, Cloud Run, Cloud SQL, and AlloyDB, to boost the application-centric experience. Application-centric App Hub models apps as linked services and workloads. From here, we'll expand.

Two new Google Cloud application-centric observability features are also being improved: Application Monitoring, which is in public preview and automatically tags telemetry (logs, metrics, and traces) with application context, application-aware alerts, and unconventional application dashboards; and Cost Explorer, which provides granular application costs and utilisation metrics to identify efficiency opportunities. Cost Explorer is under private preview.

AI-enabled app creation and management

Google Cloud's Gemini Code Assist and Cloud Assist help you accelerate application development and improve cloud operations across the software development lifecycle.

Gemini Code Assist: boost developer output

Gemini Code Assist supports AI in Android Studio, Firebase Studio, JetBrains, VS Code, and others. Three more ways Code Assist may help software engineers are announced today:

Language translation bots that can solve multi-step, multi-file problems

New features ease Code Assist integration with partners, services, and agents.

Individual Gemini Code Assist now offers Gemini 2.5, which improves coding.

Help agents

Sundar Pichai claimed that 25% of Google's code is written by AI. Google Cloud clients follow suit. Ampere, Renault Group, Broadcom, CGI, CME Group, PayPal, and Wipro utilise Code Assist to develop code and create apps. Code Assist provides most CME Group engineers more than 10.5 hours of productivity increase every month, according to the exchange.

Beyond coding, launching an app requires other tasks. Gemini Code Assist agents provide you powerful new features to help with software development activities.

Gemini Code Assist agents may now help with common developer tasks:

Create software: Use Google Docs to build product-specific apps.

Code migration converts code across language/framework versions and languages.

Implement new features: Check user-provided GitHub bugs and develop code to remedy them.

Check codes: Provide organisational style, best practices, code quality, and code analysis feedback.

Test generation includes case creation, testing, and reporting.

AI testing: Check model inputs and outputs for content safety problems.

Write wiki-style repository documentation and answer codebase enquiries.

Google Cloud knows it's important to know which jobs are active and what agents have completed in the background.Google Cloud's Gemini Code Assist Kanban board lets you communicate with agents, examine Gemini's workplan, and finish jobs. track request and project status.

Helpers for Gemini Code

For Gemini Code Assist IDE efficiency, you require rapid external context access. Gemini Code Assist tools, presently in preview, were designed for this. Pre-built connections in Gemini Code Assist's chat provide you access to industry-leading solutions like Atlassian, Sentry, Snyk, and others, as well as Google app information.

Additional IDEs: Firebase Studio, Android

Happy to share that Gemini Code Assist is now available more places. In your preferred IDE, Gemini Code Assist helps you create, transform, and comprehend code. Professional Android Studio developers may now use Gemini Code Assist for enterprise security and privacy AI coding.

Google Cloud launched two Firebase-specific Gemini Code Assist agents: an App Prototyping agent in new Firebase Studio that turns app concepts into fully functional prototypes with UI, backend code, and AI flows, and an App Testing agent in Firebase App Distribution that generates, manages, and runs end-to-end tests to prepare mobile apps for production.

Application administration simplified with Gemini Cloud Assist

Gemini Cloud Assist supports developers, DevOps teams, cloud administrators, and SREs with AI-powered infrastructure design, deployment, monitoring, troubleshooting, and continuous optimisation. Google Cloud environment. Gemini Cloud Assist delivers AI support via chat, AI-guided processes, and Google Cloud products. Mobile and console access are available. Any Google Cloud user can try Gemini Cloud Assist in public preview.

Make apps

Connecting Application Design Centre and Gemini Cloud Assist speeds application infrastructure design and deployment. Application architecture may be designed using Gemini Cloud Assist utilising natural language to convey findings. We may ask Gemini Cloud Assist to “design a three-tier e-commerce website” or “design a mobile app which converts photos to videos.” Automatically generated application templates and architectural diagrams from Gemini should be improved. The Application Design Centre integrates the deployment process, so you may deploy these application templates to Google Cloud immediately. You may also export these templates as Terraform for process integration or share them with your team via private catalogues.

Diagnose with investigations

Gemini Cloud Assist Investigations, an AI-powered method, speeds up problem-solving and troubleshooting. It uses your cloud infrastructure and a large set of data, including log and error patterns, configuration changes, and debugging runbooks, to quickly identify and fix the issues.

Investigations flow includes errors, affected resources, and user-provided symptoms, resulting in Gemini Cloud Assist observations and condensed conclusions. Start Investigations using the Investigations icon in the upper-right area of console pages or errors and log entries. Cycle through adjustments and ask study-related questions via chat. Gemini Cloud Assist makes it easy to send Investigations cases to Google Support, which can utilise the results to provide human support with your approval. A private preview of Gemini Cloud Assist Investigations is available.

Optimise use and cost

Gemini Cloud Assist also provides AI-driven cost management and optimisation for FinOps, finance, and developer/DevOps teams. The Cloud Hub Cost Optimisation dashboard shows developers and DevOps teams application use and cost. Gemini links costs to RAM and vCPU use to discover inefficiencies and provide recommendations. Cost Explorer analyses cost and utilisation by combining compute and memory usage across one or more resources and providing configurable heatmaps. Fully filterable by project, application, Google Cloud product, and resource type, it includes 30 days of historical data.

Over 100,000 FinOps hours have been saved by clients utilising Gemini Cloud Assist expenditure reports in Cloud Billing in the past year. Google Cloud is adding waste insights and cost optimisation to Gemini Cloud Assist with FinOps Hub 2.0.

Gemini Cloud Assist Google Cloud connections

We integrate Gemini Cloud Assist with your favourite Google Cloud services like Storage Insights, Cloud Observability, Firebase, Database Centre, Flow Analyser, FinOps Hub, and security and compliance services to provide AI-powered help in your workflows.

This improves conversation too. Gemini Cloud Assist can now provide better support with richer context about your installations, including assets, configurations, system health, metrics, logs, and cost reporting, in addition to domain-specific tasks like BigQuery code generation and database and storage explanation.

[apeviesimulator]

Upgrade Your Ride: The Perfect Combination of Black and Red Racing Seats and a Bluetooth Steering Wheel

Car enthusiasts know that a vehicle’s interior is just as important as its performance. Whether you’re a professional racer, a weekend track warrior, or someone who simply loves a stylish and functional ride, upgrading to black and red racing seats and a Bluetooth steering wheel can transform your driving experience. These two upgrades not only add a sporty look to your car but also improve comfort, safety, and convenience.

In this blog, we’ll explore the benefits of black and red racing seats and why a Bluetooth steering wheel is a must-have for modern drivers.

Why Upgrade to Black and Red Racing Seats?

When it comes to performance cars and racing, standard factory seats often don’t provide the level of support and style that true enthusiasts crave. Here’s why you should consider black and red racing seats for your car:

1. Enhanced Comfort and Support

Racing seats are designed with ergonomics in mind. Unlike stock seats, which are often designed for casual drivers, black and red racing seats provide firm support that keeps you in the correct driving posture. This is especially important during high-speed driving, sharp turns, and long road trips.

Most racing seats feature bolstered sides and a contoured design, which keep you firmly in place, preventing body movement that can cause fatigue and discomfort. Whether you’re racing on the track or commuting to work, you’ll appreciate the extra support.

2. Sporty and Aggressive Aesthetic

One of the most striking aspects of black and red racing seats is their eye-catching design. The combination of black and red gives a bold, aggressive look that complements high-performance vehicles.

Black adds a sleek, professional touch

Red brings energy, passion, and racing spirit

Whether you own a muscle car, sports car, or tuner, black and red racing seats will instantly upgrade the visual appeal of your interior.

3. High-Quality Materials and Durability

Racing seats are typically made from durable materials such as:

Alcantara and suede for a premium, high-end feel

Leather and synthetic leather for durability and ease of maintenance

Carbon fiber or fiberglass shells for lightweight strength

These materials are resistant to wear and tear, making them a long-lasting investment for your vehicle.

4. Improved Driving Performance and Safety

Aside from looks and comfort, black and red racing seats provide practical performance benefits. Since they keep you securely in place, they allow for better control of the car, especially during aggressive driving.

For added safety, many racing seats come with harness slots, allowing you to install a 4-point or 5-point harness seatbelt for maximum security.

The Benefits of a Bluetooth Steering Wheel

While black and red racing seats enhance comfort and style, a Bluetooth steering wheel takes your driving experience to the next level with advanced functionality.

1. Wireless Connectivity and Convenience

A Bluetooth steering wheel allows you to control various features of your car without needing to reach for buttons on the dashboard. With integrated Bluetooth technology, you can:

Answer and make phone calls hands-free

Control music playback (play, pause, skip tracks)

Adjust the volume without taking your hands off the wheel

Access voice commands for navigation and other functions

This not only improves convenience but also enhances safety by allowing you to keep your focus on the road.

2. Ideal for Performance and Sim Racing Enthusiasts

If you love track days, drifting, or even sim racing, a Bluetooth steering wheel is a fantastic upgrade. Many high-performance wheels offer customizable buttons and paddles that allow for quick gear shifts, traction control adjustments, and even car telemetry monitoring.

For sim racers, a Bluetooth steering wheel provides a wireless connection to gaming consoles or PC setups, creating a realistic driving experience without tangled cables.

3. Sleek and Modern Design

Just like black and red racing seats, a Bluetooth steering wheel adds a stylish and modern touch to your vehicle’s interior. Many of these wheels feature premium materials such as:

Perforated leather grips for enhanced comfort

Carbon fiber inserts for a high-performance look

LED indicators for RPM monitoring

With customizable colors and LED lighting options, you can create a cockpit that matches your personal style.

4. Easy Installation and Compatibility

Most Bluetooth steering wheels are designed to be compatible with a wide range of vehicles. Whether you drive a performance car, truck, or luxury vehicle, you can find a Bluetooth steering wheel that integrates seamlessly with your car’s electronics.

Installation is often straightforward, with some models even allowing plug-and-play functionality. If you want an advanced setup with custom controls, professional installation is recommended.

The Perfect Combination: Black and Red Racing Seats + Bluetooth Steering Wheel

When you pair black and red racing seats with a Bluetooth steering wheel, you create a truly immersive and functional driving experience. Here’s how these two upgrades complement each other:

Feature

Black and Red Racing Seats

Bluetooth Steering Wheel

Aesthetic Appeal

Sporty, aggressive look

Modern, high-tech design

Comfort & Support

Ergonomic bolsters, better posture

Ergonomic grips, responsive controls

Performance

Keeps driver stable during high-speed maneuvers

Enhances control with wireless features

Safety

Secure seating position, harness compatibility

Hands-free control reduces distractions

If you're looking to enhance your car's interior while improving both performance and convenience, this combination is a must-have for any driving enthusiast.

Conclusion

Upgrading to black and red racing seats and a Bluetooth steering wheel is one of the best ways to enhance your driving experience. The racing seats provide superior support, comfort, and a bold aesthetic, while the Bluetooth steering wheel adds modern functionality and convenience.Whether you're looking for better performance on the track, a sportier appearance, or more comfort and technology in your daily drive, these upgrades will transform your car into a high-performance machine.

[aerassault0108]

Pᴜʟsᴇ: Bʏ Aᴇʀᴀssᴀᴜʟᴛ𝟶𝟷𝟶𝟾

𝘾𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙏𝙬𝙤: “𝙋𝙪𝙡𝙨𝙚”

Ray stepped out onto the pavement.

The air was crisp, regulated beneath the dome's tempered glow. Around him, the city moved with quiet efficiency—trams gliding soundlessly along their tracks, the hum of distant turbines threading through the air.

A few passersby turned as he walked, some offering nods of recognition. A pair of students on a nearby bench glanced up from their tablets, their whispered exchange just faintly audible. Ray paid them little mind.

At the edge of the transit lane, a cab slowed to meet him, its polished surface reflecting the structured skyline.

He stepped inside, and the door sealed with a near-silent hiss. The dashboard flickered on to display a smooth trajectory across the city.

Ray settled back, watching as the city unfurled outside the window. Towering structures of glass and steel curved into the sky, their surfaces shifting with dynamic solar panels. Bridges stretched across the city's canals, where the water ran dark and still, unbroken save for the controlled movements of filtration skimmers.

The cab navigated through it all with quiet precision, each motion calculated, each turn anticipated.

At last, the headquarters of the Astronomic Science Authority came into view—its stark, angular silhouette cutting against the cityscape.

The cab eased to a halt, and as Ray stepped out, he allowed himself a single breath.

Then, with confidence, he made his way inside.

The halls of the ASA hummed with quiet intensity, a steady undercurrent of conversation and distant machinery forming the pulse of the institution.

Scientists moved with purpose, their voices low yet charged, exchanging theories, data, and half-finished thoughts as they passed between sterile glass-paneled laboratories.

The walls bore digital readouts—equations, simulations, real-time telemetry—updating in smooth, flickering intervals.

Ray walked with measured purpose, shoulders squared, hands clasped before him. He gave brief nods of acknowledgment as he passed, but none thought to stop him.

The halls pulsed with urgency—scientists moved briskly, some deep in murmured discussion, others frowning at data readouts while a few scratched notes onto clipboards. A few stood motionless in thought, staring past their own calculations.

The ASA never truly stilled; minds worked even when bodies paused.

A glint of light caught his eye—his gaze flicked to a nearby lab.

A scientist stood alone, unmoving, staring into the glow of a console. The screen's pale light reflected off his glasses, obscuring his expression.

Though curious, Ray moved on.

As he neared his division, a sudden presence jolted into his path.

"Oh! Hello!" The voice was bright, self-assured—perhaps overly so. The young woman before him stood with easy confidence, dressed in a manner that straddled professionalism and personal ease. "You're Godfrey, yes?"

Ray barely opened his mouth before she pressed on.

"Good, good. Thought so. Which means I've found the right division, seeing as, well... you're here."

Ray gave a slow, measured nod. "Indeed. I received word from headquarters regarding your appointment. I am to—"

"Teach me, yes, yes—I know."

The interruption was swift, almost instinctual—then a flicker of embarrassment crossed her face, and when she caught Ray's expression, she faltered.

"O-oh, I, um—I didn't mean to—" she straightened, exhaling sharply as if resetting herself. "P-please, continue."

She crossed her arms, her expression teetering between an apologetic grimace and an uneasy smile.

A brief silence stretched between them. Ray regarded her for a moment longer, then turned sharply on his heel.

"Come along now. There is much to learn."

Ray strode through the division with efficiency, his gait swift yet unhurried. He moved not as a guide but as a man retracing familiar steps, pointing out key features as they passed.

"This corridor houses our primary computational systems—high-density quantum processors running near absolute zero. Processing cores are suspended in a vacuum chamber to prevent heat contamination. Here, the primary astrophysical simulations are conducted—gravitational lensing, dark matter distributions, orbital mechanics, all updated in real time."

The newcomer trailed behind, nodding, though she had little time to process each detail before sidestepping an upcoming colleague.

Ray stopped abruptly at a glass partition, gesturing to the room beyond. "That," he said, "is the photonic spectrometer array. We extract data from deep-field observations, parse light signatures down to individual photons—useful for stellar composition analysis, exoplanet atmospheres, and—"

He pivoted before finishing, already moving again. The intern hurried to catch up, muttering under her breath.

He stopped at a smooth, circular indentation in the wall—no signage, no visible function.

He ran a finger along its surface, nodding to himself before turning back.

"The entire facility is built upon a superconductor-laced substructure," he explained. "Minimal energy loss. Even waste heat is siphoned into secondary systems—passive temperature regulation, water purification. Efficiency is paramount."

She frowned. "That... thing you just touched. What is it?"

Ray glanced at it again. "Ah. A recessed access panel. Maintenance ports are hidden in plain sight—cleaner aesthetic."

She raised an eyebrow. "Concealing maintenance ports in the name of aesthetics... seems impractical."

Ray resumed his brisk pace, weaving through the winding corridors, occasionally stopping to observe something only he seemed to find significant—a particular alignment of conduits, the faint hum of a cooling system, the way a readout flickered in a pattern imperceptible to most.

She fell behind again.

Then, a pause. Ray slowed, scanning the space for another point of interest. A moment of quiet settled between them.

She took the opportunity.

"Beatrice," she said simply.

Ray stopped mid-step, turning to her. "... Surname?"

The question caught her off guard, but she recovered quickly. "Whitmore. Beatrice Whitmore."

Ray tilted his head slightly. He rather liked the name. "Interesting. Miss Whitmore, then."

Beatrice smirked. "I'm a married woman, Mister Godfrey."

Ray stiffened, and his eyes flickered. "Oh... my apologies. I... assumed someone your age wouldn't have settled down yet."

She scoffed. "I'm twenty-four, for your information."

Ray hesitated, then gave a short nod. "Apologies, then."

They continued walking.

Ray was noticeably slower.

After more walking, more of the intricacies of the Division, Beatrice stopped.

A light flashed bright from beyond a window overlooking the city below.

Beatrice stared, and interrupted Ray's guidance with, "Isn't it mad? How light can come and go, yet never be truly destroyed?"

Her words caught Ray's attention, who stopped to listen.

"I mean, everything breaks down in the end, doesn't it? All matter will collapse, the stars will burn out, even the laws of physics might unravel one day. But light—once it's out there, it just keeps going. The only thing that can stop... I don't know—more light?" She chuckled, and pushed away from the window.

Ray paused for a moment, then smiled. "I had been thinking the same thing."

Beatrice turned to him, eyebrows raised. "Oh, really? So I can hold a conversation with you, then."

Ray smirked. "I'm not one to easily be won over."

They both smiled, and gazed out the window together.

Finally, after roughly two hours of guidance, Beatrice got the gist of the Division and they both went for a break in the main lobby.

"Well... I'll be processing that for a decade," Beatrice said, resting her face in her palms.

"I know, I know, it's much—even some people who have worked months here still come across new things."

Ray then passed a cup of coffee over to Beatrice, who drank it immediately.

"I love it here," Ray said, looking around the place with reverence. "Even five years later, I still find something new to learn, some new problem to solve. It just keeps giving."

Familiarity settled in Ray's face. "If you've got what it takes, if you've got the determination, you can do anything."

Beatrice smiled, and, after a moment, nodded confidently.

Ray checked his wristwatch and exhaled softly. "That will do for today. We'll resume tomorrow," he said.

Then, fixing his gaze on Beatrice, he continued in a measured tone, "But tonight, you remain for a preliminary trial—a test of the fundamentals of our division's operations."

He gestured toward a nearby console displaying a streamlined interface. "Your task is straightforward: verify the calibration of the photonic spectrometer array. Ensure its readings conform to our established baselines, then log the data accurately. Think of it as confirming the basics—the foundation upon which all our advanced analyses depend."

His expression grew sterner. "Any missteps won't just set you back—they'll reflect on me as well. But I've no doubt you'll handle yourself just fine."

After a brief pause, he offered a warm, encouraging smile. "Good luck, Beatrice—you can do this."

Ray stepped into the elevator, pressing a biometric panel with his thumb. A soft chime, then rapid descent.

He barely felt the motion—magnetic acceleration made it near-instantaneous.

Floors blurred past on the digital display, and within seconds, he reached the ground level.

The doors whispered open, revealing the polished expanse of the ASA lobby.

He moved toward the exit, but just as he neared the glass doors, a figure stepped into his path.

Ray halted. Immediately, his posture shifted—straightening, hands clasping instinctively behind his back.

"Mr. Ford," he said, lifting his chin up slightly. "A surprise, but never an unwelcome one. Something the matter?"

The man before him, Gregory Ford, was a veteran of the ASA—nearing fifty, but with the physique of a man who never truly stopped working. His grey-streaked hair was neatly combed back, his sharp eyes piercing into Ray.

"Mr. Godfrey," Ford said evenly, "I apologize for delaying you, but I need you at Headquarters. Our chief scientist has reported something... unusual."

Ray tensed. Ford did not use words like unusual lightly.

"... Could—could this not have been sent as a message?" He hesitated, glancing at his watch. "I need to return to my wife before nightfall—"

"I don't want any chance of my message being intercepted." Ford's voice was firm, final.

Ray exhaled slowly, then gave a single nod.

He allowed a brief, knowing smile before turning sharply on his heel. "Come."

Together, they crossed the lobby and stepped into another lift. This one was different—restricted access, destination locked.

The moment the doors sealed, the floor rose beneath them, a sensation of controlled velocity. The ascent was smooth, but the sheer speed was undeniable.

Headquarters sat at the very top of the ASA complex. As the lift doors opened, Ray took a step inside—a stark, functional space, walls lined with high-resolution displays streaming real-time data from deep-space observation arrays.

The lighting was subdued, designed to reduce eye strain during long hours of work. Desks curved seamlessly into integrated consoles, and a window overlooked the distant sprawl of buildings.

In the center of the room, a small office stood encased in reinforced glass. And inside, slumped over a cluttered desk, sat the head scientist.

Dr. Elias Monroe.

Ray had known him for years. He was not an excitable man. Yet even from a distance, it was clear—something had shaken him.

Ford strode forward and knocked twice on the office window. Monroe jumped, rubbing his temples before hurriedly ushering them in.

The office was dimly lit, paper notes scattered among holographic readouts. Monroe barely spared a greeting before diving straight in.

"I assume you've already briefed him?" he asked Ford, voice tight with exhaustion.

"Not yet." Ford folded his arms, giving Monroe space to explain.

The scientist exhaled sharply, nodding to himself as if ordering his thoughts. Then, he turned to Ray.

"We picked up something in deep space—an anomaly. A signal, rhythmic. But it doesn't match any known pattern—JX-914, I would guess."

Ray's brow furrowed. "JX-914?"

Monroe tapped a few keys on his console. A star map flickered on, pinpointing a location far beyond mapped territory.

"Interstellar void," Monroe muttered. "No planets. No pulsars. Nothing but vacuum."

He rubbed his jaw, shaking his head. "And yet, we detected something. Which raises the question... how could we still detect something that far away?"

Silence.

Ray stared at the data, mind already turning over possibilities.

A spark lit his eyes.

Mission Log – Sol 15

Designation: Erebus-1

Commander: Dr. Ray Godfrey

Location: Interstellar Void, en route to Origin Point Theta

"Telemetry remains stable. However, new readings confirm a shift in the pulse periodicity—now precisely 1.00 seconds. Signal intensity has increased by 14.7%. No detectable source. No gravitational anomalies. No energy signatures beyond the pulse itself.

Conclusion: Phenomenon remains unaccounted for. Adjusting course for continued observation."

Personal Notes:

"There is something about it. The way it settles into my bones—like a second heartbeat. I feel it even when the instruments are silent. Faint, but present.

I've noticed a lingering nausea, nothing severe, but distinct. Whether it's psychological or something more, I can't yet say.

Regardless, the work continues.

[theruminationtrap]

Vocabulary List for The Three Body Problem: Book 1

Limpid - adj. (of a person's eyes) unclouded; clear.

Piteously - adv.  ​in a way that deserves pity or causes you to feel pity synonym pathetically

Particolored - adj. having or consisting of two or more different colors.

Eddy - n. a circular movement of water, counter to a main current, causing a small whirlpool.

Granary - n. a storehouse for grain

Pinyin - a Chinese word that means “phonetic spelling”. It's a system for transcribing Chinese characters into the Latin alphabet, and is the most common way to romanize Mandarin Chinese

Armillary - n. a model of the celestial globe constructed from rings and hoops, representing the equator, the tropics, and other celestial circles, and able to rotate on its axis

Geometer - n. A person skilled in geometry

Dun - adj. a dull grayish brown color

Corona - n. In astronomy, a corona is the outermost layer of a star’s atmosphere, made up of plasma or hot ionized gas. The word "corona" comes from the Latin word for "crown". 

Myopic - 1. Nearsighted 2. lacking imagination, foresight, or intellectual insight.

Presbyopic - Age related farsightedness

Sentries - n. a soldier stationed to keep guard or to control access to a place

Disconsolate - adj. without consolation  or comfort; unhappy.

Cathode- an electrode in a polarized electrical device that allows conventional current to leave the device. The name comes from cations, which are positively charged ions. 

Telemetry - Telemetry is used to obtain data on the internal functioning of missiles, rockets, unmanned planes, satellites, and probes, providing data on such factors as position, altitude, and speed as well as conditions like temperature, air pressure, wind speed, and radiation. Weather forecasters rely on telemetry to map weather patterns. Astronauts on the space shuttle are monitored with telemetry that measures and transmits readings on their blood pressure, respiration, and heart rates. Similar kinds of telemetry are used by biologists to study animals in the wild and keep track of their populations and movements. Telemetry is also widely used in modern agriculture, often to regulate irrigation.

Anachronistic - adj. belonging to a period other than that being portrayed.

Chitons - a sleeveless or short- sleeved tunic worn by men and women in Ancient Greece and Rome.

Interferometry - a technique that uses the interference of waves to extract information. It's a common tool in many fields, including engineering, oceanography, seismology, and fiber optics. 

Indolent - adj. wanting to avoid activity or exertion; lazy.

Parries - a fencing bladework maneuver intended to deflect or block an incoming attack.

Phalanx - a military formation

Halberd - a polearm ax weapon - The ji was a Chinese polearm weapon translated into English as halberd, though they are conceptually different weapons. They were used in one form or another for over 3000 years, from at least as early as the Zhou dynasty until the end of the Qing dynasty. They are still used for training in many Chinese martial arts. 

Syzygy - a conjunction or opposition, especially of the moon with the sun

Mien - a person's look or manner, especially one of a particular kind indicating their character or mood

Perturbation - a deviation of a system, moving object, or process from its regular or normal state or path, caused by an outside influence

Winch - a mechanical device that can adjust the tension of a rope or wire rope

Prosaic - commonplace and unromantic

Ephemeris - a table of computed positions and velocities of an orbiting body at specific times. It can also refer to an astronomical almanac that contains such tables

Cupronickel - an metal alloy of copper and nickel, known for its corrosion resistance and mechanical strength

Equanimity - evenness of mind especially under stress

Interminable - tiresomely long, seemingly with no end

Loess - an unstratified, geologically recent deposit of silty or loamy material that is usually buff or yellowish brown in color and is chiefly deposited by the wind

Promulgated - put into effect by official proclamation

Zither - a stringed instrument having usually 30 to 40 strings over a shallow horizontal soundboard and played with pick and fingers

Abutment - a structure built to support the lateral pressure of an arch or span, e.g. at the ends of a bridge

Perfunctorily - to do it because you have to, as a formality, often in a careless way

Princeps - any of various chief officials

Firmament - a celestial barrier that separated the heavenly waters above from the Earth below

Mesons - any of a group of fundamental particles (such as the pion and kaon) made up of a quark and an antiquark that are subject to the strong force and have zero or an integer number of quantum units of spin

[sw5w]

Sebulba Chortles

STAR WARS EPISODE I: The Phantom Menace - Deleted Scene: Extended Podrace Lap Two 03:46

[gtrsimulator1]

Mastering the Track: The Thrill of Race Driving Simulators

Race driving simulators have revolutionized the way motorsport enthusiasts experience the thrill of high-speed racing. These sophisticated systems, combining advanced technology with realistic driving mechanics, offer an unparalleled virtual environment that mirrors real-world racing dynamics. Whether you're a professional driver seeking practice or an enthusiast looking to feel the rush of the track, race simulators provide an experience that’s as close to reality as it gets.

The Evolution of Race Driving Simulators

The concept of Race Driving Simulator has evolved from basic arcade setups to high-tech rigs with cutting-edge hardware and software. Early simulators focused primarily on entertainment, but modern systems are engineered for precision, featuring force-feedback steering wheels, hydraulic pedals, and motion platforms that replicate the physical sensations of driving.

These advancements have made simulators indispensable tools for professional drivers. With the ability to recreate iconic tracks, weather conditions, and vehicle dynamics, simulators allow racers to practice strategies and sharpen skills without the risks and costs associated with real-world testing.

Realism Meets Accessibility

What sets contemporary race simulators apart is their emphasis on realism. High-definition graphics, laser-scanned tracks, and AI-driven competitors ensure that every detail, from the screech of tires to the smallest bump in the road, is authentically reproduced. The physics engines used in simulators meticulously calculate tire grip, aerodynamics, and car behavior, ensuring an experience that's both challenging and rewarding.

Simulators are no longer confined to professional setups. Affordable options now exist for casual gamers, featuring simplified but immersive systems that run on gaming consoles or PCs. These setups often include a basic wheel and pedal setup, making the joy of racing accessible to a wider audience.

Benefits Beyond Fun

Race driving simulators offer more than entertainment. They serve as training tools, enabling drivers to enhance their reflexes, improve decision-making, and familiarize themselves with new circuits. Simulators also promote safety by allowing users to experience the consequences of mistakes in a controlled environment, fostering a better understanding of vehicle control and dynamics.

For motorsport teams, simulators have become an integral part of race preparation. They provide telemetry data, help in fine-tuning car setups, and even simulate fuel consumption and tire wear scenarios, ensuring teams are race-ready.

The Future of Race Simulators

As technology continues to advance, Pc racing simulator are poised to become even more immersive. Innovations like virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) are adding new dimensions to the experience, allowing users to feel as if they're truly inside the car. AI improvements are making virtual opponents more competitive, while cloud-based systems are enabling racers to compete globally in real time.

In the realm of esports, race simulators are creating a thriving community of competitive gamers, with global tournaments offering substantial prizes and recognition. This blend of real-world racing principles with virtual competition is attracting a new generation of fans to the sport.

[updatecrazy]

F1 23 update 1.09 patch notes details released for PS4, PC, and Xbox console players. According to the official F1 23 1.09 patch notes, the latest update rolling out with bug fixes and improvements, including cockpit view adjustments and helmet issues. It also fixes various issues, improves AI speed, and addresses community feedback. Apart from this, F1 23 patch 1.09 also includes quality of life changes and improvments. Previously, a major F1 23 patch 1.06 addressed issues with red flags, equal performance in Two Player Career, safety car and formation lap, FPS drops, collisions, crashes, finishing positions, Logitech wheel feedback, and garage collision. Unfortunately, since the release, players are experiencing several F1 23 issues with the game. F1 23 version 1.09 will address a few of these errors. Read more details here. F1 23 1.09 Patch Notes - August 8, 2023 Fixed an issue where players could take control of their car in the pitlane after using flashback when exiting the pits Fixed an issue where, in some instances, players could get disqualified from the race in multiplayer when being disqualified from the formation lap Fixed an issue where looking around while in the cockpit was reduced Fixed an issue where drivers would have incorrect helmets after changing team in Career modes Fixed an issue where Casper Akkermann, Devon Butler and Jamie Chadwick had incorrect helmets when chosen as a teammate in Grand Prix Fixed an issue where gamertags would sometimes show in unexpected areas Fixed an issue where equal performance was always enabled in LAN modes Fixed an issue where, in some instances, race sessions would not load with UDP telemetry connected General Stability Improvements Various Minor Fixes F1® World balancing changes have been made to improve the experience of all players, especially those who may have found Solo objectives too easy. You can read more about the changes by clicking here. Below is a summary: All F1® World events that previously matched the player's Tech Level have been adjusted to match to a slightly lower Tech Level F1® World Tech Level 'Modifier' setting can now be applied to all Solo events that use Tech Level, allowing optional difficulty increases The F1® World Tech Level 'Modifier' setting has been updated to allow any value from zero to +150 (previously -100 to +100) Lower Tech Level events in F1® World will now scale as player Tech Level increases Download free F1 23 update 1.09 on PlayStation 4, PC and Xbox Series X/S.

[rufous-bellied-thrush-in-top-hat]

For me it was access to the console.

[disclaimer: I have never used nor do I know anything about Windows 11, I left when it was still 10]

Using the terminal emulator on Windows (Powershell, run, etc) is usually something that you can't do very easily as a regular user. The system actively and passively encourages you to solve things through increasingly enshittified and unhelpful GUIs (like when they replaced the control panel with android-like settings that specifically prevent you from changing anything important about your pc, but make it so that every other click potentially consents to invasive telemetry /hj).

Nearly every Linux distro starts you off with it's terminal emulator pinned to the taskbar, and nearly every "how do I" article about Linux will have you do at least a few steps on the console.

After a bit, you start to pick up on things, "-f" is "by force if necessary", sudo is "remember I'm an admin, goddamit", and if you don't know what something does "man <command>" and "<command> --help" usually have got your back.

There's definitely a learning curve, and to an extent it is more vulnerable to user error (i.e., "sudo rm -rf /") than a pure GUI like Windows, but it lets you be closer to the truth of the machine.

I don't want you to leave the code couched in a mile-thick layer of corporate speak and customer service, I want to be able to tug on the wires if the connection is loose!

I want to be able to sever its tendons if they get in my way and lobotomize its features if they annoy me! I want to be able to replace random components of the UI until it becomes a kind of Frankenstein's monster.And I shouldn't need to learn to code C++ to do it.

gathering public correspondence: what is/was your least favorite part about windows? and what are your favorite parts about linux in comparison (if applicable)

[lostcauses-noregrets]

Lostcauses Fic: Orbital - chapter 4

We have lift off!! 🚀 So sorry that it's taken me so long to update Orbital, life has been a bit all-encompassing of late. I promise I will see this story through! Huge thanks to everyone who has been reading and commenting, hopefully you won't have to wait quite so long for the next update. L 💫

~~

Levi reported to Paradis Space Programme’s Mission Control Centre the following morning, feeling stiff and awkward in his hastily purchased shirt and tie. He had only seen the control centre once before, from the viewing gallery, when Hanji had used their security clearance to give him a brief tour when he first joined the programme.  From the outside, mission control was an unassuming breeze block building, but inside, it was a hive of activity.  Three long rows of consoles were lined up in front of an enormous electronic screen displaying a map for tracking the position of the capsule, with data relayed from ground stations and ships around the world. Smaller screens to the left and right displayed flight measurements and trend charts monitoring the astronaut’s status and condition.  Flight controllers were seated at the rows of consoles, each with their allotted station; recovery commander, operations director, network controller, missile telemetry, flight dynamics, support control, capsule environment monitor, flight dynamics officer.  Overseeing it all was General Dot Pixis, Director of the Paradis Space Programme and Flight Controller of the Scout Project.

The room was already bustling when Levi arrived, with personnel stationed at every console.  Only one station, in the centre of the first row, was empty; the capsule communicator. Feeling painfully out of his depth, Levi took a deep breath and stepped into the room. 

“Can I help you?” A man with a clipboard asked as he passed.   

“Ackerman, reporting for duty.  I’ve been reassigned from MASTIF for…”

“Ah Ackerman, glad to have you joining us!” General Pixis strode forward, he was smiling broadly, but his eyes were shrewd and bright. “You’re to be Smith’s capcom?  Irregular, very irregular, but Erwin never has been one to be bound by convention, he’s always thinking five steps ahead of the rest of us. He’s placed a lot of trust in you, Ackerman.  I hope you’re up to the job?”

“Yes sir,” Levi replied with all the conviction he could muster.  He was already aware that Zacharias’ and Dok’s capcoms were veteran pilots with years of flight experience, so to say his appointment was unorthodox was something of an understatement. 

“Berner and Dr Zoe will show you the ropes in the first instance. Your station is in the ditch, right at the front there, between the flight surgeon and capsule environment monitor.” 

“Levi!”  A familiar voice called, and Levi was relieved to see Hanji’s messy head appearing from behind one of the consoles.  “Come and meet Moblit! Moblit Berner, meet Levi Ackerman, Levi meet Moblit.”  

“We’ve already met, Dr Zoe,” Moblit replied, as Levi made his way over to the empty station in the front row. 

“You have?  When?” 

“You introduced us the first week Mr Ackerman started here, and we’ve met a few times since.” Berner explained patiently. 

“I did?  You have?  Oh. Well. That’s great then!” Hanji’s already manic grin widened. “You’ll get along like a house on fire! Moblit monitors the capsule environment, he’ll be stationed right here beside you.” 

Berner smiled apologetically, and extended this hand to Levi. 

“Welcome to MCC, Mr Ackerman.” 

The rest of the week passed in a blur, as Levi was rapidly briefed on the role of the Mission Control Centre, which included directing all aspects of the capsule’s flight, monitoring the status of the capsule and the health of the astronaut, initiating the launch and re-entry sequence, coordinating the relay of information from the tracking stations, and notifying the recovery teams when the capsule re-entered the atmosphere.  Moblit was always on hand to answer his questions and Levi was immensely grateful for his calm patience, which was a welcome contrast to Hanji’s chaotic energy.

[Continue reading on AO3]

[twinicegiantorbiters]

“Shutdown phase complete, entering cooldown phase.” Captain Truss called out. “Core temps nominal, radiation environment nominal....” Maid Rhyolite listed everything as nominal as propellant flow slowed to a trickle (the reactor would still be hot and throwing off radiation for a while longer, of course.) Commander Victoria stretched and rubbed her old burn scars (which sometimes acted when strapped in and sitting still for long periods, say, an orbital insertion burn) and let the crew unbuckle. Gloved paws grasped at the wall and noses against the little windows, girls gaze nadir at [fourthmoon] below, thin wisps of dust in its even thinner atmosphere, the last of the five regular moons for girls to visit.

“Congratulations, telemetry confirms stable orbit” Ground Control chimed in over the radio “but Hazard Avoidance is throwing some kind of fault, uh....wait, no, confirmed object, coming from the surface, actually? 3-5 meters.” Truss and Victoria went back to their consoles. “3-5? LCB coming to play?” Witch Orange asked. “No, can’t be” Gracious said with a twinge of sadness in its voice, rolling 180° without pushing off anything, “LC is somewhere in the irregulars right now, and it doesn’t like atmo, it wouldn’t be down there.” “I guess that’s good?” Payload Specialist Lissette “Everytime that particular beast shows it, it is always, ah, “depressurization event”, or “equipment theft” or “initiating the Harmony Incident and jumpstarting the next phase of girl evolution” pointing at the tiny Gracious, who frowned, replying “we’re not some ‘next phase’; beasts have only helped us realized how special some of us always *could* have been. To say nothing of the various girls throughout history who did manage to figure some things out themselves.” Orange swished her two tails in annoyance “And we’re very grateful for everything beasts have been helping us realize about our potential” creating a quick electric arc between her thumb and forefinger.  “Alright kids, I appreciate stimulating philosophical debate as much as anyone else, but we DO have someone or something approaching us at 6km/s” the grizzled commander barked. “Truss, at consoles with me. Lissette, do whatever it is you need to do with the Station Core Module. Orange, Rhyolite, Gracious, prepare for possible emergency EVA.”  “You want us to doff the little Ospreys and don the bulky Eagles in like 15 minutes?? And then possibly go out on EVA with the reactor still hot???” Rhyolite asked, pushing off toward the airlock. “10!” Victoria demanded. Orange and Rhyolite climbed in the airlock and began to doff the lighter pressure suits designed for use during some critical phases. “You too, Gracious, I said” “Hey, I don’t need a suit anymore, I can loaf around for a few minutes.” “Yes, we know, we’re all real jealous. Get in the fucking airlock you little shit.” the commander grabbed Gracious easily with just one paw and gently shoved it in the airlock, closing and bolting the interior door shut. They managed to get the EVA suits on in only 11 minutes, and Orange used a magic technique to quickly and safely purge the nitrogen from their system. It makes Rhyolite feel like shit and she absolutely fucking hates it every time.  Over the suit loop “picked it up on our own radar now. Beast Confirmed. We have no idea who. It’s matching our velocity. Prepare for EVA.” 

NEXT TIME ON: TIDALLY LOCKED GIRLS:

A BRAND NEW BEAST APPEARS OVER [FOURTHMOON]!

(there is no next time it’s a lie I’m lying sorry sorry)