fabiochiu/medium-articles huggingface dataset:
That Curious Space
By: Pragalbha Doshi
Tags: Inspiration, Thesceneandheard, Poetry, Life, Spirituality

There is a way of life you flow through

There comes a force that just cuts through

Breaks you apart from what you live through

Wipes you out with that, what you grow through

The surge comes with no warning through

Momentum of what Is, replaced with what gashes through

Seems like all is stopped and slowed through

There is all of that, what is then struggled through

Then there comes surrender to faith through

Nuggets of precious insights, joyful moments trickle through

There is a space of wonderment created through

Between where you got pushed from & where you are being led through

Rest in that curious space, don’t rush through …
All About Debugging: Advanced Topics
By: Sara A. Metwalli
Tags: Software Engineering, Programming, Technology, Education, Software Development

All About Debugging: Advanced Topics

What comes after standard debuggers?

Photo by the author (made using Canva).

In the world of software development, debugging is definitely one of the most critical yet dreadful tasks. Nevertheless, the ability to efficiently debug any program is a skill the separates the average from the brilliant.

“Programming allows you to think about thinking, and while debugging you learn learning.” — Nicholas Negroponte

When developing software, a specific set of steps is followed until the final product is reached:

Setting and analyzing the requirements of the goal application.

Designing the software.

Testing the code.

Debugging and fixing bugs.

Maintaining the codebase.

These steps form the life cycle of a software project. Undoubtedly, the testing and debugging stages are the most time-consuming stages. In most projects, developers spend 50% of their time on most of these steps and the other 50% on debugging alone. Debugging time can be reduced significantly by writing simple, clear code from the start.

“Debugging is twice as hard as writing the code in the first place. Therefore, if you write the code as cleverly as possible, you are, by definition, not smart enough to debug it.” — Brian Kernighan

There are different traditional methodologies for debugging, such as trace-based debugging, delta debugging, or spectrum-based debugging. These approaches are best used when the bug we are trying to locate exists in a codebase that is stored locally and maintained regularly. For special systems such as embedded systems, distributed systems, and parallel systems, special debugging techniques are followed.

There are some advanced topics and questions about the process of debugging that are either unanswered or take the idea of debugging to a new level. In this article, we will go through some of these topics:
How to Unit Test a GORM Application With Sqlmock
By: Che Dan
Tags: Golang, Unitt Testing, Postgres, Mock, Programming

How to Unit Test a GORM Application With Sqlmock

Tips and tricks to work with GROM and PostgreSQL

Photo by Nicolas Thomas on Unsplash.

Unit testing DB-interactive codes is not easy. It becomes harder when an ORM library like GORM is involved.

Theoretically, we could mock all the interfaces of database/sql/driver (such as Conn and Driver) with the great mock tool GoMock. However, we still need a lot of manual work to complete this kind of testing even with the help of GoMock.

The good news is Sqlmock could solve the aforementioned problem. As declared by its official website, it’s an “Sql mock driver for golang to test database interactions.”

This article will show you how to unit test a simple blog application with Sqlmock. The application is backed with PostgreSQL and uses GORM to simplify O-R mapping.

We’ll write test cases with the BDD testing framework Ginkgo, but you can change to any other testing library you prefer.

Our blog application will contain a blog data model and a repository struct to handle DB operations.
Are You Feeling Angry? Great! Start Writing Now!
By: Aldric Chen
Tags: Emotions, Writing, Life Lessons, Self Improvement, Writing On Writing

Are You Feeling Angry? Great! Start Writing Now!

The best time to write is when we have a chip on our shoulders. That typically comes from an emotional trigger. Anger is one of them.

Photo by Damir Spanic on Unsplash

We have lived through multiple repeat stories in our lifetime. We get a bashing in the office for work that our colleagues never do. Mum screamed at us for not washing our cups when Dad is the culprit.

Accusation creates anger. Anger creates stored energy.

Stored energy has one nasty intrinsic property. They don’t escape. They tend to accumulate like a spring coil designed to explode after incremental compressions.

Anger is like preserved tension measured in the Richter scale. We can punch a hole into the wall behind us when someone pushes the wrong button.

We have to learn to release the tension

Tension can be released through writing. Yes, there are days when I write a pile of stories because I was driven by anger. Today is one.

That tension is released and converted into this writing. The beauty of anger is we get to focus. As funny as it sounds, it is true in ways I couldn’t comprehend.

Also, we get into the state of Flow within seconds. I managed to reach this point of this story in a matter of minutes, possibly below 5.

Lastly, we blow past that wall of procrastination. It works all the time.

Don’t believe me?

That is not the point. The point is to harness anger for productive use.

And I use them to write a pile.

Convert Emotions To Stories!

Aldric
Trump Briefs
By: Liza Donnelly
Tags: Russia, Twitter, Putin, Trump, Politics

It came to light that Trump either doesn’t read or doesn’t listen to daily briefs that are brought to him each day. We learned that Russia hired bounty hunters to kill American military personel in Afghanistan. The administration first denied that Trump was given this information, then they said he had been briefed. But was he listening, or did he not care? Or was he tweeting?

How many Presidential Daily Briefs have gone unread with this president? Probably far too many.
I Choose to Believe in Miracles
By: Bebe Nicholson
Tags: Life Lessons, Prayer, Faith

“Somebody stole my purse! It has all my medicine, my driver’s license and my money, everything!” The woman wailed, drawing the attention of every other customer in the store. “I’m from out of town! I won’t even be able to get home!”

Our store’s security officer stationed himself at the front door to make sure nobody could leave with the missing purse. I rushed to the distraught customer, a white-haired woman in her eighties. Her pale, anguished face reflected the terror she felt at losing the security of these personal possessions.

Unfortunately, as manager of a nonprofit thrift store in a high-crime area, I had seen too many items stolen to hold out much hope of recovering her purse.

“Where do you think you left it?” I asked, dreading her answer.

“In my shopping cart.”

I knew recovery of a purse left in a neglected shopping cart was probably hopeless. “Where’s your cart?” I asked, trying not to let her see my dismay.

The woman glanced wildly around, lost and bewildered. I helped her search until we located the cart, then pawed through her items until I reached the bottom. The woman panicked all over again when she saw that her purse wasn’t there.

“Lord, please grant us favor in this instance and help us find this poor woman’s purse,” I prayed a quick, silent prayer before suggesting we retrace her steps.

“I think I went over this way,” the woman said, hobbling vaguely toward men’s clothing.

When I asked her to describe the purse, she said it was brown with a little leopard patch on the handle. She continued to moan, so I draped an arm around her shoulder and whispered, “Calm down. We’re going to find your purse. We’re going to find it because I’ve prayed about this.” As I said this, I glanced to my right and the tip of a leopard handle caught my eye. Her purse was half-submerged in a crate of neckties that had been shoved under the men’s shirt rack.

“There it is,” I exclaimed, pointing triumphantly to the leopard purse handle.

The woman pulled her purse from the crate and with me steadying her arm, moved toward the front of the store. Several people at the cash register clapped and cheered. “We were praying about this!” a couple of them chimed in.

The security officer checked the purse to see if everything was there, and not one item was missing.
O que é Autoridade de Domínio (Domain Authority) no SEO [Vídeo]
By: Angelo Públio
Tags: SEO, Marketing

in Both Sides of the Table
Linear Functions of vector arguments
By: Adrià Serra
Tags: Deep Learning, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Linear Algebra, Data Science

LINEAR ALGEBRA FOR DATA SCIENCE AND MACHINE LEARNING

Linear Functions of vector arguments

The basis for accelerating the big data models training

In mathematical analysis, one studies functions of any number of variables. Such functions can be regarded as vector functions.

Linear vector functions, also known as linear operators, are of great importance in linear algebra and it’s applications.

Linear forms

A numerical function L(x) of a vector argument x, defined on a linear space K over a number field K, is called a linear form if it satisfies the following conditions:

L(x+y) = L(x) + L(y) for every x,y ϵ K.

for every L(αx) = αL(x) for every x ϵ K and every α ϵ K.

We can write down the general representation of a linear form L(x) defined on an n-dimensional space K_n. Let e1, e2, … , en be and arbitrary basis of the space know, and denote the quantity L(e_k) by l_k (k = 1,2,…,n). Then, given any

Linear form representation, self-generated.

Linear operators

A morphism A = A(x) of a linear space X is another linear space Y over the same filed k. A(x), also called linear operator maps X into Y. Morphisms should satisfy the following conditions:

A(x+y) = Ax + Ay for every x,y ϵ K.

for every A(αx) = αAx for every x ϵ X and every α ϵ K.

Working with multiple linear operators

To work with linear operators we should know how we can use them in equations, here are the basic operator rules:

Addition

(A+B)x = Ax + Bx

A + B = B + A

A+(-A) = 0

A + 0 = A

Multiplication by a number

(λA)x = λ(Ax)

1 A = A

(λ1 + λ2)A = λ1 A + λ2A

λ(A+B) = λA + λB

Multiplication between operators

(BA)x = B(Ax)

λ(BA) = (λB)A

(A+B)C = AC + BC

(AB)C = A(BC)

Transposition

(A’)’ = A

(A+B)’ = A’ + B’

(AB)’ = B’A’

(ABC)’ = C’B’A’

Inverse

AI = IA = A

AA^-1 = A^-1A = I

(A^-1)^-1 = A

(AB)^-1 = B^-1 A^-1

(ABC)^-1 = C^-1B^-1A^-1

(A’)^-1 = (A^-1)’

Summary

In this post, we introduced linear operators and the properties that allow us to do math with them, now we know how to work with matrices alone, between matrices and between matrices and numbers. This will be at every formula of machine learning models since OLS(Ordinary least squares) to Deep learning models as GPT-3.
Los problemas más comunes de emprendedores y empresarios
By: Natalie Vielma Vinci
Tags: Decision Making, Emprendedores, Business Strategy, Empresa, Data

in Both Sides of the Table
Suite for MIDI Piano
By: Michael 'Myk Eff' Filimowicz
Tags: Piano, Sound Design, Programming, Music, Electronic

This is the kind of music you compose when you don’t have $100,000 (the cost at the time of creation) to spend on a Yamaha Disklavier, but yet still dream of one day acquiring.
Five Bunny Habits that Will Help You Succeed in Business
By: Simon Black
Tags: Humor, Satire, Bunny Blog, Advice, Funny

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By Down in the Dingle

Your monthly reminder to keep laughing and don't ever let the bastards get you down, because down here in the dingle it's all good, people. Stay safe. Don't fall in. Take a look
Are our children really ours?
Tags: Mothers, Motherhood, Islam, Responsibility, Parenting

Every now and then you hear something that exposes you to the innate arrogance of human nature. This is one of those things.

After the creation of Adam, creation has happened differently on a whole. He was created in the Heavens and sent on earth, we are born on earth and will hopefully return to Heavens. He was created from the simple command of Allah, we are created from the same command but through a biological process. This biological process is the ‘science’ through which we pop into this world, only to return once again.

If you really zoom out and see this from above, each one of us is responsible for the entry of the other on this planet. That’s basically the only function of all the science we know. But, Allah knows us better. He knows we are a creation that likes ownership, hence, He gave us these relationships to cherish.

The most sacred of them is that of a mother and her child. Now, did she choose the child? No. Did she have the power to breathe life into the fetus? No. Did she even have the power to fertilize her egg as per her wish? No. But, even then, the child is hers…

Photo by Liv Bruce on Unsplash

There is no discounting of the fact that nothing trumps a mother’s love and sacrifice. That’s not the reflective bit to be taken away from this. Nor is it about the vastness of the human existence. It’s just about responsibility.

Allah gave you a gift that you can call ‘YOURS’ because He knows that is how you will show it your love. He lets you believe that you own the child whereas you can’t even pluck an eyelash from its eyes without His will. The child is a major test and responsibility on your shoulders because before it became yours in this world, it belonged and will forever belong to the Almighty. You remember nothing of this child before it was born and you control nothing of it after it dies. You only play a role for the time it spends on this earth and on the final day you will be answerable for how you took care of a soul He gave to you… not to own, but to nurture.

The same applies to the fathers too, of course. The same applies to each one of us and our responsibilities towards each other. We are all a way for someone to improve, grow, get food, income, wealth, security. We are also a way someone might experience hurt, torture, pain, insecurity, scarcity…Just be wary that the Almighty is the best of judges and you will stand accountable for the role you chose to play in this transitory period.

Remember, no matter how much she loves you, but on that day, even your mother won’t be able to save you.
從口罩銷售看緊急物資調度戰略
By: Roy Lin
Tags: Taipei Taiwan, Data Analysis, Data Visualization, Covid 19, Face Mask

Thoughts on urban research & innovations. The collaborative content from our greater IVC community. Visit: ivc.city

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A POEM WRITTEN IN PAIN
By: David I'Olua Alabi
Tags: Emotions, Poetry, Quotes, Creative Process, Creative Writing

Keep sorrow away from my path.

Quench my sickness.

Refuel my spirit.

For I am weak and down.

Give me the strength of a lion.

For I look up to you O Lord.
What do students’ test results say about their backgrounds?
By: Mubarak Ganiyu
Tags: Machine Learning, Data Visualization, Python, Data Science, Education

What do students’ test results say about their backgrounds?

How difference metrics affect student’s test performance.

Every time I finish a test, I feel relieved. The stress that I built up while studying for it is all gone. I feel like I have the freedom to pursue my other hobbies, chill and relax until the next test, of course. Taking tests was a massive part of my primary/elementary school days. I remember I took a test at the end of every week.

In secondary/high school, I took a test at the middle of the term and an exam at the end of the term. In college, I just take tests infrequently. The interval between my tests could be weeks or days because the professors determine when they want you to take the test.

Test taking is an important aspect of every student’s life. Students take all sorts of tests such as SAT, GRE and regular tests at school. The results of these tests are seen as a measure of students’ understanding of what they have learnt. High schools and colleges use these results to determine admission for students who applied.

Moreover, test results vary from one test taker to another because of certain distinctions. Interested in how these distinctions affect test, I decided to conduct a research to find out how much of a difference they make on test takers.

Data Collection

The data set used for these research was obtained from 1000 high school students in U.S.A. via this link. The data set was loaded on Jupyter Notebook. It had features such as gender, race/ethnicity, parental level of education, lunch, test preparation course, math score, reading score and writing score.

The top five rows of the dataset.

After loading the data set, data analysis was done to see how the elements in different features differ using data visualization. Then, regression models were built to see how the results of two out of the three subjects affected the result of the third.

Data Visualization

The first data analysis shows how students performed based on their race and ethnicity. There are five race/ethnicity labelled group A, B, C, D and E. It takes an average of everyone from that ethnicity and uses a bar chart to display the results.

A bar chart showing how students performed according to their race.

Group E had the highest math score with Group D coming in second place. Group C, B and A were third, fourth and fifth respectively. This same trend was observed for their reading scores and writing scores.

The second analysis shows how studying for the test affects students’ results. It compares those who did no studying to those who finished studying.
Ruby in the Mist
By: Jeff Suwak
Tags: Surrealism, Pacific Northwest, Poetry

An orphaned strand

stretches out

between

two dream seas.

Great rocks

like calcified husks of ancient sea giants

loom out of the water.

Ancient trees stand

tall and blind,

patiently marking moments

in a world cut loose from time.

Driftwood, bones of nightmares,

twisted and deformed.

Ocean waves scramble over each other

in a

desperate bid to escape the sea.

The waves grasp and claw at the sand

but only find themselves sucked deeper into it,

becoming part of the aimless shore.

Below ground, slowly, the waves will be drawn through

the pores of the earth,

and cast back into their

doomed and inescapable cycle.

In this place of mystery,

each traveler has

secret hands

and

private

revelations.

Angels of frightful symmetry,

perch in clouds

owl-like eyes watching.

Ruby in the mist

is where

the world

becomes

some

thing

else.

We’ve left many footprints here

on the way to other places,

haven’t we, my friend?

We’re still wandering the shores, in fact,

just like those ocean waves,

trying to break free from ourselves.

But grasp and claw and cry as we may,

the trees root themselves

ever deeper into the soil,

and nothing

ever

really,

truly

ends.

Copyright 2017 Jeff Suwak
CRPT joins Ethos Universal Wallet
Tags: Crpt, Blockchain, Cryptocurrency, Wallet, Token

We are pleased to announce that CRPT token has been added to the list of coins available in Ethos wallet. This means now there is one more reliable and convenient way for you to store, track, receive and send Crypterium tokens.

Compared to other ‘hot wallets’, Ethos is the one to check off all the boxes. It has support for Bitcoin, Ethereum and 100+ cryptocurrencies. Apart from that, Ethos has the asset allocation, cold storage, managed keys, fund transfer, mobile support, and a software interface.

Where else to store CRPT

CRPT is a ERC-20 based token, therefore it is good to use with MyEtherWallet, MetaMask or any other ERC-20 compatible wallets. In addition to that, you can also keep your CRPT in Crypterium App which is, in fact, gives you the key to all the other features we have to offer. Once you store your cryptocurrencies in the app, you’ll be able to:

Top up your phone, or buy Skype, Steam and Viber vouchers

Buy crypto straight from your bank account

Receive, store and send cryptocurrencies in seconds

Exchange cryptocurrencies at best rates

Follow real-time cryptocurrency rates

The current version of the App allows you to store your funds in BTC, ETH, LTC and CRPT. New cryptocurrencies will be added constantly.

About Crypterium

Crypterium is building a mobile app that will turn cryptocurrencies into money that you can spend with the same ease as cash.

Shop around the world and pay with your coins and tokens at any NFC terminal, or via scanning the QR codes. Make purchases in online stores, pay your bills, or just send money across borders in seconds reliably and for a fraction of a penny.

Learn more at http://crypterium.com/ and join the discussions in ourTelegram Chat.
The Age of Blockchain
By: Jack Zwick
Tags: Hedge Funds, Blockchain, Cryptocurrency, Bitcoin, Investing

Before Bitcoin, sequential public consensus electronic ownership didn’t exist. Bitcoin sparked the emergence of a new asset class designed in the image of limited resources, but existing as a highly transportable and divisible method of wealth transfer that circumvents the inefficiencies of middlemen or physical commodity stores of wealth. Low correlation with any other asset classes over its ten year history in combination with its anti inflationary mechanics, uniquely positions Bitcoin as an invaluable instrument for savvy investors looking for uncorrelated returns. Since it’s inception, Bitcoin has outperformed all other alternative investments while allowing portfolio managers to diversify the source of their returns.

Exagon’s expertise is understanding Bitcoin and other alternative Blockchain technologies with sufficient tradable liquidity to provide a unique uncorrelated value proposition. In a world where increasingly interconnected financial markets make true statistical diversification more difficult, Bitcoin and Blockchain assets are emerging as the fastest growing asset class whose gains are not as correlated to traditional asset classes.

Bitcoin and Blockchain are not just about money; that is just the most visible vector of disruption, and arguably its most potent, since money fuels the engine of human incentives.

Beyond its promise to be the first open source, stateless money, Bitcoin is also broadly redesigning the information architecture that underlies our world in ways that empowers its participants. Bitcoin’s Blockchain has ushered in unrestricted/uncensored peer-to-peer exchange, secure identity, decentralized truth consensus, and record keeping validation, to name some of the leaps Bitcoin is responsible for.

The idea is that if we can build a transparent network of monetary exchange without the corruption and third parties, we can do it with just about anything. This includes how we trade, how we think about the voting process, how to end wars, and how to create prosperity within society.
The Zero-Dollar Infrastructure Stack
By: Tom Buyse
Tags: JavaScript, Programming, Web Development, Frontend Development, Development

Back End

In order to keep most of the business logic out of the front end, we need a back end. A scenario where we could use one is to authenticate or register new users.

Because we want to keep hosting costs to a minimum, hosting a traditional back-end service is out of the question.

The solution will be to go for serverless functions. This means that instead of occupying a server completely, it will only use the server capacity when the function needs to run. An example function can be to provide a login endpoint that checks if the user has entered the correct credentials. Most providers have royalty-free tiers when using these functions.

There are the ones that offer this functionality.

Netlify functions

Netlify offers an extensive free tier. Within this tier, you can have up to 125,000 requests and 100 hours of runtime per month.

It also integrates nicely when deciding to use Netlify as your website host. These functions can be placed in the root project and will be picked up by Netlify.

Vercel functions

Vercel also provides serverless functions. In the free tier, there is no limit on the number of requests but also 100 hours of runtime per month when using 1GB of RAM.

They do have an additional limit on execution time. Functions can only run for 10 seconds.

It should be enough for most use cases, but it’s something to consider.

AWS functions

Amazon contains the most royalty-free tier of all the providers. It will allow you to make 1 million free requests per month.

One thing to consider is that you will need a credit card to sign up with AWS. This is not required for the other providers or services in this article.
One of those successful stories worth sharing for…
By: Rafayatul Kabir
Tags: Technews, Product Hunt, Startup

Product Hunt, a quite useful tool for anyone who wants genuine feedback about a product from its existing users. I find its credibility factor extremely appealing; hence, I take the time to read through the reviews before spending money on a product. I find the whole concept adequately fascinating, eventually made me travel overseas to look for the founder, Ryan Hoover.

HOOVER’S EARLIEST STORY:

He’s had several jobs in the past, and being in charge of his parents’ gumball machine that made him understand the basics of revenue and expenditure since he was eleven. As he grew older, he learned ways of making money from banner ads through his own website and using the resale value of electronics on eBay.

I believe children must be taught and guided at the same time so they eventually grow the habit of making money ethically for future sustenance.

HIS PERSONAL INTERESTS:

As the founder of Product Hunt that mainly incorporates information on various products available on the internet, I inquired further about Ryan’s interests and found out,

Stork: Stork designs perfectly fitting undershirts that you can subscribe to for receiving newer threads either quarterly or monthly basis. So, before you know it there is newer sets of clothes perfectly piled up inside your closet. For anyone with extreme love in music can design their own music sets using this tool.

Ryan always wanted to build something that allows creativity to be expressed more openly. He stated,

“We see makers building varied, interesting ideas every day like a cat doodler, somewhat creepy selfie dolls, and this app that helps the blind see.”

HOOVER’S INVITATIONS…

With numerous companies trying relentlessly to make their product gain further exposure; Ryan is also excited to attend seminars hosted globally for sharing his knowledge and ideas.

A successful entrepreneur is the one that makes the most out of the time he has with him. Learn how you can also utilize your spare time to ensure the best results for your career.

Stay with TTN for more news on entrepreneurs and their success stories.
Life Is Revealed At The Edges
By: John Silkey
Tags: Creative Writing, Poetry, Poem

The drain in the floor swallows julienned light

Shelters lightless retreat

Seeking safe passage a Samaritan is needed

/

Dusk tickles a shy dark

Coaxing inhalations and a gentle tease forward

Life is revealed at the edges

/

Light and dark embrace

Ancient lovers caressing, enveloping, merging

Giving birth to a liminal child
Tips for Managing on a Limited Income
By: Ashley L. Peterson
Tags: Spending Habits, Disabilty, Money, Low Income, Saving Money

Tips for Managing on a Limited Income

How I’ve stayed afloat despite disability

My parents taught me from a young age that being financially responsible, and better yet being cheap, was the only way to live.

I had no idea what a huge difference that would end up making in my life.

A few years ago my world began to fall apart. I quit a job because of workplace bullying, and as a result of the bullying’s lasting repercussions, it took nine months to find work again. Even then, I was only working on a casual basis.

The whole situation kicked my depression into high gear, which has led to increasing disability and working even less.

It’s scary not feeling certain about being able to support myself in the future.

The more life threw me curveballs, the more I fell back on the financial attitudes I learned from my parents to identify as many ways as possible to cut my expenses and keep the fear to manageable levels. Here are a few of the tricks that have been helpful for me.
Financial Update — September 2019
Tags: Blockchain, Cryptocurrency

Our regular Financial Updates are published on the second Thursday of the following month. They will help you gain insight into the Foundation’s current financial health with a breakdown of total assets held, expenses and portfolio changes had during the previous month. The Lisk Foundation is registered in Zug, Switzerland — because of this, all financial reports are created in Swiss Francs (CHF). You can find the most up-to-date conversions here.

Total Assets Held by the Lisk Foundation

In this section, you can check up on all fiat currency and cryptocurrency assets currently in possession of the Foundation. We will also use this part of the update to let you know about any major changes in our portfolio.

Crypto Asset Liquidation in September

The Lisk Foundation is liquidating its assets in an on-going strategy to provide enough liquidity for the projects expenses. Currently, we are following the rule to have enough fiat to cover 12 months of expenses. In the month of September, we have liquidated the following cryptocurrencies into fiat currency through Bitcoin Suisse:

4.000,00 BCH

We liquidated them into:

1.159.162,17 CHF

Total Expenditures for the Month of September

In the expenditures section of the Financial Update, you can see how much the Foundation has spent on various aspects of Lisk’s growth. For your convenience, we have divided this section into four areas:

Development — by far the biggest area of expenditure by the Lisk Foundation, this encompasses everything spent on the research, development, and design of Lisk Core, SDK, Hub, Mobile and Explorer.

Marketing — this key area of growth for Lisk includes not only traditional marketing like public relations, or performance, but extends to everything spent on business development, event management, and creative design. It also includes our new Developer Relations department.

Bounties & Sponsorships — the stronger the Lisk community, the stronger our blockchain is going to be. Under this area of expenditure we outline all money spent on bug bounties, supporting proof-of-concept blockchain applications built with the Lisk SDK, or joint efforts with community members like the Lisk Center in Utrecht.

Operations — here, we mention all expenses needed in the day-to-day running of the Lisk Foundation, such as salaries, office costs, or administrative contractors dealing with accounting or legal compliance.

Disclaimer: The information contained in the monthly Financial Updates are primarily of informational value. Minor differences from their actual state may occur due to different moments of booking of certain inflows and expenses, as well as their possible subsequent corrections. Thus, this information cannot serve as an accurate reference point to the exact state of finances of the Lisk Foundation and the costs associated with developing the Lisk Project.

Lisk is on a mission to enable you to create decentralized, efficient, and transparent blockchain applications. Join us:
The Romantic Algorithm: The Technology Behind Love
By: Ilexa Yardley
Tags: Virtual Reality, Circular Theory, Data Science, Relationships, Algorithms

If two, then one. If one, then two.

If two, then one. (Photo by Jordan Bauer)

If two, then one. This is the algorithm behind, and in-front-of, all relationships. Romantic, and-or, real.

This is because all romantic relationships are virtual. Meaning, romance exists within the mind. Where the algorithm controlling mind is: if one, then zero, if zero, then one.

This tells us there is a circular relationship between virtual and real. Meaning, there is a circular relationship between romantic and real, meaning all states of mind, virtual and real, romantic and real, have a half-life of 50–50. One is the half-life for two, and, two is the half-life for one.

Two in a Circle with One

This is because, from mind’s point of view, two shares a circle with one (and vice versa). So, this explains romanticism, in all of its forms. It also explains why the romantic relationship is 50–50.

Whether it feels like it, or not. Everything is 50–50. Don’t believe it? You just proved it. Negation is duplication (and, therefore, affirmation.)

Zero and one is one and two. This is because zero is circumference (one is diameter) of a circle. Explaining the origination, and the destination, of both one, and, two, zero, and, one. (And, and, or.) (Or, and, not.)

Destined to Fall Apart

This explains the romantic relationship. And, also, why the romantic relationship, is destined, to fall apart. 50–50 is one-half. And, also, two.

Meaning one-half is, always, two. Meaning two is, always, one. Meaning, zero is, always, one.

Because circumference, and diameter, from pi’s point of view, are, always, the same.

Put It Back Together (Another Relationship, Same Relationship)

Pi, then, is the background state (the explanation) for mind. Pi is the background state (the explanation) for romance. Pi is the background state (the explanation) for 50–50.

Pi is the background state (the explanation) for zero, and, one. Pi is the background state (the explanation) for one, and, two. Pi is the background state (the explanation) for everything.

Two is the magic number. Two is the only number. Two is the defining, conserved, constantly implied, number, in nature.

50–50 Like-it-or-Not Know-it-or-Not Believe-It-Or-Not

Meaning, everything is (already) (a constant) 50–50. Whether you believe it or not. Whether you like it or not. Whether you know it. Or not.

If one, then two. If two, then one.

Conservation of the circle is the core dynamic in nature.
Building Streamplate
By: Bryan Jordan
Tags: Film, Entrepeneurship, Programming, Filmmaking, Startup

This was a pretty high-level thought but it kept re-appearing: I felt there was a need for a general navigational system that could tailor experiences for individuals.

It had to be more than a recommendation engine. It was almost a safe and secure, behavioural-predicting system that could action those choices.

It was also obvious to myself that software and hardware were a whole new world that I wanted to explore. Without hesitation, I enrolled in Electrical/Computer Engineering and Neuroscience at the University of Sydney for the start of 2017.

2017

Eventually, this idea evolved into a Facebook messenger-based, bulk-ordering system where users could join orders and receive a varying volume-discount that increased/decreased based on the number of participants for that order.

Over the next few months with two friends, we began hashing out a prototype on Facebook.
Mama Wants Me Dead
Tags: Writing, God, Memoir, Religion, Faith

When the pastor at my church has a heart attack, I am still a little girl who wants to believe in God. I lose my faith that day, hugging my little cousin close to me while the pastor’s wife cries and we hide behind a chair.

I look around for God, but I don’t see him. I see death though, sitting in the first pew; he recites psalms just like you and me.

I do not worry about God or death, but I do worry for the pastor, for his wife; what it means for people to be in pain. I read about other people’s suffering and write about my own. Then I write about everyone else’s.

Suddenly I see it everywhere; the sad eyes of schoolteachers, the lilt in the voice of a grocery store clerk who is lonely, the tender spots on a school mate’s arm where cigarettes scalded skin.

I’m not sure what hurts worse: the truth or the lies spun to cover it up.
4 Things I Wish I Knew Before Racing a Marathon
By: Phillip Steixner
Tags: Training, Sports, Health, Marathon, Running

1. Plan your race and course well.

Now, this should go without saying — know where you are running. Use something like Strava’s route-calculator to make sure your course covers the distance.

You should know your route well before race day.

Make sure it is safe for you to run. Running a marathon puts your body through a lot of stress and your focus and reaction time will take a big hit. So finding a place to run without having to worry about cars in tight corners is essential.

You also don’t want to run somewhere where you get chased by a dog as I did.

I find running multiple loops ideal for a long-distance race. In my case, I had a 10.5 km loop which allowed me to dial in after the first 1 or 2 loops so that I’d be prepared and focused for when it started to hurt.
Is Vocal+ Subscription Worth It?
By: Aamir Kamal
Tags: Writing, Money, Vocal Media, Technology, Make Money Online

Vocal Media is a site that pays creators based on the number of reads you get. In this guide we will discuss; Is Vocal Media membership worth it? I have bought Vocal+ membership two months ago and I will share my experience being writing on Vocal media as a Vocal+ subscriber.

What is Vocal+ membership?

Vocal+ membership is a program from Vocal Media that lets creators get more benefits financially through writing on Vocal. Vocal+ membership costs $9.99/month or $99.99/year.

There are some people who think that you can read articles on Vocal only if you have Vocal membership which is completely wrong. Vocal+ subscription is for Vocal creator not for readers.

Vocal media is owned by Jerrick Media, which is a public limited company.

The business model of Vocal Media revolves around Vocal+ membership.

A comparison between a normal creator and a Vocal+ member on Vocal Media

You don’t need to be in Vocal+ membership to make money writing on Vocal. You will just make less amount of money. Here is a comparison.

Normal, non-Vocal+ creator:

Makes $3.8 per 1000 reads.

Have to pay 6% service charges on Tips.

Can’t take part in Vocal challenges.

The minimum threshold for getting paid as a non-Vocal+ creator is $35

Can’t access future new features.

Benefits of being in Vocal+ membership

For 1000 reads, you will make $6.

The service charges for getting tips for Vocal+ creators is 2%

You can enter into a Vocal challenge where you could make real money.

For Vocal+ creator, the minimum threshold for getting paid is $20.

Can access future features to be released.

Being a Vocal+ creator also shows that you are serious about writing on Vocal.

Some calculations:

Let say, two creators, one is not a Vocal+ member while the other is. Both the creators receive 20K reads last month.

The creator that is not a Vocal+ member will make over $76 from getting reads.

The Vocal+ creator will make $120 for the very same amount of reads. That creator has to pay $9.99 to achieve this number so the net-profit is $110.

My earnings on Vocal Media as a Vocal+ creator. I am making over $5 a day writing and publishing stories on Vocal Media. / Screenshot taken by the Author

One advantage of writing on Vocal Media is that if you reach the minimum threshold of $20 (Only for Vocal+ creators) you can receive daily payments.

The Vocal+ creator, even getting the same number of reads is making $34 more than a normal, non-Vocal+ member. This difference increases as the number of reads increases.

Is Vocal+ subscription worth it?

I think a Vocal+ subscription is definitely worth it if you are serious about writing on Vocal. I write on Vocal to make money as there is no such thing to build a community because they don’t have a follow button or you can’t create a publication of your own. Maybe, in the future, they might introduce these features which they have already started on their Vocal+ landing page.

You can read more of the stories about Vocal Media such as;

What is Vocal Media? How to make money writing on Vocal?
Tale of the Swatter’s Fall
By: Jay Squires
Tags: Humor, Satire, Writing, Poetry, Giab

IRRELIGIOUS fly upon my wall

If God did make you after all

He made you fatter I recall

Before my frightful swatter’s fall.



Then sings my chorus:



“Fatter, fatter, we recall

Before his frightful swatter’s fall

Before his mighty swatter’s fall.”



And now it really doesn’t matter

That you were fatter before the splatter

You really — truly do not matter.

I’ll swear with God you do not matter.



And I’m certain God certainly couldn’t care lesser

That I snuffed out serenity’s skuzzy transgressor

With my swatter — that wondrous irritant redresser

And I’m saintly enrolled here as flyflesh-deflator.



Then I hear in my ear a protestor’s faint call:



“But God loves all creatures, mighty and small.”

Then someone from my camp, at the back of the hall

Shrills: “He created the mighty to feed on the small.”



And my chorus rebounds:



“He created the mighty to feed on the small,

And we are the mighty who’d devour the small,”

Resounded from ceiling to floor round the hall,

“God loves the mighty who’d devour the small.”



I turn and the sole detractor is gone. It appears

His manhood was neutered, his confidence sheared

By strength found in numbers’ preponderance he feared,

And his exodus our doctrine’s proof engineered.



Or did it? Or did it? How do I know

That the quivering enemy didn’t just go

To recruit larger numbers to come back and sow

Seeds of panic that our Lie in our faces will throw?



For, when noisome fly is your courage’s fodder

Soldering insignificata-to fly-to hand-to swatter

Let this creed from the lowly make the haughtiest totter

He who lives by the swatter will die by the swatter!
Why the Secret to Creative Freedom is Allowing yourself to Fail
By: Chris Ashby
Tags: Design, Psychology, Creative Process, Self Improvement, Creativity

I’ve worked in the creative industry for a while, and you could be mistaken for thinking that for me, creativity comes naturally. But working as a creative professional doesn’t make me any more able to tap into my creativity than anyone else. And it doesn’t give me any more permission to exercise that ability than anyone else either.

As a culture we are frequently afraid of creativity. And a lot of the time that fear doesn’t necessarily come from a previous failure in attempting anything creative. It instead often comes from something different: the idea that trying to be creative might eventually lead to an outcome that is sub-par, or worse, worthless. You spent all that time creating something, and what you ended up with was something you’re not happy with. It’s a justifiable disappointment, and it’s usually true.

For a lot of us it can almost seem that creativity is something that has to be earned. An elusive club that only creative elites and creative professionals are allowed into. A club where anyone else is not welcome. To be creative as an adult, it is often perceived that you have to be good at it first.

I’ve heard people say things like:

“Of course you can be creative, you’re already creative, you do it for a job, every day. I can’t be creative, obviously. My job isn’t creative and I’ve never done anything creative so how could I possible be?”

And this one as well:

“I don’t have a creative bone in my body! If I tried being creative I’m sure I’d be rubbish at it anyway. Why would I try something that I’m just going to fail at?”

Thing is, despite the perceived barrier to entry, being creative is something that everyone can do. And you don’t have to be good at it. In actual fact, it’s often best to not be good at being creative at all, in order to enjoy the process of creativity itself.

I fall into this trap all the time, and inevitably end up frustrated. That the limited time I had, I spent on doing something creative. That in doing so I didn’t end up with something that was worth the time spent: the best painting I’d ever painted, or the best piece of writing I’d ever written, or the best… whatever it is, that I was doing. I just ended up with something half finished or mediocre, or worse yet, nothing at all.

Somewhere along the line we forgot that it’s ok to be rubbish at something. That producing nothing from allowing ourselves to be creative is not a failure.

But how did we get here. How did we get to the point where we are scared of allowing ourselves to be creative? Scared to show our creativity to others.

1. In a world with so much stimuli, the output of creativity is worshipped, whilst the process itself remains hidden away.
Why I Make My Bed Everyday
By: Vanessa Ham
Tags: Morning, Sleep, Netflix, Bed, Research

Bruce Mars

I get out of bed in the morning, about ready to collapse on the floor and make my bed. Here is why.

When you wake up and make your bed, that's productive. Being productive in the first few minutes will set the tone for the rest of the day. If you make your bed then at least you have accomplished one thing, which will push you to accomplish more.

David Mao

It takes a few seconds but can affect the rest of your day.

Not only that but it's super easy and a great way to wake up in the morning.

But it's so nice to have a made bed for you to wreck.

Lastly, making your bed helps keep dirt and germs out of your bed, especially when you spend 90% of your day in bed watching Netflix.
On a vu Star Wars Episode VIII “Les Derniers Jedi”
By: The Upday Team
Tags: Star Wars, Movie Review, Star Wars Force Awakens, The Force Awakens, The Last Jedi

in Both Sides of the Table
How I Use Tools Like Bear + Notion to Be More Productive
By: Grant H
Tags: Tech, Productivity Tips, Process, Productivity, Personal Development

As I referenced in an earlier post, as a VP of Sales (or any leadership role for that matter), you have an endless amount of to do’s, thoughts and digital bookmarks you need to rely on. How do you organize all this and become efficiently productive?

After years of stretching and reaching to finding a process that I feel not only saves me time, but maximizes my productivity and efficiency — I feel like I finally found something I’m excited about.

I’ve had bits and pieces of this process for nearly a decade and tried almost every app for some period of time all to no avail. After mapping and executing this new flow (with some help from a few new tools ), I feel liberated to finally take whatever ideas, actions, tasks and thoughts and get them processed for safe keeping, or action with results that are working for me.

I’ve found a rhythm, peace and even joy in using Bear, Notion, Day One, Reminders and Pocket together to help me manage my personal and work life.

I’ve told friends, family and even engaged on Twitter, reddit explaining what my process is (and even inspiration behind it — Thanks @thesweetsetup).

Because I appreciated learning from how others work — I thought I’d post my process and how I work with today’s tools to help me out on a daily basis.

Here’s my quickly sketched, barely legible, hand drawing showing my process. I’ll explain more down below.

‪If you know these tools already, you know there definitely is some overlap here. Bear can do things Notion can’t and yet Notion is awesome at things that Bear can’t compete with as well. Pocket and Notion can do similar things. Bear, Notion, Reminders all have the ability to manage tasks. The truth is I probably could get by just using one tool — but I would give up some great features and process by doing so.

So…here’s my set up and how I work with each.