fabiochiu/medium-articles huggingface dataset:
Flying the Pipistrel Virus SW 121 in VR with Oculus Rift S
By: Jose Antunes
Tags: Aviation, Flight Simulator 2020, Virtual Reality

Flying the Pipistrel Virus SW 121 in VR with Oculus Rift S

One of the aircraft included in the Premium Deluxe Edition of Microsoft Flight Simulator, the Pipistrel Virus SW 121 really shines when you opt for flying it in Virtual Reality using a headset like the Oculus Rift S. It’s a treat!

I’ve spent the days since VR for Microsoft Flight Simulator was launched flying different aircraft, while trying to tame the diamond needing polish represented by the VR option in the sim. True, it is not perfect but, as I expected, it’s the immersion that makes one want to stick with it… unless you belong to any of the religious sects that populate the flight simulation universe.

You need a good machine to run VR in Microsoft Flight Simulator but that should not come as a surprise for anyone. And yes, it’s never going — at least not any time soon — to look like your 4K monitor or other high-end display option, but which other way do you get the feeling of really being there, in the cockpit? As many have discovered, it becomes easier to fly, simply because you get the right proportions for your aircraft view and the world around you. Suddenly the runway is no longer a flat line in front of you but a real runway with dimensions that reflect the real world.

There are many other advantages in VR, some of which I mentioned in my previous article, Microsoft Flight Simulator, the Divine Proportion, and Virtual Reality, and there is another aspect that makes moving to VR a joy: the discovery of a 3D world that represents very much the one we live in. I’ve been flying the Pipistrel Virus SW 121 in VR along some of the areas in the sim, only to discover it is a fantastic sightseeing platform that VR helped me to discover. The experience led me to grow a special interest for an aircraft that on a flat screen did not feel as exciting.

As I noted above, Microsoft Flight Simulator still needs some work for its VR to work flawlessly, but it’s a good start for Asobo, despite what many say, because those screaming about how bad the sim is either don’t know what they are talking about or, as I’ve written somewhere else, about another sim experience, can be included in a special group of people. The article I refer too is titled “Virtual Skies are Full of Real Idiots”. It continues to be true now.
Lunar: Baby Top, Shorts & Panties
By: Judy Wilkins
Tags: Gaming, Design, Fashion, Virtual Reality

The Lunar “Baby” set, includes a cami top with a fallen strap, in 5 styes, including opaque and sheer, with optional glitter options.

The off-shoulder fuzzy cardigan includes optional glitter too.

The shorts have 4 options styles, also with optional glitter, pompoms or pearls, and panties that can be worn under it, and be seen through.

“Baby” includes a cami top with fallen strap in 5 styles (opaque, 2 sheer, hearts sheer, fluffy) with optional glitter options, an off shoulder fuzzy cardigan with optional glitter as well.

This includes shorts in 4 options (opaque, sheer, hearts, fluffy) with optional glitter, pompoms or pearls, and finally panties that can be worn under it and be seen through.

Rigged for : Lara — Legacy — Legacy Perky — Freya — HG
Star Divers: Dungeons of Bane
By: Alex Itsios
Tags: Virtual Reality, Litrpg, Stephen Landry, VR, Star Divers

On the far side of the galaxy, factions form and space fleets battle in this SciFi LitRPG.

Teenage Breq escapes the grim streets of a resource low, near-future world to take a job as a ‘corpse diver’ in a massive online SciFi game, Bane. Breq finds himself in a dangerous, life-threatening adventure within the game as he searches for the reason for the death of his best friend.

With landscapes and settings that evoke the SciFi classics, our hero must level up his character as fast as he can, so as to be able to take on and defeat a sinister, masked figure. Especially as the threat posed by the unknown character is not limited to events within the game.

LitRPG from Level Up

https://www.levelup.pub/

Affiliate Link: https://amzn.to/2KUbW7A
Contingency (Star Divers Book 2)
By: Alex Itsios
Tags: Virtual Reality, Litrpg, Stephen Landry, VR, Star Divers

High octane racing, mecha boss fights, planet-sized dungeons, LitRPG

The battle for Bane begins…

Breq’s journey continues as he and his guild escape into unexplored regions of the universe chased by bounty hunters and a rival high level guild. If his comrades are to survive, Breq must use all his ability on their behalf. Whether racing top-of-the-range craft, fighting mecha bosses, or exploring planet-sized dungeons, Breq’s every action and reaction is put to test.

Across the galaxy on a ruined Earth, Talves is trapped inside Bane. With no quests, no interface, and no way to logout, he forces himself to survive no matter how harsh the decisions he is forced to make. As he loses his humanity, Talves becomes a cold-hearted being with the power to turn the entire world upside down.

When Breq faces Talves, the stakes are higher than ever and the choices between good and evil are blurred.

What would you be prepared to do to survive? To ensure your friends survive?

Star Divers Contingency is a mix of LitRPG, survival horror, and cultivation.

Affiliate Link: https://amzn.to/38G2jBU
Why Codemiko might be the most exciting innovation to come out of live streaming
By: Espada Game Dev
Tags: Streaming, Technology, AI, Virtual Reality

twitch.tv/codemiko, Codemiko Live Stream (26/12/2020)

With the rise of VTubers(Virtual Youtubers) popularity there is always someone that takes one step further…the talent and beauty of this project is awespiring, not only as a developer but as storyteller that wants desperatly to connect with the audience and CodeMiko Project does just that, immersive and interactive twitch stream, also shining and blowing everyones mind…and it is well in it’s way of becoming a innovative masterpiece of internet history, currently CodeMiko has a little over 200 thousand followers on her twitch channel and more than 10 thousand active viwers per stream.

Virtual Youtubers use A.I to change appearence and entertain their audiences with a 3D character, opening the envelop and raising the bar for worldwide broadcasters. Miko is a fully rendered 3D Character in the forefront of streaming entertainment. The Codemiko Project is created using Unreal Engine and the motions are captured by a Xsens Motion Capture Suit. The rigging(mapping miko’s body), coding, engeneering and development was done The Technician, in his own words “This is the technician speaking! I am using an Xsens suit and Unreal Engine for Miko. The devving/engineering is all done by me and Miko was 100 percent modeled by me + rigged.”, and it is most impressive. CodeMiko’s stream are interactive, her model can change and chat, donations(bits) can customize Miko’s appearence, give her a big head, make her dance, drop bodies in her room or just Nuke Miko in her apartment, Codemikos twitch page describes the project as “quasi interactive rpg, where it’s kind of like an arcade and a game and a stream and an RPG at the same time.”

Miko can also get out of her motion capture mode and walk like a game character in her apartment, which is absolutely amazing and inovative. As far as content goes her streams are Interviews with other streamers, talking with chat and hanging out. Miko has a wonderful personality, she is charming, funny and glitchy…well, in her own words “Hi there, i’m Miko! I am a bit glitchy but wholesome! I’m a game character who failed pretty much due to my glitch. My glitch is a corruption in my file and it completely changes my personality. Don’t listen to anything my glitch says.” her “glitches” have unexpected and unpredictable effects, they are always welcome and add to Miko’s charm, and it’s a working progress, so real bugs and glitches can happen from time to time, but we all think that is way more entertaining to have a glitched Miko to watch.

If by any means you felt incline to check out this amazing project and the wonderful Miko on her Twitch channel “codemiko”, there you can find the channel’s schedule. The bar has been raised, and live broadcast has been changed, maybe opened a whole new frontier for entertainment, and it is AMAZING.
How to use Zoom virtual background for Linux Ubuntu?
By: Prasandeep Gautam
Tags: Zoom, Ubuntu, Linux, Virtual Reality

Zoom is a cloud meeting application which allow us to join or create virtual meeting, classes or interviews. So if you are a zoom user and want to know that how can we use virtual background in Zoom. Then I tell you you came here a right place.

First of all you are thinking about how to do these are stuff So, don’t worry about it we both will do experiments with this stuff. So in beginning, you need to install the Zoom app, or If you don’t have then Install Zoom in your Debian-based Linux operating system such as;- Ubuntu, Kali Linus elementary OS and etc.

Step1: Install Snap Store in your System

In this step, you need to install the zoom application from the Snap store and if you don’t have snap in your Linux OS then open your terminal or press ctrl+alt.

$ sudo rm /etc/apt/preferences.d/nosnap.pref

$ sudo apt update

these commands run on your terminal and then finally you need to install snap using this command-

$ sudo apt install snapd

Now, you have all set to installing the Zoom application in your Linux operating system. So open your terminal and type the given command in your terminal and firstly go on snap website and select your Ubuntu version and Zoom application version.

Just like this image-

Step2: Install Zoom Application in your System

Now, run this command in your terminal and wait a minute for installation zoom.

Originally published at https://www.codersgeek.in.

$ sudo snap install zoom-client

If you have finished the installation process then open your zoom application just like in this given image-

3. Create Zoom account using signup or register

Now, after opening the zoom application in your system you need to make your account using your mail or you can register as a new user.

Step 4: Click on Setting in the Zoom Application

After all login or signup steps, you need to click on the settings icon, right side corner. Then go in the virtual background option.

Step 5: Click on virtual background

Now you will get here virtual background images by default or also you can add your background image from your system by clicking the plus icon.

Congratulations!!! Now, You have installed the Zoom application and got the configuration of virtual background in your Ubuntu or Debian-based operating system.

Final Verdict

These stuffs are also applicable for all ubuntu versions(16.04 above). And I hope you have been got all points in this article So, if you have any query to related this article or any problem at the installation time then free feel to contact us in the comment box. Definitely, we will resolve this issue from our end.
WINTER HOLIDAY SALE — 30% OFF 🎁🎄 - Death Horizon VR - Medium
By: Death Horizon Vr
Tags: Oculus Quest 2, Oculus Quest, Oculus, Virtual Reality, Gaming

Death Horizon: Reloaded

❄️ Winter Holiday Sale! 30% OFF. 🎁

📅 Only from the 24th to the 27th of December.

⏬ — http://ocul.us/37O9Mzy
The Land: Catacombs: A LitRPG Saga (Chaos Seeds Book 4)
By: Alex Itsios
Tags: Virtual Reality, Aleron Kong, Litrpg, VR, Chaos Seeds

“What’s that you say? You want more village growth? Well be careful where you stand, because the Mist Village just took a viagra-cialis sandwich and there is a stiff breeze blowing! (I can make some more references if you’re still not getting the point… did you see what I did there?)

Welcome back my friends! Welcome back… to THE LAND!!!

https://amzn.to/2WHzjDU
“RU77” game. Developer diary #6
By: Mirowin Game Promotion
Tags: Virtual Reality, Ru77, Vr Experiences, VR, Russia2077

“RU77” game developer diary #6. Shooting range

When it is not possible to reach the target by other means, some just shoot at it.
The Land: Predators: A LitRPG Saga (Chaos Seeds Book 7)
By: Alex Itsios
Tags: Virtual Reality, Aleron Kong, Litrpg, VR, Chaos Seeds

Welcome to Long Awaited seventh novel of the Best Selling LitRPG Saga, Chaos Seeds, by Aleron Kong.

A mesmerizing tale reminiscent of the wonder of Ready Player One and the adventure of Game of Thrones

#1 in Epic Fantasy || #1 in Cyberpunk || #1 in Video Game Fantasy

In The Land:Predators, the Mist Village has harnessed its power. Core buildings, Professional fighters and now, their own Dungeon, the settlement is primed to grow into a kingdom of true power and magic. The path to power has not been without risk, however. The MistVillage has been noticed.

Evil nobles from the Kingdom of Law, bloodthirsty goblins fromthe Serrated Mountains, an undead lord with a penchant for human sacrifice and fanatical kobolds from the Depths, all plot the village’s destruction. The predators are circling. Richter’s people are horribly outnumbered by foes whose own power has been entrenched for thousands of years.

Richter and Sion need to be stronger than ever before. Luckily, they are. New skills have been learned, stronger enchantments have been wrought and the hundreds of villagers have answered the call to adventure. The Companions do not stand alone. While many eyes have turned towards the mists, wanting to take the treasures within, the Mist Village stares back with a simple message.

Come and get it!

https://amzn.to/2JhxDOs
The Land: Swarm: A LitRPG Saga (Chaos Seeds Book 5)
By: Alex Itsios
Tags: Virtual Reality, Aleron Kong, Litrpg, VR, Chaos Seeds

Aleron Kong’s #1 Best Selling LitRPG Saga continues in “The Land: Swarm”

The enemies of the Mist Village are moving, the storm clouds are gathering, what are Richter and Sion to do???

Crush the game, that’s what! More of everything you love in LitRPG: Powerful items, epic battles, awesome quests and in depth world building!

What happened to Elora? Where is the swarm? Did the rock giant make Richter jelly? What are the colonel’s secret spices???

Journey back into my world and find out! Come back… to The Land!

https://amzn.to/2WKyt9G
Ready Player One
By: Alex Itsios
Tags: Litrpg, VR, Virtual Reality

IN THE YEAR 2044, reality is an ugly place. The only time teenage Wade Watts really feels alive is when he’s jacked into the virtual utopia known as the OASIS. Wade’s devoted his life to studying the puzzles hidden within this world’s digital confines, puzzles that are based on their creator’s obsession with the pop culture of decades past and that promise massive power and fortune to whoever can unlock them.

But when Wade stumbles upon the first clue, he finds himself beset by players willing to kill to take this ultimate prize. The race is on, and if Wade’s going to survive, he’ll have to win — and confront the real world he’s always been so desperate to escape.

Link: https://amzn.to/3pq2szM
The Land: Founding (Chaos Seeds #1)
By: Alex Itsios
Tags: Virtual Reality, Aleron Kong, Litrpg, VR, Chaos Seeds

Welcome my friends!

Welcome… to “The Land!”

Tricked into a world of banished gods, demons, goblins, sprites and magic, Richter must learn to meet the perils of The Land and begin to forge his own kingdom. Actions have consequences across The Land, with powerful creatures and factions now hell-bent on Richter’s destruction.

Can Richter forge allegiances to survive this harsh and unforgiving world or will he fall to the dark denizens of this ancient and unforgiving realm?

A tale to shake “The Land” itself, measuring 10/10 on the Richter scale, how will Richter’s choices shape the future of The Land and all who reside in it? Can he grow his power to meet the deadliest of beings of the land? When choices are often a shade of grey, how will Richter ensure he does not become what he seeks to destroy?

ps — Gnomes Rule

https://amzn.to/37K3xN5
The Land: Forging (Chaos Seeds #2)
By: Alex Itsios
Tags: Virtual Reality, Aleron Kong, Litrpg, Gamelit, Chaos Seeds

The second captivating installment of Aleron Kong’s, Chaos Seeds series.

“We are life takers and heart breakers,” Richter shouted. “Let’s go!”

Richter and Sion are at it again! Even more of what you loved in the first book! Leveling, world building, awesome items, and what’s that you say? Sure! Why not? What’s a little necrophilia between friends!?!

Join your favorite Chaos Seed as he answers the call of adventure and deals with the invaders, greedy dwarves, and a wood elf that keeps telling him he has a pretty mouth!

Welcome back my friends!

Welcome back… to The Land!!!!

https://amzn.to/3hil6aa
The Land: Monsters: A LitRPG Saga (Chaos Seeds Book 8)
By: Alex Itsios
Tags: Virtual Reality, Aleron Kong, Litrpg, VR, Chaos Seeds

From the mind of the Wall Street Journal Best Selling Author, Aleron Kong, comes the 8th Novel of the Internationally Acclaimed Chaos Seeds Saga

A mesmerizing tale reminiscent of the wonder of Ready Player One and the adventure of Game of Thrones

Over 100,000 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reviews

Audible’s Customer Favorite of the Year

Welcome back my friends!

Welcome back… to “The Land!”

The battle of the dead was won, but at a great cost. Sion, leader of the Mist Village was left with only pain and regret as Richter was claimed by the abyss.

What no one but the abandoned chaos seed knows is that he narrowly avoided the curse of the lich Singh, a curse that still hangs above his head. Now, surrounded by miles of darkness and tons of crushing rock, Richter has to find his way back into the light.

The only problem is that this monster of a man is being pursued by monsters, a demon and his own foolish choices. Faced with all the dangers of the deep dark, what will Richter say when the buried horrors of The Land come a calling and asked if he’s paid his dues?

Well he’ll look right back, stare that horror in the eye and say, “Yes sir, the check is in the mail!”

Welcome back my friends! Welcome back… to The Land!

ps — Gnomes still Rule!

https://amzn.to/3mOHcCn
The Land: Raiders: A LitRPG Saga (Chaos Seeds Book 6)
By: Alex Itsios
Tags: Virtual Reality, Aleron Kong, Litrpg, VR, Chaos Seeds

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The Latest Novel of the Best Selling Chaos Seeds Saga

A mesmerizing tale reminiscent of the wonder of Ready Player One and the adventure of Game of Thrones

#1 Audiobook 2017

#1 in Cyberpunk and Video Game Fantasy

Over Four THOUSAND positive reviews on Goodreads

Welcome my friends!

Welcome… to “The Land!”

“This is the world you were meant to fight for!”

Welcome to the SIXTH vivacious installment of Aleron Kong’s, Chaos Seeds series.

The time of hiding has passed. The Mist Village will make itself known. Goblins have invaded Richter’s lands. Though the first incursion has been defeated, the anger of Chaos Seed remains. Those who challenge Richter’s power will learn there is a reason all creatures fear the mist… it is the home of monsters.

For the first time, Richter takes the battle to his enemies. He will live up to his name, and the very Land will shake with this power. With his allies, the Wood Sprites of Nadria, the army of the Mist Village marches to war. Richter has been a healer, an enchanter, a dungeon diver, and a killer. Now he becomes something more. He becomes a RAIDER!

This is a world of wonder and horror.

This is a world of pain and joy.

This is the world of monsters… and the brave men who battle them.

Welcome back my friends!

Welcome back… to The Land!

https://amzn.to/3mO7kNN
Why Beat Saber is so awesome, especially for exercise
By: Matthew Peck
Tags: Exercise At Home, Exercise, Virtual Reality, Beat Saber, Gaming

For the past few years, I have watched virtual reality improve and get more and more games. One of these games includes Beat Saber, a game in which you slice blocks with what look like lightsabers to the beat of a song. The game has become widely popular and has been considered one of the top VR games of all time, for a good reason. With such a simple concept, it’s surprising how it keeps you entertained for hours on end.

The big reason for this includes the amazing free soundtracks Beat Games provides in the game, the purchasable song packs, and custom songs (for PCVR and Oculus Quest headsets only) that you can download onto the headset. Most of these maps are electronic music (likely due to the popularity and beat), but there are plenty of non-electronic music maps out there. Worst case scenario, you can make your own map, which takes a long time to complete but it is rewarding and fun to do.

Now onto the title of the article. Beat Saber can provide an intense workout due to the fact that you are flailing your arms around wildly, squatting, and going side-to-side in rapid succession. I would like to note though, you need to get to expert or expert plus to get a good workout out of this game. Luckily, for me, that only took 2–3 weeks of playing to get to, which really isn’t bad at all. Once you get to that point, the game becomes much more fun in my opinion. But being able to play your favorite songs at any difficulty is a large part of the fun.

Various studies, both scientific and from observation, have shown that you can burn around 6–8 calories per minute of playing (once again, on higher difficulties), which makes it a great cardio exercise. While actually going outside is really important, I’ve found this is the perfect exercise for study breaks, rainy days, and when I’m looking for some light exercise while I am sick. It’s a blast to play with friends and I couldn’t recommend it enough.

As for how to actually play Beat Saber, the best option as of now is the Oculus Quest 2. This is the headset that I have and it is the best bang for your buck headset with surprising quality at a $300 price tag. There is also the Elite Strap for $50 which is really worth it for extra comfort. Plus, the fact that it is standalone (meaning no wires or requirement to plug it into a PC) is so incredibly convenient and it allows you to play the 360-degree levels that are very fun. Although there has been a lot of talk about head-straps breaking and Facebook banning you for just using your required Facebook account, this seems to be relatively rare and it has not happened to me at all. I hope you can have the opportunity to play this wonderful game at some point in the future, as it is truly worth your money.
The future of AR & VR in 2021
By: José Rossi
Tags: Virtual Reality, Mixed Reality, 2021 Trends, 2021, Augmented Reality

Every year, the Augmented Reality & Virtual Reality field brings us new trends, applications, and improvements.

Here we discuss some of them and what we expect for 2021.

Check it out: https://orangeloops.com/2020/12/top-ar-vr-trends-for-2021/
Virtual Reality boosts creativity in your child
Tags: Virtualrealitytechnology, Augmented Reality, Educational Technology, Virtual Reality

VR has opened up an entirely new era for learning be it, children or teachers. Virtual reality has the capability to overcome the challenges imposed by expensive field trips and robotic experiments.

Read more at https://fotonvr.com/virtual-reality-boosts-creativity-in-your-child/
Gaming Peripherals Market Worth $6.96 Billion By 2025
By: Gaurav Shah
Tags: Japan, Virtual Reality, Keyboard, Controller, Headset

The global gaming peripheral market size is expected to reach USD 6.96 billion by 2025, registering a CAGR of 10.4% from 2020 to 2025, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. The increasing number of online gamers and hardware improvements such as faster processors, graphics and sound cards has enabled a wider scope for the industry. In addition, the industry is also witnessing a high influx of revenue based on a high consumer spending for ultra-modern games. In the past two decades video games have progressed through many stages as gaming consoles have become more sophisticated in the recent years.

The scope of gaming hardware market has gone to a vast extent encompassing a lot of diversity of applications. To supplement the growth factors, investment is one of the value chain components that features the game or a large corporation dealing with large-budgets. On contrary, independent developers may also opt to fund their own platforms. Ongoing innovations are further expected to drive the market growth. For instance, in October 2019, Logitech G, a brand of Logitech introduced PRO X mechanical gaming keyboard that comes with swappable switches as a part of personalization. The new keyboard is a better choice for Esports professionals that exhibits a high reliability and features in enhanced designing.

Asia Pacific is expected to witness a rapid growth attributing to wide popularity of video games and high preference for entertainment and online gaming. India being a huge market for online gaming is gaining traction as digitalization is at its peak. Government initiatives such as ‘Skill India’ and ‘Make in India’ have been encouraging the development of gaming peripherals and entertainment industry. In addition, Indian consumers possess a huge liking for online games and are inclined toward spending on these peripherals.

Click the link below:

https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/gaming-peripherals-market

Further key findings from the report suggest:
My 5 perspectives of 2020
By: Alden Tan
Tags: Life Lessons, Reflections, 2020, Self Improvement, Life

1. He/she who has a why to live can bear almost any how.

Credits: Pexels

This quote originates from Friedrich Nietzsche, and I first came across it in Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl. In this engaging book, Frankl describes his thoughtfully raw experiences in the Nazi concentration camps during WWII, and how he managed to miraculously survive them. While there was an undeniable element of luck involved in all this, the message that stood out more distinctly lay in the fundamental realms of human pscyhology — you may not be able to control what happens to you, but you can control how you think about or react to these occurrences. And it is this autonomy that allows you to go one level deeper, to the core of your being, to identify your why. This why then helps you to effectively deal with whatever comes your way.

When you have that purpose to live for — in Frankl’s case, driven by the love for his wife who he still believed to be alive, and his desire to finish writing his book — this allows you to draw upon an innate power to keep moving forward. If Frankl can do it in the harrowing camps of death, and fast forward to today, if we are still so blessed with the gift of life and the power of choice, why can’t we spend a little more time to think about our why?

To contextualise this further with an analogy — I have always thought that it was implausible to wake up at 5am to work out and start my day more productively. But the pressure of extrinsic circumstances actually led me to do so not once, but a few times: during the days when I had to report early for army reservist duties in November this year, I actually woke up at what I thought was an ungodly hour to get my workout in. So, it is possible — because I had a defined schedule, and there are consequences for not keeping to that schedule, it shaped my actions in a way that I otherwise thought to be impossible.

I think that the underlying moral of the story is that that all you need is a reason to do something. We may start with external triggers to help us take the first step, but the ultimate transcendent state is when you are driven by an innate why. When you do not require motivation any longer, you are truly motivated: you have your why firmly set in stone.
New Year, Knew You
By: Denise Shelton
Tags: Friendship, 2020, Short Read, 2021, Poetry

New Year, Knew You

I thought I knew you

Unaware what lurked beneath

The bright reflection of the sky

Your love is narrow, isn’t it?

I failed to see the spite, the beast

You clutched to your breast like a troubled child

As we raised a glass to youth reduced to memories,

Laughing, smiling at recollections shared

Hysterical, heartbreaking, fond

A bond I thought no one could break

And then this year

This year of outrage, anger, and division

Of destruction and death

When truth went into hiding

And people licked up lies like lollipops

I turn my back on it and you and look into the sun

To embrace the better days ahead

And friendships built on shared beliefs instead of old acquaintances

No longer will I claim you as my own

I release you and all that you hold dear

Even our memories

New year

Knew you
May they Rest in Peace — Artists who will live forever in our hearts
By: Aux Collaborative
Tags: Kenny Rogers, 2020, Glee Cast, Pop Smoke, Glee

2020 has been a tough year for many due to the tragic passing of loved ones. The world of music is no different. We’ve lost many artists, young and old, who have impacted the world of music in innumerable ways. They will continue to live on forever in our hearts.

Barbara Martin: Martin was one of the original members of the group The Supremes, which are still America’s most successful vocal group. Martin followed her singing career up with a degree in Psychology.

Bill Withers: Withers is most famous for his smash hit “Ain’t no Sunshine.” He is also a member of the rock & roll and songwriters hall of fame.

Charley Pride: Pride was a trailblazer for African-Americans in Country music. He had 30 number one hits on Billboard’s country chart and is a member of the country music hall of fame.

Eddie Van Halen: Van Halen was the guitarist for the world-famous band Van Halen. He revolutionized how the guitar was played.

Kenny Rogers: Rogers is one of the best-selling music artists of all time. He is notable for success in multiple genres.

King Von: The young Chicago rapper was new to fame. His debut album reached the top 5 on the Billboard charts and was known for his smash hit single “Took Her to the O.”

Little Richard: Richard was one of the pioneers of R&B as a genre and had an influence on R&B, as well as hip-hop, rock, soul, and funk. Richard was also well known for his extremely energetic performances.

Naya Rivera: Rivera had a main role on the hit TV show glee. She also was a two-time Grammy award winner.

Pop Smoke: The 20-year-old was raps next superstar and was the face of the newly emerging genre of New York Drill. He released two critically acclaimed projects and his posthumous debut album reached number one on the Billboard charts.
My Top 10 Stories in 2020
By: Jen Eve
Tags: 2020, Lists, New Year, Stories, Reading

My Top 10 Stories in 2020

Photo by Clarinta Subrata on Unsplash

I don’t know about you but I’m so happy that I’ve made it to the end of 2020. This was the first year in my life where I had the most twists and turns.

Dare I say I will not miss 2020.

However, this is not to say that 2020 was not a year full of good memories.

From taking a leap of faith in freelance writing and becoming my own boss to discovering my new purpose in life, 2020 has changed my life in ways I never thought it would have changed.

If I can give one advice to anyone who’s afraid to take a leap of faith. I would say: Don’t be afraid of taking risks because if you are afraid, you are limiting yourself to some amazing opportunities.

The reality is you may not enjoy everything that you do to achieve your goals in one year.

However, when you finish a task or jump over an obstacle, you will be thankful that you didn’t quit. You’ll be thankful that you took a risk.

After this (short) motivational talk, I wanted to take a trip down memory lane and share my top 10 popular stories on Medium throughout 2020.

This is a reminder that in 2020 I achieved many things on Medium. Even if they were small milestones, I am still happy that I accomplish them and I’m motivated to continue this growth.

Also, this is a reminder that just because 2020 was a weird year, that doesn’t mean it wasn’t a meaningful year. How meaningful was 2020 for you? I would love to know!
2020: Extracts of a life unspooled
By: Hayley J Dunlop
Tags: Year In Review, Parenting, 2020, Family, Privilege

I spent so many years yearning for more. Not more stuff. But more fulfilment, more connections, more productivity. I think what 2020 has shown me is that, actually, the most radical thing that people like me can do is to start yearning for less.

It’s our insatiable appetites for achieving maximum human efficiency which has gotten the planet and its human population into this mess. We were always over-reaching and stretching the capacity of the Earth to its very limit. Now it has shown us that it can stretch no further.

Yes, it may have been a freak, singular moment that caused this particular virus to rear its head, but it’s the way that we occupy the planet and live our lives that resulted in its devastating and uncompromising spread across the globe.

The battery-style manufacturing processes, the ceaseless importing and exporting, the exponential profits and limitless heights of capitalism and wealth.

Our desire to travel, to consume, to taste and to experience something different every single day. Our instinctive rejection of the humdrum, the same, the familiar — conditioned into us by those at the very top of the heap who promise to fulfil our everchanging desires while hoarding all the truly important things. All of this created a perfect breeding ground for COVID-19.

We were endlessly moving but we were lying in wait.

And this is the result. We wanted something new and we got it. This is the planet’s way of saying: enough. Please, change. Please, slow down. Please, expect less of me.
2020: The Year of Perfect Vision?
By: Esther Ofulue
Tags: 2020, Wisdom, Inspiration, Faith, Life

I laugh when I think of the voice notes my friend and I sent to each other at the beginning of the year, excitedly declaring all that we wanted from this year. I distinctively remember saying how I quite literally, yet figuratively, wanted “2020 vision”: that I wanted to have a clear vision of my purpose and relationships, amongst other things. But in essence, I wanted no more confusion about where I was meant to be in life and with whom I was meant to be doing it with.

And then we got to March…a national lockdown due to a virus called Covid-19. It is fair to say that when all of this hit, the vision that we had for the year ahead, all of a sudden changed. It was not so clear anymore. If anything, our visions had been impaired, as the things that we had planned for and the goals we had set were put on hold — if not thrown away into the dark abyss.

As all of this unravelled, the perfect vision that I initially so wanted on my purpose and relationships, no longer seemed like a priority. The climate had changed and therefore, I had to change my wardrobe accordingly. I am sure that many of you had to do a little wardrobe reshuffle yourselves, as you found out that the “clothes” you had prepared, were not so compatible with a season like this. Most of us would have optimistically stocked up on “clothing” for a cool and gentle breeze, meanwhile, we have been experiencing a whole storm. Perhaps this storm has come in the form of mental health struggles, the loss of a loved one, financial struggles or damaged relationships. Whatever it may be for you, I am sure that you have found that getting through what is right in front of you (as unplanned as it was), has become the priority.
How Can We Sum Up 2020?
By: Terence C.
Tags: Sunrise, 2020, Family, Sunset, Ordinaryterence

2020 is the year that reminded us to appreciate. It isn’t the case that we don’t know how, we simply don’t know when. It takes a year slowed to a halt to make us realize that we’ve missed out on so many sunsets. These sunsets come in the form of family, friends and ironically ourselves. 2020 is the year I learned about sunrises.
Looking in the eyes of 2020
By: Mayank Chaturvedi
Tags: 2020

New year's eve is approaching, and the internet is full of “20 reasons why you shouldn’t look back at 2020”. Everybody wants a magical transformation at the end of New year’s eve, that will make everything right in 2021.

Will everything get right if we decided to look away from 2020?

No. Unless we decide to look in the eyes of 2020, we can’t change it. Sure, the figures will change to 2021, but it will haunt us with the chants of “2020 one(won)”.

What we learn from history is that people don’t learn from history. ~Warren Buffett

This is the time to change history. This is the time to start learning from our past mistakes. Looking in the eyes of 2020, we need to say — “Next time, we’ll be prepared. We’ll have better medical facilities arranged. And we will soon fight our way back to victory”.
The nether days of December –– that dead zone between the 25th and 31st –– feel exactly the way…
By: Adelia Ritchie
Tags: Winter, 2020, Holidays, Humor, Illumination

The nether days of December — that dead zone between the 25th and 31st — feel exactly the way one must feel after blasting out an enormous, paint-peeling fart from three days of eating chili con carne con muchos frijoles. This particular year, however, the day after Christmas feels more like the Hindenburg felt right after… well, you know.

But it’s all good. The new year is right around the corner and the future’s beginning to seem like something to look forward to. The days are already getting longer! Last winter wasn’t so bad after all!

Happy Solstice! ❤

Photo by Joshua Earle on Unsplash

Adelia Ritchie, just trying out this Shortform thing. Could be fun!
OHF’s Top 20 of 2020: Group 2
By: Clay Rivers
Tags: 2020, Best Of, Anti Racism, Racism, Equality

What a year. From the pandemic to the protests to the partisanship, volumes will be written about the 366 days that comprised 2020. Our writers have chronicled this year through the lofty lens of equality in their stories: the highs, the lows, and the crazy range of stuff in-between.

The editors of Our Human Family (OHF) culled this year’s articles for our favorites: the works that best reflect the ideals to which we aspire. While we adore all our writers and their ability to bring the fullness of their humanity to their writing, the twenty writers and their works listed below — none of whom are OHF editors — nailed it. Through their writing, these authors shined a light on the complexities and idiosyncrasies of the human experience that bring us together or sometimes keep us from achieving our fullest potential.

We’ll reveal four of our favorites in no particular order each day over a five-day period, and then share the full list on New Year’s Eve. So sit back and enjoy the second installment of these reflections that explores and illuminates the strength, beauty, shame, and resilience of our human family.

Love one another,

Clay Rivers

Founder and Editorial Director

Sherry Kappel

Special Projects Editor

stephen matlock

Senior Editor

“What Do You See When You See Black Skin?”

by Jesse Wilson

Photo by Matthew Smith on Unsplash

Our first of three writers from the United Kingdom, Jesse Wilson brings a youthful optimism and freshness to everything he writes. Jesse’s work consistently resonates with well-tempered optimism and poignancy, not to mention flourishes of British syntax which makes for articles brimming with a relaxed charm. When invited to share his thoughts on Blackness, Jesse penned a work that cuts through a superficial and visual definition and plumbs the deep waters of the cultural, psychological, and deeply personal implications of living in Black skin. His is an article that highlights the similarities of the Black experience in his homeland and here, across the Pond.

Read the article in Our Human Family.
The truth about the new covid strain in London...
Tags: London, Vaccines, Coronavirus, 2020

Recently confirmed by the US government, a new strain of coronavirus has made its way into the UK. Over 1,100 cases of the mutated virus were identified as of December 19th.

Will the current covid vaccine work against the new strain and who will receive it first?

According to health officials, there is no evidence that the vaccine will be ineffective against it. In trial, the vaccine is 95% effective at preventing the illness in those who have never experienced it. The first to receive it will be healthcare workers and residents of long term care facilities. *if you have a history of severe allergy to any component in the vaccine, it is recommended not to get vaccinated.

What we know so far about the strain.

According to England’s top medical officer, the new variant of the coronavirus spreads faster than prior strains. The United Kingdom has reported about 24,061 new Covid 19 cases based on a weekly average which is more than a 40% increase as of reported cases weekly prior. Although it is proven to spread faster, there is no evidence that the death rate is higher.

What is London doing to contain the virus?
2020，那些我在 SimplyBook.me 的一點記錄！
Tags: Simplybook, 2020, 2021, Life, Work

Scheduling software for labs vaccination appointment scheduling.

SimplyBook.me is helping many UK NHS Trusts become the world's first to deliver widespread COVID-19 Vaccinations in an…
My Favourite Things — The Amazon Kindle
By: David Banes
Tags: Kindle, Technology, Digital, Innovation, Disruption

Image by xxolaxx found on Pixabay

The Kindle was not the first eReader that I owned. That honour went to Sony, but it was the Kindle that led me to realize that the way I read and consumed books had changed forever. Like many people of my generation, packing for holidays was a constant challenge, baggage restrictions made choosing books to take for the poolside a time-consuming process. A two-week break for my wife and I demanded at least 10 paperbacks, preferably ones we could read and leave to free up baggage space for the return flight. Suddenly I travelled with just the one Kindle, which could easily slip into a coat pocket. Perhaps more meaningfully, when I went to live in Qatar for several years, my Kindle meant that I could still have access to an English Library. In a country where access to English books was limited as there were few bookshops in the malls.

On a train to London, daring to look at my fellow passengers, I realized that around 2/3 of those reading books held a Kindle. At that point, I realized that reading really had undergone a revolution.

There were many reasons for this revolution. Many people found the ease of access to a library of books refreshing. It was effortless to purchase new books online. The Kindle itself was light, easy to hold or mount and could support text to speech or audiobooks. The Kindle was perfectly functional in a wide variety of settings, unlike my phone or tablet, perfect whether reading under the bedclothes or in bright sunshine by the pool.

The more I used my Kindle, the more I found uses for it. I found that it was perfect for reviewing documents from my team or others. When I received them in my email, I forwarded each directly to the Kindle. I could read the files that night over a coffee, listening to music or watching television. I now had one device for reading regardless of setting. I had easy access to the books I wanted and had purchased, including many authors I had never read previously.

Change came with a cost, I bought some favourite books again, and when Terry Pratchett signed a copy of “Guards! Guards!” for my son, felt that his words inked across my Kindle screen might have been a problem. I miss bookshops and killing time browsing books, judging them by their covers and blurbs, but all of these are outweighed by the many benefits. I still read the odd paperback or hardcover tome. Yet, the Kindle changed my reading behaviour forever.
Digital Visiting Card India 2020
Tags: Digital Business Card, Visiting Card Design, Digital

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Tags: SEO, Seo Tips, Digital Marketing, Seo Services, Digital

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Local broadcasters can get a step up with positive, existing content in an OTT environment
By: Michael Vanzetta
Tags: News, Broadcasting, Digital, Media Criticism, OTT

Streaming platforms are everywhere and competing for content and viewers’ eyeballs. The one thing missing for broadcasters is optimizing raw live events and local content. My team and I have done on STIRR has taken the approach of high volume content with no extra cost. We’ve worked on repurposing Sinclair Broadcast Group content from local stations to create original clip shows. Here are some tips to bring live and local content to the forefront of OTT.

Optimize your existing content

Most broadcast groups have hundreds of hours of news content in a day. Some of the great news stories fall by the wayside if you are not watching a specific newscast. Local TV ownership groups create brand new IP content daily. Reuse it. Create clip shows of different content. I created, produce, edit three Monday to Friday shows that give platforms more revenue opportunities without spending extra money and increasing workforce.

Be positive

If you want political or national news, you have hundreds of options on various OTT platforms. But you see only just a handful of positive stories. Optimize that content on OTT. On STIRR I created a show called “Across The Nation” that focuses on the impact people have on their communities. The content dictates the number of views, not the platform.

Present live content in a different way

If stations are presenting their news content in the same way, why would viewers come to them first? They can see that presentation anywhere. Facebook Live has made raw live news events the must-see! We take it up a notch on OTT by creating a broadcast-quality presentation without anchors or analysis and without those comments that flood your screen on Facebook.

Take the UGC model with your news content

User-generated content is a big-money business with licensing companies leading the way, such as Jukin Media and Viral Hog. Jukin creates shows using the videos they acquire like “Fail Army” and “The Pet Collective.” What I do is make as many shows as possible with the IP news content Sinclair owns. My team has created five half-hour clip shows for linear and VOD in four months.

The Two 24/7 channels my team and I have created focuses on these principles. COVID-19 and 2020 Live channels are two of the top channels streaming on the STIRR platform in 2020.

More about me: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-vanzetta-01156287/
RedBubble Stickers I Made Using ProCreate
By: Juxtapose Magazine
Tags: Procreate, iPad, Drawing, Digital, Illustration

Procreate is an iOS app for the iPad family, and Procreate pocket for the iPhone. This subreddit is about using the Procreate app for drawing, lettering, and other miscellaneous usages of it.
Turkey to Pilot Digital Currency in 2021, Says Central Bank Governor
By: Herald Jonesa
Tags: Currency, Central, Governor, Digital, Bank

Turkey to Pilot Digital Currency in 2021, Says Central Bank Governor

Turkey will certainly start piloting a formerly concealed digital currency in the 2nd fifty percent of 2021, the nation’s primary central lender Naci Ağbal informed participants of parliamentFriday

“There is an R&D project initiated on digital money. Currently the conceptual phase of this project has been completed. We aim to start pilot tests in the second half of 2021.”

Ağbal’s shock remarks location Turkey on the fast lane to a reserve bank digital currency (CBDC). Turkey hardly ever reveals any kind of digital currency aspirations; The Bank for International Settlements (BIS), recognized in financial circles as the “bank for central banks,” does not also record Turkey as having an energetic CBDC job in its operating data source.

Yet Turkey is currently angling to surpass numerous better-known CBDC tasks. Although 80% of reserve banks are thinking about CBDC according to the BIS, just a handful — Sweden, China, the Bahamas — have actually proceeded to pilot phase/soft launch.

The information of Turkey’s very own CBDC job are dirty at ideal. Local crypto electrical outlet Koin Bülteni reported in September that the reserve bank was working with specialists for its digital currency r & d group.

Among the subjects of noticeable rate of interest: blockchain, cryptography and also huge information.