I've been looking for something like this for a long time and I am astounded and frustrated nobody has made anything like this. I found plenty of people asking for this, but no one actually showed a solution.
I stream with friends on twitch as we are in a discord call, and they will often post pictures in discord, but there was no way for me to easily show the picture on stream without toggling the entire discord window so twitch chat can actually see what we are talking about. What I wanted was some way for it to be automated, at least as much as possible.
Through the use of a custom discord bot, I was able to make something work.
Before I get into how to make this work, let me briefly explain how it works so you can tell if this is something you're willing to do. I will be highlighting all areas you need to fill out. The rest is mostly copy paste.
Discord Bot has reading access to a discord channel of your choice>a code tells the bot to monitor this discord channel for image links and image attachments>Upon detecting a new image, the bot will edit an HTML file somewhere on your computer with the link to the image along with some other things to make it readable for OBS>OBS uses that HTML file as a local browser source.
The only potential issue here that can benefit from some improvements is the source will not properly update unless you hide and then unhide the source. If its already hidden, simply unhiding it will prompt the correct image. (Just be sure the source has "Shutdown source when not visible" enabled, to allow it to update and take less resources while not visible) I simply made this a hotkey to easily toggle the source, however there is a way to create an OBS script that will automatically hide the source after a period of time, and reveal it upon updating, I was unsuccessful in this though.
To get this to work, you will only need to create 2 text files, paste some code, and change 3 lines to match your details so it properly links to the correct channel, bot, files, etc. I will highlight these things so you wont have to go searching.
1. CREATE YOUR DISCORD BOT
-Go to https://discord.com/developers/applications -Hit "New Application" at the top right, accept terms and name it whatever you want. -On the left under Settings/Installation be sure User Install and Guild Install are checked. -Navigate to the "Bot" tab on the left and turn OFF "Public Bot" and turn ON "Message Content Intent" -Head over to the "OAuth2" tab on the left. -Under "OAuth2 URL Generator" You will see a big list of "scopes" All you need is to check "bot" -A new portion will be revealed called "Bot Permissions". For simplicity sake since you can give it "Administrator". If you are concerned about security, you can check off only what would be needed like read messages and maybe read message history. This area you will have to experiment to see what is absolutely needed. -Copy the generated URL and paste it into your browser and select what server you would like to add it to. -Once added it should have all the needed permissions to do its job, but double check roles and default permissions to make sure its not conflicting with anything on your server. -Go back to the "Bot" tab on the left and hit the "Reset Token" button. You will be given a code. (Copy and paste this somewhere for you to refer to later.)
2. PYTHON (DONT PANIC) You barely need to mess with it.
-Head over to https://www.python.org/downloads/ and download the latest version. -When installing, make sure to check the box that says "Add Python X.X to PATH" during the installation process. This ensures that Python is added to your system's PATH environment variable, allowing you to run Python from the command line. (Just stay with me here, its not as bad as it sounds) Otherwise if you don't see this, its fine. -That's about it for python.
3. CREATE THE CODE (PASTE IT)
-Create a new text file and name it "discord_bot.py" (Be sure to change the file extension from .txt to .py) -Right click the file and hit "open with" and select notepad. -Go ahead and paste the following code into the file:

import discord import os import time import re TOKEN = 'YOUR BOT TOKEN HERE' CHANNEL_ID = 'YOUR CHANNEL ID HERE' TEXT_FILE_PATH = 'YOUR TEXT FILE PATH' # Create an instance of discord.Intents intents = discord.Intents.default() intents.messages = True intents.guilds = True intents.message_content = True # Pass intents to the discord.Client() constructor client = discord.Client(intents=intents) # CSS style to limit image dimensions CSS_STYLE = """  """ u/client.event async def on_ready(): print(f'Logged in as {client.user}') u/client.event async def on_message(message): if message.channel.id == int(CHANNEL_ID): print(f'Message received in correct channel: {message.content}') print(f'Attachments: {message.attachments}') if message.attachments or any(re.findall(r'(http[s]?:\/\/[^\s]+(\.jpg\.png\.jpeg))', message.content)): image_url = message.attachments[0].url if message.attachments else re.findall(r'(http[s]?:\/\/[^\s]+(\.jpg\.png\.jpeg))', message.content)[0][0] try: # Generate HTML content with image URL embedded in an  tag html_content = f"""     {CSS_STYLE} Include CSS style      """ # Update the HTML file with the generated HTML content with open(TEXT_FILE_PATH, 'w') as file: file.write(html_content) print(f'HTML file updated with image URL: {image_url}') except Exception as e: print(f'Error updating HTML file: {e}') else: print('No attachments or image links found in the message') client.run(TOKEN) 

-A few lines into the code you will see three lines that read:
'YOUR BOT TOKEN HERE' 'YOUR CHANNEL ID HERE' -and- 'YOUR TEXT FILE PATH'
-You need to replace these. Refer to your token you saved earlier and paste it in place of YOUR BOT TOKEN HERE. When you replace it, it should still have the (') at each end. Example: TOKEN = 'adnlkn34okln2oinmfdksanf342'
-For the Channel ID, head over to Discord>Settings(cogwheel bottom left)>advanced and turn on Developer Mode. -Head over to the Server where you want OBS to grab from and where you invited the bot. -Right click the text Channel you want OBS to grab pictures from and hit "Copy Channel ID" -Go back to the text file with the code and paste the ID you just copied place of YOUR CHANNEL ID HERE. (again make sure not to delete ' ' in the process.
So far we have the Bot Token and the Channel ID done.
-We need to create another text file. Create one and find a place to save it where you'll remember it. Somewhere like your documents folder will work fine. -Name it whatever you want, but be sure to save it as a .HTML file, rather than a .txt file. (for the sake of the tutorial, lets assume you named it "showimage.html" ) -Right click the html file you just made and click properties -Here you can see the file "Location". Go ahead and copy it. -Go back to that discord_bot.py file and replace YOUR TEXT FILE PATH with the address you just copied.
HOWEVER: BE SURE TO ADD EXTRA SLASHES TO THIS. I DONT KNOW WHY BUT ITS NEEDED. Example: TEXT_FILE_PATH = 'C:\\Users\\YOURNAME\\OneDrive\\Desktop'
There. The code is finished so go ahead and save it. Now you need to implement it into OBS
4. OBS BROWSER SOURCE
-Go ahead and open OBS. Go to your desired Scene and create a new Source, and make it a Browser Source. -I made the width and height 600x600, but you can adjust it once we get a picture on screen. -Toggle ON "Local File" and "Shutdown source when not visible" -For the local file, browse your computer for that "showimage.html" file we made earlier and select it.
5. (FINAL) LAUNCH THE BOT
We are almost done. You will have to launch this bot every time you want this image thing to work, so maybe save this last part on a note.
-Type CMD in your start menu on windows. -Right click "Command Prompt" and hit "Run as administrator" -Navigate to where the discord_bot.py file you made was saved. You can do this by typing "cd" followed by the address and hitting enter
Example: cd C:\Users\YOURNAME\OneDrive\Desktop Enter\*
-Then type: python discord_bot.py Enter\*
You should see a few lines of text that say: "Logged in as (whatever your bot name is)"
You're done!
When someone posts a link to an image, or uploads one directly to your desired channel, the bot will create a link for the obs source to refer to, and it should pop up in your scene, assuming its visible. If you still dont see anything, try restarting OBS and or go into the source properties, scroll down, and click the "refresh cache of current page" button at the bottom. Keep in mind the picture will not update unless you force the source to refresh somehow. If you dont want to keep going back to obs to hide/unhide the source to update it, you can set a hotkey to it, create an OBS script, or use a separate program like streamerbot to automate the process to your liking.
This was a huge pain in the ass to do, and I dont want anyone to go through what I did, so I wanted to have it all in a janky guide to get people started. Also I made it so the pictures have a minimum and maximum w/h size so small images arent so darn small, and big ones dont take up so much space. You can adjust this in the .py file, just be sure to close command prompt and start the bot again for the changes to go through.
Please let me know if you guys have any questions or suggestions, and Ill try my best to help/ respond. I hope someone makes use of this and it pops up in search results because I couldnt find anything like this anywhere.

I just received my pet scan. My world just crumbled. Am I gonna die? Can you share your met story if you have? Im so scared right now. Here’s the impression:

Since many have said it's better to buy car dealerships than poor old IT company,I was sad,so i decided to actually explain why IT is op.
To those with auto clicker if u reset game you will be like me hopeless in life....but here comes IT company as a saviour,see the step by step method.
1)use auto clicker for 10 minutes to upgrade clicker to max
2) watch ads and click for 10-30 minutes for 350k
3) repeat (2) till u get 100k
4) buy IT company and fire default developer,and use that 100k to buy medium grade employees and 60 skill designer.
5) (developer) skill should be 100+,and salary combined should be below 200k -300k per hour.
6)(designer) below 80k salary with 60+ skill (can make salary a little higher but you should calculate profit)
7)do 4 mil project 2 times (i recommend watching ads).
8)here there are 3 ways you can go buying taxi,bank,and more employee
9) once you get 100+ workshop space you gotta buy more senior devs and team leader and all others
10) the filter is the method I use at 100s of employees.you gotta hire 100 employee and fire lowest skill ones who are not really good (make your own standard) then go to project and select lowest salary and pick employees for project,fire the rest.
WARNING: if due to wage your networth is in negative,do not close IT or drop project. let project finish

Source used: https://mospi.gov.in/sites/default/files/press_releases_statements/GSVA_NSVA_Economic_Activity/Andhra%20Pradesh_15032023.xlsx
I will be comparing using GSDP in constant 2011-2012 prices rather than current prices. The reason for this is that the latter can be skewed by inflation so it may not give an accurate picture of changes in peoples’ quality of life.
First, CBN:
In 2014-2015, AP had a GSDP of 88,645(lakh INR) and, in 2019-2020, it had a GSDP of 125830. This means that, in five years, the economy grew by 41.95%(not accounting for inflation).
Now, Jagan:
I already stated the 2019-2020 GSDP but the 2023-2024 GSDP was 154,121 which is a GSDP growth of 22.48%. Keep in mind that this is only 4 years.
Calculations:
I could use average annual growth rate to make this fair but it would also be fair and also more accurate to the compound annual growth rate. The formula is as follows:
CAGR = ((Final GSDP/Initial GSDP)^{1/numberofyears)-} 1
With CBN, I got 7.26%. With Jagan, I got 5.2%.
With that being said, I acknowledge that Jagan might have done better if not for COVID.
Edit: I meant per capita.

I am evaluating whether the demographic proportions of an organization's membership are representative of the wider profession and I'm dealing with two anonymized datasets that contains demographic details for:

• All registered professionals in an occupation (registration is compulsory)
• A subset of those registered professionals that are members of an organization.

There's about 20,000 individuals in the sample and 200,000 individuals in the population. The two datasets are not linked in any way (I.e. there's no common index across the two datasets). So in essence we have a (likely) non-random sample of the population, and we know the population proportions for each demographic variable.
My instinct is to compute non-parametric 95% CIs, and if the population parameters fall within the CIs, the sample is likely representative and supplement this with Chi-Square tests as an additional check.
The sample size is sufficient, even with some of the smaller factor levels, however there are two complications:
Non-Random sample The sample is likely not random (from other work, we have evidence that age, ethnicity, and gender play a role in self-selecting who signs up for membership). Given we are testing whether the sample is representative is this an acceptable violation of the assumption of a random sample?
Category mis-match The population data has fewer categories (Sex: Male, Female) than the sample (Sex: Male, Female, Undisclosed, Unknown). Undisclosed and unknown are of a sufficient sample size for chi-square, but are the additional factor levels problematic?
Also, is it worth considering bonferroni correction or similar, given we have 5 demographic categories, with several factor levels (Age-group, Sex, Ethnicity, Disability, Resident/non-resident).
I'm also very open to other approaches.

So. The question is as such: - calculating cost of manpower - For first 5 minutes, cost is 100€ - each additional minute costs 1€
Number of minutes an installer work is exponential random variable with E[T] = 300.
Let X be the cost of one month service. Find P[X=100]
End question.
So ive created the time function through Continous Exponential Family RV. But then, whats next? I dont know where to go from here.

Hi!
TLDR at the very bottom.
I’m from eastern Europe so I know it’s difficult to give an advice, but I’m interested purely from math perspective if I should buy a house or not.
So, the average salary here is about 500$ a month - this is an important variable in this math, as it helps putting things into perspective.
I make about 3000$ per month, so 6x average salary.
I don’t have any debt whatsoever as debt is not popular here.
A decent apartment (2 bedroom) will cost about 100k$ here and require a downpayment of 20k.
I’m only considering 15 years mortgage, so for remaining 80k I would have to pay about 750$ per month, which would be 25% of my income.
Paying it off early (pay double or more every month for first 2 years) would cut my mortgage period in half (or more), so I will save a loooot on interest, but even so, my payment will still remain at 750$ per month for the next 5-7 years, which is 50% more than the average monthly salary…. So it’s a lot of money.
I don’t have any debt, but also not a lot of options to significantly increase my income, as I’ve pretty much peaked with my salary in my profession. I even might start earning less (2000$ per month) if I lose my job.
I’ve been here for almost 5 years already but it doesn’t feel super stable (but I won’t feel super stable at any job as I work in IT and it’s not a stable market).
I will also have to temporarily drain my emergency fund leaving only about 1000$. I will work to rebuild it asap… I know it’s not good, but a thousand dollars is worth more here.
So, the first thing:
One way to bring down the monthly payment is to have a bigger downpayment, but to save for a bigger downpayment I will continue spend a lot of money on rent (500$ per month).
Basically to save another 20k I will spend another 20k on rent - which might make sense, but not a lot tbh.
I kinda feel it makes more sense to just get a bigger mortgage and pay it off earlier with money not spent on rent.
So again, my doubts are related to the fact that I can afford it now, but if something happens and I lose my job - it will be a pretty big monthly payment.
Does my math looks safe to you?
Another question is how much house should I get?
Because an 80k debt in a country with 6k average yearly income doesn’t sound good at all, I’m also considering getting a small 1 bedroom apartment, which would put me in a smaller, 50k debt… but it will be a temporary home, and the risk that I won’t be able to afford a bigger house later in my life and will be stuck in a small apartment is something that worries me a bit.
So, what are your thoughts on my situation?
I don’t want to enter a discussion about alternatives, or ways to increase income by investing, as I don’t have such options here.
Thank you!
TLDR:

• Living in a country with $500 average monthly salary,
• But making $3000 a month.
• Want to buy an apartment but it will put me into $80K debt (15 years mortgage),
• Monthly payment will be $750
• Planning to pay in advance to cut period in half and save a lot on interest,
• But $750 is still a lot of money here (50% more than the average salary).
• Work in a field that doesn't feel very stable, even if I worked at my job for 5 years.
• Saving more money will cost me too much in rent (20K spent on rent to save at least 20K more for example)
• Feel like rent money would be better put into mortgage payment in advance
• Maybe I should buy a smaller house (50K debt), but will be too small and very temporary
• Not sure I will be able to afford a bigger home after paying off the smaller one.
• What are your thoughts of my situation?

Thank you!

The global cloud seeding market size is set to gain traction from the increasing adoption of weather modification technologies by various countries, shares Fortune Business Insights™ in its report, titled ”Cloud Seeding Market Size, 2024-2032”.
The cloud seeding market is witnessing significant growth, driven by advancements in weather modification technologies and increasing concerns about water scarcity. As climate change intensifies drought conditions in various regions, governments and private sectors are investing in cloud seeding to enhance precipitation. Innovations in seeding agents, coupled with improved weather forecasting models, are making cloud seeding more efficient and cost-effective. This trend is particularly strong in agriculture-dependent economies and regions prone to wildfires, where boosting rainfall can mitigate risks and enhance crop yields. The market is poised for robust expansion as sustainability and resource management take center stage globally.
Browse In-depth Summary of This Research Insight:
https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/cloud-seeding-market-104073
~Segmentation- Cloud Seeding Market Size~
Based on type, the market is segmented into the ground and aerial-based seeding. In terms of method, the market has been segregated into dynamic cloud seeding and hygroscopic cloud seeding. By geography, the market has been categorized into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and the Rest of the World.
List of Key Players Profiled in the Cloud Seeding Market Report

• RHS Consulting, Ltd
• North American Weather Consultants, Inc.
• Snowy Hydro limited
• Seeding Operations and Atmospheric Research (SOAR)

~Report Highlights~
This report encompasses an in-depth evaluation of the factors driving and constraining the cloud seeding market Size and also contains a piecemeal study of the different segments of the market. Further, it also supplies a careful examination of the competitive landscape of the market, besides incorporating a detailed analysis of the regional trends and prospects in the market.
~Drivers & Restraints-~
Mounting Concerns over Water Scarcity Worldwide to Favor the Market
Water scarcity has become an acute concern for large swathes of the human population. According to a 2018 report by the UN, more than 2 billion people around the globe are undergoing extreme water distress. A 2020 report by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) revealed that 3.2 billion people reside in agricultural areas with high to very high water shortages. The growing water crisis across the planet has, therefore, created a dire need for weather technologies that can replenish depleted natural water reserves and build water sufficiency in vulnerable regions. Cloud seeding systems can play a vital role in meeting these challenges, as these technologies can stimulate artificial rain and expand access to usable water in water-constrained regions. Such technologies can be particularly useful in desert regions, such as the Middle East and Northern African countries. For example, at the Khalifa University of Science and Technology, UAE, researchers are testing nanotechnology-based cloud seeding materials that can significantly increase the size of rain droplets and make them denser.
~Regional Insights- Cloud Seeding Market Size~
Rising Trend of Technological Advancements to Boost Market Growth in North America
North America will have the largest cloud seeding market share due to high technological advancements in climate control systems. In North America, the use of climate modifying solutions for communication and surveillance is also driving market development.
Europe is also expected to have a healthy growth rate in this sector, as countries in the region are making concerted efforts to reduce their reliance on erratic rains and develop their own "rain cycles." The market in Asia Pacific, on the other hand, is expected to expand due to the various rain-inducing programs undertaken by regional governments, as well as increased demand for commercial applications.
~Competitive Landscape-~
Government Programs to Promote Cloud Seeding in Arid Areas to Encourage Innovation
Government initiatives, such as increasing the implementation of artificial rainfall technologies to improve water levels in countries such as India, are expected to drive the demand for weather control equipment. Furthermore, governments in India, the United Arab Emirates, and China are investing heavily in weather modification activities, generating huge opportunities for research and innovation for market players.
~Industry Development-~
July 2020: The National Center of Meteorology (NCM), UAE, declared that it had executed 219 cloud seeding operations across the country, using over 4,500 flares manufactured by the NCM's Weather Enhancement Plant.

Heyo. Landed myself job with actually decent timetable, meaning I got actual free time this summer. And that spare time got me thinking of starting fly fishing.
While I fish alot, usually hundreds of hours per year, but I really haven't ever got into fly fishing. The places that I usually fish around don't really have trout or salmon in them, the stocks were decimated in past by forest industry, excessive damming (we got 11 dams between us and sea, on stretch of around 70km) and various other factors.
Species that would suit for fly fishing around here would be pike, perch and asp, but I think that deadbaiting with light gear is most fun way to catch pike, as for perch I rather use micro lures. And I'm not too interested about asp.
What I'm mostly interested about catching on fly would be rudd, it's nice and rather colourful european fish, kinda similar to grass carp, but it usually doesn't grow beyond 35cm & 0.6kg in weight, usually it stays much smaller. It' s pretty much what you would call ultralight species.
So I'm here asking you some advice, what class rod should I be looking at? Personally I were thinking something like #1 or #2. And also if anyone knows good lines around that class, I would be interested at them. Reel wise, im probably gonna order myself danielsson one.
Budget won't be issue here.

• Total budget (in local currency) and country of purchase. Please do not use USD unless purchasing in the US:
• >> FRANCE, around 1500$ (or €) max
• Are you open to refurbs/used?
• >> No
• How would you prioritize form factor (ultrabook, 2-in-1, etc.), build quality, performance, and battery life?
• >> Ultrabook would be great. Good battery life is important. Performance is not very important.
• How important is weight and thinness to you?
• >> 70% important.
• Do you have a preferred screen size? If indifferent, put N/A.-fill here, remove dashes-
• >> 14 or 14.5 inch. 3:2 would be the best. But 16:10 is OK.
• Are you doing any CAD/video editing/photo editing/gaming? List which programs/games you desire to run.
• >> A little bit of film editing and photo editing. If I can do that, it's better.
• If you're gaming, do you have certain games you want to play? At what settings and FPS do you want?
• >> No Gaming.
• Any specific requirements such as good keyboard, reliable build quality, touch-screen, finger-print reader, optical drive or good input devices (keyboard/touchpad)?
• >> Ne reflections ! Very important to me. So no glassy screen. I really like the screen of xps 15 (but too strong and heavy to me). Also, good keyboard.
• Leave any finishing thoughts here that you may feel are necessary and beneficial to the discussion.
• >> I want PC, not a MAC. Thanks for the help !

With the popularity of Print-on-Demand (POD) T-shirts, more and more people choose this method to make customized clothing. Although the method of POD has become more and more prevalent in recent years, there may still be something beginners are unfamiliar with. Therefore, this article will introduce ten things about POD T-shirts that you must understand.

1. What is Print-on-Demand T-shirts：Simply put, Print-on-Demand, is a method that provides customization services to customers. For example, customers can choose to print T-shirts anytime they want to meet their personalized needs. Unlike traditional manufacturing methods, T-shirts in this model are not printed in one batch; instead, they are printed based on different degrees of demand.
   
2. How does Print-on-Demand T-shirts work：Print-on-Demand T-shirts are typically ordered online. A customer first selects a design he wants on the website. Then, the system will create options for colors and sizes. After the customer finishes choosing and paying, the merchant will find a printer to complete the product, package, and send it to the customer.
   
3. What are the advantages of Print-on-Demand T-shirts：Print-on-Demand T-shirts have the following advantages. First, it can reduce manufacturing costs for sellers. Second, it can provide buyers with innovations that traditional products cannot provide. Third, to protect the environment by reducing overproduction.
   
4. What are the disadvantages of Print-on-Demand T-shirts：Although Print-on-Demand T-shirts are popular, it also has many shortcomings. First, the unit cost of the product will be high, because it is more expensive to print a part than to print a whole. Second, customers need to wait a while to get the product.
   

5.What is the market outlook for Print-on-Demand T-shirts：The market outlook for Print-on-Demand T-shirts is promising. As people need more and more personalized customization, there will definitely be a growing number of customers for Print-on-Demand T-shirts. Also, as printing technology improves, the quality and efficiency of Print-on-Demand T-shirts will increase as well.

1. How to choose a Print-on-Demand T-shirts service provider： When selecting a Print-on-Demand T-shirts service provider, a person needs to consider the provider’s reputation and experience. In addition, the person should evaluate the provider’s printing quality and speed. Finally, the person should take into consideration the cost of the services and the quality of customer service.
   
2. How to design Print-on-Demand T-shirts：When designing a Print-on-Demand T-shirts, one needs to first identify the target audience and the occasion. After that, one should select the design to be printed on the T-shirt. The selected design should be clear distinct and, preferably, attractive. Another factor to consider is alignment of the design with the T-shirt’s color and general style.
   
3. What is the sustainability of Print-on-Demand T-shirts：Print-on-Demand T-shirts are more sustainable than traditional manufacturing methods. They contribute to decreased overproduction and, therefore, overstock and resource wastage.
   
4. What are the future trends of Print-on-Demand T-shirts：In the future, trends in Print-on-Demand T-shirts will become more diversified. As printing technology continues to improve, apparel providers will offer more designs and options to customers.
   
5. How to start a Print-on-Demand T-shirts business： To start a Print-on-Demand T-shirts business, one should select a suitable printing service provider. Before doing so, a person should research the market demand and stronger competitors on the market. Then, one needs to design appealing T-shirts and ensure successful marketing and sales.
   

In summary, Print-on-Demand T-shirts is a personalized customization approach that can be flexible whenever consumers desire their home styles and would like to create customization. You have understood the ten things discussed in this article, which are bound to give you a deeper understanding of the problems you are going to try to get acquisition from Print-on-Demand T-shirts.

Hi, I have a few questions about reflections in a deffered rendering pipeline.
Fresnel reflection: Should it happen before the lighting phase, or after? For example if my reflection is against constant color, say red, and a fragment is reflecting it to fullest but also half dark based on its normal and position, should the output be reflection color (pure red) or dark red (reflection color + light).
Logically I think it should be the first option (ie reflection override light) because environment reflection color should already represent the ambience light. But this seems a bit too shiny when I try it. Is it a matter of picking the right values or I misunderstood it?

1. Screen space reflection and light - same question - should I work on the final buffer with lights applied on it? Logic says yes (if you stand in a dark room with a mirror and reflect a lit object, mirror will show it as lit) but I wanna make sure it works the same in computer graphics before I do some serious overhaul to support it.
   
2. Fresnel and preservation of energy in PBR - should reflection strength be a part of the "diffuse" vs. specular calculation? Or is it calculated on top of that and does not affect this clafulation?
   

Thanks!

To my colleagues at the Technomagical University of Valencia,
It is with great honor and gratitude that I dedicate these words to the revered institution that has been my intellectual home for decades. As Professor Thaddeus Rune, I have had the privilege of exploring the vast domains of thaumaturgy and materials sciences, unraveling the mysteries of the universe through the lens of magic and science.
Since the dawn of my academic career, the Technomagical University has been my source of inspiration and intellectual refuge, providing me with a conducive environment for the flourishing of the mind and spirit. Here, I have found not only knowledge but also camaraderie and collaboration, fundamental pillars on the path to understanding the secrets of the cosmos.
In this essay, I wish to pay tribute not only to this venerable institution but also to my esteemed friend and research colleague, the eminent arcanologist and Dr. Cornelius Darkwood. Together, we have shared countless hours of research, exploring the boundaries of magic and science with unwavering passion and an insatiable thirst for discovery.
May these words serve as a testimony of my deep appreciation for the Technomagical University of Valencia and for the invaluable friendship and collaboration I have found in Dr. Cornelius Darkwood. May our joint efforts continue to illuminate the darkest corners of knowledge, for the benefit of humanity and future generations.
With sincere affection and gratitude,
Professor Thaddeus Rune
____

Introduction

Thaumaturgy, the ancient discipline that merges magic and science, has long been a fascinating and challenging field of study. In our ongoing effort to expand the boundaries of knowledge and thaumic practice, we are faced with the challenge of finding and synthesizing materials that are not only abundant but also rich in crucial magical aspects. In this essay, we will explore two such materials: pyrite and icosahedrite, and examine their potential in the creation of new alloys and thaumic artifacts.
Pyrite, known for its composition of iron sulfide (FeS2), has long been a cornerstone in thaumic practice. The presence of sulfur and iron in its crystalline structure makes it an ideal source of the ignis, terra, and metallum aspects. Additionally, its perfect cubic crystals offer a generous dose of the ordo aspect, adding an additional level of complexity to its thaumic utility.
However, the growing scarcity of natural pyrite crystals, specially those with cubic shapes, due to its extensive use in the crafting of pyrotic magical alloys and power objects, poses a significant challenge for modern thaumaturges. It is imperative that we explore viable alternatives for obtaining this material.
We must also highlight the importance of emerging materials such as icosahedrite. Icosahedrite, recently discovered and of meteoric origin, exhibits a unique chemical composition of aluminum, copper, and iron (Al63Cu24Fe13). Although its availability is limited and its cost high, its potential in thaumaturgy is extraordinary. In addition to being an excellent source of the metallum and permutatio aspects, the true marvel of icosahedrite lies in its emerging aspects, especially the rare alienus aspect.
This alienus aspect, with its exotic and mysterious qualities, offers a vast field of possibilities in the manufacturing of quantum devices, metamagic contraptions, and artifacts for metric manipulation of space-time. Furthermore, icosahedrite infused with praecantatio essence can give rise to powerful dodecahedrites, with potential applications in the production of high-density magical batteries, wands and scepters of great power, enhanced arcane weapons, and antimagic ammunition.
In conclusion, both pyrite and icosahedrite represent valuable contributions to the thaumic arsenal. Their unique properties and potential in the creation of new alloys and artifacts urge us to explore more economical and scalable production methods.

Summary

Throughout my research in the field of thaumaturgy and materials sciences, I have conducted a series of experiments aimed at synthesizing high-quality materials for application in thaumic practice. These experiments have resulted in the development of innovative synthesis methods, which have been detailed and documented in a report attached to this essay.
In this essay, however, my goal is to provide a concise and accessible summary of the synthesis methods employed, as well as the results obtained. While the attached report contains specific technical details and additional experimental data, here I will focus on presenting an overview of the procedures used and their implications in the context of contemporary thaumaturgy.
It is my hope that this summary provides a clear and practical understanding of the synthesis methods employed, as well as their relevance to research and thaumic practice. For those interested in delving deeper into the technical and experimental details, I refer to the attached report for further information and detailed insights.

Method of synthesis for Pyrite cubes

The process of synthesizing high-quality pyrite involves several meticulous steps to ensure the formation of cubic pyrite crystals with optimal perfection and purity. Below is a summary of the main steps of the method:

1. Preparation of the reactive mixture: The process begins with the preparation of a stoichiometrically calculated mixture of sulfur and iron. 32.06 grams of sulfur and 55.84 grams of iron, both finely powdered, are carefully weighed and mixed.
2. Formation of iron sulfide (FeS2): The sulfur-iron mixture is placed in a crucible and ignited to initiate the reaction and form iron sulfide (FeS2).
3. Grinding and dissolution: Once the iron sulfide is formed, the product is finely ground. Subsequently, the resulting iron bisulfide is dissolved in a eutectic mixture of sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium chloride salts. The exact proportions of these salts and specific temperatures are detailed in the attached report.
4. Crystallization and controlled cooling: The dissolved mixture is placed in a crucible inside a glass annealing furnace for slow controlled cooling. This process allows pyrite crystals to form and crystallize in an orderly and uniform manner.
5. Extraction and selection of crystals: Once the mixture has cooled and fully crystallized, the salt block is broken to extract and separate the precipitated pyrite crystals. Crystals with the most perfect cubic shapes are selected for use as seed crystals for growing larger crystals.
6. Process refinement: Throughout the experimentation, refinements were made to the process to improve the quality and perfection of the pyrite crystals. These refinements are detailed in the attached report.
7. Results: After a series of experiments and adjustments, a pyrite cube measuring 3.24 cm on each side was successfully grown, representing a significant success in the synthesis of high-quality pyrite.

This method of pyrite synthesis offers an effective route to obtaining cubic pyrite crystals with optimal thaumic properties, opening up new possibilities in the research and application of this material in contemporary thaumaturgy.

Method of synthesis for Icosahedrite dodecahedrons

The synthesis process of icosahedrite dodecahedrons involves a series of meticulous steps to cultivate polycrystalline crystals with desirable thaumic properties. Below is a summary of the main steps of the method:

1. Preparation of the metal mixture: The process begins with the pre-fusion and mixing of a finely powdered combination of 21.51 grams of aluminum, 19.305 grams of copper, and 9.185 grams of iron, in a controlled argon atmosphere. The mixture is carefully conducted to ensure a uniform distribution of the elements.
2. Refusion and controlled cooling: The metal mixture undergoes a refusion process to ensure complete melting of the components. Once melted, the mixture is allowed to cool within a crucible placed in a glass annealing furnace, ensuring slow controlled cooling.
3. Addition of ordo aspect essence: During the cooling process, ordo aspect essence is added to accelerate and enhance crystallization. This addition helps promote the growth of desired dodecahedral quasicrystals and improve their quality and purity.
4. Formation of the polycrystalline metal matrix: As a result of the controlled cooling process and the addition of ordo aspect essence, a polycrystalline metal matrix is obtained containing a variety of crystals with different orientations and structures.
5. Extraction and selection of dodecahedrons: The polycrystalline metal matrix is carefully broken and fragmented to separate and extract perfectly formed and desired dodecahedral quasicrystals. Dodecahedrons with the most suitable shapes and thaumic properties are selected for use in thaumic applications.

Although the obtained icosahedrite dodecahedrons may be small in size, their successful formation represents a significant advancement in the synthesis of this highly promising material in thaumaturgy. This method provides a solid foundation for future research and applications in the field of contemporary thaumaturgy.
____

Request for acquisition of magical materials for Dodecahedrite research

Given the success of the icosahedrite synthesis process, I am attaching the reason why I have requested a budget. Although the letter sent details the reasons better, I have chosen to include an excerpt in this essay for transparency purposes.
In order to advance our thaumic research and reduce future costs, I propose an innovative strategy involving the acquisition of key magical materials for the manufacture of dodecahedrites. These materials, greatwood and thaumite, are crucial for extracting large quantities of praecantatio essence, an essential component in the successful production of dodecahedrites.
Greatwood and thaumite, with their high concentration of praecantatio essence, will allow us to obtain the necessary raw materials to manufacture dodecahedrites efficiently and economically. These dodecahedrites, combined with the icosahedrite quasicrystals we have successfully synthesized, will be used in future research on advanced thaumic applications.
By acquiring these materials in large quantities, we can not only reduce the production costs of dodecahedrites but also ensure a constant and sufficient supply for our thaumic research projects. Additionally, it will enable us to conduct large-scale experiments and explore the full thaumic potential of dodecahedrites in various areas of study.
Therefore, I respectfully request the University of Tecnomagic of Valencia to consider allocating a budget for the acquisition of greatwood and thaumite. This strategic investment will allow us to advance more rapidly in our thaumic research and achieve new milestones in the field of contemporary thaumaturgy.
I am available to provide any additional information that may be necessary and that I am authorized to provide.
Sincerely,
Professor Thaddeus Rune

So I love my Xdj-xz, but I notice that I don’t use the 4 channels on it. Even when plugged in to computer I don’t use it. I have no plans to buy extra decks for it either, was looking to add an xdj1000mk2, but I have no space for it. Also because it’s so heavy, it’s just glued to my table.
I own a denon prime go and love this device to death. Downsides are the pioneer effects are just miles ahead and I prefer the sound of the pioneer. Mobility is amazing and I lug it in my backpack everywhere with me.
So I have 2 ideas and need help. Sell the xdj-xz and go for the xdj-rx3 for bigger screen and smaller form factor. Or route 2, sell both the xdj-xz and the denon prime go and grab the alphatheta omnous duo 2. It’ll be portable while having the pioneer sound I like. I just absolutely hate the price of the omnuos 2.

If you are struggling with Step 1, trust me, I understand you. I am not a strong test taker and I struggle with testing anxiety. Having to go through this exam 3 times nearly broke me. If you passed, congratulations, I'm so relieved and happy for you! If you failed, I know how you feel and I hope my story can motivate you because you are amazing and capable. If you are studying and stressing out, please keep your head up because if I can pull through this, you definitely can.
My story summarized:
I took 2 months of step 1 dedicated last year and saw on reddit that people would pass with low 60s on NBMEs. I thought to take it once I hit a 62 on NBME and a 60+ on Free 120 (my school would not let me push it back any further). I came out of that test shattered as it did not feel like anything I've ever taken before; the question STEMs were long and I was constantly running out of time. After my initial F, I tried to retake it immediately, ~5 weeks after my first attempt so that I could quickly get back on track with school. I hired a tutor and started Bootcamp. I thought I just needed to show consistency so I got 62 and a 67 on two NBMEs. I went into that test feeling so confident and felt great after the test; the question stems were short & sweet and I didn't have a time issue. I was confident that I passed. When I received that second F, I cannot truly describe that feeling but I wouldn't hope it for anyone. I had to take a year off on LOA to fix my depression and anxiety disorder that resulted from this traumatic experience.
I started truly studying for this exam in January of this year and took the exam 4/19. I told myself that I would not sit for this exam again until I've scored in the 70+ consistently on NBMEs and fixed my confidence. This was my last chance taking the step 1 exam as a third failure results in dismissal from my school. I think that added pressure on top of my testing anxiety was something that took ALOT of time with counseling and self reflection/growth to heal from. My initial date was 4/10 but I was having extreme physical pain that week and my practice score dropped from 78 to 60, so I, not wanting to repeated my mistake in the past, extended my LOA so I could take the exam 4/19. I took another practice exam to make sure I was confident and got a 69%. It wasn't the 70+ I wanted but my counselor told me that I may never feel confident, but I have been meeting my score goals consistently and having prepared for this exam for, essentially a year now, I did not want to burn out so I took the exam. Here are my stats this time: 4/15/24: 69% (Form 29), 4/7/24: 60% (Form 28), 4/4/24: 78% (Form 26), 3/15/24: 74% (Form 30), 2/29/24: 69% (Form 31), 2/15/24: 65% (Form 25), 2/1/24: 66% (Form 27).
I can honestly say I feel like I truly understand the material and am able to think about things clinically, which is something I could not have said for my first two attempts.
To note, I don't think everyone needs 70+ on NBMEs to pass, but if you have testing anxiety, tend to struggle with timed tests, have ADD, or easily get shaken from a "bad section," then you should aim for 70+ (timed, and as close to the exam environment as possible) to be able to sit for the real thing. Cudos to those who did it without but I think that not having 3+ NBMEs >65% is a risk. Look at me, I took those risks and failed twice before. I don't want that for you.
Prior to and Exam day:
I visited the testing center twice before my test date to familiarize myself with it. I checked out the bathrooms and saw the common area. This test was also and mental and emotion task for me, so knowing my environment was important.
I studied the day before because I am just not the type to take a day off before the exam - my anxiety could not let me just rest. I slept maybe 4 hours (don't recommend it but I don't usually sleep before big events so 4 was good for me). I had my partner drive me so I could just decompress in the car and did not have an appetite but forced myself to eat a banana. I took an ibuprofen as I knew I tend to get stress headaches/cramps along the test, which usually really affected me.
The first section was terrible (wanted to just fight the computer screen) but I lied to myself that it was gonna be one of my best sections so I am not gonna worry about it. I took each section like its own thing, not letting the previous affect me. I realized that timing was not as forgiving on this as NBMEs so I made myself go through all the questions so that I could have 5 minutes to check unanswered or marked ones. I think I marked 18 in 3 sections (which was freaky) but again, told myself not to worry about them. Overall, 3 sections felt terrible and the rest felt okay to meh. I calmed myself down because I told myself that I've seen thousands of step 1 questions at this point as I've completed Uworld Qbank, Amboss Qbank, all available online NBMEs, free 120, and taken this exam twice); I think this reassurance made a huge difference in not allowing my testing anxiety to affect me. Trust me, it wasn't smooth sailing though and I think adrenaline carried me through this test.
I did not know how to feel after my exam as it didn't feel as difficult as my first attempt but not as "easy" as my second attempt. However, my 6 NBMEs were 65-78% (with the exception of 1 at 60%) this time, so I just told myself to trust my score. I knew I missed a handful of easy ones but also felt reassured when I looked up the ones I guessed and saw that I had guessed most of them correctly.
Waiting 4 weeks for my score was torture. I prayed, cried, distracted myself with video games, and spent time with friends.
Overall I am so happy to finally move on with my life bc it felt like limbo for the past year. If you want to hear what worked for me the third time around, you can read more below.
What didn't work for me:

• I have never learned well with textbooks. I don't know why I thought using First-Aid as the foundation of my study prep was a good idea. I was also trying to do thousands of Anki when I was always struggling to keep up with ANKI in med school. You know what works for you as you've studied all your life to get to this point in medical school. FA/Anki might be the holy grail for some people but if that's not your learning style or how you learn best, use other options!
• I took tests on my laptop at home for my first two attempts. You might not know it, but you may be a little too comfortable so try to go to a library where there are desktop computers and simulate the real deal.

What did work for me:

• Bootcamp and Uworld! I am a visual learning and Bootcamp videos/short quizzes really helped me ground my foundation in. However, it was unsuspending the Uworld Q's associated with the Bootcamp topic to see if I really understood the lecture material was what made a difference. I kept a spreadsheet of the Bootcamp topic completion, its associated UWorld Qbank completion, and the percentage right. Anything under 50% was a fail, 60-69% was border, and 70% was pass. I would redo my failed sections and take extra time to review my border sections. Another option for qbank is Amboss.
• Mehlman PDFs. Please, please review Mehlman's HY arrows PDFs. This is the single document that boosted my score to 70+. I did it 4x over (1 to get through it, 2 to redo the wrong ones, 3 to redo it all Qs the week before the test, and 4 to redo the wrong ones on the second attempt). I did his biochem sections and his biostats questions the week before the exam, which was a big help. I heard his risk factor PDFs were good, but I didn't have time to do that.
• NBMEs, use them as a resource! I would see the same topics come up again and again for each NBME. I know their explanation sucks but try to just understand what topic/concept they are trying to get you to know. Some people say this inflates your score but familiarizing yourself with HY topics that get tested time and time again is studying smart. I made Quizlet flashcards on each question I got wrong from forms 25-31 and Free 120. Yeah, I used quizlet bc I hated Anki and seeing Anki demoralized me, so I had to use a different flashcard medium. Quizlet actually has an AI feature to ask you questions and give explanations based on your flashcards, and I think this is pretty cool.
• For Micro and Pharm, I used Sketchy.

If you have any questions or need moral support, feel free to DM me. I'm done with step 1, and I'll see you on the other side!

Hello everyone,
I was wondering how rankings (at a local level) worked in different countries, I have not searched if this was already posted on this sub, I apologize if that's the case.
I'll begin with France since that is where I'm playing.
So in France you have 4 division (Promotion, Departemental, Regional, National). The Promotion to Departemental divisions range mainly from beginners to intermediate players whereas Regional to National divisions include advanced to professionnal players.
Each of these is subdivided in 3 All the divisions are such (the % represents the proportion of players playing at that level) :
P12 - 100% P11 - 70% P10 - 45% D9 - 30% D8 - 15,5% D7 - 10% R6 - 6,6% R5 - 4% R4 - 2,4% N3 -1,4% N2 - 0,6% N1 - 0,2%
The amount of points you need to have to move from one division to another is based on the category you play in (MS, MD, MX, WS, WX). You gain points by how you perform in tournaments.
Where you play in tournaments, you are grouped by people of your level, and the amount of points you gain is calculated by the points of the players in your group.
I hope that I have been concise without entering too much into detail (which I'll be happy to do if you're interested!)
I'm very interested in hearing how the rankings work in your country !
(For the French speaking community, I used the badmania guide to write this post, if I forgot anything please do correct it !) https://badmania.fclassement-moyenne.html