Swear to god, I'm worse than a cat.. my fascination & curiosity will get me killed someday.. o.O

12:19 - Magnitude 6,4 earthquake 3 km from Petrinja, Croatia..

Felt it in Ljubljana..and my stupid ass was fascinated.. :/

Yup, you read it right, not scared or whatever the hell should people feel when earthquake happens..just fascinated..and curios...and in full analysis mode..

Oh tremors?! Yup, something's definitely shaking.. Eartquake? Yup, earthquake! Woow, huge earthquake.. Where is epicenter?! Also long one.. nice, never felt it like this before.. hm.. x, should we go out? How?! I know an elevator is a no go, stairs also do not look promising..better stay in I guess.. hm..still going...feels weird.. Ok, look for shelter I guess.. wow..that's a long one.. ok, doorways should be safe-ish?! Where's x? He went silent..go check up on x.. x is fine, he's not stupid like me, and unlike me also has preservation instinct to not stand under the doorway that has glass components in it.. DumbAss.. Shaking stops... Well that was weird..also I didn't have time to analyze everything..or record it! Stoopid! How did I not think of this before?! Recording would be awesome!! shame..

I know panic doesn't help anyone, but FFS, sometimes I do wish my head would panic at least for a second instead of trying to analyze everything..

I mean, WTF is wrong with me?! Most people would be scared, I just estimated that it's not that dangerous for us and no use/not smart to try to go out of the building so I just took shelter (not a good one, I know now for next time?! o.O what next time?!idiot!!) and started observing.. DumbAss.. :/

Stakeholder: Users are unable to buy tickets on the website. IT says Azure’s health check is showing an unhealthy status.

[It’s Sunday. Web Engineering is not on call so no one sees this right away.]

Stakeholder: IT restarted the Azure website twice, but users still can’t place orders.

Me: There was never an issue with the Azure site. That health check is inaccurate. There is a rewrite rule that sends the Azure supplied domain to our custom domain. The Azure health check doesn’t like that so it returns an unhealthy status. The problem is the ticketing server that the website has to communicate with. The ticketing server is overwhelmed and can’t handle more requests. IT should have checked the ticketing server’s logs. This has happened before and it’s never been an Azure issue. It’s a ticketing server issue.

Stakeholder and IT: Oops 😅

—-

JFC. Stop trying to make this web engineering’s problem. Stop trying to make it look like engineering dropped the ball. The ticketing server has experienced this issue multiple times. The ticketing server is maintained by a different team. The website’s symptoms are always the same and there are steps you need to take before you make the decision to restart the website, which will cause the website to show a blue screen of death that says 503 service unavailable for a few minutes. And we have a switch to shut off all transactions. Why do you not want to use it when it’s clear the website can’t process transactions???

Headsup: if you're making a game, or want to, a good starting point is to ask a single question.
How do I want this game to feel?

A lot of people who make games get into it because they play and they say I wish this or that feature were different. Or they imagine new mechanics, or new story, or new aesthetics. These are all interesting approaches to explore.

If you're familiar with a lot of games, and why and how their designs work, starting with game
feel is great. It gives you a palette of ideas to riff on, without knowing exactly why it works, using your gut as you go. In fact a lot of designers who made great games used this approach, creating the basic form, and basically flew-blind, using the testing process to 'find the fun'.

But what if, instead of focusing on what emotions a game or mechanic evokes, we ask:
How does this system or mechanic alter the
*players behaviors*? What behaviors
*invoke* a given emotion?

And from there you can start to see the thread that connects emotion, and behavior.

In *Alien: Isolation*, the alien 'hunts' for the player, and is invulnerable. Besides its menacing look, and the dense atmosphere, its invincibility
has a powerful effect on the player. The player is prone to fear and running.

By looking at behavior first, w/ just this one game, and listing the emotions and behaviors
in pairs "Fear: Running", for example, you can start to work backwards to the systems and *conditions* that created that emotion.

In fact, by breaking designs down in this manner, it becomes easy to find parallels, and create
these emotions in games that are typically outside the given genre.

For example, if you wanted to make a game about vietnam (hold the overuse of 'fortunate son') how might we approach this?

One description might be: Play as a soldier or an insurgent during the harsh jungle warfare of vietnam. Set ambushes, scout through dense and snake infested underbrush. Identify enemy armaments to outfit your raids, and take the fight to them.

Mechanics might include

1. crawl through underbrush paths, with events to stab poisonous snacks, brush away spiders or centipedes, like the spiders in metro, hold your breathe as armed enemy units march by, etc.

2. learn to use enfilade and time your attacks.

3. run and gun chases. An ambush happens catching you off guard, you are immediately tossed behind cover, and an NPC says "we can stay and fight but we're out numbered, we should run." and the system plots out how the NPCs hem you in to direct you toward a series of
retreats and nearest cover (because its not supposed to be a battle, but a chase, so we want the player to run). Maybe it uses these NPC ambushes to occasionally push the player to interesting map objectives/locations, who knows.

4. The scouting system from State of Decay. you get a certain amount of time before you risk being 'spotted', and have to climb to the top of say, a building, or a tower, and prioritize which objects in the enemy camp to identity: trucks, anti-air, heavy guns, rockets, troop formations, carriers, comms stations, etc. And that determines what is available to 'call in' as support on the mission.

And all of this, b/c you're focusing on the player behaviors that you want, leads to the *emotions* or feelings you want the player to experience.

Point is, when you focus on the activities you want the player to *do* its a more reliable way of determining what the player will *feel*, the 'role' they'll take on, which is exactly what any good designer should want.

If we return back to Alien: Isolation, even though its a survival horror game, can we find parallels outside that genre? Well The Last of Us for one.

How so? Well TLOU is a survival third-person shooter, not a horror game, and it shows. Theres
not the omnipresent feeling of being overpowered. The player does use stealth, but mostly it's because it serves the player's main role: a hardened survivor whos a capable killer, struggling through a crapsack world. The similarity though comes in with the boss battles against the infected.

The enemy in these fights is almost unstoppable, they're a tank, and the devs have the player running from them just to survive. Many players cant help but feel a little panic as they run for their lives, especially with the superbly designed custom death scenes for joel. The point is, mechanics are more of a means to an end, and if games are paintings, and mechanics are the brushes, player behavior is the individual strokes and player emotion is the color. And by examining TLOU in this way, it becomes obvious that while its a third person survival shooter, the boss fights are *overtones* of Alien: Isolation.

And we can draw that comparison because like bach, who was deaf, and focused on the keys and not the sound, we're focused on player behavior and not strictly emotions.

Never have I  ever missed my favorite crypto podcast. There was this one episode where the guest was over the moon about Asset Rescue Specialist. I made a mental note, never thinking that I would ever need them. That changed when a malware attack wiped my $500,000 wallet clean. One minute I was going through my portfolio; the next, it was zero. My heart sank. I checked everything: my security logs, transaction history, even my device settings. That is when I saw it: unauthorized transfers draining my entire balance. Panic hit hard.
I scrambled for solutions, frantically searching through forums, threads on Reddit, and tech support pages. But deep down, I knew this wasn't something so simple to fix. Then, in the middle of my chaos, that podcast episode remembered itself. He spoke of Asset Rescue Specialist with such confidence that I decided to trust his experience.
It was one of the smartest things I could have done, reaching out to Asset Rescue Specialist. Since the very first message, they were calm, methodical, and reassuring. They made all the right questions and quickly diagnosed how the malware had invaded my wallet. Their team dove head-first into an advanced forensic recovery process while teaching me what went wrong.
I was skeptical: how do you reverse a theft that's already happened? But they knew what they were doing. Their precision, their expertise, and just the determination to see it through blew me away. Then, the message changed everything: "We've recovered your funds." I couldn’t believe it. My $500,000 was back. My relief was indescribable. They didn’t just stop there—they fortified my security, patched vulnerabilities, and gave me a plan to ensure this never happens again.
That podcast episode? Changed my life. Never thought casual listening would save my portfolio. Now, I don't listen for insights but for survival tips. And for whoever reads, let me share a piece of advice: you needn't wait for the worst to happen. Know who you are going to call before it's time.

FOR MORE INFO:
Company: ASSET RESCUE SPECIALIST
WhatsApp:+ 1 9 0 3 5 5 9 1 7 3 3. 

Star Phone Fix: Reliable Water Damage Fix in Hialeah, FL

Accidentally dropped your phone in water? Don't panic! At Star Phone Fix, we specialize in water damage fix for all kinds of mobile devices, including iPhones, Samsung smartphones, and many others. We know how stressful it can be when your phone has been exposed to water, but with our expert repair services, you can get your device back in working order as quickly as possible.

Located at 405 W 29th St, Hialeah, FL 33012, we’re your local go-to for all kinds of phone repairs, especially water damage fixes. With our fast, reliable, and affordable services, you can trust us to handle your device with care and get it back to perfect working condition.

Why Choose Star Phone Fix for Your Water Damage Fix?
Water damage is a tricky problem for any device, but Star Phone Fix has the experience and tools to handle it with ease. Here’s why we’re the best choice when you need water damage fix:

1. Experienced Technicians
Our technicians are trained in diagnosing and repairing a wide range of water damage issues. Whether it’s a phone that has been submerged in water or one that has simply gotten a little wet, we know exactly what to do. From preventing further damage to restoring your device’s full functionality, our team is equipped to handle it all.

2. Quick and Efficient Repair
We understand that time is of the essence when it comes to water damage fix. The sooner you get your phone into our hands, the better the chance we have to restore it. That’s why we offer same-day repair for many water-damaged devices. We work fast to dry out and fix your device, so you can get back to using it as soon as possible.

3. Affordable Pricing
Dealing with water damage doesn’t have to be costly. Star Phone Fix offers affordable and competitive pricing for water damage fixes without compromising on quality. We’ll assess your device, provide an upfront quote, and make sure you know exactly what you’re paying for before any work is done.

4. High-Quality Replacement Parts
In the case that your device requires replacement parts due to water damage, we use only the highest quality components. From screens to internal components, we ensure that your phone gets the best possible repair, so it works just like new.

5. Customer Satisfaction Guarantee
Your satisfaction is our top priority at Star Phone Fix. We’re committed to delivering exceptional service, and if you’re not happy with the repair, we’ll do everything we can to make it right. With us, you’re not just a customer – you’re a priority.

What Happens During a Water Damage Fix?
When you bring your device to Star Phone Fix, we follow a proven process to ensure the best chance of restoring your phone:

Initial Assessment: The first step is to assess the extent of the water damage. We’ll look at the device’s external condition and carefully inspect the internal components to identify any affected parts. Early detection is key to preventing further damage.

Drying Process: We’ll disassemble the device, remove any excess water, and let the internal components dry properly. This crucial step helps prevent corrosion and other issues caused by prolonged exposure to water.

Cleaning and Repair: Once the device is dry, we clean the internal components to remove any moisture or contaminants that may have accumulated. If necessary, we replace any damaged parts, such as screens, batteries, or connectors, to restore full functionality.

Testing: After the repairs are made, we test the device thoroughly. We check for any remaining issues with the touch screen, camera, speaker, charging port, and other functions to ensure everything is working as it should.

Final Review: Once we’ve completed the repair and testing, we’ll call you to let you know your device is ready to pick up. We’re committed to delivering a fully functional phone that’s ready to go.

Devices We Fix for Water Damage
At Star Phone Fix, we handle water damage fixes for a variety of devices, including:

iPhones: From the iPhone 6 to the latest iPhone models, we have experience fixing water-damaged Apple devices.

Samsung Galaxy Phones: Whether it’s a Galaxy S series, Note, or any other model, we can repair water damage and restore your device.

Other Smartphones: We also provide water damage repairs for other brands such as Google Pixel, Motorola, LG, and more.

Tablets and Smartwatches: Water damage doesn’t just affect phones – we can also repair water-damaged tablets and smartwatches, including iPads and Android devices.

Why You Should Act Quickly for Water Damage Fix
If your phone has been exposed to water, acting quickly is essential. The longer your device remains wet, the greater the chances of irreversible damage to internal components. It’s important to power off your device immediately and avoid charging it until it has been properly inspected and dried.