Category Archives: Mind Uploading

TORONTO Passing 10 million TikTok followers was a monumental accomplishment for Johnny Orlando, so he celebrated by plowing his face into a frosted cake.

In a goofy clip made for his account, the 18-year-old pop singer from Mississauga, Ont., drew from many ingredients of a successful TikTok moment. The soundtrack layered two of his catchiest songs and the video peaked with a grand finale that was instantly rewatchable: Orlandos face emerged from the sugary dessert with remnants of million stuck to his forehead in red icing.

Its a bit of a tradition, Orlando said of his faceplant, which has racked up 1.6 million views and counting on TikTok.

I did that for one million followers like four years ago.

Orlandos TikTok wizardry is the stuff of legend at his record label Universal Music Canada. Long before Shania Twain, Nickelback and the Tragically Hip planted their flag on the platform, he was making waves with cute pet videos, the occasional thirst trap and lots of singing.

But as the Juno Awards roll around this weekend, TikToks outsized influence on Canadian musicians is on full display.

No less than three Juno contenders for breakthrough artist rose from TikToks algorithms to global popularity over the past year.

Calgary native Tate McRaes You Broke Me First became a Generation Z anthem when TikTok users embraced it for their tearful breakup videos. So far, its turned up in more than 900,000 TikTok clips and peaked at No. 17 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Vancouver-born musician Powfus sombre Death Bed (Coffee for Your Head) became an even bigger TikTok success as the theme of a trend where teens attempted to lay a kiss on their secret crush. Its been used in more than five million videos and hit No. 23 on Billboards main chart.

And Napali-Canadian artist Curtis Waters, who spent part of his youth in Alberta and British Columbia, saw TikTok fashionistas adopt the hook of Stunnin' for their bedroom runways. Its appeared in more than one million TikTok videos.

Orlando a Junos breakthrough artist nominee in 2019 heads to the awards on Sunday with a pop album of the year nomination for Its Never Really Over. And he understands that his next singles success could be determined by however it strikes audiences on TikTok.

Its a really good idea to have a TikTok strategy, he said.

If a song does well on (there), it does well everywhere else. And thats the reality these days.

Not everyone in Canadas music industry is so savvy with the platform. Even some musicians who found success there were downright unwilling to use it for the longest time.

Before the release of Stunnin,' Curtis Waters shunned TikTok as a gimmick for preteens, but when he saw how Lil Nas X used TikTok dance crazes to launch Old Town Road into the cultural zeitgeist, his opinion started to evolve.

Id ask my female friends, Hey can you make a TikTok with my song?' remembered the 21-year-old musician, born Abhinav Bastakoti.

TikToks popularity spiked around the start of the COVID-19 lockdown in March 2020, which gave Bastakoti a few ideas. He said he began scouring the internet for dance tutorials in hopes of building Stunnin' around some irresistibly viral choreography. The problem was, he couldnt dance to save himself.

He did have one trick up his sleeve: an alter ego named Dancer Dan who he often brought out at drunken college parties. The character moves to his own sleepy stoner beat, complete with a few simple arm waves and handclaps.

In one of his earliest TikTok videos, he vibed to Stunnin' with Dancer Dans moves in full effect. Viewers swarmed the clip demanding he unleash the full song.

By summertime, Stunnin' was spreading all over TikTok and gaining prime real estate on popular streaming playlists. Bastakoti describes his success as mostly an effect of the pandemic.

It was just good timing for me cause everybody was already home on TikTok, he said.

I just happened to be caught in the middle of that.

Isaiah Faber, who records under the name Powfu, said he was completely surprised when the popularity of Death Bed made him one of TikToks biggest success stories. He said hed been uploading music to various platforms for two years steady before this song took off. He now ranks among Spotifys Top 500 most played artists in the world.

It was a giant leap forward, he said of his TikTok popularity.

I felt a lot more comfortable knowing that my songs after that (one) are going to do a lot better as well.

Having one TikTok hit makes it hard not to want another, he acknowledged, and sometimes his creativity has been influenced by the platform.

In the wake of Death Bed, Powfu issued Mindurmanners, a song he wrote with TikTok in mind. The lyrics include the line We be sipping Kool-Aid jammers, which he imagined might inspire some TikTok users to mimic the action with a dance.

It didnt really catch on, he said with a chuckle.

And yet he still feels pressure to keep feeding TikTok with new videos, which he admitted isnt always so easy.

I dont really know how to come up with ideas because Im not really a performer or actor, he said.

I write music, you know, so it is weird trying to make TikToks all the time.

Eric Reprid, a Vancouver indie rapper, said the power of the platform still overshadows whatever creative challenges it might present. He jumped on TikTok last year after friends suggested it would draw unparalleled attention to his music.

By September, he launched his single Cold World with a TikTok campaign that encouraged people to help him reach one million streams on Spotify.

The song crushed that goal, racking up 24 million plays and counting. Cold World is now among the contenders for rap recording of the year at the Junos.

No label could do what TikTok has helped us achieve, he said.

The exposure it gets us is unmatched.

While countless Canadian musicians are worshipping at the altar of TikTok this year, many acknowledge theyre beholden to the mysterious inner workings of the platform, which inexplicably elevate some clips and not others.

The views on Orlandos cake video, for instance, are dwarfed by the 14 million views he got on one posted a week earlier where he lip-synchs to a British rapper.

But numbers are only part of the puzzle, he suggested, as a successful TikTok strategy blends interaction, authenticity and gauges the state of the union with fans.

Beyond his verified account, he recently opened up a second TikTok that houses what he described as less polished clips. Hes attracted fewer than 200,000 followers so far, but he only opened it in January to offer a more personal side of his public face.

Its good to have both to give a more accurate picture, he added.

The 50th annual Juno Awards will air Sunday on CBC-TV and its digital platforms.

___

Listen to a playlist of 2021 Juno Award nominees on Spotify: https://bit.ly/CPJunos2021

Follow @dfriend on Twitter.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 2, 2021.

David Friend, The Canadian Press

The rest is here:

Young Juno nominees on why theyre moving to the algorithm of TikTok - 660 News

Before every election, various political parties, specifically, the non-NDA parties, start raising questions on EVMs used by the Election Commission of India. Such doubts on EVMs go up if BJP or other NDA parties win the elections, as the non-NDA parties accuse them of winning the elections by manipulating the EVMs. But when non-NDA parties win the elections, the questions on EVMs disappear completely.

The latest example of the same is the recently concluded assembly elections. Other than Assam, where BJPs win was certain, and small union territory Puducherry, non-NDA parties have come to power in West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Kerala. And as a result, no opposition leader is questioning the EVMs, until the next elections. Ahead of the assembly elections,. Mamata Banerjee and other leaders in TMC had raised EVM rigging allegations, but once the TMC govt returned to power, such allegations have disappeared.

The controversies relating to EVMS had started when they were first introduced. Since EVMS are electronic devices and since they include a processor like device inside them, there was a lot of hue and cry regarding the possibility of it being hacked.

But the contentions regarding hacking were based on an incorrect understanding of what is happening inside the EVM and what it is made up of. EVMS does not in any way work like desktop computers or even microprocessor based devices. Once they are programmed during manufacturing process, there is no means by which it can be reprogrammed to make it behave like we want to. It is more like a non-programmable calculator with a very basic set of electronics that do not in anyway resemble modern computers / programmable devices. Moreover, EVMS and Ballot units used along with are standalone units that are not connected to external devices to be manipulated (they cannot be manipulated in the first place), neither do they have hardware enabling wireless communications.Even many from the opposition parties accept this, ensuring us that EVMS are calculator like devices that cannot be hacked.

Its such misunderstandings created by flawed arguments we wish to dispel in this article.

Now, the main argument is against the VVPAT machine, which was added as a means for the voter to verify if the machine has indeed cast the vote for the candidate he had in his mind. VVPAT machine contains information about the candidate list in the constituency, their symbols and how theyve been arranged in the ballot unit. So, by checking the printout on the VVPAT machine one can verify if the ballot unit and the whole voting process was working the way it was intended to be. But there are a few things the critics bring to our notice which they think are major vulnerabilities of the VVPAT machine, when combined with the EVM-Ballot Unit duo allegedly compromises the whole election process, if such accusations are factually correct.

Lets sum up the main charges against the VVPAT and the EVM-VVPAT-Ballot Unit trio.

So, the main point against VVPAT is since it sits between the Control unit and the ballot unit, anyone somehow hacking the VVPAT tampering with its programmable memory can sabotage the whole election process and get the system to register votes for whomever the intruder wants. And it is alleged the tampering can be done when the data containing candidate list, symbols etc. are loaded into the VVPAT using laptops or other compatible devices.

Now the statement that VVPAT sits between CU and BU is correct as one can see from the diagrams provided by Election Commission of India. While without the VVPAT, the cable from BU connects the CU directlu, the cable from BU now goes to the VVPAT and a second cable from VVPAT, similar to the BU-CU cable in the old system, connects with the CU. Theres nothing doubtful regarding this. Now its the interpretative arguments about VVPAT and the connections involved that we wish to analyse.

To begin with, the purpose of VVPAT was to bring in more transparency to the voting process through electronic means. The voter, unlike before, now has a secondary means of visual verification, a paper trail that shows the candidate he had voted for. Now, since a certain percentage of VVPATs are verified at the end of the election process, matching them against the votes cast on EVMs, it is not possible by any means to tamper with the election process exactly for these two reasons:

1.VVPATs are verified by the voters at the time of elections

2.VVPATs are verified after the election is over too.

Is essence, VVPAT has brought in more transparency and trust factor in the election process.

Next, many from the opposition parties andanalysts make the claim that the VVPAT machine is a very complex system digital system that is prone to hacking. They also say it contains device drivers such as those which would be used to actuate individual components such as printers, photodiodes etc. In effect, they compare the whole VVPAT to a general purpose mini computer. This is where the whole argument is erroneous.

Simple machines such as standalone printers which are not normally connected to computers, and meant for very specific purposes such as a token machine or a billing machine, runs on something called Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASIC). What it means that the IC used has been pre-programmed, much like the one-time programmable EVM. ASICs are not reprogrammable in the sense that you cannot change the code it runs on.

Malware can affect only those systems which actually resemble general purpose computers, which runs on an Operating system and has features like RAM etc. The only thing it is designed to receive from an external device is the information about what it should be printing. Just like a token machine can be programmed to alter the content it is supposed to print by using a custom-made application, VVPAT too is most likely desgined around an Application Specific integrated circuit, and the only thing one can change is what it prints, which is done by ECIL engineers before the elections, using symbol loading Jigs or laptops as we have been told by ECI.

The code it runs cannot be changed since it should ideally run on an ASIC. We can simply disregard the allegation that VVPAT is hackable just by noting that it should ideally run on an application specific Integrated Circuit designed to carry out a specific task, here printing and acting as a bridge between the BU and CU, and that its code cannot be accessed or changed.

This method of loading external data is also used in setting the Real Time Clock inside the Control Unit using time setting Jigs. Here too, the OTP (One Time Programmable) chip inside the Control Unit has been preprogramed to receive information about time and date, just as VVPAT receives the information of candidates using symbol loading Jigs/Laptops with symbol loading application made by ECIL. So, just connecting the EVM to an *external device* cannot change the code it runs on. The same logic applies to VVPAT running on an application specific IC, much like that of the EVM control Unit.

ECI also mentions that newer models of EVMs are encrypted to the hardware level so that only ECIL/BEL components can be interconnected. This further weakens the argument that any type of tampering is possible. ECI also states these machines are not stand alone in the strictest sense, but needs to be occasionally interfaced with ECIL/BEL certified components for data upload, inspection etc.

Now since ECI hasnt yet released the internal schematics of both the EVM and VVPAT, our argument about VVPAT should hold just as good as that for EVM.

Just as EVM ideally runs on a One-time Programmable chip which isnt hackable, VVPAT too like other special purpose printers should run on Application based integrated circuits which arent reprogrammable in the strictest sense of the word, and hence not-hackable like a general-purpose computer which runs on an operating system and has accessories like RAM etc.

Critics make another accusation that the introduction of VVPAT into the system is a patchwork which has compromised the security of the election process, because a programmable device is sitting in between Control Unit and Ballot Unit.

But this philosophy of cascading multiple devices has always been there in election processes, right from its introduction. For instance, when the total number of candidates in a constituency exceeds 16, the maximum number of keys in a single Ballot Unit, additional units are cascaded, i.e., connected in series. The connection is shown below.

So, to cast vote for, say 20th candidate, the voter has to use the second Ballot Unit, and the signal passes through the first Ballot Unit to the EVM.

Now since ASIC based devices are themselves not reprogrammable/hackable, the new arrangement devised by designers, Ballot Unit-VVPAT-Control Unit, is nothing different from the old Ballot Unit-Ballot Unit-Control Unit philosophy, since we have argued that VVPAT is not hackable and the only variable inside it is the data for printing.

Based on this too, we can conceptually dispel the allegation that the signal given out by Ballot Unit is prone to manipulation by the processor inside VVPAT. For one thing, you cannot change the code of an ASIC based machine. Second, such a transfer of data, like that already employed in the cascading of Ballot Units, can be employed by a simple timed latch, another non programmable component.

Now, coming to the uploading of symbols. What the critics say is in concordance with what the Election Commission of India has to tell- symbols and other information are uploaded via laptops or other symbol loading machines. Now since the ASIC on which the VVPAT should ideally run, like any other ASIC, will treat this just as data and not as code, because they are non-reprogrammable in the first place.

Which means the worst one can do to an ASIC based VVPAT is to get it print something crazy. But this is an explicit error and can be noted by the voters. Now, such types of attacks on printers have occurred in the recent past, likewhen printers whose ports were open to the internet have been tricked into printing random stuff.

So, the only kind of printers that are hackable at least to this level are hobby based ones such as given below, which runs of programmable micro controller based platforms. But it would be naive to think any serious designer would go for it.

Above all of these, as said in the beginning, the Control Unit of an EVM attaches a time stamp for each and every vote cast using a Real Time Clock (RTC). The presiding officer registers the sequence of voting too. The voting process is monitored by CCTV surveillance as well. So, during VVPAT matching, any discrepancy that crept in due to a possible hacking can be found out. This verification of VVPAT itself debunks the argument that the election process can be rigged by employing a malware. In fact, VVPAT has provided more transparency in the voting process and has elevated the trust factor common people would ascribe to elections through electronic means.

So, the arguments by critics about VVPAT philosophy is both counter intuitive and wrong.

VVPAT has brought in more transparency to the election process, since votes cast are now verifiable. Use of VVPAT itself knocks off the argument that these machines can be hacked without anyone noticing, since the voting process uses time-stamping and video surveillance.

VVPAT machines, like printers, are not complex digital machines like programmable general purpose computers in the strictest sense of the word. They run on Application Specific Integrated Circuits the code of which is unalterable.

It neednt contain executables like device drivers you would see in Operating System based platforms, but the code has been pre-programmed into it.

Since ASIC based machines like VVPAT printers does not contain an operating system and RAM, you cannot manipulate it using any kind of malware.

The Ballot Unit VVPAT Control Unit philosophy is essentially the same as the Ballot Unit Ballot Unit Control Unit cascading philosophy used in elections.

Here we may prove the equivalency of CU-BU-BU cascading and CU-VVPAT-BU cascading since both VVPAT and EVM+BU are not reprogrammable/hackable.

Even the data uploading in VVPAT is in agreement with what is done in the Control unit, for example, setting of time using Jigs.

Printers can only be hacked to the extent of being tricked into printing something esle it was not intended to, which would become obvious to the eyes. Such cases have been reported worldwide, and happens mainly because their input ports were being continuously exposed to the Internet, or a hacked computer.

In essence, these arguments apply only to either general purpose desktop computers, or hobby designs such as described above. (Hobby designs use custom programmable microprocessor-based platforms, like an Arduino Uno or Raspberry pi).

That the statement VVPAT being a patchwork on the existing system is far from logically correct even by considering the basic intentions behind incorporating VVPAT machine into the existing system. VVPAT was meant to function as a verification process in the existing scheme of things, and not as a correction to the old system. So, even going by an elementary level of reasoning, it doesnt look like the designers would have compromised an otherwise perfect methodology just to incorporate a verification mechanism. If adding something like a printer into it might dislodge its safety features, would such eminent designers have even gone for it. Now this defence is by no means fool proof, for only a reasonable technical examination of the arguments like that given above would vindicate it.

Author: Sooraj R

(This article was originally published on authors website)

Originally posted here:

As EVM theories fade after Mamata Banerjees win, here is all you need to know about how EVMs cannot be hacked, no matter who wins - OpIndia

Modern transhumanism is the belief that, in the future, science and technology will enable us to transcend our bodily confines. Scientific advances will transform humans and, in the process, eliminate ageing, disease, unnecessary suffering, and our earthbound status.

Artistic representations of humans uploading their minds to cybernetic devices or existing independently of their bodies abound.

In Altered Carbon (2018-2020) we are introduced to a future where human consciousness can be downloaded onto devices called cortical stacks. This technology reduces physical bodies to temporary vehicles or sleeves for these storage devices which are implanted and swapped between various bodies.

The Matrix (1999, 2003) depicts humans living in a digital simulation while their bodies remain inactive in liquid-filled pods. The artist Stelarc explores our transhuman future in monstrous creations examining the boundaries between human and machine.

But these speculations are not limited to art and science fiction.

The public intellectual Sam Harris and world-renowned physicist David Deutsch imagine a future where we are able to download conscious states and live in matrix-like virtual simulations. The historian Yuval Noah Harari suggests, in the not too distant future, these technological advancements will transform us into new godlike immortal species.

Some thinkers, like the philosopher Nick Bostrom, believe we might already be living in a computer simulation. Elon Musk is developing brain-machine interfaces to connect humans to computers.

Read more: Curious Kids: could our entire reality be part of a simulation created by some other beings?

These imaginings of our transhumanist future take many divergent forms, but they share the idea science will enable us to free our minds from bodily constraints.

But these ideas arent modern. In fact, the desire to transcend our nature is a continuation of the Enlightenment ideal of human perfectibility: todays ideas of transhumanism can be directly traced back to two 18th century thinkers.

Marquis de Condorcet (1743-1794) was a French revolutionary who believed science would bring about unprecedented progress.

Condorcet was a mathematician who aimed to apply a scientific model to the social and political dimensions of society. He thought improvement in education would produce more knowledge, which in turn would further improve education creating an ever upward spiral of progress.

His reception speech to the French Academy in 1782 captured the optimistic spirit of the age. He declared: the human mind will seem to grow and its limits to recede with the advancement of science.

In Outlines of an Historical View (1795) he wrote:

Would it even be absurd to suppose [] a period must one day arrive when death will be nothing more than the effect either of extraordinary accidents, or of the flow and gradual decay of the vital powers; and that the duration of the middle space, of the interval between the birth of man and this decay, will itself have no assignable limit?

Condorcet imagined science would lead to humans transcending their bodies and, in the process, attaining immortality.

Enlightenment thinker William Godwin (1756-1836) was convinced science would lead to human perfectibility.

Godwin was a political radical whose sympathies lay with contemporary French revolutionaries like Condorcet. He believed an expansion in knowledge would lead to improvements in our understanding, and thereby increase our control over matter.

Godwin outlined this vision in his book Enquiry Concerning Political Justice and its Influence on Morals and Happiness (1793).

He wrote that human passions and desires would become extinct along with disease, anguish, melancholy and resentment. This was a future in which people no longer had sex nor reproduced. The Earth instead would be populated by disembodied humans who have achieved immortality.

There will be no war, wrote Godwin, no crimes, no administration of justice as it is called, and no government. Scientific progress for Godwin not only meant we would be rid of ailments plaguing the physical body, but also those affecting society.

For Godwin, like Condorcet, human perfectibility was unlimited and, more importantly, achievable.

Godwins daughter, Mary Shelley, went on to write one of the earliest literary works to depict transhumanism, Frankenstein (1818). Her vision of a scientific future was much less rosy.

Read more: Frankenstein at 200and why Mary Shelley was far more than the sum of her monster's parts

Godwin and Condorcet imagined humans progressing towards perfect harmony, transcending bodily existence and achieving immortality without desires nor suffering.

Like their modern transhumanist descendants, they believed these radical transitions would occur in their own lifetime. Critics thought their work to be fantastical; more fiction than fact.

As we now know, the critics were right: neither Godwins nor Condorcets extraordinary visions came to fruition. It has been more than 200 years, and we are still waiting for science to deliver us from our bodies.

Read more: Neuralink's monkey can play Pong with its mind. Imagine what humans could do with the same technology

This does not seem to deter transhumanist punters. Will we become the immortal human-machine gods, as Yuval Noah Harari predicts? Or will we still be waiting to transcend our fleshy bodies in the 23rd century?

Only time will tell. But, for those of us who prefer to hold on to our bodies for a little while longer, the fate of Godwin and Condorcets visions should be good news.

Here is the original post:

Downloading our thoughts to the mainframe may be the stuff of science fiction but humans have been imagining it for centuries - The Conversation AU

Google Photos has brought a whole new dimension to treasuring cherished memories ever since it first burst into the scene in 2015. Right from that time, the photo sharing and cloud storage service has been popular for its free unlimited storage. Users have enjoyed this feature all these years, saving the most important moments with utter piece of mind not having to worry about storage space running out on their device.

Googles trusted service gives unlimited cloud storage for photos and videos of up to size 16MP and 1080p resolution. Anything uploaded beyond these limits is simply scaled down to the mentioned parameters called the High Quality storage. Basically, users dont have to do anything beyond, hitting the back up now button or keep automatic backup on for the secure backup of all photos and videos.

Starting June 1, 2021, Google Photos will count all the uploaded images and videos against the free 15GB storage with your Google account. Go past the threshold and youll have to get the Google One subscription to keep enjoying the service.

The foundation for the move was laid back in November 2020 when Google Photos lead David Leib tweeted the reason for this strategic move. According to him, providing completely free backups is costing the company heavily. So, Google had no other way but to alight the primary cost of running the service and accepting the primary value of online storage.

Already more than a billion people are uploading a whopping 28 million photos to the platform each week. Understandably, to meet the expenses and provide streamlined service that users have got used to all these years, demands a subscription model going forward.

Users who rely on Google Photos to upload their devices content need not worry about their existing files. The existing high-quality content will remain exempt from the upcoming storage restrictions. Its only after the mentioned date, any new uploads will start ticking the Google account storage meter.If you manually backup the photos and videos to the service, it is a wise idea to go through your library again and upload any important content before June 1. Anything on or after June 1 will start adding to the space in your designated 15 GB storage quota.

Users will also get a new feature starting June 1 thatll be more of a photos and video management tool. The AI tool will analyze your stored files and suggest if you want to get rid of photos that are blurry or video clips that are too big to fit on the 15GB free limit.

Pixel devices being part of the Google ecosystem have the privilege of enjoying the benefits further. Yes, Pixel owners need not worry, as they will get free unlimited storage for high quality uploads. If the users choose to upload the original quality of photos and videos, it will however count toward Google account storage. But yes, nothing for the high quality 16MP and 1080p criteria.

For Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL owners, they can enjoy unlimited upload of photos and videos at the Original Quality settings until the end of 2021. It is beyond that time frame any content will be scaled down to the High Quality resolution for cloud storage. Users who have the Google Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL devices will enjoy this benefit until January 31, 2022. After that the same methodology will follow for any new photos or videos i.e. they will be scaled down to High Quality settings.

The newer devices in the lineup including Pixel 4, Pixel 4 XL, Pixel 4a and the Pixel 5 will however not get the free unlimited uploads in the Original Quality settings. Theyll have to live with the free unlimited High Quality storage option. Also, Google will not provide the luxury of free photo and video storage for Pixel devices released in the future.

Once you reach the 15GB storage quota, youll have to figure out the options on the table. You can go for the Google One program which is a unified cloud storage platform for Google products. The service has spread across 140 countries ever since its launch in 2018.

The 100GB tier for the plan costs $1.99 per month or $19.99 per year. A 200GB storage slot will bump up the price to $2.99 per month or $29.99 per year. Then there is the 2TB plan which will set you back $9.99 per month or $99.99 per year. These plans should be more than enough for normal usage. If you do require more storage due to professional requirements, there is the 10TB plan for $99.99, 20TB for $199.99 and 30TB for $299.99 per month.

The next best option is Microsoft OneDrive for those who want to try a service out of the Google ecosystem. The single-user plan gives 5GB free storage and thereafter the paid plans start. 100GB storage costs the same as Google at $1.99, and then is 1TB plan for $6.99 per month or $69.99 per year. The 1TB plan comes with Skype and office apps like Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook. The Dropbox option is also open for single-user plans, as it provides 2GB of free storage and then up to 2TB storage for $9.99 per month.

It is clear, out of these options Google One provides the most set of choices. Android users will be better off sticking to the Google ecosystem for peace of mind and yes this is our recommendation as well. On the other hand, Microsoft OneDrive is worth consideration for professionals who want the added benefit of Microsoft Office suites.

Read more:

Google Photos to end free unlimited uploads: What it means to you - SlashGear

So, you want to know how to start vlogging? We're not surprised. Vlogging has grown to become an immensely popular alternative to traditional, written blogs. As a video-based medium, vlogging offers accessible, entertaining, and informative content to a large online audience. Vlogs typically showcase a persons opinions and knowledge on a particular subject.

Although you dont need to be a tech genius to be a successful vlogger, theres more to it than simply pointing, clicking, and uploading a video to YouTube. From determining your unique style to using the best cameras for vlogging, our step-by-step guide will show you how to start vlogging with confidence.

The first step in learning how to start vlogging is all about your ideas. Before you fully commit to vlogging, you firstly need to work out what you want to discuss and how you want to communicate it. This might seem like a painfully obvious thing to state, but having a clear concept and style in mind is a crucial first step towards making your vlogs successful.

Initially, developing your unique angle and style/voice might seem a little daunting. For one thing, you might find that well-established vloggers have already covered the topics you want to discuss, which means that defining your niche within that area may take some consideration.

That said, watching the work of established vloggers is one of the best ways to get your creative juices flowing. The more you watch, the more ideas and techniques youll pick up on how to start vlogging. For instance, if youre not sure how to speak in your vlog, you might want to compare a vlogger who closely follows a script to another who casually ad-libs, and then weigh up which approach suits you best.

You should apply this kind of research to all other vlogging aspects related to concept and style (such as video editing, camera shots, and lighting), which well discuss in the following steps.

Choosing the right kit largely depends on the type of vlogs you want to make, so you need to research which pieces of kit (e.g., types of camera) best suit your vlogging needs.

In all cases, good vlogging kits should consist of a camera, lens, tripod, microphone, lighting equipment, and video editing software. To help break it down, its useful to split this kit into your shooting (camera, lighting, lens, and tripod), audio (microphone), and editing (video editing software) requirements.

For shooting, there are many different camera and lens choices to explore when considering how to start vlogging. Selecting the right combination largely depends on whether you want to vlog indoors or outdoors, in day-time or night-time conditions, in a planned or spontaneous way, and in a fixed location or on the move. Its important to choose equipment based on your specific vlogging needs.

However, for equipment with excellent all-round features, we recommend the Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III camera in combination with the Olympus M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 12-100mm f/4.0 ED IS Pro lens, which is a wide-angle lens. There are several features included with this lightweight, mirrorless camera that make it a versatile tool for a variety of filming scenarios. The lens is similarly adaptable as it has a wide focal range and long zoom. Want more options? See our best camera picks.

Lastly, if your vlog is going to be set in a fixed location (e.g., your bedroom), then you might want to also consider buying a webcamsuch as the Logitech StreamCam, which is lightweight and comes with HD resolution, as well as a nifty auto-focus function.

An important aspect of shooting is lighting. Although most modern cameras (be they film or digital, DSLR or mirrorless) will often offer you a reasonable degree of lighting wizardry, youll still want to consider additional lighting equipment such as the Joby Beamo, which has adjustable brightness settings capable of preventing a grainy visual quality in low-light conditions.

Another important aspect of shooting (be it indoors or outdoors, sat down or on the move) is working out your individual camera angles and shots. To keep your camera steady in loads of different positions, you need a flexible tripod such as the Joby GorillaPod 3K. Although you can always opt for tripods with rigid legs, flexible legs enable you to have greater creative freedom with your shots.

Whats more, if you plan to vlog across multiple locations, then we recommend a durable backpack, like the ThinkTank MindShift Gear Backlight, so you can easily carry your tripod along with other equipment. (For more options, see our best tripods guide.)

To establish and maintain a crisp and even audio quality, buying a good microphone is essential. Your microphone should be portable and attachable to your camera. Many microphones are specifically designed to attach via a hot shoe mount, which is a type of camera fitting designed to securely fasten accessories.

Before buying a microphone, you need to closely consider your audio needs. For example, do you want a microphone thats good at blocking out peripheral outside noises while clearly capturing your own voice? The likely answer is, of course, yes. In which case, your best bet is a shotgun microphone like the Rode VideoMic Pro Plus, which is light, portable, has a long battery life, and can be firmly secured via a hot shoe mount.

When learning how to start vlogging, you should think of a video editor as the magic wand that will transform your video footage into a vlog. To make your vlogs look at their most visually engaging, sharp, and consistent, you need to use good-quality video editing software such as Adobe Premiere Pro (or Final Cut Pro X for Macs), which has professional colour grading tools and free music, and supports 4K/HDR video shooting, among other things.

Once youve downloaded the best video editing software for your vlogging needs, spend some time getting used to its tools, features, and interface especially if youre unfamiliar with professional video editors.

Consider the computer monitor on which youll spend time meticulously going through your video footage playback. Most ordinary monitors enable you to produce good rather than outstanding footage.

Contrastingly, the best monitors for video editing have higher resolutions, plus much better brightness and colour reproduction. The Dell UltraSharp PremierColor U3219Q, for example, is a monitor we recommend because of its 4K resolution, ideal screen size, and excellent colour coverage.

Although a top-line monitor isn't a crucial piece of kit in quite the same way a camera is, it certainly helps you to produce a super high-quality vlog.

Maintaining a consistent style throughout your vlogs, in both a visual and editing sense is a key part of mastering how to start vlogging as it will make them instantly recognisable and striking to an online audience. Think of it as brand recognition. To help achieve this, you should consider creating a bespoke vlog logo, channel banner, your own jingle or background music, and maybe even an animated title/introduction sequence.

As we previously mentioned, the vlogging universe is an incredibly populated space (both in terms of creators and audiences), so making sure your vlogs visually and thematically stand out from the crowd, in a recognisably consistent way, is important.

There are many good video hosting platforms to explore in your mission to learn how to start vlogging, which all handle lots of internet traffic every hour, let alone day. Some of the biggest and best-known examples include YouTube, Dailymotion, Vimeo, Wistia, and SproutVideo.

YouTube, with its 1.9 billion users, is an obvious choice for audience outreach. Dailymotion also offers large audiences, though not quite as colossal as YouTubes. Also, like YouTube, Dailymotion offers free, unlimited video storage. Elsewhere, Vimeo primarily caters to creative professionals and artistically minded audiences.

When exploring your video hosting options, keep in mind the type and size of audience you want to connect with. Also, consider how well each platform suits your vlogging content and style.

Uploading your first ever vlog is a significant moment you get to when you think you've conquered how to start vlogging. It might make you feel both excited and earth-shatteringly nervous. However, before you press the upload button, here are a few things to consider.

Your first vlog is an audiences first taste of you, your content, and your style so its important to clearly introduce yourself and your topic/themes, as well as show off your unique visual style. You should also make sure to mention what your audience can expect in future vlogs, as well as how frequently you plan to upload new ones.

SEO stands for search engine optimisation. It relates to how easy online content is to find when using a search engine like Google. As vlogging is all about appealing to (as well as establishing and growing) an audience, its important to make your content SEO friendly.

By titling your vlogs using simple phrasing and keywords, you will enhance their online visibility and presence. Its worth seeing how successful, famous vloggers use SEO, so you can get a sense of what works well. Thankfully, you dont have to be an expert on SEO to use it effectively, though it might take a little practice. See our guide to how to rank in Google for more information.

A significant way in which a vlogger can engage an audience is by regularly uploading new content, which keeps their vlogging space fresh and engaging. Your updates could be as frequent as once a fortnight or every day, depending on the nature of your vlogs and the free time you have at your disposal.

In all cases, regularly updating your activity (preferably with even spaces between uploads) will keep your audience coming back for more and help you to cultivate a dedicated fanbase.

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When Crystal Rodriguez made an appointment for the Pfizer vaccine at a local clinic, her husband was hesitant to join her. He relented after a little nudging.

They both received their first dose with few side effects. Rodriguez felt a sense of relief as she went about her daily routine with her three children.

But by the time they were due to schedule their second dose, Rodriguezs husband had been influenced by his peers, by social media, she was not sure exactly what.

Somebody got to his head, the 33-year-old East Los Angeles resident said. Her husband refused to go.

Nationally, a third of unvaccinated Latinos say they want to get the shot as soon as possible a much higher share than unvaccinated Black or white people, according to a survey by the Kaiser Family Foundation.

They are eager to put an end to the pandemic that has disproportionately impacted their community with high rates of illness and death as well as financial struggles.

At the East Los Angeles Civic Center, St. Johns Well Child & Family Center the waiting area was empty on May 12.

(Carolyn Cole/Los Angeles Times)

But many are concerned about missing work because of side effects, have transportation difficulties or mistakenly believe they might have to pay for the vaccine, the Kaiser survey showed.

Vaccination rates are especially low among Latino men. In L.A. County, 39% had gotten at least one shot, compared to 59% of white men, as of May 9. Across demographics, women are more likely to get vaccinated than men, with about 46% of Latina women having gotten a shot.

Healthcare advocates are zeroing in on the issues that prevent Latino men from getting vaccinated, which range from misinformation to busy schedules, lack of familiarity with the healthcare system and fear of side effects.

Campaigns such as #VacunateYa on social media aim to educate people about the vaccines. Last Thursday, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti announced a bilingual vaccination campaign featuring celebrities such as actor Danny Trejo, music legend Pepe Aguilar and telenovela star Anglica Maria.

With Latinos making up nearly half of L.A. County and 39% of the states population, much is riding on the efforts. Latinos of both sexes have lower vaccination rates than whites and Asians and are about on par with Black residents statewide.

Ilan Shapiro, a physician involved in #VacunateYa, said communicating vaccination information to Latino audiences involves not just translating into Spanish, but connecting culturally and earning their trust.

Latino men are less likely to have health insurance or be health conscious compared to Latina women and to men in other demographics, he said.

Women are more often in need of emergency care for pregnancy, their children or other health issues, which builds a connection with the healthcare system. For men, that connection isnt always there, so a visit to the doctor often happens only as a last resort.

Men are not that good at going back to their doctors for preventative things, he said.

Tanya Mitchell, a certified medical assistant, goes over information with Raul Ayala, 18, of East Los Angeles, before giving him a vaccine.

(Carolyn Cole/Los Angeles Times)

Aura Ortiz, a medical assistant at an East L.A. vaccination clinic, echoed those worries. Far more women than men come in, she said. Many of the men arrive with their wives or families.

It is common for the Latino men to lack health insurance, she said. When she asks about their last doctors visit, they say they havent gone in two or three years.

Thats a contrast to the white residents she speaks with, most of whom see their doctors regularly and have health insurance even if they dont have serious conditions.

Ortiz said other factors are misinformation and general distrust of the vaccine due to its fast development.

They hear all these crazy rumors that arent true including that the vaccines cause infertility for both sexes, Ortiz said.

Rigoberto Aguia, a 43-year-old Long Beach resident, said he was unsure about going back for the second vaccine. The first one hurt his arm significantly, and the pain rushed up to his heart. The experience left him scared.

You dont know what theyre injecting in your arm, he said.

Aguia believes in a conspiracy theory known as the new world order the vaccine was developed by the government to eliminate weak or unproductive people, he said.

Aguia said hell probably go back for his second shot, but only because he thinks his job at a packing company will require it.

Rivera Fernando, also a Long Beach resident, hasnt gotten his vaccine, but for a different reason.

I havent had time, he said.

Fernando works at a Chilis restaurant and hasnt been able to take time off in two months. He recently booked an appointment but only because he is due for a regular checkup with his doctor for his diabetes.

Latino men are often heads of households, working multiple jobs to support their families. They dont have time to get vaccinated or to vet the information they come across, making them easy targets for rumors circling on social media, Shapiro said.

The main culprits are Facebook, WhatsApp and YouTube pages in both Spanish and English filled with conspiracy theories, alarmist news coverage or chismes gossip about vaccines causing problems.

We are all affected by this, but if youre already suffering and in a vulnerable position, and youre already having two or three jobs a lot of the double-checking just doesnt happen, he said. Its a really bad combination.

Rodriguez said she cant be certain what is influencing her husband. His only side effect from the first vaccine was a sore arm.

Everyone around them is pro-vaccine. All Rodriguezs sisters, cousins and friends are vaccinated, as are her husbands parents.

The anti-vaccine sentiments seem to be coming from her husbands peers and his social media, she said. Among these men, theres a feeling that they can handle it all, that they simply dont need the vaccine.

They think theyre macho and can conquer anything and get through stuff on their own, she said. You cant tell them anything.

She did her best to convince her husband to get his second dose. She urged him to think about their children, who will be at risk if he is only half-vaccinated. But his mind was made up.

Hes stubborn, said Rodriguez, who cares for their children full time, including one who is disabled. Im not going to argue with him.

In Vernon, an industrial city with a large number of Latino essential workers, mobile clinics are bringing the vaccine to factories and warehouses.

At Rose & Shore, a Vernon-based company that makes meals for schools and other agencies, one-third of employees declined to be vaccinated when the mobile clinic visited for the first time, said human resources representative Jacquie Cabrera.

Cabrera estimated that 60% of Rose & Shores workers are Latino men. She said many of them feared that the vaccine would impact their preexisting illnesses or conditions.

Many of them are scared, Cabrera said. Theyre hesitant because they think it may flare up what they have.

Jaime Guzman, 44, was one worker who took advantage of the mobile clinic. Guzman said he firmly believes in listening to health experts who spend years studying diseases so they can advise the public.

He has heard many whispers among men who are against the vaccine.

Many have a machista attitude or pay too much attention to social media, Guzman said. The biggest rumor he has encountered while speaking to colleagues and friends is that the vaccine affects sexual health.

Ive heard from a lot of men that theyre worried it will make them sexually impotent, he said. But Ive always thought, Theres a solution for everything except for death.

It takes just a few clicks to find a trove of misinformation on YouTube, he added.

Theres a lot of videos on YouTube that say the vaccine causes this or that, he said. There are a lot of people who arent experts uploading comments or videos for the likes.

Cabrera said she is working to schedule another mobile clinic at Rose & Shore after a number of employees who first rejected the vaccine changed their minds, possibly because they saw that their vaccinated colleagues had no issues.

In L.A. County, the average number of vaccine doses administered daily has fallen significantly in recent weeks a sign that many people eager and easily able to be vaccinated have already done so.

Doctors also worried that the lull was a result of distrust after reports that the Johnson & Johnson vaccine may be linked to rare blood clots.

That was the case for Martin Sanchez, 58, who after hearing the reports decided to wait longer to schedule his first appointment. He wanted to see whether anyone around him had a bad reaction.

I did have doubts, he said. J&J made me doubt that vaccine.

But while he had some reservations, he knew he would have to get the vaccine eventually. A single dad to five daughters, he is pre-diabetic and at increased risk of getting seriously ill with COVID-19.

When he was finally ready last week, he sought out the Pfizer vaccine at the East L.A. vaccination clinic where Ortiz works.

Sanchez, a hotel cafeteria employee, said a few friends and family members tried convincing him not to go. An aunt in his hometown in Mexico told him she read an article about a man who died after getting the vaccine.

After he made up his mind, he stopped paying attention to her. There might be a dozen stories about the benefits of the vaccine, but his family members cling to the one bad one, he said.

People see the bad stuff and not the benefits, he said. I try to pick out the positive.

Times staff writer Rong-Gong Lin II contributed to this report.

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Many Latino men haven't gotten vaccinated. Misinformation, fear and busy lives are factors - Los Angeles Times

With confusion rising after GFRIEND leaving Source Music, its final today. Check out the translation of members letters here.

The news of GFRIEND ending their contract with their long time agency Source Music left the whole K-Pop community in shock. Everyone was left wondering why, and the others who werent, were left wondering about the future of the group. The agencys official statement on Weverse didnt specify any details of the group disbanding. However, it is now final that the top girl group, GFRIEND, will be disbanding on May 22, the day their contract ends.

Today, GFRIEND members took to Weverse to express gratitude to their BUDDYs (their fandom) with each member uploading a straight-out-of-heart handwritten letter. Among everyone, leader Sowon asked fans to not be sad because even though this is the end of GFRIEND, it is not the end for the members. The six members have parted ways and will focus on their own selves in the future. Read the members letters below:

UMJI

"Hello, this is GFriend's Umji.

I shared many things that have been a part of my daily life for six years and I'm both thankful and sad. Now my members and I will go through a new time.

When I started off, I was filled with a lot of ignorance and lack of knowledge, but it was a time of learning that made me realize many things and also reminded me of so many other things. Thank you so much for clapping, cheering and being happy for me in this process of growth. At the beginning of our debut, I felt like I was working hard without knowing where I was heading or what I was doing. After I had some time to look back, I could feel how hard I worked that I was on a great path, so I was able to thank and enjoy all the time and even the hard situations I faced while working.

Thank you for being the biggest reason for my heart, our fans BUDDY who I love so so much! No matter how hard I try to greet you, it hurts me to think of BUDDY who will try to find their hearts to wish us happiness, and I'm sorry I can't absorb it all together no matter how hard I try to imagine it.

I hope that my wish to hug all BUDDY who will be hurt by this unprepared farewell will reach even a little bit. Thank you and once again, thank you. I will continue to be thankful always. I think everything's the same, but I'm a little scared as I have to adapt to many unfamiliar times now. I'm going to work hard for everyone who looks at me and supports me.

Thank you so much for all the staff who worked hard for GFriend for the six years. Most of all, our precious members who I went through so many things together with. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have experienced everything. Thank you so much. I love you.

BUDDY, once again I miss you and I love you. I sincerely hope that you'll all be happy and free in the future. Thank you."

EUNHA

"I think this is upsetting for the fans who were looking forward to us more than ever. Ive always wondered, 'What kind of pretty words would make BUDDY happy?' Now I'm thinking about what kind of words will comfort BUDDY. I feel heavy writing every single word here.

I'm so lucky that I can always remember and find the cheering of the fans by my side, who gave me so much strength. I wanted to become a better person because you all always gave me so much love and trusted me. But can I be loved like this? I'm not as great as BUDDY thinks. Can I enjoy this kind of gift? I've felt this way since my debut. I've felt this way every moment since our promotions, fan meetings, and concerts. All of this was possible because of the fact that you guys supported us. I was really thankful that I could sing good songs,and I was happy to chime in thanks to you who recognized us. It's been the most beautiful and happy six years for me. That fact will never change. I wish all the best for BUDDY who I will love forever. I sincerely hope your lives will be full of smiles rather than tears. Thank you so much for being a reliable BUDDY to GFriend. Always be healthy and happy. BUDDY, I'll pray from the bottom of my heart. Whatever I do and how I look, I'll try my best to sing in the future. I'll do my best to repay all of your fond memories. This has been GFriend. Thank you, and I love you, our BUDDY."

SINB

"Hello. This is GFriend's SinB.

My heart is heavy delivering this sudden news to BUDDYs with this letter.

I contemplated for a long time about what to say and was being so careful about the letter that I was leaving words out...

In the six years promoting as GFriend's SinB, I want to thank everyone who gave stable support for us and because they were our motivation, we were able to receive huge amounts of love and support so I was very happy. And I'm also thankful to have been able to perform with good songs.

When I saw every letter people send, the support, and warm looks, I was able to do better and improve, and with every moment I was happy and wanted to share the good things with fans, so I think our past promotions were carried out nicely.

The fact that I've always told BUDDY that that we'd be together for a while under the name GFriend, that I can't keep the promise, makes me so sad and I'm apologetic and regretful. Still, I know the weight of those words, and I will not let the sincerity go away.

We won't forget the fans' love ever, even what we felt during our past promotions. We'll remember and keep my thankful heart while slowly repaying you with our individual activities in the future.

The past six years' memories have been the happiest time, and I wouldn't change it for anything.

Thank you to Source Music for taking me, who is lacking, into GFriend, and to my members and our BUDDYs, the time we spent together feels like a dream, I'm thankful, sorry, and I love you.

Thank you so much for reading this long letter, and stay healthy until the day we meet again."

YUJU

"Hello, this is GFriend Yuju.

Although I've been expressing my heart in posts a bit, this is the first time I'm writing a letter while all these thoughts and memories pass by me.

I worried you might be really surprised, and imagining that, my heart is heavy.

Thanks to everyone, each day I spent as a member of GFriend has been so precious. In the time I've tried to give you guys those kinds of days and work on myself, six years have suddenly passed. Once again, thank you so much to everyone who has cried and laughed together during our journey.

You've given us such a big heart that we couldn't imagine, and slowly looking back on the past memories recently, a lot of thoughts have come to my mind.

It was an even more beautiful being together with the members, and it was an honour to be able to sing and dance in front of supportive fans. Thank you for loving GFriend all this time.

My BUDDYs, who are the most precious thing in the world to me, I won't ever forget the emotions, looks, and voices that you had while watching us come up on stage, and I will keep it in the safest place of my heart.

Thank you for protecting me and not letting me break easily though I'm not that strong, and I will show you a better image in the future so as to not end with the sadness of this farewell.

Once again, I love you, thank you, and I appreciate you.

This has been GFriend."

YERIN

"Hello, this is GFriend's Yerin.

It's been a long time since I left a message like this with my own handwriting, but it feels heavy because it's like this.

I've decided to leave Source Music where I was since the age of 18 to 26. I think it was possible because of the family-like members who debuted at the age of 20 and supported me until I became who I am. I think it was possible because of BUDDY who gave us so much love and the Source Music family who worked harder than anyone else.

Will it happen in six years time? I've been through all these dreams, and I've always been loved so much that I think it was undeserved. I tried to take good care of myself and repay you with great performances.

I'm sure these times that will never come back have been times I will never forget. No matter what happens, thank you for showering me with love. I feel like I was able to come this far because of BUDDY.

I won't forget this time, and I'll try my best. Thank you for making great memories during my twenties. I love you, and I'll love you in the future too.

Thank you again to the members, BUDDY, and Source Music."

SOWON

"We debuted in January 2015 like a dream, met BUDDYs because of huge luck in my life, and received so much love to the point where I wondered if I should be able to receive so much. To be honest, I'm not a very confident person, so of course, I've gone through tough times. Still, in those times I had the opportunity to go one step further thanks to everyone. I know that fans said they would be happy and proud no matter what, but though I'm not sure if things have gone well or I've done well or not, I'm thankful for the time I've spent with everyone and the precious moments each day. Though I have my regrets about whether I could have done better or I couldn't see you more often, I will fill it up with even more things with not an end but a new beginning in the future.

Although officially GFriend is officially over, it's not the end for us, so don't have a hard time. BUDDY. It's hard to share the time we spent together in just this letter, but as always even if I don't say everything you guys know my heart more than anyone else. I feel a little worried that I can't continue walking down this path, but I will try my best to walk thinking of BUDDYs who have always supported me.

To BUDDY, who were very surprised at this news. I'm sorry and I love you.

I will repay you with a better image."

What are your thoughts now that GFRIEND has confirmed the news of their disbandment? Share them with us in the comments below!

Have a COVID related Experience or Advice? Discuss & Share on PINKVILLA Rooms.

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GFRIEND to officially disband; Members upload handwritten letters for fans while Sowon has a special message - PINKVILLA

Dennis Medina, owner of Nicaraguan Caribbean Kitchen, had to close his restaurant at 1:30 p.m. Monday as floodwaters came into the building.

It was bad, he said Tuesday while cleaning the closed eatery located at 1629 Woodworth Blvd. The trucks would pass by, water was coming in, the toilets were flooding. It was really, really bad.

It wasnt the first time Medina and his wife had to close their two-year-old business. After evacuating for Hurricane Laura last year, they returned to find the roof torn off and the inside flooded.

Februarys freeze resulted in busted pipes, closing the doors for 10 days.

And still, the Medinas home has Harvey damage.

But were still here, he said Tuesday with an optimistic voice. Were trying to hang in there with this pandemic and all that. Were hanging in there.

But he, like the rest of Southeast Texas, was bracing for Wednesday.

The region devastated by years of strong weather events is expected to see continued rainfall this week a considerable amount Wednesday after facing heavy floodwaters Monday.

Right now were saying anywhere from 2-6 inches, Roger Erickson, warning coordination meteorologist for the National Weather Service, said for Wednesday.

The restrooms at Nicaraguan Caribbean Kitchen in Port Arthur were flooded Monday, bringing in debris and trash. (Monique Batson/The News)

Port Arthur ISD on Tuesday pivoted Wednesday classes to virtual learning but intended to reopen schools on Thursday.

Erickson said the lowest amount of rainfall Monday in the Port Arthur area was 6 inches, although some regions to the west received up to 15.

Commissioners on Tuesday opened sandbag locations, including the Jefferson County Road and Bridge office at 7759 Viterbo Road in Nederland.

I flooded in Harvey, so I understand PTSD from the storm, said Commissioner Michael Sinegal. Thats why Im so passionate about making sure people have access to sand or whatever makes them comfortable. Sand bags wouldnt have helped with Harvey, but if that gives anyone peace of mind, well get sandbags out.

Mondays rainfall forced the commissioner to close the Port Arthur courthouse and sub-courthouse, putting a dump truck on standby to get employees safely home as water rose over roads.

The pooling caused a concern among residents in Port Arthur that the pumps werent on to drain the water. However, city officials assured they were on and working.

Weve been on it since very, very early this morning, Mayor Thurman Bartie said Monday after more than 7 inches of rain had fallen in Port Arthur. The rate of precipitation and the pumping capacity is not equal. If were getting a hard downpour, the pumps can only carry a certain amount of drainage.

25th Street in front of Motiva was closed Monday with flooded water.

The pumps take water from residential areas and redirect it to retention and detention ponds before delivering it to the Gulf, City Manager Ron Burton said.

Some are automatic and do not turn on until rainfall has reached a certain water level, or until drainage efforts are not overwhelmed.

Harvey dropped record rainfall on the area, leaving 60.58 inches in Nederland, which became the highest national amount recorded from a tropical event. Groves saw a collective 60.54 inches.

In Port Arthur, more than 26 inches dropped in one day.

Harvey was scary. I never dreamed, Sinegal said, his voice tapering off. I rode in a motorboat. If somebody had told me Id be in a boat rescuing people, Id have said they were lying.

National Weather Service meteorologist Donald Jones called Monday the tip of the ice berg.

Were going to be looking at continued high rain chancesinto Thursday and probably even into Friday as well, he said. So we still have several more days of heavy rainfall ahead of us.

Jones spoke from the NWS office in Lake Charles an area destroyed last year by hurricanes Laura and Delta.

Jones said on Tuesday he was stuck in the NWS office and had yet to check on his house to assess any damage.

Jefferson County residents are encouraged to report any home or business damages through a survey at https://damage.tdem.texas.gov/. The purpose is to give local and state officials an idea of what has occurred through recent weather events. The site also supports the uploading of photographs.

Southeast Texas is under a flash flood watch through Thursday night.

Burton said residents can help with residential flooding by maintaining their own property throughout the year, specifically during storm season.

Please, when you cut the lawn, do not blow it into streets because it compromises the drainage system, he said. When you cut trees or shrubs, please do not put them in the drain. You are compromising drainage systems and making your neighborhood prone to flooding.

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Severe weather soaks spirits in rain-ravaged area - "We're trying to hang in there" - Port Arthur News - The Port Arthur News

Google Photos has been one of the best apps coming out of Google's universe of apps, but time is up. Not that Google Photos is going Google+ way, but the company has decided to kill the most popular feature, free unlimited storage. Now, what that means is, starting June 1, 2021, any new photos and videos uploaded on the Photos cloud service will count towards the free 15GB storage quota that is a standard for all Google accounts.

The 15GB free storage would have been more than enough to last a few years if the Google account storage wasn't shared across Gmail, Google Drive, and Photos. We have already discussed what are a few things Google Photos users should keep in mind.

To refresh, all photos and videos backed up in high quality before the deadline date, which is June 1, 2021, won't count towards the standard 15GB of Google account storage. So, in case you are still wondering, then, this might be your last chance to back up your entire photo gallery in high quality on Google Photos.

If you are wondering whether the high-quality tier that's free until May 31 will spoil your image quality, then understand that photos are compressed to save space. Let's say if a photo is larger than 16-megapixels, then it will be resized to 16-megapixel. Google says that users can print good high-quality 16-megapixel photos in sizes up to 24 inches x 16 inches. Coming to videos, the files that are higher than 1080p will be resized to high-definition 1080p. A video with 1080p or less will look close to the original. Some information, like closed captions, however, might be lost.

To make it simple, users could save original quality photos and videos to Google Photos that were counted against the storage quota. But photos and videos uploaded in high quality to the photo cloud service till now were free, and this means that you could upload a bigger chunk which would not count against your storage quota.

However, after June 1, all high-quality photos and videos backed up to Google Photos will count against users' storage quota.

For the Pixel 5 or older Pixel users, current backup quality photos and benefits remain unchanged. Google has confirmed that uploads in high quality from the Pixel 2 to Pixel 5 smartphones will continue to receive unlimited free storage. However, photos and videos backed up from other devices in high quality after June 1, 2021, will start to count towards the user's Google account storage.

For Pixel 3a to Pixel 5 users, photos and videos uploaded in high quality are free and unlimited. However, photos and videos uploaded in their original quality will count towards the user's Google account storage.

Considering Google Photos is one of the best photo tools you can get on the Internet, there are not many alternatives. There are a few photo services, but they also come with a storage quota.

Dropbox is one cloud service that users can try out for uploading, but it offers only 2GB to a single user as part of its free basic personal plan. Users will have to buy storage if they wish to store more content on this cloud service.

Microsoft OneDrive is another decent option for users who are looking for a Google Photos alternative. The OneDrive service offers a free tier of 5GB, and if users want more space, they can buy the 100GB plan for Rs 140 per month.

Amazon Photos is one good option for Prime members, which offers unlimited, full-resolution photo storage and 5GB video storage. But this is not available in India.

If you decide you want more space for your photos and videos, you can sign up for Google One plans which are available in India. All Google accounts include 15GB of storage, which is free of charge, but Google One bumps this storage quota to 100GB. The Google One plans start at as low as Rs 130 per month for 100GB cloud storage. Users can also choose to opt for an annual plan that offers some discount, like in the 100GB plan case, users can get an annual subscription for Rs 1,300. There are also 200GB, 2TB, and 10TB plans available for interested customers.

The good thing about Google One subscription is it offers some additional benefits, like when you get a 100GB plan, and you automatically get access to Google experts, the option to add your family, and extra member benefits.

The Google Photos free tier ends on May 31, which means there's still about two weeks left, and users who are yet to make a move should do it right away. If you're on the high-quality tier, upload all your photos and videos right away before the deadline of June 1 comes into effect and unlimited free storage ends for almost everyone.

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Google Photos unlimited free storage is ending this month, so what are your options - India Today

In a world of virus-induced breathlessness, the first Assamese superhero will be without a mask, unlike most of his popular Hollywood counterparts.

But Advitya, revived two years after a digital accident prevented him from hitting the screens, will sport a special costume this time as he takes on the supervillain in a fancy outfit.

Also Read | Get First Day First Show, our weekly newsletter from the world of cinema, in your inbox. You can subscribe for free here

Director Arindam Sharma expected to release Advitya a Sanskrit word for the Sun soon after uploading a teaser on social media in June 2019. A multiple system snag made him lose the edited film and all the backup footage, putting him through a phase of an emotional and financial crisis.

A superpower within awakened by his fictional superhero made Mr. Sharma pick up the pieces, tweak the script to include more action sequences, coordinate with the actors and start filming again by the dawn of 2020.

After making up my mind to re-shoot the entire film, I informed all the actors. Apart from Niha Rani Das and Bikash Bora, none agreed to be part of the film again because of their professional commitments to other producers, he told The Hindu.

Some new actors, popular on Assamese TV channels, came on board. They include Arnab Ayan in the lead role.

The COVID-19 lockdown affected the second schedule of the shooting planned in March 2020. But he held on to complete the shooting and editing after a gap in October-November that year.

The VFX team is now working on the visual effects for more than 350 shots of the film, Mr. Sharma said, hoping for the commercial release of his directorial debut later this year depending on the prevailing situation.

The film is much tighter and more action-packed than the earlier version, he said.

Advitya, the first superhero in Assamese cinemas 88-year-old history, is a common man seeking job security and stability in life. The name is given by the people he saves from danger.

The superhero finds it difficult to manage his suddenly-acquired superpowers to take on the equally powerful supervillain, an evil scientist who derives strength from his laboratory experiments and the fury of nature.

The underlying message of the film is that one should not go against time and nature, and that truth will always prevail over lies and good over evil, Mr. Sharma said, declining to disclose the source of Advityas superpowers or how he overpowers the supervillain.

Apart from directing and scripting the film, he handled the cinematography along with two others Kailash Duara and Nasirul Hussain. The choreography is by Sarat Bappi Saikia, while Dipu Sharma arranged the music.

The film, made under the banner of Krrishna Kraft Productions (India), is produced by Brojendra Nath Sarma. Popular singer Dikshu Sarma and Sanchita Sharma sang the songs penned and composed by Ankur Sharma.

Originally posted here:

Assams fictional superhero Advitya all set to hit the screens in fancy outfit without mask - The Hindu