• DaVinci Resolve offers a free pro-grade video editing platform
    www.techspot.com
    DaVinci Resolve is the world's only solution that combines professional 8K editing, color correction, visual effects and audio post production all in one software tool! You can instantly move between editing, color, effects, and audio with a single click.DaVinci Resolve 19 features powerful new DaVinci Neural Engine AI tools and over 100 feature upgrades. New AI tools include text based timeline editing, music remixing, dialogue separation and UltraNR noise reduction. IntelliTrack AI lets you use video to track the Fairlight audio panner.ColorSlice vector grading and film look creator offer richer grading vibrance and color density. Plus there are new features for live TV production and broadcast. DaVinci Resolve now supports realtime selection of live camera recordings for instant replay to air with slow motion and stingers. Multi Source is the fastest way to see your cameras and edit to the timeline while the cameras are still recordingCan you use DaVinci Resolve on a budget PC?DaVinci Resolve can be quite intensive and demanding on your computer. As most video editing programs, DaVinci relies heavily on the CPU and GPU, especially on the latter when using OpenFX or noise reduction, for that reason the recommended specs start with a discrete GPU with at least 2 GB of VRAM, a minimum of 16GB RAM and an 8-core CPU.Is DaVinci better than Adobe Premiere?DaVinci Resolve and Adobe Premiere Pro are both great options for video editing. The greatest advantage DaVinci has over Adobe Premiere is that it offers a free edition that is well rounded enough for most users.For professional video editing you would need DaVinci Studio which has a $299 price tag. On the other hand, Adobe Premiere Pro requires a monthly subscription or an annual payment of $240. As far as video editing capabilities go, both offer color correction, color grading and both programs let you place different effects. Both are also great for audio editing and support a wide array of plugins.The greatest advantage Adobe Premiere has over DaVinci Resolve is that it works seamlessly with other Adobe programs like After Effects, allowing you to add animations to your project. The greatest setback for DaVinci Resolve is that it needs slightly more processing power, RAM and graphics card power to deliver optimal performance.Is DaVinci Resolve good for beginners?DaVinci Resolve has become a go-to choice for aspiring content creators, filmmakers, or video editors mainly due to its free version which offers features like color grading, sound design, and many other visual effects.What are other free Premiere alternatives?In addition to DaVinci Resolve there are plenty of free solid video editors to choose from. Some of which are VSDC Free Video Editor, Shotcut and Movavi Video Editor Plus. Here is a longer list of Adobe Premiere alternatives.FeaturesDaVinci Resolve Studio is also the only solution designed for multi user collaboration so editors, assistants, colorists, VFX artists and sound designers can all work live on the same project at the same time! Whether you're an individual artist, or part of a large collaborative team, it's easy to see why DaVinci Resolve is the standard for high end post production and finishing on more Hollywood feature films, television shows and commercials than any other software.You get unlimited creative flexibility because DaVinci Resolve makes it easy for individual artists to explore different toolsets. It also lets you collaborate and bring people with different creative talents together. With a single click, you can instantly move between editing, color, effects, and audio. Plus, you never have to export or translate files between separate software tools because, with DaVinci Resolve, everything is in the same software application.DaVinci Resolve is the only post production software designed for true collaboration. Multiple editors, assistants, colorists, VFX artists and sound designers can all work on the same project at the same time! Whether you're an individual artist, or part of a larger collaborative team, it's easy to see why DaVinci Resolve is the standard for high end post production and is used for finishing more Hollywood feature films, episodic television programing and TV commercials than any other software.DaVinci Resolve features a revolutionary new cut page specifically designed for editors that need to work quickly and on tight deadlines! The new DaVinci Neural Engine uses machine learning to enable powerful new features such as facial recognition, speed warp and more. Adjustment clips let you apply effects and grades to clips on the timeline below, quick export can be used to upload projects to YouTube and Vimeo from anywhere in the application, and new GPU accelerated scopes provide more technical monitoring options than before. Plus, Fusion is dramatically faster and Fairlight adds immersive 3D audio. Support for additional audio track formats for IMF and DCP rendersImproved decode and encode performance for Kakadu DCP and IMF formatsSupport for CUDA based R3D with the latest RED SDK on Windows and LinuxAdds Blackmagic RAW support for latest Blackmagic URSA Broadcast updateSupport for new audio only and video only editing modes on the cut pageAdded in and out buttons in the user interface on the cut pageSupport for audio playback when trimming on the cut and edit pagesImproved zoom buttons for the timeline on the edit pageImproved smart indicator in the cut page for when using in and out pointsViewer resize icon on the cut page now correctly resizes the whole viewerCut page divider between timeline and viewer can now be moved via the dividerClose up edits in the cut page now vary the close up from 20% to 40% randomlySearch dial is more responsive when using the DaVinci Resolve Editor KeyboardRemoved auto jog mode on scroll with the DaVinci Resolve Editor KeyboardBetter responsiveness using shuttle with the DaVinci Resolve Editor KeyboardDouble press to clear in and out on the DaVinci Resolve Editor KeyboardImproved performance in collaborative projects with multiple DaVinci systemsSupport for monitor name in the workspace menu display optionsSupport for copy/paste in Dolby Vision mid tone offset values between clipsNew scripting APIs to move media items, LUTs, markers, copy grades and moreNow uses 2 up view in sync bin when using live overwrite editingFixes a bug that caused the clip dividers in the source tape to scroll with audioOpening the media folder in the cut page will re-sync to that folder contentsMultiple performance and stability improvementsWhat's New:DaVinci Resolve 19.1.2:Addressed issue with license dongles on some Windows systems.Addressed levels issue for audio clips with FX and fades.Addressed gyro stabilization crash in some BRAW decode modes.Addressed Fusion comp being disabled when disabling a macro.Addressed issue with unexpected OpenEXR capture date metadata.Addressed potential DRFX naming conflicts.General performance and stability improvements.DaVinci Resolve 19.1.1:Edit PageAddressed an issue displaying track controls in the edit index.Addressed with an option to paste to playhead or in and out range.Addressed a crash previewing a transition on some clips.Addressed issue switching multicam angle when on an edit point.Addressed issue switching angle for multicams with speed changes.Addressed opacity or fader previews with non-black backgrounds.Ability to import and export Final Cut Pro v1.13 XMLs.Addressed multiline subtitles having incorrect line break.Fusion PageAddressed issue with rendering a SphereMap in software.Addressed issue with outer poly rendering on linear b-splines.Addressed an issue with loading from disk caches on macros.Color PageAddressed timeline thumbnail displays for some spatial photos.Addressed ColorSlice highlights preview on clips with Magic Mask.Addressed grades resetting to local versions in collaboration.Addressed incorrect tooltips when switching between DCTLs.Added new color thumbnail index tag for clip ordering.Fairlight PageAddressed an issue when dropping out of automation trim in play.Addressed an issue with interpreting full clip fades in AAFs.Addressed a round-trip issue with Fairlight external audio process.Addressed dialogue leveler gain control range in the main plugin UI.Addressed FairlightFX reverb, noise reduction automation issues.Addressed an issue setting audio interface sync source to internal.Addressed audio accelerator issues with desktop video devices.General ImprovementsAddressed availability of shutter angle metadata as a tag.Addressed issue importing SRTX subtitles to the media pool.Addressed H.265 encode issues on older NVIDIA graphics cards.Addressed an issue with H.265 multipass renders on macOS 15.1.Addressed XDCAM encode option to select file or disc as target.Render option for Windows 10 media player compatibility for MP4.Addressed incorrect OpenFX slider changes with mouse scroll.General performance and stability improvements.DaVinci Resolve 19.1:General ImprovementsDual screen layouts now allow secondary screen resizable window.Improved toolbar and application menu layout on Windows.Search menu actions from the Help menu in Windows and Linux.Notification support when users join or leave multi-user projects.Application menu actions to go to previous or next timeline.Support for marker notes metadata tags in data burn in.Open or close inspector metadata by clicking on header.DCTLs support color picker, reset buttons and randomizer controls.DCTL transforms now have alpha channel support.Ability to view DCTL build errors, expiry dates and control tooltips.General performance and stability improvements.Media PageContext menu option to automatically sync bins from file folders.Ability to export multiple selected timelines from the media pool.Media pool now remembers the last opened bins between restarts.Media pool column presets now persists sort order.Smart bin and smart filter option to filter media from a specific bin.Manual sync options to retain video metadata and native audio.Media Management audio transcodes now default to 24 bit.Support for decoding spatial photos on Mac.Ability to relink media pool clips from all pages.Templates using .drb files can now include empty bins.Metadata support for tilt angle and roll angle from Canon files.Change start timecode for multicams and compound clips.Edit PageNew Fusion titles, effects and generators in the effects panel.Searching for effects can now use category names to find matches.Improved marker index search with support for all marker fields.Ability to set the location of the fixed playhead.Clips are now always pasted at playhead instead of mark in.Menu actions to select nearest in, out or roll edit points.Render in place now supports metadata tags for filename.Ability to delete multiple selected tracks via the track index.Timeline aspect ratio option in the safe area overlays dialog.Automatic Fusion caches now apply to both effects and templates.Audio Ducker support for multiple tracks to trigger ducking.Access track EQ, dynamics and plugins from the audio mixer.Toggle track header control states by clicking and dragging.Apply track destination via the track header context menu.Multiple video destinations for editing nested clips with decompose.Menu option to create new tracks when adding clips to timeline.Menu toggle for all tracks auto selector and track destination.Improved nested timeline audio with native mixes and solo states.Improved responsiveness when switching multicam angles.Source audio channels option when editing multicam angles.Mono channel selection from clip context menu or inspector.Inspector trim slider to trim levels of individual source channels.Ability to set individual audio channels to none in clip attributes.Fine grained virtual slider adjustments with option, alt or shift.Match frame and match frame to source for nested clips.Fusion PageNew uExport tool to export USD scenes from compositions.Field dominance changes are honored in interlaced media inputs.Polygon and B-spline viewer toolbar controls for multi poly tool.New switch and uSwitch to manage and keyframe multiple inputs.OCIO display transforms can now be applied with a tool.OCIO CDL transforms can now be used as view LUTs.Support for USD 24.08 with improved MaterialX performance.Fusion compositions in the media pool can now use IntelliTrack.Improved performance with multiple and long paintbrush operations.Support for freeze frame with TimeSpeed.Color PageDedicated mini panel controls to edit custom curve control points.Copy active node stack layer from timeline clips in the gallery.Ability to set default qualifier mode for new clips.Ability to export stills with Dolby Vision tone mapping.Post group clip node stack layer option in project settings.Per-user option for changed node color in the node options menu.Ability to filter timeline clips by node color.Object Mask caches persist until manually reset or re-analyzed.Input and output tooltips for splitter, combiner and matte nodes.Resolve FXNew grain controls for Resolve FX Sky Replacement.New saturation and gamma controls for Resolve FX light rays.Ability to set per-channel settings for blur effects.Fairlight PageTrack effects can now be applied to stereo linked tracks.Audio tracks can now be duplicated via the context menu.Ability to disable audio tracks.Ability to delete multiple selected tracks from the track index.Reorder tracks and busses by dragging the name plate in the mixer.Support for trimming from unity in the mixer.Support for new stereo direct, 7.1.2 and 9.1.4 Dolby audio formats.Fine grained virtual slider adjustments with option, alt or shift.Clearer timeline displays: for adjacent waveforms when trimming clips.for clip names against clip waveform backgrounds.when resizing tracks.for the playhead indicator in the scroll bar.Mono channel selection from the clip context menu or inspector.Separate track groups panel accessible via a header icon.Deliver PageDrag to reorder render jobs in the render queue.Support for encoding MV HEVC spatial video on Mac.Encode Sony MXF Op1A to XDCAM drives on Mac and Windows.Encode H.265 Main10 formats in DaVinci Resolve on Windows.AV1 encodes in DaVinci Resolve with Nvidia acceleration.Option to render without timecode for mobile uploads to YouTube.Render settings now default to timeline resolution and frame rate.Decode and encode EXR standard metadata attributes.P2 Viewer compatibility for Panasonic P2 renders.Scripting APILoad cloud projects.Query and set mark in and out ranges.Auto sync media pool clips using audio waveform or timecode.Render options for start frame, timecode and to replace files.Ability to delete a render preset.Invoke Quick Export renders.Reset all grades and nodes from node graph.Apply grade from DRX and CDL LUT to layers from the Graph API.Create gallery albums.Query and set per-node cache modes.Query and enable clip cache for Fusion output and color outputQuery media pool entry for a timeline.Minimum System Requirements for macOSmacOS 13 Ventura or later.8 GB of system memory or 16 GB when using Fusion.For monitoring, Blackmagic Design Desktop Video 12.9 or later.Apple Silicon based computer or GPU which supports Metal.Minimum System Requirements for WindowsWindows 10 Creators Update.16 GB of system memory or 32 GB when using Fusion.For monitoring, Blackmagic Design Desktop Video 12.9 or later.Integrated GPU or discrete GPU with at least 4 GB of VRAM.GPU which supports OpenCL 1.2 or CUDA 12.AMD/Intel official drivers from your GPU manufacturer.NVIDIA Studio driver 550.58 or newer.Minimum System Requirements for Windows for ArmWindows 11 for ARM.Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite series processor.16 GB of system memory or 32 GB for 4K or when using Fusion.Minimum System Requirements for LinuxRocky Linux 8.6.32 GB of system memory.For monitoring, Blackmagic Design Desktop Video 12.9 or later.Discrete GPU with at least 4 GB of VRAM.GPU which supports OpenCL 1.2 or CUDA 12.AMD official drivers from your GPU manufacturer.NVIDIA Studio driver 550.40.07 or newer.DaVinci Resolve 19 Release NotesDaVinci Resolve 19 introduces powerful new DaVinci Neural Engine AI tools and over 100 feature upgrades! Editors can work directly with transcribed audio to find speakers and edit timeline clips. Colorists can produce rich film like tones with the ColorSlice six vector palette and produce cinematic images using the new film look creator effect which emulates photometric film processes. In Fairlight, the IntelliTrack AI can be used to track motion and automatically pan audio. VFX artists in Fusion have an expanded set of USD tools plus a new multipoly rotoscoping tool. The cut page has new broadcast replay tools for live multi camera broadcast editing, playout and replay with speed control.Blackmagic CloudDaVinci Resolve 19 supports Blackmagic Cloud, so you can host your project libraries on the DaVinci Resolve Project Server in the cloud. Share projects and work collaboratively with editors, colorists, VFX artists and audio engineers on the same project at the same time, anywhere in the world.Blackmagic Cloud for OrganizationsThe Organizations app lets larger companies define a single organization or company within Blackmagic Cloud. Now you can create groups or teams and quickly share projects to an entire group rather than one by one. You can also manage storage access, share Presentations, and create a single sign on.DaVinci Resolve Studio LicensesThe Organizations app also lets you buy or rent DaVinci Resolve Studio licenses. This makes it easier for companies to assign and manage the allocation of licenses within large groups. Licenses can be costed against specific projects and then removed when it's complete.Blackmagic Proxy GeneratorThe new Blackmagic Proxy Generator App automatically creates and manages proxies from camera originals. Create a watch folder and new media is automatically converted into H.264, H.265 or ProRes proxies to accelerate editing workflows. You can extract proxies into a separate folder for offline work.Multi SourceMulti Source lets you see all your live cameras, or even just clips in a bin with a common timecode, in a multiview screen to look for any point of interest. You can scrub, play and select shots to add to the timeline or simply play to air. You can even switch live from any of the available angles.Point of InterestWhen watching live cameras or a multiview of clips and a signifiant event occurs, capture the moment with a POI marker. The POI is placed on all the clips at that same time so you can quickly find the event on every camera angle, play them to air and even automatically build a highlights timeline.UltraNR Noise ReductionUltraNR is a new DaVinci Neural Engine driven denoise mode in the Color page's spatial noise reduction palette. Use it to dramatically reduce digital noise from a frame while maintaining image clarity. Combine with temporal noise reduction for even more effective denoising in images with motion.Film Look CreatorThe new Film Look Creator lets you add cinematic looks that replicate film properties like halation, bloom, grain, flicker, gate weave and vignetting. Adjust exposure in stops and use subtractive saturation, richness and split tone controls to achieve looks usually found on the big screen.Advanced Volumetric RenderinguVolume lets you directly import volumetric VDB files into Fusion eliminating time consuming conversions. It also adds creative control of imported effects such as smoke, fire, clouds and explosions. You get complete control over density, temperature and color parameters of the VDB file in DaVinci.MultiPoly ToolThe new MultiPoly tool displays all of your masks in a single list eliminating switching between nodes for faster, more accurate rotoscoping! Perfect for complex projects, you can view, select, add to and modify specific shapes, toggle their visibility and adjust parameters all from one location.DaVinci Resolve 18.6.6:Ability to encode Panasonic AVC 100 and 50 in MXF Op Atom formats.Option to encode big endian LPCM audio in QuickTime.Addressed default alpha mode interpretation for some QuickTime media.Addressed incorrect path separators in some project settings on Windows.Addressed some Sony XAVC H clips being shown as offline.Addressed a media management issue trimming Sony 8K X-OCN clips.General performance and stability improvements.DaVinci Resolve 18.5:DaVinci Resolve 18.5 introduces dozens of new tools including 4 new AI tools, over 100 feature upgrades and major updates to the Cut page. Editors can now transcribe audio within clips to search for media based on narrative content, or quickly generate subtitles for timelines with the automatic speech to text feature. DaVinci Neural Engine AI can analyze and automatically sort audio clips based on classification, and on the Fairlight page audio tracks can now be grouped for faster mix automation and editing. Colorists can use the new Relight FX to add virtual lighting to a scene. VFX artists can collaborate more easily with support for USD files and work faster with the multi-merge tool.Next Generation EngineeringDaVinci Resolve 18 features some of the most cutting edge technology in the industry today. The DaVinci Neural Engine is an advanced machine learning system powering many of the software's most powerful tools, and it is fully supported in Apple M1 Mac models including M1 Ultra. Inclusion of the latest version of Dolby Vision means that users can view HDR on supported monitors, including on laptops. The future proof DaVinci Wide Gamut and Intermediate log grading environment allow you to work on media from any source. You can deliver to every projection and monitoring standard in use today. Plus DaVinci Resolve is the only software that you can use to edit and grade 8K footage in real time.DaVinci Neural Engine AccelerationThe advanced machine learning algorithms of the DaVinci Neural Engine are supported on Apple's M1 and M1 Pro models. This gives you up to 300% speed improvement in dozens of tools that rely on accurate automated analysis of motion and content such as Smart Reframe, SpeedWarp or SuperScale.Blackmagic CloudDaVinci Resolve 18 supports Blackmagic Cloud, so you can host your project libraries on the DaVinci Resolve Project Server in the cloud. Share projects and work collaboratively with editors, colorists, VFX artists and audio engineers on the same project at the same time, anywhere in the world.Blackmagic Proxy GeneratorThe new Blackmagic Proxy Generator App automatically creates and manages proxies from camera originals. Create a watch folder and new media is automatically converted into H.264, H.265 or ProRes proxies to accelerate editing workflows. You can extract proxies into a separate folder for offline work.Simplified Proxy WorkflowSwitch between camera original footage and proxies in a single click. With Blackmagic Proxy Generated proxies, DaVinci Resolve knows where in the file tree to find them, instantly linking to the camera originals in the media pool. Edit with proxies, then relink to camera originals to grade.Intelligent Media ManagementDaVinci Resolve 18 adds intelligent media location management, so that when you are collaborating you can quickly link media to your unique file paths. Now you don't need to manually relink or search for assets when you work remotely. So you have more time for creativity and less time on file admin.
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  • Get this 65-inch Insignia 4K TV while its on sale for just $300
    www.digitaltrends.com
    Table of ContentsTable of ContentsWhy you should buy the 65-inch Insignia F50 Series 4K TVSecurity software deal worth checking out: 55% off IncogniAt its original price of $450, the 65-inch Insignia F50 Series 4K TV is already pretty affordable for its size. However, you can currently get it with a $150 discount from Best Buy, which drops its price to just $300. If youre on the hunt for TV deals to upgrade your home theater setup, but you dont want to go overboard with your spending, this is an offer you wouldnt want to miss. You need to act fast in completing your transaction though, as were not sure how much time is remaining before this 4K TVs price returns to normal.The Insignia F50 Series 4K TVis the first smart TV thats powered by Amazons Fire TV platform with a quantum dot-based display, which offers improved color accuracy, a larger color volume, and better vibrancy. Alongside 4K Ultra HD resolution for sharp details, support for all the most advanced HDR formats, and Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos for a cinematic experience, this 65-inch TV will deliver memorable nights of entertainment for the whole family.The aforementioned Fire TV makes the Insignia F50 Series 4K TV a smart TV, giving you access to all of the popular streaming services, as well as to Amazons Alexa through its included Voice Remote. The TV also works with Apples AirPlay so you can share content from your Apple devices to its 65-inch screen, and it has three HDMI inputs one with eARC so youll be able to connect your soundbars, video game consoles, and other accessories at the same time.RelatedYou dont need to spend thousands of dollars for an amazing display for your living room or bedroom as the 65-inch Insignia F50 Series 4K TV is on sale from Best Buy for an affordable $300, following a $150 discount on its sticker price of $450. This bargain isnt expected to last long though, and once its over, theres no telling when youll get another chance at it. If youre interested in the 65-inch Insignia F50 Series 4K TV as a budget-friendly upgrade, we highly recommend proceeding with your purchase as soon as you can.How many scam calls have you gotten this week? Scam calls are getting so common that a lot of people have opted to stop answering the phone if they dont recognize the number on caller ID. These scammers are finding you because your data leaked somewhere. What if we told you there was a way to get your personal data removed from the internet?Thats what Incogni does. It removes your information from data broker databases. Throughout your yearly subscription, Incogni will continuously check for your data and scrub it away. Youll start getting fewer scam calls within a week.Right now, a year of Incogni is 50% off. That means removing your data will only cost you $90 for a full year, or $7.49 per month. Use code DIGITALDEAL at checkout.Editors Recommendations
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  • Concerts and Grammy Parties Are Canceled as Wildfires Continue
    www.wsj.com
    The music industry will still hold the Grammys ceremony on Feb. 2.
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  • ChatGPT becomes more Siri-like with new scheduled tasks feature
    arstechnica.com
    Proto AI Agent ChatGPT becomes more Siri-like with new scheduled tasks feature Two distinct universes of AI tools are merging. Samuel Axon Jan 14, 2025 5:08 pm | 2 Credit: Benj Edwards / OpenAI / Getty Images Credit: Benj Edwards / OpenAI / Getty Images Story textSizeSmallStandardLargeWidth *StandardWideLinksStandardOrange* Subscribers only Learn moreOpenAI is making ChatGPT work a little more like older digital assistants with a new feature called Tasks, as reported by TechCrunch and others.Currently in beta, Tasks allows users to direct the chatbot to send reminders or to generate responses to specific prompts at certain times; recurring tasks are also supported.The feature is available to Plus, Team, and Pro subscribers starting today, while free users don't have access.To create a task, users need to select "4o with scheduled tasks" from the model picker and then direct ChatGPT using the same kind of plain language text prompts that drive everything else it does. ChatGPT will sometimes suggest tasks, too, but they won't go into effect unless the user approves them.The user can then make changes to assigned tasks through the same chat conversation, or they can use a new Tasks section of the ChatGPT apps to manage all currently assigned items. There's currently a 10-task limit.When the time comes to perform an assigned task, the ChatGPT mobile or desktop app will send a notification on schedule.This update can be seen as OpenAI's first step into the agentic AI space, where applications built using deep learning can operate relatively independently within certain boundaries, either replacing or easing the day-to-day responsibilities of information workers.Agentic AI is the new focus for a lot of AI startups and Big Tech companies partly because it has the potential to become a highly lucrative service for the enterpriseprovided it works consistently as intended. Tools like large language models are neither cheap to build and train nor operate and maintain, so a big revenue source like that will naturally appeal to people running those companies.Meanwhile, Apple has reportedly been working on bringing the classic digital assistant Siri closer to how LLM-based chatbots work but is grappling with the bots' comparative unreliability and tendency to hallucinate. The same goes for Amazon with Alexa.We can expect to see more efforts to integrate traditional AI assistants with AI tools built on more modern techniques like those used to develop and train applications like ChatGPT.On OpenAI's end, what ChatGPT Tasks is doing here essentially amounts to bringing dumber but more reliable AI techniques to help a large language model be useful in more contexts.Regardless of which side tech companies are coming from, the ultimate goal is agentic AI. This is just OpenAI's first dip into those waters.Samuel AxonSenior EditorSamuel AxonSenior Editor Samuel Axon is a senior editor at Ars Technica. He covers Apple, software development, gaming, AI, entertainment, and mixed reality. He has been writing about gaming and technology for nearly two decades at Engadget, PC World, Mashable, Vice, Polygon, Wired, and others. He previously ran a marketing and PR agency in the gaming industry, led editorial for the TV network CBS, and worked on social media marketing strategy for Samsung Mobile at the creative agency SPCSHP. He also is an independent software and game developer for iOS, Windows, and other platforms, and heis a graduate of DePaul University, where he studied interactive media and software development. 2 Comments
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  • AI could assemble a record-breaking quantum computer out of cold atoms
    www.newscientist.com
    The right sequence of lasers can group qubits into a perfect gridluchschenF/ShutterstockArtificial intelligence could play a role in assembling the next largest quantum computer.The worlds largest known quantum computer has 1180 quantum bits, or qubits, made from extremely cold, electrically neutral atoms. One of the prerequisites for making truly useful quantum computers is to make them bigger to build them with more qubits. But the make-up of those qubits also matters, and when they are made from ultracold atoms, quantum computers only run calculations precisely when each atom is at just the right place
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  • This Bolognese pasta from Carbone's chef is one of my favorite winter comfort dishes
    www.businessinsider.com
    Chef Mario Carbone's Bolognese has three different types of meat to get you through chilly temperatures.The Bolognese includes ground beef, ground pork, and Italian sausage. Anneta Konstantinides/Business Insider To make Carbone's Bolognese for six, you'll need: pound ground beef pound ground pork or veal pound Italian sausage (out of casing)Carbone told me he likes to add Italian sausage for his spin on the classic dish to give his Bolognese a "big pop of added flavor."The recipe also features plenty of veggies.The Bolognese also includes carrots, celery, red wine, and Carbone's marinara sauce. Anneta Konstantinides/Business Insider 1 cup onion, diced cup celery, diced cup carrot, diced5 cloves garlic, chopped1 tablespoon tomato paste1 jars Carbone marinara sauce cup red wine cup chicken stock cup milk1 dried bay leaf1 tablespoons salt tablespoon thyme (chopped)Carbone's recipe was developed with Carbone Fine Food to pair with one of the restaurant's sauces, which you can buy online and in grocery stores. Carbone's Bolognese features the marinara, but you can also try the tomato basil, roasted garlic, or arrabbiata.If you don't have Carbone's sauce on hand, you can always opt for a similar marinara or just make your own. His sauce is made with Italian tomatoes (whole peeled tomatoes, tomato pure, sea salt, basil), along with onions, olive oil, sea salt, garlic, basil, crushed red pepper flakes, and oregano.Before I started cooking, I prepped my veggies.First, I diced my carrots, celery, and onion. Anneta Konstantinides/Business Insider I diced my onion, carrots, and celery and set them aside.Then, I threw some olive oil into a Dutch oven and added the ground beef.I seared my ground beef for about three minutes. Anneta Konstantinides/Business Insider I seared the ground beef over high heat for about three minutes, then drained it in my colander over a large bowl.I separately seared the pork, followed by the sausage, for around the same amount of time.I also separately sealed the Italian sausage (pictured) and the pork in the Dutch oven. Anneta Konstantinides/Insider As with the ground beef, I drained the pork and sausage in the colander after they had browned in the Dutch oven.After I seared and drained all three meats, I made sure to season them.I seasoned my meat with salt and set it aside. Anneta Konstantinides/Business Insider I added half a tablespoon of salt and gave the meat a quick mix.I drained the excess fat from my Dutch oven before adding the chopped garlic and thyme.I cooked my garlic and thyme for about two minutes. Anneta Konstantinides/Business Insider I constantly stirred my garlic and thyme for around two minutes over medium-low heat.Then, I added the chopped carrots, celery, and onion.I turned my stove to low heat after adding my veggies. Anneta Konstantinides/Business Insider I seasoned my veggies with half a teaspoon of salt and cooked them over low heat for another 15 minutes, until they turned soft.I covered the Dutch oven while everything cooked, making sure to stir the vegetables every few minutes.Once the vegetables were ready, I added the tomato paste and red wine.Once the vegetables were ready, I added the tomato paste and red wine. Anneta Konstantinides/Business Insider First, I added the tomato paste and increased my stove to medium heat. I stirred constantly for two minutes to lightly cook the tomato paste, making sure it had completely mixed with the veggies.Then, I poured the red wine into the Dutch oven and let it reduce until there wasn't much liquid left. I continued to stir often to ensure I didn't burn the wine and vegetables.Once the wine had reduced, I added the browned meat back into the Dutch oven.I threw my meat back into the Dutch oven once the wine had reduced. Anneta Konstantinides/Business Insider I stirred everything together as delicious scents began to fill up my kitchen.I threw in my Carbone marinara sauce, along with the chicken stock and bay leaf.I cooked the sauce for around 40 minutes. Anneta Konstantinides/Business Insider I continued to cook everything for about 40 minutes, stirring every few minutes to prevent the ingredients from sticking to the bottom of the pan.Then, it was time for some milk.After adding the milk, I allowed the sauce to simmer for another 10 minutes. Anneta Konstantinides/Business Insider I added the milk and mixed everything together, allowing the sauce to simmer for another 10 minutes.As the sauce was finishing up, I threw my pasta into a pot of salted boiling water.I used pappardelle per Carbone's recommendation. Anneta Konstantinides/Business Insider Carbone recommends using pappardelle for his bolognese recipe.Once the sauce was ready, I took the Dutch oven off the heat.The sauce for Carbone's Bolognese pasta. Anneta Konstantinides/Business Insider I removed the bay leaf and added another half tablespoon of salt to season everything.Not letting the Bolognese sauce simmer too long is part of Carbone's twist on the classic dish."Usually, this recipe cooks all day," he told me. "But my style which I find to be more Italian-American than true Emilia-Romagna style leaves the meat with more texture, which reminds me of my childhood."Everything was ready! So, I threw my pasta into the Dutch oven and mixed it with the Bolognese sauce.I threw the pappardelle into the Dutch oven to mix everything together. Anneta Konstantinides/Business Insider If you've made more sauce than you need for one dinner, Carbone said you can store the Bolognese in the fridge for up to five days.You can also freeze it for longer, just make sure to use freezer-safe bags.The golden ribbons of pappardelle looked beautiful sitting in that rich Bolognese.My pot of Bolognese pasta looked incredibly delicious. Anneta Konstantinides/Business Insider There's just something about a heaping bowl of thick pasta noodles in an even thicker sauce on a cold night. I instantly felt soothed as I admired the big bowl of pasta in front of me.The bolognese took more time than many of thepasta recipesI usually prepare, but it smelled absolutely glorious.Carbone's delicious Bolognese sauce made for a perfect winter pasta dish.I'll definitely make Carbone's Bolognese pasta again. Anneta Konstantinides/Business Insider Carbone's recipe has the deep richness you'd expect from a Bolognese but still tastes light despite featuring three different types of meat. The sauce has a lovely, mild sweetness that lifts the entire dish."The different flavors don't compete with each other; they build on each other," my mom said approvingly as she finished her plate."I could really seduce a man with this recipe," my sister added as she went for seconds.Carbone's Bolognese was so comforting and soothing on a gloomy night. It's the perfect recipe to help us get through winter plus, who doesn't love a good bowl of pasta?
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  • How the Los Angeles fires highlight the challenge of disaster relief
    www.vox.com
    The wildfires engulfing the Los Angeles area might reshape what Southern California will look like for years to come. Within a week, approximately 30,000 acres of land have burned, thousands forced to evacuate from their homes, and at least 24 people lost their lives, as of Tuesday morning.After major disasters like this one, one of the most common questions people ask is how to help. Ordinary people are extraordinarily generous in response to tragedies. Almost half of Americans reported donating to Hurricane Katrina relief, and nearly three-quarters gave to charity after 9/11. People also give generously after disasters overseas when they hear about them though the media covers some tragedies much more extensively than others.But its surprisingly challenging to turn this generosity into results for the people affected by disasters. Individual donors cant typically do much to speed search-and-rescue efforts. (And individuals trying to be rescuers themselves can just add to the number of people in danger.) In the event of hurricanes and typhoons, roads and airports are often flooded, making it hard to get supplies to where theyre needed.Another complication is that the generous response to disasters can bring in an extraordinary flood of money compared to the typical budget of most local charities. Most charities have a small budget and are accustomed to operating within it. They might be able to benefit from 20 percent more money, or even twice as much, but if deluged with several hundred times their typical operating budget, they often dont know how to move it toward the people who need it most. Waste and corruption are serious concerns in disaster relief operations, spectacularly highlighted by the infamous fake 9/11 charities.For all of those reasons, disaster relief, especially in the immediate aftermath of disasters like the Los Angeles fires, can be difficult to do effectively. People who donate in those situations may be disappointed to learn that their donations havent been especially useful. And because of that track record, donors and charities concerned with most effectively helping people in need often dont target disaster relief at all, instead opting for donations to areas where theres no immediate catastrophe and less complexity and uncertainty. Doing so is almost always more cost-effective.But these problems with disaster relief dont have to lead to paralysis. For the potential donor, effective giving in response to disasters requires looking at potential charities with an eye for where your money could do the most good.When thinking about disaster aid, we can think about a few separate aspects of disaster recovery, each with their own challenges. Relief work is the immediate disaster response search and rescue, supply drops, emergency medicine, firefighting. Relief work is typically hampered by logistical hurdles, not by a lack of funding. In a severe disaster, roads and airports might be closed, and victims are often panicked and disorganized.Figuring out how to solve these problems and deliver aid under conditions like these is very important. They arent problems caused by a shortage of money or supplies, though, and generosity by donors cant solve them.By the time a disaster has struck, its largely too late to improve search-and-rescue capabilities or immediate disaster response. Investments in improving those capabilities need to be made before a crisis not while one is already happening.In the case of a massive quake like this one, casualties will likely also come from secondary emergencies deaths in the weeks and months after a disaster due to lack of access to medical care, supplies, and necessities, especially given the fact that so many of those affected were already living in refugee camps. The deaths in Puerto Rico from Hurricane Maria were an example of a secondary emergency 64 people died in the initial phase of the disaster, and thousands more died as help was slow to arrive.Donors are more helpful with another aspect of disaster response: recovery. After the fires die down or waters recede, people will need medical care, food, and supplies to rebuild their homes and lives. There are still complicated logistics involved in disaster recovery, but its the place to look if you want your money to make a difference.More money usually helps but not alwaysCharities have for years voiced concerns about people shipping physical supplies shoes, clothes, and food to areas affected by disasters, unaware that these supplies can displace more urgent and better-targeted aid shipments and often go to waste. They generally urge the public to donate cash, and let nonprofits buy the needed supplies.But while its intuitive that charities might not always need your old shoes, its less intuitive that they might not need your money. The fact is that sometimes an organization has all the donations it knows what to do with, and the remaining barriers to effective relief are staff time, expertise, access to affected areas, or limited supplies. Experts call this room for more funding. A charity has room for more funding if giving them more money will let them do more of what theyre doing.Charities will rarely turn donations down, but that doesnt mean theyre always actively seeking donations. And if a charity is actively seeking donations despite not knowing what to do with them, thats a bad sign. Charities with room for more funding are more likely to be specific about how the money will be spent for example, saying well be building houses or well be compensating victims and ideally will specify their fundraising targets for each of their programs.Donations are needed when no one else is giving themDisaster relief tends to happen in abrupt peaks. Donations happen almost immediately after a disaster occurs, and quickly die down as the news cycle moves on to other things. Eighty percent of donations occur within the first several days of a disaster.Ideally, charities would stockpile the donated money then and spend it as needed over the course of the next months and years as the area rebuilds and recovers. Unfortunately, that doesnt always happen, and its not uncommon for there to be more need six months or a year after a disaster when the rest of the world has moved on than immediately after.The fact that people make their donation decisions so quickly can have grave consequences. Often, it means major disasters get overlooked if the news doesnt get out about them quickly enough. The 2010 earthquake in Haiti was genuinely one of the worst disasters in recent history, killing an estimated 160,000 people, and it received a good deal of US coverage. $13 billion was raised in aid, much of it in the early days of the disaster.But two years earlier, at least 138,000 people died in Bangladesh and Myanmar due to Cyclone Nargis. Only about $300 million was raised, nearly all of it from governments. Thanks to initial reluctance by Myanmars authoritarian government to permit aid, as well as concerns that the government was using the money to cement its hold on power, this tragedy missed its first-week rush of donations. By the time the country reluctantly assented to some foreign assistance, the disaster had started to slip from the news. Many Americans didnt and still dont know it ever happened.All this brings up an important concept that charitable donors should be more aware of: neglectedness. If a disaster happened during a busy news cycle, or in a country with few foreign journalists, or if its a type of disaster where the death toll will be slow and hard to measure instead of immediate and catastrophic, people may not be paying enough attention. Those are usually the places where money really is desperately needed.One other thought: Giving money when disaster strikes is a good impulse. But one thing for a donor to consider is to set aside the money and then follow up with charities a few months later to ask what theyre doing on the ground and whether they need more funding.In a field without much clarity, charities have to be highly responsibleDisaster relief is a field where theres a lot of uncertainty about what works. In an uncertain environment, its particularly important that charities be transparent about what theyre doing and open to the possibility theyre making mistakes.A charity should be able to explain what programs theyre in a position to offer, how much money they need to wholly fund those programs, and what they will do with additional money received after theyve fully funded their programs. Charity evaluators like GiveWell, which try to identify the most promising programs, have found it particularly hard to get the clarity they prize when it comes to disaster relief.Often, the more urgent and complicated the situation, the less clear and transparent charities feel they are able to be. Unfortunately, thats when transparency is needed most so we can develop a better picture of what works for future disasters.Even better would be a charity thats aiming at effectiveness, collecting data on what theyre doing, and scaling (or canceling) their programs accordingly. This is challenging in disasters, as no two are the same and its hard to know if past successes really predict future ones.Nonetheless, there are good examples of taking a transparent, honest, and results-driven approach to disaster relief. GiveWell has called Doctors Without Borders a leader in transparency, honesty and integrity in relief organizations, and this was a big reason for its recommendation of Doctors Without Borders as a disaster relief organization.Since we still dont know all that much about the best ways to provide effective aid in the aftermath of a disaster, theres a lot of room for experimentation. Here, too, its important for charities to do things right. Experiments should ideally be announced in advance, have a clear mission statement, and report how the trial went.Several years ago, GiveDirectly, a charity that does cash transfers to the poorest people in the world, did a good job of venturing into disaster relief while staying focused on results. The organization was curious about whether cash transfers literally giving cash to people who just suffered through a disaster worked well for disaster relief. There are some reasons to think it might a cash-transfer program has extremely low overhead, can happen even if roads and airports are damaged or full of high-priority aid, and works remarkably well at improving outcomes for the worlds poorest.But there are also some reasons for skepticism maybe giving people money in disasters just results in bidding-up of scarce supplies. GiveDirectly handled this with a small-scale trial offering cash transfers to victims of Hurricane Harvey. It wanted to check whether its cash-transfer-based approach worked everywhere, not just in the poor regions of Kenya where it traditionally operated, and that it was as viable for disaster relief as for aid efforts targeting poverty.In an update, GiveDirectly reported that it could successfully get cash to about 90 percent of the target population who were mostly able to use it, which makes straightforward cash aid look like a promising intervention for disasters in rich countries, though a different host of problems would be expected in poor ones. (In particular, destroyed infrastructure both makes it hard to get cash to affected populations and makes it hard for them to use the money to buy any supplies they may need.) Last year, GiveDirectly sent emergency funds to nearly 5,000 low-income households in Florida and Puerto Rico after Hurricanes Ian and Fiona, using AI-scanned satellite images to quickly identify the neighborhoods that had been hardest hit by the storms.We need more experiments like that. People are extraordinarily generous and willing to give hundreds of millions in aid to disasters when they can. Right now, there isnt a clear picture of how to consistently turn that generosity into good results. But careful experimentation is a very valuable step on the road to figuring that out.Update, January 14, 2025, 4:15 pm ET: This story, originally published in 2018, has been updated to reflect the news of the Los Angeles fires.Youve read 1 article in the last monthHere at Vox, we're unwavering in our commitment to covering the issues that matter most to you threats to democracy, immigration, reproductive rights, the environment, and the rising polarization across this country.Our mission is to provide clear, accessible journalism that empowers you to stay informed and engaged in shaping our world. By becoming a Vox Member, you directly strengthen our ability to deliver in-depth, independent reporting that drives meaningful change.We rely on readers like you join us.Swati SharmaVox Editor-in-ChiefSee More:
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  • EA FC 25 TOTW 18 predictions including Dembele heroics and former Liverpool star
    www.dailystar.co.uk
    Expect EA FC 25 TOTW 18 to be packed with stellar new cards, with new upgrades expected for former Liverpool man Sadio Mane and PSG hero Ousmane DembeleTech16:55, 14 Jan 2025Updated 16:55, 14 Jan 2025Simons was POTM for Leipzig(Image: Getty Images)After another week of football (although not a good one for Arsenal), it's almost time for the EA FC 25 Team of the Week (TOTW).This week marks the eighteenth entry since EA FC 25 launched, and we're expecting another batch of upgraded players. In case you're new this season, Team of the Week players replace the basic versions in packs for the current week, and have upgraded stats based on real-world performances.We're expecting big things this week from Ousmane Dembele after his PSG heroics, as well as ex-Liverpool star Sadio Mane for his brace for Al-Nassr.Here's what we're expecting from EA FC 25 TOTW 18.Team of the Week will be officially announced on Wednesday, January 15 we'll share the full line-up then.Expect the new cards to be in packs from 6pm.Mane now plays alongside Ronaldo(Image: Getty Images)Here are our predictions who are you hoping to pull?RW: Ousmane DembeleThe France winger notched both of PSG's goals to help them to a 2-1 win, earning POTM in the process.ST: Patrick SchickLeverkusen's striker scored two goals and got POTM for his team.RM: Sadio ManeEx-Liverpool winger Mane grabbed two goals for Al-Nasser and POTM.LB: Fridoline RolfoThe Barca full-back scored, assisted, and kept a clean sheet.CAM: Xavi SimonsThe Leipzig playmaker scored twice in a 4-2 win to earn POTM.GK: David SoriaGetafe stopper Soria made six saves, including one penalty to help his side to a 2-1 win.Article continues belowFor the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletters.RECOMMENDED
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  • Josh Gad Is Still Mortified Over Disney Making Beauty and the Beasts Exclusively Gay Moment a Big Deal
    gizmodo.com
    Weve come a long way since Disneys first exclusively gay moment when the studio made a big to-do about LeFou in its live-action Beauty and the Beastmostly in a depressingly big ol circle, now were back to the House of Mouse cutting LGBTQ+ storylines out of its media to appeal to conservative parents again. But now nearly eight years later, the star at the center of that back-patting furor is speaking out on just how shocked he was to see Disney blow it out of proportion. I for one certainly didnt exactly feel like LeFou was who the queer community had been wistfully waiting for, Josh Gad said of his role as LeFou in the film, writing in his new memoirIn Gad We Trust (via Entertainment Weekly). I cant quite imagine a Pride celebration in honor of the cinematic watershed moment involving a quasi-villainous Disney sidekick dancing with a man for half a second. I mean, if I were gay, Im sure Id be pissed. And yet, thats essentially what Disney tried to do back in 2017, whenBeauty and the Beasts director Bill Condon teased the momentwhere LeFou dances with a male partner during a climactic celebratory sequence in the filminto a major step for Disneys on-screen LGBTQ+ efforts, describing it (now infamously) as an exclusively gay moment in an interview with Attitude. But according to Gad, the moment had barely been discussed on-set as an explicitly deliberate moment, and was never intended to be seen as more than a quiet nod. Because I was a side character, I didnt want to suddenly throw the weight of sexuality on this character that in no way was driving the film, Gad writes. But the moment (as described to me) seemed harmless enougha fun blink-and-youll-miss-it little beat.Instead, Condons framing of the moment turned it into a media firestorm, with bigots furious at the thought of two men dancing together (a thing thats certainly never happened in a Disney movie before) and the studio itself to eagerly capitalize on being able to have a tiny speck of queer representation on the big screen. It wouldnt be the first time either over the next few years, as Disney seemingly managed to regurgitate that it was doing its first openly gay character for multiple press cycles, even as the studio and its major subsidiaries barely took steps with queer characters and their presence beyond these throwaway acknowledgements.Had the audience defined it as a sweet exclusively gay moment, I would have been delighted, Gad concludes, but the second we pointed it out and seemingly congratulated ourselves, we had invited hell and fury. The more things change, the more they stay the samealthough now Disney is inviting the hell and fury for its own cowardice, more than anything else. Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, whats next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.
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  • Brown House / BLDUS
    www.archdaily.com
    Brown House / BLDUSSave this picture! Ty ColeHousesWashington, United StatesArchitects: BLDUSAreaArea of this architecture projectArea:1600 ftYearCompletion year of this architecture project Year: 2023 PhotographsPhotographs:Ty ColeManufacturersBrands with products used in this architecture project Manufacturers: Amorim, BamCore, Hempitecture, Jelinek, Pella EFCO, Vermont Natural Coatings Lead Architects: Jack Becker, Andrew Linn Carpentry: ArtworkMore SpecsLess SpecsSave this picture!Text description provided by the architects. A single-family house in a newly named alley in Capitol Hill is an opportunity to elaborate upon a healthy material palette featuring black locust wood, cork cladding, hemp insulation, and bamboo structural walls. The design of the linear alley house strikes a balance between privacy and light, using balconies, a vestibule, a terrace, and a rooftop garden to mediate the site and its surrounding context. Durable black locust slats protect cork cladding, screen balconies, structure a fence, and provide fall protection on the rooftop. The exterior cork cladding is echoed by a spray cork finish on interior ceilings, while the bamboo structural panels are exposed on the interior and stained with PolyWhey, a by-product of the cheese industry. Cellulose and hemp insulation fill the hollow wall cavities and flat roofs. Copper details handle precipitation and highlight the layers of the house in Overbeck Alley.Save this picture!Save this picture!Save this picture!Healthy material environments facilitate healthy lifestyles. Spaces made from healthy materials that are natural, straightforward, and recognizable allow people to relate to them at a visceral level more than anonymous painted-drywall spaces, endearing them to their users over time. Using materials ideally suited for their purposes throughout the houses pushes the role of materiality in the project beyond the purely aesthetic and symbolic. Apart from materials, the organization of the house encourages efficient and long-term living.Save this picture!Save this picture!Save this picture!Save this picture!With a bedroom-bathroom suite on the ground floor, life could be lived entirely on the ground floor if necessary, and a daylit, switchback central stair leads to the second floor and rooftop. Brown House is defined by its material economies, from the efficient and cutting-edge hybrid bamboo-wood structural panels to its cellulose, cork, and hemp insulation to its rough-sawn black locust screens. Additionally, the house contributes to a broader mission in DC to add residential density wherever possible as a means to alleviate the housing shortage. Alley houses are full of complex, site-specific problems, yet recent municipal legislation was designed to encourage alley house development as one of several methods to encourage housing production.Save this picture!Save this picture!Save this picture!Rooftop planter beds allow the inhabitants of Brown House to grow the majority of their diet during some periods of the year and supplement them during others. These beds utilize rainfall in the most direct way possible, feeding the plants growing in the beds. Rainwater that lands on the rooftop drains into cisterns that are used to irrigate plantings along the north facade and in the south garden. Materials were sourced as locally as possible and with as light a carbon footprint as possible while creating a structure that uses as little energy input as possible. The effort has been recognized: two different bird nests have already been made in the enclosed exterior spaces of the house during its first spring, a sign of recognition by the birds of the health and safety afforded by the house.Save this picture!Project gallerySee allShow lessAbout this officeBLDUSOfficePublished on January 14, 2025Cite: "Brown House / BLDUS" 14 Jan 2025. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/1025617/brown-house-bldus&gt ISSN 0719-8884Save!ArchDaily?You've started following your first account!Did you know?You'll now receive updates based on what you follow! Personalize your stream and start following your favorite authors, offices and users.Go to my stream
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