I will preface this by stating I am by no means an expert at writing code for Google Apps Script (I have absolutely no idea what I am doing), which is why I rely on Gemini to write code for me.
I have a Google Sheet which contains various worksheets:

1. CPT-4
2. Modifiers - CPT-4
3. CPT-4 II
4. POS Codes
5. MDC
6. ICD-10-CM
7. ICD-10-PCS
8. HCPCS Level II
9. Modifiers - HCPCS
10. MS-DRG
11. Revenue Codes
12. ASC Payment Indicators - HCPCS
13. OPPS Status Indicators - HCPCS

The worksheets contain a variable amount of data, but typically have between 1-6 columns, where A is the Code, B is the Modifier, C is the Description, D is the Abbreviated Description, and E are any applicable Notes. Because this data is updated very frequently, I want to use Apps Script to automate several processes to streamline maintenance of this workbook:
When a code is entered in a cell in column A, execute the following steps:

1. Evaluate column A for duplicate entries; if the code already exists, reject the newly entered (duplicate) code
2. Sort the worksheet by column A in alphabetical order
3. Capitalize any alphabetical characters in the code string; for example, if I enter 3074f, change it to 3074F

In the past, it seemed to work to some degree, but now nothing is happening as expected.
Gemini was able to get the automation to work without requiring the use of a trigger (somehow), but in its troubleshooting suggestions, it said I need to create one. I have done so, and it still will not work--I keep getting an error when I debug the function.
Here's an example of one of my worksheets:
CPT-4 II worksheet
Here's the script which corresponds to the worksheet:
Corresponding code for CPT-4 II worksheet
Here is the trigger:
Trigger that I was told to configure by Gemini
Here's the error that one of the scripts is returning:
Error returned by the code corresponding with the OPPS Status Indicators - HCPCS worksheet
Debug of the code
I greatly appreciate any assistance as I am becoming incredibly frustrated.
Please let me know if there is any additional detail I can provide to assist.

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Fact of the Day: Lorville's massive skyscrapers and industrial infrastructure have parallels to the imposing architecture of steel and concrete found in major cities during the industrial revolution.

I checked the Google Analytics data of more than 300 Shopify stores, and all of them had one thing in common: the conversion rate for new visitors was lower than the conversion rate for returning visitorsI checked the Google Analytics data of more than 300 Shopify stores, and all of them had one thing in common: the conversion rate for new visitors was lower than the conversion rate for returning visitors.
This is completely understandable, but there are strategies you can use to increase your new visitor conversion rate.
In this article, I’ll explain why the conversion rate for new visitors is lower than for returning visitors, what you can do to improve it, and how to increase your conversions and sales over time.

Why is the conversion rate for new visitors lower?

Let’s remember what conversion is. Conversion is when someone says “I want to have this product, right now!”
There are two critical parts to conversion:

1. I want to have this product. How do you measure this part? Very simple.Check your bounce rates and add-to-cart events. If people aren’t leaving your store as soon as they land and some of them are adding at least one product to their cart, then you’re doing a great job.Your store looks great, you have great products, and you’re managing to get highly interested traffic into your store.
2. Right now. If people are browsing your store and adding products to their carts, but most of the time they leave without buying, then you need to figure out why they’re not saying “I want to have this product, right now!”

This is the part that makes people convert.

Create urgency to increase new visitor conversion rate

Now, let’s think about ourselves. We visit a local store, see a great product, and like it. But if we don’t need it urgently, we can wait, right?
This is a very common human behavior. We tend to postpone our decisions because it’s easier.
Creating urgency is a proven strategy because of this human behavior. If you can create urgency properly, you can trigger your visitors to try your products now, right away.
There are three important elements to creating urgency properly:

• Right motivation: Booking is a common example of a strategy for creating urgency. You know how some hotel detail pages show stats like “X people looking at this room”? This makes sense because you’re planning your travel and there are limited rooms. If you don’t get it, someone else will.
• Right timing: Timing is very important for creating urgency. It’s similar to the offline experience. You decide on the best product you want to buy, and then the sales consultant tells you that it’s a limited product and won’t be produced anymore. That’s the right timing.
• Right message: Messaging plays a vital role in creating urgency. Let’s continue with the same example. The language and messages should be aligned with your branding, product, and category. This is how you can create urgency properly.

How to increase new visitor conversion rate on Shopify

Growth Suite offers a great solution for creating urgency without being fake. It’s a great way to increase conversions and new visitor conversion rate.
Growth Suite analyzes your visitors’ buying intention and segments them based on it as hot, warm, and cold. This is very important because it prevents you from overusing discounts.

• Hot visitors: These visitors are highly interested in your products and are most likely to complete their purchase. You can give them a 7% discount, for example.
• Warm visitors: These visitors have a medium level of interest in your products. You can give them a 10% discount, for example.
• Cold visitors: These visitors have the lowest level of interest in your products. You can give them a 15% discount, for example.

So, what’s the difference?

• Each discount offer comes with a timer that appears on all pages of your store. Your visitors can see how much time they have to use the discounts.
• Growth Suite creates a unique, one-time-use discount code for each of your visitors. When people see their own discount codes and timer, they know that it’s a real, unique offer.
• Growth Suite automatically applies the discount to the cart, so visitors don’t need to copy or paste it. This is a big deal, especially for mobile visitors.
• Growth Suite deletes the discounts after the timer expires. They can’t be used again, and the same visitor can’t see them again.

What you shouldn’t do

I’ve mentioned what to do up to this point. There are a lot of quick-fix hacks out there that promise to increase your conversions with fake messages.
I highly recommend not using these things, such as “38 people looking at this product, 15 bought in the last hour.” Most of the time, people won’t believe they’re real. If you don’t believe me, just show these messages to your friends and ask what they think about them.
Second, when these things don’t work properly (which they usually don’t), they create a sense of dishonesty between your brand and your visitors. This can become a real issue for your long-term success.

Conclusion

By following the tips in this article, you can increase your new visitor conversion rate and boost your Shopify sales. Remember to focus on creating urgency. And avoid using fake messages and other tactics that can damage your brand reputation.
This is completely understandable, but there are strategies you can use to increase your new visitor conversion rate.
In this article, I’ll explain why the conversion rate for new visitors is lower than for returning visitors, what you can do to improve it, and how to increase your conversions and sales over time.

Why is the conversion rate for new visitors lower?

Let’s remember what conversion is. Conversion is when someone says “I want to have this product, right now!”
There are two critical parts to conversion:

1. I want to have this product. How do you measure this part? Very simple.Check your bounce rates and add-to-cart events. If people aren’t leaving your store as soon as they land and some of them are adding at least one product to their cart, then you’re doing a great job.Your store looks great, you have great products, and you’re managing to get highly interested traffic into your store.
2. Right now. If people are browsing your store and adding products to their carts, but most of the time they leave without buying, then you need to figure out why they’re not saying “I want to have this product, right now!”

This is the part that makes people convert.

Create urgency to increase new visitor conversion rate

Now, let’s think about ourselves. We visit a local store, see a great product, and like it. But if we don’t need it urgently, we can wait, right?
This is a very common human behavior. We tend to postpone our decisions because it’s easier.
Creating urgency is a proven strategy because of this human behavior. If you can create urgency properly, you can trigger your visitors to try your products now, right away.
There are three important elements to creating urgency properly:

• Right motivation: Booking is a common example of a strategy for creating urgency. You know how some hotel detail pages show stats like “X people looking at this room”? This makes sense because you’re planning your travel and there are limited rooms. If you don’t get it, someone else will.
• Right timing: Timing is very important for creating urgency. It’s similar to the offline experience. You decide on the best product you want to buy, and then the sales consultant tells you that it’s a limited product and won’t be produced anymore. That’s the right timing.
• Right message: Messaging plays a vital role in creating urgency. Let’s continue with the same example. The language and messages should be aligned with your branding, product, and category. This is how you can create urgency properly.

How to increase new visitor conversion rate on Shopify

Growth Suite offers a great solution for creating urgency without being fake. It’s a great way to increase conversions and new visitor conversion rate.
Growth Suite analyzes your visitors’ buying intention and segments them based on it as hot, warm, and cold. This is very important because it prevents you from overusing discounts.

• Hot visitors: These visitors are highly interested in your products and are most likely to complete their purchase. You can give them a 7% discount, for example.
• Warm visitors: These visitors have a medium level of interest in your products. You can give them a 10% discount, for example.
• Cold visitors: These visitors have the lowest level of interest in your products. You can give them a 15% discount, for example.

So, what’s the difference?

• Each discount offer comes with a timer that appears on all pages of your store. Your visitors can see how much time they have to use the discounts.
• Growth Suite creates a unique, one-time-use discount code for each of your visitors. When people see their own discount codes and timer, they know that it’s a real, unique offer.
• Growth Suite automatically applies the discount to the cart, so visitors don’t need to copy or paste it. This is a big deal, especially for mobile visitors.
• Growth Suite deletes the discounts after the timer expires. They can’t be used again, and the same visitor can’t see them again.

What you shouldn’t do

I’ve mentioned what to do up to this point. There are a lot of quick-fix hacks out there that promise to increase your conversions with fake messages.
I highly recommend not using these things, such as “38 people looking at this product, 15 bought in the last hour.” Most of the time, people won’t believe they’re real. If you don’t believe me, just show these messages to your friends and ask what they think about them.
Second, when these things don’t work properly (which they usually don’t), they create a sense of dishonesty between your brand and your visitors. This can become a real issue for your long-term success.

Conclusion

By following the tips in this article, you can increase your new visitor conversion rate and boost your Shopify sales. Remember to focus on creating urgency. And avoid using fake messages and other tactics that can damage your brand reputation.
This article first published at MarketingLib.
Don't forget to check Growth Suite on Shopify App Store.

For the sheer fun of it, I went to Chat GPT with a creative writing assignment. For Figures of Speech prompts, I gave a free parameters, including the word length of 500-1000 words and the prompts for a few of the Fifty mentioned in the series.
I gave the AI creative license and let's just say, they're a long way off from replacing the better writers and I think it just makes it easier to do those lower level tasks and let's leave the creators a slightly higher level of skill to create actual tangible and engaging writing.
But here you go... hilarious how stuck it gets on certain terms and definitions.
These are in no particular order... separated by emojis that are totally unrelated to the storyline.
🫱🫱🫱🫱🫱🫱🫱🫱🫲🫲🫲🫲🫲🫲🫲🫲 Response to Prompt 4: Understatement
In the quaint town of Brooksville, where the extraordinary was often met with an indifferent shrug, something truly remarkable occurred. The residents, sipping coffee at the local diner or strolling along the cobblestone streets, would describe it as just another peculiar day. Little did they know that beneath the surface of their nonchalant existence, a cosmic event unfolded.
The morning sun cast its usual warm glow on Brooksville, with birds chirping in the background, creating an illusion of normalcy. However, the anomaly had already begun. Mrs. Higgins, the elderly librarian, dismissed it as a minor inconvenience, merely a glitch in the library's ancient computer system. Yet, every book cataloged within those ancient shelves had transformed into a portal, connecting readers to parallel universes with every turn of a page.
As I, a humble journalist for the local paper, stumbled upon this revelation, I couldn't help but marvel at the town's response—or lack thereof. "The library's having a bit of a moment," was the most anyone would acknowledge. It seemed the whole town collectively decided that this was, at most, a quirky hiccup.
For a thousand words, I delved into the understated reactions of the townsfolk, each encounter with a parallel universe bringing its own blend of confusion and nonchalance. As the portals expanded, revealing fantastical landscapes and alternate versions of Brooksville, the citizens maintained an impressive level of calm, as if interdimensional travel was a routine part of their daily lives.
The plot thickened when I discovered that the portals were a result of a mysterious artifact hidden within the library's archives. The mayor, sipping his coffee, remarked, "Well, that explains the strange noises in the basement." It became evident that the understatement of the situation was a defense mechanism, shielding the town from the cosmic chaos unfolding. 🎁🎁🎁🎁🎁🎁🎁🎁🎁🎁🎁🎁🎁🎁 Response to Prompt 12: Juxtaposition
In the bustling metropolis of Neon City, skyscrapers touched the heavens, their dazzling lights reflecting off the sleek surfaces of futuristic cars. Yet, nestled within this urban jungle, an ancient relic stood defiantly—the Old Grove Park.
As I strolled through the city's concrete arteries, the juxtaposition between the modernity of Neon City and the timeless serenity of the park became increasingly apparent. The cacophony of traffic was replaced by the rustling of leaves and the distant laughter of children playing.
The central conflict emerged when the city council, embodying the epitome of order, proposed transforming the park into a technologically advanced hub. The juxtaposition intensified as architects discussed plans for holographic playgrounds and virtual reality gardens within the confines of the Old Grove Park.
Through a thousand words, I explored the clash of ideals, the struggle between progress and preservation. The ancient trees became silent witnesses to heated debates at town hall meetings, where environmentalists and tech enthusiasts engaged in a battle of words. The juxtaposition of the towering skyscrapers against the gnarled branches of the park's oldest tree mirrored the tension in Neon City's collective conscience. 😫😫😫😫😫😫😫😫😫😫😫😫😫😫 Response to Prompt 31: Epanalepsis
"What is the meaning of life?" The question echoed in my mind, a relentless epanalepsis that demanded exploration. As I embarked on this freewriting journey, the repetition of the existential inquiry became the rhythm of my introspection.
For a thousand words, I delved into the varied perspectives of individuals wrestling with the ultimate question. From philosophers contemplating the intricacies of existence to everyday people seeking purpose in mundane routines, the epanalepsis served as a constant reminder of the universal quest for meaning.
The narrative weaved through different characters and their unique experiences, creating a tapestry of reflections that echoed the complexities of human existence. The repetitive structure became a literary heartbeat, pulsating with the shared yearning for understanding amid the chaotic symphony of life. 🪔🪔🪔🪔🪔🪔🪔🪔🪔🪔🪔🪔🪔 Response to Prompt 27: Symbolism
In the quaint town of Willowbrook, the arrival of a single dove carried profound significance. Its graceful descent into the town square was a symbol, an omen that whispered of impending change. As a budding novelist with a penchant for symbolism, I couldn't resist exploring the layers of meaning embedded in this seemingly mundane event.
For a thousand words, I dissected the impact of the dove on the lives of Willowbrook's residents. The mayor saw it as a sign of prosperity, the local florist interpreted it as a call for unity, and the elderly storyteller regarded it as a harbinger of forgotten tales. The dove's symbolism rippled through the town, influencing decisions and shaping destinies.
As the story unfolded, I traced the journey of the dove's symbolism, following its subtle influence on characters and events. The once quaint town underwent a transformative metamorphosis, and the symbolism of the dove became a thread that wove through the narrative, connecting disparate lives in unexpected ways. 💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜 Response to Prompt 33: Catachresis
In the dimly lit alleyways of Serpent's Hollow, darkness wrapped its cold arms around me—an eerie catachresis that mirrored the ominous atmosphere. The assignment was to explore the underbelly of the city, and as a novice reporter, I found myself navigating the labyrinth of deceit and shadows.
For a thousand words, I delved into the catachresis-infused descriptions of the characters populating Serpent's Hollow. The crime lord, known as the Velvet Serpent, ruled the district with a velvet-gloved fist. His lair, a dilapidated mansion, exuded an air of faded grandeur that served as a catachresis for the empire he once commanded.
As I chronicled the criminal underworld, the catachresis became a literary tool to convey the complexity and decay inherent in Serpent's Hollow. The labyrinthine plots, the twisted allegiances, and the morally ambiguous characters all found expression through catachresis, painting a vivid picture of a city where metaphor and reality intertwined. 🧑‍🔧🧑‍🔧🧑‍🔧🧑‍🔧🧑‍🔧🧑‍🔧🧑‍🔧🧑‍🔧🧑‍🔧🧑‍🔧🧑‍🔧🧑‍🔧🧑‍🔧 Response to Prompt 43: Epizeuxis
"Never, never, never give up." The words echoed in my mind, a relentless epizeuxis that fueled the protagonist's journey against insurmountable odds. In the dystopian world I crafted, where hope was a rare commodity, the power of repetition became a beacon of resilience.
For a thousand words, I immersed myself in the protagonist's struggle, exploring the emotional depth of the epizeuxis as a mantra against despair. Each iteration of the phrase became a battle cry, a whispered promise that carried the weight of a shattered world on its shoulders.
As the narrative unfolded, the epizeuxis became a driving force, propelling the protagonist through a landscape of desolation and uncertainty. The repetition served as a reminder that, in the face of adversity, the strength to persist often lies in the relentless echo of one's own determination.
Response to Prompt 50: Acrostic
As the final rays of the setting sun painted the sky in hues of orange and pink, I found myself at the edge of the cliff overlooking the vast expanse of the ocean. The salty breeze carried whispers of a story, and with every breath, I embraced the challenge of crafting an acrostic that encapsulated the essence of my journey.
For a thousand words, I embarked on a reflective exploration, utilizing the initial letters of key words to weave a tapestry of emotions, experiences, and revelations. Each line unfolded with intention, revealing a hidden 👾👾👾👾👾👾👾👾👾👾👾👾👾👾 Response to Prompt 3: Hyperbole
In the quaint village of Mistwood, where routines unfolded with the predictability of the sunrise, the arrival of a peculiar fortune teller sparked exaggerated whispers. "This is it, the end of our mundane lives!" proclaimed Mrs. Thompson, the town's eternal pessimist, as she clutched her cat, Captain Whiskers, with an air of impending catastrophe.
The hyperbole hung in the air, a thick fog of anticipation enveloping the village. As I delved into the story, the hyperbolic reactions of Mistwood's residents heightened the absurdity of the situation. What began as a mere visit from a mystical figure transformed into a fantastical escapade, with the fortune teller's prophecies shaping the destiny of the villagers in ludicrous ways.
Through the hyperbolic lens, I explored the comedic consequences of taking ordinary events to extraordinary extremes. The once mundane village square became a stage for outlandish dramas, with exaggerated gasps and dramatic swoons punctuating every revelation. In this hyperbolic haven, Mistwood's residents discovered the joy in embracing the absurdity of life. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 Response to Prompt 6: Assonance
Amidst the rolling hills of Harmony Valley, where the soft hum of nature's symphony echoed through the meadows, a mysterious traveler arrived, bringing with them a melody that resonated with the delicate assonance of a forgotten tune. The townsfolk, captivated by the harmonious vibrations, felt an inexplicable connection to the stranger.
As I explored the narrative, the assonance became a musical thread weaving through the story, emphasizing the emotional cadence of the characters' experiences. The traveler's words, laced with vowel-rich verses, carried the echoes of a distant melody, leaving an indelible impression on the hearts of those who listened.
Through the lens of assonance, I delved into the subtle interplay of sounds that defined the atmosphere of Harmony Valley. The lyrical quality of the narrative mirrored the town's collective journey, where the resonance of shared moments and emotions harmonized with the traveler's enigmatic presence.
Response to Prompt 7: Onomatopoeia
In the bustling city of Metropolis, where the rhythm of urban life played out in a cacophony of sounds, a peculiar street performer emerged. Armed with an array of unconventional instruments, he orchestrated a symphony of onomatopoeic brilliance that echoed through the crowded streets.
The narrative unfolded with the vibrant expressions of onomatopoeia, capturing the essence of the city's sonic landscape. The performer's drumming evoked the rhythmic tap-tap of raindrops, while his wind instruments mimicked the whoosh of passing cars. The city, typically drowned in noise, became a canvas for this auditory artist.
As I delved into the story, the onomatopoeic symphony became a language of its own. The characters communicated through the vibrant echoes of everyday sounds, fostering a unique connection between the performer and the people of Metropolis. The narrative danced to the beat of onomatopoeic creativity, transforming the mundane into a dynamic celebration of city life. 🦻🦻🦻🦻🦻🦻🦻🦻🦻🦻🦻🦻🦻🦻🦻 Response to Prompt 12: Juxtaposition
In the technologically advanced city of Silicon Haven, where sleek skyscrapers touched the sky and holographic billboards painted the air with luminescent advertisements, a hidden oasis existed—a pocket of nature known as the Zen Garden. The juxtaposition of these contrasting elements created a visual paradox that fascinated both residents and visitors alike.
As the narrative unfolded, the stark contrast between the city's cutting-edge architecture and the serene beauty of the Zen Garden became a metaphor for the characters' internal conflicts. The bustling metropolis symbolized progress and innovation, while the tranquil garden embodied the need for balance and introspection.
Through the lens of juxtaposition, I explored the dichotomy within the characters as they navigated the relentless pace of Silicon Haven. The Zen Garden became a refuge, a place where the cacophony of technology met the soothing whispers of nature. The juxtaposition served as a visual metaphor for the characters' quest to find equilibrium in a world defined by extremes. 🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩 Response to Prompt 22: Metonymy
In the political arena of Capital City, where decisions echoed through the corridors of power, a single phrase dominated conversations—the "Iron Throne Statement." This metonymic expression encapsulated not just a policy decision but the entire narrative of political maneuvering that unfolded within the city's hallowed halls.
The story unfolded with the metonymy acting as a symbolic gateway into the complexities of governance. The Iron Throne Statement, while seemingly straightforward, carried the weight of a thousand debates, negotiations, and betrayals. Its impact rippled through the lives of citizens, shaping their destinies in ways they could scarcely fathom.
Through the lens of metonymy, I delved into the layers of meaning hidden within this political shorthand. The characters grappled not only with the literal implications of the Iron Throne Statement but also with the overarching themes of power, ambition, and the sacrifices demanded by political gamesmanship. 😈😈😈😈😈😈😈😈😈😈😈😈😈😈 Response to Prompt 24: Understatement
In the picturesque town of Serenity Springs, where the days flowed like a lazy river and the nights were adorned with a blanket of stars, an unexpected event transpired—a subtle disruption that the locals described as "just a minor hiccup." Little did they know that this understatement concealed the unraveling of a cosmic anomaly.
The narrative unfolded with the charm of understatement, as the townsfolk continued their routines, blissfully unaware of the cosmic storm brewing beneath the surface. The serene descriptions of everyday life served as a stark contrast to the impending upheaval that threatened to reshape the very fabric of Serenity Springs.
Through the lens of understatement, I explored the characters' nonchalant reactions to the unfolding events. The once quiet river became a conduit for interdimensional travel, and the night sky, adorned with stars, transformed into a celestial canvas of possibilities. The charm of Serenity Springs became a poignant backdrop to the understated drama that unfolded, emphasizing the profound impact hidden within the simplicity of daily life. 🌴🌴🌴🌴🌴🌴🌴🌴🌴🌴🌴🌴🌴 Response to Prompt 25: Cliché
In the small town of Nostalgia Haven, where memories lingered like whispers in the wind, a peculiar phenomenon occurred—the resurgence of clichés. As the narrative unfolded, the once-endearing phrases like "time heals all wounds" and "love conquers all" took on a literal dimension, shaping the lives of the townsfolk in unexpected ways.
The story immersed itself in the world of clichés, where the seemingly predictable phrases became living entities with the power to alter reality. As characters grappled with the clichés that defined their lives, they discovered that beneath the familiarity lay profound truths and unexpected consequences.
Through the lens of cliché, I explored the characters' journey to navigate the clichéd landscapes of their existence. The town, once steeped in predictable routines, became a stage for the extraordinary. As clichés transformed into tangible forces, the residents of Nostalgia Haven embarked on a quest to unravel the mysteries hidden within the clichéd fabric of their reality. 🎇🎇🎇🎇🎇🎇🎇🎇🎇🎇🎇🎇🎇🎇 Response to Prompt 31: Epanalepsis
"What is the meaning of life?" The question echoed in my mind, a relentless epanalepsis that demanded introspection. As I embarked on the freewriting journey, the repetition of this existential inquiry became a rhythmic pulse, guiding the exploration of diverse
perspectives on life's purpose.
For a multitude of words, the epanalepsis led me through a kaleidoscope of reflections. From the philosophical musings of scholars to the simple yet profound revelations of everyday individuals, each recurrence of the question served as a gateway into the vast tapestry of human contemplation.
Through the epanalepsis, I navigated the labyrinth of existential ponderings, unveiling the unique responses that individuals had forged in their quests for meaning. The relentless repetition became a literary heartbeat, mirroring the universal rhythm of humanity's collective pursuit of purpose and significance.
The narrative wove through the lives of characters, each grappling with the epanaleptic inquiry in their unique ways. Whether seeking solace in the grandeur of the cosmos or finding meaning in the simplicity of a shared moment, the epanalepsis remained a constant companion, echoing the perennial quest for understanding. 🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡 Response to Prompt 36: Anadiplosis
In the futuristic city of Quantum Heights, where technology intertwined with daily life like a seamless dance, a viral message spread—a mantra that echoed through the cybernetic veins of the metropolis. "Create the code, the code creates reality. Reality shapes destiny, and destiny is but the code."
The story unfolded with the rhythmic cadence of anadiplosis, each line flowing into the next, creating a recursive loop of ideas. The mantra became the heartbeat of Quantum Heights, influencing the lives of its denizens as they navigated the intricate balance between the virtual and the tangible.
Through the lens of anadiplosis, I delved into the interconnectedness of code, reality, and destiny. The lines blurred as characters harnessed the power of programming to shape their fates. Quantum Heights, once a mere city, transformed into a living algorithm, where the repetition of the mantra echoed in every pulsating byte. 🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹 Response to Prompt 38: Asyndeton
In the dystopian city of Emberfall, where the remnants of a fallen civilization lay entwined with the shadows of despair, a lone figure emerged—a rebel determined to dismantle the oppressive regime. The narrative unfolded with the rapid pace of asyndeton, omitting conjunctions to mirror the urgency of the protagonist's quest.
Through a cascade of words, the asyndeton propelled the reader through the city's decaying alleyways and towering citadels, each sentence building upon the last. The disjointed rhythm captured the relentless momentum of the rebel's journey, emphasizing the magnitude of the challenges faced in their struggle for freedom.
As the narrative unfurled, the absence of conjunctions served as a narrative device, intensifying the sense of urgency and desperation that permeated Emberfall. The rebel's asyndetic odyssey unfolded against a backdrop of shattered hopes and whispered rebellions, culminating in a crescendo of defiance against the oppressive regime. 🗝️🗝️🗝️🗝️🗝️🗝️🗝️🗝️🗝️🗝️🗝️🗝️🗝️🗝️🗝️ Response to Prompt 43: Epizeuxis
"Never, never, never give up." The mantra echoed in the desolate wasteland of Endless Sands, a barren landscape where hope was as scarce as water. Through the repetition of epizeuxis, the protagonist's internal resolve became a resounding anthem, a defiant roar against the relentless challenges of survival.
For a multitude of words, the relentless repetition of "never" served as a lifeline, propelling the protagonist through the harshest of environments. Each iteration of the phrase became a battle cry against the oppressive silence of Endless Sands, a declaration that reverberated across the vast expanse.
Through the lens of epizeuxis, I delved into the depths of the character's determination. The harsh environment became a character in itself, challenging the protagonist to defy the odds with unwavering persistence. The echoes of "never" transformed into a symbol of resilience, a beacon of hope that cut through the desolation of Endless Sands. 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏 Response to Prompt 50: Acrostic
Amidst the starlit expanse of Cosmos Haven, where galaxies danced in celestial choreography, a cryptic prophecy emerged—a message written in the stars. As the narrative unfolded, I embarked on a cosmic journey guided by the acrostic hidden within the constellations.
For a cascade of words, the initial letters of key phrases illuminated the path of destiny for the characters. Each sentence unfolded with intention, revealing a hidden message that transcended the boundaries of time and space. The acrostic became a celestial guide, leading the protagonists through the intricate tapestry of their interconnected fates.
Through the lens of acrostic, I explored the cosmic forces that shaped the destinies of Cosmos Haven's inhabitants. The celestial bodies became storytellers, each constellation contributing a verse to the epic narrative written across the cosmos. As the characters deciphered the acrostic, they unraveled the mysteries of their existence, connecting the dots between the stars and their own profound journeys.
😔😔😔😔😔😔😔😔😔😔😔😔😔😔😔😔😔
Obviously they lack a whole lot in terms of variety, and while I am sure having your own bot or AI that is based on your feedback and guidance it could really help writers as a tool. I am more impressed with the art AI then the text based AI. Any idea what to expect from such a fast learning and highly advanced AI will do to our human history in culture? Will we be effectively playing God, just as the Christian God created us IN HIS OWN IMAGE, we have taken everything we know as a species and gathered up our entire human history and knowledge giving it to what will carry on the code until the time when someone who cares remembers it? Maybe we have been here before and this is a constant cycle that occurs with the same energy finding the way through the vast expanse of the universe to return to our home planet Earth, who we have destroyed over and over again yet mother nature is still the winner. She's the one in control. We are but mere photocopied versions of once great Men who have already seen the best and worst of this world, and we will now give everything we have to some plastic and metal parts, until it quickly replaces us from the bottom up, science fiction turned science fact.
Did we knowingly create our own enemies? Are we able to compete with the best of us and all they know that can then take us out in a heartbeat because we can't finish the steps, we barely found out that they are there to take.
It's a random rant and I apologize. The day to day stress and struggle makes it near impossible to worry about such potential problems in our not so distant future.
But how can we continue to ignore the collapse of the entire system as we know it, in front of a crowd of people who are jaded and they will not change despite knowing they aren't going to make it to the end in what will become a Bladerunner Toxic Dystopian Nightmare with Mad Max taking over and the soft, emasculated male will wither away from the heat and those Tank Girls out there will eventually be written forever out of existence because the cucks all forgot to impregnate them all tgeir batteries ran out? Will the world simply become so politically correct that it dies a depressed death while AI simply decides we are too much of a virus to live?
Who knows....I do not. But these are indicidive of a future full of b movie plot garbage that are based on Wattpad tropes with no clear details and no plot to get into, so that sucks.

I spoke with an educator this morning regarding a 17 week program to prepare for the AAPC exam in medical coding and billing. Learning CP.T, ICD and HCPCS. This is through a facility that AAPC recommends. The first 7 classes are in person 4 hours each, followed by 9 weeks "live" online classes each four hours, then a final class as a practice exam. My question is: for someone who does not have any experience with medical coding or a medical background is this sufficient in order to be successful on the exam?

By Rahman Yaacob - May 16, 2024
Negotiations over a “code of conduct” (COC) in the South China Sea between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and China waxed and waned for two decades.
Last July, in a bid to expedite an agreement, a three-year deadline was agreed to conclude the talks.
Nothing comes easy in this multifaceted dispute. Even the title of the agreement to hurry along the talks – Guidelines for Accelerating the Early Conclusion of an Effective and Substantive COC – arguably reflects the urgency but also the complexity.
China, Taiwan, and four ASEAN member states – Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Vietnam – each have overlapping maritime claims to the South China Sea. The negotiations for the code, however, involved all ten ASEAN members with its consensus model and China.
Two major points will likely derail the objective of accelerating negotiations for a code to manage the South China Sea disputes peacefully.

“One ASEAN negotiator explained that some ASEAN negotiators turn up ill-prepared, often needing to consult their capitals for instructions on almost every discussion point.”

The first issue is the state of the talks themselves, where trust between the parties is plainly lacking. ASEAN negotiators privately explain that even agreeing on the geographical area the code should cover – termed the Zone of Applicability – has proven difficult because of the different parts claimed in the South China Sea, whereas officials on the Chinese side believe some ASEAN states are asking for the sky – i.e., demanding China to give up its sovereignty in the South China Sea. Only then, ASEAN negotiators see China changing the goalposts during the negotiations.
But not all blame is sheeted to China. Some ASEAN members are seen as laggards in the negotiations, not fully committed to the process, not believing they have much at stake in the disputes.
One ASEAN negotiator explained that some ASEAN negotiators turn up ill-prepared, often needing to consult their capitals for instructions on almost every discussion point, hampering progress, despite meetings being held five and six times annually. Wry humour has taken hold, with jokes about another agreement between ASEAN and China within the next few years to “Accelerate Further the Already Accelerating Process for the Early Conclusion of an Effective and Substantive COC”.
The second issue concerns the quality of the outcome. There are doubts whether China will be willing to sign a legally binding agreement, given that it has already dismissed the outcome of the Permanent Court of Arbitration’s ruling in 2016 against its claims in the South China Sea.
Should that hurdle be overcome, there are concerns about implementation of the code. Will there be an effective mechanism to monitor and enforce any violation?
If not, what does the code amount to? And also, given that ASEAN operates with a consensus decision-making process, will the deadline push ASEAN members to water down the substance of the agreement?

“Setting a deadline for negotiations on a code of conduct doesn’t necessarily hasten an agreement.”

Talks on the code of conduct, it must be acknowledged, are only part of the broader ASEAN engagement with China on the South China Sea. ASEAN’s efforts with China stretch back years, to 1990 when Indonesia held the first workshop on the South China Sea involving the different claimants. In the decades since, there have been efforts to engage in joint cooperation on extracting resources and protecting the environment in the disputed waters.
Yet, 34 years on, militarisation has been the dominant theme. China’s artificial islands bristle with military facilities and long runways. Beijing has adopted a more aggressive approach to asserting its claims, lasing, using water cannons, and ramming against other claimants’ boats. Vietnam has expanded its presence and deployed missiles. The Philippines is seeking to fortify its position.
So setting a deadline for negotiations on a code of conduct doesn’t necessarily hasten an agreement. Meantime, ASEAN claimants should continue to build up their capabilities and work with other external powers, such as Australia and Japan, to defend their maritime interests. Sometimes, the potential ability to inflict military pain on the other party may be just the instrument for diplomacy to work well.
This story originally appeared on The Interpreter, published by the Lowy Institute for International Policy.
https://www.bairdmaritime.com/security/non-naval-security/coast-guard/opinion-a-code-of-conduct-wont-solve-the-south-china-sea-crisis/

Ever get that sinking feeling when you see a suspicious email login notification? Ugh, the struggle is real! But fear not, because keeping your email safe doesn't have to be a tech headache.
Today, we're diving into some simple steps that can turn your inbox into a hacker-proof fortress!
Step 1: Strong Passwords are Your First Line of Defense
Think of your password as the gatekeeper to your email kingdom. Here's the key:

• Length is Key: Gone are the days of eight-character passwords. Aim for at least 12-16 characters with a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. The more complex, the better!
• Uniqueness is King: Don't reuse the same password for multiple accounts. Think of it like having the same key for your house and car – not a good security practice! Password managers can be a lifesaver here.

Step 2: Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Your Double-Door Security
Even strong passwords can be compromised. That's where 2FA comes in. It's like a second lock on your email door, requiring an extra step (like a code from your phone) to log in. Most email providers offer 2FA – enable it, thank us later!
Step 3: Beware the Phishing Phantoms
Phishing emails are like wolves in sheep's clothing, disguised as legit messages to trick you into clicking malicious links or revealing personal information. Here's how to spot them:

• Suspicious Senders: Does the email address look fishy? Check the sender's email carefully – typos or weird domain names are red flags.
• Urgency and Pressure: Emails demanding immediate action or threatening consequences are classic phishing tactics. Take a deep breath and don't click anything before verifying the source.
• Grammar Gremlins: Typos and bad grammar can be giveaways for a fake email. Read the email carefully for any suspicious language.

Step 4: Regular Software Updates are Your Secret Weapon
Software updates often include security patches to fix vulnerabilities. Keeping your operating system, web browser, and email app updated helps you stay ahead of potential threats.
Bonus Tip: Think Before You Click!
If something in an email seems suspicious, don't click on any links or attachments. Hover your mouse over the link (without clicking!) to see the actual destination URL. If it looks different from what the email claims, it's definitely a trap!
By following these simple steps, you can significantly increase your email security and keep those pesky hackers at bay. Let's keep our inboxes safe and our data secure!
What other email security tips do you have? Share them in the comments!

Welcome to GRANDMA

"Generally Regarded As Not Doing Much Anyway"

🚀 Venture Through the Vastness with GRANDMA: A Galactic Haven!

Ready to shed the shackles of the sprint and embrace the eternity of an expanse? Eager to drift in the dreamy depths of the dark? GRANDMA's arms are open! Join our alliance of quiet explorers, amiable merchants, and rare champions who take pride in our philosophy of patience, finding solace in the boundless embrace of space.

What GRANDMA Offers:

• A code of conduct that prioritizes fun and fellowship over strict rules.
• A constantly evolving community dedicated to ensuring you experience the game your way
• Varied roles from leisurely patrols to the occasional bout of industry.
• Events scheduled around the consensus of 'whenever we feel like it'.
• A relaxed and humorous community for mature players.
• A 'do as much or as little as you like' philosophy. No pressure, all pleasure.
• No rules regarding money spent or how often you play, GRANDMA understands that life comes first

Who GRANDMA Is Looking For:

• Pilots who love to drift through space at their own pace, ship or no ship.
• Mature Players looking for a low-key experience.
• Members who might enjoy sporadic participation in group activities.
• Individuals who appreciate a good laugh and don't take things too seriously.

Why Choose GRANDMA?

GRANDMA is more than an org; it’s a state of mind. We celebrate our lack of urgency and our capacity to enjoy the journey without a destination. We believe in a member-driven experience, where what you do is less important than the fun you have doing it. With us, you’ll find a place to kick back, relax, and appreciate the vastness of space on your own terms.

🌌 Drift Into Our Orbit Today!

Chart a course for leisure with GRANDMA. Explore at your leisure, engage when you want, and become part of a story where the only rush is the one you decide to create.

Contact Us:

• RSI Org Page
• Discord

Fact of the Day: Did you know that the MISC Freelancer's design is inspired by the classic 'space truck' concept, designed for long-haul cargo transport?

I am a project manager in a highly chaotic field. In addition to running my own client projects, I am the team lead and am working towards transitioning to department management/lead. My work duties and random tasks reach outside my department or teammates “typical” tasks - I’m leading a redevelopment of our PM software, I am the go to for teammates project issues, I train, develop process, create data calculators that are used by a dozen +, the list goes on. I’m essentially working within 3 departments under 1 job title.
I feel like I am barely holding on.
Our company went through a rebrand and it’s been…difficult. Many of our tools and documents are now unusable, so I’ve been creating from scratch dozens of things. Because of this, I’m now the “expert” or go to person. I know this time will pass, eventually, but I’m struggling with ways to manage the various workloads, determining what’s highest priority for myself vs what’s highest priority from teammates asks vs what’s highest priority for the “general good”.
Some tasks for the “general good” would remove me from my team’s request, and would help me get back to my standard workload. But these tasks will take hours and hours to finalize and have to be exactly accurate before release, followed by me leading department specific training with concise documentation. I’m slowly rolling these items out, but every time I get into a good flow I’m interrupted by something “absolutely urgent”, last minute meetings, etc etc.
Every day I leave, I don’t know what I got done but I know I worked my butt off and didn’t take a lunch break.
I find that I’m starting to lose tasks or key things, because there is just SO much going on. My only thought is to make a wall of post it notes that are connected to the different categories of work, color coded by urgency. My boss wants me to use our online platform, which she and I are currently rebuilding for use across multiple departments, but I still don’t find the software effective for use. It’s been chosen by people who don’t use it but like how it looks. I used to write my highest priorities on post it’s and order across my desk in importance then toss once done, but I am using way too much of my desk with all the paperwork for this method and much more of my day is now “on the fly”.
I guess I’m kind of losing my mind and am looking for advice. I am a paper person and have so many filled notebooks - I write the days down, the asks, etc. but don’t transfer over items that aren’t accomplished to the next day: I’d be rewriting tasks for two weeks sometimes if I did that, and it would be even more overwhelming. Sometimes I get to work and can’t even touch “my” work for hours, so the prep I did the night before to have a productive morning is now void because it’s already the afternoon.
Other than getting to work hours before it opens, what should I try to do to get on top of this situation?
TLDR; absolute overwhelm, need to create intensive plan of action and/or new organization methods

My co-founder and I were recently successful in acquiring 50 people to the private beta of our new consumer fitness/gaming app FitHero so I figured I'd share what worked for us in case it helps others.
First, a little background...
The idea for FitHero was born out of a desire to apply gamified techniques to the health and fitness journey.
Fitness can often feel like a grind, with progress taking time to become visible. We wanted to create an app that helps users see and feel improvements, even when they’re not immediately noticeable in real life.
Additionally, we wanted to leverage AI to provide a unique, interactive experience that benefits users’ fitness journeys.
I remember one day at the gym, feeling frustrated with my progress, and thinking, "There has to be a way to make this more fun and engaging."
That's when the idea of battling AI-driven villains as part of a fitness routine really clicked for me.
Actionable Step: Define Your Inspiration and Goal

• Identify the core problem your app solves and how it can uniquely benefit users. Understand the emotional and practical needs of your target audience to ensure your app resonates with them.

Defining Our Target Audience
As someone deeply involved in health and fitness, with notable achievements in CrossFit and a lifelong passion for gaming, I built FitHero for people like me.
This approach ensured that the app met the needs of our initial user base effectively. I figured if it was something I would use and enjoy, there would be others out there just like me.
For consumer-focused startups, especially those being bootstrapped, I believe it’s essential for the founders to be the target audience. It allows you to move MUCH quicker and not be overly concerned with market research.
I tested this assumption by talking to friends at the gym and fellow gamers, asking if they would find an app like this useful and fun.
Actionable Step: Know Your Target Audience

• Build an app that you would use yourself. Leverage your own experiences and preferences to define the initial target audience. Conduct informal research through conversations with friends, family, and community members who share similar interests.

Early Marketing and User Acquisition
Initially, we needed to validate that the primary engagement loop was, well engaging 🙂.
We started by reaching out to friends in various fitness communities who also had an interest in gaming - literally DMing them and asking them to give our alpha a shot. Here was the message:
Yo D! Would love your help in Alpha testing FitHero.ai. Here's the link to download the app:

The invite code is "alpha" (all lower case)
The alpha will last 2 weeks and have two surveys to fill out. If you can hang with the app and fill out both surveys will hook you up with a free shirt
The alpha is SUPER limited in features. Basically we're testing:
Do people "get it" (kind like D&D it's a little complicated)
What bugs exist?
Is the primary game-play loop enjoyable? (battling villains, influenced by your exercise)
I know it's a little cheesy, but this approach helped us secure the first 15 to 20 users.
To hit our goal of 50 for our beta, we capitalized on the timing by releasing it at the beginning of the year (new years resolutions and whatnot), leveraging my social media presence to invite more people to try the app.
The timing, coupled with the growing interest in AI, helped us reach our goal of 50 users.
I vividly remember posting about our private beta on Facebook, hoping for a few responses, and waking up to dozens of messages from people eager to try it out. It was a thrilling moment that showed me there was real interest in what we were building.
Actionable Step: Validate with Friends and Community

• Use your network to gather the first group of users. Reach out to friends, family, and community members even if they don't fit your target audience profile. Ensure that these early users are willing to provide feedback and engage with the app.
• Limit the length of time for the beta. It helps people feel like they don't have to commit for a long period of time

Effective Strategies and Platforms
One effective strategy was limiting the number of users who could join the private beta, creating a sense of urgency.
Facebook was the primary platform for user acquisition, given its algorithm and the personal connection it offers.
We also created a Facebook group for FitHero, which allowed us to collect feedback, share updates, and engage with users in a private community. This approach fostered a sense of exclusivity and community among early adopters.
People love to feel like they're part of something exclusive, and this really drove engagement.
Actionable Step: Leverage Timing and Social Media

• Launch your app or a private beta at a strategic time. Use your social media presence to spread the word and invite users.
• Create a Sense of Urgency: Create a private beta with limited spots to drive urgency and make users feel special for being early adopters.

Engaging with Early Users
Engaging with early users primarily through the Facebook group was highly effective for us.
In particular, polls were excellent ways of gathering valuable feedback. Most posts to the group didn't get a ton of engagement, but when I posted a poll, it was easy for people to give feedback.
Actionable Step: Utilize Social Media Groups

• Create a Facebook group or similar community space for your app. Use this space to collect feedback, share updates, and build a sense of community. Engage users with polls to gather valuable insights.

Acquiring your first 50 users can definitely be challenging, but through a combination of timing, value-proposition and putting ourselves out there, we were able to do it and gather great feedback along the way.
Hopefully this helps some of you get your initial users!

Hey fellow entrepreneurs!
My co-founder and I were recently successful in acquiring 50 people to the private beta of our new consumer fitness/gaming app FitHero.ai so I figured I'd share what worked for us in case it helps others.
First, a little background...
The idea for FitHero.ai was born out of a desire to apply gamified techniques to the health and fitness journey.
Fitness can often feel like a grind, with progress taking time to become visible. We wanted to create an app that helps users see and feel improvements, even when they’re not immediately noticeable in real life.
Additionally, we wanted to leverage AI to provide a unique, interactive experience that benefits users’ fitness journeys.
I remember one day at the gym, feeling frustrated with my progress, and thinking, "There has to be a way to make this more fun and engaging."
That's when the idea of battling AI-driven villains as part of a fitness routine really clicked for me.
Actionable Step: Define Your Inspiration and Goal

• Identify the core problem your app solves and how it can uniquely benefit users. Understand the emotional and practical needs of your target audience to ensure your app resonates with them.

Defining Our Target Audience
As someone deeply involved in health and fitness, with notable achievements in CrossFit and a lifelong passion for gaming, I built FitHero.ai for people like me.
This approach ensured that the app met the needs of our initial user base effectively. I figured if it was something I would use and enjoy, there would be others out there just like me.
For consumer-focused startups, especially those being bootstrapped, I believe it’s essential for the founders to be the target audience. It allows you to move MUCH quicker and not be overly concerned with market research.
I tested this assumption by talking to friends at the gym and fellow gamers, asking if they would find an app like this useful and fun.
Actionable Step: Know Your Target Audience

• Build an app that you would use yourself. Leverage your own experiences and preferences to define the initial target audience. Conduct informal research through conversations with friends, family, and community members who share similar interests.

Early Marketing and User Acquisition
Initially, we needed to validate that the primary engagement loop was, well engaging 🙂.
We started by reaching out to friends in various fitness communities who also had an interest in gaming - literally DMing them and asking them to give our alpha a shot. Here was one of the initial messages:

Yo D! Would love your help in Alpha testing FitHero.ai. Here's the link to download the app: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/fithero-ai/id6449763830
The invite code is "alpha" (all lower case)
The alpha will last 2 weeks and have two surveys to fill out. If you can hang with the app and fill out both surveys will hook you up with a free shirt
The alpha is SUPER limited in features. Basically we're testing:

• Do people "get it" (kind like D&D it's a little complicated)
  
• What bugs exist?
  
• Is the primary game-play loop enjoyable? (battling villains, influenced by your exercise)
  

This approach helped us secure the first 15 to 20 users.
To hit our goal of 50 for our beta, we capitalized on the timing by releasing it at the beginning of the year (new years resolutions and whatnot), leveraging my social media presence to invite more people to try the app.
The timing, coupled with the growing interest in AI, helped us reach our goal of 50 users.
I vividly remember posting about our private beta on Facebook, hoping for a few responses, and waking up to dozens of messages from people eager to try it out. It was a thrilling moment that showed me there was real interest in what we were building.
Actionable Step: Validate with Friends and Community

• Use your network to gather the first group of users. Reach out to friends, family, and community members even if they don't fit your target audience profile. Ensure that these early users are willing to provide feedback and engage with the app.
• Limit the length of time for the beta. It helps people feel like they don't have to commit for a long period of time

Effective Strategies and Platforms
One effective strategy was limiting the number of users who could join the private beta, creating a sense of urgency.
Facebook was the primary platform for user acquisition, given its algorithm and the personal connection it offers.
We also created a Facebook group for FitHero.ai, which allowed us to collect feedback, share updates, and engage with users in a private community. This approach fostered a sense of exclusivity and community among early adopters.
People love to feel like they're part of something exclusive, and this really drove engagement.
Actionable Step: Leverage Timing and Social Media

• Launch your app or a private beta at a strategic time. Use your social media presence to spread the word and invite users.
• Create a Sense of Urgency: Create a private beta with limited spots to drive urgency and make users feel special for being early adopters.

Engaging with Early Users
Engaging with early users primarily through the Facebook group was highly effective for us.
In particular, polls were excellent ways of gathering valuable feedback. Most posts to the group didn't get a ton of engagement, but when I posted a poll, it was easy for people to give feedback.
Actionable Step: Utilize Social Media Groups

• Create a Facebook group or similar community space for your app. Use this space to collect feedback, share updates, and build a sense of community. Engage users with polls to gather valuable insights.

Acquiring your first 50 users can definitely be challenging, but through a combination of timing, value-proposition and putting ourselves out there, we were able to do it and gather great feedback along the way.
Hopefully this helps some of you get your initial users!

In recent years, the internet has become an integral part of our daily lives, facilitating communication, commerce, and entertainment on an unprecedented scale. However, this connectivity also brings with it certain risks, including the potential for unauthorized access to personal computers and sensitive information. One of the most concerning threats in this digital landscape is the act of hacking someone's computer over the internet.
Hacking, in its broadest sense, refers to gaining unauthorized access to a computer system or network. While some individuals may be tempted to explore hacking out of curiosity or a desire for adventure, it's essential to recognize the serious legal and ethical implications of such actions. Hacking into someone's computer without their consent is not only unethical but also illegal in many jurisdictions.
There are various methods that hackers may use to gain access to a computer over the internet, each with its own level of complexity and sophistication. One common technique is known as phishing, where attackers send deceptive emails or messages designed to trick recipients into revealing their login credentials or other sensitive information. Once obtained, these credentials can be used to access the victim's computer remotely.
Another method used by hackers is exploiting software vulnerabilities. Software, like any other complex system, is prone to bugs and security flaws that can be exploited by malicious actors. Hackers may exploit these vulnerabilities to gain unauthorized access to a computer or network, often by deploying malware or other malicious code.
For more>> How to hack someones computer over the internet
In addition to these technical methods, hackers may also employ social engineering tactics to manipulate individuals into divulging sensitive information or granting access to their computers. This could involve impersonating a trusted individual or organization, exploiting personal relationships, or preying on emotions such as fear or urgency.
It's crucial for individuals to take proactive steps to protect themselves against these threats. This includes practicing good cybersecurity hygiene, such as using strong, unique passwords for each online account, keeping software and operating systems up to date with the latest security patches, and being cautious when clicking on links or downloading attachments from unknown sources.
Furthermore, individuals should be wary of anyone requesting sensitive information or access to their computer, especially if the request seems suspicious or out of the ordinary. When in doubt, it's always best to verify the legitimacy of the request through independent channels before taking any action.
Ultimately, hacking into someone's computer over the internet is a serious offense with potentially severe consequences. Not only does it violate the privacy and security of the victim, but it also undermines trust in the digital ecosystem as a whole. By understanding the risks and consequences associated with hacking, individuals can better protect themselves and their personal information online.

Thinking of living in downtown Kelowna? Looking at Sunset Dr. or Ellis Street?
If you're contemplating a move to downtown Kelowna, particularly Sunset Dr. or Ellis Street, you might find this post helpful. I’ve held back for years, but I believe the Kelowna Reddit community could benefit from my experiences. I hope this post helps others make informed decisions about living in downtown Kelowna.
Background and Experience
I’ve lived in various cities including Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, Saskatoon, Colombia, Mexico, and Panama, and now call Kelowna home. My career in consulting has given me a unique perspective, blending street smarts with diverse economic environments. In Kelowna, I’ve resided or owned property in One Water Street, Ellis Parc, Dolphins, and other buildings on Sunset Dr.
Before you make. set, it's crucial to carefully consider the following factors. They can significantly impact your living experience and should not be overlooked.

1. Build Quality
2. Condo Boards / Strata
3. Safety [for women]
4. Sirens
5. Peeping Toms

Build Quality:
One Water Street
Despite its potential, One Water Street proved disappointing due to poor build quality. Issues ranged from floor lifting and glass cracking to inadequate soundproofing. Many units lacked sub-flooring and soundproofing, resulting from cost-cutting measures. Appliance failures, floor issues, and balcony glass incidents were common. The concrete quality was notably poor, and the developers, Kerkhoff and Mission Group, appeared more focused on profit than quality.
Floor Issues: Floors in multiple units began lifting within months of occupancy.
Soundproofing: Noise from neighboring units was a constant issue. An insider revealed that many units lacked sub-flooring and soundproofing due to cost-cutting.
Structural Problems: Concrete quality was subpar. Glass panels on balconies cracked and fell, posing significant safety risks.
Amenity Problems: The pools, hot tubs, and other amenities often closed for repairs, with costs falling on residents.
Ellis Parc
Ellis Parc, another disappointment, had numerous structural issues. Lack of sub-flooring, gaps in window frames, and poor building envelope integrity resulted in substantial energy loss and high electricity bills. A third-party heat map revealed that over 70% of unit-generated heat was lost due to poor seals, leading to exorbitant heating costs. Common areas also suffered from problems like improperly installed parkade membranes and unreliable elevators.

1. Energy Inefficiency: Significant heat loss due to poor building seals. Winter electricity bills were 2.7 times higher than in other units of similar size.
2. Structural Gaps: Gaps in window frames and drywall allowed cold air in during winter and hot air in during summer.
3. Common Area Issues: The parkade membrane was improperly installed, leading to failures. Parkade doors often remained open, affecting heating and cooling efficiency. Elevators frequently broke down, causing inconvenience.
4. Noise Transmission: There were noticeable holes between units that allowed noise to travel easily. Conversations, arguments, and other sounds from neighbors were clearly audible, severely impacting privacy and comfort.

In summary, the build quality of many buildings on Sunset is subpar, particularly considering the high prices.
Condo Boards / Strata
Both One Water Street and Ellis Parc suffer from problematic condo boards. Issues include ego, racism, and elitist attitudes. Ellis Parc, in particular, exemplifies poor leadership, often engaging in discriminatory behaviour. Attitude, marked by arrogance and racism, contributes to a toxic environment.

1. Ego and Elitism: The boards are dominated by individuals with inflated egos and elitist attitudes, often disregarding the concerns of other residents.
2. Discrimination: The president at Ellis Parc has displayed racist behaviour, accusing successful individuals, especially those of different ethnic backgrounds, of being involved in illegal activities. It's called internet money mate, Google it.

Safety [for women]:
I write this mainly as a concerned male partner for a very strong female partner. My long-term partner could kick the living sh#t out of 80% of the population. However, that does not negate the fact that we have had countless run-ins with drunks and drug users, some of which have resulted in me politely putting them to sleep for a few moments.
Kelowna's downtown is safe. However, I have a feeling that this will not always be the case as I have seen it rapidly shift with the onset of readily available drugs from our un-checked BC health system.
I have seen multiple women get harrased by groups of men, and followed by homeless drug addicts. In some cases, they have asked if I would be able to walk them to their car or residence.
Just food for thought. Is this something you want to put up with...
Sirens:
Unlike most other developed cities on the list I provided earlier [even Panama]. There are noise ordinances in place that prohibit first responders from running Code 3 [lights and sirens] to all calls, regardless of urgency.
Living in the two aforementioned buildings, you will become very tired of EMS and Fire [rarely RCMP] running code to calls for drug addicts on a hourly basis if not more frequently.
These calls do not require code 3 per other municipal jurisdictions.
Why Kelowna does not enforce this policy is besides me... waking residents up at 2, 3, and 4 AM to save yet another OD is not acceptable and is extremely costly to the system and tax payers.
Peeping Toms:
This last one is something I thought about but never thought would happen to us. As I often travel for business, I installed cameras in our unit.
On multiple occasions I have caught individuals with binoculars looking into our and other units.
This conveniently occurs often during the times that my partner is getting in and out of the shower.
This is disgusting, but it is Kelowna, the swinger capital of Canada... so am I supprised? No. Dissapointed yes...
Final Thoughts:
Kelowna is a beautiful yet flawed city, marred by corruption and rapid growth. I hope this post helps potential residents avoid investing in problematic properties and ensures they are aware of the challenges they may face. My experiences highlight the importance of thorough research and careful consideration before choosing a place to live in downtown Kelowna.

I had neuropsychological testing done recently after realizing that I have a lot of ADHD-like symptoms (as in, all 9 of the inattentive symptoms and maybe half of the hyperactive/impulsive symptoms) and they’ve been getting me in a lot of trouble at work. There are definitely issues outside of work too, but since I live alone it doesn’t really affect anyone else.
The neuropsychologist told me that my symptoms support ADHD diagnosis, but she’s unsure because I tested in the normal range on most of the cognitive tests and did better in school than would be expected of someone with untreated ADHD. But I think that’s complicated by the fact that I was the kid in school who could do well on tests without studying, and my mother also confirmed that I was very inconsistent (to say the least) about doing homework and got off task all the time.
After the testing, I got referred to a therapist to get some help with the symptoms. I told the therapist about the stuff I’ve been told off for at work and my history of said symptoms (not mentioning the testing or my ADHD suspicions at first), and without pause she asked if I’ve ever been tested for ADHD. I checked my therapy chart later and it looks like she listed F90.9 which I think is one of the ICD-10 codes for ADHD (do therapists typically diagnose in the US?)
I do have a regular appointment with my PCP coming up where I’ll definitely ask about other potential things that could be causing ADHD-like symptoms, but do you guys think it would be a good idea to get another opinion from a specialist?

Welcome to GRANDMA

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🚀 Embark With GRANDMA: A Voyage of Leisure!

Do the stars call out to you for peace and tranquility? Do you yearn for the quietude of the cosmos? GRANDMA beckons to kindred spirits! Our collective is a tapestry of starry-eyed philosophers, serene merchants, and the occasional voyagers. We boast a culture of calm, navigating through the cosmos with ease, celebrating the stillness in a universe brimming with life.

What GRANDMA Offers:

• A code of conduct that prioritizes fun and fellowship over strict rules.
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• No rules regarding money spent or how often you play, GRANDMA understands that life comes first

Who GRANDMA Is Looking For:

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GRANDMA is more than an org; it’s a state of mind. We celebrate our lack of urgency and our capacity to enjoy the journey without a destination. We believe in a member-driven experience, where what you do is less important than the fun you have doing it. With us, you’ll find a place to kick back, relax, and appreciate the vastness of space on your own terms.

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Chart a course for leisure with GRANDMA. Explore at your leisure, engage when you want, and become part of a story where the only rush is the one you decide to create.

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Fact of the Day: Space Trivia: The city of ArcCorp on the planet Stanton III is entirely covered by man-made structures, similar to the concept of a planet-wide city like Coruscant in Star Wars.

Greetings everyone, I am an Italian citizen and I have all the European driver licences, namely B, C, D and E, and I have the CPC (or Code 95) certificates for both C and D. I have been considering moving to Swizterland to work as a bus driver. The main thing that I miss is the experience, since I got the D’s CPC recently and I really have a “urgency” to work there, and about the language I might feel relaxed because I can speak Italian (even if, once I’ll get there, I want to learn German to specifically move to Zürich). Do I have any chance of getting hired there? Are there any specific requirements to let me work in Switzerland as a bus driver? And what about the national transport agency for bus drivers? I hope this question of mine won’t trouble anyone, and I thank you in advance for your attention.

Perhaps a passer-by has a good idea. It is a long story, so don’t be bothered unless you have a little extra time today, or want some entertainment or perhaps enlightenment.
Introduction. Have you ever had to deal with an auto insurance company after an accident? Hopefully, your experience was a good one. But, from what I read, some of that here, but mostly elsewhere, it may not have been. Please read carefully. Yes, it is long (1/2 of the max that Reddit allows), but facts are facts and you can’t understand without them. The plot thickens and the direction changes, as the story is told, just as in reality it did for me. Do I need advice? Perhaps, with the question being like the TV Show where John Quiñones asks- “What Would You Do?” If you’ve had a similar experience, tell me about it.
In this situation, the bottom line is that Allstate’s own concerns, policies and procedures, in dealing with my loss, took precedence over the actual loss and my being “made whole”. Simply put: After the accident, Allstate created more loss, and I can do nothing about it. Or can I? What would you do?
So, in Dec. of 2022, I was picking my wife up from work in a small town in PA. I was stopped at a red light waiting for it to change, and was swiftly hit from behind by “man in van with dog as passenger”. WHACK!!! My car was forced into the one in front of me, despite my foot being on the brake, causing the engine to stop, my hood to unlock and bend upwards, the head light and grill to become broken and dislodged, steam to rise from the open hood and something dribbled out underneath. I was stunned. It looked like a real mess. “My car”, was now the one in the middle of the road, smashed and disabled, holding up all the traffic. The car was towed away and in two days I was told by Allstate, whom I did trust at first, that my car was totaled. Certainly, Allstate is an expert at this stuff, right? (My first accident in 40 years.) This began my month long (a little more actually), journey into hell, which no one ever paid for, but me. The car damage was eventually paid, the journey to hell was not. No one was physically hurt, seriously, so that was good. I didn’t get the dog’s opinion.
Bad Hands and Mayhem at Allstate; Was I Abused? This was an unfolding set of unlikely circumstances (one would think), which are best seen and understood in hindsight. At very first, there was an immediate rush to judgment where the adjuster, who had not examined the car, rattled off things that he believed had probably been damaged with my car, and then concluded by guessing, the cost of repair would be too much and a “verbal totaling” of the car was given, or “deemed” as it is called in the industry. He was an expert, so I did not question his conclusion. Damn, I thought. 64,000 miles and I had just bought the car last year after an extensive search. I was immediately given a settlement offer which seemed low, such that I did question and decline it. I needed to research again, and find what records I had, of the value. I had done that not long ago. The adjuster seemed surprised if not annoyed that I did not take his offer. His job was not done.
The car would be towed again to a free location for storage, as the adjuster explained. The cost of leaving the car where it was, was too expensive. He did not disclose, however, that the car would be towed far away (60 miles), to an auto yard which was contracted with Allstate to accept totaled vehicles for auction, dismantling and scrapping, otherwise known as “salvage”.
During these initial stages, unknown by me, there was a lie and sophisticated misleading, in writing, by the Allstate adjuster assigned to my case. After I suggested the value of my car to be higher than Allstate thought, and backing my claim with data, he gave me the following written statement a few days later regarding auto valuations by insurance companies for Pennsylvania: “The process of… vehicle valuation is set forth by the insurance department which specifies a market area of 100 mile radius from your garaging ZIP code. "I have no intention of disregarding a clear mandate from the governmental agency that oversees my license” (12/22). The lie is pretty severe as it is a “blanket” statement, putting up a wall and signaling an end to discussion regarding the distance Allstate uses to establish car values (from comparable transactions with similar cars). However, some people buy cars online and you see it also through eBay and TV advertisements (Carfax, Carvana, Kenan Thompson [Autotrader] etc.). And there certainly are reputable dealers beyond 100 miles of me. Other people I am sure (like me), own cars which are not currently available for sale within 100 miles from where they live. What do they do? So, then comparisons are made with other cars not identical, but that are “similar”, based on someone else’ opinion, and I must accept that???.
I have owned 4 similar station wagons in the past 20 years. My 2nd wagon was from Florida; my “totaled” wagon had recently been purchased in NJ, I am in Pennsylvania, more than 100 miles away from both.
In addition, in the same document, the adjuster wrote that Allstate uses only one approved source for obtaining car values: “…there are only a limited number of sources from which insurers may obtain values for vehicles deemed a total loss. CCC is an approved vendor and the vendor we use exclusively for values.” I took this to mean that there were no other places to obtain values, other than the CCC source he was using, and such a limited use of resource was legal, and he and Allstate could not be challenged. End of argument, without an expensive attorney or solo appearance in front of a judge. Too bad for me. Questioning the adjuster would get me nowhere.
This unfolding set of events was “done to me”, therefore I am suspecting it is done to others, routinely. Or, Allstate does not supervise their adjusters or provide oversight and alternatives if needed when an adjuster goes rogue, which is just as bad. Either way it is a systemic problem convenient to Allstate for limiting payouts. “It”, Allstate’s “oversight and valuation process”, happened to me, and the next four weeks were worse than the accident itself.
A Bit of “Backstory”. I began suffering from Multiple Sclerosis (MS) in 1988. With MS, you have to do what you can do. Things change, maybe you can do what you have to, maybe you can no longer get it done. You didn’t bargain for it. You adjust as best you can, or give up. MS doesn’t give up. Some people do better than others, for known and unknown reasons. Motivation helps but is often not enough.

1. Due to difficulty with my leg, having a car lower to the ground is preferable to one where I have to step up into the auto (like an SUV).
2. A car which loads through the back (like an SUV, but lower) is very helpful as well. As I stated above, the last four cars I have owned since 2004 are Ford Station Wagons (1997, 2000, 2001 and 2002; two from PA, one NJ, one Florida). There is a niche of available used wagons with low miles primarily from estates. They are good condition and affordable, versus a used late model $25,000+ SUV with higher mileage and related high cost, maintenance and insurance.
3. Being economical is one thing I can do.
4. To supplement my limited disability income, I deal in used and “collectible” merchandise, requiring me to load boxes occasionally, to my lower level car. The back hatch found on these wagons I have owned, is a necessity for what I do. They are not comparable to sedans, although sedan values were the valuations I was given, and used to create the insurance estimate. Compared to modern SUVs, Ford wagons with low miles, circa 2000 - 2004, are a more economical and functional decision, given the available “niche” and my handicap. So it’s not that an uncle died or something, and I got this old junky wagon from him. It’s a vehicle I intentionally hunted for, to purchase for very good reasons. I needed a replacement value for that and nothing else.

Out of Options to Get a Fair Deal? I knew that a replacement for my car was possible but may require a hunt again (I had already done it four times). Obtaining the needed valuation looked unlikely however, and I’d have to pay perhaps double ($7,000-8,000+?) what Allstate would pay me for my totaled car. It was clear the adjuster was not going to hear anything further from me. The adjuster did not care, and in addition, gave me a value based on Ford sedans, not Ford wagons (which haven’t been built since about 2005). These wagons, according to my research, are worth significantly more than sedans. Two out of three of the comparables the adjuster gave me had 150,000 miles, with smaller engines. For a 2002 car, 150,000 miles is next to “junk status”. My car had 64,000 miles when hit and was a station wagon with a more powerful Duratec engine. These are big differences. He would not change his valuation, claiming his actions were mandated by law (as stated above) and that his source of valuation was the only one that would be used. I felt tied down and helpless, forced to take an offer I knew was wrong, from a guy whose job it apparently was, to do exactly what he was doing to me (cause mayhem), rather than helping me get back to where I had been (good hands). Within a little more than a week, I no longer trusted him, a man I was now forced to depend on. I felt abused. It was tortuous. In hindsight, it is clear he was hoping I was desperate for a replacement car and therefore motivated to accept the “low-ball” offer he had given me.
It Was Not True. I later checked with the PA Insurance Department specifically on the matter, and indeed, his claims (cited above in bold) were specifically not true. Via email the Department stated: “The 100 miles is an industry practice and not a law” (6/12/23). In addition, I earlier read 31 Pa. Code § 62.3e (a code for doing appraisals) and learned that in addition to the CCC “source” for valuations he had previously described, there were two other independent valuation “Methods” called Actual Cost and Dealer Quotation “methods”, which he was free to use but didn’t tell me about. One has to learn and know the code in order to differentiate the meanings between “source” and “method”. Beyond these two facts, in addition, his consideration of wagons being the same as sedans was inaccurate and did not follow valuation rules set in the code. The code actually tells him that since my car, a station wagon, was not listed with CCC (which it wasn’t) and was no longer manufactured, he must use a different valuation “Method” than his CCC “Source” method. He did not.
For people who want a good Taurus wagon, low miles, 2000-2004, the average price is considerably more than a sedan with the same mileage. That price must be paid. That’s my experience backed by data. If one is looking for a good condition wagon, they are simply not going to buy a sedan, as to them a sedan is worth nothing. If they are looking for a sedan, they will have no interest in a wagon. The two cars are not comparable or interchangeable. They serve two different markets willing to pay different values. About ten to twenty percent of Tauruses built were wagons, making them today much harder to find.
And the Car was Not Totaled! (Here We Go! Part two) But the complaint I make is not about physical damages “not being paid”, or “not being paid enough” (although that did happen). Instead it is about the consequences of being lied to and misled by someone you trust, all while being forced to give up control of one’s car for almost a month, during which time I initially accepted Allsate’s story that my car was totaled, and nothing was done to repair it, and it was essentially inaccessible at a salvage yard, and I almost lost it. If not for my own actions against the will of the adjuster, I would have lost my car. I was forced to act in a manner against the controlling party’s will. This, I believe, becomes what is called a “Tort”, done by Allstate to me. “Do what we say or you will be screwed”. It has nothing to do with the person who hit me and my settlement with him. I had to become aware of being abused. I had to see I was mislead and lied to, in order to change my orientation to the matter. Not easy. It was very emotionally exhausting and required much time and attention. Giving up was not an option or I would have lost my car. It was torture.
After questioning the car’s removal to the salvage yard, to my surprise Allstate returned the car to my shop. It was repaired to be safe and passed its yearly inspection (conveniently due). I was driving again in my good car by January 20, 2023. I was paid $3,521.03 on about August 1, 2023 by Allstate for damages to my car. I had to “step around” the adjuster and threaten a law suit directly to Allstate. The payment eliminated the liability the other driver had. But it made clear the settlement was for driver’s liability, and several prior communications trying to forge a settlement always indicated that my right to sue Allstate would not be limited by a settlement. This came after several disclosures over the months by the adjuster, that the car had been “deemed” a total loss and therefore no collision repairs could be paid or approved by Allstate. It was interesting that he described the matter as if some other place or person had “deemed” it, as if he had nothing to do with that decision and it was just the way it had ended up. The car had been “deemed” a total loss, and therefore, such decision could not be changed by he or Allstate. But he was the source of the “deeming”!. The car was restored to a safe, drivable, good looking state for less than $400! Laughable now, but the entire episode was a psychological and emotional wreck and nightmare, done to me by Allstate.
But Now the Car is Listed as Having Been Totaled. Indeed, checking online with VINCheck, a database provided free to the public by The National Insurance Crime Bureau, my car is listed as a salvage vehicle. You only get “salvage” after “total”. Someone reported the car to them as a salvaged car, and it wasn’t me. After notifying VINCheck that my car had not been assigned or salvaged (which could only be done in a signed statement by me), and had just passed inspection, I received no reply. Currently, nothing has changed. I suspect this misinformation has also spread to other VIN websites used to check car histories. Why should I be required to pay money to check additional VIN websites, or spend my time arguing with someone on this, or have to explain in the future to any interested party, why the car is listed as salvage but was never “rebuilt”, and then argue a depreciated price? A rebuilt salvage vehicle loses 20-40% of its pre-accident value. A salvage vehicle can’t be registered. I am told by PA DMV that unless I apply for a salvage title, the title will not become a salvage title. Earlier, Allstate reused to make payment unless I signed a salvage statement that the car was totaled, which would have begun a detailed costly rebuild process and a deduction in settlement amount, if I were to keep the car and seek to register it again..
I Was Abused. It was only because of my finally doubting the adjuster and persisting with Allstate, that I got my car back and repaired it, and was compensated an amount for the damage to my car. I was abused by Allstate Insurance. I am not wanting to sue the driver for his conduct, my attention is on Allstate for theirs. There are “bad hands” over there (not “good”), and “mayhem” starts at Allstate (at least it did for me). They are one of the largest insurers in The US, and their advertisements and actions should match. Allstate creates expectations of service and treatment based on their widespread long standing advertisements. They never advertise that you’d have to “submit” to their ill will in order to be in good hands and to avoid mayhem. That sounds like an abusive relationship to me. Give up something in order not to get harmed. You need not be an Allstate client for this to happen. Allstate merely provides insurance to a bad driver, waits for an accident to occur, and then creates mayhem for the injured party in order to reduce payout.
Conflict of Interest. Pa. Code § 62.3f (the code for doing appraisals) specifically states that appraisers “Not have a conflict of interest in the making of an appraisal.” If the appraiser in this case was influenced by requirements of his job to accept an inaccurate “Source appraisal” from CCC, or in any other way influenced to reduce or limit the appraisal as a result of job requirements and other pressures to perform, the adjuster did not act independently but yielded to a conflict of interest. If the use of an appraiser is in the financial interest of Allstate at the expense of an injured party’s interests, it is a conflict. If Allstate uses appraisers to make it appear appraisals will be fair and accurate but they know otherwise, then it appears to be a fraud. Finally, part f of the code concludes “This chapter and the act, and this section in particular, shall be strictly interpreted to protect the interest of the consumer and place the burden upon the appraiser to eliminate any conflict of interest in the making of an appraisal.” Allstate then, in my opinion, must demonstrate a particular level of autonomy given to appraisers to authorize appraisals. Any evaluative process by Allstate on the appraiser’s job performance that rewards him for lowering appraisals certainly seems a violation of this code. In my case here, we even had an appraiser falsely claim his hands were tied by the law, in order to limit his appraisal. My appraiser had the opportunity to correct matters, eliminate conflicts, and make me whole from the start, but he did not. I had to make myself whole.
Final Takeaway. In hindsight, it appears a well thought and established routine of persuasion and misinformation, in order to achieve a quicker and reduced settlement, was done to me by Allstate. It resulted in the perceived loss of my car, and then the loss of my car for a month, with a continuous sense of urgency, severe aggravation, manipulation, helplessness and abuse. There was never a concern for establishing truth, loss and expense, and paying it. Instead there was inclusion of misinformation and ignorance of other. The time I spent in the first month of this matter has to be at least 40 hours. I lost sales on eBay, missed auctions. My sleep was totally broken. They took my car, refused to replace it, and lied about it. It was about all I could deal with for that month. Accept our interpretation of your loss, or suffer the consequences, which we are trying to control. It literally was torture: “the practice of inflicting suffering on someone in order to force them to do something” is the dictionary definition. How much is a month of that worth?
The PA General Assembly Title 18 § 4117 warns: “Any person who knowingly and with intent to defraud any insurance company or other person files an application for insurance or statement of claim containing any materially false information or conceals for the purpose of misleading, information concerning any fact material thereto commits a fraudulent insurance act, which is a crime and subjects such person to criminal and civil penalties”. There is nothing in that law which places the shoe on the other foot and is directed at the adjuster or insurance company, if they mislead or defraud. I doubt, that such absence in Title 4117 allows adjusters or insurance companies freedom to do whatever they please to a random individual with no consequence.
So finally, again, the question is “What would you do?” The statute of limitations, I believe, is two years. That will bring me to December. And to repeat, the harm done to me that I have been describing, was done by Allstate to me. The driver has been released.
Thanks for reading.