![]() ![]() Client is not currently accepting playback controls: Plex (Plex for Apple TV - Apple TV). I’ve also noticed that if something is already playing on those clients, running the script results in an error in Home Assistant that says Failed to call service media_ay_media. Both of the Apple TV clients correctly report in Home Assistant when something is playing on them, they just don’t seem to respond to being controlled. The same script does work with a Plex for iOS client. I see the same behavior on another Plex for Apple TV client in my living room. Where media_ex_bedroom is the “Plex (Plex for Apple TV - Apple TV)” entity. Here’s one example: service: media_ay_media I’ve tried every example from Plex Media Server - Home Assistant (after modifying values specific to my server) with no luck. VLC Media Server & Player: VLC media player (commonly known as VLC) is a free and open-source, portable, cross-platform media player and streaming media server.I’m trying to create a script that will play a random episode of a specific show on the Plex client on my Apple TV.
0 Comments
![]() ![]() Restriction can cause you to lose steam on your financial goals It can even make you feel guilty even when you spend money you planned to spend. You may even find yourself believing that you aren’t worthy of spending on yourself, or that you don’t deserve it when really, that couldn’t be further from the truth. Restricting your spending can lead to feelings of scarcity. Severely restricting your spending can be really damaging to the way you think about money. ![]() Restriction can create a poor money mindset ![]() If you don’t let yourself have anything you want, you’ll find it difficult to stick to and may eventually go too far in the other direction. Restricting your spending is similar to going on an overly restrictive diet. While it might seem like cutting out money for fun will help you save money, it often just results in impulse and emotional spending later on. Restricting your spending can actually have the exact opposite effect of what you intended. It turns out that restricting yourself financially can actually do more harm than good. There’s probably plenty of other purposes you could use that money for, and fun money can seem frivolous when you’re on a tight budget. Like many people, you might find yourself hesitant to make room for fun money in your budget. Why you need money for fun in your budget And the good news is that because fun money is planned in your budget, you can spend it 100% guilt-free. Someone else’s idea of fun might be new shoes or home decor. ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() If you want to try out some of these techniques, I recommend you download the free software called Topaz Studio. If you enjoy these kinds of post-processing videos, please subscribe to my YouTube channel! Coupon Code for Topaz Labs I created this video to share my process with you so you can see exactly how I go about creating these effects. I applied both of those effects at a lower opacity and painted on exactly where I wanted it rather than applying it to the whole image.īy combining the various plugins and defining exactly how I want them to be in my images, I can create very unique effects that are not possible simply by picking a preset. I then used Topaz Impression with an effect called “Liquid Lines” followed by Topaz Texture Effects with an effect called “Lilac Tinge”. The image above was the most complicated edit since I used Topaz ReMask to make a complex selection allowing me to remove an unwanted rock from behind some of the tentacles. This time I applied the effect at 80% opacity to virtually the entire image, only removing it a bit on the anemones in the background and the column of the main subject. I used Topaz Impression with a painterly effect called “Van Gogh” to add soft brush strokes and again I only applied the effect to the tentacles.Ī little less subtle again, for the photo above I used Topaz Impression with an effect called “Georgia O’Keefe”. The effect in the photo above is a little less subtle than the previous examples. It was so colourful! For this image I used an effect in Topaz Studio called “Stained Glass” and applied it only to the sand to bring out that quality. In the photo above, I loved the way the sand looked floating on the water above the anemone. I think the best way to approach post-processing is to use it to bring out the best in a photo, rather than thinking of it as a way to fix something. Instead I applied it to a layer in Photoshop, used the Overlay blend mode, reduced the opacity to 55%, and then painted the effect only where I wanted it, which was on the tentacles. But I didn’t just apply the effect and call it done. In the photo above, I used Topaz Glow with the effect called “Dizzy”. With their soft flowing tentacles and bright contrasting colours, they were perfect subjects for adding a few extra special effects to give them a really unique look. This is the technique I used when I processed these sea anemone photos I made on Cannon Beach, Oregon. Most often I use the plugins in conjunction with Photoshop and use layers, layer masks, blend modes and opacity adjustments to define exactly how much of the effect I want and precisely where in the image I want it. Each one creates different types of effects and has many, even hundreds, of options.īut I rarely just pick a preset and go with it. My favourite plugins for making these kinds of adjustments are Topaz Impression, Texture Effects, Glow and Restyle. That’s when I turn to the plugins from Topaz Labs in my post-processing workflow to create a unique style.īelow you’ll find a video demonstration showing how I combine the plugins and other techniques I use to create unique effects with my photos. ![]() After all, nature is stunning just as it is!īut sometimes I want to take my images a bit further I want to go beyond the natural look, maybe add a painterly effect, some texture or colour grading. When it comes to post-processing, my goal is usually to enhance a photo’s best qualities while maintaining a natural look. ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Are Free VPNs Actually Good?īecause free VPNs are so limited, you're likely to experience some performance issues. TunnelBear VPN, for instance, has committed to releasing third-party audits each year, and has made good on that promise. This isn't a guarantee that a company is doing good work, since they often set the parameters of the audit. Some VPNs have also undergone extensive third-party audits to prove their trustworthiness. We rely on companies to act in good faith when we ask them questions, and for third-party researchers to ferret out the companies that don't. As part of our review process, we send questionnaires to each VPN service, seeking to put companies on the record about specific privacy issues. Unfortunately, these documents can sometimes be difficult to read, perhaps intentionally so. We highly recommend that you read the review for a free VPN before you commit. ![]() Ideally, a VPN company should say that they do not collect any logs on user activity. It's a good way to find out what, if any, information the service collects. When we review VPNs, we look over each service's privacy policy. Figuring out who is and is not on the level is especially difficult with VPNs, as much of their operation isn't visible to the outside world. Some VPNs may have unseemly, if not outright malicious, practices. Are Free VPNs Safe?įree VPNs have some historical baggage, since not all VPN providers turn out to be good actors. In short, watching streaming services like Netflix with a VPN is hard, and doing it with a free VPN is even harder. One option to get around a Netflix blockade is to purchase a static IP address, which will almost certainly require a paid VPN subscription in addition to the cost of the static IP. Free users will also have a harder time jumping to a different server looking for unblocked access or better speeds. Most free VPNs limit the servers you can use, meaning you have fewer options (if any) to spoof your location. This is particularly tricky for free VPN users. There are numerous other examples and many of them-especially Netflix-will try to block VPN use to enforce those regional streaming deals. MLB and the BBC have different streaming arrangements for different regions. Netflix isn't the only service that can be tricked. That's because Netflix has specific deals to distribute this content in different areas. Overseas, Netflix subscribers see different shows and films that don't show up within these United States. VPNs can bypass oppressive censorship by tunneling out to a VPN server beyond the control of despots, but that same ability can also be used to access streaming content that's not available in your country. You get all the servers in all the locations, and usually the service also provides more simultaneous connections. Paying for a VPN subscription typically unlocks all these features, and often adds additional sweeteners unavailable at the free level. Some restrict you to certain servers, meaning you can't jump to a better-performing server or easily spoof your location-more on this below. Some keep the number of simultaneous connections low, generally limiting them to one or two. Some services limit the amount of bandwidth you can use in a given period. That said, every VPN listed does put some restrictions on its free version. They aren't the only ones, but they are the best we've reviewed so far. The VPNs listed in the table above, however, offer totally free subscription levels. Instead, most companies offer time-limited trials or money-back guarantees. We strongly recommend also using a password manager to create unique and complex passwords for each site and service we use, enabling multi-factor authentication wherever it's available, and using antivirus software. VPNs also won't protect you against every danger stalking the web. Advertisers also have a myriad of tools at their disposal to track you online, so we recommend using a stand-alone tracker blocker. It's also possible, albeit difficult, to use complicated timing algorithms to predict when and where your data leaves the VPN server. Once your traffic exits the VPN server, it can be monitored and perhaps intercepted-especially if you're connecting to sites that aren't using HTTPS. ![]() This means that your ISP and anyone else watching won't be able to see what you're up to and will have a much harder time tracing online activity back to you.Īlthough VPNs can help improve your privacy online they do have limitations. A VPN creates an encrypted connection (often referred to as a tunnel) between your computer and a server controlled by the VPN company, and then it passes all network activity through that protected connection. ![]() ![]() Vodafone reintroduced roaming charges for Britons who travel to other countries in Europe. 'Worrying' warning issued to anyone on Vodafone in the UK (Image: PA) To find out more or to purchase these add-ons visit EE here. If you have a plan with Smart Benefits, you can choose EE's Roam Abroad pass as a Smart Benefit and you won’t have to pay the £2 daily charge in the EU.Īlternatively, you can take Roam Abroad as an add-on to your plan at any time for £10 a month and you won’t have to pay the £2 daily charge in the EU. If your pay monthly handset or SIM plan plan started on or after Jthere will be a daily charge for using your phone in EE's European roaming zones from January 2022. If your pay monthly plan and your contract started before Jthen these changes will not affect you. These are: Austria, Azores, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus (excludes northern Cyprus), Czech Republic, Canary Islands, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, French Guiana, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Guadeloupe, Guernsey, Hungary, Iceland, Isle of Man, Italy, Jersey, Latvia, Lichtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madeira, Malta, Martinique, Mayotte, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Reunion Islands, Romania, San Marino, Saint Martin (French), Saint Barthelemy, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and Vatican City (Italy). The charges will be active - £2 a day - across 47 European countries. All your allowances work just like at home - and you can buy more data if you need to.You don't need to do anything to opt in: if you use your allowances you'll pay £2 for that day, and if you don't, you won't be charged anything.One low fixed daily payment of £2 per day.EEĮE has said: "Following Brexit, the way our network operates in the EU will be changing."ĮE customers can use their minutes, texts and data allowances in EE's European roaming zone for £2 a day or for £10 a month with a Roam Abroad add on. With this in mind we've decided to take a look at the roaming charges for some of the most popular UK mobile networks and what it will mean for customers. Now the UK is no longer part of the EU some mobile providers have reintroduced roaming charges, while others are allowing customers to still roam for free. Before the UK left the EU, Britons could use their monthly allowances of calls, data and texts while in 28 destinations in the EU for no extra charge. Roaming is when a mobile phone is used outside of its home network, so overseas, and connects to another available cell network. Vodafone reintroduced roaming charges for Britons in September, 2021, meaning new and upgrading customers have had to pay up to £2 per day to use their monthly allowance of data, calls and texts. ![]() In 2021 EE and O2, promised they wouldn't be bringing back the fees but it turns out only O2 have so far kept that promise. Vodafone, EE, Three, Lebara and more have scrapped free EU roaming, implementing new charges, and some have decided not to bring back the fees including the likes of O2 who have now merged with Virgin Mobile. That's because a number of mobile network providers have brought back data roaming fees following the UK leaving the EU.Ī number of providers have scrapped the free roaming meaning it will now cost travellers more to use their phone when holidaying abroad or in an EU country. Cost of living is going up and so too is the cost to use your phone abroad. ![]() ![]() ![]() It's much less hot on importing foreign files (it's really an authoring tool) but is implemented in Python, uses XML/Json for internal files/metadata/configuration, and in use feels like an early version of Scrivener 1.x (which is really what your students want, but Lit'n'Latte discontinued it about a decade ago and you can no longer buy it). It gives you what you need to research, compose, reorganize, and edit your writing. If you purchased Scrivener 1 on or after 20th November 2017, you can update to Scrivener 3 for free. Updated JanuThe Bottom Line For long-form works, Scrivener is the best writing app on the market. It's a lot less comprehensive than Scrivener but it's also really easy to learn.Īlternatively, if you want Scrivener-like and are happy with open source projects, novelWriter scratches some of the same itch and is (a) free and (b) available on Linux, Windows, and macOS: it has a similar project-oriented interface to Scrivener, can export projects in HTML, Open Document, Markdown, Plain Text, or PDF, supports tagging and metadata, and uses Markdown for authoring. If you own Scrivener 1 for Windows, you are eligible for an upgrade discount. Customizable setup and interfaces : Many of Scrivener’s features are customizable, and this gives you (the user) a personalized experience. At its heart is a simple ring-binder metaphorgather material and switch between writing, notes and research with ease. ![]() (Also has a forthcoming collaboration option.) A Generous 30-day free trial: Before you purchase a Scrivener package, Scrivener has a handsome free 30-day trial that comes with all the tool’s paid features. Scrivener combines all the writing tools you need to craft your first draft, from nascent notion to final full stop. Can publish notes as HTML web pages: or you can cut'n'paste the Mardown content, or share notes via a variety of messaging services. And preferably able to make separate files instead of everything in one. With something similar to the Binder, with folders and text files in hierarchy, and the abillity to import all kinds of foreign files. ![]() So, Im looking for a kind of Scrivener Light. Microsoft Word CWYW for Windows: 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, 2021, Office 365 (locally installed. Scrivener project, whether youre working on a Mac, a Windows PC, or in iOS/iPadOS. Markdown note-taking (with tagging), cross-platform (macOS/Windows/Android/iOS), standard tier is free (although you can donate to support the open source project). But I have students who cannot get to grips with it. You might not require more grow old to spend to go to the. ![]() |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |