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I started HRT at 34; I'm now just 41. This is how my breasts look after 6½ years of transition:

• In a well-fitted bra
• Nude, front
• Profile of rightie
• Profile of leftie
• Squishing to show volume

Description for the visually impaired and those who don't want to look at partial nudity: My breasts are now big and bottom-heavy, looking quite impressive from the front, voluminous enough that they could easily hold a santoku knife under the fold. The areolas are huge and salient, while the nipples proper are pointy but not that big. The volume is still a bit low relative to the circumference, an aspect more visible in profile; but there's enough mass to have a satisfying pear curve on the bottom line. Squishing a breast reveals enough volume that I can't hold it in one hand; it looks like trying to compress a water balloon.

I’ve achieved this size by 1) taking ownership of my own transition with self-medication rather than trusting the cistem, and 2) jumping at every sketchy, possibly dangerous, and probably ineffective breast growth method I ever heard of. The caveat, however, is that I am Brazilian and curvy, from a Latina family; both my mother and my daughter have bigger breasts than me. So it can be that I merely lucked out, and none of my experiments did anything. Or maybe something helped, or was strictly necessary (after all, I know many trans women with a family history of large breasts, who still don't grow much under standard HRT doses). With a sample size of 1 and without controls, it is impossible to know. But in any case I wanted to document this in case anyone else wants to try stuff, and also to rub it in the face of my first endocrinologist who kept us at under 100 pg/mL E2 while telling all his patients that trans women never grow large breasts. Gee, I wonder why your patients don't ?

I will do the opposite of recipe blogs here, and first list the ingredients I used to make my boobs, and only then ramble about my life story and the meaning of these babies for me.

Stuff I did to try to grow breasts

In order of the confidence I have in the available evidence, rather than chronological order of attempts. Content warning : Discussion of body weight/fat issues.

1. Actually decent HRT (high confidence):

   • Good androgen blocking (i.e. not spiro). I started with cypro, 5mg every 2 days, then had an orchiectomy. Note that cypro is not just a gonadal suppressor but acts systemically on other sources of androgens and it's a progestin to boot; this might have affected things (or not).
     • Warning : Cyproterone acetate has some risks; research it well if you want to DIY, and monitor your liver function. You only need it in very small doses; do not trust doctors who want to prescribe you more than 2mg/day. I wouldn't recommend taking it more than 2–4 years. If you're not physically active, find some form of exercise to offset the possible added risk of thrombosis. Or just use bicalutamide, which is a good blocker and safe.
   • Higher E2 than the cistem will give you. Ideally: Get a lab that measures free E2%, increase dose until it drops; that's your optimum dose. Alternatives in decreasing preference: Increase dose until SHBG starts spiking, use the highest dose that doesn't trigger SHBG; if you can't do that, aim for 600 to 900pg/mL; if you can't do labs at all, get injectables from the gray market and do the recommended dose and frequency.
   • Use non-liver routes for E2. Order of preference: injections > spray > gel > sublingual. For transdermal, use scrotal skin and high doses at, regularly, every 12h. 6× Lenzetto twice a day (3 per application, on scrotum) gives me over 600pg/mL.
   • Sometimes oral E2 too, to spike E1 every once in a while. (I know 1 trans girl whose body transitions well on E1 alone; a minimal 2mg E2 pill somehow explodes her E1 way above recommended levels, a 4mg E2 pill gets her sick. She feminises with serum E2 lower than the average masculine level. Bodies are different.)
   • Progesterone. I cycle it along with E2 levels, but I don't think the cycling changed anything compared to just taking it every day. Probably.
   • In general shake things up periodically. Vary doses, method of administration, and hormone combos every so often or whenever you feel stalled.

2. Body fat (high confidence):

   • Be thicc. Either do the yoyo method (diet to very low body fat then plump up again, to redistribute fat under estrogen), or try to get more fat if you're low on it, or just have weight and wait. Breasts are made of fat and to grow breasts you need to add fat.
   • Make sure your HRT is on point to also get curves as you add fat.

3. Possible IGF-1 supplements (low confidence):

   • Zinc, magnesium, selenium, acetyl L-carnitine.
   • Vitamin D, lots.
   • High quantities of plant-based protein in your regular diet.
   • Weight lifting, HIIT.

4. Herbal feminisation (low confidence)

   • Pueraria mirifica. Source the real thing directly from Thai vendors (look for Kwao Krua “Kao” (“white”, kǎao, กวาวเครือขาว)). This is the single most powerful phytoestrogen that I have tried.
   • High-dose spearmint pills.
   • High-dose licorice for short periods (this can fuck up your liver, take breaks.)
   • I started growing breasts on the above 3 combo alone, before I could access blockers or estradiol. At 6 months of herbs they were already budded.
   • Of interest: red clover, hops, flaxseed.
   • Milk thistle, specifically isosylibin-B, does something with androgen receptors that makes it a topic of study for prostate cancer (high confidence). It might do something that helps with feminisation (low confidence). Don't use silymarin compounds that don't have the isosylibins, look for “full spectrum” or grow your own.
   • Phytoestrogens are “weak” receptor activators. OTOH I suspect weak estrogens might have roles we don't yet know. There are documented cases of accidental gynaecomastia from plants in the literature, but they're rare. Taking herbs along with synthetic hormones might either complement meds and improve your transition; compete with them and hinder your transition; or do absolutely nothing and waste your money. Nobody really knows.
   • It's better to put effort into procuring DIY estrogens than fiddling with herbs, and cheaper, too. Herbs might be a good skill to have as an imperfect substitute in case of supply chain collapse, assuming you can grow your own rather than depending on buying pills (but stockpiling raw chemicals and learning to homebrew is a more efficient approach).

5. Local aromatase triggers (low confidence)

   • Generally submit breasts to lots of stimulation, handling, sucking etc. You know what to do. (Brava-type suction devices seem to have a good record for this, but they're very costly.)
   • Boob growth oil: 2.5% lavender essential oil, 2.5% tea tree essential oil, flaxseed or almond as carrier. Do a patch test first. If you get no allergies after a full bottle, you can double the essentials. This might or might not do anything for growth but it will be good skincare at the very least (if you aren't allergic). There's, afaik, 5 documented cases of gynecomastia or prepubertal breast tissue growth on lavender or tea tree skincare; the association with aromatase is just a hunch from me.

What my timeline was like

Details are fuzzy from memory but:

• For 6 months: Pueraria powder, oral + spearmint pills + licorice pills (this was enough to start growth)
• For ~6 months: E2 gel
• For ca. 2 years: E2 spray, 3× every 12 hours, on scrotal skin, + CPA 5mg every 2 days, +P4 100mg/day oral
• + Yoyo diet, went very thin then back to chubby
• + The IGF-1 supplements
• + Regular milk thistle and irregularly phytoestrogens

These 2 years saw the larger part of growth, already gaving me B cups or higher. By this time I had a cleavage and breasts readily read as “female”. Then there was the orchiectomy, and after that my regime regularly became a 4-week “lunar” cycle:

• I start with a “double” estradiol enanthate injection, intramuscular, 30mg (with the goal of inducing high variability in levels)
• Over the 1st week, E2 should rise
• Over the 2nd week, E2 should start to fall
• On 3rd week, I take P4 300mg/day. This is also the week where I tend to do most experimentation, e.g. the skin oil.
• 4th week is a “rest” week where exogenous levels should be low. I have noticed that my breasts regularly ache during this week.

As mentioned before, every so often I shake up things a bit. I am not particularly recommending cycling as I'm not sure there's much evidence for it; it's just a routine that fit me well. Sometimes I try a “steady” regimen too, and I can't say I've noticed any big differences in how that affects my bodily changes compared to cycling.

On trans breasts and what they mean for me

Back in my denial phase (which lasted 23 years…), I found out at some point that everyone has inherent breasts, and that you only have to give them the right hormones to let them come out. And I used to daydream like, “dang what a shame I'm not trans! I bet my breasts would be awesome and look great on me. I wish I was trans, then I could take hormones and be a girl with a feminine body. Oh well, life sucks, I will bury myself in fucking computer programming I guess.”

It turns out growing boobs is a bit more complex than that, and most trans women have trouble getting sizeable ones. I have no idea how much of my success is due to my self-experimentation vs. genetics vs. other, unknown factors in my lifestyle. (Aromatase cycle from inflammation from Brazilian levels of sugar consumption? Implausibly high amounts of lesbian sex? Pombagira spirit possession?).

But even though I was fortunate for an old transitioner, my breasts also had a common transfem difficulty; there's something lacking in volume and shape. On bust circumference alone I would be 90D, even more in a good day (and since cup sizes are proportional to band sizes and 90cm is a lot of band, that would indeed be massive). But my breasts are lower volume than the typical, i.e. somewhat tubular/conical, so I usually downsize bras to 90C to squish them and get some roundedness, or else the cups don't really fill up, which feels depressing. The volume issue has improved significantly after year #5 on HRT, but it still feels like they're not as round as cis women in my family. [edit: After writing this I tried fitting a few bras and it turns out that, as of year 6, I'm actually better off at 90D now. Yay!]

I don't know what's the missing piece for trans women to have fuller breasts; I suspect growth hormones, since teenagers have a lot, adults have little, and trans girls who transition early seem to not have this problem. But I noticed that no matter what estrogen regime I tried, I never got the layer of subcutaneous fat that cis girls normally have over the ribs and on arms; this must be related to conical breasts, and it could be something lacking in the estrogenic or progestinic supplementation itself; in this case I suspect it's something to do with in-tissue generation of hormones, or with the “weak” estrogens (E1, E3, maybe E4 too—cf. breasts filling up on pregnancy), or with factors that control the density of receptors, or some of the “other” hormones nobody pays attention to, which must have roles not yet known. Science on even cis female health is severely underresearched, let alone trans.

In any case I got big enough breasts that cis doctors now regularly think I'm lying when I say I never had implants. I don't know what witchcraft gave pretransition me that intuition that I would have great breasts and feel alive and myself if I took hormones, but it was spot on. And these are more than aesthetics for me; I mean the aesthetics are awesome, big boob antifa gf is 100% my gender, but they're also powerful misgendering deflectors. I'm tall, I transitioned too late to have a girly face, and I can't afford surgeries. So in early transition, I felt compelled to perform more femininity for the cis than I would in a reasonable world. These days I have a much more practical, butchier presentation than before; I don't worry about maintaining a hyperfem voice anymore, I only do makeup in special occasions, I can now wear “unisex” shoes without feeling bad, etc. This isn't just because of breasts—these six years gave me a lot of body feminisation and, just as importantly, a lot of confidence—but damn if the breasts don't help. As long as I find a way to have some cleavage showing, I'll be gendered woman.

If that sounds like something you'd benefit from, but hormonal growth isn't working for you or you can't wait, I want to encourage you with all my heart to get some implants; there's nothing bad about it, even cis people do surgery all the time to adjust their breasts to their needs. For everyone else, I'm leaving my ADHD-ass, not exactly scientific approach here as one more data point that breast growth is indeed possible for us.

I love...

...”grappling with the penetration”.

Dubai has rapidly emerged as a global hub for aesthetic treatments, offering a range of innovative, non-surgical options for those seeking to enhance their physique. One such treatment gaining popularity is the Lemon Bottle Fat Dissolving technique, known for targeting localized fat deposits without invasive surgery. This guide provides a deep dive into the Lemon Bottle treatment, exploring its benefits, safety, costs, and much more.

Understanding Lemon Bottle Fat Dissolving Treatment

What is Lemon Bottle Fat Dissolving Treatment? Lemon Bottle Fat Dissolving is a non-invasive cosmetic procedure aimed at reducing localized fat in specific areas. It involves injections containing natural ingredients designed to break down fat cells. The treatment is particularly popular for areas like the abdomen, thighs, and arms, where stubborn fat often resists diet and exercise.

How the Treatment Works: Mechanism and Ingredients

The Lemon Bottle solution contains deoxycholic acid, an ingredient that targets and breaks down fat cells when injected into the body. Once the fat cells are destroyed, the body naturally metabolizes and eliminates them over time, resulting in a slimmer appearance in the treated areas.

Is the Treatment Safe? Safety and Efficacy

Safety is a top priority for any aesthetic treatment. Lemon Bottle is FDA-approved and has been used globally as a safe, minimally invasive method for fat reduction. Most patients experience mild side effects, such as temporary swelling or redness at the injection site, which typically resolve within a few days.

Why Choose Fat Dissolving Treatments in Dubai?

Growing Popularity of Aesthetic Treatments in Dubai Dubai is known for its high-quality aesthetic clinics, cutting-edge technology, and expert practitioners. The popularity of non-surgical fat reduction treatments is on the rise, catering to both residents and international clients who come for reliable, results-driven solutions in a luxurious setting.

Benefits of Lemon Bottle Fat Dissolving in Dubai

Choosing Lemon Bottle Fat Dissolving in Dubai offers benefits like access to top medical expertise, state-of-the-art facilities, and a range of options for personalized treatment. Patients can expect visible results within weeks and a more sculpted body without extensive recovery time.

Cost of Fat Dissolving Treatments in Dubai

The cost varies depending on the clinic, the area being treated, and the number of sessions required. Typically, treatments range from AED 2,500 to AED 5,000 per session. While Dubai’s pricing may seem premium, it is often reflective of the quality and expertise offered by local clinics.

Comparing Lemon Bottle with Other Fat Dissolving Treatments

Differences Between Lemon Bottle and Traditional Liposuction

Unlike traditional liposuction, which involves surgery and a recovery period, Lemon Bottle is a non-surgical treatment requiring no downtime. Patients can resume their regular activities immediately, making it a convenient option for those with busy lifestyles.

Lemon Bottle vs. Other Non-Invasive Fat Removal Techniques

Lemon Bottle stands out for its localized fat reduction focus, while other non-invasive techniques, such as CoolSculpting, use cooling technology to freeze fat cells. Lemon Bottle is particularly effective for individuals seeking targeted results in specific areas, whereas CoolSculpting is often used for broader fat reduction.

Ideal Candidates for Lemon Bottle Fat Dissolving

Suitability of Treatment Based on Body Types and Goals Lemon Bottle Fat Dissolving is ideal for individuals who are close to their target weight but have small pockets of stubborn fat that won’t respond to diet or exercise. It’s not intended for significant weight loss but rather as a contouring solution for areas with excess fat.

Medical and Health Considerations Before Treatment

Candidates should be in overall good health and free from conditions such as liver disease or active infections. Consulting with a certified practitioner is essential to determine if Lemon Bottle Fat Dissolving is appropriate for individual health and body goals.

Preparing for Lemon Bottle Fat Dissolving Treatment

Pre-Treatment Guidelines: Diet, Skin Prep, and More Before treatment, patients are advised to avoid alcohol, blood-thinning medications, and smoking, as these can affect the body’s healing response. A healthy diet and plenty of hydration can also improve treatment outcomes.

Consultation Expectations: Questions to Ask

During the consultation, ask about the practitioner’s experience with Lemon Bottle, anticipated results, and any potential side effects. Understanding the treatment process and realistic expectations helps ensure satisfaction with the final outcome.

The Procedure: What to Expect on the Day of Treatment

Step-by-Step Overview of the Lemon Bottle Treatment

The Lemon Bottle procedure typically begins with a marking of the target area. After a local anesthetic is applied, small injections are made. Each session takes about 30–60 minutes, depending on the size of the treatment area.

Typical Duration and Process

Most patients find the process quick and relatively painless. Following the injections, the treated area may swell temporarily as the fat cells begin to break down. No special bandages or recovery time are required, so patients can leave the clinic and resume their daily activities.

Expected Side Effects and How to Manage Them

Common side effects include slight swelling, bruising, or tenderness, which usually subside within a few days. Cold compresses can help manage any discomfort, and over-the-counter pain relievers may also be taken if necessary.

Results: How Soon Will You See Changes?

Timeline of Visible Results

Results from Lemon Bottle Fat Dissolving become noticeable within 3–4 weeks, as the body processes the broken-down fat cells. Optimal results are typically seen after two or three sessions, spaced a few weeks apart.

Factors Influencing Treatment Outcome

Individual metabolic rates, lifestyle, and the area treated can impact the speed and visibility of results. Following post-care instructions and maintaining a healthy lifestyle can enhance and prolong the effectiveness of the treatment.

Maintaining Results: Lifestyle and Long-Term Care

Importance of Diet and Exercise Post-Treatment Although Lemon Bottle Fat Dissolving reduces fat in treated areas, maintaining a balanced diet and regular exercise helps to preserve results. Avoiding excessive caloric intake prevents the formation of new fat deposits.

When to Consider Follow-Up Treatments

Some individuals may benefit from follow-up treatments after six months to a year to maintain their sculpted look, especially if they have multiple target areas or seek further refinement.

Risks and Side Effects of Lemon Bottle Fat Dissolving

Common Side Effects and Their Management

Mild side effects, such as redness, swelling, and tenderness, are common but temporary. Ensuring proper hydration and following post-care instructions help manage and reduce these effects.

Potential Risks and How to Minimize Them

Risks are minimal when performed by a qualified professional, but as with any treatment, there is a potential for infection or allergic reaction. Choosing a licensed practitioner and following care instructions minimizes these risks.

Final Thoughts: Is Lemon Bottle Fat Dissolving in Dubai Right for You?

This treatment offers a convenient solution for those seeking a refined, sculpted appearance without invasive surgery. With careful consideration and consultation, Lemon Bottle Fat Dissolving could be a valuable addition to your aesthetic journey in Dubai.

It Is You I Find at The Tunnel’s End

Your eyes, a haven of vivacity, sparks my curiosity. What audacity. What sweetness. What hope. The lines below your eyes, like scars on wet leaf. The sparkle in your dark pupil, like the twinkle of a million stars. What is this light I see in your eye?

Your smile, how lovely! I wonder at the innocence. I wail at the helplessness. I revere the calmness, the heavenly understanding. I marvel at the convenience with which you pull up those smiles.

Your heart, a priceless gem. It defeats treasure island in glamour, rich in bliss and amour.

You are a leader. You are a teacher. You are the voice that reverberates a thousand times, like echoes in a cave of bats. Time stops to listen when you speak.

Your hands hold the balance of the world. Equity and justice. Mercy and empathy. Diligence and tenderness. Thought and tact.

I revere the sound of your feet. The firmness in your stride, your laugh, the drumbeats of joy that attend your every step.

I search. I pray. I hope you find you. Because we need you, even much more than you know.

Walking through this darkness, I think of you. I see you right ahead. It is you I find at the tunnel’s end. You are the light at the end of the tunnel.

For the Girl Child!✨

---

Departing users, removal requests

We haven't discussed this as far as i know, and it is an interesting question.

The letters we wrote, the responses we got, all of those are significant for people who enjoy corresponding with pen pal friends.

And then, sometimes things happen. Your friend decides to leave, for various reasons. A common one being to reduce 'distractions', being busy and needing to fully focus in something important.

They decide to depart. And press the button on their Slowly client, the one that talks back and asks, Are you Sure?

---

And likely they confirm.

Slowly staff say that user's data will be removed as requested. But they wisely keep it around – for 30 days, giving users an opportunity to change their minds. If they do, they can resume, and nothing gets lost.

But in many cases, users turn their backs and move on. They cannot access their data, and assume that after 30 days it is gone for sure.

---

Or is it?

Turns out the recipient of their letters get to keep them. I can verify this as I had dear friends depart and I still keep many folders with lots of letters we exchanged.

I think we all assume this is how it should be? In the real world, if you wrote and mailed a letter, it is gone and you cannot edit it, delete it, or claim ownership of it as a physical object.

You wrote, addressed and paid postage to get that object to someone, somewhere. They get to keep it, as personal property.

I imagine the original writer has copyright on the letter content, as its creator. But they could not reasonably request that all of their mailed letters be destroyed without trace by the recipients, could they?

I asked Microsoft's Copilot and got a nice answer.

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In Slowly, how are these questions dealt with?

We had some serious discussions about Slowly and Privacy concerns in the past. I made a Guest Author blog post with an excellent document posted here on Reddit, with the author's permission, and it is one of the most popular pages on my blog.

All of our Slowly data is stored in 'cloud servers', rented online servers currently provided by Amazon Web Services, aka AWS.

We have two users in contact in a pen pal relationship. Person A, who writes a letter, and person B who is the intended recipient of that letter,

If person A decides to leave, pushes the kill button and confirms, their data is assumed to be deleted (after the 30 days grace period). Person A loses access to the service, and to their sent and received letters.

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But what about the letter's recipient?

As far as I know, they get to keep it. As I mentioned above, it happened to me, people left and I still have our letters in full, sent and received.

Is this a problem? or do we consider the electronic messages/letters to be similar to the written pages we receive in the mail – and were we surely have an ownership?

What do you think?

This is a new discussion, and I decided to make a new topic so it gets to be seen, and maybe more people participate.

In your opinion, is the current situation as it should be?

Or no, a user requesting deletion should assume their sent letters will disappear as well?

I look forward to reading your comments and thoughts. Thank you!

---

Famous Last Words

Special thank you to all the folks behind the SLOWLY app.

Letters we share, with pen pals all over the world. A modern day take in the traditional penpal experience. Come and join us, using SLOWLY.

---

Follow Blog via your Fediverse/Mastodon account :

@friends-near-and-afar-letters-we-share@wordsmith.social

This page created in MarkDown language. Thank you for reading, feel free to comment, via a direct message to my Twitter account – or the Reddit one.

You can also post a public comment in the Reddit thread for it here.

yann2@bsky.social Top ▲

I am weirdly verbose (at least online), despite not actually being that verbal. (I sometimes involuntarily speak really quietly at the end of a night when I'm shattered)

I think I'm wanting a debrief, or at least some sort of decompression for the rather eventful night.

---

An original suggestion was posted on Reddit

...by our reddit user ahhhhhhhchhoooooo in this topic.

Puzzle sets could be by region/theme, a mix of popular stamps, or customized to your personal SLOWLY stamp collection!

Avatars of your penpals could also appear next to the stamps you received from them.

And it is a good idea, as we have many nice stamp designs.

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Slowly itself tried doing some merchandise before

...and it did not go too well. They had custom coffee mugs, which had to be shipped, were somewhat heavy and fragile. Eventually they closed that operation.

A pen pal friend did it better – her daughter created a custom printed mug, with mom's favourite Slowly stamps, and gave it to her as a Christmas gift. It was much nicer and more personal than the company article, and no shipping was required – just a trip to a local print shop which offered mug photo printing.

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A nice idea?

Similarly, the idea of puzzles with favourite Slowly stamps is a good one, but the company is not likely to take it on. Never fear, there are companies that offer puzzle printing services.

A quick search and I found Vistaprint here in Canada does it. A medium size puzzle has 500 pieces, which is challenging already, and costs 42 Canadian dollars, or about 30 USD. (and a larger 1000 pieces one is not much more at 47 CAD)

Not exactly cheap, but it is a custom, one of a kind item. Other companies closer to people might offer similar services as well.

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Large custom puzzle

The 500 piece puzzle is 21 in x 15.5 in, or 53 cm x 39 cm – a nice size. An example template from their catalog is attached.

The 1,000 pieces puzzles are harder to put together but have a larger size – 30.25 x 20.5 inches, or about 76 x 51 cm. And they only cost about 5 CAD more than the 500 pieces ones.

If people created and shared their designs, others could even pick up the finished artwork piece and have it printed at whichever service they chose.

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Large stamp images for designs?

We have access to 1,000 pixel images for many (not all) Slowly stamps. These would be ideal for use in creating a high quality design for printing. In our Slowly Stamps Wiki pages, there are direct links to the larger 1,000 pixels images of each. ( Commemoratives, Regional Premium, Regional Stamp Sets)

Example : Lake Titicaca Reserve, Peru's new Premium stamp, is HERE.

(some earlier designs are only available at 320 pixels max).

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Design ideas, notes

I would suggest creating a design with stamps sized at at least two different final, printed sizes, which would allow a more dynamic design result. Or go for 3 sizes. You need to work out a mosaic layout so they fit together in a rectangular shape for printing.

The image I am using as banner in this page is from an actual Dogs puzzle set, and I think it is very dynamic – we need that mix of sizes as all Slowly stamps are one single format/proportion.

They also have a lovely AirMail stamps set which illustrates well a dynamic design with different stamp sizes.

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Some additional notes:

a. Stamp image sources: my Slowly API tracking spreadsheet has one tab showing the latest 300 stamps and links to their 1,000 pixel images – here.

b. The image server storage path is this : https://static.slowly.app/stamp/ plus the stamp_filename and the .png extension.

c. Stamp filenames can be found for all 2,000 Slowly stamps in this shared spreadsheet. See the filenames in Column B and use it with the format shown above, plus .png for extension.

example :

https://static.slowly.app/stamp/ + pe_titicaca + .png = https://static.slowly.app/stamp/pe_titicaca.png

d. For people considering a design of their own – maybe we could define 3 modules of stamp size, which allows for some dynamic placement.

Size 1 being the 1000 pixels images; size 2 we shrink it down to 666 pixels, and size 3 is 333 pixels.

Now we can compose them – size 2 + size 3 matches one size 1.

3 times size 3 also equals size 1.

2 size 3 equals dimension for a size 2. Example with these sizes:

(Click on image for larger size version.)

Each stamp has some white space around them, we could trim it down before we start composing puzzle.

Hope someone takes this idea and runs with it... ??

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Famous Last Words

Special thank you to all the folks behind the SLOWLY app.

Letters we share, with pen pals all over the world. A modern day take in the traditional penpal experience. Come and join us, using SLOWLY.

---

Follow Blog via your Fediverse/Mastodon account :

@friends-near-and-afar-letters-we-share@wordsmith.social

This page created in MarkDown language. Thank you for reading, feel free to comment, via a direct message to my Twitter account – or the Reddit one.

You can also post a public comment in the Reddit thread for it here.

yann2@bsky.social Top ▲

in a fleeting memory we lost our focus, blurring our lines, erasing our chalk. the wetness, bodies of our ancestors flooded onto us, drowning our last rites. the Godhead roared Eternal.

in a moonlit haze we crawled through thick and thin static layers of incoherence. soft targets melted into our flesh, as if a spliced branch looping into itself. the Godhead felt no pain.

he filled our village with ichor, tar, and oil, homes destroyed in passing viscous shockwaves. we had seen nothing but compassion, yet he took our trust, the sun as well. the Godhead bled no blood.

our worship was of our own hands, feeding from faceless fantasies of freedom. we were promised so much but we forgot how to counter clockwise motion. the Godhead held no power.

---

Recently, the Terms of Service have been revised

And as previously, they remain a one sided document intended to solely protect the company and award it any rights they seem fit to claim.

I think it is interesting to read them. It is a long, legalese, mind boggling read, but a careful analysis can give you insights on important points. You can see the current, latest version (revised as of Sept 13, 2024) HERE.

And I did read it briefly, and noticed some worthy points.

---

Company HQ moved to United Kingdom?

Kevin Wong, Slowly's creator and CEO, has moved to London UK about a year ago. I had not looked at the ToS but now it shows the company no longer being Hong Kong based, but located in the address shown above.

This has good points, there were some concerns from users over Slowly's ability to deny user data access requests in Hong Kong, as Chinese mainland laws clearly state all companies operating in the PRC must comply promptly with any official requests.

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So, this is a good thing?

Well, they apparently are no longer under PRC's jurisdiction. BUT their data is stored in Amazon Web Services machines, physically located in the USA, which brings them under a jurisdiction where intelligence agencies DO act to get access to data they feel is needed. Not ideal, clearly, but convenient for Slowly as AWS is a major Cloud provider.

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Make the ToS easier to digest, try our AI friends?

I used Microsoft's Copilot, and would encourage you to read the document and even experiment with it. My request:

I use a software called Slowly. Could you review the Terms of Service for it, and give me some notes regarding noticeable impositions it places on its users? The Terms of Service page is at https://slowly.app/terms/

---

Here is Copilot's response:

Sure, I reviewed the Terms of Service for Slowly. Here are some key points and noticeable impositions:

1. Eligibility: Users must be at least 12 years old. If you’re a minor, your parent or guardian must agree to the terms on your behalf. ^(1).
2. Account Restrictions: You can only have one account. If you’ve been previously removed from the service, you cannot create a new account without explicit permission. ^(1).
3. Content and Conduct: Users must not engage in illegal activities, harassment, or any behavior that could harm others. Violations can lead to account termination without prior notice. ^(1).
4. Modifications to Terms: Slowly reserves the right to change the terms at any time. Users are responsible for reviewing the terms periodically to stay informed of updates. ^(1).
5. Termination of Service: Slowly can terminate or suspend your account at their discretion, without liability or prior notice. ^(1).
6. User Content: By posting content, you grant Slowly a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to use, reproduce, and distribute your content. ^(1).

These points highlight some of the more restrictive aspects of the Terms of Service. If you have any specific concerns or need further clarification, feel free to ask!

Source: Conversation with Copilot, 03/10/2024

(1) Terms of Service – Slowly. https://slowly.app/terms/. (2) Privacy Policy – Slowly. https://slowly.app/privacy/. (3) Slowly's home page. https://slowly.app/.

---

Any follow-up questions?

is there any mention of their obligation under GDPR user data protection act ?

Yes, the Slowly Terms of Service do mention their obligations under the GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation). Here are some key points related to GDPR compliance:

1. Data Collection and Use: Slowly outlines the types of personal data they collect and how they use it. This includes information provided by users during registration and data collected through the use of their services. [ 4 ].
2. User Rights: Users have rights under GDPR, such as the right to access their data, the right to rectify incorrect data, the right to erasure (right to be forgotten), and the right to restrict or object to processing. [ 4 ].
3. Data Security: Slowly commits to implementing appropriate technical and organizational measures to ensure a level of security appropriate to the risk of processing personal data. [ 4 ].
4. Data Transfers: If personal data is transferred outside the European Economic Area (EEA), Slowly ensures that appropriate safeguards are in place to protect the data. [ 4 ].
5. Data Retention: Personal data is retained only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes for which it was collected, or as required by law. [ 4 ].

[ 4 ] : The Data Protection Act, at gov.uk

These points highlight Slowly’s commitment to complying with GDPR and protecting user data. If you have specific concerns or need more detailed information, you might want to review their full Terms of Service or contact their support team directly.

---

Requesting copies of user data under GDPR?

Can I request a copy of my user data (letters and responses) for backup under GDPR ?

Yes, under GDPR, you have the right to request a copy of your personal data, which includes your letters and responses on Slowly. This is known as a data subject access request (DSAR). You can contact Slowly’s support team to make this request. They are obligated to provide you with a copy of your data within one month of your request. [ 4 ].

If you need help with how to phrase your request or any other details, feel free to ask!

---

How to request your user data?

How do I initiate a DSAR on Slowly?

To initiate a Data Subject Access Request (DSAR) on Slowly, follow these steps:

1. Contact Support: Reach out to Slowly’s support team via their official contact methods. This is usually done through their website or app. Look for a “Contact Us” or “Support” section.
2. Specify Your Request: Clearly state that you are making a DSAR under GDPR. Mention that you are requesting a copy of your personal data, including your letters and responses.
3. Provide Necessary Details: Include any relevant information that might help them locate your data, such as your username, email address, and any specific data you are requesting.
4. Verification: Be prepared to verify your identity. Slowly may ask for additional information to confirm that the request is coming from the account owner.
5. Wait for Response: Slowly is required to respond to your request within one month. They may extend this period by an additional two months if the request is complex or if they have received numerous requests. [ 5 ].

---

Here’s a sample template for your request:

Subject: Data Subject Access Request (DSAR)

Dear Slowly Support Team,

I am writing to formally request access to my personal data under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Specifically, I am requesting a copy of all my letters and responses stored on your platform.

For verification purposes, my account details are as follows:

• Username: [Your Username]
• Email: [Your Email Address]

Please let me know if you require any further information to process this request. I look forward to your response within the statutory timeframe.

Thank you, [Your Name]

If you need further assistance, feel free to ask!

---

And there is a LOT more to explore

...in this latest revision of the Terms of Service. I enjoyed using Copilot and getting focused, simple answers to some of my questions. I think there is a lot more to read and investigate so we can better understand the document's meanings and implications.

I will stop here – getting backup copies of our user data was always a concern for me, and it seems there are ways we can act to request that, which Slowly is legally obligated to respond and fulfil.

Any other notable items in the page as you see it? (hint – there are notes regarding AI usage in the app, along with other meaningful paragraphs.

---

Famous Last Words

Special thank you to all the folks behind the SLOWLY app.

Letters we share, with pen pals all over the world. A modern day take in the traditional penpal experience. Come and join us, using SLOWLY.

---

Follow Blog via your Fediverse/Mastodon account :

@friends-near-and-afar-letters-we-share@wordsmith.social

This page created in MarkDown language. Thank you for reading, feel free to comment, via a direct message to my Twitter account – or the Reddit one.

You can also post a public comment in the Reddit thread for it here.

yann2@bsky.social Top ▲

---

Kevin's annoyance with people doing 'mock locations'

It comes down to lost revenue – from the sale of the multitude of regional commemoratives (free for a limited time in some location) and Location stamps (always free in that location).

Both regional commemoratives and location stamps are available to people all over the globe – via the Time Machine and World Explorer 'sales counters'. Each try at the random sale mechanism costs the user 25 Coins, which at my local currency works out exactly to 50 cents CAD or half a Canadian Dollar.

Slowly has released an immense number of regional commemoratives – many being really obscure, with some portrait of a local person. In some cases even local users seem surprise at some of their choices.

The portrait stamps are generally not their best designs – not so attractive, but still desirable as the app has built a core of active stamp collectors, and many are complectionists; they want to have ALL the stamps, no matter how ugly or obscure it be.

---

What revenue is Kevin worrying about?

The one which could be had if the user bought these myriad commemoratives via Time Machine. Or even the location stamps, via the less popular World Explorer feature.

I am personally a big fan of Location stamps, and filed many ideas for new and interesting ones for countries which did not have ANY yet – some of them came to light and we were happy to see more African nations specially having some local stamps.

---

How come the Time Machine has SO MANY stamps

... compared to World Explorer?

My theory here is that Time Machine has a LOT more sales than W.E. – there is simply a lot more interesting stamps, nice designs there. The World Explorer suffers from the abundance of old, ugly location designs – the original, 'minimalist' design with a few lines and even fewer colours. Example: Brandenburg Gate in Germany, which is a great landmark and has an UGLY stamp.

Slowly could replace any designs easily, they simply replace the image file on their server and voilá, done – new design is what people will see. They done this a few times with quick revisions on small errors in new stamps as we have observed. But they won't revise the old ugly location stamps – the cost of that work in time and money does not benefit them much, they would rather design and issue some more new stamps.

---

Monetization – getting money in from the stamps

The sheer abundance of regional commemoratives would not make sense, if Slowly did not have a sales mechanism for these stamps. The Time Machine does capitalize on the almost 600 stamps it currently offers, and the number is still growing.

Although a bit slower now, as we have seen a major push for Premium Singles – stamps that have a higher sale value, 50 Coins being a full Dollar in my country.

A single stamp going for one Dollar, while a full 6 stamps set is 100 Coins, or 2 Dollars in my market. Stamp sets are clearly a BETTER deal for the users. But we don't get many new sets, either global or regional.

---

The New Premium Series stamps

We had Castles of Europe at first, and that was interesting, well accepted and quite collectable. At a full dollar per stamp, it could generate some funds. There are 52 Castle stamps in total.

After the Castles, an even better idea came out – something that was available in many more countries. Easier to find a local one and offer a stamp even in smaller countries. The Beautiful Lighthouses series was born. And it currently has 63 stamps, they just added 9 more for October 2024.

On the same idea, another series called Sound of the World started, and equally can offer ideas for stamps in many countries, as long as they have some original musical instrument developed locally. Ca-xing, voilá, and in a short time it grew to 54 stamps as of October 1, 2024.

---

Why management frowns on mock locations users?

They don't mind people who virtually 'travel' and use purchased coins to purchase regional premium stamps or stamp sets in remote places. This is money the company would not see otherwise.

Kevin's annoyance is with people collecting all of the location stamps, and any available regional commemoratives at the remote places. Either a location or comm stamp is worth Half a Dollar (Canadian) each via TM or WE sale features.

So, it's a dilemma – they win some cash on travelling collectors who just must have these foreign stamps. But they lose some on the forgone sales.

We have seen some countermeasures – it has been getting harder to do mock locations, some Slowly versions are hardened to block that. And, some users received stern warnings or even 3 day suspensions from the app once they triggered the mobile client's 'abuse detection'.

---

Be careful as your account CAN be terminated

....at the whim of the company, and you lose all the stamps, all the coins, and more importantly – all of the letters and pen pals you originally started up on Slowly for.

The Slowly Terms of Service is an extensive legal document, created by lawyers simply to protect the company and acting in their interests. A careful reading is recommended, and you could notice there is mention they could terminate ANY user's account for ANY or NO reason, at their sole discretion. (paraphrasing here, but this is the harsh truth).

A more detailed Reddit discussion on past incidents with user suspension is HERE.

---

Famous Last Words

Special thank you to all the folks behind the SLOWLY app.

Letters we share, with pen pals all over the world. A modern day take in the traditional penpal experience. Come and join us, using SLOWLY.

---

Follow Blog via your Fediverse/Mastodon account :

@friends-near-and-afar-letters-we-share@wordsmith.social

This page created in MarkDown language. Thank you for reading, feel free to comment, via a direct message to my Twitter account – or the Reddit one.

You can also post a public comment in the Reddit thread for it here.

yann2@bsky.social Top ▲

O Movimento Software Livre: Uma Revolução Digital

por SilCarlos

O Movimento Software Livre (MSL) é um fenômeno social e tecnológico que busca garantir liberdades essenciais para os usuários de software. Surgido formalmente em 1983 com o lançamento do Projeto GNU por Richard Stallman, o movimento se fundamenta na ideia de que os usuários devem ter a liberdade de executar, estudar, modificar e redistribuir software, sem restrições impostas por software proprietário.

Impacto Social e Cultural

O MSL não se limita apenas à tecnologia; ele reflete uma luta mais ampla por liberdade de expressão e justiça social. A conexão entre liberdade e tecnologia é profunda, pois a restrição ao desenvolvimento de software também restringe direitos econômicos, políticos e culturais dos cidadãos. O movimento propõe que a informatização deve ser um meio de empoderamento social, permitindo que mais pessoas tenham acesso às ferramentas necessárias para participar ativamente da sociedade digital.

Desafios e Críticas

Apesar de seu impacto positivo, o movimento enfrenta críticas e desafios. Alguns argumentam que a distinção entre software livre e software de código aberto pode causar confusão, já que ambos os movimentos têm objetivos diferentes: enquanto o MSL enfatiza questões éticas e sociais, o movimento de código aberto foca em aspectos práticos do desenvolvimento. Além disso, há um debate contínuo sobre a moralidade do software proprietário, com algumas vozes dentro do movimento reconhecendo que nem todos os softwares não livres são necessariamente imorais[.

As Raízes de uma Revolução

O Movimento Software Livre (MSL) é uma revolução digital que emergiu como resposta a um contexto histórico e social específico. Suas raízes estão profundamente entrelaçadas com a cultura hacker dos anos 70 e 80, especialmente em ambientes acadêmicos como o MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology).

Contexto Histórico

1. Cultura Hacker: Nos anos 60 e 70, a comunidade de programadores começou a compartilhar software livremente, promovendo um ambiente colaborativo que favorecia a inovação. Este compartilhamento era visto como uma prática natural entre pesquisadores, que frequentemente construíam sobre o trabalho uns dos outros.

2. Regras de Propriedade: Com o aumento do software proprietário, surgiram restrições que dificultavam o acesso ao código-fonte. Essa mudança foi percebida como uma ameaça à liberdade dos usuários e ao progresso tecnológico. Richard Stallman, um dos principais fundadores do movimento, vivenciou essa transição durante seu tempo no MIT, onde se deparou com dificuldades para corrigir falhas em softwares devido à falta de acesso ao código.

Fundação do Movimento

• Projeto GNU: Em 1983, Stallman lançou o Projeto GNU com o objetivo de criar um sistema operacional completamente livre. A ideia central era garantir que os usuários tivessem a liberdade de usar, estudar, modificar e redistribuir software. O Manifesto GNU, publicado em 1985, delineou os princípios éticos do movimento e introduziu o conceito de “copyleft”, que protege as liberdades do software.

• Free Software Foundation (FSF): Para institucionalizar o movimento e arrecadar fundos para o desenvolvimento de software livre, Stallman fundou a FSF em 1985. Essa organização se tornou um pilar fundamental na promoção e defesa do software livre.

Os Quatro Pilares da Liberdade no Software Livre

O conceito de software livre é fundamentado em quatro liberdades essenciais que garantem aos usuários controle e autonomia sobre o software que utilizam. Essas liberdades são cruciais para promover uma cultura de colaboração, inovação e inclusão digital.

As Quatro Liberdades

1. Liberdade 0: Executar o programa para qualquer propósito
   Os usuários têm a liberdade de usar o software da maneira que desejarem, sem restrições sobre o propósito ou o contexto em que ele é utilizado.

2. Liberdade 1: Estudar como o programa funciona e adaptá-lo às suas necessidades
   Esta liberdade permite que os usuários acessem o código-fonte do software, possibilitando a modificação e personalização conforme suas necessidades específicas.

3. Liberdade 2: Redistribuir cópias do software
   Os usuários podem compartilhar cópias do software, seja na forma original ou modificada, ajudando outros a se beneficiarem da mesma tecnologia.

4. Liberdade 3: Distribuir versões modificadas do software
   Essa liberdade permite que os usuários compartilhem suas melhorias e adaptações, contribuindo para o avanço coletivo do conhecimento e da tecnologia.

Importância das Quatro Liberdades

Essas liberdades não apenas garantem que os usuários tenham controle sobre as ferramentas que utilizam, mas também promovem um ambiente de aprendizado e inovação contínua. O acesso ao código-fonte é um pré-requisito para as liberdades 1 e 3, assegurando que todos possam participar ativamente no desenvolvimento e aprimoramento do software.

Implicações Sociais

O movimento de software livre defende que a inclusão digital deve ser realizada através do uso de software livre, pois isso garante que todos os cidadãos tenham acesso ao conhecimento digital e possam se tornar participantes ativos na sociedade da informação. A dependência de soluções proprietárias pode levar à exclusão digital, limitando a capacidade das pessoas de compreender e modificar as tecnologias que utilizam.

Impacto na Indústria: Uma Onda de Mudança

O Movimento Software Livre (MSL) está provocando uma transformação significativa na indústria de tecnologia, alterando padrões de propriedade intelectual, práticas de desenvolvimento e modelos de negócios. A adoção crescente de software livre por empresas em diversos setores é um reflexo dessa mudança.

Crescimento e Adoção

1. Adoção Significativa: Uma pesquisa revelou que 64% das empresas que utilizam software livre no Brasil têm faturamento superior a R$ 1 milhão por ano, com destaque para setores como comunicação, educação e tecnologia da informação. Empresas renomadas como Carrefour, Itaú e Petrobras estão entre os casos de sucesso na implementação de soluções de código aberto.

2. Concentração Regional: O avanço do software livre é mais evidente nas regiões Sul e Sudeste do Brasil, onde 81% das empresas desenvolvedoras e 85% das usuárias estão localizadas. Essa concentração tem impulsionado um ecossistema robusto para o desenvolvimento e uso de software livre.

Benefícios Econômicos

• Redução de Custos: A economia em licenciamento é uma das principais motivações para a adoção do software livre. As empresas podem redirecionar esses recursos para áreas críticas como pesquisa e desenvolvimento.

• Flexibilidade e Customização: O software livre permite que as empresas modifiquem e personalizem soluções para atender às suas necessidades específicas, promovendo maior agilidade nos processos.

Inovação e Colaboração

• Ambiente Colaborativo: O modelo de desenvolvimento do software livre favorece a colaboração entre desenvolvedores, resultando em melhorias contínuas na qualidade do código. Essa abordagem também atrai profissionais talentosos que contribuem com novas ideias e habilidades.

• Crowdsourcing: Muitas empresas estão adotando práticas de crowdsourcing, onde consumidores colaboram na criação de produtos, refletindo um novo modelo de produção descentralizado.

Desafios e Oportunidades

Apesar dos avanços, o movimento enfrenta desafios, como a resistência à mudança por parte de algumas instituições que ainda preferem soluções proprietárias. No entanto, a crescente conscientização sobre os benefícios do software livre está criando oportunidades para o fortalecimento do mercado local de tecnologia.

Gigantes do Software Livre

O movimento de software livre tem gerado um impacto significativo na indústria de tecnologia, com várias empresas se destacando como líderes nesse segmento. Essas “gigantes do software livre” não apenas promovem a filosofia de liberdade e colaboração, mas também oferecem soluções inovadoras que têm transformado o mercado.

Principais Empresas de Software Livre

1. Red Hat

   • Descrição: Fundada em 1993, a Red Hat é uma das pioneiras no desenvolvimento de soluções de código aberto, especialmente com seu sistema operacional Linux.
   • Impacto: Em 2012, tornou-se a primeira empresa de software livre a ultrapassar USD 1 bilhão em receita e foi adquirida pela IBM em 2019 por USD 34 bilhões, a maior aquisição de software da história.

2. Canonical

   • Descrição: Conhecida por desenvolver o Ubuntu, uma das distribuições Linux mais populares, a Canonical tem sido fundamental na promoção do software livre em ambientes corporativos.
   • Impacto: O Ubuntu é amplamente utilizado em servidores e desktops, contribuindo para a adoção de soluções baseadas em Linux.

3. SUSE

   • Descrição: A SUSE é uma empresa que oferece soluções de software livre focadas em sistemas operacionais baseados em Linux.
   • Impacto: A SUSE é reconhecida por sua robustez em ambientes empresariais, especialmente em serviços de nuvem e infraestrutura.

4. Mozilla

   • Descrição: Criadora do navegador Firefox, a Mozilla é uma defensora do software livre e da privacidade online.
   • Impacto: O Firefox é um dos navegadores mais utilizados mundialmente e promove uma internet aberta e acessível.

5. MySQL (Oracle)

   • Descrição: Embora agora seja propriedade da Oracle, o MySQL começou como um sistema de gerenciamento de banco de dados relacional de código aberto.
   • Impacto: É amplamente utilizado em aplicações web e empresariais, sendo uma escolha popular devido à sua flexibilidade e desempenho confiável.

Empresas Brasileiras no Cenário de Software Livre

No Brasil, diversas empresas também se destacam na utilização e desenvolvimento de software livre:

• TOTVS: Líder em software de gestão empresarial no Brasil, a TOTVS oferece soluções personalizadas que incluem opções de código aberto.
• Cognizant: Multinacional que fornece serviços de TI e consultoria, com um forte foco na implementação de soluções baseadas em software livre.
• Deway: Especializada no desenvolvimento de aplicativos móveis, também adota práticas de software livre para oferecer soluções sob medida.

O Debate Atual: Monetização e Sustentabilidade

O movimento de software livre enfrenta um debate crescente sobre como garantir sua sustentabilidade financeira, ao mesmo tempo em que preserva os princípios de liberdade e colaboração. A monetização é um tema central, pois muitas iniciativas de software livre dependem de modelos que equilibram a oferta gratuita com a necessidade de recursos para manutenção e desenvolvimento.

Modelos de Monetização

1. Serviços Agregados

   • Muitas empresas que desenvolvem software livre oferecem serviços complementares, como suporte técnico, consultoria e treinamento. Esse modelo permite que o software em si seja gratuito, enquanto os serviços pagos geram receita significativa.

2. Crowdfunding

   • O financiamento coletivo tem se tornado uma estratégia popular para projetos de software livre. Plataformas como Patreon permitem que desenvolvedores recebam doações regulares de usuários interessados em apoiar o projeto. Essa abordagem não apenas garante recursos, mas também engaja a comunidade.

3. Modelos SaaS (Software as a Service)

   • Algumas empresas adotam o modelo SaaS, onde os usuários pagam uma assinatura para acessar o software hospedado na nuvem. Isso elimina a necessidade de instalação local e manutenção por parte do usuário, enquanto gera uma receita recorrente para os desenvolvedores.

4. Doações e Patrocínios

   • Muitos projetos de software livre são sustentados por doações de empresas ou indivíduos que utilizam o software. Exemplos incluem o Linux e a Fundação Mozilla, que dependem de contribuições para manter suas operações.

Desafios da Sustentabilidade

• Concorrência com Software Proprietário: A natureza gratuita do software livre pode dificultar a monetização, especialmente quando comparado a soluções proprietárias que oferecem suporte direto e garantias.
• Percepção do Valor: Convencer usuários a pagar por serviços relacionados ao software livre pode ser desafiador, já que muitos estão acostumados a obter o software gratuitamente.
• Engajamento da Comunidade: Manter uma comunidade ativa e engajada é crucial para o sucesso dos projetos de software livre. A falta de participação pode levar à estagnação do desenvolvimento e à diminuição do suporte.

Referências

https://politics.org.br/pt-br/padroes-abertos-e-conhecimento-news/movimento-do-software-livre-por-uma-relacao-livre-com

https://www.gnu.org/philosophy/free-sw.pt-br.html

https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hist%C3%B3ria_do_software_livre

https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Movimento_software_livre

https://www.scielo.br/j/ha/a/HtMLzNdrPGvb9nwRLvvJCkP/

https://escola.mpu.mp.br/publicacoescientificas/index.php/boletim/article/download/179/160

https://www.gnu.org/philosophy/free-sw.pt-br.html

https://vecam.org/2002-2014/article710.html

https://revistapesquisa.fapesp.br/o-avanco-do-software-livre/

https://www.appcivico.com/artigos/software-livre-tecnologia-social-para-combater-desigualdades-digitais

https://www.dio.me/articles/quais-sao-as-maiores-empresas-no-ramo-de-programacaoti-no-brasil

https://revistapesquisa.fapesp.br/o-avanco-do-software-livre/

https://www.mestresdaweb.com.br/tecnologias/5-melhores-empresas-de-desenvolvimento-de-software-do-brasil-em-2023

https://blog.apoia.se/ganhar-dinheiro-com-open-source/

https://www.gnu.org/philosophy/free-sw.pt-br.html

https://engsoftmoderna.info/artigos/como-monetizar.html

https://www.ibm.com/br-pt/topics/open-source

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Leia mais...

Using Partial Function Applications With Recursive Wrappers and Functional Combinators

I know that it's a word salad of a title, but if you're reading this, then I'm sure you're A) old enough to read, B) have some idea of the topic, C) in the know that word salad titles are click-bait.

I cut my teeth on functional programming in Elixir. While it is a great language for many things and it is a fun language to use, ... functional it is not. When compared to something like Ocaml, there are many features of a more 'pure' functional language that Elixir lacks. These same features are also either missing in Python, or poorly implemented.

I like Python, I'll admit it. I can do many things quickly without much dev overhead. It's a good thing that I like it because my job is roughly 98% Python development. But I'm always on the search on how do do things a bit faster without making the code hard to read or maintain.

One trick that I have picked up from Ocaml is the use of partial function applications. In Ocaml you can do some weird stuff like so:

let adder x y = x + y;;
let add_five = adder 5;;
add_five 7;;
12

This seems like a strange and an unnecessary thing to do, but partial function applications are basically simple closures on-the-fly which is quite useful; a point that I will flesh out a bit later.

How Ocaml does this is quite unique. In the Ocaml world there are, technically, no multi argument functions, but a function that is a chain of functions. If you take a look at the signature of adder above it will look like the following:

x => y => x+y

To your eyes , this is a bit weird and a little hard to grok unless you understand that there are no variables only functions. The signature basically says “adder is a function that yields x. X is a function that takes an input and returns function y. Y is a function that takes an input and returns x+y.” This also explains why, typically, functional languages don't use parenthesis for functions, because they would get overused quite quickly and would be semantically difficult.

You may be saying “But the partial class exists in Pythons functools package.” That is true, but using it can give you some pretty wild results.

For example let's say you have a function like so:

def foo(a, b, c):
    return f"{a=}, {b=}, {c=}"

Now lets also say that you need to make 2 partials from this one function because you're going to get the data you need at different times and you want to pass these partials around to other functions. And, let's also say that you get a, b and c out of order. You might do something like this:

bar = partial(foo, c=5)
# some other code

foobar = partial(bar, a=2)
# some more other code

foobar(1)

And I will tell you that the above won't work the way you think it will. In fact, it won't work at all. When you use a partial of a partial and then use keywords on positional arguments for out of order assignment (which is a totally bad thing to do in Python), all of your arguments must be keyword arguments. In the situation above the partial class will try to apply 2 to a, then 1 to a (not b like you would expect) and then throw an TypeError exception.

But the problem is that I still need that hot, sweet partial fix. A better solution is to just make our own partial wrapper that behaves a bit more sanely. For this let's implement a generic wrapper that implements recursion to do the job:

from functools import wraps, cache
from inspect import signature


@cache
def _get_required_arguments(func):
    parameters = inspect.signature(func).parameters
    positional_args = 0
    keyword_args = 0

    for k, v in parameters.items():
        match v.kind:
            case v.POSITIONAL_OR_KEYWORD:
                if v.default == inspect._empty:
                    positional_args += 1
                else:
                    keyword_args += 1
            case v.VAR_POSITIONAL:
                # if there are no positional args,
                # then we are only expecting variadic arguments
                # if there are positional args,
                # then a variadic argument is optional
                # and doesn't increment the required amount
                if positional_args == 0:
                    positional_args += 1
            case v.VAR_KEYWORD:
                if keyword_args == 0:
                    keyword_args += 1
    return (positional_args, keyword_args)


def partialize(func, *args, **kwargs):
    @wraps(func)
    def recurse(*nargs, **nkwargs):
        return partialize(func, *args, *nargs, **kwargs, **nkwargs)

    p_args, k_args = _get_required_arguments(func)
    if len(args) < p_args:
        return recurse
    return func(*args, **kwargs)

Now we can do funny things like this which works in a similar fashion to what Ocaml offers:

@partialize
def foo(a, b, c):
    return f"{a=}, {b=}, {c=}"
foo(1, 2, 3)
foo(1)(2, 3)
foo(1, 2)(3)
foo(1)(2)(3)

However, it does not fix the out of order problem from above. Nor does it fix the double application to a because of mixed keyword/positionals problem. What it does do is allow you to do is to wrap a function to make it partialable (not a word, I know) at function definition, something the partial class cannot offer.

To fix the out of order problem we would need to make a one-off combinator like so:

def foo(a, b, c):
    return (a, b, c)

@partialize
def bar_combinator(c, a, b):
    return foo(a, b, c)

bar_1 = bar_combinator(5)
bar_2 = bar_1(2)
result1 = bar_1(5, 10)
result2 = bar_2(1)

This of course does mean that you must know the order of application ahead of time. If you're in a situation where you have no idea what order you will be getting your arguments applied, then you should stick with only keyword arguments like so:

@partialize
def bar_combinator(a=None, b=None, c=None):
    return foo(a, b, c)

Now, that's a real simple combinator. In fact, it doesn't really combine anything, but just rearranges arguments. So let's look at a real world use case that I had just t'other day.

I needed to build multiple Mac objects that take different argument and treat them in the same way. The two objects were ISO9797-algo3 and ISO9797-algo5 (aka: CMAC). Algo3 requires that the data to be macked is padded first in one of three different methods also defined in ISO9797. CMAC does not need padding, but it does need to know what crypto algorithm to use. The class definitions for each are like so:

class MacAlgo3:
    def __init__(self, key: bytes):
        self.key = key

    def __call__(self, data: bytes) -> bytes:
        return how_the_mac_is_made

class Cmac:
    def __init__(self, key: bytes, algo: Literal["AES", "TDES"]):
        self.key = key
        self.algo = get_algo(algo)

    def __call__(self, data: bytes) -> bytes:
        return how_the_cmac_is_made

I knew that I needed my mac objects first, and my key and data would come later. To make this work:

@partialize
def comb1(cls, padder, key, data):
    return cls(key)(padder(data))


@partialize
def comb2(cls, algo, key, data):
    return cls(key, algo)(data)


def do_something(macker):
    # derive key and get data
    macker_loaded = macker(key)
    mac = macker_loaded(data)


if option.a:
    macker = comb1(Mac3, algo2)
else:
    macker = comb2(Cmac, 'AES')

do_something(macker)

In this way I can shoehorn various objects into other objects that share the same signature. If I were to do this just using the partial class without combinators, I'm not sure it could be done. If I were to use combinators but use the partial class, it would probably be a mess. If I had to make a combinator without any partialization and only use hand-rolled closures, then I would probably shoot myself and my foot in the process.

Combinators can make your life EZ, but you have to make partial functions. Make that EZ too.

Wie armselig die Eisenbahn in Deutschland aufgestellt ist, zeigt sich aktuell im Norden. Da ist nämlich zwischen Hamburg, Schwerin und Wittenberge vier Monate lang alles gesperrt und damit auch die direkteste und leistungsfähigste Verbindung von Hamburg und Rostock nach Berlin. Das ist aber noch nicht die Generalsanierung, sondern nur die gerade eben nötigsten dringenden Reparaturen – an einer Strecke, die seit 1993 kurioserweise schon etliche Male modernisiert und saniert worden ist. Das zeigt, wie morsch die Strecke trotzdem ist. Aber ausreichende reelle Ersatzkapazitäten gibt’s nicht einmal ansatzweise.

Gerade die Strecke Hamburg–Hagenow Land–Ludwigslust–Wittenberge–Nauen–Berlin ist normalerweise sehr stark ausgelastet. Neben Regionalverkehr – der wohl auch aus Streckenkapazitätsgründen ausschließlich mit RegionalExpressen abgefackelt wird, die dafür aber an jeder Milchkanne halten – gibt es eigentlich zwei Fernreisezüge pro Stunde und Richtung und praktisch den gesamten Güterverkehr zwischen dem Hamburger Hafen und Osteuropa.

Alternativen?!

Reelle Ausweichmöglichkeiten halten sich in Grenzen. Nördlich der Schnellfahrstrecke Hannover–Oebisfelde–Stendal gibt es nur noch drei Eisenbahnstrecken, die die ehemalige deutsch-deutsche Grenze überqueren:

• die „Amerikalinie“ Uelzen–Salzwedel–Stendal. Elektrifiziert, aber das nach dem Krieg abgebaute zweite Gleis wurde nur zwischen Salzwedel und Hohenwulsch wieder aufgebaut, und der Westteil zwischen Salzwedel und Uelzen wurde nach der Wiedervereinigung bis 1999 saniert, aber ohne zweites Gleis und mit nur zwei Bahnhöfen mit Ausweichgleis in Wieren und Schnega. Mit einem vollständigen zweigleisigen Ausbau ist nicht vor 2028 zu rechnen – im Zuge der Generalsanierung der Strecke.
• besagte Strecke Hamburg–Hagenow Land–Ludwigslust, die als einzige zumindest außerhalb des Hamburger Stadtgebiets durchgängig zweigleisig ist, jetzt aber ganz bis nach Wittenberge gesperrt ist
• die Strecke Lübeck–Bad Kleinen, eingleisig und nicht elektrifiziert, mal abgesehen davon, daß theoretische Züge von Hamburg nach Bad Kleinen in Lübeck Kopf machen dürfen; zumindest gibt es ein paar mehr Ausweichgleise mit einer Nutzlänge von je über 400 Metern

Kurzum: Die einzige gangbare Option, den Ausweichverkehr mit einigermaßen Durchsatz zu fahren, wäre gewesen, ganz über den Großraum Hannover zu fahren. Verständlicherweise wäre das Wahnwitz.

Die Gummibahn kommt

Der Personenfernverkehr wird nun zur Hälfte über Uelzen–Salzwedel–Stendal gefahren und zur Hälfte im Abschnitt Hamburg–Berlin eben überhaupt nicht. Zunächst einmal heißt das, daß die Züge zwischen Hamburg und Uelzen mit auf die eh schon um 30% überlastete Strecke nach Hannover geschickt werden. Die 45 Minuten zusätzliche Fahrzeit sind ziemlich optimistisch.

Uelzen–Salzwedel wiederum hat gerade genug Kapazitäten für den Regionalverkehr und gelegentliche Güterzüge. Um da auch den Personenfernverkehr fahren zu können, hat man den Regionalverkehr kurzerhand westlich von Salzwedel komplett eingestellt und durch Busse ersetzt. Da werden allerdings stündliche und gut ausgelastete Doppelstockzüge durch ebenfalls stündliche Überlandbusse ersetzt. Weil es für einen dichteren Takt nicht reicht, gibt es keine Mitnahmegarantie.

Für den „Hanse-Expreß“ zwischen Hamburg und Rostock besteht ein Busersatzverkehr von und nach Schwerin. Aber zum einen fährt der mal ab Bergedorf, mal ab Wandsbeker Chaussee. Man muß also vorher wissen, von wo der jeweilige Bus jetzt fährt. Sollte man einen verpassen oder der Platz nicht reichen, dauert es auch eine Zeit, bis man an der jeweils anderen Station ist.

Zusätzlich fahren pro Tag und Richtung sechs InterCity-Busse zwischen Hamburg und Schwerin, aber wohl ungetaktet und mit miesen Anschlüssen. Und weil sie als Fernverkehr gelten, gilt auch das Deutschlandticket nicht.

… und dann kommen nur LINTe

Ansonsten ist nur noch die Verbindung von Lübeck nach Bad Kleinen übrig. Einmal am Tag fährt da pro Richtung ein InterCity von Hamburg über Lübeck an der Ostsee entlang. Aber erstens fährt der nur einmal am Tag. Zweitens ist da wohl mit einem „Restangebot“ mit sechs oder sieben Wagen zu rechnen statt mit einer ausgewachsenen Garnitur von mindestens zehn Wagen, zumal Kiel nicht mehr genügend Dieselloks hat, um die zwei notwendigen Maschinen für einen so langen Zug zur Verfügung zu stellen. Drittens ist auch das Fernverkehr. Und viertens hat man nach Berlin trotzdem noch einen Riesenumweg. Noch einmal zur Erinnerung: Das Gleisdreieck Hagenow Land–Ludwigslust–Holthusen ist komplett gesperrt.

Darüber hinaus fährt im Stundentakt die „Stadttore-Linie“, von der einzelne Züge bis hinter die polnische Grenze laufen. Die fährt im Stundentakt. Aber die fährt mit Dieseltriebwagen, Alstom Coradia LINT 41, was heutzutage das „Besser-als-nix“-Grundangebot ist. Den Tag über fahren die Züge in Doppeltraktion, und selbst die sind so schon ziemlich gut ausgelastet. Die stellen aber nördlich von Oebisfelde den einzigen Schienenverkehr über die ehemalige Zonengrenze überhaupt dar, der mit dem Deutschlandticket nutzbar ist.

Verstärken kann man da genau gar nichts. Die Züge verlängern kann man nicht, weil man dafür mehr exakt baugleiche Fahrzeuge bräuchte. Selbst LINT der neueren Generation von anderen Betreibern können mit den hier eingesetzten Triebwagen wahrscheinlich allenfalls mechanisch gekuppelt werden, aber wegen abweichender und daher inkompatibler Firmware nicht in Vielfachtraktion fahren.

Mehr oder andere Züge zu fahren, ist auch schlecht. Man bräuchte geeignete Dieselloks, die aus dem halben Bundesgebiet zusammengekarrt werden müssen, weil Kiel schon seinen eigenen Bedarf mit eigenen Loks nicht mehr decken kann. Wagen wären wohl das kleinste Übel, die könnten in riesigen Mengen vom Stillstandsmanagement in Mukran geholt werden. Aber dann bräuchte man auch noch Führerstandspersonal, das a) auf den Loks und b) auf der von den Loks zu befahrenden Strecke zugelassen ist und c) Zeit hat. Und zwar mit Rückfallebene. Schon wenn man die Züge in Rostock brechen und zwischen Lübeck und Rostock lokbespannte Doppelstockzüge fahren wollte, bräuchte es sechs Loks, zwei pro Garnitur, um an die Beschleunigungswerte der LINTe ranzukommen, und genug Triebfahrzeugführer für zwei Schichten pro Tag.

Was jetzt noch „geht“, wenn es denn geht

Wer jetzt mit dem Deutschlandticket von Hamburg nach Berlin will, hat im Prinzip folgende Optionen:

• über Lübeck, Rostock und den großen Schlenker über Neustrelitz, wenn man denn in Lübeck in den Zug kommt
• mit dem Bus bis Schwerin, dann dito, wenn man denn in Hamburg in den Bus kommt
• mit dem Metronom nach Uelzen, von da mit dem Bus nach Salzwedel und dann mit ein paarmal Umsteigen weiter, wenn man denn in Uelzen in den Bus kommt
• über Hannover, was nicht wesentlich entspannter ist, aber die kürzeste Verbindung mit ziemlicher Mitnahmegarantie, und gleichzeitig so lange dauert, daß eine Tagestour undenkbar ist

Da wünscht man sich wirklich, damals im Krieg wäre die Elbbrücke bei Dömitz nicht gesprengt worden. Oder zumindest die Kleptomanen der Roten Armee hätten nicht 1947 die komplette Strecke von Wittenberge bis Dömitz abgebaut und mitgenommen. Man bedenke, die Strecke ging mal von Wittenberge über Lüneburg bis nach Buchholz in der Nordheide. Das hätte nach der Wende ein schönes Verkehrsprojekt Deutsche Einheit abgegeben als bevorzugte Güterverbindung zwischen Hamburg und Berlin und natürlich für den Regionalverkehr. Das immer vorgesehene zweite Gleis hätte man auch bauen können; die Elbbrücke war ja zweigleisig. Nebeneffekt wäre gewesen, daß Hamburg–Wittenberge und Uelzen–Stendal eine Ausweichroute gehabt hätten.

Aber im Grunde grenzt es ja schon an ein Wunder, daß alleine die Strecke von Uelzen nach Stendal wieder durchgängig befahrbar ist und dafür praktisch komplett neu gebaut wurde. Es war ja angedacht, sie nach der Transrapid-Absage – ein Jahr nach ihrer Fertigstellung – für den ICE-Verkehr zwischen Hamburg und Berlin zu ertüchtigen, zumal das tatsächlich eine kürzere Route gewesen wäre als über Ludwigslust und Wittenberge. Statt dessen hat man die eh schon beinahe komplett zweigleisige letztere Route bevorzugt.

… und das ist erst der Vorgeschmack

In knapp einem Jahr kommt dann für satte acht Monate die Generalsanierung der kompletten Strecke vom Berliner Tor in Hamburg bis mindestens nach Berlin-Spandau. Man kann nur hoffen, daß die Nahverkehrsträger aus dem aktuellen Debakel gelernt haben und ein deutlich leistungsfähigeres Ersatzkonzept anbieten. Mehr Ersatzbusse zwischen Uelzen und Salzwedel. Mehr Ersatzbusse zwischen Hamburg und Schwerin. Idealerweise dann auch höhere Kapazitäten durch völlig anderes Rollmaterial zwischen Lübeck und Rostock. Und aufgrund der Flut an Passagieren, die auf dem Wege den Süden Mecklenburgs komplett umfahren müssen, auch erhöhte Kapazitäten von Rostock über Neustrelitz nach Berlin.

Klar, den Aufriß wie zwischen Lübeck und Puttgarden, wo für den jahrelangen Ersatzverkehr eigens mehrere Busse in entsprechender Farbgebung gekauft wurden und in Lensahn sogar eine ganz neue Haltestelle nebst Wendeschleife gebaut wurde, wird man für acht Monate nicht machen. Aber jetzt haben sie noch ein knappes Jahr, um einen amtlichen Ersatzverkehr aufzuziehen, der die sich jetzt zeigenden tatsächlichen Bedarfe aufnehmen kann. Mit „Seid froh, daß überhaupt was fährt, wo ihr vielleicht irgendwann mit reinpaßt“ hält man nämlich niemanden bei der Schienenverkehrsstange.

#Eisenbahn #Aktuelles #Hamburg #Berlin

---

An important topic — glad it is being discussed

Yesterday a new topic was created on our subReddit, which is shown in the image above. The theme of the topic is how is the current pen pal experience in SLOWLY app – and we have various other commentary in the sub recently about it.

It got views and comments, including an excellent one by ZT1604, which I supported, agreeing with all they wrote. Russian Cousin suggested it could be a good Guest Author post here, I asked for permission, which was granted. So, here it is. ? Thank you, ZT!

---

The topic's original poster asked:

I uninstalled Slowly last year, been there for a while but got burned out from introducing myself over and over. So how is Slowly these days? Can you share your experiences lately? Is it still a good app?

Guest post by ZT1604, original posted on Reddit here.

Hello! Let me preface my comment by saying that SLOWLY today isn't the same as it used to be, for many reasons.

I've been on the app since 2021 and as such I've seen it evolve and decay over the years. Over that time, I've had countless pen-pal stories, some of them super joyful, others very painful.

I got to say my highest usage period was late 2022 – early 2023, and back then, you could still get decent pen-pals and letter exchanges. The truth is that the userbase on this app has been dwindling for a while now.

The pandemic was certainly its golden age, but ever since then, ever since people returned to normalcy, this app has been on a steady downfall as far as its user pool is concerned.

---

The current experience

Now, in 2024, SLOWLY is a bit different. First off, you have the so-called Open Letter feature, which basically is a letter that you shoot into the app waiting for it to be replied by anyone who manages to stumble across it.

SLOWLY has been trying hard to make this otherwise niche feature into a staple in the app, and so more and more users are giving it a try. The feature is quite half-assed, though, so your mileage might vary. You might get a lot of replies or none at all. You might get a few quality letters or many spam or low-effort letters.

Either way, it's a feature that still requires some tuning to be truly effective and satisfying, but when the right conditions of the algorithm and the target audience are met, coupled with your letter being based around just the right topic, it does work.

---

The newer users

Then, there's the users. Most of the committed pen-pals in the app are long gone at this point, leaving behind a plethora of dead or paused profiles with very abysmal sent-received ratios.

Instead, the new fashion of SLOWLY user nowadays is increasingly low-effort compared to the users who used to take it more passionately, and the prevalence of AI-written letters is increasingly common. As such, finding actual long-term letter exchanges can be incredibly challenging nowadays.

It's still possible, but it requires a lot of luck, whether it's via Open Letter or good ole' manual search. As for my own recent experiences, I've had fewer and fewer of them, and right now, it's taking me more and more time to even find one profile with whom I can exchange letters with reliably.

I still have faith and love for the concept, so I'll stay for now, but it'd lie if I say the experience was still as exciting as it was during the pandemic years or even in late 2022.

---

Regarding SLOWLY's development and Support

Finally, a thing which hasn't changed at all is the app's atrocious level of support by its developing team.

I personally harbor no ill against the developers, but its direction has been half-assed and doesn't really take into account the users' long list of suggestions that might improve the user experience, as well as of course, the complaints about the gripes many users have, including technical problems, a very deficient and barebones desktop web browser client, an obsessive and almost religious focus on providing more and more stamps instead of adding another exciting twist to the formula, etc.

We all really hope things eventually improve, but if you read this subreddit's several posts about the matter, you'll find a mix of foolish idealism that things will get better, mixed with the dreadful frustration of realizing that it's not going to be anytime soon.

SLOWLY is still a unique concept and has a good chunk of remaining potential. It's just that the developing team's direction is not capable or willing to evolve things and keep it up with time.

---

Conclusion?

And so, this has been my overall experience with SLOWLY. Is it still a unique app? Yes, it is. Is it still the same as before? No, it is not. Is it still a good app? That's up to you to decide.

ZT1604

---

I enjoyed reading ZT's comment, and added a short comment of my own. It's spot on, and thanks to Russian Cousin's suggestion, it's now here as well. Thank you, both!

---

Famous Last Words

Special thank you to all the folks behind the SLOWLY app.

Letters we share, with pen pals all over the world. A modern day take in the traditional penpal experience. Come and join us, using SLOWLY.

---

Follow Blog via your Fediverse/Mastodon account :

@friends-near-and-afar-letters-we-share@wordsmith.social

This page created in MarkDown language. Thank you for reading, feel free to comment, via a direct message to my Twitter account – or the Reddit one.

You can also post a public comment in the Reddit thread for it here.

yann2@bsky.social Top ▲

Niemand...

...kommentiert geiler.

N.B.: Any post marked as a “Legacy Fringe Review” is an old blog entry moved to this one and lightly edited for format, with some minor errors corrected (and undoubtedly new ones added for balance!).

Continuing my little experiment in reviewing little-known RPGs, past and present, I'd like to go in a direction directly opposite of my last review. In that I introduced a game that was in all ways completely different from most RPGs that people in the hobby are familiar with. Instead it is, as I put it in a comment, “RPG meets collaborative fiction with a dash of improv”.

Today's game is nothing of the sort. It is three perfectly ordinary things:

1. It is a free game and almost militantly so.
2. It is a joke game, or, at least, it started that way.
3. It is a so-called “Old School Renaissance” game (and arguably the first actual such!).

So why am I reviewing a game so ordinary? Because, naturally, it is in no way ordinary!

The game (and indeed, to a degree, entire game line) that I am reviewing today is the game Mazes & Minotaurs (M&M) written by Olivier Legrande. If you've compulsively followed the link provided you got a taste of the rabbit's warren that is the secret world of M&M. If you didn't, let me give you a quick history so you can understand the joyful, wonderful madness you're about to face.

History

In 2002, game author and columnist Paul Elliot wrote an article in which he postulates an alternative history where Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson create a game based on Greek miniatures wargaming instead of medieval. This inspired French game author Olivier Legrande to conceive of actually making the game hinted at in that article. In the process of collaboration, the pair, with Legrande doing the bulk of the work, created not only the game Mazes & Minotaurs but also the complicated (and very funny!) joke history around it.

And the joke history is that the game was created by Paul Elliot in 1972 (two years before the publication of Dungeons & Dragons). Assorted supplements that vaguely mirrored the original D&D supplements were created and assigned product release dates two years before their approximate D&D equivalents. Then, in “1987” (two years before the release of Advanced Dungeons & Dragons), Revised Mazes & Minotaurs (RM&M) was released with its mirroring books and from there the game exploded.

As of this writing there are a lot of supplements for M&M. Just go take a look! There's a lot there for what started as a joke game. All of it free.

Production

The game books are written in a breezy style (without the gratuitously grandiloquent vocabulary of the real source materials, thankfully!) and, as part of their affectation of being “reprints” of old editions, have little sidebars expounding on some of the faux-history of the game and its community. Much of it is self-deprecating and a lot of it shines a light on real RPG history in the guise of the fake.

The typesetting of all of it is very basic. A simple decorative frieze-like border surrounds two columns of text and several pieces of clip art that are vaguely thematic. (Well, OK, to be fair, it's more than vague. Legrande has a decent eye for matching such artworks to the text most times.) Font selection is basic as well, although thankfully consistent across the line. Covers range from laughable to decent, though it's unclear how much of this is homage and how much is just the fact it is a free game.

In general, the bottom line is that the game is not made for looks. It's made for play. (And what more do you want from a game that is absolutely, 100% free!?)

Play

And that segues nicely into the most important part of the review: how does this joke game actually play? To review this, I will have to pick an edition, so I will. I will pick the RM&M game, reviewing the rules of that system. (Much of the game is unchanged in the Revised edition anyway, so there's no point in covering both.)

The RM&M rules are in two core rulebooks of 50 pages each, one optional rulebook, also 50 pages, and a 127-page monster book. The first core rulebook, the Players Manual (PM) covers character generation, combat, magic, and adventuring rules.

Character Creation

Character creation is a simple process: for all characters: select a class; roll basic attributes; pick a name and gender, determine age; determine combat scores; determine other scores; determine starting wealth and equipment, purchase extra equipment; flesh out the character.

Character classes are divided into five warrior classes (Amazons, Barbarians, Centaurs, Nobles, Spearmen), five magician classes (Elementalists, Lyrists, Nymphs, Priests, Sorcerers), and two specialist classes (hunters, thieves). All characters start at level 1 and can go to level 6. (It should be noted that the optional Companion adds two extra warrior classes, the Cavalryman and the Archer, as well as a far less sexist Amazon variant.)

There are six attributes: Might, Skill, Wits, Luck, Will, and Grace. These reflect the usual old school game concerns with a slight Greek flavour. 2d6+6 are rolled six times and assigned to attributes. There are some rules around these to keep characters competent. Each class has two primary attributes (e.g. Lyrists have Grace and Luck) and the two highest final values must be allocated to these two attributes. Each attribute comes with a paired modifier by value.

It should be noted that for number-crunchers, Luck is probably the most important of the attributes.

Names are freely decided, and gender is freely decided except for those classes which have pre-decided genders. (Nymphs are always female, for example.) Starting age is 2d6+15 for warriors and specialists, 2d6+20 or magicians. The only exception here is Nymphs, who are ageless.

Combat scores are, as the name would indicate, numbers used in combat and are calculated from attribute modifiers, sometimes with base values added. All but Hits Total incorporate the Luck modifier in addition to other ones, so Luck is an important stat for all-round combatants.

There are four saving rolls: Athletic Prowess, Danger Evasion, Mystic Fortitude, and Physical Vigour. Each character also has a Personal Charisma modifier reflecting interpersonal qualities. There is also an encumbrance total calculated based on a base number plus carried equipment; the impact of this total depends on the Might score directly (not the modifier).

Specialists have talents: Hunting for Hunters, and Thievery for Thieves. Magicians of all kinds have Mystic Strength, Power Points, and a special talent score (like for specialists) which varies by class.

All characters start with reasonable equipment for their class, some basics, and starting money that can be used to buy other things, the amount again depending on their class. In true old school fashion, the equipment list is very basic with mostly representative items and will require extrapolation for items not on it.

Once the mechanical bits are done, players are encouraged to breath life into their characters by supplying a background and personality.

Although an actual, (very!) playable game, the author couldn't resist throwing in some jokes at old school tropes. Every class, for example, has special abilities and some of those are ... ah ... scalpel-sharp parodies of the way things worked in the earlier days. Amazons, for example, use Skill and Grace as their primary attributes and have an ability called “Battle Grace” which adds their Grace modifier to their Defence Class. But this only applies if they're not wearing a breastplate... Yes, you read that right: Amazons get a bonus to their defence based on how good they look, but only if they don't cover up. I'd be offended if I weren't laughing so loudly. This is a wonderful stab at old-school game sexism! Even outside of the interspersed faux-retrospectives the game is loaded with little jokes like that (which is grist for the mill of more jokes in the Companion!).

Combat

Combat is straightforward. Combat is broken into ~6 second battle rounds, each off which has four phases: Decision, Missile, Movement, and Melee. The decision phase has characters announcing their actions in ascending initiative order. Missile attacks are then resolved in descending initiative order. Movement is presumed to occur simultaneously. Finally melee attacks are resolved again in descending order. Surprise takes surprised parties out of the sequence for one entire round and modifies defence values for defences that require awareness (like shield use).

Attacks are rolled on 1d20, adding appropriate modifiers and if equalling or exceeding the opponent's modified defence class, the attack has succeeded and the opponent takes 1d6 of damage. All standard weapons cause 1d6 damage. Some special weapons or spells may use different dice, but a spear and a dagger both do 1d6. Where weapons differ is chiefly in style (role-playing). Characters reduced to 0 hits or less are incapacitated and in danger of dying. Certain kinds of injuries can result in permanent effects. Healing is slow by nature, fast by magic.

There are a variety of special tactics usable by some or all classes: charging into battle, holding back, shield walls, subterfuge, twin-weapons, parrying, close quarters, mounted combat, sneak attacks, etc. This is the other dimension where weapons will differ; it behooves people to know the rules to know the weapons they should carry. There's also a section on unarmed combat—pugilism and wrestling—which the “retrospective” notes claim that very few players took interest in. (A stab at AD&D's convoluted unarmed combat rules, no doubt!)

An interesting mechanism is that warriors and specialists pick a “weapon of choice” (one of daggers, swords, spears, and barbarian weapons) and have “advantage” when using them. “Advantage” involves rolling the d20 twice and choosing the highest value, making use of weapons of choice a valuable thing.

Magic

Magic works in a strange combination of original D&D and AD&D. There are five Realms (Divine, Elemental, Nature, Poetic, Sorcery), each giving access to six magical powers of increasing power. Each power is ranked by “magnitude level” which represents not what character level is needed to wield, but rather how many power points they must spend. All magicians have access to all powers in their Realm if they have the power points to apply. Each realm has a matching magical talent (Priests, for example have Spiritual Aura) which is essentially a casting modifier for using powers. Magicians also hvae mystic strength which drives how effective the impact of a power will be.

Magicians don't get a lot. There are six magic powers in each realm, and a very powerful magician might get 20 power points: enough to use the most powerful abilities three times. That being said, the powers they do command can be very strong and, as such, magicians can form a very powerful “heavy weapons” component in a party. Entering a maze without a magician would be folly. Magicians working alone would be an equal folly.

Adventuring

This part contains the usual rules for travel, movement, environmental perils, and other general adventuring things like stealth or such. One running gag that started in the original edition and has carried on through everything until a whole supplement was dedicated to it is that the sailing rules are terrible. (I can't possibly imagine which game they're making fun of here...) Additionally the rules for NPC reactions, followers, and character advancement are found in this section. Of note is that character advancement is more Chivalry & Sorcery than Dungeons & Dragons: different types of characters collect adventure points differently. Warriors gather Glory for vanquishing foes and accomplishing heroic deeds. Magicians get Wisdom from vanquishing mystical foes and exploring the unknown. That sort of thing. Collect enough of these and characters go up in level, gaining new powers, new abilities, better modifiers and all the other, usual old-school concerns.

Other Books

The bulk of the actual rules of the game fall in the PM. The rest of the books are more about the setting and advice on running the game. The Maze Masters Guide (MMG), the second core rule book, for example, covers Mythic Lore (geography, cosmogony, history, etc.), Creatures (how they're rated, special rules in combat, how to build them, etc.), Game Mastering (how to create adventures, right down to an extensive suite of rather good random generators for that purpose!), and finally Mythic Items (magic loot!).

For jokes, some of the faux-history points out what motivated key design changes (references to killer mice) and there's a beautiful take-down of the infamous Dark Dungeons tract from Chick Publications called Maleficious Mazes which tells the same story with a ... darker bent.

None of what's in the MMG is ground-breaking, but it is good quality material. It is clear that actual thought went into the design of this game; it was intended to be played as well as the source of a large number of good jokes.

The third core book is the Creature Compendium (CC) and is, as the name would suggest, a collection of pre-fabbed monsters. As with the books being imitated, the quality of the monsters ranges from the sublime (Atlanteans are chilling opposition!) to the ludicrous (Tragic Floating Head — no, really!). There's 230 or so creatures in here and most of them are quite usable. Some of the jokes include a quote from an old “letters column” that derides the “flying eye” as a monster nobody could ever take seriously...

The final core book is entirely optional, containing rules that are not necessarily going to be adopted into every campaign. There are character options, including background talents (yay!) and alternate/extra classes—most notably a far less sexist Amazon. (Which, of course, had to be joked about.) The possibility of characters being Divine Agents is floated, and a large number of combat options are added. (Too many for my tastes, hence “optional” thankfully, although chariot rules are nice to have.) Magic adds the Beastmaster class, as well as optional “elements” of Light and Dark. Religion is expanded upon in a large way (but again, too complicated for my tastes, ... but I've never really had a lot of time for religion when playing RPGs so that's likely just a bias on my part).

One thing added in the CC that is surprisingly good is a set of rules for warfare. The rules are really quite nice, existing somewhere between a full-blown miniatures system (like in the Chivalry & Sorcery Companion) and a simplistic pen and paper system (like in the Chivalry & Sorcery Companion 2). For me these rules hit a sweet spot permitting characters to get involved in (and influence) on the large scale while still being a role-playing game, not a strategic board game in disguise.

Observations

M&M is clearly a joke. Indeed it is a very good joke. But it is more than that. It is a game that reimagines the history of role-playing games and supplies a world that might have been. It is also a game that supplies the charm of old school gaming (rather missing in a lot of modern games) while looking back on almost 25 years of design experience, giving a game that feels like the old-school D&D without the ugly, convoluted, broken bits.

And it did this before “OSR” was a thing.

Honestly, I love this game. I would reach for it over almost any other for quick pick-up games with players of “normal” RPGs. It has that essence that the older games had that were lost by a lot of joyless mid- and latter-generation games, but it has that essence without being screamingly incoherent. This game has a special place in my heart and I encourage anybody reading this review to go grab a copy (did I mention it's free enough?) and give it a try. The worst thing that can happen is you wasted a fraction of a cent on the download, after all.

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