Ever wake up to 200 new newsletter signups and think “Wow, I finally made it!”

Yeah… me too. Until I realized none of them verified their email addresses. Not a single one.

My newsletters got spammed a couple of months ago, so I decided to write an article about:

What this is

Why it’s happening

How to stop it

If you’ve got a newsletter or any kind of public form on your site, this might save you a headache down the line.

Hope it helps!

Based on my experience rejoining the fediverse recently, it's just like my continuous attempts since 2017 to replace the Windows operating system with Linux. I have explored many distributions and tried to distro hop multiple times in search of an operating system suitable for my ancient laptop hardware. There are so many new applications with different names and command lines that I continuously wonder what they are, using search engines, and I have often considered going back to the Windows operating system because I can't play Minecraft Bedrock Edition and Roblox, as those games no longer support Wine. However, now that I have grown up, I realize that I don't need those fancy apps and games that actually ask for more money instead of knowledge and fair use, treating me as a product or forcing me to be their customer.

The same goes for my recent switch to the fediverse. I tried to join the fediverse because the Vivaldi web browser recommended their instance called Vivaldi Social, and the local media informed me that there is a decentralized competitor to Twitter or Elon Musk's platform. Additionally, an app store on my Android recommended me Lemmy client apps because that large Reddit site began charging its users money to fully enjoy their content without ads, which became controversial.

So, this is a new beginning for me. I find it hard to replace my data collection-based platforms with decentralized ones like the fediverse or ActivityPub, but for now, I will make sure to minimize my data and exposure to those centralized apps and engage in more privacy-respecting platforms. There are so many client apps for the fediverse.

Growing up in Malaysia during the 2000s, many of us remember watching "Hikayat Putera Shazlan", a local TV series filled with magical adventures, moral values, and fantasy elements. But as I look back, I realize there’s a much deeper layer to this story—one that quietly reflects the hidden struggles of vulnerable children, trauma, and emotional survival.

The story follows Shazlan, an orphaned boy sent to live with his aunt, Mak Som, who subjects him to daily emotional abuse. She represents the cold, manipulative family member many children fear—someone who treats you like a burden while masking it with societal norms like "family responsibility." Yet, despite the mistreatment, Shazlan never tells his father.

On the surface, it looks like a tale of loyalty and patience. But digging deeper, it reflects a reality many of us grew up with—silence in the face of abuse, fearing that speaking up will make things worse. Maybe Shazlan stayed quiet not because he accepted the abuse, but because he feared retaliation or breaking the fragile bond he had left with his father.

One of the most fascinating elements is the "magic book" Shazlan finds. As a child, I saw it as just part of the fantasy. But now, I view it differently. The magic book could symbolize Shazlan’s psychosis symptoms or coping mechanism—his mind creating voices and guidance when no one else cared. The book offered him advice, solutions, and comfort when the adults around him failed. For a child isolated in pain, hallucinating a protective force is not uncommon. It’s survival. It’s resilience.

During that era, mental health awareness was minimal. People assumed therapy was only for the "crazy," and counselors often lacked professionalism, sometimes gossiping instead of helping. Children like Shazlan were left with no safe space, forced to depend on their own minds to survive—imagining magical help, voices, and escapes.

Shazlan’s story speaks of the quiet endurance many Malaysian children knew too well. "Jangan buka aib keluarga"—never expose the family's shame. So we learned to carry our pain in silence, pretending everything was fine.

As I reflect, "Hikayat Putera Shazlan" is no longer just a children’s fantasy show to me. It is a silent, unintentional commentary on childhood trauma, resilience, and how our minds find ways to cope when the world refuses to protect us.

To anyone who grew up feeling unheard or unseen, you are not alone. And sometimes, our imaginations were never just fantasies—they were the only safe place we had.

• Written by Kalvin

i created a blog and website to help get traction on my project.

its called positive-intentions.com i originally got it because it was a cheap domain and was/is a placeholder for my poject before i make time to do something like branding.

when i previously searched "positive intentions", my site was listed on something like page 4 of google. most of the results were things related to mental health, meditation, etc. i took a look the other day and i notice it now on the first-ish page of search-engines. i guess this is a result of my talking about my app mainly on reddit but a few other platforms.

id like to know how i can take advantage of this. i previously had google ads on the website, but i disabled it because i think it deterred users when they saw tracking scripts in the website. i now have a reasonable approach where i can provide the app with/without external scripts. so id like to reconsider re-enabling ads.

however i dont think google ads is good to use. it took me ages (several months) to get £2.30 and google cashes out at £60... at the current rate, i guess i wont see anything for several years.

ive read around, and i hope im interpreting something correct when it seems blogs really start have a kickback when they sell something. with my open source project, ive branched out to create something i can sell in the play-store. it still isnt on the play store yet, but that is one approach im trying.

another aproach im considering is adding something like mediavine because it seems bettter regarded compared to google ads.

i can make more time to update content throughout for clarity. i previsouly stopped doing that because it didnt seem worth the effort when adsense was generating about 1p per day.

note: i dont know much about blogging, seo, analytics, etc; so any and all advice is appriciated.

My latest blog post is my review of the first Half-Life game. I decided to break the review up into acts as I feel each act of the game has its own focus on different aspects of game design.

Act 1 being setting, characters, and story. Act 2 being sound, gunplay, and combat. And Act 3 being gameplay.


Act 1 (Story)- 4 ☢️s out 5


Act 2 (Combat)- 5 ☢️s out of 5


Act 3 (Gameplay)- 3 ☢️s out 5


Overall-4 ☢️s out of 5

I got this thing recently and wanted to share my thoughts on it :)

I wanted to highlight some great free software that I use and would recommend to anyone. I'm also open to more suggestions of apps I might've missed!

found this on the orange site

cross-posted from: https://programming.dev/post/20779359

Been working on this one for a while and I'm eager to share it. UFO 50 is a collection of 50 retro-style games, and I decided to write a blog post reviewing every single one. Enjoy!

ive only just discovered google keyword planner (GKP), but i dont know about blogging in general. for my "intro blog", GKP suggest the words to use as seen in this GKP export.

im making an attempt to integrate some of those suggestions in my blog. this is what i have so far.

am i doing this right? as for picking the words, im not sure what column i should filter/sort by to choose the words that get me the most clicks to my blog?

the page in questions is this: https://positive-intentions.com/blog/introducing-decentralized-chat

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.pierre-couy.fr/post/678825

Hi ! I've been working on this article for the past few days. It would mean a lot to me if you could provide some feedback.

It is about implementing a physico-chemical simulation as my first attempt to write a shader. The code is surprisingly simple and short (less than 100 lines). The "Prerequisite" and "Update rules" sections, however, may need some adjustments to make them clearer.

Thanks for reading

https://positive-intentions.com/blog

https://www.reddit.com/r/positive/_intentions/

i normally use reddit for what people normally do with a blog. this is because i dont know enough to drive traffic to my site. i recently created a Docusaurus blog for my app and id like to see more traffic go there when i set up ads. the amount of traffic i have right now is barely anything (about 30 per day), compared to the number of "views on reddit".

i regurgitated old reddit posts into articles. im not much of a writer and im sure the content can be improved to "flow better".

i created some images on my phone... i justify it as "it matches the theme"... its actually the best i can do without using some AI or an actual artist.

id like to set up some kind of ads on it when its looks like its in a better state and i can attract traffic.

let me know what you think i could/should do to make it better.

Water, the elixir of life, can also become a destructive force when it escapes its bounds. Whether from a burst pipe, torrential rain, or a malfunctioning appliance, water damage can wreak havoc on homes and businesses alike. However, understanding the process of water mitigation and restoration is crucial in minimizing damage and restoring normalcy. In this comprehensive guide, we'll delve into the intricacies of water mitigation and restoration, exploring the steps involved and offering practical insights to navigate the challenges posed by water damage.

Understanding Water Damage:

Water damage comes in various forms, each presenting its unique set of challenges. From structural damage to mold growth, the consequences of water intrusion can be far-reaching. It's imperative to understand the different categories and classes of water damage to devise an appropriate mitigation and restoration plan.

1. Categories of Water Damage:

• Category 1: Clean Water - Originating from a sanitary source such as faucets, sinks, or water supply lines.
• Category 2: Gray Water - Containing significant contamination, such as from washing machines, dishwashers, or sump pump failures.
• Category 3: Black Water - Highly unsanitary water, containing harmful bacteria and pathogens, typically from sewage backups or flooding.

2. Classes of Water Damage:

• Class 1: Limited Damage - Only affecting a small area, with minimal absorption into materials.
• Class 2: Significant Damage - Affecting an entire room, with water absorption into carpeting and walls.
• Class 3: Severe Damage - Water saturation throughout the area, requiring extensive drying and restoration efforts.
• Class 4: Specialty Drying Situations - Involving deep water absorption into hard-to-reach materials like concrete or hardwood floors.

Water Mitigation Process:

Prompt action is essential in mitigating water damage effectively. The water mitigation process involves a series of steps aimed at stopping the source of water intrusion, removing excess water, and drying the affected area to prevent further damage and mold growth.

1. Assessment and Inspection:

• Thoroughly assess the extent of water damage, identifying affected areas and potential hazards.
• Determine the category and class of water damage to implement appropriate mitigation strategies.

2. Water Extraction:

• Utilize pumps, vacuums, and other specialized equipment to remove standing water from the premises.
• Extract water from carpets, upholstery, and other affected materials to expedite the drying process.

3. Drying and Dehumidification:

• Deploy industrial-grade air movers and dehumidifiers to facilitate evaporation and moisture removal.
• Implement industrial-grade air movers and dehumidifiers for efficient content restoration.
• Monitor humidity levels and moisture content to ensure thorough drying of structural components and contents.

4. Cleaning and Sanitization:

• Clean and disinfect surfaces, furnishings, and belongings to prevent microbial growth and restore sanitary conditions.
• Dispose of contaminated materials safely and in accordance with regulatory guidelines.

Water Damage Restoration:

Once the mitigation process is complete, restoration focus on repairing and rebuilding the damaged property to its pre-loss condition. Depending on the severity of the damage, restoration may involve structural repairs, cosmetic enhancements, and mold remediation.

1. Structural Repairs:

• Repair or replace damaged building materials, including drywall, flooring, insulation, and structural components.
• Ensure proper insulation and ventilation to prevent future water-related issues.

2. Mold Remediation:

• Identify and remediate mold growth using industry-approved techniques and antimicrobial treatments.
• Implement preventive measures to inhibit mold recurrence, such as improving ventilation and reducing moisture levels.

3. Cosmetic Restoration:

• Restore aesthetic appeal through painting, refinishing, and restoring damaged surfaces and fixtures.
• Work closely with contractors and restoration professionals to achieve seamless integration and quality craftsmanship.

Water mitigation and restoration require a concerted effort involving swift action, technical expertise, and meticulous attention to detail. By understanding the complexities of water damage and adhering to proven mitigation and restoration protocols, property owners can mitigate losses and expedite the recovery process. Remember, in the face of water-related emergencies, timely intervention is paramount in safeguarding lives, property, and peace of mind.

If some of you are interested in entrepreneurship or want to send this to the "Yet another social network" pitcher in your life.