Cyberpunk woman in tech gear studies a tablet — AI art by @panos

CaylaCatz

On gaining credits, do a blog post. I think when you reach 50 claps you get credits. People do 10 claps on a blog post daily to get the daily 30 credits. So 50 claps does not require 50 readers but more like 5. Most of my credits come from blog posts, more than daily. I know my blog post is image heavy but it doesn't have to be. Some people do an essay with no images. It just has to be AI art, reg art, art history, or something about you and AI related. Tutorials or just thoughts. Here is an example of an essay one with only the header image by DavidP : https://budgetpixel.com/blog/the-dopamine-dilemma-when-likes-become-an-addiction . This next one by Sealine has a few images and is another kind of post : https://budgetpixel.com/blog/discovering-inspiration-everywhere . Sealine also did this journey of a prompt which is a good idea for blog post, just if you do it, title it a bit differently : https://budgetpixel.com/blog/the-journey-of-a-prompt . You can also upload outside images

panos

Well, thank you, Cayla! See, the problem for me is; I'm on BP solely for the use of high-end models wich on NC are only for Pro users.. Mainly GPT 1.5. imges of which I was salivetaing over, there. Cridits here are resstricted, high end models cost. So my image creation on BP daily is 2-3 pix (i try to build a stock of credz so as to have more leisure in coming days. On of these is for the DC - that leves pehaps 2 iages. Now, the QT idea may be something that I woludn't want to spend credz on, like Grunge girl here. So, by all means, thank you for thinking to invite me, but I may look rude by not partixcipating. ....I realize now, my response ti rathre long and tiring. sorry, Cayla. Thank you again

DavidP

I think Malazan is the toughest fantasy I've ever read. I'm generally in the moment and not always entirely sure what is going on, from a big picture perspective. So many characters, worlds, races, gods etc. But somehow it is enjoyable. I also find mostly the TV/film adapatations are disappointing. Song of Ice and Fire aka Game of Thrones was doing well, until the last few seasons. And don;t get me started on Martin's lack of commitment to finish the darn series. As for WoT, my son has read it all, loves it, and won't watch the TV series. From all his reviews, he reckons it is terrible. SOmeone else here who loves the books said the same.

panos

Thank you very much, my freind and many many thanx for the tip! Cyberpunk: almost 40 years a go I read the stories and novels of William Gibson that invented and defined the genre. This is a tip of the hat to him! (I feel that here, instead of NC I compete in equal terms, by using high-end models for my entries. Amazingly, 3 out of 4 of my entries so far have ended up in the winning triad! I have difficulty believing it, considering the excellent quality of the other entries! -oh, small correction: this took 3rd place, not 2nd🙂🙂)

DavidP

And these days I wonder how much foot-flow libraries receive, given so many people now digital readers. My son, bless him, remains old school and has accummulated quite a collection now. - The Moore Bond films in and of themself are fine, many most enjoyable. My issue is more around my mental image of Bond based on first reading all the novels, and not being able to reconcile Moore's portrayal of the character. I liked it the later films with Daniel Craig, moving back towards more of a thriller and less of a comedic spoof

panos

Erickson certainly demand from his readers to really get into his universe - but when they do the rewards are tremendous. SF was my first love. From my grade school days. I first started reading SF book at 12 (not mentionig the HG Wells and Jules Verne novels I had read before that) Foundation novels were among the first I read. What hooke me into Fantasy was R.E. Howard 9althogh I had of course devoured Conan comics before that) and Lord of the Rings. Today, I have an equal love for both

DavidP

In my case it was my father. He had a library of paperbacks that were eventually on shelves in my bedroom. I also used to go to the local library from age 9, after we immigrated to South Africa. Read all I liked in the children;s section. From 11-12, I was into the adult section and my Dad would allow me to pick two of his five. I think Thunderball was the first I saw and loved the novel. Moonraker may be one of my favourites - book NOT film.

panos

Beginner's luck gere - and also, use of high-end models, allowing for some equality in competing which I don't have in NC. Perhaps Gibson's stories from the 80's don't hold up much today. Then all he wrote were in the future. Now, they are commonplace in our lives. Other things rhou, like VR have still to come about. His most recent novel I read: "The Peripheral" was very good. There was a TV series on it and it was also good

DavidP

Seems we have the same viwes of Malazan. I think Erickson enjoys the confusion it creates - a sadist at heart maybe 🤣 My son and I have the same thoughts about Martin and the finish. Sanderson did a great job completing WoT so hopefully he does the same with SoIaF when Martin shuffles off. Never been as into SF. Do have the original Foundation Trilogy on the shelf. Tried an episode or two of the TV series and didn't enjoy it.

DavidP

Agreed on Malazan. I think the first SF I read in school days was Asimov and Clark. First fantasy The Hobbit and LOTR. The first adult book I recall reading was The Count of Monte Cristo at age 11. And mostly thereafter it was detective, mystery, adventure, thrillers. For example I've read all the James Bond novels hence hated Roger Moore as Bond, many Saint novels so loved him as Templar, Poirot novels - Suchet's portrayal is magnificent etc