What is LitRPG? Inside the rise of the gaming-inspired fantasy genre | Mashable

November 12, 2026November 11, 2026 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

You couldn’t walk very far at New York Comic Con this year without running into Dungeon Crawler Carl. The bestselling fantasy series was everywhere on the convention floor, from merch booths to an author signing with Matt Dinniman. Even I couldn’t resist picking up a Princess Donut sticker. And while the premise of a man and his ex-girlfriend’s cat fighting their way through an apocalyptic, video game-inspired dungeon created by aliens might sound absurd, its popularity points to something much bigger happening in the world of books.

Welcome to LitRPG, a genre that combines the immersive storytelling of fantasy with the mechanics of role-playing games. Characters level up, earn experience points, and unlock new abilities, much like they would in World of Warcraft or Dungeons & Dragons. It’s a genre that’s been thriving in online communities for years, but now it’s having a mainstream moment, thanks in part to the runaway success of Dungeon Crawler Carl.

‘GTA 6’ on PS5 vs. Xbox: What we know | Mashable

November 12, 2026November 11, 2026 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

Grand Theft Auto VI is less than two weeks away, which means it’s time to sort out which console you’re going to play it on at launch, if you haven’t already.

The problem there is that Rockstar Games has given us precious little information to go on regarding how the game looks and runs on PS5 versus the Xbox Series consoles. The official marketing spin has been that GTA 6 “plays best” on PS5 for months now, but Rockstar has not greatly expanded on what that means…until now.

At least 1 dead and 10 injured after 3-story Brooklyn building collapses, officials say | CNN

November 11, 2026 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

At least one person is dead, and 12 others are injured after a three-story building in Brooklyn collapsed Wednesday afternoon, a fire department official said.

One person was still trapped, the official said.

The building collapsed around 4 p.m. in the central Brooklyn neighborhood of Flatbush, a largely residential area with a predominantly Black and Afro-Caribbean community.

Nvidia stock drops as board reportedly weighs Jensen Huang’s future | CNN Business

November 11, 2026 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

Nvidia shares dropped sharply in after-hours trading on Wednesday after reports that CEO Jensen Huang had an extramarital relationship with a company executive and that the board is meeting to discuss his future.

Nvidia shares (NVDA) fell 8.4% as of 6 p.m. ET as investors digested the developments.

Shares of the world’s second-most-valuable company fell after The New York Times reported Huang had an extramarital relationship with an Nvidia executive, and the Wall Street Journal subsequently reported the Nvidia board is preparing to oust Huang, who co-founded the company three decades ago.

Forget the office potluck. A new holiday food tradition is catching on at work | Fast Company

November 9, 2026 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

For decades, office parties have run on finger foods, sweet treats, and pizza. But ahead of the holidays, people are turning to a different type of snack.

Offices are tapping into “Dips-Giving,” a social media trend in which coworkers each bring a different dip to share, potluck-style.

While the main trend has remained popular over the last few years among friend groups as a lower-effort alternative to traditional “Friendsgiving,” Dips-Giving has slowly made its way into the break room, transforming fare usually seen as an appetizer or side dish into the main event.

How regenerative agriculture builds more resilient food systems | Fast Company

November 9, 2026 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

PepsiCo knows the future of farming rests with the next generation of farmers. Here, one multigenerational family operation reveals how it uses technology and data-driven insights to build more resilient food systems.

PepsiCo may be known for beverages, but it is also one of the world’s largest food companies. Ensuring a sustainable, resilient supply of agricultural ingredients is a business priority—and transformation starts in the fields. Perry Farms in Southern Alberta, Canada, has grown potatoes for Lay’s for more than four decades. Here, the family farmers demonstrate how they use regenerative practices and technology to strengthen soil health and crop resilience.

IRS Launches Online Tax Forum, Offering New Seminars and CE Credits | Small Biz Trends

November 6, 2026November 5, 2026 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

In the fast-paced world of small business, staying updated on the latest tax regulations and practices can feel like an overwhelming task. Fortunately, the IRS has rolled out an online resource designed to empower tax professionals with the knowledge they need, while also offering benefits tailored specifically to small business owners. The 2026 IRS Nationwide Tax Forum Online, unveiled by the Internal Revenue Service, provides access to a plethora of seminars aimed at enhancing proficiency in current tax laws, IRS procedures, and essential topics critical for the upcoming tax season.

Frank J. Bisignano, IRS Chief Executive Officer, emphasized the importance of tax professionals in bridging the gap between the IRS and taxpayers. “Tax professionals play a key role in the nation’s tax system by providing an important link between the Service and the taxpaying public, helping them understand their tax obligations,” he stated. This new initiative caters to those professionals by providing updated information crucial for effective tax planning and compliance.

Canva Announces Major Restructuring, Impacting Over 1,200 Employees | Small Biz Trends

November 6, 2026November 5, 2026 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

In a move that has significant implications for small businesses globally, Canva, the popular graphic design platform, announced substantial organizational changes that will see over 22% of its workforce, or 1,271 employees, impacted. As the company aims to adapt to shifting market dynamics and technological advancements, it’s essential for small business owners to understand how these changes could influence their operations and potential shifts in collaboration with Canva.

Canva’s decision is a reflection of broader challenges in the tech landscape. “Success in our first chapter doesn’t guarantee success in the next,” said Canva’s CEO Mel Perkins, emphasizing the need for adaptation amidst slower growth. This transition signals an effort to streamline operations for improved efficiency and creativity, which small business owners may find relevant as they navigate their own challenges in a competitive market.

Tips for More Productive Meetings | Business

November 5, 2026November 4, 2026 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

Meetings take up a lot of time and contribute to the expanding workday. Learn how to make them more productive.

As a company grows, it’s common for the number of weekly meetings to increase. This may be done with the best of intentions because there are more employees, and company leaders want to ensure everyone is on the same page. There are team meetings to keep individual projects on track and company-wide meetings to communicate the bigger picture for the business. But when an employee’s workday is constantly broken up by meetings, it’s hard to get much else accomplished.

Constant meetings are a drain on company resources because they hurt workplace productivity. Fortunately, if you must attend a lot of meetings, there are ways you can make the most of that time.

Starting a Business: Everything to Do Before Opening | Business

November 5, 2026November 4, 2026 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

1. Develop a business idea.

Every successful business starts with an idea. Whether you have a clear vision or you’re still in the brainstorming phase, shaping that initial concept into something workable is an essential first step.

“Before diving into logistics, ensure your business idea solves a real problem or fulfills a market need,” advised Grzegorz Kowalski, founder and CEO of Tripoffice.com.

Kowalski advises getting feedback early from your intended target audience. Informal conversations, quick polls, or a small focus group can help you spot weak points and refine your idea before you invest too much time or money.

Spending time or money upfront can feel risky when you’re still testing an idea, but it’s often better to uncover potential issues early. “This will lay the foundation for every other step,” Kowalski said.