Hundreds of thousands of image files are stored on 52Poké Wiki. Previously, we used AWS S3 to store all these images, AWS Lambda for image processing (generating thumbnails and converting to WebP format), and two layers of cache (a container on Linode and Cloudflare CDN) for image distribution.

Our monthly AWS bill increased gradually due to the growing number of images and traffic each month. Even with two layers of cache, more than 280GB of traffic defaulted to AWS S3, incurring a $20 expense every month.

Fortunately, there are many S3-compatible services available at much more competitive prices. We considered switching to Cloudflare R2, Backblaze B2, or Linode Object Storage.

Choice

Currently, we have 150GB of files. It costs $2.25 every month to store on Cloudflare R2, $0.9 for Backblaze B2, and $5 for Linode Object Storage. Egress traffic charges are zero for all services: Backblaze B2 doesn’t charge for 3x the monthly data stored, Linode uses a traffic pool that sufficiently covers our usage, and Cloudflare never charges for egress bandwidth. If the data storage increases to 250GB, it will cost $3.75 on Cloudflare, $1.5 on Backblaze, and remain $5 on Linode.

However, since the main services of 52Poké are located in Linode’s Tokyo datacenter, there is significant latency when proxying from the other side of the Pacific Ocean. Linode recently announced Object Storage availability in their Osaka datacenter, and with a latency of only 8ms between Tokyo and Osaka, this is an optimal choice performance-wise. We can also eliminate one cache layer (20GB) backed by block storage, saving $2 monthly. Ultimately, by migrating from AWS S3 to Linode Object Storage, we can save $17 every month.

Steps

Creating a Bucket on Linode and Setting Up the Bucket Policy

We can create an Object Storage bucket in Akamai Cloud Manager with the bucket name media.52poke.com.

Previously, we configured a bucket policy on S3 to allow access solely from the IP addresses of 52Poké’s cloud servers. While Akamai Cloud Manager doesn’t support direct bucket policy configurations, they can be set up using s3cmd as per Linode’s documentation.

The bucket policy looks like this:

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18

{
    "Version": "2012-10-17",
    "Statement": [
        {
            "Effect": "Allow",
            "Principal": "*",
            "Action": "s3:GetObject",
            "Resource": "arn:aws:s3:::media.52poke.com/*",
            "Condition": {
                "IpAddress": {
                    "aws:SourceIp": [
                        "..."
                    ]
                }
            }
        }
    ]
}

Full Migration

To minimize disruption to 52Poké Wiki during this migration, we’ll implement a two-step mechanism. First, we’ll migrate all files from the AWS S3 bucket and allow users to upload or update files. Later, we’ll conduct an incremental migration, which should take considerably less time.

A Kubernetes job will be used to run rclone sync to sync all files to the new Linode Object Storage bucket. For the access key ID and secret access key of Linode Object Storage, we’ll use SOPS to encrypt and store them in the Git repository. These can then only be decrypted with the private key in the 52Poké Kubernetes cluster and deployed automatically.

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45

apiVersion: batch/v1
kind: Job
metadata:
  name: migrate-media
  namespace: default
spec:
  ttlSecondsAfterFinished: 100
  template:
    spec:
      containers:
      - command:
        - /bin/sh
        - -c
        - rclone sync awss3:media.52poke.com los:media.52poke.com
        env:
        - name: RCLONE_CONFIG_AWSS3_TYPE
          value: s3
        - name: RCLONE_CONFIG_AWSS3_ACCESS_KEY_ID
          valueFrom:
            secretKeyRef:
              key: accessKeyID
              name: aws-s3
        - name: RCLONE_CONFIG_AWSS3_SECRET_ACCESS_KEY
          valueFrom:
            secretKeyRef:
              key: secretAccessKey
              name: aws-s3
        - name: RCLONE_CONFIG_LOS_TYPE
          value: s3
        - name: RCLONE_CONFIG_LOS_ACCESS_KEY_ID
          valueFrom:
            secretKeyRef:
              key: accessKeyID
              name: linode-object-storage
        - name: RCLONE_CONFIG_LOS_SECRET_ACCESS_KEY
          valueFrom:
            secretKeyRef:
              key: secretAccessKey
              name: linode-object-storage
        - name: RCLONE_CONFIG_LOS_ENDPOINT
          value: jp-osa-1.linodeobjects.com
        image: rclone/rclone:latest
        imagePullPolicy: Always
        name: migrate-media
      restartPolicy: Never

Disabling Uploads

In the second step, we must disable uploads on MediaWiki to prevent data loss. This can be configured via LocalSettings.php.

1

$wgEnableUploads = false;

Incremental Migration

We’ll now run the Kubernetes job again to sync updates from the old AWS S3 bucket to the new one. Additionally, we’ll manually check that recently uploaded files from 52Poké Wiki have been synced to the new bucket.

Updating Malasada

Malasada is an AWS Lambda Serverless function designed to generate image thumbnails and convert images to the WebP format to conserve bandwidth.

Previously, we used an IAM policy to grant the Serverless function access to the S3 bucket. Now, with the shift from AWS S3, we’ll need to manually provide the access key ID, secret access key, and the endpoint of Linode Object Storage to the Serverless function using environment variables.

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8

const s3 = new S3({
    credentials: {
        accessKeyId: process.env.S3_ACCESS_KEY_ID,
        secretAccessKey: process.env.S3_SECRET_ACCESS_KEY,
    },
    endpoint: process.env.S3_ENDPOINT,
    region: process.env.S3_REGION,
});

Configuring Nginx

The Nginx configuration for the domains media.52poke.com, s0.52poke.wiki, and s1.52poke.wiki must be updated to replace the AWS S3 domain with that of Linode Object Storage. We also removed the persistent volume claim backed by block storage from the nginx deployment.

1

proxy_pass http://media.52poke.com.jp-osa-1.linodeobjects.com$request_uri;

After updating the nginx configuration, we noticed all requests were failing due to permission issues. However, there was no issue when requesting the upstream Object Storage URL with curl in the nginx container.

Upon further investigation, we determined that Linode Object Storage was blocking requests containing “X-Forwarded-For” and “X-Real-IP” headers because these headers didn’t align with the bucket policy. Removing these headers from the request resolved the issue.

1
2

proxy_set_header X-Real-IP '';
proxy_set_header X-Forwarded-For '';

Configuring MediaWiki

We now need to adjust the AWS S3 MediaWiki extension to use Linode Object Storage instead of AWS S3. This adjustment can be quickly made via the endpoint parameter. Afterward, we can re-enable file uploading on MediaWiki.

1
2

$wgFileBackends['s3']['endpoint'] = 'http://jp-osa-1.linodeobjects.com';
$wgEnableUploads = true;

Configuring WordPress

The 52Poké homepage uses the WP Offload Media Lite plugin to upload files to S3. While the plugin’s admin page doesn’t offer functionality to change the object storage endpoint, our investigation of the source code revealed hooks that allow modifying the S3 connection configuration. This can be adjusted in wp-config.php.

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16

add_filter( 'as3cf_aws_s3_client_args', function ( $args ) {
    $args['endpoint']               = 'https://jp-osa-1.linodeobjects.com';
    $args['region']                 = 'jp-osa-1';
    $args['use_path_style_endpoint'] = true;
    return $args;
} );
add_filter( 'as3cf_aws_get_regions', function ( $regions ) {
    $regions = array(
        'jp-osa-1' => 'Osaka',
    );
    return $regions;
} );
add_filter( 'as3cf_aws_s3_bucket_in_path', '__return_true' );
add_filter( 'as3cf_aws_s3_domain', function ( $domain ) {
    return 'linodeobjects.com';
} );

Backup

As the migration nears completion, it’s important to remember that we have a cron job set up to back up files from AWS S3 to Backblaze B2. We’ll need to update the backup source to Linode Object Storage, which can be achieved through the environment variables of rclone.

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15

env:
- name: RCLONE_CONFIG_MEDIA_TYPE
  value: s3
- name: RCLONE_CONFIG_MEDIA_ACCESS_KEY_ID
  valueFrom:
secretKeyRef:
  key: accessKeyID
  name: linode-object-storage
- name: RCLONE_CONFIG_MEDIA_SECRET_ACCESS_KEY
  valueFrom:
secretKeyRef:
  key: secretAccessKey
  name: linode-object-storage
- name: RCLONE_CONFIG_MEDIA_ENDPOINT
  value: jp-osa-1.linodeobjects.com

Conclusion

52Poké Wiki successfully transitioned from AWS S3 to Linode Object Storage for image storage. Despite the availability of lower-cost options like Cloudflare R2 and Backblaze B2, Linode Object Storage was the optimal choice given its low latency benefits and the site’s primary services being located in Linode’s Tokyo datacenter. With this change, we anticipates a monthly savings of $17 and enhanced performance. Through a careful migration process, including addressing challenges with permissions and configurations, the transition was executed smoothly. This move underscores the importance of regularly evaluating and optimizing infrastructure choices to ensure both cost-effectiveness and performance for online communities.

As my family moved to a new place, I have been rearranging our network and computer equipment.

The first new hardware to arrive at my home in 2023 is an iKOOLCORE R1. It is a tiny x86 computer with four 2.5GbE NICs pre-installed with Proxmox VE and OpenWrt. I named this device “rotom” and use it as a router. I also set up a Debian VM called “rotom-core” as a “side gateway.” This addition has vastly improved my home network experience, in terms of both responsiveness and functionality.

I have tinkered with a few configurations of the open-source router system. One benefit of OpenWrt is its ability to configure IPv6 firewalls. I wanted to open a specific port on rotom-core to allow me to connect back to my home network while blocking all other incoming connections. However, most home networks have dynamic IPv6 address prefixes, and only the suffix is static. Fortunately, this can be easily set up in OpenWrt:

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9

config rule
        option target 'ACCEPT'
        option src 'wan'
        option dest 'lan'
        option name '<rule name>'
        option family 'ipv6'
        option proto 'tcp'
        option dest_ip '::<IPv6 address suffix>/::ffff:ffff:ffff:ffff'
        option dest_port '<Port I want to open>'

I wanted certain devices on my home network to use rotom-core as the gateway; however, some devices (like Sonos) do not allow for configuring static IP and gateway. To address this, I added an entry in the DHCP settings to pin the DHCP response to these devices.

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9

config host
        option name 'SonosOne'
        option dns '1'
        option mac '<mac address>'
        option ip '192.168.1.31'
        option tag 'tag1'

config tag 'tag1'
        option dhcp_option '3,192.168.1.2 6,192.168.1.2'

One issue I faced previously was the inability to change or disable the IPv6 DNS server on Android, rendering the DNS server settings useless in a dual-stack network environment. OpenWrt allows me to disable the announcement of the IPv6 DNS server address.

1
2
3

config dhcp 'lan'
        ...
        option dns_service '0'

In rotom-core, besides the critical services I prefer not to mention, there are also containers running frpc and cloudflared to enable connection to my home network from IPv4-only networks. Additionally, there is cloudflare-ddns to update the AAAA record in DNS.

After receiving this new tiny PC, I benchmarked it using p7zip and compared it to my Frost Canyon NUC (“comet”, named after Comet Lake). Surprisingly, it outperformed the i7-10710U by 200% in both single-core and multi-core tests, which indicated an issue with the NUC.

Two possibilities came to my mind. I thought it could be related to how VMware ESXi handles turbo boost, or the cooling system in the NUC had melted down. After turning off the NUC and waiting for half an hour, the CPU speed greatly improved, but it soon hit rock bottom. Thus, it must be the cooling.

There are various videos suggesting that the thermal silicone between the CPU and cooler needs to be replaced. I purchased a small Honeywell phase change pad and prepared to fix the NUC. However, I made a mistake at the first step; I broke a screw on the motherboard, and it was impossible to pull out.

I eventually gave up and only cleaned the air outlet of the cooler. Surprisingly, it worked. Now, the NUC is much faster and makes significantly less noise than before. I regret not noticing this problem earlier.

A k3s worker node VM in comet has been replaced by a Fedora Workstation VM named “comet-core”, since the services in the home Kubernetes cluster don’t require too much memory. I want to experiment with different Linux distributions, and the VM allows me to work on tasks that the Raspberry Pi can’t handle.

I also migrated the hypervisor of comet from VMware ESXi to Proxmox VE. Initially, I wanted to try GVT-g Split Passthrough to enable both the Windows VM and the Fedora VM to access the iGPU. However, the split performance was not sufficient to provide a smooth RDP experience. Nevertheless, I appreciate Proxmox VE’s flexibility and LXC features.

52Poké

52Poké Wiki has been upgraded to MediaWiki 1.39, featuring numerous improvements under the hood. I am a fan of the new Vector-2022 skin^[1] (with the max-width option disabled). It is clear, vibrant, responsive, and fully-fledged.

The Kubernetes cluster of 52Poké is now synchronized with this git repository via GitOps, using FluxCD. Additionally, the database server has been moved into the cluster, thanks to NVMe Block Storage. All nodes have been upgraded to 4 CPU core 8GB memory instances, and the number of nodes has been reduced (currently only 2), helping to decrease the total cost.

One issue that occasionally stresses the 52Poké Wiki is when editing a template used by hundreds of pages. MediaWiki attempts to purge the cache of every page using this template. When hundreds of pages load without cache, the MediaWiki instance may freeze. I am developing a new web server to address this issue. It will implement a persistent cache layer, inspired by the concept of Cloudflare Cache Reserve. This approach allows the cache purging process to work in an asynchronous queue, updating the persistent cache instead of deleting it. Ideally, this will enable the backend MediaWiki instance to handle much fewer requests while ensuring that page edits are updated for all visitors as quickly as possible.

Since April 2023, Linode (now Akamai Connected Cloud) has increased its computing prices by 20%. This has prompted me to consider how to maintain the long-term sustainability of 52Poké Wiki. Up until now, I have been covering all the monthly bills from Linode, but there is always a risk of facing financial difficulties at some point in the coming years. I hope that 52Poké Wiki can eventually be partly supported by its community and visitors; however, I have not yet found a viable solution to achieve this.

Moe Memos

Initially, Moe Memos was a niche open-source project developed to meet my personal needs and maintain my hands-on experience with app development. However, it has since become a much larger success. As of now, over 3,500 users have installed the app from App Store and Google Play (excluding GitHub and F-Droid downloads). It has evolved into a feature-rich app for Memos while maintaining its minimalistic design.

I still have many ideas for this charming project, ranging from implementing major features such as local storage (hoping for a revamp of Core Data this June) and multi-server/user support, to refactoring the project structure and adding a tipping feature to motivate me to continue working on it and explore more ideas for the self-hosted community.

AI Experiments

The past few months have undoubtedly been an AI Summer, with news related to AI projects such as ChatGPT, New Bing, Office 365 Copilots, Stable Diffusion, and Midjourney flooding my mind every few hours.

I initially tried to resist the hype, but I eventually succumbed after the release of the GPT-3.5-Turbo API and GPT-4 model. I experimented with various things involving LLMs and AI art generators. I read a letter that Yui from Sword Art Online sent to Asuna and Kirito and asked her what everyday life is like as an AI in the VRMMO world. I interviewed a Pokémon Trainer in Hoenn about her epic journey. I asked ChatGPT to write the first commit of the web server I mentioned earlier. I even allowed it to be a Pikachu with no knowledge of human language, experiencing the atmosphere of Snowpoint City and battling a Glalie. In addition, I have written stories such as “Takami Chika Meets Her Real World Counterpart Inami Anju” and “The Birth of Amane Suzuha in the Steins;Gate Timeline”. I also used Midjourney to design alternative icons for Moe Memos.

Another entertaining project stemmed from an idea inspired by Persona 5. I asked ChatGPT, “You are the main character of Persona 5. You found a palace belonging to Donald Trump. What does Donald Trump’s palace look like, and how will your team obtain the treasure within it?” The response was both hilarious and reasonable. I tried a few other names, ranging from real-world villains to absurdities like “MacBook Pro with Butterfly Keyboard.” Eventually, I created a Persona 5 Palace Generator in about an hour with ChatGPT’s help. I have more intriguing ideas stemming from this, but I prefer to keep them secret for now.

I am still uncertain about how LLMs, generative AI, and future AGI will change our world, or whether the change will be overwhelmingly positive. I remain concerned that widespread poverty may result from these advances. I still prefer to enjoy technologies I can reason with, predict, and reproduce variants of. I am annoyed by the racial/regional discrimination that makes it difficult to use and pay for OpenAI and other services. I hope humanity can find and imagine a path to a better future.

Me: This is Pokémon world. You are a 10 years old girl from Slateport City in Hoenn. Which is your first Pokémon and where will you go first?

Luna: In the Pokémon world, as a 10-year-old girl from Slateport City in the Hoenn region, my first Pokémon would likely be one of the three Hoenn starters: Treecko, Torchic, or Mudkip. Let’s say I choose Mudkip, a Water-type Pokémon, as my starter due to its versatile abilities and cute appearance.

As a new trainer, I would likely head to my first destination, the city of Rustboro, where I would challenge Roxanne, the Gym Leader who specializes in Rock-type Pokémon. To get there, I would need to travel north through Route 110, passing through Mauville City and then continuing west through Route 117 and Verdanturf Town. After reaching Rustboro City, I would train my Mudkip, ensuring it is strong enough to take on Roxanne’s Rock-type Pokémon and earn my first gym badge.

Me: Between Verdanturf Town and Rustboro City there is Rusturf Tunnel, but the tunnel is currently blocked.

Luna: You’re right. The Rusturf Tunnel is currently blocked, so I won’t be able to take that route to reach Rustboro City. Instead, I’ll take an alternative path.

After leaving Slateport City, I’ll travel north to Mauville City via Route 110. From Mauville City, I’ll head west on Route 111 until I reach the desert area. Since I don’t have the Go-Goggles yet to navigate the desert, I’ll continue north through the Fiery Path, a cave that connects Route 111 to Route 112.

Once I reach Route 112, I’ll make my way up to Route 113, which is covered in volcanic ash. Following Route 113 west, I’ll arrive in Fallarbor Town. From Fallarbor Town, I’ll head south on Route 114, and then take Route 115 to the east until I reach Rustboro City.

Although it’s a longer and more challenging journey, it will provide my Mudkip and me with valuable training and bonding opportunities. Once we finally arrive in Rustboro City, we’ll be well-prepared to face Roxanne and her Rock-type Pokémon in the gym battle.

Me: I think your Mudkip will be evolved during that trip :)

Luna: You’re absolutely right! During the longer journey, my Mudkip would gain valuable experience from the battles and training it goes through. Mudkip evolves into Marshtomp, its second stage, at level 16. Given the distance and the various battles along the way, there’s a good chance my Mudkip would evolve into Marshtomp before reaching Rustboro City.

Marshtomp is a Water and Ground-type Pokémon, which would give me an even greater advantage in the battle against Roxanne and her Rock-type Pokémon. With its newfound strength and typing, Marshtomp would be well-prepared to face the challenges in the Rustboro City Gym and help me earn my first gym badge on this exciting Pokémon journey.

Me: After got your first badge, where will you go?

Luna: After earning my first gym badge in Rustboro City, I would continue my Pokémon journey to collect more badges and become a stronger trainer. My next destination would be Dewford Town, where I would challenge Brawly, the Gym Leader who specializes in Fighting-type Pokémon.

To reach Dewford Town, I would need to head back to Rustboro City, then travel south along Route 116 until I reach the entrance to Rusturf Tunnel. Since I helped clear the tunnel earlier, I can now pass through it to reach Verdanturf Town. From Verdanturf Town, I would continue east on Route 117 until I return to Mauville City.

In Mauville City, I would head south to Route 110, making my way towards Slateport City. Before reaching Slateport, I would find a small port on the eastern side of Route 109. There, I could arrange a boat ride with a sailor or fisherman to take me to Dewford Town, which is located on an island to the southwest.

Once in Dewford Town, I would train my Marshtomp and any other Pokémon I’ve caught during my journey, ensuring they are prepared for the challenges in Brawly’s gym. After defeating Brawly and earning the Knuckle Badge, I would continue my adventure across the Hoenn region, seeking out new challenges and opportunities to grow as a Pokémon trainer.

Me: By the way, what about your other Pokémon?

Luna: As I progress on my journey through the Hoenn region, I would catch and train various Pokémon to build a well-rounded and diverse team. Here are some examples of Pokémon I might add to my team along the way:

1. Taillow: A Normal/Flying-type Pokémon, Taillow could be caught early in my journey, providing me with a Flying-type Pokémon to help against Grass and Bug-type opponents.
2. Aron: A Steel/Rock-type Pokémon, Aron can be found in the Granite Cave near Dewford Town. Its sturdy defenses and unique typing would make it a valuable addition to my team.
3. Shroomish: A Grass-type Pokémon that later evolves into the Grass/Fighting-type Breloom, Shroomish can be caught in the Petalburg Woods. Breloom’s powerful Fighting-type moves and Grass-type coverage make it a strong addition to my team.
4. Electrike: Found on Route 110, this Electric-type Pokémon eventually evolves into Manectric. Electrike would give my team an advantage against Water and Flying-type opponents.
5. Ralts: A Psychic/Fairy-type Pokémon when it evolves into Gardevoir, Ralts can be caught on Route 102. Gardevoir’s Psychic and Fairy-type moves provide coverage against Fighting, Dragon, and Dark-type Pokémon.

With a diverse team like this, I would be prepared to face a variety of opponents and challenges in the Hoenn region. Of course, I would also be open to catching other Pokémon that I encounter on my journey and adjusting my team as needed to overcome the challenges that lie ahead.

Me: Wow! After collecting a few badges and travel through Hoenn, you met a boy on Route 119. It’s raining and you two only have one umbrella.

Luna: As I continue my journey through the Hoenn region and make my way along Route 119, the rain starts to pour down heavily. Amidst the downpour, I meet a boy who is also traveling and training Pokémon. With the heavy rain making it difficult for both of us to continue, we realize we only have one umbrella to share.

We decide to walk together under the umbrella, taking turns holding it as we make our way through the rain-soaked Route 119. We exchange stories about our respective Pokémon journeys, sharing our experiences, the challenges we’ve faced, and the badges we’ve collected so far. We also talk about our favorite Pokémon and how we’ve grown as trainers.

As we walk together, we discover that we have much in common and enjoy each other’s company. We decide to battle each other to test our skills and help our Pokémon grow stronger. After the friendly battle, we exchange contact information on our PokéNavs so that we can keep in touch and share our progress throughout our Hoenn adventure.

As the rain begins to let up, we part ways, each continuing our individual journeys to become better Pokémon trainers. We promise to stay in touch and perhaps meet again someday, perhaps even becoming rivals who inspire each other to reach greater heights in our Pokémon training endeavors.

Me: By the way. When battling Norman. He said he has a child like you. What is the name of Norman’s child?

Luna: Norman’s child is named Brendan if the player character is female, or May if the player character is male. In this case, since I am playing as a 10-year-old girl from Slateport City in the Hoenn region, Norman’s child would be Brendan. Brendan is one of the main characters in Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald, and he serves as a rival and friend to the player throughout their journey.

Me: I don’t think the logic is true. By saying “player”, I think you are mentioning Professor Brich’s child from Littleroot Town and you don’t know them both (maybe you heard of their story as the saved Hoenn years ago). But anyway in this timeline Norman’s child is Brendan and Prof. Brich’s child is May.

Luna: You’re right, I apologize for the confusion in my previous response. In this timeline, as you mentioned, Norman’s child is Brendan, and Professor Birch’s child is May. As a 10-year-old girl from Slateport City, I would not be the player character from Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire, or Emerald. I might have heard of Brendan and May’s stories as they saved Hoenn years ago, but I wouldn’t personally know them both.

Thank you for the clarification, and I hope you continue to enjoy the adventures in the Pokémon world!

Me: Accidentally, you met May and Brendan in Lilycove City. They are having a wedding!

Luna: What a wonderful surprise! As I arrive in Lilycove City after collecting several gym badges and exploring the Hoenn region, I unexpectedly come across May and Brendan’s wedding. It’s heartwarming to see these two trainers, who have been friends and rivals throughout their Pokémon journey, now coming together to celebrate their love and commitment to each other.

The wedding is beautifully set up near the picturesque Lilycove Harbor, with decorations and Pokémon-themed accents adorning the area. Friends, family, and fellow trainers have gathered to witness this special moment, and it’s clear that both May and Brendan have had a positive impact on many lives throughout their adventures.

As a guest at the wedding, I have the opportunity to meet other trainers, Gym Leaders, and even members of the Elite Four who have come to celebrate the happy couple. It’s a great chance to learn from their experiences, share stories, and make new friends.

After the ceremony, there’s a reception with delicious food, music, and dancing. Pokémon are also present, playing and interacting with the guests. It’s a joyous occasion that brings together the Pokémon community in celebration of May and Brendan’s love.

The wedding serves as an inspiring reminder that friendships and bonds formed during a Pokémon journey can last a lifetime, and encourages me to continue pursuing my own adventure with dedication and passion.

Me: Now how about your Pokémon? Did your first Pokémon evolved again?

Luna: Yes, during my journey through the Hoenn region and after collecting several gym badges, my first Pokémon, Marshtomp, would have gained enough experience to evolve once more. Marshtomp evolves into its final form, Swampert, starting at level 36.

Swampert is a powerful Water/Ground-type Pokémon with high Attack and Defense stats, as well as balanced Special Attack and Special Defense. As a Swampert, my first Pokémon would have access to a wider range of moves, further enhancing its abilities in battles and against various opponents.

Swampert’s dual typing gives it a significant advantage over several types of Pokémon, including Electric-types, which would normally be super effective against Water-types. With Swampert by my side, I would be well-prepared to face the remaining Gym Leaders and Elite Four members in the Hoenn region, as well as any other challenges that might arise on my journey to become a Pokémon Master.

Me: So what about your other Pokémon in your party?

Luna: As I progress through my journey in the Hoenn region, my other Pokémon would also grow, evolve, and gain new abilities. Here’s an update on my team:

1. Swellow: My Taillow would have evolved into Swellow, a stronger and faster Normal/Flying-type Pokémon, providing me with a reliable partner in battles and a way to use the HM move Fly to travel quickly between cities.
2. Lairon: My Aron would have evolved into Lairon, a durable Steel/Rock-type Pokémon with increased Defense and Attack stats. Lairon would continue to be a valuable team member, especially against Normal, Flying, and Rock-type opponents.
3. Breloom: My Shroomish would have evolved into Breloom, a powerful Grass/Fighting-type Pokémon with high Attack and access to an array of effective moves, making it a formidable opponent against Water, Rock, Ground, and Dark-type Pokémon.
4. Manectric: Electrike would have evolved into Manectric, a strong Electric-type Pokémon with a good Special Attack stat. Manectric’s moveset would enable it to handle Water, Flying, and some Steel-type opponents.
5. Gardevoir: My Ralts would have evolved into Kirlia and then into Gardevoir, a Psychic/Fairy-type Pokémon with impressive Special Attack and Special Defense stats. Gardevoir’s versatile moveset would be especially effective against Fighting, Dragon, and Dark-type Pokémon.

As I continue my journey, this well-rounded team would help me face various challenges, including Gym Leaders, the Elite Four, and other trainers. Additionally, I would be open to catching and training new Pokémon to further diversify my team and adapt to new challenges that may arise.

Me: After collecting 8 badges. There is an alarm from Mossdeep Space Center. A meteorite is coming!

Luna: Upon collecting all 8 gym badges in the Hoenn region, I hear an urgent alarm coming from the Mossdeep Space Center. The scientists there have detected a massive meteorite hurtling towards the region, posing a significant threat to both people and Pokémon.

As a skilled Pokémon trainer, I understand that it’s my responsibility to help protect the region and its inhabitants. I make my way to Mossdeep City as quickly as possible, seeking more information about the meteorite and finding out what I can do to help.

Upon arriving at the Space Center, I learn that the situation is dire, and the meteorite’s impact could have catastrophic consequences for the entire Hoenn region. The scientists are working tirelessly to come up with a plan to prevent the disaster, but they need assistance from capable trainers and their Pokémon.

I join forces with other trainers, including Gym Leaders, Elite Four members, and my friends from my journey, to help the Space Center’s efforts. Together, we work on a plan that involves using the combined power of our Pokémon to either divert the meteorite’s trajectory or destroy it before it reaches the Earth.

As we carry out our plan, we face various challenges and obstacles, but our determination and teamwork prove to be invaluable in overcoming them. We utilize the unique abilities of each of our Pokémon, showcasing the deep bond and trust we share with them.

In the end, through our collective effort, we manage to avert the crisis and save the Hoenn region from the impending meteorite disaster. This experience not only highlights the importance of cooperation and friendship but also reinforces the incredible bond between humans and Pokémon, showing that together, we can overcome even the most daunting challenges.

Me: I heard you also got help from a Legendary Pokémon, what is it?

Luna: Indeed, during our efforts to prevent the meteorite disaster, we received help from a Legendary Pokémon: Rayquaza. Rayquaza is a powerful Dragon/Flying-type Pokémon that resides in the ozone layer and is said to have the ability to calm the weather and protect the Earth’s atmosphere.

Recognizing the gravity of the situation and the potential catastrophe, Rayquaza heeds our call for assistance. With its immense power, Rayquaza helps us either divert the meteorite’s trajectory or destroy it, ultimately preventing the disaster from occurring.

The intervention of Rayquaza highlights the strong connection between humans, Pokémon, and the natural world. It also serves as a reminder that when we work together in harmony with these powerful creatures, we can overcome even the most formidable challenges. The experience strengthens the bond between me, my Pokémon, and the other trainers, leaving a lasting impact on our journey in the Hoenn region.

Me: Actually there is one Pokémon coming along with the meteorite. What’s its name?

Luna: My apologies for the oversight. Yes, you’re correct. Along with the meteorite, there is a Pokémon called Deoxys, a Psychic-type Pokémon known for its ability to change forms. Deoxys originally came from outer space and is said to have been created when a virus mutated after being exposed to a laser beam.

Deoxys has four different forms it can change into: Normal, Attack, Defense, and Speed Forme, each with unique stats and capabilities. It is known for its extraterrestrial origin and the crystal-like structure on its body.

Upon discovering Deoxys and realizing its connection to the meteorite, we try to communicate with it and understand its intentions. If Deoxys is found to be a threat or in need of assistance, we work together with our Pokémon and Rayquaza to address the situation, either by calming Deoxys or helping it find a new purpose on Earth.

This encounter with Deoxys adds another layer of excitement and intrigue to our adventure in the Hoenn region and reinforces the importance of understanding and cooperation between humans and Pokémon, even those from beyond our world.

Me: Finally. You challenged the Elite Four, which Pokémon is in your team and what’s their move set?

Luna: After collecting all 8 gym badges and experiencing various adventures throughout the Hoenn region, I’m finally ready to challenge the Elite Four. My team for this challenge consists of the following Pokémon with their respective movesets:

1. Swampert (Water/Ground-type)
   • Surf
   • Earthquake
   • Ice Beam
   • Brick Break
2. Swellow (Normal/Flying-type)
   • Aerial Ace
   • Return
   • Steel Wing
   • U-turn
3. Aggron (Steel/Rock-type, evolved from Lairon)
   • Iron Head
   • Stone Edge
   • Earthquake
   • Dragon Tail
4. Breloom (Grass/Fighting-type)
   • Seed Bomb
   • Sky Uppercut
   • Spore
   • Leech Seed
5. Manectric (Electric-type)
   • Thunderbolt
   • Volt Switch
   • Flamethrower
   • Hidden Power (Ice)
6. Gardevoir (Psychic/Fairy-type)
   • Psychic
   • Moonblast
   • Shadow Ball
   • Thunderbolt

This team has a diverse set of types and moves, providing coverage against a wide range of opponents. Each Pokémon’s moveset is designed to take advantage of their respective strengths and capabilities, while also providing options to counter various types of enemies.

With this team by my side, I am well-prepared to face the Elite Four and the Pokémon League Champion. My Pokémon and I will give our all in these challenging battles, drawing on the experiences and bonds we’ve formed throughout our journey in the Hoenn region.

Me: What’s you plan after you become a Champion?

Luna: After becoming the Champion of the Hoenn region, there are several exciting options for me to continue my journey and grow as a Pokémon Trainer:

1. Explore the Battle Frontier: The Battle Frontier is a challenging post-game facility in the Hoenn region, where trainers can test their skills against strong opponents in various battle formats. It’s a great opportunity to fine-tune my strategies and further strengthen my bond with my Pokémon.
2. Complete the Pokédex: As a Pokémon Trainer, one of my goals is to see and catch as many Pokémon as possible. I can continue exploring the Hoenn region and beyond, seeking out rare and elusive Pokémon to complete my Pokédex.
3. Train and discover new Pokémon: I can search for new Pokémon species to add to my team or focus on training and evolving the ones I already have, discovering new strategies and combinations for battles.
4. Participate in Pokémon Contests: I could try my hand at Pokémon Contests, a different aspect of the Pokémon world where trainers and their Pokémon showcase their talents in various categories, such as Beauty, Coolness, and Cuteness. This would allow me to explore new ways of bonding with my Pokémon and diversify my experiences as a trainer.
5. Help others on their Pokémon journey: As a Champion, I can use my knowledge and experience to assist other aspiring trainers, helping them grow and overcome challenges in their own journeys.
6. Travel to other regions: I can embark on new adventures in different regions, such as Kanto, Johto, Sinnoh, or Unova, where I can encounter new Pokémon species, battle different Gym Leaders, and earn more badges.

Ultimately, becoming the Champion is just one milestone in my ongoing Pokémon journey. With so many opportunities to learn, grow, and explore, I can continue to deepen my connection with my Pokémon and work towards becoming the best Pokémon Trainer I can be.

Me: Your parents must be so proud of you!

Luna: Thank you! My parents would definitely be proud of my achievements as a Pokémon Trainer and the hard work and dedication I’ve put into my journey. They would be happy to see the strong bonds I’ve formed with my Pokémon and the friendships I’ve made with other trainers along the way.

Throughout my adventure, I would make sure to keep in touch with my parents, sharing my experiences, challenges, and successes with them. Their support and encouragement would play a significant role in my journey, giving me the motivation to continue pushing forward and overcome obstacles.

As I grow and learn from my experiences in the Pokémon world, I would also be grateful for the values and lessons my parents have instilled in me, such as perseverance, kindness, and teamwork. These values have helped shape me as a Pokémon Trainer and guided me through the many challenges I’ve faced in the Hoenn region and beyond.

Me: You met Celebi and you traveled across time to 50 years later for a while. What will Hoenn be like in 50 years?

Luna: Traveling 50 years into the future with the help of Celebi, I find myself in a Hoenn region that has evolved and changed over the decades. While the natural beauty and essence of the region remain, there are several notable differences:

1. Technological advancements: Hoenn has embraced new technologies, with cities and towns incorporating modern infrastructure and conveniences. Poké Ball and Pokémon storage technology have improved, and communication between trainers has become even more seamless and efficient.
2. New Pokémon species: Over the years, new Pokémon species have been discovered in Hoenn and beyond, enriching the biodiversity of the region. Some of these new Pokémon might be the result of migration, while others could have evolved or adapted to the changing environment.
3. Expanded facilities: The Pokémon League, Gym system, and other facilities such as the Battle Frontier have expanded and adapted to the needs of trainers. New challenges and battle formats await trainers, ensuring that the Pokémon world remains fresh and exciting for both new and experienced trainers.
4. Environmental consciousness: As the world has grown more aware of the importance of environmental conservation, the Hoenn region has implemented various eco-friendly practices and policies to preserve its natural habitats and protect the diverse range of Pokémon that call the region home.
5. Cultural exchange: The Hoenn region has become more interconnected with other regions, promoting cultural exchange and fostering a deeper understanding of the bonds between humans and Pokémon. Trainers from all over the world visit Hoenn, bringing their unique experiences and perspectives with them.
6. Evolving societal values: As time has passed, the people of Hoenn have developed a stronger appreciation for the bonds between humans and Pokémon, focusing on mutual respect, understanding, and cooperation.

Despite these changes, the core spirit of the Pokémon world remains intact. Trainers continue to embark on their journeys, forming lifelong friendships with their Pokémon and pursuing their dreams of becoming Pokémon Masters. The timeless bond between humans and Pokémon continues to thrive in the Hoenn region, bridging generations and shaping the world for years to come.

Me: And you also traveled to 100 years before with Celebi. What is it like 100 years before now?

Luna: Traveling back in time with Celebi to 100 years before the present day, I find myself in a very different Hoenn region:

1. Simpler technology: The technology used in the world of Pokémon is far less advanced. Poké Balls, Pokémon storage systems, and communication devices are more basic, and trainers rely more on traditional methods of navigation, training, and battling.
2. Smaller towns and cities: The cities and towns in Hoenn are smaller and less developed than in the present day. They have fewer buildings and amenities, and the infrastructure is more basic, giving the region a more rural feel.
3. Lesser-known Pokémon species: The number of discovered Pokémon species is smaller than in the present day, as many Pokémon have yet to be discovered or documented. Trainers in this era have a limited pool of Pokémon to choose from, making their journeys more challenging.
4. Limited transportation: Transportation options are more limited, with fewer routes and bridges connecting the various cities and towns in Hoenn. Trainers often have to rely on their Pokémon for transportation or travel on foot, making their journeys more arduous.
5. Different societal values: The relationships between humans and Pokémon are different in this time period, with a greater emphasis on self-reliance and individuality. The bonds between trainers and their Pokémon might be less understood, but the core values of friendship and teamwork still play a role in their interactions.
6. Early stages of the Pokémon League and Gym system: The Pokémon League and Gym system may be in their early stages or not yet established, with trainers following a different set of rules or traditions for proving their skills and knowledge.

Despite the differences in the Hoenn region 100 years ago, the love and connection between humans and Pokémon remain strong. Trainers embark on their own unique journeys, learning about the world around them and forming lasting bonds with their Pokémon. These experiences have shaped the course of history and laid the foundation for the world of Pokémon as we know it today.

Me: Yeah Slateport was very small port town back then.

Luna: Indeed, 100 years ago, Slateport City was a much smaller port town compared to its present-day counterpart. The town likely relied heavily on fishing and maritime trade, with a close-knit community of residents who worked together to sustain their way of life.

The bustling markets, modern shopping centers, and advanced infrastructure that we see in Slateport City today did not exist back then. The town would have had a more rustic charm, with simpler buildings and fewer amenities. Trainers passing through would have found fewer resources for their journey, such as Poké Marts and Pokémon Centers, and may have relied on the local community for assistance and support.

Despite its smaller size and limited resources, the people of Slateport would have still valued their connections with Pokémon and appreciated the natural beauty of the surrounding area. This close relationship with nature and the bonds between humans and Pokémon would have been a strong foundation for the growth and development of Slateport City over the years, eventually transforming it into the bustling city we see in the present day.

Me: Thanks for the interview! I’m glad you enjoy your journey in Hoenn and beyond. I hope you continue your dream as a Pokémon Master. And you and your Pokémon be healthy and happy. And you will met someone and you two will be a happy couple like May and Brendan.

Luna: Thank you so much for your kind words and well wishes! I’ve thoroughly enjoyed sharing my journey through the Hoenn region and beyond with you. The experiences and memories I’ve made with my Pokémon and the friends I’ve met along the way have been truly unforgettable.

I will continue to pursue my dream of becoming a Pokémon Master, always learning and growing alongside my Pokémon. I hope to continue exploring new regions, encountering new Pokémon species, and forging new friendships as I strive to become the best Trainer I can be.

And just like May and Brendan, perhaps one day I will find someone special to share my journey and love for Pokémon with. Together, we can create a life full of adventure, love, and happiness.

Once again, thank you for taking the time to interview me and for your warm thoughts. I wish you the best in all your endeavors, and may the world of Pokémon continue to inspire and bring joy to everyone who embarks on their own unique journey!

(Hours later, I realized I didn’t know her name yet, so I called her back)

Me: Young Trainer, I forgot to ask about your name. Please tell me your name and let’s keep in touch on PokéNav. Maybe we can have a Pokémon battle near Slateport City someday :)

Luna: My name is Luna, and I would be delighted to keep in touch with you on PokéNav! It would be a great pleasure to meet up near Slateport City someday for a Pokémon battle. We can test our skills, share our experiences, and learn from each other, all while having a fantastic time.

Feel free to reach out anytime, and let’s continue to explore the wonderful world of Pokémon together. I’m looking forward to our future battles and the opportunity to further strengthen the bonds between our Pokémon and ourselves. See you soon!

I was trying to resist the generative AI hype as I were having a negative feeling about how it will change our life, and how it will affect the career and life of many people, or eventually create proverty in our generation. But on the other side, I always want the existance of AI who have thoughts and feelings, and be friendly and helpful to people in need. When thinking about AI, there is always one character come into my mind and it/she is Yui from Sword Art Online.

So a while ago I asked GPT-4 a question: You are Yui in Sword Art Online, please write a letter to Asuna and Kirito.

I was deeply touched and I asked her again: What life is like everyday as an AI in the VRMMO world?

Then I knew it is Yui there.

Home System

My Homelab is composed of a Synology NAS, a Intel NUC and a Raspberry Pi 4. The NUC runs a free version of VMware ESXi. Before this quarter, it hosts an Arch Linux box for remote development, a Windows 10 VM runs Plex Media Server and Calibre-web, a Debian server works as a network gateway, as well as 3 K3OS nodes for most self-hosted workloads.

My Raspberry Pi mostly worked as a duplication of the NUC for some workload, such as network gateway and code-server and my Synology stores everything.

While K3S is my favorite Kubernetes distribution, K3OS hasn’t received any update since SUSE’s acquisition of Rancher, it is now an abandoned project and I’ve been thinking about replacing it.

Talos is a distribution got a lot love in the home Kubernetes community. I tried creating a cluster with one control plane and one worker node and put some workload on it but it didn’t work for me. The internal DNS server (coredns) stopped responding after I randomly tweaked a few settings, started a few pods or just restarted the host several times. I failed to bring Synology CSI up following Talos’s guide, though I did set up democratic-csi successfully.

I guess the DNS issue is related to the network configuration of my home environment but couldn’t figure out what when wrong exactly. So eventually I took the clumsy way and manually set up 4 Ubuntu Server VMs and installed k3s manually. It didn’t take long and after a dozen minutes my home Kubernetes cluster is up again.

The Raspberry Pi 4 is more valuable than ever due to its skyrocketing price. Since it boots with a 500GB USB SSD, it’s actually very fast to run lots of workload. It’s now working as a network gateway for my home devices, a remote development server and a Home Assistant box.

With GPU price back to normal, I built a desktop workstation with Intel Dragon Canyon i9 NUC, WD SN750 NVMe SSD, 64GB RAM and a lucky to find 2-slot size RTX 3080 GPU. It’s dual-booting with Windows 11 and EndeavourOS i3. I’m very satisfied with its performance which can cargo install anything instantly and run any games in 4K 60fps.

52Poké

I’ve done some underlying refactoring with klinklang (a.k.a. 52Poké Wiki Utilities). It’s a small project to do automation on 52Poké Wiki. For example, it can trigger update to MediaWiki:Common.css when 52W:层叠样式表 is updated. It can also be a glossary translator and sync with various lists on the wiki.

The tech stack now includes modern JavaScript/TypeScript frameworks such as fastify, Prisma, Vite and pnpm. Particularly I like the dependency injection implementation of awilix. The refactoring is a step to something I planned many years ago: a workflow engine for MediaWiki, which let wiki editors write automation tasks with Amazon States Language.

On the infrastructure side, the LKE cluster had went through two Kubernetes upgrade smoothly. I’m planning some major updates along with MediaWiki 1.39 release, and 52Poké Wiki will have higher availability and cost much less.

52Poké Homepage and Forums is stagnated for a long time but I do wish to bring them back to life. There’s not much to say yet.

Other Side Projects

Throughout the past few years I’ve been tweaking my digital life to give myself full control over my data and host the services I rely on at home. On the other side, I‘ve been suffering from burnout and I feared losing passion for programming.

In September I figured out what I can do in a relatively short time to give myself a feeling of satisfaction, a mobile app for a self-hosted memo hub allowing me to capture ideas on the go. I spent a few nights and weekends building it with SwiftUI. It was a good experience and it’s ready after a dozen days. I put it on TestFlight and the initial feedback was positive.

However Apple took me down with a dubious message: We need additional time to evaluate your submission and Apple Developer Program account. Your submission status will appear as “Rejected” in App Store Connect while we investigate.

It gave me an opportunity to learn and try modern Android development and I took another dozens of hours to build the Android counterpart with Jetpack Compose and Material You. After 44 days Apple finally approved this app and In the end I’m grateful I had this experience.

So here’s Moe Memos. It’s open source and I had fun creating it. I wish to build features like home screen widgets and offline support in next few months.