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Help with homing missile I have one part working

Making a scrolling space shooting video game in C# where the player will fight one on one with their opponent. I was able to figure out how to make the missile go up if the opponent was above the player. But, I can't seem to make it work if the opponent is below or right infront of the player. Can someone help me? I know the answer is right under my nose.

The function below handles the movement of the missile

 void movemissile()
        {
            foreach (Control y in this.Controls)
            {
                if (y is PictureBox && y.Tag == "missile") 
                {

                    //y.Left += 100;//x.Top -= 10;
                    if (y.Left > enemy.Left)//<100
                    {
                        y.Left += 10;
                        //this.Controls.Remove(y);
                    }

                    //plyer missile goes up if opponent is above
                    if (y.Top > enemy.Top)
                    {
                        y.Left += 10;
                        y.Top -= 20;
                        y.Left += 10;
                        //this.Controls.Remove(y);
                    }
                    y.Left += 100;//x.Top -= 10;
                    if (y.Top > enemy.Left)//<100
                    { 
                        this.Controls.Remove(y);
                    }
                }
            }
        }

        This function handles drawing the missile of the player for the game.
                void Missile()
        {
            PictureBox m = new PictureBox();
            m.SizeMode = PictureBoxSizeMode.AutoSize;
            m.Image = Properties.Resources.Missile1;
            m.BackColor = System.Drawing.Color.Transparent;
            m.Tag = "missile";
            m.Left = Player.Left + 100;//moves bullet left or right
            m.Top = Player.Top + 55;//55 is perfect
            this.Controls.Add(m);
            m.BringToFront();
        }
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WordPress.org Meta Team Fixes Search Snippet Issue with Download Page Promoting WordPress.com

Yesterday evening Chris Klosowski, Sandhills Development Partner and Director of Technology, tweeted out a problem with the way WordPress.org’s Download page was appearing in Google’s Search results snippets when searching for “WordPress.” Underneath the link, the preview text referenced WordPress.com’s hosting:

WordPress.com is the easiest way to create a free website or blog. It’s a powerful hosting platform that grows with you. We offer expert support for your WordPress site.

Others reported seeing the intended description when Googling, which is designated in the Schema.org tag in the head tag but not printed on the page:

“Download WordPress today, and get started on creating your website with one of the most powerful, popular, and customizable platforms in the world.”

The reference to WordPress.com came from the hosting providers listed at the top of the page, where it randomly displays two upon each page refresh. The Download button used to be at the top of the Download page but ever since mid-January 2021, it has been pushed further down below recommended hosts. This is presumably to help people who want to set up a self-hosted site but don’t know where to get started.

“Google was skipping our defined page descriptions in favor of some in-page content,” WordPress lead developer Dion Hulse said, regarding the issue with the search results snippet.

The WordPress Meta team was alerted to the problem and quickly put a solution in place to encourage Google to look somewhere else on the page for the main content.

“The Download page has info about the mobile apps and hosting for WordPress,” core contributor Corey McKrill wrote in the commit message. “These are in section container elements, which might be the reason that Google is using the content of the hosting container for its search result snippet, instead of the meta description tag. By changing these containers to aside elements, hopefully Google will get the message that they don’t contain the most pertinent information for that page.”

The meta team also marked the hosting recommendations on the download page as exempt from being included in the Google search result snippet, so that it doesn’t pull text from these aside elements.

Here is what the updated search result snippet looks like after the changes were put in place:

Klosowski’s tweet highlighted the perennial tension that arises from the confusion between WordPress.com and WordPress.org. The recommended hosting page has always been a contentious bit of real estate on WordPress.org but especially now that hosting companies are also prominently promoted on the Download page.

https://twitter.com/cklosowski/status/1413264854643736577

In this situation, Josepha Haden Chomphosy, WordPress’ Executive Director, quickly acknowledged that the search snippet promoting WordPress.com was in fact a problem, heading off those who might promote the notion that it was intentional. The Meta team acted swiftly to resolve the issue and return the snippet to its former meta description. It is not known how long Google has been pulling from the text in the recommended hosts sections to populate the snippet, but the code is now more explicit about the fact that those companies are not the most important content on the Download page.

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The Beginners Guide to Human Resources Salaries

“Human resources” is a broad term that covers a lot of ground, which means there are many jobs within the human resources department. With everything from HR director to recruiter and everything in between, there are plenty of different opportunities and different levels within this field.

Before you determine whether HR is right for you, you’ll want to know the salaries that go along with jobs in this field. They vary greatly depending on the position and your experience. This guide provides you with the essential information you need to know about HR salaries, so you can decide whether a move into HR is right for you.

What Can I Expect With Human Resources Salaries?

Because the human resources department has its finger on the pulse of employee salaries, people currently in or looking to go into this field must know how to negotiate for a competitive salary. Thus, you need to have a good idea of what someone in your desired position makes to leverage that information.

One key thing to note is that what you get paid as a human resources professional depends significantly on the position you hold under the umbrella of HR. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, HR specialists make an average of around $59,000 a year, and HR managers pull in, on average, $107,000 a year. That’s a big difference.

Several things play a role in your salary as an HR professional – not just your position in the HR hierarchy.

The Basics of Human Resources Salaries

Human resources salaries cover a very wide range. While the position you choose in HR helps determine your salary, the company size and the job function are also pieces of the salary puzzle.

Company Size

It should not surprise you that companies in the beginning stages may not offer salaries as competitive as more well-established ones. A recent BLS study showed that generally speaking, an hourly employee who works at a company with 500 or more employees makes almost twice as much as an employee who works at a company with 50 or fewer employees. That is a pretty marked difference. However, those statistics are not for a specific job in a particular industry–they represent the general labor statistics. Human resources is a different story.

In HR, small companies follow the same trend of paying less than larger companies. However, the difference between the pay for an HR position in smaller companies versus larger companies is not nearly as drastic as the general labor numbers.

The average annual salary for HR professionals in a company with 0-100 employees is approximately $90,000. When you take the company size up one level to between 101 and 300 employees, the HR professional salary bumps up to around $100,000.

With that pattern, you would expect the salary for an HR professional in a large company — 301 to 500 employees – to increase another $10,000, but in fact, it drops down to around $98,000. Then, once the company size reaches 500-750 employees, you’re looking at an annual salary of around $102,000. Any company size larger than 750 drops down to nearly the same salary as a company with 0-50 employees.

These are just overall averages, but HR professionals should look at companies with under 50 employees or more than 750 employees for the optimal salary.

However, if you are looking to be an HR manager or director, you earn more as the company gets bigger. So if that’s the job you’re after, take your job hunt to larger companies.

Position

It is no surprise that the specific position you hold in HR plays a major role in determining your salary–that is true across the board for any industry. The more prestigious your position and your title, the more responsibility you have and the higher pay you get.

Namely’s annual HR Careers Report from 2019 looked at the trends in HR salaries and determined the most popular HR job positions. Here is what they found each of those jobs’ average salaries to be.

  1. Recruiting Coordinator. This position only requires one to three years of experience. As a coordinator, you find, screen, and hire new talent for the company. The average salary of a recruiting coordinator is $60,158.
  2. HR Assistant. This position requires two years of experience and involves being a part of all HR initiatives. As an assistant, you make sure goals are being met and take care of administrative tasks. The average salary of an HR assistant is $40,853.
  3. HR Coordinator. You can land this job with two to three years of experience and the ability to be on the ground with employees and the HR team. Your job is to respond to employee questions, lead orientations, and make sure HR policies and procedures are understood. The average salary of an HR coordinator is $49,579.
  4. HR Specialist. This position requires at least three years of experience and has you serving as the specialist in a specific area of HR, such as payroll or onboarding. The average salary of an HR specialist is $52,760.
  5. HR Generalist. This position requires three to five years of experience and is the one to go to with any questions and concerns about anything related to HR. The average salary of an HR generalist is $64,790.
  6. HR Manager. With five or more years of experience, this position oversees direct reports, relationships across departments, and implements business strategies, plus more. The average salary of an HR manager is $81,762.
  7. Recruiting Manager. This position requires more experience, about five to seven years, and oversees the recruiting team. Managers define hiring priorities and measure the success of the team. The average salary of a recruiting manager is $109,627.
  8. HR Director. This position requires at least seven years of experience and is in charge of the HR team. The director drives strategy, initiatives, and oversees all aspects of HR. The average salary for an HR director is between $109,181 and $138,929.
  9. Vice President of HR. This position requires at least 10 years of experience and is either the person or the second person from the top of a large HR team. They ensure that the HR team is on track with its goals and ensures that it is compliant. The average salary for a vice president of HR is $149,472.
  10. Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO). This position requires at least 15 years of experience, as they are the face of the HR team when it comes to executives and stakeholders. They support both the HR team as well as senior leadership. The average salary of a CHRO is at least $195,000.

As you can see, the higher you go, the more money you make. However, one interesting thing found in the study is that HR coordinators make less money than recruiting coordinators, even though HR coordinators have more than twice the experience.

It may be because recruiting is a very fast-paced position in high demand, and that demand is reflected in the higher pay.

3 Ways to Raise Your Human Resources Salary

Though the above is a great starting place for you to understand what different roles in HR will bring you in terms of compensation on average, that does not mean you can’t make more. There are certainly ways to increase your current or future HR salary. Here are three ways you can position yourself for a higher salary.

Certifications

One of the best ways to get paid more for your HR position is to get a certification. The HR Certification Institute is the top choice for getting the credentials you need to take your job to the next level. With a certification from HRCI in hand, you show your employer that you have taken steps to strengthen your knowledge and your skillset in HR, and show the employees you work with they can trust you to do the best job for them.

Whether you are just starting in HR and looking to get a certification or are more advanced and hoping to increase your salary and potentially your job title, there is a certification for you through HRCI. Here are the various certifications they offer:

Associate Professional in Human Resources. This is intended for HR professionals who are new to the scene and looking to get a head start.

Associate Professional in Human Resources – International. This is intended for HR professionals outside of the United States who are new to the scene and looking to get a head start.

Professional in Human Resources. This one is to establish yourself in the field of HR.

Professional in Human Resources – California. This certification shows that you understand the laws, regulations, and HR practices that are specific to the state of California.

Professional in Human Resources – International. This shows that you understand general technical and operational HR principles, regardless of where you are in the world.

Senior Professional in Human Resources. This is to establish yourself as a leader in the field of HR.

Senior Professional in Human Resources – International. This is to establish yourself as a leader in HR, no matter where you are in the world.

Global Professional in Human Resources. This is for those who have HR job responsibilities around the world. This certification shows that you are well-versed in multinational HR.

Degrees

Though no specific degree is required to become an HR manager, it is suggested that you do get a specialized HR degree to be a more competitive candidate. Specific degrees that may help boost your salary include:

  • Human Resources
  • Business Administration
  • Management
  • Economics
  • Finance
  • Marketing

Not only will a degree increase your chances of getting a job in the HR field, but it will also increase your chances of a higher salary.

Though a master’s degree is rare in the field of HR, it is something you may want to consider, especially if you’re looking toward one of the advanced careers in human resources. A masters-level education in HR will set you apart from other candidates and will equip you with what you need to reach the top of the HR ladder.

Industries

If you are looking to ramp up your HR salary, you may want to reconsider the industry that you’re working in or looking to work in. Though every industry needs an HR department with different HR positions, there is often a difference in salaries for various industries.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the top-paying industry for HR managers in the United States is central banking. They average around $185,000 per year. However, jobs in that industry are quite limited. According to the BLS records, only 50 HR managers are working in central banks. You can either opt to set your sights high and work to get there or consider some other high-paying industries.

The finance industry is another area that pays its HR managers well, so look at job opportunities at small financial institutions and investment banks. The average annual salary for HR managers in the finance industry is around $170,000. Cable telecommunications is another field to consider, as well as computer equipment manufacturing. These are known to pay well and have more job opportunities.

3 Tricks for Human Resources Salaries

Here are some additional tips and tricks that can help you improve and get paid more without going back to school or switching industries.

Ask

Want to make more money in your HR position? Ask for it.

You may be surprised how few people think to simply ask for a raise and show proof why they deserve one. This is one of the most effective ways to get a raise in any field or job.

Before scheduling a meeting with your boss and asking, you need to do research and produce data. Create a case study for your manager that shows some hard numbers on the work that you’ve done, your accomplishments, and more. For example, you should be able to definitively show that you’ve surpassed your goals, streamlined processes, or exceeded quotas. You may also be able to prove you are underpaid by market standards.

This will show the manager that you are worth more money and will also show him or her what the company stands to gain due to paying you more.

Take on More Responsibility

Maybe you’ve been playing it safe in your job, and it’s time to step it up. You can’t expect a raise for no reason, so give your company a reason to pay you more. Take on a bigger project, take on more responsibility–just do more.

Don’t just make up a project. If you aren’t sure where to start, ask your supervisor for ideas or assignments. This shows them you are looking to take on more and can handle additional responsibilities.

Consider the Benefits

Often, people only look at the dollar amount of their salary and don’t consider other non-monetary benefits of their job. By looking at these benefits, you may feel happier with your current salary.

Some of these benefits include:

  • Matched 401(k) contributions
  • Flexible working hours
  • Skills development
  • Employee clubs
  • Gym membership discounts
  • Fully subsidized health insurance
  • Help with childcare costs
  • Coverage of certification or training costs
  • Coverage of conference costs
  • Help with transportation costs
  • Vacation
  • Other paid time off
  • Subsidized food
  • Remote work opportunities

If your company provides significant non-salary benefits that save you a lot of money, you may actually lose out on some money when taking a job at another company with a higher salary but poor benefits. For example, perhaps your current employer covers childcare costs and heavily subsidizes your health insurance. Maybe you switch jobs, and your new employer gives you a $10,000 raise but doesn’t cover those costs. If you do the math and end up spending over $10,000 per year on daycare and insurance, you will have actually gone down in overall compensation and available money.

This is just another piece of the overall puzzle to consider.

What to Do Next

To get the best HR salary possible, there are some questions you want to answer about yourself.

  1. What is my earning potential? Learn the different opportunities available with your position or desired position, along with your education and years of experience.
  2. Is there a demand for this job? Generally speaking, HR professionals are more in demand than any other profession. Thus, chances are good there is a high demand for your job, but you want to do some research to be sure.
  3. What is my competition? Know what you are up against in terms of education, certification, experience, and more for the job you want. Understanding the competition helps you find ways to improve your chances.

Once you have the answers to these questions, you can better determine what salary you should be going after. Whether you are considering a job in HR or are currently working in the field of HR, you always want to be sure that you are getting the highest salary you can.

While you are focusing on improving your salary, make sure you don’t forget about your team. Keeping your employees happy is integral to getting you a higher salary. To help ensure your team is working hard and happy, check out these tips on pushing your team to its limits while still keeping everyone happy.

To help you do this, consider implementing employee monitoring software to keep track of their time and productivity. Here are the top employee monitoring software options to help you do just that.

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Your dev team lead is not controlling enough

Three phases of a controlling engineering manager

Every morning, I see the unfiltered thoughts of 1200+ engineering leaders as one of the community moderators in the Dev Interrupted Discord server. We start every day with a Daily Interruption topic about how to make agile work in real life; scaling teams, building culture, hiring, continuous improvement, metrics - fun stuff like that. 

Recently this Daily Interruption popped up and stopped me in my tracks:

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VB6 won’t update mdb file

VB6 app developed on Win XP with DAO 3.6. Compiles and runs in XP with the db updating correctly. When app.exe file is copied to and run in Windows server 2012, the app runs and sees the incoming data but will not write to the mdb database. Any ideas?? Thanks.

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:focus-visible in WebKit

This is a nice update from Manuel Rego Casasnovas. Igalia has this idea to sort of crowd-source important web platform features that need to get worked on (that’s the sort of work they do). They call it Open Prioritization. The “winner” of that (the one with the most-pledged dollars) is what they’ll do. That turned out to be :focus-visible support in WebKit (Safari). As I write, people have pledged $29,337.13 of the $35,000 goal, so not bad!

That choice was made in January 2021, and as Manuel was writing in June 2021, it’s basically done because it shipped in Safari Technical Preview 125 meaning it’s in Apple’s hands now. Pretty nice speed for a web feature, and a great one since it will highly encourage proper focus styles rather than that bummer situation where people remove focus styles for aesthetic reasons, hurting accessibility.

And, bonus!

In addition, the WPT test suite has been improved counting now ~40 tests for this feature. Also in January neither Firefox or Chrome were using :focus-visible on the UA style sheet, however they both use it there nowadays. Thus, doing the implementation on WebKit has helped to move forward this feature on different places.

Direct Link to Article — Permalink

The post :focus-visible in WebKit appeared first on CSS-Tricks. You can support CSS-Tricks by being an MVP Supporter.

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How do I convert a SQLITE day number to a date string

I have a SQLite database that for some insane reason stores dates as the number of days since 1899-12-31. I want to create a view that will display the date as an actual date. I can calculate a specific date from a specific day number as

select date('1899-12-31','Localtime','+44386 day') as dddd

which returns the single value '2021-07-09'. Unfortunately there seems to be no way to replace the hard coded number with the 'day' column. The original table also has the data broken down by hour (thus the GROUP BY clause), and by data_out and data_in (thus the SUM) So far I have

CREATE VIEW UsageByDay AS
SELECT day, SUM(data_in+data_out)/1024.0/1024.0 AS total 
  FROM usage GROUP BY day 
ORDER BY day DESC;

Which gives me on select

DAY     total
44386   45.2344284057617
44385   35.1123762130737
44381   26.000226020813
.
.
.

I want to replace the numerical values for day with the calculated date to give

DAY          total
2021-07-09   45.2344284057617
2021-07-08   35.1123762130737
2021-07-07   26.000226020813
.
.
.

Any suggestions on how to modify my CREATE VIEW query?

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JIRA Connector in Mule 4

JIRA is an issue tracking product developed by Atlassian that allows bug tracking and agile project management. 

Recently MuleSoft released a JIRA connector for Mule 4 to integrate various use cases like performing integrated tracking of your product development efforts by enabling bi-directional synchronization of records between JIRA and ServiceNow if the source of your work is in the ServiceNow platform while the progress of the work is tracked in Jira.

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Database Lifecycle in Jmix: Migration Challenges

Introduction

In Jmix, the JPA data model, hence database is a cornerstone of the application.

In the case of software development, the principle “if it works, don’t touch it” does not always work. Software changes are inevitable, database migrations too. And, if a database update goes wrong, you can lose data, which is one of the most valuable things for the business.

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What the Heck Are WebSockets!?

We are knee deep into the real-time world by this point with so many applications working with live data. It’s high time there was an explanation of all the events leading up to this point in a technological stance. So, here goes…

These days, applications are moving from utilizing stale data from a database or data that’s created on-the-fly following an event trigger in a live experience that follows real-world events. The first thing we think of when it comes to real-time applications is WebSockets. But, in spite of a lot of people constantly tossing around this term in technological circles, there actually seems to be huge misconceptions associated with its meaning and working.

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Implementing Web UI Patterns in Java: Getting Input, Part 1

Overview

Speaking of software engineering, when implementing a feature, experienced developers will follow a design pattern because they are well-known, well-designed, and general solutions to common problems. Reusing design patterns brings benefits such as easy to maintain and bringing consistent and proven experiences to users. The same rule applies to UI design; when we build a web UI, we don't need to reinvent our own wheels for everything. Following well-known UI patterns makes it easier for developers to maintain and for the users to use.

There are several resources on the web talking about UI patterns, such as UI-Patterns, UX Library, and UIPattern.io. These sites provide insights on web UI patterns that best match a specific set of requirements in terms of usability and user experiences. However, these sites seldom cover how you can actually implement these patterns. 

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Connect JetBrains DataGrip to a Secure CockroachDB Cluster Running in Docker

CockroachDB is a cloud-native SQL database for building global, scalable cloud services that survive disasters. CockroachDB is built with containers as a first-class citizen. It works well in baremetal, VM, and container environments like Kubernetes, Docker Swarm, and HashiCorp Nomad. One of my customers has a requirement to connect JetBrains DataGrip to a secure cluster. This short tutorial will step through the process of wiring this together using a multi-node CockroachDB cluster running in Docker, a load balancer container based on HAProxy and an early access version of DataGrip.

High-Level Steps

  • Start a three-node CockroachDB cluster in Docker
  • Connect DataGrip to the secure cluster
  • Verify Setup
  • Clean up

Step-by-Step Instructions

Start Cockroach in Docker, you can follow directions in our docs for an insecure cluster or use my repo to deploy a secure cluster in Docker compose.

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The Beginner’s Guide to LLC Vs. Partnership

Your business structure affects your taxes, capital funding capability, paperwork, and your personal liability. Rushing to a decision can have consequences—serious ones—so it’s best to review your options carefully.

Many business owners find themselves mulling over LLC vs. partnership business structures. As each choice has its share of pros and cons, you have to consider which one aligns best with your short-term and long-term business goals.

Keep reading as I discuss the differences and similarities between LLCs and partnerships in detail to help you choose the right structure for your business.

What are LLCs and Partnerships?

Before deep-diving into these corporate structures, let’s first define them.

What’s an LLC?

An LLC, which is the acronym for Limited Liability Company, is a business legal entity that combines the operations of a partnership with the limited liability protection of a corporation.

LLCs can have one or more owners called members. Every member has a percentage of the business equity or ownership and is responsible for running the business following an operating agreement.

An LLC is also regarded as a pass-through entity. This enables members to claim the company’s profits or losses on their individual tax returns, which, in turn, helps them avoid the double taxation effect.

It’s due to these benefits that LLCs have become increasingly popular among entrepreneurs.

What’s a Partnership?

A partnership is an arrangement between more than one party—otherwise known as partners—who agree to run a business together. There are four different partnership variations: general partnership, limited partnerships, limited liability partnership, and limited liability limited partnerships.

One significant distinguishing factor between an LLC and a partnership is that the latter must be formed by more than one co-owner. A partnership cannot be created by one entrepreneur and needs at least two partners.

The partners have to create a partnership agreement to define their share of the equity. This share can be of varying degrees, but they must equal 100% in total. For instance, a partnership of three can have stakes of 30, 25, and 45.

Similar to an LLC, a partnership is also a pass-through entity. But while a partnership structure is considered a taxing entity by the IRS, an LLC isn’t.

The Basics of LLCs vs. Partnerships

This section will take a closer look at how the different LLC vs. partnership business structures fare against each other.

Business Formation

Starting a partnership or LLC is fairly similar, but there are a few differences.

There’s a lot of flexibility in who can create an LLC—individuals, corporations, other LLCs, and groups can all form an LLC. Additionally, an LLC can have any members, assuming you don’t elect to be taxed as an S-Corp. If you do, you’ll have to limit the ownership to up to 100 members.

In the case of a partnership, you have to consider the different types of partners you need before choosing a partnership business structure.

A general partnership, for instance, can be owned by two or more partners, irrespective of who they are. But to form limited partnership ownership, you‘ll need at least one “general partner” and one “limited partner.”

Similar to an LLC, partnerships don’t have any limit on the number of partners. Their share of the company and the profits for every partner should be indicated in the partnership agreement.

Moreover, a partnership may come to an end if a partner dies or decides to sell his ownership stake. But, unless an LLC has a specific dissolution date mentioned in its articles of organization, it’ll have an unlimited life.

Limited Liability Protection

This is the most crucial difference in the LLC vs. partnership debate.

Suppose you cannot repay a debt to your business owners for whatever reason. Wouldn’t it be nice to know your chosen business structure protects your personal assets from your business creditors? An LLC gives you that protection by limiting your liability.

That said, there are times when LLC members may be personally liable for a debt. This can include mismanaged business affairs, engaging in illegal activities, having personally guaranteed a loan, and so on.

Partnerships generally don’t offer limited liability protection, except in the case of limited partnerships.

A general partner has unlimited liability for the limited partnership’s debts and obligations, but a limited partner doesn’t have personal liability for their partnering obligations. To enjoy this benefit, though, limited partners have to give up the right to participate in the company’s day-to-day management.

Taxation

Put simply, there’s no difference between LLCs and partnerships when it comes to taxes.

Both business structures are considered “pass-through entities” for tax purposes, causing all income and losses from the businesses to flow through the business owner’s tax returns. In other words, the business itself doesn’t pay any income tax. Moreover, the total profit earned is subject to employment taxes and income tax.

Even for limited partnerships, the profits and losses passed through to its partners, who then report them on their individual personal tax returns and pay taxes on their share of the profits. You must note that limited partners don’t usually pay self-employment taxes on their share of the profits simply because it’s not considered “earned income” under law.

What’s interesting here is the treatment of limited liability partnership.

An LLP is considered a disregarded entity under the law. Its profits and losses are allocated among the company’s partners. LLP partners must report their portion of the company’s earnings on their personal income tax returns and then pay income tax and self-employment taxes.

5 Tools to Improve LLC and Partnership Formation

Read on as we outline the five best software services online that also offer excellent LLC and partnership solutions. You can choose any service to help you start your business.

BetterLegal

BetterLegal is the go-to option for entrepreneurs seeking a reliable business formation process and legal assistance.

It has just one formation package on offer to get the job done right off the bat. No confusing subscription plans, no upsells, and no hidden costs.

According to the business incorporation service, you’ll have your business set within two business days and receive your documents on the third day.

You also get access to a large network of lawyers and legal professionals. Technically, the company doesn’t have lawyers on its team—instead, they refer you to a reliable one using their connections.

ZenBusiness


ZenBusiness is considered one of the best online incorporation services on the market.

It offers an excellent combination of affordable rates and top-notch service. In fact, a huge majority of customer feedback supports this position, raving about how ZenBusiness provides a lot of value to their customers.

What’s more, the platform is user-friendly and has an intuitive website layout that makes navigation a breeze. A responsive and efficient customer support team is the cherry on top.

IncFile

With low subscription fees and fast and easy incorporation services, IncFile is another option you can consider to start your business.

IncFile is the only online incorporation service that doesn’t charge users to register their businesses. At the same time, it does offer premium plans that include extra features, such as employee identification number (EIN), business contract templates, and expedited business filing.

The service has a comprehensive educational resource database that can be helpful for even the smallest of businesses. Once you sign up as a customer, you can check your order status directly from your dashboard, making things convenient and easy to follow.

LegalZoom

LegalZoom is a well-renowned online legal business technology company that strives to assist clients through a wide range of legal services.

Since 2001, this incorporation service has helped over 4 million businesses and clients resolve their legal problems, most of which don’t require hiring a legal professional or law firm. It gives users access to a large community of lawyers at a surprisingly low cost for both business and personal matters.

You can expect accurate business tax advice, legal documents review from attorneys, business formation and paperwork filing, treatment registration, and more from LegalZoom.

Northwest Registered Agent

As the name suggests, NorthWest Registered Agent initially specialized in registered agent service only. But, with time, they’ve started offering fantastic business formation services, including incorporation.

In addition to being easy to use, this service has a very transparent process. You can browse ahead through the process and find out what paperwork you’ll need based on your state and what steps are left. Unsurprisingly, Northwest‘s registered agent services are one of the most comprehensive ones you’ll find on the market.

This agent will be responsible for renewing your business every year with the state and will be your main contact for all your legal documents. Furthermore, Northwest also offers a virtual office address, a customized operating agreement, and customized corporate bylaws.

3 Tricks to Help You Choose the Right Business Structure

You now know how crucial choosing the right corporate structure is for your business. To help you make the right decision, here are three incredible tips:

Consider Your Legal Liability

Think about whether you are willing to be held accountable for your business’s debts and obligations.

Limited liability companies and partnerships protect your personal assets from creditors if there’s ever a time when you cannot repay them. You won’t have this protection if you opt for a general partnership. However, if you can afford to risk that liability, setting up a general partnership could be a good option.

Consider Your Tax Implications

Think about your business goals. Then figure out which business structure would give me maximum opportunities to minimize taxation.

While corporations have more tax options when compared to partnerships and proprietorships, you also have to deal with double taxation. A good alternative is to set up an LLC and elect to be taxed as an S Corporation. This will help you avoid the double taxation issue without losing your limited liability protection.

Consider Your Future Goals

You want to get your business off the ground as soon as you can. Precisely why it’s easy to be caught up in the moment. However, if you want to survive in the long run, you need to change your viewpoint and adopt long-term thinking.

What will your business look like three or five years down the line? What will happen to the business after you die? Do you ever plan on selling your business or your share of the company? What do you want to happen when you are no longer around to run the business?

There’s no guarantee your choice of business structure will meet your requirements in the years to come, but converting companies in the future is a very time-consuming process. It’s best to talk to an expert to ensure you make the right choice.

What to Do Next

Not only a partnership and an LLC, but you should compare all the available business structures before choosing one. After all, the entity you form will affect your business success both professionally and personally.

After making a decision, focus your energy on setting things in motion with regard to formation. You can use the above incorporation tools for this—just sign up with a service, and they’ll take things from there.

Want more? Here are some more QuickSprout articles to help you run a business successfully:

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3 Ways to Install CockroachDB — Binary, Docker, or Kubernetes

Today I am going to show you how to get started with distributed SQL databases so you can start developing your application locally on your laptop.

Method 1 — Binary

Installing CockroachDB

  • Download the Binary and add it to your path
Java
  
curl https://binaries.cockroachdb.com/cockroach-v20.2.8.darwin-10.9-amd64.tgz | tar -xJ