#360 field documentation

[ifieldsmart-technologies]

How Lens360 is Setting New Standards in 360 Photo Documentation Software

Introduction:

In the evolving landscape of digital documentation, 360 photo documentation has emerged as a pivotal tool for various industries, providing an immersive and comprehensive view of environments and objects. Lens360, developed by iFieldSmart Technologies, stands at the forefront of this technology, offering robust solutions tailored to meet diverse documentation needs.

This article delves into the nuances of 360 photo documentation, the challenges faced without it, the benefits it offers, and the innovative features that make Lens360 a leading software solution. Furthermore, we explore the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) within this domain and provide a detailed FAQ section to guide users in selecting the best 360 photo documentation software.

Understanding 360 Photo Documentation:

What is 360 Photo Documentation?

360 photo documentation involves capturing images that provide a full panoramic view of a scene. This technique enables users to visualize spaces as if they were physically present, enhancing understanding and analysis. The images are typically captured using specialized cameras that can record a complete spherical view, often stitched together through software to create a seamless representation. This immersive documentation format is particularly beneficial in sectors where visual accuracy is paramount, such as real estate, construction, and environmental monitoring.

Technical Aspects of 360 Photo Documentation:

The technical foundation of 360 photo documentation rests on several key components:

1. Camera Technology: Devices like 360-degree cameras utilize multiple lenses to capture images from various angles simultaneously. High-resolution sensors are critical for ensuring image clarity. The advent of consumer-grade 360 cameras has democratized this technology, making it accessible for small businesses and individual users.

2. Stitching Algorithms: Software algorithms combine multiple images into a cohesive 360-degree view. This involves correcting lens distortion, aligning images, and ensuring color consistency. Advanced stitching techniques minimize visible seams and artifacts, resulting in a more polished final product.

3. User Interface (UI): An intuitive UI is essential for users to navigate through the 360-degree images, enabling features such as zooming, panning, and hotspots for additional information. A well-designed interface can significantly enhance user engagement and make the technology approachable for non-technical users.

4. Cloud Integration: Many 360 photo documentation solutions leverage cloud storage for easy access, sharing, and collaboration, enhancing workflow efficiency. Cloud capabilities enable teams to work remotely, facilitating real-time updates and feedback.

Challenges without 360 Photo Documentation:

Without 360 photo documentation, organizations face several challenges:

1. Limited Visualization: Traditional photography provides a constrained perspective, limiting the viewer's understanding of the context and spatial relationships. Flat images can obscure important details, making it difficult for stakeholders to grasp the full scope of a project.

2. Increased Miscommunication: In industries such as construction or real estate, relying on flat images can lead to misunderstandings about project scope and requirements. Miscommunication can result in costly delays and rework, impacting overall project timelines.

3. Inefficient Documentation Processes: Manual documentation methods often involve labor-intensive processes that can lead to errors and omissions. Time spent on manual documentation could be better utilized in other critical project areas.

4. Inadequate Collaboration: Stakeholders often struggle to share and visualize project developments without immersive tools, hindering effective collaboration. This can lead to siloed information, where team members are not aligned on project status or next steps.

5. Loss of Historical Context: Traditional documentation methods often lack the ability to provide a historical view of changes over time. Without a 360-degree perspective, it can be challenging to understand how a site or object has evolved, which is crucial for many industries, including construction and urban planning.

Benefits of 360 Photo Documentation:

The advantages of employing 360 photo documentation are manifold:

1. Enhanced Contextual Understanding: Users gain a comprehensive view of environments, facilitating better decision-making. This is especially crucial in fields like real estate, where buyers can virtually tour properties before making a decision.

2. Improved Communication: 360 images serve as a universal language, reducing the potential for miscommunication among team members and stakeholders. Visual documentation helps bridge gaps between technical and non-technical team members, ensuring everyone is on the same page.

3. Efficient Workflow: Streamlined documentation processes save time and resources, allowing teams to focus on critical tasks rather than cumbersome paperwork. This efficiency can lead to faster project completions and reduced operational costs.

4. Increased Engagement: Interactive 360 content can captivate clients and stakeholders, enhancing presentations and marketing efforts. Engaging visuals can lead to higher conversion rates in sales and increased interest in projects.

5. Rich Data Capture: The ability to embed data and annotations directly within 360 images allows for more informed decision-making. For example, stakeholders can leave comments or highlight areas of concern, fostering a collaborative environment.

6. Accessibility: 360 documentation can be accessed from various devices, including smartphones and tablets, allowing users to view content anytime, anywhere. This flexibility is essential for teams that operate in the field or require remote access to project data.

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 Lens360: A Top Photo Documentation Software:

Lens360 stands out as a premier solution in the realm of 360 photo documentation, developed by iFieldSmart Technologies. Key features include:

1. User-Friendly Interface: Lens360 offers an intuitive platform that simplifies the process of capturing and managing 360-degree photos, ensuring accessibility for users of all technical backgrounds. This ease of use is particularly beneficial for organizations looking to onboard new team members quickly.

2. Advanced Stitching Technology: The software employs cutting-edge stitching algorithms that produce high-quality, seamless images, minimizing the need for manual adjustments. This not only saves time but also enhances the overall quality of the documentation.

3. AI and ML Integration: Lens360 harnesses AI and ML technologies to automate image processing, enhance image quality, and provide intelligent insights, such as identifying critical areas requiring attention. This integration allows users to focus on strategic tasks rather than technical adjustments.

4. Collaboration Tools: Built-in sharing and collaboration features enable teams to work together in real time, improving project outcomes and timelines. Users can share links to 360 images, gather feedback, and make collaborative decisions directly within the platform.

5. Mobile Compatibility: Lens360 is designed for mobile use, allowing users to capture and manage images on-the-go, a vital feature for field operations. The mobile app enables instant upload and processing of 360 images, streamlining workflows.

6. Customization Options: Lens360 allows users to customize their documentation experience with branding and project-specific templates, ensuring that all outputs align with organizational standards.

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Integration of AI and ML in 360 Photo Documentation:

The integration of AI and ML into 360 photo documentation is transforming how organizations approach their documentation needs:

1. Automated Image Enhancements: AI algorithms can analyze captured images and automatically adjust parameters such as brightness, contrast, and saturation for optimal clarity. This reduces the need for extensive post-processing and speeds up the overall documentation workflow.

2. Object Recognition: Machine learning models can identify and categorize objects within the 360 images, providing users with valuable metadata and insights. For instance, in construction, this can help track equipment usage or monitor material stock levels.

3. Predictive Analytics: By analyzing historical data, AI can forecast potential project challenges or maintenance needs, enabling proactive planning. This predictive capability is crucial in sectors like facility management, where timely interventions can prevent costly downtimes.

4. Enhanced User Experience: Intelligent navigation tools powered by AI improve the user experience, allowing for faster access to relevant information. For example, AI can prioritize the most frequently accessed images or data points based on user behavior.

5. Data Security and Privacy: AI-driven security features can monitor for unauthorized access or data breaches, ensuring that sensitive information captured through 360 documentation remains secure.

FAQs: Selecting the Best 360 Photo Documentation Software

 What should I look for in 360 photo documentation software?

- Ease of Use: A user-friendly interface is essential for effective use, especially for teams with varying technical expertise.

- Image Quality: High-resolution image capture and advanced stitching capabilities are critical for producing professional-grade documentation.

- Collaboration Features: Look for tools that facilitate easy sharing and teamwork, ensuring that all stakeholders can contribute and stay informed.

- AI/ML Capabilities: Consider software that leverages AI for automation and insights, enhancing efficiency and accuracy.

- Integration Options: Assess whether the software can integrate with existing project management or documentation systems, as seamless integration can improve workflow efficiency.

How does Lens360 compare to other software?

Lens360 offers advanced stitching technology, superior AI integration, and a robust collaboration platform, making it a top choice compared to many competitors. Its mobile compatibility and customization options further enhance its appeal, catering to a wide range of user needs.

Is training required to use Lens360?

While Lens360 is designed for ease of use, some training may be beneficial for users to fully leverage all features, especially those related to AI functionalities. Comprehensive onboarding resources, including tutorials and webinars, can facilitate quicker adoption.

Can I use Lens360 on mobile devices?

Yes, Lens360 is optimized for mobile use, allowing users to capture and manage 360 images seamlessly while in the field. The mobile application supports various devices, making it versatile for different operational contexts.

What industries benefit most from 360 photo documentation?

Industries such as construction, real estate, insurance, and event management greatly benefit from 360 photo documentation due to their need for detailed visual records. Additionally, sectors like tourism, education, and facilities management can leverage this technology for enhanced engagement and operational efficiency.

How does Lens360 ensure data security?

Lens360 employs robust security measures, including encryption, user authentication, and regular security audits, to protect sensitive information. Organizations can rest assured that their documentation is safeguarded against unauthorized access.

Conclusion:

360 photo documentation has revolutionized how organizations capture and utilize visual information. Lens360, developed by iFieldSmart Technologies, exemplifies the benefits of this technology, offering advanced features that streamline documentation processes while integrating cutting-edge AI and ML capabilities. By addressing the challenges inherent in traditional documentation methods, Lens360 empowers teams to enhance collaboration, improve communication, and ultimately drive project success.

As the demand for immersive documentation continues to grow, Lens360 stands ready to meet the evolving needs of industries worldwide, ensuring that organizations can leverage the power of 360 photo documentation to its fullest potential. The future of documentation is here, and with Lens360, organizations can document, share, and collaborate in ways previously thought impossible.

Visit:   lens360.ifieldsmart.com

[bimengusllp]

Revolutionizing Construction: The Power of 360 Field Documentation in Precision, Efficiency, and Collaboration

In the dynamic realm of construction, precision, accuracy, and effective communication are paramount. With the advent of cutting-edge technology, the construction industry has witnessed a revolutionary transformation in the way projects are documented and managed. One such groundbreaking innovation is 360-degree field documentation.

Definition of 360 Field Documentation in Construction

360 field documentation in construction refers to the comprehensive process of capturing visual and spatial data from all directions, creating a complete immersive view of a construction site or building interior. This is achieved through the use of specialized 360-degree cameras equipped with sensors capable of capturing images and depth information simultaneously. The result is a high-resolution, panoramic image that provides a complete visual record of the site.

Importance of Accurate Documentation in Construction Projects

Accurate documentation lies at the heart of successful construction projects. It serves as the foundation upon which decisions are made, progress is tracked, and issues are resolved. Traditionally, construction documentation involved extensive manual measurements, photographs, and written notes, which were not only time-consuming but also prone to errors. Inaccurate or incomplete documentation could lead to costly mistakes, delays, and disputes between stakeholders.

Brief Overview of 360-Degree Technology in Construction

360-degree technology, often associated with virtual reality, has found its application in construction through specialized cameras and sensors. These devices capture not only visual information but also depth data, allowing for the creation of accurate 3D models of the construction site. This technology eliminates the need for multiple photographs or measurements from different angles, providing a seamless and immersive experience for stakeholders involved in the project.

By embracing 360-degree technology, construction professionals can document their projects with unprecedented precision, leading to improved decision-making, enhanced collaboration, and streamlined workflows. In the following sections, we will delve deeper into the benefits, working mechanisms, applications, challenges, and future trends of 360 field documentation in construction, shedding light on its transformative potential in the industry.

Benefits of 360 Field Documentation

A. Improved Accuracy and Precision

Reduction in Errors and Rework: Traditional methods of documentation often led to errors in measurements and misinterpretation of data. 360 field documentation eliminates these errors by providing a holistic view of the construction site, enabling stakeholders to make precise decisions based on accurate visual data.

Enhanced Measurement Capabilities: 360-degree technology allows for accurate measurements of distances, areas, and volumes within the captured images. This level of precision is invaluable for tasks such as estimating material quantities, ensuring proper spacing, and validating adherence to architectural designs.

Time and Cost Efficiency

Streamlined Communication: 360 field documentation facilitates seamless communication among project teams. Stakeholders can remotely view the construction site in its entirety, reducing the need for on-site visits. This real-time access to visual data expedites discussions, approvals, and issue resolution, thereby saving valuable time.

Faster Decision-Making Process: Quick access to detailed 360-degree images and 3D models accelerates the decision-making process. Project managers, architects, and engineers can promptly assess project status, identify bottlenecks, and implement corrective measures, leading to faster project progression and reduced delays.

Enhanced Collaboration and Communication

Real-time Data Sharing: 360 field documentation allows stakeholders to share immersive visuals with team members, clients, and investors in real-time. This shared perspective fosters better understanding, enabling everyone involved to visualize the project comprehensively and contribute valuable insights.

Remote Collaboration Possibilities: With the rise of remote work, 360-degree technology enables professionals from different locations to virtually collaborate on projects. Architects can review designs, engineers can assess structural elements, and contractors can validate construction progress, all within a virtual environment, enhancing teamwork and productivity.

By harnessing the power of 360 field documentation, construction projects can significantly benefit from improved accuracy, efficiency, and collaboration, ensuring the successful execution of complex endeavors.

How 360 Field Documentation Works

Explanation of 360-Degree Cameras and Sensors

360-degree cameras used in construction are equipped with fisheye lenses capable of capturing images in all directions simultaneously. These cameras are complemented by advanced sensors, including accelerometers and gyroscopes, which ensure precise orientation data. Some cameras also feature LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) sensors, enabling the capture of detailed depth information, essential for creating accurate 3D models.

Data Capturing Process

Image Capturing: The 360-degree camera captures a series of high-resolution images, covering the entire construction site or interior space. These images overlap, ensuring seamless integration during the stitching process.

Data Stitching and Integration: Specialized software processes the captured images, stitching them together to create panoramic views. The integration of depth data obtained from LiDAR sensors enhances the precision of the resulting 3D models. These immersive visuals provide a comprehensive understanding of the construction site, enabling stakeholders to explore every detail remotely.

Software and Tools Utilized in 360 Field Documentation

Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) Applications: VR and AR applications allow stakeholders to immerse themselves in the 360-degree images. VR headsets provide an immersive experience, enabling users to navigate the construction site as if they were physically present. AR applications overlay relevant data on real-world views, aiding in on-site decision-making and problem-solving.

Cloud-Based Data Storage and Analysis Tools: Captured 360-degree images and 3D models are often stored in cloud-based platforms. These platforms offer secure storage and easy access to project data from anywhere with an internet connection. Furthermore, cloud-based tools facilitate collaborative analysis, enabling multiple stakeholders to annotate, measure, and comment on specific elements within the visuals, fostering efficient communication and data-driven decision-making.

By understanding the technical aspects of 360 field documentation, construction professionals can harness this technology to its full potential, ensuring accurate data capture, seamless integration, and meaningful analysis for their projects.

Applications of 360 Field Documentation in Construction

Progress Tracking and Monitoring

Visual Project Timeline Development: 360-degree images captured at various project stages provide a visual timeline of construction progress. Project managers can compare these visuals, ensuring that the project adheres to the planned schedule.

Monitoring Construction Milestones: Stakeholders can monitor the completion of significant project milestones, such as foundation laying, structural framing, and finishing touches. This real-time monitoring ensures that the project stays on track and allows for timely interventions if any delays occur.

Quality Control and Assurance

Identifying Defects and Issues: High-resolution 360-degree images enable close inspection of construction elements. Stakeholders can identify defects, structural issues, or deviations from the design plans, allowing for immediate corrective actions, thereby maintaining the quality of workmanship.

Ensuring Compliance with Design Specifications: By comparing the captured visuals with architectural and engineering designs, construction professionals can ensure that the built structures align with the specifications. Any discrepancies can be detected early, preventing costly rework and ensuring compliance with industry standards.

Safety Inspections and Risk Management

Hazard Identification: 360 field documentation aids in identifying potential safety hazards on construction sites. Safety professionals can use immersive visuals to pinpoint risks, plan safety protocols, and ensure that workers adhere to safety guidelines, thereby minimizing accidents and injuries.

Real-time Safety Protocol Monitoring: Construction sites are dynamic environments where safety protocols are crucial. 360-degree technology allows real-time monitoring of safety compliance. Safety officers can remotely observe workers' adherence to safety protocols and intervene promptly if unsafe practices are detected.

Challenges and Limitations

Technical Challenges

Data Storage and Management: Discuss the challenges related to storing and managing large volumes of high-resolution 360-degree images and 3D models. Explore solutions such as cloud-based storage and data compression techniques.

Hardware and Software Compatibility: Address compatibility issues that may arise between different 360-degree cameras, sensors, and software applications. Discuss the importance of standardized formats and interoperability in overcoming these challenges.

Privacy and Security Concerns

Data Privacy Regulations and Compliance: Explore data privacy regulations relevant to construction documentation. Discuss how stakeholders can ensure compliance with these regulations while sharing 360-degree images and project data securely.

Cybersecurity Risks: Highlight potential cybersecurity threats associated with cloud-based storage and data sharing platforms. Discuss encryption methods, access controls, and other cybersecurity measures that can mitigate these risks.

Training and Skill Development for Construction Professionals: Emphasize the need for training programs to educate construction professionals about 360 field documentation technology. Discuss the skills required to capture, process, and interpret 360-degree data effectively.

Future Trends and Innovations

Advancements in 360-Degree Technology

Integration with Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML): Discuss how AI and ML algorithms can analyze 360-degree images to automate tasks such as defect detection, progress tracking, and safety compliance monitoring. Explore the potential of AI-driven insights in enhancing project management.

Improved Data Processing Speeds: Highlight ongoing developments in data processing technology that enable faster stitching of 360-degree images and real-time rendering of 3D models. Discuss the impact of these advancements on project efficiency and decision-making speed.

Potential Impact on Construction Industry

Increased Adoption Rates: Predict the trajectory of 360 field documentation adoption within the construction industry. Discuss factors driving increased adoption, such as cost-effectiveness, improved project outcomes, and regulatory incentives.

Evolution of Construction Project Management Practices: Envision how 360-degree technology will shape the future of construction project management. Discuss how real-time data insights, immersive collaboration, and remote monitoring will become integral components of construction project management practices.

Conclusion

In conclusion, 360 field documentation stands as a transformative force in the construction industry. Its ability to provide accurate, immersive, and real-time visual data revolutionizes the way construction projects are planned, executed, and monitored.

By overcoming challenges, embracing innovations, and leveraging the full potential of 360-degree technology, construction professionals can enhance project outcomes, improve collaboration, and ensure the safety and quality of built environments. As the industry continues to evolve, the integration of 360 field documentation will undoubtedly play a pivotal role in shaping the future of construction practices.

Visit us: https://www.bimengus.com

[hyperlexichypatia]

"There's no such thing as a useless degree! Learning is valuable for its own sake! If you think a degree program is 'useless' just because it doesn't lead to a job, you're an anti-intellectual capitalist who hates learning, creativity, and critical thinking!"

Okay, let me stop you right there, because this take annoys me every time: "learning" and "degrees" are two different things.

There can be many purposes to learning, including "for its own sake." You can learn things out of curiosity, or to enrich your life, or to challenge yourself, to further human knowledge, or to gain useful skills, or to become a more informed person! In general, cultivating an open-minded curiosity about the world can give you a more fulfilling life. Learning doesn't have to have a concrete goal or specific purpose.

The purpose of a degree is to be an official documentation to some external authority (usually an employer or regulatory agency) that someone has (at least theoretically) mastered a qualification.

There's no such thing as useless learning. There's no such thing as useless knowledge. There's no such thing as useless research. There's absolutely such a thing as a useless degree.

And look, as critical as I am of educational systems, standardized testing, lack of recognition of alternative ways of learning, etc., I absolutely think that degree requirements have their uses. I'm much more comfortable being operated on by a surgeon who graduated from an accredited medical school with a degree than by someone self-taught. Sometimes, when someone is assigned a task, you want actual proof that they've mastered the skill set needed for that task, and for want of a better system, a degree can be a useful proxy for that proof.

But unless you're training for a specific job or role that requires specific proof of a specific skill set, there's no actual logical reason that your learning journey should be in the form of a degree program.

"I have a degree in something completely unrelated to my job, but it's still worth it because I learned so much!"

Great, I love that for you, but unless you specifically need the actual degree credential for an external verification purpose, you could've learned just as much from a course of study not centered on a degree.

"I use my art history degree in my marketing job all the time!"

Unless you were specifically hired for your art history degree, what you mean is you use your art history knowledge in your marketing job -- which, again, great, but doesn't require a degree program.

"My boss said it looked good that I have a liberal arts degree because it shows I'm not just looking for money!"

That's Employer for "I assume you're independently wealthy and won't demand a living wage."

"But lots of employers just want employees to have a college degree in any field and they don't care what!"

Yeah. That's. That's the problem I'm objecting to. What logical sense does it make to want an employee who has A Skill, but be completely indifferent as to what skill or what relevance it does or doesn't have to the tasks they're being hired to do?

The only reasons an employer would consider a candidate with a college degree in an unrelated field to be more qualified than a candidate without a degree is: *because they think that someone who could spend ~$45000 and ~360 hours on something is in some way A Better Class Of Person than someone who couldn't (this is classism), or *because they think the cognitive skills involved in pursuing a degree reflect some kind of "general intelligence" indicative of being Good At Learning In General (this is ableism and let's be real, also classism).

There is no non-ableist, non-classist reason for jobs to require "a degree" that isn't a specific degree related to the skills of that specific job.

"But what about Critical Thinking Skills and Cultural Literacy and Being An Informed Citizen? These are things that everyone should learn, not just people training for a specific job!"

If these are skills that EVERYONE should learn, then they belong in K-12 education (the universal tier of education that's free and For Everyone). Why put it in the Optional, Extra level of schooling?

I mean, historically, the reason is that the "everyone" who needed a core college education didn't mean "everyone"; it meant "Everyone in the upper classes who would be the next generation of leaders and are more culturally and intellectually refined than the commoners." Obviously, the working classes don't need "critical thinking skills"; their simple peasant brains probably couldn't handle them anyway. (Again. Classism and ableism are always intertwined.)

And the impulse to "democratize" that by giving "everyone" the educational experience of the upper classes is like. Well-meaning I guess, but almost a microcosm of how "democratizing" elitist institutions without critically examining them leads to some wildly skewed conclusions. "Everyone" can't achieve the lifestyle of the upper classes by achieving the education of the upper classes, because the lifestyle and education of the upper classes is defined by and supported by a command relationship to the lower classes.

"That's why the U.S. should make college tuition free like in [other country]!"

Look, I agree, but that's only addressing one of the many problems here. Tuition isn't the only cost of college (in a capitalist system where time is money, the time commitment alone is expensive), and even if those costs were addressed (e.g. with a student stipend), "Everyone should have access to a useless degree" doesn't make the degrees any less useless, and doesn't address the central question: If not for a specific credential for a specific job/role/position, why does voluntary learning need to involve a degree program?

"But what if I want to get a degree as a personal challenge to myself to prove that I can?"

I mean, look, you do you, but I'll point out that I also do this, and I don't think it's a good thing. I've spent months agonizing over assignments -- not for a grade, but because I wanted my teacher to think I was Smart. And that is a hell of a thing to still be internalizing as a whole-ass middle-aged adult who's written many critiques of behaviorism. I think that impulse in me is a product of assessment-reward-punishment indoctrination, and I need to kill the teacher inside my head. I'm not saying that's true for you. But I'm also talking about how we talk about education as a social and public policy issue, which isn't necessarily about any given individual's personal goals.

"But if people only study what they want to study, they won't encounter new things that they don't know will enrich their lives! Degree programs require students to diversify and broaden their horizons!"

Do they? Sure, this happens sometimes (although, again, I think this is really the role of K-12 schooling), but I think the reverse happens even more often: The grading structure of degree programs actively penalizes students for "broadening their horizons" beyond the degree requirements. If you're taking a class for a degree program, but the class itself isn't required for the degree, you have a strong incentive not to take anything challenging that might bring down your GPA. I've dropped classes for that reason, which was an entirely rational choice on my part. If I'd been "learning for its own sake" and "broadening my horizons" outside the context of a graded degree program, I'd be much more likely to stick with a skill I'm mediocre at, and possibly progress at least from low-mediocre to passable. People are more willing to try things they're not good at if there aren't tangible material consequences for "failure."

"Okay but why are you writing such a long post about it? Yeah, we can all tell you've spent too long in school, because you won't shut up."

Because academic credentialism and the conflation of learning and "degree programs" is classist and ableist in both intent and effect. And the more Trump&Co. attack universities and professors and students and experts, the more progressives cling to academic credentialism out of reflexive contrarianism, and start screaming about how "anti-intellectualism" is a real problem we need to be worried about, and gifted kids are marginalized for being too smart, and it can be cool and progressive to insist that everybody but you is just intrinsically stupid, because you're pushing back against "anti-intellectualism"!

Because the cultural movement I hate most -- reclassifying young adults as children -- relies heavily on this framework of postsecondary degree programs as a Developmental Stage for Children in 13th-16th grade, and if you argue that students should actually have some autonomy in their voluntary educations that, not for nothing, they're paying for, people will scream that you're an anti-intellectual who hates learning for its own sake.

Because debates about things like the ethics of students cheating or using genAI or whatever to skip out on schoolwork get mired in endless circular arguments about what the purpose of grades and degrees even is supposed to be, between "Cheating and ChatGPTing your assignments is bad because you won't actually know how to do the skills you're theoretically being certified to do" vs. "A college degree is just a bullshit pointless hoop to jump through to get a bullshit pointless job, so who cares if you're 'really learning'?" vs. "But you're supposed to be learning for its own sake, not just trying to get a grade and a degree! This anti-intellectualism is why Trump won!" and it's all an incredibly pointless argument if there's no consensus on what the purpose of a degree program is or should be, or if people are insisting on conflating degree requirements with "learning for its own sake."

[whencyclopedia]

The Horse: A Galloping History of Humanity

Timothy Winegard’s "The Horse: A Galloping History of Humanity" is a sweeping study of the transformative role horses have played in shaping the course of human history. Beginning with their domestication in the grasslands of the Eurasian Steppe about 5,500 years ago, horses, argues the author, have “steered and dominated every part of our existence” and served as the “pinnacle instrument of profit and power.” This is a multifaceted work offering a 360-degree perspective of this unique animal.

Spread over 16 chapters, the author delves into how the horse played a key role across cultures and geographies changing the course of agriculture, warfare, transportation, travel, the rise and fall of empires, and even colonialism. According to the author, without the horse, the Silk Trade connecting the East and the West and serving as an economic lifeline for millions could not have happened. Nor could Alexander’s exploits across continents, the rise of the mighty Mongol Empire, and Cortez’s defeat of the mighty Aztecs have materialized.

A noted historian and the author of the New York Times best-selling work The Mosquito (2019), Winegard is currently an associate professor of history at Colorado Mesa University. He draws upon a wealth of research from diverse fields, including literature, genetics anthropology, archaeology, biology, and sociology, to craft a narrative that is as much authoritative as it is informative. Winegard’s discussion of the biology of the horses including their natural instincts, intelligence, and physical attributes, and how these attributes made them ideal partners for humans is compelling and insightful. The author’s discussion of the horse’s place in myth, art, and literature adds an extra valuable dimension to the narrative. The work also incorporates scores of photos and charts that serve as an important aid to the discussion and analysis.

Written in engaging language, this work should be of interest to diverse readers, including experts in animal studies, university students, and general readers interested in broadening their horizons. An extensive bibliography reflects the depth of research that went into the work. A surprising omission in the work is any reference to Michael Morpurgo’s fascinating novel War Horse (1982), which recounts the experiences of Joey, a horse bought by the British Army for service in World War I, serving as the basis for Steven Spielberg’s film adaptation of the work in 2011.

Even after the arrival of trains, planes, and automobiles, horses, as the author documents, continued to play an indispensable role in various areas including warfare. More than a million horses were deployed by the Allied forces alone during the First World War serving as indispensable transport horses towing artillery, armaments, rations, water, and any other conceivable articles of war.

Some of the merits of the book also serve as its weaknesses. The author could have delved more into analysis than presenting an overabundance of facts which many average readers might find overwhelming. The author also tends to over-romanticize the role of horses as if they were the sole forces in historical transformation. Lastly, the staggering costs and ethical dimensions of using horses in human pursuits are largely absent in this work while the author himself admits that the First World War was the “bloodiest conflict for horses in the history of warfare.”

Despite these limitations, this book is a major contribution to our understanding of the role of horses in effecting historical change. It is a valuable complement to other recent works in the field: Raiders, Rulers, and Traders: The Horse and the Rise of Empires (2024) by David Chaffetz, and Hoof Beats: How Horses Shaped Human History (2024) by William Taylor. All three works came out within only a few months, enriching and deepening our understanding of this unique and trail-blazing theme in human history.

Continue reading...

[1americanconservative]

The ancient Babylonians, known for their advanced mathematics, used a base-60 (sexagesimal) numeral system instead of the base-10 system we use today. This innovative approach to mathematics has left a lasting legacy, influencing modern measurements of time and angles. The reason we have 60 seconds in a minute and 360 degrees in a circle traces back to Babylonian calculations. Their system was particularly useful for astronomical calculations, providing a high degree of precision in their observations and predictions.

In addition to their contributions to mathematics, the Babylonians possessed extensive knowledge in various scientific fields. They excelled in astronomy, meticulously recording celestial events such as lunar and solar eclipses. These observations allowed them to develop a lunar calendar and predict astronomical phenomena with remarkable accuracy. They also made significant advancements in medicine, using a combination of herbal remedies and surgical techniques. Babylonian physicians documented their practices on clay tablets, contributing to the broader knowledge of ancient medical practices. Overall, their scientific achievements underscore the sophistication and enduring impact of Babylonian civilization.

[azriona]

Arms and the Iron Lady (a NAFTK ficlet)

Tony Stark & OFC (2nd person POV); pre-Bucky/OFC, 7k words, Rated Gen, trigger warnings for PTSD, claustrophobia, panic attacks. Set in the Not a Fairy Tale Kiss 'verse but not necessary to read that to enjoy this origin prequel.

Summary: It’s been five weeks since you moved into the Tower, and you’re still trying to figure out how—let alone if—you belong there.

<-Prev Ficlet ~ NAFTK Masterlist ~ Next Ficlet->

Also available on AO3.

Tony waits until you’re deep in your current project (which is only partially based on the tech Doom wanted at MIT, you are way beyond that ridiculous idea and have moved on to one far more ridiculous, with Tony’s full approval).

“Stay away from Barnes, okay?”

His tone is only casual if you don’t know Tony Stark. Which you don’t, not really, even if it feels like you do. You’re still learning what makes Tony Stark™ different from the guy who is frequently up so late that he’s talking to you at 2am when you’re not even there.

But you have figured out this much. When Tony waits until you’re distracted and he’s elbows-deep in his own project, every non-sequitur out of his mouth is something he’s been mulling over for hours already and has finally decided fuck it say it anyway, better out than in.

Which means stay away from Barnes is something important. Something necessary.

Something you shouldn’t ignore.

“Okay,” you say, like it’s not a big deal that he wants you to stay away from Bucky Barnes. You’re not entirely sure why Tony would care one way or the other. You only saw Bucky Barnes the first time that morning anyway; neither of you said anything to each other and you haven’t even been formally (or informally) introduced.

“Okay,” says Tony, as if the matter has been discussed in full and settled, right there.

Neither of you talk about Barnes again that day.

*

Five weeks. It’s been five weeks since you moved into the Tower with a backpack and a cardboard box of charred belongings from the house where you grew up. And in that five weeks, every aspect of your life has changed, so completely and thoroughly that sometimes, it feels like you’ve gone past 180 and 360 and done a full 540 degree turnaround.

Sometimes, it feels like you’re still spinning. Especially when Jen Walters calls with an update about the legal proceedings in San Diego, or when you meet the real estate agent in Pepper’s office to sign the documents that officially sell the property where your childhood home doesn’t exist anymore.

 You’ve barely stopped moving. There’s too much to do, too much to learn, too much to prove.

It’s kind of a blessing, honestly. The more time you spend moving, the less time you think about the cardboard box, or the cemetery outside Boston, or the various issues for why you can’t actually sell the remains of your childhood home just yet. The less time you think about the deposition you had with Jen Walters on one side and Maria Hill on the other, the things you said under oath and the things you weren’t allowed to say but probably should have.

You’ve got first-aid and basic CPR training, but you go with Sam to a more advanced field-medicine course that teaches you how to actually staunch a bullet wound and how to insert a trach tube. You’re so squeamish about the trach tube that Sam has to remind you to keep your eyes open. It doesn’t help. He teases you about it for the rest of the trip.

You’ve had your driver’s license since you were sixteen but you go down to Virginia with Thor to take a specialized driving course that teaches you how to ram a barricade and drive backwards safely at fifty miles an hour. You and Thor have entirely too much fun and are threatened with never being allowed to return. Worth it.

Steve finds out you speak French and it takes two minutes to realize the conversation practice is more for him than it is for you. Sparring in the gym, on the other hand, is all for you, because Steve never breaks a sweat. Every time you get back up, he grins at you, and that’s worth the bruises.

Clint hands you a bow and arrow, laughs for ten minutes when you can’t even get the arrow halfway down the range, yelps when you kick his chair over with him on it, races to catch up to you before you get to the elevators, then shows you every single weapon in the firing range, carefully and clearly explaining the differences between each one of them, their strengths and weaknesses, when you’d want one over the other, and lets you try them all. He doesn’t laugh again, you don’t kick his chair over again, and after a full week of this, you actually manage to hit one of the targets. He’s not impressed and doesn’t even bother to fake it, but he doesn’t let up on the corrections to your stance, either.

Natasha takes you on a few planned ops, easy missions with little opposition and medium-stakes goals. She throws you in the deep end, clearly expecting you to swim, and pulls you out when you flounder, just to throw you in for a second go. You see her smile on the way home after every trip, though. Even if she doesn’t think you catch the way her mouth turns up.

They’re setting the stage for larger things, and you know perfectly well they’re testing you.

And then there’s Tony.

One day he snaps at you for being two minutes late (or at least, two minutes later than he expected you). The next he greets you with a cheerful shout and drags you to whatever project is on the table at the moment. He pulls you into conversations both theoretical and physical, puts you in charge of Legionnaire maintenance and tricks you into helping with both Avengers and Stark Industries projects.

He hazes you with Ozzy Osborne, makes you reorganize the tool storage three times, uses you as a glorified rubber duck to work out problems with his suit, ignores you or listens to you depending on his mood, and yells when you accidentally weld his chair to the floor because you had no idea how to use the damn thing (and he hadn’t actually explained it, either).

He also tasks you with convincing Clint that boomerang arrowheads are a terrible idea (you fail, but it’s a fun thought experiment), lets you do the calculations on recalibrating Steve’s shield (and trusts that you’ve done them correctly, which completely freaks you out), and halfway through the second week, demands to see how exactly you broke into the Latverian Defense Ministry, before helping you Rickroll Doom. Again.

He sulks when Steve starts including you on missions. He sulks harder when you offer to stay behind and let him go instead. He debriefs you a second time after the official debrief, nitpicks every decision you made in the field, and helps you brainstorm and workshop alternate solutions and workarounds until you don’t think there is a single situation you aren’t prepared to face.

And then he gives you your own purchasing code and tells you to break the Doombot encryption or he’ll fire you.

You believe him. For about thirty seconds, until you see Colonel Rhodes in the corner facepalm with a groan.

“You can’t fire me,” you say, though you’re not entirely sure he can’t. “I think Maria Hill is the only person who can fire me. And maybe Steve.”

Tony snorts, like he couldn’t fire them, too, if he wanted.

“That code works for clothes, too, kiddo,” he adds.

“Clothes?” you echo, glancing down at your shirt.

“We’re superheroes, not cartoon characters!” Tony yells from his welding corner. “Get a different color shirt already!”

And then he starts welding, and cranks up Ozzy, and you buy earplugs with the expense account, and clothes with your first paycheck.

*

The third time you see Bucky Barnes is a few days after Tony’s advice (order?) not to talk to him, bright and early in the shooting range, and he’s missing an arm.

“It comes off?!?” you exclaim without thinking.

Luckily, he doesn’t hear you. Probably. Anyway, he doesn’t turn around and by the time Natasha’s got you installed in an aisle of your own, Barnes has hit four bullseyes in a row.

“How,” you say, staring.

“Well,” says Natasha dryly, “first you don’t get knocked over by the recoil. Which you wouldn’t do if you planted your feet like Barton taught you.”

And she kicks at the inside of your ankles while you yelp and change position.

You do catch Bucky smirking, though.

Hmph.

You lift your chin and then you lift your gun and you plant your feet and you aim with both hands and you shoot six rounds in quick succession.

None of them are bullseyes, but two of them are damn close and the others would absolutely incapacitate someone.

“Better,” says Natasha. “Again.”

Out of the corner of your eye, you see Bucky take aim with his Sauer. The target’s doing the fancier target things, moving up and down and back and forth to make the shot more complicated.

“No,” says Natasha behind you, doing that thing where she knows what you’re thinking before you’ve even thought it. It’s annoying and pesky and omg you want her to teach you how to do it.

Or maybe you really are that transparent, in which case you want her to teach you how to stop being transparent.

Bucky shoots again. Six locations, six bullets, six bullseyes.

“Wow,” you mouth, before you realize that Bucky’s looking right at you. He raises an eyebrow while he pops the chamber on the gun to replace the bullets.

One-handed.

You have never been particularly attracted to gunplay in your life. You honestly had no intentions of ever learning how to shoot anything scarier than a Nerf gun.

But all the same.

Guh.

“Looking for a challenge, doll?” says Bucky in a drawl, a smirk on his face.

Doll?!?!?

Nope, scratch the guh. Replace with ugh. You inhale through your nose sharply and frown at him.

Natasha snaps something in Russian, and Bucky responds with amusement—but you ignore both of them and turn to the target, dropping one hand and holding the gun with the other.

You fire six times.

You miss. Six times. Well, five times—the third bullet grazes the edge of the paper.

“Not bad,” says Natasha. “Keep working at the two-handed version, though.”

She leaves you to reload and keep practicing while she goes to talk to Bucky. You don’t hear much (it’s loud and you’re wearing protective earphones), but you hear enough to get that the arm had been malfunctioning and is in for repair.

Repair. Any disgruntlement you might have felt about missing the paper completely is gone at the prospect of finding Bucky’s arm waiting for you up in Tony’s lab.

Concentrating on anything is almost a lost cause after that; sure Clint can hit a Doombot at 500 feet without even looking, but you are not Clint. Nope, you’re already trying to decide if you should skip stealing Clint’s coffee and go straight up to the lab after practice and what kinds of upgrades Tony’s got planned and exactly how many plates are in the fingers to achieve the sort of articulation necessary to—

There’s a tap on your shoulder; you turn and see Bucky standing behind you. He’s frowning, and your eyes go wide as your heart leaps in your chest. You scramble to pull off the ear protection.

“Let me see your stance,” says Bucky, without much of a preamble.

You turn back to the targets and concentrate on your feet and your arms, careful to keep your finger off the trigger.

And then you feel Bucky’s right hand pressing against your spine, pushing your shoulders down, his arm reaching around to adjust your hold a little higher, a little to the left.

His hand is warm. Really warm. He’s wearing cologne, or maybe he just smells really good.

You hold your breath, until he’s taken a step back. Your head spins a little. What are you supposed to be doing again?

“Go,” he says quietly.

Oh, right. You breathe, hold, fire.

It’s not a bullseye. But it’s right on the line, the best you’ve done, and you lower the weapon, turning to flash a pleased grin at him.

He’s got a slight smile on his face, only there long enough for you to see it before he wipes it away.

And then it’s gone, and he’s back to his serious face. “Why’d you lower the gun? Do it again.”

So you do, finding the exact position he’d put you in without his help because dammit if you’re gonna let him think you weren’t paying attention.

Again, and again, for ten minutes, before Bucky lets you stop. The last set is the worst, though they’re still better than before. You’re not sure you can hold the gun any longer; your arms shake slightly when you set the gun down finally, and Bucky’s frowning.

“Not bad for a beginner,” he says thoughtfully.

“I hope not, I’ve been in here every day,” you retort.

Bucky glances at the gun again. “You’ve been here… what, two months?”

“Six weeks.”

He picks up the gun almost as soon as you put it down, holding it, turning it over, and even doing a bit of fancy flippery, a little like he’s in an old Western film.

“Gun safety is a thing,” you say, but you’re impressed. You’re not sure you’d be able to do any of that without dropping it.

“Why’s Nat got you working with this one?” he asks, as judgmental as you’ve ever heard him.

You shrug. “I think it’s what was available?”

He’s still frowning. “It’s too heavy for you. You should have something lighter. A Beretta, maybe.”

It doesn’t sound like an insult, the way he says it, so you decide not to take it as one.

He gives the gun one last flip and hands it over to you. You watch him go, then shrug and put a new target up before sending it back to the other side of the range. Natasha demands a hundred shots or half an hour, whichever comes first, and you’re determined to double one or the other no matter what.

But you remember the stance Bucky taught you, and your aim improves after that.

“What’d he say to you?” Natasha asks later, when your shoulders are aching and you’re reconsidering skipping your coffee run, because you’re starving.

“That I should have a lighter weapon, mostly.”

“He’s not wrong,” says Natasha. “But until you’ve got the permit to carry, the only reason you’d have a gun in the field is because the mission’s already gone to hell and you’re using someone else’s weapon.”

Ouch.

You don’t think Natasha meant it in a bad way, though.

“Pay attention to him,” Natasha continues. “He came by his reputation as a sniper honestly, and that was before he was ever the Winter Soldier.”

You glance back to where Barnes has long since disappeared. “I thought he wasn’t anymore.”

“He’s not the Winter Soldier the way you’re not from Boston,” says Natasha dryly.

“I am from Boston,” you say. “I mean, I was.”

“I know,” she replies, right before she hands you another weapon, and has you shoot another hundred rounds.

It’s half an hour later when you finally burst into the lab, Clint’s coffee in one hand and a cheese Danish in your mouth. It’s quiet, for once; Tony’s doing some kind of designing on his computer screens and Bruce paces behind him, ticked off about something.

The work tables are empty.

The work tables are empty.

You set your coffee down at your station, looking around the lab. Maybe it’s in one of the testing bays? Or undergoing some kind of analysis?

Maybe it’s all in pieces and Tony’s doing a complete redesign?

Except it’s not an arm on his screen, it’s something to do with whatever secret project he’s always playing with and won’t let you touch.

You must have a confused look on your face, because you’re still looking around when you hear Tony call, “Kiddo, what’s the problem?”

“Where is it?” you ask.

“Where’s what?”

“The arm!”

“What arm?”

“Barnes’s arm! He said it was malfunctioning so he sent it up for repair—”

“When the fuck was Barnes talking to you?” says Tony, his eyes flashing and his voice gone hard and fast and high.

“Tony,” says Bruce, a warning, even though he’s glancing at you. Your eyes widen, because sure Tony warned you off Barnes, but you hadn’t expected Tony to react quite like this.

“He was in the shooting range this morning,” you say. “And he said it to Natasha, not me.”

Probably better not to add that he had spoken to you—and even touched you, while showing you a better stance.

“I told you to stay away from him,” says Tony gruffly.

Your own temper flares. “Great, then you explain to Natasha why I can’t practice my aim every morning.”

“Find another time to practice,” snaps Tony. “Two a.m. sound good? Great. You’re practicing at 2 a.m. Even the Cyborg isn’t going to be up at that hour.”

You stare at Tony, your heart rolling in your chest. Tony’s been angry with you before—heck, Tony was angry with you about once a day in the beginning, and it’s only tapered to once a week now that you’re coming up on two months—but at least you always knew why he was angry.

This time, you don’t have a clue.

You hate not having a clue.

“His arm’s not here,” says Tony through gritted teeth. “Because apparently, I can’t be trusted. So don’t bother looking for it. I want a progress report on the Legion by this afternoon or I’m switching you to ‘bot repairs.”

Dum-E lets out an indignant squeak, his gears working overtime as they look back and forth between you. More so when Tony turns and stalks across the workshop to one of the welding bays.

You watch him, mouth dropped open, then look at Bruce, who leans against a table and rubs his forehead.

He doesn’t look green. Yet, anyway. Just tired, which honestly is how he looks most of the time in Tony’s lab. You still keep a careful, if not entirely wary, eye on him, because you remember when he did Hulk out on you.

You hadn’t seen that coming, either.

“He’s not mad at you,” says Bruce, wearily.

There’s a brief flare from the welding tool bursting to life, then Dum-E lets out another shriek and races across the floor, ready to hop onto fire watch. The noise from whatever Tony’s destroying is terrific.

“You sure about that?” you say.

“He’s mad because Barnes’s arm is the best piece of tech in the entire building, and the only one he doesn’t get to play with,” explains Bruce, testily. You deflate a little, but don’t take your gaze from Bruce. “You just reminded him of that.”

“What’s Barnes got against him looking at his arm, anyway?” you say, still looking at where Tony’s systematically taking apart the next model of the Iron Man suit. “Who’s better at tech than Tony Stark?”

“The Wakandans who built it,” says Bruce.

“It’s in Wakanda?”

“The outreach center in Midtown, more likely.” Bruce crosses over to you. “Don’t worry about it. Tony’s going to die mad about it, but that doesn’t mean he should be taking it out on you. He’ll apologize when he’s done working out his frustration.”

There’s a frantic squeal from Dum-E that makes you jump, followed by the splash of water and Tony shouting.

“Do I dare go over there right now?”

“I wouldn’t,” says Bruce. “But I haven’t stared down any supervillains lately, either.”

“That was practically two months ago,” you say absently, and bite your lip, still staring at where Tony’s working.

“Stop worrying,” Bruce tells you. “Let him work it out on the suits.”

“I’m not worrying.”

Bruce doesn’t look convinced.

“I mean, it’s fine. Plenty of places I can go next. California’s probably out for the next decade, but Chicago was cool. Pizza’s pretty good, haven’t spent as much time at Illinois Tech as I should—”

“You think he’s going to kick you out?”

You glance at Bruce. “He hasn’t exactly said he wants me to stay.”

Bruce stares at you for a long minute, a look on his face that low-key says, you have got to be kidding me. “Do yourself a favor. Go look at his holoscreens.”

Your eyes go wide, but Bruce just gestures to where Tony had been sitting.

You’re not sure what’s on the screens, not at first. It looks like suit of some kind—but not for Iron Man. Maybe for Widow…

And then you see your name at the top of the screen, and your breath catches.

“This is for me?”

“He’s been working on it for the last week,” says Bruce. “Reinforced Kevlar, similar to what Cap wears. The design’s a cross between Rogers’ and Romanoff’s, though. You should be able to move well enough, and he’s been working out how to integrate whatever tech you need to carry.”

“He’s making me a suit?” You reach out to touch the screen; the moment your finger touches the relay, it expands into a 3-D hologram on the viewing platform, just your size.

“You can’t keep borrowing Romanoff’s stuff forever,” says Tony, startling you. You glance over your shoulder at him; he’s leaning against the table closest to the bay, wiping his hands on a cloth. His jaw’s still tight, but he doesn’t look angry anymore, not really. “Cap made some suggestions, I’ve got a couple mock-ups.”

You turn back and stare at the image slowly rotating on the viewing platform. It’s gorgeous, really, all shimmery lines and smooth curves, a utility belt that you’re dying to examine more closely.

You want to ask if you’ve heard him right—if Tony’s making you something… and talking with Cap about what you need in the field…

Does that mean they’re going to let you stay?

“Want to try it on?” asks Tony. “Could use your input.”

“I thought I was under house arrest!” you blurt out, still unable to take your eyes from the mock-up.

“Why the fuck would you think that?” asks Tony, bewildered.

You’re still not sure you can believe what you’re seeing or hearing, and then you step onto the platform, and into the image.

It instantly molds around you, as form-fitting as it would be in reality. The digital lines glow brighter on your arms, like fluorescent, transparent fabric, readjusting until the length and breadth of the suit is absolutely perfect. You stretch your arms out to your sides, then in front of you, as if you’re testing the fit. Even the fingers are exactly the right length, and you know you’re sporting a silly grin, from the way Bruce hides his own smile, but you don’t even care.

You have a suit.

Bruce wanders off after checking that the medical sensors are properly placed, but you and Tony talk for a while about the best placement for the pockets, the holsters, even the exact design of the pack you’ll wear to carry anything else. Jarvis makes additional suggestions, most of which you and Tony agree to implement. There’s slots for flash drives and a built-in tool kit, plus it’s wired so that you can send a bolt of energy to break through almost any electrified lock-box you might find.

You work through several tae kwon do forms to make sure you have full range of motion, then mimic sparring with Steve and shooting the various weapons Clint and Natasha have thrown at you. Tony’s still tapping away on his pad, saving all the corrections and notes, while Dum-E skitters around the edge of the platform, worrying, and you admire the way the images float over your hands as you move them back and forth.

“Think this’ll do?”

“Do?” you say, your voice shaking a little. “Tony, I…”

Tony keeps tapping. “I’m thinking a good, deep red,” he says. “Gotta be dark, can’t have it so bright you catch the light when you’re infiltrating evil bases, right?”

“Or just black.”

Tony frowns. “Half the team wears black, you don’t want to make a statement?”

Your mouth quirks up. “Well. Maybe some color would be okay. Green? Dark, though, not like Bruce’s.”

“I’m okay with that,” Bruce calls over. He sounds amused now.

“Not red, or gold? Fine, fine, be that way.” Tony types a few more notes. “Okay, one last part.”

“There’s more?”

Tony throws something from his holoscreen to the platform. You see it spin, fast.

“Is that—” you say, but before you can say anything else, the world is whited out.

Your face, your eyes, your mouth, your nose, smothered by bright digital lines.

Pressing in on your ears, wrapped around your neck, pushing your mouth closed.

Heartbeat echoing in your head, breath caught in your throat.

The world, supernova-bright and pressing in fast, tight, choking.

You can’t breathe.

“No,” you whisper, high-pitched and frantic.

“Kiddo?” Tony’s voice sounds far away, echoing.

“No no no no…”

Your eyelashes brush against the electric walls closing in, they sear into your cheeks and nose and ears. Every beat of your rapidly speeding heart hurts in your chest. Your throat burns, your eyes tear up, your ears ring.

“Tony—” Bruce sounds alarmed, sharp like knives, teetering on the edge of anger, and if he goes green… you whimper, clawing at your hair. How can you feel your hair, you shouldn’t be able to feel it through the shroud, but you can and you scratch at your scalp, trying to pull it away so you can breathe. “She’s panicking, shut it down!”

“Take it off take it off, take it off!”

“I’m trying, she won’t stop moving!”

You’re trapped. It’s so tight around you, shackles, a straight-jacket, you’re drowning caught in a box and they’re walking away and the walls are caving in and the rockets are getting closer and the entire house is falling on your head and the boom boom boom of your heart goes in time with the dirt that lands over you, echoing inside your head.

“Kiddo, stay still!”

You’re not going to get out. You’re there forever. You can’t breathe. Your head spins, there’s no air you can’t breathe there’s no air. You yank at your hair, because there’s nothing else to grab.

“I can’t, I can’t, I have to get out—”

Two firm hands grab you by the shoulders and hold you steady. “It’s not real,” says Bruce calmly, firmly. “Breathe in, count of four. One, two…”

He keeps counting. You can’t breathe—and then, like a punch to the gut, you do.

It hurts, that first gasp of air, like your lungs aren’t built to hold it, like you can’t take in enough.

But Bruce holds you steady, and you shake through the hold, through the exhale (which makes you feel like you’re dying), and then the second breath is better.

You’re halfway through the exhale when the images finally disappear, and you slump, exhausted, and Bruce’s hold never falters.

Sunlight pours into the labs; you hear Dum-E squeaking worriedly from somewhere behind you. Bruce isn’t green; he’s calm, breathing exaggerated steady breaths that you are probably meant to copy, so you do.

“You good?” asks Bruce.

“Couldn’t breathe,” you whisper, voice shaking. “Sorry.”

“Come on, sit down,” says Bruce, leading you off the platform and over to the couch. You grip the fabric tight, feeling it catch on your fingernails.

“Claustrophobic?” asks Bruce gently.

“Kinda?” Not really. But you aren’t sure you can explain it to either of them.

“And Barton was so looking forward to showing you the air vents,” says Tony.

“Tony,” says Bruce, a mild reprimand, as he hands you a juice box.

“Yeah, right, sorry. Okay. Well, scratch the Iron Lady suit.”

“That’s a horrible codename,” you say, still shaky. You wish you didn’t sound so teary. “And I don’t want a codename anyway.”

“If you don’t pick one, they’ll just make something up and then you’re stuck. Ask Bruce.”

Bruce winces. “He’s not wrong.”

You swallow. “I’m sorry. A suit would have been neat.”

“Eh, it’s fine. You should see the number of uniforms Steve’s nixed.”

“Drink the juice,” Bruce tells you, and you nod, sipping at the juice.

You’re almost done with the box—but still feeling like an absolute juvenile idiot for freaking out over nothing—when Tony comes over to collapse next to you.

“I’m sorry,” you whisper.

“It’s fine.” Tony glances at you. “So. House arrest.”

You pick at the seam on the juice box and shrug. “Tell me how I’m any different from Scott Lang.”

“For one thing, you don’t have a criminal record.”

“I probably should. If you and Steve hadn’t vouched for me, I’d be on the Raft. Or dead. Or stuck in the dungeons in Doomstadt. I get that you’d want to make sure I don’t go spinning off into supervillain mode.”

Tony snorts. “Yeah, you belong on the Raft, sure.”

“Tony. I broke into classified systems and almost started a supervillain showdown. I took down the Avengers servers for six hours, convinced Doom to attack MIT, and almost destroyed San Diego Harbor. There’s something like ten million dollars worth of damage and my parents are—”

The sentence ends abruptly, because you can’t continue; the knot that fills your throat won’t let you say a word. You close your eyes and try desperately to breathe through the bands that wrap themselves tight around your chest. Tight as a set of chains, tight as the imagined armor in which Tony would trap you.

As it is, your shoulders shake and your grip on the apple juice is just a little too tight; the cool droplets splash on your fingers.

A hand lands on your shoulder.

It pats you once, twice. So carefully modulated that you know it’s Tony, at his absolute most awkward, trying to comfort you and not having the slightest clue how to do it. There, there.

It’s too ridiculous. Especially when you hear a familiar whirr, and open your eyes to see Dum-E, racing across the lab with a box of tissues, which he shoves directly under your face.

You start laughing, right through the hurt and the guilt and the grief, and take one of the tissues from the pop-up box. “Thanks, Dum-E.”

Dum-E whirrs his pincers, pleased.

You glance over at Tony. “I’m sorry. It’s probably a great suit. I bet it’d be so much fun in the field.”

Tony shrugs, all nonchalance. “Eh, it’s not all that. Gets hot, you know. Visibility’s crap. I was gonna try to give you some VR thing in there, probably good for watching movies or whatever.”

You smile a little. “That would have been cool.”

“Don’t worry about it.” He sits back and drums his fingers on the armrest. “What if we used glasses?”

“What, like Clint’s?”

“Yeah, but for VR, not targeting. We could tie you into Redwing, so you could see what he sees through the glasses.”

It sounds plausible. But… “Why are we still even talking about this?”

Tony frowns. “I told you. Widow’s possessive about her shit and Cap says—”

You shake your head. “Tony, I’m not an actual Avenger. I’m here because—”

Tony cocks his head to the side, but when you don’t finish, he waves his hand in the air, as if asking you to continue. “No, go on. Do you not want to be here?”

You shift on the couch to turn to him. “Of course I want to be here. Are you crazy? This is like… a dream come true. But… I can’t go out and save the world, Tony, I couldn’t even save my parents.”

“Neither could I,” says Tony. “Look. You don’t want to go into the field, you don’t have to. I’ll scrap the whole uniform, no biggie. But you have a place here at SI as long as you want one. Or until you’re done with Dum-E’s redesign, he still can’t aim for shit.”

Dum-E lets out an indignant screech from somewhere nearby.

“Dum-E doesn’t want a redesign,” you say, watching as Tony pushes himself off the couch and heads back to his workstation.

“Yeah, whatever, you two work it out.” Tony doesn’t turn around, shoulders hunched over in a sulk. After a few moments, you get up, too, head over to the bathroom where you throw out the empty juice box and wash the stickiness off your hand.

You lean against the sink and stare at your reflection in the mirror for a moment. Your eyes are still red and a little swollen, and your skin is pale and splotchy. Your hair’s a mess, too, so you take a breath and try to straighten it with your fingers.

It doesn’t help much. You still look awful.

You know about the red in Natasha’s ledger.

You know about Bruce’s fear that Harlem could happen again.

You know that Tony’s still trying to make up for the destruction his weapons created.

But you’re not them. You’re not sure you ever could be. You can barely hit a bullseye with two arms, let alone with one. You passed the advanced first-aid training, but you crashed so many cars in Virginia that you’ve got a permanent spot on their Fantastic Failures wall, and you still stumble whenever Steve pats you on the back after sparring practice.

What makes you think you deserve to wear an Avengers patch?

What makes them think it?

“Jarvis?” you say, hesitating a little, because sure, Jarvis is an AI and can’t technically be embarrassed about a conversation in a bathroom, but still.

“Yes, miss?”

“Do I really belong here? I’m not an Avenger. I’m never going to have super strength, or hit a bullseye without looking. I can’t do triage, I can’t fly, I can’t even steal Clint’s coffee without getting caught half the time. Tony made me an entire suit, and I had a panic attack! I’m not anyone. I’m just… me.”

Jarvis is quiet for a moment. “Sir believes you belong here.”

“Why?”

“I believe there are several reasons. You speak six languages with varying degrees of fluency. You are a black belt in three different martial arts forms and training in a fourth under Captain Rogers’s guidance. Agent Barton believes your marksmanship skills are currently at a professional level, and fast on track toward Intermediate. Additionally, there are three Legionnaires who would not be operational without your repairs, and Mr. Stark has submitted four patents with your name attached on projects he considered stalled.”

“That doesn’t make me an Avenger, J,” you point out. “And none of it matters anyway if Tony doesn’t want me to stay.”

Jarvis doesn’t answer.

Instead, you hear the argument coming in from the lab: Bruce and Tony. Normally you can’t hear anything from in the bathroom, but this sounds like it’s coming from the speakers, like Jarvis is letting you listen in on purpose.

“—pushing her out a door she doesn’t even know how to find!”

“I’m not pushing her!”

“You designed an Iron Man suit for her, Tony. What do you call it?”

“You didn’t see her in San Diego, Bruce. She was…”

“Out of her depth?”

“It didn’t stop her. She stood her ground, every one of us going down with the ship. She saw the one in a million chance to turn the whole damn thing around, and she took it. Kid like that doesn’t belong on the Raft. Or in jail.”

“She’s not a kid.” There’s a pause. “Tony… is this about—”

“No. Yes. Probably. Anyway, he’s fine. Got his aunt, great school, friends. Doesn’t need me.”

“And she does?” Tony doesn’t answer, and Bruce’s sigh is audible. “Tony, what are you doing?”

“The right thing.”

“The right thing. Really. Throwing her into the field—”

“She’s great out there. You’ve seen her.”

“I’m not saying she’s not, but… did you even ask if that’s where she wants to be? Not all of us want that, Tony.”

“Who wouldn’t want that.”

“Tony. She’s not you.”

“I know.”

“You can’t make her into you.”

“I know.”

“No matter how many suits you build.”

“You don’t think Pepper and Steve have said the same thing? Anyway, the suit’s a bad idea. We’re scrapping the suit.”

“Tony—”

“You know MIT wants her back? CalTech says she’s got a place there as soon as the legal mumbo jumbo’s cleared. Hell, even U London wants her on their roster. She’d probably get on great with Lewis—”

“Does she know that?”

“Yeah, sure. Of course. Probably.”

“Tony.”

“What am I supposed to do, Bruce? You know her, the minute I tell her any of that, she’s going to read into it and think I want her to go. Especially now. She wants to leave, she can tell me. She’s a smart kid, she knows she’s got options.”

“You sure about that?”

The feed abruptly cuts off. “Miss?” says Jarvis.

“Is it true?” you say, staring at your reflection in the mirror. Reddened eyes, pale skin.

“Yes.” Jarvis is so straight-forward, so matter of fact about it, that you can’t help but believe him, even if it sounds unbelievable.

University of London? You’d never even imagined. “I don’t even have a passport.”

“That can be easily remedied if you should decide to take the offer.”

London. It’s a ridiculous idea, imagining yourself living there, an expat in a teeny tiny flat. The montage in your head is straight out of every rom-com coming-of-age movie you’ve ever seen. It’s still ridiculously tempting.

But…

“I’d be running away,” you say, still thinking of all the running you’ve done already. “Again.”

“I don’t see it that way,” says Jarvis. “You chose to take responsibility for your actions in San Diego. Choosing something else now does not negate nor diminish that decision. It merely means you’re making another one. And I’ve always found that the ability to change their minds is one of humanity’s greatest assets.”

You stare at your reflection for another minute, waiting until your hands don’t shake, your breath doesn’t stutter, and your heart rate has slowed.

You can stay in here, and that’s okay, no one will think less of you for it, Clint had told you. But I need to get back out there, so you gotta make a choice.

You splash your face with cold water, and somehow, that helps as much as Jarvis’s confidence.

The lab is as you left it, more or less. The Iron Lady suit is gone from the platform, of course, but Tony is still nearby, frowning at the holoscreens and tapping on the screen, then his pad, then the keyboards, all in tandem. Bruce is doing something off to the side, yelping as he works with the small welding torch, while Tony throws off-hand remarks about the steadiness of his hands, if he’s feeling testy or not, does he need a moment to cool off or should Tony prepare a Code Green?

Dum-E races between the two of them, as if waiting for the next explosion, and when he spies you, he clacks his pincers until you smile, and he races back to his monitoring.

Your table is waiting, just as you’d left it the day before, Clint’s boomerang arrow schematics on one end, a half-built Widow’s Bite on the other, a delivery you’ve yet to unpack that undoubtedly contains some kind of project for SI that Tony has yet to explain.

You stand off to the side, and your eyes drift back to Tony.

“What is it, kiddo?” he asks, a bit absent, just when you think he hasn’t noticed you at all. “Penny for your thoughts.”

“Thought they were worth a dime at least.”

“Nickel at best.”

You smile. “I had a thought. About the field glasses? Patching them to Redwing would be great for when we’re not on the Quinjet, but Sam’s already got something like that. What would really be useful is if we had something really tiny, like nanites or something, because there’s a lot of places Redwing can’t get to…”

Tony’s fingers go still. “Keep going.”

“And I could use them to follow cables and wires and stuff. And patch that through to the glasses. And maybe even patch into computer systems remotely, take down security on the inside while we’re still on the outside.”

Every bit of sulk is gone from Tony’s shoulders as he turns and throws one arm around you, leading you away from his workstation and back to yours. “Now you’re talking. That’s your next project, kiddo. And you’ll still need something for the field. Not a suit. But first, show me what you’ve done with the Legion.”

“The Legion,” you echo, still thinking miniature drones and how to manufacture something that small and maybe Scott Lang can help you with that, if you build it bigger and then take it small, and what you’d need to ensure you wouldn’t lose the visual connection despite not having line-of-sight.

London can wait. Forever, maybe. Today, tomorrow, as long as you can, you’re choosing here.

Tony snaps his fingers at you, pulling you back to the lab. “Yes, the Legion, the army of robots I’ve been having you troubleshoot for the last week because their Guardian protocols keep stalling their systems.”

It takes a moment to redirect your thoughts. “It’s not the Guardian protocols, though, there’s this bug in the system—here, it’s going to be way faster if I show you—”

Tony watches over your shoulder as you show him the coding you’ve redone, sometimes with a suggestion, sometimes with a fix, and it’s only a few minutes before you’re both off to the races, diving into the problem and thoroughly enjoying the chaos until it’s resolved.

It's not until you’re leaving the lab, because you’re starving and exhausted and late for meeting Steve in the gym, when Tony speaks. “Still need a uniform, though. A jacket, maybe? Tactical pants. All the bells and whistles, of course.”

“And green piping.”

“Ugh, fine, if you want.” He waves you away, but just as you reach the door, he speaks again.

“It wasn’t your fault. San Diego.”

It’s that casual-not-casual voice again, though. The one he uses when it’s something he doesn’t want you to know is important.

You turn back and look at him, but he’s not looking at you. He’s looking at his holoscreens again, but this time, you recognize what he’s working on. Now that you know, it’s easy to see the similarities to his Iron Man suit, except the one on the screen is smaller. Sleeker. Worn close to the body.

Yours. Or would have been. It’ll be someone else’s now.

San Diego was absolutely your fault. As was MIT. And your parents. No matter what Tony says.

But if Tony’s giving you a uniform, and Steve’s gonna take you into the field to use it… maybe you can make amends.

Maybe you can make sure no one else has to lose what you’ve lost.

You can be brave, for someone else. Even if you can’t be brave for yourself.

“Okay,” you say, because you can’t say I know San Diego wasn’t my fault, and you sure as hell can’t agree. If you tell Tony he’s wrong, that it’s definitely your fault, that you’d do just about anything to undo what you caused, he’d just argue with you about it.

Tony doesn’t say anything to okay, though, so you head down to the gym where Steve is waiting to continue your training, and try not to wonder what it’d have been like to zoom in a metal suit across the sky.

<-Prev Ficlet ~ NAFTK Masterlist ~ Next Ficlet->

[freetheshit-outofyou]

The Paris Gun

The Krupp arms-making dynasty was founded in Essen upon the fortune amassed by Arndt Krupp, who settled in that city in 1587. His son Anton expanded the family’s endeavors into making firearms during the Thirty Years’ War of 1618-1648, and the family progressively expanded its operations over the ensuing decades. In 1811, Friedrich Krupp (1787-1826) established a steel casting facility, and, although he successfully began casting steel in 1816, he expended considerable funds in the process. His son, Alfried (1812- 1887), continued his father’s work and eventually re-established the family fortune. By its nature steel was very difficult to cast, and internal faults were often impossible to detect through existing testing procedures. Defective cast steel pieces were also much more dangerous to crews than iron cannons, as the softer iron tended to split or burst with less energy than the harder steel, which more often ruptured with deadly violence. The Krupp firm’s success in casting steel was considered one of the major metallurgical achievements of its day.

Beginning in 1844, Alfried Krupp began experimenting in machining guns from solid cast steel blanks and in 1847 produced his first steel cannon. That same year he presented a steel gun to the King of Prussia, Frederick Wilhelm IV (1795-1861)-an act of entrepreneurial generosity that later won an order for 300 field guns. He went on to display a 6-pounder muzzleloading gun at the Great Exhibition of 1851 and began experiments in developing breechloading weapons. In 1856, Krupp introduced a 90mm field gun fitted with a transverse sliding breechblock that fit through a corresponding slot in the rear of the barrel.

Germany subsequently made the transition to rifled breechloaders during the 1860s, a move that gave it a distinct artillery advantage during the 1870-1871 Franco-Prussian War. Shortly after the war it adopted 78.5mm guns for its horse artillery and 88mm pieces for field use. The logistical difficulties associated with supplying two sizes of ammunition in the field and recent advances in metallurgy and gun design then led to the Model 73/88 system, which used the 88mm caliber for both horse artillery and field use and the later Model 73/91 system, utilizing nickel steel barrels. The Model 73/91 was finally superseded by Germany’s answer to the French 75-the Model 96 or Feldkanone 96 neur Art.

The development of specialized antiaircraft artillery also intensified during the war. The first documented use of antiaircraft artillery occurred as early as the siege of Paris during the Franco-Prussian War in 1870. At Paris, the Prussian commander von Moltke ordered weapons from Krupp in order to shoot down balloons in which the French were trying to sail over the Prussian lines. Krupp eventually delivered a number of single-shot, caliber 1-inch rifles that were mounted on pedestals bolted to the beds of two-horse wagons; they theoretically could follow the balloons on the ground while maintaining a steady firing rate. The Krupp pieces were relatively ineffective, yet at least one French balloon was apparently downed by their fire.

The rapid proliferation of powered military aircraft at the turn of the century, however, spurred an equally dedicated effort to neutralize the threat of air attacks. During the 1909 Frankfurt International Exhibition, Krupp unveiled three antiaircraft guns in a bid to monopolize the emerging market. These included a caliber 65mm 9-pounder and a 75mm 12-pounder. Krupp claimed that the largest, a pedestal-mounted 105mm gun intended for shipboard use, achieved a maximum ceiling of 37,730 feet. The caliber 65mm gun had an 18,700-foot range, could elevate 75 degrees, and its carriage had unique hinged axles that allowed the wheels to be pivoted to a position perpendicular to their traveling position. With the trail spade acting as its axis, this arrangement enabled the crew to traverse the piece 360 degrees to track enemy aircraft. With a claimed maximum ceiling of 21,326 feet, the caliber 75mm gun was mounted on a truck bed, thus giving it a high degree of mobility. Not to be outdone, Erhardt, Krupp’s closest domestic competitor, also exhibited a 50mm quick-firing antiaircraft gun mounted in an armored car’s turret.

The period also witnessed considerable experimentation in antiaircraft shells and fuses. Krupp introduced a high-explosive shell for its 3-pounder equipped with a “smoke-trail” fuse, an early tracer round that both aided the crews in sighting and was an effective incendiary against the hydrogen-filled airships of the period.

During World War I the Germans continued to experiment in antiaircraft weaponry, beginning in 1914 with the 77mm Ballonen-AK. The Ballonen-AK was then, in turn, followed in 1915 by the 77mm Luftkanone, a basic 77mm field cannon barrel mounted on a rotating scaffolding. The more effective Krupp 88mm FlaK entered service in 1918 and eventually became the inspiration for the famous World War II German “Eighty-Eight.”

Popularly named after Alfred Krupp’s daughter, the 41.3-ton, 420mm “Big Bertha” had a horizontal sliding block and fired a 1,719-pound shell up to 10,253 yards. Big Bertha required five tractors to transport its components, and it had to be assembled on site. In conjunction with a number of Austrian Skoda 305mm howitzers, the L/14 was first used with devastating effect against Liege in August 1914; it saw other action on both the Western and Eastern fronts. Owing to its relatively short range and vulnerability to Allied fire, Big Bertha was obsolete by 1917. Another heavy piece, the 211mm Mörser was adopted in 1916. It weighed 14,727 pounds and fired a 250-pound shell up to 12,139 yards.

Designed by Krupp engineers and adopted in 1918, the Paris Gun used the basic 380mm Max railroad gun barrel fitted with a barrel liner and lengthened 20 feet. The 210mm Paris Gun weighed 1,653,470 pounds and mounted a 2,550-inch barrel with a horizontal sliding block. It fired a 264-pound shell up to 82 miles. Crewed by naval personnel, the Paris Gun was so powerful that it fired its shells into the stratosphere, where the thinner atmosphere exerted less resistance, allowing such long ranges. The stress on the bore, however, wore the barrel significantly, and each succeeding projectile had to have progressively larger driving bands and heavier powder charges to compensate for the increasing windage. Although hugely inefficient in the final analysis, the Paris Gun’s greatest value lay in its use as a propaganda tool rather than an artillery piece. Source

[beardedmrbean]

[Huey Zoomer Anon]

What is it with white libs after the election and learning about a huge chunk of minorities voted for trump?

Kamala campaign fail, she talked to ACTIVE SOLDIERS IN THE FIELD like 5 years olds

And have worse vocabulary than me, wait I’m in the autism spectrum, what her’s excuse?

Than like trying to bring in the Obamas, actually I think perhaps gen x and millennials Africans Americans can explain it better

When I saw Chicago DNC clips…idk, to me it was like looking at a cult you were in. They were scared, the blacks are brainwashed to believe that Trump was going to give the KKK F22s. I mean I roll my eyes at my community

But fuck we are brainwashed to the plantation

Also the Obama thing…actually let think about when he came out

Remember it took 99 years after the 13 amendment for the civil rights act to happen. So for most blacks, a black president was a fantasy, where many blacks were told by their own teachers. There will never be a black president

Than 44 years after the civil rights act, a BLACK candidate who will when and be the first BLACK president with the first BLACK First Family in the White House?

AAAAAH DOPAMINE RUSH 9000!

I notice this with my late great grandmother who died a few years ago who had a picture of the Obama family…I mean…it was people like us in the White House not as slaves or servants, but as leaders of the free world

Than….the disillusion for many blacks began…the evil shit that happened under the Obama administration was known more. The fast and furious scandal…how shitty the economy was under him

Oh and Michelle Obama lunch programs, hmmm what slur I can use for her after the garbage I ate in school?

Than them reappearing out of nowhere for Kamala, where you two been? Wait wait Mr Obama chastising black men for openly showing more support for trump?

And he said something about how would Muslim Americans would live under trump…bitch you are called the Obomber, and if I remember correctly called the Butcher of places like Pakistan, Congo, etc?

Just because the wokies and media you aren’t part of the American military industrial complex, doesn’t mean the victims love ones haven’t forgotten

Obama came in just the right time for the asskissing (especially with the mess black America was in during the 80’s-90’s) he was seen as a beacon of hope, only to be a wolf in sheep clothing

Also after I research that 2024 celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act being passed…I…I can’t help just look how we are basically on a fucking different planet to what my elders had to go through at my age in America

Just shit man…sorry…just…so many elders in their 80’s-70’s was alive when it was passed to drink from the same fountain or get books from the library as their white counterparts

It kinda why I’m semi easy on elders(though I look up what theirs did to them) than many

But sometimes I want to go to progressives and say “Bitch back in the 50’s males my age couldn’t PISS in the same bathroom as whites!” So they probably struggle with that 180…than 360 society did

Also white liberals…Americans minorities been through superhells that wasn’t documented. A 2 term of trump will be okay

What is it with white libs after the election and learning about a huge chunk of minorities voted for trump? Kamala campaign fail, she talked to ACTIVE SOLDIERS IN THE FIELD like 5 years olds And have worse vocabulary than me, wait I’m in the autism spectrum, what her’s excuse?

Best guess is she thinks everyone else is too stupid to understand big words.

Than like trying to bring in the Obamas, actually I think perhaps gen x and millennials Africans Americans can explain it better

They were rock stars for some reason, ya for breaking barriers and all but let's actually look at accomplishments and all instead of riding into history on the back of 'first black president'

Identity politcs keeps on going the way it has been it's going to be a while till we get the next one because even on the left 'vote for me because I'm (insert identity here) isn't going to fly with the majority of people.

When I saw Chicago DNC clips…idk, to me it was like looking at a cult you were in. They were scared, the blacks are brainwashed to believe that Trump was going to give the KKK F22s. I mean I roll my eyes at my community

I have to wonder how many votes switched to the other side when they brought out the gender neutral prayer room. They did manage to dial up the fear mongering though.

Wonder how it would go if instead of scaring people with project 2025 bs they instead pointed out all the ways that the president lacks the authority to do the things in it.

You know like how when nancy said the president doesn't have the authority to forgive student debt and then went ahead and let him waste our money trying to do it anyway instead of pushing it through congress and getting that relief to the people stuck underneath that debt.

I notice this with my late great grandmother who died a few years ago who had a picture of the Obama family…I mean…it was people like us in the White House not as slaves or servants, but as leaders of the free world

I do imagine that hits way different,

Oh and Michelle Obama lunch programs, hmmm what slur I can use for her after the garbage I ate in school?

They're trying to rehabilitate the image of those, was looking for some articles about it a few months ago and the old ones I used to have bookmarked are gone and most of what comes up now is glowing praise.

Than them reappearing out of nowhere for Kamala, where you two been? Wait wait Mr Obama chastising black men for openly showing more support for trump?

I liked how he tried to imply they were sexist for not voting for her the same way people implied that folks were racist for not voting for him, in some cases it might have been true, but that's the overwhelming minority of them I'd wager.

And he said something about how would Muslim Americans would live under trump…bitch you are called the Obomber, and if I remember correctly called the Butcher of places like Pakistan, Congo, etc?

They rolled the dice on who would be more likely to get a quick end to the gaza war that hamass started, likely because they also know that the bs barry and the other fearmongers brought up isn't something that's within his authority.

Also after I research that 2024 celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act being passed…I…I can’t help just look how we are basically on a fucking different planet to what my elders had to go through at my age in America Just shit man…sorry…just…so many elders in their 80’s-70’s was alive when it was passed to drink from the same fountain or get books from the library as their white counterparts

It's a shameful part of our history and a stain that will never be wiped clean, but from a global historical context we're moving at light speed when it comes to getting better, regardless of what some people might want to say.

It kinda why I’m semi easy on elders(though I look up what theirs did to them) than many But sometimes I want to go to progressives and say “Bitch back in the 50’s males my age couldn’t PISS in the same bathroom as whites!” So they probably struggle with that 180…than 360 society did

The 360 that was done in places that have openly called for a return to segregation and such has to have caused a few cases of whiplash in that community.

Create unlimited green energy by hooking up the bodies of deceased civil rights activists to generators so we can harness the power created by them spinning in their graves.

Also white liberals…Americans minorities been through superhells that wasn’t documented. A 2 term of trump will be okay

I wonder how many are fully aware of that but are just doing this to be performative about their opposition.

[spacetimewithstuartgary]

NASA’s Curiosity Mars Rover Takes a Last Look at Mysterious Sulfur

NASA’s Curiosity rover is preparing for the next leg of its journey, a monthslong trek to a formation called the boxwork, a set of weblike patterns on Mars’ surface that stretches for miles. It will soon leave behind Gediz Vallis channel, an area wrapped in mystery. How the channel formed so late during a transition to a drier climate is one big question for the science team. Another mystery is the field of white sulfur stones the rover discovered over the summer.

Curiosity imaged the stones, along with features from inside the channel, in a 360-degree panorama before driving up to the western edge of the channel at the end of September.

The rover is searching for evidence that ancient Mars had the right ingredients to support microbial life, if any formed billions of years ago, when the Red Planet held lakes and rivers. Located in the foothills of Mount Sharp, a 3-mile-tall (5-kilometer-tall) mountain, Gediz Vallis channel may help tell a related story: what the area was like as water was disappearing on Mars. Although older layers on the mountain had already formed in a dry climate, the channel suggests that water occasionally coursed through the area as the climate was changing.

Scientists are still piecing together the processes that formed various features within the channel, including the debris mound nicknamed “Pinnacle Ridge,” visible in the new 360-degree panorama. It appears that rivers, wet debris flows, and dry avalanches all left their mark. The science team is now constructing a timeline of events from Curiosity’s observations.

The science team is also trying to answer some big questions about the sprawling field of sulfur stones. Images of the area from NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) showed what looked like an unremarkable patch of light-colored terrain. It turns out that the sulfur stones were too small for MRO’s High-Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE) to see, and Curiosity’s team was intrigued to find them when the rover reached the patch. They were even more surprised after Curiosity rolled over one of the stones, crushing it to reveal yellow crystals inside.

Science instruments on the rover confirmed the stone was pure sulfur — something no mission has seen before on Mars. The team doesn’t have a ready explanation for why the sulfur formed there; on Earth, it’s associated with volcanoes and hot springs, and no evidence exists on Mount Sharp pointing to either of those causes.

“We looked at the sulfur field from every angle — from the top and the side — and looked for anything mixed with the sulfur that might give us clues as to how it formed. We’ve gathered a ton of data, and now we have a fun puzzle to solve,” said Curiosity’s project scientist Ashwin Vasavada at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California.

Spiderwebs on Mars

Curiosity, which has traveled about 20 miles (33 kilometers) since landing in 2012, is now driving along the western edge of Gediz Vallis channel, gathering a few more panoramas to document the region before making tracks to the boxwork.

Viewed by MRO, the boxwork looks like spiderwebs stretching across the surface. It’s believed to have formed when minerals carried by Mount Sharp’s last pulses of water settled into fractures in surface rock and then hardened. As portions of the rock eroded away, what remained were the minerals that had cemented themselves in the fractures, leaving the weblike boxwork.

On Earth, boxwork formations have been seen on cliffsides and in caves. But Mount Sharp’s boxwork structures stand apart from those both because they formed as water was disappearing from Mars and because they’re so extensive, spanning an area of 6 to 12 miles (10 to 20 kilometers).

“These ridges will include minerals that crystallized underground, where it would have been warmer, with salty liquid water flowing through,” said Kirsten Siebach of Rice University in Houston, a Curiosity scientist studying the region. “Early Earth microbes could have survived in a similar environment. That makes this an exciting place to explore.”

NASA’s Curiosity captured this panorama using its Mastcam while heading west away from Gediz Vallis channel on Nov. 2, 2024, the 4,352nd Martian day, or sol, of the mission. The Mars rover’s tracks across the rocky terrain are visible at right. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS

NASA’s Curiosity Mars rover captured this last look at a field of bright white sulfur stones on Oct. 11, before leaving Gediz Vallis channel. The field was where the rover made the first discovery of pure sulfur on Mars. Scientists are still unsure exactly why theses rocks formed here. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS

Scientists think that ancient groundwater formed this weblike pattern of ridges, called boxwork, that were captured by NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter on Dec. 10, 2006. The agency’s Curiosity rover will study ridges similar to these up close in 202… Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/University of Arizona

This weblike crystalline structure called boxwork is found in the ceiling of the Elk’s Room, part of Wind Cave National Park in South Dakota. NASA’s Curiosity rover is preparing for a journey to a boxwork formation that stretches for miles on Mars’ su… Credit: NPS Photo/Kim Acker

[ifieldsmart-technologies]

Revolutionizing Construction Documentation with 360° Field Imaging:

Traditional methods of site documentation, such as 2D photos and handwritten notes, often fall short in capturing the complete picture. That's where Lens360 comes in, offering a revolutionary solution for 360° field documentation.

Ready to experience the power of 360° field documentation?

Visit:   lens360.ifieldsmart.com

[bimengusllp]

The Evolution of BIM in Fabrication and Prefabrication: A Game-Changer in Construction

In the ever-evolving world of construction, technology has proven to be a game-changer. Building Information Modeling (BIM) is one such technology that has revolutionized the construction industry, particularly in the areas of fabrication and prefabrication. This article explores the ins and outs of BIM for fabrication and prefabrication, shedding light on its significance, benefits, and future prospects.

Understanding BIM: A Brief Overview

Before delving into the specifics of BIM for fabrication and prefabrication, let's grasp the essence of Building Information Modeling. BIM is a digital representation of a building's physical and functional characteristics. It goes beyond traditional 2D drawings by incorporating 3D models and comprehensive data. This approach facilitates better collaboration, decision-making, and efficiency throughout the project lifecycle.

Based on a report by Hourigan, market for prefabricated construction is set to grow at a rate of 6.9%, reaching a value of 153 billion by 2023.

Challenges with Legacy Prefabrication and Fabrication within Construction

The construction industry has long relied on the principles of prefabrication and fabrication to streamline processes, reduce costs, and enhance efficiency in building projects. While these techniques have proven to be beneficial, they also come with a set of challenges, especially when dealing with legacy practices. In this article, we will explore some of the key challenges associated with legacy prefabrication and fabrication in construction.

1. Outdated Technology and Equipment

One of the primary challenges of legacy prefabrication and fabrication is the use of outdated technology and equipment. Many construction companies still rely on machinery and tools that are no longer efficient or up to industry standards. This can result in slower production, increased downtime due to maintenance, and higher operating costs.

2. Lack of Integration with Building Information Modeling (BIM)

Legacy practices often do not integrate seamlessly with modern technologies like Building Information Modeling (BIM). BIM enables a digital representation of the building's design, allowing for better planning, coordination, and visualization. Without BIM integration, there can be gaps between design and fabrication, leading to errors, rework, and delays.

3. Limited Design Flexibility

Traditional prefabrication and fabrication methods may limit design flexibility. Legacy systems often rely on standardized components and processes, making it challenging to accommodate custom design elements or changes in project requirements. This lack of adaptability can hinder innovation and creative design solutions.

4. Quality Control Issues

Maintaining quality control in legacy fabrication and prefabrication processes can be a significant challenge. Outdated equipment may not provide the precision required for modern construction standards. This can lead to inconsistencies in product quality and increased risk of defects, which may only become evident during on-site assembly.

5. Inefficiencies in Transportation and Storage

Transportation and storage of prefabricated components pose challenges, especially in legacy systems where components may not be designed with transportation and storage in mind. Improperly designed or packaged components can suffer damage during transit, resulting in delays and additional costs.

6. Skilled Labor Shortages

Legacy fabrication and prefabrication practices may require specialized skills that are becoming increasingly scarce in the labor market. Finding and retaining skilled workers who are experienced in older technologies can be a challenge, potentially leading to delays and increased labor costs.

7. Environmental Concerns

Many legacy fabrication and prefabrication methods are not environmentally friendly. Outdated practices may involve the use of materials and processes that are not sustainable or energy-efficient. This can conflict with the growing demand for eco-friendly and sustainable construction practices.

8. Compliance with Regulations

As construction regulations and codes evolve, legacy fabrication and prefabrication practices may struggle to meet new compliance requirements. This can lead to legal issues, project delays, and costly retrofits to bring components or systems up to code.

9. Resistance to Change

Perhaps one of the most significant challenges is resistance to change within the industry. Companies that have relied on legacy methods for years may be hesitant to invest in new technologies and processes, even if they offer substantial benefits. Overcoming this resistance and embracing modernization can be a significant hurdle.

BIM's Role in Fabrication and Prefabrication

Streamlining Design and Collaboration

One of the foremost advantages of BIM in fabrication and prefabrication is its ability to streamline the design process. Traditional design methods often involve multiple stakeholders working with 2D drawings, which can lead to errors and misinterpretations. BIM, on the other hand, offers a 3D visual representation that enables all parties involved to have a clearer understanding of the project.

Moreover, BIM promotes collaboration among architects, engineers, contractors, and fabricators. It allows real-time sharing of information, which is critical in achieving design accuracy and avoiding costly revisions later in the construction process.

Accurate Quantity Takeoffs and Cost Estimations

Fabrication and prefabrication require precise quantity takeoffs and cost estimations. BIM plays a pivotal role in this aspect by providing accurate data for materials, quantities, and costs. This not only helps in budget planning but also minimizes wastage, making construction projects more sustainable.

Improved Clash Detection

Clash detection is crucial in construction to identify and resolve conflicts or clashes between different building elements. BIM's 3D model allows for automated clash detection, where the software identifies potential clashes between structural, mechanical, and electrical systems. This proactive approach helps in avoiding costly rework and delays during fabrication and assembly.

Enhancing Efficiency in Fabrication

Fabrication involves creating building components off-site, which can be a complex process. BIM simplifies this by providing detailed and accurate fabrication drawings, ensuring that components fit together seamlessly. Fabricators can use the digital model to plan their processes efficiently, resulting in reduced fabrication time and improved quality control.

Prefabrication Precision

Prefabrication, the assembly of building elements in a controlled environment before transport to the construction site, relies heavily on accuracy. BIM helps in creating precise shop drawings and assembly instructions. This precision not only reduces on-site labor but also enhances the quality of the final product.

The Benefits of BIM in Fabrication and Prefabrication

1. Cost Savings

BIM's ability to provide accurate quantity takeoffs, clash detection, and efficient fabrication planning translates into significant cost savings. Projects are completed on time and within budget, minimizing unexpected expenses.

2. Improved Collaboration

Collaboration among various stakeholders is seamless with BIM, leading to better decision-making and reduced miscommunication. Architects, engineers, contractors, and fabricators can work together in real time, resulting in a more cohesive and efficient construction process.

3. Reduced Errors and Rework

BIM's 3D visualization and clash detection capabilities help identify and rectify errors early in the design and fabrication stages, reducing the need for costly rework and delays.

4. Enhanced Sustainability

By optimizing material usage and minimizing wastage, BIM contributes to more sustainable construction practices. The efficient planning it enables also reduces the environmental impact of construction projects.

5. Faster Project Delivery

With accurate shop drawings and assembly instructions, prefabrication and fabrication processes are expedited, leading to faster project completion and earlier occupancy of the building.

Future Prospects of BIM in Fabrication and Prefabrication

As technology continues to advance, the future of BIM in fabrication and prefabrication looks promising. Here are some trends and possibilities to watch out for:

1. IoT Integration

The integration of the Internet of Things (IoT) with BIM will enable real-time monitoring and control of prefabricated components. This can lead to improved maintenance and performance tracking throughout a building's lifecycle.

2. Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR)

AR and VR technologies can enhance the visualization of BIM models, allowing stakeholders to experience the building in a more immersive way. This can be particularly valuable in design reviews and client presentations.

3. Automation and Robotics

Automation and robotics are likely to play a larger role in fabrication and prefabrication processes, further increasing efficiency and reducing labor costs.

4. Cloud-Based Collaboration

Cloud-based BIM platforms will continue to evolve, making it easier for teams to collaborate remotely and access project data from anywhere in the world.

Conclusion

While prefabrication and fabrication have the potential to revolutionize the construction industry, legacy practices present several challenges that must be addressed. Overcoming these challenges requires a commitment to modernization, investment in updated technology and equipment, integration with digital tools like BIM, and a willingness to adapt to changing construction standards and sustainability requirements. Embracing innovation in prefabrication and fabrication is not just a matter of choice but a necessity for the construction industry to thrive in an ever-evolving landscape

Building Information Modeling has transformed the construction industry, particularly in the realms of fabrication and prefabrication. Its ability to streamline design, enhance collaboration, reduce errors, and improve efficiency has made it an indispensable tool for construction professionals. As technology continues to advance, BIM's role in fabrication and prefabrication is set to expand, further revolutionizing the way buildings are designed and constructed. Embracing BIM is not just a choice but a necessity for those looking to stay competitive and sustainable in the ever-evolving construction landscape.

Visit us: https://www.bimengus.com/bim-coordination-services-sub/bim-for-prefabrication-fabrication

[michaeldswanson]

Apple’s Mysterious Fisheye Projection

If you’ve read my first post about Spatial Video, the second about Encoding Spatial Video, or if you’ve used my command-line tool, you may recall a mention of Apple’s mysterious “fisheye” projection format. Mysterious because they’ve documented a CMProjectionType.fisheye enumeration with no elaboration, they stream their immersive Apple TV+ videos in this format, yet they’ve provided no method to produce or playback third-party content using this projection type.

Additionally, the format is undocumented, they haven’t responded to an open question on the Apple Discussion Forums asking for more detail, and they didn’t cover it in their WWDC23 sessions. As someone who has experience in this area – and a relentless curiosity – I’ve spent time digging-in to Apple’s fisheye projection format, and this post shares what I’ve learned.

As stated in my prior post, I am not an Apple employee, and everything I’ve written here is based on my own history, experience (specifically my time at immersive video startup, Pixvana, from 2016-2020), research, and experimentation. I’m sure that some of this is incorrect, and I hope we’ll all learn more at WWDC24.

Spherical Content

Imagine sitting in a swivel chair and looking straight ahead. If you tilt your head to look straight up (at the zenith), that’s 90 degrees. Likewise, if you were looking straight ahead and tilted your head all the way down (at the nadir), that’s also 90 degrees. So, your reality has a total vertical field-of-view of 90 + 90 = 180 degrees.

Sitting in that same chair, if you swivel 90 degrees to the left or 90 degrees to the right, you’re able to view a full 90 + 90 = 180 degrees of horizontal content (your horizontal field-of-view). If you spun your chair all the way around to look at the “back half” of your environment, you would spin past a full 360 degrees of content.

When we talk about immersive video, it’s common to only refer to the horizontal field-of-view (like 180 or 360) with the assumption that the vertical field-of-view is always 180. Of course, this doesn’t have to be true, because we can capture whatever we’d like, edit whatever we’d like, and playback whatever we’d like.

But when someone says something like VR180, they really mean immersive video that has a 180-degree horizontal field-of-view and a 180-degree vertical field-of-view. Similarly, 360 video is 360-degrees horizontally by 180-degrees vertically.

Projections

When immersive video is played back in a device like the Apple Vision Pro, the Meta Quest, or others, the content is displayed as if a viewer’s eyes are at the center of a sphere watching video that is displayed on its inner surface. For 180-degree content, this is a hemisphere. For 360-degree content, this is a full sphere. But it can really be anything in between; at Pixvana, we sometimes referred to this as any-degree video.

It's here where we run into a small problem. How do we encode this immersive, spherical content? All the common video codecs (H.264, VP9, HEVC, MV-HEVC, AVC1, etc.) are designed to encode and decode data to and from a rectangular frame. So how do you take something like a spherical image of the Earth (i.e. a globe) and store it in a rectangular shape? That sounds like a map to me. And indeed, that transformation is referred to as a map projection.

Equirectangular

While there are many different projection types that each have useful properties in specific situations, spherical video and images most commonly use an equirectangular projection. This is a very simple transformation to perform (it looks more complicated than it is). Each x location on a rectangular image represents a longitude value on a sphere, and each y location represents a latitude. That’s it. Because of these relationships, this kind of projection can also be called a lat/long.

Imagine “peeling” thin one-degree-tall strips from a globe, starting at the equator. We start there because it’s the longest strip. To transform it to a rectangular shape, start by pasting that strip horizontally across the middle of a sheet of paper (in landscape orientation). Then, continue peeling and pasting up or down in one-degree increments. Be sure to stretch each strip to be as long as the first, meaning that the very short strips at the north and south poles are stretched a lot. Don’t break them! When you’re done, you’ll have a 360-degree equirectangular projection that looks like this.

If you did this exact same thing with half of the globe, you’d end up with a 180-degree equirectangular projection, sometimes called a half-equirect. Performed digitally, it’s common to allocate the same number of pixels to each degree of image data. So, for a full 360-degree by 180-degree equirect, the rectangular video frame would have an aspect ratio of 2:1 (the horizontal dimension is twice the vertical dimension). For 180-degree by 180-degree video, it’d be 1:1 (a square). Like many things, these aren’t hard and fast rules, and for technical reasons, sometimes frames are stretched horizontally or vertically to fit within the capabilities of an encoder or playback device.

This is a 180-degree half equirectangular image overlaid with a grid to illustrate its distortions. It was created from the standard fisheye image further below. Watch an animated version of this transformation.

What we’ve described so far is equivalent to monoscopic (2D) video. For stereoscopic (3D) video, we need to pack two of these images into each frame…one for each eye. This is usually accomplished by arranging two images in a side-by-side or over/under layout. For full 360-degree stereoscopic video in an over/under layout, this makes the final video frame 1:1 (because we now have 360 degrees of image data in both dimensions). As described in my prior post on Encoding Spatial Video, though, Apple has chosen to encode stereo video using MV-HEVC, so each eye’s projection is stored in its own dedicated video layer, meaning that the reported video dimensions match that of a single eye.

Standard Fisheye

Most immersive video cameras feature one or more fisheye lenses. For 180-degree stereo (the short way of saying stereoscopic) video, this is almost always two lenses in a side-by-side configuration, separated by ~63-65mm, very much like human eyes (some 180 cameras).

The raw frames that are captured by these cameras are recorded as fisheye images where each circular image area represents ~180 degrees (or more) of visual content. In most workflows, these raw fisheye images are transformed into an equirectangular or half-equirectangular projection for final delivery and playback.

This is a 180 degree standard fisheye image overlaid with a grid. This image is the source of the other images in this post.

Apple’s Fisheye

This brings us to the topic of this post. As I stated in the introduction, Apple has encoded the raw frames of their immersive videos in a “fisheye” projection format. I know this, because I’ve monitored the network traffic to my Apple Vision Pro, and I’ve seen the HLS streaming manifests that describe each of the network streams. This is how I originally discovered and reported that these streams – in their highest quality representations – are ~50Mbps, HDR10, 4320x4320 per eye, at 90fps.

While I can see the streaming manifests, I am unable to view the raw video frames, because all the immersive videos are protected by DRM. This makes perfect sense, and while I’m a curious engineer who would love to see a raw fisheye frame, I am unwilling to go any further. So, in an earlier post, I asked anyone who knew more about the fisheye projection type to contact me directly. Otherwise, I figured I’d just have to wait for WWDC24.

Lo and behold, not a week or two after my post, an acquaintance introduced me to Andrew Chang who said that he had also monitored his network traffic and noticed that the Apple TV+ intro clip (an immersive version of this) is streamed in-the-clear. And indeed, it is encoded in the same fisheye projection. Bingo! Thank you, Andrew!

Now, I can finally see a raw fisheye video frame. Unfortunately, the frame is mostly black and featureless, including only an Apple TV+ logo and some God rays. Not a lot to go on. Still, having a lot of experience with both practical and experimental projection types, I figured I’d see what I could figure out. And before you ask, no, I’m not including the actual logo, raw frame, or video in this post, because it’s not mine to distribute.

Immediately, just based on logo distortions, it’s clear that Apple’s fisheye projection format isn’t the same as a standard fisheye recording. This isn’t too surprising, given that it makes little sense to encode only a circular region in the center of a square frame and leave the remainder black; you typically want to use all the pixels in the frame to send as much data as possible (like the equirectangular format described earlier).

Additionally, instead of seeing the logo horizontally aligned, it’s rotated 45 degrees clockwise, aligning it with the diagonal that runs from the upper-left to the lower-right of the frame. This makes sense, because the diagonal is the longest dimension of the frame, and as a result, it can store more horizontal (post-rotation) pixels than if the frame wasn’t rotated at all.

This is the same standard fisheye image from above transformed into a format that seems very similar to Apple’s fisheye format. Watch an animated version of this transformation.

Likewise, the diagonal from the lower-left to the upper-right represents the vertical dimension of playback (again, post-rotation) providing a similar increase in available pixels. This means that – during rotated playback – the now-diagonal directions should contain the least amount of image data. Correctly-tuned, this likely isn’t visible, but it’s interesting to note.

More Pixels

You might be asking, where do these “extra” pixels come from? I mean, if we start with a traditional raw circular fisheye image captured from a camera and just stretch it out to cover a square frame, what have we gained? Those are great questions that have many possible answers.

This is why I liken video processing to turning knobs in a 747 cockpit: if you turn one of those knobs, you more-than-likely need to change something else to balance it out. Which leads to turning more knobs, and so on. Video processing is frequently an optimization problem just like this. Some initial thoughts:

It could be that the source video is captured at a higher resolution, and when transforming the video to a lower resolution, the “extra” image data is preserved by taking advantage of the square frame.

Perhaps the camera optically transforms the circular fisheye image (using physical lenses) to fill more of the rectangular sensor during capture. This means that we have additional image data to start and storing it in this expanded fisheye format allows us to preserve more of it.

Similarly, if we record the image using more than two lenses, there may be more data to preserve during the transformation. For what it’s worth, it appears that Apple captures their immersive videos with a two-lens pair, and you can see them hiding in the speaker cabinets in the Alicia Keys video.

There are many other factors beyond the scope of this post that can influence the design of Apple’s fisheye format. Some of them include distortion handling, the size of the area that’s allocated to each pixel, where the “most important” pixels are located in the frame, how high-frequency details affect encoder performance, how the distorted motion in the transformed frame influences motion estimation efficiency, how the pixels are sampled and displayed during playback, and much more.

Blender

But let’s get back to that raw Apple fisheye frame. Knowing that the image represents ~180 degrees, I loaded up Blender and started to guess at a possible geometry for playback based on the visible distortions. At that point, I wasn’t sure if the frame encodes faces of the playback geometry or if the distortions are related to another kind of mathematical mapping. Some of the distortions are more severe than expected, though, and my mind couldn’t imagine what kind of mesh corrected for those distortions (so tempted to blame my aphantasia here, but my spatial senses are otherwise excellent).

One of the many meshes and UV maps that I’ve experimented with in Blender.

Radial Stretching

If you’ve ever worked with projection mappings, fisheye lenses, equirectangular images, camera calibration, cube mapping techniques, and so much more, Google has inevitably led you to one of Paul Bourke’s many fantastic articles. I’ve exchanged a few e-mails with Paul over the years, so I reached out to see if he had any insight.

After some back-and-forth discussion over a couple of weeks, we both agreed that Apple’s fisheye projection is most similar to a technique called radial stretching (with that 45-degree clockwise rotation thrown in). You can read more about this technique and others in Mappings between Sphere, Disc, and Square and Marc B. Reynolds’ interactive page on Square/Disc mappings.

Basically, though, imagine a traditional centered, circular fisheye image that touches each edge of a square frame. Now, similar to the equirectangular strip-peeling exercise I described earlier with the globe, imagine peeling one-degree wide strips radially from the center of the image and stretching those along the same angle until they touch the edge of the square frame. As the name implies, that’s radial stretching. It’s probably the technique you’d invent on your own if you had to come up with something.

By performing the reverse of this operation on a raw Apple fisheye frame, you end up with a pretty good looking version of the Apple TV+ logo. But, it’s not 100% correct. It appears that there is some additional logic being used along the diagonals to reduce the amount of radial stretching and distortion (and perhaps to keep image data away from the encoded corners). I’ve experimented with many approaches, but I still can’t achieve a 100% match. My best guess so far uses simple beveled corners, and this is the same transformation I used for the earlier image.

It's also possible that this last bit of distortion could be explained by a specific projection geometry, and I’ve iterated over many permutations that get close…but not all the way there. For what it’s worth, I would be slightly surprised if Apple was encoding to a specific geometry because it adds unnecessary complexity to the toolchain and reduces overall flexibility.

While I have been able to playback the Apple TV+ logo using the techniques I’ve described, the frame lacks any real detail beyond its center. So, it’s still possible that the mapping I’ve arrived at falls apart along the periphery. Guess I’ll continue to cross my fingers and hope that we learn more at WWDC24.

Conclusion

This post covered my experimentation with the technical aspects of Apple’s fisheye projection format. Along the way, it’s been fun to collaborate with Andrew, Paul, and others to work through the details. And while we were unable to arrive at a 100% solution, we’re most definitely within range.

The remaining questions I have relate to why someone would choose this projection format over half-equirectangular. Clearly Apple believes there are worthwhile benefits, or they wouldn’t have bothered to build a toolchain to capture, process, and stream video in this format. I can imagine many possible advantages, and I’ve enumerated some of them in this post. With time, I’m sure we’ll learn more from Apple themselves and from experiments that all of us can run when their fisheye format is supported by existing tools.

It's an exciting time to be revisiting immersive video, and we have Apple to thank for it.

As always, I love hearing from you. It keeps me motivated! Thank you for reading.

[decibeo360cloud]

HR Software in Pakistan: Features That Every Business Needs

HR Software in Pakistan

In today’s rapidly evolving business landscape, HR software in Pakistan has become a necessity for organizations looking to streamline their human resource management processes. With the rise of cloud-based HR solutions, businesses can now automate HR tasks, ensure compliance, and enhance productivity. This article explores the essential features that every business in Pakistan should look for in HR software.

1. Employee Information Management

An efficient HR software should serve as a centralized database for storing employee information, including personal details, job history, salary records, performance reviews, and documents. This ensures that HR teams have quick access to employee records while maintaining data security and compliance.

Key Features:

Employee profiles with customizable fields

Document management for contracts, ID copies, and certificates

Role-based access control for security

Audit logs for tracking modifications

2. Payroll Management and Salary Processing

Payroll management is one of the most critical functions of HR. A robust HR software in Pakistan should provide automated payroll processing to ensure accurate salary calculations, tax deductions, and compliance with local labor laws.

Key Features:

Automated salary calculations

Integration with tax laws and compliance regulations

Direct bank transfer capabilities

Payslip generation and tax reports

3. Attendance and Leave Management

Efficient attendance tracking and leave management are crucial for maintaining workforce productivity. Modern HR software should integrate with biometric systems, RFID, or mobile applications to automate attendance monitoring.

Key Features:

Integration with biometric devices and RFID

Online leave application and approval workflows

Customizable leave policies and holiday calendars

Real-time reports on absenteeism and attendance trends

4. Recruitment and Applicant Tracking System (ATS)

An Applicant Tracking System (ATS) simplifies the hiring process by automating job postings, resume screening, interview scheduling, and candidate evaluations. This helps organizations find the right talent faster and more efficiently.

Key Features:

Automated job posting on multiple platforms

AI-based resume screening and ranking

Interview scheduling and candidate communication

Collaboration tools for recruiters and hiring managers

5. Performance Management System (PMS)

To foster a high-performing workforce, businesses need a Performance Management System that enables continuous goal setting, employee feedback, and performance evaluations.

Key Features:

Goal setting and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

360-degree performance reviews

Automated performance reports and analytics

Employee recognition and reward programs

6. Training and Development Modules

Employee training and skill development are essential for improving productivity and job satisfaction. A comprehensive HR software should include an integrated Learning Management System (LMS) to track and manage employee training programs.

Key Features:

Course creation and content management

Tracking employee progress and certifications

Automated reminders for training schedules

Employee feedback on training effectiveness

7. Employee Self-Service (ESS) Portal

A self-service portal empowers employees by allowing them to access HR-related information, apply for leave, view payslips, and update their details without HR intervention.

Key Features:

Online access to personal records

Leave and attendance tracking

Payroll and payslip downloads

HR policy documents and announcements

8. Compliance and Legal Management

HR software should assist in ensuring compliance with Pakistan’s labor laws and corporate regulations by automating record-keeping and reporting.

Key Features:

Automated labor law compliance checks

Digital contract management

Audit reports and compliance tracking

Tax calculations and e-filing integrations

9. HR Analytics and Reporting

Data-driven HR decisions are crucial for business growth. A powerful HR software in Pakistan should include advanced analytics and reporting tools to provide insights into employee performance, payroll expenses, and workforce trends.

Key Features:

Customizable dashboards with real-time analytics

Predictive HR analytics for trend forecasting

Automated report generation

Graphical insights and visualization tools

10. Mobile Accessibility and Cloud Integration

With remote work and on-the-go workforce management becoming more prevalent, mobile-friendly and cloud-based HR software ensures accessibility from anywhere.

Key Features:

Cloud-based access with secure login

Mobile application for HR tasks

Push notifications for important HR updates

Integration with other business tools (ERP, CRM, accounting software)

Conclusion

Choosing the right HR software in Pakistan is essential for businesses aiming to streamline their HR operations and improve workforce management. By investing in a feature-rich HR solution, companies can enhance productivity, compliance, and employee satisfaction while reducing administrative burdens.

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[updates-about-springworks]

Proven Tips to Avoid Favouritism in the Workplace

Workplace favouritism—real or perceived—can be incredibly toxic. It breeds resentment, lowers morale, and damages team productivity. When employees feel that certain individuals are being treated more favorably than others without merit, it can lead to disengagement and even attrition.

So how can leaders and organizations ensure fairness and maintain a positive, inclusive work environment? Here are some proven tips to avoid favouritism in the workplace.

1. Set Clear Expectations and Standards

One of the best ways to eliminate favouritism is by ensuring that all employees are held to the same standards. Define clear, measurable goals for each role and make expectations transparent. When performance is assessed against objective metrics, it becomes harder to justify biased decisions.

2. Use Structured Performance Reviews

Informal evaluations can often be influenced by personal preferences. Instead, use a standardized performance review process that includes input from multiple sources—such as self-assessments, peer reviews, and manager feedback. This 360-degree approach ensures that no one person’s bias unduly influences the outcome.

3. Document Decisions

Whether it's promotions, project assignments, or bonuses, document the rationale behind all major decisions. This level of transparency not only keeps managers accountable but also reassures employees that decisions are based on merit, not favoritism.

4. Encourage Open Communication

Create a culture where employees feel safe to voice concerns about unfair treatment. Encourage feedback through anonymous surveys, suggestion boxes, or regular one-on-one check-ins. When employees are heard, it’s easier to identify and correct any unconscious bias.

5. Rotate Opportunities Equitably

Managers should make a conscious effort to rotate high-visibility projects and leadership opportunities among team members. This gives everyone a chance to shine and prevents the same people from always being in the spotlight.

6. Train Managers on Bias Awareness

Often, favouritism isn’t intentional—it stems from unconscious bias. Provide leadership training that helps managers recognize and mitigate their own biases. Regular workshops and DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) programs can be extremely effective.

7. Implement an Employee Recognition Platform

Recognition is one area where favouritism can subtly creep in. To ensure appreciation is fair and inclusive, consider implementing an employee recognition platform that allows peers and leaders to recognize accomplishments transparently. These platforms often include analytics to monitor who is being recognized—and who may be overlooked—so managers can take corrective action.

8. Lead by Example

Lastly, senior leadership must model the behavior they expect from others. When executives treat all employees with equal respect and appreciation, it sets the tone for the rest of the organization.

Final Thoughts

Avoiding favouritism is not just about fairness—it’s about building a high-performing culture where everyone feels valued. By following these strategies and leveraging tools like an employee recognition platform, organizations can create a level playing field and empower every employee to succeed.

Let fairness guide your leadership. The return? A more motivated, engaged, and loyal workforce.

[daneiljames213]

Best Medical Device CRM Solutions to Drive Sales and Compliance — VALiNTRY360

In the ever-evolving world of healthcare and life sciences, medical device companies face increasing pressure to balance aggressive sales growth with strict regulatory compliance. From managing complex customer relationships to adhering to FDA, HIPAA, and other regulatory standards, it is essential for medical device manufacturers and distributors to implement the Best Medical Device CRM Solutions available. One name that stands out in this space is VALiNTRY360.

As a premier Salesforce consulting partner, VALiNTRY360 delivers CRM solutions that are uniquely tailored to the needs of medical device organizations. These solutions not only improve sales performance but also strengthen compliance, streamline service operations, and deliver deep insights across the organization.

Why CRM Matters for Medical Device Companies

Medical device companies operate in a dynamic and highly regulated environment. Whether selling surgical instruments, diagnostic equipment, implants, or wearable devices, success requires a strategic approach to customer engagement and data management.

Here’s why choosing the Best Medical Device CRM Solutions is crucial:

Complex Sales Cycles: Multiple stakeholders (clinicians, hospital procurement, payers) are involved in buying decisions.

Regulatory Oversight: Companies must comply with FDA regulations, HIPAA data handling standards, and local healthcare laws.

Field Service Operations: Installation, maintenance, and support of devices require real-time coordination and documentation.

Data-Driven Decisions: Teams need actionable insights to track product performance, sales metrics, and service outcomes.

A robust CRM system acts as a central hub for all these functions, ensuring transparency, accountability, and improved collaboration.

VALiNTRY360: Delivering the Best Medical Device CRM Solutions

VALiNTRY360 has emerged as a trusted Salesforce consulting firm with deep industry expertise in healthcare and life sciences. Their strength lies in understanding both the technological and regulatory complexities of the medical device industry and crafting CRM solutions that serve the unique needs of this sector.

VALiNTRY360’s Salesforce-powered CRM solutions allow medical device companies to manage relationships, optimize processes, and remain compliant — all in one integrated platform.

Key Features of VALiNTRY360’s Medical Device CRM Solutions

1. Comprehensive Customer Management

VALiNTRY360 implements Salesforce Health Cloud and Sales Cloud to offer a 360-degree view of customers — including physicians, clinics, hospitals, and distributors. With access to detailed contact histories, order data, and communication logs, your sales and service teams can deliver personalized, timely, and compliant interactions.

2. Sales Process Optimization

The Best Medical Device CRM Solutions eliminate inefficiencies in the sales process. VALiNTRY360 automates lead tracking, opportunity management, quote generation, and contract approvals. Sales reps can close deals faster, track customer preferences, and reduce errors in pricing and compliance documentation.

3. Regulatory Compliance Integration

One of the most important differentiators of VALiNTRY360’s CRM services is its focus on compliance. Salesforce solutions are configured to meet requirements from:

FDA 21 CFR Part 11 (electronic records and signatures)

HIPAA (data security and access control)

EU MDR and other global standards

With audit trails, data validation rules, and real-time alerts, your CRM becomes an active compliance tool, not just a passive database.

4. Field Service Coordination

Medical device companies often need field reps or technicians to install, inspect, or repair devices on-site. VALiNTRY360 integrates Salesforce Field Service to streamline:

Work order creation and assignment

Inventory and asset tracking

Maintenance schedules

Mobile technician tools and updates

This leads to improved response times, better customer satisfaction, and detailed records for compliance audits.

5. Data Analytics and Reporting

Salesforce dashboards and reporting tools give decision-makers a clear picture of pipeline performance, service outcomes, and customer engagement. VALiNTRY360 customizes analytics to track:

Sales growth by product line or territory

Campaign performance and ROI

Compliance metrics (e.g., response time to adverse event reports)

Customer support KPIs

With the Best Medical Device CRM Solutions in place, your leadership team gains the visibility they need to adapt and grow.

How CRM Drives Sales in the Medical Device Sector

Salesforce CRM solutions implemented by VALiNTRY360 do more than organize data—they actively enable sales performance. Here’s how:

Faster Lead-to-Close Cycles: Automated lead scoring, workflows, and notifications help reps prioritize high-value opportunities.

Account-Based Selling: Teams can target hospitals or healthcare systems with tailored messages and offers.

Increased Rep Productivity: Mobile CRM access allows reps to update data, check customer history, and send quotes from anywhere.

Territory Optimization: CRM tools help assign reps to the right accounts and track performance across geographies.

When powered by VALiNTRY360, the Best Medical Device CRM Solutions allow sales teams to operate smarter and faster—while keeping every interaction documented and compliant.

Staying Compliant in a Complex Regulatory Environment

Regulatory scrutiny in the medical device industry is constant and unforgiving. Even a small documentation error or missing report can lead to serious fines or product recalls. VALiNTRY360 builds CRM workflows that guide users through compliant processes, including:

Recording adverse events and complaints

Logging HCP (healthcare provider) interactions

Tracking samples and promotional activities

Automating regulatory submissions and follow-ups

These features not only reduce legal risks but also give peace of mind to executives, compliance officers, and field teams alike.

Why Choose VALiNTRY360?

Here’s what makes VALiNTRY360 the preferred CRM partner for medical device companies:

Industry-Specific Experience: Deep expertise in healthcare and life sciences

Salesforce Certified Experts: Specializing in Health Cloud, Field Service, Sales Cloud, and more

Regulatory Focus: Built-in compliance and audit-readiness features

End-to-End Services: Strategy, implementation, training, and support

Customization and Scalability: Tailored solutions that grow with your business

With VALiNTRY360, you’re not just adopting software—you’re transforming how you manage relationships, track performance, and stay compliant in a high-stakes industry.

Final Thoughts

The medical device industry requires a different level of CRM sophistication—one that goes beyond standard features and focuses on compliance, service, and sales efficiency. That’s why the Best Medical Device CRM Solutions are those designed specifically for the unique challenges and regulations of the healthcare space.

VALiNTRY360 delivers CRM solutions that empower medical device companies to accelerate growth, improve service quality, and maintain regulatory compliance without compromise.

For more info pls visit us VALiNTRY360 or send mail at marketing@valintry.com to get a quote

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Top Features to Look for in Employee Management Software

In today’s digital era, businesses are increasingly turning to technology to streamline operations and boost workforce productivity. One of the most powerful tools in this regard is Employee Management Software (EMS). Whether you run a small startup or a large enterprise, a comprehensive EMS can help you automate HR processes, improve employee engagement, and enhance overall organizational performance. But with numerous options available in the market, how do you choose the right one?

Here’s a detailed guide highlighting the top features to look for in employee management software to ensure it meets your business needs efficiently.

1. Employee Database Management

At its core, any EMS should serve as a centralized repository for all employee-related information. This includes personal details, employment history, roles, qualifications, certifications, and emergency contacts.

Why it matters: Having a digital and searchable database minimizes paperwork, improves data accuracy, and provides quick access to essential employee information when needed.

2. Time and Attendance Tracking

Automated time-tracking features help monitor employee clock-ins, clock-outs, shift schedules, and attendance patterns.

Key capabilities to consider:

Biometric or RFID integration

Remote check-ins for hybrid/field teams

Overtime and leave tracking

Why it matters: Accurate attendance records reduce manual errors, prevent time theft, and simplify payroll processing.

3. Leave Management System

Handling leave requests manually can lead to miscommunication and operational gaps. An ideal EMS includes a self-service leave management module where employees can apply for leaves and managers can approve them in real time.

Features to look for:

Leave balance tracking

Holiday calendars

Customizable leave policies

Why it matters: It ensures smooth workflows, maintains productivity, and reduces HR workload.

4. Payroll Integration

Seamless payroll processing is critical. A robust EMS should either have built-in payroll functionality or allow easy integration with existing payroll software.

Must-have features:

Automated salary calculations

Tax deductions and compliance support

Payslip generation

Why it matters: Automating payroll minimizes errors, ensures compliance, and boosts employee satisfaction through timely payments.

5. Performance Management

Performance management tools allow managers to set goals, provide feedback, and evaluate employee achievements through structured appraisals.

Key features include:

Goal setting and tracking

360-degree feedback

Custom review cycles

Why it matters: A transparent performance review system encourages growth, increases motivation, and aligns individual goals with business objectives.

6. Employee Self-Service Portal

An intuitive self-service dashboard empowers employees to manage their profiles, download payslips, request leaves, and access HR documents without depending on the HR team.

Why it matters: It reduces administrative overhead, improves transparency, and increases employee engagement by giving staff more control.

7. Task and Project Management

While not a traditional HR function, modern EMS platforms often include or integrate with project management tools. Assigning tasks, setting deadlines, and tracking progress helps managers monitor productivity.

Why it matters: Efficient task tracking improves accountability and team collaboration across departments.

8. Recruitment and Onboarding Module

Hiring and onboarding are crucial stages in the employee lifecycle. Look for EMS with built-in applicant tracking systems (ATS), resume parsing, interview scheduling, and onboarding workflows.

Why it matters: Streamlined recruitment and onboarding enhance candidate experience, speed up the hiring process, and ensure smooth transitions for new hires.

9. Training and Development

Upskilling your workforce is vital in today’s competitive market. EMS should offer learning management features or integrate with LMS platforms for assigning courses, tracking progress, and certifying completion.

Why it matters: Continuous learning opportunities improve employee satisfaction and retention while equipping teams with necessary skills.

10. Reports and Analytics

Data-driven decisions are the future of HR. Ensure the EMS you choose provides detailed reports on attendance, performance, payroll, and more.

Look for features like:

Customizable dashboards

Exportable reports

Predictive analytics

Why it matters: Clear insights help management make informed decisions, identify trends, and address issues proactively.

11. Compliance and Security

Protecting sensitive employee data is non-negotiable. The EMS should support role-based access, data encryption, and regular backups.

Why it matters: Compliance with regulations such as GDPR or local labor laws protects your organization from legal complications and builds employee trust.

12. Mobile Accessibility

In today’s hybrid work culture, mobile access to the EMS is essential. A user-friendly mobile app allows employees to check attendance, apply for leave, or track tasks on the go.

Why it matters: Mobility enhances flexibility, supports remote teams, and keeps everyone connected in real-time.

13. Customization and Scalability

Your business is unique, and so are your workflows. Choose an EMS that can be customized to suit your company’s specific processes and scale as your team grows.

Why it matters: Customizability ensures the software adapts to your needs instead of the other way around, while scalability ensures long-term value.

Conclusion

Choosing the right employee management software is more than just ticking boxes—it’s about finding a solution that enhances HR operations, empowers your workforce, and supports your company’s growth. By focusing on the above features, you can invest in a system that not only saves time and costs but also improves employee satisfaction and organizational efficiency.

Whether you’re upgrading from spreadsheets or switching platforms, take the time to evaluate different EMS solutions, ask for demos, and involve your HR team in the decision-making process. The right software can transform the way you manage your people—and that can make all the difference.