During a recent Top Gear bit, Matt LeBlanc turned his attention from cars and interviews to wanton destruction – pushing watermelons, a shed, and an entire Volvo through a Bunning Lowlander Widebody 380HD – a piece of machinery designed for spreading mulch.
Uber’s open source data visualization tool now goes beyond maps
You may not be aware, but Uber offers an open source version of the data visualization framework it uses internally, called deck.gl. The tool was made available to anyone via open source license last November, and now it’s getting some key updates that should help make it more useful to external teams and individuals looking for interesting ways to take their data and turn it into compelling visual representations.
“The main idea behind this library is that it’s a WebGL-powered framework that is designed for exploring and visualizing data assets at scale,” explains Nicolas Garcia Belmonte, Uber’s head of data visualization, regarding why the tool exists to begin with. “There’s a lot of geospatial stuff that we do here, as well, as you can probably imagine from the core business, so we visualize a lot of data on maps.”
Uber has used the tool internally for various purposes, including visualizing the pick-up and drop-off experience, as a way to make material the insights it can gather from the considerable stock of data it gathers form its ride hailing business. Open sourcing the project, according to Belmonte, is a way to help others be able to quickly and easily visualize and explore their own data sets, including very large collections.
The updates to the framework available today make it possible to go beyond maps, to visual data sets from machine learning and other more abstract use cases, including network traffic and more. The team also focused on usability, making it easier than ever to work with for developers with better documentation, as well as new demonstration projects.
Another unique use for Uber’s data viz software – Minecraft visualization.
deck.gl is a rich, flexible tool that according to Belmonte and Uber, has no real peers in the open source community. I asked them whether Uber had ever considered making this a paid offering, even though it’s relatively distant from their core business, given its capabilities.
“Personally, I’m a very big advocate for open source, so I think that open source can help the business in many other ways, and those ways are immediately more valuable than someone paying for this software,” Belmonte said. “I would say this is more about trying to reach out to developers and seeing what they can come up with in creative ways.”
Already, Uber has provided examples of how it can be used to visualize the points collected from a 3D indoor scan in exacting detail, or how it can represent visually Partial Dependence Plots in machine learning applications.
via TechCrunch
Uber’s open source data visualization tool now goes beyond maps
LaserLyte Rumble & Steel Laser Trainer Kit Offers Perfect Plinking Practice
Train like a super hero with reactive Laser Trainer Targets!
COTTONWOOD, AZ —-(Ammoland.com)- LaserLyte, innovators in firearms laser technologies, introduces their most earth-shaking Laser Training Kit to date—the Rumble & Steel Kit. Shooters feel like super heroes when they start plinking LaserLyte’s two newest reactive Trainer Targets with the included Trigger Tyme® Laser Revolver.
Auto-resetting Rumble Tyme and Steel Tyme Trainer Targets react with every shot so you never need to leave the couch to keep shooting! When hit with a laser beam from the Trigger Tyme Revolver, the Rumble Tyme Target rumbles, rotates and radiates LED lights to celebrate; while the Steel Tyme Target brings the excitement of plinking steel targets to the comfort of home.
The included Trigger Tyme Laser Revolver mimics the size and feel of a real snub-nose Smith & Wesson® J-frame or Taurus® Model 85 revolver, giving shooters the most realistic dry-fire training experience with one of America’s favorite concealed carry firearms.
Immediate feedback of shot placement gives shooters of all ages and skills levels a fun and valuable training tool that can be safely used anytime, anywhere. Whether you shoot from the couch or draw from concealment, you’ll spend less time resetting the target and more time Laser Training!
LaserLyte Rumble & Steel Kit
LaserLyte TLB-RSK Package Specifications:
LaserLyte Rumble Tyme Laser Trainer Target:
– Activation: All LaserLyte Laser Trainers
– Batteries: 1 x 9V
– Battery Life: 6,000 Shots
– Material: High Impact ABS Polymer
– Weight: 6.40 ounces
– Diameter: 2.70 inches
– Height: 3.00 inches
LaserLyte Steel Tyme Laser Trainer Target:
– Activation: All LaserLyte Laser Trainers
– Batteries: 3 x AAA
– Battery Life: 6,000 Shots
– Material: High Impact ABS Polymer
– Weight: 5.60 ounces
– Height: 7.63 inches
– Width: 3.13 inches
– Depth: 1.25 inches
LaserLyte Trainer Trigger Tyme Revolver:
– Activation: Trigger activated
– Power Output: 650 NM, 5MW, Class IIIA
– Batteries: 3 x A76
– Battery Life: 50,000 shots
– Weight: 11 ounces
– Material: High-impact ABS polymer
– Length: 6.5 inches
– Width: 1.35 inches
– Height: 4.3 inches
– MSRP: $199.00 (entire kit) (less online)
About LaserLyte
LaserLyte®, the leader in laser technology for over 26 years. Our mission is to heighten the experience of shooting. Now LaserLyte offers a 3-year warranty for all products sold new, including products sold new up to three years ago. For additional information about LaserLyte, visit www.laserlyte.com. Keep up to date with LaserLyte on Facebook, Instagram and visit our YouTube page for all the LaserLyte action.
This post LaserLyte Rumble & Steel Laser Trainer Kit Offers Perfect Plinking Practice appeared first on AmmoLand.com Shooting Sports News .
via AmmoLand.com Shooting Sports News
LaserLyte Rumble & Steel Laser Trainer Kit Offers Perfect Plinking Practice
Gallery: US Army “Visual Signals” manual gets first update in 30 years
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Chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear attack.
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Message acknowledged.
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Air attack.
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Take a knee.
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Freeze.
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Number signals.
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Disperse
The first update in 30 years to the US Army “Visual Signals” (PDF) manual has just been issued. It’s filled with black-and-white sketches on how in-the-field soldiers can signal events to one another—from warning about a “nuclear hazard present” to “take a knee.” The military notes that, for the most part, the signals apply to “both men and women.”
Efficient combat operations depend on clear, accurate, and secure communication among ground units, Army aviation, and supporting Air Force elements. Control and coordination are achieved by the most rapid means of communication available between Soldiers and units. When electrical and/or digital means of communication are inadequate, or not available, a station-to-station system of visual communication is an alternate means for transmitting orders, information, or requests for aid or support.
The Army notes that the signals are not a panacea for when electronic communications run dry. For starters, they are “vulnerable to enemy interception,” and their effectiveness is “significantly reduced during periods of poor visibility, and when terrain restricts observation.”
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Stop, look, listen, smell.
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Out of action.
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Cease firing.
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Commence firing.
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Move platoon leader to the front.
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Danger area.
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Radio telephone operator forward.
Listing image by Visual Signals/US Army
via Ars Technica
Gallery: US Army “Visual Signals” manual gets first update in 30 years