A bark is a sailing vessel with three masts. The three large British White Star liners "Titanic," "Olympic" and "Britannic" were the largest ships afloat for over twenty years between 1913 and 1935. Who were The Big Three during World War II?
We’re on the brink of three major shifts in Al: huge context windows, agent-based learning, and text-to-action capabilities.
Context windows are expanding sos rapidly that we can hand an Al something as large as a library of books and have it make sense of the whole set, even though it “forgets” in the middle, much like human short- term memory.
#the_local network
Meanwhile, agents are emerging as LLMs that can learn by reading, testing, and reconfiguring their own understanding.
Finally, text-to-action is where you’ll be able to say, “Build me the next (XYZ),” and the Al will code, iterate, and deploy it, instantly at scale.
Put all three together, and we’re talking about an impact that dwarfs what social media did to the world.
Imagine everyone having a personal programmer: not just for silly projects, but for real innovation or disruptive tools.
Right now, these systems are limited by cost and complexity, but those barriers won’t last.
The moment they come down, you’ll see a wave of new creations roll out in mere hours or days, things no single developer or team could’ve spun up alone.
That’s the power of big context, self- learning agents, and instant action, all merging in the very near future.
ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. — When engineers from the U.S. Army Research Laboratory brainstormed on how to improve Soldier lethality, the idea of a third arm seemed like something that might help.
Mechanical engineer Dan Baechle carefully planned out a device that doesn’t need batteries, is lightweight and can evenly distribute the load of a heavy weapon.
“It can help stabilize the weapon and take the load off of their arms,” he said. “It’s made from composite materials to make it as light as possible, but also to ensure the range of motion that Soldiers need.”
The device, officially called the Third Arm helps take the weight of the weapons off of a Soldiers’ arms. It weighs less than four pounds, and because of the innovative design, the weight of the device and the weapon are evenly distributed.
“We’ve actually tested it with the M249 and M240B machines guns. The M240B weighs 27 pounds, and we were able to show that you can take the weight of that weapon completely off of the Soldiers’ arms,” Baechle said.
Soldiers testing the device pointed out that initial versions didn’t make it possible for them to use the device and go into the prone position. But that’s not an issue with the current version.
At a recent test with a Soldier at the Military Operations in Urban Terrain site at APG, a sergeant wore the device with an M-4 type weapon and dove into a prone fighting position from a sprint. The Third Arm provided immediate stabilization to improve marksmanship for the Soldier.
“Right now it’s a prototype device, and it’s a fairly early stage prototype device,” Baechle said. “It’s been getting a lot of interest higher up in the Army, but also online with some of the stories that have come out. We’re using some of the interest to help motivate further development of the device.”
Baechle said that the Army modernization priorities include “Soldier lethality that spans all fundamentals — shooting, moving, communicating, protecting and sustaining.” Further documentation specifically mentions the fielding of “load-bearing exoskeletons.”
“It falls in line with the direction that the Army wants to be heading in the future,” Baechle said. “We get comments from Soldiers who tell us different things about the way it feels on their body … about the way it redistributes the load. Some like it, some give us tips about the ways it could be improved, and we’re using that input to improve the device and improve the design so that it not only works well, but it also feels good.”
In 2017, the lab conducted a small pilot study of active-duty troops using Third Arm in live-fire trials. The results showed the device can improve marksmanship, reduce arm fatigue and muscle activation for some Soldiers.
“We’re using that small study to motivate a larger study this year with more Soldiers taking a look at dynamics, shooting scenarios,” Baechle said. “We’re still refining the device. We’re starting to look at heavier weapons.”
Baechle stressed that what you see now may not be what gets to future Soldiers.
“What we have right now is a very specific device, but we can learn from that device,” he said. “I hope in the future what we’ll end up with is something that will help the Soldier. Whether or not it’s in the form you see today, that’s less important. Helping the Soldier is what I really hope for. I think this year is really going to be a good one and an important one in showing what this device can do.”
Video
The U.S. Army Research Laboratory is part of the U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command, which has the mission to provide innovative research, development and engineering to produce capabilities that provide decisive overmatch to the Army against the complexities of the current and future operating environments in support of the joint warfighter and the nation. RDECOM is a major subordinate command of the U.S. Army Materiel Command.
In the world of software management, the presence of the number three is surprisingly pervasive and influential. Whether it’s in methodologies, frameworks, or processes, this number frequently emerges, offering a simple yet profound structure that can be seen across various aspects of the field. From the three-tier architecture to the rule of three in coding, the number three seems to be a recurring theme that adds efficiency and clarity to software management practices. Let’s explore the significance of this number and how it shapes the principles and practices in the realm of software management.
Three-Tier Architecture in System Design
A prime example of the number three’s significance is seen in the three-tier architecture, a popular approach in system design. This model divides the system into three layers: the presentation layer (user interface), the logic layer (business rules), and the data layer (database). This separation enhances system manageability, scalability, and flexibility. By compartmentalizing functionalities, developers can focus on specific aspects of the system in isolation, which simplifies troubleshooting and maintenance and allows for more targeted updates and improvements.
The Rule of Three in Coding
In coding, the “Rule of Three” is a principle suggesting that a piece of code should be duplicated only twice, and upon the third use, it should be refactored into a common method or function. This rule aims to strike a balance between code reuse and simplicity. Adhering to this principle helps in maintaining code cleanliness and manageability, reducing redundancy, and enhancing the scalability of the software.
Prevalence of Number 3 in Software Methodologies
The number three is not just limited to coding and architecture; it also finds its place in software development methodologies. Here’s a data table showing how the number three is integrated into various software methodologies:
Methodology
Application of Number Three
Agile Development
Three roles (Product Owner, Scrum Master, Development Team)
This table illustrates the recurring theme of the number three in different aspects of software development, highlighting its role in providing a structured and efficient approach to managing complex software projects.
The Impact of ‘Three’ on Software Marketing Strategies
In the realm of software marketing, the power of three emerges as a persuasive tool. Marketers often use the rule of three to create memorable and effective messages. For example, many software products are marketed by highlighting three key features or benefits, which can be more impactful and easier for potential customers to remember than a longer list. Additionally, pricing strategies frequently use a three-tier system (basic, premium, and enterprise), which helps customers easily understand their options and make a decision. This strategy simplifies the purchasing process for customers, making it more likely for them to commit to a product. In essence, the number three in marketing strategies plays a crucial role in communication and sales, further underlining its pervasive influence in the field of software management.
Triadic Elements in Software License Management
The concept of the number three extends its influence into the realm of software license management as well, where it plays a crucial role in maintaining compliance, optimizing usage, and managing costs. Typically, the process of software license management involves three key components: compliance, optimization, and documentation. First, compliance ensures that the organization adheres to the licensing agreements and avoids legal repercussions. This involves monitoring and managing the number of licenses in use to ensure they do not exceed the purchased amount. Second, optimization is about effectively utilizing the licenses available. This involves assessing whether the organization is under-using licenses for certain software, which can lead to unnecessary expenses, or if additional licenses are needed to meet user demands. Finally, documentation involves maintaining accurate records of licenses purchased, terms of use, renewal dates, and usage patterns. This triadic approach not only helps in staying legally compliant but also plays a significant role in cost management and efficient allocation of software resources. Thus, the influence of the number three in software license management underscores its importance in creating a balanced and effective strategy that aligns legal, financial, and operational aspects of software usage in organizations.
Three-Step Processes in Project Management
In software project management, many processes follow a three-step approach. For example, the basic cycle of software development encompasses planning, execution, and review. Similarly, in risk management, the process involves identification, assessment, and mitigation of risks. These triadic processes provide a clear and concise framework that guides project teams through various stages of software development, ensuring that all critical aspects are addressed systematically.
Conclusion
The recurrence of the number three in software management is more than a coincidence; it’s a reflection of the industry’s inclination towards structures that are simple, yet effective. This triadic pattern, whether in system design, coding practices, methodologies, or project management processes, provides a framework that promotes efficiency, clarity, and manageability. Understanding and utilizing this pattern can lead to more organized, maintainable, and successful software projects, demonstrating that sometimes, the best solutions are as simple as one, two, three.
