Ditch (fortification)

A ditch in military engineering is an obstacle, designed to slow down or break up an attacking force, while a trench is intended to provide cover to the defenders. In military fortifications the side of a ditch (or gorge) farthest from the enemy and closest to the next line of defence is known as the scarp while the side of a ditch closest to the enemy is known as the counterscarp.

Uses

In early fortifications, ditches were often used in combination with ramparts to slow down the enemy whilst defensive fire could be brought to bear from the relative protection afforded by the rampart and possibly the palisade. In medieval fortification, a ditch was often constructed in front of a defensive wall to hinder mining and escalade activities from an attacker. When filled with water, such a defensive ditch is called a moat. However, moats may also be dry.

Later star forts designed by military engineers like Vauban, comprised elaborate networks of ditches and parapets, carefully calculated so that the soil for the raised earthworks was provided, as nearly as possible, entirely by the excavations whilst also maximising defensive firepower.

Ditch (disambiguation)

The term ditch may refer to

Matrix

Matrix may refer to:

Mathematics and science

Business and government

Literature

Production of gramophone records

For the first several decades of disc record manufacturing, sound was recorded directly on to the master disc (also called the matrix, sometimes just the master) at the recording studio. From about 1950 on (earlier for some large record companies, later for some small ones) it became usual to have the performance first recorded on audio tape, which could then be processed and/or edited, and then dubbed on to the master disc.

A record cutter would engrave the grooves into the master disc. Early versions of these master discs were soft wax, and later a harder lacquer was used.

The mastering process was originally something of an art as the operator had to manually allow for the changes in sound which affected how wide the space for the groove needed to be on each rotation. Sometimes the engineer would sign his work, or leave humorous or cryptic comments in the lead-out groove area, where it was normal to scratch or stamp identifying codes to distinguish each master.

Matrix (TV series)

Matrix is the title of a Canadian-produced fantasy/adventure series that ran for 13 episodes during 1993 on the USA Network in the United States. The series later enjoyed a brief revival of interest due to a coincidence involving one of its stars.

Synopsis

The series starred Nick Mancuso as Steven Matrix, a hitman who is killed during a job and sent to a version of Purgatory called The City In-Between. There he is given a choice: to be sent to Hell for all the murders he's committed, or return to Earth and help people. Once alive again, Matrix receives periodic assignments from The City In-Between.

Supporting cast

The Matrix

In 1999, Carrie-Anne Moss became popular for her appearance in the film The Matrix, which had no relationship to the television series apart from its title and Moss' involvement. As a result, however, Matrix was rebroadcast in Canada.

Production

Science-fiction veteran David Winning directed an episode entitled "False Witness" in 1993.