Connectors (was: NEXT Color Printer find

From: Don Maslin <donm_at_cts.com>
Date: Tue Jan 1 00:18:51 2002

On Tue, 1 Jan 2002, Tony Duell wrote:

> > >Then I would suggest you're working with engineers who are not
> > > particularly knowledgable about practical electronics. If they're (say)
> > > mechanical engineers or civil engineers, then no problem. If they claim
> > > to tbe electronic engineers I'd probably dispute that claim.
> >
> > I agree, last year they couldn't even build a set of LED Christmas tree lights
> > without blowing them up, never heard of constant current drive !!! I'm not
>
> Do you own a suitably large LART?

<snip>

> I would not trust a 'software engineer' who couldn't actually write a
> working program, an 'electronic engineer' who couldn't design a circuit,
> make the PCB and solder it up, or a 'mechanical engineer; who couldn't make
> a simple heat engine (or similar). You may argue that much of engineering
> these days is not about making things, and that engineers rarely need
> these skills (that is a separate rant). But unless you understand the
> basics, and the practical side of the subject, then IMHO you are not
> going to be much of an engineer.

I quite agree, Tony. During my pre-senior highschool year summer
vacation I was afforded the opportunity to work in the model shop of the
local Westinghouse plant. During that summer, I learned to use an
engine lathe, shaper, milling machine, and both gas and arc welding
equipment. I do not mean to imply that I was - or even thought I was -
a journeyman machinist after that exposure, but I certainly learned some
useful skills and a hell of a lot about manufacturability. I also
learned that a drill press is one of the most subtly dangerous machines
in a shop. Interest and curiousity are the major prerequisites for
being a successful technician or engineer, IMHO.

                                                 - don

> -tony
>
>
Received on Tue Jan 01 2002 - 00:18:51 GMT