Friday, January 20, 2006
Ghost in the machine
Technology has brought so much efficiency to our lives that
often we tend to overlook it until some malfunction shows up.
One thing that vividly demonstrates this is the inability of
modern drivers to function in older automobiles. One thing
that I find remarkable, is most can not even name the systems
that saves their asses. See a great thread about this here ---->
High-tech Cars Replacing Driver Skill?
this box resists definite and repeatable diagnosis. It seems
that with each path our team went down,
new or different manifestations of “the problem” appeared.
Often the mindset is to throw new parts at a problem, and
sometimes that is the cost effective solution. Especially
this “tube jockey” mentality comes out when no other
solution presents itself. First you replace the most likely
parts, then the parts you don’t know what they do. Of course,
like today, that didn’t work, and created new problems so,
now you replace every part and the box that holds them. Well
that does not do it either, then replace everything within 10 feet
of the box, no joy. I give a call to Rod Sirling at
The twilight zone , he knocks over my nickel, and the
whole thing goes to work, go figure. One must realize that
the system will continue to function until I get 100 miles
away from the location, and at that exact moment, well
you get it, the life of a field service technician.
often we tend to overlook it until some malfunction shows up.
One thing that vividly demonstrates this is the inability of
modern drivers to function in older automobiles. One thing
that I find remarkable, is most can not even name the systems
that saves their asses. See a great thread about this here ---->
High-tech Cars Replacing Driver Skill?
Today I worked on a relatively simple
optical infrared thermal measurement device
Not a new technology or modern by today’s standards, butthis box resists definite and repeatable diagnosis. It seems
that with each path our team went down,
new or different manifestations of “the problem” appeared.
Often the mindset is to throw new parts at a problem, and
sometimes that is the cost effective solution. Especially
this “tube jockey” mentality comes out when no other
solution presents itself. First you replace the most likely
parts, then the parts you don’t know what they do. Of course,
like today, that didn’t work, and created new problems so,
now you replace every part and the box that holds them. Well
that does not do it either, then replace everything within 10 feet
of the box, no joy. I give a call to Rod Sirling at
The twilight zone , he knocks over my nickel, and the
whole thing goes to work, go figure. One must realize that
the system will continue to function until I get 100 miles
away from the location, and at that exact moment, well
you get it, the life of a field service technician.
Thursday, January 12, 2006
The last few days
I have really wanted to post an article
(1) about the state of Christianity,
(2) about the world conflict with anarchy,
(3) about the cost of freedom,
(4) about crime and punishment,
(5) the path to peace,
(6) personal growth, or maybe
(7) something about modern communication
methods and its effectiveness.
It becomes clear to me, and probably you too, that all
of that could, each one, become lifetime treatises.
Additionally, like many working men, I have a regular
job, must listen to all of the senate hearings on
Judge Alito, follow every bit of news from the US
liberation of Iraq and Afghanistan, read as much as
time permits of the technology advancements in science.
It also occurs to me that some of these might be more
important than others.
Here is the short version, follow links for more:
(1) It’s good or academic or bad choose you own
(2) It’s a long road but not much choice
(3) It’s expensive and thousand little steps
(4) No comment a little frustrating
(5) It’s simple may require thinking
(6) Choose boss carefully
For we have thought the longer thoughts
And gone the shorter way.
And we have danced to devil's tunes
Shivering home to pray;
To serve one master in the night,
Another in the day.
Ernest Hemingway
(7) very fast and depends
That should take about 4 hours.
You get done with this, in the words of a famous babysitter
“I’ll be back”
(1) about the state of Christianity,
(2) about the world conflict with anarchy,
(3) about the cost of freedom,
(4) about crime and punishment,
(5) the path to peace,
(6) personal growth, or maybe
(7) something about modern communication
methods and its effectiveness.
It becomes clear to me, and probably you too, that all
of that could, each one, become lifetime treatises.
Additionally, like many working men, I have a regular
job, must listen to all of the senate hearings on
Judge Alito, follow every bit of news from the US
liberation of Iraq and Afghanistan, read as much as
time permits of the technology advancements in science.
It also occurs to me that some of these might be more
important than others.
Here is the short version, follow links for more:
(1) It’s good or academic or bad choose you own
(2) It’s a long road but not much choice
(3) It’s expensive and thousand little steps
(4) No comment a little frustrating
(5) It’s simple may require thinking
(6) Choose boss carefully
For we have thought the longer thoughts
And gone the shorter way.
And we have danced to devil's tunes
Shivering home to pray;
To serve one master in the night,
Another in the day.
Ernest Hemingway
(7) very fast and depends
That should take about 4 hours.
You get done with this, in the words of a famous babysitter
“I’ll be back”
Wednesday, January 04, 2006
sticky clumps
I have just finished up the outline for another of my unwritten novels. It is a story of intrigue and political dirty tricks. Like all unwritten works, it has sold little.
Dark, cigar smoke filled room at country club where the plotters forge a grand scheme. Just shadows of faces, strong drinks, and whispered voices.
Flash to several law office meetings and upscale dinners where gambling interests are sold the abilities of our star, a flamboyant Washington lawyer and lobbyist, to provide real progress on capital hill on their behalf. The very deep pockets of these clients, I will call them tribes, start to make real progress in the legislative bodies. Money and favors flow like trinkets at a trade show. Soon, enough pockets are lined and the plot begins to thicken.
It seems our star has been grafting off a lot of money for himself and the tribes feel shafted. Now comes the justice department, they are easily able to show this has occurred. Jack, our star, is faced with big time problem of a long time in jail or squeak for a deal. Like all good crooks he offers to give up information on whom he paid in congress to forward his clients interests.
The fan starts spraying out odoriferous clumps of sticky and fear is spotted in the congressional offices. The many resignations and prosecutions that follow clean house on the hill. As luck would have it, only the outright dishonest and stupid are forced out, and the good servants of the peoples are left.
As Jack, our star, is taken off to jail, we see a long black limousine roll the window down. Just a brief glimpse by Jack, our star, over to the car, and we see a big smile and thumbs up from Tom, the guy from the smoke filled country club room. Just another sting, another soldiers selfless work, and the limo drives off.
When I turn this into a screenplay, might need to change the names to protect the guilty. ©2006 DASCOM
Dark, cigar smoke filled room at country club where the plotters forge a grand scheme. Just shadows of faces, strong drinks, and whispered voices.
Flash to several law office meetings and upscale dinners where gambling interests are sold the abilities of our star, a flamboyant Washington lawyer and lobbyist, to provide real progress on capital hill on their behalf. The very deep pockets of these clients, I will call them tribes, start to make real progress in the legislative bodies. Money and favors flow like trinkets at a trade show. Soon, enough pockets are lined and the plot begins to thicken.
It seems our star has been grafting off a lot of money for himself and the tribes feel shafted. Now comes the justice department, they are easily able to show this has occurred. Jack, our star, is faced with big time problem of a long time in jail or squeak for a deal. Like all good crooks he offers to give up information on whom he paid in congress to forward his clients interests.
The fan starts spraying out odoriferous clumps of sticky and fear is spotted in the congressional offices. The many resignations and prosecutions that follow clean house on the hill. As luck would have it, only the outright dishonest and stupid are forced out, and the good servants of the peoples are left.
As Jack, our star, is taken off to jail, we see a long black limousine roll the window down. Just a brief glimpse by Jack, our star, over to the car, and we see a big smile and thumbs up from Tom, the guy from the smoke filled country club room. Just another sting, another soldiers selfless work, and the limo drives off.
When I turn this into a screenplay, might need to change the names to protect the guilty. ©2006 DASCOM
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