So Who ARE You, Anyway?

I'll start the ball rolling. I'm now retired, before that 35 years of front line maintenance in quarrying (lime) and iron industries. Heavy and bl**dy hot. A comical incident when I joined a new company was being asked by a wet behind the ears manager "what do you need to be careful about with kilns!" Answer they're hot! By the way how many kilns have you worked on? His reply, these two we've got here. OK these two make Nos.40 & 41 for me.

My avatar is a Schrage motor it's 20 years since I last worked on one!

I'm like anyone else that spent his time in a coal fired boiler engineering operation after …... -ex navy engineering in training on a diesel boat. I don't suffer fools. And am well learned in books, both reading them and learning. -Ray

Who am I? a person, a family man, an engineer liable for everything I do & say & committed to make the world efficient.

Why am I here? I think I will be a lost potential and increase the entropy of the universe if might not share everything I knew that is ought to share when I am still alive. And at the same time, getting to know other things, i don't know. People has got their own unique perspective, there are different angles to define "the same thing".

Why I picked my avatar?

Its Guns N Roses album "Use your Illusion II"-the original soundtrack of my college years, I am fond of music, without it, my life would have been boring. Scientists are like musicians(vice versa) they make life even more colorful than just plain black & white.

The thing in my heart that is the basis for what you share

- Not everything written in books are comprehensible and practical (its hard to question the book itself, it can not answer you).

-People are more interesting when they want to know more on a topic I know.

-More heads are better than one.

Ronie

Great thread Milo.

If someone goes to my ID, here is what they see :

"Electrical engineer, retired, last with GE Technology Development Center, Bangalore. LV Switchgear designer, now working as a consultant. 65 Yrs old" Now 66 of course . i also worked for Cutler-Hammer, ABB and GEC Alsthom.

In India, when i came to the level of a professional course, the choices were, in order of a lucrative career, (a) Doctor, (b) Lawyer and (c) Engineer. If you were totally dumb, there was always politics.

Not having the stomach to dissect a frog, and not having the ability to lie convincingly, (a) and (b) were ruled out. So, i gravitated to an engineering career. In my first job, which was in a LV switchgear company, i again gravitated into R&D, since there were a couple of vacancies in that department.

However, 40 years down the line, i believe i did reasonably well in product design. No regrets. 6 patents.

My avatar ? A realistic looking perpetual motion machine courtesy MC Escher (Tornado told me, i didn't know the source). Why? It looks so good that you have to think a moment before spotting the anamoly. Essential for an engineer.

My experience having been in the narrow field of LV Switchgear, i am here to (a) learn more about many other fields, (b) impart whatever knowledge i have to young people and (c) have fun.

Great to be here. And yes, i am an addict.

I found this dead moth on a catalog cover. Serendipity at it's best. Just what I was looking for. I think it speaks for itself and nobody can get burned.

Ky.

I'm not retired yet, but I have been in various types of engineering for many years. This includes being a "Deadliest Catch" crab-boat operating engineer, union pipefitter, ASME pressure vessel designer, UL-508 control panel designer and builder, and some other stuff. Thus I show up on a wide variety of topics.

Outside of engineering per se, I have been a tournament Scrabble™ player, writing group participant, and hobby editor (going under the moniker "Editor Crankshaft") To me, CR4 is a great group of people for conversation, learning a lot, maybe helping here and there, and being an outlet for writing fun.

I try to mix things up with useful experiences, offbeat cultural and literary references, humor, and puncturing a few puffballs.

What you see is what you get.

Hiya, handsome! Come up and see me sometime .

--Mae West

ξ

Del Felis Domesticus.
I'm a semi retired electronics (& small scale sofware) designer, pretty much self taught, started by trying to make my own Hi Fi (ok it was cheap-fi). I always learned a lot from the guys I worked with as I progressed from working in a hifi and components store in London to being Chief designer in a medium sized company.
If I had to define myself I'd say I'm a maker of things and a family man.
I'm 'the Cat' because I love cats and the name was given me when I played in goal for the works soccer team (BTW I'm using US English 'store', 'soccer' <shudder>)
The avatar is our beloved familly pet, who died last year, she'd been with us about 18 years through some very tough times.
I was never going to be the best electronics designer in the world and invent time travel or anti-gravity, but I can turn my hand to most disciplines when motivated.
I think my enthusiasm and multi disciplinary ability is what motivates me to share my experience and ideas.
Fun and sharing is what I like about this comunity.
My engineering watchword is 'simplicity' which is also at the core of my hoby which is making bows. I keep a Bowyers Diary blog where I share my work and experience, I also try to help others wanting to try their hand on the various archery websites.
Art and Engineering are more entwined than is often realised.
Del
(A bit of humour helps oil the wheels too, as my signature line indicates)

Another good one Milo. I've always been interested in science and how things work. I never made it to college, but spent 4 years in the US Navy and worked in the main engine room on a destroyer......more of a grease monkey than an engineer. It was hot too, and fun. I've managed to learn enough about the things in my life, (mechanics, electricity, etc), that I can fix most anything on my own without having to hire someone.

My avatar is a Lumina moth that wandered into my yard, and came out of my, "critter files". I like to take pictures of things that show up around here. I'm also fascinated by nature, the natural world, and the designs within it. I think that ultimately, the answers to a lot of the problems that plague humanity will come from nature, which is happening as we speak. More pics.

pssst---it's a spicebush swallowtail butterfly. The long-legged spider is an orb weaver. You've also got yourself a stag beetle and a very cute click beetle.

Great pictures!

That's a new one on me. Beeyootiful. Maybe we should start a nature photography thread....

Here ya go. This is part of the story. Hard to believe that this is all water based chemistry.

Chrysalis. Of what? I have no idea but have the feeling that I will find out soon. What comes around goes around, Ky.

All water based chenistry??So amazing!!

Yes Ruby we are all made of that stuff.

I just wonder who puts in the spirit of people. Although it is all water based we all get a bit extra and to make good use of it makes us who we are. Sometimes a spirit can last longer than a life time even the ideas and products some blessed humans have come up with.

If you are traveler do not carry an ax. (I Ging)

You are on the right track and will find that selling things can be hard because you are only getting things from A to B. You are selling yourself very well, good luck, Ky.

I just wonder who puts in the spirit of people."

I could tell you but....

Hi KY

Thanks for your comments.Yes,i'm lucky one who can join this CR4 and know all of you!Yesterday,i read one comment which write by passingtongreen.He is an grandpa for me.After read his comments.I cried.I dont know why.But i can feel what he feels.He is happy.

In China,there are many grandpa and grandma,when they becoming older,they will not touch the computer.Just stay at home or go out for walk with their friends or family instead of stay at home and write many comments.I think,if im 76years old,what will i do?

Selling is hard for me.You are right,only getting things from A to B.I'm inexperience.So must to work hard and make myself more attractive.Hope everyone can teach me when i make mistake.

Have a good and happy day!!

Ruby

You have an excellent rapport with people, an openness and friendliness that will serve you well in a sales career. Do not worry much about mistakes; everybody makes them. The key is to be able to accept correction, learn from it, and improve--as you are already doing.

Your company Website is visually appealing, but I didn't see much technical information. You may not need to become a techno-geek guru, but if possible learn about your product features (pixels wide x high, power consumption, visible angles, brightness, etc.) In other words, if your products look good, be able to explain how and why.

Your expression in English is quite good, but do take note of Randall's suggestion about punctuation. The pronoun "I" is always capitalized (except in some art-form poetry such as by e.e. cummings, and some other special examples).

The CR4 community encompasses many professions and hobbies. Please enjoy exploring them, and the types of questions that arise. You can enjoy yourself and meet many interesting people here.

Good luck as you start your career.

Hello,Tornado

Very thanks for your comments and your encourage.I full of energy now.

Yes,we haven't put technical information in the website.But if customer ask us,I will tell them how to use and why they are good.Maybe this is wrong way for me.Now,I can't know very clearly about the technical.But must to learn more from my boss and my colleagues.

If you have time,welcome to China!I will be your guider and show you to the beautiful place.

Have a good day!!

Well, that's the second new thing today. Can I take tomorrow off, then?

A little more about me:

I got out of the Navy in 84 and went to work in manufacturing.......hated it. I realized that I didn't like being stuck in one place, and went into painting, (not pictures). I liked it. I learned as much as I could, as fast as I could. Bounced around a little and ended up getting a job with a large contractor in the southeast, (got out of the Navy in Chas. SC).

Within 3 years, I went from not knowing how to hold a paint brush, to doing only electrostatic/metal painting, to being the company's youngest superintendent. I traveled around the southeast and ran paint and glass jobs with crews from 20-120. I would basically move to a town, hire a crew and do the job. Weekends were usually spent fixing the crappy equipment I was supplied with.

My final job with that company was running the paint and glass on a new federal correctional facility in Georgia.

At the ripe age of 28 I was completely burned out on management, marriage had dissolved........I was done.

Moved out to CA, Bay Area, worked for a couple of small companies and struck out on my own in 92.........Been working for myself ever since. I work alone. No hassles. No pressure. No employees.

I'm back on the east coast now. 49, remarried, kid. CA was too expensive.......at least the bay area. Trying to keep life simple. I'm also done moving.

Here are my answers to your questions:

Who are you? A Mechanical Engineer who followed the evolution to mechatronics over servo-hydraulics and servo-pneumatics. Most of my career in development of new products for civil engineering (different earth moving systems), earth drilling (geological research from 25 to 2000m), hydraulics (pumps (small for medium and high pressure), cylinders, valves, hydraulic special controls, servo and proportional valves with integrated controllers up to 200 Hz and from 6 to 800 l/min, hydraulic systems) , high pressure hydraulics (pumps, cylinders -up to 20 MN, valves of different configurations up to 20.000 psi, high pressure servo-systems) and measurement (sensor technique) related to my activity fields (pressure -up to 20.000 psi-, force - up to 6 MN, torque up to 10.000 Nm,temperature - special sensors with a time constant<0.5ms- and flow and multi-component sensors for research). Different positions (from Production / Design Engineer to Chief of R&D Europe) and different countries, active as consultant last 20 years. Due to the kind of work I had to do in intimate contact with theory + practice, most of projects were new ground and a challenge either from the technical point of view or from the economic one (cost constrains very severe). Especially during the period I was active in the earth moving and drilling systems I had a quite intensive work in different types of transmissions as gears and chains. The activity in servo-systems lead me to a good contact with electronics and micro-processor controls, not as much the industrial side but the "special" side where controllers are used and special soft has to be developed for the peculiarity of each system.

Why are you here?

I always thought that every body who has accumulated a knowledge should share it and help other over the ridge. It is also very interesting to see which are the problems appearing around the world and how other engineers react to them. I do appreciate the broad information and the possibility to continuously learn new things via the discussions. I recognize that I am sometimes disappointed by some reactions but the positive aspects are such that I do not take into consideration the negatives.

Tell us why you picked the avatar that you did.

Simply because I live in Europe and think that the European Community is a very important progress in the way different countries with different cultures can come together and after centuries of wars build up a peaceful community. I am proud it was possible and hope it will last.

And what is the thing in your heart that is the basis for what YOU share?

Respect for the human being with all his positive and negative sides.

I am currently an electrical mechanic with the largest US Postal facility in the US. In our line we work with electrical, electronics, pneumatic, hydraulic and mechanical devices. I am trained in electronics and self taught in the rest. I could go on with my training but I won't.

I am here because one of my supervisors showed me a post a few years ago and it seemed interesting. I joined for the fun and comradely but wound up learning a ton about what I didn't know. I stay for the help that I can give to others and the new things that I learn every day.

My avatar is important to me. I live in and grew up in NJ, USA and for those of you who share this distinction you know that we do not go to the beach-- we go "down the shore". This picture was taken on the ride home from being down the shore with my three children during my divorce. I was depressed and the sun setting mirrored my mood at the time and also gave me peace. It was a sign that the sun will rise again tomorrow! A great sign of hope for the future.

I began coming here to learn and help put people on the right track. Sometimes I use humor or mild sarcasm to get a point across (although the new regime doesn't seem to like the sarcasm part).

This has become much more than a forum for me. During my divorce I had private emails with several members, some of whom sadly have gone on to other endeavors, who were very helpful and caring. You guys know who you are and that's good enough for me. I could never hope to thank everyone here enough for your support of a virtual stranger so I do my best to try and make you all proud by assisting as many others as I can!

Holzfeller is a nickname accorded me by a German friend (& former business associate) who reasoned that all Canadians must, by definition, be lumberjacks (or was it the way I used to heartily devour a good Holzfeller Steak?). The cognoscenti would argue that I should be spelling it Holzfäller, but umlauts are a nuisance, and my spelling is also used in other places. Apart from a few short spells in Alberta (where I was born), Quebec and Nova Scotia, I've lived mostly in England, but my family is still there and my Canadian ancestry goes back to the 1740s.

My avatar stems from the above, and from the fact that my favourite saying as a teen (many years ago) was "All I every really wanted to be, was... A LUMBERJACK", which would have been my signature had JRaef not inconsiderately pinched it first!

My wife recently overheard me say on the phone to someone "well , I'm not a real engineer, you know". She said it shattered all her illusions. I said I was sure I could find some more illusions to shatter for her. But the fact is, my university degree was a mish-mash of various fields of engineering, along with economics, politics, law and languages. I was lucky to be able to do this, having been told at school that I should study languages, which I did before discovering that I was most interested in technical things. Not being a proper engineer, and not wanting to sit behind a desk all day, I went into pump sales which I've been doing for almost a quarter of a century, first in chemical process centrifs, then peristaltic pumps and currently gear pumps.

What is CR4 for me? You know what it's like when you are a bit green behind the ears, and lucky enough to be working with, or under the wing of, a really good engineer? A no-nonsense person with bags of experience who really knows his stuff. It's a fantastic way to learn, much better than books.

Doorman. Pretty much says it all. For the last 30 years I have been involved with the construction of, the installation of, the specifications for, the procurement of, and the door hardware for doors. Industrial buildings of nearly all types, schools, hospitals, libraries, domestic military buildings of many different types, dams, powerplants… if a building has a door, I probably could bore you to tears talking about it. These days I spend most of my time on the electronic applications associated with access control. This is closely tied in with life safety, detention, inventory shrinkage control, CCTV…

The avatars I have been using sort of rotate around. Recently they all feature an attractive woman modeling a shirt that says "World's Cutest Doorman" or "Doorman's Chick". I have some misguided anticipation someone will come forward and say "Hey! That picture looks like ME!" _{(PLEASE let it be a woman!)} This event may finally end my quixotic 'Chick Magnet' project.

I stand here today, proud to call myself a member of this international forum, among many giants. I have already gained more from this forum than I could ever hope to return. CR4 members are peoples from all over the planet Earth... there are a few having spent time far beneath the surface, and a few having spent some time far above the surface. This far flung membership brings a wide and diverse array of experiences, disciplines, political or social status, tolerance (or the lack thereof) for protracted explanations, languages… this diversity combined with our overall willingness to engage a total stranger in a discussion makes CR4 a wonderous place.

Thank you all for the candidness of your comments, both here and every day. And thank you Milo for bringing this thread to us. It is good to know you all a little better.

you got humor. Nice one.

My current avatar is a picture of Mill Creek. I grew up here, and still own the property.

This barn is located 25 miles from the childhood home of Laura Ingalls Wilder. I never go there in the winter.

This is Arizona, where I live most of the time.

The avatars change as I go from one of these locations to another, or want to.

After three years of college, I quit and went to work at an electronics company in Arizona. Government stuff. Lots of cold war spy stuff and satellites. At the time, they called me a process eng. Plastics and materials development. Injection molding.

I left there after 25 years to become engineering manager for an active noise and vibration control start-up company. We were there with David Clark, Bose, Sennheiser and the other players who made noise canceling headsets. We made electronic mufflers, too.

My next gig was as engineering manager of a company that made printed circuit board fabrication equipment. PVC and PP cabinets with pumps, spray bars and conveyors that developed, stripped and etched PCB's, among other things. That company was sold and moved to Florida.

I took a year and a half off and went back to Mill Creek.

Now, I'm operations manager for a corporation that manages events, parking garages/lots and parking enforcement in the downtown area of a southwestern city.

I graduated from high school 46 years ago.

I came here to ask a question about a car, I think.

I am Suresh Sharma form Mumbai,India. I am 70 years old Mechanical Engineer. I retired way back 12 years from a Indo-German company mfg. Material Handling Equipments like Cranes,Hoists,Stackers etc. I retired as Sr.Sales Manager after 33 years service.

My two brothers who are also engineers migrated to U.S around 40 years ago. Now my daughter and son in law are also living in U.S, both are Software Engineers.

I am here in CR4 forum to learn more about engineering also to to keep myself busy.

I picked my avatar as she (dog) was my dear pet she died about 5 years back we still remember her very much.

Again, what a beautiful thread Milo, thank you. i will cherish it.

Agreed. Many of the stalwarts have given some nice biographies, but few if any shadows have shown up. That makes for a delightful thread. I'm not myself a photographer, but I have certainly enjoyed that sub-thread and exchange.

Kudos to Milo for starting this.

Ok A shadow - happy?

Another one.....

It would be better if you stepped up to the plate and actually told us a little something about yourself. Your posts tend to be a bit quaint/cryptic/obscure anyway, like someone trying to tell "in" jokes that are not "in" to anyone else.

I also don't know where that Weimaraner or bleached Doberman (or whatever it is) acquired the raccoon mask.

The Dobermans mamma was shagged by a racoon?
Del

I dunno. Are Raccoonidae close enough to Doggidae to allow this intermingling to happen? I sorta doubt it, but then I'm not a geneticist. (I musta missed my calling.)

For you maybe - but certainly not for me.

Not my fault if you guys don't do the 'research'

Nice thread Milo but I doubt that majority would participate. It is like giving yourself away and exposing one's hidden identity. (Sure you could have done this when Sparky was around - miss that fella!)

Well, I am a Mechanical Engineer, now totalling about 29 years of experience & exposure in various engineering fields. Started my carrier as Sales engineer but quickly got in to a Public sector organization. Resisted the trend to go to other advanced countries for personal growth and decided to contribute and give back to own motherland, India. Got involved with some sophisticated machines in production and then in their maintenance. Got fed up with red-tapism and joined private sector. Did a stint in Saudi Arabia for 1-1/2 year and returned back to start something of own.

Started a designing & fabrication unit to manufacture machines used in Cable & Optical cable making and special purpose machines. Got exposed to various engineering disciplines and continued to derive professional satisfaction out of the work done till the day when it all came crashing down due to partnership break-up about a decade back. Went in to a financial mess as was solely responsible for paying back the debts.

Re-thought the whole existence & the strategy to rise again. Bought the technology of Heat pipes from a Govt. R&D institution after assessing its importance in Thermal applications. Worked on its commercialization diligently & with conviction and am now successfully deriving the financial benefits from it.

On personal front - I am happily married to a Gynaecologist and have two sons. The elder has joined me after completing his Engineering and the younger is pursuing his aviation. I am a workaholic and love my city and my country. I also love nature and have dogs for pets (No cats Del - she is against). Whole family regularly drives down to various places of interest and to enjoy the countryside.

I have choosen my avatar to denote that after all, this is one place where there are millions of my kind who are contributing in their own way and helping one another to keep this planet shining. I have also come to realize that CR4 is doing the same. I had chanced upon CR4 but got stuck mainly due to this.

Be Positive.

Johnson

Capri thank you for sharing. I particularly liked the line <Re-thought the whole existence & the strategy to rise again.> I hope you don't mind if sometimes I borrow this line. I have never heard it said quite that way. HOPE ... I once read it was the last gift in Pandora's box ..... Warmest Regards, Ray

Thanks Ray!

Sure you can use it. I'm honored that you liked it.

Warm regards,

Johnson

Well my description says things about my jobs while employed. I retired from 40 years in the computer industry a couple of years ago. I've been educated in engineering, industrial design, psychology, and computer science. I enjoy keeping my mind active in all areas of engineering and science. My avatar is a simple antenna "toon" representing my interest and hobby of Amateur Radio. My call sign is KG1O -(Kilo, golf, one, oscar) and I'm rated as an "Extra Class" license.

I found CR4 when I was looking from some advice on something or other that I was probably building. I try to comment when I know something or think there's more to ask...and yes I can get a bit sarcastic too.

I currently live in China, Maine with my wife of 42 years. We raise Australian Labradoodles here and I do part-time property maintenance and management. I also drive a limousine for a friend of mine now and then.

I think knowledge is the most valuable thing in the world and enjoy gathering as much as I can, and sharing as much as I can. This forum is a "gold mine" of knowledge.

I started with the blue sphere avatar, since it reflects 1) a drop of liquid 2) the earth 3) multiple dimensions 4) simplicity (keep it simple) 5) reflection 6) optics.

My current variation is similar to the blue sphere, but is a photo taken while working at a chemical plant. It looks like the phere, but is not. Can you guess what it is?

Quite close, actually.

What's the scale?

Nice thread and QUITE enlightening.

I thought everyone was an engineer! I live in a California beach city. I'm currently in Canada assisting my parents. My mom has early stage dementia. My dad is barely ambulatory. They're making that tough transition from being able to take care of themselves to letting go and allowing others to assist. Once they're where they can be cared for I have to do work on their home and get it sold. After that I can return to my normal life in So Calif. My picture is actually me. Health is very important to me. Without it you have nothing.

I wont bore with you with my life story but let's just say I'm not the type of person that took a position with a company and sat in a cubicle or office for 30 years waiting to get my gold watch. When my days are done on this planet I will have a full portfolio of memories. My best friend from college days is a rocket scientist for Boeing. If the payload doesn't eject correctly, they look at him. Reading all these bio's made me think of him. He's a lifer in a big machine. He always envied me because I never let it swallow me whole. Back in our 20's he told me about a study that he read about retired aerospace engineers and their life expectancy. Apparently it was a handful of years once you hung up your slide rule. That might explain why I didn't follow him out to Florida.

So why am I here? To be honest to this point I certainly don't feel the comradery some others express. After reading some of these bio's I have a bit better understanding as to why. Almost all of my adult life has been solving the problem that the other guy can't. I do find it rewarding to assist younger people who have legitimate questions and seek the advice of experience. I'll help anyone as long as they appreciate it. There are no dumb questions. I can't say the same for some of the answers that are offered.

Who are you? Ed Weldon. That's me, the one from California. My CR-4 profile gives the basics. 42 year career typical string of jobs mostly machine design related with a sprinkling of manufacturing engineering and facilities engineering. Been a hotrodder and hobby machinist for even longer. That doesn't mean I'm a good machinist. I'd starve if I had to make a living that way. But I have a pretty good idea of what can be done in metal fabrication. It's just that the only practical measure of what I can do reasonably well is properly stated in millionths.

Why are you here? I like to help where I can. That's what got me started. But I have to admit CR-4 has provided a bit of a soapbox. (yeah, yeah; ad nauseum). I think it's made me a better writer; but I'll leave that final judgement up to others.

Tell us why you picked the avatar that you did. That's what I look like. I could have picked a photo of a fish sculpture made out of duct tape. That effigy hangs above my desk and has to do with the hot rodder stuff.

And what is the thing in your heart that is the basis for what YOU share? Well, the sharing of real technical information comes from a belief that the only things I do in life that are important are the things I do for others. But I have to admit that there is a good amount of crass horn tooting when my comments drift into politicized subjects.

Ed Weldon

Nice to "meet" so many of you!

I am a little on the youngish side it seems, in my mid thirties. I've spent most of my life pursuing in whatever way I could find, my three dream jobs; Pilot, Police, or physicist/chemist. I got interested in all of them from a young age. And have studied the the first and last extensively on my own. When I was little, they used to spray mosquito repellent over my town early in the morning. Before they would spray, the squadron of DC-3s would make a close formation, low and slow flyover. I would run out to look at them because they were so close I could make out the details of the landing gear, control surfaces and whatnot. I always loved machines, and those were big ones that were loud and could fly!

I was trying to make a go of the pilot thing by first using my military veteran's benefits to pay for flight school, that did not work so I tried getting on with the one of the airlines that offered a "crew to cockpit" plan in July of 2001. A couple months into the application process something terrible happened and among many other consequences, aviation careers were effectively killed. I got to be a cop for a little while, and that was fun, but I find myself saddled with a medical issue that looks like it may keep me from doing police work ever again. Six months into my first year trying to find work that would pay the bills, I decided I should start working on getting some college. It turns out that despite being older, I am still kind of smart, and am doing well as a physics major. It seems that despite the gap in my schooling, the discipline I learned in the workforce is valuable. So is having enough experience to recognize the value of the lessons trying to be taught in the classes. Consequently, I do a lot of informal tutoring for my classmates.

My avatar is a display model of a Buick 455 V8, an engine that has inexplicably popped up throughout my life, and regardless of it's condition, has always run.

My experience from years ago, going back to University in my late 20's, coincides with yours- "It seems that despite the gap in my schooling, the discipline I learned in the workforce is valuable. So is having enough experience to recognize the value of the lessons trying to be taught in the classes."

One is never to old to learn something new...

interesting.

Okay Milo, here goes. I am not an engineer. I have worked in the arts most of my adult life, not in one discipline but in just about all of them: music, sound, theatre, writing, and just about every department in film. Since my early twenties I've always been involved in designing and making physical things, usually as a way to make money and on my own initiative as an entrepreneur, not as an employee. I am curiosity-driven and always fascinated by materials as well as the natural world. For the last nine years or so I have mostly been working with metal, and that is maybe a record for sticking with the same thing - still have a lot to learn.

So that fairly well explains my handle "Artsmith".

Besides the arts, I've also worked as a teacher, interpreter, and a farmer among other things. I have a degree in Philosophy and my second degree, in Biology, was to start a natural products business. Phytochemistry and farming, still dear to my heart, and yes, I like to grow some food and I make my own medicine, although I don't sell it.

I have a lot of curiosity about the things I haven't done or made myself, including engineering and new technologies and materials. I was subscribed to GlobalSpec newsletters for four years before I ever looked into this forum. I took a peek one day on a holiday, and stumbled on a thread about brewing beer. And I thought, I should tell this guy what I know. So I signed up, mouthed off, and I've been here ever since. I've discovered that I like the company of engineers here, as well as the subject matter - the combination of common sense and a sense of humour is hard to beat.

My avatar is a pretty good representation of my relationship to engineering. The raven is a wild thing, but strangely interested in human affairs. Perched on a lamppost, lookin around.

As for the basis for what I share, the ethic of being helpful to others is hard to beat. If I see the opportunity to help I will do it. It is also a way to give thanks for the help I've received on my own questions in this forum. Other times, I might just comment on the news (much as my avatar might remark on something). Or make a joke, if I have one. That is because I enjoy the company. Thanks, CR4.

Milo,

Good thread, thanks for starting the discussion. Here's my 2 cents:

Who are you?

Nobody special, believe me. I've got a BS degree in Electronics Technology but haven't had to apply it for so long I barely remember Ohm's Law. These days, most of my work revolves around finding remedies for facilities problems, which is pretty much hands-on and really interesting since I learn so much from working with the engineers and contractors. Over the years, I've dabbled or worked in law enforcement (back when the departments used Model 33 teletypes!), aquaculture, semiconductor wafer fabs, computer repair, auto repair (my own or a relatives), photography (digital & film), digital manipulation of the same, and whatever else happened to pique my interest. So much to learn, so few brain cells...

Why are you here?

To learn. I like to learn stuff just for the sake of it. Now, if I could just retain what I learn...

Tell us why you picked the avatar that you did.

My avatar was selected in remembrance of the crews and space shuttles Challenger and Columbia. It's probably going to be retired along with the actual shuttle fleet, and replaced with something a little more reflective of my personal interests. Heck, I may even retire my persona entirely, re-register and start anew. Maybe this time I'll get carried away and add a tag line.

And what is the thing in your heart that is the basis for what YOU share?

On those rare occasions that I can actually contribute something to a discussion, I do so out of a sense of sharing knowledge that someone had taught me or that I learned the hard way. Most of the time, though, by the time I get home to read the threads, someone else has already said what I would have (and usually in better terms).

Well, that's all I've got (as one of my old bosses used to say).

Regards, all,

Logan (for now, anyway)

Short answer:

Who are you? I suppose you would call me a Bricoleur. I just don't think that quite fits. When my father graduated from Ohio State University with an EE, he was working for a hydraulics company. At that time there were no university level hydraulics courses. But the skill/knowledge (mathematics) required are similar, and he had a good grounding in the mechanical side, so the transition was easy for him. For myself, I got my electronics training in the U.S.M.C., 1 year @ 8 hours a day, 5 days a week, is a pretty intensive education. For the last 35 years I have done nothing but electronics, programming, and process control. At the time I started, there was no such thing as a university course on process control. But I learned, God I have learned so much in the last 35 years. And I love that learning. Copper mining/processing, pulp and paper mills, gold mining/processing, water & wastewater treatment.

Why are you here? Because I can learn, mentor, and share ideas on this site about things that interest me, with people that interest me (all y'all!).

Tell us why you picked the avatar that you did. The irony of "The ascent of man" back to sitting in front of a computer screen (like this one!), just struck my funny bone.

And what is the thing in your heart that is the basis for what YOU share? 42. Ok, that question isn't quite "Life the universe and everything"; but it is pretty close. One of my earliest memories is sitting on one step, and "hopping" down to the next step, to get to my father's workshop in the basement. That playground of parts, machines, and tools drew me like a magnet. In a word: CURIOSITY! Answering that in myself, in those around me, in the people who come to this forum seeking answers, is something that I simply cannot (and do not want to), ever quit.

And THAT was the short answer!

I've been studying on these questions for a couple of days now, and find #1 to be a real roadblock for me. But we'll give it a try:

Who are you?

I haven't quite figured that one out, yet. It's sort of a moving target...

I do have a degree in Mechanical Engineering, and have applied it in all sorts of industries and roles, from R&D to sales to maintenance...

But that is such a small part of the answer...

Why are you here?

Camaraderie

Tell us why you picked the avatar that you did.

I haven't picked one yet. I figure I ought to work out the answer to #1 first.

And what is the thing in your heart that is the basis for what YOU share?

Life has been good to me, and I want to return the favor...

Who am I? Well politically I'm a liberal, bleeding heart, left wing, Commie bed wetter that wants all sides of a political perspective to be heard and considered. I strongly believe that when either a liberal, conservative, populist or libertarian perspective dominates any society tyranny soon follows. (The rabid response portrayed by many members of the Tea Party deeply worries me .) My occupation is an Electrical Engineer at Brookhaven National Labs. I've been doing Electrical Engineering for many years but have only recently been granted the title at work. I only recently acquired a BEE from Stony Brook University. This is one of the reasons that I both advocate helping students that are just briefly stumped by a problem and ruthlessly attack those students who are just lazy. I must also say that I successfully stumbled into many good engineering solutions before I had my degree. I now have the formal background to prove why an idea should or should not work before even trying to build a prototype. (More on this idea later...)

I keep coming back here for the beer, of course. What? You say there's no beer in cyberspace. Then what have I been drinking? On a more realistic note, I come here to challenge my ability to communicate my ideas, reasoning and passions. I do this to keep my verbal and writing skills sharp because I need them at work. Many here have validly criticized me as being arrogant but trust me when I say that my arrogance pales in comparison to a visiting scientist with multiple doctoral degrees that I have to tell them that their experiment won't work with the electronics they have. Most of the time these scientists have nothing but a high school equivalent understanding of electronics. But because I'm cutting into their beam time (actually I'm trying to repair their failing electronics) they feel entitled to tell me how to do my job. Now that I have an accredited degree, I have quickly applied on a convenient white board Maxwell's equations to prove that their magnet was installed backwards, or that Arrhenius' equation shows that they should have expected their high voltage capacitors to be failing. I also find the camaraderie and good natured humour here a lot of fun.

As far as my avatar, well I love playing chess. I wish I was half as good playing chess as my love for chess. I do have a 1600 USCF rating but that really is nothing to brag about. My moniker though is an old college nickname. My name is not Fred. Fred comes from the first name of an R. Crumb underground comic book character of the 70's. Yeah, that's when I originally tried to get a bachelor's degree. A long story that involves a lack of money and some poor choices on my part.

The core of my heart that drives my life, my career, and my frequent return here is my desire to help us all learn about this fabulous universe we live in.

Nice one chris, thanks. Here is one who is the apple of the eye of all Indians : koneru-humpy

There is a reference in the video that women's brains aren't geared up for chess. What cr*p !

Her sister Judit is also a great chess player.

so....after watching this thread and contributing to CR4 for some time....but not immediately replying .....it's time.

Like many, I am a retired engineer. My particular flavour is mechanical with experience in general engineering and fire engineering design but including vehicle standards and medical products. It's been an exciting ride, from playing professionally with hydrogen and improvised explosive devices to building a fire engine, writing and testing a heavy vehicle brake standard and helping to decide if a cardiac pacemaker should be recalled.

Being a farmer's son meant that I rode a horse to school in my early years was seriously driving by the time I was 12 (but not to school!). I'd assembled my first motorcycle from parts in a box and learnt to weld with both oxy and arc by the age of 14 - the sum of all this probably making me more independent and practical than some.

Although I have formal qualifications in electrical engineering and arbitration, I've not practiced in those areas. My age is such that I am in that small group of people who learned both analogue and digital computing.

One of the joys in life is to see little signs that what I've done in the past was useful - the fire trucks at our airports and the reference to "kills germs" in most adverts for sanitizing products, for example. Most recently I was surprised to see that what I presented in 1995, at a medico-legal conference, had been quoted - the punch line of which was, "no one has ever been declared dead on the basis of a 4:3 split decision".

There are enough toys to play with, and the next adventure (in a mixed group of 18) is 1400 km of dirt track from near Melbourne to near Sydney - having already completed the 2500 km from Cairns to the Tip (and back) a couple of years ago.

I have a wonderful and successful (now retired) wife and two engaged daughters who are both doing very well professionally. I just hope that our good fortune continues. It is in moments like this that I reflect on how tough many people have it in life and am thankful again that my lot in life has been pretty good.

I spend time on CR4 because many of the contributors have experience and knowledge outside my own and I like to learn. I also like to help out with what I know - and it is fun to see if I can craft an answer that is good enough score, "good answer".

My Avatar, not used till now in this forum, is just a small image of myself in a car that I've had for nearly 30 years. It is relevant as both a hobby, and to my technical and professional interests. I do my own mechanical work, I am an accomplished track driver (who is presently building a race car), and have written a very effective program to predict vehicle lap times. I've never really sought office but somehow have finished up being president of a national car club, the local racetrack and other groups at various times. I guess others must regard me more seriously than I regard myself.

The content of my heart is implied in the above - a desire to learn, to be aware of what is new, to help, to not harm and to turn what I've learned over the years into something useful - to contribute.

Who

I am a lifelong designer of new things, president an alternative energy company. I really enjoy the work it takes to discover efficient processes, as an investor, builder, designer. I spent 11 years in the securities industry and in energy. Before I did any of that, I was a cabinetmaker and artist, for almost ten years. I have a lovely family. I am the most curious person I know, and I'm 49.

Why

I have found a place (CR4) that is consistently able to offer me a solid panel of smart people who share my enthusiasm to learn. My wife thinks I am a little obsessed.

Avatar

That was a mistake that I liked, so left. It is not an abstract art, it is a JPEG of some of my company logo's.

What

When I share, (ask) I want to know what you think. I am not that interested in who you are, because this format allows me to disregard who you are, only regard what you say.

When I answer, I perceive that I can add something that the poster has not considered. I don't answer homework questions. I don't usually get involved just to contradict other answering posters, but I don't mind pointing out opportunities to reconsider.

I am but a duck on the river of the Canadian Business Tax system where I find myself wallowing for endless hours filling out ad infinitum forms.

Otherwise just an ordinary self-employed bloke who fixes stuff.

_{ps years back I rescued an injured duck that became a shop fixture. While alive she managed to bite two tax inspectors. Good duck!}

I read that book... hilarious.