What do you do when you are not on this Forum?

Are you sure you're not talking about this dude...

Hunter S. Thompson? Because if you are, I agree!!!

Yes. Hunter Thompson. My bad.

You guys probably won't believe , but I never heard of him 'till now. Very interesting . He's got more wiki space than Jesus. Did he check for balls as well ?

ps europium - a little bird just told me that I've pipped you in the postings stakes. Have no fear though , I am running in the diarrhoea handicap stakes.

"a little bird just told me that I've pipped you in the postings stakes."

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Whew. That's a relief. Thanks!

and go to the kitchen and prepare a nutritious and tasty meal

You wouldn't say that if you saw my kitchen. The county coroner uses it as an overflow facility, and even he gripes about it!

But then, again, "We am vermin!"

You sound more like a Bela Lugosi v Sister Sledge dance-off.

Hey vermin,

i have an autopsy programmed for this weekend. Do you mind if I drop by for doing it in your kitchen?

Sure, if you don't mind working in the sink. Just a remember, the garbage disposal doesn't work, either.

Your kitchen sounds like a safe place with yummy foods, unlike the otherworldly realms described by some guys on this blog....

I hate to interupt , but you have proably kicked off one of CR4s best threads Jules . Plenty of fun information swapped with fairlly few hiccups. It helps put a human face on all the dialogue within the greater picture. masu's kitchen and culinary skills are probably now my personal benchmark for excellent posting . Informative , witty , detailed , and the hallmark of a person who can reach all listeners. All such things are here because you had the insight to ask such a seemingly 'simple' question. Respect !

Kris, thank you for the compliment. Most of my paddling/skiing/biking/skateboarding friends are engineers, and they do love to joke around sometimes it's even a level or three bawdier than this forum. Of course, that could change in an instant!

I agree with you fully about the content of this thread. I have also been enjoying the banter mixed with intellectual tidbits and culinary delights. To me, everyone here has something valuable to add, in the form of engineering ideas, political commentary, jokes and talk about their home lives. I hope everyone continues to come forward with their wits intact and continue posting to their heart's content.

GlobalSpec is a scientific forum, but I believe that the powers that be are having as much fun with CR-4 as we are.... Now, let's get back to those comments; where were we, a discussion of brain enemas I believe...

Jules

"with their wits intact "

Well.... What the heck kind of fun is that?! If we did that, engineering would never have made any progress!

By the way, I'm working on a deal to have the next Pirates of the Caribbean movie shot in my kitchen. Disney's already talking about making it a theme ride, that is, if I can get the hygiene level above DeCon 5.

Certain dark gods from the underworld claim my kitchen as their place of birth on there Green Card paper work.

One of those and some ThighGlide too!

Disney is working on a new song for my kitchen...

"It's a small world after all"

"it's a smaller world after all"

"It's a smaller world than Ebola, about the size of the virus genetically engineered by Soviet scientists the 90's , after all"

"It's a virus world after all."

Kind of catchy, huh! Now play me on home!!!

How many new ideas ?

I'd have to check with my Patent Agent. He's rather busy though.

Kris.org (I sold .com)

"...Kris.org (I sold .com)..."

Have we all gone nuts.net?

Hey, HEY, HEY!

Confusion of means and ends engenders nutty situations.

Are you a pimp ?

Funk Master Kris

Am I not?

Are you?

Did you ever come across a "Zoot Suit"? I mean a real one, gangsta from the nineteen-thirties?

Most were striped though

We used to call these guys "spivs" in the UK dressed far out, no source of income but crime, etc etc, also called "wide boys".

US inner city pimp style of dress, but more conservative.

Of course, I left the UK in 1948, who knows what goes on there now, if anything?

They became politicians & run the country now.

Have I heard the word pimp?

Best regards from Buenos Aires!

Or could it be that only the bumble bee knows....?

They're the ones that discovered it.

Europium, knowing you fiddled with this kind of DIY, have a look at this video of a German guy with his jet-powered bike flying through one of their autobahns. It's about half-way scroll on this URL.

Did you notice his super smart mate?

Is this thing running, as he sticks his hand in front of the jet exhaust?

Gee, what happened to my fingers? I guess it is going then!

For fans of old computers, here is an on-line museum with some nine hundred models on display

I cant say that I agree with some of the information on the Computer Museum. I had a look at what they had to say about the Honeywell H-316 computer and while the so called kitchen computer was a dud it was never really meant for this sort of use. The H-316 system was in production for many years being used as the central processor for many of the control systems that were marketed by Honeywell. and was basically there general purpose digital computer platform in control systems until the advent of microprocessor.

Initially it was constructed from DTL logic but was redesigned to use TTL logic. The TTL version was never produced by Honeywell but the design was taken up by the founders of PR1ME Computer and formed the starting point for the PR1ME 50 series machines.

In reality the H-316 processor was extremely successful and it remained in use in one form or another till the mid 1990s and there may still be units out there in service. To label it as they have is really an injustice and doesn't reflect the reality of the situation.

The gratuitous send up is fairly funny. This is a bit more techie.

I just love Honeywells advert . It's so non PC;

I own and operate a small automotive repair facility, including mechanical repair of all makes and models. My specialty is not glorious by any standard. It's a dirty job, but somebody has to do it. I critique the engineering feats of those involved in the design of modern day automobiles. Although my secretary continually tells me I should have been an engineer, I insistantly remind her that I don't know anything about operating a train or a railroad. The consences of all data gathered concludes that the engineers in this field that are regarded the highest by the upper crust of the manufacturers management, are those who are able to design features that fail just after the warrantee period expires, and those who are unemployeed are the ones who truely were trying to make the world a better place. Genius inspiration is only put into production at least twenty years after conception, which doesn't seem much different than artists who are never famous until after they are dead.

The only question remaining is who will carry on my work after I am no longer able to be the ONLY automotive engineering critique in the world?

"Damn, they made this car really good!"

For fun, I bow hunt, go fishing, and play with words just a tad, but not with a pole.

My dad was a mechanic for fifty years... His prospective on engineers in the automotive industry was a bunch of really frustrated guys that were pressured by the high-ups to do it cheaper even if that meant everyone knew it wouldn't last.

'Design to fail' and 'built-in obsolescence' are worth threads in their own right. I'm not going to look just now , but I bet such threads already exists (there is one about products that are designed to make you buy repeatedly , which is similar). I suppose it's one of those areas where engineers sell their soul , and/or have their talents perverted by corporate interest.

You should also add designed to be a pain in the arse to repair like the small car I read about that has to go back to the dealer to change a headlight bulb because part of the engine has to be removed to do it.

Nothing new there - with the Citroen DS it took 4.5hrs to change a bulb, but at least they had an excuse.

Why would anybody want that feature ? French cars are in a world of their own. At least up and down like a Lotus looks sort of cool.

I'm sure I saw recently that this feature had just been reinvented on a new car to improve vision when cornering.

I could see the value (just) if it was a switched direction of beam (same as dipping the lights works) to quickly flash an upcoming bend in the road , but a mechanical thing ?

Don't the beams follow the steering?

That's what takes the time - the lights are mechanically linked to the steering, as the driver sees where the car is going, rather than what is straight ahead - very useful on unlit country roads. The downside of the wiring used on these is that there is a moment of darkness when changing from full to dipped and back!

I'm not sure about the new version but the Citroen had 2 fixed lights as well as the steerable ones. You are right about the dip/full switchover but something else I saw recently was was a system which detected oncoming cars & constantly varied the beam pattern to give the maximum visibility without having a sudden switchover point.

The XM uses two bulbs, so the dipped beam never switches off. This gives brighter light at full beam - just watch that the alternator is in good nick!

What I want to see is a cure for main-beam paralysis. You know , when an oncoming driver just won't dip their lights. Short of Bond style counter attack there isn't much can be done about it. I suspect that those with MBP (Main Beam Paralysis) are also afflicted with IRI (Indicator Arm Ignorance ). Flat Cap Syndrome seems to be UK specific - that dreaded silhouette in the 30 zone thats going at 25.

As opposed to the baseball cap profile which will be doing 75 whatever the limit is.

So true. Question is which to shoot first. It would have to be boy-racer I think.He wouldn't mind because he thinks Playstation GTA is real-life anyway.

'Design to fail' is a beautiful thread topic. Sign me in.

'Built-in obsolescence' is inherent in any product because of technological advance. even with trivial ones such as 'the wheel'

Even hammers, are not what they used to be, no punt intended here. Remember the 500$ hammer in the Pentagon bill of expense? Ever wondered how it was made?

With Obsplescence I was sort of thinking Windows. Go on somebody , do a 'Designed to fail ' thread , I'm busy and lazy. Not a good combination.

Or like a lot of us, just need the money.

Sounds like 'I was just following orders'. Hitmen have to earn a living too you know.

Ya collects ya money , ya fakes ya choice.

Nutkin,

That's a bit extreme. You tell your superiors what needs to be done and they say knock five dollars off the price. What do they care, they have billions in the bank, lawyers up the wa-zoo, and insurance to boot! So what do you do? You try to engineer it as best you can with five less dollars. It's either that or you tell your husband/wife and kids that things are going to be tight for awhile until you find another job.

Besides, I vas just trying to pay zee mortgage!

Howdy, AutoT

Appreciate everything you said/do. Thanks. Used to bow hunt because I wanted to pit my stalking skills against the game to make it a fair contest, but now use only rifles, as they are a more humane, loving way to hunt for meat (Instant kill, animal doesn't even get to hear the gunshot. One momet walking around the forest enjoying its life; a split second later, meat for the table). Didn't mind the tracking, but didn't like the way the game had to die by bleeding out. Kept the bows, though. Still love their feel.

Mark

There are at least 2 other bow fans on CR4 , perhaps one of you lot could start a thread on the subject. It would make an interesting discussion on types of bow etc + you would root out the like minded CR4ers.

Howdy MarkTheHandyman!

I appreciate your attitudes. I rifle hunt as well, so I know exactly. I never claimed to be a successful bowhunter, only that it is a passion. I get far more out of walking up within twenty or thirty yards of a deer in a draw full of crunchy leaves without their awareness, than harvest could ever bring. Or seeing a flock of young turkeys on the lookout as they escort a fawn still in spots on a windy day up the middle of a deep draw, only to have the fawn smell danger before the turkeys see it, alert them, and see them all to saftey. I knew deer and turkeys were friends, but I didn't know they babysit each other! That is what it's all about.

Don't get me wrong. When rifle season starts, I put meat in the freezer too. But it's always a little sad to see bow season go away til the next year.

May your trails enlighten you to the footsteps you're following, as well as the shoes you're trying to fill !

Autotechnocracy

Yup. Superhuman skills. Quite a thrill when it works. Tricky part's the last bit, taking a bead on the animal without spooking it as you draw. I read about some First Nations woman somewhere that's the world champion stalker. Never misses. Whew! She must be something else! Also used to bow hunt from trees with a short 50# recurve back before compounds. Great way to get through a lot of fiction books waiting for the deer to come along, but come they did.

Now, I de-scent everything in the laundry and with spray & wipe. Then I use a little rutting urine on the hat brim, and some earth scent and pine scent here and there all over. Pick a spot in a run, and sit very still on a rock or stump to wait. All the wildlife has no idea I'm actually there. Once, I turned my head slowly to watch a squirrel that was about to climb me (probably a woodsy relation of Kris'). When the squirrel saw that the stump had eyes and was slowly turning to look at it, it actually screamed, and jumped about a foot off the ground. Funniest damn thing. Poor little bugger! Had no idea squirrels could scream in fright. Laughed for about 10 minutes. No deer that day, but a good story to tell.

Or, I often practice (now that I'm getting old) what I call "conservation hunting". I bring a feet-up foldup camping chair and a good book to my spot in a line of buddies. Place the gun across the arms of the chair (nice cuppa in a thermos in the cup holder & sandwiches for lunch), and fall asleep reading. My technique is to thus wait for a suidical moose or deer to spot my gun, walk up, and commit suicide with it. Works perfectly every time, for a day in the fresh air at least! Hunting for health and well-being.

Mark

I'm taking notes here guys ! Counter attack could be closer than you think

I wouldn't recommend using this technique in much of Australia. There are several reasons for this one of them being we have a creature called a goanna which covers several species of lizard that belong to the monitor family.

Now goanna's don't have really great eyesight but they do have thumping great and very sharp claws that they use for climbing trees with.

If you sat there very still looking like a tree stump and startled one it would more than likely try and climb up what it had thought to be a tree and you would end up with it sitting on your head, hanging on like grim death with it claws sunk deep into you back and chest.

I remember driving along the Arneham Highway in the Northern Territory when I saw what I thought was a tree branch about 2 m long lying on the road. I stopped short and was going to drag it off the road when it turned round an looked at me. I don't know who got the greatest fright but I made it to the top of the car and claimed the higher ground before it did.

I recall goint to Australia with my 13 year old daughter and we came across a wall covered with ivy like vine growth with a number of small 3-6" lizards running about grabbing flies in the foliage. So I told her to embed her back in the foliage and after a short settling time I went to the far end and made a disturbance in the brush and moved towards her. This herded dozens of these small lizards into crossing the human bridge and she had a fascinating experience. Amazing visual acuity in these lizards.

I've heard that these guys are impressive to see on Komodo. It's a real shame they are endangered.

When I was a child we lived on the southern outskirts of Sydney and were surrounded by bush. The house we lived in, like all houses in the area at that time, was a work in progress and not fully sealed.

It was a particularly hot day and we had been out shopping. Upon our return I went into my bedroom to find a goanna that was somewhat longer than I was tall, sleeping on the floor under my bed where it had found a cool patch. I can't remember exactly what happened next but I wasn't pleased. It was eventually persuaded to leave with a large broom and disappeared up a large tree in the backyard.

Since then I have always been somewhat cautious around goannas.

These things are proof that there really isn't such a thing as being dirty. These nasty beasts have mouths so foul with the worst possible bacteria that a bite from one will kill you from infection within 72 hours! If a dragon bites an animal, it will stubbornly stalk it for the required 72 hours, then it's dinner time, predigested. That is, of course, if a larger dragon doesn't get there first.

This bacterial soup is so good at breaking down everything, it allows the dragon to eat an animal whole - bones, hooves, and antlers.

An islander will get bit from time to time, which if they're lucky will get the medical treatment they need, but it still always results in amputation.

There was a recent expedition to the island of Komodo where the dragons live that specifically looked into the way the dragons manage to not sacrum to the crap that lives in their gastrointestinal tract.. They managed to capture a couple of dragons and get blood form them but while they were there they heard a report of a person that had been attacked and bitten by a dragon and had survived without any medical intervention. Finding somebody that had survived was a real breakthrough because they can analyze the blood to find the antibodies that the person developed for the bacteria. Once you have the antibodies you can then produce an antigen that can be used to stimulate a patients immune system into developing the antibodies without being exposed to the bacteria.

It's still early days and I am not 100% sure of the results so far but from what I remember the now believe that the dragons protect themselves from the bacteria in a completely new way that is unlike antibiotics. It looks extremely promising as it has the potential to become a treatment for the super bugs that have been turning up of recent.

Oh yes, while goannas can grow to a length of up to 2 m they have considerably better dental hygiene than the Komodo dragons, so, while a bite can be painful I have never heard of anybody ever dying from one.

I didn't realise how timely this subject was. An 8 year old boy was killed , the first recorded such death in 33 years.

There are some good video clips around - I like this one because it shows how the Komodo dragon can rear up when fighting.

"Finding somebody that had survived was a real breakthrough because they can analyze the blood to find the antibodies that the person developed for the bacteria."

Dear Masu,

I wish this was possible... but I have the feeling these animals do not have only one, but many potentially harmful types of organisms in their mouths.

On the other hand; I do not believe dragons are immune to these germs: it is very likely that bacteria and dragons profit from each other (symbiosis).

To know if they are really immune, we should know what happens when one dragon is bit by another one!

Did you follow my links r&ddoc ? There are some good video clips on you-tube. I saw a recent TV program claiming that Crocodiles had their own built-in antibiotics. I think this was an assumption , based on the fact that they survive horrific wounds from each other. From memory , I think creatures like the Komodo carry Salmonella.

My current picture as a Doctor is slightly misleading. I do enjoy stress and strain though.

Dear Kris,

Yes I followed your links: very interesting indeed.

In regard to the built-in antibiotics in Croco´s; I agree with you as it doesn´t seem very plausible to me either! These animals probably survive horrific wounds the same way other living beings also do: there are certain very mutilating wounds that even humans do survive (the image of a civilian that had the mis-fortune of stepping on a land-mine comes tome right now: the poor chap lost both legs, and part of the pelvis... and he is still there!). Here we must not forget that these cases belong more to the anecdotal field than being the rule.

Making a long story short: they simply had the "luck" of surviving. (provided we can call this being lucky)

By the way: Your Doctor is positively misleading! (I had expected a BOUNCING MD !).

R&DDOC

If the old chestnut is to be believed, dogs have a lot of protective flora in their mouths because of the life they lead. Crocodiles may have just evolved flesh that isn't very appealing to bacteria, at least the really nasty ones. Perhaps their tissue cells aren't particularly susceptible to hydrogen sulfide.

Also, what about that thing that was really popular a few years ago... The one that said sharks never develop cancer?

And let's get really gross... Maggots in bad wounds is a good thing!!!

ahem

Dogs is Rabies , and Sharks don't smoke.

Maggots in wounds is very good thing.

Hey... what about manufacturing some Crococylin or Komodocylin: wouldn´t we make some big dough?

Maybe , but I am planning a range of non-slip bath mats.

Even if they don't work , tailoring will be minimal (as with the toad-skin handbags) and they will look nice.

"Crocodiles may have just evolved flesh that isn't very appealing to bacteria, "

Is that why they're used for handbags?

... talking about dirty stuff in the mouth: what about cat-bites? My daughter was bitten in the hand by hers and their fingers got the size of a German Knackwurst!

One of the more fun parts of having an indoor/outdoor cat is they get into fights. When they're bitten, not only is the wound septic, but their skin closes and grows shut very quickly. The result: find the tooth hole, get it open somehow, clean (I think you know what I'm talking about, r&ddoc), then inject tubes of penicillin into the cavity - for several days to come. Woof!!!

The result: find the tooth hole, get it open somehow, clean...

I don't believe in antibiotics! Nothing is safer than chopping off the infected finger!

So now you're telling me you call your daughter, "Stubby?!"

So now you're telling me you call your daughter, "Stubby?!"

She was born with 12 fingers, so nobody would notice some were chopped off

only problem is some notes are missing when she plays playing the piano now!

So you cut the other one off to maintain the symmetry? Does that classify you as a cosmetic sturgeon? Hmmmm. There's something fishy about that.

And wasn't it not too long ago that doctor's refereed to post-operative infection as "laudatory puss?!"

On a totally different subject, r&ddoc, my fiance and I saw Placido Domingo and Virginia Tola yesterday in concert. It was awesome. Tola is a fabulous soprano from Santa Fe, Argentina. What a dish!

Tola is a fabulous soprano from Santa Fe...

Hi europium,

I have heard a recording from her recently: she is really great!

On the other hand, it is said cutest girls from Argentina come from Santa Fe (at least, that it what they say in Santa Fe!!); and she seems to be a good example of that as well!

r&ddoc,

I just bought a piece of your countryside! I got a chunk of the New Campo meteorite that hit your country about 4,000 to 6,000 years ago. It fits into my hand, but it's gotta weight four pounds (1.550 Kg)!!!

Raaaawow!!!

But what's with the "deer in the headlights" look about?

I'm-a goanna be-a careful to-a not do-a any conservation hunting around them nasty beasties. (Umm...do they taste good?)

Mark

I like to roll large, round stones down the hill, toward the school bus that passes each morning.

Speaking of what you guys like to do, I'm thinking of a new blog topic that will get those Men In Black talking...what does everyone think of the question:

Do UFOs really exist and if so, what technology do they use?

This is a really out there question...I thought I'd try it here before officially posting....

I have my own ideas on the subject, and it's always great to hear what the scientist inventor types have to say (or even rant) on this matter. I'm primarily interested in the technology but if those of you from Alpha Centauri want to speak up your insight is always appreciated. We are an equal opportunity blogspace.

Thank you for listening.

Jules

Oh, a new blog question! I was about to suggest a change in the question to, "What do you do when you're not on photonic girl's blog?"

I haven't contributed much here but did enjoy all the comments, both on topic and off topic. This is one of the longest running threads I've seen here on CR4.

Anyways, I look forward to your new question. I'll be waiting for it. I'm a Vulcan, of course UFOs exist!

You know what Vulcan, that's good enough for me. On to UFOs!!!

Jules

Unusual Floral Organs do exist and depend on a proprietary carbon-based technology.

My son just called me a "calculated asshole" in response to my previous post.

Life is good.

Hey, at least you aren't boring!

Are you trying to upset Aurizon?

Absolutely not!

Jules

"I'm a Vulcan, of course UFOs exist!"

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By the way, as a Vulcan do you feel inclined to go clubbing every eleven years or so (be honest)? And what do you think of Viagra? Would it help things or just make matters worse?

No, we get the urge to mate every seven years. That doesn't stop us from doing it during those seven years.

what do you think of Viagra

We have no need for those things. We just use the sheer power of the mind! Ha ha ha ha!

Obviously, I lack the training in emotion control that my worldmates do.

You all missed the party !

( I'm kidding - Go for it )

"Do UFOs really exist and if so, what technology do they use?"

It sounds like a great thread but be warned, it will definitely bring the loonies out from behind whatever they are hiding behind.

As to threads meandering off topic, it's pretty much what you get when you take a room full of engineers and lubricate them with copious quantities of beer or the like. At the start they are all sort of making sense but after a couple of hours are all talking something that resembles left handed hieroglyphics that has been loosely translated into sign language. It then degenerates into a argument over something that everybody quickly forgets, but all are in agreement that it was due to management that are so inept that they couldn't organize a piss up in a brewery. They then go on to solve the world's problems, but document the solutions using some obscure form of engineering short hand that nobody can translate. The next morning nobody can remember what happened after the umpteenth beer so they decide to do it all again next week.

So, given all that, I guess that makes CR4 a pretty good representation of the real world.

Yup. Pretty much so. Unfortunately, because...