Where has Engineering Gone In The Last 5 Years 2

[KENAT]

Just noticed faq730-700 and that it is (just over) 5 years old.

So to celebrate this milestone, anyone care to opine on where it has gone? How accurate were some of the initial ideas etc.

KENAT, probably the least qualified checker you'll ever meet...

 

[ctopher]

"So how do you know the shape of the earth?"

Moon landings and satellite photos.


Chris
SolidWorks/PDMWorks 08 3.1
AutoCAD 08
ctopher's home (updated Aug 5, 2008)
ctopher's blog
SolidWorks Legion

 

[SomptingGuy]

I know the earth is at least curved from looking out the window of a plane. It seems to be curved wherever I am flying from/to, and in the same direction. My engineering mind tells me that it's likely that the world is one big curve, whichever way you go.

- Steve

 

[ctopher]

The reason for the big guns on battleships.

Chris
SolidWorks/PDMWorks 08 3.1
AutoCAD 08
ctopher's home (updated Aug 5, 2008)
ctopher's blog
SolidWorks Legion

 

[cranky108]

What? I don't see how the shape of the earth has to do with big guns on battleships.

I just thought they were big so you can throw bigger things (shells, buck shot, Napom).

Another improvment is computers, and computerized equipment operates faster (What ever happened to FORTRAN).

 

[KENAT]

cranky, I was kind of thinking the same thing too about the guns.

The big guns were also for more range, but I'm not sure that directly results.

Curvature of the earth is the reason that battleships and the like had their fire directors up on the masts, and look outs even higher.

KENAT,

Have you reminded yourself of faq731-376 recently, or taken a look at posting policies:

http://eng-tips.com/market.cfm?

 

[ctopher]

Half way down the page:

http://www.ardtech.co.uk/page20.html

I worked on Tomahawks, they also take in account of the curvature of the Earth.

Off subject anyway.

Chris
SolidWorks/PDMWorks 08 3.1
AutoCAD 08
ctopher's home (updated Aug 5, 2008)
ctopher's blog
SolidWorks Legion

 

[GregLocock]

The windows in an airplane bow out under pressure, thereby distorting the view and making the horizon look curved.

Battleship directors were up high to keep them out of the smoke and spray.

Satellite photos are faked.

I am surprised I have to explain these things.



Cheers

Greg Locock

SIGlease see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips.

 

[ctopher]

??

Chris
SolidWorks/PDMWorks 08 3.1
AutoCAD 08
ctopher's home (updated Aug 5, 2008)
ctopher's blog
SolidWorks Legion

 

[KENAT]

Ctopher "The curvature of the earth had to be taken into account"

I'm not sure I see your point.

Greg, thanks for correction my illusion.

KENAT,

Have you reminded yourself of faq731-376 recently, or taken a look at posting policies:

http://eng-tips.com/market.cfm?

 

[jmw]

Columbus used flat-earth maps to find the new world.

(Curiously, the apparently/allegedly rather more accurate source maps were based on spherical earth models which suggests that round earth fanatics had been at work well prior to 1542 and suggests that this "round earth" theory is more ancient than previously thought and is not just a consequence of the internet enabling all sorts of cranks to wriet up their crazy beliefs on Wiki as if they were factual.)

JMW

http://www.ViscoAnalyser.com

 

[roverthis]

"hokie66 (Structural)
3 Oct 08 18:55
All I was saying was that multiples of 10 and 100 only complicate the metric system, when it doesn't need to be complicated. Who would remember those prefixes in HgTX's link?"

Do multiples of 10 and 100 really complicate the system? I doubt it. Come on how hard is it to deal with multiples of 10; 10^1, 10^2 etc. I think that I would be better to question invalid use of units such as kg/m^2 for pressure where dimensional analysis fails.

 

[hokie66]

roverthis,

Firstly, welcome, as I see this is your first post. It has been a while since I looked at this thread, so just found your comment about my argument. But I will continue to maintain the view that 10^0, !0^3, !0^6, etc are sufficient divisions, at least for my type of engineering work.

I agree with you that kg/m^2 is inappropriate. The standard pressure units for structural engineering work should be kPa and MPa.

 

[owg]

Speaking of currency, can I still spend shillings, 2 shilling pieces, and halfcrowns in England and Wales? My wife unearthed a box of them while cleaning house. I realize I will have to take my Scottish pound note north of the border.

HAZOP at

http://www.curryhydrocarbons.ca

 

[jmw]

I'd suggest not.
I still have this problem in Europe where the Belgiums, for example, wouldn't accept my old Belgium francs even before they joined the Euro.
As i return from overseas trips my wife raids my pockets and sequesters my foreign currency "for the next time" except that the next time usually means we are in a foreign country and the money is still at home wherever she put it and 30minutes frantic searching before leaving for the airport can't discover it. When discovered, it is obsolete.

Actually, you should attempt to spend your Scottish notes south of the border. There is nothing that is a much fun as seeing some halfwitted checkout person frantically dinging the bell and calling for the Supervisor. AT one time this used also to be a problem with any large denomination UK banknote as well, starting with the £5 note and working up. The higher the denomination, the more stressed the COP.
What I do get annoyed with is when I present a brand new note fresh from the bank and, in front of a long queue of customers, the COP (Check-out Person) holds it up to the light as if it is a forgery and I am on the most wanted list.



JMW

http://www.ViscoAnalyser.com

 

[andybro]

jmw
My normal response to the cashier who holds a banknote up to the light is to do exactly the same with any notes I receive in change. I suppose you could also bite down on any coins for additional effect.
Andybr

 

[SomptingGuy]

Biking home from the TT with a pocket full of Isle of Man notes is good fun. They are legal tender in England (or at least were 10 years ago). You fill your tank and then offer a fist-full of monopoly money.

- Steve

 

[KENAT]

Having worked a checkout, I can assure you the grief I would have got for receiving duff bills pales in comparisson to the embaressment of you guys being A-holes and checking your change for forgeries. Losing the job was of more concern than folks like you trying to look smart.

I usually make the "it better be good I just got if from the bank (or whereever) joke". Of course so did people handing out the fakes...

KENAT,

Have you reminded yourself of faq731-376 recently, or taken a look at posting policies:

http://eng-tips.com/market.cfm?

 

[cranky108]

Has anyone else noticed the increasing number of stores that don't accept bills larger than $20?

Strange as each bill has the phrase "leagal tender for all debt public and privite". It seems there is a group that wants to discurage the use of money (Except the plastic type).

It may seem like a little irritating but I would prefer to keep the data collectors out of my life (Funny because the US goverment is reportly the biggest user of this data collection). just get so tired of targeted ads for bad copies of good products.

 

[kchan711]

I think it depends on the store. A small convenience store that sells most things cheap, I can understand not wanting large bills. You also have to look at the chance of being knocked off, which is another reason to discourage large bills. On the other hand, major brand stores like a Sears or Lowes (both hardware, I know) will accept them no problem.

Although I hate when someone pays me back with a $100 bill. I would prefer 5 x $20 bills.


Kyle Chandler

http://www.chiefengineering.net

 

[SomptingGuy]

I would like to offer a large note to a shop assistant and have the action witnessed. Then simply walk off with the goods when the note is refused.

It would make for a good court case.

- Steve