But I'm a Hardware Guy

spec said:

Ah, an objective response.

That is a great idea- preset switch rather than wire links like I said. Wire links could also be used though. It would depend on the application.

The principle being that all you would need is the pre programmed microcontoller so that would be only one inventory item for people with supply and cost problems- they just buy one batch of reprogrammed chips. This would also be an advantage for other electronics hobbyists too.

You never know there might be a whole sub culture using the ETO multifunction chip (ETOMHC).

I have a lot of building work to do at the moment, but while mixing concrete and laying bricks I have been thinking about a simulation of a 555, mainly the method of inputing the mode (bistable tmonostable) etc and the time value, say 1uS to 24 Hours. So far I cant see a problem.

I think the address of that simulation should be 555 (in binary) on your switch.

If you or other members have any suggestions for other circuit functions perhaps we could arrive at a good list.

spec

Click to expand...

PS: Update: So that Mike's thread is not hijacked I may start a new thread about the ETOMHC.

Cicero said:

I feel I am not an expert in either, more a "jack of all trades" engineer, and see many shortcomings in my skills which I actively work on.

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Hi Cicero,

Far from being a negative aspect, as the tone of your post implies, it is a very healthy approach to any field.

The moment anyone thinks they know it all and declair they are an expert they are doomed (there are true experts of course).

The drive and ability to learn is the only way forward, especially in the fast moving electronics and technology arena.

I have been a design engineer for many years and practically every week if not day I had to lean some new aspect as did the other engineers. The other thing is that it is very important to consider other peoples knowledge. Quite a few times we had a seemingly insolvable problem that the machine shop men, or wiremen sorted out because they could see things in a different way.

And it was not unusual when starting a new project to not even know what the project name means. I had this on a job called 'Helicopter Radiometer'. I knew what a helicopter was but had no idea what a radiometer was and how to design one. But, within three months or so, thanks to an excellent book from the States, 'The Radiometer Handbook', I was the company hardware Radiometer 'expert'.

spec

A ETO forum for Collaborative Projects already exists.
https://www.electro-tech-online.com/forums/collaborative-projects/

ericgibbs said:

A ETO forum for Collaborative Projects already exists.
https://www.electro-tech-online.com/forums/collaborative-projects/

Click to expand...

Good point Eric, but at the formative stage the open forum would be more suitable to kick a few ideas around.

spec

IYO.

spec said:

Hi Cicero,

Far from being a negative aspect, as the tone of your post implies, it is a very healthy approach to any field.

The moment anyone thinks they know it all and declair they are an expert they are doomed (there are true experts of course).

The drive and ability to learn is the only way forward, especially in the fast moving electronics and technology arena.

I have been a design engineer for many years and practically every week if not day I had to lean some new aspect as did the other engineers. The other thing is that it is very important to consider other peoples knowledge. Quite a few times we had a seemingly insolvable problem that the machine shop men, or wiremen sorted out because they could see things in a different way.

And it was not unusual when starting a new project to not even know what the project name means. I had this on a job called 'Helicopter Radiometer'. I knew what a helicopter was but had no idea what a radiometer was and how to design one. But, within three months or so, thanks to an excellent book from the States, 'The Radiometer Handbook', I was the company hardware Radiometer 'expert'.

spec

Click to expand...

There are pro's and con's of either path.

But someone who's been a jack-of-all-trades for 10 years will never be able to compete with someone who's been a HW or FW specialist for 10 years in their field. Meaning if you ever want to join a larger organisation in a role higher than junior...you're gonna have a hard time.

Cicero said:

But someone who's been a jack-of-all-trades for 10 years will never be able to compete with someone who's been a HW or FW specialist for 10 years in their field.

Click to expand...

I don't think that I agree with that.
The generalist (jack of all trades) often has a wider understanding of the system being worked on.

Most industrial equipment is a mix of electrical, electronic, mechanical, hydraulic and pneumatic sub systems.
To build and maintain such a system requires a mix of skills.

JimB

Cicero said:

There are pro's and con's of either path.

But someone who's been a jack-of-all-trades for 10 years will never be able to compete with someone who's been a HW or FW specialist for 10 years in their field. Meaning if you ever want to join a larger organisation in a role higher than junior...you're gonna have a hard time.

Click to expand...

The ability to learn, be objective and above all to have common sense will see you through.

It is quite true that your CV is pretty much the only thing that a prospective employer has on you so, as far as getting a new job goes, it would be difficult to get a job in area that you were not experienced.

On a number of occasions in our company a new man has taken a position well below his status. This applies especially to ex service personnel whose skills don't necessarily match civvy street.

Two men in particular stand out. One started as a lab technician, the other although a senior officer in the RAF, started in a junior management position. The first built up a large department which he managed and the second ended up being managing director of our division.

How did they do it- by hard work, common sense and risk taking. The first chap made his name when all the project managers declined to do a very risky (impossible) radar trial. But by his industry he made a big success of the project, so much so that there were follow-on contracts and then other non related contracts. I can remember saying to him when he volunteered to take on the risky project that he must be mad. One of his big skills was being able to sift the BS from facts and also to recognize peoples skills.

A couple of his team were rough diamonds and didn't really fit in, but they did a damned good job of climbing up Scottish mountains, and installing radar antennas and generally getting things done. And after being in that role for a few years they had changed completely and not only being gung ho types but also good at customer meetings and designing the whole site installations for the trial.

spec

JimB said:

I don't think that I agree with that.
The generalist (jack of all trades) often has a wider understanding of the system being worked on.

Most industrial equipment is a mix of electrical, electronic, mechanical, hydraulic and pneumatic sub systems.
To build and maintain such a system requires a mix of skills.

JimB

Click to expand...

Very true Jim.

In a big organization you need people with a variety of skills to succeed: all rounders, specialists, technical managers, project managers. Of all those, project manager is the most difficult and he truly is a jack of all trades (I was never a project manager by the way).

In a small organization a jack of all trades is essential, almost by definition.

spec

JimB said:

Most industrial equipment is a mix of electrical, electronic, mechanical, hydraulic and pneumatic sub systems.
To build and maintain such a system requires a mix of skills.

Click to expand...

I specialize in miscellaneous. It has served me well.
I am well respected for being able accomplish anything their imaginations can come up with.

ClydeCrashKop said:

I specialize in miscellaneous.

Click to expand...

An excellent expression.
I like it.

JimB

I have seen a few projects, as opposed to studies, manned totally by 'experts' and the projects have not turned out well.

In one case the customer sued the company for a disastrous automatic spray plant design and in another case the airworthiness boys refused to certify a nose wheel camera.

I got the job of sorting out the camera, so I got a recent graduate to do the technical stuff and a good guy from the machine shop. Within three months the camera had been sorted by them. We could not believe the circuit design of the camera which was done by a chartered engineer who certainly looked the part.

spec

Okay!!!! Lets start again.... Mud slinging is my worst enemy....

Back to Mike.....

Don't forget the "entropy expert". They don't "plan" anything.