OT: A "decomposed" business structure

And we know just how much control we have over *management*, eh? :>

Again, it depends on the size of the investment (i.e. potential sale!) represented by that prototype. For a $20M company to let a $1M piece of equipment sit in Engineering, that's a *huge* investment, on their part!

How much time do you think would actually be *needed* on a wire-EDM machine after "release"? What are you likely to change -- some aspect of the user interface? Support for new input\output formats? etc. Are you going to tie up a piece of equipment INDEFINITELY that could otherwise bring a sizable bit of money onto your balance sheet?

OTOH, if it's a $20K item, it's pocket change (anything less than that isn't even worth discussing :-/ )

Similarly, you may not be able to *use* that device without items that a customer would have in the course of his/her business.

E.g., the friend who designed dynamometers isn't likely to have an Indy car engine "sitting around" for those high horsepower tests. And, it's doubtful that a race car team is going to *lend* him one during the racing season!

It's different if you're designing microwave ovens, GPS systems, process control systems, etc.

In my PPoE, we had several hangar queens, for each project, laying around. We also kept the compliance test unit in a box in the closet, just for reference. When we did compliance tests on devices that attached to the main device, we always took the original test specimen back so we knew what we had. I was once burned by a "production" model that wasn't really.

Sure, but that's what he was talking about.

It was either move or be the Wallmart greeter. ;-)

Again, that is *not* the case where I'm working now. The boss actively sought out gray-hairs. Wasn't true in IBM, either. It's been the smaller companies that I've found illegally discriminating.

Yeah, they're just big enough to suck. ;-)

Then I don't understand your bitching, above.

Who's fault is that? I don't tend to whine about other people's problems, when they're perfectly capable of changing their situation.

Sure. In my last job, the new manager treated everyone like a child, while preaching like a Southern Babtist minister. ...a very bad situation.

That makes no sense. Why would I have a personal party on company property? ...and why would anyone presume that it was acceptable to even ask? Well, IBM did have a country club (a real one - 18 holes - designed by Arlold Palmer) at one time. ...but I'm not into golf, either. ;-)

I'd gladly be around them. Let's do lunch. I really don't like the

*organized* events. Some think everyone has to play silly party games.

I understand completely. One difference is that you don't feel you "have to" be there.

LOL! My cell phone tells me to fill out my time card at 4:00 every Friday. I fill it out right there on the phone, before I forget. ;-)

Nonsense.

*You* believe they're irrational. I refuse to text. Is that irrational? To some it's simply nuts.

A triangular wheel takes one bump out per revolution. ;-)

I use templates a *lot*. Doesn't everyone?

Yep. I can't stand working for a control freak. The ones who use passive aggression as a management technique are the worst. Fortunately, I've had few of those.

Agreed! However the manager's primary job is to manage *his* manager (just as mine is to manage mine .5*;).

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We were discussing how *current* technology affords possibilities that are now much more practical. E.g., my reference to video conferencing, etc. I.e., "If you can watch *theater quality* multimedia over a home internet connection"/ I don't see "3 KHz" and "home internet connection" making ANY sense together unless you're using a dialup modem!

His comment was that "being around other people is fun." I countered that those other people might not share his enthusiasm! I.e., they are *forced* to be together by the artificial requirements of the workplace.

Those SAME PEOPLE would probably NOT want to "get together" at 9AM for a *social event* (party) with each other. Nor attend an early morning movie. etc.

Left to their own devices, they would probably NOT socialize together (how many % of the folks that you have worked with over your career have you spent any amount of "unconstrained" time with? dinner, parties, outings, etc.??)

Sure, they are in the situation that they created. Though you don't know how much choice they had in its creation. Nor in their ability to *change* it.

I worked with a guy who made a real "snippy" comment to me about how "blessed" my life was -- in comparison to his. Then, went on to describe how he had to drop out of college, start working at 19, etc. I.e., "poor me". He wasn't very happy when I replied, "And whose choice was it to knock up your wife OUT OF WEDLOCK?" (i.e., why is that something

*I* should be sympathetic to??)

Exactly. You wouldn't *be* there any time unless you *had* to! You wouldn't spend time with those folks (pretty much) unless you

*had* to! This is an extension of my argument above.

Being around people is fun. When it is by MUTUAL CHOICE and not artificially imposed by a work environment, etc.

I *have* to deal with those people while providing my volunteer services. Or, decide that the volunteer effort is "not worth it" in those circumstances. (just like "fellow employees").

But, an organization sponsored *party* -- even one at which I will be recognized and "rewarded" for my efforts -- is entirely

*my* time. I'll spend that time with the folks I *want* to spend it with!

How much of that $1M marginal cost? A $20M company making $1M machines is kinda far-fetched, no? Where do they get the financing to just buy the components to make it?

How do you test the device, then?

How did they build the first one?

No idea. I just worked for them -- but, not as an accountant! :>

Again, no idea. I just know what the machines sold for and the company's annual sales.

You get friendly with a customer (this is surprisingly easy to do!) and use *their* machine. As they are often likely to want an enhancement/improvement/whatever (since they've already bought the thing!), this is relatively easy to get their cooperation.

No idea -- you'd have to ask him!

How did Kurzweil build his first reading machine? Grants? VC? Philanthropic gifts??

However, the discussion then went on to, "The human auditory system is amazing, but not so much after being forced through one mic and one speaker and a 3 KHz comm channel." I corrected that to 4kHz audio, 8kHz sample.

Are you saying that they don't exist? I don't have dial up, but my DSL line at my AL house sure won't do "theater quality" anything, and the 3G, when it works, at this house is even worse (haven't figured out how to get the DSL line working here - something's odd in the wiring).

... and why are you worrying about what other people feel? You obviously don't have enough on your plate.

Depends on how much they're paid. ;-) No, I'd probably find something better to do if I weren't getting paid to go to work.

It's been a while, but mostly because that sort of thing doesn't seem to be "normal" anymore. I used to have people from work over almost every weekend in the summer (pool party) and our house was where the singles with no family in the area would come for Thanksgiving.

Get real. They're *not* slaves.

We got married when I was 18. I finished college, in four years, while working. I highly doubt that I am the only one to have done so. No, I don't have much sympathy, either, on so many levels.

No, it's just weird to even think of such a thing. Absurd, even.

No, it's fun even if they're paying me to do it. Forty (or sixty) is usually enough, though, unless you're married to your cow-orker.

Or perhaps those who you haven't spent enough time with.