Walt Boyes

I missed reminding you all of Ben Franklin's 300th birthday earlier this week, but for process control and automation, he's a significant figure--- remember the kite and the key? The other birthday, of great importance to process and manufacturing automation alike, is that of James Watt, born today in Greenock, Scotland, in 1736. Watt's improvements to the Newcomen steam engine … [Read more...] about Two Birthdays of Note…

Don't Press the Button Go on. Don't click the link. Then you'll never know why you shouldn't press the button. What kind of automation professional are you? The button is a big red one...NO! DO! NOT! PRESS! THE BUTTON! … [Read more...] about (no subject)

Full dues paying ISA Members now receive free access to a library of 40+ online web seminars! I often take ISA to task for not providing valuable services to its members. So I am pleased to report that there is a new member benefit. Any full dues paying member can download and view all of the ISA web seminars, for free. ISA says their "web seminars cover the hottest topics and … [Read more...] about ISA Delivers A Great Benefit!

I shouldn't make fun, and this is a serious press release, but somehow it tickled my funnybone enough to run it...and not as a Friday Afternoon Funny, either. Miles and Miles of Piles and Piles BioMESH System The BioMESH System uses an ITI developed software application to monitor temperature probes that are inserted into piles of composting material in various locations … [Read more...] about When the Bucolic Endproduct Impacts the Airmotive Device…

"Walt? Ed Ladd here." The voice sounded a little strained. "Um," he continued, "how many people do you think will show up for Tuesday night's meeting? I mean, I don't want to come all they way up there if there's only going to be five people show up." Ed Ladd, of the HART Communications Foundation, was agreeing at the last minute to fill a speaking slot for his boss, Ron … [Read more...] about An ISA Section that still works…amazing!