Every so often, we get a press release that is so incredibly bad that we post it on the wall for everybody to laugh at. The laughter is rueful at best, though, because we know that somebody paid money to have this schlock sent out in their name. Yesterday, I received one from a company making RFID hardware. I will forebear to mention any names. You know who you are, and you … [Read more...] about The PR Wall of Shame
Walt Boyes' Blog
New addition to the CONTROL team
I am pleased to announce that Jim Montague will join Putman on Wednesday, August 17th as Executive Editor for Control and Control Design. Jim has spent the last 13 years as an editor. For the past eight years, Jim worked at Reed Business Information in Oak Brook as News Editor for Control Engineering Magazine. Jim has a BA in English from Carleton College in Northfield, … [Read more...] about New addition to the CONTROL team
ISA, Acting Global, Not Local
According to a press release from ISA, "Today, ISA has almost 9,200 members that live outside of the U.S." That means that close to 32% (depending on which membership figures you believe) of ISA's membership is "global." This is a great accomplishment. Or is it? Estimates range from 85,000 to 275,000 automation workers in the USA. Less than 20,000 of them belong to ISA. In … [Read more...] about ISA, Acting Global, Not Local
Customer service lesson: more about Moftware
Not ten minutes after I posted about my troubles with blackberrystuff.com, one of the senior managers from Moftware called me. He offered to refund the five bucks, and apologised for my treatment. He also offered me anything, except bluetooth stuff, on the website as a gift. He wrote me, later, to confirm his offer. I don't care whether or not I get the five bucks, and I am not … [Read more...] about Customer service lesson: more about Moftware
Corporate censorship is back
Associated Press is reporting this morning that CNET news has been banned by Google for a year. Their offense? "Google told News.com, the online tech news service of CNET Networks Inc. (CNET), last week that it would not speak to any of its reporters for a year, according to News.com's editor." (from the AP story) Apparently Google didn't like a story focused on potential … [Read more...] about Corporate censorship is back
