Walt Boyes' Blog

I've received a couple of new books recently, by W. Bolton, who is a long-time academic and author in Great Britain. The books are Engineering Science, 5th Edition and Programmable Logic Controllers, 4th Edition. Engineering Science is a terrific "physics for engineers" deskbook. It is clearly meant as an introductory textbook, but practicing automation professionals will find … [Read more...] about From the bookshelf…

Andrea Ebersbach was in today to visit us. She is Sales Manager for Indukey North America. She had lots of interesting product literature in tow and some really neat products for us to look at. Remember that Dell wins the Readers' Choice Award for Industrial PC every year. Now think about the keyboards that are supplied with Dell PCs. Made in China or elsewhere where labor is … [Read more...] about Consider the lowly keyboard…NOT

Why, you ask, am I writing a eulogy for Steve Irwin, an Australian I never met, who had absolutely nothing at all to do with automation? It is because Steve Irwin epitomized enthusiasm, infectious enthusiasm...and that's what we need to attract new blood to process automation jobs. After 30-plus years in process automation, I am just as jazzed about what we do as when I first … [Read more...] about RIP Steve Irwin

"Ross Anderson, author of 'Security Engineering', notifies in a message to comp.risks that he just got permission from Wiley to let anyone download the full content of his book for free " … [Read more...] about Thanks to Tom Phinney and slashdot for this…

Katrina, one year later... At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us. Albert Schweitzer August 31, 2006 It has been over one year now since Hurricane Katrina impacted the Gulf coast states and New Orleans with devastating results. We thank our … [Read more...] about Bruce's letter speaks for itself…