laxx Posted September 16, 2010 Report Posted September 16, 2010 While waiting for the LIRR, I started reading WatchTimes. Saw the new Bulova collection Precisionist. I'm going to get one of them. Sounds like an amazing watch for the price, and looks great too.
Craig Sawyers Posted September 16, 2010 Report Posted September 16, 2010 It's not rocket science...or is it? That is my stock phrase to team members when things aren't happening quick enough: "C'mon guys - this isn't rocket science. Wait a minuite....". This instrument is a real pushing-the-envelope thing. There are two X-ray imaging spectrometers (to look at the chemical makeup of Mercury's crust) mounted on a 1 meter long optical bench. There is also an electronics box with a multi-output switched mode supply and a data processing unit on a 14-layer circuit board. Total weight is 8kg (17lbs). It has to be seriously radiation hard too. In order to do the science, the sun has to be spitting out x-rays, which only happen when the sun is in an active phase - when it also throws out massive amounts of radiation. One consequence is that FPGA chips, which are normally around $10, cost $19,000 each in the space qualified grade necessary.
HDen Posted September 16, 2010 Report Posted September 16, 2010 That is my stock phrase to team members when things aren't happening quick enough: "C'mon guys - this isn't rocket science. Wait a minuite....". This instrument is a real pushing-the-envelope thing. There are two X-ray imaging spectrometers (to look at the chemical makeup of Mercury's crust) mounted on a 1 meter long optical bench. There is also an electronics box with a multi-output switched mode supply and a data processing unit on a 14-layer circuit board. Total weight is 8kg (17lbs). It has to be seriously radiation hard too. In order to do the science, the sun has to be spitting out x-rays, which only happen when the sun is in an active phase - when it also throws out massive amounts of radiation. One consequence is that FPGA chips, which are normally around $10, cost $19,000 each in the space qualified grade necessary. I take my hat off to you sir. This is absolutely amazing, you're doing something that will contribute to all of mankind, not only for this generation, but for future ones as well. Great great stuff!
Eric5676 Posted September 16, 2010 Report Posted September 16, 2010 Doing a little audio recon for myself. Heads-up on a DAC not mentioned much here | Computer Audiophile I bet everyone here to a man already knows exactly what that thread's going to be about without even clicking on it. It's amazing. Every audio forum I've lurked through I almost invariably see something like that. Pretty damned impressive viral thing going on there although Head-Fi has to far and way the worst I've seen with that.
Duggeh Posted September 16, 2010 Report Posted September 16, 2010 Yesterday evening went through to Edinburgh and met up with Dave (Mercuttio) and his wife who were on their honeymoon. Absolutely lovely people. Toured a few pubs and met with a friend who lives in the city. Missed my train back to Fife at 23:xx so met up again and bantered until the pubs closed at 1. Wondered around the streets freezing my ass off and trying to find a loo until the train station opened again. Got the 5:30 train back. Went to bed at 7. An awesome night. Now the young couple are away to Glasgow, trying to stay ahead of the Pope.
swt61 Posted September 16, 2010 Report Posted September 16, 2010 i blew up the moon, once. it got better. I got that beat! I once blew someone while mooning someone else.
Craig Sawyers Posted September 16, 2010 Report Posted September 16, 2010 I got that beat! I once blew someone while mooning someone else. That, sir, has left me totally helpless with laughter!
Voltron Posted September 16, 2010 Report Posted September 16, 2010 Yesterday evening went through to Edinburgh and met up with Dave (Mercuttio) and his wife who were on their honeymoon. Absolutely lovely people. Toured a few pubs and met with a friend who lives in the city. Missed my train back to Fife at 23:xx so met up again and bantered until the pubs closed at 1. Wondered around the streets freezing my ass off and trying to find a loo until the train station opened again. Got the 5:30 train back. Went to bed at 7. An awesome night. Now the young couple are away to Glasgow, trying to stay ahead of the Pope. Sounds mint, Doug. I want to "wonder around" those streets with you one of these nights.
Dusty Chalk Posted September 16, 2010 Report Posted September 16, 2010 [mom mode]Be careful you don't catch pneumonia, Duggeh. That's just how it happens.[/mom mode]
Absorbine_Sr Posted September 16, 2010 Report Posted September 16, 2010 I got that beat! I once blew someone while mooning someone else. You owe me a keyboard since I just spewed tea all over it. Too funny!
jinp6301 Posted September 17, 2010 Report Posted September 17, 2010 Reader Photos of the New York Storm - NYTimes.com hope all the nyc HCers are ok no electricity at home, torn down electrical wires everywhere, rooted trees everywhere
Dusty Chalk Posted September 17, 2010 Report Posted September 17, 2010 Yeezh. Hang on to something, guys.
morphsci Posted September 17, 2010 Report Posted September 17, 2010 Just got a call from my sister-in-law. Both she and my mother-in-law live in Forest Hills. Her apartment was damaged pretty badly and her car destroyed but she is OK. 4 people in her building were killed. No damage to my mother-in-laws building except a little plaster falling from the ceiling. The weather patterns they are a changin'.
shellylh Posted September 17, 2010 Report Posted September 17, 2010 Jim, Glad your family is ok. Hope all the HCers are ok.
boomana Posted September 17, 2010 Report Posted September 17, 2010 Hope all the HCers are ok. X2. Damn. I had no idea it was so bad. Sorry to hear about your family's stuff, but glad they're okay.
cetoole Posted September 17, 2010 Report Posted September 17, 2010 Damn. I had no idea it was so bad. . I didn't either, damn! It poured at the office for a few minutes, then I didn't even need to use the umbrella I bought.
swt61 Posted September 17, 2010 Report Posted September 17, 2010 Just got a call from my sister-in-law. Both she and my mother-in-law live in Forest Hills. Her apartment was damaged pretty badly and her car destroyed but she is OK. 4 people in her building were killed. No damage to my mother-in-laws building except a little plaster falling from the ceiling. The weather patterns they are a changin'. Good Lord! Thank heavens your family survived in tact! I know the damage to the apartment and car is a PITA, but under the circumstances I'd say they did rather well.
Voltron Posted September 17, 2010 Report Posted September 17, 2010 Sheee-it! I didn't know about this at all until just now. Here's to Jim's wife's family coming through and as others have said to hoping all HCers coming through unscathed.
Craig Sawyers Posted September 17, 2010 Report Posted September 17, 2010 Reader Photos of the New York Storm - NYTimes.com hope all the nyc HCers are ok no electricity at home, torn down electrical wires everywhere, rooted trees everywhere Jeez. Looks dreadful. Glad you and yours are safe.
Aimless1 Posted September 17, 2010 Report Posted September 17, 2010 Ditto. Cars and buildings can be repaired or replaced. Not so people. Glad family and HCers are doing ok.
grawk Posted September 17, 2010 Report Posted September 17, 2010 Good luck folks, I also didn't realize things were that bad. For me, I had my phone screen. Seemed to go well, tho the job isn't perfect for my experience, so we'll see. My goal is to do both that job and the job I have now for 6 months, so as to build up some buffer, and pay off debt to be able to handle the new, reduced paycheck going forward.
jvlgato Posted September 17, 2010 Report Posted September 17, 2010 Wow, Jim! Best wishes to your family, it looks awful! Grawk, good luck with your job situation!
jinp6301 Posted September 17, 2010 Report Posted September 17, 2010 I didn't either, damn! It poured at the office for a few minutes, then I didn't even need to use the umbrella I bought. manhattan missed the brunt of the tornado. queens/brooklyn was hit hard
tyrion Posted September 17, 2010 Report Posted September 17, 2010 I didn't hear anything about the storm until this morning. I'm glad everyone seems to have made it through okay. Jim glad your family is okay.
Aimless1 Posted September 17, 2010 Report Posted September 17, 2010 For me, I had my phone screen. Seemed to go well, tho the job isn't perfect for my experience, so we'll see. My goal is to do both that job and the job I have now for 6 months, so as to build up some buffer, and pay off debt to be able to handle the new, reduced paycheck going forward. Hope it all works out for you!
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