Maker Pro
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Plotter as digitizer

I didn't say I don't express an *interest* and offer *suggestions*
regarding other aspects of a project. But, I only "answer for my
assigned responsibilities".

My "assigned responsibilities" are cradle to grave.
If the mechanical engineer wants to route the ribbon *through*
a sensor instead of using an alternative scheme that I've
proposed, so be it. If customers complain about how difficult
it is to change the ribbon... <shrug> "I told you so".

As I said, a very narrow view of one's responsibilities.
*My* assigned responsibility has nothing to do with the ribbon,
mechanism, etc. Sure would be pretty arrogant to *insist* that
someone else do *their* job the way *I* think it should be done!
Especially when *he* is ultimately held responsible for that
aspect of the design!

Your ultimate responsibility *is* the ultimate function of the widget and,
yes, even the sales of said widget. If anything jeopardizes that, it *is*
your responsibility.
Nope. I probably have more knowledge of entire projects than even
the project manager, in most cases. And, tend to stick my nose
into places it's not intended to be! ("Why are you getting involved
in the design of the *case* for this product? This isn't your job...")

Sure sounds like that's your attitude.
But, all I take *responsibility* for is my interfaces to the aspects
of the project that border on my portion of the design. If I'm
designing a board, I make sure it fits in the geometric envelope
provided and the power budget allocated. I make sure my choice
of (external) connectors fits with the Industrial Designer's
vision of the product, the case design and the requirements
of the field (sensors, actuators, etc.) to which they connect.
I make sure the software folks have the resources they want/need
on the board. I make sure I can hit my targeted component,
labor and warranty costs. Etc.

I might offer an opinion as to what *color* I think the plastic
skin resin should be. Or, whether it should be a textured vs.
smooth finish. Or, the arrangement of the buttons/keys on
the control panel. Or, the wiring scheme for the safety
interlocks. Etc. But, those aren't my *responsibility*. If
the individual(s) responsible for those decisions end up making
bad choices, it's "not my problem" -- even if the product fails
as a direct result of those changes!

(Is the purchasing agent who ordered the screws -- per the BOM
prepared by the Mechanical Engineer -- responsible for determining
if they are suitable for the job? If the product falls apart
because it should have been solvent welded together instead of
fastened with screws, is the purchasing agent to blame? Should
he feel some moral obligation to "take an interest" in this
decision??)


Doing otherwise amounts to tilting at windmills. Might make you
*feel* good ("We did the right thing!") but you'll typically end up
just alienating a client and/or his staff -- and setting yourself up
to be the scapegoat when something *else* goes wrong.

"Feeling good" has nothing to do with it. It's part of the engineer's job,
even if it isn't spelled out.
Email is a great tool for this! Previously, having to put things
in writing -- just to go "on the record" (even if informally) -- would
draw too much attention to your actions: "Why is he sending me this
information in a *letter* instead of just *telling* me?" OTOH,
email correspondence is easily archived. It lets the client
dig back through your comments long after you've made them and
review *exactly* what was said. He can review that material
and raise the issue again, later, if he starts to see your
(ahem) "predictions" coming true -- without the awkwardness
of the "I told you so" scenario (because you never singled out
that aspect of your conversation as, in any way, "special"...
it's just "yet another email")

Now it sounds like CYA. Sometimes that's necessary but not as a starting
point.
I've watched too many projects (and companies) fail because they
made bad choices -- in how they used or applied their resources
(whether it was "to the business, itself" or just "a product").
At least things that *I* am responsible for I have ultimate
control over -- and can point to and say, "It does everything
it was supposed to do, the *way* it was supposed to do it".

Which is why the engineer takes *responsibility* for far more than the
schematic.
 
W

Winston

Jan 1, 1970
0
Don said:
I've watched too many projects (and companies) fail because they
made bad choices -- in how they used or applied their resources
(whether it was "to the business, itself" or just "a product").
At least things that *I* am responsible for I have ultimate
control over -- and can point to and say, "It does everything
it was supposed to do, the *way* it was supposed to do it".

I was pleased recently to offer a glowing recommendation
for a hardware guy that designed a control panel for one
of our projects back at Xerox about 13 years ago.

You wouldn't hire this guy for a Marketing job but *boy*
could he design the heck out of hardware! Surrounded by
the most disruptive, least productive bottom-of-the-barrel
clowns imaginable, this guy kept his nose to the grindstone
and brought his control panel in, on time and under budget.

It was the only part of that project that *always* worked
properly, *every* time. People notice when you take
responsibility. Sometimes that is a Good Thing. :)

--Winston
 
W

Winston

Jan 1, 1970
0
Jim Thompson wrote:

(...)
It is _very_ rare for there to be significant differences in netlist
files, irrespective of the simulator.

PSpice uses separate .CIR (test bench) and .NET (the actual
circuitry).

To import into LTspice you simply concatenate .CIR + .NET

Cool! Thanks!

--Winston
 
D

Don Y

Jan 1, 1970
0
Hi Winston,

I was pleased recently to offer a glowing recommendation
for a hardware guy that designed a control panel for one
of our projects back at Xerox about 13 years ago.

You wouldn't hire this guy for a Marketing job but *boy*
could he design the heck out of hardware! Surrounded by
the most disruptive, least productive bottom-of-the-barrel
clowns imaginable, this guy kept his nose to the grindstone
and brought his control panel in, on time and under budget.

It was the only part of that project that *always* worked
properly, *every* time. People notice when you take
responsibility. Sometimes that is a Good Thing. :)

And if he had "taken responsibility" for the work of
all those *other* clowns...? How would *his* work have
fared? How well would he have performed *their* duties?

:>

Do *your* job well and expect those around you to do
their's, similarly. Any time I've found someone who *thought*
they could do my job better than me, I openly and publicly
offered them the opportunity to do so. Never had any takers :>
I keep that in mind when I think I can do someone else's
job better than he/she can -- "Do I think this person is
stupid? No. OK, then what aspects of his task am I
failing to perceive?"

When you act as if you know someone *else's* job better than
they do, you insult their intelligence and skill sets. It
is possible that they have "missed/overlooked something".
Or, that they might be looking at a problem from a "less
than ideal" perspective. But, it's just as possible that you
are oblivious to some aspect of their task that rationalizes
their approach!

Fortunately, I've been surrounded by more "stars" than "bozos".
And, folks who were neither afraid to ask questions about
issues where my expertise prevailed -- nor too haughty to
"condescend" to explain issues of *their* expertise where
I sought information/education. I think these sorts of
relationships benefit both/all parties.

Working with smart, capable, responsible people is exciting!
You learn far more than you could ever pick up otherwise.
 
W

Winston

Jan 1, 1970
0
Hey Don!

Don said:
Hi Winston,

On 10/11/2011 9:15 AM, Winston wrote:
(...)

And if he had "taken responsibility" for the work of
all those *other* clowns...? How would *his* work have
fared? How well would he have performed *their* duties?

:>

Miserably and miserably, respectively.
Do *your* job well and expect those around you to do
their's, similarly. Any time I've found someone who *thought*
they could do my job better than me, I openly and publicly
offered them the opportunity to do so. Never had any takers :>
I keep that in mind when I think I can do someone else's
job better than he/she can -- "Do I think this person is
stupid? No. OK, then what aspects of his task am I
failing to perceive?"

When you act as if you know someone *else's* job better than
they do, you insult their intelligence and skill sets. It
is possible that they have "missed/overlooked something".
Or, that they might be looking at a problem from a "less
than ideal" perspective. But, it's just as possible that you
are oblivious to some aspect of their task that rationalizes
their approach!

If I'm going to assume anything, it's always safe
to assume that I don't see the whole picture.
That's why I spoke only to the guy who wrote the
source file. I still think it's funny that he
appeared embarrassed and had no explanation when I
mentioned the issue to him. :)
Fortunately, I've been surrounded by more "stars" than "bozos".
And, folks who were neither afraid to ask questions about
issues where my expertise prevailed -- nor too haughty to
"condescend" to explain issues of *their* expertise where
I sought information/education. I think these sorts of
relationships benefit both/all parties.

Working with smart, capable, responsible people is exciting!
You learn far more than you could ever pick up otherwise.

Luckily, I've seen nearly all permutations of the
range so I really appreciate working with smart,
responsible people.

You are right. It is exciting and a lot of fun!

On my "bucket list" is at last to work with a
team of smart responsible people managed by
non-Bozos. Someday. Sigh. :)

--Winston
 
D

Don Y

Jan 1, 1970
0
Hi Winston,

Miserably and miserably, respectively.

Smart people know what they *don't* know. It's the
naive/ignorant who *think* they know "better".
If I'm going to assume anything, it's always safe
to assume that I don't see the whole picture.

Yup. When I approach someone "on their turf" (i.e., where
*they* are more knowledgeable about the subject matter than
I), I start my conversation with "What am I *missing*, here?"
I.e., an invitation for the other party to educate me. In
the process, if he (and I) discover the "problem" that has
me "wondering", then it's less embarassing for the other
party. If I *have* "missed something", then it gives him an
opportunity to bring me up to speed.

In either case, it's a net win and no one's toes get stepped
on.
That's why I spoke only to the guy who wrote the
source file. I still think it's funny that he
appeared embarrassed and had no explanation when I
mentioned the issue to him. :)

I hired a very savvy friend as a consultant on a project.
He spent a few weeks working with the client developing
some sensors and sensing *techniques*.

When I checked in with them those few weeks later, the client
was *tickled* with the approach my friend had developed for
them. It was similar to schemes we (he and I) had used in
the past -- but didn't feel right.

When I asked them (*him*) to explain it to me -- walk me through
steps that I should have been intimately familiar with -- he
got to the point where *I* was "uncomfortable" with his
approach. Sensed my nervousness and paused -- long enough to
realize what his mistake was. Why it *wouldn't* work!
(He had simplified the technique one step too much... and it
fell apart).

But, *I* didn't have to "challenge" him. The fact that I had
needed an explanation had alerted him to think *carefully*
about his explanation (since we had a long history together
and knew each other's skillsets, well).

So, a problem averted and an opportunity exploited -- for us
to brainstorm in real-time and "fix" the problem... while the
client watched our argument (discussion).
Luckily, I've seen nearly all permutations of the
range so I really appreciate working with smart,
responsible people.

You are right. It is exciting and a lot of fun!

There is *nothing* more exciting than being "blown away"
by a good idea -- whether it is *you* coming up with it or
one of your peers. *Really* good ideas *demand* attention.
You *know* when you've come across something unique.
On my "bucket list" is at last to work with a
team of smart responsible people managed by
non-Bozos. Someday. Sigh. :)

If you are lucky, you get a management team (employer,
client, etc.) that knows *their* limitations and lets
you "do the engineering".

It's just like having a good hardware guy designing the
hardware for a good *software* guy, etc. You understand
each other's *lexicons*... but, respect the other person
to know *his* field (without second guessing him).

What's really bad, IME, is managers who *were* engineers
and *think* they still understand the engineering process,
think they are competent to make engineering tradeoffs, etc.
"If you want to be an engineer, then *hire* someone to
perform *your* (current) duties and pull up a chair. Else,
get out of the way."
 
J

josephkk

Jan 1, 1970
0
Yes, but some of the drawings were done "free-hand"
(others were done with self-adhesive "templates")
so the resulting symbols might not be easily
created one-to-one in some packages. E.g., getting
the text to fit in a shape that has been defined
without concern for that text (font, glyph spacing)

I think you intimated that you have Autocad, it can do that but it is a
nuisance to a real bother. Microstation can do it as well, even to a
Bezier curve. Text to a circle in uSta is not bad but ellipse and Bezier
can be a real pain.

?-)
 
J

josephkk

Jan 1, 1970
0
No, the existing table isn't *mine* -- so, I'd quickly
find myself facing many scowls! :-/ The trick is to
convince that the *tablet* would make a FAR BETTER
drawing ("drawing" since "drafting" has special connotations)
table! ;-)

And, of course, the cosmetic appearance is something that
will have to be evaluated (something I can't do from photos)
to ensure that it meets the "standards for acceptability"

[Never could really understand this sort of thing: "It *works*,
doesn't it? What *more* do you want??"]

:(

I am not good with that sort of thing, but i can at least follow what is
the issue and can sometimes produce useful input (find a workable solution
for two or more).

?-/
 
D

Don Y

Jan 1, 1970
0
Hi Joseph,

No, the existing table isn't *mine* -- so, I'd quickly
find myself facing many scowls! :-/ The trick is to
convince that the *tablet* would make a FAR BETTER
drawing ("drawing" since "drafting" has special connotations)
table! ;-)

And, of course, the cosmetic appearance is something that
will have to be evaluated (something I can't do from photos)
to ensure that it meets the "standards for acceptability"

[Never could really understand this sort of thing: "It *works*,
doesn't it? What *more* do you want??"]

I am not good with that sort of thing, but i can at least follow what is
the issue and can sometimes produce useful input (find a workable solution
for two or more).

(sigh) Tablet sold for a whopping $5. Unfortunately, the puck/pen
wasn't included -- and I didn't feel like undertaking a quest for
The Right Puck -- so I passed on it.

But, a friend has indicated that he has a large format tablet
that I am welcome to use (of course, this means packing up
a machine and heading over to his place to do the work... I'll
have to think on that).
 
D

Don Y

Jan 1, 1970
0
Hi Joseph,

I think you intimated that you have Autocad, it can do that but it is a
nuisance to a real bother. Microstation can do it as well, even to a
Bezier curve. Text to a circle in uSta is not bad but ellipse and Bezier
can be a real pain.

I think you may have misunderstood my comment (or I, yours!).

The symbols are all rectangular (or IEEE-ish). But, I've had
past experiences where the choices that "Tool X" gives me in
defining a symbol might make it difficult to fit the text
(e.g., "pin NAMES") *within* the outline without "running out
the other side".

E.g.,

+---+
| |
-O|> IRQ |
| |
| |
+---+

Or, the absence of particular font capabilities:

+------+
| __ |
--|Rd/Wr |
| |
| |
+------+

None are "deal breakers". They just make the problem a bit
more involved than a trivial "copy"/transcribe.
 
W

Winston

Jan 1, 1970
0
Don Y wrote:

(...)
But, a friend has indicated that he has a large format tablet
that I am welcome to use (of course, this means packing up
a machine and heading over to his place to do the work... I'll
have to think on that).

Sounds like a quick cheap test.
Good on ya.

--Winston
 
D

Don Y

Jan 1, 1970
0
Hi Winston,

Sounds like a quick cheap test.
Good on ya.

<frown> No. The machine that has the tools in question
on it weighs a good 45 pounds. It will be a fair bit of
work to uncable it, drag it out and transport it to his
place. And that assumes he's got a spare monitor, etc.
that I can use (else I'll have to pack up one of those
as well)

[Or, I can install the tools on a laptop or a tablet and
carry *that* instead -- but that's a fair bit of effort
as well! Why isn't "installation" simply a matter of COPYING
a disk onto *your* disk (like it is on my UN*X boxen!)]

And, if I treat this as just a "test", that means I will
need to repeat the exercise when I (and he) have time for
me to do the actual transcription.

It's *really* nice having all your own tools so you don't end
up with this extra overhead! :< E.g., don't own my own
welding rig so spent an hour at a friend's house today welding
an axle onto a frame for a small cart. :-/

At least I'm lucky enough to have well-equipped (and very
cooperative) friends! :>

[I'll bake some brownies for his family tonight and endear
myself to his wife and kids in the process ;-) ]
 
W

Winston

Jan 1, 1970
0
Hey Don!

Don said:
Hi Winston,

On 10/11/2011 8:30 PM, Winston wrote:
(...)


<frown> No. The machine that has the tools in question
on it weighs a good 45 pounds. It will be a fair bit of
work to uncable it, drag it out and transport it to his
place. And that assumes he's got a spare monitor, etc.
that I can use (else I'll have to pack up one of those
as well)

I was speaking in a 'relative' sense.
Imagine ordering the 'D' tablet at full retail price
and discovering to your horror that it was just too
awkward to use with your 'E' print? The loan of
the tablet and the haulage of your hardware looks
cheap by comparison, yes? :)
[Or, I can install the tools on a laptop or a tablet and
carry *that* instead -- but that's a fair bit of effort
as well! Why isn't "installation" simply a matter of COPYING
a disk onto *your* disk (like it is on my UN*X boxen!)]

And, if I treat this as just a "test", that means I will
need to repeat the exercise when I (and he) have time for
me to do the actual transcription.

If you *did* discover that his large format tablet
was the cat's pajamas for recapturing prints, you
would be likely to purchase such a tablet for your
use, yes?
It's *really* nice having all your own tools so you don't end
up with this extra overhead! :< E.g., don't own my own
welding rig so spent an hour at a friend's house today welding
an axle onto a frame for a small cart. :-/

But you didn't have to store it all these years or take
bottles in for filling, etc. too.
At least I'm lucky enough to have well-equipped (and very
cooperative) friends! :>

There is very little better in life than that.
[I'll bake some brownies for his family tonight and endear
myself to his wife and kids in the process ;-) ]

Also consider buying a set of consumables for your
friend's welder. It wouldn't go amiss, I am sure.


--Winston
 
D

Don Y

Jan 1, 1970
0
Hi Winston,

[Or, I can install the tools on a laptop or a tablet and
carry *that* instead -- but that's a fair bit of effort
as well! Why isn't "installation" simply a matter of COPYING
a disk onto *your* disk (like it is on my UN*X boxen!)]

And, if I treat this as just a "test", that means I will
need to repeat the exercise when I (and he) have time for
me to do the actual transcription.

If you *did* discover that his large format tablet
was the cat's pajamas for recapturing prints, you
would be likely to purchase such a tablet for your
use, yes?

No! :> I wouldn't want to have another "big item" to
store around here -- hence the added appeal of finding
someone who already *has* one! :>
But you didn't have to store it all these years or take
bottles in for filling, etc. too.


There is very little better in life than that.

Of course! Learned at a young age that one hand washes the
other. Of course, it means I end up having to fix countless TVs,
PCs, stereos, etc. (thankfully, folks consider cell phones to
be disposable! :> )
[I'll bake some brownies for his family tonight and endear
myself to his wife and kids in the process ;-) ]

Also consider buying a set of consumables for your
friend's welder. It wouldn't go amiss, I am sure.

No, too "materialistic". What he spent is peanuts.
What I am expressing my gratitude for is his *time* -- by
giving up some of *my* time in return, unsolicited.
(Time, IMO, is far more precious than money!)
 
W

Winston

Jan 1, 1970
0
Hey Don,

Don said:
Hi Winston,

On 10/11/2011 9:11 PM, Winston wrote:
(...)


No! :> I wouldn't want to have another "big item" to
store around here -- hence the added appeal of finding
someone who already *has* one! :>
OIC

(...)

Of course! Learned at a young age that one hand washes the
other. Of course, it means I end up having to fix countless TVs,
PCs, stereos, etc. (thankfully, folks consider cell phones to
be disposable! :> )

That would be a challenge, otherwise.
[I'll bake some brownies for his family tonight and endear
myself to his wife and kids in the process ;-) ]

Also consider buying a set of consumables for your
friend's welder. It wouldn't go amiss, I am sure.

No, too "materialistic".

Really? Would your friend feel that way?
What he spent is peanuts.

Have you priced a bottle of gas lately?
The stuff is Compressed Gold.
My last argon fill was ~65 dollarettes!
What I am expressing my gratitude for is his *time* -- by
giving up some of *my* time in return, unsolicited.
(Time, IMO, is far more precious than money!)

It sure is. What have you done for him lately? :)

--Winston
 
D

Don Y

Jan 1, 1970
0
Hi Winston,

[I'll bake some brownies for his family tonight and endear
myself to his wife and kids in the process ;-) ]

Also consider buying a set of consumables for your
friend's welder. It wouldn't go amiss, I am sure.

No, too "materialistic".

Really? Would your friend feel that way?

He would wonder why I expressed concern over something as
"trivial" as "supplies". If you went to the bathroom at a
friend's house, would you replace the TP that you used?
(an exaggeration but similar point) I.e., he was aware of
what it would "cost" him (time *and* materials) when he offered
to do it. I *can't* repay his time (that's gone -- though I
can offer up a chunk of *my* time to show my appreciation).
Replenishing his supplies is like offering to buy the *nails*
for the guy who gives you his labor to frame your house!

:-/

<shrug> YMMV. It just seems too "petty" ("OK, your generous
*favor* cost you $23.78 in supplies. Here's $30. Keep the
change!")

Sorry, I can't come up with a good way to express the concept.
Have you priced a bottle of gas lately?
The stuff is Compressed Gold.
My last argon fill was ~65 dollarettes!

Understood. If you did "a little job" for me (weld a bar
onto a length of angle) and I gave you $3.72, wouldn't
that *cheapen* the experience for you? OTOH, if I bought
you a new *bottle*, wouldn't you feel "guilty" knowing
how *much* it cost and how *little* you actually "spent"?

OTOH, if I showed up with something *tasty* that was
obviously home-made (i.e., represents a portion of my
time as well as some ingredients -- even if you aren't
capable of ascertaining how *much* of *either*) that
you could also share with your family, wouldn't you,
instead, think/say: "Wow, you didn't NEED to do that!"
I.e., *he* didn't NEED to do the weld for me...
It sure is. What have you done for him lately? :)

Aside from the brownies (I'll bring them over later today
when I know he'll be home), rebuilt power supply in
wife's computer; "interested company" while he's rebuilding
his various vehicles, sandblasting his swimming pool; etc.
I.e., "being neighborly" instead of just "occupying a nearby
home".
 
W

Winston

Jan 1, 1970
0
Hey there Don,

Don said:
Hi Winston,

[I'll bake some brownies for his family tonight and endear
myself to his wife and kids in the process ;-) ]

Also consider buying a set of consumables for your
friend's welder. It wouldn't go amiss, I am sure.

No, too "materialistic".

Really? Would your friend feel that way?

He would wonder why I expressed concern over something as
"trivial" as "supplies".

I honestly don't think he would feel that way.
He might say "You shouldn't have!" but I am
sure that some filler rod or a spark lighter
or a welding tip would give material meaning
to your appreciation for his generosity.
If you went to the bathroom at a
friend's house, would you replace the TP that you used?

Not yet. Soon, perhaps. :(
(an exaggeration but similar point) I.e., he was aware of
what it would "cost" him (time *and* materials) when he offered
to do it. I *can't* repay his time (that's gone -- though I
can offer up a chunk of *my* time to show my appreciation).
Replenishing his supplies is like offering to buy the *nails*
for the guy who gives you his labor to frame your house!

C'mon Don. You know what I mean.
:-/

<shrug> YMMV. It just seems too "petty" ("OK, your generous
*favor* cost you $23.78 in supplies. Here's $30. Keep the
change!")

Sorry, I can't come up with a good way to express the concept.

It doesn't need to be expressed.

:)
Understood. If you did "a little job" for me (weld a bar
onto a length of angle) and I gave you $3.72, wouldn't
that *cheapen* the experience for you? OTOH, if I bought
you a new *bottle*, wouldn't you feel "guilty" knowing
how *much* it cost and how *little* you actually "spent"?

That would depend. Ferinstance, in return for trimming
a countertop insert for me, I drove 'way into the
hills and retrieved a 3 drawer lateral file via Freecycle
for a friend. Trades are very seldom of equal value.
Sometimes I am very much in his debt, but I do my best
to help out when he needs it.
OTOH, if I showed up with something *tasty* that was
obviously home-made (i.e., represents a portion of my
time as well as some ingredients -- even if you aren't
capable of ascertaining how *much* of *either*) that
you could also share with your family, wouldn't you,
instead, think/say: "Wow, you didn't NEED to do that!"
I.e., *he* didn't NEED to do the weld for me...

As long as one tries to keep the balance even.
We both are old enough to remember folks who
would think nothing of borrowing your only
spare tire, and never return it. I don't ever
wanna be *that guy*. :)

I don't want to get into an endless 'repetition
loop' about this, so I will happily drop the
subject and spare both of us some time.
Aside from the brownies (I'll bring them over later today
when I know he'll be home), rebuilt power supply in
wife's computer; "interested company" while he's rebuilding
his various vehicles, sandblasting his swimming pool; etc.
I.e., "being neighborly" instead of just "occupying a nearby
home".

Good on ya.

As one of the groupers in rec.crafts.metalworking
would occasionally say:"I think my neighbors are
great! They think so, too. Funny how that works,"

:)

--Winston
 
D

Don Y

Jan 1, 1970
0
Hi Winston,

As long as one tries to keep the balance even.
We both are old enough to remember folks who
would think nothing of borrowing your only
spare tire, and never return it. I don't ever
wanna be *that guy*. :)

I don't want to be the guy that *loans* it to him, either!

[for every "good" neighbor, it seems there is always a
"taker" :< ]
 
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