Question on LT Spice equivalents...

[John Woodgate]

I read in sci.electronics.design that Chris Carlen

Win, I would be interested to here what you perceive to be the
statistics on how many students really go beyond the call of duty, and
how many just get by?

I appreciate that this was addressed to Win, but consider my case. I
'just got by' because I spent a lot of time designing and building
amplifiers and mixers for sound reinforcement and using them for real
and for money, instead of doing stuff like relaxation methods and servo
systems (with a lecturer with poor English, who used t, theta and tau as
variable names but couldn't remember which was which!).

 

[Winfield Hill]

Chris Carlen wrote...

Win, I would be interested to here what you perceive to be
the statistics on how many students really go beyond the
call of duty, and how many just get by?

Chris, I'm not a teacher, so can't give you a useful
opinion on the subject. But I see you're angling for
a but of praise, so yes, you're not at all like most
other students. I say again, why don't you stop this
fooling around, and go get your BSEE degree? I earned
my BSEE while working full time doing engineering at
Harvard in a Chemical Physics group, no doubt you can
do something similar.

Thanks,
- Win

whill_at_picovolt-dot-com

 

[Fred Bloggs]

A lot of the whiners here remind me of most of the clowns I met when I
was a Mensa member... they expect to be paid the big bucks because
they are "smart", never mind productivity.

Mensa consists of worthless freaks. IIRC a statistical survey of the
membership showed they are unemployable or have dismal employment
histories. Playing around with superficial recreational puzzles seems to
be their only talent, and the fact that they are unable to put this in a
realistic perspective makes them true morons.

They have no idea of the amount of effort it takes to reach the status
of top-notch designer. And they certainly don't have the stamina to
handle the workload that I do.

I will outdo you any day of the week- have worked 100+ hour weeks
indefinitely ( got me nowhere BTW)- talking about the work load and not
the "top-notch" designer stuff- and where do you get off calling that
"work"- you know you love it.

And, to boot, I can drink them under the table ;-)

Yes- well from your description, you have everyone beat on sheer
volumetric capacity- but you are an old fart now and you need to back
off to moderation.

 

[Chris Carlen]

I read in sci.electronics.design that Chris Carlen
about 'Question on LT Spice equivalents...', on Wed, 4 Feb 2004:




I appreciate that this was addressed to Win, but consider my case. I
'just got by' because I spent a lot of time designing and building
amplifiers and mixers for sound reinforcement and using them for real
and for money, instead of doing stuff like relaxation methods and servo
systems (with a lecturer with poor English, who used t, theta and tau as
variable names but couldn't remember which was which!).

I should have made it a more general invitation for comments. For
someone who "just got by" you certainly turned out admirably, as I still
learn a lot from your comments. Keep it coming please!

Have a good day!


--
____________________________________
Christopher R. Carlen
Principal Laser/Optical Technologist
Sandia National Laboratories CA USA
[email protected]

 

[Chris Carlen]

Chris Carlen wrote...



Chris, I'm not a teacher, so can't give you a useful
opinion on the subject. But I see you're angling for
a but of praise, so yes, you're not at all like most
other students. I say again, why don't you stop this
fooling around, and go get your BSEE degree? I earned
my BSEE while working full time doing engineering at
Harvard in a Chemical Physics group, no doubt you can
do something similar.

Thanks for the input. I figured since you are in the Rowland institute
at Harvard, that you would have a feel for pedagogy even if not directly
an instructor. Since I was once inclined toward becoming a teacher, I
find the subject of learning interesting. Rather than seeking praise, I
think I was looking for your perspective on how to inspire students to
really attack their subjects. But praise is enjoyed nonetheless.

As far as my continuing education, that is a difficult subject. The
main limiting factor is that I don't have much energy, as I am
chronically fatigued. I barely made it through my last semester of the
BS in Chemistry, I got so burned out. My Advanced Physical Chemistry
prof. gave me an A even though I didn't complete the final exam, since
in the beginning of the semester I did a very difficult solution using
Mathematica to the "particle in the box" problem, only with 2 electrons
instead of only one, with accounting for Coulombic repulsion. That was
well beyond the call of duty, so I was able to just ride out the rest of
the semester. It is a bit of a painful subject really, since I know I
can do much more with my head, but my body just doesn't want to comply.
If I suddenly became independently wealthy and didn't have to expend
95% of my daily energy at my job anymore, you can bet I would sign up
for full time school right away, and probably make that my career for
the rest of life. But when I come home from work these days, there's
just nothing left.

The best I think will happen is taking a course once in a while, and
continuing my personal study at a slow but steady pace. Actually, I can
do things more thoroughly myself anyway, since I can spend a whole
weekend on some derivation if I want, instead of having to get all the
homework problems done.

In terms of status, I mind a little bit not having the title of
"Engineer", but I don't mind it terribly. The intellectual enjoyment is
enough.

Good day!


--
____________________________________
Christopher R. Carlen
Principal Laser/Optical Technologist
Sandia National Laboratories CA USA
[email protected]

 

[John Woodgate]

I read in sci.electronics.design that Fred Bloggs <[email protected]>

I will outdo you any day of the week- have worked 100+ hour weeks
indefinitely

Electronics consultants in UK are expected to work 170 hours a week.

 

[Jim Thompson]

I read in sci.electronics.design that Fred Bloggs <[email protected]>


Electronics consultants in UK are expected to work 170 hours a week.

Only 168 hours here in the colonies. Or are you talking about a
*long* week ?

...Jim Thompson

 

[Jim Thompson]

On Thu, 05 Feb 2004 07:48:19 -0800, Chris Carlen

[snip]

Thanks for the input. I figured since you are in the Rowland institute
at Harvard, ...

[snip]

Harvard doesn't count for all that much...

Two guys, one from MIT and one from Harvard go into a rest room and
stand at the urinals.

MIT man finishes and heads for the door.

Harvard man finishes and heads for the sink announcing, "At
Ha-a-a-a-vard" they teach us to wash our hands after we urinate".

The MIT man allows, "At MIT they teach us not to piss on our hands"
;-)

...Jim Thompson

 

[John Woodgate]

I read in sci.electronics.design that Jim Thompson
4ax.com>) about 'Question on LT Spice equivalents...', on Thu, 5 Feb
2004:

Only 168 hours here in the colonies. Or are you talking about a *long*
week ?

I said 'expected': I didn't give any guarantee of compliance. (;-)

 

[Jim Thompson]

Curious. ..
In England, we're taught about such things *long* before we go to
university.

It's a *joke*, Paul !-)

...Jim Thompson

 

[Paul Burridge]

Two guys, one from MIT and one from Harvard go into a rest room and
stand at the urinals.

MIT man finishes and heads for the door.

Harvard man finishes and heads for the sink announcing, "At
Ha-a-a-a-vard" they teach us to wash our hands after we urinate".

The MIT man allows, "At MIT they teach us not to piss on our hands"
;-)

Curious. ..
In England, we're taught about such things *long* before we go to
university.

 

[Winfield Hill]

Chris Carlen wrote...

As far as my continuing education, that is a difficult subject.
The main limiting factor is that I don't have much energy, as
I am chronically fatigued. ... when I come home from work
these days, there's just nothing left.

Chris, that's not right. There's something serious wrong
with your health - have you seen multiple doctors to get
to the bottom of this problem and get it fixed?

Thanks,
- Win

whill_at_picovolt-dot-com

 

[Chris Carlen]

Chris Carlen wrote...

Chris, that's not right. There's something serious wrong
with your health - have you seen multiple doctors to get
to the bottom of this problem and get it fixed?
Thanks,
- Win

Yes. About 8-10 years ago now. For a several year period, I had the
problem examined, tests, tests, tests. I read a medical text on
"chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS)" and its sister "fibromyalgia." My
doctor was convinced that it was one of the two, but being syndromes
there is no sure way to diagnose them. The important thing is that
there was no indication of pathologies like broken glands (thyroid,
etc.), or anything wrong basically. Also tested for hypoglycemia, which
resulted in a positive (I've been sensitive to getting almost incoherent
when I get very hungry since I was a kid), and of a peculiar variety.
Most hypoglycemics have an up-down pattern to blood glucose levels after
eating carbs, but in my case, it just went straight down.

Hypoglycemia aggravates proper sleep physiology, and so my conclusion
after many years of doctor visits was that there is a complex
interaction of minor aggravations probably including a degree of CFS,
all adding up to produce a chronically fatigued state, but none of which
anyone can really *do* anything about, except fight it with the
determination to function as normally as possible. For me that means
living a healthy lifestyle and doing well at my full-time job, which is
a lot more than most chronic fatigue folks do.

Actually, I almost couldn't get out of bed for a few months back in
1993. That's when I started figure skating during college. That sport
literally saved my ass. I could snap out of the fatigue on the ice, and
that helped me resolve to not become incapacitated.

Right now I am struggling to maintain an exercise schedule, partly due
to having serious troubles getting the blades aligned right on a new
pair of skating boots. But I ride a bicycle, walk with my wife, and
sometimes workout in the gym.

I am certain it is a physiological problem, as if I can get a good night
sleep and feel refreshed, I am very happy. The swings in my mood
exactly follow whether it's been too long since I ate, or if I had
trouble sleeping. The doctors never suggested, after examining the
data, that I was depressed. I know this to be true since I have more
powerful means to deal with those sorts of things than does modern
psychology--meditation, which has also saved by butt.

It is the nature of the human body to slowly degrade then die. It will
do so a little bit at a time or all at once, but the final outcome is
old age, sickness, and death. Of course it is prudent to see doctors
and live a healthy lifestyle to maintain and pay proper respect to the
blessing of life, which I certainly do and have done. But physical
suffering is something that just has to be tolerated if there is no
other choice.

Good day!


P.S. Sorry folks, a little off topic.

--
____________________________________
Christopher R. Carlen
Principal Laser/Optical Technologist
Sandia National Laboratories CA USA
[email protected]

 

[Winfield Hill]

Chris Carlen wrote...

I am certain it is a physiological problem, as if I can get
a good night sleep and feel refreshed, I am very happy.
The swings in my mood exactly follow whether it's been too
long since I ate, or if I had trouble sleeping.

You surely have a medical problem that hasn't yet been properly
diagnosed, perhaps one that can be fixed. Don't give up looking
for the answer. Most of the rest of us don't suffer with your
problem, and you shouldn't have to either. Certainly many of us
are affected by low blood sugar or lack of sleep, but not with a
chronic energy loss like you describe. Perhaps it's time to try
the medical establishment again, with new doctors, in new towns.

It is the nature of the human body to slowly degrade then die.

Sheesh, I'm 60 and don't suffer your problem - stop such talk.

Thanks,
- Win

whill_at_picovolt-dot-com

 

[John Woodgate]

I read in sci.electronics.design that Winfield Hill

Chris, that's not right. There's something serious wrong
with your health - have you seen multiple doctors to get
to the bottom of this problem and get it fixed?

I get the impression that CC may just be trying too hard at work. There
is nothing like generalized and aimless stress to get you tired out.

 

[Jim Thompson]

Chris Carlen wrote...

You surely have a medical problem that hasn't yet been properly
diagnosed, perhaps one that can be fixed. Don't give up looking
for the answer. Most of the rest of us don't suffer with your
problem, and you shouldn't have to either. Certainly many of us
are affected by low blood sugar or lack of sleep, but not with a
chronic energy loss like you describe. Perhaps it's time to try
the medical establishment again, with new doctors, in new towns.


Sheesh, I'm 60 and don't suffer your problem - stop such talk.

Thanks,
- Win

whill_at_picovolt-dot-com

Young whipper snapper ;-)

I think Chris just needs to get laid, he probably has that allergy to
semen build-up ;-)

...Jim Thompson

 

[Frank Bemelman]

Chris Carlen wrote...

You surely have a medical problem that hasn't yet been properly
diagnosed, perhaps one that can be fixed. Don't give up looking
for the answer. Most of the rest of us don't suffer with your
problem, and you shouldn't have to either. Certainly many of us
are affected by low blood sugar or lack of sleep, but not with a
chronic energy loss like you describe. Perhaps it's time to try
the medical establishment again, with new doctors, in new towns.

Chronic fatigue is one of the toughest to diagnose. I think
there are over 120 standard tests for your blood alone, and if
nothing is (seriously) wrong with that, you're in muddy waters.

Doctors have an obligation to always do what is in the patient's
interest. Sometimes that simply means quitting further diagnoses,
depending on the severeness of the patient's discomfort.

A lot of problems are pretty much untreatable anyways. You once
mentioned you suffered tinnitus - if I'm not mistaken. That's
easy to diagnose - you tell the doctor you hear that tone, he
looks into your ear, sees nothing, and says 'yes, nothing we
can do about it'. Opening your skull for that is not an option.

 

[John Woodgate]

I read in sci.electronics.design that Frank Bemelman
anadoo.nl>) about 'Question on LT Spice equivalents...', on Thu, 5 Feb
2004:

A lot of problems are pretty much untreatable anyways. You once
mentioned you suffered tinnitus - if I'm not mistaken. That's easy to
diagnose - you tell the doctor you hear that tone, he looks into your
ear, sees nothing, and says 'yes, nothing we can do about it'. Opening
your skull for that is not an option.

Many forms of tinnitus can't be cured, but some can, and most can be
alleviated. Tinnitus associated with Menière's syndrome often responds
to a low-sodium diet, although one person I know finds that sugar is the
thing to avoid.

 

[Jim Thompson]

I read in sci.electronics.design that Frank Bemelman
anadoo.nl>) about 'Question on LT Spice equivalents...', on Thu, 5 Feb
2004:


Many forms of tinnitus can't be cured, but some can, and most can be
alleviated. Tinnitus associated with Menière's syndrome often responds
to a low-sodium diet, although one person I know finds that sugar is the
thing to avoid.

I just ignore it ;-)

...Jim Thompson

 

[Frank Bemelman]

I read in sci.electronics.design that Frank Bemelman
anadoo.nl>) about 'Question on LT Spice equivalents...', on Thu, 5 Feb
2004:


Many forms of tinnitus can't be cured, but some can, and most can be
alleviated. Tinnitus associated with Menière's syndrome often responds
to a low-sodium diet, although one person I know finds that sugar is the
thing to avoid.

I suppose so. My point was that often there is no reason to
turn over every rock, to diagnose until the very end. I have
a friend who is a doctor, and he says that everyone who claims
being healthy, hasn't been diagnosed thoroughly enough.