Trains.com

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

A lack of understanding

9308 views
95 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    January 2021
  • 527 posts
Posted by Attuvian1 on Thursday, March 17, 2022 8:39 PM

SD70Dude

Electronics are also highly dependent on smoke.  When it escapes is when you will start having problems.  Fortunately replacement smoke is available for purchase.

Lucas Replacement Wire Harness Smoke – Oxley Region Amateur Radio Club

 

 

Bow Laugh Laugh Laugh

  • Member since
    December 2017
  • From: I've been everywhere, man
  • 4,269 posts
Posted by SD70Dude on Thursday, March 17, 2022 8:08 PM

Electronics are also highly dependent on smoke.  When it escapes is when you will start having problems.  Fortunately replacement smoke is available for purchase.

Lucas Replacement Wire Harness Smoke – Oxley Region Amateur Radio Club

Greetings from Alberta

-an Articulate Malcontent

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Bradford, Ontario
  • 15,797 posts
Posted by hon30critter on Thursday, March 17, 2022 7:40 PM

DigitalGriffin
The path to wisdom starts with inhaling a lot of magic blue smoke. In college I made a ton of it.  :)  Still do.

LaughLaughLaughLaughLaugh

Dave

I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!

  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Pa.
  • 3,361 posts
Posted by DigitalGriffin on Thursday, March 17, 2022 8:55 AM

hon30critter

 

 
DigitalGriffin
Sorry Dave, Sometimes it's just easier to have someone teach you first hand. What are you trying to accomplish?  Maybe one of us can rig up a simple solution for you.

 

Hi Don,

Right now I don't have a specific project in mind. I started this thread after watching a YouTube video about how transistors work. The video popped up on its own when I was surfing Youtube so I thought I'd see if I could learn anything from it. Unfortunately, when I had finished the very professionally produced video, I realized that my eyes were glazed over and my brain was in a fog. I had learned a bit more than I already knew, which wasn't much to start with, but don't ask me to design a circuit unless you want me to let the smoke out!Smile, Wink & GrinLaughLaugh

The thread was actually started with my tongue stuck firmly in my cheek. It was actually an attempt at humour, albeit a poor one. I figured that other poor souls who suffer from the same affliction might find some comfort knowing that they are not alone.

I am really gratefull to those who tried to explain things in detail. In fact, one gentleman took the time to send me an email explaining the process. Alas, his attempt didn't help.

As I said, I have enough knowledge that I can follow an electrical diagram well enough to build simple circuits, and that's really all I need.

Thanks again everyone.

Cheers!!

Dave

 



The path to wisdom starts with inhaling a lot of magic blue smoke. In college I made a ton of it.  :)  Still do.

I still need to put that series together for arduino.

Don - Specializing in layout DC->DCC conversions

Modeling C&O transition era and steel industries There's Nothing Like Big Steam!

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Bradford, Ontario
  • 15,797 posts
Posted by hon30critter on Tuesday, March 15, 2022 8:24 PM

DigitalGriffin
Sorry Dave, Sometimes it's just easier to have someone teach you first hand. What are you trying to accomplish?  Maybe one of us can rig up a simple solution for you.

Hi Don,

Right now I don't have a specific project in mind. I started this thread after watching a YouTube video about how transistors work. The video popped up on its own when I was surfing Youtube so I thought I'd see if I could learn anything from it. Unfortunately, when I had finished the very professionally produced video, I realized that my eyes were glazed over and my brain was in a fog. I had learned a bit more than I already knew, which wasn't much to start with, but don't ask me to design a circuit unless you want me to let the smoke out!Smile, Wink & GrinLaughLaugh

The thread was actually started with my tongue stuck firmly in my cheek. It was actually an attempt at humour, albeit a poor one. I figured that other poor souls who suffer from the same affliction might find some comfort knowing that they are not alone.

I am really gratefull to those who tried to explain things in detail. In fact, one gentleman took the time to send me an email explaining the process. Alas, his attempt didn't help.

As I said, I have enough knowledge that I can follow an electrical diagram well enough to build simple circuits, and that's really all I need.

Thanks again everyone.

Cheers!!

Dave

I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!

  • Member since
    July 2009
  • From: lavale, md
  • 4,678 posts
Posted by gregc on Monday, March 14, 2022 1:49 PM

DigitalGriffin
What are you trying to accomplish?  Maybe one of us can rig up a simple solution for you.

this electronics forum is a good place to ask such questions: both how to do things as well as how they work

greg - Philadelphia & Reading / Reading

  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Pa.
  • 3,361 posts
Posted by DigitalGriffin on Monday, March 14, 2022 11:33 AM

Sorry Dave,

Sometimes it's just easier to have someone teach you first hand.

What are you trying to accomplish?  Maybe one of us can rig up a simple solution for you.

Don - Specializing in layout DC->DCC conversions

Modeling C&O transition era and steel industries There's Nothing Like Big Steam!

  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Mpls/St.Paul
  • 13,892 posts
Posted by wjstix on Monday, March 14, 2022 9:55 AM

I think a big problem DC people have when looking at DCC is the incorrect belief that you have to "program" a decoder to make it work. Except for ESU-Loksound 'blank' decoders that you load sound files on to, decoders come with factory pre-sets that for many folks work fine.

If you buy say a DCC/Sound diesel, the only thing you really need to change is the ID number from 0003 to the number of the engine. When you press F2, the horn will blow; F1, the bell rings, F0, the headlight comes on. When you select "forward" and turn up the power, the engine goes forward. Now yes, later if you wish you can change the horn from the default to one of the other options, or change the bell, or adjust the volume, etc. But you don't have to. It will work fine with the settings set at the factory.

Stix
  • Member since
    March 2019
  • 213 posts
Posted by reasearchhound on Friday, March 11, 2022 6:49 PM

I totally identify with you Dave. I can tackle large electrical projects fearlessly I even wired an entire kitchen addition we did twenty years ago. But the stuff involved with model layouts - especially DCC - sends me screaming like a six year old girl (my apologizes to any six year old girls who may be reading this). There are times I seriously consider tearing it all out and going back to block systems.

  • Member since
    November 2005
  • From: St. Paul
  • 823 posts
Posted by garya on Friday, March 11, 2022 4:44 PM

wrench567
  Women live longer because they have to get the last word in

Really?  I always get the last word:

"Yes, dear."

Gary

  • Member since
    May 2020
  • 1,057 posts
Posted by wrench567 on Tuesday, March 8, 2022 10:43 AM

snjroy

 

 
Attuvian1

 

 
rrebell

I'm curious to know this proven method of opening thin produce bags. It is clearly not a widespread skill. 

 Their are a few but the one I use is by vigorously rubbing the opening between two fingers to separate the two sides.

 

 

Doesn't have to be vigorous.  Just moisten your thumb and forefinger.  Boys and men can do that with their tongue (even without washing their hands).  Some women are inclined to respond to this move with an "eeew!", not understanding that this is also a means of our maintaining a more robust immune system. Whistling

Of course, having to remove one's mask makes the the process a bit more complicated.

John

 

 

 

... and we ask ourselves why women have a longer life-expectancy than men Smile

 

Simon

 

 

  Women live longer because they have to get the last word in and the list of things for us men to do is neverending. There are rules and regulations. A perfect examples. Time to converse is always when the game is on but never during the soap operas. The heaviest objects are always placed on the top shelf just out of her reach. As soon as your butt cheek hits the chair is the time to do something that could wait for later but has to be done right now.

   And the OSHA guy had to ask why more men die on the job than women? I answered because they wanted to.

   Pete.

  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Mpls/St.Paul
  • 13,892 posts
Posted by wjstix on Tuesday, March 8, 2022 10:08 AM

hon30critter
So, the educational experience which I spoke of previously was actually a final realization that I don't have a clue about how electronics work and never will. I can follow instructions well enough to build simple circuits, but I don't think I will ever understand how they work and why.

Well, I have a computer, but I don't really understand what's going on inside of it. (Now that I think of it, that statement would apply to my relationship with my wife too.) Still, I can usually get the computer to do what I want. (Not so much with the wife.)

Not sure it's all that important to understand everything about stuff to use it. Increasingly model railroad electronics are more 'plug and play' than doing a lot of soldering and making stuff from scratch.

Stix
  • Member since
    January 2021
  • 527 posts
Posted by Attuvian1 on Sunday, March 6, 2022 2:50 PM

snjroy

... and we ask ourselves why women have a longer life-expectancy than men Smile

Simon

Simon,

We do have stronger immune systems.  But it's not sufficient yet to overcome the long term effects of us having to defend them from saber-tooth tigers.

Oops, that might get a snarky response from LION . . .

John

  • Member since
    November 2013
  • 2,769 posts
Posted by snjroy on Sunday, March 6, 2022 10:43 AM

Attuvian1

 

 
rrebell

I'm curious to know this proven method of opening thin produce bags. It is clearly not a widespread skill. 

 Their are a few but the one I use is by vigorously rubbing the opening between two fingers to separate the two sides.

 

 

Doesn't have to be vigorous.  Just moisten your thumb and forefinger.  Boys and men can do that with their tongue (even without washing their hands).  Some women are inclined to respond to this move with an "eeew!", not understanding that this is also a means of our maintaining a more robust immune system. Whistling

Of course, having to remove one's mask makes the the process a bit more complicated.

John

 

... and we ask ourselves why women have a longer life-expectancy than men Smile

Simon

  • Member since
    December 2016
  • 168 posts
Posted by speedybee on Saturday, March 5, 2022 6:27 PM

I'm another user of the moistened thumb and finger method, gives you good grip on the plastic. But instead of licking my fingers, I get water off the shelves in the leafy greens section, which is generally nearby if I'm opening one of those bags anyways

  • Member since
    March 2017
  • 8,173 posts
Posted by Track fiddler on Saturday, March 5, 2022 2:19 PM

Lastspikemike

And yes, it is rocket science....

 
Kind of like sheetrocket science in the other threadSleep
 
Simon the professor was over analytical to the extreme when Simon and Mr. Peabody made a guest appearance on Tennessee Tuxedo.
 
But at least he knew what he was talking about involving something interesting and at least Chumlee was having fun in that other cartoon.
 
 
 
TF
  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: 4610 Metre's North of the Fortyninth on the left coast of Canada
  • 9,352 posts
Posted by BATMAN on Saturday, March 5, 2022 2:05 PM

Lastspikemike
To break the internal vacuum between the internal surfaces you need to move them relative to each other for long enough to allow a tiny bit of air to leak inside the bag. How you do that varies.

Take the bag between your palms and rub it back and forth, done.

Now, what worldly problem should we conquer next?Pirate

Brent

"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."

  • Member since
    March 2021
  • From: Vermont
  • 135 posts
Posted by Ablebakercharlie on Saturday, March 5, 2022 9:50 AM

rrebell
Their are a few but the one I use is by vigorously rubbing the opening between two fingers to separate the two sides

This method works nicely but the problem I run into sometimes is that I try this technique on the wrong end of the bag.  And then it doesn't work too well. Embarrassed

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: west coast
  • 7,664 posts
Posted by rrebell on Saturday, March 5, 2022 9:32 AM

On another note, common sense is skill that is learned but that being said and what sets people apart is for many skills learned in one situation are not applied to other situations or blending of many of these common sense skills to solve new situations.

  • Member since
    January 2021
  • 527 posts
Posted by Attuvian1 on Saturday, March 5, 2022 9:29 AM

rrebell

I'm curious to know this proven method of opening thin produce bags. It is clearly not a widespread skill. 

 Their are a few but the one I use is by vigorously rubbing the opening between two fingers to separate the two sides.

Doesn't have to be vigorous.  Just moisten your thumb and forefinger.  Boys and men can do that with their tongue (even without washing their hands).  Some women are inclined to respond to this move with an "eeew!", not understanding that this is also a means of our maintaining a more robust immune system. Whistling

Of course, having to remove one's mask makes the the process a bit more complicated.

John

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: west coast
  • 7,664 posts
Posted by rrebell on Saturday, March 5, 2022 9:17 AM

Lastspikemike

 

 
richhotrain

 

 
gregc
 
PRR8259
1.  Engineering school does not teach common sense.

2.  Electrical Engineering professors ... think that they are above all other life forms of engineering.

wow! 

 

 

Yeah, but can they open very thin produce bags? Smile, Wink & Grin

 

 

 

 

Common sense cannot be taught, by definition. Broad based poor exam results result from poor teaching which is why curving exam results statistically is a sensible idea. The required Bell normal curve adjustments can significantly assist in improving teaching methods, including the setting of exams.

I'm curious to know this proven method of opening thin produce bags. It is clearly not a widespread skill.

 

Their are a few but the one I use is by vigorously rubbing the opening between two fingers to separate the two sides.

  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: Dearborn Station
  • 24,281 posts
Posted by richhotrain on Saturday, March 5, 2022 8:52 AM

John-NYBW

My father was a PhD. My mother used to say, "It's a good thing everyone isn't a PhD. Who would take out the garbage?". 

Answer: A PhD. Many PhDs are underemployed, meaning that they work at a job for which a PhD is not needed.

Rich

Alton Junction

  • Member since
    January 2019
  • 2,572 posts
Posted by John-NYBW on Saturday, March 5, 2022 8:00 AM

My father was a PhD. My mother used to say, "It's a good thing everyone isn't a PhD. Who would take out the garbage?".

  • Member since
    January 2010
  • 170 posts
Posted by nycmodel on Saturday, March 5, 2022 7:46 AM

PhDs are pretty much divided into sharply defined specialties. A lot of knowledge in a very specific area. Move slightly to the left or right of that area of interest and not so much.

  • Member since
    February 2008
  • 8,853 posts
Posted by maxman on Friday, March 4, 2022 12:16 PM

rrebell
Funny! A few years ago I had to teach a person with a doctorite who worked in one of those silicon valley high tech companies how to open those very thin produce bags, she did not have a clue.

Yes, I'm curious also.

On the other hand, I don't think it is so much skill as dexterity.  I don't think Sykes would be able to open one of them no matter how hard Richard Kimble tried to show him how.

  • Member since
    January 2021
  • 527 posts
Posted by Attuvian1 on Friday, March 4, 2022 11:23 AM

BATMAN

Being educated doesn't make you intelligent, and being intelligent doesn't make you educated.

 
Bow  Too much evidence these days to both, Brent.
  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: 4610 Metre's North of the Fortyninth on the left coast of Canada
  • 9,352 posts
Posted by BATMAN on Friday, March 4, 2022 10:52 AM

Being educated doesn't make you intelligent, and being intelligent doesn't make you educated.

Brent

"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."

  • Member since
    July 2009
  • From: lavale, md
  • 4,678 posts
Posted by gregc on Friday, March 4, 2022 10:22 AM

rrebell
A few years ago I had to teach a person with a doctorite who worked in one of those silicon valley high tech companies how to open those very thin produce bags, she did not have a clue.

perhaps one of the best lessons i learned was from my friends girlfriend.

we were trying to disassemble a cars steering column.  my friend was a very practical gear head, often rebuilding parts of motors just to get to school the next day.

the steering column wouldn't budge and there was a 3/4" inch brass disk on either side with a threaded hole.

the next morning my friend said Donna threaded a screw into the disk and was able to remove it, allowing the steering column to be further disassembled.

sometimes it's a matter of perspective

greg - Philadelphia & Reading / Reading

  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: Dearborn Station
  • 24,281 posts
Posted by richhotrain on Friday, March 4, 2022 9:17 AM

Lastspikemike
 
richhotrain 
gregc 
PRR8259
1.  Engineering school does not teach common sense.

2.  Electrical Engineering professors ... think that they are above all other life forms of engineering.

wow!  

Yeah, but can they open very thin produce bags? Smile, Wink & Grin 

Common sense cannot be taught, by definition. Broad based poor exam results result from poor teaching which is why curving exam results statistically is a sensible idea. The required Bell normal curve adjustments can significantly assist in improving teaching methods, including the setting of exams.

I'm curious to know this proven method of opening thin produce bags. It is clearly not a widespread skill. 

You need to ask rrebell.

rrebell

Funny! A few years ago I had to teach a person with a doctorite who worked in one of those silicon valley high tech companies how to open those very thin produce bags, she did not have a clue. 

Alton Junction

  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: Dearborn Station
  • 24,281 posts
Posted by richhotrain on Friday, March 4, 2022 8:02 AM

gregc
 
PRR8259
1.  Engineering school does not teach common sense.

2.  Electrical Engineering professors ... think that they are above all other life forms of engineering.

wow! 

Yeah, but can they open very thin produce bags? Smile, Wink & Grin

Alton Junction

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Users Online

There are no community member online

Search the Community

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Model Railroader Newsletter See all
Sign up for our FREE e-newsletter and get model railroad news in your inbox!