Re[2]: [at-l] Equipment failures

[tmcginnis@ucclan.state.in.us (Thomas McGinnis)]

______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________
Subject: RE: [at-l] Equipment failures
Author:  "L. Parker" <lparker@cacaphony.net> at ima
Date:    11/7/99 9:54 AM

     
I have spent some man-years of my time arguing with other engineers that 
simpler is better. I have never liked the economics-driven mindset that 
insists upon "improving" something that is already perfect just to sell more 
of them. It seems that this almost always ends up shortening the objects 
useful life and therefore, to me at least, DECREASING its value.
     
Lee I Joe

     ******But this would mean that as soon as the "better mousetrap" were 
     designed, there would be no use for the engineers. Out you go!
     
     By insisting on "change for change' sake," the marketing/sales types 
     play to the ignorance of the majority public, who buy with little 
     regard toward substantive improvement in "new models." With the 
     changes come durability vs. design time compromises, generally 
     decreasing durability, but increasing the design time required to keep 
     a product on the market from year to year.
     
     Look at the SVEA 123R: drop-dead dependable, weighing an ounce or two 
     more than an MSR, BUT INCLUDING TWO DAYS' SUPPLY OF FUEL STORAGE. A 
     dinosaur. Trangia? Niche market. Look at the "true" (cream-colored) 
     ensolite pad: Lighter than the Thermarest, better insulation pound for 
     pound, MUCH more comfy than the twinkie Ridge/Z/Rest, flexible at all 
     temperatures survivable by ordinary Hue Mahns, and unavailable on the 
     retail outdoors market. And how about the Mallory flashlight? About an 
     ounce total weight, burned two AA duracells, fit nicely between cheek 
     and gum, and would last MUCH longer than these halogen bulbed hot 
     rods... But unavailable, replaced by the waterproof, shockproof, 
     inadvertent turn-on proof, all metal construction Maglite. Even my 
     hero Lynn Wheldon touts the cudgel Maglite in his Lightweight 
     Revolution video....
     
     But BTW, all this stuff increases employment for engineers. The hand 
     that feeds you......is sometimes ignorant of the job you do. Sure, 
     costs go up some with "latest design" engineering, but revenue goes up 
     some tiny bit more.
* From the Appalachian Trail Mailing List |  http://www.backcountry.net  *

==============================================================================