I just found this group. I have some experience in the groups but never really thought of looking for a controls group. I happened across this group and was surprised to find a population. I thought I would post a little about myself and ask the regulars here to say hello.
I have been in instrumentation and controls for 25 years and started my own business about 15 years ago. My main customer base is the water/wastewater industry and small manufacturing plants. I started out learning controls in the US Navy where I took care of the control systems for the main propulsion plants on a conventional aircraft carrier (USS JFK). These controls were mainly pneumatic. Later I went to work for a company that contracted control systems work for the Navy and merchant marines. During that period I trained and went to school learning electronics/electricity and ended up running the labs at the company that I worked for at the time. This was in the mid 80's and I was also busy playing with those new fancy computers that had just come around and learned to write code. I'm talking about hex here. Later I learned some assembly languages which of course are now pretty useless other that understanding the history of computers, PLC and such. Blah bla blaaaa.
Anyhow, I moved back to my hometown and started a business, basically whoring out myself to anyone that would pay for my knowledge and found no shortage of work. My business did well and grew for six or seven years until I had the bad experience of having mental meltdown after a string of bad luck. At this point I should sidebar and explain a few things just to be fair.
It turns out that my family has a history of bipolar disorder (manic depression) and Celiac disease. It took me a while to get diagnosed properly and learn what I needed to do to get well again. For anyone that does not know bipolar disorder is a genetic predisposition for having swings in mood. Celiac disease is a genetic autoimmune problem where the immune system sees gluten which is in bread as a poison and reacted against it, damaging the body. Celiac also causes mental confusion and mood swings. It appears to have triggered what the psychiatrists call bipolar disorder and I ended up having a wild ride of depression and hypomania. I do not recommend it. If anyone wants to simulate it, try taking speed one week and then valium the next for a few years and come talk to me. Anyway enough of that. The cure is pretty simple. I now eat only a few things that do not have the stuff that makes me sick. These medical problems pretty well screwed my business for a few years. I had to drop out for about six years now. I did not stay away from the industry and know some of what has transpired since then. I also took the time to investigate some emerging tech that I though would be hot soon and am in the process of building a business again.
So I thought that I might hang around here for a while and see whether you guys were all idiots or worthy of my notice. :-] Just a joke here. Flame me if you want. It makes no matter. I do have a lot of experience in a lot of different areas and I still am pretty sharp, though a bit slower getting around. Feel free to say hello or comment.
I need to spend some time researching the industry. For instance I was reading another post about nonlinear loading and followed a link to a web site one of you guys have up for their company. I see that he is using a software program to model process response. I never had this option and one of the things that I was well known for was my ability to tune complex systems by feel. I always was surprised at how poorly it seemed that most control techs understood the PID loop. Throw nonlinear I/O into this and forget it. Anyway like I said, I have a lot of experience in a lot of areas. I just touched on some of the things I have done. Hopefully that will come later.
I'm hoping that I will find a population here of some really bright people with good solid knowledge and experience. Maybe I can learn some new things which I am always open to and bring something to this group. Maybe I can make some good friends. I prefer to be positive. UseNet is a strange world. During my sick time I participated in a support group for bipolar disorder which I found very helpful, but also a rough place. Hopefully the sci groups will not be this way.
BTW can someone direct me to the FAQ for this group?
Be well,
HoP
The preceding message represents personal opinions and/or advice that may prove incorrect or harmful. But then maybe not. Feel free to disregard.
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