Issue saved

Never in my 30 plus years in the engineering field have I felt so compelled to respond to a magazine article or editorial. This is my first. And the reason? I just want express my sincere praise for your magazine, your October editorial [Reader Response & Responsibility] and most especially your [August] Trilogy 1 articles.

Last night I reread the entire August issue. I was so impressed with it when I first received it, that I saved it in my library at home. After I finished rereading it, it occurred to me that I might have missed the next installment. (Imagine that, me actually looking forward to receiving another "technical magazine.") What a coincidence and surprise when I discovered Trilogy Part 2 in my mailbox this morning.

You and your team are really onto something with your collection of writings. Not only are they thought-provoking, but it is so refreshing to read something other than mundane technical articles mixed in with the same old advertisements. Thanks for your excellent work and I wish you continued success.

Bill Parks, Manager, Machining & Design Center, Dynetics, Inc., Huntsville, AL

Issue lost

I have enjoyed your magazine for a number of years now, and support it by specifying products which are manufactured by your advertisers. I started reading your Trilogy Part 2 and after a couple of pages it was continued on page 45. After I figured out where I left off, it was continued again on page 38. That was the point where I threw your magazine in the trash.

My time is valuable, and I have 50 other things on my mind that are more important than what page I was on. If an article is not significant enough to print it on contiguous pages, I recommend that you just don't publish it.

Steven Hook, Mechanical Design Service, Escondido, CA

Shhhhh....

Thank you for your September 1999 Up Front editorial [I've Got a Secret]. I agree with your position that things need to start at home. Keep up the good work! I look forward to further interesting articles.

Bernie Jaeger, Technical Officer, Sunset Tool, St. Joseph, MI

Revenge of
the nerds

You make a good point in your "I've Got a Secret" editorial by bringing up the fact that the public assumes engineers are building technologies to save the world. Generally, we design engineers think scientists assume that role, but as someone said, "Scientists discover what is, while Engineers build what never has been."

The irony of this is that the social engineers, who have their own agenda, strive mightily to destroy the image of the engineer as a viable social creature. The "nerd" concept is a source of ridicule that drives students away from studying engineering. With fewer engineers graduating, those who look forward to engineers solving the world's problems will not only be disappointed, but instead get to look forward to a withered economic base caused by a collapse in the manufacturing sector.

Tom Carroll, Design Engineer, Design Labs, Lake Forest, CA

Making a
difference

I read your Layer One piece, "Engineers Do Make a Difference" with interest, especially the part about [the soundbite stating], "these boys were different...they weren't into sports, they were into technology." I find that to be a disturbing statement by whomever made it. First, there are several folks in the sports world that concern me. Second, people need to stop and think for a moment where they would be without engineers and designers.

Too many people in today's world seem to think that "different" is somehow "wrong." As you know, it all depends on how the "different" people use their God given talents and abilities.

I always enjoy Designfax and find several interesting topics inside. Keep up the good work.

Walt Beardsley, Kingston, WA