Monday, August 31, 2020

Battleshort - A brief discussion

Battleshort: A condition in which some military equipment can be placed so that it does not shut down when circumstances would be damaging to the equipment or personnel.

In practice, Battleshort defeats safety interlocks that might keep a combat unit from completing a mission, particularly when taking heavy damage.

Below: A redneck version of Battleshort, in a civilian electrical circuit. The screwdriver should not blow under high current like a fuse would.

Tuesday, August 25, 2020

Unscheduled Repairs

Note:  This is not the post I've been working on.  Someday I intend to get that post finished.

Friday, August 21, 2020

Still here

Been working on a post, and hosted several different house guests this summer.  Hopefully I'll get something up before the weekend is over.

EDIT: Nope, not happening... it's long-winded and taking a bit of research.

Meanwhile here is a cool science kit from the 1950's.  Get your child interested in nuclear physics, engineering or cancer!  It would be awesome to have one of these right now!


Also this:

Thursday, August 06, 2020

Submarines in Idaho?

For years there has been a rumor that the US Navy has a secretive submarine base where they test submarines at a land-locked lake in Idaho.  Is this true?  Yes, sort of.


Sunday, August 02, 2020

USS Houston SSN-713

Before reading this post, please watch this video clip from the movie "The Naked Gun".  In the video clip, OJ Simpson has just announced that he's a cop and that everyone in the room is under arrest.  Hilarity ensues.

I suggested watching this video before proceeding with the post, because I was reminded of this scene while reading about the early years of USS Houston, SSN-713.  This post might come across as a little harsh, but it's not intended that way.  It's actually very instructive as to how a momentary lapse of attention or judgement can put the entire ship at risk.

Saturday, August 01, 2020

A couple of cool songs on the way to work

The old thumb drive keeps giving and giving.  A classic, Frankenstein

Wings for Marie (part 2).  The album title refers to how many days the singer's mother lived: 10,000 days - a little bit over 27 years.  Marie was his mother.  The lyrics are intense and the long build-up to the song's crescendo sends chills up my spine.  I've said it before:  These guys are the Pink Floyd of this generation.  Best heard with a good set of earbuds or a great stereo system.  Tinny PC speakers don't do it justice.

An amazing vocal performance.  Gotye has a voice reminiscent of Sting, but better.  Kimbra is maybe even better than he is - certainly better looking, hahaha. This is a phenomenal (multi-platinum) duet.
 

Another cool song, this one by Cyrkle.  Song was co-written by Paul Simon.