Well, the UAW better not come to NJ. Fughettaboudit!
TRENTON, N.J. - Gov. Jon S. Corzine, who has threatened to slash the state work force by up to 7,000 if labor unions don't agree to wage concessions, has ordered Cabinet members to plan for the layoffs.
This latest emergency order will allow 100s of 1000s of Palestinians to immigrate into the USA. Detroit has a large population of Arab immigrants currently. It seems like that will put further pressure on the unemployment situation in Michigan and elsewhere. Where is Rocky when you need him?
Presidential Determination No. 2009-15 of January 27, 2009
Unexpected Urgent Refugee and Migration Needs Related To Gaza Memorandum for the Secretary of State By the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, including section 2(c)(1) of the Migration and Refugee Assistance Act of 1962 (the ``Act''), as amended (22 U.S.C. 2601), I hereby determine, pursuant to section 2(c)(1) of the Act, that it is important to the national interest to furnish assistance under the Act in an amount not to exceed $20.3 million from the United States Emergency Refugee and Migration Assistance Fund for the purpose of meeting unexpected and urgent refugee and migration needs, including by contributions to international, governmental, and nongovernmental organizations and payment of administrative expenses of Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration of the Department of State, related to humanitarian needs of Palestinian refugees and conflict victims in Gaza.
Good for him. It is about time these leaders started showing some fiscal conservatism. Spending money you do not have is what got US into this mess. If the State workers think they deserve a big raise when people are losing jobs all around them, I say dump the Union and hire people that are willing to work for a reasonable amount. If one day per month furlough without pay is going to impact a high paid civil servant they are living WAY OVER their income. These are not minimum wage workers. They are fat cat civil servants, making nearly as much as a UAW worker.
The United States peaked as a manufacturing economy in 1960, with manufacturing employees making up 26 percent of the workforce. They now make up less than 10 percent.
I guess that depends on how you evaluate our manufacturing economy. U.S. manufacturing exports as a percent of GDP was higher last year than 1968.
Today, a manufacturing worker produces 4 times as much per hour as a manufacturing worker produced 50 years ago. Productivity increases have probably effected employment numbers more than anything else.
Overall manufacturing as a percentage of GDP is lower today than 50 years ago, but real value of manufacturing output in the U.S. is higher today. In 2007, the U.S. was still the top producing manufacturing nation in the world. China most likely will surpass us, but they have 4 times the population.
Evaluating manufacturing in the U.S. based solely on employment numbers is just Union B.S. You can't continue to raise wages and benefits without 1) raising prices, 2) increasing productivity. Productivity gains is what has provided us with the standard of living we enjoy. Seems if the union had it their way, they'd want 4 guys to screw in a light bulb.
Obviously many manufacturing companies in the U.S. are struggling, but I'm sick of hearing people tell me we don't produce anything, that is just B.S.
This link, shows things are a bit difference than what most believe. The data is sourced, but I won't can't say if it's been cherry picked or not.. state of manufacturing
Just remember what you are proposing. If the UAW dies and all the GM, cars are made in Brazil and Mexico, etc, etc, who's going to buy them??? Most UAW members family's buy D3 cars because they want to support relatives of the D3 and we like what they give us as in a final product. HOWEVER, do you really think people like myself will buy GM, if it's imported iron??? Do you really think the liberatarians are going to buy Mexican Made or Brazillian assembled cars??? I won't and people that think like me won't either!!! GM, will collapse if it becomes a automobile maker who has a reputation of being a non-american brand. People like myself will buy something else if there is no UAW made cars. Why would we??? I'd probably buy a Acura or Hyundai, if the Big 3 becomes a automobile maker who imports the majority of its cars and all my UAW relatives lose their pension and healthcare. The loyalty to them will be done!!!
As far as where I've been when you need me well I've been busy working trying to keep them afloat by selling new Chevy's. I have a couple irons in the fire and am trying to balance that along with getting a head start on all the GM specific training classes I have to take to become certified so I can get spin checks. So yes I have taken a break recently but have followed the forum. I see no useful reason to post with all the UAW bashing that goes on in the forum as the conversations of late have been blame the UAW for everything wrong in the U.S. and the D3 and with nothing constructive being said well it's not worth arguing over!!! :sick:
I don't like the Palestinians coming to america especially to our state anymore than you!!! It makes me sick!!! :sick: :mad: ... I have to go take some testing for a corrections officer job March 19th thus wish me lots of luck. I'm sure the competition for that job will be very stiff and I can only pray I will be selected after the smoke clears but if not well I will make the best out of this current situation and try my best to sell cars. I work at a great dealership and don't mind coming to work!!!
Well you guys have a great weekend and I better get back to work even though it's raining cats and dogs this Saturday morning here in Rockford!!!
Good post. Something else to keep in mind is that even if lemko could push a button & make every other country on the planet disappear, manufacturing payrolls wouldn't increase significantly. We might pick up a couple of percentage points but we'd never get remotely close to that 26% level.
Why? One word: automation.
Lemko might be too young to remember this, but back in 1960 labor leaders worried about automation. Everyone understood that manufacturing payrolls had nowhere to go but down - that well-run companies would inevitably invest in new technologies that would allow them to make money with fewer employees. Even in 1960, both labor & management knew that the era of huge factories with thousands of workers was just about over.
I worked as a software developer for large banks for many years. My job, broadly speaking, was to develop systems that would permit my employers to do more with fewer people. When we pitched a new system to our clients, their 1st question was "how much will this cost?" & their next was "how many clerks can we let go?"
I'd guess that my team probably eliminated a couple of hundred clerical jobs over the years. These jobs weren't outsourced. They didn't go to India or China. They just ceased to exist because they were no longer needed.
Outsourcing gets headlines & starts arguments, but some day we'll see that it was just a speed bump. The real story is about new & improved machines that replace people. That's been the story since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution.
Rocky, I am glad you are working at a place you like and hope you sell a lot of cars. I am also glad to see you are starting to see the reality of life as it will be in the future. As far as the UAW they have made their bed and will have to sleep in it. I don't think the retirees will lose their pensions. I would not expect them to keep their free health care benefits. I talked to a 25 year DOD civil servant that was on my jury this week. He pays $200 per month for his health care. It is a percentage. The reality is NO company or the government will be able to continue paying 100% of health care. People are demanding more than can be provided for everyone. There will not be free health care provided by the government. SOMEONE will pay and it will not be Warren Buffett or any other rich folks.
Again good luck selling those Chebies. I do like the Corvette, not much else. Wife says I am too old to have one.
They just ceased to exist because they were no longer needed.
That is the reality of automation. When I went to work for RCA in Alaska, there were 1200 telephone operators. 350+ per shift. I doubt there is 20 special service operators up there today. Those were all Teamster jobs. You cannot stop progress no matter how hard you try or how many work rules you have in your contract. If the UAW worker has not realized that yet they will in a few months.
I would have fewer jobs per plant with automation and keep that business and tax base here in the U.S. instead of it going over sea's. At least the fewer remaining people in those plants could demand higher wages and there would probably be more plants. It's a fact that most people don't like too much change and will fight it. Sometimes change is indeed bad and if it ain't broke, why fix it holds true!!! However the UAW, should of made an agreement with the D3 many years ago and that is buy out our older workers and we will allow you to automate as long as you don't outsource to foreign lands. If the UAW autoworkers in this country are indeed finished well you can put a fork in the D3 in a few years because a huge percentage of there client base in employees and there family's!!! Why wouldn't I a family member of many UAW, members not buy a Hyundai if my only main concern was price and quality. Nobody right now on the market can touch em' gagrice!!!
because they could buy a cooler Mitsubishi or one of these.
Now, that is one cool little Kia. It's called No.3. Kia and their designers are definitely eating their Wheaties and blueberry waffles these days. They're makin' it harder to stay Mitsubishi all the time.
Low 40's for mpg. I am lobbying the designers to design this car in an all-electric powertrain format. Then I could toss it in with the 2010 Pininfarina-Bollore B0 and the 2010 Mitsubishi i-MiEV and the 2010 Zero Pollution Motors CityFlowAIR car. That's the one that runs on a compressed air engine for the first...ummm....40 miles. Sound familiar?
Then, that action automatically starts up a CNG or internal-combustion ghastly motor that heats up entrained air and sends it quickly back in to the compressed air engine and off you keep going! 8 gallons of ghastly and just a few hours of plugging in to power up your compressed air motor(so what are we talking about there, 25 bucks max?) is said to be able to get you 900 miles of travel. Dreamers!
To Phoenix, Charles! I would like to see my new world order Seattle Supersonics(the former N.O.Hornets)take on the Phoenix Suns at the US Airways Center. Ahh, isn't life in the fast lane daunting? :P
I owned 7 VW's. two type 3's and 1 square back, 1 bus and three bugs. The heaters worked fine in all of them. My 1963 had a 3,000 mile valve adjustment schedule, the others were 6,000 mile. The first thing I did with all of them was put helacoles in the heads, a real oil filter and stablezier bar, and changed the oil cooler. This gave me a vehicle that ran cooler, cleaner oil, and heads that would not "pop" I did cahnge the mufflers on the type 3's. I enjoved the type 3's the best. The one think I hated was no airconditioning! The VW's of 30 years ago would never sell now like they did back then. They were expensive to keep up and the power was not very great, it was cramped for 4 good sized adults. But they were fun. PS for less than $2,800. what more could you want?
The data is sourced, but I won't can't say if it's been cherry picked or not.. state of manufacturing
This guy may be a marginally competent historian, but he is totally clueless about each and every aspect of economics. This article is a hash of confusions, misconceptions, misunderstandings, and plain gross ignorance. There are far too many things wrong with it to discuss individually. People who know no economics or finance really should refrain from writing about economics or finance.
70% of the economy is the consumer. The consumer has no credit now. In the past years we have seen the consumers savings dwindle. The federal govt as a consumer is being fueled from overseas and is deeply in debt. Does importing more than exporting have anything to do with this? We can only sit idlely and wait for some new wave of consumer (other than govt) to fuel this whole thing.
Lets see what this great American economy have to offer the growing Chindia middle class? Gee, did those overpaid autoworkers buy anything?
Maybe this "global economy" and the wonders of free trade lifting all boats ain't all its cracked up to be. Middle class, and lower, wage stagnation goes back to the beginning of large scale importation of consumer products, the mid to late seventies (first experienced with consumer electronics from Japan). The vast increase in trade deficits goes back to the same time. The increase in consumer debt also goes back to that time. At one time the US was a fairly self contained economy. That meant that a farmer could grow corn and sell the corn. He could use the proceeds to buy a new refrigerator. That generated income for the guy in the refrigerator factory (as well as all the people working in trades that supplied things to that factory, like steel). The guy in the refrigerator factory then bought a new pair of shoes, generating income for the guy in the shoe factory (as well as all the people working in trades that supplied things to that factory, like shoelaces). The guy in the shoe factory then used the money for a new front door, generating income for a carpenter and door factory (as well as all the people working in trades that supplied things to that factory, like lumber). The guy in the door factory then went to the grocery store and bought corn muffins and restarted that whole cycle back to the farmer. Of course, back then, there were all sorts of services that supported that cycle. Ad agencies to peddle the USA made products, transport companies to move the raw materials to factory and the finished product to market, you get the picture. Today, that cycle is gone. With its demise we have absurd government debt, stagnated income, increased citizen debt, poorer retirement benefits, etc. Is it all tied in? I don't know, but the timing of all of it does tie in.
Excellent point. Most people view automation as robotics. Automation is primarily geared toward efficient systems includin software, process control, etc.
The desk top computer might have gotten rid of my secretary. However, it created a Microsoft to develop your software. So how many people does a company like EDS employ? Maybe someone can someday figure out how to free mankind of all labor. However, complex technology just strengths labor as knowledge gets specialized. Just you try fixing your own car these days.
The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers knows very well that their membership has increased due to automation. The International Brotherhood of Machinist has certainly gained members due to CNC technology. The United Auto, Aerospace, and Agriculture Implement Workers has also seen the same gains in skilled labor. This is the flaw in your thinking. If anything, non union workers aren't about to be able to man the factory during strikes as in the ole days. Knowledge is power and employers know very well that they are at a big disadvantage. Imagine if all the medical profession was union and they went on strike. HAHAHAHAHA Perhaps you could get vets to replace them???
NEW DELHI: Armonk-based IBM which recently gave pinkslips to above 2000 employees in the US and Canada has an `innovative’ offer for them: Re-loca te to cheaper destinations.
In a move to support the pinkslipped employees, the world’s largest technology employer has asked its laid-off employees in US and Canada to join its projects in cheaper-wage destinations like India, China, Brazil and Eastern Europe
However, the move has not gone well with the IBM staff union. Slamming the offer, a union spokesperson said that not only were jobs being shipped overseas, but Big Blue was trying to export the people for peanuts too. He added that at a time of rising unemployment IBM should be looking to keep both the work and the workers in the United States.
Of COURSE IBM is shipping jobs offshore for cheaper labor!! How else will Sam Palmisano maintain his 24 million dollar a year salary PLUS? When the queen ant wants more food, who cares if the worker ants are black or red? The plebes have always submitted to the reigning powers. IBM is only alive thru its people and its products. America, we did our job! Let India, China etc have it!! Just remember, BUY AMERICAN from now on. Do you really need that piece of garbage made in China product from Walmart?? NO. IBM was a great company, one to be proud of. My husband put in 30 years there. And guess what? They are fighting him for his vacation pay, a lousy few hundred dollars. Hey, a little bit here, a little bit there right sammy???? We lost 7 years of Christmas dinners because of the almight LOAD CONFERENCE CALLS. My husband didn't take a vacation for 7 years..........I AM NOT KIDDING. He lived in fear his quota wouldn't be met, we almost lost our marriage over the stress. INDIA.....LOOK OUT. You don't even know what's coming. All my best wishes from an American who doesn't hate you, just pities. You do deserve the jobs, and the rest of us here in America??? Lets just start up some new companies, and as they say about 911? DON'T EVER FORGET
Americans get paid more because Americans are the best IT workers in the world. Just look what happened to Microsoft when it sent a lot of programming work to India - the result is VISTA - the laughing stock of the software world. Now, MS is laying off for the 1st time in its history. Some people are just better at certain things than others. It's not racist to say Japanese and Germans make the best cars on earth. Nor is it racist to say Americans are the best software-makers on earth. "Cost-cutting" is killing the world economy. Dell, HP, now MS are all going down the toilet because of CRAP QUALITY produced by "cheap workers". You get what you pay for. Paying everyone in the world the lowest wages possible is a REAL good way to collapse the world economy - which is what we are seeing now. If no one has any money to buy anything, economies will collapse. Henry Ford said "I have to pay my people enough to enable them to buy my product". 25 years ago, "cost-cutting" was a sign of a company in trouble - and it still is - it's just that today people think it's bad if a company DOESN'T cut costs. Wake up world to what you are doing to the economy with your cheap labor crap. You are turning the world economy into a bottom-fed cesspool of slaves and crap products. Massive biz failures will follow as consumer markets dry up as a result!
Tech companies really need to look into outsourcing to other countries to get cheaper rates with improved quality. India by far is not the cheapest nor best. I believe that over the longer term capitalism will play into this decision to find these cheaper/better folks.
You are kidding, right? IBM has barely 200 non-US jobs that they are offering to over 4000 people laid off. No one I know is even considering this. We are laid off, fired. Project Match is NOT some wonderful opportunity for people with families with young kids in school, who have no cultural background with these countries, and who wouldn't understand anything in these countries. I agree with the person who said IBM shouldn't be able to sell in countries where they don't have WORKERS (I don't just mean management and HQ). IBM is not the company it used to be. And it will learn the same lessons about outsourcing that other companies have already learned: you get what you pay for. It doesn't work.
When Americans stop demanding to be paid more than the worldwide standard, things like this will stop happening. One day Americans will learn that their skills are not worth five to ten times others' skills, just because they are Americans. An engineer is an engineer, regardless of his or her skin color. Get over it America! You do not have a birthright to excessive incomes.
In view of globalization and portability of work,the difficulty of assessing the worth of a piece of work has been rising, most people in usa (developed countries) wanting more money without justifying its worth-including the very top echelons. Their justification, if at all, has been the exaggerated self-worth, not demand and supply. Why don't they advertise CEO positions worldwide and see how many people are interested in doing the impossible job they claim it to be getting paid millions. H1B visas for CEOs is coming? Unfortunately IBM has no practical way out of this dilemma. Their action basically boils down to reducing the standard of living of workers. Workers and their salaries have become fungibles. I feel sorry for the workers, as they are not entirely responsible for it. It should to be recognized that the world is changing fast, and it needs to.
Indians should not think that they are immune from this happening to us as well. If a foreigner wants to move his native nation's own citizens here to exploit them as we have been exploited, what consideration will we get when he finds a much 'lower cost' nation's peoples upon which to profit. Such is the state of corporate mercantilism (slavery searching). Will we want to see our children exported to Pakistan to be slaves by day and prostitutes by night?
Good ol IBM... and I mean that sarcastically. Our company recently hired 5 ex-IBM employees. In terms of company morale, IBM is near the bottom especially with this sort of thing going on. They're making profits, yet using this global recession to further marginalize employees and export jobs. You should hear about all of their internal policies, all geared towards wringing every single drop of sweat out of their employees. I believe in an honest day's work, but their idea of a normal work day is ridiculous. These underhanded methods further reinforce my conviction to never work for a company like IBM.
Seems to amaze me that people do not realise what is going on at present with the world economy. This was predicted 20 or
kanan krishnan , United States , says: This is crazy and outrageous..IBM wants to charge companies in dollars for all types of hardware, software, services it provides but want to pay 3rd world salary to its employees. At the same time, pay the execs outrageous bonuses, perks etc.. Employees should go on strike and walk out. US government should take strict actions against companies like this and bring justice.
murthy , u.s.a , says: Mr.Krishnan, this is not crazy. This is reality. IT people took advantage of the situation so long raking in money and no loyalty and blackmailing companies for higher wages. Anybody that can turn on a computer wants $60000/yr. Keep upgrading the software for businesses every year, even before the previous issue is digested. Add things that are not needed and not used and charge for that. I am sick and tired of the software cos.
Used to have to fix a car ever couple of thousand miles. REMEBER?
If you choose to knock tech. fine. Stick your head in the sand a few more years and when you see the light of day next, you will be REALLY pissed!!!
The focus is on doing things easier. Let's take the medical community. Most of your health info is on paper. Give me a break.
Pitch yourfears to somene else. Ford had a better idea. Too bad it squandered it. MS isn't the pnancea but process software will run our companies in the future. Systems specialists rather than UAW or any Union un-knowledge worker will remain at depressed wage levels. Knowledge Pays. Got it??
My friend I work in the most advanced technological field and am by no means knocking technology. I've had the pleasure/honor to work on the space shuttle, space station, and many other projects. That doesn't mean that I'm for the fast pace race to the bottom and or in any way supporting anything whatsoever that lowers the American standard of living. A slow methodical, well thought out plan that takes into account the attrition of all the American workforce is more to my liking. As well as a systematic education of the future workforce to replace the present one. We ought to hold our elected representative accountable and not have multi national corporations calling the shots as they corrupt our elected officials. Seems that all the wholesale change we see benefits wealth and ignores the common man. This whole thing will eventually evolve and or morph into a beast. The nature of this beast is what we need to decide upon and not something for the well connected of multi national corporations to decide for us. Whatever, gave you the impression that they have your best interests at heart?
My friend I work in the most advanced technological field and am by no means knocking technology. I've had the pleasure/honor to work on the space shuttle, space station, and many other projects.
The Space Shuttle is hardly leading edge technology. It is antiquated and should have been put in the Smithsonian 25 years ago before two went to pieces. The computers used on the Space shuttle are pathetic old milspec crap. I wondered who was responsible for putting that junk into space now I know we have someone admitting to it. If the private sector was given as much money to spend as NASA we would be 25 years ahead of our current space program. Government and their associated Unions are responsible. The Military broke away from the milspec quagmire a good 15 years ago and are now leading edge with drone weaponry.
Too bad the D3 was unable to break away from the UAW work rules that have kept them in the dark ages of automotive design and assembly.
The Space Shuttle is hardly leading edge technology.
We developed the X33 years ago, but it was scrubbed. Unfortunate situation.
Military broke away from the milspec quagmire a good 15 years ago
Thats not true. ISO 9000 if anything is more requirements added on.
Responding to increasing criticism, Secretary of Defense William Perry issued a memorandum in 1994 that prohibited the use of most defense standards without a waiver.[1] This has become known as the "Perry memo". Many defense standards were cancelled. In their place, the DOD encouraged the use of industry standards, such as ISO 9000 series for quality assurance. Weapon systems were required to use "performance specifications" that described the desired features of the weapon, as opposed to requiring a large number of defense standards. In 2005 DOD issued a new memorandum[2] which eliminated the requirement to obtain a waiver in order to use defense standards. (The memo did not reinstate any cancelled defense standards.)
According to a 2003 issue of Gateway, published by the Human Systems Information Analysis Center [4], the number of defense standards and specifications have been reduced from 45,500 to 28,300. However, other sources noted that the number of standards just before the Perry memorandum was issued was less than 30,000, and that thousands have been cancelled since then. This may be due to differences in what is counted as a "military standard".
>Thats not true. ISO 9000 if anything is more requirements added on.
ISO 9000 has nothing to do with specifications. If your company documentation/guidelines direct you to manufacture using a butter knife, then ISO 9000 ensures that it is done that way only. If your design document call for a +/- 5mm tolerance on a ball bearing, then ISO 9000 will ensure that the bearing does meet that specification. Nothing more. :sick:
Before somebody wants to argue on that, I would like to inform them that I was the Management representative in 1994 as required to be identified by the ISO 9000 certification process for a company I worked for.
The computers used on the Space shuttle are pathetic
You sound knowledgeable on certain topics, and woefully misinformed on others. I would suggest reading the FastCompany article above before you disparage the 260 programmers at the On-board Shuttle Group of Lockheed Martin further.
As another person said, core memory is used instead of semiconductor memory because it is much less susceptible to corruption from cosmic rays.
The guys at OSG are one of 4 orgs in the world with a Level 5 code quality assurance rating. It takes so many people not because the language used is obscure, or that the tech is ancient, it takes that many people because every change in shuttle code is documented, implemented multiple times, tested for accuracy, and recorded for posterity to the nth degree. As an org, they have probably the lowest error in code rate in the world. There is no real need and it would take a lot of resources to port the code to C, and even then the code is task unique to a low earth orbiting man rated vehicle. Very little could ever be reused in other vehicles.
Frankly the cowboy mentality that you think even you and 4 world class programmers could do what the 260 person OSG team does in the same amount of time and as high quality, sounds condescending.
$40m per year for the flight control software on the shuttle sounds like a deal to me. In order of flight criticalness I'd put the flight computer, ground telemetry downlink, onboard telemetry decoding.
Your friend sounds like an intelligent guy who can efficiently write some software, but if his software crashes, does anything happen besides some science experiments being delayed or shuttle crew look at their integrated displays or call to the ground for confirmation? I wouldn't get in any rocket that the flight control or ground telemetry software was written by even 10 world class programmers in a rented office suite.
As for core memory vs. solid state in space, without researching the current state of the art I still think it is a big problem. There are good reasons why the station may use solid state while the shuttle uses core. The first reason I would suspect is the shuttle computer redesign was done before the station and the tech wasn't quite there yet. I also seem to remember the station computers have massive metal shielding around its control computers. This extra shielding may protect the solid state memory sufficiently and be practical where it only has to take 1 trip to space, but wouldn't be economical when it is a vehicle that makes multiple fuel intensive trips to space.
Well guess what, core memory hasn't been used in the GPC since 1992, it has been CMOS memory. The reason core was originally used was the GPC was developed in the 70's and other delays meant the shuttle wasn't ready until the 80's http://www.atarimagazines.com/compute/issue132/92_Space_shuttle_techno.php
As to programming ideologies, I can see the value in your approach if it is carefully planned and studied as it is implemented in new vehicles, but frankly it hasn't been worth it for the shuttles. In the 70's to early 90's embedded single use hardware certainly was more capable and reliable for use in safety critical operations. Today we have come far with software methodologies and RTOSes. It probably makes sense to move in that direction with new vehicles. But your flat dismissal of the state of current shuttle operations exudes overconfidence that I think isn't warranted.
"It is obvious that core memory does not have a advantage. The shuttle is used just a few weeks per year. The Space Station is in space for years, with human occupants all the time."
Your wrong there on the technical aspects, and have faulty reasoning. The shuttle is always occupied when in space also, and the time in space has little to do with it because one cosmic ray at the wrong time and place, whether it goes through the station that has been there for years, or the shuttle that's been there a few days, could ruin the memory contents and cause a catastrophic problem.
Core memory is the gold standard for radiation hardening, you set the contents, turn off the power, and the memory is secure. Solid state memory in space has to use various tricks to ensure its reliability including shielding, maintain error correcting code, periodically checking for corruption, and refreshing the memory. These procedures are reliable enough now, and core memory has a big enough weight penalty that it makes economical sense only to use solid state instead
Thank you for setting our friend straight. My little brother was involved in breaking from using antiquated computer hardware for the Army in the mid 90s. When he retired and formed a company that does design work on the control systems for the armed drones. His last Army assignment was head of the flight simulator at Tampa. His comment was off the shelf laptops were far superior to ones the Army was sold by Congressional mandate. He was part of the group that was able to convince Army brass to abandon that mentality.
ISO has developed over 17500 International Standards on a variety of subjects and some 1100 new ISO standards are published every year. The full range of technical fields can be seen from the listing International Standards. Users can browse that listing to find bibliographic information on each standard and, in many cases, a brief abstract. The online ISO Standards listing integrates both the ISO Catalogue of published standards and the ISO Technical programme of standards under development.
They are a way to go global with specs.
+/- 5mm tolerance
That is a spec
What can I expect to find in an ISO standard?
An ISO standard is a documented agreement containing technical specifications or other precise criteria to be used consistently as rules, guidelines, or definitions of characteristics to ensure that materials, products, processes and services are fit for their purpose. It is a living agreement that can have a profound influence on things that deserve to be taken seriously - such as the safety, reliability and efficiency of machinery and tools, means of transport, toys, medical devices, and so on.
That sounds like someone grasping at straws to maintain a cushy job that wastes government money. Your article is 18 years old. Similar to much of the Space Shuttle technology.
I just find it a waste of tax payers money. I am not even sure the space program has much value. What do they really do that cannot be accomplished much less expensively with unmanned space vehicles and satellites? One of the few subjects that I agreed with Carl Sagan on.
antiquated computer hardware for the Army in the mid 90s
Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control, Dallas, Texas, is prime contractor on the PAC-3 Missile Segment upgrade to the Patriot air defense system. The PAC-3 Missile Segment upgrade consists of the highly agile PAC-3 Missile interceptor, the PAC-3 Missile canister which contains four missiles in the same footprint as one Patriot legacy missile, the Fire Solution Computer that provides engageability solutions and the Enhanced Launcher Electronics System (ELES), which interfaces with the entire family of PATRIOT missiles. These elements have been integrated into the German Patriot system, a high to medium altitude, long-range air defense missile system providing air defense of ground combat forces and high-value assets.
The PAC-3 Missile is the world's most advanced, capable and lethal theater air defense missile. It is designed to counter the evolving Patriot Air Defense System threat spectrum: tactical ballistic missiles, evolving cruise missiles and fixed and rotary winged aircraft. PAC-3 Missiles significantly increase the Patriot systems firepower, since 16 PAC-3s load out on a Patriot launcher, compared with four legacy Patriot missiles.
Lockheed Martin achieved the first-ever hit-to-kill intercept in 1984 with the Homing Overlay Experiment, using force of impact alone to destroy a mock warhead outside of the Earth's atmosphere. Further development and testing produced todays PAC-3 Missile. The PAC-3 Missile has been a technology pathfinder for today's total conversion to kinetic energy interceptors for all modern missile defense systems.
Lockheed Martin is a world leader in systems integration and the development of air and missile defense systems and technologies, including the first operational hit-to-kill missile. It also has considerable experience in missile design and production, infrared seekers, command and control/battle management, and communications, precision pointing and tracking optics, as well as radar and signal processing. The company makes significant contributions to major U.S. missile defense systems and participates in several global missile defense partnerships.
I just find it a waste of tax payers money. I am not even sure the space program has much value. What do they really do that cannot be accomplished much less expensively with unmanned space vehicles and satellites?
We can and do those too. I was amazed at the MIR (Russian space station) whem I saw film at the IMAX. Anything the customer wants. At the moment the soldier in harms way is our main concern.
This is current and unclassified. I've seen the future here.
MULE
Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control experts in Dallas are developing the Multifunction Utility/Logistics and Equipment (MULE) UGV. The 2.5-ton MULE includes three variants. Like the Army mule, one version will haul equipment for two infantry squads. Another variant will detect and mark land mines. Finally, the Air Assault MULE will have “teeth,” being armed with a rapid-fire gun and antitank weapon.
“The MULE is a key component of the FCS system of systems with its high versatility and unique mobility,” says Gene Holleque, director of Unmanned Systems at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. “This family of vehicles will increase the warfighters’ survivability and the efficiency of the total force by complementing, not replacing, man and manned platform functions.”
The MULE/ARV-A(L) provides for future growth through spiral development and possesses an open architecture. A recent contract modification increased the number of prototypes being delivered from 17 to 19, with the first prototypes delivered in the third quarter of 2010. Deliveries will consist of Transport, Armed Robotic Vehicle-Assault Light (ARV-A(L)) and Countermine variants, with final deliveries in spring 2011.
The MULE has an advanced six-by-six independent articulated suspension. Coupled with in-hub motors powering each wheel, the suspension system provides extreme mobility in complex terrain, far exceeding that of vehicles utilizing more conventional suspension systems, Lockheed Martin officials say.
It will climb at least a one-meter step and provides the vehicle with the mobility performance and surefootedness required to safely follow dismounted troops over rough terrain, through rock and debris fields, and over urban rubble. This technology also enables the vehicle to cross one-meter gaps, traverse side slopes greater than 40 percent, ford water to depths more than about two feet, and overpass obstacles as high as two feet, while compensating for varying payload weights and center of gravity locations.
The Transport MULE configuration is designed to support the Future Force soldier by providing the volume and payload capacity to carry the equipment and supplies to support two dismounted Infantry Squads, Lockheed Martin officials say. Multiple tie-down points and removable/foldable side railings will support nearly any payload variation. It is suited to support casualty evacuation needs as well.
The ARV-A(L) version will be armed with a line-of-sight gun and an anti-tank capability, providing immediate, heavy firepower to the dismounted soldier. The Countermine variant is designed to provide detection and neutralization of mines, and marking of cleared lanes through minefields.
Getting back to the topic, is there anyone here who doesn't think the UAW rank and file won't approve the newest contract/concessions hammered out with Ford?
Guess not? To suggest that this will be the first time they do concessions is just not being honest. Prior contracts favored bonus over general wage increase and lowering the new hire rate. This is only the latest and the end will only come if this economy and the consumer comes back. I just hope they can last that long. Long defined as 3 or more years. Then again I see that there is an over capacity in the auto industry and concessions will also mean downsizing by all of the automakers as their inventories swell up from lack of demand.
Will they come back and ask for more concessions at a later date? We do know that the Big 3 will be back asking for more funds?
is there anyone here who doesn't think the UAW rank and file won't approve the new contract/concessions hammered out with Ford?
At this point, nothing would surprise me. I know it's tough and not fair, but I hope they accept them. But I won't be surprised if they don't and Ford probably will end up needed government funds too.
Ok, I'll still in edit mode so I'll change that line to "newest contract/concessions."
The other wrinkle is if GM and/or Chrysler file bankruptcy and get court permission to unilaterally change the UAW contracts. There'd be a lot of pressure on Ford to go back to the UAW and demand the same deal then.
Dieselone, as of last Friday or so, only a couple of locals had voted the recent contract/concessions down. I guess I'm going to be surprised if it doesn't pass.
I can't understand why they don't ask for a shorter work week, grant unpaid time off, honor future vacation time, compensate employees with car payment/lease payment, sell at cost, compensate with stock, and look to suppliers/dealers to reduce cost. At the very least on a case by case basis as an option to individuals within the collective bargaining unit and even the salaried employee. More or less go into a survival mode. Surely they can look to the future? Esprit de corps must be part of the solution and a sense that this is a common benefit for all.
I'm thinking "selling" as in simply turning over the assets and obligations to the workers. They'll take control of the board and hire their own execs. I can imagine the infighting between the worker's committees and the UAW, but that's manageable.
But it'd really only work I suppose if GM/Chrysler went Ch. 11 and wiped out the stockholders or otherwise got permission to discount the shares or convert them into a subclass, since the employees would be the real "shareholders" if they took over the company.
Imagine the new GM ads - buy a car and help out your neighbor, not a cigar chomping rich car executive with a golden parachute.
What would keep the UAW leadership from going into those Executive positions chomping on a big Cuban and flying around in a Gulfstream. I forgot that is the way UAW leaders already act. I have not heard much flack over the high roller AFL-CIO conference in Florida. I would imagine the UAW was well represented.
Our colleague Kris Maher reports that labor leaders gave Biden a warm reception and a standing ovation when he endorsed a change in labor law to help unions organize.
The White House transcript of Biden’s remarks follows.
REMARKS BY THE VICE PRESIDENT TO THE AFL-CIO EXECUTIVE COUNCIL AT THEIR ANNUAL CONFERENCE
Fontainebleau Hotel Miami Beach, Florida
So it is OK for the Union leaders to have expensive conferences in this administration, just not corporate leaders. :sick:
PS Why didn't they meet at the UAW owned Black Lake Resort and save some money?
Rocky, Now that you have experience in the far end of the automotive chain, I have some questions.
How much does the high UAW wages trickle down to the guys you work with in the Dealerships? Do the people in the parts dept make as much as a UAW warehouseman at GM or Delphi? Do the mechanics make $30 per hour plus health and pension as the skilled UAW workers get? If not how do you suppose that the UAW helps those people? Seems to me the UAW workers run up the price of housing and everything else. If you work with any old timers in the dealership that are in a non sales position, find out how well they did in the 1970s, 80s & 90s. I would like a Michigan non Union perspective.
The only part of the auto industry that affects US in So CA are the dealerships and the people they employ. The dealers seem to be taking the brunt of the punishment. I can tell you the people working in those dealerships do NOT get UAW wages and benefits.
UAW has taken a lot of criticism (deserved somewhat).
NOW they want teachers unions to support them?
I never once saw a UAW picket at the strikes, rare though they are, by teachers. My wife was one in the area and despite all the Delco and GM plants, nary a UAW sign was ever out there on the TV coverage.
Amazing that they want support from the professionals in teacher associations.
Congrats on the new job, Rocky. Good luck moving the UAW iron and with the CO exam.
'21 Dark Blue/Black Audi A7 PHEV (mine); '22 White/Beige BMW X3 (hers); '20 Estoril Blue/Oyster BMW M240xi 'Vert (Ours, read: hers in 'vert weather; mine during Nor'easters...)
Not just UAW members and their families, Rocky. I never worked in the automotive industry, nor are any friends or family even remotely associated with the automotive industry. I buy GM cars simply because they are the best as American workers build them! :shades:
Now, would I buy a German Cadillac? No. If I want something that will cost me an arm and a leg to repair and maintain, I might as well buy a Mercedes. Would I buy a Chinese Buick? Absolutely not. The Chinese can't even properly forge a wrench let alone something as complex as an engine block. I don't care how pretty Chinese Buicks are if they will leave me stranded. If GM simply imports all its cars, why the heck do they deserve my preference over anybody else. It would be like going to Target to buy a toaster. "Do you want a Proctor-Silex, Rival, or GE toaster?" "Does it really matter? They're all Chinese-manufactured garbage made by the same slave labor?" Heck, I don't buy Levis jeans anymore simply because they're no longer made here.
Don't like the idea of immigrants coming into this country from anywhere during these hard times. We can't even take care of our own. A lot of the illegals have already gone home because there's nothing for them anymore.
Been involved in the Detroit game starting 1968 and ending 2002..as a supplier and straight-commissioned mfgr rep.
The old theories do not apply for the housing and the domestic Big3 are no longer viable entities..The Asian manufacturers are mostly nationalized entities and cater to their own Asian owned suppliers..The Asians own 50% of the sales volume in the USA, not a factor in past recessions, so Detroit was always poised and healthy to pump out cars in the 70's, 80's, and 90's..
From the political side, our left-handed politicians in lock step with the environmentists started 30 yrs ago on path to destroy our manufacturing base with rules and regulations..A dream deal for the lawyers..Congress, with the elite left and tons of money from no drill, global-warming kooks have virtually shut the country down..
I hope our younger generation wakes up, but our educational system has dumbed down the 60% of the current crop..
If you like Asian cars, drive one, and pay the piper later..The UAW didn't bankrupt the Big3, and our current Congress will probably give the unions the Card-Check deal allowing them to unionize the Asians..Just an election payback, and it won't cost the Asian guys too much money, however Detroit will die..
Palestinians in Dearborn, yep lots of them, they have all the gas stations and party stores within Detroit and the surrounding counties..for years...Detroit looks like Cuba, nothing worthwhile left to steal!!!
Lived in Grosse Pointe for 30 yrs and watched Detroit slide into the garbage dump..
Had home in Fla since 1989, and live in Venice, Fl now, however got involved in vacant land in 2004 north of Detroit, sold it and got it back through the courts, 60 acres industrial, and 20 acres residential..Couldn't sell the properties for 1/2 price probably, so we just pay property taxes and watch the grass grow..
Elections have consequences!!!!!
UAW has lost it's bite and is getting creamed by the Big3 scene and their suppliers..They will head to 2000 state-side Asian suppliers, but the damage will not hurt the Asian car prices for they will just be happy to pay for the protection costs and win over the hearts of our benevolent Congress in opting to become a UAW operation..
Kiss the Industrial America----Goodbye... Our military will be the next loser....
to this thread, it was apost about Taxi drivers in NYC using their dino oil for 6K miles, and yes, I did get lost in the IT postings...
Interesting about the oil...I have no answer...could we have been wrong back then???...quite possibly...but I can tell you that we DID get cylinder heads loaeded with sludge and gunk, and the mechanics who sent them to us would tell us the car had 12K, 15K miles, and maybe had one oil change (that they knew of)...if it was a regular customer of theirs, they may know the vehicle's history (regular meaning they did the repairs on the cars as the local service station, obviously not "regular" or the oil would have been changed more often)...
The Chinese can't even properly forge a wrench let alone something as complex as an engine block.
Another fine tool maker has headed to China so they can compete. Irwin Vise-Grips has closed their Nebraska plant and will resume production in China. They are owned by Rubbermaid. Building Buick in China is one thing. Trying to make Vise Grips in China is criminal. Good thing I already have several different sizes made in America.
Vise-Grip is an iconic name in Nebraska, one of the most famous products invented or developed in the state, along with Kool-Aid, raisin bran, and the Reuben sandwich.
The locking pliers have been manufactured in DeWitt for more than 80 years. DeWitt blacksmith and Danish immigrant William Petersen got a patent for the device in 1924.
Comments
TRENTON, N.J. - Gov. Jon S. Corzine, who has threatened to slash the state work force by up to 7,000 if labor unions don't agree to wage concessions, has ordered Cabinet members to plan for the layoffs.
Regards,
OW
Presidential Determination No. 2009-15 of January 27, 2009
Unexpected Urgent Refugee and Migration Needs Related To Gaza
Memorandum for the Secretary of State
By the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, including section 2(c)(1) of the Migration and Refugee Assistance Act of 1962 (the ``Act''), as amended (22 U.S.C. 2601), I hereby determine, pursuant to section 2(c)(1) of the Act, that it is important to the national interest to furnish assistance under the Act in an amount not to exceed $20.3 million from the United States Emergency Refugee and Migration Assistance Fund for the purpose of meeting unexpected and urgent refugee and migration needs, including by contributions to international, governmental, and nongovernmental organizations and payment of administrative expenses of Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration of the Department of State, related to humanitarian needs of Palestinian refugees and conflict victims in Gaza.
I guess that depends on how you evaluate our manufacturing economy. U.S. manufacturing exports as a percent of GDP was higher last year than 1968.
Today, a manufacturing worker produces 4 times as much per hour as a manufacturing worker produced 50 years ago. Productivity increases have probably effected employment numbers more than anything else.
Overall manufacturing as a percentage of GDP is lower today than 50 years ago, but real value of manufacturing output in the U.S. is higher today. In 2007, the U.S. was still the top producing manufacturing nation in the world. China most likely will surpass us, but they have 4 times the population.
Evaluating manufacturing in the U.S. based solely on employment numbers is just Union B.S. You can't continue to raise wages and benefits without 1) raising prices, 2) increasing productivity. Productivity gains is what has provided us with the standard of living we enjoy. Seems if the union had it their way, they'd want 4 guys to screw in a light bulb.
Obviously many manufacturing companies in the U.S. are struggling, but I'm sick of hearing people tell me we don't produce anything, that is just B.S.
This link, shows things are a bit difference than what most believe. The data is sourced, but I won't can't say if it's been cherry picked or not.. state of manufacturing
Just remember what you are proposing. If the UAW dies and all the GM, cars are made in Brazil and Mexico, etc, etc, who's going to buy them??? Most UAW members family's buy D3 cars because they want to support relatives of the D3 and we like what they give us as in a final product. HOWEVER, do you really think people like myself will buy GM, if it's imported iron??? Do you really think the liberatarians are going to buy Mexican Made or Brazillian assembled cars??? I won't and people that think like me won't either!!! GM, will collapse if it becomes a automobile maker who has a reputation of being a non-american brand. People like myself will buy something else if there is no UAW made cars. Why would we???
I'd probably buy a Acura or Hyundai, if the Big 3 becomes a automobile maker who imports the majority of its cars and all my UAW relatives lose their pension and healthcare. The loyalty to them will be done!!!
As far as where I've been when you need me well I've been busy working trying to keep them afloat by selling new Chevy's. I have a couple irons in the fire and am trying to balance that along with getting a head start on all the GM specific training classes I have to take to become certified so I can get spin checks. So yes I have taken a break recently but have followed the forum. I see no useful reason to post with all the UAW bashing that goes on in the forum as the conversations of late have been blame the UAW for everything wrong in the U.S. and the D3 and with nothing constructive being said well it's not worth arguing over!!! :sick:
I don't like the Palestinians coming to america especially to our state anymore than you!!! It makes me sick!!! :sick:
Well you guys have a great weekend and I better get back to work even though it's raining cats and dogs this Saturday morning here in Rockford!!!
-Rocky
Why? One word: automation.
Lemko might be too young to remember this, but back in 1960 labor leaders worried about automation. Everyone understood that manufacturing payrolls had nowhere to go but down - that well-run companies would inevitably invest in new technologies that would allow them to make money with fewer employees. Even in 1960, both labor & management knew that the era of huge factories with thousands of workers was just about over.
I worked as a software developer for large banks for many years. My job, broadly speaking, was to develop systems that would permit my employers to do more with fewer people. When we pitched a new system to our clients, their 1st question was "how much will this cost?" & their next was "how many clerks can we let go?"
I'd guess that my team probably eliminated a couple of hundred clerical jobs over the years. These jobs weren't outsourced. They didn't go to India or China. They just ceased to exist because they were no longer needed.
Outsourcing gets headlines & starts arguments, but some day we'll see that it was just a speed bump. The real story is about new & improved machines that replace people. That's been the story since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution.
I am glad you are working at a place you like and hope you sell a lot of cars. I am also glad to see you are starting to see the reality of life as it will be in the future. As far as the UAW they have made their bed and will have to sleep in it. I don't think the retirees will lose their pensions. I would not expect them to keep their free health care benefits. I talked to a 25 year DOD civil servant that was on my jury this week. He pays $200 per month for his health care. It is a percentage. The reality is NO company or the government will be able to continue paying 100% of health care. People are demanding more than can be provided for everyone. There will not be free health care provided by the government. SOMEONE will pay and it will not be Warren Buffett or any other rich folks.
Again good luck selling those Chebies. I do like the Corvette, not much else. Wife says I am too old to have one.
That is the reality of automation. When I went to work for RCA in Alaska, there were 1200 telephone operators. 350+ per shift. I doubt there is 20 special service operators up there today. Those were all Teamster jobs. You cannot stop progress no matter how hard you try or how many work rules you have in your contract. If the UAW worker has not realized that yet they will in a few months.
-Rocky
Now, that is one cool little Kia. It's called No.3. Kia and their designers are definitely eating their Wheaties and blueberry waffles these days. They're makin' it harder to stay Mitsubishi all the time.
Low 40's for mpg. I am lobbying the designers to design this car in an all-electric powertrain format. Then I could toss it in with the 2010 Pininfarina-Bollore B0 and the 2010 Mitsubishi i-MiEV and the 2010 Zero Pollution Motors CityFlowAIR car. That's the one that runs on a compressed air engine for the first...ummm....40 miles.
Then, that action automatically starts up a CNG or internal-combustion ghastly motor that heats up entrained air and sends it quickly back in to the compressed air engine and off you keep going! 8 gallons of ghastly and just a few hours of plugging in to power up your compressed air motor(so what are we talking about there, 25 bucks max?) is said to be able to get you 900 miles of travel. Dreamers!
To Phoenix, Charles! I would like to see my new world order Seattle Supersonics(the former N.O.Hornets)take on the Phoenix Suns at the US Airways Center. Ahh, isn't life in the fast lane daunting? :P
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick
PS for less than $2,800. what more could you want?
farout
This guy may be a marginally competent historian, but he is totally clueless about each and every aspect of economics. This article is a hash of confusions, misconceptions, misunderstandings, and plain gross ignorance. There are far too many things wrong with it to discuss individually. People who know no economics or finance really should refrain from writing about economics or finance.
70% of the economy is the consumer. The consumer has no credit now. In the past years we have seen the consumers savings dwindle. The federal govt as a consumer is being fueled from overseas and is deeply in debt. Does importing more than exporting have anything to do with this? We can only sit idlely and wait for some new wave of consumer (other than govt) to fuel this whole thing.
Lets see what this great American economy have to offer the growing Chindia middle class? Gee, did those overpaid autoworkers buy anything?
Maybe this "global economy" and the wonders of free trade lifting all boats ain't all its cracked up to be. Middle class, and lower, wage stagnation goes back to the beginning of large scale importation of consumer products, the mid to late seventies (first experienced with consumer electronics from Japan). The vast increase in trade deficits goes back to the same time. The increase in consumer debt also goes back to that time. At one time the US was a fairly self contained economy. That meant that a farmer could grow corn and sell the corn. He could use the proceeds to buy a new refrigerator. That generated income for the guy in the refrigerator factory (as well as all the people working in trades that supplied things to that factory, like steel). The guy in the refrigerator factory then bought a new pair of shoes, generating income for the guy in the shoe factory (as well as all the people working in trades that supplied things to that factory, like shoelaces). The guy in the shoe factory then used the money for a new front door, generating income for a carpenter and door factory (as well as all the people working in trades that supplied things to that factory, like lumber). The guy in the door factory then went to the grocery store and bought corn muffins and restarted that whole cycle back to the farmer. Of course, back then, there were all sorts of services that supported that cycle. Ad agencies to peddle the USA made products, transport companies to move the raw materials to factory and the finished product to market, you get the picture. Today, that cycle is gone. With its demise we have absurd government debt, stagnated income, increased citizen debt, poorer retirement benefits, etc. Is it all tied in? I don't know, but the timing of all of it does tie in.
The focus now is on KNOWLEDGE WORK.
Regards,
OW
The desk top computer might have gotten rid of my secretary. However, it created a Microsoft to develop your software. So how many people does a company like EDS employ? Maybe someone can someday figure out how to free mankind of all labor. However, complex technology just strengths labor as knowledge gets specialized. Just you try fixing your own car these days.
The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers knows very well that their membership has increased due to automation. The International Brotherhood of Machinist has certainly gained members due to CNC technology. The United Auto, Aerospace, and Agriculture Implement Workers has also seen the same gains in skilled labor. This is the flaw in your thinking. If anything, non union workers aren't about to be able to man the factory during strikes as in the ole days. Knowledge is power and employers know very well that they are at a big disadvantage. Imagine if all the medical profession was union and they went on strike. HAHAHAHAHA Perhaps you could get vets to replace them???
te to cheaper destinations.
In a move to support the pinkslipped employees, the world’s largest technology employer has asked its laid-off employees in US and Canada to join its projects in cheaper-wage destinations like India, China, Brazil and Eastern Europe
However, the move has not gone well with the IBM staff union. Slamming the offer, a union spokesperson said that not only were jobs being shipped overseas, but Big Blue was trying to export the people for peanuts too. He added that at a time of rising unemployment IBM should be looking to keep both the work and the workers in the United States.
http://infotech.indiatimes.com/News/IBM_to_laid-off_staff_Go_to_India/articlesho- w/4085361.cms
Great Comments
Of COURSE IBM is shipping jobs offshore for cheaper labor!! How else will Sam Palmisano maintain his 24 million dollar a year salary PLUS? When the queen ant wants more food, who cares if the worker ants are black or red? The plebes have always submitted to the reigning powers. IBM is only alive thru its people and its products. America, we did our job! Let India, China etc have it!! Just remember, BUY AMERICAN from now on. Do you really need that piece of garbage made in China product from Walmart?? NO. IBM was a great company, one to be proud of. My husband put in 30 years there. And guess what? They are fighting him for his vacation pay, a lousy few hundred dollars. Hey, a little bit here, a little bit there right sammy???? We lost 7 years of Christmas dinners because of the almight LOAD CONFERENCE CALLS. My husband didn't take a vacation for 7 years..........I AM NOT KIDDING. He lived in fear his quota wouldn't be met, we almost lost our marriage over the stress. INDIA.....LOOK OUT. You don't even know what's coming. All my best wishes from an American who doesn't hate you, just pities. You do deserve the jobs, and the rest of us here in America??? Lets just start up some new companies, and as they say about 911? DON'T EVER FORGET
Americans get paid more because Americans are the best IT workers in the world. Just look what happened to Microsoft when it sent a lot of programming work to India - the result is VISTA - the laughing stock of the software world. Now, MS is laying off for the 1st time in its history. Some people are just better at certain things than others. It's not racist to say Japanese and Germans make the best cars on earth. Nor is it racist to say Americans are the best software-makers on earth. "Cost-cutting" is killing the world economy. Dell, HP, now MS are all going down the toilet because of CRAP QUALITY produced by "cheap workers". You get what you pay for. Paying everyone in the world the lowest wages possible is a REAL good way to collapse the world economy - which is what we are seeing now. If no one has any money to buy anything, economies will collapse. Henry Ford said "I have to pay my people enough to enable them to buy my product". 25 years ago, "cost-cutting" was a sign of a company in trouble - and it still is - it's just that today people think it's bad if a company DOESN'T cut costs. Wake up world to what you are doing to the economy with your cheap labor crap. You are turning the world economy into a bottom-fed cesspool of slaves and crap products. Massive biz failures will follow as consumer markets dry up as a result!
Tech companies really need to look into outsourcing to other countries to get cheaper rates with improved quality. India by far is not the cheapest nor best. I believe that over the longer term capitalism will play into this decision to find these cheaper/better folks.
You are kidding, right? IBM has barely 200 non-US jobs that they are offering to over 4000 people laid off. No one I know is even considering this. We are laid off, fired. Project Match is NOT some wonderful opportunity for people with families with young kids in school, who have no cultural background with these countries, and who wouldn't understand anything in these countries. I agree with the person who said IBM shouldn't be able to sell in countries where they don't have WORKERS (I don't just mean management and HQ). IBM is not the company it used to be. And it will learn the same lessons about outsourcing that other companies have already learned: you get what you pay for. It doesn't work.
When Americans stop demanding to be paid more than the worldwide standard, things like this will stop happening. One day Americans will learn that their skills are not worth five to ten times others' skills, just because they are Americans. An engineer is an engineer, regardless of his or her skin color. Get over it America! You do not have a birthright to excessive incomes.
In view of globalization and portability of work,the difficulty of assessing the worth of a piece of work has been rising, most people in usa (developed countries) wanting more money without justifying its worth-including the very top echelons. Their justification, if at all, has been the exaggerated self-worth, not demand and supply. Why don't they advertise CEO positions worldwide and see how many people are interested in doing the impossible job they claim it to be getting paid millions. H1B visas for CEOs is coming? Unfortunately IBM has no practical way out of this dilemma. Their action basically boils down to reducing the standard of living of workers. Workers and their salaries have become fungibles. I feel sorry for the workers, as they are not entirely responsible for it. It should to be recognized that the world is changing fast, and it needs to.
Indians should not think that they are immune from this happening to us as well. If a foreigner wants to move his native nation's own citizens here to exploit them as we have been exploited, what consideration will we get when he finds a much 'lower cost' nation's peoples upon which to profit. Such is the state of corporate mercantilism (slavery searching). Will we want to see our children exported to Pakistan to be slaves by day and prostitutes by night?
Good ol IBM... and I mean that sarcastically. Our company recently hired 5 ex-IBM employees. In terms of company morale, IBM is near the bottom especially with this sort of thing going on. They're making profits, yet using this global recession to further marginalize employees and export jobs. You should hear about all of their internal policies, all geared towards wringing every single drop of sweat out of their employees. I believe in an honest day's work, but their idea of a normal work day is ridiculous. These underhanded methods further reinforce my conviction to never work for a company like IBM.
Seems to amaze me that people do not realise what is going on at present with the world economy. This was predicted 20 or
kanan krishnan , United States , says: This is crazy and outrageous..IBM wants to charge companies in dollars for all types of hardware, software, services it provides but want to pay 3rd world salary to its employees. At the same time, pay the execs outrageous bonuses, perks etc.. Employees should go on strike and walk out. US government should take strict actions against companies like this and bring justice.
murthy , u.s.a , says: Mr.Krishnan, this is not crazy. This is reality. IT people took advantage of the situation so long raking in money and no loyalty and blackmailing companies for higher wages. Anybody that can turn on a computer wants $60000/yr. Keep upgrading the software for businesses every year, even before the previous issue is digested. Add things that are not needed and not used and charge for that. I am sick and tired of the software cos.
If you choose to knock tech. fine. Stick your head in the sand a few more years and when you see the light of day next, you will be REALLY pissed!!!
The focus is on doing things easier. Let's take the medical community. Most of your health info is on paper. Give me a break.
Pitch yourfears to somene else. Ford had a better idea. Too bad it squandered it. MS isn't the pnancea but process software will run our companies in the future. Systems specialists rather than UAW or any Union un-knowledge worker will remain at depressed wage levels. Knowledge Pays. Got it??
Regards,
OW
My friend I work in the most advanced technological field and am by no means knocking technology. I've had the pleasure/honor to work on the space shuttle, space station, and many other projects. That doesn't mean that I'm for the fast pace race to the bottom and or in any way supporting anything whatsoever that lowers the American standard of living. A slow methodical, well thought out plan that takes into account the attrition of all the American workforce is more to my liking. As well as a systematic education of the future workforce to replace the present one. We ought to hold our elected representative accountable and not have multi national corporations calling the shots as they corrupt our elected officials. Seems that all the wholesale change we see benefits wealth and ignores the common man. This whole thing will eventually evolve and or morph into a beast. The nature of this beast is what we need to decide upon and not something for the well connected of multi national corporations to decide for us. Whatever, gave you the impression that they have your best interests at heart?
The Space Shuttle is hardly leading edge technology. It is antiquated and should have been put in the Smithsonian 25 years ago before two went to pieces. The computers used on the Space shuttle are pathetic old milspec crap. I wondered who was responsible for putting that junk into space now I know we have someone admitting to it. If the private sector was given as much money to spend as NASA we would be 25 years ahead of our current space program. Government and their associated Unions are responsible. The Military broke away from the milspec quagmire a good 15 years ago and are now leading edge with drone weaponry.
Too bad the D3 was unable to break away from the UAW work rules that have kept them in the dark ages of automotive design and assembly.
We developed the X33 years ago, but it was scrubbed. Unfortunate situation.
Military broke away from the milspec quagmire a good 15 years ago
Thats not true. ISO 9000 if anything is more requirements added on.
Responding to increasing criticism, Secretary of Defense William Perry issued a memorandum in 1994 that prohibited the use of most defense standards without a waiver.[1] This has become known as the "Perry memo". Many defense standards were cancelled. In their place, the DOD encouraged the use of industry standards, such as ISO 9000 series for quality assurance. Weapon systems were required to use "performance specifications" that described the desired features of the weapon, as opposed to requiring a large number of defense standards. In 2005 DOD issued a new memorandum[2] which eliminated the requirement to obtain a waiver in order to use defense standards. (The memo did not reinstate any cancelled defense standards.)
According to a 2003 issue of Gateway, published by the Human Systems Information Analysis Center [4], the number of defense standards and specifications have been reduced from 45,500 to 28,300. However, other sources noted that the number of standards just before the Perry memorandum was issued was less than 30,000, and that thousands have been cancelled since then. This may be due to differences in what is counted as a "military standard".
ISO 9000 has nothing to do with specifications.
If your company documentation/guidelines direct you to manufacture using a butter knife, then ISO 9000 ensures that it is done that way only. If your design document call for a +/- 5mm tolerance on a ball bearing, then ISO 9000 will ensure that the bearing does meet that specification. Nothing more. :sick:
Before somebody wants to argue on that, I would like to inform them that I was the Management representative in 1994 as required to be identified by the ISO 9000 certification process for a company I worked for.
You sound knowledgeable on certain topics, and woefully misinformed on others. I would suggest reading the FastCompany article above before you disparage the 260 programmers at the On-board Shuttle Group of Lockheed Martin further.
As another person said, core memory is used instead of semiconductor memory because it is much less susceptible to corruption from cosmic rays.
The guys at OSG are one of 4 orgs in the world with a Level 5 code quality assurance rating. It takes so many people not because the language used is obscure, or that the tech is ancient, it takes that many people because every change in shuttle code is documented, implemented multiple times, tested for accuracy, and recorded for posterity to the nth degree. As an org, they have probably the lowest error in code rate in the world. There is no real need and it would take a lot of resources to port the code to C, and even then the code is task unique to a low earth orbiting man rated vehicle. Very little could ever be reused in other vehicles.
Frankly the cowboy mentality that you think even you and 4 world class programmers could do what the 260 person OSG team does in the same amount of time and as high quality, sounds condescending.
$40m per year for the flight control software on the shuttle sounds like a deal to me. In order of flight criticalness I'd put the flight computer, ground telemetry downlink, onboard telemetry decoding.
Your friend sounds like an intelligent guy who can efficiently write some software, but if his software crashes, does anything happen besides some science experiments being delayed or shuttle crew look at their integrated displays or call to the ground for confirmation? I wouldn't get in any rocket that the flight control or ground telemetry software was written by even 10 world class programmers in a rented office suite.
As for core memory vs. solid state in space, without researching the current state of the art I still think it is a big problem. There are good reasons why the station may use solid state while the shuttle uses core. The first reason I would suspect is the shuttle computer redesign was done before the station and the tech wasn't quite there yet. I also seem to remember the station computers have massive metal shielding around its control computers. This extra shielding may protect the solid state memory sufficiently and be practical where it only has to take 1 trip to space, but wouldn't be economical when it is a vehicle that makes multiple fuel intensive trips to space.
Well guess what, core memory hasn't been used in the GPC since 1992, it has been CMOS memory. The reason core was originally used was the GPC was developed in the 70's and other delays meant the shuttle wasn't ready until the 80's
http://www.atarimagazines.com/compute/issue132/92_Space_shuttle_techno.php
As to programming ideologies, I can see the value in your approach if it is carefully planned and studied as it is implemented in new vehicles, but frankly it hasn't been worth it for the shuttles. In the 70's to early 90's embedded single use hardware certainly was more capable and reliable for use in safety critical operations. Today we have come far with software methodologies and RTOSes. It probably makes sense to move in that direction with new vehicles. But your flat dismissal of the state of current shuttle operations exudes overconfidence that I think isn't warranted.
"It is obvious that core memory does not have a advantage. The shuttle is used just a few weeks per year. The Space Station is in space for years, with human occupants all the time."
Your wrong there on the technical aspects, and have faulty reasoning. The shuttle is always occupied when in space also, and the time in space has little to do with it because one cosmic ray at the wrong time and place, whether it goes through the station that has been there for years, or the shuttle that's been there a few days, could ruin the memory contents and cause a catastrophic problem.
Core memory is the gold standard for radiation hardening, you set the contents, turn off the power, and the memory is secure. Solid state memory in space has to use various tricks to ensure its reliability including shielding, maintain error correcting code, periodically checking for corruption, and refreshing the memory. These procedures are reliable enough now, and core memory has a big enough weight penalty that it makes economical sense only to use solid state instead
They are a way to go global with specs.
+/- 5mm tolerance
That is a spec
What can I expect to find in an ISO standard?
An ISO standard is a documented agreement containing technical specifications or other precise criteria to be used consistently as rules, guidelines, or definitions of characteristics to ensure that materials, products, processes and services are fit for their purpose. It is a living agreement that can have a profound influence on things that deserve to be taken seriously - such as the safety, reliability and efficiency of machinery and tools, means of transport, toys, medical devices, and so on.
http://www.iso.org/iso/iso_catalogue/faq_standards_2.htm
I just find it a waste of tax payers money. I am not even sure the space program has much value. What do they really do that cannot be accomplished much less expensively with unmanned space vehicles and satellites? One of the few subjects that I agreed with Carl Sagan on.
Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control, Dallas, Texas, is prime contractor
on the PAC-3 Missile Segment upgrade to the Patriot air defense system. The
PAC-3 Missile Segment upgrade consists of the highly agile PAC-3 Missile
interceptor, the PAC-3 Missile canister which contains four missiles in the
same footprint as one Patriot legacy missile, the Fire Solution Computer that
provides engageability solutions and the Enhanced Launcher Electronics System
(ELES), which interfaces with the entire family of PATRIOT missiles. These
elements have been integrated into the German Patriot system, a high to medium
altitude, long-range air defense missile system providing air defense of
ground combat forces and high-value assets.
The PAC-3 Missile is the world's most advanced, capable and lethal theater air
defense missile. It is designed to counter the evolving Patriot Air Defense
System threat spectrum: tactical ballistic missiles, evolving cruise missiles
and fixed and rotary winged aircraft. PAC-3 Missiles significantly increase
the Patriot systems firepower, since 16 PAC-3s load out on a Patriot launcher,
compared with four legacy Patriot missiles.
Lockheed Martin achieved the first-ever hit-to-kill intercept in 1984 with the
Homing Overlay Experiment, using force of impact alone to destroy a mock
warhead outside of the Earth's atmosphere. Further development and testing
produced todays PAC-3 Missile. The PAC-3 Missile has been a technology
pathfinder for today's total conversion to kinetic energy interceptors for all
modern missile defense systems.
Lockheed Martin is a world leader in systems integration and the development
of air and missile defense systems and technologies, including the first
operational hit-to-kill missile. It also has considerable experience in
missile design and production, infrared seekers, command and control/battle
management, and communications, precision pointing and tracking optics, as
well as radar and signal processing. The company makes significant
contributions to major U.S. missile defense systems and participates in
several global missile defense partnerships.
We can and do those too. I was amazed at the MIR (Russian space station) whem I saw film at the IMAX. Anything the customer wants. At the moment the soldier in harms way is our main concern.
This is current and unclassified. I've seen the future here.
MULE
Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control experts in Dallas are developing the Multifunction Utility/Logistics and Equipment (MULE) UGV. The 2.5-ton MULE includes three variants. Like the Army mule, one version will haul equipment for two infantry squads. Another variant will detect and mark land mines. Finally, the Air Assault MULE will have “teeth,” being armed with a rapid-fire gun and antitank weapon.
“The MULE is a key component of the FCS system of systems with its high versatility and unique mobility,” says Gene Holleque, director of Unmanned Systems at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. “This family of vehicles will increase the warfighters’ survivability and the efficiency of the total force by complementing, not replacing, man and manned platform functions.”
The MULE/ARV-A(L) provides for future growth through spiral development and possesses an open architecture. A recent contract modification increased the number of prototypes being delivered from 17 to 19, with the first prototypes delivered in the third quarter of 2010. Deliveries will consist of Transport, Armed Robotic Vehicle-Assault Light (ARV-A(L)) and Countermine variants, with final deliveries in spring 2011.
The MULE has an advanced six-by-six independent articulated suspension. Coupled with in-hub motors powering each wheel, the suspension system provides extreme mobility in complex terrain, far exceeding that of vehicles utilizing more conventional suspension systems, Lockheed Martin officials say.
It will climb at least a one-meter step and provides the vehicle with the mobility performance and surefootedness required to safely follow dismounted troops over rough terrain, through rock and debris fields, and over urban rubble. This technology also enables the vehicle to cross one-meter gaps, traverse side slopes greater than 40 percent, ford water to depths more than about two feet, and overpass obstacles as high as two feet, while compensating for varying payload weights and center of gravity locations.
The Transport MULE configuration is designed to support the Future Force soldier by providing the volume and payload capacity to carry the equipment and supplies to support two dismounted Infantry Squads, Lockheed Martin officials say. Multiple tie-down points and removable/foldable side railings will support nearly any payload variation. It is suited to support casualty evacuation needs as well.
The ARV-A(L) version will be armed with a line-of-sight gun and an anti-tank capability, providing immediate, heavy firepower to the dismounted soldier. The Countermine variant is designed to provide detection and neutralization of mines, and marking of cleared lanes through minefields.
Will they come back and ask for more concessions at a later date? We do know that the Big 3 will be back asking for more funds?
At this point, nothing would surprise me. I know it's tough and not fair, but I hope they accept them. But I won't be surprised if they don't and Ford probably will end up needed government funds too.
The other wrinkle is if GM and/or Chrysler file bankruptcy and get court permission to unilaterally change the UAW contracts. There'd be a lot of pressure on Ford to go back to the UAW and demand the same deal then.
Dieselone, as of last Friday or so, only a couple of locals had voted the recent contract/concessions down. I guess I'm going to be surprised if it doesn't pass.
With Obama at the helm, no such thing as wasting government money, it's all stimulus spending. LOL
They could apply for a bank loan? That is thinking out of the box. Then they could battle their our representation/UAW every 4 or 5 years.
But it'd really only work I suppose if GM/Chrysler went Ch. 11 and wiped out the stockholders or otherwise got permission to discount the shares or convert them into a subclass, since the employees would be the real "shareholders" if they took over the company.
Imagine the new GM ads - buy a car and help out your neighbor, not a cigar chomping rich car executive with a golden parachute.
LOL
Same for the ELECTED in Gov't AND UAW. Greed on both sides just ends in failure.
Do you hear about the business owner that sold his business and gave most of the profit to his workers....past and present?
That's what I'm talking about. You do not need a Union to share in good times and in bad.
Regards,
OW
Our colleague Kris Maher reports that labor leaders gave Biden a warm reception and a standing ovation when he endorsed a change in labor law to help unions organize.
The White House transcript of Biden’s remarks follows.
REMARKS BY THE VICE PRESIDENT
TO THE AFL-CIO EXECUTIVE COUNCIL
AT THEIR ANNUAL CONFERENCE
Fontainebleau Hotel
Miami Beach, Florida
So it is OK for the Union leaders to have expensive conferences in this administration, just not corporate leaders. :sick:
PS
Why didn't they meet at the UAW owned Black Lake Resort and save some money?
Now that you have experience in the far end of the automotive chain, I have some questions.
How much does the high UAW wages trickle down to the guys you work with in the Dealerships? Do the people in the parts dept make as much as a UAW warehouseman at GM or Delphi? Do the mechanics make $30 per hour plus health and pension as the skilled UAW workers get? If not how do you suppose that the UAW helps those people? Seems to me the UAW workers run up the price of housing and everything else. If you work with any old timers in the dealership that are in a non sales position, find out how well they did in the 1970s, 80s & 90s. I would like a Michigan non Union perspective.
The only part of the auto industry that affects US in So CA are the dealerships and the people they employ. The dealers seem to be taking the brunt of the punishment. I can tell you the people working in those dealerships do NOT get UAW wages and benefits.
Two locals have rejected the proposal: one here in W. Ohio.
I thought I was in the IT R Us discussion for a while as I caught up reading here.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
UAW has taken a lot of criticism (deserved somewhat).
NOW they want teachers unions to support them?
I never once saw a UAW picket at the strikes, rare though they are, by teachers. My wife was one in the area and despite all the Delco and GM plants, nary a UAW sign was ever out there on the TV coverage.
Amazing that they want support from the professionals in teacher associations.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
'21 Dark Blue/Black Audi A7 PHEV (mine); '22 White/Beige BMW X3 (hers); '20 Estoril Blue/Oyster BMW M240xi 'Vert (Ours, read: hers in 'vert weather; mine during Nor'easters...)
Now, would I buy a German Cadillac? No. If I want something that will cost me an arm and a leg to repair and maintain, I might as well buy a Mercedes. Would I buy a Chinese Buick? Absolutely not. The Chinese can't even properly forge a wrench let alone something as complex as an engine block. I don't care how pretty Chinese Buicks are if they will leave me stranded. If GM simply imports all its cars, why the heck do they deserve my preference over anybody else. It would be like going to Target to buy a toaster. "Do you want a Proctor-Silex, Rival, or GE toaster?" "Does it really matter? They're all Chinese-manufactured garbage made by the same slave labor?" Heck, I don't buy Levis jeans anymore simply because they're no longer made here.
Don't like the idea of immigrants coming into this country from anywhere during these hard times. We can't even take care of our own. A lot of the illegals have already gone home because there's nothing for them anymore.
The old theories do not apply for the housing and the domestic Big3 are no longer viable entities..The Asian manufacturers are mostly nationalized entities and cater to their own Asian owned suppliers..The Asians own 50% of the sales volume in the USA, not a factor in past recessions, so Detroit was always poised and healthy to pump out cars in the 70's, 80's, and 90's..
From the political side, our left-handed politicians in lock step with the environmentists started 30 yrs ago on path to destroy our manufacturing base with rules and regulations..A dream deal for the lawyers..Congress, with the elite left and tons of money from no drill, global-warming kooks have virtually shut the country down..
I hope our younger generation wakes up, but our educational system has dumbed down the 60% of the current crop..
If you like Asian cars, drive one, and pay the piper later..The UAW didn't bankrupt the Big3, and our current Congress will probably give the unions the Card-Check deal allowing them to unionize the Asians..Just an election payback, and it won't cost the Asian guys too much money, however Detroit will die..
Palestinians in Dearborn, yep lots of them, they have all the gas stations and party stores within Detroit and the surrounding counties..for years...Detroit looks like Cuba, nothing worthwhile left to steal!!!
Lived in Grosse Pointe for 30 yrs and watched Detroit slide into the garbage dump..
Had home in Fla since 1989, and live in Venice, Fl now, however got involved in vacant land in 2004 north of Detroit, sold it and got it back through the courts, 60 acres industrial, and 20 acres residential..Couldn't sell the properties for 1/2 price probably, so we just pay property taxes and watch the grass grow..
Elections have consequences!!!!!
UAW has lost it's bite and is getting creamed by the Big3 scene and their suppliers..They will head to 2000 state-side Asian suppliers, but the damage will not hurt the Asian car prices for they will just be happy to pay for the protection costs and win over the hearts of our benevolent Congress in opting to become a UAW operation..
Kiss the Industrial America----Goodbye... Our military will be the next loser....
Interesting about the oil...I have no answer...could we have been wrong back then???...quite possibly...but I can tell you that we DID get cylinder heads loaeded with sludge and gunk, and the mechanics who sent them to us would tell us the car had 12K, 15K miles, and maybe had one oil change (that they knew of)...if it was a regular customer of theirs, they may know the vehicle's history (regular meaning they did the repairs on the cars as the local service station, obviously not "regular" or the oil would have been changed more often)...
But yeah, you're in the UAW topic, in spite of the IT offshoot and the never-ending country going into a handbasket posts. :shades:
Another fine tool maker has headed to China so they can compete. Irwin Vise-Grips has closed their Nebraska plant and will resume production in China. They are owned by Rubbermaid. Building Buick in China is one thing. Trying to make Vise Grips in China is criminal. Good thing I already have several different sizes made in America.
Vise-Grip is an iconic name in Nebraska, one of the most famous products invented or developed in the state, along with Kool-Aid, raisin bran, and the Reuben sandwich.
The locking pliers have been manufactured in DeWitt for more than 80 years. DeWitt blacksmith and Danish immigrant William Petersen got a patent for the device in 1924.