"...When you see “libsodium,” you must context-switch from problem-solving mode to detective mode: “What does this do? Let me check the README. Ah, it’s a crypto library... "
I would not mind the command names whose etymology was complex or inspired, if the README files would do a better job of giving context and function. Even though I have a wide set of wheelhouses in computer systems, I frequently encounter README files that still leaves me saying "Huh?". I shouldn't have to google three levels down before I get a clue.
The Lafayette HA460 6M AM transmitter used a 6CW4 Nuvistor as a preamp. Mine survived a lightning strike to my 6M beam, which melted the Gamma Match and destroyed the front end harmonics filter. All tube, expect for a set of DC inverter transistors that allowed for mobile operation. Relatively good RF sensitivity for an AM rig of the era.
Gingerly repaired it served me many years in the late 1960's and still sits in the shack. Sporatic-E was strong in those days, to the extent you could easily DX low channel TV channels cross country. I turn it on every few months for 10-15 minutes in an attempt to keep the electrolytic capacitors polarized.
When we did it in high school (70's) we just used compound that had a long chain (soap?) and only one end dissolved in the water. It was very easy to measure and calculate the size of the molecule . We had a series of these simple experiments. Another I recall was measure the speed at which certain volatile compounds moved through the air.
I definitely learned that all science doesn't have to involve complex equipment.
This was very much spot on. As a middle level manager I tried to bring these in our Healthcare business, but got very little traction. The senior executives could not or would not appreciate the benefits. A portion of the development team were more interested in skills for their next job. I cannot understate the amount of time, money and people we burned through by taking another path.
I am glad this technology survived in MacOS and its hardware.
There were two way pagers (receive and send). The receive only ones rarely interfered with medical equipment. But occasionally the local oscillators on receive only pagers would interfere with medical or sensitive research equipment.
I would be curious to know what proportion of PI time is spent preparing and getting approval for research grants for the various disciplines. Is it normal to have several different proposals submitted to the same or different agencies?
I would not mind the command names whose etymology was complex or inspired, if the README files would do a better job of giving context and function. Even though I have a wide set of wheelhouses in computer systems, I frequently encounter README files that still leaves me saying "Huh?". I shouldn't have to google three levels down before I get a clue.