When is enoug a enough
When is enoug a enough
(OP)
This is a cool site and all that. But, everything is best in moderation. My self, a bit internalverted and engineering inclined has found that this is a vise, not unlike any other work place vise, you know, phones, BS'ing etc.
How do the "normal" people deal with this? Once a week? once a day?, or every 1/2 microsecond as I sometimes do. It is like I am a bug caught in a spider web. Worried about the "SEEers" looking through my every keystroke at my work-place computer. As I have weak self-control, maybe we need to introduce "eng-tip-holic" intervention measures, or impose a maximum amount of log-ins per microsecond. I have seen others like me, somehow fade away, like jbartos, probably locked up somewhere stark raving mad, entangled into an infinite do-loop of web-site addresses.
How do the "normal" people deal with this? Once a week? once a day?, or every 1/2 microsecond as I sometimes do. It is like I am a bug caught in a spider web. Worried about the "SEEers" looking through my every keystroke at my work-place computer. As I have weak self-control, maybe we need to introduce "eng-tip-holic" intervention measures, or impose a maximum amount of log-ins per microsecond. I have seen others like me, somehow fade away, like jbartos, probably locked up somewhere stark raving mad, entangled into an infinite do-loop of web-site addresses.





RE: When is enoug a enough
I do a lot of things at my job that give me moments to pause and dive into the web for a moment, like running an FEA or switching gears between design projects.
I've decided that I really don't care what the corporate spyware is telling the front office about me. Compared to some of the other web cr@p that turns up on my neighbors' screens, I have little to worry about. If you're a "producer", they don't care. If they want to fire you, they will just find a reason no matter what.
http://www.EsoxRepublic.com
RE: When is enoug a enough
I think if you feel a degration of your work performance, then only you will know when enough is enough. Like TheTick, I don't care what the snoops say I am doing. I can easily justify visiting this site due to the sheer amount of information and colaboration available.
I see many monitors at work with eBay and worse things brought up, I don't worry about visiting Eng-Tips.
"But what... is it good for?"
Engineer at the Advanced Computing Systems Division of IBM, 1968, commenting on the microchip.
Have you read FAQ731-376 to make the best use of Eng-Tips Forums?
RE: When is enoug a enough
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corus
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RE: When is enoug a enough
Above all else, as engineers we are bound to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public. This means that we have to be good at what we do. Any interaction that increases our competence as engineers is good for us as individuals, as companies, and the public.
Having the ability to toss out ideas and have them either validated or crucified by some of the most knowledgeable engineers in the world is invaluable. No one has that complete resource within their companies, regardless of the size. As a frequent user and contributor I can tout the individual benefits. As a manager I can rationalize the need for staff to interact in this same way. Besides, it would be a bit disingenuous of me to use it and not allow others in our organization to use it!
RE: When is enoug a enough
Thus, even if you are an expert, your ability and practice in explaining ideas and concepts to others who are not as knowledgeable can only further improve your own understanding of your field.
Additionally, we often take stabs at trying to answer questions outside our own "comfort zone." Again, that can only help to improve and expand your horizon.
TTFN
RE: When is enoug a enough
RE: When is enoug a enough
Eng-Tips is a tremendous resource to supplement the internal resources of any engineering firm, but much like personal phone calls, water cooler chats, and smoke breaks, it has its limits between use and abuse. It is up to the company to provide its guidelines and up to the employee to follow them. If guidelines are not given then the definition of use/abuse gets blurred and can result in inappropriate assumptions or decisions on either side.
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Seriously, when I first found this I spent a lot of time on it, catching up. Now it's manageable--I can scan for relevant new threads in a couple of minutes. Entirely social communication I save for home.
Hg
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John
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Hg
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Cheers
Greg Locock
RE: When is enoug a enough
I subscribe to approx 5 forums on eng-tips and am an administrator on another similar site www.lmphotonics.com/forum. I try to limit viewing/participation to once or twice per day. Generally that would be at around 9:00am (on company time) whilst sitting down for my first cup of coffee and again at 6:30 or 7:00pm before I depart for home. Times quoted are Australian Eastern Standard for those of you who might be interested.
I think you know enough is enough when you find yourself responding for the sake of responding in stead of doing so to add value. If you make it about quality (and not quantity) I don't think you will ever find yourself questioning whether you have reached that stage.
I am also in a managerial position and encourage staff to actively participate. As many have already indicated above, justifying 'good' use of eng-tips is not a problem.
Regards,
GGOSS
PS: Have I added any value to this thread?
RE: When is enoug a enough
The "authoritative" argument sometimes comes up in the course of litigation. The Attorney's query will usually take the form of: "Sir, do you consider this reference to be "authoritative"?" (Because usually he has found some snippet to take out of context to help his case)....a loaded question since if you say "Yes", then everything in the book is taken as absolute fact! If you say no, then you create an argument between you and the author that is difficult to continue without the author present and you get the Attorney "sitting" in and incorrectly interpreting the author's intent!. My reply is usually along the line...."The reference makes certain points that when taken in the context of this application can be correct, but can also be misinterpreted to reinforce an erroneous conclusion".