Plant Services - March 2008 - (Page 42)

WEB HUNTER should know more about instrumentation and controls than ISA – The Instrumentation, Systems and Automation Society. In the interest of full disclosure, Walt Boyes, one of the editors here at magazine central, writes a blog for that organization. So, I thought we ought to see what he has to say. You can get to his material by programming that mouse to zero in on www.isa.org, where it should scroll down on the left and click “Publishing” found under “Products & Services.” Then, click on “Automation Blog Central” just below that when the new page opens. In addition to Walt’s musings, you might want to read the “Social Commentary” blogs that lie behind the link to “JimPinto.com Weblogs.” He put his opinion out there and people responded by posting their comments. It’s an outcome that isn’t necessarily enjoyed by the many who invest a lot of time in composing and posting blogs. But, a blogger who can trigger an emothem through links low on the right side of the screen. Go forth, do right, and stay out of the trenches. From the halls of labor A blogger who can trigger an emotional connection with a reader is more likely to hear back from the millions of Web surfers out there. tional connection with a reader is more likely to hear back from the millions of Web surfers out there. While you’re at ISA Blog Central, take a look at Campbell’s “On the Edge” and Welander’s “Pillar to Post.” Both are worth exploring because they have something to say that can resonate outside the automation world. Blogging is a convenient way to get the word out to your constituency. That the AFL/CIO realizes this is demonstrated by the organization’s Web site home page. Organize your way to http://aflcio.org and you’ll find that the single-largest page element, above the fold, is an invitation to explore a collection of blogs that have some rational relationship to organized labor. Click on “Visit the blog” and scroll down on the right for some choices. The entries under “Union & Related Blogs” are just that. “Blog Friends” are those who blog and “Web sites” are other organizations, each of which lead to more blogs. Using a shot-in-thedark approach, I clicked on “Working assets,” found under the first blog category. It appears to be updated daily, so you might not find the Feb. 11, 2008 blog that was titled “Economists Catch Up to American Public Opinion.” That one was based on an original article from Business Week by Jane Sasseen that David Sirota posted here to get things started. It argued that economists are beginning to doubt that free trade is such a good thing for the U.S. economy. When you explore the postings, I’m sure you’re going to hit on something just as provocative. From the NAM Two from one The real reason you and your coworkers show up at the salt mine each day is to perform work that somebody thinks is useful and trade some of your time for some of your customer’s money. In the ideal world, salt mining goes smoothly, with nobody getting bogged down in an interpersonal dispute and forced to waste valuable time trying to resolve it. But, real life is what happens when you’ve already made other plans. If you’re a fan of our “In the Trenches” feature, you might like the next Web citation, which is designed to keep you from getting bogged down in some salty dispute. It’s the source of two blogs about employment law and arbitration issues. In existence since January 2005, it’s the work of Ross Runkel, Professor of Law Emeritus at Willamette University College of Law, Salem, Ore. Send that desk rodent to investigate www. lawmemo.com, where it will find links to the two blogs near the top of the page. Both varieties are indexed by the month they were posted and by the topic. You access 42 The National Association of Manufacturers, Washington, D.C., is another entrant that jumped into the blogging game with both feet. Between November 2004 and mid-February 2008, the dozen or so contributors providing content have racked up nearly 5,000 entries. The topics range from commentary on the news of the moment to philosophical blurbs about the ideal relationship between manufacturers, American institutions and the rest of the world. Of course, quite a few feature political comments and opinions about the three branches of government, the legislative branch in particular. Most entries are a quick read, maybe two or three paragraphs, which is exactly the format I think a blog should have. Be forewarned, one can lose track of time if you jump in at http://blog. nam.org/archiveline.php. Happy reading. A multifaceted guy You might recognize Joel Leonard as the main preacher in the pulpit we give him to expound on the Maintenance Crisis. You might be surprised to learn that he’s a multifaceted guy who has a sandwich named after him. And, he blogs about it. When you visit Fincastle’s Diner in Greensboro, N.C., to order a Joelburger, you get a double Angus pimento cheeseburger served on sourdough bread. How can one go March 2008 www.PLANTSERVICES.com http://www.isa.com http://aflcio.org http://JimPinto.com http://blog.nam.org/archiveline.php http://blog.nam.org/archiveline.php http://www.lawmemo.com http://www.lawmemo.com http://www.PLANTSERVICES.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Plant Services - March 2008

Plant Services - March 2008 Contents From The Editor Letters The PS Files Up and Running Crisis Corner What Works Asset Manager: Enterprise Thinking Technology Toolbox: Hydrogen In Action Cover Story: Get Real Electrical: Reliable Distribution Power Transmission: When the Belt Breaks Web Hunter: Tooting Horns In the Trenches Product Picks Classifieds Fast Facts Energy Expert: Energy versus Sustainability

Plant Services - March 2008

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