Outsourcing problem...

[tw]

Originally posted by Undertoad
Most builders I've known or heard about have extensively used reviews to determine which components to use.

So they are using hearsay as a replacement for engineering facts. Returning again to power supplies as example. If a power supply is undersized, then the load (computer) will damage the supply? That myth is common among such reviews.

Reality. No properly built supply is ever damaged by too much load. Moreso, all outputs from a power supply can be shorted together ... and still a power supply cannot be damaged.

I asked how many computer 'experts' even knew what a karanaugh map was. Only one knew this fundamental tool. How many computer builders know a that all power supply outputs can be shorted together - and power supply must never be damaged?

I am using something as simple as a power supply to demonstrate that we have so many computer 'experts' that don't even know basic functions. Instead they read 'urban myth' reviews from magazines. Reviews without any engineering numbers? Authors without any basic technical knowledge. Then those computer builders **feel** a computer needs a 400 or 500 watt supply becuse the reviews promote bigger supplies? Where is the technical competence so necessary to keep jobs in America?

How many of those reviews forget to mention that power supply had no overvoltage protection? Most if not all fail to mention another critical fact. OVP is essential to any acceptable power supply. And yet those reviews never mention that an essential function is missing! But again, too many computer builders read articles written by English majors rather than technical facts from the technically educated.

Most of those "feel good" reviews could have been replaced by a two page spec sheet - that reports far more about the product. Most of those reviews never even ask, let alone note, that many clone power supplies are missing essential functions. A computer
'expert' should know an undersized power supply cannot be damaged. He should know a shorted out power supply is not damaged. His review should mention an essential OVP was missing. He reads that review because he does not even have basic knowledge - does not see how technically pathetic so many reviews really are.

Just another reason why America needs less engineers every year? Just anther reason why more jobs will be outsourced?