It's probably a redundancy thing. Something like this: with a full load, it can maintain altitude on 3 smaller engines but if they use 2 larger engines and lose one it can't maintain altitude/control. The control thing might be a bigger issue with 2 engines than you think since they're a good distance from the center line.
Losing an engine is much less critical if you have 4 than if you only had 2 to start with. I fly single engine planes, a lot of small twins won't maintain altitude on a hot day with high density altitude. I figure in a case like that the 2nd engine is just to get you to the scene of the crash a lot faster.
First, I agree with the "parenting" comments and putting the computer in the living room. I just suggested that to a friend last week.
I haven't see anybody mention Dan's Guardian. Google it, it's a good open-source web proxy/filter. You can get a subscription to keep it updated if you like. It requires a small (old?) linux box between your computers and the cable modem or whatever Internet connection you use.
I'd only try that AFTER moving the computer to the living room. Good luck, raising kids isn't for the faint of heart, they don't come with a manual, but keeping the communication up helps a lot.
Kerry (Just got mine out of the house 3 wks ago, I'm an empty nest-er!)
If there's a way to read a voltage level, you're halfway there. If not, you'll have to build or buy some kind of sensor. There's an open source software package called Argus http://argus.tcp4me.com/ that I use to monitor network devices but I've heard of people using it to monitor various manufacturing functions. It's overkill if you're just wanting to monitor 2 or 3 valves but if you have a lot of them it's a perfect way to do it. It has a web interface and can e-mail you when something changes state. It's pretty easy to install but you'll need somebody who knows a bit about Apache and CGI to help you set up the web interface.
I just tried the newest version yesterday and it started sending me alerts via my e-mail while I was still configuring it.
One of the things I tell my people is not to try to solve a management problem with a technology solution. Normally it's because some employee spends too much time surfing the 'net (like I'm doing now!) and they ask me if I can block the Internet for that person. That might solve the immediate problem but if that person is otherwise a good employee wouldn't it be better to invest a few minutes counseling that employee about what is expected of him/her?
Using technology to solve a management problem is ALWAYS a temporary fix. If you can't (or won't) communicate with your employees, wasting time, theft and corporate espionage will just be the beginning of your problems. Bring those people along and help them improve, if you try for the easy fix you're only going to breed resentment.
Kerry
You don't have to go to FL for that, come to Texas. It's not 15k feet, but they have a one mile drag race a couple of times a year. Check it out at:
http://www.texasmile.com/
It's got to be cheaper than renting the shuttle's strip and you get unlimited runs, all weekend, for one price. They have food and medical support handy too, just in case you get a little TOO crazy.
Slashdot Mirror
It's easy for me, I'm colorblind you insensitive clod!
It's probably a redundancy thing. Something like this: with a full load, it can maintain altitude on 3 smaller engines but if they use 2 larger engines and lose one it can't maintain altitude/control. The control thing might be a bigger issue with 2 engines than you think since they're a good distance from the center line. Losing an engine is much less critical if you have 4 than if you only had 2 to start with. I fly single engine planes, a lot of small twins won't maintain altitude on a hot day with high density altitude. I figure in a case like that the 2nd engine is just to get you to the scene of the crash a lot faster.
First, I agree with the "parenting" comments and putting the computer in the living room. I just suggested that to a friend last week.
I haven't see anybody mention Dan's Guardian. Google it, it's a good open-source web proxy/filter. You can get a subscription to keep it updated if you like. It requires a small (old?) linux box between your computers and the cable modem or whatever Internet connection you use.
I'd only try that AFTER moving the computer to the living room. Good luck, raising kids isn't for the faint of heart, they don't come with a manual, but keeping the communication up helps a lot.
Kerry
(Just got mine out of the house 3 wks ago, I'm an empty nest-er!)
If there's a way to read a voltage level, you're halfway there. If not, you'll have to build or buy some kind of sensor. There's an open source software package called Argus http://argus.tcp4me.com/ that I use to monitor network devices but I've heard of people using it to monitor various manufacturing functions. It's overkill if you're just wanting to monitor 2 or 3 valves but if you have a lot of them it's a perfect way to do it. It has a web interface and can e-mail you when something changes state. It's pretty easy to install but you'll need somebody who knows a bit about Apache and CGI to help you set up the web interface.
I just tried the newest version yesterday and it started sending me alerts via my e-mail while I was still configuring it.
Kerry
One of the things I tell my people is not to try to solve a management problem with a technology solution. Normally it's because some employee spends too much time surfing the 'net (like I'm doing now!) and they ask me if I can block the Internet for that person. That might solve the immediate problem but if that person is otherwise a good employee wouldn't it be better to invest a few minutes counseling that employee about what is expected of him/her? Using technology to solve a management problem is ALWAYS a temporary fix. If you can't (or won't) communicate with your employees, wasting time, theft and corporate espionage will just be the beginning of your problems. Bring those people along and help them improve, if you try for the easy fix you're only going to breed resentment. Kerry
You don't have to go to FL for that, come to Texas. It's not 15k feet, but they have a one mile drag race a couple of times a year. Check it out at: http://www.texasmile.com/ It's got to be cheaper than renting the shuttle's strip and you get unlimited runs, all weekend, for one price. They have food and medical support handy too, just in case you get a little TOO crazy.