[BC] Maintaining older transmitters

[Thomas G. Osenkowsky]

This is reminiscent of two Star Trek TNG episodes where the Chief Engineer
creates a holographic image of Dr. Leah Brahms, one of the designers of the
Enterprise. This was necessary to develop an escape plan from which the ship
would have otherwise been doomed. When LaForge meets Brahms in another
episode she says something like "LaForge, so you're the one who messed up my
engine designs." She later concedes that he has had the opportunity to be
with those engines under many different scenarios and that his modifications
were good ones and that designers seldom get into the field to experience
real-world operation of their designs.

Designers have little opportunity to spend time with their creations. They
are tasked with the next project. We, as users, have ample time to examine
and become very familiar with the products we are charged with operating and
maintaining. Most of us have come up with modifications based on our
(extensive) experience. Designers do not have that luxury.

There have been many "bad" modifications such as those temporary repairs
which challenge the definition of the word. Others have been very good ones
and sometimes adopted by the manufacturer.

Tom Osenkowsky, CPBE

>I could go on and on and on, but many times carefully designed
>modifications are not a bad thing.