Here's a topical press release we just received from Northwire. Can you relate?

Cable Fables

Confusion and Misconceptions about NFPA-79

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Machine builders are busy individuals, but that doesn't mean that they don't have time to go online and network. Control Design continues to work hard expanding its horizon and reaching its audience through different outlets. Now, we are on Twitter.com. If you want to get the scoop on what Control Design is up to, find us on Twitter and follow us. We're constantly letting you know what's going on.

http://twitter.com/Control_Design

Procter & Gamble's Rob Aleska says the packaged-goods giant is serious about deploying PackML on its machines and OEMs should expect to see PackML requirements in P&G specs. Where do you stand with PackML requirements?

To learn more read "Machine Design for the 21st Century"

Coverage from the ASBPE 2008 Conference in Kansas City, MO.

Katy Tomasulo, Deputy Editor for Building Products and EcoHome emphasized the importance of writing for the Web at the ASBPE 2008 Conference. Getting readers to visit the magazine's website is essential. The question is how do we do this?

You (the user) want exclusive content. Offering you the same information you find on our print magazine is not the way to win your loyalty. You want new things like video, podcasts, whitepapers, products and web exclusive articles.

Luckily, we have been providing you with what you want out of our online product. Our print magazine gives you essential information on important industry subjects, then we tease you with our… “for more information check us online at….” Here, we give you all the additional information we couldn’t fit in the print magazine and we also create web exclusive content.

Tomasulo advised those print publications that have not successfully transitioned to the online world to do what we have been doing for a long time now.  Users want more content, more videos and more blogs. You want a unique online experience.

Now I ask you, do you think we are doing enough to satisfy your information needs online? If not tell us what you want to see on our website. We are here working for you.

Analog is OK. There, I said it.
We write often about the latest digital application that improves both costs and quality, and we sometimes mistakenly assume that just because a new technology is better and available, then of course companies will purchase and implement it.
It’s the fallacy of the “better mousetrap.� Just because you build it, that doesn’t mean anybody’s coming. At least not right away.
New technology requires the innovators and early adopters who will incur the expense and blaze that trail without trepidation. But not all OEMs are equipped to make major overhauls to their systems or to the machines they build.
As with switching from mechanical speed control of motors to linear or servo motors and drives, the decision to go digital is typically a financially based one. Companies using analog systems are not going to scrap everything just so they can update to the latest digital technology. No matter how alluring the technology smells and how attractive it looks—no matter how much more cost efficiently it will make the manufacturing process—the original investment in the analog equipment and the value of its remaining useful life is too high to warrant replacement by the new kid in town.
So adoption is slow, but steady.
Similarly, our own digital edition of Control Design has gained momentum since we first introduced it. The electronic version has all the same great features, but it’s available anywhere you have access to a computer, so you don’t even need to remember to take it with you from the office. And best of all, switching from the analog print version to the digital subscription costs you absolutely nothing. And subscribing is easy. In fact, you can do it right here. Go ahead. Taste the technology.