Category Archives: Technology

A Geezer’s Short Intro to the iPad

Posted on March 5, 2012 by Jim Wheeler

I like reading on the iPad2. Despite some misgivings but fearful I might be missing something I got Santa to give me one for Christmas.  I’m glad I did. It was not clear to me beforehand just what it would … Continue reading →

Posted in Science / Engineering, Technology | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Nuclear Possibilities

Posted on November 26, 2011 by Jim Wheeler

A discussion on a previous blog got some of us into discussing changing military technologies. The subject then was naval navigation, the prevention of ships going aground and what might happen if something, perhaps like a solar flare, took out … Continue reading →

Posted in Technology, War | 20 Comments

Grace Under Pressure

Posted on April 6, 2011 by Jim Wheeler

The recent failure of a seam in the aluminum skin of a Southwest Boeing 737 jet is cause for reflection on how modern engineering affects our lives.  It has only been about a century that we have had airplanes, or … Continue reading →

Posted in Aviation, Engineering, Medical errors, Technology | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Immigration Problem? Card It!

Posted on January 23, 2011 by Jim Wheeler

The lead editorial in this weekend’s USA Today newspaper comments on a tacit admission of failure by the federal government.  After some 4 years of effort the Department of Homeland Security has quietly cancelled the SBInet, a $1 Billion project … Continue reading →

Posted in Illegal Immigration, Technology | Tagged , , , , , | 26 Comments

Graybeard Reflections

Posted on October 22, 2010 by Jim Wheeler

One of the benefits of retirement is having the time and inclination to reflect on the human condition.  When I was still working life was pretty much a cycle of work-related concerns interwoven with welcome family time.  Entertainment and sleep … Continue reading →

Posted in Armed Forces, Medical errors, Philosophy, Submarines, Technology | Tagged , , , | 8 Comments