Control.com - Nerds in Control

i would like to know the link for the free Down loadable PDF book for Basics of Control and instruments.

Basics of all types of Measurement systems/techniques and control sytems etc

plzzz send me any books u have or give me the link

Why does it have to be free? Some of us make our living writing these books, and we have to eat and feed our children too, you know.

That said, you can find lots of information on ControlGlobal.com, at Intech magazine, and, interestingly, from the Omega catalog folks. They have a series of downloadables called "Transactions in Measurement and Control."
These are nearly 10 years old now (Bela Liptak, Keith Larson, a couple of other people and I wrote them, so the information is quite good, if somewhat dated). You can download those for free.

Walt Boyes
Editor in Chief
Control and Controlglobal.com
www.controlglobal.com
Mailto:wboyes@putman.net
Read my blog SoundOFF!! At www.controlglobal.com/soundoff

Walt,

I've been waiting for someone to say this. I've been considering writing a book myself, but I'm so disillusioned by the thought that once it's published it will soon be available "for free" on the World Wide Web or the Internet. There seems to be a generation that believes that everything should be available for free on the Web/'Net, just because it's so simple to "publish" it to the Web/'Net, not just music or movies (which are a form of intellectual property, just as is written material and software) but nearly anything that someone's invested years in learning and being able to explain and describe or produce.

It's quite a paralyzing thought, because once it was available the Web/'Net, it wouldn't be worth the price it should be or was. And I have little doubt after participating in and reading the posts on this forum that such a book would quickly be posted for anyone and everyone to read and distribute. (What, me paranoid?)

How do others deal with this dilemma?

I've considered starting a pay-for-access site with a moderated forum and customized answers/training and written materials, but as we've seen here on this forum a lot of people either don't earn enough money to pay for their own access, wouldn't pay for their own access, or their employer won't pay for their access. For now, I'm content to contribute to control.com for free, learning all the time about what people seem to want or need to know (besides droop speed control fundamentals). It's been quite an experience (with the exception of the droop speed control questions).

So, a book would seem to be a good way to distribute information and get paid for knowledge and experience, but the thought of seeing it scanned and made available for free just doesn't seem very tolerable. And enforcing any written or implied copyrights would probably cost more than one would care to expend or receive in penalties.

So, what's a feller to do?

What do others do?

What's the world coming to?

> What's the world coming to? <

The world has changed, and I think for the better. Without recorded music now being 'free', musicians and bands would never have been forced out to tour, I've seen some of the best gigs in my life in the last five years. It is good to work for a living. :)

As for the impact on music, quite simply, the amount of music being produced is far higher than ever before, isn't that a good thing?

> So, what's a feller to do? <

Write the book if you feel it needs writing, but do it with a good heart, no worthwhile book was written by an author who cared just about the money. You are entitled to take your experience to the grave with you, but why not share? It's not all about money, you know.

Marc Sinclair

I sent comments on this issue before, but seems it was blocked. My point is that there are millions of people out there, mostly youths, who eagerly want to "repair" their living status, trying to catch up to the very comfortable life enjoyed by other youths of developed countries. The problem is, they don't have enough money to get there. Why? I knew you knew!

Dear CSA,
If you want to be a writer, start to write why it happens. :)

Sorry for my bad English.

You know what, Marc? I think you should give away all your engineering. I
think you should work for free, too, since that's what you want me to do.

Personally, I object to not having enough to eat, and not being able to feed
my family, which is what would happen if what you are advocating were to
come true for me.

So, YOU have a good heart, and YOU do your job in your profession for free,
okay?

Walt Boyes
Editor in Chief
Control and Controlglobal.com
www.controlglobal.com
Mailto:wboyes@putman.net
Read my blog SoundOFF!! At www.controlglobal.com/soundoff

Hi, I've re-read my post, several times, and I can't see where I said anyone should work for free.

I said that the the world has changed, that is undeniable. Publishing has changed more than most. In the past it would cost many thousands to take a book from manuscript to the bookshops, it was inefficient, slow, and the proceeds for the author were a small percentage of the shelf price. almost half of books were remaindered and / or sold for pulp, while people could hunt for years to find a particular book, because they had missed the 'release window'.

It now costs (almost) nothing to publish a book and make it available to everyone with an Internet connection, it can get to the person who wants it, whenever they want it, with no waste.

I do, in fact give the publications I have written for free, and do you know what? I have made more money from the enquiries and paid work that they have generated than if I'd made hundreds per copy.

http://www.germainesystems.eu/downloads.html

I don't need to tell you this, most automation sites (including your own) have hundreds of free articles, accompanied by advertisements. So even you are part of the change, giving away written articles to generate revenue elsewhere.

Marc Sinclair
http://www.germainesystems.eu

Don't worry Walt, no one was accusing you of those virtues :^) I submit that it _is_ possible to both make a living and do things for the public good. And I think most people understand that. Maybe if you are an engineer primarily, you can do some writing or teaching. Or, if you are an author primarily, you could do some engineering of consulting. Or, if you are really scrambling for your next meal, I'm sure people will understand if you concentrate on that. Almost everyone in the FOSS community has a paying job, and they seem to be able to contribute too.

Regards
cww

Is there no worth but that which is measured in gold? Paper technical books sit on the shelf and gather dust for the most part. And, at best, 5% of the people who need the information will ever even know about it. But on the web for the asking, poor students and those who thirst for the knowledge will be enriched by your experience. I can promise you that no one who doesn't really need the knowledge will download and read it. With technical authors, there's a gulf between those who want to get rich and those who want to get read. One of those is easy and the other is unlikely. I'll bet Hugh Jack gets read by 50 times more people than any other authors within the sound of my keyboard. I am a big fan of self publishing, but I don't recall ever paying to download anything. So try to get someone to publish it treeware or become a more valuable member of your community. Far be it from me to tell you what to do with your IP. I'm probably beyond paying for a basics book but, I'd probably read it if it was given to me.

Regards
cww

Try this:
http://www.artikel-software.com/blog/ebooks/control-and-instr umentation/

Try this as well:

http://www.scribd.com and http://canteach.candu.org
A lot of things you can download there.

arbam
arbam at cbn. net. id

Of course, you, me and the 99% of the control system community.

The only problem is MORAL. People spend a lot of time researching, and writing these books. Proceeds from these books go to their feeding. In a very loose form of the term, the royalties and fees from sales are sort of their salary. No one would do any work for FREE.

However, there are various ways to do what you have in mind: 1. Library: Always a good source 2. Share a book: If you are a student, buy a book with like-minded people and share. If you are working, you can find at least one co-worker! 3. Refer to vendors: A lot of vendors have technical papers which cover the basic of instrumentation and control (while advertising their products). Get your hand on these. 4. There are volunteer people who write references. You can google them up and find their books.

This is the similar story like mp3 download (remember napster days) and free software (GNU vs Rest of the world). Please remember that purchasing a pirated book is illegal. And above law is our own morality and conscience!

--
Best Regards,
Shahid Waqas
shahid.waqas@gmail.com

Yes this is like free software, but no, it isn't at all like the MP3 downloads. I can't figure out why some people can't separate people giving their work to the community from piracy. My entire computing, writing, development, and consulting environment consists of free, open source software. None of it is stolen or pirated and I don't advocate or condone piracy.

The discussion is not about anyone stealing the author's work but about what he can do with his work, which is certainly his choice. Just as I respect Walt's right to publish in the manner he feels will make the most money, I respect the rights of people who publish their work in the manner they feel will do the most good or get them the most readers.

My point is that I haven't read any of Walt's books, but I am deeply indebted to those who have freely shared their knowledge and information. And as I look back on 30+ years of continuous learning to keep up with technology, I have come to realize that what I have learned is far more valuable if shared and all, except for the tiny bit I use day to day, is useless if it is not. There is no downside to sharing.

Regards
cww

One of the posts said “there is no downside to sharing” and I agree entirely. However I also subscribe to the philosophy that if there is a way to encourage the provider of the intellectual property, be that technical information or music or whatever, I would certainly like to do that. If the provider has chosen to make their living through the sale of information, then if I use that information, I find myself morally bound to compensate that provider. However, if the provider wishes to put out the information in a manner that does not solicit monetary returns, I applaud that gesture and maintain that all rewards are not monetary. The satisfaction of personal contribution can be, for some, a great reward in itself. Others may prefer something more tangible. The world needs both.

Gerald Beaudoin

My sincerest apologies to the community for broaching this subject.

Good and evil; class struggle; capitalism; free sharing; morality.

I just had no idea. This has to stop before religion gets dragged into it; worse, politics.

Curt, the discussion *is* about the possibility (I would maintain likelihood) of a copyrighted piece of material being illegally posted to the 'Net for free download without the author's approval or consultation. I asked what other people consider when deciding to write a piece of copyrighted material in light of the current state of the 'Net.

I have benefited tremendously from the free advice and information I have received over my professional life. I have also paid for many books which have added just as much to my professional understanding and ability to feed, house, clothe and otherwise provide for myself and my loved ones. I have believe in and have shared in the spirit of pay-it-back and even pay-it-forward in many ways; this forum is just one.

There was a time when I was idealistic and thought open source software was "the future." If you want to share everything you know and have learned with everyone, that's great. My hat's off to you. If you can feed, house, clothe and otherwise provide for yourself and your loved ones by producing free and open source software and sharing it with the world, that's great. My hat's off to you. (I guess I also question if it's really "free" if you derive an income from it. There *is* no such thing as a free lunch (meal).)

You have acknowledged that people can chose to publish their knowledge and information for gain.

I'm really struggling with what that choice (and right) has to do with your choice (and right) to share everything you know and have learned for free. If that's how you, and apparently to a similar degree Marc Sinclair, choose to promote your capitalistic enterprise(s), that's your choice (and right). And, you (and he) have suggested that others do the same or similar.

Thanks for your suggestion(s). As with all advice, it will be taken into consideration. But, please don't suggest that people who choose to do otherwise are not as altruistic as you or others who practice your forms of altruism.

As for the music thing, being forced to pay in excess of USD100.00 for concert tickets because bands have to go out on the road to make money because felons believe they have the right to "share" *their* music with anyone is not an improvement in my opinion. That's sad, Marc. I like live performances as much as anyone; I pay the money for the tickets, somewhat reluctantly, but I also buy their recorded music and I don't "share" it. Am I happy about the increased volume of music available because musicians and acts can more easily publish their music? Yes. That is an improvement. In many ways. As for seeing great live performances lately, judging by your appearance and what I believe your age to be approximately (that is a picture of you on your website, isn't it?), I'd also say you are one of many people of a certain generation who now have the wherewithal and even the time to go see musicians and acts which haven't toured for many years but which you and others revere and enjoy, and just seeing them perform is good, sometimes great, and it makes us feel good, sometimes really good, sometimes really, really good. Even if the show isn't all that great. And we had to pay in excess of USD100.00 per ticket so the artists could make money because felons, even people we sit next to in the amphitheater, think it's their right to be able to share someone else's intellectual property on the 'Net.

Again, my apologies for misdirecting this thread. Hopefully we can end this sooner rather than later. The problem is mine, and it doesn't seem to enter into anyone else's considerations when deciding to write and publish for profit.

And, just for the record, 'profit' isn't a four-letter word. (Neither is 'sharing.')

Hi,

Don't apologise, I enjoy threads like this, it shows the human side of automation. Besides, things are quiet at the moment, nothing to do but wait for the release of the s7-1200.

Just for the record though, when I spoke of free music, I wasn't alluding to felonious activity, but to the many thousands of musicians and bands who release their music for free, including headline bands like Coldplay.

Indeed, perhaps like you, I am of an age where I have gathered a great deal of knowledge and would very much like to 'pass it on'. This is a common feeling, and was utilised to good effect in the long gone apprentice system. Maybe these forums, (kindly provided by those nice people at control.com), are the new places to transfer knowledge.

Regards,
Marc Sinclair

In reply to CSA: I don't want to get into a debate about books, but I would like to correct a few misconceptions you have stated about software.

For most of the high profile "Free" and open source software projects (e.g. Linux kernel, Apache, MySQL, etc.), most of the contributions come from professional programmers who are paid by their employers to work on these projects full time. These employers are companies such as IBM, Intel, Sun, HP, Nokia, Google, etc. as well as many smaller ones.

These companies have very practical and pragmatic reasons for cooperating on R&D. The open nature of the projects ensures that one company (or a small group of companies) can't hold the rest to ransom through either malice or simple incompetence. If one company becomes intransigent or obstructive, the others can simply go on without them. If one company becomes fed up with the lack of vision of the rest, they can carry on in their own direction without having to get permission from anyone. The market will decide who was right in the end. That's what people mean when they talk about the software being "Free". The "no charge" bit is just a bonus.

As for smaller less famous projects, people have a variety of motivations for writing them, but for most people selling their software under a proprietary license just isn't a realistic option. Having the copyrights to a piece of software is a long way from having a business selling shrink-wrap software licenses. That takes a lot of money, marketing, and other non-programming things. You can have the best piece of software in the world and still not get a single customer if you can't get it into the market.

In the 1970s when a lot of today's larger software companies got established, you could push some truly horrendous rubbish out the door and get people to pay high prices for it. Those days are gone now and they aren't coming back. These days you either have to have a large existing locked-in customer base who have no alternative to dealing with you, or else you have to deliver some genuine value.

The traditional shrink-wrap software market is drying up. A lot of applications are going onto the web (look at e-mail clients for example), and a lot of what is left is complex custom software requiring consulting work. In either case, the basic infrastructure software such as operating systems, databases, web servers, programming languages, etc. are commodities. You can use them to make money by building on top of them, but in most cases the ability to make money by selling basic the infrastructure itself is disappearing. The companies and individuals who rely on these commodities are working together on Free and open source software for this basic infrastructure because they aren't willing to place the foundations of their entire businesses in the hands of someone else whom they can't trust.

In the automation business, we have to face the inevitable and adapt to meet the situation. That means that if what you do best is to solve problems for customers then you need to keep an eye out for new ways of doing so rather than just stay stuck in a rut (no matter how comfortable that rut may be at present). If however what you do is just sell licenses for shrink-wrap software that is becoming a commodity then you need to start thinking about just what the value is (if any) that you can provide to your customers.

In either case we have to step back from the obscure niche that is the automation business and look at what is happening in the rest of the world.

I would only argue that there are still a few examples of people publishing truly horrendous rubbish and getting people to pay high prices for it. But they are far fewer and lock-in has a lot more to do with it. But, the largest rubbish dumper has been having a bad time just lately. Things are indeed looking up.

Regards

cww