Ya know...I love this kind of stuff! Technical writing leaves a lot to be desired, however. There are ways to convey all of the information you're expected to read in ways that people would not only want to read, but be able to follow what's being said without falling asleep; but as I've learned, when you do technical writing, your editor (demonic beastie that such an editor may be) will insist that you elevate your language and convey all pertinent information in a version of English that even scientists and technicians don't speak. Ah, technical writing...the only written genre in which talent is actually considered a detriment. But I digress. I must say that I like this image quite a lot! Ah, but I love machine thingies and so naturally this would draw my attention. I really love the cold, metallic tones...they go well with the dry-to-the-point of uselessness of the text snippet you allowed us to sample. It almost seems as if you're enjoying the finer points of technical training--that challenge all trainers face: making an interesting subject as boring as possible! I don't envy your training, but I do rather like the presence of mine you had, to take a photo of so interesting a...well...hmmm...a...thing that does something. This is a great shot!

Rod this is amazing...wow. I love reading about all sorts of things....but I have to say I admire you for the stamina of spending 5 weeks so far from home to learn so much in such a short time period...best of luck too you my friend. I am sure your taking it all in and will be the better for it after. Super info, image and please make sure you get the proper rest when you can...and of course bring on the coffee at all other times...lol

sounds intense rod, cool eq shot my friend. by the way i only have 3 brain cells left// lol steve

Excellent, I love the sprokets, chains, gears, o-rings, pulleys and arms that move back and forth or up and down just an awesome machine. I used to have to be in training school every year for 17 years so I understand the snooze factor associated with class room speakers monotone voices and going over once again something that I remembered from last years updates. As I remember, it was worse for me right after lunch if we had to back in the class room that is. Hopefully the time will pass quickly, thanks for sharing the information and the Photo!

Why Rod, I understood every single word they said!!! I think I could complete the course! Okay...when the copier at work goes on the fritz, I can undo a paper jam...but that is it, LOL!!! I can see why you would need copius amounts of caffeine to keep your head up so it looks like you are paying attention!!! Yikes...They may as well be speaking Sindarin like in LOTR!!! Actually I understand more Sindarin than I do what they are trying to teach you!!!! Holy cow.... Hope you can make it through it! Not all that long before you'll be back home!!!!

Oh yeah. That machine is just screaming for someone to stick a finger in.

Go on, spill some coffee in there just for the devilment!!

O-M-G Rod! I got through the second sentence of that excerpt from the manual and my eyes started glazing over. HOLY CRAP! How can you read this stuff?! Coffee or no coffee I would pass out about that point, LOL! Well, I hope you'll be getting a nice big fat raise after this. You deserve it. Thanks for sharing a bit about your training course, I've been a bit curious as to what you've been doing. Oh, and, YES. DO NOT put your fingers in there unless the machine has been locked out and tagged out. You need those fingers to finish the TNA series, LOL.

I know exactly how you are qualified to do the job you do and to soak up the technical traning blah-d-blah, blah, blah. You spent time in the military where everybody has their favorite field and technical manuals to suck down. Now, that's no offense to the military...all that stuff we need to keep jets in the air and tanks on the go have to have manuals. But now as a civilian techie (ok term?) you get to specialize and things just keep getting more and more complex. Great quote you've brought to us today and one wild machine. I thought you tilted the photo but realize by looking at the base, you did no such thing. What a "fan belt" on this thing...sheeesh:) Less than 10 days to go short-timer!

Rod, Given your "exciting" chores in that training event, I am quite surprised you haven't simply jumped into the back booklet-maker module and let yourself be chewed to death. It would at least be a distraction, and would probably hurt less. ;-p Monica

I was a part of the USNavy Nuclear Power program and I must admit that when it comes to eye-glazing ability, I do believe it is a tie. although, has anyone really sat down and read any of their EULA? WhenI first saw the photo, I was thinking that you had created a custom computer that could render Shrek 5 in one hour, plus trailers... a computer with a fan belt! What will they think of next? Bosch injectors converted for printers?

Such interesting reading! I feel for you my friend, trying to get through stuff like that can be challenging. Pretty cool looking machine though!

This may scare you a bit: I actually understand that excerpt, and I recognized the bookletmaker in this photo right away. But then, I have worked in the printing industry (mostly prepress and design, I admit) since the mid-1990's. That's a cool shot of the booklet maker, too. Those things are insanely loud sometimes, but they also can make some of the coolest percussion rhythms, I find myself tempted to borrow some good recording gear on many an occasion when they're cranking away. Hope you stay awake during the dull parts, and have that much more fun when you return home!

you've got way more left than I would----and can at least have some fun while you're there!!

This shot makes my head spin! They call me the "key" person at work and I'm in charge of making sure our printers are working. I'm limited to clearing paper jams and filling paper trays. LOL

Better not turn your back on it, or an errant band of 'steam punkers' are gonna strip that to the bare bones for all the gears and stuff!

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Wow Rod i take my hat off to you such an intense course and so far from home i admire you for keeping up with it and a superb photo !!

Great shot and great reading! Avoid wearing a tie when working on that thingie! ;)

Lovely looking piece of machinery I think numbering of the parts may have helped my understanding of the description! Cheers!

hanging on the CIV Coffeine infusion,great man,a couple joints rolled ready to smoke?? the thing is if you have a good lecturer wich can really give life to some dry courses then you are lucky,but i guess you dont, they are a rare species nowadays, but on the other hand you get paid while you can take a nap (not too obviously napping a little discretion would be appropriate )just keep the eyes open at least one eye somewhat,and send the braincells elsewhere lol. yes and i agree everyone who has to go through such awful courses should get a fat repeat big fat raise!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ps.i used to fart in the clas at least that way everybody was in action ,my hands sometimes where hurting where the teacher knocked me with the cane, but i had fun,FF fanncy farting.

WOW! I thought (at first glance) you built a PC for rendering using a sprocket driven liquid-oxygen pump to keep the thing cool enough for some heavy duty renders. lol The see through gaps and their shape should have tipped me off it was a copier, but I liked my first (sleepy and after lunch) version. :o) Excellent shot and description.

Just the idea of other appendages getting stuck in there bothers me. Or maybe it's that you felt the need to mention it. Probably both.

I agree with Chipka....GORGEOUS

OMG just following the bicycle chain running through the system is amazing. Does it really need to follow such a pathway? Of course the answer is yes, but still.

The inner life of a computer - very much disturbing looking for me!!!! Wish you a nice day, Ute

Reminds me of that Seuss-style rhyme about the sprocket in your pocket and the socket in the wocket or whatever. LOL! I can tell when the machine wants to go bowling, but that's about it. (A little light panel lights up with these dots arranged in a bowling-pin pattern.) Everything else I just call someone to fix it for me. :D Great shot, which clearly explains why I don't put my fingers in there!

ROFL!!! I lost you after "Variations". Good luck buddy, thats enough to fry anyones brain.

Great googly-moogly, that reading sounds like my old comp science courses, specifically systems analysis. I could feel my brain cells commiting suicide one-by-one.

A fine looking piece of machinery, if a little technical and overwhelming to the casual technophobe. Good photo!