Engineering 101

¶* Learn by being there when it's done
Ask how to be helpful.

¶* Premature optimization is the mother of all fuckups
Get to a basic functionality first. Only then, find "improvements".
If they're not critical, the piece should still have utility even without them.

¶* Maintain order
Pre-prepare the workspace.
Regularly organize, maintain and improve available spaces: surfaces, boxes (do not let them overfloat!), etc.

¶* Mind gimmick vs non-gimmick tech
Also see 🔗real-hacks !

¶* Know basics of science and metrology
(Electric) Volt, Watt
(Mechanics) Newton, Pascal
(Physics) Gram, Litre
(Land) are, acre, hectare, km2
How many minutes in wakeday ?
km/h -> m/h -> m/s ?
cups/spoons/tsp -> g?
[...] !!!

¶* Read instructions before use
Keep manuals in archives for all 🔗stuff !
( Fails: "mixing paint", Kindle in sewater, etc)

¶* Mark/label all containers (on all sides), bags, etc
Make sure they close properly, and do not overfloat.

¶* Maintain a list of equipment, projects, and their states
See 🔗stuff, etc !

¶* Know the risks you expose yourself to
Get the necessary protection !
* Physical work : use gloves
* Paint work : breathers
* Electronics : lead toxicity, soldering iron heat, know how to discharge capacitors
* Driving : emergency breaking
* Cooking : fire
* [...]

¶* Make a plan of action
Find the best time, assistance, location to do it.
Agree on roles, if there's more people involved.
Schedule if needed.

¶* Pre-prepare your tools
* anticipate your selection
* use the right surfaces
* make them reachable during work
* have an assistant

¶* Consider hygiene & don't confuse contexts
Don't eat with the hands you are soldering Lead with.
Don't cut electric wire, leaving sharp tiny pieces, on the couch.

¶* Have an assistant ready
Involve them with learning.
(Where are things? What are they called? What are your working on? How much time does it usually take?)

¶* Make the research, ask others questions
Search for instructions & practical advice from others.
Maintain experts, who you can easily reach, and will be happy to help.

¶* For complex & essential projects, consider plans, and also contingencies
Draft scenarios of what might happen.
See for example 🔗season7-A (for Trucko fixing).

¶* Document !
Include unique marks of objects you're working on.
This needs to be searchable in 2, 5, 10, 50 years.
( Examples: Sony surround stuff, The broken DC regulator, etc)
( Examples: Deda's projects)

¶* Consider & respect expertise level of all involved
Consider the time they spent doing, or studying what is being done.
Lead (or follow), suggest (or listen) based on that.
( Examples : everybody vs david on setting tents in wind )

¶* Just do it
Dont let ideas over-saturate your attention.
Don't delay a project, trying to find the optimal time/place/ ...
Just try doing it, see how far you go.
But then - make sure you can stow it away well.

¶* Return to projects
Don't let them just sit there.
This will also improve your stowage & documentation.
... and might make you cancel some that are "sitting there", saturating your attention

¶* Keep a list of projects
Even the "smallest ones".
This will allow you to manage them more effectively.
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Also in the future, sharing projects and resources will become more commonplace.
If something is not moving at your workshop, maybe somebody else will be happy to push it forward.

¶* Know when to let go
Have cancelling equipment, projects, resources
Pre-prepare:
    know how to discard
    have "chaos buckets" pattern
    etc

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