Re: Thoughts on industrial design

On 4/27/2025 2:20 PM, AMuzi wrote:

On 4/27/2025 11:38 AM, Roger Merriman wrote:

AMuzi <am@yellowjersey.org> wrote:

https://www.renehersecycles.com/driving-an-analog-car-in-a-digital- world/
>
Although I'm disposed toward Subaru among modern autos, his
1992 is in no way 'analog'.
Electronic not adjustable voltage regulator, electronic
ignition with computer real time monitoring/adjustment
rather than adjustable mechanical-actuated points,
electronic fuel injectors rather than carburetors.

>
Be easier to live with for that reason, ie don’t need to replace points but
a black box every few decades or so.
>
I think his the generation before the boy racers noticed, before that was
more common to see them out in the country, covered in mud generally,
fairly handy off road from memory.
>

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He did dump the slushbox for an actual gearbox, which is nice.

>
Autos are definitely variable, one work car auto box was painfully sluggish
be that to engage pulling out from a junction or just change gear, not
helped by a relatively small for the cars size diesel engine.
>
My old Volvo which is 20 something years old, auto box is while not direct
doesn’t hesitate or so on, and is helped by a reasonably for the type of
car it is pokey engine so doesn’t need the auto box to shift much as it
will pull comfortably in gear and so on.
>
I agree his car isn’t analog though your not interfacing with any computers
ie no info entertainment systems and so on, which possibly what he’s
getting at?
>
Roger Merriman
>
>

 My pushbutton AM radio has some big (the size of twopence) transistors so I'm not 100% analog either. I have owned cars with tube radios- OK but slow warmup.

Except for types designed for switching applications (e.g. FET switches), transistors are generally analog. The vast majority have a "linear region" of operation in which the Gate/Base power is linear with respect (or, analog) to the output. This is the application in your car radio.