Separation filter: Where do you get your VLE diagrams, or the boiling point data used to make them? Bonus points if you have a link that will walk me through sizing (trays, diameter, height...) of a distillation column.
posted to Ask Metafilter by whatzit at 8:09 PM on July 7, 2008 (1 comment)

Vagaries of the English Language, part n: I need to tell my boss why the contraction "I'm" cannot stand alone as a sentence. For example, "Yes, I am" is okay. "Yes, I'm" is not. I haven't been able to find any good logic for this case or that works for the different contractions in general ("don't" can also stand alone, "I'd" and "I've" cannot). Given this is about languages, and particularly English, "just because" is, alas, potentially the best answer.
posted to Ask Metafilter by whatzit at 6:20 AM on May 15, 2008 (36 comments)

Service Engineer Position Japan Machinery Company is a multinational engineering import/export firm dealing in process equipment, automation, measuring and control systems. The company services prominent firms in various industrial fields for over half a century. At present one hundred eighty people (including salesman, clerical, engineering, design etc.) make up one strong team coming from eight countries. Qualifications: Higher Technical education in Electronic Automation and Control Systems Some working experience in process control and automation Field Equipment skills Software development Knowledge of General Safety and Electrical Safety Rules Good English Responsibilities: Control Systems Technical Support Quality and Technical Control, Test and Site Acceptance Test Supervise field installation and test onsite control systems
posted to MeFi Jobs by whatzit at 2:35 AM on April 12, 2008

Wine pairing: what un-pretentious snacks go with pomegranate wine and a silly movie? Bonus points are not given for "hard to find" or "time consuming."
posted to Ask Metafilter by whatzit at 4:46 PM on March 19, 2008 (15 comments)

Recommend me the best passage in Last Chance to See (Douglas Adams).
posted to Ask Metafilter by whatzit at 12:38 AM on January 13, 2008 (6 comments)

A group of companies I am working with in Ghana is looking for some people with "outside perspective" to fill three key leadership positions. The group is small but growing rapidly, so each position carries large amounts of responsibility. This is not only a great opportunity to have large amounts of responsibility in a growing organization, it is a chance to live and work in West Africa for a while. Applications can be sent through me directly to the board of directors. ---------------- IPG is primarily involved in the provision of industrial space and utilities including electricity, water and allied services. IPG recognizes the need for high quality, affordable and secure industrial space with great and constant access: • electricity & water supply • roads and port facilities • office space and IT services • sewage and waste management services IPG is currently building a 15 acre industrial and office park in Kpone, Ghana. IPG intends to build 3 more similarly sized industrial parks in the Greater Accra and Eastern Region within a 50 mile radius from the major seaport of Tema over the next 5 years. The responsibilities for IPG will include:

overseeing the construction of the Kpone complex, particularly on the safe, reliable development of electrical, water & sewage services.

meeting with potential customers (both foreign and local) and cultivating them

developing engineering solutions and working with procurement personnel to satisfy our clients' needs better Job Length The position is available starting in September 2007. You are expected to commit between 12 and 24 months. Qualifications A fact-based thinker with stand-out problem solving skills. Candidates should possess strong quantitative and analytical skills, ability to work in a self-directed fashion within a team-oriented structure, strong work ethic, and professional maturity. Candidates must also demonstrate strong leadership qualities and the ability to perform in an entrepreneurial environment. A typical candidate will have:

recent masters' graduate or an undergraduate with some work experience, preferably in electrical engineering or a related field

able to write and speak English (fluency in Mandarin or Spanish is a plus)

some experience living or working in a developing country (negotiable)

posted to MeFi Jobs by whatzit at 11:33 AM on August 7, 2007

A group of companies I am working with in Ghana is looking for some people with "outside perspective" to fill three key leadership positions. The group is small but growing rapidly, so each position carries large amounts of responsibility. This is not only a great opportunity to have large amounts of responsibility in a growing organization, it is a chance to live and work in West Africa for a while. Applications can be sent through me directly to the board of directors. ---------------- General Appliance is looking for one engineer to work on developing an entire production system and supply chain. The responsibilities will include:

managing low cost country sourcing of raw materials

finalizing equipment selection and specifications (may require travel to suppliers or technical partner in Germany, Switzerland and China)

supervising equipment installation at GA facilities in Tema, Ghana

leading start-up procedures and production of first refrigeration units

working with technical partners to determine that the line is run at the high quality demanded by GA Job Length The position is open from September 2007. You are expected to commit to 12 - 24 months. Qualification A fact-based thinker with stand-out problem solving skills. Candidates should possess strong quantitative and analytical skills, ability to work in a self-directed fashion within a team-oriented structure, strong work ethic, and professional maturity. Candidates must also demonstrate strong leadership qualities and the ability to perform in an entrepreneurial environment. A typical candidate will have:

recent masters' graduate or an undergraduate with some work experience, in a technical field

able to write and speak English (fluency in Mandarin is a plus)

able to drive, with a valid license

posted to MeFi Jobs by whatzit at 2:00 PM on August 2, 2007

Monday night I’m taking a car full of people into Valencia for the Cremà of Las Fallas. What do we do with the car?
posted to Ask Metafilter by whatzit at 3:18 AM on March 15, 2007 (4 comments)

Help me find images of Christmas trees decorated in an art deco style.
posted to Ask Metafilter by whatzit at 8:45 AM on October 22, 2006 (3 comments)

My camera recently ate a month's worth of intense picture-taking! About 90% were salvaged by imgsave, but of course the remaining 10% are the best or most important. Each of those broken images completely draws as a thumbnail, but only partially renders when opened. There is no apparent consistency to how much is drawn or which pictures were eaten.
posted to Ask Metafilter by whatzit at 4:19 PM on February 17, 2006 (9 comments)