Category: Engineering

  • Space Suits Are Out of the Question

    Space Suits Are Out of the Question

    A reader wrote in this week with a question that deserves a serious answer, so here is an unserious one.

    Naturally there was a committee. Naturally the committee was a pile of boxes, and naturally one box was occupied.

    The Short Version, Told Slowly

    The old guard prefers fuel made of dry kibble. The new guard prefers whatever is on the other side of the door.

    Our standard approach involves a flight plan taped to the cabinet, followed by a crew that only works in short bursts, followed by a brief and unexplained sprint.

    As always, results may vary, fur may transfer, and the management accepts no responsibility for the hairball.

  • Orbiting the Food Bowl at Dinnertime

    Orbiting the Food Bowl at Dinnertime

    A reader wrote in this week with a question that deserves a serious answer, so here is an unserious one.

    Experts agree that a crew that only works in short bursts is essential. Experts also agree that this is a very long way of asking for a snack.

    The Short Version, Told Slowly

    Naturally there was a committee. Naturally the committee was a pile of boxes, and naturally one box was occupied.

    We asked a customer for feedback. They looked at us, blinked slowly, and left a single hair on the form.

    As always, results may vary, fur may transfer, and the management accepts no responsibility for the hairball.

  • Gravity Is Optional Until Proven Otherwise

    Gravity Is Optional Until Proven Otherwise

    Every client eventually asks us the same thing, and the honest answer is always a long, flat stare.

    The old guard prefers fuel made of dry kibble. The new guard prefers whatever is on the other side of the door.

    The Short Version, Told Slowly

    If you take only one thing from this, take this: a flight plan taped to the cabinet is not a bug. It is the product.

    We asked a customer for feedback. They looked at us, blinked slowly, and left a single hair on the form.

    If you have questions, our office hours are three to four in the morning, or whenever we feel like it.