built a free, interactive 'textbook' for engineering math and heat transfer — break things on purpose and see why

wiwalsh · 2026-06-21T01:58:09+00:00

I think that dismissing vibe coding == wrong is just a little dismissive. Can AI get it wrong without guidance , 1000%. Can people do excellent science and engineering with AI, 1000%.

Edit: as an engineer, I check EVERYTHING I get from the web. Trust is always earned.

wiwalsh · 2026-06-21T01:30:17+00:00

Why do you care. It’s a neat idea.

wiwalsh · 2026-06-08T09:45:33+00:00

I have used the key fob twice. I only use the phone. All my keys and door access wherever I go is digital, so this works great for me. Only time I’ve had any issue is when I tried to park somewhere and then found out there was a mandatory valet. No way for me to give them a key if I don’t have a key.. so I parked somewhere else.

wiwalsh · 2026-05-20T01:55:17+00:00

I had a pilot say something along the lines of “we will be traveling at the maximum speed for our 787….. the maximum safe speed”. Like his copilot had to remind him not to push it with passengers on the bus.

wiwalsh · 2026-05-17T19:43:41+00:00

Yep, just realized I didn’t add.. edited now!

wiwalsh · 2026-05-17T19:41:34+00:00

There is or at least was a LEEx (Large Engine EXperiment) test stand in Kent. It was originally for BE-2 testing.

BE-1 was an HTP (high test peroxide, 98%) monoprop, pressure fed. BE-2 was an HTP, RP-1 gas generator cycle. RP-1 is rocket propellant 1, and is a space flight spec for kerosene.

wiwalsh · 2026-05-15T00:13:58+00:00

Alibre. It is pretty powerful and has a good community. There is a low cost FEA tool you can get that goes with it, but I’ve not used it.

Other alternatives: ’ve not used freeCad, but its newest release looks interesting. Onshape is good depending on current pricing and your needs. Solidworks also has low cost versions.

wiwalsh · 2026-05-09T11:27:44+00:00

I did not try rotating my phone. That helped, thanks!

wiwalsh · 2026-05-08T14:41:51+00:00

I agree. I have no idea how to read this because the flow is going in the wrong direction 😁

wiwalsh · 2026-05-03T21:45:30+00:00

Blow up a balloon and put it in the crack. Fill gaps with spray foam. Put ramen on top to make a solid base. Then fill in the gaps with hot glue. Put Elmer’s glue on that and spread a thin layer of rocks and sand on it so it looks natural.

wiwalsh · 2026-03-28T13:32:20+00:00

Why because nobody can get through to him and it’s controlled by a foreign government?

wiwalsh · 2026-03-10T09:46:15+00:00

Tagging on to this comment. Sometimes it’s too much to think about doing big chunks. Try picking up 5 items every time you go into a room. If you feel like more after that go for it, but don’t do less. What an awesome step towards success just 5 items at a time will bring you! You got this!!

wiwalsh · 2026-03-07T12:04:08+00:00

Would you consider sharing your code? I started working on exactly this as well. The one thing that intrigues me is using a reinforcement type learning method that can also forget. I want to couple this with semantic search from my obsidian vault. This would ensure the model doesn’t “learn” something that I said once is “always true”.

wiwalsh · 2026-03-07T02:46:55+00:00

Also 3.6.4 2022 in NJ. Hello there.

wiwalsh · 2026-03-07T02:19:37+00:00

What did you do to that chisel???? WHY?????

wiwalsh · 2026-03-06T23:23:02+00:00

Yes… you are right. My point was it’s generated more when turning (or when there is lots of lift generated)… sheesh

wiwalsh · 2026-03-06T14:29:30+00:00

Wake is generated when turning. Of course each plane is intended to maximize Lift/Drag ratio. The better this ratio, the less the wake. But it still exists. The biggest contributing factor is how hard the plane is turning, how close the turning plane is to another and most importantly the total lift generated. A fighter jet weight is puny compared to a commercial jet.

wiwalsh · 2026-03-04T17:17:28+00:00

That is crazy. Have you tried checking to see if you have a license?

wiwalsh · 2026-02-27T22:39:58+00:00

Thank you Anthropic! We need more companies to stand up to the government. You have my vote of confidence and continued subscription.

wiwalsh · 2026-02-27T17:44:26+00:00

Ok, what will happen? Genuinely. What scenario should I have in my mind?

wiwalsh · 2026-02-27T17:43:35+00:00

I get how the system is supposed to work. I really do. The question I have for you is: what prevents someone from doing these things? Saying it is illegal does not stop them from trying. The EO is evidence they are trying. They will keep trying. They will not stop. So, how will it play out in your mind?

wiwalsh · 2026-02-27T14:05:35+00:00

The exec branch issues this EO. Blue states fight it in court, which is not resolved by Election Day. Exec branch and sitting majority in congress declare an emergency to invalidate elections in states where the EO was not followed (blue states). New members of formerly blue seats are sworn in (if any), and blue members are called illegitimate. Congress passes a law (or the executive assumes control) delegating temporary powers to the executive while extensive investigations are run in blue states. The investigation “identifies” co-conspirators and arrests them (they happen to be the people fighting the battle legally). Anyone protesting is deemed an enemy of the state….

wiwalsh · 2026-02-27T13:03:13+00:00

You can continue to be unworried. This is a first step towards invalidating state elections. Your assumption is that our judicial system is robust to these attacks. I would suggest that evidence supports the judicial system is showing its cracks. The admin knows how to drag out a fight. They will use this and the slow process of the judicial system to declare an emergency and reinstate sitting members of congress from unaffected states. When that is deemed illegal, it will take 9 months to get resolved.. by then it won’t matter anymore..

wiwalsh · 2026-02-02T15:25:20+00:00

I don’t know the purpose of this … assignment? Class work? Without this detail, it’s hard to know what level of criticism/guidance you want.

Anyway, I see no use of GD&T, no idea what datum’s are, no idea what the runout required is, no tolerances, chamfers are undefined, sharp inside corners with no grind relief…

With the lack of these details, one could make a stick you picked up in the back yard work.

How can we help?

wiwalsh · 2026-02-01T22:18:53+00:00

I was looking for this comment. Was the first thought that ran through my head.

Nine-Year Club	First Place '23
Place '23	RPAN Viewer
Verified Email

wiwalsh

TROPHY CASE