Thanks for the new articles, John (and Stuart). I'm sure I'm not the only one who looks forward to reading through them. Are they presented for comment, discussion, critique, or debate, I wonder? That is, should they be regarded as "Green Papers" (or "White")?

Hello Geoff,

I am always happy to discuss any of the educational articles on the site.

I am pleased you look forward to reading them.

Thanks

John.

Hiya,

I think compilation of other peoples educational articles into one article is quite useful although sometimes I get a bit of dejavu when I'm reading stuff lifted straight out of a textbook or website.

I find it interesting to find the sources of the snippetts given in the articles and read them as well. The CEN website are even better they have articles that are lifted straight out of wikipedia and posted by their members.

Cheers.

As everyone must already be aware, most papers published by "professional people" (physicians, architects and others of genius stature) are in fact re-hashes (or, if you like, summaries) of the current state of play in the chosen topic. The rules of "publishing" are that all references must be fully, er, referenced (or acknowledged). Sometimes the list of references runs into many more pages than the body of work itself! There is very little original work published these days. And now we have the web and the Wiki et al, I don't expect the situation to improve any time soon. We are firmly in the cut and paste era now, guys.

But don't get me wrong. Summaries are extremely useful. In fact I feel that this very forum could use the services of an editor. That is, someone to summarise the lengthy (verbose?) threads that we sometimes see. If they're not summarised, they just seem to "taper off", only to be re-introduced all over again a year or so later! Yes, I reckon we need summaries (precis is another good word), and perhaps a special page to put them! If not, then collectively we run the risk of not learning much, and not really moving forward (how many times have the same issues been raised time and time again?).

Yes, I've noticed the trend towards gross lifting on the other website. Personally, I can't see the point. That's why I prefer to include links. That way, anyone interested can click on that (or not, as the case may be).

Yes, John, I've now read the last three articles. The only one I would argue with is the Equipment Library one. But I shall keep my own council about that, as it seems that some of our "librarian" friends resent comments from mere engineering technicians.

I have written many educational articles, some based on academic research that I have had published in Engineering, Procurement, and Scientific Journals (which would bore the pants off most of our members).

As you say Geoff, all articles are based on information learnt or gathered somewhere else, but there is a knack to compiling and editing an article that is informative, educational and interesting to a wide audience. This is what we try to achieve.

Our educational articles are compiled using many different sources (and we always list the sources). I have also included articles based on my own academic research that are completely my own work - and many 100's of hours put in. Some of the articles on this site have been published 'word for word' elsewhere (with our agreement). This includes the Open University, Engineering Technology (IET) etc.

I try to keep abreast of the latest developments in EBME equipment and management. Many of the articles are based on information I have gathered for myself - to improve my own knowledge. I then edit them down to a magazine style format, and hopefully some of our members will read them and appreciate the efforts involved in getting them posted on the the site.

If our members want academic research papers - they should do the work to get them. The purpose of these articles is to inform and share the knowledge that is out there.

If anyone want to submit an article for publication, I would be very happy to consider it.

regards,

John.

Bravo John. I know how much effort it all takes. Many moons ago I used to submit the odd piece myself (yes, the same old topics, PM and the like) to publications like "Africa Health", "Far East Health" and "Middle East Health" (are those still up and running, I wonder). I also did a ton of "promotional copy" back in those days (for contract proposals and the like). People who don't write may think it's all easy (but there again, they probably always leave it to somebody else, don't they?).

You're right about the need to constantly "freshen" material. The news networks (aka the media) do it all the time. Now that the world is on line, the demand for "copy" is seemingly greater than ever, with the same old stuff being regurgitated over and over. What distresses me, though, is the generally poor standard of the so-called "journalisim" seen on line. I see "howlers" every day on the BBC's websites. I suppose that (in the mad rush to be first with "breaking wind", er, news) they just don't have time to get stuff edited (eg, checked for grammar and spelling - or even factual correctness)!

What I do these days myself is to incorporate my "messages" (or should that read propaganda?) into my software projects, and distribute it that way. I have a pile of stuff (mostly penned - keyed? - by yours truly, some blatantly plagiarised), banging on the same old drum (the need for PM, and all the rest), all ancient now (but still valid, surprisingly - sadly? - after all this time). It definitely needs "freshening", but having done it so many times before, I just don't have the energy (or time) to go through it all again. If anybody wants it all, I would be happy to zip it all up out of the Window(s).

Hiya,

I'm all for education John, the articles are quite interesting and informative. Be interested to get the details of the academic research stuff you've had published. Have you got the details?

I'd be interested in putting stuff forward but I'm always a bit wary of giving stuff free to companies that work on a for profit basis. As the director of ebme.co.uk (I asume) and a manager you must appreciate this.

Cheers.

Why be wary, Rob? All information should be freely given, Mate! Who cares if "companies" use your stuff (as I know they have used mine)? You don't have to buy it (back) off them, you know! Keep the faith, and rise about the level of the mediocre, Brother! There are worthy people out there (in the world) who need all the help they can get!

Once again I feel in danger of repeating myself, but in case you're wondering who it is I'm talking about (?), it's our brother (and sister) biomeds beavering away in "less than ideal" conditions and circumstances in the hospital basements, corridors and Portakabins of the world! There's more to life than chasing dollars (pounds, euro's ... shekels, whatever). When you share something, you haven't lost it. Be generous, be human!

Hiya,

Thats all well and good but Im not keen on spending giving away quality stuff thats taken lots of my time producing, especially when others are making a profit from it.

Ive lurked on this site long enough to see that even when people post useful stuff that their not appreciated for it. So theirs no win really. Contributors to commercial sites like this are mugs really IMO.

Cheers.

There are always more takers than givers, Rob. Just as there are always more lurkers than contributors. But those contributors are not (necessarily) mugs, Mate, just free-spirited, generous (and, dare I say it, caring) people. All good biomed characteristics, in my opinion!

And when it comes to being appreciated (or not, as the case may be), when you get to my stage of the game ... who gives a damn?

Who is it who's "making a profit", by the way? Are we talking about "commercial websites" like ebme here, or have you someone else in mind? Come on, Mate ... let's "name and shame" if you like.