Fellow DesignerCouncil Subscribers:
               I don't know about you, but I am getting really tired
          of all the "junk mail" coming our way.  I'm not talking
          about job postings either.
               There are alot of "weenies" out there who seem to take
          delight in taking pot shots at the IPC, either with the
          QOD's, or the certification program.  What has happened to
          professionalism?  I'm not talking about passing a test, I'm
          referring to "netiquette".  As for myself, I'm very proud to
          be affiliated with IPC activities.  My employer (HADCO) sees
          real value in the IPC, and our people have started two
          Design Councils (Carrie Lawn in MD/VA and Jamie Morrow in
          Pittsburgh) over the last year.  Another HADCO person is
          V.P. of the So. Jersey Council.  Several HADCO employees,
          including myself, have been guest speakers at many IPC
          Council sites.  Designer Councils are cropping up all over
          the country, and this is goodness.  Long live the IPC and
          Designer Councils.  O.K., enough of that...
               Regarding the QOD's, yes there have been some nebulous
          or even erroneous questions put forth.  At the end of each
          QOD, you are asked to give responsible comment/critique to
          Lisa Williams at IPC ([log in to unmask]).  This is where your
          comments should be going.  Please don't clutter up the forum
          with your rumblings.
               Concerning the certification, this is truly a
          democratic process.  If you don't like the program, get
          involved and change things.  The IPC is a not-for-profit
          group that welcomes (begs for?) help with their projects.
          Join the IPC, either through a local council, or directly,
          and MAKE A DIFFERENCE!  The end result is that the IPC is
          trying to make board design a profession, not a job.  I have
          not taken the test.  I work for a board fabricator and am
          not a designer.  Even so, I get most of the QOD's right.
          Your company should have a copy of most of the pertinent IPC
          documents, since they are broadly accepted as industry
          standards.  Certainly, the -275 and -276 documents should be
          a part of your company's library.  It is my understanding
          that most of the material for the certification test is
          fathomed from these two documents.  Dieter Bergman at IPC
          does a wonderful job giving seminars on these documents.  I
          know because I attended one (at Colonial Circuits, one of
          HADCO's competitors).  These seminars are offerred
          throughout the country, and I highly recommend it.
               There seems to be another war going on over job
          postings.  Forum members several months ago voted in favor
          of allowing job postings.  Let's get on with life.  I
          support the idea that the subject should be clearly
          identified so that we can nuke those messages for which we
          have no need.
               Finally, there is that category of messages for which I
          really don't have a name.  I'm talking about those mindless,
          child-ish messages that some very bored people send to the
          entire group.  It's sort of like internet graffiti.  I can
          only hope that they find some other way to amuse themselves.
          Why not check out a chat room on AOL or something?  Leave us
          responsible people alone, please.
               I've done some "sidebar" internet chatting with some of
          the other charter members of DesignerCouncil and TechNet.
          You don't hear from many of us anymore, pretty much because
          of the things I've outlined above.  Can we all make a
          determined effort to keep this forum professional?  Thanks
          for your help... thank you, IPC, and a special thanks to
          those of you who make responsible contributions!
          Regards,
          Tom Coyle
          Field Services Engineer
          HADCO Corporation
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