Hi Paul,

I've been in the PCB manufacturing business for 18 years and have some ideas
as to why more professionals in my field don't get too involved with forums
like this or offer many opinions.

First, they would be giving away "secrets" from the store.  Shops spend more
time and energy keeping things secret than you would imagine.  Bosses are
very unfriendly towards people who give away company "secrets".  (And most of
us have damn few real secrets.)

Secondly, processes are different from one place to the next.  What works for
me will not necessarily work for someone else.  Most of us have offered much
advice over the years only to find that little if any of it is used - or
worked for the recepient.  So we tend to just hang back and watch.  Or to
contact the individual "off line".

Lastly, I've been chastised by my bosses on more than one occasion for
sharing even common information to other shops (the "enemy") that one tends
to say "Forget it".  I'm talking about stuff that is simple and known to most
all technically competent professionals.  Even when it's not a competitor
that querried us, we know other shops will get the info.  So, again, because
of this fear of sharing information between shops, you get a lot of "peepers"
on TechNet.

I LOVE to give away free advice to anyone who wants it.  End users,
competitors, curious bystanders, whoever.  I love the business of PCB
manufacturing and am willing to share my knowledge with anyone who wants it.
Yet, my employers in the past have been unwilling to allow it.  One day I
keep hoping to find the right place to work and the right people to work for
and with.  People who are not paranoid.

Mark Mazzoli
[log in to unmask]
678-421-9986

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