http://www.cirexx.com/blog by Cirexx Internatinoal Fri, 12 Mar 2010 17:18:14 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en I am so excited to see how many people have joined various groups in the last year! Last April I compiled a list of the best LinkedIn groups for printed circuit board professionals and enthusiasts.  Many changes have occurred since then, with the addition of new groups and the demise ... http://www.cirexx.com/blog/2010/03/linkedin-groups-pcb-enthusiasts-2010/ A big topic in the last few years has been the occurrence of (and the damage caused by) the growth of tin whiskers in high-profile and high-reliability products.  Elusive, often misunderstood, and difficult to prevent; tin whiskers have posed significant problems.  In fact, even just two weeks ago TechEye.net was ... http://www.cirexx.com/blog/2010/03/managing-whiskers-tin-facial/ A little before 9am this morning, I had a great conversation with a PCB Designer in Ireland while also talking to a designer in Georgia.  No, I wasn't in Ireland or Georgia, and no it wasn't over the phone.  Instead we typed back and forth in a private chat, courtesy ... http://www.cirexx.com/blog/2010/03/closing-deal-virtual-handshake/ A few weeks ago Morgan and I were doing a client visit, and had set up a table in the cafeteria of a large customer during lunchtime. It was a great opportunity for those who we currently work with to come and say hi, and also for co-workers to ... http://www.cirexx.com/blog/2010/02/hard-questions-success-story/ BANNOCKBURN, Ill., USA, February 4, 2010 — Complacency with having survived the trials of 2009 is a naïve posture that, in 2010, will lead to continued struggles warns Walt Custer. The noted industry analyst and president of Custer Consulting Group will join IPC Director of Market Research Sharon ... http://www.cirexx.com/blog/2010/02/global-business-outlook-keynote-ipc-apex-expotm-preps-industry-recovery-vital-planning/ Doesn't it drive you nuts when people chime in on your suffering with no encouragement, but rather, empty words? In Part 4, "It Could be Worse", Marissa Oskarsen tells a story that exemplifies this occurrence. Enjoy! [powerpress url=http://www.cirexx.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/It%20could%20be%20worse.mp3] http://www.cirexx.com/blog/2010/02/worse-short-stories-road-marissa-oskarsen-pt-4/ Two weeks from now, in the heart of the Silicon Valley, many of the top design firms and printed circuit board professionals will be attending DesignCon 2010.  Held at the Santa Clara Convention Center from February 1st-4th, this show promises to be a very valuable event for many.  Already the ... http://www.cirexx.com/blog/2010/01/designcon-2010/ [caption id="attachment_614" align="alignleft" width="101" caption="Blackjack II"][/caption] As the keys begin to stick on my Samsung Blackjack II, and I think about how the navigation wheel used to spin freely, I remember the days of my Siemens M56.  That little phone was built like a tiny brick, and it withstood the harshest ... http://www.cirexx.com/blog/2010/01/rugged-rugged/ It has been interesting to read both the 2009 “end of the year recaps” and the 2010 predictions for the printed circuit board (PCB) industry as we have drawn close to the New Year.  Most have been quite comprehensive and informative, yet I hope to add value by also providing ... http://www.cirexx.com/blog/2010/01/fresh-take-on-2009-recap/ U.S. Consulates Help IPC APEX EXPO Exhibitors Reach Across Oceans and Borders to Develop Business and Partnerships BANNOCKBURN, Ill., USA, December 18, 2009 — The U.S. Department of Commerce has chosen IPC APEX EXPOTM as one of a select group of U.S. trade shows to participate ... http://www.cirexx.com/blog/2009/12/consulates-ipc-apex-expo-exhibitors-reach-oceans-borders-develop-business-partnerships/