Talk:Personal rapid transit/Archive 2

message: "One cartoonist says that PRT studies are a "stalking horse" for the highway industry to direct work on transit to unproductive areas."
:Appears to be User:Avidor, who has recently edited the article and talk page. See .  User:Avidor, please correct me if the cartoonist is someone else. pstudier 04:55, 24 January 2006 (UTC)
thread_title: Who is the cartoonist mentioned here?

message: ...that they only share only with each other:
"I haven't actually seen any ULTra numbers. How expensive are they saying their guideway will be per mile? Some cost estimates are a little fuzzy for me too."
"Most I can only justify conceptually, not numerically. "
"I've seen convinving claims that maintenance would be minimal and could be largely automated, but it's still an unknown for me. "
"Yea I'm not sure about that."
"I've accepted that if a bike won't fit in there, i'll use a scooter. "
"I don't know why exactly it would be much (or any) more expensive)."
This is why encyclopedias consult experts.Avidor 14:44, 7 April 2006 (UTC)
replies: text: Douglas J. Malewicki, "inventor" of Skytran and the Robosaurus:
"I do not pretend to know ZIP about electronics. Same with the actual details of automation sensors and machine control ladder logic programming.  Same for the details of hydraulic schematics and which is the best type of proportional valve for a certain task.  Same for minutiae of low speed aerodynamics.      
"I am a generalist who knows a lot about many technical subjects and understands what can and can't be done and for what costs. However, I am not super capable with specific details.  Over the years I have had to develop a trusted  resource team of outside sources to take care of me AND whom enjoy working with me on  whatever new bizarre and entertaining projects come along (as long as they are getting  properly paid). 
 
"I also am a technical optimist with confidence that comes  with years of experience.  I am quite comfortable and enjoy tearing into solving  problems in technical fields I have no real initial expertise.  It's fun learning all the time and I guess it's the cost effective way for the companies I work for to get radical new (hopefully good) ideas." 
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But, Mr. Malewicki like nearly all PRT proponents is expert enough to condemn rail transit as he does on his Skytran site-Avidor 16:22, 7 April 2006 (UTC)
replies: text: Oh, here's more from "inventor" Malewicki. ..this is good...
"Current Status of SkyTran:Aaaarrrrgghh! Ain't no such animal - yet. It is still just a concept that makes a lot of theoretical sense. It needs money to tear into it properly - a lot.
Why it hasn't happened yet   is mostly my fault. I detest paperwork and details. I can't see myself applying for any government energy or innovation grants because of all the  bureaucratic crap that I would be stuck with. If they supplied paperwork bozos along with the grants to take care of their required paperwork, it might be more appealing. I guess I also don't want to deal with all their other silly rules either. If I want to hire all black engineers (and I know  a bunch of dam good practical ones), to the exclusion of Hispanics, Women, Polaks, etc. the government won't let me. I start reading the grant application forms and rules and never finish - because I toss it all in the garbage first in disgust. Basically, I'm selfish. I prefer to think and  create. I have plenty of other non-hassle projects I can be involved in to  feed my brain endorphins or whatever. I am definitely not the right kind of  personality to carry this project to fruition in the real world!
Maybe my hope is the World  Wide Web? I suspect a few young bright boys and girls will read this stuff on the web and grow up and become a state Governor or some such. They will  know what to do!"
So there you have it-Skyweb is just another PRT "concept"...not an actual company with a product.Avidor 17:00, 7 April 2006 (UTC)
thread_title: PRT Proponents Have Their Doubts...