What's happened to Shield Arc

[Tractor Seabee]

****. That does suck to hear. It seems like yesterday we got to see Shield's distaste for 115 volt welders and his head butting with the Sodo guy.
What a few years does to the situation.
To echo S219, I wonder if someone I.T. savvy could help him out with one of those voice thingys that write what you speak. If we send him something like that, maybe his grandson could hook it up for him. Maybe he'd still like to be involved with the forum if so? Get his mind off of things and something to do if it'd be his desire. He's got quite the cross to bear.
I'd contribute to that if Shield would welcome such.

Not a bad idea, it is just a voice recognition software package. Install and learning to use is the trick. I know he won't take anything w/0 paying himself as he is financially comfortable. Made good investments with his generous accident proceeds. I will try to get over there and ask soon. He was kind of busy last time as he had techs there installing a new heat pump system.

Ron

 

[dragoneggs]

Not a bad idea, it is just a voice recognition software package. Install and learning to use is the trick. I know he won't take anything w/0 paying himself as he is financially comfortable. Made good investments with his generous accident proceeds. I will try to get over there and ask soon. He was kind of busy last time as he had techs there installing a new heat pump system.

Ron

Ron, let me know if I can help as well. PM me and maybe we can meet up.

 

[lilranch2001]

Once I am finished with a 2 1/2 hour company zoom call I will try again. :smiley_aafz:

God I do not miss work!

 

[Mark @ Everlast]

I'm thankful for the report. A good deed done checking up on him. I have a few people I need to go see, but Covid is getting in the way.

 

[aczlan]

Not a bad idea, it is just a voice recognition software package. Install and learning to use is the trick. I know he won't take anything w/0 paying himself as he is financially comfortable. Made good investments with his generous accident proceeds. I will try to get over there and ask soon. He was kind of busy last time as he had techs there installing a new heat pump system.

Ron

Pretty much any modern tablet (or something like a Chromebook) should be able to do that right out of the box.

Those will also generally be compatible with a Bluetooth mouse or (possibly easier if he's having hand issues) a trackball.
With a trackball he could get the cursor to where he wants and then click on the link to open it.
The ball that you move to move the cursor is physically separate from the buttons that you click, therefore any unsteadiness of hand is not a problem (Grandpa used a trackball as his arthritis got worse and a track pad on a keyboard wasn't as feasible to use).
I really like the Kensington 4 button models with the large trackball, they work great.

Aaron Z

 

[Big Barn]

I understand the physical constraints, but keep in mind perhaps mentally he may not be interested in participating.

This is an aspect Ron might be more aware of.

 

[goeduck]

God I do not miss work!

Hey, these zoom and teams meetings allow me to work at home 4 or 5 days a week. Company said today to not come into the office. Not complaining.

 

[4570Man]

Hey, these zoom and teams meetings allow me to work at home 4 or 5 days a week. Company said today to not come into the office. Not complaining.

But if you’re effectively doing your job from home how long will it be before someone in China is doing your job for half or less price?

 

[goeduck]

But if you’re effectively doing your job from home how long will it be before someone in China is doing your job for half or less price?

Elections have consequences, could now be sooner than later. Close to retirement so I do not have to worry for long.

Back to the topic of Shield Arc.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

OK, here is the story. I finally caught Shield-Arc (Carl) at home today. He is still alive but is not in very good physical shape. Also his wife recently had a series of 19 strokes which have left her an invalid and he is caring for her the best, with help, he is able. His old pile driving accident has come home to roost badly. He cannot raise his arms above his midsection and fingers cannot manipulate the keyboard any more. he has to give up on both forums. His shop time is now almost nil except he is teaching his grandson to weld. He sends his best wishes to all and keep him in your hearts and prayers.

Overall he does not look good. He has lost a lot weight and walks haltingly. God bless and keep him. He is 10 years younger than me so at 85 I may not be far behind him. My old pipefitter days are coming home to roost with a vengeance with spinal problems, if my cardiologist allows, I am facing two back surgeries.

Ron

Thanks for the update and all the kind words about shied arc.

 

[piercedtiger]

But if you’re effectively doing your job from home how long will it be before someone in China is doing your job for half or less price?

My company just outsourced several major groups to India. What a fuster cluck. They don't respond to emails. They don't have historical knowledge of the org. They don't join (or if they do, they don't participate) in the Zoom/Google/etc calls regarding high priority issues (sometimes over an hour to get a 2 minute answer, and this is for healthcare). One of the guys has 250+ tickets in his queue because, apparently, the outsource company has less people allocated than we had in-house (would make sense to further cut cost). Service from our side dealing with these people/this company is such a pain in the *** now that we expect termination of the contract in less than a year.

 

[crazyal]

I resisted reading this thread out of fear that something bad has happened. I'm glad he's still alive but sad that his body is failing him as well as what his wife is going through. I think there's a number of us here who have had jobs that have abused our bodies and fear that what's happening to Carl could be our fate as well as we age. If nothing else if someone reaches out to Carl again let him know there's plenty here who have never met him in person but he and his wife are in our prayers.

 

[Lnk]

I resisted reading this thread out of fear that something bad has happened. I'm glad he's still alive but sad that his body is failing him as well as what his wife is going through. I think there's a number of us here who have had jobs that have abused our bodies and fear that what's happening to Carl could be our fate as well as we age. If nothing else if someone reaches out to Carl again let him know there's plenty here who have never met him in person but he and his wife are in our prayers.

Include me in sending prayers for him and his wife. I don't know the man, but have read many of his posts. He has helped me without his knowing, or perhaps he does know. Thank you ShieldArc for all the information you have provided to so many over the years. May your health as well as your wife's health improve.

 

[lilranch2001]

I think most of us enjoyed learning from Shield, I was a very proficient welder as a young man, and he taught me a few things along the way

 

[dstig1]

I just saw on Welding Web that Carl has passed away. A friend of his who was also a welder posted about it. He was CEP on WW.

 

[Midniteoyl]

Well.. Damn.

 

[bindian]

RIP Shield Arc. God's speed.
hugs, Brandi

 

[Wagtail]

R.I.P.

 

[square1]

A invaluable contributor who's passing leaves a void that might never be filleted completely
R.I P. Shield

 

[Gordon Gould]

A invaluable contributor who's passing leaves a void that might never be filleted completely
R.I P. Shield

^^
And he was willing to help anyone and share his vast knowledge.

gg