極點之外

Resize of P3130343.JPG 僅以此文獻給(呼應)讓我想到要 blog 一些思緒的 Alicehcchien.

這並不只是所謂的工程師還是 MIS 所會遇到的情境而已。舉我自己常遇到的詢問為例:

在餐廳內:吃素?你吃素?你是有什麼宗教信仰嗎?第二次在餐廳內:田徑?你練田徑?你是練長距離嗎?答:不,我練短跑和跳遠。第三次在餐廳內:什麼?你是 xx 紀錄保持人?

在田徑場上:吃素?你吃素?你怎麼會吃素?第二次在田徑場上:什麼?你要練太極拳?

在摩托車友間:什麼?摩托文化?第二次在車友間:What? Zen and Motorcycle?

So this happens all the time. 這不是什麼好不好的問題,而是 stereotype 可以提供一個比較快去識別和分類身旁所接觸人群的 mechanism. If you like, you can call it 『方便法』。

Now let’s have an eye on Wiki. 你可能會問我:這跟 wiki 又有什麼關係?答案是可以有的。Wiki 本身不提供一個已經架構化過的環境(to some degree),所以剛開始嘗試寫 wiki pages 的時候,我們可能會很茫然。因為茫然,所以三分鐘熱度過後,wiki 就走向後宮了。

沒有 structure 會有好處,也有盲點。『工程師就是那個樣子』是一種辨識 structure 作功過度的例子,wiki 剛好是另一個 polar. No overt structure, organic chaotics, and total openness.

那極點之外呢?

車牌編碼

國內的車牌歷經幾年前的大改,沒想到在數年間號碼用罄,造成車牌編碼混亂。原規劃化之前兩碼英文後四碼數字(小客車),變成現在的一堆組合,令人難以辨識。若有交通事故,路人急需快速辨認肇事車輛之車牌,難度便高了許多。

提供卸下之德國車牌供參考。 AUT_0803.JPG Resize of P2110304.JPG Resize of P2110306.JPG Resize of P2110307.JPG Resize of P2110310.JPG

Gardner

Former world 500cc motorcycle champion Wayne Gardner today urged motorists to be more conscious of motorcyclists on the road.
Gardner today joined federal Transport Minister John Anderson in launching a national television campaign starring himself and Olympic gold medallist Kieren Perkins.
The Celebration of Australian Motorcycling campaign was aimed at highlighting motorbike safety across the country.
“There’s training schools around, but as much as you train people the fact is that 64 per cent of the time it’s motorists that are at fault in accidents with motorbikes,” he said.
“The key is you’ve got to train riders and train motorists.”
Research by the Motorcycle Council of NSW in the year 2000 showed drivers in bike-car accidents were at fault 68 per cent of the time.
And 45 per cent of all motorcycle accidents in NSW involved another car.
Gardner said the general public needed to be aware that motorcyclists use the roads, as well as cars.
“You can educate people to wear the right equipment – like helmet, gloves, boots and so on – but if a car comes up on you, there’s not really much room to avoid it,” said Gardner.
He also called for improvements to conditions on the road for motorcyclists.
“There’s lots of areas for improvement with the roads,” he said.
“The main ones are education, awareness and safety barriers, like double white lines that can get slippery when it rains.
“But when you’ve only got limited resources you can only do one thing at a time.”
Gardner said Australia’s warm climate and open roads promoted motorcycle riding.
Gardner won the world 500cc championship in 1987 and has since gone on to participate in the V8 supercar series.

Honda 針對女性車主推出新設計

Sunday Times 看來的新聞,還沒時間翻譯。新的設計理念並不僅僅是動動小零組件,重新刷塗外型,以消費性潮流為宗,還是能夠讓女性更方便駐車而已。我們來看看任職於 Honda 的 Scott Grimsdall 怎麼說:

The new design is the result of a three-year programme to collect data on women’s bodies and the way they ride. “The ergonomics and design of our current range of bikes are drawn from data about riders who have predominantly been male,” says Scott Grimsdall of Honda. “We have built a new database of the dimensions and preferences of women riders which has enabled us to design a bike with them in mind.”

專業、執著,還有研發能力,就是這樣子來的。三年的研究計劃,不知多少女性車主的生理結構與車輛互動之資訊,全部在資料庫中,以供新設計專案運用。

Cafe Racer 的復活(1)

voxanmag.jpeg Cafe Racer, 一個在九零年代後期已經被遺忘的詞彙、在消費者盲目追逐大馬力與速度的年代、在台灣開放重車,騎士們惶惶然被廠商技術綁標之際、在只剩下英國的 Triumph 仍獨立反駁 Bert Hopwood 於『到底英國的摩托工業發生了什麼事』一書中犀利諷刺之時,我很慶幸能看到, Voxan 和 Ducati 最新的 Monster S4R 上,正開始在世紀初醞釀一股 Cafe Racer 的新精神。

目前與 Cafe Racer 淵源最深的咖啡館,當然就是歷史頗久,名氣更大的 Ace Cafe London。撇開 history lessons 和令人熱血沸騰的停車場景象不談,他們目前有一項頗值得借鏡的做法是準備將相關的歷史軼事,以不同格式的文件來保存(ensuring that a substantive documentary of the Ace Cafe is available in different formats)

Minnesota Motorcycle Monthly 也另闢『Diary of A Cafe Racer』專欄,建議有興趣的車友可以閱讀。其他如對於騎士相當友善的 Alterra Coffee Roast, 也可以參考。類似的努力(“咖啡盃”活動),在台灣各地頗多,但這些以主題營運的商家或活動是否能作的長久,孕育出令人懷念的 Cafe Racer 文化;還是僅週末聚會曇花一現,往後無以為繼 — 我想,我們都還有努力的空間。

日本 i-mode 實機與國內車廠的行為

明顯與台灣引進款式完全不同等級的 i-mode 手機,令人不禁莞爾,我們用的,又是三流屆退的傾銷產品?

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同樣情形,也發生在摩托車上。光陽一款重車在國內售價19萬左右,外銷香港,反而報價十六萬五。台灣進口摩托車的課稅額度,加上廠商合理『暴利』,再加上嚴重歧視的稅制等級和惡劣之行車環境 — 稱為『自主性殖民』地區,亦不為過。

On the Road Again

On the Road Again: Australia by Motorcycle from A to Z.

Published by Bear Face Books, ISBN 0 9586975-3-1
Available from Panoptikon Pty Ltd, PO Box 2066, Boronia Park NSW 2111

Peter “The Bear” Thoeming has released a new motorcycle travel guide. See this link for the details.

號誌自動翻譯辨認

來自 Technology Review 的消息。號誌辨認常常是我們騎車周遊各國時所會遇到的一個麻煩。現任教於 Carnegie Mellon University 的 Jie Yang 發明了一套使用 HP Jornada 再加上照相機便可以將他國道路視覺號誌翻譯的軟體。 我在想,PDA 除了可作 GPS 定位之外,還可以如何和摩托旅遊結合。至少,我曾經在 PalmGear 上看過為數不少專們寫給行車油量紀錄的軟體。

Supermotard 超級摩塔

來自奧地利工廠建造出令人驚奇的越野車種,我們將它們稱之為超級摩塔(Supermotard).

彎道中允許傾角極大、越野風格、高速於柏油路面上奔馳,這就是歐洲目前發展最快速的超級摩塔系列賽。來自奧地利的 KTM, 這家在1990年代後專門出產越野車種的廠商,正是 supermotard 始祖和暢銷車款 LC4 Supermoto 背後的推力。 KTM 自90年代初期便積極投入四行程單缸引擎越野車款的開發。這個級距也有人稱之為 “thumper,” 但包含道路和越野車種。超級摩塔賽事頗類似四輪車種的 Go-Kart. 賽道通常較 Cross 來的短小,使用道路用輪框,並且配上手工刻出胎紋的光頭胎(slick)。以賽事的級距來說,通常分有 Prestige-Kategorie, Challenger-Kategorie, Rookie-Kategorie, Fun-Kategorie, Youngster-Kategorie, Scooter Trophy 和 Quad-Kategorie 等不同量級。

超級摩塔車款也漸為歐洲市區車主所喜愛。高坐姿幾何,提供更佳視野,可減少因前道車輛擁塞所帶來的視覺死角。低轉速的扭力反應,頗適合市區騎乘。

近年來 KTM 在巴黎達卡拉力賽的表現,只能以全面壟斷來形容。

目前除了 KTM 之外,其他量產 supermotard 的歐洲大小車廠尚有 CCM, HusqvarnaVertemati, Husaberg, VOR, Betamotor, Derbi, Kramit…等等。

光陽2002年銷售表現

Kymco(光陽)公司於本月二十六日表示,他們 2002 年的稅前盈餘為十億四百萬台幣,較 2001 年攀升 25%, EPS 為 NT$1.75, 為國內各車廠表現最佳者。

2002 年光陽總銷售車款數量為 220,000 輛,連續三年蟬連國內銷售量第一;外銷總數量也是領先其他車廠。光陽預計在 2003 年份內銷突破 230,000, 外銷為 100,000 輛。

Self-Assessment Test: Who are you, anyway?

What kind of motorcyclist are you? Take this easy test and find out! 1) When you ride by a cop, do you expect:
a, A return of your friendly wave
b, A day in traffic school
c, A high-speed chase

2) What type of motorcycle training have you had?
a, MSF and ERC; b, Superbike school; c, Bike dealer showed me how to shift

3) Proper riding attire is:
a, Aerostich suit; b, Torn red, white, and blue racing leathers; c, Oakley blades

4) Which do you spend the most money on?
a, Gas; b, Tires; c, Plastic

5) How did you pay for your bike:
a, Cash; b, Credit; c, Mom

6) Who is your favorite famous motorcyclist?
a, Malcom Forbes; b, Eddie Lawson; c, Mike Tyson

7) Do you pass other vehicles:
a, Only when legal; b, Only when safe; c, By forcing them off the road

8) What was the first modification to your bike?
a, Premium tires; b, A loud exhaust; c, A neon paint job

9) When you give someone their first ride on a motorcycle, they:
a, Compliment you on what an enjoyable time they had; b, Clutch your stomach with a death grip; c, Invariably fall off

10. After a close call, do you:
a, Evaluate what you can do to avoid this in the future; b, Promise yourself you’ll settle down; c, Brag to your friends

11. A helmet should be:
a, DOT or SNELL approved; b, Replaced after a crash; c, Bungied to the back of the bike

12. Riding in groups can be advantageous because:
a, It makes you more visible to other motorists; b, There is always help when someone crashes; c, There is always someone to race

13. Which is the worse accident you’ve had:
a, Tipped bike over on steep driveway; b, Low-speed fall in gravel-filled turn; c, Rear-ended police cruiser

14. Which calendar do you own:
a, Honda Street Rage; b, GP Racers; c, Bikes, Babes, and Bikinis

15. A pre-ride inspection consists primarily of:
a, Checking the operation of the controls and the condition of the brakes; b, Checking the tires and footpegs to see how far over you’re getting; c, Checking your hair in the mirror

16. When sitting at a stoplight you should:
A, Keep your hands on the controls and scan your mirrors
b) Try to anticipate the green light
c) Rev the engine to attract attention (狂拉轉速)

17. Is your speed governed by:

a) The posted speed limit.
b) The laws of physics.
c) Who’s around to show off to.

18. What motorcycling skill do you most value?

a) Counter steering
b) Hanging off
c) Burnouts (抓前煞放離合磨後胎)

Analysis of answers:
If you answered (a) to most questions, you are the consummate gentleman
biker. Regardless of the marque you ride, you are consistently kind to
children, animals, and other living creatures. You contribute generously
to charity, and attend the annual Policeman’s Ball without fail. You ride
to work in a three-piece suit, protected by your Aerostich riding gear.

If you answered (b) to most questions, you are an avid rider who truly
feels the need for speed. You are keenly concerned with trying to identify
new riding techniques that will put you at the front of the pack, and
enjoy practicing late braking, late apexing, and late nights with equal
enthusiasm.

If you answered (c) to most questions, you are more than likely the
quintessential squid. Uninsurable, and loved only by yourself and Mom,
not even a sledgehammer could knock sense into your thick skull.

Prize Structures in Motorcycle Racing

TITLE: Road Warrior Booty: Prize Structures in Motorcycle Racing
AUTHOR(S): Maloney,-Michael-T; Terkun,-Kristina
AUTHOR AFFILIATION: Clemson U; Clemson U
SOURCE : Contributions-to-Economic-Analysis-and-Policy. 2002; 1(1): na
ISSN: 1538-0645
DOCUMENT TYPE: Journal-Article
PUBLICATION YEAR: 2002

剛才在查資料庫(Webspirs)時,誤打誤撞,發現這篇有趣的論文。內容談到摩托競賽中獎勵制度的結構問題。 ABSTRACT: This research reports the results of an analysis of prize structures among competing firms paying tournament wages. In motorcycle racing, sponsors compete in an auction for riders using tournament prizes as bids. Since racers can only ride one bike and wear one helmet, they are forced to choose among sponsors of similar products. We find that in the face of competition, sponsors are forced to lower the incentive intensity of their prize differentials as rival sponsors post larger purses. Our test offers new corroboration of the Lazear-Rosen tournament model. Other researchers have found that workers respond to bigger prize differentials by working harder. We find that firms recognize this and also recognize that in the competitive labor-market equilibrium this extra work must be compensated by offering higher expected wages through bigger purses. Our results complete the theoretical circle: workers respond to the incentive effects of tournament wages and firms anticipate this behavior when making tournament wage offers.

美國五角大廈第一支摩托縱隊成立

BMW of North America, LLC 在日前捐給美國五角大廈六輛特製的 R 1100 RT-P 摩托車,準備成立有史以來第一支摩托車縱隊。此舉是 BMW 為了因應 911 事件後,美國各地區對於機動性巡防武力需求激增,所做的長期捐贈計劃之一。自 911 後, BMW 已捐了為數不少車款給受創嚴重的社區與紅十字會,並且在 MIT(麻省理工學院)設立獎學金,以嘉惠學生。

BMW 為目前世界上最大的警方用車輸出廠,估計約有 80000 輛不同車款在全世界一百五十個國家服役。

反觀國內的總代理泛德在前日對於開放機車長度上限(2.5米)議題上所有的動作,以公眾的角度觀之(非廠商),格局就顯的略小。註:請參考 Motorways 論壇相關討論

資料來源:PR Newswire

Califonia Superbike School 今年課程

California Superbike School 今年將會在十二的國家巡迴開課,分別是 US, England, and Australia, Ireland, France, Spain, Germany, Greece, Norway, Sweden, Malaysia, 還有 Philippines. 其中在美國加州、英格蘭和澳洲三地為永久駐在所,開有分校。學校發起人 Keith Code 為三本車界著名書籍之撰寫者:

資料來源:PR Newswire

A Motorcycle or an Engine Cycle?

It was one of those interesting discussions on a motorcycle newsgroup…

The first poster said:
“Sorry, but a “motor” is an electrical devise that produces rotary motion using a series of electromagnets to repel each other, and rotate the shaft. It’s an ELECTRIC MOTOR. You do not “rebuild” a motor
You do not “pull the motor”
You do not “start” a motor
You do not “modify” a motor
and you do not “seize” a motor!!!

Instead, you rebuild the ENGINE
You pull the ENGINE
You start the ENGINE
You modify the ENGINE
and you seize the ENGINE!!!

The correct term is “Enginecycle”
Only ELECTRIC “motorcycles”, may be called MOTORCYCLES!!!”

Joe

…..to which came the reply:
“Well, mot is latin for move. So you can go around saying enginecycle, I’ll stick to bike or motorcycle. Who knows maybe it will catch on… nah.”

crom

…and:
“A few early attempts at two-wheeled locomotion – Gottlieb Daimler is thought to have invented the real motorcycle in 1885.

Us Germans have been calling it Motorrad for a while now. We don’t seem to differentiate between engines and motors. We have an Ottomotor, Wankelmotor and Elektromotor. However a steam engine would be called a Dampfmaschine.

So that was another answer to a question that nobody had asked. :-P

Cheers,”

Alex

…Of course someone had to ask:
“I hate to get all “Beavis and Butthead” but…

…he did say “Wankelmotor”!? ;-)”

Clint

…to be told:
“Not to worry, I am used to it, there are a couple in just about every classroom:-)

Let’s call it a rotary engine/motor then.”

Alex

:Well that’s a relief! I though it was just my kids. They even snickered during a discussion of medieval technology. “Clockwork” being the word, I think, that got them going.”

Clint

… logic came into it:
“They’re called “motorcycles” because they go:

motormotormotormotormotormotormotormotormotormotor

I thought everyone knew that.”

Tom Faller
mutter, mutter, mutter…

… as did commercial interests:
“I’ll call Harley and tell them they need to change their name from ‘The Motor Company’ to ‘The Engine Company’.

Thanks for your help.”

…luker

…until finally someone put it quite succinctly:
“Please consider searching Ebay for a life. There are usually several available
at most reasonable prices.”

Valued Customer

因衝動而犧牲

發生在美國亞利桑那州鳳凰城(Phoenix, Arizona)的例子. Anthony Curto, 30歲, 很明顯的是因為想要『教訓』某一位女性的小卡車駕駛者,而死於輪胎下。

根據警方的調查, Anthony 在小貨卡前突然緊急煞車,才會導致這宗意外。當地的電視台和目擊者指出,他沿路持續騎在由這位女性駕駛的小貨卡和前車中間,刻意擋在白色分向線上(不讓後車超過)。後來突然失控,倒地,永遠不起。

這又是一位因為衝動,想要『教訓一下』後面來車而喪身的例子。鳳凰城當地報紙的標語寫著:Road Rage Kills Motorcyclist. Road rage 包含了許多愚蠢的成份,而且大多是幼稚的行為。台灣的車輛密度頗高,都會更是密集,因此 road rage 就非常容易發生。要完全地避免是非常不簡單的事。

想想看,我們騎車的,再怎麼樣也是『吃虧』。真的不小心摔下去,傷亡嚴重者,絕對是我們. Road rage 會傳染給當事的兩方,而且會讓我們自己成為道路的定時炸彈。

好好的騎,安全的騎,採取保護性(防衛性)騎乘的態勢。將車子的美感和引擎的韻律騎出來。告訴其他道路的使用者,什麼才是真正的騎士。

Quiet Efficiency: the hallmark of the expert.

能障‧人‧車

相對於一般常說的身心障礙,上次跟 Jedi 在討論 disabled 議題時,突然想到『能障』一詞。這不是什麼機能障礙的簡寫,而是說我們是否容易『為己之所能而障』,卻常常忽視了一些不同領域中,非常基本的東西?比如說,運用科技的是誰?或是,知識管理的目標是 “enable knowledge creation, sharing, distribution, archiving, indexing, and…..”, 可是到底是誰在『創造』知識的?

再拉回摩托車上面。我們常騎車的,或是曾經感受到那『振奮人心動力』的人,要如何運用一般人經驗界的語彙,來讓他人了解『摩托車的美好』?

這是否包含了『人』這個因素?

建議閱讀 Ilya 的一篇文章。還有,國外有個 Disabled-Motorcyclist mailing list(身障者趨向專屬 mailing list), 也可以 訂閱