Classically the Germans have been masters at engineering. You can see it in the products from audio technology (Bose, Klipsch, Blaupunkt) to automobiles (Porsche, BMW, Mercedes) to Electronics (Siemens, Bosch, Infineon). Recently a number of issues have caused me to doubt the Teutonic “Engineering Edge”. The coldest winter in memory could be exacerbating the problem.
Internet Connectivity
Starting about 3 weeks ago my DSL connection intermittently disconnects, for no reason. Sometimes it comes back in a few minutes, sometimes it takes significantly longer and sometimes it will work uninterrupted for 15-18 hours. Real-time communications like Skype are almost impossible to use. This is the reason I haven’t been blogging much recently.
At first, I thought it was an issue with my equipment. Being a techie at heart I have a complex home network. Naturally I thought it was an issue with my gear. After a week of testing, rebooting and reconfiguring I decided to call Deutsche Telekom and report sub-par service. DT decided that a DSL line measurement was necessary and was done later that day. Unfortunately a DT line test lasts about 30 seconds and the line didn’t drop during that time. Their response: “Everything looks good on our end, check your home network.”
…that makes 5 weeks without adequate Internet service….
After a few more calls and cajoling DT agreed to do a long-term test. Of course they did it at 10:30am for 30 minutes….right in the middle of the workday. They found some errors and they now feel the problem is with them. So we scheduled a time when they can come to my office and measure the connection both ways. They’re coming next Friday so these Internet issues will last another 2 weeks….that makes 5 weeks without adequate Internet service. I’m sure I’ll get a bill for the full amount.
The Rail System
For my trip I booked a train online (when my DSL was working) to Hannover. The train was scheduled to leave Tuesday at 05:50 so I could make my 09:00 appointment with plenty of time. When I arrived at the train station I saw that the train had been cancelled. I had no choice but to wait for the next train in -10 degrees Celsius weather. Then 5 minutes before the next train was to arrive that the 06:50 train had also been cancelled. Luckily, Deutsche Bahn (German Rail) provided a substitute train.
The substitute train arrived 45 minutes late, the passengers boarded and settled in. The train never made it out of the station, 20 minutes later we were told to disembark. The substitute train was subsequently towed from the platform. So much for being in Hannover at 9am. Even Berlin reported 10’s of Millions of Euros in lost productivity due to “Snow Chaos”
The train never made it out of the station, 20 minutes later we were told to disembark
Dysfunctional train systems have been an issue all over Europe this Winter. The Eurotunnel trains have stopped in mid-tunnel. The French TGV has also reported trains stopping in mid-tunnel. So far it seems that the cold temperatures are causing condensation and the water drips live circuit boards causing shorts.
The Russians have a solution that comes from Soviet times. They dipped their circuit boards in laquer. Sometimes low-tech is the way to go.
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