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Subject: Re: Thales Navigation
From: Brian Whatcott (inet@XXX.XXX)
Date: Sat Feb 23 2002 - 12:32:20 EST
At 09:13 PM 2/22/02, Pierre Boucher wrote:
>Regarding the MLR GPS variation problem, there is a site:
>
><http://www.thalesnavigation.com/>
>
>A MLR section and... a software upgrade button. When you "click" on it you
>get to a page saying: Available soon
>
>"Magellan" as in Magellan's GPS is a trademark name for Thales Navigation.
>
>
>
>**************************************************************************
> X
> XX X Pierre Boucher N
To put this somewhat in perspective: Thomson was a French defence
electronics conglomerate that bought an American CRT maker that was in
difficulties several years ago. (among numerous others). They were also a
captive supplier of the French government's and received French tax-dollar
funding. Last year they bought Magellan from Orbital Sciences, and also
changed name from Thomson to Thales (usually pronounced "Tallis" in English).
Magellan knew how to compute mag heading from true - perhaps it will rub off.
On the up side, I can report that I found a two year stint with a Thomson
US subsidiary 20 years ago a positive experience, but I see their web site
is quoting a customer wheel as follows:
[Christophe Burg]
"... we weren't taken by surprise. The change was a logical one.
Thales has evolved from a company of engineers and technicians to one of
managers taking a more comprehensive view of their work but not neglecting
technology."
It remains to be seen if MagVar algorithms as interpreted by French
taxpayer funded managers can really hack it!
Brian Whatcott
Altus OK Eureka!
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