No one likes paying too much for anything. Everyone wants to get a better deal. That's why you shop around before buying a new car. That's why you look at sale advertisements before buying a new refrigerator or big screen tv. The bigger the purchase, the more you want to compare prices.

The future of motion control is connectivity. Read this issue to learn why.

I've always been a big fan of thunderstorms. I especially enjoy that quiet moment of anticipation right after you see a flash of lightning. There's a tension in the air, a sense of excitement. You know what's coming, and you wait for it...I feel like we're in that moment, right now. We're waiting for the boom.

Just over 10 years ago, we started publishing Power Transmission Engineering, and I'm proud to say we're still going strong.

With Thanksgiving right around the corner, it's hard not to think of the smorgasbord most of us experience on America's most food-centric holiday. If your family celebrates like mine, then there's always plenty of food—and more importantly—plenty of choices.

Most of you who read this magazine have a close relationship with gears and gear drives. According to our surveys, 75% of you recommend, specify or buy them. It's a shame, then, that the majority of you will miss Gear Expo (Oct. 24-26 in Columbus, OH) this year.

The season of harvest is upon us. And I don't mean crops, although here in the U.S. Midwest, there's plenty of that going on, too. No, what I mean is knowledge, because in addition to being the end of the growing season, the transition between summer and fall also marks the busiest time of year when it comes to trade shows, conferences and industry gatherings.

Over the past several months, members of our staff have traveled quite a bit, and we've had a lot of opportunities to gauge their confidence. And while nobody is overwhelmingly enthusiastic - nobody has told us this is their best year ever - almost everyone seems at least content with the stability that slow and steady growth provides.

This issue's focus on bearings includes a number of important and informative articles about one of the most key components in any machine design.

For the past several months, I've been sneaking away from work early every Thursday afternoon to coach my daughter's Science Olympiad team. Those of you who read this column regularly know that I'm a supporter of STEM education programs, and I've encouraged you to participate in those programs wherever possible.