HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: patstew@oz.plymouth.edu (Pat Steward)
Subject: Re: Don't use CHECKS IN THE MAIL
Reply-To: patstew@oz.plymouth.edu (Pat Steward)
Organization: Plymouth State College - Plymouth, N.H.
Distribution: usa
Date: Thu, 8 Oct 92 13:05:41 GMT

In article <1992Oct8.114856.12009@crd.ge.com> joseph@c2a.crd.ge.com (joseph) writes:
>
> Do you all gain anything more than this $3.00 that I am unaware of ?

Yes, a *much* wider variety of designs.  They also did something neat
-- my bank has a cutesy-poo logo that didn't with the high-tech design
I chose.  I circled it on the sample I sent them and wrote "I could
live without this being here" next to it.  They took out the logo, and
the result is a distinctive check that looks like *I* want it to look.

Their service has been good on my initial order and the two re-orders
I've placed.  Your mileage may vary.
-- 
Pat Martin Steward                          patstew@oz.plymouth.edu
I myself have never been able to find out precisely what feminism is;
I only know that people call me a feminist whenever I express senti-
ments that differentiate me from a doormat.       Rebecca West, 1913
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: mpalmer@encore.com (Mike Palmer)
Subject: Re: ZEOS, GATEWAY, or Brand X ? Your suggestions needed ASAP.
Organization: Encore Computer Corporation
Date: Fri, 9 Oct 1992 13:10:18 GMT

R1156C@waccvm.corp.mot.com (Michael Dow) writes:

>I'm going to buy a computer... Well, actually my company is buying it.  I'm
>the user.  Anyway, I tell them what I want and they write te check (within
>reason).

>The system:  486/33 CPU
>             200+ meg HD
>             SVGA (1 meg, non interlaced)
>             128k Cache
>             8 megs memory

>Zeos offers for ~ $2800.
>Gateway offers for about $2600.
>Brand X (someone will build the machine for me) comes in at about $2400.

>My budget is about $2800.

Alpine Computer Systems can do the same system (with Floppy, KB, I/O DOS etc)
for $2056 - Same quality components - Why pay more?


Regards,
Mike palmer
Telephone: (305) 7546-3146

Xref: sparky misc.consumers:17575 alt.politics.elections:15603
Newsgroups: misc.consumers,alt.politics.elections
Subject: Re: Cable Bill Rip-off
From: adams@spss.com (Steve Adams)
Date: Thu, 8 Oct 1992 14:42:20 GMT
Organization: SPSS Inc.

tweek@netcom.com (Michael D. Maxfield) writes an uncalled for flame:

>In article <adams.718479079@spssig> adams@spss.com (Steve Adams) writes:
>>
>>That's the problem with this bill:
>>
>>1) Cable companies are REQUIRED to carry the network stations
>>
>>2) Cable companies are REQUIRED to pay the networks
>
>WRONG, add an "OR" between 1 and 2, as well as change 2 to read:
>2) Broadcasters may require the cable company to aquire consent to
>rebroadcast.
>
>There is no mention of exchange of money.  The form of renumeration is up to
>the arrangement between the broadcaster and the cable company.  If the
>Broadcaster elects to use the retransmission consent clause, then the cable
>company is no longer required to carry that station via the Must carry rule.

OK.  My misperception was from news reports I read and heard.

>Get for free?????  
Please show me ONE, ONE person who pays to receive the broadcast of a local
TV station over the air.  One.

>I suggest that the next time you decide to open your mouth and spout off
>total BS,  You read up on what you plan to talk about.  I can tell from
>your statements that you have not read the bill/law.  I thought that there
>would be no-one foolish enough to believe these lies that the cable companys
>were publishing.
1. I posted based on information from the Chicago Tribune and the TV news.

2. I was politely corrected by various persons and have stated so.

>I was wrong.  It looks like this may be the second person in as many days
>who spouted of the cable lies (almost line for line) and allowed themselves
>to be open for the true facts to be thrown back in their face.
While this may be true, it was reported this way...my fault for not
following up.

>Think before you open your mouth next time!
Et tu, Brute.  Think before you flame next time.

 -Steve
--
  The opinions expressed above are those of the author and not SPSS, Inc.
                         -------------------
   adams@spss.com                                  Phone: (312) 329-3522
   Steve Adams        "Space-age cybernomad"       Fax:   (312) 329-3558
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: doucas@cerberus.bhpese.oz.au (Chris Doucas)
Subject: Solar Energy Products
Organization: BHP Information Technology
Date: Wed, 14 Oct 1992 23:36:17 GMT
Followup-To: misc.consumers


Am looking for information on latest technology in solar energy(ie heating,
etc)
products for the home. Living in one of the Suniest countries in the world,
it is surprising that solar technology is commercially and culturally
primitive here. Would appreciate any mailing contacts to acquire further
info.. 

>              ______________________________________________________________
Regards,      | BHP Information Technology | eMAIL:
-------       | PO Box 216                 |  doucas@cerberus.bhpese.oz.au 
              | Hamilton, NSW              | FAX:                PHONE:  
the Duke..    | Australia 2303             |  +(63) 49 40 2165 / ..40 2135 

   
                 >> A Fool With A Tool Is Still A Fool ! << 
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: prange@silver.ucs.indiana.edu (Henry Prange)
Subject: Re: Personal Digital Assitants...
Keywords: PDA, Wizard, B.O.S.S., Newton
 years
 preference
Organization: Indiana University
Date: Mon, 12 Oct 1992 13:27:21 GMT

It is probable that this model is now superceded but it might still be around.
Radio Shack also carried it under their own brand name.
From: joel@upchrch.UUCP (Joel Upchurch  )
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Re: Cable Bill Rip-off
Date: Fri, 09 Oct 92 01:32:31 EDT
Organization: Upchurch Computer Consulting, Orlando FL

strnlght@netcom.com (David Sternlight) writes:

> It's economic baloney for the broadcasters to claim they should be
> paid by the cable companies for carrying their programming. To
> the contrary, broadcasters get paid by advertisers, and what they
> get paid is a function of the number of viewers. By increasing
> the number of viewers, cable companies make it possible for
> broadcasters to charge more for advertising. Thus it is the
> broadcasters who should be paying the cable companies, and not
> vice versa.

What I wonder about is how much luck the local stations will have
in collecting big bucks from the cable companies. As I understand
it if the local station wants a fee from the cable company, then
the cable company isn't obligated to carry that station. If a cable
company doesn't like the fee the station demands it can always
play hardball and not carry that station. I suspect in most cases
that will hurt the station a lot more than the cable company. I
suspect few subscribers will choose to drop cable because one station
isn't carried and the ratings drop will effect that local stations
revenue.

Also I wonder if cable companies will be able to pick and choose
among network affiliates. My father's cable company in Waverly, TN
carries both ABC, Nashville and ABC, Jackson. If they don't like
the amount of money one affiliate is asking can they negotiate with
another one?

Also if they have to pay they local station on a per head basis, could
they set up a tier of service for people who don't want the local
stations, just the real cable channels like CNN, ESPN, CSPAN etc.?
That way people who can use an antenna could get the local stations
for free.

If the station wants a fee from the cable company, what if the cable
company starts billing for it separately, like HBO. "You want KCPX
sir? That will be an extra five dollars a month. Sorry about that
sir, but we're just passing along what the station is charging us."

(If your mail bounces use the address below.)
Joel Upchurch/Upchurch Computer Consulting/718 Galsworthy/Orlando, FL 32809
joel@peora.ccur.com {uiucuxc,hoptoad,petsd,ucf-cs}!peora!joel (407) 859-0982
From: egreen@east.sun.com (Ed Green - Pixel Cruncher)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Re: Reasonable and customary, was Re: Does the
Date: 9 Oct 1992 21:13:53 GMT
Organization: Sun Microsystems, RTP, NC
Distribution: world
Reply-To: egreen@east.sun.com
NNTP-Posting-Host: laser.east.sun.com

In article 5207@iecc.cambridge.ma.us, johnl@iecc.cambridge.ma.us (John R. Levine) writes:
>
>Since my insurance has a fairly large deductable, when I pay the
>deductable amount I've taken to writing a letter to the doctor explaining
>that my check covers the difference between R&C and what the insurance
>paid, and if they don't think that's enough, don't cash the check.  I
>staple the letter to the check to avoid claims that they didn't get the
>letter.  They always cash the check and that's the end of it.

You should put a statement on the back of the check, in the endorsement
area:  "This payment constitues final settlement of all charges greater
than those paid by XYZ insurance (#<policy_number>), up to reasonable
and customary medical charges for the service rendered."

You will have the cancelled check (or a photocopy) with this statement
right above their signature/stamp.  You cannot prove in court what the
check was stapled to.

---
Ed Green, former Ninjaite |I was drinking last night with a biker,
  Ed.Green@East.Sun.COM   |and I showed him a picture of you.  I said,
DoD #0111  (919)460-8302  |"Go on, get to know her, you'll like her!"
 (The Grateful Dead) -->  |It seemed like the least I could do...

Newsgroups: misc.consumers,misc.education,k12.chat.teacher,soc.college,k12.chat.senior
From: Nigel.Allen@bbs.oit.unc.edu (Nigel Allen)
Subject: student aid, prize contests
Organization: NDA
Date: Thu, 15 Oct 1992 00:00:08 GMT



For-profit companies that claim to match students with available student
aid are fairly common in the U.S.  Most observers feel that money spent on
these services is likely to be wasted, as the same information is
generally available from local high schools and universities.

High school students who do well in math or the sciences may want to ask
their teachers about prize contests. When I was a high school student in
Nova Scotia, I won prizes from contests run by groups like the Canadian
Mathematical Congress and the University of Waterloo's Chemistry
Department. Similar contests are probably organized by national
professional groups or high-profile universities in other countries. The
prize money may not be that huge (I think I won $200 from the Canadian
Mathematical Congress in 1972), but it's nice, and the fact of having won
may increase your chances of admission to some universities.
(I think my prize from the University of Waterloo chemistry contest was a
year's subscription to Scientific American.)


--
   The opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the University of
     North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the Campus Office for Information
        Technology, or the Experimental Bulletin Board Service.
           internet:  bbs.oit.unc.edu or 152.2.22.80
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: sasbrb@rolypoly.unx.sas.com (Brendan Bailey)
Subject: How can I stop telemarketers from calling??
Originator: sasbrb@rolypoly.unx.sas.com
Date: Mon, 12 Oct 1992 19:55:42 GMT
Organization: SAS Institute Inc.



   Does anyone know the name and phone number of the group that
helps consumers reduce/stop telemarketers from calling?  I seem 
to remember a story about this group on 20/20 a few years 
ago.  Supposedly this group will help remove your name from mailing 
lists and will notify telemarketers that if they call you, they will 
be billed $25.00 for taking your time.  
    
   Did anyone see an episode of NOVA several years ago about 
telemarketing where a telemarketer talked of a scale that they quantify
each zip code on what type of people live in that area?  This scale
helps telemarketers target their audience.  If I remember, the scale
is quite funny in it's divisions.  Does anyone know more about this
scale, and specifically the different divisions?  I must be in a hot
zip (27713) because I get at least 3-4 calls a week.  


                    "No, I STILL don't want the Sears Extended Warranty."


-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Brendan Bailey                         "The NFL is on record saying that if 
SAS Institute, Inc - QA/Graph           it adds 150 expansion teams or hell 
sasbrb@unx.sas.com                      freezes over -- whichever comes      
Go Heels! Go Hornets! Go Panthers!      first -- Raleigh will be awarded a
The NFL in Charlotte! Target: 1994!!!   franchise." - The Charlotte Observer
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: asa@STL-09SIMA.ARMY.MIL (Will Martin on 9000)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Re:  SMOKED SALMON WANTED
Date: 14 Oct 92 18:39:15 GMT
Article-I.D.: ucbvax.9210141840.AA01353

I had sent this direct, but I see y'all are carrying on about this in the
group. So here is a definitive source for tasty and reasonably-priced
smoked salmon (Western style, not lox):

Hegg & Hegg Smoked Salmon
801 Marine Drive
Port Angeles, WA 98362

800-435-3474 (Sorry, don't have a non-800 number)

We get vacuum-packed sides of western smoked salmon from these people just
about every year. Prices are better than any other source and the product is
great. Also sell canned seafood of other types, but all I get is the
smoked salmon.

**********

Regards, Will
wmartin@stl-06sima.army.mil OR wmartin@st-louis-emh2.army.mil
Newsgroups: misc.consumers,misc.taxes,misc.legal
From: tzs@stein.u.washington.edu (Tim Smith)
Subject: Re: mail order sales tax
Followup-To: misc.legal
Organization: University of Washington, Seattle
Distribution: usa
Date: Fri, 16 Oct 1992 08:51:22 GMT

[I'm adding misc.legal, since the question I have is basically a legal
question, rather than a tax or consumer questions.  Note that I've
set the Followup-To line to misc.legal]

cep@taligent.com (Christophe Pettus) writes:
>There was a recent Supreme Court decision (Grayarc vs. North Dakota, I
>believe), that reaffirmed that a company which does not have a
>substantial business presence in a state is not responsible for collect
>that state's sales tax.

In deciding presence of a company for tax purposes, does the Court use
the same kind of tests that are used to decide if a company is subject to
the jurisdiction of state courts (e.g., "minimum contacts" from International
Shoe v. Washington and its ilk)?  If not, why not?

For example, if the company has no offices or employees or agents in a state,
but advertises in newspapers whose circulation is largly confined to that
state, would that be a sufficient presence as far as requiring the 
collection of sales tax?

--Tim Smith
From: MA.MXG@forsythe.stanford.edu
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: hummingbird feeder formula
Date: 11 Oct 92 16:38:32 GMT
Organization: Stanford University, California, USA

This is probably the wrong bulletin board, but someone may be able
to help anyway:

What is the best formula to use in a hummingbird feeder?

Thanks
Newsgroups: misc.consumers,misc.kids,rec.autos
From: kathynv@circus.Camex.COM (Kathy Nicklas-Varraso)
Subject: Re: Child Safety Seats
Organization: Camex Inc., Boston MA
Date: Fri, 09 Oct 1992 14:41:55 EDT

I, too, am grateful to the child-safety seat people.  My husband
and my 2 year old daughter were stopped in a line of cars when
another driver thought that she didn't have to stop and that
the line of traffic was an optical illusion.  She hit the back of my
Mazda 323 at about 40 m.p.h.  End of Mazda.

However, both Amanda and my husband walked away from the wreckage,
with only the most minor of bruises.  (Each had bruising from the seat
belt/car seat, btw)  The woman in the town car wasn't quite as lucky,
even though she was wearing a seat belt, too.  (Neck injuries, but
nothing too serious)

The people who manufactured the car seat, Fisher Price, replaced
the "used" one, even though it showed no signs of damage.  They sent
the replacement via overnight, weekend delivery mail, and even
picked up the cost of returning the old seat!  Definitely a 
first-class outfit, in my book.

I would love to relate this story to all those people who drive
around town with the kids jumping around in the back seat, or
even worse, with the newborn on the lap! (I'm afraid of getting
punched in the nose, though :-))

Just my two cents.

Kathy Nicklas-Varraso
kathynv@camex.com 
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: brent@uwovax.uwo.ca (Brent Sterner)
Subject: paper drinking straws: source needed
Organization: University of Western Ont, London
Date: Thu, 8 Oct 1992 16:48:26 GMT

   I'm looking for paper straws on behalf of a friend who requires them
(she needs them because of a disability, and is allergic to plastic).
The source she used previously is no longer in business.  She requires
paper drinking straws, roughly 1/4" diameter, lightly waxed.
   If you know where such straws may be purchased (preferred in Canada,
but alternatively anywhere), please send me email to the address below.
(I rarely read this group.)  Thanks,  b.
--
Brent Sterner                       Manager, Academic Technical Support
Fast:       <BRENT@uwo.ca>          <129.100.2.13>
Telephone:  (519)661-2151 x 6036    Fax:   (519)661-3486
Slow:  Computing & Communications Services, Natural Sciences Building
       The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada  N6A 5B7
From: asa@STL-09SIMA.ARMY.MIL (Will Martin on 9000)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Cheap glasses
Date: 9 Oct 92 20:29:34 GMT

I have some questions about getting cheap glasses from opticians and
optical companies that advertise a lot and are usually found in mall
stores. For all my life, I've been getting my glasses from a family
of opticians who operate their own shop in my neighborhood. It has
been my experience, based on comments from relatives and others who
have bought glasses from chains and other sources, that this firm
seems to consistently offer quality goods at decent prices. So I've
stuck with them for decades. 

But I keep seeing ads for glasses at extrememly low prices -- $25 a
pair, two pair for $39.95, buy one get one free, etc. I realize that
the glasses I have had probably are nothing like the ones you get for
these very cheap prices -- I have very large sturdy frames, glass
lenses with Photogray Extra treatment, and one very strong correction
(one lens is -9.25, the other -3.25). I believe the cheap glasses have a
limited range of frames and lens sizes, use only plastic lenses, include
no extras like the Photogray treatment, and may be limited to corrections
within a limited power range (not as far as my -9.25).

Aside from the possible unavailability to me due to my prescription,
assuming I can find a place that doesn't limit them that way, it still
seems to me to maybe be a good idea to get one or more supplemental pairs
of glasses at this very cheap price. After all, a spare set may come in
handy. I could even experiment with different styles of frames instead
of the one style I've been wearing for over 20 years now. But are there
any downsides? Is it possible that these cheap glasses would be so bad
that they actually might harm my eyes? Are these so flimsy that they'll
fall apart in a couple weeks and thus, even though only costing $25 or
so, be a waste of that amount? 

Anyone have any comments on this? 

Regards, Will
wmartin@st-louis-emh2.army.mil OR wmartin@stl-06sima.army.mil
Xref: sparky misc.consumers:17542 alt.politics.elections:15489
From: mahesh@amnese.eng.uab.edu (B.G. Mahesh)
Subject: How good is MBNA travel services?
Originator: mahesh@amnese.eng.uab.edu
Reply-To: mahesh@evb.com
Organization: SETT, Inc.
Distribution: usa
Date: Mon, 12 Oct 1992 17:33:05 GMT

I have a MBNA America Visa card. Was wondering how
good is their travel services (equivalent of Cititravel).
Please email me your comments. I don't have direct access
to this group.


-- 
B.G. MAHESH                           | Email : mahesh@evb.com
Software Engineer                     |         
SETT Inc. (Affiliated to EVB Software Engineering, Inc.)
Frederick MD
From: georgec@eng.umd.edu (George B. Clark)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Re: How do I handle Phone harassment?
Date: 11 Oct 92 15:27:12 GMT
Article-I.D.: eng.1992Oct11.152712.4956
Organization: University of Maryland

In article <cT2gsB5w165w@pcsnode.uucp> bazelmans@pcsnode.uucp (Rudy Bazelmans) writes:
>
>Simply report them to the phone company.  They will handle it.

The phone company in all probability will do nothing. Their department
that deals with investigating abusive phone calls is so swamped with
work that you will probably get nothing but a busy signal when
you try to call them.

Furthermore, the call tracing feature described in your phone book is
not something you can depend on, either. Again, it is no more dependable
than the phone company that services it.

Even the police have trouble gaining cooperation from the phone company.

The phone company pretty much does what it wants to do. More than likely
your complaint will be met with a wall of resistance. If you want
cooperation, the only way to get it is to befriend somebody who works there,
and perhaps do a lot of letter writing.
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Re: Cable Bill Rip-off
From: sean@sdg.dra.com
Date: 9 Oct 92 15:19:23 CDT
 <1992Oct8.220139.199@sdg.dra.com> <1992Oct9.173138.10568@netcom.com>
Organization: Data Research Associates, St. Louis MO

In article <1992Oct9.173138.10568@netcom.com>, strnlght@netcom.com (David Sternlight) writes:
> 
> I'm at a loss to understand Sean Donelan's latest response.

David, perhaps that is why you don't understand why the broadcasters have been
so upset.  Read the Copyright Act (USC Title 17 section 111), you might
find it interesting.  Subsection (e) covers the nonsimultaneous secondary
transmissions by cable systems.

-- 
Sean Donelan, Data Research Associates, Inc, St. Louis, MO
Domain: sean@sdg.dra.com, Voice: (Work) +1 314-432-1100
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: djm48887@uxa.cso.uiuc.edu (Daniel J. Moisson)
Subject: Extended Warranties.  My .02!
Organization: University of Illinois at Urbana
Date: Thu, 8 Oct 1992 01:02:41 GMT

Just wanted to say that from what I have read and hear from
others who are in the $ field, buying an extended warranty is not
your best investment.  Most of the time, if it is defective in any
way, it will show up before the regular warranty expires.  That is
why every almost everything sold today has the option of getting
an extended warranty.  It means big bucks to the manufactures.  I
am not saying you will always loose this gamble, just saying be very
selectfull in choosing your extended warranties.  My .02.
    
Newsgroups: misc.consumers,alt.politics.elections