HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: clippy@bnr.ca (Dwayne Clipperton)
Subject: Re: Wood vs. Presto-type logs
Organization: Bell-Northern Research
Date: Wed, 6 Jan 1993 19:35:04 GMT

In article <1993Jan5.223159.29046@ide.com>, forman@ide.com (Bonnie Forman) writes:
|>   Sorry if this topic has already been discussed; maybe 
|>   someone can send me a summary.

I hate the following phrase, but: "me too!" -:)
|> 
|>   This is my first year using a fireplace, and I have some
|>   questions about what to burn.

A few questions (I really don't mean to be rude):
   Has the chimney been cleaned?
   Do you have a fire extinquisher?
   Are you properly insured?

|> 
|>   *  I tried using those presto-logs.  They started up
|>      easily; required no messing around with once lit;
|>      Relatively inexpensive ($1.88 for a 6-lb log that
|>      burned over 3 hours).  However, you can supposedly
|>      burn only one at a time, and the fire is kind of 
|>      small.
|> 
|>      - Is it true they burn "cleaner" than real wood, i.e.
|>        not as bad for the environment?
|> 
|>      - Is it true they are not good for the chimney, i.e.  
|>        potentially dangerous buildup of wax 

I am curious!

|> 
|>      - Can you really only burn one at a time?

I believe, that they burn cleanly, because they burn very hot.
I have heard (ie: urban legend) that two or more may produce
enough heat to burn holes in the firebox.  Not something I'd like
to find out by trial and error.

|> 
|> 
|>   *  I tried using Oak.  I bought a box (not cheap) because
|>      I don't have anywhere to store a large quantity.
|>      Took quite some time to get going, but once it
|>      did, I had a nice sized blaze going with two logs.
|>      However, it required tending every 15 minutes or so.
|> 
|>      - Is there an advantage to using real wood?

You might try going to a local camp ground and buying a bundle of
wood.  Another suggestion, is to buy/beg/barter wood from a co-worker
that heats with wood.  Your consumption would have little impact on
their supply.

Oak is a great wood for burning in an air-tight stove and for heating.
An old saying "it takes 3 logs to make a fire" is a good guideline.
It usually takes 3 logs to create/retain enough heat to keep a fire going.

I always recommend using a combination of hard and soft wood.  Softer
wood like birch will burn easily and quickly.  Then use a hard wood to
create coals.  Once you establish a bed of coals, you will be able to
sustain the fire with less tending.  I try to keep the fire in my wood-
stove going 24 hours/day.  I use tightly rolled paper grocery bags to
start small pieces of birch.  Once this gets going, I add maple or oak.

|> 
|> 	
|>    Any input or suggestions would be appreciated.
|> 
|> 	Thanks,
|> 
|> 		Bonnie 
|> 

I heat with wood.  If someone out there has a definitive list, I'd
like to know which types of wood are good/bad.  I know, that most
conifers are bad for creasote buil-up.


Thanks,

Dwayne.
From: acheng@ncsa.uiuc.edu (Albert Cheng)
Subject: Re: Eating before paying - (Was: Can a landlord refuse cash?)
Originator: acheng@shalom.ncsa.uiuc.edu
Organization: Nat'l Ctr for Supercomp App (NCSA) @ University of Illinois
Date: Tue, 12 Jan 1993 20:05:58 GMT


In article <1993Jan12.175318.29830@porthos.cc.bellcore.com>, jung@base.bellcore.com (Eric Jung) writes:
>Well, this depends on your local law.  I was a store detective for a few
>years in New Jersey.  There's no such thing as "retail theft" in NJ; it's
>just plain old shoplifting.  The shoplifting statute in NJ (2C:20-11) 
>states that one must have intent to commit shoplifting.  It also states
>that concealing something is shoplifting, but I'd never pick anyone up
>for concealment without having something real solid to prove intent in 
>court.  
>
>I think walking around a grocery store filling up a cart while eating
>your Cheetos is quite innocent.  Then again, you'd have to convince a
>judge or jury -- not me. 

Hm... what if I try couple grape or shell peanuts to check the
quality?  If I proceed to buy, I can't weigh those that are now
in my tummy.  If I don't buy them (too sour, too salty), am I
shoplifting?
From: charleen@net.bio.net (Charleen Bunjiovianna)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Re: Can a landlord refuse cash?
Date: 7 Jan 93 21:33:38 GMT
Organization: BIOSCI International Newsgroups for Biology

In article <arkusinski_andy-070193080856@arkusinski.si.com.> arkusinski_andy@si.com (Andy Arkusinski) writes:
>> 
>The landlord may have good reasons (from their point of view) in wanting to
>eliminate cash rent payments, such as making it harder for the money to be
>stolen.

I have heard that a tactic renters sometimes use is to approach the
landlord while he's on the grounds or out doing maintenance, and try to
pay the rent with big bills that are deliberately not exact change.
When the landlord refuses the cash, the renter can later claim in court
during the eviction proceedings that he has attempted to pay the rent
and been refused.

I have no personal experience with this; it's all hearsay, so take it
for what it's worth.

Charleen
From: acheng@ncsa.uiuc.edu (Albert Cheng)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Re: Just a Question
Date: 7 Jan 93 16:55:50 GMT
Organization: Nat'l Ctr for Supercomp App (NCSA) @ University of Illinois
Originator: acheng@shalom.ncsa.uiuc.edu


In article <carlp.726366338@frigg>, carlp@frigg.isc-br.com (Carl Paukstis) writes:
>>You know, I really don't mind people smoke as long as they don't
>>exhale it back to the air I need to breath.  Would you like me
>>eat beans and release gas at your face?
>
>Weak flame;now refute my comments :-) I'd find it an annoying personal
>habit and persuade you to stop, in my presence at least.  I wouldn't
>ask the Federal Bureau of Wasting Money to "protect" me from you.
>Though I suspect the health effects of prolonged inhalation of mammal
>methane are more profound than for second-hand cigarette smoke.

[Intended that way.  Why use strong flame when none is required yet.]

>I'm _extremely_ unlikely to blow smoke in anyone's face, provided they
>refrain from making trite, senseless comments like yours above.  Ask
>me to stop and I will.  I won't ask to smoke in your car or your home
>(nor will I do it without asking).  I'll abide by sensible rules
>regulating where and when I may smoke in public places.  I'll go quite
>far out of my way to accomodate people who have a problem with my
>smoking and are reasonably polite about it.  But this seeming drive to 
>demonize tobacco smoke, like other recreational drugs have been demonized,
>for purely political purposes, makes me absolutely crazy.

Well, maybe you are considerate and reasonable, but you ain't the
only smoker.  How would you like to ask guys, who are born without
a neck and have tatoos on their arms, to stop smoking in a crowded
resturant?  Or in the order line?  They just roll up their eyes
and say, "I have the right to smoke."  *puff*

>Folks just can't see it in the same light as excess perfume, playing
>loud music, failure to bathe, farting, or other annoying personal habits 
>you don't want people to practice around you.  Cigarette smoking is much
>more pervasive, of course, so Something Must Be Done!  Whatever bogus
>research is required will be produced to support Something Being Done.

Loud music is banned in my town (supposedly not audible beyond 75 feet.)
I don't mind ban on perfume or bad breath either.  ;-)
Smokers are dying of lung cancer.  What more proof do you need?  But
if you want to die that way, fine.  Don't take me, or my wife, or
my kids with you.
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: kenny@osf.org (Kenneth Crudup)
Subject: Re: Getting rich -- this is no joke!
Organization: Open Software Foundation
Distribution: usa
Date: Tue, 5 Jan 1993 00:58:49 GMT

In article <1016@rc1.vub.ac.be> rdictus@vnet3.vub.ac.be (Roy Dictus) writes:

...it doesn't matter- we shouldn't send a dime to someone named "Dict-us"....

	-Kenny

-- 
Kenny Crudup, Contractor, OSF DCE QA
OSF, 11 Cambridge Center, Cambridge, MA 02142	+1 617 621 7306
kenny@osf.osf.org			OSF has nothing to do with this post.
	  Religion: The longest-running gag ever played on Mankind.
Newsgroups: misc.consumers,misc.consumers.house,misc.misc
From: <Healy@space50.nrl.navy.mil>
Subject: home alarms hooked to police?
Reply-To: <Healy@space50.nrl.navy.mil>
Organization: Naval Research Laboratory
Date: Mon, 11 Jan 1993 23:25:39 GMT

In article <1993Jan8.182536.26405@nntpd.lkg.dec.com> bruno@allof.enet.dec.com (Greg Bruno) writes:
> 
> In article <C0I5JI.Hr6@techbook.com>, 
>    jamesd@techbook.com (James Deibele) writes...
> > 
> >Is there anywhere where homes (or businesses) with alarm systems are 
> >still hooked directly to the local police?
> > 
> 
>      There are some businesses hooked directly to the police in our town, but
> the number is small, because false alarms have a costly penalty.  After
> a certain number of false alarms, they will disconnect you.  I believe there
> is a steep cost for just setting up the connection.
> 
>      It is more efficient to have a local security company monitor the alarms
> and send out their own people to investigate alarms.
> 
>                                        Greg
> 
> --------------------------------------------------------------------
> bruno@cupid.enet.dec.com                  "What sorcery is this?"    
> --------------------------------------------------------------------

The alarm company I have does not investigate anything except by phone.
They call the house (for a secret password in case it's a false alarm),
then the police/fire, then call people on a list you have given them in
advance.  BTW the alarm company contracts the monitoring to some central
service who is located God knows where.  The alarm company itself
handles maintenance & wiring, and when I priced the monitoring fee this
turned out to be the difference.  The company I choose was moderately
low priced but seemed very cooperative in terms of inspecting the system
and connecting it up the alarm to a phone, and were very knowledgeable
about the brand of alarm (we bought the house with the alarm in it but
not monitored).  Other companies were cheaper per month but wanted $$$
for inspection, hookup, etc.

Liam Healy

Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: smierch@madeline.com (Edward Smierciak)
Subject: Re: battery for AT&T 5500 (WHERE?)
Reply-To: smierch@madeline.com
Organization: Sun Microsystems, Inc.
Date: Tue, 5 Jan 93 20:33:27 GMT

In article 93Jan4141528@trout.ksr.com, eugene@ksr.com (Eugene Yi-jen Pan) writes:
>
>Is AT&T the only source for replacement batteries?  The price at the AT&T phone
>center is $16.75.  Thanks for any info.


Radio Shack also carries every conceivable model of nicad.
I've had good luck with them.

---

Ed Smierciak

Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: schwartz@nynexst.com (Steven Schwartz)
Subject: Re: Just a Question
Originator: schwartz@baba
Reply-To: schwartz@nynexst.com
Organization: Expert Systems Lab., NYNEX Sci. and Tech., White Plains NY
Date: Wed, 6 Jan 93 13:53:02 GMT


On the news this morning:  Second-hand cigarette smoke has been
"officially" classified as hazardous, in the same category as
asbestos.

I'd like to see these cig. taxes going towards health programs,
seeing as how the govt finally recognized 2H smoke for what it is.
-- 
Steven H. Schwartz		Expert Systems Laboratory
schwartz@nynexst.com		NYNEX Science and Technology Center
PROFS: SCHWARTZ@UNIX		500 Westchester Avenue
914-644-2960			White Plains NY 10604
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: mf@dancer.cc.bellcore.com (fusco,marc)
Subject: Re: Bread makers: (flour)
Organization: Planet XTC
Date: Mon, 11 Jan 93 14:01:30 GMT

A slight twist (that may have been addressed before - sorry):

Why do bread makers (at least the Panasonic) call for 'bread flour'?
Can you use 'all-purpose' flour with similar results (I have tried
but haven't tasted it yet - looks ok though!).

Thanks!
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: heintz@netcom.com (Patrick Heintz)
Subject: Re: ATTN: RENTERS
Organization: Netcom - Online Communication Services  (408 241-9760 guest) 
Distribution: usa
Date: Mon, 11 Jan 1993 05:26:58 GMT


>Fellow home or apartment renters,


>	I called the company a few years ago and the clerk who answered the
>phone INSISTED that I was responsible for the wiring in the walls, even as
>a renter.  Of course, that makes no sense at all as I related in the
>previous analogy.  Think for a moment how many MILLIONS of dollars are
>collected each year for which NO service is ever rendered.  

In California, the landlord is only obligated to have one outlet working.
Also remember that in an apartment, YOUR phone wires may be accessable to
others in your apartment complex.  If my neighbor that lives above me
decides to cut the wires to MY phone, I'm in deep doo doo.


>	Now, I am not against landlords in this issue.  In fact one could
>argue that I should ask them if they want me to carry this insuracne and
>pay $1 less in rent, and in the larger scheme of things, to the individual
>this is not high on the list of important matters.  I just thought I would
>draw some people's attention to this and save a few people $12 a year. 

>Just my 2ents worth.

>MB

>--
>   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:  laUNChpad.unc.edu or 152.2.22.80
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: smjeff@lerc05.lerc.nasa.gov (Jeff Miller)
Subject: Re: Emergency light and heat
Organization: NASA Lewis Research Center, Cleveland Ohio
Date: Tue, 12 Jan 1993 14:53:24 GMT

In article <C0pLsw.6C9@apollo.hp.com> lubkin@apollo.hp.com () writes:
>I live in Southern New Hampshire in an all-electric rented
>house.  With the last big storm, I realized that if the
>power goes out and stays out, I'm going to be very cold 
>and hungry sitting in the dark.
>
>At the local hardware store, they had a non-electric 
>kerosene heater.  So I'm set for heat, although I don't like
>having to keep kerosene in my basement.  Alternative ideas
>welcome.
>
>Then I went to the local sporting goods stores.  They had
>lots of stoves and lamps, which all said OUTDOOR USE ONLY.
>(Except for rechargable lanterns that won't last long enough.)
>
>So what do I do?
>
>
>-- David Lubkin.
>   lubkin@apollo.hp.com


If you have a gasoline powered vehicle you could buy a siphon, gasoline
powered electric generator, and an electric space heater.  This will
probably be expensive but at least you won't have to store any fuel in
your basement.

-- 
Jeffrey H. Miller     smjeff@lerc05.lerc.nasa.gov
Sverdrup Technology, NASA Lewis Research Center Group, Cleveland, Ohio

favorite book title: Attack of the Deranged Mutant Killer Monster Snow Goons
From: rmf@bpdsun1.uucp (Rob Finley)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Re: I'm about to do a C.O.D. transaction. (USE FED-EX)
Date: 6 Jan 93 05:35:00 GMT
Organization: Harris Allied Broadcast Div., Quincy, IL


For something that is obviously expensive and valuable, definitely
use Fed-Ex.  Hopefully you aren't going to ship it by ground.
And, Fed EX second-day air rates are competitive compared to UPS BLUE.

But wait, there is more.  How 'bout a comparison between their 
business practices:

COD By Federal Express:  
   They ship the package, it arrives at the destination, they pick
up the check or whatever, drop it in an overnight envelope, and
ship it back to you overnight.  This pair of packages is tracked
through their computer system from the moment they take it off
your hands and never leaves their sight.  I have had stuff tracked
down to the driver as he was en-route.  Super!  To continue
tracking such a package through a small town more than 100 miles
from their distribution hub means that you won't get UPS-ed.
(pronounced OOPS-ed!).

COD By UPS:

  I place the package in their hands, COD.  It is untraceable unless
Ground and Blue-label reaches Peoria IL, there it gets entered in their
tracking computer,  a considerable distance away.  It has gotten lost 
between here and Peoria, twice, in the space of a month.
Tracking this package is done slowly and ineficiently compared to FedEx.
The package reaches the receiver person.  UPS picks up the check and
keeps it at their office until that Saturday, puts it in an envelope, 
and (hold on to your desk very firmly) puts your check in the
hands of the US-mail service.  You are looking at a minimum of two weeks.

Don't know about you but those thoughts give me the willies.
Good reason:  UPS, Last year, two month timespan, 26 packages, 5 lost.
Two were from me.
The smaller the package, the bigger the chances it will disappear.
If you still must use UPS, don't give them a small box.  They 
can only charge by weight.  I use 1cu-ft as my minimum.



To be honest, I still use UPS.  But, for stuff I don't
want to worry about or is vitally important, I use Fed-Ex. 
I chastise retailers if they refuse to ship Fed-Ex.  
Think of all the overhead they would save if all of a sudden,
stuff didn't get lost.

Robert
From: aem@symbiosis.ahp.com (a.e.mossberg)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Re: 10 CDs for the price of 1: kosher?
Date: 6 Jan 1993 13:19:53 -0500
Organization: Symbiosis Corporation, Miami, Florida  (305) 597-4000
Distribution: na
Reply-To: aem@symbiosis.ahp.com
NNTP-Posting-Host: symbi1.symbiosis.ahp.com


As for CD's, I think that the quality of record club ones is fine.
Sometimes the plastic seems less rigid than regular "pressings" but I
doubt enough to effect playback on even cheap equipment. I bought
Achtung Baby from a record club, a friend did from a local record store.
After shipping+handling, mine was the same price he paid with tax. His
came in a cheap carboard sleeve glued to the booklet. Mine came in a
standard jewel case.

aem
-- 
andrew mossberg           systems specialist           symbiosis corporation
(305) 597-4110            fax (305) 597-4002           miami, florida 33166-6202
aem@symbiosis.ahp.com     uunet!symbi1!aem             SPAN: UMIGW::AEM
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: mdouglas@netcom.com (Hokh'Ton)
Subject: Re: Bread makers: (flour)
Organization: Netcom - Online Communication Services  (408 241-9760 guest) 
Date: Tue, 12 Jan 1993 04:33:31 GMT

mf@dancer.cc.bellcore.com (fusco,marc) writes:

>A slight twist (that may have been addressed before - sorry):

>Why do bread makers (at least the Panasonic) call for 'bread flour'?
>Can you use 'all-purpose' flour with similar results (I have tried
>but haven't tasted it yet - looks ok though!).

>Thanks!

Bread flour has a higher gluten content which is what creates structure and
crust. Regular flour has less. Cake flour has the least. Friends of mine 
who have had problems w/ bread machine results have had the problems vanish
upon switching to bread flour. I'd advise it.

-- 




	Hokh'Ton	:	The Crystal Wind is the Storm,
  mdouglas@netcom.com	:	 and the Storm is Data,
Michael Douglas-Llyr	:	  and the Data is Life.
			:		---Player's Litany (The Long Run)
From: eugene@ksr.com (Eugene Yi-jen Pan)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: battery for AT&T 5500 (WHERE?)
Date: 6 Jan 93 10:29:04 EST
Distribution: usa
Organization: Kendall Square Research, Waltham, MA


> Is AT&T the only source for replacement batteries?  The price at the AT&T phone
> center is $16.75.  Thanks for any info.

I found them at Service Merchandise for $9.76.  Thanks for all of the replys.
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: john@ice.stx.com (John DiMarzio)
Subject: Re: Bread makers: recommendations?
Reply-To: john@ice.stx.com
Organization: Hughes STX, Lanham, MD
Distribution: na
Date: Tue, 5 Jan 1993 13:30:28 GMT

I don't personally own one, but, my brother has a Welbilt model 
that came highly reccommended.

John DiMarzio
From: dedek@meaddata.com (Mike Dedek)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Re: Canadian proof (not)  that taxation lowers cigarette consumption
Date: 11 Jan 1993 15:15:11 GMT
Organization: Mead Data Central, Dayton OH
Distribution: world
NNTP-Posting-Host: moonlight.meaddata.com

In article <27763@sybase.sybase.com>, joe@sybase.com (Joseph Weinstein) writes:
|> Dean Edell on KGO revealed some data about canadian tobacco consumption, where
|> taxation raised the cost of cigarettes to about $3 a pack. The data show that
|> prior to the tax increase, per capita consumption was equal to the U.S. In the
|> few years since the taxation the consumption rate has dropped by 30%.
|> 
|> --
|> Joe Weinstein   joe@sybase.com   Sybase 1650 65th st.  Emeryville Ca 94608
|> 
|> NOT A DISCLAIMER!   THIS IS THE OFFICIAL OPINION OF AN IMPORTANT CORPORATE
|>                     ENTITY (NOT SYBASE).     FOR COMPLETE DETAILS SEND $10

This is not proof!  This is correlation.  Have _all_ other variables remained
constant during the study?  For example, were the subjects of the study 
exposed to other pressures to quit, such as adverse health information, 
inability to smoke in certain environments, etc?

Since 1900 in the US, personal income tax has increased dramatically
(from 0% to currently 28% or thereabouts).  The standard of living has
also increased.  Does this prove that increasing personal income tax
causes an increase in the standard of living? If so, we should all lobby
for increased taxes! 

-Mike Dedek
From: cole@unix.SRI.COM (Susan Cole)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Which answering machine?
Date: 6 Jan 93 19:58:51 GMT
Distribution: usa
Organization: SRI International, Menlo Park, California

I want to buy a new answering machine with at least the following features:

	mechanically quiet (from experience, no Panasonics)
	automatically cuts off if you pick up another phone while it's answering.
	allows any length message
	good, easy remote capabilities
	date/time stamp desirable
	preferably doesn't record hangups (ie doesn't play back dial tone.)

Any quick recommendations?  I may even buy it tonight (Wednesday 1/6).
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: rogerk@queernet.org (Roger B.A. Klorese)
Subject: Re: Just a Question
Date: Sun, 10 Jan 1993 08:28:29 GMT
Organization: QueerNet

In article <1993Jan5.174930.1348@merlin.dev.cdx.mot.com> haluk@merlin.dev.cdx.mot.com (Haluk Gumrukcu) writes:
>No. I'm talking about the latest MA tax increase on cigarettes. Voters decided
>on that question. Result is 30 cent/pack tax increase. I don't see any 
>justification to the fact that they ask voters to set the price. I think there aren't any other consumable's price set that way.

It doesn't set the price.  It sets the tax rate.  Other tax rates are set
exactly the same way.
-- 
ROGER B.A. KLORESE                                              +1 415 ALL-ARFF
rogerk@unpc.QueerNet.ORG              {ames,decwrl,pyramid}!sgiblab!unpc!rogerk
"Normal is not something to aspire to, it's something to get away from."
                                                                   -- J. Foster
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: henry@ADS.COM (Henry Mensch)
Subject: Re: 10 CDs for the price of 1: kosher?
Organization: Advanced Decision Systems; a div of Booz, Allen & Hamilton
Date: Thu, 7 Jan 1993 01:19:48 GMT

alasnik@casbah.acns.nwu.edu (Adam Lasnik) wrote: 
->--People forget to send back the "selection-of-the-month" card, and so
->consequently get stuck with the overpriced CD whether they want it or not.

mark the box "return to sender" and send it back.  i do this all the
time without hassles.

->I've tried a number of clubs, and my favorite is BMG.  8-for-1, nothing else
->to buy.  The selection isn't fabulous, but I never have trouble picking out my
->eight CD's... 

... and they have those special sales in almost every mailing which
usually manage to offset the outrageous "handling" charges.

--
# henry mensch / booz, allen & hamilton, inc.  / <henry@ads.com>
# "fight the real enemy."  -- sinead o'connor, and many others.
Newsgroups: misc.consumers