HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: jgd@dixie.com (John De Armond)
Subject: Re: Cable Bill Rip-off
Date: Wed, 07 Oct 92 04:06:48 GMT
Organization: Dixie Communications Public Access.  The Mouth of the South.

strnlght@netcom.com (David Sternlight) writes:

>In my view the new cable bill is one of the most blatant examples of
>a rip-off of consumers by Congress, to shamelessly bribe the
>broadcasting industry.

>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.

>The whole campaign to get this provision in the bill is one of
>the most blatant examples of the big lie in recent history.

Maybe, maybe not.  Since cable companies now have the option to NOT
carry local programming, it puts both the cable company and the 
broadcasters on equal negotiating footing.  Broadcasters, fearful of 
losing even more market share to non-broadcast programming than
they already have, will likely NOT exercise their options.  

It will be very interesting to see how all this unfolds.  I believe this
was definitely an instance where just about any kind of perturbation of
the system would be better than what we had.  My judgement is still out
on this bill.

>Since Clinton is a former Rhodes Scholar, and Gore is economically
>literate, one must assume they know what they are doing, and this
>makes them about as dishonest as they can get in attacking the
>President and claiming the bill is a victory for consumers.

At least I agree with the part about Clinton/Gore being slime.  

John

-- 
John De Armond, WD4OQC               |Interested in high performance mobility?  
Performance Engineering Magazine (TM) |
Marietta, Ga                         |Interested in high tech and computers? 
jgd@dixie.com                        |Write me about PE Magazine
Need Usenet public Access in Atlanta?  Write Me for info on Dixie.com.
From: bill@src4src.linet.org (Bill Lanides)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Re: Cable Bill Rip-off
Date: 11 Oct 92 01:46:50 GMT
Organization: The Source for Source Pub Access Unix


What if the cable company just made a converter that was also an antenna?
When a cable subscriber tunes his box to the lower channels the converter
switches to the antenna to pick up the broadcasts??

-- 

      -Bill Lanides-        |  Tracing the lines that god drew...
 -bill@src4src.linet.org-   |  ...all the way back!
From: bparrish@hpcc01.corp.hp.com (William Parrish)
Date: Wed, 14 Oct 1992 20:57:55 GMT
Subject: Re: The GM MasterCard
Organization: the HP Corporate notes server
Newsgroups: misc.consumers

Yesterday I got an application for one of these... and last night
I got called by a TELEMARKETER from GM asking if I'd got the
application, and could they send my card out...  Is this the
method being used elsewhere?

Bill Parrish


Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: greg@netcom.com (Greg Bullough)
Subject: Re: How do I handle Phone harassment?
Organization: Netcom - Online Communication Services  (408 241-9760 guest) 
Date: Wed, 14 Oct 1992 17:20:53 GMT

In article <1992Oct13.230942.13911@informix.com> neilw@informix.com (Neil Williams) writes:
>
>I don't know what we expected from PacBell, but them cutting off
>the guy's phone service would have been nice....

There are public phones everywhere, and if they had done that he would have been
forced to continue his behavior (if he did) in a manner which would make him far
more difficult to apprehend.
 
Think about it.
 
Greg
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: dunster@sdsu.edu (mark dunster)
Subject: Re: How can I stop telemarketers from calling??
Organization: sdsu
Date: Wed, 14 Oct 1992 23:59:34 GMT

In article <1992Oct14.233331.16279@samba.oit.unc.edu>, Nigel.Allen@bbs.oit.unc.edu (Nigel Allen) writes:
> 
> There are lots of cute things one can do to a telemarketer, but they
> may backfire if the telemarketer is a crook or a psycho.
> 
> The best thing to do is to say "No thank you" politely but firmly.
> Otherwise, you are risking an abusive response or a series of hang-up calls.
> Yes, lots of telemarketers are honest, but enough of them are unpleasant
> that annoying them is unhealthy.
> 
>   
> --
>    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
> 
> 

I agree! You should be polite:

"Hello, I'm from MCI and I would like to ask you a few questions..."

Me:  "Actually, I'm a customer of AT&T. But I really hate those
horrible, patronizing AT&T commercials (<the truth>), so I have 
seriously been considering changing (<a lie>)...."

MCI: "Great!!! Have you heard of our...."

Me, interrupting:  "Oh, could you excuse me for a second? My food is 
burning! Please don't go away, I'll be back in a second."

Whereby I go back to the TV and continue watching the Simpsons. 15 
minutes later, I'll check the phone (during the commercials, maybe),
and see if the slime is still there.  If so, I'll ask them to please
wait, my potatoes are burning.

Hanging up staightaway doesn't waste enough of their time ;-)
From: laymon@midway.crd.ge.com (Marc A. Laymon)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: opinions wanted: stair machines
Date: 15 Oct 92 15:25:33 GMT
Distribution: usa
Organization: GE R & D

I am considering buying a stair climbing machine for home use.  It
will not get heavy use, since I would use it 1-3 times per week
for 20-30 minutes when the fitness center at work is closed
on weekends or it is more convenient to work out at home.

I have seen the piston type stair machines for $100-$300 and the
electric motor/chain drive models for $280-$500.  I have also
seen machines that use air-resistence, somewhat like the Schwinn
air-dyne stationary bicycle. 

I use the chain-drive type at the fitness center at work, so I am
familiar with them.  Is the the fact the step changes angle on
the piston type significant ?  Are the piston types adequate for
light home use (in terms of reliablilty) ?  I have tried the
piston types for a couple minutes at a time at the local
Lechmere's, but haven't been able to form an opinion on such
short experience.

I would be willing to spend up to $300 for a cheap motor/chain
drive type or expensive piston type, although if the cheaper
piston types would be adequate I don't want spend an extra $200
if I don't need to.  Any opinions/experiences would be most welcome.


  Marc Laymon			GE Research & Development   	
				Schenectady, NY
  laymon@oceana.crd.ge.com
From: egreen@east.sun.com (Ed Green - Pixel Cruncher)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Re: DISCOVER card
Date: 7 Oct 92 15:28:10 GMT
Reply-To: egreen@east.sun.com
Organization: Sun Microsystems, RTP, NC
NNTP-Posting-Host: laser.east.sun.com

In article semVYbz0BwwD91iL8X@transarc.com, Edward_Engler@transarc.com () writes:
>
>There are a few places that only accept Discover (besides Sears).  One
>that comes to mind is Pace Membership Warehouse.  

Not exactly.  They will not accept Discover for your purchase, but they
will issue you a cash advance against the Discover card for the amount
of the purchase.  The product is thus not covered under any warranty or
pay-back offered by Discover, and they charge you the cash advance fee
and there is probably no grace period for interest accrual.

This is true in Cary, NC.  Price Club in Sunnyvale, CA (a similar
warehouse chain) DID accept Discover for actual purchase.  Maybe your
PMW is different.

---
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...
From: kz08+@andrew.cmu.edu (Ken Zuroski)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Red Wing Boots
Date: 15 Oct 92 09:51:03 GMT
Article-I.D.: romulus.719171463.12043.0
Organization: Doctoral student, English, Carnegie Mellon, Pittsburgh, PA

I would like to whole-heartedly recommend Red Wing Boots. About seven
years ago I was looking for a pair of winter boots that also were somewhat
fashionable. Up to that time, I had purchased a number of moderately cowboy
style boots from various manufacturers, and was disappointed that they
quickly fell apart in about a year's time, though they were not cheap. It
seemed you could either invest in style or strength, and the two were
mutually exclusive. After my third pair of boots fell apart I thought: well,
I'm going to buy a pair of work boots this time; at least they won't 
self-disintegrate. Red Wing stores had a quasi-cowboy look-alike work boot
that I bought for $95 back in 1985. Since that time I have worn them every
fall, winter and spring with only a minimum of maintenance (oiled them
every month or so). I've hiked in the Rockies with them, worn them through
all sorts of rain, snow and slush. They've only become more comfortable. This
year the soles and heels were worn down to a point where I figured it was
time to get them changed, though I probably could have got by with one more
year. Just got them back and they look almost brand new, aside from a bit
of discoloration from wear; I can easily see them lasting for another
seven years. The resoling cost $38; if they do last until 1999 (and I
see no reason why they shouldn't), I'll have had 14 years of intense boot
wear for $133. 

--Ken

---
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ken Zuroski
Department of English
Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA 15213 USA
kz08@cmu.edu
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
From: leem@jpl-devvax.jpl.nasa.gov (Lee Mellinger)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Re: hummingbird feeder formula
Date: 13 Oct 92 21:31:40 GMT
Article-I.D.: jpl-devv.1992Oct13.213140.9588
Organization: Jet Propulsion Laboratory (NASA)

In article <Bw2E1F.77u@unx.sas.com> saseph@hal.unx.sas.com (Ed Hughes) writes:
:
:In article <92287.092237SAHRABI@auvm.american.edu>, <SAHRABI@auvm.american.edu> writes:
:I recall reading in a hummer book that you absolutely SHOULD NOT feed
:honey to hummers.  I don't remember why, but I do remember that
:admonition.
:
:--ed

That is because honey will quickely develop a fungus.  The hummers
will contract the fungus and die of starvation.  This is from
ornithologists that specilize in hummingbirds.
From: "tom betz" <tom.betz@execnet.com>
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: cable bill solution
Date: 8 Oct 92 04:35:58 EST
Reply-To: "tom betz" <tom.betz@execnet.com>
Distribution: misc
Organization: Executive Networks Information

Quoth David Sternlight regarding CABLE BILL RIP-OFF on 10-07-92:

DS>In my view the new cable bill is one of the most blatant examples of
DS>a rip-off of consumers by Congress, to shamelessly bribe the
DS>broadcasting industry.
DS>
DS>It's economic baloney for the broadcasters to claim they should be
DS>paid by the cable companies for carrying their programming. 

The odds are that very few broadcasters will be paid.  In fact, the bill 
does not mandate such payment, only permits broadcasters to negotiate it.

DS>To the contrary, broadcasters get paid by advertisers, and what they
DS>get paid is a function of the number of viewers. 

So do Lifetime and MTV and USA and all the other cable channels.  So?  If 
cable companies can't negotiate a reasonable deal, they don't have to 
carry the local stations.  There's always WGN and WPIX WOR and all the 
other superstations... and you can bet that somewhere in the country is a 
network affilliate willing to provide its programming on a satellite feed 
for any cable system to pull down for free;  more than likely several.

The fact is that this is a minor clause in a larger bill that is actually 
a long-overdue regulation of the cable monopolies.



---
  WinQwk 2.0 a#299  Think Universally, Act Selfishly
--
Executive Network Information System  (914) 667-4567
International ILink Host
From: ray.normandeau@factory.com (Ray Normandeau)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: VITA-MIX QUESTION
Date: 9 Oct 92 20:48:00 GMT
Reply-To: ray.normandeau@factory.com (Ray Normandeau)
Organization: Invention Factory's BBS - New York City, NY - 212-274-1243v.32bis

I am a professional product demonstrator who has demonstrated a variety
of housewares items.

I have had the opportunity to see someone else demonstrate the Vita-Mix
altho I don't remember the model number.

It appeared to do everything that was claimed, but was AS NOISY AS HELL.

I would recommend that you hear one in action before deciding whther it
is for you.

I will stick with a food processor myself.
                                                                                                      
Xref: sparky misc.consumers:17815 alt.politics.perot:2148
From: so690561@mbcr.bcm.tmc.edu (Susan Elizabeth Olson)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers,alt.politics.perot
Subject: Re: Perot's "Platform" Posted to the Usenet
Date: 14 Oct 92 21:12:53 GMT
Article-I.D.: gazette.1bi2glINNs07
Distribution: usa
Organization: Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Tx
NNTP-Posting-Host: mbcr.bcm.tmc.edu

...just curious, but who published Perot's book, and does Ross have any
financial interest in said publishing house - I would imagine that the
publisher would be the most upset about the exerpts of the book posted,
but perhaps the publishing company is owned in part by Ross himself (or
maybe he could agree to buy some quantity of copies ;-).  I'm still
undecided myself, but on paper IMHO the platform seems to be sensible.
I won't make up my mind till the last day, though.  This year, a lot 
can happen in only a few days.

-S
From: bollard@hpspkla.spk.hp.com (Lee M. Bollard)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: New 900mhz cordless phones good?
Date: 9 Oct 92 22:37:12 GMT
Article-I.D.: hpspkla.30540020
Organization: Hewlett Packard Company, Spokane, Wa.

Has anyone tried the new 900mhz cordless phones?

They apparantly have a range of up to a mile, and are not subject to
interference like the current cordless phones.

I've only seen  one brand (Tropez) available, the price was $349 list
($249 discounted).  

I'm looking for anyone's experiences with these new 900 mhz phones.  ARe
they worth the price?


Regards,

Lee Bollard              
HP Spokane Division
bollard@hpspkla.spk.hp.com
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: saseph@hal.unx.sas.com (Ed Hughes)
Subject: Re: hummingbird feeder formula
Originator: saseph@hal.unx.sas.com
Date: Tue, 13 Oct 1992 14:45:13 GMT
Organization: SAS Institute Inc.


In article <Bw2E1F.77u@unx.sas.com>, saseph@hal.unx.sas.com (Ed Hughes) writes:
>
>I recall reading in a hummer book that you absolutely SHOULD NOT feed
>honey to hummers.  I don't remember why, but I do remember that
>admonition.
 ^^^^^^^^^^
Sorry--that's "admonishment."  Apologies to Mr. Webster...and to his
lovely wife, Merriam.  :->


-- 
Ed Hughes, SAS Institute  | "I'm human; now shut up and pass the salt!"
Cary, NC                  | --Crow, "Rocketship X-M," MST3000
                          |
From: joseph@c2a.crd.ge.com (joseph)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Re: Don't use CHECKS IN THE MAIL
Date: 8 Oct 92 11:48:56 GMT
Reply-To: joseph@c2a.crd.ge.com (joseph)
Followup-To: misc.consumers
Distribution: usa
Organization: GE Research


In article <1992Oct5.225025.14313@gdwest.gd.com>, stlucas@gdwest.gd.com (Joseph St. Lucas) writes:

  I have used CHECKS IN THE MAIL once before.  Although the service
was good, I am not sure I will use them again.  The reason being that
the difference in price between the bank's check printer and CHECKS IN
THE MAIL is not much.  For re-orders, CITM charges $6.00 + handling and
extras which is about $8.00, for an order of 200 checks.  The bank's
printer charges $11.00.  So I save a whopping $3.00.  The 200 checks
lasts me for about a year, so I can't make up it up in volume either.

 Also, though it makes no difference to the balance in my account, I
felt that the bank's check printer (Harland ?) had better quality paper.

 Do you all gain anything more than this $3.00 that I am unaware of ?

 james joseph             joseph@c2a.crd.ge.com
From: grp@Unify.com (Greg Pasquariello)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Re: hummingbird feeder formula
Date: 12 Oct 92 21:19:44 GMT
Organization: Unify Corporation (Sacramento)

In article <1992Oct11.163832.18196@morrow.stanford.edu>, MA.MXG@forsythe.stanford.edu writes:
> 
> 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?

You will probably get lot's of replies about using protein solutions,
using or not using commercial solutions, using or not using dyes, etc.

The simple fact is, hummers get all the protein they need from small
insects they consume, a small red feeding port or ribbon will attract
them, and commercial solutions are no better or worse than the ones 
you can make at home.

Boil 1/2 cup sugar in 2 cups of water.  Let it cool, and place it
in your feeder.  Cheap, easy, environmentally sound.  

Oh, do make sure you keep your feeder clean, otherwise there is
a risk of harming the birds.  I've also read about an interesting
phenomena whereby some birds will perch on feeders in the early morning
and go torpid from hypothermia, thus enabling cats and things to get
at them, so you may want to use a feeder without perches.

And watch your eyes!  Once the hummers know it's there, they will
almost fly into you to get at the feeder as you change it!


> 
> Thanks

-- 

--
Greg Pasquariello   	grp@unify.com 	        A different kind of tinsel
Unify Corporation	   or			decorates my tree. -xtc	
(916) 928-6258	    ...!uunet!unify!grp
From: wadswort@babss.UUCP (John H. Wadsworth)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Re: How do I handle Phone harassment?
Date: 13 Oct 92 15:22:45 GMT
Followup-To: misc.consumers
Distribution: world
Organization: Bell Atlantic Business Systems Service Branford, Ct.

In article <1992Oct11.152712.4956@eng.umd.edu> georgec@eng.umd.edu (George B. Clark) writes:
>>Simply report them to the phone company.  They will handle it.
>Even the police have trouble gaining cooperation from the phone company.
>
I once made the mistake of contacting replacement window people. For a
year after we moved out of our old place and into a new house one
company continued to interrupt my dinner. Explaining that a new house
doesn't require replacement windows fell on deaf ears.

As best I can figure out the window company bought lists of home owners
and hired telemarkets to make the calls. Each of the calls seemed to come 
from a differant place. I finally got the name of who the telemarketer
was working for (the window company) and called 1-800-555-1212 (800
information) and asked for their main number. By this time I was thoughly
pissed.

Some poor girl answered the phone. By the sound of her voice I guessed
she was maybe high school aged. I very calmly and politely told her my
name and asked for hers. Once I had her name i told her the saga of my
repeated intruptions, all the while increaseing the anger in my voice.
I finished off with a (empty) threat to sue not only the company but
also HER PERSONNALY. I made a point to inform her that it was her duty 
to personlly see that my name was removed from all future callling lists.

I can only imagine what happened next but I have a vivid image of a very
shaken and scared, wide eyed school girl running to her boss fanticlly to
make sure that my name was properly deleted.

I'm happy to report that I've never heard from a window replacement person
again.

The moral of the story is :
Be persistant! they are! try to get as much information as possible about
who is calling and who told them they should call you. When you find out
who your enemy is, sneak up on them and blast them with both barrels.
Don't be afraid to make wild accustions and threats. I'm not advocating
murder here but I suspect if they thought you were editor-in-chief of the
home improvement section of the New York Times you might get a little more 
respect ;)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: cab@col.hp.com (Chris Best)
Subject: Re: hummingbird feeder formula
Date: Tue, 13 Oct 1992 20:08:54 GMT
Organization: your service

> Boil 1/2 cup sugar in 2 cups of water.  Let it cool, and place it
> in your feeder.  Cheap, easy, environmentally sound.  

----------

Yes.  Yes.  Maybe.

So many people say to boil the water - is this for some
sterilization reason, or just to make the sugar dissolve
more easily?  If the latter, it's a waste of energy to
do the same thing you can do by hand in 20 seconds.

I've been using cold tap water for years, and they keep
coming back - so I doubt you need to sterilize the water.
I haven't come across any piles of dead hummers in the
woods...
From: greg@netcom.com (Greg Bullough)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Re: contacts by mail -- illegal/unethical??
Date: 13 Oct 92 19:52:12 GMT
Article-I.D.: netcom.1992Oct13.195212.20954
Distribution: usa
Organization: Netcom - Online Communication Services  (408 241-9760 guest)

In article <Bw2LKn.3Fw@news.cso.uiuc.edu> berger@atropa (Mike Berger) writes:
>are attempting to enforce, and has refused to give me my prescription.
 
It is interesting that this doctor uses what he considers to be unethical
behavior as an excuse to engage in unethical behavior himself.
 
There are a number of good reasons for you to have a copy of your own
prescription, not the least of which is that you may sometimes be out
of reach of your own provider and may require replacement glasses or
contacts. Or, you may choose another dispensing optician whom he considers
perfectly legitimate.
 
You have a right to any information contained in your medical file; you
should exercise that right. He has a right to advise you against using
those providers, however his concern over the practice does not give 
him the right to violate your rights as a patient. 
 
My suggestion: indicate to him that you feel that it is your right as
a patient to have a copy of your prescription. And furthermore:
 
   1. If he doesn't provide the prescription, you will reciprocate
      by not paying his bill
   2. You will bring your concern to the appropriate licensing 
      authorities and professional organizations
 
It is right that he should be concerned what you should do with your
medical information, which you own. It is not right that he withold 
that which is ethically and legally yours.
 
Greg
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: markmc@halcyon.com (Mark McWiggins)
Subject: Re: Don't use CHECKS IN THE MAIL
Organization: Northwest Nexus Inc. (206) 455-3505
Distribution: usa
Date: Thu, 8 Oct 1992 08:47:21 GMT


I reordered a couple of months back, received my checks in about 10
days, and have generally been very happy with CITM.

-- 
Mark McWiggins        Hermes & Associates		+1 206 632 1905 (voice)
markmc@halcyon.com    Box 31356, Seattle WA 98103-1356  +1 206 632 1738 (fax)