HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: schwartz@nynexst.com (Steven Schwartz)
Subject: Re: Legal Tender?? A different Twist
Originator: schwartz@baba
Reply-To: schwartz@nynexst.com
Organization: Expert Systems Lab., NYNEX Sci. and Tech., White Plains NY
Distribution: usa
Date: Tue, 22 Dec 92 17:33:46 GMT


In article <43987@fibercom.COM>, rrg@rtp.fibercom.com (Rhonda Gaines) writes:
> 
> How much of a dollar bill ($20 bill to be exact) do you have to have
> before it's spendable?  My husband found 3/4 of a $20 bill and
> figured that it's probably unspendable but I thought I'd pose the
> question anyway.  Replies to rrg@fibercom.com

From memory (it's been years):

60 - 100% of the bill	= 100% value
40 - 60%		= 50% value
< 40%			= 0
-- 
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: blix@milton.cs.uiuc.edu (Gunnar Blix)
Subject: Wedding photographer recommendations
Organization: University of Illinois, Dept. of Comp. Sci., Urbana, IL
Distribution: usa
Date: Mon, 28 Dec 1992 21:10:57 GMT

I'm looking for recommendations for a photographer for a wedding
in Elmhurst (by Chicago).  I'd like both general recommendations on
what to look for and specific recommendations on photographers that do
a particularly good job, are honest, and have reasonable rates.

We need someone who will take a few good staged pictures at (or after)
the ceremony, and then take candid pictures at the reception.  We do
not want someone who runs the show and stages pictures through the
reception.  Since we both have rather small families, there won't be a
high demand for most of the proofs, but we will need a (close to) full
set for ourselves and about 100 copies of one of the pictures.

--
******************************************************************
* Gunnar Blix      * Good advice is one of those insults that    *
* blix@cs.uiuc.edu * ought to be forgiven.              -Unknown *
******************************************************************
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: niebuhr@bnlux1.bnl.gov (david niebuhr)
Subject: Re: Dedicated ATM card?
Organization: Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, NY 11973
Date: Wed, 30 Dec 1992 14:08:07 GMT

In article <1992Dec29.205237.15191@lmt.mn.org> ChazL@county.lmt.mn.org (Chaz Larson) writes:
>In article <9212270022.AA19551@_vader.cc.emory.edu_>, 
>thfore@vader.cc.emory.edu (Troy Howard Fore III) writes:
>> Has anyone heard of one of these. I think it would be similar to the non-
>> subscriber AT&T calling acrds. It is referred to in a novel i'm reading. It 
>> metions
>> a red CIRRUS dedicated ATM card. Is this just fiction or does such exist 
>and 
>> how can I find out more?
>
>More specifics, please, on just what you mean.
>
>"Cirrus" is a national ATM "network" of sorts.  When I had a checking account 
 I read some time back that Cirrus and Plus linked their databases for ATMs.
In addition, in the New York area and other places there is NYCE (New York
Cash Exchange).  Also, there is $AM (Shopper's Available Money) which 
accepts, among other cards, Discover.

Dave



-- 
Dave Niebuhr      Internet: niebuhr@bnl.gov / Bitnet: niebuhr@bnl
Brookhaven National Laboratory Upton, NY 11973  (516)-282-3093
From: patth@panix.com (Patt Bromberger)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Price Club Info Sought
Date: 27 Dec 92 15:22:49 GMT
Distribution: us
Organization: PANIX Public Access Unix & Internet, NYC

There are several Price Clubs opening in the tri-state area and before
I plunk down my $$ to join, I'd appreciate hearing about the
experiences of others with respect to such clubs.



-- 
Patricia Ann Bromberger                            patth@panix.com
This quote borrowed from: Gary.Petraccaro@f12.n2610.z1.fidonet.org 
... "It matters not so much what you sing, but why..." J.S. Bach
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: hillelm@comm.mot.com (Hillel Meyers)
Subject:  rechargeable batteries (retried)
Organization: Motorola Land Mobile Products Sector
Date: Tue, 22 Dec 1992 09:54:40 GMT

Is there a problem with keeping my Sony Camcorder batteries always in the
recharger once they have been discharged completely?  Can I place them in the
recharger after a single use even though they are not fully discharged?  I
seems they are always runni|> ng down while I am not using them.

Hillel
From: jcao@rnd.GBA.NYU.EDU (Jingbin Cao)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Re: Interplak vs. Braun
Date: 28 Dec 92 01:34:02 GMT
Organization: NYU Stern School of Business

In article <1992Dec27.213414.29945@hpcvaac.cv.hp.com> billn@hpcvaac.cv.hp.com (bill nelson) writes:
>Nope. I agree with you 100%. The field from a hair dryer or vacuum cleaner
>is much greater than anything you will receive from a power line, or an
>electric blanket.  The field from an electic blanket is 1-5uT (micro Tesla).
>That of a vacuum is 200-1000uT and of a hair dryer 10-2000uT. 

Perhaps I did not make myself clear in my post. What I was and am
concerned about is the induction charging method used by Braun. The
field must be very strong in order to have the battery charged, right?

Any expert opinion would be appreciated. But no joke please. Thanks in
advance. In any case, I wouldn't mind using a hair dryer, but will not
use a electric blanket. I just don't want that thing so close to me
for a long time. Besides, it's a waste of energy.

Jingbin
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: joec@fid.morgan.com (Joe Collins)
Subject: Re:  rechargeable batteries 
Organization: None
Date: Wed, 30 Dec 1992 16:15:23 GMT

In article <1ha5aiINN85d@uwm.edu> fino@point.cs.uwm.edu (Alexander Finogenov) writes:
>In article <1992Dec22.095440.29026@lmpsbbs.comm.mot.com> hillelm@comm.mot.com (Hillel Meyers) writes:
>: Is there a problem with keeping my Sony Camcorder batteries always in the
>: recharger once they have been discharged completely?  Can I place them in the
>: recharger after a single use even though they are not fully discharged?  I
>: seems they are always runni|> ng down while I am not using them.
>: 
>
>In one of the early 1992 issues of Consumer Reports there is an info about
>camcorder batteries. If I remember correctly, they mentioned that the nicad
>batteries have "memory" about previous charge(s). Such batteries must be fully
>discharged before you may recharge them.
>
>Alex

NiCad batteries should be stored in the uncharged state and then charged
before using, i.e. the night before. When fully charged and on the shelf, 
they SLOWLY lose their charge - I recall something like 1% per day or so. 
NiCads can also develop memory effects. If you have a nicad that is 1/2 
discharged and you recharge it and do this a few times, it will lose the 
effect of fully discharging (or something like that). One way to fix this is
to deep discharge the battery, i.e. fully discharge it (but don't short it out
to do this). 

My SONY TR81 camcorder says to put the battery in the camera, take out
the tape and then leave the camera on to discharge the battery. I don't
think this deep discharges it but it does have the desired effect of
draining it so it can keep taking a full charge the next time.

For the smaller AA, D, C type cells, I plan to build a simple device
to drain them individually, perhaps through a 1.5v light. It is optimal
if you can deep discharge each cell individually. [My camcorder battery
is a combination of cells and thus I'll let the camera do the job].
I might even build a simple charger so I can charge the cells individually.

BTW, a Nicad puts out 1.2volts per cell while standard AA, D, C, etc
put out 1.5v - this can be significant when you combine them:
 12v in nicad cells means 10 cells (10x1.2)
 12v in standard cells means 8 cells (8x1.5)

Lastly, Lead-acid batteries (e.g. car batteries) should be stored in
the fully charged state unlike the NiCads which should be stored
in the discharged state. The standard batteries are not rechargeable,
i.e. alkalines etc and bad things can happen if you attempt this.

Why different voltages and methods of storing them? Different chemistries 
going on.....

Hope that helps...

Joe
joec@morgan.com


Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: billn@hpcvaac.cv.hp.com (bill nelson)
Subject: Re: Interplak vs. Braun
Organization: Hewlett-Packard Company, Corvallis, Oregon USA
Date: Mon, 28 Dec 1992 07:46:41 GMT

jcao@rnd.GBA.NYU.EDU (Jingbin Cao) writes:
: In article <1992Dec27.213414.29945@hpcvaac.cv.hp.com> billn@hpcvaac.cv.hp.com (bill nelson) writes:
: >Nope. I agree with you 100%. The field from a hair dryer or vacuum cleaner
: >is much greater than anything you will receive from a power line, or an
: >electric blanket.  The field from an electic blanket is 1-5uT (micro Tesla).
: >That of a vacuum is 200-1000uT and of a hair dryer 10-2000uT. 
: 
: Perhaps I did not make myself clear in my post. What I was and am
: concerned about is the induction charging method used by Braun. The
: field must be very strong in order to have the battery charged, right?
: 
: Any expert opinion would be appreciated. But no joke please. Thanks in
: advance. In any case, I wouldn't mind using a hair dryer, but will not
: use a electric blanket. I just don't want that thing so close to me
: for a long time. Besides, it's a waste of energy.

Hm - you sent this to me by e-mail also.  I replied there - if anyone
else has any questions about this - send me e-mail. I will do my best
to answer.

Bill

Newsgroups: misc.consumers,soc.culture.usa
From: thomasl@silver.ucs.indiana.edu ((thomasl))
Subject: soc newsgroup?
Summary: seeking toe socks
Organization: Indiana University
Distribution: usa
Date: Sat, 26 Dec 1992 21:18:47 GMT

anyway, i can't find these sox anywhere
if anyone out there can help get a pair of the aforementioned sox to
me, they will have helped make someone's holiday truly memorable

send all info, please
please please
thanking you,
l.



Newsgroups: misc.consumers,soc.culture.japan,sci.electronics,alt.sex,soc.culture.african.american,misc.education,misc.entrepreneurs
From: strnlght@netcom.com (David Sternlight)
Subject: Re: DOES AMERICA SAY YES TO JAPAN? - Off track!!
Organization: Netcom - Online Communication Services (408 241-9760 guest)
Date: Mon, 28 Dec 1992 19:11:42 GMT

In article <1992Dec28.154503.872@island.COM> fester@island.COM (Mike Fester) writes:
>In article <1992Dec24.000311.2152@netcom.com> strnlght@netcom.com (David Sternlight) writes:
>
>>I suggest he have a private conversation with the Chief Economist
>>of the World Bank about Japan's practices before he continues
>>this silliness.
>
>We would ALL be delighted do do so. Would you be so kind as to arrange one 
>for us? Or are you just being "silly"?

No, I am not being silly. He works at the World Bank.

David


-- 
David Sternlight
RIPEM Public Key on server  --  Consider it an envelope for your e-mail

Newsgroups: misc.consumers,soc.men,misc.misc
From: henry@ADS.COM (Henry Mensch)
Subject: Re: Levi Strauss DEFUNDS Boy Scouts
Organization: Advanced Decision Systems; a div of Booz, Allen & Hamilton
Date: Thu, 31 Dec 1992 00:04:35 GMT

strnlght@netcom.com (David Sternlight) wrote: 
->The Boy Scouts are a private organization.

the boy scouts have a congressional charter; such endorsement from the
legislature probably sets them up for trouble if they engage in
unreasonable discrimination against prospective members.

--
# henry mensch / booz, allen & hamilton, inc.  / <henry@ads.com>
# "fight the real enemy."  -- sinead o'connor, and many others.
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: jchen@wind.bellcore.com (Jason Chen)
Subject: Re: Price Club Info Sought
Reply-To: jchen@ctt.bellcore.com
Organization: Bell Communications Research
Distribution: us
Date: Tue, 29 Dec 92 22:08:03 GMT

In article <1992Dec29.153557.44068@watson.ibm.com>, rubin@watson.ibm.com (Bill Rubin) writes:
|> ...  too bad, too, since I might have joined if they'd let me in 
|> to see what it was like before making me stand on the long line to plunk 
|> down my membership dollars.  
|> 
|> -- Bill rubin@watson.ibm.com

Are you sure? Price Club has some odd rules for membership eligibility. You have
to be either an employee of a credit union, utility company, or government, or
a small business owner to be eligible. 

But you are right about their attitude: cold, indifferent. Once you realize 
the way they do business, it is not hard to deal with them. They are not
unreasonable.  In fact, I find that the work force in PC has a higher efficiency
than other retailers. 

Back to the original question. I found PC membership is worth it. The prices are
from good to great, depending on individual items. Selections are o.k., but 
supply is unstable.  The quality of goods is generally good,
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: afriend@dial.Princeton.EDU (A. Friend)
Subject: Re: Foreign ATM Fees
Originator: news@nimaster
Organization: Princeton University
Distribution: usa
Date: Thu, 31 Dec 1992 05:29:24 GMT

From article <1htrvuINN975@agate.berkeley.edu>, by avk@hafnium.cchem.berkeley.edu (Tony Konashenok):
> There still are banks which won't charge you a penny for using other banks'
> ATMs. Most of them are very small, have only a few ATMs, and simply *need* to

I know that the United Jersey Bank has a progrom called preferred banking,
which allows unlimited use of the ATMs. You have to have a combined balance
of $3,000 in your checking and saving accounts. You can make your ATM
transaction anywhere that accepts either PLUS or NYCE, MAC. There is also
no limit on the number of withdrawals and transfers from both checking and 
saving accounts. I can even withdraw money in Canada without the ATM fee.

I am not sure they are a small bank though; they have branches overall here
in New Jersey, and they have offices in 4 other neighboring states.
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Re: Wood Burning Stoves vs Screened Fireplace
From: Robert Chambers <RMCCU@CUNYVM.BITNET>
Date: Monday, 28 Dec 1992 10:59:31 EST
Distribution: usa
Organization: CUNY/UCC VM Systems

My woodstove is more efficient with the fan on, it will however provide
radiant heat and also convect heat through it at a slower rate with the
fan off.

Robert
From: ray.normandeau@factory.com (Ray Normandeau) 
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: HELP - ANTS
Date: 21 Dec 92 22:04:00 GMT
Distribution: world
Organization: Invention Factory's BBS - New York City, NY - 212-274-8298v.32bis
Reply-To: ray.normandeau@factory.com (Ray Normandeau) 

-> I have heard something about getting rid of ants by placing small
-> cups of sugar and boric acid near their trails. Does this work and
-> what proportions should be used? Is it intended to kill them outright
-> or have them take it back to the nest? Should it be dissolved in
-> water or left as powder?

I would place boric acid in a THIN FILM where you expect them to walk.
If left in a pile, they will walk around it.
From: tzs@stein.u.washington.edu (Tim Smith)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Re: Foreign ATM Fees Re: Dedicated ATM card?
Date: 3 Jan 1993 05:35:27 GMT
Organization: University of Washington School of Law, Class of '95
Distribution: usa
NNTP-Posting-Host: stein.u.washington.edu

phaedrus@halcyon.com (Mark Phaedrus) writes:
>     (And may I say that I've always been very satisfied with Seafirst's
>customer service; for example, if I'm depositing a paycheck or something else

I have two complaints about Seafirst compared to my old bank (Wells Fargo,
which does not exist in Washington, hence the switch to Seafirst when I
moved).

First, they don't allow transfer from checking or savings to credit card
at the ATM.  At Wells Fargo, my credit cards were "linked" to my ATM card,
and I could just punch "transfer" "from checking" "to other" and then select
which credit card from the menu and make a payment.  With Seafirst, I've
got to write a check.  Furthermore, to check my credit card balance at the
ATM at Seafirst, I've got to insert the credit card and enter my credit card
PIN.  At Wells Fargo, I could check the balance on all linked accounts using
just the ATM card.  In fact, at Wells Fargo, I could get a cash advance on
the credit card without using the credit card -- I could get it through the
ATM card.

Second, balance inquiries print.  This is wasteful.  Most of the time when
I want to check my balance, I don't need a permanent record.  I can get
by with getting a printed record only when I deposit or withdraw.  I don't
need the waste paper othewise.

Speaking of printing, I liked Wells Fargo ATM records better, too.  They
are printed on little cards, which easily fit in a walled where one keeps
the ATM card.  Seafirst, and most other banks, print long strips, that seem
to only go well in the bill section of my wallet, where I find them to be
annoying.

Other than that, they've been fine.  I seem to recall that someone told me
that they are planning to allow credit card payments via ATM sometime, too.

--Tim Smith
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: thomasl@silver.ucs.indiana.edu ((thomasl))
Subject: long distance calling
Summary: which one to choose? 
Keywords: help
Organization: Indiana University
Date: Wed, 23 Dec 1992 17:43:53 GMT

Final exam question:

thomasl@silver is about to begin phone service.  It is necessary to
choose a long-distance carrier.  Which carrier is most recommended?
(note: all answers must contain reasons for the selection.  reasons
for deciding against a particular carrier are acceptable.  extra
credit: mention any incentives or bonuses associated with each carrier)

Good luck, thanks, and happy holidays.

l.
From: kucharsk@solbourne.com (William Kucharski)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Re: Junk mail with bills
Date: 21 Dec 1992 14:21:05 -0700
Organization: Solbourne Computer, Inc., Longmont, CO
Distribution: usa
NNTP-Posting-Host: anthrax-fddi.solbourne.com

While reading article <1992Dec18.130932.7474@wa4phy>, I noticed that
sam@wa4phy (Sam Drinkard) said the following:
 >I think there has to be some strategy to all the junk mail put in / on the
 >envelopes too.. maybe they think the "compulsive CC junkie" just can't 
 >refuse a good "deal?"

The obvious reason is that if it didn't work (e.g. no one responded to the ads
stuffed in with your bill) they wouldn't do it.  They must be getting a decent
return rate to continue doing it...
-- 
| William Kucharski, Solbourne Computer, Inc.     | Opinions expressed above
| Internet: kucharsk@solbourne.com   Ham: N0OKQ   | are MINE alone, not those
| Snail Mail: 1900 Pike Road, Longmont, CO  80501 | of Solbourne Computer, Inc.
| President, "Just the Ten of Us" Fan Club        | "Dittos from Longmont, CO"
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: kolstad@cae.wisc.edu (Joel Kolstad)
Subject: Re: Tell me about electric blankets
Organization: U of Wisconsin-Madison College of Engineering
Distribution: na
Date: 27 Dec 92 13:50:26 CST

Bill, Bill, Bill...

Here we go again...

In article <1992Dec27.074234.19477@hpcvaac.cv.hp.com> billn@hpcvaac.cv.hp.com (bill nelson) writes:
>
>So. I used one word that some people to consider to be vulgar, and you get
>upset. It is also a word in common usage - yes, even among employees of my
>company. Anyone who assumes anything about my employer, from what I post,
>is a fool.

I'm just recommending that you don't use them.  There are one heck of a lot
of fools in this world, and they do indirectly affect the non-fools of the
world.

You're right that individuals shouldn't infer much about an employee's
company from want that employee says, but it's going to happen anyway.
Stereotypes are wonderful, you know.

>As an aside, how often, in my thousands of postings I have made over the
>years, have you seen what you consider to be a "vulgarity"? 

I've only been here about three years, and I only see your postings here
and in sci.electronics. :-)

Again, I don't really mind if you want to use vulgarities, I'd just
_recommend_ that you don't.

>: Trust me.  Hook up one of your HP constant current power supplies to a coil
>: of wire or a resistor.  Set it to pump out 1A DC, constant current.  I
>: guarantee you that any E field you measure by the coil is not being
>: produced by that coil.  (Try inducing a voltage in another nearby coil for
>: starts.  It isn't going to happen, because you need an EM field to induce
>: voltages, and you only have a M field.)
>
>Nope - all you have to do is move the other coil. It is a simple high
>school physics experiment. Any conductor moving in that field is going
>to generate a changing electric current, with its associated electic field.

That's true, but the assumption is that people don't move very much while
sleeping, no?

>: >What does that have to do with my training? One of the people in my
>: >group got his degree in religious studies. He still is one of the
>: >brightest engineers in the division.
>: 
>: I would hope that he has an engineering degree (or a science degree)
>: _as well_.  I think it's rather obvious what training in a given field has 
>: to do with one's knowledge on the subject: It tends to lend credibility to 
>: your arguments.
>
>Nope - he doesn't. Nor do quite a few other engineers in the company. The
>company has always been willing to employ people for what they can accompish,
>not which particular piece of paper they happen to possess.

I'll buy demonstrated performance in place of a degree.  Even so, people
with degrees are often thought of more highly than those without.  (Yeah, I
know, people that think this way are fools, blah, blah -- but it's still
true.  I'm glad that HP doesn't act like one of those fools, in this case.)

>In the more technical engineering programs, you learn little more than 
>fundamentals. The rest, you learn on the job - or in specialized training
>that you take while working.

Yes.

>Bill

						---Joel Kolstad
From: avk@hafnium.cchem.berkeley.edu (Tony Konashenok)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Re: Foreign ATM Fees
Date: 31 Dec 1992 04:12:46 GMT
Organization: University of California, Berkeley
Distribution: usa
NNTP-Posting-Host: hafnium.cchem.berkeley.edu

There still are banks which won't charge you a penny for using other banks'
ATMs. Most of them are very small, have only a few ATMs, and simply *need* to
let people use others' machines, otherwise they could lose a significant
fraction of their clientele. Very few banks, though, let you do it without
any limits; most of them allow for 3-5 transaction/month and charge a fee
thereafter. An example of the latter approach is Cal State Employees Credit
Union #9 in Berkeley, CA. The former is done by University National Bank in
Palo Alto, CA. At any rate, it's always worth your while to call 15-20 banks
and credit unions around you and ask. I did, and am getting more interest on
checking than most of my friends on savings, etc. etc.
-- 
Tony Konashenok   avk@hafnium.cchem.berkeley.edu   (510)843-5632 (home)
University of California, Berkeley                 (510)642-5831 (office)

Strauss research group, Latimer Hall, UC Berkeley, Berkeley CA 94720, U.S.A.