HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: lstowell@pyrnova.mis.pyramid.com (Lon Stowell)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Re: Storing alkaline batteries
Keywords: batteries, storage
Date: 17 Nov 92 02:02:53 GMT
Reply-To: lstowell@pyrnova.pyramid.com (Lon Stowell)
Organization: Pyramid Technology Corp., Mountain View, CA

In article <BxtqJq.Bq1@acsu.buffalo.edu> v120q4jf@ubvmsd.cc.buffalo.edu (Rob B.) writes:
>
>Hi. I was wondering if anyone knows the best way to store batteries (eg. AA,
>9 volt, D) that I am not going to use immediately. I once heard that it is best
>to keep them in the refrigerator, but now I am hearing it's best to leave them
>at room temperature........ Anyone have any ideas?

  
  Do both.  Keep them in a Lucas refrigerator.....
From: talmy@randvax.rand.org (Shel Talmy)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Plain Paper Fax--Opinions Please
Date: 24 Nov 92 02:22:39 GMT
Organization: RAND Corp., Santa Monica, Ca.


I'm just about at the point, where I'm going to justify buying a
plain paper fax!  I would appreciate comments on which
manufacturer might have the best product, dollar for dollar, and
which print delivery system is the best or at least "good".

Cannon has some bubble memory system apparently, and there is of
course ink jet, laser and something I was told was a "carbon"
system.

Also important, is the fax doubling as a copier.  Do any of them
stand out in this area?
All comments will be gratefully received.
From: zchen@phys.ksu.edu (Zheng Chen)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Re: Whining about buying American cars
Date: 15 Nov 1992 21:40:48 GMT
Organization: Department of Physics, Kansas State University, Manhattan KS, USA
Distribution: usa
NNTP-Posting-Host: kelvin.phys.ksu.edu

In article <1992Nov14.163048.24419@lmpsbbs.comm.mot.com> kiel_jeff@macmail1.rtsg.mot.com writes:
>I am really getting sick and tired of all the whining by those who say that it
>is patriotic to buy American cars.  I own a Japanese car and am as American as
>anyone else.  I pay taxes, watch baseball once in a while and like apple pie
>but I do not drive a Chevy.  What really makes me mad is that I can come up
>with several ways that it is "American" to buy a Japanese car.  Here is a short
>list:
>
>1.  Japanese cars are more economical.  If you can save money on repairs and
>gas then you can spend more money on the economy which HELPS America.  I have
>two examples which prove my case.  My first car was a '69 Buick with 80,000
>miles which I inherited from my parents.  I had nothing but problems with this
>car:  the brakes needed to be replaced, the muffler went out, it needed
>tune-ups all the time.  It was a nightmare to own a car like this.  However, I
>have not a single problem with my Japanese car which has nearly 10,000 miles on
>it.  It starts every morning and NEVER breaks down . . . well almost.  I did
>have to have the cruise control fixed twice, the stereo replaced and one
>electric window motor died. . . and it does OCCASIONALLY starts a little rough
>but you just give it a little gas and eventually it smoothes out . . . but this
>is MUCH better than that '69 Buick piece of junk.  My second point is:  just
>look at fuel economy.  My '69 Buick was lucky to get 10 mpg while my new
>Japanese car gets almost 30 mpg.  That's almost THREE TIMES BETTER!  You see
>what I'm saying . . . all this money I'm saving I can put right back into the
>good old American economy.  
>


By running "10 mpg", you helped the gas stations all the way up to the
big companies like Exxon. By sending your car to the repair garage, you
helped the mechanics and the owner of the shop. Whatever you do, as
long as you are spending all of your hard earned money in this country,
it doesn't matter where the money will go later on, you are helping the
American economy :-) So I see no difference which car to buy. Just buy the
one you and your wife like.
--

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Zheng Chen
zchen@phys.ksu.edu
From: paul@hsh.com
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Re: Baby Monitors - Any suggestions?
Date: 23 Nov 92 22:26:30 GMT
Organization: HSH Associates

In article <1992Nov9.155724.29822@mcc.com>, srogers@teenwolf.mcc.com (Steve Rogers) writes:
> We recently replaced our old baby monitor (a Gerry) with a Sony.  The
> Gerry was only fair, as it always had a 60hz buzz in the background,
> which is very annoying.  The plug-in adapter cord finally broke after
> 4 years (2nd kid) so we replaced it.  This Sony has crystal clear
> reception, BUT is on the same frequency as the cordless phone (Sony
> also) so it receives considerable interference whenever the phone
> is in use.  I would NEVER have thought they would put two such devices
> on the same frequency - something to think about.  (Yes, there is
> a tiny warning on the box).

If you used a scanner, you'd know that cordless phones and baby monitors use 
the same bank of frequencies.  However, it is unusual to find 'em on the SAME 
frequency.  Your phone may have the frequency listed somewhere on it.  Return 
the baby monitor, and check to see what frequencies it uses.  Most have a 
"channel A/channel B" switch, too, to help avoid these problems.

------

Paul Havemann, VP        HSH Associates          (201) 838-3330 | 1-800-UPDATES
Internet: paul@hsh.com   Compuserve: 70410,3507  America On-Line: HSH Assoc
 "Any opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the company."
  
"He walks again by night!  Out of the fog, into the smog -- doggedly...
relentlessly... ruthlessly... toward his weekly meeting with The Unknown..." 
Newsgroups: misc.consumers,alt.folklore.science,alt.folklore.urban
From: sbarnhar@mailbox.mail.umn.edu (Dr. Barnhart)
Subject: Aluminum cookware:  Recipe for disaster?
Followup-To: misc.consumers
Organization: U of Mn Propoganda Ministry
Date: Tue, 17 Nov 1992 21:34:25 GMT

The other night as I finished steaming rice in my aluminum cookware, my
roomie starts telling me about how bad aluminum cookware is.  It's putting
aluminum oxide in the body, causing all kinds of health problems, the most
significant of which is the increase in susceptibility to Alzheimer's
disease. She went on to say that anything with aluminum compounds in it
(deoderant, too) that we put anywhere near something we may consume/absorb
contributes to this.

While I'm used to dismissing most of the health paranoia of my roomies, I
seem to have heard this one elsewhere and I want to know if I should maybe
invest in some cookware made out of a different material.

Cross posted to alt.folklore.science, alt.folklore.urban and
misc.consumers.

Followups to email preferred (I'll summarize), but I'll try to scan these
groups .

Shawn Barnhart ! sbarnhar@mailbox.mail.umn.edu
I'm not selling out, I'm buying in.
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: jfjr@mbunix.mitre.org (Freedman)
Subject: Electric Razors
Organization: The MITRE Corporation, Bedford, MA
Date: Mon, 23 Nov 1992 15:21:40 GMT



   I would like to get an electric razor for myself after years of
using the analog kind. When I used them before (15-20 years ago) they
chewed up my face. I am hoping that with technical advances and older,
tougher skin I can handle it (getting me out of the bathroom an out of
my wife's way in the morning).

                                         Jerry Freedman,Jr


Xref: sparky misc.consumers:19301 alt.folklore.science:4068 alt.folklore.urban:29142
From: carl@SOL1.GPS.CALTECH.EDU (Carl J Lydick)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers,alt.folklore.science,alt.folklore.urban
Subject: Re: Aluminum cookware: Recipe for disaster?
Date: 20 Nov 1992 00:25:07 GMT
Organization: HST Wide Field/Planetary Camera
Distribution: world
Reply-To: carl@SOL1.GPS.CALTECH.EDU
NNTP-Posting-Host: sol1.gps.caltech.edu

In article <BxzDJ6.37E@encore.com>, bseymour@encore.com (Burch Seymour) writes:
>Sorry, you lose. Well according to a former net-expert anyway. A few years
>ago there was a frequent poster to sci.med (Craig Werner) who was a med
>student at Albert Einstein in NY. His contention was that you get more
>aluminum from glassware that from pots, as the aluminum oxide goes
>into solution easier than the metalic state. 

Hmmm.  Interesting argument.  But I've got a question.  Have you ever looked at
a piece of aluminum that's exposted to the atmosphere for an extended period of
time?  Notice how it's got this aluminum oxide layer on it?  Now look at the
inside of an aluminum pot.  Nice and shiny.

Now:	Where did the aluminum oxide you'd've expected to see on the inside of
	the pot go?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Carl J Lydick | INTERnet: CARL@SOL1.GPS.CALTECH.EDU | NSI/HEPnet: SOL1::CARL

Disclaimer:  Hey, I understand VAXen and VMS.  That's what I get paid for.  My
understanding of astronomy is purely at the amateur level (or below).  So
unless what I'm saying is directly related to VAX/VMS, don't hold me or my
organization responsible for it.  If it IS related to VAX/VMS, you can try to
hold me responsible for it, but my organization had nothing to do with it.
From: adamsf@gw.wmich.edu
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: VERY Low Interest Credit Cards???
Date: 20 Nov 92 16:11:25 EST
Organization: Western Michigan University

I am looking for one of those banks who have credit cards
with 3 - 5% interest.  Not sure where to post this.  If
this is not the right place, please tell me where to go.

Fran Adams
From: kevin@msa3b.UUCP (Kevin P. Kleinfelter)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Re: Any Experiences/Opinions on NordicTrac Exercisers?
Date: 19 Nov 92 12:36:26 GMT
Organization: Dun and Bradstreet Software, Inc., Atlanta, GA

I've been looking for a used one for a few months.  They seem to sell
very quickly when advertised at 20% less than the new price.  i.e. The
$499 one, advertised at $399 used, is sold before I can look at it.
(Yeah, I know, you're SURE that you'll keep it forever...)
-- 
Kevin Kleinfelter @ DBS, Inc (404) 239-2347   ...gatech!nanovx!msa3b!kevin
Dun&Bradstreet Software, 3445 Peachtree Rd, NE, Atlanta GA 30326-1276
WARNING: I have been advised that email to kevin@msa3b.UUCP may bounce.
It looks like email will have to go via 'gatech' because that is well-known.
Newsgroups: misc.consumers,alt.folklore.science
From: rf@cl.cam.ac.uk (Robin Fairbairns)
Subject: Re: Aluminum cookware:  Recipe for disaster?
Organization: U of Cambridge Computer Lab, UK
Date: Wed, 18 Nov 1992 10:14:11 GMT

In article <sbarnhar-171192153648@morril6t-19.micro.umn.edu>, sbarnhar@mailbox.mail.umn.edu (Dr. Barnhart) writes:
|> The other night as I finished steaming rice in my aluminum cookware, my
|> roomie starts telling me about how bad aluminum cookware is.  It's putting
|> aluminum oxide in the body, causing all kinds of health problems, the most
|> significant of which is the increase in susceptibility to Alzheimer's
|> disease. She went on to say that anything with aluminum compounds in it
|> (deoderant, too) that we put anywhere near something we may consume/absorb
|> contributes to this.

Recent research in Oxford (I think it was) seems to indicate that
Aluminium (as we spell it here) is not to be found in vast quantities
in Alzheimer's plaques in sufferers' barins, as was previously
thought.  The researchers were interviewed on the radio here a week or
so ago, and suggested that the previous results arose from the stains
used when microscopically examining the plaques.  The new work had
looked for Al using some radio-activation technique (I don't recall
which one).

These results are considered controversial, not least by the people
who came up with the Al idea in the first place... ;-)

|> [...]
|>
|> Cross posted to alt.folklore.science, alt.folklore.urban and
|> misc.consumers.

(Note that I've edited the followup to include a.f.s., since it's a
generally good place to thrash this sort of thing out.)

My advice would be: keep the pans, at least for the time being (pans
are so beastly expensive nowadays, anyway...)
--
Robin (come back John Drummond) Fairbairns       rf@cl.cam.ac.uk
U of Cambridge Computer Lab, Pembroke St, Cambridge  CB2 3QG, UK
"They had twelve years to lay in wait for us" - Bush supporter on Nov 4
From: lou@hpkslx.mayfield.HP.COM (Lou Kvitek)
Date: Wed, 18 Nov 1992 01:16:47 GMT
Subject: Re: Nope again (was Re: Yup, Amway's a scam)
Organization: HP Response Center Lab
Newsgroups: misc.consumers

In misc.consumers, n36c@pnet16.cts.com (Rm1 Straight) writes:

> good quality products. Here's where my bitch comes in, being a recently
> "disgruntled distributor", the problem I have is with the people that are
> "here to help you when ever you need us". BS! The person that I am under
> (not for long tho), called me up today as a matter of fact to tell me of
> a seminar. The first time he's called me in 3-4 months, he calls me at 
> 11:45, the seminar is at 1:00. Give me a break! Piss poor planning on his
> part will not constitute an emergency on my part. I can honestly say that
> the "head distributor" here in Hawaii, is very successful, and uses great
> integrity when presenting "the plan". But when the help isn't there when
> you need it why bother? Thank you for hearing me out.
> when i plays i plays hard. when i thinks i falls to sleep.

I'd be upset too.  My upline was not there for me either.  But, I 
went above him, and kept going up until I found someone in my
upline that would help me.  Don't let your sponsor's poor performance
effect you.  Armed with that knowledge, you will never do that to
your downline - right?!!
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: markr@mot.com (Mark)
Subject: Re: eyeglasses: want info about anti-reflective coatings
Reply-To: markr@mcil.comm.mot.com
Organization: MCIL
Distribution: usa
Date: Wed, 18 Nov 1992 10:37:57 GMT

In article <1992Nov16.172320.11880@acuson.com> marc@acuson.com (Marc Weinshenker) writes:
>I would like to hear about experiences with anti-reflective
>coatings for regular clear eyeglass lenses. I have some idea
>about the advantages as well as the expense, but I would also
>like to know about what the downsides might be.

I use Silor Anti-reflective (brand name) lenses.  The only disadvantages
are that you cannot coat them with anti-scratch material (which doesn't
really work IMHO) and you cannot tint them.  They cost about $50-$70
a pair.

Mark


Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: erc@netcom.com (Eric Smith)
Subject: Re: Encyclopedia Britannica - their obnoxious salesmen
Organization: Netcom - Online Communication Services (408 241-9760 guest)
Date: Fri, 20 Nov 1992 02:13:30 GMT

In article <1992Nov18.183744.2493@inland.com> pielet@inland.com writes:
>In article <1992Nov05.172627.6307@eng.umd.edu>, georgec@eng.umd.edu (George B. Clark) writes:
>We had exactly this bad experience with a Britannica salesman many years ago.
>Therefore, I was understandably concerned when my wife decided to sell
>World Book a few years afterwards.  (I am an engineer and couldn't sell
>hot coffee in Alaska.)
>
>World Book's methodology is entirely more pleasant, however.  My wife does a
>soft-sell demonstration.  She has sold to many of our friends and they all
>thank her when we get together and recommend World Book to _their_ friends.
>
>So let me tell you the price!  This year, for the first time, they are holding a
>$150-off sale of the current edition while it is still current.  Prices are now
>$447 for the latex binding to $749 for the leather binding, and includes the
>'93 Yearbook.  They also sell a CD-ROM version for $559 ($299 if you also buy
>the books).
>
>World Book is the best-selling encyclopedia in the world.  Teachers and
>librarians recommend it as the most usable encyclopedia.  We use it for
>everything from general look-up to checking things to do and weather before we
>take a trip.
>
>We'd be interested in other peoples' experiences with World Book.
>
>Howie Pielet       pielet@inland.com


Does the CD-ROM come with some kind of software for searching, viewing,
etc.?  How good is it?  How fast?  Does it show high resolution pictures?
From: lou@hpkslx.mayfield.HP.COM (Lou Kvitek)
Date: Wed, 18 Nov 1992 01:18:31 GMT
Subject: Re: Airline Suit
Organization: HP Response Center Lab
Newsgroups: misc.consumers

I agree, it was crap.  They settled on giving us coupons so that 
we could get some money off of already over-inflated fairs.
Where's the penalty?

Where's the beef?


Lou
Organization: Doctoral student, English, Carnegie Mellon, Pittsburgh, PA
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Date: Fri, 20 Nov 1992 11:54:00 -0500 
From: Ken Zuroski <kz08+@andrew.cmu.edu>
Subject: Laser Certificates Mail Order?

Greetings:

A couple of weeks ago I received a catalog in the mail which was basically
filled with all sort of forms, paper, etc. that you can feed through a
laserprinter to make professional-appearing certificates. The company also
sold things like: binders to frame said certificates within, embossing tools,
and so forth. At the time I thought it pretty neat but since I didn't see
any immediate need for any of it I tossed the catalog. Wouldn't you know
it--a day or two later and, for the first time in my life, I find myself
having to create a certificate. Unfortunately I can't recall the name of the
company.

Do you recognize the catalog? If so, could you kindly send the name of the
company and perhaps their phone number my way?

Many thanks--

Ken

---
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ken Zuroski
Department of English
Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA 15213 USA
kz08@cmu.edu
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
From: michael@afterlife.ncsc.mil (Michael of Nebadon)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Re: Whining about buying American cars
Date: 16 Nov 92 00:57:05 GMT
Distribution: usa
Organization: The Great Beyond

In article <1992Nov15.123604.10608@mnemosyne.cs.du.edu> jjoseph@nyx.cs.du.edu (james joseph) writes:
>
>  If the actions of the big three in the recent past is any indication,
>I see some signs for hope.  But whether what they are doing now is 
>enough is something which only time will tell.

IMHO, the only reason that there has been any improvement in U.S. cars has
been because of the success of the Japanese cars in our market. I think it's
a Good Thing (tm) that such a message was sent to U.S. automakers. As you
note above, it seems that they have received the message and are even acting
on it. I think that people who are looking for quality cars should check
out what the U.S. automakers have to offer now. If you compare apples to
apples and still find the Japanese apple better, by all means buy it. On
the other hand if you think the U.S. product would serve you better, don't
be afraid to buy that one. It's all well and good to send a negative message
when you think they're doing things wrong (I was right there doing it with
you), but it's just as important to send a positive message when you think
they are doing things right.

Some people are proud to buy-U.S.-no-matter-what, but I think that's mis-
guided. Buy U.S. when their product is the one that _best_suits_your_needs_
and you'll be taking an active role in ensuring that U.S. manufacturers
will produce better and better products. My wife and I were pleasantly
surprised when we checked out what Saturn had to offer, and I was proud
to buy a Saturn because I knew what a clear message that purchase was
sending to _both_ U.S. _and_ Japanese automakers. The message was that
we're not some sort of automatons that will buy only U.S. or only Japanese
products no matter what. The message was that we'll buy the best car for
us and that our needs shouldn't be taken for granted by the monolithic
automakers no matter what country they hail from.

Too many people won't even consider a U.S. automobile... IMHO they're
just as misguided as the people who wouldn't consider anything else.

Just my $0.02 (or so)...

michael@afterlife.ncsc.mil
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: kenney@hsi.com (Brian Kenney)
Subject: Re: Stuck Stamps
Keywords: stamps
Organization: 3M Health Information Systems, Wallingford, CT
Date: Thu, 19 Nov 1992 14:12:38 GMT

In misc.consumers, diaz@ms.uky.edu (Christopher S. Diaz) writes:
>Earlier I bought a book of stamps, from which I used only one,
>and I stuck the remainder of the book in my slack's pocket.

>When I later took the book out of my pocket I discovered that most
>of them were _stuck_ together.

The Post Office will give you new stamps if you return the stuck
ones.  I've done it.
From: paul.westley@uttsbbs.uucp (Paul Westley) 
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: 27" TV RECOMMENDATIONS
Date: 18 Nov 92 22:11:00 GMT
Distribution: world
Organization: The Transfer Station BBS, Danville, CA - 510-837-4610/837-5591
Reply-To: paul.westley@uttsbbs.uucp (Paul Westley) 

We've had a Magnavox 27" for 6 years, great, no problems, all color and
sound and input options from the remote.  If I were upgrading I'd do it
the same, except get PIP (picture-in-a-picture) option.
                                                        
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: kapa@cbnewsc.cb.att.com (k.a.perkins)
Subject: funeral add-ons
Organization: AT&T
Distribution: na
Date: Tue, 17 Nov 1992 05:20:38 GMT
Keywords: do people actually want these things?

My husband and I had the unpleasant experience earlier this year
of planning and carrying out the funeral of a close family member.
I have no ill feelings about the funeral home folks; I thought they
did their best to help us through a bad time.

However, since then, we have received some odd mail from them and others.
The first was a couple of laminated book marks with some Bible verse on
one side and a copy of the obituary on the other from a company in Michigan.
The Michigan company said we could keep these, but offered to sell us more
and suggested that we send them $1 apiece for these.  The funeral home
sent us some basically similar things with no suggestion whatsoever about
paying for them or buying more.  I thought these bookmarks were very odd.
As my husband said, it wasn't the kind of thing that we wanted to keep
souvenirs of.

Today we received an invitation from the funeral home.  It seems that they
have a Christmas party where they decorate a tree with memorial ornaments
that have the name, birthdate, and deathdate of the people they buried
during the year.  Afterwards, you can take your memorial ornament home.

Is it just us?  Do people go to events like this?  As I said, I have nothing
against the people at this funeral home, but they're not my friends, and
they weren't personal friends of our deceased family member.  Why would I
want to go to a commemorative event with a lot of strangers?  Is this sort
of thing common?

Kate Perkins
Newsgroups: misc.consumers