HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: strong@tc.fluke.COM (Norm Strong)
Subject: Re: VCR index search
Organization: John Fluke Mfg. Co., Inc., Everett, WA
Date: Tue, 10 Nov 1992 18:35:07 GMT

In article <1dhuuvINNppi@usenet.INS.CWRU.Edu> as719@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Jun Guo) writes:
}
}Hi,
}
}   Is there any VHS Hifi VCR that can make more than 19 indexes
}on one tape? Or is 19 the limit by some standard? 

You want a VCR with Vass, VHS Address Search System.  This will allow
you to put at least 500 addresses on your tape and FF right to the exact
one you want.  You can also change the address number at any point, or
renumber all the addresses.  You can even put the address on after the
tape is recorded. 

It's a very popular feature amongst porno enthusiasts; they address all
the good parts so they don't have to hunt for them.  ;-)
-- 

Norm Strong  (strong@tc.fluke.com)
2528 31st S.   Seattle WA 98144   USA
From: usul@mcl.ucsb.edu (Usul)
Newsgroups: rec.video
Subject: Virtual Reality products...soon?
Date: 9 Nov 92 02:09:45 GMT


I saw an ad in "Mondo 2000" (a cyberpunk culture mag) a couple months ago for the Ono-Sendai corporation, "the consumer VR company." Well, I of course called the number in the ad, and a while later I recieved some vague but neat promo materials from them. If you are interested in VR, I recommend you send away for their stuff and get on their mailing list...

Ono-Sendai
332 Third Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94118-2403

Voice 415.386.1548
Fax 415.386.2748
email osendai@well.sf.ca.us

Ii6

If anybody finds out anything concrete about this outfit, please post!!
From: VALLEYD@SIMSC.SI.EDU
Newsgroups: rec.video
Subject: UNSUB VIDEOTECH or I-VIDTE{
Date: 7 Nov 92 20:03:47 GMT
Distribution: world
Organization: The Internet

Please unsubscribe my name from this list.
Thank you
Newsgroups: rec.video
From: srfergu@rufus.erenj.com (Scott Ferguson)
Subject: Lyon-Lamb RTC Scan converter and frame grabbing
Organization: Exxon Research & Engineering Co.
Date: Mon, 9 Nov 1992 14:40:17 GMT

We've got a Lyon-Lamb RTC Scan converter for conversion of high-res
workstation video into something recordable on S-VHS or NTSC. It
digitizes nearly any kind of incoming video, and then converts a
portion of it back to analog. 

It's addressable by RS232 line and has a small set of commands available.
The manual doesn't mention this, but is there any way to grab a frame
and send it in a digital format back over the RS232 line?

Any Lyon-Lamb experts out there? Thanks a lot.

-- 
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Scott Ferguson                        Exxon Research & Engineering Co.
Project Engineer                      New Jersey
----------------------------------------------------------------------
"Always bark at a dog."
Newsgroups: rec.video,rec.arts.tv,rec.video.production
From: kimnach@lims02.lerc.nasa.gov (GREG KIMNACH)
Subject: Re: Great Simpsons Quote from 11/3/92 episode
News-Software: VAX/VMS VNEWS 1.41    
Organization: NASA Lewis Research Center
Date:  5 Nov 1992 16:50 EST  

In article <1992Nov5.143819.11462@bilver.uucp>, bill@bilver.uucp (Bill Vermillion) writes...
>In article <4NOV199210543526@lims01.lerc.nasa.gov> kimnach@lims01.lerc.nasa.gov (GREG KIMNACH) writes:
> 
>>In article <4378@vidiot.UUCP>, brown@vidiot.UUCP (Vidiot) writes...
> 
>>>While there were a bunch of good quotes and visuals, the one that I liked the
>>>best was from the crook: 
>>>			Oh No!  Beta!
> 
>>Not even remotely funny!  Well, maybe slightly.
> 
>Aw - c'mon Greg.    I thought it was funny - and you and I are both
>hardcore Beta-Philes and ED Beta fans.
> 
>Just look at how hard it would be to sell a 'hot' Beta machine.  
> 
>And we can rest easier knowing our machines are not a prime target :-)
 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
That's part of the reason that I found it to be funny.  I've often 
considered placing a warning on my home indicating--not that there is a 
burglar alarm--but, rather that "this home has Betamax only".

The other reason I'd rather not mention, because Vidiot seems is very 
knowledgable about video and he would, no doubt, take offense.

Greg
--------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
                         ED-Beta: Simply THE BEST!
"ED Beta is simply the best consumer videotape format available."
                                     --VIDEO Magazime, Nov. 1992, page 30.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Newsgroups: rec.video
From: dnadams@nyx.cs.du.edu (Dean Adams)
Subject: Re: Proton VT-296 mod?
Organization: Utopia Planitia Starfleet Yards, Mars
Distribution: rec
Date: Fri, 13 Nov 92 14:24:28 GMT


"james kewageshig" <james.kewageshig@canrem.com> writes:
 >CK>I'm looking for shows on max headroom (remeber, those cool shows they
 >CK>aired on tv a few years back?) i really want some of these shows. 

 >If your making a petition, add my name to the list.  I think that
 >someone like TBS or A&E should start showing them again.

What about the "Talking Max Headroom" series that aired on Cinemax?
The ABC shows are not all that hard to find, but i've been looking for
a long time and have yet to find anyone who has the talk show Max.

So... anyone got it?

Another series that *nobody* seems to have is the ORIGINAL
David Letterman "Morning Show", which aired for a while before 
the current Late Night show started.  I would love to see what
that thing looked like... (and yes, I already have multiple
copies of the fake morning show he did on Late Night :)
From: ss@wpi.WPI.EDU (Scott Streeter)
Newsgroups: rec.video
Subject: Re: YAMAHA DSP-E300: Help Me Enjoy It!
Date: 12 Nov 92 13:31:12 GMT
Organization: Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, MA 01609-2280
NNTP-Posting-Host: wpi.wpi.edu
In-reply-to: gutierrez@mdcbbs.com's message of 11 Nov 92 11:24:54 GMT

>>>>> On 11 Nov 92 11:24:54 GMT, gutierrez@mdcbbs.com said:

gutierrez> Nntp-Posting-User: marr

gutierrez> Next, I turned on my CD player and played Elton John's "The
gutierrez> One" and I was heartbroken.  The sound just simply isn't
gutierrez> fine, so flat, and not so hi-fi or stereo-ish.  I played
gutierrez> another CD (a Genesis album) and it came out the same.
gutierrez> Next, I unhooked the DSP-E300 and, voila, the CD sound came
gutierrez> alive.  What was I doing wrong?  What kind of hookup should
gutierrez> I make?  I called Ken Cranes and they told me that I was
gutierrez> doing the right hook-ups, but that I should try and sample
gutierrez> other hook-ups.  Oh!

I have a DSP-E200, and CD's sound great through it. Sounds like your
playing your CD's through the Surround mode. Try it through the Hall,
or music video mode.

--
 Scott Streeter                             Visit the Star Wars Archive at
 ss@wpi.wpi.edu                             wpi.wpi.edu       130.215.24.1
From: hafey@capitol.com (Rob Hafey)
Subject: Control-L Technical Info ?
Organization: Capitol Disc Interactive
Date: Fri, 6 Nov 1992 21:31:00 GMT

I was interested in controlling my SONY V701 serially from my computer.  I
called SONY and got no help getting the specification for the interface.  If
anyone has any clues as to what the protocal is, whether it is ascii, what 
wires are used, baud rate, or even if it is possible, I would appreciate the 
help.  Please EMAIL any info.

Thanks, Rob

-- 
 Rob Hafey
 Capitol Disc Interactive (CD-I) 
 2121 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington D.C. 20007   (202)625-0141 
 hafey@capitol.com
Newsgroups: rec.video
From: bill@bilver.uucp (Bill Vermillion)
Subject: Re: CD-I to compete with LD?
Organization: W. J. Vermillion - Winter Park, FL
Date: Thu, 12 Nov 1992 14:34:10 GMT
Keywords: CD-I, LD

In article <1992Nov11.161446.2677@ifi.unizh.ch> hafner@ifi.unizh.ch (Michel Hafner) writes:

>In article <27972@castle.ed.ac.uk> sss@castle.ed.ac.uk (S S Sturrock) writes:
>>Rumour alert.

>>A friend of mine met a chap who is experimenting with fractal compression
>>who showed him a 486 PC laptop with the whole of Casablanca compressed onto
>>a 1.44 meg disc.  The image was small but only because the PC didn't have
>>the performance to uncompress the image to a large display, the fellow
>>claims that every detail is there and only needs a more powerful computer
>>to show it.

>I do have reason to disbelieve it. Let's do some calculations:
>Let's say "Casablanca" is about 90 minutes long, then there are
>90 * 60 * 24 ~ 130000 frames. Every frame has, let's say, 300 * 450 Pixels
>( mediocre spatial resolution ) a 2 Bytes ( D1 standard ) ~ 270000 Bytes,
>gives a total of ~ 35 Gigabyte or a compression factor of over 24000!!!

Or to put it in another perspective - that's 10 bytes per frame.
Or 80 BITS/frame.

-- 
Bill Vermillion - bill@bilver.oau.org  bill.vermillion@oau.org
                - bill@bilver.uucp 
                - ..!{peora|tous|tarpit}!bilver!bill

From: chrisd@hpindda.cup.hp.com (Chris Douglas)
Date: Wed, 11 Nov 1992 22:52:42 GMT
Subject: WANTED: 1.20 Four Stroke
Organization: HP Information Networks, Cupertino, CA
Newsgroups: rec.models.rc

WANTED:

   1.20 Four Stroke engine, any manufacturer.

If you have one that your willing to sell, send me a note
describing the engine and condition.  

chrisd@hpindda.cup.hp.com

Chris Douglas
OR call:
408-447-2848
Newsgroups: rec.models.rc
Subject: Re: Attaching Plastic Windows
From: kaiser@elec.canterbury.ac.nz (Chris Kaiser)
Date: Thu, 12 Nov 1992 04:59:11 GMT
Organization: Electrical Engineering, University of Canterbury, New Zealand

In article <69235@cup.portal.com>, sbixby@cup.portal.com (Steven W Bixby) writes:
> 
> Believe it or not, I get my fastest/easiest/usually-the-best results
> with CA.  The trick is to wick very small amounts of thin glue along the
> edges.  You must let the glue dry when there's very little of it to prevent
> the 'milking' of the plastic.  A very good fit of the plastic is important.
> 
> What causes the milking, is when large amounts of glue start to cure 
> quickly, and emits noxious fumes...  Sort of like sympathetic detonation 
> (I think this is the correct phrase), the glue in large quantities starts
> to cure and the heating catalytic action helps the surrounding glue cure
> also, and it literally goes up in smoke.  But if you use small amounts,
> it doesn't smoke much if at all.  Putting the canopy/plastic windows on
> this way takes more than a couple of minutes, but the results are
> pretty d**n good, and strong to boot.

I've been told that the odourless CA's (e.g. UFO, Jet Free, and possibly others)
are good for canopies and don't cause them to fog, but I haven't tried it myself.

Chris Kaiser

Postgrad, Elec. Eng. Dept.
University of Canterbury
Christchurch, NEW ZEALAND

From: earl@trsvax.tandy.com
Date: 11 Nov 92 08:47 CST
Newsgroups: rec.models.rc
Subject: Re: Aileron/Elevator mixers?
Message-ID: <1195667325@trsvax>
Nf-ID: #R:informix.com:14346:trsvax:1195667325:000:1233
Nf-From: trsvax.tandy.com!earl    Nov 11 08:47:00 1992



/* ---------- "Aileron/Elevator mixers?" ---------- */
I'd like an electronic setup for aileron/elevator mixing, and there seem to be
2 solutions - either a new radio that has these features, or a box
that I can buy from Tower that mixes on the plane (at about $32).
Is there a fairly inexpensive 4-channel radio that includes mixing?
Is there a build-it-yourself solution to on-board mixing (cheap)? I want
to do it electronically, not mechanically. Maybe there is even a way to add the  
capability to my Futaba Attack-4 radio?
Thanks for any suggestions!
Rob
******************************************

  Buy a "Cristy Mixer" from ACE RC and attach the proper connectors for your
  system, and your in business.



***********************************************************************


<This information is provided by an individual and is not nor should be
 construed  as  being  provided  by  Radio  Shack or Tandy Corp.  Radio
 Shack/Tandy Corp has no obligation to support the information provided
 in  any way. > 
						
						Earl W. Bollinger
						@ <earl@trsvax>


"You were in the Clone Wars!", said Luke excitedly.
"Yes", replied Obi Wan, "I was a DOS programmer. But that was before the dark
 times, before OS2."


Newsgroups: rec.models.rc
From: vkochend@nyx.cs.du.edu (vance kochenderfer)
Subject: Re: Fox vs Supertigre, which do'ya like?
X-Disclaimer: Nyx is a public access Unix system run by the University
	of Denver for the Denver community.  The University has neither
	control over nor responsibility for the opinions of users.
Organization: Nyx, Public Access Unix at U. of Denver Math/CS dept.
Distribution: usa
Date: Mon, 9 Nov 92 23:49:21 GMT

     Well, the guys out at my field don't like Fox engines.  They really
don't like Fox engines.  I haven't heard a whole lot about Supertigre,
but what I have heard is generally positive.  I'd say it's probably a
good idea to spend the extra $70 and save yourself the hassle.  But that's
just me.

Vance Kochenderfer
Virginia Tech                    |  "Get me out of these ropes and into a
vkochend@nyx.cs.du.edu           |   good belt of Scotch"    -Nick Danger
Organization: Carnegie Mellon, Pittsburgh, PA
Newsgroups: rec.models.rc
Date: Fri,  6 Nov 1992 10:13:50 -0500 
From: Chris Beasley <cb1p+@andrew.cmu.edu>
Subject: Non-total loss oiling?

Hey folks, 
I am wondering about lubrication systems as applied to
model aircraft engines.  I have several helicopter engines in various
sizes and they are all two strokes, and all use total loss oiling.

I am also under the impression that model four strokes (and the O.S.
wankel?) also use total loss oiling.  

I am aware that there are full-size two and four strokes that get by
without total-loss oiling and are much more "green".  Of course, many 
full sized two strokes (like in my motorcycle and lawn-mower) still
burn their oil as designed.

What I am getting at is, are their any model engines out there that
don't burn their oil?  Either wet or dry sump designs would be 
acceptable.  I am just looking for something that is a little more
environmentally conscious.  Actually, I am looking for something that
can run on pure alcohol or propane and thus be run indoors like a 
forklift engine does.

What about that O.S. wankel?  Any experience with it?  What about
the O.S. supercharged four stroke engine?  Is that still total-loss?
Does it use regular tappet valves like an automotive four-stroke?  How
is it lubricated?  Could it be modified?

Thanks for any and all opinions.
Good lift!
CB
Newsgroups: rec.models.rc
From: biesel@javelin.sim.es.com (Heiner Biesel)
Subject: Electric motor info needed.
Organization: Evans & Sutherland Computer Corp.
Date: Mon, 9 Nov 1992 19:43:29 GMT

I'd appreciate comments from people experienced with electric propulsion
for R/C aircraft. I'm trying to power a Klemm KL25 model. It needs about
a .35 two-stroke engine, and I'm trying to replace that with a good
electric motor, preferably running on ten cells. Anyone here have any
experience with such a conversion? BTW, the airfoil is rather thick, so
a more powerful motor may be needed.

Regards,
       H. Biesel
Newsgroups: rec.models.rc
From: tomt@bmerh614.BNR.CA (Thomas Taylor)
Subject: TOC results
Reply-To: tomt@bmerh614.BNR.CA (Thomas Taylor)
Organization: Bell-Northern Research Ltd.
Date: Fri, 06 Nov 92 18:23:07 GMT

I talked to Greg Marsden yesterday evening. He said that he enjoyed
the TOC very much. Here are the results I know:

1rst Chip Hyde
2nd  American (can't remember name)
3rd  Qui Qui Somnezi (sp?) (Chile I think)
5th  Ivan Kristensen (Canada)
8th  Greg Marsden (Canada)
13th Dave Patrick (sort of Canada)

Greg's 8th place finish is the highest ever for a first time TOC competitor.

Word is that next year they will be going to 30lb weight limit and 6.0 cu.in.
engines. Might as well fly the real things!!

Tom T.
From: robertw@informix.com (Robert Weinberg)
Newsgroups: rec.models.rc
Subject: Re: Aileron/Elevator mixers?
Date: 13 Nov 92 16:46:02 GMT
Organization: Informix Software, Inc.

In article <1992Nov12.143318.1211@galaxy.gov.bc.ca> sringrose@galaxy.gov.bc.ca  
writes:

>  Rob, I have to ask - why would you mix aileron/elevator?

I'm a novice at this stuff, but there are all kinds of mixing out there. Some  
planes, like Klingberg wings, have no elevators (no tail at all). Even fairly  
conventional planes are sometimes configured without an elevator on the tail.
Instead, the elevator function is incorporated into the ailerons. These "elevons"   
(elevator-ailerons) are structurally the same as ordinary ailerons, but move in two  
different modes - they move in opposite directions, like standard ailerons, to roll  
the plane, but also work together, moving in the same direction, to change the  
pitch. This is accomplished either electronically or mechanically.

The pilot just uses his stick in the usual way, but either the radio or the plane  
"mixes" the axes of the stick so that the pilot's operations get translated  
properly into the two modes of motion in the elevons.



Rob
From: earl@trsvax.tandy.com
Date: 09 Nov 92 10:19 CST
Newsgroups: rec.models.rc
Subject: Re: Non total-loss oiling?
Message-ID: <1195667324@trsvax>
From: Matthew D Marks <mmarks@magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu>
Subject: $1800 Package for sale
Organization: The Ohio State University
Date: Thu, 12 Nov 1992 14:34:57 GMT
X-Mailer: ELM [version 2.3 PL11]


RC STUFF FOR SALE

        $1800  Or Best Offer for the Entire Package

        (E-mail me at marks.23@osu.edu)

       The seller lives in Circleville, Ohio.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Complete Planes:
  --Aerocomposites EU-1A w/ .61 Rossi, ACE RC servos, retracts
  --Sig (high wing trainer) w/ .40 engine, old Futaba servos
  --Sweet Stik w/ .25 engine, old Futaba servos, minor damage

Partially Completed Planes:
  --approximately 5

Plane Kits:
  --Headmaster     .15-.35
  --Headmaster II .15-.35
  --Eaglet 50         .09-.20
  --Swizzle Stik    .30-.45
  --Kavalier           .29-.40
  --Falcon 56         .19-.40
  --Trainer Master .35-.45
  --Kadet Mark II  .25-.40
  --Super Sport     .09-.15
  --Super Box Fly .20
  --Ranger 42

Engines:
  --Rossi .61 rear exhaust
  --OS .46 Max w/ 5S fan
  --OS S.30 RC
  --OS .20 RC
  --OS .15 RC
  --Super Tiger .60 SP RC
  --OS .10 FSR
  --Box of apprx. 10 old (unuasable?) .20-.61 engines
  --Box of engine parts

Mufflers:
   --10 assorted mufflers
   --5 assorted tuned pipes

Radios / Electronics  (mostly older stuff)
  --Futaba 6 ch  72.160
  --Futaba 6 ch  72.320
  --Futaba 4 ch  72.160
  --Ace RC Silver Seven  7 ch  72.240
  --Box of chargers / dischargers / tachometers / multimeters

Building Supplies:
  --Dremel Drill Press
  --Pana Vise
  --Sealing irons (2)
  --Dremel Router Stand
  --The Duplicator (leading edge sander)
  --Large X-acto set
  --5 drawered boxes of nuts, bolts, glow plugs, switches, etc.
  --Precision Molding Miter
  --2 boxes of wood (ply and balsa)

Misc.:
  --Rhom Air Retracts
  --wheels
  --aluminum and plastic spinners
  --landing gear (Professional Engineering)
  --fuel tanks
  --propellers (maybe 50) sizes 7-4 to 10-6
  --approx. 10 rolls covering
  --engine test stands
  --box misc. building equipment:  vises, wire cutters, etc.
  --box misc. paint, epoxy
  --Robart Incidence Meter
  --3-1S tubes of misc. dia. music wire and tubing
  --2 flight boxes
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        $1800  Or Best Offer for the Entire Package

        (E-mail me at marks.23@osu.edu)

       The seller lives in Circleville, Ohio.

-- 
=======================================================================
Matthew D. Marks                  ||"A politician is a person who can
Mechanical Engineering Department || make waves and then make you think
The Ohio State University         || he's the only one who can save the
e-mail: marks.23@osu.edu          || ship."     -Ivern Ball
=======================================================================
Newsgroups: rec.models.rc
From: miked@syscon.rn.com (Mike DeMetz)
Subject: Re: Heli flight simulator
Organization: Syscon Corporate Headquarters - South Bend, IN USA
Date: Wed, 11 Nov 1992 21:04:10 GMT
X-Newsreader: TIN [version 1.1 PL6]

The only thing that runs on an Atari ST or Amiga 500 is the
Ambrosia Aerchopper so that must be what your friend has.

Newsgroups: rec.models.rc
From: haley@ee.ualberta.ca (Richard Haley)
Subject: motor speed control
Summary: diagram of circuit
Keywords: motor, speed,throttle
Organization: University Of Alberta, Edmonton Canada
Date: Mon, 9 Nov 1992 20:27:00 GMT

I have a schematic for a very small circuit to control
the speed of an electric model engine. It fits in the
20x53 mm servo mount (for Airtronics at least).
The parts total about Can$10.
I'm a computer klutz so I don't know how to post the hpgl file.
The smallest board is all surface mount and may be difficult.
I haven't flown it yet but my theory is that the heat sink won't
be required if the best FET is used. The circuit should waste
only 2 Watts compared to the motor power of 50 - 100 Watts.
The FET I used is good for 60 Amps.
My board interrupts the existing circuit at the fuse and adds one 
reference wire at the switch, minimizing the alterations to the 
plane.
I have postscript files as well.
Call me if you're interested. 
Dick

Newsgroups: rec.models.rc
From: ntaib@silver.ucs.indiana.edu (Iskandar Taib)
Subject: Re: O.S. FS-120 (supercharged)
Organization: Indiana University
Date: Mon, 9 Nov 1992 17:28:35 GMT

In article <1992Oct27.230150.21211@awdprime.austin.ibm.com> root@austin.ibm.com writes:

>I'm told that after 4-5 gallons of fuel, the pump has worn enuf that
>it will stop over-pumping at idle, and I should get a much better idle
>out of it.  I can hardly wait!  How nice it would be to be able to
>taxi back to the pits after landing, instead of the inglorious
>grab-the-tail-and-walk-it-back method!

Hmmmmm

Wonder if a combat-style fuel regulator would work here. The 
problem is that these things work off crankcase pressure.


Or perhaps bypass the OS fuel pump and use some other pump..


-- 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Iskandar Taib                          | The only thing worse than Peach ala
Internet: NTAIB@SILVER.UCS.INDIANA.EDU |    Frog is Frog ala Peach
Bitnet:   NTAIB@IUBACS                 !
From: bloom@inland.com
Newsgroups: rec.models.rc
Subject: Re: Non-total loss oiling?
Date: 12 Nov 92 08:09:55 CST
Organization: Inland Steel Company; East Chicago, IN

In article <Eeyciiu00WB3R9cGcN@andrew.cmu.edu>, Chris Beasley <cb1p+@andrew.cmu.edu> writes:
> Hey folks, 
> I am wondering about lubrication systems as applied to
> model aircraft engines.  
> What I am getting at is, are their any model engines out there that
> don't burn their oil?  Either wet or dry sump designs would be 
> acceptable.  

There are no model engines available with less than 1.5 cubic inch 
displacement that do not use oil in the fuel for lubrication.  There 
may be some very large model engines (Kavan?) that have a separate 
oil systems, but it is not too practical as the engines get small. 
You need some way to get oil to the valves and top end, typically a 
pump is required which adds to the complexity and weight.

> I am just looking for something that is a little more
> environmentally conscious.  

Burn fuel that only contains castor bean oil.  It should be bio-
degradable since it comes from a plant.



Actually, I am looking for something that
> can run on pure alcohol or propane and thus be run indoors like a 
> forklift engine does.

Have you considered electric for indoor flight?

> 
> What about that O.S. wankel?  Any experience with it?  What about
> the O.S. supercharged four stroke engine?  Is that still total-loss?
> Does it use regular tappet valves like an automotive four-stroke?  How
> is it lubricated?  Could it be modified?

Yes, any 4 cycle could be modified for separate oiling system.  The 
major advantage would be longer engine and bearing life.