HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: chuckt@austin.ibm.com (Charles N. Tomlinson)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Nintendo Game vs. 386sx Computer
Keywords: Nintendo, Games, Computer
Date: 16 Nov 92 19:45:46 GMT
Organization: IBM Austin
Originator: chuckt@scnteam1.austin.ibm.com


Well I have a problem I would like to get some opinions on.  I have 2 children,
a 3 year old & an 8 year old.  Earlier this year while at my mother-in-laws 
house, the kids found an old Atari system that she had.  We brought it home and
the kids have really enjoyed it.  My wife and I were thinking about buying them
a new video game. 

Now here is the problem.  I already have a 386sx computer in my home, and I have
a hard time justifying going out buying a Super Netendo 16-bit($140.00) to play
games on when I can do most of the same thing on my computer.  So I guess what
I am looking for is some of your opinions on the pros and cons of the two. 
Here are a few that I thought of:

Pro for buying Nintendo:
  1. Simple to use.  As I stated the kids are 3 & 8.  The 8 yr old has no
     problem with using the computer but the 3 yr does.  It would be alot 
     easier for him to use the Netendo by himself.   
  2. My computer would not be tied up all the time with the kids on it.
  3. Get to hear all the nice music that plays when you play the game. ;) 

Con for buying Nintendo:
  1. The computer has a more cpu power. ( 32 bit processor as apposed to 16 bit)
  2. All I would have to do is buy joy sticks for the computer (approx $50.00)
  3. The computer games cost about the same or cheaper.  (Super Nintendo 16-bit
     games are about $50.00 to $60.00)

Well that is all I can think of right now.  Please feel free to add to this.  
With Christmas approaching, there may be others out there you are running into
this same problem of trying to decide what to get.

Chuck T.

================================================================================
   The knights of Neee : " We are the   | Charles N. Tomlinson    (Chuck)
    keepers of the sacred words.....    |
    Neee...Pang...and Neuuong"          | 
                                        |
  Monty Python's "The Holy Grail"       | Inet  : chuckt@scnteam1.austin.ibm.com
================================================================================
From: charlie@lindy.Stanford.EDU (Charlie Channel)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Re: Nintendo Game vs. 386sx Computer
Date: 17 Nov 1992 15:37:31 -0800
Organization: Stanford U
NNTP-Posting-Host: lindy.stanford.edu

In article <BxvJBJ.GBM@icon.rose.hp.com> nicki@hprnd.rose.hp.com (Nick Ingegneri) writes:
>
>On the other hand, by using the 386sx to play games on you would let them
>start to gain experience in using a computer.  If they ever expressed an
>desire to learn programming or such, they couldn't do that on an Nintendo
>system.  

Well, I've had direct experience.  We have a XT 8088 machine (have had
it for over 5 years) AND a Nintendo (my boys bought it from a kid who
thought it was broke for $3.  They got it fixed for $30 about 3 years
ago and have been happily playing with it ever since).

They play games on the Nintendo and work with the XT (word processing
for school reports, etc.).  We have games for both.  They got into
baseball for long time.  More often then not, even though they have
games for the PC, they play the Nintendo.  It seems like there's a
wider variety of games.  Actually, I think it's all one game . . . but
they're hooked on the thing and will play anything that's written for
it.  Since more kids have Nintendos, there is more competition and,
hence, enjoyment when a group of them get together.  The controllers
on the Nintendos seem to be hipper than the joystick/whatever gadgets
you find for the PC's.                

Now, the one kid in my family who's really into computer games argues
that it's time to buy a 486 machine.  I know he's right.  On the other
hand, he brought a Sega into the house a few weeks ago.  Another
friend lent it to him.  I just got a feeling that playing in front of
the TV is a bit more exciting and interesting than playing on the PC,
regardless of the CPU.

C

From: brett@hpnmdla.sr.hp.com (Brett K. Carver)
Date: Tue, 17 Nov 1992 21:32:21 GMT
Subject: Re: Nintendo Game vs. 386sx Computer
Organization: Hewlett-Packard, Santa Rosa, CA
Newsgroups: misc.consumers

I tried to email but I got:

	From MAILER-DAEMON@austin.ibm.com Tue Nov 17 13:26 PST 1992
	Subject: Returned mail: Unable to deliver mail
	   ----- Transcript of session follows -----
	550 Mailing across IBM boundary not authorized

Can't you guys ease up a bit?  Anyway...

/ hpnmdla:misc.consumers / chuckt@austin.ibm.com (Charles N. Tomlinson) /
> Well I have a problem I would like to get some opinions on.  I have 2
> children, a 3 year old & an 8 year old.

How does the 3 year old do.  I have a 3.5 and a 2.  Is the 3 year old actually
able to PLAY the games, or does he just play around with them?  I'm trying to
decide if I should break out the Sega Master System and let mine get started.

> Now here is the problem.  I already have a 386sx computer in my home, and I
> have a hard time justifying going out buying a Super Netendo 16-bit($140.00)
> to play games on when I can do most of the same thing on my computer.

Here's a thought my manager shared with me as to why he refused to buy any
PC games for his system:  he wants to keep a clear distinction between the
game system (I think he has a Nintendo) and the computer (used for school
work etc).  This makes sense to me.  The computer is for work, the game
system for play.

							Brett Carver
							brett@sr.hp.com
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: dedek@meaddata.com (Mike Dedek)
Subject: Re: funeral add-ons
Keywords: do people actually want these things?
Organization: Mead Data Central, Dayton OH
Date: Tue, 17 Nov 1992 15:20:33 GMT
Distribution: na

In article <1992Nov17.052038.612@cbnewsc.cb.att.com>, kapa@cbnewsc.cb.att.com (k.a.perkins) writes:
|> 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

I have no personal experience in this (so I probably shouldn't wasted
bandwidth), but here's what I think:  The funeral home is doing this
to "help" people get over their loss, and possibly to acquaint you with
others going through the same type of loss.  Obviously their methods are
not to your liking, but I would think some people might like it (especially
those who are more nostalgic, religious, or both).

I agree with you that bookmarks with obits probably wouldn't be something
I'd want, but I suppose you could put one in a Bible marking the page
of the passage read at the funeral, or something like that.

-Mike

Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: fritz@fc.sde.hp.com (Gary Fritz)
Subject: Re: Breadmaking Machines
Organization: HP SESD, Fort Collins, CO
X-Newsreader: TIN [version 1.1.4 PL6]
Date: Thu, 19 Nov 1992 16:11:22 GMT

Michael of Nebadon (michael@afterlife.ncsc.mil) wrote:
: Just for the record, we've had the DAK for a year or two and have had no
: problems. In fact, of the ten or so people we know who own them, only
: one has had any sort of problem which seemed to be related to construction.
: I don't bring this up as evidence that the DAKs are generally reliable,
: just that unreliablity isn't a given.

Not a given, no, but from the reports on the net, there are many, MANY more
DAKs with problems than all others combined -- percentagewise, not by
absolute numbers.  (In fact I can't offhand remember ANYone EVER complaining
about other brands, vs many dozens of complains about DAK/Welbilt.)
I've heard too many stories of locked-up processors (leaving the heater on, 
and melting down the plastic case or nearly burning down the house), 
self-destructing parts, degrading bread quality after a few months, etc., 
to recommend DAK or Welbilt.  Add to that the problems that people have had 
with both DAK and Welbilt service depts and you get a picture that doesn't 
make the $30 or whatever savings look so great.

I've had a Welbilt R2D2 for over 2 years.  It works.  It doesn't work great.
It frequently makes gooey-in-the-center bread -- often enough that we got
sort of disgusted with it and don't make bread very often any more.
I've had the identical bread recipes in my R2D2 and in friends' Hitachis,
Panasonics, and Zojirushis, and the Welbilt bread was noticably inferior.

My opinion:  get a Hitachi or Panasonic.  The Zojis are nice too.
Stay away from DAK/Welbilt.

Gary
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: goldberg@eldyn.gsfc.nasa.gov (Patti Twigg)
Subject: Re: Nintendo Game vs. 386sx Computer
News-Software: VAX/VMS VNEWS 1.4-b1  
Keywords: Nintendo, Games, Computer
Organization: NASA Goddard Space Flight Center - Greenbelt, MD, USA
Date: Tue, 17 Nov 1992 17:23:00 GMT

In article <1992Nov16.194546.18890@awdprime.austin.ibm.com>, chuckt@austin.ibm.com (Charles N. Tomlinson) writes...
> 
>Well I have a problem I would like to get some opinions on.  I have 2 children,
>a 3 year old & an 8 year old.  Earlier this year while at my mother-in-laws 
>house, the kids found an old Atari system that she had.  We brought it home and
>the kids have really enjoyed it.  My wife and I were thinking about buying them
>a new video game. 
> 
>Now here is the problem.  I already have a 386sx computer in my home, and I have
>a hard time justifying going out buying a Super Netendo 16-bit($140.00) to play
>games on when I can do most of the same thing on my computer.  So I guess what
>I am looking for is some of your opinions on the pros and cons of the two. 
>Here are a few that I thought of:
> 
>Pro for buying Nintendo:
>  1. Simple to use.  As I stated the kids are 3 & 8.  The 8 yr old has no
>     problem with using the computer but the 3 yr does.  It would be alot 
>     easier for him to use the Netendo by himself.   
>  2. My computer would not be tied up all the time with the kids on it.
>  3. Get to hear all the nice music that plays when you play the game. ;) 

   I tried e-mailing this, but it bounced.
   4. Your kids friends won't be messing around with your computer. Or in
      your computer room (our computer is in a different room than the TV).
      Not all kids are as considerate as yours.

   Just my 2 cents.
            Patti Twigg
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: richard@pegasus.com (Richard Foulk)
Subject: Re: Breadmaking Machines
Organization: Pegasus,  Honolulu
Date: Thu, 19 Nov 92 14:04:15 GMT

>>We previously had the DAK version that looks like R2D2.  Not only did its
>>motor seem way overloaded by the density of the whole wheat dough, it
>>malfunctioned and very nearly burned our house down!
>
>Just for the record, we've had the DAK for a year or two and have had no
>problems. In fact, of the ten or so people we know who own them, only
>one has had any sort of problem which seemed to be related to construction.
>I don't bring this up as evidence that the DAKs are generally reliable,
>just that unreliablity isn't a given.

I've had a DAK bread machine for several years now, and I like it a lot.
If it breaks I'll probably buy another.  The first one I got did have
some problems and was replaced under warranty.  No problems after that.

>Anecdotal evidence aside, DAK always seem to have reconditioned units
>available, which tells me that they get a lot of returns (which, in turn,
>tells me that they *do* have a lot of failures). [...]

They may have lots of returns.  But, don't forget that they have a 30-day
money-back policy -- no doubt some returns are whim rather than warranty.

> [...]                       On the other hand, we've
>bought a number of reconditioned units for others and they've had no
>problems with them. In fact, I'd suggest that route since it's cheaper
>(about $40 less) and my recollection is that it has a longer warranty
>period (45 vice 30 days ??? ).

A friend purchased a reconditioned Turbo unit some months back and is
very pleased.  I think the 45 days instead of thirty is the return period
not the warranty period.  Though, I don't know how long the warranty is.

Here are some phone numbers for more info:

	DAK Industries Inc.
	  orders: 800-325-0800
	  technical info: 800-888-9818
	  other inquiries: 800-888-7808
	  FAX: 800-888-2837

	DAK Breaadmaker Help Line 	818-888-5373


-- 
Richard Foulk		richard@pegasus.com
From: Terry.Dugas@f10.n3630.z1.fidonet.org
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Universal remotes
X-Sender: newtout 0.02 Nov 17 1992
Date: 19 Nov 92  09:32:00

You'll probably hear this a dozen times, but the most recent issue of Consumer 
Reports reviews universal remotes. Terry --- * WinQwk 2.0 a#638 *
BREAKFAST.COM Halted...Cereal Port Not Responding.

--- DB 1.50/001420
From: to@teecs.UUCP (Norman To)
Date: Thu, 19 Nov 1992 15:50:38 GMT
Subject: Re: Advice on a totalled car....
Organization: Litton Systems, Toronto ONT
Newsgroups: misc.consumers

If you have collision coverage, it is better to let your insurance
company to handle it.
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: g-martin1@uiuc.edu (Gregory A. Martin)
Subject: Re: Water first? Or, detergent first?
Originator: gamg6900@uxa.cso.uiuc.edu
Reply-To: g-martin1@uiuc.edu (Gregory A. Martin)
Organization: University of Illinois at Urbana
Date: Thu, 19 Nov 1992 23:26:33 GMT

lou@hpkslx.mayfield.HP.COM (Lou Kvitek) writes:

>In misc.consumers, to@teecs.UUCP (Norman To) writes:

>> Does it matter whether I put the laundry detergent before or after
>> the washer is filled with water?  In short, do I need the bubbles?

>Bubbles have no effect on cleaning, but they do give us humans the
>impression that cleaning is happening (warm fuzzies).  I use a powder
>detergent, so I put it in the washer first, start the water, and then
>start adding clothes.  Works great for me.

It only makes a difference if you put your clothes in before allowing the
washer to fill with water (a time saving move we've all considered). Soap
before water means that when water first hits there are very high
concentrations of detergent that are gradually diluted as the washer fills.
If clothes are present then the clothes may be damaged by the concentrated
soap. Damage consists of discolored patches on the clothes. The moral is
make sure there's lots of water before adding clothes.

This is derived from a lesson in chemistry class: Always add acid to water,
never add water to acid.

						Greg Martin
						g-martin1@uiuc.edu
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: jfjr@mbunix.mitre.org (Freedman)
Subject: Electric Razors (Recommendations)
Organization: The MITRE Corporation, Bedford, MA
Date: Mon, 23 Nov 1992 13:57:24 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

Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: rbm4t@faraday.clas.Virginia.EDU (R. Bruce Martin)
Subject: Re: Aluminum cookware:  Recipe for disaster?
Organization: University of Virginia
Date: Wed, 18 Nov 1992 05:22:39 GMT

The word on the use of aluminum cookware seems to be
that it is safe to use, but that stewing of acidic
fruit juices should be avoided, especially if the
pots or pans are new.  Deodorants are not thought to
be a major problem.  But consider aluminum
containing antacids the use of which entails
ingesting large amounts of aluminum.  Especially, do
not take aluminum containing antacids with citrus
juices.
Bruce Martin
From: berger@atropa (Mike Berger)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Re: DAK BREADMAKERS. YOU
Date: 19 Nov 92 17:50:32 GMT
Article-I.D.: news.Bxz5KA.IyJ
Organization: University of Illinois at Urbana

paul.westley@uttsbbs.uucp (Paul Westley)  writes:
>-> The reconditioned units are purchased from the factory and don't have
>-> anything to do with how many returns DAK had.  Chances are the
>-> reconditioned models come from stores all over the country.
>-> --
>Nevertheless, why would DAK sell a product it knows must be prone to
>break (seeing as how they can get an endless supply of reconditioned
*----
I think you've missed the point.  ALL manufacturers make stuff that
breaks.  The returns and repaired merchandise are sold as "b" grade
distress merchandise to resellers.  DAK is a very large reseller of
this merchandise, which is generated by all reputable manufacturers.
Sony, Denon, et. al. frequently make their "b" grade items available
for special sales from stereo dealers.

DAK is simply an outlet for reconditioned merchandise.  The stuff
they sell isn't necessarily especially prone to break, and there
isn't an "endless supply" of everything.

Tens of thousands of retail stores sell the factory-NEW stuff.  Only
a handful of stores sell distress merchandise.  It might seem like a
lt, but it's usually a small percentage of the total number of items
sold.
--
	Mike Berger
	Internet    berger@atropa.stat.uiuc.edu
Newsgroups: misc.consumers

In misc.consumers, to@teecs.UUCP (Norman To) writes:

> Does it matter whether I put the laundry detergent before or after
> the washer is filled with water?  In short, do I need the bubbles?

Bubbles have no effect on cleaning, but they do give us humans the
impression that cleaning is happening (warm fuzzies).  I use a powder
detergent, so I put it in the washer first, start the water, and then
start adding clothes.  Works great for me.

> Same question, but with general purpose cleaner.  Should I put
> 'Mr. Clean' to a pail of water, or should I put 'Mr. Clean' in the pail
> first then add water?

Putting cleaner in first allows water pressure to mix the solution
as the bucket fills.  Adding the cleaner later means you will have
to mix it yourself.

Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: guppy@wixer.cactus.org (Jennifer Mery)
Subject: Re: Do you think it was really Sears?
Organization: Real/Time Communications
Date: Sun, 22 Nov 92 22:41:58 GMT

In article <adams.722384365@spssig> adams@spss.com (Steve Adams) writes:
>Don't know if it's for real, but the questions ARE valid if it was.  I'd
>suggest not giving this information over the phone unless you placed the
>call to them, and even then I'd be hesitant.  Apply by mail...
>
>If you look at a standard credit app, this kind of information is asked
>for.
I still don't think they had any business asking about my tax return.
And I got a JCPenney card recently without answering any questions like
this. I've applied for a lot of credit cards (especially in my youth),
and they never asked about my tax return. Anyway, the more I think about
it, them more I think I wont be shopping much in their store. I was
really offended. Plus, it didn't help matters any that they asked for me
by my maiden name (the only place I'm still listed that way is the phone
book, and if they're using the phone book for Sears cards, that's really
lame).

I guess it's just that I spend all day at work protecting information
like this, and then someone calls up on the phone, unsolicited asking
for it. 

jam
-- 
==============================================================================
Jennifer Mery | Please do not quote entire long articles or signatures.
Austin, Texas | guppy@wixer.cactus.org
==============================================================================
From: grtorlba@sumax.seattleu.edu (George Torralba)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Re: GOD PREVAILS - Electronics Wholesalers a Rip-Off
Date: 18 Nov 92 08:43:00 GMT
Article-I.D.: sumax.5842
Distribution: na
Organization: Seattle University

In article <1992Nov17.234059.29079@cbnewse.cb.att.com> dmlkm@cbnewse.cb.att.com (david.e.montalbano) writes:
>
>You really bursted my bubble.  I'm shattered for life.  See, I have one
>thing on my side that is a big advantage.  God.  I am a Christian, George.
>After praying about the situation I put it in God's hands.  I felt since
>I put it in God's hands that I would un-dispute the credit card charge 
>even before talking to someone again.  (I did this on Sunday.  They
>are not open on Sunday.  This came about after hearing my Pastor preach.)
>God doesn't need that to win.  When the credit card person asked why I
>was taking the dispute off, I told them the reason.  They lauged and said
>"You really should not un-dispute it to proctect yourself."  I did it anyway.
>Well Mr. Bubble Burster, I just got back from sending off a package 
>for a refund.  I think you can guess what the package was.
>
>David
>
>P.S. Welcome to God's world.

I was going to ask whether all Christians act as you do, but since I'm a
Catholic, which I guess makes me a Christian, I'm not going to.  Please
re-read your article and tell me it's not full of sarcasm and spite.  I
can't believe you're using your god to further your own personal interest
at the expense of others, the vendor, the word hypocrite comes to mind.
Do you really feel that what you did was fair & equitable because your 
god "heard" you?  I dare differ.  But if you insist, try pulling that stunt 
a few more times with the same vendor and let me know how it goes.  Or 
better yet, ask yourself if you can keep doing what you did and still 
feel good about it.  If you answer yes then I'm sorry for wasting your 
time, and mine.

George

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Email  : grtorlba@sumax.seattleu.edu
  Phone  : (206) 781-7622 (with voice mail)
  USMail : George R. Torralba, 8728 Phinney Ave. N. #8,  Seattle, WA  98103
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: fino@point.cs.uwm.edu (Alexander Finogenov)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Re: Products you only buy once
Date: 22 Nov 1992 01:36:17 GMT
Organization: University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee
NNTP-Posting-Host: 129.89.2.5

In article <92325.170640FJM1@psuvm.psu.edu> <FJM1@psuvm.psu.edu> writes:
: 
: I am trying to identify products that a person only purchases once.
: 

Everything you cannot purchase twice (assuming there is no fraud) like
things having a historical value or a value of being an original creation?