HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: johne@PROBLEM_WITH_INEWS_GATEWAY_FILE (John Eaton)
Subject: Re: Canadian proof (not)  that taxation lowers cigarette consumption
Date: Mon, 11 Jan 1993 19:23:40 GMT
Organization: Hewlett-Packard VCD
X-Newsreader: Tin 1.1 PL5

Mike Dedek (dedek@meaddata.com) wrote:
: In article <27763@sybase.sybase.com>, joe@sybase.com (Joseph Weinstein) writes:
: |> Dean Edell on KGO revealed some data about canadian tobacco consumption, where
: |> taxation raised the cost of cigarettes to about $3 a pack. The data show that
: |> prior to the tax increase, per capita consumption was equal to the U.S. In the
: |> few years since the taxation the consumption rate has dropped by 30%.
: |> 
: |> --
: |> Joe Weinstein   joe@sybase.com   Sybase 1650 65th st.  Emeryville Ca 94608
: |> 
: |> NOT A DISCLAIMER!   THIS IS THE OFFICIAL OPINION OF AN IMPORTANT CORPORATE
: |>                     ENTITY (NOT SYBASE).     FOR COMPLETE DETAILS SEND $10
: 
: This is not proof!  This is correlation.  Have _all_ other variables remained
: constant during the study?  For example, were the subjects of the study 
: exposed to other pressures to quit, such as adverse health information, 
: inability to smoke in certain environments, etc?
: 
-------------------------
It's not even correlation. How is per capita consumption measured? 80% of Canada's
population live within a 2 hour drive of the US border. When you have large price
differences on easily smuggled items then measuring consumption becomes harder and
harder. Stores on the US side of the border all carry Canadian brands at US prices.

John Eaton
!hp-vcd!johne

 
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: daw@jhunix.hcf.jhu.edu (Dave Webb)
Subject: BMG/Columbia House Numbers wanted..
Organization: HAC - Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore
Distribution: na
Date: Mon, 4 Jan 1993 16:18:43 GMT

the subject line says it all.  Does anyone have the numbers for BMG or Columbia
House?  That 1-800-WAMADEUS doesn't work anymore. 
		Thanx in advance,
			Dave Webb

Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: kenk@sdc.com (Ken Konecki)
Subject: Re: Cordless phone recommendations
Organization: Systems Development Corporation
Date: Tue, 12 Jan 1993 14:50:52 GMT

In article <1993Jan7.005434.2635@informix.com> neilw@informix.com (Neil Williams) writes:
>Once my wife turned it on and heard someone else talking....
>Hasn't reoccurred yet, though, but now I keep it on the
>base more than I would otherwise, for security.

Since all cordless phones use ordinary radio signals to link the base
and handheld unit it is possible to receive signals from places other
than the base.  Our cordless phone, for example, acts as a really good
receiver for our nursery monitor.

On the other side, it is also possible for people with a radio scanner
to listen in to your conversations.  Unlike cellular phones, listening
to conversations on cordless phones is legal.  The Chicago Tribune ran
an article a month or so ago about people whose hobby is to eavesdrop
on other people's conversations.  There's more of them out there than
you might think.  A few manufactures (Motorola comes to mind) are
starting to produce phones that do funky RF things to the signal to
prevent eavesdropping.

Cheers,
    -Ken K
-- 
Ken Konecki
e-mail:kenk@sdc.com    -or-    ...!uunet!tellab5!sdc!kenk
"Getting an inch of snow is like winning 10 cents in the lottery"
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: CPLS13@email.mot.com (Steven_Cohn)
Subject: Re: When is a dill pickle Kosher?
Organization: Motorola_CoveragePLUS
Date: Wed, 6 Jan 1993 08:09:56 GMT
Followup-To: misc.consumers

In article <2418@shaman.wv.tek.com>, andrew@frip.WV.TEK.COM (Andrew
Klossner) wrote:
> 
> What's the difference between a dill pickle and a Kosher dill pickle,
> other than rabbinical supervision?  In the supermarket, the ingredient
> lists on the two jars are identical, as are the prices, but the Kosher
> bottle also includes several dozen small yellow spheroids that I don't
> recognize.
> 
>   -=- Andrew Klossner  (andrew@frip.wv.tek.com)
>                        (uunet!tektronix!frip.WV.TEK!andrew)

Responses to date are:


>carlp@frigg.isc-br.com (Carl Paukstis)

>Kosher refers to more than ingredients, some standards of cleanliness
>and methodology are required.  These standards are more complicated
>for animal products, extending to the method of slaughter.  And even
>for primarily vegetable products, all the component ingredients,
>methods, containers, and material which ever touches the product must
>be certified kosher.

This is the closest.  Actually, cleanliness is only a side affect
(usually), not a requirement of Kosher supervision.   There are several
aspects to Kosher food:

1) Absolutley no mixing of any meat and dairy products (not even dairy
by-products like whey, etc).

2) All meat must come from kosher animals (defined as having split hooves
and chewing their cud), and the animals must be slaughtered in a certain
way (sharp knife slit through the neck - quickest, least painful method of
slaghtering).

3) No birds of prey.

4) Only seafood with fins and scales.

5) No bugs!

6) Certain restrictions on the production of wine/grape juice.

And a few more esoteric things not worth mentioning here.

The key, as Carl points out, is that everything used in the process must be
certified as kosher, which in the case of pickles could very easily be a
problem with the vinegar used in the pickling process.  Some vinegars are
produced from/with wine, and this could be a problem if not properly
certified.

>wc4209@writer.yorku.ca (Irene Berkovich)

>In the case of Kosher Dills, this refers to the style of pickle, not
>the actual kashrut of the product.

This ABSOLUTELY FALSE !  The definition of Kosher from a religious
standpoint is very strict, and as mentioned in one of the posts, is even
governed by law in New York, and New Jersey.  While it may be true that
most Kosher dills are of a certain "style", this is not what makes it
kosher!

>guru@camelot.bradley.edu (Jerry Whelan)

>	I've been told that the `true' label for kosher products is
>a little k in a circle similar to the copyright symbol.

This is ABSOLUTELY FALSE !  There are a number of symbols from various
koosher certification agencies, the most popular and widley accepted one is
O-U, a circle with a U inside.  There are however, many others.




Steven Cohn
Motorola CoveragePLUS Engineering
CPLS13@EMAIL.MOT.COM
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: henry@ADS.COM (Henry Mensch)
Subject: Re: DISPUTE OVER A BILL WITH SAN FRANCISCO EXAMINER!
Organization: Advanced Decision Systems; a div of Booz, Allen & Hamilton
Date: Tue, 12 Jan 1993 00:23:18 GMT

prk@planet.bt.co.uk (Peter Knight) wrote: 
->More civilised countries, eg the UK, have laws about unsolicited goods,
->ie products you didn't order and so have no contract with the supplier.

it seems you haven't been paying attention, since nobody's talking
about unsolicited goods here ... the person *DID* request delivery of
the paper.

--
# henry mensch / booz, allen & hamilton, inc.  / <henry@ads.com>
# "fight the real enemy."  -- sinead o'connor, and many others.
Newsgroups: misc.consumers,soc.culture.japan,misc.entrepreneurs
From: gcagle@dracula.mentorg.com (Greg Cagle)
Subject: Re: DOES AMERICA SAY YES TO JAPAN? - Off track!!
Date: Tue, 12 Jan 1993 18:02:17 GMT
Reply-To: greg_cagle@mentorg.com
Organization: Mentor Graphics
Keywords: 
Followup-To: 

In article <1993Jan12.160749.1763@island.COM>, fester@island.COM (Mike Fester) writes:

>Well, Ford DOES own 30% of Mazda. And the only thing that GM US buys from 
>Japanese in large amounts is engines for its Geo series. GM owns 37% of
>Isuzu, and Isuzu asked GM to take it over entirely. GM refused, so Isuzu
>is now out of the car market, and GM is out of engines for about 2 years.
>Also, Ford and GM own several foreign companies. Ford owns Jaguar, and GM
>owns Opel (I also read about 4 months ago that GM owns SAAB; however, I have
>not been able to confirm that, so use that factoid with caution).

GM has owned Opel for a long time, and recently bought Saab and Lotus.
Note also that Chrysler owns a chunk of Mitsubishi and all of Lamborghini.

- Greg
-- 
Greg Cagle | greg_cagle@mentorg.com
Mentor Graphics Corporation
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: chrz@tellabs.com (Peter Chrzanowski)
Subject: Re: Can a landlord refuse cash?
Organization: Tellabs, Inc.
Date: Fri, 8 Jan 1993 23:54:03 GMT

In article <arkusinski_andy-070193080856@arkusinski.si.com.>, arkusinski_andy@si.com (Andy Arkusinski) writes:

> However, I
> money, "THIS NOTE IS LEGAL TENDER FOR ALL DEBTS, PUBLIC AND PRIVATE". 

I don't know that the writing on money has any force of law
("In God We Trust" ?) but even if we assume it does, a debt does not
exist when the terms include "payable in advance," as is normally 
the case when renting.  Some examples: 


You offer a $1,000. bill at the cash register for that bag of 
Chee-tos in your hand.  There's no debt because they're not
your Chee-tos yet.  (BTW if you ate them before paying you
have committed retail theft, for which you may be prosecuted).

You get on a city bus; the driver informs you that busfare is
payable in advance, and must be paid with coins or a bus-company token.  
You have only paper money.  Must the bus company transport you in 
exchange for the paper money, or may you be evicted from the bus?

 
> Certainly a rent obligation is a private debt for which cash is legal
> tender.

There is no debt, just an agreement that if you produce the check or
money order then the landlord will let you use the apartment as your 
residence during the following month.  

If you fail to live up to your side of the agreement then the landlord
does not have to let you live there.  Should you fail to leave when
asked the landlord may  have you evicted (unless a lease or local
ordinance gives you additional rights, of course).

Newsgroups: misc.consumers,rec.autos,rec.autos.tech
From: gan@cbnewsj.cb.att.com (gan.muthumalaiappan)
Subject: Advice on 4 door hatchback models
Organization: AT&T
Distribution: usa
Date: Fri, 8 Jan 1993 22:59:10 GMT
Followup-To: poster
Keywords: what to buy?

Hello Netters,

Any advice/recommendation on 4-door (sedan) hatchback automobile (I mean 5
doors)?  Buying range is: up to 14K. Compact or mid-size - GM, Ford, Chrysler, 
Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Subaru, Saturn(??), Volkswagon, Volvo, etc.  Not 
interested in wagons.  I've looked at few models and unable to zero in.....

Sorry, if this is a FAQ material.

Advance thanks,

Gan
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: johnwu@netcom.com (John M. Wu)
Subject: Bank questions and a Discover card question
Organization: Netcom - Online Communication Services  (408 241-9760 guest) 
Distribution: na
Date: Tue, 12 Jan 1993 05:50:40 GMT


1)  I have a friend with a checking account which is always below
$500 and will go below $100 at least once a month.  He currently
pays $10/mo. for having this account (due to <$500 balance) plus
per check charges for going over his monthly allotment.  Free ATM
access is limited to the bank's three branches.  ATM access is
limited to only one of those ATM networks.  Do you think he's
getting a bad deal for paying $120/yr. for using this bank?  
If so, where should he bank in order to minimize monthly fees? 
Assume he will try to maintain at least $100 in his account and
that the bank is in the Los Angeles area.

2)  I have a Bank of America checking & savings account in
southern California.  I attend UC Berkeley (northern California)
during the fall and spring semester and stay in southern
California during the summer and winter break.  Is there any
reason for changing to a northern California bank or having
accounts in both places?

3)  Like I said before, I have a BofA bank account.  What is so
good about electronic banking?  Can I just type payable to
"Pacific Bell" and be done with giving money to the postal
service?  How much does it cost to use it?  How much is the
software?

4)  I have a Discover card.  One time I decided to get cash back
with my purchase at Safeway and see if it is a free cash advance. 
It turned out to be free.  The cashier there said I could take as
much as I wanted.  Since it was 3am, I decided to go for $30
instead of $300.  I heard the limit was $30.   What is the
official word on how much I can take?  Does this apply to other
supermarkets that take Discover cards (cash advance and cash
advance limit) like Alpha Beta?  

Please reply be email to johnwu@netcom.com since I do not read
this group often.
-- 
John M. Wu                "And if a double decker bus, crashes into us
johnwu@netcom.com          to die by your side, is such a heavenly way to die"
jmw@ocf.berkeley.edu         - There Is A Light That Never Goes Out
#include <flameprotect.h>
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: henry@ADS.COM (Henry Mensch)
Subject: Re: Just a Question
Organization: Advanced Decision Systems; a div of Booz, Allen & Hamilton
Date: Mon, 4 Jan 1993 23:13:38 GMT

haluk@merlin.dev.cdx.mot.com (Haluk Gumrukcu) wrote: 
->How fair/legal for non-smokers (along with smokers) to decide on cigarette
->prices?

depends.  do the non-smokers own the cigarettes ... or the facility
which makes them?  

--
# henry mensch / booz, allen & hamilton, inc.  / <henry@ads.com>
# "fight the real enemy."  -- sinead o'connor, and many others.
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: acheng@ncsa.uiuc.edu (Albert Cheng)
Subject: Re: DISPUTE OVER A BILL WITH SAN FRANCISCO EXAMINER!
Originator: acheng@shalom.ncsa.uiuc.edu
Organization: Nat'l Ctr for Supercomp App (NCSA) @ University of Illinois
Date: Tue, 12 Jan 1993 17:29:05 GMT


In article <1993Jan12.002318.22101@ads.com>, henry@ADS.COM (Henry Mensch) writes:
>prk@planet.bt.co.uk (Peter Knight) wrote: 
>->More civilised countries, eg the UK, have laws about unsolicited goods,
>->ie products you didn't order and so have no contract with the supplier.
>
>it seems you haven't been paying attention, since nobody's talking
>about unsolicited goods here ... the person *DID* request delivery of
>the paper.

Hm... he requested an 8 weeks trial subscription.  What in dispute is
the continual delivery of paper after the 8th week.  He claimed he
had not explicitly ordered the continuation, but the paper claimed
it was so by default because he did not explicitly stopped it.

Some mail order crooks will get my credit card number when I
trial order 1 month supply of their miracle pills, then send me
10 years supply and charge accordingly.  Should I pay?  NO.
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: acheng@ncsa.uiuc.edu (Albert Cheng)
Subject: Re: Just a Question
Originator: acheng@shalom.ncsa.uiuc.edu
Organization: Nat'l Ctr for Supercomp App (NCSA) @ University of Illinois
Date: Wed, 6 Jan 1993 22:17:42 GMT


In article <carlp.726351024@frigg>, carlp@frigg.isc-br.com (Carl Paukstis) writes:
>schwartz@nynexst.com (Steven Schwartz) writes:
>
>>On the news this morning:  Second-hand cigarette smoke has been
>>"officially" classified as hazardous, in the same category as
>>asbestos.
>
>A political rather than scientific decision, as with ALL other effects
>of the War on (Some) Drugs.  Remember the test strategy for Saccharin?
>Feed rats the equuivalent of a human drinking mumble-hundred diet
>colas a day for 30 years, and 10% of them get cancer.  Similar with
>secondhand smoke.  While it certainly is annoying, even to me (a
>smoker), the only likely sufferers of health effects are children of
>smoking parents or other folks with similar intense, prolonged (years)
>exposure.
>
>Go ahead, flame away - health Nazis give me the retching vomits.

You know, I really don't mind people smoke as long as they don't
exhale it back to the air I need to breath.  Would you like me
eat beans and release gas at your face?
From: lusol@Lehigh.EDU (Stephen O. Lidie)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Re: Need Recommendations for Riding Mowers
Date: 6 Jan 93 15:31:45 GMT
Organization: Lehigh University, Bethlehem PA

In article <1993Jan6.131538.22129@cbnewsi.cb.att.com> rbaist@cbnewsi.cb.att.com
(robert.t.baist) writes:
>>My neighbor bought (last summer) a Sears 12.5 HP, 6 speed mower with a
>>mulching deck which he says worked flawlessly.
>>
>>Any suggestions on other manufacturers, features, etc. would be appreciated.
>>
>>Spencer Kantor
>
>I also bought that tractor as did a friend of mine. Actually, he bought a new
>one and I bought a reconditioned one (one that somebody bought and returned).
>I bought it near the end of the summer and my store had many of them. Some 
>looked "used" and some looked "new". 
>
>It works very well and is easy to operate and maintain. My only discovery is 
>this. If your lawn is uneven, you won't get a smooth cut. The deck is 42" 
>wide and when one side of wheels goes over a lump, that side of the deck
raises
>and cuts the grass very tall. The next pass may be level, cutting the grass 
>shorter. The line where the 2 passes meet will be noticable because of the 
>taller grass from the first pass.
>
>Sears sells a whole line of attachments for it. snow blowers, snow plows, 
>tillers, spreaders, aerators, carts, rollers, sprayers....
>
>Bob B.      Just my $.02  
>

I own a Honda lawn tractor with a 38" deck.... starts great, runs quietly,
liquid cooled, air/oil filter, etcetera.... just like their automobiles!

I mow 1.5 acres, does a great job.  It also has a hydrostatic transmission,
which I HIGHLY recommend.  After you've used one you'll never want a manual
again...  especially nice for going around shrubs/trees.

As for Sears, well, the quality wasn't there - and I used one for quite 
some time.  So, when it came time for ME to buy MY tractor, I looked
elsewhere...

Another high-quality line is John Deer.  Both it and the Honda are priced
similarly - obviously more than a Sears model.

All the usual attachments are available.  And, if you mow often enough you
don't need a mulcher......

SOL
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: acheng@ncsa.uiuc.edu (Albert Cheng)
Subject: Re: Humidifiers (Q)
Originator: acheng@shalom.ncsa.uiuc.edu
Organization: Nat'l Ctr for Supercomp App (NCSA) @ University of Illinois
Date: Thu, 7 Jan 1993 20:59:31 GMT


In article <rbkatz-070193124922@128.96.93.74>, rbkatz@cc.bellcore.com (Bob Katz) writes:
>With all the dry winter air, I'm in the market for a small humidifier. 
>I've heard that there are a few kinds: evaporative, steam/vaporizer
>(including warm mist), and cold mist.  I'd like to get one that doesn't
>have a "white dust" problem, that wouldn't have a bacteria problem, and
>that wouldn't consume excessive amounts of electricity.  Can anyone
>recommend a model?  (The Berkeley wellness newsletter last January
>mentioned that the "new" evaporative wicking models sounded promising, but
>they hadn't been tested yet.)

I just talked to my doctor's nurse about a humidifier for my 2 years
old girl's room.  She recommends cool mist type for safety sake.  I
should change the water daily.  The bacteria start to culmulate if I
leave the water unchanged for days.
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: henry@ADS.COM (Henry Mensch)
Subject: Re: Foreign ATM Fees
Organization: Advanced Decision Systems; a div of Booz, Allen & Hamilton
Distribution: usa
Date: Mon, 4 Jan 1993 19:27:03 GMT

bguan@stein.u.washington.edu (David Bingzhong Guan) wrote: 
->Key Bank of Washington. Free checking, free ATM (Exchange & PLUS) with $100
->minimum balance.

yes, but is that free network ATM usage as well?  most banks have
"free ATM" as long as you use that bank's ATMs...

--
# henry mensch / booz, allen & hamilton, inc.  / <henry@ads.com>
# "fight the real enemy."  -- sinead o'connor, and many others.
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: wc4209@writer.yorku.ca (Irene Berkovich)
Subject: Re: When is a dill pickle Kosher?
Organization: Computer Assisted Writing Centre, York University, Toronto, Canada
Date: Wed, 6 Jan 1993 02:14:04 GMT

In the case of Kosher Dills, this refers to the style of pickle, not
the actual kashrut of the product.

I think this style of pickle is more aged as opposed to the newer dill
flavour which tastes more like a cucumber.

I think that the use of Kosher in Kosher Dills is an exception to the
rule that products having the kosher adjective must be inspected by a
rabinical authority to verify that all ingredients are really kosher.
From: paula@nlbbs.UUCP (Paula Stockholm)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Tape snapped at beginning of tape
Date: Wed, 06 Jan 93 18:37:14 GMT
Reply-To: paula@nlbbs.uucp
Distribution: world
Organization: The Electronics Workbench - Cumberland Maine


In article <1id2nrINNq9g@shelley.u.washington.edu> roger@wrq.com writes:

 > 
 > Is it possible to repair a VHS tape that has
 > broken from the take-up (right-side) reel?


        Piece of cake! Remove the screws from the underside. Slice the
        back label with a sharp edge. With the tape right-side-up, push
        in on the little button near the door and separate the shell
        carefully. Make a note of how the tape passes through the
        guides.

        On the empty reel, locate the plastic "wedge" that holds the
        tape to the hub. It may be loose inside the case; looks like a
        flattened . Use a pair of needlenose pliers to clip the clear
        leader back to the reel.

        Note: The clear leader is a MUST. It is this that keeps your VCR
        from doing what your rewinder did. 
 
        * * * * * * * * * * * * * *  * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
        *    Paula Stockholm             paula@nlbbs.UUCP        *
        * The Electronics Workbench       (207) 829-3152         *
        *   Cumberland, Maine         !nlbbs!paula@uunet.uu.net  *
        * * *  * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 
Newsgroups: misc.consumers,misc.consumers.house,misc.kids
From: rob@vitsemi.com (Rob Eccles)
Subject: Re: Rechargable Battery Source Needed (and a Query)
Organization: Vitesse Semiconductor
Distribution: na
Date: Sat, 9 Jan 93 01:52:00 GMT

In article <1993Jan4.150614.6635@kodak.kodak.com> marulli@kodak.kodak.com (Dave x71244/RDCS/2-205-KO) writes:
>I am looking for a 'cheap' source for NiCad batteries.  Does anyone know
>of perhaps a mail order place or a chain store that has them cheaper than 
>Radio Shack. ($9.75/9V, $5.75/2 pack of D-cells, etc)

Another poster recommended Costco, a 'wholesale warehouse'.  If this is not
an option, another possibility is Home Depot.  Yet another is your-local-
hardware-store.

Do be careful with substituting NiCad batteries for other types, they have
both lower resistance and voltage.  If the load they are driving is also
low resistance, an excessive current can result.  On the other hand, they
may not provide sufficient voltage for some devices, due to their lower voltage.
-- 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rob Eccles         | Disclaimer: The statements made here do not 
rob@vitsemi.COM    | represent my employer or anyone else.
From: aem@symbiosis.ahp.com (a.e.mossberg)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Re: Handheld Shower Massages
Date: 5 Jan 1993 10:03:28 -0500
Organization: Symbiosis Corporation, Miami, Florida  (305) 597-4000
Distribution: usa
Reply-To: aem@symbiosis.ahp.com
NNTP-Posting-Host: symbi1.symbiosis.ahp.com

dw@unislc.uucp (Dan Wright) writes:

>[...]
>drawback is that it is "low-flow", like most (all?) new showerheads are,
>which means that not much water comes out (a horse could pee harder).  But,
>there is a little washer you can remove to open the pathway and increase
>the flow.  I took that washer out.  I also took a drill and reamed out the
>couplings at either end of the hose, since they were more than thick enough
>for strength: I assumed correctly that they were thick in order to restrict
>the flow.  Now the thing delivers a decent jet of water.


How very environmental of you.  Do you realize that increasing areas of
the country have mandatory water restrictions in effect?  Clean water
doesn't grow on trees.

aem


-- 
andrew mossberg           systems specialist           symbiosis corporation
(305) 597-4110            fax (305) 597-4002           miami, florida 33166-6202
aem@symbiosis.ahp.com     uunet!symbi1!aem             SPAN: UMIGW::AEM
Newsgroups: misc.consumers