HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: mikeb@pandora.dell.com (Michael Brundridge)
Newsgroups: austin.general
Subject: Re: RIPOFF ALERT! RIPOFF ALERT!
Date: 27 Jul 92 17:18:10 GMT
Organization: Dell Computer Co

alan@unisql.UUCP (Alan Weiss) writes:

>In article <mikeb.711989927@pandora> mikeb@pandora.dell.com (Michael Brundridge) writes:
>>moller@netmail.austin.ibm.com (Chris Moller) writes:
>>

[Stuff deleted]

>>Sounds like they are related to AAPCO here in Austin


>True story about AAPCO:  I took my VCR into them because the front-load
>ejection system was broken, i.e. the tape wouldn't eject.  I asked them
>to save all parts that they replaced, which they conveniently FORGOT
>to do (yeah, right).  So, they replaced some widget inside, and charged me
>$115.  The next day, the same thing happens, so I take it back to them.
>It turns out that the way to get an unstuck tape out from a machine
>is simple:  unscrew the hood, and fiddle around gently with the mechanism
>by manually moving the flywheel.  The tape will eject.  The guy mentioned
>that this tends to happen to very lightweight tapes, typically children's
>half-hour tapes.  Guess what I had in the machine?  A 20 minute kids tape ....

>EOF, except I didn't get my money back. I didn't even ask.  After all,
>I received a valuable lesson in fundamental consumerism, and that was
>worth paying for, IMHO.  I'm not such a sap anymore .....  And now,
>after reading this, perhaps YOU won't be, either.
 
I was the one that replied "Sounds like they are releated to AAPCO".  They cost me about
$225 and screwed up my VCR worse than when I took it in.  A tape had gotten caught and bent
the rollers that position the tape around the video head drum.  By the time they got finished
with the unit they had blown up the electronics (they have a bunch of dip shit techs 
working for them, so this did not supprise me).  They had my VCR for more than 6 months the first
time waiting on parts from mitsubishi (so they claim, thank god I have other VCR's).  Then I got
it back and the orignal problem was still there.  Plus on top of that the tuner no longer worked
becuase they blew that section up and fogot to fix it.  So I took it back, they had it another 
month or so and I got it back and the tuner would work on and off.  I took it back and the manager
(which three or four manager changes had happened from the time I took it in to the time I quit)
said, we would like you to take your VCR elsewhere and have it repaired.  It seemed these guy's did
not like my VCR< plus they did not like me in there screaming at the top of my lungs while they
had customers in there (I even saw one guy walk out with his TV whne he heard me screaming at the
manager).  So I took it back home and plugged it in and the power supply blew up.  Needless to say
I have a VCR that ain't with crap now.          

I WARN ANYONE THAT WILL LISTEN AWAY FROM THESE GUYS.  THEY ARE A RIP OFF FRONT JUST WAITING FOR 
PEOPLE TO RIP OFF.  This is the store on 183, across from the Arboretum area.

Michael Brundridge
From: shantanu@poseidon.oakhill.uucp (Shantanu Ganguly)
Newsgroups: austin.general
Subject: Re: speeding ticket responses
Date: 29 Jul 92 16:33:15 GMT
Organization: SPS CAD, Motorola Inc., Austin, Texas.

In article <76677@ut-emx.uucp> toronto@ccwf.cc.utexas.edu (James Moseley) writes:

   On the maximum speed limit, it is 70 mph, whatever it  is posted at.
   Supposedly if you can prove that you were driving safely above the posted
   speed limit, but under 70, then you can get out of it.  All this stuff is
   in the Texas Code, where you will also find other loopholes.

   James Moseley
   toronto@ccwf.cc.utexas.edu

Not quite. I've been studying the speed limit section of the Texas
Code ($5 at your local Dept. of Public Safety). It explicitly states
that the maximum speed limit of any road is 70 mph, and it is
superceded by any limits posted by local authorities. I'm hoping
to find some loopholes in it - so far I haven't had any success.

Shantanu Ganguly
Somerset (Motorola) - Power PC Project

phone : (512) 795-7146                  Motorola Inc, Mail Drop OE 513
fax   : (512) 795-7511                  6501 William Cannon Drive W.
                                        Austin TX 78735-8598
email : shantanu%ibmoto.com@oakhill.sps.mot.com 

Texas is where you get two kinds of music - country and western.




--

Shantanu Ganguly
Somerset (Motorola) - Power PC Project

phone : (512) 795-7146                  Motorola Inc, Mail Drop OE 513
fax   : (512) 795-7511                  6501 William Cannon Drive W.
                                        Austin TX 78735-8598
email : shantanu%ibmoto.com@oakhill.sps.mot.com 

Texas is where you get two kinds of music - country and western.
From: jfh@rpp386.lonestar.org (John F. Haugh II)
Newsgroups: austin.general
Subject: Re: painful experience with AiC (Analysts International Corp.)
Date: 27 Jul 92 13:11:35 GMT
Reply-To: jfh@rpp386.cactus.org (John F. Haugh II)
Distribution: austin
Organization: River Parishes Programming, Austin, Republic of Texas

In article <loydb.07vl@fnordbox.UUCP> loydb@fnordbox.UUCP (Loyd Blankenship) writes:
>Someone does not have to be incorporated do be paid as a contractor (and
>thus eligible for a 1099 form). All of my freelance writing royalties are
>reported via 1099 -- I have to withhold FICA myself and so on.

The difference is probably that you have multiple employers.  If I
understand the IRS code correctly, and I'm probably a fool for even
pretending that I do, you are considered to be an "employee" (and thus
a 1099 is inappropriate) if you derive all of your income from a single
source which also provides your work space, assignments, etc.  This
was done to prevent employees from becoming self-employed "consultants"
and deducting expenses that they would not normally be entitled to,
such as milage to and from the office.

>Or is there another 1099 with which I'm not familiar?

There are many 1099 forms, but only one deals with wages.  (There are
forms for interest income, rentals, gambling winnings and so on - all of
these are forms 1099, but have some "extension" on the end, like 1099-INT.)
-- 
John F. Haugh II                   | Life's Little Instruction Book:
Ma Bell: (512) 251-2151            | "#138.  Learn Spanish.  In a few years,
UUCP: ...!cs.utexas.edu!rpp386!jfh |  more than 35% of all Americans will speak
Domain: jfh@rpp386.cactus.org      |  it as their first language."
From: ransley@parnasus.dell.com (Robert Ansley)
Newsgroups: austin.general
Subject: Re: speeding ticket responses
Date: 29 Jul 92 21:58:53 GMT
Organization: Dell Computer Co

shantanu@poseidon.oakhill.uucp (Shantanu Ganguly) writes:

>In article <76677@ut-emx.uucp> toronto@ccwf.cc.utexas.edu (James Moseley) writes:

>   On the maximum speed limit, it is 70 mph, whatever it  is posted at.

>Not quite. I've been studying the speed limit section of the Texas
>Code ($5 at your local Dept. of Public Safety). It explicitly states
>that the maximum speed limit of any road is 70 mph, and it is
>superceded by any limits posted by local authorities. I'm hoping
>to find some loopholes in it - so far I haven't had any success.
       
     Federal laws supercede state laws and the maximum speed limit
     by Federal law is 65 nation wide (unless states don't want' their 
     highway funds)  So this is a moot argument.
--
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
  "I don't like to clutter up my investigations with a bunch of facts..."
                Robert Ansley   ransley@parnasus.dell.com
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: millerm@oakhill.sps.mot.com (Mikemoe)
Newsgroups: austin.general
Subject: Re: need help with speeding ticket
Date: 22 Jul 92 20:46:50 GMT
Organization: Motorola Inc., Austin, Texas

shea@ntmtv.UUCP (Ray Shea) writes:

>In article <COSC16TT.92Jul22010516@menudo.uh.edu>, cosc16tt@menudo.uh.edu (Dennis Gray Jr.) writes:

>>If you were speeding, just
>>pay it, and get on with your life and slow down...

>Whether you were speeding or not, fight it for all it's worth, and
>next time don't get caught.  That, my friend, is the American Way.


AMerican Way??? Maybe so...but, maybe it shouldn't be. This American
Way seems to allow drug dealers, murders and other criminals get off
because of technicalities in search and other such items.
Of course, I realize that these technicalities are there to protect
our rights as American citizens. But what happen to being responsible
citizens. Hey, you speed, accept the ticket. Why try to get off the
hook for something you did.

Ok, I know, I opened myself up for flames...so go ahead, make my day.


Mike Miller
millerm@oakhill.sps.mot.com

>-- 
>Ray Shea			
>DoD #0372, '88 Hawk NT650, 	...and a card carrying member of the ACLU...
>founder, Team Twinkie	      		you got a problem with that?
>ntmtv!shea@ames.arc.nasa.gov  
Newsgroups: austin.general
From: amym@oakhill.sps.mot.com (Amy Moseley Rupp)
Subject: Nice Baby Furniture (Crib) Stores?
Organization: Motorola Inc., Austin Tx.
Date: Tue, 21 Jul 1992 17:20:57 GMT

We are going to look for baby furniture and I would like to get something
well made and attractive.  The two main items are cribs and changing
tables.  I noticed some nice ones at ABC Baby Store on Burnet but are
there any others?  I know they've got a selection at Toys-R-Us and
Service, etc. but I was wondering if there were some other places to
look.

Thanks!
-- 
Amy Moseley Rupp			Needed:  one witty, appropriate,
amym@oakhill.sps.mot.com		businesslike .sig that will perfectly
(512) 329-7117				reflect my philosophy of life and will
18 weeks and counting			fit in four lines or less.
From: shoroff@ccwf.cc.utexas.edu (Bart Simpson)
Newsgroups: austin.general
Subject: Re: painful experience with AiC (Analysts International Corp.)
Date: 21 Jul 92 16:49:57 GMT
Distribution: austin
Organization: Univ of Texas at Austin

In article <2031@tivoli.UUCP> dfavor@logan.tivoli.com (David Favor) writes:
>[    ]
> and contract firms I've worked with over the last 10+ years are mostly simple,
>non-technical people trying to eek out a living. I wonder if you have ever run
>a corporation? did you know that it takes from 3-6 times an employees wage to
>keep them employed?

I've heard that it takes a lot more to employ a regular employee than his wage
alone, but 3-6 times? What all benefits sum up to make such a large amount?
So does a $40,000 employee cost the company between $120,000-240,000 ?

I'm just curious.

Thanks
Srihari 
-- 
|A very creative .sig has been ordered.                                      |
|			Will take 4 to 6 weeks for delivery.                 |
|----------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|Wanna get in touch?                                                         | 
|If you're    -serious: 512 371 7409   -miserly: shoroff@ccwf.cc.utexas.edu  |
|                 -nuts   : 4413 Speedway #207; Austin, TX 78751          |
Newsgroups: austin.general
From: pvo@cactus.org (Peter Van Overen)
Subject: Good place for VCR repair?
Keywords: VCR, Arrrgh!
Organization: Capital Area Central Texas UNIX Society, Austin, Tx
Distribution: austin
Date: Mon, 27 Jul 1992 16:08:10 GMT

Hi, Netfolks!
My girlfriend's Panasonic VCR (approx. 4 years old, moderate use) has a
dragging tape problem, and careful examination of the VCR's innards
didn't reveal the cause of the drag.  
Can anyone recommend an honest/reputable VCR repair shop so this
thing won't end up in the local landfill right away?  Thanks!

Peter Van Overen,  Ex ion beam drover,  pvo@cactus.org
From: mikey@ccwf.cc.utexas.edu (Strider)
Newsgroups: austin.general
Subject: Used Electronics
Date: 26 Jul 92 22:19:39 GMT
Organization: The University of Texas at Austin, Austin TX

Anybody out there know of a business (probably repair shop) that buys
used electronic equipment?  (Sorry about the earlier article with
the botched subject line.)

Mike Ruff
U.T. Austin
From: jfh@rpp386.lonestar.org (John F. Haugh II)
Newsgroups: austin.general
Subject: Re: painful experience with AiC (Analysts International Corp.)
Date: 25 Jul 92 21:10:53 GMT
Reply-To: jfh@rpp386.cactus.org (John F. Haugh II)
Distribution: austin
Organization: River Parishes Programming, Austin, Republic of Texas

In article <2075@tivoli.UUCP> dfavor@logan.tivoli.com (David Favor) writes:
>In article <76304@ut-emx.uucp>, shoroff@ccwf.cc.utexas.edu (Bart Simpson) writes:
>unfortunately benefits are a trivial part of this cost. the real cost
>lies in the administration of these trivial benefits. consider the
>overhead of a human resource staff and any other staff that must assist
>employees with various types of insurance claims. then there is the
>consideration of staff to keep pension plans running. the costs are
>incredible. and if one person claims unemployment benefits then the
>unemployment rate for ALL employees increases. very ugly.

The problem with this argument is that in order to add another 100%
to the cost of an employee, you have to add one employee who is in
charge of administration JUST FOR THAT ONE EMPLOYEE.  In a typical
company, administrators are less plentiful than managers.  That is,
if you are a bottom of the line employee, the number of managers at
the same level as your boss exceeds the number of benefits personel
for all employees.

And the point about unemployment claims is similiarly incorrect.  I
had already included unemployment insurance in my 30+% overhead
figure.  That already allows for laid off employees who claim
unemployment.

I've had the priviledge in the past to work on accounting systems
for large corporations.  The numbers you give just don't match with
the numbers for two companies I can think of offhand (one with 1,700
workers, another with 60).
-- 
John F. Haugh II                   | Vida en La Republica de Tejas:
Ma Bell: (512) 251-2151            |  A Tejana woman, after spending the rent
UUCP: ...!cs.utexas.edu!rpp386!jfh |  money on the Tejas Lottery - "I can't go
Domain: jfh@rpp386.cactus.org      |  home, my husband will beat me up."
From: dewey@vpdbox.austin.ibm.com (Dewey Coffman)
Newsgroups: austin.general
Subject: Re: RIPOFF ALERT! RIPOFF ALERT!
Date: 30 Jul 92 14:04:12 GMT
Reply-To: dewey@vpdbox.austin.ibm.com
Distribution: austin
Organization: IBM, Austin, TX. US of A.

In article <mikeb.712257490@pandora>, mikeb@pandora.dell.com (Michael Brundridge) writes:
|> alan@unisql.UUCP (Alan Weiss) writes:
|> 
|> >In article <mikeb.711989927@pandora> mikeb@pandora.dell.com (Michael Brundridge) writes:
|> >>moller@netmail.austin.ibm.com (Chris Moller) writes:
|> >>
|> 
|> [Stuff deleted]
|> 
|> >>Sounds like they are related to AAPCO here in Austin
|> 
|> 
|> >True story about AAPCO:  I took my VCR into them because the front-load
...[True Story Deleted]
|> I WARN ANYONE THAT WILL LISTEN AWAY FROM THESE GUYS.  THEY ARE A RIP OFF FRONT JUST WAITING FOR 
|> PEOPLE TO RIP OFF.  This is the store on 183, across from the Arboretum area.
|> 
|> Michael Brundridge 

	Ditto on the warning. I got fleeced for around $100. You'll
	notice they've moved to a new more expensive location
	in the last couple of years, so they're doing well. 

	Some places(I'm not naming names) will tell you that
	their waiting on parts for a month. This way, you might
	forget about it and they get a FREE VCR, or you fall under
	the "merchandise left over 30days will be sold for payment"
	clause.

	I switched to Circle Stereo on Burnett Rd. No problems there.

-- 
Dewey Coffman				ibmpa!dewey@vpdbox.austin.ibm.com
Consulting @ IBM			Bldg 007, Div 44, Loc 966, Dept 06T
11400 Burnet Rd				Zip 1514, Room 1D-052
Austin, TX 78758-3493			(512) 823-6364
From: dcm@codesmith.austin.ibm.com (Craig Miller)
Newsgroups: austin.general
Subject: Re: painful experience with AiC (Analysts International Corp.)
Date: 21 Jul 92 14:39:08 GMT
Distribution: austin
Organization: IBM AWD, Austin

In article <1992Jul21.035444.19262@awdprime.austin.ibm.com> matt@mathew.austin.ibm.com () writes:
>Like I said before, my point was not over dollar figures.  I completely
>agree that how you negotiate determines what you make.  The point
>I was trying to make was that these head-hunters should try to act
>a little more professionally.

	They're probably thinking "I wish these computer nerds would
	act a little more professionally". :-)  Seriously though,
	when you interact with these people, you *have* to know what
	the story is.  They're out to place you for as much profit
	as they can.  That's the way they make their living.  Don't
	go into such a situation unprepared!

	As for lying, well....  I've also heard rumors (urban legends? :-)
	of people being outright lied to.  Can't say it's happened to me,
	though....  But, I've heard lots of stories....

>Yes, I can give you concrete examples.
>Do you want the names of these head-hunters and their companies and what
>they did?  I'd rather tell you all this off-line.  I need to keep a low
>profile since I'm currently a full-timer here.

	I'd be interested if it directly involved you.

		Craig
-- 
Craig Miller, software mechanic - AIXV3 Change Team (Level3 support)
	dcm%codesmith.austin.ibm.com@ibmpa.awdpa.ibm.com
	"I do not represent IBM.  They wouldn't let me."
From: meo@pencom.com (Jaime Retief, IV)
Newsgroups: austin.general
Subject: Re: RIPOFF ALERT! [gratification]
Date: 28 Jul 92 06:31:00 GMT
Organization: Roadkills-R-Us

Michael (et al),

If you don't want to hassle with small claims court,
or don't feel you have enough legal proof to win,
you were close to a second solution.

Pick a time of day when the store is BUSY.  Walk in with
the dead unit.  Stop no more than half way in the
store (if the employees look like they are in the Mafia,
be sure you have a clear path to the door).  Scream
at the top of your lungs something like...

"If you won't honor your warranty on this shoddy
work, you can just *keep* this VCR!!!" (stereo, etc).

Throw it down on the floor as hard as you can (it
helps if you remove, or nearly remove, all the
case and major chassis screws first).  Turn and
stalk out.  Be sure not to be too close to anyone
when you do this - you don't want to be sued for
shrapnel damage!

For the above reason, it is not recommended you
do this with TVs - picture tubes make nice noises
when they hit, but can throw glass quite a ways.

I can personally testify this can make you feel
MUCH better.  Just remember, tho, some of those
bozos may some day work somewhere else you have
to take something...

-Miles

Neither Pencom nor their legal counsel would even
CONSIDER letting me address this subject on their
behalf...
From: fmayhar@altair.mpd.tandem.com (Frank Mayhar)
Newsgroups: austin.general
Subject: Re: Driver comparisons in various locales (was Re: Police Priorities (was Re: speeding ticket responses))
Date: 29 Jul 92 17:23:20 GMT
Reply-To: fmayhar@mpd.tandem.com
Organization: Tandem Computers (MPD) Austin, TX

I lived in LA for almost five years, and my experience is comparable to Robert
Dorsett's (ref <1992Jul28.215146.5276@cactus.org>).  I was recently discussing
this with a friend who has also lived in LA for several years, and now lives in
Texas, and he gave me an interesting perspective on the problem.  He asked me
how long LA has had a freeway system.  The freeways were being built at the end
of the 40's, and were essentially in place (subject to the usual incremental
growth) by the early-to-mid-sixties.  So LA drivers have been driving on
freeways for over 40 years.  How long has Austin had freeways?  Not counting
I35, less than ten?  Houston, less than 20?  Most of the older drivers in Texas
never learned to drive on freeways in their youth (and believe me it shows),
while in California, and LA in particular, a whole generation has passed with
the freeway system in place.  To me, that explains a lot.  (And, yes, I think
that, on average, LA drivers are much, much better than urban drivers anywhere
in Texas.)

Now, those Boston drivers, on the other hand, are just nuts!  :-)
-- 
Frank Mayhar  fmayhar@mpd.tandem.com
              Tandem Computers, Inc.  Micro Products Division
              14231 Tandem Blvd., Austin, TX  78728    Phone:  (512) 244-8969
Xref: sparky austin.general:2499 houston.general:785 misc.consumers:14336 misc.misc:3028 soc.couples:3464 soc.singles:20890 soc.culture.asian.american:6995 soc.culture.hongkong:9145
From: eb11@quads.uchicago.edu (Ernest Barreto)
Newsgroups: austin.general,houston.general,misc.consumers,misc.misc,soc.couples,soc.singles,soc.culture.asian.american,soc.culture.hongkong
Subject: Re: Please help Craig
Date: 23 Jul 92 01:52:00 GMT
Reply-To: eb11@midway.uchicago.edu
Organization: University of Chicago Computing Organizations

In article <1992Jul17.185450.10536@bwdls61.bnr.ca> colette@bwdls46.bnr.ca (Colette George) writes:
>In article <1992Jul17.155805.25531@newsgate.sps.mot.com>, chiu@gpb-mac.sps.mot.com (Norman Chiu) writes:
>|> Craig Shergold is 7 years old and dying of terminal cancer. 
>|> One of his last wishes is to be included in the Guinness
>|> book of world records for the largest collection of business
>|> cards ever collected by one person.  Please help Craig's dream
>|> come true.  Please give your business card to the following
>|> address, and ask 10 others people to do the same.  Thanks.
>|> 


Please, everyone post an article discouraging this!
And ask 10 other people to do it, too!

Is there a world record for most wasted bandwidth?

E
From: joe@conan.mpd.tandem.com (Joe Senner)
Newsgroups: austin.general
Subject: need help with speeding ticket
Date: 21 Jul 92 20:21:34 GMT
Reply-To: joe@zx11.cactus.org

the HP got me :-(   if you've been tagged recently I'd like to hear your
story,
particularly if you fought it. I keep hearing people say "plead not guilty
and
demand a trial by jury and they'll drop it". if I could do that and still be
able to take driving school if I loose I might consider it. this will be in
a Round Rock court in case that might matter.

btw: what's the name of that comedy driving school?  :-(

--
Joe Senner                                          joe@zx11.cactus.org
From: rlm7638@tamsun.tamu.edu (Jack McKinney)
Newsgroups: austin.general
Subject: Bakery on Congress Ave.
Date: 26 Jul 92 16:35:56 GMT
Organization: Texas A&M University, College Station


    Someone told me that there is a bakery in Austin on Congress about
3 or 4 blocks south of the capitol. Can someone tell me the name of this
bakery? I am told it is in an old building. Does anyone know how old the
building is? Was it originally a bakery? Etc., etc., etc.

+---------------------------------------------------+------------------------+
| "A lot of stuff in school... you don't appreciate | Jack McKinney          |
|  'til you get to be older, you know, little       | jmckinney@tamu.edu     |
|  things, like being spanked everyday by a middle- +------------------------+
|  aged woman... Stuff you'd pay good money for     | Blessed be the ties    |
|  later in life."      -Emo Philips                |      that bind...      |
+---------------------------------------------------+------------------------+
From: joe@zx11.cactus.org (Joe Senner)
Newsgroups: austin.general
Subject: speeding ticket responses
Date: 24 Jul 92 01:16:25 GMT
Reply-To: joe@zx11.cactus.org (Joe Senner)
Organization: NOT

well, it would appear that there are a lot of speeders out there :-)
I've gotten LOTS of responses on this subject, email me if you would
like a copy, I won't post. any and all names will be removed to proctect
the gui^H^H^H innocent...

-- 
Joe Senner -- joe@zx11.Cactus.Org                                   Austin, TX
      "Nuclear weapons can wipe out life on earth, if used properly"
                                   -- Talking Heads
Newsgroups: austin.general
From: Frank Sayre <sayre@ctrvax.vanderbilt.edu>
Subject: Re: Austin "Steak Places"
Organization: Vanderbilt University Computer Center
X-Useragent: Nuntius v1.1
Date: Wed, 29 Jul 1992 19:04:32 GMT

In article <1992Jul29.031930.26835@wixer.cactus.org> Chris Blandy,
chrisb@wixer.cactus.org writes:
>4th) but it is downtotn.  Cheap prices, but great steaks!  Check it

Northeast corner of 12th and Lamar, as I recall.