HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: dscott@ccu.umanitoba.ca (Doug Scott)
Subject: Re: On the metric system...
Organization: University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
Distribution: usa
Date: Thu, 3 Sep 1992 00:00:48 GMT

In <972@qa1.WichitaKS.NCR.COM> jhart@qa1.WichitaKS.NCR.COM (Jim Hart) writes:

>>The funny thing is that in Europe we measure fuel consumption in
>>liters/100km.
>>The way to convert mpg to lt/100km (and vice-verse) is to DIVIDE the constant
>>235.239 by the value you have, to get the other one:
>>
>>So for the US newsreaders, have fun if (when) the US changes to metric...

>I've often wondered...
>Since the metric system is based on 10 and switching from the English
>(American) system would take some getting used to, what a hassle it
>would be if the metric change-over included **time**!
>Just think, time, as we know it, is based on 60 - 60 minutes to the
>hour, 60 seconds/minute -- and 24 hours/day, 12 months/year.  Now, if
>an "hour" was 100 minutes (or whatever) and a minute was 100 or 10
>whatevers, that would make a day, logically 10 "hours" long and a
>year 10 "months".  For a true metric system we must consider this!!
>Egads.
>-- 
> Jim Hart NCR Wichita   | "If the day ever comes when I judge the success of
> (316)636-8434          |  a fishing trip by the weight of the creel at the
>                        |  end of the day, I hope that I shall have sense
METRIC does include time!

a FEW examples...

a Newton is a unit of force required to accelerate 1 kg
at 1 m/s/s

a Watt is a unit of power equall to:

one newton meter /second

one joule / second

ar just a dumb question like 'metric time'

____________________________________________________________

Hey! what the heck is a SLUG. 
____________________________________________________________
>                        |  enough to quit fishing."    {Harold Hollis, 1945}
From: antoniou@buitc.bu.edu (George Antoniou)
Newsgroups: rec.autos.driving
Subject: Re: Illegal Acceleration?
Date: 26 Aug 92 17:02:02 GMT
Article-I.D.: bu.94610
Organization: Boston University, Boston, MA, USA

In article <1992Aug25.055015.14481@leland.Stanford.EDU> tedebear@leland.Stanford.EDU (Theodore Chen) writes:
>In article <1992Aug24.171230.18978@ctp.com> bpita@ctp.com (Bob Pitas) writes:
>>In article <1992Aug17.164537.25359@usenet.ins.cwru.edu> jrd@po.CWRU.Edu (John R. Daker) writes:
>>>I wonder about this more often now that I have 0-60 times in the 3
>>>second range.
>>Commuting in a top-fuel dragster?  What the hell car gets '3 second range'
>>0-60 times?  Even if you drive around with slicks, I find it hard to believe
>>that you can get under 4 seconds...  (I don't think most motorcycles can
>>hole-shot that fast!)

 Dude my 600 CBR does 0-60 in 3 seconds... what planet do you live on???
Newsgroups: rec.autos.driving
From: jaschal@sco.COM (Jascha Lee)
Subject: Re: What is a "jake brake"?
Organization: The Santa Cruz Operation, Inc.
Distribution: usa
Date: Mon, 24 Aug 1992 22:18:37 GMT


It is a brake which uses engine compression to decelerate.  It has the
characteristically loud sound associated with trucks going down hill.
(It sounds somewhat like removing the muffler).  This is just one of
several braking systems on a truck.  Using the jake brake saves the
brake pads from overheating.  
Newsgroups: rec.autos.driving
From: dtasman@dante.nmsu.edu (Dan Tasman)
Subject: Re: Driving to NYC
Organization: New Mexico State University
Distribution: na
Date: Sat, 29 Aug 1992 06:21:54 GMT

singh@r-node.gts.org (Rajendra Singh) writes:

> Hello:
> 
> I am planning to drive down to New York City soon.  I have never done so
> before, and I was wondering if anyone out there can suggest the best
> route to take, not necessarily the fastest, but the easiest.  I am
> driving from Toronto (Canada).

Two suggestions ...

1)  Take the exit to I-190 from the QEW in Lewiston.  Exit onto the Youngmann  
Expressway (I-290) in Buffalo, and loop around the north side of the city until  
you hit I-90 eastbound.  Get your toll ticket at the Williamsville barrier,  
follow I-90 to I-87 southbound, and you'll be in NYC soon enough.  Driving time  
- about 9 hours from TO.

2)  Follow the instructions above, but insead of taking I-90 eastbond, follow  
it westbound.  Exit at the Walden Galleria (Walden Drive) for some cross-border  
shopping with your fellow countrymen, and continue west/south down I-90 to US  
219 (Southtowns  Expressway).  US 219 will take you through the south suburbs  
of Buffalo and eventually turn into a four-lane regular road. Follow 219 for  
about an hour, and then head east on NY 17 (Southern Tier Expressway) and  
follow that into NYC.  Some say the southern route's more scenic, and you have  
no tolls to contend with.  Driving time - about 10.5 hours from TO. 


--
   Dan Tasman                                       dtasman@dante.nmsu.edu
                                                     molson@rever.nmsu.edu
   -----------------------------------------------------------------------
   "I think that I shall never see a billboard lovely as a tree
    Indeed, unless the billboards fall, I'll never see a tree at all."
                                                                Ogden Nash
From: geoff@ITcorp.com (Geoff Kuenning)
Newsgroups: rec.autos.driving
Subject: Re: On the metric system...
Date: 1 Sep 92 10:11:16 GMT
Organization: Interrupt Technology Corporation, Manhattan Beach, CA

In article <1992Aug28.144123.16072@dg-rtp.dg.com>
goudreau@batman.rtp.dg.com (Bob Goudreau) writes:

> God, if/when we do convert, I certainly hope we don't replace the
> practice of quoting mileage (kilometerage??) with this silly "fuel
> consumption" figure.  It makes about as much sense as replacing
> speedometers with "time consumption" meters marked in hours/100km.

It all depends on what you're interested in calculating.  With miles
per gallon (or km per litre), it's easy to figure out how far you're
going to be able to go on a given quantity of gas.  This is most
commonly used to calculate the range of your car (pretty much a
one-time operation), though you also might occasionally use it to
figure "I can afford ten gallons;  will that be enough to get to
Peoria?"

Using consumption (gpm or l/km), it's easy to figure out how much gas
you'll need to get to a certain place.  Not so convenient for figuring
range (except that you're going to be using a calculator anyway,
right?), but pretty handy if you've got a date in Peoria and need to
know how much gas to buy.

And BTW, marking speedos in hours/100km is pretty useful too, if what
you're trying to calculate is when you're going to get somewhere.
("It's 150 km to Peoria, and I'm going at 1.1 h/100km, so it'll take
1.1+0.55=1.65 hours to arrive.  Hmmm, maybe minutes/100km makes more
sense, at least until we go to base-ten time.)  Incidentally, as proof
of the usefulness of this metric, a number of fancier cars with
digital speedos have a button you can push which will give you
precisely this information (it's usually phrased as "estimated trip
time").
-- 
	Geoff Kuenning   geoff@ITcorp.com   uunet!desint!geoff
From: "dick brennick" <dick.brennick@channel1.com>
Newsgroups: rec.autos.driving
Subject: what is a "jake brake
Date: 27 Aug 92 16:05:27 EST
Reply-To: "dick brennick" <dick.brennick@channel1.com>
Distribution: rec
Organization: Channel 1 Communications

to: mark@nwra.com

>
 On 08-26-92 in a message to All in the autos.drivin Conference
 in a message titled: WHAT IS A "JAKE BRAKE"?
 Mark said the following:
>

MK> ...I've been puzzled for some time by the signs that say "Use of
MK> compression brake illegal within XXX city limits." I even asked a
MK> trucker and he didn't know. So what is a compression brake...

  Ok, maby I was wrong in my last response where I thought it
might use magnetics...  Maby the `Jake-Brake' uses some form of
compression on the drive train (drive shaft) to apply force to
slow down a tractor/trailor during downhill descends...  Makes
sense...  Still alot more cost effective than wearing out brake
shoes...

               
                      Dick Brennick -- Belmont, Massachusetts       
                InterNET/UseNET Address: dick.brennick@channel1.com 
               

 * DeLuxe2 1.25 #12331 + Davy Jones Locker, Last of the GREAT Ones RIP
--
Channel 1 (R)   Cambridge, MA
From: "dick brennick" <dick.brennick@channel1.com>
Newsgroups: rec.autos.driving
Subject: what is a "jake brake
Date: 27 Aug 92 16:05:27 EST
Reply-To: "dick brennick" <dick.brennick@channel1.com>
Distribution: rec
Organization: Channel 1 Communications

to: romanenkod@getphx.uucp

>
 On 08-25-92 in a message to All in the autos.drivin Conference
 in a message titled: WHAT IS A "JAKE BRAKE"?
 Dan Romanenko said the following:
>

DR> ...us in the vehicle could guess, so...  what is a "jake
DR> brake"...

  I'm not exactly sure what kind of energy it uses, possibly
magnetics, or something, but it's a device that go's on the drive
shaft of a tractor, to enhance the breaking ability of the
tractor and minimize the wear on the conventional breaks...
Anyway, it's standard equipment on many 18 wheelers...  It's most
frequently used on downhill slopes...  Definitly a money saver...

               
                      Dick Brennick -- Belmont, Massachusetts       
                InterNET/UseNET Address: dick.brennick@channel1.com 
               

 * DeLuxe2 1.25 #12331 + Davy Jones Locker, Last of the GREAT Ones RIP
--
Channel 1 (R)   Cambridge, MA
From: jhart@qa1.WichitaKS.NCR.COM (Jim Hart)
Newsgroups: rec.autos.driving
Subject: Re: On the metric system...
Date: 27 Aug 92 20:30:06 GMT
Reply-To: jhart@qa1.WichitaKS.NCR.COM (Jim Hart)
Distribution: usa
Organization: NCR Corporation, Wichita KS

>The funny thing is that in Europe we measure fuel consumption in
>liters/100km.
>The way to convert mpg to lt/100km (and vice-verse) is to DIVIDE the constant
>235.239 by the value you have, to get the other one:
>
>So for the US newsreaders, have fun if (when) the US changes to metric...

I've often wondered...
Since the metric system is based on 10 and switching from the English
(American) system would take some getting used to, what a hassle it
would be if the metric change-over included **time**!
Just think, time, as we know it, is based on 60 - 60 minutes to the
hour, 60 seconds/minute -- and 24 hours/day, 12 months/year.  Now, if
an "hour" was 100 minutes (or whatever) and a minute was 100 or 10
whatevers, that would make a day, logically 10 "hours" long and a
year 10 "months".  For a true metric system we must consider this!!
Egads.
-- 
 Jim Hart NCR Wichita   | "If the day ever comes when I judge the success of
 (316)636-8434          |  a fishing trip by the weight of the creel at the
                        |  end of the day, I hope that I shall have sense
                        |  enough to quit fishing."    {Harold Hollis, 1945}
Newsgroups: rec.autos.driving
From: mike%jim.uucp@wupost.wustl.edu (Mike Suter)
Subject: Re: LIDAR - A detector alone is not enough!
Organization: BITS, St. Louis, MO
Date: Wed, 26 Aug 1992 20:21:37 GMT

>      What you'd have to do is get a cover made of a material which is
>strongly absorbing in the IR frequency range, but still clear enough
>in the visible so that your plate is still readable. This cover would
>be be tipped upwards to prevent specular reflections returning to the
>lidar set. A (dull) IR-absorbing coating on the plate would have the
>same effect.

Ok--now where is this stuff sold?

>      Unfortunately, you have the same problem with your rear
>reflectors.

Yeah, but if you sprayed this stuff on all your reflectors and
lense covers......

Mike
-- 
mike%jim.uucp@wupost.wustl.edu
Newsgroups: rec.autos.driving
From: jimf@centerline.com (Jim Frost)
Subject: Re: LIDAR - A detector alone is not enough!
Organization: CenterLine Software, Inc.
Date: Thu, 27 Aug 1992 19:33:37 GMT

ilh@lcs.mit.edu (Lee Hetherington) writes:
>I wonder if such simple IR-absorbing coatings are readily available.
>If they were, wouldn't the military spray/coat all their vehicles with
>them to make them invisible to IR night-vision systems?  I haven't
>heard of such a thing.

It's quite different to absorb an externally applied IR beam in the
milliwatt range than to stop a vehicle's engine from radiating in the
IR range.

The former can be done with a thin film such as a paint (it is, after
all, what most pigments do for light in the visible range).  The
latter takes insulation -- and there's just so long you can contain
the heat of an engine before something inside the insulation is pretty
damned hot.

jim frost
jimf@centerline.com
Newsgroups: rec.autos.driving
From: andyw@meaddata.com (Andy Welter)
Subject: Re: Mountain driving and brake failure
Organization: Mead Data Central, Dayton OH
Date: Tue, 1 Sep 1992 13:12:33 GMT
Reply-To: andyw@meaddata.com

Of course one radical suggestion would be to stay the hell off that kind of
road in an old car with suspect reliability.  :-)

---
|Andrew Welter	     |  All views are mine and not |      (513) 865-6822   
|Mead Data Central   |    that of my employer      |        Online M&R       
|P.O. Box 933        |                             |     andyw@meaddata.com
|Dayton, Ohio  45401 |          	           | ...!uunet!meaddata!andyw

Newsgroups: rec.autos.driving
From: jimf@centerline.com (Jim Frost)
Subject: Re: On the metric system...
Followup-To: rec.sf-lovers
Organization: CenterLine Software, Inc.
Distribution: usa
Date: Wed, 2 Sep 1992 16:07:21 GMT

neal@cmptrc.lonestar.org (Neal Howard) writes:
>Ever watch the Sci-Fi tv series with Lorne Greene called "Battlestar Galactica"?
>Their time measurement was decimal based with "centaurs" and "centons"   
>representing something analogous to hours and minutes .....

Yea, but they didn't have their annum dictated by the whim of the
universe (meaning, they didn't have to worry about how long it took to
revolve around a central star, something which we must do).

Followups redirected to rec.sf-lovers.

jim frost
jimf@centerline.com
Newsgroups: rec.autos.driving
From: goudreau@batman.rtp.dg.com (Bob Goudreau)
Subject: Re: Flashing to Pass: An Observation
Date: Thu, 27 Aug 92 16:45:49 GMT
Organization: Data General Corporation, RTP, NC.

In article <1992Aug26.014511.23047@eng.umd.edu> russotto@eng.umd.edu (Matthew T. Russotto) writes:
>In article <1992Aug24.024418.24310@leland.Stanford.EDU> tedebear@leland.Stanford.EDU (Theodore Chen) writes:
>>In article <23947@oasys.dt.navy.mil> bense@oasys.dt.navy.mil (Ronald Bense) writes:
>>>As for backups, try a truck accident at the beltway on i-95 north. The
>>>backups have been reported to start in Frederick, which is approximately
>>>45 miles south of the beltway. Or yesterdays twin accidents on the beltway,
>>          ^^^^^
>>>causing two sections of 17-25 mile stopped traffic, as the beltway was
>>>shut down in 2 places. (this was a first in 3 years for me)
>>
>>that's funny, i could have sworn i drove north from d.c. to frederick
>>yesterday.
>
>Northwest, and it certainly wasn't on I-95.  I-270 is more likely.

I'm guessing that Ronald actually intended to say "Fredericksburg" (which
is on I-95 in Virginia, south of D.C.), not "Frederick" (which, as others
have pointed out, is in Maryland).

----------------------------------------------------------------------
Bob Goudreau			Data General Corporation
goudreau@dg-rtp.dg.com		62 Alexander Drive	
+1 919 248 6231			Research Triangle Park, NC  27709, USA
Newsgroups: rec.autos.driving
From: russotto@eng.umd.edu (Matthew T. Russotto)
Subject: Re: Indy 800
Date: Wed, 26 Aug 92 01:53:05 GMT
Organization: College of Engineering, University of Maryland, College Park

In article <1992Aug25.124506.23802@aplcen.apl.jhu.edu> jern@visual1.jhuapl.edu (Bob Jernigan) writes:
>ALERT!!!   ALERT!!!     ALERT!!!
>
>Just when I had begun to feel that we might have put this behind us - I picked
>up the Washington Post this morning I read the WE ARE GOING METRIC AND OFFICIALS
>FEAR A PUBLIC OUTCRY.  Like termites, these bureaucrats have been eating away
>at the foundation of our culture and have prepared a real war this time.
>


I think the speed limit numbers should be set to metric, but the units
should remain miles per hour, i.e. 55MPH-->88MPH :-)
-- 
Matthew T. Russotto	russotto@eng.umd.edu	russotto@wam.umd.edu
Some news readers expect "Disclaimer:" here.
Just say NO to police searches and seizures.  Make them use force.
(not responsible for bodily harm resulting from following above advice)
Newsgroups: rec.autos.driving
From: rll@frieda.mitre.org (Roberto L. Landrau)
Subject: Re: Illegal Acceleration?
Organization: Research Computer Facility, MITRE Corporation, Bedford, MA
Date: Fri, 28 Aug 1992 16:23:11 GMT

In article <1992Aug28.132429.5237@cs.cornell.edu> moudgill@cs.cornell.edu ( Mayan Moudgill) writes:
>Just as a matter of curiousity --- I think that the best acceleration
>a wheeled vehicle can get is 1g (and that's assuming tires with a
>coefficient of friction of 1). So, min time to get from 0-60 is 2.7 sec.
>Are there any wheeled vehicles out there that claim a time lower than
>that?

There has been some discussion about top-fuel dragsters.  They can do
1/4 mile in less than 5 seconds, at speeds of almost 300mph.  Someone
figured out that AVERAGES to > 3g's.  The initial acceleration is
closer to 6 g's from what I remember reading.

The highlights were:

1) It is possible for the tires to grab with a coefficient of friction
   greater than 1.
2) The exhaust pressure is used to push the car down.
3) There are spoilers that act like wings and also push the car down.

--
The opinions stated above are not necessarily my employer's.
----------------------------------------------------------------
Roberto L. Landrau    KC1YP    landrau@mitre.org  rll@linus.mitre.org
The MITRE Corporation  Bedford, MA 01730          rll@linus.UUCP
Newsgroups: rec.autos.driving,rec.autos
From: gerry@cmu.edu (Gerry Roston)
Subject: Driving school sought
Reply-To: gerry@cmu.edu (Gerry Roston)
Organization: Field Robotics Center, CMU
Distribution: usa
Date: Wed, 2 Sep 1992 19:38:47 GMT

All,
My advisor is interested in attending a driving school, the type that
teaches wanna-be racers, police, etc.  Can you make a recommendation?
Even if the school is not located in the Pittsburgh, PA area, the
information may be useful.

Please respond by email.  Thanx for your help.


--
Gerry Roston (gerry@cmu.edu)    | II - A well regulated Militia, being
Field Robotics Center,          | necessary to the security of a free State,
Carnegie Mellon University      | the right of the people to keep and bear
Pittsburgh, PA, 15213           | Arms, shall not be infringed.
(412) 268-3856                  | 
                                | 
The opinions expressed are mine | 
and do not reflect the official | 
position of CMU, FRC, RedZone,  | 
or any other organization.      | 
Newsgroups: rec.autos.driving
From: waco@cbnewse.cb.att.com (john.l.broughton)
Subject: Re: Tailgaters abound!
Organization: AT&T
Distribution: usa
Date: Fri, 4 Sep 1992 12:56:44 GMT

In article <1864ckINNqb1@agate.berkeley.edu> @ocf.berkeley.edu (David S.
Shy) writes

>>Actually, if memory serves me correctly, the law in most states is 
>>written so that if you hit someone from behind, for whatever reason,
  ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
>>you are at fault.  It doesn't matter if the guy in front of you locks 
  ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
  I think this is a pretty accurate assesment.

>>up his brakes or whatever -- it's your fault because either you "failed to
>>maintain control of vehicle" (as it would say on the accident report), or
>>you weren't paying attention or possibly following too closely.  Either way,
>>fault is almost automatically assumed by the guy at the rear.
>>
>
>If this is the case, how does one evaluate a situation where a chain 
>reaction occurred?
>
>Just suppose that 6 cars were involved in a chain reaction accident.   
>Does that mean the person 1 can sue person 2 for hitting him from the
>rear.  Person 2 sues person 3 for the hit from behind and to cover suit
>from person 1?  And the cycle goes on and on....
                 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
  Yes, it does.  Each person sues the person who rear-ended their car.
  The mother of one of my wife's cousin's husbands was involved in
  a chain reaction accident.  She was in the middle and burned alive
  as her car was too crushed for witnesses to rescue her.

  The family had barely gotten over the grief of her death when a very
  large lawsuit was filed against her estate by the party she was
  rammed into.  It turns out that this is a normal practice.  It sure
  doesn't help the family get over the grief of losing a loved one, though.

>Isn't there some sort of law/rule which will determine who is at fault?
>Or is everyone fined for following too closely?
>
>-Dave
>shyguy@ocf.berkeley.edu


John L. Broughton
AT&T
Naperville, IL
john.l.broughton@att.com
att!john.l.broughton

#############################################################
# We have inherited the great principles upon which liberty #
# is based, but we have not inherited liberty.  That must   #
# be secured and maintained by every new generation.        #
#                                     -- John Sirica        #
#############################################################
From: ari@viipuri.nersc.gov (Ari Ollikainen)
Newsgroups: rec.autos.driving
Subject: Re: Mountain driving and brake failure
Date: 2 Sep 92 00:10:15 GMT
Organization: National Energy Research Supercomputer Center, Livermore CA

In article <1992Aug31.184414.20283@berlioz.nsc.com> alan@lancaster.nsc.com (The Hepburn) writes:
>
>Cutting the ignition is an option also, so long as it's an older vehicle or
>you don't turn the key all the way to lock the steering wheel.  Just remember,
>any power assist will be gone.  Steering will require a lot more effort if you
>have power steering.  
>Alan Hepburn           "An ignorant person is one who doesn't know
>National Semiconductor       what you have just found out."
>Santa Clara, Ca              
>alan@berlioz.nsc.com                              Will Rogers

Urban Mythology Warning! Turning the key in the ignition lock to the OFF
position *does* *NOT* *LOCK* the steering in MOST passenger vehicles which 
are equipped with a steering wheel lock. Moving the key to the *LOCK*
position and/or removing it WILL cause the locking mechanism to engage...

POWER ASSIST will not cease IF the vehicle is in gear when the ignition 
is turned OFF *UNLESS* it is equipped with an automatic transmission...and
may still be effective depending on the stall speed of the trans.

HOWEVER, if you happen to be referring to a current model MR2 or other
vehicles equipped with ELECTRIC power assist...well, then you would be
correct...:)

Assuming that the emergency brake worked on the rear wheels, in this 
emergency situation, I would apply it carefully and by grazing the hillside 
work on slowing the vehicle.


Newsgroups: rec.autos.driving
From: harling@pictel.com (Dan Harling)
Subject: Re: On the metric system...
Keywords: metric system
Organization: PictureTel Corporation
Distribution: usa
Date: Fri, 28 Aug 1992 17:19:12 GMT

In article <1992Aug26.165937.15321@wam.umd.edu> ham@wam.umd.edu (Scott Richard Rosenfeld) writes:
>The United States and Liberia (a U.S. colony for freed slaves, started in 
>the late 1860's) are the ONLY countries in the whole world still using the
>English system - even the English have abandoned it!  Guess I'll go drink
>my 250 ml of milk and go get gas because my tank is down to 9 litres.  The
>station is only 1.7 km away, and at 50 km/h (posted limit) will take about 
>two minutes to get there.

Are those metric minutes or English minutes?  :-p
____________________________________________________________________________
Daniel A. Harling                        (harling@pictel.com)
PictureTel Corp.             Opinions expressed are not necessarily those of
Peabody, MA  01960                 PictureTel, but they ought to be!
Newsgroups: rec.autos.driving