HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: fred_s@netcom.com (Frederick Scott)
Subject: Re: pressure those nasty Bay Area cable companies!
Keywords: necessity, utility, luxury, *monopoly*
Organization: Nerds On Parade
Date: Fri, 8 Jan 1993 21:09:12 GMT

romain@pyramid.com writes: 

>If cable television is the product under consideration, many people
>will say it is a luxury.  If any luxury is overpriced from the
>consumers' perspective (e.g., diamond studded refrigerators) then
>consumers will refrain from purchasing the product.  Such overpricing
>is not tolerated as well if the product is considered a utility,
>which has become the case with television.
...
>
>Cable television confuses the distinctions of utility and luxury
>because of the way it is implemented in the US....
...
>For now, though, I say that if the NBACCs are overpriced, the instrument
>of pressure is boycott, I see cable television as a luxury.  If they are
>making money from people who think the product *is* acceptable, then what
>motivation do the cable companies have to change?  In the mean time,
>the confusion between utility and luxury impedes changes in the way
>cable television is offered.

Although your distinction between "luxury" and "utility" is pertinent in
certain ways, I don't buy your assertion that classifying something as
a "luxury" means we should necessarily let MONOPOLISTIC (as opposed to free
market) suppliers off the hook with a boycott (of questionable value, at that)
as opposed to regulating them.  The fact remains that they *could* provide a
better ratio of price to service and still make a fair profit.  The fact that
they don't merely means that they don't have the incentive to and may very
well have an economic incentive *not* to.  (Fewer customers but a better
margin per customer may mean more profit overall.)  But why should we, as
consumers, taxpayers, and voters, put up with this?

Fred
From: romain@salt.eng.pyramid.com (Romain Kang)
Newsgroups: ba.general
Subject: Re: pressure those nasty Bay Area cable companies!
Keywords: necessity, utility, luxury, *monopoly*
Date: 12 Jan 93 16:38:59 GMT
Reply-To: romain@pyramid.com
Organization: Pyramid Technology Corp, San Jose, CA
NNTP-Posting-Host: salt.eng.pyramid.com

In <1993Jan8.210912.765@netcom.com> fred_s@netcom.com (Frederick Scott) writes:
| I don't buy your assertion that classifying something as
| a "luxury" means we should necessarily let MONOPOLISTIC (as opposed to free
| market) suppliers off the hook with a boycott (of questionable value, at that)
| as opposed to regulating them.  

What models exist for price-regulated luxury monopolies?  Luxury
monopolies such as the DeBeers diamond cartel apparently set their own
prices and standards without government restraint.

| The fact remains that they *could* provide a
| better ratio of price to service and still make a fair profit.

On this point we agree.  Basic cable cost $4 in Princeton, NJ, in 1984 --
utility pricing.  I would personally pay twice that for the services
in basic cable today, with hardly a second thought.

My bottom line: If you choose government as your instrument for cable
regulation, I believe it will be more effective you to place it in the
context of information age infrastructure, rather than simply bread and
circuses.
Newsgroups: ba.general
From: dan@ennex1.eng.utsa.edu (Daniel Shelton)
Subject: 1983 Overseas High School Reunion
Reply-To: dan@ennex1.eng.utsa.edu (Daniel Shelton)
Organization: Univ of Texas at San Antonio
Date: Tue, 12 Jan 1993 05:34:34 GMT

Hello All,

	If you graduated, or know someone who graduated, from an American high school overseas in 1983, please get in contact with me.   
 
There is a massive multi-school reunion in Dallas in August and I can give you the information.

dan@ennex1.eng.utsa.edu
(210) 691-5594

Later,

Daniel Shelton
From: dauphin@adobe.com (Kimberly Dauphin)
Newsgroups: ba.general
Subject: Where can I donate food?
Date: 4 Jan 93 20:20:11 GMT
Distribution: ba
Organization: Adobe Systems Incorporated

I often have lots of non-perishable (and sometimes perishable)
food items that I want to donate to a church or shelter that 
serves meals to the homeless and the less fortunate.

Unfortunately, the few places that I can find in the Yellow Pages
tell me, when I call, that I need to drive to places like
Oakland or South San Jose to donate the food.  

Does anyone know of any place either on the Peninsula (specifically
Mountain View/Palo Alto area) or East Bay (specifically Milpitas/
Fremont area) that will accept food donations?  In the same vein,
do you know of any place that needs volunteers to serve food?

Thanks in advance.
-- 
__________________________________________________________
Kimberly Dauphin	  	Adobe Systems Incorporated
dauphin@mv.us.adobe.com	  	Mountain View, CA
*********All these opinions are mine, not Adobe's.********
From: charleen@net.bio.net (Charleen Bunjiovianna)
Newsgroups: ba.general
Subject: Safeway's Apples for the Students Program
Date: 9 Jan 93 17:00:53 GMT
Distribution: ba
Organization: BIOSCI International Newsgroups for Biology

Anyone out there collecting register receipts for their kid's school?
I shop at Safeway a lot, since it's convenient.  I have no kids, so
I hate to see the receipts go to waste.

Charleen
Newsgroups: ba.general,ba.market.misc,ba.market.vehicles
From: eparker@megatest.com (Eric Parker)
Subject: Re: Need Advise on one hassle deal at Capitol Honda
Organization: Megatest Corporation
Distribution: ba
Date: Tue, 5 Jan 1993 21:51:13 GMT

From article <1598@ios.Convergent.COM>, by sanh@ios.Convergent.COM (Son Anh):
> 
>     I am looking for a direction or how to get started to file a complaint
>     against a car dealer.
>     On December 28 1992, my fiancee and I went to Capitol Honda in San jose
>
> stuff deleted
>
>     - How should I start from here?
> 

Go to another dealer. Preferably one that sells AMERICAN cars.
Finance your car through your credit union

eric
From: news@sunfse.ese.lmsc.lockheed.com (news)
Newsgroups: ba.general
Subject: Re: Comments concerning Toyota of Palo Alto?
Keywords: n
Date: 8 Jan 93 16:39:07 GMT
Distribution: ba
Organization: LMSC, Sunnyvale

>I am considering the purchase of a Toyota 4Runner from Toyota of Palo Alto.
>Any comments? Does anyone have any experiences with this or
>any other Toyota Dealers? We are initially, quite impressed with
>this place and one of the sales people. So I am looking for
>specific examples of good/bad dealings.
>
From: claude@color3.UUCP (Claude Goldsmith)
I was along with my S.O. and her son a couple of years back when they
bought him a used Celica All-track (sp?) from Toyota of PA. I felt that
the car was sold to my S.O. for a very fair price.  We did have to go
through the usual 4-hour nonsense of walking out a time or two, getting
handed-off to another salesperson and then the closer before arriving
at the final price.  However, at no time did they insult us or try
and work one of us against the other.

On another (earlier) occasion, my S.O. had purchased a Celica for
herself from a private party.  The credit union wanted a written
appraisal before making the loan.  I took the car to Toyota of PA and
received a written appraisal from them within 15 minutes at no charge.


Claude Goldsmith, CFII <claude@sunfse.ese.lmsc.lockheed.com>
 twisted-pair (408) 742-7514	      | Opinions expressed are not 
 on the air - WB6UOO                  | necessarily those of my 
 through the air - Mooney N6416U      | employer.
Newsgroups: ba.general
From: chasi@netcom.com (Charles Inman)
Subject: Looking for Swimming Pool
Organization: Netcom - Online Communication Services  (408 241-9760 guest) 
Distribution: ba
Date: Thu, 7 Jan 1993 16:51:25 GMT

I hope someone out there can help me with this.  I am looking for a health
club that has an in-door swimming pool for swimming laps.  I am located on
the Peninsula in the Foster City/San Mateo area.  I am not looking for a
complete membership, I am just interested in using the pool, so idealy I
would like to find someplace has a membership rate for just using the pool
facilities.

If you have any info about such a place or even if you just know of a good
club with an in-door pool, please email me.

Thanks in advance,

Chas

-- 


Charles Inman
chasi@netcom.com

"If the phone doesn't ring, it's me"
		- Jimmy Buffett

Newsgroups: ba.general
From: georgew@hspice.portal.com (George Wu)
Subject: Re: Need Advise on one hassle deal at Capitol Honda
Organization: Meta - Software
Date: Tue, 5 Jan 1993 22:41:29 GMT

In article 1598@ios.Convergent.COM, sanh@ios.Convergent.COM (Son Anh) writes:

> [ Problems with car dealer deleted ]

     One other possible resource is KCBS Radio's Call For Action consumer
hotline.  Barbara Kaufmann, a long-time consumer advocate, runs this service
for consumers stonewalled by shifty outfits.  I'm not sure what tactics they
use, but they involve calling up the merchant and somehow convincing them to
see the customer's point of view.  If the case gets resolved successfully,
they parade the success on the air.

     The number is (415) 478-3300, and they only take calls between 11:00 and
2:00 (I think).

							George


-- 
----
George J Wu,  Superior Maker of Technical Snafus,  georgew@metasw.com
Meta-Software,  1300 White Oaks Road,  Campbell, CA 95008,  (408) 369-5400
Never be the first to believe.  Never be the last to deceive.  ---  Chess
From: danac@morc.asd.sgi.com (Dana Crom)
Newsgroups: ba.motorcycles
Subject: Re: Winter Gloves (Was: Re: Attn all riders!!!)
Date: 4 Jan 93 20:36:55 GMT
Followup-To: ba.motorcycles
Distribution: ba
Organization: Silicon Graphics, Inc., Mountain View, CA
NNTP-Posting-Host: morc.asd.sgi.com

In article <1992Dec25.012733.27764@dumbcat.sf.ca.us> marc@dumbcat.sf.ca.us (Marco S Hyman) writes:
>and in message <1h7telINNluj@fido.asd.sgi.com>
>spencer@hailwood.asd.sgi.com (Paul Spencer) says
>> Not my experience.... my GoreTex riding suit has stood up to day-long
>> driving rain several times without leaking a single drop. This is in 
>> conditions where even my top-quality rain suit would typically have
>> leaked a bit.
>
>Behind a fairing or out in the open?  I've used both the Rukka and BMW rain
>suits and have only had problems in the crotch.  Just an Idle question as I've
>probably got a season or three left on my current suit.

Paul rides BMW K75(S?) - at any rate, it has the itty-bitty sport fairing.
The windshield I throw on my Nighthawk for the winter months gives a *lot*
more coverage, it it is far from a full fairing.

I have seen him ride to work on mornings that I wouldn't even *dream* of
riding my bike, even with a *perfect* rainsuit over my leathers.  If he
says his suit is that good, it is that good.

Paul is our local bike evangelist - too involved in pushing bikes to
dream of giving false advice ;-).  Gotta give him some strokes - he's
too much a gentleman to post about the Night of the Dead Hondas.


-- 
-----------------------+------------------------+------------------------------
Dana Crom    DoD #0679 | Silicon Graphics, Inc. |  Smile - let them *WONDER* 
danac@morc.asd.sgi.com | (415) 390-1449         |  what you've been up to . . .
From: robinson@cogsci.Berkeley.EDU (Michael Robinson)
Newsgroups: ba.motorcycles
Subject: Re: Problem with Grand Prix Maintenance Shop
Keywords: grand prix maintainance fraud
Date: 7 Jan 93 00:32:09 GMT
Organization: Institute of Cognitive Studies, U.C. Berkeley
NNTP-Posting-Host: cogsci.berkeley.edu

In article <1993Jan6.013650.20656@wdl.loral.com> csk@wdl50.wdl.loral.com (Chuck Kuczaj) writes:
>I took my newly acquired Yamaha FJ-1100 into Grand Prix on El Camino...
>This is the first bike that I have owned, so for safety's sake...

...for safety's sake, you bought the third squidliest bike on the road?
(behind the ZX-11 and VMAX)

I'm on my third bike, and I *still* won't ride my friend's FJ1100.

Maybe you can have the rev-limiter set to 5krpm.

-- 
  ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Michael Robinson                          UUCP:   ucbvax!cogsci!robinson
                                        INTERNET: robinson@cogsci.berkeley.edu
Newsgroups: ba.motorcycles
From: duk@well.sf.ca.us (Chuck Miller)
Subject: Re: Problem with Grand Prix Maintenance Shop
Keywords: grand prix maintainance fraud
Organization: Whole Earth 'Lectronic Link
Date: Thu, 7 Jan 1993 00:34:44 GMT



You might also contact your local district attorney and see if they have a
consumer fraud division.  Talk to them.  I seem to remember Sears having
some problem with its car mechanic operation lately ... .  Its unlikely they
will do anything about your particular case, but it can't hurt to get a file
started.

Chuck Miller
duk@well.sf.ca.us
From: dman@netcom.com (Dallman Ross)
Newsgroups: ba.motorcycles
Subject: Re: does this count as lane splitting?
Date: 5 Jan 93 20:09:42 GMT
Organization: Netcom - Online Communication Services  (408 241-9760 guest)
X-Newsreader: TIN [version 1.1 PL8]


My own legal opinion about the area between the righthand lane and
the curb or parked cars is that it is not "driving on the shoulder"
unless some form of painted lines or pavement-change (e.g., from
asphalt to concrete) is present to indicate that it is a shoulder.
And if you're not driving on the shoulder, then you're lane-splitting
(aka lane-sharing), which is legal, absent any local ordinances to
the contrary (as in San Jose, for example).  I don't see how it
would earn a ticket for passing on the right, since you're not in
a lane that's to the right but are sharing the same lane.  But
maybe they would try that.  The only other charge might be reckless
driving, a 2-pointer, but if you're not traveling excessively faster
than the (stopped) traffic or otherwise acting foolishly, then that 
wouldn't wash, either.

Anyway; most of us do it.  The advice to watch out and to learn to
predict the crazy things car drivers do is well-considered.

N.B.  "My own legal opinion[s]" should in no wise be construed as legal
advice!

--
 __D_a l_l m a_n  _ R o_s s _ |dman@netcom.com /or| /-\o /-()  -- -  --   - 
 l  \\ l\\   /l  /\\  l\\   l |dross@well.sf.ca.us| \_/ \\/ )  -- -    --   
 l   >)l \\ /ll /  \\ l \\  l |350 Perkins, #108  |       |/_\  -- -  --   -
 l  // l  \X ll/--- \\l  \\ l |Oakland, CA  94610 |        \_/ .  . . ........
_l//___AMA Life #585368___\\l_|phone:_510/645-1883|_DoD #696_Suzuki_'82_GS750E
From: cjackson@adobe.com (Curtis Jackson)
Subject: Can't I do better on insurance?
Organization: Adobe Systems Incorporated, Mountain View
Distribution: ba
Date: Sat, 9 Jan 1993 07:51:34 GMT

I just got the new bike insured today and went over all of the insurance
in general. There *have* to be cheaper rates than what I'm paying.
I'm with State Farm (Jeri Fink Kinstner (sp?)) in Palo Alto, and here's
what I'm currently paying:

'81 Yamaha Maxim 650:
100/300/25 Liability + Uninsured motorist *only*
Annual premium == $280

'91 Honda Hawk GT (647cc, to be exact):
100/300/25 Liability + Comprehensive (i.e., full coverage)
$500 deductibles
Annual premium == $388

Pertinent facts:
I have been with State Farm for 16 years, ever since I got my license.
I have been driving for over their 14 year cutoff for better rates.
I have no tickets.
I have never had an accident or filed a claim.
I am over 30 and married.
My wife has only one ticket, and is also over 30.
I also insure 2 cages with State Farm, and get the multi-car discount
for that (but it doesn't apply to motos -- grrrrr!).
I am the only rider of both bikes; my wife doesn't ride.
Both bikes are listed as being ridden over 3500 miles per year (State
Farm's cutoff).
State Farm (my office at least) gives no discount for MSF training
(which I have had); they seem clueless about motos in general.

Any recommendations on cheaper agents who are reasonably reliable
at claim time would be very much appreciated. My wife and I are paying
over $4500 a year just in vehicle and house insurance -- surely there
is a cheaper alternative to State Farm (or to my particular agent)!!!

Thanks,
-- 
Curtis Jackson			'91 Black Lab/Blue Heeler "Studley Doright"
cjackson@mv.us.adobe.com	'92 Collie/Golden "George"
DoD #721			'91 Hawk GT	'81 Maxim 650
"I'd rather die while I'm living than live while I'm dead." -- J. Buffett
Newsgroups: ba.motorcycles
From: karish@pangea.Stanford.EDU (Chuck Karish)
Subject: Re: Good place to buy Metzlers? Installation?
Organization: Mindcraft, Inc.
Distribution: ba
Date: Tue, 12 Jan 93 01:37:14 GMT

In article <C0prp4.8Cx@cup.hp.com> markt@cup.hp.com (Mark Thompson) writes:
>Road Rider
>or
>Santa Clara Cycle Salvage

Road Rider doesn't install tires.  Santa Clara Cycle Salvage
and their sister store in Fremont do.
--

    Chuck Karish          karish@mindcraft.com
    (415) 323-9000 x117   karish@pangea.stanford.edu
From: jet@boxer.nas.nasa.gov (J. Eric Townsend)
Newsgroups: ba.motorcycles
Subject: Re: Kikustaatu-Do: The Way of Kickstart
Date: 7 Jan 93 03:18:19 GMT
	<wallich.726359537@lupine>
Distribution: usa
Organization: Numerical Aerodynamic Simulation, NASA Ames

"wallich" == Ken Wallich <wallich@ncd.com> writes:

wallich> Any model BMW R-bike can have a kickstarter added, including
wallich> the ever popular R100GS.  It's not cheap (They figured it

I've collected some information about this from various folks.

First of, Kari at Cal BMW recommends *against* this mod for new GS and
PD bikes.  Why?  Cost does not keep up with the benefits for "mere
mortals" (non-professional enduro racers).

It's not just the cost of the kickstart kit plus labor (which is
around a $1k).  It's the fact that you've also got to replace the
electronic ignition with traditional coil/mechanical ignition (the
kickstart action doesn't generate enough juice to even activate the
electronic ignition). And it doesn't help that kicking over a 1000cc
twin is not something many people like to do.

wallich> GB500.  It's apparently quite an art to kick over one of
wallich> these German beasties without injuring either yourself or the
wallich> bike.

I've kicked over an R60/2, not too difficult, just annoying.  But my
GN400 was another matter entirely (thank suzuki for compression
release).  I'd hate to kick over a pair of 500cc medium-compression
jugs.  :-)

--
J. Eric Townsend --  jet@nas.nasa.gov -- 415.604.4311 (DoD# 0378)
"It is the cunning of form to veil itself continually in the evidence
of content.  It is the cunning of the code to veil itself and to produce
itself in the obviousness of value." -- Baudrillard
From: csk@wdl50.wdl.loral.com (Chuck Kuczaj)
Newsgroups: ba.motorcycles
Subject: Re: Can't I do better on insurance?
Date: 12 Jan 93 16:54:55 GMT
Distribution: ba
Organization: Loral Western Development Labs

>Any recommendations on cheaper agents who are reasonably reliable
>at claim time would be very much appreciated. My wife and I are paying
>over $4500 a year just in vehicle and house insurance -- surely there
>is a cheaper alternative to State Farm (or to my particular agent)!!!

For everyones information-

I am 26, clean record, single, and own a 1984 Yamaha FJ-1100.  I
shopped a number of places for bike insurance, but found no one could
beat State Farm for full coverage insurance.

I have 100/300/50 coverage with 100 comprehensive and 200 collision
deductibles, including uninsured motorists (SOBs!) coverage, plus
"towing".  It is listed as being driven to and from work, over 7500
miles annually.  My premium is around $520 annually.

I noticed that some other firms had cheaper basic rates, but when you
wanted to add things like a reasonable amount of liability, they charge
you an arm and a leg.

State Farm said they only cover bikes if you have your cage insured
with them as well.

Moreover, rates appear to be based purely on engine size, and don't
take bike "type" (i.e. squid or touring) into account.  State Frame has
to calculate bike rates from the books, since they don't have any bikes
listed on their computers yet.

Summary:  Select the coverage you want before you shop around, because
rates vary alot according to what coverages you select.  Don't get
mislead by low quotes for basic insurance, when you are looking for
full coverage.  Shop around, because the quotes I got varied by
hundreds of dollars per year.
From: stanley@hplred.HPL.HP.COM (Leslie Stanley)
Date: Mon, 4 Jan 1993 20:48:32 GMT
Subject: FOR SALE
Organization: Hewlett-Packard Laboratories, Palo Alto, CA
Newsgroups: ba.motorcycles

        ***** FOR SALE *****

	'89 SUZUKI KATANA 600

	Red.  Metzlers, Alarm, Tank Bra, Centerstand.
	Meticulously maintained.  Oil & Filter changed every 1500 miles.
	Always garaged.  
	Beautiful.  Must see.

	$2300.  Days: 415/857-2769.  Eves ('til 9) 415/854-2031
From: strange@cats.ucsc.edu (Joseph Russack)
Newsgroups: ba.motorcycles
Subject: Re: Problem with Grand Prix Maintenance Shop
Date: 6 Jan 1993 07:58:25 GMT
Organization: University of California; Santa Cruz
NNTP-Posting-Host: am.ucsc.edu
Keywords: grand prix maintainance fraud


In article <1993Jan6.013650.20656@wdl.loral.com> csk@wdl50.wdl.loral.com (Chuck Kuczaj) writes:
>My own observations indicated that most of the valves were within
>specifications, with the deviant ones not more than a pad size off of
>spec, certainly not unadjustable.
>
>Compression was right on the mark in all cylinders.
>
>So, does anyone have any recommendations as to what an appropriate
>course of action might be (if any)?

  Here's what I'd do. First, make sure you have a repair estimate from them 
IN WRITING. Then, with estimate and a tune-up and evaluation by another more
reputable shop, go to the BBB and show them. 
They can advise you on other steps to take. I'd also write to citybike, 
and (lastly, but most importantly) confront the manager. 

  Take 'em to the mat on this one. The important thing is to get it all 
in writing. I'm really tired of bad bike repair shops. It's pretty common - 
I could tell you some horror stories about a place in the city - SF cycle, 
I believe, which does all kinds of horrible stuff like this.

  Consider it a public service and a good deed.
From: elmar@ocf.berkeley.edu (Elmar Stefke)
Newsgroups: ba.motorcycles,rec.motorcycles
Subject: V65SABRE PARTS WANTED
Date: 6 Jan 1993 01:22:15 GMT
Organization: U.C. Berkeley Open Computing Facility
Distribution: ca
NNTP-Posting-Host: tornado.berkeley.edu
Keywords: parts wanted

Anybody out there who is parting out a V65Sabre (preferably 1984), I am
looking for the following:
			   1.) horn assembly
			   2.) exhaust system
			   3.) seat
			   4.) tail light cover
			   5.) misc. other small items

If you (or a friend) are selling any of the above please contact me through
email or at (510) 232-0315.  Prices must be reasonable and parts in good
shape.
				Elmar Stefke

Newsgroups: ba.motorcycles
From: duk@well.sf.ca.us (Chuck Miller)
Subject: Re: question about out-of-state licenses
Organization: Whole Earth 'Lectronic Link
Date: Wed, 13 Jan 1993 01:50:22 GMT



>Out of state friend under 21 wants to know if he has to take MSF course
>here to get his license.

Why do research?  All you can do is find out that DMV was right.  He should
go in and try to get it.  If he's nice, and the clerk is friendly ... .  As
to your question, I don't know.
From: ian@lassen.wpd.sgi.com (Ian Clements)
Newsgroups: ba.motorcycles
Subject: Re: Can't I do better on insurance?
Date: 12 Jan 93 18:21:35 GMT
Distribution: ba
Organization: Silicon Graphics, Inc.  Mountain View, CA


 I was suprised that State Farm didn't even want to see my bike (they 
must now because of new rules).  On the other hand, when I first insured
it, Farmer's took pictures to send the home office (and my money--which
they refunded after refusing to insure the bike).
 
 At the SF MC show, I talked to Mike Felder; the Motorcycle Insurance Only 
man.  His quote was about twice what I currently pay for less insurance.
In all fairness, he did say it would go down some in the second year--still
not enough to beat State Farm.
--

--
Ian Clements,
ian@sgi.com, 415/390-3410
Newsgroups: ba.motorcycles