HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: chrz@tellabs.com (Peter Chrzanowski)
Subject: Re: Legal Tender???
Organization: Tellabs, Inc.
Distribution: usa
Date: Thu, 17 Dec 1992 18:17:57 GMT

In article <1992Dec16.175203.2840@doug.cae.wisc.edu>, kolstad@cae.wisc.edu (Joel Kolstad) writes:
> I once filled up a car with about $5 worth of gas, and 
> ...  left my wallet at home.

[Went to cashier, told to come back and pay it]
> Is this experience the same at all gas stations?  

I had the same experience.  My guess is that they figured if your intent 
was to steal the gas you would have just driven off.  


I doubt that the clerk would find it worth his/her risk to try to detain 
you, but if they wanted to be nasty they could report you to the police.

Perhaps they'd be less accomodating if you had out-of-state plates.


> 
> 						---Joel Kolstad


Newsgroups: misc.consumers,misc.consumers.house
From: tapp@uvphys.phys.uvic.ca (Bob Tapp)
Subject: Re: Help !! == cable TV on second floor ==
News-Software: VAX/VMS VNEWS 1.3-4   
Reply-To: tapp@uvphys.phys.uvic.ca
Organization: UVic, Physics & Astronomy, Victoria, BC
Date: 15 DEC 92 12:20:32    

In article <1gl56rINNe5g@terminator.rs.itd.umich.edu>, vln@icpsr.umich.edu
(Victoria Neff) writes...

>Is it against code to run tv cable to the second floor through the cold-air
>intake??

You should use the kind rated for plenum usage which can be ordered from 
computer-supply mail-order companies as type RG59 plenum (CL2P) cable.

You might also find it at a local electronics supply company.

In this area, it costs about $1 a foot in short lengths, or about four 
times the price of ordinary PVC cable.

Bob Tapp, University of Victoria
tapp@uvphys.phys.UVic.CA

Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: billn@hpcvaac.cv.hp.com (bill nelson)
Subject: Re: Secured Credit Cards
Organization: Hewlett-Packard Company, Corvallis, Oregon USA
Date: Mon, 14 Dec 1992 09:34:28 GMT

jamshed@gradient.cis.upenn.edu (Jamshed Masood) writes:
: 
: 
: Hi
: Could somebody please post me the list of banks/institutions that
: offer secured credit cards.

Why would you want one of those? Why would you want to pay a bank interest
on a card for which they had absolutely no risk? Nor are they loaning you
money - you are using your own.

Bill
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: richg@hatch.socal.com (Rich Greenberg)
Subject: Re: rechargeable batteries
Organization: Hatch Usenet and E-mail.  Playa del Rey, CA
Date: Wed, 16 Dec 1992 01:44:39 GMT

In article <1992Dec15.082507.21066@netcom.com> royg@netcom.com (Roy H. Gordon) writes:
>This must be a FAQ.
>
>Having just purchased a portable CD player that runs on 4 AA batteries,
>I now want to acquire rechargeables.

Read thi instructions FIRST (RTFM).  4 zinc-carbon batteries will give
you a nominal 6 vdc.  4 nicads will give only 4.8 vdc, which may not
be enough to run the player.  Try alkaline batteries.  One set will
last many times the interval before the nicads need a charge.
-- 
Rich Greenberg      Work: rmg50@juts.ccc.amdahl.com   310-417-8999
N6LRT               Play: richg@hatch.socal.com       310-649-0238
What?   Me speak for Amdahl?  Surely you jest....
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: jimh@pacdata.com (Jim Harkins)
Subject: Financial software
Organization: Pacific Data Products
Date: Sat, 12 Dec 1992 04:19:42 GMT

I'm thinking of getting my dad a financial package for christmas.  Do any
of you have any opinions on whats out there?  I seem to think Andrew Tobias
is good, while I understand lots of people like Quicken.  My parents are
both retired, solidly middle class, have no plans to start a business.  All
they need is something to manage stock portfolios, social security, taxes,
and all that other baffling BS.  Oops, I should mention he's got a PC
clone.

jim

-- 
Plumbers Motto:  A flush beats a full house.
--------------------------------------------------------------
Jim Harkins                         [ucsd|uunet]!pacdata!jim
Pacific Data Products               jim@pacdata.com
--------------------------------------------------------------
From: philip@mentorg.com (Philip Peake)
Subject: Re: Radar detectors advice one more time - no philosophy please
Date: Fri, 18 Dec 1992 18:35:41 GMT
Organization: Mentor Graphics
Keywords: 
Followup-To: 

In article <92352.190535NAVGC@CUNYVM.BITNET>, NAVGC@CUNYVM.BITNET writes:
|> Let's go back to basics, please. Assuming that you want one, and assuming you
|> are not interested in lectures about the moral depravity of driving over 55
|> MPH,

Consider yourself lectured - you speed crazed irresponsible person :-)

|> which radar detector is best?

The best ? A Valentine 1 at $300 + a six month wait.

|> Are the mini-size systems as good as the full sized ones?

Yes - but you pay extra for the minaturisation.

|> Is it worth spending the extra $$ to get a 3-band, as opposed
|> to a 2-band, detector?

Simple answer - yes, go for a three band model.
Even if Ku band isn't in use in your area - if you can't
detect it, how will you know when they buy some ?

|> What features should be looked for?

Different indicators (sounds) for each band.
Silent and "no flashing light" modes.
Good windsheild mount (not floppy and fiddly)
Good ergonomics.
 
Philip
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: fort@ctt.bellcore.com (Wendell Fortune)
Subject: garage door openers
Followup-To: fort@ctt.bellcore.com
Keywords: garage, remote, convenient, durable
Reply-To: fort@ctt.bellcore.com
Organization: Bellcore, Piscataway NJ
Date: Mon, 14 Dec 92 21:04:22 GMT

Could somebody please send me the results/summation of which remote controled
garage door openers is most reasonable, durable, convenient to use, etc????
Reply via e-mail as I sometimes get overloaded with newsgroup posts..
Thanks in advance

-- 
Wendell Fortune
(PHONE) (908) 699-4505  
(INTERNET) fort@ctt.bellcore.com
(UUCP)  ...!bellcore!ctt!fort
Newsgroups: misc.consumers,soc.culture.japan,sci.electronics,alt.sex,soc.culture.african.american,misc.education,misc.entrepreneurs
From: bob@ncube.com (Bob Kehoe)
Subject: Re: DOES AMERICA SAY YES TO JAPAN? - Off track!!
Organization: nCUBE Computers, Beaverton, Oregon, U.S.A.
Date: Fri, 18 Dec 1992 22:30:25 GMT

In article <3326@bsu-cs.bsu.edu> joemays@bsu-cs.bsu.edu (Joseph F. Mays) writes:
>Honda plants in America are assembly plants which build cars out of parts
>made and imported from Japan.  Read:  far fewer jobs, and less skilled
>ones.
>

I don't have any Honda data in my hands right now, but
the press release that accompanied the Camry Wagon I'm
testing this week claim that Toy's Georgetown, Kentucky
manufacturing plant produces three-quarters of all Camry
sedans sold in the U.S. and 100% of all Camry wagons
exported worldwide, using 75% domestic content.

...just wanted to add that to the discussion.

I've been unable to post lately, but aside from the Camry
I have this week, some of the cars I've tested in the past
month or so have included the Mercury Villager van, Probe GT,
Eagle Vision TSi and Prelude VTEC.  Right now all the mfg's
are pulling in their '92 test cars and some of the '93's
should start coming into circulation sometime in January.
I hope to get a look at the new Camaro/Firebird and the
Continental MKVII pretty soon.

bob

Newsgroups: misc.consumers,rec.music.makers.synth
From: sasjhc@maxwell.unx.sas.com (Joe Croos)
Subject: Re: good keyboard with midi capability
Originator: sasjhc@maxwell.unx.sas.com
Date: Fri, 11 Dec 1992 22:01:54 GMT
Organization: SAS Institute Inc.
Keywords: midi capability


In article <1992Dec07.200306.17806@bmerh85.bnr.ca>, shiv@bnr.ca (Shiv Naimpally) writes:
|> In article <1992Dec4.172623.26857@newstand.syr.edu>, reggie@sansyr.psy.syr.edu (Reginald J. Roberts) writes:
|> |> Greetings everyone,
|> |> I have never posted here before, so please be nice to me.  I am looking for two
|> |> things:
|> |>   1.) A good basic music keyboard with MIDI capability for $200-$300, and
|> |> a publication which lists the best mail prices
|> |>   2.) The name of a basic sound card which combines mulimedia and MIDI
|> |> capabilities for the IBM compatible.
|> |> If anyone could be of any help, I would be most appreciative.  Thanks.
|> |> Reggie Roberts
|>
|> 1) $200-$300 is a bit on the low side so it depends on what you mean
|> by 'good'. You can get a used keyboard with MIDI such as the Yamaha DX100,
|> Casio CZ101, and some Yamaha or Casio portasound keyboards. But these
|> will have mini-keys. For a keyboard with full size keys you can get a
|> used keyboard like the Yamaha DX7, Roland JX8P, etc. but at twice your
|> budget.
|> 2) Soundblaster Pro is an IBM soundcard that has MIDI ports on it.

1) We bought a MIDI compatible keyboard( 61 full size keys) made by Casio( Model CT-700) from
   Service Merchandize for ~$278 + tax. Pretty good.
2) We're thinking of buying Pro Audio Spectrum 16-bit card( costs about $200 at PCZone) and 
   MIDI cable. Sounblaster Pro is 8-bit and cheaper( Egghead sells for ~$130) but according to
   PC Magazine(forgot the issue date) Pro Audio Spectrum card is superior.

--
Joe Croos                         Phone: 919-677-8000, x6054
Sr. Research Statistician         Fax:   919-677-8123
SAS Institute Inc.                Email: sasjhc@unx.sas.com
Cary, NC 27560
 

-- 
+-------------------------+-------------------------------+
| Joe Croos               | Ph:    919-677-8000, x6054    | 
| SAS Institute Inc.      | Fax:   919-677-8123           |
| SAS Campus Drive        | Email: sasjhc@unx.sas.com     |        
| Cary, NC 27513          |                               |
+-------------------------+-------------------------------+
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: etpeters@dal.mobil.com (E. T. Peterson(Eric))
Subject: Re: Dumb finance question?
Organization: Mobil Exploration & Producing Technical Center(MEPTEC), Dallas. 
Distribution: usa
Date: Wed, 16 Dec 1992 15:13:38 GMT

In article <1992Dec16.013919.5753@acheron.uucp>, clarke@acheron.uucp (Ed Clarke/10240000) writes:
|> Here's a (maybe) dumb question for you ... given a fixed-rate no
|> prepayment penalty mortgage of 10% (for example),  is paying down
|> the mortgage the same as getting a 10% return on your money?  I
|> THINK that it is, but something about it makes me nervous.

Yes, it is as good as getting 10% on your money.  In some cases it is
even better!  Examples:

1) Assume you have other itemized deductions that exceed your standard
deduction.  Then all of your mortgage interest payments are being used
to reduce your gross income.  In this case, paying off your mortgage
is like earning a taxable 10% on your money.

2) Assume you have no other itemized deductions, and your mortgage interest
payments are less than your standard deduction. In this case you should
just take your standard deduction, and you are getting NO tax break by
paying mortgage interest.  In this case paying off the mortgage is like
earning 10% TAX-FREE!

3) Other tax situations are between these two, i.e. you are earning between
10% taxable and 10% tax-free by paying off the mortgage.  A great deal these
days unless you are an investment genius!

*********************************************************************
Eric Peterson                  The sooner you fall behind,
Research Geophysicist          the more time you'll have to catch up!
(214) 951-3251
etpeters@drsol1.dal.mobil.com
*********************************************************************
From: rick@emma.panam.wimsey.bc.ca (Rick Younie)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: mail-order contact lenses
Date: Sat, 12 Dec 1992 04:47:34 GMT
Distribution: na
Bcc: emma!rick
X-Newsreader: Arn V1.00 beta rel2

I saw an ad on one of the cable stations (CNN?) about an outfit that sells
contacts, mail-order.  I didn't pay much attention at the time, but now
I'm in the market for new contacts and the commercial seems to have
stopped running.

Does anyone know their 800 number or how I'd go about finding it out?
Anyone bought contacts mail-order?  Any horror stories?

I don't see much risk here.  I've been wearing the same brand and
prescription for 10 years and have regular eye exams.  And it's $250 to
replace soft contacts here in Canada or about $200 if you buy an
'insurance policy', so it should be a substantial saving.

Email please, as I don't get this group.  Will summarize if there is any
interest.

Rick
--
                          ----,----     ----,----
 rick@emma.panam.wimsey.bc.ca | 1:153/765.9 | BMS:
 rick@emma.tfbbs.wimsey.bc.ca | 1:153/911   |  emma.panam.wimsey.bc.ca
                          ----'----     ----'----
Xref: sparky misc.consumers:20697 rec.autos:29907
From: staggers@cup.hp.com (Ken Staggers)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers,rec.autos
Subject: OK..why shouldnt I get an extended car warranty?
Date: 16 Dec 92 02:05:59 GMT
Followup-To: misc.consumers
Distribution: na
Organization: Hewlett-Packard
X-Newsreader: TIN [version 1.1 PL8.1]

I just bought my new car, a Mercury Tracer LTS.  Today's session with
the sales people was to talk financing and "other options".  They made
the extended car warranty sound OH SO GOOD.  After listening to him,
I couldnt remember anything the net has said about these warranties.
I need to be reminded...why are they such a bad deal?  On principle, it
sounds great.  For $660 I can get an extra 2 years of coverage.  And the
brochure they give indicates a lot of things that are covered.  I have
a lot of power options like door locks and windows.  Couldnt they fail
during years 4 and 5?  What didnt the sales guy tell me?  What was he
leaving out?

Yeah, I turned it down.  But they will be "giving me another chance" to
take it when I pick up the car.  I wonder how many other chances will I
get afterwards?

--Ken
  staggers@cup.hp.com
From: rick@emma.panam.wimsey.bc.ca (Rick Younie)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Mail order contacts - SUMMARY
Date: Sat, 19 Dec 1992 00:29:18 GMT
Keywords: contacts lenses
Distribution: world
Bcc: emma!rick
X-Newsreader: Arn V1.00 beta rel2

My request:

> I saw an ad on one of the cable stations (CNN?) about an outfit that sells
> contacts, mail-order.  I didn't pay much attention at the time, but now
> I'm in the market for new contacts and the commercial seems to have
> stopped running.
> 
> Does anyone know their 800 number or how I'd go about finding it out?
> Anyone bought contacts mail-order?  Any horror stories?
> 
> I don't see much risk here.  I've been wearing the same brand and
> prescription for 10 years and have regular eye exams.  And it's $250 to
> replace soft contacts here in Canada or about $200 if you buy an
> 'insurance policy', so it should be a substantial saving.
> 
> Email please, as I don't get this group.  Will summarize if there is any
> interest.

Your responses (combined and edited):

        o Dial A Contact Lens - La Jolla, California
        	1-800-233-LENS or 1-800-238-LENS
        	Fax 1-619-459-4144

        o Lens express - 100% money back guarantee
        	1-800-666-LENS

        o Wholesale contact lens (Maryland)
        	1-800-964-LENS
        	o Contact for less,Inc  (301)738-6813

        I'm from Canada too.  I purchased a pair of contacts from
        the one of these companies last year.
        The lenses were Boston lenses and they are usually VERY
        expensive($100 each) I got them for $40US and don't forget
        there is no GST or PST, just exchange.

        1-800-432-LENS
        Great.  Inexpensive.

And this:

      You wrote:  
      ->Email please, as I don't get this group.  Will summarize if 
      ->there is any interest.

      if you have the time to interrupt us with your question 
      you should stick around for the answer ... to do any less 
      is discourteous.


Dial A Contact Lens was mentioned most often.  No one reported any problems
with any of them.  It looks like a great way to get your lenses.

I did try to call Dial A Contact and their number doesn't work from Canada.
I suspect the others won't either.  It must be quite a bit more expensive for
an American company to provide 800 service to Canadian customers but I'm sure
it's costing them business.  I won't be getting new lenses until the new year
now, but this shouldn't be a problem.  I've got a couple names and locations
so I can look up their local number at the library.

My thanks to Dong Chen, Jon Arnold, Pradeep, Harlon Whitley, B. Deschenes,
Thomas Hereford, Lee Mellinger, Kathy Grimaldi and the whiner.

Sorry I won't be able to follow any further conversion as my site still
doesn't get this group.  Thanks again everyone.

Rick
--
                          ----,----     ----,----
 rick@emma.panam.wimsey.bc.ca | 1:153/765.9 | BMS:
 rick@emma.tfbbs.wimsey.bc.ca | 1:153/911   |  emma.panam.wimsey.bc.ca
                          ----'----     ----'----
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: jmalloy@itsmail1.hamilton.edu (Joseph T. Malloy)
Subject: Re: TRW Credit Reports
Organization: Hamilton College - Clinton, NY
Distribution: na
Date: Mon, 14 Dec 1992 19:30:49 GMT

In article <Bz3voz.BwC@cup.hp.com> staggers@writer.cup.hp.com (Ken Staggers) writes:
>Albert Cheng (acheng@ncsa.uiuc.edu) wrote:
>
>: In article <1g502gINNfa@symbi1.symbiosis.ahp.com>, aem@symbiosis.ahp.com (a.e.mossberg) writes:
>: I heard from others the following trick: If you have a card, ask them
>: to raise the limit to $15,000.  When denied (assume you are not
>: that credit worthy), ask for a credit report.  If you don't have a
>: card, go apply the most expensive one like AE platinum.  Denied?
>: Demand a credit report.
>
>Last time I checked, you couldnt apply directly for the Platinum card.
>You have to either be "invited" or "asked to be considered".  Qualifications
>were being an Amex Green or Gold member for at least 2 years, an
>excellent payment record, and spending at least $10,000 on your Amex card
>during the previous 12 month period.  Amazingly enough, at least when you
>first join, income plays little or no part in their decision.
>
>--Ken

Hmm.  A couple of years ago I was 'invited' to apply for the Platinum
card (have been gold card holder for some years) and there was no way
I'd spent $10,000 on *all* my cards added together over the previous
year.  I gather their criteria are variable.  Besides, who wants to
spend $300/year for another card?  I mean, the gold card is expensive
enough, thank you very much (but it provides one very useful service for
me and my taxes: they send you an annual breakdown categorized and by
month for all purchases made the previous calendar year).

jmalloy@hamilton.edu

Newsgroups: misc.consumers,misc.consumers.house
From: lke@cbnewsj.cb.att.com (lun.k.eng)
Subject: Wood Burning Stoves vs Screened Fireplace
Organization: AT&T
Distribution: usa
Date: Mon, 14 Dec 1992 13:59:57 GMT
Keywords: Stoves; Fireplace


Hi,

After going thru the latest storm in the NE without power for almost 36
hours, we are considering using the fireplace and burn some woods at last.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of these two options, such as cost,
humidity, dust, draft, efficiency, safety, and convenience:

1. A custom fit screened fireplace, or
2. A wood burning stoves?

Thanks in advance.


Lenny Eng
Newsgroups: misc.consumers,misc.misc,comp.sys.mac.comm,comp.sys.mac,comp.sys.ibm.pc
From: kenny@osf.org (Kenneth Crudup)
Subject: Re: CD walkmans
Organization: Open Software Foundation
Date: Sat, 19 Dec 1992 20:00:07 GMT

In article <BzGz07.1oz@news.cso.uiuc.edu>
jsc52962@uxa.cso.uiuc.edu (Jeffrey S. Curtis) writes:

>I've owned the Sony D-180K Car Discman for about six months now.  It
>almost *never* skips due to bumps, as you've noticed.  Unfortunately,
>if you have so much as a speck of dust on one of your CDs, that will
>cause it to skip forever.

This is funny....I've got a D-180 too, and I've got discs that don't play
in my Panasonic CD-boombox (4 x oversampling, 1 bit DAC, which is re-
diculous overkill for the sound quality of a boombox, and off the subject,
but I'm pointing out that they must have put *some* thought into the player
section) that run without a skip in the car. 

Your Mileage May Vary (tm), but the only problems I've ever had with Sony
products have been 'cause I dropped them, or they got stolen out of my
house.

	-Kenny

-- 
Kenny Crudup, Contractor, OSF DCE QA
OSF, 11 Cambridge Center, Cambridge, MA 02142	+1 617 621 7306
kenny@osf.osf.org			OSF has nothing to do with this post.
	  Religion: The longest-running gag ever played on Mankind.
From: lstowell@pyrnova.mis.pyramid.com (Lon Stowell)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Re: Earn Money In Your Spare Time
Date: 16 Dec 92 19:55:36 GMT
Reply-To: lstowell@pyrnova.pyramid.com (Lon Stowell)
Organization: Pyramid Technology Corp., Mountain View, CA

In article <1gguasINNm5l@usenet.INS.CWRU.Edu> cd529@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (M. Scot Parchman) writes:
>
>Earn extra money by working at home. It doesn't matter if you are
>in a house, apartment, trailer, or dorm. You can make money in your 
>spare time. This is a proven program. No selling. Little investment.
>For complete details send $1.00 cash or money order to :
>     MSLP Opportunities
>     P.O. Box 2283
>     Russellville, AR  72801
>
>Also include a note saying "Please send me information on how to          
>make money from my home.
>
>The $1.00 covers printing, mailing and other cost incurred.


   Well, one way to do it would be to post a totally non-revealing,
   highly questionable, article on misc.consumers asking people to
   mail you money.   There might even be enough people reading the
   article that were stupid enough to actually send money...so you'd
   make a few bucks before your sysadmin cut off your access or the
   postal inspectors closed in.
From: zchen@phys.ksu.edu (Zheng Chen)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Re: rechargeable batteries
Date: 15 Dec 1992 16:51:12 GMT
Organization: Department of Physics, Kansas State University, Manhattan KS, USA
NNTP-Posting-Host: kelvin.phys.ksu.edu

In article <1992Dec15.082507.21066@netcom.com> royg@netcom.com (Roy H. Gordon) writes:
>This must be a FAQ.
>
>Having just purchased a portable CD player that runs on 4 AA batteries,
>I now want to acquire rechargeables.
>
>Preferably, I'd like those that don't have a memory, that you don't have
>to wait until they're nearly drained to recharge them.
>
>Is this possible?  Can I use any type of rechargeables?  What are my
>choices and what is recommended?
>
>Thanks in advance.
>
>				-- Roy


I think that nowadays all the rechargables will not retain their memory.
So you don't have to worry about when to refresh them. When I purchased
some rechargables with the charger, I was instructed to leave a pair
in the charger all the time. If these batteries have memory, a power
outrage will make these batteries unusable.

But there is one more problem. All the rechargables have 1.25 volt instead
of 1.5 volt. I have no problem with my walkman because it takes only two
AAs. Now for a CD player, it requires four AA to get 6 volt. If you use
the rechargables, you only add up to 5 volt. Will that make any difference.
I haven't tried this yet. My CD player is still on his way.




--
_____________________________________________________________________________
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Zheng Chen
zchen@phys.ksu.edu
Newsgroups: misc.consumers,misc.consumers.house