Search found 1011 matches

by Fear and Loathing
Sat Mar 24, 2012 9:26 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Current equivalent to a Taurus car?
Replies: 44
Views: 4975

Re: Current equivalent to a Taurus car?

During a recent trip I rented a Dodge Charger. It has the 6 cylinder engine. It drove very nicely and was comfortable for the 400 mile trip. I drove from Philly to Cleveland - 408 miles one way. I averaged 33 miles to the gallon. This was at highway speeds - I set the cruise control at 74 mph for the entire trip. This was indicated on the fuel monitor. Not believing it I verified the gas mileage during fill-up. I got 33.2 mpg. Not a bad car and comfortable. It certainly had a lot of pickup and if I mashed my foot down would VERY quickly accelerate .
by Fear and Loathing
Sun Feb 05, 2012 6:08 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Super Bowl Correlation
Replies: 15
Views: 1610

Re: Super Bowl Correlation

peppers wrote:A good slider, low and away, gets "em every time. :)
Image
by Fear and Loathing
Sun Jan 15, 2012 2:36 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Rebalancing - Question
Replies: 8
Views: 1022

Re: Rebalancing - Question

LadyGeek:

I understand what you are saying. If I had significant assets in other locations I would do that. However the vast majority is in my 401(k).
by Fear and Loathing
Sat Jan 14, 2012 8:30 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Rebalancing - Question
Replies: 8
Views: 1022

Rebalancing - Question

I have a couple of dumb questions. I have basic 401(k) with a series of index funds (the asset allocation doesn't matter - using these as example): 40% Bonds 20% Mid Cap 20% Small Cap 7.5% Euro_Pacific 5% Emerging Markets 7.5% Intl Small Cap I have set up a simple spreadsheet that incorporates a few rules: Bonds: If (Absolute value (Desired % - Existing %)/Desired %) >= 0.0475 then rebalance Equities: If (Absolute value (Desired % - Existing %)/Desired %) >= 0.0475 then rebalance Any Fund: If (Absolute value (Desired % - Existing %)/Desired %) >= 0.10 then rebalance Equity Type (US Equities Sum, Intl Equity Sum): If (Absolute value (Desired % - Existing %)/Desired %) >= 0.10 then rebalance Does this make sense or am I doing it to early (con...
by Fear and Loathing
Thu Jan 05, 2012 4:49 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: lame customer service at United Airlines
Replies: 51
Views: 5235

Re: lame customer service at United Airlines

They are an airline - what else would you expect?
by Fear and Loathing
Fri Nov 18, 2011 4:54 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Anyone actually use their convection oven?
Replies: 23
Views: 3830

Re: Anyone actually use their convection oven?

if convection is so great, why do they have a non-convection option? I flipped my toaster oven to convection for some salmon once and didn't notice a difference. I'm thinking it produces a nice placebo effect to sell more ovens. I'd like to see a statistical analysis. In an oven at these temperatures, there are two different types of heat transfer occurring: convection or forced convection. With convection, heat transfer is relying on the natural convection cells to heat the part. However, with forced convection, the heat is carried to the part or food by the velocity of the fan inside the oven. Heat transfer is much more uniform on all surfaces of the food. This achieves faster cooking - the heat transfer coefficient is much larger with f...
by Fear and Loathing
Wed Nov 16, 2011 5:30 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Book e readers
Replies: 23
Views: 2264

Re: Book e readers

I own a nook color. I am very happy with it. A nice $250 tablet. But the new Nook tablet for the same price looks very tempting. The same unit that I paid $250 for is now for sale at $200.

Regardless of the price drop, I am well pleased with my Nook Color.
by Fear and Loathing
Fri Sep 02, 2011 4:09 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: name of glass tubes inside 1970's TV?
Replies: 68
Views: 15244

investor wrote:according to QRZ.com KB0FHP is a non-existent call sign.

investor
You must have typed in wrong because I found myself in QRZ.com
by Fear and Loathing
Tue Aug 30, 2011 9:21 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Anyone tried a Spanish ham?
Replies: 12
Views: 2154

EA3RKR is a good guy and he sends QSLs promptly
by Fear and Loathing
Tue Aug 30, 2011 9:18 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: name of glass tubes inside 1970's TV?
Replies: 68
Views: 15244

LadyGeek wrote:
Call_Me_Op wrote:I miss the glow of those 6146B's in my old Johnson Ranger....
The "standard" final stage of most ham transmitters. Try a pair of Eimac 3-500Z's for some real kick.

If you want to get into electron dynamics, take a look at a Traveling-wave tube. Hughes literally wrote the book on these (Hughes TWT and TWTA Handbook) which is now owned by L-3.
or a pair of 4-400 - the ceramic tubes like the 8877 produce a lot of power but dont have the warm glow.....
by Fear and Loathing
Tue Aug 30, 2011 9:16 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: name of glass tubes inside 1970's TV?
Replies: 68
Views: 15244

scouter wrote:
Keim wrote:Tubes are still fairly common amongst audiophile grade components.
And in pro studio gear, particularly mics, mic preamps, and compressors.
And in ham radio gear as amplifiers. I have several rigs that still use tubes like a 6146. and a 12BY7. Nothing like the warmth of a pair of 3-500Z, or a pair of 813s (really pretty when gassy - a pretty blue), or four 811 or 572B.

Some people say that the tube audio equipment is warmer and better sound quality than digital/solid state stuff. I know I prefer the audio of a tube audio amplifier.
by Fear and Loathing
Thu Aug 25, 2011 1:03 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Paying for college?
Replies: 24
Views: 2928

It is likely that paying any money for college is money thrown away. When companies can hire or off-source engineers at 1/10 the salary of a US engineer for their manufacturing facilities in China, Brazil or Viet Nam. You are better off being an electrician, plumber or politician.

I obtained my PhD in engineering from a state-school, with my employer at that time paying for it - all I paid for was time and the work.

If I were looking for a job now, I would hide the fact that I had a MS and PhD in Engineering.
by Fear and Loathing
Mon Aug 08, 2011 9:21 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Mystic, CT
Replies: 22
Views: 3100

HearDoc wrote:
livesoft wrote:Is there hamburger all over the highway there? Did you see it?
Firesign Theater reference ?

I would like to order a pizza to go with no anchovies......

They never come up into the hills......
by Fear and Loathing
Mon Aug 08, 2011 9:19 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Mystic, CT
Replies: 22
Views: 3100

livesoft wrote:Is there hamburger all over the highway there? Did you see it?
And natives saw a big light in the sky....
by Fear and Loathing
Mon Aug 01, 2011 8:14 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: To all you Ham Radio Operators
Replies: 19
Views: 2654

Boglenaut wrote:
gavin wrote: soon to be 311 thanks to South Sudan!
As soon as i heard about south Sudan, I knew there would be a DX'er out there rejoicing! :D
and heard it on 6M -
by Fear and Loathing
Mon Aug 01, 2011 5:46 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: To all you Ham Radio Operators
Replies: 19
Views: 2654

Licensed 1989 as 20WPM Extra. Funny story there. I was a Tech and went to take the General CW test. I arrived a bit late but the test hadn't started. Just get in my seat and get my paper/pencil when the test starts. I copy the required minute or so plus answer the questions (not multiple choice). Hand in my paper. Then the proctor says - "now we start the General Test". I accidentally took the 20wpm test - luckily I passed and they gave me credit for the 13 wpm. Took the General written and passed. Then the proctor asks me if I want to take the advanced test (I hadnt studied for it at all - and reputation was it was the hardest). I passed that, and took the Extra test and passed. I was just planning to get my General and ended up ...
by Fear and Loathing
Fri Jul 29, 2011 8:25 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Not a good sign
Replies: 15
Views: 3282

I think that we have gotten so used to poor service; shoddy products; and disingenuous people, that we think of any sort of kindness is viewed with cynicism or alarm.
by Fear and Loathing
Thu Jul 28, 2011 8:47 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: US can actually default on the debt payments (US Treasury)
Replies: 45
Views: 5505

If a voluntary default is likely - and I think it probably will be just because of time constraints - I would suspect a lot of really smart bond traders would think so too. But the bond markets are not cratering - it fact they have been rather firm. What do they know that we dont?

Or is it that they are thinking that no one would allow it to happen? If so, then this could be the often cited "Black Swan" to use an often over used phrase.
by Fear and Loathing
Mon Jul 25, 2011 5:39 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Who has an Austrialian Cattle Dog?
Replies: 31
Views: 4940

DaleMaley wrote:My sister got an Australian sheep herder dog, the breed that sometimes has 2 different colored eyes (hers does).

She likes the dog, she takes it on long 1 to 2 hour walks with her. She loves to run. Seems to be a nice dog.

Image
Border collie
by Fear and Loathing
Fri Jul 22, 2011 8:01 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: What if you don't rebalance?
Replies: 130
Views: 14973

M B wrote:
kb0fhp wrote:Do you have a better link for the last paper? That one requires a membership.
Apperently, you need to allow cookies for the download to work.
Oops :) Works now - Thank you
by Fear and Loathing
Thu Jul 21, 2011 9:26 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: What if you don't rebalance?
Replies: 130
Views: 14973

bad_move wrote:
rwwoods wrote:The main purpose of rebalancing is to bring portfolio risk back to the original goal.
Except it's a logical contradiction for the market to be efficient and for rebalancing to work. If rebalancing worked the way you thought it did then indexing would not work.

See the following analysis of the rebalancing strategy of investment:
http://www.stanford.edu/~cover/papers/paper93.pdf
...along with the following disproof which was published almost 20 years later:
http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm? ... _id=972743
Do you have a better link for the last paper? That one requires a membership.

Thanks
by Fear and Loathing
Tue Jul 19, 2011 9:30 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: [Securing a] Home Defense Rifle
Replies: 175
Views: 20879

A safe is a must but I also try to inoculate my kid against accidents by incessantly asking her what she does if she or a friend ever finds a gun. Don't touch! Leave the area! Find a grown up and tell them! It should really be taught in school, along with the 4 rules of safety. The only guns a person needs for self defense IMO is a glock 19 with tritium sights and a AR15 carbine with an eotech, back up iron sights and a forend light. About 10 magazines for each loaded with speer gold dots and hornady tap. Sling for the AR15 and an good IWB holster for the glock like a MTAC. I think the load is a bit light - I would use as a minimum 50 magazines. I would also want the loads to be completely interchangeable. It may also be necessary to do a ...
by Fear and Loathing
Tue Jul 19, 2011 9:25 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: any frequent flyers familiar with the Star Alliance?
Replies: 10
Views: 1736

I've never flown enough "good" flights to qualify for preferred status, but I have flown on United and gotten my miles there transferred to my USAir frequent flyer account. I believe you have to join United's frequent flyer miles program and transfer them after the fact. It takes a while but it gets done. I presume you can do it the other way around too. The miles on either United, USAIR or any other of the joint airlines can be used interchangeably. Save yourself a lot of headaches - use only one account. Have all the miles posted to that account. If you have a USAIR account - just use that one. When booking the flight, use the USAIR number. If it doesn't let you (Continental is notorious for this), then when you get to the gate...
by Fear and Loathing
Tue Jul 19, 2011 9:18 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: [Securing a] Home Defense Rifle
Replies: 175
Views: 20879

Make sure you keep it locked up. Also, it will be of no value unless you have the rounds to go with it - and plenty of it. Buy a gun safe and bolt it to your floor. Place a lock on the trigger. Store most of the rounds in a different but acccessible location. Install an alarm on your doors and windows. Place a 12 foot fence around the perimeter with double bladed razor tipped fence and barbed wire. Add an electrification option - believe me, they won't come back. :lol: ^^^Doesn't sound realistic - I used to have a friend of mine who lived in a bad locale, that's what his house looked like from the outside, in addition to 5 of the biggest meanest looking German Shepards roaming around. Did he ever consider moving? Sounds like Jo'Berg. A lot...
by Fear and Loathing
Tue Jul 19, 2011 9:01 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: any frequent flyers familiar with the Star Alliance?
Replies: 10
Views: 1736

Being on a partner airline means that you are mistreated as badly as the partner. :)

However, I happen to like Continental. They have a good first class service (compared to others). Now it is almost as good as the way coach used to be - but each airline is in a race to see who can provide the worst service by the surliest attendants.

Being a Chairman's Club (USAIR) member and accruing grater than 25K miles means getting free bag check in? Give me a break - but then I never check a bag. One brief case and one small roller-board - anything else is excessive.
by Fear and Loathing
Fri Jun 17, 2011 7:49 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Are 200-day market timers ready?
Replies: 185
Views: 46076

Actually, yes, 53/192 will also blow away buy and hold suckers. You obviously don't understand the basic essence of what you attempt to mock. Let's see how smug you are once you've lost 25% of your portfolio. That should shut you up nice and tight. Are you saying it should be 54/192? Hmm.. That did skip across my mind. Perhaps I will look into it next time I take a bubble bath. By the way, any experience with levels of bubbles and market timing ability? Last time I made it super foamy and maybe that's why my judgement was bubbled to make me think of 53 day EMA vs 54. I am thinking of creating fewer but larger bubbles this time, with perhaps a dash of lavender. Perhaps a model of the bubbles using chaos theory applied to market may be appro...
by Fear and Loathing
Mon Jun 13, 2011 8:47 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Book banning (restrictions) by parents (for their kids)
Replies: 67
Views: 6833

I compare and contrast my childhood reading with the reading habits of my aunt and uncle's house. They are quite religiously sensitive, and were convinced that boy wizard Harry Potter would surely lead their children down the path of witchcraft or some other nonsense. My cousins read them anyway in secretive fashion, my aunt and uncle were ballistic, and no one involved learned anything at all. Sad. Agree. In a recent column for the Washington Missourian, in the letters to the editor, they writers were calling for a ban on the Harry Potter books, with many of the writers indicating that they would rather have their children to be illiterate than read about witches, and ghosts. It is also not surprising that the Washington MO library has gi...
by Fear and Loathing
Thu Jun 02, 2011 6:38 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Your thoughts on Hand Cuffs in my A&P
Replies: 29
Views: 3443

HFWR wrote:Sticks and stones may break my bones, but whips and chains excite me...
All sorts of tortures, used by debauchers: lurid, licentious and vile - make me smile.... :)
by Fear and Loathing
Mon May 30, 2011 6:54 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Auto Recommendation for Teen Daughter
Replies: 82
Views: 8714

For our son we used the 4,000 pound rule. In an accident, the big car often wins. also with an all wheel drive type, the driver is higher and can see better and in a side colision, the other car may go under the SUV driver. Girls don't seem to be as crazy as boys, so I worry about suviving the accident due to youth and inexperience type mistakes. Absolutely - I would NEVER get a light car like a Elantra or Fiesta. Might as well bury them in it. This is the ONLY vehicle for someone with an attitude like that. Bonus: It's American made! Thought about getting this for my wife and daughter until I saw the payments. It's a bit pricey for an engineer's salary. You may spill your coffee if broadsided by a dumptruck, but overall it does very well ...
by Fear and Loathing
Mon May 30, 2011 4:05 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Auto Recommendation for Teen Daughter
Replies: 82
Views: 8714

skatterZ wrote:For our son we used the 4,000 pound rule.
In an accident, the big car often wins.
also with an all wheel drive type, the driver is higher and can see better and in a side colision, the other car may go under the SUV driver.
Girls don't seem to be as crazy as boys, so I worry about suviving the accident due to youth and inexperience type mistakes.
Absolutely - I would NEVER get a light car like a Elantra or Fiesta. Might as well bury them in it.
by Fear and Loathing
Mon May 30, 2011 2:54 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Auto Recommendation for Teen Daughter
Replies: 82
Views: 8714

For each of my kids, we bought a Volvo 240. Nothing like 82 HP and 4000 pounds for safety. Total expenditure was small, and I knew that within 2 years they would have an accident. I would rather have them safe than buried in the tinfoil that they call a Honda Civic or Toyota Corrola. Son now drives a 940 Volvo and daughter drives a Subaru. The Subaru is a good choice - it seems to be built better than a Civic or Corrola. The Honda or Toyota are reliable cars - there is no question about that. I just wouldn't want to be in an accident with one. How old is that Volvo 240? Older than this 940, I'd bet. Crumple zones are a good thing. Fifth Gear - Renault Modus v Volvo 940 Crash Test 1992. I think the 940 is a 94. Daughter had a 960 wagon firs...
by Fear and Loathing
Sun May 29, 2011 11:53 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Auto Recommendation for Teen Daughter
Replies: 82
Views: 8714

For each of my kids, we bought a Volvo 240. Nothing like 82 HP and 4000 pounds for safety. Total expenditure was small, and I knew that within 2 years they would have an accident. I would rather have them safe than buried in the tinfoil that they call a Honda Civic or Toyota Corrola.

Son now drives a 940 Volvo and daughter drives a Subaru.

The Subaru is a good choice - it seems to be built better than a Civic or Corrola.

The Honda or Toyota are reliable cars - there is no question about that. I just wouldn't want to be in an accident with one.
by Fear and Loathing
Thu May 19, 2011 12:58 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Power Point Experience
Replies: 27
Views: 2636

Opponent Process wrote:I make sure I use my own computer when giving my presentation, and I use a 5mW green laser pointer. green is the new red.
I prefer blue or violet - and use a 15-50mW laser.
by Fear and Loathing
Tue May 10, 2011 7:53 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Poll: What would Bogleheads spend for a car? (assume buying
Replies: 45
Views: 5699

Never buy a car. Too expensive plus too much risk. Only rent one if unable to borrow from friends or relatives. Let someone else take the expense and risk.
by Fear and Loathing
Mon May 09, 2011 3:07 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: First smoked butt [pork shoulder]
Replies: 33
Views: 4567

Pigs are smarter than dogs. We spend extra money for tuna to be dolphin safe. Not because all dolphin are severely endangered. It's because dolphins are very smart, we see them in water shows, and we care about them. Someone who killed a dolphin for no good reason would be a big jerk. We'd shun this sort of person. Well in [] many countries they eat dogs. We look at this practice and say "how awful - it's cruel and disgusting". Well I haven't touched a mammal in 35 yrs and wouldn't think of it. I thought long and hard about it and said "this is not something I can do". You are reading this and saying "this sanctimonious idiot is trying to ruin my fun" - I want to enjoy my barbecue and ignore this sanctimonious...
by Fear and Loathing
Thu Apr 21, 2011 10:39 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: replacing only the front two tires.
Replies: 23
Views: 5866

paulsiu wrote:Unless there are manufacturer reasons, there's no need to replace all 4 tires. You can even have different set of front and back tires. However, having different tires on both side can be considered a safety hazard.

Paul
AWD and 4WD cars require replacing all for - especially AWD. This is because of the extra wear different size tires have on the differential and may cause premature failure.
by Fear and Loathing
Tue Apr 19, 2011 3:56 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: kindle vs. nook
Replies: 33
Views: 5941

You can root the nook color and get a nice android tablet. It not only is an ereader but a whole bunch more. Much cheaper than spending 700+ on an ipad (some number) or a Xoom.
by Fear and Loathing
Tue Apr 12, 2011 2:44 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Astronomy binoculars for star viewing
Replies: 26
Views: 4860

Nice photos - I never had much success with mounting a camera on my telescope - I always had issues with polar alignment. But I did have success with a tripod and 35mm camera - fast film, and a 25 second exposure using a 50mm lens.

I have several type of binoculars - all are good for the type of viewing. My favorite is Celestron 25 x 100. But I also enjoy my University Optics 10x80 binoculars. For just laying in the chair with a pair of binoculars, a 7 x 50 is a good choice. Probably the best for just all around viewing would be the 10 x 80. Good light capture and wide field of view.
by Fear and Loathing
Sat Apr 02, 2011 1:02 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Bond Dividends and Allocation
Replies: 7
Views: 1403

dbr wrote:
kb0fhp wrote:I was using this an an example. The stock fund in my 401k doesnt provide dividends.
Almost certainly the dividends are simply going back into the fund and your custodian is never actually posting them as such. That is common in a 401K for some types of funds. There is no tax consequence to a dividend being paid nor a cost basis to be tracked.
That is the case in my instance. The dividend on my stock fund doesn't actually post the dividend but it goes bank into the fund. Since I desire to have 50/50, I was wondering if putting in my contribution plus the dividend was resulting in the balance getting out of whack, and causing me to rebalnce too often
by Fear and Loathing
Fri Apr 01, 2011 9:01 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Bond Dividends and Allocation
Replies: 7
Views: 1403

I was using this an an example. The stock fund in my 401k doesnt provide dividends.
by Fear and Loathing
Fri Apr 01, 2011 5:17 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Bond Dividends and Allocation
Replies: 7
Views: 1403

Bond Dividends and Allocation

I have a general question regarding the application of dividends in a given asset allocation. For instance if I have a general portfolio in a non taxable account consisting of two funds, TBM and TSM for example in a 50/50 mix. I dutifully make contributions once a month. Upon review, I realize that the amount that I have contributed to the bond fund over time is now realizing the same amount of money in dividends. So I have the following situation: $1 TSM Contribution $1 TBM Contribution $1 TBM Dividend $3 Total What I realized is that with the dividend, I am actually contributing 1/3 to TSM and 2/3 to TBM instead of my desired 1/2 TSM and 1/2 TBM. So my question is, do I count the dividend as part of the total contribution and reallocate a...
by Fear and Loathing
Tue Mar 29, 2011 3:59 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Any recourse for unscrupulous broker?
Replies: 12
Views: 1846

Fees are fees. You make the assumption that brokers care about their clients. They do not. They are merely sheep to be fleeced.

The person entered into a contract. It would be hard to prove churning an account. The fees are only about 3% - he got off lightly for this sort of transaction. Someone good would have charged more.
by Fear and Loathing
Mon Mar 28, 2011 4:52 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Airline Craziness
Replies: 13
Views: 2540

I only hope that SWA does not adopt the management and maintenance practices of AirTran (ex ValueJet, ex Air Florida) once they aquire AirTran.
by Fear and Loathing
Mon Mar 14, 2011 10:46 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Free Checked Bag(s) on United/Continental/US Airways(1 year)
Replies: 16
Views: 4114

I never check a bag - a simple rollerboard and briefcase. Learn to pack appropriately and you can cut down half the baggage. One month in Brazil and one month in China - one rollerboard and no checked baggage. If my daughter can go a month in Europe on one roller board, I am sure most other people can too.

2 million seat miles in 8 years and counting.
by Fear and Loathing
Mon Mar 14, 2011 10:42 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Blackberry 9650 bold
Replies: 1
Views: 603

I like it - it was a bit smaller than my older BB. That make it harder to type with fat fingers. We have to change to a new phone - they all have much smaller keyboards. One option is the BB torch and BB curve - way too small. Daughter has a BB Curve and likes it but she has much smaller fingers.

I went with the HTC Inspire as it was much easier to use and it has Android. The other option was an iPhone but I found it hard to type on but it was fun to play with....

My Bold worked all over the world and served me very well - very indestructible.
by Fear and Loathing
Sat Mar 12, 2011 5:57 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Best Plasma TV
Replies: 43
Views: 6859

Triple digit golfer wrote:I have a wireless router a foot from my plasma TV. I also have a radio in the room. No problems whatsoever.
Consider yourself lucky.
by Fear and Loathing
Sat Mar 12, 2011 3:39 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Best Plasma TV
Replies: 43
Views: 6859

Yes - besides the issues with the switching power supply which can cause issues up to about 30 Mhz and higher. The plasma itself causes issues with VHF/UHF frequencies. There are even reports of plasma TVs trashing ADSL lines - because of inducing RF into the line.

Reports of interference have been reported up to 800m from the TV.

Nasty producers of RFI - buy an LED - cheaper to run, less heat produced and you can listen to the radio.
by Fear and Loathing
Sat Mar 12, 2011 3:19 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Best Plasma TV
Replies: 43
Views: 6859

Plasma TVs also put out a lot of RFI (Radio Frequency Interference). In many cases it makes listening to the radio nearly impossible - especially AM. FM has also been reported to be affected. If you have a wireless router in the house - it can also trash it.

It will also trash your neighbors radio reception to a considerable distance.
by Fear and Loathing
Sun Mar 06, 2011 9:14 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Wells Fargo takes $10k from account after claiming fraud
Replies: 32
Views: 5644

I had a similar, but not as large problem with a bank. There were several hundred dollars in overdraft charges because of an error on the banks part. This resulted in more negative balances and more over draft charges. After many issues of visiting the bank, talking with various vice presidents, etc, none could or would resolve the issue. Finally, I wrote a certified letter to the bank president, describing in tedious detail the problems I was having, and provided all the necessary documentation. I ended the note with the following: "It is hoped that this issue can be resolved amicably and not prove that the only people who have dealt successfully with banks are the James Brothers". Within 24 hours of the receipt of that letter - ...