Frugal Living: 25 new messages in 14 topics

Sunday, September 30, 2007

25 new messages in 14 topics - digest

misc.consumers.frugal-living
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living?hl=en

misc.consumers.frugal-living@googlegroups.com

Today's topics:

==============================================================================
TOPIC: Free Gold Bond Medicated Powder
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/b8be65c0c3e1bd3b?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Sun, Sep 30 2007 7:39 am
From: "TheBestFreebies.com"

Free sample of Gold Bond Medicated Powder. Limit one sample per household.
United States residents only.

--
The Best Freebies
All freebies are available at http://TheBestFreebies.com

==============================================================================
TOPIC: Gone to the Dogs
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/6032107109473599?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 8 ==
Date: Sun, Sep 30 2007 8:51 am
From: Anthony Matonak

David wrote:
> Has this newsgroup gone to the dogs (spammers) or what?

All the off-topic posts about how many off-topic (spam)
posts there are don't help. Lobby your local politicians
to make it illegal to spam or to enforce the laws that
may already exist.

Anthony

== 2 of 8 ==
Date: Sun, Sep 30 2007 8:37 am
From: Al Bundy

On Sep 30, 11:51 am, Anthony Matonak
<anthony...@nothing.like.socal.rr.com> wrote:
> David wrote:
> > Has this newsgroup gone to the dogs (spammers) or what?
>
> All the off-topic posts about how many off-topic (spam)
> posts there are don't help. Lobby your local politicians
> to make it illegal to spam or to enforce the laws that
> may already exist.
>
> Anthony

I feel like it's pretty hopeless. You can't have free speech and then
try to limit those saying what you don't like. Several of the groups I
look at have been ruined by spam, gay and porno posts, or political/
religious zealots. A few technical groups still provide useful
information and I hope at least that continues. I think we have to
work around it best we can. Perhaps getting rid if the true spammers
will give some breathing room. Not responding to those who simply want
to engage a response of any kind might cause them to drop out.

== 3 of 8 ==
Date: Sun, Sep 30 2007 9:43 am
From: "Melissa"

"Anthony Matonak" <anthonym40@nothing.like.socal.rr.com> wrote in message
news:46ffb806$0$18929$4c368faf@roadrunner.com...
> David wrote:
> > Has this newsgroup gone to the dogs (spammers) or what?
>
> All the off-topic posts about how many off-topic (spam)
> posts there are don't help. Lobby your local politicians
> to make it illegal to spam or to enforce the laws that
> may already exist.
>
> Anthony

Yes, my local Ohio politicians hold a lot of sway over Nigeria and China.

Melissa

== 4 of 8 ==
Date: Sun, Sep 30 2007 9:45 am
From: larry

David wrote:

> Has this newsgroup gone to the dogs (spammers) or what?
>
> David
>
>

If you are using a newsreader (xnews, freeagent, etc) set
crosspost filter to 3 and most of it dissappears, add your
favorite pests (larry, iphone ;-) to headers, subject
contains and the 100 posts per day drops to 25.

running everything thru spamassassin would be the ultimate,
but just haven't gotten a round tuit yet.

-larry / dallas

== 5 of 8 ==
Date: Sun, Sep 30 2007 10:24 am
From: et472@FreeNet.Carleton.CA (Michael Black)

Al Bundy (MSfortune@mcpmail.com) writes:
> On Sep 30, 11:51 am, Anthony Matonak
> <anthony...@nothing.like.socal.rr.com> wrote:
>> David wrote:
>> > Has this newsgroup gone to the dogs (spammers) or what?
>>
>> All the off-topic posts about how many off-topic (spam)
>> posts there are don't help. Lobby your local politicians
>> to make it illegal to spam or to enforce the laws that
>> may already exist.
>>
>> Anthony
>
> I feel like it's pretty hopeless. You can't have free speech and then
> try to limit those saying what you don't like.

But there's your problem right there. It's not a "free speech" issue.

If I have something to say, that doesn't automatically give me
access to space in the local newspaper or on the local radio station.
I have to find some outlet that will carry my message, or publish it
myself.

"Free speech" comes out when certain thoughts are supressed. So if
what I have to say sends me to jail for saying it, then that's a Free
Speech issue.

Not being able to speak out in one forum does not mean I am prevented
from speaking at all.

We don't want the spam here, we don't want the drivel here. We aren't
saying they can speak elsewhere, even finding some soapbox somewhere
to deliver their Free Speech.

What people miss is that a strong group can fight the influx. But
when we let the trolls in, then it lets others follow with their
posts that really aren't frugal, even if they say "Frugal Expensive
Car Buying" in their subject header. We don't speak up when people
routinely cross-post between here and misc.consumers even if it has no
relevance here. We don't speek up when someone posts their jokes here, even
if it has no relevance. The less there is a cohesive group, the harder it
is to get behind the notion of keeping the junk out, because there is on
strong notion of what the group is supposed to be about.

At the very least, when there is a lot of on-topic posts, it dwarfs
the off-topic junk. If we look in the morning and all the new posts
from overnight are junk posts about "free stuff", then of course it
is far worse than when those posts are mixed in with a healthy dose
of real posts.

I would argue that some of the decline of a newsgroup is when it
becomes a hangout. People who want to be there even though they
aren't so interested in the topic of the newsgroup, or at least
feel because they share that interest they can post whatever
else they are interested in. They'd rather hang close to what
they know than venture out into newsgroups where the topics
belong but "they don't know anyone".

That then waters down the newsgroup, as they post all kinds of
off-topic stuff, baking questions for example that have nothing
to do with being frugal and belong in baking newsgroups. Newcomers
arrive, and they see that it's "acceptable" and post away too.

ANd eventually nobody is talking about the topic the newsgroup is
for.

Michael

== 6 of 8 ==
Date: Sun, Sep 30 2007 10:27 am
From: et472@FreeNet.Carleton.CA (Michael Black)

larry (noone@home.com) writes:
> David wrote:
>
>> Has this newsgroup gone to the dogs (spammers) or what?
>>
>> David
>>
>>
>
> If you are using a newsreader (xnews, freeagent, etc) set
> crosspost filter to 3 and most of it dissappears, add your
> favorite pests (larry, iphone ;-) to headers, subject
> contains and the 100 posts per day drops to 25.
>
> running everything thru spamassassin would be the ultimate,
> but just haven't gotten a round tuit yet.
>
> -larry / dallas
>
But that doesn't address the problem. A healthy group always
has newcomers coming in, their involvement refreshes the group,
adding new viewpoints and challenging the oldtimers in their
thoughts. The more cluttered a newsgroup, the less likely
a newcomer will come in. And of course, all the junk sets
the standard, "well he posted about his business, so I was
quite certain it was allowed".

Michael

== 7 of 8 ==
Date: Sun, Sep 30 2007 11:10 am
From: "Chloe"

"Michael Black" <et472@FreeNet.Carleton.CA> wrote in message
news:fdom54$7q2$1@theodyn.ncf.ca...
><snip>
> I would argue that some of the decline of a newsgroup is when it
> becomes a hangout. People who want to be there even though they
> aren't so interested in the topic of the newsgroup, or at least
> feel because they share that interest they can post whatever
> else they are interested in. They'd rather hang close to what
> they know than venture out into newsgroups where the topics
> belong but "they don't know anyone".
>
> That then waters down the newsgroup, as they post all kinds of
> off-topic stuff, baking questions for example that have nothing
> to do with being frugal and belong in baking newsgroups. Newcomers
> arrive, and they see that it's "acceptable" and post away too.
>
> ANd eventually nobody is talking about the topic the newsgroup is
> for.

This newsgroup went through that process years ago. Without fail, anyone who
mentioned the desirability of keeping posts on-topic was attacked and
ridiculed as a "netcop." I think I once offered up the example of someone
going into a sports bar while an important game was on and insisting that
everyone turn away from the TVs and discuss this season's newest ballets.
That'd of course be socially unacceptable behavior real-time, but apparently
never has been considered so here.

Fact is, I think Usenet has pretty much outlived its usefulness. I don't
like that--it was a cool thing in its day, but evolution marches on.

== 8 of 8 ==
Date: Sun, Sep 30 2007 12:37 pm
From: Anthony Matonak

Melissa wrote:
> "Anthony Matonak" <anthonym40@nothing.like.socal.rr.com> wrote in message
>> ... Lobby your local politicians
>> to make it illegal to spam or to enforce the laws that
>> may already exist.
>
> Yes, my local Ohio politicians hold a lot of sway over Nigeria and China.

You probably aren't reading the newsgroup off a server in Nigeria
or China. Your local ISP could be much more aggressive in filtering
out messages from known spam countries. If China won't keep their
spammers in check then they shouldn't be surprised that they don't
get to post on usenet.

Anthony

==============================================================================
TOPIC: PagePlus, the Prepaid Service Few People Know About even though they
are usually the cheapest option with the best coverage
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/279ba1ffd2841502?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Sun, Sep 30 2007 8:36 am
From: SMS

> But are the TM phones quad-band? To be fully fair to GSM and TM in the
> lack of coverage areas, if the phone can't talk on 850 and/or 1900, then
> coverage may be lacking. Leaving one of those bands out and the
> roaming/coverage claim is only half true (roaming may occur on the other
> band, but the phone doesn't pick it up).

You can use a quad band phone, or a 850/1900. I think all the T-Mobile
phones are 850/1900 or quad band these days (or tri-band with only the
1800 MHz non-U.S. band, which is essentially worthless outside the U.S.).

The issue is more that they don't allow the same amount of roaming onto
other carriers on the prepaid as they do on postpaid.

Even on postpaid, TM's roaming is limited when they have a network in
the area, even if they have no coverage in a specific location. I.e.,
the TM map for my house shows one bar (the reality is that it's very
difficult to make a connection).

At least in this area, AT&T customers can use the 1900 MHz T-Mobile
network, for now anyway (AT&T sold it to T-Mobile after Cingular
acquired AT&T wireless and got the more desirable 800 MHz spectrum). I
have an old Motorola tri-band GSM (900/1800/1900) and it works with a
Cingular SIM card, at least where T-Mobile has coverage.

==============================================================================
TOPIC: Free Aquafresh Extreme Clean Toothpaste
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/d2fb5a293d5f773e?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Sun, Sep 30 2007 9:01 am
From: "TheBestFreebies.com"

Free sample of Aquafresh Extreme Clean toothpaste with micro-active foaming
action. You must be 13 years of age or older. United States residents only.

--
The Best Freebies
All freebies are available at http://TheBestFreebies.com

==============================================================================
TOPIC: Free Honey Bunches of Oats
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/d71a3527178e038d?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Sun, Sep 30 2007 9:03 am
From: "TheBestFreebies.com"

Free Honey Bunches of Oats breakfast cereal. While supplies last. Please allow
6-8 weeks for delivery. Available to U.S. Residents only. Limit one sample per
household. You must be 18 or older to receive this sample.

--
The Best Freebies
All freebies are available at http://TheBestFreebies.com

==============================================================================
TOPIC: Disney Mobile calls it Quits
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/db605ad0907838b0?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Sun, Sep 30 2007 9:10 am
From: SMS

Elmo P. Shagnasty wrote:
> In article <Xns99B98C079B5F3noonehomecom@208.49.80.253>,
> Larry <noone@home.com> wrote:
>
>> Of much greater interest from the webpage is the one on Vonage's demise:
>> http://www.thestreet.com/s/vonages-vanishing-
>> act/newsanalysis/techtelecom/10381531.html?
>>
>> They're TOAST! My condolences to Vonage users stuck with useless equipment
>> once the company goes dark.
>
> Bah. Us Sunrocket customers are old hat at that. It's yesterday's news.

Vonage provided a valuable service with its saturation advertising. It
made users aware of VOIP, and the ways it can be used. People that
travel a lot like these services since they can use VOIP to have a
"local" phone number when traveling, and use the hotel's free wireless
for calls.

However the problem was that a) Vonage was too expensive, and b) it had
little appeal outside the market for people that used it as a traveling
number type of service. Few people would ever spend anywhere close to
$25/month on long distance. That's 1000 minutes on OneSuite, 1250
minutes on TalkLoop. And of course most people have unlimited off-peak
long distance on their cell phone plans.

==============================================================================
TOPIC: Basic Bare Bones ISP ??
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/60e9d2967289daf6?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Sun, Sep 30 2007 9:29 am
From: larry

unreelistuk@aol.com wrote:
> Hi,
>
> I used to have USA Datanet for an ISP, but they are getting out of
> the ISP business, and sent us all over to Peoplepc. I don't like
> Peoplepc so far. Too many ads I am paying $9.95 per month to watch,
> and also too much banner on top using up the screen. no thanks.
>
> USA Datanet was much better. Any ideas for a new bare bones / no ads
> ISP ??
>
>
> Thanks
>

http://all2ez.net/

$4.95 month

not really bare bones, 2 emails, newsgroups- limited(by your
speed) warez/ multimedia, 5M personal webspace, local
numbers- even Gettysburg PA ;-)
used them for years with no problems.
200 hr rolling 30 day limit. timeout on idle.

-larry / dallas

==============================================================================
TOPIC: How Marketing Manipulates You
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/2d9db3821c2b5972?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 2 ==
Date: Sun, Sep 30 2007 9:34 am
From: "Don K"

"George" <george@nospam.invalid> wrote in message
news:FYqdnXemV4JADWLbnZ2dnUVZ_uGdnZ2d@comcast.com...
> Too_Many_Tools wrote:
>> Here is an example of how marketing will try to manipulate you to buy.
>>
>> And when buying an used car overwhelmingly is a better deal in almost
>> all cases, the article chips away at that fact to push you into buying
>> new.
>>
>> TMT
>>
> I think its truthful information. I have been casually looking for a 1~2 year old
> replacement car and found the described scenario where there was little difference
> between new and 1~2 year old. I can think of at least 3 friends who typically buy 1~2
> year old cars who have recently bought new because they found the same thing.

I wonder if it's a matter of asking price vs. actual selling price.

I would think a plot over time of actual selling prices should look like
an S-shaped curve that's been stretched out over time.

It would start out fairly close to the new price minus some offset,
and slowly decrease the 1st couple of years,
then decrease faster in the middle years,
then slowly approach the $100 scrap value out past 15 to 20 years.

Don

== 2 of 2 ==
Date: Sun, Sep 30 2007 11:38 am
From: Scott in SoCal

Logan Shaw <lshaw-usenet@austin.rr.com> said in
misc.consumers.frugal-living:

>I don't think the writer from The Motley Fool is a marketing person trying
>to get you to buy a new car rather than a used one. Instead, I think it's
>an article about the fact rules have exceptions. In this case, the rule
>that buying a late-model used car is a better deal than buying new is the
>rule with exceptions.
>
>And, as far as I can tell, it's a bona fide exception. In recent years,
>some hybrids have been just as expensive used as they have been new.

Maybe, maybe not.

The Motley Fool neglected the fact that, for several years, the Prius
and other hybrids were selling for several thousand dollars OVER MSRP
(via Added Dealer Markup stickers). So the used ones on the market now
are actually selling for less than they cost new, as they should.
Another factor propping up the prices of used Priusi, at least in
California, is the fcat that CA is no longer handing out Carpool Lane
Access OK stickers for hybrids. If you want one of those (and, IMNSHO,
that's the primary advantage to owning a hybrid), you have to buy a
used Prius that already has one. This demand helps keep prices for the
used ones high, as well.
--
More reasons why PayPal SUCKS:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lr_7--e5A1g

==============================================================================
TOPIC: Kitchen drywall & floor repair
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/c6af6c2ce953620c?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 3 ==
Date: Sun, Sep 30 2007 9:37 am
From: "Sammy bin Snoozin"

This is the first time I ever did anything like this, so please feel free to sling all the comments and suggestions.

I tore out the floor and drywall under the sink . Photos show various views. Mold is on the front and also on the back of the drywall up to about 12 inches from the floor. Above that I don't see any. My thought was to tear out that whole side of the wall up to the bottom of the window (42 x 96) and replace with a new piece.

The floor looks pretty clean - no mold that I see so far. So I'm planning to tear up all the water damaged pieces and replace with concrete-board / wonderboard.

Thanks, fellers!

FYI, photos posted at alt.binaries.pictures.woodworking. Here is a brief description of them...

view1 - view of all damaged wall/floor with floor removed
view2 - close up where wall meets floor
view3 - wall with some drywall removed
view4 - piece of drywall swung out from wall. clean except for what looks like powdery white deposits running horizontal and vertical. they don't line up with the pipes or anything - maybe it's drywall material coming thru?
view5 - close up of view4
view6 - piece of drywall near floor - outside
view7 - same piece - inside

Sam

PS -- I don't check my email unless I am expecting something, so if you want to email me, please post here "Hidee Sam! I'm emailing you, boy!" so I will know to check.

== 2 of 3 ==
Date: Sun, Sep 30 2007 9:40 am
From: "Sammy bin Snoozin"

If you can't access that binary newsgroup and want to see the photos, post a note here and send me an email.

"Sammy bin Snoozin" <SammyBinSnoozin@REyahooMOVE.com> wrote in message news:mhQLi.8405$Ww5.1330@trnddc03...
This is the first time I ever did anything like this, so please feel free to sling all the comments and suggestions.

The floor looks pretty clean - no mold that I see so far. So I'm planning to tear up all the water damaged pieces and replace with concrete-board / wonderboard.

Thanks, fellers!

FYI, photos posted at alt.binaries.pictures.woodworking. Here is a brief description of them...

Sam

PS -- I don't check my email unless I am expecting something, so if you want to email me, please post here "Hidee Sam! I'm emailing you, boy!" so I will know to check.

== 3 of 3 ==
Date: Sun, Sep 30 2007 12:17 pm
From: "Sammy bin Snoozin"

I uploaded all the photos here also....

http://www.geocities.com/sammybinsnoozin/kitchen.html

==============================================================================
TOPIC: Cast Iron cookware hint;
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/4f802aea583b0d19?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Sun, Sep 30 2007 10:42 am
From: nicksanspam@ece.villanova.edu

Logan Shaw <lshaw-usenet@austin.rr.com> wrote:

>Heat loss is basically the integral of temperature difference over
>time (because the rate of heat transfer is essentially proportional
>to temperature difference). Of course there are lots of complicating
>factors like air currents and convection, but in the absence of
>evidence to the contrary, I'd put my money on heating it as fast as
>possible being the most energy-efficient thing.

With radiation loss increasing with T^4, it might pay to keep
an electric stove burner cooler.

Nick

==============================================================================
TOPIC: Free Aveeno Daily Moisturising Lotion
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/61b23f82519f68fc?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Sun, Sep 30 2007 11:42 am
From: "TheBestFreebies.com"

You will receive a sample sachet of Aveeno Daily Moisturising lotion containing
colloidal oatmeal -- clinically proven to improve the health of your dry skin.
Intended for United Kingdom residents only.

--
The Best Freebies
All freebies are available at http://TheBestFreebies.com

==============================================================================
TOPIC: FREE Online Check Writing
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/29114fb89aca1f30?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Sun, Sep 30 2007 12:02 pm
From: DevBasic Marketing Support

Guaranteed Approval Debit MasterCard -FREE Online
Check Writing, FREE Direct Deposit.

No credit check 100% Approval Save hundreds of
dollars in check cashing fees and paying bills! Enrollment is
simple, instant and guaranteed* Fill out our short enrollment
form and you're on your way in seconds!

http://www.illinois.devbasic.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=39&Itemid=49

==============================================================================
TOPIC: Home safe odors
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/1b82176d55c73873?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 2 ==
Date: Sun, Sep 30 2007 11:59 am
From: Marsha

The contents of my small home safe feel slightly damp
and they smell odd. Does anyone have any suggestions
on solving this problem?

Thanks,
Marsha/Ohio

== 2 of 2 ==
Date: Sun, Sep 30 2007 12:19 pm
From: "Don K"

"Marsha" <mas@xeb.net> wrote in message news:fdorrk$jv2$2@news.datemas.de...
> The contents of my small home safe feel slightly damp and they smell odd. Does anyone
> have any suggestions on solving this problem?

Get a dehumidifier.

Don

==============================================================================
TOPIC: FREE GUIDE TO MAKE $1000 PER DAY

http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/ca66b29fab8d5f5e?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Sun, Sep 30 2007 12:21 pm
From: Nic Clark

Make $100, $500, even $1,000+ Every Day Working at Home From Your
Computer.

* Work part time or full time as you like
* Make quick good cash working 2 to 3 hours a day
* Work anywhere from home/ office without restrictions
* Genuine job program for life and not fake
* Guaranteed payment month after month

Get the Secret Formula Money Making Formula a the link below

http://onemillionin30days.blogspot.com

WARNING: If someone tells you there are no secret techniques for
making money fast -- they either don't know what they're talking
about... or, they don't want YOU to know what THEY know.

==============================================================================

You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "misc.consumers.frugal-living"
group.

To post to this group, visit http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living?hl=en

To unsubscribe from this group, send email to misc.consumers.frugal-living-unsubscribe@googlegroups.com

To change the way you get mail from this group, visit:
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/subscribe?hl=en

To report abuse, send email explaining the problem to abuse@googlegroups.com

==============================================================================
Google Groups: http://groups.google.com?hl=en

Frugal Living

Blog Archive

Sunday, September 30, 2007

25 new messages in 14 topics - digest

No comments: