Close - but transponders only use digits from zero through seven.

Squawking comes from the transponder (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T..., a device that transmits a four digit code. Setting the transponder to 7600 means that your communications radios are out of service, not that your transponder radio is broken.

And here's a picture of one: http://tinyurl.com/pew26cy

My new password is going to be "nanny".

Please don't copy it - thank you.

My power company (SCE) also changed their system a year or two ago, claiming that "in order to increase security", my login name (previously unique to that site) was changed to my email address. (Their customer service department never replied to my request for them to explain how this increased security).

Not even a chuckle - I still make my living supporting both VFP and FP-DOS systems.

What do you base that on? According to their website, they are "a Limited Liability Company Registered in Alberta, Canada."

A reasonable question, and the answers are still up at their web site - see: http://flexcoin.com/103.html

In a nutshell, they allowed remote access to your wallet and the potential for almost instant transfers.

BTW, they also offered an offline storage option; coins kept there are apparently safe.

Turbo Edlin - with mouse support.

When I worked in accounting, I once designed the ideal file cabinet. Each drawer had a slot in the bottom, at the rear. A light spring would push all the file folders towards the front. Folders would routinely be replaced in the front of the drawer. When full, adding a new folder would push the the least used folder over the slot, where it would fall into a shredder. Never did get around to building one, much less patenting it . . .

You're right - eight is hardly enough. Try eighteen, instead: http://www.e-volo.com/

My old Volvo 240 ('85?) had some kind of electrical glitch. While diagnosing it, I had a situation at one point where I started the car, only to have the starter remain engaged and smoke pouring out of the engine compartment. Turning the key off had no effect; I had to tear off one of the battery leads (fortunately, it wasn't tightened down) in order to stop the engine.

[I then heard a drip, drip, drip sound from near the alternator - 'twas the insulation melting off the wiring harness].

I don't recall if I ever tracked down the particular cause. I assume it was a short, but the wires relating to the charging system were too badly damaged to diagnose. The problem didn't recur after I replaced said wires.

The point is that virtually any system can fail.

That should be a, not an. You must be a guy.

Not quite so - the studios wanted to restrict (or eliminate) rentals, but the First Sale Doctrine restricted them. The rental stores were free to buy any legal copy and rent it out - there was no need for a license. Your following post puts it more succinctly:

Off topic, but I hear that there is a movement to split Alaska in half - and make Texas the third largest state in the union.