The one space/two space debate is really about fundamentals of good typhography when doing text layout. It has everything to do with the overall colour of the block of text you're setting. But I'm no expert. Bill Hill is. He knows more about fonts and typography than likely anyone posting in this quite silly thread, including me. He spoke at length about spaces after periods on Channel 9 back in 2004.

Want to read more? Then pick up a copy of The Elements of Typographic Style by Robert Bringhurst. It's pretty much the bible of typography and goes into all sorts of wonderful detail on the colour of text, how to lay out pages, when to use em dash vs. en dash vs. hyphen, lowercase numbers, etc. And yes, Mr Bringhurst even talks about spacing after periods.

Most local auto part supply stores will happily loan you an OBDII diagnostic tool for free. I've done this many times to read fault codes out of my car. It may not be as sexy as rolling your own, but it meets your price requirement.

Neil

If you want to get started with basic electronics I highly recommend the Make: Electronics book from O'Reilly. It's just the right blend of theory with hands-on (or tongue-on practice as in the intro chapters on electricity!) Plus you get to have all sorts of fun ordering random parts from Jameco and Digikey.

If you go this route I highly recommend ordering the resistor intro pack and storage case from Jameco.

Have fun!

Neil

The toilet named "Colbert"? The US astronauts? Or nobody but Stephen?

Neil

The 407 Express Toll Route in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, hasn't had a toll booth since it opened to the public in 1997. They've used transponders and licence plate photographs instead.

You can read more about it at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/407_ETR, including all the issues around billing and such.

Neil

When you called in the exterminator did they do a full survey of your facility to look for avenues of entry for the little guys? We had some mice in the wall between our garage and the inside of our house and the exterminator spent about two hours going around the entire perimiter and crawlspace looking for gaps they could get in. If you just keep catching and killing them you just get rid of the current ones but new ones will continually gain entry.

Find out how they are getting in. Block those entries with proper stuff (not foam, they'll chew through it, but solid wire mesh or drywall). Get rid of potential food sources. Then kill off the ones inside.

Neil

Most bug tracking software can do dependent links or related bugs. But when it comes down to it you have to use your feet and go walk over to people and actually talk to them if your stuff needs fixing. By going around and chatting with people you're dependent on you'll always have a sense for what's going on and when management comes to ask you can stop staring at your gum-filled shoes and give 'em a straight answer. :)

Neil