Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Fake Shure SM57 mics
Permanently avoid speeding tickets and Police stops!
There seem to be a number of people on ebay selling various guides/e-books/advice etc. on how to avoid speeding traps, prosecutions and other road traffic matters with simple steps. The majority are very cheap, so if you have bought one (or are thinking of buying one), you're probably not very much out of pocket if the information turns out to be garbage.
Unfortunately, the information contained within them is so hideously out of date (or just plain wrong), that the cost you're likely to bear is that the tips won't work and you will be prosecuted. At best, some of the info is just laughable, whilst others are dangerously misleading and will probably land you in more trouble. One of my personal favourites is the "be nice and polite to the officer" advice in the hope that you'll demonstrate what a fine upstanding citizen you are. If you need an e-book to tell you this, I really don't think you're smart enough to be driving on a road.
There is, however, a very simple driving technique that will prevent you ever being prosecuted for speeding, going through a red light or being harassed in any way. It is shockingly simple, and the police use it themselves. It is not illegal, and if an officer saw you doing it, they would not stop you or even bat an eyelid. I'm happy to share this info because everyone has a right to know it.
Firstly, though, it's important to dispel a few myths. As I said, some of the information sold as 'advice' is very poor will either fail or land you in deep trouble. Here are a few of the most common pearls of wisdom sold on ebay.
1) "Ask the officer when their speedometer was calibrated. If it wasn't that day, you're off the hook!" This info is about 10 - 15 years out of date. In the dark ages, officers used their own speedometer as evidence of speeding, and had to time their drive between two fixed points on a daily basis, in order to use this evidence to prosecute people. Today, virtually every traffic officer (the most likely candidate to prosecute you for speeding, as patrol officers tend to simply advise drivers about their speed) uses a VASCAR system which will be calibrated at the police garage by mechanics. It is not the officer's responsibility, and the checks are done religiously. Making smart comments about calibration will only help you if the officer is so stricken with laughter that he/she can't speak to you anymore.
2) "Never produce your documents at the roadside." There are many ridiculous reasons for this particular gem. Some seem to claim that the police will 'forget,' or not be bothered if they can't deal with it there and then, and others seem to think that you can confuse the police if they can't get your exact details (driving licence number, for example). If the police can access driving licence/insurance/MOT details from the roadside, why would this be a problem? They have been able to do this for a couple of years, which is probably how old this info is.
3) "Here is a sample letter to send that will prevent any prosecution!" Of course, the police and courts quake in their boots once they receive a generic letter saying how unfair speed cameras are. They then remove every GATSO in the force area to stop anyone else getting upset, and refund every penny collected in fines because of a single sheet of A4. This is the best-case scenario. The worst are the sample letters that lie about the conduct of the officer/positioning of signs etc. This is called "perverting the course of justice," which I'll cover next.
4) "This spray will last forever and make your registration plate invisible to camera, and it's invisible to the naked eye!" There's about 10% truth in this one. Yes, the film probably would last forever and a day in lab conditions, but that's not presumably where you'll be keeping your car. Your plate will actually be hovering a few feet above the road, getting covered in filth and environmental fumes (remember what cars emit?). You'll be lucky if the spray lasts a few months before it decays. As for being invisible to the naked eye, this is correct in daylight. Unfortunately, the whole point is that they reflect the light, so at nighttime your plateWILL show more dazzle than usual, and will stickout like a sore thumb to a half-decent traffic bobby. All it needs is strong light source (a police vehicle headlight, perhaps?), and it'll reveal itself as being tampered with. Whilst applying the spray itself isn't illegal, the moment it prevents you being prosecuted for an offence (say, being flashed by a speed camera?), this takes you into the territory of "obstructing police" or "perverting the course of justice," which HAS to be tried at a crown court. Somewhat more serious than a speeding ticket, then.
Of course, I can't possibly debunk all the rubbish published because of the sheer volume of it. Hopefully, by showing how wrong the main points are, you'll draw your own conclusions about the rest. None of the above is secret knowledge, and a bit of time on the internet will back all this up. Just think about it - if it were really this easy to avoid fines, why would anyone be paying them? The majority of these sellers are just after easy money for re-circulating the same garbage.
Finally, onto the driving technique to avoid prosecutions. As you can tell, I don't like any of these far-fetched quick-fix systems, so this is the only reliable method. Though it is simple, some people may struggle with it because it requires a new outlook on driving, so persevere and it will work. I have used this for over five years, and I have neverbeen prosecuted or even stopped by the police.
It is...
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DON'T DRIVE OVER THE SPEED LIMIT! IT'S THERE TO PROTECT PEOPLE FROM MORONS WHO VASTLY OVER-ESTIMATE THEIR DRIVING ABILITY AND THINK THEY'RE INVINCIBLE IN THEIR STEEL BOX. SHOW COURTESEY AND RESPECT TO OTHER ROAD USERS, AND IF YOU ARE CAUGHT SHOW SOME SPINE AND STOP WHINING ABOUT HOW IT'S ALL UNFAIR. IF YOU'RE MATURE ENOUGH TO DRIVE A POTENTIAL KILLING MACHINE THEN YOU'RE MATURE ENOUGHTO ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOUR ACTIONS.
Simple, isn't it?
Postal Scam, Please Read and Beware
card is posted through your door from a company called PDS (Parcel
Delivery Service) suggesting that they were unable to deliver a parcel
and that you need to contact them on 0906 6611911 (a premium rate
number). DO NOT call this number, as this is a mail scam originating
from Belize. If you call the number and you start to hear a recorded
message you will already have been billed 15 for the phone call. If
you do receive a card with these details, then please contact Royal
Mail Fraud on 02072396655 or ICSTIS (the premium rate service
regulator) at www.icstis.org.uk "If you find this information useful then please rate this guide
Fraud:Why do ebay not tell you about this?
I have only recently joined ebay as both buyer and seller. eBay have been very helpful in setting up my accounts and promoting their various projects, sites and marketing ideas (the best of which cost money). Yet I have had to search various, guides (see below), chat to friends and family and go online to discover any of the pitfalls that I may encounter and which others have encountered.
The fake product - never existed, no picture, vague description.
The misleading description - Bid 10 and recieve any one of the following a car, a boat, a pen, a tv. (you guess which?)
Buying feedback - "Buy a 10p for 5p and give me lovely feedback" In politics this is vote rigging Mr G W Bush!
Overseas accounts - they are like ships in the night and will pass out of sight once they have your money. Africa seems to be a favourite (god alone knows why?)
The concert ticket - Offer tickets for a date several months away. Bidder pays and you offer to post in 30, 60 or 90 days time. Either way when post never arrives and buyer complains the record of sales has been deleted by ebay and paypal on auto.
Double bidding - I bid 20p for your house. My friend bidds 1,000, 000, 000 for your house. Anyone else bidding is stopped by my friend's huge bid. One minute before deadline my friend cancels bid. I am left as max bidder! Yippeee a house for 20p - Bargain.
Postage twice my bid. Basically the seller is hoping you will not read or add up the Overall total of the item including p+p ie on Bid tv all items are 8.99 - why?: are they stored in a warehouse in outer Mongolia, or sent by winged couriers and dolphin express?
100% + feedback only because con man removed bad feedback as he offered refund to get rid of customer- Do you as a buyer want a full refund (A)or to leave negative feedback on a sellers record(B)? They are hoping you pick A.
I should point out to anyone attempting one of these that some are old and eBay are fully aware and very vigilant.
Ways to try to stay safe.
Ask seller to email you a pic of item and in pic a copy of a daily paper (like in kidnap movies!)
ask questions about item - What condition is it? Why is postage 2000 for a mobile phone, Why no reply to contact?
Read sellers / buyers feedback - How long have they traded, email there other customers, google products / reviews
Know the market - is this a gd price? is it too good?
Get Protection - credit card insurance, paypal, etc
How long a wait to be nice before neg feedback and complaints!
Always trust someone until you stop trusting them.Then tell everyonee about them.
For the record I love ebay, I like the auction format and that I have an item at the moment with no bidders but 5 people watching it! Should be an exciting last hour.Lastly I have not had any difficulties up til now BUT it would have been nice if ebay had automatically sent me a guide list with these few articles included or stressed the possible down side to buying and selling.
Can I suggest that we all, tick as helpful, guides like this one so they stay at the top of the list. I would be great if the top ten of guides were slight critiques of ebaying not simply pamphlets from ebay on its products or diary enties. Thanks. Good night.
http://reviews.ebay.com/fraud-and-scary-stuff-with-ebay_W0QQugidZ10000000002238850
http://reviews.ebay.co.uk/Buying-Guide_W0QQugidZ10000000002252202
http://reviews.ebay.co.uk/Scamfake_W0QQugidZ10000000002259128
http://reviews.ebay.com/Duelling-masters-Guide-Beginners-and-Parents-only_W0QQug
http://reviews.ebay.co.uk/Luke-it-is-your-destiny-P2_W0QQugidZ10000000002238590dZ10000000002249769
http://reviews.ebay.com/Xmas-is-solved-Gift-box-of-Yu-Gi-Oh_W0QQugidZ10000000002251265
http://reviews.ebay.com/To-buy-or-not-to-buy_W0QQugidZ10000000002228006
http://reviews.ebay.co.uk/Jaden-is-defeated-by-apos-Power-of-the-Duellist-apos_W0QQugidZ10000000002238524
http://reviews.ebay.com/How-rare-would-you-like-your-Trading-card-sir_W0QQugidZ10000000002249707
http://reviews.ebay.co.uk/Dummie-apos-s-Guide-To-Duelling_W0QQugidZ10000000002221985
http://reviews.ebay.com/Cyber-Stein-Igor-Stein_W0QQugidZ10000000002238816
http://reviews.ebay.com/Why-I-hate-Elastic-Bands_W0QQugidZ10000000002228056
http://reviews.ebay.com/Hanukkah-Hallelujah-Game-On_W0QQugidZ10000000002224560
http://reviews.ebay.com/Dummies-Guide-to-Yugi-Moto-apos-s-Favourite-Game_W0QQugidZ10000000002224407
http://reviews.ebay.com/If-only-they-Millenium-Items_W0QQugidZ10000000002238882
http://reviews.ebay.com/Dinosaur-apos-s-rage-A-New-Deck-Evolves_W0QQugidZ10000000002224053
http://reviews.ebay.com/Dummies-Guide-to-Duelling_W0QQugidZ10000000002228091
http://reviews.ebay.com/Bring-the-Popcorn-We-apos-ll-do-the-rest-for-a-perfect-xmas_W0QQugidZ10000000002249612
http://reviews.ebay.com/The-Next-Step-Building-a-deck-Parental-Power_W0QQugidZ10000000002201273
http://reviews.ebay.com/Surviving-Yu-Gi-Oh_W0QQugidZ10000000002200928
Brass Instruments - Accurate Identification.
Trumpet - Usually a soprano brass instrument with a larger proportion of cylindrical bore to conical bore. Modern trumpets have valves; natural trumpets do not. Most trumpets are built in Bb, butsome specialist trumpetsare built in C,D,Eb and Piccolo Bb etc. The modern Bb trumpet has approximately 4.5 ft of tubing (excluding valve tubing)
Cornet - A soprano brass instrument in Bb or high Eb invented in the 19th century as a valved development of the post horn. Itsinvention inspired developments in other brass instruments. Cornets differ from trumpets in having a greater proportion of conical bore than trumpets. This gives them a slightly warmer tone. British and French modelsare normally much shorter in construction than trumpetsand with a shepherd's crook at the start of the bell branch. The name cornopean is applied to early forms of the cornet. The length of tubing isthe same as that of thetrumpet.
Bugle - A conically bored natural trumpet used as a military signalling instrument. The bugle is a metal version ofa simpleanimal horn trumpetlike the ceremonial Hebrew Shofar.Military bugles are usually pitchedinBb.American bugle bands use a range of instruments with valves. The3-valve typesare theequivalent of bell-forward saxhorns, but mainly pitched in G. There are even bell-forward versions of the tubas (as described below) carried on the shoulder in the manner of a hod of bricks!
Flugelhorn - A soprano valved bugle in Bb mainly used in brass bands and for jazz. High Eb flugelhorns also exist on the Continent. Even mellower in tone than the cornet and trumpet. The length of tubing is the same as that of the trumpet.A German variation of the flugelhorn is the Kuhlo horn, which was 'designed' by Pastor Johannes Kuhlo for use in churches. It is almost circular in design and has a trumpet mouthpiece receiver and rotary valves.
Trumpet (left), Cornet (right)and Flugelhorn (below)
The Orchestral or French Horn (really a misnomer)is normally just referred to as the Horn. This is the modern valved orchestral development of the larger type of hunting horn known as the parforce horn. The small hunting horn known as the furst pless horn is more similar to the bugle. Most modern horns are double instruments pitched in F/Bb. See below. They are actually much longer in their basic tubing than similarly pitched brass instruments, some12 ft, as they are played in higher harmonics than most brass instruments, and are harder to play.They utilise a funnel-shaped mouthpiece and have 4 rotary valves operated by the left hand. The right hand is placed inside the bell. Single horns with 3 valves, and pitched in F or Bb are commonly used by younger players. The horn plays in the orchestra and the military or concert band, but not in the brass band.
Wagner Tubas in F or Bb are essentially relatives of the orchestral horn and played by horn players. Built in upright oval form, they have a much narrower bore than real tubas, and are played with funnel, not cup, type mouthpieces. They use rotary valves operated by the left hand (unlike superficially similar German style oval tenorhorns and baritons, which are right handed).Only used orchestrally. Not likely to appear very often on eBay!
Orchestral Double Horn (left) and Wagner Tuba (right)
Eb/F Tenor Cor or Mellophone - This is a development of the 19th century Koenig horn. It appears in a variety of shapes;like a large flugel horn or coiled like the orchestral horn. The horn-like version isnormally called the'tenor cor', and the bell-forward version, the 'mellophone' or even the 'mellophonium'.Thereare historical variants of the instrument referred to as 'ballad horn' and 'vocalhorn'.The instrument as a type differs from the saxhorn in having a proportionately larger, exponentially-flared bell more similar to the horn.Unlike the horn, the tenor cor has a much shorter length of tubing, the same as the tenor horn (described next), and is played with the right hand, not the left. The other hand is not placed in the bell during playing. The tenor cor is usually equipped with Perinet (piston) valves rather than rotary valves.It is sometimes used in the concert band instead of the French horn, or in marching bands, but it is notpopular in the U.K.3 valves and approximately 6-7ft of tubing (excluding valve tubing).
Eb/F Tenor Cor(left) and marching Mellophone (right)
Eb Tenor Horn or Tenor Saxhorn increasingly known as Eb Alto Horn to match up with American and European naming. The standard brass band tenor horn. 3 valves. Approximately 7ft of tubing (excluding valve tubing). Style varies considerably - see photos below. There are also some bell-front marchingversions resembling large flugel horns.
Eb Tenor Horn saxhorn style (left), and open wrap style (right)
Bb Baritone (Horn) or Baritone Saxhorn, the standard brass band baritone; more or less equivalent to the German Bb Tenorhorn (the latter is normally constructed in oval form). Usually 3, but sometimes 4 valves. Approximately 9ft of tubing (excluding valve tubing).Style varies in the same way as with tenor horns. The baritone has the same pitch as the two instruments below, but it has a lighter tone than the euphonium, closer to the trombone in sound.
Bb Baritone Horn saxhorn style (left), and open wrap style (right)
Bb Bass Saxhorn - largely obsolete, but still used in French military bands alongside the euphonium. Courtois still manufacture them with four or five valves. The now obsolete orchestral French Tuba in C is a six-valved version. The bass saxhorn resembles a compact euphonium, and has a low upper bow and a tuning slide between the leadpipe and the valve block. It is wider bored than the baritone. In sound, it lies between the baritone and the euphonium, and in a band tends to blend more easily with the woodwind than the euphonium. 3, 4, 5 or even 6 valves! Approximately 9ft of tubing (excluding valve tubing).Below centre.
Euphonium or Tenor Tuba, normally in Bb or Bb/F. The smallest of the tubas (see below), and wider bored than the saxhorns (see above).Most modernversions are constructed witha tuning slide beyond the valve block, creating better intonation. The euphonium produces a broader and mellower sound making it ideal as a solo instrument in the tenor/bass range. Standard in brass, military and concert bands; occasionally found in the orchestra. 3 or 4 valves. Some older models have 5 valves. Confusingly, 3-valve euphoniums in the USA are still usually called 'baritones'. Approximately 9ft of tubing (excluding valve tubing). Below right.
Baritone / Bass saxhorn / Euphonium compared
A German-style Bb Tenorhorn (left) andBb Kaiserbariton or Euphonium (right)in oval form
Tubas are wide bored versions of the lowersaxhornfamily. Bass tubas are built in F or Eb and Contrabass tubas in C or Bb. Double letters, e.g. EEb, tend to indicate large-bored instruments with extension down to the fundamental note. Standard in bands and orchestras.Tubas are simply referred to asbasses in the brass band. 3, 4 or 5 valves, and some 12 to 18ft of tubing (excluding valve tubing). Tubas vary greatly in form, some point the bell to the right and some to the left. Some have piston valves, othershave rotary valves. A traditional name for the bass tuba in Britain is 'bombardon', but this is rarely used these days.
Helicons and Sousaphones are coiled tubas which are carried over the shoulder and around the body. Really only marching band instruments. Sousaphones differ from helicons in having a 'gooseneck' angle near the top of the bell, and usually a very much larger bell.
Illustrations of Tuba (left), Sousaphone (centre)and Helicon (right)
Trombones need little introduction except to say that they are mainly tenors in Bb or Bb/F, or wider bored basses in Bb/F. Essentially a tenor trombone is a bass slide trumpet! The dual pitch trombones have additional rotary valve(s) operated by the left handas well as the slide operated by the right hand. Old brass band bass trombones were pitched in G, and the slide was fitted with a handle. There are smaller and rarerEb alto and even Bb soprano trombones. Occasionally trombones are fitted with valves instead of the slide. The old English name for the trombone is the Sackbutt. Renaissance sackbuttshave a narrow bore and a very small bell compared with the modern trombones.
Bb/F Bass trombone (left)and cimbasso (right)
The Cimbasso is a contrabass valve trombone, usually in F or Bb, and originating in Italy. Its pitch and range is similar to that of the tuba, but its tone is more strident. Usually 4 or 5 rotary valves. Not commonly used and infrequent on eBay.
Cornett - Renaissance lip-reed instrument constructed of wooden strips bound with leather and provided with 6 finger holes and a thumbhole to vary pitch. Usually constructed with a gentle curve to the right. Straight cornetts are called mute cornetts. The cornett produces a uniquely beautiful and delicate sound. The tenor cornett is called the lysard and has an s-shape double curve. Bass cornetts are serpents.
Ophicleide - This is the early 19th century keyed bass bugle, essentially a brass-built keyed serpent which filled the bass brass role until the development of the tuba, the instrument which superseded it. The so-called Russian bassoon or basshorn is an earlier stage in its development.
cornetts, serpent and ophicleide
What does it mean by Telescope/Spotting Scope 2-in-1?
A spotting scope is normally designed for terrestrial observations and is used in situations involving magnifications beyond the range of typical binoculars. It needs to be small and light enough so that it can be easily carried around. However, spotting scopes using the conventional refract objective lens normally have quite a long body size to accommodate the focusing requirement.
A telescope, on the other hand, is largely designed for planetary and deep sky observation, and is required to grasp more light at low lighting levels. Therefore, traditionally a powerful telescope would have a larger objective lens, with larger body size and heavier weight.
With a new technology, refra-reflect lens, it has now become possible to build a telescope which is not only powerful for long distance observation, but also has compact size so that it can be used as a spotting scopein travel, sightseeing and birding.
A typical example isthe Compact 26-78x78 Zoom Telescope/Spotting Scope, with the above-mentioned new design features.
It has a magnification range from 26x to 78x, an ideal range for observing targets which are located beyond the reach of normal binoculars. Its large 78mm fully multi-coated objective lens lets in more light through to the eyepiece, thus ensuring better imagequality over a long distance. Its refra-reflect objective lens makes the instrument much shorter, lighter and non-chromatic aberration than otherscopes which adoptconventional refract objective lens. The overall weight of the device is only 900g, and it'sjustabout 240mm long. These new design features makes the instrument ideal for sightseeing, bird/animal watching, hunting, and other long-range viewing during the day, as well as for observing stars and moon at night.
This new system is now available at: Longview UK, with more information.
Note: Adviceto the beginners using spotting scope/telescope:
Stabilise the instrument on the tripod provided. Please do not try to make an observation while holding the instrument by hand, as it can be quite difficult to view an object at such a high magnification power due to hand movement.
Set the magnification power to the minimum level 26x (by turning the Eyepiece Zoom anticlockwise).
Aim at a distant object (at least a few hundredyards away -the further the better), andadjust the Focusing Wheel until the image is clear.
Use the Eyepiece Zoom to enlarge the image as desired.
Some people use a pair of lower-power binoculars to locate the target first, and then use the higher-power scope to see the target details.
With some practice, youwill find the instrumentmore efficient and powerful.
uklongview