W
ikipedia defines redundancy as; the duplication of critical components of a system with the intention of increasing reliability of the system, usually in the case of a backup or fail-safe.





I count 7 toilet paper roll dispencers, two hand towel dispensers, and one electric hand blow dryer.

Is this a case of engineering redundancy or a way to store extra bathroom fixtures?

Or, is this the bathroom within a salmonella-laiden tex-mex restaurant in Tijuana?


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We have always known that flourescent bulbs are more energy efficient than incandesant bulbs. But, the problem when you get the basics of it all was that most lighting fixtures in, the world, take incandesant bulbs.

So, flourescent bulbs never really took off anywhere outside of industrial lighting or garage shops.

Surely over the years, scientists would be able to develop something to adapt to incandesant bulb fixtures. But alas, that day is probably decades away.

Or not.

Now there is a flourescent bulb that will screw into an incandesant outlet. WOW! They did it! The science and technology behind this must have been nearly impossible to comprehend and develop!





Or, well, I guess they could just twist the flourescent bulb into a curly-que shape and call it a day.



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So, I saw on CNN.com the other day this article that had this headline: "Behind the Scenes: 'Hypermilers' test limits of fuel conservation"

The dropline next said that Wayne Gerdes was getting more than 50mpg in his conventional non-hybrid car. I thought, "well here is a concept I can get behind."

Well it turns out that Mr. Gerdes has a website called cleanmpg.com. I clicked on the link and was anxiously anticipating some of the secrets to get great gas mileage. Here are some of the silver bullets of knowledge I learned!!!

Keep a record of your gas millage.

-Well hell yeah I'll keep a record! I want to know how much I'm saving by using all this hypermiling knowledge!

Take note of your own driving habits. By leaving ample space between yourself
and the car in front of you, there is enough time to coast to a stop and avoid
stepping on the brakes.

-Sure, that seems sound...avoid braking, I'm following you.

Avoid standing still with the engine running.

-Hmm, well I hope I don't wear out my starter, those things go for a couple hundred. Oh well, I'm with you.

Accelerate gradually, over a greater distance.

-Ok look, obviously this guy has to speak to the unwashed masses. Not everyone knows the basics I guess. Continue please.

You will get better gas mileage if you turn off all electronics as well as the A/C and drive with the windows rolled up.

-Wait a second, I only want to save gas, NOT DIE.

Over inflating your tires, which reduces the amount of rubber on the road, and thus, reduces the resistance on you car. However, because it can also lead to a loss of control, uneven tire wear, and blowouts, it is not for the hypermiling neophyte.

-Mmm-K, see my responses to #3 and #5, again, not wanting to DIE or spend hundreds on tires.

Riding the white line keeps your car out of puddles and grooves in the road made by other drivers, both of which increase drag and decrease efficiency.

-Ok, but I get in trouble with my passengers when I ride the white lines. And did you say avoid "puddles"? Seriously? What am I driving, a tricycle?

Put the car in nuetral and shut it off, coasting to upcoming stops.

-But, my powersteering doesn't work if the car is OFF. And again, that starter thingy is really expensive.

You shouldn't haul anything ON TOP of your car, i.e. cargo bins, or other big bulky items tied to the luggage rack.

-Wait a second, is this some kind of a joke...You mean I shouldn't drive around all the time with this canoe strapped to the roof of my car? Who knew?!?!

Don't tow things.

-Well son-of-a... NO $#!% Sherlock.

What's the next suggestion, take a horse and buggy?

I can't take it. I should have stopped with the original CNN article when THIS was the picture accompanying the story:

Wait, what?

Is this dude PUSHING his car everywhere? Is that Wayne Gerdes? Oh, well I could get maybe 5 mpD, that's 5 miles per DAY.

They're not kidding when they say, "It's not news. It's CNN."


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Perhaps I am too cynical.







Nah...those buttons are for schmucks.

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