Gluestick

Perhaps, Chris, Santa - on one of his sleds, of course - will bring you a book on Time and Motion Studies? [:D]  

Umm, yes Dick, Bernoulli's Principle and Venturi Tubes and Carburettors: coming back now, sort of. The jet is normally placed in a constrictor and as the air accelerates on the other side, you can actually see the fuel atomising. SU carb and take the air filter off and crack the throttle. Aerofoil Sections: Lift: http://www.ae.su.oz.au/aero/aerointro/what_is_lift.html Hmm and this as well, a bit. Making me think of 36 years ago and aerofoils (wings) on single seaters.  

All the geezers must be busy making sleds for Santa in their sheds and far too busy to play in this thread. Cor![:D]

I also have been digging into the dim distant recesses of what passes for a mind, these days![8-)] I think it is all a matter of latent heat. Since nothing is for nothing in the world of physics, when you open a pressurised container to either atmosphere or a lower pressure environment (i.e. via the regulator), in order for the stored gas to undergo a change of state (i.e. from liquid to gas) this requires latent heat. The body of gas absorbs latent heat through the bottle walls from the outside. If there is not sufficient latent heat capacity, to overcome the natural temperature drop caused by the expanding gas (Boyles Law- hmmm or is it Charles Law?? Or even a bit of both??), then the liquid will not boil and release free gas. If a large volume of gas is extracted fairly rapidly the bottle cools and can even form ice on the exterior. (Feel your gas bottle with the oven on!). Additionally, as GP states, there can be a freezing effect caused due to the pressure differential within the regulator. Same as a carburettor icing; this is caused, again, by latent heat extraction: same principle as a refrigerator, where to expand the coolant gas in the evaporator, it forms exterior ice[8-|] as it extracts latent heat from the inside of the 'fridge. I think? [blink] I dunno anymore; My brain hurts now.[blink][8-)]    

Hmmm I well remember the petition I and zillions of others signed in 1966, including Graham Hill, Sterling Moss and John Gott, who was the Chief Constable in Northamptonshire (I think?[8-)]) as well as loads of other notables. The petition to the then PM was to not bring in a blanket speed limit....................... it made certain other intelligent suggestions. Well intelligent suggestions, ah, that was that out of the question with politicans then! I came to the conclusion that as these petitions were delivered to number 10 - in this case by Moss and Hill etc - and ceremoniously accepted,  once the famous front door closed they were taken straight into the garden and into an incinerator. Today, I suppose it would be a big shredder! Gotta be green now, you know, before you jump into your big Jag! [:P] One technical point. The absolute accuracy of GP systems, depends on whether you use two or three source fix. Three is much more expensive. Even with three, the accuracy is not pinpoint, thus any speeding offence could be easily challenged. After all speedometers only have to be accurate to -10 + 10%. Methinks the net result of all this desperate fiscal kneejerk stuff will simply be a huge incease in geezers with false ID and no insurance. Off to the car auction with a bundle of readies, give a false name and address and you are in business. And that's one of the core present problems in the UK: all these clever ideas attack only a small group of middle Englanders who are basically honest - and can afford to pay the fines.  

Goodness knows how many french families and kitchens that's going to affect! Having a butane bottle either at the base of the cooker, or next to it (in a cupboard) seems de rigeure. I've seen quite a few simply standing on the floor alongside the oven, too! Normally, it's only propane bottles that must be outside. One wonders whether this is yet another french old wive's rumour-mill tales?  

With a tree dangling over each shoulder, perhaps?[blink]  

Oh dear, oh dear oh dear![:)] Comes to summat when even the mods don't read wot you write! [QUOTE] Not investment advice: that would breach financial law, both potentially in France and the UK and no good professional would care to undertake such. [/QUOTE] [:P] Seriously, any specific advice would be a breach of various tenets of law: I'm thinking here only the mechanics, meanings, definitions and options and agree totally about acronyms and initialisations. The curse of modern man (PC note, means Men and Women too!; tut tut, how careful one has to be nowadays). [:D]  

It is not only interest rates which predicate values on the Forex (Foreign Exchange) market. Obviously, rates have a bearing, however the most crucial aspect is what is called Exchange Risk Exposure. This is the investor's risk that the currency will depreciate too far in a capital sense. If the interest rate was say 10%, but the exchange rate fell by 25%, then the investor has lost money. In other words if the investor's home currency was say Swiss Francs, he would find that when swapping back into Swiss Francs he had lost 25% of his capital, but received 10% interest, then he has nominally lost 15% of his capital. It could even be more, as the rate normally slides gradually before any big loss (such  as a revaluation by government) and his periodic interest, would increasingly buy less and less Swiss Francs. The big speculators, such as George Soros - Quantum Fund - tend to buy and sell in the Forex market when they can see signficant capital gain. This may be up or down, as you can buy currencies in three ways: spot - here and now: forward contract fixed: exchange at a specified time in the future, say one month: and forward contract option; which means you can exchange at any time from the day you agree to the last day on the contract, which may be three months or even more. there are many other ways to trade and invest in currencies and gamble too! Derivatives (Artificial Paper Transactions) offer far more ways than even regulators can keep abreast off! Additionally, speculators can "seed" the market to drive it both up and down by buying or selling large tranches of exchange. Thereafter they can ride the market up or down to make their profits. Finally it must be remembered that a Forex investor only has one underlying assurance: the strength of a country's economy: since there is nothing else to back up currency value. All major tradeable currencies these days are what is called "Fiat Currencies": their value is predicated and underwritten by the relative value of the issuer's economy and its debt (Both Internal - i.e. budgetary: and External - Balance of Trade). I suppose that one has to realise that not only are forex markets as fickle as all other markets: they are not wholly predictable, nor are they rational! Whilst the core buyers and sellers, which are the results of trade, i.e. importers and exporters, are usually quite predictable and stable, the speculators, wheelers, dealers and arbitragists are usually short termists too. As was Soros when he made $1,000,000,000 on the back of Abnormal Lamont's stupidity over the UK's withdrawal from the ERM.  

I thought a full log was a tree, Steve! [:D] Like the Vikings!  

This thread has created significant interest and response. 91 replies and 1,553 views thus far. I wonder, therefore, if there is a demand for a sort of "Expert's Collective" thread, like those in the House Renovation section? There would seem to be quite a good variety of potential input available, from various useful retired, semi-retired and still working professionals. Not investment advice: that would breach financial law, both potentially in France and the UK and no good professional would care to undertake such. What I am considering is the detail stuff: for example, I'm sure many members own shares. but how much do people really know about the equities markets? Options - Puts and Calls: What's a Day Trader? What's the difference between  a Stock and a Bond? What's the difference between a Corporate Bond and a Government Bond? What about the Commodity market? And so it goes on! There are already copious threads advising on the search and purchase elements: and certain aspects of law relating to (e.g.) inheritance and etc. I am thinking more basic advice on approaches, methodologies and available products which would enable members to draw up their own Action Plan and critical point list before setting up meetings with potential advisers. From personal experience, it would make the adviser's task easier too! Perhaps Mods could kindly comment?  

Steve: I haven't forgotten our earlier thread on this and associated topics. I am still awaiting my chum with the barn conversion in Wales (with the underfloor heating system driven by a geothermal heat pump) to provide a "Clean" electricity cost. Last time we exchanged emails, he was still carrying out works and contractor's equipment would impact on a clean reading. Also still looking into pellets and etc.  

Good idea and neat solution, Dave.[:)] As always, there's more than one way to kill a cat than forcing it take a bath in the kitchen sink with the sutters open! [blink]  

Umm, that's one of my problems too, Sid: from the moment I disassembled my first clock! Not enough to know it did work: but needed to know why it did work! Hope you soon sort out the problem. Just a thought: have you drawn out a logic diagram; i.e. using Boolean approach? Might assist to dope it out.  

Owen: In fact I said tax advantages "Were": the core allowance was cancelled years ago.( But extant older policies still benefit, as tax regimes, in most cases are not retroactive). Also, there are a number of different investment strategies which clearly can and do create specific tax advantages. One is not limited to the services of an IFA or similar to obtain them. However, most are only normally useful when exploited as an holistic package of wealth/income optimisation and planning. And this is the central problem: most usual people have neither the time nor the expertise to address these matters, themselves, nor do they have up-to-the-minute knowledge of tax law and the optional shelters. That's why a good IFA, for example, ought properly to be one step in the process of exploration and decision making.  

Oh, very droll, John! [:D] Not a Python fan?  

[quote user="Jc"]Condensing and combi boilers are two totally different types of boiler.[/quote] Jc: this quote from the Worcester website: first page, top: What is a combi boiler? The high efficiency condensing combi or combination boiler is an ingenious space-saving idea, and an increasingly popular choice in UK homes. In fact, combis now account for well over half of all the new domestic boilers installed in Britain every year. " Sorry: I don't understand what you are driving at? [8-)]  

Five cubic meters, Chris. Bah gum, is that all? When I wer' t lad, I used to get up three hours before I went to bed, chop down a whole forest before I went to work oop t'mill, work a 29 hour shift and cum home and before supper, chop up forest into matchsticks for t'match factory and then after supper, chop down another forest and make a new bed from t'logs. And you tell young ones today and they don't bloody believe you! They don't bloody believe you!!  

Oh yes, Katie. I agree they were around. Mainly split into the broker selling mainly General Branch and the odd bit of life etc and the rather dodgy geezers working as introducers etc, as well as Life Inspectors working for one company etc. (but not the "Home Service" guys who mainly focused on Industrial Branch). I was besieged with calls from many of them (Life Inspectors): and we worked with few! In those days they could pay professional introducers on a split commission basis: regulation stopped much of this. The new wave started once Mark Weinburg started Hambro Life: and the whole industry changed from there. However, they weren't called "IFAs": this term came in after the second round of regulation, really, in the early 90s (94 on??). Here and there, I have had some involvement with the industry since 1963. Interesting times..............  

I would also talk to Paul at a new eco project just starting. Look here: http://www.savingthedodo.com/  

Chris: you quite obviously a masochist! [:P] Good way to keep fit and keep the old muscles in trim, though. What about the hand pumped hydraulic splitters? That's what I am considering for next year. From my experience of four and ten ton rams, they should work well. And you do get some exercise. Anyone any experience of these beasts?    

Of course with any assurance product, as against insurance, before trying to model the possible investment return on your premiums you must first deduct the cost of Life Assurance. In order to reduce this cost one can take out a simple Life Insurance: i.e. no Sum Assured and if you live to the end of the term there is no residual capital value. Personally I was against these Endowment Mortgages from the beginning. In earlier times lenders offered an interest only mortgage against a guarantee from a Life Offices Association member's Sum Assured product: i.e. the capital borrowed was guaranteed without the benefit on annual and reversionary bonuses. Endowment Mortgages tended to solely for self-employed and professional buyers: there were certain tax advantages. Since experience showed that most endowments were doubling (with bonuses) and as assurance providers were keen to increase their sales, a growing avalanche of these new, lower-premium Endowment Mortgage products hit the market from the early 70s on: mainly on the back of new companies like Hambro Life, et al. The premise being that the expected bonuses could be added to the Sum Assured and this total would discharge the mortgage obligation. And then the stock market collapsed in the early 70s: and interest rates went through the roof. However, after that salutary lesson, rather despite it, once again as the housing market boomed, the market was flooded with these dreadful things: and the tears eventually came. And a historical note: IFAs, per se, were not around in the mid 80s. The first Financial Services legislation, which created the regulatory framework (i.e. SROs FIMBRA etc) was not until 1986. And FPC (Financial Planning Certificate etc) didn't commence until 1994, therefore most mis-selling of these products was by tied representatives, not IFAs. That was one of the reasons that the Financial Services Authority was set-up, since the SRO (Self Regulatory Organisation) system wasn't working too well. One final note: simply putting savings into an interest bearing deposit means that a normal taxpayer suffers a deducation of 22% CRT (Composite Rate Tax) off the top of the interest paid! Not very tax-efficient.  

Actually, banks and the bigger BSs left, today manage their lending risk by using derivatives: in this case by exploiting Securatised Debt Instruments. They effectively "Sell" chunks of debt, secured by the underlying property value; hence Securitisation. So they are far less likely to go under than before. [:D] Also means they can expand their borrowing and lending, with the same capital base.  

And, of course, when it de-mutalised it became a registered UK bank, licensed by the B of E and therefore subject to banking law and restrictions, which include ensuring that a percentage of all deposits taken and monies lent are to a degree, secured by Reserve Assets. The Abbey are an interesting case study, however, as since the take over by Banco Santander, Abbey are no longer on quote: shares have been swapped and the stock is traded on the Madrid Bourse, rather than the LSE. And stockholders in theory have to account to the fiscal authorities in Espana! Just had a dividend cheque in the post this morning. Have hung on, as I believe Santander's robust and aggressive growth plans will show a good capital increase in the stock.  

I believe that any limited liability, is a typical first defence: thereafter, the overall guarantor circumstance comes into play. I do agree with what you say, as a wise investment strategy, though, Katie. One always but always spreads the risk around! Even major global banks have their "Limit of Exposure" in the money markets to each other. The core reason for spreading the risk with BSs is since in the case of default it could be many, many months before you could access your funds: might even be a year or two. A core precept of investment strategy is to never put all your eggs in one basket! In fact, the UK is well overdue for something following the US model: the FDIC (Federal Deposit Insurance Corp) which is a federal body charges all banks an annual premium which guarantees depositors up to (I think it's still this) $100,000 per bank.