|
Home > Archive > UK gardening > November 2005 > Weeding
You are viewing an archived Text-only version of the thread.
To view this thread in it's original format and/or if you want to reply to
this thread please [click here]
|
|
| Cat(h) 2005-11-23, 11:21 am |
| Further to an earlier post, Janet Barraclough (I think?) said she dealt
with weeds on her driveway and other paths with a flame-thrower rather
than chemicals.
I rather like the sound of it, and have found somethign called the Weed
Wizard, a small hand-held flamethrower which operates with a small
bottle of butane, for what seems a reasonable cost of =8039.
Bearing in mind the huge cost of Pathclear for the surface I need to
treat, the fact that it is a toxic chemical, and that it is making
little enough impression - except stunting their growth - on my weeds
this time of year, I am very tempted by this tool. It also has the
potential of being used even in beds (plant beds, that is...).
Has anyone else here any experience of this tool? Is it any good? How
widely available are the small butane bottles? How dear are they?
Thank you for any helpful comment!
Cat(h)
Herds twirl slow...
| |
| Mike Lyle 2005-11-23, 12:21 pm |
| Cat(h) wrote:
> Further to an earlier post, Janet Barraclough (I think?) said she
> dealt with weeds on her driveway and other paths with a
flame-thrower
> rather than chemicals.
> I rather like the sound of it, and have found somethign called the
> Weed Wizard, a small hand-held flamethrower which operates with a
> small bottle of butane, for what seems a reasonable cost of ?39.
> Bearing in mind the huge cost of Pathclear for the surface I need
to
> treat, the fact that it is a toxic chemical, and that it is making
> little enough impression - except stunting their growth - on my
weeds
> this time of year, I am very tempted by this tool. It also has the
> potential of being used even in beds (plant beds, that is...).
> Has anyone else here any experience of this tool? Is it any good?
> How widely available are the small butane bottles? How dear are
they?
> Thank you for any helpful comment!
I don't know the particular model you mention, but the rule here is
not "Small is beautiful", but "Small is absolutely lousy". In my own
experience, big isn't much better, either, though I know some people
are happy with flame guns. (My mother criticises my vacuum-cleaning
technique, as I rush the job: maybe I'm the same with
flame-throwers.) I don't like the sound of "small butane bottles":
the stuff is pricey, especially in little packets, so I bet that
would make it more expensive than a chemical treatment. And I'm
usually among the last to recommend herbicides.
--
Mike.
| |
| shazzbat 2005-11-23, 12:21 pm |
|
"Cat(h)" <cathy_ie@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1132755801.769390.325340@g44g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
Further to an earlier post, Janet Barraclough (I think?) said she dealt
with weeds on her driveway and other paths with a flame-thrower rather
than chemicals.
I rather like the sound of it, and have found somethign called the Weed
Wizard, a small hand-held flamethrower which operates with a small
bottle of butane, for what seems a reasonable cost of ?39.
Bearing in mind the huge cost of Pathclear for the surface I need to
treat, the fact that it is a toxic chemical, and that it is making
little enough impression - except stunting their growth - on my weeds
this time of year, I am very tempted by this tool. It also has the
potential of being used even in beds (plant beds, that is...).
Has anyone else here any experience of this tool? Is it any good? How
widely available are the small butane bottles? How dear are they?
Thank you for any helpful comment!
£39 is extremely over the top. £11-12 at the budget shops, inc a can of gas.
The butane or propane or butane/propane mix (all are suitable) are widely
available for blowlamps etc, you'll get them at car accessory shops etc.
It's a handy tool in that you can spare your back whilst using it standing
up, but if greenness is your aim, what you gain by not using toxic chemicals
you lose by using hydrocarbons. Your choice.
Steve
| |
| Janet Baraclough 2005-11-23, 12:21 pm |
| The message <1132755801.769390.325340@g44g2000cwa.googlegroups.com>
from "Cat(h)" <cathy_ie@yahoo.com> contains these words:
> Further to an earlier post, Janet Barraclough (I think?) said she dealt
> with weeds on her driveway and other paths with a flame-thrower rather
> than chemicals.
I hope I said flamegun :-)
Mine is made by Sheen, model X300...(it came with a deflector-hood
and wheels, but I found both more trouble than they're worth.) You'll
find them for sale on the internet. It has been such a successful garden
tool, the design hasn't really changed in decades. Flame-gun sounds a
lot fiercer and more perilous than a girlie "wand", but I find it very
easy and controllable to use..works on the same principle as a primus
stove. I bought mine second hand (ex-hire) for 15 quid, well over 20
years ago, and it still works perfectly; they are pretty much
indestructible so you may be able to find a 2nd hand bargain too.
Afaik from comments on urg, the gas flame wands run out of fuel
pretty soon. With the Sheen, I find that a gallon of parrafin burns for
just over half an hour which is long enough for most purposes I require.
Janet
| |
| Cat(h) 2005-11-23, 12:21 pm |
|
shazzbat wrote:
> "Cat(h)" <cathy_ie@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> news:1132755801.769390.325340@g44g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
> Further to an earlier post, Janet Barraclough (I think?) said she dealt
> with weeds on her driveway and other paths with a flame-thrower rather
> than chemicals.
> I rather like the sound of it, and have found somethign called the Weed
> Wizard, a small hand-held flamethrower which operates with a small
> bottle of butane, for what seems a reasonable cost of ?39.
> Bearing in mind the huge cost of Pathclear for the surface I need to
> treat, the fact that it is a toxic chemical, and that it is making
> little enough impression - except stunting their growth - on my weeds
> this time of year, I am very tempted by this tool. It also has the
> potential of being used even in beds (plant beds, that is...).
> Has anyone else here any experience of this tool? Is it any good? How
> widely available are the small butane bottles? How dear are they?
> Thank you for any helpful comment!
>
> =A339 is extremely over the top. =A311-12 at the budget shops, inc a can =
of gas.
=8039, not =A339. That's about =A326 - special offer, down from =8059
(lucky me), not including the gas canister.
Welcome to Rip Off Ireland :-)
>
> The butane or propane or butane/propane mix (all are suitable) are widely
> available for blowlamps etc, you'll get them at car accessory shops etc.
>
> It's a handy tool in that you can spare your back whilst using it standing
> up, but if greenness is your aim, what you gain by not using toxic chemic=
als
> you lose by using hydrocarbons. Your choice.
I am not fanatical about my greenness, and have been known to eat
things that throw shadows...
I still prefer the idea of flame to that of dousing the ground
repeatedly with chemicals.
Cat(h)
Herds twirl slow...
| |
| Cat(h) 2005-11-23, 12:21 pm |
|
Janet Baraclough wrote:
> The message <1132755801.769390.325340@g44g2000cwa.googlegroups.com>
> from "Cat(h)" <cathy_ie@yahoo.com> contains these words:
>
>
> I hope I said flamegun :-)
You did. But it just didn't have quite the same ring to it...
>
> Mine is made by Sheen, model X300...(it came with a deflector-hood
> and wheels, but I found both more trouble than they're worth.) You'll
> find them for sale on the internet. It has been such a successful garden
> tool, the design hasn't really changed in decades. Flame-gun sounds a
> lot fiercer and more perilous than a girlie "wand", but I find it very
> easy and controllable to use..works on the same principle as a primus
> stove. I bought mine second hand (ex-hire) for 15 quid, well over 20
> years ago, and it still works perfectly; they are pretty much
> indestructible so you may be able to find a 2nd hand bargain too.
>
> Afaik from comments on urg, the gas flame wands run out of fuel
> pretty soon. With the Sheen, I find that a gallon of parrafin burns for
> just over half an hour which is long enough for most purposes I require.
Thanks for all that, Janet. I'll go do some research.
Thanks to all others, too, who have been generous with their expert
opinion.
Cat(h)
Herds twirl slow...
| |
| shazzbat 2005-11-23, 1:21 pm |
|
SNIP
?39, not £39. That's about £26 - special offer, down from ?59
(lucky me), not including the gas canister.
Welcome to Rip Off Ireland :-)
Ah, so that was a euro sign? It came out as a question mark on my screen, I
was wondering about that :-))
Steve
| |
|
| On 23/11/05 4:07 pm, in article
1132762042.595190.142310@z14g2000cwz.googlegroups.com, "Cat(h)"
<cathy_ie@yahoo.com> wrote:
<snip>
>
> €39, not £39. That's about £26 - special offer, down from €59
> (lucky me), not including the gas canister.
> Welcome to Rip Off Ireland :-)
>
I'm guessing that's meant to be Euros but what I'm getting is a little black
dot and the figures following that. It might be better for you if you spell
out the Euro bit.
--
Sacha
www.hillhousenursery.co.uk
South Devon
(remove the weeds to email me)
| |
| Cat(h) 2005-11-23, 1:21 pm |
|
Sacha wrote:
> On 23/11/05 4:07 pm, in article
> 1132762042.595190.142310@z14g2000cwz.googlegroups.com, "Cat(h)"
> <cathy_ie@yahoo.com> wrote:
>
> <snip>
> I'm guessing that's meant to be Euros but what I'm getting is a little bl=
ack
> dot and the figures following that. It might be better for you if you sp=
ell
> out the Euro bit.
> --
I'll know for future reference.
Isn't it pathetic, though, that many servers and other computersy
things I am utterly illiterate about are not equipped to deal with a
major world currency which is legal tender since 2001?
Grumble.
Cat(h)
Herds twirl slow...
| |
|
| On 23/11/05 5:08 pm, in article
1132765709.997251.56920@g49g2000cwa.googlegroups.com, "Cat(h)"
<cathy_ie@yahoo.com> wrote:
>
> Sacha wrote:
>
>
> I'll know for future reference.
> Isn't it pathetic, though, that many servers and other computersy
> things I am utterly illiterate about are not equipped to deal with a
> major world currency which is legal tender since 2001?
> Grumble.
>
Yes. ;-)
--
Sacha
www.hillhousenursery.co.uk
South Devon
(remove the weeds to email me)
| |
|
| major world currency which is legal tender since 2001?
Is it that long ago?
I was in Sicily when the Euro came in and it was quite comical to see the
locals at the 'Hole in the wall' looking at the "New Money"
And of information to one and all. If you want a really good 'local time fun
and games', see the New Year in, in Sicily. We stayed in Taromina and got to
know the locals really well :-))
More details? email me :-))
Mike
| |
| shazzbat 2005-11-23, 2:21 pm |
|
"Sacha" <sacha@gardenweedws506.fsnet.co.uk> wrote in message
news:BFAA5519.245C2%sacha@gardenweedws506.fsnet.co.uk...
> On 23/11/05 5:08 pm, in article
> 1132765709.997251.56920@g49g2000cwa.googlegroups.com, "Cat(h)"
> <cathy_ie@yahoo.com> wrote:
>
> Yes. ;-)
> --
Especially since Excel etc have the euro as an option in the currency
department.
Actually I've just discovered that the 4 key on my keyboard has a $ sign if
you press the shift key, and there's a euro sign to the right of the 4, but
I can't find how to make it work. Ctrl doesn't do it.
Steve
| |
| Derek Turner 2005-11-23, 2:21 pm |
| Cat(h) wrote:
> Further to an earlier post, Janet Barraclough (I think?) said she dealt
> with weeds on her driveway and other paths with a flame-thrower rather
> than chemicals.
> I rather like the sound of it, and have found somethign called the Weed
> Wizard, a small hand-held flamethrower which operates with a small
> bottle of butane, for what seems a reasonable cost of €39.
> Bearing in mind the huge cost of Pathclear for the surface I need to
> treat, the fact that it is a toxic chemical, and that it is making
> little enough impression - except stunting their growth - on my weeds
> this time of year, I am very tempted by this tool. It also has the
> potential of being used even in beds (plant beds, that is...).
> Has anyone else here any experience of this tool? Is it any good? How
> widely available are the small butane bottles? How dear are they?
> Thank you for any helpful comment!
>
> Cat(h)
> Herds twirl slow...
>
I was stupid enough to buy one (not that brand). It's very useful for
lighting the barbecue (nothing else)!
| |
| Derek Turner 2005-11-23, 2:21 pm |
| shazzbat wrote:
> Actually I've just discovered that the 4 key on my keyboard has a $ sign if
> you press the shift key, and there's a euro sign to the right of the 4, but
> I can't find how to make it work. Ctrl doesn't do it.
>
> Steve
>
>
Alt Gr, to the right of your space bar!
| |
| Rupert 2005-11-23, 2:21 pm |
|
"shazzbat" <shazzbat@spamlessness.co.uk> wrote in message
news:dm29ug$sav$1@newsg1.svr.pol.co.uk...
>
> "Sacha" <sacha@gardenweedws506.fsnet.co.uk> wrote in message
> news:BFAA5519.245C2%sacha@gardenweedws506.fsnet.co.uk...
>
> Especially since Excel etc have the euro as an option in the currency
> department.
>
> Actually I've just discovered that the 4 key on my keyboard has a $ sign
> if you press the shift key, and there's a euro sign to the right of the 4,
> but I can't find how to make it work. Ctrl doesn't do it.
>
> Steve
Ctrl-Alt gives €
| |
|
| On Wed, 23 Nov 2005 17:46:51 -0000, "shazzbat"
<snip>
... >Actually I've just discovered that the 4 key on my keyboard has a $ sign if
... >you press the shift key, and there's a euro sign to the right of the 4, but
... >I can't find how to make it work. Ctrl doesn't do it.
... >
... >Steve
... >
Try the "Alt Gr" key instead of the shift key
Mike
| |
| Janet Baraclough 2005-11-23, 3:21 pm |
| The message <BFAA51F8.2459D%sacha@gardenweedws506.fsnet.co.uk>
from Sacha <sacha@gardenweedws506.fsnet.co.uk> contains these words:
> On 23/11/05 4:07 pm, in article
> 1132762042.595190.142310@z14g2000cwz.googlegroups.com, "Cat(h)"
> <cathy_ie@yahoo.com> wrote:
> <snip>
> I'm guessing that's meant to be Euros but what I'm getting is a little black
> dot and the figures following that.
Must be a newsreader thing. On my screen, Cat's original post showed
the Euro sign preceding the number. Shazzbat's quote of her post showed
it as a questionmark preceding the number.
Janet
| |
|
|
"shazzbat" <shazzbat@spamlessness.co.uk> wrote in message
news:dm29ug$sav$1@newsg1.svr.pol.co.uk...
>
>
> Especially since Excel etc have the euro as an option in the currency
> department.
>
> Actually I've just discovered that the 4 key on my keyboard has a $ sign
if
> you press the shift key, and there's a euro sign to the right of the 4,
but
> I can't find how to make it work. Ctrl doesn't do it.
>
> Steve
>
Ctrl Alt 4 does it
? (<------- now does this post as a euro sign??)
| |
|
|
"Space" <space@btinternet.com> wrote in message
news:dm2f7a$7q5$1@nwrdmz02.dmz.ncs.ea.ibs-infra.bt.com...
sign[color=darkred]
> if
> but
> Ctrl Alt 4 does it
> ? (<------- now does this post as a euro sign??)
HHmmmmm!
| |
| shazzbat 2005-11-23, 4:21 pm |
|
"Derek Turner" <somewhat@odds> wrote in message
news:4384acdc$0$9472$ed2619ec@ptn-nntp-reader02.plus.net...
> shazzbat wrote:
>
> Alt Gr, to the right of your space bar!
So it do?s!
Ta,
St?v?
| |
| Jaques d'Alltrades 2005-11-23, 4:21 pm |
| The message <4384acdc$0$9472$ed2619ec@ptn-nntp-reader02.plus.net>
from Derek Turner <somewhat@odds> contains these words:
> shazzbat wrote:
> Alt Gr, to the right of your space bar!
Yes, that does it in Notepad and other text programs, but not in the
charsets compliant with internet protocols - presumably English.
It probably works in Greek ones.
--
Rusty
horrid dot squeak snailything zetnet point co full-stop uk
http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/hi-fi/
| |
| Jaques d'Alltrades 2005-11-23, 4:21 pm |
| The message <dm25tl$64p$1@newsg3.svr.pol.co.uk>
from "shazzbat" <shazzbat@spamlessness.co.uk> contains these words:
> SNIP
> ?39, not £39. That's about £26 - special offer, down from ?59
> (lucky me), not including the gas canister.
> Welcome to Rip Off Ireland :-)
> Ah, so that was a euro sign? It came out as a question mark on my screen, I
> was wondering about that :-))
Came out as a black rectangle on mine, but I guessed.
--
Rusty
horrid dot squeak snailything zetnet point co full-stop uk
http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/hi-fi/
| |
| Jaques d'Alltrades 2005-11-23, 4:21 pm |
| The message <BFAA5519.245C2%sacha@gardenweedws506.fsnet.co.uk>
from Sacha <sacha@gardenweedws506.fsnet.co.uk> contains these words:
> Yes. ;-)
2001 is virtually yesterday. The charsets used in mail and news should
conform to a standard. Unfortunately, the standard doesn't include the
Euro sign, and the problem with changing the standard is that everyone
in the world would have to upgrade their software to accommodate it.
Programs which will compose non-standard characters are, IMO, a pain.
--
Rusty
horrid dot squeak snailything zetnet point co full-stop uk
http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/hi-fi/
| |
| Nick Maclaren 2005-11-23, 4:21 pm |
| In article <dm2f7a$7q5$1@nwrdmz02.dmz.ncs.ea.ibs-infra.bt.com>,
Space <space@btinternet.com> wrote:
>
>Ctrl Alt 4 does it
>? (<------- now does this post as a euro sign??)
No.
Admittedly, if it DID reach me as one, I would be worrying how you
had hacked into my computer :-) Usenet uses ASCII - there is no
Euro symbol in ASCII.
Regards,
Nick Maclaren.
| |
| Nick Maclaren 2005-11-23, 4:21 pm |
| In article <31303030323030384384BD7C36@foobar.zetnet.co.ok>,
Jaques d'Alltrades <rusty.hinge@foobar.zetnet.co.ok> wrote:
>
>2001 is virtually yesterday. The charsets used in mail and news should
>conform to a standard. Unfortunately, the standard doesn't include the
>Euro sign, and the problem with changing the standard is that everyone
>in the world would have to upgrade their software to accommodate it.
It is far worse than that, but the details are way off-group. I am
no expert, but know rather more than most people (translation: don't
rattle my cage, as I could go on for many hours - but I wouldn't be
able to give a full week's seminar on this).
>Programs which will compose non-standard characters are, IMO, a pain.
That is a gross understatement. In general, they are just plain
broken.
Regards,
Nick Maclaren.
| |
| shazzbat 2005-11-23, 4:21 pm |
|
"Janet Baraclough" <janet.and.john@zetnet.co.uk> wrote in message
news:31303030393032394384B7C884@zetnet.co.uk...
> The message <BFAA51F8.2459D%sacha@gardenweedws506.fsnet.co.uk>
> from Sacha <sacha@gardenweedws506.fsnet.co.uk> contains these words:
>
>
>
> Must be a newsreader thing. On my screen, Cat's original post showed
> the Euro sign preceding the number. Shazzbat's quote of her post showed
> it as a questionmark preceding the number.
>
Well I give up. When I typed it out, Altgr+4 came out as a euro sign, but
when it appeared in the thread it was a question mark.
Steve
| |
| Nick Maclaren 2005-11-23, 5:21 pm |
| In article <dm2in5$lap$1@newsg2.svr.pol.co.uk>,
shazzbat <shazzbat@spamlessness.co.uk> wrote:
>
>
>Well I give up. When I typed it out, Altgr+4 came out as a euro sign, but
>when it appeared in the thread it was a question mark.
Good. If you want a short summary of the principles of the chaos,
please ask. But I can assure you that you don't want to know.
Regards,
Nick Maclaren.
| |
| Jaques d'Alltrades 2005-11-23, 5:21 pm |
| The message <dm2f7a$7q5$1@nwrdmz02.dmz.ncs.ea.ibs-infra.bt.com>
from "Space" <space@btinternet.com> contains these words:
> Ctrl Alt 4 does it
> ? (<------- now does this post as a euro sign??)
Question mark.
--
Rusty
horrid dot squeak snailything zetnet point co full-stop uk
http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/hi-fi/
| |
| Jaques d'Alltrades 2005-11-23, 6:21 pm |
| The message <dm2i3u$oms$1@gemini.csx.cam.ac.uk>
from nmm1@cus.cam.ac.uk (Nick Maclaren) contains these words:
> Admittedly, if it DID reach me as one, I would be worrying how you
> had hacked into my computer :-) Usenet uses ASCII - there is no
> Euro symbol in ASCII.
Alt + 0128 = Euro
Alt + 0208 = Deutchmark
--
Rusty
horrid dot squeak snailything zetnet point co full-stop uk
http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/hi-fi/
| |
| Jaques d'Alltrades 2005-11-23, 6:21 pm |
| The message <dm2ho3$69d$1@news8.svr.pol.co.uk>
from "shazzbat" <shazzbat@spamlessness.co.uk> contains these words:
> Ta,
> St?v?
Question marks.
I wonder if it depends which font you use to read nesw in?
--
Rusty
horrid dot squeak snailything zetnet point co full-stop uk
http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/hi-fi/
| |
| Jaques d'Alltrades 2005-11-23, 6:21 pm |
| The message <dm2ido$pba$1@gemini.csx.cam.ac.uk>
from nmm1@cus.cam.ac.uk (Nick Maclaren) contains these words:
[color=darkred]
> That is a gross understatement. In general, they are just plain
> broken.
Ah! a kindred spirit!
Er, should this worry me?
--
Rusty
horrid dot squeak snailything zetnet point co full-stop uk
http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/hi-fi/
| |
| Mike Lyle 2005-11-23, 6:21 pm |
| Jaques d'Alltrades wrote:
> The message <dm2i3u$oms$1@gemini.csx.cam.ac.uk>
> from nmm1@cus.cam.ac.uk (Nick Maclaren) contains these words:
>
>
> Alt + 0128 = Euro
> Alt + 0208 = Deutchmark
OK, I'll try.
Alt+0128...?
Alt+1208...Ð
How'd I do?
--
Mike.
| |
| Mike Lyle 2005-11-23, 6:21 pm |
| Mike Lyle wrote:
> Jaques d'Alltrades wrote:
you[color=darkred]
>
> OK, I'll try.
> Alt+0128...?
> Alt+1208...Ð
>
> How'd I do?
Well, there we are: DMark fine, but euro, question mark. As I, too,
thought, there really is no euro symbol in ASCII, which is a pretty
old convention, after all.
--
Mike.
| |
|
| On 23/11/05 9:26 pm, in article 3uk55mF122fu7U1@individual.net, "Mike Lyle"
<mike_lyle_uk@REMOVETHISyahoo.co.uk> wrote:
> Mike Lyle wrote:
> you
>
> Well, there we are: DMark fine, but euro, question mark. As I, too,
> thought, there really is no euro symbol in ASCII, which is a pretty
> old convention, after all.
I have no idea but.....€ is the Euro symbol produced by the alt key alone
on my Mac using what my own headers tell me is
Microsoft-Entourage/10.0.0.1309. I'll be interested to see how it turns
out when I see it as posted to the group.
PS: Having tried to press 'send' I'm now told this has to be sent as
Unicode which might not work with 'older mail clients'. As I feel that I
fit firmly into that bracket, I'm going to say 'yes'. Anything for a new
experience........
--
Sacha
www.hillhousenursery.co.uk
South Devon
(remove the weeds to email me)
| |
|
| On 23/11/05 10:32 pm, in article
BFAA9E8F.24620%sacha@gardenweedws506.fsnet.co.uk, "Sacha"
<sacha@gardenweedws506.fsnet.co.uk> wrote:
<snip>
>
> I have no idea but.....€ is the Euro symbol produced by the alt key alone
> on my Mac using what my own headers tell me is
> Microsoft-Entourage/10.0.0.1309. I'll be interested to see how it turns
> out when I see it as posted to the group.
And on my screen it is the Euro symbol.
--
Sacha
www.hillhousenursery.co.uk
South Devon
(remove the weeds to email me)
| |
| Mike Lyle 2005-11-23, 7:21 pm |
| Sacha wrote:
> On 23/11/05 9:26 pm, in article 3uk55mF122fu7U1@individual.net,
"Mike
> Lyle" <mike_lyle_uk@REMOVETHISyahoo.co.uk> wrote:
>
no[color=darkred]
too,[color=darkred]
pretty[color=darkred]
>
> I have no idea but.....? is the Euro symbol produced by the alt
key
> alone on my Mac using what my own headers tell me is
> Microsoft-Entourage/10.0.0.1309. I'll be interested to see how it
> turns out when I see it as posted to the group.
>
> PS: Having tried to press 'send' I'm now told this has to be sent
as
> Unicode which might not work with 'older mail clients'. As I feel
> that I fit firmly into that bracket, I'm going to say 'yes'.
> Anything for a new experience........
OK, that displayed correctly on my OE: this is presumably because OE
is a Microsoft product, and you're using a Microsoft standard. It
won't always be compatible with ASCII, which is (as far as I know,
anyhow) the only universal standard. The Unicode thing rumbles on and
on; I've long since stopped thinking about it, but there'll be a
solution one day. Bluebirds over the white cliffs of Dover, too --
just you wait and see...
--
Mike.
| |
|
| On 23/11/05 10:43 pm, in article 3uk9kkF1103k2U1@individual.net, "Mike Lyle"
<mike_lyle_uk@REMOVETHISyahoo.co.uk> wrote:
> Sacha wrote:
<snip>[color=darkred]
> key
> as
>
> OK, that displayed correctly on my OE: this is presumably because OE
> is a Microsoft product, and you're using a Microsoft standard. It
> won't always be compatible with ASCII, which is (as far as I know,
> anyhow) the only universal standard. The Unicode thing rumbles on and
> on; I've long since stopped thinking about it, but there'll be a
> solution one day. Bluebirds over the white cliffs of Dover, too --
> just you wait and see...
Uh huh. While I'm waiting for that glorious day, what was the Euro symbol
in my post is a question mark in your reply. ;-(
I must be honest and say that I'm with Cat(h) with regard to using my
computer. For me, it's a bit like using my car. I want to turn it on and
have it work - I feel no need to know what goes on under its bonnet!
--
Sacha
www.hillhousenursery.co.uk
South Devon
(remove the weeds to email me)
| |
| Jaques d'Alltrades 2005-11-23, 8:21 pm |
| The message <3uk4vrF11vl7fU1@individual.net>
from "Mike Lyle" <mike_lyle_uk@REMOVETHISyahoo.co.uk> contains these words:
> Jaques d'Alltrades wrote:
[color=darkred]
> OK, I'll try.
> Alt+0128...?
> Alt+1208...Ð
> How'd I do?
Deutchmark OK, but Eeroqusetion mark.
But then, the font I use (Fixedsys) doesn't have the sign in it.
--
Rusty
horrid dot squeak snailything zetnet point co full-stop uk
http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/hi-fi/
| |
| Jaques d'Alltrades 2005-11-23, 8:21 pm |
| The message <BFAA9E8F.24620%sacha@gardenweedws506.fsnet.co.uk>
from Sacha <sacha@gardenweedws506.fsnet.co.uk> contains these words:
[color=darkred]
> I have no idea but.....€ is the Euro symbol produced by the alt
> key alone
> on my Mac using what my own headers tell me is
> Microsoft-Entourage/10.0.0.1309.
a circumflex, black oblong, ickle pistol. ¬
--
Rusty
horrid dot squeak snailything zetnet point co full-stop uk
http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/hi-fi/
| |
| Jaques d'Alltrades 2005-11-23, 8:21 pm |
| The message <BFAAA2B8.24634%sacha@gardenweedws506.fsnet.co.uk>
from Sacha <sacha@gardenweedws506.fsnet.co.uk> contains these words:
> Uh huh. While I'm waiting for that glorious day, what was the Euro symbol
> in my post is a question mark in your reply. ;-(
> I must be honest and say that I'm with Cat(h) with regard to using my
> computer. For me, it's a bit like using my car. I want to turn it on and
> have it work - I feel no need to know what goes on under its bonnet!
That seems to be Micro$oft's attitude, too.
The trouble is, they will insist on filling other programs' tanks with
diesel, when they run on petrol.
--
Rusty
horrid dot squeak snailything zetnet point co full-stop uk
http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/hi-fi/
| |
| chris French 2005-11-24, 4:21 am |
| In message <31303030323030384384FCB595@foobar.zetnet.co.ok>, Jaques
d'Alltrades <rusty.hinge@foobar.zetnet.co.ok> writes
>The message <BFAAA2B8.24634%sacha@gardenweedws506.fsnet.co.uk>
>from Sacha <sacha@gardenweedws506.fsnet.co.uk> contains these words:
>
>
>That seems to be Micro$oft's attitude, too.
>
>The trouble is, they will insist on filling other programs' tanks with
>diesel, when they run on petrol.
>
Though in this case I don't think MS can really be held to blame,
Sacha's just highlighted the issue hasn't she really, characters such
as the Euro, and for that matter the pound sterling symbol, that aren't
included in the ASCII character set may or may not survive transit.
Which is why the bottom line answer to this is not to use such symbols
at all and to use the three letter international abbreviations for
currencies such as GBP, EUR, etc. (doesn't apply to USD of) course as
the dollar symbol is part of the ASCII character set
--
Chris French
| |
|
| On 23/11/05 11:32 pm, in article
31303030323030384384FC1103@foobar.zetnet.co.ok, "Jaques d'Alltrades"
<rusty.hinge@foobar.zetnet.co.ok> wrote:
> The message <BFAA9E8F.24620%sacha@gardenweedws506.fsnet.co.uk>
> from Sacha <sacha@gardenweedws506.fsnet.co.uk> contains these words:
>
>
>
> a circumflex, black oblong, ickle pistol. ¬
So I see. How very clever of me........ ;-)
--
Sacha
www.hillhousenursery.co.uk
South Devon
(remove the weeds to email me)
| |
| Alan Holmes 2005-11-24, 10:21 am |
|
"Cat(h)" <cathy_ie@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1132755801.769390.325340@g44g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
Further to an earlier post, Janet Barraclough (I think?) said she dealt
with weeds on her driveway and other paths with a flame-thrower rather
than chemicals.
I rather like the sound of it, and have found somethign called the Weed
Wizard, a small hand-held flamethrower which operates with a small
bottle of butane, for what seems a reasonable cost of ?39.
Bearing in mind the huge cost of Pathclear for the surface I need to
treat, the fact that it is a toxic chemical, and that it is making
little enough impression - except stunting their growth - on my weeds
this time of year, I am very tempted by this tool. It also has the
potential of being used even in beds (plant beds, that is...).
Has anyone else here any experience of this tool? Is it any good? How
widely available are the small butane bottles? How dear are they?
Thank you for any helpful comment!
Cat(h)
Herds twirl slow...
I've never found them to be any use at all, the roots are not destroyed and
they grow again.
The only real solution is one of the chemicals.
Alan
| |
| Alan Holmes 2005-11-24, 10:21 am |
|
"shazzbat" <shazzbat@spamlessness.co.uk> wrote in message
news:dm29ug$sav$1@newsg1.svr.pol.co.uk...
>
> "Sacha" <sacha@gardenweedws506.fsnet.co.uk> wrote in message
> news:BFAA5519.245C2%sacha@gardenweedws506.fsnet.co.uk...
>
> Especially since Excel etc have the euro as an option in the currency
> department.
>
> Actually I've just discovered that the 4 key on my keyboard has a $ sign
> if you press the shift key, and there's a euro sign to the right of the 4,
> but I can't find how to make it work. Ctrl doesn't do it.
>
> Steve
>
€ Ctrl and alt together.
Alan
| |
| Alan Holmes 2005-11-24, 10:21 am |
|
"Cat(h)" <cathy_ie@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1132762042.595190.142310@z14g2000cwz.googlegroups.com...
shazzbat wrote:
> "Cat(h)" <cathy_ie@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> news:1132755801.769390.325340@g44g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
> Further to an earlier post, Janet Barraclough (I think?) said she dealt
> with weeds on her driveway and other paths with a flame-thrower rather
> than chemicals.
> I rather like the sound of it, and have found somethign called the Weed
> Wizard, a small hand-held flamethrower which operates with a small
> bottle of butane, for what seems a reasonable cost of ?39.
> Bearing in mind the huge cost of Pathclear for the surface I need to
> treat, the fact that it is a toxic chemical, and that it is making
> little enough impression - except stunting their growth - on my weeds
> this time of year, I am very tempted by this tool. It also has the
> potential of being used even in beds (plant beds, that is...).
> Has anyone else here any experience of this tool? Is it any good? How
> widely available are the small butane bottles? How dear are they?
> Thank you for any helpful comment!
>
> £39 is extremely over the top. £11-12 at the budget shops, inc a can of
> gas.
?39, not £39. That's about £26 - special offer, down from ?59
(lucky me), not including the gas canister.
Welcome to Rip Off Ireland :-)
>
> The butane or propane or butane/propane mix (all are suitable) are widely
> available for blowlamps etc, you'll get them at car accessory shops etc.
>
> It's a handy tool in that you can spare your back whilst using it standing
> up, but if greenness is your aim, what you gain by not using toxic
> chemicals
> you lose by using hydrocarbons. Your choice.
I am not fanatical about my greenness, and have been known to eat
things that throw shadows...
I still prefer the idea of flame to that of dousing the ground
repeatedly with chemicals.
Except that as I've said in another article, it is unlikely that the weeds
will be totally killed.
Alan
Cat(h)
Herds twirl slow...
| |
| Alan Holmes 2005-11-24, 10:21 am |
|
"Jaques d'Alltrades" <rusty.hinge@foobar.zetnet.co.ok> wrote in message
news:31303030323030384384D81180@foobar.zetnet.co.ok...
> The message <dm2ho3$69d$1@news8.svr.pol.co.uk>
> from "shazzbat" <shazzbat@spamlessness.co.uk> contains these words:
>
>
> Question marks.
>
> I wonder if it depends which font you use to read nesw in?
I always have trouble reading nesw!(:-)
Alan
>
> --
> Rusty
> horrid dot squeak snailything zetnet point co full-stop uk
> http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/hi-fi/
| |
| Cat(h) 2005-11-24, 10:21 am |
|
shazzbat wrote:
> "Sacha" <sacha@gardenweedws506.fsnet.co.uk> wrote in message
> news:BFAA5519.245C2%sacha@gardenweedws506.fsnet.co.uk...
>
> Especially since Excel etc have the euro as an option in the currency
> department.
>
> Actually I've just discovered that the 4 key on my keyboard has a $ sign=
if
> you press the shift key, and there's a euro sign to the right of the 4, b=
ut
> I can't find how to make it work. Ctrl doesn't do it.
Alt should.
Cat(h)
Herds twirl slow...
>=20
> Steve
| |
| Cat(h) 2005-11-24, 10:21 am |
|
Alan Holmes wrote:
> I've never found them to be any use at all, the roots are not destroyed a=
nd
> they grow again.
>
> The only real solution is one of the chemicals.
>
> Alan
Many thanks, Alan and all who commented. I think there is little point
in buying the small "flame thrower". I am reluctant to use chemicals a
few times a year - I used two packs of Pathclear a few week ends ago,
each pack costing =80 - Euro - 29 (no doubt, typical Irish excessive
price). I may need to do this three times a year - allowing for not
much growth in winter - the product labelling states it lasts 3 months,
and it is quite good and effective during the growing season. By my
reckoning, that would cost me a total of =80 - Euro - 174 per year.
The alternatives to this are 1) hand pulling - I have done this this
spring and summer, qutie successfully, but if I miss a week end , it
goes mad quite quickly. And I have a lot of non-gardening things to do
at week ends.
or 2) a flame thrower with more power than the Weed Wizard. Even if it
doesn't completely kill the weeds, I imagine that using it every couple
of weeks would be faster than hand pulling, and might keep the drive
clear. Bearing in mind that not all hand pulling takes out roots, and
that new weeds keep coming anyway.
Option 2) sounds sensible to me having listened to all the advice, so
I'll investigate that avenue.
Thanks again, and my humblest apologies for unwittingly unleashing an
off-topic currency symbol debate. Though anything which contributes to
a bit of Microsoft bashing can't be totally evil.
Cat(h)
Herds twirl slow...
| |
| Martin Brown 2005-11-24, 11:21 am |
| Cat(h) wrote:
> Alan Holmes wrote:
>
>
[color=darkred]
> Many thanks, Alan and all who commented. I think there is little point
> in buying the small "flame thrower". I am reluctant to use chemicals a
> few times a year - I used two packs of Pathclear a few week ends ago,
> each pack costing € - Euro - 29 (no doubt, typical Irish excessive
> price). I may need to do this three times a year - allowing for not
> much growth in winter - the product labelling states it lasts 3 months,
> and it is quite good and effective during the growing season. By my
> reckoning, that would cost me a total of € - Euro - 174 per year.
ISTR unless they have changed the licence that Pathclear did contain
Simazine and should not be used more often than every 6 months.
(I think now withdrawn under EEC rules)
How big is the drive if you are using that much weedkiller on it?
You should be able to control it with whatever fast acting weedkiller
you like unless you have invasive Japanese knotweed or something.
Residual weedkillers like pathclear stop new seeds germinating as well
as killing all the weeds.
> The alternatives to this are 1) hand pulling - I have done this this
> spring and summer, qutie successfully, but if I miss a week end , it
> goes mad quite quickly. And I have a lot of non-gardening things to do
> at week ends.
> or 2) a flame thrower with more power than the Weed Wizard. Even if it
> doesn't completely kill the weeds, I imagine that using it every couple
> of weeks would be faster than hand pulling, and might keep the drive
> clear. Bearing in mind that not all hand pulling takes out roots, and
> that new weeds keep coming anyway.
>
> Option 2) sounds sensible to me having listened to all the advice, so
> I'll investigate that avenue.
Glyphosate would probably be more environmentally friendly. And in the
growing season you only need a trace on each green plant to work.
>
> Thanks again, and my humblest apologies for unwittingly unleashing an
> off-topic currency symbol debate. Though anything which contributes to
> a bit of Microsoft bashing can't be totally evil.
Works OK here, but then I was in Belgium when the Euro launched.
Regards,
Martin Brown
| |
| Rupert 2005-11-24, 12:21 pm |
|
"Cat(h)" <cathy_ie@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1132840037.121168.153770@g43g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
Many thanks, Alan and all who commented. I think there is little point
in buying the small "flame thrower". I am reluctant to use chemicals a
few times a year - I used two packs of Pathclear a few week ends ago,
each pack costing ? - Euro - 29 (no doubt, typical Irish excessive
price). I may need to do this three times a year - allowing for not
much growth in winter - the product labelling states it lasts 3 months,
and it is quite good and effective during the growing season. By my
reckoning, that would cost me a total of ? - Euro - 174 per year.
The alternatives to this are 1) hand pulling - I have done this this
spring and summer, qutie successfully, but if I miss a week end , it
goes mad quite quickly. And I have a lot of non-gardening things to do
at week ends.
or 2) a flame thrower with more power than the Weed Wizard. Even if it
doesn't completely kill the weeds, I imagine that using it every couple
of weeks would be faster than hand pulling, and might keep the drive
clear. Bearing in mind that not all hand pulling takes out roots, and
that new weeds keep coming anyway.
Option 2) sounds sensible to me having listened to all the advice, so
I'll investigate that avenue.
Thanks again, and my humblest apologies for unwittingly unleashing an
off-topic currency symbol debate. Though anything which contributes to
a bit of Microsoft bashing can't be totally evil.
Cat(h)
Herds twirl slow...
Although I agree that the flamethrower things are not that good at killing
the roots of weeds they do a good job of killing seeds and seedlings. From
your description it appears that seeds are the problem.
| |
| Jaques d'Alltrades 2005-11-24, 12:21 pm |
| The message <$qGEIPGrtWhDNAbM@familyfrench.co.uk>
from chris French <newspost-c-002@familyfrench.co.uk> contains these words:
[color=darkred]
> Though in this case I don't think MS can really be held to blame,
> Sacha's just highlighted the issue hasn't she really, characters such
> as the Euro, and for that matter the pound sterling symbol, that aren't
> included in the ASCII character set may or may not survive transit.
> Which is why the bottom line answer to this is not to use such symbols
> at all and to use the three letter international abbreviations for
> currencies such as GBP, EUR, etc. (doesn't apply to USD of) course as
> the dollar symbol is part of the ASCII character set
Most readers support 8-bit, and most of the extra characters are
supported by that.
Unfortunately, the Euro sign is far too modern (FSVO modern) to have
been included, and you can't just unilaterally update a standard without
causing a lot of problems. It is this last aspect of which Microsoft and
others (Netscape especially) are/were guilty.
--
Rusty
horrid dot squeak snailything zetnet point co full-stop uk
http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/hi-fi/
| |
| Ron Clark 2005-11-24, 1:21 pm |
| On Wed, 23 Nov 2005 21:23:38 -0000, "Mike Lyle"
<mike_lyle_uk@REMOVETHISyahoo.co.uk> wrote this (or the missive
included this):
>Jaques d'Alltrades wrote:
>
>OK, I'll try.
>Alt+0128...?
>Alt+1208...Ð
>
>How'd I do?
c minus
€
Ð This is Alt+0208, not your version.
How'd I do?
--
®óñ© © ² * ¹°°³ -¹
| |
| Jaques d'Alltrades 2005-11-24, 2:21 pm |
| The message <D8jhf.1471$pc1.346@newsfe4-gui.ntli.net>
from "Alan Holmes" <alan.holmes@virgin.net> contains these words:
> ?39, not £39. That's about £26 - special offer, down from ?59
> (lucky me), not including the gas canister.
> Welcome to Rip Off Ireland :-)
The Euro sign does not feature in any standard ASCII set, so those of us
who have protocol compliant newsreaders are either seeing a question
mark, or a black rectangle.
Be sure that symbols you use are supported by standards, or you will be
misunderstood - at best.
--
Rusty
horrid dot squeak snailything zetnet point co full-stop uk
http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/hi-fi/
| |
| Jaques d'Alltrades 2005-11-24, 2:21 pm |
| The message <dm4ifg$h51$1@newsg1.svr.pol.co.uk>
from Martin Brown <|||newspam|||@nezumi.demon.co.uk> contains these words:
> ISTR unless they have changed the licence that Pathclear did contain
> Simazine and should not be used more often than every 6 months.
> (I think now withdrawn under EEC rules)
Can't think why - it doesn't leach very fast. I ploughed a field which
had had Simazine on it (was maize) three years previously, then took a
cultivator and a harrow over it and sowed barley.
The crop was a failure.
> How big is the drive if you are using that much weedkiller on it?
> You should be able to control it with whatever fast acting weedkiller
> you like unless you have invasive Japanese knotweed or something.
> Residual weedkillers like pathclear stop new seeds germinating as well
> as killing all the weeds.
That's Simazine's job.
[color=darkred]
> Glyphosate would probably be more environmentally friendly. And in the
> growing season you only need a trace on each green plant to work.
I'd agree there.
[color=darkred]
[color=darkred]
> Works OK here, but then I was in Belgium when the Euro launched.
<Zaphod>
Belgium, man! Belgium!
</Zaphod>
--
Rusty
horrid dot squeak snailything zetnet point co full-stop uk
http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/hi-fi/
| |
| Jaques d'Alltrades 2005-11-24, 2:21 pm |
| The message <1132840037.121168.153770@g43g2000cwa.googlegroups.com>
from "Cat(h)" <cathy_ie@yahoo.com> contains these words:
> Thanks again, and my humblest apologies for unwittingly unleashing an
> off-topic currency symbol debate. Though anything which contributes to
> a bit of Microsoft bashing can't be totally evil.
The pleasure is entirely ours.
--
Grumbler
| |
| Mike Lyle 2005-11-24, 2:21 pm |
| Ron Clark wrote:
> On Wed, 23 Nov 2005 21:23:38 -0000, "Mike Lyle"
> <mike_lyle_uk@REMOVETHISyahoo.co.uk> wrote this (or the missive
> included this):
>
you[color=darkred]
>
> c minus
>
> ?
>
> Ð This is Alt+0208, not your version.
>
> How'd I do?
Same's me. Sorry: that "1208" was a misprint, and it _is_ "0208"
--
Mike..
| |
| chris French 2005-11-24, 3:21 pm |
| In message <31303030323030384385EFFA79@foobar.zetnet.co.ok>, Jaques
d'Alltrades <rusty.hinge@foobar.zetnet.co.ok> writes
>The message <D8jhf.1471$pc1.346@newsfe4-gui.ntli.net>
>from "Alan Holmes" <alan.holmes@virgin.net> contains these words:
>
>
>The Euro sign does not feature in any standard ASCII set, so those of us
>who have protocol compliant newsreaders are either seeing a question
>mark, or a black rectangle.
Not necessarily, mine is compliant but can additionally show the Euro
character in this case.
>
>Be sure that symbols you use are supported by standards, or you will be
>misunderstood - at best.
>
Indeed
--
Chris French
| |
| Martin Brown 2005-11-24, 5:21 pm |
| Jaques d'Alltrades wrote:
> The message <dm4ifg$h51$1@newsg1.svr.pol.co.uk>
> from Martin Brown <|||newspam|||@nezumi.demon.co.uk> contains these words:
>
>
> <Zaphod>
>
> Belgium, man! Belgium!
>
> </Zaphod>
<FX>
Evil grin.
</FX>
Regards,
Martin Brown
| |
| Nick Maclaren 2005-11-24, 6:21 pm |
| In article <dm5acn$2tr$1@news6.svr.pol.co.uk>,
Martin Brown <|||newspam|||@nezumi.demon.co.uk> wrote:
>Jaques d'Alltrades wrote:
>
>
><FX>
>Evil grin.
></FX>
My first encounter with Belgium was when I lived in a location (not
in Belgium) where the only decent road to anywhere else led through
Belgium. So we had to drive through it to get there - despite
starting and ending in the same country.
Regards,
Nick Maclaren.
|
|
|
|
|