Brian G

I ordered 3 of those historic reprints yesterday, should be here in a few days. I finally found out they were all around 12 x 9 inches, so we're talking full sized pages. If any of them is particularly well-suited for HI reading I'll let you gents know about it. Brian G. I Wonder If I Might Find George in a Drawing in the One From 1869? [] [:-dev3]

Does anybody know much about this subject? Had any experience with it? If there's something out there that works and is compatble with my reporting system (Borealis) I would love to take a look at it. Typing is NOT my favorite part of this job, nor a particular strength of mine in general. If I could hold down a button, talk, and watch the words appear on the screen, I would be a happy camper. Brian G. Yeah, I'm Lazy...What's Your Point? []

Well, I just ordered myself a Maxtor 5000LE to back up my stuff every day. All of this talk about crashing, very, very scary thought. I would be SO screwed if mine crashed...there are no words for it. I got it for $150 from buy.com, with free shipping. Considering that I would be dead in the water if my Dell bit the dust, that's damn cheap insurance. Brian G. Backin' Up Like a Crawdad [:-dev3]

Jeez Danny, What are trying to do, blow the poor realtors' deal? Don't you know a passive indoor air hydration system when you see one? Tisk-tisk. [] Brian G. Spin Doctor Extrodinaire [:-blindfold]

This is one of those ticklish things. I usually don't say much other than to note it as being original and outdated, unless it has an issue of some kind (poorly done to start with, in sorry condition, non-pro meddling / add-ons, etc.). About half of the time I find this stuff on a 2-wire system anyway, and I'm ALWAYS going to recommend rewiring the whole system then. And as always, disclaim to the effect of "can't see and inspect all of it, consult a qualified electrician about concerns, options, estimates, etc." for some basic CYA. Brian G. But That's Just Me

I was just wandering around www.theoldhouseweb.com and found a bunch of reprints of historic house books. They're all cheap too, about $8 - $12 each. The only thing is, they never say what physical size they are, might be small. The umpteen detailed drawings wouldn't be much fun if you had to squint. Yo Mike, they've got some turn-of-the-century Bungalow plan books by Stickley and others. I admit it, I'm a sucker for Bungalow and Prarie. They both look very sturdy and solid, but with a certain quiet elegance. If anyone's interested, go to that site and click on "Restoration Bookstore", then look under "Featured Collections". The next to last item in the left column is "Historic Reprints". Brian G. Up Late Again

After checking out their website the other day I went ahead and joined the Nat'l Trust for Historic Preservation for a year. For a measley $20 you get 6 issues of "Preservation", a tax deduction, and a nifty tote bag for the little woman. I doubt if many of the articles will be on the line I'd like, but I'll learn something anyway. I'll also have a chance to find out who else around here is involved, maybe get connected with the local preservation community. You just never know where these things might lead to. Brian G. Toucan Brian, Following His Nose

Sounds like a good idea. This is a subject I'm totally ignorant on, so I'm interested in whatever you can teach me Norm. Brian G. Pool Illiterate Inspector [:-boggled]

Yo George, I have a couple of heat pump questions for you. 1. What (if any) output temperature would you consider to be the "minimum acceptable" for a heat pump? 2. What is the difference beween "auxiliary heat" and "emergency heat"? I was inspecting one the other day, and checking the output temp just as I always do on gas or resistive heat. It was only going up to about 96. The "auxiliary heat" light was on at the thermostat at the time. I thought "What the hell, let's see what we get on "emergency heat", and flipped it on at the thermostat. Within a couple of minutes the temp was down to 83 and dropping...Huh? I admit it, this is not my strong suit. What's the story George? Does this sound like a deficiency in the machine or the man? Brian G. Surely It Is Not I! [:-boggled]

I agree whole-heartedly with those who feel that a correspondence course is simply not sufficient training if one is to have a serious chance to succeed. I attended ITA Tampa for my initial home inspection training, under the Great Markster himself. I took the 1 week course out of economic lack-of-choice, and I felt I was given as much as one could possibly expect to get under that time frame. It's been enough for me BUT I had more than 16 years of experience in construction related fields to start from, AND I spent ALL of my spare time during that week in Tampa with my head in a book away from class, AND I paid attention and participated constantly in class, AND I had already been self-employed for 9 years. Most of the other chaps there at the time were less focused...some much less so. You get back what you put in, same as always. Spend the money, get good training. Brian G. A Chip Off the Ole' Markster [:-angel]