https://www.youtube.com/shorts/msJqYgaYFZY
Quote: EvenBobThe salesman forgot to mention then if you treat it right you might get 2 million miles out of it which some people did. These early Corollas were absolutely incredible cars and at the time nobody knew it. I knew a girl who drove a Honda and we made fun of her constantly. because Honda's made motorcycles not cars. Everybody called it a 'Honda car' because we all laughed at Japanese cars.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/msJqYgaYFZY
link to original post
I have been driving my Corolla a lot more than I expected. I think I am now at about 2000 miles this year and 1500 of it are back and forth to doctors appointments.
Does the battery recharge when power is restored? If not, I'd hate to have to disassemble the lightbulb to replace the battery 😄
Dog Hand
Quote: DogHandrxwine,
Does the battery recharge when power is restored? If not, I'd hate to have to disassemble the lightbulb to replace the battery 😄
Dog Hand
link to original post
I was actually wondering if the battery will last as long as the life of light.
Quote: DRich
Are you permitted to speak on the projects you worked on at Livermore. My best friend from college worked there as a computer scientist working on distributed systems for nuclear simulations.
link to original post
I worked on an advanced uranium enrichment process called Atomic Vapor Laser Isotope Separation. We vaporized metallic uranium and then passed a laser beam thorough the vapor that selectively ionized the U-235 isotope; the ions were then removed from the vapor by electric fields. I became the lead designer of the process for a few years.
Quote: gordonm888Quote: DRich
Are you permitted to speak on the projects you worked on at Livermore. My best friend from college worked there as a computer scientist working on distributed systems for nuclear simulations.
link to original post
I worked on an advanced uranium enrichment process called Atomic Vapor Laser Isotope Separation. We vaporized metallic uranium and then passed a laser beam thorough the vapor that selectively ionized the U-235 isotope; the ions were then removed from the vapor by electric fields. I became the lead designer of the process for a few years.
link to original post
Thank you, that sounds both fascinating and exactly like a project that I would expect LLNL to be working on.
how does it selectively pick the isotopes you want? Or does this still involve a centrifuge?Quote: gordonm888Quote: DRich
Are you permitted to speak on the projects you worked on at Livermore. My best friend from college worked there as a computer scientist working on distributed systems for nuclear simulations.
link to original post
I worked on an advanced uranium enrichment process called Atomic Vapor Laser Isotope Separation. We vaporized metallic uranium and then passed a laser beam thorough the vapor that selectively ionized the U-235 isotope; the ions were then removed from the vapor by electric fields. I became the lead designer of the process for a few years.
link to original post
Quote: odiousgambithow does it selectively pick the isotopes you want? Or does this still involve a centrifuge?Quote: gordonm888Quote: DRich
Are you permitted to speak on the projects you worked on at Livermore. My best friend from college worked there as a computer scientist working on distributed systems for nuclear simulations.
link to original post
I worked on an advanced uranium enrichment process called Atomic Vapor Laser Isotope Separation. We vaporized metallic uranium and then passed a laser beam thorough the vapor that selectively ionized the U-235 isotope; the ions were then removed from the vapor by electric fields. I became the lead designer of the process for a few years.
link to original post
link to original post
The isotopes of Uranium, U-235 and U-238, have different nuclear masses and their resonances for absorption of photons (by their electrons) are at slightly different frequencies. You must be able to tune the frequency of the lasers precisely enough that the U-235 atoms absorb the light and knock off an electron without doing the same to the U-238 atoms. Once the U-235 atoms have lost an electron they have become ions with a positive electrical charge and can be swept sideways out of the flowing uranium vapor by electric fields where they deposit on "collector plates." The uranium on the collector plates is enriched in U-235 and the flowing vapor of uranium becomes depleted in Uranium 235 and is collected elsewhere.
There's lots of complicated technical details that are sensitive and that I am restricted from discussing but that is the fundamental concept.
I have to imagine that just about any knowledge of U was classified at one time. The googlebot says it was the 1940s before it was known that "early defense research determined that Uranium-235 is fissile [and] the more common isotope, Uranium-238 ... is non-fissile"Quote: gordonm888There's lots of complicated technical details that are sensitive and that I am restricted from discussing but that is the fundamental concept.
link to original post
Note "defense research" ... they weren't blabbing about it
Quote: gordonm888Quote: odiousgambithow does it selectively pick the isotopes you want? Or does this still involve a centrifuge?Quote: gordonm888Quote: DRich
Are you permitted to speak on the projects you worked on at Livermore. My best friend from college worked there as a computer scientist working on distributed systems for nuclear simulations.
link to original post
I worked on an advanced uranium enrichment process called Atomic Vapor Laser Isotope Separation. We vaporized metallic uranium and then passed a laser beam thorough the vapor that selectively ionized the U-235 isotope; the ions were then removed from the vapor by electric fields. I became the lead designer of the process for a few years.
link to original post
link to original post
The isotopes of Uranium, U-235 and U-238, have different nuclear masses and their resonances for absorption of photons (by their electrons) are at slightly different frequencies. You must be able to tune the frequency of the lasers precisely enough that the U-235 atoms absorb the light and knock off an electron without doing the same to the U-238 atoms. Once the U-235 atoms have lost an electron they have become ions with a positive electrical charge and can be swept sideways out of the flowing uranium vapor by electric fields where they deposit on "collector plates." The uranium on the collector plates is enriched in U-235 and the flowing vapor of uranium becomes depleted in Uranium 235 and is collected elsewhere.
There's lots of complicated technical details that are sensitive and that I am restricted from discussing but that is the fundamental concept.
link to original post
Very cool. I was involved in something that rhymes with that, separation of lanthanides in solution. They all ionize at different wavelengths and you can make them precipitate out of solution one at a time.
But doing it on the isotopic level- wow- that must be one heck of a monochromatic beam where 3 neutrons makes the difference if it ionizes or not! Beams like that are used for a few types of spectroscopy but that's at metrological rather than chemical processing power levels.
Quote: AutomaticMonkeyQuote: gordonm888Quote: odiousgambithow does it selectively pick the isotopes you want? Or does this still involve a centrifuge?Quote: gordonm888Quote: DRich
Are you permitted to speak on the projects you worked on at Livermore. My best friend from college worked there as a computer scientist working on distributed systems for nuclear simulations.
link to original post
I worked on an advanced uranium enrichment process called Atomic Vapor Laser Isotope Separation. We vaporized metallic uranium and then passed a laser beam thorough the vapor that selectively ionized the U-235 isotope; the ions were then removed from the vapor by electric fields. I became the lead designer of the process for a few years.
link to original post
link to original post
The isotopes of Uranium, U-235 and U-238, have different nuclear masses and their resonances for absorption of photons (by their electrons) are at slightly different frequencies. You must be able to tune the frequency of the lasers precisely enough that the U-235 atoms absorb the light and knock off an electron without doing the same to the U-238 atoms. Once the U-235 atoms have lost an electron they have become ions with a positive electrical charge and can be swept sideways out of the flowing uranium vapor by electric fields where they deposit on "collector plates." The uranium on the collector plates is enriched in U-235 and the flowing vapor of uranium becomes depleted in Uranium 235 and is collected elsewhere.
There's lots of complicated technical details that are sensitive and that I am restricted from discussing but that is the fundamental concept.
link to original post
Very cool. I was involved in something that rhymes with that, separation of lanthanides in solution. They all ionize at different wavelengths and you can make them precipitate out of solution one at a time.
But doing it on the isotopic level- wow- that must be one heck of a monochromatic beam where 3 neutrons makes the difference if it ionizes or not! Beams like that are used for a few types of spectroscopy but that's at metrological rather than chemical processing power levels.
link to original post
According to that bastion of all human knowledge, Wikipedia:
"Modern systems typically use the 238U absorption peak of 502.74 nanometers which shifts to 502.73 nm in 235U."
Dog Hand
Quote: gordonm888Quote: odiousgambithow does it selectively pick the isotopes you want? Or does this still involve a centrifuge?Quote: gordonm888Quote: DRich
Are you permitted to speak on the projects you worked on at Livermore. My best friend from college worked there as a computer scientist working on distributed systems for nuclear simulations.
link to original post
I worked on an advanced uranium enrichment process called Atomic Vapor Laser Isotope Separation. We vaporized metallic uranium and then passed a laser beam thorough the vapor that selectively ionized the U-235 isotope; the ions were then removed from the vapor by electric fields. I became the lead designer of the process for a few years.
link to original post
link to original post
The isotopes of Uranium, U-235 and U-238, have different nuclear masses and their resonances for absorption of photons (by their electrons) are at slightly different frequencies. You must be able to tune the frequency of the lasers precisely enough that the U-235 atoms absorb the light and knock off an electron without doing the same to the U-238 atoms. Once the U-235 atoms have lost an electron they have become ions with a positive electrical charge and can be swept sideways out of the flowing uranium vapor by electric fields where they deposit on "collector plates." The uranium on the collector plates is enriched in U-235 and the flowing vapor of uranium becomes depleted in Uranium 235 and is collected elsewhere.
There's lots of complicated technical details that are sensitive and that I am restricted from discussing but that is the fundamental concept.
link to original post
Compare this to the other moderators resume which apparently involves driving around the country eating at every fast food restaurant he goes by. I heard he was a corn broom salesman but I've never been able to confirm it
Quote: EvenBob
Compare this to the other moderators resume which apparently involves driving around the country eating at every fast food restaurant he goes by. I heard he was a corn broom salesman but I've never been able to confirm it
Speaking of corn broom salesman, if you have never been to the Corn Palace in Mitchell South Dakota you are missing out.

Me at the Corn Palace

Quote: EvenBob
Compare this to the other moderators resume which apparently involves driving around the country eating at every fast food restaurant he goes by. I heard he was a corn broom salesman but I've never been able to confirm it
link to original post
What I waste time on now (between nuking spammers) is not what I used to do.
In fairness, I understand another moderator spends time tutoring math and acting in low budget movies... again, not how he used to spend his days.
... And I have skipped one or two fast food joints. Gotta save something to look forward to.
Quote: DRichQuote: EvenBob
Compare this to the other moderators resume which apparently involves driving around the country eating at every fast food restaurant he goes by. I heard he was a corn broom salesman but I've never been able to confirm it
Speaking of corn broom salesman, if you have never been to the Corn Palace in Mitchell South Dakota you are missing out.
Me at the Corn Palace
link to original post
Corny stuff
Quote: EvenBob
Compare this to the other moderators resume which apparently involves driving around the country eating at every fast food restaurant he goes by. I heard he was a corn broom salesman but I've never been able to confirm it
link to original post
Dieter is a great guy; he is more technically adept than I am at interpreting IP addresses and spotting weird telltales of AIBots. He works longer hours than Wizard and I at the moderator job. He has a weird sense of humor which grows on you. He is a decent person (not all forum members are); sincerely tries to be fair and moderate in his moderation. When I'm uncertain how to respond to a situation I go to him for advice and always follow it. I'm lucky to have him as a fellow moderator.
\]Quote: gordonm888Quote: EvenBob
Compare this to the other moderators resume which apparently involves driving around the country eating at every fast food restaurant he goes by. I heard he was a corn broom salesman but I've never been able to confirm it
link to original post
Dieter is a great guy; he is more technically adept than I am at interpreting IP addresses and spotting weird telltales of AIBots. He works longer hours than Wizard and I at the moderator job. He has a weird sense of humor which grows on you. He is a decent person (not all forum members are); sincerely tries to be fair and moderate in his moderation. When I'm uncertain how to respond to a situation I go to him for advice and always follow it. I'm lucky to have him as a fellow moderator.
link to original post
Corn broom salesmen have a lot of extra time on their hands. Considering corn brooms went out of style in the 1950s He refuses to say what he really does for a living so I get to make up what I think he does. I'm sure my fantasies are much more entertaining than the reality.
Quote: EvenBob\]Quote: gordonm888Quote: EvenBob
Compare this to the other moderators resume which apparently involves driving around the country eating at every fast food restaurant he goes by. I heard he was a corn broom salesman but I've never been able to confirm it
link to original post
Dieter is a great guy; he is more technically adept than I am at interpreting IP addresses and spotting weird telltales of AIBots. He works longer hours than Wizard and I at the moderator job. He has a weird sense of humor which grows on you. He is a decent person (not all forum members are); sincerely tries to be fair and moderate in his moderation. When I'm uncertain how to respond to a situation I go to him for advice and always follow it. I'm lucky to have him as a fellow moderator.
link to original post
Corn broom salesmen have a lot of extra time on their hands. Considering corn brooms went out of style in the 1950s He refuses to say what he really does for a living so I get to make up what I think he does. I'm sure my fantasies are much more entertaining than the reality.
link to original post
OK I know what Dieter actually does. He might have contractual obligations preventing him from revealing it, but I didn't sign the contract so I will.
He's the host of an English-language talk & entertainment show in Germany called Sprockets.
How do you keep a ------ in suspense?
I am wearing a black shirt.
I am as happy as a little girl.
Quote: DieterThere are certain things I'm not supposed to discuss, but...
I am wearing a black shirt.
I am as happy as a little girl.
link to original post
A mafia guy on drugs?
Is now the time when we dance? ;)Quote: DieterThere are certain things I'm not supposed to discuss, but...
I am wearing a black shirt.
I am as happy as a little girl.
link to original post
Quote: billryanI met a guy in Laughlin who was a full-time traveling square-dance caller, though he used a different term. I was not aware that there was a square dance circuit.
link to original post
I am sure that you have heard of Bob Dancer from the video poker forums.
Quote: DRichQuote: billryanI met a guy in Laughlin who was a full-time traveling square-dance caller, though he used a different term. I was not aware that there was a square dance circuit.
link to original post
I am sure that you have heard of Bob Dancer from the video poker forums.
link to original post
I know Bob from Vegas, mostly from South Point. He actually invited me to attend some dance lessons, but I declined. This guy was the pseudo-DJ, not a dancer.
Quote: rxwineMy girlfriend (at the time) brother had his own small video store during the Blockbuster era. He did alright, but then he had a backroom where he also rented porn videos.
link to original post
I remember a lot of the independent video stores had a small porn section. I han't really thought about this before, but are porn magazines still published? Penthouse, Hustler, Playboy, etc?
Quote: rxwineMy girlfriend (at the time) brother had his own small video store during the Blockbuster era. He did alright, but then he had a backroom where he also rented porn videos.
link to original post
The porn shop around the corner from my first apartment had a similar deal. The front lobby was full of "non-adult" mainstream videos, and they rented them for dirt cheap - something like 1/3rd the price of the national chains.
They were clearly making their money on the back room - videos, novelties, apparel, and a wide assortment of contemporary smoking accessories (intended for use with tobacco only).
Quote: DRichQuote: rxwineMy girlfriend (at the time) brother had his own small video store during the Blockbuster era. He did alright, but then he had a backroom where he also rented porn videos.
link to original post
I remember a lot of the independent video stores had a small porn section. I han't really thought about this before, but are porn magazines still published? Penthouse, Hustler, Playboy, etc?
link to original post
Playboy ceased publication in March 2020 (COVID month) but resumed publication with an Annual issue in 2025 (which still sounds like they're almost completely dead.)
Quote: DieterQuote: rxwineMy girlfriend (at the time) brother had his own small video store during the Blockbuster era. He did alright, but then he had a backroom where he also rented porn videos.
link to original post
The porn shop around the corner from my first apartment had a similar deal. The front lobby was full of "non-adult" mainstream videos, and they rented them for dirt cheap - something like 1/3rd the price of the national chains.
They were clearly making their money on the back room - videos, novelties, apparel, and a wide assortment of contemporary smoking accessories (intended for use with tobacco only).
link to original post
I knew the guy who owned the video store in my area and he said all his profit came from the backroom. He said the regular video rentals paid his rent and his employees and everything else and the porn videos were pure profit. There was never almost any time of day when there wasn't somebody in the backroom renting videos. This was long before the Internet and it was the only place to get them. It was mostly men but there were a lot of women that went in there together and they laughed and giggled looking at the boxes but they always rented something. I don't remember ever seeing a woman back there by herself that would be just weird.
Quote: EvenBobQuote: DieterQuote: rxwineMy girlfriend (at the time) brother had his own small video store during the Blockbuster era. He did alright, but then he had a backroom where he also rented porn videos.
link to original post
The porn shop around the corner from my first apartment had a similar deal. The front lobby was full of "non-adult" mainstream videos, and they rented them for dirt cheap - something like 1/3rd the price of the national chains.
They were clearly making their money on the back room - videos, novelties, apparel, and a wide assortment of contemporary smoking accessories (intended for use with tobacco only).
link to original post
I knew the guy who owned the video store in my area and he said all his profit came from the backroom. He said the regular video rentals paid his rent and his employees and everything else and the porn videos were pure profit. There was never almost any time of day when there wasn't somebody in the backroom renting videos. This was long before the Internet and it was the only place to get them. It was mostly men but there were a lot of women that went in there together and they laughed and giggled looking at the boxes but they always rented something. I don't remember ever seeing a woman back there by herself that would be just weird.
link to original post
This place was a usual pilgrimage for bachelorette party favors and the "Joe is turning 18, let's get him a magazine" excursions. Many of these outings included a participant that wasn't quite 18 by strict reckoning, or otherwise didn't have satisfactory ID. The front room was open without age restriction, but to go in the back, the clerk carded everyone. (There had been numerous busts in the past.)
Still, once you had a membership card, front room videos rented for something stupid like $1 a week, tax included, and they had a decent selection of classic films. Other shops were charging $5 for a weekend.
Other places were definitely less expensive for the back room content. One place didn't have a back room, just a binder listing titles. Pick a video number, pay the $7 for a week, get the plain brown wrapper, and bring it back on time or expect embarassing reminder calls. (They were $3 for a weekend on the "front room" titles.)

