[Shotimes] Re: Pennzoil & Teller Illusions
MonsieurBoo@aol.com
MonsieurBoo@aol.com
Tue, 11 May 2004 08:53:46 EDT
Rick G: "I actually filled up Sunday morning....I put 20.46 gallons in that
16 gallon tank."
... And folks, I just made a mental connection between this statement and
something I read last week in the local news.
Some people around here are reporting that they don't think they're actually
getting full gallonage pumped into their tank, as compared with what shows on
the pump.
Yes of course there are regulatory agencies whose job it is to check the
accuracy periodically. Next time you pump gas, look at the little sticker and see
when the last time was that they actually did it. Some of the ones I've seen
are too weather beaten to read!
I do some freelance database development and systems integration, and
occasionally do stuff for our neighborhood Exxon. Exxon stations use a proprietary
mini-UNIX box and software to handle all the pump and tank stuff. The way you
manage the computerized pumps isn't too dissimilar to how they tweak the
computerized slot machines in Vegas, and it wouldn't surprise me if these pumps
could be tweaked just as surreptitiously. In fact I wouldn't doubt the same
son-of-a-bitch wrote both programs!
Now I gotta see if I can borrow his system manuals again and go digging for
any relevant functionality buried in a sub-sub-submenu ;-)
All y'all might want to calibrate a 5 gal jerrycan and do some freelance
testing at your usual fillup spot!
Cheers,
Mark LaBarre / Washington DC the capital city of illusions
94 ATX 125k