[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