tamms_1965

when you swipe the card through the reader, the magnetized particles in its stripe generate a signal with "ticks" in it at intervals that the machine is able to interpret as digital ones or zeros. A scratch or other defect in the magnetic stripe can cause a spike (i.e., brief fluctuation) in the signal that a too-sensitive reader will interpret as a tick, meaning that the encoded data will fail the parity check (the numbers won't add up right) and the card won't work. Wrapping the card in plastic increases the distance between the read head and the magnetic stripe, thus reducing the strength and crispness of the signal and smoothing out anomalous fluctuations.

The above is pirated information from the "Ask Metafilter" website.

meauxna

Come to Oregon; we're the only other state with no self-service IIRC.

frrussre

I will store this info, incase I am ever on University Challenge (Like Jeopardy, but for really clever people)

Brit3964

Just filled up again @ $2.44. Cheapest here since oooh ages ago I'm off up to NC this weekend. I bet it's more there, it usually is.

frrussre

Build your own, liquid bombmobil
buy several red 5 gallon cans, fillem up, carry in trunk. Seems to be a stupid FL thing.

neil

The place I filled up at this morning for $2.53 was $2.45 on my way home. I couldn't have made it to work and back on what I had in the tank this morning though.

TruBrit

hiya frank

frrussre

Hi Trubrit, I think being mia on here for a few weeks has rested my old brain.
Reg. Frank R.

tamms_1965

$2.14 last night at the station attached to Wal-Mart.

lisag8070

yep it is...I filled up yesterday for $2.79...(at costco)

tamms_1965

Just got back from shopping and saw it at $2.13.

Janek66

God, I am surrounded by states that have much cheaper (by 50c or more) gas than it is here. What is with this state?

tamms_1965

Sorry to say this (not really) but it is $2.03 at one station in my area, but most stations are at $2.11 this morning.

Janek66

Perhaps I need to drive to Ohio to fill up?

tamms_1965

That doesn't sound that crazy around here. You'd be surpriesed at how many people spend 2 bucks in gas to drive to save 2 bucks in gas!