You are joking Ross?

There are two devils to defeat when quitting cigarettes, the addiction and the 'habit'. The addiction can be defeated after 3 weeks of quitting. I know this as the first and only time I ever quit about 8 years ago I found the addiction was eliminated after a short period of time BUT the 'habit' or comfort factor, whatever one calls it does not leave quickly if ever!

It seems that the nicotine itself is probably the least harmful element of cigarettes. Its the rest of the rubbish that does the most harm. I imagine if there was some way of gaining the nicotine without the rubbish it might be worth considering.

On a recent Web search I noticed Nicogel ( http://www.nicogel-uk.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=258&Itemid=46 ), it is a gel that is rubbed into ones hand thus delivering the nicotine hit! This is a new approach, similar to Nicorette, but different is so far that the user determines when they need / use the drug!

I am not keen on Nicorette as it continuously delivers nicotine into the system. The first products did this 24 hours a day however they have no introduced patches that dont deliver at night.

I have signed up for the free trial and will advise on results.

Mike

Just noticed this old topic!

Nay! I have not kicked the addiction yet. I probably will have to some day but like (was it) St Augustus that said, Please God ..... but not today.

I have some observations and ideas that I would like to share with fellow smokers. Be warned some are strange!

I have noticed that while in bed, even if I stay in there late in the morning or even close to noon, I NEVER have an urge to smoke even with a packet of cigs on the bedside table within easy reach! As soon as I get up I get the urge to light up with a coffee.

I wonder if other smokers have this tendency?

I also notice that I tend to smoke quite a lot while working on the computer. However if I am doing a job that demands a lot of concentration I will light up quite a lot of cigs BUT often just take one 'pull' at the start and just one at the end of the cig! Quite wasteful as far as money goes but less inhaling involved. I think I must associate cigs with a reward thing!

This is the odd one! I've often asked heavy smokers if they were breast feed as babies. I was not as I was born in 1950 and for some reason at the time bottle feeding was the popular way. I have found that many of the guys that were not breast feed are heavy smokers. I often wonder if smoking has in some strange way become a substitute for not being breast feed. The two actions have a lot in common if one thinks about it!

I have often played around with the idea of 40 cig packs. The packs would be the same approx. size as existing 20 packs but the cigs (at both ends of the pack) would only be half the size of normal cigs. I don't think cig manufactures would be interested as it would (I think) lower consumption but it would help smokers from a financial point of view. I also feel they do less smoking as half the 'pleasure' is the 'light up' and 'first pull'

I have a friend that succeeded in kicking the addiction (note I do NOT call it a habit) by sucking on those small lolly pops, Kojak style. Okay he looked a bit odd but he said if definitely helped him to have something in his mouth that he could also take out and 'twiddle' in his fingers!

As I said some strange observations and ideas. I'd like to hear other smokers thoughts.

Mike

Opppps ..... must find a cheaper one

Hi Alan,

Your work again goes to show that native SU output with a little 'help'
and a good eye for composition is very difficult to beat, well done and
thanks for showing.

Mike

Hi Guys,

I was watching the launch of Tata's new 'People Car' for under $2500. While it does not have things like power steering and electric windows the manufacture says that it has all the safety features of modern cars.

I also understand that they are aiming to sell 1,000,000 of these cars per year in India! That's a lot of cars!

It looks to be quite a 'cute' design and something that I'm sure people will be willing to buy and say 'tata' for the price

Check it out here, http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5gZ9t0K8xidKzz7rtkrB6Xye0LNcQ

Mike

@gaieus said:

And what if I have a PC desktop anda Macbook at the same time? I should be able to run SU on several machines (provided I don't do it at the same time).

Yes, that used to be the way it worked if I remember correctly.

Mike

@craigd said:

Hi Krisbern -

yes it is possible for a small fee (I believe it's $50). If you have any problems, please PM me and I'll do what I can to help you out.

http://www.sketchup.com/?sid=15

Cheers,

- CraigD

Hi Guys,

I did not realise that Google was charging $50 for the change to a Mac version. I am inclined to think that it should really be free. The reason I am saying this is because I have changed a number of my licenses from Win to Mac (were available) and was not charged for the 'swap' as it was considered that it was a request from a single licensee!

Mike

I'm running V6 on Leopard and find it okay.

Mike

Hi Susan,

Have a look at this link, http://www.thecadacademy.com/arch_solutions.asp I think it covers the information you are after.

Mike

PS: Thanks for the Card

Hi Andy and welcome ...... don't be a
stanger now

All work and no play ........

Mike

I've done a quick search and located some tree-house links.
My favourite is this, http://tropical-treehouse.com/pics.html
There is a great story behind the tree-house AND would you
believe there is a SketchUp connection. The tree-house, 'The
Sunset Hooch' (great name !) was designed using SU and there
is a model of the 10' x 10' version on 3D Warehouse. I show
a picture of Bamboojo's (another great name) model in my
composite. Here is the link to the model at 3D Warehouse,
http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/details?mid=25d1efd7d0cd4c0938da1400868ffbd9

I like this design style over the 'traditional' tree-house as
we have come to thing of them. This type of design is obviously
well suited / tested for its intended environment and it appears
to have a low impact on the forrest, I hope

There is just enough room for a few people to eat, sleep and
feel secure. I know, I know we are only talking about virtual
tree-houses but I feel we should be looking at designs that
would if, ever constructed, not harm the rain forrest.

TREE-HOUSE LINKS
http://www.treehouses.org/
http://www.blueforest.com/index.php?kw=tree%20houses&fl=51616
http://www.matadorcoupe.com/seebee65/treehouse.htm
http://americasbestonline.net/treehouse/Tritree.htm

I hope this little bit of research has sparked the imagination
of you guys that are going to row in AND have some FUN with
the project

Mike

The%20Sunset%20Hooch[1].skp

Hi Guys,

I've just got some feedback from the CoolEarth people.
They are interested in the idea and want to hear more
details.

I will be contacting a Matthew Owen to discuss how the
idea can be developed into some sort of a promotional
gimmick for CoolEarth.

I will keep you posted on progress. So I think it might
be safe enough to start doodling a few ideas for suitable
3D trees and tree-houses in any spare time you may have

You just never know .... we could be paying a visit to
see the Rain Forrest in the not too distant future

Mike

PS: I'll try and locate some pics of tree-houses to germinate
some ideas and add them to this post

Thanks guys, I'll keep pushing the project along
and hope that something comes of it.

We would also need some very low poly trees that
would suit the project ..... maybe Tom might help
in this area !

We could be helping these little guys out

As I heard nothing back from CoolEarth I phoned the
London office this afternoon and had a chat with a
nice lady called Ann.

I explained what I had in mind and she took my phone
number and email and advised that she would get
someone to contact me.

BTW, I donated for an acre and got my Certificate
and link to Google Earth showing the actual piece
of forrest.

I'll keep you posted on progress. Oh! I'm attaching
a pic of the Cert.

Mike

@unknownuser said:

Interesting fun idea have u heard anything back from the GreenEarth people Mike?

No word back yet James. I imagine they must have got 1000s of
emails. I think I will phone them and get a person contact as
all I have is an info@......

It looks like we could have a few willing SketchUpers to give it
a go .... maybe that should read SketchUcationer's

@unknownuser said:

The discussion has gone slightly OT, please stick to the original topic or create a new thread.

Yes, you are right Juju

Well back to the topic ...... any ideas out there ?

I fail to understand how anyone can doubt that Global Warming is being helped along by mankind's activities. There is very strong prove that this is the situation.

By all means we should tidy up after ourselves but at the same time I think we should also think globally especially in this age of instant communication.

The older I get the more I notice that we are becoming a wasteful species. A case in point, oil is being squandered on trivial packaging more and more. This is becoming one of my pet hates. Just try and purchase some small piece of computer hardware and you will probably find that the transaction involves spending 10 minutes with a knife trying to free the device from its plastic package. The same often applies to software CDs with boxes that are capable of holding 10 CDs !

I have got into the habit lately (when purchasing from local sales outlets) of taking the item being purchased out of its overdone package and leaving it at the
counter. I often get strange looks but the message gets across. If more and more customers did this the sales outlets would put pressure on the manufactures to dispense with the wasteful excessive packaging as they more and more have to cover the extra overhead involved in recycling the packaging !

On the point of conserving the Rain Forests, I want to get involved in this as I believe there are as yet many undiscovered remedies / cures waiting for us in the canopy !

The old adage, 'Waste Not Want Not' still stands

Mike

@gaieus said:

Like another of Second Life?! I think it is great! We should just exactly know which particular land ("screenshot" in SU) belongs to whom - just to avoid trespassing...

But seriously speaking; if we find the way, I'd take part!

Yes Gai, it could be a like Second Life in a way but we would also
be doing something to combat Global Warming and at the same time having
a little fun !

I'll see how the idea goes with the GreenEarth people and progress from
there.

Thanks for your vote

Hi Guys,

While driving yesterday evening I flicked to a radio
program about protection of the Rain Forrest. The guy
giving the interview was very level headed and a natural
speaker.

He was promoting http://www.coolearth.org. The idea behind
GreenEarth is a simple one. We buy from a half acre
upwards and this land is pin pointed for us on Google
Earth ! The GreenEarth people use the money to buy up
tracks of land that would otherwise be used for tree
felling ! BTW £35 is the cost of a half acre but they
also take donations. I like the idea as it gets the sponsor
more involved via Google Earth, which brings a FUN
element to the project.

During the interview, he was asked about how an owner
could visit their piece of land ! While he did not
total discourage this and advise that it would take on
average 30 hours travel he pointed out that this travel
would increase ones carbon footprint and probably badly
effect the actual forrest area also.

I got to thinking about this ! While I agree with not
traveling there, there should be some way of personalising
the land as his is only human nature !

Bingo ! A virtual Tree House, designed in SketchUp which
an owner could visit, furnish and have fun with also
show off to their friends AND get their friends in turn
to buy some land also ! People just have to 'Keep Up With
The Jones',

I have flown the idea (via email) to the GreenEarth people
and am awaiting their response ..... hope I get one !

Anyway ! In the meantime I would like your thoughts on
this mad idea ..... it could be FUN !

Mike