tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2830084253401570472.post6699916631574591786..comments2024-03-28T09:22:36.967+13:00Comments on Offsetting Behaviour: Snow pro tips for KiwisEric Cramptonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15831696523324469713noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2830084253401570472.post-62675043135257334092011-08-17T09:26:49.008+12:002011-08-17T09:26:49.008+12:00@Kisha: That's awesome. Keeps the kids busy ea...@Kisha: That's awesome. Keeps the kids busy earning and out of your hair; keeps the sidewalks shoveled.Eric Cramptonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15831696523324469713noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2830084253401570472.post-33688922916525837962011-08-17T00:50:10.524+12:002011-08-17T00:50:10.524+12:00My suburban friends and family often use services ...My suburban friends and family often use services but here in the city not everyone even has a driveway and if the do they are very tight for big equipment. Although I have seen the occasional outfitted jeep wranger doing the job. But almost everyone seems to think that services are overpriced and unreliable. We tent to get a few huge lake effect storms in the fall while the lake is open, and then it slows down. So when everyone needs 4feet dug out in 4hours a veritable army of youngsters works better than a huge crew that can't get to you until the major roads are clear (2 days later).Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03319419210889261670noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2830084253401570472.post-4478739263619767302011-08-16T11:25:46.262+12:002011-08-16T11:25:46.262+12:00@Eric I'd suggest that demand for snow shoveli...@Eric I'd suggest that demand for snow shoveling services is low because people—having not read your blog posts—don't know the consequences of their inaction. You should continue your snow-information crusade so there is a strong demand by the time Ira is ready to sell his services.Luishttp://apiolaza.netnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2830084253401570472.post-81254554033449478662011-08-16T09:05:16.790+12:002011-08-16T09:05:16.790+12:00@Eric: Given that about half the drivers I knew in...@Eric: Given that about half the drivers I knew in <em>Edmonton</em> couldn't figure out which wheels were the driven ones, or explain why those needed the extra grip if they guessed right, I'm reluctant to assume that <em>any</em> demographic -- well, except maybe Finns -- doesn't need to be reminded.<br /><br />(I love how snowfall turns an empty parking lot into an impromptu skid-pad.)bluntobjecthttp://bluntobject.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2830084253401570472.post-76971803577785097682011-08-16T08:20:56.741+12:002011-08-16T08:20:56.741+12:00I think you're right about the lack of demand;...I think you're right about the lack of demand; because snowfall is such an abnormal weather event in Christchurch, people treat it as a novelty. Besides normal winter weather will resume in a few days and the snow will simply melt - at least I'm hoping so....Duncannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2830084253401570472.post-7932261836147250012011-08-16T06:25:57.357+12:002011-08-16T06:25:57.357+12:00I would expect that any city with city-provided sn...I would expect that any city with city-provided snow clearing would have had folks contracting with guys with big equipment in the counterfactual, not with kids. Effect would only hold in cities where snow isn't common. You're right though, Frances. I was grasping at straws for what one might do with such a variable.<br /><br />@Kisha: Buffalo gets lots of snow. Are drive clearing services expensive or unreliable?<br /><br />@Blunt Do I really jeering to point out that grit only helps under drive tyres? OK maybe. Yes, of course I practiced controlled skids on empty snow-packed roads too...Eric Cramptonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15831696523324469713noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2830084253401570472.post-20249365960173922272011-08-16T06:10:46.951+12:002011-08-16T06:10:46.951+12:00"If you're in a rear wheel drive, adding ..."If you're in a rear wheel drive, adding throttle on loss of traction rarely helps."<br /><br />I suppose that depends on what you want to accomplish. If you're trying to maintain a neutral car balance -- same slip angle at the rear tires as at the fronts -- you're absolutely correct. If you want to take advantage of the excuse to kick the tail out and "accidentally" hoon around a bit, well, oversteer is fun (and remarkably predictable if you've been there before; c.f. rally drivers).<br /><br />But please do it on proper snow tires, or at least all-seasons with plenty of tread depth.<br /><br />Related: If your FWD vehicle is stuck in the snow, putting sandbags in the trunk or cat litter under the rear tires isn't going to help.bluntobjecthttp://bluntobject.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2830084253401570472.post-72538066289068577332011-08-16T01:55:23.147+12:002011-08-16T01:55:23.147+12:00Take 'em to school Prof! Our DS is nearly 5 an...Take 'em to school Prof! Our DS is nearly 5 and I expect he'll be out shoveling to earn his dougnut and hot chocolate money in the next few winters. Here in Buffalo my husband takes pride in getting down to bare pavement between each squall.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03319419210889261670noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2830084253401570472.post-26480814692940103032011-08-15T23:51:10.273+12:002011-08-15T23:51:10.273+12:00How many places do what Ottawa does and have gover...How many places do what Ottawa does and have government-provided sidewalk shovelling? Would this similarly discourage entrepreneurship?Frances Woolleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04289318268301647625noreply@blogger.com