An observation not a question. Last night I lit a single candle and turned out the electric light. It's surprising how bright a single candle is. After my eyes got accustomed to it, could see everything in the room clearly. Reading wasn't hard, with the candle in a holder next to the book.

Compared to a battery torch: the only advantage the torch had was the small bright spot it generated. With the torch in "candle" mode (reflector removed) the candle was the brighter. And unlike a torch or a gaslamp, there's no bulb or mantle to fail.

Got candles?

-- Nigel Arnot (nra@maxwell.ph.kcl.ac.uk), January 13, 1999

Answers

You can't hold a candle to 'em.

-- Andy (2000EOD@prodigy.net), January 13, 1999.

I'll use 'em too if TSHTF.

Now, let's talk about fire extinguishers...

-- Anonymous99 (Anonymous99@anonymous.com), January 13, 1999.

Fire Extinuishers. Fire safety. Excellent idea. I'll start a new thread (go to top level)

-- Arnie Rimmer (arnie_rimmer@usa.net), January 13, 1999.

Fire extingusihers are a good idea. But only good for small fires, when they first start. If a fire gets going good, you may as well try to put it out by pissing on it.

That being said, most fires are caused, simply, by stupidity. (Including tolerance of stupid kids or pets playing near candles, lanterns, etc.) There is NO excuse for a candle fire. If someone gets hurt or killed by a candle-started fire, that's "Evolution in Action", which we need a lot more of.

-- Prometheus (prometheus@gods.org), January 13, 1999.

Last summer, a local chain store had a sale on solar powered sidewalk lights. (You know, the little torch on a spike you put by your driveway so you can see what the heck you tripped over...)

Anyway, they were on sale for about $20 a piece. Hmmm, sez I. Bought four.

Each has a single AA nicad inside, a very clever lens system and a white LED. Quite bright! Easily 2-3 Candle power.

Wish I'd bought more!

Sure beats cursing the darkness, eh Nigel? ;-)

-- Lewis (aslanshow@yahoo.com), January 14, 1999.