Chimpanzees in Japan have beaten college students in memory tests. The study by the Primate Research Institute, Kyoto University, involved a young ape learning about computer touch-screens with his mother before taking on humans.
My experience with the free posting section of CL
My GF had this Pentium II computer sitting around our house for almost a year. We never could get a charity over to pick up the thing because either it was considered too old or they would only make trips for donations of multiple computers… so it sat, collecting dust under our dining table. I tried to sell it for 40 bucks for about two weeks and only got a few offers for the Harmon Kardon speakers or to have the monitor taken off my hands… for free…. cheap bastards on CL I tell you… parted out this thing was worth at least 50!!!
So I made the dive, posted my first free listing to CL at 9PM Tuesday night and went back to Battle Carrot … Iron Chef.
Next morning, I have about 50 emails for this thing and in a rush to get things done I didn’t have time to reply. By 4 PM, I had about 130 and decided to take my address off. I looked through most of them then, and realized how many of these people need an education first before they get a computer. A few were sappy, and a few were straight up – when can I get it!. I ended up giving the computer to two ladies that started a non-profit organization in Harlem called Two Grandmas, Inc. – they support the NYC community and provide donated art and educational supplies to disenfranchised families in the area. My good deed for the day. But here are a few ad replies that caught my attention – spelling left intact.
“Hey yo, when can i get it?” by a guy with an email address: yanksruleu2@…
“MY LITLE BRITHER COULD USE THE COMPUTOR” – looks like he may need EDU first
“I will pick it up now. What your address and number so I can come get you.” – uh ok.
“hi i need it bad can u call me chris” – uh Chris, NSAs are in a different forum
“Hi , Am email you regarding a free computer you was offering in and ad posted on craigslist in the free section, I will like to pick up item at your convenience, at the earliest possible time, if is still available and free.” – I liked the “Still Available?” responses better – GET TO THE POINT!
“do you still have your computer available? i don’t know much about computers, except that mine is broken and i desperately need a new one. I use a windows computer is a DELL anything like that? hope to hear from you!”
“I’d like it, can I pick it up Saturday?” when I explicitly stated must be picked up by Thursday.
“Hi I’m a poor family and could really use the computer to help give my 2 children a better education. Please let me know if I can pick it up from you” from a guy that works at Computer Wrecker Inc. (a computer dismantler and reseller)
“Where you live, I’ll come by to get it.” from a guy with an email address in2crock@ if crock is anything like Crack ROCK, this guy isn’t even getting near my address.
“God has sent you to me to help our church. We appreciate your patronage and I look forward to meeting you my son. ….” from theprophet@… whoa.. no I’m not contributing to cults.
“Our office could use addition computer resources, which boro are you located and I’ll have someone come by to pick it up.” from NYPDblu5@… didn’t know the police were so strapped they had to look for free resources on CL
“can it be shipped?” – sure for 1000$ jack ass…
“C Bass here from Queens…” – sorry, started laughing to read the rest, just picturing good old Sea-Bass from the movie Dumb and Dumber gesturing “over here!”
“Hi big boi, I would love to get a hold of that thing, and pick up the computer too of course. Please let me know when we can meet.” signed freakycamgurl392@… we have a winner!!!