Every man and his dog has a blog nowadays, so I don't see why I should be different... :-)

This is listed in chronological order, so the newest items are at the end. That sounds awkward, but means that "stories" can be read logically, instead of having the end before the beginning (if you see what I mean). This page was created in November 2005 so entries before this date are based on memory, and hence less comprehensive.

Click here to go to the most recent entry (note dates are in UK (DD/MM/YYYY) format)

05.10.2004 Web site created on its new domain.

11.11.2004 Link to this site from the excellent Skeptic's Dictionary updated to new address.

December 2004 Start of some very large threads about the Khaos Super Turbo Charger, on the 4x4ph and Tsikot Forums. (One year on, we are still no nearer to seeing any "scientific" data from Khaos, despite all the promises made.)

01.05.05 Yet another letter from Ecotek's solicitors complaining about my Case Study. Cue a long series of discussions to find a mutually acceptable form of words (see 23.08.05 for the conclusion).

10.05.05 One of the more famous magnetic fuel "saving" devices, the FuelMAX / Super FuelMAX, is prosecuted by the Federal Trade Comission, who describe it as "a bogus fuel-saving product that doesn't save fuel". Well done FTC!

04.06.05 First of many links to this site from Dan's Data. Dan is a computer guy, but talks a lot of sense about many technology products.

20.07.05 The Advertising Standards Authority have ruled against the CTech 3000, effectively banning the makers from claiming their product saves fuel, improves power or reduces emissions until they have some much better test data. I doubt CTech will add this to their reviews, somehow...

30.07.05 Added a page about the Vaporate fuel "saving" device, in response to many queries.

23.08.05 Finally seem to have resolved the Ecotek wrangle to everybody's satisfaction. They have largely dropped claims of large fuel economy benefits; in return, I have given more emphasis to the "perceived performance" effect of the CB-26P. A good result all round, I think.

25.08.05 Another ruling from the Advertising Standards Authority against Ecotek, this time criticising lack of evidence that their Power Boost engine cleaner really gives the benefits claimed.

September 2005 A nice article in Popular Mechanics magazine, where they test and comprehensively debunk a range of fuel "saving" gadgets.

29.09.05 Jon Wong, the inventor of EZ-Stab / Z-Stab has written to complain that his device is named on my electrical modifications page. After some discussions, I think Jon really believes in his product and he certainly knows a lot about electronics. I still don't quite see how it can give more than a very small improvement in economy or power, but to be fair Jon only makes modest claims. We're still having discussions about additional tests, etc, to determine what (if any) the true benefit is, so for now the name has been removed.

12.10.05 Added a page about the use of Acetone as a fuel "saving" additive in response to an explosion of interest in the subject, especially on PESWiki.

06.11.05 Vaporate have asked me to remove the Google AdWord link to my page. Oddly, there is such a link, but I didn't set it up! Obviously somebody out there - no idea who - feels strongly about Vaporate. They also complained that my site was "false and misleading".
A week later, the AdWord disappeared (for whatever reason), but I'm still waiting for Vaporate to explain exactly what is false or misleading about my pages.

13.11.05 Seems to be a campaign against me on the dooyoo review site. Some fans of the Ecotek CB-26P have decided to write a series of positive reviews about it and criticise mine. Apparently I'm a "failed motoring journalist", which is news to me!
Two weeks on, the dooyoo critics still haven't bothered to contact me to discuss their comments or justify their criticisms of me. Make of that what you will...

27.11.05 Total visitors to this site now over 50 000!

04.01.06 Added a link on the magnets page to an interesting review in the Skeptical Enquirer.

05.01.06 Added a page listing people who have written to me with queries, but whose return email addresses apparently don't work. If you've written but received no answer, check here!

07.01.06 In response to several queries, gave "hydrogen generators" a page of their own.

13.01.06 A major rework to the site layout - every page now includes a Site Map down the left hand site, to aid navigation. (Thanks to Darin at metrompg.com for the web design advice.) Let me know what you think of the layout, and if there are any mistakes.

Also put the name of the EZ-Stab back on the electrical modifications page, albeit with a more positive writeup, while awaiting further data from Jon Wong.

01.02.06 A lot of traffic to this site from an article on RealTechNews regarding adding acetone to fuel. Most commentators seem quite negative about the idea, and at least one refers to this site for reasons why.

04.02.06 Added pages on fuel additives (eg acetone) and aerodynamic modifications (eg pickup truck bed covers). Also set out my Response to Critics, in the hope people will read this before making negative comments on discussion Forums etc.

14.04.06 Added a page on the BioPerformance Gas Pill

06.05.06 Removed the various Case Studies from the site map on the left side of each page, because it was gettting unmanageable (the Studies are still there, though, and are linked from the higher-level pages).

06.05.06 Added a specific page for Ethos FR, the latest "miracle" MLM fuel-saving product...

13.05.06 Some updates to the BioPerformance Gas Pill page

19.05.06 BioPerformance gets temporarily shut down by the Texas Attorney General on suspicion of fraud.

20.05.06 Yet another fuel additive: Fuel Freedom International's MPG-Caps.

18.08.06 Separated out the information on the dangers of testimonial evidence, and gave it its own page.

05.09.06 My daughter Sophie has just been born! So this site has to be priority #2 for a while...

23.01.07 BioPerformance reaches an out-of-court settlement with the Texas Attorney General; BP must pay $7 million compensation and stop making false claims.