[CraigS]

Originally Posted by xelasnave

there are so many objects in our universe (even the small part we can "observe") probabilities could be said to be infinite.

Well, many things 'could be said' which are also meaningless.
'Infinite probability' in this instance, is a good example.

Originally Posted by xelasnave

Since you started the other thread the info I have come across seems limitless in support that the place has been built for life…

or is it that life built itself because of 'the place' ??
Or maybe, life built itself regardless of 'the place' ?
Or maybe, life was forced to build itself in spite of the place ??

Originally Posted by xelasnave

I bet it will not be long that we start finding some/real evidence of life... there are plenty of foot prints we just have to spot the beast.

Limiting the search space presently appears to be the key. Definition of 'Habitability Zone' is thus seen a important. We still haven't found all the HZs on Earth yet .. did you read the recent press releases about the 10 cm single cell amoebae found at the bottom of the Mariana Trench ? (A depth of 10.6kms !)
The other part to this is the ability to detect it .. if it is there. Short of the instance of the alien with big drooling jaws and nasty teeth, I get the feeling that at present, we wouldn't recognise 'life' if we stumbled upon it. In my view, I think many, many remote sensing and robotic data-gathering expeditions will be needed in support of an exo-life claim, especially if the exo-life happens to be a placid piece of humble bacteria hangin' out on a rock someplace .. if it is a single cell 10cm amoeba however, remote digital video and lights should do the trick !
PS: I notice the Russians are planning a return sample expedition to Mars' Phobos moon (November liftoff). Is the Phobos habitat considered an HZ ?

Originally Posted by xelasnave

Off topic but hopefully of interest...The car had the outlet valve stuck on piston 4..causing overheating shorting etc...so I cut the power to the injector (no fuel in that cylinder) and blocked the breather tube leading back tothe intake manifold...the exhaust cam lobe has completly worn away but I drove it back home (approx 750 klms) last night on three cylinders and it went better than it has for months
alex

Well I'll be a monkey's uncle ! Never heard of that one before ! Amazing the valve stem didn't break off/bend ? Thanks for letting us know … 'tis useful knowledge ! Can't believe there's no serious (other) damage ??
Amazing.

Cheers