Our primary role in the repair process is to hope mechanics are honest and that we get a fair price.

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These concepts can be applied to any process that taps into game mechanics, such as filling out your profile on LinkedIn, commenting on Web sites, checking in on Foursquare.

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Responding to questions at a news briefing in Baghdad, Pachachi said he hopes the United Nations can help with the mechanics of the political transition, such as helping develop the election process and procedures for a census and providing aid in producing a constitution.

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Getting it serviced was a nightmarish process involving long waits, the use of personal favours, and unpleasant discoveries (light-fingered mechanics would steal scarce items such as the wing mirrors or windscreen wipers).

ECONOMIST: Soviet cars