Wikipedia:Reference desk/Miscellaneous

Reference Desk

Science Mathematics Computing/IT Humanities Language Entertainment Miscellaneous Archives
How to ask a question Search first. It's quicker, because you can find the answer in our online encyclopedia instead of waiting for a volunteer to respond. Search Wikipedia using the searchbox. A web search could help too. Common questions about Wikipedia itself, such as how to cite Wikipedia and who owns Wikipedia, are answered in Wikipedia:FAQ.
Sign your question. Type ~~~~ at its end. Be specific. Explain your question in detail if necessary, addressing exactly what you'd like answered. For information that changes from country to country (or from state to state), such as legal, fiscal or institutional matters, please specify the jurisdiction you're interested in. Include both a title and a question. The title (top box) should specify the topic of your question. The complete details should be in the bottom box. Do your own homework. If you need help with a specific part or concept of your homework, feel free to ask, but please don't post entire homework questions and expect us to give you the answers. Be patient. Questions are answered by other users, and a user who can answer may not be reading the page immediately. A complete answer to your question may be developed over a period of up to seven days.	Do not include your e-mail address. Questions aren't normally answered by e-mail. Be aware that the content on Wikipedia is extensively copied to many websites; making your e-mail address public here may make it very public throughout the Internet. Edit your question for more discussion. Click the [edit] link on right side of its header line. Please do not start multiple sections about the same topic. Archived questions If you cannot find your question on the reference desks, please see the Archives. Unanswered questions If you find that your question has been archived before being answered, you may copy your question from the Archives into a new section on the reference desk. Do not request medical or legal advice. Ask a doctor or lawyer instead.
After reading the above, you may ask a new question by clicking here. Your question will be added at the bottom of the page.
How to answer a question Be thorough. Please provide as much of the answer as you are able to. Be concise, not terse. Please write in a clear and easily understood manner. Keep your answer within the scope of the question as stated.	Link to articles which may have further information relevant to the question. Be polite to users, especially ones new to Wikipedia. A little fun is fine, but don't be rude. The reference desk is not a soapbox. Please avoid debating about politics, religion, or other sensitive issues.

August 1

Dr. hugo eckener/ captains german airships 1930's

i am trying to locate the burial sites for the following famous captains of german airships: dr.hugo eckener; ernst lehmann; max pruss.can you assist me & much thanks for your help.

                                        david helms
                 Removed e-mail address

Apollo Group?

Has anyone ever heard of a company called Apollo Plastic Systems or the Apollo group and if so what do they do? There based in North Yorkshire, England by the way. - Thanks Joel

Do you mean the company that is located in Scarborough, with a Managing Director called "Shaun Pollard" and whose place of business is marked on this map? If so I have never heard of them. I don't think the Apollo Group will be of much interest to you as I can't find a Pollard listed for them. And by the way, 81.158.83.44 what is your obsession with Pollard? CambridgeBayWeather (Talk) 08:13, 1 August 2006 (UTC)

Who shot him!?

Does Anyone have any idea who the man was who killed the French man who shot Captain Horatio Nelson? Thanks For any help on this subject

I haven't bother to read it myself, but you could look at Horatio Nelson, 1st Viscount Nelson. Jon513 03:10, 1 August 2006 (UTC)

See my answer at the next question. CambridgeBayWeather (Talk) 07:51, 1 August 2006 (UTC)

J P

Eya rite who woz jack pollard?? Thanks n dat

Jack Pollard woz a Aussie author n cricket historian. Or a British engineer. No prob sa. Hyenaste ^(tell) 01:03, 1 August 2006 (UTC)

Iz dis Inglish? Whoa iz us! JackofOz 03:55, 1 August 2006 (UTC)

The correct question is who is "John Pollard" and of course he's the man that shot the Frenchman that shot Nelson from the question above. We don't have an article on him (John Pollard is not there) but you can see here and here. CambridgeBayWeather (Talk) 07:51, 1 August 2006 (UTC)

plz suitly emphazi n dat, ya? --Howie da Trane 08:14, 1 Aug '06 (UTC)

Was Pollard related to "The Man That Shot Liberty Valance"? JackofOz 12:23, 1 August 2006 (UTC)

Thanks you for youn help people.

He exists now as John Pollard (1787-1868). CambridgeBayWeather (Talk) 19:18, 1 August 2006 (UTC)

Can I keep track of my userpage?

In other words is there a possible way that I can keep track of the amount of people who read my userpage? -- TheGreatLlama ^{(speak to the Llama!)}

no. While there is a feature in the mediawiki software for a page counter on every page, on wikipedia it has been disabled because of the great server load that would entail. Jon513 01:57, 1 August 2006 (UTC)

Thanks you for your help people.

oh here's a link Wikipedia:Technical FAQ#Can I add a page hit counter to a Wikipedia page? Jon513 16:22, 1 August 2006 (UTC)

Six days war : When was the picture of Yossi Ben Hanan taken?

Hello,

The Yossi_Ben_Hanan article does not say when the famous picture of him in the Suez Canal was taken. I was interested in the progress of the Israelis in the Six Day war, and found it a bit weird that the Six-Day_War at best gives 'june 1967' as a date for the pictures.

I asked in humanities but maybe this is a better place for this question. I got no answer there.

Can anyone help? Thanks, Evilbu 21:39, 30 July 2006 (UTC)

I failed to find it at http://www.timelifepictures.com/. Perhaps your best chance is to ask them. Still it is clear that it was taken in between june 7, 1969 and june 23, 1969. It was taken either from the 7 to 10 (durring the war) or from the 10 onwards (after the war). My guess it that it was after the war. Jon513 11:25, 1 August 2006 (UTC)

funnel web spider

Hi,I live in the USA on the south eastern part,I have a large black spider on My porch that has spun a funnel shaped web,I have never seen one like this,I never see it in the daylight and to be honest it has me a bit unsettled,I have taken a picture of it and it actually stayed on top of the funnel for Me to take several shots.Can someone please help Me.Thank You. Angela Kaye

Does your spider look like this one? If so, you could have an Out Of Place Australian Funnel Web Spider, whose bite can be deadly. It would be a long way from home though, so it is more likely you have a far less poisonous relative. Still, I wouldn't handle it if I were you. --Roisterer 04:29, 1 August 2006 (UTC)

There are a number of different funnel-web spiders. Take a look at the various articles and links. Most of them are harmless.--Shantavira 10:03, 1 August 2006 (UTC)

Chip Chewer

So a long time ago (in the 90's) I was a little kid with simple taste in games. There was this great game I liked to play called Chip Chewer. My dad had downloaded it for me, I believe off of tucows or something very similar. It was basically a Pac-man ripoff with a little purple guy with eyes on a stalk, but I really liked it. I was wondering if anyone knew where I could get a copy? (And no, it's not Chip's Challenge. I have that one, I know they're different).

Thanks in advance, ¡209.180.29.73 05:03, 1 August 2006 (UTC)!

See here for Chip Chewer and several others. And this appears to be online games. CambridgeBayWeather (Talk) 07:43, 1 August 2006 (UTC)

Template Trouble

I am not sure where to ask for help on this troubleshooting issue with a template, but perhaps someone here can direct me to the right area of wikipedia. I have been trying to create a template to allow easy surfing between entries on U.S. Cavalry units, but I have trouble getting the text to wrap around it rather than start in line with the template. Consequently, wherever the template is placed in the entry, that is where the entry begins (instead of at the top and then wrapping around the template when it gets to it). An example is better than words: visit 1st Cavalry Division (United States) and then see if you can fix the problem in the template at Template:Cavalry. Thanks, User:Atfyfe

I think that it would need to be included with Template:Infobox Military Unit to work. Or you could just fiddle around with it to fit it where you want it to appear, see User:CambridgeBayWeather/Sandbox. CambridgeBayWeather (Talk) 07:36, 1 August 2006 (UTC)

circumcision

hi im 14 and i am curious if anyone knows how to tell if youve been circumcised? and if im not circumcised how can i get circumcised at my age? because i hate having the skin covering the tip of my penis. thanxx kevin

( im kinda new at this whole wikipedia thing )

Why not take a look at Circumcision and foreskin. They both have some excellent links to read up on as to it being a good idea or not. CambridgeBayWeather (Talk) 07:27, 1 August 2006 (UTC)

If you're not sure whether you're circumcised or not, circumcision is probably not the thing you need to be thinking about. If you turn out to be uncircumcised, before you do anything about it, be very sure this is what you want to do. Talk to a doctor, or an adult male you can trust. If you have it done now, you may live to regret it when you're an adult. Adults who want to be circumcised can always go off and have the operation, but if it's already been done, and you wished it hadn't been, you can't grow it back. JackofOz 07:39, 1 August 2006 (UTC)

Mother Nature (sometimes referred to as 'God') must have put it there for a reason. Don't insult Mother Nature (or God, if that's your thing). Of course someone is going to throw an appendix at me now. Thank Mother Nature this is all virtual. :) DirkvdM 08:51, 1 August 2006 (UTC)

Hey Kevin! Agreeing with everything everyone else has said, you maybe want to talk to an adult about why you hate the skin covering the tip of your penis. They may have other suggestions for how to deal with this. A doctor, nurse or counsellor of some sort would probably give you an answer with less of the embarassment you might feel telling others. And if you put ~~~~ at the end of your post, it signs your username or IP address along with the date, so we know when you posted and that you're the same person who posted earlier. Skittle 10:05, 1 August 2006 (UTC)

I was circumcized at 10 due to an infection and I can tell you it is not a pretty business. It requires a medical operation with anasthesia, after which your entire penis is wrapped in gauze for about two weeks, and urinating is extremely painful. After it heals and urinating is not painful the gauze must literally be pulled off (which by now has bonded with your skin) and is one of the most painful experiences I have ever had in my entire life only behind being stabbed in the leg with a butcher knife. I would suggest against it if you can avoid it.--69.138.61.168 02:22, 4 August 2006 (UTC)

Woah. That's rough. --Proficient 20:29, 5 August 2006 (UTC)

Is this Martha Stewart?

Right now I'm writing a new article: "Us Tareyton smokers would rather fight than switch!" I found a good source saying Martha Stewart did a Tareyton ad in 1964. The weird thing is...I think I actually found said ad. Honest opinion: Do you think it's her? She seems to have the same blonde hair, facial structure, and brown eyes that Martha does. The only thing that's making me think it's maybe not her is that the woman's nose looks a tad smaller than Martha's. Input, please! For reference purposes, that ad was in the September 1964 issue of Playboy. Do alert me on my talk page when you make a conclusion. Mike H. I did "That's hot" first! 08:44, 1 August 2006 (UTC)

It doesn't look like her, in my opinion. --Cam 12:32, 1 August 2006 (UTC)

Could be. Difficult to tell. --Tagishsimon (talk)

Matthew Mcchounghey in superman returns

i just read on a website called notstarring.com that mcchounghey was offered the part of both superman and lex luthor in the film superman returns if this is true than it should be included in the matthew mcchounghey article i would have put this on the talk page but i just don`t know how.

I presume you mean Matthew McConnaughey. JackofOz 10:28, 1 August 2006 (UTC)

How definitive is the site? What are their sources? Can they verify their information? If not, it doesn't meet out requirements at WP:RS. User:Zoe|(talk) 20:39, 1 August 2006 (UTC)

Table-top speaker (near-field monitor) stands

Does any kind Wikipedian know where I might be able to get a pair of these in the UK? Google and other searches have thus far revealed nothing! They'll be used to support a pair of M-Audio BX5 speakers at about 20cm above the desk. Cheers, Neilius 10:04, 1 August 2006 (UTC)

studiospares, maybe?

Unfortunately not, I have the catalogue and there are no speaker stands like this in there, thanks for the suggestion though. :( --Neilius 09:36, 2 August 2006 (UTC)

Ebay perhaps? --Proficient 21:46, 2 August 2006 (UTC)

Identifying an Atari game?

Hi, I came across this picture: http://www.rombay.com/images/center_nav/roms.jpg

Can anyone tell me what the name of the game is and what system it was produced for?--195.93.21.101 10:08, 1 August 2006 (UTC)

I don't know the sytem, but I think the game is called Roms —Minun ^{Spiderman • Review Me} 11:16, 1 August 2006 (UTC)

The reason the filename of the picture is called "roms.jpg" is because it was used to link to a ROM database. --172.206.212.40 13:38, 1 August 2006 (UTC)

Staring at the little picture and trying to interpret the blurred pixels into something recognisable is a lot like playing an atari game. The cart says O.B.S.E.S.S. in blue, see here. MeltBanana 15:23, 1 August 2006 (UTC)

How

How can someone be in a relationship with someone for 5 years, commit to spend the rest of her life with you and then suddenly and completely out of the blue leave for someone she just met? How can someone be so cold and heartless to someone she claimed to love for 5 years?Sindweller 12:42, 1 August 2006 (UTC)

do we need a new category on the reference desk for retorical questions?Jon513 14:14, 1 August 2006 (UTC)

Women are like that. So are men, probably - I wouldn't know. --Howard Train 16:17, 1 August 2006 (UTC)

There is something incredablly wrong with this. How could anyone do this to someone they love? Doing so is more morally dispicable than any other type of harming someone, because in doing this, someone can hurt someone so much more. Sindweller 17:00, 1 August 2006 (UTC)

You're mixing up reasoning (which is done up in the brain) with 'love' (which is hormones wreaking havoc a little further down). DirkvdM 18:14, 1 August 2006 (UTC)

It is not wrong to leave someone. One should do so in a way that causes the least hurt, but one does not need to stay in a relationship that they do not want to please someone else. Jon513 19:16, 1 August 2006 (UTC)

Perhaps you did something wrong and she just left because the other person could offer her more material worth. --Proficient 21:47, 2 August 2006 (UTC)

Relationships

Why do people bother? If a relationship can fall apart after devoting yourself to buidling it for a long, long time, why would anyone put themselves in a situation like that--where all their efforts can be destroyed by the whim of another? It makes no more sense than building a house on a flood plane Sindweller 12:42, 1 August 2006 (UTC)

If you have no choice but to live on a floodplane, and you want a house, you have little alternative. Think about it. --Tagishsimon (talk)

Do what i have done, I quit woman, they are just too much trouble and bad for my health mentally physically and emotionally. And just keep it together, hearts and thoughts fade with time. In South Africa there is a saying: Sterkte. It simply meens Strength. But does not translate well.

In England we have a similar saying: bollocks. --Howard Train 16:18, 1 August 2006 (UTC)

Is that where the English get their strength from then? DirkvdM 18:15, 1 August 2006 (UTC)

Yes. The Irish, of course, get theirs from Guinness. --LarryMac 19:17, 1 August 2006 (UTC)

All relationships involve a degree of risk; there is no guarantee they will work out. But that is also true when it comes to investing money, starting a new job, learning a musical instrument, and lots of other things. Some people are highly risk-averse and prefer not to face the prospect of failure. Others consider that certain risks are worth taking, and allow their decisions about relationships to be governed by their heart more than their head. If this were not so, the human race may have died out a long time ago. JackofOz 03:25, 2 August 2006 (UTC)

But relationships require a much larger investment, expose you to more harm, are more volitale and completely dependent on one other person... Investments for example, can be spread out, and are not subject to being destroyed by one girl... Sindweller 13:55, 2 August 2006 (UTC)

Yes, that's all true, and it is scary. But so is crossing the road, yet we all do it. The rewards of a magnificent long-lasting relationship far outweigh the risks. You can argue all day for why you shouldn't enter into a relationship, but at the end of the day you'll be very tired, and lonely, and not getting any sex, and not sharing your life with someone in a way where the whole is much, much more than the sum of the parts. You may think that's a reasonable way of living your life. JackofOz 23:16, 2 August 2006 (UTC)

Well it's all subjective what you think. --Proficient 21:47, 2 August 2006 (UTC)

Bempton

Does anyone have any knowledge on the underground base at Bempton, North Yorkshire, England. If so can they please tell me about it. Thanks for the help

My Google-fu is mighty! Check out this site as a starting point. There are more links on there. Tony Fox (arf!) 17:27, 1 August 2006 (UTC)

Stock Valuation

Hi

Can you tell me how to value a stock?

Regards KK

Many web sites, like Yahoo, offer sections where you can get the trading value of a stock. Note that it changes minute to minute. Notinasnaid 15:08, 1 August 2006 (UTC)

Thank you for the response. I am not looking for trading price. How do I make sure that I am not giving much more than the stock is worth?

Regards KK

I value stocks by summing up the value of their future earnings. It is difficult to estimate future earnings though. If a company earns $1/share per year I would say it is worth about $10/share. If that same company is earning $1/share but I expect it will increase earnings every year by 10%, it might be worth $15/share. Sindweller 16:58, 1 August 2006 (UTC)

Stock valuation is a complex pseudoscience. (And calling it "pseudo" just made 1,000 economists very angry at me.) If you want to own stock I recommend buying it from a reliable high-volume stock market. That way there are lots of people who continuously form a consensus price for the stock using all publicly known information about the company (i.e. the holy grail of an efficient market.) Weregerbil 20:09, 1 August 2006 (UTC)

People will tell you different things. Check web sites for the values. --Proficient 21:48, 2 August 2006 (UTC)

Sock Valuation

Hi

Can you tell me how to value a sock?

Regards DB (—Daniel (‽) 17:52, 1 August 2006 (UTC))

Take it to the bazaars of Tiraq, where the wise old men tell you its worth from the ancient scriptures. smurrayinchester^{(User), (Talk)} 18:13, 1 August 2006 (UTC)

Just one? Depends who you want to sell it to. Does he have a patch over one eye and a parrot on his shoulder? DirkvdM 18:19, 1 August 2006 (UTC)

Your first WP:SOCK will be worth, say, one day's block. Depends on how abusively you use it. Weregerbil 20:09, 1 August 2006 (UTC)

Thank you for the response. I am not looking for trading price. How do I make sure that I am not giving much more than the sock is worth?

Regards DB (—D aniel (‽) 13:54, 2 August 2006 (UTC))

Sell them. AllanHainey 15:21, 2 August 2006 (UTC)

Check the sock markets. - THE GREAT GAVINI {T-C} 08:34, 3 August 2006 (UTC)

Is it a Right or a Left sock?

Nominal roll

Was there any type of Nominal Roll kept regarding civilians who joined the Woolseley Expedition as my Grandfather joined them in Northern Ontario? If so where may I obtain this information?

R Cooper <e-mail address removed, see Reference desk rules above>

do you mean the Wolseley Expedition? Jon513 19:54, 1 August 2006 (UTC)

How to become an investment banker

Wasn't sure where to put this so it ended up here: How do you become an investment banker? Does it include getting an MBA or...? Jack Daw 18:17, 1 August 2006 (UTC)

This video offers some great tips; beware of exploding cows and pirates.

Yes you should get an MBA if you possibly can. If you have not yet obtained an undergraduate degree, then a degree in accountancy would be the one to get in addition. I have never been an investment banker myself, but I knew someone who did. He was probably chosen by that particular bank as he had languages skills also. On the other hand Nick Leeson did not have a degree but started being a bank clerk and worked his way up. He said that there were a huge number of applicants for one of the jobs he got. I expect that MBA or no MBA, there will be competition, but even if you dont become an investment banker, accountancy qualifications or an MBA should lead to a well paid job of some kind. You could try looking for job vacancies to see what is required - I'm not sure where these would be advertised - you could try the Financial Times etc. You'd probably have to take junior job for several years.

A look at the Nick Leeson article suggests that he was either a graduate or an undergraduate student at some time. From what I now remember of his autobiography there were in fact several jobs in which he succeeded despite there being many other applicants. Regarding finding out about job vacancies, you could try scrutinising the websites of various banks to see what they say about vacancies and careers. Writing to the Personnel Officer about a career with the bank, and asking about internships, probably wouldnt do any harm even before you get an MBA. I expect that many jobs for investment bankers are in fact obtained from internal promotion rather than being advertised. Remember also that, at least in the UK, some MBAs have more prestige than others. In the UK the two year London Business School MBA has the most prestige.

The book Liar's Poker covers similar ground with the author becoming a stock broker (in actual fact he was just selling stock to people by telephone etc). I expect a search on Amazon for this and Nick Leeson's book would provide several other books written by people who have done something like what you hope to do. Good luck.

Access

Who has access to the wikipedia database??

I need something of mine hacked because the password I chose for User:Qho now says the password is wrong.

How crazy the password list I set out for Qho does not work and I put down the 2nd password it the list of 4.

HELP please or is this a Q. for the ref. dsk.?

Missingno 18:35, 1 August 2006 (UTC)

On the log on page you can click "email new password" and that should solve all your problems. This is the reference desk, by the way. David Sneek 19:36, 1 August 2006 (UTC)

Dear David

My password will not allow my to access my account.

It is like someone came in and changed my password.

Because I only had 4 passwords to chose from.

And any way password manager says what my password is yet it will not let me access my true account.

--Missingno·^(talk) _(contribs) 20:03, 1 August 2006 (UTC)

--Missingno^(talk) _(contribs) 20:03, 1 August 2006 (UTC)

And if you click "E-mail new password", do you get an email? You must have given an email address when you signed up... David Sneek 20:15, 1 August 2006 (UTC)

It is not true that he must have given an email when he signed up. Many people don't, however it leaves them in situations like this. I suggest to all reading this to add an email address so it doesn't happen to you. —WAvegetarian•(talk) 23:15, 1 August 2006 (UTC)

I think David's point was that if he wanted to have a new password emailed to him, he "must have given an email when he signed up." Otherwise it won't work. That's how I read it, anyway. –RHolton≡– 23:24, 1 August 2006 (UTC)

Dear Missingno,

What do you mean when you say password list? When creating a user name, you should have had a free choice of passwords, anything you could type. Where is this list of 4 passwords? Skittle 17:27, 2 August 2006 (UTC)

I took that to mean that Missingno has a list of 4 passwords that s/he consistently uses. digfarenough (talk) 17:49, 2 August 2006 (UTC)

That's what I was hoping, but it looked to me like it could be read two ways. I was wondering if these passwords could have been compromised in some way, giving a source to the 'hacker'. Skittle 19:43, 3 August 2006 (UTC)

Robert Moton High School, Westminister, Maryland

Robert Moton High School was the only black high school in Carroll County, Maryland. What happened to it?

according to this it seems that they now allow white people to attend also. Jon513 20:31, 1 August 2006 (UTC)

SVG animation

Does anyone know of a free (doesn't have to be libre free, just gratis) program which can do SVG animation. Preferably one which isn't too complex. That said, it doesn't need to be idiot proof, just easy to at least learn to use. But even that said anything gratis which conforms to the SVG standard would be greatly appreciated. I don't even need it to have the entire SVG specs, as long as what it does have conforms to SVG standard. - ^Рэд_хот 20:41, 1 August 2006 (UTC)

It doesn't look like it. Since most players and editors are still trying to get full static support, it doesn't surprise me that animation development in the format is still lagging behind. --Fastfission 21:39, 2 August 2006 (UTC)

That's what I thought. Thanks for confirming it. There was one that never moved near alpha. It was called Beez or something like that. It was good, but couldn't save or load!! But by good, I mean that the interface was easy, but had what would probably be the most needed features. - ^Рэд_хот 10:40, 3 August 2006 (UTC)

Question

what is the URL for the site?

If you're referring to Wikipedia, it's http://en.wikipedia.org/ for the English. For any others, put its language code in place of en eg: fr for French and de for German. Is that what you meant? - ^Рэд_хот 21:43, 1 August 2006 (UTC)

If you're asking generically, the URL is the address of the website. It is contained in the address bar at the top of your browser (most likely Internet Explorer, Safari, Firefox, Opera, or the like) and almost always begins http:// . Ziggurat 23:28, 1 August 2006 (UTC)

See URL. DirkvdM 11:41, 2 August 2006 (UTC)

www.wikipedia.org --Proficient 21:50, 2 August 2006 (UTC)

4 x 4 Auto Vs Manual

Which is better for 4WD off-roading: manual or automatic transmission?

Personally, I think I'd go for a manual, as you generally get more opportunity to vary the power and torque getting to the wheels with a standard than with an automatic, for those times when the back end is dangling off a cliff and you really, really want lots of low-end power. Tony Fox (arf!) 02:32, 2 August 2006 (UTC)

It doesn't have to be that extreme. If your wheels are spinning in mud, an automatic gear would think you're moving along quite nicely and shift up gear. when you really want low gear. So I'd say a 4WD with automatic gear is a fake piece of crap for yuppies who just want to impress their neighbours. That said, the Jeep Wagoneer stems from 1963, so that was for yuppies avant la lettre.

Btw, if you have to ask this, you shouldn't do any serious off-roading and therefore don't need a 4WD, so there's no point in the question. So Why did I answer it then? Well, it could have been an academic question and anyway I like to spew what knowledge I have. :) DirkvdM 11:53, 2 August 2006 (UTC)

Also the questioner could be new to offroading and looking to learn. DJ Clayworth 15:36, 2 August 2006 (UTC)

Dirk should note that there are reasons to want 4WD without off-roading. I loved dropping mine into 4WD in the snow. Rmhermen 20:53, 2 August 2006 (UTC)

Dirk is entitled to his opinion (...if you have to ask this, you shouldn't do any serious off-roading ...) but it is liable to bring the WP Ref Desk into disrepute. Nobody is born with all the knowledge they ever need, and it is certainly wise to ask such questions before just attempting potentially dangerous activities. If a person can't ask a simple question here, of all places, without getting abused, where can they ask? JackofOz 23:06, 2 August 2006 (UTC)

Manual as long as you know how to operate one correctly. Nothing like the smell of burning clutch after you got stuck in the snow, mud, etc. CambridgeBayWeather (Talk) 23:11, 2 August 2006 (UTC)

It's that clutch burning that makes me think that auto could be better. What if the manual driver shifts gear while, say, crossing a flood. Does this open up the transmission allowing water to flood in? Plus DirkvdM, the original question seems like a fairly straightforward one to ask. Wheter or not you think that the questionner is worthy of owning a 4WD or not is completely irrelevant--Downunda 03:22, 3 August 2006 (UTC)

If you start a maneouvre like that you should try to get the gear right at the start so you don't need to switch gears because you need to keep the momentum. Which is another reason not to have automatic gear, because that might kick in at an inconvenient moment, but then Tony sort of already said that.

My derogative remark was inspired by the yuppie status of 4WD's and a feature like automatic gear is a clear sign of that. A 4WD is a special piece of equipment for special purposes. Most definitely not for ordinary on-road driving. Of course they can drive on roads, but that's not what they are primarily built for. Most people will never ever go off road and when they do they had better hire one that is really suited for the job. It's not like you're likely to run into such a situation (for snow use snow chains). To operate a 4WD you really need to know what you're doing. For example, accidentally driving in 4WD on a road will ruin the car and turn it into a gas-guzzler. And the clutch burning is another example. I once saw some cocky idiot do that and what pissed me off was that I had to share in the expense. Why would someone want a 4WD? If you have to ask a simple question like this, that means you haven't even come around to the important issues so it's probably not something you need. Then again, it may be that the questioneer doesn't plan on buying a 4WD and is just asking an academic question, in which case there is no problem at all. :) DirkvdM 08:29, 3 August 2006 (UTC)

Manual, without a shadow of a doubt. Off roading requires a lot of control over torque and wheel speed. Engine breaking is a very important part of off roading which is not as effective with an auto and you can sometimes be required to start the engine with the vehicle in gear which is not possible on autos. Most 4x4's that are actually capable of going off road (i.e. not BMW's and the like) have at least two gear levers and some early Land Rovers have as many as four.

Several gear levers? Do you mean shifitng the whole transmission into a different gear (or how should I say this?), thus doubling the amount of gears? BUt 4 levers? How many gears would that give? And is something like that necessary for a car? I know trucks have them, but they are way heavier. DirkvdM 18:10, 3 August 2006 (UTC)

They've all got the usual gear lever then (apart from the very newest ones) they've got a high/low ratio lever (which may also operate the central diff lock) which would double the number of gears (although low ratio 3rd is almost the same as high ratio first). The early land rovers (series II, IIA, IIB and III) have the usual gear lever, the high low ratio lever (which also enables four wheel drive) and a thrid lever for enabling four wheel drive in high ratio. In addition to this, if they are equipped with an overdrive, that adds another gear lever. This means that (technically) they have 36 forward and 4 reverse gears.
As to whether that's necessary; for off roading you mostly just use low ratio (occasionally high ratio in four wheel drive) but you wouldn't often use the overdrive at the same time. For road driving you usually accelerate in high ratio going 1 (optional), 2, 3, 3+overdrive, 4+overdrive.
Low ratio gears are used for quite different things on trucks and off roaders. I believe trucks have low ratio gears to help them get moving with heave loads. Off roaders use them to slow down in a controlled way on slippery surfaces.

When does lottery have positive expected value due to rollovers?

I've only played the lottery once, as I believe its a stupidity tax.

However I am willing to play it when the expected value is more than the ticket price. That is, when the total lottery pay-out divided by the number of tickets bought is more than the ticket price. (However taking into account the chances of another rollover occuring may make this formula a little more complicated). I am referring to a UK-style National Lottery when the prizes are tax-free and paid out all at once.

The one occassion when I played the lottery was when there had been two or three rollovers so that the expected value was more than the ticket price. Surprisingly, I did win about £12 net of the ticket price. Although I am unlikely to win again, I am willing to play when there is a positive expected value.

So, how often do lotteries have a positive expected value?

And, whats the easiest and most convenient way to find out when the UK lottery(s) have a positive expected value? I don't watch much tv, but is there a website that specialises in this sort of thing for example? How many rollovers would it take for example?

I do not consider this a maths question so I'm putting it here.

Thanks --81.104.12.25 22:58, 1 August 2006 (UTC)

This is both a maths question and a sociology question. Let me explain. There are three variables and one constant (the ticket price). The control variable is the amount of money to be won. This increases with rollovers. An increase in this variable raises the amount of expected winnings per ticket if the the number of tickets remains the same. An increase also tends to raise the number of tickets sold. As the pot goes up the ticket value goes up. As pot goes up the number of tickets goes up. As the number of tickets goes up the ticket value goes down. You have to make a guess about how many people are going to actually buy tickets and how much this increase in sales offsets the rise in total winnings. There is no simple formula as there are multiple interdependent variables. —WAvegetarian•(talk) 23:11, 1 August 2006 (UTC)

Numbers over 31 also increase your chance of a higher payout, but do not affect your chances of winning. Notinasnaid 09:25, 2 August 2006 (UTC)

It's because a lot of people use their birthdays and other dates as their numbers. Therefore the numbers 31 or less are chosen by more people than 32 or over (numbers 12 or less are chosen still more frequently). Therefore when the winning numbers include many over 31 there tend to be fewer winners than when they are under 31. DJ Clayworth 15:35, 2 August 2006 (UTC)

For non-Brits, the National Lottery draws six numbers at random between 1 and 49. Tickets cost 1 GBP, and the probability of winning the jackpot is one in 13,983,816. Hence the expected return is positive if the rollover (jackpot not distributed from previous drwas) exceeds 14 million pounds, which happens occasionally. Physchim62 (talk) 15:32, 2 August 2006 (UTC)

Good answer, but this dosnt take into account that you can also win lesser amounts if you match fewer numbers, plus as I said above there is also the possibility of there being another rollover.

Interesting. --Proficient 21:52, 2 August 2006 (UTC)

Why do they succeed in scaring us away?

I am 59. and have 3 children and 2 grandchildren and I strive to stay abreast of technological progress, and am not frightened to buy new products such as DVDs, CDs, MP3s, and most recently, a new Mobile Phone (I live in Scotland - (Deo Gratia)) that incorporates Digital Photography, MP3, Walkman, Internet Access, Memory Sticks, and goodness knows what else. My point is - when showing all these technological attributes to my friends, colleagues and family members, they all say, without exception, "No way", life is too complicated already - "I already have to get my 7 years old grandson to change the time on my video for British Summer Time."

Am I alone in thinking that such progress, whilst being very appealing to me, who has the time (due to retirement), is designed so as to exclude people in my general age group who are simply not prepared to suffer (and I really do mean suffer) the frustration of merely trying to transfer a picture file from a Mobile Phone to a PC and or back again?

The technological consumer market must be extremely confident in its approach to antagonising such a large (and prosperous) sector of our communities by pursuing such blatantly ageist, non-conformist, non-uniformist, and discriminatory design, marketing and merchandising policies?

Oh, and before our WP experts in such protocols as SUITLY EMPHASI jump on the bandwagon; or our other friendly and carrot-juice-quenching experts in the linguistic arts and juxtapositions pertaining between closed brackets, quotes, commas and periods join them, please just let me say this, at 59 years of age, with a brilliant pension, no mortgage, and well-invested capital reserves, I don't give a shit.

I got the money that you sad b------s can only dream of.

Is it your common practice to insult people who you are asking for help from? In any case, I doubt very much that they are designed to exclude anyone; the unfortunate nature of technology innovation often just isn't user-friendly regardless of age (I know just as many non-techno-savvy 20-somethings as I do 70- and 80-somethings). Ziggurat 23:25, 1 August 2006 (UTC)

Er, S'cuse me Ziggurat - you have peremptorily missed the point (which was not too unexpected - given the immediacy of your response); You seem to have overlooked the fact that I was not actually seeking your own - or anyone else's help- I was merely making the point that the technogeeks out there in Alice in Wonderland are either in ignorance or arrogance forgetting that those non-techies such as myself, my family, and my friends are choosing by default NOT to invest our hard-earned financial resources in the magic and black arts of tech. stocks. If you need further illumination, please only ask. But please take at least 30 seconds before responding.

If you aren't asking for anyone's help then why are you writing this here at the reference desk? Hyenaste ^(tell) 23:55, 1 August 2006 (UTC)

hum...AOL was made for non-techies and it failed. what does that say? Perhaps there are less of you than you think. Jon513 23:51, 1 August 2006 (UTC)

I think you meant FEWER!

And I think you meant "SUITLY EMPHAZI"! Sorry, I must be mistaken - I thought we were volunteering thousands of hours of our time to develop an encyclopedia for all people, tech-savvy or otherwise. However, it appears we are all here to force Scottish pensioners with huge chips on their shoulders (pun intended) to buy complicated mobile phones. For a 59 year old, you have a lot to learn about maturity, take it to Slashdot instead.

By the way, did you need help programming your VCR for British Summer Time? We may be able to help you with that. This reference desk is for helping people with questions, not for sharing your opinion on technological progress, insulting others and grammatical nit-picking (oh, who am I kidding, it is actually). --Canley 00:18, 2 August 2006 (UTC)

What exactly was the question in this post? All that money that you make must've lead you to the conclusion that you do not need to read or follow the directions of the reference desk, which, ironically, you WOULD need to be able to do in order to work all of your techno-gadgets. From a personal standpoint, though, I neither have a cell phone nor want one; it's just a matter of preference. Damn people CALLING me all the time really annoys me to no end, also I have no need for silly pictures. An IPOD is just as bad, gotta jam it into a pocket when you aren't using it; then you worry about dropping the stupid $300 thing and breaking it. I do carry a Ka-bar and a Spanish-English phrasebook, though, very handy where I come from: you use the knife to protect yourself and the phrasebook to talk to the Mexicans. --69.138.61.168 05:22, 2 August 2006 (UTC)

Even though you haven't actually asked a question, let me attempt to answer anyway:

1) It isn't necessary to have a product that appeals to every demographic to be profitable. Devices that only appeal to the technical-savvy can still sell to millions of customers, and make billions of dollars, for their producers.

2) Now, had you asked the reverse question, "why don't more people write software and make hardware for the technically challenged", I think you would have a valid point, there is quite a market out there, which is currently underserved. In a classic example, most microwave ovens have a keypad and require you to enter functions in a specific order (read the manual) to get the damn thing to turn on. I, however, have a microwave with only two dials, one is the timer, and one is the power level. I close the door, turn the timer dial, and it goes. That's the way I like it. I can't stand when I go to use somebody else's microwave oven and have to "learn" how to use it...a device this simple should be intuitive to use. If it needs a manual, it's too complex.

StuRat 06:53, 2 August 2006 (UTC)

I should also address some reasons why devices the manufacturer intends to be usable by everyone only turn out to be usable by the technically savvy. One reason is that the developers and engineers are themselves technically savvy and can't easily view things from the perspective of the novice. This can be solved by bringing in focus groups of potential customers and observing what confuses them. Another reason is language difficulties. The most basic label, on an ON/OFF switch, is frequently missing, as they intend to market the same product outside the English speaking world. You can get a 0/1 label instead, in an attempt to make it understood by all languages. This method is almost certain to fail, and individual stickers should be added to label the controls in each language. Instruction manuals are frequently written by foreigners with only a vague understanding of English or, even worse, using a direct translator from another language. The results are incomprehensible gobbledygook. They need to hire competent translators. Finally, size is becoming an issue. As devices get smaller and smaller, the controls become tiny and are used for many different things. My cell phone, for example, does not have an alphabetic keypad, so I have to hit the numbers 0-9 multiple times to get the letters A-Z out of them. I guess this is just a compromise we have to take to get the size down to what will fit in a shirt pocket. Perhaps when voice recognition actually starts to work properly, this issue will go away. StuRat 07:15, 2 August 2006 (UTC)

You may have a lot of money, but there are fewer of you. People with average incomes are so numerous that the total of their money exceeds yours. And even that doesn't matter, because you're not going to buy ten walkmans, are you? You count as just one consumer, no matter how much money you have.

If you'll allow me to be blunt (and judging by your style of asking you would or at least should) you're dying out. Why invest a lot of money in developing a product for which there will be fewer and fewer consumers and none in about 10 or 20 years time?

A better question would be "Why don't manufacturers write decent manuals?" That would be a lot easier. I suppose the answer is that consumers don't learn. They buy a product based on what the commercials tell them they can do with them, everytime forgetting that in the past again and again that turned out not to be true because they didn't understand. When buying a spiffy new product, how often do you ask to see the manual? DirkvdM 12:16, 2 August 2006 (UTC)

Er, what's a mixed metaphor? Or a split infinitive? And is Suitly Emphazi now recognis/zed as accepted English? Or to put it another way, what's a Ka-Bar? Oh, and for those respondents who patently lack the art or science of basic comprehension and literacy (apart from StuRat who actually addresses the questions posed, for which I thank him profusely (he is clearly a prescient guy who adds value to this site), there are in fact 2 questions in my query - the first asks "Why do they succeed in scaring us away?", and the second is "Am I alone....." Over to the Geek Supporters...............—The preceding unsigned comment was added by 195.93.21.101 (talk • contribs)

First you say you weren't asking for help, now you say that you asked two questions. I won't attempt to answer your section header question, because it is rather senseless, but with the interpersonal skills I've seen displayed here, then yes, you probably are alone. A troll by any other name . . . . --LarryMac 21:03, 2 August 2006 (UTC)

o.o;;;;; --Proficient 21:53, 2 August 2006 (UTC)

The title "Why do they succeed in scaring us away ?" contains a flawed assumption, that scaring away potential customers is their goal. They may, however, decide not to market to the technologically-challenged, because the cost of making devices which are easier to use would be more than the benefit in increased sales. I think globalization is partly to blame, as the larger potential international market makes the smaller, technologically-challenged market seem insignificant. StuRat 03:22, 3 August 2006 (UTC)

Wouldn't globalisation have the opposite effect? A group of consumers that was previously to small too bother about becomes large enough. Apple has a very small market share, but that doesn't matter because the market is so big. So globalisation should be an impulse for relatively (!) small companies. But reality is said to be quite the opposite. Assuming that that is true, why is that? There is an advantage to a company growing bigger (what's that called again), but that stops at a certain point and if you get even bigger it actually works to your disadvantage, which is why big companies often split themselves up into smaller companies. DirkvdM 08:44, 3 August 2006 (UTC)

No, because the technically challenged markets can't easily be combined due to language differences. With my previous example of the ON/OFF switch, there is one solution for the technically proficient, regardless of language, just label them all 0/1 and they will figure it out. However, for the technically challenged, they would need the appropriate label for each language, or would be confused. So, the company is left with the choices of building specialized products for many different technically challenged markets, or ignoring them and going for the larger and more profitable technically proficient market. StuRat 18:16, 3 August 2006 (UTC)

If you had followed the link attatched to Ka-bar that was in my response, you would have learned that it is a knife. Also, if you are unaware of what a English-Spanish phrasebook is, it is a book that has different phrases in it in both English and Spanish. Go figure? --69.138.61.168 02:36, 4 August 2006 (UTC)

Does it give a literal translation for "Attatched"?

• While the question was vague and a bit snotty I know what he means.I'm not very good at "Techstuff" I have to get someone to show me or explain it in ordinaryspeak.I may one day have a better level of skill but everyone has to start somewhere and I think not enough care it taken to help us.--hotclaws**==(82.138.214.1 06:30, 8 August 2006 (UTC))

Longest Articles?

I am attempting to calculate how much, if anything, Wikipedia could save on storage and bandwidth charges by consistently using American, as opposed to British, spelling conventions. As a first step, I intend to take a sampling of articles and compare their character counts in English and American spellings. Longer articles would provide better data, but I have been unable to find a list of very long articles. Any suggestions of places to look for articles with high word counts?

Thanks!

--Jed Blue

Special:Longpages see also Special:Statistics. Jon513 23:48, 1 August 2006 (UTC)

I doubt this would work, quite frankly. Wikipedia stores all edited versions, so a large change like this would use up even more storage space. Even if you mean that Wikipedia should enact a global replacement ("colour" -> "color" and so on) without storing the version/edit, the discussions and re-editing over this change would easily outweigh any possible storage space "saved", which I think would be miniscule anyway. By the way, are there that many words which use fewer letters in American spelling? --Canley 00:02, 2 August 2006 (UTC)

You're probably correct as regards storage space, but it might effect bandwidth, since the latest edits of pages are far more likely to be accessed than older versions. At this point I'm mostly just curious.--Jed Blue

According to the lists on American and British English spelling differences, only behove (behoove) and pernickety (persnickety) are shorter in Bristish versions than in American spelling. Hyenaste ^(tell) 00:13, 2 August 2006 (UTC)

I don't think those words would appear very much! There's also common words like "color/colour" and "honor/honour" which the poster may be referring to. --Canley 00:21, 2 August 2006 (UTC)

Sorry, I misread your question. I thought you asked which words are shorter in BrE than in AmE. Hyenaste ^(tell) 00:31, 2 August 2006 (UTC)

Seems like an offensive and fatuous exercise. Other than that, no objections from me. --Tagishsimon (talk)

The differences in text-length between EE and AE versions would be minute and if there is just one image in an article that would make the text size relatively irrelevant. A change from EE to AE would decrease bandwidth usage by at most one permille.

Btw, am I feeding a troll here? DirkvdM 12:25, 2 August 2006 (UTC)

Agreed - "color" and "cookie" for "colour" and "biscuit" may save space, but "teeter-totter" and "behoove" for "seesaw" and "behove" does not. I don't think there's much point in your experiment - it reeks of an attempt to prove AmE "superior" to BrE or maybe even vice versa. The difference is negligible.- THE GREAT GAVINI {T-C} 15:52, 2 August 2006 (UTC)

Is "teeter-totter" specifically American? Maybe it is used in a few parts of America, but everyone in America understands "seesaw." (Of course, they'll understand "colour," too - but not everyone would understand, say, "lorry.") zafiroblue05 | Talk 20:42, 2 August 2006 (UTC)

The savings in bandwidth by reducing the number of characters would almost certainly be outweighed by the additional comments from non-US contributors complaining about American Imperialism. DJ Clayworth 15:31, 2 August 2006 (UTC)

Your quest will probably fail. :\ --Proficient 21:54, 2 August 2006 (UTC)

Nd Wkpd cld sv vn mr spc b sng Hbrw spllng cnvntns. (Or what about txtspk?) Not going to happen. EdC 03:24, 3 August 2006 (UTC)

Wll, jst n cnvntn, nml lvng t th vwls. DirkvdM 08:49, 3 August 2006 (UTC)

"Well, just in convention, namel living to the vowels"? Skittle 19:38, 3 August 2006 (UTC)

"Well, just one convention, namely leaving out the vowels." I knew the 'one' and 'out' would give problems. The word 'a' would even disappear completely. So there would be no distinction between 'sheep' and 'a sheep'. DirkvdM 05:57, 4 August 2006 (UTC)

August 2

Are chickens able to swim?

Yes, are chickens able to swim? This question really bugs me. I have heard reports of chickens drowning in buckets, but that makes them stupid, not unable to swim. Do YOU now? Jobjörn (Talk ° contribs) 02:54, 2 August 2006 (UTC)

There are reports of human beings drowning in a couple of inches of water. Does that make them stupider than chickens?--Anchoress 04:32, 2 August 2006 (UTC)

Yes, I would say so, unless there was some sort of mitigating circumstance involved. --69.138.61.168 05:09, 2 August 2006 (UTC)

The mitigating circumstance is usually that they are toddlers. But to answer the original question, no, chickens are not designed to swim and will stay out of water if they can avoid it. If you put a chicken in water it will no doubt make a valiant effort to struggle out, but it will not naturally swim, and it will probably drown simply due to panic. In fact, out of all the animal kingdom, land birds are some of the worst equipped when it comes to going for a dip, as their feathers will quickly become waterlogged.--Shantavira 10:19, 2 August 2006 (UTC)

Budgerigars are definitely unable to swim. I saw a BBC documentary a few years ago where they showed one drowning after falling into a shallow stream. Sparrows don't seem to be able to either - I once had to rescue one from a bucket in my garden. --Kurt Shaped Box 12:18, 2 August 2006 (UTC)

I originally read this as Bulgarians and was distraught. --Darkfred ^{Talk to me} 20:21, 2 August 2006 (UTC)

You can also drown in your own vomit. Being able to swim doesn't always help. DirkvdM 12:38, 2 August 2006 (UTC)Chickens are smarter than most people!

I can't think of many situations where being able to swim in vomit would help. --Daduzi ^talk 13:02, 2 August 2006 (UTC)

Then you just haven't been going to the right parties. --Allen 20:26, 2 August 2006 (UTC)

Deaths in Friends

Hi,

I have read your artical on the TV sitcom FRIENDS and i noticed that you have made a section on all the births that have happened in the 10 series of FRIENDS. I was wondering if you have a list of the people that have died on FRIENDS.

Thank You

Mikey

I doubt if we do, but if you want to start it here's the only 2 I can think of: Mr Heckles and Ross & Monica's sweetex collecting Nanna. AllanHainey 15:28, 2 August 2006 (UTC)

Add Phoebe's grandmother. Dead people referred to but not seen: one of Phoebe's mothers, Monica&Ross's aunt Silvia (Monica inherits the doll house). Are we counting animals? Ross's dog (though that was earlier), Old Yeller and Bambi :-) How sad is it that I know this? Weregerbil 17:40, 2 August 2006 (UTC)

Joey's agent, too...what's her name? and i second Weregerbil's sadness and apply it to myself. --198.125.178.207 21:48, 2 August 2006 (UTC)

Bambi didn't die it was his mum that was shot. CambridgeBayWeather (Talk) 22:57, 2 August 2006 (UTC)

And Rachel's boss, shortly after promoting her but not telling anyone. Skittle 19:35, 3 August 2006 (UTC)

And that old Dutch lady whose apartment Ross wanted, and Fun Bobby's grandfather, and at least one of Phoebe's ex-boyfriends ("but that's OK; he was really old"), and that old lady who possessed Phoebe... wow... Friends was one morbid show! smurrayinchester^{(User), (Talk)} 20:19, 4 August 2006 (UTC)

And Richard's parents, and his snow-shovelling friends and Phoebe during both World War I and the American Civil War... smurrayinchester^{(User), (Talk)} 20:21, 4 August 2006 (UTC)

Wrestlers taken off the road?

I was looking threw a few Wrestling websites and i found one that has a list of the complete WWE Roster (both Raw and Smackdown) and i found that they have listed quite a few wrestlers as "taken off teh road" when there has been no reason why i was wondering if you could help me. The list goes as

Jimmy Kordiris (ref) Joey Mercury Kid Kash Matt Hardy Paul Birchill Super Crazy Tatanka The Great Khali

Also Rob Van Dam got caught with drugs, Because he is famous is he being let off by the police.

Other Questions

1) What is the extent of Chris Nowinskis head injury

and

2) WHat causes elevated liver enzyme count as that is why Bobby Lashley missed The Great American Bash.

Thanks

Is this about wrestling or some fake entertainment? DirkvdM 08:54, 3 August 2006 (UTC)

WWE Wrestling.

Cricket Umpire

what should i do to become a cricket umpire?

Join an amateur club and offer to umpire occasionally? For professionals these guys might be able to help [1] --Darkfred ^{Talk to me} 15:07, 2 August 2006 (UTC)

And here I didn't even know that crickets were into pro wrestling. Well, if they are, I suppose they need umpires/referees, don't they ? :-) StuRat 03:49, 3 August 2006 (UTC)

In England and Wales, the ACU&S is in charge of umpiring. Sam Korn ^(smoddy) 10:38, 3 August 2006 (UTC)

Sawmill Gravy

While on vacation in Florida last week, I stopped to eat at Cracker a Barrell restaurant. I ordered breakfast and got a serving of biscuits and "sawmill gravy." I asked the staff why it was called "sawmill" and no one had an answer. I've checked a number of other places since and no one can link sawmill with gravy. Any thoughts?

Thank you,

Sammy Payne--15.235.153.107 17:27, 2 August 2006 (UTC)

I've wondered that too. It's definitely a southern thing (the name, that is) and is a very simple gravy to make (just flour, milk, and sausage grease). Maybe people who worked at sawmills made their own gravy? Hardly a satisfying explanation, but I did a bit of searching and couldn't find much. Hope someone else comes up with something. digfarenough (talk) 18:04, 2 August 2006 (UTC)

The closest thing to an explanation I could find, and it's by no means authoritative, was on this page: "The workers at the sawmills apparently ate the sausage the night before, or for breakfast, and took the grits and sawmill gravy with them to eat for lunch.". --LarryMac 18:49, 2 August 2006 (UTC)

I would have guessed it was called that because it resembled a mixture of sawdust and water, a common sight in a sawmill. StuRat 03:46, 3 August 2006 (UTC)

Thanks for the help...that's pretty much what I'd found as well. To further complicate matters, I ran onto the reference to "cathead" biscuits as going with "sawmill gravy." That was new as well but had more luck finding a reference. Apparently, when they made biscuits in the South, it was considered bad form to actually cut the biscuits from the dough with a knife or the top of a glass etc. You were to pinch off the appropriate amount of dough. And how much is an appropriate amount you might ask. Well, you'd pinch off a amount equal to the size of a small "cat's head." I don't own a cat so now I've got to find one of them to gauge how much is appropriate should I ever be faced with such a dilemna! ha

A cat's head, at least the one I have, is bigger than my closed fist. That would be a mighty big biscuit. [Upon the request of my sister, I have edited my response and add that the cat is alive and it's head is indeed attached to it. I do not have a decapitated cat head laying around in a jar somewhere.] --69.138.61.168 07:57, 4 August 2006 (UTC)

• I make my own gravy from scratch,i.e. water,flour and meat juices;it does indeed look like sawdust in water at first,and is pale and delicious and nothing like instant gravy.I have a tomcat with a huge head,the size of a fist,maybe the biscuit makers 'cats,full up with bread sopped in greasy gravy grow to be equally huge.

christian era

i am filling an application form and i dont know how to write date of birth in christian era could you please help me out.

Just write the year followed by CE or AD. For example: In 1215 AD AD 1215, the Magna Carta was issued. For more information on the meaning of these abbreviations, see the CE page and the AD page. Hope this helps. Dar-Ape 18:39, 2 August 2006 (UTC)

Note, as in the AD article, that AD goes before the number, not after. --Jed Blue

I wouldn't think that there was really any need to put in either AD or CE. Most people will know what you mean for the year. Check the form to make sure that they don't ahve some special requirement as to the date format. Some will say (d=day, m=month and y=year) dd/mm/yy others mm/dd//yy and others yy/mm/dd. If the form does not say which to use then I suggest that you write the day using 1 or 2 digits, the year using 2 or 4 digits. And write the month using letters, either the full month or an abbreviated version such as Jan, Feb. That way there is no confusion to the reader as to what you mean/ CambridgeBayWeather (Talk) 22:48, 2 August 2006 (UTC)

Are you used to a different calendar system, such as the Islamic calendar or the Juche calendar? If so, let us know which year you want converted and which calendar you want it converted from, and we might be able to help. Ziggurat 02:25, 3 August 2006 (UTC)

The current date in the Christian era is August 7, 2006 (in U.S. style) or 7 August 2006 (British style). Marco polo 22:59, 7 August 2006 (UTC)

British Empire

Was the British Empire the biggest that ever there was, EVER!? - Thanks Joel

Please use a header, and yes (geographically), unless you are looking for the largest contiguous empire, which would by the Mongol Empire. Dar-Ape 21:50, 2 August 2006 (UTC)

I believe so. --Proficient 21:56, 2 August 2006 (UTC)

You can ask new questions by clicking on the "ask question" link at the top. In answer, I don't know, but I would be willing to bet that the Russian empire controlled more landmass. Did you mean by population? Landmass? Naval control? There is a great list of empires at empire, if you're curious. Wait! At British Empire and at World's largest empires, it says that the British empire did indeed control the largest landmass. Second was the mongol empire, and third (alas, my bet was poorly placed) was the Russian empire. --198.125.178.207 21:54, 2 August 2006 (UTC)

That's the British Empire in 1921, but the two biggest countries in it, Australia and Canada, were already independent by then. So that doesn't make sense. DirkvdM 09:03, 3 August 2006 (UTC)

Appearances can be deceptive. Exactly when Australia ceased to be part of the British Empire is not clear cut. We became a sovereign nation in 1901, but we were far from independent in any practical sense. We had our own Foreign Ministers from 1901, but Britain conducted all Australia's external diplomatic affairs on our behalf until, I think, after WW2. The choice of Australia's Governor-General was always made by the British government until James Scullin put his foot down in 1930 and demanded the right to directly advise the monarch on this matter. George V was extremely unhappy, and even let his feelings be known officially, but he had no choice but to accept the advice of his Australian Prime Minister. (Other Commonwealth countries soon followed suit.) When Britain declared war on Germany in 1939, the then Prime Minister Bob Menzies considered that this automatically and immediately meant that Australia was also at war with Germany. There was no formal proclamation, no parliamentary discussion, just Menzies telling the nation it was his "melancholy duty" to inform us we were now at war. Nobody really thought anything of that at the time, Britain being the "mother country" for the great majority of Australians at that time. Menzies was also notorious for saying "Australia is British to the bootstraps", and he didn't cease being PM until 1966 (!), by which time we had welcomed huge numbers of non-British migrants from Europe and other places. Until 1986 (!!), the UK Parliament had the power to unilaterally amend (or even abolish) the Australian Constitution. Bob Hawke put a stop to that, by ensuring the passage of the Australia Act 1986. By this time, the British Empire had long since evolved into the Commonwealth of Nations, but it's all part of a pattern. JackofOz 11:55, 3 August 2006 (UTC)

Well, if you count in all countries that blindly follow the example of a country then how big is the US empire now? DirkvdM 18:14, 3 August 2006 (UTC)

Not very, considering the US states rarely follow the example of the government. Fortunately. User:Zoe|(talk) 18:40, 3 August 2006 (UTC)

Canada was not fully independent in 1921. See Canada Act 1982. --ColourBurst 23:05, 3 August 2006 (UTC)

Moesha's final season

After Moesha's final season, I want Ciara, T.I., DMX, Countess Vaughn and all other rappers and actors to be in the series finale of Moesha.

Well, good for you. I hope get wish your wish. By the way, did you happen to have a question? JackofOz 22:56, 2 August 2006 (UTC)

Your patronizing him and you said "I hope get wish your wish"....wow.

No, I wasn't patronising him/her. I'm sorry if it appeared that way. Better a kindly response like that than the vitriolic abuse such non-questions often elicit. JackofOz 01:11, 3 August 2006 (UTC)

Moesha ended a number of years ago. Sadly, you won't be getting your wish. Mike H. I did "That's hot" first! 00:02, 3 August 2006 (UTC)

This sounds more like something one would say to Santa, sitting on his knee, at the local mall. --69.138.61.168 07:44, 4 August 2006 (UTC)

Supercharging American Muscle

Can you Supercharge/Turbocharge traditional American Muscle car, such as the '70 Hemicuda or various Doge, Ford models? Most American Muscles appear to be stock while Japanese imports are stereotypically all supercharged--Jamesino 22:55, 2 August 2006 (UTC)

Yes. 30 seconds on Google returned [This picture]. Superchargers are commonly used on American muscle cars to develop very high horsepower.

Yes, sir. --Proficient 23:18, 3 August 2006 (UTC)

August 3

Mississippi River

What direction does the mighty mississip' flow? Ive heard conflicting stories. One particular one goes that Jim and Huck Finn went north to Ohio. Then Ive that the delta down in Louisiana demonstrates that it flows south. Whats the real story? By the way, what are some rivers that do flow north, opposite of the poles.

Thanks!!!

The Mississippi River flows south. The most famous river that flows north is the Nile, and others are on this list. Hyenaste ^(tell) 05:56, 3 August 2006 (UTC)

What's with the poles? DirkvdM 09:17, 3 August 2006 (UTC)

The poles have nothing to do with the direction in which rivers flow. Rivers tend to flow from the centers of continents outwards. Marco polo 23:09, 7 August 2006 (UTC)

Extra question : is the Mississippi river connected/fed by Lake Superior? If so, it effectively cuts one of the largest nations completely in half? (I asked this before but someone reverted the page back then because of an indecent post and destroyed mine as well).

No, the Mississippi is not connected to or fed by Lake Superior. Its source is Lake Itasca. Lake Superior is part of the Great Lakes system, which drains to the Atlantic Ocean via the Saint Lawrence River.Marco polo 23:09, 7 August 2006 (UTC)

You might want to take a look at Niger River! Evilbu 14:08, 3 August 2006 (UTC)

Close but not quite. However, the Amazon and Orinoco rivers almost touch in south Venezuela. DirkvdM 18:19, 3 August 2006 (UTC)

Lake Superior drains east through the St. Lawrence River, not south. Rmhermen 19:26, 3 August 2006 (UTC)

North America is essentially cut in two by waterways, but not by the Mississippi River per se. Going upstream, the Mississippi connects to the Illinois River then to the Des Plaines River. That river is connected to the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal, which in turn connects to the Chicago River, which is linked to Lake Michigan. — Michael J 01:05, 4 August 2006 (UTC)

Reliable online pharmacies?

Can anyone recommend a good online pharmacy that sells prescription drugs? Doing a google search is absolutely useless due to all the linkspamming and some of the sites I've been too look a bit 'suspect' to trust with my money (some of them look like outright scams). Anyone here used one that's actually delivered on its promises? Thanks.—Preceding unsigned comment added by 81.76.104.19 (talk • contribs)

Surely if they sell prescription drugs online they are not "good". The whole idea of prescription drugs is that they should only be available with a prescription, i.e. under the supervision of a doctor.--Shantavira 14:07, 3 August 2006 (UTC)

Not entirely true, there are some reliable mail order pharmacies that work with a doctors prescription and I assume some of those would have some web presence. I suggest checking out pharmacies that have a bricks and morter operation like Walgreens or something like that wherever you are from and see if they offer mail/internet transactions. Usually you might have to either go to a store in person the first time to set up the arrangement or your doctor may be able to do it. Nowimnthing 17:41, 3 August 2006 (UTC)

Your IP address suggests you're in the UK. In that case, I don't think any online pharmacies are legal. Don't risk them, as you will not know what you are taking in, and are probably funding something nasty. Skittle 19:23, 3 August 2006 (UTC) Boots do seem to offer home delivery online if you have an actual prescription [2]. Skittle 19:26, 3 August 2006 (UTC)

Buzzing sound made with two front teeth

Is there a name for the sound that can be made by some people using the front teeth? It sounds like a buzzer. The tone can be changed aswell. In fact the only place i've publicly heard it is in Dane Cook's Retaliation as "the sound of growing up".

For a sound clip: I could only find a clip of the sound in this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bjZG7wBA9Yc at ~0:31 seconds into the video (contains clips from Dane Cook's stand-up comedy)

-Chris

Martin Dillon (musician)

Does anybody know where Image:MartinDillonFidelio.jpg and Image:Martin DillonTails.jpg come from? The creator of the Dillion article had uploaded 5 pictures. 2 were copied from here and one was a CD cover shot or from here. All the images were tagged as GDFL-self but they are not. I tried Google pictures but they didn't seem to have them. Cheers. CambridgeBayWeather (Talk) 08:44, 3 August 2006 (UTC)

Value of Wikipedia in human lives

Based on another discussion (which I don't wish to restart here) I wonder what the value of Wikipedia is compared to a human life. Of course an impossible question to answer, so let me rephrase it. Wikipedia has the potential to empower the powerless with knowledge, something that has in part caused the rise of cultures (like the invention of bookprinting). The technological advances that may result from the spread of knowledge may result in saving lives. So is Wikipedia a lifesaver? To give an example, a decent article on ors could spread knowledge that could save lives in cholera-ridden refugee camps (if someone there would have access to the Internet). DirkvdM 09:44, 3 August 2006 (UTC)

For value in lives, you don't ask how many lives it saves, but how many lives should be sacrificed for it.--Teutoberg 12:47, 3 August 2006 (UTC)

This question is indeed very hard to answer. The Internet in general saves lives as well as Wikipedia, although. --Proficient 01:26, 4 August 2006 (UTC)

In this instance I'd say there is no distinctive value. Nothing you've put above there makes Wikipedia different than any other site on the internet with similar information; anything you can credit to Wikipedia in that situation could probably just as easily be credited to Google, if not easier. --Fastfission 15:28, 4 August 2006 (UTC)

That's all not even considering the bad effects, such as that both Wikipedia and Google provide information on napalm as well as CPR. But perhaps I'm restarting the discussion you wished to avoid restarting? Dar-Ape 22:26, 4 August 2006 (UTC)

It would indeed be strange -absurd- to sacrifice lives for wikipedia. I doubt any wikipedian is so tied to it that they'd sacrifice their own life, and apply the categorical imperative and you have 0 lives sacrificed. I suppose that then is its worth. Also, though the idea is appealing, I wouldn't be so quick to assume wikipedia has saved lives. it certainly has the capability to but I doubt anyone but a very hardcore wikipedian would go to wikipedia for their dying child instead of the hospital - and there just aren't that many that dedicated --Froth 15:22, 7 August 2006 (UTC)

Carelessness

How do I overcome carelessness? I want to know all about it.I am curently a student who is really careless.NO matter what i do, no matter how hard i try, i just cant seem to be rid of carelessness.I have tried being careful but its futile.I flunk my maths tests and exams just because of that.somebody please tell me all about carelessness please so i can tackle this annoying problem...

You've already taken the first step. Wanting to overcome a problem, and reaching out to others for help, is the key. JackofOz 11:16, 3 August 2006 (UTC)

People have a tendency to be careful with things that are important, or things that may have a dramatic negative consequence if they are careless. It may be important for you to become more aware of the results of your 'carelessness'. As for maths, I tutor high school maths and see careless mistakes all the time. If you want to get better at maths, you just have to learn to check as you go. Do each step and ask, "Is that right?" It may be slower, but there are no rewards for getting a wrong answer quickly.

From a physiological point of view, you could also try fish oil supplements or brahmi, which are supposedly good for the brain. BenC7 12:02, 3 August 2006 (UTC)

(after 3 edit conflicts!Grr....!!) If you mean that you are being careless in your exams, it means that you are not getting enough practise. One way to overcome carelessness in maths is to practise the sums or problems for a long time. While carelessness in everylife is almost totally due to trying to do things quickly or in a hurry. I'd suggest you do things step by step and not to worry about being careless. Jayant,17 Years, India • contribs 12:07, 3 August 2006 (UTC)

Practise mindfulness. A lot of people take up meditation to help them with exams, sport, or whatever.--Shantavira 14:02, 3 August 2006 (UTC)

Math is particularly susceptible to carelessness, as complex problems can involve dozens of steps, and an error in any step can cause a wrong answer. StuRat 19:03, 3 August 2006 (UTC)

For math, there is usually another method to do the problem, so use the other method in your check. Using the same method again is likely to cause you to repeat an earlier mistake. Other problems, like solving for X, can be checked just by plugging the values you found for X into the original equations. Estimating can provide a quick check that the answer is at least in the expected range. StuRat 18:52, 3 August 2006 (UTC)

copyright issues when making a fan page about a film

Hello,

me and my sister were joking about making a critical page about the movie Lion King. It could involve text, mixed with some pictures that are discussed from the movie. (BSplayer can take screenshot)

But is that legal?

Take a look at this snopes page :

[3]

As far as I know, Snopes has no dealings with Disney or anything. Is this legal? (apart from the fact that their picture is moving, and there is only one, this is what I had in mind)

So what do you think? Thanks,

Evilbu 14:05, 3 August 2006 (UTC)

If you live in the United States, then it is potentially legal. The relevant legal code is the fair use clause of U.S. copyright law. Warning: it's vague, ambiguous, and tough for even lawyers to deal with. But if your page is anything like the Snopes page is, then it is probably legal. My favorite website covering fair use issues is Stanford Copyright and Fair Use Center - Fair Use Overview. It goes over the issues clearly and gives lots of practical examples. Notice though that on the web, a copyright holder is required to send a takedown notice before they can sue (under the DMCA) so you would get fair warning before any real legal danger could develop. My vote would be to go for it if it is anything like the Snopes page in format. If you're not in the United States, then it is an entirely different legal situation (one I know next to nothing about). --Fastfission 03:33, 4 August 2006 (UTC)

Thanks, unfortunately I live in Belgium. And my site would, if I choose to proceed, involve more than one picture though, like fifteen, with lots of text. Evilbu 11:10, 5 August 2006 (UTC)

I wouldn't worry about it --Froth 15:27, 7 August 2006 (UTC)

Thanks for going back to the archive to still answer my question! Evilbu 15:37, 7 August 2006 (UTC)

New York Yankees/John Sterling

There is a bottle opener that has the voice of John Sterling. He talks about a game ending grand slam -- It is high, It is far. It is gone. etc. Does anyone know what game he is referring to? Linda Baskey

Something called baseball. See John Sterling (sportscaster)#Home run calls. (He often says this. It doesn't seem to date from one particular game if that's what you're asking.)--Shantavira 18:02, 3 August 2006 (UTC)

Like a lot of broadcasters, he has a standard call that he pretty much uses word-for-word the same on every home run. Fan-1967 22:16, 3 August 2006 (UTC)

Paddocks(?) at Newmarket

A friend of mine flew his light plane over Suffolk just recently and took a photograph of Newmarket racecourse. I noticed a couple of fields near the helipad both of which had a small knot of trees right in the middle. There two more further away from the race course, so they must have a purpose! Could you tell me what it might be? As a former scientist I have an insatiable curiosity and would come personally, but I live in the wilds of Scotland.

Yours sincerely, P.Brown Bsc,Dip SAD.

You might be able to play around in google maps and get a better idea, or find an image which contains the two fields of interest. I'm not sure which you're referring to. --Tagishsimon (talk)

Farmers often keep a small patch of trees, to attract game. Notinasnaid 20:43, 5 August 2006 (UTC)

• Farmers would often plant clumps of trees in fields used for livestock for shelter from both sun and rain.In the middle so they could not be used to climb the fence.Hope this helps-hotclaws**==(82.138.214.1 08:57, 9 August 2006 (UTC))

Germany/Israel

Can some one please tell me, what are the relations between Germany and Israel like? Do they support each other, does Germany do whatever Israel asks, and Do Israel recognise germany as a relavent international power? Do germany accept Israel as an entity at all? This all being in hindsight of WWII and the fall of the Eastern Block. Thanks

Hi, good question. I cannot prove overview (someone else will definitely), but this might be interesting:[[4]]

And let us not forget about the Munich massacre in 1972: [[5]] claims they agreed to release the prisoners during a hijacking that was only a show.

Elchanan Tenenbaum tells about German negotiating for the 2004 swap between Israel and Hezbollah. Evilbu 15:08, 3 August 2006 (UTC)

Wouldn't that be rather politically incorrect? It would suggest that there is a link between Israel and the holocaust, that Israel was given some slack because the world felt sorry for the Jews. Of course there is at least some truth in that, but to officially recognise that would be rather iffy. DirkvdM 18:25, 3 August 2006 (UTC)

My understanding is that relations between Germany and Israel are generally quite good, although Germany is not quite as pro-Israel as the USA is. As an EU country, Germany is one of those countries that generally abstains rather than vote one way or the otehr during those General Assembly votes that go like 135-4 against Israel. But Germany is far less anti-Israel than, say, France. German media baron Axel Springer was very pro-Israel. The EU is part of the "quartet" that has been pushing the so-called road map to peace, so Israel certainly recognizes Germany's contribution in that regard. Israel and the Federal Republic of Germany established normal diplomatic relations in 1965. -- Mwalcoff 23:00, 3 August 2006 (UTC)

Doesn't Germany have to pay compensation to Israel for the Holocaust or something? That might strain relations a little... - THE GREAT GAVINI {T-C} 18:58, 5 August 2006 (UTC)

Nazi

when Flying into Poland last year i noticed that near to Katowice Airport there is a forest, The forest appears to be evergreen, exept for a collection of trees grown in a swastica formation, thus producing a clear red swastica in the forest, that could only be seen from the sky. Can someone please tell me when this was done, why it was done ans why it has not been reversed by cutting down the trees and eradicating the legacy of the Nazi scum. Thanks guys and dolls.

That's odd, Germany has something like that too: Forest swastika

Evilbu 15:00, 3 August 2006 (UTC)

That is almost exaclty what i saw in Poland, But no one has cutt down any of them, it was Very, very very obvious, and huge.

Just wanted to point out concerning my above question, that i hold NO hostility to any German man or woman under 60, but the rest voted, or should have.

Perhaps people objected to wasting trees on environmental grounds. Notinasnaid 15:37, 3 August 2006 (UTC)

I think I found the airport[6] but I can't spot the trees. The satellite data drop in resolution to the East which is where planes seem to land from. Weregerbil 15:55, 3 August 2006 (UTC)

The sat photo could be from the wrong time of year. --198.125.178.207 17:45, 3 August 2006 (UTC)

"Under 60"? Do you blame all pre-1946 (?) Germans for the war? Are all Usonians responsible for what Bush does?

Also, could y'all sign your posts and indent properly? That would make it a lot easier to see who wrote what. DirkvdM 18:30, 3 August 2006 (UTC)

The poor trees didn't do anything to anybody, so just let them be. It's not like a symbol from a regime that was wiped out over 60 years ago is suddenly going to bring the regime back to life. However, if neo-Nazis start hanging out by those trees, then my opinion might change. StuRat 18:43, 3 August 2006 (UTC)

Well I would disagree and say the forest should be cut down. No reason to leave the occupiers' mark. You might want to write the city about this and see what they have to say. -- Mwalcoff 23:02, 3 August 2006 (UTC)

It seems to me that you couldn't just cut down the differently-colored trees, because that would still leave the swastica. So they would've had to cut the whole forest. --Ornil 01:15, 4 August 2006 (UTC)

Cutting down differently coloured trees to fight Nazism? Sounds a bit paradoxical.

Anyway, it may be left standing as a monument. Not unusual. DirkvdM 06:02, 4 August 2006 (UTC)

Everyone is assuming that the swastika patterned trees have some connection with Nazism or organisations following those beliefs. That isn't certain & is just an assumption based on the most recent usage of that symbol.

In any case even if the trees were planted by disciples of Dr Mengle with the aim of glorifying the Nazi cause and encouraging rural growth in Nazi or Neo-Nazi activities there'd still be no reason to cut it down. If you really object to it (& have the legal right to do so) then just plant some new trees around them to fill in the gaps & stop it looking like a swastica. AllanHainey 08:52, 4 August 2006 (UTC)

I doubt they were planted by Buddhist monks. True, they're not technically hurting anyone now, but generally Nazi symbols were taken down after WWII. Everyone's seen the famous film of the swastika on the stadium being blown up. -- Mwalcoff 23:11, 4 August 2006 (UTC)

But that wasn't a bunch of trees. And the swastika may be used by buddhists (Aryans also come from India, by the way), but also by lots of other cultures, including European ones. I once followed an Indonesian language course on tv, part of which consisted of people showing how they live. In one such episode the camera had a peek in the son's room, saw a nazi flag there, and immediately swung back. The mother was totally unaware of anything being wrong and probably the same was true for the son. They apparently didn't realise what the flag stood for and just liked the swastika on it.

Anyway, there may be something in the ground the trees stand on (some nutrient deficiency maybe), causing them to turn red. So new growth may not change anything. DirkvdM 07:42, 5 August 2006 (UTC)

Crisps/Chips

I used to each fish flavoured chips in south africa. They stank! But were Lovely! they were called Creols and i assume they came from Maritiaus (spelling) can any one tell me where i can get them in the Uk?

Ask a fish'n'chips shop to use some old fat in which they have fried loads of fish. Also, do you mean Mauritius? DirkvdM 18:33, 3 August 2006 (UTC)

How much does an MH-53J Pave Low helicopter cost?

Would the government ever sell a demilitarized one to a civilian?

Well MH-53 Pave Low says it cost $40 Million US. And it's a version of the CH-53 Sea Stallion and CH-53E Super Stallion. Maybe Sikorsky Aircraft would sell one. CambridgeBayWeather (Talk)

Do you want a fully functional flying new one or will you settle for decommissioned gutted-out scrap metal (great as a lawn ornament though)? There is probably a 10,000x price difference right there... Weregerbil 20:27, 3 August 2006 (UTC)

No, I don't believe that US governmet does that.

Dinosaurs' Nervous System

Can someone tell me what we know about the nervous systems of dinosaurs? For example, would they respond to drugs the same way, or did they have completely different receptors then animals today?

most of what we know from dinosaurs comes from bones that don't reveal much about nerves. We can assume that their nerves were not that different from other animals. A biologist can correct me here but I don't think nerves (in their basic makeup) themselves vary that much even between very different species. Of course different chemicals affect different animals slightly differently. The best guess we can make is to look at how chemicals affect the closest living creatures to dinosaurs, i.e. birds and say that the same chemicals may have affected dinosaurs in somewhat the same way. Nowimnthing 17:53, 3 August 2006 (UTC)

One likely diff is that large dinos would have needed to have more of a distributed control system, with functions like walking controlled by nerve centers in the hips. This is because the time delay for signals from the brain would make walking difficult otherwise (think of trying to walk when drunk, which involves a similar delayed reaction problem). StuRat 18:36, 3 August 2006 (UTC)

after edit conflict:

Right, opiates (heroin and such) would probably have the same effect on all animals because it imitates a very basic endomorphin (a naturally occurring brain-drug). THC on the other hand has very different effects even on different humans.

Oddly, there is no article on 'endomorphin', but when searching for it, I found an article on Dynorphin. Cute! :) DirkvdM 18:41, 3 August 2006 (UTC)

I've created a redirect from endomorphin to endorphin.-gadfium 03:26, 4 August 2006 (UTC)

Shark eats Gorilla

In the Simpsons episode Lisa the Vegetarian there's a classic scene where a gorilla is reaching out for a banana over a lake, and a shark just surges up and eats it. Where can I get a screencap of this? Short of buying the actual DVDs?

By screencap do you mean just an image of a single frame of the episode? You might be able to find a clip on a video site like youtube.com or google video. Then you could just take a screenshot of your computer with the frame displayed. digfarenough (talk) 17:39, 3 August 2006 (UTC)

Bear in mind that this method may result in problems getting an image because of the video overlay which, like vampires and ghosts, doesn't show up in screenshots/screencaps. However, there are ways around this (dedicated screenshot programs often have special modes to deal with this) and since YouTube uses Flash to display videos, it might not be a problem. Sum0 21:06, 5 August 2006 (UTC)

Peterborough Lift Lock

Greetings:

Does anyone know what the address of Peterborough Lift Lock? I need it in order to get directions from my home to Lift Lock on Google Maps.

Regards,

Shuo Xiang 17:25, 3 August 2006 (UTC)

With a little searching, I found that that the geographic coordinates are 44° 18' 51" N 78° 18' 06" W (from this page). You can plug those co-ordinates into Google Maps, and then get direction to that location. In the map-only view, they do not seem to acknowledge the existence of the canal, however you can see it in satellite or hybrid view. (You can't zoom in close enough to actually see the lock, though). Hope this helps. --LarryMac 18:39, 3 August 2006 (UTC)

There's a streetmap here. Looks like it's at the Junction of Hunter Street East and Ashburham Drive. -- Finlay McWalter | Talk 18:42, 3 August 2006 (UTC)

Thank you all soooooooooooooooooooooo much! Shuo Xiang 20:26, 3 August 2006 (UTC)

Name of a song

I'm trying to remember the name of a song. I don't remember much about it, except that I know it was on MTV, and had the lyrics "Thanks for making me finer", or something like that. Does anyone know the name of that song? Thank you.--Summonmaster13 17:33, 3 August 2006 (UTC)

Male, female singer? Anything about the musical style: teeny pop, slow dance, rap, ...? Was that recently? Anything else at all you can remember about the song or video? I typed Thanks for making me finer lyrics into google and it came up with Christina Aguilera's song "Fighter" [7]. How's that for a random guess? Weregerbil 20:23, 3 August 2006 (UTC)

Municipal bond payment dates

Why do most municipal bonds pay interest on May 1 and November 1, instead of being evenly distributed around 6 month intervals of various months (January 1 and July 1, April 1 and October 1, etc.)? I have had a number of such bonds in my investment portfolio for many years, and have alays been curious as to why most of them pay in these 2 months.

Richard A. Horvitz --****

Probably has to do with the Fiscal year of the municipality. Nowimnthing 17:58, 3 August 2006 (UTC)

I don't know why they'd pick those particular months, but paying less often means they're paying less in processing fees, and they make interest on your interest while they're holding it.--Anchoress 20:27, 3 August 2006 (UTC)

Follow up clarification, I work for a government agency that issues bonds and runs on tax monies. We get our tax distribution twice a year based on the state fiscal year. I assume we pay on the bonds right after getting this distribution so that is why the wacky times of year for payment. Nowimnthing 15:10, 4 August 2006 (UTC)

How do Artic explorers go to the toilet?

.....without getting frostbite? No. 1s and no. 2s? When it's cold, you want to go a lot. I've puzzled over this for a long time.

At a permanent base they would have indoor toilets in a heated area. So, no difference from anywhere else. In a temporary camp they would probably have something like a chamber pot they would use inside a tent, then dump outside. They could also urinate on the go with a tube to drain directly into the snow (this would be easier for men, but still possible for women, using catheters). Bowel movements would likely need to wait until they pitched a tent. Also note that the temps in the arctic aren't that bad in the summer. In the winter, it's dark out all the time, so they would likely stay near the permanent base or evacuate entirely. StuRat 21:29, 3 August 2006 (UTC)

Funny how words change their meaning. "Evacuate" was originally an intransitive verb meaning to defaecate, involving one person performing an action in usually a very private place. Now it means the act of possibly thousands of people leaving a building, or causing such an action. JackofOz 22:51, 3 August 2006 (UTC)

Yes, I intentionally used that word for it's double meaning. Good catch. StuRat

I suppose he means 'freezing one's butt off', almost literally. This reminds me of going for a crap in a mosquito-ridden area. Also not nice. In both cases you'll just have to endure it ('take it like a man', which would also be a problem for women :) ). However (serious answer now), this won't lead to frostbite. The body has to be kept warm, so if too much heat is lost, it is taken from the less important extremities, which consequently get frostbitten. Better to lose a toe than having your heart stop beating. You may be left with a limp, but you're still alive. I don't know your anatomy, but I assume your butt is not an extremity. And that one important extremity (not just evolutionarily speaking) has the good sense to tuck itself in when it gets cold. DirkvdM 06:18, 4 August 2006 (UTC)

Most men have the common sense to keep their pants on when it gets that cold, but there have been some rare examples of frostbitten penises. "Jack Frost nipping at your..." :-) StuRat 06:24, 4 August 2006 (UTC)

If this is true we are very badly adapted to such conditions because that would have serious evolutionary consequences, as I hinted. DirkvdM 07:49, 5 August 2006 (UTC)

Yes, naked people are rather poorly adapted to the arctic. I don't believe people lived in the arctic until warm clothes were invented. An exception might have been back when the arctic was much warmer than it is now. StuRat 04:20, 7 August 2006 (UTC)

People in the Arctic go to the toilet the same way as the rest of the world. When at home we use the bathroom. When out camping we move away from the tent area and if possible go behind a rock. In the winter (and no contrary to popular belief it's not dark all the time, see Polar night) we go quickly. I don't recall ever having gone outside at a temperature much below -40C and I never froze anything. Of course the modern day "explorer" has a bit more difficulty. They always seem to wear the latest in cold weather clothing which takes forever to get off and put on. Plus they are not used to the weather and tend to get cold quicker. Anyway feel sorry for the women, at least the men only have to pull down a couple of zippers to take a pee. CambridgeBayWeather (Talk) 12:00, 4 August 2006 (UTC)

• Like most expeditions it's a hole in the ground they use. How do they go? As little as possible. The cold is indeed very unpleasant. But if you have to go... - Mgm|^(talk) 21:25, 4 August 2006 (UTC)

Do you know how hard it is to dig a hole at -30C, even with a jackhammer? At best you might cover it with snow. CambridgeBayWeather (Talk) 03:40, 5 August 2006 (UTC)

Thanks, although I was thinking about explorers not people with a base camp, and was using the word Artic to refer to both the Artic and the Antartic. Scott of the Antartic, for example, the man who reached the South Pole second in the 1910s. I suppose the answer is "very quickly".

Note that both "Arctic" and "Antarctic" contain the letter C. 08:17, 5 August 2006 (UTC)

But so do "Artic" and "Antartic". They just don't contain enough C's. --LarryMac 23:36, 5 August 2006 (UTC)

True. StuRat 16:18, 10 August 2006 (UTC)

Believe it or not, I have heard stories of people in the Antartic who catch animals with traps secured to the ground with their own frozen urine. They set the trap down, piss on it, piss freezes...and that trap isn't going anywhere. --69.138.61.168 07:27, 10 August 2006 (UTC)

Is this a true story, or is the reporter guilty of "yellow journalism" ? :-) StuRat 16:17, 10 August 2006 (UTC)

Too much baking soda?

Greetings,

A recipe for American pancakes which I followed recommended the use of 2 tbsp of baking soda, but I believe that I put in some 3 tbsp. Could this greatly affect the pancakes' taste or texture?

Thank you for your answers,

--anon.

I don't know about 'greatly', but it will affect the taste and possibly the texture. Baking soda, formally known as Sodium Bicarbonate, is a leavening agent. It does this by reacting with acids in food to create carbon dioxide. (This is also the basis behind the common baking soda and vinegar 'volcano' science demonstration). So, if there's still excess acid in your pancake recipe (my guess is the most common pancake source of acid is buttermilk or possibly cream of tartar), the excess baking soda will react with it and create more bubbles than normal, resulting in puffier pancakes. In this case, the baking soda will also reduce any tartness from the excess acid. If, however, there is no excess acid, the baking soda won't produce any extra bubbles. In either case, there may be additional taste from baking soda, commonly described as 'soapy'. While it's usually recommended that one follows the recipe closely, this is particularly important with products like leaveners and spices where a small amount can affect the whole dish (1 tbsp extra of flour would have much less effect), and double-particularly important in the case of baking soda, which has to be paired with an acid. --ByeByeBaby 23:13, 3 August 2006 (UTC)

(after edit conflict) You may find them to be more salty than they should be (baking soda has a lot of sodium) and the texture may be less smooth, with more large bubbles. But since pancake batter doesn't tend to have a lot of gluten, extra gas from the extra baking soda (assuming there's extra acid in there to react with it) may just bubble out before you start cooking them. digfarenough (talk) 23:16, 3 August 2006 (UTC)

I would be most worried about the water balance, meaning the pancakes might be rather dry. The obvious solution (assuming you don't want to toss the batter and start over), is to increase all other ingredients by 50% to match. Invite the neighbors over to eat the extra pancakes. StuRat 06:32, 4 August 2006 (UTC)

After edit conflict:

Try it. We're talking pancakes here. It shouldn't be to difficult to repeat the experiment with a different value filled in for that variable. DirkvdM 06:34, 4 August 2006 (UTC)

Just don't eat the baking soda right out of the package. It'll make your stomach explode if you eat a bunch of it. --69.138.61.168 07:25, 10 August 2006 (UTC)

Bassist Guitarrist

Does someone know who is the most famous heavy metal bassist guitarrist in the world?

Famous is subjective - according to whom? Ziggurat 23:34, 3 August 2006 (UTC)

"Geddy Lee, best bass player ever". digfarenough (talk) 04:26, 4 August 2006 (UTC)

Steve Harris? Geezer Butler? Duff McKagan? Surely it's one of them. It's impossible to measure them for popularity unfortunately - perhaps it depends on how many records the band's sold. - THE GREAT GAVINI {T-C} 19:03, 5 August 2006 (UTC)

Seth Nettles. CambridgeBayWeather (Talk) 10:20, 9 August 2006 (UTC)

August 4

Are any Ghost 'n Goblins games on Capcom Remixed for PSP?

I really want to know because I want the game mostly for Ghost 'n Goblins. I don't want to waste $30 on a game I won't play often. I want the two other games too, Ghouls 'n Ghosts, and Super Ghouls 'n Ghosts, or I won't buy this.

Surely using Google (or the search engine of your choice) would be quicker than posting a question here and waiting for a response. I can't access any "game" sites from this PC, but here is the link directly to Capcom. Looking at the reviews on Amazon, I see that it has Bionic Commando. I'd almost be willing to buy a PSP and this game pack just to swing that grappling hook around once again. --LarryMac 13:00, 4 August 2006 (UTC)

Vomit

If my Vomit is teal colored, what does that mean?

Vomit is usually or generally the color of the food that is vomitted, I believe. I may be wrong. --Proficient 03:08, 4 August 2006 (UTC)

I have found that vomit is usually the color and consistancy of what I've eaten or drank. Unless, of course, there is blood in it. Then it would be a dark reddish color. I am a translator, though, not a doctor. --69.138.61.168 07:09, 4 August 2006 (UTC)

If you are asking about the literal meaning, see teal (color).--Shantavira 07:16, 4 August 2006 (UTC)

Maybe it means you've just eaten a teal? Notinasnaid 09:11, 4 August 2006 (UTC)

Sigh. :-)

Also, if your vomit is teal it means you are a woman. Men know black, white, red, blue, green, brown, orange. Peach and lime are fruit, eggshell is what omelettes come in, teal is a bird, maroon is what happens to the captain after a mutiny. Weregerbil 18:07, 4 August 2006 (UTC)

There's no need for broad stereotypes like this; for all we know, the questioner might just be gay. --ByeByeBaby 06:03, 5 August 2006 (UTC)

That's another stereotype. JackofOz 01:25, 7 August 2006 (UTC)

Another good question is, "If I'm getting my medical advice from Wikipedia, what does that mean?". It means you are an idiot. DJ Clayworth 13:57, 8 August 2006 (UTC)

American TV shows in Australia

Why do American TV shows in Australia often premiere much later than they do in the States? For example, Lost premiered in September 2004 in the USA, but only began in February 2005 in Australia. Likewise, the season finale of 24 wrapped up just last night here in Australia, whereas it finished in May in the USA. (The gap started out much larger, but channel 7 insisted on showing FOUR episodes a week, so we came close to catching up. Probably so they could make way for a new season of tripe like Dancing With The Stars).

Why does this happen? Why don't networks just show us new series simultaneously with the US? The reason it bugs me so much is because I can never stop myself from using Wikipedia to find out what happens in an upcoming season. Battle Ape 04:18, 4 August 2006 (UTC)

Perhaps our stations are waiting to see how positive the response from American audiences is. We have five standard channels, but the USA has far more. Our stations will likely only pick the cream of the crop (ratings-wise, that is).

The US networks make agreements with producers, giving them exclusive first runs. They will then make secondary agreements to sell the overseas rights. Most overseas broadcasters (since they do not have the creative control the primary US networks have) will wait to see the product before buying it (though this isn't always the case, talent with a track record can sell based on reputation and a pitch alone).

Historically the same thing would happens with movies, but you may have noticed that big budget films are now often released globally near simultaneously. This is because DVD/internet technology has forced their hand. Its likely, as TV shows can now easily be downloaded soon after their US airing, that we will begin to see a reduction in the time US shows are aired abroad, especially in english speaking (a lot of countries dub US series into local languages, so that takes time), internet savvy countries like the UK and Australia. Rockpocket 06:51, 4 August 2006 (UTC)

In the U.S, shows usually run their new episodes from fall to spring and take summer off (when less people watch TV?) Are you sure they aren't just delaying them so they don't run during the local summer? Rmhermen 16:42, 4 August 2006 (UTC)

Most countries do not run "seasons" like the US networks do (hence they use the terms series instead of season). In the UK, Channel 4 is running season 2 of Lost throughout the summer as is Australia (though it is their winter, of course). So that theory doesn't hold up, i'm afraid! Rockpocket 19:15, 4 August 2006 (UTC)

Some shows may also have to go through editing, subtitling, checking and possible conversion in formats before it airs. Also, the US tend to take breaks during seasons (like Lost, which will break for 13 weeks!) while foreign markets don't tend to. --Bearbear 19:39, 4 August 2006 (UTC)

Rmhermen has a good point about the seasons. Australia does has a ratings break during summer (when expensive shows like Lost are typically not shown). So it seems the Australian TV executives decided to start Lost in February - straight after the summer ratings break. Another advantage of running the shows way behind the US is more flexibility. Since the show will never be allowed to "World Premiere" in Australia, it has to run behind anyway. If it only ran one day behind, the Australian schedule would be controlled by when the American network decided to air the show (eg by American breaks, big events etc). This might not be that important though.--Commander Keane 01:41, 5 August 2006 (UTC)

I can't speak for Australia, so that may well be a consideration there, but not in the UK. Note however Lost season 2 may not be the best example as there was some global co-ordination to tie in with The Lost Experience. I don't know if that was a serious consideration in the scheduling of the show, but it may have been. Rockpocket

Lost is undoubtedly a special case because of the internet 'extra content' that supports it. The internet extras coincide with the US timetable, so other countries probably want to keep as close to that timetable as they can. DJ Clayworth 13:55, 8 August 2006 (UTC)

Scope of failure analysis

Does failure analysis apply only to physical systems, as the article suggests, or also to other things such as business ventures and military campaigns? NeonMerlin 06:26, 4 August 2006 (UTC)

Failure analysis can be applied to most fields. Agreed, the article comes at it from a narrow perspective and could do with much improvement. --Tagishsimon (talk)

Clippy thingies

I know this sounds a little vague, but, does anyone know what the little plastic E-shaped connectors are called that are commonly used to hold a baby in the 'seat' of a shopping cart?

To clarify what they look like, one side is (I guess) a male side shaped like a curved 'E' and the other side is a female 'side' into which it slips into, then it 'clicks' and is locked in place when the outside parts of the 'E' go into two holes on the female side. To release it, you have to press on the outside edges of the female side, which puts pressure on the 'E' shape, allowing you to remove the male side of it.

I know that sounds slightly convoluted but that is as best as I can describe it. --69.138.61.168 07:06, 4 August 2006 (UTC)

A form of buckle? or just a clip? don't know if they even have a specific name. AllanHainey 09:02, 4 August 2006 (UTC)

I know what you are talking about, but I can't seem to find it in Category:Fasteners. Jon513 09:29, 4 August 2006 (UTC)

Look on the body of the clip - there will (hopefully) be a patent number. Look up the patent number in the US patent database and you'll see who the "assignee" (the company) for the patent is. That will, I guess, be a large manufacturer of fasteners. Then go to their website and browse their online catalog. I'm sure there will be a technical name specifically for such fasteners. Middenface 10:44, 4 August 2006 (UTC)

I think it's called a "snap buckle". Google for images. One of the branded versions is called an airloc buckle.--Shantavira 12:23, 4 August 2006 (UTC)

Fastex buckle is the predominant name for them, there's more information here.

Hmm, the above seem to call them "side-release buckles". Whatever they are, it looks as though we need an article. One reason I was interested is they they always seem to slip after I've used them for a while (they secure my rucksack, and my trousers). I found that slightly "re-sharpening" the teeth with a small file helps to prevent this.--Shantavira 15:01, 4 August 2006 (UTC)

You have these things on your trousers? Picture, please! Henry^Flower 15:16, 4 August 2006 (UTC)

Strange as it may seem, I have a pair of nylon hiking pants which use a small Fastex buckle to secure the waist. The buckle halves are connected to an integral elastic web strap.

Allow me to help: Side-release buckle --Tagishsimon (talk)

It looks like you're trying to secure a baby in a shopping cart. Would you like help?  :-) --LarryMac 15:11, 4 August 2006 (UTC)

Yes, the links you have provided are these buckles. I also had trouble finding an article about these on Wikipedia. 'Fastex buckle', then. Thanks! --69.138.61.168 21:36, 4 August 2006 (UTC)

Jogging/swimming coefficient?

Greetings,

(Thank you for your answers concerning my American pancakes; they were a little soapy, alas.)

I was wondering where I could find the coefficient between jogging and swimming, as in, how much jogging a certain time of swimming is worth.

Thank you for your answers,

--anon.

If you google for "calorie swimming jogging" you'll find any number of tables that claim to rate one exercise against another. The trouble is that swimming is so technical that different people (same age, sex, weight) swimmng at the same speed can consume radically different amounts of energy. Jogging is less technical (although still there are efficient joggers and inefficient ones; I'd guess some are at least twice as efficient as others). So it's pretty hard for a web-page to actually tell you how much energy you're burning. Middenface 10:35, 4 August 2006 (UTC)

In what sense? Energy loss (measured in soapy pancakes)? Muscle gain? Fun? DirkvdM 07:54, 5 August 2006 (UTC)

New user questions

Yesterday, Aug 3, I registered for the first time and was confused about whether my email address will be avaialable to anyone. I DON"T want to received junk mail, so I don't want my email address to be available except to the administrators for password confirmation. Please take care of this and let me know that my email address will not be available to readers.

Also, I spent a long time editing a page, and didn't realize there was a time limit - when I went to finalize/send it, it said my time had expired and all of my changes were lost. This was annoying/discouraging.

It was also hard to figure out where to send theses comments to.

I added a title to your post. These questions sound like they should be directed to the Help Desk (I'd try to answer but I don't quite follow whatever you're asking). Well, I guess I can try: 1. Your email address isn't made public as far as I know. 2. Yes, I've lost a post due to an error before too--it is indeed annoying. It's best to copy your comment before posting just in case something goes wrong (save early/save often sort of thing). 3. I do not understand your last paragraph, sorry. digfarenough (talk) 17:52, 4 August 2006 (UTC)

• I think that last bit of text was from your email or some sign up page. It won't be posted, but of course you shouldn't post it here if you don't want it to show up (I've removed it). If you want to avoid being accidentally logged out while editing, you should select the remember me box when logging in. This means you're logged in until you log out (be sure to log out when you're on a public computer). - Mgm|^(talk) 21:21, 4 August 2006 (UTC)

Finding where to ask questions doesn't seem too difficult. There aren't any confusing ads and banners and such. At the top left there's the 'help' link (maybe that should be made a little more visible - perhaps at the top of that list) and the top box at the page that that leads you to has the header 'where to ask questions'. That should make clear that your question should have gone to the help desk in stead of here. Then again, it is true that every now and then we get help desk questions here. So how did you get here? Did you follow a different route? DirkvdM 08:03, 5 August 2006 (UTC)

Youtube Question

I apologize if this isn't the right place to ask this question. Anyways, I am trying to be able to post comments on Youtube, and have an account. When I try to post a comment this message shows up.

"Before you can upload, we need to verify your email address. Enter it below, and when you receive the confirmation email, then check your email and click on the link provided to confirm your account. If you do not receive the confirmation message within a few minutes, please check your bulk or spam folders."

The confirmation email showed up, and I clicked on the link, however the following message showed up. "This confirmation link is no longer valid".

So my question is, how do I post comments, when it can't confirm my email. Thanks in advanced. --Summonmaster13 16:39, 4 August 2006 (UTC)

• If you ask for a new email or reset your password only the most recent message is valid. All others expire. If you have trouble, I guess you should contact them. - Mgm|^(talk) 21:17, 4 August 2006 (UTC)

Total Number of Homeowners in America

What is the total numer of homeowners in America?

What is the breakdown per state?

The US census is your friend. Nowimnthing 18:37, 4 August 2006 (UTC)

Water Tables

I need to know whether a water table can change? If so, what could cause it to change? Greg Kreft 19:49, 4 August 2006 (UTC)

Nothing is forever. Be more specific?--Teutoberg 20:03, 4 August 2006 (UTC)

• Are you talking about one of those tables that are really television screens showing water, sand or something else and actually act as if they're touched if you touch the screen? I think that is touch screen technology. - Mgm|^(talk) 21:15, 4 August 2006 (UTC)

Why not try our snappily and conveniently named Water table article? Lemon martini 22:21, 4 August 2006 (UTC)

(Yay! My first proper edit as a real live Wikipedian!)

the artist that performs the song "half the man iused to be"

hi there!i would like to ask who is the artist that performs the song "half the man i used to be",as i've been told that it's a song of nirvana and i don't believe it.... i'm sorry that i ask such an unimportant question.....but i got to know anyway,if you are willing to contact me,please send me an email in[snip], as this is not my computer. thank you for your time.. frances mckee

There is a song which includes that line on The Return of the Space Cowboy.

Yesterday I was

half the man I used to be.

Maybe it's because

you're the other half of me.

 Slumgum T. C.   20:30, 4 August 2006 (UTC)

I believe you are refering to the Stone Temple Pilots song "Creep", on their album Core.--Andrew c 21:30, 4 August 2006 (UTC)

Let's not forget "Suddenly/I'm not half the man I used to be/There's a shadow hanging over me/oh I believe/in yesterday". See the beatles, or yesterday. I don't think it's what you're looking for, but it's a great song anyways. --198.125.178.207 22:25, 4 August 2006 (UTC)

Funny smelling CDs

When buying music CDs, I often that on opening the case, there is a strange chemical smell completely unlike anything else. It doesn't happen to computer CDs or DVDs, as it only seems to affect CDs in plastic jewel cases. If anybody has a copy of any of them, the smell is especially strong on Through the Windowpane and A Certain Trigger, at least in my music collection. So what is that smell, and how can I prevent it, given that the sensitive nature of CDs makes using a chemical airfreshener risky. smurrayinchester^{(User), (Talk)}

<gripe>I hate it when people say "chemical smell" — all smells are caused by chemicals.</gripe> —Keenan Pepper 22:54, 4 August 2006 (UTC)

Why do you want to prevent it? If it bothers you that much, leave 'em open at night and let a fan blow over them or something. It's quite unlikely to be damaging the CDs. It's likely just a remnant of some chemical used in the production of the jewel case, the liner notes, the tray, or the CD (think I covered all the bases there...) digfarenough (talk) 23:36, 4 August 2006 (UTC)

CDs by Matchbox Twenty really stink. --Teutoberg 03:12, 5 August 2006 (UTC)

Wow, I thought I was the only one who knew it. My ex-girlfriend bought some CD-R's, and they smell absolutely awful. I've worked with fiberglass, and it kinda smells like fiberglass resin. I have no idea why, but the smell is truly revolting. --Abnerian 04:02, 5 August 2006 (UTC)

You know what other smell is similar and also awful - the smell of metallic gift wrap. The mylar kind. --Random person

extra kwh reading itron?bersus mecanical meters

--68.202.34.54 21:51, 4 August 2006 (UTC)i dont have the money(need exponsor)test itron meters read doble kwh I TRY TO FIND AND STUDY,TEST,OR WHATEVER-COMPARE THE OLD METER (ROTATIBE) TO THE NEW ITRON CENTRON,SOLID ESTATE+WITH THE NEW METERS WITH THE SAME CHARGE THE KWH GO NEAR TO DOUBLE kWh??I DON'T GOING TO TELL YOU(FOR THE MOMENT)ALL I DO TO TEST THIS FABULOUS METER...I CALL PROGRESS ENERGY(FLORIDA)TO CHECK THE METER,IS IN THE PARAMETER THEY WANT>>>AND SAID IT READING THE CONSUME<<THAT THE PROBLEM I DON'T USE THAT AMOUNT OF kWh!!!! HERE COMES YOU:::::THIS METER IS DONE TO READ,VARIATION IN ELEC,RUMORS AND PEAK OF VOLTAGE(IN THIS READING IS WHEN THE ELECTRIC COMP,GET THE EXTRA $$$$$$$$$,IN kWh,NOT MATER WHAT YOU GET MORE kWh THAN YOU USE,AND THAT IS NO LEGAL!!!!!ITS SUPPOUST THE PEAK OF ANY APPLIANCE GET IN THE METER,AND AUTOMATIC GO DOWN TO READ CONSUME,BUT THIS SOLID STATE METER????????????????????????????DO YOU KNOW A TEST(SIDE BY SIDE)OFF ITRON CELERON & ROTATIVE METER,SAME CHARGE(ALL THE SAME)ITS SUPOUST THE READ VERY SIMILAR,ANY KWH OVER IS ILLEGAL,MY POINT IS DIRECT TO READ KWH,(COMPARE)NOT INCLUDE FUEL,TEMP,OR MONEY UNDER THE TABLE,,ONLY COMSUM KWH!!!!IF YOU HAVE INFORMATION OF A CLASS ACTION ,SEND ME THE INF.,FORMULA:SAME VOLTAGE INPUT + SAME CHARGE +/- X(WATTS,,AMPERES,,) =KWH,,ONLY IN ITRON IS DOBLE?????why??(only can change the %=1%.2% charge the power comp.)but that not justify the high reading of kwhANY,ANY INFORMATION WELCOME

I'm afraid I didn't understand a single word of that, but thank you for introducing me to the far right corner of my screen. --Daduzi ^talk 22:05, 4 August 2006 (UTC)

I speak six languages fluently.Which one are you using?It ain't English,but let's try...

"You're comparing an old Rotative meter to a new Centron solid estate meter.With the same charge on the new meters,the kwH nearly doubled.You're not going to tell us how you tested it though. When you called Progress Energy in Florida to check it,doing the tests they suggested,the amount they told is much more than you are using.

The meter is calibrated to read variations in electricity, rumors(whatever they are) and voltage peaks. Whatever test you try,you get much more kwH showing than you actually use.

It's supposed to show the peak kwH of any appliance and automatically read your consumption from there,but it doesn't. You want to know a side-by-side test of the Celeron(sic) and Rotative meter with the same charge to show that the Celeron(sic) one is showing more kwH than is correct,which is illegal.It should only be reading the kwH,not including fuel,temperature or money under the table(???)

You want to launch a class action against Celeron/Centron as their meter is showing double the kwH it should be compared to the Rotatibe with the same data put in,even allowing for some variation in the data which might affect the results."

If I've deciphered this correctly,basically your new meter is showing almost double what the old one did with the same variables and you feel this is illegal. Is it possible the new one is just malfunctioning? Why not return your meter and explain this to the Celeron/Centron sales guy and see whether they can replace it or give an explanation as to why this happening.They are likely to know the most about what their products do and don't do and shouldn't do...

Lemon martini 22:34, 4 August 2006 (UTC)

Talented bit of suitle emphaziation there, Lemon martini. --Howard Train 04:39, 5 August 2006 (UTC)

It sort of looks like the poster typed in in a different language and used some online translator to get it into English. Probably all the strings of punctuation are meant to separate different sentences, as things like babelfish ignore newlines. Or am I just stating the obvious? :) digfarenough (talk) 23:32, 4 August 2006 (UTC)

Why don't you ask us in your native language? --Abnerian 03:56, 5 August 2006 (UTC)

Sockpuppet

I accidentally created a sockpuppet (Fsdfsdfsdfsa), and I really want it to be deleted. Is there a way that it can be deleted other than not logging in for 90 days? -- TheGreatLlama ^{(speak to the Llama!)} 23:11, 4 August 2006 (UTC)

I think that, technically, it's only a sockpuppet when used as such. It is allowable for a person to have multiple accounts, as long as they aren't being used, e.g., to provide an illusion of greater consensus or to avoid policies like the three revert rule. As for deleting the account, not sure about that one... digfarenough (talk) 23:26, 4 August 2006 (UTC)

If you're worried about it being labled as such, try adding {{user alt acct}} or request it be blocked on WP:AIV. 68.39.174.238 10:29, 6 August 2006 (UTC)

Cinema

The film "The Miracle of" was released in German cinemas in 2004. What sprtin event dose it deal with?

Don't suppose you mean Das Wunder von Bern... it was 2003, though. Oh, to answer your question: the World Cup (football). digfarenough (talk) 23:29, 4 August 2006 (UTC)

Monday's Final Jeopardy

On Monday, I saw that the answer (or sould I say question?) to Final Jeopardy was "Who is Einstein?" What was the question to it? (or should I say answer?) Reywas92 23:59, 4 August 2006 (UTC)

Jeopardy is in summer reruns right now, which means that it's difficult to determine which episode you saw; particularly since this may vary from market to market.

Of course, I said difficult, not impossible. Never underestimate the internet: According to a search of J! Archive, the only time that Einstein was a correct Final Jeopardy question was Game #4866, November 7, 2005, in the college tournament quarterfinals. The answer given:

He declined the offer to lead a country & once said, "Politics is for the present... an equation is... for eternity"

Both women got it right, but the one man had it right, crossed it out, and put Newton in instead. What a dumbass. (BTW, the country was Israel). --ByeByeBaby 06:14, 5 August 2006 (UTC)

Thanks! I'm suprised that Jeopardy plays reruns of the tournaments. Reywas92 17:45, 5 August 2006 (UTC) Sting?!?!

August 5

Super Smash Bros. Melee

Are there really no more characters to unlock in Super Smash Bros. Melee after Mr. Game and Watch? It just makes me so sad that there are probably no more characters to unlock. *sniff*-- TheGreatLlama ^{(speak to the Llama!)} 00:09, 5 August 2006 (UTC)

Yes, he's the last character. But take heart, you may not have unlocked everything. Have you the Final Destination stage? --Froth 01:35, 5 August 2006 (UTC)

Finally got it two days ago. Man, was Event 36 hard! But I still have the rest of the trophies to get! Including Giga Bowser, Master Hand, and Crazy Hand... -- TheGreatLlama ^{(speak to the Llama!)} 12:07, 11 August 2006 (UTC)

Main Page

Why are anonymous users sometimes allowed to edit the Main page? -- TheGreatLlama ^{(speak to the Llama!)} 00:10, 5 August 2006 (UTC)

A very good question; I had never noticed it until you asked! --Froth 01:31, 5 August 2006 (UTC)

When was it unprotected? I looked through the last 500 edits (to 6 July 2004) and can't see it. Also take a look at this version according to the date it should be 00:59, 6 July 2004 but although the layout is different it shows the same content as today. CambridgeBayWeather (Talk) 02:42, 5 August 2006 (UTC)

Ah didn't read that correctly. Here is where the anon edited the page but it still shows the current version. CambridgeBayWeather (Talk) 02:44, 5 August 2006 (UTC)

That's the very same edit that I at first saw. What happened? --Froth 03:37, 5 August 2006 (UTC)

It was April Fools Day, and spirits were high! :-D Karma Llama 12:42, 5 August 2006 (UTC)

War and Peace

I'm about halfway through War and Peace.. it's a bit over my head, but quite good so far. There's one part, though, that I'm wondering about. I'm hand typing this, so pardon any mistakes, but you should get the general idea:

--

Prince Ippolit is telling a story at a reception:

"In Moscow there is a lady, and she is very miserly. She has to have two footmen behind her carriage. And very tell ones. That was her hobby. And she had a chambermaid, who was also very tall. She said--"

Here Prince Ippolit paused to think, evidently at a loss to collect his wits.

"She said--yes, she said, 'Girl (to her chaimbermaid), put on a livery and go with me, behind the carriage, and make some calls.'"

Here Prince Ippolit snickered and laughed long before his hearers, and their silence produced a very disheartening effect upon the narrator. However, a few, including the elderly lady and Anna Pavlona, smiled.

"She drove off. Suddenly a strong wind blew up. The girl lost her hat and her long hair came down."

Here he could not hold in any longer but through his bursts of broken laughter he managed to say these words: "And everyone knew about it."

--

The whole story seems rather random to me - like a computer constructing a randomized story from various parts of speech - and the others at the party seemed to think so too- but Ippolit obviously found it quite funny and could anyone here explain the story to me please? :)

--Froth 01:29, 5 August 2006 (UTC)

Just a guess but from what I recall women in those days nearly always wore a hat and kept their hair up. It may be that they are making fun of the fact that the maid is improperly dressed. As an example my maternal grandmother who was born about 1900 would never go outside without a hat. And even in here 80s would still shop for them. CambridgeBayWeather (Talk) 02:33, 5 August 2006 (UTC)

It sounds like the chambermaid was asked to pretend to be a footman hence the livery. The number of footmen was being used as a mark of wealth but they certainly should never have long hair. The story is strange and rather random probably in order to show Ippolit was out of place and bad at small talk. MeltBanana 02:46, 5 August 2006 (UTC)

Ohhh thank you very much, that must be it, it's quite clear now. She was miserly- she wanted people to think she was wealthy by having footmen follow her. So she got her maid to dress up as a man so she could go out and visit some friends, but the maid's hat was blown off, revealing to everyone that the lady in fact only had one footman and that she faked her second! To be honest, I thought at first that the lady and her maid were going behind the carriage to make some calls on the footmen! :D --Froth 03:33, 5 August 2006 (UTC)

I am also sure it is told in such an awkward way (it's even worse in original Russian) to point out that Ippolit couldn't speak Russian well (despite being Russian), only French. --Ornil 23:19, 7 August 2006 (UTC)

Is Sony Still Making PSP Videos?

I went to Target to get a new PSP video, but they were all gone. A women told me Sony wasn't making them anymore. Wal-Mart didn't have any either!! On the Sony site it showed me upcoming videos. So are they just releasing them on web sites and not stores? You know, what's goin' on here? Is there something I'm not getting or...?

The UMD format did not catch on, so Target and Wal-Mart are not selling them anymore. Other companies that began to release movies on the format are starting to skip it, since the last ads I seen were perhaps in April or May of 2006. I think the shift is now towards the Blu-Ray format, which I seen in heavy release now. User:Zscout370 ^{(Return Fire)} 01:59, 5 August 2006 (UTC)

I wouldn't be surprised.. AFAIK the umd movie format was a catastrophic flop. --Froth 02:00, 5 August 2006 (UTC)

Not really surprising. Given the choice between a UMD that can be played on a PSP, or a DVD that can be played on anything more advanced than a microwave oven (including a PSP with a bit of jiggery pokery), most people plump for the most flexible option. Ten or even five years ago, UMD might have worked. Now, unfortunately, the proprietary format offers no advantage over the market standatd. Ah well, they know for next time. --Howard Train 04:48, 5 August 2006 (UTC)

Oh, yes. Now they want to sell you even lower resolution videos on Memory Sticks. Do they really know better for next time? --Optichan 01:48, 7 August 2006 (UTC)

PSP no longer exists. In 1989 it dissolved into GroenLinks. DirkvdM 08:18, 5 August 2006 (UTC)

Dirk, are you trying to imply that Sony made videos for the Pacifist Socialist Party? I wonder what kind they would have made...*imagination swirls into action* --69.138.61.168 07:50, 10 August 2006 (UTC)

Why are some men more successful in wooing women?

My qusetion is , why are some men more successful in wooing women than others? I am asking this because I have a friend who is incredibly succesful in wooing women just by talking to them over the phone. It is beyond my comprehension how he manages to do it so consistently and succesfully. sumal 04:13, 5 August 2006 (UTC)

I console myself in situations like this by telling myself he's probably gay. --Howard Train 04:41, 5 August 2006 (UTC)

As are the women who don't want to sleep with you, probably. DirkvdM 08:19, 5 August 2006 (UTC)

I don't know why your friend is so successful; I have known some men and women who are almost supernaturally good at captivating the opposite sex, but I know this; my male friends who do extremely well with women do so not by being unusually charming, but by being better than the average male at recognising female interest. They don't waste time on women who aren't interested in them, and they can quickly recognise the signals women give off when we are interested.--Anchoress 09:26, 5 August 2006 (UTC)

Since it's over the phone, I would guess charm, flattery and a sense of humour play a large part. I think our article on seduction is missing a few tricks here.--Shantavira 09:35, 5 August 2006 (UTC)

Some have a natural aura. --Proficient 20:32, 5 August 2006 (UTC)

My amigo, who attracts many women, told me it works like this: the amount of time and money you put into it is the amount of success you are going to have. If you spend more time and money picking out fashionable clothes, styling your hair, exercising in order to look attractive, and thinking about humourous/charming/romantic things to say, then you are going to be more successful. I guess that's how it is for everything; you get what you put into it. --69.138.61.168 18:28, 10 August 2006 (UTC)

How do I pronounce Audrey Tautou's name?

KTHX.

Her name is given in IPA in the Audrey Tautou article. (If you don't know IPA, it's something like "Oh-dray Toh-too", and the final syllables of both her first and her last name will sound as if stressed, though strictly speaking French has no word stress.) David Sneek 07:11, 5 August 2006 (UTC)

'Been spelled AmeliePoulain for some years. --DLL 18:34, 6 August 2006 (UTC)

Zipper care

Once again, a zipper has failed me. I lose quite a lot of pants this way. Pants that have hardly worn may become useless if the zipper fails because repairs or replacements can be to difficult. Is there a way to make zippers last longer? This especially happens with Fjallraven pants. The material is very durable (which makes them worth the price), but the zippers are flimsy plastic ones. I could ask them to switch to metal zippers, but I doubt if that will work. DirkvdM 09:31, 5 August 2006 (UTC)

Keep them lubricated by rubbing a wax candle up and down them occasionally. And avoid those cheap ones that have very small teeth.--Shantavira 09:40, 5 August 2006 (UTC)

I suppose I'd better take the pants off when I do that to avoid staining them from the inside. :) DirkvdM 17:22, 5 August 2006 (UTC)

ask YKK_Group

Well, the problem is I like this brand of pants, partly because they material (called G1000) is so sturdy (I've got a shirt that I have used extensively for ten years and it hardly shows any wear). But the zippers don't last as long as the cloth. So I'm stuck with the zippers they put in them. DirkvdM 17:22, 5 August 2006 (UTC)

Any tailor should be able to replace the broken zipper with a sturdier one for you for a reasonable price. Pburka 18:19, 5 August 2006 (UTC)

Shantavira is spot on in recommending lubrication of the zipper teeth with a wax candle. But, and I apologise for the indelicacy henceforth, one of the greatest problems with jamming zippers is either, stray pubic hairs, or uric acid building up in that area; in other words, don't put it away until it's clean and dry - seriously. As to ten years lifespan? You can hardly be accused of being a fashion victim eh? As to handing the offending article over to a tailor for rectification, have a care : I am one, and I do not appreciate the health and safety hazards presenting as a result of the foregoing causative issues.

Rest assured, I'll wash them before I take them to a tailor. DirkvdM 07:15, 6 August 2006 (UTC)

I lose quite a lot of pants this way gives the impression that you are walking down the street, the zipper fails and before you know it you're walking along with no pants on. And no idea where they have gone. CambridgeBayWeather (Talk) 08:35, 6 August 2006 (UTC)

Stolen by that subversive YKK group, I presume. --DLL 18:33, 6 August 2006 (UTC)

It's the knicker scare! DirkvdM 07:31, 7 August 2006 (UTC)

About the candle wax - there are different kinds. Does it have to be a specific kind, like paraffin? DirkvdM 07:31, 7 August 2006 (UTC)

I don't suppose it matters, as long as it lubricates, and obviously you want white rather than a bright colour. Most candles seem to be paraffin wax these days, but tallow candles (if you can still get them) are softer.--Shantavira 13:56, 7 August 2006 (UTC)

Do you know where this particular mountain range is?

I've searched and searched, along with countless other people, and noone is yet to come across this area. I will give you the link, to where i have uploaded this image, if anyone can help me, i would greatly appreciate it!

link ==> http://img85.imageshack.us/my.php?image=6c2e1dy5.jpg

Could it be in Australia...? Dunno, but it's a start. --Abnerian 13:27, 5 August 2006 (UTC)

Thats the other thing, i've searched every mountain form in Oceania period...i just can't seem to find where this place is :(

It looks to me a bit like the area around Guilin or Yangshuo, e.g. very much like this image. Google for images of those places.--Shantavira 14:40, 5 August 2006 (UTC)

SEARCH IS OFFFFFFFF!!!!! yaaaaaaay! finally! i'ts in Mogotes Valley in cuba!

Also known as the Viñales Valley. I was going to say, before you found the answer, that it looked like a karst limestone formation -- of which the Guilin area is a good example. --ByeByeBaby 18:01, 5 August 2006 (UTC)

Gruesome images

I have been exploring pages that talk about gruesome diseases and deformities, and I appreciate the fact that there were no pictures of such things posted. Specifically, I am referring to the pages about harlequin skin disease and anencephaly. However, I am just wondering if there are any formally stated criteria regarding what types of images are considered to be too graphic to post. Thank you in advance -Thomas Shields

I'm not aware of any restrictions of that sort (as long as they are not in bad taste or illegal). See WP:Images for the complete policy.--Shantavira 15:57, 5 August 2006 (UTC)

You have been specifically looking for gruesome images, hoping you wouldn't find any? Or am I reading you wrong? If the subject is 'gruesome' by your standards then any illustration will be gruesome too. That doesn't mean the image shouldn't be there but you shouldn't look up that page. DirkvdM 17:28, 5 August 2006 (UTC)

There is a list of images that cannot be placed inline at MediaWiki:Bad image list. It used to have more, and the requirements for inclusion are rather fuzzy, but the page does exist. Hyenaste ^(tell) 00:07, 6 August 2006 (UTC)

LOL. I have of course thought about this before, but never considered it possible. Not gruesome, though. DirkvdM 07:17, 6 August 2006 (UTC)

Images are generally added to that list if they're notoriously used to flood other (legit) pages, such as the infamous WP:ARV. This may have changed... 68.39.174.238 10:33, 6 August 2006 (UTC)

Annoying/potentially irksome images that do have a place are frequently put below the top of the page, linked to, or put in an image gallery or thumbnailed to very small sizes (See for example, Xenon flash lamp, gangrene and syphilus). 68.39.174.238 10:35, 6 August 2006 (UTC)

Someone should create a template for gangrene, syphilus, and others stating that the article has gruesome images. Reywas92 17:11, 7 August 2006 (UTC)

Difference

what are the meanings of Meeting, Conference, Congress and Seminar? Is there any difference among these terms? What are the difference ammong them?

The difference is the connotation of those words.

To me, the connotation of meeting is just a general gathering.

A Conference would be more official and planned, perhaps for corporate purposes, and maybe a couple days.

A Congress would be official and within the government, very important, in a nice building, maybe lasting a couple weeks.

A seminar would be like a conference except where some people come to learn and others come to teach.

feel free to check the dictionary for the "standard" meanings, or just make up your own within the context!

"Seminars" = semi + arse, meaning any series of half-assed discussions. StuRat 22:32, 5 August 2006 (UTC)

Meeting is the only plain, non latin word. Others tend to exaggerate the meaning of a plain meeting. --DLL 18:29, 6 August 2006 (UTC)

Corporate ROI's

Do corporations think of employees in terms of ROI (return on investment),

i.e. if I make a net of $1 million in a year for a corporation and they pay me $100,000 would their investment in hiring and paying me be thought of as a 1000% ROI?

I'd guess that generally, the answer is no. It's hard to say exactly who produced a given income, with the possible exception of the salesmen (who, if paid commission, get a fixed % ROI). As an example, say Apple makes a deal to sell a billion dollars of iPods to a major retail chain. How much of that income was "made" by the sales team? The retail chain wants to carry iPods because they're popular, so maybe most of the income was really because of the marketing team. But iPods are popular not just because they're marketed well, but because they're good products, so maybe that income was really because of the product engineers. And people also like iPods because there's lots of music on iTunes, so maybe the income is partly because of the coders who made that site; or the lawyers who negotiated the licensing deal for the music. And all of these people work for Apple because they get paid regularly and get benefits and so on, so maybe part of the income is because of HR and Accounting.

Instead of this line of thought, companies tend to look at units that are more self-contained; retail companies at individual outlets, manufacturing companies at products or types of products they make, and so on. --ByeByeBaby 17:54, 5 August 2006 (UTC)

true, at a higher, 30,000 ft level I suppose companies look at self-contained units and centers.

here's a new example:

I'm a manager at an iPod manufacturing center. I buy raw materials (electrical components, plastic components, etc.) through a deal with Apple, and manufacture an iPod out of them which I sell to Apple (I don't actually know how the supply chain works, but when anyone looks at a manufacturing center from 30,000 ft they see an input $ and an output $).

Now, 0.5% of the iPods I produce are wasted because of defects. I hire someone specifically to reduce this waste and he gets it down to 0.01%. There is an assignable dollar figure I can give to this project...and now I get to report to my bosses that I know how to make good hiring choices, because this guy's ROI is ~186% or whatever.

The Hunt

Hi! I was recently wondering about this: In hunting nowadays, people always use an arsenal of firearms. I'm interested if people hunt animals nowadays, especially big game, using only cold weapons(knives etc.), not using modern weapons, so animals can stand a chance?--Captain ginyu 17:44, 5 August 2006 (UTC)

Ted Nugent uses a bow and arrow. Spear fishing is also still practised as is trapping. Does that count? Why do you think it's more 'fair' to use primitive weapons? Most animals don't use weapons at all, but without weapons humans never would have reached our position of dominance (or probably survived at all). Also note that firearms are more likely to produce a quick and relatively painless death for the animal whereas primitive weapons are more likely to cause a slow, painful death or maim the animal. Pburka 18:14, 5 August 2006 (UTC)

I disagree, hunting animals with firearms is like slaughter. I was thinking, if there is anyone who hunts animals(possibly big game), using only knives and similar weapons(not like bow and arrow, but short distance weapons)(fishing doesn't count)?--Captain ginyu 18:22, 5 August 2006 (UTC)

Which part do you disagree with? I'm not sure that humans have ever hunted big game animals with knives. First of all, it's hard to get that close to an animal. It would have been much more effective for our ancestors to throw large stones and spears. There's a good description of ancient hunting techniques on the Hunting page. Pburka 18:35, 5 August 2006 (UTC)

I disagree with the part you wrote Also note that firearms are more likely to produce a quick and relatively painless death for the animal whereas primitive weapons are more likely to cause a slow, painful death or maim the animal. If you don't use firearms, the animal has much more chance of surviving. I understand that people today will rather take a rifle and go hunting, than risk their lives using an alternative method. But I was thinking if someone does hunt big game animals with knives etc., perhaps for the challenge or giving animals a chance, something like that.--Captain ginyu 20:40, 5 August 2006 (UTC)

I would say that the argument is that attempting to kill an animal in this way is more likely to leave an injured animal (rather than a dead animal), and hence is likely to increase suffering (as opposed to death). It would be illegal in the UK, though the UK is also short of big game. Notinasnaid 20:50, 5 August 2006 (UTC)

LOL - "the UK is also short of big game" - Id never thought of Britain in those terms. Jameswilson

Yes Notinasnaid, but why not leave an injured animal rather than a dead one? Its wounds will heal eventually... I see my original question will probably not be answered...--Captain ginyu 03:00, 6 August 2006 (UTC)

As for the feasibility. Neanderthals didn't have the right bodies for throwing spears, so the assumption is they hunted in thick forests where they could get close to the animals so they could ram the spears in. As for animals using weapons and a more 'fair fight', what about bullfighting? The bull is weakened before the final fight by the matador, but that is also done with just people, horses, capes and stabbing equipment, no weapons that work over a distance. DirkvdM 07:30, 6 August 2006 (UTC)

Commonly, an injured animal will not just get better. The three outcomes are (a) get better, perhaps after a period of pain (b) get an infection and die of it (c) be unable to hunt/forage effectively, and die of starvation (d) weakened, fall prey to another predator. (a)-(c) at least are not the motivations of many hunters. Notinasnaid 07:42, 6 August 2006 (UTC)

To answer the original question. I would suspect that most countries have a minimum requirement for the weapon to be used for hunting. As an example the NWT has this to say about the type of rifle that can be used and this about bow hunting. I can't find it on the site but it is also usually against the law to leave a wounded animal. CambridgeBayWeather (Talk) 08:32, 6 August 2006 (UTC)

Hunitng with spears is still practiced by some traditional hunters (even of elephants) and by a few modern hunters (wild boar, for instance). Rmhermen 18:00, 7 August 2006 (UTC)

• Brett Farve hunts with a bow hotclaws**==(82.138.214.1 16:20, 14 August 2006 (UTC))

Mystery Songs

What is the "self preservation society" song off the origional Italien Job film called and what was the artist/band.

Also what is the song off the film "jonny english". it is the one off the part, if you know the film, when they are at the coronation and as jonny english is getting, kind of, arrested he uses a tv camera to tell Bough to play the DVD. Bough, at gunpoint, tells some tv technical guy to play the dvd, which is broacasted across the world to those watching the coronation, but it turns out to be the wrong dvd. instead of being the dvd about evil Sauvages plans it is the dvd of mr english singing to the song im talking about in his bugged flat. if its any help it was sung by a woman and it might be ABBA.

thank you--84.66.227.74 17:56, 5 August 2006 (UTC)

This is, in fact, covered in The Italian Job Wikipedia page. The song is called "Get A Bloomin' Move On!" and is written by Quincy Jones. Pburka 18:07, 5 August 2006 (UTC)

From 'Johnny English', might it be 'Does your mother know'? [8] Skittle 20:17, 6 August 2006 (UTC)

changing a title of an article

i have edited the text of the article, "kings highway conservative district" in wikipedia, but cannot find how to change the title of the article. i live in the district, and the actual neighborhood is called "kings highway conservation district." this needs to be edited. thanks for your help in advance. <email removed>

You can change the title of the article by clicking "move" at the top of the page, but you need to have an account and to be logged on to do that. David Sneek 19:20, 5 August 2006 (UTC)

And you should in principle ask first at the talk page, but if you know the title is just plain wrong (no possible controversy) then you can just go ahead. Especially since with an article o such a 'small' subject you will not likely get many editors to discuss it with you. I guess. DirkvdM 07:34, 6 August 2006 (UTC)

• And please remember to capitalize the article's title correctly and don't forget apostrophes, just in case it's called King's instead of Kings. - Mgm|^(talk) 18:48, 6 August 2006 (UTC)

song about a dog 1960s?

please can you help. This song is about a man who came home from war on the bus in a storm (or fog) to find his dog waiting for him to guide him home, when he got home his parents told him his dog had died while he was away.1960s or early 1970s? Thankyou.

Hi, is this the one? [9] (I did a google search on "lyrics bus war home dog died" - the first few hits were junk but this one came up partway down the page.)

The copyright date of 2006 there is clearly for the page, not the song. Doing another google search, [10] shows the song appearing on an LP in 1961. I don't know for sure that this was the first appearance, though. --Zeborah 23:36, 5 August 2006 (UTC)

Zeborah Thankyou very much that is the song I can't believe you found it. Now I know i'm not going mad!

Nembatol

Can an American Citizen, cross the border into Mexico at Juarez, find a local physician, and obtain, and fill a prescription of Nembatol, for consumption, in Mexico? With no plans to attempt to bring this controlled substance back across the border is this possible, and if so, where might I find a list of physicians in Juarez, Mexico?

I am not a lawyer and this is not legal advice. When you're in a place where absinthe is legal, feel free to drink absinthe. There are a few special laws, for example keeping US citizens from going overseas to have underage sex with prostitutes, but this is the general rule. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 80.99.220.249 (talk • contribs)

Note that Nembatol is a powerful anaesthetic typically used for euthenasia[11]. Any users responding to this query should consider any potential legal consequences of their response. I am neither a lawyer nor a physician, nor have I ever played either profession on TV. Pburka 20:36, 5 August 2006 (UTC)

it is also the leading known effective controlling agent for Neuropathic pain, now it is not fair for a pagan follower, to insert their philosophical view, into another persons request, in an attempt to hamper a disabled person. I do not believe this is the correct format for your Christian Coalition attempt to control the lives of other people, as in a fascist regime. No political opinions, or reigious views where solicitated, and none will be appreciated. Man most common fear, and controlling emotion is death. That is why mankind invented "God". because their crops failed, and they feared death, though they readily dealt it out. Mankind is the cruelest most cunning murding machine, that evolution has produced. Mankind is a virus, killing a beautiful planet, in the name of its own. Have you looked outside at the stars at night. You will find this planet, and its inhabitants the most insignificant of oddities, and freaks of nature.

But, in your case, you feel that there may be a chance, that I can make another human being suffer, so I am going to seize the opportunity. In a perfect world, with a truly civilized form of government, you would be considered a criminal. But, voluntary Euthanasia is not the idea, I had in mind, but Walter Reed, subscribes the medication to all who suffer Neuopathic pain, which in itself, can cause death.

It's been a long time since I've been accused of being a fascist or a Christian. No judgement was intended. I guessed that euthenasia might be the goal since those are the only references I could find on-line to Nambatol usage in humans. In some countries (e.g. yours) anyone assisting in euthenasia could be held legally responsible. Had I wished to prevent you from getting the information you seek I could have deleted or vandalized your post, as you've repeatedly done to mine[12][13]. Pburka 23:01, 5 August 2006 (UTC)

"The basic answer is yes. When you are in Mexico, you come under Mexican law, whatever nationality you are. There are some exceptions, but they dont affect the sort of case you mention. We have an article on Principle of territoriality which is very POV (anti), but it'll give you an idea. Jameswilson 23:42, 5 August 2006 (UTC)

As other say, you will be free from prosecution under US law (as long as you don't attempt to bring the medication back across the border or use it for certain illegal purposes). However, be very careful of falling foul of Mexican law regarding obtaining and using medication. I would strongly advise speaking to a Mexican lawyer or doctor before acting on advice offered here. In addition, can we all please continue to WP:AGF here. If a Wikipedian asks an explicit question, our voluntary role is to answer that question (with the usual caveats), not infer what nefarious purpose the questioner may have in mind. In a similar vein, please do not make accusations about the motives of one kindly offering their advice here, assume they are acting in the best faith. Thanks. Rockpocket 03:57, 6 August 2006 (UTC)

There are certain cases where the US government has made actions which are legal in foreign countries illegal by American citizens. Sexual tourism comes to mind, especially when involving minors. User:Zoe|(talk) 22:56, 6 August 2006 (UTC)

What I had in mind was driving my motor home to Mexico, and living there. No suicidal ideas, have crossed my mind. If they will prescribe the medicaiton there, then I may go live there. But, the original respondant, was attempting to force their ideolgies, and theories into my affairs. I feel this is wrong, of course I felt communism was wrong, and couldn't do anything about that either, but like all things that are wrong, they eventually, go away. Thank you for the legal advice in this matter.

Moving to mexico to get a drug seems extreme - can't you get it in the US? Also I'm relieved to see you have no suicidal intentions, when you said "I'm going to mexico to get a powerful anesthetic, and I have no intention of returning (with it)" i was worried :) --Froth 15:58, 7 August 2006 (UTC)

sole proprietorship

A husband and wife who file taxes jointly are planning to start a small home business. Are they considered a sole proprietorship or Partners in the state of California?

I'm not sure exactly, but this page about Taxation in the United States may help to answer your question. If that page itself doesn't, it might have a link to one that does. -Thomasiscool

5) Go to the Franchise Tax Board web site and look for this stuff.--Teutoberg 03:14, 6 August 2006 (UTC)

August 6

Famous One Legged Trick Cyclist

Some years ago I read a book about great eccentrics. The book introduced me to figures like the vicar in a barrel Harold Davidson and the famous flamboyant French farter Le Petomane but my favorite story was of a one legged English man who used to ride a bicycle off a high ledge into a barrel of water and emerge reciting Shakespearean sonnets or similar. He became one of the most popular entertainment figures of early 20th century Britain. I have searched online for him but with no success. Personally I don't believe wikipedia can call itself a true encyclopædia until we have an article on this man. Does anyone else know who I am talking about? --Roisterer 05:24, 6 August 2006 (UTC)

This has to be a gag posting.--Teutoberg 01:27, 7 August 2006 (UTC)

No, it's not. As someone who has about 4000 edits, and not one of them non-genuine, I can't see why anyone would think this wasn't a genuine question (after all, is a famous turn-of-the-century one legged English men who rode a bicycle off a high ledge into a barrel of water and emerged reciting Shakespearean sonnets really less likely than the aforementioned Harold Davidson?. Does anyone have a useful response for this question? User:JackofOz is usually very good at answering questions like this. --Roisterer 04:55, 7 August 2006 (UTC)

Although finding proof of your deranged ravings may be bad for your mental health such a man seems to have existed: [14] [15], is this the book you read? His deeds seem to have outlived his name but may Kilpatrick's Ride (1899) have anything to do with it? MeltBanana 14:48, 7 August 2006 (UTC)

I suspect Harold Davidson is going to be far more interesting than the one -legged cyclist, though I agree we should have an article on him & his art is anyone can locate good enough source info. The reference on Meltbanana's find, whilst confirmatory, looks like a dead-end in terms of names. Meanwhile Davidson: what was that about? Poor man. (Probably). --Tagishsimon (talk)

Thank you User:MeltBanana & User:Tagishsimon. The film is presumably about him (how many one-legged cyclists could there have been in fin de siecle London?). I will have to keep searching for the book that I first read about him in. --Roisterer 13:21, 8 August 2006 (UTC)

Silent films

I'm working on a new short film which involves five interconnected vignettes, where there is no dialogue or speaking, only the visual elements such as lighting, angles, editing etc, and the music. The music and visuals will go hand-in-hand to tell a story, without using any words. The composition of the music and the composition of the visuals will work together to tell a story eg through pace, pitch, speed, lighting, angles etc..

I was also toying the idea that I could make this sort of a contemporary silent-film. So I'm just trying to do some research on the area-- what silent films could I watch?

It would be greatly appreciated if people could suggest to me some silent films that could help me in the preparation I do before I go into pre-production. I want to get an idea of how directors have told a story without using words. Preferably, the silent film should make good use of music to help tell the story, as the music is a VERY significant aspect of my project.

Thanks!!!

gelo 06:52, 6 August 2006 (UTC)

I made some suggestions on the humanities desk. Keep in mind though, that the music used for silent movies was often added much later. The films usually have no 'official' soundtrack, and therefore anyone can add something different - like when Giorgio Moroder wrote a disco score for Fritz Lang's Metropolis. David Sneek 07:54, 6 August 2006 (UTC)

The Kino DVD version of Metropolis used a rerecorded version of the original score by Gottfried Huppertz, but most released-on-DVD silent films don't have this luxury. You could try 'silent' films made after the advent of sound, such as Monsieur Hulot's Holiday, which contain minimal dialogue and lots of music. Ziggurat 22:33, 6 August 2006 (UTC)

Good luck. --Proficient 04:10, 9 August 2006 (UTC)

How to create a Category redirect?

How do we create a category redirect? The Category:Air dispersion modeling needs a redirect of Category:Air dispersion modelling because the UK, Australia, New Zealand and some other countries use the spelling "modelling". Is there any way to create a Category redirect? Thanks in advance. - mbeychok 17:39, 6 August 2006 (UTC)

See Template talk:Category redirect#Category redirects work now - why use template? for (1) how to do it, and (2) what problems that creates.  --Lambiam^Talk 20:07, 6 August 2006 (UTC)

Packing tomaotes

--Birdiez 18:14, 6 August 2006 (UTC)Why are tomatoes packed upside down for shipping?

This is just a guess but I'd think it's because the skin is thicker on the top of the tomato and if the box were set down too hard or it fell, the top would take the impact better than the bottom. Dismas|^(talk) 19:16, 6 August 2006 (UTC)

Also there must be plant diseases that find a good entry near the place where the tomato was taken off the branch. Or dehydratation would be a little quicker. But it may just be of no use, as fruits are now quicly sold and eaten. Do you still store apples for winter ? I was told to store them upside down. --DLL 21:40, 6 August 2006 (UTC)

The reason might be to prevent condensation collecting in the hole (which could become a breeding ground for such diseases). But then they had better be put on their sides. DirkvdM 07:39, 7 August 2006 (UTC)

buoyancy aid

Is there any reason why we haven't an article for the buoyancy aid? Or am i misspelling it? --Dangherous 18:27, 6 August 2006 (UTC)

• You appear to have spelled Buoyancy correctly. Perhaps floatation device needs some redirects pointing to it? - 87.209.70.231 18:44, 6 August 2006 (UTC)
  • Or are you thinking of the little pillow type sleeve things that little kids wear before they know how to swim? Floatation device doesn't seem to mention them even in the see also section... Dismas|^(talk) 19:19, 6 August 2006 (UTC)

Try waterwings. Natgoo 21:08, 6 August 2006 (UTC)

Someone should try to make it easier to navigate. --Proficient 04:11, 9 August 2006 (UTC)

No herbs, topical creams, or balms?

In Animal Crossing, I went into Hazel's house and looked in her wardrobe. I was told "You couldn't find any herb. No topical creams. No balms. Nothing." What does this mean? Is it a reference to something? I don't really understand why it says that. --Optichan 19:52, 6 August 2006 (UTC)

You might want to check the GameFAQs (http://gamefaqs.com) board for Animal Crossing. I'm sure you'll reach far more AC players through it.

'Graphic Novel' history books

My name is Ryan Sease and I am a teacher at Santa Fe South High School in OKC. I was wondering if you knew of any books that cover topics like US Government, World History, Geography, or US History that are similiar (i.e. being like a graphic novel) to Larry Gonick's work (i.e. Cartoon History of the Universe)? I know that Larry Gonick's work is the most accessible, but I was wondering if there similiar types of work out there.

Please, email me at rsease at santafesouth dot org if you have any works as the ones like Larry Gonick's that concern topics like World History and other Social Studies topics.

Thanks!

Please do not ask for email. An answer can be given here. --DLL 21:34, 6 August 2006 (UTC)

There's Maus, of course. Brought to Light has a (polemical) history, of sorts, of the CIA. When the Wind Blows discusses a nuclear attack on the UK, and would work well in a class discussing war. -- Finlay McWalter | Talk 09:44, 7 August 2006 (UTC)

I understand Stan Sakai's Usagi Yojimbo collection, Grasscutter has been used as a textbook for Japanese mythology. The Plot by Will Eisner discusses the history of The Protocols of the Elders of Zion. The collected In the Shadow of No Towers, also by Art Spiegelman provides a journal of the cartoonist's experiences for a period after 9/11. Frank Miller's 300 is a speculative, but generally on base, account of the Battle of Thermopylae. Generally, though sequential art is not the preferred medium for text books and the like, it frequently, like any other narrative form, does produce accurate historical fiction and nonfiction. --Amanaplanacanalpanama 19:07, 7 August 2006 (UTC)

History of a Name

I am researching a family name and wonder if there is a specific meaning to "manski" in a Polish name.

A suggestion?? You may be splitting the name up wrong. "Ski" is a common ending, ie, Polanski, and perhaps "manski" has no meaning at all.--Teutoberg 01:29, 7 August 2006 (UTC)

"Ski" is a common adjectival ending in Polish and Polish-origin Russian surnames, often associated with place names. "Warszawski" originally meant a person from Warsaw, "Moszkowski" was a Muscovite, "Rimski" meant a Roman, etc. JackofOz 01:39, 7 August 2006 (UTC)

Bogart Movies

…Who was the actress or main or female lead in The Treasure of Sierra Madre with Humphrey Bogart as directed by John Houston in 1948

As you'll notice from our The Treasure of the Sierra Madre article, and the IMDb page linked from it, there appear to be no female lead, and indeed significant parts for women at all. -- Finlay McWalter | Talk 21:08, 6 August 2006 (UTC)

Wimin, we don't need no stinkin' wimin! Ziggurat 22:20, 6 August 2006 (UTC)

Third World Country

What does the term Third World (as in country) mean? What are first and second world countries?

See Third World. -- Finlay McWalter | Talk 21:43, 6 August 2006 (UTC)

The terms were coined in the cold war, only third world is commonly used now (first and second relaticely unheard of now), these terma have not been updated, and some countries remain stuck with a term they were given in the 50's. They have been pretty much replaced with other terms including LEDCs, MEDCs, or by references to stages on the demographic transition model. Philc _T^E_C^I 13:53, 9 August 2006 (UTC)

fearless

fearless is a great movie do u agree ????

Never heard of it --Froth 23:00, 6 August 2006 (UTC)

Nor is this the place to ask for opinions (which won't stop some people from giving them, but that's a different matter). DirkvdM 07:46, 7 August 2006 (UTC)

Geographical Maps

Where on Wikipedia can I find geographical maps of different countries? Example: Spain, etc. Thank you, Maria.

You should be able to find something in Spain or whatever other country you like, just type it into the search bar and press Go. Chris M. 23:09, 6 August 2006 (UTC)

Spain has a geographical map, but not all country articles do. You could also check out the external links at the end of the article. Or you could go to Google images and type in the name of the country. Or you could have a look at Google maps, although that requires a littel study into how it works. DirkvdM 07:52, 7 August 2006 (UTC)

Scattergories categories

I'm looking for a list of the categories in the game Scattergories or perhaps a link to a page with such links. If either of these can be done, it would be greatly appreciated. Perhaps just an e-mail to me? Chris M. 23:02, 6 August 2006 (UTC)

Fantasy book similar to "Wheel of Time"

Looking for some new fantasy books to delve into. I enjoyed the first three volumes of "Wheel of Time" but I got bored with it because it never ended. Any recommendations?

Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy is a superior example of the fantasy genre. It's billed as children's literature (but then so was The Hobbit), but it's far from childish. -- Finlay McWalter | Talk 23:23, 6 August 2006 (UTC)

Or Michael Swanwick's The Iron Dragon's Daughter. I know exactly what you mean about endless fantasy series, having read all the way through the interminable duo of trudge-trilogies The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant, the Unbeliever (which I entirely don't recommend). -- Finlay McWalter | Talk 23:33, 6 August 2006 (UTC)

If you want something with a little more thought to character than the average, I heartily recommend Tad William's Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn series. It's only three books long, it's finished, and it's good. Ziggurat 00:05, 7 August 2006 (UTC)

I've never read "Wheel of Time" so my recommendation may be a bit amiss; The Dancers at the End of Time by Michael Moorcock. Thoroughly well written, frequently funny, always inventive &c &c. The first three books form the trilogy. Others are an optional afterthought. The wikipedia article is a bit crap, though. --Tagishsimon (talk)

Raymond E Fiest. Rift war, the first, although i have read 4 or five of em, is onr of the best books i have ever read, and this is not my chosen subject to read about. give it a go Magician is the first.

George RR Martin's Song of Ice and Fire. Not as much magic but faster paced with more shades of grey in each character. Terry Brooks's Shannara series is somewhat similar but tends to go on and on. Terry Goodkind's first few books in the Sword of Truth series are very similar to Jordan, so much so that there is talk of plagerism, but they are generally faster paced; unfortunately the series really goes down hill at about book 8. If you can hold out through a few slower later novels, Jordan's last Wheel of Time book should come out sometime in the next two years provided his health holds up. Nowimnthing 16:32, 7 August 2006 (UTC)

Anything and everything by Guy Gavriel Kay, but in particular, Tigana, which may be one of the best, sweetest, saddest books I have ever read. Most of his books stand on their own, not part of a series, although he has written a trilogy, The Fionavar Tapestry, and a duology, The Sarantine Mosaic. User:Zoe|(talk) 23:28, 7 August 2006 (UTC)

August 7

Russian 343rd Rifle Division

Hello, I am asking for any information on the 343rd Russian Rifle Division on the Eastern front in World War Two.

I have searched many sites and search engines and have not found very much, what information I have found says they have an untold story.

Any help would be appreciated.

• You might find more info if you know which battles the division was involved in. The Eastern Front was a big place.... Lisiate 22:12, 8 August 2006 (UTC)

Winning McDonalds coin drop challenge

What's the strategy to drop the quarter into the waterfilled jar?

Wha? DirkvdM 07:54, 7 August 2006 (UTC)

I think of it more as a Dairy Queen thing, but some fast food chains have a tall, thin jar near the till, filled with water, with a series of small targets little larger than a quarter a short distance up from the bottom. Air is bubbled through the water, and (I think) the targets are mounted to a central shaft that you can rotate. The money goes to a charity, and there may be a prize for landing your money on the target. I don't think that there necessarily is a strategy; the bubbling water is somewhat chaotic in motion, and quarters fall quickly through the water (since they must go through a coin slot edgewise). Your best bet is probably to practice on pennies, but beyond that, I think it's as much random as skill. --ByeByeBaby 13:13, 7 August 2006 (UTC)

I don't think the mcdonald's staff will look kindly on a guy coming in with a jar of pennies and practicing all day. But if you want my advice, just bring a lot of nickels and put them all into the thing until the level of the coins in the tank is at the level of the lowest platter, then just use the spinner to scoop one up. At that point they can hardly refuse you your prize (if they offer one) - you've just donated several dollars to charity after all. --Froth 15:36, 7 August 2006 (UTC)

Indeed. The chaotic system allows no easy strategies. --Proficient 04:14, 9 August 2006 (UTC)

What's that song?

It goes "I've become so wrong" or something, and "I becoming this, all I want to do is be more like me and be less like you". What's the name?

Apparently "Numb" [16] according to a quick Google search on "more like me and less like you". Google is a good way to answer this kind of question; there's also a reference desk section specficially for music. Phr (talk) 02:11, 7 August 2006 (UTC)

Yes, it's Numb by Linkin Park. However, if you heard the song on the trailers for the Miami Vice movie, then that's Numb/Encore, a mix of Numb and Encore by LP and Jay Z. smurrayinchester^{(User), (Talk)} 18:17, 7 August 2006 (UTC)

Photographing a book cover

I want to photograph a book whose cover is wrapped in that shiny plastic protective stuff, so I get pretty bad reflections. I tried shooting it outdoors in shadow under overcast, to get very soft lighting, but that wasn't enough. Unfortunately the plastic stuff doesn't stay perfectly flat, so oblique lighting also gets reflected into the camera. I guess I could remove the plastic thing but I'd rather avoid that, and even if I do, the dust jacket itself is on shiny paper and has the same problem. Any more suggestions? In particular, would a polarizer help? (I'd have to go out and buy one, which I'd only do if I thought it would make a difference). See Image:Codex-seraphinianus-abbeville.jpg for an example of such reflections, though I'm trying to do a different book now. Phr (talk) 02:11, 7 August 2006 (UTC)

I'd say you should remove the plastic. Then take the pic straight on with reflected soft lighting (no direct light). StuRat 04:25, 7 August 2006 (UTC)

I'm not sure whether this would help, but have you thought about covering it with a piece of picture glass? We don't seem to have an article about it, but I mean the non-reflective glass used to protect pictures.--Shantavira 08:49, 7 August 2006 (UTC)

I hadn't thought about that. It might be worth a try. That glass is pretty expensive though, and I guess it would have to be pressed tight against the book cover to eliminate any air gaps under the glass, which might not be easy. Phr (talk) 08:58, 7 August 2006 (UTC)

If you use ordinary glass that should help to keep the cover flat, though. Another idea is to prevent direct light, as StuRat already pointed out. Photographing outside was the right idea, but by far most light will still come from the direction where the Sun is, even on a cloudy day (we don't notice that because our eyes compensate for it). So it would be best to do that in the shade of a house. And maybe even better to do that on a cloudy day to maximise the scattering of light. DirkvdM 09:06, 7 August 2006 (UTC)

Have you tried scanning it instead or is there a reason it must be a photo?

Just position it so that the main light source is on the opposite side of the book, then it cannot reflect off of the near side. Philc _T^E_C^I 13:41, 9 August 2006 (UTC)

East Timor Resources

What are East Timors Resources and how do they use them? Thanx

Economy of East Timor will give you an idea. David Sneek 06:37, 7 August 2006 (UTC)

Page about ME

Hello, Are there any Wikipedia rules that would prohibit me from writing a Wikipedia entry about myself? How cool would that be! As!a

Yeah, check out our policy on vanity. This might be useful too. Isopropyl 04:47, 7 August 2006 (UTC)

If you create an account you can write all you wish about yourself on your user page. As for an actual Wikipedia article - have you done anything that makes you important enough to merit one? DirkvdM 08:50, 7 August 2006 (UTC)

We're all special --Froth 15:37, 7 August 2006 (UTC)

I would like to point out that signing up just to make a userspace and not contribute to the project itself is using Wikipedia as a free host service which is explicitly forbidden in WP:NOT (as is self-promotion). I recommend not writing about yourself regardless of whether you're famous enough. - 87.209.70.231 10:35, 8 August 2006 (UTC)

So being special is not a notability trait. As I'm not so much special, maybe would I be notable enough ? --DLL 19:59, 7 August 2006 (UTC)

If someone else has written about you in a print publication, then you can start thinking about whether or not you deserve an article. And by then chances are that someone else will have made the article already. —Daniel (‽) 20:23, 7 August 2006 (UTC)

Froth is right, we're all special. (Rant time) I object to the way the media calls any kid with cancer a "special child". It's not that they're not special, but the message seems to be that in order to be considered special, you've got to be a cute kid who happens to have a terminal disease. And kids who get run over or attacked are always "angels". Well, of course they are, but what about the kids who have the misfortune not to be run over or attacked? Are they devils or something? (End of rant). JackofOz 12:47, 8 August 2006 (UTC)

three in one

okay..are the reality tv series - apprentice and rebel billionaire actually true?or is it fiction.do they actually reward thsoe guyz with jobs in their companies as when in if i decided to go top trump tower al find bill,or if i go to virgin al find the guy who won. who shot tupac?is it suge knight? who shot jfk?

To answer your first question, the jobs actually exist (as one-year contracts), but are probably as much a publicity/public relations job as a "real" job. Bill Rancic probably spends more time promoting "his" building than he does negotiating with sprinkler system subcontractors. For the rest, you should read our articles on Tupac Shakur, John F. Kennedy and Capitalization. --ByeByeBaby 13:19, 7 August 2006 (UTC)

Reality show means it really happened, and least in some sense. Try reading The Apprentice and Rebel Billionaire and use the search box for more information on the other topics.--Shantavira 13:17, 7 August 2006 (UTC)

Merely Semantic or functioning words?

[I'm setting up a not for profit organisation (Aviation Services and Development in West Africa) and I'm having difficulties understanding what an Executive Council is and if members of this council get paid. I am also confused about the difference between a Trustee and a Patron and if either of these get paid in an NPO? — Preceding unsigned comment added by 196.29.120.70 (talk • contribs)

The rules will vary from one country to another. I suggest you contact the appropriate regulatory body in the particular country in which you are setting up this organisation. They should be able to provide you with an information pack explaining the rules. It will be the equivalent of the UK's Charity Commission or the tax department. Another local non-profit organisation might also be able to advise you.--Shantavira 13:43, 7 August 2006 (UTC)

General Colin Powell

How would I contact General Colin Powell - via email or USPS letter? Thank you.

HERE.--Anchoress 13:25, 7 August 2006 (UTC)

You'd probably have best luck at the mailing address they give:

• Hon. Colin Powell
• Secretary of State
• U.S. Department of State
• 2001 C Street NW
• Washington, DC 20520

--Froth 15:40, 7 August 2006 (UTC)

Apparently Powell now works here. This company's address is here. If you write to him as Secretary of State, it might just go to the office of Condoleeza Rice. --Allen 15:47, 7 August 2006 (UTC)

Oh of course! I merely saw a mailing address on the page, decided it would be taken more seriously than an email, and pasted it here so nobody would have to go to that organization's website. I should have read more carefully --Froth 15:51, 7 August 2006 (UTC)

You can always send mail to his son, Semicolon. :-) 02:07, 9 August 2006 (UTC)

That would be even funnier if his wife's name was Dot. :-p --Phelan 03:01, 9 August 2006 (UTC)

Yes, "Colon and Dot led an idyllic life, except that it was punctuated by occasional bouts of PMS, just before her period. Unfortunately, eventual doubts regarding young Semicolon's paternity left a question mark over their lives." StuRat 03:10, 9 August 2006 (UTC)

Hot conditioning treatments - how hot is too hot?

I found an awesome way to condition my hair, by gooing it with oodles of conditioner and olive oil, putting it in a plastic bag, and putting the bag on my heating pad. My hair has never been better. But I wonder, how hot can I set the pad before I'm actually damaging my hair with the heat? I asked my hairdresser, but she just said that I should quit and go back to paying her $60 for treatments in the salon, so I think she's biased. Let me make it clear, the treatments (on low) definitely work. I've been doing it for 6 months, and the positive effects are at worst reproducable (sp?), and at best cumulative. But I'm wondering how high a setting I can use? Can hair actually burn when below boiling point wet heat is applied to it?--Anchoress 13:23, 7 August 2006 (UTC)

If it's working on the low setting, no need to turn it up! Be careful not to get the heating pad wet - oil and "oodles of conditioner" may be flammable. Also I'd question the heating pad's involvement at all.. do you get the same results without heat? --Froth 15:43, 7 August 2006 (UTC)

I understand the reasoning, but if hotter is better I'd like to try hotter. And definitely the heat works better. Any heat is better than none, and the heating pad is better than any other heat source I've tried. And don't worry, I've never had a leak. I use two layers of plastic bag sealed to my ponytail with elastics, it's never leaked.--Anchoress 17:24, 7 August 2006 (UTC)

I'd be worried about it leaking out, say if you are forced to evacuate your house in a hurry. Hot enough oil could severely burn your scalp and even cause death. I suspect that, like most chemical reactions, heat only speeds up the reaction, it doesn't change the reaction. So, a longer time at a lower temp should have the same effect, and yet be much safer. StuRat 09:15, 8 August 2006 (UTC)

Well take my word for it, safety is not an issue. And believe me, I've had long hair for most of my life (and BTW I don't condition my whole hair, just the bottom foot of it, so it never touches my scalp, it's totally sealed in a plastic bag), and I have never had such a good condition, even when I used to leave cold conditioner and oil on my head overnight. So I'm not saying you're wrong, but I'd have to leave conditioner on my hair for days, or maybe weeks, to have the same effect 2 hours with the hot treatment has on my hair. And BTW, thanks for the concern, but there's no way a substance heated with a heating pad, even on high, could cause death when applied to the scalp lol. It isn't even hot enough to burn, just a bit uncomfortable.--Anchoress 09:21, 8 August 2006 (UTC)

I thought it said "heating plate", and those get hot enough to cook things. I suppose heating pads are a lot cooler. StuRat 20:10, 8 August 2006 (UTC)

LOL yeah well that would be dangerous. --Anchoress 01:59, 9 August 2006 (UTC)

I thought it was pretty straightforward (cuz I said I put my hair in a bag, and put the bag on the heating pad (rather than saying I put my head in a bag and put my head on the heating pad) but maybe people are not able to picture this. I have below waist-length hair. I put the hair in a ponytail on top of my head. I take two produce bags (not shopping bags, long clear plastic produce bags, like bread bags). I put some conditioner and oil in one, then I put my hair in it, squeeze out the air and close it with an elastic at the top of my head over the ponytail elastic. Then I take a wet facecloth, wrap that around the bag, put the other bag over it, squeeze the air out of that, and seal the whole thing with another elastic. The whole thing is totally contained, and if I put a hat over my head I can actually go out wearing it. Then, I get comfy on the sofa and put the bags on the heating pad, which is resting on a pillow on the arm of the sofa above (not under) my head. My heating pad no way gets hot enough to flash oil, or even alcohol, lol. But there is no way it would ever leak, and it isn't the slightest bit unsafe. :-) Hope that clears things up for the safety-conscious posters.--Anchoress 09:31, 8 August 2006 (UTC)

When I first read this, I thought you had a wig! "...put my hair in a bag..." When I've burnt hair before, it's always been with a flame. I know hair straighteners can burn hair if left too long in one place, but I don't imagine anything you can hold your hand against without burning yourself will cause problems. Skittle 15:02, 8 August 2006 (UTC)

Yeah, I put my hair in a bag along with my false teeth and glass eye, lol.--Anchoress 01:59, 9 August 2006 (UTC)

hi Anchoress, just want to ask which conditioner do you use, and do you mix it with olive oil directly? and how long do you keep the mixture before you wash your hair? Sorry for being weird and asking you this but I am intrested in soothing my hair too .

No probs. It's an awesome treatment so I love to recommend it. My hair is very long but not very thick, and I need a total of about 3/4 of a cup of mixture, comprised of: two conditioners, SBT Seabuckthorn and Redken Allsoft for chemically-treated hair, and olive oil (I don't bother getting EVOO). I need about 2 tablespoons of each of the conditioners and 2 tablespoons of olive oil, and I mix them in a cup and put it on dry hair. This is important for two reasons; it keeps the mixture from getting too messy, and it keeps to a minimum the amount of water absorbed by the hair. I put the whole thing in a bag and leave it on under heat for at least an hour, preferably two. Hope that helps; don't hesitate to ask anything else you want to know.--Anchoress 11:44, 9 August 2006 (UTC)

Oh I wanted to add that it's important to use conditioner with the olive oil, because the conditioner makes the oil wash away much more easily; you don't have to wash your hair 8 times before showing your face in public.--Anchoress 11:49, 9 August 2006 (UTC)

I also wanted to add that re: the oil, a finer, 'cosmetic-friendly' oils like fruit seed oils (grapeseed, avocado, apricot, etc) would probably be marginally better than olive; and palm, coconut, jojoba or shea would probably be good too. I don't think any oil would be bad, but personally I wouldn't use a bleached, heat extracted or other generic cooking oil. Also make sure it isn't rancid, or you'll stink forever. As it is, I smell a bit like mayonnaise for a day or so.--Anchoress 14:54, 9 August 2006 (UTC)

Thanks a lot Anchoress for sharing a precious piece of information,honestly so nice of you.Wish you all the very best in you life.

Rediffusion pole.

Is there any one out there who can tell me if there is any one still responsable for Rediffusion equipment left behind because I have a very large pole with wire leading from it in my back garden. Besides it being in the way, I am concerned that it might be unsafe. Thanks for any help given, Val.

After almost 40 years, I would expect it to manifest some kind of trouble if it were dangerous. Also if nobody's come by and claimed it yet, I wouldn't hesitate to take it down - perhaps fold it up or something and tuck it away in case you're held liable in the future --Froth 15:49, 7 August 2006 (UTC)

History : Furniture.

What was the original purpose of bed headboards?

Peter Buck

Probably to keep the pillow from falling off the back of the bed, especially while you're sleeping. See Headboard (furniture) --Froth 15:45, 7 August 2006 (UTC)

Or, if you live in warmer climes, to protect your head from the centipedes and scorpions that crawl up the walls.--Anchoress 17:22, 7 August 2006 (UTC)

Something to hold onto.--Teutoberg 18:23, 7 August 2006 (UTC)

Especially for the seal. --Lambiam^Talk 23:54, 7 August 2006 (UTC)

Never forget vanity. It may be that heaboards came about to show the difference in beds between the ordinary folk and their ruler. CambridgeBayWeather (Talk) 08:28, 8 August 2006 (UTC)

I can attest to the pillow retention reason. My current bed lacks a headboard and, sure enough, the pillow keeps falling behind the bed. A secondary reason is that colored sheets and blankets pressing against a white wall can discolor it. StuRat 09:06, 8 August 2006 (UTC)

Funny, on my bed the pillow keeps getting lodged behind the headboard, making it a pain to get it back. smurrayinchester^{(User), (Talk)} 20:47, 8 August 2006 (UTC)

It sounds like your headboard isn't high enough. My last bed with a headboard had one about two feet higher than the mattress, so you would have to throw the pillow to get it over that. StuRat 17:25, 9 August 2006 (UTC)

Certainly scorpions can climb above it and onto your head. --Proficient 04:16, 9 August 2006 (UTC)

The bed frame should be placed clear of the walls, not against them. The headboard then keeps the mattress from shifting position up against the wall. While a scorpion can still climb up the bed legs, there are cures for that, too, like glue boards around the feet. StuRat 17:25, 9 August 2006 (UTC)

what's brown and dirty and comes out of Cowes?

what's brown and dirty and comes out of Cowes?

Dunno. But you forgot to link to "s". David Sneek 17:08, 7 August 2006 (UTC)

Not to mention "'". David Sneek 17:08, 7 August 2006 (UTC)

You may be thinking of a very old joke enquiring what is brown and comes steaming backwards out of Cowes. The answer used to be the Isle of Wight ferry, but these ferries are now white.--Shantavira 17:36, 7 August 2006 (UTC)

Three columns of Userboxes

How do you make three columns of Userboxes? If you see User:Reywas92/Userboxes, I have two columns, but I want three. Thanks! Reywas92 17:01, 7 August 2006 (UTC)

You'll probably have to remake all your tables. You would need one wikitable that looks somewhat like the one below (view the edit box—I can't make the space-before-the-line method work. Hyenaste ^(tell) 22:54, 7 August 2006 (UTC)

About me	{{userbox}}	{{userbox}}
{{userbox}}	{{userbox}}	{{userbox}}
{{userbox}}	Interests	{{userbox}}
etc...	etc...	etc...

Washington Flag

Place your cursor in the blank space on the left and click. It is the flag of Washington state. I have put this in my user page, but it is all white, and it is invisible here too. Why? Could someone please fix it? Thanks! Reywas92 17:44, 7 August 2006 (UTC)

I don't know. It's an SVG picture, which means it's made of vector graphics rather than bitmap graphics. Clicking on it displays it converted to PNG, which is a bitmap format. Maybe it's something to do with SVG. JIP | Talk 17:58, 7 August 2006 (UTC)

I fixed it. You can't make it 70 pixels for some reason. — [Mac Davis] (talk)

Is it fixed? Still looks white to me. - THE GREAT GAVINI {T-C} 07:02, 8 August 2006 (UTC)

Look fine to me in IE. What browser doesn't it appear in?--Shantavira 07:31, 8 August 2006 (UTC)

• Have you tried refreshing the page? - 87.209.70.231 10:31, 8 August 2006 (UTC)

Wait, no, it's fine now. Phew! - THE GREAT GAVINI {T-C} 14:56, 8 August 2006 (UTC)

School question

plz i am in ghana and did go to school but could not complete my highschool.but now i want to school in the nursing field at canada .so plz i will like to know how it will go and the steps i will be taking.i dont have any relations there but i want to school there and pursue my degree thank you

I think this question would have better chances on the 'Misc' page.--Light current 16:18, 7 August 2006 (UTC)

You would probably first have to pass the GED test. Then you would need to be accepted into a nursing school. Some nursing programs may help you with the first part. Here is a directory of Canadian nursing schools [17]. Nowimnthing 19:35, 7 August 2006 (UTC)

JOB SEARCH FOR EX-LAWYER/BUSINESS MAN

Open Research Question:

I'm looking for particular professional career managers, search groups, usernets, agencies, descriptive information on empolyers, job locations and professional career availability in Los Angeles and Orange Counties and in Las Vegas, Nevada and Orlando, Florida. I find MONSTER, CAREER BUILDER, DICE and other websites entirely useless; including Korn Ferry and Futurestep.

I've made the transition from Law into marketing, sales, and executive management and I find that having a J.D. and having once practiced law (no longer active), although useful, makes me a priaha in the employment field.

Hopefully, search information, data on employers, etc. would help. Any other suggestions would be likewise reviewed with interests.

Please email me at email removed for your own good Thanks, Kit

Report

Im doing a report on Arabic Language Wikipedia and information on it is pretty scarce, I was wondering if you could provide any info, or sources? Thanks--Elatanatari 21:49, 7 August 2006 (UTC) Just General information such as a basic history, important events/milestones, distinguishing characteristics, and if possible some information about censorship.

If you don't get an answer here, you might contact some of the Users listed at Category:User ar. This is for Users of the English language Wikipedia who speak Arabic. User:Zoe|(talk) 23:39, 7 August 2006 (UTC)

Thanks--69.215.245.243 19:44, 8 August 2006 (UTC)

Google might be helpful. --Proficient 04:17, 9 August 2006 (UTC)

Jewellery

I am looking to find a peice of jewellery i have , just to find some information on it do you have any search engines on that or would you know of any websites that might be of intrests.

I wouldn't think you'd have much luck searching the Internet unless you know a lot about it; like the type of jewelry, materials, manufacturer, age, etc. If you don't have that info, you might want to take it to an antique dealer, specializing in jewelry, for identification and appraisal. StuRat 09:00, 8 August 2006 (UTC)

EBay might help to find related objects' prices. -- DLL ^{.. T} 19:02, 8 August 2006 (UTC)

Adding to the site

Is it possible to add to the site and if so how do i go about doing so?

I wanted to add a definition/biography for Richard Alvin, who at 30 was the owner of Docklands News & City & Islington News Weekly Newspapers and whose company produced the first corporate magazine for London 2012, but was also the elected Vice Chairman of the Docklands Business Club for 5 years and at 27 the youngest member of the London Chamber of Commerce Board.

My contact details are: e-mail address deleted

Anyone can edit an existing article by clicking on the "edit this page" tab at the top of the page. To start a new article requires you to create an account first, by clicking the "create account" link in the top right-hand corner of any Wikipedia page. Then if you click Richard Alvin you will get an edit box where you can start editing. Make sure that your article meets the notability requirements for people and the policies such as neutral point of view and verifiability. See also Your first article. Happy editing. --Lambiam^Talk 00:10, 8 August 2006 (UTC)

Since when do you need an account to create an article? The 'how to' section for creating articles doesn't mention it, neither does the 'contributing' section.--Anchoress 00:33, 8 August 2006 (UTC)

Not sure what pages you're looking at - Help:Starting a new page mentions it in the very first sentence. As for when, it was put in by Jimbo Wales following the John Seigenthaler Sr. Wikipedia biography hoo-hah. --Sam Blanning^(talk) 00:39, 8 August 2006 (UTC)

Oh, OK, news to me. The articles I was looking at were both in the FAQ, 'contributing' and 'how to'.--Anchoress 00:48, 8 August 2006 (UTC)

Usually it's a good idea to have an account. --Proficient 04:18, 9 August 2006 (UTC)

Waluigi Pinball Wizardry

Playing the ol' Mario Kart DS recently, I noticed that the item box roulette sound was quite a bit different on Waluigi Pinball than on the other courses (more arcadey, which is fitting, I guess). However I have no good way to prove my suspicion it does. Also, I'm don't know if any other courses have a different item roulette sound to all the others, or whether this phenomenon is confined to this one course, in this one game (don't misunderstand me, because obviously the item roulette sounds are different in each game). Can anyone help? Vitriol 01:12, 8 August 2006 (UTC)

Yes, I've played through that course again, and the item roulette sound is definitely different. I believe that the roulettes on all the other courses are the same, as I've played through each course countless times (trying to get a rank of one star or higher on every course). Also, the roulette in previous most likely all sound the same (I only own Double Dash and this, so I may be wrong, but if Double Dash Didn't have it, the previous games most likely don't, either. -- TheGreatLlama ^{(speak to the Llama!)} 01:22, 8 August 2006 (UTC)

Maybe it's an easter dreg. Vitriol 01:39, 8 August 2006 (UTC)

Tequila mixto

It is my understanding that tequila not using 100% agave is designated a mixto. Further, mixto must contain at least 51% agave and bottled at the distillery to be tequila. I have now discovered that if the tequila is shipped in bulk and bottled in another country (ie USA) the agave factor may drop to 40%? Can anyone verify/clarify this as fact or folly? Thanks. --Walther40 01:57, 8 August 2006 (UTC)

BBC World / Reuters correspondent

Hello,

I'm looking for the name of a correspondent for BBC World and Reuters (i guess) in Hong Kong. The show is called World Business Report and apparently she's not on the BBC website information. Thanks!

ThelmaL 06:43, 8 August 2006 (UTC)

It could possibly be Tara Joseph, a Reuters correspondent based in Hong Kong. --Canley 23:17, 8 August 2006 (UTC)

Yes, saw it this morning on TV, thanks anyway. ThelmaL 05:47, 9 August 2006 (UTC)

Songs

This is a strange question, but I'm looking for songs/music that would have been well known in 1780's Britan (or there about) I am looking for specific examples, not types.

One example - George Frideric Handel's Hallelujah Chorus from Messiah (1742). Still well-known today - THE GREAT GAVINI {T-C} 07:05, 8 August 2006 (UTC)

You want to look at Charles Dibdin and, for example, his song Tom Bowling. Try http://www.contemplator.com/history/dibdin.html --G N Frykman 08:19, 8 August 2006 (UTC)

I'm looking for something more familiar to the common man/peasent, like something that doesn't necessiraly have any musical excellence,just very familiar to many people in that time and place.

Yankee Doodle started out as a song making fun of American soldiers at about that time (a tad bit earlier, during the French and Indian War). StuRat 08:51, 8 August 2006 (UTC)

Would that have been known in Britain? What about songs by Thomas Arne or his son, such as "The Lass with the Delicate Air". JackofOz 09:45, 8 August 2006 (UTC)

I should think so, having been brought there by returning British soldiers. As for your suggestion, "lass" doesn't rhyme with "air", how could we fix that ? :-) StuRat 20:20, 8 August 2006 (UTC)

Well, I myself personally prefer lads with delicate ... airs (ahem). That doesn't solve your rhyming problem, but the mental image certainly makes me feel better.  :--) JackofOz 22:11, 8 August 2006 (UTC)

Really ? Since you were married and had kids I assumed you were straight. I guess you've decided to "pitch for the other team". Oh well, I suppose somebody has to "do crack". :-) StuRat 17:32, 9 August 2006 (UTC)

If that was a flirt, I'm sorry but I'm spoken for, and I don't play around. But I appreciate the interest anyway, and if I had the remotest idea of what you actually look like, I might even be flattered. (I do have a made-up mental image of you, but it's not a pretty sight). :--) Seriously though, I've mentioned this various times on the Ref Desk. Seems you haven't been paying attention to my posts, Stu, or read my profile carefully enough. My male partner is mentioned there before my previous history (which is really only there so that I can acknowledge my kids. Despite appearances, not all Aussies are "bastards"). JackofOz 10:44, 10 August 2006 (UTC)

Ewwwww ! No, it's definitely not "a flirt". I don't get "into" guys and I don't go "down" or "under". "Not that there's anything wrong with that", to quote Seinfeld. StuRat 16:32, 10 August 2006 (UTC)

You might try things that are currently Nursery Rhymes and Traditional Songs, like Pop goes the weasel. I'm sure many others of these would be known too. Skittle 10:43, 8 August 2006 (UTC)

I can't find my book of Nersury Rhymes that might help with dates, but Carols are also a good place to look. Hark the Herald Angels got added to the New Version of the Psalms in 1782, according to The New Oxford Book of Carols, While Shepherds Watched was ridiculously well known, as at one point (1700 - 1782) it was the only christmas song allowed in church. Both were added to the New Version of the Psalms by Tate and Brady and bound up with the Book of Common Prayer, and thus became known everywhere. However, bear in mind their tunes varied greatly. The tune we usually sing 'While Shepherd's watched' to (Winchester) is older than the words, so probably known then too. Look to hymn tunes and carol tunes for old melodies. The tune to the British version of 'Oh Little Town' is called 'Forest Green', the tune of 'Good King Wenceslas' is 'Tempus adest floridum'. The tune you probably know to 'Hark the Herald' was written by Mendelssohn later than your time-frame. It would probably have been fit to any popular hymn tune. Try searching for 'broadside' as well; things on them would have been well known to the public at the time of printing. Skittle 11:08, 8 August 2006 (UTC)

And finally, apparently the tune to which we sing 'God rest ye merry, gentlemen' was one of the most ubiquitous tunes in England for centuries. 'While Shepherds watched' to that would not be unusual. Skittle 11:12, 8 August 2006 (UTC)

• How about "The World Turned Upside Down"? It's said to have been played at Cornwallis' surrender:

If buttercups buzz'd after the bee,
If boats were on land, churches on sea,
If ponies rode men and if grass ate the cows,
And cats should be chased into holes by the mouse,
If the mamas sold their babies
To the gypsies for half a crown;
If summer were spring and the other way round,
Then all the world would be upside down.

--jpgordon^∇∆∇∆ 14:14, 8 August 2006 (UTC)

What about works by Robert Burns? He even came up with his own version of John Barleycorn and there's a large list here. The first printed version of Barbara Allen came out in 1780. CambridgeBayWeather (Talk) 15:54, 8 August 2006 (UTC)

How about "To Anacreon in Heaven"? User:Zoe|(talk) 16:37, 8 August 2006 (UTC)

And Lilliburlero. JackofOz 22:13, 8 August 2006 (UTC)

This is all very good-i only expected like 3 answers lol. Thanks to everyone who answered-i got more than i need.

Cite Additions to an article

I have recently made additions to the chevron article and am able to give very relavant proof of my criticisms, but am not sure how to do this. It basically concerning thier involvement in the 1985 Sudanese conflict. how would i do this.— Preceding unsigned comment added by 193.115.175.247 (talk • contribs)

• What form is this citation in? Is it a book, a website or something else? Wikipedia:Cite your sources should get you on your way. - 87.209.70.231 10:28, 8 August 2006 (UTC)

I fact as well as in the book They Poured Fire on us From the Sky by Alephosion Deng Benson Deng and Benjamin Ajak, (all southern sudanese Dingka refugese(i think they would know)) It i possable to see that when the oil fields in sudan were discovered, it coincided with the government expulsion and land grab of southern sudan by the janjaweed, to remove the native unhabitants and gain control of the oil reserves. Read your cite link, thanks but not much help.

To use that as an inline citation, you would use the following code:

<ref>{{cite book | title=They Poured Fire on us From the Sky | first=Alephosion | last=Deng | coauthors=Deng, Benson; Ajak, Benjamin; Bernstein, Judy A | publisher=PublicAffairs | id=ISBN 1586483889}}</ref>

Horrible looking, I know, but it's not all that bad once you peer at it. The <ref></ref> tags will put whatever is in the middle of those tags into a footnote wherever there is a <references/> tag. In Chevron Corporation, that's already there in the 'Notes' section (edit it and have a look), so all you have to do is add the above code to the end of whatever you wrote, and when you click 'save', a footnote number will appear at the end of your paragraph and the reference will be in the 'Notes' section. m:Cite.php has the full explanation, as well as better (colour-coded) examples.

The {{cite book}} template that I've put within the ref tags automatically fills out a suitable citation when you input the author(s), title, publisher and ISBN number as described above. You can just write the citation yourself, but {{cite book}} makes sure the style is right. --Sam Blanning^(talk) 12:41, 8 August 2006 (UTC)

If you wish to add inline citations checkout this page. TomStar81 02:09, 10 August 2006 (UTC)

Minimum Markup Laws/Underselling?

What is it called when you sell a product for less than others? (As in, say, a large grocery store coming to a small store and running the local grocery store out of business by charging rock-bottom prices, and then driving up prices once there is no competition?)

A local grocery store where I live is always in trouble for charging less for gasoline than smaller convenient stores, violating "minimum markup laws," yet there's no article for the term, so I'm not sure if that's what it's called. --Demonesque 11:04, 8 August 2006 (UTC)

Under cutting is the term. One under cutts the competition. This is highly unethical. But price fixing can also lead to accusations of a consortium or mafia type sydicatism

No, undercutting is different, and is neither illegal nor unethical - it's the reason capitalism works. Predatory pricing is the answer to the original poster's question, but it's selling at a loss (rather than below a certain markup) that's illegal, and only under certain circumstances. Ironfrost 11:44, 8 August 2006 (UTC)

(after edit conflict) The "it's just good business" term is loss leader (where you sell one or two headline items off cheap, in the hope of getting more punters in the door - garden centres sell growbags cheap, in the hope people will buy expensive plants to put in them). But doing it to deliberatly damage a competitor (rather than just a clever strategy for making money in the short term) is called predatory pricing. Writing a law which allows effective detection and prosecution of the former, without making introductory offers, sales, and other perfectly legal and welcome promotions is very difficult (which is why prosecutions for predatory pricing are very rare). "Undercutting" absolutely isn't the correct term - undercutting simply means "selling for less than the competition" - if you run your business better than your competitor (cheaper rent, better negiciation, lower costs, buying in bulk) then it's perfectly fair and legal that you undercut him, and it's to the benefit of the consumer. A "minimum markup law" sounds like a scheme for bad businessmen to evade lawful competion and keep fleecing the consumer. See also dumping (pricing policy) when artificially low pricing concerns international trade. -- Finlay McWalter | Talk 11:52, 8 August 2006 (UTC)

Thank you for your answers. :) --Demonesque 11:59, 8 August 2006 (UTC)

I should explain why "undercutting" is typically legal but "predatory pricing" and "dumping" are sometimes not. If your company can actually sell for less and still make a profit, because it's more efficient, then your company should survive and push out the competitors. However, when a company isn't more efficient but has deeper pockets (lots of cash), they can sell at a loss, forcing the competition to do the same and go out of business first. The idea is then to sell more and at higher prices, after the competition has been removed. In the case of dumping, one country provides subsidies to an industry to enable them to sell at prices that otherwise would have meant a loss. The idea is to destroy the industry in other nations, then sell to them at higher prices, once they have no alternative domestic source of production. China does this a lot, and has destroyed many industries already, such as TV manufacturing in the US. StuRat 20:49, 8 August 2006 (UTC)

Governments do this too, by letting airplanes run on tax-free fuel. This gives airlines an unfair advantage (and a huge one) over other transportation modes. I've once heard that this combined with the fact that airlines are having difficulties surviving means it's a pretty crappy business - if the free market were to operate here, there would be just a few airlines with small airplanes for the very rich. DirkvdM 05:27, 9 August 2006 (UTC)

I don't think failing to tax fuel (iniquitous as it is) makes much difference. It's the free market which has driven prices down, and bankrupted the inefficient. If all airlines had to pay tax on fuel, it would drive everyone's prices up and move the competition on. (It might also reduce demand, leading to contraction, but that's a different issue; contraction can be hard to manage even for efficient and profitable businesses). The US could introduce fuel tax, and it could work. In Europe and smaller countries, it may not work as expected; companies could simply buy their fuel where it remains untaxed, even if they have to waste more fuel flying there, or flying with excess fuel. So the effect could be the opposite of what environmentalists want (less flights). In terms of competition with trains, for example, the tax issue is very real in Europe. Notinasnaid 17:58, 9 August 2006 (UTC)

Yes, I was talking about alternatives like trains and ships (sea or river). Neither are a good option in the US, but in Europe they are. This would mostly influence holiday makers, to whom an extra half day travelling is often an option. But then this should be done throughout Europe to avoid people flying to a neighbouring country. Flying with excess fuel will probably not happen because airports don't allow that (for security reasons), I believe. Another option would be to not tax the energy for trains and ships either. Which would be an ironic way to get energy consumption down.

By the way, not only environmentalists (should) want this. As far as I am concerned this is basically just about climate change, not the enviroment in general. And if you don't give a hoot about the climate or the environment (or don't think tere is a threat), then there is still the problem of energy sources running out, and there will be very few who don't acknowledge that problem. Although some might think that it will not affect them in their lifetime and don't want to be bothered with the consequences to others (future generations). Alas there are too many such people. DirkvdM 09:50, 10 August 2006 (UTC)

Do I Need a Visa to this country?

I am a malysian citizen. i have a malaysian passport. do I need a visa to go Japan?

This page doesn't list Malaysia as one of the visa exempt nations, so it looks very likely that you will require a visa to enter Japan. You'll need to visit a Japanese embassy or consulate in Malasia to obtain a visa. TenOfAllTrades(talk) 12:31, 8 August 2006 (UTC)

I'm really curious now since some of the countries have a 3 month period and some a 90 day period, but that makes no sense to me as 90 days isn't that far off from 3 months. Is it a country thing? ColourBurst 20:48, 9 August 2006 (UTC)

The Embassy of Japan in Malaysia website gives a lot of useful information. If you do not live near Kuala Lumpur, there are consulates in Penang, Johor Bahru and Kota Kinabalu. You can obtain a visa from any of these (addresses and telephone numbers). Visas are free of charge, and this page lists the various requirements. It mentions that there is a visa-exeption arangement between Japan and Malaysia, but that all Malaysian nationals are now encouraged to obtain a visa before travel. — Gareth Hughes 14:01, 8 August 2006 (UTC)

Reading between the lines, I am guessing that the visa exemption was left in place formally to let Malaysia "save face," but that if a Malaysian national arrived at a Japanese airport without a visa, that person might be required to produce an unpredictable list of documents to prove that he or she did not intend to stay in Japan (e.g., a return ticket, proof of ongoing employment in Malaysia, or who knows what else) and could end up on the next plane back to Malaysia. If I were Malaysian, I would get the visa first. Marco polo 18:53, 8 August 2006 (UTC)

Arneson

When is Dave Arneson's birthday? NeonMerlin 13:00, 8 August 2006 (UTC)

Sometime in 1955

Axis of Justice

What are Axis of Justice, is it a political movement, or just a group of musicians sharing socialist ideology. What are their aims, is it purely musical, or are they actually trying to acheive something. The article is unclear. Are they actively doing anything to promote the opposition to capitolism that the article claims they have? Philc _T^E_C^I 13:34, 8 August 2006 (UTC)

cricket test match old trafford 1956

How many of the 1956 English Test team are still alive today in Aug 2006? 1956 was the year that Laker took all 19 wickets? Thankyou

Google did not provide me a useful source to help you. :\ --Proficient 04:20, 9 August 2006 (UTC)

I'm looking at the article List of English Test cricketers, and clicking on the links to the ones who are listed as playing in 1956. So here goes: Jim Laker (died 1986); Godfrey Evans (died 1999); Johnny Wardle (died 1985); Trevor Bailey (still alive); Brian Close (still alive); Gilbert Parkhouse (died 2000); Doug Insole (still alive); Derek Shackleton (still alive); David Sheppard (died 2005); Brian Statham (died 2000); Willie Watson (died 2004); Tom Graveney (still alive); Peter May (died 1994); Fred Trueman (died 2006); Tony Lock (died 1995); Alan Moss (still alive); Bob Appleyard (still alive); Jim Parks junior (still alive); Peter Loader (still alive); Frank Tyson (still alive); Colin Cowdrey (died 2000); Ken Barrington (died 1981); Fred Titmus (seems to be still alive); Peter Richardson (still alive); Alan Oakman (still alive). I've left out ones where it says in the article they didn't play in 1956. --Canley 08:30, 9 August 2006 (UTC)

Actually, Denis Compton (d.1997) and Cyril Washbrook (d.1999) are missing from the list above. Close, Parkhouse, Shackleton, Parks, Loader, Barrinton and Titmus did not appear in any matches. http://howstat.com.au/cricket/Statistics/Series/SeriesAnalysis.asp?SeriesCode=0110&Scope=02 contains the series averages for England. Tintin (talk) 14:00, 9 August 2006 (UTC)

Ladies' night

The Price discrimination article says nightclubs often hold ladies' nights (where women get discounts on admission and/or drinks) because a surplus of men is unpopular with both sexes. It seems to me that a nightclub (or, indeed, any institution catering mainly to heterosexually active singles — a "meat market") that has mostly women will be attractive to men, and vice versa, since it is easier to get an attractive date when there is more demand and less competition. Thus, it would tend toward equilibrium, and there should be no particular reason for the management to disturb this equilibrium. Perhaps someone could elucidate? NeonMerlin 14:32, 8 August 2006 (UTC)

Some clubs have trouble getting women in and, as you have observed, this makes them less attractive to men too. These clubs hope that by attracting more women they will attract more men. (straight)Women are generally less likely to be attracted to a club full of straight men than straight men will be to be attracted to a club full of straight women. Or any women. Men seem to view clubs as an opportunity to meet women they might date (or more), women do not tend to view clubs as places to meet men to date. Thus their priorities are different. See what happened in Canal Street (Manchester). Women tend to like a club with fewer men. Does this help? Skittle 14:50, 8 August 2006 (UTC)

Hmm, the article doesn't relate it, and I have no cites. Basically, women started going to the gay bars to avoid straight men. Straight men realised there were a lot of nubile young women in the bars, so they started going too. This culminated in a lot of the bars losing their character, some violence, and some bars started asking people if they were gay before letting them in. Canal Street found its feet again, but consider why those women were going to gay bars. Skittle 14:56, 8 August 2006 (UTC)

I haven't read the price discrimination article (yet), and this might be a bit of a tangent, but there are other reasons why clubs and bars hold 'ladies' nights' besides trying to attract more women to make male customers happy. There are three issues: 1) women drink less than men; 2) some women feel uncomfortable going to bars alone; and 3) some women feel uncomfortable having more than one or two drinks in a bar (for safety, and also not to appear like a lush). 'Ladies' Nights' create the appearance of a safer, more fun and 'female friendly' bar atmosphere where women can relax and get plastered. The discount drinks aren't only to use women as lures for men, they're also to hopefully turn women who drop by the bar once a week with their boyfriends or co-workers into regulars.--Anchoress 15:03, 8 August 2006 (UTC)

This makes it seem like straight women do everything they can to avoid meeting straight men. JIP | Talk 15:07, 8 August 2006 (UTC)

LOL. I think it's a localised problem, not universal. No offence to any Brits reading, but I noticed Skittle cited a phenomenon documented in London, and I personally found the bar scene in the UK (when I lived there) a lot less ... refined (to put it politely) than what I was used to from the bar scene in Vancouver. It wasn't like a horror story or anything, but at pretty much all the bars and clubs I went to there were a lot more fights, a lot more juvenile behaviour (I had a guy drop his fly and piss in my purse when I refused to dance with him lol), and I was always a bit nervous leaving around closing time; it was a bit of an obstacle course outside with lots of drunk driving, lots of guys barfing and relieving themselves, and big groups of really drunk yobbos chucking beer bottles around and making a nuisance of themselves. Is Canada completely free of this behaviour? Oh no, definitely not. But for whatever reason, I found it way more common in the UK. I can completely understand London girls seeking out gay bars, because going to a straight bar in London without guys running shotgun was often more trouble than fun.--Anchoress 15:37, 8 August 2006 (UTC)

How rude, Miss Manners clearly states that the proper etiquette is to piss in a woman's shoe when she refuses to dance, not her purse ! :-) StuRat 20:39, 8 August 2006 (UTC)

No. Straight women just prefer not to be harassed (for lack of a better term) and bars are very easy places for harassment (people + drinking = logic out the window.) ColourBurst 20:36, 9 August 2006 (UTC)

(Canal Street is in Manchester). I don't think it's that there is more idiotic behaviour in the UK than elsewhere, but that the greater population density means the dickheads are always that much closer to you. Sausage fests are regarded as undesirable (within the hetero world, of course) in the US and Canada as they are elsewhere. Here is an interesting paper examining the fallacies inherent in applying a one-sided market analysis to a two-sided market (scroll down to section 2 - the eight fallacies), arguing that differential pricing in nightclubs is economically sound as men (who spend more) are more likely to go to clubs with a higher proportion of women. Natgoo 19:41, 8 August 2006 (UTC)

Oops, sorry about being geography-deficient. But while I hear what you're saying, and I am not trying to turn my personal experience into a generalisation about a whole culture, but it wasn't just population density that made closing time harrowing at British pubs. --Anchoress 01:44, 9 August 2006 (UTC)

I live in a small town in England (population 10,000 - only one night club) and I can assure that our local lads have nothing to learn from their big-city counterparts. Its not Saturday night if they dont end up blind drunk and having a ruck in tha car park. Jameswilson

So why would women go to a club, even at a discounted price, if not for a wide selection of straight men? If they want to meet other women, gay men or a more selective dating pool, it seems to me there should be other good places to do that (activity clubs, work, gyms, church/synagogue/mosque, etc.). I thought the purpose of going to nightclubs was short-term dating, plain and simple. Am I just not getting it? NeonMerlin 01:58, 9 August 2006 (UTC)

Huh, wow. Not speaking for all women, but I have never gone to a bar or a club for 'short-term dating' purposes, I mean never. I go to meet people yes, sometimes, but just to socialise in situ, not to get picked up or to find a date. I think I'm like a lot of women who just go to dance, have a couple of drinks (no booze for me, just pepsi with extra cherries), have fun with friends, meet and chat and dance with new people, show off new shoes, unwind. Maybe that's the main problem? Men go to bars and clubs to pick up women, but women don't go there to get picked up? I know that if most of the men in a bar or club assumed I was there to get picked up/laid or whatever, I'd be hightailing it to a gay bar too, lol.--Anchoress 03:23, 9 August 2006 (UTC)

Where do women generally go to find a date, then? JIP | Talk 16:15, 9 August 2006 (UTC)

The Internet? LOL. Uh, I'm not the person to ask because I get stopped on the street and asked for dates (not kidding, not boasting). But work, school, hobbies, thru friends and family, fender benders, pet cemeteries, the gym, and, uh, clubs? Lol. I've never gone to a club to get a date, but I have gone on dates with guys I met at clubs. Nothing came of it, but a date's a date!--Anchoress 16:28, 9 August 2006 (UTC)

Anchoress, I think myspace is geared more towards teens and people in their twenties. I remember one of my friends going out on a date with a guy who asked her out in a bus. Anyways, "finding a date" isn't really a problem for a lot of women. "Finding a date with someone that fits into her idea of what a date should be like" is another story. ColourBurst 20:36, 9 August 2006 (UTC)

Um... that was a joke? Hence the 'LOL'?--Anchoress 01:01, 10 August 2006 (UTC)

I'm guessing that it's exactly this sort of thinking that would lead a woman to want to go to a club where she's less likely to be hit upon. (Disclaimer: I'm male, and I've been happily married for over 20 years.)–RHolton≡– 03:22, 9 August 2006 (UTC)

Not really. Some of my female friends actually go to clubs to dance and talk with friends. It's not out of the question. ColourBurst 20:36, 9 August 2006 (UTC)

getting a wikipedia reference

Does anyone know what to do to get your own wikipedia reference?— Preceding unsigned comment added by Babarella81 (talk • contribs)

I'm not sure I understand your question. What do you mean by a "reference"? Do you mean an article? And do you mean an article about yourself? First, please see WP:BIO to determine if you are notable enough for your own article. User:Zoe|(talk) 16:39, 8 August 2006 (UTC)

Do you want an article or a user page? These are completely different things. You should only get an article if you're well known enough for someone, whom you have never met, to have heard of you and think you're famous enough to be mentioned. OTOH, you can create a user page straight away, and put almost anything you like in there - the only restriction is not to treat it like a free blog or web hotel, but instead try to keep it related to your life in Wikipedia. JIP | Talk 16:45, 8 August 2006 (UTC)

To create your own user page, click here, read the notes at the top of the page, then type away. Click "on save page" to finish.--Shantavira 17:58, 8 August 2006 (UTC)

Ambiguous. --Proficient 04:23, 9 August 2006 (UTC)

Animated Nature

Hello, I dont know if this is where to ask but if not can someone point me in the right direction. My father died a couple of years ago and we have been left with a book of his and need to know if we should get it valued and insured as the book seems to be very old. It is called The Victorial Museum of Animated Nature, Volume 1, Mammalia Birds and i think wrote by Charles Knight and co, Ludgate Street and printed by William Clowes and Sons, Stamford Street. It is a lovely book with over 1700 illustrations. Please come back to me with any ideas

Mel

Well some illustrated nature books are quite valuable, like those of John James Audubon. So, yes, I would have it appraised, especially if you have a first edition. StuRat 20:32, 8 August 2006 (UTC)

Look for it on http://www.abebooks.com/ Hint: it is probably Pictorial Museum which seems to be of some value. MeltBanana 23:16, 8 August 2006 (UTC)

Have you thought of scanning these illustrations and uploading them to Wikimedia Commons? If you're not interested in doing it yourself, there's probably some place you could donate it for a really good tax write-off. NeonMerlin 01:49, 9 August 2006 (UTC)

Corporate and Institutional Banking (CIB) landscape

I am trying to understand the entire landscape of "Corporate and Institutional Banking". A very high level, tree stucture with examples, etc would be very helpful. As of now a google for "CIB" returns links to various banks, but nothing on what CIB is or what are the various services that fall under CIB, etc.

any links, leaders to this topic would be highly appreciated.

Thank you in advance.

Regards Arun Prabhu

Military Identification Tags

What is the significance if a man gives a lady friend one of his dog tags? Is there a level of commitment implied there? Is it different in the Italian army?

That she's a bitch? Not sure if they have dogs in the Italian army. DirkvdM 05:31, 9 August 2006 (UTC)

I think it's likely that the questioner is referring to dog tag (identifier) rather than Dog tags. You probably already knew that.-gadfium 06:10, 9 August 2006 (UTC)

Since it presumably didn't cost him anything, I wouldn't assume it suggests any commitment whatsoever, unless he's made that explicit. These tags are of course intended to enable bodies to be indentified.....--Shantavira 08:58, 9 August 2006 (UTC)

Well, that suggests that he intends to kill her and mutilate the body, leaving only the dog tags to make the identification. It obviously means that he intends to fake his own death.

On a more serious note, it means whatever the couple in question decide that it means. TenOfAllTrades(talk) 14:55, 9 August 2006 (UTC)

Is it just me or is help desk getting progressively more and more snarky? Seems like only 1 out of every five or so questions are getting answered. --Darkfred ^{Talk to me} 16:08, 9 August 2006 (UTC)

Well, alright then - you come up with a serious and helpful answer to this question. DirkvdM 16:56, 9 August 2006 (UTC)

I agree with Darkfred also, and I think several people did come up with serious and helpful answers. --LarryMac 20:56, 9 August 2006 (UTC)

I agree with Darkfred. Wow, guys, don't jump all over the guy. When my grandfather came back from the Korean war he gave my grandmother his dog tags that we wore all through it as a way of reaffirming his commitment to her as her husband. I suppose actually giving a dog tag to someone might imply that you are well acquainted with the person, unless you specifically apply more meaning to it. I suppose if you were going to be really romantic (read: cliche), you could say something like, "I want you to have these so that I'll always be with you, even when I'm not here." Not something I would do personally, though; I don't think I could pull it off without laughing. As for the italian army, you'll have to make your own prognosis as to whether it is different or not. --69.138.61.168 17:19, 9 August 2006 (UTC)

At first glance, it would seem like no, it does not imply commitment. But it very well depends on the context. --Proficient 11:52, 10 August 2006 (UTC)

Microsoft Downloads

I came across a Microsoft Download before that allowed the admin account on your pc to apply certain settings to other users such as disable right click, only allow certain programs to run, etc. Now I cannot find it anymore and I was wondering if somebody here could help me. Thanks!! --Zach 20:44, 8 August 2006 (UTC)

Maybe this is the policy tool that is included with the admin utilities. I think it was once called "Power Tools" or something. helohe (talk) 15:52, 9 August 2006 (UTC)

Brave New World

I remember trying to read that a long time ago, but it was distressing so I stopped. Anyways, I remember reading near the beginning about a laundry girl, I think it was, who had a condition meaning her teeth were red... or something... and it had something to do with coral too, I think. What was that? I realise it's probably not anything real. Could I have an explanation, please? Vitriol 03:07, 9 August 2006 (UTC)

Well I searched the online text link at the end of the article it did not take me long to find:

"Henry!" Her smile flashed redly at him–a row of coral teeth.

As the proceeding line mentions lupus I looked that up here at this very encyclopaedia and—discounting a Japanese rugby team—guessed that it may have been Lupus erythematosus Huxley was referring to, which mentions tooth reddening. Do you see how easy this internet thingy is? MeltBanana 14:23, 9 August 2006 (UTC)

animal census

I am doing a movie on human population worldwide and am looking for comparison with other semi-large animals to illustrate our proliferation. For instance, I have found that there are just under 1 billion sheep worldwide. I would like to compare with number of cattle, pigs, horses, coyotes or any other animal near our size worldwide. Thanks, Robert Simpson–

You can use the United Nations FAOStat website ([18]) for domestic animals. Search for "live animals" using "World" for the country. Pigs came in at almost 961,000,000 in 2005. Rmhermen 16:35, 9 August 2006 (UTC)

Just count the legs and divide by four. -- DLL ^{.. T} 18:56, 9 August 2006 (UTC)

Nike + Ipod

The Apple company has recently introduced what they call "Nike + Ipod". It is an excellent idea; one has a chip in his or her Nike shoe and it communicates with his or her Ipod making it act like an exercising database. The Ipod visibly and audibly informs the user of times, pace, calories burned, et cetera. This is all truly wonderful and I support the idea in full, however, this technology is only available for the Ipod nano; this, on the other hand, I absolutelly do not support and do not understand. Would it not be better for the Apple and Nike companies and thier customers if this technology were compatible for the video Ipods, or, better yet, all Ipods of all sizes and generations? Thank you in advance for your time and thought.

I would think the reason for this is that the iPod nano is a flash memory-based device, whereas the video iPods and all other iPods (apart from the iPod shuffle which doesn't have the screen or computing power to do this) use a small hard disk for storage. Now hard disks don't take all that kindly to being "jogged" around, while flash-memory being solid state has no moving parts and is less likely to be damaged by the owner running around with the iPod in their pocket. --Canley 08:07, 9 August 2006 (UTC)

I would think the reason is they are trying to make the nano more appealing in the hop that you'll buy one, even though you don't need one. Philc _T^E_C^I 13:35, 9 August 2006 (UTC)

No, Canley is right. The hard-disk based iPods are unsuitable for any exercise more intense than walking. Taiq 13:54, 9 August 2006 (UTC)

Thank you very much, I fully understand now.

Maybe you have an ipod that isn't Nano and you are concerned. :p --Proficient 11:55, 10 August 2006 (UTC)

mixametosis

Is there no article on mixametosis,the search turned up nothing, but then the search features pretty rubbish. Philc _T^E_C^I 13:33, 9 August 2006 (UTC)

Your spelling is not exactly miraculous either. Try myxomatosis. JackofOz 13:41, 9 August 2006 (UTC)

Still patronizing......

I googled mixemetosis, and used the did you mean, because I thought that would correct my spelling, obviously it didnt work. Philc _T^E_C^I 19:32, 9 August 2006 (UTC)

JackofOz has a point about your spelling, I do believe in the power of correction though :

"but then the search features pretty rubbish", don't you think it's a little strange this sentence has NO verb? Evilbu 13:47, 9 August 2006 (UTC)

Your not reading it right, features is a verb. MeltBanana 14:32, 9 August 2006 (UTC)

No you're not reading it right (Philc's creative punctuation). 'IT' is the verb, as in 'But then the search feature is pretty rubbish'.--Anchoress 15:43, 9 August 2006 (UTC)

I missed an apostrophe ok? Are you done now? Philc _T^E_C^I 19:32, 9 August 2006 (UTC)

A) Who are you? and B) Who are you talking to?--Anchoress 17:34, 9 August 2006 (UTC)

I take offence at the suggestion that our contributions here are "pretty rubbish". Pretty can be a very insulting word, you know.  :--) JackofOz 14:47, 9 August 2006 (UTC)

If the 'search features pretty rubbish', that means that, when one searches, one is encouraged by a presentation of artwork made from re-used rubbish. Maybe I should look for this feature in my preferences. — Gareth Hughes 15:04, 9 August 2006 (UTC)

Actually, this sentence no verb. --LarryMac 15:50, 9 August 2006 (UTC)

If you googled, then used "did you mean", I think your comments about the search feature being rubbish are misdirected. The searching was done by Google, not Wikipedia. Wikipedia's search feature isn't much cop as it happens, but your comments would carry more weight if you'd used it. Notinasnaid 17:52, 9 August 2006 (UTC)

But when I asked the question I didnt know I had mispelled it. Philc _T^E_C^I 19:34, 9 August 2006 (UTC)

I tried a Google search with the misspelling and it did not prompt me with the familiar "did you mean ...?" There were approximately four pages of results with that spelling, actually. By the time I'd worked my way back to Wikipedia and Rabbits in Australia, Jack had provided the correct spelling. --LarryMac 20:54, 9 August 2006 (UTC)

Now that you've got that out of your system, you might think about putting redirects together for likely mis-spellings of the word. Such as mixamatosis, mixematosis, mixemetosis, mixametosis, myxematosis, myxamatosis, myxemetosis, myxametosis, myxometosis, myxymatosis, myxymetosis, mixymatosis, mixymetosis &c. --Tagishsimon (talk)

Excuse me? Now that I've got that out of my system? Is there a reason for that tone? Pardon me for relating a data point based on the experience I had when making an honest attempt to answer the posted query. I think it's time I left the RDs for awhile. --LarryMac 12:53, 10 August 2006 (UTC)

This is a bad example because Myxo is admittedly very tricky. But as a general principle I have never liked our system of redirects from bad spellings. It does not foster people learning the correct spelling of words, but basically reinforces and rewards bad spelling. If you don't actually need the right spelling, why bother ever learning it? - this seems to be the prevailing principle. I don't have a problem with the principle of quick navigation to desired information, but I wonder if the price we are paying for it is too high. JackofOz 23:19, 9 August 2006 (UTC)

I think it is wishful to think that failing to find the article is more likely to improve spelling than is redirecting to the correct spelling. Nor do I think we should place a premium on drilling spelling into users' heads at the cost of denying them ease of access to information. Finally I note that in the example in this case, Google did indeed suggest the myxy~ spelling, reminding us that this business of a consensus on spelling is a someone doubtful proposition. Other than those small points I am with you all the way, Jack. Although I'm not clear about what you think the price of the redirects is. --Tagishsimon (talk)

Bad spelling redirects are both a good idea and a bad idea. I keep spelling Manitoba as Manitobia. Without the red link I wouldn't notice that I had the wrong spelling. On the other hand, if the wrong spelling redirect does not exist, then when a user types it in and gets nothing, they may (and have) create duplicate articles. CambridgeBayWeather (Talk) 00:08, 10 August 2006 (UTC)

On the other hand, people can type in what they think is the spelling, and go immediately via a redirect to the right page, without ever realising their spelling was crap. Thus the error is perpetuated. Languages change, and ultimately change cannot be resisted, but this type of change is closer to corruption than what I'd call any sort of positive change. I know we're supposed to move with the times, but I still place a much higher value on correct spelling, grammar, punctuation etc than seems to be the common view these days. Maybe I'm the one who's out of step. On the other hand, Wikipedia also values these principles in the texts of our articles - yet in other of our activities we abandon them on the altar of user convenience. I know there's no "right" answer to this, but it's worth talking about. JackofOz 01:48, 10 August 2006 (UTC)

If I could dream of an ideal set of features for MediaWiki, included would be some special handling for members of category:Redirects from misspellings. For example, a link to such a redirect would appear in red, like a non-existant link, or maybe in orange or something. Also, when arriving at a page via such a redirect, a special misspelling message would appear at the top--something a bit more prominent than the current "redirected from..." message. Or instead of having a redirect page, we could have a "did you mean...?" page, with one or more possible articles for the misspelled word. If we could couple this with the orange link I mentioned earlier, it would address a significant weakness in our current handling of misspellings. –RHolton≡– 05:25, 10 August 2006 (UTC)

Jack, as the English orthography#History of the English spelling system points out standard spelling was not really set until the 1800s. That may give some indication as to why a lot of people have problems with correctly spelling certain words. Usually though if people do get redircted via a misspelling there is not at the top saying where you were redirected from. When I started editing Wikipedia I realized that due to my poor spelling ability I would need to have dictionaries available in my text editor and a general dictionary. I then found that I now spell words based on a mixture of commonwealth and US spelling. As seen above I spell "realized" with a z but at the same time I spell "colour" with the u. Another problem I have is with words that are spelt correctly but are the wrong word. The one I have a problem with most often is "please" as I frequently type in "pleas". Of course the spellchecker never catches that. One thing that can be done if you are interested in correcting spelling errors is to type a common mispelling into the search box and see what turns up. Try typing "commen" and "comman" to see what turns up. However, context must be observed. As an example there were several pages using the word "Inuits" as a plural for "Inuit". Of course "Inuit" is the plural of "Inuk". I went to correct one of them and found that it was the title of a book and could not be corrected. CambridgeBayWeather (Talk) 12:09, 10 August 2006 (UTC)

Wow. o.O --Proficient 11:56, 10 August 2006 (UTC)

Unidentified Boston man

Hey, all you Bostonians, here's one for you. Many years ago, I kept a magazine clipping about a man who was found dead on a Boston street. He'd been beaten up, as I recall, and he may have been of Middle Eastern appearance. He had no documents of any kind on him, and all the resources of the authorities proved fruitless in ever being able to identify him. The thing I remember most was the date he was found: 12th July 1973. I kept the clipping for years in my "You Never Know When you Might Need This" file, but I gave it to my former partner for old times sake after we split up, because he happened to be born on, you guessed it, 12th July 1973. Does anybody remember this case, and did the guy ever get identified? I won't sleep till I find out. JackofOz 14:06, 9 August 2006 (UTC)

Hmm... the boston globe unfortunately only has recent archives starting 1979... a google search was not fruitful, but you probably have tried that already. The best I can do is direct you to insomnia :) --User:bmk

I am sure him being unidentified doesn't help. :\ --Proficient 11:57, 10 August 2006 (UTC)

Candie's commercial with Pat Benatar

There is a new commercial currently airing in the US for Candie's clothes at Kohl's department stores. It shows Pat Benatar performing on stage, then a blonde woman with a guitar walks up on the stage and starts performing with her. Neither woman is identified, but I recognize Benatar. But who is the blonde woman? User:Zoe|(talk) 16:33, 9 August 2006 (UTC)

If you don't get an answer here, you could try asking on http://adtunes.com/ forums. I already checked and couldn't find anything about it already asked, though, so it probably wouldn't be any faster. :( --Demonesque 17:20, 9 August 2006 (UTC)

Thanks, I'll try that. I thought it might be Ann Wilson, but this woman is younger. User:Zoe|(talk) 17:26, 9 August 2006 (UTC)

Googling for Kohl Candie "Pat Benatar" suggests Cheyenne Kimball. http://www.candies.com/ also mentions Kimball. Weregerbil 17:49, 9 August 2006 (UTC)

Awesome, thanks. I don't know why I didn't think of doing that! And there's an explanation as to why I didn't recognize her, I never heard of her!  :) User:Zoe|(talk) 18:00, 9 August 2006 (UTC)

Purchasing Decommissioned Ships

Hello. How would one go about purchasing a decommissioned ship from a government, and/or who would one contact about such a thing? Thanks --Demonesque 17:23, 9 August 2006 (UTC)

I think they just auction off ones that are only suitable for scrapping. However, if you actually want to refurbish the ship, special arrangements may need to be made. For example, they might seriously damage the ship when removing the equipment they intend to keep, unless they know the ship is scheduled to be reused. Also, old ships may not meet modern safety guidelines. For example, double-hulled tankers are required in many places, and if you buy a single-hulled, or double-bottomed tanker, the cost of upgrading it would be prohibitive. StuRat 17:40, 9 August 2006 (UTC)

But who is in charge of this? I found this website a few minutes ago:

http://www.dsca.mil/PressReleases/36-b/36b_index.htm

but it seems to deal exclusively with military-to-military sale. --Demonesque 17:48, 9 August 2006 (UTC)

August 6,1979 New York Yankees line-up vs Orioles

I would like to the Yankees starting line-up for that game. It was the first game after Thurman Munson's death.(August 6,1979 New York Yankees line-up vs Orioles)198.65.201.104 22:17, 9 August 2006 (UTC)

Can you find any archived newspapers from that day? They would have the lineup in the box score. Actually, from the next day, really. User:Zoe|(talk) 01:53, 10 August 2006 (UTC)

Current Events.

There seem to be a local Current Events link for all parts of the world except Europe? How can this be. Joneleth 23:28, 9 August 2006 (UTC)

Good question! I notice that South America doesn't have a link either, and I guess that's just because no-one has created a 'Current Events' subsection of Portal:Europe yet. There is one, however, on the Portal:Latin America page, so that seems to be an odd discrepancy. I haven't really been involved enough in the portals to guess why this is the case, but hopefully someone else here knows a little more. Ziggurat 03:28, 10 August 2006 (UTC)

Beyblade Manga/Anime

What are the differences between the Beyblade anime and manga?64.12.116.199 23:35, 9 August 2006 (UTC)Brandon English

Try looking at Manga and Beyblade. If that doesn't help come back and ask a more specific question. Jon513 01:39, 10 August 2006 (UTC)

The article highlights differences between the Japanese and American versions of the program, but not the anime and manga versions of the story. Check google, yeah?24.250.33.247 03:15, 10 August 2006 (UTC)

Rules Governing Petitions

I have a teenage son who, along with his friends, are wanting to get together a petition for a skate park here in our town in Hunt County, Texas. Let me say that the only thing I know about this type of petition is that they'll need a certain amount of signatures. That's all I know. Could you please help us with information for this issue. We have been to and called the city offices in the area, but the information we have been given is not sufficient, I believe. We need to know all the particulars involved in the petition. The laws, rules, age limits for petition signers, number of signatures needed, etc. We want to do this the right and legal way. If they are to put the work into the petition, it needs to be done the right way the first time. We appreciate any help that you can give us. God Bless.

First of all, as stated at the top of this page, nothing said here replaces a lawyer. That said, I don't think that there are any laws, rules, age limits, or miminum amount of signatures. If there was a law that the petition did something (to get put on a ballat, or have a recall election) then there are different rules regarding those petitions. If you are just making a petition so the goverement will know how you feel it doesn't really matter so long as the petitioner are citizens (voting age shouldn't matter). Granted no one would care what a group of 50 10-year-old think but will care about 20,000 voting age people. see Petition and First Amendment to the United States Constitution#Petition and assembly. Jon513 01:36, 10 August 2006 (UTC)

I was writing a very similar response, but there was an edit conflict with Jon513 who has put it very well. Almost certainly, a petition of the type you mention is never going to be a binding legal document. Whether it has 5 signatures or 50,000, the petitionee is under no obligation to fulfill the request, they are merely indicitive of a level of public support for a proposal. To be frank, a lot of these petitions are generally pretty ineffective in bringing about change, and for the most part, all they are good for is making the petitioner and signatories feel better about themselves for "doing something".

Might I suggest that instead of organising a petition, that you take more proactive steps towards getting a skate park built. Sign up volunteers to help design and build the park, write or commission a report on how the park would be beneficial to your community, contact local businesses for sponsorship. It's going to be hard work, but the local council is more likely to acceed to your request and grant some land and resources to the project if you can show them that people in the area feel strongly enough about it to donate more than their signature. Good luck! --Canley 05:00, 10 August 2006 (UTC)

The only thing I see missing from the above answers is try and get some local or state politicians on board. After the teenagers may not be able to vote now but they will be able to in the future. CambridgeBayWeather (Talk) 11:03, 10 August 2006 (UTC)

I was blocked from attempting to begin drafting an article...

I'm new to wikipedia. I registered, logged-on and followed the instruction but got a message saying I was blocked, listing an IP number that bore no resemblance to mine and giving the reason 'gonzo.'

I assume this is some sort of hacking activity. Is there any way to work around it?

Actually, it's probably due to the fact that you appear to be using an AOL account, which has problems when interacting with Wikipedia regarding the way it assigns IP numbers. See Wikipedia:Advice to AOL users for ways to circumvent this. Ziggurat 03:21, 10 August 2006 (UTC)

Timothy Treadwell(Grizzly Man) Death Audio

Does anyone anywhere know where you could listen to a clip or the whole audio of Timothy Treadwells death? I know it sounds morbid but after watching the film and looking on the discussion boards it seems like a lot of people want to hear this. Almost like a tribute to the man's final moments. Anyone heard it? Anyone know ANYWHERE to find it.

Horizontal _____?

What's it called if you run, say, a peanut butter factory and you buy out your competetor peanut butter makers instead of buying peanut farms and distribution companies? Horizontal something.

And is that the same as, say, owning a small gas station in a very small town and buying out profitable businesses in that town that have nothing to do with your original enterprise, like a bowling alley and a video rental store? --Demonesque 08:00, 10 August 2006 (UTC)

I think it's called horizontal acquisition if it's the same industry. --Canley 09:03, 10 August 2006 (UTC)

Take a look at horizontal integration and horizontal monopoly. By the way, WP:QI is a very useful tool for this sort of query.--Shantavira 09:11, 10 August 2006 (UTC)

Hey, thanks. Bookmarked it. Does anyone know if buying unrelated enterprises in a certain geographical region or otherwise captive consumer area (Like an airport) has a name? --Demonesque 09:22, 10 August 2006 (UTC)

That sounds a bit like Diversification. DirkvdM 10:33, 10 August 2006 (UTC)

Logic Disiplines

I remember once hearing about the 4 disiplines of logic, but i cant remember anything else, is there anyone that can aid me? Joneleth 13:11, 10 August 2006 (UTC)

Umm, google pulls up at [19]:

Overall, we can thus distinguish four notions of logic:
   * (L1) the mathematical study of artificial formal languages
   * (L2) the study of formally valid inferences and logical consequence
   * (L3) the study of logical truths
   * (L4) the study of the general features, or form, of judgements

Not sure if this was where you were heading. Our article on Logic talks about up to four rival conceptions of logic; but these don't sound like disciplines. Let us know if google's find rings any bells. --Tagishsimon (talk)

Bloodstaion pattern analysis

Anyone know where I can get some good pictures of realistic blood spatter? I've been to [20], but I can't find any others. ¡70.56.173.52 15:27, 10 August 2006 (UTC)!

Knock on wood?

There was a song by the mighty mighty bostones, i think, and it went I've never had to Knock on wood But i know someone who has had to Knock on wood Sometimes i wonder if i could Knock on wood

Does any one know what it was called, it was not Knock on wood. thanks ooo, and if you could tell me what album it was on too, that would be great.

Type the lyrics (or suitable "key words" from the lyrics) into http://www.google.com/ — you may want to type "The Impression That I Get" into google next (with the quotes). Weregerbil 15:48, 10 August 2006 (UTC)

metallica

what year did cliff burton die? (the bassist who died in a bus accident) just wondering

Type Cliff Burton to the search box at the left of this page, then press "Go". Weregerbil 15:50, 10 August 2006 (UTC)