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January 1

How to be a YouTuber's friend when s/he denied me to be her/his friend on YouTube?

I try to request to be a friend on a YouTuber's Channel but she denied me. I add her too many times but it doesn't work. I want to watch an private video that she upload as a public video, but she made it a private video. I'm not a criminal. I don't really bother her. I don't do stalking at her. I don't harass her. I don't invade her privacy. What should I do?

Note: When asking, please don't say "She don't want to see that video." or "Get a new account". I want to see the video. I don't want excuses.

Courtesy: Asked by this person at http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20071119180210AAwRE1y but want more professional-like (expert) answers. Jet (talk) 00:17, 1 January 2008 (UTC)

You well know that you are asking a near unanswerable question:

1. If the decision rests entirely with her, then she will take whatever decisions she wants, as her caprice takes her.

2. If it's possible to hack through YouTube's access control mechanisms, we don;t know how and if we did, would not tell you.

I suggest you should accept her decision with good grace, since to persist will be harassment. I note your "I don't want excuses" comment. Sadly the rest of the world is mostly unmoved by whatever tantrum will arise out of you reading an answer that displeases you. Happy new year. --Tagishsimon (talk) 00:20, 1 January 2008 (UTC)

I suppose if you want to get creative, you could post a video imploring her to grant you access & seek to share it with her. --Tagishsimon (talk) 00:23, 1 January 2008 (UTC)

How would I do that? Jet (talk) 00:24, 1 January 2008 (UTC)

You make and submit the video in the normal way, and then send a message to the person in question. Which bit are you asking about: 1) how to make video 2) how to post video 3) how to send a message to her? --Tagishsimon (talk) 00:39, 1 January 2008 (UTC)

Note: She made that video public. Jet (talk) 00:27, 1 January 2008 (UTC)

You're losing me. Which video? The video in question which was public and is now private? A girl's allowed to change her mind. --Tagishsimon (talk) 00:39, 1 January 2008 (UTC)

Yes Jet (talk) 00:57, 1 January 2008 (UTC)

How about you message her, and ask her nicely? --'n1yaNt 06:36, 1 January 2008 (UTC)

Why don't you just send some friendly messages first. Be her friend through messages and then send the invite. If she isn't letting you be her friend on youtube, thats because she doesn't know you yet, or she doesn't want you to watch the video.--Dlo2012 (talk) 00:10, 2 January 2008 (UTC)

Tunnel of love

I can't find any info regarding the tunnel of love as in the metal state of feeling like you are in a tunnel when you enter a love relationship with someone such that you begin to loose the ability to interact with others on anything but on a distant level as if waiving to them from the deck of a boat as it moves alongside the dock and away. The feeling that suddenly there is for all personal matters only one other person in the world. 71.100.3.166 (talk) 05:14, 1 January 2008 (UTC)

That's not much to go on. Can you tell us where you've heard the term used?--Ybbor^Talk 05:23, 1 January 2008 (UTC)

It;s not as poetic but the article Infatuation seems to cover it in the intro. Julia Rossi (talk) 09:21, 1 January 2008 (UTC)

The only Tunnels of Love that I know were to be found in fairgrounds. These days they seem to have been changed to Ghost Trains!86.197.19.225 (talk) 16:14, 1 January 2008 (UTC)petitmichel

You might want to investigate the catch-all term dark ride.

Atlant (talk) 18:21, 1 January 2008 (UTC)

This article from New Scientist (#REDIRECT [[1]]) implies that first love and obsessive compulsice disorder are related (although not the same thing). The article links to the study's authors' website, which may have further information. Steewi (talk) 00:15, 2 January 2008 (UTC)

Painting a guitar

I have a Fender Stratocaster that I'd like to paint. Currently it's just a boring black color. I like the black that's there as a background but I want to paint on some nice flame patterns. I'm wondering if I need to strip the current coat that's already there? And what kind of paint would I use? Bellum et Pax (talk) 08:00, 1 January 2008 (UTC)

Depends what the current finish is, but if it's non-reactive, a short cut is to wipe the area with a dry cloth, then a light degreaser like meths (try it on a unseen part of the guitar first to test), then use an oil based paint such as enamel or car touchup paint. Spray can with stencil would work, too. The good thing about paint is you can just paint out what you don't like. Try googling paint electric guitar though some of these are about re-painting the whole thing. Julia Rossi (talk) 09:08, 1 January 2008 (UTC)

Here is a 'how to' (http://www.shredaholic.com/painting.html) and another by wikihow (http://www.wikihow.com/Custom-Paint-Your-Electric-Guitar). Hope it helps ny156uk (talk) 11:31, 1 January 2008 (UTC)

A friend who builds his own guitars gets a lot of his info from Project Guitar, so you might want to have a look around there. Dismas|^(talk) 15:19, 1 January 2008 (UTC)

Wikipedia Main Page Graphics

What is the white object at the top of the main page? Thanks Saypoint (talk) 13:29, 1 January 2008 (UTC)

Answered above, I think - Masamage said:

It's the edge of an open book, close-up on the spine, with the pages showing.

--Psud (talk) 13:48, 1 January 2008 (UTC)

Work shifts and breaks

In Australia, what is the maximum number of hours a person can legally work without having a lunch/dinner/half-hour whatever break? How long does my shift have to be before I'm legally allowed a break? --Candy-Panda (talk) 14:34, 1 January 2008 (UTC)

I assume that either:

• the ATU directly
• an ATU representative at your place of employment
• an advisor at your school (Belmont High ?)

should be able to give an answer to this question. There is also a stack of wikipedians from Down Under, but they may be snoozing at 3:30 AM, suffering from hang over / hanging upside down on this planet :) Gee (so) long from an antipodian, --Cookatoo.ergo.ZooM (talk) 16:36, 1 January 2008 (UTC)

I'm not sure there is one. I googled a few different topics and sites that would seem to have that kind of stuff don't mention anything about it. For example, this site is for new immigrants looking for work, but it says nothing about work breaks, despite quite a bit of detail about wages, etc. According to some other sites, Australians have the longest work hours in the world (averaged over the year), so stop reading this page and get back to the grindstone already! Matt Deres (talk) 19:03, 1 January 2008 (UTC)

Rumour always had it that it was 5 hours, but no one I know has ever checked. If you're having a problem with your employer, you might wish to talk to your union rep (if you have one) or contact the union through their website for advice. If it is appropriate, discussing when you can take your breaks with your boss might be productive, but I imagine you might have already done so. Another option you could discuss with your boss if you want to take more breaks than you are entitled to is to take more scheduled breaks, but they would be unpaid. Steewi (talk) 00:20, 2 January 2008 (UTC)

Is that why I like bats so much! Here's a workers' hotline: 1300 362 223 that offers "free telephone advice for workplace issues" found on the Your Rights at Work website [2]. Maybe a lot ofAussies don't either know their rights, or they're the most in debt thru mortgages etc on this planet and just own that grindstone! Hope it helps : ) Julia Rossi (talk) 00:23, 2 January 2008 (UTC)

These kinds of rights are often not covered by workplace legislation, but rather in your AWA or other document that covers things like your salary, etc. For example, my collective agreement states that I cannot be required to work for more than 5 hours without a 30 minute break, or for more than 10 hours on a single day, but that doesn't mean that I *can't* do so (although doing so would generally mean my supervisor has to talk with me and tell me to try to avoid doing so). I would suggest first digging up your AWA/contract/whatever, looking through that, and if that fails then I second the suggestion to contact your union representative, or the union itself. Confusing Manifestation(Say hi!) 01:27, 2 January 2008 (UTC)

The thing is, I had worked a 5 1/2 hour shift (5:30pm - 11pm) one time and got a half hour break, but when I worked a 5 hour shift (11:30pm - 4:30pm) yesterday I didn't get a break. So I guess it has to be more than 5 hours. Cheers everyone and happy new year. :) --Candy-Panda (talk) 05:08, 2 January 2008 (UTC)

The Man with One Name

A bit of research for a writing project of mine. Is it possible in the United Kingdom for a person to change their name (by deed poll etc.) to remove their surname? That is, to be on record (barring birth certificate) as having only a given name and nothing else? If not, does the law differ in any other Anglophone country? GeeJo ^(t)⁄_(c) • 17:19, 1 January 2008 (UTC)

At least two companies active in the field seem to think that you must have at least one given name and one surname. See https://www.namechangeco.com/Help/161118302397/what-kind-of-changes-can-i-make-to-my-name/ and http://www.ukdps.co.uk/AreThereAnyRestrictionsOnNames.html William Avery (talk) 17:42, 1 January 2008 (UTC)

A site in the internet [3], then search for "mononym", of unknown reliability states "however, an online discussion implies that, at least in the U.S. and U.K., there is no legal requirement that a person have more than a single name".

Presumably there must be regulation that your name consists of writable characters. If it were "4 spaces", followed by a "-", followed by "6 spaces", you would have to repeat your name 5 times when in a noisy pub :) --Cookatoo.ergo.ZooM (talk) 18:39, 1 January 2008 (UTC)

Is anyone else reminded of A Bit of Fry and Laurie? —Tamfang (talk) 01:48, 7 January 2008 (UTC)

According to the Deed Poll Office, a single name or mononym is legal and will be accepted by the Identity & Passport Service. However in a passport, single names will be shown in the surname field, with XXX (i.e. three X's) shown in the forename field. Therefore you must have a surname - you cannot just have a given name. Little brown owl (talk) 12:06, 5 September 2012 (UTC)

There was an article in the Manchester Guardian recently about a British woman who has done this very thing. DuncanHill (talk) 23:06, 1 January 2008 (UTC)

Which newspaper changed its name to The Guardian in 1959, Duncan. If it was a recent story, it'll be on Grauniad Unlimited somewhere ... do you remember enough of the vocabulary of the story to mount an effective search? --Tagishsimon (talk) 23:23, 1 January 2008 (UTC)

Have just got back from Cornwall, we read the Guardian there! DuncanHill (talk) 23:39, 1 January 2008 (UTC)

This may be totally irrelevant to you, but last year I happened to be listening to Penn Jillette's short lived radio show and he mentioned that his magician chum, Teller legally changed his name as such, and now possesses one of the few United States passports issued in a single name. Their website seems to confirm this, though Teller was actually his birth surname, rather than his given name, I don't see why that would make a difference. I wonder who the other single name passport holders are? Rockpocket 03:50, 2 January 2008 (UTC)

If my surname were Teller I think I'd be miffed at that; as if he's saying he has first claim on the name and all his relations have to use modified versions of it. —Tamfang (talk) 01:51, 7 January 2008 (UTC)

In the UK, unlike many other countries, there's nothing to prevent you from changing your name without any legal instrument - that is, your name is what you say it is, though it's also to some extent what you're known as. If you decide you have only one name, then that's your name. However, difficulties then arise with officialdom, and especially in money matters - with tax collectors, banks, etc. That's one reason why the deed poll came into being. Xn4 11:45, 3 January 2008 (UTC)

FCC ruling on cable company deals with apartment complexes?

I heard on the news about a new FCC ruling which said cable companies could no longer make exclusive deals with apartment complexes and that all existing deals are void. My apartment complex still has such a deal. Is it a rule or a proposed rule? If it's a proposed rule, what has to happen before it becomes a rule?Skydiver156969 (talk) 20:27, 1 January 2008 (UTC)

First off, the FCC must have one of the crappiest websites around. They appear to have made such a ruling on November 13 2007 [4] which comes into effect 60 days after [5], so that'll be Saturday 12 January 2008, or nearest offer. "The Commission prohibits the enforcement or execution of existing exclusivity clauses and the execution of new ones by MVPDs subject to section 628 of the Communications Act." [6]. The commission "should take action to address exclusivity clauses entered into by DBS providers, private cable operators, and other MVPDs who are not subject to Section 628." (ibid). Section 628 is here, on page 294. --Tagishsimon (talk) 20:52, 1 January 2008 (UTC)

January 2

Best colleges in Minnesota for foreign studies?

What are the best minnesota/fargo-moorhead area collages for foreign studies? Is Saint Cloud State University one of them? Thanks. 66.44.181.31 (talk) 03:26, 2 January 2008 (UTC)

I can't speak to which are "best," but this tool allows you to search for colleges by location, available majors, and many other factors - it should be able to help you make up a preliminary list. Visiting these colleges would then be an excellent way to judge their quality. -Elmer Clark (talk) 07:55, 3 January 2008 (UTC)

Relationship advice

There's this girl I like, and I think she likes me. The problem is, she's my cousin. What should I do? --80.87.131.100 (talk) 08:20, 2 January 2008 (UTC)

If you're serious, ask your ma. If you're just curious, see article Cousin couple. Julia Rossi (talk) 08:56, 2 January 2008 (UTC)

In some countries, that would be a non-issue. It seems from your IP that you live in the UK, so then it kind of depends on your culture, religion and ethnicity. As our article states, by some estimates as many as 55% of Pakistanis and Muslims in Britain marry a first cousin. If you are a Pakistani or Muslim then ask a older member of your family what the deal is in your community. You could always phrase it in a way to sound as if you want to know out of interest, rather than because you have a specific reason. If you are not from a culture where consanguinity is culturally accepted, then you may wish to be a little more careful about it. Perhaps you could speak to a trusted teacher, school counselor, a doctor or nurse, or a religious advisor, going straight to a family member could be awkward unless you are confident they would be understanding and discrete. Finally, it may be a bit premature, but if you were considering a sexual relationship, there it would be worth considering that there are genetic implications for children from such relationships, genetic counseling would be advised if you were to be in a position where you could have children with a cousin. Rockpocket 09:44, 2 January 2008 (UTC)

Rudy, is that you? --Sean 12:30, 2 January 2008 (UTC)

Charles, is that you? --24.147.86.187 (talk) 22:43, 2 January 2008 (UTC)

Ah, don't worry about that. There are almost always those kind of feelings between a cousin that is a guy and the other that is a girl, those feelings will pass with time —Preceding unsigned comment added by Dlo2012 (talk • contribs) 00:04, 3 January 2008 (UTC)

desire

What should I do to inculcate a desire for a good career and a future?I have become a sort of recluse have lost the zest to work and earn money.I am still in my bachelor of engineering course and think that I can change the course of my life.But I am very lazy to change. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 218.248.2.51 (talk) 08:59, 2 January 2008 (UTC)

You demonstrate sufficient motivation to at least ask a question about your situation, so I don't think you're as lazy as you say you are. It's apparent to me that you do have a desire for a good career and a good future, otherwise you wouldn't have come here. Maybe your problem is not quite knowing exactly what sort of career you want. Unless you have a concrete idea of what it is you want, your mind will have nothing to focus on, which will lead to either an absence of career-related activity, or mindless and joyless going through the motions. This will feed back to you that you're either not interested in careers, or are too lazy to do anything about getting a good career - but that would be the wrong conclusion to come to. That's not it at all. It's just that your mind needs something specific and concrete to work on, and only you can provide those details. You have to choose. -- JackofOz (talk) 09:19, 2 January 2008 (UTC)

Studying for a degree really needs hard work, if you are going to get anything out of it. You need to study something that interests you, which you enjoy studying, or else the course will just be a slog. It might be a good time to reflect on what really interests you, what you like to read about or investigate, and see if you can change course if the answer is not engineering, or your particular strand of engineering. If this is the case, then please try to change to something that you do want to study, and do both yourself and your tutors a favour!SaundersW (talk) 16:03, 2 January 2008 (UTC)

Inculcate? Really? That's some obscure choice of words... Anyway the best way to instill a desire for a good career/future is to discover what you are passionate about and/or figure out what you want in life and use that as your motivation. You might not always achieve your dreams, but you will enjoy the chasing them down. To quote Mark Twain "Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover." ny156uk (talk) 17:05, 2 January 2008 (UTC)

And meanwhile, you might want to double-check that there's no organic reason for your loss of "zest". I had this absence of "zest" for many years, and was indeed such a recluse; it's called clinical depression, and nowadays there are drugs that can fix that. --jpgordon^∇∆∇∆ 19:34, 2 January 2008 (UTC)

That sounds dangerously close to a medical diagnosis, jpgordon. We don't do that around here, not even when asked for one (which we weren't). It might have been clinical depression in your case, but that wouldn't be the case in every case. And even if it were the case in this case, drugs are not necessarily the best approach - they might alleviate some or all of the symptoms, but they never remove the underlying cause. Every case has to be dealt with on its unique circumstances, and such treatment is managed by qualified professionals. -- JackofOz (talk) 21:01, 2 January 2008 (UTC)

Right and wrong. One of the reasons that a person might act as the OP describes is clinical depression. We cannot diagnose or prescribe here. Therefore we should recommend that the OP seek a professional opinion. Dear OP: Go to the student clinic and request a referral to a psychologist or counselor. Those folks are very, very used to working with people in your situation. -Arch dude (talk) 23:34, 2 January 2008 (UTC)

Um, it's not true that the underlying cause is not removed by medication. Clinical depression often has a physiological basis, and correcting the serotonin levels, via an SSRI or similar drug, makes the problem go away. Anyway, yeah, go to the clinic; I wish SSRIs had been available 40 years ago; it would have spared me an awful lot of pain. There's a simple written test the doctor will administer to screen whether it is depression you are suffering from or just angst; then you can get started on healing, one way or another. --jpgordon^∇∆∇∆ 17:15, 3 January 2008 (UTC)

Or not. I've tried three different antidepressants with three different sets of annoying (or alarming) side effects; the only lasting benefit I can detect is a deeper awareness of the nature of the problem, which sometimes helps me endure the worst episodes. —Tamfang (talk) 02:12, 7 January 2008 (UTC)

Looks to me like you want a change of field. —Tamfang (talk) 02:14, 7 January 2008 (UTC)

Your problem may be that you have different ultimate goals from what most people have, or from what most people think they have, and therefore aren't very interested in what most people call success. Consider the following:

• How happy would a high salary make you, if you didn't also have enough leisure time to enjoy what that money would buy? In her 20-minute film The Story of Stuff, Annie Leonard argues that most North Americans would be happier if (and were happier when) they worked less and consumed less, and the environment would be in better shape too.
• Could you accept a mediocre job, career and salary if it meant having more time and energy to devote to hobbies, travel, dating or raising a family?
• What careers will give you work that you consider important? Are you in a major that leads to one?
• How important will your grades be to your career?

Or in more general terms, what makes you happy, what work will give you what makes you happy, and what education and summer jobs will lead to the work that gives you what makes you happy? Hope this leads you toward some answers. NeonMerlin 03:53, 7 January 2008 (UTC)

budget day

What day will British Budget day be this year?--86.5.203.137 (talk) 11:24, 2 January 2008 (UTC)

The date is not usually announced until nearer the time (I don't know why). In 2007 it was on 21 March, and this date was announced on 22 February. Presumably the dates will be similar this year. AndrewWTaylor (talk) 13:39, 2 January 2008 (UTC)

Historically it's usually on a Tuesday, although most of the recent Budget's have been on Wednesdays. So best guess would be 18th or 19th of March, or possibly the same days in the following week. - X201 (talk) 14:17, 2 January 2008 (UTC)

I think a new article is needed. Budget Day redirects to Budget Day (Ireland) which says that it's some time in December. So what's this British Budget Day? Dismas|^(talk) 14:32, 2 January 2008 (UTC)

It's the day when the Chancellor of the Exchequer announces the United Kingdom budget for the coming year and discusses changes in preceding years in the British House of Commons. It's usually highly anticipated as it's presentation announces the rate of tax rises etc on consumables and also Council tax adjustments. NB. Not to be confused with the Pre-Budget Report delivered in November. (more on the treasury website at [7] [8] and [9]) 81.77.136.231 (talk) 16:34, 2 January 2008 (UTC)

IIRC the British budget is usually delivered during the third week in March. It's important for us Brits as it is the speech which tells us how much more tax we will have to pay for petrol, alcohol, cigarettes etc, as well as what wthe money raised will be spent on (hospitals, schools, prisons, military etc). TicketMan - Talk - contribs 19:24, 3 January 2008 (UTC)

Oh come on Folks, let's be real here for a change - the much awaited Budget announcement has long been leaked, to and by - the media - well in advance of the "Budget Speech" by the Chancellor of The Exchequer in the House of Commons on "Budget Tuesday". How on earth else could "those in the loop", nod-nod wink-wink know-what-I-mean, possibly know the best re-location venue for their investment funds?? It's the same with The Queen's Speech at the State Opening of Parliament. The government of the day writes the speech, HMQ delivers it without the constitutional right (the UK doesn't have a written constitutional instrument or Bill of Rights by the way) or the opportunity to modify or amend it, and it is debated by both Houses of Parliament - the Commons (elected), and Lords (unelected and partly hereditary, and partly appointed by current and previous Prime Ministers for life), before passing into law (because the Queen said so see). And as in the last Queen's Speech Fiasco, the new PM Gordon Brown, had already announced to Parliament much earlier (many months earlier in fact) what it was HMQ was going to say in her State Opening of Parliament Speech. And guess what?? He was right on the ball. Smoke and Mirrors???? You got it. I could hazard a guess today what the Budget will include. The papers have been leaking it like a holed oil tanker all through the Festive Season whilst Parliament has been in recess. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 81.145.240.26 (talk) 20:31, 3 January 2008 (UTC)

Well, even if the budget is routinely leaked in advance of Budget Day, one might have good reasons for wanting to know what date it will be leaked in advance of. —Tamfang (talk) 02:16, 7 January 2008 (UTC)

Days holiday

hi jst a quick question is their a legal requirement(dno if thats spelt right)to how many days holiday i am aloud from work? i work full time (9-5:30 5 days a week) some one recently told me that by law i should have 24 days holida...can anyone confirm this?? (sorry if its a bit jumbled up im still a bit wreckd from new years) ThAnx XX —Preceding unsigned comment added by 193.115.175.247 (talk) 12:24, 2 January 2008 (UTC)

Telling us which country you are in would be a good start. - X201 (talk) 12:57, 2 January 2008 (UTC)

If it's the U.S., telling us what state as well would help us along the search path. Some states don't get Martin Luther King Day off. Dismas|^(talk) 13:36, 2 January 2008 (UTC)

The IP address indicates the OP is in the UK. On that assumption, there is some online information from the Citizens' Advice Bureau, but we can't give legal advice here. AndrewWTaylor (talk) 13:51, 2 January 2008 (UTC)

It's 35 days excluding Public Holidays (Christmas, New Years, Bahmitzvah, Hannukah, Ramadan, Eid, Martin Luther King Day, Independence Day, Easter, Thanksgiving, My Birthday, Whitsun, etc., etc.) for literates - and zilch for illiterates, because the latter can't read their terms of employment and have to resort to asking such fundamental questions on sites such as this - Savvy Employers 300 - Dumb Employees 000000000000. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 81.145.240.26 (talk) 22:42, 3 January 2008 (UTC)

And that's why governments run schools: to ensure a steady supply of illiterates. —Tamfang (talk) 02:17, 7 January 2008 (UTC)

Licensing on Flickr

Imagine someone uploads an image to Flickr under a free license (this, for example), and I use it on a website. If a few weeks later, the original uploader changes the license to "all rights reserved", am I forced to take the image off my website, or can I keep it because he had released it with a free license previously? -- Leptictidium (mammal talk!) 17:12, 2 January 2008 (UTC)

If I see one more 'we cannot give legal advice' respone to a perfectly non-legal question i'm going to scream! We direct the individual to the information, we don't state the legal validity of that information... Anyway look at here (http://wiki.creativecommons.org/FAQ) in particular...

'What if I change my mind?' "Creative Commons licenses are non-revocable. This means that you cannot stop someone, who has obtained your work under a Creative Commons license, from using the work according to that license. You can stop distributing your work under a Creative Commons license at any time you wish; but this will not withdraw any copies of your work that already exist under a Creative Commons license from circulation, be they verbatim copies, copies included in collective works and/or adaptations of your work. So you need to think carefully when choosing a Creative Commons license to make sure that you are happy for people to be using your work consistent with the terms of the license, even if you later stop distributing your work." ny156uk (talk) 17:40, 2 January 2008 (UTC)

It could be more tricky than that, I think. If the copyright holder in question sued for infringement, it would come down to some sort of question as to whether or not their original checking of the CC box was really binding. AFAIK this question would not fall under copyright law, but contract/licensing law. (Of which I know jack squat.) Personally I think you'd have to find a pretty tech-savvy and enlightened judge to rule in favor of the re-user. --24.147.86.187 (talk) 18:48, 2 January 2008 (UTC)

Sorry! I didn't know. I've removed my comments and restored the original question. Scarian^{Call me Pat} 17:44, 2 January 2008 (UTC)

Recycable?

Is this trash can recycable? http://www.amazon.com/Behrens-1211-20Gal-Trash-Can/dp/B000RNEV6Y/ref=pd_bbs_sr_4?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1199302263&sr=8-4. And I don't mean a trash can ment for recycables. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 76.176.215.76 (talk) 19:43, 2 January 2008 (UTC)

Metal is, in general, very recyclable. I can't tell what the can is made out of, though. Mind you, recycling a trash can via curbside recycling is somewhat difficult. It's the same as trying to throw away a trashcan! --Mdwyer (talk) 20:50, 2 January 2008 (UTC)

This seems to be a standard galvanised steel garbage can. Steel is an easily recycled material. You simply have to take it to your local recycling yard where from it is shipped to the steelworks to be remelted. Some of the yards offer a pick up service and may pay for the material. There may also be recycling bins for ferrous metals at your municipal disposal facility.

Presumably the trash can itself also bears a sticker to indicate it can be recycled. --Cookatoo.ergo.ZooM (talk) 21:28, 2 January 2008 (UTC)

Why would it? Isn't it only plastic that is labeled due to the need to sort it? Rmhermen (talk) 15:06, 7 January 2008 (UTC)

Relationship Advice

I'm in a bit of a pickle, and I can't confer with any of my close friends about the problem, so I've come to the Ref Desk. I'm going to try to break this problem down as simply as I can.

The Facts:

• I have been dating the girl of my dreams for the past month and a half.
• If it's relevant, I'm a sophomore in high school.
• I'm moving to a different state over summer, after I finish out my sophomore year.
• Nobody knows except my family.
• I'm planning on telling everyone I'm moving when my house goes up for sale - late spring or early summer (anywhere from April to June).

The Problem:

• I don't know if it's fair to my girlfriend if I wait and tell her the same time as I tell everyone else, probably when we're both head over heels in love with each other.
• I don't want our relationship to end, but I'm afraid if I tell her I'm moving at the end of the year that she'll want to stop dating before we fall completely in love. (Note: It will be approximately six months until I move!)

If I need to clarify on anything or extra details are needed, just ask. Thanks for all of the advice and help. --71.117.37.108 (talk) 20:18, 2 January 2008 (UTC)

The Solution?

A difficult pickle. Personally I would say that if you believe you are closer to your girlfriend than most of your friends you should consider telling her before others. It doesn't have to be weeks before or anything silly, but I can easily imagine she would be upset if she somehow found out through someone else/was told this big news infront of a big crowd rather than being told alone/before others. The second issue is a question of where you both see the relationship going. I would expect that if she is very sensible then the thing you fear is a possibility - after all it may well be the best outcome, rather than a potentially sour-turning long-distance break-up - but also if she is as smitten by you as you are her then she might take the risk and go for it. Long distance relationships can work but they are difficult, and particularly around your age. Just don't let it become a weight hanging over you. Another factor is how regularly you would expect to return/how long you'd be gone for, as the less and longer the more obstacles there are. ny156uk (talk) 20:45, 2 January 2008 (UTC)

Relationships are built on trust and understanding. Since this directly impacts the relationship you should tell her now and ask her to keep it confidential. --JustaHulk (talk) 21:42, 2 January 2008 (UTC)

If you don't tell the girlfriend now then she's going to be mad and with good reason (does it matter that it is confidential? surely others will want to know as well). As for the long-term, long-distance relationships are the pits and usually don't work out. You're also at a very, very early stage in your emotional life and should not be fooled by your hormones into thinking that you will never find another "girl of your dreams" or that the current girl is going to be "of your dreams" in perpetuity. What one is interested in or finds attractive in high school changes quite a bit over time, and you (and her) will change a lot in the next 5-8 years as well. The odds of both of you changing to being exactly the same sort of person the other changed person finds desirable at that later stage are, well, slim. As a consequence, if you can bear it, I wouldn't try to maintain the long-distance relationship. You have no reasonable possibilities at the moment for maintaining it (can you even drive yet?), you have no reasonable possibilities at the moment for ending the long-distance aspect of it (there is no prospect of you two living together), and it would be against both yours and her long-term interests to try and commit to something of that nature. This is, of course, just my opinion, as someone who was once your age, as someone who had a few long-distance type things at different points in my life. If I were you—and, of course, I am not—I would probably tell her that you really, really are having a great time with her and that you want to savor that for all it is worth, and that you really want to keep in touch, but that you don't think it would be fair to her (or yourself) to try and keep a real relationship going. Better to do it that way than to drag it out into something which almost inevitably will end in pain and/or disaster (nothing like marrying too young for a bad reason!). --24.147.86.187 (talk) 22:26, 2 January 2008 (UTC)

I'll also just note that if I were your age and reading my above response, I probably wouldn't take it all that seriously and adopt a "you say it can't work, do you? well I'll prove you wrong!" sort of attitude (I'm pretty contrarian when people tell me I can't do something). But maybe you're more sensible than I was at your age! ;-) --24.147.86.187 (talk) 22:45, 2 January 2008 (UTC)

Just tell her, but anyway, your a little too young to be saying that she is the love of your life. You'll eventually find some other girl and fall in love with her too.--Dlo2012 (talk) 00:35, 3 January 2008 (UTC)

Tell her now.--TreeSmiler (talk) 01:46, 3 January 2008 (UTC)

I think it was a mistake to say my age. I'd also like to apologize for my wording, it seems that some of you thought that I am hopelessly in love and don't believe that there is one other person in the whole wide world whom I can love besides her. Let me restate: I'm crazy about this girl, and I love to spend time with her. I don't love her...yet. And don't worry 24, I have no illusions of a long term relationship; we're ending our romantic relationship when I move. I would also like to elaborate a bit on my problem - I fear that telling her so early (about six months before I move) will create tension or something negative which will lead her to ending our relationship. I want to spend time with her as her boyfriend, doing so makes me incredibly happy and relaxed. I'm afraid of not being able to spend time with her while I remain here. Could those of you who say I should tell her now justify your answer? I was planning on telling her before everyone else, but not for a couple months. --71.117.37.108 (talk) 03:26, 3 January 2008 (UTC)

Oh yes and thank you for all of your responses so far! --71.117.37.108 (talk) 03:27, 3 January 2008 (UTC)

Even if she doesn't plan to be with you for the rest of her life, surely she doesn't expect you to end the relationship all of a sudden when you move. Leading her astray in this way is dishonest. So it all boils down to what matters to you more - to be a good person and "do the right thing", or to selfishly enjoy the relationship while it lasts. We can't help you with how ethical you choose to be. But what do you know - even if you do tell her now, maybe she'll be just as willing as you to make the best of the time remaining you have together. Conversely, knowing that you aren't straight with her might make you feel bad and spoil the relationship. Another scenario, which is a bit of a stretch, is that 10 years from now, you two will think back, realize that you were right for each other, and get back together. This might not happen if you break up now on bad terms. Basically, what I'm saying is - doing the right thing sometimes pays off, and always has the added benefit of being the right thing. The choice is entirely up to you. -- Meni Rosenfeld (talk) 09:05, 3 January 2008 (UTC)

Oh, and I don't know if it was a mistake to mention your age. Sure, some of the above answers have a "you're young, you don't understand anything" ring to them, which isn't pleasent to hear, but if your age was unknown, many irrelevant suggestions would be made, and many relevant ones would not. -- Meni Rosenfeld (talk) 09:10, 3 January 2008 (UTC)

Thank you all for the advice; I opted to tell her. It doesn't look too good right now, we'll probably break up. But it had to happen sometime, right? Oh and Meni, you'll make someone very guilty someday :-) --71.98.9.229 (talk) 00:48, 4 January 2008 (UTC)

Eating Rudolph

I have been given a tin of reindeer and was wondering if any editors could suggest a tasty receipt? DuncanHill (talk) 21:05, 2 January 2008 (UTC)

This sounds interesting. How much meat did you get? Let us know the results. Corvus cornix_talk 21:11, 2 January 2008 (UTC)

Take a picture so we can see. bibliomaniac15 00:33, 3 January 2008 (UTC)

I heard that the red nose is a delicacy. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 194.171.56.13 (talk) 16:45, 3 January 2008 (UTC)

The roast sounds good, but alas, I only have a 400g tin, rather than a nice joint. DuncanHill (talk) 18:29, 3 January 2008 (UTC)

I suggest a receipt made out on rice paper for it would be most edible and therefore tastiest.If however it's a recipe you want... Lemon martini (talk) 11:45, 7 January 2008 (UTC)

Although our article neglects to mention it, "receipt" is an uncommon term meaning the same thing as recipe. See [10]. Rmhermen (talk) 15:04, 7 January 2008 (UTC)

Sugar Based Oil

Why does the US or what prevents America from using sugar-based gas or oil like they do in Brazil? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 207.215.245.142 (talk) 22:30, 2 January 2008 (UTC)

It is too cold in the US to grow sugar cane to the extent they do in Brazil. Cheers Geologyguy (talk) 22:35, 2 January 2008 (UTC)

The petroleum industry, not to mention the US Government's oil rich friends in the Gulf, have a lot of political influence (If you are interested on learning more about this House of Bush, House of Saud and The Prize: The Epic Quest for Oil, Money, and Power are both thought provoking reads.) When its in there interests of these stakeholders to really transfer America's reliance on oil to alternative fuels, then that will happen. Rockpocket 01:45, 3 January 2008 (UTC)

But not too cold to grow Sugar beet for bio-butanol. Foxhill (talk) 02:33, 3 January 2008 (UTC)

The Ethanol industry is becoming a big deal, due to the influence of the politicans from the corn-growing states. Corvus cornix_talk 17:28, 3 January 2008 (UTC)

I heard something about cars needing to be flagged, does anyone know what that means and how that works with sugar based oil/gas? Is there a law that would prevent America from using sugar based gas? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 67.126.128.126 (talk) 02:28, 3 January 2008 (UTC)

January 3

Cotton in medicine bottles

Why is it that when a new bottle with pills in them is opened, there is always a piece of cotton on the top?--Dlo2012 (talk) 00:01, 3 January 2008 (UTC)

To keep the pills dry. Many bottles now come with a small container of silica (a drying agent) instead of the cotton. Matt Deres (talk) 00:03, 3 January 2008 (UTC)

So, what if you take out the cotton, is it ok to put the cotton back in the bottle to keep the pills dry?--Dlo2012 (talk) 00:06, 3 January 2008 (UTC)

I think its not to keep them dry, but to stop them rattling together and grinding themselves to dust. But you dont get these woolly stoppers so much these days.--TreeSmiler (talk) 00:14, 3 January 2008 (UTC)

I asked my local pharmacist about this only a few days ago. Warning: WP:OR. He said it was for keeping the pills from breaking up in transit. So, User:TreeSmiler would win his prize. Bielle (talk) 00:20, 3 January 2008 (UTC)

thanks, Ill have a bottle of anti diarrhoea tablets please.--TreeSmiler (talk) 00:25, 3 January 2008 (UTC)

Thanks treesmiler, i've been wondering about it for a while.--Dlo2012 (talk) 00:32, 3 January 2008 (UTC)

I should defer to the pharmacist, but that doesn't make sense. If it's there to stop breakage, why do many pill containers no longer come with the cotton, but instead come with a silica-based desiccant? And... have you ever broken a pill accidentally? I stand by my answer but, uh, TreeSmiler can keep his meds... Matt Deres (talk) 02:54, 3 January 2008 (UTC)

In general, the tablets don't break so much as get battered about the edges, which changes the dosage, albeit in a minute fashion. I suppose there are drugs where that matters. I have had drugs where the container has had both cotton wool and the desiccant package. I know: more WP:OR :-) Bielle (talk) 03:22, 3 January 2008 (UTC)

Finally, a non-WP:OR reference: [11] Bielle (talk) 03:26, 3 January 2008 (UTC)

This page is well-sourced, and says it's for rattling, not desiccation. In fact, they assert that the "cotton" can actually be hygroscopic, and should be removed after opening. --Sean 03:25, 3 January 2008 (UTC)

I think you'll find that pills used to be just the active ingredient and, sometimes, binders. So, for example, an aspirin tablet was just aspirin, right out to the outside of the pill. As such, it was pretty fragile. Nowadays, many pills and "caplets" are coated with one thing or another (often, carnauba wax). This probably makes the pills much more durable in transit by adding both strength and slipperiness to the outside of the pill, making the cotton transit-packing less necessary.

Atlant (talk) 13:47, 3 January 2008 (UTC)

Actaully, it is not cotton, it is rayon and it looks like has been discontinued in a lot of products. [12] —Preceding unsigned comment added by Gadget850 (talk • contribs) 14:43, 3 January 2008 (UTC)

The actual reference that Bielle provided above says the ball may be "cotton, rayon, or polyester".

Atlant (talk) 16:49, 3 January 2008 (UTC)

My Mom taught me to always take out the cotton and discard it, as it's a germ magnet. (She's also the one who told me I'd lose my hair if I wore it long. Hm.) --jpgordon^∇∆∇∆ 17:04, 3 January 2008 (UTC)

In my household, my grandmother agreed with your mother, jpgordon. She said that you usually took things like aspirin when you were sick, so there were likely germs on your hands when you opened the bottle of pills. She would remove the cotton ball as soon as the bottle came into the house, and before anyone with "germy" hands could get near it. Uh oh, more WP:OR!. Bielle (talk) 18:32, 3 January 2008 (UTC)

I mostly take panadol when I have a headache which isn't usually contagious Nil Einne (talk) 18:18, 9 January 2008 (UTC)

free antivirus

do you guys know about a good free antivirus that i can download? I looked for AVG since i heard that is was free, but when i found it, it said that i had to pay about 9 dollars per month or something like that just for the memebership, so can u guys help me out with this?--Dlo2012 (talk) 00:23, 3 January 2008 (UTC)

Not sure where you were. Go to http://free.grisoft.com/ for AVG Free. --— Gadget850 (Ed) ^talk - 00:26, 3 January 2008 (UTC)

(after edcon) Surely not!. You can get the free AVG version still! Just look more carefully around their website for the free (limited) version.--TreeSmiler (talk) 00:27, 3 January 2008 (UTC)

I'd reccommend going to Download.com and scroll to the bottom of the page under the Antivirus heading. It offers probably two of the best free anti-virus softwares out there: AVG, and avast!. I have avast! and I've never had a virus with it. Good luck. --71.117.37.108 (talk) 02:12, 3 January 2008 (UTC)

Clamwin is a nice and simple antivirus. Download here Think outside the box 14:41, 3 January 2008 (UTC)

Last time I looked, Clamwin didn't support on-access scanning, only on-demand scanning. --Carnildo (talk) 23:56, 4 January 2008 (UTC)

Note that all anti-virus programs detect just about as good and as bad as each other (most of the "tests" out there check whether they can detect very old and very unusual viruses; this is a pretty poor metric). The real way to avoid a virus is to avoid running problematic code and to implement security patches to your OS and major applications. Personally I try to pick the anti-virus that runs fastest on my machine if I'm going to have any at all. --24.147.86.187 (talk) 00:31, 4 January 2008 (UTC)

Skin turning red

Why does the skin turn red when scratched? Acceptable (talk) 03:05, 3 January 2008 (UTC)

I could be completely wrong, but take a look at inflammation. --71.117.37.108 (talk) 03:42, 3 January 2008 (UTC)

Sometimes it is caused by dehydration and dry skin.--Dlo2012 (talk) 03:48, 3 January 2008 (UTC)

I went to the inflammation ref above – won't get any sleep tonight. Julia Rossi (talk) 10:44, 3 January 2008 (UTC)

OMG, that picture! We should get that as the picture of the day on the front page, that will surely arouse complaints.  :) Corvus cornix_talk 17:30, 3 January 2008 (UTC)

Do you mean it will arouse a bevy of people identifying that as their complaint? What bonding. What inflagration. What rednesses. Gaaardomyti. Julia Rossi (talk) 08:20, 4 January 2008 (UTC)

When you scratch, red bllod cells go to that area, to fight the new sensation, after a few minutes, they realise that there is nothing there to fight and that it is just and itch and the go about thier business. Furthermore, if the redness when scratced is raised a mm or two after scratching, this can be caused by eating too much processed food, such as dies of various sorts E numbers and prossesed meat. Also please see the medical disclaimer at the top of the page. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 12.191.136.2 (talk) 14:42, 4 January 2008 (UTC)

Also see WP:BALLS. --Carnildo (talk) 23:59, 4 January 2008 (UTC)

I was waiting for someone else to say this: scratching, rubbing, applying heat, infection or allergic reaction results in increased circulation to the immediate area to promote healing. Julia Rossi (talk) 22:26, 6 January 2008 (UTC)

Football club sizes

• 82.36.227.215 (talk · contribs)

The above user has edited the articles of several Football Clubs, changing the capacity and locations. I reverted one of these edits (their first), but given the extent of their changes - and the fact that on the face of it the changes appear as though they may be valid - can anyone either back them up or dispute their edits? (And if the latter, can someone with a rollback script take care of things?) Confusing Manifestation(Say hi!) 06:00, 3 January 2008 (UTC)

You might find it helpful to inform WikiProject Football about this. 62.136.112.104 (talk) 17:20, 3 January 2008 (UTC)

Good point, thanks! Confusing Manifestation(Say hi!) 22:31, 3 January 2008 (UTC)

fastest hair growth

what shampoo or method offers fastest hair growth —Preceding unsigned comment added by 203.128.4.231 (talk) 11:51, 3 January 2008 (UTC)

See hair growth The speed of hair growth varies based upon genetics, gender, age, hormones, and may be reduced by nutrient deficiency (i.e., anorexia, anemia, zinc deficiency) and hormonal fluctuations (i.e., menopause, polycystic ovaries, thyroid disease). Dismas|^(talk) 13:30, 3 January 2008 (UTC)

As Dismas said, hair growth depends on genetics and diet, but mostly genetics. No shampoo will increase the growth speed of your hair, and unless you get extensions there is no magic solution to make your hair "grow" any faster than its natural speed. But good shampoo, conditioner and treatment of your hair will make it look better, especially if your growing it out, and not cutting the hair will obviously get it longer over time. Think outside the box 14:36, 3 January 2008 (UTC)

Contrary to the prior answers, it is said that if one crushes the pill and puts it in your shampoo, it will make your hair grow faster. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 12.191.136.3 (talk) 16:12, 3 January 2008 (UTC)

It is also said that kangaroos can fly - sadly that doesn't make it true. Can you provide a reputable source for this information? I take it by "the pill" you mean the contraceptive pill? I am at a loss as to how this would work. And remember folks, people say a lot of things. Lanfear's Bane | t 16:47, 3 January 2008 (UTC)

(edit conflict) Lots of things "are said". Who says this? Is there any reason at all to believe them? How did they determine this, and how did they measure the results? If you can't answer these questions, you should not put faith in things that "they say". APL (talk) 16:53, 3 January 2008 (UTC)

For what it's worth, oral contraceptive pills contain one or more hormones. In addition to affecting a woman's mestrual cycle and ovulation, these hormones can also affect secondary sexual characteristics; this includes changes in the breasts and hair. That said, adding ground-up Pill to one's shampoo seems unwise. Exposure to contraceptive hormones can have a number of side effects, and there's no good way to control the dose delivered in this manner. The use of contraceptive pills is actually linked to hair loss in some women: [13].

Some people just have inherently slower – or faster – hair growth than others. It's unlikely that there's much you can do to deliberately speed it up. However, spontaneous changes in your hair (growth, texture, brittleness, loss, etc.) may be a symptom of disease. TenOfAllTrades(talk) 21:30, 3 January 2008 (UTC)

Whilst possibly not a scientific approrach to the question of the OP, there is also the remote chance that adding bits of pulverised pill to the shampoo may make your hair go all curly... --Cookatoo.ergo.ZooM (talk) 22:28, 3 January 2008 (UTC)

Eazy-E's height

How tall and how much did late rapper Eazy-E weigh? Acceptable (talk) 15:39, 3 January 2008 (UTC)

His IMDb bio gives 5'5" (1.65m) but no weight measurement. --jh51681 (talk) 23:03, 3 January 2008 (UTC)

Cat Urinating on Bed

Why is my cat starting to urinate on my son's bed. She is 1 and 1/2 years old and has always used her litter box. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 12.10.219.39 (talk) 18:11, 3 January 2008 (UTC)

She's is a female cat, has been spayed. I talked to our Vet and he said it sounds behavorial because she only does it on my son's bed, no where else and that she may upset with my son.12.10.219.39 (talk) 21:43, 3 January 2008 (UTC)

Male or female cat? Has the cat been neutered/spayed?--The Fat Man Who Never Came Back (talk) 18:12, 3 January 2008 (UTC)

While "it" may be the grammatically correct way to refer to a cat, the OP's usage of the word "she" suggests a female cat (and usage of the word "son" suggests that "she" does not refer to him). -- Meni Rosenfeld (talk) 19:32, 3 January 2008 (UTC)

Sorry, it was kind of dumb of me to ask that question without reading carefully. Anyway, to the Anon, I'm piling on with those who suggest that you really must get this cat checked out at the vet (you say you "talked" to the Vet--did you just speak on the phone, or did you actually bring her to the vet's office?). If and only if the vet examines kitty and assures you that there is nothing medically wrong with her, look into the behavioral stuff.

My own original research tells me that, when cats are extraordinarily upset (e.g., with changes in their environment), their normally discreet excretory habits can go out the window. The aberrant behavior is usually temporary, but I would still keep her out of your son's room altogether. Also, be sure the litterbox is regularly cleaned; cats have been known to fussily boycott litterboxes that aren't scooped/changed frequently enough. I'm also wondering if you have any other cats; if so, this behavior may not have anything to do with your son at all. There are a bunch of good websites out there about cat behavior, such as this one [14]. Good luck.--The Fat Man Who Never Came Back (talk) 23:41, 3 January 2008 (UTC)

Please take your cat to a veterinarian. Please do not assume that changes in urinary habits are just "behavioral" problems. There may be physical problems that your vet can diagnose. -- Coneslayer (talk) 18:23, 3 January 2008 (UTC)

...such as a urinary tract infection. This is why it's important to see your vet rather than to take any of our advice.

Atlant (talk) 19:47, 3 January 2008 (UTC)

Is your son new to the home (baby boy or moved back from extended leave or something)? The cat might be expressing it's territoriality with an intent to drive off an "intruder". Matt Deres (talk) 14:35, 4 January 2008 (UTC)

ravioli

I am trying to impress a beautiful woman, and have convinced her to have dinner with me, however, i promised to cook. I cannot cook at all!!! i burn fried eggs. bacon comes out like rubber ect. I have searched the net, and have decided on Ravioli as it is easy (put into boiling water and wait) but i need some sort of sauce. she does not eat mushrooms, beef, or cheese. please help me to do something easy, i dont mind spending time, I have from 6pm till 8 30pm tomorrow. I hate cooking but will do almost anything to impress her. ravioli i can buy, and follow instructions on the packet. maybe a cabonara type sauce? but how to make it? please help me. thanks people. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 82.3.151.98 (talk) 20:54, 3 January 2008 (UTC)

What kind of ravioli are you serving (given that she doesn't eat beef or cheese, which are perhaps the most common fillings)? Appropriate sauces will vary, depending on whether the filling is delicate or robust. -- Coneslayer (talk) 20:57, 3 January 2008 (UTC)

I was going to see what the shop has tomorrow, but was thinking of chicken. Does ravioli come with chicken inside? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 82.3.151.98 (talk) 21:16, 3 January 2008 (UTC)

Maybe, it depends on where you get it. If all else fails you can always just buy plain dry pasta. --S.dedalus (talk) 00:43, 4 January 2008 (UTC)

A quick heads up, carbonara is a cheese sauce, and you mentioned she doesnt like cheese so that doesnt sound like the best of sauces to serve. I would be inclined to suggest a tomato sauce, such as arrabiata, fairly simple to make, very fresh, not too heavy for a romantic meal. Go to google and search for it, some good quick recipes out there, just be carefull with the chili flakes, dont make i

t too hot, remember you can put chilli in but not take it out. If you arent hard up on cash, can i also suggest maybe buying double the quantities. So if you do go wrong you have ingredients in the house to try again. 2 more things: Dont be tempted to serve her too much, ask her if she would like some more, this lets her decide how much she wants and doesnt feel pressured to finish what she is given. Final point garnish the food, it always looks better with a little bit of greenery, just a leaf of parsley on top will be fine. I hope this helps, good luck! Let us know how it goes? RobertsZ (talk) 22:00, 3 January 2008 (UTC)

At risk of being accused of using Wikipedia as a cookbook I'll try to give you something else easy to cook. RobertsZ’s suggestion is good too though.

Okay, buy some parsley, caned black olives, garlic (you’re both eating it so it shouldn’t be a problem unless you’re planning to go out afterward!), olive oil, and caned tuna. Chop the parsley (I hope you know how to use a knife basically) and cut the olives into medium pieces. Pore a little oil in a pan and heat until it’s sizzling. Add some of the tuna (depends on how large a portion you want) and one or two cloves of garlic. Use a garlic press (much easier!) or chop it very fine (if you do this remember to peal the garlic!). Cook for a couple of minutes. Then add the olives and parsley. Cook for another three to four minutes and your done. Good luck! And tell us how it turns out! (the pasta I mean :-)) --S.dedalus (talk) 00:39, 4 January 2008 (UTC)

Oh, and SALT THE PASTA WATER!!!!! About two tablespoons for a large pot of water. --S.dedalus (talk) 00:45, 4 January 2008 (UTC)

2 tablespoons sounds a little light to me. There's an Italian adage that pasta water should be "as salty as the sea." But Italians have been known to exaggerate.--The Fat Man Who Never Came Back (talk) 00:52, 4 January 2008 (UTC)

I don’t know. I just upend the shaker for a few seconds. :) These guys [15] say 1 to 2 teaspoons of sea salt for a “large pot of rapidly boiling water.” But yeah, that might be a little scanty. --S.dedalus (talk) 00:58, 4 January 2008 (UTC)

It is obvious that none of those of you who are discussing salt amounts has a blood-pressure problem. First, sea salt is much less salty in flavour than ordinary table salt, so 2 tablespoons of sea salt has much less effect on taste than 2 tablespoons of table salt. Second, salt is (generally) not a good thing of which to get too much. As with the chillies, you can add more, but you can't add less. (And no, none of those "great ideas" for getting rid of an accidental overload of salt work, except the one that doubles up on all the other ingredients.) Like many I know, we stopped cooking with added salt years ago. Letting the diners add what amount pleases their individual palates is the safest method, I think. Bielle (talk) 01:31, 4 January 2008 (UTC)

You can do what you need to do for health reasons, but from a culinary standpoint, you salt the water for best results. It's hard to get the salt into the noodles by salting at the table! Here's a reliable source, Mark Bittman's How to Cook Everything:

Salt the water. Unless you have hypertension or some other problem that prevents you from using salt, don't skip this step. Salting the water immeasurably improves the flavor of the pasta and indeed the final dish. How much salt? I use a good handful per pound, which measures a very heaping tablespoon. Try that amount and make adjustments as you see necessary. This may seem like a lot, but most of the salt goes back down the drain with the cooking water.

Also, Harold McGee, On Food and Cooking:

Salt in the cooking water not only flavors the noodles, but limits starch gelation and so reduces cooking losses and stickiness.

Alton Brown, I'm Just Here for the Food:

I need a big pot because I never cook fewer than four servings of pasta and I never cook it in anything less than a gallon of heavily salted water.

And, on a lighter note, check out the 780+ user reviews for this Gourmet recipe at Epicurious.com. Finally, I want to make it clear that, in general, good cooks add salt not to make the food "salty", but to bring out its intrinsic flavor. This is why you see salt in bread, cookies, fudge, ice cream, and so forth—and pasta. Food cooked without salt doesn't taste like itself. -- Coneslayer (talk) 01:48, 4 January 2008 (UTC)

(outdent) Coneslayer’s right on the mark. Pasta water is one of the (very) few things in which you don’t have to worry about precise salt measurements. You also can’t salt pasta later; it needs to be cooked in salt water to defuse the flavor. There’s also some rumor that salt raises the boiling point which helps with the cooking. I don’t know if there’s any truth to that. Anyway, that’s how I was taught to make pasta and no complaints yet! --S.dedalus (talk) 01:52, 4 January 2008 (UTC)

I only put a little bit of salt in my pasta water. I try to avoid putting in enough salt that the pasta tastes noticably salty, but just a couple of shakes does help stop it from sticking together. FiggyBee (talk) 04:20, 4 January 2008 (UTC)

(reset outdent} I agree with the statements about the fact that much of the salt goes out with the water. I also agree, for what it matters, that salting while cooking does have a different (small but noticable) taste effect than salting afterwards. While it is true that in the US especially (even more so than in Canada) salt is added to almost everything, most international cooks use it much more sparingly. Packaged foods are notorious for encouraging an expectation that there will be salt in everything. (The original salt related to ice cream, for example, was a part of the freezing process, not a part of the taste.) And, from the point of view of an international traveller, and though it is one of my favourite destinations in all other matters, Puerto Rico uses more salt per dish than any other place I have been in the world. We once thought MSG was the taste saviour; now we look for restaurants that promise they don't use it at all. Salt may be next. All of this goes back to my original point: if you don't have an exact measure from a cook you trust, less salt is better than more. Bielle (talk) 02:02, 4 January 2008 (UTC)

(re Coneslayer) I couldn't have put it better myself. Alton Brown and Mark Bittman are my kind of reliable sources!

S.deadlus's recipe sounds delish but I would caution against (ab)using garlic in the manner described. The aforementioned Brown and Bittman would roundly scold anyone who advocated the use of a garlic press--real cooks abhor those wicked devices that pulverize the delicate clove and the flavors therein. Better to whack an unpeeled clove with the flat side of your knife to make peeling easier and then chop it by hand; I'm the laziest man alive, yet I find this method easy. Also, do not put thinly sliced garlic into a very hot pan and let it cook for a couple of minutes--it will almost certainly burn and impart an unpleasant bitterness to your final dish. I would set the garlic (and, if you like, the tuna) in the oil as it warms and watch it carefully. Once it's light golden brown, then add the remaining ingredients (a little liquid at this time, such as wine or canned tomatoes or stock will stop the garlic from browning excessively).

But all this foodie talk is getting off the original subject about how the anon editor can woo the woman of his dreams. My advice is this: even if your first attempt at a romantic dinner fails in a culinary sense, your vision and audacity will still be appreciated. In general, I would advise cooking for yourself a lot (that's what I do!) as means of practice--find easy but tasty recipes and cook them over and over again alone; once these recipes/techniques become second nature--entertain that special guest, and she swoon at your facility and confidence in the kitchen. Buon appetito.--The Fat Man Who Never Came Back (talk) 02:16, 4 January 2008 (UTC)

BTW, salt absolutely does raise the boiling point of water, just as it lowers water's freezing point (that's why people use rock salt to rid of ice on pavement, etc.) But the boys and girls over here could explain it to you better than me.--The Fat Man Who Never Came Back (talk) 02:20, 4 January 2008 (UTC)

OK, last thing, I promise. I would like to offer a counter to Bielle's anti-MSG sentiment above. MSG occurs naturally in more foods than we can count--it's not a bad thing in and of itself; (WARNING: POV-pushing/soapboxing ahead) I believe the anti-MSG-crusade of the past twenty years is a case of mass hysteria. Glutamate is our friends and is solely responsible for the irreplaceable savory flavor called umami. there's a really interesting thread/debate about it here.--The Fat Man Who Never Came Back (talk) 02:43, 4 January 2008 (UTC)

As for garlic presses, yeah, maybe James Bond eats his garlic minced not squeezed, but for a beginning chef I’d recommend using one. Mincing takes a fair amount of practice. --S.dedalus (talk) 06:07, 4 January 2008 (UTC)

Can Bielle or anyone explain why sea salt tastes different to other salt? They both consist of NaCl and nothing else, according to packets I've seen. -- JackofOz (talk) 20:36, 4 January 2008 (UTC)

Sea salt will contain higher amounts of dead fish, sewage, agricultural runoff, industrial effluent , etc., than rock salt. DuncanHill (talk) 20:52, 4 January 2008 (UTC)

Thanks. I must tell that to my toffee-nosed acquaintances who insist on using sea salt. They say they do this because it's healthier for you than ordinary salt - which is patently the reverse of the truth. Their real reason is that it's become the trendy thing to do these days. -- JackofOz (talk) 00:19, 9 January 2008 (UTC)

I made spinich ravioli with carbonara sauce, I used brochili, pork, ham, black olives, pepper, cream , mayonaise ect. i think we were both pleasently surprised. thank you all very much for your help it is greatly appreciated. I also got a little kiss which has sent me over the moon. thank you again. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 82.3.151.98 (talk) 01:13, 5 January 2008 (UTC)

All's well that ends well! Someday you can tell her the story of how, prior to your first date, a simple question about pasta sauce turned into a big fracas about salt on teh Interweb. -- Coneslayer (talk) 01:59, 5 January 2008 (UTC)

Bought pesto sauces can be nice ^{(Hypnosadist)} 06:49, 6 January 2008 (UTC)

Am I making a fool of myself?

she has made it obvious that she likes me, and during hours of holding hands and conversation we often stop to just stare into each others eyes, we kiss every now and then and the best part is just holding her in my arms, her warm body fits so, so perfectly into my chest, i could hold her forever. but. She has a boyfriend, he has been away for over a month, he went back to India, and did not tell her wether or not he was coming back. she thinks he will be back sometime next week. she has not cheated on him by sleeping with me but I think i am falling in love with her, i have taken her to dinner, I have taken her for a walk in the park, during which she hugged my arm and did not let go, i have bought her drinks , and flowers, which she says her boyfriend has never done. i want to do everything in my power to make her happy. we have SO much in common. but she is breaking my heart by insisting that she has a boyfriend. I so badly want to make her happy, and would never go off to india with out letting her know if I was comming back or how long i would be away. My question is how can I make her see that she does not belong with this brute, but rather that i will fill her life with everything she could desire. she is killing me by kissing me and then saying that she cant be with me and that I must not tell any one as he will be back soon, one day ,maybe, I want every one to know how I feel about her. I am going to cook for her tomorrow, but am i making a fool of myself? i want to sleep with her like any man would, but i really just want to hold her and stroke her hair, make her feel safe. but how can I convince her other that what i have already done? I know this sounds selfish but i want them to have an agrument, or something. they have been together for 5months only, incluedeing the month in india. She is the woman of my dreams, I have dreamed about her for years even though I have only known her for a month or so. She instigated our relationship but now I need to take it further. Please help me, she is breaking my heart by stringing me along. Thanks —Preceding unsigned comment added by 82.3.151.98 (talk) 21:15, 3 January 2008 (UTC)

If your primary question is "Am I making a fool of myself?", then the answer is "Yes, but that is an absolutely non-negotiable part of being in love". -- JackofOz (talk) 22:47, 3 January 2008 (UTC)

One must speculate to accumulate--TreeSmiler (talk) 23:25, 3 January 2008 (UTC)

Ask her to leave him for you? Explain that you have strong feelings for her but you do not want to be strung along and so she must decide. Ultimately she cannot have it both ways and you certainly don't deserve to be pulled along with these feelings if she is trying to have her cake and eat it. I doubt an argument is specifically the way forward, but if she doesn't already you need to let her know this is a problem. Plenty of relationships start whilst one of the two is in another relationship, but it'll go nowhere until she decides whether she has similar feelings to you, or was just enjoying some hi-jinks while her partner was away. ny156uk (talk) 23:50, 3 January 2008 (UTC)

The Lovin' Spoonful said best the question which is here applicable to the girl in question ( mutatis mutandis): "Did you ever have to make up your mind?" [16] Edison (talk) 06:42, 4 January 2008 (UTC)

I guess it depends on how tough the boyfriend is, how fast you can get tough, and how long it'll be before he gets back. --f f r o t h 09:56, 4 January 2008 (UTC)

And if he is tough, how fast you can run. Think outside the box 12:53, 4 January 2008 (UTC)

If she's not devoted to the boyfriend she has right now, what's to say she won't treat you in the same way? You deserve respect and loyalty; it's worth thinking about how you would feel if she was to be unfaithful. You need to ask her if she loves her boyfriend and if yes, why she started something with you. Get the situation clear. You aren't making a fool out of yourself, but she might be. Seraphim ^Whipp 13:06, 4 January 2008 (UTC)

Seraphim sort of implies this, but I think that you are too good for her. It is not kind of her to tease you and string you along, nor to carry on with you while her boyfriend is away, if he thinks she is waiting for him. 24.91.136.184 (talk) 01:56, 5 January 2008 (UTC)

Run do not walk away from this relationship.Harsh but true.I used to be a relationship councellor^{(Hypnosadist)} 06:51, 6 January 2008 (UTC)

She is going back to him, and I am gonna run run run. she has broken my heart, but I will be okay. I can do better. Thanks people, you really did help me out.

Why so many nail salons run by Vietnamese?

What is with all of the nail salons I see with Vietnamese names, Vietnamese calendars on the wall, and Vietnamese staff? It seems as if the Vietnamese have a near-monopoly on getting your nails done where I live (Connecticut, USA). —Preceding unsigned comment added by 216.47.188.16 (talk) 22:32, 3 January 2008 (UTC)

Speculative but... The cost of setting up a nail-salon will not be huge, it will not require the most highly trained staff (thus low-ish salaries) and I doubt it is particularly complex a business to run. This makes it an ideal industry for those in a community who might not have the money to setup another business, but does have the drive to setup a business. Add in that there might be a positive-feedback loop situation whereby vietnamese who live in the area see their counterparts doing it and it makes them see they can do it. Also perhaps there is an association with Vietnamese as having an ability to do nails at a higher quality than others? ny156uk (talk) 23:45, 3 January 2008 (UTC)

The following is an NPR story on vietnamese manicurists (RealAudio). Started off promising, stating facts such as that there are approximately 300,000 manicurists in the U.S. with more than half of Vietnamese descent. Your question may be answered somewhere in the mix.--Fuhghettaboutit (talk) 00:12, 4 January 2008 (UTC)

Without knowing many details I'd expect that it's the same reason there are so many Jewish doctors/lawyers, so many Indian/Pakistan 7-11 operators, and so many Haitian/Indian/etc. cab drivers. There are lots of reasons that communities become over-represented in various occupational roles that have nothing much to do with the community in question except for the fact that the community becomes self-reinforcing. In jobs where high intelligence or high physical prowess are emphasized there is a tendency to ascribe biological reasons, but even if one accepts that (which can be quite dubious), community norms and expectations still play HUGE roles in determining what people seek out as potential jobs, what they consider to be within their reach, what they consider to be an "acceptable" job for someone of their background. It is also not too surprising that recent immigrants tend to cluster with other immigrants from the same country, as they will already share a common language and culture. --24.147.86.187 (talk) 00:25, 4 January 2008 (UTC)

It's backbreaking ,tedious work,breathing in nail dust and toxic fumes,not well paid either.I asked and they get a visa, and then train each other.They often can't speak English well so it is easier to train other Vietnamese.The boss who buys the franchise is usually Vietnamese too.hotclaws 06:55, 6 January 2008 (UTC)

Cape Verde

Bold textHello. I've already used the Search Box and Google for the answer to this question, and both have come up blank. Hoping you can help me. I have a friend in Rotterdam, Holland, the Netherlands and he just emailed me a letter about his workday today. He said that he was assigned to supervise some Kaap Verdians...guys who are from Kaap Verdie. Yes, he reads, writes and speaks English, but sometimes, out of habit and ease of use, lapses into Dutch. What is this? Sounds almost like Cape Verde? Could you help me find out who/what he's referring to? He didn't go into any- more detail. And, if it is Cape Verde, is that an Island? Thank You for your time and help. Miss M in Florida 71.98.185.74 (talk) 22:41, 3 January 2008 (UTC)

Hi Miss M: There is an article on Cape Verde in the Wikipedia. Googling, which I just tried, gives 8 million results. Maybe, you are having a blond day :) --Cookatoo.ergo.ZooM (talk) 23:05, 3 January 2008 (UTC)

A Babelfish translation of one of the Google results ([17]) suggests that Kaapverdië is Cape Verde as it has an active volcano, Pico de Fogo. There is also a Dutch wikipedia article: [[nl:Kaapverdië]]. --Kateshortforbob 00:28, 4 January 2008 (UTC)

Huh, for some reason that link to the Dutch wikipedia article didn't work. It's here: Kaapverdië--Kateshortforbob 00:30, 4 January 2008 (UTC)

Try typing it as [[:nl:Kaapverdië]] which gives nl:Kaapverdië. If you just enter it without the preceeding : it'll produce an interwiki link on this page under languages on the left. Foxhill (talk) 00:33, 4 January 2008 (UTC)

This may sound a little rediculous...but have you ever thought of emailing him back and asking to clarify on Kaap Verdians? Call me crazy if you must. --71.98.9.229 (talk) 00:40, 4 January 2008 (UTC)

Yes, 71's idea seems good.--Phoenix-wiki 15:01, 4 January 2008 (UTC)

Whoops... thanks for that!--Kateshortforbob 21:22, 4 January 2008 (UTC)

A relevant point is that nl:Kaapverdië and en:Cape Verde link to each other. —Tamfang (talk) 02:50, 7 January 2008 (UTC)

January 4

Soccer

Which teams have won the Scottish Premier League for each year for the last twenty years 1988-2007?

thanks Sue —Preceding unsigned comment added by 203.114.173.219 (talk) 04:17, 4 January 2008 (UTC)

See our article on Scottish football champions which lists all of these. Foxhill (talk) 04:19, 4 January 2008 (UTC)

Celtic and Rangers have monopolised the title in the last 20 years, Celtic in 1988, 1998, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2006, and 2007, and Rangers in all the other years. -- Arwel (talk) 07:26, 4 January 2008 (UTC)

Another Old Wives' Tale?

When I was young I remember my mother telling me to dress warmly or else I will get a cold. Most likely, what type of cold is she referring to? is this possible? Thanks. Acceptable (talk) 05:17, 4 January 2008 (UTC)

She was most likely referring to either the Common Cold or Influenza (flu). You may be interested to read Common cold#Exposure to cold weather and Flu season#Cause, cold weather does have an effect on transmission but it seems no-one is entirely sure why. Foxhill (talk) 05:24, 4 January 2008 (UTC)

Click here to read a lengthy and interesting discussion about precisely this question on the Science reference desk a few weeks ago.--The Fat Man Who Never Came Back (talk) 10:25, 5 January 2008 (UTC)

Dance Dance Revolution workout

How many calories does playing Dance Dance Revolution burn per 20 minutes? --Candy-Panda (talk) 06:25, 4 January 2008 (UTC)

Depends on your weight. More weight means more effort to move your body. For a ballpark figure, I'd use this page and use the "Aerobics, Low Impact" as a guideline. EvilCouch (talk) 07:06, 4 January 2008 (UTC)

You'd also have to take into account what difficulty you're playing at - playing a 1 foot beginner song will burn practically nothing, while a 10 foot heavy song is a real workout (then you've got to factor in whether you're playing Single/Double, whether you're holding onto the bar and just moving your legs or standing upright and moving your whole body weight, whether you're throwing some freestyling in ...) For Single 4-7 foot with no bar, I'd go with about the "Aerobics, Low Impact" from the table EvilCouch gave, and for a Double 10 foot probably a bit more than "Aerobics, General". Confusing Manifestation(Say hi!) 03:43, 7 January 2008 (UTC)

US Customs didn't search me

I went through US Customs in Miami and left puzzled. They thoroughly search everyone who steps off a flight from Haiti. All the contents of my bag were looked through: camera turned on, books flipped through, stuff sent through a machine, etc . But they never asked for me to empty my pockets, and I had a passport neck pouch hanging outside of my shirt that was never opened. WHY? I could have smuggled drugs through my pockets. Why were they so thorough about my bags but not me?

I could have smuggled a significant amount of drugs through use of my pockets and pouch.

Lotsofissues 06:58, 4 January 2008 (UTC)

Incomplete searches are usually just to speed up the lengthy screening process. Did they search other people's persons? If they were randomly deciding whether to search someone's person, their belongings or both, they would effectively deter people from attempting to smuggle things in by making it impossible to predict whether or not they would be caught. If, on the other hand, they were only searching bags, and do this on a daily basis, they're probably just poorly training and/or managed. EvilCouch (talk) 07:11, 4 January 2008 (UTC)

if you are not brown, there's no need to frown. --'n1yaNt 11:26, 4 January 2008 (UTC)

In 2000 I was flying back from Rome through Amsterdam and had to go through the Dutch customs folk, I was wearing a Che Guevara t-shirt (I was like 15 at the time) and as I walked up to the counter to have my carry-on bag searched the agent just smiled at my t-shirt, said "Che Guevara, good man", and let me through. Funny thing was, I had a pair of nunchaku that I had bought in Rome in my bag. Moral of the story: customs/board control agents are human like the rest of us, they get tired, and stop caring.--droptone (talk) 13:13, 4 January 2008 (UTC)

I was in South Africa and brought several knives with me in my bag, when I got to heathrow, I walked straight through, and went up to the police dude at something to declare and told him I have several large knives in my bag and a samarai sword, all he asked is :do you live here I said yes and he say well then I dont care this was 2005 well after 9 11. South Africa did not seem to mind either. I told them and the lady at customs just looked at me and then said ...next... I could have hijacked the plane. if i was so inclined, but I am not that sort of person. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 12.191.136.3 (talk) 14:36, 4 January 2008 (UTC)

Yes, I'd imagine you aren't. The most likely reason for not searching everyone is that terrorists know that some people are searched and are afraid of being caught, but those who bring that kind of thing with clearly aren't afraid of being caught because they have a valid explaination, so you don't need to search everyon.--Phoenix-wiki 15:11, 4 January 2008 (UTC)

If the CBP thoroughly searched everyone who entered the country every day, the backups at the borders would be enormous. Border delays are already causing problems at the Canadian border, and they usually just ask drivers a few questions and let them through. It simply isn't feasible to search everyone as if they were entering Folson Prison. They have to do a sampling, paying special attention to those who fit the profile of a smuggler or terrorist (such as a 25-year-old man traveling alone from the Middle East). -- Mwalcoff (talk) 04:00, 6 January 2008 (UTC)

BUT THEY SPENT A LONG TIME SEARCHING ME. All that effort was ineffective because my pockets were left unchecked. WHY? That is the question. Lotsofissues 06:03, 6 January 2008 (UTC) —Preceding unsigned comment added by Lotsofissues (talk • contribs)

But it wasn't ineffective. Prior to them searching you, you had no way of knowing that they would only check your bag, and not your pockets or your pouch. Had you been intending to smuggle something through, you could not have relied on placing it in these locations, as you would have suspected that they would have been checked. Warofdreams talk 06:11, 6 January 2008 (UTC)

They also go off your reaction to a partial search.You didn't give off hinky vibes.hotclaws 06:58, 6 January 2008 (UTC)

Muslim

My English granddaughter plans to marry a Muslim. I dislike the idea and will find it difficult to talk to her. How can I cope with this please? —Preceding unsigned comment added by Johnluckie (talk • contribs) 09:06, 4 January 2008 (UTC)

Have you met your granddaughter's fiancé ? How much do you know about him ? Do you have any specific concerns about the proposed marriage, apart from the fact that he is a Muslim ? How would you feel if she were engaged to, say, a Seventh Day Adventist, for example ? If you have not already met him, I suggest you tell your granddaughter that you would like to meet her fiancé, and then talk to him with an open mind. If you then still have specific concerns about the marriage (and I don't think just saying "he's a Muslim" counts here), then you might start to think about how to share these concerns tactfully with your granddaughter or with her parents. But remember that at the end of the day you have to respect her right to make her own decisions. Think back to when you were her age - would you have welcomed advice on your love life from a grandparent, however well intentioned they were ? As to how you can cope with your feelings, I think that depends to a large extent on how important your relationship with your granddaughter is to you. Gandalf61 (talk) 09:44, 4 January 2008 (UTC)

Is he really extreme? Like will he force her to wrap up her head to go outside? --f f r o t h 09:53, 4 January 2008 (UTC)

You should be more open to other peoples cultures, how do you think his parents felt when they found out he was going to marry a bloody christian. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 12.191.136.2 (talk) 14:26, 4 January 2008 (UTC)

Haha, yeah, just be more open towards them, they're no different from us apart from their religion, and it's stupid not to talk to someone because of their religion.--Phoenix-wiki 14:58, 4 January 2008 (UTC)

How do you know she’s Christen 12-191? She could just as easily be an atheist. The OP didn’t specify. --S.dedalus (talk) 21:05, 4 January 2008 (UTC)

Judging people based on one variable (their religion, for example) is not a very smart thing. Try meeting the fellow. Maybe you'll like him. Or maybe you'll find better reasons to dislike him, who knows. Replace "Muslim" with any other variable (Jew, Catholic, Protestant, Black, Conservative, Liberal, whatever) and you'll see how silly it is to judge on one variable alone. --24.147.86.187 (talk) 19:08, 4 January 2008 (UTC)

Well, one way you could “cope” with this would be to learn more about Islam and read the Quran. Frankly it’s a book all educated people should have read (and I’m a non believer). Because it’s not the easiest reading I suggest you start by reading Approaching the Qur'an: The Early Revelations. --S.dedalus (talk) 21:11, 4 January 2008 (UTC)

I'd say foremost try to convince yourself to talk to her and to him. After all, she will be the same person after the wedding as she was before it, and if it's that important to you then you should try. Where there's a will, there's a way. Oh, and the Qur'an is very difficult to read, I am slowly beginning right now. Difficult, but quite rewarding. --Ouro (blah blah) 11:16, 5 January 2008 (UTC)

be glad,he's probably been brought up with a good work ethic and is family orinentated.Be greatful he's not an extremist cultist Christian with a cellar full of assault rifles,hotclaws 07:00, 6 January 2008 (UTC)

If he doesn't have a push button on his braces then it's quite probable that he's an alright guy. Don't forget that some of the greatest names in western history were muslims. --WebHamster 13:58, 6 January 2008 (UTC)

A way eliminate poverty?

This ties in to previous discussions about "Will the poor always be with us?" a few weeks ago. This is a thought experiment and should not be taken too seriously. What would happen if the poorest fraction of society disappeared -- let us say the bottom 10%? I am not talking about these people getting richer, but simply vanishing in a flash in year X, by alien abduction, if you like. What would the effects be on society and the economy? Their housing would stand empty as the Marie Celeste -- who would occupy it, and how would that poor housing affect them? Their jobs, for those that have them, would go undone -- who would undertake them, and how would these poor jobs affect them? If we revisited this imaginary place a generation later, would the (X+25 years) society have identical problems of social exclusion and relative poverty to its former self? In other words, does society need the poor, and seek to create them in some way? I feel I need to add the caveat that I am neither a eugenicist nor a troll, but simply seeking information on a thought experiment. BrainyBabe (talk) 13:50, 4 January 2008 (UTC)

If you allowed the bottom 10% of the water in a swimming pool to drain away normally ie., through the drains, you would very quickly notice that the upper 90% would fall into the vacated space, and so rapidly and seamlessly that only those who were closely watching would notice the difference. Same with society. And like fish in a pool, the 90% of people remaining would expand and grow to fill the space and resources available. Result - no difference. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 81.145.242.131 (talk) 16:16, 4 January 2008 (UTC)

Well firstly there would just be a new poorest 10% seeing as the figure is a reflection of their wealth compared to the rest of society. Secondly the rapid loss of millions of people no matter where in social-standings would be devestating for the economy because it would cause huge problems in the balance. Once things had settled it would be difficult to say what would happen. The lowest 10% of earners in society are quite strongly correlated with the lowest educaiton level of people in society, and rising education levels are a key factor in the increasing wealth of nations and its inhabitants. The society doesn't "need" the poor, it "needs" specific services that are associated with the poor to be carried out, but that doesn't mean that they must be poor to be carried out. 100 years ago they needed 1000s of people to do things machines can do with 10s of operators. Low-skill jobs slowly can become automated, or removed, or if they do not then the lack of demand to do them in a society of highly-educated people will mean that they may command a rising-salary because of under-supply. The poorest 10% will always be with us because obviously they are just a slice of an ever-changing pie. Relative-poverty has its merits, but the most important factor to me is raising the level of the very poorest to a good level, and not concerning ourselves with ensuring everybody lives within a small-gap of each other (more important is everyone can progress up the ladder of wealth/social placement if they have the drive to do that). ny156uk (talk) 17:41, 4 January 2008 (UTC)

OK, an interesting response. But let me clarify -- I didn't say the poorest workers but the poorest 10% of people. Let us leave minors out of this. Let us even leave those over the official retirement age out as well. Let us discount those permanently in institutions (e.g. severely mentally or physically disabled). A large chunk, possibly all, of that 10% will be people unemployed, probably long-term, or euphemistically hidden from official unemployment statistics by being deemed unfit to work (depression, bad back, etc.). Does that change how you think about the answer? BrainyBabe (talk) 17:50, 4 January 2008 (UTC)

Just come across this term: Discouraged worker. BrainyBabe (talk) 18:00, 4 January 2008 (UTC)

No, because I don't believe that with unemployment of around 5% (working population) that any significant amount of that unemployed group would be in the poorest 10% of society. There are the so called 'institutionally' unemployed and the long-term unemployed but at the level that unemployment hovers around in the most developed nations that amount is hugely important to flexibilty of labour markets. I think that while yes I didn't factor in the unemployed into the poorest 10% that would disappear, I still think the above would be the most logical outcome. Obviously it depends on what is the poorest 10% - does owning a home but earning very little pull you up? Does earning a lot but not owning a home pull you down? If we go purely on earnings then it would remove (in general) people from low-skill/low-danger work but those in low-skill/high-danger might be ok. If we go purely on assets then just-graduated up-and-coming job in a firm but not paid much may be at risk, particularly with their debts from college, but never-been-to-college stable service-industry worker might be ok. Often poverty is based on household income/disposable income, but I think regardless of which 10% of society you choose the affect would still be just as noticeable. The marketplace would struggle (at first) to react and then only after a long period of time would the answer change depending on which 10% of society it was that was 'removed'. ny156uk (talk) 18:44, 4 January 2008 (UTC)

You might be interested in A Farewell to Alms. Haven't read it myself, but from what I hear it concerns a theory that the poorer social groups in England prior to the industrial revolution had fewer surviving children than necessary for replacement, giving a slower version of your thought experiment. Essentially, this led to widespread downward social mobility and, in the author's opinion, created the conditions that enabled the industrial revolution. The conclusions they draw are, of course, controversial, but you may be interested. Skittle (talk) 21:46, 4 January 2008 (UTC)

Thanks for the book reference, Skittle. I have been reading Round about a pound a week, a classic of 100 years ago, a report from the not-quite-slums of London by the Fabian Society. The people they studied were not the poorest, but it set me thinking. I like the analysis, ny156uk; you are right, I didn't think about assets. I guess I was assuming the poorest 10% have no assets to speak of, but maybe with those crazy mortgages they do now. You refer to "earnings" and "college" -- my understanding is that most of the poorest 10% would be ill-educated, and most of them would have a large chunk of their (small) income from non-earning sources, usually state benefits (or charity e.g. food handouts). If all those people, who don't contribute much to the formal economy, disappeared, would society need to find others to fill their places? Do they contribute positively in ways which are not well measured, such that we would only find out once they were gone (but we can use our imaginations now)? BrainyBabe (talk) 23:41, 4 January 2008 (UTC)

Ah, I read Round about a pound a week about a year ago! Fantastic isn't it? I thought it was amazing how most of the recommendations have actually now been implemented, but some of them took decades. Also, how some of the problems and arguments surrounding them haven't changed. How far we have come and how far we have to go. Skittle (talk) 22:35, 5 January 2008 (UTC)

I read bits years ago, and am reading different bits now. One thing that struck me on this reading is that the researchers decided that they couldn't help the poorest, and went a layer or two above them in the social strata - but still these were households in which children routinely died (one in ten at birth, and another one in five before adulthood). Even in the "superior streets", even with work and income as secure as it got for Lambeth, even with the extra food the researchers brought. The modern review here makes the point that the problems have not gone away, and the book could be usefully studied by social workers today. I have added a redlink to the book title to signal that it deserves an article: would you help if I started it? BrainyBabe (talk) 01:29, 7 January 2008 (UTC)

You're still not defining "poorest". If you want to say "people on welfare" then just say it. In 2005, only 7.9 million people collected unemployment for at least one week. (2.3% of all USA citizens, aprox 4.7% of the workforce.) The average welfare payout for that year was only 15.3 weeks. So, if I've got my numbers straight (and I might not) then on any given week only 1.4% of the workforce is collecting unemployment, which seems awfully low, actually, given that unemployment is over 4%, how do the other two and a half percent eat? (Someone check my math. Stats from here : [18] )

"Poorest" can mean many different things, and depending on how you count it, the answer to your question changes drastically. It's not uncommon for a college student to have a negative net income. (They're Accumulating debt, but working little or not at all.) Are you counting them? What about landed individuals with no jobs? Stay-at-home wives? Prisoners? Who is poorer, a person on welfare that lives within his meager means, or a person working two jobs under crushing debt who can barely feed his many children? "Poor people" is the sort of emotional phrase you use if you're making a political speech and you'd rather not explain exactly who the heck you're talking about.

In any case, I think any way you slice it, 10% would include a large number of people who are fully employed. Probably in horrible jobs. A significant number of the remainder would have part-time jobs or under-the-table jobs. So I think it's pretty clear that suddenly removing 10% of the working-age population would result in some things not getting done. (McDonalds and other minimum wage employers would suddenly see a dramatic drop in their work-force. This could especially cause problems for them during the school year when high-school students aren't available for part-time help.) It would also cause a 10% (or more!) drop in demand for certain goods and services, which would not be good for people providing those goods and services.

If you've absolutely got your heart set on sending 10% of the population to the Moon, consider taking the bottom 5% and the top 5%. That'd shake things up. APL (talk) 07:08, 5 January 2008 (UTC)

All of that, while interesting, is rather US-centric. Which I suppose just means that, on top of defining 'poor', we need to define 'society'. Are we asking what the effect would be on any society in a general manner, which would be assuming the same effect in different societies, or are we asking what the effect would be on a particular society, or are we removing the poorest 10% of the world population? (Seems likely the original question was assuming most of the 'poorest' 10% were on Income Support) Skittle (talk) 22:49, 5 January 2008 (UTC)

Oh. You're absolutely right. I was assuming that BrainyBabe was talking about 10% of a particular society, presumably whatever nation she's from. If we're talking about the 10% poorest worldwide suddenly the answer would be very different. APL (talk) 20:20, 6 January 2008 (UTC)

Thanks for pushing me on this -- that's why I proposed this thought experiment, to make me think. The examples of different sorts of poverty have made me reconsider; perhaps there is no one way to make this question straightforward. Yes, I was thinking of the situation within a given country (any industrial or post-industrial economy with some sort of welfare provision would do). I agree that the numbers given, of adults who could be working but who are instead obtaining government assistance, seem low.

But the question changes with a worldwide focus. Again, how could we define poverty? A subsistence farmer with secure land tenure may live in reasonable comfort on less than many Westerners spend on lattes, but are they poorer than someone in a nasty slum who has irregular work that gives them five or ten times the cash? What would be the effects of them disappearing? Of course we can now see the effects of AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa, although notably the tranche of people who have already died are, speaking broadly, not the most impoverished in their nations. BrainyBabe (talk) 01:29, 7 January 2008 (UTC)

An even more interesting question for me is, if something happened to the people at the top, what then? See the Black Plague in England when the lower classes had the chance to fill positions previously held by the wiped out scholarly and trades classes for example. Who took their place? Julia Rossi (talk) 07:12, 5 January 2008 (UTC)

Or we could have another jolly old world war. Great method of culling. 86.147.70.110 (talk) 20:03, 6 January 2008 (UTC)

The Black Death killed about a third the population of Europe, and pushed up the value of labour. Lords couldn't treat their villeins so badly. Land that had been under cultivation reverted to forest. Peasants migrated to the towns. It was a huge social dislocation. Is there an accessible scholarly precis of its effects? BrainyBabe (talk) 01:29, 7 January 2008 (UTC)

Sori, can't give you that, but vaguely the info came from a documentary called The History of English (Channel 4?.) The context was the social changes that meant positions that had been exclusively for Latin-educated people became available to the greater number of survivors ie people who only knew English. Julia Rossi (talk) 08:23, 7 January 2008 (UTC)

Profit sharing

Possibly vaguely related to the above question, are there any comapnies that practice profit sharing, that is to say, that each person working for the company gets an equal share of the profits, therefore if every one works really hard, the profits will go up and they will get paid more, and also if they are lazy, the gross profits of the company go down along with thier pay. In practice this probably does not work as CEO's want to get rich. So as well as the above, every one gets an equal share but the MD gets twice this. Is this possible? does this happen? if so where, which company and basically who, what, where, when, why and how. Thanks —Preceding unsigned comment added by 12.191.136.2 (talk) 14:30, 4 January 2008 (UTC)

You might be thinking of a workers' co-operative. BrainyBabe (talk) 17:06, 4 January 2008 (UTC)

also co-operative and mutual company will be of interest. In practice most CEOs want to make successful companies because that is what makes them rich, the best businesses align their wages/bonuses directly to their performances. Many prominent CEOs take a small salary and the rest in shares in the company, as that way their 'earnings' are answerable to the share-price. Steve Jobs famously takes a 1c (or is $1?) salary and the rest in shares-bonuses, thus linking his income to performance. Sure he earns millinos and millions but then if we're honest with ourselves the role of CEO is actually extremely difficult, stressful, has huge responsibility, is hugely important and is worth a lot of money. ny156uk (talk) 17:30, 4 January 2008 (UTC)

The John Lewis Partnership, a UK retailer, is run as a co-operative. All employees (who are known as "partners") have a say in the running of the business and a proportion of annual profits is distributed in an annual bonus scheme, in which all partners receive the same percentage bonus (i.e. the same percentage of their basic salary). Gandalf61 (talk) 11:15, 5 January 2008 (UTC)

structural steel detailer

I would like to know where and how to get started in this field.I am located in rochester,N.Y. I have over 25yrs. exp. as a welder/fabricator,but do to physical limitations can no longer work in my trade.I would like to speak with someone in this line of work that might be able to help me set-up a work study internship.Any help would be greatly appreciated thanks Steve. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 69.205.96.204 (talk) 14:49, 4 January 2008 (UTC)

I do't think we can refer you to anybody, the reference desk can just tell you what's involved, which you already seem to know. I did this google search though, that might help.--Phoenix-wiki 14:56, 4 January 2008 (UTC)

Usually a state or fed government might have employment agencies/schemes/assistance/retraining specifically for people in your position? Speaking to a community social worker could help. Julia Rossi (talk) 07:18, 5 January 2008 (UTC)

Republic of Lakotah

Has the United States Department of the Interior issued a reaction to this republic's "assertion of independence"? -- Leptictidium (mammal talk!) 15:06, 4 January 2008 (UTC)

There's nothing on Google News indicating a formal response from the Department of the Interior (DOI). Since the Department of State has said that they're not touching it (referring the media to the DOI: [19]), it suggests (unsurprisingly) that the U.S. government has no interest in recognizing the Lakotah as an independent state at this time. I imagine that our article on the Republic of Lakotah will tend to stay up-to-date with new developments, if any. TenOfAllTrades(talk) 17:09, 4 January 2008 (UTC)

Considering that the officially recognized governmental agencies of the tribe don't recognize it, it's pretty much a non-issue. Corvus cornix_talk 17:50, 4 January 2008 (UTC)

You might be interested in a previous exposition of government views on tribal sovereignty. Very informative!  :) --Sean 13:26, 5 January 2008 (UTC)

Heh. But this has nothing to do with tribal sovereignty, since the declaratoin was made by no recognized entity. There already is a tribal government, and they aren't the ones making the declaration. Corvus cornix_talk 20:47, 5 January 2008 (UTC)

January 5

Ummm

Why don't things like crimes and natural disasters ever happen in a place when I am there? 138.217.145.45 (talk) 02:16, 5 January 2008 (UTC)

Because you live in a safe country? · AndonicO ^Hail! 02:21, 5 January 2008 (UTC)

Indeed. I guess Canberra isn't a hot-spot for natural disasters (likewise Australia in its entirety). It is doesn't have particularly inclement weather conditions and is not on a major fault line, does not have active volcanoes and it has a well developed infrastructure. It also has a low crime rate. Try hanging out in Johannesburg (crime) or some Caribbean Islands (hurricanes) for a few years and crime and natural disasters will be more forthcoming to your presence. Rockpocket 02:27, 5 January 2008 (UTC)

Or just go to Honduras or another Central American country and you get two for the price of one... (I think HON has the worst crime rate in Central, but I'm not sure). · AndonicO ^Hail! 02:28, 5 January 2008 (UTC)

Think of it this way. The odds of a crime or natural disaster happening in any one specific place are very low. The odds of a crime or natural disaster happening somewhere at some time are very high. So there are always going to be crimes and natural disasters happening somewhere, but the odds of you actually being there when they happen is probably going to be low. It's the same thing as a lottery: someone is going to win, but it's probably not going to be you. The odds of you having any specific person in the world as a college roommate are so low as to be impossible; the odds of you having someone as a college roommate are by contrast almost equal to 1 (assuming you go to college).

Now this is a little different than a lottery since neither crimes nor natural disasters are equiprobably distributed (certain regions of the world are far more prone to both than others), but the general principle is valid. There is only one of you, there are many possible locations for crimes and disasters. Note that you could, of course, increase the likelihood of you being at a crime if you decided to become a criminal. --24.147.86.187 (talk) 04:11, 5 January 2008 (UTC)

Essentially, having access to newspapers and televisions makes rare, but exciting, events like hurricanes, earth quakes, and even violent crimes seem commonplace even though they don't happen to us personally. I suppose it's important to keep things in perspective so that simply reading the newspaper doesn't make you think you have an unusually boring life. APL (talk) 05:54, 5 January 2008 (UTC)

It's up to you personally to make your life not boring. Not by committing crimes of course. --Ouro (blah blah) 11:12, 5 January 2008 (UTC)

Just be thankful youre not! Remember what the Chinese say to people they dont like: May you live in interesting times.--TreeSmiler (talk) 05:49, 5 January 2008 (UTC)

May you live in interesting times is so not a Chinese expression. It has only been traced back to an American comic book.--Shantavira|^{feed me} 17:47, 5 January 2008 (UTC)

Ah! So! (is that Chinese?)--TreeSmiler (talk) 21:38, 5 January 2008 (UTC)

No, it's a wine opener. -- Coneslayer (talk) 02:48, 6 January 2008 (UTC)

See anthropic principle: if it were otherwise, you might not be able to ask the question. —Tamfang (talk) 03:14, 7 January 2008 (UTC)

You could become a stringer for a media outlet so you get posted directly to the trouble spot. Julia Rossi (talk) 07:25, 5 January 2008 (UTC)

Weren't there pretty nasty forest fires in the Canberra area a couple of years ago Corvus cornix_talk 20:49, 5 January 2008 (UTC)

Oh, yes. 2003 Canberra bushfires was no walk in the park. -- JackofOz (talk) 22:15, 5 January 2008 (UTC)

If your aim is to increase your chance of encountering a crime you could move to El Salvador, Jamaica, Guatemala, or Honduras. In fact you could try going to any of the country high on this list. (Murder rates usually equate to more crime over all.) If you want to experience a natural disaster you could do what these people do for fun. [20] [21] I wouldn’t suggest doing either though. --S.dedalus (talk) 02:57, 6 January 2008 (UTC)

Actually Kenya is probably your best bet to experience a crime at the moment (see Clashes in Kenya (2007–present)). However Iraq is another good choice especially if you want the crime to happen to your person (I suggest you bring an American flag and carry a poster of Saddam for maximum effect). Nil Einne (talk) 09:18, 6 January 2008 (UTC)

Also if you want to experience a natural disaster without too much trouble [22]. Hurry now... Nil Einne (talk) 10:10, 6 January 2008 (UTC)

creatine

was wondering what the longterm ffects of creatine were, are there health side effects? is it good for you? is it bad for you? does it increase the amount of aggresion a person may have as is seen in cocaine users? or is it just because the guy thinks he is bigger and can take on the world. i found our article on it rather lacking in this sort of information. But then again the people that would know about it probably have the all braun and no brain problem lol. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 82.3.151.98 (talk) 14:07, 5 January 2008 (UTC)

Well, we have articles on creatine and creatine supplements that you might want to check out. Cheers, Ouro (blah blah) 14:54, 5 January 2008 (UTC)

stay with whey protein or soy-based. --'n1yaNt 23:10, 5 January 2008 (UTC)

Petting My Dog

Whenever I pet my dogs they put their arm over mine. What does that mean? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 64.119.61.7 (talk) 15:13, 5 January 2008 (UTC)

Its probably a sign of affection (you pet me I'll pet you kinda thing). It could be he saying "leave me alone" and pushing your hand away. Depends. Does he look happy when you pet him? Think outside the box 16:09, 5 January 2008 (UTC)

They are aiming to keep your hand there as they like it. Do they pant at the same time?--TreeSmiler (talk) 21:37, 5 January 2008 (UTC)

They are tagging you as their property. --'n1yaNt 23:10, 5 January 2008 (UTC)

My lab/huskie mix does this all the time with me. Dismas|^(talk) 05:15, 6 January 2008 (UTC)

Points to consider before buying a house with sibling

My brother has asked me to help him buy his first house. We don't live in the same city, but I would like to, eventually. The idea is to buy a duplex; half would be rented out, and I would have the option of moving in when I wanted. We have not shared finances before. What sorts of issues do I need to consider before taking this on? 1. Can I afford it? I will see my bank about mortgages. 2. What might go wrong? Roof falling in, etc. Who pays for what? 3. Emotions. Are there guidelines for dealing with these? 4. How long to promise to not need the money for something else? 5. Advantages of me providing a loan vs. me establishing equity in the property. Others must have gone down this path before. Are there useful websites or questions I ought to ask? Sample contracts? I am not asking for direct advice (do it/don't do it) but tips of what to think through before making my own decision. Any suggestions welcome. Thanks. BrainyBabe (talk) 17:55, 5 January 2008 (UTC)

Have you read this article? SaundersW (talk) 19:42, 5 January 2008 (UTC)

Do you have a partner? This would be a very important factor when living with a sibling. Seraphim ^Whipp 19:50, 5 January 2008 (UTC)

Thanks for the link; it provided a little more than I had thought of, but still seems pretty introductory rather than in-depth. We are both single but wouldn't be living together, just close neighbours: separate front doors, bathrooms, kitchens, etc. BrainyBabe (talk) 01:37, 7 January 2008 (UTC)

A written exit policy, so you know what will happen in advance if either of you want to sell up.Polypipe Wrangler (talk) 08:32, 7 January 2008 (UTC)

Independent cities in Virginia

Why are all of Virginia's cities independent? Heegoop, 5 January 2008 (UTC)

This is discussed to an extent in Independent city and in Political subdivisions of Virginia. --— Gadget850 (Ed) ^talk - 20:41, 5 January 2008 (UTC)

In the Commonwealth of Virginia, all municipalities incorporated as "cities" have also been "independent cities," also called "free cities," since 1871. Other municipalities, even though they may be more populous than some existing independent cities, are incorporated as "towns", and as such form part of a county. An independent city in Virginia may serve as the county seat of an adjacent county, even though the city by definition is not part of that county. --'n1yaNt 23:09, 5 January 2008 (UTC)

January 6

DIY electric quadricycle

--Moved to WP:RD/S-- --antilived^{T | C | G} 04:33, 7 January 2008 (UTC)

couches at Coffman Memorial Union

does anyone know where i could buy a couch like the ones at the union at the university of minnesota? Theyre sooo comfortable! —Preceding unsigned comment added by 66.188.134.93 (talk) 07:32, 6 January 2008 (UTC)

The university would have someone whose responsibility it is to purchase furniture and other goods for the campus buildings. I would suggest you contact the university to find out who that individual is and then contact them. Dismas|^(talk) 09:43, 6 January 2008 (UTC)

This person might have a title such as procurement manager. BrainyBabe (talk) 16:49, 6 January 2008 (UTC)

Cost cutting or something else...?

Manufacturers look for ways to reduce cost by replacing a pot metal part with a nylon or other plastic type part or vice versa to take advantage of material market cost fluctuation. However, I have never seen a product until now that used mold wax to replaced a pot metal gear. I am a bit suspicious that there may be more than cost cutting going on here such as the purpose being to intentionally reduce product life to assure out-or-warranty repairs, replacement or sales. Is it possible that a major office supply company would be so desperate as to install a mold wax gear plug in a product instead of the pot metal gear? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 71.100.12.59 (talk) 09:59, 6 January 2008 (UTC)

Can someone explain what mold wax is? Dismas|^(talk) 10:40, 6 January 2008 (UTC)

Wax for making moulds? E.g. when a TV villain presses a key into a tin containing a hard wax so that he can duplicate the key from the resultant depression in the wax. --WebHamster 13:52, 6 January 2008 (UTC)

Well companies will do a Cost-benefit analysis on the changing of manufacturing parts. Lots of companies make changes that will knowingly reduce the life-span/longevity of their products as it reduces costs/simplifies the process. It might sound odd but the company has to balance quality with production cost. It might be a good way to reduce costs without adversely affecting most customers. You say 'desperate' but it would be nothing of the sort. Products are built with expect life-spans in minds, they can go up or down depending on the products used. ny156uk (talk) 14:12, 6 January 2008 (UTC)

Two other suggestions: (1) mold wax would be self-lubricating and would run very quietly under light load. (2) the teeth would strip from the component in question at a fairly light load which would protect other components in the drive train from overload (analagous to using a fuse in an electric circuit). SaundersW (talk) 15:01, 6 January 2008 (UTC)

Okay,if that is the case why not provide replacement "fuses" at minimal cost instead of one half to two-thirds the cost of the product and 1. prevent customers from purchasing a new unit made in a foreign country (product in reference claims to be made in the US) and 2. prevent customers from using an alternate repair method by replacing the gear train with two pulleys and a belt? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 71.100.12.59 (talk) 21:27, 6 January 2008 (UTC)

Is it possible that the mold-wax gear was included as a manufacturing defect? Going on the assumption that you've only seen or purchased one such product, and that if you were to purchase or examine another example it would have the typical metal gear; one explanation is that the pot-metal gears are cast using a lost-wax process and one of the wax dummy gears slipped through undetected to the next assembly step. If it was durable enough to allow the finished device to function and pass the final quality tests it would not have been detected as a manufacturing flaw. 71.112.136.40 (talk) 17:23, 7 January 2008 (UTC)

Learning to speak Spanish.

Anyone care to recommend an effective Spanish Language Course for me? I go to southern Spain quite regularly for annual holidays of a week or two, and I have learned enough Spanish to get by in restaurants, bars, public transport and in emergencies. But I want to be able to speak Spanish, if not fluently, then competently and conversationally. I am going for 2 months during December 08 and January 09 next and I am determined to make the transition no matter how much practice it takes. But I would really be grateful for some advice on a good language course. I am over 60 and confident enough to make mistakes and laugh about it, and I don't want to discuss politics religion or philosophy at Malaga university with the academic staff, but it would be nice to ask Pedro our waiter how his health and wife are instead of just asking for 'Dos copas de vino tinto por favor Senor', and not get stuck when he responds with a rundown of that year's vintage wines. Thanks. 81.145.241.244 (talk) 15:58, 6 January 2008 (UTC)

I have taught myself Spanish to the level of fluency that you want to achieve, and have done so primarily by focusing on understanding Spanish. I would recommend listening to Spanish podcasts about a subject that you're familiar with, even if you understand only a fraction of what's being said. That way, you will gradually pick up vocabulary, grammar, and idiomatic expressions, and learn how to break the stream of sound into words and sentences. Radio Nacional de España has many podcasts to choose from, if you follow this link, you can take your pick, and download the audio as mp3 files which you can play from your computer or an mp3 player. If you're at all interested in science, check out our articles about Vanguardia de la Ciencia and El Sueño de Arquímedes. The host, Ángel Rodríguez Lozano, does not speak too quickly, and the contents are top quality. I don't know whether Pedro your waiter is interested in science, but that's beside the point. If you are familiar with the subject matter, it will be a lot easier to understand what is being said. I have also listened to No es un día cualquiera (link) hosted by Pepa Fernández, a talk show that's running for the ninth year, and which offers six hours of listening every weekend. It is quite entertaining, with interviews, "tertulias" (discussions), etc.

In addition, you will of course need to read up on the grammar, especially the verbs. The book 501 Spanish verbs, fully conjugated is a must. When you have a solid knowledge of the grammar, you will begin to ask yourself questions such as "why did he use the subjunctive mood in that context?" when listening to the podcasts.

Finally, I would recommend reading Spanish books. Avoid the so-called "easy readers", they were of no help whatsoever to me when I started teaching myself Spanish. Instead, I would suggest non-fiction books or newspapers to begin with. If you would like to read fiction, buy books in Spanish that you previously have read in English (or any other language that you speak). In my experience, it is a lot easier to understand translations from English to Spanish, than books which were originally written in Spanish. Check out the book shops the next time you are there. For me, Agatha Christie was a good choice, in addition to popular science books. Good luck! --NorwegianBlue ^talk 19:35, 6 January 2008 (UTC)

I found a New Penguin book of short stories in Spanish in parallel text - Spanish on the left page, the English translation on the right. ISBN 0-140-26541-4. Try reading out loud so that your ears can hear what your saying, sounds odd but I'm convinced it helps. Buena suerte y exito. Richard Avery (talk) 20:00, 6 January 2008 (UTC)

I've tried reading parallel texts too, but at quite an early stage in the learning process, and it wasn't useful to me then. The reason, I think, was that the presence of the English text made me try to understand everything at once, which, at least then, was far too ambitious. I think you need to learn to think in Spanish when speaking Spanish, and reading in parallel, page by page, is not the way to go in my opinion. A better option is to buy a novel in both English and Spanish, read it in Spanish, and check out the English version only when you are really stuck. You do not need to understand every single word to enjoy a novel. I do agree with Richard's suggestion about reading out loud. If you are able to get hold of a Spanish audio book along with the text version, you might try listening to a paragraph, and reading it out loud while trying to imitate the original. Unfortunately, you will find few if any audio books in Spanish book shops. Maybe they are sold in specialized shops, I don't know. The next time I'm in Spain, I think I'll ask one of the ONCE lottery sellers about where blind people buy audio books. --NorwegianBlue ^talk 20:29, 6 January 2008 (UTC)

Some more suggestions:

• Buy DVDs of Spanish films with a lot of dialog. You can find a list of films with English Wikipedia articles here. Two suggestions: Volver and El Laberinto del Fauno (Pan's labyrinth). With the DVD, showing the Spanish subtitles while listening and watching might be a good idea. If Pedro likes going to the cinema, you'll have something to talk about.
• Read Spanish Wikipedia articles. When you browse Wikipedia, you will find a group of boxes in the left margin, which in English are labelled "navigation", "interaction", "search", "toolbox", and "languages". If you find a link to "Español", this will bring you to the Spanish article. You can of course also go straight to the Spanish Wikipedia main page, the link is http://es.wikipedia.org
• There is a project in the English wikipedia called "Spanish translation of the week", which translates good articles from the Spanish Wikipedia to English. I only recently became aware of it, but you might want to check out what's going on there. The link is http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Spanish_Translation_of_the_Week
• Read Spanish newspapers on the web. http://news.google.com might be a good place to start, follow the link "España" at the bottom of the page. Or you might want to go directly to http://www.elpais.com/ or one of the other major newspapers. --NorwegianBlue ^talk 21:34, 6 January 2008 (UTC)

You say that you want to learn to speak Spanish. If so, then I think that there is no substitute for conversation practice with a live partner. Speaking skills are different from reading or comprehension skills. I personally have strong reading and comprehension skills in Spanish but rather weaker speaking skills. You might try advertising for conversation exchange with a native speaker of Spanish wanting to learn English, you might look for a tutor for maybe ten conversation sessions, or you might sign up for a Spanish conversation class. If you are in London, you could try the Cervantes Institute. Marco polo (talk) 22:37, 6 January 2008 (UTC)

My point with putting such emphasis on comprehension, is that it is impossible to converse if you don't understand what the other part is saying. It is, however, quite possible to converse even though your speaking skills are weak. You just need to be, as the original questioner said, "confident enough to make mistakes and laugh about it". I agree that finding a conversation partner (or small group with a Spanish teacher) would be a very good investment. --NorwegianBlue ^talk 10:18, 7 January 2008 (UTC)

All you need is:

• Vocabulary: Get some dictionaries, in paper (for mobility) and on-line (normally superior searching speed) and google for word lists.
• Grammar (so that you can speak and understand the language better): Get good grammar books, but only look for those that compare Spanish with your native language, otherwise you'll be wasting your time with many things you already know. For example, if I wanted to learn French and I picked up a French grammar and not a compared one, I'll be wasting time with facts about the purpose of the articles, the genders and many other things that are common in French and in Spanish, whereas a comparative grammar focuses in the difficulties and differences of both languages.
• The language in use: read the Spanish Wikipedia or get books in Spanish that aren't too hard.

And when you have more or less mastered all the above listen to the Spanish television or the Spanish radio. Of course every person learns differently, modify the above method to fit your needs. --Taraborn (talk) 09:27, 7 January 2008 (UTC)

Game Boy Advance SP

Why is it so hard to find one to buy? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 69.210.107.104 (talk) 17:52, 6 January 2008 (UTC)

Becuase that don't produce them anymore, they make Nintendo DS. --'n1yaNt 18:54, 6 January 2008 (UTC)

eBay!!! --71.117.34.180 (talk) 03:26, 7 January 2008 (UTC)

Wikipedia's Dick is Small?

Look at this dick, I am surprised for a site this big would have a stub. --'n1yaNt 18:53, 6 January 2008 (UTC)

Since you obviously looked it up, you are obviously the right person to expand the article! :)--TreeSmiler (talk) 19:13, 6 January 2008 (UTC)

FA status here we go! --'n1yaNt 22:14, 6 January 2008 (UTC)

Lol... he put a hidden comment right before the message saying it's a joke. :P · AndonicO ^Hail! 23:03, 6 January 2008 (UTC)

If you want a really good laugh, check out Penis enlargement. The article lead is tagged as being too short and needing expansion. --Drop Dead Ed (talk) 23:24, 6 January 2008 (UTC)

Other examples include Dishwashing, which sports a {{Cleanup}} tag, and Reference, which only has a single source. Also, anyone else have Category:Watches on their Watchlist? :) GeeJo ^(t)⁄_(c) • 00:07, 7 January 2008 (UTC)

Drop Dead Ed and GeeJo, that's hilarious! --'n1yaNt 02:10, 7 January 2008 (UTC)

Six Questions To Norman Mailer

I,know I shouldn`t be asking this on the refrence desk.But,I just felt so tempted and I couldn`t control myself. If,you could ask Norman Mailer six questions what would they be. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 68.161.91.151 (talk) 18:59, 6 January 2008 (UTC)

If you know you shouldn't be asking it, why do so? For what it's worth, by an amazing coincidence the same question was asked [here]. AndrewWTaylor (talk) 19:17, 6 January 2008 (UTC)

Not such a coincidence methinks. It looks like the same person asking again--TreeSmiler (talk) 20:07, 6 January 2008 (UTC)

Asked,answered,get a life.hotclaws 06:26, 7 January 2008 (UTC)

Driver of Princess Elizabeth

In 1951 Queen Elizabeth II, then Princess Elizabeth was visiting Hamilton, Ontario. Could you please tell me who the driver of her vehicle was.

Thank you for the information Elizabeth Robinson —Preceding unsigned comment added by 207.112.85.213 (talk) 20:08, 6 January 2008 (UTC)

Economic status discrimination

In the US it is against the law to discriminate on the basis of gender and race. The reason given by the authorities is that gender and race can not be changed. Discrimination against people on the basis of economic status, however is openly and widely accepted and practiced. Is it therefore believed in the US that while everyone can not change their race or gender that everyone can change their economic status to the degree of preventing themselves from being discriminated against, and if not what other logic is used in face of the fact that economic status can not always be changed? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 71.100.12.59 (talk) 21:50, 6 January 2008 (UTC)

Because you CAN ALWAYS change your economic status. For every situation you can dream up there is someone who has crawled out of it (god knows how sometimes) and made a success of themselves. Be it ultimate pain, ultimate loss, ultimate poverty. The only thing preventing you from changing your economic status is desire. Race and legally-defined sex (gender can be changed) cannot be changed so deserve protection to prevent discrimination - though even then there are exceptions such as the acting industry. social mobility is possible. Additional what 'discirmination' is there that is economic? Beyond the price of some items being outside of the reach of some people? ny156uk (talk) 23:03, 6 January 2008 (UTC)

How easy it is to forget, ignore and dismiss the disabled. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 71.100.12.59 (talk) 23:26, 6 January 2008 (UTC)

"or every situation you can dream up there is someone who has crawled out of it", I would posit that, depending on the situation, the people who crawled out of it had a good deal of good luck on their side, while other hard workers who "desire" social improvement just as much were not so fortunate. 72.10.110.107 (talk) 17:52, 7 January 2008 (UTC)

That is to assume that the disabled are always incapable of altering their economic situation... I would speculate that for the vast majority this is not the case. Where this is case then often their economic-status will be largely dependent on government policy so can still change, but is less within their control. Economic-status is not unchanging, it alters, it moves, positively negatively. Your race and sex do not alter (even sex-changes do not result in alterations to legal-status of sex). The disabled are certainly are risk of discrimination and are given protection by way of regulation and legal protection but their economic-status is still not static, it can and does change. ny156uk (talk) 23:50, 6 January 2008 (UTC)

Most disabled persons receiving government support are required to reimburse the government for their support. In all cases where a person can not change their economic status for whatever reason, especially those based on freedom of choice to avoid unethical or immoral economic activity, there is no protection by the government or anyone else against economic discrimination. In fact, the opposite is true especially for persons who uphold an ethical or moral standard which changing their economic status would violate. They are often urged to forget about their ethical or moral position and trade it so they can have money instead. This is the basis of prostitution, illegal drug sales and gambling. They are told it is far better to sacrifice their ethical or moral position in order to have money and to follow the way of the people of the Golden Calf. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 71.100.12.59 (talk) 10:02, 7 January 2008 (UTC)

Would you mind giving an example of what you would consider economic discrimination? Having ultra high price luxury goods for sale? Judging people based on the clothes that they wear (and therefore judging someone who wears old/dirty clothes to be poor)? Without clearly defining what it is you think is economic discrimination, it is hard to try to explain why that may or may not be justified.--droptone (talk) 14:35, 7 January 2008 (UTC)

PhD admission in the States/UK/Europe

Hi

Would I be allowed direct admission to a PhD program in America, the UK, or Europe after completing a BSc with first class honours in New Zealand? My degree was 3 years of undergraduate for the BSc plus an extra year of papers and a lab research project for the honours part. The first class bit reflects my marks (A to A- average).

Thanks very much for your help. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Aaadddaaammm (talk • contribs) 23:30, 6 January 2008 (UTC)

A first class or upper second class honours first degree would certainly be the usual way to get onto a PhD programme in the UK. -- Arwel (talk) 00:16, 7 January 2008 (UTC)

I don't know much about NZ undergradute programs, but I can't see any reason a Ph.D. program in the States would require more than the above to begin the program. Of course that's not the same as saying they'd admit specifically you -- that depends on so many things that there's no use in spinning generalities -- but very few programs require a Master's at admission, if that's what you want to know. --Trovatore (talk) 00:22, 7 January 2008 (UTC)

Yes, you certainly would qualify academically in Britain and in the US you would qualify only after you took the Graduate Record Examination. One thing to note, especially in the UK, that many PhD's are funded by funding bodies that require the student to be a national of an EU country. If you are not, then they will not accept you. The ones that are open to students of any nationality tend to be very competitive, for obvious reasons. Rockpocket 04:11, 7 January 2008 (UTC)

January 7

Trademarking animals

Is it possible for companies to trademark an animal? For example, Budwesiser and the Budweiser frogs, Joe the Camel from Camel cigarrettes, or Spuds mackenzie? If it is possible what kind of penalties would occur? If not, how would a company protect their advertisement idea? —Preceding unsigned comment added by Kstitt (talk • contribs) 00:32, 7 January 2008 (UTC)

You can certainly trademark specifics logos and logo variants which happen to feature animals. You can't trademark an animal itself—just because Budweiser uses frogs in their ads doesn't mean another company that sold a different product couldn't use frogs in their ads. However if another beer company used frogs in their ads, that might be a different issue, as a plausible argument could be made that the company was trying to be deceptive about their ownership/product. --24.147.86.187 (talk) 01:13, 7 January 2008 (UTC)

This strikes me as similar to T-Mobile owning the colour magenta for everything related to telecommunications. While I couldn't find a reference of Wikipedia, this blog post seems to have something on it. — alex.muller (talkpage • contribs) 01:33, 7 January 2008 (UTC)

And Cadbury chocolate wrappers claim trademark on "the colour purple". Basically, a trade mark is anything that identifies a particular brand or service, and many countries (including the US) recognise "common law" trademarks - that is, a trademark doesn't have to be registered to exist, and any copying of a competitors' marks or advertisement is a potential trademark infringement. FiggyBee (talk) 02:16, 7 January 2008 (UTC)

Animal trademark news story. Gandalf61 (talk) 12:09, 7 January 2008 (UTC)

Greyhound Bus/ American Indian History

63.3.2.129 (talk) 02:01, 7 January 2008 (UTC)

Circa 1938-40, when I was 10-12 years of age, I saw two Grayhound buses creeping through my hometown of Columbia, Pa. on route 30, the Lincoln Highway. They were going from east to west toward York, Pa. In front of the lead bus there was an American Indian in Indian Garb running. The two buses were loaded with Indians and would change runners as the need arose.

I understand that they were on their way to Washington, D.C. to file some kind of complaint. I have found no one that knows anything of this. Can you help me verify this and explain what they were doing. Where did they come from, who were they,and what was their complaint, and was anything ever done about it?~~

Personal details removed --Tagishsimon (talk) 02:04, 7 January 2008 (UTC)

This is an intriguing story, and I couldn't dig up anything specific either. However, I have a few suggestions. I'm wondering if the complaint was perhaps something to do with the Indian Removal Act, which culminated in the 1938 1838 Trail of Tears. The Five Civilized Tribes may have been a bit far south to be using that route, but other tribes could have been going to Washington to protest the action of the Government against the ruling of the Supreme Court in Worcester v. Georgia, or perhaps some of the displaced tribes were far enough north to take that route.

My second suggestion is that, this is a good place to find more information. Good luck! Rockpocket 09:00, 7 January 2008 (UTC)

Erm, I'm not sure if you're being serious, but you're a century off - the Trail of Tears was in 1838. -Elmer Clark (talk) 09:48, 7 January 2008 (UTC)

Ha! Very good point. It was late at night when I was looking into this and obviously my brain had shut off. I guess its possible, as MrRedact suggests, that it was related to the anniversary. However I have struck most of my comments, which are obviously misleading. Thanks for pointing that out, Elmer. Rockpocket 18:04, 7 January 2008 (UTC)

But it does seem likely that there might have been a demonstration in 1938 to commemorate the centennial of the Trail of Tears. MrRedact (talk) 13:54, 7 January 2008 (UTC)

It might be worth contacting a local museum or historical society, or a local newspaper which may have archives covering the event. The local library in Columbia could also help - many librarians enjoy a bit of historical detective work if asked nicely. Are there any Native American organizations in or near Columbia? They too could be a good source of information. I for one would be fascinated to hear more about the event - and can certainly understand it making such an impression on a young boy. Do let us know what you find out. DuncanHill (talk) 15:22, 7 January 2008 (UTC)

Avocado

Can you really die from an overdose of avocados? 138.217.145.45 (talk) 04:18, 7 January 2008 (UTC)

You can die from overdose of anything. Water, Food, Oxygen (this is more pressure related than oxygen, but oxygen does cause Free Radicals, which can cause caner), why would you expect avocado to not do the same? --antilived^{T | C | G} 04:44, 7 January 2008 (UTC)

El Paso, Arkansas

04:48, 7 January 2008 (UTC)98.20.226.231 (talk)During the late 1950s or early 1960s my family visited El Paso, Arkansas, which was, at that time a ghost town. Later I read an article in one of the Arkansas news papers about a building that was being restored by a person who had moved into the area. I find nothing of tis in your history. I wonder if it has ever been recorded. I write stories about small townis in the Ozarks, and would like to do a story on El Paso, if I can find the information.

I'm not sure from your post whether you've already seen El Paso, Arkansas - the article has a little bit of information, and implies that the town is now populated. -Elmer Clark (talk) 09:50, 7 January 2008 (UTC)

VoIP adapters - How many phones can they drive?

I'm thinking of moving my POTS to VoIP with naked DSL, but the adapters are expensive ($100+ each). I have 3 phones in vastly different location and not all of them have access to ethernet cable, so I'm wondering can I connect the adapter (Linksys PAP2T or SPA2102) directly to the phone circuit that's already been laid out? Do I need to cut the line to the outside (I have a central splitter splitting DSL and voice) or will the splitter be enough in not letting the signal go outside my house? Intuitively this is doable as it's not very often to pick up 2 phones simultaneously anyway, but just making sure that it wouldn't damage the adapter. --antilived^{T | C | G} 09:46, 7 January 2008 (UTC)

I very would strongly recommend you cut the line. Think about it carefully. The splitter is intended to split the line at the point of entry into one or more jacks for the low frequency phone and one jack for the high frequency DSL modem. But you be connecting your phone output into the internal side after it has been split. While the splitter should in theory stop the signal interferring with the DSL modem, it's not going to stop the signal travelling to the 'outside'. I'm guessing it won't be high powered enough to cause any real problems for the Telecom equipement but it doesn't mean it's something they will like it if they ever find out you're doing it plus I don't now how this will affect the in house signal (I'm guessing it will have a negative effect). More importantly perhaps I don't think the splitter stops the signal completely. Even though you may be without a dialtone, I'm guessing there's still going to be a current reaching your POTS adapter from the external line which is unlikely to be good for it. All in all, mixing the two signals is not likely a good idea so yes, I would definitely recommend you disconnect the phone line. One thing you need to check is how your house is wired. I.E. where does the wiring for the different phone ports come from? If it's in a series then it should be fine but if there are 3 seperate wires coming out from the splitter, one for each port, then you have a problem and will probably have to re-wire somehow. Also be aware that you should not touch anything at the point of entry (i.e. including the splitter). I think cutting the line just after it comes out from the splitter is fine but you should check on this since Telecom isn't happy when people interfere with their part of the line. Presuming the wiring is in a series then I would just disconnect the phone line from the first port that's connected to the outside. That way it's very easy for you to put it back to normal if you change your mind. Finally, the maximum Ringer equivalence number of the SPA 2102 is 3 according to the website. I don't know if the RAL [23] quite correlates with the REN but I'm guessing it's similar enough. In that case, provided your RAL is less then 3, the phones should ring. You should be able to find analog phones with a RAL of 1.0. The PAP2T is higher with a REN of 5 so you're even less likely to have problems. Bear in mind in both cases although the phones may ring okay, I don't know how well they will work if you're trying to use more then one at once, especially with the SPA 2102. Have you considered buying a DECT transceiver and 3 DECT phones to replace the existing analog phones? I don't know whether a DECT VOIP transceiver unit exists if so you might want to consider one of those. P.S. In any case you may want to read this[24] Nil Einne (talk) 18:48, 7 January 2008 (UTC)

Sample papers solutions

where i can find the cbse sample paper solutions of all subjects (english , maths , science , social science , hindi) of year 2008? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 59.92.246.146 (talk) 13:36, 7 January 2008 (UTC)

Make Some Money

No, I'm not looking to "get rich quick," nor am I looking for a miracle. I simply want to know if anyone has any brilliant ideas on how to come up with roughly $10,000 USD by sometime in the summer. I already have a job, right now making about $50.00 USD per week (newly started), and I have roughly $300.000 USD to my name right now. Also, please be legal? Selling drugs isn't worth the risk. ;3

Also, if a car was $10,000 USD, approximately how much of a downpayment would be required to reduce a reasonable payment to less than $150 USD per month?

Thanks. EWHS (talk) 14:17, 7 January 2008 (UTC)

Get a loan? Your target is way above what your income can supply in that time frame, and I expect you've already been searching for other better-paying jobs. Note that "loan" doesn't have to mean "bank loan". You could also talk with friends, parents, or other appropriate figures and try to set something up.

As for the car loan specifics, there should be plenty of bank loan approximators online to fiddle with the parameters. The informal loan, on the other hand, may allow a little more flexibility. $150/month for 6 years is about $11k, which might be enough interest to satisfy parents.

Also bear in mind the associated expenses of a car: gas, insurance, maintenance, and so forth. $10k for the car itself may simply be too high a target. — Lomn 14:27, 7 January 2008 (UTC)

(after edit conflict) I can't help with the first part, but regarding the payment, there are a couple important variables that come into play, namely the interest rate and the length of the loan. I found this car payment calculator which automatically filled in a rate of 7.57% and a term of 60 months. You can fiddle with the tax and registration fee entries as appropriate for your location, but leaving everything to default, I came up with $3427 as the necessary down payment to get to a monthly payment of $149.99 --LarryMac | Talk 14:32, 7 January 2008 (UTC)

Some researchers are paying people for participating in experiments, be those social, medical, or whatever. Some of these are very safe, but if you're desparate you could probably raise some more money doing less safe experiments. I think you can also get paid for donating redundant organs and such.

DISCLAIMER: The above should not be taken as a suggestion that this is advisable. Consult with your physician before doing anything of this sort. -- Meni Rosenfeld (talk) 14:39, 7 January 2008 (UTC)

What do you mean by "summer"? The summer break for American high schools is typically around 2-2.5 months. Whereas the summer break for American colleges and univerities are typically 2.5-3 months. So you'd have to be earning between roughly $167 (for the 2 month break) and $111 (for the 3 month break) to reach $10,000 (and those figures are without including taxes, since I have no clue what state or country you are in). So that means earning between $20.86 and $13.86 per hour (for an 8-hour day) to reach the goal. That is a lofty goal for someone who may lack any technical skill. Given those hourly rates, you may need to work more than one job. Bartending can be very profitable if you life in the right sort of town/city (and would allow you to work after the business day is over), but you are unlikely to find much work if you aren't 21 or older. Do you have any skills that would justify you getting paid higher than minimum wage?--droptone (talk) 14:49, 7 January 2008 (UTC)

EWHS said "by sometime in the summer", which means he has half a year or so (assuming he means the next northern hemisphere summer). -- Meni Rosenfeld (talk) 14:57, 7 January 2008 (UTC)

E-bay any old consoles or junk you don't want any more. Also I know someone who keeps an eye on charity shops for anything interesting and picks it up cheap and pops it on E-bay. Good start for small collateral. Lanfear's Bane | t 15:23, 7 January 2008 (UTC)

Microscope

1.Who is the first person that invented microscope and when it is invented? Can anyone tell me more about Anton van Leeuwenhoek's microscope and Roberts Hooke's microscope? —Preceding unsigned comment added by Stylin99 (talk • contribs) 15:50, 7 January 2008 (UTC)

Our article Microscope has this to say about the invention - "The first useful microscope was developed in the Netherlands in the early 1600s. Three different eyeglass makers have been given credit for the invention: Hans Lippershey (who also developed the first real telescope); Hans Janssen; and his son, Zacharias." DuncanHill (talk) 15:56, 7 January 2008 (UTC)

The article Optical microscope has a little about both Van Leeuwenhoek's microscope and that of Robert Hooke. Basically, Leeuenhoek's had a single lens, and Hookes had more, and was more like what we think of nowadyas when we talk of a microscope. DuncanHill (talk) 16:00, 7 January 2008 (UTC)

Also, please do not crosspost questions. Thanks. --Ouro (blah blah) 16:02, 7 January 2008 (UTC)

Also sounds very homeworky. Love it when they are even numbered. Subtle. Lanfear's Bane | t 16:20, 7 January 2008 (UTC)

fencing

Hello,

Is it at all possible to find out who won the fencing championship in ISRAEL , I am not sure of the year it was in the sixties.

I would appreciate it very much if anyone can come up with the answer.

Thanks, Nurit —Preceding unsigned comment added by 89.139.143.79 (talk) 16:28, 7 January 2008 (UTC)

email removed, leading spaces removed. --LarryMac | Talk 16:32, 7 January 2008 (UTC)

Presumably national championships are annual.. So the question can't really be answered except in the context of a specific year. Friday (talk) 16:50, 7 January 2008 (UTC)

And neither the FIE World Championships in Fencing or the Olympic games have been held in Israel. 84.64.244.109 (talk) 17:14, 7 January 2008 (UTC)

Postnominals

hi, I am wondering about the etiquette surrounding postominals. I currently have a CertHE in general science, will have a CertHE in health and social care shortly and then in 2 years a DipHE in operating departnment practice. How would I list these aftermy name? DE —Preceding unsigned comment added by 79.67.160.202 (talk) 17:33, 7 January 2008 (UTC)

Vintage Knives

Can anyone provide me with any information on Henry Sears and Son? I have a couple turn of the century hunting knives with this name on it. I know they were established in 1865, but I would like to know how long they were in business and where they were located. Thanks

Wally —Preceding unsigned comment added by 12.175.149.98 (talk) 17:50, 7 January 2008 (UTC)

email removed — Matt Eason ^{(Talk • Contribs)} 19:00, 7 January 2008 (UTC)

Is the British Education system banning teaching of 'the Holocaust'?

I just had an e-mail (from an American e-friend) asking me to pass on an e-chain protest about Britain banning teaching in schools about 'the Holocaust' because 'it offends the Muslim community who claim the Holocaust didn't happen'. I would happily pass on the e-protest if I knew its claim to be true, but I have never heard or read of it in the British media. Anyone here know if this anti-holocaust-teaching story is true or false? Thanks. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 81.145.242.163 (talk) 18:53, 7 January 2008 (UTC)

No, it's complete nonsense. See this BBC News article. — Matt Eason ^{(Talk • Contribs)} 18:57, 7 January 2008 (UTC)

Maybe I'm being pedantic, but another, far less obvious, way to tell is that Britain doesn't have a uniform education system. Scotland's is completely seperate. --Bearbear (talk) 19:32, 7 January 2008 (UTC)

long lost cereal...

Hi yes you guessed it I'm trying to track down something stolen by a cereal killer *ouch* so here's the serious question - a long time ago, maybe over twenty years, I used to eat a cereal called Kellogg's Country Morning - then all of a sudden it was discontinued and I've never seen it since. Does anyone remember this, and does anyone have any idea if it is still available somewhere or maybe called something else? Sandman30s (talk) 19:04, 7 January 2008 (UTC)

There is a brief mention of Country Morning in the granola article, which led me to Bear Naked and from there to Kashi. I can't speak to whether any of the Kashi brand cereals would be as tasty to you as the Country Morning, but that seems to be the corporate lineage. Perhaps one of the Post or General Mills offerings mentioned in granola is still available and would be worth checking out? --LarryMac | Talk 19:12, 7 January 2008 (UTC)

More . . . The Kellogg's product page does not show any evidence of Country Morning, however they have both a "Low Fat Granola" product and "Mueslix". If you search the FAQ area for "product availability" you can get to a page showing items discontinued in the last two years (not-linkable due to damnable ASP); I did not see CM on this list, but that might just mean it was discontinued more than two years ago. --LarryMac | Talk 19:29, 7 January 2008 (UTC)