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March 5
English, TV terrestrail television
Does anyone know where i can find a list of what can legally be shown on english terrestrial television, eg. nudity, sex, violence, death whatever can be and cannot be broadcasted. Fo r example i know that erect penises cannot be shown however i am sure i have seen on TV during the early hours recently the portrayal of this. thanks 86.129.82.87 01:09, 5 March 2006 (UTC)
- Heres a link to the revised Broadcasting Code. Jameswilson 02:14, 5 March 2006 (UTC)
- What about erect nipples? Or an erect clitoris? An erect arm? DirkvdM 10:23, 5 March 2006 (UTC)
- It seems the Mull of Kintyre test no longer applies. --Shantavira 10:44, 5 March 2006 (UTC)
- LOL. Just the other day I was looking at a map of Scotland and thought "Ah, so that's where Kintyre is", but I didn't notice this. Apparently my mind isn't dirty enough (that's new :) ). Interrestingly, McCartney's single 'Mull of Kintyre (song)' is backed with a song called 'Girls school'. Is McCartneys mind dirtier than mine? I must be going soft (no pun). DirkvdM 19:39, 5 March 2006 (UTC)
- I lived there for five years and never even thought about it. Anyway being anal about it. That's not the Mull of Kintyre it's the Kintyre peninsula. I wonder who had the job of checking out the penis erection size? Might make a good article. CambridgeBayWeather (Talk) 05:23, 6 March 2006 (UTC)
How Random is it?
How random is the random article link? I've been running through it looking for articles to work on. Before I found an article that I had just edited about an hour before. I've been doing this for several days and at least once a day but sometimes more than that I get Help:Contents. I think Wikipedia may be trying to suitly emphazi something but what? CambridgeBayWeather (Talk) 10:56, 5 March 2006 (UTC)
- It's not truly random. For performance reasons, it uses a trick which does not result in a correct uniform distribution: each article receives a random number. When you ask for a random article, another random number is generated and used to chose the article. This means some articles tend to be selected more often, while others are never or almost never selected. --cesarb 17:38, 5 March 2006 (UTC)
- That doesn't make sense in two different ways. First, "it's not truly random" is an expression that people sometimes use when they mean only that the random number generator in use is a pseudo-random number generator (PRNG), as it usually is on a computer. But while some simply PRNGs are pretty poor, there certainly are good PRNGs that are "truly random" for all practical purposes. Second, the last sentence ("This means...") simply doesn't follow. If a good PRNG is being properly used and the algorithm is correct, there will be a good random selection of articles.
- But having said that, I have no idea of how the "random article" function is actually implemented. For that matter, I have no idea how many times the original poster has been using it: if you call for random numbers enough times, it's natural that some sort of patterns will occur. If there are multiple repetitions of the same specific article, though, chosen from about a million of them out there, then that does sound like there's some sort of misbehavior. Just as a guess, it might depend on a database that's sometimes out of date, and if it finds that the article it was going to select no longer exists, maybe it selects Help:Contents (on the grounds that this might be useful to someone) rather than trying again.
- --Anonymous, 19:22 UTC, March 5, 2006.
- The PRNG used is a good PRNG. However, the way it's used causes the result to not be truly random (i.e. not be uniformly distributed). The last sentence ("This means...") follows from the explanation (which is a description of how the "random article" function is implemented).
- Let me explain how it is implemented in more detail: each article has a field in the database (
page_random
) which is a random number between 0 and 1. When you ask for a random page, another random number between 0 and 1 is generated and the page with apage_random
value above the chosen value and nearest it is selected. This causes a bias due to the distribution of thepage_random
field on the database; if there's a relatively large gap on the numbers, the page with the value just above the gap has a greater chance to get selected. If two pages have close numbers, the one with the greater number has a smaller chance to get selected. Thus, each page has a probability of being chosen which is equal to the difference between itspage_random
value and the next lowestpage_random
value. - If the
page_random
values were equally spaced, this would be the same as a uniform distribution; however, to maintain them equally spaced would require the whole table to be updated every time a page is created or removed. Instead, the number is randomly chosen (with a uniform distribution). Some pages end up having a greater chance of being returned than others. --cesarb 19:54, 5 March 2006 (UTC)
- Thanks. I've used random page quite often but it's only within the the last four days that I have sat for about 8 or 9 hours while at work hitting random page. The interesting thing is that other than Help:Contents all others have been articles. There must be some bias in it to stop from ending up at AfD's, the front page, here, Admin noticeboard and places like that. CambridgeBayWeather (Talk) 21:01, 5 March 2006 (UTC)
- Figured it out. I click on random article and then scan it for edits. Very short articles usually don't need any. So if I hit a bunch of stubs in a row I'm clicking fairly quickly without moving the mouse. But the mouse is moving and it's drifting down and clicking on the help link. CambridgeBayWeather (Talk) 05:49, 6 March 2006 (UTC)
- Thanks. I've used random page quite often but it's only within the the last four days that I have sat for about 8 or 9 hours while at work hitting random page. The interesting thing is that other than Help:Contents all others have been articles. There must be some bias in it to stop from ending up at AfD's, the front page, here, Admin noticeboard and places like that. CambridgeBayWeather (Talk) 21:01, 5 March 2006 (UTC)
- My understanding was that the random article link only picked articles, which would exclude pages not in the main namespace. Thus, I'm surprised you've got Help:Contents. I know that to deliberately get pages in other namespaces, one can go to Special:Random/namespace. For example, Special:Random/Wikipedia gives you a random page in the Wikipedia namespace and Special:Random/Help gives you a help page. Superm401 - Talk 05:48, 6 March 2006 (UTC)
- I just tried out Special:Random/Wikipedia. I got a VFD page, an AFD page, and a peer review. Neat feature. Never knew you could get random pages from anything other than the mainspace. --Optichan 20:33, 6 March 2006 (UTC)
- Coool! Just yesterday I was wondering if there was a way to get a random user page, but I assumed the answer was "no". But sure enough, Special:Random/User works (though, not surprisingly, it can return user subpages as well). —Steve Summit (talk) 02:43, 8 March 2006 (UTC)
- I just tried out Special:Random/Wikipedia. I got a VFD page, an AFD page, and a peer review. Neat feature. Never knew you could get random pages from anything other than the mainspace. --Optichan 20:33, 6 March 2006 (UTC)
- My understanding was that the random article link only picked articles, which would exclude pages not in the main namespace. Thus, I'm surprised you've got Help:Contents. I know that to deliberately get pages in other namespaces, one can go to Special:Random/namespace. For example, Special:Random/Wikipedia gives you a random page in the Wikipedia namespace and Special:Random/Help gives you a help page. Superm401 - Talk 05:48, 6 March 2006 (UTC)
Thanks, cesarb, for the clarification in response to my earlier comment. I see what you mean now. It didn't occur to me that a random real number would be used to decide between a fixed set of choices. I imagine instead that the server could maintain an "indexed sequential" type of data structure -- equivalent to a sequential list of all N articles now existing, but with a way to quickly find the Kth entry. A simple sequential list might also do, depending on performance issues; I have no idea how often this function is used. Anyway, the algorithm then would be to simply use the PRNG to select a random integer K from 1 to N (or 0 to N-1), then display article number K -- and if it didn't exist (because it was deleted since the list was updated), just try again. At convenient intervals (perhaps hourly), the list and associated data structure would be updated to add new articles and delete deleted ones, based on logs kept of these events. Seems simple enough to me, and better than the non-uniform method described above, but then I'm not the one who would be implementing it.--Anonymous, 01:16 UTC, March 8, 2006.
Cambridge: I wouldn't worry too much about it; you get extra points on the wikipediholic test if you run into articles you edit whilst using the random article link. ^_^ Cernen Xanthine Katrena 19:30, 8 March 2006 (UTC)
db cooper on americas most wanted
was db cooper ever featured on americas most wanted the reason iam asking you this is because john list was also featured on americas most wanted and it was at one time believed that the two could be one in the same.
- It appears that there was an episode of the similar show Unsolved Mysteries on D.B. Cooper (I seem to recall having seen it). However, America's Most Wanted focuses almost exclusively on violent crimes where there is reason to believe the suspect is still at large, so they probably have not covered D.B. Cooper. KWH 05:57, 6 March 2006 (UTC)
- Unlikly as D. B. Cooper was never wanted by the FBI. It was Dan Cooper they were looking for in regards to the aircraft hijack. I remembered that bit of trivia from years ago. If you read through the D. B. Cooper article it does eventually mention it. CambridgeBayWeather (Talk) 13:24, 6 March 2006 (UTC)
How to put a link in a name ?
Please, how to put a link in a name ? Oscar Araripe [email removed]
- I'm afraid it's impossible to answer your question without more context. In Wikipedia, you can make anything a link by surrounding it with double brackets, like [[this]]. —Keenan Pepper 17:45, 5 March 2006 (UTC)
- Putting name and Wikipedia together, just register, sign anything you put up here with four tildes ((~~~~), save it and there is your name as a link. Click it, write something about yourself and the colour of the link will change from red to blue. If that's not what you mean, your question is indeed too vague. Do you want a name to appear as a link? What do you use for editing whatever you are referring to? DirkvdM 19:46, 5 March 2006 (UTC)
Most paid palyer
Who is the most paid foot ball player in the world?
- Did you mean American football or soccer?? Jayant,17 Years, India 18:00, 5 March 2006 (UTC)
- Shouldn't be that hard to find both. GeeJo (t) (c) • 19:17, 5 March 2006 (UTC)
- It really wasn't. As of last year, Peyton Manning for the former ($14m per year on the field and $7m off) [1] and either Frank Lampard (£5.2m on the field, £1.2m off) or David Beckham (£4.4m on the field, £12.6m off) for the latter depending on whether you want to count commercial interests or not. [2] GeeJo (t) (c) • 19:26, 5 March 2006 (UTC)
- The figures don't say whether or not they take into account bonuses, which are common in soccer, and could be for appearances, goals, wins and trophies. If they are included, it's highly likely that Lampard would be cashing in, since he's done pretty well in all of those categories over the last 18 months.
Slumgum 00:55, 6 March 2006 (UTC)
- Shouldn't be that hard to find both. GeeJo (t) (c) • 19:17, 5 March 2006 (UTC)
GEICO commercial
There's a GEICO commercial now running in the US in which a gecko compares free quotes to free "pie and chips". Now, I know that "pie and chips" refers to a meat pie with fried potatoes, but few of my friends have ever heard of it. In the US, "pie" means a sweet fruit pie, and "chips" means thin potato chips ("crisps"), which would make a bizarre combination. Why did GEICO decide to show this commercial to people who wouldn't understand it? —Keenan Pepper 17:35, 5 March 2006 (UTC)
- So that it would be talked about ;) -- Run! 19:38, 5 March 2006 (UTC)
- Hmm, I thought a major advantage of viral advertising was that you didn't have to pay for TV time. But you may have a point. —Keenan Pepper 20:52, 5 March 2006 (UTC)
- I haven't seen that particular ad but the last time I saw a GEICO ad the gecko was talking with an English accent. So the combination of pie and chips would make sense from that angle. However, the ads I am referring to are shown in Canada but I don't recall if I saw them on a Canadian or US channel as the dish has both. CambridgeBayWeather (Talk) 21:24, 5 March 2006 (UTC)
- Hmm, I thought a major advantage of viral advertising was that you didn't have to pay for TV time. But you may have a point. —Keenan Pepper 20:52, 5 March 2006 (UTC)
- I was just wondering why they didn't use something familiar to Americans, like "burgers and fries". —Keenan Pepper 22:39, 5 March 2006 (UTC)
- I've been trying to figure out how and/or when the GEICO gecko went from an upper class type, speaking what perhaps may have been Received Pronunciation, to being a Cockney. I figure his use of the term "pie and chips" lends authenticity to his background. --LarryMac 22:46, 5 March 2006 (UTC)
Manchester of India
Which city was/is called the Manchester of India? A website says Ludhiana, another Surat, and my school textbook says Ahmedabad. Which one is correct? vedant (talk • contribs) 17:36, 5 March 2006 (UTC)
- And the Award for Manchester of India goes to.....Ludhiana...according to google atleast....Jayant,17 Years, India 17:52, 5 March 2006 (UTC)
- What would make a place "the Manchester of" anywhere? Do all the natives speak loudly, eat meat out of tins and walk around the house wearing just underpants whilst it rains heavily outside? Or are there lots of "Mad Ferrits" roaming the streets in Burberry clothing?
Slumgum 21:39, 5 March 2006 (UTC)
- What would make a place "the Manchester of" anywhere? Do all the natives speak loudly, eat meat out of tins and walk around the house wearing just underpants whilst it rains heavily outside? Or are there lots of "Mad Ferrits" roaming the streets in Burberry clothing?
- LOL - BTW other "Manchester ofs" include Barcelona, Lille, Lodz, 2 for Sweden - Norrkoping and Gothenburg, and [3] umpteen for Italy. Brno in the Czech Rep was the M. of Austria. Jameswilson 00:41, 6 March 2006 (UTC)
- I don't know about what people do or wear, but it is related to textile industries, i think. My textbook says Ahmedabad is the M. of India because it is the second largest cotton manufacturing centre in India and Manchester is the centre of textiles in the UK. Don't know if it perfectly true, however. And Google is not a verifiable source, Jayant. vedant (talk • contribs) 03:41, 6 March 2006 (UTC)
- I know that google is not a verifiable source.... but i really dont have access to a local library and i dont have the time too...my only sources of information are wikipedia and the google...if you have a problem with that you should have mentioned in the question that you had already searched on google....and there is also no definite answer to this question...you can only choose the one you think is right.... i am only helping you to make this choice..... Jayant,17 Years, India 04:02, 6 March 2006 (UTC)
- My sources of information are wikipedia and google too :-). I needed the answer for my Geography exam (ICSE) and as it got over today, without any question related to any manchester, I personally don't need the answer now. But for the sake of my juniors, I would want to know it. About a definitive answer, there should be one. You cannot say the capital of India is both Delhi and Srinigar. vedant (talk • contribs) 09:18, 6 March 2006 (UTC)
- But the capital of India, or anywhere, is a defined entity. Calling something the "Manchester of X" is a metaphor, and I don't want to live in a world where there are "definitive metaphors." --LarryMac 14:18, 6 March 2006 (UTC)
- I didn't know "Manchester of X" was a metaphor. Anyway, I don't need the answer anymore, so thanks to all those who helped me in this. :-) vedant (talk • contribs) 15:59, 6 March 2006 (UTC)
Halloween Crabs and how to care for them.
I recently perchased what the pet store called a halloween crab. They told me he eats hermit crab food and he's just like a hermit crab. After several days of living in my terrarium set-up he hasn't eaten anything. I have 2 dishes of water, one with salt water and one with fresh. It appears that he is drinking the salt water almost dry and not really paying any attention to the fresh. I should have researched his species further, but the pet store owner convinced me that he was just like a hermit crab and did not require a lot of water. I have him in a 10-gallon tank now, but if necessary, I could move him to a 20-gallon with more water. I need to know what kind of food he will eat, raw fish, raw prawns, cooked prawns, cooked fish??? He's not even interested in the hermit crab food. PLEASE HELP!!24.113.52.104 20:01, 5 March 2006 (UTC)
- Consider the fact that is an encyclopedia. Consider also that we actually have an article Halloween crab. --Zeizmic 21:04, 5 March 2006 (UTC)
- You can't blame him for that. I didn't even expect us to have an article about that. - Mgm|(talk) 21:31, 5 March 2006 (UTC)
I didn't either! I looked it up on Google, and we're #5! Very tiny article, but with some links. --Zeizmic 22:42, 5 March 2006 (UTC)
- I suggest you stop trying to feed it cooked prawns. If it's not eating anything you might just have a really stupid (or traumatized) Halloween crab on your hands. freshgavinΓΛĿЌ 06:14, 8 March 2006 (UTC)
- The article on halloween hermit crabs says that they are vegetarian. This is a different species; one is mostly orange and the other just orange on the limbs. You might try vegetable based fish food. Septentrionalis 00:56, 12 March 2006 (UTC)
March 6
House appliances
A friend of mine always has his radio, CD player, TV and DVD player “on”. When he is not using the appliance he just turn the volume down. He says that every time you turn them on and off you damage them more than keeping them “on” all the time. As an example he says that the video stores never turn off the TV‘s off.
So my question is: Is better for a house appliance to turn it “on” and “off” every time is going to be used or is better to leave it “on” all the time? per LG.
- It's better in terms of cost in electricity and for the health of the planet to turn them off. Even leaving them on 'standby' uses quite a lot of energy compared to unplugging them. I think cathode tubes (in TVs) can have a lifespan limited by powering them up. Switches can break by repeated use too. I can't think of any more examples. It's impossible to compare cost of appliance replacement/repair with the cost of electricity bills for 24h usage. It's about priorities; do you want to save energy or risk damaging a switch?
Slumgum 00:45, 6 March 2006 (UTC)
- Personally I prefer to save the planet, but you are getting out of the original question...If we look in ecological terms, my “broke switch” TV is almost impossible to recycle so, perhaps will be better for the planet to keep it working the longest possible, so how do i do that?… LG 2031h (EST)
- Of course every little saving helps, but before you worry about the smaller 'energy guzzlers' you should first get the big ones sorted out. I am still looking for a good overview of the 'energy footprint' of various things, but I suppose the big ones will be heating and transportation. I can't remember the exact data, but it seems that keeping the tires of your car (if you have one) at the right tension makes a big difference. I believe I read that if everyone would do that once a week that would cut our total energy consumption by a few percent. And regular tune-ups would probably also help a great deal. Of household appliances I suppose the fridge and tv (if used regularly) will be among the biggest guzzlers. And the washing machine if used too often (you really don't need to put on a clean shirt every day). I usually leave my record player turning all day, even if I'm away for an hour or two, because I don't want it to wear out too much and it probably doesn't consume a whole lot of power. But, like I said, I'd like to find some good info on this. On both the energy consumption of things per usage and population statistics. Why, for example, is it that people in the US use so much more energy per capita than in Europe? Maybe the flying around? Taking one less plane trip per year (maybe take the train in stead) might save more energy than worrying all the time about turning equipment off. This doesn't answer your question, but it does point out that you're asking the wrong one, and that's also worth something, I'd say. :) DirkvdM 06:44, 6 March 2006 (UTC)
- A side point: The end suggestion assumes that the US has a viable train network; for most of the country, it doesn't. Even less of the country (if any) is served by a modern high-speed rail service. A lot of the travel-related higher per-capita expenditures are a consequence of having a larger country to deal with. Aside from that, I think you're entirely correct about where to focus attention. — Lomn Talk 18:53, 6 March 2006 (UTC)
- Of course every little saving helps, but before you worry about the smaller 'energy guzzlers' you should first get the big ones sorted out. I am still looking for a good overview of the 'energy footprint' of various things, but I suppose the big ones will be heating and transportation. I can't remember the exact data, but it seems that keeping the tires of your car (if you have one) at the right tension makes a big difference. I believe I read that if everyone would do that once a week that would cut our total energy consumption by a few percent. And regular tune-ups would probably also help a great deal. Of household appliances I suppose the fridge and tv (if used regularly) will be among the biggest guzzlers. And the washing machine if used too often (you really don't need to put on a clean shirt every day). I usually leave my record player turning all day, even if I'm away for an hour or two, because I don't want it to wear out too much and it probably doesn't consume a whole lot of power. But, like I said, I'd like to find some good info on this. On both the energy consumption of things per usage and population statistics. Why, for example, is it that people in the US use so much more energy per capita than in Europe? Maybe the flying around? Taking one less plane trip per year (maybe take the train in stead) might save more energy than worrying all the time about turning equipment off. This doesn't answer your question, but it does point out that you're asking the wrong one, and that's also worth something, I'd say. :) DirkvdM 06:44, 6 March 2006 (UTC)
- I think if somebody is leaving everything on all the time, he is either one of my sons, or living in an apartment without a meter. --Zeizmic 17:45, 6 March 2006 (UTC)
Leaving aside the ecological view point that is highly appreciated and valued, can someone answer the original question: Is better for a house appliance (i.e. tv, dvd player, stereo) to turn it “on” and “off” every time is going to be used or is better to leave it “on” all the time? Lg
- I would be surprised if modern electronics suffer much from turning on - turning off. It used to be the case with older computers that the electric 'spike' caused by turning the power on and off would slowly damage components, but modern power supplies provide much smoother power, and so there is nothing to worry about. Also, if the appliance in question goes to "standby" instead of "off", the risk is even less, as you won't get any kind of electric 'spike'. Of course, standby burns a fair bit of power and is generally evil, but we've covered that already. The only 'damage' I can see would be physical damage to the on-off switch through repeated use, but other buttons (such as the Play button) get much more use, and I have almost never see a switch or button fail on an electronic device before the device itself failed.
- Summary answer: turn 'em off. Save the planet. :) — QuantumEleven | (talk) 08:56, 8 March 2006 (UTC)
- We've not as much progress as you seem to think. Capacitors, for instance, are physically stressed when they are charged up which reduces their life as leaky caps don't have proper cap values and will cause circuit failure in nost cases. And the on rush current in caps, and transistors on ICs, and motors (as in your hard disks) can be so substantial that there are options in the SCSI interface to stagger spin up for disk drives. That stresses the power supply, of course. So, it's not possible to be quite so blithe about modern electronics and their virtuous immunity to old time failre modes.
- It's a balancing act as failure of much electronic equipment leads very quickly to a trip to the trash (with all the heavy metals in the electronics as a potential contaminant) versus leaving the equipment on and so not stressing it this way, but using electricity pointlessly.
- All in all, a quandry. I resolve it by turning everything off when I'm not going to be using it for several hours. I'll leave whatever it is on if I'll be back in 20 minutes or so. ww 10:46, 8 March 2006 (UTC)
Japanese Games?
Where can I buy old japanese playstation one games and have them imported to the united states?
- eBay? — QuantumEleven | (talk) 17:11, 6 March 2006 (UTC)
- Come to Japan and you can pick them up cheap (like 100 yen each) at a flea market. freshgavinΓΛĿЌ 06:09, 8 March 2006 (UTC)
a few questions on images (civil engineering related)
I've recently taken some photos of a building in its dying days, and have lots of questions. :-(
- In this photo, why does the demolition worker have to spray water at the partly-demolished building?
- In this photo, why does the blue scaffolding have to be put up, when it will have to be removed before the covered section is actually demolished?
- In this photo as well as this one, I have tried to keep the building "balanced" in the picture by ensuring the left part of the building is perfectly "upright" in the camera viewfinder. However, the right side of the building still looks slanted. Is this a defect of my camera, my shooting position, or something else?
- Not directly related to the photos: What is the name(s) of the 2 machines in the above-linked photos? Are they cranes, or excavators, or...? (I'm not sure.)
Thamks in advance for any helpful replies. :-) — Kimchi.sg | Talk 04:28, 6 March 2006 (UTC)
- 1. They always spray water on buildings being demolished, simply to control the dust. Old buildings end up containing staggering quantities of the stuff (plus of course the dust that's generated from pulverizing concrete and plaster during demolition), and this would be a significant nuisance, if not a serious hazard, for nearby occupants.
- When the Kingdome in Seattle was explosively demolished, you couldn't really see the collapse because it was instantly enveloped in a huge cloud of dust, and an army of street sweepers immediately descended, because there were drifts of dust inches thick for blocks around.
- 2. Not sure about the blue stuff. Looks like tarps to me, often hung on buildings or scaffolding during construction (or I guess destruction) to contain falling debris. Not sure why they care here, though.
- It may be to protect the workers prior to final demolition. If you look at the bottom right there is someone standing there. Plus some of the backhoes may not have enclosed cabs. Pretty musch waht you said. CambridgeBayWeather (Talk)
- 3. I'm not enough of a photographer to explain your parallax problems, but just by chance tonight I was reading our article on View cameras, and it talks about the challenges of architectural photography and the way those cameras (unlike conventional cameras) can overcome them.
- 4. I call them "backhoes"; most people call them "excavators"; some people probably still call them "steam shovels", after the old cable-hauled machines they replaced. They're extremely versatile, as can be seen by the fact that, with their normal buckets replaced by hydraulic jaws, they're the tool of choice for demolishing small or medium-sized buildings.
- 3. It's not a defect at all; it's a fundamental aspect of the geometry. The focal point of your camera (the point at which the rays of light cross) is not infinitely far away, so it's not an orthographic projection, but a perspective projection. Every pair of parallel lines appears to cross in two places (antipodal points of the sphere). —Keenan Pepper 06:13, 6 March 2006 (UTC)
Thanks again for your replies. :-) — Kimchi.sg | Talk 13:17, 6 March 2006 (UTC)
Waking up
When i wake up in the morning, why is it, when i am laying down, i don't have to go to the bathroom yet, but as soon as i sit up or get up, then i really have to go?
- Gravity. Grutness...wha? 05:50, 6 March 2006 (UTC)
- I suppose you mean 'go to the toilet' and are not talking about a sudden urge to have a bath. :) I noticed this too, when I'm on my way to the train I need to go, get on the train, wait for the train to leave so I can go to the toilet, forget it, travel for two hours, get oof the train and, as I'm walking again, need to go again. Maybe you've given the answer and being at rest suppresses the need to go because it might disturb your sleep. Doesn't sound too convincing, but I liked the idea of giving a question to your answer. :) DirkvdM 06:58, 6 March 2006 (UTC)
Anyone see this user page?
Roxanne Harman (talk · contribs) claims that she is Willy on Wheels. Anyone want to check out her user page?
- In retrospect, no.
Slumgum 01:25, 7 March 2006 (UTC)
<extensive out of place account removed> -LambaJan
- I would only suggest that the Miscellaneous Reference Desk is nowhere close to the right place to be having a discussion like this. --LarryMac 02:21, 7 March 2006 (UTC)
ok. -LambaJan 02:36, 7 March 2006 (UTC)
Need Your Help.
Hai all of You...
My name is Santi Joedho. I'm from Indonesia. I live in Jakarta. I need informations about course in Singapore. especially for Autocad 2D and Autocad 3D. I graduated from Civil Engineering. And i really need to take a courses for my job. Please give me informations for that courses. But i planning to take that course just for weekend,because i've got offering a job in Batam. Please contact me as soon as possible in my email at Or you can contact me in my personal email
Thanks, Santi Joedho
Iron on transfer on metal?
Hi I'm making something and I want to have a proper interface on its front (not written with a vivid or some pieces of paper) and I'm thinking about printing the image onto some transparent iron on transfers and iron it on to the metal front. Had anyone tried this before? Does it work? Or do I have to actually experiment myself? Thanks. --antilived T | C 07:30, 6 March 2006 (UTC)
- I've used these a lot on shirts. They're difficult enough to get right, and to be able to peel them off. I don't have a lot of confidence it will adhere to metal. Also, you would need 'dark transfers' since the standard transfers have a white background plastic. I would look into that peel stuff they decorate buses with. --Zeizmic 13:01, 6 March 2006 (UTC)
- Um, I doubt it'd work. Few things adhere well to metal. Usually you've got to treat the surface with some form of primer just to get paint to stick to it. --BluePlatypus 14:47, 6 March 2006 (UTC)
I found it! This [[4]] is the stuff to use. --Zeizmic 15:33, 6 March 2006 (UTC)
- Thanks but I doubt they have it anywhere in New Zealand. Maybe I'll just print it on some OHT and stick in on using some glue or something... Also electrostatic ones probably will not work since the metal will be grounded. --antilived T | C 07:01, 7 March 2006 (UTC)
Venue of Miss UNiverse 2006
Miss Universe 2006 in Greece?Anyone pls state any fact about these?
- Any fact? You're really asking for it, aren't you? DirkvdM 09:10, 7 March 2006 (UTC)
- The winner was female. -Mgm|(talk) 09:19, 7 March 2006 (UTC)
- She won in 2006. -- Run! 16:26, 7 March 2006 (UTC)
- Despite appearences to the contrary, Miss UNiverse has no connection with the United Nations. DJ Clayworth 21:01, 7 March 2006 (UTC)
- Greece is actually quite woody. freshgavinΓΛĿЌ 06:07, 8 March 2006 (UTC)
"Taboo"
According to The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook: Travel (ISBN 0-8118-3131-0), "The OK sign" (touching your thumb and index finger to suggest a circle, with the other fingers on the hand fanned out), indicates that everything is okay in the US. I agree with this.
- In Brazil, Germany and Russia, however, it indicates a very private orifice and is an insult.
- In Japan, the sign indicates you want a smaller denomonation in money.
- In France, it's an insult. t denotes the number zero or the concept of something being worthless. When placed over the nose, it means "drunk."
What I want to know is, how true are the three statements above, as they seem quite extreme in my case? Thanks. Kilo-Lima Vous pouvez parler 16:49, 6 March 2006 (UTC)
The first is definately true, as featured on an HSBC Advert in the UK (understanding the importance of local knowledge) -Benbread 21:34, 6 March 2006 (UTC)
- Not just in those countries either - it's a vulgar gesture in much of southern Europe (especially the Balkans and Greece, IIRC). Grutness...wha? 01:10, 7 March 2006 (UTC)
- I just had another thought... As the OK sign has completely different meanings in different cultures, can anyone point out the origin of this sign? Thank You....Jayant,17 Years, India 09:14, 7 March 2006 (UTC)
- I saw an item on a German pop science show last saturday and the first item is definitely true with the US and Germany. They didn't mention any other countries, though. - Mgm|(talk) 09:20, 7 March 2006 (UTC)
You're not asking about this, but it seems useful info here. An international signalling standard (for search planes overhead) is to raise both hands for a 'yes', in this case meaning "yes, I need assistance". Raising one hand means 'no' ("I don't need assistance", in other words "I'm ok"). This coincides nicely with how people would normally react; waving frantically with both hands when they're in trouble and casually waving with one hand when everything's fine. And another way to remember this is that standing still and straight (the way you're supposed to signal) with both hands raised your body forms a 'y' for 'yes. DirkvdM 09:24, 7 March 2006 (UTC)
- Yeah it is kinda true here in Brazil, though I don't see it very often where I live. A lot of people also understand that as OK too. Anyway, the sign we use instead is the raised thumb. ☢ Ҡi∊ff⌇↯ 16:50, 7 March 2006 (UTC)
In Japan, the money sign is the reverse of the OK sign, so your palm is facing up and your three loose fingers point to the side (or close to the side). Most young people would understand the regular OK sign as OK, although it's more common to make a giant O with your arms (just imagine if the song was called YMCO). If you made the regular OK sign to an old person they'd probably try to correct you, or pretend to understand but instead just ignore you. freshgavinΓΛĿЌ 06:05, 8 March 2006 (UTC)
Greek television channels
I live in England and have a satellite dish, through which I receive numerous TV channels. In order to learn Modern Greek I would like to be able to receive Greek television channels. I am the least technologically minded person in the world and I don't know where to start. Does anyone have any idea what hardware/software I need to obtain, and how to go about obtaining it? Maid Marion 16:39, 6 March 2006 (UTC)
- You need to get in touch with your satellite TV company - they provide you with certain 'packs' of channels, and you pay more depending on which ones you choose. Contact them to see what offers they have, which ones include Greek TV, and how much they cost. — QuantumEleven | (talk) 17:02, 6 March 2006 (UTC)
- There are no Greek television channels aimed at the UK in particular, so there are none available via your existing Sky Digital system. If you're willing to give up your Sky reception, your local CAI-approved satellite installer (look in the Yellow Pages) can point your dish at the Hotbird satellite for you, to get you ERT Sat, Hellas HDTV, Holidays in Greece Channel, Extra 3 and Kanali Voulis (Parliament Channel). The Hotbird satellite is too far away from the Sky satellite for you to get both with the same dish; that's why you'll have to choose.
- In the UK, you need planning permission for more than one satellite dish; but if you're existing dish is somewhere discreet (a back wall where no neighbours can see it) you could probably get away with having a second dish. You'd need a second digibox, but you could expect to get one on eBay or secondhand quite easily.
- If you give up Sky, expect to pay £50 for having your dish moved. If you want two dishes, expect to pay £100 for installation and £60 to £100 for the secondhand digibox.
- If you have broadband internet, you could always watch online. This site claims to have links to live Greek satellite feeds. You can also listen to London Greek Radio from their website. Hope this helps! ➨ ❝REDVERS❞ 21:00, 6 March 2006 (UTC)
- Thanks guys, all extremely informative - as usual, a triumph for WP! Maid Marion 09:48, 7 March 2006 (UTC)
How the Brain Works
What makes someone who is say naturally better (i.e understands science and math easily without explaining) as far as the brain is concerned? For example do they tend to have more activity concerning brain cell signals or have more a certain amino acid that encourages more activity in the signalling in a certion region of their brain or brain cells? And is it different then regular memory abilities?
- Training memory and concentration is enough and may be done almost naturally. Our natural potentialities tend to function better all the time when not perturbated by indigent education, moral lies, lack of exercise, apeptic lunches ... --DLL 23:15, 6 March 2006 (UTC)
But what part does cell signaling, is it stronger in certain areas of the brain where we learn or understand science or the parts of our brain that understands literature?
- As far as we know, those functions could be all mixed together. These are simply very difficult questions to which no one knows the answers yet. —Keenan Pepper 03:18, 7 March 2006 (UTC)
- In your original question you seem to mix up quality and quantity. Being smarter than average people may just as well involve having less of something. Having an overactive brain can have negative effects. Also, what constitutes 'intelligent' varies from culture to culture. About two centuries ago in Europe the word 'intelligence' referred to eloquence - writing poetry and stuff. These days it is associated with technical understanding (nerds), which is almost the opposite. So intelligence is at least to some extent having a mix of qualities that fits in nicely with the culture you happen to live in. DirkvdM 09:36, 7 March 2006 (UTC)
- Nerds can produce a lot of poetry. From csh (Unix manual) : Although robust enough for general use, adventures into the esoteric periphery of the C shell may reveal unexpected quirks. --DLL 12:01, 11 March 2006 (UTC)
safeway
what is Safeways mission statement? singed--198.237.188.55 22:56, 6 March 2006 (UTC)
- I don't know, but Morrisons bought Safeway out in 2004.
Slumgum 23:03, 6 March 2006 (UTC)- The original poster is from Oregon and is probably referring to Safeway Inc. To my knowledge they don't have a mission statement. Safeway.com doesn't seem to link to one. --Optichan 14:28, 7 March 2006 (UTC)
Honey Bees
From the wikipedia article: "They have specially modified hairs on their body that develop a static electricity charge which attract pollen grains to their bodies" Does anyone know how to explain this from an evolutionary standpoint? This almost sounds like (the impossible situation) of a flower using the bee for evolution; pollination is great for the flower, but what does it do for the bee? Beside the obvious "it makes more flowers"--aren't bees oblivious to the role they play in pollination? —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 206.8.175.238 (talk • contribs) .
- It's not at all impossible -- the flowers pretty much did "use bees for evolution", but it works both ways, and in fact this sort of symbiosis happens all the time. The bees and the flowers evolved together, negotiating a very nice little quid pro quo. Speaking in the terribly risky, anthropomorphic terms which evolutionary biologists love to use, it went something like this:
- Bees: We're tiny flying insects and we need a high-density energy source to eat.
- Flowers: We can photosynthesize sugars all day long, but we can't move, so we need someone to do the cross-pollination thing for us.
- Bees: We fly around all over the place anyway. Howzabout you start secreting nectar we can drink, and we'll see if we can't figure out a way to carry pollen around for youse guys while we're at it. Deal?
- Flowers: Deal.
- Now, as an exercise, take a look at seedless oranges and tangerines, which not only can't move but don't even have functioning reproductive organs any more, and figure out which creatures they've "used" in a similar way, to assist them in their reproduction. And what do those creatures get out of it, or are they oblivious, too?
- —Steve Summit (talk) 03:23, 7 March 2006 (UTC)
- Okay, that's cute, but I'm still missing what the incentive was for the bees to develop a pollen-carrying mechanism. I mean, once the flowers started producing nectar, couldn't there be bees that "freeloaded" on the system without carrying any pollen?
- Excellent question; I was kinda worried about that, too. I learn from our own pollination article that the bees aren't just carrying pollen for the flowers' sake; they're intent on taking much of it back to the hive, for their own use, as a protein source. (That nectar, it's all empty calories.) —Steve Summit (talk) 03:31, 7 March 2006 (UTC)
- It would be nearly impossible to "freeload". In order to get to the nectar, the bees have to get their proverbial hands (or feet) dirty and crawl through the pollen. A lot of it will stick without any concious pollen collecting on the bee's part. - Mgm|(talk) 09:23, 7 March 2006 (UTC)
- Simple. If the bees need the flowers they want more of them so pollinating them is to their advantage. DirkvdM 09:40, 7 March 2006 (UTC)
March 7
Steadiness
Why is it impossible to hold a camera or flashlight completely steady for any amount of time?
--Shadarian 02:02, 7 March 2006 (UTC)
- Because your muscles are pulling in different directions, and it's hard to balance them. —Keenan Pepper 03:16, 7 March 2006 (UTC)
- In particular, the body doesn't have sufficiently fine control over muscle tension to keep a muscle exerting an exactly constant force. Presumably this ability never evolved because there was no evolutionary advantage to being able to hold an object very still (or, at least, not until recent millennia when long-range weapons requiring accurate aim were developed). For most purposes it's good enough if the force exerted keeps oscillating around the desired level (like when you're driving a car down the road, you don't have to keep it dead center in the lane, it's all right if you make tiny steering corrections from time to time to keep it within a few inches of the center). But for holding a tool extremely steady, this isn't good enough, and so you can't do it. --Anonymous, 06:24 UTC, March 7.
- A trick you can use to steady a camera is to place it against a heavy object (large book, rock...) and hold the two of them together. The two together will have a much greater inertia than the camera alone, and so will be steadier.
- Alternatively, you can use a tripod :) — QuantumEleven | (talk) 08:47, 8 March 2006 (UTC)
- A trick you can use to steady a camera is to place it against a heavy object (large book, rock...) and hold the two of them together. The two together will have a much greater inertia than the camera alone, and so will be steadier.
- An alternative to a tripod (or a monopod or what should I call that) is a piece of string tied to the camera lens and your foot and held taut - a lot easier to carry around. Or lean against something. DirkvdM 07:06, 12 March 2006 (UTC)
- Heh. But which edition is that from? It's a very different style of illustration than the ones I read. (For those just joining us, see here.) —Steve Summit (talk) 16:23, 11 March 2006 (UTC)
So far Ruud Van Nisterlooy has scored 148 goals in his 210 game appearances for Manchester United. I heard that he scored these all goals, from inside the penality area box only. Is it true.
- This was true, until quite recently. On November 19 2005 when van Nistelrooy scored against Charlton Athletic, his first goal for United from outside the penalty area, in a 3-1 win. [5] Qwghlm 17:00, 7 March 2006 (UTC)
Most paid Football Player
Hi Who is the most paid football(Soccer) player in the world in terms of salary only. How much he gains for a week?
- This was already asked and answered above, wasn't it? Is there some sort of quiz? Notinasnaid 08:31, 7 March 2006 (UTC)
- If we're talking current players, I would guess David Beckham to be up there, but Brazilians or Germans soccer players could be paid pretty well too. - Mgm|(talk) 09:25, 7 March 2006 (UTC)
See here. It's Frank Lampard.
Slumgum 10:20, 7 March 2006 (UTC)
Tell me this photo!
A classic shot -- a man, i thought it was James Dean, leaning against a brick wall, cigarette hanging from his lip, hands tucked into tight jeans, with his leg against the wall.
it is from some movie.
someone PLEASE let me know this picture! gelo 11:24, 7 March 2006 (UTC)
- That roughly describes an image of James Dean that I've seen on posters and such. I think it's from Rebel Without a Cause but I'm not certain. Dismas|(talk) 11:26, 7 March 2006 (UTC)
anyone have a link to the photo? cos i cant seem to find it anywhere.
=( gelo 11:48, 7 March 2006 (UTC)
- Is it this? You want the one that comes up in the top right and shows him full length. CambridgeBayWeather (Talk) 11:54, 7 March 2006 (UTC)
- Here's another version. This is uncolourized and is the reverse of the movie poster. And the last but I don't know what this is from. CambridgeBayWeather (Talk) 12:02, 7 March 2006 (UTC)
No. Not it. =(
I remember the photo was showing the guy from the side. gelo 13:02, 7 March 2006 (UTC)
- From his side, eh? So did he have one foot on the ground and the other leg was bent so that the bottom of his foot was flat against the wall? That brings to mind a similar image but I can't think of where I've seen it. Dismas|(talk) 14:38, 7 March 2006 (UTC)
- I think it was a silhouette too. freshgavinΓΛĿЌ 06:01, 8 March 2006 (UTC)
- From his side, eh? So did he have one foot on the ground and the other leg was bent so that the bottom of his foot was flat against the wall? That brings to mind a similar image but I can't think of where I've seen it. Dismas|(talk) 14:38, 7 March 2006 (UTC)
Yes thats the one Dismas. But WHERE can I find it??!! gelo 06:40, 8 March 2006 (UTC)
- First we gotta figure out who it is. I think I've seen the same image you both are thinking of, and I would have guessed it was James Dean, too, but it doesn't show up anywhere on a google images search for James Dean, nor for Marlon Brando, which was my next guess. Anybody else got any other ideas? —Steve Summit (talk) 06:32, 9 March 2006 (UTC)
As a matter of fact.. I now think it was Marlon Brando. I'm quite sure actually. But still... no search shows anything.
Actually, maybe it was James Dean?...
LOL i really dunno. gelo 05:28, 10 March 2006 (UTC)
branch book
Please can you help me to find what is a branch book (marketing word) thanks in advance.
- Ummm ... I've read, and written, quite a lot on marketing, yet I can't recall having seen this term. Can you give us more context? For example, can you quote a sentence or paragraph in which you have seen the term used? Maid Marion 15:22, 7 March 2006 (UTC)
what is it? --130.111.98.244 15:30, 7 March 2006 (UTC)
- The US EPA doesn't seem to know... they just say "Amphipod/freshwater scud/side swimmer". Lupo 15:53, 7 March 2006 (UTC)
What does this mean Lupo ? --Owlsrus 15:53, 7 March 2006 (UTC)
- Well, what does Owlsrus mean? (Hint: see Wikipedia:Sign your posts on talk pages.) If you meant "what does 'Amphipod/freshwater scud/side swimmer' mean", follow the blue links or ask the EPA; I don't know. Lupo 16:09, 7 March 2006 (UTC)
Luminous carbuncle
What is a Luminous carbuncle? What is its significance? For great justice. 16:15, 7 March 2006 (UTC)
- What is the context? As you can see in the Carbuncle article, there are several, quite varied, uses for this word. Personally, I'd hope a luminous carbuncle has more to do with the gem than with the abcess. --LarryMac 16:21, 7 March 2006 (UTC)

In the Arial character set I saw that "object" symbol. Do you know what it means or is used for? When I tried to paste it in the Google searchbox, it turned into a space character. --Valkov 16:29, 7 March 2006 (UTC)
- The character is U+FFFC OBJECT REPLACEMENT CHARACTER. GNOME Character Map says it's "used as placeholder in text for an otherwise unspecified object". —Keenan Pepper 17:56, 7 March 2006 (UTC)
- Are there any examples of it being used as an unspecified object? Does that mean objects that otherwise wouldn't be visible? --Optichan 18:38, 7 March 2006 (UTC)
- "Object" here is used in the sense of something non-textual that might occur in a stream of text, like an inline image. --Anonymous, 11:05 UTC, March 8, 2006.
- Are there any examples of it being used as an unspecified object? Does that mean objects that otherwise wouldn't be visible? --Optichan 18:38, 7 March 2006 (UTC)
What happens to Will Reeve, now that both parents passed away?
Will Reeve, only 13, isn't old enough to live on his own. His mother, Dana Reeve just passed away recently. Now with both parents gone, what happens to Will? Who will raise him now? How will life be better and worse for him (other than for obvious reasons)? --Shultz III 16:48, 7 March 2006 (UTC)
- The same thing that would happen to any other child orphaned at a young age - he would be left to the care of whomever his mother nominated in her will, or to another close kin, or to the state. Natgoo 19:37, 7 March 2006 (UTC)
- Hopefully not to the state!!! He was living REALLY well so I sincerely hope Will's life doesn't become much poorer now. Other than private schools, what do rich kids usually enjoy that a more common kid might not? To have a whole lot more than his mom and dad taken from him will hurt him much more than he's already been. --Shultz III 20:43, 7 March 2006 (UTC)
- He should be put into a pod and sent to a planet whose inhabitants are much weaker than him. He could fight crimes, save lives, wear his underpants on the outside and wear a cape.
Slumgum 21:57, 7 March 2006 (UTC)
- He should be put into a pod and sent to a planet whose inhabitants are much weaker than him. He could fight crimes, save lives, wear his underpants on the outside and wear a cape.
- You know, Mr. Shultz III, a child of 13 values many things much more than money, e.g. love and attention, sociality, and mental and physical challenge. Even if he wasn't to live as rich a life as he did before his parents died, it doesn't neccessarily mean his quality of life would suffer. freshgavinΓΛĿЌ 05:59, 8 March 2006 (UTC)
- True, but I've heard a lot of people talk about bad experiences in an orphanage. And while he might value other things than money, moving into an orphanage, would mean a great transition which could add to the stress of his parents' death. Besides, the people in an orphanage do the best they can, but they obviously can't give everyone the personal care and attention they need. So in that sense, going to live with family or a foster family is better. At least IMHO. - Mgm|(talk) 09:51, 8 March 2006 (UTC)
- While it's good to have concern for others I think here are the people we should be concerned for, rather than a young man who, although having lost both parents, will still be living a comfortable life. CambridgeBayWeather (Talk) 11:02, 8 March 2006 (UTC)
Whats any different to some other kid losing both parents at a young age? In some ways he should be better of, atleast he has money when so many others are left with nothing. Im_in_ur_house
EXTERNAL LINKS
I am new to Wikipedia.
I note that there are EXTERNAL LINKS in various articles; for example in the Paris Travel section 'Nightlife' there are external links to the web sites of various bars and other commercial entertainment establishments.
I provide rental apartment accommodation for visitors to Paris and other European cities and I would like to place an external link to my web site in an appropriate place in the articles. I would like to know how to do this.
I would be very happy to provide related articles and co-related links to Wikipedia from my own website. Please advise. Thank you.
Bill Cameron Ward
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Help_desk"
- It would depend on the notablility of the site and the link's presence would add something to what the article already has. You might want to ask other editors' opinions on the talk page for the article. --Optichan 18:56, 7 March 2006 (UTC)
- Also note that Wikitravel also exists and is more liberal about what links to commercial tourism sites it links to. --Robert Merkel 01:34, 8 March 2006 (UTC)
Am I correct in my understanding that provided that there is an intellectually valuable contribution to the content, it is up to the contributor to insert links if they wish in Wikitravel pieces? I was intrigued to note that following my original enquiry yesterday which used for example the presence of external links to the web sites of some bars and other commercial establishments, that the entire section 'Nightlife' seems to have been removed. Could this be a prudish reaction to the subject matter?
Bill Cameron Ward
Disasters
Has there ever been a documented case of an earthquake happening at the same time as a Hurricane/Typhoon/Cyclone?
- Not that I know of, and I've been doing earthquakes for a while. Landslides are associated with major rain events, and also with earthquakes. --Zeizmic 21:34, 7 March 2006 (UTC)
- ISTR Haiti suffered both within a couple of weeks three or four years back. Law of averages would indicate that they're bound to coincide somewhere sometime - especially since a lot of countries are prone to both (particularly in the eastern Pacific basin - Japan through to about PNG). Grutness...wha? 01:15, 8 March 2006 (UTC)
- I can see it now. Year 2010, Hurricane Brokeback is bearing down on Slightly-Used Orleans, loading the gov't low-bid, insider levees. Suddenly the downstream companion fault of New Madrid lets go with a Magnitude 8. Nobody knows what happens, since everybody is having cocktails, and taking videos of being warned about this. :) --Zeizmic 02:07, 8 March 2006 (UTC)
Name of Chinese song
What is the name of the Chinese song featured in this flash file? I'm particularly interested in searching for it on the English Google. Thanks! --Uthbrian (talk) 19:46, 7 March 2006 (UTC)
- It's a very famous song, I'm quite sure this is just a remix because the version(s) I usually hear is instrumental and very traditional, and I assume quite old. Your best bet may be to look through some soundtracks of big Chinese movies (especially those that did well outside China) or possibly credits for commercials of Chinese travel agencies. freshgavinΓΛĿЌ 05:54, 8 March 2006 (UTC)
- I don't know what the name of the Chinese song is, but I know this link provides all the information you'll probably need. [6] - from what I can tell (which might be completely wrong), the song is sung by 李麗芬, .the title of the song is 愛江山更愛美人, and it's associated with a Taiwan show that was broadcast..probably called 倚天屠龍記. --HappyCamper 22:20, 10 March 2006 (UTC)
Language
What language has more opportunities:Italian or Indonesian,It is because i want to learn italian or indonesian,just one,please help me,thank you
- Opportunities for what? Employment? It depends on which country you are in or wish to live in, and what field you wish to work in: Translation? Writing? Teaching? Indonesian is probably spoken by more people, but Italian is probably a bit easier to learn and more useful if you live in the European Union or a mainly European country like the US or Australia. --Canley 00:31, 8 March 2006 (UTC)
- If you're Australian, Indonesian is kind of economically useful seeing that they're just across the pond, and, unlike Italian, there aren't that many people who have learned it at home here. --Robert Merkel 02:09, 8 March 2006 (UTC)
- There is at least one benefit in being able to speak Indonesian that doesn't apply to Italian. Though there are many Indonesians fluent in English, Westerners fluent in Indonesian (and most asian language) are quite rare and that can lead to opportunities (i.e. in TV or radio). freshgavinΓΛĿЌ 05:46, 8 March 2006 (UTC)
- If indeed many Indonesians are fluent in English, that will only be because there are so many Indonesians. Which is one reason to choose Indonesian. At a quarter billion inhabitants it's the world's 4th most populous country. 4% of the world's population are native speakers. And to that you should add Malaysians, because Indonesian and Malay are almost the same. Also, most Italian speakers will speak English reasonably well, whereas few Indonesian speakers do. DirkvdM 09:25, 9 March 2006 (UTC)
March 8
Child Abuse Awareness Month
Hello, I am writing an article for my high school newspaper about Child abuse awareness month and I cannot find information about it anywhere. If someone could help me find some stuff about it that would be great. Zach 02:00, 8 March 2006 (UTC)
- Go to Google and type in "child abuse awareness month" and you get a pile of stuff. You may also be interested in Wikipedia's articles on child abuse. Good luck with your article.--Robert Merkel 02:06, 8 March 2006 (UTC)
Hitler's 'Stache
Is there some sort of term to classify it? Preferrably not something along the lines of "a hitler". There's a Japanese comedian that sports one and I'd prefer not to have to describe him as "hitler-esque" in his article. freshgavinΓΛĿЌ 06:15, 8 March 2006 (UTC)
- "Hitler mustache" is certainly the term most familiar to me for it, but there is also "toothbrush mustache". --Anonymous, 06:26 UTC, March 8, 2006.
- The comedian may be more flattered if you describe it as Chaplinesque. Grutness...wha? 06:53, 8 March 2006 (UTC)
- Yes, I'm sure he would. And now that I think of it, that's probably what he's going for! Thanks! freshgavinΓΛĿЌ 07:19, 8 March 2006 (UTC)
- The comedian may be more flattered if you describe it as Chaplinesque. Grutness...wha? 06:53, 8 March 2006 (UTC)
- Yes, it is a "toothbrush" . See Moustache#Moustache_styles. --Shantavira 09:40, 8 March 2006 (UTC)
Linen cords for Tzitzit
Can anyone please tell me where can one purchase LINEN cords for Tzitzit under reliable Orthodox Rabbinical supervision? Thank you.
- Why don't you find the reliable orthodox rabbi first, and then you can ask him? Or am I missing something? --Shantavira 09:45, 8 March 2006 (UTC)
Rabbis answer questions on Jewish law. They are not in the trade for selling linen cords for tzitzit.
American
Americans (People of the United States)are reffered to this,but all people of the Americas are Americans.I have read this somewhere at one time people of the United States have an actual name that they are called. I have been searching for about 8 years for this answer. Can you help me?
Thanks Randy Zuk
- I've seen this discussed around here before. I ask anyone who feels adventurous and can remember key words from that conversation, to look up the old discussion. - Mgm|(talk) 09:54, 8 March 2006 (UTC)
- See also Use of the word American. CambridgeBayWeather (Talk) 10:23, 8 March 2006 (UTC)
- Here's the previous question, Wikipedia:Reference desk archive/Humanities/February 2006#United States (found with what links here). ×Meegs 11:48, 8 March 2006 (UTC)
- See also Use of the word American. CambridgeBayWeather (Talk) 10:23, 8 March 2006 (UTC)
Fantasy Films
In the early 20th Century, when were fantasy films popular and why were they?
- Have a look at Early Development of Cinema and Georges Méliès. David Sneek 10:57, 8 March 2006 (UTC)
- ...and escapism. --Shantavira 12:58, 8 March 2006 (UTC)
Effects of a nuclear war in the northern hemisphere, on the southern hemisphere
This isn't homework, I'm just curious. If a nuclear war wiped out all life, land and nations north of the equator, what would be the political and social effects to the inhabitants and nations south of the equator? I know we can only speculate but I think it's interesting. I'm especially curious as to which country would become the new superpower, Australia or Brazil.
- I think to speculate you need to find some other catastrophe than a nuclear war to develop this speculation. In this scenario, with that much radiation flying around, the southern hemisphere would have a few months to live. This would tend to focus their attention on digging holes, building shelters, or escaping to space, leaving little time for worrying about who would be a superpower... Notinasnaid 12:11, 8 March 2006 (UTC)
- See On the Beach for Nevil Shutes ideas. CambridgeBayWeather (Talk) 12:12, 8 March 2006 (UTC)
Assuming that some weird other cause would totally wipe out humanity in the Northern Hemispere and leave the Southern hemisphere totally intact, with the equator being a sharp 'cut-off line' (or what should I call that?). Then Indonesia (or rather Java) would have something like 1/3 of the remaining population. Since much of the wealth countries have depends on international trade and most of that will be lost with the major economies lost, these southern economies would collapse and they would all have to start from scratch (well, not entirely of course, but there will be a strong effect along those lines). And then the population numbers will become a decisive factor. So my bet would be on Indonesia. Or would indigenous natural resources be decisive? In that case Congo would be a strong contender (no, not South Africa - who needs gold and diamonds in a survival situation?). Of course we can come up with all sorts of variations on this. What if all 'rich' countries would cease to exist? Or all land below 1 km would be flooded? DirkvdM 09:46, 9 March 2006 (UTC)
In a survival situation any country which can't feed its own population is pretty much fucked. In that scenario Brazil seems quite strong. The question remains unanswerable though - too many variables. Celcius 03:53, 10 March 2006 (UTC)
Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion
I wonder, will Oblivion run on a ATI Radeon 9200 SE?
- That range of cards is not listed as supported by the game, so perhaps not. [7] --Canley 01:59, 9 March 2006 (UTC)
help!!!!!
i need to know how people have effected ireland and what the culture is
- Try reading our article on Ireland. And start your homework earlier.—WAvegetarian•CONTRIBUTIONSTALK• EMAIL• 15:01, 8 March 2006 (UTC)
- Very few people have effected Ireland, but some have affected Ireland. JackofOz 19:34, 8 March 2006 (UTC)
- I always find it annoying to use affect/effect. Kilo-Lima Vous pouvez parler 20:12, 8 March 2006 (UTC)
- Well, then don't. DirkvdM 09:48, 9 March 2006 (UTC)
- I always find it annoying to use affect/effect. Kilo-Lima Vous pouvez parler 20:12, 8 March 2006 (UTC)
- Very few people have effected Ireland, but some have affected Ireland. JackofOz 19:34, 8 March 2006 (UTC)
- Affect = verb; effect = noun. It could be worse. I've seen people mix up "it's"/"its" or even worse "there"/"their"/"they're". - Mgm|(talk) 10:27, 9 March 2006 (UTC)
- "Affect = verb; effect = noun." — I'll effect the change to my vocabulary immediately. GeeJo (t) (c) • 14:05, 9 March 2006 (UTC)
- Right, affect can only be a verb but effect can be both a verb and a noun. As a verb, 'effect' is active ("I will effect this"), whereas 'affect' is passive ("that will affect that"). I think. (I might as well, considering I am :) .) DirkvdM 10:51, 10 March 2006 (UTC)
- Affect can also be a noun- meaning "feeling". Markyour words 22:43, 11 March 2006 (UTC)
- The most common one up here is "residents" and "residence". CambridgeBayWeather (Talk) 11:12, 10 March 2006 (UTC)
- Right, affect can only be a verb but effect can be both a verb and a noun. As a verb, 'effect' is active ("I will effect this"), whereas 'affect' is passive ("that will affect that"). I think. (I might as well, considering I am :) .) DirkvdM 10:51, 10 March 2006 (UTC)
International Boundary
Please tell me the name of International Boundary between India and Bangladesh
- Try looking at a map or our article on India and Bangladesh and work it out yourself. Kilo-Lima Vous pouvez parler 20:13, 8 March 2006 (UTC)
Football
What 4 english players that have cost over 7 million pounds and have not played for England81.138.19.96 15:33, 8 March 2006 (UTC)
- 1. Do
- 2. Your
- 3. Own
- 4. Homework
- This doesn't smell like homework. Please, answer your own pub quiz questions. --Sam Pointon United FC 18:52, 8 March 2006 (UTC)
I can only think of Dean Richards (£8.1m), who (I'm pretty sure) is also the world-record for a never-capped player. But if you change 'over £7m' to '£7m or over' you can also get Dean Ashton, Carl Cort and Seth Johnson, who were all sold for £7m. User, if you use a site like soccerbase.com, you can find the answers for yourself.
Slumgum 19:00, 8 March 2006 (UTC)
- Kevin Davies amazingly cost 7.5m when Blackburn bought him in 1998. Jameswilson 02:39, 10 March 2006 (UTC)
Age of piano
I am trying to find an encyclopedia that shows the age of a piano by looking up the serial number. There had been a fellow, that had done some repair work on mine, that said at that time it was over 100 years old. That has been over 20 some years ago and he is no longer around. Wouild appreciate any help you might give. Thank you
- I would think that contacting the company that made the piano, if they are still in business, would be the easiest method to determine the age of you piano. Dismas|(talk) 21:39, 8 March 2006 (UTC)
- No answer, but a possible indication of the age. How many keys does the piano have? Mine has 85, whereas modern pianos have 88. I don't know when the change was made, though. Also, my piano has 2 sets of 4 holes, where candleholders would have fitted. Too bad they're gone. :( DirkvdM 09:53, 9 March 2006 (UTC)
- 85 key pianos were made at least as recently as 1900. Even Steinway still made them in the 1890s. Rmhermen 16:10, 9 March 2006 (UTC)
What is the full power description?
I wanted to know what the full powers are of the cursed devil fruits in "One Piece" are?
More Crap from Cernen
Ahoihoi. The rumors of my death are not entirely true, but people are allowed to think them as such anyway. *ahem* Okay. I have a couple of questions for you all.
- Nancy Glass had this television show she was working on called "American Journal." It would appear that we have no article on American Journal, nor one on Nancy Glass, but it had a theme song that I was absolutely in love with. It was a classical piece I heard one time on the radio, and have never heard again. If I could write sheet music, I'd upload some image. I'd really like to know the theme song.
- I'm interested in studying languages. I don't care which languages, really. But what I would like to know is, what do some of you recommend I do in college to further this goal?
Cernen Xanthine Katrena 19:43, 8 March 2006 (UTC)
- I don't know about the first question, but I would recommend the languages. Perhaps you would be interested in learning French? It's mostly linked with numerous English words; and it's quite a good language, but there are hundreds of verbs that you would have to remember if you want to speak it quite clearly. You need to know the plural, past, present, future, "you" [saying the word], "he" [saying the word], "she" [saying the word], they [saying the word], us [saying the word], them (masculine) [saying the word], them (femanine) [saying the word]. But besides all of that, it's quite easy. But there are regular and irregular verbs that you also need to know, like boire (drink); but the past is bu (drank). Hope that helps! Kilo-Lima Vous pouvez parler 20:57, 8 March 2006 (UTC)
- I've often been told that one should take Latin and an etymology course of some sorts when you want to study languages. P.S. Good to see you back, I actually had been wondering if you fell off the planet. Dismas|(talk) 21:30, 8 March 2006 (UTC)
- This would be a good one to learn. CambridgeBayWeather (Talk) 23:03, 8 March 2006 (UTC)
- If I recall correctly, the theme song from American Journal was an excerpt from Appalachian Spring by Aaron Copland. It was the section based on Simple Gifts. Here's a clip from Amazon: Windows Media format or Real Player format. --Uthbrian (talk) 04:35, 9 March 2006 (UTC)
78th Academy Awards
Hi, can anyone tell me if either Jack Black and/or Johnny Depp attended the Oscars a few days ago; or even better, if you don't mind, get a list of all the celebrities who attended? Thank you very, very much! Kilo-Lima Vous pouvez parler 20:10, 8 March 2006 (UTC)
- Try 78th Academy Awards - I sure did like Jack Blacks "Oscar Speech too Long" song...
- Are you sure? I already checked there and I couldn't find any of theme. Kilo-Lima Vous pouvez parler 18:01, 9 March 2006 (UTC)
audio
what does "eng dub" mean? --64.185.108.199 20:58, 8 March 2006 (UTC)zilasuki
- English dub, probably. Meaning it was originally recorded in another language and then later they dubbed English over the existing audio instead of adding subtitles. Dismas|(talk) 21:21, 8 March 2006 (UTC)
Erection?
feel like? --Owlsrus 21:03, 8 March 2006 (UTC)
- Please suitly emphazi your question. -- Run! 21:58, 8 March 2006 (UTC)
- Perhaps the person meant "what does an erection feel like?"... Anyone wants to share the feeling? ☢ Ҡi∊ff⌇↯ 07:40, 9 March 2006 (UTC)
- On the other hand, it's possible he was asking if we feel like having one, and as soon as someone says yes the Reference Desk'll be spammed with porn ads. GeeJo (t) (c) • 08:39, 9 March 2006 (UTC)
- Perhaps the person meant "what does an erection feel like?"... Anyone wants to share the feeling? ☢ Ҡi∊ff⌇↯ 07:40, 9 March 2006 (UTC)
- On the other hand it feels quite different. Just try it. DirkvdM 09:56, 9 March 2006 (UTC)
- Different from what? (That reminds me of the old non-sequitur about "I've tried sex a few times, but I prefer the real thing"). JackofOz 20:10, 9 March 2006 (UTC)
- On the other hand it feels quite different. Just try it. DirkvdM 09:56, 9 March 2006 (UTC)
- I'm not assuming anything, but if this was a request to have an erection, I'm going to report them for soliciting. Sometimes, not being clear can be an advantage... - Mgm|(talk) 10:30, 9 March 2006 (UTC)
- Perhaps, the first person who posed the question is a woman and wants men to explain the matter from a scientific and experiential standpoint. As a man, I think that after I reached puberty about three times per week on average — provided that I don't starve myself like an ascetic — I get a true erection. I hypothesize that it starts when my stupid brain shoots sexual hormones into my body.
Finally I ejaculate. This is true of every man. I have concluded that if a man had never had an erection and ejaculated, then he would not grow facial and pubic hair.
I think this is enough.
--66.81.192.90 02:57, 11 March 2006 (UTC)
Value of the Silver certificates
Hello. I read the page you have on silver certificates (I have one and was curious) but it did not mention anything about finding out what they are worth. Can you help me with this? I am in a small town that does not have anywhere to have this done. Thank you.
Laura
I dont know exactly how much they are worth but im am intrested in obtaining one, for a good price. plz leave ur email address if ur intrested. thanx
- No, please don't post an email address, it's just fodder for spammers and will be deleted from here. User:Zoe|(talk) 17:19, 9 March 2006 (UTC)
At the end of the paragrah there's a link to YPS which is a disambiguation page for a school and an airport. The link makes no sense in either context. Anyone got any idea what it should be? Thanks. CambridgeBayWeather (Talk) 22:58, 8 March 2006 (UTC)
- Possibly de:YPS? -83.129.14.232 00:12, 9 March 2006 (UTC)
- That would be it. Thanks. CambridgeBayWeather (Talk) 08:32, 9 March 2006 (UTC)
fish and milk
Growning up in the 1950 I was told that you could have milk and fish at the same time I am from Ohio and a Friend that is in Texas said the same thing wanted to know whylink titleInsert non-formatted text here
- this is another unsuitly emphazi'd question. You can drink whatever you want to while you fish, though having too much alcohol while you're close to a large body of water isn't the safest thing (especially if you're in charge of the boat. On the other hand, you might mean drinking milk while eating fish, which is no problem (but is it kosher? That's another problem - IZAK? Tomer? Anyone?). Perhaps the question refers to eating fish while breast-feeding - that one I wouldn['t have a clue about. Grutness...wha? 07:07, 9 March 2006 (UTC)
- Fish is pareve, so it's kosher to eat it with milk. —Keenan Pepper 08:03, 9 March 2006 (UTC)
- I've never seen a fisherman drink milk, but that doesn't mean it's impossible. DirkvdM 09:58, 9 March 2006 (UTC)
Some Jewish religious authorities forbid the eating of fish together with milk, on the grounds that it is a danger to health. (Bet Yosef on Tur, Yoreh Deah chapter 87). Others however say that this ruling arose as a result of a scribal error and it is therefore permitted to eat the two together. (Shach on Shulchan Aruch, Yoreh Deah chapter 87 paragraph 5).
- As for breastfeeding, fish recommendations are usually phrased something like "If you are pregnant, planning to be pregnant or have young children", so presumably they would be the same for breastfeeding mothers. Although at least one study seems to say that it isn't a problem - organic mercury from fish not present in breastmilk but inorganic mercury from dental fillings was.[8] Rmhermen 16:03, 9 March 2006 (UTC)
- Perhaps you mean plaice cooked in milk which I had for lunch the other day? Jameswilson 00:45, 10 March 2006 (UTC)
what do you call?
what do you call something that's black, and white, and red, and green, has it's nose to the wind, it's back to the grindstone, and a fondness for chopped liver?--Promptatorian 23:31, 8 March 2006 (UTC)
- pepper. -LambaJan 03:23, 9 March 2006 (UTC)
Nehru
Does someone know where i can buy black nehru jackets in Los Angeles area?
- Are Nehru jackets back in style again? Cool! If so, I'd be surprised of you couldn't find one on Melrose Avenue in the Fairfax District, since pretty much every other kind of clothing seems to be for sale there. Good luck! MCB 22:16, 9 March 2006 (UTC)
March 9
Duel SIM card
How do use duel SIM card in a same mobile Phone?
- Google Dual SIM Card. You should find enough information there. There is no "default" way to do it, but there are cheap gadgets that will let you.
Non-partisan website which analyzes arguments about politics
I'm trying to find this website in my favorites or the web but I can't remember much about it, except that it was really good. One basic thing is that it attacks the arguments of both democrats and replublicans (in american politics). One thing I might have read on it might have been about the inheritance tax, or tax cuts in general. Also there might have been an analysis of the Bush/Gore debates. I think it focused on pointing out flaws in arguments and where people get the facts wrong or something.
- Yes! I've finally found it. The first site I was at is SpinSanity, which is now closed down but has links to other sites. The one I was thinking about was FactCheck.org. By the way, I highly recommend it.--Catquas 05:09, 9 March 2006 (UTC)
Im gona do it
Ive decided to end my life...wat would be the best way to go about this? — Preceding unsigned comment added by Im in ur house (talk • contribs)
- life is uniformly and infallibly fatal, so all you really have to do is wait. this takes no special effort and it's guaranteed to succeed.
- if you're in some sort of hurry then i suggest contacting a psychiatrist; many of them know a great deal about suicide and could suggest something. —Charles P._(Mirv) 06:03, 9 March 2006 (UTC)
- And if you're in a bigger hurry consult a crisis hotline or take yourself to the nearest hospital casualty department. --Robert Merkel 08:46, 9 March 2006 (UTC)
- It depends on what sort of suicide you want. Is it a messy suicide? A painless suicide? A novel and exciting suicide? If I was going to commit suicide, I would want to spend my last moments doing something rather exciting that I've never done before - so I'd skydive without a parachute. It might cost alot, but it doesn't matter if I die broke. -- Run! 12:34, 9 March 2006 (UTC)
Alternatively, one could go insane. I've done it and it's lots of fun. Go to a psychiatrist and he pulls one of the special pills from his drawer. It's equivalent to jumping. --Zeizmic 15:46, 9 March 2006 (UTC)
well i tryied this suicide thing and it gave me quite a thrill but, u know, i still enjoy self-harm better coz then u get to experience the pain and see the scares afterwards.
- If you have a political issue you feel strongly about you could draw attention to it by setting yourself on fire, like several hundred Bhuddist monks in the Vietnam War & a quaker whose name I forget. AllanHainey 15:47, 10 March 2006 (UTC)
- You can admit to the latest terrible crime you read in the news. Depending on where you live, you might be able to get the state to do it for you this way. (The downside is it involves lying and keeps the perp. on the street)-LambaJan 03:22, 11 March 2006 (UTC)
Robot Wars TV show in U.S. from year 2000,2001 & reruns after
Can we find info. on director, producer, writers of TV show,and on what channel, program and year it was last seen?---Saliha786 Thank you so much.
- imdb has references to several different TV series called Robot Wars. You might click on the links to figure out which one you're talking about. User:Zoe|(talk) 17:23, 9 March 2006 (UTC)
New Episodes of Doctor Who
This is more of a presonal question than a reference question: Since the beginning of this year, new films and episodes of Doctor Who (the Christmas Invasion and Series 2) have been released to the general public.(See Doctor Who Serials#David Tenant) So where can I buy or borrow videos,CDs, and DVDs of these new episodes?(I live in Sydney, Australia.)Bowei 06:41, 9 March 2006 (UTC)
- The only new stuff we've seen is Christmas Invasion ... which is presumably going to come with Series 2 on DVD. (Series 2's not due to start 'til Easter.) You could try asking on a fan forum like Outpost Gallifrey to see if someone could lend you a vid of Chrimbo. --Bth 09:13, 9 March 2006 (UTC)
- PS That forum requires free registration. In the meantime if you want to see David Tennant in something written by Russell the T you could get yourself the superb [[9]]Casanova, which is out in Oz. --Bth 09:30, 9 March 2006 (UTC)
- Yesterday, CBBC reported that Peter Kay will play a villain in the upcoming series of Doctor Who. All that's been broadcast is the Christmas episode. The rest is yet to come, they're still filming. You can rest assured that the BBC will make a big announcement when the new episodes are released. - Mgm|(talk) 10:36, 9 March 2006 (UTC)
- To keep up to date, try checking http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho on a regular basis. - Mgm|(talk) 10:37, 9 March 2006 (UTC)
- There's also the question of whether this has anything to do with the Dr. Who vandal who migrated over here from the Homestar Runner Wiki. Yeltensic42 don't panic 00:52, 11 March 2006 (UTC)
Business
Hello i was just wondering can anyone provide some information, that if a business has a market share of 18% in 2003 and then 16 % in 2004 and 14% in 2005, what might me some financial and marketing strategies that the business might adopt to confront the problem? Thank You
- At a guess, trying to get random strangers on the Internet to act as free consultants wouldn't be a winning strategy. Or is this business studies homework? --Bth 09:24, 9 March 2006 (UTC)
- In cases like this it is important to look at the big picture, continue to upskill and to be customer-centric. Pro-actively. David Sneek 09:32, 9 March 2006 (UTC)
- And of course to utilise synergies. --Bth 09:54, 9 March 2006 (UTC)
- And agressively pursue organic growth through acquisitions, and diversify to concentrate on your core competencies. BINGO�!--Robert Merkel 12:21, 9 March 2006 (UTC)
- You haven't defined whether there is a problem. Market share is only one metric. For instance, if the market doubled in size over that interval, the company seems to be doing very well by most measures. Notinasnaid 09:33, 9 March 2006 (UTC)
- Then again, just as money makes money, market share creates market share. That's why most products have just a few maufacuturers - the small ones are often ignored by the buyers (which is why commercials are used to make them believe they're bigger than they really are - and it often works). A market share of over 10% is still quite reasonable, provided you distinguish yourself from the competition - effectively creating your own little niche market (in the buyer's mind at least) where you hold a monopoly (think Mac). DirkvdM 10:12, 9 March 2006 (UTC)
Photos
Some one asked this before but i dont know when and I even forgot the answer. My question is how to insert a photo in my article?
- Take a look at Wikipedia:Picture tutorial, but before uploading a photo, make sure that it is not copyrighted (for instance, it's almost always not OK to just upload a photo from another website). — QuantumEleven | (talk) 11:04, 9 March 2006 (UTC)
- If you are looking for photos to add, then browse the Wikimedia Commons. Commons:Category:Automobiles would be a good place to start for images of cars. Thryduulf 12:40, 9 March 2006 (UTC)
Photos
Some one asked this before but i dont know when and I even forgot the answer. My question is how to insert a photo in my article?Since my artcles are on cars(2) and a bike. If you want to read it see my userpage. Suraj vas
- wow! déjà vu! Grutness...wha? 11:44, 9 March 2006 (UTC)
- If you also wrote the above question, your question will be most likely answered there. Kilo-Lima Vous pouvez parler 17:58, 9 March 2006 (UTC)
Matching non-alchoholic beverages
If you go to a very expensive restaurant, they will happily suggest wines to match each dish you get. However, neither my wife nor I drink alcohol. So I wonder if they ever match anything other than wine to the dishes you get. Specifically, would they suggest something non-alchoholic, if that's what you want. And more importantly, would I look like an idiot if I asked them to do so?:) --Ornil 22:44, 9 March 2006 (UTC)
- I think that's a reasonable request, depending on how classy the restaurant is. If it's really classy, they should have all kinds of fancy juices and mineral waters, and the waiter should be able to suggest one to go with your meal. I tried some San Pellegrino once and that was some pretty damn good water. —Keenan Pepper 23:14, 9 March 2006 (UTC)
- In a snooty restaurant, they will be snooty about it. But in some places it would produce a genuine attempt to give a good idea. Above all, a good restaurant will try to help you and make you feel welcome, rather than like an idiot; it's only good hospitality. Most places don't have much of a range of non-alcoholic beverages, and most of them are sweet, which doesn't really go with most savoury dishes. Avoid any suggestions of alcohol-free wine. Why not experiment at home: try different juices and other beverages with particular kinds of food. Although wine buffs like to endlessly speculate about matches (why not: it's pretentious and it's fun), there aren't so many basic flavours. Consider rich meaty dishes; cheesy dishes; light, simple fish; things with creamy sauces; simple vegetable/pasta dishes; oriental; sour things; chocolate; other sweet things. Or consider tea: there are lots of teas, with a wide variety of flavours. And if a snooty restaurant doesn't have your chosen tea, well then you can be snooty right back at them. This sounds like it could be a fun activity for a dinner party too. Notinasnaid 23:20, 9 March 2006 (UTC)
- I have definitely seen a set menu advertised with matched non-alcoholic beverages, though the impression I got was that that particular occasion was a one-off. But it at least suggests that that restaurant would have tried to help you—if I could only remember where in the world it was.
- What country are you in? Not drinking alcohol is considered completely normal in the United States, but might be thought more unusual in many European countries.
- As previous respondents said, your request is reasonable and a good restaurant would attempt to accommodate it. Of course, the most expensive restaurants are not always the best. —Blotwell 00:26, 10 March 2006 (UTC)
- I am in the US. --Ornil 01:06, 10 March 2006 (UTC)
- My advice is: Ask the waiter. His reaction will be a good measure of the quality of the restaurant. If he can't make any suggestions for you that's a clear indication of bad service. Afterall, he's there to make the dining-experience a pleasant one and non-alcoholic requests can't be that odd. I live in North and only a small minority does not drink alcohol - but I would definitely consider it extremely bad form if the waiter acts "snooty". Don't worry about it - if they can't take care of a simple request it's their service which has a problem - not you. Celcius 04:14, 10 March 2006 (UTC)
- If you're in Australia, you can get a nice type of non-alcoholic wine called Maison. It tastes a fair bit like wine, comes in a glass bottle with a champagne-style cork, and has four varities: Red, White, Red Champagne (Maison Lambrusca) and White Champagne (Maison Supreme). It's $3 a bottle and you can get it in Coles.
- If you're experimenting with 'fancy' non-alcoholic drinks, try Elderflower juice. It has quite a unique taste, and is not as sweet as many fruit juices, so would go well with savoury food. I was recently served some as a non-alcoholic alternative at a fancy dinner, and it was delicious! — QuantumEleven | (talk) 12:49, 10 March 2006 (UTC)
March 10
iTunes Music Store accounts
How can I start an account without a gift certificate, credit card etc? I don't need to buy anything, I'm just trying to download some of the free podcasts like The Onion.
- If you have a valid email address you should be able to open an iTunes Music Store account. Follow the first External link near the bottom of the WP article. You will be prompted to download iTunes 6 which you will need to do to open your account. hydnjo talk 03:44, 10 March 2006 (UTC)
XUV Sltudebaker
Aloha,
My brother used to own a Studebaker when I was around 10yro. If I remember corect it was in 1950 pr 1955, Always love the car. It was so far ahead of all other on the road. Very few repairs eithsr. Now I see a XUV STUDEBAKER SUV type, want to know a lot more about it. Is it on the market to buy? Does Studebaker have any other van, trucks. minivans? If they are not so so high in price I could be interested.
I think now that some of us have grown up and matured enough to handle what ever it is. Always looking fot the different out of style kind of truck.
Please let me find out morel\\
Mahalo, Tom
- As always, Google is your friend; The Avanti Studebaker XUV, with "a lot more" information about the vehicle, and links to other Avanti products. --LarryMac 16:11, 10 March 2006 (UTC)
Waving
On the news there was a woman who saw and spoke to ghosts and a ghost told her to take a picture, so she did, and in it was a ghost waving, it was all over the news here in Canberra, but I can't find it anywhere in google, anyone know how I can find it?
- Are you sure it's not a case of Kirlian photography? - 131.211.210.11 08:20, 10 March 2006 (UTC)
No I am definitley not sure, I'm not a believer, I just find it very interesting
Best Sennheiser headphones for use with an iPod?
I need some good Sennheiser circumaural headphones for use with an iPod. I blew $200 on the HD-515s, and then all the reviews say they're terrible with portables, and supra-aurals drive me nuts. Thanks.
- Dammit Jim, I'm an encyclopedia, not an electronics store! — QuantumEleven | (talk) 12:44, 10 March 2006 (UTC)
- HD-555s. Or you could get a portable amp for the 515s. Incidentally, if those were US dollars you seriously overpaid. Markyour words 14:39, 10 March 2006 (UTC)
Cartoon follow-up
Some while ago I asked if anyone could ID a cartoon show that I rented when I was very young. No one could figure it out, but I was asked that if I should find the title that I should tell you all about it. The cartoon is "Mr. Rossi's dreams" KeeganB
- See Bruno Bozzetto offical web site and now you can upgrade the Bruno Bozzetto article. CambridgeBayWeather (Talk) 08:54, 10 March 2006 (UTC)
Anubis
Can someone please provide instructions on how to use the Anubis cipher.--Keycard (talk) 08:34, 10 March 2006 (UTC)
- yes i could give u instructions if i had them. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Im in ur house (talk • contribs)
- You can find Java/C implementations on the cipher here. GeeJo (t) (c) • 09:56, 10 March 2006 (UTC)
No, but how do I actually go about encrypting text with it? I don't know what to dow ith the Java/C implementations.Thanks--Keycard (talk) 13:35, 10 March 2006 (UTC)
- The reference implementations only provide block encryption & decryption. To actually encrypt & decrypt files (as opposed to 128-bit blocks of data), you will need to wrap the block functions in code implementing one of the block cipher modes of operation. -- AJR | Talk 18:00, 11 March 2006 (UTC)
Largest Ship Manufacturer
- What is the name of the largest manufacturer of ships and aircraft carriers in the world?
- What is the name of the largest manufacturer of ships of in the United States?
--66.81.193.89 13:08, 10 March 2006 (UTC)
- This looks like homework, so i suggest you find out by yourself. A good article to start with would be Defence contractor -Benbread 17:38, 10 March 2006 (UTC)
- I can't think what subject would set a homework question like this. Seems more like idle curiosity to me. GeeJo (t) (c) • 17:47, 10 March 2006 (UTC)
- I don't know, but I'm relatively confident that they'll be one and the same, since no nation apart from the US operates supercarriers, nor is any nation attempting to challenge the US Navy for global power projection. The likeliest exception, to my mind, would be Russian submarine yards, which could still be cranking out boats for international export (I think the Kilo class is still the most common in that area), and that per-boat could easily eclipse US submarine construction, which is currently restricted to a few Virginia-class boats. Of course, a good bit of this depends on what defines "largest". I've gone under the military assumption, but a civilian yard could well turn out more tonnage for merchant shipping. — Lomn Talk 18:23, 10 March 2006 (UTC)
- Perhaps this one. Rmhermen 19:07, 10 March 2006 (UTC)
- Manufacturer of the largest ship and aircraft carrier? Largest manufacturer of ships and aircraft carriers? Manufacturer of largest tonnage of ships? Manufacturer of the greatest number of ships? Manufacturer with the largest stock capitalisation? Suitly emphazi, please. Markyour words 19:32, 10 March 2006 (UTC)
- I mean the company with the highest revenue that produces ships in the same way that Airbus produces airplanes.
For the U.S., I know that Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and Northrop Grumman are the top aircraft manufacturer. However, while I was in a discussion with my friends about ships, I couldn't come up with a single company that produces ships -- let alone the one with the largest revenue. This is "an idle curiosity question," and I am looking for the manufacturer of ships with the highest revenue in (1) the world and (2) United States.
--66.81.193.226 21:50, 10 March 2006 (UTC)
- Is General Dynamics the answer for the U.S. company?
- The question's still unclear. Most companies which produce ships will also produce other things. Do you want the company which makes the most money from making ships, or the company which makes ships which makes the most money? According to Business Week, Hyundai is the 'world's largest shipbuilder', but I don't know what their criteria are. [10] Markyour words 22:29, 10 March 2006 (UTC)
- I want the company which makes ships that generates the most revenue in all areas of production. I am referring to the overall revenue of the company; not a subset thereof.
- Then I think it's Samsung. It's the world's 14th biggest company, and has a shipbuilding subsidiary. Markyour words 14:47, 11 March 2006 (UTC)
Help me find the Chief
This was recently posted on the Newcomers' help page:
I am trying to find a Chief of a Ojibway Tribe around 1979 80 I is a long story and I had the "hots" for his daughter at the time.
I was invited to dinner at their lodge on birch Island I think, and the next thing I know I am learing how to build log cabins. I was around 17 or 18 at the time. I just wanted to thank them for all the things they taught me.
Could you find out what his name was. I went out with his daughter a few times too. This was when I was managing the Island Lodge with BOB. Between Birch Island and White Fish Falls and I knew old Mike too who lived on the island, Steel Boat and some of the other guides.
My name is Leslie
They may regognize me at
www.lesthehandyman.com
I am however 20 years older
— QuantumEleven | (talk) 13:16, 10 March 2006 (UTC)
- Well, from the fact that the tribe was located on and around Birch Island, I'd think it'd be the Whitefish River First Nation, which we don't have an article on. Their homepage is here. All I can tell you about leadership is that the current chief is Shining Turtle, or Franklin Paibomsai. As to whether he was chief 20 years ago I couldn't say — you'd have to contact either him specifically at "chief at whitefishriver dot ca" or the general information address at "info at whitefishriver dot ca" GeeJo (t) (c) • 17:26, 10 March 2006 (UTC)
Score of the Rams - 49ers game in December 1986
I've searched all over the web and I can't find the final score of the game played Dec. 19, 1986 between the Rams and 49ers. Can anyone tell me how to get this info?
Thanks. Sean
--67.101.52.57 22:25, 10 March 2006 (UTC)
- You couldn't have looked very hard. Took me 48 seconds. 49ers won 24-14.webpage
Slumgum 22:30, 10 March 2006 (UTC)
Euro's
In the euro-biljet, in the left down side of the map there are a few little maps placed in. What are these countries, and why are they on that map? I searched a lot for it, but can't find it. (although probably it is on a logical place, where i didn't looked it up). effeietsanders 23:21, 10 March 2006 (UTC)
- Do you mean on this map - Image:Euro map de.png? CambridgeBayWeather (Talk) 23:36, 10 March 2006 (UTC)
- Ah that's on the right not the left but they are shown as being parts of France, Spain and Portugal. CambridgeBayWeather (Talk) 23:39, 10 March 2006 (UTC)
- Euro biljet, folks - that's banknotes. And as our article Euro banknotes says, "The following member overseas territories are shown: the Azores, French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Madeira, Martinique, Réunion, and the Canary Islands." Grutness...wha? 01:39, 11 March 2006 (UTC)
- Ohhhh! Is my face red now. CambridgeBayWeather (Talk) 07:16, 11 March 2006 (UTC)
- Hmmm, the Netherlands Antilles are part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, so aren't they part of the EU as well? DirkvdM 08:26, 11 March 2006 (UTC)
- Thank you all! I always thought it was Suriname, and lately I doubted somehow, because the shape was not correct :P And that article I couldn't find :s Now i know where it is, let's read it for more little piny tiny interesting details. :) effeietsanders 08:31, 11 March 2006 (UTC)
My Network TV's Programming
Why don't My Network TV's programming schedule consist of English-speaking telenovelas, reality shows and sports?
- Apparently they chose not to have that kind of programming. Why don't you ask them? Yeltensic42 don't panic 00:47, 11 March 2006 (UTC)
- Because they don't have sports. They do have the others. --Metropolitan90 03:01, 11 March 2006 (UTC)
Apparently, the tn207 bot has completely changed ip numbers. Can this be done with 'throw-away' accounts? I thought they stopped giving those sort of accounts. --Zeizmic 02:41, 11 March 2006 (UTC)
March 11
Cloth
What is the name of Clothes used by Dr.No from the James Bond movie Dr.No?
- It's a Nehru jacket, isn't it? (Although that page only mentions a different James Bond villain.) Oddly enough, there was a question about those here just a couple of days
whoago. --Anonymous, 03:45 UTC, March 11, 2006.
Soccer Made In Germany?
I've noticed there are no articles or links to the late 70s/early 80s PBS (united states) show "Soccer Made In Germany". I've spoken with many people who've discovered European football thru watching this show, not to mention the game Subbuteo, which was often plugged at the end of the program. The host was Toby Charles, who was also the play by play announcer in the movie "Victory", which was called "Escape to Victory" overseas.
I would love to have more information on this seminal show that brought so many Americans to the beautiful game of Soccer. The history, how it came to be, episodes, matches played, results, etc?
planet display
What is the correct name of the device that is a model of the planets and their positions as they rotate about the sun. I've seen them in antique stores.
Tanaqui C Weaver
This question is about Delirium (DC Comics) and The Dalemark Quartet by Diana Wynne Jones.
So I was reading The Sandman Companion by Hy Bender, and in the bit about Delirium's origins, Gaiman mentions someone named Tanaqui C Weaver. The name hit a huge OMG ote with me - I'm a fan of Gaiman and DWJ, and I've followed the endless connections in-between their works (Nichothodes in Deep Secret, Eight Days of Luke/American Gods, Stardust/Half of DWJ's stuff, Hexwood), and now I see a new one - Tanaqui the weaver/witch from The Spellcoats, and this real-life person.
So, my question(s) is(are), does anyone know anything about who this person is? A writer, or an aquantiance? And was the book-Tanaqui named after the real-Tanaqui, or was it the other way 'round? Or is Tanaqui a real name?
(Apologies for the giant muddled fannish paragraph of doom.) DuctapeDaredevil 04:58, 11 March 2006 (UTC)
- Well if you look here and search for "Tanaqui C. Weaver" (2 listings) you can find what might be his email. CambridgeBayWeather (Talk) 07:40, 11 March 2006 (UTC)
End of the world
Is this the end of the world?
- Well it does say "So far, it is very difficult for humans to become infected with H5N1" so it's not all that likely. CambridgeBayWeather (Talk) 07:43, 11 March 2006 (UTC)
- Define 'world'. I challenge you to come up with a reasonable definition that makes the statement even the least bit plausible (provided you don't reduce 'end' to something silly). DirkvdM 08:29, 11 March 2006 (UTC)
- I suitly emphazi it for you, World meets sun. CambridgeBayWeather (Talk) 09:06, 11 March 2006 (UTC)
- Yeah, that should do it. Don't tell any terrorists. DirkvdM 07:08, 12 March 2006 (UTC)
Java/C Implementation
What do I do with these to make them work? I found them online.--Keycard (talk) 07:28, 11 March 2006 (UTC)
- I don't understand the question. What exactly did you find? If it's C or Java source code, you have to compile it, which can be very tricky. If it's Java bytecode, you have to run it with a Java virtual machine. —Keenan Pepper 18:42, 11 March 2006 (UTC)
Blowfish/Twofish
Is there any way I can download these for use on my PC, rather than having to go online each time?--Keycard (talk) 08:23, 11 March 2006 (UTC)
- You could use GNU Privacy Guard (GPG), which supports (amongst other things) Blowfish and Twofish. — Matt Crypto 10:56, 11 March 2006 (UTC)
Military rankings
I've been watching MASH (TV series), and I'd like a little clarification about army ranks, as they would have been in the 1900s. -What's the difference between officers and enlisted personnel? -What is the sliding scale of ranks? You start off as ensign or private, and then go private -> corporal -> lieutenant -> captain -> major -> lieutenant colonel -> colonel -> major -> general? Thanks.
Japanese PSone Games
What devices do I need to play Japanese playstation one games? Do I need a japanese playstation one, or is there an add on I can use?
- What country do you live in? If you're American, you shouldn't need any extra equipment. If you're European, or Australian, you need either a boot disk (difficult to find now), a modchip (illegal in many parts of the world) or a Japanese PSone (really cheap now). It depends on what games you want, but you're better off buying your games directly from a Japanese store and getting them shipped, as they're a lot cheaper there (duh). I know that copies of Valkyrie Profile cost up to US$180 in the States, but you can get them for the equivilent of US$15 in Japanese game stores. Your best option is to pay a friend in Japan to buy used games from stores and ship them to you, but you probably don't have a friend in Japan. If you have any pals who are heavy gamers, chances are they'll want an import title or two as well, and splitting the shipping costs really helps. Taiq 15:23, 11 March 2006 (UTC)
Freeipods offer
i recently visited freeipods.com and i have a question. for the offer which you have to complete, can u not do it and still pretend u got it by having a special cookie. if so, where can u get the cookie? thanks
- Dammit Jim, I'm an encyclopedia, not a hacking guide! —Keenan Pepper 18:38, 11 March 2006 (UTC)
Turbo sound option on a TV set. + Ideal contrast/brightness/colour/etc ratios.
My TV has a two turbo options, for both picture and sound. What does it do?
On a related note, what are the recommended levels for contrast, brightness, colour and sharpness? I use my set only for DVDs, and it's set at Contrast: 100/100, Brightness: 50/100, Colour: 50/100, Sharpness: 100/100.
- I recently acquired a new TV, and after a lot of fiddling with the settings, I discovered that contrast (on my set, at least) is best at about 30% of the way up. Brightness and sharpness and the other settings can be adjusted to taste (personally, brightness is about 70% of the way up, and sharpness is at about 90%). I think, though, that every television has a different optimal setting for these. Vis á vis 'turbo' options, I have no clue. --Sam Pointon United FC 15:45, 11 March 2006 (UTC)
- Just a guess, but are the turbo options a quick way of switching between two settings? The turbo sound op could be used for when you want more bass for example, and the picture turbo could be for storing a preset for when you've got the lights off. You'd be best consulting the manual.
Slumgum 15:54, 11 March 2006 (UTC)
- Just a guess, but are the turbo options a quick way of switching between two settings? The turbo sound op could be used for when you want more bass for example, and the picture turbo could be for storing a preset for when you've got the lights off. You'd be best consulting the manual.
- Just a guess, but any button labeled "Turbo" on a mass-market product is usually only a step removed from go-faster stripes. —Steve Summit (talk) 16:27, 11 March 2006 (UTC)
- Actually, some old (i.e. DOS era) PCs do have a turbo button which has an actual purpose - when turbo was off, the computer would run more slowly so that old games which would otherwise run too fast would be playable. -- AJR | Talk 19:19, 11 March 2006 (UTC)
- haha yeah, those rocked, i had a 386sx with one of those... and then i had an AMD 486 p5x133 (don't ask), and the mainboard had a turbo header, so i connected the button... when you turned turbo 'off' though on the AMD, the entire machine would hang. But then when you turned the turbo back on it would keep running from where it left off. Very odd. incindentally eventually i clocked the chip up to 163 mhz (hell of a 486) but after a couple weeks it burnt out. ah such days. remember the pentiums that had the LED display of their clock speed, too? hahahaha. hilarious. Perle 09:12, 12 March 2006 (UTC)
- What's the make and model of the TV? CambridgeBayWeather (Talk) 05:56, 12 March 2006 (UTC)
about king cobra venom, and how it spitt its venom for defence mechanism
about king cobra venom, and how it spitt its venom for defence mechanism
- You might wanna check the king cobra article for the information on the venom....Jayant,17 Years, India • contribs 17:25, 11 March 2006 (UTC)
Stone Temple Pilots
I heard a song by STP on the radio and they didn't say what song it was. It began with 'I am...' and something about roses I think. Could someone tell me the name of the song so I can get the CD?
- Hii...I think the song that you are searching for is Dead Bloated...heres the link to the lyrics.....Jayant,17 Years, India • contribs 17:20, 11 March 2006 (UTC)
- Thanks! That's the one!
- You are welcome.....!! :-D...Jayant,17 Years, India • contribs 18:07, 11 March 2006 (UTC)
- It's "Dead & Bloated" actually. It's on their first album, Core. --jh51681 18:27, 11 March 2006 (UTC)
- Oh...k... Sorry about that... the name of the song was wrong on the website... Jayant,17 Years, India • contribs 18:42, 11 March 2006 (UTC)
Questions: Video Game Concepts and Galley Components
Question 1: How would one go about getting into game design? As in, coming up with the concepts for video games and getting them made?
Question 2: How would one go about finding out what sorts of things, aside from wood and some shipwrights, go into a certain ship, such as a galley. So many variables would be involved, it seems impossible to find out. It would be nice if someone could provide me with something (A guide if at all possible. I'm not looking to build one, I'm just curious. :P) that could specifically list out what would be required to build a specific ship, so I could get a general idea. I think the Bible did a bit of that with Noah's Ark, but I think something a bit later on (ancient or medeival age) and not, no offense to theists, fictional would be better for my needs. :P --Demonesque 18:48, 11 March 2006 (UTC)
How much does each type of grad make?
I need to know how much money people make in a year (on average) in the U.S. for these levels:
High school dropout:
High school graduate:
Associates Degree:
Bachelors Degree:
Masters Degree:
Doctorate Degree:
Or you can give me a website that has this. Thanks
- There are so many variables in your question that the answers border on pointless. For example, what the subject area was of those who got a Masters degree. A degree holder in finance could make much more than one in education. I also know of several high school dropouts that made more than college graduates. Also, I'm guessing from the terms that you use that you're looking for U.S. statistics only? Dismas|(talk) 19:08, 11 March 2006 (UTC)
- I'm going to disagree; this is far from pointless. You can say that, for example, the average Brazilian has a lower income than the average American, despite the fact that Pele probably does a lot better than someone living in a poor section of Detroit. Anyways, I think the questioner has a point, and so does the United States Census Bureau, which released a report available on their Population Reports page, specifically report 23-210 - The Big Payoff: Educational Attainment and Synthetic Estimates of Work-Life Earnings. (this is a direct link to the report in PDF format; look at Figure 1 for a full set of numbers). It's actually pretty interesting reading; a bachelor's degree holder has about double the expected lifetime income of a high school dropout. ByeByeBaby 20:55, 11 March 2006 (UTC)
Martial Arts
Hi,Does someone know the name of the martial art that combines Judo,Karate and Kung Fu?,because i forgot the name,I heard it long time ago,but i can't remember,thank you.
- I don't know but you can look for it in Category:Martial arts. —Keenan Pepper 21:10, 11 March 2006 (UTC)
Is it kajukenbo? if not, try the category mixed martial arts --your mom
4th of July 1879 grand baseball match
hello... i ran across your information site here, and i was wondering if there was any information you could give me on a poster i had found many years ago folded in the back of an old clock. it is a poster of a grand baseball match (its words not mine),between the diamond baseball club, and the concord baseball club of concord. on the concord grounds, at the rear of the fitchburg depot. it states that baseball not being "officially" an athletic sport is not announced by the executive committee. the time of the game is 8:30, and crossed out and penciled in at 9:00. apparently im not much of a researcher because i havent been able to find any information on it, although i did find another poster like it in the library of congress, they didnt really give any information about it. and denied my request for information. you can see their copy of the poster online in the library of congress, washington d.c. i was hoping you could tell me something about this day, and this game, i would be extrememly interested in anything you could tell me. thank you for considering my question.
meagain...Meagain46247 04:59, 11 March 2006 (UTC)
- Klongress's version can be viewed here from this page.
Slumgum 22:25, 11 March 2006 (UTC)
Pete Sampras
Where can i find SAMPRAS matches and watch them
self-hypnosis tapes
Do those self-hypnosis tapes for getting rid of fears they sell at Amazon work or is it a scam? KeeganB
- Not sure about the phobia tapes...I used a football (soccer) improvement hypnosis tape. It gave me the belief that I was a better player, which gave me more confidence which DID make me a better player. It may be psychsomatic, but if you believe it's working then it actually is.
Slumgum 22:19, 11 March 2006 (UTC)
There's a good 20% chance that anything will work, if you believe it. This is the placebo effect. Sometimes, it's a good last ditch effort. I used to have bad sinus problems, went the whole medical route, and finally decided to try the placebo effect. I decided to really believe that acupuncture would work, and it did! Never had a sinus problem again (plus I use seawater at the tiniest sign of a problem). Did it really work? Who knows, but the result was good enough for me. Good old 20%! --Zeizmic 02:36, 12 March 2006 (UTC)
- Wait, that completely misses the point. "I'm going to take this placebo so I can get better, but I must believe it will work!" How the hell will you do this if you know it's a placebo offhand!? ☢ Ҡi∊ff⌇↯ 03:16, 12 March 2006 (UTC)
March 12
US Military Base in Mt. Kitanglad
ANYBODY KNOWS SOMETHING ABOUT THE US MILITARY BASE LOCATED IN MT. KITANGLAD, BUKIDNON, PHILIPPINES... I'VE HEARD A LOT OF RUMOURS ABOUT THIS STUFF... APPARENTLY IT CAN NOT BE DETECTED BY ANY RADAR FROM OTHER COUNTRIES SUROUNDING THIS AREA... ANYBODY?
- Sounds like yet another conspiracy theory. Radar isn't used to detect land-based ground objects due to ground clutter and no other countries are within radar range of the Philippines anyway. Physical isolation makes for good security (see, for example, Groom Lake) but a "stealth base" is more than a little farfetched. — Lomn Talk 06:13, 12 March 2006 (UTC)
Soda (Cosa-Cola) Bottle Units of Measurement
Hi,
I was at my colleague's place for dinner and we were discussing lot of things. I was asked the following question during the discussion. In America, everything is measured in English units (e.g. ounces, pounds, etc) but we see bottles of soda (e.g. coca-cola) marked in "liter (or litre)". Why just the soda bottles are marked in litre, which is metric system? Could you please let me know?
Thanks in advance,
GS
My guess is because Coca-Cola is produced and sold worldwide, and more countries use the metric system, so they can use the same label.--anonymuck
- Still, the US internal market is big enough (especially for cola) for a separate bottle. Visiting Canadians or Mexicans bringing in (or back) 'wrong' bottles shouldn't be too much of a problem, realtively speaking. DirkvdM 07:15, 12 March 2006 (UTC)
The above guess is just wrong. Different countries have different labeling laws, which are likely to require things like nutritional information and ingredient lists in the local language or languages.
I think the actual explanation is that there was a program to introduce metric measure into general use in the US around 1975, the same as in Canada; but it lost political support and not much was done. If the Coca-Cola company (or one of its competitors) was introducing a new size of large bottle around that time, they may have decided to make it metric because if they didn't then they'd only have to change it when the conversion process was complete. When the new size caught on, the industry stayed with metric for other large sizes. This also is only a guess, but it makes sense. --Anonymous, 07:49 UTC [or in metric: 28.14 ks :-)], March 12, 2006.
- This page says the 2-liter was introduced by Pepsi in 1970, when the U.S. was just starting to look at metrication. So it could have been in anticipation of a later large-scale move to metric in the U.S., or it could have been done so Pepsi could use the same bottles worldwide. There does seem to be a move toward standardization in pop-container sizes around the world. I remember when they had smaller cans in Canada; now they're "355 mL," that is, 12 oz. They've also introduced a 500-milliliter bottle in the U.S. (while charging the same as for an old 20 oz. bottle). -- Mwalcoff 09:09, 12 March 2006 (UTC)
creative zen micro into amp
hey guys,
i have a creative zen micro and i would like to hook it up so i can listen to it through my amp (line 6 spider II 30w). how might i do this?
- I don't have the micro but I hook my zen from the headphone/earbud right to the amp. Works fine using a Y-adapter mini stereo plug to dual phon plugs. CambridgeBayWeather (Talk) 05:42, 12 March 2006 (UTC)
gameboy color power adapter
Is it okay if I use my digital camera's dc power adapter with my gameboy color? The gameboy color needs a 3volt power adapter, but the digital camera adapter gives off 3.7volts. When i turn on the gameboy with this, the POWER LED is rather bright, but i can cover it up with some paper and tape so it wont bother me. --172.156.124.158 05:26, 12 March 2006 (UTC)
- The unusually bright LED is the sign of too much voltage flowing through that circuitry, which suggests that the gameboy is not equipped with any internal voltage regulation. You're putting the GB at fairly considerable risk, I'd say. — Lomn Talk 06:17, 12 March 2006 (UTC)
- He's right. That extra 0.7 V can damage the circuit after some period of time. I suggest you to check some electronics store for an adapter on the correct voltage and current. ☢ Ҡi∊ff⌇↯ 06:29, 12 March 2006 (UTC)
Death
Do some people really die with thier eyes open, and if so, why and how?
I think i might have an answer for if the answer is 'yes'. Possible reason 1: because when you die, your eyelid muscles contract, and become open. Possible reason 2: your skin contracts when you die, so natural the eye lids open. [or not] --antiestablishmentarianist (your mom, or, anonymuck)
- And then in films they move a hand over the eyes and they close. Assuming that works, it doesn't fit in with your explanations. I have always assumed the closing is a reflex still at work. Reflexes go on for a while after death, don't they? I don't have an answer to the question, but am inclined to turn it around. Why would people close their eyes when they die? DirkvdM 07:19, 12 March 2006 (UTC)
solar systemy names
Okay...why is our sun simply called "Sun", our moon called "the Moon" and our home planet just called "Earth"? I realize it may only be in english that the planets don't have names, but they deserve names.--antiestablishmentarianist
- The sun is formally known as "Sol" and the moon "Luna" (and less frequently, "Selene"). "Earth" is now considered a proper name and should be capitalized, in addition to the lower-case "earth" meaning "dirt". — Lomn Talk 06:19, 12 March 2006 (UTC)
- The Moon was the first moon we knew. Only then did we learn that there are other moons. So the question should be the other way around. Why didn't we come up with a generic name for 'moons'? (satelites, orbiters?) 'Our Sun' is also the wrong way around. There are many stars and our star is the Sun. When we learned that we already knew of the existence of stars and had a name for them ('star'), so the moon0problem could not arise.
- What do you mean planets don't have names? They do. At least the known ones in our solar system. I suspect a fundamental misunderstanding on your part, but can't figure out what it is. DirkvdM 07:30, 12 March 2006 (UTC)
answer to Pi
If I found a way (or pattern) to calculate Pi, or if I found the answer to the Dorabella Cipher who could i sell the idea to, and for how much? Could I charge 100 billion dollars for the answer of any of these?--antiestablishmentarianist
- I'm not sure what you mean by the 'calculating Pi' bit, considering Pi is irrational and has an infinite number of decimal places, so you will never be able to stop at a certain digit and say "ah ha, this is the EXACT value of Pi". Even so, we already have a number of algorithms for calculating (or at least giving a good approximation of Pi. 219.93.29.135 06:20, 12 March 2006 (UTC)
- For Pi: nope, not a cent. Pi is calculable to arbitrarily high numbers of digits and only 15 or so are necessary for any conceivable purpose. For Dorabella: There's a good chance of a cash prize floating around somewhere for an unsolved problem, but it's likely just a curiosity, not a cryptographic revolution. Something on the order of a few thousand dollars might be reasonable. — Lomn Talk 06:22, 12 March 2006 (UTC)
- To answer the question literally, though: yes, you could charge <evil>one hundred billion dollars</evil>, but unless accompanied by a "laser", no one is going to pay up. — Lomn Talk 06:23, 12 March 2006 (UTC)
- If you're looking to get rich by solving a math problem, try Clay Mathematics Institute#The Millennium Prize problems. They're worth a million each. —Keenan Pepper 07:19, 12 March 2006 (UTC)
about asian gangs
whut is the name of an asian gang who are based in portland oregon?
- A "Laotian street gang in Portland called the Red Cobra Bloods" from here. CambridgeBayWeather (Talk) 07:33, 12 March 2006 (UTC)
Jails in Manitoba
Is there any jails in Manitoba, that students can visit to be educated?--142.161.238.21 07:24, 12 March 2006 (UTC)
- There's a list of them here with contact numbers. You could phone and check. CambridgeBayWeather (Talk) 07:31, 12 March 2006 (UTC)
- What kind of education are you looking for? :) DirkvdM 07:34, 12 March 2006 (UTC)
B-side
How to play the music in b-side?--ka hang 10:15, 12 March 2006 (UTC)