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January 18
London rain
How can London be the third-rainiest AND the sixth-driest city in Europe at the same time? 24.23.196.85 (talk) 03:17, 18 January 2013 (UTC)
- Rainiest is an unclear term. Sixth-driest presumably mean that London has the sixth lowest average annual rainfall, i.e. the total rain that falls. Another common meteorological measure is rain days. That might be what they mean by rainiest. This is the number of days that it rains in a place over a period. London has that wonderful "drizzle every day" climate, that makes you feel like it's always raining, but total rainfall is not that high. (Do remember that they invented cricket there!) HiLo48 (talk) 03:31, 18 January 2013 (UTC)
- Maybe ask Mark Twain. And just to be overly pedantic, cricket was first recorded in the county of Hampshire in southern England. Richard Avery (talk) 08:40, 18 January 2013 (UTC)
- I am pretty sure that third raniest is wrong. I am sure that Glasgow, Cardiff, Manchester, Swansea, Dublin, Bergen - a lot of places. If you are looking at this site it has the number of wet and snowy days in London 100 too much! -- Q Chris (talk) 13:47, 18 January 2013 (UTC)
- But Q Chris, what do you mean by rainiest? HiLo48 (talk) 21:47, 18 January 2013 (UTC)
- I am pretty sure that third raniest is wrong. I am sure that Glasgow, Cardiff, Manchester, Swansea, Dublin, Bergen - a lot of places. If you are looking at this site it has the number of wet and snowy days in London 100 too much! -- Q Chris (talk) 13:47, 18 January 2013 (UTC)
- Maybe ask Mark Twain. And just to be overly pedantic, cricket was first recorded in the county of Hampshire in southern England. Richard Avery (talk) 08:40, 18 January 2013 (UTC)
Agree with HiLo - it rains for a long time here without any great volume of precipitation. London's average precipitation is 592 mm over 110 rainy days (being more than 1.0 mm); in contrast, Rome has 804 mm over 79 days. Surprisingly, Sydney has 1,212 mm over 144 days. Alansplodge (talk) 23:04, 18 January 2013 (UTC)
- The "sixth driest city" claim is reported in The Daily Express Bring Me Sunshine; "...in fact by some calculations London is the sixth driest city in Europe." The "third rainiest" comes from Salvatore Rubbino, A Walk in London. Alansplodge (talk) 23:15, 18 January 2013 (UTC)
- D'oh! I see that both facts are in Interesting European Weather Facts and Extremes linked in the question above, hence this question. Alansplodge (talk) 01:53, 21 January 2013 (UTC)
English speaking countries versus other first world countries in mergers and acquisitions
I noticed from this table published on mergers and acquisitions activity in 2012 by country (http://www.bloomberg.com/professional/files/2013/01/MA-Legal-League-Tables-2012.pdf the table is on page 11) that English speaking countries from the US to NZ seem to have a lot more M&A than other first world countries like France or Germany. I figured buy and selling assets in the corporate world would be very similar throughout but does this data indicate there is something very cultural behind M&A?
Preparedtobecrowded (talk) 05:17, 18 January 2013 (UTC)
- On page 11, it says that New Zealand had 127 deals work 4K millon. Germany and France both had much more than that. Can you clarify what you're looking at? RudolfRed (talk) 05:36, 18 January 2013 (UTC)
New Zealand too appears to be more active in M&A than Germany/France relative to the sizes of economies. Preparedtobecrowded (talk) 06:57, 18 January 2013 (UTC)
Created an article !
Hello, I created an article on wikipedia yesterday name Cric Blast. It was decline by Exciral. I edited it and sent it again for review. Has it been accpeted? If not when will it be reviewed and when will the answer come to me ? — Preceding unsigned comment added by Muhtashim (talk • contribs) 07:35, 18 January 2013 (UTC)
- The article in question appears to be promoting a Facebook page that you have created yourself. As the decline message says, there is no evidence that the page is notable - that is, that it has been covered in reliable sources that are not connected with it. It is also written like an advertisement, and you have a clear conflict of interest, so it is very unlikely that the article will be accepted in anything like its present form. AndrewWTaylor (talk) 11:27, 18 January 2013 (UTC)
- It seems you still haven't understood why your article was rejected: basically, unless some famous news outlets, or book authors, or famous bloggers, start talking about your Facebook page, your Facebook page is not eligible for a wikipedia article. --Lgriot (talk) 13:55, 18 January 2013 (UTC)
- ...and... Even if your page is covered in major media (you have only 124 "likes"...so it obviously isn't!), you are the wrong person to be creating or editing it. You have an extreme "conflict of interest". Having the wiki article make the facebook page sound really good would be something you'd obviously desire - resulting in a bias (either conscious or unconscious) against including material that might be critical of your facebook page. Wikipedia has rules about that. So all you can really do is to make your facebook page really, outstandingly good - hope that mainstream media finds it and gets excited about it - and when it's a world-wide phenom, then you can be quite certain that someone will come along and write a Wikipedia article about it. What definitely won't happen is that you (or anyone else) would create the Wikipedia article and thereby somehow drive more traffic to your facebook page to make it more popular. That won't work - mostly because Wikipedia doesn't allow articles about things that aren't reported widely elsewhere - but it also won't work because all Wikipedia pages are covered by a rule that tells Google - and most other search engines - not to count Wikipedia in the "pagerank" of the web pages that it refers to. So getting a mention in Wikipedia doesn't make your facebook page show up higher in Google search results. We have this arrangement with Google (and others) precisely to avoid people doing what you (perhaps) have in mind here.
- SteveBaker (talk) 16:46, 18 January 2013 (UTC)
- It seems you still haven't understood why your article was rejected: basically, unless some famous news outlets, or book authors, or famous bloggers, start talking about your Facebook page, your Facebook page is not eligible for a wikipedia article. --Lgriot (talk) 13:55, 18 January 2013 (UTC)
Silicone
Is there a difference between a white silicone or a clear silicone used for bathroom water fixtures?108.8.201.251 (talk) 17:09, 18 January 2013 (UTC)
- Sure, the white silicone usually has a white pigment, likely some Titanium dioxide pigment added to it, but functionally there shouldn't be a difference between white silicone and clear silicone; as long as you use the same formulation aside from the pigment. It should be noted that there are many different formulations of silicone caulk and not all clear and/or white caulk will be equivalent. Make sure the one you use is appropriate for the application. If need be, consult a plumber and/or someone at the store where you plan to buy it for advice. --Jayron32 17:13, 18 January 2013 (UTC)
- In my experience, if you use a clear silicone, it will look better than white. However, if any dirt or smudge works its way underneath, you will have an unsightly stain that will last forever (or until you get tired of looking at it and recaulk). Hemoroid Agastordoff (talk) 04:35, 19 January 2013 (UTC)
Is dairy queen ice cream gluten. Free
Is dairy queen ice cream gluten free — Preceding unsigned comment added by 108.131.5.175 (talk) 17:13, 18 January 2013 (UTC)
- Searching Google for "dairy queen gluten" pulls up the official Dairy Queen statement on the matter [1] (Google html cache) as the first hit. It indicates a number of items (including Chocolate and Vanilla Soft Serve) do not contain any gluten. Other items likely do. -- 71.35.98.191 (talk) 17:17, 18 January 2013 (UTC)
- I found This list on a blog as well as what 71.35 found. --Jayron32 17:20, 18 January 2013 (UTC)
- I'm glad you referred to this as "ice cream", because I recently enquired how they ever came up with such a silly name as "soft serve", but I've had no replies yet. I guess trying to get an answer here on the back of someone else's question could be seen as soft serving, but that doesn't gel with me. -- Jack of Oz [Talk] 19:31, 18 January 2013 (UTC)
- It's because it is softer than normal hard frozen ice cream. See Soft serve RudolfRed (talk) 19:55, 18 January 2013 (UTC)
- Yes, but as I pointed out in my question (see the link), nobody in the world has ever called any form of ice cream any kind of "serve", except for this stuff. Lots of soft things are served. The mashed potato that gets dumped on my plate at the cafeteria is soft, and it's served. How did anyone ever think that the term "soft serve" would make people think of ice cream? The association has well and truly been created by now; but originally, what was their thinking? -- Jack of Oz [Talk] 20:11, 18 January 2013 (UTC)
- At the very least, on DQ's menu[2] you might note the lack of either the term "ice cream" or "soft serve". I was once told that the term "ice cream" has a somewhat legalistic definition. I think it has something to do with butterfat content. DQ's products fail that definition, whatever it is. The Soft serve article may be of some interest. The term has been around a long time. Google [mister softee], for example. ←Baseball Bugs What's up, Doc? carrots→ 21:27, 18 January 2013 (UTC)
- Yes, but as I pointed out in my question (see the link), nobody in the world has ever called any form of ice cream any kind of "serve", except for this stuff. Lots of soft things are served. The mashed potato that gets dumped on my plate at the cafeteria is soft, and it's served. How did anyone ever think that the term "soft serve" would make people think of ice cream? The association has well and truly been created by now; but originally, what was their thinking? -- Jack of Oz [Talk] 20:11, 18 January 2013 (UTC)
- It's because it is softer than normal hard frozen ice cream. See Soft serve RudolfRed (talk) 19:55, 18 January 2013 (UTC)
- Actually, "soft serve" is a very common term not exclusive to any one vendor in the US (although I think the machines may be Soft-Serv brand), and many icecream parlors offer both regular and soft-serve ice-cream. The idea is that soft-serve is soft enough to be served out of a nozzle. μηδείς (talk) 21:33, 18 January 2013 (UTC)
- In fact, this little group of nostalgic ads uses the term "soft ice cream". Look for Mister Softee![3] ←Baseball Bugs What's up, Doc? carrots→ 21:50, 18 January 2013 (UTC)
- Actually, "soft serve" is a very common term not exclusive to any one vendor in the US (although I think the machines may be Soft-Serv brand), and many icecream parlors offer both regular and soft-serve ice-cream. The idea is that soft-serve is soft enough to be served out of a nozzle. μηδείς (talk) 21:33, 18 January 2013 (UTC)
- Bugs, people keep referring me to the Soft serve article. I read Soft serve before I asked my question at Talk:Soft serve. I know better than to ask a question at Talk:Soft serve before reading the article called Soft serve. I would never ask a question at Talk:Soft serve without first reading Soft serve. I probably don't need anyone else to draw my attention to the article titled Soft serve. -- Jack of Oz [Talk] 22:04, 18 January 2013 (UTC)
- Googling the subject, a pattern seems to be emerging - that the reason it's called "soft serve" is because it's dispensed by a special machine rather than being scooped out of a container like "hard packed" ice cream is. And its source is typically a dairy-based mix. ←Baseball Bugs What's up, Doc? carrots→ 22:31, 18 January 2013 (UTC)
- Jack, just a thought... Have you thought of having a look a the Soft Serve article for further information? It might be quite useful... ;-) hehe gazhiley 15:21, 21 January 2013 (UTC)
- Googling the subject, a pattern seems to be emerging - that the reason it's called "soft serve" is because it's dispensed by a special machine rather than being scooped out of a container like "hard packed" ice cream is. And its source is typically a dairy-based mix. ←Baseball Bugs What's up, Doc? carrots→ 22:31, 18 January 2013 (UTC)
- Bugs, people keep referring me to the Soft serve article. I read Soft serve before I asked my question at Talk:Soft serve. I know better than to ask a question at Talk:Soft serve before reading the article called Soft serve. I would never ask a question at Talk:Soft serve without first reading Soft serve. I probably don't need anyone else to draw my attention to the article titled Soft serve. -- Jack of Oz [Talk] 22:04, 18 January 2013 (UTC)
- I might if it had any new information, but all it does is redirect to Soft serve. -- Jack of Oz [Talk] 19:10, 21 January 2013 (UTC)
- In Australia at least ice cream was (maybe still is) defined as a product with a particular minimum percentage of cream and other milk products, and it was quite a high percentage. Many of the soft serve products have as much connection to a cow as they have to a lump of granite, so they need a different name. HiLo48 (talk) 21:45, 18 January 2013 (UTC)
Halogen heaters vs convection heaters
I will need to buy a supplementary heater next week as the gas company are replacing the gas main and we will have no heating otherwise. Approximately the same price are halogen heaters and convection heaters. I don't want to spend too much (I will probably have to get two, one for the bedroom and one for the living room) and I am curious as to the advantages/disadvantages of each heater, and where would be the best use for them. I don't just want opinion, but referenced opinion if you can. --TammyMoet (talk) 18:37, 18 January 2013 (UTC)
- I'm most familiar with convection heaters (the oil-filled ones that look like radiators). I find them most satisfactory. They seem to cost around US$40 each where I live, in Detroit. Here are some advantages over other space heating:
- 1) They don't get hot enough to burn dust, hair, etc., on low, medium, or high, so you don't get a burning smell when you turn them on.
- 2) The lower temperature, along with a tip-over switch and thermostat, makes accidental fires less likely. You still shouldn't toss a blanket over one, of course.
- 3) On high they do get hot enough to burn you. I leave mine on low. Of course, in your case, you may well either need to set them on high or buy several more units. If you have small children, I'd recommend doing so. (An inexpensive but morally questionable practice would be to buy several, use them, then return them when the week is up.)
- 4) The lack of a fan makes them almost silent. I do hear a click when the thermostat turns mine on or off, and sometimes a slight sound due to expansion/contraction as it changes temperature.
- Disadvantages:
- 1) Some cheap models can also burn out the thermostat if left on high, and stop working.
- 2) They tend to heat the ceiling quite a bit, since the heat rises off them. This isn't so bad if you don't mind heating the room above you. If there's nothing above you but an attic, though, then you end up wasting some electricity to heat that. StuRat (talk) 18:52, 18 January 2013 (UTC)
- Also, I'd recommend a model with two indicator lights, one to show it is plugged in and turned on, and another to indicate that the heat is currently on, based on the thermostat setting. Many cheap ones only have a single indicator light.
- As for halogen radiant heaters, if aimed at you, they tend to heat the side of your body close to them nicely, while the side in shadow gets cold. This can be annoying. You might want to aim it at a chair for a few minutes before you sit in the chair, to warm it up first. They can be more efficient, though, in that you're not heating most of the room much. However, if there's more than one person in the room, you may want more than one halogen radiant heater, with one aimed at each person.
- Something else to consider is that your electrical service may not be up to fully heating your home in mid-winter. I don't think mine is. In that case, you'd need to consider propane heaters or, God-forbid, kerosene heaters. Both have serious safety issue, IMHO, with the fumes from kerosene heaters being particularly obnoxious. You might also want to heat your body/bodies more directly, say with electrical blankets and plain old sweaters, as that will get more bang for the buck. I would also advise you to get your place as warm as comfortable right before they cut the gas line, so your electrical load will be minimal. And, if you have a gas water heater, fill your tub with hot water, as that will provide some additional heat and humidity for a few hours after the gas is shut off (and you might as well take a bath, that being your last opportunity for a while). StuRat (talk) 19:02, 18 January 2013 (UTC)
- Are you sure you're being cut off for more than a couple of hours? I'd have thought they would have a duty to help you out if you were going to be cut off for more than one day or if you have special problems. What they'd do normally is lay down a parallel pipe and then just switch over from one to the other. Dmcq (talk) 19:46, 18 January 2013 (UTC)
- I am surprised they aren't offering you a lender space-heater. I knew someone as an undergrad who used to "purchase" a space heater from Sears every November for $25 and return it in March for a full refund. μηδείς (talk) 21:36, 18 January 2013 (UTC)
- They let him return it 4 months later ? StuRat (talk) 23:17, 18 January 2013 (UTC)
- He kept the receipt and the original packaging. μηδείς (talk) 04:54, 19 January 2013 (UTC)
- But there's normally a 30 day limit on returns, or thereabouts. Their Craftsman Tools brand has a lifetime warranty, but I doubt if they make heaters. StuRat (talk) 04:58, 19 January 2013 (UTC)
- Perhaps Sears eventually changed their policy; this was a few decades ago. μηδείς (talk) 05:19, 19 January 2013 (UTC)
- Googling "radiant convection heater" seems to do the trick. Here are two articles giving relative strengths of each type. The main thrust seems to be that convection heaters are more efficient for large spaces, whilst radiant (i.e. halogen) heaters are better for small spaces or individual areas. So you may find that a halogen heater directed towards your bed is fine for the bedroom, with a convection heater for the living room, unless you plan to spend the majority of the time in one place (like sitting in an armchair), in which case a halogen heater may well do you fine.
- Anecdotally, I can report that my apartment is heated by convection heaters (in fact, night storage heaters), which keep the room at a level on the low side of comfortable throughout the day. However, if I start to feel chilly, turning up the heat has little immediate effect. It takes a while (an hour or so) for the heat to propagate. A local Scout den has halogen heaters, which heat much more quickly but unevenly. If you stand next to one the hairs on your arms start to crackle, but two paces away you might be freezing. With this in mind, if you decide on a convection heater, you might also consider a small halogen heater or fan heater to keep near you in case you want a boost of heat. - Cucumber Mike (talk) 22:07, 18 January 2013 (UTC)
- Also, if you get a radiant halogen heater, make sure it's on a tall enough stand (say a yard or meter high) so that it warms seats and tops of beds. Otherwise, if it's too low, you just end up heating the bottom of furniture, which does you no good. StuRat (talk) 22:13, 18 January 2013 (UTC)
- Mmm? Since heat rises, I'd have thought it'd be better to have it too low than too high. I know what you're saying about directing the heat to where it's needed, but I would have thought that a heater on the floor angled upwards would be just as effective as one on a stand angled straight towards you, and also would not waste any potential convection-heating. - Cucumber Mike (talk) 22:22, 18 January 2013 (UTC)
- Picture an easy chair with the footrest up and a space heater in front of it, aimed at it. If the heater is below the footrest, it would mainly heat the bottom of the footrest. Yes, eventually the heat will soak through to the top side of the footrest, but you may have gone to bed by then. Alternatively, if you place the heater far enough away so it also heats things above the footrest, then it ends up heating walls and other things, too, with only a small amount of the heat warming the person in the chair. Ideally the heater is aimed directly at the person, not at an angle, and is as close as possible. With a convection heater you don't need to worry so much about the room geometry, as it heats the entire room. StuRat (talk) 23:06, 18 January 2013 (UTC)
- Thanks all for your replies, it's very interesting. I've decided to contact the utility company on Monday morning to request assistance as I'm disabled. I seriously can't imagine they would be digging the road up given the weather at the moment, which is forecasted to remain the same for about 10 days, so we may well get a(nother) cancellation notice anyway. But it's made me think, as I'm reliant on the gas supply for heating, hot water and cooking, that I should diversify and get a convection heater as a standby for the heating. --TammyMoet (talk) 09:48, 19 January 2013 (UTC)
- Just to update, they're loaning me a fan heater and a hot plate for the day. --TammyMoet (talk) 10:59, 21 January 2013 (UTC)
- Very nice of them. I find fan heaters very effective, especially if you only need to warm yourself. I would also suggest an electric toaster oven for cooking back up, or in case the gas gets cut-off / too expensive - 220 of Borg 15:10, 21 January 2013 (UTC)
- While on the subject, the fan heater page could use some attention, it has no references! - 220 of Borg 15:10, 21 January 2013 (UTC)
- I suggest you first fire it up outside, in a garage, or in an unused room, to burn off any dust on it, so you don't have to smell burnt dust fumes. 5 minutes should do it. StuRat (talk) 05:45, 22 January 2013 (UTC)
ebay
can someone help, I need to contact ebay to complain about something, but they don't seem to have an email address on their site. I went to the appropriate part of their contact them section but it just said to log into my paypal account and sort it out on there, except my paypal account hasn't got the section or information related to this problem, so I need to email them about that as well. oh yea, and paypal themselves have been ignoring my emails for a while, I sent them one about this a week or so ago, and got nowhere, same as any other problem I have had with them.
So, I need some way to contact ebay directly to ask them to sort their own problem out themselves. any ideas?
86.15.83.223 (talk) 23:42, 18 January 2013 (UTC)
- Here you go. After you fill out their forms, then they'll give you a phone number to call or someone to email. Apparently they make you jump through some hoops first. --Jayron32 23:48, 18 January 2013 (UTC)
- that's what I tried, they give a list of reasons for contacting them, the one I choose, the only one even remotely close to the problem, is the one they say don't contact us about this, so what can I do? 86.15.83.223 (talk) 23:52, 18 January 2013 (UTC)
- Well, your options are to not contact them, as they requested, or to pretend you have some other problem, so they will allow you to contact them. However, once they find out your real problem, they might still refuse to help. If you care to tell us the issue, perhaps we can tailor our suggestions better. StuRat (talk) 01:39, 19 January 2013 (UTC)
January 19
Cover of the Album "Dangerous"
Anybody recall Michael Jackson's Dangerous album cover? I'd like to bring your attention to the lower left hand corner of the cover, in which you see a depiction of Aleister Crowley. Then on top his head is a cheeky looking shortie... Who is that? I'd swear I seen that guy's face somewhere (maybe Ripley's?), but I just can't put a name to that face under present circumstances. Anyone knows? Cheers. Bonkers The Clown (Nonsensical Babble) 08:03, 19 January 2013 (UTC)
- A number of people on the Internet seem to be under the impression that what you're calling "a depiction of Aleister Crowley" is actually P. T. Barnum (compare the image at the bottom of this page), which would suggest that the vertically challenged guy is General Tom Thumb (compare the image here). Admittedly, I'm not finding, in a Google Images search, any images of Barnum or Thumb (or Crowley) that exactly match the ones on the album cover. Deor (talk) 12:53, 19 January 2013 (UTC)
- Ah yes! Tom Thumb! Thanks a lot. Cheers, Bonkers The Clown (Nonsensical Babble) 13:43, 19 January 2013 (UTC)
French drawer knobs
> I bought several white procelain knobs at an antique shop that say" 6th arroundissement, Paris France, each has a variety of single letters, plus commode and vetement." I am guessing they were used for some kind of dresser. Can you help me identify them? Martha — Preceding unsigned comment added by Troxell21 (talk • contribs) 14:36, 19 January 2013 (UTC)
- Do you have pictures of them? It's hard to identify anything without seeing it. Also, Wikipedia does have an article on the 6th arrondissement of Paris --Jayron32 16:15, 19 January 2013 (UTC)
- "Vetement" means "clothing", while "commode" means something like "convenience" or "comfort". I take it this is used as a euphemism for something else. StuRat (talk) 19:26, 19 January 2013 (UTC)
- See Commode. It's a chest of drawers. RudolfRed (talk) 19:52, 19 January 2013 (UTC)
- I wonder whether the chest was designed for a private house or a shop? Can anyone make a guess? Itsmejudith (talk) 20:46, 19 January 2013 (UTC)
- See Commode. It's a chest of drawers. RudolfRed (talk) 19:52, 19 January 2013 (UTC)
Jaws the Revenge shark exploding
Posting this as miscellaneous because I don't know if it's more science or humanities.
At the end of the movie Jaws the Revenge, the shark eats some kind of device that is meant to give off an electromagnetic pulse. As I understand what the characters are saying, since sharks are hypothesised to incorporate some electromagnetic sensing ability into their sensory perception, the EMP will at least confuse it and at worst make it disoriented and uncompfortable. But in the film, after activating it several times the shark explodes. There's plenty of online reading devoted to the plot holes in this movie, but no one really seems to address this. 210.210.129.92 (talk) 16:23, 19 January 2013 (UTC)
- Direct from the article: "The film contains many scenes that are considered implausible, such as the shark swimming from a New York island to the Bahamas (approx. 2000 km) in less than three days, and following Michael through an underwater labyrinth, as well as the implication that it was seeking revenge. The Independent says that "the film was riddled with inconsistencies [and] errors (sharks cannot float or roar like lions)".[21] The special effects were criticized, especially some frames of the shark being speared by the boat's prow. Also, the mechanisms propelling the shark can be seen in some shots.[1]" — Preceding unsigned comment added by 24.23.196.85 (talk) 06:48, 20 January 2013 (UTC)
- A shark's organs of electroreception are its ampullae of Lorenzini. There's nothing explosive about them. -- Finlay McWalterჷTalk 16:25, 19 January 2013 (UTC)
- Our article has a section called "Ending changes" which touches on this. Rmhermen (talk) 18:32, 19 January 2013 (UTC)
Guitar
Do the nylon strings of classical guitars make them easier to play than the steel string acoustic guitars? Are they pressed down more easily and with lesser pressure on the finger? 117.227.100.191 (talk) 21:18, 19 January 2013 (UTC)
- Yes. --Jayron32 21:25, 19 January 2013 (UTC)
- only extra thing I would add is that because of the low tension of the strings, the action (distance between string and frets) must be higher, this means that although your fingers don't have to press so hard, they have further to push on a classical guitar. With less expensive badly made beginners classical guitars this effect can be made even worse. There is rarely a truss rod in classical guitars so they can be very affected by changes in the humidity of the air, and this can cause the action to be raised also. Steel strung guitars have a truss rod usually and are a bit more stable on the whole, and can be more easily adjusted. ---- nonsense ferret 13:06, 20 January 2013 (UTC)
- I'll second what nonsense said; to add to it steel string guitars require more strength to play, but conversely I find them much more forgiving and more versatile; even with the difference required in hand strength the steel string guitar is usually easier to play, from a skill point of view. But yes, they do require less strength and less pressure to hold the string against the fretboard. --Jayron32 18:21, 20 January 2013 (UTC)
- When I learnt guitar many years ago I found steel strings caused lots of pain and even cut my fingers, whereas the nylon strings were much easier on my fingers. Didn't stop me developing calluses though! --TammyMoet (talk) 13:32, 22 January 2013 (UTC)
January 20
Natural horn
What's the (written) range of a natural horn? Double sharp (talk) 02:13, 20 January 2013 (UTC)
- I'm a bit confused by this Q. By "natural horn" do you mean a horn carved from a ram's horn, or some other material ? If so, each will have a different range of frequencies it can produce. StuRat (talk) 02:17, 20 January 2013 (UTC)
- See the Natural horn article. :-) Double sharp (talk) 02:28, 20 January 2013 (UTC)
- Yup: StuRat, see Natural horn: "The natural horn is a musical instrument that is the ancestor of the modern-day horn, and is differentiated by its lack of valves". I don't think our article provides the answer though - it may depend on whether you include notes available by switching crooks. AndyTheGrump (talk) 02:30, 20 January 2013 (UTC)
- What's the range available without switching crooks, then? (And what about with?) Haydn 31 has a written D6 (played as E4), which should be somewhere near the highest note. Double sharp (talk) 02:39, 20 January 2013 (UTC)
- That's Symphony No. 31 (Haydn) for those not in the know (which included me until the penny dropped. I was thinking maybe he wrote 31 horn concertos, but that felt a little extreme.) -- Jack of Oz [Talk] 08:19, 20 January 2013 (UTC)
- Here's what I understand after browsing through natural horn and some of the links at the end. Please consider checking this out further yourself.
- The natural horn is available in multiple lengths. On some horns, you can change the length using crooks. The length determines the lowest note the horn can play and the "key" of notes that are easiest to play. The music notation should indicate the lowest note or "key" of the horn. For example, the notation in Symphony No. 31 (Haydn) shows "Hoorn in D". The footnote explains the lowest note of the horn is transposed to a C in its written notation. My understanding of instrument transposition is that when it is used, the sounding key of the instrument is always transposed to the written key of C.
- On a natural horn, the easiest notes to play are the harmonic series of the lowest note. Other notes between the harmonic series notes are achieved by positioning a hand in the bell. The Natural Horn and Its Technique shows notation of the harmonic series, "the pitches that one may sound on an open tube", with the lowest note as (scientific pitch notation) C2 and the highest note C6. Based on that notation, I suspect that no matter what key of natural horn is used, the written range is C2 to C6. A Google search for natural horn range found The Natural Horn Today from Composition:Today which shows the same written range.
- Older notation might use a different starting octave. Heinrich Domnich and the Natural Horn says "NOTE: Old notation, used by Classical composers and most composers of the period, notated horn pitches in bass clef an octave too low. New notation, utilized by Domnich, is commonly associated with twentieth century composers".
- --Bavi H (talk) 15:54, 20 January 2013 (UTC)
- In that case, then why did Haydn write the D6? Double sharp (talk) 12:03, 21 January 2013 (UTC)
- A Google search for natural horn range Haydn 31 found Re-inventing the Classical Horn which says
- Many of us who perform with period instrument groups on the classical horn play instruments that have been copied from examples made in the early 19th century[...]. The 19th century classical horn was designed to play effectively in the 19th century orchestra, at a time when the range from the top of the staff up to the 16th partial and beyond were no longer used regularly[...].
- and
- In this period after 1750, [...] composers such as [...] Hadyn [...] still asked horn players to play often in the clarino range above the staff, sometimes into a range that seems excessive for us as modern players. The early 19th century horn that many players have been playing as their classical instrument, can be difficult in this range, and upon examining the types of instruments actually in use at the time, the mid 18th century horn was quite a different instrument, and was much better suited to this range than the larger later instruments.
- The 16th partial is the notated C6, and I guess "top of the staff" means the top line of the treble clef staff (F6). These statements suggest the natural horns often used today are difficult to play above notated C6, but natural horns used in Haydn's time were less difficult to play above notated C6. --Bavi H (talk) 02:14, 22 January 2013 (UTC)
for digging borewell
i want to dig a borewell...could you please suggest some methods for the accurate detection of water inside the earth ????? — Preceding unsigned comment added by 106.67.149.213 (talk) 07:09, 20 January 2013 (UTC)
- Usually - by digging a borehole. Maybe by ground-penetrating radar or reflection seismology. Not by dowsing. Rmhermen (talk) 13:40, 20 January 2013 (UTC)
- Ask neighbours how deep their wells are, or ask a well drilling company to make an estimate for you using geological maps. Itsmejudith (talk) 16:21, 20 January 2013 (UTC)
- Yes, and specifically ask how low the water table is in your area. StuRat (talk) 05:21, 22 January 2013 (UTC)
- And of course, depending upon what country you are in, you may need permission from your local water authority before you can extract water from the water table. -- SGBailey (talk) 22:14, 23 January 2013 (UTC)
Flavorful peppers (very subjective, unscientific question)
There is a Scoville scale that measures the hotness of peppers. But here is a question: do only the hotness go up in peppers, or do the flavor also go up as you travel up the Scoville scale? Could this even rise faster than the hotness? For example, could you get more flavor in your food by adding a little bit of Habanero instead of a lot of Jalapeno? I always believed that the really hot peppers pretty much just have burn and no flavor. Are there ones that are recommended for a nice chili flavor? 105.236.57.198 (talk) 08:03, 20 January 2013 (UTC) Eon
- Different chilies do have different flavours. Experiment and you'll find ones you like. I've been known to use 3 different types of chili in one dish to get different effects. --TammyMoet (talk) 10:45, 20 January 2013 (UTC)
- I don't know the direct answer to your question, but I suspect that there's no particular reason for the amount of capsaicin in a pepper to vary at exactly the same rate as the other flavour compounds. What I wanted to note, however, is that both the flavour and heat of even a single pepper can be modified to a great degree by actions such as removing the inner membrane (which reduces the heat) and cooking/smoking (which alters and ups the flavour); even the size of the pieces plays an important role. In practice, you can take whatever pepper you enjoy the flavour of and dial the heat/flavour ratio to what you want. If you enjoy habanero, but don't like the amount of heat, remove the seeds and membranes, chop it into relatively large pieces, and singe or smoke the pieces. Matt Deres (talk) 16:24, 20 January 2013 (UTC)
- In my experience, chilies absolutely do have different flavors aside from the pepper itself. I find habeneros to have the best "depth of flavor", being complex besides just being hot. The heat can be overwhelming, but under the heat is much broader a flavor profile than other peppers. I find the smaller green peppers like serrano peppers to be very bright and fruity (again, outside the heat) flavored, almost like an apple. Jalepenos, rather ubiquitous peppers in americanized Mexican foods, I find rather bland and uninspiring; they aren't even that hot, and they don't bring much other than their heat. Chipotle peppers, the smoked version of Jalepenos, I love however, so it does matter how you treat the fruit in terms of what you get out of it. Pepperoncinis are crisp and clean. It goes on. Chili peppers are very diverse and very different in their flavor profiles. --Jayron32 18:17, 20 January 2013 (UTC)
- With serranos you have to be careful to use only the ripe (orange) ones. The green (unripe) ones don't taste like much except of that unpleasant "plant" taste that green bell peppers also have.
- Habaneros are nice for their sweetness, but even better are Scotch Bonnets, which look a little like a habanero with extra curves, and red instead of orange. I can't find them locally, since I moved to California. In Texas and in Toronto they were easy to find. --Trovatore (talk) 19:17, 21 January 2013 (UTC)
- Indeed, even if - as in the case of the habanero - it's like trying to admire the colour of a jet while standing directly in front of the engine exhaust... Matt Deres (talk) 22:13, 20 January 2013 (UTC)
- Note that some peppers with little or no heat whatsoever still have flavor, like (green, red, orange, purple, or yellow) bell peppers or sweet Italian peppers. StuRat (talk) 05:27, 22 January 2013 (UTC)
- I suppose you can call what green bells taste like a "flavor", if you want to. Dirt-flavored is a flavor, I guess. --Trovatore (talk) 05:29, 22 January 2013 (UTC)
- Indeed. Green Bell Peppers have one purpose: in a sofrito or other general vegetable medley where the flavor will be cooked down and you aren't interested in the individual flavor. If I'm interested in the flavor of the bell pepper itself, Red bell peppers are the only way to go. If I'm going to cook the bejezus out of it, I'll use green ones, but if it's to be eaten raw or quick cooked (like a stir-fry), then you should go with red. If you want a mild, large, green pepper which tastes good, go with a poblano instead. --Jayron32 05:36, 22 January 2013 (UTC)
- I don't think you're washing your green bell pepper properly, if it tastes like dirt. Mine never do. StuRat (talk) 05:38, 22 January 2013 (UTC)
- You understand that the reason they're green is that they're not ripe, right? If you let them get ripe they would turn some other color (usually red), and taste much much much better. Of course you're entitled to your own preferences, but mine are that I don't like unripe fruit (even vegetabley fruit). --Trovatore (talk) 06:56, 22 January 2013 (UTC)
- So no fried green tomatoes, then ? In any case, "unripe" and "dirt" are not the same thing. StuRat (talk) 07:09, 22 January 2013 (UTC)
Food labelling
If "protein powders" are added to, say, beefburgers, for sale in the EU, what has to appear on the label? Ought the label to indicate whether the protein is of animal or vegetable origin? Itsmejudith (talk) 17:04, 20 January 2013 (UTC)
- According to one of the news stories in the week, they come under the heading of "seasoning"...! But I'm sure someone with better google-fu than I will be able to trace the real answer for you. --TammyMoet (talk) 19:16, 20 January 2013 (UTC)
- Tesco has been using the same catering company for years, so apparently it's been going on for donkey's. If you are vegetarian, I think that's fine. Horses for courses, as they say. :) KägeTorä - (影虎) (TALK) 09:10, 21 January 2013 (UTC)
- If you're put off by the horse burgers, have you tried Tesco's meatballs? I heard they're the dog's bol**cks..... gazhiley 16:07, 21 January 2013 (UTC)
- I've read all the jokes that have been trotted out. Any food industry experts in the house? Itsmejudith (talk) 17:59, 21 January 2013 (UTC)
- http://ec.europa.eu/food/food/labellingnutrition/foodlabelling/index_en.htm doesn't say much, but it might help. KägeTorä - (影虎) (TALK)
- I've read all the jokes that have been trotted out. Any food industry experts in the house? Itsmejudith (talk) 17:59, 21 January 2013 (UTC)
- If you're put off by the horse burgers, have you tried Tesco's meatballs? I heard they're the dog's bol**cks..... gazhiley 16:07, 21 January 2013 (UTC)
- Tesco has been using the same catering company for years, so apparently it's been going on for donkey's. If you are vegetarian, I think that's fine. Horses for courses, as they say. :) KägeTorä - (影虎) (TALK) 09:10, 21 January 2013 (UTC)
Workers' Party of Korea
The article Workers' Party of Korea states:
- Membership of the WPK is essential for any DPRK citizen who aspires to a post of any seniority in any government, management, educational or cultural institution, since all these bodies act as "conveyor belts" for party rule over all aspects of DPRK life and effectively creates a nomenklatura within society. All senior military officers must also be WPK members.
How does a DPRK citizen generally become a member of the Workers' Party? Is it an option available for all citizens or only for the elite? JIP | Talk 20:02, 20 January 2013 (UTC)
13 in the design of the dollar bill
what is the significance of 13 (13 stripes, 13 arrows, 13 stars, 13 levels of the pyramids etc...) in the design of the dollar bill? — Preceding unsigned comment added by 24.175.225.137 (talk) 20:31, 20 January 2013 (UTC)
- interwebs seems to think it is 13 original colonies ---- nonsense ferret 20:39, 20 January 2013 (UTC)
- (ec)There's a number of mystic interpretation to the number 13 (see thirteen), but for the US dollar bill, the most likely reason (in addition to the possible mystic connotations) is the Thirteen Colonies, aka the thirteen states that founded the United States. -- 71.35.98.191 (talk) 20:40, 20 January 2013 (UTC)
- It's in your flag too (the red and white bit). Alansplodge (talk) 23:49, 20 January 2013 (UTC)
- They always used to tell us that the 13's had to do with the 13 states. A tipoff is the flag that flew over Fort McHenry, which had 15 stars and 15 stripes. After that they reverted the stripes to 13 and kept it there. ←Baseball Bugs What's up, Doc? carrots→ 01:23, 21 January 2013 (UTC)
- As usual, we have an article on the United States one-dollar bill. The devices you note are part of the Great Seal of the United States, and the article includes a section on the symbolism of items numbering thirteen to honor the original thirteen states. --— Gadget850 (Ed) talk 01:35, 21 January 2013 (UTC)
- They always used to tell us that the 13's had to do with the 13 states. A tipoff is the flag that flew over Fort McHenry, which had 15 stars and 15 stripes. After that they reverted the stripes to 13 and kept it there. ←Baseball Bugs What's up, Doc? carrots→ 01:23, 21 January 2013 (UTC)
- It's in your flag too (the red and white bit). Alansplodge (talk) 23:49, 20 January 2013 (UTC)
January 21
Does this creature in the anime drawing look like any creature from mythology or from any swamp monster movies about 1950's?
Does this creature in the anime drawing look like any creature from mythology or from any swamp monster movies about 1950's? http://sailormoon.wikia.com/wiki/Thetis?file=CS012-383.jpg Here a better pictures of the creature: http://stardusting.nekomaki.com/?page_id=664 http://sailormoon.wikia.com/wiki/Thetis?file=CS012-383.jpg Venustar84 (talk) 19:24, 21 January 2013 ]
- Your second link doesn't work. The first image looks like a Eurasiatic shaman in a fertility dress, see the priestesses of The Mists of Avalon which were based on research by Marion Zimmer Bradley. μηδείς (talk) 07:51, 21 January 2013 (UTC)
- Never mind this response, I thought she was wearing deer antlers, but apparently she isn't. μηδείς (talk) 22:29, 21 January 2013 (UTC)
- Doesn't have anything to do with her appearance, but the first one's name is "from mythology". Deor (talk) 13:20, 21 January 2013 (UTC)
- Here a better pictures of the creature: http://stardusting.nekomaki.com/?page_id=664 http://sailormoon.wikia.com/wiki/Thetis?file=CS012-383.jpg Venustar84 (talk) 19:27, 21 January 2013 (UTC)
Challenger Train
Do you know where there is a Challenger Train on display for the public. I thought it was in Sacramento. I loved your article about the Challenger, but couldn't find reference for where I could actually see one. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 65.24.138.53 (talk) 14:12, 21 January 2013 (UTC)
- There seems to be one in Pomona and another at the Cody Park Railroad Museum. CambridgeBayWeather (talk) 17:43, 21 January 2013 (UTC)
Black Magic
What is the significance of finding chicken bones in the trunk of a car?
What is the significance of finding a rat skull and tail in the trunk of a car?
Are these incidents related to Black Magic? If so, how are they related and what do they mean? — Preceding unsigned comment added by 41.155.138.31 (talk) 15:04, 21 January 2013 (UTC)
- Sounds to me like you have a rat infestation in your car (this is quite a common thing). Rats might bring chicken bones into the car. If a rat died in your car in the distant past - then that would explain the rat bones. Black Magic should be almost the last possibility one would consider. SteveBaker (talk) 15:09, 21 January 2013 (UTC)
- Yes, rats and mice sometimes set up home in cars, particularly in cold weather.[4][5] And they do indeed bring their food in there, including chicken[6]. -- Finlay McWalterჷTalk 15:13, 21 January 2013 (UTC)
Actually the only bones were chicken leg bones, and the skull only of the rat! Where would the rest of the body be? And there was the rat tail as well.... and the skull was in plain view in the trunk which is used and cleaned regularly! — Preceding unsigned comment added by 41.91.81.56 (talk) 15:53, 21 January 2013 (UTC)
- Sounds like a rat scavenged the bones from rubbish to me, or they fell out a rubbish bag in your trunk. Are you quite sure it was a rat skull and tail? --TammyMoet (talk) 19:04, 21 January 2013 (UTC)
- We know nothing of you or your life circumstances, so we are in no position to know the significance of these events. As for Black Magic, what leads you to even have this on the list of possibilities? -- Jack of Oz [Talk] 19:06, 21 January 2013 (UTC)
- As for religions which involve chicken bones, skulls, etc., two that come to mind are Voodoo and Santería. StuRat (talk) 05:34, 22 January 2013 (UTC)
Detroit jacket
Why is the Carhartt jacket called a "Detroit" jacket ? — Preceding unsigned comment added by 85.211.158.118 (talk) 17:35, 21 January 2013 (UTC)
- It appears to simply be the name they selected for the product. You may be more likely to get a good answer if contact the company directly. Mingmingla (talk) 20:18, 21 January 2013 (UTC)
- Some speculation: the Carhartt line was basically developed for tradesmen. Detroit is often portrayed as a "working man's" or blue collar city. Why is a line of trucks called silverado? I think they are just pandering a bit. (I happen to be wearing a Carhartt jacket as I type. They are pretty nice!) SemanticMantis (talk) 00:45, 22 January 2013 (UTC)
- Carhartt is headquartered in Dearborn, Michigan - a Detroit suburb. They also make a Dearborn jacket. Rmhermen (talk) 20:15, 22 January 2013 (UTC)
What would be better to create
I´m a game designer and i´m in a dilemma! I need to know which would be cheaper and faster to produce and market: a dice-tile board game or a trading collectible card game? and which do you think would sell better? thank you — Preceding unsigned comment added by 201.166.108.122 (talk) 22:30, 21 January 2013 (UTC)
- As this is a reference desk, we can't give really good, reliable responses to requests for opinions. But from my own experience in the gaming field as a hobbyist and volunteer demonstrator over more than a decade, I would strongly advise against the CCG model; the market is saturated, and has been dominated by a tiny handful of giants for years. The tile-laying model is well-tested but less completely saturated, and lacks the off-putting 'money sink' element that CCGs have become notorious for. AlexTiefling (talk) 22:55, 21 January 2013 (UTC)
Thanks! I will follow your advice — Preceding unsigned comment added by 201.166.108.122 (talk) 23:03, 21 January 2013 (UTC)
- May I suggest a bit more market research than the opinion of a single ref desker before starting off down a likely costly and lengthy process of trying to make it in the board game market. And presumably (I have never tried to make a game before) you actually have an idea of a game rather than just a genre?! I would personally suggest thinking of ideas for games rather than just a genre, and then base your choice on market research of those products. Maybe have some friends or ever better a group of strangers try them out and give you their opinion... Then, based on that research, you can consider taking it to market... gazhiley 09:00, 22 January 2013 (UTC)
- There are a lot of people selling both kinds of thing making $$$ over on www.kickstarter.com - there is a special section for tabletop/board/card games so it's really easy to surf through those to find games similar to the kind of thing you have in mind - and they mostly give information about the relative costs, risks, etc. You can also compare the number of backers for each successful project to get an idea of the relative market sizes and the prices that those customers are prepared to pay.
- (Kickstarter is an extremely vibrant market for this kind of thing by the way...the barriers to breaking into that market have dropped spectacularly in the last year or two. It's particularly good because you don't have to take risks...if you know that you have to sell (say) 200 copies to break even, you can set up your Kickstarter project so that you only get the money if at least 250 people buy a copy - if you fail, you lose nothing (except for your effort in presenting it) - if you succeed then you get all the money you need at the get-go, so you know how many to make - and you have the up-front funding to get the work done. You can also discuss the project directly with your customers and that helps you to tune your design to their likes and dislikes. It's *perfect* for this kind of project.)
- We need more information though: "Cheaper and faster" depends on what your starting point is. Can do your own digital artwork? In 2D or 3D? What quality do you have in mind? What quantity do you want to make? How important are up-front costs versus per-part costs?
- For example - if your board game can use standard kinds of wooden counter, plastic disks and dice that you can buy in bulk from all sorts of online companies in China - then all you need is a board. A laser-cut plywood board can be made by plenty of companies that will make them for you for about $1 per minute of laser cutter time - maybe just a few bucks each with zero up-front costs. Full color printing on heavy board might be cheaper - but the setup cost may be much higher. On the other hand, if you need fancy objects in your game (like the shoe, car, locomotive, etc from "Monopoly") then if you have 3D art skills, you could get small quantities made using 3D printing technology quite easily. But there is another trade-off. 3D printing has low startup costs - but expensive per-object costs (maybe $1 per small object). But if you pay tens of thousands of dollars up-front to have injection molds made - then the cost per-object tumbles to a penny or two.
- If you compared the cost of making a chess game versus a checkers game (for example) - chess needs 8 different designs of "counter" in two colors...but checkers needs only one design in two colors. In small quantities, it's much cheaper to make checkers than chess. However, in large quantities, it probably makes no difference.
- You could probably make a basic game (think "checkers") for $10. On the other hand, my son came up with a really great "board game" that couldn't be manufactured for under $60 - and is therefore uneconomic - which is a huge shame because it's really good fun to play! Card games are also pretty cheap to make if you go "low-quality". If you can design the artwork yourself - then you can get a deck of 52 cards printed on thin card for a few dollars a sheet. If you need very few designs, you could print them yourself on glossy card right out of your computer...providing you trust yourself to guillotine them into individual cards. But when the quantities go up, and if you need fancier printing - then you might want die-cut cards with fancy glossy printing.
- There is just too much 'depth' to your question to come up with a clear answer.
- 20:36, 22 January 2013 (UTC)
January 22
Sustained rate of fire on all cannons of the Civil War
I am a Civil War buff. I read and watch all types of movies and books about the war. I have always wondered what the sustaind rate of fire was for the various cannons used in that war. I know that all kinds of marvalus things happen in the movies, but I would guess that the rate of fire is way off. Even with morden weaponary they only can be fired for a certian amount of rounds before they have to stop, and left to cool down. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Hotrod824 (talk • contribs) 00:22, 22 January 2013 (UTC)
- Do you mind telling us which nation's Civil War you have in mind, please? It makes a substantial difference to the answer to your question. AlexTiefling (talk) 00:28, 22 January 2013 (UTC)
- American, most likely — Crisco 1492 (talk) 00:53, 22 January 2013 (UTC)
- Probably, but I didn't want to make the crass assumption that people who say 'the Civil War' and expect us to just know which one they mean are all Americans. There was a Civil War over here in England (indeed, a complicated bunch of them) in which the use of cannon was crucial - to take just the other really well-known English-speaking example. AlexTiefling (talk) 01:07, 22 January 2013 (UTC)
- But do the English refer to it as "the Civil War", especially if there were several? — Crisco 1492 (talk) 01:08, 22 January 2013 (UTC)
- Everyone knows unqualified terms like "president", "constitution" and "the Civil War" apply to America. That's why Truman airlifted in our boys to defeat the Brits in WWI. Jesus wouldn't have it any other way. μηδείς (talk) 01:31, 22 January 2013 (UTC)
- That wasn't very civil of you, old chap. KägeTorä - (影虎) (TALK) 08:31, 22 January 2013 (UTC)
- The English (as opposed to the British generally) have certainly tended to refer to the English parts of the Wars of the Three Kingdoms (1640s) as 'The Civil War'. AlexTiefling (talk) 01:41, 22 January 2013 (UTC)
- Probably, but I didn't want to make the crass assumption that people who say 'the Civil War' and expect us to just know which one they mean are all Americans. There was a Civil War over here in England (indeed, a complicated bunch of them) in which the use of cannon was crucial - to take just the other really well-known English-speaking example. AlexTiefling (talk) 01:07, 22 January 2013 (UTC)
- Hey, I have an idea. Rather than being snippy and unhelpful to the questioner, why not try to answer the question for multiple civil wars? I'm sure the cannon firing rate was different in the Spanish Civil War and in the American Civil War and in the various English ones. --jpgordon::==( o ) 06:06, 22 January 2013 (UTC)
- Field artillery in the American Civil War KägeTorä - (影虎) (TALK) 08:20, 22 January 2013 (UTC)
- Obviously, it would be good if the OP could clarify which war. But the term "Civil War buff" sounds like an American expression. Would very many Brits be referred to as "buffs" (i.e. "enthusiasts") of their own civil war(s)? ←Baseball Bugs What's up, Doc? carrots→ 12:35, 22 January 2013 (UTC)
- I think that members of the Sealed Knot would probably characterise themselves as such. And as to why I raised the question: as can be seen from the article that KageTora linked, each civil war was characterised by quite a range of field artillery. So doing as Jpgordon has proposed, and providing all the information for every civil war we can think of, would be a huge mass of information. As it happens, KageTora's article, though highly interesting to the right people, doesn't mention rates of fire. Assuming that we've guessed the OP's intent correctly, where could the relevant data be found - and could it be added to the article? AlexTiefling (talk) 12:48, 22 January 2013 (UTC)
- Googling [civil war rate of cannon fire] and [civil war sustained rate of cannon fire] turns up a lot of potential avenues worth looking into. ←Baseball Bugs What's up, Doc? carrots→ 13:34, 22 January 2013 (UTC)
- This is OR, because I am a wargamer, and I think it was generally one shot every 30 seconds (about), and the same time it took to reload a rifle. They had to wait for orders to fire. However, it was unfortunate if you were called 'Will'KägeTorä - (影虎) (TALK) 23:07, 22 January 2013 (UTC)
- Googling [civil war rate of cannon fire] and [civil war sustained rate of cannon fire] turns up a lot of potential avenues worth looking into. ←Baseball Bugs What's up, Doc? carrots→ 13:34, 22 January 2013 (UTC)
- I think that members of the Sealed Knot would probably characterise themselves as such. And as to why I raised the question: as can be seen from the article that KageTora linked, each civil war was characterised by quite a range of field artillery. So doing as Jpgordon has proposed, and providing all the information for every civil war we can think of, would be a huge mass of information. As it happens, KageTora's article, though highly interesting to the right people, doesn't mention rates of fire. Assuming that we've guessed the OP's intent correctly, where could the relevant data be found - and could it be added to the article? AlexTiefling (talk) 12:48, 22 January 2013 (UTC)
- Obviously, it would be good if the OP could clarify which war. But the term "Civil War buff" sounds like an American expression. Would very many Brits be referred to as "buffs" (i.e. "enthusiasts") of their own civil war(s)? ←Baseball Bugs What's up, Doc? carrots→ 12:35, 22 January 2013 (UTC)
What are the things Ernest Hemingway is holding on this photo ?
Hello practical ones ! http://www.dhm.de/magazine/spanien/Abb. 22.htm
I wonder what Hemingway is holding in his hands while visiting a spanish battlefield with Joris Ivens & 2 german communist officers : I hesitate between sub-machine guns clips (italians ? found on the soil ? ) - and maybe macquerel or sardine tins (4 , for 4 men to picnic with...). All (sensible) suggestions welcomed and thanked beforehand. T.y. Arapaima (talk) 09:46, 22 January 2013 (UTC)
- The link to the image seems to have been mistyped. --Saddhiyama (talk) 09:49, 22 January 2013 (UTC)
- Yes , Saddhi, sorry, seems I'm an old web-goofer. Here it is again:
http://www.dhm.de/magazine/spanien/Abb. 22.htm
Hope it works, but (for the really good samaritans) : you can find an OK-working link on the french version of Hans Kahle , quote n°25. Thanks again Arapaima (talk) 09:55, 22 January 2013 (UTC)
- Unfortunately that was still wrong, the image can be seen here [7]. --Viennese Waltz 10:23, 22 January 2013 (UTC)
- Russian Wikipedia has a bigger version of that photo (which they say they sourced at that dhm.de site; they may just have blown it up) here. It's clearer, but not hugely so. Cigars, perhaps. -- Finlay McWalterჷTalk 00:55, 23 January 2013 (UTC)
- They look awful large for cigars, but that's a far better guess than my original thought, beer bottles. μηδείς (talk) 01:16, 23 January 2013 (UTC)
Why is there no focusing knob on rifle scopes?
I have never personally used a rifle with a telescopic sight. I have used binoculars thought. In video games and from looking at pictures, there never seems to be any focusing knobs on the rifle telescopics that adjusts for blurriness depending on how far the object you're looking at is. In contrast, you have to focus the binocular to look at an object a certain distance away and have to re-focus when you look at something at a different distance.
How come rifle telescopics do not have focusing knobs? Is it because it has something to do with the fact that you're only looking through it with one eye? Acceptable (talk) 23:15, 22 January 2013 (UTC)
- Telescopic sight#Adjustment controls has a picture: no knob, but you can adjust the focus ring. Clarityfiend (talk) 23:54, 22 January 2013 (UTC)
- (EC) There are no knobs, as where would you put them? There are focus rings at the back, the same as in binos. It has more to do with the production costs and development costs of the weapon itself. As well as making the weapon more usable. Nobody wants to carry around a weapon with loads of extra buttons. So, they make it simple. KägeTorä - (影虎) (TALK) 23:58, 22 January 2013 (UTC)
- The focus adjustment on a rifle scope brings the aiming reticle into focus; this is an adjustment that need only be performed once for a given user: [8]. This doesn't answer the OP's question, which could be rephrased as, 'why doesn't the focus have to be adjusted to form sharp images of targets at different distances, as one has to do with a pair of binoculars or a telescope?' TenOfAllTrades(talk) 00:22, 23 January 2013 (UTC)
- Then somebody needs to fix the article: "Focusing control at the ocular end of the sight – meant to obtain a sharp picture of the object and reticle". Clarityfiend (talk) 00:48, 23 January 2013 (UTC)
- Some sniper scopes do have focus adjustments e.g.. In practice, you need a sniper rifle to shoot things that are hundreds of feet away, when the focus is (or might as well be) at infinity (if it was close, you wouldn't need a scope, and could just shoot using the iron sight). So some scopes are just set to infinity, which means there's one less thing to go wrong. Long-range target shooting scopes have parallax adjusters info. Much of this doesn't really map in a worthwhile way to the simulation on a computer screen, so it's no surprise that they don't try to simulate it. -- Finlay McWalterჷTalk 00:50, 23 January 2013 (UTC)
- The reason binoculars to have a focus is that you might reasonably want to look at a small bird in a tree 50 feet away, and see the details of its pretty plumage. But snipers (military ones) aren't shooting at nearby birds and don't care about the fine details of such things. -- Finlay McWalterჷTalk 01:04, 23 January 2013 (UTC)
- Except that, at half a mile, the location of someone's head is a fine detail. --Jayron32 03:46, 23 January 2013 (UTC)
January 23
Eye exams (not a request for medical advice)
Is it true that when you go to an eye doctor and they do a checkup for any potential problems, they put in special eye drops that render your vision temporarily blurry? If so how long does it last? And what is the solution made out of? 70.55.108.19 (talk) 02:52, 23 January 2013 (UTC)
- It is true. there are all sorts of drops. This site says dilation can last 4-24 hours. I have driven home after eye exams without a problem, so a basic exam may not be hugely disturbing. Ask your doctor what to expect and how to behave. μηδείς (talk) 02:59, 23 January 2013 (UTC)
- It is true. It usually lasts a few hours. I'm not sure what the fluid is. The site describes the exam but just says "drops" are placed in the eye: http://www.nei.nih.gov/healthyeyes/eyeexam.asp RudolfRed (talk) 03:02, 23 January 2013 (UTC)
- If it may cause stinging, is it necessary to warn your doctor that your eyes may be sensitive? My eyes burn every time I cut onions or cry. 70.55.108.19 (talk) 03:26, 23 January 2013 (UTC)
- You should it discuss it with your doctor. I'd say that's true of any procedure. RudolfRed (talk) 03:30, 23 January 2013 (UTC)
- If it may cause stinging, is it necessary to warn your doctor that your eyes may be sensitive? My eyes burn every time I cut onions or cry. 70.55.108.19 (talk) 03:26, 23 January 2013 (UTC)
- There is nothing by itself irritating with such drops as there is with onions which contain irritating sulphur compounds. You can and should insist on discussing any expected discomfort ahead of time with the doctor, who can and should address your concerns by his actions. μηδείς (talk) 03:42, 23 January 2013 (UTC)
- OP, it isn't always true, but it may be true. When I have my eyes checked, there's a fairly thorough check done of various things, without drops. Then, if and only if I can assure them that I've made transport arrangements and will not be driving home, they do some more tests involving drops and blurry vision. The blurriness lasts anywhere from 4-8 hours in my case. -- Jack of Oz [Talk] 03:48, 23 January 2013 (UTC)
- I won't be going alone, and it'll be my first eye exam and I'm near-sighted without knowing why, so it's very likely they'll end up using those eye drops. I'm just very anxious of what's to come. 70.55.108.19 (talk) 03:53, 23 January 2013 (UTC)