Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Miscellaneous/2013 November 16

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November 16[edit]

Place in Poland[edit]

I've been trying to cleanup the article Tatrzańskie (Bydgoszcz district) and there is something I don't know: what is it? Its a place but is it a neighborhood or some kind of civil division? (I don't know if there is an English equivalent or a precise Polish term.) Any ideas? RJFJR (talk) 01:15, 16 November 2013 (UTC)[reply]

It looks like what would be a neighborhood-sized place in Poland. Working the way back up, Bydgoszcz is called a city, of which Fordon, Bydgoszcz is a "district" of some 75,000 people. Since Tatrzańskie (Bydgoszcz district) is considered a smaller part of Fordon, that would make it roughly equivalent to a neighborhood. The article Administrative divisions of Poland may be useful; though of course official administrative divisions differ significantly from informally named places, and I have no idea what Tatrzańskie would be on that regard; whether a formally defined division like a Osiedle or an informally known neighborhood. --Jayron32 01:44, 16 November 2013 (UTC)[reply]
I have added what I can based on my very poor understanding of the Polish. The nouns make sense to me, but the cases don't, so I'd still look for a native Polish speaker. μηδείς (talk) 03:41, 16 November 2013 (UTC)[reply]
User:Любослов Езыкин should have a much more helpful opinion. μηδείς (talk) 03:45, 16 November 2013 (UTC)[reply]
No, Poland is out of scope of my interests (though I know some history concerning Russian-Polish relationships). Sure even you know no less than me. I can only translate a little but not too much, I've never learned Polish thoroughly, only read about its grammar and other theoretical stuff.--Lüboslóv Yęzýkin (talk) 06:10, 16 November 2013 (UTC)[reply]
I would ask that you look at the Polish article, then check to make sure what I added to the English article doesn't contradict your understanding. Of course, the biggest issue is the lack of sources. μηδείς (talk) 19:43, 16 November 2013 (UTC)[reply]

Thank you to everybody for the assistance. I appreciate it. RJFJR (talk) 15:44, 17 November 2013 (UTC)[reply]

Airlines[edit]

trolling
The following discussion has been closed. Please do not modify it.

I was wondering how it would be possible for me to become an airline pilot? I seem to find it difficult to get flight training or whatever medical shit I require. Any suggestions? drt2012 (talk) 15:31, 16 November 2013 (UTC)[reply]

For pilot training (going by your user page, you're from Scotland), these links talk about places that offer it: [1], [2], [3], [4]- I don't know how quality their programs are, but it might be a start for finding more information. As for "medical shit", I have no idea (nor am I exactly sure what that might refer to), do you have medical issues of some kind?Phoenixia1177 (talk) 16:03, 16 November 2013 (UTC)[reply]
I mean the class 1 medical examination drt2012 (talk) 16:16, 16 November 2013 (UTC)[reply]
As for the links, those are Northern Scotland locations; I hail from the Southwest of this fair country drt2012 (talk) 16:19, 16 November 2013 (UTC)[reply]
This is the CAA's official database page - enter your postcode and it'll show you the nearest doctors which can carry out the examination. This document describes the examination in detail. Tevildo (talk) 16:24, 16 November 2013 (UTC)[reply]
Right, may I have Southwestern flight instructors please? I know That my nearest airport is Glasgow Prestwick. drt2012 (talk) 20:41, 16 November 2013 (UTC)[reply]
A quick Google search ("flying school Glasgow") reveals several flying schools at Glasgow International, Strathaven and Cumbernauld, but not at Prestwick. I'm sure that any of them will be happy to assist you. Tevildo (talk) 20:55, 16 November 2013 (UTC)[reply]
Be aware that airlines pilots generally start by flying small planes out of small airports. "Flying school" or similar is the kind of search string to start with. You might want to see if some of the big airlines' websites have details of possible career paths. HiLo48 (talk) 21:17, 16 November 2013 (UTC)[reply]
Yes, but I live near Ayr, which is nowhere near Strathaven or Cumbernauld, as I said, it has to be Glasgow or Prestwickdrt2012 (talk) 22:49, 16 November 2013 (UTC)[reply]

Ps, how do I get the money for all this?

Jobcentre and National Lottery may be useful articles to consider. Tevildo (talk) 23:31, 16 November 2013 (UTC)[reply]
Incidentally, there is a flying school in Ayr itself - this is their website. Tevildo (talk) 23:34, 16 November 2013 (UTC)[reply]
Where do I get the hundreds of required pounds that flight training costs? drt2012 (talk) 23:44, 16 November 2013 (UTC)[reply]
Is there such a thing as a "scholarship" for flight school? If not, and if you can't find someone to sponsor you, you'll either have to work for it, or maybe get a bank to lend it to you. ←Baseball Bugs What's up, Doc? carrots→ 01:04, 17 November 2013 (UTC)[reply]

Can I suggest that you look at two websites; National Careers Service Job profiles: Airline pilot and the site that they direct you to; So You Want To Be A Pilot?. One of the options they give is to join the military. There are a huge number of young people who want a career as a pilot, and not many actual jobs, so don't expect it to be easy. Alansplodge (talk) 01:06, 17 November 2013 (UTC)[reply]

The military is usually where a lot of domestic airline pilots first receive training, have you considered that option, if not chosen as a pilot the experience of working a flight crew or maintenance may allow you to teach classes at an air school while being able to take classes on being a pilot for free after service. Market St.⧏ ⧐ Diamond Way 03:19, 17 November 2013 (UTC)[reply]
Forget the military, I clearly need a better answerdrt2012 (talk) 11:03, 17 November 2013 (UTC)[reply]
Are there any other requirements? drt2012 (talk) 11:09, 17 November 2013 (UTC)[reply]
Can I have an answer, please? drt2012 (talk) 12:31, 17 November 2013 (UTC)[reply]

I think you've been given a good an answer as you're going to get. Badgering people isn't going to work. To get the money to pay for the training will require that you have a job and pay for it out of your earnings. There is no magic answer that anybody here can give that will provide you with instant money. CambridgeBayWeather (talk) 13:44, 17 November 2013 (UTC)[reply]

But, the job of airline pilot IS the only job that I want, how do I get it? drt2012 (talk) 13:56, 17 November 2013 (UTC)[reply]
By finding a source of money and investing it in pilot school. ←Baseball Bugs What's up, Doc? carrots→ 14:16, 17 November 2013 (UTC)[reply]
CambridgeBayWeather, how do I get the money if the job I like requires it in the first place? Fuck off Baseball Bugs. I can't get the money until I get the job and I can't get the job if I don't have the money, what do I do!?!?!? drt2012 (talk) 14:19, 17 November 2013 (UTC)[reply]
If you're looking to get banished from here, you're making a good effort so far. Since when is it up to the ref desk to decide your career path for you? Go find some job somewhere, and when you've earned enough to pay for flight school, then you can follow your dream. ←Baseball Bugs What's up, Doc? carrots→ 14:32, 17 November 2013 (UTC)[reply]
In fact, the user Dannyboy1209 (talk · contribs), otherwise known as drt2012, was previously indef'd for the kind of behavior he's engaging in here, so I have asked for the indef to be re-imposed. ←Baseball Bugs What's up, Doc? carrots→ 14:36, 17 November 2013 (UTC)[reply]
He's also been caught wind socking. ←Baseball Bugs What's up, Doc? carrots→ 14:40, 17 November 2013 (UTC)[reply]
User re-indef'd. ←Baseball Bugs What's up, Doc? carrots→ 15:54, 17 November 2013 (UTC)[reply]

Coffee Making[edit]

It seems I have accidentally bought a bag of whole coffee beans, that were hiding on the shelf with the processed coffee grains I usually buy, and I am wondering how I would go about preparing them into a drink. Would I be right in thinking that I fry them first, then grind them into powder? Do I need to fry them in oil, or in a pan within another pan of water or anything fancy like that? Will I have to take the shells off them all first? Things like that. 213.104.128.16 (talk) 20:11, 16 November 2013 (UTC)[reply]

If you have the receipt, you can probably return them. StuRat (talk) 20:29, 16 November 2013 (UTC)[reply]
One trick is to grind them down into normal coffee drt2012 (talk) 20:39, 16 November 2013 (UTC)[reply]
...with a coffee grinder. They probably have one at any store that sells whole coffee beans, but I'm not sure they would allow you to use it on beans you bought previously. BTW, can we assume the whole coffee beans you bought have been roasted already ?
Another option is to just boil the whole coffee beans. This should work, but will take much longer than using ground coffee.
This might be of interest: [5] (how they prepare Turkish coffee). StuRat (talk) 20:42, 16 November 2013 (UTC)[reply]
You don't say where you live but here in the US I don't think I've ever seen non-roasted beans for sale in a grocery store, so yours are likely already roasted. Which means that you would just have to grind them to use them like you are used to. No frying necessary. Dismas|(talk) 00:07, 17 November 2013 (UTC)[reply]
with a coffee grinder? would be cheaper just to buy a new jar of the stuff I usually get. or would I be able to grind them properly with some sort of kitchen equipment? And getting a refund would be tricky, I didn't notice the mistake until after I'd opened them, didn't think to read all the labels on a product I thought I knew so well. 213.104.128.16 (talk) 00:27, 17 November 2013 (UTC)[reply]
Would a standard blender work? ←Baseball Bugs What's up, Doc? carrots→ 01:01, 17 November 2013 (UTC)[reply]
Apparently though I like the suggestion that the author was given about using a katana better. Dismas|(talk) 02:17, 17 November 2013 (UTC)[reply]
Stores that sell whole roasted coffee beans doubtless have a grinder. I would take them back to the store of purchase, explain that I bought whole beans there and did not grind them, and ask to use the grinder, Then i would grind them with the grinder set for "Drip," "Perk" or whatever use you intend. Edison (talk) 02:23, 17 November 2013 (UTC)[reply]
Don't they sell whole roasted coffee beans in supermarkets in the States? They do in Britain, on the same shelves as the ground coffee, and it is advisable to check by squeezing the packet as well as reading the label. Are you sure that the shop wouldn't take back the packet if opened? They would here. Your best option might be to get yourself a coffee grinder, because you will get a better result if you grind your own beans. Itsmejudith (talk) 07:54, 17 November 2013 (UTC)[reply]
I've never seen a shop with a coffee grinder in it that people can just use whenever they want... though I am tempted by the idea of buying myself one and grinding all my coffee in the proper way. I'll have to see how much they cost, money is a little tight right now. 213.104.128.16 (talk) 12:05, 17 November 2013 (UTC)[reply]
Yes, they sell whole beans in the U.S. and yes, stores which do often have grinders. Rmhermen (talk) 15:26, 17 November 2013 (UTC)[reply]
The problem with the in-store grinders tends to be that — even when there is a dedicated machine for flavored coffee and prominent signage asking customers to use only it when grinding the flavored beans — people still grind flavored beans in all the machines. And you can never get rid of that hint of hazelnut or cocoa. --Trovatore (talk) 18:32, 19 November 2013 (UTC)[reply]

Well that failed completely, I ground them up as told, mixed them into water, and they don't dissolve in the slightest, so I'm left with just hot water with broken coffee beans floating on top. What else do I have to do? 213.104.128.16 (talk) 20:32, 17 November 2013 (UTC)[reply]

Instant coffee, Brewed coffee. μηδείς (talk) 23:28, 17 November 2013 (UTC)[reply]
  • Medeis has a good point here. There seems to have been a rather deep misunderstanding in the terminology here. The OP said "processed coffee grains", which does suggest s/he is used to an instant-coffee-like-product. Those take a lot of processing, and cannot easily be made at home. OP if you're still here, try some real coffee sometime (i.e. take roasted beans, grind them, and brew), it's rather good :) SemanticMantis (talk) 18:19, 18 November 2013 (UTC)[reply]
That's what's supposed to happen. :) You can either use a filter coffee maker, a cafetiere or similar device, or put a small amount of cold water into the unfiltered coffee, which should make the grounds sink to the bottom of the pot. Tevildo (talk) 21:57, 17 November 2013 (UTC)[reply]
You probably don't have them ground as finely as desired. This just means you need to boil them for a long time to get the coffee out of the beans. Fortunately, if you are in the Northern Hemisphere, it's nice weather to have a pot of boiling water on the stove all day. StuRat (talk) 22:04, 17 November 2013 (UTC)[reply]
Not necessarily, think of the humidity and heat you're adding to the room.... Nil Einne (talk) 07:41, 18 November 2013 (UTC)[reply]
Hold on. You normally use instant coffee? Or ground coffee?
If you normally use ground coffee, then all you need to do is grind the beans and proceed as normal.
If you normally use instant coffee, ... well, there's no realistic way to convert beans into instant. However, there are no-equipment-needed ways of brewing coffee. My favorite is to cold brew it. This technique is usually used for ice-coffee, but it doesn't have to be. You can microwave it and get hot coffee.
If you really want to rough it you can add the ground coffee to boiling water, wait a bit, and then use a strainer to get it out again.
However, maybe this mix-up is the universe's way of telling you to buy a coffee maker. The result is almost always tastier than instant. APL (talk) 22:37, 18 November 2013 (UTC)[reply]
Yea, I'm used to coffee that I can just mix into water without any sort of expensive equipment. Then again, I've also found that anything that's been through a coffee machine just doesn't taste as nice, even at posh coffee shops, hence why I've never experimented with other ways of making the stuff. I just gave up and bought a new jar, no idea what to do with all these beans, though... 213.104.128.16 (talk) 11:07, 19 November 2013 (UTC)[reply]
I suppose you can give them away. If you don't know anyone who grinds whole coffee beans, you could put it next to the coffee pot at work with a note that says "Free coffee beans". StuRat (talk) 11:33, 19 November 2013 (UTC)[reply]
In a state without no-fault divorce, you must convince a judge you have just cause for the divorce. One man argued that he should be granted a divorce because his wife always made him a weak cup of coffee. In the end, however, the judge refused to grant the divorce due to insufficient grounds. :-) StuRat (talk) 11:33, 19 November 2013 (UTC) [reply]
And the boy gets a cigar! ←Baseball Bugs What's up, Doc? carrots→ 18:04, 19 November 2013 (UTC)[reply]
  • If you're at all interested in continuing the experiment, you can get a french coffee press used cheap at a bazaar. Easy to use, and no filter needed. Just make sure you keep the ground dry (heat them uncovered in the microwave, then store) or they will get mildewy rather quick. μηδείς (talk) 17:57, 19 November 2013 (UTC)[reply]
I always keep my ground coffee in the freezer compartment of my refrigerator, in a sealed glass container. It will keep indefinitely there with never any chance of mildew; it never "freezes" and so is immediately available for use; and the flavour/aroma is permanently sealed in. -- Jack of Oz [pleasantries] 19:23, 19 November 2013 (UTC)[reply]
That makes sense, but keep in mind the OP has said he already tried boiling the grounds, but they wouldn't dissolve. That implies to me they are soaked through, if not long ago discarded. μηδείς (talk) 20:25, 19 November 2013 (UTC)[reply]
Presumably they didn't boil the entire bag of coffee beans. StuRat (talk) 04:36, 21 November 2013 (UTC)[reply]
Or you can grind the coffee very fine and make Turkish coffee (alternatively called Greek coffee, Lebanese coffee, Armenian coffee — you get the idea; it's all the same stuff but the various nationalities in the region all claim credit). Backpacker's coffee or cowboy coffee is the same idea but more rough-and-ready. Not advice but just something to be aware of: There are some studies that suggest that coffee that doesn't go through a paper filter has negative effects on the drinker's cholesterol profile -- see cafestol. --Trovatore (talk) 20:18, 19 November 2013 (UTC)[reply]