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Rebel flag and English soccer?
Tyomitch (talk | contribs)
Is it safe to scan and upload my ID?: editing away numbers OK?
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: Well, a bad guy could use that data, along with a higher resolution image of a sample passport/id/whatever, and create a usable copy of your passport/ID. Once they have one convincing piece of ID they could smooth-talk their way into obtaining duplicate "replacements" of other documents with your name on them. Then they could enter into legal and financial deals in your name. I suppose most people would consider that "spooky" [[User:69.95.50.15|69.95.50.15]] 14:38, 21 August 2007 (UTC)
: Well, a bad guy could use that data, along with a higher resolution image of a sample passport/id/whatever, and create a usable copy of your passport/ID. Once they have one convincing piece of ID they could smooth-talk their way into obtaining duplicate "replacements" of other documents with your name on them. Then they could enter into legal and financial deals in your name. I suppose most people would consider that "spooky" [[User:69.95.50.15|69.95.50.15]] 14:38, 21 August 2007 (UTC)

If I edit away the serial number and birth date, substituting bogus numbers, but leave my name and the surrounding text (there's no address there) unedited -- would that be safe enough? I don't think my Photoshop skills are powerful enough to create smooth-looking text in the scanned image. --[[User:Tyomitch|tyomitch]] 05:57, 22 August 2007 (UTC)


== Rocket Artillery vs. Conventional Artillery. ==
== Rocket Artillery vs. Conventional Artillery. ==

Revision as of 05:57, 22 August 2007

Wikipedia:Reference desk/headercfg


August 16

Wikiscanner

to my calculations wikipideia is the best site in the world!!!!!!

Jaw traps

When were the first "jaw traps" (the kind used on bears and wolves) created? The Animal trapping article says the following ...

"In 1590, jaw traps started being used in England to catch poachers hunting on private land"

The quote doesn't mean that jaw traps were created in the late 16th century. Besides, the statement does not have a citation. I'm sure it was being used before this time. --Ghostexorcist 04:43, 16 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Someone also put literal content from Encyclopaedia Britannica 1911 under Animal trapping's reference section:
"While rude specimens are known to have existed in the middle ages, the steel-trap as used to-day dates from the middle of the 18th century, and reached perfection in the latter half of the 19th, the "Newhouse," named from the American inventor, having been the first trap of high grade."
---Sluzzelin talk 07:33, 16 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Thanks for looking that up, but the middle ages article states the titular period was from the 5th to the 15th century. So the statement still doesn't tell me when exactly it was created (even its most crude forms). --Ghostexorcist 02:17, 17 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Follow-up Question

A follow-up question to the one above, the quote in the original question suggests that the traps were designed to be used on humans before they were used on animals. Is this true? Capuchin 09:29, 16 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Check Washing ?!

WHAT is this ? Just seen a ad on TV that a pen's special ink will STOP this. 65.173.104.223 07:25, 16 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Did you bother to read the article on check washing? I found it by putting "check washing" into the search box at the top-left of the page, then pressing "Go". I recommend you try this now.
They get a legitimate check from someone, maybe by interception, then they wash out the ink in the "amount" spot or the "payee" spot, and re-enter their own value or name. This way they get lots of money! This pen must use ink that's more resistant to washing techniques. Capuchin 08:11, 16 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
This is also a large concern with any documents printed using a toner-based printer such as a laser printer. Because the fused toner simply sits on the surface, it's relatively easy to scrape off the toner and print something different. And one toner pretty much looks like the next so there's no telling them apart by a casual inspection. The current advice is to use an ink-based printer (such as an inkjet printer and a relatively water-proof ink.
Atlant 12:29, 16 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
This is one such pen.
Mrdeath5493 02:36, 18 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

KFC Chicken - or not chicken?

A Californian friend sent me an e-mail yesterday telling me that Kentucky Fried Chicken have been made by USA authorities to remove all references in their promotional and advertising literature that makes any reference to chicken, including changing the company name to simply KFC because, it seems, they use an "artificial" meat substitute that derives from a living organism, but which has no beak, feet, feathers etc., and is fed by tubes. I checked on KFC (Uk) where I live and found no such information, but instead, plenty of info. about real chicken meat, including the rearing conditions of chickens by KFC. Who is telling the truth?

You believe that they breed living, breathing bags of chicken meat? That doesn't seem slightly far-fetched to you? The beginning of the KFC article covers the name change. The article doesnt mention anything about no feet-beaks-feathers. I'm pretty certain they use normal chickens, though they're likely to not have the best living conditions. Like most of these chain e-mails, there isnt much truth to it. Capuchin 09:58, 16 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Reading on - it's not far from the truth - the chickens only get to keep the bits that help them put on lots of lovely chicken flesh - eg guts.87.102.66.173 11:40, 16 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
They are chickens, and that isn't necessarily a good thing. It all depends on who you trust more, a random person forwarding an email, a bunch of people that hate a company, or the company themselves. Nobody is really unbiased or fact checked here. --Lucid 10:04, 16 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
It is more than likely that they don't have beaks. Most chickens raised in factory farms are debeaked to 'reduce excessive feather pecking and cannibalism in a stressed bird population.' The rest is probably garbage though. 24.250.32.81 10:10, 16 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Read more about this here. -- Sundar \talk \contribs 10:05, 16 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
<3 snopes. Anyway, it's kind of a half truth- A lot of times their wings or legs are broken, and I've heard some of these places debeak (I don't think KFC does), the meat is somewhat artificial in the fact that it's stuffed full of drugs and food additives, but the whole idea of it being a bag of flesh that can't feel or anything is sadly not true. They are born chickens, but whether they die chickens is somewhat of an opinion --Lucid 10:10, 16 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
>.> Snopes isn't really run by a bunch of chain emailers that perpetrate the rumors that they then disprove. They disproved that theory on snopes. --frotht 01:31, 17 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Thanks Sundar - that's what I like about Wiki - I can always find at least one INFORMED response that is checkable and credible. By the way, I have just forwarded your response and the Snopes article to my Californian friend. Hope he sends it all the way back up the chain. Cheers.

Truly artificial meat is coming though, and it won't be long. It will pose an interesting questions to vegetarians, of course. If there's no possibility of consciousness there , are there any ethical qualms about eating it? (Health concerns remain, of course.) Will it be here sooner than Soylent Green? Well, that's another question, of course.

Atlant 12:32, 16 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Whatever the conditions that these unfortunate animals are raised in - they are clearly still chickens - a simple DNA check would verify that. But even if it were true that KFC meals no longer contained any chicken - why would the US government force a company to change their name? You can find any number of companies whose name no longer reflects what they do. This is a typical urban legend email. SteveBaker 13:35, 16 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
I was fortunate enough to have some Kentucky Fried Chicken when there were only a couple of restaurants and Colonel Sanders was directly in charge. It was excellent. I have never had better fried chicken before or since. The product today does not have either the texture or the flavor of version 1.0. There is certainly still chicken in there, but the coating seems more greasy and rubbery than was the case decades ago. Edison 16:41, 16 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Really? From the article, it sounds like this must have happened in the 50's if there were only a few restaurants. Friday (talk) 16:48, 16 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Yeah, Colonel Sanders himself was in the news a while back, when he was still alive I guess, grousing about how the corporation had screwed up his chicken since he'd sold it to them. Gzuckier 18:09, 16 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Think about it like this...One of the biggest fast food chains in the western world is forced to change its name due to its products no longer containing chicken...How likely is that NOT to have been a gigantic newstory the world over? The question of how chickens are raised is an interesting one - do we force the marketplace to rear chickens more humanely or do we let the marketplace decide (through purchases) what it considers acceptable. Seemingly those who prefer free-range have that option, whereas those who do not mind have the option too. Of course this is ignoring the ethics/morals of differing rearing methodology. ny156uk 23:08, 16 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Remember of course that while free range stuff by nature is always likely to be more expensive then factory farmed, quantity does come into play here. As long as free range remains so much more expensive then factory farmed, it's much more likely people are not going to choose it. But as long as free range remains a niche option then it's going to remain much more expensive. A fairly typical chicken and egg problem :-P Nil Einne 21:08, 20 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
While we're thoroughly debeaked this particular legend, can I point anyone who still cares to Margaret Atwood's near-future dystopian novel Oryx and Crake, which features just this creature, a GM all breast and no bones post-chicken-organism which just sits there eating garbage and making white meat - it's marketed as a "Chickie-Nobs™ Bucket o' Nubbins®". It's only got the most elementary of brainstem, so you can't really have a "the poor thing is suffering" moral argument against it. -- Finlay McWalter | Talk 23:17, 16 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

teaching chemistry

Notes on literature review for teaching equations in Chemistry undergraduate course.

Did you have a question? Capuchin 10:18, 16 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Yes could you rephrase that - do you want a list of methods of teaching chemical equations or something else?87.102.66.173 11:37, 16 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Writer stats.

How much, on average, do (fiction novel, mainly) writers make yearly, on book sales alone? On average (including everyone above vanity publishers up to JKR), what's normal, the more famous ones, etc. I've looked around, but I haven't seen any money on how much authors make, or even their worth (which seems odd, as sports, movies, all other entertainment seems easy to find salaries for). I'm thinking that full time fiction novel writers probably average very low income, but then I of course don't know --Lucid 10:32, 16 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

This depends on your definitions. If average means "mode", the answer is probably zero. Unless you define "writers" as being ones who actually make it into print. I doubt anyway that there are any meaningful statistics, because being a writer isn't like a "normal" salaried job - successful writers' incomes have peaks due to advances and launches of new books and troughs when they benefit from royalties from previously published works. As many writers don't publish very regularly (not everyone is Barbara Cartland) there isn't even an "average" year for authors on an individual basis, let alone mass. --Dweller 15:12, 16 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Perhaps a meaningful answer could be gotten by sticking to published authors other than vanity. The questioner mentioned "full time fiction novel writers." There are at least many thousand of such writers who get paid for their work. What kind of contract. Dick Francis has written dozens of successful books over many decades published by G.P. Putnam's Sons. Janet Evanovich has written many best sellers published by St. Martin's Press. J.A. Jance has written best sellers published by Avon Books. So what kid of contract do mainstream publishers of fiction sign? Is there an advance plus some payment per copy? I knew a lady who wrote a dozen Harlequin Romances, and I am sure she got paid fairly well, or she wouldn't have bothered to keep writing them.At the other end of the spectrum, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling has a U.S. cover price of $34.99 (commonly discounted). How much does Rowling get for the many millions of copies sold? Even if authors and publishers might wish to be reticent there is bound to be some leakage of information. Edison 16:32, 16 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Also, not all publishers pay by number of books sold - I once wrote a few chapters of a collaborative non-fiction book (about Linux games programming) - the payment was all up-front and in no way depended on the number sold. (Which is just as well because some of the other authors in the collaboration wrote crap and the book didn't sell many copies). In other cases, where the payment is by royalty on each copy, the 'advance' payment has to be repaid to the publisher from royalty revenue - before you get to keep a penny of it - and very often it may take years (if ever) before that happens. Getting even an average (mean) number is going to be tough - and it's not even a particularly useful number. When you factor in the billion dollars that J.K Rowling made from the Harry Potter series - that one author alone will seriously skew the numbers for a million authors who didn't ever see a penny. A more useful measure would be "What is the probability (P) of earning $X per year as an author" - plotted as a graph of P against X. SteveBaker 17:28, 16 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Actually, no, the advance doesn't have to be re-paid on book contracts. Book publishers haven't reached the same levels of exploitation that the music industry has. This is one reason that many authors are leary of multiple book deals: The advance counts against royalties on all books and if one or more books fails to earn out the advance, they will come out behind where they would have been with single-book contracts. A typical advance for a first-time novelist will usually be in the neighborhood of US$10,000, but may be higher or lower depending on a variety of factors including market analysis, the publisher and how good of a negotiator the author's agent is. There's at least one best-selling author who takes no advance at all, just the straight royalties on his sales. I would also point out that "full-time novelist" is a rather small set of people. Are you excluding those who also teach ([Joyce Carol Oates] teaches at Princeton), or perhaps have a second part-time job or are partially supported by their spouse's earnings. The list of people who make a living only writing novels is much smaller than you think it is. And the bulk of writers, the so-called midlist probably manage to make less than $20,000 per book including royalties after the book earns out (if it earns out) and paperback rights. Donald Hosek 20:11, 16 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
(http://saskjobfutures.ca/profiles/profile.cfm?site=graphic&noc=5121&lang=en) and (http://www.andreasemple.com/sarahr.htm) but nothing official that I can find from a quick search. I would expect the average salary is quite modest. Journalism which I would consider different to novelists will have more stats available i assume. The crowd-pulling writers for the top uk newspapers can earn very good money (Boris Johnson who is an MP so has his interests publically known gets £245-250k a year for his Telegraph columns - here http://www.theyworkforyou.com/mp/boris_johnson/henley#register is a register of his interests - lots of books/writing stuff. ny156uk 22:03, 16 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Pompeii's emblem

Hello, I was wondering if you could send me a piture of pompeii's emblem. If u cann't find their emblem a coat of arms or a shield of pompeii will do.

Hello, our article on Pompei has an image of the municipality's coat of arms (top of the box on the right), you can click it to see a slightly higher resolution. This Italian heraldic site has a better image. ---Sluzzelin talk 11:47, 16 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
But if you mean the ancient ruins of Pompeii, they wouldn't have had anything like that. Adam Bishop 15:38, 16 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Why not? The Romans certainly had city emblems - note that [1] says that Augsburg's city logo dates back to Roman times - so that city certainly had an emblem - why wouldn't Pompeii have had one? SteveBaker 20:01, 16 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Oh, well, they wouldn't have had a heraldric coat of arms, anyway. Adam Bishop 03:06, 17 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Phrase Origin(s): "Flood [them] with paperwork"

Any detail that can be provided on the origin of the phrases, "Flood them with paperwork" is appreciated. Zeke1480 12:24, 16 August 2007 (UTC)zeke1480[reply]

Scientology would be a good place to look for this. If they didn't invent it, they almost certainly have articles about them to help trace it back further. --Lucid 12:33, 16 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Brunettes and Blondes

My daughter had asked us a question regarding how many people in the world have brown hair and how many have blonde hair. Can you help with this question? Sylvia R.

The article on Human hair color should be a good starting point. - Eron Talk 15:40, 16 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
More people have black hair, than blonds and brunettes put together (considering huge proportions of the population of Africa, Asia and South America have very dark hair, and a fair proportion of the other continents also). Without defining exactly what is blond and what is brunette: the general trend would be (from most to least) black > brown > blonde > red. This can be explained by the genetics of hair colour, specifically by the molecular switching from eumelanin (on) to phaeomelanin (off). The switch is under evolutionary pressure to stay on in the tropics and subtropics (where early humans evolved), and was only permitted to switch off when humans reached the northern lattitudes. This combined with the fact the "on switch" tends to be genetically dominant to the off switch and the low birth rates in northern latitudes, and the increase in incontinental travel, means lighter hair colours are relatively rare and getting rarer. Indeed, some have predicted blondes (and, by the same rationale, red heads) could "die out" [2], though this is highly unlikely to occur, since the genes will likely always float about in the gene pool in a recessive manner and pop up again. Rockpocket 19:17, 16 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
True - but the OP wants to know how many there are of each - not which there is the most of. SteveBaker 19:55, 16 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Indeed, but that information is most certainly not available. Estimates suggest that around 2% of the worlds population is blond, perhaps as little as .1 to .5% have red hair. Brown hair, I don't think there is accurate numbers for, at an educated guess, I'd say perhaps 20%. But of course, it all depends on how you define the colours. Rockpocket 02:36, 17 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Conundrum

two people are guarding two doors, one door the gate to heaven, the other to hell, but one person lies and the other tells the truth. I have one question , but what is the question that has to be asked to get the door to heaven? —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 81.145.241.245 (talkcontribs) 13:17, 16 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

You ask one of them "If I asked the other guard which door was the door to heaven, what would his answer be?" Then you pick the other door.- Eron Talk 17:22, 16 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
This is question 4 at Knights and Knaves, if you want more of this kind of thing. Algebraist 17:24, 16 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
I always worry that the liar would just make a compound response like "Oh, he always lies so he'd say X". By this mechanism the liar could tell the truth about the door. 69.95.50.15 18:48, 16 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Most forms of the puzzle avoid that by asking a Yes/No type of question such as: "If I asked that fellow over there whether this door lead to heaven, would he say 'Yes'?" ...of course this assumes that the guy who always tells the truth knows that the other guy always lies - and also that both of them know which door is which. SteveBaker 19:54, 16 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
And of course there's this variation. Donald Hosek 20:01, 16 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
It seems to be a rather popular trope in webcomics, to tell the truth. :P GeeJo (t)(c) • 22:24, 16 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Not to be outdone in geek-ness, it also features in the Doctor Who book, The Ultimate Treasure if I remember right. --h2g2bob (talk) 02:13, 17 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
There is an exhaustive and entertaining study of this problem in one of Martin Gardner's books on Mathematical puzzles and diversions from Scientific American. I can't gve a precise reference as one of my sons seems to have purloined it.SaundersW 08:43, 17 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
What single question can you ask of any of your sons to determine which one stole it? --Tagishsimon (talk)
This question appeared in the Doctor Who serial The Pyramids of Mars, if i recall correctly::::::::::

british sterling

what year did british sterling first come to the usa for sale

Do you mean the British unit of currency (the 'pound sterling') or sterling silver? Either way, I'm pretty sure it would have been around in North America long before there actually was a 'USA'. Sterling silver was first made in the 13th century, and the pound sterling dated back to the 12th century - both would have been in common use hundreds of years before Columbus (1492) and long before the arrival of the Mayflower in 1620. SteveBaker 19:49, 16 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Indeed, the pound sterling, the former colonial currency, remained in circulation in the United States until around 1820 (alongside the dollar)! Marco polo 20:45, 16 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Sterling (car), 1987. -Arch dude 22:00, 16 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Aha! Well, it would have been a LOT easier if our questioner had been just a teensiest bit more forthcoming! SteveBaker 03:57, 17 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Owls

What is the most common owl in Ireland? - Pheonix 18:23, 16 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

I have been unable to find the answer on Wikipedia, but it is possible Birdwatch Ireland [3] may be able to help you. DuncanHill 18:53, 16 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

It used to be the barn owl, [4] but they have dramatically dropped in numbers recently. So the Long-eared owl is now most common. [5] (Oddly enough, the tawny owl is the most common in Britain, but is almost completely absent from Ireland). Rockpocket 18:59, 16 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Height and Weight in the NFL

Who is the tallest player currently in the NFL (along with height), and who is the heaviest (with weight)? Also, historically, who were the tallest and heaviest? Thank you. 71.172.69.32 19:18, 16 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

See William Perry (football player) for one of the top contenders on weight, if not the champ. Dismas|(talk) 22:19, 16 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Tallest is Jonathan Ogden, I believe, who is 6'9". It's weird, someone a few months ago asked for the tallest and lightest NFL players. I don't know who is heaviest but if you are bored you can look through all of the depth charts on NFL.com for it. Recury 17:03, 17 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Heaviest currently is Ted Washington of the Cleveland Browns, listed at 375 pounds / 175 kg on this year's roster. By the way, lightest is Martín Gramática, kicker for the Dallas Cowboys at 170 pounds / 77 kg. Shortest are Cory Ross and Darren Sproles, running backs for the Baltimore Ravens and San Diego Chargers, respectively, at 5'6" / 1.67 m. — Michael J 21:07, 17 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
When I answered the lightest question before, I found Roscoe Parrish, who was listed on NFL.com as 168 pounds but is listed at 171 in our article. And he actually gets tackled! Recury 22:03, 18 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Pasta sauces before tomato

What did Italian people use for pasta sauces before tomatoes were introduced? DuncanHill 19:42, 16 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Well their are a lot of non-tomato sauces still in use: olive oil, butter and cream-based sauces being the most common. Donald Hosek 20:02, 16 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
mmm...pesto. — Laura Scudder 20:07, 16 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Olive oil, butter and cream sounds like a good beginning to any sauce. DuncanHill 20:16, 16 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Add flour (and an italian cheese of your choice) to make a white sauce.. eg http://www.bawarchi.com/cookbook/italian3.html or many other recipes.87.102.74.134 20:58, 16 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Clams, walnuts seem to be common native additives according to the internet.87.102.74.134 21:00, 16 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
there are some recipes at wikibooks::Category:Pasta sauces - some don't use tomatoes. Jon513 22:19, 16 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
This is making me hungry. Italy is near the sea, so seafood sauces would be easy to make. --S.dedalus 22:33, 16 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

One of the reasons I had for asking is that while in Italy it is very easy to get delicious food (including pasta and pizza) without tomatoes in, Italian restaurants outside of Italy seem to insist on putting the poisonous little buggers into everything. DuncanHill 22:37, 16 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

I completely agree with that sentiment. :-) --S.dedalus 00:19, 17 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Tomatoes (the fruit) are not poisonous - only the leaves and stems of the whole plant are laced with Glycoalkaloids. SteveBaker 03:54, 17 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
So why do the fruits make me vomit? DuncanHill 13:23, 17 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
It could be an allergy. It's more likely than you think! Plasticup T/C 14:43, 17 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Ditto. The best Italian I've had was at a restaurant that cooked the pasta with olive oil and spices. And even then, it was over $15 USD per plate. Absolutely nothing else in the dish. I've never had tomato-less pizza though, and since tomatoes are so good for the prostate.... --Wirbelwindヴィルヴェルヴィント (talk) 03:34, 17 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Not me. Tomatoes are fat-free, cholesterol-free, low in calories, high in vitamins, contain lycopene, are fairly inexpensive (under US$1 a pound where I am), and taste good to boot. That's quite a winning combo, if you ask me. StuRat 03:44, 17 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Pizza without tomato sauce is called pizza bianca. It is generally topped with mozarella cheese and artichokes or similar. SaundersW 08:48, 17 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

You might also want to see our article about Roux.

Atlant 12:47, 17 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

I have had a pizza in Pizz Hut that had barbeque sauce underneath the cheese instead of tomato. It was delicious. Lanfear's Bane
Yes, but most barbeque sauce is still tomato-based. StuRat 07:55, 18 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
I would wager a fair sum that that particular recipe is 100% American. Plasticup T/C 14:44, 17 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
See your local Chinese restaurant for some examples. Gzuckier 15:37, 17 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

loli haet pizza! Lanfear's Bane

Um is it really impossible to get at least some sort of macaroni and cheese or similar without tomato in the US? Yes this is a fairly simply thing and I don't know if it's really Italian but it seems to me at least one obvious example of a pasta sauce without tomato. Nil Einne 21:13, 20 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

monkey birth

what do monkeys do with the umbilical cord when giving birth in the wild?

Dunno about monkeys - but in many mammals, the mother eats the entire after-birth because it's packed with nutrients. SteveBaker 21:22, 16 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Is monkey placenta eaten by people anywhere?
I don't know - but people-placenta is certainly eaten by people! Many hospitals offer new mothers the opportunity to make a placental omelette (see Placentophagy) - some even recommend it because it is believed by some to help to relieve postpartum depression. [6] recommends eating it with butter and garlic - claiming it tastes like veal. SteveBaker 03:49, 17 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
"Many hospitals offer new mothers the opportunity to make a placental omelette" - Whoa. A placental omelette. That is seriously disturbing. I am never going to be able to eat eggs again. -Wooty [Woot?] [Spam! Spam! Wonderful spam!] 05:26, 17 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Why do you find it seriously disturbing? Are you twelve? Placentophagy is not as rare as you might think, and there's certainly nothing wrong with it, except perhaps for the risk of spreading pathogens if you were to eat a placenta that didn't come from you or someone you were already intimate with. 10:08, 18 August 2007 (UTC)
That is also in the article Placenta#Non-humans. --Jon513 22:15, 16 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
But what happens to the part that is still attached to the monkey infant?
I would assume it's the same as on a dog or kitten. It shrivels up and falls off. Dismas|(talk) 00:34, 17 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

What type of source is the Associated Press?

What type of sources is the Associated Press (AP)? Daily periodical? Daily newspaper? I need to know which type of MLA format to use when using AP articles as a source. thanks. 65.96.4.202 23:14, 16 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

The Associated Press is a News agency. I have no idea how that would afffect MLA format. DuncanHill 23:26, 16 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
I'd probably just cite it like a newspaper. - Eron Talk 23:29, 16 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Please don't double-post your questions (you also posted this one to the Humanities Desk). Since AP is a wire service for their member organizations (newspapers, radio, and TV), the place where the story appeared will make it relevant how you cite it. For example, if it's from a print edition of a newspaper, you'd cite it as a newspaper article. If it's in an electronic article database, you'd cite it like you'd cite any other article from that database. Since I get the feeling that you found the article on a website, I'd cite it as a webpage would be cited, although I don't have my MLA reference with me. –Pakman044 02:04, 17 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]


August 17

What do you think about my schedule for MyNetworkTV when I say that Mondays are martial-arts nights, Tuesdays are telenovela nights, Wednesdays are crimetime nights, Thursdays are professional wrestling nights, Fridays are sitcom nights and Saturdays are Saturday Night Live nights?

I have no idea what you are talking about. Please clarify. Plasticup T/C 03:04, 17 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
It appears that User:AdamDeanHall has been adding a table of programme scheduling to the MyNetworkTV article and now someone called User:Ericthebrainiac is asking our opinion of that change which he claims to have added?! If that's true, then maybe we have a sock-puppeteer on the loose here...which is a heinous crime. Anyway...my answer to the OP:
Depending on your definitions, sock-puppetry is either not necessarily a heinous crime, only evil when misused, or this is not necessarily sock-puppetry, even though a single individual uses more than one account. There's nothing wrong with using more than one account, unless you use them to create a fake community in any of a variety of ways. Skittle 20:19, 17 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
I don't think this kind of information belongs in an encyclopedia because it's ephemeral. The schedule will change - possibly very often. Who will continually update it so it's always right? Most likely this user will lose interest in it after a year...two years...(a month, more likely) - and when that happens, the encyclopedia will be wrong. We should avoid this kind of ephemeral thing. I'm 100% certain that there is a policy someplace that says that you shouldn't do this - but it's late and I'm tired and I have better things to do. So I'm going to 'be bold' and simply delete it. SteveBaker 03:37, 17 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
This question has been asked at least once before, however I am too lazy to go look up when. Do not start debates or post diatribes. The reference desk is not a soapbox. Lanfear's Bane

User:Ericthebrainiac has a longstanding history of trolling the RD about MyNetworkTV and Good Burger, both with that ID and under a large multitude of anon IP addresses, and should be ignored. Corvus cornix 16:37, 17 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

new zealand citizenship by descent

41.208.216.59 05:46, 17 August 2007 (UTC)My Grandfather was born in New Zealand and moved to South Africa. My father was born in South Africa in 1924 and aquired New Zealand Citizenship by way of his father. Please tell me whether I am able to apply for New Zealand citizenship by decent, bearing in mind that my father also automatically becam a British Citizen by way of UK Statuary Law by being born in South Africa in 1924[reply]

We cannot give legal advice. See the top of the page. Your best bet would be to call up this government organization and ask them --Lucid 08:51, 17 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Our article mentions this case. Please see New Zealand citizenship (and then a lawyer) Rmhermen 13:01, 17 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
I hope you don't mind that I corrected the spelling in your title, which was intriguing but confusing. Sorry that I can't answer your question. Marco polo 15:25, 17 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Of course I am not a lawyer and not qualified to advise on this, so please consult a lawyer before taking action, but it seems that the critical question is whether your father now lives in New Zealand and can sponsor you, according to the New Zealand Immigration website, because it does not look as if you can gain New Zealand citizenship through your family otherwise, unless you would otherwise be stateless. However, if you have a skill that is in demand in New Zealand, you can apply for a resident visa as a skilled worker and apply for citizenship five years later. Marco polo 15:36, 17 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

How can I recolor a sprite?

I like the sprites of all the video games. I wanted to recolor a sprite to make it look different. How can I recolor a sprite?

Use MSPaint, zoomed all the way in, and a 1 pixel brush? That's how I always did it way back in the day. Time-consuming, but effective. --Haemo 06:05, 17 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
And remarkably rewarding when you finally zoom out and see the finished thing. Capuchin 08:12, 17 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
You can do it faster by using the dropper to select the colour you wish to replace then right clicking the colour, in the selection, you want to replace it with. Select the eraser and right click over the picture. Takes the original colour and 'erases it' to the new colour. Ding fries are done. Lanfear's Bane

Urban legends associated with Wikipedia

I was reading the article on Polybius, and I was wondering, are there any urban legends associated with Wikipedia itself? Like, any weird pages said to have existed in the past that have mysteriously vanished? Any eerie effects claimed as a result of viewing certain pages? Has anyone said they have met the Men in black after working on a controversial article? Any John Titor-esque vandals? I realize that this is all kind of silly, but I'm just curious. Zagalejo 07:24, 17 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Well, there was a recent claim that an anonymous editor has "inside information" about the recent murders committed by a professional wrestler, Chris Benoit. See, for instance, this time article. Probably not spooky enough for you, though. --Haemo 07:34, 17 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
And we have real men in black editing Wikipedia; for instance, as this news story explains here. --Haemo 07:37, 17 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
You did read the John Titor talk page archives, right? Rmhermen 13:07, 17 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
There's nothing on Snopes about us... yet.([7]) Of course there's the countless claims of various biases, which could be considered urban legends, as well as the legend (sometimes even asked here) claiming that the Wikipedia is actually run by Wiccans, but neither is a proper urban legend (email forwarding, friend of a friend etc). See also WP:TINC and Wikipedia:List of cabals; a list of Wikipedia based conspiracy theories. Laïka 17:17, 17 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
There is no Cabal
SteveBaker 17:51, 17 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
There are occasional allegations made against specific editors (usually admins) from a groups of self-proclaimed overseers of Wikipedia, accusing them of being all sorts of people editing for all sorts of shady purposes. Fortunately they don't get enough wider coverage to qualify as a urban legend proper, but if enough Wikipedian's believe their allegations, they be the Wiki-equivalent. I'm not going to link to any, as its improper to spread such muck-raking (and currently against policy to link to their sites, I think), but if you poke around long enough you will come across some. Rockpocket 17:34, 17 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Don't tell anyone, but Wikipedia is run by JEWS! Recury 18:54, 17 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

There is a recurring urban legend that I’ve heard, and which has been asked about on the RDs several times, which holds that Wikipedia spreads viruses; often through the edit function. This was easily discredited when the question was asked on the Miscellaneous Desk. --S.dedalus 22:02, 17 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
WP does crash my browser once in a while. —Tamfang 08:23, 19 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
"Wikipedia is communism". Try Googling that (with the quotation marks). I did that a year ago when I realised that the Wikipedia method goes beyond communism - wikipedians don't "do what they can and take no more than they need", but instead they "do as they please and take whatever they want". Now apart from whether that is true or not, any discussions about it (which there must have been) are obscured by the links to a vandal by that name (user:Wikipedia is Communism) and other discussions on vandalism. So I wondered if this might be a trick to deliberately obscure such discussions. There is a more varied list of hits right now (a year ago it was only about the user), but I still can't find any discussions about the idea.
Btw, the reason that Wikipedia can work this way is of course that Wikipedia is based on information, which these days can be spread at virtually no cost. That is also true for Open Source. So I googled "open source is communism" and that does result in quite a lot of discussions on the subject. DirkvdM 07:16, 18 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Interesting stuff. Thanks for the responses! Zagalejo 15:05, 18 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

What is the appropriate title for Doctor Who?

I was wondering: is referring to the popular TV show Doctor Who as "dr" Who still correct, or this improper usage?

The official BBC name is Doctor Who, but if you write Dr Who everyone will understand what you mean. I do not believe Dr Who (or Dr. Who) has ever been correct. -- SGBailey 14:01, 17 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
The BBC themselves don't seem to have a problem with using "Dr. Who", abeit they more often spell it out in full as "Doctor Who" - see [8]. Then there is the (non-BBC) film, Dr. Who and the Daleks - however this is definitely a non-canonical film and likely uses the Dr. rather the Doctor to get distance from the Beeb stuff ... Dr. Who is an earthling scientist in the film, not a time lord. --Tagishsimon (talk)
The BBC has used 'Dr Who', although mostly seems to use 'Doctor Who'. 'Dr. Who' was, I believe, limited to the films. Skittle 20:05, 17 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
The various series have always been Doctor Who. DuncanHill 20:13, 17 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Spelling it Dr. Who makes it look like a name. It's probably spelled as Doctor Who since it's more like a question ("I'm the Doctor" "Doctor who?") and not the name of the character. Wikipedia's article on the Doctor has a section ("Doctor who?") which explains that the character is usually referred to as "the Doctor" and only very rarely as "Dr. Who". --Bavi H 04:24, 18 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
In the original series, with William Hartnell (1963), it was always spelled "Dr. Who" in the credits. The whole "Dr." "Dr" "Doctor" thing has been debated for forty odd years now, and doing so today is still as retarded as it was 40 years ago. It's a fictional show. The BBC themselves don't care about how it's spelled. Nor do they care about tiny details like dots..

Shortest time considered appropriate for rated game of chess?

As title - I was wondering how short (i.e. time allotted to each player) a game of chess can conventionally be while still being considered appropriate for submitting for rating? Thanks --58.152.170.225 14:51, 17 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

This is purely my own speculation, but I consider any game with less than 5 minutes per player to be less about skill than about who can move the quickest (and, if an online game, who has the fastest computer). StuRat 06:15, 18 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
The United States Chess Federation considers games with a time control under game in 1 hour to be "quick rated," although I believe games with time controls between game in 30 min. and game in 1 hour are "normally" rated as well, although this wasn't always the case. -Elmer Clark 11:51, 18 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Response to broken leg

Would the average 16 year old cry after breaking her leg?

Many people cry from even the simplest of bone fractures or injuries. --Proficient 15:59, 17 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
I would generally expect they would cry. I reckon I would, and I'm a considerably older male. Interestingly though, sometimes people that suffer severe injuries do not feel any pain, at least initially, and therefore may not cry; or if they do cry it may be a reaction to seeing the injury, rather than crying from the pain. For example, this article from USA Today talks of an injured Iraq veteran: "Pruden, 27, was driving an unarmored Humvee that was caught in a roadside bomb attack in Baghdad on July 1, 2003. He took 173 pieces of shrapnel and one AK-47 round that passed through his left knee. A piece of shrapnel the size of a golf ball shattered his shoulder blade and lodged near his spinal cord. His arms and legs were shredded. He doesn't remember feeling pain at the time, but as he tried to maneuver the vehicle, he realized his legs didn't work. He couldn't see, couldn't hear and couldn't feel his left arm." This type of reaction has been regularly reported in wars and is also seen in places like injuries on the sporting field. It has a name which I can't remember precisely, something like 'Battlefield syndrome' (but I don't think that's it). This book (Pain: A Textbook for Therapists) discusses this issue - look particularly at the paragraph about halfway down the second column on page 6. An interesting statistic in there is a 1982 study that found 38% of people attending a normal emergency clinic did not feel pain due to their injuries. So, make of that what you will. --jjron 16:17, 17 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
I'm no expert on this but the alternative to crying/screaming/begging for morphine etc is shock.87.102.14.51 17:24, 17 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Pain is a very complex phenomenon involving fear and other mental states as much as (or more than) the actual physical stimulus, so it's difficult to predict reactions for a category as broad as "a 16 year-old". My daughter has cried due to a small sliver of glass in her foot, and laughed about a large biking-related cut on her leg that required an ER visit and sewing up. I'm sure broken bones go the same way. --Sean 20:14, 17 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
How old is your daughter? --Kaypoh 08:55, 18 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
She was 6 or 7 at the time of those incidents. --Sean 18:30, 18 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Should also mention the obvious, that socialisation and peer pressure will likely play a part as well. The thing below about rugby players is a succint point. You specifically mentioned a 'her', likely a 16 year old guy is slightly less likely to cry then a female for socialisation reasons. I suspect that someone who breaks their leg alone is probably less likely on the whole to cry then if they have company (and if they do cry, not for long) Nil Einne 21:02, 20 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

I feel we must mention WP:BEANS.Do NOT go round breaking girlies' legs to see if they cry. They might lash out instead... Lemon martini 11:30, 18 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Rugby footballers don't cry. At Nick Youngs is the excellent statement "His son Tom Youngs made his Tigers debut against London Irish on Boxing Day 2006, but broke his leg after five minutes and came off after thirteen." Xn4 22:05, 18 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
A friend of mine played half a sevens match with a dislocated shoulder. PeteVerdon 22:25, 19 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Yes and no. I would imagine if the 16 year old was tough, they'd tough it out. I broke -- no, shattered the crap out of -- my foot and I was in reactive pain but never cried. Mind I am older than that. Guroadrunner 11:49, 23 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

looking for a blank, dual-layer, double sided DVD

do these even exist? I can't find one for sale.

I didn't think that DVD writers could write to the inner layer of a dual-layer DVD. You might want to ask this question over on the computing desk though. SteveBaker 17:44, 17 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
I've answered the topic question over on Computing, but just wanted to point out that dual-layer DVD+/-R drives have been available for a while. In fact, since shortly after I bought a single layer drive :-/ --LarryMac | Talk 20:54, 17 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
I hate when that happens so much that I resolve to never pay for the upgrade to the newer technology. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go listen to some 8-track tapes. StuRat 06:10, 18 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Ha! My music collection consists largely of lp's. Stu, you're soooooooooooo passé. DirkvdM 07:25, 18 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

FWD bicycle vs. RWD

Why are all modern bicycles rear-wheel-drive? What would be the pros and cons of having a front-wheel-drive bicycle instead? Acceptable 19:18, 17 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

The most obvious issue is that you'd need something much fancier than a simple chain to handle driving the front wheel, assuming it could sill turn. Rear-wheel steering is possible I suppose, but it would introduce its own problems. I can think of no obvious advantage to fwd in a bicycle, so I suspect nobody much bothers. Friday (talk) 19:22, 17 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
After conflict:I would think that the mechanical aspects of steering would be a nightmare and a hassle to maintain. If you ran the chain to the front and the steering to the back, you'd have to run some sort of cable system for steering the back wheel. Or if you wanted both steering and provide power through the front wheel, you'd need a mechanism that moved with the wheel. Dismas|(talk) 19:25, 17 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
I'd discounted rear wheel steering as hopelessly unstable, but maybe there's some way to accomplish it. Nothing I can think of obviously, tho. Friday (talk) 19:32, 17 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Rear-wheel steering doesn't work: the bicycle is no longer self-balancing. Somewhere in our bicycle-related articles, we've got something about why that is. --Carnildo 23:09, 17 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
From the "D'oh" file- front drive bicycles were once very common. Friday (talk) 19:28, 17 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Sure, but penny-farthings didn't have a chain drive. When the pedals are directly on the driving wheel it's easy for the rider to compensate for their changes in position during steering, as children demonstrate every day on tricycles. As soon as you introduce a chain, things get more complicated. And there'd be no benefit to front-wheel drive anyway, so why bother? --Anon, August 17, 22:17 (UTC).
Without rear-wheel drive you couldn't pop a wheelie; now what fun would that be ? StuRat 06:06, 18 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Even on a recumbent bicycle, where the pedals are sometimes in front of the front wheel, a long chain is led to the rear wheel. A shaft-driven bicycle could be made fwd without too much difficulty, I imagine. However, this is all about human-powered bicycles and that wasn't specified in the question. So the VéloSoleX with its clip-on engine also counts. DirkvdM 07:45, 18 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
A quick google reveals several FWD recumbents, eg FWD Is it practical? and Dual Suspension FWD. Just for fun, here is a 2WD bike --TrogWoolley 17:06, 18 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Would you want all that gearing on the front of the bike? FWD works only for single-speeds, I am going to assume. Guroadrunner 11:53, 23 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Can I get a good reference?

I know you can't answer legal questions, and that's fine, because I know what the law says. However, I need a good, reliable reference to give my client, who is having a legal dispute with her former boss over the copyright of her images. She's a photographer, an independent contractor, and she never signed a contract, so the images are still under her copyright, but her former employer is claiming she owns them because she doesn't understand copyright law at all; I need a reliable source that explains simply and easily that my client owns the copyright to the photos she took until and unless she signs them away. Most of the online sources I found are catered to online copyrights, but I need an online source due to the entire communication being through email, and I figured, no other place worries so much about reliable sources and verifiability as Wikipedia. Thanks in advance. Kuronue 20:23, 17 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Since you seem well-aware of the fact that your friend should be seeking professional assistance, and since you seem intent on acting on your own understanding of the facts and circumstances, and since you seem familiar with WP policy regarding these kinds of questions, I will simply ask if you've had a look at the references shown in the "further reading" section here.
If you want more detail then that, please consult this and this. Sorry if that's not very helpful, but you understand the constraints here. dr.ef.tymac 20:51, 17 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Follow-up: And if you *do* take a look at the U.S. Copyright Office site, you'll probably do yourself an even greater disservice if you fail to read this. Especially since it clearly indicates certain circumstances involve complex legal analysis. dr.ef.tymac 21:06, 17 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
That's exactly what I need! She's an independent contractor, and as there was NO contract signed there was clearly not a written agreement that it was work-for-hire, so her employer screwed herself over not signing a contract. She's currently devising a contract for future use in case she gets hired again by someone who doesn't want to write one up. It's so sad, they were good friends so they thought they didn't need one... tisk tisk. Kuronue 21:15, 17 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Just remember, that link was given simply to re-emphasize that business arrangements regarding intellectual property involve complex issues. Any documents or links you get on here should only be considered a starting point to help convince your friend she needs professional assistance. Please also read this if it is not absolutely 100% clear to you that these links are not being supplied to you as advice, but as recommendations for seeking outside professional assistance. You simply won't get that anonymously off the Internet. This is not a joke. dr.ef.tymac 21:36, 17 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Of course. I'm not going to assume the internet can solve all our legal problems, we just wanted some reference information in the hopes that the two of them can reach an agreement, because if they can't we have to call a lawyer. We (my client and I) just wanted some tools to see if we can work it out civilly because lawyers are expensive. But thanks for the warning. Kuronue 00:07, 18 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
I'm assuming that you're in the United States...? If so, you go straight to the horse's mouth, as it were: the United States Copyright Office, at http://www.copyright.gov. The relevant bit on transfer of copyright is in their Circular 1:
"Any or all of the copyright owner’s exclusive rights or any subdivision of those rights may be transferred, but the transfer of exclusive rights is not valid unless that transfer is in writing and signed by the owner of the rights conveyed or such owner’s duly authorized agent. Transfer of a right on a nonexclusive basis does not require a written agreement...." (Link)
Hope that helps. Obviously, Wikipedia is not in the business of giving legal advice, so I couldn't (and wouldn't) want to say how and what parts of that apply to your client's situation. As others have noted, for that you will need a lawyer. TenOfAllTrades(talk) 20:54, 17 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Awesome, thanks guys. I'll pass this on along with my recommendation that she seek a lawyer; she's also gone to register her copyrights on certain images that are in hot debate. I appreciate your willingness to help, even with your hands tied ^^ Kuronue 20:57, 17 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Er, sorry, but the OP states that his friend is in dispute with her "ex-Boss" over the copyright to pictures taken, presumably, whilst she was employed in that capacity so to do, so, in my humble opinion, any rights to any works she carried out whilst so employed belong exclusively to her ex-Boss, unless her ex-Boss signed those rights away, which clearly, she didn't do. "Don't spend any damages or compensation before seeing a copyright lawyer and actually winning the dispute", is the advice I would be giving your friend right now.
These issues you mention are already discussed in the links provided to the OP. dr.ef.tymac 10:19, 19 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]


August 18

Terrorists

Where do they get their money .Also, why do they wear towels on their heads.

  • People who donate to Islamic charities
  • That is a turban, not a towel.

Use a ? for a question, and sig your statements. 65.173.104.223 00:02, 18 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Actually, 65.173.104.223's comment is dangerously misleading. Many, many "Islamic charities" do not fund extremism, just as much as, for example, donating to the RSPCA does not fund animal rights extremism. Please be careful about making such general statements in future, they only serve to further Islamophobia. Rockpocket 00:19, 18 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Not all do wear towels on their heads; what you're seeing is a turban, commonly worn by all sorts of people in the middle east, not just terrorists. There are non-islamic terrorists; see, for example, Army of God and Timothy McVeigh for examples of terrorists from the good old USA. Kuronue 00:11, 18 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Or PIRA for non-turbanned (former) terrorists funded (partially at least) by Irish-American charities. DuncanHill 00:15, 18 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Again, some Irish-American groups have been found to be channelling money to fund extremist organisations. Not all of them. Rockpocket 00:22, 18 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
I assume you mean Islamic extremists, see Al-Qaeda#The chain of command for some information on their funding. Those "towls" are called Keffiyeh. Rockpocket 00:14, 18 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Many non-Muslims are Sihk of being thought to be Muslim just because they also wear turbans. StuRat 06:00, 18 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Wikipedia does have an article on Terrorist financing emphasizing banking processes and money laundering in the post-9/11 world. In the past, money was sometimes also taken by force. Back in the 1970s and 80s, groups such as the Red Army Fraction partially financed their operations with bank robberies. Kidnappings were orchestrated mainly for blackmailing governments into releasing prisonsers or other political demands, but occasionally (and anonymously) also in order to extort large sums of ransom money. ---Sluzzelin talk 06:04, 18 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
A major strength of terrorism is that it needs much less money for the same effect than a regular army does. All that is needed for most terrorist acts is a simple weapon. Such as a strategically placed home-made bomb. Or a gun to hijack a train or take a school hostage, as happened in the Netherlands by Moluccans (who didn't wear towels on their heads :) ) in the world's first train hijack and again two years later. You could also hold a pencil to someone's eye and they will do pretty much what you ask them to. Hell, even a good demonstration of martial arts will do the trick for your average train conductor, busdriver or pilot. DirkvdM 08:27, 18 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Those are not turbans. Corvus cornix 19:26, 18 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Thank you, Corvus, I guess they're on about the keffiyeh. Xn4 21:59, 18 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Leaving the headgear to one side, I'm sure this is a less straight forward question than some of the answers imply. Terrorism may not necessarily require sophicated or expensive equipment, as the above answer notes, but many organizations do have a large arsenal of weaponry at their disposal. You can't fund an organization like Hamas or Hezbollah by collecting lots of pennies from peasants. I doubt you could do it purely through organized crime, either. When I think of the scale of operations mounted by many organizations I can't help but think that there must be powerful vested interests such as governments, social elites, industrialists and so on involved in the bankrolling somewhere. There is some mention of this with regard to the two organizations I mentioned, on the respective pages. Terrorism is often a continuation of inter-imperialist conflict by other means... 89.243.7.4 18:10, 22 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

sights along the Illinois Tollway

So i live out-of-state but i drive along the Illinois Tollway (I-88) fairly often and there are two things i've always wondered: tia ~ lav-chan @ 03:17, 18 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

1. What are the brown dome-shaped buildings along the highway? I think there are like maybe three or four along I-88. They're about the size of a small house, they have a large square door on one side, and they have a pointed dome on top. If i had to guess i would probably say they're used to store construction equipment (i've seen some backhoes or whatever parked there before), but i can never see inside so i don't know for sure.

1)Salt is stored in them to be spread along the road in wintertime. Edison 03:57, 18 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Oh, duh. Thanks! ~ lav-chan @ 04:23, 18 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

2. What is that large blue flame that's visible from the highway near DeKalb? I found one result on Google that seems relevant; this Flickr page calls it the 'Eternal Flame of NIU', but searching for 'eternal flame niu' doesn't bring up any more results. What is this flame really for?

Methane is often released from a Petroleum refinery. It is usually not economically feasable to collect, store, and deliver it as natural gas, and so it is instead simply burned off. This is sometimes called "Excess Gas Burnoff". It might be one of these, especially if there is a factory or refinery near it. --Mdwyer 05:19, 18 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
I cringe when I see those. This is why we need a carbon tax, to MAKE it economically feasible to find a way to avoid burning up precious fossil fuels, polluting the environment, and driving global warming at all once. StuRat 05:53, 18 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
At least they are burning the methane instead of just letting it out, methane is much more potent than carbon dioxide for global warming. --antilivedT | C | G 12:13, 18 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
I doubt if an open flame blowing in the wind like that gets anywhere need 100% combustion. For that you would need the combustion to be in a controlled chamber which holds more of the heat in, enriched with pure oxygen. StuRat 19:27, 18 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
I think you'll find that the gases being burned in the flare tower are often not any pure gas and are rather a pretty useless mix of gasses and liquids that would be too-expensive to sort out.
I always liked driving past the Bayway Refinery on the New Jersey Turnpike on cloudy nights when they were flaring off gas; it looked a lot like the way I'd always imagined one of the circles of Hell should look as the flare-light reflected off of the low-lying clouds in great flickering gouts of orange light.
Atlant 13:53, 20 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

transmissin output torque = engine power

Why is the transmission output torque of a car equal to the engine power? The last paragraph of [10] states the following: "As far as shifting goes, always shift to maximize transmission output torque. It turns out this is exactly the same as saying shift to maximize engine power."

Thanks. Acceptable 04:28, 18 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

I don't think that's right, max torque normally occurs at lower RPM than max power. StuRat 05:45, 18 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
That page you reference is talking nonsense. Torque and power (horsepower) are not at all the same thing. Torque is a force - you can exert a force without consuming any power. You're doing it right now - the 'force' of gravity is keeping your butt in that chair - but you aren't consuming power from the earth in order to do that. The ability of the cars' engine to produce torque and horsepower are two somewhat separate concepts. So: in order to maximise accelleration - you need to shift at an RPM at which the torque of the engine at the new RPM (after you shift) is the same as the RPM before you shifted (which entails knowing the torque curve of your car and also what the gear ratios are and how fast you, personally, are able to shift). However, that's only the right thing to do if you want to burn rubber and blow away that bloody annoying turbo VW bug (sorry - personal bias crept in there!). If you want to shift to maximise fuel economy - then you want to shift to keep the RPM's within the range at which it's most fuel efficient. Generally, that's the lowest RPM you can use without 'lugging' the engine - 2000 to 3000 rpm in most cars. SteveBaker 15:10, 18 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

So when racing, either drag-racing or a formula one-like circuit, it is in your best interest to keep the car as close to the torque peak as possible?

Yes - if you want go as fast as possible you want the output (axle) torque to be is big as you can get it. But you also need to have the axle rotation speed greater than or equal to the cars speed (specifically axlerotations x wheel radius > car speed)

87.102.92.28 17:38, 18 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

BUT if the torque is too great AND the freewheel axle rotation speed is greater than the actual speed of the car then you will get wheel spin as the article says.)87.102.92.28 17:42, 18 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

If so, then are videogames like Forza Motorsport incorrect as they tell you to keep the car as close the horsepower peak as possible for best lap times? I have read many other articles that also tell you to maximize engine power such as [11] (under maximum Power vs. Acceleration)

No they are right - max horsepower = max energy output = max acceleration/87.102.92.28 17:14, 18 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
(Assuming that you do not get wheel spin - caused by being in too high(fast) a gear)87.102.92.28 17:42, 18 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Lastly, this website [12] says that "It is better to make torque at high rpm than at low rpm, because you can take advantage of *gearing*." I have heard this statement on other sites. Is this true? If so, why? Thanks. Acceptable 15:22, 18 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

The equation you need is POWER=TORQUExREVS(x a units conversion factor constant)
and also TORQUE_OUT=TORQUE_IN/GEAR_RATIO.
I think someone on the science desk could explain anything you need in more detail.87.102.92.28 17:21, 18 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
In other words "(Horse)POWER/REVS = TORQUE."
Note that the power output of an engine will increase with the rpm of the engine. So having high rpm(engine) means high power - which in turn means higher torque...87.102.92.28 17:26, 18 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
That's utter nonsense. The peak horsepower for my MINI Cooper'S is at the maximum RPM (I have a dynomometer printout to prove it). Waiting until I am close to the redline (7,000 rpm) before I shift will take about 2 seconds off my normal 6.5 second 0-60 time! You don't care about horsepower - you only care about torque and the peak torque (in my car at least) is 4,000 to 5,000 rpm. SteveBaker 18:41, 18 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
I'm wondering which bit you thought was nonsense - you agreed that peak power is at top rpm so I guess you think that the torque is not max at 7000rpm but at 4000-5000rpm?

87.102.92.28 20:12, 18 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

The equations are from torque and I'm personally 100% certain that they are right.?87.102.92.28 20:16, 18 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
You said:
  • Note that the power output of an engine will increase with the rpm of the engine. - This is true.
  • So having high rpm(engine) means high power - Also quite true.
  • - which in turn means higher torque... - Nonsense.
As I said. Torque and Horsepower are not directly related. At peak RPM, you have peak horsepower - but you don't have peak torque. Still don't believe me? Look at this image [13] which is an actual measurement from a real car and is therefore hard to argue against. Notice that the horsepower curve increases more or less steadily with rpm right up to 7000rpm (which is redline for this car). Notice that the torque curve levels out at about 3500rpm - and starts decreasing after about 5500rpm. So it's very, very clear that peak horsepower (which is at peak RPM) does NOT mean peak torque. Torque#Machine_torque says exactly that. SteveBaker 02:44, 19 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Fascinating - there was no gear shift right? - but torque x rpm is proportion to power right? so whats going on?87.102.4.148 08:25, 19 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Yes - got it now - my error.87.102.4.148 08:26, 19 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
I've removed by mistakes..Thanks 'User:SteveBaker'.87.102.4.148 08:47, 19 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
We have to be VERY careful when we talk about "going fast" - are you talking about fast accelleration or fast top speed? Mostly you are talking about accelleration. We can simply answer the question of whether it's horsepower or torque that matters:
  • F = m A -- Force equals mass times accelleration.
  • A = F / m -- So Accelleration depends on the force you can apply divided by the mass.
  • But the mass of the car is essentially constant - so Accelleration depends only on the sum of the forces applied to the car. Those are: Drag, Friction and Force applied by the tyres against the road.
  • Since we can't do much about drag and friction - in order to get the fastest accelleration, we need to apply the biggest possible force at the wheels.
  • We're driving the car with these round wheel thingies...how do we figure out how much force they can apply? Well, there are two things:
    • If the engine were infinitely powerful, the force would be limited by wheel-spin. Rubber has a greater static friction ("sticktion") than dynamic friction ("sliption") - so you definitely don't want the wheels to slip - if possible, you want to be applying just exactly the amount of force that has the wheels just short of slipping. If your engine is more powerful than the static frictional force of the wheels - then that's the best you can do - get bigger, stickier tyres, put more weight over the drive wheels (or use down-force from spoilers, etc).
    • If the engine is not powerful enough to cause wheel spin then you need to get it to apply as much force as possible to the tyres. How do we do that? Well, the linear force of the tyre against the road is calculated as the torque at the axle divided by the radius of the wheel. So to maximise force - you need to maximise torque.
The conclusion of which is: To get the maximum accelleration - you need the maximum torque you can get (unless your wheels slip - in which case just take your foot off the gas until they stop spinning!). Nowhere in all of that math did we mention horsepower.
I know this to be true (although this is definitely OR) because I decided a couple of years ago to see what the fastest 0-60 time I could get out of my MINI Cooper'S. I wrote a computer program to figure out the best possible shift pattern - and indeed, the answer was: "Shift up when doing so doesn't reduce your torque."...if you have a dynamometer graph for your car (an essential thing if you are serious about best possible accelleration) - note that when you up-shift, your RPM will drop. If you know the gear ratios for your gearbox, you can figure out at which RPM you can up-shift without changing the torque you are getting. This is the perfect point to shift because:
  • If you shift earlier than that, your torque in the new gear will be less than your torque is now! So wait a bit!
  • If you shift later than that, your torque in the present gear is dropping because you're past the peak in the torque curve. If you had shifted earlier you'd have more torque than you do now - and the torque would actually be increasing!
So your shift points need to 'bracket' the peak in the torque curve. Note that I'm talking about a typical gas-powered car. Some vehicles (notably electric cars) have weird torque curves - where the peak torque is at zero rpm or something...other techniques apply to them. Also, if you have a really crappy turbocharger with lots of turbo-lag, then there may be other considerations - you'll want to keep the revs high enough to keep the turbo kicked-in. But modern turbos (and all superchargers) don't have that issue since they're already spinning before you come close to the shift 'destination' rpms. SteveBaker 18:41, 18 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

87.102, you said that it is best to keep your car as close to the torque peak as possible. However, in the next answer you wrote "max horsepower = max energy output = max acceleration". These seem contradictory statements. From what I read, torque seems to be much more important in performance automobiles. If such is the case, what is horsepower used for and why do most car advertisements only state horsepower? Thanks. Acceptable 14:13, 19 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

My guess is because maximum horsepower can be expressed as a single, simple number that tells you something about how the car will perform - it's easy to summarise and stick into a little table that you can compare to other cars "in it's class". On the other hand, torque has to be presented as a graph vs. RPM because having an insane amount of torque over a small band of RPM's is pretty much useless to you - you really want a car with an adequate amount of torque over a fairly wide band of RPM's (a "flat torque curve" as most people would express it). Really good car magazines do publish dynamometer graphs for the cars they review - and those show both torque and hp curves. SteveBaker 14:40, 20 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Dog with keys

There are lots of scenes in films, TV shows, etc. where a character is in a prison cell, and a dog is holding the key ring in its mouth. One example I remember off the top of my head is Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl. Is there a specific name for that sort of scene or the dog in it? 17Drew 09:57, 18 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

I've never heard of this in any context other than Pirates of the Caribbean - the movie took it from the ride at Disneyland; the shot is set up exactly like that part of the ride. -Elmer Clark 12:03, 18 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
I've seen it in other things, just backing up the OP here, but I have no idea if it has a name or anything. A similar scene involves a dog playing with a toy that bounces into the cell and the prisoner works out a deal with the dog by indicating the keys sitting on a desk across the room and somehow gets the dog to understand that they'll trade the toy for the keys. Dismas|(talk) 13:29, 18 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
This device is so common (though often in tight corners other than jails) that I would call it "the scene with the uncooperative dog". An awful lot of movies consist of a sequence of seemingly impossible situations, only to have the protagonist find a quick and easy way to escape straight into the next one. Since jails are specifically designed not to be escaped from, the scriptwriter is obliged to invent an unlikely or fortuitous circumstance, and the dog with the key is a particularly cliched one. There's a lot of tension in the notoriously uncooperative nature of the beast.--Shantavira|feed me 15:15, 18 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
It's been in the Pirates Ride for years and years; I'd imagine many people writing/directing these things are hearkening back to a familiar scene from their childhood at Disneyland, but that's my own speculation. Kuronue 19:15, 18 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
"The scene with the uncooperative dog" is classic deus ex machina, especially in comedies where the director can get away with that travesty. I seem to remember Cuba Gooding Jr. pleading with some sort of animal but again no titles come to mind. Plasticup T/C 18:04, 19 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Snow Dogs? Adam Bishop 19:55, 19 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
No, Snow Dogs was just clogging up my google search. It is actually the reason I stopped looking. Plasticup T/C 21:17, 19 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

The Mask

Vegetable identification

This is pretty trivial but maybe someone can help. Yesterday I saw a vegetable in the supermarket I was unfamiliar with and bought a bag of them just because I like to try new things. I looked at the name but it just didn't stick. I was planning to Google recipes to learn how to prepare it. Anyway it was something like peppita, pollipas, pollipat, tappipat to the best I can remember. None of those are right and they're not close enough that Google was able to give me a "did you mean ____". I already looked through List of culinary vegetables without finding it (I think I'd recognize the name if I saw it again). They are green, podlike, about the size of a ping pong ball, have a stem sticking off one end and are shaped sort of like little fat flying saucers. They remind me of squahed down okra. That's about the best I can do for a description. Anyone have an idea?--71.247.58.16 14:55, 18 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Pattypan squash? —Keenan Pepper 15:38, 18 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Tomatillo? - Rmhermen 15:45, 18 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Pattypan Squash is it. I'm looking up recipes now. Thanks! By the way, there appears to be a bug in your software. After I clicked on "you have new messages", I assume the orange bar with that announcement is supposed to go away, yet every page I've navigated to thereafter has continued to tell me in bright orange that I've still got new messages.--71.247.58.16 16:06, 18 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
There is indeed a bug, if you go to User talk:71.247.58.16 you will see the message waiting for you (it's a "Welcome to Wikipedia" message, I put it there for you). DuncanHill 16:09, 18 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
It's true that "you have new messages" doesn't go away immediately. I assume it only checks the status every so often, not every time you load some other page. --Anon, August 19, 2007, 00:22 (UTC).
Pattypan squash is good. Look for the "sunburst" variety, they taste like they are made of butter (but of course they're low fat like all squash). Gzuckier 14:40, 21 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

WickedLasers.com

I am looking for information on this website. I have suspicions as to whether or not they deal fairly or scam people, and everything I find in the way of customer reviews online seems to be either falsified against them by other laser companies, or falsified for them by themselves or people trying simply to earn commission from them. Has anyone here had a personal experience with them, or can anyone point me to some more reliable customer reviews? Thanks. Steevven1 (Talk) (Contribs) (Gallery) 17:28, 18 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

I've heard of them, but I had actualy assumed they were fictional. Whoever they are they seem to be the sole advertiser on the Keenspot web-comic "Wicked Lasers Presents : Wicked Powered". Wicked Powered is a web comic about a fictional company called "Wicked Lasers" that sells fantastic sci-fi lasers. I had assumed that the advertisements were part of the fiction.
On closer examination I can't tell if they're a real retailer of lasers or not, their site certainly appears to be a real storefront. Very strange. I wonder if they're a real store who created the web comic specificaly as advertisement. If so it didn't work on me, it didn't even occur to me that they might be real until you asked this question. APL 19:18, 18 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
It looks like a real Chinese company to me, and they appear to be seriously irresponsible in selling lasers that can be used to blind pilots of aircraft, etc. These lasers are more powerful than just the average laser pointer. StuRat 19:43, 18 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
WP:BEANS dude! :) --Kurt Shaped Box 19:46, 18 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
The local hardware store sells all kinds of stuff that could be used for evil. It doesn't make them irresponsible. Besides, I only glanced at the site, but I didn't see anything more powerfull than you could salvage from a DVD Burner.
As an aside, I think you'd find that you needed a much, much more powerfull laser to blind a pilot unless you were the co-pilot. APL 01:11, 19 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Perhaps I should have said "distract", as I didn't mean it would cause a permanent loss of vision. StuRat 11:56, 20 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Free Downloading

Where can you find a website where they allow free downloads of Adobe Printshop or the Garamond 3 font?

Refer to answers three questions down under Garamond and Adobe Printshop. --jjron 05:46, 19 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Bus/lorry wheel bolts

Recently(ish) someone asked about the yellow tags on bus and lorry wheels; the reply being that the arrows should point to each other, and if they don't, one of the nuts is loose. However, I can't find this thread in the archives; could someone please point a link to it? Thanks. Laïka 19:49, 18 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

26 June.--Shantavira|feed me 10:19, 19 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Ok, many thanks; for some reason, I couldn't find it with a Google search - probably didn't have the right search terms. Laïka 15:40, 19 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

McDonald's ice cream cone adhesive

What is the adhesive that holds the paper band on McDonald's ice cream cones? I've called McDonald's a couple of times in the past few years and haven't gotten an answer. WODUP 21:03, 18 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

As the adhesive has to be edible, I suggest it is likely a sugar concoction, like a syrup that hardens at room temperature. The one that Dairy Queen uses causes bits of paper "fluff" to stay stuck, as it were. I am not a fan of eating paper, though it may be the most nutritious part. Bielle 00:57, 19 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
The glue they use on envelopes and previously on postage stamps comes from sweet potatoes. Might be same stuff.Gzuckier 14:41, 21 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
I didn't think of that. Thanks! WODUP 08:32, 23 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Garamond and Adobe Printshop

1. Do you know a website where they will allow free downloading of Adobe Printshop and a website allowing free downloads of Garamond 3?

2. Do you know a website where they will allow buy-and-purchase downloads of Adobe Prinshop and downloading of Garamond 3?


--Writer Cartoonist 21:53, 18 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

I think you asked this before; at least I think it was you. Allow some time, people don't sit here 24/7 waiting to be asked. Adobe rarely if ever allows free downloads of their software; if you can't get it from their site, the download is illegal and I don't think we're supposed to tell you how to do illegal things. As far as paying to download it, I'm fairly certain you can do that at adobe's website, www.adobe.com. I don't know anything about fonts, though. Kuronue | Talk 02:42, 19 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
A co-worker who is usually right about these things told me on Friday that Garamond is not available free. --Anonymous and bemused, August 19, 05:12 (UTC).
Try a Google search on something like free font downloads - see here. As per above, Garamond itself is probably not available free, but you'll probably be able to find a pretty close imitation that is free. If you don't mind paying for it, try this link. --jjron 05:19, 19 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
I'm fairly sure it's impossible to patent/copyright fonts, at least in the US, just the font files. Which basically means that anyone that bothers to reverse engineer a font (copy the way the letters look) is free to redistribute it. Still, IANAL, so make sure to look it up properly beforehand. As far as Adobe products go, they're hardly ever free, but there are free (as in speech) alternatives, such as The GIMP or Inkscape --Lucid 13:52, 19 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Black men

Why do black men wear towels on their heads.

The article on Do-rag explains why. Recury 22:08, 18 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
See also: Hip hop fashion Plasticup T/C 21:20, 19 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Why do americans call the head cloth a towel. I was confused by the term towel-head used as derogatory word on radio. I was curious where the term and its derogatory meaning comes from? --Kaveri 20:11, 20 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
See Keffiyeh. The derogatory usage in America and other western countries suggests that the Keffiyeh worn by Arabs on their head looks like a Westerner's tea towel, thus towel-head. --jjron 10:23, 21 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

August 19

Troldhaugen: who's wedding?

Troldhaugen [Troll Hill/Mound] was the name invented for Edvard and Nina Greig's home outside Bergen, Norway. That being the case, who's wedding was celebrated in Greig's joyous composition "Wedding Day at Troldhaugen"? Thank you.

Grieg had a marital crisis in late 1883, the year before he built the house at Troldhaugen. He was reconciled to his wife with the help of some friends, in 1884, shortly before they built the house. I could easily be wrong about this, but I hear it as a renewal of his own wedding vows (he married Nina in 1867), and a happy reminiscence of successfully enduring a life crisis. Apparently he didn't write "Wedding Day at Troldhaugen" until 1896 (pub 1897). (This is original research: if anyone knows of an actual wedding at the Grieg house, let us know; their only child died in 1869 just after her first birthday.) Antandrus (talk) 00:08, 19 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Wikipedia Efficiency

How does one commend Wikipedia for being Efficient, etc. ? 65.173.104.223 01:02, 19 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

There are plenty of ways:
  • Donate money to the Wikimedia foundation here: [14]
  • If a particular person helped you out - thank them on their talk page (click on the person's signature - then click on 'discussion' and add a thank-you.
  • If a particular project (such as this reference desk) helped you - then a thankyou right here at the end of the question thread is always appreciated. For articles, do it on the 'discussion' page.
  • There are many ' awards' you can give to individuals. They don't mean much - but people seem to like them.
  • The biggest thing you can do is to help. Pick an article on a subject you know a lot about - and improve it. Take photos of things for articles that don't have them and donate them under GFDL. I bet you can improve on the article about your home town - or your favorite sports team or TV show. Whatever you do for a living is pretty much guaranteed to have an article about it - the odds are good you can add something there. My favorite is to pick a subject I know NOTHING about - teach myself all there is to know about it from books, etc - then write about it. The Mini Moke article is an example of exactly that - I bought every book ever published about this weird little car - talked to experts, owners, etc - and now the article is a featured article and featured on the front page. You can do this - help Wikipedia - and educate yourself at the same time.
SteveBaker 02:30, 19 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Great answer, SteveBaker! A.Z. 06:24, 19 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
You can also have a look at Requested Articles and Most Wanted Articles; these are lists of articles that people have requested but do not yet exist; you can often find an interesting subject or two here to write about - if the article is particularly interesting, you may be able to get it featured on the Main Page in the Did You Know? column (I've got Funeral train, Dogs Trust and A8(M) motorway (Northern Ireland) featured in this way). Laïka 18:04, 19 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
As Wikipedia is my main source of electronic entertainment, and I don't have cable TV as most people in my part of the world do, I have simply set up my online banking system to send the Wikimedia Foundation a check each month in an amount equal to a normal cable bill. Seems fair. --Sean 14:18, 20 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

A "Premie" Squirrel

Yes, I have one and need to know what to feed it. I believe it fell out of its nest but is clinging to life. After preparing a bed of compost and giving it a quick shower it crawled into a mum located in my shrub bed. A shot of Jack Daniel's? (no, of course, not). I'll patiently await your reply. Thanks!Groseg 03:21, 19 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Call an animal shelter, or animal rescue center. They're the proper people to take care of what is, in reality, a very sick baby animal. --Haemo 03:23, 19 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Another sensible option would be to put it back where you found it and let nature do its thing. --Sean 14:20, 20 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
It's a mammal - so if it's very young it'll need body-temperature milk from something it's willing to try sucking on. But in all likelyhood, cow's milk won't keep it alive for long because it's going to need something or other that mommy squirrels can provide that mommy cows don't. Realistically, an animal rescue center - or back in the nest where it's mother left it are going to be it's only chances of staying alive. SteveBaker 14:48, 20 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

If you live in the US, try checking for a local Wildlife Rescue Center Audubon Society Lookup. They can offer advice like What to Do with A Baby Mammal where they specifically say that cow's milk won't work. Check out the links for more info. Best of luck, Liz / Librarian @ Portland, Oregon

Why are the people who answer questions mean?

Why do the people who I ask questions on the Reference Desk write back these dark you-can-do-it-for-yourself or this-world-has-a-lot-of-things-you-better-get-straight-dummy mean? I am just asking a simple question which is available to anyone who cares to answer, not for people who want to stir up a stink. Now I didn't mean to have illegal downloading of the Adobe Printshop, it was just question that if either there was a website which has a license or an agreement to do so. And whoever replied to my question giving me such an answer and telling they don't about fonts, why do you have to be such a mean person? I don't wait 24/7, I do other things which for your information you don't see becuase your sitting on the other side of your computer just talking from what you would like to just telling people to understand in their Wikipedian lives. It's a answer, not a comment! --Writer Cartoonist 03:31, 19 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Perhaps that answer wasn't all sugary-sweet, but I wouldn't characterize it as mean. The word "dummy" was neither mentioned, nor implied anywhere i saw. The 24/7 comment wasn't about you, but about the volunteers here, some of which only pop in every now and then. Occasionally you need to wait several days to get the best answer to your question - simply repeating the question won't attract more answers, unfortunately. Also, part of the staff here is very concerned about giving advice that is illegal or could get you in trouble. Sometimes we use a harsher tone to drive the point home. Call it tough love, but no one here tries to be mean. So, give us another chance, and don't stop asking your questions here! ---Sluzzelin talk 04:12, 19 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Excuse me? I didn't say I don't care about fonts. I said I know nothing about them, which is true. I know jack shit about fonts. I can't tell Ariel from Helvetica from Times New Roman. I can't answer that part of your question. I answered to the best I could - that if you're looking for free downloads of a product illegally, we can't help you, but that to the best of my knowledge it was availible at the adobe website. Seriously, you didn't even give it a day before posting the same question again - I can look, but I hazard a guess that it was a few hours. There's no reason you should expect an answer within the first few hours of posting a question, and I pointed this out. I don't appreciate your anger towards me, when I was just trying to be helpful. I'm not a robot, I'm a woman, and so I'm sorry that my answer to your question wasn't devoid of personality. Maybe you should try gratitude that I went out of my way to answer your question instead of anger at the way I phrased the answer, since I didn't HAVE to even read your question. Kuronue | Talk 06:19, 19 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Editors whose answers or comments seem mean may not be conversant with WP:BITE, which basically says "This page in a nutshell: Do not be hostile toward newcomers. Remember to assume good faith first and approach them in a polite manner." Edison 18:28, 19 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
In this instance I don't see a problem with Kuronue's answer, but have grave difficulties with Writer Cartoonist's question. In my view - and after considering AGF and its implications - an apology is owed by Writer Cartoonist to Kuronue, in part for discourtesy and in part for a false accusation. --Tagishsimon (talk)
Please could we all take a look at WP:CALM, and WP:CIVIL too. WriterCartoonist is new and inexperienced, and not used to the ways of the reference desk. I think Sluzellin got it about right - we do our best, it can take time, and sometimes (if we are concerned about legal implications, or it's been a long day, or the cat has puked on the carpet) we can come across as snappy. All of us more experienced editors should read WP:BITE and WP:AGF from time to time, and remember that Everyone makes mistakes! Please, let's not get into a dispute here - the reference desks (in my experience) are one of the more civilized corners of the Wikipedia, the sort of place where cups of tea and buttered crumpets turn up from time to time. We don't do edit-wars here, we don't flame or troll or start fights. Sometimes we take a deep breath and count to ten, and sometimes some of us even think "Blow this for a game of soldiers!" and go on a dabbing spree, but on the whole we keep it calm, and soon we'll be back. Best wishes to ALL in this thread, DuncanHill 11:10, 20 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Have a nice cup of tea, and a sit down! I think what we all must remember, is that the medium of text is such that it is all too easy to see subtexts, or innuendo in text, that truly was not the intention of the original writer. Your mood at the time of reading, what's going on with you at the time, all can influence how you'll personally see someone's message, and can cause misunderstandings. This is why I just love using smilies and pictures, because they assist in the conveyance of my true intent, and often leave little doubt in the reader's mind that I mean well, and it is my hope that I won't be misunderstood as often. ArielGold 11:24, 20 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

tourist in shanghai

÷what is the best tourist location one should stay while in shanghai

Check out http://wikitravel.org/en/Shanghai#See. DirkvdM 08:51, 19 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Multi City trip

Is purchasing a multi city trip on an airline website the same as getting regularly searched flights but the only difference being that you are able to choose your connections with multi city.--logger 06:38, 19 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

No, it's more intended for people that will stop in one city, then go to another a few days later, etc. It's not designed to be used for making connecting flights, and I doubt if it will let you do this as well as it will often ask you only the day you wish to depart on the 2nd flight, not the exact time. You'd probably end up staying at the airport at least a day ;) -Wooty [Woot?] [Spam! Spam! Wonderful spam!] 08:25, 19 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Oh i think i get that now. it just seemed confusing. I suppose it simply is a way to do an additional city.--logger 08:39, 19 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
I have a trip i am taking to salt lake and that is multi-city--logger 23:54, 19 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
You might be interested in Mileage run. --Sean 14:25, 20 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

DISH network price increase history

When was DISH networks last price increase for all of it's programming packages.--logger 08:19, 19 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Careers for Teenagers

How can a secondary school student become a regular PAYED contributor of a scientific/academic (of a fairly respectable reputation) magazine without too great a deal of active research, of which she has no opportunity?

I doubt it. You would almost certainly have to attend university--Pheonix15 12:04, 19 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
In addition, UK scientific/academic journals don't pay anything to contributors. In the US, they often charge to publish articles. (Added by SaundersW-Forgot sig
knowing people would probably be the best place to start, but given that you just wrote "payed", I highly doubt many publications would want to hire you --Lucid 13:47, 19 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Can't you just get a job at KFC like the rest of us? --Candy-Panda 13:27, 19 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

As the others have said, this is highly unlikely. If you're talking about peer reviewed academic journals of original research, then if you can't conduct research, there's no hope. If you're talking about more mainstream magazines aimed at a more general audience such as New Scientist then you'd have slightly more chance, though honestly don't get your hopes up. If you really think you can cut it, then you could start by sending some unsolicited articles to the editors, or try to pick up some freelance work; if they really think your work is worthwhile they may publish your articles and pay you. No one's just going to start paying you for this sort of stuff without proving yourself though. --jjron 15:14, 19 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
You may be able to get a job in a non-academic capacity, as a receptionist or somesuch. That would let you be in the office without requiring many qualifications and possibly net you some contacts should you decide to work there after college. Furthermore you might want to investigate any internship programs these magazines may have. Again, you probably wouldn't be writing articles but you would get to see how the process works. Plasticup T/C 17:41, 19 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

CARTOONS - draw scientific cartoons? no qualifications needed???87.102.9.208 18:11, 19 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

I suppose it just might be possible to find a niche role by virtue of your age. If you're still in secondary school then you have a perspective on how science and math is taught and presented to teenagers (badly!) that most scientists have long ago lost track of. It might be hard to spin that out into a paying job - but if you are insightful, perceptive and a compelling writer, you might maybe get some articles published - maybe something like: "Secondary science education: A User's perspective". But it's unrealistic to think you'd get a regular paying position. Go get your degree in journalism (with a minor in a science) or in science (with a minor in journalism) first...then think about this again. SteveBaker 14:33, 20 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Thanks SteveBaker. Perhaps you need to go and spend some time in the classroom and show us how to teach well, since you would obviously be so good at it. --jjron 10:28, 21 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Look - I'm no teacher - I don't have the "people skills" - it's a job I couldn't do. But the state of science education (here in the USA at least) is terrible. My son is in the gifted/talented stream of the School of Science and Engineering. That's a magnet school (ie pretty well funded by industry as well as government) - according to annual Newsweek surveys over many years, its consistently come out as one of the top 10 best rated high schools in the entire USA (it's number 6 this year). As the name suggest, it specialises in science & engineering education - and my kid is in all of the most advanced classes. Science education in the USA simply doesn't get any better than that. It's CRAP! My son learns most of his science from me - and spends a significant fraction of time in class teaching his teacher and correcting errors in the (terrible) textbooks. Nowhere near enough hands-on practical stuff. The teachers manage to suck all of the joy from the subject. Truly, deeply, awful. We need to pay teachers enough to attract people who know their stuff into the profession - we need to spend a lot more money on science labs - we need to relax the ridiculous safety rules for school science labs - we need textbooks like the Feynman physics series - we need to care. SteveBaker 14:09, 21 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
That early answer was right; in real academic journals, you don't get paid to write, you have to pay to have your paper published. (That doesn't mean they'll publish anything if you have the money). So if you want to get paid, you'll need to shoot for something like Scientific American or Discover or such. There's no secret; just keep writing, keep submitting, when you get rejected keep bugging them for constructive suggestions, don't get discouraged, and keep trying. Over and over and over and over. Once you get the first one accepted, it's easier. Gzuckier 14:45, 21 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Hardcore Famous users

I was wondering how many "hardcore" users there are on Wikipedia. The big names, like Dweller, Cecropia and Giggy, who always take part in RFAs and AFDs and are seen eveywhere. I estimate about 2000 myself but thats a wild guess--Pheonix15 13:35, 19 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

That depends on your definition. I wouldn't say commenting on every !vote is a sign of a hard core editor. You can see the list of wikipedians by edit, but that's biased to people that do a lot of small edits (like myself) instead of a few big ones (who are usually better contributors overall) -- The list shows that there's around 3000 users over 6500 edits, or so --Lucid 13:49, 19 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Well, I'll define "Hardcore" as making large amounts of edits every day, knowing Policy like the back of your hand and being well known. That would include you as well as plasticup I suppose--Pheonix15 13:56, 19 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Hehe, as L said the raw edit count is biased to people that make a lot of small, and often extremely minor edits. I'd be interested to see a list that showed something like average edit size; not sure how you'd do it, maybe in number of bytes, if there's any way that's recorded or could be accurately calculated. You may need something like a minimum number of edits to be counted as well, like in many sports where they don't regard the players statistics as having any validity until they've played say twenty games. What's funny is that of the three 'big names' you listed in your original question, I've never heard of any of them. --jjron 14:54, 19 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
You would have if you've been around off the mainspace. Anyway,there just examples, there are more, likeRocketpocket and Wikidudeman. What about Can't sleep clown will eat me. You must have heard of him--Pheonix15 15:19, 19 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Of my 1605 edits, only 625 have been on mainspace, but anyway... Yes, I have heard of some of those others; I do know of editors with over 30,000 edits, which I guess regardless of how small the edits are, is pretty 'hardcore'. --jjron 15:48, 19 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Wow. I'm only number 1,595 on this list. (Warning: clicking that link can lead to editcountitis, which while rarely fatal, is nasty) here. But thanks for what I'll take as a compliment... --Dweller 18:35, 19 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

there are plenty of statistics at http://stats.wikimedia.org/EN/TablesWikipediaEN.htm but it was last updated Oct 30, 2006. There is a chart which sheds some light on this matter:

Edits >=Wikipedians     Edits total
1	628811	100.0%	40051604	100.0%
3	292660	46.5%	39505151	98.6%
10	158065	25.1%	38723556	96.7%
32	69875	11.1%	37224182	92.9%
100	31970	5.1%	35150969	87.8%
316	14847	2.4%	32170449	80.3%
1000	6358	1.0%	27458518	68.6%
3162	2170	0.3%	20154771	50.3%
10000	504	0.1%	11094410	27.7%
31623	61	0.0%	4038259	        10.1%
100000	8	0.0%	1486525	        3.7%
316228	1	0.0%	328398	        0.8%

which shows that there are about 2000 people (those with more than 3162 edits) that do about half all the edits, however this also includes bots. Jon513 18:57, 19 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Hardcore? Me? Giggy Talk 01:44, 20 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Nah, you've only got 6493 edits to your name, whereas I have 11150. Not that I mean to brag, of course. :) Anyway, you've only been editing for about a year, so your edits per timespan are about the same as mine. DirkvdM 07:08, 20 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Re Jon513's post, is there any way to get these stats without counting the bots? It's hardly fair to be comparing humans to bots (even if some may be bot-like). --jjron 07:10, 20 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Not fair? Sounds like you're already infected. I recommend urgent treatment. --Dweller 09:36, 20 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Hmm, sadly you might be right! --jjron 10:34, 21 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
That's nothing. I've got 661361 edits. --Carnildo 23:48, 20 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Wow! I had never looked at the edit count list before. It's kinda scarey to find oneself in the top 3000 editors on the tenth biggest english-language web site on the planet. We have to be careful though. Statistics can be quite deceptive. I think it's important to distinguish between "edit-count" and "contributions to the encyclopedia". Lots of people who just hang out on various Talk: pages can rack up enormous numbers of edits without actually contributing much - and some vandals can rack up a lot of edits too. Interiot's tool is a much better way to measure actual content contribution because it breaks it down by name-space. My edit count (up over 7300 now) has only 2600 in (Main) space - which is a reflection of the fact that I spend far too much time here on the reference desk and far too little writing and fixing articles. I'd bet that my ratio of 'real' work to other stuff is pretty common amongst the top few thousand Wikipedians. However, what is amazing to me is that Wikipedia's top contributor (User:Rich Farmbrough) has 164,000 edits of which 150,000 are in (Main) space! He's spent less time (well, less edits) in User: and WP: than I did! SteveBaker 14:21, 20 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Your contribs off the main space still improve the site. I notice RFA never takes that into account. Anyway, I think a better title for this section would be "Famous" users--- Pheonix15 20:28, 20 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Famous? Me? Giggy Talk 00:13, 21 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Nah, I had never heard of you before this thread. :) DirkvdM 19:43, 21 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Actually, when I was last put up for RFA, they failed me precisely because my ratio of main to WP space edits was too high! I had plenty of both kinds of edits - but they failed me because I'd spent too much time in main!! SteveBaker 13:51, 21 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Another word for go?

Help.

It would depend on the context. If you wanted a word for go as in ready, steady, go!, then start, proceed, commence. For go as in whose go is it? then turn, move might do. DuncanHill 14:48, 19 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

what about a another word for go like i'am confused thesarus. --Ithinksomethingisburning 14:49, 19 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Or for go as in go away, then leave, depart, exit. DuncanHill 15:01, 19 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

depart yes thanks duncan --Ithinksomethingisburning 15:03, 19 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Igo, Baduk, Weiqi, I could go on --lucid 15:06, 19 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Try this link. --jjron 15:20, 19 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Wiktionary lists:
  • (move from one place to another further away): move, travel, wend, wend one's way
  • (disappear): disappear, vanish
  • (be destroyed): disintegrate
  • (burst into laughter): burst into laughter, burst out laughing
  • (work): function, work
  • (fit): fit
  • (have as its/their proper place): belong
  • (take a turn in a game): move, make one's move, take one’s turn
  • (urinate): pee
I would add:
  • (oriental board game): Weiqi, Igo, Baduk, Gi
  • (unit of measurement, volume): 0.18039 liters.

Where is this?

http://www.mmaringreport.com/news_stories/ice_14_pics_banks.htm

anyone? --Ithinksomethingisburning 15:04, 19 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

I believe the ICE 14 Mixed martial arts event, where these photos were taken, was held at the Metropolis Nightclub in Fairfield, Ohio, USA on March 12, 2005. --jjron 15:34, 19 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

this site?

http://www.polar.se/Beringia2005/eng/pictures/20050828%20isvallar.htm

--Ithinksomethingisburning 14:56, 19 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

This site [15] has a map of the Beringia's route on that expedition. DuncanHill 14:59, 19 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Berricuna Network Web Filter how to get rid of it?

please help on this on? --Ithinksomethingisburning 15:05, 19 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Barracuda Network Web Filter? Where are you encountering this software? If you are at work you should speak with the network administrator who will be able to give you access to the filtered content. Plasticup T/C 17:31, 19 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Sometimes you can bypass those filters by leaving off (or adding on) 'www.' on the URL or if it's a big company you are trying to reach, you might try using a '.org' or '.web' address instead of '.com' (or vice-versa). You might have luck with '.co.us' too. You can often also get the content (perhaps a few months out of date) using the wayback machine or by searching for the page on Google and looking at the cached version of the page. Also, you might find a web anonymiser that isn't blocked (eg https://www.kproxy.com/index.jsp). Please don't use this information for evil! SteveBaker 03:03, 21 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

How do you make a website of your own?

I was wondering how to make a website...for people who are looking things that my website could help them with. Could someone show me? --Writer Cartoonist 19:14, 19 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Well it really depends what kind of website you are talking about. But in general, if you want to start in on making a website, first you need to learn the markup code that webpages are made with (HTML, usually with some CSS thrown in as well). That's Big Step #1, so why don't you tackle that first and come back when you are ready to move beyond that stage and we can talk about servers and the like. --24.147.86.187 20:51, 19 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Many ISP's (that's the company you buy your internet service from) provide a service to help their customers create small websites, may be worth having a look at their help-pages. DuncanHill 21:14, 19 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
There are simpler ways to do it than learning HTML and CSS (not that it's a bad thing to know them). WYSIWYG editors such Adobe Dreamweaver and Microsoft Frontpage are easier to use - I'm sure there's freeware ones as well. Check out the Web development article. Depending on what you want to do, it may be useful for you to set up a Content management system instead. Re 'can someone show you', well, yes they can, but you'd need to pay for lessons, buy a book such as the ...for Dummies series which are good for beginners, or access some of the heaps of online tutorial stuff. --jjron 07:35, 20 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
A freeware cms would be Joomla. The internet is ideal for learning stuff, if you find the right sites (there's a lot of rubbish out there as well). Of course, the Internet is most ideal for info on internet-stuff, such as making a website. But the really easiest way is to use something like http://www.wiki-site.com. Just log in, confirm through email and you've got yourself a website. A wiki website, which you apparently already know how to use. There are plenty others like that. Also non-wiki ones, if you don't want others to correct any mistakes you might make. :) DirkvdM 07:53, 20 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Or if you're too lazy to learn HTML, I think at Freewebs.com you don't have to know any markup, all you have to do is register (it's free too, so if none of the other options work, you could take a stab at this). --71.117.38.175 15:47, 20 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Yellow American paper

Why do Americans on TV and in films make notes on yellow paper? Is there a shortage of ordinary white paper in the USA? DuncanHill 19:20, 19 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

No, there's no shortage. Yellow seems to be a popular choice for legal size note pads and has caught on to letter size pads as well. Dismas|(talk) 19:28, 19 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
An article in Interior Sources Magazine claims that, "The yellow legal pad, a must among lawyers, executives, students, writers and thinkers of all sorts, was devised specifically because yellow was thought to be a color which stimulated the intellect." Supposedly, F. Scott Fitzgerald loved to use them. I've also read that yellow is easier to stare at for prolonged times, so for heavy-writing jobs, it is easier on the eyes than white. The above might be true, might not be true, but I've heard both of those reasons for decades. ArielGold 19:46, 19 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
It's also the usual colour of a post-it. Adam Bishop 19:51, 19 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Wouldn't a contrasting colour be better for a Post-it note? DuncanHill 20:03, 19 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Well, Post-it notes come in all colors. But generally speaking I don't think it is common to use Post-it notes with a legal pad. --24.147.86.187 20:49, 19 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
When your eyes are tired bright white tends to 'bleed'. Plasticup T/C 21:12, 19 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Yellow note pads are not used in countries besides the US? I guess I always thought they were universal, but now that I think about it, I’ve never seen one overseas. --S.dedalus 22:07, 19 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
I've never seen them. Do you have a picture of a yellow note pad? A.Z. 22:10, 19 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
How about this? Corvus cornix 02:07, 20 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Have just found this Ampad#Legal_pad_claim DuncanHill 22:15, 19 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

I had always heard the Financial Times uses a salmon pink paper to reduce eye-strain, but apparently according to our article, "this move was in truth inspired by economy - pink paper being cheaper than white." --YbborTalk 02:47, 20 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

In a recent thread someone said they chose it because it made their newspaper stand out more in the newsstand.
If yellow is a colour that stimulates the intellect, then shouldn't Wikipedia have a yellow background? DirkvdM 07:58, 20 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Do we really want people to start thinking? It just causes problems. Neil  12:35, 20 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
That's mediaeval. DirkvdM 19:47, 21 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

I'm going to suggest a new avenue of speculation. The yellow pad arises mainly out of its use on television, where it has the advantage of less reflectivity than white paper. Uses outside television drama arises as watchers become socialised in the ways of their profession by watching TV shows related to their profession (especially lawyers & police people). No evidence for this, btw. --Tagishsimon (talk)

It doesn't show urine stains. Gzuckier 14:46, 21 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

children's story from early 60's

I am looking for a book that I read to my son in the early 60"s. I remember the title as "all the way through to Kalamazoo" about a cat who was the engineer on a train. title may have ben differnect but the phrase "all the way.." was used throughout. Looking for actual title and source for book.

Laundry physics

When I wash my duvet covers in my washer-dryer, despite the cover being the normal way out when it's placed in the washing machine, by the time it comes out it has invariably been turned completely inside-out. How does this happen? -- Arwel (talk) 20:20, 19 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Its know as the inversion principle. You should always wash your undies duvets outside in for max cleaning- then they come out the right way round.--DieselFitter 23:40, 19 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
I'll assume that last bit was a joke. For one, you still need to turn it inside out, except now you have to do it before the washing instead of after it. But that doesn't matter, because that's not the way it works, I believe. I assume it has to do with the inside being different from the outside in that it has an extra peice of cloth there (what is that called?) that seems to prefer to be on the outside. Don't know how that works, though. DirkvdM 08:04, 20 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Generally speaking, things have higher and lower energy states. I'd suppose that when the duvet is right-side-out, all those sharp folds in the fabric (at the seams) represent a higher energy state than if the duvet were inside-out and those folds were then flat. Applying enough random energy to the system (by tumbling it in your washer) tends to cause the system to relax from higher energy states towards lower energy states.

Or maybe it's just a plot by the duvet to hide the pillow cases (pillow slips)?

Atlant 14:09, 20 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Good answer!!!Gzuckier 14:47, 21 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

What sort of cow is this?

I saw this cow grazing while on a walk the other day. What variety of cow is it; in particular, is this sort of cow bred for meat or dairy? I ask because none of the cows I saw had udders, so I assumed they are meat cows, but perhaps the females had all been taken for milking. Laïka 22:10, 19 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

I think it is a heifer (immature female) - there appears to be one of her teats visible between the legs. In heifers the udder is sometimes so undeveloped as to be almost invisible until you get up close. All cows have udders (well, one udder each). Bulls (which are not cows) don't have udders. It looks like a beef breed to me, but I can't identify which. My first thought was a South Devon, but I think not. We need a goood cattleman on the desk! DuncanHill 23:05, 19 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
It could be a Gelbvieh that European farmers have separated into two different lines, one for beef and one for dairy. (I don't know anything about cattle, but I have this nice book A Field Guide to Cows by John Pukite.)--Eriastrum 23:57, 19 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
That sounds like a good book! DuncanHill 00:09, 20 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Maybe a darker-colored Charolais? Rmhermen 02:55, 20 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
The Charolais article does mention a red factor charolais. DuncanHill 03:01, 20 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
My dad (farmer) tells me it is indeed a red Charolais heifer. Neil  14:53, 20 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

A cow in its natural upright state.

Atlant 16:49, 20 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

OK, many thanks to you all! Laïka 20:18, 20 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Wikipedia Font

What font(s) do(es) Wikipedia use? 71.227.94.119 23:19, 19 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Depends on your browser, but people's defaults are usually Times New Roman? Wild stab but perhaps the monobook.css? Splintercellguy 00:12, 20 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Arial 12 here, on default. HYENASTE 01:05, 20 August 2007 (UTC)
You'll want to look in http://en.wikipedia.org/style/monobook/main.css, I think. TenOfAllTrades(talk) 02:31, 20 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
To clarify the above, in your browser's preferences/settings (whatever they are called) you can specify to either use the site's default (which on Wikipedia appears to be Arial 12) or override that with your own preferences. For example, in Firefox it's edit > preferences > content > fonts & colours > advanced, which gives the option 'allow pages to choose their own fonts'. If tha box is checked, the settings above it will only kick in if the site does not specify a font (or size). DirkvdM 08:13, 20 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
What Firefox is that? On mine (2.0.0.6 for Windows XP) edit > preferences has migrated to tools > options Algebraist 14:55, 20 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
On Linux it's edit > preferences. Someoneinmyheadbutit'snotme 18:55, 20 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Typhoon Dean ?

IF this hurricane gets over the Pacific Ocean, reforms into a hurricane, is it called a typhoon ?! 65.173.104.223 23:32, 19 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Will it keeps its current name ? 65.173.104.223 23:33, 19 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Hurricane John (1994) was a hurricane that crossed the International Date Line twice, changing from a hurricane to a typhoon, then back into a hurricane. 71.227.94.119 00:51, 20 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Hurricane Cesar-Douglas (1996) is an example of one that crossed over Central America. Even though it retained tropical storm strength, and would have retained its name had it remained within one ocean basin, it received a new name upon entering the Pacific. This happens rather rarely, because of the rough terrain of Central America, and I doubt any hurricane has ever survived a traverse of the high Sierra Madre of central Mexico, which appears destined to be the ultimate fate of Dean. Hurricane Hurricane Joan-Miriam (1988) was another; that one crossed Nicaragua. In the eastern Pacific, where crossover storms go, they are still called hurricanes. Antandrus (talk) 01:49, 20 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Here's a list of the eight known and named crossover storms (prior to 1949, they were not recorded): [16]. Surprised we don't have an article on this yet on Wikipedia. Any takers?  :) Antandrus (talk) 01:55, 20 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
The current answer is about half right. If a storm crosses over "basins" and maintains status as a tropical cyclone, then it keeps its original name in the other basin. If it dissipates to disturbance status, and then reforms in the other basin, it will be renamed in the new basin. See "What happens to the name of a tropical cyclone if it moves from the Atlantic regions to the Northeast Pacific, or vice versa?" from the AOML site.
The name for these systems is still "hurricane/tropical storm" in the eastern and central Pacific. They call them cyclones in the western Pacific, but the difference is merely semantical.
In general, for storms crossing over Central America, it is highly unusual for storms to maintain tropical characteristics crossing over (in fact, they often get ripped apart entirely crossing the mountains). Should a crossover happen, it still is unlikely it would maintain enough characteristics. –Pakman044 04:10, 21 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Shuttle ?

Will the shuttle blow up upon re-entry ? I have seen the hole repeatedly on the news. 65.173.104.223 23:42, 19 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

If it would, then NASA wouldn't have declined to repair the hole. Splintercellguy 00:10, 20 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
As a child I remember reading that tiles fell off or fell apart all the time, it was completely normal. If it was normal enough to appear in children's books about space shuttles, I guess they didn't think anything bad would happen. But then it did, and now we hear about it all the time, while it was already happening all the time anyway. Adam Bishop 00:59, 20 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Columbia had a similar problem, then it blew up on re-entry. 65.173.104.223 02:12, 20 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
The damage to Endeavour, and the damage to Columbia are not in the slightest way, similar. Go read up on the shuttle's heat shield, and the cause of the Columbia accident; what happened in that situation was vastly different than the small issue with STS-118. The reason NASA managers were considering repairing it was to minimize post-landing processing and turnaround time, not because it was a safety issue to the crew or vehicle. Feel free to also read the daily summaries from STS-118 for factual information. Cheers, ArielGold 02:39, 20 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
NASA have done an insane amount of testing and simulation to verify that the shuttle will be safe (or at least no more risky than normal) - the only real debate was whether the underlying aluminium wing surface might be damaged to the degree that subsequent repairs would be costly, not whether the thing would blow up on reentry. The risks to the astronaut in doing in-orbit repairs are not negligable - so it was judged that the safest course of action was to not attempt a repair. Now they have the additional excitement of landing with a hurricane in the vicinity of their primary landing site. SteveBaker 13:48, 20 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
I sure hope 65.173.104.x doesn't resolve to a NASA subnet. Wikipedia cannot give advice on the safety of spacecraft. Consult an aerospace engineer. 69.95.50.15 15:18, 20 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

August 20

6 shapes puzzle

Does anyone know the solution? If anyone knows the solution to this puzzle please post it on this article (6 shapes puzzle) If the article already exists under a diferent name, please link this name to the article and delete my poorly made one. Zantaggerung 03:52, 20 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Umm, is this what you are intending to ask about? - hydnjo talk 04:54, 20 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
No he meant 6 shapes puzzle (tired?)!87.102.2.76 12:04, 20 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

This: http://www.snafooz.com/ ???

If so, I have a computer program that solves it (and provides several different solutions). I used to often use that puzzle as an employment interviewing question: "How would you write a program to solve this puzzle?"

Atlant 14:12, 20 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

(To which the correct answer is: "I would demand a written set of requirements, then I would go and sit somewhere quietly and think about it without the pressure of a job interviewer breathing down my neck!"...sadly, job interviewers seldom require the correct answer.) SteveBaker 15:18, 20 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
I might very well have accepted that answer! ;-) Someone smart enough to know that a programmer needs a clear statement of requirements is someone who knows a lot more than many candidates who came walking through the door. My question was usually phrased just as open-endedly as I stated it above; the point was to see how the candidate approached the problem, not to see if they could instantly write optimal code.
Atlant 16:46, 20 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Yep - I know what you mean. At a job interview I did about 3 months ago some annoying interviewer asked me to write a function to test whether a string is 'symmetrical'. I explained that ordinarily, I'd write a loop that iterated in from the ends - but then I'd fall into his little 'off by one' trap that he'd carefully laid for me - so instead I'd wrote him a recursive solution that said "A string is symmetrical if it's shorter than two characters or if the first character and the last letter are the same and the string between them is symmetrical." - it was two lines of code - and in truth, a pretty stupid solution but it made it REALLY easy for me to be sure I got it right first time and avoided the inevitable annoying follow-on "How to you know you don't have an off-by-one". The stupid interviewer didn't understand what I wrote - then he claimed it wouldn't work - eventually, he typed it in, compiled it and convinced himself it did work. He seemed disappointed. Sadly, that took him so long that he didn't get to ask me anything else before I was shuttled onto the next guy! SteveBaker 02:38, 21 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Faces

Where can i find a blank face on the internet to print out, like a overall frame of a face but with no features on it.

I wonder if this site may be of use to you (note: you'll need Java to access it). --jjron 07:49, 20 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

No java can you give me something else please?

File:TotoBaggins-George-W-Bush.jpeg
Paging Dan Quayle.
How about this? --Sean 19:31, 20 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]


lol Acceptable 01:46, 21 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

How it it possible to be faceless and two-faced at the same time? SteveBaker 02:42, 21 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Easy. --Sean 04:47, 21 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Give me a face like an entirely black one or white blank one not a face of a real person!!!

What does USAIA stands for?

Soviet BRT-80 armored personnel carrier

I found this picture with the emblem at the upper right corner and I cannot explain what it is. The inscription reads "Intelligence and Threat ... Mission and Excellence". Does it have to do with US Army in action (which I doubted)? -- Scriberius 08:12, 20 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

United States Army Intelligence Agency (its headquarters were taken over by the United States Army Intelligence and Security Command in 1978 but I don't see when USAIA was disbanded.) Or if, as this page mentions it still in 1988. [17] Rmhermen 08:26, 20 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Thanks! -- Scriberius 21:30, 20 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Bank of Ireland ATM's

For anyone who has been to ireland before are Visa debit cards from the united states able to be used with bank of ireland's ATM's--logger 09:21, 20 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Yes, but there are hidden charges levied by banks that can add up to quite a bit. It would be best to take travellers cheques, and shop around for suitable exchange rates. Hornplease 09:55, 20 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Depending which bank you are with in the States, there's usually one that will have some kind of reciprocal agreement with an Irish bank. Then you'll only pay a small exchange commission, saving quite a bit from what the equivalent value traveller's cheques will set you back. Either way it'll cost you more than a year or two ago thanks to the dollar plummeting in value against the Euro and the pound. Neil  14:56, 20 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Your Visa will work in almost all Irish ATMs, most ATMs don't have an additional charge for use and the few that do will tel you before you use them ( in which case move on to the next one which is likely to be quite close by if your in any half decent sized town). Obviously the exchange rate isn't great at the moment though, but that obstacle wont be overcome with travelers cheques. In fact knowing Irish banks it'll only add hassle due to short opening hours and long ques.194.125.179.10 17:59, 20 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

In my experience, banks offer better exchange rates on ATM transactions overseas than they do to buy travelers' checks, fees (in both cases) included. If your bank charges a fee per transaction for foreign ATM transactions, your best course would be to maximize each withdrawal. That is, take out your daily withdrawal maximum or the amount you are comfortable carrying (whichever is less) each time you use the ATM overseas. This will minimize transaction fees as a percentage of your total withdrawal. (The same applies for credit cards, which tend to offer worse exchange rates than banks offer for ATM cash withdrawals.) Marco polo 00:45, 21 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Thank you for the info will just have to be ready for all this.--logger 07:16, 21 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Tyson

I still can,t understand why tyson bit the ear of Holyfield?

Did you read the Mike Tyson article? It states "Tyson later stated that it was retaliation for Holyfield repeatedly head butting him without penalty.", and notes that he bit both ears. Presumably he bit a little too hard on the second occasion. --Tagishsimon (talk) 10:16, 20 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

tuscany

tuscanys imports and exports

I want to crack a joke,can I?Did someone kill you in the middle of your question.
Did you not ask this before? Tuscany#Economy might be a good start. SaundersW 10:08, 20 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

I looked at it and there was crap cant you give me a chart or somthing

Richard Gere

I want to know the real height of Richard Gere.Is he only 5'10?He seems a lot taller than that.218.248.2.51 09:43, 20 August 2007 (UTC)Ecclesiasticalparanoid[reply]

IMDB puts Richard Gere at 5' 10½" (1.79 m). Many male actors "seem" taller because the movie makers intentionally foster that illusion, by using shorter actresses and minor characters and even, in some cases, having the stars walk on higher surfaces than the rest of the cast. StuRat 11:26, 20 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Alan Ladd stood on wooden boxes in static shots. Corvus cornix 15:43, 20 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
In old cowboy movies, they would build the entire town 10% smaller than usual to make the actors look six inches taller. SteveBaker 15:48, 20 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
A lot of it is also in choosing very careful composition; compare Tom Cruise's official wedding photo [18] with a picture of him with Katie Holmes at a film première [19]. A similar effect is sometimes done with Gere; a perspective distorting lens makes him look larger than Alfred Molina in this image], when in fact he is much smaller. Laïka 21:07, 20 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

7" vinyl/sleeve question

I've been through Single(music) and Record sleeve to no effect,so here goes :)

1.What was the most recent UK No.1 to be available on 7" vinyl?

I've got a copy of Prince's Most Beautiful Girl in the World from 1994 on vinyl before CD's took over,but now with vinyl re-emerging there may have been others released.

2.Which was the first UK No.1 to have a specific picture sleeve as opposed to the record label one?

The earliest I have is Donny Osmond's Young Love from 1972,but again I'm sure there must have been earlier ones.

Thanx Lemon martini 11:09, 20 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Vinyl is re-emerging ? Why, are people nostalgic for static and pops in their music ? StuRat 11:21, 20 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Scratching maybe? You need real special hardware to do that with CD's and with MP3's you can do it using software - but the subtleties of the tactile feel of the actual turntable would be missing. SteveBaker 13:40, 20 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Bicycle chain positioning

Are bike chains always on the right side of the bike? If so, why? Most trends are bucked: why not this one? Why no Product differentiation? --Tagishsimon (talk) 11:33, 20 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

If you can manufacture your own bike parts -you can make one that goes on the left - but if you already have one that works perfectly on the right - why go to the expense of retooling? That is why..87.102.2.76 11:59, 20 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Don't forget that the clutch in the freewheel would have to operate in reverse as well. And if it's a bike with derailleur gears, all those parts would have to be mirrow-imaged as well. It'd be a lot of work for essentially no gain.
Atlant 14:16, 20 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
(reconsider you freewheel/clutch statement? - it's the same????) otherwise I agree87.102.2.76 14:35, 20 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
If you think that's the case, try it. ;-)
Atlant 14:38, 20 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Well yes. But derailleur are not standardised - people like Trek have mountings that don't fit other people's bikes. Clip-pedals are not standardised. Frames ditto. Cranks ditto. I guess the wider question is, what is & what is not standardised on a bike & why? --Tagishsimon (talk)

"Breasts of a virgin"

"Breasts of a virgin" - What does this mean? Is there a symbol for this? Thanks.

Alchemy? see here http://books.google.com/books?id=NOcY_p6bz_0C&pg=PA52&lpg=PA52&dq=%22breasts+of+a+virgin%22&source=web&ots=vbcKND8kRE&sig=7IfcbXDA4-vx8Ikl9K5P2Dah7Bc
It seems that alchemists had much use for 'virgins milk' - maybe a web search on that would give you the answers you seek.87.102.2.76 14:38, 20 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Is this even possible? o_o --frotht 14:42, 20 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Apparently. - Eron Talk 15:06, 20 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
This page might be of more interest to budding alchemists [[20]] Ezekial 23:21-"If friends or family members fondle a virgin’s breasts she should resist the attention, and the delight that bruising her teats imparts" - so now you know.87.102.2.76 18:45, 20 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
That is not what the verse says. The real Ezekiel 23:21 is "Thus thou didst call to remembrance the lewdness of thy youth, when they from Egypt bruised thy breasts for the bosom of thy youth." - simply put Oholibah was fondled by Egyptian men - no lactation is implied. Jon513 22:25, 20 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Also "lac virginis" + "alchemy" would be another search...87.102.2.76 14:39, 20 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
One wonders where they heck the alchemists got the idea that this would help from? SteveBaker 15:22, 20 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Perhaps they were just seeking a kind of job satisfaction. --Tagishsimon (talk)
The above-linked image seems to me to be the Virgin, not just a virgin. (Liebfraumilch, anyone?) Rmhermen 16:38, 20 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

This phrase (or some similar phrase) is oft times used to describe firm but-modestly-sized mounds. For example, the twinned Uncanoonuc Mountains in New Hampshire [21] are usually (and possibly apocryphally) described as being named for the "Maiden's breasts" in some local native American dialect; viewed from a distance, the story at least sounds plausible.

And then there's Liebfraumilch.

Atlant 16:42, 20 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

"The BREASTS OF THE VIRGIN are sweet shaped as teats (" minni "), fulls with zuccata paste of pumpkin ) to the jasmin. Their production happens for the festivity of the Deads ( november,2) in Sicily." Ritual artistic foods in Italy SaundersW 17:21, 20 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Jet propelled aeroplanes vs Propellor propelled aeroplanes?

I live under the landing approach path to a Scottish airport and can't help but notice the significant number of propellor propelled aircraft flying over and am curious to know why, in this day of fast and efficient jet-propelled aircraft, anyone would choose the former. Just curious.81.145.240.52 14:29, 20 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Propeller-equipped engines are notably less expensive. Also, at lower speeds, propellers are more efficient than turbojet engines. Remember that many of the "propeller" planes that you see are actually using turboshaft engines to drive the props.
Atlant 14:36, 20 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Perhaps turboprop and turbofan would be worth looking at - the turboprop article turboprop#Technological aspects starts to explain why a turboprop might be better - I could also guess that a propellor aircraft (if it is a '4 stroke') would be a lot cheaper to make..87.102.2.76 14:46, 20 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
And cheaper to maintain.87.102.2.76 14:48, 20 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Don't some prop planes land on Scottish islands which are too small to take a jet sized runway?Could explain why you see so many there.hotclaws 16:17, 21 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Recharging car battery

Modern car batteries can be recharged by driving the car around. What specific part of the car is charging the battery? I'm guessing it must be a rotating part of the car such as the wheels or the cylinder crankshafts. Acceptable 15:17, 20 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Alternator#Automotive_alternators 69.95.50.15 15:22, 20 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
(EC) The engine crank-shaft drives an alternator, normally via a belt. Thus the car wheels do not need to be moving to generate power. --Tagishsimon (talk)


Right - the car doesn't have to be moving. If your battery needs to be recharged (eg after you've been jump-started) - then the best bet is to turn off all the electrical systems (the radio, the heater/AC fan and especially the headlights), put the transmission into neutral and rev the engine up to 2500 rpms or so. If the battery is in reasonable shape, it'll recharge enough to restart the car within just a few minutes and be fully recharged in 10 minutes. It's not just modern car batteries though - even cars from as far back as the 1950's could charge their own batteries. Strictly speaking some cars from the 1960's and earlier (eg the Mk I Mini) had generators rather than alternators (the difference is fairly subtle though). A few odd-ball cars (eg the Isetta) have used the starter motor as the alternator/generator - but the principle is the same. SteveBaker 15:38, 20 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

So if you shift into neutral and rev your engine, are you recharging your batteries?

EDIT: Oh ok, thanks Acceptable 15:38, 20 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Yes. You're also charging the battery as you drive along - but if your battery is dead you don't want to risk stalling the car and getting stuck all over again - so you are best advised to let it recharge some before you drive off. SteveBaker 15:46, 20 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Fast gear changes

When you are trying to shift gears as quickly as possible, such as in a race, is the jerk you feel after you re-engage the clutch inevitable? When I shift quickly and re-engage the clutch, I feel a sudden jerk. Do professional drivers also experience this? Acceptable 15:37, 20 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

No - it's not inevitable! It's a sign that you don't yet know how to drive stick! When you shift gears, when the transmission is (briefly) in neutral, you are supposed to adjust the gas pedal to match the rpm's to the gear you are about to enter. This means adding a little more gas when you down-shift and easing up a bit on the gas when you up-shift. Failure to do this will result in premature clutch and transmission wear...not to mention whiplash injuries if you are driving a performance car! (Note to self: Don't let Acceptable near Tigger!) SteveBaker 15:43, 20 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Steve, your explanation isn't complete. On upshifts, for a "jerk-free" shift, you have to stay de-clutched until the engine speed drops to match the new, lower RPM of the clutch disk. Because cars contain no technology to actively decelerate the engine, this takes time (usually, a half-second to a second) as the engine "engine-brakes" itself. But if you're shifting in such as way as to get the fastest accelleration out of the car, you won't wait that time; you'll simply shift, release the clutch, and nail the throttle again, accepting the jerk that occurs as the engine very rapidly transfers its excess momentum to the driveline. As you observed, it's tough on the car and tough on the occupants of the car, but it's optimum for fastest acceleration.
Atlant 16:35, 20 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Yes...kinda. Actually, to make the story complete: If you are trying to really get the best possible accelleration, you'll shift at the point where the torque in the gear you are in now will be identical to the torque in the new gear. That means that if you can't match the revs during the shift (which you really can't when you're racing), you have to shift a bit earlier in order to meet my criteria for the perfect shift. But if you nail it perfectly, the car won't jerk because it has torque-limited accelleration and it's already accellerating as fast as it can. It's kinda fun to deliberately miss perfection in a car with a really high-torque engine because you can get the tyres to sqeak on every up-shift. It blows the minds of people riding with you - but it's not optimal! SteveBaker 02:24, 21 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Tigger!
I have a PC called Tigger. I'm not letting Acceptable anywhere near that either. Capuchin 16:02, 20 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Is it orange with black stripes like my Tigger?
No, it just bounces and talks nonsense. Capuchin 09:36, 21 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
On the other hand, jerk (a sudden change in the rate of acceleration) will occur if you're trying to get up to max speed as quickly as possible and don't want to take time to slowly increase the rate of acceleration from zero after each shift. Yes, it's hard on the transmission, but hey, if you're racing for the title (on an approved race course, of course), that's a relatively minor concern. StuRat 16:12, 20 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
I wouldn't worry about abusing your clutch. I do this to mine all the time, and judging by the smell, it's in perfectly fine shape. Friday (talk) 16:20, 20 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Lol, so if you are trying to drive as smoothly as possible, then waiting that half-second for the engine RPM's to drop down is inevitable? If so, how should one do this? Should the car be left in neutral for the half second and quickly shifted into the next gear once the RPM's drop down? Or should the car be quickly shifted into the next gear and slowly disengage, while slipping, the clutch? thanks. Acceptable 17:38, 20 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

No - you can drive smoothely without that. It's on the down-shift that there is a problem. Most people are thinking about slowing down when they down-shift and pushing DOWN on the throttle is the last thing they're thinking of. On the up-shift, torque limitations tends to avoid a jerk in most 'family' cars...certainly in higher gears. SteveBaker 02:24, 21 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Ideally, you 1) depress the clutch while simultaneously releasing the throttle, 2) make your shift while the engine decelerates, and 3) as the engine RPM crosses downwards through what will be the new "engaged" RPM, you release the clutch and re-apply the throttle. The exact timings of the operation vary from car to car, of course.
Atlant 17:49, 20 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Torque converter anyone?87.102.2.76 18:38, 20 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
We're talking about stick-shift cars. Automatics need all sorts of junk to make them work. SteveBaker 02:24, 21 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Different dashboard styles

Is there a name for the style of car dashboards that place the Speedometer in the middle of the front dashboard (like a Mini Cooper), as opposed to the traditional behind-the-steering-wheel placement? Acceptable 17:45, 20 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

I believe this is referred to as "silly marketing gimmick".  ;-) Friday (talk) 17:50, 20 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Rally car? I think that's where the whole "putting the gauges in the middle" comes from --lucid 17:57, 20 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
I suspect in the original minis it was a case of "where will it fit?" DuncanHill 19:07, 20 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

What are some of the advantages and disadvantages of both styles? Acceptable 22:06, 20 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

I expect the advantage of 'steering wheel' based is that a simple glance down allows you to see your display panel, the disadvantage of the central-located dial is that it is slightly more work to see. An advantage of central-dials could be that it is easier for passengers to see your speed than traditional dials. I expect that central-located dials could (depending on design) be more suspectible to 'glare' than the traditional style. The normal dash can sometimes be obstructed by your steering wheel though which shouldn't be an issue with a central location. There are many 'fancy' cars that now 'project' your speed to a part of your screen where you will be looking through whilst driving - meaning you need to look down less and therefore should be able to concentrate better. I expect that the safety impact of central V non-central is small, otherwise there would be regulation to make them not allowed on newly designed cars (the breadth of design-regulation for vehicles is breathtaking) ny156uk 22:36, 20 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Oooh! oooh! I know this! Ask me! Ask me! (I have both classic Mini and modern MINI's - and I wrote the Wiki articles for both of them - and I run the Texas Mini owners club.)
I don't think there is a special name for the center speedo - all of the books and manuals talk about "the centrally mounted speedometer".
The original Mini was built on a production line where they needed to turn the car upside down easily in order to install stuff inside. They built a machine called "the rotissary" which consisted of a long steel bar that went in through the boot (trunk) of the car - through a circular hole in the back seat metalwork - and then through a hole in the center of the dashboard. The car was bolted to that bar and (because it balanced nicely on it) could be spun around with almost no effort. Here is a photo of the hole in the back seat metalwork and here is the center speedo (this is what my Mini looked like BEFORE I restored it). When all of that contraption was removed, they put a circluar plate over the hole in the metal behind the back seat - and hid it with the seat cushion - and filled the big circular hole in the dash with the speedometer. It is often (including by BMW for the new MINI) said that this was done for rally driving so that the navigator could see the speedo - but that's an urban legend. There are three reasons we know this isn't true:
  1. The 1959 Mini was never intended to be a rally car in the first place - it was a mild-mannered, super-cheap and horribly under-powered family car. Sir Alec Issigonis (who designed the Mini) didn't approve of using production cars for motor sports - he would never have agreed to compromise the design in any way to support rally drivers.
  2. But in any case, rallying came 2 years after the original production of the car - long after the decision to put the speedo in the middle.
  3. Nobody is going to use the original equipment speedometer in rally driving - it's all about precision and razor-edge timing. They used custom equipment for that - often with the speedo driven from a cable attached directly to the wheel hubs instead of a take-off from the transmission as with the stock Mini.
Later models of the classic Mini moved the speedometer into a more conventional position behind the steering wheel - even while rallying was important to the marketting of the car and finally getting some support from British Leyland.
The modern MINI carries on the tradition because its styling is an attempt to echo the classic Mini (it is a 'retro' design after all). However, it does simplify the business of making left and right hand drive models for various markets around the world. Also, in the 2001 to 2006 models, if you choose to buy the navigation system, it goes where the speedo would be and the speedo is moved next to the tachometer behind the steering wheel.
I like the center speedo - it's large and easy to see - and the steering wheel never blocks your view of it. Sadly, it also affords my wife a good view of it so she can nag me when I'm 5mph over the limit... :-(
SteveBaker 01:52, 21 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Lol, once again..amazing. Thanks. Acceptable 01:55, 21 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Winnie the Pooh

How did the New York Public library acquire Pooh bear and the other animals? 65.219.81.138 18:37, 20 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

There is a short account of their travels here. SaundersW 19:00, 20 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Unanimously satisfied to stay on American soil? What actually happened?

spending my available balance

if I spend exactly my available balance is it ever possible to be overdrawn? I'm having trouble understanding this article Unavailable_funds_fee

The available balance can change very quickly. If you are in the bank, making the withdrawal of all of your available funds, there might be a bank charge applied the following minute. You'd be overdrawn then. The reverse can happen the following minute, when held funds are released and, lo and behiold, you have more available funds. If there are no holds on any funds in your account, if the date is mid-month when there are unlikely bank charges scheduled to be applied, and there are no automatic payments due or cheques written against the account but not yet cashed (drawn), then, you might be able to withdraw all of your available funds and not risk being overdrawn. And the bank is making money on each aspect, as the title Unavailable_funds_fee tells you. Bielle 20:48, 20 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Your available balance also may not reflect the actual balance of your account either. I've had situations where charges will get backed up and then applied inopportunely or have been applied in the bank's central computer but hasn't filtered out to the bank website or ATM (often for electronic transactions getting delayed over a week). And banking fees can be applied on cycles other than the calendar month (for example, my bank will apply the "alien" ATM service fee on the statement cycle, which has a cycle related to the day I opened the account). If you're absolutely sure of all of the transactions that Bielle discusses, then I suppose you could go ahead and spend down your account. But after getting burned a few times myself, I'd do that with a little trepidation (and of course, getting hit with the insufficient/unavailable funds fee is a bit on the expensive side!). –Pakman044 22:01, 20 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
If you can get free overdraft protection, it helps in situations like this. I remember this one time, I literally overdrew 4 cents and had to pay the bank fee of like $20-$25. Just don't have it there to use as a credit card, since credit card interests are evil, but it's awesome for when you're wondering if you have enough, and avoids overdrawing by 4 cents. But if you don't, I'd try to avoid getting near the overdraw limit because from experience, some vendors will not post it for a week, and you forget about it and think you have more money than you really do. Those are what used to get me. --Wirbelwindヴィルヴェルヴィント (talk) 01:07, 21 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Honorary degrees and licensed professions

How does an honorary degree differ from the corresponding earned degree for purposes of entering licensed professions in Canada? NeonMerlin 20:29, 20 August 2007 (UTC) I'll tack on to that, how does it work in the USA?[reply]

This is a legal question pertaining to licensed professions. Please see the Guidelines at the top of this page. Bielle 20:52, 20 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

It doesn't answer you question explicitly , but see Honorary degree#Practical use for how honorary degrees aren't much practical use in most cases. Rockpocket 22:40, 20 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
C'mon, Bielle, this hardly qualifies as "legal advice". Besides are you qualified to advise as to whether this constitutes legal advice? I think only a legal professional can do that.  :-) --Nricardo 00:27, 21 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
C'mon Nricardo, are you qualified to advise as to whether this "hardly qualifies as legal advice"? Perhaps only a legal professional can do that, too. :-) Bielle 03:29, 21 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

August 21

crime in Texas, charges in Va

why did the United employee that Bob Filner allegedly pushed while in Texas press charges in Virginia?

http://www.mercurynews.com/breakingnews/ci_6671044

Dulles, not Dallas. --Nricardo 00:21, 21 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Filling spaces

I have some areas I'd like to fill and I'm hoping people out there have experience in this and can advise me on relatively cheap methods as well as effective methods. First, my door has a big gap on the bottom and it bothers me a lot because of energy leaking out. It's not a uniform gap either; there's almost no gap under the hinge side, but the other side rides above the metal guard about half an inch. This is obviously not good for A/C and heating. What's the best way of making less of a leak? I've been looking at rubber door sweeps, but I'm not sure if they're installable on triangular gaps. They're only about $8 for the cheaper ones, so I'm going to give those a try unless someone has a better method, or know that it doesn't work.

Second, we got a cat a month ago, and she likes playing with her toys in the kitchen, since the tiles there allow her toys to be tossed around easier than on the carpet in the rest of the house. However, most of her toys are small enough to fit under the oven and refrigerator, and I have to spend lots of time retrieving them for her. Just now, I got 4 toy mice and a toy saucer from under the oven. What can I use to cover the gaps under the oven and refrigerator so she won't lose her toys every few minutes?

P.S. I tried getting her a larger toy mouse but she doesn't play with it much, despite spraying catnip on it. Thanks. --Wirbelwindヴィルヴェルヴィント (talk) 01:18, 21 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

1) On the door, a large enough rubber door sweep could handle the triangular gap. Another option (the "professional way") is to take the door off, plane it off even, then build up the metal guard on the floor. The quick and dirty approach is to get one of those fabric "snakes" and stuff it in front of the door each time you close it.
2) Cats do have an uncanny ability to lose their toys under furniture and appliances. Those gaps under the stove and fridge are needed for air circulation and safety, so, if you do cover those gaps, use a grating so air can still pass through. StuRat 06:07, 21 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
They make sweeps which are hinged and spring loaded, and there's just a little button on the door frame which pushes them down when the door is closed. Depending on how much of a triangle you have, that might do it for you. Or just install a regular sweep, at an angle. no? Gzuckier 14:54, 21 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
In Britain we have sweeps that are like a brush, which cope well with uneven gaps/floors. DuncanHill 14:58, 21 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
You can get those here in Texas too. I have them on my outside doors for that exact reason. I think I bought them in Home Depot. SteveBaker 01:56, 22 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Mind you, we don't call them sweeps, draught excluders, that's what we call them. DuncanHill 02:01, 22 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Effects of torque converter

How much of a difference, in terms of performance, is there between a manual and automatic transmission. Assuming Car A with a manual transmission can do 0-60 mph in 8.0 seconds, how much slower would an automatic be? Thanks. Acceptable 02:03, 21 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

We've had this question a couple of times recently - check the archives. SteveBaker 02:44, 21 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

bullet noise,

Im working on a Manga called Ken (with the kanji for 'story' after it, meaning Ken's Story) anyways, i need to know what noise you might here if your hit by a bullet. Nikrocorp 02:35, 21 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Well, most guns have supersonic muzzle velocity - so you won't hear anything until after it hits you. Hence the saying that you won't hear the bullet that kills you. But the noise of the gun firing will sound pretty much like it would if you weren't hit - so aside from that, it's just the noise of the bullet penetrating your body. That's probably pretty quiet. Dunno. SteveBaker 02:48, 21 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Okey, thank for answering my question, nobodys answered my questions in along time, so thanks.Nikrocorp 03:04, 21 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Well, to be fair you only asked one question before (well, you asked the same question twice) - perhaps nobody knew the answer. Generally, people aren't ignoring you and LOTS of people read the questions on the reference desks - so if you don't get an answer the first time, there is no point in re-asking it. SteveBaker 03:11, 21 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
I think I would go with, "Thwuck" 38.112.225.84 06:42, 21 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
I feel some scientific experimentation coming on! Capuchin 09:35, 21 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
That's the OTHER reason for WP:NOR! SteveBaker 13:39, 21 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Quilting skill levels

I need the definitions of the Quilting skill levels. Susan Melgaard

New section created for the OP. In the future, please create a new section for new questions. Splintercellguy 05:47, 21 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Christopher Wayne Hudson

Can someone please confirm if alledged Melbourne CBD gunman Christopher Wayne Hudson is 29 or 31 years old. One newspaper says 29, others say 31? Thanx Lushlaverle Lushlaverle 05:41, 21 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

New section created for the OP. In the future, please create a new section for new questions. Splintercellguy 05:47, 21 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

List of countries by highest point above sea level

Countries by highest point

I’m looking for a list of the world’s countries sorted by the height of each country’s highest point above sea level, which for most countries would be the height of their highest mountain. Do we have such an animal here, or if not, is one available elsewhere? I realise this is quite problematical for the the countries in the Himalayan region where the highest mountains are, because some mountains straddle 2 countries, some borders are disputed, and some formerly autonomous regions are claimed by other countries (eg. Tibet > China). But I’m less interested in the countries that would be at the top of the list, and more interested in where countries down the list would slot in relative to each other. But for argument’s sake, if we deem Everest to belong to Nepal, then Nepal would be No.1 on the list. Country 2 would be Pakistan because K2 lies mainly there. Country 3 would be Tibet, then India, then Bhutan – and so on. I’m basing these first few countries on List of highest mountains. But the list is quickly exhausted because only the top peak in each country counts, and the others are eliminated. Where do I go from here? -- JackofOz 05:54, 21 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

You'll be looking for List of countries by highest point. (Welcome back, btw, Jack) Rockpocket 06:11, 21 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Thanks, Rockpocket. I did search for a list like this but failed. Maybe I should go back to Ref Desk School. -- JackofOz 03:37, 22 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Aer Lingus

When buying a fare from this airline is the fuel surcharge they add on already part of the fare that you get, or do you have do pay this surcharge seperately.--logger 07:21, 21 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Ask them.90.4.244.159 10:14, 21 August 2007 (UTC)DT[reply]

They won't charge you again at the airport, if that's what you mean. They may advertise a rate without taxes and surcharges, but when you go to their website to buy the ticket, the amount that you pay includes all that stuff. Plasticup T/C 22:51, 21 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

What’s a Japanese scallion?

Some surfing on various food blogs leads me to believe that a "Japanese scallion" is also called "negi" or "naganegi" ([22][23][24][25]). However, Japanese scallion is currently a redirect to Allium chinense while negi is currently a redirect to Welsh onion. Would any expert in Japanese cuisine care to clarify this? --Mathew5000 08:55, 21 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

My educated guess is that it's just a regular scallion.. More commonly known as a spring onion.
I think that the welsh onion and scallion articles are quite clear on this. Negi is a kind of welsh onion which is a kind of scallion, basically. Rmhermen 13:50, 21 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
That doesn't answer my question though: is the term "Japanese scallion" synonymous with "negi"? The page for Allium chinense at the USDA’s GRIN Taxonomy says that "Japanese scallion" is a common name for Allium chinense. Is that erroneous? Or is it erroneous to use "Japanese scallion" to mean "negi"? --Mathew5000 20:28, 21 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
It seems that Japanese scallion (Allium chinense) is rakkyo while Japanese bunching onion (Allium fistulosum) is negi.[26] Do you want to believe some blogs or Wikipedia and the USDA? Rmhermen 23:06, 21 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Here's some quick copy and paste, which may help answer your questions.

Kenkyusha's New Japanese-English Dictionary (5th ed.) gives:

  • negi 葱 "a Welsh onion; a spring onion; Allium fistulosum" and cross-references to "wakegi "a scallion; niranegi a leek; and asanegi or ezonegi a chive"
  • naganegi 長葱 "a long variety of Welsh onion; a ciboule; Allium fistulosum"
  • wakegi 分葱, 冬葱 "a Welsh onion; a cibol; shallot"
  • nira 韮 "Chinese chives; Allium tuberosum; A. odorum"
  • ezonegi 蝦夷葱 "chives; Allium schoenoprasum var. schoenoprasum"
  • rakkyō 辣韮 "a Chinese [Japanese] scallion; Allium chinense"

The Japanese Wikipedia, which has botanical nomenclature, gives:

Note that Allium is named negizoku[31] after negi. Keahapana 23:17, 21 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Is it safe to scan and upload my ID?

If I scanned my genuine ID at low resolution but with all the text legible, would that allow bad guys to do anything spooky?

I mean, erasing parts of image like in Image:Israel Passport Page.jpg severely cripples its value as an illustration, but I guess it has been done for some purpose I'm unaware of. --tyomitch 10:46, 21 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

I would recommend against uploading your ID unedited. However, I think the level of editing on the passport is overboard. I would have Photoshopped in false data like #123456789, John Doe, 123 Main St., Anytown, born Jan 1, 1900, etc. --Nricardo 10:49, 21 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
I agree with Nricardo. While it doesn't really "ruin" the picture, it would be a bit more helpful to have false information, rather than sections blacked out. I'd also strongly agree that you should never, ever, upload your real life information contained on a passport. Having your name, address, birth date, social security number, etc. out on the web, would be an invitation for trouble. See Identity theft for details. ArielGold 10:55, 21 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
"would that allow the bad guys to do anything spooky" You know perfectly well that putting your personal details on the web will cause you major problems, so why do you ask?? If you are at a level of competance that you are thinking about uploading a scanned image you surely know.. etc..etc.. (unnecessary remark removed) — Preceding unsigned comment added by Richard Avery (talkcontribs)
Well, a bad guy could use that data, along with a higher resolution image of a sample passport/id/whatever, and create a usable copy of your passport/ID. Once they have one convincing piece of ID they could smooth-talk their way into obtaining duplicate "replacements" of other documents with your name on them. Then they could enter into legal and financial deals in your name. I suppose most people would consider that "spooky" 69.95.50.15 14:38, 21 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

If I edit away the serial number and birth date, substituting bogus numbers, but leave my name and the surrounding text (there's no address there) unedited -- would that be safe enough? I don't think my Photoshop skills are powerful enough to create smooth-looking text in the scanned image. --tyomitch 05:57, 22 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Rocket Artillery vs. Conventional Artillery.

What are the advantages of rocket artillery? I'm always hearing how innacurate they are. --MKnight9989 13:41, 21 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

In short, greater range and greater payload. Also note that for instance the BM-30 allows the use of guided sub-munition, which negates the argument of inaccuracy. The launching also looks way more impressive, but that isn't really an advantage in combat. - Dammit 14:12, 21 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Artillery requires a very heavy gunbarrel and supporting equipment able to absorb the recoil, because all the work of accelerating the projectile is done by the time it leaves the muzzle. With a rocket, the projectile and attached rocket itself does the work of accelerating, over a longer period. The launching device can be much lighter and more portable. Historically, rocket artillery has thus been able to fire many rounds in a short time from, say a truck mounted launch device like the "Stalin organ" or Katyusha. Edison 14:47, 21 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Rocket artilleries can use the Shoot-and-scoot tactics to prevent enermy Counter-battery fire.

Yahoo ID on Flickr

Flickr requires users to make an account using their Yahoo ID--but which part of a Flickr account is the user's Yahoo ID? Is it the name included in the phrases "Photos from [Name]" and [Name]'s photostream" or is it the one in the URL: flickr.com/photos/[Name] -- or neither? And also, am I correct in thinking that a person's Yahoo ID is also their e-mail address, meaning that I email someone at [YahooID]@yahoo.com? --CrazyLegsKC 14:17, 21 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

On the last question, not necessarily. My most commonly used Yahoo ID is similar to my name here on Wikipedia, but you wouldn't be able to email me using that. You can have multiple IDs associated with a single Yahoo account, but only one of them can be the email ID, and it doesn't even have to be the first name that you created with them. On the Flickr question, I think it's neither, but I'm not sure if it's changed since the Yahoo takeover. My Flickr name is the same as my Wikipedia name, which does not directly correspond to any of my Yahoo IDs. It is certainly possible to have a single ID amongst all these things, you just can't make any assumptions about Yahoo ID JoeUser123 being correct for email and/or Flickr. --LarryMac | Talk 15:01, 21 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Okay, I get you. Well then, here's another question: is there any uniform way to contact any given Flickr user? Some have contact information posted on their profile, but others don't, and I'm wondering whether there's like a "private message" or "contact this user" option visible only to members (because I don't have an account, and don't want to make one just to find out). That was the agenda behind my original questions, because I'd like to be able to contact people in case I need to request permission for Wikipedia to use their photos. --CrazyLegsKC 15:23, 21 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
There is an internal email system, which of course is for members only. Flickr users can also leave comments on other user's pictures, I suppose that is limited to signed on users as well. I'm afraid I can't sign on to Flickr from the computer I'm on right now, so I can't check for specifics. --LarryMac | Talk 18:10, 21 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Cool, thanks for letting me know. I did know about the comments feature, and I do know that it's for members only, since under every photo it says "Would you like to comment? Sign up for a free account, or sign in (if you're already a member)." The email system that you mentioned is exactly what I hoped there would be, so I guess I'll sign up for an account now. Thanks again! :) --CrazyLegsKC 18:34, 21 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Brain Algorithms programmed into a computer?

I was watching the Batman &Robin movie from 1997 (George Clooney, Arnold Governator), and at one point, Alfred's neice discovers the Batcave. She stumbles upon this computer with Alfred's "brain algorithms" programmed into it. I have 2 questions: 1. What does that mean? 2. Is that possible? If so, how? If no, why not? Thanks 71.172.69.32 17:14, 21 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Don't believe everything based on a comic book - Marvel and DC are both well known for inventing "comic-book physics", where Superman spinning in a circle can fix any problem. Kuronue | Talk 20:18, 21 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

They were trying to convince you of the idea that Batman was smart enough to program a computer to be a reasonable facsimile of a human being, Alfred in this case, at least enough to understand human speech and respond appropriately. As far as I know, it is beyond our collective capability to create such an advance artificial intelligence, but for fun, check out the article on Jabberwacky. 24.250.32.81 22:04, 21 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

We are getting close (like 20 to 30 years away if Moores' law continues to increase computer complexity) from having computer circuits complex enough that we could simulate every single neuron in a human brain. If we could find a way to scan all of the connections in a real, live brain (no simple matter), there is a reasonable prospect of being able to dump the contents of someone's mind into a computer. SteveBaker 01:52, 22 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Driving the Wrong Way on a Highway

I just read yet another news story of a fatality due to a driver driving the wrong way down the highway. I never understood this. If we exclude impairment (alcohol, drugs, etc.) ... how in the world does anyone drive the wrong way down a highway and not notice it? I have never understood that. I mean ... isn't it completely obvious? For example, all the signs would be "backwards" ... you are travelling in the same direction as the "opposite" side of the highway ... and, duh ... there are cars heading toward you (travelling in the opposite direction, as opposed to the same direction as you). It seems that these drivers often go miles and miles driving like this (so it's not like a quick mistake, they realize it, and turn around quickly). Also, is it not obvious when you first get on the highway, that you are using an exit ramp and not an entrance ramp? Does anyone have any ideas or insights as to how and why drivers make this mistake? And another question ... can't road and highway officials implement some minor / inexpensive precaution (perhaps painting arrows on the road, the way that they paint those solid or broken white lines that divide lanes, etc.)? Seems like an easy enough solution ... how come no precautions are ever undertaken? Any ideas? Thanks. (Joseph A. Spadaro 17:20, 21 August 2007 (UTC))[reply]

Never underestimate the power of stupidity. DuncanHill 17:29, 21 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
My dad once drove on the wrong side of the road. We turned out of this place onto an unlit, wide highway and couldn't even tell we were on the wrong side until we saw some distant headlights coming towards us. They really need somes streetlights up in there. 71.172.69.32 17:37, 21 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Three reasons. A- Suicide Driving. I've heard this isn't very uncommon on Germany's autobahn, as well as some other places. B- International drivers. Which side people are used to driving on, or habit, can override common sense. C- Poor signage. I have personally been in a bus, by a driver who was more than qualified to drive given the fact that they were driving a school bus, that went the wrong way down a one way road because it wasn't clear which way could be driven. --lucid 18:10, 21 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
In North America for the last 35-40 years we've had a "minor / inexpensive precaution [like] the way that they paint those solid or broken white lines that divide lanes": if the yellow line is on your right, you're going the wrong way. But if a driver misses everything else, they can miss that too. And a driver from a country where colored lines have other meanings, like England, proabably isn't going to know they should learn that simple rule. --Anon, August 21, 23:02 (UTC).
Another factor not to underestimate is old age and loss of alertness. Marco polo 18:18, 21 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
In Sydney (Australia) I've seen various signs saying "WRONG WAY - GO BACK!" in very large, bold letters. In some cases they are placed in odd places where it is obviously the wrong direction. In other cases they had specific reason. For example, let's assume you approach a T-junction. There is a road to the left, and to the right, and in fact straight ahead of you, except the road straight ahead of you is suddenly made 1 way against your favour. It is foreseeable that some people that don't pay attention, will in certain cases go straight from a 2-way road, onto a 1-way road. Rfwoolf 18:30, 21 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Example:

|         |           |     
|         |     ↓     |     
|         |           |     
|         |     ↓     |     
|----------------------------------
|         |           |
| →  →  → |           |→   →   →  →
|         |           |
|- - - - -|            - - - - - - 
|         |           |
| ←  ←  ← |            ←   ←   ←  ←
|         |           |
|----------------------------------
|         |  X     ↓  |     
|         |     |     |     
|         |  ↑     ↓  |     
|         |     |     |     
|         |  ↑     ↓  |     
Notes: X = The driver not paying attention. In this example, people drive on the left side of the road. 
Note the one-way at the top.

Rfwoolf 18:30, 21 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

I've just returned from a visit to India (et al.), and I saw many, many examples of cars and other vehicles driving the wrong way on their "highways". They do it quite intentionally - they flash their lights to let you know they're coming, and if you don't move out of their way, you will suffer the consequences. We do live in a very sheltered world in the West. -- JackofOz 03:10, 22 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Nutrition Facts

Why don't alcoholic beverage bottles have nutrition fact labels on them?

Wikiman232 19:28, 21 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

See the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Bureau FAQs question 4. Jon513 20:25, 21 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Gun laws

I was wondering what the gun laws were in UK + Ireland. I know its not very specific but any info is good--Pheonix (talk) 20:50, 21 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

We have an article Gun politics in the United Kingdom. We do not have such an article for Ireland, however. Marco polo 20:58, 21 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
This site offers an overview of the legal situation in Ireland. I don't know how reliable it is. I hasten to add that we can't offer legal advice at Wikipedia. Marco polo 21:03, 21 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Well, it's not really legal advice as I am a minor. I'm just interested as I saw the thing about Mayor Bloomburg suing that guy (can't remember details).--Pheonix (talk) 21:16, 21 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
The fact that you are a minor isn't necessarily relevant. In the many places in the U.S., minors can own guns. I remember a story of a grandfather giving his infant grandchild a shotgun for a baptism gift recently.[32] The 10-month old even got a proper gun registration card. Rmhermen 21:56, 21 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

August 22

Saddam Hussein

How many people did Saddam Hussein have killed during his time as leader of Iraq? 71.31.153.206 01:04, 22 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

The Wikipedia article Human rights in Saddam Hussein's Iraq states "The total number of deaths related to torture and murder during this period are unknown." So... we don't really know. Like many of his ilk, Hussein wasn't all that big on keeping records of everyone he had killed. But that article should give you a good handle on the scope of what went on. - Eron Talk 01:15, 22 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

International Dateline

If you were to live on the International Dateline what would be the time zone ???? Does it even have a time zone ????

Hope you find the answer !!!!

e-mail me as soon as possible !!

-Thank You — Preceding unsigned comment added by Leabard (talkcontribs)

The International Date Line roughly follows the 180 meridian of longitude and falls - more or less - in the middle of a time zone that is 12 hours different from Greenwich Mean Time. The half of the zone to the west of the line is 12 hours ahead of GMT, the half to the east is 12 hours behind. For most of its length the IDL runs through the Pacific Ocean - as far as I know, the only places where 180° crosses a continental land mass are in the far east of Russia and in Antarctica. I don't believe that it crosses any islands.
In places where 180° divides a country - Kiribati, for example - the IDL is bumped east or west so that the entire country falls to one side or the other. If you lived exactly on the IDL, you would have the choice of being either GMT+12 or GMT-12. - Eron Talk 02:52, 22 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Technically, it's not possible to live exactly on the IDL, just as it's not possible to live exactly on the Equator. These lines have no width, but I suppose they have height, so you'd have to be a two-dimensional person to live there. One-dimensional would be even better. Maybe GWB should move there.  :) -- JackofOz 03:04, 22 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Planes can bisect three dimensional objects (like people) so you could indeed straddle the IDL. Of course, that would involve living in the middle of the ocean or (even worse) Siberia. Plasticup T/C 03:12, 22 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
A person can certainly straddle the IDL (just as they can straddle a state or country border). But then their left leg would be in one time zone (on Saturday), and their right leg in another time zone (on Sunday). -- JackofOz 03:32, 22 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Exactly. Now as to the other part of the question, "does the IDL have a time zone", the answer is simply that the IDL is a time zone boundary, just like any other time zone boundary except that the time offset between the two zones is different. Because it has no width, it doesn't need to have its own time zone any more than any other boundary has its own time zone. --Anonymous, August 21, 2007, 03:33 (UTC).

Composition of whiskey

I heard that whiskey is composed of about 50% water. Can anyone confirm/deny this? Some data on the exact composition would be appreciated. Thanks in advance -OOPSIE- 04:29, 22 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Hmm, eerie coincidence... Anybody know just how big the ones used in making it are? Trekphiler 04:44, 22 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Manchester City soccer club and Confederate flag

Today I was watching a soccer match between Manchester City and Manchester United. I noticed something interesting in that one of the fans was displaying a large Confederate battle flag while the song "Blue Moon" was playing and most of the other fans were displaying white and blue striped scarves. I was curious about the Confederate flag, and if this was just a random occurance or this has some significance for the Manchester City club. Thanks. Danthemankhan 05:06, 22 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]