Wikipedia:Reference desk/Miscellaneous

Welcome to the miscellaneous section
of the Wikipedia reference desk.

skip to bottom

Select a section:

• Computing
• Entertainment
• Humanities
• Language
• Mathematics
• Science
• Miscellaneous
• Archives

Want a faster answer?

Main page: Help searching Wikipedia

   

How can I get my question answered?

• Select the section of the desk that best fits the general topic of your question (see the navigation column to the right).
• Post your question to only one section, providing a short header that gives the topic of your question.
• Type '~~~~' (that is, four tilde characters) at the end – this signs and dates your contribution so we know who wrote what and when.
• Don't post personal contact information – it will be removed. Any answers will be provided here.
• Please be as specific as possible, and include all relevant context – the usefulness of answers may depend on the context.
• Note:
  • We don't answer (and may remove) questions that require medical diagnosis or legal advice.
  • We don't answer requests for opinions, predictions or debate.
  • We don't do your homework for you, though we'll help you past the stuck point.
  • We don't conduct original research or provide a free source of ideas, but we'll help you find information you need.

Ready? Ask a new question!

How do I answer a question?

Main page: Wikipedia:Reference desk/Guidelines

• The best answers address the question directly, and back up facts with wikilinks and links to sources. Do not edit others' comments and do not give any medical or legal advice.

See also:

• Teahouse
• Help desk
• Village pump
• Help manual

February 21

Driving during hangover

Is it safe to operate a motor vehicle the day after drinking, whilst suffering from a moderate hangover? Acceptable (talk) 00:01, 21 February 2008 (UTC)

A classic YMMV. --Tagishsimon (talk) 00:06, 21 February 2008 (UTC)

While driving under the influence, the alcohol apparently affects one's sense of distance. While suffering form a hangover, does the same phenomenon exist, or is it merely just a headache? Acceptable (talk) 01:22, 21 February 2008 (UTC)

Without getting into what you consider "moderate" and "safe", you can check out this abstract [1], which basically says what Tagishsimon said only in more words. Some other articles/abstracts I looked at suggested that visual/spatial skills as well as "vigilance" and reaction time could be negatively effected during a hangover, which along with symptoms such as fatigue and diarrhea would arguably make driving less than optimally safe. On the whole it sounds like hangover research is a somewhat neglected area of scientific inquiry... --Azi Like a Fox (talk) 05:44, 21 February 2008 (UTC)

If you're not sure whether you are fit to drive, you are not fit to drive.--Shantavira|^{feed me} 09:12, 21 February 2008 (UTC)

Indeed. If you have to ask, you're not. A bit like torture.... 130.88.140.5 (talk) 10:16, 21 February 2008 (UTC)

No, probably not.[2] Scroll down for the section "And the morning after..." AlmostReadytoFly (talk) 09:40, 21 February 2008 (UTC)

Wikipedia, cannot give Medical or Legal Advice Sfan00 IMG (talk) 12:55, 21 February 2008 (UTC)

That comma, is completely unnecessary. 80.254.147.52 (talk) 14:30, 21 February 2008 (UTC)

It is, but its use reminds me, of William Shatner. 206.252.74.48 (talk) 15:04, 21 February 2008 (UTC)

It's okay to operate these vehicles. Clarityfiend (talk) 20:31, 21 February 2008 (UTC)

If I remember correctly, alcohol does take some time to pass through/be absorbed by your body. When you have a hangover, your body may still be in the midst of processing it, and you may still register a blood/alcohol reading at a level that is illegal in your jurisdiction. I advise caution. Steewi (talk) 01:45, 22 February 2008 (UTC)

circle number 53

Do technical magazines still have "bingo cards", or did the Web make them obsolete? —Tamfang (talk) 09:22, 21 February 2008 (UTC)

The web seems to have pretty much done them in (although I think I saw one a year or two ago).

Atlant (talk) 18:04, 21 February 2008 (UTC)

Map of Ethiopia

How recent is the map on http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethiopia?72.201.46.229 (talk) 13:05, 21 February 2008 (UTC)

Take a look at the image page. There you'll see that the map dates from 1999. Tonywalton ^Talk 13:13, 21 February 2008 (UTC)

Or if that wasn't the map you meant, click on one of the other maps to go it its image page and see what date is given. --Anonymous, 00:28 UTC, February 22, 2008.

Cats in Downing Street

in an earlier question the topicof chief mouser to the cabinet office was brought up. ihad a look over that article and i seemed toimply that edward heath had to leave his cat in downing street. was this the case? 81.96.160.6 (talk) 13:30, 21 February 2008 (UTC)

Don't know about this specific case, but cats are often left behind when one moves. They are very territorial and it can be difficult for them to settle away from their "base". Not impossible, but sometimes difficult.90.0.4.87 (talk) 16:42, 21 February 2008 (UTC)DT

See Humphrey (cat), also Chief mouser to the cabinet office, Sybil (cat), etc etc. -mattbuck (Talk) 09:55, 22 February 2008 (UTC)

Registering a death

What happens if you don't register it within five days? :P :D\=< (talk) 16:48, 21 February 2008 (UTC)

You could dig through the Births and Deaths Registration Act 1953 to find out. It seems that you could be fined according to this, however please bear in mind that Wikipedia does not offer legal advice - that Act may well have been superceded by something else. OPSI is thataway. Tonywalton ^Talk 17:11, 21 February 2008 (UTC)

Section 21(3) Any person who registers any death, or causes any death to be registered, in contravention of this section shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding [level 1 on the standard scale]. (Which is £200, according to Standard scale) --Tagishsimon (talk) 17:15, 21 February 2008 (UTC)

Domestic plumbing question

What is an actuator valve? Does it have another name? If mine is sticking would that account for the fact that I am too warm and the hot water is cold? 91.104.24.142 (talk) 17:18, 21 February 2008 (UTC)

See Thermostatic Radiator Valve? I'd need more information to be of any help troubleshooting, but I could make some stupid jokes right now if you want. --Milkbreath (talk) 17:32, 21 February 2008 (UTC)

No it is not near a radiator. It is near the cistern and has something to do with central heating and hot water - but I am unsure what. 91.104.24.142 (talk) 17:35, 21 February 2008 (UTC)

Could this be related to Solenoid valves? --Onorem♠Dil 17:39, 21 February 2008 (UTC)

Very likely. Thank you. Probably a motorised 2 way zone valve with a defective solenoid switch. 91.104.24.142 (talk) 17:46, 21 February 2008 (UTC)

(ec)Is this a combi boiler (one that has no hot tank and heats both central heating and hot water, also known as "tankless" heater, according to Water heating)? If so, you my be thinking about a diverter valve. This (in essence) "senses" when the hot tap is turned on and diverts cold water from your water main through the boiler to be heated. When the hot tap's off the diverter allows the boiler to heat the central heating loop instead. [3] looks like a useful site. Tonywalton ^Talk 17:50, 21 February 2008 (UTC)

It is a boiler and a high pressure cistern called a Megaflow. 91.104.24.142 (talk) 17:57, 21 February 2008 (UTC)

Banning from a state

How does that work? Can a government ban someone from entering a state? Or a city? Or county? Bellum et Pax (talk) 19:11, 21 February 2008 (UTC)

Most national governments can deny entry to those they think shouldn't be there. Or do you mean state as in one of the United States? DJ Clayworth (talk) 20:14, 21 February 2008 (UTC)

The US maintains a No Fly List / watch list to prevent some tens of thousands of people to enter the USA by plane. Sen. Edward M. Kennedy and Cat Stevens seem to have been two names on the list.

As you are referencing cities, counties and states I assume you are referring to individual states of the USA. I assume that crossing the state boundaries does not require a passport. So it would not be enforceable to ban a traveller on these levels.

If by state you refer to a nation the feasibility is subject to control at border crossings. In the EU you can travel from Portugal to Poland and from Sweden to Sicily without any control of your identity, so a single EU state can not effectively ban a traveller who has crossed the Schengen line.

BTW, the last time I flew from Australia to Europe I landed in Frankfurt, Germany, took a connecting flight to Vienna and sleepily walked through the EU residents gate. So, the system has a few holes.

Ooops, name and address of this poster will be withheld to protect the innocent and to prosecute the nocent. --Cookatoo.ergo.ZooM (talk) 22:37, 21 February 2008 (UTC)

The US Department of State used to forbid USSR citizens to enter certain counties; sometimes because they contain sensitive facilities, sometimes as tit-for-tat for arbitrary travel restrictions imposed by the USSR. I assume this sort of thing still happens. —Tamfang (talk) 23:03, 21 February 2008 (UTC)

Of course a government can ban a person from entering the country, and they should have that power, otherwise what's national defence all about. For example, Australia still bans David Irving, and at one time banned Gerry Adams. One of the few times I agreed with John Howard was when he said "We will decide who comes to this country, and the circumstances in which they come" (how that philosophy has been applied has not always met with my agreement, however). As for bans on entering internal states and cities, that would depend on the country. In Australia, I don't think the states have any power to ban a person from crossing the state border, which is why the borders are entirely unguarded and there is no toll to be paid. I think this comes, paradoxical as it may seem, from the "External affairs" power in the Constitution, which is vested in the Commonwealth government, not the states, and also the constitutional guarantee of "Free trade" between the states. Australian cities certainly can't prevent a person from entering. -- JackofOz (talk) 23:21, 21 February 2008 (UTC)

Expanding on JackofOz: David Irving was (probably still is) banned from entering Austria. He was arrested in Styria, a southern province, in 2005 and served part of a prison sentence.

So I must assume that individual states of the EU can, indeed, ban individuals from entering their territory, even if the person is resident of another EU member state.

Sorry for the disinformation in my posting above. --Cookatoo.ergo.ZooM (talk) 23:49, 21 February 2008 (UTC)

I really meant more how like for example the Simpsons are banned from every state but North Dakota or something. Bellum et Pax (talk) 15:00, 22 February 2008 (UTC)

psst...The Simpsons are fictional ;) I know some places won't let you in if you've been to countries they don't like-an Israeli stamp will kibosh you from most Arab countries and America isn't too keen if you've got Cuban stamps in your passport Lemon martini (talk) 17:48, 22 February 2008 (UTC)

I doubt US border authorities are that concerned about Cuban stamps, since plenty of Canadians vacation in Cuba, and I've never heard of any of them getting harassed for it in the U.S. I was surprised when watching the movie Ray that Ray Charles was banned from performing in Georgia for refusing to play before a segregated audience. I didn't see how someone could be banned from performing in a state. Well, I just Googled it, and it turns out the filmmakers made that part up. He did refuse to play a segregated concert hall, although he made the decision beforehand and didn't show up. But he was never "banned" from playing in Georgia. [4]

A jurisdiction could in effect ban someone by issuing an arrest warrant for the person and allowing him or her to leave before getting arrested. This is presumably what happens in the movies when the judge or sheriff tells someone to leave town. -- Mwalcoff (talk) 12:41, 24 February 2008 (UTC)

PETA scam ?!

Url is cancerproject.org

This sounds like a PETA and/or PETA like scam, since it claims all meat will kill you via cancer and it heavily promotes "vegatarianisim". Sounds like PETA to me, but I want to be sure. 65.173.105.203 (talk) 19:20, 21 February 2008 (UTC)

I don't know why you'd assume that this has anything to do with PETA. Most of the world's hundreds of millions of vegetarians don't have any affiliation with PETA. It looks like The Cancer Project's strongest affiliation is with the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine.[5]

I'm not sure what you mean by "scam." Mainstream organizations like the American Dietetic Association acknowledge that vegetarian diets lower the risk of many kinds of cancer. See Vegetarianism#Health issues. MrRedact (talk) 19:49, 21 February 2008 (UTC)

http://www.networksolutions.com/whois/results.jsp?domain=cancerproject.org

owned by (http://www.pcrm.org/about/). Look at (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Physicians_Committee_for_Responsible_Medicine) in particular the section on 'relationship with PETA' - looks like there is some criticism of it. I have zero (read none, nothing, not an iota, nowt, bugger all, nada, zip) knowledge on either PETA, this firm or anything else - but a quick search around suggests there is a potentially interesting link between the organisations. ny156uk (talk) 20:59, 21 February 2008 (UTC)

There have been allegations of links between PCRM and PETA, mainly through Neal Barnard#Links with animal rights groups. In a 2004 article about connections between animal rights groups, The Observer described PCRM as a "quasi-scientific organisation part-funded by PETA." [6], but PCRM deny any formal links. PCRM is certainly not above using tactics similar to the animal rights groups to get their message out, but in this instance the relationship between health and vegetarianism is not exactly controversial. Rockpocket 21:03, 21 February 2008 (UTC)

OK, it looks like it is possible to establish an indirect relationship between PETA and the Cancer Project. I still wouldn't characterize the Cancer Project as a "scam," though. A scam involves convincing people of a bunch of made-up nonsense that has no basis in reality. In contrast, I don't see any obvious factual errors in the information presented on the Cancer Project's web site. In particular, the information in the "Diet and Cancer Research" section of their web site looks very thoroughly supported by references to the research literature. MrRedact (talk) 22:18, 21 February 2008 (UTC)

I glanced at the page you sent us to. Where does it say "all meat will kill you via cancer"? I didn't see that. But I did notice the Humane Charity Seal of Approval at the bottom. There is a clear conflict of interest there. No matter how good veggies may be for us, I'd prefer to get my information about any cancer-fighting benefits they may have from a group that was exclusively concerned with helping human beings survive, and not just when it doesn't inconvenience animals. The layout of the two sites is similar, too. --Milkbreath (talk) 22:27, 21 February 2008 (UTC)

If I may offer a personal observation. I had some conversations with Neal Barnard and another representative of PCRM while re-writing his article. While, as Milkbreath says, there is clearly potential for COI in their belief that meat = murder, these people are nevertheless health professionals. As long as you remain aware of what their agenda is then you can still use them as a source of information. The people that will tell you they are propagating a scam are the Center for Consumer Freedom, not exactly the most reliable of organisations themselves. The truth is, as is usually the case, somewhere in between the extremes. Rockpocket 22:38, 21 February 2008 (UTC)

I normally successfully resist the temptation to engage in debate on the reference desks, but this time I don't want silence to imply consent. Give me a break. Animal-rights people can't do science. Have they thoroughly studied the potential cancer-fighting properties of eating live monkey brains on the half-skull or swallowing viable chimpanzee embryos? I doubt it. Give me another break, please. Mark me down as a neanderthal or whatever, and don't even try to convert me, thanks. --Milkbreath (talk) 22:52, 21 February 2008 (UTC)

I'm no supporter of AR (Hell, the PCRM people spent most of the time accusing me of working for the CCF!), but the facts are the facts. Barnard may be an advocate, but he is also a bona fide clinician has published work in respectable, peer reviewed journals demonstrating the benefits of a meat free diet. There are literally hundreds of studies showing the health benefits of a vegetarian diet [7], including lower cancer risks. You are free to believe whatever you like, but with respect to the original question, dismissing the message because you don't like some of the messengers is not a good strategy. Rockpocket 23:12, 21 February 2008 (UTC)

I can't believe you're getting me to respond. You're good. I don't know the messengers, and I'd probably like them if I was sitting next to them on a plane. And I'm sure we should all eat a more Japanese diet or whatever. All I'm saying is that I reject out of hand any "science" performed by people who have an agenda that overrides the search for truth. --Milkbreath (talk) 00:52, 22 February 2008 (UTC)

That is understandable. But few modern scientists are in a position where the search for truth is their only and over-riding concern. Agendas come in all sorts of forms, be it to win a Nobel Prize, make sure their funding renewed, get their paper out before the R01 renewal deadline, stoke their considerable ego, get their name in the media, get laid, get tenure, get their pet theory accepted by the scientific community while making sure that shit in Cambridge (you know, the one whose data is at complete odds with yours) is humiliated and will have to go and work in industry. I would probably trust the guy whose cards are on the table, over the smug bastard who claims to do it for the sake of mankind. I'm saying this as one of the smug bastards who say they do it for the sake of mankind. Rockpocket 02:34, 22 February 2008 (UTC)

Excellent riposte, as far as it goes. All you bastards bear watching, then, or next thing you know you'll be genetically modifying me. (I guess you've seen the movie Life Story in which Watson is so busy drooling over Rosalind Franklin that he misses the bit about the water.) --Milkbreath (talk) 12:57, 22 February 2008 (UTC)

Yup, you've got it right there. And yes, science is a excellent backdrop for human drama that is sadly under-represented in the arts. Life Story is about as good as it gets. Watson is one of my heroes. He is a brilliant, brilliant man, but oh so flawed. Rockpocket 07:06, 24 February 2008 (UTC)

Cost of Ownership for PHEV

I have read through the pages of the Pirus Plug-in hybrid electric vehicle and others. While MPG is stated, no where is the a comparison made to the dollar cost (in elecricity) to gain the additional milage, compaired to the dollar cost of the gasoline that would have otherwise been purchased to achive this. I interested in a $/mi cost, based on an average KWh electic cost, and an average gasoline per gallon cost.thanks 69.109.231.177 (talk) 21:09, 21 February 2008 (UTC)

See Plug-in hybrid#Operating costs. MrRedact (talk) 22:26, 21 February 2008 (UTC)

Lemon for sinuses

I heard a rumour that lemons and oranges can be used to treat congested sinuses due to their acidic content. Is it true? If so, how does it work? Acceptable (talk) 22:04, 21 February 2008 (UTC)

Both oranges and lemons are rich in vitamin C, which is good for colds. Vranak (talk) 23:31, 21 February 2008 (UTC)

Actually, there's not a lot of evidence that it helps colds. --Panoptik (talk) 23:53, 21 February 2008 (UTC)

I did check our Wikipedia article before posting -- if you are confident in your assertion you may want to update it. Vranak (talk) 19:40, 22 February 2008 (UTC)

I asked on these pages about the "acidic" element of these fruits affecting my arthritus and was firmly slapped down by someone saying they were not acidic! Ah, cant win 'em all.--Johnluckie (talk) 07:22, 22 February 2008 (UTC)

With a lot of experience in the health field I cannot see any way in which oranges and/or lemons can be beneficial to congested sinuses. Many people in the south of Spain eat copious amounts of oranges in the winter and spring and this does not appear to affect the amount of blocked sinuses. And well said Panoptik, vitamin C is useless in the treatment of the symptoms of a cold. This must hold the record for the most widely held medical myth. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Richard Avery (talk • contribs) 12:38, 22 February 2008 (UTC)

contrary to the above, I used to get a cold every time anyone else got one, then I started to drink a litre of acidic fruit juice per week, and now have not had a cold or flu or been sick in any way in about 3 years. I put down to Vit C completely. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 12.191.136.3 (talk) 13:36, 22 February 2008 (UTC)

Fairly recent research suggests that regular Vitamin C supplements do little to prevent colds, although a large dose at the start of the cold may possibly help. AlmostReadytoFly (talk) 14:46, 22 February 2008 (UTC)

Hot lemon drinks make your head feel clearer when you are drinking them. I think that is why so many cold and flu remedies come in this form. The hot lemon gives a feeling of quick relief before the drugs could possibly work. -- Q Chris (talk) 12:56, 27 February 2008 (UTC)

"Military" lingo.

Not sure if this goes here, in Language, or Humanities... anyway, does anyone know if this has any truth to it? I'm doubtful, because this dictionary strikes me as a more reliable source, and I can't find "Roger", "Copy", or "Wilco". :/ I've heard it in movies and games, read it in books and magazines, and written it all over the web (!), but the official dictionary doesn't have it... Does anyone have any knowledge of this topic? Thanks in advance. · AndonicO ^Hail! 23:27, 21 February 2008 (UTC)

The Oxford English Dictionary supports the dyerlabs webpage assertions (at least for the world wilco), but states that it is military slang. The DoD dictionary may be official, but it lacks breadth; it is not a dictionary of record, as the OED is, and apparently omits slang. What en excellent word slang is, apropos nothing. --Tagishsimon (talk) 23:40, 21 February 2008 (UTC)

Ah, slang, of course... Thanks very much, Tagishsimon. · AndonicO ^Hail! 23:46, 21 February 2008 (UTC)

FWIW, "read" means you heard the transmission, "copy" suggests you understand the significance of what you've been told. "Readback" is when you repeat an instruction back to the controller to show that you heard it correctly (or not, as the case may be). None of this is strictly military terminology; it's used by civilian pilots too. FiggyBee (talk) 02:33, 22 February 2008 (UTC)

Yes it's more radio-lingo than military-lingo. --antilived^{T | C | G} 03:35, 22 February 2008 (UTC)

See procedure word. -- Mwalcoff (talk) 03:51, 22 February 2008 (UTC)

Some of these terms have certainly been widely used in aviation and space exploration. The New York Times June 6, 1944 in "A handy glossary of invasion terms" said that "Roger" meant message understood and "Wilco" meant will comply. A quick search did not show these terms in a two-way radio context before World War 2. Yahoo!Answer [8] says that "Roger" is from an obsolete phonetic alphabet representing the letter "R" to stand for message Recieved, while "Wilco" means "Will comply." The Charleroi Mail (Pennsylvania) of February 12, 1946, page 8 (via Newspaperarchive.com) in the article "Broadcasting" encouraged police to adopt these terms by starting to use transmission such as "Hello Desk, Roger on your transmission, Wilco and out." The article says this "short, snappy" method of transmission was jointly developed by American and British signal corps men, to save time and batteries while getting messages across quicker. The article said these terms were not yet in common use by police. From the first Moon landing (1969) [9] "107:54:09 Armstrong: Roger. Go ahead, Houston." "107:54:11 McCandless: Roger, Tranquility. We're coming up in about 6 minutes on GET of 108. If you'd like to start your event timer, we can give you a hack at 108:00. Over." "107:54:27 Armstrong: Wilco (meaning 'Will comply')." Then from shuttle Columbia's last flight (2003)[10]: "COLUMBIA: We copy, Houston....COLUMBIA: Roger that, Houston....CAIN: Copy....." and the last transmission of Columbia: "COLUMBIA (Commander Rick Husband): 'Roger, buh.'" An example from avaition is United Airlines Flight 232 which crash landed in 1989 [11]: "Sioux City: United 232 heavy, roger, standby ??" and after a suggestion from the other end, "Sioux City: United 232 heavy, wilco, sir, and if you can continue that left turn, to about a 220 heading, sir, that'll take you right to the airport." Edison (talk) 06:24, 22 February 2008 (UTC)

Wow, lot of research there. Thanks, that's helpful. · AndonicO ^Hail! 11:40, 22 February 2008 (UTC)

February 22

House Arrest

What would incline a judge to put someone on house arrest? By that, I mean, what do the "criminals" do (specific things) in order to be put on it. Would popping someones tires and pretty much damaging their car be one? Thanks in advance! (also, If you could list some things that a person would have had to do in order to be put on it, that'd be great.) —Preceding unsigned comment added by 74.211.8.100 (talk) 01:07, 22 February 2008 (UTC)

Depends on jurisdiction. See House arrest and, for the UK, Home Detention Curfew and Electronic tagging. Couldn't speak for the USA. --Tagishsimon (talk) 01:36, 22 February 2008 (UTC)

Yeah, I looked at the house arrest article, but It didn't have what I'm looking for. Thanks anyway —Preceding unsigned comment added by 74.211.8.100 (talk) 03:21, 22 February 2008 (UTC)

I think usually it's like if you're a teenager or a non-violent normal person who gets caught up in something that happens to be criminal, that sort of thing.. you get sentenced to prison as the law requires, but the judge commutes your sentence to house arrest :D\=< (talk) 04:36, 22 February 2008 (UTC)

Or if someone can be shown to be too sick or infirm to be in jail as illustrated by Uncle Junior in The Sopranos. Another, this time in Myanmar, the house arrest of Aung San Suu Kyi for political reasons. Julia Rossi (talk) 05:15, 22 February 2008 (UTC)

Original TMNT being 80s

Does the original Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles cartoon count as an 80s show? Heegoop, 22 February 2008 (UTC)

In the sense that it was produced and first broadcast in the 1980s, yes. --Tagishsimon (talk) 01:32, 22 February 2008 (UTC)

Sleep schedule

If my sleep schedule is out of whack, would staying up for two days help me or not? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 199.98.20.59 (talk) 06:29, 22 February 2008 (UTC)

I just tried something similar last week. I ended up sleeping for 15 hours straight and being even more screwed up —Preceding unsigned comment added by 128.101.53.141 (talk) 08:32, 22 February 2008 (UTC)

Not likely. They say for every hour sleep you lose you should sleep 2 hours (no idea if that is true or just the adage of a lazy person!). Anyhoo the best way to get yourself back to your 'normal' sleep pattern is to get yourself back on that pattern. So go back to sleeping at the time you would normally/want to longer-term. It'll be difficult to start with but will soon get back to normal. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 194.221.133.226 (talk) 14:52, 22 February 2008 (UTC)

Light_therapy#Jet_lag might be helpful. --Sean 15:36, 22 February 2008 (UTC)

Typical advice given for sorting out sleep schedules is usually termed sleep hygiene. That article should help give you some ideas, but specifically where it says Timing

   * Try to arise at the same time every day.
   * Try to maintain a consistent bedtime, but go to bed only when sleepy.
   * Any nap should be short and earlier than 3 p.m.

The most important initial part of getting your sleep schedule back is getting up at the time you should; falling asleep at the right time should follow. As anyone who has fallen into bad sleep schedules knows, it isn't as simple as just going to bed at the right time, as you don't initially fall asleep at that time. Unless you really need to sort the sleep schedule out fast (as in, by Sunday) I wouldn't recommend missing a whole night's sleep. 79.74.0.57 (talk) 17:19, 22 February 2008 (UTC)

This is original research but here goes... I work nights. The schedule is four nights on, three off, three on, four off. So that allows me a few days to sort out my sleep schedule and be a "regular" day person. I've found that when I get home in the morning from my last day of the week, it's best to get about 3-4 hours of sleep then force myself to get up. Usually this is around 2 in the afternoon. I'll then go about my normal day life with my family, have dinner, watch a movie, and then go to sleep at a reasonable hour. By that point I'm tired enough from having had only a little sleep that day that I will fall asleep rather quickly. I'll sleep the whole night through, and then be back on schedule for the rest of the "daytime" world. Dismas|^(talk) 17:31, 22 February 2008 (UTC)

"Try to maintain a consistent bedtime, but go to bed only when sleepy" is flawed and contradictory advice: the problem for many people who have problematic sleep schedules is precisely that they don't get sleepy at consistent times. —Lowellian (reply) 23:02, 26 February 2008 (UTC)

british standards institute

I am wondering if anyone knows anything about bs 381. I am writing a report about coding of materials in their supply form and need to know about it. i ask the question here because i cannot find anything out on the internet about bs 381.

Can anyone help me.

thanks

J L P. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 172.206.144.151 (talk) 16:06, 22 February 2008 (UTC)

Does this help? BS381 Fribbler (talk) 19:21, 22 February 2008 (UTC)

And if you just need to know about it, this might help. But Fribbler's is the better link if you want to get an idea of what the colour codes are. 79.74.0.57 (talk) 21:53, 22 February 2008 (UTC)

Bluestocking

What is the above? as taken from a users page... Yes, I am a bluestocking and a feminist Thanks, and do you speak Russian? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 12.191.136.3 (talk) 16:13, 22 February 2008 (UTC)

See Bluestocking. Also, from the article references "...bluestocking itself is getting to be rather an old-fashioned pejorative description for an intellectual woman..." AlmostReadytoFly (talk) 16:29, 22 February 2008 (UTC)

LSD

Is it possible to create the above substance at home. eg plastique can be made using bleech, boiled, then frozen strained then the crystals microwaved, crushed and mixed with bluetack. or Napalm is polytyrene left to disolve in petrol. How can one make LSD, just curious. Thanks —Preceding unsigned comment added by 12.191.136.2 (talk) 16:20, 22 February 2008 (UTC)

According our article on the subject, "Manufacturing LSD requires laboratory equipment and experience in the field of organic chemistry. It takes two or three days to produce 30 to 100 grams of pure compound." So, unlikely, unless you happen to live in a lab. It is also, apparently, sensitive to UV light and oxygen - perhaps not the kind of thing you could whip up in your kitchen. I suppose you could eat some mouldy rye instead (please don't). --Kateshortforbob 18:31, 22 February 2008 (UTC)

If it was easy to make LSD at home, The Anarchist Cookbook would presumably provide a recipe, which it doesn't (I have a copy). For one thing, it's much more difficult to obtain ergotamine tartrate, the precursor from which LSD is usually made, than it is to obtain the precursors of other illegal drugs such as methamphetamine. Also, LSD synthesis is a difficult process to master. For these reasons, the DEA estimates that there are probably less than a dozen chemists who manufacture nearly all of the LSD available in the US.[12] That being said, a Google search on "LSD synthesis" does turn up hits, such as [13]. There's also a book by Uncle Fester called Practical LSD Manufacture.[14] MrRedact (talk) 18:43, 22 February 2008 (UTC)

Cookbook

Who wrote the anarchists cookbook, widly distributed in the early 90's? as refered to in the above question. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 12.191.136.2 (talk) 16:23, 22 February 2008 (UTC)

See The Anarchist Cookbook --Ouzo (talk) 16:31, 22 February 2008 (UTC)

There are two works with very similar names floating around. The more common one on the Internet, usually called "The Anarchists cookbook", is a collection of files of uncertain origin, covering such subjects as breaking and entering, computer hacking, phone phreaking, and explosives manufacture, usually with instructions that won't work, will get you caught, or will get you killed. The other, titled "The Anarchist Cookbook", is the 1971 book mentioned in the above article. --Carnildo (talk) 00:25, 23 February 2008 (UTC)

Is there that much demand for cooked anarchist? Clarityfiend (talk) 03:26, 23 February 2008 (UTC)

Yes, I'll Have the Emma Goldman flambe a la mode. Cryo921 (talk) 03:05, 26 February 2008 (UTC)

Scanning Problems on my Epson Stylus Photo RX 520

Sorry if I should have asked this on the Computing Desk but here goes anyways. I bought the above model so that I could mainly scan in my largish collection of hard photo's and retain them in My Pictures on my PC. Generally I can do that with few problems but boy, when it wants to play up, the Epson sure knows how to. It previews the photo and then begins to scan proper, and just before the green progress bar reaches the end, the scanner rejects it and zeroes the procedure. I can reduce the dpi and the compression but the result, if at all successful, is undersize and grainy. But if I persist several times more, it takes the unreduced photo without problems. Is it me? The Photo? The Scanner? The PC? All the above???? Thanks81.145.240.57 (talk) 19:17, 22 February 2008 (UTC)

Talk to the manufacturer? Take it back to the shop? Julia Rossi (talk) 23:25, 23 February 2008 (UTC)

February 23

Female-dominated occupations

Are there any jobs that aren't male dominated other than nurses and secretaries? Not counting crap jobs like working at a clothing store or something.--Charmpiano (talk) 00:14, 23 February 2008 (UTC)

In todays modern society, men and women can get any job they want as long as they have the appropriate know how, the willingness and desire, not to mention the tenasity and dinamic aproach of wanting to work and make someone else rich. We are all equal and can do any job we want. Many Nurses are men and many secrateries too, not to mention(or to mention if you will)many builders being women and many miners too. However, to answer you question to a more complete degree,a seemstres, not a [taylor]]. Prostitute, physiotherepist, house wife, which is work too! perhaps wiki has a list, I would be interested to see that. other links of interest inclued. List of banned bookscheers and beers. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 86.18.34.51 (talk) 00:35, 23 February 2008 (UTC)

A few more female-dominated occupations off the top of my head are teaching (especially of young children), gynecology, obstetrics, day care provider, modeling, and porn. MrRedact (talk) 00:40, 23 February 2008 (UTC)

Textbook editing. Marco polo (talk) 01:19, 23 February 2008 (UTC)

A few more occupations consisting of more women than men: travel agent, librarian, veterinarian, human resources administrator, occupational therapist, accounting/bookkeeping, legal services.

There are some female-dominated entrepreneurial occupations that might be counted as a “crap job” if you’re at the entry level, but I don’t think ought to count as a crap job if you own the business. Some of these are beauty salon owner, nail salon owner, dry cleaner, gift shop owner, sewing store owner, florist.

I’m getting all of the above in this post, paraphrasing at times, from a U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics document.[ http://www.bls.gov/cps/wlf-table14-2007.pdf] See [15] for other related documents about women in the workforce.

I disagree that dry cleaner owners are largely women. At least in the parts of California that I'm familiar with, dry cleaners tend to be owned by immigrant families, typically from South Asia or Southeast Asia. Corvus cornix_talk 23:55, 23 February 2008 (UTC)

Well, according to the above referenced Bureau of Labor Statistics document, 60.6% of people employed in the “dry cleaning and laundry services” industry are women. I agree with your observation about dry cleaning businesses frequently being owned by Asian immigrants, but being an Asian immigrant and being a woman aren’t mutually exclusive things to be. Charmpiano’s question was about female-dominated occupations in general, not necessarily about occupations dominated by women whose ancestors came from Europe generations ago. MrRedact (talk) 01:38, 24 February 2008 (UTC)

I said families. They tend to be owned by husbands and wives, not just women. And employed doesn't mean owned. And I resent your implication of racism. Corvus cornix_talk 02:33, 24 February 2008 (UTC)

Sorry. MrRedact (talk) 04:17, 24 February 2008 (UTC)

I'm not actually sure about veterinarian per se. 79.5% of the workforce in the veterinary services industry is female as per the above document, but I don't know what fraction of those are veterinarians vs. veterinary technicians. MrRedact (talk) 01:22, 23 February 2008 (UTC)

I read something a while back that women are going to veterinary school at much higher rates than men. Corvus cornix_talk 23:55, 23 February 2008 (UTC)

Men make very inferior mother superiors. Clarityfiend (talk) 03:20, 23 February 2008 (UTC)

In Russia doctors have been historically female (I read this somewhere in Wikipedia) and, at least in my country, most medicine students are now women. I'd say that nowadays only the engineering and computer science fields are clearly male-dominated (damn...). --Taraborn (talk) 09:52, 23 February 2008 (UTC)

Dominatrixes tend to dominate in their field. Edison (talk) 20:29, 23 February 2008 (UTC)

The whole library industry, and plant tissue technicians. Really.Polypipe Wrangler (talk) 21:39, 28 February 2008 (UTC)

Soul Reaver

A bit of a weird one, I want to know if there in an actual weapon which is wielded like the Soul Reaver in the game Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver i.e. a sword where the hilt is attached to the forearm and the blade extends in line with the arm. Thanks for any answers, DTWATKINS (talk) 01:04, 23 February 2008 (UTC)

make one. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 86.18.34.51 (talk) 02:09, 23 February 2008 (UTC)

I'm not an expert, but it doesn't strikes me as an effective weapon. You lose the ability to use your wrist to direct the sword and have to move your whole arm instead. Also, I'd expect the impact of striking the opponent's weapon and/or shield would be not be cushioned by your wrist's flexibility. Clarityfiend (talk) 03:18, 23 February 2008 (UTC)

(edit conflict) Can't say for sure, obviously, but I doubt it. What if you forgot you had it on and went to pick your nose? You'd cut your own head off. Also, it would be less maneuverable that way than if you were holding it like a normal sword, and you couldn't drop it and use that hand for something else if the situation demanded it. Either you'd have to wear it all the time, or put it on for fighting, and it would take longer to get into action than a regular sword. The mounting part would constitute extra weight. I see nothing but drawbacks and no advantage to such a weapon. --Milkbreath (talk) 03:24, 23 February 2008 (UTC)

Using swords that limit your movements was one of the reasons (among other ways that restricted maneuverability) Boudica's campaign struggled and er, failed.[16]. I'm with Milkbreath about trying to find your hanky. Julia Rossi (talk) 07:59, 23 February 2008 (UTC)

You wouldn't be thinking of a spring-loaded sliding type Switchblade knife? except it's not a sword and operates with a button. Julia Rossi (talk) 08:19, 23 February 2008 (UTC)

It sounds similar to the "orchids" described in Samuel Delany's book Dhalgren, which are also fictional. Steewi (talk) 04:12, 25 February 2008 (UTC)

pushing it further, see also the weapons used in Frisky Dingo episode where Killface fights Xander Crews in lieu of the scheduled killer rabbit bout (you had to be there); the weapons used are a helmet with three kitchen knives sticking out, and another with a cleaver attached. not really good weapons, for the reasons described above. Gzuckier (talk) 18:54, 26 February 2008 (UTC)

Welfare

Hi, I am going to graduate from college soon; and I am thinking about going on welfare. Can anyone familiar with it tell me what is the procedure for going on welfare in California? Thanks. --131.215.220.112 (talk) 02:42, 23 February 2008 (UTC)

The California Department of Social Services web site should have all the information that you'll need as well as office locations or telephone numbers. Dismas|^(talk) 03:06, 23 February 2008 (UTC)

Welfare in California is handled at the county level. To investigate further, go to the appropriate county human services agency on this list. There’s also a county welfare department list here. Also, here’s how to apply for food stamps in California. MrRedact (talk) 03:17, 23 February 2008 (UTC)

Why don't you get a job, you {expletives self-censored}?—Nricardo (talk) 04:02, 23 February 2008 (UTC)

nokia cheat code!

I already asked this question but i got insufficient answers...may be silly answers...i need correct, precise answers for my question now! do any one know any cheat codes for other games than bounce(787898)...i need exactly the codes...not the links for that codes! Wikipedia is such a website that it keep up to it's expectations & wikipedians also..so plz let me know the codes directly...no further comments plz >>(requst only) Temuzion (talk) 06:14, 23 February 2008 (UTC)

I suggest you check GameFAQs, as you've got what seems to be a very general question (similar to "please list all codes for GBA games") and you can sort by platform. Nobody here is obligated to help you so I'd be a bit more conciliatory in your attitude as well. - Carbon ^[Nyan?] 11:13, 23 February 2008 (UTC)

U suggested GameFAQs, but u r not clear whether the FAQs are to be referred from Wikipedia or from google or any other search engine! Ok! I hope u'll be more clear by the next time u edit this section! Try to understand me. I'm very eager to know the codes. I hope I'll get the sure answer by the next communication! Temuzion (talk) 04:01, 25 February 2008 (UTC)

Carbon is talking about the website http://www.gamefaqs.com. —Lowellian (reply) 22:58, 26 February 2008 (UTC)

I should add that if you search on wikipedia, or Google, or Live Search or Yahoo or AltaVista for 'gamefaqs' or 'GameFAQs' you get the same website as the first result, so instead of complaining about a lack of clarity, you may have found it helpful to just search yourself... Nil Einne (talk) 13:12, 28 February 2008 (UTC)

transcribers

am a 21 year old IT student and i just got hired in a call centre to do transcribing.am a fast typer(not thaaat fast) 21 wpm.i have no previous experience but i still landed the interview i wanted to know if transcribing is a skill or a gift.can one read books and online tutorials and become clever in it or is it just practice or if u dont have it u just dont have it? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 212.49.92.218 (talk) 06:53, 23 February 2008 (UTC)

Not wishing to be too harsh but 21wpm is not really very fast. Transcribing appears to be similar to being an audio-typist, whereby you are listening to audio/video and typing the words that are said. It appears that speeds of around 60wpm+ are desired for audio-typing. I average around 80-90wpm myself with limited formal training. If you learn to touch-type you can improve that speed significantly. Additionally there are a lot of online resources that should help you. It is certainly a skill that is within the abilities of most people - though as with anything that uses your hands some people's hands will be better suited to it than others (I would expect long-thin fingers are best). ny156uk (talk) 10:29, 23 February 2008 (UTC)

You definitely must improve your typing speed (original poster's). --Taraborn (talk) 18:07, 23 February 2008 (UTC)

You might also want to practice using correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling. (Said in all seriousness - your boss at the call centre would probably not appreciate you accidentally using 'u' instead of 'you' when you are formally transcribing something.) -- 128.104.112.47 (talk) 21:42, 23 February 2008 (UTC)

It's a skill, not a gift. Anyone can learn to type fast and accurately with practice. Surely there are some people who will be naturally better at it than others, but it's not a very hard skill in any case, it just takes practice so that your brain learns better how to move your hands and fingers without having to consciously think about the motor skills involved. --98.217.18.109 (talk) 00:34, 24 February 2008 (UTC)

Memory

I am a person who analyses the human mind power and memory power through non medical methods based on observation and hypothesis.I recently discovered that I am losing my own mind power by this over analysis.My college grades are sucking please help me. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 210.210.52.154 (talk) 07:44, 23 February 2008 (UTC)

Hmm... if you're asking for medical advice, sorry but we can't give it. If your college grades have dropped, I guess the most probable reason is that now you're not studying as much as you used to. -Taraborn (talk) 09:55, 23 February 2008 (UTC)

or the work has increased in complexity/difficulty as you have progressed through the course and you are finding that good grades are harder to achieve. The best way to improve your grades is: A) Focus on achieving the aims of the subject of any essays/assignments you write B) Study more frequently and C) Make notes, read your notes. Writing down/summarizing what you read in a short paragraph seems to help a lot of people remember things more. ny156uk (talk) 10:22, 23 February 2008 (UTC)

I'm sorry - what was the question? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 81.145.240.230 (talk) 12:27, 23 February 2008 (UTC)

This is simply called paralysis due to analysis.Dont think I am being rude but I am telling this as a friend.I am concerned about your future because you have a bright one ahead.You have a taste and curiosity for learning things apply it to your main stream academics.It will be difficult and unsurmountable but you will do it.You have that blaze in yourself.All the best:-):-) —Preceding unsigned comment added by 210.214.104.112 (talk) 09:41, 25 February 2008 (UTC)

Huh? --Taraborn (talk) 17:28, 26 February 2008 (UTC)

social science

where can i get cbse solved papers of social science of cbse-class X 2008 ? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 59.92.245.143 (talk) 13:38, 23 February 2008 (UTC)

You can get some 2008 CBSE class X sample papers here. MrRedact (talk) 16:03, 23 February 2008 (UTC)

Modern dockers

From stevedore '"Docker" is the usual general term used in the UK for a man who loads or unloads ships and performs various other jobs required at a sea port.'

What are the particular names of the jobs though? I guess one of them would be 'crane operator', and another could be 'driver'. What other specialized jobs are there? Is 'lineman' a job in a port? Keria (talk) 16:19, 23 February 2008 (UTC)

Yes, Lineman, (takes and secures securing lines from the vessel). Straddle Driver, (drives the straddle carrier that takes containers 'off' the crane driver to the storage area on the dockside). Must be more though!--Johnluckie (talk) 19:42, 23 February 2008 (UTC)

..and I have thought of more.Lots of specialist drivers like Fork Lift drivers, Port bus drivers taking crew and passengers to port gates, (generally walking not allowed in dock areas, unsafe. There will be Security Police at the dock gates and often just circling the port area.

Vehicle drivers, taking cars or commercial vehicles from RoRo vessels to Quality Inspectors, before driving to car park, and returning to ship by their dedicated bus. On the middle east there will be a dedicated Police Man or Security Officer manning the bottom of the gangway at all times. Drug Inspection Officers with Dogs will check each vessel before it's departure, esp. in the US and South America. When loading bananas ships take on specialist packers who work non stop for a long as it takes to fill the vessel. Agents for the shipping company will be on the dockside, with offices off or on dock. Immigration Officers too. Yet more probably !--Johnluckie (talk) 20:13, 23 February 2008 (UTC) —Preceding unsigned comment added by Johnluckie (talk • contribs) 20:12, 23 February 2008 (UTC)

It varies depending on what kind of cargo and on the location. Sometimes, things will be very chaotic/informal, as in this photo. The U.S. Navy enumerates a number of functions (but not actual job titles) in this document. Some of the items are "operation of barge derricks, gantries, cranes, forklifts, and other materiel handling equipment," "loading and unloading railcars and trucks; packing, repacking, crating, warehousing, and storage of cargo moving through the terminal; and, stuffing and unstuffing containers," " maintenance of barge derricks, gantries, and fixed cranes," and "egregation of reclaimable lumber from dunnage removed from ships, railcars, and trucks; removal of nails; evening of lengths; inspection; and, return of the lumber to inventory for reuse."

In all, I don't think specialized job titles are used on the shore-side as much as they are onboard ships, but that's just the view from the other side of the gangway. Cheers. Haus^Talk 22:08, 23 February 2008 (UTC)

The long defunct Federated Ship Painters and Dockers Union included these tasks: "mostly work associated with chipping, painting, scrubbing, cleaning, working in every size of tanks, cleaning boilers, docking and undocking vessels, and rigging work" – is it still the case that painters are included with dockers? Julia Rossi (talk) 07:21, 25 February 2008 (UTC)

Pronounciation

I want to put a reference on how to pronounce a village name on a page - but am not sure how to go about it - help please!! The name is Navenby and it is prounced like the nave of a church - rather than like a navvie. But I don't know the correct little character thingys to use. --Seahamlass 17:22, 23 February 2008 (UTC)

The people at the linguistics reference desk are brilliant about this sort of thing, and Help:Pronunciation has some good info. But I will try to help. I suggest /ˈneɪvənbiː/ if we're using IPA.--The Fat Man Who Never Came Back (talk) 17:31, 23 February 2008 (UTC)

By the way, the "IPA" to which The Fat Man referred is the International Phonetic Alphabet - a standard way of writing pronunciations which is used frequently on Wikipedia. -- 128.104.112.47 (talk) 21:37, 23 February 2008 (UTC)

Heliolithic

I have heard references to the Heliolithic period of prehistory, but cannot find anything about it. What is this period of prehistory, and what defines it from the Neolithic? 144.32.126.16 (talk) 18:45, 23 February 2008 (UTC)

"Heliolithic" is not a period of prehistory but a type of culture characterised by "megaliths and sun worship". You might be thinking of "paleolithic". --Milkbreath (talk) 19:18, 23 February 2008 (UTC)

You may have run across something describing the theory of Elliot Smith published in Ancient Egyptians and their Influence upon the Civilization of Europe (1911) which posited a copper and megalith culture which spread from Egypt throughout the Mediterranean, Asia, and the Americas in the tenth century BC.—eric 20:52, 23 February 2008 (UTC)

Thanks!! 144.32.126.15 (talk) 21:52, 23 February 2008 (UTC)

Measuring TV viewership

I often hear that, for example, the World Cup final attracted X-million viewers, or that this year's Superbowl had Y-million viewers, etc. How are these numbers obtained? Are they true counts or just estimates? Thanks. -- Slacker (talk) 20:47, 23 February 2008 (UTC)

Only a very small part of the viewers is measured, the rest is just statistics. See Nielsen ratings#Measuring ratings for more information on how it is done. - Dammit (talk) 20:53, 23 February 2008 (UTC)

I know what Nielsen ratings are, but I'm asking about world-wide viewership (like the World Cup final or the Olympics). Is it done the same way as with Nielsen ratings in the US? -- Slacker (talk) 03:10, 24 February 2008 (UTC)

In the past, they've just totaled the number with TVs in all of the countries getting the game, which is how they wound up with ridiculous numbers of Super Bowl viewers (like 1 billion). Any estimates of international viewership are generally guesses and should be taken with many grains of salt. See [17]. -- Mwalcoff (talk) 12:34, 24 February 2008 (UTC)

Second-hand smoke and pets

If second hand smoke is so deadly, how many pets of smokers have died of lung cancer? Certainly they would be the first to go.69.248.11.6 (talk) 21:57, 23 February 2008 (UTC)raa

Interesting question. I would imagine that pets would not receive the brunt of the second-hand smoke because they're breathing air that is down by our feet instead of up in the middle of the room where the smoke is blown. Useight (talk) 22:31, 23 February 2008 (UTC)

It's also the case that most pets don't live all that long. Lung cancer takes quite a long time to develop, especially from a source like second-hand smoke. Most humans don't develop it until at least the middle of their life (three or four decades); that's considerably longer than the life of most house pets. Pets of course do get cancer quite frequently (my own dog is a cancer survivor, though not lung cancer), and I'd be surprised if as detailed studies had been made as to the sources of those as have been done in humans. --98.217.18.109 (talk) 00:31, 24 February 2008 (UTC)

Smoke from cigarettes actually tends to settle towards the ground (and everything in between). My friend's father is a chain smoker and although he keeps his PC on the floor it smells strongly like cigarette smoke when he brings it to a non-smoking house (mine) and turns it on. Their dog is also literally insane (she barks at one spot of the wall all day unless you pet her), but I doubt it is the smoke that made her that way. However, she does seem to have breathing problems, but nothing like cancer. 206.252.74.48 (talk) 14:20, 25 February 2008 (UTC)

It's been shown that lymphoma in cats is associated with second-hand smoke.[18] --Joelmills (talk) 01:51, 24 February 2008 (UTC)

NaturalNews.com recently had an article on secondhand smoke and pets: www.naturalnews.com/022721.html Guroadrunner (talk) 18:09, 27 February 2008 (UTC)

Google earth etc and governments

Have any governments or other political bodeis complained about satelite (apologies on poor spelling) images being made widely available through things like Google earth or Wikimapia? Surely all of those satelite photos of military and government installations would annoy them? Surely it compromises state security etc 144.32.126.15 (talk) 22:08, 23 February 2008 (UTC)

Yes, various governments have complained. The US government has had some areas blacked out or blurred over (many nuclear power plants, for example, show up as blurry, though I'm fairly sure that's a state-by-state sort of issue, not a federal one); I believe the Indian government has also complained. See Google_Earth#National_security_and_privacy_issues. As for whether it compromises security, sometimes yes, sometimes no, sometimes it depends who you ask. Usually if there's valuable information that can be learned from the top of a building then it is not hard to get anyway to someone who really wants it, certainly not out of bounds for a rival intelligence service. --98.217.18.109 (talk) 00:24, 24 February 2008 (UTC)

Dick Cheney's house is blurred out, according to You Don't Know Dick! -mattbuck (Talk) 00:53, 24 February 2008 (UTC)

I don't have access to Google Earth right now, but the last time I looked, all of Israel was missing -- just solid gray. BrainyBabe (talk) 22:48, 24 February 2008 (UTC)

Not from where I'm looking (GE 4.2.0198.2451 (beta)/Mac OS 10.4.11/IP address in the UK). Israel's there, along with the Gaza strip. Tonywalton ^Talk 22:59, 24 February 2008 (UTC)

The last time I looked was in early December, when there was a spike in bombing from the Gaza Strip. Bombers were said to be using GE, and I would imagine that Israel lodged a protest, either with the company or the US government. BrainyBabe (talk) 06:23, 25 February 2008 (UTC)

The Economist[19] gives a nice run-down from governments to being caught scaling a fence by the Google van, to Barbra Streisand suing to keep her 17 roofs private. Julia Rossi (talk) 22:45, 25 February 2008 (UTC)

February 24

Mind maps

Tony Buzan says for mind mapping you should write only one word per branch so does that mean if i want to remember the definition of 'adaptations' do i have to draw like 10 branches??! branch-inherited-branch-characteristics-branch-that... —Preceding unsigned comment added by 118.90.13.129 (talk) 00:12, 24 February 2008 (UTC)

Choose what works for you. -mattbuck (Talk) 00:52, 24 February 2008 (UTC)

The mind map is a tool, TB does not prescribe. If he says "one word per line" that is only to stress the need for brevity. A major purpose of the mind map is to help one to bring areas of knowledge down into easily remembered (or recalled) chunks. With each mind map different they are far easier to remember than pages of "linear notes" that all look the same.86.197.144.142 (talk) 15:26, 25 February 2008 (UTC)petitmichel

I'd avoid mind maps like the plague. I had a teacher at A-level who was somewhat under Buzan's spell and gave us the hard sell on why we should use mind maps. I was literally the only one in the class who rebelled and just took noted and crammed in the usual way. I got an A in that subject (despite not actually being a hugely outstanding student); nobody else in the class got above C - and some of these were real high-flyers who were expected to get straight As too; some even missed out on places at top universities as a result. So as far as I'm concerned, Buzan is a charlatan whose methods fucked up a lot of my friends' chances. -88.109.139.29 (talk) 15:18, 26 February 2008 (UTC)

What is the second largest ethnic group?

Arabs?

66.91.224.203 (talk) 03:28, 24 February 2008 (UTC)

No, the second largest wouldn't be Arabs, since there are more Han Chinese (1137 million) and more Bengalis (380 million) than there are Arabs (300-350 million). Han Chinese is the largest ethnic group, as you presumably already know. You could hunt through the List of ethnic groups to see if there's an ethnic group whose size is in between that of the Han Chinese and that of the Bengalis. Of course, the whole concept of ethnic group is often vague and hard to define (hence the range for Arabs), so there might not wind up being a clear-cut answer as to which ethnic group is the second largest. MrRedact (talk) 05:06, 24 February 2008 (UTC)

Bicentennial Quarter Mint Marks

I understand there were 3 mints for the bicentennial quarters; Denver, Philadelphia and West Point. I have a quarter with no mint mark. Would this have been from West Point? Thanks. ScottsinnScottsinn (talk) 07:04, 24 February 2008 (UTC)

The article mint mark suggests that "Most coins of the Philadelphia Mint earlier than 1980 are unmarked", and the West Point Mint article says the W mark wasn't used until 1983. Do Philadelphia bicentennial quarters have a P mark? FiggyBee (talk) 07:45, 24 February 2008 (UTC)

Yes, one of the quarters I have does have a P. Scottsinn12.36.102.163 (talk) 08:24, 24 February 2008 (UTC)

Let me rephrase that, I BELIEVE it has a P. I just recieved 2 quarters from a friend and one had no mintmark. The other was worn and the mintmark looked like a P. However, it could have been a D. Scottsinn12.36.102.163 (talk) 08:27, 24 February 2008 (UTC)

The consensus from a Google search is that unmarked quarters of that era are from Philly. This answer includes a reference if you want to follow up further. — Lomn 15:59, 24 February 2008 (UTC)

transcriber

is there a standard way one can identify how many wpm he/she types?i got some sw online some put me at 36 wpm others 27 wpm others 32 wpm.am not disputing anything but how does one type 90wpm?is it humanly possible.which is the best online software i can download that isnt sooo big because my internet connection is limited.a max of around 10 -15 mb size.lets say one is a really good learner can i jump from 30 wpm to 50 wpm?ill practice every day..

2.any help with this riddle?i was born a new yorker from birth.whom am i and who gave birth to me?—Preceding unsigned comment added by 212.49.84.139 (talk) 10:44, 24 February 2008 (UTC)

As far as typing speeds go, you'll gradually get faster as you practice - 90 is certainly possible, but most semi-professional typists average around 60. Definitely learn to touch-type if you can't already (it's much faster if you don't have to look at the keyboard!). You might also want to look into the Dvorak keyboard layout if you want to get really fast. No idea on the riddle, sorry. FiggyBee (talk) 11:29, 24 February 2008 (UTC)

My typing speed went from about 30 to 120 wpm in less than a year (i think), mainly through chattering like this. Variation in measured speed is to be expected; you might be stiffer one day, etc. —Tamfang (talk) 01:51, 25 February 2008 (UTC)

The riddle looks wrong - "whom am I" is grammatically incorrect, unless it's some weird clue. Please check it's 100% accurate, or you could be giving us red herrings. --Dweller (talk) 11:52, 24 February 2008 (UTC)

"i was born a new yorker from birth" troubles me greatly. -- JackofOz (talk) 22:58, 24 February 2008 (UTC)

There is some information on speed in the article on words per minute. The article on touch typing features some external links to tutors and lessons. ---Sluzzelin talk 12:25, 24 February 2008 (UTC)

With a riddle question that vague the answer is probably something silly like, The Statue of Liberty... - Azi Like a Fox (talk) 05:55, 25 February 2008 (UTC)

The Statue of Liberty was "born" in France. --LarryMac | Talk 14:13, 25 February 2008 (UTC)

Even could be an Warhol associate - James Slattery was born in New york and reborn as Candy Darling the transvestite again in New York. He gave birth to his new self. Julia Rossi (talk) 06:59, 25 February 2008 (UTC)

United Nations resolutions and policy statements

I would like to know where and how I can find the policy statements and resolutions by African countries at the U.N conferences.Sabby212.49.74.69 (talk) 14:07, 24 February 2008 (UTC)

The Boys' in Blue

two people have a fight and one pounds the other for about 5 seconds and then it is over because one person just wanted to prove they are dominent. should one phone the police?the vicim of the assault should file a charde of assault yes, but should i? as a witnesss, after the fact? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 86.18.34.51 (talk) 14:36, 24 February 2008 (UTC)

sorry, just to add, it was two gilrs, one much much bigger than the other. the big one physically fights her boyfriend too, but the boys in blue usually take him away. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 86.18.34.51 (talk) 14:38, 24 February 2008 (UTC)

It is difficult to report small fights to the police and expect much, if you feel that one (or both) parties in the fight were particularly in danger/will be in danger in the future then yes you should say, but I wouldn't expect much. If every fight that occurred was reported to the police they would be extremely busy. having said this the girl who fights her boyfriends sounds like she needs help - and so may he. Husband beaters (or boyfriend in this case) are among the least reported crimes due to many reasons (embarrassment, lack of belief etc. etc.) ny156uk (talk) 16:52, 24 February 2008 (UTC)

This is Australia but when I reported someone being dangerously threatened and harassed in traffic (repeatedly), the police told me the report would have to come from the victim. After that, they want witnesses. As Ny156uk says, it's difficult when the people who need help don't get it (in this case the puncher and the punched). If you know the boyfriend you might get the chance to suggest something concrete, like a helpline and let him take it from there. Cheers Julia Rossi (talk) 06:52, 25 February 2008 (UTC)

you might get a breach of the peace charge or disturbing the peace or whatever; the judgment of the officers would play the major part. like if you were the mayor and there were two homeless people is different than if you were a homeless person and it was two police. Gzuckier (talk) 18:59, 26 February 2008 (UTC)

Marquesites

I would llike to know what marquesites are? They were used in jewelry in the 1920s and 1930s, but I don't think they are stones. They look like little diamonds in the jewelry. What are they? How are they made?Judyshai (talk) 15:14, 24 February 2008 (UTC)

The OED gives it as an alt spelling of marcasite, a form of iron sulphide, although in jewellery marcasite normally refers to pyrite (aka fool's gold), a different form of iron sulphide. More recently marcasite is used denote cut steel or white metal, but in the twenties it was probably pyrite. Algebraist 17:15, 24 February 2008 (UTC)

Perhaps you mean marquise cut diamonds? See in our article Diamond cut "Modified brilliants" under "Fancy cuts".--Eriastrum (talk) 19:23, 24 February 2008 (UTC)

can you teach a cat to kill?

just wonderin'. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 84.66.155.90 (talk) 15:54, 24 February 2008 (UTC)

Presumably you mean teach it to kill humans? They seem pretty good at catching mice/small birds if my friends' cats are anything to go by. I suspect you could 'teach' it to 'attack' other people but seeing as they are small and not exactly the most powerful animals it would be mostly really bad scratching/bites that would likely occur, which perhaps might lead to the victim's death but i wouldn't say they'd be a good choice of assassin. ny156uk (talk) 16:37, 24 February 2008 (UTC)

Perhaps the OP is asking whether they can be trained to be better mousers. To chase and capture small animals such as birds and mice is instinctual, and I would guess that if they are not following their instinct they might be encouraged by using a piece of string to play with them. But older cats seem to tire of this quite quickly. If they are being fed, and don't get out much, I suspect they become lazy.--Shantavira|^{feed me} 18:03, 24 February 2008 (UTC)

I have no sources to back me up, but I believe that large predatory cats used as guard animals were trained to attack people. They also used large cats in the Colosseum, but I don't know if they were specifically trained or not. Sifaka ^talk 23:54, 24 February 2008 (UTC)

Robin Hobb's Tawny Man trilogy includes hunting cats in the fictional world, but I don't know if there's a real world equivalent. Steewi (talk) 04:20, 25 February 2008 (UTC)

The only feasible way to have a killing kitty would be to have a pet tiger (surprisingly easy to obtain, actually, in the US; all you need is a permit). Otherwise, you'll be hard-pressed to have a slaying Siamese. bibliomaniac15 04:29, 25 February 2008 (UTC)

Cover the victim in string, add a ton of cats, and presto! you have the ancient Chinese execution method: Death by a thousand cats. - Azi Like a Fox (talk) 05:40, 25 February 2008 (UTC)

I like that one – Azi you are firing! Another alternative is to ask the one you want your cat to attack, to try giving it a bath. Julia Rossi (talk) 07:10, 25 February 2008 (UTC)

The manner in which animals are trained during their early weeks and months affects their behavior. Mama cats teach their little ones what to hunt and to a lesser extent how to hunt it. Much of the pouncing and killing behavior is instinctual, but what to unleash it on is due to their experience. If a cat grows up in the home around what would normally be be prey, such as birds or small mammals, he will be less likely to attack and kill it than if the cat were raised as a mouser living in a barn. If a kitten is roughhoused and taught to "fight" with humans, it will be much more likely to scratch and bite humans. Adult feral animals, which were not exposed to humans in their early period, would be very difficult to tame later. An animal which was trained to attack humans might be more dangerous than one which had never been exposed to humans, although a feral one would likely run away if approached and attack if cornered. Years ago I read an account of a tomcat which killed its owner by severing the jugular vein with his claws. I do not have a link to the story. See "Animals in Translation : Using the Mysteries of Autism to Decode Animal Behavior" by Temple Grandin. Edison (talk) 15:46, 26 February 2008 (UTC)

Japanese versus western cars, philosophies

Whereas western cars in the, say, seventies, were made big, and with quite big engines, with considerable torque and Hp, Japanese cars were not even comparable. Sport cars rarely had more than 100Hp, and a torque of around 80/5500ish. Generalizing here, of course, but European and American cars were delivering triple these numbers. Was there no place in Japanese culture for the feeling of freedom, that seems to be associated with going fast in big cars? 81.93.102.185 (talk) 16:18, 24 February 2008 (UTC)

I think you are mistaken. There are a lot of Japanese sports cars from the 70s/80s. Have a look at (http://www.triplezoom.com/news/publish/printer_149.shtml) for a bit about Mazda. Look at this (http://www.businessweek.com/autos/content/may2006/bw20060523_579325.htm?chan=autos_autos+index+page) for a bit on big luxury cars from Japan. If you look at sports cars such as the Mazda Rx-7 that's been in production since 1978, look at the Mitsubishi Lancer (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mitsubishi_Lancer_1600_GSR) and Nissan Silvia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nissan_Silvia) or the Skyline GT-R (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nissan_Skyline_GT-R#1st_generation_.281969-1972.29) or even just the skyline (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nissan_Skyline). It is more a case of the cars from America/European are 'bigger' cultural icons in your country/many countries rather than the Japanese cars, which have a good history of sports vehicles of varying sizes/powers. ny156uk (talk) 16:49, 24 February 2008 (UTC)

(strange edit conflict) I can't see that I'm mistaken from these links, but I may have worded myself oddly. To phrase the question better: Why are muscle cars a rather important part of western car industry, whereas in Japan, engines have traditionally been rather small? The Jensen cars, Corvettes, perhaps also the Cobra and similar cars - these don't seem to have their proper equivalents on the Japanese market. I am aware of the brands you've brought up, and how rally versions have been made for a long time in Japan, but the raw engine output still does not compare. I am wondering if economical limitations are to blame, if it has something to do with factories, or if perhaps just a difference in culture has been what has caused this difference. Necessity and efficiency, fuel consumption - these are all possible explanations in my head. 81.93.102.185 (talk) 17:26, 24 February 2008 (UTC)

Taxation, actually. In much of the world, including Japan, cars are taxed based upon their displacement; in Japan, the annual registration fee for a car under 1000cc is about $275, while for a six liter muscle car sorta thing it would be well over $1000. --jpgordon^∇∆∇∆ 18:13, 24 February 2008 (UTC)

Four obvious causes would be:

• Japan imported and imports all oil, typically from the Middle East. There are now some reports that the country sits on enormous oil reserves, but - if correct - this was not known then.
• Population density is 337/km2 (vs. 31/km2 in the USA). 75% of the area is not suitable for industry or housing. Of course, Japan consists of 3,000 islands and even the largest one is not even the size of California.
• The primary market of the then (mid 1950s onward) emerging automotive industry were people who until then could not afford a car. It would have been a strategic decision to manufacture small cars for a large market instead of large cars for a small (and competitive) market.
• jp has already mentioned the associated costs of running high powered cars. --Cookatoo.ergo.ZooM (talk) 18:41, 24 February 2008 (UTC)

Undent - thank you, excellent answers as always :) 213.161.190.228 (talk) 07:20, 25 February 2008 (UTC)

Linkedin

I have a little flag next to my current position on my linkedin profile. Does that mean someone flagged that position meaning they think it's incorrect or not true or something else? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 76.230.145.66 (talk) 16:24, 24 February 2008 (UTC)

I believe this is Wikipedia:Help_desk material. :) 81.93.102.185 (talk) 17:30, 24 February 2008 (UTC)

It isn't (it's not about Wikipedia). The computing desk might be more likely to give you an answer. Algebraist 17:33, 24 February 2008 (UTC)

Ah, here I confused linkedin as being something completely and utterly different. :) 81.93.102.185 (talk) 17:47, 24 February 2008 (UTC)

Honduran Tribe

I traveled on a humanitarian mission to Honduras, and I cannot remember what the name of the tribe we visited was called. They are in the Yoro Department, and villages include La Laguna, Mataderos, La Fortuna, and Calichal among others. What is the tribe called? —Preceding unsigned comment added by Omnipotence407 (talk • contribs) 18:54, 24 February 2008 (UTC)

I know nothing about Honduras, but our article shows a tribe called the Tolupan or Jicaque living in the Department of Yoro. --Milkbreath (talk) 01:27, 25 February 2008 (UTC)

english assignment

in my assingnment i am reading Death Of a Salesman my teacher gave me an assignment and it says

How is the American Dream characteristics of American ideals and philosophy? What are the differneces between the materialistics and the idealistic values associated with the American dream ............?

CAN SOMEONE PLZZ HELP ME I DONT GET IT !!!!!! —Preceding unsigned comment added by Andreac03 (talk • contribs) 23:31, 24 February 2008 (UTC)

I have not read the book, but a good way to begin to answer your question might be to figure out what the terms American dream, materialism, and idealism are. You probably talked about it in class. If not asking your teacher would be a good idea. You may want to take a look at American dream, and Death of a Salesman.Sifaka ^talk 23:48, 24 February 2008 (UTC)

Well, tell us what you do get, and we can go from there. It's hard to know where to begin, and there is a ton and a half to be said about it. You could write two books on the theme you've provided. Also, the Humanities Desk would be a better place to ask this question. --Milkbreath (talk) 01:29, 25 February 2008 (UTC)

Ocean Water

Why exactly is ocean water salty? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 76.230.145.66 (talk) 23:52, 24 February 2008 (UTC)

See the thread on January 16, same RD (reference desk), question 1.8, where user Saukkomies explains this quite clearly.

PS: Sorry, I am too daft to make a reference to the section. --Cookatoo.ergo.ZooM (talk) 00:14, 25 February 2008 (UTC)

It's at Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Science/2008 January 16#Salty water. Algebraist 00:20, 25 February 2008 (UTC)

Undiscovered Land

When was the last piece of undiscovered land found on the earth? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 76.230.145.66 (talk) 23:53, 24 February 2008 (UTC)

Nitpicking, maybe, but the last pieces are not yet discovered.

The land masses beneath the ice shields of Greenland and Antarctica are approximately "known", but not precisely. Both of these are depressed by the massive weight of the ice and much of the land is now below sea level. In Greenland it seems to be an enormous interior lake, on the South Pole there are thousands of lakes.

Even if the ice were to liquify quite rapidly, the land would presumably not pop out of the ocean overnight but would require hundreds of years to gradually rise. --Cookatoo.ergo.ZooM (talk) 00:36, 25 February 2008 (UTC)

Ok, Then I was thinking more along the lines of this. Islands...How did we know when we discovered them all. Granted i know many are uninhabited, but when did we know there were no more to discover. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 76.230.145.66 (talk) 02:52, 25 February 2008 (UTC)

Antarctica is likely the last major landmass for people to visit. As recently as 1976 a satellite discovered an island. Then there are new islands which were discovered recently because they only formed recently. Perhaps the answer to "how did we know there is no more" is something like "we have been getting gradually convinced in the recent decades as analysis of satellite images has gotten ever closer to 100% coverage". Weregerbil (talk) 08:31, 25 February 2008 (UTC)

Given that Landsat Island (discovered in 1976) was the first, last, and only island discovered by satellite, it seems likely that there's not much left to discover. The latest satellite of the Landsat program, Landsat 7, has a spatial resolution of of 15 meters and from polar orbit covers the entire Earth's surface in about 16 days. Any features left to be discovered would likely be smaller than that size (about fifty feet across, for American readers). How small can a body of land be and still 'count' for the purposes of this question? TenOfAllTrades(talk) 19:31, 25 February 2008 (UTC)

February 25

Dropping gun in movies

Frequently in movies, when a hitman-type character kills their target, they drop their gun. Why do they do that? I'm guessing it is so that the murder weapon won't be found on them later on. But can't they still track down the owner of the gun through the serial number, fingerprints, etc...? And what if they require further of the gun's service? Acceptable (talk) 00:15, 25 February 2008 (UTC)

Presumably they've 1. filed off the serial number, 2. were wearing gloves, and 3. have other guns. The reason you abandon a gun is so that if you do get caught at some point in the future, they won't be able to match the ballistics of the gun to the bullet that was involved in a murder. Holding on to a "hot" gun like that is more dangerous than just getting rid of it, the logic would go. --98.217.18.109 (talk) 00:17, 25 February 2008 (UTC)

Don't bother messing with the serial number; just make sure you use a stolen gun. Here in America, there's a huge trade in guns that are, ahem, "no longer in the possession of their rightful owners" so tracing those guns back to the last legal owner is of very little use at all.

Atlant (talk) 14:01, 25 February 2008 (UTC)

Use a stolen gun? But that would be wrong. --Trovatore (talk) 20:00, 25 February 2008 (UTC)

Dan Akroyd's character in Grosse Pointe Blank did this a lot, to the point that I don't think he reloaded once during the movie. You can remove your own fingerprints permanently, by burning, without too much trouble (or you can just wear gloves), and you can acquire a gun through means that make tracing it more difficult than would technically be legal. After you've shot someone, or even just shot at someone, the gun becomes almost a liability. Especially if you've prepared properly by bringing extra guns, you drop the old ones without fear of them tracking you down, draw the new/loaded ones if necessary, and vanish swiftly away. Being able to disappear after killing is as important as sneaking invisibly to the target for the hitman who expects a lengthy career. (You ever think that it's weird that if you had a headache and asked for advice, it would be illegal to tell you to eat aspirin, but if you're wondering about the finer points of being an assassin...?) Faithfully, Deltopia (talk) 01:41, 25 February 2008 (UTC)

As far as I know burning does not remove fingerprints. At least not permanently. They’ll grow back. Skin transplants would work though. (Yeah, I know. That’s funny about medical advice. I suppose if the OP asked “How should I avoid the law as a hetman” that would fall under legal advice. . .) --S.dedalus (talk) 04:36, 25 February 2008 (UTC)

I think Deltopia was talking about the fingerprints on the firearm and not the skin on the fingers themselves. Admiral Norton ^(talk) 17:10, 25 February 2008 (UTC)

Nope, I was talking about the skin on the fingers themselves. I've seen in at least two or three movies where the bad guy, usually a soulless psychopath, would set his fingers down on the bottom of a hot frying pan and leave them for a few seconds to burn the prints off the skin. After a few days healing, you just have a mass of blistering, scarring tissue; the whorls and all are on the top layers of the skin that you burn off. Again, as a disclaimer: DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME. You risk enormous pain, infections, amputations, and (if dedalus is correct) frustration when the prints grow right back. Faithfully, Deltopia (talk) 19:58, 25 February 2008 (UTC)

Apparently the burns have to be REALLY bad to permanently remove the fingerprints. John Dillinger tried to do it in the 30s but the prints grew back.[20] It appears that criminals still try it though and it may work temporarily. --S.dedalus (talk) 23:04, 25 February 2008 (UTC)

Fingerprints certainly grow back from abrasion. When I go square-rig sailing, I usually come back with no prints on my hands - they feel very smooth (though not soft). After about a week, though, the fingerprint scanner I use every morning at work starts recognising me again :-). However, I'm not convinced that Dedalus is right about them coming back from burning - scar tissue is different to normal skin, and I wouldn't expect it to have prints. So a minor burn that healed fully wouldn't "work", but something deep enough to scar would do the job. 81.187.153.190 (talk) 22:16, 25 February 2008 (UTC)

For the record, I don't think it would be "illegal" to tell someone to eat aspirin for a headache, just against site policy...oh wait, that could be construed as legal advice, disregard please..."Leave the gun, take the cannoli." - Azi Like a Fox (talk) 05:20, 25 February 2008 (UTC)

Well, people don't reload much in movies anyway. Incidentally when I did a pistol training course I was advised to rotate magazines at every opportunity so that they're about equally full, rather than sticking with one magazine until it runs out. As Callahan said, what with all the excitement you're liable to lose count. —Tamfang (talk) 01:45, 25 February 2008 (UTC)

(Original research warning) I have done various horrible things to my fingertips (all by accident) and can report the following. Burning them horribly by gripping a hot test tube caused the flesh to cook, but I still have fingerprints on those fingers where the pads have regrown. I can't guarantee that the print is the same as it was before, though. On the other hand, slicing through the pad with a sharp knife (cutting vegetables) has left a hairline scar across which the lines do not match perfectly. Puncturing with a lino cutting tool has left a wider scar with no lines in it. A lifetime of minor burns from generally picking up hot things does not seem to have left any discernible traces. SaundersW (talk) 10:32, 26 February 2008 (UTC)

Working on a stock car in NASCAR during a Red Flag

What penalties are given to drivers & their teams if they work on a car during a Red Flag in a NASCAR race? —Preceding unsigned comment added by Fitzinct (talk • contribs) 00:47, 25 February 2008 (UTC)

I was wondering the same thing. It must be pretty harsh if teams with wrecked cars still wouldn't do it yesterday, probably at least disqualification. It'd be a lot easier to answer this if NASCAR made their rule book public, but they don't want to do that for whatever reason. Recury (talk) 17:44, 25 February 2008 (UTC)

G Edward Griffin

Over the last couple days wikipedia has completely removed the entry on G Edward Griffin, the author most notable for providing an expose into the true history and machinations of the Federal Reserve in the book “The Creature from Jekyll Island.” What happened to freedom based information? —Preceding unsigned comment added by LKPAUL (talk • contribs) 01:58, 25 February 2008 (UTC)

Hmmm... This isn't the right place for this but looking at the AFD [[21]] it would appear that there was no consesus to delete it whatsoever. Could somebody look into this? Cryo921 (talk) 08:30, 25 February 2008 (UTC)

The misleading bit is, AFD discussions are not votes but struggles for consensus, and the question under consideration is not, "Do people want this article here?" but "Is this article acceptable under wikipedia guidelines?" WP guidelines include Verifiability and Notability. The discussion in that AFD makes it look like Griffin is a self-published niche author, although fairly popular with a rabid fanbase, and he doesn't seem to have any reliable sources that can be referenced to write an article about him.

Because wikipedia is a Tertiary source, even if you and I know something to be completely true (like, "The sun rises in the morning,"), we can't publish that based on our own observations. We need to find reliable, third-party press on the sun and reference that -- for instance, we should cite a Solar System Weekly magazine article that discusses what time of day the sun rises. It's ridiculous in such simple cases as that, but it's absolutely necessary to prevent people who "just know" things that are wrong from entering them into the encyclopedia. Hope this explains part of the confusion. Faithfully, Deltopia (talk) 10:48, 25 February 2008 (UTC)

If the above explanation doesn't satisfy you, LKPAUL, you should discuss it with the deleting admin in the first instance. Wikipedia:Deletion_review is there as well, if you are unable to resolve the deletion by discussing it with the deleting admin. Please note that as Cryo921 says above, this is the wrong place for this. Tonywalton ^Talk 10:58, 25 February 2008 (UTC)

Upon further review i found that all the keep votes on the article were by users that had few to no edits outside that subject. However had that not been the case than i would have supported a deletion review because there was nothing resembling a consensus in the votes. 13 keep to 7 delete. However the fact that they all appear to be accounts created just for that purpose then deleting it was the correct choice in my opinion. Cryo921 (talk) 20:34, 25 February 2008 (UTC)

Where can I get copies of photos of George Naipier and sons?

Greetings

There is an extensive article about George Napier, his marriage to Lady Sarah Lennox and their children on Wikipedia. This article includes photo/postcard photos.

Where can I get a copy of the photos of Colonel George Napier, and his sons: General Sir Charles James, L-General Sir George Thomas, and L-General Sir William Francis Patrick?

Will you also please tell me : what is Wikipedia's source of these photos/postcard photos?

Thea54 (talk) 02:13, 25 February 2008 (UTC) Thea54

Source of Green Label for Food Imported From South Africa

The accompanying image shows a "nature's friend" label on the packaging of a tetra packed juice product, which I recently purchased, imported from South Africa. As a consumer, I would like to know from which organization/certification body this label might represent. I would also like to know whether there are any other sources which use similar pictures of ladybird on 'green' labels for food & beverages?

• Caption1
  Caption1

According to this site [22], in regards to representing anything real or tangible, it is a meaningless label. Basically put there with the hope that you, as a consumer, take it at face value and don't check out its bona fides. No guilt-free juice for you!! - Azi Like a Fox (talk) 05:00, 25 February 2008 (UTC)

Am I the only one to feel saddened that such a nice little sticker means nothing? I mean, it has a little ladybird on it, who doesn't like ladybirds? 206.252.74.48 (talk) 20:41, 25 February 2008 (UTC)

WHERE CAN I FIND INFORMATION ON MUSHROOMS IN POPULAR CULTURE

I CHECKED THE MUSHROOM ARTICLE BUT THERE WAS NOTHING THERE. thAnks.--Goon Noot (talk) 02:45, 25 February 2008 (UTC)

Without knowing more precisely what you are looking for, that's a bit tricky, but try looking through the lists of topics here (what articles link to our mushroom article) and here (articles that start with the word "mushroom").--Shantavira|^{feed me} 13:59, 25 February 2008 (UTC)

Snapped string

i snapped the string of a certain guitar (which DOESN'T belong to my sister or anyone famous) and i need to fix it. I don't know much about guitars, but the string snapped is the lightest string. It seems i tuned it a little too much, and it snapped. Can i fix it with the same string? --Randoman412 (talk) 02:56, 25 February 2008 (UTC)

Umm, no, you need to replace the string. --S.dedalus (talk) 03:31, 25 February 2008 (UTC)

(edit conflict) You have to get a new string of the same kind. Take the broken one to a music store. A lot of times when they break it means they're old, and you should replace them all now. There is a certain way to attach them to the tuning pegs, so look at the way they're on there now, or get somebody to show you. --Milkbreath (talk) 03:34, 25 February 2008 (UTC)

I would disagree with the above two replies. It depends where it has broken. Strings usually break at the bridge (music) or the nut. If it has broken at the bridge, you have a chance. Only if the remaining length of string is shorter than the neck plus the fixing length at at each end, does the string strictly need to be replaced.

If it is a nylon stringed guitar, then these are tied on at the bridge and wound around the rollers on the tuning head. Therefore, if you have enough length after unwinding it from the tuner, it can be reused.

On a steel stringed guitar, the top string (E) is a single filament, and depending on the remaining length, you could try to repair it by reattaching the 'ball' the the new end by wrapping the wire around it then twisting it to make a secure connection (in the manner you see at the broken end). —Preceding unsigned comment added by 79.76.211.150 (talk) 04:15, 25 February 2008 (UTC)

Sounds like you and I both know nothing about guitars. I'd suggest you just take the whole dang guitar to a music shop and throw yourself on their mercy (ie ask them to replace the dang thing). No idea where you live, but in my experience, experts are often only too happy to protect things they love by stopping an ignoramus from making a bad thing worse. --Dweller (talk) 14:41, 25 February 2008 (UTC)

Hear hear! take it to a music store and ask them to fix it! You cannot reuse strings as said above, it will never sound right! As a musician I am always willing to change some one elses strings, just for the love of holding a guitar. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 12.191.136.2 (talk) 15:06, 25 February 2008 (UTC)

The question was: can i fix it with the same string? The answer is plainly yes (subject to the provisos I gave) as I described above. The questions about how it will sound or if it will play in tune were NOT asked and therefore should only be given incidental (if any) consideration. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 79.76.200.140 (talk) 15:17, 25 February 2008 (UTC)

(Rolls eyes). If you can't play it, then it's not really "fixed" by any realistic definition, is it? Anyway, as said, take it to a music store, they'll replace it for you, it'll cost you a dollar or so. Strings are cheap. --98.217.18.109 (talk) 15:20, 25 February 2008 (UTC)

Since nobody else has mentioned it: If you play the guitar, I'd suggest you learn to restring a guitar. A quick google search will turn up a bunch of how-to's, and you'll be that much more self-sufficient and knowledgeable about your instrument. If you're not comfortable learning it on your own, then ask the folks at the aforementioned shop to show you how. jeffjon (talk) 15:28, 25 February 2008 (UTC)

(Shakes head) Sorry to be pedantic. He didnt say he wanted to play it. He said it was not his guitar and he had broken the top string by over stretching it. He now wants to fix the string so the person he borrowed it from will not be angry. It is far cheaper to repair (if possible) then to buy a new set of string for someone elses guitar. Anyway maybe he has no money. Did you think of that one? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 79.76.200.140 (talk) 15:29, 25 February 2008 (UTC)

Am I reading the same OP you are? I don't see where he says it's not his guitar, or anything about the person he borrowed it from not being angry. A single guitar string costs well under a dollar. Anyways, nobody is saying you're wrong that it's possible to fix a string, just that there are other solutions that they recommend. jeffjon (talk) 17:49, 25 February 2008 (UTC)

Here is a link to the right way to restring a guitar. There are a lot of sites that have it wrong out there. --Milkbreath (talk) 17:46, 25 February 2008 (UTC)

Heres the way to tie nylon strings to the bridge. [23] —Preceding unsigned comment added by 79.76.200.140 (talk) 03:55, 26 February 2008 (UTC)

if the person knows you borrowed the guitar, then the best thing is to just give it back and tell them the string broke, it happens and they won't be mad. if you "borrowed" the guitar in secret, then you can follow the above, but they'll probably know something's up when it needs retuning for a while. Gzuckier (talk) 19:05, 26 February 2008 (UTC)

Yeah you could tell them that the string just broke while you were (or were not) looking at the guitar without touching it. Sometimes strings do break when you are not looking (or toching) —Preceding unsigned comment added by 79.76.241.79 (talk) 23:02, 26 February 2008 (UTC)

PhD and book publishing

Will having a PhD make it easier to get a publishing deal for a book, even if the PhD is in computer science and the book is on heretical theology? NeonMerlin 04:57, 25 February 2008 (UTC)

You'd be surprised how much clout a PhD can heft. People are so impressed. Theses at this level in the arts and humanities anyway, tend to end up being published in book form and the process involves being published in associated journals. I'm just guessing, but if you've put all that research into any science or field of knowledge, it would have to be an advantage in getting a book deal. Just make sure you've got a really nice proposal worked out with a strong outline and a distinctive angle (and be sure no-one else's doing what you have in mind). You could ask some publishers even by email. You might have at Mike Dash – PhD and writer on many subjects. (And his user page here[24].) Julia Rossi (talk) 06:35, 25 February 2008 (UTC)

That might impress a publishing company and would help if you are trying to write a best-seller. But if you are looking for academic credibility, you would have a harder time, I think. If the research was good, then ideally you and your book would be judged on its merits, but it wouldn't be surprising if theologians looked at a degree in computer science in a suspicious "not one of us" sort of way. Adam Bishop (talk) 10:57, 25 February 2008 (UTC)

Does a PhD help? Yes and no. Major publishers are dubious about PhDs by themselves, as they don't exactly connote great writing ability, great sense of a broad topic, or marketability. The things that go into getting a PhD—scholastic tending to a subject, learning a particular jargon, being able to work on a topic nobody cares about for six years without stopping—don't at all translate into "great author for a general market book." If you are talking about non-major publishers, small things, then sure. Academic presses, of course, are a bit more picky, but there isn't much expectation of profits there. More important to these people will be some demonstration of writing ability and the ability to choose a hot topic. The PhD might say that you're serious, but you're going to have to overcome a bit of the expectation that PhDs bring along with them the worst excesses of academia. --98.217.18.109 (talk) 15:16, 25 February 2008 (UTC)

I should also add — all other things equal, I'd be suspicious of a guy with a PhD in Computer Science writing on a subject like theology. If I were a publisher, I'd think, "Oh great, another one of these science types who thinks that because he knows one subject he can write on anything." That might not be fair, but it'd be a first impression—having a PhD in an entirely different subject might not be a helpful thing at all. Think about it in reverse: if I had a PhD in Religion, would it help I was trying to publish a book in Computer Science? Would it look like an asset or a liability? --98.217.18.109 (talk) 22:42, 25 February 2008 (UTC)

Human cannonballs

Apart from circuses and the like, has there ever been an instance of human bodies being used as cannon ammunition? --12.169.167.154 (talk) 07:38, 25 February 2008 (UTC)

Do plague-infested corpses flung with catapults qualify? Weregerbil (talk) 08:11, 25 February 2008 (UTC)

Well, I've learned something today. Suggested caption: "When he decided to leave his body to science, Otto could hardly have foreseen how very useful it would one day prove to be."--Shantavira|^{feed me} 11:22, 25 February 2008 (UTC)

Human bodies aren't very aerodynamic, so I doubt they would be used as ammunition. However, I read an interesting story set in the future where one man "rediscovers" math, and they decided to use humans instead of computers to guide missiles (to save costs). Anyway, human "cannonballs" are actually propelled by a spring-loaded board with pyrotechnics to make it look like they shot out. If you tryed it with a real cannon you'd probably end up with a spray of blood and organs. 206.252.74.48 (talk) 19:42, 25 February 2008 (UTC)

The story is The Feeling of Power by Isaac Asimov. One of his most ironically amusing short stories. --S.dedalus (talk) 22:44, 25 February 2008 (UTC)

Cannon fodder gives a whole new meaning to midget submariners[25] and human bombs, if cannon ammunition is used metaphorically. Human guided ammunition is already saving costs (addn). Perceptive Asomov. Julia Rossi (talk) 00:31, 26 February 2008 (UTC)

Tae Kwon Do

HI! I need to know when Tae Kwon Do was introduced into the Summer Olympics, please!

Piojo 16:22, 25 February 2008 (UTC)Samantha K. Payne

Our articles on Tae Kwon Do and the World Taekwondo Federation indicates that Tae Kwon Do was a demonstration sport at the 1988 and 1992 summer Games, and a full medal sport in 2000. TenOfAllTrades(talk) 16:53, 25 February 2008 (UTC)

Profesional Athletes mom who was supposed to be on september 11th plane

I was reading the other day about an athletes mom who went to his son's first contract signing instead of working on a plane that crashed on September 11th. Do you know who the athlete is?Joebogey4 (talk) 18:49, 25 February 2008 (UTC)

February 26

Crip gang members

• How many Crips gang members are thier in the country?
• Howy many Crips gang members are thier in New York Alone?
• How many Crips gang members are thier in California?
• How many female gang members are thier in the country?
• How many girls are incarcerated due to gang affiliated crimes?
• What is the most common crime gang affiliated girls, commit?
• What is the largest ethnicity of women gang members?
• What is the number of gang members that die in shootings?
• If they survive, what is the percent that end up in jail?

email removed —Preceding unsigned comment added by 76.79.213.182 (talk) 03:30, 26 February 2008 (UTC)

I collapsed multiple questions posted by the same user into a single question and removed the user's email address. Sifaka ^talk 03:41, 26 February 2008 (UTC).

If you have multiple questions please ask them in the same section rather than post a new section for each question. You can edit this section by clicking the edit button in the upper right. Sifaka ^talk 03:43, 26 February 2008 (UTC)

That is, if you have multiple closely related questions, as here. --Anon, 05:33 UTC, Feb. 25.

Miscellaneous

I am writing a book. The time period is 1939 in Paris. One of the characters is injured and in a coma. In order to feed them a nasogastric tube is used. What I need to know is what sort of device, whatever, was used to put the food into the tube? Also, what did they use to feed them?

Any help will be greatly appreciated. Bob - rob82042 —Preceding unsigned comment added by Rob82042 (talk • contribs) 12:37, 26 February 2008 (UTC)

I would just like to commend you on an excellent question. :) 81.93.102.185 (talk) 18:37, 26 February 2008 (UTC)

Have you read our articles Nasogastric intubation and Force feeding? They should answer your questions. A liquid (such as Ensure) is introduced into the tube using a syringe.--Eriastrum (talk) 22:36, 26 February 2008 (UTC)

atomic mushroom cap

When you order a Vodka Martini, the bartender asked if you like it with atomic mushroom cap, what does it means? 61.58.60.172 (talk) 14:42, 26 February 2008 (UTC)Anna

No sensible Google hits I could find for martini+atomic+mushroom+cap, so I suspect it means there's a barman trying to impress you. Why not ask him? --Dweller (talk) 15:29, 26 February 2008 (UTC)

I did a similar google search and came up with several descriptions of "wild mushroom martinis" which contained a variety of whole edible mushrooms in a martini. Perhaps it is a martini with slices of mushrooms in it? Sifaka ^talk 15:51, 26 February 2008 (UTC)

I had a request for examples, so I found a passing references to an establishment serving a mushroom martinis here and here. I think I was mistaken above in my description above because the result sounds much more like a soup than anything else. The Orlando sentinel apparently ran a recipe for one involving potatoes here. I found a slightly different recipe for a food rather than a drink involving tequila and mushrooms here. I have heard that wild mushrooms can be "preserved" in some sort of alcoholic mixture to impart the mushroom flavor to the mixture which can then be used to make a mixed drink. You can also stuff the olives of a martini with a bit of mushroom as well. (As a matter of personal taste, these sound like a waste of good wild mushrooms...) Sifaka ^talk 16:21, 26 February 2008 (UTC)

Off topic, but here's an interesting bit of science. The common ink cap (Coprinopsis atramentaria) is perfectly fine to eat by itself, but is toxic when consumed with alcohol. "Following ingestion, there is a delay of thirty minutes to two hours before the onset of symptoms, including an increased pulse rate, flushing over the upper half of the body, headache, and rapid breathing. After fifteen to thirty minutes of these symptoms, the victim feels weak and dizzy and typically experiences nausea and vomiting." [26] Thus this mushroom was frequently used to dissuade alcohol consumption back in the day. Sifaka ^talk 16:34, 26 February 2008 (UTC)

(Edit conflict) A mushroom cloud is basically never referred to as a "mushroom cap", so I would assume s/he's talking about an actual mushroom cap (the "head" of the mushroom) as a garnish for the drink. The "atomic" probably means that it's got something spicy in it. "Mushroom cap" is also a slang term for the head of a man's penis, so that fits in with the tradition of some drinks having racy names (e.g., a Sloe Comfortable Screw Up Against the Wall). You should never be embarrassed to ask a bartender what something is; they're there to help you drink! --Sean 16:02, 26 February 2008 (UTC)

Yuck. They sound disgusting. Each to his own, I suppose. Cheers, Sifaka. --Dweller (talk) 16:39, 26 February 2008 (UTC)

This kind of stuff makes me glad I'm a teetotaler. 206.252.74.48 (talk) 17:20, 26 February 2008 (UTC)

My first thought was that he was offering a 'special' sort of mushroom - magic, but I don't drink martinis, nor have I been offered mushrooms by a bartender, so it's complete supposition. Steewi (talk) 00:26, 27 February 2008 (UTC)

I am sorry, I should make it clear in the beginning. The confusion come from the book: “This Book Will Save Your Life”, page 51:

“Vodka martini, “ he says. “How would you like it----dry, dirty, twist, olives, onions, atomic mushroom cap?”

61.58.60.172 (talk) 02:55, 27 February 2008 (UTC)Anna

Well, that looks like a joke to me. The other options are standard martini options, the last one looks like a joke. Think about it this way: "How would you like your eggs—scrambled, sunny-side up, poached, omelet, or thrown at your face?" --98.217.18.109 (talk) 03:09, 27 February 2008 (UTC)

I'll have to agree its for comedic effect; the patron apparently wants a simple drink, and on the next page the bartender asks what kind of vodka he likes and explains:

"I've got Ketel One, Grey Goose, Absolut, Stoli, a potato vodka, a new electric vodka, which has energized particles," Dforest (talk) 03:35, 27 February 2008 (UTC)

What to wear in Nice - Cote d'Azur in mid-March

The long range weather forecast says 15 degrees and maybe cloudy during the day which is fine by me, but Wiki says Nice is windy during early Spring. So what should guys and gals wear? Is it shorts and tee-shirts, or long pants and sweaters? And what about eating out in cafes, restaurants and bars etc? Being close to Monaco is it high fashion or maybe go-as-you-please like Barcelona? Just trying to avoid fashion faux-pas. Thanks. 81.145.242.20 (talk) 15:53, 26 February 2008 (UTC)

I personally would wear jeans or some other type of long (but not heavy) pants, a t-shirt, and a windbreaker. I can tell you that where I am it will also be 15 degrees in the ides of March - in Fahrenheit. 206.252.74.48 (talk) 16:45, 26 February 2008 (UTC)

Thanks for that sound advice - and where I am in Scotland it is minus 5 Celsius - but we're expecting a cold spell !!. 81.145.242.20 (talk) 19:21, 26 February 2008 (UTC)

In the Midi, just along from Nice, we have a mini heatwave. Blossoms are out, blazing sun, blue skies. You may get some rain in mid-March, so a plastic mac, or fold-up brolly is needed. No heavy clothes though. Jeans and a sweatshirt will be fine. And a light coat for evenings. There are, of course, many easily accessed shops where sweats, etc. can be bought at reasonable prices, so don't overload yourself. You will have a great choice of restaurants. Everything from fast food to high cuisine. The old market in the old town is wonderful. Get in there and you may stay for days. And the restaurants are fabulous. Three course dinner from 15 Euros. Wine from 4 Euros a carafe or 12 Euros a bottle. Have a great time.90.0.7.146 (talk) 14:50, 27 February 2008 (UTC)DT

Led Zeppelin DVD

I was wondering here, when does one usually think that this DVD will be made into Blu-Ray, since HD DVD is now out of the question?Jwking (talk) 16:05, 26 February 2008 (UTC)

I wouldn't hold my breath. It was filmed in the sixties and seventies, so it wasn't filmed in hi-def. I would say there's little point in putting it out on Blu-Ray. Dismas|^(talk) 22:12, 26 February 2008 (UTC)

The OP is probably referring to the DVD of the reunion concert from last December. If that's the case, I would guess that a BR version will come out around the same time as the regular DVD, which is still officially "pending" as far as I'm aware. The Song Remains the Same, which Dismas is probably thinking of, has already been released on both Blu-Ray and HD DVD, at least according to our article. I don't know what being made in 1976 has to do with releasing a BR disc; since it was filmed on analog celluloid, a higher definition transfer would certainly be possible. Matt Deres (talk) 04:19, 27 February 2008 (UTC)

I wasn't thinking of The Song Remains the Same. According to their filmography here, they have two films, TSRTS and Led Zeppelin (DVD). Since the OP didn't specify which LZ DVD, I thought they meant the one actually titled Led Zeppelin as the title of this section implies. Dismas|^(talk) 05:27, 27 February 2008 (UTC)

Fibromyalgia

This is not medical advice just a medical question. Is it possible to have fibromyalgia in just one general area. —Preceding unsigned comment added by HarmonyRoyer (talk • contribs) 18:37, 26 February 2008 (UTC)

You'll never find out. Someone will delete this. Sorry. --Nricardo (talk) 19:36, 26 February 2008 (UTC)

Based on the information in the Diagnosis section of the Fibromyalgia article, the answer would appear to be no. --LarryMac | Talk 19:43, 26 February 2008 (UTC)

While we don't give medical advice, we certainly have all kinds of information on medical topics. Have you read Fibromyalgia? Specifically, in Fibromyalgia#Symptoms we see "Although fibromyalgia is classified based on the presence of chronic widespread pain, pain may also be localized in areas such as the shoulders, neck, low back, hips, or other areas." Hope this helps. Friday (talk) 19:44, 26 February 2008 (UTC)

Part of the problem is that fibromyalgia's definition is not stable. In Fibromyalgia#Diagnosis, the American College of Rheumatology's 1990 definition calls for (as one criterion) "A history of widespread pain lasting more than three months—affecting all four quadrants of the body, i.e., both sides, and above and below the waist." Under that definition, pain affecting only a part of the body would not qualify. TenOfAllTrades(talk) 21:00, 26 February 2008 (UTC)

Castiglione

Please can you tell me which Castiglione painted the painting shown [27] [28] [29] [30] [31]. Kittybrewster ☎ 18:58, 26 February 2008 (UTC)

I'm not familiar with that painting, but the only two Castigliones in our list that are painters are Giuseppe Castiglione (Jesuit) and Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione. I would put my money on Giovanni, since the painting in question doesn't seem to match Guiseppe's distinctive style. jeffjon (talk) 20:17, 26 February 2008 (UTC)

I don't think this is a painting by either one of the Castigliones in wikipedia. One (the 17th century Giuseppe) was a Jesuit chinese court painter and did nothing like the one you show, and the other (Giovanni Benedetto, 17th century) had a similar but somewhat different style. The painting you link to has a signature that looks a great deal like the signature (printed in Benezit--not available on line) of a 19th century Giuseppe Castiglione (born in Naples 1829, died in Paris where he worked in 1908). I could find only one on-line image of this obscure 19th century artist here [32]. Although the dress in your painting is 17th century in style, the composition and treatment seems typical of the 19th century academic style: romantic and idealized. It seems to show a father introducing his daughter to prospective suitors, with the emphasis on her emotions. The Academic style of the 19th century centered on Paris and the judged Salon exhibitions held there. Historic themes for paintings was one of the approved subjects. I could of course be wrong, in which case Jeffjon is probably correct.--Eriastrum (talk) 21:15, 26 February 2008 (UTC)

Ecosse bumper stickers

Just why do car bumper stickers with the Scottish flag on in the UK so often come with the word Ecosse? Is there some sort of Franco-Celt pact and anti-English element to it, or some other reason for their popularity? Theediscerning (talk) 21:54, 26 February 2008 (UTC)

I have often wondered that myself. I think it is likely a combinded subsequence of many Scots traditional holiday plans, driving down to Dover or Southampton and getting the ferry across to France, and their strong national identity which largely boils down to being "not-English". À la Del Boy, I can imagine many Scots thought they were being culturally cosmopolitan in identifying their county of origin in French and they would want to ensure they are not misidentified, by their Auld Alliance hosts, as English. (Je suis not anglais, pal) Now, I think there is a bit of a kitschy element to it. There could also be some link to Ecurie Ecosse, I suppose, but I can find not documented evidence of this. Rockpocket 22:36, 26 February 2008 (UTC)

Jacobite rebellion, maybe? AlmostReadytoFly (talk) 00:52, 27 February 2008 (UTC)

Did they have bumper stickers in the 18th century? "Mine other cart doth be a post chaise" perhaps. FiggyBee (talk) 00:59, 27 February 2008 (UTC)

DNA Testing

Is there any type of testing out there that would tell me what breeds are in my dog? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 64.119.61.7 (talk) 22:15, 26 February 2008 (UTC)

Certain organizations claim to offer this service [33][34] based on this research. I would offer caution, though, as they will not be able to tell you that your dog is X% one breed and Y% another. Instead they will charge you $100 tell you which "genetic cluster" your dogs genes derive from. The chances are, someone familiar with dog breeds would be able to tell you something not dissimilar by simply looking at your pet. In time, as they build up a larger profile database, they will be able to offer more specific analyses. Rockpocket 22:45, 26 February 2008 (UTC)

(edit conflict) There are some companies that provide this service, primarily for breeders. For example, Canine Heritage or DDC Animal DNA Services. As for the scientific rigor of such a thing, they probably suffer from the same issues as human racial DNA tests—that is, they are very statistical in nature (that is, they only are going to tell you, at best, that your dog shares some percentage of genes with some percentage of dogs in certain "identified" breed populations; that's not quite the same thing as saying "Your dog had a grand-parent of X and a father of Y", which is generally what people want from such things) and depend on the frequency of certain genes in certain populations, and give at best a small glimpse at a small branch of a much larger family tree (Troy Duster's article "Deep Roots and Tangled Branches" is a thought-provoking article critical of the methodology of these sorts of tests). --98.217.18.109 (talk) 22:50, 26 February 2008 (UTC)

Is that all there is?

When Wikipedia is finally complete, will our descendants look at it and say : Oh! Is that all there is to everything? If so, whats the point in living? ? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 79.76.241.79 (talk) 22:54, 26 February 2008 (UTC)

We'll let you know when that happens. DJ Clayworth (talk) 23:08, 26 February 2008 (UTC)

I'm not sure that will ever happen. New articles are made everyday on news, movies, and other media, and I don't think those will ever stop being produced.--Dlo2012 (talk) 23:40, 26 February 2008 (UTC)

Is That All There Is? --169.230.94.28 (talk) 00:15, 27 February 2008 (UTC)

Actually, I imagine the AI that destroys us will fill in all of Wikipedia after we are gone, so we needn't worry about that. 206.252.74.48 (talk) 14:09, 27 February 2008 (UTC)

Interior Decoration with Books

I need to know if there are companies (or independent contractors) who specialize in selecting books for a client's home? (For decoration and also for use) This, I think, would be a personal service for very wealthy clients, who own a mansion and don't have time to search for and buy books. That is, they can afford to hire someone to buy books for their home library and all of the rooms in their house, or houses...maybe worldwide. They would want to go out to one of their houses and find that each room, each coffee table, each nook and cranny already has the best books in many subject areas and is always updated with great new titles. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Richard Gier (talk • contribs) 22:55, 26 February 2008 (UTC)

There possibly are such companies, but books are such sacred objects that anyone who has them purely for show and never reads them is ... but break, my heart; for I must hold my tongue. -- JackofOz (talk) 09:01, 27 February 2008 (UTC)

Books do furnish a room. SaundersW (talk) 14:22, 27 February 2008 (UTC)

Wheat flour

Two questions about wheat flour:

First, what happens to a person if he or she eats wheat flour that has not been baked or otherwise cooked?

Second, lots of supermarkets often sell "tempura batter mix" which is often more expensive than regular wheat flour. The tempura batter mix looks just like wheat flour. Is there actually any difference when it is fried to make tempura? Or is it just marketing and a false difference, and one should just save money by buying and using wheat flour instead of tempura batter mix for frying?

—Lowellian (reply) 23:07, 26 February 2008 (UTC)

Try this site it might help you with your question. http://www.nutrition.org.uk/home.asp?siteId=43&sectionId=422&parentSection=322&which=

and also a quick scan around suggests Tempura Batter mix includes ingredients like corn-starch, sodium bicarbonate, burnt alum, egg yolk powder etc. so would be different to wheat-flour as of itself. ny156uk (talk) 23:16, 26 February 2008 (UTC)

That website talks about the nutritional content of wheat flour, but people usually eat wheat flour baked or otherwise cooked, and the website doesn't say anything about what happens if wheat flour is eaten uncooked. —Lowellian (reply) 23:31, 26 February 2008 (UTC)

1. Regarding uncooked wheat flour, one of the concerns would be the potential of insect infestation, such as the larvae of the wheat weevil. One precaution would be to freeze the wheat flour before using.[35] Dforest (talk) 02:20, 27 February 2008 (UTC)

2. Commercial tempura batter mixes tend to have wheat flour, egg powder (white or yolk), baking powder and starch. Adding starch will tend to make the product more crispy[36], the baking powder & egg make it less dense. But a batter of plain flour & water can also be used. The most important thing is to use very cold water for a crispy, light texture. Some people like to use soda water. Also, it is preferable to use a pastry flour, as it is high in starch, rather than a bread flour, which is high in gluten, which would make for a tougher, chewier product. Dforest (talk) 03:56, 27 February 2008 (UTC)

Petz 5

I bought the game Petz 5 under the assumption that it came with both dog and cat breeds- does it only come with dogs? If it comes with both, then how come I only have access to the dog breeds? thanks in advance —Preceding unsigned comment added by 74.211.8.100 (talk) 23:14, 26 February 2008 (UTC)

The article you linked to suggests that Petz 5 should have catz breeds. I don't have the game so I can't help more but I suggest you either contact the support division of Ubisoft or use a forum where you are more likely to find people with the game, like a Petz forum Nil Einne (talk) 08:50, 27 February 2008 (UTC)

Reading between the lines, particularly in this section, I suspect that you bought the dogz edition of Petz 5. I'm not sure whether you can download catz or if you'd have to buy the catz edition (which I believe would allow you to use catz and dogz in the same game). Sorry. Skittle (talk) 12:06, 27 February 2008 (UTC)

Wikipedia Down!

Just saw on the news that Florida had a massive power failure. The whole state. Testing to see if you're back to normal, what passes for normalcy there. Are all systems online, or still out ? 65.173.105.114 (talk) 23:38, 26 February 2008 (UTC)

I called the emergency only Wikiphone and the butler told me that Jimbo has run to the bank as fast as his chubby little legs will carry him, withdrawn his life savings in quarters and is now feeding them into the electricity meter at a phenomenal rate, all just to keep us online. We are still online for the moment, but his stash is running low and things could cut out at any mom

That is the funniest thing I've read here in a long time! The fact that it isn't signed makes it all the better! Thank you to whoever left that. Dismas|^(talk) 02:43, 27 February 2008 (UTC)

I swear, if BJAODN was still here... bibliomaniac15 02:56, 27 February 2008 (UTC)

How exactly does an entire state lose power? This is the 21st century, damn it! 206.252.74.48 (talk) 14:07, 27 February 2008 (UTC)

Where is Pechüle?

I'm trying to kill a redlink in an article that references a German location called Pechüle. All my source says is that it's near Luckenwalde. When I search Google Books, I get results related to a German astronomer and a bunch of German-language sources presumably about the location. Can anyone help me figure out where this place is so I can stub it? Thanks! — Dulcem (talk) 23:51, 26 February 2008 (UTC)

Google finds it - search for Pechüle at http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=en&tab=wl - it is indeed near Luckenwalde, about 25km east, now part of Bardenitz (?). --Tagishsimon (talk) 00:05, 27 February 2008 (UTC)

(ec) Google maps returns exactly one German town with that name, and it's 22 km from Luckenwalde. But it is not exactly a metropolis, so notability may be in doubt. --mglg_(talk) 00:09, 27 February 2008 (UTC)

Thanks! As uncomfortable as I am using Google Maps as the sole reference, I've gone ahead and stubbed it. I think policy is that towns, villages, and the like are inherently notable. — Dulcem (talk) 01:30, 27 February 2008 (UTC)

How does Treuenbrietzen compare? At the German Wikipedia, Pechüle redirects to Treuenbrietzen. Achtung, Minen :) --Ouro (blah blah) 12:09, 27 February 2008 (UTC)

I've expanded and properly referenced this stub. However, apart from the church, it may well be so insignificant that it would better be included in the article on Treuenbrietzen. If not, a similar article on Bardenitz could also be written. (Some info here, also has a 13th-century church, of which we even have an image). Lupo 13:55, 27 February 2008 (UTC)

Treuenbrietzen and the location given in the google search, which resolves to Bardenitz, are about 15 km apart. I suggest a question here: http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diskussion:Treuenbrietzen might be in order. --Tagishsimon (talk) 15:10, 27 February 2008 (UTC)

February 27

How many roses are sprinkled with dew?

How many roses are sprinkled with dew? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 79.76.241.79 (talk) 01:07, 27 February 2008 (UTC)

How Deep Is the Ocean?. Are you done yet? FiggyBee (talk) 01:13, 27 February 2008 (UTC)

Not until I find the meaning of love —Preceding unsigned comment added by 79.76.241.79 (talk) 01:16, 27 February 2008 (UTC)

wiktionary:love FiggyBee (talk) 01:24, 27 February 2008 (UTC)

I wuz hoping to find article on wikilove as I love wikipedia —Preceding unsigned comment added by 79.76.241.79 (talk) 01:31, 27 February 2008 (UTC)

WP:LOVE Rockpocket 01:39, 27 February 2008 (UTC)

Thesis on soild waste management

My thesis is entitled "Assessment of Solid waste Management in the Province of Northern Samar, Philippines: Inputs to Policy Implementation".Can you help find a sample thesis that I can use as a guideline?203.87.209.130 (talk) 02:18, 27 February 2008 (UTC)oskied2000

The requirements for theses at various educational institutions vary greatly, in expected content, structure, and length. You didn't even bother telling us whether this is a BA, MA, or PhD thesis, much less the country you are in (your IP resolves to somewhere in Asia; as someone in the US I wouldn't have the slightest idea what your thesis expectations are). Ask your educational institution, they will have previous theses on record. Ask them for their guidelines as to how the thesis should be written. --98.217.18.109 (talk) 03:06, 27 February 2008 (UTC)

In addition to the answer above, you should be aware that writing a thesis is not like writing a very good paper and handing it over to a university for them to pass or fail. In many cases, an individual professor will need to agree to personally guide you through the process; if you can't find a suitable proctor, you'll simply be out of luck, no matter how good your work is. The finished paper is the ultimate goal, of course, but any respected professor will want to make sure you got there in the right way, meaning that you'll have to talk with them and explain what you're trying to do right from the very beginning. If you already have a proctor and he or she isn't even giving you basic guidance like how the paper should be written, you need to find someone else. Matt Deres (talk) 04:27, 27 February 2008 (UTC)

D.A.N.C.E. T SHIRTS!

D.A.N.C.E. music video T-shirts? Justice - D.A.N.C.E. T-shirts? Can you buy the T-shirts featured in the music video online anywhere?

No, they do sell them. I wasn't asking if they sell because they do, I was asking where. Some here: http://www.hypebeast.com/2007/06/justice...

I was wondering if anyone knows where the CURRENTLY sell those (the ones in the link have sold out) or if there are any more for sale. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 125.238.77.15 (talk) 05:51, 27 February 2008 (UTC)

german tax

can someone explain articles 42b of the German tax code in english.--Spirom (talk) 11:30, 27 February 2008 (UTC) —Preceding unsigned comment added by 82.0.115.213 (talk) 10:27, 27 February 2008 (UTC)

Why? Nil Einne (talk) 10:33, 27 February 2008 (UTC)

I can not read german--Spirom (talk) 14:18, 27 February 2008 (UTC)

german

if german in german in deutsch, what is dutch in german, or holland. Furthermore, why do we in the english language call eg germany germany rather than deutschland or spain espanyol? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 12.191.136.3 (talk) 11:36, 27 February 2008 (UTC)

Looks like 'holland' is 'holland' in germany, and 'the dutch' may be 'hollander', but don't take my word for it.. try searching on the internet for "english to german dictionary" —Preceding unsigned comment added by 87.102.93.245 (talk) 11:50, 27 February 2008 (UTC)

Actually, it's Die Niederlande in German (there's a good paragraph on the name of the country over at the Wikipedia Deutschland). Dutchman (a person from that cuntry) in German is Holländer. Germany is called Germany because that's the somehow-historically-explainable translation of the term, in Polish they're called Niemcy, and Poland is Poland in English, and in Lithuanian it's Lenkija, and in Japanese it's Porando. Isn't it beautiful? --Ouro (blah blah) 12:04, 27 February 2008 (UTC)

We have an article about this sort of thing.--Shantavira|^{feed me} 12:25, 27 February 2008 (UTC)

I've learned two new words :) --Ouro (blah blah) 12:48, 27 February 2008 (UTC)

Ratio of homosexuality and bisexuality among males

Hi, What percentage of men are homosexuals or bisexuals?. Does this ratio change among older men?. Thanks 131.220.46.25 (talk)curious