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September 16

hurricanes

any hurricanes to hit ontario canada —Preceding unsigned comment added by 69.49.48.25 (talk) 00:53, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

Are you asking if any hurricanes are about to hit Ontario (no) or if they have in the past (yes)? A search for "hurricanes in ontario" returns the relevant results for the latter, including our article on Hurricane Hazel. The Ontario Weather Page includes a section on hurricanes. — Lomn 00:59, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

Yes, in the past. See Hurricane Hazel and List of Canada hurricanes for further information. Battleaxe9872 ^Talk 01:01, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

Even when we don't get them directly, we often get leftover rain and wind, like last week. Adam Bishop (talk) 04:14, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

And that's what "Hurricane" Hazel was. It wasn't a hurricane by the time it hit Ontario, but it was still a serious enough storm that people were killed in flooded river valleys. The answer is no. Unless you mean this "Hurricane" Hazel. :-) --Anonymous, 12:15 UTC, September 16, 2010.

Winchester gun

I have a Winchester Repeating arms Weapon Sereal # 17062 I've been told it is a rifle but it use to shoot 12 gage shotgun shells in its day. It belongs to my Husband and we would like some information on the gun. It has a plate under the handle that reads Manufactured by the Winchester Repeating Arms co. New Haven Conn. U.S.A. Pat Feb 16 & July 20 1886. We would like to know how old it is, was it used to feed the family, etc. Any information you can give us would be greatly appreciated Thank you so much Butch and Diane Kindig E-Mail= <email removed> —Preceding unsigned comment added by 65.13.121.117 (talk) 03:43, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

I have removed your email address for your own safety; as mentioned above your question will be answered here. May I recommend that you try to find an antique arms dealer or appraiser. There are people who specialize in identifying and appraising weapons, and a google search of the phrase "antique arms dealer" turns up some leads. You may try to find one (or maybe more, for a second opinion) in your local area to help you research the origins of your gun. --Jayron32 03:48, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

We do have an article Winchester rifle with quite a bit of information, including links to articles on some specific models. You might look at the pictures to see if you recognize yours. Looie496 (talk) 05:06, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

There are a lot of gun websites out there. You seem to be unclear about what kind of weapon it is. How big is the barrel's opening (internal diameter)? If you look inside it does it have grooves that go around in a vortex pattern? or is it smooth? Those facts would help quite a bit. Also, is there a patent # on the gun? Shadowjams (talk) 06:21, 17 September 2010 (UTC)

Does Winchester Model 1887/1901 ring any bells? Shadowjams (talk) 06:24, 17 September 2010 (UTC)

Three questions

The first two questions concern this picture. http://quizilla.teennick.com/user_images/B/BA/BAB/BabyBoo108/1143999033_pprabbit.jpg

What is the font used for the wird 'rabbit' and we want to know if there are any similar pictures to this as the quiz on Quizilla has been deleted for some reason.

The third question is this: What is the value of other world currencies compared to the U.S dollar? Like Dollars to Euros, Yen to Dollars, etcetera? 64.75.158.196 (talk) 04:32, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

For the third question, you can go to Google and type in '1 dollar in euros' and it will give you the current exchange rate. Dismas|^(talk) 04:44, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

I find this Universal Currency Converter very useful. --jjron (talk) 15:30, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

As for font identification, I don't have time to do this for you, but you could edit that picture to get rid of the background pixels around the word "Rabbit", so it's black-on-white; and then upload to WhatTheFont, and it will try to ID the font for you. Comet Tuttle (talk) 20:25, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

The font is Savoy. Cuddlyable3 (talk) 12:35, 18 September 2010 (UTC)

Chinese food

I was watching Mr. Mom tonight and was reminded of something that I had wondered the first time I saw the film. In it, Michael Keaton's character pulls a chunk of what appear to be dry white thin noodles off of a larger brick of the same stuff. He throws this chunk into a wok and they almost instantly expand to a couple times their size. The stuff doesn't look heavy at all and it reminds me of a white tumbleweed. What is this stuff? And why do I never see it in Chinese restaurants? Dismas|^(talk) 05:02, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

I haven't seen the movie since God was a small child, but that sounds like dried rice noodles. They puff when deep fried, similar to maltodextrin-based prawn chips. → ROUX ₪ 06:15, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

Ramen? WikiDao ☯ (talk) 06:59, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

It's possible, but I doubt it. Ramen is generally a wheat-based product, which would require significant use of maltodextrin and at least two more steps in its cooking process to arrive at an end product which would puff in boiling oil. → ROUX ₪ 10:03, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

They were the only kind of noodles I could think of in general terms of "a brick" and "Chinese"(sic). I still have no idea what happened in the movie, though, so should have just kept my mouth shut on this one. ;) WikiDao ☯ (talk) 19:26, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

See [1] which is somewhat dark and [2] (much better quality but found it second) examples of deep frying thin rice noodles/vermicelli Nil Einne (talk) 10:53, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

Thanks! It must have been rice noodles! Dismas|^(talk) 22:26, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

Population

If the one child policy was never created, what would the population of China be today?--72.123.255.96 (talk) 08:18, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

Kinda hard to give an exact answer on that one, since we have no way of knowing the amount of children the average Chinese couple would have. And it always varies with each generation, you can't look at the statistics of families pre-one child policy and decide that if, for example, it was normal for the average couple to have 4 kids that it would be the same way today. 24.189.87.160 (talk) 09:10, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

However, it is worth noting that due to the policy and the cultural preference for males, a lot of female babies have been aborted or killed. Maybe were it not for that policy, those (well maybe most, you can't account for accidental miscarriages or life-saving abortions) female children would have lived, so if there's any reliable statistics on how many female babies were aborted or killed in China since the one child policy was implemented, that would be the closest you could come to getting an approximate number on what the Chinese population would be like today without the policy. By the way, haven't they relaxed the policy to two children now? 24.189.87.160 (talk) 09:30, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

See One child policy#Effects on population growth and fertility rate:

The Chinese government estimates that it had three to four hundred million fewer people in 2008 with the one-child policy, than it would have had otherwise.

-- ToE^T 15:54, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

According to the article Missing women of Asia, there are 50 million less females in China. However I don't understand how you use this information to derive the answer. These two things are too loosely connected. Other Asian countries without the one child policy also experience this effect. And you don't know any statistics on how frequently female babies are aborted/killed. In my opinion this is not a good method. The first method is better.--71.67.176.29 (talk) 06:47, 17 September 2010 (UTC)

Since you and the OP both hail from Ohio.... perhaps you'd provide some of the evidence you provide above. Are you arguing the lack of abortion in those countries accounts for the discrepancy? I don't see you arguing that, and your point about the distinction is interesting, but what are you getting at? Shadowjams (talk) 07:39, 17 September 2010 (UTC)

Can you not read? I am saying that 24.189.87.160's first post makes sense, but second post is not helpful. The number of males in China outnumber females by 50 million. 24.189.87.160's second post says you can use this information to determine: China's current population if not for the one child policy. I am saying no that is a bad idea, they have nothing in common. Taiwan has a male/female ratio of 110:100 even though Taiwan does not have a one child policy. South Korea has a male/female ratio of 108:100 even though South Korea does not have a one child policy. (see one child policy for proof) Therefore it is pretty apparent that the one child policy is not the sole contributor to the missing females in China, as other countries without the one child policy also have the gender imbalance. So therefore you cannot look at the gender imbalance of China and say it is caused solely by the One child policy. And if you can't do that, then you obviously cannot use that information to determine the One child policy's effect on China's population, as 24.189.87.160's second post says you can. And that is what I'm getting at. As for my ip, sorry for the confusion. I was using my smartphone to make the original post.--71.67.176.29 (talk) 08:03, 18 September 2010 (UTC)

First, never did I say that looking at the amount of aborted female babies in China was an accurate measure of what the Chinese population would be like today without the one child policy, I said it's the closest that one could get to an approximate number, considering there is no reliable method of knowing how large the Chinese population would be like without the policy. And I also never said the gender imbalance in China is caused solely by the one-child policy, however there is no denying that it greatly encourages it, since parents who are allowed to raise only one child by law will undoubtedly prefer to have a son due to the cultural preference for boys, and they will have no qualms about turning to abortion/infanticide if their first-born happens to be a girl. 24.189.87.160 (talk) 02:47, 19 September 2010 (UTC)

Witches

Greetings Some time ago I read, but can no longer remember the source that there is an incorrect translation regarding "thou shalt not suffer a witch to live" it was stated that in the old if not ancient, Hebrew the writing "witch" is minutely different from "Poison Murderer" and could quite easily be translated to witch instead of Poison murderer. I also understood the in the old bad Roman Catholic times they in fact because of this translation demonized witches and references to Germanic countries should actually be replaced with "old Roman Catholic dogmas relative to the times/dark ages." who started the so called witch hunts in their misplaced fervor to rid the world of evil, they only added more evil if you regard it in the light of the commandment "thou shalt not kill" because many innocents were falsely accused and most horribly burned at the stake or stoned. Apparently Christianity abhors such actions but nevertheless it was perpetrated.

I am not affiliated to any religious group and would really like to know about the translation.

I find for instance many words have the same spelling but used in a different context those same words can actually have totally different meanings. In Hawaii I read that only a mother understands her toddler. Facial expressions, body language and the way a word is spokenor expressed gave it a total different meaning. Their Kahunas although they were healers would have been declared to be witches. This is merely an aside regarding the use of words, and not the main question regarding the translation "Poison Murderer" vs "Witch".

I do not know how you reply but if required my E-mail address is:- redacted If nothing can be found may I request that you E-mail me and just say "sorry we can't help you"

Peace be with you. Daniel 41.240.209.62 (talk) 10:53, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

• • N.B. Edited after reading answers and viewing pages referred to. **

Having read some of the postings I am appalled. We seem so far removed from the original and as no-one still speaks the language as then spoken, all seems conjecture and bullying for position to put forth their opinions based on educated guesses. To me kill and murder has the same meaning, taking the life of any creations with blood in it's veins is beyond me. My question thus to me remains answered as these things apparently were taken from the old testament and not the new order of love, support of each other as preached by many religions. I must repeat I am not a christian I have no religious or witches or any other affiliations but have read many religious and non-religious books in my search for knowledge. I could possibly answer quite a few questions on witches based on modern day knowledge. Truth lasts for ever under different guises/changed to local requirements. My question will apparently remain answered until the old ones return. One man said poisoner ten jumped and outvoted him. Who was correct I cannot perceive. I thank you all for the enlightening comments and references and bid you peace and Fare thee well. 41.240.209.62 (talk) 19:57, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

I removed your e-mail address. You'll get answers to your question here (and I don't doubt there will be plenty), and leaving your e-mail address in a public place like this quickly results in your inbox being filled with spam. TomorrowTime (talk) 11:05, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

To get you started, "Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live" is a quote from the King James Version of the Bible, translated under James VI & I, who was vocally Protestant and anti-Catholic (arguably as a direct result of the Gunpowder Plot). He was at the forefront of much of the witch-hunting in Britain. 86.164.78.91 (talk) 11:47, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

I commend to you our pretty decent article witchcraft and the less good article witchcraft and divination in the Bible. If you look here and here, you can compare translations of the passage in question. 86.164.78.91 (talk) 12:30, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

(ec) At this site you can view many translations of Exodus 22:18 such as Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live (KJV), You are not to permit a sorceress to live. (Complete Jewish Bible), maleficos non patieris vivere (Latin Vulgate), A la hechicera no darás la vida (Sagradas Escrituras 1569), Eine Zauberin sollst du nicht leben lassen. (Elberfelder 1905, German) and more. Cuddlyable3 (talk) 12:39, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

This citation from the article Witchcraft relates to the OP's question: "In the 16th century Reginald Scott, a prominent critic of the witch-trials, translated kashaph, pharmakeia and their Latin Vulgate equivalent veneficos as all meaning 'poisoner', and on this basis claimed that 'witch' was an incorrect translation and poisoners were intended. His theory still holds some currency, but is not widely accepted." Cuddlyable3 (talk) 13:18, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

I think you were thinking of the commandment "thou shalt not murder", which is a bit different from thou shalt not kill. Capital punishment is not the point. 75.41.110.200 (talk) 18:09, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

Is not killing innocents murder? WikiDao ☯ (talk) 19:30, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

Not killing innocents but killing "guilty" people is still murder 61.231.65.54 (talk) 19:48, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

That gets a little more complicated (and, actually, even killing innocents can happen without that being considered murder). See eg. Civilian casualties and Capital punishment, but I think we are getting off-topic. WikiDao ☯ (talk) 19:59, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

The original Hebrew of Exodus 22:17 says, "Mechashefah lo techayeh." A "mechashefah" is a witch or sorceress. "Mechashef" is the masculine. This page discusses a bit about what constitutes the actions of a mechashef. -- Mwalcoff (talk) 01:13, 17 September 2010 (UTC)

The Hebrew-alphabet spelling is םכשפה — a participle derived from the triconsonantal verb root k-sh-p "to practice sorcery". Don't know of any Hebrew word meaning "to poison" which has a similar pronunciation... AnonMoos (talk) 10:36, 19 September 2010 (UTC)

(After the OP edited their question) There is no sensible reason to be appalled at the fact that volunteers have given properly referenced answers to your original question. Please do not use this desk for what appears to be soapboxing for vegetarianism. Most people enjoy being carnivores and would dismiss the notion that anything is wrong with taking the life of an edible creature with blood in its (not "it's") veins. I think you mean your question is unanswered, not answered. It is not necessary for you to delare your religion or non-religion here, nor a belief in "old ones" returning, because it does not affect the answers we may give. Murder is defined as unlawful premeditated killing of a human being by a human being while killing is just the terminating of a life (any life, including that of the ant you stood on recently). Fare thee well too. Cuddlyable3 (talk) 12:18, 18 September 2010 (UTC)

Five-pointed stars on house

Star on house

In other parts of the country (particularly in the midwest US), I see five-pointed stars on houses. What does it mean? Bubba73 ^{(You talkin' to me?)}, 15:54, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

See Hex sign, although that article seems to suggest that six-pointed stars are used. Rojomoke (talk) 16:01, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

Perhaps a little more specifically, see also barnstars and related star-shaped anchor plates. — Lomn 16:07, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

Yes, barnstars, File:Strasburg 51 E Main.JPG is more typical of what I'm talking about. Sometimes they are 3D like that one, sometimes 2D. Bubba73 ^{(You talkin' to me?)}, 16:42, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

See also Distelfink, another Penn Dutch barn symbol. (and a word you just don't get to use often enough) 75.41.110.200 (talk) 18:05, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

Those stars are quite popular simply as pieces of kitsch. Many places sell them and many people have them for no other reason other than that they look nice. I have one over my kitchen stove for no other reason than it looking nice. Dismas|^(talk) 20:08, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

Or perhaps to visually break up a large empty space? My wife and I considered hanging a barnstar in the "pediment" of our home because as is, it looks pretty plain. Kingsfold (Quack quack!) 16:25, 20 September 2010 (UTC)

Thanks for the information. Bubba73 ^{(You talkin' to me?)}, 20:26, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

Soybeans

What is the procedure to ferment soybeans —Preceding unsigned comment added by Tijjany (talk • contribs) 16:09, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

See our excellent article on Tofu. → ROUX ₪ 16:37, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

Tofu is not usually fermented. Soy sauce is fermented, but that article doesn't give much information on the process. Looie496 (talk) 19:47, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

Nattō has a few details on how it's produced and there seem to be various guides online. This seems relevant when it comes to soya sauce [3]. This person [4] also appears to have some knowledge on fermenting soya beans, they said they would post a guide but never did it from what I can tell, perhaps they will if you ask nicely Nil Einne (talk) 22:33, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

William Holden Actor Bio.

I read the Wikipedia of the Actor William Holden. He was one of my favorites & I've seen most of his movies. I looked at the Movies he was in, and didn't see the LAPD Police move he stared in with (A young) Actor Stacy Keech. He was a crusty old veteran by the movie name of "Bumper Morgan" and it was a pretty good film. That lead part was later played in a sequel by George Kennedy. I have often wondered why I haven't seen this movie on replay -- then to see you don't list it ??? Why ?

Thank You,

9/16/2010 Fr: Tom Larson, Phoenix, Arizona —Preceding unsigned comment added by 174.26.76.32 (talk) 18:07, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

I've removed your email address -- posting such things on Wikipedia is not a good idea. Looie496 (talk) 19:38, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

... and to answer, the movie was The Blue Knight. The version with William Holden was a made-for-TV movie. Looie496 (talk) 19:42, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

That link just goes to a disambiguation page; we don't have an article for the movie in question. And as for "why" we don't have information on it, it can only be because you , questioner, haven't researched it and then made an article about it using reliable sources. Be bold, write the article, and then the next person who wonders about that movie will read your article and get the information they want. Pretty cool, huh? Everything here was written by folks like you - and even dopes like me! Matt Deres (talk) 21:07, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

Thank you for pointing out the discrepancy, Tom. (Matt beat me to other things I was going to say!)
• Though "The Blue Knight" was mentioned on his page at Emmy Award, "Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor - Miniseries or a Movie" for 1974, I have now put it into his filmography.
• Remember that anyone can edit Wikipedia, if you see this sort of missing detail you can put it in yourself (click where its says [edit]).
• If you are interested in writing an article see Your first article - 220.101 talk^\Contribs 21:37, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

Natural resources

Why are virtually all important natural resources (e.g. coal, oil, uranium) found in areas with lots of violence and turmoil (Middle East, Africa, etc.)? --71.153.45.75 (talk) 22:26, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

Umm, probably because they're not. A quick glance at List of countries by oil production, List of countries by uranium production, List of countries by coal production, List of countries by aluminium production and List of countries by iron production just does not reveal that sort of pattern. --Tagishsimon (talk) 22:38, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

The OP might want to read confirmation bias. Dismas|^(talk) 22:50, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

To elaborate, it's only when the source of resources is put into question (by political turmoil) that it becomes an issue that gets in the news. The U.S. gets much of its oil from Canada but, because there is never any doubt about the oil is actually coming, and because Canada is pretty politically stable, the issue (or rather non-issue) isn't written about. On the other hand, when Russia threatens to shut off the gas to Western Europe every couple of years, you hear a lot more about it. Buddy431 (talk) 00:19, 17 September 2010 (UTC)

Likewise, the U.S. oxygen supply remains steady, despite international pressure. Shadowjams (talk) 06:18, 17 September 2010 (UTC)

The above are good answers, but also see Oil curse. --Sean 15:57, 17 September 2010 (UTC)

"Anarcho-Totalitarianism" source

The term "anarcho-totalitarianism" was in July 2010 attributed in a magazine article to the late William F. Buckley, jr. Unfortunately, I can find no sign of the term in any prior usage, and I doubt he used it this year. Can anyone find an actual cite from the period he was alive to confirm he is the source of this usage? It is not in any National Review archives, nor in any Google books. Thanks! Collect (talk) 22:49, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

Using Google Books, I find a quote from the book The voice of reason: essays in objectivist thought, written by Ayn Rand and published in 1989, that says "A term coined by author Ernest van den Haag to describe Libertarianism captures this aspect perfectly: anarcho-totalitarianism" (page 325). Not sure why you were unable to find it. Looie496 (talk) 00:41, 17 September 2010 (UTC)

"A worried William F. Buckley Jr. called it "Anarcho-Totalitarianism." The Nation, Sept 2010. Seems to be making the rounds. And wasn't Ayn Rand dead by '89? WikiDao ☯ (talk) 01:06, 17 September 2010 (UTC)

The book is a collection of her writings. No idea when she wrote the piece in question. Looie496 (talk) 02:36, 17 September 2010 (UTC)

As an afterthought, since Google Books only gives a snippet view, I can't actually say for sure that the sentence I quoted was written by her rather than one of the editors. Looie496 (talk) 02:38, 17 September 2010 (UTC)

Appears clear the tem was from van den Haag, and not from Buckley. Unsure why the new article (yep - making the rounds) attributes it to Buckley. And I was looking for "Buckley" in my searches <g> which explains why I did not find him to be the coiner. Thanks. Collect (talk) 10:25, 17 September 2010 (UTC)

Apparently van den Haag did lots of his writing for The Nation, Buckley's mag, so a connection of some sort seems plausible. Looie496 (talk) 16:18, 17 September 2010 (UTC)

Buckley's rag is National Review. Haag apparently became a long-time contributor to it "after befriending Buckley". It's very right-wing, of course. The Nation is different, and left-wing. Anyway, even if Haag wrote or said it first, it was at least most-likely "published" first by Buckley. I could see Buckley just appropriating such a phrase if he wanted to, and it seems like a phrase he'd want to. Or Haag could have gotten it from Buckley. Attributing it to Buckley (assuming he ever used the phrase at all which, again, seems likely) seems more-or-less accurate either way. If the phrase catches on I'm sure there will be a full scholarly looking-into-it eventually. WikiDao ☯ (talk) 20:44, 17 September 2010 (UTC)

(out) Still found no sign of usage by Buckley during his lifetime, while van den Haag is found. If it were "published" it would, indeed, have shown up somewhere <g>. All of Buckley's columns and books are indexed now - and it is not used in any of them. Collect (talk) 17:32, 19 September 2010 (UTC) BTW, "The Nationa" is not "The National Review." Honest! Collect (talk) 17:33, 19 September 2010 (UTC)

September 17

Pokémon character design

Why is it that (most) male Pokémon characters have rather bland designs that seem like Ken Sugimori just threw them together at the last second, while the female characters (generally) look like they had more thought put into their designs? --71.153.45.75 (talk) 01:52, 17 September 2010 (UTC)

Female characters (and the more flamboyant male ones) are generally easier to accesorize as they generally wear more jewelery and flashier outfits making it easier to create a unique look where as your average joe male character is probably going to be decked out in jeans and a tshirt. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 209.167.165.2 (talk) 04:11, 17 September 2010 (UTC)

I think also a male character is a more simple shape to start with, and there's going to be less accessories like the IP above says. Also, it could be just opinion - they might've spent just as long creating the male characters as female, although there are more things they can add to a female character. Chevymontecarlo 14:27, 17 September 2010 (UTC)

I assumed OP was talking about the pokemans themselves, not the human characters. Do the pokemon accesorize? I don't think so. Well, probably the reason is they're pumping out so many new characters they just make anything up, but you see these people who make the characters are anime drawers and anime is all about waifus and cute female characters, so they put more effort into female characters than generic male characters who they can't masturbate to. Pokemon after 151 don't count anyway. Quadrupedaldiprotodont (talk) 15:30, 17 September 2010 (UTC)

They are very unlikely to be talking about the pokemon themselves, since male and female pokemon mostly look the same. 86.164.78.91 (talk) 16:08, 17 September 2010 (UTC)

You obviously know nothing about Pokemon 71.190.202.148 (talk) 16:14, 17 September 2010 (UTC)

Not necessarily a bad thing... Googlemeister (talk) 18:27, 17 September 2010 (UTC)

Six examples out of 500+? That's not an argument. Especially since they're all single-gender Pokemon! 86.164 is right., even if he worded it a little lazily; there is little to no sexual dimorphism among Pokemon for the first few generations (the only exception I can think of is Nidoran♀ and Nidoran♂), and even the later generations have minimal differences in most cases. Vimescarrot (talk) 18:52, 17 September 2010 (UTC) Struck through a comment. Changed my mind - nothing lazy about not knowing the word. Vimescarrot (talk) 19:06, 17 September 2010 (UTC)

I meant human characters. --71.153.45.75 (talk) 01:46, 18 September 2010 (UTC)

OK. In that case, I am not sure I agree with your assertion. I wouldn't call characters like Lucian, Blaine, Bruno or Chuck all that bland, and there are many more like that. 83.81.60.233 (talk) 05:15, 18 September 2010 (UTC)

But Kamitsure and Fuuro (especially the latter) are better than all other character designs put together! --71.153.45.75 (talk) 01:17, 20 September 2010 (UTC)

Emissions trading scheme

How can trading of emissions lower the amount of emissions that will be produced?Milwhee (talk) 07:59, 17 September 2010 (UTC)

Magic. You might want to refer to our Homework question policy as well. If you have a more specific question then we're happy to help. Shadowjams (talk) 08:14, 17 September 2010 (UTC)

For a more specific spell, we do have articles on emissions trading, also on personal carbon trading. For regional examples, we have European Union Emission Trading Scheme, UK Emissions Trading Scheme, United States Carbon Cap-and-Trade Program, Asia-Pacific Emissions Trading Forum, Chinese national carbon trading scheme, New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme, and Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme (Australia). (all from Category:Emissions trading) ---Sluzzelin talk 10:16, 17 September 2010 (UTC)

You have a misunderstanding, trading emission schemes don't actually lower the amount of emissions, rather they attempt to offset them.Smallman12q (talk) 20:11, 18 September 2010 (UTC)

I don't think that's entirely true (they do attempt to offset them but the idea is also that they will lead to lower emissions). Did you read the first article linked by Sluzzelin which says "Emissions trading (also known as cap and trade) is a market-based approach used to control pollution by providing economic incentives for achieving reductions in the emissions of pollutants.[1]"? As Shadowjams says, the idea is to rely on capitalism. If you can reduce emissions for $100 000 or buy offsets for $200 000, which one would you do? (Yes this is a very simplistic example.) Note that in some circumstances tradeable offsets may actually be emission reductions. Nil Einne (talk) 21:59, 18 September 2010 (UTC)

Any machine which contains gear, belt, cams etc?

I want to know about any basic machine which contains cams, gears, belts,etc? How the machine is made and other details. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Nayanmanna (talk • contribs) 12:17, 17 September 2010 (UTC)

Many printers (of the type you possibly have attached to your computer) have cams, gears and belts, but I'm not sure where to find details of how these are made. You could take an old one apart to see how it operates. Dbfirs 13:32, 17 September 2010 (UTC)

A car engine? Although admittedly that is definitely more complicated than a printer, and you can't as easily take it apart ;-) Chevymontecarlo 14:24, 17 September 2010 (UTC)

That's debateable. Mechanics routinely dismantle car engines, in the case of race cars even after every race. Cheaper printers are typically thrown away rather than one making the effort of repairing a mechanical fault for which spare parts are not usually sold. Cuddlyable3 (talk) 11:22, 18 September 2010 (UTC)

Meccano (in USA Erector Set) is a toy Construction set over 100 years old that includes gears and pulleys. Cuddlyable3 (talk) 11:29, 18 September 2010 (UTC)

See Sewing machine. Cuddlyable3 (talk) 11:30, 18 September 2010 (UTC)

How do lottery winners get the trusted advice they're always advised to get, but never told how?

Say you're a 21-year-old with negligible educational background and no connections with or references to any trustworthy sources of legal or financial advice. Say also that you just this second heard your numbers on the TV for a $100 million dollar lottery and they immediately stated there was one winner, which you knew was you. Here's my objective question: how does one with absolutely no trusted references or connections at all who immediately becomes a huge target for scammers find a safe source of trustworthy, quality legal and financial advice? 20.137.18.50 (talk) 15:19, 17 September 2010 (UTC)

Wiki can't give you legal advice, but any normal solicitor from a established company (not some shady guy doing business from his front room) is ok, because there are laws and things which stop them from scamming you. Quadrupedaldiprotodont (talk) 15:27, 17 September 2010 (UTC)

(edit conflict) The Better Business Bureau comes to mind, as they could probably recommend quality legal and financial professionals to the person (or the person could check certain professionals reputations with the BBB). And I don't really think this is a request for legal advice, really... Ks0stm ^(T•C•G) 15:29, 17 September 2010 (UTC)

(edit conflict) It doesn't take a genius to be able to go through a yellow pages and find a reputable lawyer (lawyer jokes aside) or accountant. Dismas|^(talk) 15:31, 17 September 2010 (UTC)

See the system in the UK for one example. ╟─TreasuryTag►sundries─╢ 15:45, 17 September 2010 (UTC)

It isn't possible. If the person doesn't learn how to personally oversee the financial dealings, there are always ways to run a scam. The only person you can really trust is somebody so rich that your money doesn't matter to them, but such a person is not likely to be interested in advising you. Basically you have to educate yourself and be proactive in looking out for yourself; there's no other approach that doesn't depend on luck. Looie496 (talk) 16:17, 17 September 2010 (UTC)

It is likely that even a random 21 year old has ongoing relationships with some businessmen. If no one of his friends or family has ever consulted an accountant, financial planner or lawyer, he is still likely to have a bank account and car insurance. Thus he could tell an officer at the bank, or his insurance agent, or the owner of a business he deals with, such as his auto mechanic, a pharmacist he knows personally, his doctor, or the guy who owns the local hardware store, that he is "anticipating a small inheritance" and ask for the name of a lawyer, and a financial planner. A large recognized financial company might be a good choice. With a short list of names of accountants, financial planners and lawyers, he can do internet search to check for complaints about them. He should keep it a secret for a short time that he had won, and get a safety deposit box at the bank to store the ticket until he is ready to claim the money, and has a strategy to select a payout which meets his personal situation. A financial planner, vetted by the law firm, can come up with a plan to give him a good payout for his new lavish lifestyle without squandering the total or falling for swindles. I personally would not hand it over to one investment firm or planner, like recent lazy and careless victims of Ponzi schemes did, who should have known better. In the US there's brokerage firms, and investments can be in stocks, bonds, mutual funds, annuities, CDs, and IRAs. See Investment, Diversification (finance). Edison (talk) 17:16, 17 September 2010 (UTC)

I have to disagree with you there Edison. The OP specifically said "negligible educational background and no connections with or references to any trustworthy sources of legal or financial advice". If I need references (for a passport for example) I only have 3 people I can think to ask and I'm fairly well educated! Spoonfulsofsheep (talk) 22:29, 17 September 2010 (UTC)

A possibly relevant case in the UK is that of Michael Carroll (lottery winner), though he mostly blew the money himself without the aid of scammers. AndrewWTaylor (talk) 17:49, 17 September 2010 (UTC)

From what I understand, the companies who actually payout the big money have a list of trustworthy people who can advise the big winners. This would seem to work - no lottery company wants the bad publicity of someone who wins big and goes off the rails. If they recommended a scammer that would turn into a PR disaster and could really hurt their business so it's in the company's own interest to make sure the winner has access to high quality impartial advice. Exxolon (talk) 19:40, 17 September 2010 (UTC)

I've read several good articles about what to do on winning the lottery. Here's a couple pretty good one: [5] and [6]. There's even a WikiHow article on the subject: [7]. One of the key points in any such article is to keep quiet about it, and make a plan. There are numerous stories about people who won the lottery and ended up worse off than before: this is only one such example.

I find it amusing how many people write and read such articles. What a lovely fantasy! If only we all needed that kind of advice. How many more of us have read articles about what to do when winning the lottery as compared to the number of articles we've read about more mundane, practical economic transactions? I reckon I know more about what to do in case I win the lottery than I do about 401(k) plans or IRAs or the like. --Mr.98 (talk) 22:10, 17 September 2010 (UTC)

Edison mentioned that you might want to keep it a secret until you know what you're going to do. I would also suggest that you consider keeping your winnings a secret permanently, if that can be done in your jurisdiction (see This former question for a largely U.S. perspective on the issue). It's not just scammers who will be after your money; friends and relatives will pressure you to loan them money or buy them expensive gifts. Old classmates might seem to suddenly take an interest in your life. In [8]this interview of Ken Jennings, he talks about all the crackpots and people with sob stories who wrote to him asking for money after he won. I know that if I win the lottery, I'm keeping it secret even from my dog. Buddy431 (talk) 20:15, 17 September 2010 (UTC)

I know that if I found out I'm suddenly a $100 million richer, I'd be in such a deep state of shock that I wouldn't be able to do anything. I wouldn't touch that money until I got myself mentally pulled together. 24.189.87.160 (talk) 20:48, 17 September 2010 (UTC)

Happy to help out there, 24.189. My fee is a very reasonable $100,000. :) -- Jack of Oz ... speak! ... 20:55, 17 September 2010 (UTC)

I wish to add my humble advice to the OP in the event that such good/bad fortune should ever befall he or I. I have played the UK and Euromillions Lotteries since their inceptions, and have been concerned that as a regular salaried employee with limited knowledge of the financial markets etc., I would be adrift in a sea of good/bad/indifferent/self-centred advice should I ever win any significant sum in a Lottery. So, in anticipation of any such unlikely event transpiring, I have done my advance homework and now know exactly what actions I should take to secure my own well- (and wealth) being. I have told my lawyer, my banker, my family and my friends that in the event of me winning a significant sum, all my wishes are recorded in my last will and testament with gifts etc. listed as per my wishes. And I have made those wishes known to all those who might benefit from any said gifts. And to more exactly answer the OP's question, I have already selected a group of indemnified and professional advisors - as a body - to act corporately on my behalf, should the need ever arise. 92.30.173.190 (talk) 23:02, 17 September 2010 (UTC)

Living persons' public wills (it's not "last will" until one is certified brain-dead) encourage private conspiracies. Cuddlyable3 (talk) 11:17, 18 September 2010 (UTC)

September 18

dailymotion account deletion

How to delete your Dailymotion.com account? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 65.92.149.43 (talk) 02:26, 18 September 2010 (UTC)

They have an FAQ and the fourth question down is how to delete your profile. Is that what you mean? If not, it might be best to ask the people at DailyMotion.com rather than us. They'd be more familiar with their own policies. Dismas|^(talk) 04:26, 18 September 2010 (UTC)

Why do deaf people talk with an accent?

I have a friend who is deaf in both ears presumeably all his life, and wears hearing aids. He still has some hearing so he is able to talk clearly, but his voice sounds like he is yawning all the time, why is this? How much of the way our voices sound comes from being able to hear ourselves and others speak? --124.254.77.148 (talk) 10:00, 18 September 2010 (UTC)

Most of it. Infants can hear all of the phonemes, but after a certain age (early on) we can only hear the ones we heard in the first few months. Chomsky hypothesized something like this... the language acquisition system. It should be noted that a number of people have tried to draw a connection between Chomksy's politics and his linguistic scholarship (in the latter of which he is unquestionably revolutionary). He's, to my knowledge, mostly dismissed those analogs. Shadowjams (talk) 10:26, 18 September 2010 (UTC)

As far as I knpow the only way a person born deaf can be taught to speak is by viewing lips and feeling vibration, for example by holding an inflated rubber balloon. That must influence the style of speech that the OP observes. (The question is unclear about the deaf person: a lifelong deaf person cannot hear at all and so has no use for hearing aid, and can learn to speak intelligibly.) It is necessary to hear oneself to speak comfortably and this is why telephones are equipped with Sidetone. However people are usually surprised when they first hear a recording of their own voice. Cuddlyable3 (talk) 11:05, 18 September 2010 (UTC)

a lifelong deaf person cannot hear at all and so has no use for hearing aid - that is simply untrue, Cuddlyable3. Except in some extreme cases, "deaf" does NOT mean "unable to hear any sounds at all". Even people classified as profoundly deaf can hear something, and very often hearing aids can help. A former partner of mine is in exactly this situation. He went deaf in the first week of life, after a blood transfusion went wrong. Without aids, his hearing is extremely limited (but not totally zero); but with aids, he gets by very well. He'll call me on the phone and keep me chatting for hours at a time; he plays Beethoven and Brahms magnificently on the piano; and his speaking voice has very few indications he has any hearing problem at all. -- Jack of Oz ... speak! ... 12:42, 18 September 2010 (UTC)

Indeed note that cochlear implants can often benefit people who have "severe to profound sensorineural hearing impairment in both ears" but have a functioning auditory nerve. While cochlear implants stimulate the auditory nerve, so can be considered a bionic ear and arguably not a hearing aide, they are something it pays to be aware of if you're considering deafness. Our article goes in to some details, but notably they are of greatest benefit if implanted at a very young age, our article suggests under 2 years old. It also says for those who have passed a critical stage of adolescence, they may not be able to learn to understand speech. You've probably heard of them because of the controversy they've caused in the deaf community as discussed to some extent at Cochlear implant#Controversy in Deaf culture which may be dying down. Nil Einne (talk) 13:16, 18 September 2010 (UTC)

Pope

When the popmobile visits the uk, does it need a license? Or his he driving around with no tax and no insurance? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 71.197.38.32 (talk) 16:22, 18 September 2010 (UTC)

I pay tax for my car in Austria, have an Austrian insurance, and I can drive around without paying anything and without needing a special license in lots of countries. I guess the same goes for the Pope. Of course, some insurances don't cover stuff that happens outside the country - in my case, it doesn't cover countries outside of the EU. Rimush (talk) 16:23, 18 September 2010 (UTC)

According to our article Popemobile, there are a number of such vehicles, designed for use in different situations. Whenever one is in use on the road it displays the Papal licence plate number, which is registered in the Vatican City. It is thus reasonable to assume that the vehicle complies with its own home laws on road tax and registration. Ensuring that cover extends to use in other countries will be a matter for the Holy See and its insurers. Karenjc 17:06, 18 September 2010 (UTC)

One suspects that the church and/or the Vatican are big enough to self insure. HiLo48 (talk) 17:10, 18 September 2010 (UTC)

Depends on the rules of the country they are visiting, I suppose. In the UK you are required to have, and show to the authorities on demand, a valid insurance policy if you drive on the road. This also applies to drivers of vehicles visiting from other countries. Saying "I'm rich enough to be able to settle any claim out of my own resources" isn't an allowable substitute. It's possible the Vatican has its own insurance company with itself as the customer, but if not, I would suspect (OR alert) that it has insurance like any other organization that owns and operates motor vehicles. Karenjc 19:10, 18 September 2010 (UTC)

It appears two Mercedes Popemobiles were flown into the UK, both using the "SCV1" papal numberplate. See http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1311980/POPE-VISIT-Holy-Merc-transport-Benedict-XVI-UK.html MilborneOne (talk) 19:27, 18 September 2010 (UTC)

If you don't have insurance can they confiscate your car or stop you from driving? Or just fine you? If they can only fine you then wouldn't the Pope have diplomatic immunity so could just ignore the fine if he wanted to? [9] Nil Einne (talk) 22:48, 18 September 2010 (UTC)

In the UK, if the police stop you and find you have no insurance, they will confiscate your car and make you walk home. Some traffic police cars are fitted with a gizmo that reads number plates and alerts the operator if there is no tax or insurance[10]. Alansplodge (talk) 23:37, 18 September 2010 (UTC)

I don't think the ANPR insurance and tax system works for foreign cars, because their records aren't on the UK's databases. However, uninsured cars certainly may be seized on the spot, leaving the driver to walk home, and the police are increasingly using their powers to crush such vehicles, particularly those belonging to repeat offenders (see here). Karenjc 11:06, 19 September 2010 (UTC)

You can drive a car from a EU state in the any other EU for short periods (six months a time, IIRC), before having to register the car in the new state, assuming that the Vatican City counts as EU state. However, the Pope's driver will probably have diplomatic immunity, thus Britain can't prosecute him. The best that the British Government could do is to revoke the recognition of the driver's diplomatic passport and expel him, but this is would cause a major incident. There are tales of diplomats racking up thousands of pounds of parking fees and unpaid congestion charges. CS Miller (talk) 11:57, 19 September 2010 (UTC)

Actually, one of the articles referenced above said that a British police officer will probably be driving, not one of the pope's own guys. Buddy431 (talk) 13:47, 19 September 2010 (UTC)

That's sorta what I said above but it sounds like they could theoretically confiscate and crush the popemobile. Unless the popemobile (well a diplomat's vehicle) has the same pseudo extraterritorial status (well there doesn't seem to be another name for it) as a diplomatic mission. Nil Einne (talk) 13:27, 19 September 2010 (UTC)

Edit: Actually extraterritoriality suggests the popemobile may have full extraterritoriality. Nil Einne (talk) 13:33, 19 September 2010 (UTC)

Don't worry, the Pope has diplomatic immunity anyways. Googlemeister (talk) 17:49, 20 September 2010 (UTC)

What is the following piece of furniture called?

does anyone know? TheCuriousGnome (talk) 18:48, 18 September 2010 (UTC)

A welsh dresser? Possibly also a hutch. ---Sluzzelin talk 18:56, 18 September 2010 (UTC)

Sideboard "A sideboard is an item of furniture traditionally used in the dining room for serving food, for displaying serving dishes such as silver, and for storage" - 220.101 talk^\Contribs 19:46, 18 September 2010 (UTC)

For visual comparison, see google image searches for welsh dresser, hutch, sideboard, and buffet + furniture. ---Sluzzelin talk 19:52, 18 September 2010 (UTC)

Furniture names vary from country to country, and from region to region within a country, of course. I can report that in the American South, "sideboard" has traditionally meant a rather formal cabinet on legs with a countertop, typically set against a wall of the dining room where serving dishes might be placed for convenience during a meal, or decorative items at other times. See the illustration here. A more modern equivalent term would be "buffet." But as to the piece the questioner asked about, that's also a fairly common piece of less-formal furniture down here, though I would tend to call it a hutch, not a sideboard, because of the shelves on top. "Welsh dresser" seems like a good term, maybe that's what it was originally called, I'm not sure. Textorus (talk) 21:28, 18 September 2010 (UTC)

It's a Welsh dresser. A hutch is for keeping dinner in before it is killed. DuncanHill (talk) 21:56, 18 September 2010 (UTC)

Mmmm, wabbit fwicassee, my favowite. Textorus (talk) 02:42, 19 September 2010 (UTC)

Don't let Baseball Bugs (talk · contribs) see you saying that! - 220.101 talk^\Contribs 05:09, 19 September 2010 (UTC)

This must be regional; I learned to talk in the American midwest, and that's a picture of a hutch. -FisherQueen (talk · contribs) 00:48, 19 September 2010 (UTC)

Yep, grew up in the Midwest and I'd call it a hutch as well. Dismas|^(talk) 02:07, 19 September 2010 (UTC)

well, I grew up in the northeast, and I'd have called this a credenza. Credenzas are more for kitchen and pantry use, while hutches seemed to be used more for storage and display in living areas. --Ludwigs2 02:40, 19 September 2010 (UTC)

I'd call that a "serving table", although maybe this is different because of the shelves. (If the shelves has glass doors I'd call it a china cabinet.) Adam Bishop (talk) 02:44, 19 September 2010 (UTC)

Definitely a china cabinet if it has glass doors. And down south here, a credenza is a long, low piece of formal living room furniture: a sideboard as I described above, without legs, or very short ones. Which just goes to show that the names of common furnishings can vary widely by region. Textorus (talk) 02:48, 19 September 2010 (UTC)

Here in northern England, I've never heard of "hutches" or "credenzas". It's just a sideboard here (or sometimes just a "dresser") (Who are the Welsh?). Dbfirs 08:01, 19 September 2010 (UTC)

(UK resident) - I'd endorse "Welsh dresser" in this case, as being a specific type (or possibly forerunner) of sideboard. More useful information here. Ghmyrtle (talk) 08:49, 19 September 2010 (UTC)

Yes, "Welsh dresser" is the UK term. A sideboard does not have the display shelves, which are called the "dresser top". If you took away the dresser top and left the lower cupboards/drawers unit with a flat top, then that would be a sideboard. Gandalf61 (talk) 10:28, 19 September 2010 (UTC)

'Concensus' seem to be it's whatever term is currently used in your locality! At least we all seem to understend what each other are talking about, even if we can't agree on one common term. - 220.101 talk^\Contribs 08:58, 19 September 2010 (UTC)

We are two nations divided by a common language. -- Winston Churchill (attributed). CS Miller (talk) 11:42, 19 September 2010 (UTC)

I was thinking the same thing actually. But I thought Patton said it, or was he just quoting Churchill? Or was that just in the movie? - 220.101 talk^\Contribs 16:42, 19 September 2010 (UTC)

But we all spell conSensus with an S.... Pedant = Ghmyrtle (talk) 16:46, 19 September 2010 (UTC)

Nobody quite seems to know where it came from, in its current form, but I've never seen it attributed to Churchill in such a way that you could check for yourself. So I think it's just one of those quotes that gets attributed to Churchill, Wilde or Milligan, regardless of fact. 109.155.33.219 (talk) 21:53, 19 September 2010 (UTC)

YouTube video as wikipedia article reference

I'm editing article about Audi V8 and I found couple of videos (two from YouTube), one from other video service with footage on which it was going 280km/h on the autobahn. Links to those films were to back up fact that this model haven't got an electronic speed limiter as opposed to its successor, Audi A8. Those links were deleted and now I don't know how else can I prove that, I know that some official test would be better but I have access only to those movies, aren't they sufficiently legitimate (considering that there are 3 films on which the same situation is documented)? Shaman (talk) 19:59, 18 September 2010 (UTC)

There is the belief that YouTube videos uploaded by anonymous users cannot be used as reliable sources in articles because of the possibility that the person who uploads it may doctor it. I read that argument on Talk:Lil_Wayne#UNRELIABLE_SOURCE.21, and I have to say, they're kinda right. Perhaps if Audi themselves had an official YouTube channel and uploaded the videos that you speak of on it, then you could get away with using those videos as sources for the article. 24.189.87.160 (talk) 03:05, 19 September 2010 (UTC)

This may also fall under wp:original research. There should be a more reliable way to show whether a car has a particular feature? Company website, published car specifications, vehicle handbook or technical manual for example? - 220.101 talk^\Contribs 05:36, 19 September 2010 (UTC)

* This is probably the wrong venue, actually. WP:Reliable sources/Noticeboard seems the right place to enquire. - 220.101 talk^\Contribs 06:25, 19 September 2010 (UTC)

cortisone shots

I take cortisone shots in my knees and hip. they help for awhile. If I exercise or play golf will the effect of the shots wear out faster than if I don't do these things? I don't need an opinion on a sedentary life style. Any opinion will be appreciated. Thanks Bill —Preceding unsigned comment added by 4.235.129.89 (talk) 21:25, 18 September 2010 (UTC)

I'm afraid that the Reference desks are not permitted to give medical advice. Looie496 (talk) 00:11, 19 September 2010 (UTC)

September 19

The longest (and surviving) uninterrupted ancestral line of UK/ English/British/Scottish/Irish/Welsh nobles in History.

Sorry folks for the somewhat challenging headline. I sometimes find that the most difficult part of enjoying Wikipedia is struggling to avoid the immediate brickbats of the Wiki know-it-alls lurking in the wings waiting to attack simpletons such as myself - a mere admirer of Wikipedia and a ready apologist for being a self-confessed seeker of the truth in a less confrontational way than asking at a local library. That said, all I want to know is: of all the current and existing Hereditary Peers of the UK Realm, be they, Dukes, Duchesses, Marquesses, Marchionesses, Earls, Countesses, Viscounts, Viscountesses, Barons and Baronesses, whether of English, Scottish, Irish, Welsh (forgetting German, French and other non-current UK family lineages) (I am not interested in Baronetcies); which is the longest unbroken line recognised by Law. I know that Father to Son would seem the most obvious, but I also accept thet some lines provide for inheritance through the female line. And if my question is not sufficiently exact so as to enable a specific and absolutely correct answer, then so be it - with my most abject apologies. 92.30.43.174 (talk) 01:12, 19 September 2010 (UTC)

A quick glance at the Peerage of England list and an equally quick scan of the Earl of Shrewsbury article seems to confirm that the Shrews have it. But that's just in England, I'll have a look at the Scottish peerage too, if it's not too confusing.Textorus (talk) 02:56, 19 September 2010 (UTC)

Disregard, I misread your question. It appears that the oldest peerage in England or Scotland is the Earldom of Sutherland, established 1230. Textorus (talk) 03:05, 19 September 2010 (UTC)

It's not father-son always, but the oldest continuously opperating title in the peerage is Baron de Ros. --Jayron32 03:00, 19 September 2010 (UTC)

The United Kingdom England does not seem to have any immemorial nobility. -- Petri Krohn (talk) 19:47, 19 September 2010 (UTC)

According to Burke's, the Earldom of Mar is the oldest in the United Kingdom here. A quote from that article reads: "The learned and accurate Lord Hailes remarks that ‘this is one of the earldoms whose history is lost in antiquity. It existed before our records and before the era of genuine history.’ " --TammyMoet (talk) 20:42, 19 September 2010 (UTC)

Alexander Stewart, Earl of Mar died in 1435 without a legitimate male heir, and the Earldom of Mar passed to the crown. -- Petri Krohn (talk) 22:53, 19 September 2010 (UTC)

Yes I got interrupted while posting that one and didn't come back to explain why I'd posted it. My reason for posting was to explain that, while primogeniture is the main mechanism for titles to be passed down, there are other mechanisms. In the case of the Earls of Mar, the article I linked to gives the history of the Earldom up until late in the 19th century, and explains the various hiatuses. It can be argued that, even if the Earldom passes to the Crown, then the Earldom is still extant, and the case in the 19th Century where an Act of Parliament confirmed Erskine as the rightful holder of the Earldom illustrates that. --TammyMoet (talk) 13:06, 20 September 2010 (UTC)

Freddie's overbite

I know he said he couldn't get his teeth fixed because it would interfere with his voice and blah, blah, blah. But my question is, how does getting work done on your teeth affect your voice if your vocal chords aren't being touched at all? I mean, I could understand someone refusing to get a nose job because it might affect their vocals, I could see how that would happen, but what kind of teeth must one have in order for it to have any kind of effect on their voice? And yes, I also know that Freddie had 4 extra teeth in the back which he claimed gave his voice resonance, how did that work? 24.189.87.160 (talk) 04:55, 19 September 2010 (UTC)

For those who are as confused as I was, the OP seems to be referring to Freddie Mercury. Dismas|^(talk) 05:04, 19 September 2010 (UTC)

OIC. Thanks, Dismas. But still, the things some people wonder about . . . . Which reminds me of the famous answer St. Augustine gave to the people who asked what God was doing before creating the world. Grin. Textorus (talk) 05:16, 19 September 2010 (UTC)

Yeah, sorry about not including his last name, it's become a force of habit as of late due to me discussing him on forums, so being on a first name basis becomes normal for me. 24.189.87.160 (talk) 05:22, 19 September 2010 (UTC)

The sound of the voice is determined almost entirely by the resonant spaces in the mouth and nasal cavities - the larynx mostly just provides pitch (consider how the sound of a vibrating string changes when placed in front of different resonators, as in guitars, violins, mandolins, zithers...). note, for instance, that the difference between the sounds 'mmmmm', 'eeeee' and 'ooooo' is determined completely by the shape of the lips. so yes, the shape and position of the teeth could have an effect on vocal tambre (particularly considering that repositioning the teeth might also affect the underlying bone structure of the upper and lower jaws). --Ludwigs2 05:24, 19 September 2010 (UTC)

(edit conflicted)Our article human voice makes some mention of the mouth's rôle in affecting the quality of the voice. Presumably, removing teeth could affect the mouth's resonant qualities. As if anyone wouldn't know who the question was about! DuncanHill (talk) 05:25, 19 September 2010 (UTC)

It's who I figured it would be but I'd never heard the 'extra teeth' story before. Dismas|^(talk) 05:40, 19 September 2010 (UTC)

Well, he's not listed here you know, and I always go by what Wikipedia says. Textorus (talk) 05:44, 19 September 2010 (UTC)

Wow, I didn't know how big of a role teeth played in the sound of the human voice. I thought it only made a difference in how you enunciate certain words, but not how you sounded. And Ludwigs' example of strings sounding different in multiple instruments makes sense. The same way performing live music will sound different in certain venues because of the varying acoustics. Considering that Freddie had some, er, big chompers that would require extensive dental work, I could see how he would be terrified for his voice in his case. Although I wonder if there have been any famous singers renowned for their voices (opera included) who have gotten dental surgery and it made a noticeable difference in their voices. 24.189.87.160 (talk) 06:06, 19 September 2010 (UTC)

Depending whom you believe, Winston Churchill had false teeth specially designed to maintain or to disguise his inherited lisp. Thus both the Queen and the King would have heard different voices had teeth not been as they were.Cuddlyable3 (talk) 09:27, 19 September 2010 (UTC)

Has anyone considered that it didn't bother him, and that he had no reason to have his overbite fixed? --Jayron32 00:35, 21 September 2010 (UTC)

Indeed, Gene Tierney would have considered that. Or, as Hawkeye remarked to Blake after being updated that Cornel Wilde had just kissed Tierney "right smack on" (in a movie): "If he straightens out that overbite, I'll kill him." [11] ---Sluzzelin talk 00:58, 21 September 2010 (UTC)

Dick Cheney; did he have any ministrokes before 2001?

I think Dick Cheney was much different in George H. W. Bush's administration than he was when he became vice-president in 2001. Is it known if he had any ministrokes that could have affected his reason and emotions? (As you might guess, i didn't like what he did as vice-president. However I would like to find extenuating circumstances for what IMO were wrongful actions by him. If such circumstances were found, it might help a national reconciliation.)The current wikipedia article doesn't mention any. Thanks, 24.7.28.186 (talk) 06:17, 19 September 2010 (UTC)Rich (talk) 06:19, 19 September 2010 (UTC)

I can see how the OP's wish to smear a serving politician as neurologically unfit for office is a sincere effort to help the USA. Cuddlyable3 (talk) 09:00, 19 September 2010 (UTC)

Really? I can't: would you care to explain it to us? 87.81.230.195 (talk) 10:12, 19 September 2010 (UTC)

It's complicated. Cuddlyable3 (talk) 10:48, 19 September 2010 (UTC)

You are clearly being sarcastic because I offended you. I'm sorry. Perhaps our politics differ. But I am indeed sincere.Rich (talk) 16:38, 19 September 2010 (UTC)

The original question referred to changed behaviour. That's not a political issue, although the questioner did put a political slant on it. On a very much smaller scale, a lady in a voluntary organisation of which I am part caused considerable conflict over the past twelve months. She has just been formally diagnosed with a particular medical condition known to cause behavioural changes and is now taking medication for it. No world scale politics here, but the same kind of scenario. Medical/psychiatric conditions DO affect behaviour. We should be allowed to consider the possibility. (I also imply no comment whatsoever about Dick Cheney.) HiLo48 (talk) 23:11, 19 September 2010 (UTC)

Yes, and though I did have a political slant I was straightforward about it. It is also almost certain that Cheney's military opinions on Iraq were different after 2001 than during and just after Desert Storm. I have been told that people who have had heart attacks are at risk for ministrokes. So if anyone knows whether Cheney did have any before 2001, I will appreciate your answer. Otherwise let's cool it.Rich (talk) 05:54, 20 September 2010 (UTC)

Boleskine House

Who is the current owner of Boleskine House, and does anyone currently live there? --Viennese Waltz 08:56, 19 September 2010 (UTC)

According to this BBC documentary (video from 2000) the house was bought in 1991 by owners who wish to be left alone. Cuddlyable3 (talk) 10:13, 19 September 2010 (UTC)

Kind of makes you wonder what they're up to in there... --Viennese Waltz 10:23, 19 September 2010 (UTC)

You can zoom down and peek in their chimney. Cuddlyable3 (talk) 10:45, 19 September 2010 (UTC)

Registers of Scotland have a search service here. DuncanHill (talk) 15:45, 19 September 2010 (UTC)

Fly as much as you want ticket?

Is there some life ticket where you can take as much airplane trips as you want? I have seen the idea in the book Small World by David Lodge but could not find any real reference of it (unless some promotional one-month campaigns).--Quest09 (talk) 10:06, 19 September 2010 (UTC)

The characters in Small World with that privilege had it because their adoptive father ran the airline in question - it probably came under the heading "staff perks" rather than a product available to any ordinary customer at a price. Karenjc 11:11, 19 September 2010 (UTC)

You can get 'around the world' air tickets. These generally are expensive (but cheaper than individual tickets), and limit you to

1. Always fly east (or west, depending on the ticket).
2. You can't loop back with another ticket, and then continue with the main ticket - i.e. each origin airport must be east (or the same) as the previous destination airport.
3. You can't pass your initial airport.
4. The ticket has a limited lifetime. Normally one or two years.
5. You may need to book each flight - i.e. the ticket is not a turn-up and go, but a pre-paid token for purchasing real tickets.

However, you can keep zig-zaging north-to-south as much as you want, as long as you head slightly east at each hop. CS Miller (talk) 11:29, 19 September 2010 (UTC)

WP:WHAAOE applies. Note that most Round-the-world tickets have some additional restrictions. An alternative (or addition) would be a collection of Continent passes. --Stephan Schulz (talk) 11:44, 19 September 2010 (UTC)

When I was in college, one of my roommates would fly all over the country while we were on school breaks. His mother worked for an airline and he got to fly free or nearly so. I think he might have had to pay $20 or so for meals or some such thing. Dismas|^(talk) 12:42, 19 September 2010 (UTC)

I know that if you worked for British Airways x years (on higher position) then you may fly free everywhere together with your spouse, furthermore your spouse after your death will also get the same (free flying). I don't know if they didn't make any limitations though since they had some torubles lately, and don't know about different airlines, those cheap doesn't have that for sure, over there even pilot has to pay for his flight ;-) Shaman (talk) 18:10, 19 September 2010 (UTC)

Wikimedia HTML Upload Error

I'm trying to upload a .jpg file of wikimedia and keep getting this error:

This file contains HTML or script code that may be erroneously interpreted by a web browser

What does it mean and how can I fix it? --CGPGrey (talk) 10:11, 19 September 2010 (UTC)

Use a tool to remove embedded metadata, probably. Jpegtran is an old command-line program; there may be others... AnonMoos (talk) 10:15, 19 September 2010 (UTC)

A jpg file should contain an image, and not HTML which is for describing a web page. Try to open your file in MS PAINT to see if it is an image. Cuddlyable3 (talk) 10:19, 19 September 2010 (UTC)

It's an image alright. All of the images from my flickr stream have the same problem. —Preceding unsigned comment added by CGPGrey (talk • contribs) 10:28, 19 September 2010 (UTC)

After trying to get FlickrBot to upload a file then trying it manually when that didn't work and getting the same error I searched for the error and found [12]. As described there and from looking at your files, the problem is likely that your files all contain <a href which is forbidden because it will be interpreted by some/all versions of IE as HTML which could lead to people making malicious images by adding more insidious code. Either use [a href etc or don't bother to add a href (intepret that either way is fine) and just put the website link. Hope this helps Nil Einne (talk) 12:54, 19 September 2010 (UTC)

See File:Pope Benedict protest 2010-09-18 CGP Grey 0084.jpg where I modified the IPTC with Irfanview lossless editing tool and replace the < with [ and > with ] Nil Einne (talk) 13:22, 19 September 2010 (UTC)

Rebuilding a boat, plank by plank

Resolved

I remember reading an article about a philosophical argument that used an example of someone replacing a wooden plant from a ship and continuing to do so until all the boards had been replaced and the old planks used to build another boat -- the question was then which boat is the original. A similar concept was used by those wanting to avoid emissions regulations on VW beetles; apparently, the VIN is old enough that the cars are exempt from tests but they don't run properly -- so the owners changed the VIN and used this philosophical argument to say that what they had really done was change every single piece of the car except the VIN, and in essence, the car was the original (even though all the parts were new) and so it was indeed exempt from the emissions tests. What was the name of this ship...something like Plato's ship, but I cannot remember or fine it! DRosenbach ^{(Talk | Contribs)} 13:17, 19 September 2010 (UTC)

Ship of Theseus. Dismas|^(talk) 13:22, 19 September 2010 (UTC)

The metal components are only the physical realization of the 'idea' of a 'peoples car' (Volks Wagon). So yes, it is still the same 'car' how ever many times you rebuild it. The VIN tells you so and there is only ever that one unique number to have ever rolled off the production lines. --Aspro (talk) 14:24, 19 September 2010 (UTC)

In the UK, the modern expression Trigger's broom[13] is in common use. The broom in question (from a TV comedy), had 17 new heads and 14 new handles. Alansplodge (talk) 14:52, 19 September 2010 (UTC)

Thank you to all, and to Dismas for his response in under 5 minutes!! DRosenbach ^{(Talk | Contribs)} 15:23, 19 September 2010 (UTC)

A hot-rod builder Boyd Coddington was doing this - completely rebuilding old pre-war cars that there was barely couple of original parts, but still registered as 'historical', guys from government didin't like it, they ruled it as a scam. For me I prefer not to overdo, as the subject of restoration loses its identity somehow because of that.Shaman (talk) 18:16, 19 September 2010 (UTC)

There was also a similar case with Bentley's Old Number One. A guy bought it, but then wanted to return it because it was substantially different than the original car. The judge basically said that there had been continuous modifications, and at no point did the car cease to be the real Number One. [14].

And for an example of a real ship with this happening, see the USS Constitution. It's not quite in the same situation as the Ship of Theseus yet (I think some of the timbers below the waterline are still original), but it's on its way to that state in the near future. There have been two major restorations and several smaller ones, and you'd be hard pressed to pick out things that were present when she defeated the Guerriere. Buddy431 (talk) 18:57, 19 September 2010 (UTC)

You're welcome! Anytime. Dismas|^(talk) 20:50, 19 September 2010 (UTC)

The same has been done with Canterbury city walls, there is a sign now pointing toward the only part of the original still standing. Or so they say, I cannot see any difference there to the rest of the wall. 148.197.121.205 (talk) 08:27, 20 September 2010 (UTC)

(Late to the party...) The question is an important one with regard to the Cutty Sark, which went up in flames in 2007 and is now undergoing lengthy & expensive restoration, or rebuilding, depending on your definitions. BrainyBabe (talk) 22:55, 20 September 2010 (UTC)

The Cutty Sark and HMS Victory could be further examples. 92.28.253.68 (talk) 09:07, 21 September 2010 (UTC)

SAT score

What are the average/median/mode (whichever) SAT/ACT scores of entrants to Harvard, or other Ivy League schools? I know they look at more than your tests but that's all I'm interested at this particular moment. thanks. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 24.92.78.167 (talk) 16:22, 19 September 2010 (UTC)

The National Center for Education Statistics [15] compiles statistics like this. At Harvard, [16] it gives 25th-75th percentile SAT scores of 690-780 for reading, 690-790 for math, and 690-780 for writing. Buddy431 (talk) 18:14, 19 September 2010 (UTC)

BBC

So, just moved and set up my TV, retuned all the channels and such like. Also set up this new-fangled HDD recorder, which apparently can record TV without needing any videos. It worked before, but now, does not. On my TV, I can get channels 1, 2, 3 and 4, though in very bad quality, whilst on the HDD recorder, channels start at 3, and very soon jump to the 700s, there are no BBC channels there at all, and consequently I cannot record anything off them. I have tried retuning again and again in digital, and it always finds the same 31 channels. I have retuned in analogue as well, since it is the analogue setting of my TV that produces the channels, and recieved then about a hundred channels, all identical black screens. A third option is to copy channels from my TV, which is not allowed, because apparently they cannot communicate. I have tested all the wires I can find and spent a couple of hours pushing buttons, to no avail. If noone has any ideas how to fix this, is it at all possible to get TV on the BBC website and record that, or copy it over off of iPlayer?

148.197.121.205 (talk) 17:46, 19 September 2010 (UTC)

It always helps to mention which makes and models one is talking about in case it is a known idiosyncrasy. Have moved to an area of bad reception (your new neighbour might know the answer to that). Or a property with an old aerial system that needs replacing. Is it pointing in the same direction as all the others? I don't know how digital signals are multiplexed together but someone else might know why BBC is missing. As it effects both devices it sounds like a poor signal. But isn't this a good excuse to find out where all the local pubs are?--Aspro (talk) 18:03, 19 September 2010 (UTC)

It sounds like you're in a low signal area, check here. 82.44.55.25 (talk) 18:06, 19 September 2010 (UTC)

The real problem that needs fixing is just to get BBC1 and 2, (which I can get, albeit at low quality, on my TV) over onto the recorder such that I can record programs off them. If it were a low signal problem, surely I would not get the channels on either, and would it not have some effect on others, such as ITV, which comes through remarkably clearly. Besides which, the site linked to above specifically states that I should get BBC 1, 2 and 3. 148.197.121.205 (talk) 18:43, 19 September 2010 (UTC)

Err just a thought. When you say you have retuned. Do you mean you have done a 1st time tune or factory reset, where you get asked if you want your old channels deleted. As you have moved, a straight forward retune wont find your new local transmitters.--Aspro (talk) 19:36, 19 September 2010 (UTC)

The digital channels (which is what your recorder needs) are transmitted quite separately from the traditional analog channels. There are several multiplexes each carrying a selection of channels. This page shows that BBC 1, 2 and 3 are on Mux 1, but ITV is on Mux 2. So if you are in a bad reception area, or have an aerial that is at the limit of its performance, you might happen to pick up ITV but none of the BBC channels. (And again, the analog channels are quite separate from this). You probably need to upgrade your aerial. --ColinFine (talk) 20:22, 19 September 2010 (UTC)

I have yet to see a 'factory reset' in the list of menu options, I went for the startup tuning, same as I did on first buying it, that seems to work better than any of the others listed there. I just seems a little strange to me that out in the middle of nowhere I got dozens of channels, and in the middle of a big city cannot get BBC1 and 2. Noone else around here has said anything about similar trouble, though I have not gone and specifically asked everyone yet. And before anyone suggests it, I am on the ninth floor here, overlooking a small park, so I doubt there could be any interference from surrounding buildings. 148.197.121.205 (talk) 08:24, 20 September 2010 (UTC)

It sounds as if you just have a bad aerial connection. You don't say what area you have moved to. Some areas have gone digital and some are still transmitting only the old analogue signal. A local TV or aerial shop will know which. It is possible that you have no digital signal, so your new recorder will not work at all if it has no analogue input. Have you got your TV in digital or analogue mode? Will it tune to any channel at all in digital mode? Dbfirs 09:18, 20 September 2010 (UTC)

I have tried both 'replace channels' and 'add channels', with the exact same results either time. In digital I can get some channels, though none of the BBC. There is nothing wrong, though, with ITV or Channel 4. this is Portmouth, which, last I heard, had not changed over to digital. Or perhaps it has. Either way, I can get channels 3 and 4, but not 1 or 2, that is the problem.

What can I do? Could I go down to B&Q or Argos and say I need a [something] to plug into the back and make the signal better? I have done that once before, and it seemed to work. 148.197.121.205 (talk) 09:38, 20 September 2010 (UTC)

The Freeview site says it should be OK for coverage so that's not the problem. If the TV is not too big, the next step would be to take along to a neighbour (with a working digital TV) to see if its OK there. Is it a community areal system (in which case your spur should be repaired by the landlord). You have a ITV multiplex transponder right on your doorstep which might explain getting ITV. Don't plug in boosters yet, you might just boost the noise still further.--Aspro (talk) 09:45, 20 September 2010 (UTC)

In case someone asks, the other details are: This is the Maridian region, Rowridge transmitter. CURRENT ENGINEERING WORKS IN PROGGRESS [17] Signal strength should be OK. Situation recommends an 'A' group aerial with horizontal polarization. There appears to be an independently owned transposer to improve local reception, situated in the Docks themselves. Just placed there out of spite perhaps, in order to add another unknown into the equation. I still think this is a good excuse to explore the local pubs and watch their TV's instead.--Aspro (talk) 11:55, 20 September 2010 (UTC)

I seem to recall from a friend's problems some years back that in certain parts of Portsmouth there are issues with tall buildings or similar structures causing localised poor reception, due to signals being shadowed or reflected. Googling on 'Portsmouth TV Reception problems' throws up some related results, which you might be able to analyse further. You might need to install an improved aerial to improve reception. You might get some useful input from your nearest friendly TV dealer. 87.81.230.195 (talk) 19:38, 20 September 2010 (UTC)

River Plate

Vivo en la ciudad de Anaheim Hills, California, USA. Porque es que han dejado de dar los partidos de River Plate? Antes los veia todos los domingos en Fox Sport o T&C. Recibo cuatro partidos por domingo, pero no el de mi cuadro favorito, River Plate. Podrian ustedes darme una respuesta? Les agradeceria muchisimo. J. Ruben Deluca email removed —Preceding unsigned comment added by 76.208.143.243 (talk) 19:46, 19 September 2010 (UTC)

Via Google translate: "I live in the city of Anaheim Hills, California, USA. Because it is no longer given the River Plate games? Before seeing them every Sunday on Fox Sport or T & C. I get four games Sunday, but not my favorite picture, River Plate. Could you give me an answer? Les agradeceria muchisimo." -FisherQueen (talk · contribs) 19:47, 19 September 2010 (UTC)

By which I guess the OP used to watch Club Atlético River Plate games on TV (particularly Fox Sports en Español, I guess). I can't find a reliable source, but there are some recent posts on various websites kvetching that FSeE has shifted its football coverage to more Mexican and less Argentinian coverage. -- Finlay McWalter ☻ Talk 20:46, 19 September 2010 (UTC)

La asociación del fútbol argentino decidió emitir la mayoría de los partidos argentinos por la TV Público (lo que era Canal 7 de Argentina). Por lo tanto, Fox Sports en español y Torneos y Competencias perdieron sus derechos de emitir los partidos en sus canales. Si le interesa, casi todos los partidos están disponibles en la Internet por http://www.canal7.com.ar, pero la calidad de la trasmisión es muy baja, y como mucha gente quiere verlos en vivo, a veces alcanza el máximo y deja de funcionar. Espero que esta información le sea útil. // The Argentine Football Association decided to give the rights to most of the games to local broadcast station Canal 7. Therefore, FoxSports and T&C lost the rights to carry the games. If the OP's interested, most of the games are available at the website I linked to, but they're poor quality and the service often overloads with so many people watching the games live. Hope that helps.--el Aprel (^facta-_facienda) 03:31, 20 September 2010 (UTC)

iconic cars

Paykan has been called iconic car of Iran and Lada has been called the iconic car of Russia. Except France, Germany, Italy, U.K., Sweden, Japan and South Korea, which other cars has been called iconic cars in other European and Asian nations? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 174.89.42.23 (talk) 20:53, 19 September 2010 (UTC)

This one is quite iconic in the Vatican. --Cookatoo.ergo.ZooM (talk) 21:04, 19 September 2010 (UTC)

The Auto Rickshaw is iconic of India (and apparently much of Asia). ny156uk (talk) 21:19, 19 September 2010 (UTC)

The Hindustan Ambassador. -- Finlay McWalter ☻ Talk 21:25, 19 September 2010 (UTC)

The Škoda of Czechoslovakia. Rojomoke (talk) 21:31, 19 September 2010 (UTC)

The Delorean of Northern Ireland? ny156uk (talk) 21:42, 19 September 2010 (UTC)

Even though the question is about Europe and Asia, I have to tell you that Australia has two! They are the Holden and the Falcon. HiLo48 (talk) 22:07, 19 September 2010 (UTC)

I'd have to argue for the Holden over the Ford. (I have owned both so no COI) It was the original Australian made car, unless I'm very mistaken. - Arrr! ☠ - 220.101 talk^\Contribs 23:18, 19 September 2010 (UTC)

Define "original Australian made car". David Shearer produced a car which featured a differential gear in an enclosed case in 1897, and this wasn't the first Australian made car (just the first one that I know about). As for "iconic" Australian cars IMO the Holden FJ qualifies, but the Ford Falcon doesn't, as the XK was basically a right hand drive version of the American model. The Falcon range is much like the Honda Civic or Toyota Corolla; the name goes on but the concept changes. --TrogWoolley (talk) 14:01, 20 September 2010 (UTC)

Completely OR list off the top of my head...

• USA - Ford Mustang / Model T Ford / Chevrolet Corvette
• UK - Ford Escort / Rolls Royce
• Italy - Ferrari (take your pick of the model) / Fiat 500
• France - Renault 4 / Citroen 2CV
• Germany - Audi Quattro / BMW (any)

etc Exxolon (talk) 01:21, 20 September 2010 (UTC)

or East Germany - Trabant Rojomoke (talk) 01:53, 20 September 2010 (UTC)

England - Mini? Or these? Ghmyrtle (talk) 08:29, 20 September 2010 (UTC)

Romania - Dacia 1300 80.123.210.172 (talk) 09:32, 20 September 2010 (UTC)

How about the Yugo? Googlemeister (talk) 17:46, 20 September 2010 (UTC)

I was just thinking of suggesting that - Yugoslavia had one car producer (plus at least some local factories for foreign cars, Slovenia had/has a Citroen and a Renault factory) and crippling taxes on import cars, so most of the cars used on Yugoslav roads were Yugoslav made - the by far most common of these being the Yugo, the Zastava 101 and the licensed Fiat 600 based Zastava 750. Of these, the Yugo can be said to have achieved international iconic status, although not in an exactly flattering manner :) TomorrowTime (talk) 05:50, 21 September 2010 (UTC)

What about the great British Reliant Robin? Alansplodge (talk) 18:22, 20 September 2010 (UTC)

September 20

9mm ammo in .38 caliber gun

On an episode of Dragnet (series), they said that 9mm ammunition can't possibly be fired from a .38 caliber gun. Since 9mm is only a little smaller than 0.38 inch, is that true? Bubba73 ^{(You talkin' to me?)}, 15:03, 20 September 2010 (UTC)

The calibre isn't the only issue - the dimensions of the full round (and the chamber that accommodates it) matter too. As you've only described calibres rather than specific kinds of ammo, lets consider 9x19mm Parabellum (a very common round for 9mm semiautomatic pistols) vs the .38 Special. For those, you'll see that the .38 round is 8mm longer - a .38 round wouldn't fit into the chamber of a 9mm parabellum firearm, and a 9mm pb round would be so loose in the chamber of a .38 special gun that the hammer wouldn't be able to strike it properly. Now two things are possible - it's possible to rechamber a firearm - to replace or remachine the chamber to take a different round. Mostly people seem to do this with old rifles, for which the ammo is no longer made. Secondly you can use an adaptor cartridge - that PDF shows adapters to allow smaller calibre rounds to be fired from a 9mm; I don't know specifically if they exist (or could be made) to adapt a 9mm pb to .38 special. Lastly, these days mostly for much much larger calibres like tank and artillery rounds, a smaller diameter round can be adapted to fit a wider barrel with a sabot. All of this is fairly complicated gunsmithy stuff that you'd surely only really see in some detective thing where someone was trying to conceal which gun had fired what by some elaborate mechanism. -- Finlay McWalter ☻ Talk 15:59, 20 September 2010 (UTC)

Thanks for the info. On Dragnet they could look at it and tell whether it was from an automatic, and mentioned left and right. I suppose that is the direction of the rifling. Bubba73 ^{(You talkin' to me?)}, 16:28, 20 September 2010 (UTC)

A good forensic ballistics expert can tell all kinds of things by examining a fired bullet, including details of the rifling of the weapon that fired it. If discussing a specific bullet, they could surely say "this specific bullet wasn't fired from a .38", because the marking done to it is wrong. That's not the same as meaning "this type of bullet cannot be fired from a .38", although in both cases the ever ambiguous English language would let one say "this bullet cannot have been fired from a .38". But really, in practice, bar the looneytune stuff I outlined above, guns only ever fire the rounds they're built to fire. -- Finlay McWalter ☻ Talk 17:40, 20 September 2010 (UTC)

Only thing I can think to add is that 9mm is rimless and thus would not stay in place in a .38 revolver. A moon clip could solve this problem. I would say they stretched the truth by saying "can't possibly" - if someone wanted to rig up a way to do this, they could. (This does not, of course, make it a good idea to attempt to do so.) Friday (talk) 16:57, 20 September 2010 (UTC)

The left and right refer to the rifling direction. There are some guns that can fire different rounds. The most common example is probably the .38 Special that can be fired in some .357 Magnum guns (but not the other way around). Another consideration, other than the geometries, is the pressures involved. Firing an overloaded round is the cause of a lot of firearm accidents; certainly be sure you're using the right round in the right gun. Shadowjams (talk) 19:30, 20 September 2010 (UTC)

And there you have it: just the facts from Friday. dum dee dum dum Clarityfiend (talk) 21:03, 20 September 2010 (UTC)

Yrs, thanks everyone. Friday investigated an apparent suicide with a .38, but the slug was a 9mm. Bubba73 ^{(You talkin' to me?)}, 23:50, 20 September 2010 (UTC)

Front Loading Washing Machines Units Sold

Looking for the most recent information on the number of residential front loading washing machines sold in the US annually (not total value of units sold). Couldn't find this information on Census site or yours (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washing_machine#External_links)

Thank you —Preceding unsigned comment added by 68.114.239.4 (talk) 16:12, 20 September 2010 (UTC)

You're right, it's not an easy statistic to find. I suggest you send an email to the experts at the Bureau of Economic Analysis of the U.S. Department of Commerce, bet they can steer you to it. Textorus (talk) 05:23, 21 September 2010 (UTC)

Market for the Popemobile?

I was wondering about the picture (File:Popemobile passes the White House.jpg) posted above in the #iconic cars thread. Have any others (royals, celebs, politicians) made any use of a similar vehicle? (I mean something very much just like that: casual, stylish, and visually-accessible such as perhaps the QofE might also prefer at times as useful and convenient; not the sort of heavily-armored vehicles that look formidably protective such as the one that didn't actually function that way too well in the case of Benazir Bhutto. I'm talking about chic and stylish and functional too, like the Popemobile). WikiDao ☯ (talk) 16:47, 20 September 2010 (UTC)

There are some presidential vehicles listed under Category:One-off_automobiles, but they don't look as "different" as the Popemobile. (There are also the Monkeemobile, Bluesmobile, and Wienermobile, but not for royals or politicians :) ---Sluzzelin talk 16:53, 20 September 2010 (UTC)

A monarch would not want to be seen dead in one, as it is not a dignified way to perambulate one's kingdom.Nor can I see any cabinet in which to store the Dubonnet and gin. It could do with a bit of 21st century pimping though, to make it more attractive to a wider clientèle. Some bullbars to aid speedily cutting a swath through the milling throngs would be a useful addition (have you seen how slow he's driver has to go). As would a descent sound system, for would not Danny Boy at 200 watts bring tears to any traffic cops eyes! They will have to ditch the name Popemobile too. I'd prefer a more modern name like the Papal Carrier MCXXIV --Aspro (talk) 17:34, 20 September 2010 (UTC)

Her Majesty prefers something less aquarium-like[18]. More often, she uses a customised Rolls-Royce Phantom VI and more recently a Bentley State Limousine with a raised roof and interior lighting so that the public can see inside[19]. Her parents were more partial to Daimler Limousines. But if you want stylish, you can't beat a good old horse and cart[20]. Alansplodge (talk) 17:51, 20 September 2010 (UTC)

I can't believe we're back to Guido Westerwelle (we just had a question at the language desk), but I just thought of the Guidomobil, a not so chic yellow bus in which he toured the country, campaigning for his party before the German federal election, 2002. ---Sluzzelin talk 17:50, 20 September 2010 (UTC)

Jean Marie Le Pen had to sell of his personalised car. (Various articles in French are more illuminating.) At the time, the papers ran more detailed descriptions of the car, but I can't find any. - Jarry1250 ^{[Who? Discuss.]} 19:01, 20 September 2010 (UTC)

Satin /Silk

My parents were married in 1940 and my mother made her gown out of satin . I think that would have actually been silk . Given the year would I be correct24.72.110.152 (talk) 17:41, 20 September 2010 (UTC)

If it was in the UK, it probably would have been from a parachute![21][22] Alansplodge (talk) 17:43, 20 September 2010 (UTC)

The questioner doesn't say where Mother lived at the time. Even in the UK, the dress could have been made from either material that was bought before the war began. Textorus (talk) 17:47, 20 September 2010 (UTC)

Yes that's true - it was a rather facitious answer. 1940 was quite early in the war. Alansplodge (talk) 20:00, 20 September 2010 (UTC)

Alansplodge, I mention this not to nitpick, but to let you know you missed out on the opportunity to use a word that, when correctly spelt, is one of the few that contains not only all the vowels, but has them in alphabetic order: facetious. Commiserations.  :) -- Jack of Oz ... speak! ... 20:38, 20 September 2010 (UTC)

Huh. Never noticed that before, amazing. Textorus (talk) 03:55, 21 September 2010 (UTC)

When I first saw it I thought it said factitious, which to be honest is a word of whose meaning I have only a fairly vague idea. I'll link it here: wikt:factitious so that I can go look it up. --Trovatore (talk) 20:40, 20 September 2010 (UTC)

Satin actually refers to the weave of the material, not the material. Also, parachutes where mostly synthetic in WWII. Not a lot of people know that. Here is the first cite I came across. [23]. It was/is called Art silk. Real silk is still used even to day however, for the explosive charges on the big guns of battles ships, because it does not leave a smouldering residue. Not a lot of people know that either. --Aspro (talk) 17:57, 20 September 2010 (UTC)

Sources indicating real silk was used in parachutes in the second World War: (silk or nylon)(mentions silk and nylon), [24]. Edison (talk) 19:49, 20 September 2010 (UTC)

During war time, labour became a scarce resource. Silk worms raised on mulberry required more man-hours (or woman-hours) per square foot. Your sources do not overturn what was used. Rather they displayed war time moral building propaganda which was orchestrated by Edward Bernays,et. al. The use of the word 'silk' helped to give the impression, that we (the tax payer and government), were giving our air crew (your sons and sweet-hearts) the very best equipment. There was a war on! The material and manufacturing methods that provided the most parachutes, on time, was what the factories delivered. That was the reality... Today, the war has been long over. There is no need anylonger to believe Bernays as gospel .--Aspro (talk) 20:30, 20 September 2010 (UTC)

The WP article on Nylon says; "Bill Pittendreigh, DuPont, and other individuals and corporations worked diligently during the first few months of World War II to find a way to replace Asian silk and hemp with nylon in parachutes." The first months of the war in the US would be firmly in 1942. Alansplodge (talk) 20:06, 20 September 2010 (UTC)

Blather aside, there is no reference provided so far which contradicts the ref which say that silk parachutes were indeed common in WW2, along with later nylon parachutes. Is it asserted that someone decided to destroy all the existing silk parachutes so that only synthetic fabric would be used during the war? Edison (talk) 02:31, 21 September 2010 (UTC)

Lexington or Park

In the film Madagascar, two characters are discussing the best way to get from Central Park Zoo to Grand Central station. The discussion includes the following lines:

• What's the fastest way to Grand Central?
• You should take Lexington.
• What about Park?
• No, Park goes two ways, you can't time the lights.

I think Lexington refers to the Lexington Avenue Subway line, which is what the characters take, but can anybody please help me understand what "Park" is, and what is meant by "goes two ways, you can't time the lights"?

Initially I thought it could be a subway line, where a train in one direction has to wait for one from the other, but the only subway line I can see with Park in the name is the Eastern Parkway Line, which doesn't seem to go to Grand Central Station. I'm wondering if perhaps it is a road, but I can't understand the lights reference. If "goes two ways" means that it is a two-way rather than a one-way street, I don't see why lights are relevant (one-way streets have lights too).

Anyway, I am all guessed out, and would really appreciate any help you can provide. 80.229.115.231 (talk) 18:34, 20 September 2010 (UTC)

I'm sure they mean Lexington Avenue vs. Park Avenue. Grand central is on Park Avenue. Lexington Avenue is southbound only, traffic on Park Avenue goes in both directions. -- Finlay McWalter ☻ Talk 18:40, 20 September 2010 (UTC)

The issue of the lights is that, for a two way road, the light timing is different to accommodate folks turning right left across the oncoming traffic (either there's a special filter, or the yellow time is longer, to help the junction empty). Their argument centres on whether the light timings for the one-way Lexington Avenue give an advantage that cancels out the slightly longer time to drive to and from it (doing so adds a block's length at either end). -- Finlay McWalter ☻ Talk 18:45, 20 September 2010 (UTC)

Forget turning traffic, it's simpler than that. If you're on a one-way street, the traffic engineers can synchronize all the traffic lights into a green wave progressing at a steady speed. Match that driving speed and you never get stopped at a light. Of course, this is only possible if they're willing to give your street priority over the timing demands of cross streets -- but because Manhattan is a long and narrow island, that's entirely reasonable. With a two-way street, on the other hand, the northbound and southbound traffic have conflicting demands on the timing unless all the traffic lights are spaced at equal intervals. --Anonymous, 22:55 UTC, September 20/10.

Google Maps, incidentally, recommends using 5th Avenue rather than either. -- Finlay McWalter ☻ Talk 18:41, 20 September 2010 (UTC)

Nazi cap insignia (Eagle with Knight's Cross)

I am in posession of an aluminum cap insignia that I have not been able to identify any further. I would like to find out what branch of the Nazi military it identifies as well as any additional information including the value of this item.Aok1947 (talk) 18:37, 20 September 2010 (UTC)

Some photos would be useful. Use this link to upload one. Wikipedia:Upload--Aspro (talk) 18:56, 20 September 2010 (UTC)

If you can't upload a picture (not everyone owns a digital camera), then please give a more detailed description. The more information you give us, the more likely we will be able to help---Sluzzelin talk 18:58, 20 September 2010 (UTC)

Place it on a scanner even! Better than nothing.--Aspro (talk) 19:00, 20 September 2010 (UTC)

you might look through ranks and insignia of the Nazi Party and uniforms and insignia of the Schutzstaffel both of which have a number if images you can compare. --Ludwigs2 23:02, 20 September 2010 (UTC)

Train tracks on north shore of the Harlem?

Just to add to the NYC transportation infrastructure quiz today, when I take Metro North commuter rail into Manhattan on the New Haven line, I've noticed some train tracks that go right along the northern shore of the Harlem River. I'm not aware of any passenger lines that use that route, either subway or commuter rail, so I assume it's a freight line -- is that correct? It doesn't look like there's much clearance under the bridges on that track... 96.246.59.38 (talk) 18:44, 20 September 2010 (UTC)

Do you perhaps means the Hudson Line? If so, that goes to the Highbridge Yard. -- Finlay McWalter ☻ Talk 19:12, 20 September 2010 (UTC)

No. These tracks are (more or less) perpendicular to the Park Avenue Bridge, which is what the Harlem, Hudson, and New Haven lines take over the river. The tracks in question are directly on the water, following the course of the Harlem. I've never seen a train on them (although I only see them twice a day, usually, so that's probably not unusual), and I'm pretty curious what they are. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 96.246.59.38 (talk) 20:26, 20 September 2010 (UTC)

Based on google maps, it looks like these are tracks for freight trains coming down the Hudson River to connect over to a rail yard over in Port Morris and then up the coast into New England or over Hell Gate Bridge into Long Island. Still don't have a name for them or the name of the company that owns them, but that's good enough for me. 96.246.59.38 (talk) 20:44, 20 September 2010 (UTC)

Note also that old port and industrial areas sometimes have private rail lines or private spurs off of public rail lines, that are just there to move volumes of material to and from stocking areas. I'm not saying that's the case here (I have no idea), but it is a possibility. If so, the line may not have a name, or any public record of its existence outside of the company or port authority that constructed it. --Ludwigs2 23:06, 20 September 2010 (UTC)

Oh there are legions of railrfans in New York, and somebody knows exactly what that line is, and the whole history of it. And note that even industrial spurs would be shown and identified on maps and employee timetables of whatever railroads they connected to. I'm thinking, though, that this map might answer the query. If not, I suggest posing the question over at the talk page of the Trains Wikiproject, where someone's bound to have the answer. Textorus (talk) 03:29, 21 September 2010 (UTC)

On second thought, it sure does sound like it's the Oak Point Link, specially built by the State of New York in 1998 as a freight connection from the Hudson Line (Metro-North) to CSX's Oak Point Yard in the South Bronx. Textorus (talk) 03:41, 21 September 2010 (UTC)

September 21

costs of "pretty bridges" vs functional/utilitarian bridges

I am trying to find out how much extra it costs to make a bridge "pretty". Such as the paint, scrollwork, materials, ect.------ —Preceding unsigned comment added by Cynthia6719 (talk • contribs) 01:47, 21 September 2010 (UTC)

Why is paint not utilitarian? Paint prevents rust and corrosion, and so is a vital component of the bridge. --Jayron32 01:50, 21 September 2010 (UTC)

Yes, paint is often a necessary element, not a decorative one. But the question as posed is unanswerable: there are many, many different sizes, shapes, and styles of bridges, with and without ornamental details. One would have to ask about a particular bridge, and even then no one but the architect or general contractor or construction accountant would be able to state the exact cost. Textorus (talk) 02:41, 21 September 2010 (UTC)

I doubt it's answerable because we would need to find a reference that broke the cost down based on what is absolutely necessary and what makes it "pretty". And I don't think that anyone would go to a city or town with a bridge proposal and say "Well it will cost X if it's pretty and functional but Y if it's heinous hideous and functional" Dismas|^(talk) 03:05, 21 September 2010 (UTC)

Surely you mean hideous, not heinous, Dismas? Bad bridge, bad bridge! Textorus (talk) 03:48, 21 September 2010 (UTC)

Maybe it's a regional thing. I've heard both used as a synonym for "very ugly". Dismas|^(talk) 03:53, 21 September 2010 (UTC)h

It's not a regional thing, just ignorant speakers. Textorus (talk) 05:06, 21 September 2010 (UTC)

An example at least, of "making a bridge pretty" are the granite clad pylons on each end of Sydney Harbour Bridge. Quoting the article: "The pylons have no structural purpose; they are there to provide a frame for the arch panels and give better visual balance to the bridge." [25]. The cost of the pylons would fit the OPs(Cynthia6719) criteria. - 220.101 talk^\Contribs 10:36, 21 September 2010 (UTC)

Looking for four notes that will sound good no matter how they're played

Hi all,

I'm making a little musical toy for my five-year-old niece. I'd like a suggestion for four notes which can be played in any order and should sound harmonious when played. I might expand the toy later, so using a scale that gives me more than four notes would be ideal. I don't know much about music (as you can tell), but I was thinking maybe a pentatonic? But then I was wondering if this would be too bluesy for a five-year-old... Thanks! — Sam 76.24.222.22 (talk) 02:02, 21 September 2010 (UTC)

I would suggest a major chord, which gives you three notes, which can be expanded to four by including the octave above the fundamental. E.g. middle C, E, G and C-above-middle-C. -- 174.24.192.84 (talk) 02:22, 21 September 2010 (UTC)

You could also add the seventh in, so C E G Bb which is also a fine sounding chord. In general, setting up the instrument on any major scale (as defined by equal temperament), would result in pleasant sound. Lots of kids toys are set up on major scales, so they always sound "good" even when played randomly. --Jayron32 02:27, 21 September 2010 (UTC)

See Taps. -- Wavelength (talk) 02:33, 21 September 2010 (UTC)

Whatever notes are selected, if it were me, I'd give the thing a thorough "test drive" first to be sure it produced pleasant sounds, not jangly ones - if I wanted to stay friends with the little girl's parents. Unless of course I hated them and wanted to drive them out of their effing minds with sound torture. Textorus (talk) 03:00, 21 September 2010 (UTC)

Usual practice, when using a reduced scale to introduce a child to music, is indeed to use a pentatonic scale. It only sounds bluesy if she play blues, and you probably want to use the major pentatonic scale anyway! It's a nice basic scale, anything sounds pretty good, there are no dischords, and you can easily expand it all the way up to a major scale when she's older. [[26]] would say that's exactly what you should be doing! 109.155.33.219 (talk) 11:57, 21 September 2010 (UTC)