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January 23

Finding family in Czechoslouakia

Hello all of you Volunteers, I just read the site on Czehoslovakia and it was just full of information, plus the Bryndzove Halusky that she and my mother use to make and I do to this day YUM. My Grandmother Anna Stefkovich born in 1884 and Grandfather Anton Adreansky born in 1881 some where in Czeholovakia. Married and came to New Jerseyin 1908. I would like to know who I can contact to see if I can get anymore information on where they lived and about there families. I tried Ancestry.com but just can not afford that kind of money. I have been trying find something on them for years. I have been told that all records of the people that lived there in the 1800 have been distroy. There must be something about them somewhere or someone that can steer me in the right direction or who I can call or e-mail for help. I live in Alaska, am a old lady and not rich. I wish I was there so I could do the work. Thanking you in advance Patti Alix — Preceding unsigned comment added by Pepalaska (talk • contribs) 06:57, 23 January 2011 (UTC) Edited to improve readability. Royor (talk) 07:03, 23 January 2011 (UTC)

Hi there -- Many libraries have Ancestry.com subscriptions, so you should check to see if your local library has it on its computers. If you do a Google search for Slovak genealogy, you'll find plenty of organizations that can help you with your search. The food you mentioned is Slovak, so I'm guessing your family came from Slovakia. -- Mwalcoff (talk) 07:52, 23 January 2011 (UTC)

This site has some contact information for Slovak ancestry research. --Cookatoo.ergo.ZooM (talk) 11:33, 23 January 2011 (UTC) PS: Living half an hour away from Bratislava I could also walk across the border and ask a few people:)

Maybe not exactly what you are seeking, but is it possible they entered the USA through Ellis Island? If so, then this site might let you search for their records there. Those records might include the names of other family members and their place of origin. Astronaut (talk) 19:59, 23 January 2011 (UTC)

One other piece of information that you may find helpful is this: At the time that your ancestors came to the United States, Slovakia was considered part of Hungary, which in turn was part of Austria-Hungary. So when you look for a country of origin, you will probably need to look for Hungary or Austria-Hungary. Also, some of the records you seek might be in Hungary today (though regional records should have stayed in what became Slovakia). Marco polo (talk) 19:20, 24 January 2011 (UTC)

Porn

Are porn actors considered legitimate actors and are porn films considered legitimate topics of discussion on forums dedicated to discussing "television and film"? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 92.113.119.4 (talk) 10:49, 23 January 2011 (UTC)

That would depend entirely on which forum you're asking about. Did you have one in mind? 90.193.232.5 (talk) 11:09, 23 January 2011 (UTC)

Werner Herzog often mentions porn when discussing film in general. He's about as legitimate and respectable as it gets in the film world. See here (middle page 239) for a bit of his opinions on the matter. Staecker (talk) 14:04, 23 January 2011 (UTC)

Each forum is going to have its own codes of conduct and social norms. You really need to ask your question to members of the forum you're thinking of. Kingturtle = (talk) 14:58, 23 January 2011 (UTC)

Note the type of discussion might make a difference. Depending on the forum, talking about the cinematography or the Foley of a porno may be one thing (except if you're complaining about poor quality - no one is is surprised by a poor quality porno), but discussions along the lines of "did you see the size of that thing!" would be another. -- 174.31.216.144 (talk) 19:03, 23 January 2011 (UTC)

Wikipedia has an article about Adult Video News awards with a discussion page where it would be hard not to speak about porn films and actors. Cuddlyable3 (talk) 11:51, 24 January 2011 (UTC)

Many consider porn actors to be "whores", because they perform sex acts for money. By contrast, if they built wagons for money, they would be considered "wainwrights." If they made wagon wheels they would be considered "wheelwrights." If the worked metal in a forge they would be considered "smiths." If they made shoes, they would be considered "cobblers." (If the shoe fits, wear it.) [User:Edison|Edison]] (talk) 05:37, 26 January 2011 (UTC)

Maybe we should call them "sexwrights". -- Jack of Oz [your turn] 08:33, 26 January 2011 (UTC)

I once worked with a guy whose name was Dick Wright. HiLo48 (talk) 09:08, 26 January 2011 (UTC)

Porn "actors" sound like "whores," that is folks who perform sex acts for money. Edison (talk) 03:51, 30 January 2011 (UTC)

Looking for a book by Beverley La Haye (article in Wikipedia but link not working)

A few years ago I read a book of Beverley La Haye which I cannot find at all. It was one of the best books and I really Want to obtain this book. It was called: “How to develop your childs temperament” by Beverley La Haye. This book features in your article on Beverley La Haye, but the link does not want to work.

Please could you assist me with contact detail since I can't find contact detail on these authors on the internet I would appreciate assistance in obtaining this book.

kind regards, Elvira —Preceding unsigned comment added by 196.2.126.173 (talk) 16:39, 23 January 2011 (UTC)

Umm, try amazon and its Used & new section? --Tagishsimon (talk) 16:42, 23 January 2011 (UTC)

...or (for the UK) here. Ghmyrtle (talk) 16:48, 23 January 2011 (UTC)

Here's a link to Worldcat using the OCLC number: 3312367 ; by clicking on that link you will retrieve a list of 155 libraries who have this book. If you enter your location, the list of libraries holding this book will be sorted with those closest to you at the top. For finding copies in bookstores (including Amazon), LibraryThing has some pretty neat utilities and links also. I've gone ahead and put the OCLC number link on the Beverly LaHaye page also. --Quartermaster (talk) 18:33, 24 January 2011 (UTC)

Digital wall clock with analogue face?

I would like to have a wall clock that was digital, but still showed the time as an old-fashioned round analogue clock face with the hands and stuff, not with numbers. Do these things exist? JIP | Talk 17:46, 23 January 2011 (UTC)

Sure. The innards of almost all new clocks are digital these days — you'll likely find mechanical escapements only in overpriced wristwatches. The one in my kitchen id from LaCrosse Technology, syncs itself to WWVB, and cost, I think, $8.95 at Fry's. PhGustaf (talk) 17:58, 23 January 2011 (UTC)

What about clocks that don't use actual hands but a LCD display forming the image of an old-fashioned analogue clock face? Do these things exist? JIP | Talk 18:23, 23 January 2011 (UTC)

Oddly, this seems like not something there are a lot of, though the idea is simple enough. I've found this, though, which tells one how to make one from parts. Kind of a neat project. --Mr.98 (talk) 18:52, 23 January 2011 (UTC)

I also found this, which simulates an old-fashioned analogue clock with one of those fancy moving LED stick thingies. But it still has a moving part. I would prefer a clock that looks like an analogue clock but doesn't actually use any moving parts. JIP | Talk 18:55, 23 January 2011 (UTC)

There are a bunch of DYI projects that I've found while searching for "digital analog clock" and "analog LED clock". But I didn't see any dedicated products for sale. Also, for the reverse approach (a clock that looks digital but is really analog), this is pretty cool! --Mr.98 (talk) 18:55, 23 January 2011 (UTC)

Excuse me, but I don't understand what you are talking about. The difference of digital clock and analogue clock is time display methods. See this. JIP, you mean a quartz clock with a clock face, don't you? But I recommend you a radio clock with a clock face. It's the most accurate clock. Oda Mari (talk) 19:35, 23 January 2011 (UTC)

No, that's not what I meant. My original question was poorly phrased. When I said "digital" I should have said "LCD". I want a clock that I can hang on my wall, that looks like a traditional analogue clock, but doesn't actually use any physically moving objects as hands, but instead liquid crystals or LEDs that turn on or off. The internal workings are irrelevant to this definition. JIP | Talk 19:39, 23 January 2011 (UTC)

I see. I should have read the comments above more carefully. I hope you could find what you want. Good luck! Oda Mari (talk) 19:46, 23 January 2011 (UTC)

I've seen watches and small clocks with LCD simulated pointers, but not large clocks. The only reason that they might be rare is the cost of the large LCD display, so the price will be several times that of the equivalent clock with pointers that move. I would regard all clock mechanisms as digital, since mechanical clockwork escapements and electronic tuned circuits both provide a discrete count which is then displayed in either analogue or digital format. Even the synchronous motors of older mains clocks relied on the count of cycles at the generator. This is just my viewpoint, and is not relevant to the question. Dbfirs 20:34, 23 January 2011 (UTC)

If you are looking at an LCD screen of a laptop running Windows then you already have a little analog clock display when you click on the time at bottom right. Supplementary question: is there an analog clock whose hands move at truly constant speed? Cuddlyable3 (talk) 11:02, 24 January 2011 (UTC)

Good point about the Windows clock! Answer to supplementary question is, I think, "no" except for old-style mains synchronous motors where the rotation is directly geared to the pointers to give a smooth movement without any jerks such as the ones that occur in clockwork and electronic movements. I suppose it is a matter of opinion (and definition) whether the fact that the timekeeping is controlled by counting mains cycles (and keeping the average to exactly 50 or 60 per second) makes the control "digital". Dbfirs 19:21, 24 January 2011 (UTC)

I rule out clocks that are driven by a synchronous motor because it would need an infinitely massive flywheel to smooth out the 50 or 60Hz jerks. I suspect that the only way to get a constant movement is by a float on a water clock that is driven by a laminar stream instead of drops of water. Cuddlyable3 (talk) 09:34, 25 January 2011 (UTC)

The synchronous motor is not driven by "jerks" in the same way that a quartz clock is, but the speed is controlled by the generators at the power stations. An infinitely massive flywheel could not be synchronous. Dbfirs 20:46, 25 January 2011 (UTC)

I would imagine that the reason for this comment was to state that a big LCD screen is possible, and cost-efficient, to implement. It also gives me a solution of making a laptop computer constantly display an application that looks like an analogue clock and hanging it on the wall, but I'd rather avoid that solution. I'd much rather keep the solution to mostly just the display alone. A laptop computer has many extra parts, which consume power and make noise. The main reason why I want this LCD wall clock is that it would be almost completely silent. Also, I'd imagine a laptop computer costs much more than this LCD wall clock, and so I'd be underusing it. JIP | Talk 20:32, 24 January 2011 (UTC)

Possible, yes, but cost-efficient, no, for exactly the reasons that you state. Analogue displays are a tiny fraction of the cost. Dbfirs 08:03, 25 January 2011 (UTC)

The LCD screen of a laptop computer consists of about a million teeny-tiny crystals. But this LCD clock doesn't have to have that, but instead 72 big crystals (12 for the hour hand and 60 for the minute hand). We have had LCD displays with specifically-shaped crystals instead of a universally versatile matrix of crystals for many decades now, so such a thing shouldn't be much of a problem. The only problem I can see is the large size of the clock face. JIP | Talk 18:17, 25 January 2011 (UTC)

Yes, there's no problem in producing these displays, it's just a matter of scaling up the watch displays that used to be available, but the fact that there is little demand (you seem to be in a minority) means that the cost will be greater than most people are willing to pay. Dbfirs 20:57, 25 January 2011 (UTC)

There's the "Bulbdial" kit. — Preceding unsigned comment added by APL (talk • contribs) 15:47, 25 January 2011 (UTC)

question

What goes "hut-hut-huuussss"? — Preceding unsigned comment added by Great Green Gourd (talk • contribs) 18:51, 23 January 2011 (UTC)

Apparently the answer is "The Clow-Clow". I think it's safe to say that few of us are in on the joke. Still. Thanks for sharing. --Tagishsimon (talk) 18:55, 23 January 2011 (UTC)

May we have a h-h-hint? Cuddlyable3 (talk) 09:35, 25 January 2011 (UTC)

A variation on this same trolling question appeared on one of the other ref desks. ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 04:29, 27 January 2011 (UTC)

The Germans' fear of the "cold steel"

People of my parents' generation, when talking about World Wars I and II, still often refer to the Germans' fear of being bayoneted. They were said to be terrified of the "cold steel" piercing their nordic bodies. I can sort of accept that at face value. I mean, I wouldn't particularly care for a cold steel blade to be thrust into my austral body and I can't think of any human or group of humans who would be more or less OK about it.

But it's always spoken as being more particularly true of German soldiers than anyone else (I never heard it being said of the Italians or the Japanese, for example; only the Germans). By implication, they were a bunch of lily-livered cowards, while our boys were real men who welcomed being blown up, shot or stabbed to death for king and country.

I'm assuming this was just a form of wartime anti-German propaganda that took on a life of its own and continues to the present day. Is it well attested? -- Jack of Oz [your turn] 19:10, 23 January 2011 (UTC)

Interesting footnote here to the first attested use of the phrase, Walter Scott's, Old Mortality. It seems plausible, devilish enemies in league with pure evil can seem to dodge bullets but the sneaky blighters can't dodge a sword. I expect it was merely that Germans were the enemy of the day, not sure why it wasn't applied to others, perhaps regarded as beneath contempt and such a noble death. "They don't like it up 'em!" was the favourite phrase of this character, referring to the germans but still fighting older enemies. meltBanana 20:36, 23 January 2011 (UTC)

Oh thank you for refreshing my memory of the exact phrase. As soon as I saw the topic I remembered Corporal Jones. It was from him that I first learnt about this alleged German phobia. I knew his best words were a little more evocative than simply not liking cold steel, but couldn't recall exactly what they were. HiLo48 (talk) 23:11, 23 January 2011 (UTC)

Might have to get around to reading Old Mortality. The thing that struck me is, though I haven't figured out which side I would have more sympathy with, I note that John Balfour of Burley seems a bit challenged in the department of counting:

"In one word, then," answered the spokesman, "we are here with our swords on our thighs, as men that watch in the night. We will take one part and portion together, as brethren in righteousness. Whosoever assails us in our good cause, his blood be on his own head. So return to them that sent thee, and God give them and thee a sight of the evil of your ways!"

--Trovatore (talk) 21:07, 23 January 2011 (UTC)

There is something both biblical and phallic about a man having a sword on his thigh. Sol 3:8 every man [hath] his sword upon his thigh because of fear in the night. Ex. 32:27 Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, 'Every man of you put his sword upon his thigh... Cuddlyable3 (talk) 10:52, 24 January 2011 (UTC)

A search for fear cold steel at Google Books turns up more references to trolls, trows and suchlike than to Germans. --Antiquary (talk) 22:05, 23 January 2011 (UTC)

Nobody likes the idea of being bayoneted — it's been noted (in On Killing, at least) that in general, nobody really likes to use a bayonet either. Some huge percentage of bayonet charges end with one side fleeing and nobody actually getting stabbed with the things, if I recall from the book. --Mr.98 (talk) 21:05, 23 January 2011 (UTC)

Was there, perhaps, some connection with the Niebelungen myth? Not on a good computer at the moment so can't do much searching - if someone else can help me out I'd be grateful.--TammyMoet (talk) 21:29, 23 January 2011 (UTC)

Can't remember or find any connection, Tammy, unless you're thinking of Tolkien's "By the forging of Gram cold iron was revealed"? (From "On Fairy-Stories"). --Antiquary (talk) 22:36, 23 January 2011 (UTC)

As for those who don't mind cold steel penetrating their bodies, there is the ancient tradition of Seppuku (hara kiri). (As opposed to English gentlemen who, having been discovered cheating at cards, were exhorted to "do the decent thing" and given a revolver by fellow officer types.)

Saki, or rather one of his debonair young characters, thought cold steel an honourable way to die. This is from "The Unrest-Cure", in which Clovis has taken it upon himself to stimulate the lives of some hapless middle-aged strangers called the Huddles. He pretends to be confidential secretary to a visiting bishop whom he invents out of whole cloth, hiding him in the library so that none of the household realise that there is no such person. He then informs his unwilling hosts that the bishop is actually in the village "to massacre every Jew in the neighbourhood." (This is in the Edwardian summer of rural England, far from Russian pogroms and entirely unaware of the Holocaust.)

Clovis hastened downstairs, and after a short visit to the library returned with another message:

"The Bishop is sorry to hear that Miss Huddle has a headache. He is issuing orders that as far as possible no firearms shall be used near the house; any killing that is necessary on the premises will be done with cold steel. The Bishop does not see why a man should not be a gentleman as well as a Christian."

I'm sure I would have found H H Munro insufferable in person, but there is no writer like Saki. He was very anti-Hun, as they phrased it, and wrote a novel of invasion literature; there is no steel in When William Came, and the only cold things are asparagus and goblets of hock. (What did we do before full-text search?) Pity Munro died by a sniper's bullet in WWI trenches.

BrainyBabe (talk) 21:40, 23 January 2011 (UTC)

This is slightly off-topic, but I remember a passage in All Quiet on the Western Front suggesting the reverse, sort of: A fear and hatred for the particularly "German" version of bayonets with a serrated edge. The passage describes how German soldiers tryi to modify that particular form of bayonet, because of the enemy's horrible punishment rumoured to befall any German soldier found with a serrated bayonet. The soldiers' corpses were found with their noses cut off and their eyes gouged by their own bayonet. Their gaping wounds had been filled with sawdust in order to asphyxiate them. ---Sluzzelin talk 21:50, 23 January 2011 (UTC)

Called a Pionier-fasschinenmesser designed to cut sticks for Fascines - an element of field fortifications[1]. Originally only issued to German pioneer companies. Alansplodge (talk) 18:47, 24 January 2011 (UTC)

AQOTWF was fiction. The above was a rumour/propaganda repeated by a character in a novel - so not very reliable. 92.24.185.2 (talk) 00:41, 24 January 2011 (UTC)

One of the characters in the comedy series Dad's Army - which I never cared for - supposedly a veteran of WWI, would endlessly repeat the catch phrase "They don't like it up 'em" at the slightest provocation, while miming thrusting a bayonet. So that may have been the origin of that. In reality, I've read Good-Bye to All That and a compendium of accounts of WW1, and I do not recall anything about Germans fearing cold steel. 92.24.185.2 (talk) 00:41, 24 January 2011 (UTC)

A little reading of what others have posted may have saved you that post. Corporal Jones has already been mentioned, in the second post of the thread, right after mention of the idea first being used in Walter Scott's, Old Mortality which was published in 1816. HiLo48 (talk) 00:50, 24 January 2011 (UTC)

Why bother to tell me, at length, and in deatil? 92.24.185.2 (talk) 00:53, 24 January 2011 (UTC)

It doesn't address Jack's specific question about Germans, but I found this article quite interesting (ignoring the typos), particularly the second half, which looks at the psychological effect of the bayonet. It notes the reference in On Killing that Mr.98 cites, and generally concludes that "He who has not made up his mind to come at last to the bayonet can never win, for he can have no serious intention to assault". If you wish to characterise your enemy as inferior, and you regard a willingness to engage in close-quarters fighting with the bayonet as the acid test of a soldier's courage, it makes sense to suggest that he has a constitutional unwillingness to do so. Karenjc 10:20, 24 January 2011 (UTC)

Ha! Found it in the "Nibelungenlied" article: "...killing Siegfried with a spear as he is drinking from a brook in chapter 16. This perfidious murder is particularly dishonorable in medieval thought, as throwing a javelin is the manner in which one might slaughter a wild beast, not a knight. We see this in other literature of the period, such as with Parsifal's unwittingly dishonorable crime of combatting and slaying knights with a javelin (transformed into a swan in Wagner's opera)..." A bayonet is just a spear attached to a gun. I think this is what I was thinking of, and certainly sounds plausible as a source for the modern Germans and bayonets myth. --TammyMoet (talk) 15:26, 24 January 2011 (UTC)

Wow! I never expected to see the Nibelungenlied and Wagner operas in the same thread as Dad's Army, Walter Scott and Saki. I wasn't remotely expecting any of those, actually. Thanks for all the great cultural refs, dearly beloved co-editors. -- Jack of Oz [your turn] 19:14, 24 January 2011 (UTC)

Ack, I knew Tammy's Wagnerian spear-murder reminded me of something, and I couldn't place it. Sorry Jack, I think you were drawing a line under this one, but can I just add the Arthurian legends to the mix, in particular the First Continuation of Chrétien's Perceval? Gawain is escorting a strange knight under safe-conduct when an unseen someone (probably the recently humiliated Kay) lobs a javelin at the stranger and kills him. I recall being taught that this was disastrous not only because the stranger was under Gawain's protection, and because the killing was anonymous, but because death by javelin is inherently shameful. A knight fighting an enemy with hand-held weapons must come within reach of his opponent and risk his own life in turn, which gives honour to both parties. On the other hand, chucking a spear at him makes you into a cad, since you have denied him an honourable death (and are a rotten coward to boot). This would appear to contradict Tammy in some ways, since a distinction is made between a hand-held spear and a thrown one. But it's plausible that there's a link there somewhere. Karenjc 19:50, 24 January 2011 (UTC)

Thanks for that, Karen. (Let me never be accused of drawing lines under things. If there is more to say, let it be said, is my philosophy.) -- Jack of Oz [your turn] 20:00, 24 January 2011 (UTC)

Well, since you've un-drawn the line, I thought I'd say that I don't really get the argument above, about javelin cowardly vs sword brave. I understand that slaying an enemy from a distance by hurling something, or attacking him from behind, is perceived to be less manly than confronting him face to face with roughly equivalent weapons, i.e. an equal chance of getting hurt oneself. But surely bayonets are thrust from very near in? They are not thrown. If anything, it is the bullet that more closely resembles a javelin, in this regard, as being the distance projectile. Or am I missing something? BrainyBabe (talk) 11:29, 25 January 2011 (UTC) PS I've just come across, linked from Edith Cavell, British propaganda poster from 1918, depicting a German soldier bayoneting a baby. Charming. BrainyBabe (talk) 11:45, 25 January 2011 (UTC)

Well, Siegfried (if true) implies that dying like a stuck pig on a spear is inherently dishonourable; Gawain (if true) that this may be so, but the shame is in the separation between killer and killee. (A) supports Tammy's suggestion of a genuine Teutonic distaste for dying a squalid, unknightly death on a spike. (B) would endorse Jack's British propaganda assumption: if hand-to-hand fighting equals heroism, courage and honour, you spread the story that you're up for it any time, but your opponent is a coward who daren't get close enough to taste your (hand-held) cold steel. The original question really intrigued me, and I'm sad we haven't found an authoritative answer and probably never will. Propaganda is slippery stuff. I see what you mean about that poster, by the way. Eugh. Karenjc 14:21, 25 January 2011 (UTC)

But bayonets are hand-held. Aren't they? (Not having been trained in hand-to-hand combat myself.) And in the old days of mythology, spears would have been tipped not with steel of any temper or temperature, but iron or bronze, surely? Puzzledly, BrainyBabe (talk) 22:58, 25 January 2011 (UTC)

In my research of 19th century surgery, I found a US Civil War surgeon (the exact book reference is not readily at hand) who said that bayonet wounds to the abdomen were rarely fatal. The bayonet was not very sharp, and penetrated the front of the abdomen, but pushed the intestines aside, rather than severing or penetrating them. Even without antibiotics or any notion of aseptic surgery, most victims of a bayonet to the abdomen survived in that war. By contrast, he said that a man cut or stabbed in the abdomen with a very sharp Bowie knife invariably died of peritonitis due to the cutting into the intestine and the release of intestinal contents into the abdomen. Edison (talk) 05:34, 26 January 2011 (UTC)

Sugar "free"

Why don't you sell SUGAR FREE hot Chocolate mix...... NO sugar added has about 8 grains of sugar in it. Dibetitics can't have it.

Every hot chocolate mix has gone that way. Your hurting people., because most don't read the labels.

Thank You, <email redacted> —Preceding unsigned comment added by 64.131.42.14 (talk) 23:38, 23 January 2011 (UTC)

I suspect, based on your question, that you found one of our over 6 million articles and thought we were affiliated in some way with that subject. Please note that you are at Wikipedia, the free online encyclopedia that anyone can edit, and this page is for asking questions related to using or contributing to Wikipedia itself. Thus, we have no special knowledge about the subject of your question. You can, however, search our vast catalogue of articles by typing a subject into the search field on the upper right side of your screen. If you cannot find what you are looking for, we have a reference desk, divided into various subject areas, where asking knowledge questions is welcome. Best of luck. --Jayron32 23:40, 23 January 2011 (UTC)

This is, in fact, that reference desk. -- Jack of Oz [your turn] 00:13, 24 January 2011 (UTC)

Sorry, maybe we need an RD version of {{astray}}. The person obviously doesn't know this is the Wikipedia reference desk, unless Wikipedia really does market a Wikipedia-brand Sugar Free Cocoa Mix. --Jayron32 00:17, 24 January 2011 (UTC)

This search finds plenty of sources of chocolate for diabetics. Cuddlyable3 (talk) 08:21, 24 January 2011 (UTC)

Don't you order all your hot chocolate mix from the Wikipedia webstore? Edison (talk) 02:59, 25 January 2011 (UTC)

I have a standing order. They all wind up in my Wikipedia all-purpose cup and get eaten using OpenSpoon. --Ouro (blah blah) 07:39, 25 January 2011 (UTC)

The latest edition of which only has four holes, but at least it's free, dammit! Matt Deres (talk) 13:51, 25 January 2011 (UTC)

January 24

Speed limit of a developing economy

I don't understand much about economics but I am very curious about the concepct described below:

"China is passing through a prolonged process of convergence with the developed economies, and inflation is triggered when the speed limits on that convergence are exceeded. These limits are set by factors like the speed at which labour can migrate from rural agriculture to urban agriculture, and the speed at which the capital stock…can be increased to absorb the available labour supply."

[2]

Can anyone explain what this speed limit is in simpler terms? Do other developing economies have different speed limits? Why?

Saberrattlingsnake (talk) 05:03, 24 January 2011 (UTC)

There's a careful balance to be made between underemployment and overemployment in any economy. Having too many people in an urban area out of work is bad; it leads to shanty towns and slums, as people rush into a city from the hinterland expecting to find better work than they did back when they were subsistance farming on some tiny patch of barely arable land somewhere. That can put the breaks on development, as such people need to be dealt with. On the other hand, overemployment can also be a problem; if there are too many openings with too few people to fill them, you end up with people filling those positions who are underqualified, they are therefore bad at their job, and can hurt the economy if there are too many people like that. They also tend to demand higher wages, which can put a crimp on things as companies have to essentially pay more money for lower quality work. Such an event is called a Labor shortage and during the Plague years in the middle ages, for example, it created huge economic problems. The trick is to maintain an economy where there is the right number of jobs for the people who need to be employed. Its bad to have either too many or too few availible job openings for people. --Jayron32 05:10, 24 January 2011 (UTC)

Your quote describes the problem fairly well. If businesses in a country collectively try to grow at too fast a rate, then their demand for loans to finance that growth will exceed the supply of savings, forcing up interest rates. Their demand for labor will exceed the growth in the labor force, resulting in labor shortages, as Jayron has explained. This forces up wages, and/or the workers drawn to the areas of fastest growth will increase the demand for housing faster than housing can be built, forcing up the price of housing. The result of a labor shortage is typically inflation, or a general rise in prices and a drop in the value of savings. Too much inflation can hurt growth by discouraging (and ultimately wiping out) savings, which in turn discourages lending, which makes it more difficult for businesses to borrow and grow. Economic growth speed limits vary quite a bit from one country to another. For example, countries in which the labor force is declining, such as Russia or some developed countries (Japan, Italy), will have relatively low speed limits. If growth rises above maybe 3% per year in these countries, there may be a risk of inflation. Countries with ample land, good infrastructure, and underemployed labor, such as South Africa, will have relatively high speed limits, perhaps higher than those of China. Marco polo (talk) 19:13, 24 January 2011 (UTC)

Daily Mail Talk Page

The following discussion is closed. Please do not modify it. Subsequent comments should be made on the appropriate discussion page. No further edits should be made to this discussion.

---

There appears to be nothing negative on the Daily Mail (newspaper) article. While suggesting additions i noted that there are just a few users who seem to watch the article, resist anything negative being added (even with links to back it up or said addition receiving international coverage) I'm fairly sure that's not allowed as it is claiming ownership over an article and deliberately keeping the article biased.

Can someone please confirm this or just take a look at the Talk page? Thanks Jenova20 (talk) 11:52, 24 January 2011 (UTC)

Actually this is kinda the wrong place for this query. I would suggest,however, that neutral editors are more than welcome at that article, which does, in fact, include much criticism of the Daily Mail. Collect (talk) 12:27, 24 January 2011 (UTC)

Happens all the time. The "owner" of the Guy Fawkes Night kept it as an anti-catholic festival, rather than a reson to let off fireworks and have a night-time outdoor party for children, although the article is not as bad as it was. The TalkPage criticism has also, I see, disapeared. 92.15.26.222 (talk) 12:31, 24 January 2011 (UTC)

User talk:108.72.201.109 appears to be appropriate in regard to the above comment. Collect (talk) 12:45, 24 January 2011 (UTC)

Thanks for the speedy reply. I'm not sure what to do about this then as any changes i make, even with proper sources would be undone by "Christian1985 (talk)" Where do i stand here as i'd rather not get drawn into an edit war and am not as experienced at Wikipedian as him and i believe looking at his talk page that he has a personal interest in keeping this article how it is and devoid of any change. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Jenova20 (talk • contribs) 12:59, 24 January 2011 (UTC)

No I would NOT 'undo any edits', I have a right to remove edits if they do not meet WP guidelines. It has nothing to do with my personal views. I am following procedure. I am getting very sick of your bullying. You seem to have a personal campaign against me when I have done nothing wrong. 90.214.245.119 (talk) 14:33, 24 January 2011 (UTC)

It is incorrect to say there is no criticism of the Daily Hate within the article. The Editorial Stance and the Famous Stories sections contain criticism. Should you have content to add which satisfies WP:RS and WP:V then you have a couple of options: add the content and see what happens, or else add a section to the talk page stating that you would like to add the following text & reference, and have the discussion in advance of adding the text. Reading through your comments on the talk page, you stated that there was nothing on Stephen Gately & Jan Moir .. but there is, in Famous Stories. Meanwhile, I suggest you get yourself to the talkpage of WP:RS to discuss whether or not the Pink Paper is an RS. I liked Christian1985's comment: "The Pink Paper is just as biased as the Mail so it is not a realiable source", at least in so far as it suggests that the Daily Hate is no more or less an RS than the Pink Paper. I suspect the bottom line, though, is that if you want to add criticism and make it stick, you should look for better sources than an obviously partisan (though quite possibly correct) source such as the PP. --Tagishsimon (talk) 14:25, 24 January 2011 (UTC)

Jenova20, will you please stop saying I am claiming 'ownership' because I am NOT. Stop making these ridiculous unfounded allegations against me or I will make a report to the Adminstrators. I am following WP policy. I do not resist anything negative, I have a right to question the reliability of sources and question edits. The article is fine as it is, it does not need negative information from biased and partisan sources. Policy has been followed. Please stop making these ridiculous accusations against me and Collect. 90.214.245.119 (talk) 14:31, 24 January 2011 (UTC)

Quit threatening with administrators. All i have asked for is to add some information to the article with sources and rather than ask for better sources you have said no flatly, made assumptions about me and threatened me with administrators (constantly) I have reported you to an administrator because of this as you have a conflict of interest in keeping the page how you want, this is clear from the talk page of the Daily Mail article and your own. You have made clear today that your way of getting what you want is from threatening anyone who does not agree with you with the administrators (again this is clear from the talk pages). Jenova20 (talk) 15:48, 24 January 2011 (UTC)

I haven't 'threatened' you, I have simply issued a warning because you keep going around spreading lies and abuse about me when I have done nothing wrong. I have not threatened anyone, you are being very childish and very unreasonable because you can't get your way. All I have done is follow policy. I am not claiming ownership of the article so leave me alone. Christian1985 (talk) 17:59, 24 January 2011 (UTC)

Ladies, can the bigger person here please not reply before we get into virtual fisticuffs on the Reference Desk? I don't know who is right, but I know this isn't the way to solve it. Prokhorovka (talk) 18:10, 24 January 2011 (UTC)

The discussion above is closed. Please do not modify it. Subsequent comments should be made on the appropriate discussion page. No further edits should be made to this discussion.

How much land would be freed if people stopped eating ice cream

How much land would be freed/reallocated if people stopped eating ice cream? A very rough estimate is enough for me. --85.77.119.92 (talk) 14:07, 24 January 2011 (UTC)

I'm baffled as to what correlation you're making between ice cream consumption and land use. Are you talking about the amount of dairy farms? The size of the people in question? The fields of sugar cane? --Mr.98 (talk) 14:44, 24 January 2011 (UTC)

The fields and such. I'd assume the area consumed by factories or wider seats is negligible in comparison to the total sum. --85.77.119.92 (talk) 15:09, 24 January 2011 (UTC)

I presume this is based on the well-known argument (popuarised in the 1970s by Frances Moore Lappe's Diet for a Small Planet) that vegetarians have less impact on the biosphere, and thus, by extension, vegans have even less. Would the people stop eating ice cream and start eating sorbet? Or another processed food? Or fresh fruit? Or nothing? Each of these will have different environmental effects. One source would be that of the Baskin-Robbins heir who disowned his family's ice-cream business. BrainyBabe (talk) 15:12, 24 January 2011 (UTC) PS That would be John Robbins (author) and Diet for a New America, "an exposé on connections between diet, physical health, animal cruelty, and environmentalism". BrainyBabe (talk) 15:15, 24 January 2011 (UTC) PPS We even have an article on Environmental vegetarianism, which gives lots of sources. It's not a direct answer, but it might help. BrainyBabe (talk) 15:21, 24 January 2011 (UTC)

If a US-only answer will do, it would be straightforward to visit the National Agricultural Statistics Service website and find out the number of gallons of milk and ice cream produced and how much acreage is under dairy cultivation. (IceCreamProduced / MilkProduced) * DairyAcreage should give you a ball park figure. --Sean 15:34, 24 January 2011 (UTC)

Note that this calculation (and don't forget to do a similar one for the sugar/sugarcane, as the other major ingredient) will give you an answer for 'land reallocated', but not necessarily for 'land freed'. If ice cream disappears from the diet, what foodstuff(s) will replace it? (In other words, assuming that people don't choose to simply starve themselves of those ice cream calories, where will they make up the difference?) In the extreme case, if we assume that the people who were eating ice cream switch their purchasing to frozen yogurt then the effect on land use could be negligible. TenOfAllTrades(talk) 17:34, 24 January 2011 (UTC)

Ice cream, as a high fat food, is likely to reduce life expectancy, and therefore reduce the ability of people to inflict damage on the environment. It should be possible to find an actuarial estimate of how fat consumption reduces life expectancy, and factor that in. --Colapeninsula (talk) 15:39, 24 January 2011 (UTC)

Ice cream cheers people up (it would be tricky to cite this, I hope it's uncontroversial), and a happy mood enhances creativity, which is necessary for the development of technology which increases agricultural productivity. So eating ice cream reduces land use, to some unknown extent. 81.131.45.235 (talk) 20:08, 24 January 2011 (UTC)

Speculating either way on the effect of a single dessert foodstuff on population mortality strikes me as extremely fanciful. Ice cream is not central to the diets of most people. In most cases adding or removing it is unlikely to exhibit anything measurable in and of itself. --Mr.98 (talk) 20:27, 24 January 2011 (UTC)

And ditto on land use. If ice cream was switched off - banned by a government prohibition say - then the demand will switch in large part to the nearest legal substitute, the same fields will probably continue to produce the same sugar cane and dairy and will ship to the same factories which will be producing frozen yoghurt or cheese cake or cold sweetened milk or whatever the law still allows. --PalaceGuard008 (Talk) 13:58, 25 January 2011 (UTC)

People who scorn good-tasting stuff and eat nothing but vegetables can presumably live to be 100. And it's a fitting punishment. ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 04:26, 27 January 2011 (UTC)

Belief about extra-terrestrials, particularly related to circular patterns and mushroom fairy rings

Several years ago the Skeptical Enquirer ( I think) published an article about people thinking that a "fairy ring" of mushrooms indicated a landing of extra-terrestrials. Is there any collection of such ironious beliefs? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 174.103.0.2 (talk) 20:35, 24 January 2011 (UTC)

You mean "erroneous". 92.15.2.19 (talk) 10:44, 25 January 2011 (UTC)

A Google search of 'fairy ring mushrooms ufo' gave a good many results. I'm not sure if any of those sites have any 'collections' of these type of beliefs, but it may be a starting point. --KägeTorä - (影虎) (TALK) 01:54, 25 January 2011 (UTC)

If reliably sourced this could be added to the article List of common misconceptions. Cuddlyable3 (talk) 09:53, 25 January 2011 (UTC)

Only if it can be truly shown to be common. HiLo48 (talk) 11:01, 25 January 2011 (UTC)

Travel Insurance - Not a request for medical or legal advice.

I am in the UK and recently needed to renew mine and my wife's travel insurance. Our previous insurer advised us that their medical declaration questions had been changed such that my well-managed Blood Pressure and Cholesterol would be excluded, as would any cover for my wife's well- managed arthritis and asthma - or any related claims that might arise from them. So we couldn't take the risk of a stroke or heart-attack or slip or trip occurring abroad. We are aware of the European Reciprocal Health Care system and we do carry our E111 Cards with us whenever we are abroad, but we couldn't take the risk of having to arrange our own repatriation, which isn't covered under that scheme. So I contacted several other insurance companies, some of which refused to insure us in any event or at any cost. But eventually we found one who will cover us and include all the listed medical conditions in return for a 25% surcharge on their normal premiums which we think is very fair. My question concerns why so many companies have vastly differing policy conditions when they are all competing for the same business. Also, whenever we go abroad, even to the USA or when cruising, we see loads of tourists who are clearly in much worse health than us, and we are now suspicious that many of them either do not declare their health conditions when purchasing travel insurance, or else they don't insure themselves at all. If that is so, does anyone here have any clue as to how much that bad practice goes on, or any links to sites that may be able to provide that information. Sorry about the length of this but thanks in anticipation of any responses. 78.146.34.244 (talk) 20:46, 24 January 2011 (UTC)

A quick Google search appears to confirm your suspicion that many people choose to travel uninsured, particularly older people who may find it difficult or expensive to find insurance for health reasons. This article and this one quote surveys that discuss numbers, although the scientific basis of the sampling is not certain. This article was also interesting. I'm amazed that people would risk travelling to places like the US, where healthcare is notoriously expensive, without adequate cover. Thinking of US tourists though, remember that many US residents who can afford a cruise holiday are likely already to have private health insurance either on their own account or provided by an employer - I'm not clued up about US health insurance, but I believe that some such policies do extend, or can be extended, to cover holidays too. Just as a personal observation, I think you are extremely responsible to take out such cover, even if it's loaded, and to declare your pre-existing conditions. My father was taken suddenly ill and then died following surgery while on holiday in Europe. He had valid insurance, and a traumatic situation was made much easier because someone else sorted out the cost of his emergency treatment and arranged the repatriation of his body to the UK for us. The alternative really does not bear thinking about, even seven years down the line. Karenjc 22:35, 24 January 2011 (UTC)

spencers orchard bradford on avon

Live in the Old Coach house in what was The Spencer Brothers Cider Orchard in Bradford on Avon in the 1800's, it abuts the Kennet and Avon Canal, so obviously had a purpose for the brewing company.

As it was an agricultural property we cannot find out any information at all. When we bought it was called number 18 Frome Road, Bradford on Avon.

It is next to The Maltings, which burnt down many years ago also owned by the Spencer Brothers, have searched your wonderful sites but to no avail, any suggestions or info

Kindest regards

Glo Maslen e-mail redacted—Preceding unsigned comment added by 94.195.58.37 (talk) 22:23, 24 January 2011 (UTC)

e-maill removed to prevent possible spamming.

Here [3]is the Land Registry site for Wiltshire, oddly at Weymouth in Dorset, but you should be able to get historical information about your property there, it may cost of course.

There are books published about how to research the history of your house, I suggest reading one of those. Your local archive office may be able to help. The Land Registry may have copies of old deeds that you could obtain for a fee, but they do not otherwise provide historical information. 92.28.241.187 (talk) 00:55, 25 January 2011 (UTC)

Many main libraries in the UK have a local history department with access to archives and librarians who will point you in the right direction. Alansplodge (talk) 09:23, 25 January 2011 (UTC)

Have you tried the local museum? They would almost certainly be happy to help, or at least point you in the right direction. Ghmyrtle (talk) 10:07, 25 January 2011 (UTC)

The Wiltshire archive office has a page here http://www.wshc.eu/about-wshc/archives.html which includes a link to a brief online guide to tracing the history of your house. If you bought your house in recent years then the Land Registry office (in Weymouth, as mentioned above) may have copies of the old deeds that they could send you copies of for a fee. Best to telephone them and ask them what they have. 92.15.2.19 (talk) 11:09, 25 January 2011 (UTC)

Agree with going to the county archives and local museum. Since your house is called Old Coach House, it might be just that. Could the road have been a stagecoach route? That's something you could ask librarians and archivists about. Also whether there are any archive materials for the brewery, and what is known about trade on the canal. Itsmejudith (talk) 11:16, 25 January 2011 (UTC)

That's possible, but don't be too disappointed if it turns out to be just the building in which some gentleman's coach was stored. Dbfirs 13:13, 25 January 2011 (UTC)

True, that's quite likely as well. Since it seems to be part of a cider farm and brewery, it could be where one or more of the the company;s horsedrawn vehicles were kept. I would start by researching the general history of Bradford upon Avon, its industry, and the canal. That should give leads for more detail information about the house. Post office directories should be in the public library; all businesses should be listed. Itsmejudith (talk) 16:48, 25 January 2011 (UTC)

You will, of course, be able to search online and find out who lived there from 1841 - 1911 because the Census records are online. Some of them are pay sites - the 1911 is definitely pay per view. Also look up "historical directories" in Google and you may well find the place listed in a local directory for the 19th century. --TammyMoet (talk) 14:15, 25 January 2011 (UTC)

You should be able to find a set of old directories and old maps at the Wiltshire archive office, and many other things as well. So spend a few hours there, and take sufficient identification with you so that they will let you in. 92.29.126.211 (talk) 16:56, 25 January 2011 (UTC)

January 25

"environmental impact fee" on long distance bill

I have a cheap carrier of long distance calls. Sometime in the last few months they started adding a $10 "environmental impact fee" to the bill each month, which is more than the average cost of my long distance calls. Do all long-distance carriers do this? Bubba73 ^{You talkin' to me?} 01:52, 25 January 2011 (UTC)

Could it be because they are sending you a paper bill, while an electronic version would be cheaper? HiLo48 (talk) 02:02, 25 January 2011 (UTC)

I went to their website and found out that is the case. $10 is a lot per month to send a bill! Bubba73 ^{You talkin' to me?} 02:38, 25 January 2011 (UTC)

Therefore, it really encourages you to go paperless. If you do so, they save money. If you don't, they get your $10. They win either way. Dismas|^(talk) 03:03, 25 January 2011 (UTC)

I wonder how much of the $10 "environmental impact fee" goes towards reducing "environmental impact"? Or should I stop wondering now? HiLo48 (talk) 03:48, 25 January 2011 (UTC)

Stop right now (thank you very much!); I'd be really surprised if the ten bucks went toward saving Mother Earth, it's probably in the line that cheap carriers charge a lot for even the simplest extra stuff. --Ouro (blah blah) 07:35, 25 January 2011 (UTC)

The people who run these companies and charge these outrageous fees are the ones who protest the loudest about "revenue raising" when they get caught by a speed camera while exceeding the speed limit. How do I know this? I just know, that's all. -- Jack of Oz [your turn] 09:35, 25 January 2011 (UTC)

If the OP had a contract with them which didnt involve paying $10 for a paper bill, and then they've started imposing this amount without (by mutual agreement) starting a new contract that included the extra $10 fee, then would this be unlawful? 92.29.126.211 (talk) 16:59, 25 January 2011 (UTC)

It would depend on the terms of the contract. --Mr.98 (talk) 01:20, 26 January 2011 (UTC)

Hands up all those who have read and understood all the small print in their phone company contract(s). Come on now. Quickly....... HiLo48 (talk) 02:01, 26 January 2011 (UTC)

Repetitive phrases

I have this problem when I'm writing of sometimes using certain (usually transitory) phrases or constructions, such as 'however', 'as I [participle], [main clause]', etc too many times, especially if I've gone back to revise. This creates a lack of variety and a sense of staleness in my writing, but they make my writing smooth. If I see one construction used too much I will try to edit it out, but sometimes I don't notice it, especially if I'm writing a longer piece. Is there a site that can detect frequently used words and phrases or count how many times I use a phrase in a document or something? THanks. 24.92.70.160 (talk) 03:00, 25 January 2011 (UTC)

You can try to achieve a rapid, concentrated vocabulary expansion by taking words you sense that you overuse and putting them into a thesaurus -- so instead of always using 'however,' you could have in mind to sprinkle in 'although,' 'moreover,' 'notwithstanding,' 'nevertheless,' 'albeit' -- I know that helped me a few years back. Don't know about a detection program, but if your brain detects it while writing, you won't need a program :) DRosenbach ^{(Talk | Contribs)} 07:04, 25 January 2011 (UTC)

The word "however" suggests that the foregoing statement might have been formulated better.Cuddlyable3 (talk) 10:11, 25 January 2011 (UTC)

Sure, there are lots of subtle shadings of meaning, but DRonsebach's answer is apt: build an arsenal words that create smoothing subordinating structures, and get variety by picking the best one for each occasion. I happen to like using "contrariwise" when applicable. SemanticMantis (talk) 16:41, 25 January 2011 (UTC)

Regular expressions will help you search for patterns in your text. Specifically you could use grep to find repeated structures and sed to manipulate the text into a more varied form. SemanticMantis (talk) 16:41, 25 January 2011 (UTC)

Not an answer to your question, but such things are often called "crutch words" or "crutch phrases". There doesn't seem to be anything on WP about them, but google gives some pages on the subject. (Some info on training yourself not to do it so much.) Staecker (talk) 21:38, 25 January 2011 (UTC)

Pincode in Kolkata

what are the pincode of southcity,Tower-4,29th floor,flat no-29L,kolkata —Preceding unsigned comment added by 110.172.174.52 (talk) 07:04, 25 January 2011 (UTC) Question reformatted in own section. Richard Avery (talk) 07:30, 25 January 2011 (UTC)

You may like to try this [4] site. Richard Avery (talk) 07:33, 25 January 2011 (UTC)

According to this source, the PIN is 700068. Marco polo (talk) 20:06, 25 January 2011 (UTC)

Gelatin source

Hello, This is the 1st time i have tried looking for something but havn't got my answer from anywhere on net. I hope the excellent working team of wikipedia will find a satisfactory answer. I am in Pakistan & i bought a hair care product from a multinational store here. But when i tried to inquire about some products involved in its composition i didn't get my answer so i tried to find it on the company site but no answer. The product is GNC Women's Hair, Skin & Nails Formula. http://www.gnc.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3943821 I want to know that "what is the source of gelatin in this product?" It is important to know because if its some animal bovine source or a pig source than it will not be for muslims, because of religious obligations & neither for pure vegetarians.

Hope I'll get a reply soon Regards Sohaiba HayatSohaiba hayat (talk) 09:50, 25 January 2011 (UTC)

Gelatin is usually derived from pork skins, pork and cattle bones, or split cattle hides. Recently, fish by-products have also been considered because they eliminate some of the religious obstacles, see here. Cuddlyable3 (talk) 10:01, 25 January 2011 (UTC)

If it were a Halal product, then one would think that GNC would mention this as a positive selling point. As they don't one must assume that it isn't; especially since GNC declare “demanding truth in labeling. However, you can mail or phone them and ask. [5] or ring 1-877-GNC-4700 . We have an article on them so maybe the answer could go there somewhere.--Aspro (talk) 10:53, 25 January 2011 (UTC)

I changed the question title for easier access in the archive. Cuddlyable3 (talk) 11:41, 25 January 2011 (UTC)

Is not halal, being derived from kosher rules, in specific relation to gastrointestinal consumption? Unless you are drinking or otherwise introducing this hair care product into the oral cavity, why would it matter if it's derived from pigs? Are Muslims banned from making use of pigskin in coats, tambourines, American-style footballs, etc.? DRosenbach ^{(Talk | Contribs)} 05:19, 26 January 2011 (UTC)

Topical medications don't usually come in caplets in my experience; and I don't know of any dietary supplements (by definition) that one rubs on the outside of the body or hair whilst eating food. Therefore, I can only imagine that one is supposed to swallow this supplement, so in this case I think Halal is the applicable law. However, if others think they might know better... And remember: always read the label or Patient Information Leaflet (PIL) or ask the pharmacist if your not sure--Aspro (talk) 11:12, 26 January 2011 (UTC)

From the article Halal: Muslims must ensure that all foods, particularly processed foods, pharmaceuticals, and non-food items like cosmetics, are also halal. Cuddlyable3 (talk) 12:51, 26 January 2011 (UTC)

So, I think we can agree: that as people don't wear these caplets as beads or kick them around as a game/sport nor try and make music with them, they fail the Halal test. They are not, no way, Halal. --Aspro (talk) 21:55, 26 January 2011 (UTC)

So what has tambourines got to do with it ? Oh! The wonder of Wikipedia --- the encyclopaedia that any Tom, Dick, or Harry can edit! Happy tenth birthday!--Aspro (talk) 22:32, 26 January 2011 (UTC)

Are you asking because you're only familiar with tambourines that don't have a drum element? Or because tambourines are not in fact relevant to the question? 86.164.58.119 (talk) 00:15, 27 January 2011 (UTC)

No, I was referring to a pig-skin tambourine -- kosher laws apply onto the ingestibles, and not to eyeshadow, hats or any other non-ingestible pig product. Conversely, no benefit may be derived from biblical prohibited mixtures of milk and meat, so dog food, for example, that consists of such may not be utilized by a Jewish person because feeding it to one's dog serves a monetary benefit, in that you are not monetarily exempt from feeding your dog for a while because he's full. DRosenbach ^{(Talk | Contribs)} 15:18, 27 January 2011 (UTC)

Oh, Woe is We! Pray, tell us, oh wise one: How can this gelatine caplet pass through the alimentary canal without being digested? You speak, as though you have been granted access to secrets that we – the hoi polloi- can only wonder at. Or are you now, going to disappear - yet again, (like it has been prophesied), into the night, to leave us once more, in the darkness of miserable ignorance? I want my coal-black hair – to shine like the plumage of a raven! Yet like a crow, you fly off at tangents. Are you now gone? And remember: always read the label--Aspro (talk) 23:04, 27 January 2011 (UTC)

Yes, but we are talking about Halal and not kosher. Yes, they are related in that Islam has certain cultural connections to (7th century) Judaism. But that doesn't mean that the modern practices have to be identical. Not to be too flippant about this, but Muslims don't have to consult with Jews when deciding their own religious codes. If Halal includes non-ingestibles as proscribed things, but kosher does not, so what? --Jayron32 15:35, 27 January 2011 (UTC)

What does Ebay want to choke out the smaller sellers?

Recently, I discovered that ordinary sellers are now limited to selling only $5,000/month (before sellers' fees, no less), or 100 items, whichever comes first. Why?

I also see something about requesting permission to sell more. What all would it take to be given that permission?

Anyway, since eBay only seems to prefer the big-wigs nowadays, what are some great auctioning sites for the smaller sellers now? (Please don't mention Craigslist; they don't have an auctioning sub-site, and their graphics appear to have not been updated since I was 10 years old.) --70.179.181.251 (talk) 14:24, 25 January 2011 (UTC)

I've been using ioffer lately. There isn't as much passing trade as ebay but the company seems more friendly, like ebay was a few years ago. Having said that, I don't trade anywhere near as much as 100 items a month. ioffer allows items which ebay ban, such as the Baise_moi DVD. --TrogWoolley (talk) 15:10, 25 January 2011 (UTC)

I would guess that Ebay are under severe pressure from governments who are losing tax revenues as sellers who are really operating as businesses are not paying the sales & corporate taxes they should. I imagine that to exceed the limit you'd have to produce documentation that you are a registered business that is complying with local tax laws. Exxolon (talk) 20:30, 26 January 2011 (UTC)

I second that. There is an increasing number of people earning a living from ebay but not declaring it as income so not paying tax. The thing that frustrates me is the number of people who think it is within their rights to do this just because the loophole has existed for so long. Vespine (talk) 03:12, 28 January 2011 (UTC)

I also don't really know what you mean by choking out small sellers, I only sell a few things on ebay every few months and i don't feel choked out at all. Works fine for me. Vespine (talk) 03:13, 28 January 2011 (UTC)

Why does e-bay not let shippers use FedEx?

129.130.32.204 (talk) 18:08, 25 January 2011 (UTC)
I adjusted the title and format. Cuddlyable3 (talk) 12:58, 26 January 2011 (UTC)

Perhaps because FedEx takes too long? The Ebay Home Page has a 'Contact Us' link on the bottom right. You could ask them directly through that. --KägeTorä - (影虎) (TALK) 15:54, 26 January 2011 (UTC)

As someone who has sold items on eBay, I am aware of no restriction on the seller on which companies to use for shipping. I have actually sold items on eBay and shipped them via FedEx. Mind you, eBay may not integrate Fedex into its auction software, but I'm not aware of a restriction. Also, if there IS some contractual restriction, I might have been in violation. --Quartermaster (talk) 14:10, 28 January 2011 (UTC)

How much better is Amazon Auctions than Ebay?

Are their fees lower? By how much? Also, in what other ways are Amazon Auctions better than Ebay? In what ways are they worse? Do you think it's worth my time to set up shop over there? --70.179.181.251 (talk) 14:24, 25 January 2011 (UTC)

Your question seems to be a loaded one. As far as purchasing, I have had good experiences with both and bad experiences only with eBay. The problem is used and new items, with which the latter Amazon only deals. Being a seller on eBay, it would seem, is no easy task. I feel Craig'sList would be more inviting for a seller. schyler (talk) 14:34, 25 January 2011 (UTC)

childrens book called pug

I am looking for the author and publisher of a book called PUG. It is a beginners reading book. I read this in the mid 70s and I believe it was around many years before then. It was basic with lines like, "See pug run. I see pug run." Any help would be appreciated. Thank you.

Sure it wans't "See Spot Run"? --PalaceGuard008 (Talk) 17:54, 25 January 2011 (UTC)

I think you're looking for Pug by Theodore Lester Harris (Oklahoma City : The Economy Co., 1975 - OCLC 251451705). WorldCat has it listed as part of the "Keys to Reading" series and a "Preprimer." Given that it was published in 1975, there's a good chance this is it. I can't say how easy it will be to find copies though. Here is the link that will pull up all titles in the series including things like Activity book for Pug. Annotated teacher's ed. --Quartermaster (talk) 19:25, 25 January 2011 (UTC)

Since T. L. Harris's Pug was published by The Economy Co. I think this must be an illustration from it. --Antiquary (talk) 19:47, 25 January 2011 (UTC)

Alcohol

Is there any shop that sells non poisonous 100% alcohol? Most pure alcohol have methanol and are used for industrial purposes. Money is tight (talk) —Preceding undated comment added 16:49, 25 January 2011 (UTC).

It is exceedingly difficult to produce 100% ethanol; such preparations are VERY expensive because of the difficulty in producing it, because water and ethanol form an azeotrope. It does exist, but almost always as denatured alcohol, that is it is laced with something to make it unfit for human consumption. The highest proof commercially availible spirits for actual drinking that I know of is the 190-proof (95%) version of Everclear. --Jayron32 16:59, 25 January 2011 (UTC)

Although you might call it "non poisonous", with such concentrated alcohol it would be easy to suddenly kill yourself by alcoholic poisoning. 92.29.126.211 (talk) 17:05, 25 January 2011 (UTC)

I presume you mean, Absolute Alcohol . What do you want to do with it, as it is too strong to drink undiluted? You might as well buy a bottle of 'clear' vodka ( as opposed to flavoured vodka).. for it is filtered through activated charcoal and other media to adsorb trace amounts of molecules that alters or gives off-flavors to the vodka. Otherwise, go to a Laboratory chemical supplier for the absolute stuff.--Aspro (talk) 17:12, 25 January 2011 (UTC)

If you are intending to drink it after dilution, make sure that it is the human-consumable kind of alcohol and not the kind that makes you go blind. 92.15.22.33 (talk) 18:38, 25 January 2011 (UTC)

I think that's what he means by non-poisonous. A better way of saying it would be non-Denatured_alcohol. It's relatively easy to find high-concentration alcohol that has been denatured with naptha or methanol, but that would be poisonous. As an aside in some places I have heard they use dye and bitterants rather than toxic chemicals to denature alcohol, making it both more pure and less suitable for use as surrogate alcohol. The article on denaturing mentions Poland as one such location.65.29.47.55 (talk) 19:44, 25 January 2011 (UTC)

I don't think you can buy 200 proof ethanol in the US anyway. You can get 190 proof, as noted previously. I think if you want 200 proof you're going to have to do it yourself in a lab. --Mr.98 (talk) 22:50, 25 January 2011 (UTC)

Actually, it seems like you can buy it, but it's sold for laboratory use. I don't know how easy it would be to get it without a lab affiliation of some kind, but it must be possible. --Mr.98 (talk) 00:39, 26 January 2011 (UTC)

[6]. Note that there's a federal tax of 27 USD/gallon on 190 and 200 proof, non-denatured alcohol. Aldrich will helpfully include the tax in the price of the solvent, and take care of any paperwork. At nearly 90 USD a liter, you'd expect them to. Compare to the denatured stuff, at "only" 47 USD a liter. Buddy431 (talk) 02:49, 26 January 2011 (UTC)

Note also, that you can get reagent grade anhydrous methanol (built-in denaturing, so to speak), for 35 USD a liter [7], or 50 USD for 2 L. However, I don't think that methanol forms an azeotrope with water like ethanol does (in fact, looking at methanol, it looks like methanol is produced more or less anhydrously anyway). Reagent grade Isopropyl alcohol can be had for 42 USD per liter. Rubbing alcohol grade isopropyl alcohol (either 70 or 99%) can be had for like 5 USD a pint (or something; go to your local drugstore and buy their generic brand). Isopropyl alcohol, while not strictly edible, is pretty non-toxic (I'm not sure if it gets you drunk though. If we try to search this online, we just get a bunch of pansies screaming that it will make you go blind or kill you. They're of course confusing it with methanol, which really is as poisonous as people say). It bears noting that the principle reason methanol is so toxic is that it's oxidized to Formaldehyde and then Formic Acid. Ethanol is oxidized to the much less toxic Acetaldehyde and then acetic acid. Isopropyl alcohol is oxidized to acetone (and no furthur). This makes the breath of those who've drunk rubbing alcohol smell "fruity" (quoting our Isopropyl alcohol article). Acetone, though not strictly food, is relatively non-toxic. Buddy431 (talk) 03:23, 26 January 2011 (UTC)

Edit: Once we get past all the fear mongering, it turns out that isopropyl alcohol is intoxicating, though apparently it takes a bit longer for the blood alcohol level to peak (30-120 minutes for isopropanol, vs. 20-60 minutes for ethanol): [8]. Most of the toxic effects are due to the Central nervous system depression (in other words, the same reasons why ethyl alcohol is bad), as well as the perils of intoxication: coma with an obstructed airway (i.e. choking on your own vomit), accidents, etc. It does have a Median lethal dose of about 4-8 g/kg [9], somewhat less than ethanol's 10.3 g/kg [10]. In contrast, methanol's fatal dose is about 100-125 mL, giving an LD50 closer to 1-2 g/kg. Buddy431 (talk) 03:50, 26 January 2011 (UTC)

To be able to get pure ethanol it is necessary to have a permit from the US Department of the Treasury, Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau. Universities and other scientific research and medical institutions can get permits easily, but I doubt that a private individual would be able to. Looie496 (talk) 04:33, 26 January 2011 (UTC)

In a well-known university chemistry department a few decades ago, a popular party beverage was a punch bowl filled with "Rocket Fuel," made from Everclear, lime sherbet, pineapple juice, and ginger ale, with dry ice to make it bubble. Had quite a kick, and went down smooth. (Do not attempt this at home). Edison (talk) 05:24, 26 January 2011 (UTC)

I understand that you can increase the amount of alcohol in something by leaving it outside to freeze, and then removing the ice, which leaves the alcohol. I hope nobody will misuse that information. 92.15.10.209 (talk) 17:19, 26 January 2011 (UTC)

Ya that's true. It's sometimes called ice distillation, I think. I read once that it was technically distillation and thus illegal without a license in the U.S., but I'm not sure whether or not that was an authoritative source. Shadowjams (talk) 09:49, 27 January 2011 (UTC)

In pioneer America, it was popular to leave a barrel of Hard cider outside in winter, so it would would freeze into a mass of low alcohol ice and a portion of high alcohol Applejack (beverage) or "Old Stonewall," so called because the drinker might feel like he could "Walk through a stone wall." This is Fractional freezing or "poor man's distillation," since it does not require a copper boiler and copper tubing, firewood, or masses of cooling water. Edison (talk) 18:48, 26 January 2011 (UTC)

Found a story about a UK company doing a one off whisky with 92% alcohol - http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/4752164.stm. Exxolon (talk) 20:27, 26 January 2011 (UTC)

Our Ethanol purification article discusses the chemistry in detail. Chemically it is impossible to purify ethanol beyond 95.6% without methods other than distillation. That article goes on to explain that purification (distinct from distillation in this case) is possible using benzene (and other chemicals too) but all of them make a hangover look like a stubbed toe (in other words humans can't drink them). Shadowjams (talk) 09:49, 27 January 2011 (UTC)

I assume that I'm misreading what you've said here, Shadowjams. There are several methods listed in the article for breaking the ethanol-water azeotrope that don't involve noxious chemical substances. Molecular sieves are generally compatible with downstream food and beverage uses. (Zeolite is nontoxic and reusable; cornmeal, though single-use, is about as human-friendly as you can get.) Membrane distillation and vacuum distillation involve no addition of chemicals whatsoever, though the equipment may be more costly (or difficult for the amateur to acquire). TenOfAllTrades(talk) 16:45, 27 January 2011 (UTC)

Rectified spirit is quite common and easy to get in Poland, but most people still drink vodka. Vespine (talk) 03:09, 28 January 2011 (UTC)

Editing A Page

Hi, I was wondering if I could edit the article of "Glenn Allison" the first 300 bowler and write about how he is and what hes been through. See, I'm his grandson and I want people to know if they look him up; what hes like. Before I put my contributions into the page I want to know if I can get permission or not. Write back as soon as possible, thank you. — Preceding unsigned comment added by GlennRichardAllison (talk • contribs) 21:08, 25 January 2011 (UTC)

Typically conflicts of interest are discouraged. In addition remember that any and all additions must be Verifiable as true by a publically-available independant source —Preceding unsigned comment added by 65.29.47.55 (talk) 21:40, 25 January 2011 (UTC)

(edit conflict)Although we have rules about not writing about your self, your close relations, and your company (they're here). However, you can do so as long as your follow our neutral point of view and conflict-of-interest guidelines. Basically, cite reputable sources (see cite how to), and don't remove criticism unless it clearly unjustifiable. Add {{template:citation required}} instead of removing things, this indicates that there is no cite to back up the statement(s). You might want to put a note on his article's talk page to say that your are related; this will give you some more good-faith if others have to revert your changes. I've added a list of how-tos on your talk page, if you've never edited a MediaWiki site before. And one last thing, have fun! CS Miller (talk) 21:44, 25 January 2011 (UTC)

I'm sorry, I'm still a little confused. I know how to edit a page and all but what exactly do I have to do. Sorry if I'm frustrating you...

January 26

US presidents' approval ratings

How good an indicator of re-election chances of a sitting US president are his approval ratings? Is a net positive rating in the year running up to the vote generally good enough to assure success? Skomorokh 01:47, 26 January 2011 (UTC)

I found this Gallup page interesting and detailed. For example: the "eight-month mark" before the election. Except for Truman, every president since FDR "who won re-election had approval ratings above 50% at the eight-month mark, and every president who lost had approval ratings below 50%". ---Sluzzelin talk 01:55, 26 January 2011 (UTC)

Excellent, that fits the bill. Thanks Sluzzelin, for this and that too. Regards, Skomorokh 02:22, 26 January 2011 (UTC)

I forgot to mention that this was before GWB's re-election. He was no exception though: Eight months before the 2004 election, Bush's job approval rating was 52%,[11] and, as we all know, he was re-elected. ---Sluzzelin talk 02:36, 26 January 2011 (UTC)

Nate Silver however warns against interpreting approval ratings as re-election chances too early, warning that they bear little relation to each other at this stage . Prokhorovka (talk) 08:05, 26 January 2011 (UTC)

Yes, to summarize from the Gallup link (which I do recommend looking at, if you enjoy this kind of playful demoscopy :-).: Nixon's ratings were at 49% twelve months before his re-election. Reagan's were at 45% eighteen months in advance. George Herbert Walker Bush's approval ratings were at 75% (!) eighteen months (and still at 55% twelve months) before he got beat by Clinton. Otherwise, Gallup calls the twelve and eighteen month markers "suggestive but not definitive" (Note: we are currently at over 21 months before the 2012 presidential election. ---Sluzzelin talk 11:19, 26 January 2011 (UTC)

Leaf blowers

Are there any places (communities or larger political entities) outside North America where leaf blowers are legally banned? (I mean directly banned, not indirectly banned by adjusting the local noise limits, for example). ---Sluzzelin talk 08:59, 26 January 2011 (UTC)

The thought that immediately comes to mind is: it is never too soon to start introducing such laws if they don't already exist! Especially leaf blowers operated by people wearing fluorescent yellow jackets.--Aspro (talk) 11:20, 26 January 2011 (UTC)

I'm having trouble finding anything definite because so many people seem to be going on about Los Angeles outlawing them. I haven't found a definitive reference (yet), but it appears that gas-powered leaf blowers are illegal in the UK (see here - it's probably not a reliable source, but appears legit). Matt Deres (talk) 15:17, 26 January 2011 (UTC)

Sadly, gas (petrol) leaf blowers are far too common in the UK. --Aspro (talk) 16:23, 26 January 2011 (UTC)

I can say with some feeling of certainty that there are no laws banning brooms. HiLo48 (talk) 23:04, 26 January 2011 (UTC)

Further reading has given me the impression that leaf blowers (gas and electric) are legal in both Australia and New Zealand. I'm not sure why I'm the only one taking this question seriously - is there some kind of joke meme I'm not getting here? Matt Deres (talk) 17:14, 27 January 2011 (UTC)

Thanks, Matt. I had trouble finding anything. In some places in Europe there is no legal basis for banning an apparatus, as long as it operates within environmental emission standards and isn't considered hazardous or otherwise dangerous. This includes noise emission rates. The gas-powered models aren't as loud anymore, but most of the problem lies in the song this beastly thing is singing, not just in its volume. It's one of those mixes of regular harmonic patterns with chaotic noise. As comforting as an air raid siren and as pleasant as a Jack Russell terrier yipping in close proximity. Where I live, they're using them to blow snow off the paths now. I was just curious, but wasn't aware of any meme either. Thanks again! ---Sluzzelin talk 19:28, 27 January 2011 (UTC)

I too like Jack Russell terriers. Thinly sliced and fried with a little onion and garlic, they are very tasty.--Aspro (talk) 20:09, 28 January 2011 (UTC)

I can confirm they are legal in Auckland and I've never heard of them being banned in any part of NZ. I did actually do a brief search for various things before anyone answered, found nothing of interest (one person in Australia calling for them to be banned and a lot of discussions/mentions of them being banned in various parts of the US) so didn't consider my response that useful and also didn't find the question raised my interest enough to try harder. Not speaking from a legal POV but as with Sluzzelin I'm not sure why they would be if they meet whatever standards are imposed on all equipment and as with him don't find them that much more annoying then all the other noise you get. . Nil Einne (talk) 18:25, 29 January 2011 (UTC)

Status of European Union recording copyright extension?

I have been trying to find out the current status of the European Union 95 year recording copyright extension proposal. The last I heard, it was passed by the European parliament on 23 April 2009. However, the law still seems to be 50 years (Article 3 in http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=CELEX:32006L0116:EN:NOT ). Does anyone know if it is still likely to become a law? Jrincayc (talk) 13:21, 26 January 2011 (UTC)

This covers it pretty well. The proposal was defeated in April 2009, but an extension to 70 years was approved. States apparently have two years to implement the law. Warofdreams talk 17:53, 26 January 2011 (UTC)

That news article only mentions that it passed Parliament, but not that it has passed the European Council. Did it get passed that? Basically this still lists it as proposed [12] and the law still seems to be 50 years [13] Jrincayc (talk) 04:09, 27 January 2011 (UTC)

what is the right provided to waqf board

This question has been removed. Per the reference desk guidelines, the reference desk is not an appropriate place to request medical, legal or other professional advice, including any kind of medical diagnosis, prognosis, or treatment recommendations. For such advice, please see a qualified professional. If you don't believe this is such a request, please explain what you meant to ask, either here or on the Reference Desk's talk page. Wikipedia cannot give advice on how to proceed in this case, as it would require consultation with a lawyer or similar advocate. --Jayron32 16:59, 26 January 2011 (UTC)

This question has been removed. Per the reference desk guidelines, the reference desk is not an appropriate place to request medical, legal or other professional advice, including any kind of medical diagnosis or prognosis, or treatment recommendations. For such advice, please see a qualified professional. If you don't believe this is such a request, please explain what you meant to ask, either here or on the Reference Desk's talk page. Wikipedia cannot give advice on how to proceed in this case, as it would require consultation with a lawyer or similar advocate. --Jayron32 16:59, 26 January 2011 (UTC)--~~~~

Chains hanging from truck and bus axles

I've noticed that school buses (and sometimes dump trucks) have several chains hanging down from the rear axle, on either side of the differential. Ones I saw today had 2 chains hanging down the front and the rear of the axle, on both sides of the diffy, for a total of 8 chains. What would the purpose of these be? Arakunem^Talk 17:37, 26 January 2011 (UTC)

Here's an answer (http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Why_do_school_buses_have_chains_on_the_undercarriage) not sure how reliable it is but seems plausible. ny156uk (talk)

Wow, that's quite interesting! Arakunem^Talk 18:51, 26 January 2011 (UTC)

There's a video of them in action (and at rest) at this address: www.youtube.com/watch?v=DEsSCcnSoiY -- Finlay McWalter ☻ Talk 19:58, 26 January 2011 (UTC)

Ordinary snow chains are often hung under large vehicles and are a legal requirement in Scandinavia in Winter. The OnSpot device will not work well in deep snow that prevents the friction wheel contacting the tire. Cuddlyable3 (talk) 22:21, 26 January 2011 (UTC)

An expert may be able to give a more details answer but I was always told that this was to ground the vehicle as an electric charge can build on the vehicle much like the outside of a farday cage and can shock anyone that touches the car. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 195.89.16.154 (talk) 19:33, 26 January 2011 (UTC)

That's a myth but I saw many cars in the 60s with a single thin chain hanging hopefully from the rear bumper, usually with the bottom link worn away so not actually connecting to ground. It may still have had a placebo effect on travel sickness. Cuddlyable3 (talk) 22:21, 26 January 2011 (UTC)

I wouldn't call it an out-and-out myth, more like... an untested hypothesis, though I share your doubts. Either way, that's not what the OP is asking about. Matt Deres (talk) 23:57, 26 January 2011 (UTC)

Isn't the myth the travel sickness story (though I don't doubt the placebo effect)? Static electricity is a fact. Dbfirs 08:28, 27 January 2011 (UTC)

Static electricity exists, but did dragging a chain do anything useful? I seriously doubt it. Most vehicles don't have a chain, and if they built up a significant charge you'd notice it every time you touched a door handle. APL (talk) 08:39, 27 January 2011 (UTC)

Over here in Europe, cars used to have small tabs of resistant plastic hanging from the back for the static release purpose. How effective that was I don't know. BTW, what's the travel sickness myth? I haven't heard that one, and I just can't put hanging a chain on your car and travel sickness prevention together into any conceivable form. TomorrowTime (talk) 08:43, 27 January 2011 (UTC)

In my part of Australia in the 1960s it was a leather strap hanging out the back of your car that allegedly prevented car sickness, again by reducing static electricity. Being a bit of a nerd and knowing that dry leather would hold a charge rather than discharge it from the vehicle, I was sceptical. HiLo48 (talk) 10:08, 27 January 2011 (UTC)

My favourite automotive (adj.) myth is that placing pressure on the windscreen with the fingers when another vehicle is approaching or accelerating away in the same direction, on a gravelly road, will reduce the risk of the windscreen shattering. Not only will that have no effect on the risk of shattering, but if it does shatter, you've just cut your hand to shreds. -- Jack of Oz [your turn] 12:17, 27 January 2011 (UTC)

I... still don't get the car sickness thing. So you use the chain/strap of leather/whatever to prevent static electricity build up in the Faraday cage of the car and the lack of static electricity prevents car sickness? Regardless of that iconic photograph of Tesla sitting in a giant Faraday cage with thousands of volts of electricity whizzing through the cage while the guy sits inside quite unperturbed, reading a book and patently not getting car-sick? Even though it's (supposed to be?) pretty common knowledge that car sickness is caused by the vibration of the drive and the inability of the inner ear to cope? Oh well, people will sometimes believe the strangest things. And adding to the pile of silly automotive myths, there used to be a pretty prevalent one in my neck of the European woods about a decade, decade and a half ago which stated that hanging a CD on your back-mirror will somehow jam the police speedometer, making you impervious to speeding tickets. TomorrowTime (talk) 14:21, 27 January 2011 (UTC)

Okay, here's the story that I heard - and keep in mind, I'm not promoting this as a fact, just telling you what I heard. Static builds up in your car as it drives along. That charge affects (among other things), the vestibular system of the inner ear, interfering with the ability of the semicircular canals from "righting themselves" after movement takes place. It's... kind of like how a balloon with a static charge tends to stick to your hand rather than fall away as it normally would. That sluggishness of response is a contributing factor to motion sickness. As I've posted on here before, this explanation isn't something I completely buy, but I've observed it at work and I think there might be something there besides the placebo effect, though I'm sure that's involved as well. Matt Deres (talk) 17:08, 27 January 2011 (UTC)(I have edited this post. Matt Deres (talk) 19:39, 27 January 2011 (UTC))

That explanation violates the laws of physics. It's impossible for a static charge to build up inside the head. It doesn't even build up on the person, the charge is completely excluded from the inside of the vehicle and it's entirely on the surface of the car. Besides the Faraday cage which I've just described, think about it in a different way: The reason a balloon sticks to you is that it is charged and you are not (i.e. static only does something when there is a difference in how much charge objects have, i.e. a difference in potential). In a car the static is generated outside the car, for it to go to the middle ear it would have to conduct through the person (which is possible), but if it conducts through a person then all parts of the middle ear are at the same potential and absolutely no effect can be seen. Ariel. (talk) 13:35, 28 January 2011 (UTC)

Just as an aside, the iconic Tesla photo is a double exposure. He was not in the chair when the electricity was actually forking out. --Mr.98 (talk) 19:24, 29 January 2011 (UTC)

January 27

Where did answers to my question go?

Dears, once in January 2011 (I don't remember the date exactly) I asked a question in Reference desk/Humanities, it was titled "Bibliography required" and dealt with modern English men and weman writers, but I've lost the link to it. How and where can I find the answer to my question? — Preceding unsigned comment added by Uliana stg (talk • contribs) 10:11, 27 January 2011 (UTC)

Dears, once in January 2011 (I don't remember the date exactly)I asked a question at Reference desk/Humanities. It dealt with modern English men and weman writers and their works and was titled "Bibliography required". Unfortunately, I've lost the link to the answer. How and where can I find the answer to my question? Thanks a lotUliana stg (talk) 10:20, 27 January 2011 (UTC)

At the top of this page, there are two search boxes, one of these will search previous reference desk questions. If you put in "Bibliography required", the first result is required this one, which gave a few hints, but found your question a little vague. Worm 10:40, 27 January 2011 (UTC)

Another option is to click on the "my contributions" tab on the top of the page and browse through what you posted here to find it. TomorrowTime (talk) 10:47, 27 January 2011 (UTC)

That's not really another option, though; when the question gets archived, the link is broken. Also, this user's list of contributions only shows one question, which makes me think he also posted from an IP or other account for the other question, as I distinctly remember seeing two questions that basically asked us for a "list of contemporary English fiction (novels)men and weman writers (preferably of those who are still alive)including lists of their works.Give a prompt where and how to download books free-of-charge." Needless to say, we couldn't satisfy any part of that request. Matt Deres (talk) 11:43, 27 January 2011 (UTC)

We can! I answered in his original question but everyone seems to ignore it: You can download free, current and popular e-books from many public libraries. The only reason we can't be of better help is that the OP didn't tell us where (s)he is from, so we can't indicate whether their local library has them or not. Aaronite (talk) 20:18, 27 January 2011 (UTC)

I think this is the question (and answers) you are looking for: Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Humanities/2011 January 12#Actualization of disgust. It would have been easier to find from your contributions if you had filled out the "Subject/headline" when asking your question. I also added a heading to this question to separate it from the date header. Astronaut (talk) 17:40, 27 January 2011 (UTC)

This Google Books link might be of some use to you. I set the options to return only books with the full text available, published after 1980, containing "disgust". What it actually returns, unfortunately, is mostly a list of magazines, with a few reprints of old books (with expired copyright) and a few obscure academic works. 81.131.49.248 (talk) 19:54, 27 January 2011 (UTC)

By the way, Uliana, "Dears" is not a conventional way to open a letter in English. It is true that "Dear Sir" and "Dear <name>" are conventional, but "Dears" is not, and makes me think of a teacher talking to small children, or a grandmother addressing some of her friends. I tell you this just to help you avoid embarrassment in the future. Good luck on your research. --ColinFine (talk) 20:16, 27 January 2011 (UTC)

Phone hacking

In the News of the World phone hacking affair, there seems to be precious little discussion about how the celebrities' phones were hacked. Our article contains only a somewhat puzzling reference to "91 PIN codes for accessing other people's voicemails". So how was this done? Presumably you need the person's phone number, which I guess a journalist might be able to get. But you would also need their PIN code, which would be a lot harder to get. Is it, therefore, a question of just guessing the pincode via trial and error, or is it more sophisticated than that? And in any case, wouldn't you need to be calling the voicemail from the phone in question? --Viennese Waltz 12:50, 27 January 2011 (UTC)

Many people don't (or didn't - I imagine they're doing so now) change the default PIN on their phone's voicemail service. Each provider may use a different default, but it's pretty easy to work out who's the provider ("Hello and welcome to the Orange Answerphone.." is what people calling me are greeted with Correction, that's what I hear when I call my voicemail. There aren't too many providers in the UK, though, so even if you didn't know every provider you could just try all the defaults), and it's also easy to find out what the default is. Some of the older phone hacking incidents happened this way; I'm not sure about the most recent. This article suggests that someone may have actually contacted phone companies as asked for PINs to be reset. Also, people tend to pick easy to remember numbers, and I suspect that most people didn't really worry about the security of their voicemail much.

The trick then is to make sure you get the person's voicemail so you can enter their PIN, by calling their mobile from another line. I vaguely recall some of those claiming to have been hacked saying that they'd had bizarre and pointless conversations with journos which they later thought were for this reason. Voicemail can be accessed from any line by calling a special number, and again it's not a secret what the number is. You then use the keypad to enter your phone number and PIN for access. At least some systems will allow you to call your own mobile number from another line and access your voicemail by entering a special sequence. Note also that at least one dodgy private investigator was used and the possibility of bribery or an inside job at the phone companies can't be ruled out. See this and this. --Kateshortforbob _talk 13:30, 27 January 2011 (UTC)

(edit conflict) Here's quite a good article on voicemail security (or the lack of it). There will always be idiots who don't change the default PIN, or set it to something easily guessed. If that fails, I imagine it isn't too hard with a few personal details to convince the operator to reset a "forgotten" PIN. It seems that voicemail systems don't pay any attention to what number they are called from either. the wub "?!" 13:33, 27 January 2011 (UTC)

This article titled "5 Things We All Do That Make Hackers' Lives Incredibly Easy" is written from the point of view of internet security, but there is nothing in there which is not directly applicable to hacking any security code, including your voicemail PIN. After all, consider the background of the Sarah Palin email hack. Everything that guy did could have been done with voicemail PINs with very little difference in technique. --Jayron32 13:51, 27 January 2011 (UTC)

Anti-fat-woman movement

Apparently, a woman with extra pounds cannot avoid being regularly insulted on any online dating site. I ask myself where did these hater towards fat woman come from? Are fat woman the new homosexual? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 80.58.205.105 (talk) 16:39, 27 January 2011 (UTC)

There are several overlapping Wikipedia articles that deal with this. The best (though shortest) is likely Anti-fat bias. There's an article titled Weightism but it strays afield of many core Wikipedia policies, and is mostly unreferenced. Fat acceptance movement is also an interesting read, and does have lots of references you can follow to find further information. --Jayron32 16:52, 27 January 2011 (UTC)

It's worth bearing in mind that the clientele of dating agencies are not representative of the population in general, but are self-selected from those who, for various reasons, are unable to meet and befriend potential dates in more traditional ways: I suggest that a higher than average proportion of them, particularly the males, may have attitude problems and a lack of social graces that contribute to their difficulties. In addition, many people seem to feel freer to offer far more insult and hostility online than in face-to-face interactions, as is readily seen on most blog comment threads, etc. In short; online one encounters far more assholery than in 'real life'. On the positive side, such behavior serves as an instant asshole detector. 87.81.230.195 (talk) 17:39, 27 January 2011 (UTC)

And then there's Fat fetishism. Corvus cornix_talk 23:40, 27 January 2011 (UTC)

If an online dating site permits insulting comments to stay up, perhaps they are not serious about finding you a mate. Astronaut (talk) 11:17, 29 January 2011 (UTC)

January 28

Yellow H boxes in the UK

Does anyone know what the yellow boxes with an H on them are that are found in the UK? I can't really describe them all that well as it's been a while since I was in the UK, but they're usually on the side of a building or wall, are about 6x6 inches square and three inches deep, with a thin yellow pipe going straight down into the ground. I've tried searching on Google but it's hard to get results with such a weak description. I suspect they have something to do with power or phonelines but that's just a guess. What are they called and what do they do? Thanks for any help, Matthewedwards :  Chat  01:48, 28 January 2011 (UTC)

See Fire_hydrant#Signage: 'In the UK and Ireland, hydrants are located in the ground. Yellow "H" hydrant signs indicate the location of the hydrants... Mounted on a small post or nearby wall etc., the two numbers indicate the size of the water main (top number) and the distance from the sign (lower number)'. Is this what you mean?

Yeah! Thank you, whoever you are! Matthewedwards :  Chat  03:16, 28 January 2011 (UTC)

Amazing the little differences between countries that you don't think of. If they don't have red fire hydrants in Britain, where do urban dogs pee? -- Mwalcoff (talk) 03:48, 28 January 2011 (UTC)

Lamp posts, of course. And pillar boxes. DuncanHill (talk) 04:58, 28 January 2011 (UTC)

The number of American fire hydrants that get smashed in car chases[14] or used as communal showers[15] - at least in Hollywood films - it's a wonder that they haven't gone over to our system years ago. Ours are under a rectangular iron plate in the pavement (sidewalk) that you need the right tool to open[16]. Alansplodge (talk) 11:21, 28 January 2011 (UTC)

The movies obviously overstate things, it's Hollywood after all. And I bet that if someone ran a cost/benefit analysis, they would find that the financial reasoning just isn't suitable to put them all under the pavement. Dismas|^(talk) 11:25, 28 January 2011 (UTC)

The image Alansplodge linked looks like a legally opened fire hydrant equiped with a spray cap. Some fire department will open hydrant with this kind of cap which limits distributes water flow for block parties and such. It's not all Hollywood. Rmhermen (talk) 15:37, 28 January 2011 (UTC)

If you put them underground they would be covered in snow for half the year and completely inaccessible. In places with frequent deep snow they add a special tall flag to them to help find them. Ariel. (talk) 12:19, 28 January 2011 (UTC)

Or you could put a yellow sign with an "H" on it. ;-) Alansplodge (talk) 13:05, 28 January 2011 (UTC)

Well, the sign would have to be on a tall pole. In the pictures in the article it's low down to the ground and would be invisible in winter. And of course you don't want the hydrant itself underground. Ariel. (talk) 13:26, 28 January 2011 (UTC)

Except that in the UK, which is where the asked-about yellow "H" signs are used, the hydrants are usually underground, under metal hatch covers. Admittedly, in most of the UK deep snow has been relatively infrequent in recent decades (though that seems to be changing). 87.81.230.195 (talk) 19:38, 28 January 2011 (UTC)

Yesterday, during a break from shoveling hip-deep snow outside my house, I amused myself by googling "shoveling deep snow". One of the links that came up was an article from UK complaining about the trouble caused by unusually deep snow, "up to a foot deep in places". I laughed and wished out loud that my snow were only a foot deep. The UK is fortunate not to know really deep snow. Marco polo (talk) 19:55, 28 January 2011 (UTC)

I'm a student in the UK and was recently talking to a Canadian student who had just arrived for a semester abroad. We were telling her that this is the tail-end of the coldest winter ever in the UK. She didn't seem too impressed...Prokhorovka (talk) 09:17, 29 January 2011 (UTC)

That's the coldest December. I'm justabout old enough to remember 1962-3). Alansplodge (talk) 09:20, 29 January 2011 (UTC)

(ECs) Well, it's all relative to the local norm and what the locals are used to. The UK mainland is around 600 miles North to South and generally warmer in the West than in the East, so local norms vary somewhat both geographically and over the decades. In the South where a couple of inches is the usual maximum, a foot or so (as we've had locally this winter) is a lot. In the East of Scotland where I used to live in the 70's, a foot was routine and 18 inches plus not unusual. My mother remembers walking to school in North-East England in the 40's through paths dug through snow taller than she was. 87.81.230.195 (talk) 09:23, 29 January 2011 (UTC)

It's certainly the case that, until the 2009/10 winter, England has been having noticeably mild winters for at least the previous ten to fifteen years, compared to when I was a lad (50s/60s) - and people's perceptions are based on what they know. Feb 2010, and much more obviously Dec 2010, were the first time for many years that there was enough snow in many places to make a snowman. Ghmyrtle (talk) 09:31, 29 January 2011 (UTC)

Yes, people seem to have forgotten about January 1963, and February 1947 when the snow was so deep that my father helped to dig tunnels under the snow along the main road. One thing puzzles me about American hydrants. If they are above ground, what stops them from freezing solid? Is it just the fast flow within the pipe? Is this sufficient? Dbfirs 10:31, 29 January 2011 (UTC)

40 degrees Celsius forecast for the next two days here. It's ok though, because that's still a fair bit less than the 46 degrees we had two years ago. But I'm in Melbourne, Australia, and that was Black Saturday. HiLo48 (talk) 10:37, 29 January 2011 (UTC)

Straight Dope on why hydrants (usually) don't freeze: [17] But I will note that I have heard that if it gets cold enough, American fire hydrants do freeze in some ways. There have been a number of news stories recently in Boston about firefighters responding to a fire and not being able to get adequate water on the blaze because of pipes freezing, or something along those lines. --Mr.98 (talk) 19:19, 29 January 2011 (UTC)

Ah, so they are just like the British ones but with an added (normally empty) pipe to show above street level. Dbfirs 08:10, 30 January 2011 (UTC)

What are the largest outdoor recreation tradeshows in the US? Can I find a list?

Things like snow sports, hunting, fishing, camping, hiking... —Preceding unsigned comment added by 75.72.27.176 (talk) 03:11, 28 January 2011 (UTC)

Googling it seems to give plenty of answers and suggest you try the Las Vegas area. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Prokhorovka (talk • contribs) 19:37, 28 January 2011 (UTC)

January 29

How to control land crabs?

I grow vegetables and plants in a piece of land attached to my home. Whenever I make a bed for seedlings land crabs sink holes in it. If I fill up the hole from outside, they will open it by the next morning, and if I fill it up thoroughly they will sink a well in another place close to it. Sometimes in this process they destroy the seedlings. The main worry about these holes is that when I water the plants or seedlings all the water drains through these holes and washes away the manure along with it. The land is exposed to heavy sun and I have to water these plants everyday. The drain of water through these holes means the seedling beds will remain dry. The holes are several meters deep and there is no chance of catching these pests. What can I possibly do to curb this menace? --117.204.86.223 (talk) 05:12, 29 January 2011 (UTC)

A quick google search for "land crab pest control"/"getting rid of land crab" yielded some interesting results. The U.S department of agriculture recommend 5 to 10 drops of carbon bisulphide each hole (drop and then close the hole) in this 1922 (!) pdf. This site claimed "No chemicals are registered for control of land crabs because of the possible negative effects on groundwater quality.", and this site agree ("no pesticides are currently recommended for their control"). University of Florida IFAS extension recommend "go out with a flashlight at night, net in hand and scoop them up!". This is a study of crab eradication using baited earthen jars. Royor (talk) 06:42, 29 January 2011 (UTC)

Thanks for the reply. In my case, the land crabs are small and their burrows are just two or three centimeters wide. They dig up up to the wet soil close to the ground water several meters deep. They roll up the wet mud in balls around the mouth of their burrows. They don't come out of their burrows. So, no chance of scooping them up with a net. I would like to try fumigation with Carbon disulfide but it looks like it may not be easy to get. --117.201.246.241 (talk) 08:25, 29 January 2011 (UTC)

In Australia we would call them yabbies, catch them, boil them, and eat them. Yum. HiLo48 (talk) 10:33, 29 January 2011 (UTC)

If the land crabs are roughly the size of two to three centimeters I think it would be very cheap to adopt the baited earthen jars method using glass jars and maybe even metal cans. Royor (talk) 02:47, 30 January 2011 (UTC)

NRI'S from Tamilnadu and kerala

I would like to get address , phone nos , and e-mail id's of non resident indians — Preceding unsigned comment added by Madathil shaji (talk • contribs) 10:46, 29 January 2011 (UTC)

Wikipedia is not going to help you invade the privacy of other people. Astronaut (talk) 11:05, 29 January 2011 (UTC)

January 30

When was Dr. Robert H. Horwich born.

Dr. Robert H. Horwich, received his Ph.D. in zoology 1967 from the University of Maryland. http://www.communityconservation.org/personel.htm —Preceding unsigned comment added by 69.28.14.51 (talk) 00:42, 30 January 2011 (UTC)

This gives a date but may not be reliable. Ghmyrtle (talk) 09:20, 30 January 2011 (UTC)

Lee vs. Lee Cooper

I know that these brands are not related. But, do they have the same quality, prestige, etc? How do they compare? 212.169.190.75 (talk) 13:18, 30 January 2011 (UTC)

Definition/guide needed

Hi, what do you call a person (usually an expert) who is paid to write an opinion on a subject/issue so that the opinion supports the idea or view of the person who is paying the expert? This is usually done secretly, of course. eg: govt of country X pays an expert from country Y (country Y is more advanced than country X) to write an opinion which would support that government's views and policies. ќמшמφטтгמ^torque 14:23, 30 January 2011 (UTC)

Think tanks are more or less that: their funding conditions their opinions.212.169.179.2 (talk) 14:27, 30 January 2011 (UTC)

First thing I thought of was shill, but I'm not sure that's what you're going for here. --Onorem♠Dil 14:38, 30 January 2011 (UTC)

I would call them an "astroturfer" because the activity you describe sounds a lot like astroturfing. From that wikipedia article:

The term "astroturfing" is also used to describe public relations activities aimed at "falsely creating the impression of independent, popular support by means of an orchestrated and disguised public relations exercise....designed to give the impression of spontaneous support for an idea/product/company/service," according to the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) Social Media Guidelines

--Quartermaster (talk) 15:09, 30 January 2011 (UTC)

Lawyer? Lobbyist? Wikiweek (talk) 15:20, 30 January 2011 (UTC)

GPA

Hi. I'm applying to colleges now and on pretty much every application form it asks me for things like 'GPA' (which I had to look up to understand as 'grade point average'), class rank, etc. I went to a private school in which we don't believe in 'grading' and 'ranking' students; i.e., we don't think that one student can be 'good' and another 'bad' in a subject simply measured by crude implements such as tests and homework (which is why we never had any of it at my school); we also don't believe we can say one student is 'better' than another through these 'grades', hence no ranks. Since we don't have grades or ranks of any kind at my school, what do I put in these fields? Thanks. 24.92.70.160 (talk) 17:02, 30 January 2011 (UTC)

I would recommend calling the admissions office at the schools you are planning on applying to. Some schools may have a way of dealing with this, such as requesting narrative evaluations from your teachers. Also get ready for a big change, unless you are applying to some really alternative universities, homework, test and grades are usually a big part of undergraduate college life. --Daniel 17:10, 30 January 2011 (UTC)

I agree with this, and would also suggest you talk to the counselors at your school, since you are undoubtedly not the first person there who has ever thought about going to college, and they must already know how to handle this to some degree. I would also suggest that you might look into universities that have a similar model as your high school — there are a number of them. Evergreen State College is one I know of, where a friend of mine had an excellent time (and managed to get into a prestigious institution for graduate study as well, later), and according to its Wikipedia article, it is considered quite excellent despite its frankly "alternative" status. I might also note that while lacking a GPA would seem, superficially, to be a detriment, in fact it is probably in your favor from an admissions standpoint. Whereas the traditional applicant will be pre-screened based on their numbers, you will require personal attention at every stage of the way, and will certainly "stand out" from the rabble, even if you are only an average or "just above average" student. So I would not despair. (I say this with some personal knowledge of how admissions offices operate at top-ranked universities.) --Mr.98 (talk) 17:28, 30 January 2011 (UTC)

n/a. 129.120.141.200 (talk) 19:48, 30 January 2011 (UTC)

Location of Razitsia

According to his British naturalisation papers dated 1905, a relative of mine was born in Razitsia in the district of Vitopsk in May 1873 and was a subject of Russia. Can any user please tell me the location of Razitsia? Thank you. Simonschaim (talk) 17:20, 30 January 2011 (UTC)

Could 'Vitopsk' be Vitebsk? This is now in Belarus but would have been under Russian control at the time. I'll see if I can find Razitsia anywhere, but spelling could well be problematic. AndyTheGrump (talk) 17:28, 30 January 2011 (UTC)

A Google search for 'Razitsia' doesn't find anything, and Google Earth doesn't seem to have it. A check of the Vitebsk area on Google Maps doesn't help either, unless I missed it (again, you'll need to watch for alternate spellings). Perhaps someone who is familiar with Belarusian and/or Russian might be able to help though. AndyTheGrump (talk) 17:45, 30 January 2011 (UTC)