Wikipedia:Reference desk/Miscellaneous

Welcome to the miscellaneous section
of the Wikipedia reference desk.

skip to bottom

Select a section:

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

Want a faster answer?

Main page: Help searching Wikipedia

   

How can I get my question answered?

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

Ready? Ask a new question!

How do I answer a question?

Main page: Wikipedia:Reference desk/Guidelines

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

See also:

• Teahouse
• Help desk
• Village pump
• Help manual

October 11

Facebook accessed by employers and hiring managers

Is it correct that Facebook is the number one source accessed by employers/hiring managers for info on the integrity and character of future employees?173.64.197.161 (talk) 03:23, 11 October 2012 (UTC)

Do you mean versus other social websites or versus every other source of info ? In the latter case, I'd expect that checking references is more important. StuRat (talk) 03:28, 11 October 2012 (UTC)

Yes, the OP is vague but they didn't ask which is more important. As I read it, they asked which source is accessed more. Dismas|^(talk) 03:49, 11 October 2012 (UTC)

I have heard similar but I question the relevance, not all employers reference it and those that do usually reference blogspot, youtube, myspace, twitter and the like. I have not heard of a large corporate or governmental employer that only accesses facebook though I have heard news stories where prospective employers are actually requesting you to "friend" them so they may access everything your contacts/friends are on your facebook and even some where they require your password so they might access it. Not aware if those things have been resolved in the courts or if the companies have backed down on the password requests. Marketdiamond (talk) 04:22, 11 October 2012 (UTC)

In China? Definitely not. In Tanzania and Khazakstan?Almost certainly not. In the USA/Canada/Britain? I very much as suggested above, it may be increasingly used bysome companies, but it's going a whole step beyond sensible to say "the number one source". --Dweller (talk) 11:59, 11 October 2012 (UTC)

New imperialism

usa is said to be the guardian on new imperialism with concrete examples explain various method used by her to fulfill such ambition — Preceding unsigned comment added by41.188.142.2 (talk) 09:39, 11 October 2012 (UTC)

1) Please learn to use capitalisation, punctuation, and other features of written English.

2) Please give sections distinctive titles, rather than just 'question'. The header of this page has already asked you to do this.

3) Don't ask us to do your homework. AlexTiefling (talk) 09:45, 11 October 2012 (UTC)

Fortunately, Wikipedia has some useful articles, which can help, if you are clear what you are looking for. I suspect that, although you ask about the new imperialism, you probably want information on "neo-imperialism". Warofdreams talk

IPgeolocates to Dar Es Salaam, probably on dial-up rather than broadband, may not be as Internet experienced as those of us in wealthier countries, so I don't think the lecture on capitalisation was appropriate. It does read like homework. Itsmejudith (talk) 22:28, 11 October 2012 (UTC)

Express feeder

1) Please inform me What are the benefits of getting electric supply to a manufacturing plant thru an Express feeder? 2) What are the general rules for eligibiltiy to receive supply thru an express feeder? 3) What are the costs involved in receiving supply thru an Express Feeder? — Precedingunsigned comment added by 203.199.143.172 (talk) 11:27, 11 October 2012 (UTC)

Please do your own homework.

Welcome to the Wikipedia Reference Desk. Your question appears to be a homework question. I apologize if this is a misinterpretation, but it is our aim here not to do people's homework for them, but to merely aid them in doing it themselves. Letting someone else do your homework does not help you learn nearly as much as doing it yourself. Please attempt to solve the problem or answer the question yourself first. If you need help with a specific part of your homework, feel free to tell us where you are stuck and ask for help. If you need help grasping the concept of a problem, by all means let us know. --Dweller (talk) 11:52, 11 October 2012 (UTC)

I don't think this is homework at all. Considering that the IP geolocates to India and thisTimes of India article provides a reasonable explanation, this seems like a typical "help me find information" request. Searching for "express feeder" quickly finds Ashirwad Engineering, an electrical contractor in Pune which provides Express Feeder equipment for up to 220KV electrical distribution systems. If the OP was to take a look at that company's website they would find the 'about us' page has something to say about what an Express feeder is for, while the services page goes into more details. However, none of that seems to answer the eligibility question or the tariffs question. Further searching is necessary, though I got fed up looking after reading many pdfs about tenders and disputes and no basic information which didn't assume you knew all about it in the first place. Astronaut (talk) 17:35, 11 October 2012 (UTC)

Who is this guy?

Image. I find myself unable to conveniently right-click and copy the image to drop it into a search-by-image search. He looks familiar. To the undescribed-link-wary, it's just one of those 'demotivator' pictures with a serious-looking guy with the caption 'PROGRAMMING -- You're doing it completely wrong.' 20.137.2.50 (talk) 13:16, 11 October 2012 (UTC)

Well, I was able to use Google Image search using a little bit of trial and error. It's John McCarthy.Narutolovehinata5 ^tccsdnew 13:20, 11 October 2012 (UTC)

The trick to getting it to work in Google Image's "search by image" search is to cut out the stuff around the photo of the guy itself. It findshim quite easily that way. --Mr.98 (talk) 13:25, 11 October 2012 (UTC)

Resolved

Thank you. Now I remember where I saw him. From the intro to his article, "McCarthy received many accolades and honors, including the Turing Award..." That reminded me that it was on the cover of the Communications of the ACM about a year ago (probably because of his recent death at that time). It was a painting or drawing of that same portrait. 20.137.2.50 (talk) 13:58, 11 October 2012 (UTC)

Problems Getting Article Published

Hi,

I submitted an article for creation a while back and it was rejected. I made the necessary corrections to the article but as of Sept. 19th haven't heard anything back. I was hoping to have someone revisit my article to see if it is fit for publication.

Thanks, Nicole Username: Nboreham — Preceding unsigned comment added by Nboreham (talk • contribs) 16:06, 11 October 2012 (UTC)

Hi. This is the Wikipedia Reference desk, where we try to answer factual questions about the 'real world' outside Wikipedia. For questions about Wikipedia itself, you're better off asking elsewhere. In your specific case, try asking at Wikipedia talk:Articles for creation. However, I suspect the answer is simply 'we're working on it' - there is rather a backlog with creating articles right now, with (on 3rd October) 1,348 articles currently being processed. - Cucumber Mike (talk) 16:32, 11 October 2012 (UTC)

While this is not an official review (primarily because I have no idea how to review and can't really be bothered learning) and as CM said, you're not really at the right place, I'll be honest with you that from the look of the current article, you have no real chance of it being created. I strongly suggest you reread the links you were provided last time your article was declined [1]. I still see no reliable secondary sources covering the subject. In fact I don't see any reliable secondary sources at all, just a forum post, some random other wiki, some sort of coupon site and a site controlled by the subject of the article. Nil Einne (talk) 15:50, 12 October 2012 (UTC)

Also looking more closely, I think you're screwed something up. It looks like you've killed all the templates and never actually submitted the article for review again. I've readded the templates. Please don't remove them as this will just confuse matters for you and possibly for others. When you are ready to submit the article for review again, please click on the link in the template which says it's for that purpose and do what it says. However I strongly suggest you do not do so until and unless you've managed to fix the problems since as I mentioned, the article is still far from being suitable for creation. Nil Einne (talk) 15:59, 12 October 2012 (UTC)

What happened to climate tables?

What happened to climate tables? The table that shows high, low and average temps, precipitation, etc. I've looked in the Philly and Camden entries. Others, too, but the climate tables that used to be there are missing. — Precedingunsigned comment added by 71.22.155.114 (talk) 16:13, 11 October 2012 (UTC)

Wikipedia articles are all individually edited by real people, and not the same real people. If there is an article which doesn't have a climate table, and needs it, you're invited to add it yourself. It doesn't mean anyone did anything wrong. It just means that no one did it. You're someone too, so you're allowed to make Wikipedia better. May I recommend http://www.wunderground.com/ as a good source of historical climate data. --Jayron32 16:25, 11 October 2012 (UTC)

side discussion
The following discussion has been closed. Please do not modify it.
I think a more useful response to "where did that information I used to use go?" would be an answer as to when or why it was removed, not a response of "go re-research it yourself." Just my two cents. --Mr.98 (talk) 16:32, 11 October 2012 (UTC) Right, because we'd really rather not have any more people involved in editing Wikipedia. It's better to not invite people to contribute, or encourage them to be members of the editing community here, or really do anything to get more people working on Wikipedia. --Jayron32 21:31, 11 October 2012 (UTC) I didn't know editor recruitment was the focus of the reference desk. Nobody said that we don't want more people involved in editing...--Onorem♠Dil 15:47, 12 October 2012 (UTC) Mr. 98 stated in unambiguous terms that he believed my invitation to the editor to participate in Wikipedia was unwelcome. I disagreed with him. Any opportunity to invite a new editor into the process is good, especially when such a person provides the interest in seeing Wikipedia improved. There is no more open door to inviting a new editor in than when a person finds a problem with a Wikipedia article that needs fixing. --Jayron32 16:08, 12 October 2012 (UTC) He didn't say it was unwelcome. He said there were more useful responses available. Inviting new editors is good. Telling potential new editors that ask questions on the ref desk to do their own research and edit the article themselves doesn't seem too productive. Your reply to the question did absolutely nothing to answer it. --Onorem♠Dil 17:17, 12 October 2012 (UTC) Jayron did provide a link to a reference that would give the data the OP wants and did explain why the info wasn't there yet--he didn't only extend an invitation to edit--the rest of the discussion above belongs on the talk page. μηδείς (talk) 17:27, 12 October 2012 (UTC) "the climate tables that used to be there are missing." - Read the question, then answer. They aren't looking for a place to find the info. They are asking why info that used to be included isn't now. --Onorem♠Dil17:32, 12 October 2012 (UTC)

It would be helpful to know a date at which climate table were present in those articles -- we might then be able to figure out who removed them and why. I did a quite scan of the history of Camden, New Jersey, but didn't spot anything. Looie496 (talk) 17:35, 11 October 2012 (UTC)

Philadelphia#Climate has it hidden in a collapsible box. The {{Philadelphia weatherbox}} template was made collapsed by default in September 2010. I too had a look at Camden, NJ to see if it was simply hidden, but it seems to have never had climate data; maybe you were thinking of adifferent Camden. Astronaut (talk) 17:53, 11 October 2012 (UTC)

I'm guessing that by "Philly" you mean Philadelphia? If so, at the end of the "Climate" section there is a grey-coloured bar which says "Climate data for Philadelphia (Philadelphia Airport)". At the right-hand end of the bar, it says "[show]" - if you click on that, the table appears, as if by magic. I think the idea is to make the article easier to browse. We have an awful lot of articles called Camden, including one here in London. Alansplodge (talk) 5:14 pm, Yesterday (UTC−4)

I would ride on the assumption that the OP means Camden, NJ, a city right across the river from Philidelphia. Unfortunately, I cannot find when that information was taken out. Livewireo (talk) 21:11, 12 October 2012 (UTC)

Was it ever put in Camden New Jersey? Channeling Chuck Conners here: "It's gonna be cold . . . It's gonna be gray . . . And it's gonna last you for the rest of your life!" Kidding aside, love the Jersey! Marketdiamond(talk) 20:40, 13 October 2012 (UTC)

"The Jersey"? If it weren't for its unfortunate lack of deserts and a dearth of earthquakes, it would be the best state in the union.μηδείς (talk) 01:40, 15 October 2012 (UTC)

Duvauchelle, New Zealand

Where may I find information on the history of Duvauchelle, New Zealand? Like where did it's name come from? — Preceding unsigned comment added by 66.8.243.95 (talk) 21:31, 11 October 2012 (UTC)

Wikipedia has a brief article about Duvauchelle but there's no information on the source of the name. I can't find any official website or local historical organization which has any information. I did find find New Zealand Gazetteer of Official Geographic Names, a website run by the Government of New Zealand, so perhaps you may find information there. --Jayron32 21:37, 11 October 2012 (UTC)

I found TALES OF BANKS PENINSULA: NO. 6. — DUVAUCHELLE'S BAY SOUTH, which says "The name was derived from two brothers who held a couple of sections under the Nanto Bordelaise Company. They never lived in the Bay, and yet it still bears their name. It was never a French settlement at all, and the first that is known of it is that Rauparaha had a big cannibal feast just where the old tramway crossed the main road." You can navigate through some other articles in the book using the line that says "Previous Section | Table of Contents | Up | Next Section". You can read more about the Nanto Bordelaise Company atTe Ara, The Encyclopedia of New Zealand - Story: French Page 2 – The Akaroa settlement. AlsoChristchurch City Libraries - Kaitouna (Duvauchelle) which mentions "...the site of an ancient pā" (not sure what that is, but it sounds interesting!). Of course, if you can get to the actual Christchurch City Library, they will probably be able to help a lot more. Alansplodge (talk) 22:18, 11 October 2012 (UTC)

If you wanted to read the whole of "Tales of Banks Peninsula" you can read it [2] - I could only see parts of the book at the link I gave above. Alansplodge (talk) 22:59, 11 October 2012 (UTC)

I have added a brief "History" section to our Duvauchelle article, using the sources quoted above. Alansplodge (talk) 20:30, 15 October 2012 (UTC)

Astley's Cigar Pipe

I've come across Sir John Dugdale Astley, 3rd Baronet in my travels.

I noticed he appears to be smoking a cigar that's stuck into a pipe. Or is the pipe not a pipe at all but a cigar holder in the shape of a pipe? I've heard of cigarette holders, but not cigar holders. Or is it artistic licence in the spirit of the caricature; and if so, what is being caricatured? -- Jack of Oz ^[Talk] 22:23, 11 October 2012 (UTC)

There seem to be a few cigar holders for sale on the net, but most of them are a short, straight tube.[3] [4]. Perhaps he was just a bit eccentric? Alansplodge (talk) 22:43, 11 October 2012 (UTC)

Thanks. I read at Cigar#Cigar holders that "Also, cigar holders may refer to a tube in which the cigar is held while smoked. These are mostly used by women, and rarely by men". It's odd for women to be smoking cigars in the first place, although not unknown.

Maybe Astley was renowned for his use of the cigar holder, something that was normally associated with female cigar-smokers, hence doubly odd. -- Jack of Oz ^[Talk] 22:56, 11 October 2012 (UTC)

A member of the English Peerage odd? Surely not! What can you be thinking? Alansplodge (talk) 23:06, 11 October 2012 (UTC)

King of the Peds By P. S. Marshall says that Astley was famous for "...the enormous cigar never out of his mouth...". No mention of a holder though. However, the cigar-in-pipe combo does appear in a silhouette, 1889, of Sir John Dugdale Astley, 3rd Bt by Philip William ('Phil') May at the National Portrait Gallery. Alansplodge (talk) 23:17, 11 October 2012 (UTC)

Bingo! A snippet view of mad hatters: great sporting eccentrics of the nineteenth century, Douglas Sutherland 1987 says; "Sir John Astley, was another easily recognized figure, with his majestic bearing and distinctive cigar, which he always smoked stuck in a specially made pipe." (p.160).Alansplodge (talk) 23:27, 11 October 2012 (UTC)

And finally; the cigar-in-pipe appears in the frontispiece of JDA's autobiography, Fifty years of my life in the world of sport at home and abroad (1894). It looks like an amusing read, but it can wait as I'm off to bed now.Alansplodge (talk) 23:35, 11 October 2012 (UTC)

He took to his bed like a duck to water. Almost. Great answers, thanks Alan, I hereby elevate you to Lord Splodge of Wikipedia Towers. -- Jack of Oz ^[Talk] 00:03, 12 October 2012 (UTC)

You're far too kind. Sadly, no automatic seat in the House of Lords. The nobility ain't what it used to be, don't y'know.Alansplodge (talk) 11:44, 12 October 2012 (UTC)

Pay it no mind. For many peers who inherited their titles, the only benefit of having a Lords seat was to not turn up for years or decades on end. They were probably too busy occupying their other Lords seats. Priorities, man, priorities. -- Jack of Oz ^[Talk] 21:13, 12 October 2012 (UTC)

Quelle dommage. It would have been a good place for a bit of snooze. Alansplodge (talk) 01:04, 15 October 2012 (UTC)

In some parts of Asia, some people still smoke cigarettes in a pipe-like device.DOR (HK) (talk) 08:41, 15 October 2012 (UTC)

October 12

looking for an old image/poster

I am trying to find something that I saw around the internet some months ago, wondering if anyone recognises it. Basically an advertising poster portraying the real world as a game, with information on statistics of how huge the in-game world is, how many NPCs to interact with and skill points to gain and so on. Chances are it's lost amongst the billions of other mildly amusing things that pop up around here and soon disappear again, but maybe someone knows where I can find it now?

213.104.247.116 (talk) 22:03, 12 October 2012 (UTC)

Interesting I did try a few different terms in [www.google.com/imghp] but I don't think I found anything that meets your complete description. If there is an image that is close or has aspects of the poster you speak of you can use that image to search like images through Google, also if the poster had a title or saying that might be useful for text searches of images, did it?Marketdiamond (talk) 20:36, 13 October 2012 (UTC)

Try the page image on TV Tropes for 'Real Life'. AlexTiefling (talk) 09:20, 15 October 2012 (UTC)

Obituaries

I'm looking for two obituaries:

Can anyone help me find the obituary of Virginia Herrel (died September 28, 2004. I don't know if her obituary was published in either The Orange County Register, or in another newspaper, but I believe she died in Anaheim, CA)?

And can anyone help me find the obituary of Pieter Verkaik (died December 17, 2003, and his obituary was published in The Orange County Register on December 22, 2004)? 98.234.170.206 (talk) 23:17, 12 October 2012 (UTC)

Which Orange County are we talking about, the one in California ? StuRat (talk) 00:30, 13 October 2012 (UTC)

The Orange County Register doesn't appear to have any records of a Pieter Verkaik, on that or any other date. I searched for other Pieter's, in case that last name's spelled wrong, but none seem to be the one you want: [5].

Here's an obit for Virginia Kilgo Herrell, but I don't think this is the right person: [6]. StuRat (talk) 00:47, 13 October 2012 (UTC)

This site claims to have info about the death of Pieter M. Verkaik, of Santa Barbara, CA, but you have to sign up to get it:[7]. They also have a record for Virginia M. Herrel of Anaheim, CA: [8]. StuRat (talk) 00:44, 13 October 2012 (UTC)

Verkaik... Daughter Petra... The Playboy centerfold of a couple or three decades ago? ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 04:56, 13 October 2012 (UTC)

Virginia M. Herrel, died 9-28-04 in Anaheim. That's from Ancestry.com, but their source is the Social Security Death Index. ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 05:03, 13 October 2012 (UTC)

October 13

Most Successful Franchise of all Time

I can't seem to find this seemingly simply question online: Out of every franchise in the world of any medium (Broadway plays, video games, movies), which franchise has made the most money in history? Franchises that span multiple mediums (Pokemon has games, movies, television, manga, and trading cards for example). The only things I can find online only deal with one medium ("Most successful movie series of all time", for example) --Ye Olde Luke (talk) 07:17, 13 October 2012 (UTC)

I assume you mean to measure success by money earned. More recent productions will earn more money, typically, due to increases in population, and especially if you don't adjust for inflation. So, with that in mind, perhaps something like Harry Potter ? StuRat (talk) 07:58, 13 October 2012 (UTC)

BTW, the Entertainment Desk would be a good place for this Q. StuRat (talk) 08:00, 13 October 2012 (UTC)

Shakespeare would be my guess. --TrogWoolley (talk) 18:55, 13 October 2012 (UTC)

Don't forget Washington Irving, with his stories being recast and remade every generation . . . and with the current political climate would PBS/NPR (Bigbird) be considered their own franchise (merch, multiple PBS mediums etc?). Oh that's right they are non-profit. Marketdiamond (talk) 20:28, 13 October 2012 (UTC)

I'm guessing that PBS and Washington Irving combined have not earned in their existence one-thousandth of what an actually popular franchise has. Especially not the extremely obscure Irving!! --NellieBlyMobile (talk) 21:24, 13 October 2012 (UTC)

For your PBS reaction see arguably longest running single host show, the original 25 seasons of National Geographic specials andWhere in the World is Carmen Sandiego?, and thats only the "small market"Pittsburgh station, expand from there.

I may be inclined to see how Irving isn't #1 or some factual reason he may not be top 5 but "extremely obscure"? Then why do Hollywood studios keep remaking Legend of Sleepy Hollow over and over, they want to lose money and audience? Not to mention all the derivations and adaptations that on first sight don't seem connected. LoSH was just one of Irving's works, for nearly half a century he was the "rockstar" of American Literature, I've heard some scholars state that he is the father of American or even New World literature (so then every screenplay and sitcom treatment can be traced back to him? Not suggesting that but the question has been raised before). Most importantly Irving was the very first new world author to actually be read (and sought after) by Europeans. I really don't see any media "franchise" even coming close to Irving until decades later with Mark Twain and Stephen Foster (another 2 that would have to be considered when accounting for all the subsequent "borrowing" of their works under different projects). Imagine having only one "artist/entertainer/media personality" dominant decades almost a half century and not only the U.S. but be taken seriously throughout the world, closest I can compare is Stephen King or Oprah but even with their staying power decade after decade they are not the dominant overarching monopoly Irving was in so many ways. Marketdiamond (talk) 22:31, 13 October 2012 (UTC)

"Franchise" is not defined here, but I don't think all the works of a single author such as Shakespeare or Irving would qualify, although Hamlet (which predates Shakespeare) or Rip Van Winkle presumably would. And is Looney Tunes one franchise, with mutually interactive characters, or several (Bugs Bunny, Porky Pig, Daffy Duck, etc.)?

A truly successful franchise would have to be something that has continued to be successful until more or less the present day. So Robinson Crusoe probably isn't going to be a winner, even though there were a great many adaptations of it in the past. Among the contenders that come to mind, besides Looney Tunes, are Sherlock Holmes, Superman, Batman, Spider-Man, classic Disney (Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck - maybe separate franchises), Tarzan, James Bond, and Star Wars. John M Baker (talk) 22:52, 13 October 2012 (UTC)

Yes, I'm having real trouble understanding the meaning of franchise here. The only meanings I'm familiar with are the right to vote, and a commercial right to run a business on the same model as another, such as KFC or McDonalds. I'm not American. Are we discussing something from that culture? How can Hamlet be a franchise? HiLo48 (talk) 23:09, 13 October 2012 (UTC)

The OP is welcomed to correct me but I think John M Baker has a point, "franchise" in the entertainment sphere usually refers to some genius concept such as the "Indiana Jones franchise" or the "Oprah franchise" including all merchandise, theme park attractions, cross promotion (like product placement, promotional partnerships, soundtrack and MTV videos, cartoon or sitcom spinoffs, McDonalds happy meal toys, etc.) or their comparables in past decades or centuries. When answering and to level the field I consider people like Twain, Foster and Irving their own "franchises" since in those days you pretty much had to be. Marketdiamond (talk) 23:17, 13 October 2012 (UTC)

I interpret the question to be about a media franchise with licensing rights. The rights to Shakespeare's works expired long before they made significant money so they don't qualify. List of highest-grossing films#Highest-grossing franchises and film series and List of best-selling video game franchises may be good places to find candidates but they don't give total numbers for the media franchise.PrimeHunter (talk) 23:25, 13 October 2012 (UTC)

Although I can see where your coming from PrimeHunter I disagree, in your example of Shakespeare the "franchise" is still making money just for others. By your method the Beatles may disqualify since it is the deceased Michael Jackson's estate making $ on the still alive Paul McCartney/Ringo Starr's works (at least last I checked MJ's estate was). Technically they are still in copyright but that shouldn't be a hard standard since Disney corporation successfully extended 75 year old works[9], Shakespeare (and Irving, Twain etc.) just didn't have a perpetual global army of top lawyers on retainer lol. Why should the lack of that diminish the $ those works continue to produce today by being repackaged and reworked? Marketdiamond (talk) 00:12, 14 October 2012 (UTC)

I tried to guess the intention of the poster who said franchise four times and medium three times. We haven't heard back from him but see for example media franchise and wiktionary:franchise. I'm not discussing "fairness". PrimeHunter (talk) 01:31, 14 October 2012 (UTC)

People are still making money out of Shakespeare, but no-one is making money out of the franchise, since there is no intellectual property to license (which is how you make money out of a media franchise). It isn't really a franchise any more, it's just lots of completely independent businesses and individuals. --Tango (talk) 19:56, 14 October 2012 (UTC)

I was going to comment last night, right after the "Shakespeare" answer, that that was an oeuvre, not a franchise, but figured it would be nitpicking. μηδείς (talk) 03:22, 14 October 2012 (UTC)

• So, is the answer Star Wars, The Lord of the Rings, or Harry Potter? μηδείς (talk) 22:14, 20 October 2012 (UTC)

Jet2 Flight arriving at Edinburgh Scotland on Monday 15th October

Please can someone help. I know this is a ridiculous question to ask here, but I am picking someone up and don't know their flight number or arrival time. I have tried every other site I can think of but neither the online or telephone or airport systems can help me. All I get told is "This Flight has sold out" without giving any other information. If you can't help, thanks for reading this anyway? And we are supposed to live in the technologically advance information age? 80.192.67.152 (talk) 11:16, 13 October 2012 (UTC)

Jet2's Flight Status page has a list - this is for Edinburgh in the next 12 hours. You'll have to check again on Monday though. If you know where they are coming from it will narrow it down even further. Adam Bishop (talk) 11:50, 13 October 2012 (UTC)

Thanks Adam. That's very helpful. Much appreciated. 80.192.67.152 (talk) 12:05, 13 October 2012 (UTC)

Finding all the Jet2 destinations from Edinburgh (and therefore presumably the points from which you can fly to Edinburgh), and then playing around with Edinburgh Airport's flight timetables page I can find out there will be four Jet2 arrivals tomorrow:

• 14:10 LS854 Venice
• 15:45 LS776 Alicante
• 16:15 LS858 Malaga
• 20:35 LS826 Prague

Of course, I we knew where they were coming from, it would have made the search much easier on my part. Astronaut (talk) 15:20, 14 October 2012 (UTC)

Astronaut (and Adam), I really cannot sufficiently apologise for not including "from Venice" in my OP. I now know the arrival time as gleaned from your responses and cannot thank each of you enough. If it were at all possible, I would willingly buy you each a pint of good Scottish Beer (or a couple of large Drams of Glenkinchie) at the Airport, but failing that, may I invite each of you to partake of one (or several), and charge it to my "Wikipedia in good faith" account? Cheers - and thanks again. 80.192.67.152 (talk) 23:33, 14 October 2012 (UTC)

 Done and it was nice :-) Astronaut (talk) 11:11, 15 October 2012 (UTC)

Excellent. And yes, I did pick them up at Edinburgh Airport from Venice, where their flight was delayed for 2 hours. Seemingly, their flight number originates in Edinburgh and flies 2 sectors loaded with sufficient fuel for the return journey. But on this occasion, Edinburgh had insufficient supplies due to a technical problem at the nearby Grangemouth Refinery, and was able to offer only enough for the outward sector; the plane thus having to re-fuel at Venice. So I can now see why Airlines limit their online search times to 12 hours. Anyway, I joined you in several large drams (of Gordons Gin) which unfortunately could not be charged to my Wikipedia Goodwill Account.

All my best wishes for your kindness - and thanks again. 80.192.67.152 (talk) 16:32, 16 October 2012 (UTC)

October 14

Sharing Wikipedia articles on Facebook

i just wanna ask a simple question:will you in the future have a button some where to share what you put here with places like facebook cause i would totally like to put some things i read here that where really cool out there for the world to see more,but the no facebook status has it a bit on the why side.amanda titus. my email is [redacted].thank you. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 24.255.132.24 (talk) 01:20, 14 October 2012 (UTC)

I added a title. StuRat (talk) 01:22, 14 October 2012 (UTC)

Are you saying that Facebook blocks Wikipedia pages ? If you put a link to this Q there:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Reference_desk/Miscellaneous#Sharing_Wikipedia_articles_on_Facebook

What happens ? StuRat (talk) 01:25, 14 October 2012 (UTC)

The question is about a Facebook feature to "share" a website by posting a link to it in a certain way. Answered at Wikipedia:Help desk#Button for Facebook share. Please only post a question in one place. PrimeHunter (talk) 01:49, 14 October 2012 (UTC)

As long as we are exporting Wikipedia and not importing Facebook lol. Marketdiamond (talk) 03:05, 14 October 2012 (UTC)

How to do fish processors remove mercury from them?

Or do they not? Hasn't there been a process invented to remove all toxins from fish?

Or is there a government conspiracy that prevents such an invention from occurring? --70.179.167.78 (talk) 01:34, 14 October 2012 (UTC)

There could be a government conspiracy, but if it was any good, I guess we wouldn't know. HiLo48 (talk) 02:03, 14 October 2012 (UTC)

Mercury removal would likely make the result into fish slurry, so not very appetizing. It would also make the result quite expensive. It's more sensible just to limit your consumption of fish so as to keep mercury to a safe level. StuRat (talk) 02:06, 14 October 2012 (UTC)

The idea of removing all toxins is nonsense. The idea of a government conspiracy is also nonsense. There have been several studies that looked at the possibility of reducing mercury levels in fish fillets or fish slices using chelating agents or other treatments, with moderately positive results, but as far as I can see there has been no uptake by industry. Looie496 (talk) 02:23, 14 October 2012 (UTC)

Or you could just go mercury free with the healthy, omega loaded and now so plentiful they are giving it away in some parts of the U.S. . . Asian carp.  ;-) Marketdiamond (talk) 02:51, 14 October 2012 (UTC)

Why would they be mercury free ? StuRat (talk) 02:58, 14 October 2012 (UTC)

Well, they aren't actually mercury-free -- they aren't all that low really. But in general fresh-water fish such as catfish and trout have relatively low mercury levels. See our article on mercury in fish for more information. Looie496 (talk) 15:06, 14 October 2012 (UTC)

Ears popping on flight

Do my ears pop while ascending/descending on a pressurized commercial airliner because the cabin is not perfectly pressurized? Would my ears still pop if the cabin was perfectly pressurized? Does this happen to military pilots in modern fighter jets like the F-22? Acceptable (talk) 17:22, 14 October 2012 (UTC)

As Cabin pressurization#Cabin altitude notes, they allow the cabin pressure to fall a bit as the plane ascends. If they kept cabin pressure at the 1 bar (or so) it was at ground level (as one business jet, mentioned in that article, does) then your ears wouldn't pop at all. -- Finlay McWalterჷTalk 17:29, 14 October 2012 (UTC)

Wouldn't that business jet that remains fully pressurized cause a problem when the door is opened at the destination, and the pressure suddenly equalizes, popping everyone's ears at once (unless the destination just happens to have identical air pressure) ? StuRat (talk) 18:25, 14 October 2012 (UTC)

They will have to take steps to gradually equalise as they approach the destination. A pressurised aircraft, unlike a spacecraft, is not a closed system, so varying the pressure is a matter of altering the settings of the cabin/bleed-air pressurisation system. A space capsule, which is a closed system during most of its flight, has to have valves which are opened in the lower stages of its descent to equalise the capsule pressure with the environment. As reentry capsule notes, the malfunction of this system caused the death of the crew of the Soyuz 11 reentry vehicle. -- Finlay McWalterჷTalk 18:35, 14 October 2012 (UTC)

It's my understanding that military aircraft operate in much the same way (at lower altitudes; as they fly much higher, the pressure is allowed to fall at higher altitudes). Dressing for Altitude: U. S. Aviation Pressure Suits: Wiley Post to Space Shuttle p176 by Dennis R. Jenkins says the F-15 had a cabin pressure of 6.7 psi (15 psi is around 1 bar). Fighter pilots receive additional oxygen from a face mask and wear pressure suits. -- Finlay McWalterჷTalk 17:46, 14 October 2012 (UTC)

I'm surprised they let it get that low. Wouldn't they black out if their oxygen mask fails ? Seems too risky. StuRat (talk) 18:26, 14 October 2012 (UTC)

Pressurising the cabin places a mechanical pressure on the airframe. Fighter aircraft are, naturally, robustly constructed, but they fly so high (an F22 tops out at about 65,000 ft, more than double the ceiling of a 737) that 1 bar is a high additional load to bear. And the pilot has to be able to survive (and hopefully continue to operate) with the cabin depressurised due to damage or failure anyway, so the mask and suit has to be able to take the strain. The complexities of this system seem to be responsible for the problems F22 pilots have been reporting. SR71 pilots (who flew up to 85,000 ft) wore what amounted to space suits (see Lockheed SR-71_Blackbird#Life support) because of the risk of depressurisation (the cabin could be pressurised up to 10,000 ft) and to allow them to survive ejection (in theory). -- Finlay McWalterჷTalk 18:45, 14 October 2012 (UTC)

Time of useful consciousness at 6.7 psi (if I've done the conversions correctly) is about 10 minutes. That's plenty of time to put the plane into a steep descent as long as you notice the problem quickly enough (which can be difficult with a gradual failure - one of the symptoms of hypoxia is not realising that you are hypoxic!). --Tango (talk) 19:54, 14 October 2012 (UTC)

Eaaaars poppin' on flight.. afternoon delight! 203.112.82.1 (talk) 16:59, 16 October 2012 (UTC)

October 15

Alcohol-soluble window insulation foam ?

I'd like a spray-on foam that can be used to seal gaps around my windows in winter. My requirements:

1) Should foam up to fill in any gaps.

2) Should adhere well, because wind and changes in air pressure and temperature cause tape to come loose.

3) Shouldn't be water-soluble, since there may be condensation on window.

4) Should be easy to remove in summer, without leaving residue, when it's time to open windows again. This is somewhat incompatible with 2 and 3. Perhaps it could be alcohol-soluble, to aid in removal.

Is there any product like this out there ? StuRat (talk) 15:55, 15 October 2012 (UTC)

I know you specified a foam, but "rope caulk" (e.g. [10] representative example, no product endorsement intended.) is the traditional material to use to seal cracks around windows, etc. where you want to be able to remove it in the spring. It's substantial, so it shouldn't be pushed around by air pressure, and if you install it correctly, will seal tightly, but will come away cleanly (and reusably) in the spring, with perhaps only a slight oily residue which can be cleaned up with soap and water or alcohol. If the gap is larger than the ~1/8th inch diameter of the rope caulk, they also sell (non-adhesive) foam backer rods which can be wedged into cracks to fill most of it, allowing something like rope caulk to seal the edges. Although, if it's that large of gap, you either should fix your window (because such a gap might indicate some other window issue), install some sort of permanent weatherstripping, or permanently fill it in (if it's between surfaces which don't move with respect to each other during typical window operation) with minimally expanding (so you don't slightly bow the window frame, resulting in a sticky window) spray foam probably would be your best bet. -- 205.175.124.30 (talk) 20:24, 15 October 2012 (UTC)

OK, thanks. No foams then ? StuRat (talk) 19:37, 17 October 2012 (UTC)

Access to personal online profiles following one's death

Not sure the best way to phrase the headline for this question, which is part of my problem finding info on this, so I thought maybe you guys/gals could help. Let me preface this by saying I can see how this may be interpreted as a type of legal question, but I am not asking for advice, or even a direct answer, here; rather just to point me in the right direction for further research:

With many of our personal files and records now kept online behind logins/passwords, I wonder what happens to the ability to access these records upon someone's death. It is my understanding that the executor of an estate can be granted access to online financial records (online banking, bill pay, etc) through a process that allows them to settle any financial holdings. But what about things like Flickr, Facebook, personal email and blogs? Things like family photos or personal papers would obviously have value to one's heirs, but I could also imagine circumstances in which a person might want their personal records to "die" along with them. Anyway, I know there is a legal element to this, so guess I'd just like to be pointed to some sources that discuss this, rather than "own experience" type answers. Thanks, Ditch ∝ 16:19, 15 October 2012 (UTC)

I vaguely remember a magazine article about how some of those services are planning for that, something about along the same lines, where one provides some proof of another's death and relation to them to get access to those accounts. Unfortunately, I've got some source amnesia on this, but it would've been on either on Yahoo News or Buzzfeed at some point, maybe the Huffington Post. Ian.thomson (talk) 16:26, 15 October 2012 (UTC)

This article from Lifehacker might help, at least as a starting point for further research. - Cucumber Mike (talk) 17:12, 15 October 2012 (UTC)

Facebook's current policy on dead members' accounts is here. No logins or passwords disclosed to anyone else; account will be "memorialized" on report of death; verified family members can request total removal. - Karenjc 18:41, 15 October 2012 (UTC)

And here's Google's. -- Vmenkov (talk) 17:01, 16 October 2012 (UTC)

How could I investigate if wealthy american climate change skeptics have made recent large land purchases in Canada?

Thanks.-Richard Peterson198.189.194.129 (talk) 22:34, 15 October 2012 (UTC)

First you would need a list of wealthy American climate change skeptics. It's possible someone has constructed such a list and posted it on the internet somewhere, but I suspect it's too broad a topic to canvass reliably. ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 04:08, 16 October 2012 (UTC)

Or you could start at the other end, with purchasers of large tracts of Canadian land. StuRat (talk) 04:50, 16 October 2012 (UTC)

She has HUUUUGE... tracts of land. --Jayron32 05:01, 16 October 2012 (UTC)

The obvious answer is to check the article Wealthy American climate change skeptics who have made recent large land purchases in Canada. μηδείς (talk) 05:06, 16 October 2012 (UTC)

Medeis, where are you going with that last comment? --Viennese Waltz 09:52, 16 October 2012 (UTC)

Turns out Wikipedia doesn't have an article on everything...--Carnildo (talk) 00:36, 17 October 2012 (UTC)

I'd try looking up groups that profit from or advocate skepticism of climate change, and then see who's getting/giving the most money from/to those groups. You then have a list of wealthy climate change skeptics. From there, you need to get a list of people who have been making large land purchases in Canada. Compare the lists, and you'll have your answers. Ian.thomson (talk) 16:22, 16 October 2012 (UTC)

Possible distorting factor: oil companies are widely regarded as benefitting from climate change skepticism (since it discourages people from seeking alternative power sources); oil companies have also engaged in lots of extensive land use in Canada recently in order to dredge tar sands - a source of oil, now that many of the most accessible subterranean reserves are depleted. AlexTiefling (talk) 16:24, 16 October 2012 (UTC)

Yes, good point.198.189.194.129 (talk) 23:07, 16 October 2012 (UTC)

How would I find out, Stu and others, if someone is buying land in Canada? Is this public information at some Canadian federal website? That is the "other end" I'm thinking of starting on, although starting with a list of skeptics is also under consideration.198.189.194.129 (talk) 23:04, 16 October 2012 (UTC)

By the way I'm thinking you might not know the answer to my question and that's fine. But please don't, as cover, ridicule me with near tautologies, if that's what some of you were doing.216.86.177.36 (talk) 23:55, 16 October 2012 (UTC)

Are you the same person as Richard Peterson aka 198.189.194.129? -- Jack of Oz ^[Talk] 00:19, 17 October 2012 (UTC)

yup198.189.194.129 (talk) 16:39, 18 October 2012 (UTC)

Well, those are public records, but there's no guarantee they post them online, and, even if they do, there's no reason to think they are available in an easily searchable database (I don't think US records are). That is, if you know the proper information you can find info on one tract at a time, but don't expect to be able to run an SQL statement against the DB to answer your question in a single query: SELECT FROM LAND_SALE_TABLE BUYER_LAST_NAME,BUYER_FIRST_NAME WHERE BUYER_CITIZENSHIP = "US" AND SALE_PRICE > $1000000. I suppose it's possible there might be such a capability, but don't hold your breath for: AND BUYER_CLIMATE_CHANGE_ATTITUDE = "DENIAL". :-) StuRat (talk) 02:28, 17 October 2012 (UTC)

Land registry in Canada falls under provincial jurisdiction, so except for the northern territories and disposition of federally held Crown lands, the feds will be keeping their noses out of things. Each provincial registry will be a public record, but with different degrees of accessibility. For instance, Ontario handed over land registry to Teranet [11] and current records are searchable. British Columbia I believe also has an electronic database now. Naturally, you still have to pay to access bulk data, or go to a free-access registry terminal and write it all down by hand. Given that Canada is a vast land, the transactions will be similarly vast in number. Also, what about numbered companies (5678435 Ontario Ltd. bought a piece of land, does it deny global warming?) In fact for any corporate ownership, unless it triggers a FIRA review, I can't think of any records to show property title passing to a US corporation. So you have a tough road to follow to get your smoking gun proving whatever it is you're after. Franamax (talk) 03:26, 17 October 2012 (UTC)

See List of scientists opposing the mainstream scientific assessment of global warming.

—Wavelength (talk) 00:49, 17 October 2012 (UTC)

99% of the 1%, skeptics or otherwise, don't like to have their financial affairs aired in public, e.g. Mitt Romney. Often(?), they'll transact their business through intermediary companies. So, what you're asking is nearly impossible. Clarityfiend (talk) 02:36, 17 October 2012 (UTC)

Well, if land sales are public records in Canada, and the purchase price is included, that's a hint right there at the wealth of the individuals buying the land. StuRat (talk) 03:00, 17 October 2012 (UTC)

But not necessarily their identities or meteorological climatological beliefs. Clarityfiend (talk) 03:32, 17 October 2012 (UTC)

October 16

A Defunct News Summary Website

• http://cir.ca/

Circa News is a new iOS app that gives you condensed news. I think they hire copy editors to build shorted news for its readers. It reminds me of a short-lived news summary website, established or closed in maybe 2006.

I can't remember the details. I think they used to rewrite all news articles to less than 100 words. Anyway, they went out of business very soon. Anyone still remember that website? -- Toytoy (talk) 03:03, 16 October 2012 (UTC)

Murder at 1600

If a dead body was really found at the White House in a bathroom stall by a cleaning lady, would the Metro Police have jurisdiction or would the FBI oversee an investigation? DRosenbach ^{(Talk | Contribs)} 03:48, 16 October 2012 (UTC)

Murders committed on federal property are handled by the FBI.[12]A8875 (talk) 05:48, 16 October 2012 (UTC)

Your authoritative link is to TVTropes?

The FBI likes to point out that it is not a police force, so the question of conflicting police jurisdiction (whatever that means exactly, and I have to confess I'm not really sure) doesn't seem to come up. I am reasonably confident that the FBI would in fact investigate, which wouldn't in any way that I can see preclude the Metro Police from doing so as well. As to who would "seal the exits, make sure no one gets out until I've had a chance to interview everyone!" and that sort of thing, my guess would be the United States Secret Service. --Trovatore (talk) 00:07, 17 October 2012 (UTC)

Maybe this is a better source (that's a podcast transcript from the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center. Apparently there are 3 types of federal properties: proprietary jurisdiction, exclusive jurisdiction and concurrent jurisdiction. Under proprietary jurisdiction the local police would handle all crimes. Under exclusive jurisdiction federal agencies would deal with all the crimes. Under concurrent jurisdiction it seems either the local police or the federal agencies can deal with any particular crime. I can't seem to find a reference for the jurisdiction of the White House, but it's possible it's concurrent jurisdiction, which would allow the local police to arrest someone on the premises.

What complicates the matter is that Washington DC itself is federal land. Since I'm not American, thinking about the interactions between state and federal levels gives me a headache, but maybe someone else can help out. Is the Metropolitan Police Force considered a federal agency? - Cucumber Mike (talk) 07:14, 17 October 2012 (UTC)

Interesting find. Note however that it refers to "federal officers and agents" doing law enforcement in the "exclusive jurisdiction" zones, not the FBI specifically. Could be the Secret Service, or could be the US Marshals Service; the latter is the agency that most closely resembles a "federal police force". (There's something called the FBI Police, but apparently they police FBI facilities specifically.) --Trovatore (talk) 18:28, 17 October 2012 (UTC)

Question from a non-American here. The wikilink helped me to understand the title, which would otherwise have been meaningless to me, but is 1600 really a common nickname or similar for the White House in Washington? HiLo48 (talk) 17:06, 17 October 2012 (UTC)

Yes, the White House is often referred to in very informal situations as "1600 Pennsylvania Avenue." That would be its street address if it were an ordinary building, because it is at the intersection of Pennsylvania Avenue and 16th Street NW. In reality, the street address is not used by the U.S. Postal Service. That street address would have the Zip Code 20006, while the White House has its own Zip Code, 20500.    → Michael J Ⓣ Ⓒ Ⓜ 17:59, 17 October 2012 (UTC)

I'm going to have to slightly contradict Michael. The direct answer to HiLo's question is "no". Everyone knows that address, but only when Pennsylvania Avenue is attached. 1600 by itself does not specially denote the White House. --Trovatore (talk) 18:19, 17 October 2012 (UTC)

Valid point. Thank you, Trovatore    → Michael J Ⓣ Ⓒ Ⓜ 18:31, 17 October 2012 (UTC)

Urgent suggestion about photos and other info

I am an expert regarding a few topics related to aviation and I have thousands of photos which could significantly help out with many existing Articles but I do not possess the skill necessary to do direct editing. Your organization should provide for an ability for people like me (who which to contribute content and photos) to contact the most recent authors of a given wiki article and offer to provide info and photos etc. so that they can improve their own content. I suspect that wikipedia has lost a lot of content because of the difficulty of people like me who have important info but not the skills to navigate the wiki edit program. Thanks my email is (removed per policy) — Preceding unsigned comment added by 108.67.44.115 (talk) 13:58, 16 October 2012 (UTC)

It's an interesting point. You could always leave a note on the talk page of an article about a subject for which you have a relevant image, explaining that you aren't able to upload it yourself. Maybe someone there will offer to upload it for you. The tutorial at Wikipedia:Uploading images is, by its own admission, rather technical, but that is because uploading images is a complex business. --Viennese Waltz 14:24, 16 October 2012 (UTC)

You can contact the most recent authors of a given Wikipedia article by picking the 'View History' tab at the top of the article, and then picking the 'talk' link by the name of the recent author; but that may nt be very helpful, because it's quite possible that the last few dozen edits were all copy-editing or reverting vandalism. A message on the article's talk page, as Viennese Waltz suggests, will probably reach the people who have an interest in that article. But you might have most success in finding collaborators if you post your request to Wikipedia Talk:WikiProject Aviation. By the way, I would not call this urgent: Wikipedia has no deadlines. --ColinFine (talk) 16:38, 16 October 2012 (UTC)

In order for Wikipedia to to benefit from your generous suggestion, you will need to ask yourself three questions each time you identify a photograph you wish to offer. Is this image subject to copyright? Do I own the copyright, or have a way of contacting the copyright holder? And am I, or is the copyright holder, willing to license the image so that it can be reused in future by anyone who wants to do so, not just on Wikipedia but elsewhere? If you can answer no to the first one, or yes to all three, then that's brilliant and the above suggestions are the way to go, with Wikipedia:Files for upload also an option. If not, then that particular image may be uploaded only in very limited circumstances, if at all. - Karenjc 20:15, 16 October 2012 (UTC)

Note also that if you do contribute images in all the proper forms, some busybody will come along in a few months, change the required templates, and mark all the images for deletion because you didn't include your great aunt's maiden name. Henry^Flower 04:16, 17 October 2012 (UTC)

As far as editing it, others can come along later and clean it up, as long as you first upload it with a clear copyright and place a link to it in the appropriate article (or talk page). I just recently did so myself, with a picture that was scanned, along with a ragged edge. It was simple to trim off the ragged edge and upload the modified version. Note that this instantly updates all links to the pic. StuRat (talk) 06:19, 17 October 2012 (UTC)

English country house - name that house

Name that buidling.

A picture of Edward Fitzalan-Howard, 18th Duke of Norfolk, right, has been uploaded to the Commons. The description alleges the Duke is pictured in front of Euston Hall, Yorkshire. We have nothing on that. We do have Euston Hall in Suffolk, which doesn't look like the same place. Duke of Norfolk#Residences may or may not help. Note there's also a possibility, of course, that the image isn't the 18th Duke of Norfolk. Or that I'm confusing myself from start to finish. Name that building. --Tagishsimon (talk) 17:55, 16 October 2012 (UTC)

As you suggested, I clicked each link in Duke of Norfolk#Residences. Compare the picture at Carlton Towers. —Tamfang (talk) 18:50, 16 October 2012 (UTC)

Thanks. Couldn't see for looking. --Tagishsimon (talk) 18:55, 16 October 2012 (UTC)

Is it perhaps Euston Hall, Yorkshire 92.0.98.72 (talk) 18:54, 16 October 2012 (UTC)

No, 92, Tamfang had already identified it by the time you posted that, and Google doesn't know about a "Euston Hall" in Yorkshire. --ColinFine (talk) 22:56, 16 October 2012 (UTC)

 Done

For the curious Euston Hall is in Suffolk (unless there's another one nobody knows about). Alansplodge (talk) 17:32, 17 October 2012 (UTC)

October 17

Plants in China and Japan

What kinds of native trees (or other plants) were common in China and Japan prior to significant trade with the West? --168.7.232.77 (talk) 06:05, 17 October 2012 (UTC)

Most of the same ones that are common there now. Your question presumes that trade with the west had a significant effect on the native vegetation, but you offer no evidence to support that assumption. Roger (talk) 07:02, 17 October 2012 (UTC)

If you set the cut-off as before Columbus, you can say China and Japan had no New World plants - maize, chili peppers, pumpkins/squash, tomato, potato, etc. See Columbian Exchange. Rmhermen (talk) 14:53, 17 October 2012 (UTC)

A great read on this is 1493: Uncovering the New World Columbus Created which spends a considerable portion on the ecological changes wrought in Asia as a result of introduction of New World species. Indeed, one of the great things about the book is the way that it emphasize the importance of America-Asian exchange in the way that other works, like the Columbian Exchange doesn't; which tended to focus heavily (perhaps too heavily) on America-Europe exchanges. --Jayron32 18:56, 17 October 2012 (UTC)

Don't forget rubber! --Mr.98 (talk) 22:48, 17 October 2012 (UTC)

Another angle on this is "what plant species have been introduced to China and Japan after trade with the west?" As Roger points out, most of the plants that were there before are still there, but there are new additions to the communities. For starters, see List_of_invasive_species_in_Asia#Plants. SemanticMantis (talk) 18:42, 17 October 2012 (UTC)

What plants are common in China and Japan? --128.42.223.58 (talk) 19:14, 17 October 2012 (UTC)

An uncountable number of them. It'd be well beyond the scope of a board like this to start listing every "common" plant in China and Japan, for any definition of "common". --Jayron32 19:28, 17 October 2012 (UTC)

The trade went the other way really; European plant hunters scoured Asia for exotic specimens to sell at home. Trees that spring to mind are Japanese maple, Dove tree and swamp cypress, but there were many others. Alansplodge (talk) 22:38, 17 October 2012 (UTC)

Apologies; one major introduction has been the Eucalyptus, "China has the second largest (to Brazil) planting of Eucalyptus in the world"[13], although it actually came from the south east rather than the west. Alansplodge (talk) 22:42, 17 October 2012 (UTC)

Blank?

I have just received a sheaf of papers from an insurance company, (OK Saga, if you must know), one of which, suitably with the companies headed paper has the note "Left intentionally blank" on it. How can it be 'blank', with that wording on it? Are they or me mad?,--85.211.148.178 (talk) 07:41, 17 October 2012 (UTC)

See Intentionally blank page. HiLo48 (talk) 07:58, 17 October 2012 (UTC)

As for your second question, we cannot give medical advice here. Please consult an appropriate health professional to confirm that you are in fact insane, or not, as the case may be. -- Jack of Oz ^[Talk] 12:21, 17 October 2012 (UTC)

What has blank pages got to do with insanity/mental health. It is not a subject to joke too much about, it results in misconceptions about the behaviour of mentally ill people. I find it offensive. HiLo has clarified the first part of the question, I would not for a moment think of saying you are less than wordly-wise. Caesar's Daddy (talk) 14:01, 17 October 2012 (UTC)

Caesar's Daddy - Jack of Oz stated that his reply was in relation to the second question, which was "Are they or me mad?". It was a light hearted comment on that part, and on it's own that could be considered a request for medical help... FYI on this desk most things written in small font are tongue-in-cheek, or an attempt at humour........ gazhiley 14:30, 17 October 2012 (UTC)

Does the question "Are ..me mad?" suggest multiple personalities? Edison (talk) 15:15, 17 October 2012 (UTC)

Not to me. HiLo48 (talk) 17:02, 17 October 2012 (UTC)

Which of you said that? Hi, Lo, or one of the other 48? -- Q Chris (talk) 08:12, 18 October 2012 (UTC)

I recall IBM computer manuals from the early 1970s that had pages with that self-contradictory statement. I assumed then, and still do, that its purpose is to let the reader know that there isn't any important text missing from the page. It's amusing, but it's not madness. ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 23:57, 17 October 2012 (UTC)

GUNS

WHAT GUN MAKER MADE OVER &UNDER GUNS WITH A RIFLE OVER A SHOTGUN — Preceding unsigned comment added by 67.142.181.27 (talk) 09:16, 17 October 2012 (UTC)

Please don't type in all capital letters. It makes it appear as though you are SHOUTING. To answer your question, Wikipedia has an article titled Combination gun that has some information. You can also type "rifle over shotgun" into Google, and you get these results, the many of which contain information you could use. --Jayron32 13:45, 17 October 2012 (UTC)

Prevalence of teenagers making up personas and telling complicated made-up stories about their lives on the Internet

From some teenagers I know, I heard some rather incredible stories about the lives of their "friends on the Internet." Apparently these young people have really sad and complicated lives - something I'd think of as "daytime talk show material." I'm incredulous and suspect that those young people are just making up stories to make their lives sound more interesting and to mess with their "friends" on the 'net. Is this a know phenomenon? How prevalent is it? — Preceding unsigned comment added by 98.114.98.54 (talk) 12:41, 17 October 2012 (UTC)

Some folks have always told tall tales about themselves to impress others, whether on the 'net or on the streetcorner. I knew an instance of some junior high students telling about a begger they had met on the street who was "actually an African prince who'd fled his country and was living as a street person as part of his training before he became ruler later on." I met a woman who said her boyfriend had tried to kill her and had cut off her arm, but surgeons had sewed it back on (it looked pretty healthy to have gone through such trauma.). Wikipedia has people who misrepresent their circumstances, such as was disclosed in the Essjay controversy. How does one deal with it? Not all amazing stories are false. Everyone has had some interesting experiences, and it is annoying when you tell someone about one and they respond dismissively "Well, at least that is a good story." One can be polite and still take someone's amazing story with a grain of salt when it triggers the bullshit detector.Greater caution is indicated when the tale teller needs something like a place to stay, the loan of money or the use of your car, than when they are just looking for sympathy or admiration. Edison (talk) 15:10, 17 October 2012 (UTC)

Münchausen by Internet is certainly relevant here. - Karenjc 17:27, 17 October 2012 (UTC)

The anonymity of the internet allows people to choose any persona or personality they want. It's just unfortunate that many, especially young people, choose the 'idiot' personality. KägeTorä - (影虎) (TALK) 07:19, 18 October 2012 (UTC)

Uncirculated Coins

After a bit of WikiSurfing around today's featured article, I ran across pages about bullion coins like the American Silver Eagle, which mentions that the mint makes several varieties of these coins, including "uncirculated" coins. This puzzled me, as bullion coins don't do much circulating to begin with. The article Uncirculated coin explains that the US Mint uses "uncirculated" to refer to a special minting method, but doesn't go into details. What's the difference in minting process between a "regular" US coin and an "uncirculated" US coin? -- 205.175.124.30 (talk) 20:49, 17 October 2012 (UTC)

You should start by reading our article about uncirculated coins. Also, the U.S. Mint has information here.    → Michael J Ⓣ Ⓒ Ⓜ 22:51, 17 October 2012 (UTC)

Name of drawing gadget needed

I'm trying to recall what an item for tracing I used years ago is called, but I'm not having any luck. It was very simple, possibly aimed at children, and was basically a dark blue, transparent piece of plastic that you put by a picture you wanted trace, and it reflected enough that you could look through it and copy the picture on the other side. The closest thing I've found is a lightbox, but it's nowhere near as complicated as that. Can anyone help me? Thanks! Snorgle (talk) 21:03, 17 October 2012 (UTC)

It sounds like the Camera lucida. These were advertised in comic books years ago with the claim “You Can Draw Your Family, Friends, Anything from real­—like an artist, even if you can't draw a straight line." The ad made it look like there was an image projected on the paper of the subject in front of the artist, but rather than an elaborate projector it was just a piece of plastic at a 45 degree angle which reflected the image of the subject toward the artist's eye, while letting him see the image he was drawing on the sheet of paper. Skill and practice were needed to make a good drawing. If the artist moved his head a little, the drawing no longer lined up, and the image was washed out and indistinct. Some of the old masters may have used an earlier version of the camera lucida to get the perspective right in their photo-realistic paintings. Edison (talk) 22:05, 17 October 2012 (UTC)

A magic tracer also known as a camera lucida? 212.183.128.70 (talk) 22:04, 17 October 2012 (UTC)

Yes, the "magic tracer" is what I was looking for! Based on the camera lucida though, which I didn't know, so thanks for the information. Snorgle (talk) 22:48, 17 October 2012 (UTC)

It can be yours for $11.75 [14]. Alansplodge (talk) 01:20, 18 October 2012 (UTC)

These days there are far better ways to do the same thing. The simplest is to put a photo under some tracing paper. That way you don't have to worry about the subject moving. Or, you could scan the pic (or start with a digipic) and do the tracing over it on computer. StuRat (talk) 02:17, 18 October 2012 (UTC)

I don't see why you'd think tracing paper was a better option: do you think microscopists just didn't think to buy some tracing paper? When you trace onto tracing paper, you have to press (however lightly) onto the thin surface over the image you are copying, and you need a pre-existing flat 2D image. Your final image will be on a piece of tracing paper, unless you now trace it a second time from your copy, using one of a variety of techniques. The opportunity for error multiplies. 86.159.77.170 (talk) 06:41, 18 October 2012 (UTC)

This device came before photography, so tracing a photograph wasn't an option. StuRat (talk) 07:22, 18 October 2012 (UTC)

I think both of you have a point. It's true the Camera lucida was invented before photography. It's undoutedly also true that what you describe was a better substitute for camera lucida at various times. In fact our article mentions how 'photographic pioneer Henry Fox Talbot' may have been partly inspired by disappointed with the results of a camera lucida. However 86 has a point that there was clearly many cases when tracing paper wasn't suitable hence why as our own article mentions, it continued to be used by 'comprehensive ("comp") layout artists' in the 'early 1950s to late 1980'; and why as our article also mentions it was a standard tool for microscopists until a few decades ago. And unless Edison and Snorgle are actually older then the oldest known people in the world, we can safely assume they're referring to cases well after photography was not only invented but likely somewhat mainstream. Of course photography was still somewhat expensive, more so if you needed to attach one to your microscope (as our article mentions) hence why even after photography was fairly mainstream, a camera lucida still had an appeal to a variety of people. Perhaps the largest nail in the coffin of the camera lucida was what you hinted at near the end of your post, the move to digital both in image construction, capture and reproduction and the resulting changes, particularly cost savings and ease of use. (Although our article suggests it's still a key tool for palaeontology.) Nil Einne (talk) 13:17, 18 October 2012 (UTC)

Building at a 2012 chinese postage stamp

Hi, maybe somebody from London can help me. I need to know which building or house is depicted at this chinese postage stamp dedicated to the London Olympics (the one with the jockey and horse)? Thanks. Leonprimer (talk) 21:46, 17 October 2012 (UTC)

Venues of the 2012 Summer Olympics and Paralympics suggests that Greenwich Park may be depicted there. Not sure which building exactly. --Jayron32 21:51, 17 October 2012 (UTC)

This is rather amusing - they seem to have depicted Old Greenwich Church, Connecticut by mistake. Unbelievable. Alansplodge (talk) 21:57, 17 October 2012 (UTC)

Snort. That's funny. I don't know if it is positive they did depict that church, but it is strikingly close. --Jayron32 22:01, 17 October 2012 (UTC)

Well the notable churches near Greenwich Park in London are St Alphege's Church, Greenwhich, Our Lady Star of the Sea RC Greenwich and All Saints, Blackheath. All of these have prominent spires rather than a tower. The famous Royal Observatory in the park has a tower with a sort of dome affair. The most famous venue for equestrian events is Badminton, Gloucestershire, but the church there has a quite distinctive tower. I found the Greenwich, Connecticut photo doing a Google image search (probably what the Chinese post office did too). Unless anyone has any better suggestions; there are many hundreds of churches in London, but this certainly isn't a notable one. Alansplodge (talk) 01:04, 18 October 2012 (UTC)

October 18

Who is the Jonathan King in this photo?

Resolved

 – Consensus is that it is indeed the JK.

Which Jonathan King?

Is the photo File:Jonathan King Allan Warren.jpg of Jonathan King, or some other Jonathan King? Allan Warren is the photographer. Google image search for Jonathan King--Tagishsimon (talk) 02:21, 18 October 2012 (UTC)

I can't see any obvious reason why it couldn't be 'the' Jonathan King - Allan Warren seems to have been photographing notables from the music business at the time the photo is supposed to have been taken - and if you look at the photo gallery on Warren's article, the 'posed' style seems similar. AndyTheGrump (talk) 02:32, 18 October 2012 (UTC)

I can't see the resemblance, and I cannot see another JK image with a beard. The posed style seems immaterial - we know it's by AW and hence in his style; that would apply were it to be another JK. I accept that 'the' JK is highly likely given AW's interests, but I'm still yet to be convinced. And for whatever reason, AW's not talking. --Tagishsimon (talk) 02:40, 18 October 2012 (UTC)

JK image with beginnings of beard: [15]. From what I remember, the fashion for full face-fungus amongst the mainstream UK 'pop' crowd was relatively short-lived, so there may not be that much evidence about. As with most questions regarding photos, authenticity is going to be difficult to prove short of a statement by JK and/or AW though. AndyTheGrump (talk) 03:02, 18 October 2012 (UTC)

The resemblance seems pretty clear to me. --Viennese Waltz 07:36, 18 October 2012 (UTC)

I would have recognised it as Jonathan King. I dimly recall him wearing a beard every now and then during the 1970s. Alansplodge (talk) 12:24, 18 October 2012 (UTC)

Here's another picture of the bearded King; Jonathan King - Lazy Bones, and another with similar glasses to the original post. Alansplodge (talk) 13:33, 18 October 2012 (UTC)

Ethnic food

What areas have the healthiest and least healthy ethnic foods? --168.7.239.131 (talk) 04:20, 18 October 2012 (UTC)

Well, soul food is among the worst, although even that has a few healthy items. See Soul_food#Healthiness. StuRat (talk) 04:35, 18 October 2012 (UTC)

One might want to consider the French paradox. Bus stop (talk) 04:42, 18 October 2012 (UTC)

And see Mediterranean diet. Duoduoduo (talk) 13:53, 18 October 2012 (UTC)

Indian Space Research Organization

How close are the ties between ISRO and the Indian military? --168.7.232.144 (talk) 05:05, 18 October 2012 (UTC)

Ulan Bator

Is $800 USD per month enough to live on in Ulan Bator, taking apartment costs out of the question (because they are free for the job I've applied for)? KägeTorä - (影虎) (TALK) 13:04, 18 October 2012 (UTC)

Haven't lived there myself, but Google searches for "cost of living Ulan Bator" or similar will turn up a number of sites like this one. Prices appear to be somewhat lower than in the west, and significantly lower than in major cities like London or New York. TenOfAllTrades(talk) 13:21, 18 October 2012 (UTC)