Wikipedia:Reference desk/Miscellaneous

June 27

Video cameras

I know nothing about video cameras and I want one that is easy to use and will be good for 5 or 10 years (and hopefully is on the cheap end of the spectrum). What should I get?

I don't have a specific recommendation - but if you want one with that long a life - you should probably get a solid-state one (ie not tape-based and not DVD-RW) - things with moving parts have a lot more to go wrong than pure electronic devices. It's worth bearing in mind that a cheaper camera can be paid for - and a new one bought - while you'd still be paying off expensive camera. Which is better - a four year old 'expensive' camera - or a brand new cheap one? Very often, it's the latter. SteveBaker 02:02, 27 June 2007 (UTC)

Airline Ratings

Please give me a list of the best airlines.

• This site gives a quick ranking. Take that for what you will. --Haemo 01:22, 27 June 2007 (UTC)

Acceleration: Manual vs Automatic

If I have two cars, identical in every way, except tranmission-one of them a manual and one an automatic. Both cars are driven by identically skilled drivers side-by-side. Which of the cars will have a faster 0-60 mph time and a faster quarter-mile time? Thanks. Acceptable 01:14, 27 June 2007 (UTC)

See Manual transmission for a discussion of the differences. --Haemo 01:20, 27 June 2007 (UTC)

They're not really identical skills, though. With the automatic, you just put pedal to metal and hang on. With the stick, it's not as easy as you might think to shift at precisely the right moment, and with minimal letup on the gas as you put in the clutch; power shifting can shave another couple tenths of a second off your times. (What, no article?) I think there are some special new automatics that can match manual times, but if you shift perfectly your manual should beat your automatic. Antandrus (talk) 01:21, 27 June 2007 (UTC)

The answer to this is complicated...which is why car nuts will argue this one into the ground given half a chance! I drive a MINI Cooper'S - which has a really good manual gearbox - so I'm definitely someone who prefers manuals. But I'll do my best to strive for NPOV!

• With a really good, modern, automatic transmission and a not especially skilled pair of drivers, the automatic will win every time. Automatics take almost zero skill (absolutely zero if you also have decent traction control) so with not very good drivers it can shift faster than a manual gearbox. It takes a LOT of practice to be a good manual gearbox driver. I've been driving stick for 35 years - but it still took months of twice-daily freeway on-ramp practice (WITH the aid of an in-car accelerometer!) to perfect my 0-60 technique. It's definitely not easy to get the very best times.
• With a not-very-good automatic transmission in a cheap car - and reasonably skilled drivers - the manual will win every time because a good driver with a cheap manual gearbox can out-shift a poor automatic. The shift points on cheaper cars are set for optimum fuel economy on a city cycle - and not for peeling rubber! A good driver can shift appropriately for fuel economy - and adapt his style to drag racing if need be - the automatic has no clue about what style of driving you want. My wife's car has a 'sport mode' button on the shifter - but it doesn't make a whole lot of difference.
• Somewhere between those two extremes it'll be a tie.
• If the race comes close to maxing out the power of the engine - then the losses inherent in an automatic gearbox will give the manual gearbox a significant edge. But it takes a good driver to show those differences!

My major beef against automatics is nothing to do with 0-60 times. In practical driving situations, you know that you are planning on accellerating long before you are ready to actually do it. With a manual gearbox, you can get into the right gear 5 or 10 seconds before you plan to zip past that 18 wheeler. With the best automatic on the planet - the gearbox can't read your mind...period. Whilst the automatic (under the right circumstances) will beat the manual gearbox in a 0-60, it stands NO CHANCE in a 60-0 test! You can use a manual gearbox to shed speed as well as to gain it. For 'normal' street driving, that's not recommended because clutches cost more than brakepads! But in a race, or an autocross or just because it's fun - downshifting will give you a major advantage in shedding speed over an automatic. Sure, you can downshift an automatic - but it's a slow, heavy process and if you are hauling ass around twisty corners, that's a disaster.

Modern automatics with manual-overrides are an interesting compromise. They let you drive like a manual - but without needing the same skillsets. However, they still have somewhat lossy drivetrains - so a manual can often beat them if well driven. SteveBaker 01:52, 27 June 2007 (UTC)

See Tiptronic for one version of this.

Atlant 12:57, 27 June 2007 (UTC)

Steve gives a very good and detailed answer as usual. Often, a better question to ask is about which has more usable acceleration in typical real-world situations rather than 0-60. 0-60 (and even quarter mile) times are of interest but aren't always the best indicator of typical usable acceleration, since they depend so much on getting a good launch. (And, of course, a decent automatic gets the same good launch every time, as Steve said.) Looking at trap speed at the end of the quarter mile is generally a better indicator of overall acceleration ability. Friday (talk) 01:57, 27 June 2007 (UTC)

What about cornering? A manual can perform a "toe-to-heel" shift for performance cornering. Can an automatic do something comparable? Acceptable 04:52, 27 June 2007 (UTC)

Because you can downshift early to shed speed - and be in the best gear before you stamp on the gas - a manual will beat an automatic on a twisty track...but again, it depends on having a good driver. It's no good having a car that you can toe'n'heel around corners if (like 99% of drivers) you have no clue how to do that! So pretty much the same advice I gave above applies for cornering too. Good driver plus manual gearbox is a win against even a good driver with an automatic. But a poor driver with a manual gearbox will do much worse than a poor driver with an automatic. I think cornering puts the pressure on the driver to a greater degree than 0-60 or standing quarter does. There are also some subtle design issues here. Some cars (and I'm going to play the MINI Cooper card here again) have gas and brake pedals that are close together and at the same height - this makes toe'n'heel cornering a very do-able thing. But most consumer vehicles place the brake and gas pedals at different heights and space them to far apart because they want to avoid people stepping on the wrong pedal and causing an accident. So now it's more complicated than just automatic vs manual or good driver vs bad driver. We can also get into the flatness of the torque curve and the closeness of the gear spacing - the throw of the shifter lever...there are LOTS of things that start to impact whether the manual gearbox car has enough advantages to beat out the mindless simplicity of an automatic. Personally - my advice is that if you're not an enthusiastic driver - of if you aren't prepared to spend the time to learn to drive manual really well - get an automatic. If you are a gearhead (like me) - you'll have to prise my stickshift out of my cold, dead hands because I'd rather drive a bread-truck than a sports car with an automatic gearbox! SteveBaker 11:51, 27 June 2007 (UTC)

Ah, lovely. I'm all for stick shifting too! :-) Anyway, what's with this shedding of speed through engine braking (if I understand you correctly)? Doesn't the Mini have brakes? :P Is it really the brakes, and not the friction between tyre and ground, that set the limit for the braking force? Do you perhaps mean that this is the case when the brakes are hot after a few laps around the track? —Bromskloss 13:55, 27 June 2007 (UTC)

The Mini just barely has brakes (my '63 has single piston drum "brakes" - which suck!) and engine braking is an absolute necessity! But the MINI (note capital letters) has pretty good four wheel disk brakes - but none the less - engine braking gives you more stopping power than the brakes alone because (a) you can't lock the wheels and (b) the ABS won't kick in and turn your brakes off half the time! And you're right - it does avoid overheating them which certainly matters on the racetrack or on long hills. For street driving - engine braking is a bad idea (except on long hills) - but it's *SO* much fun, I do it all the time - the heck with the clutch - I'll sell the car before it wears out anyway! SteveBaker 15:50, 27 June 2007 (UTC)

Why do you say you can't lock the wheels with engine braking? That's precisely what creates lift-off oversteer, right? As for braking half of the time, are you saying the ABS system isn't doing a good job (if stopping quickly is what we aim for)? —Bromskloss 22:28, 27 June 2007 (UTC)

No, no, no! How could the wheels stop turning with the engine still turning, the gearbox not in neutral and the clutch engaged?!! The wheels don't stop turning in lift-off oversteer...think about it - if the wheels stopped turning with the engine in gear and the clutch engaged - the engine would have to be turning at zero rpm - which would stall the engine! OK - I guess I should qualify that: The DRIVEN wheels can't lock without stalling the engine. The non-driven wheels won't lock if you are ONLY engine braking because they aren't doing any of the braking (because we're talking "engine braking" and they aren't connected to the engine). If you are both engine braking AND using the cars brakes - then the latter could cause the non-driven wheels to lock - and I suppose in a fight between engine and brakes you could maybe stall the engine...but I stand by what I said - for pure engine braking you can't lock the wheels. SteveBaker 00:30, 28 June 2007 (UTC)

I should have been more specific. Of course, you are right, the wheels won't stop completely unless the engine does, but they could very well turn much slower than what matches the speed you're going at. That would also make the (driving) wheels lose traction. And again, isn't it a good thing that the ABS brakes "half of the time", at least for everyday driving? —Bromskloss 07:20, 28 June 2007 (UTC)

You're right - but please note that I only claimed that you couldn't LOCK the wheels with engine braking - not that they wouldn't skid. And yes, ABS is great for inexpert drivers - just as automatic gearboxes are - but it too only prevents the wheels from locking - it won't prevent them from skidding. My car has a switch to turn off the ABS...and a warning light to remind you that it's turned off - there is a reason for that! As I very carefully pointed out - engine braking isn't the best way to drive for ordinary day-to-day street driving. But that's mainly because it tends to wear out the clutch and transmission prematurely - and we all know that brake pads are much cheaper and easier to replace than clutches and transmissions! SteveBaker 14:38, 28 June 2007 (UTC)

Could you elaborate on the advantages of driving without ABS? What I can think of is the fun, and the possibility to lock the wheels (mainly rear) to slide around a narrow turn when racing. —Bromskloss 18:23, 28 June 2007 (UTC)

Most cars (maybe all cars) don't do ABS separately to each wheel. When you are braking and cornering at the same time (a bad idea unless you are a race driver or something) - some wheels are spinning faster than others. If one of the wheels on the inside of the turn actually stops turning, then the ABS will release the brakes - thereby reducing the grip on the wheels that didn't stop. Fancy electronic brakeforce distribution systems can handle that - but basic ABS can't. Don't get me wrong though: ABS is a really major safety feature - if you have it - use it! Some people claim that it's to better to turn it off for driving on snow and ice - but I'm not convinced about that, I suspect they are getting confused with traction control. SteveBaker 21:42, 28 June 2007 (UTC)

A more common situation where ABS is bad is if you've got mixed traction across the width of the road -- say, half the lane is covered in ice, but the other half is bare pavement. Without ABS, you can lock up the two wheels on ice, and get the braking power of two wheels on bare pavement. With ABS, all four wheels will keep turning, and you get the braking power of four wheels on ice. --Carnildo 22:03, 28 June 2007 (UTC)

Off the racetrack, definately the automatic especially in the morning when you have coffee in one hand and mobile phone in the other Mhicaoidh 05:08, 27 June 2007 (UTC)

Yeah - well, that's a different problem! "Duh! Don't Do That!" is the best advice for any kind of car (and for some pedestrians too!) SteveBaker 11:51, 27 June 2007 (UTC)

Mind you a stickshift is better to hang your handbag off, while doing makeup in that handy mirror. Mhicaoidh 05:40, 28 June 2007 (UTC)

It seems to me this is a situation where a manual will really outperform an automatic. As you are exiting the corner, you want to already be in the correct gear, ready for accelerating out. With a manual you can make sure you are (since you downshift while braking upon (or mostly before, actually) entering the corner). An automatic, again, has a hard time reading you mind so not until it realises you are accelerating hard on the exit, it will know that you want a lower gear. Thus, you will get a downshift where you could have been accelerating. (Yay, more racing discussions, please!) —Bromskloss 11:53, 27 June 2007 (UTC)

CVT ftw! Recury 13:29, 27 June 2007 (UTC)

CVT's are an interesting idea and I think we'll see more and more of them as time goes by. I've driven the MINI CVT for a couple of days (a loaner while my stick-shift, tricked out, supercharged, monster of a MINI was in the shop). The cars' software can vary the gear ratio continually - so when you put your foot on the accelerator (we won't call it the "gas pedal" because it has nothing to do with supplying gasoline to the engine!) the RPM doesn't change at all - the only thing that happens is that the "gear" ratio changes a bit. It's weird to drive because the engine sound hardly changes at all, the speedometer goes up and down but the tachometer hardly moves! The theory is that the cars' software can pick an 'appropriate' RPM and stick with it all the time, continually and subtly changing the gearing to make the car go at different speeds. So if you want to drive for good gas milage, you select 'economy mode' on the shifter - and you'll sit at around 2500 rpm pretty much all day long. Select 'sport mode' and the RPM's stay around 3500 where the car gets optimum torque - and you have instant accelleration all the time. It also has a 'fake manual' mode where you can shift it yourself into fixed gear ratios that are chosen by the software. But just like a conventional automatic - it can't know what you want, it takes time to shift and the transmission itself robs power from the engine - it also takes it upon itself to decide that you don't know how to drive properly and even in 'fake manual' mode, it'll shift automatically if you try to engine-brake or hit the redline on the tachometer. The MINI CVT uses a shaped rubber drive band and a pair of conical pulleys to do the job - and BMW have stopped making it because the drive bands wear out too quickly. The '07 automatic is a conventional one with paddle-shifters. SteveBaker 16:09, 27 June 2007 (UTC)

Automatics are very popular in pro stock drags, etc. because you put in a converter with a stall speed of 3500 rpm or so, sit on the line with the gas floored and the brake floored and the engine and flywheel cooking at 3500 rpm, then let go of the brake and then you go. With a manual you'd have to have the talent to slip the clutch just right to get the same launch.Gzuckier 14:43, 27 June 2007 (UTC)

Which is why I was careful to say that with a really GOOD automatic, you can outrun a manual. The gearbox on a 'pro stock drag' is likely to be a good one - and what's more, it's heavily optimised for just this one thing. On a street car, that same automatic has to be able to deal with stop-and-go traffic, driving economically, driving with 4 passengers and a pile of luggage and a full tank of gas versus driving with one person and a nearly empty gas tank - it has no idea what the driver is about to demand of it - so it's got to be able to do everything - and probably cost about a hundredth of what that dragster gearbox cost! There are so many variables in a street car that the automatic gearbox is at best a compromise. In a custom dragster that only ever does quarter miles with the exact same load, tires, accelleration profile, etc every single time - you can actually make it do considerably better than even the best driver. So what's true of a dragster doesn't translate to 'normal' cars. SteveBaker 15:50, 27 June 2007 (UTC)

Yeah, the guy was interested in 0-60 and quarter mile times and didn't say "stock". My biggest gripe about an automatic is that I find on the highway, a lot of time I want to accelerate by flooring it in high but not downshift with all the attendant drama, and I don't think automatics are smart enough to know when I want to just floor it and leave it in high, and when I want to floor it and downshift. Gzuckier 18:24, 28 June 2007 (UTC)

My wife's automatic has 'kick-down' where the last inch or so of the gas pedal's travel causes it to downshift. So if you don't want the 'drama', you don't quite floor the pedal. Since I avoid automatics like the plague - I don't have a lot of experience of how they all handle this - but I bet they mostly have something similar. SteveBaker 01:07, 29 June 2007 (UTC)

Airplay

Why do some songs, such as Can't Get You Out of My Head or White Flag (song), seem to be played on certain radio stations everyday? 69.40.244.205 04:07, 27 June 2007 (UTC)

Typically radio stations will have deals with the companies that they license music from, where they promise to ensure certain bands, or songs, set levels of playtime. As a result, you get to listen to The White Stripes every fifteen minutes for three and half weeks straight, just prior to their new album being released. --Haemo 04:10, 27 June 2007 (UTC)

But why do some songs, such as the ones that I mentioned, continue to be played multiple times a day on the same stations, years after they were released? 69.40.244.205 05:13, 27 June 2007 (UTC)

See Music scheduling system. Rockpocket 07:03, 27 June 2007 (UTC)

Original research warning! I used to live in Hell and the classic rock stations there play the most overplayed song in existence at least once a day, every day. I once called one of those stations to ask them why they kept doing it and they told me that someone, not always the same person, calls every day to request it. So maybe it's the locals who keep requesting those songs. Dismas|^(talk) 12:15, 27 June 2007 (UTC)

Like when I saw David Spade's stand up act: "Lynyrd Skynyrd only has two songs; Free Bird, and Not Free Bird." Gzuckier 19:09, 27 June 2007 (UTC)

Sorry to be a shill, but if you dislike the situation you describe, you should go to http://savenetradio.org and do as they say. --TotoBaggins 16:05, 27 June 2007 (UTC)

Crème fraîche in the US

A couple of Americans visited family and friends in Sweden, were served a delicious meal and asked for the recepe. Being all for open source and free cooking, their hosts gladly went along explaining it to them. Surprisingly, the Americans didn't seem to understand what crème fraîche was, so I wonder, is créme fraîche not readily available in the states, or does it go by another name? Thanks. —Bromskloss 11:37, 27 June 2007 (UTC)

I've never heard of it. Like the article says, it's close to Sour Cream, and made into Whipped Cream, and those *are* things people in the US can recognize. -- Phoeba Wright^OBJECTION! 12:21, 27 June 2007 (UTC)

It's actually made from whipping cream, not into it. And you're right, it's unheard of in North America; you have to go to a specialty store to find it, and when you do you're likely paying the equivalent of five to six times what it costs in Europe. Most stores don't carry it, and I've never seen a North American recipe, ever, that calls for it. It's very unlikely that a North American would even know such a thing exists unless they had been to Europe or downloaded a European recipe from the Internet.

Luckily it can be made at home - take two cups whipping cream and one tablespoon buttermilk, stir well, and leave in a warm area (70 to 90F/20 to 30C) for 24 to 48 hours. --Charlene 12:55, 27 June 2007 (UTC)

Then you should fix the article... -- Phoeba Wright^OBJECTION! 13:09, 27 June 2007 (UTC)

In the US, the Trader Joe's chain routinely carries it, and higher-end grocery stores often do as well.

Atlant 13:00, 27 June 2007 (UTC)

I think you go way too far to say it's unheard of in North America. I live in the US, and have eaten it many times in both restaurants and private homes, made it myself, etc. Here's a search for "fraiche" in an American food magazine database (Gourmet, etc.) which returns 245 separate recipes calling for it. --TotoBaggins 15:51, 27 June 2007 (UTC)

I think plenty of North Americans know about creme fraiche. Though in Calgary I've only seen it on the menu at trendy places (which means you can probably find it at Denny's in the rest of the continent). iames 22:11, 27 June 2007 (UTC)

Being in Calgary I have actually never once seen it in any store, even the trendiest. You're probably right that it's likely available everywhere but here. --Charlene 20:17, 28 June 2007 (UTC)

Sneezing and law

If your driving your car and you sneeze, and because you have closed your eyes during your sneeze and you crash, is it your fault or just act of god or something?

I would say that typically, you should be driving in a manner such that the split second you close your eyes won't have an impact on your ability to operate the vehicle safely. If you are driving safely, I'm not sure what could arise in that short amount of time that would prevent you from reacting. I get the feeling you'd have a hard time avoiding such a quick problem even if you aren't sneezing. Leebo ^T/C 13:46, 27 June 2007 (UTC)

Wikipedia Reference Desk may not give out legal advice. Edison 13:47, 27 June 2007 (UTC)

I doubt you'd be able to blame an accident on a sneeze. For a start, proving that you sneezed at that precise moment could be – well – a sticky problem. (This does not consitute legal advice.)--Shantavira|^{feed me} 14:43, 27 June 2007 (UTC)

The usual advice is to allow a three second gap between you and the car in front - so a split second sneeze still leaves you plenty of time to slow down to avoid a crash. If you were driving so close behind someone that your brief blink were to reduce your stopping distance to less than you need - then it would undoubtedly be your fault for being too close in the first place. Similar arguments apply to slowing down before stoplights, pedestrian cross-walks, parked cars...you should never be in a position where a split second matters that much. SteveBaker 15:35, 27 June 2007 (UTC)

The more general question is "are drivers liable when medical events cause them to have an accident?". This situation has occurred many times with things more plausible than a sneeze (heart attacks, seizures, etc.). Googling for "attack caused crash" or similar turns up some interesting cases with varying legal outcomes. --TotoBaggins 16:02, 27 June 2007 (UTC)

We need a law against Driving While Sneezing. Gzuckier 18:25, 28 June 2007 (UTC)

Address formatting

When sending a mail between two countries, I specify the recipient's country on the last line of the address. In which language should the country name be written? I imagine it's one of the following:

• French
• English
• Sender's language
• Recipient's language

Thanks for your assistance. —Bromskloss 13:44, 27 June 2007 (UTC)

I'd assume you use whatever the local postmen will understand, then it will be handled automagically from there. Writing multiple names probably won't hurt --13:48, 27 June 2007 (UTC)

I would use English if posting in an English-speaking country, local language otherwise (eg French in France, Swedish in Sweden). If I know the name of the destination country in that language, I sometimes add that too, eg Sweden/Sverige, but I don't think it's necessary. Your post office should be able to give definitive advice. DuncanHill 13:54, 27 June 2007 (UTC)

When I was in India, I addressed in English (sadly I do not write or speak any Indian languages) and never had any problems. DuncanHill 13:59, 27 June 2007 (UTC)

It should definitely be in the language of the sending country, which is where the sorters need to be able to read it. Once it gets to the correct country, the name of the country is no longer needed.--Shantavira|^{feed me} 14:35, 27 June 2007 (UTC)

Sender's language it is, then. It makes sense. Thank you all. —Bromskloss 19:49, 27 June 2007 (UTC)

FWIW, I've written Royaume-Uni or Etats-Unis on envelopes passing between the UK and US and they've arrived with no problems. Marnanel 17:48, 28 June 2007 (UTC)

Really? How come you chose French? Somewhere in the back of my head, I had the idea that French was standard for mail service. Is there any truth in that? —Bromskloss 18:32, 28 June 2007 (UTC)

Because I was feeling facetious at the time (and I didn't think Welsh would have worked). Marnanel 20:17, 28 June 2007 (UTC)

I wonder if the computers that read envelopes, etc. in wealthier countries aren't programmed to read a number of languages. I know old ladies in Alberta who still write out the address in Ukrainian - of their neighbours 60 miles down the road - and the letter still gets to its destination. --Charlene 20:19, 28 June 2007 (UTC)

If the Canadian system is anything like the British one, then all that's needed is a valid postal code to get it where it's going (within the country, at least). The rest of it can be garbage, mojibake (as often does happen), or nothing at all. Marnanel 22:42, 28 June 2007 (UTC)

It's similar, especially in the cities, but not rurally. The only thing a rural postal code tells you is what community it's going to, and that community and its rural routes could take up an area half the size of Greater London. --Charlene 07:37, 29 June 2007 (UTC)

The Universal Postal Union is the International body for postal services. According to its website here its officail language is French, but English is also used as a working language. DuncanHill 22:48, 28 June 2007 (UTC)

family

i would like to know of any descendents of family in barbados. with the last names, Downie, Fenty, Small, Howard. and are there any descendents in iran with last names Tangestani-Nejad, Sumi or Sami. thank you

I'd be very surprised if the helpdesk here can answer this. A google search for 'family history' brought up a lot of sites...Here a few that might be able to help (though I suspect many cost money due to the nature of what you are asking for)...www.familysearch.org, www.familyhistory.com. Also our article Family history has some information and external-links, well worth a read. ny156uk 17:10, 27 June 2007 (UTC)

Tangestani-Nejad family fought against the British in Iran a long time ago. Upon their defeat, the remaining members were deported to Iraq. While Baath party was coming to power, Tangestani-Nejad family moved back to Iran and Bahrain (when Bahrain was part of Iran). After the revolution in Iran, some of the remaining members moved to UK and USA.

Airline Fuel cost effectiveness.

I read somewhere recently that a single Kiwi fruit flown into the UK from say Israel, needed at least its own weight in Jet Fuel to transport it. If that is true, and assuming the same ratio weight for weight would apply to say, a melon, or a home computer system, what type of products (excluding the obvious gold and diamonds etc. due to insurance costs) would NOT be cost effectively transported by air and needed therefore to be sent by sea? T.i.a. 81.145.240.199 19:35, 27 June 2007 (UTC)

Jet fuel! Don't ship jet fuel from Israel to UK by air! SteveBaker 19:53, 27 June 2007 (UTC)

Well, according to the IATA web site, jet fuel is $2.08/gallon right now - that's 55cents/liter - and a liter of this stuff weighs about 0.7kg. So if we believe that weight-of-cargo==weight-of-fuel factoid for a flight from Israel to UK - then transporting cargo by air is costing about 80 cents per kilo over that route - for fuel alone. So - what things would be very sensitive to costing a couple of bucks more to transport that weigh around a kilo...from your examples, a Melon might weigh a kilo - and a couple of bucks on the cost for flying it from Israel would probably make them too expensive. A computer, weighing a couple of kilos could easily stand a few dollars more added to it's price without it making a whole lot of difference. But that's not really the point - the point is how much cheaper would it have been to ship it by sea or in a truck or a rail car? How much did the loading and unloading cost? It's not just the price of the fuel that matters - the depreciation on the plane, the landing & take-off fees at the airport, insurance, pilots salary, maintenance, profit margins, cost of running the cargo terminal...lots of other factors. For Kiwi fruit, I suspect that the speed of shipping by air is critical to the freshness of the fruit - so they'll justify whatever it costs. SteveBaker 19:52, 27 June 2007 (UTC)

Cars, for example, would not be cost-effectively transferred by sea. There is a book The Box (Book) by Marc Levinson that goes into great detail about the role of container shipping in the reduction of the cost of transporting goods. Airports are efficient ways of transporting some goods, but for bulk-shipping a container-ship has so much more potential. Planes are very good for transporting goods that are perishable/required swiftly but makes no sense for those that do not require the speed of air-travel (the higher price would make it unwarranted) or which are too heavy to be economical on a plane. Container shipping has an interesting history the book above (which I wrote the stub article for) is an excellent entry to the way the box revolutionised the world economy. ny156uk 21:02, 27 June 2007 (UTC)

Did you really mean to say "Cars...would not be...transferred by sea" ?? Because cars are overwhelmingly shipped by sea. SteveBaker 23:46, 27 June 2007 (UTC)

The first element of this question - the fuel weight to payload weight ration interests me. The second part is normal trade theory (cf. International trade) which says there needs to be a comparative advantage after (as Steve noted) all transport & operation in foreign market costs. As a rule of thumb, heavy low-value items are not flown (think bricks & construction material, most other raw materials). Air freight cost, time sensitivity, cost of inventory locked up in the transport pipeline, and the volume of goods being shipped are all factors to take into account before deciding if the market can bear the price of your flown goods.

Meanwhile the premise of the question: that the ratio of fuel consumed to weight carried is 1:1 for an Israel->UK trip. I've done some bistromaths, and come up with a 0.29:1 ratio, as follows:

3527 km Tel Aviv to London - http://www.indo.com./distance/

15 liters per km - mid point of values for fuel consumption given at :::[1] and Boeing 747

53580 liters consumed or

14154 US gallons consumed :::[2]

6lb - weight of a US gallon of Avgas - [3], hence

84924 lbs - weight of fuel needed for flight (okay, at a bare minimum)

358,000 lbs Weight empty of 747-100 Boeing 747

735,000 lbs Maximum take-off weight 747-100 Boeing 747

374,000 lbs Maximum payload including fuel

289,076 lbs Maximum payload having subtracted weight of fuel

0.29 weight of fuel needed for flight / maximum payload having subtracted weight of fuel

So there you go. --Tagishsimon (talk)

There are some reasons why the actual numbers might be worse than that (although not three times worse I'd guess). The 15 l/km consumption figure is for a long flight. Modern(ish) 747's can fly 12,000km - three to four times the Tel Aviv to London distance. The most fuel is used during takeoff and on touchdown. Also, on a long flight, a huge chunk of the take-off weight is fuel. But by halfway(ish) through the flight, half of that is gone - so the plane is much lighter at that point. You calculated the freight payload by subtracting the weight of only 3500km's worth of fuel - so halfway through your trip, the plane weighs more than one that had more fuel and less frieght for a longer trip - that means that your plane is much heavier on the second half of the flight - so it's going to use more fuel than the average figure you have. Planes have to carry reserve fuel - they can't be running on fumes as they touch down. So some of the cargo capacity you calculated must be reserve fuel - which reduces your payload and therefore makes the weight-of-cargo::weight-of-fuel ratio still worse. Not all of the payload of the plane can be fruit - there must be packaging, palettes to store them on. We aren't strictly concerned with the ratio of payload to fuel - it's the ratio of fruit to fuel that the questioner was talking about. All of these factors lend increasing credence to the original claim...I still think it's a stretch - but your numbers don't prove that. SteveBaker 00:09, 28 June 2007 (UTC)

It can be better than that since the 747 series is not exactly the most efficient aircraft, newer aircrafts such as the 777 or A340 are more efficient and therefore lower this number. Also, the fuel needed for the whole journey is roughly the same as cruise fuel consumption × time since the average of climb and descend is only slightly higher than cruise fuel consumption (descent is basically running engines at idle and glide, using very little fuel). Also, your assumption is slightly incorrect since normally the plane will be loaded near maximum MTOW anyways so the fuel figures would probably have taken that issue into account. --antilived^{T | C | G} 05:31, 28 June 2007 (UTC)

You might be right - there are certainly more efficient aircraft - but you can't disprove the original claim by saying "It can't be true because there are more efficient aircraft" - perhaps they are using aircraft that are yet less efficient than a 747? I'm not saying that I can prove that the claim is true - I'm just saying that Tagishsimon's math doesn't disprove it. I'm also skeptical about your statement that the average of climb+descent is equivalent to cruise fuel consumption - whilst the engines on a big plane are idling during descent - they are at close to full power during the final landing phase. The MTOW fuel loading is working in favor of the original claim - and contrary to Tagishsimon's numbers. Let's pick some hypothetical numbers to make life easy. If (say) a 200,000lb (empty) plane has a MTOW of 300,000lbs and is flying long distance - then it might have something like 80,000lbs of fuel (including a 10,000lb reserve) and 20,000lbs of cargo on board. So at take off, it's at MTOW and as it comes in to land, it maybe has 10,000lbs of reserve fuel and 20,000lbs of cargo so maybe it weighs 230,000lbs altogether. On a short haul flight, it might only need half the amount of fuel: 40,000lbs (also including a 10,000lb reserve) - so if it's loaded to MTOW, it can have 60,000lbs of cargo. When it lands with 10,000lbs of reserve fuel, it weighs 270,000lbs. So if the plane is loaded to MTOW, it'll weigh the same on take off whether it's a long haul or a short haul flight - but on landing, it'll weigh much more in the short-haul case simply because it hasn't used so much fuel. So since Tagishsimon's fuel consumption figures are from a 747 (an aircraft that's designed to fly 12,000 km long haul trips) - then those figures are going to be less good for short haul trips such as would be the case if a 747 were being used to fly fruit from Tel Aviv to London (just 3,500 km) because the AVERAGE weight of the plane is higher in the latter situation. SteveBaker 14:24, 28 June 2007 (UTC)

(de-indent)How are the engines close to their full power in the final landing phase? On approaching it uses around 4-5 tons of fuel an hour on a 737-800 on average, no where near the 12 tons an hour on take-off. If it actually at that power the plane would be accelerating really fast and climb, not something you want to see when you are approaching. You mean the reverse thrust when you just landed? That goes off for maximum 30 seconds (unless you are going in really, really, really fast) and is basically negligible on the average fuel rate. --antilived^{T | C | G} 01:14, 29 June 2007 (UTC)

They are not flown close to their full power in the final landing phase. When you're landing you need both to descend (which usually increases your speed) and slow down, so the last thing you need is to add more power. Large jet aircraft use a lot of energy in takeoff and climb, in level flight at low altitudes, and (on a mpg or gpm basis, most of all) while taxiing. --Charlene 07:33, 29 June 2007 (UTC)

Indices on playing cards

I believe that early (Anglo-American style) playing cards had no indices. Why didn't they?

When were indices introduced?

I have seen German cards and Tarot cards with Roman-numeral indices (so you didn't have to count all the swords or whatever). But these indices were typically not in the corner of the card. Did these decks traditionally have indices, or were the indices added later under influence from other styles of deck? I have also seen Japanese playing cards with indices in Chinese characters.

Did you read the article on playing cards? Donald Hosek 21:16, 27 June 2007 (UTC)

Banana peel

How slippery is the banana peel so famed in slapstick comedy? bibliomaniac15 ^{BUY NOW!} 20:31, 27 June 2007 (UTC)

In my experience, not at all. DuncanHill 20:39, 27 June 2007 (UTC)

It depends on the floor on which it is placed. On say a shiny tiled surface the banana could be very slippy. On gravel it would be (presumably) less so. I wonder whether different types of banana are different types of slippy. ny156uk 20:49, 27 June 2007 (UTC)

I once slipped on a banana peel when running. It can happen. There was some of the fruit still left in the skin, which became quite slippery when my foot crushed it. --Kurt Shaped Box 20:55, 27 June 2007 (UTC)

I'm sure I have read somewhere that more people are injured by slipping on orange peel than banana skins, but I can't find a citation and it's time to go to bed now. (23:31 here.) Interestingly, one Bobby Leach, who survived the trip down the Niagara Falls in a barrel, died from his injuries after slipping on an orange peel. (See here and here.) Hassocks5489 22:31, 27 June 2007 (UTC)

Sky-dogs/Sky-dog statues

I've searched ebay, amazon, google, and now Wkikpedia. I was in Wilmington North Carolina last week at a bonsai shop called "The Painted Lady." The owner has a set of stautes at his garden gate. They are dogs, scratching their ear. He told me he got them in Hong Kong and they are called "Sky Dogs." I'd love to have a set of my own. I know they exist but I can not find them anywhere.They are a [art of Chinese mythology, an early version of Foo Dogs.(temple guardians) Do you know what they are?Where I can buy statues of a set? Any help appreciated... -Amy Gorski

I had a good look around on Google - and I agree - I can't find anything relevent about 'Sky Dogs'. Are you sure he said 'Sky' and not 'Shi'? Our article on Imperial guardian lions (which are also called 'Fu Dogs') says that the Chinese call them 'Shi'. In Tibet, they are called 'Snow Lions'. The people in that part of the world at that time in history had heard tales of African Lions but hadn't ever actually seen one - so they assumed that Lions were simply just like large Dogs...hence the confusion both in names and style of statue. So you might want to search for Sky Lions - or Shi Dogs or Shi Lions. SteveBaker 23:08, 27 June 2007 (UTC)

That turned up Shisa (or Shiisa) and koma-inu as other terms to search on! Also: [4] has a ton of links you could follow. SteveBaker 23:15, 27 June 2007 (UTC)

Microwave Oven Conundra

1. Many things that I microwave contain instructions that say something like "5 minutes on a medium or high powered microwave oven, 8 minutes on a low powered microwave oven". How the heck do I know which kind of microwave I have? Neither of the ones I use regularly have wattage numbers anywhere I can see. Is there a good test I can do (eg if I microwave a cupful of water for one minute in a high/medium/low powered oven - how hot should it be?
2. Lots of microwave recepies say to "leave the food in the microwave for 2 minutes before removing it". This is a pain because I generally need to zap some veggies after cooking a pie or something - I can understand having to let the food stand to allow the temperatures to even out or something - but why are they so insistant that it happen inside the oven?

SteveBaker 23:42, 27 June 2007 (UTC)

As to the second question, they're meaning for you to let the food stand; does not matter if it is in the microwave or not. As to the first, if you can tell us the make & model of your microwave, I'm sure google can tell us its wattage. --Tagishsimon (talk)

I don't have a source to cite or anything, but I've always assumed that a "high-powered microwave" is one of the full-sized, 600- or 700-watt models, that you have in your kitchen and do real cooking in. A "low powered" one, I imagine, is one of those little pint-sized things you might see in a college dorm room or a small coffee area in an office.

You can do an empirical test, of course: take some prepackaged food, and microwave it per the "high-power" instructions in a microwave of unknown power. If the food comes out not hot enough (or if you keel over from trichinosis tomorrow), it wasn't a high-power oven. (Or, contrariwise, try the low-power instructions. If the food comes out burned to a crisp or catches fire, it was a high-power oven.) :-) —Steve Summit (talk) 00:01, 28 June 2007 (UTC)

Returning to the second question, perhaps they're worried that if you touched the food before the hot spots had dissipated, you might burn yourself. --Anonymous, June 28, 2007, 00:27 (UTC).

You're probably right - but this is the precise wording of the instruction of the Marie Callender's Turkey Pot Pie I was enjoying (with 'Daddies sauce'...mmmmm!) as I composed the question: "Let stand 5 minutes in microwave. CAREFULLY remove as WRAPPER AND PRODUCT WILL BE HOT" - so it's already told me to be really careful about removing the pie - it just seems odd that they are so specific about leaving it inside the microwave for that amount of time. I could understand it if it said "BE REALLY CAREFUL as you take the product out of the microwave - and let it stand for 5 minutes before you eat it." - and of course it's not just this product that says that - they all do. SteveBaker 00:44, 28 June 2007 (UTC)

1. The box your microwave came in should have given its power rating. If that's long gone, turn it around to near where the power cord comes out and there should be a panel or sticker that gives the power rating. If that's also a no go, then Steve summit's suggestions are pretty valid, the big microwaves are medium to high powered, the little ones are low powered.
2. With microwaves there is always the risk of superheating liquids. This site is probably more interesting. While this is not highly likely with normal food, they may still consider it a risk, and one worth covering themselves for by warning you. --jjron 08:16, 28 June 2007 (UTC)

The power consumption of the microwave (likely to be on a plate near the power supply) will not be the same as its output, and it's the output which affects cooking times. DuncanHill 10:55, 28 June 2007 (UTC)

1. The microwave in question is built into the cooker hood and it's a part of the apartment - it doesn't pull out - so I can't see any power rating - and the box is long gone.
2. Yeah - I'm aware of the issue with microwaving liquids - but this is a pie (or frozen peas or...) - things that aren't going to superheat and explode. SteveBaker 13:44, 28 June 2007 (UTC)

I think the reason they say the "sitting time" should be in the oven is due to their ass-covering liability lawyers. If you pick up the pie immediately, the steam that forms within its voids (in the subcrustal suprafillingial zone) will not have condensed yet. Some will leak out, scald your hand, you'll shriek girlishly and drop the pie on your foot. So there's no physics reason why the pie should sit in there, it's just they don't want to be paying for lots of bozos' skin grafts. You'd think that would be covered under the "IT'S HOT" disclaimer, but I guess not. -- Finlay McWalter | Talk 14:08, 28 June 2007 (UTC)

You can determine the wattage rating of a microwave by how long it takes to bring a fixed amount of water (usually 2 cups or 500ml) to a boil. I'm sure there are directions and a conversion chart somewhere on the Internet. --Carnildo 22:16, 28 June 2007 (UTC)

First of all: you might superheat the water. You don't want to do that. Second: if you don't know how long it will take the water to boil, how can you properly set the microwave? I suggest microwaving the water for a fixed amount of time and using a thermometer to measure the temperature change. Then, use an old definition of calorie together with a conversion from calories to joules, and the definition of watt to figure out the wattage. (How would you allow for the vessel containing the water, though?...)

Hmmm - that sounds like a reasonable experiment. I can eliminate the effect of the container by microwaving a LOT of water - so the ratio of water to container overwhelms any likely error it would cause. MmmmK so...half a liter of water from the measuring jug...at 22degC...let's say 100 seconds...and....<bing!>...the final temp is 56 degC - so we have a rise of 34 Celcius. So that's 500g x 34C = 17,000 gram-calories - which is erm - 17,000 x 4.18 = 71 kJ ...over 100 seconds - which is 710 Watts. Huh! Waddya know? Science works! That's actually a very reasonable number! I bet we have a 750 Watt microwave oven here! I'm amazed we got such a good result. Thanks for the suggestion. SteveBaker 00:59, 29 June 2007 (UTC)

The wattage numbers should be on the back of the machine - try looking for a little metal plate or sticker with serial numbers/model numbers on it. The wattage should be listed there.87.102.4.153 12:09, 29 June 2007 (UTC)

I already explained (above): The microwave in question is built into the cooker hood and it's a part of the apartment - it doesn't pull out - so I can't see any power rating - and the box is long gone. SteveBaker 16:26, 29 June 2007 (UTC)

But do the Microwave ratings measure the electricity consumption or the thermal output? For what it's worth you may have a 1000W microwave that outputs 750W of thermal power but says 1000W on the box... --antilived^{T | C | G} 23:18, 30 June 2007 (UTC)

How is bail fair?

how is it fair that rich people get to roam free until proven guilty while poor people are jailed for a long time sometimes awaiting trial or between sessions? i know the obvious answer is u can get the money from a bail bondsman if u dont have it but its not uncommon for the bail to be set at a million bucks or more and you would have to pay a bondsman about a hundred thousand dollars to keep so they can bail you out. average folks cant do it. if they're gonna be locked up for a month for that, so should rich people... right? 209.53.181.39 23:53, 27 June 2007 (UTC)

Not answering your question, but I'm reminded of the comment on American justice - "it's the best that money can buy". DuncanHill 23:56, 27 June 2007 (UTC)

Love the irony! but it doesnt answer my question!!! im prepairing for a debate and i need to argue that it IS fair (although i personally disagree)209.53.181.39 00:06, 28 June 2007 (UTC)

It may not be "fair", but it might be the best practical solution to a real problem, which is that some system is needed that enables defendants to be free pending their hearing, to ameliorate prison overcrowding (and the sheer cost of imprisoning people). I think it very likely, too, that judges setting bail will take some account of the means of the defendant (taking account also of bail bond arrangements also), and so you could argue that the problem itself is not proven. You might also look at the relative risk of rich & poor defendants absconding whilst on bail; perchance the materialised risk maps well with the apparently regressive effect of the bail system. Hope those help. --Tagishsimon (talk)

When bails are set as high as a million dollars, the point the judge is trying to make is that there is a serious issue with either the prior record, the severity of the charges, the flight risk, or some other specific to the situation. In a sense it's better than nothing--the judge didn't remand you, but sometimes it's the next best thing.

To the contrary though, most bails are not nearly that high, and are much lower in amount (if you ever get a chance, go to a local court and watch some arraignment hearings to see what kinds of ranges there are for various crimes). There are still some serious problems with people not able to make small bails on minor offenses, and so what may happen is that when they finally get to enter a plea, they've served enough time to exceed the sentence for the offense, and so if they pled not guilty, they would still be in jail pending trial, but pleading guilty would get them released on time served (which does not make much sense, but unfortunately does happen). –Pakman044 00:37, 28 June 2007 (UTC)

I want to respond to Tagishimon's point about prison overcrowding. That really isn't the point. For one thing you get credit for time served, so letting a person out on bail doesn't save on overall prisoner-custody-days (assuming he's eventually convicted), though it might shift the burden from county jail to state prison. But the main thing is that a person who has yet to be convicted is presumed innocent, so it's considered unjust to hold him in jail before the state proves its case against him. The money is supposed to be only enough to guarantee his presence at trial (that's the idea behind the Eighth Amendment's ban of excessive bail). Of course my specific remarks here are with regard to the US system, but the ideas will be similar in any common-law country. --Trovatore 01:38, 28 June 2007 (UTC)

In addition to the assuming he is convicted caveat, there's also "assuming he gets a custodial sentence". He might get probation or a fine. So there is absolutely a link between offering bail, and minimising the prison population. Meanwhile yes, everyone is presumed innocent until otherwise. In the UK, in my experience, granting bail or remanding in custody decisions are made on estimations of the balance of risk (to the public &c of the defendant being at large, and the risk of absconding). I imagine it is the same in the US. I agree that the presumption is against remand in custody, except where risk dictates otherwise. I'm not sure I agree that we disagreed about the issues in the second half of your statement. --Tagishsimon (talk)

Trovatore, I'm afraid you'll find the Eighth Amendment's prohibition against excessive bails to be quite weak. See Eighth Amendment to the United States Constitution#Excessive bail. Specifically, "the only arguable limitation of the Bail Clause is that the Government's proposed conditions of release or detention not be "excessive" in light of the perceived evil", United States v. Salerno, 481 U.S. 739, 754 (1987)--a position highly deferential to bail not being excessive, and erodes the value of Stack v. Boyle, 342 U.S. 1, 5 (1951) ("[b]ail set at a figure higher than an amount reasonably calculated [to ensure the defendant's presence at trial] is "excessive" under the Eighth Amendment.") –Pakman044 03:21, 28 June 2007 (UTC)

Though the idea of "bail" is quite different in the UK and the US, isn't it? I mean, in the UK (as I understand it) it generally doesn't involve a set sum of money[5], whereas in the US (as I understand it) it does. That rather makes a difference as to whether this applies to the original poster's question. Marnanel 17:56, 28 June 2007 (UTC)

Actually both the US and the UK statutes are irrelevant, since the original question was posed by someone who (according to WHOIS) is accessing the Net from Vancouver, Canada. The relevant Canadian statutes are Section 515 of the Criminal Code[6] and Section 11 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms[7]. --Charlene 20:01, 28 June 2007 (UTC)

June 28

Passion flower

Title changed by Mayfare 02:18, 29 June 2007 (UTC)

In content it states the "ten petals and sepals represent the ten faithful apostles". Why did they consider only ten apostles faithful? 208.191.23.154 03:49, 28 June 2007 (UTC)

Well Judas is pretty much unfaithful, and most of the websites found in a Google search for ten faithful apostles choose Peter as the other unfaithful one, for denying three times that he knew Jesus. A few make Thomas unfaithful for his doubting. Edison 04:34, 28 June 2007 (UTC)

Paranormal Radio and the Fairness Doctrine

Will this political mess affect radio shows dedicated to paranormal matters ? I listen to Coast to Coast AM and/or to Jeff Rense's radio show from time to time. 205.240.144.225 04:15, 28 June 2007 (UTC)

The Fairness Doctrine was struck down 20 years ago and was questioned on its constitutional basis prior to that. Even if it's reinstated, though (a prospect I find unlikely), it's highly improbable that any sort of "fairness" will be imposed on non-political matters. — Lomn 13:33, 28 June 2007 (UTC)

The only politician that I know of, who was specifically called for the fairness doctrine to be revived is, ironically, Trent Lott, complaining about right-wing talk radio opposing the Republican leadership's plans for immigration reform. I don't know of any other politician, right or left, who has called for it. So far as I know, it's just a right wing talk radio red herring. Corvus cornix 17:05, 28 June 2007 (UTC)

when men wear underpants (briefs, boxer,...),should penis be up or down (it means: should it be in 12 o'clock position or 6 o'clock)

please answer me this question. my english is not good so..

Depends if you got a boner or not. Joneleth 06:56, 28 June 2007 (UTC)

Giving the benefit of the doubt that this is a legit question, surely it is simply a matter of personal preference and comfort. I can see no medical reason to say that one is better than the other. I believe that the '12 o'clock' position would make for a more prominent bulge, but I also very much doubt that the said organ would remain in this position in boxer shorts, unless tucked into the elastic and therefore surely making this rather uncomfortable. --jjron 08:26, 28 June 2007 (UTC)

The more pertinent question is whether one dresses to the left or the right. This question is always asked by tailors, who will tailor the fit of your trousers accordingly. --Richardrj ^{talk email} 08:37, 28 June 2007 (UTC)

It's many years since I wore trousers tight enough that I could tell whether I was "right or left". —Tamfang 22:56, 1 July 2007 (UTC)

Don't know about the asker, but mine has a mind of its own. If I place it up (in briefs), it flops down; if I place it to the right (in boxers), it goes left - and vice versa; if I shake it till it's as dry as a bone (not boner), it still dribbles through my underwear onto my (invariably light coloured) trousers; if I ensure that it is not entangled in pubic hair before I put it away, it nevertheless needs re-arranged shortly thereafter as though I was doing an impersonation of an Italian waiter in full public view whilst balancing 3 plates of spaghetti with the spare hand; if I want a boner when the opporchancity presents, it keeps its head below the parapet; and if I am walking across a stage, restaurant, train corridor, or office typing pool, it rises to the (embarrasing) occasion. I give up, or down, or sideways - whatever. I don't think the OP need worry.

• And Freud thought women envied men's penises!hotclaws 02:26, 29 June 2007 (UTC)

Oh good heavens no; there are some advantages to being male, but having to deal with this particular organ in polite comapny is not one of them. Eran of Arcadia 19:47, 29 June 2007 (UTC)

Consider wearing dark-coloured trousers, I suppose. Does it make a difference whether you retract your foreskin before you urinate (assuming you have one)? Also, your office still has a typing pool?! Marnanel 02:28, 1 July 2007 (UTC)

Yes, that is truly amazing. I recently referred to typing pools in a conversation with a friend of mine, aged in his early 30s, and he asked "What's a typing pool?". I explained what they were for and he said "What a ridiculous concept". He found it very hard to believe they ever existed. Amazing how quickly the advent of PCs has erased our collective memories of some things. -- JackofOz 02:44, 1 July 2007 (UTC)

You try getting a Benchload of Appeal Court Judges to type up their 80 page Opinions by themselves - most of them were born before the advent of the typewriter - and they still ask for pen-knives to sharpen their quills - seriously - yes - typing pools still exist.

can dogs look up?

In the film shaun of the dead ed says dogs cant look up is this true?

Have you ever met a dog? They can indeed look up - but in my experience only tend to in response to a stimulus (owner's voice, the sound of food etc). Most of the time they keep their heads down to follow all the interesting smells. DuncanHill 12:31, 28 June 2007 (UTC)

In general, unless they have some kind of handicap or whatever, dogs can look up. I don't know where the film got that. ^^ ZOUAVMAN LE ZOUAVE 12:33, 28 June 2007 (UTC)

In general, one should not take anything - anything - presented in a movie at face value. Even a movie based on real life will contain many distortions and falsehoods in order to streamline the story. See Titanic for a good example. --Charlene 19:50, 28 June 2007 (UTC)

They must have been thinking of pigs. --58.168.197.134 11:22, 30 June 2007 (UTC)

should i?

i recently watched clerks 2 and the concept of going ass to mouth intrigues me so im wondering is it ok 2 go ass to mouth?

This is entirely a matter of personal choice, but you may find the article Anal-oral contact helpful in reaching a decision. DuncanHill 12:38, 28 June 2007 (UTC)

serious question

is it possible to become addicted to masturbation? If so could i get help

Wikipedia does not give medical advice. You should consult your doctor, ar another qualified medical proffessional. DuncanHill 12:44, 28 June 2007 (UTC)

I would think that there could be some sort of psychological addiction though not a physiological addiction. In order to get help, one would most likely have to see a psychiatrist. Dismas|^(talk) 18:07, 28 June 2007 (UTC)

As a general rule, it's possible to develop a psychological addiction to any pleasurable stimulus. --Carnildo 22:25, 28 June 2007 (UTC)

This has been asked before. My view is this: anything (from stamp-collecting to crack) that you find it difficult to avoid doing, to the point it interferes with your life, is an addiction. Eran of Arcadia 19:48, 29 June 2007 (UTC)

robocop vs terminator

this question is really aimed at sci fi geeks but me and a mate have been arguin for weeks about this who would win in a fight between robocop and terminater (t-800 model)

This is not a question suitable for the Reference Desk, sorry. — Lomn 13:26, 28 June 2007 (UTC)

thats like the stupidest question ever robocop could easily beat terminator, this is not based on bias but fact 1.)terminator (arnie's version)is nothing more than a robotic skeleton who has a fair amount of strength but really only has advantage over humans not to mention he has to find his own weapons 2.)robocop's only organic component is in his head the rest hes pure machine his hand is designed to have a crushing power of 400 pounds.His outer armour is titanium which is lamenated in kevlar. Not to mention robocop has a gun holstered in his leg so there you go to think that terminator could beat robocop is like saying ricky gervais is funny, it ain't happening in a million years- hobo jack

On another note, Robocop is a cop, and can give out tickets. Since obviously, the world revolves around money, Robocop would win. Even though cops (apparently) recieve only an average salary, and I believe Terminator gets money by contract. Robocop can impose hefty fines on Terminator, as much as he wants to, and force Terminator into bankruptcy and lower his credit rating. I wouldn't sign a contract with a bankrupt person and assuming the rest of the world believes in that, Terminator wouldn't be able to gain any money and will have to rely on welfare. So in essence, Robocop > Terminator.--GTPoompt(talk) 15:42, 28 June 2007 (UTC)

Robocop. The question was resolved in the Dark Horse comic book 'Robocop vs Terminator'; script by Frank Miller, art by Walt Simonson. Rhinoracer 14:31, 29 June 2007 (UTC)

deus ex machina

what is a deus ex machina?

The article Deus ex machina should answer your question. DuncanHill 13:01, 28 June 2007 (UTC)

jamie lee curtis

i have been told that jamie lee curtis is an hermaphrodite is this true?

See Jamie Lee Curtis. --Maelwys 13:26, 28 June 2007 (UTC)

Which doesn't address the matter - claims of this nature are frequently added to the article and (citing WP:BLP and the lack of any worthwhile source) are just as regularly removed. Snopes.com says "we don't know". -- Finlay McWalter | Talk 13:35, 28 June 2007 (UTC)

This rumour has cropped up numerous times about many stars, always female, always without natural children. It's been given added impetus by the fact that Jamie Lee Curtis has an androgynous name (apparently picked out before birth, at a time when intersex couldn't be diagnosed before birth and often wasn't even afterwards). --Charlene 19:48, 28 June 2007 (UTC)

It is widely rumoured that she has androgen insensitivity syndrome. In addition to the factors driving these rumours described above, she is a strong advocate in support of medical research for a number of childhood diseases and syndromes. When individuals promote charitable causes, people tend to assume there is a personal reason for it. Rockpocket 18:42, 29 June 2007 (UTC)

unbeliveable laws

Im just wondering if anybody knows of any unbeliveble and stupid laws an example being a place in britain where virgins are not permitted in butcher shops.

Try http://www.dumblaws.com --Maelwys 13:21, 28 June 2007 (UTC)

In Chester, citizens are allowed to shoot with a longbow any Welshman who loiters within the city walls after sunset... Laïka 16:37, 28 June 2007 (UTC)

Do you feel like doing some original research, Laika? I've often wondered what would happen if someone actually tried that! DuncanHill 16:45, 28 June 2007 (UTC)

Wikipedia cannot dispense getting shot by a longbow advice. Friday (talk) 16:51, 28 June 2007 (UTC)

Firstly, this reference desk does not give out legal advice. Secondly, none of these "dumb laws" people mention are ever backed up with anything. I have never actually seen a citation of case law, any sort of statute, a reference to a scholarly work, anything which substantiates the shooting Welshmen story (and I suspect the same is true of the virgins/butchers story and a thousand others). I think you should think twice before spreading such stories without citations, Laïka. Marnanel 18:01, 28 June 2007 (UTC)

Very well - here's a citation from Chester City Council itself (actually, it seems the law requires a decapitation rather than a longbowing, but the result is the same; the Chester Chronicle mentions longbows (If Elected I Will Make It Illegal To Shoot Welshmen), but it appear that this is a slight embellishment which has occurred over the years); note specifically that "There is no record that Henry V's order was ever repealed". Laïka 18:29, 28 June 2007 (UTC)

That is pretty interesting, because it shows where the idea that people now have might have developed from. The Chester Chronicle article is a WP:RS for the fact that people have this idea, or at least that the Tory candidate for Chester MP does, but not that the laws actually exist ("...admitted that he was not 100% on the detail"). The chester.gov.uk one is more interesting; it seems to verify that such a rule existed in the 1400s (although it was not made by Henry V: he was not king at the time, only Earl of Chester, and I think we need a lawyer to tell us whether a rule made by a local earl (rather than by the king) in the 1400s can possibly still be said to be "on the books" in a given town today, and if so whether an ancient law can be said to be "on the books" if it contravenes English and European law, as this clearly does. Marnanel 21:05, 28 June 2007 (UTC)

The Chester City Council seems to think that the law is still on the books. Corvus cornix 01:55, 29 June 2007 (UTC)

good grief, Laïka cited that in the comment I was responding to, and I specifically talked about it; do you think I didn't see it? Marnanel 11:30, 29 June 2007 (UTC)

See this. -- JackofOz 00:46, 30 June 2007 (UTC)

size

What is the size of the largest penis recorded

See Human penis size. Yes, Wikipedia really does have an article on everything. --Maelwys 13:22, 28 June 2007 (UTC)

The largest penis belongs to the blue whale, estimated at over 2 m. Accurate measurements are tricky because the whale's erect length can be observed only during mating, and they really don't appreciate people getting in the way.--Shantavira|^{feed me} 20:31, 28 June 2007 (UTC)

Maybe it was just a fluke. Edison 19:37, 29 June 2007 (UTC)

Who cares about largest when you can have the coolest? --TotoBaggins 14:06, 29 June 2007 (UTC)

henchpeople

I have recently formulated a plan for world domination and am wondering where i could find loyal henchpeople to serve my cause. i doubt anybody would take my ad in a paper seriously and am trying to find other means to spread the word. i would like men or woman ( i excersise a equal rights policy) with scientific knowledge and a keen eye for intruders. my headquarters within mt versuvious is almost complete so i would need them asap.

Monster. Or if you're on the poorer side, CL --_ʇuǝɯɯoɔɐqǝɟ 14:16, 28 June 2007 (UTC)

Don't forget to peruse the Evil Overlord List for helpful hints. PeteVerdon 18:27, 28 June 2007 (UTC)

Find out where Dick Cheney gets his staff. Gzuckier 18:28, 28 June 2007 (UTC)

And whatever you do - when they screw up and let the good guy get away - DO NOT drag them out in front of their co-workers and humiliate them terribly before tossing them into the shark tank. This is very bad for morale. No, call them into your office after work, have a convivial chat with them about how they are getting on within the organisation - then humiliate them terribly and toss them into the shark tank. Trust me - been there, done that. SteveBaker 19:07, 28 June 2007 (UTC)

Yes, but has Dick Cheney? --Charlene 19:42, 28 June 2007 (UTC)

• What's the pay like?If it's any good,I'm in.hotclaws 02:29, 29 June 2007 (UTC)
  • Be careful. If your employer gets overthrown, you could go down with him. If he wins, he'll always be suspicious of those around him. Very little room for promotion, unless you want to help assassinate those above you. And then you have to look out for those on the rungs below you. Corvus cornix 03:20, 29 June 2007 (UTC)

The worst part is that the worker safety standards in your average lair are lamentably poor. The hero throws a chair at the computer on the desk in the detention block - and it explodes(!) - not only releasing potentially dangerous criminals (we presume) but also starting a chain reaction that typically vaporizes the entire island within about 5 minutes. For some reason Evil Overlords prefer to skimp on providing adequate circuit breakers in favor of having a bigger death ray. <shrug> SteveBaker 16:24, 29 June 2007 (UTC)

I'm very interested in your (original poster) proposal. How can I contact you? --Taraborn 19:44, 29 June 2007 (UTC)

I was once called a "henchman" of a certain evil professor. It neither paid well nor provided job satisfaction, nor did it lead to opportunities for world domination. Edison 06:07, 30 June 2007 (UTC)

Has anyone said the opposite? --Taraborn 06:41, 30 June 2007 (UTC)

I think you spelled "versuvious" wrong.

I am very curious to find an answer to the following question:

I am very curious to find an answer to the following question:

Months of the year that begin on a Sunday,(other than February in non-leap-years) always have five Sundays. What other notable feature do they (including all Februarys) contain?

"Notable", in this case, is entirely subjective. — Lomn 14:35, 28 June 2007 (UTC)

Months of the year always have more than 27 and less than 32 days? If every single month has this feature, then it's hardly notable; it just becomes a necessary condition of any "month". Laïka 16:14, 28 June 2007 (UTC)

Friday the 13th. Corvus cornix 17:07, 28 June 2007 (UTC)

Darn - you beat me to it! The statistics of Friday the 13th are neat! SteveBaker 19:08, 28 June 2007 (UTC)

Friday the 13th, and therefore Thursday the 12th, Saturday the 14th, Sunday the 15th, Monday the 16th... Um, is this notable? Isn't it just a logical sequence? --jjron 10:15, 29 June 2007 (UTC)

Yes - of course you are right - but some people are superstitious about Friday the 13th - they think it's bad luck - and the news that the 13th of the month is more likely to be a Friday than any of the other days tends to freak them out a bit...and at first sight it doesn't seem like there should be a bias. SteveBaker 16:18, 29 June 2007 (UTC)

That was a really good one by our comrade Corvus cornix! --Taraborn 06:43, 30 June 2007 (UTC)

just wondering

do diffrent colour m+ms taste diffrent?

Nope. The colour is just food dye. Adam Bishop 15:47, 28 June 2007 (UTC)

Smarties, however, which M&Ms are a rip-off of, are different flavours. The orange ones have orange-flavoured chocolate, and previously there was a coffee one. (I have some dim and unsubstantiated memory that the dark brown Smarties are plain chocolate, although that article doesn't agree with me; I haven't eaten Smarties for quite a few years now.) Marnanel 18:06, 28 June 2007 (UTC)

That is only true for British Smarties. Canadian Smarties are all the same flavour. --Charlene 19:21, 28 June 2007 (UTC)

Oooh! I actually KNOW the answer to this one! There is a lot of phychology to it. My son was convinced that he could tell the difference (with M&M's that is) - so one time I was at his school doing my bit for education by demonstrating some statistics to the math class, I demonstrated the following to a class of maybe 25 10 year-olds to explain why double-blind testing is important:

• Gave each kid one red M&M and one green one and asked them to taste them and tell me if they could tell the difference in the flavor. On a scale of 0 (couldn't tell) to 10 (a strong difference in taste), I think we averaged about an 8 across the entire class with not one single zero being reported.
• Using some black 35mm film canisters, put a red M&M or a green M&M into each one and labelled the underside with a '*' or an 'o' depending on which it was. I handed these out to the kids and asked them to close their eyes, open the film canister they'd been given, taste the M&M inside and write down what colour it was. We did this a few times with several different colours - and guess what - they only ever got it right about 50% of the time - which is no better than chance.

So - quite conclusively - the colour of an M&M doesn't affect its taste at all unless you happen to look at it first! SteveBaker 18:57, 28 June 2007 (UTC)

• Well, either that or being stored in a film canister affects the flavor of at least one color of M&Ms! --Anonymous, June 30, 2007, 01:45 (UTC).

Of course I knew that was a possibility and pre-stored the M&M's handed out in stage 1 of the experiment in film canisters overnight alongside those used in stage 2 - such that any effect the canister might have on the flavor would be present in both stages of the experiment. OK - No, I didn't think to do that - feel free to mock my poor scientific method. SteveBaker 14:54, 30 June 2007 (UTC)

Nice! (I wonder if you could have successfully demonstrated the difference between double-blind and merely blind studies, in that same context.) —Steve Summit (talk) 02:42, 29 June 2007 (UTC)

Naturally I thought very hard about that at the time. It would have required me to figure out some way for me to fairly obviously be influencing the results by not being blinded myself. I considered handing out the red ones (which I knew had an 'X' on them) and saying things like "I sure hope you got a tasty red one...<wink>!" to those people. That would kinda rely on one of the kids to say "Hey! That's not fair - you know the answers!" - but firstly I wasn't sure this would have a measurable effect on the results - and secondly, I didn't have much time to do the whole presentation in and to show both blind and double-blind would have taken much longer. But with 10 year olds, it's enough to get the basic message across - I wouldn't want to have confused them if the single-blinded experiment had worked just as well as the double-blinded one.

Doing these kinds of things with kids is great - it leaves really indelible memories of important principles with them. A friend of mine once did a dice-rolling experiment with some groups of younger kids - where you roll a dice a bazillion times and record the results...only he carefully drilled out the '1' spot on each dice, filled it with lead shot then carefully filled the hole with wood putty and repainted it - it took him forever (and several sets of failed rigged dice) to get it convincingly right. The resulting weighted dice came up with a six only about 30% more than they should have so the effect was subtle enough that you would't notice it without doing some proper statistics - but enough that it was really evident in the results the kids got...this was why he had to work so carefully to make the dice! But he'd explained what results they "should" get (for an unweighted dice) before the experiment started and didn't tell them that the dice had been tampered with. The kids could see from their results that the dice must be weighted - and it turned what would have been a really 'blah' kind of an experiment into something that really got them excited because they actually discovered something. SteveBaker 16:14, 29 June 2007 (UTC)

Would it be physically possible to drink lava?

Or would your face just burn away before you touched it? Let's say it's kind of a lava waterfall, so it has gravity and momentum on its side, and can get inside your mouth before it's even touched you. 58.7.205.67 17:02, 28 June 2007 (UTC)

I suspect there won't be many references addressing this burning question, so here's speculation. Even if you got it in your mouth successfully, I doubt you could do anything with it that could reasonably be called "drinking". I expect it would be cooling down and solidifying while burning you horribly the whole time. Friday (talk) 17:09, 28 June 2007 (UTC)

If you define drinking as it going down your throat, sure. I know where you're coming from, I have weird questions like this all the time. My recommendations, don't talk about them too much, people start to think you're insane, which we aren't --_ʇuǝɯɯoɔɐqǝɟ 17:40, 28 June 2007 (UTC)

Nah, I think the radiant heat would evaporate your carbon-based portions as soon as it got close.Gzuckier 18:27, 28 June 2007 (UTC)

Opposite end of the scale, but this guy might be able to give you some tips. PeteVerdon 18:34, 28 June 2007 (UTC)

Reminds me of my science teacher who ate a couple blocks of dry ice --_ʇuǝɯɯoɔɐqǝɟ 19:38, 28 June 2007 (UTC)

There's a way to do it, although I won't vouch for its safety. Let the lava harden into rock, powder the rock, add a pinch to a glass of water, drink. --Charlene 19:20, 28 June 2007 (UTC)

The question reminded me of Porcia Catonis who, allegedly, committed suicide by swallowing red hot coals. (According to the article, "modern historians find this tale implausible: it is more likely that Porcia took her life by burning charcoal in an unventilated room, succumbing to carbon monoxide poisoning.") ---Sluzzelin talk 20:52, 28 June 2007 (UTC)

Wikipedia cannot give advice on consuming incendiary substances. Consult a professional fire eater instead. That said, the following is presented for information only and we strongly urge that no one try it. Perhaps an insulating tube could be inserted first. Something like that was involved in the end of Edward II of England to allow the insertion of a red hot poker, if legend is true. Edison 19:32, 29 June 2007 (UTC)

Wasn't that the guy who got a red-hot iron rod shoved up his ass? bibliomaniac15 ^{BUY NOW!} 19:33, 29 June 2007 (UTC)

As I said "in the end." Edison 06:03, 30 June 2007 (UTC)

I could be wrong about this, but I think that most lava is so viscous as not to be what we'd ordinarily think of as a "liquid", and you could no more drink it than you could drink warm salt-water taffy. --Trovatore 06:06, 30 June 2007 (UTC)

Song in an advert

I heard a song a day or two ago in an advert with a catchy melody (unfortunately, I can't recall the product right now), and I would like to identify it. The lyrics, as far as I can tell, were:

Won't you bring me water? Won't you bring me light? Won't you bring my saviour, And bring me back to life?

It sounded like a Gospel song, with a lead singer and a backing chorus, with a rhythm created by clapping. I googled the lyrics as I think they are, plus a few close possible variations, but no luck. Any help? 80.44.236.144 19:15, 28 June 2007 (UTC)

how do ther servers handle this?

Please see my previous question to understand this question better.

With more than 5 edits per second in every popular language in Wikipedia combined, how do the Wikimedia servers handle that many edits at one time?--PrestonH 20:31, 28 June 2007 (UTC)

There's a lot of them. I think there's a page on technical architecture somewhere.. see Wikipedia#Software_and_hardware for more info. Friday (talk) 20:39, 28 June 2007 (UTC)

Heheh! If you think that handling 5 edits per second is tough - think about the 20,000 pages that are READ every second! Writing 5 short text snippets to disk in one second is a trivial task for even a pretty old, slow PC - but reading 20,000 pages a second is major stuff! SteveBaker 21:22, 28 June 2007 (UTC)

One thing that I think Google use is relatively 'average' PCs but linked up through something like grid networking to make them (combined) an amazingly powerful server/computer. I read this a long long time ago though so perhaps this is no longer true (I'm pretty confident it was something like grid-networking). Either way as noted the edits-per-second is nothing compared to views-per-second. I know servers can easily be overwhelmed because it is not cost-effective to have power to hit your heighest-ever peaks, rather to have server-power that will manage for 99% of the time (or whatever % is viable). Mobile phone networks do this and that's why they often fail at new-years-day etc. due to being overwhelmed by people using them. ny156uk 22:58, 28 June 2007 (UTC)

You think 5 edits per second is bad. At the LHC particle accelerator (coming sometime next year folks), they have to take 40 million events per second, and save only a couple of hundred interesting ones. That's roughly a CD of data every 2 seconds, and that's selected (in real time) from approximately 200,000 times more data! Now that's what I call impressive computing stats. Let's just hope it works. Cyta 07:28, 29 June 2007 (UTC)

WP doesn't take that approach- they've got the normal gigantic xeon servers. And anyway 20k requests per second isn't impossible to deal with.. if you can afford the bandwidth (which wikimedia apparently can) then just squid cache 99% or so of the pages (which wikimedia does) and with 5 or 6 cache servers you can easily serve up that much content. The problem is keeping all of the caches, actual databases, and backups synchronized and up-to-date.. that's probably why wikimedia has to spend like 10% of its budget on paying network engineers/developers to work full time --froth^t 15:26, 29 June 2007 (UTC)

wand with flame

I am looking for a picture of a wand or scepter with a flame, like the olympic torch, but much fancier, like something carried by a king or other royalty.207.118.2.55 20:52, 28 June 2007 (UTC)

Hello, I couldn't find an image of that, so I made you one. See the image here: Burning Scepter. I used an image of flame and superimposed a scepter onto it in Fireworks MX. I hope it's satisfactory. --Codell^Talk 22:33, 28 June 2007 (UTC)

Cyan liscense plate

In Ontario, Canada, what might a cyan-coloured liscense plate signify? For example: a red one signifies that the car is an embassy car. Thanks. Acceptable 21:06, 28 June 2007 (UTC)

It signifies that the vehicle you are seeing is a motorcycle, according to this [8] site, with a list at the bottom of the page. Bielle 23:23, 28 June 2007 (UTC)

No, that page says motorcycle plates are blue on white, the same as for cars.

Ontario does not produce a "cyan-coloured" plate. However, some people cover their plates with bluish plastic. As I never saw this until after highway 407 opened, I assume they are trying to reduce the legibility of their plates in the hope of being able to drive on the 407 without being billed for the toll, or maybe they have other nefarious purposes in mind. --Anonymous, June 29, 2007, 00:08 (UTC).

Or, any chance THIS is the plate you're referring to?--Codell^Talk 23:27, 28 June 2007 (UTC)

That's a British Columbia plate, --Codell^Talk. The OP wants Ontario. Bielle 23:46, 28 June 2007 (UTC)

Code11; nope. The background of the license plate is plain blue and I forgot what colour the text was. It seemed like a normal license plate, but it was blue. I saw it on a fairly new BMW sedan. Acceptable 02:33, 29 June 2007 (UTC)

All the Graphic and Novelty plates in Ontario have a white background. You can have a "Year of Manufacture" specialty plate, and some of the old Ontario ones had coloured backgrounds; however, the car has to have been built prior to 1973, and you said the car you saw was new-ish. The only other blue I can think of is the blue appearance that comes from a shield that goes over than plate and has a shimmery blue effect. I understand they are supposed to fool the cameras on toll roads; I also understand they are illegal. Bielle 03:10, 29 June 2007 (UTC)

And Mythbusters say they don't work. Corvus cornix 16:02, 29 June 2007 (UTC)

"Old" Ontario plates with colored backgrounds are irrelevant; they were only good for one year. They used to be black-on-white and white-on-black in alternate years, then around 1968 the province switched to alternating blue-on-white and white-on-blue. Back then it was common for states and provinces to issue new plates every year, although there were some that had longer-term plates and just required an annual sticker. When Ontario decided to switch to this system and issue 5-year plates, it happened to be a blue-on-white year; before the 5 years were up they decided to make them valid indefinitely instead, so those are the colors we've had ever since. --Anonymous, June 30, 01:52 (UTC).

I am not quite sure why the one-year validity for old Ontario plates makes the coloured backgrounds irrelevant. When they are used now, as "Y.O.M." (Year of Manufacture) vanity plates, I believe they travel with the car, unlike the current plates, which travel with the driver to whichever car he/she owns. The owner gets stickers for the Y.O.M. plates just the way the rest of us do for our ordinary plates. Some of the blues (with white letters) used in the 1960s, for example, were quite "cyan-ish". I am thinking particularly of the 1965 plate shown here [9]. At that same site, you can see a range of yellows and golds used in the 1930s, along with greens in the 1940s. Bielle 02:16, 30 June 2007 (UTC)

When I said old plates I meant old plates, not these Y.O.M.s you speak of. So they would not still be in use; that's all I meant. --Anonymous, June 30, 09:50 (UTC).

37 Roubles 50 Kopecks‽‽‽

What was the purpose of the 37½ rouble coin that Russia minted in 1902? I realize that this is half of 75 roubles, but why have a 37½ rouble coin in the first place? In the same year, Russia also had a 7½ rouble coin. Same question. If you want to see this coin, see the bottom of this page or see it on the Numismaster website. --Codell^Talk 22:11, 28 June 2007 (UTC)

It was worth 100 francs at the time (according to the first interweblink you gave), so possibly used as a bullion coin and to relate Russian currency to the Latin Monetary Union. DuncanHill 23:09, 28 June 2007 (UTC)

Just found this link [10] which may be of interest. The coin pictured appears to have as part of the inscription "100 francs" (in Cyrillic script) as well as its value in Roubles. DuncanHill 23:27, 28 June 2007 (UTC)

Playing cards as tiles?

Where can I get a set of Anglo-American playing cards as tiles? I mean, mahjong-style tiles labeled as playing cards (Ace of Spades, etc.) intended for use as a substitute for cards so that, for instance, there is no need to shuffle.

No need to answer; I found one online.

June 29

Why are refrigerators so cold?

why?

Have you seen our article on refrigerators and refrigeration? — Kieff | Talk 01:34, 29 June 2007 (UTC)

I did but english no good.

Hahaha. The most simplest way of putting is that refrigerators make themselves colder by making the room outside it hotter. Have you ever felt the back of a refrigerator? It's very hot. Or what about when you put ice in the cooler? The ice takes the heat to make things colder, but since it gets heated, it melts! You more about this here. I hope that helps you on your quest! --JDitto 04:42, 29 June 2007 (UTC)

Look at the article in your own language's wikipedia --_ʇuǝɯɯoɔɐqǝɟ 07:55, 29 June 2007 (UTC)

You might also like to read the Simple English Wikipedia which explains everything in simple English and has an article on refrigerators. SteveBaker 15:49, 29 June 2007 (UTC)

See also the new simple-English article on Heat pump. (RD regulars: take a look and see if that's too wildly inaccurately simplified. I just wrote it from scratch.) —Steve Summit (talk) 03:25, 30 June 2007 (UTC)

Followup question for the Original Poster: Are you wonderying why refrigerators are so cold, or how they do it?

The "why" is easy, of course: because it's their job! They're cold to keep the food inside cold, so it won't spoil.

For the "how", see the other answers above. —Steve Summit (talk) 14:31, 30 June 2007 (UTC)

They're cold because you keep buying cold things and putting them inside!! The myth that all that motor stuff and electricity makes them cold is a LIE told to you by the government! Electricity and motors only make things hot! That's why all the heat comes out the back!! The truth shall set you free!!! [11]Gzuckier 17:15, 2 July 2007 (UTC)

extremely serious and important question

I heard that there is a grid that exists throughout the whole universe, and that anytime that anything moves, the grid vibrates. Does anyone know anything about this universal grid and the effects it has on humans.

There's no such thing according to current mainstream theories. The closest to that concept I can think of is the luminiferous aether, which several experiments have failed to account. Check that article for more info. — Kieff | Talk 01:40, 29 June 2007 (UTC)

no i dont think that's the one.

Or you could mean The Force. That's fictional. --Anon, June 29, 2007, 02:55 (UTC).

Maybe you're thinking about the hypothetical ley lines? Sifaka ^talk 05:37, 29 June 2007 (UTC)

That's funny, no it's not the force. I once saw a video in a Museum of Natural History on this grid and how scientists used length and time tests to prove that it really existed. Whenevere anything moves, the grid vibrates, but it takes a large movement or a large explosion, such as a supernova, to cause a noticable movement in the grid.

Perhaps you are remembering a simplified explanation of spacetime, which is sometimes represented in diagrams and animations by a two-dimensional grid like this one. Gravitational waves are vibrations in spacetime (sort of ...). Gandalf61 14:31, 29 June 2007 (UTC)

String theory? I could be wrong, but isn't that a lot like string theory? Rfwoolf 16:37, 29 June 2007 (UTC)

If an object moves, wouldn't its gravitational attraction on evrything else in the unoverse change (however skight that forse might be)? The "grid" could be an expression of gravity. Edison 19:23, 29 June 2007 (UTC)

Maybe the questioner is looking for The Matrix :) No, seriously, I'm with User:Edison, I think what you are looking for is the visual expression of space curving (per Einstein's General Relativity) because of gravity. --Taraborn 06:56, 30 June 2007 (UTC)

Assuming it was the American Museum of Natural History you visited, as Gandalf says they portray spacetime like this: [12] And its not gravity that causes it, gravitation is an effect of spacetime being distorted by matter. See also Gravitation. Mhicaoidh 22:43, 30 June 2007 (UTC)

Tampering With The Entry On Mood Rings Again

To; All Wikipedians (In General),

Someone has once again, tampered with the Web-entry on Mood Rings. The Mood Ring Color Chart is completely missing this time. Before, it was only partly incorrect, but still there nonetheless. Now it's not there at all!!

A have a proprosal/recommendation to make please- That maybe there should be stricter guidelines & standards to determine just who will be allowed to edit Wikipedia. Right now the process tends to be just a bit messy, if not, maybe even confusing.

Thank you for your time & attention to this.

Signed, Dawnofrabbits 02:07, 29 June 2007 (UTC)

This isn't the right forum for a problem with dispute resolution. Discuss it on the article's Talk page, take it to WP:VP, bring it up at the Help Desk, but this isn't the place. Corvus cornix 03:19, 29 June 2007 (UTC)

It's fixed. What happened is someone vandalized the color chart, then it got deleted by some else a few edits later when it wasn't corrected. Sifaka ^talk 05:21, 29 June 2007 (UTC)

Wendy's "Hot Juicy Burger" Commercial

I'm wondering what the "inspirational, motivational, and uplifting" music is called that plays when the man with the Wendy's wig declares he'd like a hot, juicy burger. Is this an orginal score composed just for the commercial, or has this been around for a while? The commercial can be seen here for those who don't know what I'm talking about. Thanks for the help. --71.98.12.11 03:58, 29 June 2007 (UTC)

I very much doubt that it's an original score - there's usually stock music for this sort of thing, and furthermore why spend all that extra money on an original score in this case? That said, I couldn't tell you the name of the piece of music. Feel free to write to Wendy's or their production company to find out Rfwoolf 16:35, 29 June 2007 (UTC)

Or you could ask at adtunes.com. Corvus cornix 16:52, 29 June 2007 (UTC)

It appears nobody knows what the music is at adtunes, either. --71.98.24.42 17:51, 29 June 2007 (UTC)

Then try whatsthatcalled.com.  :) Corvus cornix 18:13, 29 June 2007 (UTC)

"why spend all that extra money on an original score ... ?" Because it's a commercial playing over the entire U.S. U.S. nationwide commercials are generally the most expensively produced videos ever (in terms of money per unit time). --Tugbug 20:19, 30 June 2007 (UTC)

Stallion Behavior

I recently had a stallion kill an old and crippled gelding. There are no mares around for miles. There are about 15 geldings and only the one stud. Was the stallion acting as if the geldings were his herd and the crippled horse was going to slow them down? The old horse was 29 – 30 years old and the stallion is 6 years old. This stallion has been well socialized and is very well mannered when riding him or using him on mares. He loves the babies and his very kind and gentle with his mares. This was very unusual and very out of character for him. I could have under stood if there was mare around but there is none anywhere near. One year when I lived in a small acrage I had him and my mares, minis, and geldings all in one pasture and all he did was keep the geldings at a 50foot distance and never bothered them. What would make him do this I don’t understand?

Happy Trails … 205.200.60.155 04:26, 29 June 2007 (UTC)

yelling at trees in the soloman islands

I recently read a passage from a book called All I really need to know I learned in kindergarten that said natives of the soloman islands could literally yell at trees that they wanted to chop down. these trees would subsequently die. Personally, I'm pretty suspicious. Is there any evidence to support this claim?

thanks, Rob

Sounds a pretty circuitous way of getting rid of a tree. Yell at it, wait for it to die, then what? Wait for it to rot away and fall over, or be blown down in a cyclone? Why not just chop it down and save yourself 20 years? Oh, BTW, also sounds like total BS. --jjron 10:02, 29 June 2007 (UTC)

If one yells at a tree and then chops it down, the tree subsequently dies. DuncanHill 10:43, 29 June 2007 (UTC)

People tend to believe whatever they read in books, even when they're sceptical about things they're told verbally. Perhaps they assume someone must have checked it because it's been published, but that is not the case. I am an editor, and although I check any facts that appear dubious to me, I can't possibly check everything, especially if the writer has first-hand knowledge of the Solomon Islands and I haven't. If you're reading anything that does not cite its sources and that you cannot confirm, treat it as entertainment value only.--Shantavira|^{feed me} 11:04, 29 June 2007 (UTC)

Remember, if it seems too good to be true, it probably is. 99% of the time, Occam's razor is correct. Whenever someone tells you a 'fact', consider it as if you're hearing it from the least reliable person you know. If you can't verify it yourself, don't trust it --_ʇuǝɯɯoɔɐqǝɟ 11:09, 29 June 2007 (UTC)

Some experiments seemed to indicate that 'stressful' sounds have negative effects on the health of plants, but the yelling at trees thing sounds farfetched. According to the article I found online, the villagers use this technique when a tree is too large to be felled by an axe, and the tree "eventually dies and falls over." Too large to be felled by an axe? I've seen some pretty large trees in my time, but none that an axe couldn't handle, given enough time and determination. As for stressing a tree to death with noise, I think the presence of trees in cities can effectively discount that idea. Even if it were possible, they would then face what jjron pointed out above -- the tree is dead and standing, so how long are they going to have to wait for this tree to fall over? This strong tree that was too large to chop down? There may be people who yell at trees, but I doubt it is very effective as a logging technique. 152.16.188.111 04:22, 30 June 2007 (UTC)

Re chopping it down, we should also consider that prior to relatively recent times the Solomon Islanders would have had only fairly basic tools, e.g., no metal for their axes, so it could be possible that there were trees that they couldn't handle with their axes.

So let's assume this legend is 'true' and look at how it could have come about. Way back somewhere some islander, possibly someone with a lot of power like one of the chiefs, gets p'ed off about something and chucks a temper tantrum at one of these big old trees. Now people remember this, cos he's a powerful guy in their society, so this is a bit of in-joke and story they tell when he's not around. Of course any tree will eventually die and fall over, it's just a matter of time, so this tree (or one nearby, who really remembers exactly which tree he yelled at?) just happens to die or fall over at some time shortly after his hissy-fit, say within the next ten years. So now the story changes from the one about the chief yelling at the tree, to the one about the chief killing the tree by yelling it. Over time it keeps getting told and becomes a legend instead of just a funny story. Now people hear this story and believe it, in that they believe that yelling at trees will kill them. It doesn't matter that trees they yell at don't die, there's this legend that it can be done, and that's all that matters. So there's the story that ends up told to foreign researchers in the nineteenth or twentieth century and then gets published in books as a belief of the Solomon Islands, perhaps as an indication of their primitive beliefs. But really it's kind of like how a lot of the legends in our societies and religions probably got started, and at the end of the day is no more silly than most of them.

Oh, and perhaps it also goes to show you that All I really need to know I learned in kindergarten is wrong, there's lots of important stuff you learn after that. --jjron 12:44, 30 June 2007 (UTC)

Amir Khan the Indian Actor , director in his recent movie "Taare Zameen Par" referred to this legend of yelling at trees while describing the impact of yelling at children.............Farooq Ahmed Karachi 5:40PM 5th Jan 2008.

WHAT I SAY IS THAT THE TREE DIES AND FALLS IN 30 DAYS, I MIGHT BE THE MOST UNRELIABLE PERSON ON EARTH, SO TRY THIS YOURSELF. BRING A PLANT AND YELL AT IT, EVERYDAY AND OBSERVE IT AFTER 30 DAYS...(Provide about 10 ml water a day)

    There's a research done by Indonesian University that study the communication of a plant (mango trees) with the effects of music. The finding is unbelievable. The mango tree that has been put a radio (music) grows more compared with a tree that without music. The logical findings here we can say that human breathe oxygen, and trees inhale carbons. Human exhale carbon and trees the opposite. Humans grow so the trees.Human dies, so the trees. Human interacts, do you thinks the tree interacts? I think yes even though we cannot hear what they are talking about. (Imagine you can hear the trees talked to you not to piss them.)So, I think there's a credit to this legend.-by chegu82@kl

Death of Dr. Walter Buchstaller

Do you have any information about the death of Dr. Walter Buchstaller? He died April 26, 2006 in Vienna, Austria. Thank you.

I suppose getting in touch with the authorities in Austria would be better than asking us unpaid geeks :D. Splintercellguy 09:52, 29 June 2007 (UTC)

---

Thanks, but I saw this topic (Death of Dr. Walter Buchstaller) when searching online on a Wiki site. I just don't know how to pull the info up to read the article/comment. Thought maybe someone who was familiar with that info would see my query since this is Wiki. I'm pretty new to computers and Wiki! Appreciate your reply.

Assuming the Wiki site you read it on was Wikipedia, can you tell us which page it was? Marnanel 15:25, 1 July 2007 (UTC)

---

This was the search info I found:

User:202.106.192.42 - Bdmwiki ... murderers death of superman signed poster death of keith moon death of gary paulsen death of dr walter buchstaller death note yaoi doujinshi death metal ... bdmwiki.com/index.php/User:202.106.192.42 - 35k - Supplemental Result - Cached - Similar pages

There was another mention on something called "talk train", but I cannot find that Wiki site anymore. The one above will not allow access. Appreciate any help - thanks for your reply. This is all so new to me, it is like a foreign language!

Not every Wiki has anything to do with Wikipedia! There were wikis before Wikipedia came along, and there are thousands of others on the net. I think you should go to bdmwiki.com, whoever they are, and ask there. Marnanel 22:56, 1 July 2007 (UTC)

---

I did go there and ask several times, but got no reply. As I said, this is all very new to me and I am confused about wikis. In fact, I never heard the word until I started this search a few months ago, and I am not sure yet what they are. I just stumbled upon these when I entered Dr. Buchstaller's name into different searches and was directed to them. I have no idea who they are, but they do not respond to queries.

I admire those who know all this about wiki, computers, etc., but I wouldn't know where to start to learn it myself. I am a novice computer user, a retired teacher who is not tech savvy.

Thank you for your reply. I am giving up on my search.

Tattoo and Sport

If I got a tattoo on my arm, say, today, could I play competitive sport tomorrow without it affecting my new tattoo? 203.41.139.85 06:32, 29 June 2007 (UTC)

That depends on the type of ink used, size of the tattoo, how deep it is under the skin. Probably, yes, but you should ask your tattoo artist. Wikipedia cannot give medical advice. --_ʇuǝɯɯoɔɐqǝɟ 07:57, 29 June 2007 (UTC)

I suspect it would aso depend on the type of sport. One can imagine someone playing eg croquet without too many difficulties, but all-in wrestling would be another matter. Ask your tattooist, your doctor, and your sports coach. DuncanHill 08:53, 29 June 2007 (UTC)

chicken trap

I would like to know how to build and use one.

Mahalo

Naphthalene = +RON ?

How much truth are there in the myth that if you add Naphthalene balls (Moth Balls) to your fuel tank, it will increase the RON value of the fuel. We live with a very poor 93RON unleaded wich causes a lot of problemes for slightly higher compression motors. I know some people use Xylene but things like these are just as difficouleto get as Aviation and Racing fuel. Regards, Bennie.

There are a number of sources that indicate that mothballs may increase octane number, with a number of important caveats: [13].

• The number of mothballs needed to significantly alter the octane rating is likely to be quite large.
• Modern mothballs are often p-dichlorobenzene rather than naphthalene; the former will produce extremely corrosive products on combustion.
• Naphthalene has a high melting point (about 80°C) and can clog filters and fuel injectors.
• Your engine isn't designed to burn high-naphthalene fuels, and combustion is likely to be very dirty.
• Depending on your jurisdiction, modifying fuels (particularly in ways that increase emissions) may be illegal. It will certainly void your car's warranty.

In other words, it's probably not worth it. The 'add-mothballs-to-your-fuel' advice came from an era when gasoline was much lower-octane (40-60 was the norm in the 1920s), engines were easier to tinker with, and there were no emissions regulations. TenOfAllTrades(talk) 17:37, 29 June 2007 (UTC)

There are things that are meant to be fuel additives. It may still not be recommended by your manufacturer, but they seem far more likely to be safe and effective than mothballs. Friday (talk) 19:34, 29 June 2007 (UTC)

Once again, Mythbusters have already investigated this. They came to the conclusion that it was plausible; the car revved harder, but they didn't think to actually measure the output of the engine. Laïka 17:16, 30 June 2007 (UTC)

Graduate School

I am not sure a) whether this question belongs in this section nor b) whether it belongs at the Reference Desk at all, but I haven't been able to figure it out anywhere else. I recently graduated from college (well, university, but as I am an American and everything here applies to the US, I will use the American terminology) with a BA. Along the way I took 3 semesters of Arabic as a language, enough to gain some familiarity with the langauge but not a lot. I now hope to take graduate studies for Arabic; my problem is twofold. First of all, I have not been able to find any resources that rank the programs, and see what I have a shot at. How would I find such a resource? More importantly, most of them require more fluency than I now possess. I am not sure what I can do about that. I sent an email to one school asking if it would be possible to take undergraduate level classes to catch up; their answer (that they generally accept people with several years of study) was useless, unless it means that no one can get into such a program without having studied the language as an undergraduate, which seems odd. Do any programs help with basic proficiency as well as the more advanced studies? Eran of Arcadia 19:38, 29 June 2007 (UTC)

Well, to get better at a language I'm sure some local evening classes will teach the basics. Alternatively, you could buy/download some software such as Rosetta Stone which will teach you basics up to the advanced aspects of languages. I used it to learn basic Italian and improve my competent French. JoshHolloway 20:18, 29 June 2007 (UTC)

Apparently the best place for Arabic in the US is Middlebury College although I don't know if they have a graduate program. If you are willing to travel a bit, may I shamelessly plug the University of Toronto? According to Toronto's Near and Middle Eastern Studies website, you can take a two-year MA if you don't have enough undergraduate experience. I am not an Arabic major, but I have taken undergraduate Arabic courses as a grad student, and in my own program where Latin is required, it is quite common for students to learn it as they go along (in some cases with absolutely no previous knowledge of it). Adam Bishop 14:04, 30 June 2007 (UTC)

Well, based on my limited knowledge of Toronto it is a great place to live. That is what I am looking for, basically, somewhere that will teach me as I go along. I know from experience that I have above-avergare language acquisition skills, I just don't know if it is enough. Eran of Arcadia 14:26, 30 June 2007 (UTC)

The best solution in a case like this is to find someone already in the discipline to talk to. Find a full professor of the subject — really one just about anywhere will do — and e-mail them, ask them if you can schedule some time to talk about your grad school thoughts, etc., with them, or if they could recommend someone else. Tell them your situation, ask them their advice. Ask them what programs they think might work best for you. Then call someone from one of those programs and do the same thing. Every person you talk to will tell you slightly different things — there is no "one right answer" for something like this — but taken together it will give you an idea of how things stand. I don't know anything about language programs, but my experience with graduate school in general is that the best way to deal with these sorts of things is over the phone or in person (not in e-mail, which is often deferred and ignored), and that talking with half a dozen people will get you a lot more information than trying to read up published sources (which are often out of date or reflect a singular opinion as if it were generally held). --24.147.86.187 17:20, 30 June 2007 (UTC)

Well, I sent an email a while ago to the Arabic professor I had as an undergraduate, but he wasn't a lot of help. I am still not sure the best way of going about this. Eran of Arcadia 15:27, 2 July 2007 (UTC)

Nursing classes

Dear Sir/Madam,

  Would like to know where to start so I may enroll in nursing classes.

Thanking you in advance for your help.

Christie Navarette (email and phone number removed)

You need to tell us where you are located! JoshHolloway 20:14, 29 June 2007 (UTC)

What, you mean pre-med? Try your state university --froth^t 04:18, 30 June 2007 (UTC)

June 30

ayatollah progression

how much time does it take to ba a hojetal islam (and then an) ayatollahand finally a grand ayatollah (marja)? in years
— Preceding unsigned comment added by Zulkifil (talk • contribs) 04:26, 30 June 2007 (UTC)

It appears time is not the deciding factor, therefore there is likely to be a range of times depending on the circumstances of the individual. You could always choose one from our List of ayatollahs and List of marjas, and ask them via their website. For example, the website of Sayyed Mohammad Hussein Fadlallah is here. Rockpocket 00:17, 2 July 2007 (UTC)

Dying parakeets

My parakeet got very sick recently and died... What was strange was that he actually sang right before he he did. I heard him making some strange noises and went to check on him, and he was dead. It sound almost like a swan song. I do know for certain he was the one making the noise because he was within a few yards of me. Has anyone else ever heard of anything like this? --ParakeetSong 08:23, 30 June 2007 (UTC)

You say he sang right before he died, but then you say he made 'some strange noises'. So, was it singing or strange noises? The singing would be more interesting, the strange noises would be more likely and could literally be his 'last gasps' perhaps. I fear you'll never be certain of the answer to this unless you've recorded it, as you will probably and understandably, even if only subconsciously, choose to remember it as 'singing'. --jjron 13:18, 30 June 2007 (UTC)

Sorry for the loss of your pet. Perhaps the bird was saying goodbye, and expressing his affection for you, just as a dying person might. Edison 20:24, 30 June 2007 (UTC)

Well, he was extremely ill, so I doubt that even if he wanted to sing he could. It's hard to explain... I know for certain it was not his normal singing (it was more of squawking), but I get the impression that he was trying to sing, which is why I was indecisive between the two. --ParakeetSong 00:20, 1 July 2007 (UTC)

Distances between cities in Thailand

Where can I get a chart of cities in Thailand with the distances between them?

Leonard Levine praglenus@yahoo.com

It depends what you mean by a chart. Have you tried something like the relevant Lonely Planet guidebook? That should give you the distances between cities and some reasonable maps. Or try a Google search for it if all you need are the distances. --jjron 13:32, 30 June 2007 (UTC)

Eighth amendment

That question a few days ago about bails got me thinking... If the "excessive bail" prohibition in practice means basically nothing, what about the "excessive fine" prohibition? Could you be fined a million dollars for stealing a pack of gum? I assume that each city has its own rules on jailtime/fines for petty crimes, but if they passed a law removing a maximum fine, could that be attacked under the Eighth Amendment? Or another example, I've read that the RIAA sues for $150,000 for each act of copyright infringement, and our article says that they sued AllofMP3 for $1.65 trillion coming from that 150,000 number. If you were sued for $150,000 for sharing one song, could you challenge that based on the "excessive fine" prohibition in the Eighth Amendment? zafiroblue05 | Talk 15:27, 30 June 2007 (UTC)

In many respects, you are confusing apples with oranges. Number one -- remember that the Eighth Amendment (and the entire Constitution, for that matter) restricts the actions of those in an official governmental capacity, and not the actions of private individuals (or corporations, etc.). Number two -- I think you are confusing the definition of the word "fines." Fines are imposed by the government (example, I got a $100 fine for speeding on the highway). When individuals (or businesses) sue others, that is not a fine. If they win the suit, they are awarded "damages" (or, money) -- this is called an award or a damage award. It is not a fine imposed by the government on a person. Hope this clears up some of your questions. (JosephASpadaro 18:12, 30 June 2007 (UTC))

However, as a matter of civil claims, damage awards can be deemed as excessive and violate due process. See, for example, BMW of North America, Inc. v. Gore (1996). The Supreme Court hasn't said what amounts would violate due process as a rule, just that certain multiples and amounts are too much. And now that I do a little looking, in 1998, in United States v. Bajakajian, the Supreme Court held that a fine of $357,144 for transporting more than $10,000 was excessive and disproportionate. –Pakman044 18:35, 30 June 2007 (UTC)

I agree that damage awards can be held to be excessive. However, that has nothing to do with the Eighth Amendment. I think the original question was getting at excessive fines (via the Eighth Amendment) rather than excessive damages (via due process). In summary, can the government fine you a million dollars for stealing a pack of gum? No. This would certainly be held to violate the Eighth Amendment. (JosephASpadaro 20:32, 30 June 2007 (UTC))

Speaking of excessive fines, coincidentally this was in the news today (Virginia Begins $3,000 Traffic Ticket Fines): [14] (JosephASpadaro 18:03, 1 July 2007 (UTC))

learning ability in educational vs casual setting

May be its a personal experience, why is it that one is able to learn and remember facts more easily when the subject does not belong to educational curriculum?. Why is it that learning ability goes down when preparing for the exam?

It's very much to do with personal interest. You learn things you're interested in far more easily. If you're more interested in facts about your favourite band or sports trivia than your current history or science topic at school, then you'll be more engaged with the subject, your mind won't drift off onto other 'more interesting' things, and you will remember things more easily. Same as you'll tend to more easily learn subjects in formal education that you find interesting than those you're bored by. That's the main reason for the (at times misguided and counterproductive) push for student engagement in education. Also of importance is the level of knowledge and degree of accuracy expected, which can be far higher in formal education, and therefore harder to attain.

Re the second question, learning ability could seem to go down when preparing for exams for several reasons, e.g., trying to learn too much in too short a time period, unfocussed approach to learning or revision as opposed to during formal classes, tiredness at the end of a long semester, and simple fear and panic about the looming exam deadline. --jjron 19:03, 30 June 2007 (UTC)

Thank you very much for your answer. This is a difficult question: how to create/increase intrest?

You're welcome. Are you actually asking this now as a second question? If so, it could be taken in two ways - how can the educational institution or teacher create/increase interest, or how can the student do so.

For the first interpretation, as I said above, there is a push for schools/teachers, etc to act on increasing student engagement by, for example, using more engaging and a wider variety of teaching methods, or catering to student interests (for example by relating your maths topic to say a sporting interest). However, as I also said above, this can at times be misguided and counterproductive, and is certainly not always easy to do when teaching a class who themselves have a wide range of interests.

For the second interpretation, well that is largely a personal issue that the student must resolve for themself, although they could seek guidance. They could try to generate interest by, for example, looking to the long term benefits of what they are learning rather than the immediate seeming irrelevance. They could themselves try to relate topics to their own inherent interests rather than expecting the teacher to do this for them. Or they could concentrate on areas in formal education that do interest them (which is basis of the advice of careers counsellors, etc, that tell you to 'follow your heart', or however they may choose to word it, and not try to follow some course because your parents have told you to do it, because your friends are doing it, or because you think it will earn you a big pay packet in the end). --jjron 13:00, 1 July 2007 (UTC)

I agree with jjron. Therefore the problem for you--the student--is to develop an interest in the subject matter of the courses you are taking. First, I would suggest that you try to change what may be your basic attitude toward academic subjects--that by definition they are boring and irrelevant to "real" life. This is simply not the case--it is one of those unfortunate stereotypes that exists in popular culture. Second, find something on the subject matter that IS interesting. For example, if you are studying geography, find a travel book or an adventure book and follow the action on maps. If you are studying history, find a historical novel or movie that covers the period you are studying. It doesn't have to be accurate--just lively and interesting. If you are studying mathematics or logic, get a book of puzzles or brain teasers and start working on them. If you are studying biology, read a popular science book on the subject--like those by Dan Dennett or Richard Dawkins. If you are studying physical science, start reading hard science fiction. And so forth--you get the idea. It might be difficult to find something from popular culture that you both find interesting and is relevant to your course matter, but that's just the kind of thing the wikipedia reference desk is good at! Good luck!--Eriastrum 22:29, 1 July 2007 (UTC)

Vans

My white Vans slip-on shoes (thus made from fabric) are pretty dirty after it rained. Any idea on how to clean them? I'd prefer not to put them in the washing machine. Thanks, 86.150.29.74 17:25, 30 June 2007 (UTC)

• I always washed my white tennies by hand in a bucket filled with a warm,soapy solution,rinsed thoughoughly then hung on a line to dry.hotclaws 00:37, 1 July 2007 (UTC)

The Last Name Graves?

What can you tell me about it? --Kaia0 17:25, 30 June 2007 (UTC)

The Graves (surname) page says that it is of English origin, and lists a whole bunch of famous people with that last name. I couldn't find anything about the origin of the name (other than that it is English). I would guess that it comes from a profession related to graves, perhaps a gravedigger or the owner of a cemetery. --Tugbug 20:13, 30 June 2007 (UTC)

Ancestry.com claims that it is either a patronymic from the name Grave, meaning a steward, or a name given to anyone who lived on a patch of gravelly soil. [15] Laïka 22:08, 30 June 2007 (UTC)

It seems surprising - but surnames are often derived from such bizarre details as the nature of the soil one happened to live on. Many (perhaps most) English surnames date back to a very specific moment in history sometime beofre 1086 - when the Domesday book was created. The Kings men went around cataloging everything in sight- and demanding unambiguous names for people. If there were five guys in a particular village all called 'Steve' - they needed to know which one was which - so "Steve the Baker" (evidently some long lost ancestor of mine!) was forced to give his name in full and, being an unimaginative chap, said "Steve Baker" rather than "Steve Studmuffin"...probably a good thing really. Hence, lots of names do relate to occupations - and in the event of two farmers being called "Steve", you might well end up being "Steve, that guy who farms the gravelly land over there"...hence (with a few dozen generations of misspellings) "Steve Graves". You can still see the same process in action in parts of Wales where in some small communities there are a lot of people with identical names - so you'll hear "Jones the Post" is the postman and "Jones the Bread" runs the bread shop. These come very close to adding a third part to people's names. SteveBaker 01:53, 1 July 2007 (UTC)

Question about cable television

I live in San Francisco, CA, and I currently have analogue cable television service and I split the line and have it go to 3 televisions in my house. Comcast is my cable provider in this area. I'm getting an HDTV next week, and I'd like to get HDTV programming. My questions are:

1) If I want to do it through Comcast, do I have to upgrade my service to some kind of digital service, and also add HD service? What would the price difference be compared to my analogue service?

2) If I do have to upgrade to digital and get those set top boxes from Comcast, would I have to get one for each TV? Or could my old TVs still receive the analogue signal?

3) Is it worth the hassle to try to get over the air HDTV channels or should I just do it through Comcast? Thanks. --Rc251dc 19:55, 30 June 2007 (UTC)

[[www.comcast.com] can tell you everything about prices. Comcast digital service can be used with a set top box supplying the signal to one set and another set directly connected to the cable at another location in the house, with a one-time fee for Comcast to install the splitter and outlet. They would charge more money for an upgraded set top box to provide HD service (I do not yet have HD). Can't comment on over the air versus cable HD, except that with cable HD you would have many more channels of movies etc available in HD than the plain vanilla broadcasts of the over the air. I think (depending on location) that you would need a decent antenna to get HD. HD as a digital signal would probably be there or not there at all, and would not just be present with snow, ghosts, interference, etc like analog TV. If I owned an HD receiver I would pay for the cable service, because I like the on-demand features and the premium programming, and the pay per view movies. Edison 20:22, 30 June 2007 (UTC)

Precision shot from 2200 yards

In the film Shooter, starring Mark Wahlberg, the Archbishop of Ethiopia is assassinated by a sniper from about 2200 yards. In real life, is it possible to hit a human sized target with a .50 caliber sniper rifle from a distance of 2200 yards? Thanks. Acceptable 19:56, 30 June 2007 (UTC)

http://usmilitary.about.com/od/armyweapons/a/m107.htm - which comes out to about 2188 Ft. So yes, it would be possible, although it would probably take a good marksman --_ʇuǝɯɯoɔɐqǝɟ 20:07, 30 June 2007 (UTC)

You mean yards, not feet, right? Friday (talk) 20:11, 30 June 2007 (UTC)

Thanks for catching that --_ʇuǝɯɯoɔɐqǝɟ 20:14, 30 June 2007 (UTC)

The Fifty Caliber Shooter's Association has competitions including 1000 yard shooting. 2200 yards is very very long range, and most competitions don't go that far. It can be difficult to find a suitable place for such extreme long range shooting. I was hoping to find legitimate distance records for comparison, and there may be some out there, but I don't know where. .50 BMG is well known for its extreme long range ability. My guess is, while far from easy, such a long shot isn't impossible either. I don't have a good reference to try to guess exactly how hard it would be, though. Competitions generally include way more than one shot, so it may be difficult to guess how hard it would be to hit with a single shot. Friday (talk) 20:10, 30 June 2007 (UTC)

Oh, I did some further researching and found that the longest confirmed sniper kill was by a Canadian sniper in Afghanistan from a range of over 2,600 yards. So I guess it is possible. Acceptable 20:39, 30 June 2007 (UTC)

If the bullet will actually go that far with enough energy left to kill someone - then it's not so much a matter of whether the shot is possible so much as the probability of making it on the first try. Even a totally useless shot (like me for example) will occasionally hit what they are aiming for by pure chance - even the best marksman will miss occasionally when things conspire against him and he can only take a single shot. So the question for the movie (and let's all remember "It's Only A Movie"!) is would the character be able to base his actions on the assumption that he would hit the target on the first try over that distance. If the chances were only 10% - then probably he'd work harder to get closer - if the chances were 50/50 then maybe he'd make sure that he'd catch the victim in a situation where he could take several shots to ensure a hit - and if the chances were 90% likely, then he might well take that to be "good enough". But it's never a definite thing so if you want to debate the realities of the movie, you might want to ask "What were the motivations of the character to take such a large risk of missing rather than choosing a more promising position?". SteveBaker 01:38, 1 July 2007 (UTC)

the motivation was to frame the one person who had the ability, opportunity and potential motive. Corvus cornix 03:12, 1 July 2007 (UTC)

Well, in the movie no actual person made the shot, but that's another issue... ;-) Boy, that was a dumb movie, in any case... --24.147.86.187 16:16, 1 July 2007 (UTC)

According to this article .50 caliber rifles are accurate up to about 2000 yards and the bullets travels at 4000 feet per second. So yes 2200 yards would be very possible for a trained sniper. I once spoke to an experienced shooter about this subject and his opinion was that for distances like this, you would have to take wind and gravity into consideration. One would have to aim slightly higher than the target, or adjust the scopes on the rifle for the conditions. Sandman30s 20:03, 1 July 2007 (UTC)

With a rifle, at extreme range you elevate the rear site, so the bullet goes up at a steeper angle than for a normal shot, and naturally comes down at a steeper angle when it reaches the target. Thus it has a greater chance of missing a standing person than a bullet in a flatter trajectory. Also, it will strike with lower velocity, and it will be acted on more by wind, and the target has more likelihood of moving between the trigger squeeze and the impact. If it went 2000 even at the initial velocity of 4000 feet/second, the target would have to hold very still to get hit 1.5 seconds later. If the target saw the muzzle flash, he would have time to take a step to the right and make a rude gesture to the shooter before the bulet reached him. Of course the shooter could anticipate that and aim where he anticipates the target will move. The old advice to zig-zag unpredictably makes some sense. 23:32, 1 July 2007 (UTC)Edison

These types of rifles typically have a flash inhibitor, so the target would not be able to see the flash. It also serves to absorb the impact of the recoil. Remember if the bullet has to take 1.5 seconds to reach the target, it would have fallen at the rate of 10 metres/second, so it would be more than 15 metres of drop given there would be some acceleration towards eventual terminal velocity. Drop an object in front of you and imagine how far it would fall in 1.5 seconds - the bullet would also drop at the same rate. Knowing this, the sniper would aim (or set his scope) more than 15 metres above the target. Other conditions such as crosswinds and humidity would also factor into the scopes. The sniper would have to have help calculating speed and direction of wind, like a golfer's caddy. With all of these complications, it would be astonishing that he hits his target at first attempt, given also that people don't keep "dead" still especially political targets who are told to keep moving and are surrounded by guards. Sandman30s 11:17, 2 July 2007 (UTC)

Sniper team

In a US Army/Marine Corp/Navy 2-man sniper team, who is the leader of the team; the sniper or the spotter? Thanks. Acceptable 20:44, 30 June 2007 (UTC)

The spotter is. He/She also provides other info., especially about the weather, such as wind velocity, which will affect the round travelling to its target. 205.240.144.225 07:18, 1 July 2007 (UTC)

But Howstuffworks has an article on sniping [[16]] and it says that the sniper is. I have also read sources that confirm your response. This is confusing. Acceptable 15:29, 2 July 2007 (UTC)

Hi, I shoot small bore rifle using a Club rifle. I know that to adjust the sights for my eyesight and style I need to click left twice and once down. That makes the sights move just enough to allow me to aim for the bull and hit it.86.219.35.208 16:13, 3 July 2007 (UTC)JP

cannibalism

Is there any truth in cannibalism in Pilcher Inn in Poughkeepsie New York?69.21.24.125 20:47, 30 June 2007 (UTC)

It was a long time ago, so it would be hard to pin the facts down accurately. I found this web page with the general outlines of the story. Make of it what you will. —Steve Summit (talk) 21:09, 30 June 2007 (UTC)

mud rubbed baseballs

How many Baseballs are used by MLB during a season? 76.116.36.108 21:02, 30 June 2007 (UTC)

According to this, about 160 000. - Akamad 00:58, 1 July 2007 (UTC)

And supposedly they all get rubbed with mud from the Mississippi River. Edison 23:25, 1 July 2007 (UTC)

Publication

To acquire 110th congressional directory, loose leaf
— Preceding unsigned comment added by 70.243.237.14 (talk • contribs) 21:15, 30 June 2007 (UTC)

Opium/Morphine/Heroin

I've read all the articles on all three but was unable to find my answer. What are the differences between Opium, Morphine and Heroin? Do they not all use the same Morphine base for their recreational abuse? Which of the three costs more on the street? Thanks. Acceptable 23:54, 30 June 2007 (UTC)

Opium is the raw sap that oozes out of immature opium poppy seed pods that have been intentionally bruised. Morphine is a pure chemical compound, one of several psychoactive compounds that are present in opium. Heroin, also known as diacetylmorphine, is a different pure chemical compound; it is not present in opium but is produced by chemical modification of morphine. The main effects of both morphine and heroin on the human brain take place through the same molecule, the mu opioid receptor, so the effects are similar. In fact, our article heroin claims that heroin is rapidly metabolized into morphine in the brain, and that it is the resulting morphine that is responsible for the effects. The effect of opium is also largely similar, since morphine is its dominant psychoactive component. --mglg_(talk) 02:12, 1 July 2007 (UTC)

Actually, according to a peer-reviewed report on emedicine.com [17], heroin differs from morphine in many ways:

• Heroin is (gram for gram) three to five times as potent as morphine.
• Heroin gives a more intense euphoria (and greater relief from pain) than morphine, but its half-life is shorter.
• Unlike what our article claims, this article claims that heroin isn't metabolized directly into morphine: it's metabolized by various organs (but primarily by the liver, not the brain) into a chemical called 6-monoacetylmorphine, or 6-MAM, which over a period of time is metabolized by the liver and brain into morphine. The morphine is then metabolized, again primarily by the liver, and excreted both in the bile and in the urine.

• Incidentally, this is why heroin is never taken orally: if you swallow heroin, it passes through the stomach membrane into the Hepatic portal vein system where it's metabolized into 6-MAM on the first pass, so none of the heroin reaches the brain unchanged. 6-MAM doesn't give you as much of a euphoric high as heroin, nor is it as good of a pain reliever. If you inject it, most of the heroin will reach the brain untouched because it won't go through the liver before reaching the brain.

• Heroin is still used in many countries to relieve pain in the terminally ill, especially in cancer patients. --Charlene 06:11, 2 July 2007 (UTC)

Two Mammary intercourse questions

• Why is it called an intercourse being an outercourse?
• What about its parallel "bottom cheek sex"? As yet, this practice is fully ignored in Wikipedia, but why? --Thick Peter 23:59, 30 June 2007 (UTC)

(deleted anon comment which broke WP:NPA -- Marnanel)

Presumably on the mistaken assumption that it's outside rather than inside, whereas "inter" means between (two people). While BCS may appear to be ignored by Wikipedia, it is not ignored by we Wikipedians. It is just that no one has yet found language that can do full justice to an essentially sensuous experience. Rather than waste time referring to an encyclopedia to discover what strawberries and cream tastes like, go visit the supermarket. You are in for a treat.--Mrs Wibble-Wobble 11:52, 1 July 2007 (UTC)

Your statement does not give chapter in what way BCS would be, from that point of view, different to any of the sexual practices currently described here. --Thick Peter 12:57, 1 July 2007 (UTC)

I think perhaps you have an overly-restricted idea of the word "intercourse". The word "intercourse" meaning "sex" was first recorded in 1798, but "sexual intercourse" is a natural development of its primary meaning "dealings or communications between persons or groups" (American Heritage Dictionary), and at a basic level, then, merely means "sexual dealings between persons or groups". Given the dominant phallocentricism of our culture, especially over the last few centuries, it was unsurprising that it would come to be defined more narrowly as an insertive sexual act (oral, anal, or vaginal intercourse), and that we would have to come up with a word for all the other things people are creative enough to come up with when they're horny. The word "outercourse" was a useful coinage, but it only dates back to 1990 (and you should possibly note that even fellatio and cunnilingus are counted as outercourse by the American Heritage Dictionary). So don't think that the phrase "mammary intercourse" (or "axilliary intercourse" or whatever) is necessarily wrong merely because it doesn't map to a system someone made up in 1990. People have been doing it for much longer than that. Marnanel 15:07, 1 July 2007 (UTC)

Thx, I'll add this info in Outercourse. If anyone has an idea what to write about BCS, it won't do bad. --Thick Peter 16:29, 2 July 2007 (UTC)

July 1

Space Invaders!

I was just wondering what the copyright situation is vis-a-vis the image of the invader, anyone know?

This is the one Wikipedia has up at the Space Invaders article:

Isometric Version of Alien in Second Row

I'm not talking about the copyright of this image specifically but just the invader image generally. Can use it however I like or is that a sure-fire way to have Taito's lawyers to destroy my soul? - Pyro19 04:08, 1 July 2007 (UTC)

What're you talkin' about? Everybody knows Torontonians have no souls. Clarityfiend 04:18, 1 July 2007 (UTC)

Pshaw! It doesn't matter anyways, when the world revolves around you, you don't need a soul. - Pyro19 05:07, 1 July 2007 (UTC)

I imagine anything you can use it for now would be considered a pop culture reference, parody, etc. but We cannot give legal advice. Why don't you just call them or email them and ask? --_ʇuǝɯɯoɔɐqǝɟ 12:32, 1 July 2007 (UTC)

"Pop culture reference" is not a category of fair use and parody has some pretty stringent standards (you'd have to be parodying "Space Invaders" specifically, not something else). Calling a company's lawyer to ask about copyright is a sure way to get the most conservative answer possible, not necessarily the most useful or correct one. --24.147.86.187 16:14, 1 July 2007 (UTC)

Taito's lawyers would certainly claim that they had copyright and/or trademark over the general block design of the "invaders" from Space Invaders. That particular image is probably a copyright infringement — you can no more legally re-draw and re-use the space invader than you can Mickey Mouse. --24.147.86.187 16:12, 1 July 2007 (UTC)

Ah, that's too bad but no biggie. Thanks for the help. - Pyro19 17:34, 1 July 2007 (UTC)

Re.: Coast To Coast Question :

[Question moved to Wikipedia talk:Reference desk. —Steve Summit (talk) 04:46, 1 July 2007 (UTC)]

Wikipedia: Accolades

How does one PRAISE Wikipedia for being really efficient, etc. ? Any suggestions ? 205.240.144.225 05:13, 1 July 2007 (UTC)

Contribute to articles that need work :D. Splintercellguy 07:04, 1 July 2007 (UTC)

Or contribute some money. -- Finlay McWalter | Talk 12:39, 1 July 2007 (UTC)

If you are a journalist or write articles for anything, write an accurate article explaining that, despite its inaccuracies and other faults, Wikipedia is a Good Thing.

If you notice that an article has just been nicely improved (or written for the first time), figure out who did the work and leave a note of thanks on their talk page. —Steve Summit (talk) 12:43, 1 July 2007 (UTC)

Or, I suppose, ask the question you just did, which implicitly contains the praise you were asking about, to which I say -- we all say --: Thanks! And you're welcome! —Steve Summit (talk) 14:59, 1 July 2007 (UTC)

There are a wide range of awards you can give away to individual people who have done especially good work - you can see a bunch of them on: WP:STAR, Wikipedia:Other awards, Wikipedia:WikiProject Awards, WP:AWARDS. SteveBaker 17:53, 1 July 2007 (UTC)

amor leopards

What is the difference between a snow leopard and a amor leopard? And where do amor leopards live?Bunz083 06:07, 1 July 2007 (UTC)

Have you read Snow Leopard and Amur Leopard? Clarityfiend 06:49, 1 July 2007 (UTC)

And watch Planet Earth - one of the most amazing TV programmes ever produced, and featuring both animals. Batmanand | Talk 12:52, 2 July 2007 (UTC)

Mosques and Carpets

Why are mosques carpeted? And why is it necessary for a Muslim to kneel on a carpet when he is praying to Allah? Was it always so ever since Muhammed?

Prayer mat and Salah explains some of this. -- Finlay McWalter | Talk 12:37, 1 July 2007 (UTC)

A local radio station had a segment the other day called "Ask a Muslim" where people called in to ask questions of a Muslim political leader (actually the local head of CAIR). One of the questions was about prayer rugs and facing Mecca, and the responder said that you don't HAVE to use a prayer rug, but any clean space will do. Corvus cornix 20:12, 1 July 2007 (UTC)

Timeline

I just need a timeline showing major events, starting from as far back as you want

how about this? JoshHolloway 14:21, 1 July 2007 (UTC)

Ok but i want it to go back a bit further

Wikipedia has a big list of timelines. Take your pick.--Shantavira|^{feed me} 16:04, 1 July 2007 (UTC)

none of them are speciffically what i want

You want to start far back? How about this one? Or, if you are serious about it, this one? 71.146.163.236 17:31, 1 July 2007 (UTC)

Try this. - Pyro19 17:36, 1 July 2007 (UTC)

Prime Minister Gordon Brown

I was reading the Wiki Biography of the new UK PM in which he is said to have lost the sight of an eye as a result of a Rugby accident in his youth. But I was not sure from the article whether he ever recovered the sight of his eye, or just managed to avoid losing the sight of both his eyes whilst hospitalised in Edinburgh. In brief then, is he blind in one eye still?

He lost the eye completely; he now has one real eye and one glass eye. [18] Laïka 18:18, 1 July 2007 (UTC)

topics for mechanical engineering research

im a mechanical engineering student, and we are required to have an applied research. what topic on mechanical engineering can i utilize for my research to solve certain everyday problems of people or the industry?

What technical areea would you like to learn more about, or what area of practice are you interested in after you graduate? You need to choose something you will find interesting and/or something that you can talk about when you do a job interview/ and/or something which will be a tryout to see if you would like to have a career in it. We cannot tell you to design a bridge/do nondestructive testing/do CAD, without knowing more than what you provided. Edison 23:23, 1 July 2007 (UTC)

Try solving the real needs of people in the developed world, say rural Africa or India. The SuperMoneyMaker pump (I can't believe we don't have an article about that) really changes lives, and the genius of it is that it works well and can be built and repaired, cheaply, in a developing world workshop. So maybe:

• a vehicle that allows small farmers or agricultural cooperatives to transport goods to market thirty miles away over poor roads. Is an unsprung oxcart or a trailer behind a bicycle really the best that can be done. Perhaps something built with bike technology, powered by two men, could deliver useful loads safely and with some speed, and free up the ox for plowing.
• an engine (and/or generator) that runs, with reasonable efficiency, on a variety of locally produced fuels (dried agricultural waste, animal dung, wood chippings)

-- Finlay McWalter | Talk 00:24, 2 July 2007 (UTC)

With respect to the last suggestion, see Steam engine. It's already been done. Edison 03:23, 2 July 2007 (UTC)

July 2

London Banks or Finance Companies

07:21, 2 July 2007 (UTC)07:21, 2 July 2007 (UTC)~~Does Guaranty Private Credit Bank located at Guaranty Building, London WC1B, 1XD, UK exist? And further does Dr. Bruce Haggins work for them? Thank you.

A google search did not find them (only questions about their alleged existence). The spelling of "guaranty" is unlikely in England. Personally, I would run a million miles from a bank which claims to be in Britain but seems not even to have a basic web-presence. DuncanHill 12:43, 2 July 2007 (UTC)

As for "Bruce Haggins" his name crops up in relation to fraudulaent lottery schemes, see this link for more info Fraudwatchers web forum DuncanHill 12:46, 2 July 2007 (UTC)

Mansion Floorplan

I'm trying to write something involving a big, slightly haunted house, but I've discovered I don't actually know how they work. What kind of layout is used inside a large, two- or three-story house? What rooms go where, and what do they look like? Black Carrot 07:27, 2 July 2007 (UTC)

An ordinary house, that is, not a house of horrors. The kind of thing some old rich guy with a large collection of something (statues, pottery, paintings, something like that) might own. Black Carrot 07:29, 2 July 2007 (UTC)

Try searching on google for something like '"floor plan" mansion'? In the UK www.rightmove.co.uk often has floor plans included in the details especially for larger houses. Best to choose an area in england outside London (for example Norfolk) and look at the most expensive houses in the area. Or you could google for "country house", which often means a country mansion in British English. If this is going to be in a historical setting you could also have a look at Mrs Beatons cookery book which includes extensive details of how to treat the servants etc but not any floorplans. 80.2.205.119 09:33, 2 July 2007 (UTC)

ER SIGNS

WHAT DOES THE ER SIGNS SHOWN ON MOST OF THE UNIFORMS WORN BY THE QUEENS SOLDIERS MEANS.

ER stands for "Elizabeth Regina" (which means "Queen Elizabeth"). It is also written as EIIR, to mean "Queen Elizabeth the Second". You will see a similar badge on police uniforms and post boxes. DuncanHill 08:42, 2 July 2007 (UTC)

Do they replace all those metal mailboxes when there is a new monarch? The letters appeared to be molded into the metal, not just stuck on. Edison 16:06, 2 July 2007 (UTC)

No. There are still some in my area that still have GR or VR on them. --80.229.152.246 16:09, 2 July 2007 (UTC)

I though 'Elizabeth Regina' stood for 'Elizabeth Reigns'? 88.109.232.152 16:59, 3 July 2007 (UTC)

No. The English word "reign" happens to be derived from the Latin word "regnum", which is related to the words "rex" (king) and "regina" (queen). But the R in ER is definitely Regina = queen. -- JackofOz 21:38, 3 July 2007 (UTC)

Native Systems of Writing to Latinized Transliterations

Hello. I often use Altavista's babelfish to translate words from one language to another, but one problem I encounter is with those languages that do not use a Latin based Alphabet such as Russian or Chinese. Is there some site or process I can use to translate in this manner?

For example, I was trying to figure out what the Chinese would call an Eagle or bird of prey. I took the translation from Babelfish (老鹰) and searched for that article on the Chinese wikipedia, which I then translated as an entire webpage with Babelfish again. All that told me, though, was that the characters that mean Eagle are apparently "Shape" and "Item" and not how to pronounce 老鹰.

Can anyone help me figure out a way to translate in this manner? Thank you. --Demonesque 08:48, 2 July 2007 (UTC)

If you are looking up Japanese, you can use something like rikaichan to see the hiragana it is composed of. I know there's a website that performs a similar service, but I forgot what it was. Keep in mind though that a Chinese character could have multiple pronunciations- at least the Japanese version. Babelfish however is an incredibly inaccurate translation- you would be much better off finding a forum where a bunch of people either know or are learning Chinese, and ask them. For all you know, Babelfish's result for Great Win is Elephant. If you're really curious, you should learn the language yourself- so you know how accurate your translations are --_ʇuǝɯɯoɔɐqǝɟ 10:22, 2 July 2007 (UTC)

The problem with that, however, is that I am writing a novel that has heavy elements of multiculturalism. I need to know translations for certain words from all sorts of different languages. I cannot possibly learn every major world language, but nor can I rely on seeking someone out every time I need a word translated; so I was hoping to find a site that could do it for me. I am aware that Babelfish is inaccurate, but it's the best I can do without people helping me with research and editing. Do you have any tips or suggestions for finding forums such as the kind you mentioned? That would be a wonderful resource to have. --Demonesque 10:31, 2 July 2007 (UTC)

How about Pinyin and Romaji? --antilived^{T | C | G} 12:57, 2 July 2007 (UTC)

I wouldn't say it's not possible. Polyglots do it all the time. If you don't have a human knowledge of something, your best bet would probably be translated works, such as fansubs. Maybe some dictionaries. --_ʇuǝɯɯoɔɐqǝɟ 14:10, 2 July 2007 (UTC)

Adsotrans.com will romanise Chinese text using the pinyin system, which is the standard Mandarin pronunciation (the default setting needs you to hover your mouse over the Chinese characters to see the meaning and pronunciation). Presumably there are similar websites for different languages. Ironfrost 03:03, 3 July 2007 (UTC)

Out very own Language reference desk has many linguists proficient with different languages. There really is no substitute for real translators if you want accuracy. — Shinhan < talk > 11:29, 3 July 2007 (UTC)

I'm not sure why Babelfish told you those characters were "shape" and "item", since they actually mean "old" and "falcon" when translated individually. One website for simple translations from Chinese is zhongwen.com. Zhongwen will also give you the pinyin transcription of many characters. Be careful, though: many letters in pinyin don't indicate the same sounds they do in English. And also there's much more to translation than just looking up individual words in a dictionary. -- The Photon 16:41, 4 July 2007 (UTC)

International text messaging

Living in the UK, I would like to send a text message to the US. I have their number, beginning with 1 (country code), then another three digits (assuming area code?), then finally 7 digits after (actual cell phone number, I assume). When sending the text message to this number, I just receive a failed message. So, I added 00 to the beginning (as this is the code you enter when *phoning* internationally), but it still failed. Any idea what I have got to do? (PS: With Orange network, if that matters ¬_¬). Thanks, 81.132.208.111 11:29, 2 July 2007 (UTC)

Try using the + symbol at the start of the number instead of the 00, so that if you are texting, say "1 123 1234567" you would enter "+1 123 1234567" DuncanHill 12:52, 2 July 2007 (UTC)

Since 00 is the code for international dialling, I think it's unlikely that substituting + in its place will make much difference. I think the problem is more likely to be related to compatibility between cellphone networks/protocols. I used to try texting people all the time in the US and it never worked. Texting (or SMS, if you must) is not such a big deal in the US as it is in Europe. --Richardrj ^{talk email} 13:04, 2 July 2007 (UTC)

A large percentage of North Americans don't even know SMS exists. According to Telus, only about 5% of their customers over 21 use it regularly, and only 25% have ever used it. --Charlene 06:46, 3 July 2007 (UTC)

How many grains of sand are there on all the beaches on Earth?

How would one estimate the number of grains on all the beaches in the world? Had a pub bet with a friend - I guessed 10²⁰, he guessed 10¹⁶. Batmanand | Talk 12:50, 2 July 2007 (UTC)

More than the number of atoms in the universe. Wait, wait, no, that's not right. I'm thinking of something else --_ʇuǝɯɯoɔɐqǝɟ 13:41, 2 July 2007 (UTC)

I think you mean more than the number of stars in our galaxy? [19] estimates somewhere between 10²⁰ and 10²⁴. Not a particularly reliable source but it's all i've got at the moment. This might include deserts and not just beaches. So you're looking at less. I think you're closer than your friend, though. 213.48.15.234 14:32, 2 July 2007 (UTC)

Of course it's more than the stars in our galaxy which is in the order of 100's of millions. I think the famous comparison is the one that states there are more galaxies in our visible universe than the number of grains of sand of all the beaches on earth. Or is that stars in the universe? :) Sandman30s 14:52, 2 July 2007 (UTC)

Found a more in depth source. Looking at only beaches [20] (about half way down the page) seems to calculate it at around 10²¹. Plus he shows some working. Still not exactly reliable, but you're not going to get accurate measurements :) 213.48.15.234 14:35, 2 July 2007 (UTC)

This page estimates the number of grains of sand in all the world's beaches as 7.5x10¹⁸, and it shows its working. This page estimates 10¹⁵ grains per mile of beach. Gandalf61 14:46, 2 July 2007 (UTC)

Actually, this page shows the answer as 10²³. Sandman30s 14:57, 2 July 2007 (UTC)

... although if you read the page it links to you find that the actual estimate is between 6x10²¹ and 6x10²², so I'm not sure where our article gets 10²³ from. Gandalf61 15:15, 2 July 2007 (UTC)

If I understood high school maths correctly, I think 6x10²² is between 1x10²² and 1x10²³ so the article contributor rounded it off to the next order of magnitude. Not sure how that linked page got to the "6x" - it seems quite an arbitrary thing to estimate. Sandman30s 20:13, 2 July 2007 (UTC)

6.023 gazillion. Edison 16:05, 2 July 2007 (UTC)

Apparently there are more molecules in a glass of water that grains of sand on the earth. Assuming a glass contains 2 or 3 moles of water, that would mean that the number would be less than 2 or 3 times $6.02\times 10^{23}$

MHDIV ɪŋglɪʃnɜː(r)d(Suggestion?|wanna chat?) 16:10, 2 July 2007 (UTC)

Nameless, faceless guard types?

Is there a term for nameless/faceless soldiers/guards in things like film and video games? Things like Stormtroopers, and the guards from FF12 -__ʇuǝɯɯoɔɐqǝɟ 14:06, 2 July 2007 (UTC)

Good question, "heavies" springs to mind, as does "cannon-fodder" (heavies when they are dishing it out, cannon fodder when they are on the receiving end). DuncanHill 14:09, 2 July 2007 (UTC)

Grunts? Batmanand | Talk 14:27, 2 July 2007 (UTC)

Yep, I would go with Grunts. Commanders refer to them as maggots in movies sometimes. --GTPoompt(talk) 15:13, 2 July 2007 (UTC)

Red shirts  :) Corvus cornix 16:07, 2 July 2007 (UTC)

Red Shirts have names... and faces... --_ʇuǝɯɯoɔɐqǝɟ

Droids 80.0.135.176 17:00, 2 July 2007 (UTC)

• Goons (but not Neddy)hotclaws 00:30, 3 July 2007 (UTC)

Yes, goons is it. DuncanHill 00:36, 3 July 2007 (UTC)

More specifically, does anyone know of these types? Things where the armor is heavy enough that it entirely conceals the person's identity. Thinking about making something for halloween --_ʇuǝɯɯoɔɐqǝɟ 02:03, 3 July 2007 (UTC)

My sister has friends in the small workshop who made the stormtrooper uniforms for Star Wars. A group of the guys made themselves stormtrooper costumes for a fancy dress party. Sadly none of them was the standard clone shape, so they were all "a little short" or some variant on the theme.SaundersW 07:52, 3 July 2007 (UTC)

Unusual Laws

Further to the earlier question.... the UK introduced non-smoking laws on July 1. One section deals with private homes, which are only covered if a Council official enters. Then they at once become no smoking areas. So an Englishman's home is no longer his castle.90.4.125.25 14:46, 2 July 2007 (UTC)DT

Do you have a reliable source for this ? The FAQ at the Smokefree web site says "The the smokefree law does not apply to private dwellings and private residential spaces, except for parts of dwellings used solely as a place of work by more than one person" and The Smoke-free (Exemptions and Vehicles) Regulations 2007 says that private accommodation is exempt from the regulations. Gandalf61 15:04, 2 July 2007 (UTC)

An Englishman's home was never his castle. It's not like you can do drugs, commit murder or commit fraud - as long as you are in your own home. Batmanand | Talk 15:15, 2 July 2007 (UTC)

It sounds like a joke conclusion someone reached, based on it outlawing smoking in workplaces. Given that smoking is still allowed in prisons, with a cell being considered a private dwelling (or some such) rather than the workplace of the wardens, I doubt the interpretation you describe would apply. Skittle 15:29, 2 July 2007 (UTC)

In fact, The Smoke-free (Exemptions and Vehicles) Regulations 2007 specifically allows such things.

Private accommodation 3. —(1) A private dwelling is not smoke-free except for any part of it which is—

(a) used in common in relation to more than one set of premises (including premises so used in relation to any other private dwelling or dwellings); or

(b) used solely as a place of work (other than work that is excluded by paragraph (2)) by—

(i) more than one person who does not live in the dwelling;

(ii) a person who does not live in the dwelling and any person who does live in the dwelling; or

(iii) a person (whether he lives in the dwelling or not) who in the course of his work invites persons who do not live or work in the dwelling to attend the part of it which is used solely for work.

(2) There is excluded from paragraph (1)(b) all work that is undertaken solely—

(a) to provide personal care for a person living in the dwelling;

(b) to assist with the domestic work of the household in the dwelling;

(c) to maintain the structure or fabric of the dwelling; or

(d) to install, maintain or remove any service provided to the dwelling for the benefit of persons living in it.

If you follow that thread, it specifically avoids classing a private dwelling as smoke free just because someone has to do building work, or tell you the gas has been cut off. Skittle 15:39, 2 July 2007 (UTC)

The UK didn't introduce a smoking ban on July 1st, England did - the other constituent countries all introduced their respective bans earlier. And it's not the same set of restrictions, either. For example, interview rooms in police stations in Scotland are exempted (ref) but their equivalents in England aren't. -- Finlay McWalter | Talk 23:12, 2 July 2007 (UTC)

I think what the questioner is referring too is that, possibly inspired by the smoking ban and health and safety concerns, a specific council (Liverpool) the council requested that smokers don't smoke for up to half an hour before a council employee visits. The BBC news story is here [21]. This is not related to the smoking ban and is only a request, there is no power to enforce it I think. Cyta 07:24, 3 July 2007 (UTC)

Yes. It seems it was a joke. But it is far from a joke when the Trades Union Council recommend that non-smoking be negotiated with homeowners otherwise a unionised person may not visit. The argument is that the visitor needs protection from second-hand smoke. See www.smokefreeengland.co.uk/faq/exemptions.html86.219.35.208 16:11, 3 July 2007 (UTC)DT

And? People have a right to choose not to work in conditions that will endanger their health. You can't force someone to carry out work in your house, and if your house is unpleasant to work in they may choose not to. If the union makes such a decision (and its members support it), they will just be doing this en mass. Skittle 19:14, 3 July 2007 (UTC)

It's not at all unreasonable for the Liverpool council to ask for that. It's known that second hand smoke is a health risk. If one of their employees is required to visit the homes of smokers then it is quite certain that their health will suffer - perhaps in very small ways - but their probability of getting lung related diseases is increased by the hazardous activity. It follows that it's only a matter of time until these people start to sue for industrial injury rights - and at that point the council is in a nasty little dilemma. It is required by law to provide these services to the public - and yet it's also required by law to take action to protect employees from industrial injury - so it naturally follows that it should make a very public effort to minimise risk to employees in order that it can produce evidence that they've taken every reasonable action to protect their staff. If they did not do so in full knowledge of the health hazard then one might argue for a negligance case. So I imagine they are very serious indeed about this. SteveBaker 20:31, 3 July 2007 (UTC)

Fireworks (for agricultural use)

I saw a report on the news yesterday that talked about how (in Florida) it is against the law to purchase really big fireworks unless you sign a paper stating that you will only use them "for agricultural use." Naturally that raises a question: WTF? How do you use fireworks for agricultural use? To scare off flies that are bothering your horses or what? Recury 17:24, 2 July 2007 (UTC)

Possibly to scare off deer from eating your crops. Another way to do this would be to use a deer cannon. (Don't know if we have an article for that one...) Dismas|^(talk) 18:02, 2 July 2007 (UTC)

Bird scarer might cover it. DuncanHill 18:05, 2 July 2007 (UTC)

It has the same use, guess I'll throw in a redirect. Thanks, Dismas|^(talk) 18:19, 2 July 2007 (UTC)

Yes, Oregon says agricultural fireworks are used "to control birds and predatory animals that are injurious to crops".--Pharos 00:48, 3 July 2007 (UTC)

You can also (in theory/folklore) use a natural gas cannon to prevent a hailstorm, so perhaps a suitably large bottle rocket could do the same? --TotoBaggins 21:07, 2 July 2007 (UTC)

Hand-held computer game from the 80s

I used to own a hand-held computer game in early 80s UK and I would like to know if anyone else remembers it, and if there's anything about it on the web. It was a cartridge-based affair, with a number of different games available. It had the name Blockbuster, but i can't remember if that was the name of the whole system or just that of the cartridge that it came shipped with, which was a variation on the standard game where you had to break through walls brick by brick with a moving ball, which you had to keep in play by batting it up. It was a long, clunky thing with a very small (2" sq) LCD display. Anyone else remember it? Many thanks. Blockbuster is a disambiguation page which doesn't help, btw. --Richardrj ^{talk email} 18:44, 2 July 2007 (UTC)

According to this page [22] Blockbuster was a game on a console called a "Microvision". You'll need to scroll down to find comments about Blockbuster. DuncanHill 18:48, 2 July 2007 (UTC)

That's the one! Thanks very much. --Richardrj ^{talk email} 19:07, 2 July 2007 (UTC)

Saving Private Ryan Morphine

In the movie Saving Private Ryan, medics are seen giving shots of Morphine to injured and wounded soldiers, who then immediately dies. Why does morphine do this to one's body?Acceptable 19:39, 2 July 2007 (UTC)

I always thought that the morphine was to eliminate (or reduce) the pain and suffering of the patient. I think that the soldiers were in agonizing pain and were about to die regardless. That is, they did not die because of the morphine injection. (JosephASpadaro 19:44, 2 July 2007 (UTC))

I'd agree with Joseph, the morphine is given to ease the final moments of a fatally wounded comrade. DuncanHill 19:50, 2 July 2007 (UTC)

Morphine causes respiratory depression; large doses cause breathing to stop altogether (respiratory arrest) and death. In many such cases (more often in war movies than in real wars, I suspect) the medic gives the mortally wounded soldier an especially large dose - this gives him complete relief from pain at the expense of hastening his death. When pain is sufficiently severe effective analgesia is de facto euthanasia. -- Finlay McWalter | Talk 22:37, 2 July 2007 (UTC)

Is there any basis for supposing that the medics gave lethal doses, or just therapeutic doses to reduce the agony? Decrease stress and shock and prolong life? Edison 22:51, 2 July 2007 (UTC)

I definitely remember a scene in a movie can't remember which, and don't know if it is based in fact but doesn't sound unreasonable, someone received an obviously fatal massive and painful wound, like their bottom half was blown off, but wasn't unconscious and probably going to take hours to die in agony, the fellow soldiers each donated one of their three rationed morphine injections, up to ten or whatever which was a fatal dose, to put the wounded soldier out of their agony, like a euthanasia injection. Vespine 00:08, 3 July 2007 (UTC)

If the morphine shots were merely to reduce pain and not forcibly kill the soldiers, why did Sergeant Horvath in the movie, along with the rest of the soldiers, hestitate when Wade and Captain Miller asked them to inject Wade with the morphine? This seems to hint that the injection of morphine will lead to an unfortunate inevitability. Acceptable 02:31, 3 July 2007 (UTC)

Please, please, please remember "It's only a movie" - if it suits the needs of the plot or the emotion of the moment, the movie folks are very happy to bend, break or even reverse the facts! Saving Private Ryan is based very loosely on a true story - there really was an unfortunate mother of several sons - who lost all but one of them in combat - and there really was a team set out to bring that last son home. But all else is purest fiction. Attempting to infer anything about reality from what happened in the movie - or to place motives onto fictional characters using real world medical information - is completely futile. SteveBaker 04:48, 3 July 2007 (UTC)

See Niland Brothers, Sullivan brothers, and Sole Survivor Policy for the relevant articles on that. Although, SteveBaker is right, they have poetic license so-to-speak, the movie was also praised, from what I recall, for its accuracy in other matters. So bending the rules for this seems a bit out of place. How long would it take someone to die of a morphine overdose and how much would be needed though? That may help the suppositions here. Dismas|^(talk) 19:22, 3 July 2007 (UTC)

• If it's any help,overdosing junkies have been found with the needle still in their arm.hotclaws 23:06, 3 July 2007 (UTC)
  • Once, in a hospital , I had morphine before an operation. It was great, then followed cocaine sprayed in the sinuses (to reduce bleeding) nitrous oxide, and valium, for whatever reason. They were using a chisel to cut holes in my sinuses, and it probably hurt, but I didn't care in the least. I laughed all the way through it. Anesthesia is wonderful. This all counted as "local anesthesia" since I was not "put under" so there was less chance of death. Edison 05:54, 4 July 2007 (UTC)

No carriers based at Pearl Harbor?

I was looking at the list of Nimitz class carriers and was wondering why the navy has no carriers based at Pearl Harbor? Two carriers are in Washington state, two in San Diego and the Kitty Hawk in Yokosuka in Japan. Why not Pearl Harbor? --Blue387 21:42, 2 July 2007 (UTC)

One in Japan because they need one that far west. For the rest, people are going to tell you stuff about harbours being shallow or docks too short or about complex tradeoffs for steaming time to various potential trouble spots, or the costs of getting stuff to place X vs place Y. But you know the real reason - California sends 53 people to the House of Representatives, Washington sends 9, Hawaii sends 2, Guam doesn't send any. -- Finlay McWalter | Talk 22:11, 2 July 2007 (UTC)

"propaganda" song

Recently I saw a modern English language movie (a crime or thriller movie) set in a city in the present day US. The song that played through the opening credits (I think with shots of buildings) repeated, in a rather Stentorian manner, the lyric "PROPAGANDA!", sung in an accent that might be Turkish or Arabic. But I can't remember which movie, and I don't know which song. You just can't google for stuff like this - any ideas? -- Finlay McWalter | Talk 22:47, 2 July 2007 (UTC)

Try http://www.whatsthatcalled.com Corvus cornix 02:36, 3 July 2007 (UTC)

What is a "Rolling Chassis"?

I've been doing some preliminary searches, and have found references to this term in various locations (RC race cars, F1 race cars, etc.), but have not been able to find a definition of what a "Rolling Chassis" really is. Sounds like an easy one for one of you academic types, but in my limitted mental capacity, I just can't seem to track it down.

Many thanks,

Jorj. JorjKurious 23:30, 2 July 2007 (UTC)

I believe this refers to the complete car minus the powertrain. In some areas it's common for things to be sold this way, when they assume the purchaser will supply the extra needed stuff. Friday (talk) 23:05, 2 July 2007 (UTC)

Friday is basically right. I read about restorations of vehicles rather often and the term comes up quite a bit since one of my hobbies has to do with vehicles. It's basically the frame of the vehicle in question with the axles, wheels, and tires, and maybe some of the more important bits of the steering (to make it easier to move if so desired). It's literally just a chassis that rolls. Most times it does not include the body of the vehicle. Dismas|^(talk) 10:31, 3 July 2007 (UTC)

Re.: Unusual Laws

Here is the ISBN, other information that refers to a book that deals with unusual laws that are passed all over the world. This is LOONY LAWS...THAT YOU NEVER KNEW YOU WERE BREAKING, written by a Robert Wayne Pelton, ISBN is: 0-8041-0744-0. It talks about bizarre, crazy laws that are all over the planet. One good one is that, in Kansas city, MO., a kid can get a shotgun, but cannot get a toy cap gun. What, if any, articles, can this source concerning bizarre laws be placed ? 205.240.144.225 23:40, 2 July 2007 (UTC)

Our usual problem is that we have unsourced articles needing citations. We don't usually deal with the problem of uncited sources in search of articles. So I wouldn't worry about it. (Unless you're trying to promote this book, that is.) —Steve Summit (talk) 00:23, 3 July 2007 (UTC)

I think this is an answer for "Unusual Laws" - a few questions up from here. Thanks for the info - next time, could you please put it below the question. Thnks! SteveBaker 01:29, 3 July 2007 (UTC)

The problem with these books is that they are usually fairly inaccurate or overstated. I Live in kansas city, and I don't think I've ever seen a toy store that didn't sell cap guns. If you can find an article that this would be appropriate in, you should cite that specific law, not a book which claims something to be law, that way it can actually be confirmed. --_ʇuǝɯɯoɔɐqǝɟ 02:08, 3 July 2007 (UTC)

The deal is though that these old laws aren't typically enforced - so the fact that you see a cap gun in a toy store really doesn't prove that the law doesn't exist. However, I agree that a lot of these laws are reported as being still on the books when in fact they have been repealed or superceded in some other manner. SteveBaker 04:44, 3 July 2007 (UTC)

July 3

Adjusting knobs on a sniper rifle

When a sniper "dials-in" a shot during windy days, he/she usually turns the horizontal and vertical knobs on his/her scope. I know this is to compensate for the wind and gravity, but what exactly does twisting the knobs do? Does it move the scope minutely, or does it move the barrel of the gun? Thanks. Acceptable 02:35, 3 July 2007 (UTC)

It just adjusts the telescopic sight adjustment controls. You adjust the sight to compensate for wind and other conditions and then aim the gun according to the adjusted sight. If I knew the bullet was going to list to the right, I would adjust the sight so that when I aimed at the target I would be aiming a bit to the left, for example. --24.147.86.187 02:42, 3 July 2007 (UTC)

But what exactly is happening to the telescopic sights when the windage and elevation knobs are turned? Does the Sights actually rotate a minute amount to the left or right when the knobs are turned? Acceptable 03:45, 3 July 2007 (UTC)

Yes, exactly - a tiny fraction of a degree left or right or up or down. SteveBaker 04:41, 3 July 2007 (UTC)

If the target is farther away, you must raise the rear sight, or equivalently raise the gun barrel, to hit the target. Obviously, if the wind is from the left, you must so adjust the sights to move the barrel to the left, to hit the target. The farther the target is away, the more important such corrections are. If the target is moving, then it will not be at the aiming point when the bullet arrives. In real life situations, it can be a second or more between trigger squeeze and impact, plenty of time for the target to see the muzzle flash and to dodge left or right. Edison 05:47, 4 July 2007 (UTC)

Live Free or Die Hard

After seeing the movie, I have several questions:

Would shooting a fire extinguisher with a gun create enough force to propel someone through a window?

In a city like Washington DC, are all of the traffic lights networked so that they could be controlled by a single source, or do they all operate individually?

thanks 68.231.151.161 03:11, 3 July 2007 (UTC)

1. This is an over the top action movie. PLEASE do not try to inject reality into it.
2. The fire extinguisher, maybe, maybe not. On one hand, they are under quite a bit of pressure, so a small hole in the tank could easily have quite a bit of energy. On the other hand, I think the type of foam used in those would probably plug it's own hole before much happened.
3. Some cities do have networked roads to help them monitor and control traffic- and yes, in some cases they are used to turn lights green/red, although this would normally be for something like making travel into the city easier in the morning, and out of it easier in the afternoon.

Fire extinguisher as rocket? I don't think so. Foam is pretty light, so it would take a heck of a velocity to move a body plus the extinguisher itself. Clarityfiend 04:17, 3 July 2007 (UTC)

It also seemed to me like the bullet hole would be on the side facing the shooter, not on the side of the person being shot at, and the explosion would go towards the shooter. Corvus cornix 16:05, 3 July 2007 (UTC)

The shooter and the shootee could both be on the same side as the extinguisher but with it positioned behind the shootee. Or the shooter could shoot the side of the extinguisher to line the resulting jet / explosion / blast at the shootee. Lanfear's Bane

This article is quite interesting. The more I think about this the more interested I become therein. I have accidently dropped a fully pressurised 3litre diving cylinder onto a concrete floor and witnessed the look on the faces of the other people around me and have watched 12litre bottles scoot around the floor if you open the valve too wide. If the fire extinguisher was a CO₂ cylinder I would say this is pretty plausible. You can also check out the gas cylinder article. Lanfear's Bane

In the movie, Bruce Willis throws an extinguisher at a bad guy and shoots it, exploding the extinguisher and driving the bad guy out a window. The hole in the tank is on Willis's side, not the bad guy's side. Corvus cornix 03:02, 4 July 2007 (UTC)

Different cities have different light controllers, but if the city is using an Advanced transportation controller, it would presumably be as hackable as any other Linux box -- which is to say, either devilishly difficult or childishly simple depending on the design. I would doubt that the traffic system could be accessed from the public internet, though. I imagine they use private lines. See also the "Control and Coordination" section of the Traffic light article. --Mdwyer 04:37, 4 July 2007 (UTC)

Diesel/Petrol

I have a diesel engine 4x4 and I inadvertently put about 10 litres of petrol (gasoline) in the tank. Will this do any harm to the engine? Do diesel and petrol mix?

Fill the tank full with diesel to dilute the petrol and you may get away with it. Anything more than 5l of petrol in a diesel tank is not recommended. You may want to syphon instead of risking it, may become more expensive to correct in the long run vs. cost of replacing a tank of fuel. http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&q=mixing+petrol+and+diesel&meta= 194.168.231.2 12:01, 3 July 2007 (UTC)Wes.

Yeah, I too would recommend siphoning it out, - Akamad 13:46, 3 July 2007 (UTC)

Wikipedia as volunteer activity?

Suppose you are a contributor to wikipedia, and you consider your contributions to be non-destructive, helpful, and demonstrative of a certain level of maturity and responsibility. Is it acceptable to put that activity on your resume under "volunteer activity"? If yes, who would you list under "supervisor"? NoClutter 16:03, 3 July 2007 (UTC)

I wouldn't list it under supervisor, you don't supervise anybody here. I have made reference to my Wikipedia editing ability on resumes when discussing my ability to write. Corvus cornix 16:06, 3 July 2007 (UTC)

The question was who would you list under supervisor. Go look at any job application form. There is usually a slot asking who was the supervisor for employment and volunteer positions that a person claims as prior experience. This is so the HR department can contact the previous supervisor. ¿Comprende? NoClutter 17:18, 3 July 2007 (UTC)

Yeah, i would definitely include this where relevant; and I imagine there are many volunteer activities that don't have supervisors, so they wouldn't reject it if you left it blank.Gzuckier 17:15, 3 July 2007 (UTC)

I think it is entirely proper to list editing Wikipedia as a voluntary activity, as for supervisor - the Wikipedia community is the supervisor. DuncanHill 17:59, 3 July 2007 (UTC)

You don't have a formal supervisor. For the purposes of the application/resumé, it would be of little value — there is nobody for them to easily call who would have the authority to vouch for your behavior or quality. (Which doesn't mean it isn't worthwhile, obviously, just that it would have little meaning to a potential employer, unless they were a company that developed wikis or something like that.) --24.147.86.187 18:14, 3 July 2007 (UTC)

On my resume, I leave off any supervisor for volunteer stuff, but then I have enough previous job supervisors for employers to call, it's just to show that I do other stuff, too. — Laura Scudder ☎ 18:37, 3 July 2007 (UTC)

You could always go to the Wikipedia:Adopt-a-User area and have someone 'adopt' you - adopters watch the activity of the adoptees - and might reasonably be called upon to vouch for behavior and the quality of contributions. But I would expect that any reasonably intelligent employer would be at least roughly cognisant of what Wikipedia does - so I doubt they'd expect there to be a supervisor. In point of fact, the deal is that when you work here you are self-motivated and it shows off your ability to drive your own agenda. One of the big things you get with Wikipedia is that all of your work is public. You could give your potential employer your username - and mention that they can see samples of your work by clicking on the 'Contributions' button in your user page - or perhaps give them the URL of any pages you've done most of the work on and are especially proud of. I did this very thing on my last job application (not failing to mention my two featured articles and 6000+ other contributions of course!) - and I was surprised to find that one of the interviewers had actually taken the time to look at one of my FA's and was aware of just how amazingly difficult it is to get an article to that degree of polish. So I don't think it hurts. (Of course if your time here is a long series of blocks and bans and flamefests - you might want to leave it out of your resume because your future employer might find those too!) SteveBaker 19:47, 3 July 2007 (UTC)

Hmm ... that "adopt a user" thing sounds a little dodgy ... how do I know someone "adopting" me is legit? What if the adopter says bad things about me just because he later finds out I am Serbian? Nevertheless, Good answer, I like the idea of just giving links to featured content that I wrote (or at least a diff, just in case someone vandalizes it). Thanks a lot SteveBaker. NoClutter 20:04, 3 July 2007 (UTC)

Well, it is certainly up to the adoptee to pick an adopter with whom they are happy - but remember that they can walk away from the arrangement at any time and pick someone else if they don't get on with them. Can you be sure that they won't unfairly say bad things about you? No - but the exact same thing could be said about "real" job supervisors. One really good thing about Wikipedia is that before you pick your adopter (yes, it works that way around - they don't pick you) - you can take a look at their contribution history and see how they've behaved with everyone else around them - you can talk with people who have 'graduated' from the system and easily find out who the bad ones are. It's a good system. SteveBaker 20:47, 3 July 2007 (UTC)

Maybe you should get a username under your real name so they can be sure it's you if you want to show your contributions. Also, although people here all think wikipedia is great, it does have a bit of a joke reputation in some quarters, due to the mistakes, vandalism and endless trivia. However it obviously worked for SteveBaker, so don't be too put off. It depends on the job, it would certainly be relevant for something like journalism, if you write well for example. It may also not be what employers are looking for under volunteer work, so maybe if it seemed appropriate under another section, maybe 'activities' or 'relevant experience'? Anyway that's a more pessimistic view, in the name of neutrality! Cyta 07:15, 4 July 2007 (UTC)

It can certainly help to mention your work on Wikipedia. That was one of the things that drew the attention of my present employer. I don't put in my resume, though, but in the application letter, where applicable. Also, using your real name as a user name may make you look less like a 'geek' in the eyes of some and to make clear it's really you, you could put a photograph of yourself on your user page, where you could also list your most important contribution, as I did, because I also make loads of small contributions that employers won't want to have to look through. DirkvdM 12:54, 4 July 2007 (UTC)

Wikipedias' reputation for errors is not deserved - lots of studies have shown that we're more reliable than Britannica. Our reputation for accumulating trivia is very well-deserved - but that's OK - I use it to look up trivia all the time! From the point of view of a resume/application-letter, you can mention the titles of the articles you've worked on. If your contributions are the meticulous documentation of 14 rare species of outer-Mongolian butterfly - and you're applying for a job in museum of natural history - then that's great. If your contributions are creating a page for every track of every album of some obscure punk band that you happen to be a fan of...then maybe leave that out of your resume when applying for that same kind of job! Your contributions are likely to be an accurate representation of your interests. If you are trying to tell your potential employer that you have interests that have something in common with their business - then that's great - but even if they are not relevent, demonstrating that you can work with other people, that you have a command of the English language, that you have writing skills, that you are self-motivated and full of spare energy...all of those things are of value.

Think about it:

• CANDIDATE A: "Hobbies: I love to watch horror movies and I spend my spare time chatting with friends on MySpace."
• CANDIDATE B: "Hobbies: I maintain a series of articles on Wikipedia about Italian Architecture and my article about 18th century Venetian glassware was honored as one of the top 0.1% of articles by appearing on the Wikipedia front page in June 2007."

Even if your business is making beermats in Iowa...all else being equal...who would you invite to the job interview?

SteveBaker 15:46, 4 July 2007 (UTC)

Adding yet another answer to the original question: yes, if your contributions include creating substantial content on traditional encyclopedic topics, I most certainly would include your Wikipedia activity on your resume. Others above have already answered the question well, but here's my two cents, since I'm a hiring manager in a large company.

If you are applying for a job where writing skill, technical literacy, and initiative are valued (as is true of the jobs for which I hire), Wikipedia is a strong selling point. I'm biased in favor of the project, of course, since I write here, but I'm not alone in saying that people who hire for professional jobs like people who engage in volunteer activity -- it shows that the applicant cares about something other than himself. I'm more likely to pull someone in for an interview who organizes leukemia runs, animal shelters, or writes encyclopedia articles than someone who spends her free time promoting her garage band on MySpace. These are good people to have working for you.

Leave the "supervisor" blank, and include a single-line description of the project's overall purpose, since I still find lots of people who haven't heard of it. Antandrus (talk) 15:57, 4 July 2007 (UTC)

Military escorts

In the British army a prisoner under escort must be in the charge of a person of senior rank, and accompanied by someone of the same rank. i.e. A corporal and a private are needed to escort a private. Who would escort a WOI (Regimental Sergeant Major)?86.219.35.208 16:16, 3 July 2007 (UTC)petitmichel

Using the articles on British Army officer rank insignia, Regimental Sergeant Major and Major I assume you could work it out. There seem to be a number of variations within the Major rank and the question sounds like it is based on a guideline in the event of a military police escort rather than a fixed and fast rule. Lanfear's Bane

Difficult to work out, which is why I asked. The next rank up from RSM is 2nd Lt. But I wonder if an officer would escort in such cases...? Incidentally major is an officer's rank, the first Field rank. Sergeant major is the senior private soldiers' rank. Major General used to be Sergeant Major General. Let's not get confused over nomclature. I am not talking about the MPs. And let's not guess.86.197.43.57 14:40, 4 July 2007 (UTC)petitmichel

Minors' criminal records (USA)

They're obviously sealed, and not a matter of public record, and employers are not allowed to ask about them. But what happens when the person turns 18? (or whatever age the state mandates as "adult")? Are the records released, or are they expunged? What happens if the person is currently serving a sentence when they come of age? Are they transferred to an adult facility?

I realize that laws are drastically different between states but I'm looking for a general-knowledge sort of answer --froth^t 16:36, 3 July 2007 (UTC)

IANAL, but I think it's 18 when the records are finally sealed or expunged or whatever. So if you get in trouble at 15 and then at 17, the court can look at the records from when you were 15. But if you then get in trouble after 18, it's as if the old arrests never happened. The idea is to get a chance at a clean slate when you're finally supposedly able to make adult decisions. — Laura Scudder ☎ 18:43, 3 July 2007 (UTC)

What if you get in trouble as a minor but aren't convicted until after you're 18?

The date of the crime / criminal activity should be controlling, not the date of conviction. Many crimes are committed by youths and presumably some of these take years to weave through the court system. The concept is that a minor is not fully capable of appreciating the criminal actions at the time he committed the offense ... regardless of whether or not that took "a long time" to get through the courts to result in a conviction. He may be 18 when the case is resolved, but only 16 when he committed the criminal conduct. It is the youthful age of 16, when he was (theoretically) unable to appreciate the criminal conduct, that is the basis for discriminating juvenile records from adult records. (JosephASpadaro 22:34, 3 July 2007 (UTC))

So is there any point in continuing to "work its way though the system" if the person has passed 18, since the person's record is sealed anyway? --froth^t 03:34, 4 July 2007 (UTC)

I don't know if I understand your question exactly. Yes, every case needs to "work its way through the system." Just because a 16 year old gets accused of a crime, does not necessarily mean that he actually committed that crime. So, if he needs to wait 1 or 2 or 3 years for his case to come to trial -- let's say, to ultimately be acquitted -- yes, there was a very good point in letting the case continue to work through the system. In this case, the person would have no criminal record at all, as opposed to having "just" a juvenile record. Not to mention, no punishment (e.g., prison) at all ... as opposed to whatever the juvenile punishment is. (JosephASpadaro 04:02, 4 July 2007 (UTC))

Who was P. J. Gaffney?

Who was P. J. Gaffney? What did he do in the early to mid-Twentieth Century that led the American Geographical Society to invite him to sign the famous Fliers’ & Explorers’ globe? Gaffney wrote his signature on the globe on northern Canada in the vicinity of Great Slave Lake. Did he set a record in aviation in that area? Or did he set a record in exploration? --Prassea 18:40, 3 July 2007 (UTC)

It doesn't appear that the location of signing has anything to do with who he is. I've put a message in at the AGS and asked for a reply. Having lived in the Northwest Territories back for a while I can add that I don't recognize the name. --Charlene 20:58, 3 July 2007 (UTC)

Noah's Ark

Is there a reference to how long it took Noah to build the Ark? Are there only modern day guesses?66.169.2.51 01:35, 4 July 2007 (UTC)

The ambiguity over the nature of Noah's Ark makes this nearly impossible to answer in any meaningful way. The Biblically literal Ark would have been nearly impossible for Noah, his sons, and retainers to build, and would have taken decades, if we grant that they could have done it at all. However, the concept of some Ark-like vessel is probably more reasonable, but any definitive answer as to the time it took to build it would be lost in the mists of time, along with what the Ark really was. Ark-like boats, of more modest stature, could be constructed from a variety of materials, often in less than a year. --Haemo 02:02, 4 July 2007 (UTC)

Noah was 600 years old when the Flood started and was over 900 when he died. They had plenty of time to create an ark the size the Bible stated. bibliomaniac15 ^{BUY NOW!} 04:13, 4 July 2007 (UTC)

A common mistranslation/misunderstanding is that in the original Greek (from which many modern English translations derive) there is a confusion between the terms used for months and for years. So the original author(s) of this story probably meant to say that he was 50 years old (600 months) when the flood started and 75 years (900 months) when he died. This would still have been an impressively long life at the time when the story is set - but at least it's plausible. The ark on the other hand...hogwash...nothing in the story stands up to even the smallest inspection! Still, it's a good story - and it's one that shows up in a lot of mediterranian cultures in various guises so it probably pre-dates the Bible. SteveBaker 15:23, 4 July 2007 (UTC)

"Original Greek"? Lol. In the original Hebrew, the text is explicit that Noah entered the ark in his 600th year (Gen 7:11 + Gen 7:13). He was 950 when he died (Gen 9:29). The Bible isn't specific about when Noah was commanded to begin construction; medieval commentator Rashi, (based on Sanhedrin 108b) comments on Gen 6:14 that Noah was given 120 years to build the Ark... as a favour to his neighbours who might have a chance to ask why he was doing this and have a chance to repent. --Dweller 15:48, 4 July 2007 (UTC)

Getting shot in torso

Generally, how long would it take for an average human to die or fall unconscious if he/she was shot in a non-vital (not heart, lungs or diaphram) part of his/her torso, such as the stomach, intestines or liver? Acceptable 03:57, 4 July 2007 (UTC)

I am not a doctor ... but I don't know that death or falling unconscious is a foregone conclusion. In other words, I would think that a person can get shot in the torso and not die and not fall unconscious. I believe that it happens all the time. "Lots" of people get shot and still manage to escape from the crime scene, or drive themselves to the hospital, etc. I believe it's fairly common. In fact, probably more common than actual death or unconsciousness (given the scenario as you describe it). I also believe that an important factor is loss of blood ... how much is lost and whether or not the blood flow is stemmed. (JosephASpadaro 04:08, 4 July 2007 (UTC))

It would also depend on the shot. A .22 bullet from a hand gun could cause nothing worse than a puncture wound. The same sized bullet from a rifle, however, would cause much more internal damage -- possibly from hydrostatic shock. --Mdwyer 04:24, 4 July 2007 (UTC)

Just to expand a little, a shot to the intestines would probably eventually cause sepsis. But I think the immediate killer would be blood-loss. The rate of blood loss depends on the extent of the injury, and how well the bleeding is controlled. --Mdwyer 04:32, 4 July 2007 (UTC)

Moses

In the bible, when moses met god (the burning bush), the lord told that his skin would melt away, it was some sort of desease, what is it called?

Could it have been Leprosy? --Mdwyer 04:53, 4 July 2007 (UTC)

I was just about to say the same thing, but now that I think about it, Leprosy doesn't make the skin actually melt away.

It was Tzaraath, Tzaraath is like Leprosy, but it's the only one (out of the two) that is mentioned in the Bible, Mose was probaaly being told that he'd git it if he disobeyed God (Since Tzaraath is believed to be caused by sin.) Thank guys, I would never have figured this out without you :)

Tzaraat is usually translated as leprosy, but they're not analogous. The Bible is explicit that as well as people's flesh, tzaraat could also infect the walls of their homes and their linen etc, not a feature of leprosy. Tzaraat was usually a punishment for speaking evil - at the Burning Bush, Moses had just opined that the Israelites wouldn't believe him. Regardless of whether Moses' prediction was accurate or not, God gently punished him for this disrepectful speech. --Dweller 15:39, 4 July 2007 (UTC)

Bible

According to the bible, someone was tooken by angels and lifted to heaven in a (I believe it was 'firey') carrage, and in other words, some one and the bible didn't die, who was he?

That would most likely be Elijah, who departed in a chariot of fire. Antandrus (talk) 05:18, 4 July 2007 (UTC)

That's it! the chariot of fire, everything, Thank you! :) now I can complete my quiz, IQ test for Christians, and begin on IQ test for Dummies :]

If it's one of those online IQ test, screw those. They are worthless and don't mean much. Splintercellguy 06:54, 4 July 2007 (UTC)

There's a special IQ test for Christians? Do they have a different IQ to other people (I'm sure Richard Dawkins thinks they do!). Sounds more like a general knowledge test on the bible. One question is, are you less clever for not knowing the answer, or more clever for knowing where to find it? Cyta 07:19, 4 July 2007 (UTC)

It's a test I'm making on Bebo. It's to test your knownelge on Christianity.

Making? Or taking? Wouldn't this then be considered cheating and quite unchristian? As you pointed out it is meant to be your knowledge. Seems odd to ask the questions to get answers to actually pose the questions. Maybe you should consider basing the quiz on questions you already know the answers to? Lanfear's Bane

I don't see how an IQ (Intelligence Quotient) can be derived from measuring how much you can memorize from one particular book! You could describe it as a memory test - or a Bible knowledge test - but trust me, it has nothing whatever to do with intelligence! Real IQ tests work very hard to decouple the ideas of 'knowledge' from those of 'intelligence'. SteveBaker 15:14, 4 July 2007 (UTC)

Bible 2

The bible talks about an animal with four heads, two of which was a human and a lion's, and I think a monkey, what was the creature's name?

Is this a reference to Daniel 7:6? There are plenty of searchable version of the Bible on-line that will enable you to look for all these answers. See Bible.--Shantavira|^{feed me} 08:05, 4 July 2007 (UTC)

Daniel's Vision of Chapter 7 involves 4 separate animals, not multiple heads ( 1. a lion with wings, 2. a bear with ribs in its mouth, 3. a leopard with four wings and four heads, and 4. a nondescript, but terrifying and powerful beast.) these animals had no name and represented 4 kingdoms to appear on earth.

It is more likely that you are thinking of the Merkabah vision in Book of Ezekiel (1:4-26). The vision involves a throne-chariot of God, and a four-wheeled vehicle driven by four chayot "living creatures", each of which has four wings and four faces (of a man, lion, ox, and eagle). Jon513 13:05, 4 July 2007 (UTC)

Paul

How did Paul (Apositle) die?

Paul the Apostle was arrested in Rome, and either died there, on en-route to, or in Spain. --Haemo 07:25, 4 July 2007 (UTC)

Thanks :]

About Mail order business

I want to know what mail order business really is.Is it tough or does it command any seriousbusinessskills.218.248.2.51 08:23, 4 July 2007 (UTC)Ecclesiasticalparanoid

I think you might want to read up on Multi-level marketing. --Mdwyer 08:59, 4 July 2007 (UTC)

Not every mail order company is involved in MLM. It's rather misleading to direct the OP solely to that article. Depending on the market and the number of potential customers there are for your business, it can be very tough. And yes, you will need to have good business skills in order to run the business. Dismas|^(talk) 10:31, 4 July 2007 (UTC)

eBay has provided a way for people to edge gradually into the mail order business. They take case of interfacing with the customers, collecting the money and all the tricky parts - you are left to the mundane tasks of buying product and dealing with shipping, returns, etc. It's an easy way to get started. SteveBaker 15:11, 4 July 2007 (UTC)

MONARCHY

WHEN THE HEIR OF THE CURRENT QUEEN IN BRITIAN IN OTHER WORDS PRINCE CHARLES GET TO THE THRONE, DOES HIS WIFE BECOME A QUEEN OR SHE RECEIVES ANOTHER TITLE

The article on Camilla covers this. Lanfear's Bane

IS IT TRUE OR FALSE THAT THE ROYAL BRITISH FAMILY CLAIMS THAT THEY ARE DESCANDANTS OF KING DAVID AND JESUS CHRIST.

Common sense suggests the answer is false (a comment like that from a Royal might provoke uproar in the media). Though, please don't write with caps lock on - it makes messages much harder to read.martianlostinspace 11:04, 4 July 2007 (UTC)

thanks martin for your help, but i saw a clip which shows the family tree of the royal family and it showed king david, and jesus and sorry for using capitals, i taught it was easier to read, regards tancred

I have seen family trees of the Royal Family, claiming descent from King David and going right back to Adam and Eve. As I recall, these claims originated in the early Christian era as a way of enhancing the legitimacy and status of royalty. Prior to Christianity arriving in England, English royalty sometimes claimed descent from our native gods. DuncanHill 11:15, 4 July 2007 (UTC)

Surely they must be descendants from adam and eve, just like the rest of us are, if the Bible is to be believed? 213.48.15.234 11:17, 4 July 2007 (UTC)

Yes, but most of us commoners can't trace it all the way - and certainly not via King David! DuncanHill 11:28, 4 July 2007 (UTC)

To be descended from Jesus - that would imply that he successfully sired children surely? Lanfear's Bane

I didn't read your question because I don't like being shouted at. DirkvdM 12:45, 4 July 2007 (UTC)

When i first arrived on the web waaay back, I used to type in CAPS too, just made more sense to me. Back in the days of mIRC, I got booted from quite a few channels before I learnt my lesson. So perhaps the poster is a newb :P Rfwoolf 13:55, 4 July 2007 (UTC)

Well I am sure they can trace there ancestry, through the kings of Wessex to Woden. I believe there was a theory (possibly due to Gildas?) that traced Britain's origins back to people fleeing Troy. There's all sorts of crazy theories, but I think tracing anything back through the 'dark ages' would be impossible. Cyta 13:27, 4 July 2007 (UTC)

Three separate answers to three interesting questions:

1. It's perfectly possible that some people claim that the British Royal Family are descended that way - but then some people claim you can run cars on water or that NASA never went to the moon. What the questioner actually SHOUTED was a question of whether the royal family themselves claim this - I very much doubt that they do - but we aren't addressing that question by asking whether we've seen such family trees out there.
2. When a man takes the throne, his wife becomes "The Queen" - but when a woman comes to the throne, her husband is not "The King" - weird, sexist - but true. There is a long tradition of royalty choosing how to be named - some people change their names when they take the throne others pick and choose between the many titles that formally apply to them - choosing the one that they prefer - or the one that seems politically correct. Camilla may choose not to use the title "The Queen of England" - but it is hers whether she chooses to use it or not. Many people would say that Princess Diana "deserved" the title - but didn't get it - so Camilla's preference for a different title is likely to be a political correctness thing rather than a personal preference.
3. Typing in ALL CAPITALS has been shown in many careful experiments to be less readable than text written in all lowercase - which in turn is less readable than correctly capitalised/punctuated sentences. The reason for this is that when you are reading rapidly, your eyes can pick out words from their shape on the page alone. The overall shape of UPPERCASE words is pretty much just rectangles - forcing your eye/brain to pick out and recognise every single letter individually - which is slow and tiring. The varying nature of the ascenders (b,d,f,h,k,l & t) and descenders (g,j,p,q & y) of lowercase provide more varied word shapes that are a useful shortcut for recognising small, common words - so lowercase is easier and more relaxing on the eye/brain. Best of all - write using proper English - mixed case, punctuation, good grammar and spelling. But if all else fails and you truly can't bear to do it right - you should prefer lowercase to CAPITALS. Worse still, there is a common online convention of using all-uppercase words for emphasis and to indicate THAT YOU ARE SHOUTING in systems that don't support boldface and italics. So if you type in UPPERCASE ONLY, people who spend a lot of time online subconsciously think you're SHOUTING AT THEM. It's truly, genuinely, offensive to them - doing it repeatedly will make people unreasonably angry with you! I can tell you that MY REPEATED USE OF CAPITALS IN THIS REPLY is already raising the hackles on some of our readers! This surprises many people who are relatively new to the Internet - but it is undoubtedly the case.

SteveBaker 15:06, 4 July 2007 (UTC)

Comment The original poster has already apologized for typing in caps, I think we can be forgiving and stop rubbing it in. DuncanHill 15:10, 4 July 2007 (UTC)

Ten Commandments

As one of the 3 Ibrahimic Faiths alongside Judaism and Christianity, do Muslims have to abide by the Ten Commandments as handed down to Moses?

There is an article on Islamic ethics and a link to a site quoting the Quran in the section on moral commandments. Lanfear's Bane

see Ten Commandments#Muslim understanding. The view that the ten commandments are the foundation of morality is largely a Christian idea. In Judaism the 10 commandments are no more important that the other divine Commandments. In Islam they do abide by the 10 commandments for their own reasons but it could not be said that they do so "as handed down to Moses". Jon513 12:13, 4 July 2007 (UTC)

Royal Mail

Slightly following up the mail adressing question a few days ago: A year or 2 ago I managed to get a wrongly addressed letter through my door. The only pieces of information that matched my address were the house number and street name. It had a postcode. Any idea how this mess up could have happened? They always say that as long as the postcode is correct it will get there. But the postcode on the letter was nothing like mine. 213.48.15.234 13:06, 4 July 2007 (UTC)

Two years ago? I get someone else's mail delivered to me practically every week, usually with a different postcode. There is a form on the Royal Mail website specifically for complaining about this, but it hasn't had much effect here. The bulk of the mail is sorted automatically, but a lot of it still has to be done by eye, for example on larger items or if the machinery cannot read the postcode. In the end, it all comes down to the efficiency and attitude of your own postman/postwoman.--Shantavira|^{feed me} 13:39, 4 July 2007 (UTC)

July 4

Buying an anteater

Not to invite spam, but does anyone know where this animal can be obtained? I Googled but didn't come up with anything. I am in the United States. Thanks in advance. 74.140.211.161 14:58, 4 July 2007 (UTC)

OK, I'm curious. What do you want with one? --Richardrj ^{talk email} 15:26, 4 July 2007 (UTC)

It's for my wife. 74.140.211.161 15:36, 4 July 2007 (UTC)

Nice idea for a present, then. What does she want with one? --Richardrj ^{talk email} 15:40, 4 July 2007 (UTC)

Totally ignoring the fact that you want a freaking anteater, have you tried asking around (calling, emailing) wildlife reserves and foundations? A lot of them have odd or rare animals like that that you can either adopt or rent from them --_ʇuǝɯɯoɔɐqǝɟ 15:44, 4 July 2007 (UTC)

Please treat your wife with a suitable product from your local pharmacy. An anteater needs a lot of ants and may tickle her excessively. Besides, they are wild animals and unsuitable as pets. They inhabit South and Central America, so I doubt your local wildlife center will have one going spare.--Mrs Wibble-Wobble 15:53, 4 July 2007 (UTC)

This lady's blog [23] indicates she has a few pet Tamanduas. Why not ask her where she got them? Rockpocket 18:22, 4 July 2007 (UTC)

Cool! Thanks greatly! 74.140.211.161 20:12, 4 July 2007 (UTC)

Fido as another term for dog

How did Fido become another name for dog? Oneworld25 18:56, 4 July 2007 (UTC)

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/fido . Loyal as in man's best friend? Lanfear's Bane

Madison Column Garden

Why is Madison Square Garden named Madison SQUARE Garden? It is obviously built in the shape of a column.

Really been bugging me. --67.177.170.96 19:41, 4 July 2007 (UTC)

As the article says, it's IN Madison Square --_ʇuǝɯɯoɔɐqǝɟ 19:51, 4 July 2007 (UTC)

Ah, I see. In that case, why is it called a garden? It's obviously a stadium! A bit of misleading advertising...--67.177.170.96 20:00, 4 July 2007 (UTC)

Madison Square Garden#History Please. Your comments are answered right at the start of the article --_ʇuǝɯɯoɔɐqǝɟ 20:03, 4 July 2007 (UTC)