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May 19

Massively

Why are MMOs massively multiplayer? my friend says it doesn't make sense to say it's massively multiplayer. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 96.242.34.177 (talk) 00:26, 19 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Your usual multiplayer game can only handle a small number of players (4, 8, 16, etc.) because the tracking of each player is usually performed by the fastest connected computer. MMOs, on the other hand, are massive because they use dedicated servers to manage player locations and statistics, and can handle thousands of players in the game at one time. --Canley (talk) 00:42, 19 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Not so, a good number of games use dedicated servers, particularly just about every PC FPS. However, their player counts are, at most, 128 players. MMOs, on the other hand, have only a very small handful of servers (or even just one), usually handled by the company itself and not run by other people. 206.126.163.20 (talk) 00:09, 22 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

well, why is it massively but not massive? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 96.242.34.177 (talk) 01:19, 19 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

I guess it's a language thing: massively is describing multiplayer, not game. That is, it's a massively multiplayer game, not a massive (multiplayer) game. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 70.129.137.85 (talk) 02:03, 19 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

This is exactly correct. -- Captain Disdain (talk) 13:34, 20 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

United States Media Ownership

Hi, I remember seeing a chart similar to this one [1] showing what corporations own what television networks in the United States. Can anyone help me find it? --Shniken1 (talk) 03:40, 19 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

It's not as simply presented - but I found this one [2] through a link on our Concentration of media ownership article. Rmhermen (talk) 14:35, 19 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Thick As A Brick (CD)

Hello,

I am wondering if you might be able to tell me the year or tell me where I might find the year the "Thick As A Brick" CD was first released? "Thick As A Brick" LP was released in 1972. (Jethro Tull).

Thanks in advance, Racepointblue (talk) 10:08, 19 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

According to Amazon it was either June 16, 1997 or June 30, 1998. Dismas|^(talk) 10:18, 19 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

(ec) Thick as a Brick refers to a 25th anniversary reissue, which would presumably have been in 1997 since the original album came out in 1972. This probably wasn't the first time it came out on CD, however. Allmusic lists a 1990 CD release, but the only way to be sure is to look at the dates on the CD. --Richardrj ^talk ^email 10:19, 19 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Another source lists simply "1998" without giving an exact date. And the only two releases listed are the original in '72 and the remaster, which as I said, they list as 1998. And yes, that is strange considering it would be 26 years after the original and not 25. Dismas|^(talk) 10:26, 19 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

And here are two more, both of which go back to 1985! I'd be very surprised if the 25th anniversary remaster was the first ever CD issue. When CDs first came out, the major record labels hurriedly made much of their back catalogue available on CD, as poor quality transfers from the original masters. For a fairly well known group like Tull, this would have happened early on. The digital remasters with bonus tracks etc. etc. would have come later. --Richardrj ^talk ^email 10:36, 19 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

100 meter sprints

Can someone please tell me if you have a specific number of sprinters to run in the 100 meter Olympic races or can they place as many competitors in these races as they like ?Kiddyanpykey (talk) 11:04, 19 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Competitors usually have to meet a Olympic qualifying time as well as be chosen by their countries' Olympic team. I also believe that there is a limit to entries allowed per country. Rmhermen (talk) 14:15, 19 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

A country can enter 3 athletes per event if the athletes all meet the "A" standard, or 1 per event if they only meet the more lax "B" standard - or try to get 1 athlete in on an exemption if no one in the country meets either standard. The relay race is limited to 16 total entries but no mention of a limit on entries for the 100m in this source [3] Rmhermen (talk) 14:24, 19 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

As to how they choose the entries, the "A" standard to get into the Olympic 100m is 10.21 sec but to get into, for example, the U.S. Olympic Qualifier, you need a 10.07 (or 10.28 only if there aren't enough entries). Rmhermen (talk) 14:29, 19 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

I'm not sure, but I think the question is not about how many entrants a country can have, but how many people can run in a race.

An Olympic-standard running track has 8 lanes (some tracks have more, but only 8 lanes would be used in the Olympics). There may, therefore, be as many as 8 athletes in a race (the "field size"). There can be less, but races must be competitive, so never less than 2 runners in a race. Usually, in the Olympics, you would never get that few, but in some of the early heats (as the total number of entrants is never an exact multiple of 8), there may be 5, 6 or 7 runners in a race. This goes for all events where the athletes start from blocks (so, not just 100m, but also 100m/110m hurdles, 200m, and 400m).

In Olympic races longer than 400m (ie, 800m, 1500m, 3000m steeplechase, 5000m, 10000m), a standing start is used, and more than 8 runners can take part in a single race. Neıl 龱 10:22, 20 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Mario Kart Wii online icons

After an WFC online race is completed, I notice on the leaderboard that some racers have a white steering wheel icon, some have a gold one, while others (like me) have none at all. I can't find any reference to them in the owners manual. Anyone know what they signify? --69.151.29.16 (talk) 12:27, 19 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

People who use the Wii Wheel get white icons and if they use it for a longer period of time it turns gold. people not using the Wii Wheel get no icon. According to this link [4] - X201 (talk) 14:02, 19 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Looking for a melody

There is a little melody to be heard right in the beginning of the intro movie of FIFA 2000 (no, I am not talking about Robbie Williams' "It's Only Us". Can one identify it? You may look it up at Youtube. Thanks!91.97.78.246 (talk) 18:44, 19 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

It sounds like a warped and embellished version of "The Star-Spangled Banner," though it could just as easily be "The Anacreontic Song" given the context. WDavis1911 (talk) 08:49, 20 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

I'd have gone with the first one. Bed-Head-Hair User:BedHeadHairGirl 13:49, 20 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Hunting Techniques

I want to request an article on the hunting technique by constructing a 'machan'. This is a hindi word . It is a sort of platform on a tree to shoot the animals. I want more information on this type of hunting technique and the construction of a machan. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Talha sayed (talk • contribs) 20:14, 19 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

The hunting article mentions blind and stand hunting, but there is no page for the latter, yet. Sounds like that would be what your hindi word describes. It's also called a "raised blind" or "blind stand" [5]. Lisa4edit (talk) 20:44, 19 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

My grandfather called it a 'tree stand' and used them almost exclusively; I found techniques and safety tips by searching under that name; it seems reasonable to think that the machan hunting techniques would be similar. I couldn't find any specific information abult building a machan, and don't know how different they are from grandpa's tree stand. Important safety tip: try not to fall out. -FisherQueen (talk · contribs) 11:10, 21 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

May 20

One Note, Themes and Variations

Peter Cornelius wrote a song called Ein Ton (One Note) [6] in which the singer sings the same note (B) throughout, but the piano accompaniment varies in order to make the piece musically interesting. Has anyone ever written a set of variations on one note? Sounds impossible, but if it occurs to me, it must have occurred to others. If not, what is the shortest theme on which anyone's ever composed variations? And the longest? (My yardstick would be lowest/highest number of notes in the melody.) -- JackofOz (talk) 00:42, 20 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Don't know about a variation on "Ein Ton" but the Taínos used a flute with just one note "Fotuto". --71.236.23.111 (talk) 02:21, 20 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

(tangent thought), you may want take a look into the article on Minimalist music, though this is can be a very different take on "variation". --Gwguffey (talk) 04:11, 20 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

A "very take"? Please explain. -- JackofOz (talk) 15:01, 20 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

(see copyedit above for better wording) As your original question pertained to variance on a note/pitch, then the minimalistic composing genre could be thought of in that vein, though not limited to varying the melodic theme. You could have constant pitch or harmony, but vary rhythm and instrumentation. Or not vary any aspect of the tonality or orchestration, but instead just the volume. Check out the section of the article Minimalist music#Minimalist style in music for more examples. --Gwguffey (talk) 15:52, 20 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

I will do that. Tks. -- JackofOz (talk) 23:23, 20 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Giacinto Scelsi "is best known for writing music based around only one pitch, altered in all manners through microtonal oscillations, harmonic allusions, and changes in timbre and dynamics, as paradigmatically exemplified in his revolutionary Quattro Pezzi su una nota sola ["Four pieces each on a single note"] (1959)". 194.171.56.13 (talk) 11:36, 20 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Never heard of Scelsi till now, so thanks for that lead. -- JackofOz (talk) 23:23, 20 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Ha! I've just come across a piece written by Elizabeth Maconchy, Impromptu for piano, which is described as "a fantasy on one note". Good on yer, Lizzie. -- JackofOz (talk) 01:25, 12 February 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Frying Pan of Doom

What is the origin of the fictional fantasy weapon "Frying Pan of Doom" (alt. "Frying Pan of Death")? TVTropes.com has a list of its uses, but states the origin of neither the trope nor the actual phrase (instead of, say, "Death Skillet"). SubStandardDeviation (talk) 01:54, 20 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Three web references speak of historic use of frying pans as a weapon, one British source [7] reportedly from the 16th or 17th centuries, one German (disputed) in the times of the Napolic wars [8]

and one from the American revolutionary war :[9] These are probably not the only known uses. A frying pan is a decidedly short range weapon and meat cleavers are also available in most kitchens. However, if someone like a maid or cook happened to get get caught in a kitchen by advancing enemies, it would nevertheless provide an effective weapon. People strong enough to lift and move cast iron skillets and pans on a daily basis, would probably be able to do significant damage. (See this lady for reference [10]) 71.236.23.111 (talk) 03:32, 20 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

She doesn't need a skillet, she could just use her glass beer mug fists of doom. bibliomaniac 1 5 03:38, 20 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Is that an injury strap on her arm? Julia Rossi (talk) 10:06, 20 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

No clue, I just grabbed a suitable example off google. It may be something to stabilize her tendons. I assume she's not been secretly swinging cast iron skillets. --71.236.23.111 (talk) 21:31, 20 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Who is the man talking in the Karminsky Experience Inc song "Exploration"?

The text of sampled speech is as follow (minus "um"s and "er"s and the correct syntax)

"Well I look at it myself as the beginning of really an exploration. That's the reason we're exploring! You don't know what you'll run into on an exploration. What the sky looks like. What the stars look like. Will they still twinkle or are they a steady light when you get outside the atmosphere?"

He is obviously an astronaut or a project manager from very early on in the Space Program.

Any ideas who this person could be? RogueTrooper42 (talk) 12:07, 20 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

It was Frank Borman, commander of the Apollo 8 mission.

It wasn't me!! Astronaut (talk) 02:40, 22 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Sorry, I couldn't resist that :-)) Astronaut (talk) 02:40, 22 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Oh, and a Google search turned up no clues as to who is on the sample. Astronaut (talk) 02:40, 22 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

I was watching the NASA channel with my kids this morning, and a documentary was on. One of the astronauts was talking on a VO, and I immediately recognized the voice as that of the sample on Exploration. His name is Frank Borman, and he was the Apollo 8 Commander. I'm as sure as you can be without a confirmation from someone who really knows. I played the track, then played the documentary, dead-on match, FWIW. I also found a clip on youtube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=441GuDVA188, although it's not quite as definitive, as it is 12 years later than the clip I heard on TV, but you can pick out the cadence and really hear it in his commencement speech segment. --Philinator (talk) 15:00, 6 September 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Not sure where/how to comment on this - but the sample used in "Exploration" is from a TED talk by Robert Ballard on Exploring the Oceans. You can find it here: http://www.ted.com/talks/robert_ballard_on_exploring_the_oceans.html

A Bachelor who Got Punched in the Mouth

Which former male reality star from The Bachelor got punched in the mouth and by whom a couple of years back? Ericthebrainiac (talk) 15:39, 20 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Talk about over-linking. You are talking to humans, not space aliens. --70.167.58.6 (talk) 16:25, 20 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

The way you put it, this sounds like a trivia question -- as if you know the answer, and are trying to get us to say it. Taken with the recent Avril thing and your own edit history (and rather enlightening talk page, for that matter), that makes for a pretty obvious combination. In any case, you can find the answer with ridiculous ease just by using Google. -- Captain Disdain (talk) 17:22, 20 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Jail (TV series) and the Neilson Ratings

How did Jail (TV series) do in the Neilson Ratings system? Ericthebrainiac (talk) 18:55, 20 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

The Simpsons

What's the name of the song that's playing as Homer swings Marge in "Gump Roast". 99.226.26.154 (talk) 21:15, 20 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

It's clearly based on Jailhouse Rock, but with alternate lyrics probably written for the episode, like the song at the end of the episode is based on We Didn't Start the Fire. After further searching, I've found that the clip is from "Take My Wife, Sleaze" and the Jailhouse Rock parody is called "Mental House Rock". --tcsetattr (talk / contribs) 00:19, 21 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Sorry, I remembered wrong, I meant the song that plays as he first meets marge, before the swinging part. Bad memory. 99.226.39.245 (talk) 20:01, 21 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

(They Long to Be) Close to You from the episode The Way We Was. Also found in some other Simpsons episodes, as noted in the song article --tcsetattr (talk / contribs) 20:14, 21 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Thanks!! 99.226.26.154 (talk) 23:57, 23 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

May 21

seeking identity of guest star series finale of Shark

Seeking the identity of the woman, who played I think her character name was Megan Collins, but not sure may have heard wrong. Her character was dressed in a t shirt, denim mini and mid calf boots, stopped to give directions to a person in a car, and then was shown dead. No dialogue but am hoping that someone here can help me with discovering her name. Thank you very much for your time and trouble and do hope that someone can help me out with this info Gatesvilledude (talk) 12:31, 21 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

The article on Leighton Meester states that she played a character named "Megan" in Shark . TV Guide, IMDb and other sites confirm that she played a character named Megan in episodes 16, 18, and 19 of the series' first season. No surname is given though, and "Megan Collins" led to nothing. ---Sluzzelin talk 12:31, 24 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

hospital TV show's theme song

I seem to recall that a TV show whose action took place in a hospital had a theme song called "St. Elmo's Fire". Can anyone confirm this, confirm whether it's the same song as in the article St. Elmo's Fire (song), and name the TV show, please? (Already checked: St. Elmo's fire (disambiguation), St. Elmo's Fire (song), Chicago Hope, Special:WhatLinksHere/St. Elmo's Fire (song), and a glance at Special:WhatLinksHere/St. Elmo's Fire.) Thanks much!—msh210℠ 16:08, 21 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

I don't know about the theme, but are you talking about the show St. Elsewhere? AlexiusHoratius (talk) 16:21, 21 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Hm, I don't know. Does anyone know its theme song?—msh210℠ 18:45, 26 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Frankenstein film

I have a memory from my childhood of a film version of Frankenstein in which at one point the monster strangles a woman and her head comes off. I think that this same film also opens with a scene in the arctic, perhaps on a floating iceberg (although this might have been a different film). If I remember right, the film was in black and white and I would have seen it on television in the 1970s which can at least give a post quem ad non date for the film. Any ideas on what I had seen? Donald Hosek (talk) 16:35, 21 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Not black and white, but the arctic bit and the head coming off reminds me of Frankenstein: The True Story, a made-for-TV version from the 70's. Astronaut (talk) 02:19, 22 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

The arctic bit is likely to be straight from the original novel, so that can crop up in a lot of versions. Donald, you may find Frankenstein (film) useful, as that lists about a couple of dozen of Frankenstein films. -- Captain Disdain (talk) 09:24, 22 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

TSG 1899 Hoffenheim

Great kudos to these guys for qualifying for the German top-flight league for the 2008/9 season, but... how? With a home "stadium" that seats <7,000, surely there are regulations that would have kept them back. Certainly in Scottish, English and various other leagues they would have failed a test of their home facilities. So, are they finding residency elsewhere for their first 1. Bundesliga season, or are things more lax in Germany and squidging their home fans, as well as all the away support Bayern Munich usw can provide into such a small arena acceptable? Theediscerning (talk) 18:43, 21 May 2008 (UTC) —Preceding unsigned comment added by Theediscerning (talk • contribs) 18:42, 21 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

According to the DFL's licensing regulations (pdf-file!) (§6, section 3), a Bundesliga stadium is required to hold at least 15,000 spectators, including 3,000 seats. The new stadium, the Rhein-Neckar-Arena is currently under construction and scheduled to be finished by 2009. According to the German article on the de:TSG 1899 Hoffenheim, the club is negotiating with the city of Mannheim about using the Carl-Benz-Stadion for eight games during the 2008/2009 season, but this stadium too is in need of a 1.5 million Euro facelift, according to that same article. Kudos go to players, but also to Dietmar Hopp's fat wallet which has and will continue to support the club, and lent it the nickname TSG 1899 Hoppenheim — again, according to the German article. ---Sluzzelin talk 11:50, 24 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Opener to Dream Theater

at the Dream Theater concert last night, (may 20th, at the Orpheum in Boston, MA)

there was a song played before they came on. I think it was a cue from a film score. I've searched but as yet been unable to identify the cue....Help! —Preceding unsigned comment added by NetLace (talk • contribs) 21:08, 21 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

You're much more likely to get an answer to a question like this if you post it to a Dream Theater fan forum. People who come here know a lot of things, but they may not know the ins and outs of Dream Theater pre-show concert tapes. Good luck, --Richardrj ^talk ^email 07:54, 22 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

May 22

my query regarding "space theaters"

space theaters are of how many types? I want to know about space theaters in detail. planetarium and imax are of space theaters. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Surya james (talk • contribs) 03:10, 22 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

I can think of a number of ways of exploring the heavens:

Planetariums are specialised dome shaped theatres which only show representations of the night sky - usually with an expensive and specialised projector - and have a narration. I have also seen for sale a home planetarium projector, but to be honest it looked more like a toy to me.
IMAX theatres sometimes show a planetarium-type of programme on a very large screen. As far as I know, thes programmes are more like a documentary film.
There are a number of planetarium software packages that can be installed on your PC/Mac/Linux.
Then there's the best planetarium of all... the real night sky itself. Just go outside on a clear night and look up. You can get a better view with binoculars, but the view is easily degraded by city lights, clouds, trees, etc.

Astronaut (talk) 04:41, 22 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

How to be a Company Secretary in "IT Industry"

i had passed B.Sc with 52% and i am pursuing Software Engineering i want to know about Company Secretary. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Surya james (talk • contribs) 03:14, 22 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Studying "Software Engineering" to become a secretary seems a bit off track to me, but on the other hand as long as you have a degree, HR can be quite flexible. Are you certain you got the job title right? Top level secretaries can have quite lucrative careers, but there's a lot of competition and a long hard way to get to one of the few positions at the top. With a B.Sc. you have an odd start for a career focusing on interpersonal communications and administrative tasks. You'll have to find a way to prove and develop your skills in the human aspects of communication. (See if you can maybe squeeze in a couple of classes in psychology at your U.) Organizational skills are a must. Some knowledge of accounting helps. Language skills are key to making it. You should be able to speak your local language at a variety of "audience levels". Writing grammatically correct sentences with good spelling and punctuation should not pose a problem for you. The more foreign languages you can communicate in efficiently, the better. Since your degree is not going to reflect your abilities in that area you'll have to find a way to demonstrate them. Enough knowledge of current and classical literature and trivia to be able to participate in a conversation at social events will cement your marketability. With your strong background in engineering you will be well suited to start a career as department secretary in IT if you meet the other requirements. But you should be aware that this is a big decision to make. You are no longer going to develop your abilities in areas like programming and architecture. Even if you continue to read technical magazines, that's not the same as doing it. Your strongest selling point of being able to understand what the people around you are talking about is a short lived commodity. Unless you work hard at developing your career path towards excellence in all other areas of becoming a top notch secretary, you may live to regret that choice. --71.236.23.111 (talk) 05:11, 22 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

I don't think the OP was talking about the admin assistant type of secretary, but means this kind of Company secretary. Unfortunately, I would be very surprised if a recent software engineering graduate (someone perhaps in their early 20's) was appointed to this kind of board-level position as their first job out of university. Astronaut (talk) 06:52, 22 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Oops. Thanks for sorting that out. I keep being amazed just how many differences I run into with BE and AE. For a board-level position the only thing I could think of that might help is rich parents or founding your own company. 71.236.23.111 (talk) 21:39, 22 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Start your own company. Even Lachlan Murdoch had work his way (however fast) from the ground up. It might be easier to be a director. Julia Rossi (talk) 07:11, 24 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Region 3 encoding

i tryed to look up what dvd players can play that code... but it jst gave out regions... region codes right >.>; well i read and was talking about how some dvd's and players don't really go by that somewhat anymore so i wanted to ask what players can play such codes and what programs can get rid of codes. i have a ps3 and i can't find out if it can play it or not... help me out ;; ForTheOne! —Preceding unsigned comment added by 71.248.156.95 (talk) 14:54, 22 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

It is possible to convert most DVD players to play disks from anywhere in the world. Sometimes it is a simple matter of some weird combination of button presses (search the internet for instructions for with a particular brand/model), but sometimes the player has to be chipped (which will invalidate the warranty). It is also possible to buy a multi-region DVD player where the store has already done the button combination or chipping thing for you. Unfortunately, your regular store at the mall might not stock multi-region players, so search the internet for an online store. Bear in mind you might have to import from a foreign country, so remember to check that the power supply requirements and TV system are compatible with your country. If you already have the region 3 disk, you could just try it and what happens when you play it in your PS3. Astronaut (talk) 16:29, 22 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

If all else fails, you could always buy a cheap player from one of the countries in SE Asia, either online or when on vacation there. Astronaut (talk) 16:33, 22 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Try here or here for example.--Shantavira|^{feed me} 06:50, 23 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Odd Girl Out

In Odd Girl Out, how did Stacey Larson torment Vanessa Snyder? Ericthebrainiac (talk) 15:01, 22 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Maybe by inserting a troll?--71.236.23.111 (talk) 21:34, 22 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

According to the article, "A web of lies, nasty rumors and manipulation" "verbal violence" and creating a "hate site about her on which they put embarrassing pictures". Think outside the box 19:33, 25 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Be Thankful For What You Got

I want to know why Hoary deleted "trivia" information pertaining to the song "Be Thankful For What You Got." I listed information from the TV show "Martin" in reference to the song. I personally felt that it was a little important based on Martin Lawrence's "Jerome" character. I will probably resubmit the information if there is no acceptable explanationV1iciouslady (talk) 16:53, 22 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Please discuss article content issues on the appropriate talk page- in this case, Talk:Be Thankful for What You Got (song). Hoary has explained his edit there. Friday (talk) 16:58, 22 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Lost

Does anyone know when the next episode of lost is out (Theres no place like home, part 2, episode 13, S4) x —Preceding unsigned comment added by 217.44.210.227 (talk) 19:58, 22 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

29 May 2008, according to There's No Place Like Home. WP has articles for all of the episodes in the first four seasons: List of Lost episodes. Zain Ebrahim (talk) 20:05, 22 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Yes, next Thursday (a week from today); but it won't be just part 2, it's gonna be a part 2 & 3 two-hour mega finale! You can't afford to miss it! (Can you tell I'm EXCITED or what!) Check global airdates here or here. Kreachure (talk) 21:10, 22 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

May 23

Please

Anyone know where I can download/listen to the Age of Empires II (the original, not the expansion) soundtrack? There are only four songs in that soundtrack that I can find. I need to know where I can find the other ones! I have the disc for AOE II, but I have lost it. So a link to these songs is my only hope! Interactive Fiction Expert/Talk to me 06:07, 23 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

David Capital from Heroes episode 2 deleted scenes

In the deleted scenes for Heroes season one episode 2 ("Don't Look Back"), there appears a man from Child Protective Services named David Capital. His face is familiar but I can't find any credits for this scene from which to get the actor's name. Can someone identify this actor? Thanks. John Darrow (talk) 07:06, 23 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Is this the guy you're talking about? HeroesWiki lists him as "David Cavanaugh," and the Talk page of his article shows that you are not the only one who is looking for the actor's identity. I don't know his identity either, but maybe this will help someone else out. WDavis1911 (talk) 10:00, 23 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Yes, that's the guy. I would have sworn the captions listed him as David Capital, but caption writers have been known to get it wrong before... John Darrow (talk) 01:53, 24 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

That is true. The actor looks quite familiar... If I ever run across his name I'll be sure to drop it on your talk page. WDavis1911 (talk) 02:38, 24 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Help identifying two weird, Christian-themed movies

Hi, Wikipedia.

Back in my Catholic school, the RE teachers would occasionally run out of stuff to do, and show us films. The Catholicism didn't stick, but the memories of some of the odder films remain with me to this day. In particular, I'm trying to identify two. Both were likely televised in the UK at some point, since that was where my school got most of their films...

The first was American, likely from the sixties or early seventies, set in a somewhat sanitised ghetto. It involved the efforts of a priest to stop fighting between two gangs and get a girl off drugs. Specific stuff I remember from it: The girl went cold turkey and was later tempted to try whtever drug it was (heroin maybe? I honestly don't recall) again, but it had no effect on her. One of the gang members was called Israel. The movie ended with one of the most bizarre things I've ever seen: The priest lures both gangs to a "youth rally" and then, somehow or other, manages to convert them all by giving them Bibles. The only reason I remember one of the gang members was called Isreal was from this final scene, in which he's flicking through his Bible, excited by the fact that his name appears in it. All in all, a pretty terrible film, but I'd still be fascinated to track it down.

The second one was British, and even stranger. I'm pretty sure it was in black and white, but it was probably made no earlier than the late fifties. This one features an idealistic young vicar (could have been a prist, but I've a feeling it was C of E) who upsets his rather conservative parish and superiors. He hires an African guy as his assistant, and is popular for a while before he somehow pisses off the whole parish (something to do with money, but the details are hazy). Like the previous film, this one has a really bizarre ending, in which the bishop decided to rid himself of the vicar by sending him into space. The last thing we hear in the film is him singing "Lord of the Dance" while in orbit around the Earth.

Of the two films, the second interests me more, simply because it was so thoroughly unconventional compared to other Christian-themed movies I've seen: The hierarchy of the Church were generally portrayed as cowardly buffoons, and the ending was just... yeah. Any help Wikipedians can give in identifying either of these would be much appreciated! Dooky (talk) 09:18, 23 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

The first one is The Cross and the Switchblade, starring Pat Boone as the priest and Erik Estrada - yes, him out of CHiPs - in his first ever screen role, playing Nicky Cruz. The film tells the story of the New York gang, the Mau Maus. I remember watching it in RE, too. The second is familiar but can't remember its name. Neıl 龱 09:46, 23 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

The second one is Heavens Above!, starring the immortal Peter Sellers. I saw it on British TV not long ago; it's a very entertaining film. There's a page about it here. --Richardrj ^talk ^email 10:07, 23 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Fantastic! I've been wondering about these films for years, and Wikipedia sets me right in less than an hour! Having now read the article on Heavens Above, I have to say it makes more sense to me now than it did back then... I suppose a lot of the satire must have gone over my head. Also interesting to note that the incongrous ending is mentioned in the article, so it wasn't just me who found it odd. Especially fascinating to hear the big names involved in both of these films: I will now have to track them down and see how they compare to my memories. Many thanks! Dooky (talk) 10:45, 23 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

BLU-RAY

What's the difference between DVD and BLU-RAY, and why is that format spelled so many different ways? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 67.169.124.168 (talk) 16:33, 23 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

The official name for the new format is Blu-ray Disc. I would imagine that it is spelled in different ways because, among other things, "blu" is not a normal English word. The linked article has more specific information about the format, but very briefly, a Blu-ray Disc can hold significantly more data than a DVD, which means a higher definition movie can be placed on a single disc. --LarryMac | Talk 16:48, 23 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

no need for a new section, please use the same one for follow-ups

Thanks for that link and your explanation. Now, can I play Blu-ray on my current (3-year-old) DVD player/recorder? 67.169.124.168 (talk) 17:27, 23 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

I'm afraid not - you will need a Blu-ray DVD player. Neıl 龱 17:55, 23 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

(after EC) No, you would need a player specifically branded with Blu-Ray Disc capability. I don't think BRD players have been on the market for three years, but nevertheless, you'd know if you'd bought one, because it would have cost nearly $1000 (or your local currency equivalend). BRD players can play DVDs, but not vice-versa. --LarryMac | Talk 17:58, 23 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

For most of the last three years it was very easy to know if you had a blu-ray player. It goes like this: "Do I have a Blu-ray player?" "Did you buy a Playstation 3?" "No." "Then, you don't have a blu-ray player." -- kainaw ™ 19:56, 23 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

James Bond

Somebody knows in which James Bond films Bond doesn't wear a tuxedo? David Pro (talk) 20:44, 23 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Perhaps Casino Royale. Check this site. WDavis1911 (talk) 02:36, 24 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Didn't he wear a tux while playing poker? Dismas|^(talk) 13:29, 24 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

That's what I was thinking too. Google yielded several pre-production reports stating that, for once, James Bond would not be shown in a tuxedo, including a "scoop" revealed by Daniel Craig himself. Maybe it was marketing hype, maybe a rumor, maybe the producers changed their mind. In any event, I did find some stills of Craig, in Casino Royale, at the poker table, wearing a tux. Here you see a juxtaposition of Craig in his Casino Royale tuxedo by Brioni, and his newly tailored Dunhill tuxedo for Quantum of Solace. ---Sluzzelin talk 13:35, 24 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Nielsen Ratings

Is there a WP:RS that has old Nielsen ratings? I can find sites that list TV show Nielsens, but none are "reliable". --Endless Dan 20:53, 23 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

May 24

name that whistle tune

What's the name of the tune Elle Driver whistles as she's about to poision Kiddo in the hospial scene of Kill Bill? Spade9 (talk) —Preceding comment was added at 00:33, 24 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

I think it's called "Twisted Nerve" from the 1968 film Twisted Nerve. It was composed by Bernard Herrmann. WDavis1911 (talk) 02:45, 24 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

DTV game changer?

Cable and satelite will no doubt offer increasingly more tv channels and services through the digital changeover, but it seems the programming quality of mainstream media will probably lag behind the picture quality for years to come (due largely to media consolidation). Will large numbers of people cut their cable or satelite service and switch to an antenna? Aerial transmission will also gain channels (where there is coverage of course). Will diverse media and progressive programming increase in proportion with mainstream commercial media, and will it increase as much or more over the free aerial transmission routes compared with the commercial services? Zaqry (talk) 04:54, 24 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

This seems like a homework question and a crystal ball question, but the best we can give you is the facts on digital television. Good luck! --Wirbelwindヴィルヴェルヴィント (talk) 13:25, 24 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Not schoolwork. And, it is not quite so airy-fairy as a crystal ball question. I have not seen aerials in many years. Someone must know the numbers, but I will take a guess that one might get 6-8 annalog channels on an aerial in metro areas and 3-4 in rural areas. Shouldn't digital bandwidth bring 10-15+ channels over aerial almost everywhere (except back-hills ozarks)? Does the government already mandate that some of those channels (percentage) must be for the public, before commercial interests buy it all? Seems to me like a no-brainer that one could drop a basic cable/satelite subscription while staying well informed and having pretty good channel selection. My homework is for my own interest. How is the government regulating the bandwidth expansion? Zaqry (talk) 03:02, 25 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Album Sales Totals

Hello. Can someone point me to a good site to check album sales totals? I'm looking at several suspicious unsourced edits by 76.176.196.241 (talk), such as these and these, which changed sales figures. I'd like to determine if those changes are valid or vandalism. Thank you. -- Tcncv (talk) 05:03, 24 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Record companies tend not to make that kind of information public, unless it's part of some kind of advertisement or press release. --Richardrj ^talk ^email 06:47, 24 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

I would think that information is out there somewhere. Is there an equivalent to IMDB for the record industry? Some of the articles link to RIAA, but those links have gone dead. -- Tcncv (talk) 12:43, 24 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

I'm still hoping to get an answer I can use or an independent opinion as to whether the numerous changes made by 76.176.196.241 (talk), such as these and these, are fact or fantacy. -- Tcncv (talk) 20:47, 24 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

If it were me, I'd revert and ask the editor to re-insert with a reference. --A Knight Who Says Ni (talk) 21:32, 25 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Donald Duck's 50th Birthday

I'm currently doing that article, but I'm limited mainly because of where I live (Australia) and the fact that the year that it came out was the year that I was born. However, I know through this television special that there was some sort of world wide tour about Donald's 50th, of course details are hard to come by at the moment. Does anyone here remember that way back about the tour? (Did your parents take you by any chance?) I think I'm going into a grey area regarding original research, but the tour IS mentioned briefly in the TV special. Katana Geldar 12:28, 24 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

When asked his age, my Dad always says he's the same age as Donald Duck. (Upon re-reading, I think you're saying you were born in the same year as the TV special, not DD himself.) --A Knight Who Says Ni (talk) 21:35, 25 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Terminator 2: Judgment Day

In Terminator 2: Judgment Day there is the first chase scene where T-1000 with a truck chasing John Connor. John Connor is trying to escape with a motorcycle. Eventually Terminator (Arnold Schwarzenegger) saved John from T-1000. In this chasing phrase, there is a scene where Terminator (Arnold Schwarzenegger) is jumping with his motorcycle (it was a very dangerous jump scene). My question is that whether this jump scene was actually done by Arnold Schwarzenegger himself, or by some stunt man? Otolemur crassicaudatus (talk) 15:41, 24 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

I don't remember that event but very few film stars perform their own stunts. Why risk your star's health when you can get a professional stunt man to do it? I see no reason to suppose that particular stunt might have been an exception.--Shantavira|^{feed me} 18:43, 24 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Agreed. Hollywood is so careful of its stars that stuntmen do most anything even remotely hazardous. Even some small falls like someone being tripped or falling off a bike will be done by stunt men so that there's no chance the star could even twist an ankle. When a star does do their own stunts, it usually makes the news and gossip pages. Dismas|^(talk) 21:49, 24 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

If I remember correctly, if you look carefully at his face during this scene, you'll see it's definitely not him but his stuntman. Kreachure (talk) 15:03, 25 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Here is a picture Think outside the box 19:39, 25 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Infield Fly Rule

Why does the MLB have the infield fly rule? Doesn't the fielder have to catch pop flies? ---Nick4404 yada yada yada What have I done? 18:01, 24 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

It's to prevent the fielder from intentionally dropping the ball but keeping the runner stranded on his current base, so that when the ball is dropped not only is the lead runner caught and can be tagged or forced out, but the batter can then be doubled up. See Infield Fly Rule. Corvus cornix_talk 19:02, 24 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

With runners on first and second and fewer than two outs, an infield fly could be caught and the runners would be obligated to tag up with no reasonable prospect of advancing. The result is one additional out. If the fielder were to purposely drop the ball, he could quickly pick it up and throw a force out against the lead runner at third followed by a force out at second. This assumes that both runners hold back at the prospects of a fly out. If either runner attempts to advance, the fly could be caught and the advancing runner could be thrown out before he could tag up. The result in either scenario is a double play. If bases are loaded with no outs, a similar scenario could yield a triple play. The infield fly rule prevents this windfall and limits the defending team to one guaranteed out. -- Tcncv (talk) 21:18, 24 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Cuidado con un Angel (Use an Angel With Caution)

If Tormenta en el Paraiso (A Storm Over Paradise) had its grand finale, will Cuidado con un Angel (Use an Angel with Caution) take its place? Ericthebrainiac (talk) 20:56, 24 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

(American) FOOTBALL!

This is the age long question that has always been asked. Why is football in Europe called Soccer in america? And why isn't American football called soccer? Who came along and said, "Ok, lets change footballs name to soccer". Why am i asking so many questions? --Randoman412 (talk) 23:01, 24 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

The sport you refer to as soccer, is Association football and the derivation of the word "soccer" is explained in Names for association football. That should cover your first three questions but unfortunately I can't speculate on your fourth. :) Zain Ebrahim (talk) 23:45, 24 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

May 25

Image

Who is this? If it's someone famous, could you add it to the person's article and/or transfer it to commons with a better title? The Evil Spartan (talk) 02:51, 25 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Presumably it is User:Alp38. Adam Bishop (talk) 03:49, 25 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

The big clue is when it says on User:Alp38's page, "Below is a picture of me..." Clarityfiend (talk) 06:40, 25 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

I am legend film

What is Will Smith referring to when he speaks of Bob Marleys album? which album is he talking about? thanks W —Preceding unsigned comment added by 71.34.248.222 (talk) 06:29, 25 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

What does he say? Can you provide a link to the quote? He says a few things about Marley in the film but I don't recall the specific comment you seem to be referring to. Dismas|^(talk) 08:41, 25 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Maybe 'Legend'? Richard Avery (talk) 09:33, 25 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

The song played in the movie is Three Little Birds and during the credits they played Redemption Song so I'm pretty sure it was Legend. I can't remember Will Smith referring to an album though. Zain Ebrahim (talk) 12:46, 25 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Letter on formula one cars

Hi, does anyone know what the N (or the Z, depending on which way you look at it), on formula one cars stands for or means? 202.37.62.201 (talk) 07:13, 25 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Font

What's this font (also shown below if you don't know which one I mean) called? Interactive Fiction Expert/Talk to me 07:29, 25 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Beetle Adventure Racing!

(Image changed to link; fair use image.) --Kjoonlee 21:14, 25 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Copied from Science desk: "Education & Career"

This question was on the science desk, I think it would find more people able to answer here. Lisa4edit (talk) 11:41, 25 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

What are the prospects of the animation industry in the next ten years? 117.194.226.87 (talk) 05:40, 25 May 2008 (UTC)

How does paparazzi affect the media and us?

We see many people complain about paparazzi. However, if we do create a law that bans the paparazzi from "stalking" celebrities, doesn't that harm the media industry and us? And also, how and why? Isn't the paparazzi included into the media, so banning the paparazzi is basically banning the media industry from taking any photos of famous people right? If celebrities complain about paparazzi, why doesn't Obama and other politicians complain about the other people that hogs to take his pictures. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 24.24.250.172 (talk) 22:45, 25 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Electric guitar purchase

Hello there. I am a beginner guitar player and plan to buy my first electric guitar soon. I wanted to buy one of the deluxe Fender Stratocasters, but the store I want to buy it from only has the standard kind in left-handed style. My question: Is it possible for one to replace/change pickups on guitars once you've bought it? Also, as well as an amp and a guitar lead, is there anything else I should purchase to be able to play guitar at home? Thanks in advance!