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February 5

Google voice

If I have a friend in the UK and she gets a google voice number, will it be free to text her if I am in the US?Accdude92 (talk) 04:04, 5 February 2011 (UTC)

Google Voice is not available outside the Good Ol' yet, as far as the rest of the world know. --KägeTorä - (影虎) (TALK) 07:05, 5 February 2011 (UTC)

Pre-DADT Repeal, Conscription of Gay Men

Recently, the US military repealed their Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy. But hypothetically, let us assume that there had been a general conscription in the US prior to the repeal of DADT (say, for WWIII), would one be able to get out of the draft by claiming that they are openly homosexual?

Acceptable (talk) 05:09, 5 February 2011 (UTC)

I guess so, because such a person would immediately be in breach of the "don't tell" part of the requirement. HiLo48 (talk) 05:38, 5 February 2011 (UTC)

Far as I know that was true in the Vietnam era and prior, along with the old saw that straight men might pretend to be gay in order to avoid the draft (as with Phil Ochs' song, "The Draft Dodger Rag"). Women weren't drafted, of course, but lesbians who volunteered had to keep it quiet or they could be expelled. ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 05:52, 5 February 2011 (UTC)

In theory presuming the law didn't change, probably. However from what I've heard (having trouble finding an RS but [1] has some discussion), the US military's tolerance has varied depending on how desperate they were and it wasn't unknown for them to disbelieve such claims and try to force people to serve anyway. (I guess if you go around telling everyone you saw that you're gay you may get out presuming you weren't murdered beforehand.) Of course once they weren't so desperate, it also wasn't unknown for them to kick out those who had volunteered and served honourably, wanted to continue serve and had practiced some discretion. As BB has said, this has been the case for most of the times when the draft was in effect although the law has varied tending to be stricter in the past. See also Sexual orientation and the United States military. Notably, being kicked out for being gay was not necessarily a good thing for you career prospects, see Section 8 (military) and Blue discharge so I suspect wasn't necessarily seen as a better option then say running to Canada. Nil Einne (talk) 07:02, 5 February 2011 (UTC)

According to our article,

The act specifies that service members who disclose they are homosexual or engage in homosexual conduct shall be separated (discharged) except when a service member's conduct was "for the purpose of avoiding or terminating military service" or when it "would not be in the best interest of the armed forces" (10 U.S.C. § 654(e)).

So it seems that they thought of that :-/. I guess what it boils down to is that they'd kick you out if they wanted to, but not just because you wanted them to. Like Bugs, I have heard of people pretending to be gay to avoid service in earlier conflicts; I don't know how well it worked. --Trovatore (talk) 07:06, 5 February 2011 (UTC)

This source offers further clues. On pages 7-8 it says:

' ... during wartime, the military services can, and have, instituted actions “to suspend certain laws relating to ... separation” that can limit administrative discharges. These actions, known as “stop-loss,” allow the services to minimize the disruptive effects of personnel turnover during a crisis. However, administrative discharges for homosexual conduct normally are not affected by stop-loss. It can be speculated that a claim of homosexuality during a crisis may be viewed skeptically, but under the policy would require an investigation. Stop-loss as implemented requires an investigation to determine if the claim is bona fide or being used for some other reason, such as avoiding deployment overseas and/or to a combat zone. If, following an investigation, such a claim were found to be in violation of the law on homosexual conduct, the services could not use “stop-loss” to delay an administrative discharge. In practice, it is quite possible for an individual, during a crisis, to claim to be a homosexual and to be deployed while awaiting the results of an investigation. Likewise, a claim made during a non-crisis situation would more likely be dealt with in a routine manner, leading to a discharge.'

-- Karenjc 10:56, 5 February 2011 (UTC)

Foreign Policy magazine December 4, 2010 describes the Turkish military rigorous proof requirement by anyone applying for exemption from service by claiming to be gay: "In personal experiences recounted for Foreign Policy magazine in December, some gay men seeking exemptions were ordered to verify their claims by producing witnesses to their homosexual acts, or by photographing themselves fully engaged -- and to be persuasive to authorities, the conscript had to be depicted in the "receiving" position in sexual intercourse."[2] -- Uzma Gamal (talk) 12:21, 5 February 2011 (UTC)

How close can you safely stand behind a claymore?

Since claymore mines explode in a unidirectional arc, how close can you safely stand behind a claymore mine You can safely stand 8ft behind a claymore mine and be free from all debris. Recommended distance is 10ft yet 8 will be sufficient. Try it out and see for yourself. Thanks, Acceptable (talk) 06:41, 5 February 2011 (UTC)

The article M18 Claymore anti-personnel mine suggests that your description is incorrect, but I recommend you read the article. ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 06:50, 5 February 2011 (UTC)

Nope, the description/assumption is correct. The question after it bizarre. Without knowing why one would stand behind a claymore mine it is difficult to think of situations in which one would do so. --KägeTorä - (影虎) (TALK) 07:02, 5 February 2011 (UTC)

The article claims the explosion is directional. I interpreted the question to mean it sprayed 360. If it doesn't, in theory you could stand an inch behind it and be OK. The fact it's triggered by remote control might tell you something, though. ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 07:05, 5 February 2011 (UTC)

Unidirectional, Bugs, would mean 'in a singular direction'. --KägeTorä - (影虎) (TALK) 07:07, 5 February 2011 (UTC)

OK, in a "unidirectional arc" would indeed square with the article. So is it safe to stand behind one? Is the remote triggering done merely to catch the enemy off-guard? ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 07:09, 5 February 2011 (UTC)

Does this item need a "Don't try this at home" disclaimer? HiLo48 (talk) 07:24, 5 February 2011 (UTC)

Only if it's possible to buy a claymore mine at your local WalMart or Ace Hardware. ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 07:28, 5 February 2011 (UTC)

Well, I would have no chance in Australia (we don't even have WalMart!), but in America.... HiLo48 (talk) 07:31, 5 February 2011 (UTC)

Claymore mines are strictly military weapons, so they're not publicly available. I think the best you could do is to buy a bunch of Jiffy Pops and line them up in a bank, propped up, and fired with sterno cans. The enemy would laugh hysterically at such a lame joke, and would eat the "shrapnel", and then soon die because it was laced with cyanide. ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 07:39, 5 February 2011 (UTC)

Considering its an explosives based product and with the fact that it is meant to be remote detonated, I'm sure standing immediately behind it isn't a sound idea. Machines and explosives are both prone to error either thru manufacturing errors or operator error. Is the OP planing on holding it like a gun when detonating it? If nothing else, it seems like the recoil from the explosion would probably do significant harm to anyone "behind" the device, lol. Heiro 08:37, 5 February 2011 (UTC)

It may make for an interesting plot point in a spy novel. Dismas|^(talk) 08:41, 5 February 2011 (UTC)

Here's what you want. "You can also expect secondary fragments to rebound up to 100 meters behind the mine." Second to last sentence. Vimescarrot (talk) 10:01, 5 February 2011 (UTC)

Aha. That's also their effective range. So at least 100m away would be recommended. ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 10:13, 5 February 2011 (UTC)

Or you can put it at the top of the stairs and snipe from the small the room with the window... schyler (talk) 14:26, 5 February 2011 (UTC)

The Swedish Försvarsladdning 21 is a type of Claymore mine. It has a 50 meter blasting cap wire, which means that you will have to be really close to set it off. The manual stresses that you should detonate it from cover, however. In peacetime, the safety distances are larger. SäkI Spräng 10, one of the Swedish military safety manuals, gives the safety distance as 200 m behind and to the sides of the mine, 400 m in front of it. That's the distance where you can be sure to stand safely when a claymore is detonated. Of course, I suppose there are many models that are called Claymores, and they will all have their own specifications.Sjö (talk) 18:10, 5 February 2011 (UTC)

The primary reference is FM23-23 which states:

b. Danger Area of Backblast and Secondary Missiles (figs. 4 and 24). Within an area of 16 meters to the rear and sides of the mine, backblast can cause injury by concussion (ruptured eardrums) and create a secondary missile hazard.

(1) Friendly troops are prohibited to the rear and sides of the mine within a radius of 16 meters.

(2) The minimum safe operating distance from the mine is 16 meters. At this distance, and regardless of how the mine is employed, the operator should be in a foxhole, behind cover, or lying prone in a depression. The operator and all friendly troops within 100 meters of the mine must take cover to prevent being injured by flying secondary objects such as sticks, stones, and pebbles.

Having actually deployed and fired a Claymore, I can confirm that there are backblast effects. The casing of the mine very nicely illustrates Newton's third law. ---— Gadget850 (Ed) ^talk 18:25, 5 February 2011 (UTC)

Ah, thank you; this was what I was looking for. In video games (which I know don't offer the most realistic portrayals) such as Call of Duty, the player is safe anywhere behind a detonating mine. In other words, the player can stand an inch behind a Claymore and not be injured. Acceptable (talk) 20:28, 5 February 2011 (UTC)

tharakan/mannadiar's arrival to kerala.

Dear sirs, obrahmins.

But they had to migrate to the kozhikode samoothiri's kingdom facing some sort of harassement from the pandyaraja of tamilnadu.Samoothiri promised to protect them and allowedthem to live in some parts of Malabar like palakkad(especially in thiruvazhiyode, mangode,peringode pulappatta angadippuram in malappuram and chittoor in palakkad. but these people were told to disguise their identity by removing the pinkuduma and the poonool. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 202.153.87.148 (talk) 11:12, 5 February 2011 (UTC)

Well, that is a very good answer, but I am unclear what your question is. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Caesar's Daddy (talk • contribs) 16:24, 5 February 2011 (UTC)

It's about Indian history, possibly identifying a disagreement with one of our articles. Any experts in Indian history around? Itsmejudith (talk) 19:25, 6 February 2011 (UTC)

It may relate to the article Thachil Matthoo Tharakan. --Cookatoo.ergo.ZooM (talk) 21:20, 6 February 2011 (UTC)

Aircraft/Airline Safety

2 questions. First, which country has the worst record of aircraft safety? Secondly, how does a destination country assure itself of the air worthiness of an incoming aircraft? Thanks. 84.13.75.34 (talk) 11:57, 5 February 2011 (UTC)

Each National aviation authority issues airworthiness certificates which may be of type standard or special. See the linked articles for details. These certificates apply to particular aircraft while airport authorities may choose to ban a particular airline. Wikipedia has a summary of Aviation accidents and incidents.Cuddlyable3 (talk) 20:07, 5 February 2011 (UTC)

Interesting question. I suppose that to be useful, you'd need to limit the question to "in the last decade" or two decades, or something, because airlines were flourishing in some countries in 1930, while other countries had no airlines until decades later. You should also clarify whether by "worst record" you mean total number of "incidents", or total number of fatalities or injuries; or whether you mean on a per capita basis, which seems like a better measurement to me. Anyway, Skytrax maintains ratings of airlines, which seem to be a mix of safety and service quality; and I didn't find an accumulated country list. Comet Tuttle (talk) 18:39, 9 February 2011 (UTC)

Geo coordinates for SS Edmund Fitzgerald wreckage

At source question, an editor is looking for help in finding a reference to geo coordinates for a sunken ship to help move an article to FA status. The wreckage of the SS Edmund Fitzgerald could lie in US waters, Canidian waters, or both (affecting legal rights to the wreckage). If you can sleuth out a reliable source for the geo coordinates, that would be great. Also see Recent "900 feet from the border" addition. -- Uzma Gamal (talk) 12:05, 5 February 2011 (UTC)

This site states

The Edmund Fitzgerald Rest .0555 Statue Miles - .4392 Nautical Miles - 2669 Feet - 889.74 Yards from the US / Canada line. Center of wreck site - 46 59.8N - 85 06.7W / 46 59 48N - 85 06 42W

I'm looking for corroboration or a listing on a chart (this site lists NOAA Chart 14962). --Quartermaster (talk) 15:05, 5 February 2011 (UTC)

The coordinates are reported in "Marine accident report SS Edmund Fitzgerald sinking in Lake Superior on November 10, 1975" (PDF). National Transportation Safety Board. 1978-05-04. p. 2. Retrieved 2010-11-19. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)--Wpwatchdog (talk) 15:19, 5 February 2011 (UTC)

Best answer. Ya beat me by literally seconds! I would say that the NTSB report is about as authoritative a source one could find. --Quartermaster (talk) 00:44, 6 February 2011 (UTC)

• Thanks for the help. -- Uzma Gamal (talk) 08:34, 6 February 2011 (UTC)

But 0.055 statute miles is 0.044 nautical miles, 267 feet and 89 yards. Is is actually 0.55 statue miles from the border? Googlemeister (talk) 19:30, 8 February 2011 (UTC)

Missing coin nominal values

Why aren't there any 2, 20, or 200 yen coins? --84.62.198.234 (talk) 15:20, 5 February 2011 (UTC)

Why weren't there any 0.20 or 0.25 DM coins? --84.62.198.234 (talk) 15:20, 5 February 2011 (UTC)

The same as the last time you asked. Scroll up or use Ctrl + F (search for "yen") to find the question and its responses. Vimescarrot (talk) 15:27, 5 February 2011 (UTC)

According to this page, historically the binary system and the duodecimal system were not used in Japan and 5 was/is the cornerstone of abacus which has been widely used in Japan. This is the G-translation. Oda Mari (talk) 09:37, 6 February 2011 (UTC)

Why should there have been? Not every currency has to have all possible nominal values that can exist, not even all nominal values that are commonly used. You could just as well ask why there are no 3 cent or 30 cent coins in either the Euro or the US dollar. When the coins of the Finnish markka were changed for the last time in its history, the 5 penni coin was abandoned as being worth too little, but the 20 penni coin was also abandoned, even though there still was a 10 penni coin. JIP | Talk 19:02, 6 February 2011 (UTC)

The US did, in fact, have a three cent coin (the "trime"). And three cent paper money as well. Collect (talk) 19:31, 6 February 2011 (UTC)

Drat, I didn't know that. I guess it comes from not being American. But my point still stands. JIP | Talk 19:32, 6 February 2011 (UTC)

Don't worry about that. I would wager that less then 5% of Americans know about the 3 cent coin as they stopped making them in 1889. Googlemeister (talk) 15:56, 7 February 2011 (UTC)

There are also 3 Euro coins, although these are, I believe, strictly commemorative. TomorrowTime (talk) 19:36, 6 February 2011 (UTC)

I guess I should have mentioned 31 cent (Euro or US) coins or something instead, to avoid people focusing on misunderstood historical details rather than my actual point, then. Now how long will it take for someone to mention that there has been a 31 cent coin somewhere in the world? JIP | Talk 19:40, 6 February 2011 (UTC)

patron saint

Who is the patron saint of the Green Bay Packers, the Superbowl or American football in general? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 97.125.141.163 (talk) 17:14, 5 February 2011 (UTC)

I don't believe there is any such. Saint Sebastian probably gets closest, as the patron saint of athletes. Various figures might be termed the "patron saint" of the categories you listed, but that will only be for rhetorical effect. Our article on the history of the Green Bay Packers will suggest several candidates such as Curly Lambeau or Vince Lombardi. Our article on the Pro Football Hall of Fame may help for candidates at the larger scope. — Lomn 17:22, 5 February 2011 (UTC)

Note that there is a Green Bay fan who dresses up in green and gold Bishop attire and goes by the nickname "St. Vince" (After Vince Lombardi - see [3]). I don't think he's recognized as a patron saint by any formal religion, though. -- 174.24.195.38 (talk) 21:05, 5 February 2011 (UTC)

IF you don't think Packer fandom isn't a formal religion, you haven't met anyone from Wisconsin then have you? --Jayron32 02:32, 6 February 2011 (UTC)

If I were a Steelers fan, I might joke that it was Saint Jude, the patron saint of lost causes and desperate situations. But I truly have no interest one way or the other, to be honest. --Mr.98 (talk) 02:36, 6 February 2011 (UTC)

"Lost causes"? Maybe today, but not in general, as the Packers have more NFL championships than any other team. ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 14:41, 6 February 2011 (UTC)

31-25 victory over the Steelers suggests that The Pack is Back! DOR (HK) (talk) 04:17, 7 February 2011 (UTC)

The true "lost cause" was some fans who drove from Pittsburgh ot Dallas only to find that their tickets were not being honored in this billion dollar stadium, due to some glitch over the seating layout. As for the "patron saint", it seems like the Packers have quite a few angels watching over them. ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 22:59, 7 February 2011 (UTC)

The patron saint of the Green Bay Packers, and possibly of the NFL, is obviously Vince Lombardi, and you will find many Americans who will argue that he was indeed a saint, despite what any church might say. Comet Tuttle (talk) 18:24, 9 February 2011 (UTC)

Is that Saint Vince Lombardi, or Saint Vince of Lombardi? Googlemeister (talk) 14:45, 10 February 2011 (UTC)

School years numbering system in the United Kingdom

I'm wondering if anyone remembers which year the school years numbering system changed in the United Kingdom (from 1st year, 2nd year, etc, to the more American style of Year 7, Year 8, and so on). My reason for asking is that I came across this edit, and I know it is wrong because the system had already been introduced at my school by the time I left in Summer 1990. I seem to recall it being introduced the previous September (1989), but am not 100% certain. Can anyone help? Cheers TheRetroGuy (talk) 19:18, 5 February 2011 (UTC)

My memory follows yours. Instead of starting my 4th year of junior school in September 1989, I became a Year 6 pupil. But: my catchment Secondary school did not start using the new notation until September 1990. The new year notation followed the newly introduced Key Stage education as part of the National Curriculum which was enacted as part of the Education Reform Act 1988. Whether it was up to the LEA's to determine when to change, I don't know - but it seems there were differences even within an LEA area. I would imagine that September 1990 was the 'you have to be doing this by now' date. Nanonic (talk) 19:38, 5 February 2011 (UTC)

A minor point: the usual American term is grade, not year. Elementary schools ("grade schools") run from first grade (roughly age 6) through eighth grade; high school, ninth through twelfth. (Junior high and middle school are variations.) Americans will also tend to say "tenth grade" where Canadians would say "grade 10." In my experience, it's very unusual to hear terms like "Year 6" in an American school unless it's deliberately copying a British model. --- OtherDave (talk) 01:15, 6 February 2011 (UTC)

I think TheRetroGuy meant by "more American style" that the pattern of numbering was somewhat similar, not that the overall terminology was identical. 87.81.230.195 (talk) 09:33, 6 February 2011 (UTC)

I was referring to the numbers rather than the actual names so apologies if I caused any confusion. TheRetroGuy (talk) 22:00, 6 February 2011 (UTC)

When I left school in 2005 the year 7s were almost always still referred to as first years, though I think that was unofficial. Meanwhile, the rules, which had not been changed in a while, still mentioned the rights of fifth year pupils. Completely useless and of no interest to anyone, but I am running out of ways to put things off this afternoon. 148.197.121.205 (talk) 14:19, 6 February 2011 (UTC)

Also depends on the school.I was at a public school and they used the first to fifth form system(and still do.) My first school had its own completely bonkers system.I'm just disappointed I left in the first year-the pleasure of being asked what school year you're in and replying 'The Great Erasmus' is one of life's little joys... Lemon martini (talk) 15:38, 6 February 2011 (UTC)

It came in with the National Curriulum; independent schools like Christ's Hospital didn't have to follow the National Curriculum so didn't change immediately. I don't think anyone actually made the state schools change either, hence the discrepancies mentioned above. Itsmejudith (talk) 19:23, 6 February 2011 (UTC)

In the state system, it's also slightly bizarre that we still have a Sixth Form or even a Sixth Form College, without having a third, fourth or fifth form (or year). One of those strange anomolies that we Brits like to encumber ourselves with. Alansplodge (talk) 09:24, 7 February 2011 (UTC)

"Manny Penny"

I've heard twice now on the Series Entourage characters saying they were going to a "manny penny". That is phonetic, and the best I have been able to make out from what I heard. I googled that and got nowhere, so obviously it is not the right spelling of whatever it is. Maybe someone known what this is about? What the expression I've been hearing/mishearing is? Thanks.--141.155.143.65 (talk) 20:44, 5 February 2011 (UTC)

Manicure/Pedicure -- 174.24.195.38 (talk) 20:59, 5 February 2011 (UTC)

Hm. Is that where the secretary in James Bond got her name from?

A closer spelling would be "mani/pedi" (the contraction for manicure and pedicure), pronounced "manny peddy." I can see how you might hear it as "manny penny." --- OtherDave (talk) 01:17, 6 February 2011 (UTC)

February 6

Are there any other places online like the Wikipedia Reference Desk?

I like the Reference Desk because I can easily ask a question without giving my email address and exchanging emails with people. I also like the fact that there are always several people to look at my question and try to respond to it. Are there any other websites where I can ask a question and get an answer just by coming back to see what other people have written?174.131.43.140 (talk) 03:58, 6 February 2011 (UTC)

A number of similarly sites are listed here. They vary in quality, to say the least. --Mr.98 (talk) 04:04, 6 February 2011 (UTC)

I use the answerbank quite a lot, which isn't listed there.--Shantavira|^{feed me} 09:03, 6 February 2011 (UTC)

Quora is one which is currently generating a lot of interest (mainly in tech circles at the minute). However it's still in beta, and you theoretically need an account to access it, although if you see a quora question in your search results, you can use the link to bypass the login page and read the answers. --Kateshortforbob _talk 17:13, 6 February 2011 (UTC)

The Stack Exchange Network has a number of question and answer sites on different subjects (41 of them at present). --ColinFine (talk) 18:14, 6 February 2011 (UTC)

Thank you so very much for all the suggestions!174.131.58.121 (talk) 00:31, 7 February 2011 (UTC)

I like http://reddit.com/r/askscience for science questions. There's a fairly good culture of not answering if you don't know the answer, a trait our own Reference Desk could use more of. --Sean 19:33, 8 February 2011 (UTC)

See User:Wavelength/About Internet & WWW/Ask an expert.

—Wavelength (talk) 19:57, 8 February 2011 (UTC)

Leslie Nielsen and cigarettes

Did Leslie Nielsen smoke? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 98.234.170.202 (talk) 07:32, 6 February 2011 (UTC)

You asked this before and it's an identical question that can be found at several places on the internet. CambridgeBayWeather (talk) 09:26, 6 February 2011 (UTC)

two well known historical figures who are known for separate achievements but have extensive interaction

For example Kublai Khan was Emperor of the Mongol Empire and Marco Polo was an explorer but they had a long interaction.

Any other examples come to mind?

Coolxcool (talk) 10:40, 6 February 2011 (UTC)

I assume by "separate" you mean completely different areas? Because there are loads of people who have had long correspondences within subject. Indeed, even with that restricted definition the list may still be very long: figures like Voltaire were voluminous letter writers^{[citation needed]}, interacting with numerous celebrities of the time. - Jarry1250 ^{[Who? Discuss.]} 11:10, 6 February 2011 (UTC)

I was just about to ask for the same clarification. The first duo that popped to mind were C. S. Lewis and JRR Tolkein who were close friends but both writers. And adding to my confusion, you have duos like Christopher Columbus and Queen Isabella. Both noted for different things, both historical figures, but the basis for how we know them today was their business relationship. If it hadn't been Columbus, it would have been someone else that Isabella got to sail. Therefore, a duo was all but assured. Dismas|^(talk) 11:11, 6 February 2011 (UTC)

"Separate" is hard to pinpoint. But what I mean is most known for achievements that are not tied together. Kublai Khan is known as the emperor of a vast territory. Marco Polo is known for traveling across vast territory. Marco Polo spent years in the court of Kublai Khan so the interaction is much more extensive than correspondence. However their separate notability doesn't depend on their interaction together. I think the notability of Queen Isabella to a great extent is based on her connection to Columbus.

Coolxcool (talk) 11:47, 6 February 2011 (UTC)

If you think Isabella's notability is primarily based on her connection to Columbus you probably haven't read the article or aren't much of a student of history of that era. The expulsion of the Jews from Spain, her role in the inquisition, the conclusion of the Reconquista, were all some of the major events in Europe during this era. To quote from the current Wikipedia article:

Spain was united, the crown power was centralized, the reconquista was successfully concluded, the groundwork for the most dominant military machine of the next century and a half was laid, a legal framework was created, the church reformed. Even without the benefit of the American expansion, Spain would have been a major European power.

--Quartermaster (talk) 13:16, 6 February 2011 (UTC)

Yoko and John. Cuddlyable3 (talk) 17:45, 6 February 2011 (UTC)

Albert Einstein and Arnold Schoenberg had enough of a relationship for someone to write a book about it. -- Jack of Oz [your turn] 18:39, 6 February 2011 (UTC)

John Maynard Keynes and Ludwig Wittgenstein. Itsmejudith (talk) 19:19, 6 February 2011 (UTC)

Actor Tommy Lee Jones and politician Al Gore spring to mind as well, as do former American football coach and analyst Lee Corso and actor Burt Reynolds. In both of those examples, the pair were college rooomates who have maintained a lifelong friendship. --Jayron32 20:56, 6 February 2011 (UTC)

Addendum: This article at Cracked.com has a list of several other pairs of acquaintances who have no reason to be acquaintences, based on their career paths. My favorite from the list is George Romero and Fred Rogers. --Jayron32 21:00, 6 February 2011 (UTC)

Well, perhaps the most remarkable example is Aristotle and Alexander the Great. Looie496 (talk) 21:14, 6 February 2011 (UTC)

Marilyn and JFK. Cuddlyable3 (talk) 22:10, 6 February 2011 (UTC)

Gloria Swanson and Joseph Kennedy, Sr.. Corvus cornix_talk 22:32, 6 February 2011 (UTC)

On the sinister side of philosophy and power we have Wittgenstein and Hitler (if the author of The Jew of Linz is to be believed). --Cookatoo.ergo.ZooM (talk) 22:14, 6 February 2011 (UTC)

The argument is just that they were at school together, not that they interacted afterwards. They were two years apart at school, though. Itsmejudith (talk) 12:09, 8 February 2011 (UTC)

Andy Warhol and Paulette Goddard. -- Jack of Oz [your turn] 03:00, 7 February 2011 (UTC)

Einstein and Goedel: Goedel didn't work in physics; Einstein worked in nothing else. Yes, of course I realize that physics involves a great deal of math. David32768 (talk) 02:42, 12 February 2011 (UTC)

Cats and onions

I often test my cat to see what he likes and what he doesn't like. Today I discovered that he likes the smell of a large yellow onion. I would have thought he would take one sniff and run in the opposite direction, but no, it interests him and he enjoys smelling it. Any idea why this is? Viriditas (talk) 11:16, 6 February 2011 (UTC)

Please take the onions away from your cat! No idea why your cat likes the smell of onions though. Dismas|^(talk) 11:19, 6 February 2011 (UTC)

Yes, I know. But why would he be attracted to a dangerous vegetable? Any ideas? Viriditas (talk) 11:21, 6 February 2011 (UTC)

Dogs sometimes like to drink radiator fluid, which is poisonous... and in a related story, humans like to eat donuts. ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 14:40, 6 February 2011 (UTC)

When I was a little kid, my parents were constantly warning me not to eat wild berries (granted, most of which probably weren't actually poisonous). It seems like exactly the kind of thing I would have done, had they not told me. Falconus^{p t c} 19:08, 6 February 2011 (UTC)

The cat doesn't know it is dangerous. Cat evolution likely did not expose them to many onions, so they probably don't have any innate reason to avoid them. --Mr.98 (talk) 20:25, 6 February 2011 (UTC)

9 hours and no one has said curiosity killed the cat...? schyler (talk) 20:38, 6 February 2011 (UTC)

I hope the expression isn't dying out... It's a nice one :( Rimush (talk) 21:53, 6 February 2011 (UTC)

Our cats used to regularly eat stew which had onions in it. They didn't eat the bits of onion, but the gravy never seemed to do them any harm. They also drank copious amounts of milk. They lived to 16 or 17, and were happy (well, they purred a lot) and active (regularly bringing home gifts of birds, rats, shrews and the like, as well as beating up any insufficiently respectful dogs they met). I do wonder sometimes about the accuracy of some of the online "advice" one reads about feeding pets, especially one like that linked to above which praises premium pet foods. DuncanHill (talk) 10:04, 7 February 2011 (UTC)

Would you feel better with a link to the ASPCA's web site? I posted the first link because it was the first result that was handy and it said what I knew it should about onions. Dismas|^(talk) 10:57, 7 February 2011 (UTC)

Strangely, the same site suggests milk gives pets "...diarrhea or other digestive upset." Astronaut (talk) 00:46, 10 February 2011 (UTC)

Most animals are supposed to be lactose intolerant as adults. Googlemeister (talk) 14:44, 10 February 2011 (UTC)

The best advice on what a specific pet should eat, should come from your veterinarian, as they will have a history of your pet's health issues, if any. ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 10:20, 7 February 2011 (UTC)

Cat's come from Northern Africa and onions apparently come from "central asia", according to the article, so in the wild there would have been very little exposure. (Never mind the fact that onions are roots and cat's don't go digging for vegetables.) There would be no reason for them to have evolved a fear or dislike of them.

So probably he was just curious about a new smell. It's an interesting enough smell, even to us humans who can barely smell anything. It's pretty hard to predict which smells a cat will find interesting verses unpleasant. APL (talk) 17:09, 7 February 2011 (UTC)

Not nitpicking, just incredibly curious, APL. How come plural cats qualify for an apostrophe where the other plurals (onions, roots, humans, verses) don't? -- Jack of Oz [your turn] 19:57, 7 February 2011 (UTC)

They demand it. APL (talk) 22:32, 7 February 2011 (UTC)

That's how I would explain it, too, and it seems entirely valid and sensible from the point-of-view of evolution by natural selection. I wonder if that sort of thing has ever been used as an argument against the notion of Intelligent design, though. Does anyone know what a Creationist's explanation would be for animals not having an aversion to things (in nature) that are bad for them? WikiDao ☯ 20:12, 7 February 2011 (UTC)

You cannot use reason to convince people out of a position they did not arrive at via reason. There's absolutely no point in trying to reason young earth creationists out of their position. It is quite past the point of lost cause. Cut your losses, and work on educating people who care about getting it right. --Jayron32 22:14, 7 February 2011 (UTC)

Besides, it works either way. I could easily have said "Cat's are designed to live in a region with no onions. Efficiency must argue against giving animals instincts they have no earthly use for."

P.S.: Jack, I actually typed that wrong by instinct, just now. I don't know why I feel compelled to give plural cats an apostrophe.

APL (talk) 22:37, 7 February 2011 (UTC)

Efficiency is not always the goal. Case in point, the SUV. Does that lead credence to the idea that SUVs evolved themselves? I don't think anyone would try to argue that. Googlemeister (talk) 22:16, 10 February 2011 (UTC)

February 7

Hot Water Heater issue

My hot water heater used to be able to fill the entire bathtub, now it on fills a quarter of it with hot water. What is wrong with it?Accdude92 (talk) 01:26, 7 February 2011 (UTC)

Off the top of my head (non-authoritative) if it's an old water heater it may have filled up with sediment. Particles in your water accumulate and literally fill the tank up, leaving less space for water. --Quartermaster (talk) 01:33, 7 February 2011 (UTC)

That makes since, because the faucet gets clauged up with sediment, and losses pressure. Is there any way to fix it without a new heater?Accdude92 (talk) 01:36, 7 February 2011 (UTC)

There is (should be) a valve at the bottom on the tank, often it's made of plastic. Attach a garden hose to it, and run it into a drain that is lower than the tank. Turn off the gas to the heater, including the pilot. Turn off the incoming water, open the drain valve, and open any hot water tap in the house (to let air in). This will cause gravity to drain the entire tank. When it's empty, cycle the incoming water on and off to try to blast any sediment on the bottom of the tank out the drain. Keep working on it till the water is clear. The tank will be much lighter, so be careful not to move it and damage your pipes. Then turn the drain valve off and the incoming valve on and refill it - leave the hot water tap on (to let air out) till water starts to come out of it. I'm sure there are videos and step by step instructions online if you search for "flush hot water tank". Ariel. (talk) 09:03, 7 February 2011 (UTC)

WARNING If a water heater is drained while the heat is on, the tank can be destroyed if gas fired. Edison (talk) 20:08, 7 February 2011 (UTC)

Good point! Thanks. I edited my instructions. 05:47, 8 February 2011 (UTC)

(To clarify — is the problem that the flow stops entirely after you draw a quarter tub of hot water, or is it just that the water that comes out after the first quarter-tub or so is cold?) If you have an electric water heater, there may be a problem with an element or thermostat. Many electric heaters have two elements, one at the bottom of the tank, and one somewhere in the top half. If the lower element has stopped working (either the element itself or the lower thermostat is broken), then the upper element will tend to only heat the top half (or so) of the tank. Hot water will tend to float on top of the cold water, and once the top half is warm the thermostat on the upper element will shut it off. TenOfAllTrades(talk) 02:49, 7 February 2011 (UTC)

It is one of those old gas ones. And to answer your question, the water gets cold.Accdude92 (talk) 02:53, 7 February 2011 (UTC)

I had that happen with a rented gas water heater. I called the company and they replaced it, and I asked how it could fail in this way. As I recall, the explanation was to the effect that, to ensure that all the water was mixed and heated, the cold water inlet was at one end of the tank and the hot water outlet at the other end. Since both pipes connect to the top of the unit, there has to be a vertical pipe inside it. If this pipe corrodes and breaks, the water below the break doesn't mix much with the water above, so you effectively lose the capcity to heat the water below the break. --Anonymous, 05:04 UTC, February 7, 2011.

You are referring to the dip tube.[4] It directs incoming cold water to the bottom of the tank so it gets heated while displacing the hot water to the top of the tank where it is drawn off. Without a dip tube, the cold water mixes with the hot. Looks like there were a series of heaters with defective dip tubes.[5] ---— Gadget850 (Ed) ^talk 09:31, 7 February 2011 (UTC)

We had the broken off dip tube replaced on a water heater and got a few more years out of it. Edison (talk) 20:08, 7 February 2011 (UTC)

Outsorcing Pharma product ...

I have an Idea about a pharma product and I want to start a business for it .. but the problem is that I want to outsource the production of that product instead of setting a production plant myself.. ...... Is it leagel to outsource pharma product production ... and which are the companys I can outsource my product... —Preceding unsigned comment added by 220.225.96.217 (talk) 03:17, 7 February 2011 (UTC)

You're asking us for legal advice, which we cannot give. If you are really starting a business, especially one involving pharmaceuticals, you will definitely need to consult trained legal counsel on a number of issues before beginning. Don't try to get that kind of information off of the internet unless you enjoy being sued. --Mr.98 (talk) 03:41, 7 February 2011 (UTC)

The question hardly seems to step over the bounds as far as I can see. Searching for "outsourcing pharmaceutical manufacturing" gives lots of hits, such as Bayer Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Services. However you first have to deal with testing and getting government approval, very, very big hurdles, before even thinking about distribution and marketing. Clarityfiend (talk) 05:41, 7 February 2011 (UTC)

It steps over the bounds quite definitely because the OP is asking us for actual advice for their own business operations. But I do not have a problem with characterizing the magnitude of the effort, if it impresses the need for real counsel upon them! --Mr.98 (talk) 12:03, 7 February 2011 (UTC)

(Edit Conflicts) To answer the general question from personal experience of being employed at a large "Big Pharma" manufacturing plant: yes, it is quite usual for companies owning a licenced pharmaceutical product to outsource its manufacture to another company - there are many pharmaceutical manufacturers that specialise in making such products (as well as out-of-patent "generic drugs"), and companies that make their own products sometimes also take on such contracts to keep their facilities fully employed. However, getting a pharmaceutical product tested and licenced by the USA's FDA and/or the UK's MHRA, which is mandatory to sell products in the relevant areas (other countries have equivalent organisations), and then marketed generally takes a "Big Pharma" company (that knows what it's doing) approaching ten years and a billion US$.

Another approach is for a small company that has discovered a promising "molecule" (the industrial jargon, since that is what in essence a drug is) to form a business "joint venture" with a larger company with the facilities to test, get licenced, manufacture, package (a complex procedure), advertise, distribute and sell the product. This is common, though the smaller companies usually consist of several to dozens of scientifically qualified personnel plus the usual business staff.

All "Big Pharma" companies of course have large research arms with multi-billion dollar budgets that are continually investigating thousands of "candidate molecules", delivery methods etc, so the chances of a lone individual having hit on something they have not already patented are slim. However, as "slim" does not mean "zero", the best option (I would suggest) for such an individual or startup company new to the field would be to approach a patent agent specialising in pharmaceuticals and have that agent check whether this new idea is truly new, legally viable and practically feasible, and proceed onwards as the agent advises. A reputable patent agent will not rip off a client's ideas, because that would likely destroy their reputation and business, and will be eager to help with a promising concept as they stand to make serious money from their contractual cut of the eventual profits. 87.81.230.195 (talk) 12:07, 7 February 2011 (UTC)

Well, there is one way that a private individual can develop a pharma product: if it is derived from a plant and can be sold as a "natural supplement". There are very few laws governing such things, and big pharma generally won't touch them because they can't be patented. If the product is synthetic, on the other hand, FDA approval is required and that's a big deal. Looie496 (talk) 23:15, 7 February 2011 (UTC)

Small clarification: It's not the case that there are few laws governing them (or, in any case, fewer than regulate other drugs). It's that the laws that do govern them are very permissive. The Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994 effectively says that the FDA cannot regulate dietary supplements as drugs, only as foods. (So if it doesn't kill you outright, it's essentially unregulated. Truth in advertising is much weaker for foods than drugs, as are claims to quality.) See Dietary_supplement#United_States. It's a recipe for a burgeoning market of quackery, of course, but there were strong political forces involved (something to do with the Mormons, if I recall). --Mr.98 (talk) 16:23, 9 February 2011 (UTC)

At the Sign of the Red Pale

I wasn't sure whether this was appropriate for the Humanities division of the Reference desk, so I am putting it here.

I have a booklet which dates to late 1926, and I am trying to find out about its publisher. The only clue is a logo on the back cover, reading "At the Sign of the Red Pale" and showing, engraved, a white shield with a red pale (wide vertical band running down the centre). There is the article Caxton Press, which makes no mention to the name in connection to this printer, and my on-line search for information about it has failed to turn up anything that wasn't about 15th-century printer William Caxton, from whom the phrase derives. I may want to cite the booklet in question at some point, so any information about the publisher would be appreciated; there is a five-digit number below the logo which could yield some useful information if I knew where to look. Waltham, The Duke of 09:36, 7 February 2011 (UTC)

Wikipedia has an article Caxton Press that mentions presses of this name in Ireland, Idaho and New Zealand. The business of William Caxton (1422–1491), the first British Printer, was at the sign of the "Red Pale". Cuddlyable3 (talk) 09:49, 7 February 2011 (UTC)

Just a note, the Caxton Press in the article is not in Ireland, I have corrected the hatnote and the categories. Anyway, His Grace said he had found the article, and is aware of the connexion to William Caxton. What he is looking for is the publisher of the booklet he has. DuncanHill (talk) 10:11, 7 February 2011 (UTC)

A Google search turns up a large number of different businesses named "Caxton Press". Does the booklet provide any clues to help narrow down the choices? For example, knowing the topic, or the country of publication would help. Warofdreams talk 12:46, 7 February 2011 (UTC)

There was a 1926 booklet, At the Sign of the Red Pale: being a short history of the house of Vacher & Sons Ltd., of Westminster, 1751-1926, published by Vacher and Sons, the publishers of Vacher's Parliamentary Companion. This suggests it was written by Stanley Low, who was the editor of the Companion at the time - http://www.dodonline.co.uk/engine.asp?showPage=article&id=1138&nohead=1. Any help? Ghmyrtle (talk) 13:01, 7 February 2011 (UTC)

The title of the booklet is "Historical Note on the Mosaics at the Palace of Westminster", and it was written by "Thomas Wilson, Deputy Keeper of Westminster Hall and Clerk of Works, Houses of Parliament". I thought I should have mentioned that when starting this section but for some reason I didn't. Anyway, Ghmyrtle's lead seems promising. I am travelling today (leaving in ten minutes), so I'll check again tomorrow. Thank you all for your help so far. Waltham, The Duke of 13:38, 7 February 2011 (UTC)

Based on the title of the book I was able to locate two catalog records in OCLC Worldcat: OCLC 79021900 and OCLC 50210863. In both cases the catalogers state "Printed for private circulation" which hints that there is no "publisher" in the sense of a formal publishing house, but rather this was commissioned and done by an independent printer (I know, fine distinctions of "publisher" and "printer"). In both cases they also list place of publication as "London?" and publisher as s.n.. The author is listed as "Thomas Wilson." Only three libraries (in WorldCat) indicate ownership of this item (you could contact them, but I'm not optimistic you'd get a good answer): House of Lords Library/Record Office, The Boston Museum of Fine Arts, and the Huntington Library (San Marino, California). --Quartermaster (talk) 14:12, 7 February 2011 (UTC)

There really is much more to researching than knowing about a couple of databases and how to use Google. I knew about OCLC and the like but didn't think to use the title as a search item; after all, I was only looking for some information with which to be able to write a full citation, and it seemed to me that information on a publisher (or, in this case, printer) is easier to find than information on a specific publication (I already possess a copy of the booklet, purchased via eBay). I'm not surprised, either, that the House of Lords Library has a copy, and I'm sure there's a lot of material I could view if I lived in London. But that's a different story...

Note: both pages make reference to a second edition of the booklet, and nothing on my copy suggested anything of the sort. From what I can remember (I don't have it here), it gave the impression that it was printed for the occasion of the unveiling in 1926. Anyway, the information is very useful, and I am most thankful for it. Waltham, The Duke of 13:51, 8 February 2011 (UTC)

February 8

Contacting British MPs

I'm not sure where best to ask this.... I know how to contact MPs one by one. Let us say for the sake of argument I want to write a paper letter to each of them. (Free postage to their common address at the Houses of Parliament!). Is there some simple and easy way to acquire a database or spreadsheet of all their names, constituencies, and contact details such as email and phone numbers (maybe even constituency office addresses)? BrainyBabe (talk) 09:33, 8 February 2011 (UTC)

They work for you has a list of the current MPs here, however it doesn't have details of their parliamentary or constituency offices. You probably want the CSV version, which is the first of the 'relevant links' in the right-hand column. CS Miller (talk) 09:54, 8 February 2011 (UTC)

The UK Parliament's web site lists all of the MPs and their constituencies here. Clicking through each name (though laborious) will provide you with correct forms of address and, in many cases, the address and telephone numbers for their local constituency offices. TenOfAllTrades(talk) 14:23, 8 February 2011 (UTC)

Can you tell us why you want to do this? (Or is it a hypothetical question, seeing as you say "for the sake of argument"?). I suspect that individual MPs don't usually have the time or resources to deal with unsolicited correspondence from people other than their own constituents. AndrewWTaylor (talk) 14:48, 8 February 2011 (UTC)

Perhaps Brainy wants to write them letters of thanks for doing such a jolly splendid job (collectively). --PalaceGuard008 (Talk) 19:55, 8 February 2011 (UTC)

Yes, that would be it. Jolly splendid chaps, all of them -- or not, as the case may be. But thanks for the tips. The RefDesk has lots of splendid chaps and chapettes, none of whom fiddle their expenses, as Wikipedia wisely doesn't pay us any. BrainyBabe (talk) 15:20, 9 February 2011 (UTC)

Well, why not just send all the letters to the Houses of Parliament? --Anonymous, 06:13 UTC, February 10, 2011.

Source of work

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Principles_of_learning

Can anyone tell me the original source? Section starting "Under certain circumstances, the instructor can do little, if anything, to inspire................." In section Readiness - paragraph 2 Thanks. Will Patterson (email address redacted)

It has started some interest in my students (a lot more than I expected!) Edward Thorndike has emerged as favourite but this section has not actually found anywhere yet. William Patterson (talk) 09:50, 8 February 2011 (UTC)

It looks like it's verbatim from John L. Nelson's The Beginner's Guide to Flight Instruction (1990) [6]. It looks like a violation of copyright. ---Sluzzelin talk 10:50, 8 February 2011 (UTC)

Specific scifi short story

Not sure if this is the best desk, but here goes... A few years ago I read a short story in a collection of recent (I think) scifi short stories, and now I can't find it. It was a story set in a future where most women only had periods when they were trying to get pregnant, and otherwise they just received some long-term medication via a shunt (?) and never had to worry about their cycle. The story revolved around a group of women in an extended family meeting with (I think) the youngest member of the family, who had joined a group that said menstruating was a beautiful, natural thing, and she was planning on removing her shunt. The older women were horrified, and explaining to her how ridiculous it was to choose to have a period every month. It transpired that the youngest woman (who had never had a period) didn't realise it would involve bleeding!

Please help me find this story, I laugh a little whenever I think of it and am smiling right now! I'd like to look the author up and see what else she's written. 86.162.68.36 (talk) 10:40, 8 February 2011 (UTC)

I think that would be Even the Queen by Connie Willis. Karenjc 11:39, 8 February 2011 (UTC)

It is! Thank you very much. 86.162.68.36 (talk) 12:07, 8 February 2011 (UTC)

You're welcome :) -- Karenjc 14:45, 8 February 2011 (UTC)

Having no menstruation isn't science fiction. It is certainly possible. See Extended cycle combined hormonal contraceptive#History. 93.95.251.162 (talk) 15:09, 8 February 2011 (UTC) Martin.

Indeed, but the (not) novel phenomenon of 'periodlessness' for some individuals wasn't itself the point of the story. Connie Willis [OR warning!] generally focuses on aspects of culture or society as affected by hypothetical changes in technology (in its broadest sense) or simply by temporal cultural development, not on the technologies themselves. In this case she was examining the scenario of a future in which, for some time, no women (in the culture depicted) had had periods. 87.81.230.195 (talk) 15:30, 8 February 2011 (UTC)

Indeed. I myself am starting on a course of only having to experience 2 periods a year, and choosing when those are, which is much better than a flying car. But that isn't no periods, and it isn't a world in which the default is nobody having periods, and it isn't an amusingly written story. 86.162.68.36 (talk) 18:27, 8 February 2011 (UTC)

William Courtenay b circa 1341

He was Archbishop of Canterbury 1381-1396. He was born in a village near Exeter...Which one? Kennford (talk) 11:21, 8 February 2011 (UTC)

According to the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, he came from Exminster. Warofdreams talk 12:30, 8 February 2011 (UTC)

This review of a 1966 biography by Joseph Dahmus agrees. This page says "born in the parish of St. Martin's, Exeter, England, c. 1342" - the parish church of Exminster is St Martin of Tours. Alansplodge (talk) 12:45, 8 February 2011 (UTC)

...but there is also a St Martin's Church actually within the city centre of Exeter, so there could be some ambiguity or uncertainty. Exminster is a few miles outside the city itself. Ghmyrtle (talk) 15:15, 8 February 2011 (UTC)

Yes, maybe. But another vote for Exminster here with copious sources listed at the foot of the page. Also this exerpt from Magna Britannia; "(Exminster) was afterwards in the (demesne of the) Courtneys, Earls of Devonshire, who had a magnificent mansion at this place, in which Archbishop Courtney and his brother Sir Peter... are said to have been born". Alansplodge (talk) 22:58, 9 February 2011 (UTC)

Mercedes Benz?

The automobile company Mercedes-Benz is named after two separate people, Mercédès Jellinek and Karl Benz. But has there ever been a woman who was actually named Mercedes Benz? JIP | Talk 18:54, 8 February 2011 (UTC)

Yes. Also "Mary Christmas" and many other "cute" names which mean (?) parents have stuck on kids. [7] "Mercedes" is not a rare first name for a girl. Collect (talk) 21:57, 8 February 2011 (UTC)

Benz being quite a common surname in Switzerland (over 2,000 entries in the electronic phone book), I expected to perhaps find an example of a Mercedes with a Spanish maiden name having married a Herr Benz. I found no such example, but I did in fact find a Frau Benz whose middle name is "Mercedes". ---Sluzzelin talk 14:42, 9 February 2011 (UTC)

This man is named after another motor company. DuncanHill (talk) 22:59, 9 February 2011 (UTC)

irony

what is wtrong with the page? And can you give me humourous examples thereof please. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 195.89.16.154 (talk) 19:40, 8 February 2011 (UTC)

Who claims there's anything wrong with the page? -- Jack of Oz [your turn] 19:46, 8 February 2011 (UTC)

Humor is highly subjective, but one comic story which is basically the template for irony is O. Henry's "The Gift of the Magi". It is not a long story, but it is worth reading and if you understand how irony works in that story, you should understand irony pretty well. --Jayron32 20:41, 8 February 2011 (UTC)

The article, however, has a lot of what is assuredly "original research" therein. Much of Twain's work is ironic - such as having Jim be the genuinely smart person in "Huckleberry Finn" etc. which Huck (the narrator) appears totally oblivious to. Collect (talk) 21:54, 8 February 2011 (UTC)

It is created by Wikipedians to be asked by Wikipedians to be answered by Wikipedians. 64.75.158.193 (talk) 13:33, 10 February 2011 (UTC)

February 9

Inflation investment

This is a U.S. specific question. Take it as a premise that you know with 100% certainty that a fairly large inflationary period is coming soon. Can you tell me a range of investments that are likely to be fruitful given this knowledge?--108.27.103.77 (talk) 20:30, 9 February 2011 (UTC)

Buy German government bonds? Or any bond denominated in non-US currency. Assuming that the inflationary period is only in the US, and you are American, you only care about your return measured in dollars. As there is huge inflation in dollars, stashing all your money elsewhere is a good idea. You could take up dollar-denominated loans to finance your purchases of foreign-denominated bonds. If your assumed inflation boom is global, maybe you could short sell some US bonds? (I'm not sure if people actually do that.) Jørgen (talk) 20:36, 9 February 2011 (UTC)

Or a shotgun and shells and enough tinned food for a year if you think the inflation is going to be really, really, really bad. Googlemeister (talk) 21:05, 9 February 2011 (UTC)

I slighly over-thought it. Just take out a large fixed-interest-rate loan. Buy a house, or a factory, or foreign currency, or really anything, and then watch your loan disappear as the value of the dollar plummets. Jørgen (talk) 21:08, 9 February 2011 (UTC)

The basic idea is to pick things whose prices can be expected to rise in parallel with inflation. Most experts give commodities and real estate as examples. The classic inflation hedge is gold, but in my opinion it is currently overpriced so I wouldn't recommend it at this point. Looie496 (talk) 21:11, 9 February 2011 (UTC)

I agree with all of the above advice, though I disagree that an individual can expect to hold out alone in a time of widespread violence. (If you expect such violence, then you need to expect to be outgunned by gangs, unless you have organized a neighborhood group patrol that can deter them.) Incidentally, I do not have 100% certainty about anything in the future (nor does anyone else really), but I foresee a likelihood of disruptive inflation. I have taken some of the actions recommended above. I would recommend in addition that you consider investing in foreign stocks, since growth would be more likely to occur outside the U.S., and your investment will be protected overseas from U.S. inflation. Marco polo (talk) 22:05, 9 February 2011 (UTC)

Regarding German bonds, I am leery of investing in bonds in Europe at this time given the Euro's problems. Things in Europe are financially unstable in my opinion—anyone read that story in The New York Times Magazine two or three weeks ago? (here's a link). Anyway, I was also thinking about gold, but it's at a huge high. Any other specific commodities that might be good? Platinum? Cobalt? Copper? Should I short trade frozen orange juice futures? (just kidding). I am lucky enough to have a tidy sum in the bank (earning a truly paltry interest rate) and it's stupid to not take some risk with a portion but I still want to do something that's at least smart on paper.--108.27.103.77 (talk) 22:58, 9 February 2011 (UTC)

Here in the UK, land is the only investment I can think of that has not fallen in real value at some time during my lifetime. (I've tried all the other investments and lost! I wish I'd invested in land many years ago! I'm not sure whether the same is true of land in America - there's a lot more of it! Dbfirs 23:07, 9 February 2011 (UTC)

Besides the above-mentioned precious metals, another strategy is to invest in inflation-protected government bonds, known in the U.S. as "Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities." The thing about bonds is you don't have to sit there collecting the interest rate (or Coupon) but can sell the bond to someone else before it matures. If you are in a period of low inflation, and it becomes clear that inflation will increase, that TIPS you bought will now sell for a premium. Another thing you can do is to short-sell investments that don't do well in inflationary environments, such as stocks that get much of their return from their dividend. -- Mwalcoff (talk) 00:49, 10 February 2011 (UTC)

Does nobody else find it odd that whilst not being allowed to give legal or medical advice on the reference desk, it's fair game to give financial advice willy nilly? --220.237.161.238 (talk) 12:03, 10 February 2011 (UTC)

Yep, that is weird!--Lgriot (talk) 12:43, 10 February 2011 (UTC)

What Career should i take

Hi,I'm going to study University this June, i have to leave by summer, and i still haven't decide what should i study, i don't know the careers,i would like you guys to help me, this is a list of the things i wish i could do with my career

•Develop in Adobe Flex 3.0 or 4.0,Java j2EE,XML,Action Script •specialize in textile engineering •oversee all aspects of product development from the design phase through production, with the guidance of the product managers •work directly with the product managers to take projects from the design phase to being production ready with complete technical packages created within projects timelines •understand the pattern making, textiles, construction techniques and other elements that comprise apparel and brace construction •Be Responsible of the commercialization of products from the initial creation of the specifications to final production •Design, prototype and test products according to their design specifications and provide guidance on all fabrication both in the prototype and production phase •Develop commercially viable product in partnership with design,development and manufacturing while adhering to quality, product margin and calendar requirements •Develop fabric specifications based on performance requirements and appearance, source, acquire and conduct sample verification testing •Establish and maintain materials’ specifications libraries for textiles, trim and associated hardware •Create standards and procedures for the textile platform, including sourcing qualification •Set up prototype fabrication capability, assisting in the hiring of personnel, setting up of facilities and the identification of sewing equipment, fixtures and supplies, and the maintenance of inventories •Provide training to production personnel •Prepare the appropriate documentation to verify the design by producing technical packages, drawings, work instructions, patterns and test plans •Work with textile mills, convertors and suppliers to establish a physical materials samples library •Gain experience with pattern making, seam types, threads and sewing techniques •Gain experience with test equipment and fabrics’ test standards both for materials & finished products •Travel to tradeshows, material shows, and partner with vendors to track market trends and innovative materials and constructions •Gain experience with Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator and SolidWorks •Interpreting and working from engineering drawings •Know about ASTM, ISO, AATCC standards •Learn MS office such as Word, Excel and PowerPoint and MS Project •Able to communicate clearly and effectively at all levels of organization and internationally with vendors •Travel domestically and internationally.Travel for on site development and associate training for new product implementation •I would like to work in an Important Transnational Financial company •Work in the field of sales financing, mortgage, real estate, small and medium-sized business sales, Automotive and investment funds

So based in all of the above information, which career should i take in University? thank you for your help —Preceding unsigned comment added by 76.79.129.82 (talk) 21:55, 9 February 2011 (UTC)

Before trying to answer, you have to tell us from where you copied and pasted all of those bullet points, because nobody on Earth says that in their career they want to be sure to be "interpreting and working from engineering drawings". Comet Tuttle (talk) 23:34, 9 February 2011 (UTC)

Most of those bullet points (probably all except the last two) seem to be from a detailed job description for something like a senior product manager in a textile company. A single university qualification is unlikely to furnish you with all the necessary skills for that job; in fact you would probably need substantial experience in the textile industry before even being seriously considered for the position. However, an engineering dergree could be a step in the right direction.

As for the last two bullet points, they seem to be a generic wish list which could be satisfied with some accountancy qualification Whether or not a degree will be required will depend on the position applied for. Astronaut (talk) 00:22, 10 February 2011 (UTC)

I am in University right now. Two years ago, before my matriculation into College, I had a solid plan laid out for my future. I even used online resources like this Reference Desk to hammer out the details. I got to school and found out that I didn't enjoy the classes I was taking that applied to my career. Turns out, as several adults told me before I went to college, and two advisors told me afterwards, the degree doesn't matter. Unless you plan on taking up research as a doctoral candidate and as a professor, the path is totally unimportant. My dad always said "Get the Sheepskin." I didn't understand until recently when an anonymous hiker I met on a trail told me "Take what is fun, then start your career." While it is important to plan for the future (like buying low and selling high in the stock market and opening up IRA and traditional savings accounts), University is for learning who you are and what you like, and for having fun doing it! schyler (talk) 00:35, 10 February 2011 (UTC)

Note that schyler's advice is true for some people. I was a chemistry major in college. Loved it. I got a master's degree in Education. Loved that too. Now I am a chemistry teacher. It is entirely possible to go to college with a course of study and a planned job in mind, take the classes you need for that career, thoroughly enjoy yourself, and also get lots of relevent, useful, and applicable job training all at the same time. The best advice is to make the best out of your university experience, whatever that means for you. Some people have experiences like mine, others find that their university experience was fun, but never get to "use" their degree, finding jobs in other fields, and other people have completely different experiences. --Jayron32 00:48, 10 February 2011 (UTC)

nota bene: it was Jayron's graduate degree which applied to the career choice, IMHO. schyler (talk) 01:59, 10 February 2011 (UTC)

But he would probably not be allowed to be a chemistry teacher without a chemistry degree. I disagree that the degree doesn't matter, and sort of don't think that somebody in university can really tell yet how much it does or doesn't matter — you find that out when you try to get a job afterwards! It's not that what you major in locks you into a career, but it does change how you look on paper, and can very much affect what you know. There are some careers that you will basically never be able to get in without the right degrees. If you want to be in one of those careers, you have to plan ahead. If you don't, it doesn't matter so much. (I say this as someone with a History degree, which qualifies you for no particular career at all.) --Mr.98 (talk) 02:27, 10 February 2011 (UTC)

The only reason I brought up my father's advice is that he has been an employer for 25 years. He was saying, essentially, "Any degree at all looks better than no degree." Is that more agreeable, 98? schyler (talk) 03:27, 10 February 2011 (UTC)

Surely the degree matters in some cases. In many jurisdictions you cannot practise law without a Bachelor of Laws (or equivalent), you cannot practise medicine without an MBBS (or equivalent), etc. --PalaceGuard008 (Talk) 10:47, 10 February 2011 (UTC)

(To the original poster). Is it already decided which university you're going to? If it is, you need to look through the course offer and see what matches your requirements - and you can contact staff and ask more if you need to. If there is more than one university you could go to, then your choice seems to be between textile engineering and general engineering. What country are you in? Itsmejudith (talk) 12:09, 10 February 2011 (UTC)

It certainly used to be the case that the degree subject didn't matter, but since the 80's the degree subject and particularly the grade achieved (and even the university attended) has become more important to many employers - In the UK I increasingly see job adverts specifying something like "...a first or upper second achieved in computer science or mathematics, from a top university". Astronaut (talk) 12:31, 10 February 2011 (UTC)

Sales persons

When I visited the US on holiday a while ago, I was asked at the till point in a clothing shop what assistant helped me, to which is was completely dumbfounded! In a episode of Will & Grace, it is mentioned when Grace says "When they ask me at the register who helped me, I always say 'No one'." Asking who helped you on the salesfloor is completely unheard of in the UK (at least to my knowledge), so what is the purpose of asking this? Does it go to some sort of employee benefit? Regards, 86.185.188.239 (talk) 22:40, 9 February 2011 (UTC)

At some stores the sales staff are paid commissions or are otherwise awarded benefits, yes. However, these days in the US, I find it very rare to be asked this question. Comet Tuttle (talk) 23:32, 9 February 2011 (UTC)

In addition to the commission system, some stores have workers assigned to specific areas, they might be doing spot checks to make sure they're working their area. 65.29.47.55 (talk) 01:22, 10 February 2011 (UTC)

At Cabelas stores there is a system of "Fish Cards." That is, when a customer mentions an employee by name, they receive a fish card. In turn, the employee hands that in to HR to get $5 bonus to his or her paycheck. schyler (talk) 01:58, 10 February 2011 (UTC)

They did this at Gap in the UK, for quite a few years; it was the only shop I ever encountered which did this. However, I was in three different branches recently, and this practice thankfully seems to have stopped now. (I'm having a bit of trouble tracking down any sources about this, unfortunately) --Kateshortforbob _talk 12:58, 10 February 2011 (UTC)

February 10

Kitaru Movie details

I came across this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3vq_y1hFlrY which was posted almost a year back. I searched for a long time, but couldn't find any info about the release date of the movie, or the studio (aoineko) that created it. I went to the official website too (http://www.aoineko.com/), but since my net connection's too slow, most of their pages didn't load properly for me. Wikipedia doesn't have an article on either the movie or the studio. Any pointers? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 117.97.231.0 (talk) 12:15, 10 February 2011 (UTC)