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August 3

nostradamus's best and worst predictions?

what were nostradamus's best and worst (i.e. most right and most wrong) predictions? 78.131.25.223 (talk) 02:02, 3 August 2011 (UTC)

(Moved from Computer Desk.) StuRat (talk) 03:44, 3 August 2011 (UTC)

All of his predictions are tied for "worst". --Jayron32 03:53, 3 August 2011 (UTC)

Some of his translators have done quite well in retrospect. HiLo48 (talk) 03:59, 3 August 2011 (UTC)

Do you mean that some after-the-fact translations were manipulated to make it look like he made accurate predictions ? StuRat (talk) 04:12, 3 August 2011 (UTC)

Yes, although I suspect that sometimes it was a case of looking extremely hard for a possible meaning that may not have really been there. HiLo48 (talk) 04:15, 3 August 2011 (UTC)

More to the point: people don't have to be deliberately fraudulent. Humans are already very good at deluding themselves into making the text have more meaning than it does. Nostradamus works on something akin to the Infinite monkey theorem: The dude wrote a ton of stuff, most of it is incomprehensible gibberish. However, given a longer and longer expanse of history, there will always be some random event which someone, with enough effort, can make "fit" some of Nostradamus's gibberish. Look at it another way: Given the amount of human feces which has been excreted, the likelyhood that someone crapped a log in a decent likeness of Elvis Presley is actually pretty good; most of us don't spend time examining our shit that closely to see who it looks like, however. Nostradamus has written a lot of shit, and unlike the turds in most people's toilets, people have been combing through his shit for hundreds of years. There's bound to be something which looks like a prediction given the combination of enough history to match it to, and enough willpower on the observer to believe that its a match. --Jayron32 04:29, 3 August 2011 (UTC)

This hilarious part is that one of his best "hits" wasn't him at all! In 1997 A Canadian student trying to illustrate how easy it was to imitate Nostradamus's technique, and wrote a nonsense prediction in Nostradamus's style that four years later strongly reminded a lot of people of 9/11. (See this snopes article here. )

More seriously, there are a few examples of real Nostradamus predictions and how they turned out in this Cecil Adams article, The Straight Dope : Was Nostradamus Really Able to Predict the Future?

I think the biggest thing that people have a hard time understanding about these things, is that you can't count something as a prediction unless you can understand it's meaning before the event it predicts. (Once you know what a duck looks like, it's easy to find a cloud that looks like one. Same thing with finding 'predictions' in gibberish.)APL (talk) 05:57, 3 August 2011 (UTC)

In contrast, Criswell's predictions were straightforward and understandable, even though they were totally looney. I wonder what Nostradamus had to say about the Cubs next World Series championship (if any)? ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 17:55, 3 August 2011 (UTC)

You may be interested in Prophecy of the Popes along list of all the popes of the catholic church, but on a quick glance at the article it doesn't mention any suggestion that Rome shall be incinerated (nuclear blast), just that it would be destroyed. I've always found that one a more interesting vision, as it has an arbitrary climax which we will get to see unwind in our lifetimes (hopefully we will live that long). Nostradamus is famous for his understanding of human nature, rather than time dilation, he gave the world a scrabble set of quatrains, knowing full well he'd have a lot more fun that way, and he did :) Someone else who had fun for the same reasons was the famous artist who (people don't know) made the famous shroud. Penyulap _talk 12:29, 6 August 2011 (UTC)

Extra Dry Martini, how to drink it?

Got an extra dry Martini 100 cl. bottle. On the bottle I can make out a recommended mix of 1/5 martini dry, 4/5 Bombay Sapphire gin e un'oliva. I don't have any gin good gin with me but I have a Smirnoff vodka. olive is also out of question in my part of the world. Can Martini Dry be taken on its own? --117.253.190.68 (talk) 04:45, 3 August 2011 (UTC)

The Martini Extra Dry is a brand of vermouth. Just to get some things straight:

• Vermouth is a type of fortified wine; basically wine with other ingredients mixed in. Dry vermouths like "Martini Extra Dry" are flavored with additional spices. There are also sweet vermouths which have added sugar.
• The Martini Cocktail is a mixture of vermouth and gin with an olive used as a garnish. While you could mix these in just about any proportion, the 1 part vermouth to 4 parts gin sounds pretty standard to me. Martini Brand vermouth would probably make a decent Martini; I expect it is named as it is specifically to market it for that purpose.
• There are also vodka martinis where the gin is replaced with vodka. In the original James Bond novels, this is what James Bond drank, shaken not stirred. Personally, I don't like the taste of gin (too piney for me) so I prefer a vodka martini (I like mine "dirty", with some olive brine mixed in as well, but that's my taste). So, you can feel free to make vodka martinis to your heart's content, knowing that lots of people drink them that way.

There's also nothing stoping you from drinking vermouth straight, or on the rocks, or mixed with club soda, or anything else really. Taste is purely subjective, and if you want to try it, and you like it that way, go with it! --Jayron32 05:03, 3 August 2011 (UTC)

Thanks Jayron for the well-informed reply. So, this thing is brand of vermouth. I guess with 18% vol it's a very mild spirits and can be taken without diluting. --117.253.190.68 (talk) 06:32, 3 August 2011 (UTC)

Technically, as Jayron already mentioned (though didn't link), vermouth is not a spirit but fortified wine. Though even if it was a spirit there is no law that says it should be diluted. A lot of spirits are even meant to be drunk straight, like for example single malt whisky (although some prefer adding a drop of water, as it is said to increase the aroma). --Saddhiyama (talk) 12:56, 3 August 2011 (UTC)

Yes, vermouth can be consumed as an aperitif, straight up (chilled), over ice, or with a splash of soda. (That said, the cheaper vermouth labels are generally best employed in mixed cocktails or cooking.) Vermouth 101 provides an approachable introduction to this fortified wine. TenOfAllTrades(talk) 17:02, 3 August 2011 (UTC)

If I were to mix it with vodka, what would be the right proportion?--117.253.190.68 (talk) 17:35, 3 August 2011 (UTC)

As I was taught, a proper vodka martini is a measure of vodka and just a dash of vermouth (with, a twist of lemon peel or an olive as garnish)--Jac16888 ^Talk 17:41, 3 August 2011 (UTC)

I thoroughly approve of the American Standard Safety Code and Requirements for Dry Martinis, especially the "radiation method", whereby, A 60 watt incandescent lamp is placed on a flat surface 9 inches from a sealed bottle of vermouth. A sealed bottle of gin is placed on the other side [...] at a distance of 23 inches....The lamp may be illuminated for an interval of 7 to 16 seconds. -that is, of course, quite tongue-in-cheek; it's a kind-of joke ANSI standard, to demonstrate how standards work. But the idea is right - a very small amount, a dash. Of course, each to his/her own.  Chzz  ►  15:14, 4 August 2011 (UTC)

P.S. Whilst, ahem, "researching" this (°hic°) I came across a book, available on Google - Martini, Straight Up: The Classic American Cocktail, by Lowell Edmunds. Like a decent martini, it's rather good.  Chzz  ►  15:38, 4 August 2011 (UTC)

I've never understood the appeal of the martini, I've always thought it to be a vile drink. Now an Appletini, that's a good drink, although not the recipe in the article--Jac16888 ^Talk 15:45, 4 August 2011 (UTC)

a list of favorite articles

hello,

i am curious if their is an option to create a custom list of my personal favorite articles (much the same as favoriting/creating playlists in youtube) via my wikipedia account or if i simply have to favorite the urls on my browser?

,thank you. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Burton333 (talk • contribs) 07:34, 3 August 2011 (UTC)

Add articles that interest you to your Watch list. Do that by ticking "Watch this page" under the article's editing window, without changing anything else, then "Save page". Cuddlyable3 (talk) 09:31, 3 August 2011 (UTC)

There's no need to Save after Watchlisting a page, Cuddlyable3. There's been no change made, so there's nothing to save. -- Jack of Oz ^{[your turn]} 21:29, 3 August 2011 (UTC)

You can create a watchlist: see Help:Watching pages. This isn't exactly what you require, but might be useful. --Colapeninsula (talk) 09:29, 3 August 2011 (UTC)

Or, alternatively, you can create a list at your home page (click on your screen name at the very top of the page, to go there). Do this by typing the exact name of each article, with double square brackets around it. You will get something like this:

My Favorite Articles

• Root beer
• Smurfs

Old lift

Why didn't the lift doors open at 0:42 in this video? --84.61.147.210 (talk) 09:17, 3 August 2011 (UTC)

The lift (elevator) was at the E floor waiting for a command to ascend, and ignored a press on the E button. Cuddlyable3 (talk) 09:41, 3 August 2011 (UTC)

High Speed 1 KML?

Is there a downloadable KML/KMZ file for the route of High Speed 1 from St Pancras to Dover? --CGPGrey (talk) 11:26, 3 August 2011 (UTC)

It's available as an XML file from OpenStreetMap via the link at the bottom of this page. Judging by various forum posts on the topic, it should be fairly easy to convert the OSM XML file to a KML file. Warofdreams talk 16:14, 3 August 2011 (UTC)

Actually, that appears to be missing much of the route. Try instead, which is the entirety of Eurostar; you can then remove the sections you don't want. Warofdreams talk 16:17, 3 August 2011 (UTC)

200 mm like 300 mm lens

What does that mean? Do they want to say that there is a typical 300 mm lens, but this 200 mm is the equivalent of it? In this case, what makes a lens typical, if it can have a shorter equivalent? 88.9.106.140 (talk) 12:48, 3 August 2011 (UTC)

In traditional (i.e. non-digital era) terms that doesn't seem to me to make much sense, and googling finds no instances of the complete phrase. Can you give us some more context, such as more of the surrounding text, and if this is from a professional manufacturer's or retailer's advertisement (where the wording may be deliberately obfusticated) as opposed to a private one (where the seller may simply be clueless)? {The poster formerly known as 87.81.230.195} 90.197.66.52 (talk) 13:12, 3 August 2011 (UTC)

I suspect it only makes sense in the field of digital photography. Here is the text extract: "The "lens to die" for the D80 is the Nikkor 18-200 mm f/3.5-5.6G ED-IF AF-S DX VR Zoom. 18 mm is the equivalent of 27 mm and is a great angle Decent. 200 mm is equivalent to 300 mm and is a very good zoom nature." 88.9.106.140 (talk) 13:26, 3 August 2011 (UTC)

This is discussed in our article Crop factor. Most digital SLR cameras have a sensor that is smaller than a full-frame 35mm negative. Therefore any given focal length is effectively multiplied by the ratio between the DSLR sensor and the traditional full-frame. This ratio varies a bit between the major manufacturers, but 1.5 is a good approximiation. Thus, using a 200mm lens on a D80 is equivalent to using a 300mm lens on an old-school, film-using Nikon F5. --LarryMac | Talk 14:14, 3 August 2011 (UTC)

Now that we know that the phrase involved comparing differently formatted (35mm) film and digital sensors (which I should have thought of), it does indeed make sense. You might find further information of interest in our article Lenses for SLR and DSLR cameras, which has a table of equivalent focal lengths for different formats (i.e. different sensor sizes) compared to the standard 35mm format most common in film cameras and also used in some (I believe especially earlier) digitals. {The poster formerly known as 87.81.230.195} 90.197.66.52 (talk) 16:05, 3 August 2011 (UTC)

Disparaging quips about grown men wearing shorts

I remember hearing some sardonic polemics about the only contexts in which it is acceptable for grown men to wear shorts but can't remember the punchiest lines. Anyone help out? Skomorokh 21:50, 3 August 2011 (UTC)

Hey, I'm 34 and I wear shorts! It gets hot here! --Jayron32 23:08, 3 August 2011 (UTC)

How about "anywhere except within the privileged walls of Bushwood Country Club"? I reject this snobbery. Comet Tuttle (talk) 23:19, 3 August 2011 (UTC)

Wife to Paint Store Clerk: "I'm looking for a particular shade of white. (turns to husband) Honey, pull up your pant leg and show the man your thigh." Schyler (exquirere bonum ipsum) 00:14, 4 August 2011 (UTC)

The sitcom King of Queens featured characters who wore shorts at work, and there were many jokes about that. StuRat (talk) 05:42, 4 August 2011 (UTC)

See Lederhosen. 2.97.219.104 (talk) 10:41, 4 August 2011 (UTC)

Who wears short shorts? Cuddlyable3 (talk) 11:38, 4 August 2011 (UTC)

“ A man should never wear shorts in the city. Flip-flops and shorts in the city are never appropriate. Shorts should only be worn on the tennis court or on the beach. ” — Tom Ford

 Chzz  ►  15:02, 4 August 2011 (UTC)

One wonders how a guy who grew up in Houston could ever make such a claim. Still, it might help if he defined what he meant by "city". Do suburbs count? What about shopping malls? The Mark of the Beast (talk) 18:18, 4 August 2011 (UTC)

There is an interesting constellation of age, gender and class here. In the 20th century Anglophone settler-societies (Australia, New Zealand, Canada, some other one) young male children began wearing shorts (rather than dresses or skirts) as part of a growing trend towards gendering children; and, in the context where expanding working class consumption allowed such gendering. Shorts are and were cheaper than full trousers (themselves a "working mans'" clothing when initially worn, but later shifted in class positioning by the suits trouser). Shorts have an association with childishness and immaturity in males, think of Blackadder 2, "Shorty greasy spot spot?". Shorts are also worn by manual workers. Given a long term association between proletarian status, manual labour, and cultural repression of the manual working class—shorts are viewed through a class lens as embodying dirt, raw masculinity, combativity, cretinism, low social income, etc. My understanding of pay rates by skill in Australia indicate that this view, that manual work is some how radically different to mental work, has not been true since the late 1970s. There's a third constellation in Australia about 1950s-1970s radical nationalism (think Communist Party nationalism, Labor Party nationalism, its time). I've seen a variety of mental workers (teachers, academics, scientists) wearing shorts and long socks as a demonstration of a particular kind of hot climate masculinity. This dress appears to be related to working outdoors: astronomers, not chemists, geoloists, not historians. There's also the concept of "shorts, socks and sandles." I've occasionally seen work shorts recooperated for hipster sexual purposes by men and women into a "rugged" aesthetic. So looking at this constellation of meanings backwards: shorts on adult men could mean that you're from a sexually excluded minority, a "beardy weirdy" academic, a dirty poor worker, or a pre sexual child. All of these are a construction opposed to the primary gender meanings of socially acceptable masculinity as the adult white collar socially intellectual conventional male. Now I want to go out and buy some shorts. Fifelfoo (talk) 02:56, 8 August 2011 (UTC)

August 4

Marketing a small magazine

I recently took on responsibility for marking a small magazine and website. My primary goal is to increase web readership and ad revenue. Increasing print readership is a secondary goal. I would like to know about selling ads on the phone (cold calling) and in person, using social media to market the publication and to increase visibility, and networking with other small magazines. Where can I go to find advice about this? Are there good listservs/forums? Books? People I should talk to? Thanks, --Think Fast (talk) 03:57, 4 August 2011 (UTC)

Cold calling is bad enough when it's a product people are actually likely to want, but a small magazine probably will only appeal to a very small portion of the general public, and many of those will be too pissed off by your cold call to consider your offer. The result is that you will call many homes and get few sales, quite possibly costing more for the effort than you get. Instead, you need more targeted marketing. For example, if your magazine is about surfing, then advertise in surfing areas, say by leaving a flyer on a car windshield, if the car has a rack for surfboards. StuRat (talk) 05:37, 4 August 2011 (UTC)

You might also consider reciprocal web ads, where you place an ad on a web site, and they place their ad on yours. Again, try to pick web sites that relate to the subject of your zine. StuRat (talk) 05:39, 4 August 2011 (UTC)

Re cold calling: you need to comply with the legal requirements of schemes like the UK's Telephone Preference Service - note that although it is UK-specific, similar schemes apply in other countries, some of whose articles are linked from that one - or you may find yourself breaking the law by cold-calling some people. {The poster formerly known as 87.81.230.195} 90.197.66.52 (talk) 13:36, 4 August 2011 (UTC)

I agree that cold calling is likely to be ineffective. One of the typical ways of targeting these days is to advertise with Google, Facebook, or the like, who will target online ads to people who show an interest in the good or service on offer. If there are blogs or websites appealing to your target audience, try to get a presence on those blogs or websites. For publications, another method is to buy lists of past subscribers from similar publications. Marco polo (talk) 14:06, 4 August 2011 (UTC)

I don't think the OP was suggesting they would cold call the general public to try and increase subscriptions — cold calling was mentioned only in the context of advertising. In most magazine ad departments that means cold calling companies that sell products that would appear to your magazine's demographics. It's totally different than calling people at home. My understanding of how this works, which is based on a few historical studies of magazines from awhile back and so might not be exactly up to date, is that what you really want to have in hand are some solid numbers on your readership. What's the age demographic? What's the income demographic? What are the general professions or hobbies that naturally would cluster with the readers? (Are they professionals? Educators? Researchers? Photographers? The sort of people who would also buy expensive cars or funny hats?) Then you call up the marketing divisions at places that sell to these sorts of people. If the magazine is very niche, you might call up companies too small to have marketing divisions. You aren't calling people at home, though. --Mr.98 (talk) 16:15, 4 August 2011 (UTC)

How to launch downloaded xml-dump of wiki database with my local MySql?

Now I have dump of all currrent wiki pages onto my PC. How i can connect it to MySQL to work with it and to set up MediaWiki with this database? Thanks. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Igor Yalovecky (talk • contribs) 07:27, 4 August 2011 (UTC)

Wikipedia:Database download#Help importing dumps into MySQL points you to mw:Manual:Importing XML dumps and m:Importing a Wikipedia database dump into MediaWiki -- Finlay McWalter ☻ Talk 12:33, 4 August 2011 (UTC)

Mod Aashto in civil engineering and construction

I need to know about the origin of the term Mod Aashto in civil engineering and construction which is used by engineers to describe the density they need soil to be compacted to . if possible I need the explanation on how or who arrived to the term for e g : 98% Mod Aashto . — Preceding unsigned comment added by Marius wessels (talk • contribs) 08:49, 4 August 2011

This was posted on Template:Afc comment [1] so I moved it over here.  Chzz  ►  10:47, 4 August 2011 (UTC)

AASHTO is the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials. See the articles AASHTO Soil Classification System and AASHO Road Test. Cuddlyable3 (talk) 12:26, 4 August 2011 (UTC)

Spiders

Hiya, I was wondering if any one would be able to identify these two spiders for me, the one was on my girlfriend in her sleep and is now rather freaked out, thats the big black hairy one. The other was in my kitchen yesterday and was the wierdest thing I have seen in ages, I did not even think it was a spider at first. I cant find either in my spider book. Thanks — Preceding unsigned comment added by 82.3.146.206 (talk • contribs)

• 
  Kitchen spider I
• 
  Kitchen spider II, with a table spoon for measurment
• 
  Massive spider thank scared my loved one
• 
  I think it is dead now as I sprayed shower cleaner on it

The first one looks a bit like a daddy longlegs. The second one looks like a wolf spider, though without knowing where you live, it is hard to nail down likely candidates. --Jayron32 15:18, 4 August 2011 (UTC)

The second looks like a tarantula to me. Reaper Eternal (talk) 15:19, 4 August 2011 (UTC)

I am in the UK, Hertfordshire, the first one is not a daddy long leggs as it was flat, and the body had very obvious ridges. it was a dirty green colour. the second was not quite big enough to be a tarantula, but I will look up wolf spider

The second is some sort of wolf spider, I'm pretty sure -- there are literally thousands of species. No idea what the first is -- I've never seen anything like that. Looie496 (talk) 15:52, 4 August 2011 (UTC)

I'm going to guess that the first is a harvestman, since it doesn't seem to have a break between the cephalothorax and abdomen. Reaper Eternal (talk) 16:04, 4 August 2011 (UTC)

At a guess, if it is in England, the second one is most likely the domestic house spider Tegenaria domestica. That is a large one, probably a female. AndyTheGrump (talk)

@Reaperman: For the record, where I live, what you call a "harvestman", we call a "daddy longlegs". See Opiliones. So, when you said I was wrong for calling it that, not really. They both mean the same thing. When I answered, i did not know where the OP lived, so didn't know which local term he/she would have used to describe it. --Jayron32 16:16, 4 August 2011 (UTC)

Jayron is right, the first one is Dicranopalpus ramosus, a harvestman (or daddy longlengs. FWIW daddy longlegs out here refers to crane flies, so usage varies by region). Does not bite (no fangs, it has small pincers instead).

Second pic is Tegenaria duellica, the giant house spider. Harmless to humans, but closely related to the hobo spider (which looks similar and is harmful to humans, heh).

Both (D. ramosus and T. duellica) are common to houses.-- Obsidi♠n Soul 17:35, 4 August 2011 (UTC)

That first one (labeled Kitchen spider I) has the greatest legs-to-body ratio I have ever seen on a creature. Those legs are absolutely tremendous in relation to the size of the body. I'm wondering if it is even a spider, but what else could it be? Bus stop (talk) 17:45, 4 August 2011 (UTC)

It's not a spider. But cellar spiders (which are true spiders) have similarly very long legs. Click me. -- Obsidi♠n Soul 17:50, 4 August 2011 (UTC)

Yes, according to our article, harvestmen (Opiliones) aren't spiders, strictly speaking. AndyTheGrump (talk) 17:52, 4 August 2011 (UTC)

I have categorized the files, updated descriptions, and requested renaming. ID of pictures III and IV still unsure. Might be T. domestica like Andy said, it's definitely Tegenaria though. -- Obsidi♠n Soul 18:07, 4 August 2011 (UTC)

Re: "the one was on my girlfriend in her sleep and is now rather freaked out" ... I'm sorry your g/f is so scary to spiders, perhaps she could wear a mask on her face to avoid terrifying the lil fellers ? :-) StuRat (talk) 18:52, 6 August 2011 (UTC)

Facebook problem

I hope you can help me I'm at my end. My name is Carolyn S. Crawford, my facebook IS ((Redacted)). They informed me that some1 hacked into my fb account and changed my password. Now I cannot do anything, I have followd all directions and its as if I don't exist at all. The only thing I can do now I guess is to get off facebook and start over. NO one has told me how, you can get in but not off. I would like to get ahold of the person who had made ny life miserable.

I did try to change my password ((Redacted)). They came up with pictures for me to identify and kert telling me I was wrong and right away said I took to long I wasnt right and I know I was right cause it was my FAMILY. I know I am not the only one with this problem and if you could help I would be ever so grateful. Thank You, Caroly Crawford — Preceding unsigned comment added by 76.206.23.167 (talk) 18:40, 4 August 2011 (UTC)

Please do not post your passwords anywhere on the internet. That was probably the reason why your account got hijacked in the first place.-- Obsidi♠n Soul 18:45, 4 August 2011 (UTC)

Also, see Facebook's Help Center and the page to reset your password. Try entering another friend on facebook until you get it right. Make sure your caps lock is not on and the names of you and the friend you entered are exactly as they appeared on the accounts. Other than that, can't think of anything else that might help, sorry.-- Obsidi♠n Soul 19:02, 4 August 2011 (UTC)

Tinning Copper Pots

I WOULD LIKE TO TIN SOME COPPER POTS NEED TO KNOW HOW 217.41.69.195 (talk) 18:52, 4 August 2011 (UTC)

Typing "How to tin copper pots" in Google will get you loads of hits. this ("http://www. ehow.com/how_2310426_re-tin-copper-cookware.html". NOTICE: Remove the spacing between "www." and "ehow", for some reason the Wikipedia spam filter triggers this one) was one of the first pages that turned up. It seems a somewhat elaborate step-by-step guide how to do it. You should be aware that those pots only should be used for certain kinds of food as this forum thread explains. --Saddhiyama (talk) 19:10, 4 August 2011 (UTC)

Also, kindly avoid the use of all caps, as it is perceived as shouting :-). Falconus^{p t c} 04:56, 6 August 2011 (UTC)

Municipal rubbish dump in Jaipur?

Hi - I'm having trouble finding the name of any municipal dumps in the above city. I'm hoping for the official name, used by the city council.

Thanks Adambrowne666 (talk) 22:18, 4 August 2011 (UTC)

From the Jaipur Municipal Corporation site (under JNNURM Projects):

• Mathuradas pura - Area: 176 Bigha, Distance: 17 K.M
• Sewapura - Area: 200 Bigha, Distance: 20 K.M.
• Langariawas - Area: 483 Bigha, Distance 21 KM.

-- Obsidi♠n Soul 22:56, 4 August 2011 (UTC)

Thanks heaps, Obsidian - still, what I'm hoping for is the full name of the dumps - eg Sewapura Municipal Urban Body Waste Disposal Facility - it's for a piece of fiction, and I'd like the flavour of the local officialese. I had a quick search on the site, and couldn't find anything of that nature. Adambrowne666 (talk) 00:44, 5 August 2011 (UTC)

There doesn't seem to be any convention (or at least, probably not in English). References to the sites include dump yards, compost plant, waste management facility, sanitary landfill sites, and Municipal Solid Waste Processing plant The last three sound more 'official'. I'm guessing each of the sites have different facilities or something.-- Obsidi♠n Soul 00:55, 5 August 2011 (UTC)

Thanks again, OS - very helpful - I'm sure I'll get something useful from these. Adambrowne666 (talk) 12:36, 5 August 2011 (UTC)

August 5

Pretoecting original work, while still putting it online

Ok, so I am in a writer's group of about 15 people that meet weekly. We generally just share short stories and serials, and comment on each other's work. It has been suggested that we start a blog to better keep up with each other's writing (some of the group are out of town, etc). I don't want to be a party-pooper, but I am concerned about the security of my intellectual property. How can I ensure someone won't copy and paste my work and claim it as their own? Is their a way to "certify" or "time stamp" original fiction? Quinn ^{❀ BEAUTIFUL DAY} 02:54, 5 August 2011 (UTC)

There is no way to prove anything on the Interwebs. :-) If you are really concerned about protecting your ideas, most public blogging software has a way to limit readership. I.E., if you were to use the popular blogger.com, there is a setting under permissions for "Blog Readers", which you can set to "Only people I choose", so that only your group can read those posts. ^Avic_ennasis @ 03:26, 5 Av 5771 / 5 August 2011 (UTC)

Post a summary of what you have written with an offer to send the rest by e-mail. Limit the e-mails to the people you know and trust, who are probably the ones who know and trust you. There has to be trust when sharing anything copyrightable. Cuddlyable3 (talk) 12:19, 5 August 2011 (UTC)

If you want to "time-stamp" it, for whatever it is worth, make a secured hash (e.g. with SHA-512) of the text, then post it somewhere neutral that has time stamping ability (like your Wikipedia profile). You could always then show that that particular text corresponded with that time-stamped hash. (You don't have to use a hash, in this case, since all you really care about is the time stamp. But it's a little easier than just posting the text itself somewhere.) This is a separate thing from ways to limit who has access to the writing. There are a lot of options for that, like Google Documents that are only shared with a select group, or a shared Dropbox folder, or whatever. In the end, the only real way you have to make copyright claims "real" is your threat to sue someone if they violate them. --Mr.98 (talk) 15:57, 5 August 2011 (UTC)

I know ahead of time this is not going to be the popular thing to say, but this is bordering on legal advice. The OP is asking about how to properly protect his intellectual property; that sort of instruction is best provided by an intellectual property lawyer. If someone here tells him to do something, and it doesn't work, we here have no fiduciary responsibility as an intellectual property lawyer would. It's no skin off our backs if we're wrong, but the OP essentially ends up getting screwed because of bad advice. That's not to say that the advice so far given is bad, and to say that is also not to say that its good. Its just that the best place to seek this advice is from an intellectual property lawyer, and not from us. --Jayron32 16:11, 5 August 2011 (UTC)

The OP's concern is the same as that of authors who submit their manuscripts to a publisher. An old trick is to mail by registered post a copy of one's own manuscript to oneself in a sealed envelope. The envelope when opened in court would serve as evidence. This is not practical legal advice in this digital age. Cuddlyable3 (talk) 18:32, 5 August 2011 (UTC)

Googling for mail to yourself copyright finds many suggestions that protecting your copyright by mailing stuff to yourself is a myth. Anyway, Wikipedia does not offer legal advice. 88.112.59.31 (talk) 20:05, 5 August 2011 (UTC)

If you're talking about a blog that's open to the public, then another thing to be concerned about is that some publishers might be wary to buy a work if it's been previously made available free on the Internet. (And they'll know. Just like a teacher grading an essay, they'll pick a few distinctive sentences and pop them in a google search.)

In fact, I'd worry about that far more than being ripped off. APL (talk) 00:11, 6 August 2011 (UTC)

OTOH the fact that text has been published free on the Internet can be seen as an advantage to a publisher. Anyone can create from the Ref. Desk archive a book of memorable answers, see WP:CW. Cuddlyable3 (talk) 15:20, 6 August 2011 (UTC)

Why would a publisher be happy about that? Publishers want unique things that they can market exclusively. A book of Ref Desk answers would be neither (they are not unique because they are already on the Internet; they are not exclusive because the publisher has no ability to control others from just reprinting the same things). There are some publishers that specialize in public domain works, but it's not a place where there's a huge margin for markup (competition is high, so prices are low). --Mr.98 (talk) 21:32, 6 August 2011 (UTC)

Think Reader's Digest. Cuddlyable3 (talk) 22:33, 6 August 2011 (UTC)

Sure, If you're Cory Doctorow, it might be an advantage that your work had been online. But if you're not a world famous blogger with a massive existing readership, publishing your work for free on the Internet (even just on a blog or forum.) could seriously hurt your chances of selling your work to a publisher.

This isn't the sort of thing that can "go either way". If a work has been previously published it represents an unnecessary hassle and risk for a publisher. They only put up with that sort of hassle from writers who are established big names. If you're an unknown writer they'll just move on to the next unknown writer in their slush pile. Plenty of fish in the sea. APL (talk) 07:12, 7 August 2011 (UTC)

You could post it online but encrypted. Just posting the has online is less convincing. When challenged, reveal the key and then others can verify that you put it there. Graeme Bartlett (talk) 22:12, 6 August 2011 (UTC)

I recall that a recent (after 2009) Writer's Digest had several articles on Internet readership groups. The takeaway was that your work is considered published if you post it on an Internet forum that does not require a username/login to access the work. Publishers will NOT publish something from an unknown author if the publication rights could possibly be in dispute: there's just too much to lose.99.100.92.26 (talk) 02:17, 7 August 2011 (UTC)

Airport built by Army in Orlando 1951

I was in the us army in 1951, we were sent down there to build an airport and there was not a thing there then, I'd like to see an artical on the building of the airport that was built by the 812 EAB from Orlando Fal. W H Crisco — Preceding unsigned comment added by 174.106.219.136 (talk) 02:56, 5 August 2011 (UTC)

First off, thank you for your service. :-) Do you recall if it was a military or civilian air field? Or which part of Orlando, or possibly the name of the airport? The only thing I can think of is McCoy Air Force Base, which was (re)opened in 1951. You could also look through Category:Airfields of the United States Army Air Forces in Florida and see if any of those ring a bell. ^Avic_ennasis @ 05:26, 5 Av 5771 / 5 August 2011 (UTC)

Correcting a factual error

Could you please tell me who to contact to correct a 'Wrong Name' stated in the text of the Wikipedia biographical information regarding 'Thomas John Smith - Australian Racehorse Trainer' on Wikipedia. For your information in the text of the Wikipedia biographical website it states that his fathers name was 'Neil Smith' which is wrong. Thomas John Smith's father's name was in fact 'Edward (Ned) Smith'. You see his father, 'Edward (Ned) Smith' was my great uncle, my grandfather's brother.

Thankyou

Pamela — Preceding unsigned comment added by Caspdot (talk • contribs) 12:31, 5 August 2011 (UTC)

I assume you are referring to Tommy J. Smith? You don't need to contact anybody - you can correct errors yourself. However please note that it is preferred that information, especially where likely to be contentious, is referenced. This applies especially to Biographies of Living People, which of course doesn't apply to the subject here. While it doesn't appear that the Neil Smith claim is referenced, do you know of anywhere we can find a reliable reference for Ned Smith? --jjron (talk) 13:27, 5 August 2011 (UTC)

(ec)Is this about the Wikipedia article about Tommy J. Smith 1916 - 1998 ? Here is a picture to help recognition. If so, Pamela please bring your information to the article talk page. Cuddlyable3 (talk) 18:21, 5 August 2011 (UTC)

Celebrations

I see that today is International Beer Day. Since I choose not to celebrate a majority of holidays, obscure celebrations like this, revolving around food or activities, catch my interest. Please help me out and fill out the list below and/or add to it. Thanks Wikipedians! Schyler (exquirere bonum ipsum) 19:11, 5 August 2011 (UTC)

Obscure Celebrations

• Example Day: <insert date here>. <signature here>.
• Pancake Day: See Shrove Tuesday, as it is a moveable feast. 86.163.0.19 (talk) 21:24, 5 August 2011 (UTC)
• Waffle Day:
• Bicycling Day:
• Hiking Day:
• Book/Reading Day: There's a Journée mondiale du livre et du droit d'auteur; see here [2] and here [3] We don't yet have an article on everything. --Xuxl (talk) 02:53, 6 August 2011 (UTC)
• "Holiday" - sometime around the holiday season ^Avic_ennasis @ 19:18, 5 Av 5771 / 5 August 2011 (UTC)
• International Talk Like a Pirate Day ^Avic_ennasis @ 19:18, 5 Av 5771 / 5 August 2011 (UTC)
• Cow Appreciation Day by Chick-fil-a ^Avic_ennasis @ 19:18, 5 Av 5771 / 5 August 2011 (UTC)
• And while I'm at it: Category:Unofficial observances. ^Avic_ennasis @ 19:18, 5 Av 5771 / 5 August 2011 (UTC)
• <Add another obscure celebration here>

Yeah, as Avic said above, they should all be in Category:Unofficial observances. And if they're not, add 'em to the cat.  Chzz  ►  20:18, 5 August 2011 (UTC)

I don't know of a "book/reading day" but there is a US National Book Month in October. See List of commemorative months. And not a holiday or celebration as you exactly describe, there are numerous Clothing-optional bike rides. Warning: Link is likely NSFW though the lead image is nice. :-) Dismas|^(talk) 20:49, 5 August 2011 (UTC)

Just to let you know, I added the Example Day simply because Pancake Day seemed to be functioning as an example of what you wanted, and it was the one I knew. 86.163.0.19 (talk) 21:24, 5 August 2011 (UTC)

I looked at the category and it is very incomplete. The coolest (although I once upon a time participated in ITLAPD) I found was Bacon Day. There's got to be more. What about Baked Potato Day or take your cat to work day? Schyler (exquirere bonum ipsum) 02:43, 6 August 2011 (UTC)

My favorite is Star Wars Day, which is May 4. As in "May the Fourth Be With You". Or as a chemist I have a fond spot in my heart for Mole Day. --Jayron32 03:40, 6 August 2011 (UTC)

The best is Steak and Blowjob day. Our article was sadly deleted. Adam Bishop (talk) 07:11, 6 August 2011 (UTC)

We are all happy for you Adam but S&BJ day was only intended as an augmentation of Valentine's Day. As a Wikipedia article it would be hard to swallow. Cuddlyable3 (talk) 15:07, 6 August 2011 (UTC)

Try the Holiday Insights website. — Michael J 12:28, 6 August 2011 (UTC)

Can't believe I forgot this one - In my hometown, we had Sweetest Day, which was like Valentine's Day, except it was in October, and it was primarily the girls who would buy flowers and candy and stuff for the guys, as opposed to the the reverse that usually happens on Valentine's Day. ^Avic_ennasis @ 16:02, 6 Av 5771 / 6 August 2011 (UTC)

August 6

Book Layouts

I have noticed that the layout of books varies considerably. Children's books will invariably have the both the synopsis and critical quotes (if there are any) on the back cover. Young adult paperbacks are laid out with both critics' quotes and synopses on the back cover, but young adult hardcovers usually have critical quotes on the back and a synopsis on the inside of the dust jacket. And there appear to be no real rules for adult books, which have synopses and quotes spread in various places in both hardcovers and paperbacks. Who or what determined these rules (or lack thereof)? Interchangeable|talk to me|what I've changed 02:57, 6 August 2011 (UTC)

There are no rules at all really, though each publisher will have their own preferences and style for each type of book. It is entirely up to the publisher and the designer to decide what they think will be best marketing and "look" for each particular book. Even the price isn't always easy to find, if it's there at all. Obviously a dust jacket gives an extra opportunity for publicity inside the flaps.--Shantavira|^{feed me} 09:39, 6 August 2011 (UTC)

You can't judge a book by looking at the cover (video) but marketers know that almost everybody tries. Cuddlyable3 (talk) 14:44, 6 August 2011 (UTC)

A children's book is often hardcover with no dust jacket. There's no way to put type on a jacket that doesn't exist. And as far as the price, I don't know about other countries but here in the US, the price can often be figured out by looking at the last few digits of the number on the barcode (often called the SKU). If the number is XXXXX2995 then the book is likely $29.95 unless there is a sale or some other such thing. Dismas|^(talk) 14:52, 6 August 2011 (UTC)

Which old book said earth is a penal colony for criminal souls from other planets to get reformed?

My mother read a book in 1952 which stated that earth is a penal colony (or dumping ground) for all of the worst criminal souls in the galaxy. According to the book, when beings on other planets commit a heinous crime or they absolutely cannot get along and/or function properly in their own society due to a serious character flaw, they are banished to earth. They aren't sent to earth physically, but rather their "life forces" or "souls" are sent here to be born in human form to become us. Every single human on earth is a criminal from another world that was sent here to be reformed. While on earth, we are subject to the physical laws of this planet and we are absolutely unable to remember our home planets. Also, we must keep being reborn on earth until we learn whatever lesson we need to learn or fix whatever character flaw that got us sent here in the first place. Only then can we go back to our home planets, and we are stuck here for as long as it takes. This, according to the book, explains why there is so much conflict and misery on earth, and why so many people believe in reincarnation and have memories from past lives on earth. This also explains why many people feel as though they have known a particular person who they just met. My mother does not think that it was a science fiction novel or short story. She thinks it was a nonfiction philosophy book or something of that sort, but she is not sure. She knows that it must have been published before 1952, but she does not remember how long before 1952. I have done extensive research on the internet and I have found various comic books and science fiction television shows that have plots which include earth being a penal colony (but in these comics, the criminals are usually physically sent here in their actual bodies and look like aliens). Also, there was a science fiction novel published in 2010 entitled "Prison Earth: Not Guilty as Charged" by Clifford M. Scovell, in which earth is a penal colony for criminal souls from other planets, but, in this book (which I really enjoyed) the souls are implanted in false humans which walk among us real humans and the story is much more about warring alien races out in the rest of galaxy than what is happening on earth. I suspect one or more of the writers of these comics/TV shows/books may have read the same book my mother did. Does anybody have any idea what the title or author of this book from before 1952 could be? I originally heard about it ten years ago and have not been able to find it. D G Webster (talk) 07:37, 6 August 2011 (UTC)

My first thought was that it was a slightly garbled version of the Scientology creation myth. But I think the fifties would be too early for you mom to have been reading a copy of that. However, see Xenu.

APL (talk) 08:24, 6 August 2011 (UTC)

The book "Scientology 0-8 - The Book of Basics" was first published in 1950. Cuddlyable3 (talk) 14:24, 6 August 2011 (UTC)

1970, actually. According to the book I just read a couple of days ago "Inside Scientology", the alien stuff isn't revealed until OT 3, which wasn't "revealed" until the '60s. Mingmingla (talk) 15:31, 6 August 2011 (UTC)

Believe it or not, what you describe is, in fact, very close to the fundamental beliefs of Scientology. Of course, you don't hear about the alien stuff until the 7th level, and only after you've sold your unborn children into slavery. Quinn ^{❀ BEAUTIFUL DAY} 02:33, 7 August 2011 (UTC)

3 4 the price of 1 which is free

1. If identical twins both put on weight, the first by over eating healthy things with vitamins and minerals and the other gains weight by eating junk, with litte or no health value, if the both get fat and weigh the same, if they then starve, will the one that got fat via healthy food live longer or is fat just fat and it makes no difference what it originated from? 2. The Romans had special shields that could fit together and so stop arrows and swors and protect a whole battalion of men, why did their enemies not make similar shields, and employ the same technique rather than using the flimsy round shield? 3. Is there any use of the scales that come off on your hands after touching a moth, and is it true that a moth will die if its wings are touched? Thanks — Preceding unsigned comment added by 195.89.16.154 (talk) 14:10, 6 August 2011 (UTC)

1. Fat is fat. We need much more information about the lifestyle of both twins to estimate their relative survivals time without food.
2. Roman soldiers had superior training and discipline.
3. It depends how you touch the moth. Cuddlyable3 (talk) 14:30, 6 August 2011 (UTC)

Maybe this is more appropriate for the Humanities desk, but the testudo formation used by the Romans was a specialized tactic, not something the entire army did (and certainly not all at once). The big rectangular shield used in a testudo was not the only shield the Romans carried. Most of them carried a smaller round shield. See Scutum, Clipeus, and Parma for various kinds of shields. As for why their enemies didn't use a similar formation, well they did, sometimes, but as Cuddlyable said, Roman soldiers tended to be professionals with superior training and discipline, not amateurs without regular training and weapons (as were most of their enemies). They were rich enough to afford to equip a professional army with diverse kinds of armous and weapons. (It didn't last forever though - an enemy army with heavy cavalry, like in Persia and later the Germanic tribes, could defeat Roman infantry.) Adam Bishop (talk) 15:18, 6 August 2011 (UTC)

And it's worth remembering that a large part of the Roman's success was indeed the fact that their society had enough organization and resources to build high-quality weaponry and employ a separate warrior profession. The majority of their "enemies" (e.g. the "barbarians" of Europe) generally did not have these sorts of things as their disposal. A large part of the history of warfare (if Jared Diamond and John Keegan are to believed) is a question of resources and organization. (You might as well ask why the Taliban don't use radar-proof helicopters or nuclear submarines.) --Mr.98 (talk) 21:30, 6 August 2011 (UTC)

Wouldn't it be more productive to split this question, and move 2/3 to the Science Desk? BrainyBabe (talk) 15:32, 6 August 2011 (UTC)

1) While "fat is fat", the one who gained it by eating junk food will be low on other nutrients, like vitamins and minerals, so might die earlier during a starvation phase, since those nutrient levels wouldn't have as far to drop to reach lethal levels. StuRat (talk) 18:42, 6 August 2011 (UTC)

On #1, much of the junk food is bad not only because of the fat content, but the sodium and other things which the body doesn't handle well in excess. So the "junk food" twin would probably be worse off than the "health food" twin for that reason alone. How that would affect starvation, I've no real clue, but it can't be that good for it. --Mr.98 (talk) 21:30, 6 August 2011 (UTC)

Alcohol tax

How much revenue does the US government make from taxing alcohol? -- noosphere 17:51, 6 August 2011 (UTC)

I believe that states make most of the revenue, did you mean to ask about that ? StuRat (talk) 18:38, 6 August 2011 (UTC)

There are US federal excise taxes, right? So wouldn't that money go to the federal government? Do you mean the feds pass the money along to the states, or that the states add excise taxes higher than the federal excise tax? State sales taxes on alcohol aren't excise taxes, are they? Edison (talk) 20:16, 6 August 2011 (UTC)

In some states, it goes beyond sales tax, the state also controls the distribution, and takes a cut for that. For example, there may be state-run warehouses which charge fees for storage there. StuRat (talk) 02:41, 8 August 2011 (UTC)

This, from taxpolicycenter.org, indicates it's in the range of ten billion USD. But I'm not sure what the distribution is. Here is the state-by-state data. --jpgordon^{::==( o )} 18:40, 6 August 2011 (UTC)

Leica's price

I know, quality is expensive, but what justifies the price tag on Leica cameras? There are something like 5.000$ more expensive than comparable models of other brands. :(

Mostly hand crafted, small production runs, highly skilled and highly paid labor, brand value, excellent optics, and some people willing to pay for them without asking questions LIKE YOU. 193.153.125.105 (talk) 21:40, 6 August 2011 (UTC)

They Leica them berry berry much. Clarityfiend (talk) 00:20, 7 August 2011 (UTC)

Take "Leica" out of the question and insert any high end brand name such as Bentley or Rolex and you'll have the same answer. Dismas|^(talk) 01:45, 7 August 2011 (UTC)

Hand crafted (in western nations), long tradition for quality and high precision, limited production capacity. On top of that there's a "collectors' market" for them, which always jacks up the price. APL (talk) 05:46, 7 August 2011 (UTC)

The Leica cameras is a Veblen good for which people's preference for buying increases in proportion to their price, as greater price confers greater status, instead of decreasing according to the law of demand. Cuddlyable3 (talk) 09:29, 8 August 2011 (UTC)

Are dog whistles outside the human range of hearing?

Just wondering whether or not this is an urban myth. I've always been able to hear them but people tell me that is unusual because dog whistles are usually outside the normal range of hearing. Can anyone help? TheRetroGuy (talk) 23:39, 6 August 2011 (UTC)

Our dog whistle article basically answers the question, although it doesn't give any references -- dog whistles are usually near the upper end of the human hearing range, at frequencies that some people can hear and others can't. Looie496 (talk) 23:49, 6 August 2011 (UTC)

Refs added. ^Avic_ennasis @ 00:23, 7 Av 5771 / 7 August 2011 (UTC)

Thanks for that. Have always wondered about it. I have a dog whistle so it had always puzzled me that I could hear it. Just tried a little experiment too, recording me giving blasts on the whistle onto a hand-held recorder to see if it would pick it up. It does, so I think my whistle must be within the human range, or both myself and the recorder have very good sound reception. :) TheRetroGuy (talk) 11:50, 7 August 2011 (UTC)

The article about Hearing range may be helpful. The upper limit of hearing can be as high as 20 kHz but usually declines with age, more so in men than women. A source in the article Dog whistle gives a range of 23 to 54 kHz which is definitely inaudible i.e. supersonic. Perhaps your whistle is not like this; dogs do respond to ordinary whistles. Cuddlyable3 (talk) 18:44, 7 August 2011 (UTC)

This brings up an interesting follow-up question: Does the high-frequency hearing of dogs also decrease with age ? StuRat (talk) 02:34, 8 August 2011 (UTC)

August 7

Leon Redbone in advertising

The article Leon Redbone lists several media in which he has appeared. I am looking for one or both of a commercial he did for a Japanese whisky, and one mentioned in the article that he did for British Rail. Thanks Bielle (talk) 01:27, 7 August 2011 (UTC)

You might look on YouTube, a lot of ads are on there. The Mark of the Beast (talk) 18:48, 7 August 2011 (UTC)

Identify these two videos

Can someone identify the explosions in these two videos ([4] and [5]), where they happened, what they were done for, etc.? --Melab±1 ☎ 03:24, 7 August 2011 (UTC)

The first one seems to just be a bunch of rednecks who happened to get their hands on some TNT. Do you have some reason to think that it was anything more elaborate? Dismas|^(talk) 03:32, 7 August 2011 (UTC)

The second video seems to be a minesweeper disposing of a naval mine. ^Avic_ennasis @ 06:55, 7 Av 5771 / 7 August 2011 (UTC)

check a long audio recording file for some sounds

I have suspected some sleep disorder for myself and since I live alone, I thought I would keep my USB player cum recorder during my sleep. Thus, I have audio files that last five to six hours. Now I want to check for places where some non-ambient sounds occur in the file without playing out the entire length. Isn't there a way?--Dondrodger (talk) 04:03, 7 August 2011 (UTC)

You could use a program like Audacity that shows the sound waves in a file, and look for any spikes. ^Avic_ennasis @ 06:57, 7 Av 5771 / 7 August 2011 (UTC)

The external links found under Somniloquy have a variety of free programs designed for this purpose. Audacity will work too. Schyler (exquirere bonum ipsum) 13:26, 7 August 2011 (UTC)

Your recording might sound like the one that you can play at the article about Snoring. Cuddlyable3 (talk) 18:34, 7 August 2011 (UTC)

197? Seaman's strike

In the UK some time in the 1970's there was a major seaman's strike. I remember seeing the three "Queens" tied up in Southampton. Can anyone remind me of the date and the length of the strike please? Thanks in anticipation.--85.211.131.199 (talk) 13:39, 7 August 2011 (UTC)

The biggest seamen's strike in the 1970s was that in 1970, all-out from 16 July to 3 August. A strike was called in 1976 but did not happen. The most major post-war seamen's strike was in 1966, from 15 May to 1 July (in which John Prescott was one of the local leaders of the union). Sam Blacketer (talk) 14:07, 7 August 2011 (UTC)

Great, thanks--85.211.131.199 (talk) 20:30, 7 August 2011 (UTC)

There's a little about the 1966 strike here and here. AndrewWTaylor (talk) 20:36, 7 August 2011 (UTC)

Accident:incident as x:y

please provide x and y. No! This is not a homework question. I am just curious about the semantic relationship between accident and incident. Is accident merely defined as an unintentional incident? I tried to post this on the language desk but for some reason it won't let me.

Accident:Incident::Sadness:Indifference.
An accident is an unfortunate incident that occurs unexpectedly and unintentionally. Schyler (exquirere bonum ipsum) 18:11, 7 August 2011 (UTC)

The short answer is Yes. See the dictionary definitions of accident and incident. Cuddlyable3 (talk) 18:29, 7 August 2011 (UTC)

Accidents are not always unfortunate, but that is the default case. We sometimes talk about "a happy accident" in the sense of an unplanned, serendipitous combination of circumstances. Such as tripping on a footpath, and being helped up by a stranger who shouts you a coffee and ends up as your lover. I wish.  :) - Jack of Oz ^{[your turn]} 20:08, 7 August 2011 (UTC)

While I do know what "shouts you a coffee" means, the picture that popped into my head was of a young man, in the midst of a forest path, surrounded by nothing but trees, hollering into the forest "Waiter, waiter! Two coffees please." Bielle (talk) 20:27, 7 August 2011 (UTC)

Thanks for the explanation of an expression I've never heard before. I was wondering whether the stranger was shouting at the tripper or at some imaginary coffee! Dbfirs 23:00, 7 August 2011 (UTC)

OK. I'll bite. What does "shouts you a coffee" mean? I did some research on urban dictionary, and the best I can figure is that it might something to do with sex. But I'm at a loss. --Jayron32 00:26, 8 August 2011 (UTC)

It means "stands you a coffee" or "pays for your coffee" as in the English expression "It's your shout" which is to say "It's your turn to buy." I presume it comes from a tradition that whoever places (shouts) the order pays for it. Bielle (talk) 02:17, 8 August 2011 (UTC)

Ah, so it does have something to do with sex. ;) --Jayron32 02:21, 8 August 2011 (UTC)

[After EC]In this context, "shout" simply means "buy". The more common usage is where one person buys beers for all members of a group. Traditionally it was the way men drank at the pub. One person would "shout" a "round" of drinks (one for everyone in the group), then the next person would shout a round, and so on. So sorry, not really about sex. HiLo48 (talk) 02:24, 8 August 2011 (UTC)

Can I pretend that its about sex? Cuz I really want it to be about sex. --Jayron32 02:26, 8 August 2011 (UTC)

It would have to be better than a coffee, Jayron. Bielle (talk) 03:11, 8 August 2011 (UTC)

Pretend all you like, but shouting and sex don't really go together for me, not even ... well, you know where not. See Verb, definition 4. -- Jack of Oz ^{[your turn]} 03:16, 8 August 2011 (UTC)

Haha. You can look up any phrase you like in Urban Dictionary and it will turn out to be either a sex act or a drug reference. APL (talk) 10:37, 8 August 2011 (UTC)

Odd timezones

India is at GMT+5:30, but most other extant timezones seem to be a whole number of hours away from GMT. Are there any other half-hour timezones? Are there any extant timezones which are not a whole number of half hours from GMT? If not, which was the last such to be abandoned? --Taejo|대조 21:32, 7 August 2011 (UTC)

Our article on time zones includes a map which shows a number of such countries / states (Venezuela, a stack of countries on the subcontinent, SA and NT in Australia, etc). --Cookatoo.ergo.ZooM (talk) 21:39, 7 August 2011 (UTC)

Nepal is UTC+5.45. That and the Chatham Islands seem to be the only ones that are not on an hour or half hour boundary. AndrewWTaylor (talk) 21:48, 7 August 2011 (UTC)

Wrong, Eucla a small area on the SA / WA border in Australia is UTC +8:45. It's not officially sanctioned but is the de facto timezone used in the area. Coolcato (talk) 12:47, 8 August 2011 (UTC)

Several years ago Saudi Arabia used Riyadh Solar Time where 00:00 was the time of sunset in Riyadh each day. Sadly this practice has been abandoned. Thincat (talk) 22:41, 7 August 2011 (UTC)

Newfoundland Time Zone is a half hour off from the Atlantic Time Zone. The Mark of the Beast (talk) 23:09, 7 August 2011 (UTC)

August 8

Astrology: Children's intellectual level based on parents' astrological signs

Quite a while ago (perhaps close to ten years) I read an article in a Russian newspaper that had an interesting astrological view of how the parents' astrological (zodiac) signs determined their children's intellectual level. The article had a table, where the father's sign was along the top and the mother's along the side (or maybe vice versa) and the cells were symbol-coded where each symbol represented the child's intellectual level. In total there were six possible levels, but I only remember the first three and the last one, which (when translated from Russian) were genius - excellent - good - ? - ? - abnormal. I remember there were only two possibilities where the kids were geniuses, one of which was a child born from an Aries father and an Aquarius mother (the other way around the kids were supposed to be just excellent, if I remember correctly).

I recently remembered about that article and wanted to find that table on the internet. However, no matter how hard I googled I could not come across anything that was even close. I was wondering if anyone here on Wikipedia has seen something like that and/or could point me in the right direction. I will appreciate any effort on this. 99.49.23.166 (talk) 01:29, 8 August 2011 (UTC)

Presumably this wasn't any kind of scientific study, and not to be taken seriously. You might have more luck if you ask in one of the many astrology forums such as www.astrologersforum.com.--Shantavira|^{feed me} 07:30, 8 August 2011 (UTC)

Here is a blogg about Astrology of intelligence. Cuddlyable3 (talk) 09:18, 8 August 2011 (UTC)