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May 8

Wording in a Music Score

Greetings refdeskers. I have recently been doing some work on a score of the opera Carmen. The cello part I'm using is this one. At various times, written above the cello line is the word "CHANT." (an example can be seen halfway down page 5, if you're interested.) As a non-cellist I've never come across this before. All other score marking I am familiar with or can make an educated guess at, but this one has me stumped. Does anyone know what this means? Thanks in advance. Anonymous Bob (talk) 12:05, 8 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]

I can only assume it's short for "chanteur" (singer), and is in small type to indicate it's a lead-in to the cellist's part, to give the cellist confidence they're following the score accurately and are at the point they're supposed to be at. -- Jack of Oz ^[Talk] 12:13, 8 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]

That would make perfect sense - many thanks, Jack. Anonymous Bob (talk) 12:37, 8 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]

It might mean to play as if a chant, i.e. a bit monotonously. Dmcq (talk) 13:02, 8 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]

Jack's explanation does make sense, especially because every instance of it is followed by notation such as V^cello et. C.B. unis. -- and since that part is for cellos and basses, there'd be no reason to have to notate that otherwise. --jpgordon^{::==( o )} 14:08, 8 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]

Jack's answer is undoubtedly correct - the "CHANT" notes are a musical cue. AndrewWTaylor (talk) 15:30, 8 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]

That's the term I was looking for. Thanks, Andrew. -- Jack of Oz ^[Talk] 20:52, 8 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]

Thanks all for your answers. It is without doubt a cue. Shamefully, I didn't even notice that the notes in these sections were cue-sized, which would have been a clue. It also never occurred to me that the cue would be written in French, where almost all the other score markings are in Italian as usual. Anyway, once the more refdesk comes to the rescue! Thanks again. Anonymous Bob (talk) 10:20, 9 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]

DV 2015?

Not sure if it is Humanities or Misc questions, I hope it finds its home here.

On the talk page of Diversity Immigrant Visa someone wrote "THE PROGRAM NO LONGER EXISTS", so I tried to find if any source could confirm or infirm that without success. Our own page does mention DV 2015, but there seems to be no government page that talks about it. There is a lot of information about DV 2014, which is now closed, but nothing on DV 2015, except private website from agents that are trying to sell the service, and they seems to have simply copied everything from DV14 and just renamed it, but I am not sure they have any government information that we don't. Has anyone got a reliable source about the DV process being repealed? Or about the DV 2015 opening for candidates in Oct 2013? --Lgriot (talk) 12:15, 8 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]

Well according to [1], there were plans to end the programme in 2015 in the immigration reform bills currently being planned in the US House and Senate (Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act (S.744)). However from the wording and logical sense, I'm pretty sure when they say 2015 they mean 2015, in other words the programme to be held in 2015 (whether 2015 will be the last programme or 2014 will be I don't know), not the one called 2015 but for which the registration is 2013. (I guess 2015 is when the visa takes effect? I don't know.) In any case, I have no idea if that's still part of the plans and last I heard the immigration reform efforts are having problems [2] [3]. One thing that would seem clear, if there were plans to kill the programme with the efforts as recently as last month, and given that the bills have not succeeded yet, the programme must surely still exist. As for why you can't find anything about DV-2015 from government sources, my guess would be that the US government agency involved (Department of State?) hasn't really made much info available yet because it's still a while away before the registration dates. You could potentially find some info about plans, like countries which will be excluded but the general assumption would likely be that most things will be the same as for previous years. Nil Einne (talk) 18:29, 8 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]

Excellent, thanks.--Lgriot (talk) 07:46, 9 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]

Fanfic

Hello, I am looking for someone who is interested in writing fanfiction. I am an amateur writer (not always fanfic) and I am working in a fanfic novel right now. And I would like to ask for some advices. Anyone, please, reply here or leave a message at my talk page. Thanks. Miss Bono (zootalk) 18:27, 8 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]

You may be interested in a more targeted discussion forum; fanfiction.net is a major hub for fanfic-related discussion on the net. — Lomn 00:42, 9 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]

.I have a very poor Internet Access and I only can access to Wikipedia, that's the reason I am asking here, 'cause if someone is interested in helping me I will be able to comunicate via email. Thanks. Miss Bono (zootalk) 12:16, 9 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]

Still I need help :( Miss Bono (zootalk) 15:17, 9 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]

This still isn't a writers' forum, and we're encouraged not to post our email addresses. AlexTiefling (talk) 15:26, 9 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]

I said I didn't want anyone else's email. Wikipedia has an option for the use of emails (no need to post the email address ). I just asked if anyone would like to lend a hand. But I see I can't have any of that on here. Miss Bono (zootalk) 19:11, 9 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]

Fine. I hope someone is able to help you. You didn't really need to come and tell me, through my talk page, that you'd left a reply like that. Lomn's advice was good, based on the information available. You haven't said what fandom(s) you write for, which may also limit the responses you get. AlexTiefling (talk) 00:16, 11 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]

Does "Don't write fanfiction" count as advice? Simply writing original characters greatly increases your chances of being published, and it is perfectly acceptable to write characters that take cues from preexisting ones. That is simply writing within a genre. It also gives you the freedom to begin establishing your own identity as a writer and to build a portfolio you can demonstrate if you hope to make a career out of it. --Ye Olde Luke (talk) 20:11, 12 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]

Thanks for your advice. I also have two unpublished novels (Not Fanfic), I don't know were to go with them or what to do. i don't even know if they are as good as to be published, I'm scared to show them to the world. I was trying to write some fanfic to see how it goes. It's about U2. I usually don't write fanfics. I am doing it just for curiousity. Need some advice for what to do with both of them (fanfic and not-fanfic) Miss Bono (zootalk) 15:36, 13 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]

What does "reject with SMS" mean?

On my cellphone I can reject a call, but there's also an option to "Reject with SMS". What does that mean? Thanks.--108.54.26.164 (talk) 23:35, 8 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]

By the way, I love love love the reference desk. This is a great service.--108.54.26.164 (talk) 23:37, 8 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]

That means to send an SMS message to the caller. Usually there is a few preset messages you can choose from. RudolfRed (talk) 23:45, 8 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]

And in case you don't know (I didn't), "SMS" is Short Message Service. Deor (talk) 23:49, 8 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]

This is my favorite modern mobile OS function. If I'm in a meeting rather than just killing the call or answering and whispering "I'll call you back!" I can reject with an SMS that says "Sorry, I'm in a meeting right now and will call you when it's over." and the caller will receive the message immediately. By the way, you can configure the rejection options' text. Typically this is buried deep in your phone's system settings. The Masked Booby (talk) 01:48, 9 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]

Aha. Thanks everyone. I might actually use that, though mostly I was hoping it was something like pressing it would set the other person's phone on fire. I get at least one telemarketing call per day (yeah, I did something stupid and got on some list--and yes, I am signed up for the national do not call registry, but people based in India or Russian or whatever do not care).--108.54.26.164 (talk) 02:32, 9 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]

"SMS-ing" is or has been the term for "texting" in sizeable chunks of the world. In Australia, it's becoming overtaken by texting, but any Aussie knows what you mean by "SMS-ing". -- Jack of Oz ^[Talk] 01:10, 10 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]

May 9

Using wiki software to manage market research data - good idea or bad idea?

I'm looking for a platform solution to the problem of organizing and storing market research data from a wide variety of sources. I've looked into professional solutions and they typically focus on a narrow subset of activities, such as survey execution, campaign feedback tracking, and so on. I need something far more general - someplace to hold competitor product specs, trade association monthly report statistics, multimedia like product photos, and so on.

Right now using a wiki platform seems like the most appealing solution - all my marketing specialists can work on the dataset together, it would handle our disparate data types, editing history is protected, and so on. Before I commit to this direction, however, I'd like to ask others familiar with wiki (and perhaps even similar problems) to see if I'm overlooking anything. I've tried to find information online regarding wikis used for market information management but haven't come up with anything useful. Thank you. The Masked Booby (talk) 01:46, 9 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]

Sounds like you need a database, not a wiki. --Nricardo (talk) 02:48, 9 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]

The most obvious problems I am seeing is that anyone can edit, no one owns a wikipedia article, and none of your data is proprietary any longer since Google loves indexing all that is wikipedia very quickly. Yes we do have protected history but that would start to become tedious after awhile, and although you may have your own userspace and sandbox I am not certain you would get a lot of technical help (there is a desk for that specifically with people much much more educated in wiki code than I) since the bandwidth/data requirements for having a dynamic, multi user and growing database on your personal or sandbox area would not be encouraged since if all wikipedia users started doing that we may very well have a virtual crash, DoS attacks are based on the same rough logic.

That said I know wikia(with an a at the end) prides itself on being a little more personal but then you have the same problems with others being able to edit and even there I am not sure if you have a type of "ownership" on that page. There are programs out there like Dropbox and Google Docs which are password protected/view protected and designed to be a business answer to running databases and sharing documents. If I am incorrect on these views I'd love to hear why however ;-).^{Market St.⧏}_{⧐ Diamond Way} 06:15, 9 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]

You are incorrect -- it is possible to use the MediaWiki software to set up a wiki that is totally independent of Wikipedia. Many people have done it. However, I agree with Nricardo that a database is probably a better choice. The problem with a wiki is that it gives you very little organization, so any sort of systematic data analysis becomes a lot of work. Looie496 (talk) 06:25, 9 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]

To borrow Johnny Carson I did not know that, thanks Looie496, does that also allow a user to control editing access and even viewing access? Not that the OP is questioning that but I would imagine most businesses would require that. ^{Market St.⧏}_{⧐ Diamond Way} 06:49, 9 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]

I certainly concur with Looie. "MediaWiki Is Not Wikipedia". Wikipedia is just one (very prominent) user of MediaWiki - and Wikipedia sharply limits the usefulness of MediaWiki by screwing down the security side of things as tightly as possible in order to allow literally anyone to edit it.

I run a large mediawiki site on a public server for my family business - but lock down the privilages such that only signed-in users can read or edit pages and only admins can create user accounts. While that setup might not be utterly bullet-proof because my data travels over the public internet - you could solve that problem by hosting the software and the database on a PC within your own building. Without the constraints that Wikipedia has to impose, you can have Wiki pages with JavaScript controls - you can allow everyone to have admin privilages, you can allow almost any kind of file to be stored as a "File:" - you can dispense with all manner of limitations that Wikipedia has to rely upon. I store CAD files on my MediaWiki and have buttons on each page to send the file to my laser cutter and have it manufacture it.

The advantages for a business are many:

You have full version control of absolutely everything.
You can track which person changed which word in which document.
You can easily see what work each of your employees did on which days.
You can set email notifications when a particular set of documents are changed.
The software is free and opensourced - and because it's used by the 5th most popular website in the world, it's reliable and well-maintained - and is likely to be so for the forseeable future without nasty corporations trying to screw you over!
Because you're using a browser to view it, you can run the same exact tools on Windows, Linux, Mac, Cellphones and tablets...and it runs just fine on very old computers, so you don't need to buy the sexxiest new computers for everyone when the next version of the software comes out.
If you permit it - you can allow access from people's homes and from customer sites.
Many people are familiar with editing Wikipedia - and it's obviously easy enough for the layperson to learn - so your employees should have no problem adapting to it.
Because all of your files are stored in one place, backups are easy.
The separate "Talk:" pages are great places for employees in different departments to communicate about subjects in which they have a shared interest.
There are hundreds (maybe thousands) of MediaWiki extensions - many of which tie in nicely with other business software. Almost certainly there are some that you'll find invaluable.

SteveBaker (talk) 14:07, 9 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]

Nice rundown there SteveBaker, for as versed as I am on Wikipedia I am really curious to try out Mediawiki now. ^{Market St.⧏}_{⧐ Diamond Way} 14:22, 9 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]

Note that not only can you set up MediaWiki sites that are not Wikipedia, you can also use other software to set up a wide variety of Wikis. See Comparison of wiki software. Twiki and its derivatives are sometimes claimed to be more suitable for mapping business processes, but there are advantages (and disadvantages) to most solutions. --Stephan Schulz (talk) 17:12, 9 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]

yeah, depends on what/who. if you have structured data, i.e. it looks databasish then a database is good; if it's unstructured and variable like a paragraph of different types of info for everything, then a wiki... if your folks are not very techish probably a wiki is easier for them, if you want to have a techy type be in charge of it and other folks be user-types then a database is more it... common sense type stuff. me, i do everything in excel. hammer, looks like nail, etc. Gzuckier (talk) 15:24, 9 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]

Steve caught my drift and I thank him for his comprehensive reply. I didn't expect people to think I meant literally editing within Wikipedia. That's silly. Of course it would be a standalone install on a company intranet with VPN access as needed. I hadn't thought of the legacy support aspect, that's a great selling point to upper management. The Masked Booby (talk) 01:43, 10 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]

New euro notes

Now that the new 5 euro note is out in the public, will the other euro notes get redesigned too? JIP | Talk 14:15, 9 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]

Given (at least) that it is the nature of governments to waste time and money on things that don’t matter, yes, absolutely. ¦ Reisio (talk) 14:18, 9 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]

Waste? Explains why there is always a need for the Rent Is Too Damn High Party lol.^{Market St.⧏}_{⧐ Diamond Way} 14:28, 9 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]

Redesigning banknotes periodically isn't a waste of money, insofar as it allows governments the ability to stay ahead of counterfeiters. The U.S. government, which for decades (1920s-1990s) didn't change much of anything about their banknotes is now deliberately redesigning them (except the $1 bill) every decade or so, for this very reason. --Jayron32 16:24, 9 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]

Does anyone know of a timetable for the redesign then? JIP | Talk 14:19, 9 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]

10 seconds with Google finds this: http://www.ecb.int/euro/banknotes/europa/html/index.en.html

As to the reason? Most countries withdraw and redesign their banknotes periodically. I remember my first visit to the USA, and being baffled by all the ads on public transport reassuring people that the new $20 bill was just as legal as the old one, and that the old ones would never be withdrawn. The US is really unusual in its insistence that its paper money never expires. As the ECB page explains, one of the main reasons for a new series of notes is the implementation of new security features. The different design tells the users which security features to expect when they look for forgeries. Additionally, new issues may add new accessibility features where these have not existed previously. US notes remain impossible for blind people to tell apart, and until the latest series, could not be distinguished solely by colour either. UK and Australian notes (to take the two I'm most familiar with) are graded by size and colour for easy identification. You can't pass someone a pile of £5 notes with a £50 on top and make it look like a pile of fifties. AlexTiefling (talk) 14:39, 9 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]

It's really not that expensive to do the redesign - and I believe I read somewhere (sorry, couldn't find the reference) that coin and banknote collectors take enough of the money permanently out of circulation to pay for the redesign cost. SteveBaker (talk) 16:27, 10 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]

May 10

Preparing a meal

I would like to prepare a meal for my SO, but I am completely clueless cooking-wise. I am trying to figure out what I could do that doesn't require great skill (hard to screw up), nor, say, more than an hour of preparation, but is fairly impressive (e.g. I think can make simple pasta, but that's just too trivial). In my particular case, the dish should be non-spicy (we don't have/use pepper at all, other spices are OK). It should probably be a meat dish. Please suggest some dishes or alternatively if you know websites that have collections of recipes for my case (not generic recipe sites, those I know about).50.136.244.171 (talk) 03:04, 10 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]

Two words: Crock Pot. It is fantastically hard to screw up beef stew. I'm a pretty good cook (if I must toot my own horn), but I do fire up my Crock Pot about once a week, and have for years. If you do own one, dust it off. If you don't, buy one yesterday. Set it up when you get up in the morning (say, 30 minutes prep time) turn it on, and leave it until dinner time. They even make "slow cooker" seasoning packets from the gravy aisle at the grocery story you can dump in so you don't have to figure out the spices. I usually brown my meat first, in a skillet, just before adding it to the crock pot, but if you aren't confident of that step, you can make a perfectly passable beef stew by just dumping beef (chuck roast, cut into 1-inch cubes), carrots (sliced or use the packaged precut ones), potatoes (either tiny fingerling potatoes, no cutting, or red potatoes cut into 1 inch cubes), celery (say two stalks, sliced), and an onion (diced) all into the Crock Pot. Add a beef stew seasoning packet (I often use my own seasoning blend I do myself, but seriously, if you're looking easy, go easy) and a cup or so of water, turn the Crock Pot on low, and go to work. It should be done by dinner time (5-6 o'clock). Also, you really can't over cook it, so it's hard to screw up. If you really want to fancy it up, about 1 hour before it is done, cut up some fresh green beans and add them to the pot (if you let them cook all day, they get too overdone). Serve over biscuits. Crock Pot cooking is very versatile and very easy, I have at least a dozen or so recipes I do in mine on a regular rotation. --Jayron32 03:25, 10 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]

Actually I think the most important advice is that if you're cooking for an important occasion and you're not an expert cook, don't try something you haven't done before. Whatever you do, try it first on yourself. (And if you think pasta is so easy, you aren't making very interesting pasta. Pasta with fresh pesto is wonderful and not that hard to make if you have a food processor.) (And it's really not that hard for an inexperienced cook to mess up stew, for example by oversalting it.) (And while beef stew when well made is one of my favorite things in the world, it might not be exactly the right thing for a romantic dinner.) Looie496 (talk) 03:51, 10 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]

Well, that's the thing, I probably won't be able to practice for it, and although I expect that effort will count for more than execution, I'd rather not completely screw up. And pasta might be an option, if I can figure out what to prepare besides the noodles themselves. (And I don't have a crock pot, so that's out). 50.136.244.171 (talk) 03:58, 10 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]

It's a shame, because Crock Pot cooking is so very easy. But Looie's idea is pretty good. Home-made pesto is also very nice, so that's an easy one too, but one would also need to cook a main dish to go with the pasta. Pesto itself is pretty easy: a handful of nuts, a handful of basil, a little garlic, and some olive oil to bring it all together. A food processor makes easy work of it. Pignolis are traditional (though sometimes hard to find), but I've seen recipes with pistachios or even walnuts before. This recipe is as good as any, and you can substitute out the pine nuts for shelled pistachios if you can't find them. Just make sure the sauce is smooth before using it. Spaghetti and pesto would make a nice pasta dish to go with a simple grilled chicken breast or something like that. Take two boneless skinless chicken breasts, put them in a plastic bag with some Italian salad dressing (aka emergency chicken marinade) and let it marinate for an hour or two. Grill for about 5 minutes per side; check for doneness by cutting into the middle and making sure its a uniform white all the way through. Cut into strips to serve on top of the spaghetti with pesto, and make a nice side salad of mixed field greens (they sell this by the bag now.) That's a pretty good meal too. --Jayron32 04:08, 10 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]

Thanks, that seems quite plausible. One question I have has to do with the timing. On one hand I'd like to give myself plenty of time in case I screw up (very likely), but then I imagine this works best if freshly prepared. So, I get the marinading needs to be done earlier, and probably pesto can be too, but how much prior to the mealtime should I start doing the rest? (BTW, If anyone has other ideas, I'd still like to hear them). 50.136.244.171 (talk) 04:21, 10 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]

I'd give yourself about 1-1.5 hours to prepare the meal. The first thing I'd do is get the chicken into the marinade. Then, start working on the pesto. Mise en place should take about 15-20 minutes (that is, getting everything together and setting up all your ingredients and utensils and equipment ahead of time). The pesto itself will take 5-10 minutes; not long at all. Then start to pre-heat your grill, while that is happening get the salad together. Then put a big pot of water on the stove, salt it liberally, and put the heat on it right when you're ready to start grilling the chicken. DON'T add the pasta yet, you'll want that to be the very last thing you cook. Grill the chicken, and when it is done (5-6 minutes per side should do it) take it off the heat and put it on a plate under some foil to rest before cutting it into strips. All meat should rest about ten minutes before cutting anyways. When you get done grilling the chicken, your water should be boiling. Add the pasta to the boiling water and cook it while the meat is resting, cook it "al-dente" (that is, it should have some "tooth" to it, not mushy, but not crunchy either, maybe about 6-7 minutes or so for spaghetti, less for thinner noodles, more for thicker) and then take it out, drain it, and toss it in the pesto. Take the chicken, slice into strips, serve on top of the pasta and pesto along side your salad. --Jayron32 04:40, 10 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]

Jayron32's excellent suggestion aside, if your ultimate goal is to impress why not just buy a pre made meal and add some things to it, chop up some vegetables, mix and match some. I can understand that it is a bit duplicitous but you'd be surprised how many "home made meals" are really just creatively presented Restaurant or Super Market Deli prepared. I appreciate your ambition but you may be setting yourself up for a failure, add to that you're already under pressure and it seems you're aiming to use a "great meal" as a means to a greater end (a segue of sorts) later, and not the topic of the night.^{Market St.⧏}_{⧐ Diamond Way} 04:54, 10 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]

For the record, all of my home-made meals are home-made, I generally cook 4-5 meals per week, and leftovers the other nights. --Jayron32 05:00, 10 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]

Thanks, Jayron, you've been of great help. As far as faking it, that rather defeats the purpose, I think. In this case it's not about demonstrating that I can cook (which I can't, and it's rather obvious), but that I care enough to go out on a limb and do something I am not good at. If it completely bombs, it's not a problem. It would simply give me an opportunity to try again some other time. That's not a first date, or anything like that. 50.136.244.171 (talk) 05:13, 10 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]

I'm sure you'll do fine and Jayron32 & Looie496 are correct those are pretty much mistake proof, just that I'm sure the 5th time you use a Crock Pot or go pesto will be better than your first, but if your ultimate goal is authenticity and not a smooth segue into something more than I hope you get your wish!^{Market St.⧏}_{⧐ Diamond Way} 05:49, 10 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]

The only fee for my advice is that you stop back and tell us all how it goes, whatever you choose to do, whether its something someone here recommends or something else you've come up with on your own. --Jayron32 05:25, 10 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]

Aw Jayron32, I think your letting OP off easy, pictures would always be nice to share, plus if we have a hidden talent in our midst how about dinner on OP next week ;-)! ^{Market St.⧏}_{⧐ Diamond Way} 05:54, 10 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]

The OP has already more or less said this in reply but even from reading the whole thread, their reply is unsurprising, in fact almost expected. If you read earlier, the OP already said the effort would likely count more than the result, although they'd rather not screw up. This makes sense since in the first post, the person is described as a SO. All this being the case, it's unsurprising as the OP later confirmed that if they were to try and cheat, this would count less than a failed result (which depending on how bad the failure, may require them to buy something precooked anyway) or otherwise defeat the point of the exercise. Nil Einne (talk) 13:36, 10 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]

They obviously care enough to want to get it right. And that's the point: they care. That will come through no matter what you actually cook, OP. But because you do care, you'll do it really well. Simple, but just right. -- Jack of Oz ^[Talk] 13:44, 10 May 2013 (UTC) [reply]

I strongly second the crock-pot stew - it's impossible to screw up and tastes great. The only problem is that it doesn't look like much...so you need to work on appearance & presentation. I recommend grabbing some colorful fresh veggies to make for some color on the plate. I suggest mixing any two out of: Baby corn-on-the-cob, some snowpeas or some thin sliced red peppers...you can add a little water and zap them in the microwave in 3 minutes, then dump out the water and shake them up with a spoonful of salted butter - the combination of the bright red, green and yellow on the plate really helps out the overall "brown glop" that is the stew! A sprig of pointless parsley stuck on the top of the stew also looks good.

Also, splurge on a bottle of red wine...really. If you don't know wine - spend $20 on any red and you won't go too far wrong! If your SO is leery of heavy red wines, grab a bottle of "Lambrusco" - it's a sparkling red wine that's alarmingly easy to drink and goes with almost anything.

If you need a dessert - get something frozen with lots of chocolate in it...can't go wrong.

SteveBaker (talk) 16:24, 10 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]

Two things. First, the essence of good cooking is sugar, salt, pepper, and butter. Second, along with the crockpot idea, my favorite very simple fancy meal I have never seen ruined is soup and chicken casserole. (Although it is a bit heavey for a summer dish in California.) Get about six boneless and skinless chicken thighs or breasts as you prefer. Lay them flat in the bottom of a very lightly buttered 3"-4" deep casserole. Add chopped onions and minced garlic. Cover with one large can of condensed or chunky soup. Cream of broccoli works well. Cover with half a bag of your favorite instant stuffing (crouton style works best). Cover with a cup or two of chopped pecans or walnuts. Cover with tinfoil and cook at 350 Fahrenheit for 45 minutes, until chicken is done. Can leave uncovered for 5-10 minutes if the stuffing hasn't crusted. Let sit for 15 minutes before serving. I use salt and pepper. You can put paprika on top before serving for color as well. μηδείς (talk) 17:47, 10 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]

For some fun with your cooking, see http://www.cookingcomically.com/ --Dismas|^(talk) 18:54, 10 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]

And if you are bit nerdy, there is Cooking for Engineers. --Stephan Schulz (talk) 21:10, 10 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]

OP here (from a different IP). Well, thanks, guys, it worked pretty well. I don't have pictures, but it looked how it was supposed to, and tasted, and I quote, "like average restaurant food" which is way better than I was shooting for. There were some minor hiccups during preparation, but mostly it went as planned. The only issue with the result was that there was too much oil. As I was preparing it, I was thinking: if I succeed, I'll have more work to do in the future, because I won't have an excuse that I can't cook anymore. Indeed, that's what she said:) Thanks again, Jayron and everyone. 2620:0:1000:5E03:15B8:BC9C:9C67:2DE5 (talk) 22:22, 10 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]

Resolved

Like. Great to hear it. Cooking is the thing that brings me the greatest joy in life, I love to cook. I am so pleased that the meal came off well. Maybe the cooking bug will bite you too... --Jayron32 18:11, 11 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]

Michael Jackson

This might sound slightly stupid and racist, but here's the question anyway: Why does Michael Jackson not sound like an African American? I have never encountered another African American who has such a smooth voice. I may be ignorant, but it seems to me that all other African Americans have gruff, and masculine voices, taking Rick Ross, Tracy Morgan, Whoopi Goldberg, will.i.am and Cee Lo Green for example. Just listen to their voices and you can more or less know that they are African American. But not for Michael. ☯ Bonkers The Clown \(^_^)/ Nonsensical Babble ☯ 08:02, 10 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]

People have different voices. Period. I've played some Chrisye songs for my students and they've asked who she was. Same for REO Speedwagon's "Can't Fight This Feeling". — Crisco 1492 (talk) 08:41, 10 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]

Chrisye sounds Indonesian enough, though... ☯ Bonkers The Clown \(^_^)/ Nonsensical Babble ☯ 08:59, 10 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]

Some people are amazed when they first see The Tokens (an album cover on youtube) after listening to "The Lion Sleeps Tonight". Clarityfiend (talk) 08:53, 10 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]

Anderson Silva sounds like a choir boy. Not sure if you count Brazilians as Americans, but even if not, he's also evidence that there's no correlation to toughness, either. Mike Tyson is also a good example. InedibleHulk (talk) 09:05, 10 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]

Neil deGrasse Tyson doesn't sound anything like Barry White, we all are different after all ;-).^{Market St.⧏}_{⧐ Diamond Way} 10:22, 10 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]

Johnny Mathis, Nat King Cole, Sam Cooke, Clyde McPhatter, Marvin Gaye, Johnny Adams..... "I may be ignorant, but...." seems to sum it up, I'm afraid to say. Ghmyrtle (talk) 10:30, 10 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]

Johnny Adams and the like have voices which aren't rough and deep, but at the same time aren't that smooth and... Angelic (as the King's). ☯ Bonkers The Clown \(^_^)/ Nonsensical Babble ☯ 11:11, 10 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]

Ghmyrtle expressed it well. Perhaps this and this are good [and famous] examples of Sam Cooke and Nat King Cole respectively at their smoothest. --Dweller (talk) 11:49, 10 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]

Getting back to the question, he sounds like Diana Ross to me — so who does Diana Ross sound like? ¦ Reisio (talk) 12:44, 10 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]

Billie Holiday. -- Jack of Oz ^[Talk] 13:38, 10 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]

There is an unsubstantiated rumour that Jackson's unique singing voice was the result of an inadvertent chemical castration that occurred as a result of some extremely strong medication to reduce acne. This is an overview, but you can find many sites using Google. 64.235.97.146 (talk) 16:11, 10 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]

That answers way too many questions. lol ^{Market St.⧏}_{⧐ Diamond Way} 16:56, 10 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]

Racist poster

I think this is the best topic, so here:

(originally posted on Teahouse) I remember seeing sometime ago, a racist poster image of an African American "camouflaging" in the dark, with a warning along the lines of "keep your doors locked" at the bottom of the poster. I searched the Net with all possible keywords, but to no avail. Where is this file???? Best, ☯ Bonkers The Clown \(^_^)/ Nonsensical Babble ☯ 15:32, 10 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]

Without knowing where you are, and without trying to search for it myself (I'd rather not, thanks), is it possible that the file is blocked under some (race hate?) laws in your country? - Cucumber Mike (talk) 18:15, 10 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]

Was at an actual poster, or merely an image? ¦ Reisio (talk) 01:50, 11 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]

I don't know, but I do vividly recall seeing it on some racism-related page. An image, yes, on an article here. ☯ Bonkers The Clown \(^_^)/ Nonsensical Babble ☯ 07:49, 11 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]

If one was hoping to get images that cast a sports team in a negative light I'd determine their chief rival and then frequent message boards of that teams fanbase who have the will, time, resources and pathology to create works of art that cast that first team in a negative light, some have theorized all the world's people that are fans of "race" also have such message boards with similar image creators, one may go to the source of such twisted creativity that channels hours of time, resources and energy. In my very thankful experience at Wikipedia I am positive that all the best "art" in this manner isn't really represented here in a comprehensive sense. Best of luck.^{Market St.⧏}_{⧐ Diamond Way} 14:20, 11 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]

Ironic??

not a request for references

The following discussion has been closed. Please do not modify it.

First of all I am NOT talking about politics (again NOT talking about politics)...I am a huge fan of Bono's and U2's work but some of my friends keep asking me things like this: Why does Bono sing in favor of MLK and Gandhi and Mandela's ideas BUT he is a friend with some people who "don't share those men's ideas"??? I would like to0 give them a response but I am not able to. Miss Bono (zootalk) 18:09, 10 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]

Because he's a human being, and therefore has complex feelings that aren't necessarily the same from one day to the next? - Cucumber Mike (talk) 18:13, 10 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]

Because it is quite possible to be personal friends with people who share different political views? --Jayron32 18:15, 10 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]

So, I answer that to my friends everytime, but they reply: so, it is ok to say that you are trying to end with extreme poverty and then buy a 1.000 USD bottle of wine??? Miss Bono (zootalk) 18:20, 10 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]

Whether it is 'ok' or not isn't a question we can answer here - it is clearly a matter of opinion, rather than fact. This is a reference desk, not a forum. AndyTheGrump (talk) 18:29, 10 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]

Got it. Sorry AndyTheGrump. Won't bother never again. Miss Bono (zootalk) 18:39, 10 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]

Close per Andy and OP. μηδείς (talk) 18:41, 10 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]

High-pitched bird song?

Hi, looking for bird song identification. I'm in the Rocky mountains, and I hear a bird in one of the pines that sounds like a camera flash recharging; it's that high-pitched. Like a dog whistle, only gentler. The whistle rises in pitch, just like the flash recharging. Any ideas what it could be? Maybe a bushtit but I can't find the right song. Oh a second call was quieter and was two "garbles" and a high pitch "toot" whistle. ThanksReflectionsinglass (talk) 19:00, 10 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]

May 11

The name of those "bumps" on some military outfits?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Dashing_war_veteran_and_cadets_in_SPb.jpg

http://www.ebay.com/itm/The-Corps-3-Man-Recon-3-3-4-Action-Figures-w-Accessories-11-Pcs-/230975641815?pt=US_Action_Figures&hash=item35c73898d7 (the figure on the far left has them)

You see those bumps on the left and right of his pants? What are those called?68.6.40.47 (talk) 00:41, 11 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]

See Jodhpurs. Bielle (talk) 00:49, 11 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]

Does the term 'jodhpurs' come with the military implications? That page mainly talks about horseback riding.68.6.40.47 (talk) 01:05, 11 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]

Lot of horseback riding in the military for a long time. ¦ Reisio (talk) 01:54, 11 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]

No military connotations in particular, not even the cavalry, as they didn't necessarily wear jodhpurs. (I'm trying to visualize an armored knight with "bumps".) Clarityfiend (talk) 02:55, 11 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]

Searching 'military jodhpurs' is helpful. There are references on some sites to "flare" or "flaring". Richard Avery (talk) 07:32, 11 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]

Are we talking about these things? They are riding breeches, of which jodhpurs are a full length variety worn with low boots. Riding breeches per se end below the knee and are worn with high boots. The military connection is that until World War I, senior officers went to war on horses, and wearing riding clothes was a sign of rank, which continued after horses were left behind. By World War II, most Allied staff officers had moved on to more practical kit, but traditionally minded chaps like Lord Gort [4], Charles De Gaulle [5] and George S. Patton stuck to the slightly comical nether garments. The most famous wearers today are the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. [6] Alansplodge (talk) 16:33, 11 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]

dirty tricks

I have accessed your article on dirty tricks, but it appeared to be mainly concerned with the political sphere.

What I want to enquire about is a tactic I have been subjected to, and if you could direct me to where I could find further information about it? Such as, who (broadly) originated this tactic; who generally practices it and who (broadly) are the targets of the technique.

Until I experienced it (and I am 60 years old and well read) I have never come across this tactic before.

This is what happened.

The person I am interacting with, whatever I say, claims the opposite. In the absence of a third party to ascertain the facts of the situation, this creates the situation where one of us is lying. Without independent corroboration, it then devolves to credibility. The person using this technique has credibility, having managerial status, whereas I do not. The cleverness of this technique is, is that when my opponent lies, I am made out to be the liar.

If you could throw any light on this matter, I would be grateful. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Wiliamson (talk • contribs) 11:16, 11 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]

Surely there is an easy defense against this - only say things publicly (in this context) that you can back up with material proof. If you make half a dozen statements, this person nay-says all of them, then you reveal your material evidence for every single one of those points - then your opponent looks like a fool. This is akin to the Wikipedia policy of requiring all "facts" to be backed by solid references...and it's worth considering. You can even, perhaps, set up a trap wherein your opponent doesn't know that you have material evidence.

If you don't have solid evidence for some particular thing that you're saying, then make it clear that in this case, you're simply voicing an opinion rather than stating a fact. If you make that clear then you cannot be accused of lying - only, perhaps of having opinions are that are not shared by your opponent.

There is another subtle thing going on here though. The difference between lying and simply being wrong. Without seeing examples of what you are saying, it's hard to see how your opponent is able to convince people that you know that he's right and are deliberately making incorrect statements to the contrary - or that you are simply thinking incorrectly. But the distinction is irrelevant if you are, in fact correct and can prove it - since then you are demonstrably neither incorrect nor lying.

I don't know of a particular name for this tactic - but you might care to read "The Art of Being Right" - a book by Arthur Schopenhauer that contains 38 different tactics of this nature.

SteveBaker (talk) 13:45, 11 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]

First this is a very well worn dirty trick (see Gaslighting or even Workplace bullying), the Wikipedia dirty tricks article may not have gotten around to it yet. Second this seems just harmless ribbing or annoying at most however if you are afraid this will impact your livelihood I would take Steve Bakers first recommendation of say as least as possible when it is just you and this person. Depending on your state and if you fear job loss I would highly recommend buying a small preferably data usb type audio recorder, most models can go 30-40 hours of continuous taping and you can file them every week or so on your home computer. Just be sure you are in a state that allows for that by checking here.

Although I am sure you can read books and develop defenses and learn all about this tactic whoever is employing it is already well versed and experienced so if it is legal to do so I would just practice saying as little as possible and audio taping everything, although probably just fun and games this person might be a serial "get them fired" type and uses this tactic to do so. ^{Market St.⧏}_{⧐ Diamond Way} 14:02, 11 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]

But before you audio tape anyone without their knowledge, think about it very carefully and maybe get some outside legal advice. It stands to reason that you could be breaking all sorts of privacy laws, which could land you in very hot water. -- Jack of Oz ^[Talk] 20:24, 11 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]

Is there a wiki article about these islands which...

Yes, please, is there a wiki article/list about these islands which are separated by a boundary like New Guinea (2 countries: Indonesia and Papua New Guinea) or Cyprus (Cyprus and Turkey, ok, even if it's disputed...). Thanks in advance. 81.62.124.121 (talk) 15:00, 11 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]

There's List of divided islands, and Category:International islands. - Cucumber Mike (talk) 15:08, 11 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]

Thanks a lot! 83.79.188.86 (talk) 18:14, 11 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]

Falling elevator

If you're in an elevator or other enclosed space that has failed and is in free fall towards the earth, what should you do in the few seconds you have to maximize your chances of survival? (yes I know elevators have multiple fail safes and other complicating factors, that's not what the question is about) 70.162.4.242 (talk) 16:42, 11 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]

See Parachute landing fall for the technique to adopt, and Free fall#Surviving falls for some historical examples. Basically, you want to (a) maximize the time between your body first contacting the ground and it becoming stationary, and (b) absorb the energy with the parts of your body that will::On an episode of the old TV show Man and the challenge, suffer least damage (ie, not your head). Tevildo (talk) 17:22, 11 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]

In an episode (probably the last of the series) of the old TV show "The Man and the Challenge," a man in a falling elevator jumped up and grabbed the ventilator fixture on the ceiling, and when the elevator hit bottom it helped to slow his descent as it pulled loose from the ceiling and the fan wires stretched and broke. If you were carrying something big and soft, placing it below you might help. Bent legs, and slapping the floor when you hit might help a little bit. Elevators since the late 19th century have had failsafe systems to hold them to the track if the support cables break, but there have been catastrophies where they fell many floors fast enough to kill the passengers. I seem to recall reading that that happened in an elevator of the Empire State Building when an airplane struck the building in the 1940's. 99.140.247.51 (talk) 20:03, 11 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]

Indeed - see B-25 Empire State Building crash. Betty Lou Oliver (the operator of the elevator in question) holds the record for surviving the longest drop in an elevator, cushioned (slightly) by the cable and the air in the shaft. Tevildo (talk) 20:51, 11 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]

The online episode guides do not disclose which episode of Man and the challenge it was, but one other person posting on IMDB also recalls it: [7] 99.140.247.51 (talk) 20:14, 11 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]

Why would slapping the floor help? What are you using to slap the floor with anyway? CambridgeBayWeather (talk) 01:15, 12 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]

See the article that Tevildo posted; you roll and slap the ground with your side. It maximises the distance/time that your decelerate over, thus reduces the the forces imparted on your body. [User:Csmiller|CS Miller]] (talk) 11:25, 12 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]

How does one slap the ground with one's side? I don't know about the rest of you, but I have an arm and a leg inconveniently poking out from there. μηδείς (talk) 00:50, 13 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]

Genetic engineering

Hello, has any scientist been able to genetically engineer a plant so that it has some of the characteristics of a mammal, bird or fish? Can they splice mammal, bird or fish genetic material to a plant, please? Thank you....SnoozertheCat

Back story: I was eating a freshly boiled red potato. I noticed that such potatoes, when eaten freshly boiled, seem to have some of the taste and aroma characteristics of a boiled egg. It occurred to me that perhaps they could genetically engineer plant foods with some of the nutritional or flavor characteristics of conventionally produced animal based foods for the ethical (vegan), religious, lower cost, or environmental (global warming) benefits. I know that they have spliced genetic material from the BTk bacteria to plants to produce plants with natural insect pest resistance.

This is my first time asking a question. Any tips or comments appreciated. I tried researching for the answer myself but have not had luck yet. Thanks everyone! — Preceding unsigned comment added by SnoozertheCat (talk • contribs) 18:41, 11 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]

Fish tomato. -- Finlay McWalterჷTalk 18:44, 11 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]

you'd be amazed how many vegetables glow because of gene splicing. Shadowjams (talk) 21:34, 11 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]

For clarity, Shadowjams is I think referring to Green fluorescent protein and the various mutants thereof like Yellow fluorescent protein which come from the jelly fish Aequorea victoria and the various other fluorescence proteins most? of which come from some usually marine animal (particularly corals) e.g. dsRed which comes from a/various? Discosoma species [8], EosFP which comes from Lobophyllia hemprichii [9]; which are very widely used (particularly the original GFP) as a reporter gene (and also other purposes) in molecular biology including in plants and which will result in the fluorescence in the organism somewhere (depending on what you're trying to monitor or whatever). See for example the dsRed reference and of course the various articles. Note however while GFP and other fluorescence proteins have been inserted in to various animals for sale as pets, e.g. GloFish, I'm not aware that there have been many inserted in to plants intended for commercial sale. Nil Einne (talk) 05:08, 13 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]

behaviour of a murderer

consensus to close

The following discussion has been closed. Please do not modify it.

so if you have committed a murder and it looks like no-one is going to discover that you did it, is it better to never tell anyone about it or to confess? because in one way you would have to always remember the time you murdered someone and say you feel really bad about it and so are haunted by guilt but if you confess they could hang you by the neck until you were dead? Horatio Snickers (talk) 20:35, 11 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]

This is clearly a request for opinions, and as such beyond the scope of this reference desk. AndyTheGrump (talk) 20:58, 11 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]

This user has been mentioned before as an SPI candidate. μηδείς (talk) 02:48, 12 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]

EDIT - Removed "Container". What fresh madness is this? I am asking a question here - "If confessing to a crime would result in your execution, is it better to confess and die or remain silent and live a life of guilt"? And what is an SPI and when have I put myself forward as a "candidate" for one? Shotmed Paper Industries? Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence? I have proposed myself for the Wikiemedia Foundation board but had not the required number of edits. I do not expect to be treated with suspicion and disrespect on a page such as this one. Horatio Snickers (talk) 19:43, 12 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Sockpuppet_investigations --Ye Olde Luke (talk) 20:03, 12 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]

Shoe Logos

I saw a list in Wikipedia that showed the most famous shoe designers. Is ther another list that also shows the logo's they use? I have a pair of shoes I got at an estate sale with only a logo of a Tourch(?) & would like to know who the designer is. Is there a web site I can go to the shows designer's logo's? Thanks to anyone who helps me. I've searched google but can't find what I'm looking for. Barb Greer (talk) 20:46, 11 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]

In general, no. Our fairuse rules allow us to use a a company's logo on that company's page, but not else where. Likewise, an album's cover can be used on a page about that album, but not on the bands discography page. CS Miller (talk) 21:54, 11 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]

Torch (British usage) as in the electric thing that shines light in your eyes when you're wondering if the batteries are dead or Torch as in the stick with fire on the end of it? Can you take a picture of the logo and then post it somewhere on the Internet for us to see? Dismas|^(talk) 23:10, 11 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]

May 12

Are VA Medical Contracts between Doctor's and Veterans legal?

This question has been removed. Per the reference desk guidelines, the reference desk is not an appropriate place to request medical, legal or other professional advice, including any kind of medical diagnosis, prognosis, or treatment recommendations. For such advice, please see a qualified professional. If you don't believe this is such a request, please explain what you meant to ask, either here or on the Reference Desk's talk page.

Tevildo (talk) 00:25, 12 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]

USS General Black

I came to this country on September 9, 1949, on board a ship that was known to the passengers as the "SS General Black." I was a week short of my fifth birthday. We left Bremenhaven a few weeks earlier. Our ship landed in New Orleans on September 9. I have recently tried to find information about this ship. The closest I have come is an article in Wikipedia about the USS General W. M. Black (AP-135). The ship was later renamed the USAT General W. M. Black.

The article does not mention my landfall in New Orleans, but the ship did make some trips out of Bremenhaven. And she was active in that time period. I wonder if your contributors can verify whether or not it was this ship that arrived in New Orleans with DPs from German refugee camps on or about September 9, 1949.

There is one more thing I might mention. My parents told me that someone on the ship fell seriously ill during the voyage. That person was evacuated by a seaplane in the middle of the ocean. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Jhershberg (talk • contribs) 04:26, 12 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]

If you are looking for info on the ship itself, a Google search turns up lots of hits for "S. S. General Black" as the first ship to bring DPs to the USA after the war. Also be sure to run a separate search on Google Books. If you want info on people aboard ship, try searching on Ancestry.com, which has extensive online passenger lists of ships arriving in the United States; these records usually contain the names, ages, and place of origin or destination. Textorus (talk) 05:17, 12 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]

Maybe the Port of New Orleans has records or can put you in touch with a historian. Clarityfiend (talk) 08:53, 12 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]

Resources for Small Business Owners( United States)

What are some reputable resources out there to help small business owners in the United States. I want to eventually start a small business. Thanks. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 67.204.144.195 (talk) 05:55, 12 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]

You can probably find lots of information and resource links at the SBA web page: http://www.sba.gov/home RudolfRed (talk) 06:35, 12 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]

It might help if you told us what type of small business. Lots of professions have organizations to help out newcomers. Dismas|^(talk) 19:06, 12 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]

Design of jacket lapels

The article about jacket lapels refers to the peaked lapel as the "double breasted style lapel", although this is misleading. Single breasted jackets with a peaked lapel do exist, as well as double breasted jackets with a notched lapel. Gary Allan is seen wearing a double breasted jacket with a notched lapel on the cover of his third album, Smoke Rings in the Dark. What is the reason for this? 108.0.244.168 (talk) 09:03, 12 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]

Humanity. ¦ Reisio (talk) 10:58, 12 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]

I'm not clear what the "this" is in your question. Are you asking why somebody designed a notched lapel, and other people started wearing it? Or about how the article came to have the contents it has? --ColinFine (talk) 14:54, 12 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]

Referring to a peaked lapel as a "double breasted style lapel" appears to be a misnomer. I was referring to how the jacket lapel article came to have its contents. 108.0.244.168 (talk) 19:08, 12 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]

Thanks for clarifying. You can look at the history of the article by picking its History tab; or you can search its versions for when particular words were introduced using the tool called WikiBlame. --ColinFine (talk) 22:30, 12 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]

youtube

Since I have a wide range of different interests, I am wondering whether it would be allowed/possible to set up two or three different youtube accounts to separate my videos, and following on from that, whether there is any way of changing my username of my one current account to reflect this, rather than removing everything and starting a new account under a slightly different name.

213.104.128.16 (talk) 18:26, 12 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]

I don't know the answer, but googling "youtube multiple accounts" produces results that suggest it might be possible. Why not ask your question on the YouTube help forum at google.com? You should find people there who are familiar with the workings of YouTube and can point you in the direction of the answers you need. - Ka renjc 18:40, 12 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]

That's something that would probably be covered by the terms of use. You can find a link to this at the bottom on the youtube home page RudolfRed (talk) 18:42, 12 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]

Yes - try asking at the YouTube forums - though I suspect that what you may need is separate channels rather than accounts. AndyTheGrump (talk) 18:43, 12 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]

my experience of asking for help with anything google related has never been good, hence why I came here first, but maybe I could have a look around those places. Though I suppose that would mean, if I created separate channels, anyone that follows one interest of mine would know about what other, potentially embarrassing, stuff I get up to under a different name? 213.104.128.16 (talk) 18:57, 12 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]

I have multiple YT accounts, and I do that by having separate email addresses to login with. KägeTorä - (影虎) (TALK) 23:56, 12 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]

Yes if you want multiple accounts, you'd need to register separate Google accounts whether with a unique non Google email for each account or a unique Google email address (i.e. unique account name). You'd need to check the Google TOS to see if this is allowed but I suspect it is provided you don't do anything dodgy e.g. upvote your own videos, report as spam multiple times etc. Speaking generally, Google seems to have been making it easy to login in and use multiple Google accounts in both browsers and much of their Android software so it would seem a bit strange if this is technically forbidden but again, you'd need to check the TOS yourself to be sure. Nil Einne (talk) 05:23, 13 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]

Automobile Gasoline Storage

Everyone I asked, gave me a different answer!

In the USA, how long can you store Automobile Gasoline in approved heavy plastic containers before it goes bad?

Many thanks in advance. Bluebottle103 (talk) 20:34, 12 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]

The article at Gasoline#Stability says it stays good indefinately if stored airtight. RudolfRed (talk) 21:00, 12 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]

Gasoline doesn't really "go bad" (it's been underground for 60 million years, after all) - what happens is that (a) it evaporates, and (b) it gets water in it, both of which can be prevented by storing it in airtight containers, as noted above. Tevildo (talk) 23:34, 12 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]

That's crude oil underground, not gasoline. Gasoline is extracted from it, with additives thrown in to make cars run better on it. I'd expect gasoline to remain flammable indefinitely, but it's lubricating and detergent additives may lose effectiveness, with time. This isn't likely to be a problem with one tankful, but might if your car ran on nothing but old gas for years. StuRat (talk) 06:12, 13 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]

May 13

Can't remember movie

I am wracking my brain to locate this U.S. movie I saw as a little kid. It was about deprogramming from a cult. Best memory is that the mother engages a man to kidnap her daughter back from a cult and deprogram her. It had to be either seventies or very early eighties. Also, My best memory is that the actress who played the mother had these incredible crazy blue eyes, if that helps at all.--71.190.242.180 (talk) 03:09, 13 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]

Ticket to Heaven fits the time frame, but it's a man who was deprogrammed: [10]. StuRat (talk) 06:22, 13 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]

problem with toilet float

hello, i am having problems with a toilet float, its sitting too high and making my toilet run 24/7. how do i fix this? heres some pics [11] [12] note the water is falling into the overflow tube. thanskBanan292 (talk) 05:09, 13 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]

Try googling "fix toilet float". μηδείς (talk) 05:35, 13 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]

I've removed the resolved tag the previous responder added, because they did not resolve the problem. StuRat (talk) 06:01, 13 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]

I've had this problem myself. Here are a few possible solutions:

1) Make sure the float isn't waterlogged. If it has a hole in it, you may want to replace it.

2) If it's the type where the float is on a horizontal stalk (which it is, in your case), you can bend it so it sticks down further into the water.

3) Alternatively, you can raise the height of the overflow drain, by inserting a rolled-up plastic sheet, epoxied to it on the inside. Of course, you can't raise the water level too much this way, or it will overflow the tank. This has the advantage of providing a stronger flush.

4) You can combine these solutions. StuRat (talk) 06:01, 13 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]

Flush the toilet, then try holding the float up as high as it will easily go for about half a minute, if this doesn't stop the water running you will need a new washer. Turn off the water to the cistern, undo the 4 screws on top of the valve, remove the washer you will find underneath, and take it to a good hardware store to make sure you get a new one exactly the same. Put it all back together with the new washer and turn the water back on. You may have to bend the float arm to adjust it, but best to change the washer first. Set the water-level to be at least half an inch below the top of the overflow tube. Good Luck. 122.108.189.192 (talk) 06:58, 13 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]