Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Miscellaneous/2007 January 3

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January 3

America vs China

I want a no bias answer here. Who would have a better chance if America and China were to start a war aginst each other? —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 70.58.48.104 (talk) 07:31, 3 January 2007 (UTC).

I think in an all-out war both wouldn't stand a chance; this would be a total lose–lose situation.  --Lambiam^Talk 09:00, 3 January 2007 (UTC)

I agree, in most aspects a big loss for both nations. There's a saying, don't fight a ground war in China. The outcome of any war depends on the situation, where forces are placed, et cetera. China may endure more losses than the Americans, but a war isn't simply soldier versus soldier - it's government versus government. The answer can't easily be answered. 81.93.102.185 11:34, 3 January 2007 (UTC)

I don't think it's in the interests of either country to go to war in this century (unless there's a drastic change). If they were to fight, it would depend on more factors than just armies. Hypothetically, anything could happen. | AndonicO ^{Talk | Sign Here} 12:06, 3 January 2007 (UTC)

It depends on the kind of war. The US could nuke all of China many times over, but China would be able to hit quite a few prominent American targets. It wouldn't be worth it for either. --24.147.86.187 14:41, 3 January 2007 (UTC)

No. cities in China > No. US nukes Vranak 14:54, 3 January 2007 (UTC)

Given that the US has about 6000 active nukes, I don't think that inequality really matters. — Lomn 15:48, 3 January 2007 (UTC)

If it's a full out nuclear war as you say, it wouldn't be worth it for anyone on Earth. That's how a nuclear winter would start, as well as all the other nuclear hypothesises (did I spell that right?). | AndonicO ^{Talk | Sign Here} 14:45, 3 January 2007 (UTC)

It could be Hypothesies, or Hypotheses

Ok, thanks. | AndonicO ^{Talk | Sign Here} 15:29, 3 January 2007 (UTC)

Err, I've never seen the plural of hypothesis as hypothesies. It's hypotheses only. (Hint: Think thesis > theses, not thesies). JackofOz 22:12, 3 January 2007 (UTC)

What about seriesHidden secret 7 11:22, 7 January 2007 (UTC)

I think a key point for any scale of warfare, assuming the two countries match each other (that is, if A uses nukes, B uses nukes too, for example) is power projection. China has a much larger army than the US, but has no way to get that army to the US. The US has better potential to inflict damage either by conventional or nuclear means, but no way to ultimately win a ground war. — Lomn 15:48, 3 January 2007 (UTC)

The most likely way this would happen is if China invades Taiwan, which is under US protection. China could invade, assuming their would be nothing more than temporary sanctions against it as a result. The US could then counter-attack, possibly limiting the offensive to Taiwan and surrounding waters, assuming China could not use it's army and wouldn't use nuclear weapons. A limited war might result. I don't see it going nuclear, as that would be in neither country's interest. StuRat 17:04, 3 January 2007 (UTC)

Usa and China could not have a large-scale war between themselves. The major nations of the world would all take sides (which side would depend on the circumstances) and thus it would descend into another world war. I would expect America (and it's allies) to edge out China (and their allies) because of technology and also because in the current climate America would (in my opinion) be more likely to have the stronger allies. ny156uk

The US would have no reason to enlarge the war beyond Taiwan. China might then try to use it's large army to invade it's neighbors, but, as you've pointed out, that would be a losing strategy, leading to global opposition, so I don't see that as likely either. StuRat 22:06, 3 January 2007 (UTC)

Counting out all other countries if it was China vs the US, I wouldn't be surprised if the US just parked their boats offshore and bombed China into oblivion. --froth^{T C} 04:37, 4 January 2007 (UTC)

Assuming the war does not go nuclear, it would be a losing draw on both sides. The US doesn't have the manpower to invade China, while China doesn't have the naval capability to invade the US. The most likely outcome would be a naval blockade of Chinese harbors, with occasional attempts by either side to alter the status quo, causing casualties but with no real change. --Carnildo 07:45, 4 January 2007 (UTC)

This sounds like the war between the 'western world' and the middle east, which has lasted for 5000 years so far, and doesn't seem likely to end any time soon.Hidden secret 7 21:33, 4 January 2007 (UTC)

No biased answers? I'm in Australia and if that was broke out, I would fight for China, but only because the cuisine is so much better ;) Vespine 02:57, 5 January 2007 (UTC)

Your American-style pizza, hot dog, ice cream cone, and fortune cookie privileges have officially been revoked. :-) StuRat 15:13, 6 January 2007 (UTC)

football

Why is a football players running statistic referred as rushing?

Does this refer to football (soccer) or american football? 惑乱 分からん 12:21, 3 January 2007 (UTC)

Presume the reference is to Rush (American football)--Melburnian 13:12, 3 January 2007 (UTC)

That's actually a really good question. I'm not sure the average football fan would be able to answer. --Maxamegalon2000 21:25, 3 January 2007 (UTC)

I've always heard that but never looked it up (what rushing means). --Proficient 04:58, 4 January 2007 (UTC)

As an Englishman living in France may I tell you what my American dictionary says ? "to advance the ball by running with it." So it does not apply to soccer, and I have never heard it used in rugby.-DaviddeleMidi90.27.172.42 15:26, 4 January 2007 (UTC)

Since American football was first practiced at colleges, perhaps the term comes from an analogy to rushing a fraternity. Just supposition. — Michael J 19:03, 6 January 2007 (UTC)

spontaneous juggling

Is it possible to be able to juggle without ever having tried to before? Could I have learnt all the necesarry skills from other activities? Or could I be remembering learning to juggle in the future, or something wierd like that? Also why is it that I have no idea how to juggle, it just happens when I want it to. (Does this need a question mark at the end?)172.159.156.28 15:09, 3 January 2007 (UTC)

Juggling is just co-ordinated throwing & catching. And yes, it is possible that you're dexterous enough to be able to do it with little or no practice. --Tagishsimon (talk)

"Also why is it that I have no idea how to juggle, it just happens when I want it to. (Does this need a question mark at the end?)" Grammatically speaking, that's a complex-compound sentence. It would be in the form of a question, but the clarifying information that sounds more like a statement would be entombed in parentheses: "Also, why is it that, although I have no idea how to juggle, it just happens (when I want it to)?" V-Man737 22:04, 3 January 2007 (UTC)

I have had an interest in juggling for a while now and have taught several people to juggle three objects. From what I have seen, anyone can learn to juggle three objects, unless they actually have a disability, even seemingly uncoordinated people can juggle three things also there are people who have never juggled before who pick it up very easily. There is a general school of thought that because three objects are really easy to juggle, you can only really call yourself a juggler once you can juggle five objects, i'm up to four and can flash five. so I'm not a juggler yet.Vespine 22:25, 3 January 2007 (UTC)

I can only juggle two, but have only been trying for a few weeks. Three doesn't seem that easy to me.172.189.77.244 18:46, 4 January 2007 (UTC)

I am now trying to learn to juggle with my eyes closed instead. It isn't too difficult as long as the balls don't go too high. I think it might be useful later if I can learn exactly what I am doing without being able to see it.172.189.77.244 19:11, 4 January 2007 (UTC)

Something that helps a lot of people is that juggling is about 90% throwing and 10% catching. Most people starting out think it's about 50/50 but catching actually has very little do with juggling, if you throw well the catching is easy if not automatic, if you throw bad doesn't matter how well you catch. Keeping that in mind, get three balls and stand with your legs against a table so that if you drop a ball you don't have to bend down to pick it up, or kneel in front of your bed if you can. Hold one ball in your right hand and ONLY throw it to where your left hand would be, imagine an imaginary box in front of you, throw the ball to the top of the box, then completely ignore it after you've thrown it and let it drop, don't even try to catch it, THIS is what is important, do that for five minutes and swap hands, DON'T CATCH! Just practice the throwing. After five minutes in each hand, put your left hand out and throw with your right hand, if the ball goes ANYWHERE except for almost directly to your left hand DON'T CATCH IT! Only if the ball practically lands in your hand should you catch it. Once you can throw the ball with your right and left hand, the next step is to throw the right ball and before it lands, throw the left ball but again DO NOT CATCH! It's surprising how hard that actually is, you have to force your self to throw, when I started, i did this alone and actually as silly as it sounds, if you call out " THROW (short pause) THROW!" it actually helps a LOT! At first ONLY concentrate on the throwing, all you are doing is throwing one after the other, once you get ok with that, you can try catching, but TRYING to catch the balls before you are any good at throwing them is actually counter productive. Try it and you'll see:) Good luck!Vespine 02:54, 5 January 2007 (UTC)

When I juggle it seems to be about 10% catching, and nothing else. Don't practice whilst sitting down.Hidden secret 7 21:14, 5 January 2007 (UTC)

'Borebkole' in the Colcannon article

I want a no bias answer here. Who would have a better chance if England and Ireland were to start a fry-up war aginst each other [sic]?

No, but seriously.

OK: in the article Colcannon, an anonymous editor ("207.104.148.124" - no talk page) added something about "borebkole".
Googling "borebkole" yields nothing at all, 'cept the original article, and a "Did you mean: "boerboel?" (those being mid-sized, short haired puppy-doggies -cute!)...
My opinion is that the link should be to 'boerenkool' ("farmer kale(?)"), an non-compulsory ingredient in "Stamppots".
What do you think?
Appreciate all your help about this.

--Shirt58 15:20, 3 January 2007 (UTC)

I agree to that. The Dutch dish Boerenkool is made from potatoes and kale, mashed together with milk, butter, salt, and pepper. Here is a nice article. I think the anonymous editor tried to write boerenkool. Pieter-Bas 15:40, 3 January 2007 (UTC)

I've made the change. --Tagishsimon (talk)

Yes, but what if I was crumbling some of those those yummy speculaas cookies into vanilla ice-cream at the time... and I was wearing a mask? --Shirt58 17:05, 4 January 2007 (UTC)

To Study

I am very interested in various religions, theology, especially the old testament, and the forgotten books such as The book of Enoch, and the various testaments. I wish to study something in this line. But What? And what employment oppertunities would there be in these fields? —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 81.144.161.223 (talk) 16:59, 3 January 2007 (UTC).

Not to insult your intelligence, but Christian ministry seems an obvious one. Just remember that the Book of Enoch isn't part of the Bible (as I know it, anyway). It's in the Apochrypha (spelt wrongly, but something like it). There's going to be numerous books on theology you could get, like Bible commentaries, etc.martianlostinspace 17:47, 3 January 2007 (UTC)

I beg to disagree. The field of study is religous studies, in which one can earn both undergraduate and graduate degrees. Even a highly academic training for the ministry would include at most a single course on the apocrypha, and none at all on the non-canonical books. But if he/she majors in religious studies, he can learn all the ancient languages and read all the books he wants with academic credit for it, and no expectation that he will become a minister. alteripse 04:22, 4 January 2007 (UTC)

And please sign, by the way.martianlostinspace 17:47, 3 January 2007 (UTC)

Apocrypha. Jon513 17:52, 3 January 2007 (UTC)

Enoch isn't part of the capital-A apochrypha either (which usually means those books used by the Catholics or Eastern Orthodox but not held to be part of the Protestant Bible). Enoch is only in the Bible of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. Rmhermen 18:59, 3 January 2007 (UTC)

I think you mean "Enoch isn't part of the capital-A apochrypha as defined by the people I heard talk about this". "The Apocrypha" means different things to different people from different denominations. Catholics, for example, do not generally use the term "apocrypha" to refer to the books in Catholic Bibles but not in Protestant Bibles, but they do use the term. Skittle 19:41, 3 January 2007 (UTC)

The term "Deuterocanonical books" is used by the churches which accept those books which Protestant generally label "Apocrypha". I am not aware of Catholics using the term "Apocrypha", as opposed to "apocrypha". The capitalized version is an established set, while the uncapitalized is a general class. Protestant and Catholics alike would consider a number of ancient works to be aporyphal which are not considered part of the Apocrypha/Deuterocanonical books. Rmhermen 21:03, 3 January 2007 (UTC)

For that part of this discussion, y'all oughtta try apocrypha. V-Man737 22:10, 3 January 2007 (UTC) Edit: Open mouth, insert foot: I see John513 already pointed there. ^_^

If you're interested in Enoch and the like, you might be in a tough spot. The catholics will have nothing to do with it since it's considered a blasphemous Gnostic book... though it's my favorite 'biblical' book by far. Have you considered religion as literature or comparative religion? Wintermut3 07:00, 6 January 2007 (UTC)

Dogs

I recently saw a dog in south africa, i was told it was a Boerboel, but now looking at the article, it does not look like the dog in the picture. This one was much larger, and had the clouring of a doberman but was much bigger and alot heavier built. I cant stress how big it was. It appeared to me to be a Doberman/St. Bernard/Boerboel. Can you tell me what kind of dog it was please? I really want one, it made my Alsatian cower, poor thing.

Could it have been a rottweiler, which are often built heavier than dobermans, but don't tend to be taller. They are popular is Suth African too. Perhaps it was a cross with a larger breed. Rockpocket 19:15, 3 January 2007 (UTC)

It might have been a Rhodesian Ridgeback, a wonderful gigantic sandy-coloured breed with an over-sized labradorian face and a ridge of hard hair running from the nape of its neck towards its shoulders, which when the dog is roused into hunting action (including Lions, of which it displays no fear), lifts vertically like a cockscomb. An enormous, loveable and loving dog, but one that needs equally enormous amounts of rough walking and exercise. Sorry if this is the wrong dog, but get one anyway. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 81.145.240.154 (talk) 20:41, 3 January 2007 (UTC).

Thats a good point, our article has images. Rockpocket 21:54, 3 January 2007 (UTC)

Dogs again

What does one call the breed of dog that looks just like a pit bull, but its snout comes to a point rather than being stubby as seen on the dog in the article Pit Bull. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by Xnton (talk • contribs) 17:26, 3 January 2007 (UTC).

The Staffordshire Bull Terrier and Bull Terrier articles have pictures which may help you. --Seejyb 01:21, 4 January 2007 (UTC)

For Profit Colleges & Universities

Helloe out there, I need a listing of all for-profit colleges and universities in the United States. I tried to use the list you have on your site, but it contains all colleges & universities - I just need the for-profit schools. Is there any such listing out there? Thank you to who ever can help me! Lynn"""" —The preceding unsigned comment was added by Lrappa (talk • contribs) 17:52, 3 January 2007 (UTC).

I'd start by looking at a list of private schools. Any of the state universities are going to be non-profit, of course. --Measure 18:24, 3 January 2007 (UTC)

It looks like we have a category: For-profit colleges and universities. That should do it for you. --Maxamegalon2000 21:16, 3 January 2007 (UTC)

Do you want only accredited schools, or also non-accredited ones? --Carnildo 07:47, 4 January 2007 (UTC)

New Years' Song

What's the name of the song everyone sings during New Year? It was featured on the Charlie Brown movie and can be heard here. Thanks. --24.76.228.161 18:49, 3 January 2007 (UTC)

That is Auld Lang Syne, it also features in When Harry Met Sally. I think it is a traditional song so not sure if there is a listed artist but the wikipedia article will no doubt clarify further. ny156uk 18:56, 3 January 2007 (UTC)

Thanks.

Scars

How come I see scars on my body, most often resembling clawing by some hand-sized phenomenon? I assure you my own nails could do nothing of this sort in my sleep, but I do not have a picture right now. They show up on my arms or places on my torso, even on the way back. Some places are out of reach from my own hands unless I did it in a VERY peculiar way... The scars are only light, red in colour, and fade after fewer than five days. 81.93.102.185 19:24, 3 January 2007 (UTC) And yes, there are a lot of phoney questions asked here, but this isn't one. I am genuinely interested in knowing what this can be, and if other people experience this as frequently as I do.

Could they be Stretch marks? These seem to fit the description pretty well (they start out red, and then gradually fade), and are generally caused by rapid growth, exercise or pregnancy, forming often on the abdomen, torso or upper arm. Would this fit the bill? Laïka 19:48, 3 January 2007 (UTC)

They can also form from rapid weight gain. StuRat 21:59, 3 January 2007 (UTC)

A picture of an early "scar", and one when it has almost healed might get you an answer as to what more or less looks like that. --Seejyb 01:26, 4 January 2007 (UTC)

They are not scars if they fade and disappear. Scars are not made of normal skin, and the color may fade, but the skin is always of different quality forever after to a close look. alteripse 04:17, 4 January 2007 (UTC)

(I'm the OP on another IP) Okay, so they don't fit the bill for scars - nor stretchmarks. They are very red, are most often three or four parallell lines (lightly curved like a roadcurve would), and are coherent. By coherent I mean that they do not fit the stuttering looks of stretchmarks. :) I don't have a picture of them since I haven't experienced these lately. When I DO get them, I'll be sure to take a photo. 213.161.190.228 10:26, 4 January 2007 (UTC)

Upon the next outbreak, I would recommend seeing a dermatologist. The description sounds similar to Herpes zoster, commonly known as shingles. The virus responsible grows in nerve cells and is transmitted to the skin near those nerves. Outbreaks are common in the areas you mentioned, and the article says that the rash and pain commonly subside within 3 to 5 days. Still, it could be something else entirely. A dermatologist is much more likely to be able to properly identify the cause than we are, even with a photo. SWAdair | Talk 10:47, 4 January 2007 (UTC)

Sometimes I get scars like this, but usually only one at a time. They are often dark orange and made of lots of little spots in a line. I don't get them as much now, and never seem to notice them happening, until I see them later.172.189.77.244 18:54, 4 January 2007 (UTC)

I got blood red marks like you describe, under my skin when I did weight training. I was told not to worry, and they disappeared after a few days. 82.0.70.16 02:38, 5 January 2007 (UTC)

ALL HAIRSTYLES

I'm looking for EVERY and ANY hairstyle that may exist. The names and the description on what they look like. And if possible, pictures would be very very great, if not possible, then I'll have to settle without. :D

You guys able to link me to any kind of page like this ??? I certainly am NOT able to find any myself.

Krikkert7 19:28, 3 January 2007 (UTC)Krikkert

HERE'S A START. Not only the pics, but the sites (like hairstyles.org) that they are hosted on. Anchoress 19:33, 3 January 2007 (UTC)

Why aren't you named "Google Queen?" V-Man737 22:15, 3 January 2007 (UTC)

The list given at hairstyle is pretty comprehensive.--Shantavira 09:41, 4 January 2007 (UTC)

Banco UNO S.A. located in Managua, Nicaragua

I am trying to find the complete address including postal code for this bank. Can anyone help? —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 68.14.243.164 (talk) 19:39, 3 January 2007 (UTC).

Per http://goliath.ecnext.com/coms2/product-compint-0001276671-page.html : Banco Uno S.A. International Private company. Rotonda El Guegueense 20 vrs al Oeste, Managua , Nicaragua. Tel 505 254 4848, Fax 505 266 8796. http://www.bancouno.com.ni --Seejyb 01:44, 4 January 2007 (UTC)

investing donations

When we have more money than we can spend in the same amount of time as the period offered for a CD with virtually any interest rate we buy the CD (from a reputable bank of course) as a hedge against inflation. We use a savings account if the period is shorter even if the interest is much lower. In this way we are able to hedge against losses due to inflation. If we did not do this we would loose nearly $40,000 on the value of a million dollars in just one year. What does the Wikipedia do with the money it can not spend within an allocated period of time? 71.100.10.48 19:45, 3 January 2007 (UTC)

I don't know if it will completely answer your questions, but you can take a look at Wikipedia's Financial Statements here: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/foundation/2/28/Wikimedia_2006_fs.pdf --Measure 20:25, 3 January 2007 (UTC)

The Correct Way to Exercise

I am looking to improve my physical fitness/strength over the next few months. In order to do this, I have decided to do sit-ups, pushups, lifting weights with one arm moving only the forearm (sorry I don't know the proper name) and holding weights in hands in a sort of crucifix position for as long as possible. I am also looking at doing some cycling on my Dad's exercise bike. Is this a good set of exercises? If so, can someone please tell me what the correct way to do a pushup is? I've looked ll over the Internet, but everywhere seems to conflict with everywhere else. I used to be able to do them relatively easily, but now I get a pain in my shoulders after doing just one. I am sure I am doing them wrong, but don't know how. Then again, I have got quite a few aches today... Can anyone point me in the right direction please? (I've read the article, but that doesn't help much, but I'm still looking into it). [Doesn't matter, my Dad's shown me how. Looks like I had my arms in a strange position along with my general ache-y-ness today] By the way, I'm 14 and male. --80.229.152.246 20:31, 3 January 2007 (UTC)

The problem here is that there is just about NO single correct way to do any exercise and a lot of people with an opinion think they are experts. I think the dumbbell move you are thinking of is called a dumbbell curl. The exercises you have picked are quite good really, if you wanted an opinion, try to find somewhere to do chin ups and also do some Squat (exercise), those two moves possibly exercise the biggest groups of muscles. Because of your age I would strongly advise you don't do very heavy squats and remember that technique is much more important then how much weight or how many reps you do. Also, I wouldn't exercise more then 3 to 4 times a week, if you really want to, just go for a jog on alternating days and also if do stretching on the days you are not exercising you won't get as sore for days after. Vespine 21:38, 3 January 2007 (UTC)

Looking at our article on Physical exercise, I think you might find it interesting. One thing to remember, from our article, "One caveat is that heavy weight training in adolescents can damage the epiphyseal plate of long bones", so keep your weights relatively light until you're more developed. The exercise bike should improve your overall aerobic fitness as it is an aerobic exercise. Sit-ups and push-ups are fairly good for improving muscle strength in specific muscles. What you might want to do is get an exercise video/DVD of some sort to give you an idea of some more exercises, and to help you work out a variety of muscles. A good video/DVD will also show you what the exercises should look like, helping you to avoid doing them wrong. An optimal solution, in my opinion, would be to visit a gym and get some tips from an instructor there, but that might be expensive. Skittle 21:42, 3 January 2007 (UTC)

Skittle, that's a good idea. In my city, community centres with weight rooms do that kind of thing for free (to members). Anchoress 20:33, 4 January 2007 (UTC)

Thanks for the tips guys. I'm not sure I can find anywhere to do chin ups, but I'll have a look. I don't think I'll bother that much with the dumbell curl, I wasn't going to do it much anyway. Thanks again for your pointers. --80.229.152.246 21:54, 3 January 2007 (UTC)

I just recently started doing stairs (actual stairs), and I was and am amazed at how much it has strengthened my quadriceps and the muscles around my knees. Anchoress 22:36, 3 January 2007 (UTC)

I'm perfectly happy to let my muscles waste away... Vitriol 01:57, 4 January 2007 (UTC)

Amen brother --froth^{T C} 04:34, 4 January 2007 (UTC)

I anchored a thick dowel across my doorway and did one chin-up every time I went through the door -- at least, until I got tall enough to hit my head against the top of the doorframe. --Carnildo 07:51, 4 January 2007 (UTC)

You should add some exercises for your back, to balance the exercises you are doing for your stomach. Back extensions (lying on your stomach, elbows out, hands under chin, then elevating and lowering the upper half of your body) are fairly easy to do and require no equipment. BenC7 08:38, 4 January 2007 (UTC)

I would also rather have smaller muscles. It sounds like an easy way to lose weight.172.189.77.244 20:34, 4 January 2007 (UTC)

Actually, more muscle mass makes it easier to lose weight (fat), because they (the muscles) require more energy to use and maintain. Losing muscle mass is not a weight loss solution. BenC7 00:15, 5 January 2007 (UTC)

people with smaller muscles do weigh less.Hidden secret 7 21:16, 5 January 2007 (UTC)

And how would you intend to reduce your muscle mass? The body doesn't start consuming muscle tissue until fat deposits have been exhausted. BenC7 02:54, 7 January 2007 (UTC)

That shouldn't take long, I already don't have much fat.Hidden secret 7 10:30, 7 January 2007 (UTC)

Chuff chuff (train weight)

What did the old steam railway engines weigh in comparison to the modern deisel or electric engines. And have the tracks been changed in any way to account for this? —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 88.109.93.42 (talk) 21:04, 3 January 2007 (UTC).

Well, with the weight, a quick Google brings up this stat page about a 1944 steam locomotive, while this one has a range of locomotive types and weights listed. For diesel locomotives, we have this page with lots of stats available. I can't find anything on the way tracks have changed over the years, but our page at Rail track might be of use to you. Cheers! Tony Fox (arf!) 21:37, 3 January 2007 (UTC)

The mass of loco+tender is pretty similar in general to the diesels which replaced them - for a BR britannia class ~130-140 ton, cf ~100 to 120 ton for a type 5 diesel. The steam loco of course has more wheels so the load is spread more.

Using common sense it's clear that the diesels built to replace the steam locos would be built to the same loading gauge/track force - since they were intended to simply replace them (no track improvements then). I can't think of any changes needed for diesels in terms of the track - though over time rail strength (width) has to be increase to cope with faster trains - that's not specific to the diesel/steam crossover though. More train questions please.87.102.19.50 02:12, 4 January 2007 (UTC)

A few points. First, the weight of steam locomotives increased greatly over the 100+ years of the steam era, and this process went farther in North America than in Britain. British express passenger locomotives of the 1930s were generally 4-6-0's or 4-6-2's and weighed around 180 short tons. The class K4 4-6-2 on the Pennsylvania Railroad weighed 234 short tons, but many North American railroads used 4-6-4's, 4-8-4's, etc.; the Class T1 4-8-4 on the Reading Railroad weighed 405 short tons. Not that all engines were this heavy, but some were. Some western lines used Mallet articulated locomotives, up to the Union Pacific Big Boys, which were 4-8-8-4's weighing about 600 short tons including the tender.

Part of the reason this growth was possible was precisely that these big engines had more wheels to spread out their weight. However, using a large number of coupled driving wheels means that the loco has a long rigid wheelbase and puts heavy sideways stresses on sharp curves, or can't take them at all.

In steam days most railways preferred to operate each train with as few locomotives as possible, because each extra loco meant an extra crew as well as extra maintenance; hence the preference for building large engines. But since they also had to operate smaller trains, they would have smaller locomotives as well. The transition to diesel engines also meant that multiple-unit train control could be applied, i.e. one person can drive a whole group of locomotives. So one or two big steam engines would be replaced by three or four or six diesels, but one small steam engine might be replaced by one of the same diesels. This has happened more in North America where trains have tended to be larger and heavier: in Britain they were more likely to replace one steam with one diesel locomotive, as in Tony Fox's numbers.

--Anonymous, January 4, 2007, 07:05 (UTC).

Need help about public domain and U.S. government agency

There is a photo of a natural gas processing plant (that I want to upload for use on WP) which is available at A Department of Transportation (DOT) website. The photo is part of an article by the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) within the DOT. The website includes this statement: Information presented on this web site is considered public information and may be distributed or copied. Is it okay for me to upload this photo and select "Work of a US Government Agency" option from the licensing list? - mbeychok 21:33, 3 January 2007 (UTC)

Looks that way, from this page - the DOT tag is on the list there. Tony Fox (arf!) 21:37, 3 January 2007 (UTC)

information about my grandfather

i`m trying to find out information about my grandfather who served in the royal horse artillery during the second world war (ww2). his name is james edward murphy his address then was 53 tudor street/road cardiff his date of birth is 21/06/1909

if anyone knows or has information so that i can do a search about him,because the family wants to know where he was during the second world war and what who his regiment was.thank you

You are in the area of genealogy. A search on Google for genealogy military records uk produces a lot of compilations of links to search sites that you could look through: http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&newwindow=1&safe=off&sa=X&oi=spell&resnum=0&ct=result&cd=1&q=genealogy+military+records+uk&spell=1 —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 80.1.80.33 (talk) 01:28, 4 January 2007 (UTC).

Try for example www.findmypast.com findmypast dot com. You could alternatively pay a genealogist to find out what they could, even though your granfather is happily still alive. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 80.1.80.33 (talk) 01:44, 4 January 2007 (UTC).

You could also try contacting the Imperial War Museum in London and asking the advice of an archivist. --Dweller 14:08, 4 January 2007 (UTC)

There's also the National Archives website here which has a lot of material on military history. In the case of WWII soldiers it appears that you need to contact the Veterans Agency - see this webpage. --Richardrj ^{talk email} 14:25, 4 January 2007 (UTC)

hairstyle

i was sent here from humanities for guys if hair is gelled and spiked are teh sides usually cut short —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 162.83.255.135 (talk) 22:02, 3 January 2007 (UTC).

depends on whether you want to look like Ken Dodd or not ! —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 88.109.93.42 (talk) 22:11, 3 January 2007 (UTC).

Was the last time I checked.martianlostinspace 14:32, 4 January 2007 (UTC)

and science

darth vader

How come darth vader cant do force lightning? —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 74.102.217.142 (talk) 22:25, 3 January 2007 (UTC).

I'm pretty sure he can, but in my opinion he chooses not to. He grabs their throats instead. I bet it saves on the energy bill! V-Man737 22:33, 3 January 2007 (UTC)

What happens when Darth picks up Palpatine?... fried electrical circuits. Vranak 22:50, 3 January 2007 (UTC)

Quite ironic, I was just working on this article: see Force lightning! --Wooty Woot? contribs

thank you

Psiball

If I make a psi ball can I make it do absolutly ANYTHING i want?And is it true that I can use them to hurt people(i won't lol)and use it to give of a strong aura so I can stay out of trouble?Thankz —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 63.215.27.205 (talk) 22:28, 3 January 2007 (UTC).

Can you maybe describe for us what a psiball is? I'm guessing its a ball of some kind. I also don't know what an aura is. To me your question makes no sense.--Taida 22:35, 3 January 2007 (UTC)

Psi balls and auras are in a field of paranormal research. I don't know anything else about them... V-Man737 22:38, 3 January 2007 (UTC)

Whenever they have been explained to me by people who believed in them, they have sounded very like the effect you get if you try to press outwards to seperate your hands while someone presses them together for a minute. When they stop, as long as you move slowly and carefully, it feels like there's something between your hands, keeping them apart. All the methods I've heard to achieve 'psiballs' sound like they would have this effect, and all the first-hand accounts I've heard of what people have actually managed to achieve sound very like this. Skittle 22:46, 3 January 2007 (UTC)

Ooh! That sounds similar to something I've done. Press your hands together as hard as you can, and rub them together really fast. Do this for about 20 seconds, and then hold them apart like you're holding a basketball. It feels cool! V-Man737 22:50, 3 January 2007 (UTC)

What was so cool about that? I must've done it wrong. There is also the very old, very much working method of putting your hands in your pants' pockets, forcing them out to the sides (not leaving the pockets) by all the force you can, for some twenty-thirty seconds. Then take the hands out of the pockets, and flyyyyyyyy! :D 213.161.190.228 10:30, 4 January 2007 (UTC)

All of which are simply mean tricks we play on our Proprioception senses. The idea that any of this has anything to do with PSI is, err, balls. --Tagishsimon (talk)

Well yes, but we were all too polite to say that. Skittle 20:40, 4 January 2007 (UTC)

footballs &c have internal air pressure measured in psi. Does this count?

Five points to Gryffindor for the puns. Mister Potter, you may thank Tagishsimon and our IP address friend for their efforts on your behalf later. V-Man737 20:50, 4 January 2007 (UTC)

???172.189.77.244 21:03, 4 January 2007 (UTC)

Ignoring any skepticism - when considering what you can do with a psi-ball you have to consider karma, (you are responsible for what you do).

Yes a Psi-ball can help keep you out of trouble.

As for any other powers of a psi-ball I don't know - personally I doubt it can do 'anything'.87.102.8.102 21:21, 4 January 2007 (UTC) Looking at psionics#constructs "According to some psionic practices, constructs are masses of dense psionic energy that have been formed into a specific shape and given a specific task to perform" - in the case of a psi-ball it's primary task is to be spherical. Programming it to do more may be difficult - especially if the action you wish it do do affects other things - since this may deform it's spherical nature. Hope that helps.87.102.23.224 21:38, 4 January 2007 (UTC)

Shouldn't that be 'I doubt it can 'do' anything.'Hidden secret 7 21:36, 4 January 2007 (UTC)

I meant 'i doubt it can do "everything"'...87.102.23.224 21:40, 4 January 2007 (UTC)

Telekinesis is easier and more practical. At least it almost makes sense, even if noone has proved it works yet.Hidden secret 7 21:37, 4 January 2007 (UTC)

My psiball could beat up your psiball. :-P V-Man737 21:43, 4 January 2007 (UTC)

Doesn't Son Goku destroy his enemies using those Psi Balls? --Taraborn 09:45, 5 January 2007 (UTC)