:It would be uneconomical if all, say, five counters were equipped with human resources / HW / SW for InterRail when only 20% of jobs need this function.
:It would be uneconomical if all, say, five counters were equipped with human resources / HW / SW for InterRail when only 20% of jobs need this function.
:Viel Spaß in Österreich. --[[User:Cookatoo.ergo.ZooM|Cookatoo.ergo.ZooM]] ([[User talk:Cookatoo.ergo.ZooM|talk]]) 21:48, 6 May 2008 (UTC)
:Viel Spaß in Österreich. --[[User:Cookatoo.ergo.ZooM|Cookatoo.ergo.ZooM]] ([[User talk:Cookatoo.ergo.ZooM|talk]]) 21:48, 6 May 2008 (UTC)
::There are actually twenty counters at the Helsinki Central railway station, with three of them dedicated solely for international travel. But I understand your meaning, and find it very helpful. I have travelled by train within Finland more times than I can count, and to Russia once. This was my first time purchasing an InterRail pass. It took me about one or two minutes to fill in the form, and almost five minutes inquiring about connections from Helsinki to Spittal an der Drau. In less than that time, an intra-Finland passenger would have booked a trip from Helsinki to [[Roavaniemi]] and back again, and left time to casually chat around. I have now found out that I can go from [[Stockholm]] to Spittal completely by train. Danke schön, und ich habe seit Monaten wartet, endlich diese Reise zu beginnen. [[User:JIP|<font color="#CC0000">J</font><font color="#00CC00">I</font><font color="#0000CC">P</font>]] | [[User talk:JIP|Talk]] 20:06, 7 May 2008 (UTC)
== Human Hamster Balls ==
== Human Hamster Balls ==
Revision as of 20:06, 7 May 2008
Welcome to the miscellaneous section of the Wikipedia reference desk.
The best answers address the question directly, and back up facts with wikilinks and links to sources. Do not edit others' comments and do not give any medical or legal advice.
i need 2 know what type of teliscope i can get that will mount to the top of my house and work through my computer and see a frog on the ground and see the space station —Preceding unsigned comment added by 161.184.183.174 (talk) 01:20, 1 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
I'm pretty sure most low-powered telescopes will be able to see a frog (at a decent distance; not too close) and the moon. I'm not sure what range of telescopes you can attach typical CCDs used in astronomy to, but you might be able to rig something up yourself if there isn't a pre-made one out there that meets your needs (I've known amateur astronomers that have put together their own from digital camera components, but it may not be a trivial project). Most astronomical applications use filters that limit the bandwidth of light detected to a very small range of color, so you might think about an easily removable/replaceable filter arrangement for those close-ups. See photometry (astronomy) and photometric system. --Prestidigitator (talk) 04:11, 1 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Hi. As for the International Space Station, an average telescope should be able to view it. However, the problem is, the ISS moves across the FOV of the telescope very fast, so you'll likely need a wide-angle eyepiece, and a high magnification at the same time, as well as some kind of tracking device to track its speedy movement. I've seen the ISS in my telescope before, but it's difficult to keep it in my 100-arcmin eyepiece for more than a few seconds, and it appears quite small. It moves more slowly as it enters the shadow of the Earth, but then again, it's also smaller in apparent size as well as dimmer. However, websites like Heavens-Above will give you information on when it will appear, but make sure you enter your location and not 0 longitude 0 latitude as is default. The ISS usually stays in the sky for a few minutes, so you should have time to point your telescope toward it, but usually all that can be seen is a few seconds of it, and not enough time to make out much detail. However, people have succeded in photographing the ISS for almost a minute through a telescope. Hope this helps. Thanks. ~AH1(TCU) 15:33, 2 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Important/Historic Master's Theses
I'm trying to find some examples of Master's theses (or some equivalent) that have had a real impact on their field. The seminal example is Claude Shannon's, where he lays the groundwork for the digital computer, but beside that, I can't find many examples.
Of course, most masters theses are either to ambitious and fail miserably, or are so modest in scope that no-one reads them, but there must be some examples of people who got it right the first time. Perhaps not the world changing impact that Shannon had, but some impression on their field. Any thoughts? risk (talk) 11:42, 1 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Are you only looking for Master's theses or also for Doctoral theses? The former would definitely limit the field because not all courses have them. --Lisa4edit (talk) 11:53, 1 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
I'm really looking for Master's theses, or the equivalent. A lot of important work (especially in Mathematics and theoretical fields) is published in PhD theses. I'm looking for the kind of thesis that is written as the conclusion of an academic course, but before the student becomes an (assistant) researcher. It's not a strict definition, I know, so feel free to throw anything out there. risk (talk) 12:05, 1 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
People occasionally make important breakthroughs in their Master's work, but it is usually not recognized as such as the time. For example, in Beyond Einstein: Superstrings and the Quest for the Final Theory (ISBN 0192861964) its noted that Vera Rubin's Master's Thesis at Cornell was the first to show "that the faraway galaxies deviated from the uniform expansion of a simplified version of the Big Bang model, [it] was rejected for publication because it was too far-fetched for its time. (Decades later, her paper would be considered prophetic)" Rockpocket 07:37, 2 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Probably just as painful as injecting anything - well obviously not acid, that would hurt like hell - but could / does the alcohol drink is acid-like in that it might burn cause they use it for cleaning desks and such so yes it would probably be very painfully and make you drunk. you might also have reverse osmosis cause the water potentials would become more negative and draw water out of the cells in your body and might just kill you if your unlucky. Maybe not though.Makey melly (talk) 12:51, 1 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
From a previous thread on the topic (Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Science/2008 March 11#Alcohol injection), case reports suggest that injection of beverage alcohol (up to 40% ethanol) produced ["burning pain and local inflammation"], and cautions about "other local and systemic hazards". (Read the full article for details.) Higher concentrations of ethanol or the use of non-beverage alcohols (methanol/wood alcohol or isopropanol/rubbing alcohol) were not discussed, but would likely be even less pleasant.
Incidentally, can people try to use proper sources when answering questions, rather than just taking wild guesses? We're more useful when we provide good answers, rather than fast ones. TenOfAllTrades(talk) 12:59, 1 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
This is original research but I knew someone who spent a couple of hours injecting vodka into his veins.(yes, he was an idiot)It didn't make him as drunk as he hoped.He said it didn't hurt any worse than the sort of stuff abusers stick in their arms like speed or heroin dissolved in lemon juice in fact ,it hurt less..The main pain with injecting is often the bore of the needle, a fine one hurting less than a wider one and how skilled you are at injecting yourself.If you are used to doing it, it doesn't hurt usually.The tournique can hurt more.hotclaws 18:27, 1 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Sex song
Serious question, well serious in that I really want an answer. Are there any pop songs that depict in detail people or animals having sex? Like "he put his penis in, moved it about, came and let out a shout" etc. Preferably they should rhyme. Yes, also if you know of any poems describing graphically sexual intercourse. Its for a "personal project".Makey melly (talk) 12:48, 1 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
The Kaviar Sessions by Kevin Gilbert comes to mind. "The sickest,funniest and most spectacular album ever", according to the linked review; I certainly wouldn't disagree with that. Poor Kevin exited this life via auto-erotic asphyxiation, and we conclude that at least in one sense, he knew whereof he wrote. --Tagishsimon(talk) 13:05, 1 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Lords of Acid are famous for their sexually explicit lyrics. Rockbitch is famous for their sexually explicit shows (containing nudity and sex acts), so I bet their lyrics are as well. risk (talk) 13:19, 1 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
For animals: "Animal Language" by Lou Reed is kind of about attempted animal sex. --98.217.8.46 (talk) 01:37, 2 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
The Bad Touch, by The Bloodhound Gang, had a somewhat notable music video featuring clips from the Discovery Channel of animal sex. The lyrics are based almost entirely on euphemisms for sex. Steewi (talk) 02:55, 2 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Their "Ballad of Chasey Lain" is also pretty explicit. Adam Bishop (talk) 08:01, 2 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Might want to ask this question on 2/4/7/420/711chan, you'd probably get better answers. ZiggySawdust 16:14, 2 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Isn't it unfair that some people have much more time/money to invest in relationship than others? What can level the playing field? 217.168.3.246 (talk) 14:52, 1 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Not all women are whores. They care about other things aside from money and material things. Think about what you can offer than can't be bought and sold. Ninebucks (talk) 18:18, 1 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Being interestinghotclaws 18:29, 1 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
I'm not sure what the concept of fairness is relevant here. Is it "unfair" that I'm in a relationship when you're not? --98.217.8.46 (talk) 01:39, 2 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Unfair in the sense that we all have a right to happiness.217.168.3.246 (talk) 02:24, 2 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
It is not stipulated by evolution that all must be happy. Abdullais4u (talk) 05:59, 2 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
No, it is not estipulated by evolution. A right to live is also not estipulated, however in all societies we have it. 217.168.3.246 (talk) 11:13, 2 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
So what? We should jail those, who reject to love their lovers, thus making these lovers unhappy? Abdullais4u (talk) 13:02, 2 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
The question was not intended in this sense. I was asking what levels the playfield. Only. 217.168.3.246 (talk) 14:29, 2 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
You get the answers that people want to give, not merely those that fit your narrow aperture. And you asked two questions, not one, so there's little point in getting pissy when people answer the first of those questions. But if you want an answer to the second question, what levels the playing field is a combination of personal effort - e.g. education, organisation, discipline; and societal effort - e.g. legislation on minimum wages, working hours, access to subsidised housing & healthcare &c. As to the first question, you have not provided any evidence whatsoever that competition in this sphere is unfair. --Tagishsimon(talk) 14:54, 2 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
I answered you but you ignored it.You'll find women don't like that which could be why you are not in a relationship....hotclaws 15:33, 2 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
It was never stipulated by anyone that everyone was entitled to happiness. Ultimately everyone should be happy, and wants to be happy, but it's not always possible. Life isn't fair. We can do what we can to make it fair, but you can't blame society for not being something it wasn't meant to be. ZiggySawdust 16:14, 2 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
@Ziggy: well, somebody did estipulate that I have a right to pursuit it.
@Hotclaws: I didn't ignore your answer. It was vague but I read it. Why do you suppose that I am not in a relationship? Perhaps I am in an unhappy relationship and wonder how wonderful anything would be if I had the time to invest in a relationship.
@Tagishsimon: Abdullais4u was not giving a proper answer. He was asking a further question. BTW, I am not pissy about the answers, but you seem pissy about me. Anyway thanks for your answer.217.168.3.246 (talk) 18:46, 2 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Locked Inside the Cabinet
Why do we suppress our children with religion?
Why don't we let our children discover what they want to believe if they want to believe in God that's okay, if they want to be Jewish that's okay to?
Why do we always want to tell our children what is best for them?
Why do we try to control children lives and tell them how to live it?
Does all this religious control go back in history or is it just now that it is suppressing our children?
Most of these questions go to religion. All religion is brainwashing(believe me when I was young my grandmother was an overbearing religious advocate). They tell you how to live your life and to block all your natural instincts(greed is a sin, sloth is a sin). This mostly goes to Christianity, can't people see the conflicting matters in the bible?
The reference desk is not a soap box, and leading questions designed to provoke discussion are unhelpful. When you have stopped beating your wife, perhaps you could find yourself a discussion forum or chatroom where you can pronounce your views and get people to agree with you as much as you want. 130.88.140.11 (talk) 15:18, 1 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Because people believe that they're religion is absolute truth and that bad things will happen to their children if they don't believe. If you believed that your child would go to hell unless they believed in your religion, of course you're going to push your religion on to them. Mad031683 (talk) 15:35, 1 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Cant relate to this, I and every one that i have ever known, and thats a lot of people spanning North America and Europe, including myself, i have never seen a case of parents suppressing there kids with religion. My parents never did that to me, my wifes parents not to her, and me or her grandparents onto their kids. Not saying that it never happens, but in most cases you see this in the "lovely" middle east, and some compounds in Texas,(hehe). So it sucks that it happens, but it doesn't happen to everyone --Nick910 (talk) 17:22, 1 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Two people in North America and Europe don't meet the same kind of people. I've met a lot that you haven't apparently. Religion is a power game. One generation is trying to pass their value system on to the next. The vehicle is tradition. The force with which this is effected varies. Ideally the next generation can find a balance between handed down tradition and new ideas. Oppression can lead to defeat or rebellion. So all's not lost. Fundamentalism can be found in any religion, as well as in non-philosophical ideologies (e.g. China during the cultural revolution). Not having any value system is a bad idea, too. I have no idea what statistics the above mentioned quote of "most cases" is based on, but I'd really doubt the reliability of that source. Off-hand I could not think of any culture or country in the world where one could not find a first hand or news report on excessive methods related to religion or ideology. The troubles within the Catholic church in the US and elsewhere are well publicized. Funnily enough fundamentalist Christians and fundamentalist Muslims come up with very similar ideas when it comes to evolution, emancipation, dress codes, etc. and the belief that the "others" are very wrong. Traditional Indians find public display of affection between persons of opposite sex just as appalling as traditional Irish. Some native Navajo deny their kids medical treatment just as Jehova's witnesses do. There's much more to this topic, but that already fills several books elsewhere. 71.236.23.111 (talk) 19:31, 1 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
How can you possibly claim that everyone you've ever known has never seen something? Zain Ebrahim (talk) 22:14, 1 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
If you think about technically I was asking for factual answers to my question. The question can be answered with facts.
I was breaking no rules if you think about it like that.
I see no problem with questioning ones system if ones system can be answered factually. There will be a lot of questions that seem like they are not part of the rules, but they are part rules. You just don't see because you can't get pass the fact that these questions might cause controversy or debates. If looked at the questions in a more factual stance then maybe you would realize I never broke any guidelines.
Yes, I broke the guidelines once, but this time I didn't.
Spirit. Letter. We do not need to concern ourselves with 'technically'. That is not how Wikipedia works. Please avoid trying to start debates on the desks. There are plenty of places on the internet where people will shout at you, or agree with you, for days and days and days if that is what you want. I suggest you find at least one for when you wish to communicate things such as you wrote at the start of this thread. Thank you. 79.66.2.176 (talk) 05:20, 2 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Hi CR, you might be interested in this[1] and the links at the foot of the page. For me, the issues you raise are to do with the family providing structure for the child's development. It doesn't mean children (like the Flanders' kids vs the Bart Simpson type) accept the influences in the end, but beliefs give a structure to the family's thinking and a framework for their kids' lives – at the start, anyway – whether it's faith-based or non-faith based. Julia Rossi (talk) 06:24, 2 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
I can't answer your question because it is loaded with so many prejudices and vague statements.The answer you appear to want is that parents are old meanies and suck....hotclaws 15:36, 2 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
I will tell my children what's best for them because they don't really get a second shot at things like not running in front of a car, sticking their head into an oven, licking the electric socket, eccet. Religion can be seen as an extension of this - for example, eternal damnation Christian eschatology and/or Last Judgment are kind of final, and our one go through life is as final on tongues in electric sockets as it is in splintering one's immortal soul. Even the more forgiving Buddhist perspective of reincarnation cycles inclines one towards a path of righteousness. Whether it's a social contract or a burden is a personal matter, best serviced by your choice of imam, priest, or philosopher. For what it's worth, I'm a huge fan of Jesuits. They are huge patrons of education (I cannot cite, but I believe as a population group they have the most PhDs per capita), and my personal and completely unsubstantiated take on them is a faith that does not bear up under the most rigorous scrutiny is no faith at all (so they do a lot of self-scrutinizing). I leave the logic chain to education and its benefits on society as a whole to the economists. -- Ironmandius (talk) 04:26, 3 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
In his book The God Delusion, Richard Dawkins states that young children are very susceptible to believing anything their parents tell them, as a survival instinct, and that religion is just a byproduct of sentience. Also, see Meme. Ilikefood (talk) 16:00, 4 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
bill gate's house
How come on this article, there used to be tons more information about his house and now its just a quick scroll down the page? I mean, i couldwrite more about my litle house than thisarticle presnts.Jwking (talk) 15:21, 1 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
I'm sure you could write more, but would it be notable? The article has come down in length by about 1000 characters in the last year, presumably by the selective removal of non-notable subject matter. If you have notable & referenced information to add, please go ahead. --Tagishsimon(talk) 15:55, 1 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
There was some apparent vandalism yesterday which removed the "Features" section. I have replaced it. Also, it's always good to link to the article you might be asking about, Bill Gates' house. --LarryMac | Talk 15:58, 1 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
You need to make use of the page history function. Only a fool would expect an actual article to be of much use - you really need to dig deeper to find stuff that's been removed. The useful stuff. -88.109.209.81 (talk) 11:54, 2 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
It may have been removed, I would assume that information on someone's house would most likely be unsourced. ZiggySawdust 13:50, 2 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Volunteering in Iran
Hey. I'm a British Subject, and I'm considering taking a year out of my studies (also in Britain) to go volunteering abroad. The nation that I have the most interest in volunteering in is Iran. I was wondering if anyone knew of any organisations that organised volunteering expoditions to Iran - a google search of my own has only really shown oppurtunities in medical volunteering, I'm not medically trained, and, indeed, a bit squeemish. So are there are any social/poverty aleviation/educational projects I could volunteer for? Ninebucks (talk) 15:45, 1 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
not so much an expodition as an explosion, but there are a few that can help you blow abroad, er sorry go abroad. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 193.115.175.247 (talk) 15:55, 1 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Why Iran? I can understand that you feel drawn to Iran but you are probably adding a whole level of extra difficulty and danger in choosing that country rather than others. Can I point you at this link too. DJ Clayworth (talk) 18:15, 1 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
(I'm the OP). I'll admit, my desire to volunteer isn't completely selfless. I eventually want to start a career at the Foreign Office, and would consider a volunteering placement quite beneficial. So, in regards to difficulty, I would agree, but danger, I would disagree about danger, Iran is overall quite a stable country. The BBC news link better explains why I've asked WP, I'm looking for an organisation that will really help me help people, rather than the normal schemes in more tourist-y countries that can be more hit-or-miss. Ninebucks (talk) 18:28, 1 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Why not ask the foreign office? If you are interested in a career with them at a later date then they may be able to point you to organisations which will give you relevant experience. -- Q Chris (talk) 18:59, 1 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
That's rather cruel. Now, back to the question. Even though Iran isn't currently at war I'd expect a moderate chance of war with Israel and/or the US, since, along with supporting terrorist orgs such as Hezbollah and Hamas, attempting to destablize Iraq, Lebanon, and Israel/Palestine, and providing militants with weapons and training to attack US troops in Iraq, they are also working to develop the nuclear fuel cycle. If, as I suspect, they at some point go all-out to try to build a nuclear weapon, I'd expect them to be attacked in short order, which may not allow you time to escape the country. There are many poor, but safe, countries around the world that you could help. StuRat (talk) 20:36, 1 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Just out of curiosity may I ask the proverbial "With what army?" Going by (OR/nonreferenced)reports of relatives and friends participating in those "tourist operations" (inside euphemism, plse. excuse) currently in progress in Iraq and Afghanistan, the US army is spread more than thin. The Israelis are pissed enough that the influx of missiles from Iran through Iraq to Hamas (or Hezbolla or whatever) hasn't been stopped by the Americans (and Brits) being there. They might be tempted to cut the supply off at the source, but I rather think they wouldn't without backing. They have their hands full keeping things from going from bad to worse at their front door. They're not going to go and send troops through Jordan or Syria to knock at any other. But that's just an opinion. Lisa4edit (talk) 21:40, 1 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
As for the "with what army" question, there are several possibilities:
1) No army at all: A war with Iran could take the form of bombing and missiles only, which requires only the Air Force and/or Navy (for missiles launched from ships and planes launched from aircraft carriers). Unlike the Marines and Army, those branches of the US military are currently under-utilized. Any Israeli attack would likely also be Air Force only.
2) The army currently in Iraq: If Iraq settles down over the coming years (or perhaps even if it doesn't), the US may redeploy the troops now in Iraq.
3) An enlarged all-volunteer US Army: By increasing pay for soldiers and upping the military budget, the size of the US military could be enlarged substantially. It's nowhere near the size it was during WW2 right now, for example, even though the US population has grown substantially since then.
4) An enlarged US Army composed of draftees: If Iran became beligerant enough (say by resorting to murdering captured civilians, like the OP for this question), US citizens might be willing to accept a draft to supplement the current all-volunteer Army.
Note that in any war with Iran the danger to foreigners would be double, both from the attacks on Iran and by the Iranian response, since they may tend to take any available foreigners hostage, as they did in 1979. StuRat (talk) 16:07, 8 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
One important consideration about Ninbucks' trip is: Are you laddie (boy) or are you lassie (girl)? Being a girl would add a whole lot of extra complication. Apart from that there are many websites that explain some cultural differences one is likely to encounter. Read through some of them and see if you could cope with that with a smile on your face (boy) or staring at the ground (girl). No, customs for girls are not as draconian as they might appear to untrained eyes, but they will create a lot of friction and misunderstandings and are definitely very different in some respects. I haven't been myself, but a colleague has and I had a couple of students from there. My colleague said that the less "baggage" (preconceptions and opinions) you bring the better you fare. (The local plumbing will take some getting used to for one.) Lisa4edit (talk) 21:40, 1 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
I don't think it's such a wacky idea, and certainly more worthy than my thoughts of going on a ski trip to the Iranian Caucasus mountains. I would hope that if you went as a volunteer, with an open mind and stuck to what you were volunteering to do (probably best to stay away from religion, politics and sex), you would be left alone by the authorities. Astronaut (talk) 00:50, 2 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Sorry, but since way too many people around me are attending funerals these days or coming home to the hospital, someone suggesting we go on yet another adventure hits quite a nerve. An open mind was what I was trying to promote up there and a willingness to be surprised and proven wrong. There are just as many differing levels of views of every fact and facet of life there as there are here. It's just that we usually live in our own little bubble and don't think much about things. It's a good idea to become aware of things on "your side of the fence" before you start climbing over it. Going somewhere with the idea that "It's bad there, I'll go fix that," can easily lead to the whole endeavor becoming a total mess. Only in an exchange of ideas and with an understanding of peoples situation and desires can you achieve something. This may all be phrased a bit too general but I didn't really want to write half a chapter with examples. What usually gets one in a foreign environment are not the big issues, though, but the little things. Example you are asked to describe your favorite food and describe barbecue pork ribs in great detail until you notice your host getting paler. You enter a room full of people. Do you introduce yourself, do you wait to be introduced do you ignore females present, bow, shake hands, smile and wink at them? An elder voices a very controversial opinion? Do you argue against it, do you nod and say some noncommittal sentence acknowledging his life experience? Can you live with sharing your sleeping place with goats and fowl? Do creepy crawly things in your food or bed bother you? None or all of these questions may apply. There will certainly be more. If our traveler can approach all these situation with the attitude that he/she is a guest and a student of the local culture and things aren't bad in the same way they are bad at home, that's a huge step towards having a successful journey. Gotta run. Good luck.Lisa4edit (talk) 03:41, 2 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Have you checked the Travel pages of the Foreign Office? I'm not saying don't go, I have friends who've enjoyed it, but be careful in travelling to Iran. AlmostReadytoFly (talk) 14:52, 2 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Rest assured, I don't intend to enter Iran with the intention of overthrowing the government... that would be a tad foolish. @Lisa4edit: I am a laddie, which probably makes things a bit simpler. I understand that cultural sensitivity is a must, and, at the risk of sounding like I'm only wanting to do this in order to add to my CV, its something that I want to be able to prove I can show. Ninebucks (talk) 15:57, 2 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Turkish pepper
I have looked all over for a particular type of Finnish/Danish candy called Tyrkisk Peber. i have found a few websites that sell the bagged candies in the US (always at ridiculous prices), but I am interested in finding the canned variety. Does anyone know of a seller who ships the canned product to the states? Alternatively, since my primary intention is to flavor my vodka, I would be happy to know if salmiak spirits are available anywhere in the US. Tuckerekcut (talk) 15:56, 1 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
On a web site there is a hint, that IKEA sells something called Läkerol Salmiak in its various stores. Another chap (mind you, he is Finnish) suggests the local pharmacy / chemist. From what I read, it seems to be an acquired taste, to put it rather mildly. --Cookatoo.ergo.ZooM (talk) 16:39, 1 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Thank you for your comment, Cookatoo. IKEA does sell some salmiak licorice, and indeed I have found some sources for various "salty" licorices in the states. I am looking for a very specific brand, though, as stated above. Again,I may find ammonium chloride at the pharmacy, but that's not exactly what I'm looking for. Tuckerekcut (talk) 17:01, 1 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
You might ask on its article's talk page: Talk:Tyrkisk Peber. We really do have an article on everything. --Sean 18:12, 1 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
For those without an affinity for vodka. This candy will clear your sinuses and work much better than the sweet lozenges one usually finds, on a sore throat if you catch a cold. The IKEA stuff is not the same you'll understand why it's named Turkish Pepper once you try it. (Warning: non-resourced OR :-) 71.236.23.111 (talk) 19:56, 1 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Oh God, that stuff. The first time I tried it I almost got into an automobile accident. Never again. Never. 206.252.74.48 (talk) 20:08, 1 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
"Until you know how it will affect you don't operate machinery." Side effects include bulging eyes, utter disbelief, temporary nerve damage in the exposed areas. Side effects are not generally mild but appreciated by some later. ;-) Lisa4edit (talk) 20:48, 1 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Did you know you can find that flavour hidden in many sweets in Scandanavia? On a visit to Sweden, I bought back some caramel lollipops for my sister's kids which they accused me of hiding "Marmite" in :-)) Astronaut (talk) 22:47, 1 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Smuggling Marmite into the country disguised as lollipops...
Tusk, tusk, are there no limits to the devious inventiveness of the criminal mind? --Cookatoo.ergo.ZooM (talk) 23:44, 1 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
If you are just looking for the flavor, a French liquor called Pernod might do it for you. It has an anise taste that's quite similar and since it has 40% proof you should probably skip the vodka. Lisa4edit (talk) 20:54, 1 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
"It had 182 seats but was carrying only 37 passengers (including the four hijackers) and seven crew members: two pilots, the captain Jason M. Dahl and his first officer, LeRoy Homer Jr.; and five flight attendants. Because one passenger had booked two seats, some early accounts said there were 38 passengers on board. The four hijackers were seated in first class."
doesn't that = 44?
your SUMMARY indicates: Fatalities 45
who am i missing? thank you SweetBecca (talk) 18:23, 1 May 2008 (UTC)SweetBecca[reply]
The number of passengers in the article is given as 38 (two lines above the number 45 for total casualties). 38 + 7 = 45. The German WP has 37 passengers. It would be a matter of finding a suitable reference for a definite figure of the number of passengers before an edit is made. --Cookatoo.ergo.ZooM (talk) 19:04, 1 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
thanks for your comment/reply. "Because one passenger had booked two seats, some early accounts said there were 38 passengers on board" seems to indicate a contradiction on the same page. the wikipedia information about the memorial http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flight_93_Memorial agrees with numerous other sites that the total number of casualties = 40 victims + 4 hijackers SweetBecca (talk) 19:34, 1 May 2008 (UTC)SweetBecca[reply]
In which case I suggest you edit the article United Airlines Flight 93 to correct the number of passengers. Don´t forget to state in the edit history the reason for your modification. Be bold (unless, of course, you want to be italic). --Cookatoo.ergo.ZooM (talk) 20:08, 1 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Hold your horses. I had a quick look through the other languages for that article and the Dutch, French, Suomi (Finnish) and Swedish articles had 37 passengers and 44 fatalities. The Italians had 38 - 1 in their text and 37 in a template box. The Portugese had only 38 in the text but 37 in the box. The Spanish article has 40 passengers (?) The Polish and German articles finally solved the mystery: One of the passengers had been pregnant and some sources count the unborn child as the 38th passenger. So depending on your view on that subject both numbers are correct. This sounds like a case for the conflict resolution board. Lisa4edit (talk) 20:41, 1 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Would it be too tasteless to cound unborn children as 1/2 fatality? Logically it makes sense... 217.168.3.246 (talk) 00:40, 2 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
If the number of fatalities was something like X and 1/2 fatalities, it would be too confusing. Plus, how far into pregnancy was she? There are many differing opinions as to at which point in development the fetus is officially considered a person. Ilikefood (talk) 16:05, 4 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
May 2
Social interaction and money
Isn't it terrible to think that all social interactions are stained by money? Even if you want to go to church you have to perhaps buy a bus ticket...Is there any place where money is not allowed? A hippie community or similar? 217.168.3.246 (talk) 00:42, 2 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
BTW, I wouldn't say that it is a terrible thing that almost anything costs money. That guarantees that you have to do some form of productive work before you have fun. In the the countries that I know (US and Europe) there is always some way of obtaining some money (charity, scrapping metals, McJob or any other menial job).SaltnVinegar (talk) 12:05, 2 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Not really. The whole point of the capitalist labour market is that there aren't as many jobs as workers, otherwise there would be no competition. So, potentially through no fault of their own, there are some people who are simply unable to find employment. Ninebucks (talk) 15:59, 2 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Right, some people will not be able to find a real job, but they would be able to obtain some form of money (not necessarily cash in the hand), take care of a dog, volunteer for food, listen to a free concert at the park, and much more. SaltnVinegar (talk) 19:19, 2 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
You could always just try to persuade everyone whom you would otherwise pay (the bus driver, for example) that they should just work for you without staining the interaction with money. --Sean 15:20, 2 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
There are certainly communities where money is unnecessary within the community, mostly religious ones. The communities themselves usually use money to interact with the rest of the world, but within the community the social interactions should be 'unstained' by money.
Of course you could also question whether interaction with money is always a 'stain'. Is money necessarily bad in itself, or just the way it is used? Even our most famous quote on the subject, in full, reads "For the love of money is the root of all evil." DJ Clayworth (talk) 17:27, 2 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
The premise of this question, like your earlier question about the unfairness of competitive advantage in relationships, is deeply flawed and broken. Since when are "all social interactions ... stained by money"? You give the impression of having one supersized chip on your shoulder. I hope you can get rid of it; but you don't, in my view, help yourself by trotting out these nonsense assertions. --Tagishsimon(talk) 17:46, 2 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
IMHO that is exactly the flaw in your mindset. You are starting from the assumption that everything costs money (false!) and that money is a stain (false!). If you take the bus for free someone else is paying for you. And how would you feel working for free? In my opinion that is a stain. On the other hand you do help yourself expressing these nonsense assertions, since it can be analyzed by a third party. SaltnVinegar (talk) 19:37, 2 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Does the government have enough money to give the whole entire world of people a million dollars?
If not how much more money would the government have to collect before giving the whole entire world population of people got a million dollars?
Just an interesting question that I thought and I became curious.
The Government? The Government? What? Many governments don't actually have any money at all, running permanently in debt in a fashion that is, apparently, the foundation of modern capitalism. Or something. In that sense, they could just run up more debt and withdraw as much money as they wanted. In fact, if they control the mints they could just print out enough dollars to give everyone a million. This would probably be simpler if they were the government of a country whose currency was called the dollar but worth very little, as the mints would be geared up for printing notes for large numbers of dollars. In practice, printing enough money, or withdrawing enough money, would probably destabilise the economy and result in many people having much less money in real terms than before they were given a million dollars. And the distribution costs of giving every person in the world (more than 6 billion people) at least one note would be startling. 79.66.2.176 (talk) 05:16, 2 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
If everyone suddenly received a million dollars, inflation would probably be a nightmare, everything would suddenly be incredibly expensive, and the value of a dollar would likely be very little. Useight (talk) 05:56, 2 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Just to answer your question in the most simplistic possible way: the bill would come to about six thousand trillion dollars; the United States government (which I assume has the biggest budget in the world) spends about 3 trillion dollars each year, borrowing much of it. Short answer: no. --Sean 15:42, 2 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Well, first of all, "the government" isn't really definitive universally. No one government controls the entire world. And if the US government wanted to give everyone a million dollars, they could, because they're the ones who make the money. The problem would be inflation. This is because the more of something there is, the less valuable it is. This is the reasoning behind taxes. The goal is to not introduce more money into the economy, it's to keep it constant. ZiggySawdust 16:14, 2 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Of course they could. They printed more than 8 billion notes last year, and could just as easily start printing million-dollar notes and distributing them to anyone who asks. Perhaps using them as Coke bottle labels would be an effective technique to get them to every person on Earth. --Sean 16:30, 2 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
I was referring to the admin issue. If a bottle of coke is less than a million dollars then everyone would start buying coke insanely until the price is driven up to (just) more than a million dollars and at that point using this as a distribution method would be pointless because you'd need a million dollars before you buy your bottle. Zain Ebrahim (talk) 16:36, 2 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Sean, Then they would be in the position of having to Buy the world a coke. It would be an interesting problem getting precisely one copy of the million dollar bill to everyone on Earth. It'd be hard enough to do in "1st world countries." APL (talk) 18:51, 2 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Raven, assuming they don't cheat by printing new money, where do you expect them to get the money? APL (talk) 18:51, 2 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Money doesn't have to physically exist any more, they could give out quite a lot of their $1,000,000s by just adding that much to each persons bank account, which just involves typing a different number into a computer. Although, I suspect someone would still need to give a big pile of gold to each bank, for some reason.HS7 (talk) 19:33, 2 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
1 million US dollars for each and every person on earth would require 6500 trillion US dollars. If all the money in the world was added together from all sources (including cash, stocks, gold reserves, private bank accounts, etc.) and converted to dollars I strongly suspect it would easily exceed 6500 trillion US dollars. Of course, if you were talking about giving everyone 1 million Zimbabwean dollars, it would only cost the world a total of about 25 million US dollars :-) Astronaut (talk) 20:42, 2 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
I think we've established that the money exists (or can be printed) but it would not be possible to get it to every human on the planet. Electronic bank transfers won't work either (as at 2001, there were 17 million South Africans without bank accounts [2]). Zain Ebrahim (talk) 23:57, 2 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Currency "is a unit of exchange." Let us suppose that just you and me exist in the world, Raven, and I have a lovely orange tree grove, and you have a lovely herd. Well, you get mighty thirsty, so you say, "Gosh, Ironmandius, wouldn't you be so kind as to let me have an orange?" And I say, sure, buddy old pal, help yourself. But then I say, "Gosh, Cardinal Raven, I have a craving for steak." If you decline, I later have reason to decline to give you any further oranges, and THEN we develop a barter system. Otherwise, you've already agreed that an orange and one of your flock are exchangeable. We can call it barters, dollars, or moomooloos, but my orange and your cow are both worth one of them.
So then the next day passes us by, and you say, "Gosh, golly, you know that cow I gave you? That was an awful lot of meat, and you can eat for a week. But I have used up my orange, and want more." Now, either you re-price your cow, I re-price my orange, or we cease to do trade. But I want meat, and you want oranges, so we will eventually trade (of course, in the real world, lots of people have cows and oranges, so if we don't come to something vaguely approximating a fair trade, I just go to someone else, and you go thirsty)
If I suddenly said I had 5,000,000 moomooloos instead of the 5 oranges I actually have, what's stopping you from saying you have 7,000,000 moomooloos for the one cow you have? No matter how many moomooloos we print, there are only so many oranges and cows that we can be trading with them. It is my sincerest hope that someday economics will be taught using Ironmandians as currency -- Ironmandius (talk) 04:36, 3 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Yes, see [3][4] for examples. There were lots of veterans and only 365 days in (most) years. Therefore there is a 1 in 365.25 probability that any expired veteran died on Anzac Day. Rockpocket 06:44, 2 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
In fact, it would be exceptionally unlikely that any day exists on which a World War veteran has not died. As above, the odds are 364/365 that one vet didn't die on a particular day. Boost that to 1000 (dead) vets, though, and only 6% of the time will a vet not have died on a particular day, though the odds that any one such day exists are much higher. Jump to 10000 vets, though, and the single-day odds have plummeted to 0.0000000001% - a virtual certainty. Go to a million vets, still well below the true number, and it's 1 preceeded by 1200 zeroes. — Lomn 14:16, 2 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Bear in mind though that as with births, it's unlikely the distribution of deaths is actually ~1/365.25 for every day. I suspect for example that the death rate is higher in the winter then the summer, except perhaps in nothern parts of Australia. Similarly the death rate may very well be higher on Anzac day for vets (or in general around the Christmas/New Year period) due to the 'excitment' (if that's the right word) on that day, perhaps factors like overindulgent of food or alcohol or tobacoo and perhaps the disruption that occurs on any public holiday. Of course, none of these factors will affect the the odds enough that you're likely to see a day without a death if you're talking about 10k deaths Nil Einne (talk) 12:09, 8 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
the "ladies"
What is the origin of, when someone says something like "I'm good with the ladies", the word "ladies" being spoken in a deep and sexy tone?Makey melly (talk) 09:17, 2 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
I've always assumed it was in reference to Barry White, the baritone "Walrus of love", who would would give spoken introductions and interludes in his songs in a similar tone. See Barry White#Musical style. Isaac Hayes had a similar style, parodied by Chef from South Park. Rockpocket 16:54, 2 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Public Transport
Which is the largest metropolitan area, town, village, hamlet and/or city absolutely without ANY public transport of any kind?
Which is the largest metropolitan area, town, village, hamlet and/or city absolutely without ANY private (for example taxis) or public transport of any kind? Please give an explanation of your conclusion in regards to private transportation. Thank you.68.148.164.166 (talk) 09:43, 2 May 2008 (UTC)68.148.164.166 (talk) 09:45, 2 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Well, obviously there has to be some kind of private or public transportation, i.e. roads, if not governmentally maintained, then there has to be a space between the buildings that you can walk through at the minimum. ZiggySawdust 13:57, 2 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
The town in which I live, on the order of about 1000 people, does not have a taxi company located within its boundaries. Yet shuttles are available for the elderly to get to various places in the nearest city. Also taxis, will come out here to pick people up to go to the airport, the mall, etc. Would this live up to your definition of not having public/private transport? If so, the largest city is probably one that is very close to a major city, a suburb, which has a large population but just doesn't happen to have a taxi/shuttle service located within that town/city/etc. Dismas|(talk) 18:45, 2 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Does not having any private transport include not having cars, because then it might be Sark, although I think I remember they have a tractor there, so I'm not sure if that would still count.HS7 (talk) 19:26, 2 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
It depends on what you mean by "any." There are many American counties that have more than 100,000 people, yet have no scheduled, fixed-route public transit. However, they receive federal and/or state public transit funds, so they use the money for "on-demand" transit services, which is basically like a public taxi service. -- Mwalcoff (talk) 23:04, 2 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
For the U.S., Arlington, Texas "is the largest city in the United States not served by a comprehensive public transportation system." --Bavi H (talk) 03:43, 3 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Feminism and childrens' surnames
(Note: this question may not conform to the acceptability guidelines so delete at will.) I have a question relating to Double-barrelled names. Don't the couples consider the impact it will have after 3 or 4 generations when they become 8 or 16 barrelled? Based on my definition of "fair", the only option would be to toss a coin for the first child and alternate thereafter. Has this been known to occur? Do any feminist groups propagate this? I do realise that siblings with different surnames may be weird. Zain Ebrahim (talk) 11:37, 2 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Well, I have a friend whose name is Percival Oliver Woodworth Smith-Stern-Wallace-Vanguard-Proctor-Jones-Westington-Gamble-Wales-Cobbler-Whitman-Kinville-Devinton-Robinson-Miller-Goodman...he hates his parents... ZiggySawdust 13:54, 2 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
The nobility have been double-barrelling for a lot longer than feminists have been around. As the article states, they tend to abbreviate (i.e. not mention some of the surnames).
I think it's assumed that descendants will drop as many surnames as they feel is necessary. AlmostReadytoFly (talk) 13:56, 2 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
I was under the impression that triple-(or more)-barrelled surnames were prohibited. And that when an individual may potentially have more than two surnames, they (/their parents) must simply select two surnames from those available? Ninebucks (talk) 16:03, 2 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
That could only be a local legal thing though. I've looked and haven't found any such restrictions in the US or UK systems. AlmostReadytoFly (talk) 17:49, 2 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
In Spain and Latin America, everyone has two last names, taking one from their mother and one from their father. (So in one family the father would be Jose A B, the mother would be Maria C D, and the son would be Felipe A C.) This could be a way to resolve the problem. 140.247.225.117 (talk) 00:16, 3 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
I don't think it's a viable solution because I'd still have to decide whether to give my child my father's or mother's surname. It looks like a coin toss is inevitable. Zain Ebrahim (talk) 00:26, 3 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
There's a tradition in some areas in the U.S. to give the firstborn child/son the mother's surname as a middle name. In Sweden you have an option between modern or old naming a son would be (Father's first name)-son, a daughter would be (Father's first name)-dottir. If your father was named Gent Johanson you could choose to be Zain Johanson or Zain Gentson. BTW I've met a lady from South America who has 4 surnames with a "di" in the middle. Lisa4edit (talk) 06:18, 3 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
This is from the language desk but I wanted to know the answer cause this wasn't a question but a side comment: "does Toronto have a problem with "extreme national" groups, like the BNP in London? I here a lot about racism in the UK, USA, and Australia but not much from Canada."195.194.74.154 (talk) 12:32, 2 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
I would hesitate to say a definite "no", but I would say that it is not nearly as prevelant as in the UK. Canada, especially Toronto, is hugely diverse and an enormous fraction of the population are immigrants or children of immigrants, which makes it really hard to get a "send them all back where they came from" movement going. DJ Clayworth (talk) 17:21, 2 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
There used to be the Heritage Front. However, for various reasons, neither Canada nor the US has a real political party dedicated to racism that actually runs for office and wins seats and what not. Mwalcoff (talk) 23:00, 2 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
In the US, that's because it's a two-party system, and, like Kodos said, voting for a third party is considered "throwing your vote away", which prevents the establishment of any serious third party. That being said, there are certainly grounds for calling the Republican party racist. -mattbuck (Talk) 23:42, 2 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Toronto doesn't have any mainstream groups like that, but casual racism is as prevalent as everywhere else. I think there are occasionally religious rallies against homosexuals though, if I am remembering correctly. Bizarrely, though, there used to be a white supremacist group, the Northern Alliance, active in London, Ontario. Adam Bishop (talk) 08:32, 3 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
@Clayworth: Britain, especially London, is hugely diverse and an enormous fraction of the population are immigrants or children of immigrants. I don't know the exact figures, and I don't want to start a multi-cultural pissing match, but I doubt the difference between the UK and Canada is that significant. In any case, "send them all back" attitudes are rarely logical, and the logistical difficulties in doing so would probably never cross the minds of the people who expose such opinions. @Mattbuck: The UK suffers from just as much of a two-party system as the USA, the difference is, that our constituencies are smaller, and so, occassionally, strongly locally based candidates get elected, (a man from Kidderminster (a foul town that I hold an eternal vendetta against) once got voted to parliament solely on the issue of saving his local hospital - such a case would be unthinkable in Washington DC). However, ultimately, I think the ultimate reason as to why fascism is so weak in Canada compared to the rest of the Anglosphere, is probably just due to how dang nice y'all are!! Ninebucks (talk) 21:02, 5 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
The US Vice President's title
After office the US President is still called "Mr President".
Does the Vice President also keep his title?. Is he "Mr Vice President"?
No! Of course not. If he's no longer in office he's called Mr or whatever he was before (lord, sir, etc)Makey melly (talk) 16:21, 2 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
I've noticed a trend toward calling former Presidents "President ______". The Daily Show did it with Jimmy Carter a week or two ago and I remember hearing Bill Clinton being called President Clinton recently as well. Recury (talk) 17:22, 2 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Supplying references rather than opinions is useful when answering questions on this reference desk. Former_Presidents_Act and [[5]] indicate the terms are "former president" and "former vice president" but not President or Vice President as these are reserved for the incumbents. This convention is often ignored by the media Mhicaoidh (talk) 22:11, 2 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Nice try, but we still don't have a reference. The Wikipedia article is unreferenced, and the external link it presents is to some BrainBank, who cite nothing at all. The actual "Former Presidents Act" says nothing about the title, unless you mean that the mere fact that it has "Former" in the title means something. I'm still looking. --Milkbreath (talk) 22:23, 2 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Yes it is difficult to find a good solid reference! I take section f of the Former Presidents Act to be the terminology for such people; "As used in this section, the term “former President” means a person, (1) who shall have held the office of President of the United States of America, (2) whose service in such office shall have terminated other than by removal pursuant to section 4 of article II of the Constitution of the United States of America; and (3) who does not then currently hold such office" But I agree its not definitive as to form of address Mhicaoidh (talk) 22:37, 2 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
I have no idea if this bears any similarity to the practice in the US, but in Finland, once you've become the president, you're always the president -- you retain that title. However, the president currently in office is officially called the President of the Republic (of Finland) to distinguish them from the former presidents. Therefore, Tarja Halonen will always be a president, but she won't be the President of the Republic after her term ends in 2012. I think this is the distinction a lot of the US media types are effectively making, even if it's not an officially recognized one. -- Captain Disdain (talk) 13:00, 5 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Similar question
Does the title "President" override other titles? For example, when Andrew Johnson became a US Senator after his presidency, was he addressed as "Senator Johnson" or "President Johnson"? --Sean 15:32, 2 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
As far as I know, people are called by the title until they no longer hold it, except for a president who gets to use it forever. Someoneinmyheadbutit'snotme (talk) 19:22, 2 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Me, too, for the most part. Funny, but I can't find a reference for any of this. I think people can retain a title if they want to and others don't mind too much. I wouldn't bat an eye at "General Schwarzkopf", for instance, or "Senator Thurmond" while he was still alive. Informality is more or less built into the American system of government; we can call the president "Hey, you!" if we want. --Milkbreath (talk) 19:57, 2 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Most etiquette sites ( including Miss Manners, Crane.com and Emily Post) agree that public office titles are not retained once you leave office, even a former president is referred to as "former president", "the honorable" or just "Mr". The Legislative Reference Library of Texas [[6]] says former senators or representatives are referred to as "the honorable" or "Mr / Ms etc" and gives these as sources: Doris, Lillian, and Besse May Miller. Complete Secretary's Handbook. 6th ed. Revised by Mary A. De Vries. Englewood Cliffs, N.J.: Prentice Hall, 1998 and
Holberg, Andrea, ed., Sonia Garza, Kathleen D. Kelly, and Kathleen A. Moses. Forms of Address: a Guide for Business and Social Use. Houston, Tex.: Rice University Press, in association with the Houston International Protocol Alliance, 1994. Mhicaoidh (talk) 23:25, 2 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
That's more like it. There's a problem, though—it goes against what I thought I knew. Stay tuned while I find some sources that say the opposite of what those say. (I've actually asked the White House.) --Milkbreath (talk) 23:40, 2 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
This site [[7]] discusses the use of titles for retired US military personel, it seems authoritative but isn't official. It has been very difficult finding any government protocol sites - congratulations on your straight to the top approach! Mhicaoidh (talk) 00:03, 3 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Protocol: The Complete Handbook of Diplomatic, Official and Social Usage, Mary Jane McCaffree,Pauline Innis,Richard M. Sand, Durban House; 25 Annual Edition, September 2002, 475 pages, ISBN-10: 1930754183 sounds useful and seems to be widely used Mhicaoidh (talk) 03:23, 3 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
I can't imagine someone unidentified calling the President Hey You without being hauled off by security, post Sept 11, that is. Julia Rossi (talk) 09:32, 3 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
There's also some tape floating around where a reporter calls the current president "sir", and Bush upbraids him for it, saying "who are you talking to?!", and the guy says, "sorry, I meant 'Mr. President'". Imperial Presidency :( --Sean 13:16, 5 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
crystal skull
A long time ago I was told that there was a crystal skull (like the ones featured on SG1 or Indy Jones) that was in some mueasum somewhere. The main thing about it, according to the teller, was that no cutting tool could cut it. Lazers, knives, diamons etc. Nothing. Is this a true story or are they full of crap?Makey melly (talk) 16:20, 2 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
The article crystal skull suggests a little of column a, a little of column b... - EronTalk 16:22, 2 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
A) Diamond is (or at least, was) the hardest substance known. B) Diamonds routinely have serial numbers etched into them using lasers. Now draw the correct conclusion to your question. ;-)
I remember reading about something like that in a book about supernatural stuff, e.g. aliens, ufo's, ghosts, etc.. The only difference was that the one I heard about was made of some kind of metal... Ilikefood (talk) 16:08, 4 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
service charges for food and beverage
what resorts or hotels that are 4 or 5 star in the united states include service charge in the bill as many as i can get and the % percentage
Avril Lavigne b-sides
Why are so many of Avril Lavigne's songs, the so called b-sides, not on any of her albums, DVDs or singles? They don't seem to have ever been officially released, and instead just float about on youtube etc. Where can I buy / download these tracks? xxx User:Hyper Girl 17:24, 2 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Well a look at B-sides suggests that these are songs you wouldn't expect to find on the album/main feature, but that may be available elsewhere - say on an EP or a Single. I know when I was young Blur (Band) used to do 2 versions of the same single with different B-sides - I used to buy both just to get their b-sides. I suspect your best place to look is either her official site, iTunes Music store, or perhaps something like Amazon if the artist has released an album of b-sides. ny156uk (talk) 22:09, 2 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
I object to that Ninebucks. They are not "shit" - in fact I though some of them were better than the songs on her album, which is why I was surprised to find they hadn't been officially released. After a little research I found that while most of them are not on her albums, DVDs or singles they appear on various charity albums such as this and this. xxx User:Hyper Girl 12:00, 8 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Chilling soft boiled eggs
Is it safe to chill soft boiled eggs? Heegoop, 2 May 2008 (UTC)
Of course! Do you mean will they become solid? Fribbler (talk) 23:45, 2 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Depends on whether you're going to use a fridge or liquid nitrogen. :) Zain Ebrahim (talk) 00:49, 3 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
If you are worried about Salmonella They are found on the shell of the egg, so whether the center of the egg is fully cooked or not shouldn't make a difference. --Lisa4edit (talk) 06:00, 3 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
That is incorrect; salmonella can be within the body of an egg. Our article at chicken egg flip flops on the issue, but the reference cited here states explicitly that salmonella has found a way to infect the ovaries and thence can be found inside the egg itself. In any event, there's no problem with chilling soft-boiled eggs; it would be much worse to leave them out on the counter. Matt Deres (talk) 21:05, 3 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Thanks for that info. Mine was obviously out of date. Sorry. Lisa4edit (talk) 07:45, 4 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
May 3
adding a totally new article
I still cannot find out how to do this...I want to add the bio of an emerging jazz artist and cannot figure out how?
Jeanne O'Keefe
Personal details removed —Preceding unsigned comment added by Twinjok (talk • contribs) 00:01, 3 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
BUT, if the subject is "the bio of an emerging jazz artist" please be sure the subject meets the notability requirements for musicians otherwise the article will be speedily deleted (ie. within minutes).
Hint: It could be a good idea to develop the article in a subpage of your userpage. For example click the following red link to begin a "Music Bio" page there: User:Twinjok/Music Bio. That way, it won't get speedily deleted while you're working on the finer detail and getting the references in order. When you're done, you can request other editors to review the article, and the completed article can be moved into the main encyclopedia namespace.
Please do NOT include contact details in your questions. We are unable to provide answers by any off-wiki medium and this page is highly visible across the internet. The details have been removed, but if you wish for them to be permanently removed from the page history, email this address. Astronaut (talk) 00:17, 3 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Is There Anybody Out There
I was in a club the other day and heard this awesome song. It had lyrics like "Woooooah Woo Wooo Woah Is there anybody out there?" and would probably be classified as a dance track. Does anyone know what it is (I may not be 100% accurate on the lyrics)? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 58.166.80.4 (talk) 01:28, 3 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Thanks for the reply, but it's not the Pink Floyd song. It's much more upbeat, and has a somewhat strong drum backing to it (but less than most other club songs). I've had a look at the other ones, I don't think it's the cover (the song I heard is distinct to the Pink Floyd one) and it's not the DJ Junior one. I couldn't find much information on the "Ode to the Wall" mention, is this what you meant when you said "the wall" in your edit summary? 124.183.145.239 (talk) 02:46, 3 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
No, I was referring to the original release of the song on The Wall album. --hydnjotalk 03:02, 3 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Perhaps a release from one of these bands? --hydnjotalk 03:27, 3 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Rockpocket, for even mentioning that, I am afraid I must put you on the list. That song was pretty much the worst cover ever. Unfortunately you may well be right. -mattbuck (Talk) 09:09, 5 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Myself and several other editors have been compiling a list of very active editors who would likely be available to help new editors in the event they have questions or concerns. As the list grew and the table became more detailed, it was determined that the best way to complete the table was to ask each potential candidate to fill in their own information, if they so desire. This list is sorted geographically in order to provide a better estimate as to whether the listed editor is likely to be active.
If you consider yourself a very active Wikipedian who is willing to help newcomers, please either complete your information in the table or add your entry. If you do not want to be on the list, either remove your name or just disregard this message and your entry will be removed within 72 hours. The table can be found at User:Useight/Highly Active, as it has yet to have been moved into the Wikipedia namespace. Thank you for your help.
P.S. - Sorry for posting this here, but I didn't want to post on everyone's individual talk page (I started to, but I felt like I was spamming everyone). Useight (talk) 03:03, 3 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
You might be interested in considering whether you could merge this aim with the already well established Wikipedia:Adoption and Wikipedia:Help desk. Just a thought. Rockpocket 07:49, 3 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Access to electronic texts in library
Does someone know of a -public or open for all- library where I can login with my laptop and have access to scientific electronic texts? SaltnVinegar (talk) 11:59, 3 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Sounds unlikely—subscriptions to said texts are extremely expensive (PLoS as the exception, of course—which doesn't mean I think it's a great idea). --98.217.8.46 (talk) 14:11, 3 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Some university libraries, especially public universities, will let members of the local public have access to the library, or purchase access for a small yearly fee, and often this includes at least the right to log onto the library's own terminals and access the electronic materials there. --Delirium (talk) 15:31, 3 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Economies of oil-producing countries: Saudi Arabia and Norway
In Norway, there's the debate about using income from our oil industry to directly fund such things as hospitals or other weakspots of the budget economy. I've read up on the economy of Saudi Arabia (particularly #diversification), but could not quite understand how come the Saudi Arabian economy has not been run straight into the ground; as I understand economics, a sudden and major squirt of money will easily cause inflation. The economies of Norway and Saudi Arabia are quite different, but what makes it impossible for Norway to use the income from the oil economy in as direct a manner as the Saudis have? I have a hunch that a poorly educated population versus skilled foreign workforce is an important factor in here, but I am not quite able to place it. Did (or are) the Saudis pay(ing) foreigners to erect modern industry, so the Saudi to-be educated population could work there? Scaller (talk) 16:06, 3 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
The indexmundi listings here (Saudi) and here (Norway) don't show any real issues, and an inflation between 0.8 to 1.6% seems rather negligible. Of course the recent sharp change in Saudi inflation (375% more in one year) can be debated, but my question is about a lot longer timespan. It is only recently that the Saudi economy has gone properly haywire; before the nineties there was still progress, without oil barrel prices quite comparable to those nowadays. Scaller (talk) 17:14, 3 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
An economics expert could probably tell you more, but I think you may be dealing with figures that can't really be compared. The following model just might give an idea of what could be going on. Imagine a sheik in "Sandy Arabia" earned $101 million a year and none of the rest of the 100 inhabitants had any income. Next lets say every one of the 101 inhabitants of "Noway" earned a million a year. The per capita income would then be the same for both countries. Let's say our sheik could afford 101 Ferraris and each of the inhabitants of Noway could afford one. If you compare the gross picture inhabitants of both countries can each afford a Ferrari, but only in Noway could each also buy one. I tried to look for "income distribution" statistics for Saudi Arabia and came up pretty much empty [http://meria.idc.ac.il/journal/2003/issue3/jv7n3a2.html#The Economy�s Non-Oil Tax Base]. Apart from that, the two economic systems are not comparable. A large part of the Saudi Arabian economy is based on government monopolies and limited competition in the market. The fact that the population is moving from mostly nomadic agriculture to settled untrained labor/job seekers is putting a huge strain on local economic policies. Eventually the government can not provide enough jobs and finance the deficit and things go downhill fast. Lisa4edit (talk) 07:35, 4 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
I'd imagine that immigration pays a role, Saudi Arabia has a lot of immigrant workers who cannot get permanent residence (I think. There may be some information in Demographics of Saudi Arabia). The problem in Norway is that if you spend a lot of money on hospitals and roads, that will inevitably "crowd out" other sectors of the economy (construction work will be more expensive, for example, so more workers will be drawn to construction, making it harder to get people for other types of job). This spiral also leads to inflation, and immigration helps cut a part of the feedback. Also, Saudi Arabia's oil reserves are vastly larger than Norway's, and are expected to last longer. Jørgen (talk) 09:05, 4 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Alright, the application of money from oil production is not directly comparable over the two countries, due to different economic environments. The Saudi use of money can be said to not 'saturate' its population's economy, in part due to work immigration and maintaining low wages for the poor. Where wages are naturally higher, and the economy more transparent (in the sense that money will 'bleed through' and that differences in wages are lower, as in Norway), such direct use of large amounts of money can have a much more dire effect on inflation. Have I understood it all right then? I'll keep a look out for an economist's answer. Thank you. Scaller (talk) 13:51, 4 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
There is a term used in political science and economics that may help: a Rentier state. Saudi Arabia is a classic example; Norway is not. BrainyBabe (talk) 15:11, 7 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Menopause website
Has anyone used MenopauseRx educational website? 192.58.204.226 (talk) 16:42, 3 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Yes. According to Quantcast, the "site reaches approximately 16,164 U.S. monthly uniques." [9] The demographics indicate that 74% of users are female, and 69% are over 40 years of age. It appears as though the site does indeed get frequented by its target audience. ---Sluzzelintalk 18:41, 3 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Swarm Photographers
Frequently on TV, when high-profile individuals are leaving or entering a court house, a swarm of reporters and photographers can be seen taking pictures and videos of them. In North America, does one need some sort of "press-pass" to be legally swarming the individuals and taking their picture? Or can anybody just walk up and take pictures? Acceptable (talk) 17:38, 3 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
This would fall in under "legal information" (as opposed to advice), but you should not act on these matters based upon unreferenced "yes" or "no"s. :) Scaller (talk) 17:59, 3 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
If they're on public property, as far as I know anyone who wants to can swarm away. Mangostar (talk) 18:57, 3 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
If I were to not feed my chickens commercial food what would I feed them? These are ingredients for feed I found in a book: wheat meat, corn meal, oats, fish meal, dried milk, ground seashells, salt. Would it be okay if I took out the dried milk, seashells, and fishmeal? I pretty much want to be able to make it all myself so I don't have to pay to much. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 64.119.61.7 (talk) 20:35, 3 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
All those items are high in calcium; they're probably recommended so the hens can lay eggs with solid shells. Cutting out all the calcium would seem to be an invitation to malnutrition for the bird and/or deformed/easily cracked eggs. Matt Deres (talk) 21:10, 3 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Where do you live? If the climate is suitable, you can allow your chickens to free range during the spring, summer, and fall and depending on your locale, the winter as well. The chickens would probably still desire some more calcium such as from ground seashells or even milk. And you don't really have to worry about milk that's gone bad a bit. We give our chickens clabber quite often since we have a friend who owns a cow that they hand milk. Dismas|(talk) 21:18, 3 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Would you be able to feed a chicken egg shell? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 64.119.61.7 (talk) 02:11, 4 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
The dried milk, fishmeal etc. is also needed as a source of protein. You can supplant that with Earthworms. 3 possible sources for those: mail order, attach a car battery to stakes put some yards apart in the ground (NOT RECOMMENDED, but some line fishermen do that, if you are a minor, DON'T) or start a Compost pile. They will congregate there and you can start your own breeding program in a barrel or even a bucket from there. Add vegetable scraps and rotate the barrel at regular intervals. Or you could breed Cricket (insect). They eat those. Many other insects also work. My gramps used to feed his chickens eggshells, so I'd say, yes. 7% hydrated lime works as a substitute. They also need tiny pebbles (very coarse sand) for digestion. Chopped up fresh Dandelion leaves are also an excellent source of calcium. Chickens like fresh stuff like berries and lettuce. Lisa4edit (talk) 05:15, 4 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
You can't feed a chicken egg anything. In some places pet shops sell various types of insects. Finding a place like that would be easier than catching your own.HS7 (talk) 18:57, 6 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
You can feed them pretty much what you eat. Dry and crush any eggshells so the chickens dont learn to peck eggs. With the wheat (or other grain) you can soak it for 2 days first to soften it. Oh yes, put useful info on en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Raising_Chickens/Feeding .Polypipe Wrangler (talk) 12:23, 7 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Dialogue between Merry and Pippin
I need some samples of dialogue between Merry and Pippin as presented in the Lord of the Rings trilogy. Preferably from the books, but script from the movies are OK, too. I'd just leaf through the series myself looking for scenes involving the two, but I don't have enough time on my hands. I just need perhaps a scene or two primarily from the point of view of the two hobbits, with a lot of speaking between them, preferably funny. It doesn't have to be one giant block of text, it can also be from various situations throughout the books. If it helps, I'm trying to make about an eight minute duo for high school speech where a friend and I act as them as well as narrate. Thanks, False Tournament (talk) 23:35, 3 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
I haven't yet memorised the entire book, so I'm not of much help, but I did rather like their conversation just after the destruction of Isengard, where they were sitting there chating, eating and smoking when the others came across them. I can't actually remember whether that was from the book or the movie though.HS7 (talk) 11:41, 4 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
It's in the book, primarily. I think the "extended" movie version (third film) has a little bit of that, but not as much as the book. It's in the second book (which covers a lot more ground than the second movie did, in part because the Battle of Helm's Deep is pretty short in the book, if I recall). --98.217.8.46 (talk) 18:26, 4 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
ZOOM H2 question
Hello all you clever people. Can you anser me this. I just bought a zoom h2 recorder. What I want to know is, when you have it connected to the power supply, does it charge the internal rechargeable batteries or do you have to charge the outside. Thanks —Preceding unsigned comment added by 79.76.218.136 (talk) 23:44, 3 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Did it come with instructions? Look somewhere under batteries or power supply there. --Lisa4edit (talk) 04:43, 4 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Those who do not believe in GOD, how do they explain law of conservation of energy and law of conservation of matter? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 201.220.222.140 (talk) 00:55, 4 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Using physics? Of course, many people, whether they are religious or not, are unable to explain these laws. Warofdreamstalk 02:33, 4 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Does this count as soapboxing? If not I have a follow up question; how do those who believe in God explain the conservation violations caused by magically making things? Paragon12321 (talk)
The whole point is that only a Supreme Being could explain what they see as deviations from the laws of physics. Creationism generally focuses on discrediting scientific explanations of our origins. When belief is on your side, you don't have to explain everything in terms of lawa they same way scientists do. Generally, Creationists will say "The law of conservation of matter and energy was established after Creation was complete and cannot be applied prior to that, because matter and energy are both objects of Creation." Naturalists would say, "The totality of matter and energy has always been the same, the Big Bang simply saw a change from energy to matter". Rockpocket 08:08, 4 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Quite easily as they are proved facts.hotclaws 13:54, 4 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
It's simple: the amount of energy stays the same, and the amount of matter stays the same, and neither of these conservations are caused in any way by a supernatural being. They just are there. 'Those who do believe in "GOD" (and CAPITALIZE every OTHER freaking WORD) should explain how he exists even though there are hundreds of years of scientific evidence pointing to the opposite. For example, if the Earth is only 6000 years old, how come our knowledge of geology makes sense? If evolution is not a fact (it is), how come there is perfect (alright, near-perfect) evidence in fossils? How come stars are in existence when if the universe really was only 6000 years old we would still be a superheated cloud of hydrogen gas? Instead of trying to disprove valid scientific evidence, why not try to prove god? See Burden_of_proof. Ilikefood (talk) 16:20, 4 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Just a note that the vast majority of theists are not creationists. I'm a Christian, and you can't say something just is, what created it? Nothing cannot cause something.--193.120.116.177 (talk) 20:30, 6 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Anyway, the point is, if you really try and put yourself in the viewpoint of someone whose beliefs are different than yours, you'll see that those people aren't total morons either. It's not really hard to see either the non-believer (or Creationist, or whatever) viewpoint if you give it an honest try. It doesn't mean the viewpoint is correct or is compelling to you, but pretending it can't be conceptualized is just intellectual laziness, no matter who is doing it. --98.217.8.46 (talk) 18:23, 4 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
A more popular question might be how those who don't believe in God explain those things - in other words, if there is no intelligence behind creation why should there be any form of order or regularity at all? DJ Clayworth (talk) 15:18, 5 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Which is, by an amazing coincidence, exactly what the OP asked in the first place. Malcolm XIV (talk) 23:43, 5 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
If the question is, from a scientific viewpoint, why is there order in the universe rather than chaos (or perhaps more accurately, why is there complexity rather than chaos), this is a field of great interest to physicists. The timeline of the Big Bang gives some idea of how various forces became distinct from others over (very brief) periods of time. One could also, of course, ask why an infinite god should decide to create a universe. Warofdreamstalk 09:49, 6 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Digitigrade bipeds
Would that even be possible? They stand on a smaller area than plantigrades, and probably the "tip-toe" stance would strain the muscles more than plantigrades. I'm guessing it would be pretty hard just to stay balanced for a while. 24.6.46.92 (talk) 02:59, 4 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Birds spring immediately to mind, they are digitigrade bipeds; perhaps by bipeds you were wondering about heavier creatures such as mammals. Mhicaoidh (talk) 03:22, 4 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
And "traditionally bipedal dinosaurs have been viewed as strict digitigrade walkers" according to this academic paper [11] whereas reptiles are apparently plantigrade (until they pick up speed!). cursorial relates to that. Mhicaoidh (talk) 04:07, 4 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
I suppose birds count, but I was thinking of more like a wolf's paws. My main question is if it is even practical to have digitigrade legs on a biped and be able to run/walk/stand normally. 24.6.46.92 (talk) 20:41, 4 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
The answer then is yes,even if you are big and heavy like a dinosaur. It helps you hop, leap and/or run fast BUT you need a counterweight / support such as a tail, which we see in kangaroos, dinosaurs, birds...and werewolves! Mhicaoidh (talk) 23:51, 4 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
I don't understand from the article whether they are walking on the whole of their toes, or just the tips of them. If it is the whole of the toes, I tend to run and sometimes walk like that without any trouble balancing.HS7 (talk) 18:39, 7 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Cookies or bars
Which was invented first, Cookies or bars(like brownies, special K, and lemon bars)?
Cookies - see the history section of that article. Rmhermen (talk) 03:21, 4 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
I need this question answered ASAP.......thanks
I am seeking employment and the position I am applying for, has a questionaire attached. I must answer 10 questions so the person hiring me can get a better feel for any seriously interested candidate. The question I am stuck on is: "if you could get rid of any of the US states, which one would it be, and why?
Can you believe it? And this is a position for a dental office a manager.
Thank You for your help. Maybe you can help me in the direction of where this is going. JudieJudith Stew (talk) 04:44, 4 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
The state of nerves?--Artjo (talk) 06:43, 4 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Thats a seriously inappropriate question and in my country you wouldnt be allowed to ask it, as your answer could be seen to reveal your personal views on all sorts of things such as politics, religion and so on. The dental firm is a business therefore I would avoid giving a direct answer eg Vermont! New Jersey! and instead discuss your reasoning, after all the job you are applying for is manager. Perhaps the state that contributes least to the US economy? mind you I'd imagine such an impoverished region would be full of dental problems and thus need your dental service. But would they be able to pay for it? And that would be your problem as manager; so then start talking about your skills... Mhicaoidh (talk) 07:03, 4 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Florida: the biggest player in the US sugar industry contributing 21.4% of the total (from sugarcane and beets combined) sugar produced in the United States. Get rid of Florida, the simplistic theory goes, and the price of sugar goes up, sweet foods that rot teeth get more expensive and less people will buy them. Thats great if the goal is to improve the teeth of the nation, but the ultimate consequence of that could be less business for the dentist. Thus perhaps you should choose the State that contributes the least to the US sugar or high fructose corn syrup industries!
Alternatively, you could be controversial and say "Iraq: because since its acquisition it has cost the rest of the country $3 trillion to maintain". A pretty clever choice if the dentist is in San Francisco, less so if it is in Texas. Rockpocket 07:33, 4 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
You could say "Get rid of the United States.", but that means that Mexico and Latin America loses its Health coverage and has to sponge off of Europe. 205.240.144.214 (talk) 07:55, 4 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Why don't you sign your posts anymore, Martial Law ? And why is it most racist attacks are anonymous? Mhicaoidh (talk) 11:41, 4 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
For your info, this government site lists state by state oral health reports and might interest you [12]Mhicaoidh (talk) 08:33, 4 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
So we don't get caught using our actual accounts you...where are you from anyway?--193.120.116.177 (talk) 20:34, 6 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
The question is probably intended to test your wit. Whatever you do, don't propose a serious answer (unless, perhaps, it's related to dentistry as above; that would at least show you had done some homework).--Shantavira|feed me 09:36, 4 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
The question is worded so you have a choice. If you could... which one would it be... So why not choose to keep them all ? Demonstrate loyalty and avoid accusations of bias, racism, etc.86.209.29.33 (talk) 13:45, 4 May 2008 (UTC)DT[reply]
Perhaps choose the state in which you are applying for the job. That way maybe you'd have some kind of remote chance at a decent health care system to work in; something with universal national health insurance. Or maybe that would be a little pessimistic for a manager. Hmm. --Prestidigitator (talk) 06:03, 5 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
God Being an Angel
Please reply to this edit only if you are not a Christian.
In the novel The Amber Spyglass of the series His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman, God, the Authority, is false, fake, and fraud, not really God or a god, but is actually an angel. Could it be possible that God is false, fake, and fraud, not really God or a god, but is actually an angel, in reality, in the real world, in real life?
When the story His Dark Materials said that God is not really God or a god but is actually an angel, it meant and was talking about the Christian god. But Christianity is just one of the many different religions that exist in the world today. There are so many different religions in the world today. There are some people who claim and believe that Allah, the god of Islam, is false, fake, and fraud, not really God or a god but is actually an angel. Did you know that? See section 29 in page 20 of the article Islam - A Case Of Mistaken Identity.
It is possible that a Christian God is false, fake and fraud in "real life". He could, in reality, be an angel or he could, in reality, not exist. It is also possible that an Islamic God is false, fake and fraud in "real life". He could, in reality, be an angel or he could, in reality, not exist. The probability of each of those possibilities is a matter for debate elsewhere. Rockpocket 07:05, 4 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Why are we still feeding this one? BH is setting up for the one true religion on the Humanities desk again. Julia Rossi (talk) 08:53, 4 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Bowei, this is not a good question. There are many different beliefs regarding god/gods. We may think of a religion as a set of beliefs. So when you ask "Could it be possible that God is false...?", you need to specify which set of beliefs you're refering to.
Asking the refdesk whether it knows that some people believe that the muslim god is false is not appropriate and doesn't belong here.
Bowei, you are asking about questions of belief. Each person has their own beliefs which they may be able to share in parts with others. None of this is testable in ways that are applicable to the stuff that a reference desk deals with. You could find some much more appropriate forum to ask this kind of question. SaundersW (talk) 16:10, 4 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
For a set of belief systems that bear some similarities to the situation posited in His Dark Materials, Bowei may want to look at Gnosticism. Deor (talk) 16:44, 4 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Or what if the other angels are just less powerful gods, under a diferent name? That would be basically the same thing.HS7 (talk) 18:13, 4 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
A popular idea in Christian theology has been that Satan is a fallen angel and is quite capable of convincing people that he is the Christian God. Warofdreamstalk 09:53, 6 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Why does it cost Ford a billion dollars to develop a car but Tesla Motors can pop one out on $40 mil startup?
Lotsofissues 13:27, 4 May 2008 (UTC)
Where's a source for Ford needing a billion bucks? Or is that just a turn of phrase? Similarly, where's Tesla's $40 mil? Tesla Motors suggests more like $150 mil has been dropped into the company.
Tesla is developing with other people's money and effectively has nothing (or at least comparatively little) to lose. They can take risks that an established car company, be it Ford or Toyota, can't.
Depending on what is classed as a development cost, Tesla isn't attempting to build in volume. If you call a car's $10000 worth of parts "development", and Ford makes 100,000 to Tesla's 10, then there's your difference. — Lomn 14:05, 4 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Tesla is building upon an existing Lotus platform.
Tesla is a new company. They don't have to pay retirement money to people who used to work for them. They only pay pension insurance for the people they've hired so far. [13] Tesla's design doesn't have to fit existing mass production facilities. If they build a bumper they don't have to figure out how to reconfigure their metal press from the previous model. --Lisa4edit (talk) 18:51, 5 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Reconfiguring equipment is not a problem: stamping machines and the like are designed to be reconfigured. Ford and Telsa will have about the same design costs there (Ford might spend more on dies because they've got a higher production volume, but that's not a design cost). The difference is probably in indirect costs like advertising, market research, management, and the like. --Carnildo (talk) 22:15, 5 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
also, tesla hasn't actually built a car yet. Gzuckier (talk) 16:52, 6 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Well, one or two, but they certainly haven't entered "high volume production" yet ;-).
i'm a 21 year old young kenyan.i recently got hired on one of the biggest call centres in Africa.I'm currently doing transcription services for the company.i'm just about to end my training and i'm to hit the live floor, where i'll be doing live messages in the next few days.We are doing canadian voicemail transcriptions.First question,Anybody know a site i can go to or a tutorial i can download to learn how canadians speak.Cos their accents is so fast, i make lots of major errors.Question two-Incase i do a trnscription wrongly is there someone who checks my messages before they go to the receipient?Cos where i work only three to five messages are checked daily.And you do like 30 messages daily.
3.I want to learn about the canadian culture.Not the general stuff like provinces,cities..i want the grassroot stuff.Like the hottest band, The hottest mall, clubs, roads.Common stuff i'm likely to encounter while doing my transcriptions.PLEASE HELP> —Preceding unsigned comment added by 212.49.87.164 (talk) 13:34, 4 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
The last bit is going to be hard. You can check for Canadian billboard ratings for songs, but really most of the culture stuff you simply pick up. Maybe Google.ca news, and othernewssites? It's a big, diverse country, so there's no simple "popular mall/street/clubs", unless you're doing a specific city of small region of the nation. 206.126.163.20 (talk) 03:25, 5 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Storing Meat
How would I store meat without a freezer? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 64.119.61.7 (talk) 14:29, 4 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Keep the animal alive instead? Astronaut (talk) 15:10, 4 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
If you live in a cold place you could just leave it outside. You'll probably need some sort of animal-proofing. --Sean 13:40, 5 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Meat can be preserved by canning. Follow all directions from a reputable source such as the Ball company. Edison (talk) 18:58, 5 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Maintenance Ration
I have been reading a book about cattle and it keeps talking about the maintenance ration. What is this? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 64.119.61.7 (talk) 15:19, 4 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
I think it's the amount of food or nutrition that's necessary for sustained existence of an animal, neither growing nor starving. A google search yields many pages which look like they explain this. —Steve Summit (talk) 16:03, 4 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
From Google books: 'A maintenance ration may be described as that which will maintain an animal that is in a resting and non-producing condition and in good health, in the same condition and at the same weight for an indefinite period.' It is contrasted with the production ration, 'that part of the daily diet which is given in excess of maintenance requirements, and which is available for being converted into energy, as in working horses, or into milk, or into fat or wool, or is used for growth.' Algebraist 16:06, 4 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Rx
Why do many medical sites (particlularly those "pharmacies" based in North America) feature the letters "Rx" prominently in their name or logo. As a brit, it seems odd to me that these letter would have anything to do with the medical profession at all. Astronaut (talk) 15:39, 4 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
The Medical prescription article has a big "US centric" tag on it. Not surprising since the Rx symbol does not exist (in common usage) here in the UK. Here, a precription is an order you get from your doctor so the chemist shop can issue you with a prescription controlled drug, for which the patient is charged a fixed (by government policy) fee. In common with most pharmacies in Europe, the chemist shop often has a sign incorporating a green cross - No Rx in sight. Astronaut (talk) 16:52, 4 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
It actually stands in its abbreviated form for "Recipe" - and it most certainly is used in British medicine and pharmacology. 92.8.196.184 (talk) 10:18, 5 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
The possibility that it stands for "recipe" is one of several alternative theories listed at Medical prescription#Format and definition -- and they're all marked "citation needed". If you have some definitive evidence here, please mention it! —Steve Summit (talk) 11:12, 5 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Crop Yield
Is there a chart that shows how much an acre of a crop will yield? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 64.119.61.7 (talk) 17:20, 4 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
No, because that will vary widely. What crop?, what kind of seed?, what fertilizer?, what type of soil?, how much rain?, unseasonable weather?, etc. Some of these factors vary over a scale as small as an individual field. You could find tables of average yields for specific regions for specific crops in certain years, however. Rmhermen (talk) 03:28, 5 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Your IP address indicates you are from Michigan. Check for publications or web postings by the Michigan department of agriculture. Edison (talk) 02:24, 6 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
How does the pitcher beat the baserunner to first?
Im familiar with the geometry of baseball (Hell, I played in a lot of games) and it doesnt seem logically possible for the pitcher to beat the baserunner. He cuts an angle, but he covers more ground. Please wow me with the complex mathematical formula that makes this happen.Baseball and and and Popcorn Fanatic (talk) 17:39, 4 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Er, he covers less ground, not more. The pitcher's mound is closer to first base than home plate is. Maybe you could still be a popcorn fanatic? Matt Deres (talk) 18:19, 4 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
The distance from home plate to first base is 90'. The distance from home plate to the pitcher's mound is 60'6". That would make the distance from the pitcher's mound to first base about 67'. So, the pitcher has about a 23' head start on the batter. If the ball was hit as a line drive back at the pitcher, he'd probably be able to catch it before the batter even put his bat down. Dismas|(talk) 21:53, 4 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
But if he caught it, he wouldn't have to race the batter to first base. Useight (talk) 06:06, 5 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Ah, yeah... Sorry about that... Must have been sleep-typing again. :-) Dismas|(talk) 08:40, 5 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Er, sqrt((90/sqrt(2))^2+(90/sqrt(2)-60.5)^2) feet = 63.717 feet = about 63'8½". (67 feet would be about right for second base.) Of course, the distance the better has to run isn't exactly 90 feet anyway; it depends on whether he's right- or left-handed. --Anonymous, 04:28 UTC, May 5, 2008.
World War II English spy: Code Name, Christopher Robin
Hello,
A number of years ago, we read a book about a World War II English spy that worked with Churchill and was code named: Christopher Robin. Neither my husband nor myself can remember the name of the book or the spy's real name. We would very much like to get the book again. Can someone help us?Sbignrnt (talk) 19:40, 4 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
You might find the book 'The Paladin' published by Simon & Shulster in 1980 is what you are looking for. Good luck in your hunt!--Artjo (talk) 20:01, 4 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Why wouldn't it? Springer's website ought to know, and it's not like it's an unrealistic number for a series to have (my Modern Graph Theory lists 230 books in the Graduate Texts in Mathematics series). Algebraist 23:25, 4 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Thanks. I just wanted to make sure I was not spewing random numbers onto Wikipedia articles. I try to be a good example to other Wikipedians on campus here so I try to stay really careful. Thank you once again. Kushal (talk) 00:40, 5 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
For the "Did You know that....." section of Wikipedia
Did you know that if you took the word POLITE, crosses out certain letters in that word, you'll have the word LIE? Can someone place this in the proper area of Wikipedia? 205.240.144.214 (talk) 20:35, 4 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Sorry, I fail to see why that is significant. · AndonicOEngage. 20:37, 4 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
That seems like a simple coincidence. Many words contain letters from other words. --S.dedalus (talk) 20:43, 4 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Don't take 205 seriously, his "discovery" is clearly a joke - Adrian Pingstone (talk) 20:54, 4 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Sorry man, its no joke. Some local newspapers have weird word puzzles in them. 205.240.144.214 (talk) 20:57, 4 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Now, can someone place this? Its not often that the word "polite" is associated with the word "lie", and the "brutally honest" find that amusing. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 205.240.144.214 (talk) 21:12, 4 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
I'm afraid the answer to your question is probably "No". (I certainly can't.) —Steve Summit (talk) 23:40, 4 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Especially since trivia are discouraged by policy. Kushal (talk) 00:42, 5 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
I think he means he wants this factoid put in the "Did you know..." section on the Main Page, in which case, no, because those facts are taken from wikipedia's newest articles. If you create an article focused around this pit of information (possibly an article about those word puzzles, though you'll want to check this page to be sure the article does not already exist), then this factoid would be qualifiable for inclusion in that section. --Ye Olde Luke (talk) 01:02, 5 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
"Did you know that "if" is the middle word in "life"? Lol I love apocalypse now--193.120.116.177 (talk) 20:41, 6 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
"Dog" is "God " backwards.hotclaws 01:57, 7 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
May 5
Do living people fall under public domain?
Sorry, this question was asking for legal advice and that's not allowed here. You need to consult a lawyer in the relevant country. --Anonymous, 04:25 UTC, May 5, 2008.
If you're going to delete questions, please have the courtesy to identify yourself. I contend that this question was regarding facts, not "advice". Not everything touching on legal topics equates to legal "advice". --Nricardo (talk) 10:51, 5 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Asking whether something is copyrightable is not an issue of "legal advice". It's easy to answer for someone who has even the faintest association with the basic ideas behind copyright law. I'm restoring the question. If you object, take it to the talk page. And if you are going to delete questions, please sign your posts. --98.217.8.46 (talk) 15:20, 5 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Anon, please report removals of requests for proffessional advice on the RD talk page. I'm not saying that I don't trust your judgement but it's always nice to have a second opinion. Zain Ebrahim (talk) 18:47, 5 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Okay, talk page it is. I've said my piece; discuss away. --Anonymous, 22:25 UTC, May 5, 2008.
Restored
I want to write a story involving people from Cappagh in 1901 & 1911, as taken from this census. However, I also don't want to get sued. Since these records are about a hundred years old, would they (and the people mentioned in them) fall into the public domain? --Ye Olde Luke (talk) 00:53, 5 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Census data is never copyrighted anyway (it is just route collection of data, it has no creative content). The people mentioned in a census are not copyrighted, they are not creative works of an author (for the purposes of the law, anyway—theologians might disagree!). In general this page is a handy-dandy chart to figuring out whether something is in the public domain (in the United States), but in any case, for something like what you are asking it is totally not an issue. Even if the census was done last year, it wouldn't be an issue. Even if the records in question were done by a private company, it wouldn't matter. Census isn't creative; and names of people aren't copyrighted. It's like data in a telephone directory. --98.217.8.46 (talk) 01:57, 5 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Note, however, that outside of copyright issues, there may be other legal impediments to using someones likeness in a story. I can't remember specifics, but I believe that some countries have "right to identity" statues - making it illegal to appropriate someone's likeness for your own purposes. Depending on country, the specifics of the law, and the extent of your appropriations (e.g. are you just using names, or are you using details from their life and/or photos of them) you may or may not fall afoul of the law (if it exists). Also note that there may be additional laws against "speaking ill of the dead" - claiming, for example, that a specific person from 1901 was a murderer (when he wasn't) may run you up against libel/slander laws. Prominently labeling your work as Fiction may get around these laws, but you probably would need to consult a lawyer to be absolutely certain. (The various laws and different jurisdictions in which they apply is one of the prime reasons the WP:RD can't give legal advice.) -- 128.104.112.85 (talk) 15:48, 5 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Indeed, there are other things to take into account, and if you are doing anything that someone might get offended with, you should probably talk to a lawyer later (once you have something to show them). But copyright is not an issue. --Captain Ref Desk (talk) 15:56, 5 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Ah, thank you. That was exactly what I was looking for. --Ye Olde Luke (talk) 23:31, 5 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
That's interesting. But the "database rights" would have long since expired, as they only last 15 years after the first publication of the database. The copyright status itself does not change as it is still not a creatively selected database, so that doesn't add anything to that question. --98.217.8.46 (talk) 00:55, 6 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Wait, so this new directive says I can't use these peoples names, since they (and the censuses they appear under) fall under the criteria of a "database?" Or is it just the censuses? Did I read that correctly at all? (There's a very good chance that I didn't) --Ye Olde Luke (talk) 23:48, 5 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
No, don't worry about it. There is no copyright issue on 100 year old census databases. --98.217.8.46 (talk) 00:55, 6 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Another point of note. If you are taking the information from a source seperate from the original source, do not assume it is in the public domain simply because the source data is in the public domain. In the UK and other places Bridgeman Art Library v. Corel Corp. is generally of no consequence and UK courts have upheld Sweat of the brow as sufficient in some cases for copyright protection even without much creativity or originality. See also Feist Publications v. Rural Telephone Service#Other countries (like Bridgeman, generally consider irrelevant in the UK as far as I know). N.B. This is one of the reasons why legal advice is a bad thing. People tend to give examples which may not apply in the jurisdiction in question and may miss subtle legal issues. BTW, if I'm not mistaken individual census records are not released to the public for 100 years in the UK. Nil Einne (talk) 16:18, 6 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Cat dreadlocks
We have a siamese, about six years old, with long hair who is constantly getting dreadlocks. I can't really comb them out (I'm not that brave) so I end up cutting them out with a scissors. The cat looks terrible but I;m sure he's more comfortable. The cat also has a lot of dandruff. Anyone have any advice, experience stories to relate, etc., that tie in?--68.237.223.179 (talk) 01:35, 5 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
They aren't dreadlocks, they're called mats. Long haired cats and dogs can often get these, though cats usually are good enough about cleaning themselves that they don't become an issue. The only way to get rid of a mat is to cut it out. Regular brushing can help keep the mats from reforming. Go to your local pet store and ask them for a slicker brush. We have two long hair cats. One is okay with the brush and the other will actually run up to you if she see it in your hand, she loves it that much. So, give that a shot. As for the dandruff, I got nothin'. Dismas|(talk) 01:54, 5 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
For regular grooming (well, during the spring and autumn moults) our normally grouchy cat tolerates the Zoom groom pretty well. I am sure there are other similar tools out there! SaundersW (talk) 09:08, 5 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Dandruff might be actually be cat litter. Brushing a cat actually helps them get most of that stuff out of their fur. And they like being comb.Cardinal Raven (talk) 02:47, 7 May 2008 (UTC)Cardinal Raven[reply]
Air Hockey Table
I've been curious about Air hockey tables. I am wondering whether the air blowing up from the table actually makes the puck float (is it actually touching the table)? Someletters<Talk> 04:00, 5 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
It really isn't touching the table, although it's so close you can't tell by looking. (I suppose it will touch some of the time if it's hit in such a way as to tilt it.) The puck's very light, so it doesn't take a lot of air pressure to lift it. --Anonymous, 04:28 UTC, May 5, 2008.
What is the largest tram network in the world? Tram and light-rail transit systems, and the articles leading off from there, don't address this question directly. Google throws up a number of contenders, including Melbourne, Vienna and St Petersburg, but nothing conclusive (Melbourne seems to be listed as the largest, second largest or third largest, depending on what you read). As a resident of Vienna, I'm obviously rooting for my home town. Any thoughts? --Richardrjtalk email 09:26, 5 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
de:Wiener Straßenbahn says that the extent of Vienna's tramway network measures 231.6 km, and claims it is the third-largest worldwide, after Melbourne (245 km according to en.wikipedia's article, 238 km according to the quoted German article) and Saint Petersburg (285km until 2001 but 220km as of 2007 according to en.wikipedia's article, 288 km according to the quoted German article). In other words, we still don't know for sure. ---Sluzzelintalk 11:09, 5 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
"What's the largest?" questions are notoriously difficult to answer definitively, due to the multiplicity of definitions of "largest", and the vast amount of poor information floating around, influenced much more by boosterism and wishful thinking than rigor. —Steve Summit (talk) 11:18, 5 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Styrofoam or Polystyrene is a petrochemical product or more plainly plastic. Eating that is not good for your digestive system. Some peanut-shaped pieces of "styrofoam" are used in packets to keep the object being sent from breaking. They are called peanuts because of their shape. Similar peanut-shaped packing material is made from starch. Whether or not one can eat those would depend on how it is processed. I'd advise against DIY experiments. Circus peanuts are also peanut shaped. They are made from marshmallow which is basically sugar and gelatin. In contrast to plastic that is very edible. (Although you might get a tummy ache if you eat too many.)--Lisa4edit (talk) 18:14, 5 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
It's not in our article, but the trade name for those foam peanuts is actually "nautical billets". Matt Deres (talk) 16:30, 6 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
It seems that name is only used by Dow. They are usually traded and available under "packaging peanuts". Our article, now that I've found it, is foam peanuts. Apparently the ones made from starch are edible. Just make sure it's not the other kind before you try. 71.236.23.111 (talk) 10:09, 7 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Stabilized Compressed Earth Block Technology
Can stabilized compressed earth block technology be used to construct modern houses inexpensively in the SouthEastern U.S.? Using on-site dirt, it seems like anyone should be able to provide adequate shelter for themselves (without serious expense and with a small group of helpful folks).
Is this currently being performed in this location? --Ckdavis (talk) 19:59, 5 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Talking from experience in Georgia and Louisiana we're having lots of trouble keeping wood houses dry. United States rainfall climatology will tell you that we're getting quite a bit of rain (usually, Georgia had a drought last year) Humid subtropical climate unfortunately doesn't give figures on air humidity. Most people run dehumidifiers to keep their houses and basements dry. Given that, even if building in that way would be technologically feasible you'd have to find people who would want to risk it. Since very few people finance their houses out-of-pocket, the lending industry would have to be convinced that there is no threat of their security being "washed away". My guess would be that they'd ask for a horrendous amount of mortgage insurance to cover their risk. Another factor is that you'd have to find trained workers and/or a builder specializing in this type of construction. In the South-West they have experience with adobe houses. In the Southeast most houses are wood frame and board/drywall. Specially trained workers are likely to be more expensive. A lot of the cost of building a house is not the materials, but the labor. Another thing worth checking would be local code restrictions. Any additional requirements can easily exceed the costs saved on building materials. Building a house with neighborhood help happens rarely except for Habitat for Humanity houses and some church group buildings. 71.236.23.111 (talk) 07:07, 6 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Do farmers sell their crops directly to the elevator? What if they don't have an elevator in their town? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 64.119.61.7 (talk) 20:26, 5 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Sometimes, and you simply go to the closest elevator with the best price. But much grain is sold on the futures market and now more is being sold through the internet.[15]Rmhermen (talk) 01:34, 6 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
May 6
The voice of President George W.Bush
What is the earliest known recording of the voice of President George W. Bush? Edison (talk) 02:22, 6 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
His inauguration day, I'd think, since before that he wasn't President? --jpgordon∇∆∇∆ 02:44, 6 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
This clip include footage of him as Governor of Texas. This one has footage from 1994. Bovlb (talk) 03:55, 6 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
I think I saw a clip in The Choice 2004 by Frontline back in 2004 with Dubya talking to reporters after his father lost his 1970 Senate race in Texas. Other times would be Dubya's failed run for Congress in 1978. --Blue387 (talk) 04:35, 6 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Given that he came from an extremely rich family, it wouldn't surprise me if there is e.g. a private video recording from the 80s or earlier which has never been seen by the general public. Or perhaps just an audio recording e.g. a love song he song for Laura Nil Einne (talk) 16:02, 6 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
I have a foreign friend who despewrately wants to own and operate a business in the Philippines. How does he get started? what are the requirements? Please help me and I also need a lawyer, probably a CPA lawyer. Thanks. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 61.28.174.82 (talk) 03:07, 6 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Actually I have no idea how foriegners can establish businesses in the Philippines.--Lenticel(talk) 03:27, 6 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
I suggest, inquire from a Philippine consulate/embassy in your area. - DaughterofSun (talk) 03:30, 6 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
I spent some time in the Philippines, and I was told that foreigners weren't allowed to own land. I dont' know if that's true and I don't know if that's relevant. So...yeah. Useight (talk) 06:27, 6 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
State Defense Forces
I was reading the article about State Defense Forces and was wondering about a few things. Most defense forces are unarmed but if they were federalized, would they be armed? If so, are they armed by the federal government? Could a state arm their own defense forces by themselves? (I'm strangely imagining a governor or something buying HK416's for their own forces.) How about vehicles like armored vehicles, trucks and Humvees? --Blue387 (talk) 04:40, 6 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
As the article discusses some are already armed and they cannot be federalized. So yes state government could buy them weapons. However states already have armed forces, their National Guard units. Rmhermen (talk) 21:24, 6 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
I heard a show on the CBC a few days ago that cited studies saying IQ had gone up substantially in the last few decades. The opinion of the researcher in question was that people had got smarter in the things that IQ tested; specifically abstract reasoning. Fifty or a hundred years ago abstract reasoning wasn't as necessary so we didn't practice it. Now it's pretty essential. DJ Clayworth (talk) 17:13, 6 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
But how can that be? How can the next generation of youth today be smarter? I have seen many children(of this day and age) whom don't pick up books, who don't want to go to school or learn, all they want to do is socialize, they don't study, they get poor grades, they have poor grammar when they should have some decent grammar especially in their teenage life, some of them write like they are texting on a cell phone; and the lack of words being used.
How can our youth be smarter?
Well, of course not all youth do what you have described. Generally speaking, youth in developed countries who are lucky enough to enjoy the listed luxuries might participate in them to some extent. That is not to say, however, it will make them less intelligent. Just because a teenager is using slangs and internet acronyms to chat over the internet or on a cell phone, does not necessarily mean that they will write like that on an academic paper. As well, there is a large population of youth who are not doing the tasks you described, and have access to a much larger database of information, such as Wikipedia, that was previously unavailable to past generations. As well, in developing countries, computer usage and internet access is now spreading as well. Once connected, an onslaught of new information will be available to them. Acceptable (talk) 22:22, 6 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
<hyperbole> Either you are mixing with the wrong crowd or you live in a suburb where education is considered to be some elitist wank due to the lack of role models. Go to Princeton or Cambridge and most toddlers in their prams write on a PhD thesis. Consider also, that it is a prime characteristic of the next generation to be revolting. <hyperbole>
Currently I live in Liverpool in Britain. But I am a floater. I hear many students, I see many people, I hear many people. Its strange this world is. The many people you see and yet the most I see is someone who has probably never picked up a book once in their life only when it is necessary. I see teenagers using the internet colloquialism and cellphone colloquialism more often now a days. I had recently been in Starbucks and I saw a boy writing his book report as if he were on the internet. Not only that, but I notice two girls in the corner copying each others work.
Some kids wasn't just trying to get it done circling random answers.
All though naturally all the skills I have listed aren't what makes someone more or less intelligent I see know motivation to learn.
When I was their age I wanted to learn. Learning was my power. Knowledge was my power. No one had to motivate me the knowledge and the knowing and the discovering. Many of the kids in my class were exceptional great as well. They had great grades as I did.
Why did the youth of today lose this? Is this really and act of rebelling? Not wanting to learn and to open. And to discover.
Why don't the youth of today want to discover and learn? And why do they appear less intelligent then what test say?
(Btw, to the post up there I am not a stalker. I am just more aware of what is around me. A little to much sometimes.)
Perhaps you're judging "smartness" by the wrong criteria?hotclaws 02:01, 7 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
I might be judging smartness on the wrong criteria. I know my flaws. I live in the mindset of high class. I am very hard to please and I suffer from classic textbook syndrome. I pass out more information textbook style then any one else. My standards are set to high. I believe that people all should understand what I am saying. I know I tend to be wrong and I know I should lower the standards that I expect people to be at. Cause people aren't perfect and I am not perfect.
I just want to know:
Why doesn't anyone want to learn anymore?
Learning is fun.
I keep thinking it is not the intelligence--the raw ability--of "the next generation" (young adults and adolescents) that is missing, but the motivation to use that intelligence. Willful ignorance, I guess you could say. Of course motivation and wisdom may be another aspect of intelligence in some people's consideration; one that is probably not measured very well in IQ tests. --Prestidigitator (talk) 04:43, 7 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Being one of those who would likely fall into the grouping of "the youth of today" as a 20 year old junior in college (3rd year of "university" for those unfamiliar with the term) I think I am highly qualified to attempt to answer your question. This may or may not beis a rant but I figure I rarely get a chance to defend my generation to someone who honestly wants to understand it so I feel obligated to do so to the utmost of my ability.
I'll try to go over your statements one at a time.
You said: "I have seen many children(of this day and age) whom don't pick up books, who don't want to go to school or learn, all they want to do is socialize..." - One of the key things I'm seeing here is the assumption that learning necessarily must come in the form of books. Generations prior to my own don't understand or appreciate learning outside the confines of the book or textbook. A few points from this.
First of all, the information that is in a textbooks is in a form which hasn't changed in a large degree in the past 30 or 40 years while everything around it has changed dramatically. Textbooks aren't interesting to us and they rarely provide information in the kind of forms that we are most adapt at absorbing. My generation will be more likely to have very high social skills requirements for job positions then previous generations and that is largely due to our generation having significant social skills because of the enormous communication possibilities that have opened up in the last 20 or so years. The internet of course has changed the way we absorb information and in my opinion has done so in a much better way.
Secondly, schools and the teaching methods of our educators are also sufficiently different from the common social world we find ourselves the remaining hours of the day. As you described later in this section, you "pass out more information textbook style then any one else", and this style while often considered tried and true is not fitting with the world we live in anymore. From my experience with teachers who are looking into more original teaching methods, it's not that my generation doesn't want to learn, it's that they don't want to learn the way their parents or even grandparents did.
Lastly, textbooks are static, the world we live in is anything but (see Wikipedia). In my personal opinion, textbooks are historical objects, like stone tablets and any chance I have to physically get away from paper copies of books (at least), I take it.
You said: "... they don't study, they get poor grades, they have poor grammar when they should have some decent grammar especially in their teenage life, some of them write like they are texting on a cell phone; and the lack of words being used."
Some of us have poor grades of course, but standards are also much higher. The world is far more difficult to exist in in some cases compared to earlier generations due to economic situations. Gone are the days when the average student could expect to go to college for four years on their parents bill. Gone are the days when it was rare that students had full-time jobs along with school. Many of my peers work 30-40 hours a week on to of their school load. Though I personally don't which could explain why I have time to write this...
Grammar is poor in many cases, I'd agree to that, but in my opinion in a world of technology and highly mathematical and scientific work force, they aren't stressed enough because they aren't needed in the workforce as much. This may explain your biggest issue with the IQ tests, which test analytical skills, something my peers are very good at, and little to no emphasis is on grammar, which we often are poor in. Though I'd also urge you to realize that we often use less then proper grammar for speed and efficiency. I use IM or "textspeak" when speaking online with friends or sometimes with professors in e-mail and consider the usuage of better grammar only when I need to look formal, or when I think it's the only real way to get my point across (like right now, or in papers).
You said: "...The many people you see and yet the most I see is someone who has probably never picked up a book once in their life only when it is necessary"
Again, I stress that books are not the be all and end all of information anymore. The internet has information available in not only a wided assortment of topics but also in a far greater depth for all of those topics. Also, morre often you have access to peer-review of the ideas that are being presented. No longer do we read a book and accept it's points at face value, if we think it's wrong we can look up what hundreds of other experts have said on the subject through google. In the past it would perhaps take hours of searching through libraries for more information.
You said: "I see teenagers using the internet colloquialism and cellphone colloquialism more often now a days. I had recently been in Starbucks and I saw a boy writing his book report as if he were on the internet. Not only that, but I notice two girls in the corner copying each others work. Some kids wasn't just trying to get it done circling random answers."
I assume the boy was using textspeak, in which case it's a shame if his teacher doesn't correct him, but if the teacher doesn't I find it hard to blame him for using an efficient mechanism for sharing information. Children copy, though it's naive to think this generation is especially full of cheating students. I'm sure that person who guessed will be punished for it and will either reform or fail out, again, not particularly novel to my generation.
You said: "... All though naturally all the skills I have listed aren't what makes someone more or less intelligent I see know motivation to learn."
Not to be a smartass sir, but it's quite ironic that you'd make such a grammatical error as using "know" instead of "no" after the rest of your points ;).
You said: "...When I was their age I wanted to learn. Learning was my power. Knowledge was my power. No one had to motivate me the knowledge and the knowing and the discovering. Many of the kids in my class were exceptional great as well. They had great grades as I did. Why did the youth of today lose this? Is this really and act of rebelling? Not wanting to learn and to open. And to discover. Why don't the youth of today want to discover and learn? And why do they appear less intelligent then what test say"
Of course some of us don't want to learn, but many of us do. They just don't care to learn using outdated methods. I'm one of dozens of my peers who often wander through wikipedia reading topics as we find them and absorbing whatever information piques our interest. Not just wikipedia but dozens of new media news sources (digg, slashdot, ect.) which arguably have taught me at least as much if not more than any professor I've ever had. A compliment to these internet sources, a failure of the education system, or a poor mindset? You can decide that.
Rebellion for the sake of rebelling is imo (in my opinion) an idea that the older generation likes to place on the younger generations throughout time to discredit the reasons for their actions. Why do I play grand theft auto or other video games instead of reading some "classic" literature? Why do I watch Scrubs instead of a news sation, why do I read the news on the internet and wikipedia? Personally I believe I get far more out of my choices then the others. GTAIV or games like it challenge me, constantly, they are rarely the same any time through and stretch my problem solving skills in new and dynamic ways while having climactic stories in some cases that could rival the greatest movies or literature. Books are interesting, but hardly ever challenge me, they do not force me to use analytical skills and there is no variation, nothing changes, it's static. I watch tv shows like scrubs because I enjoy them but I also recognize the fact that tv shows today are far more dynamic and complicated then anything you may have grown up watching. There are several storylines that interlock and require actual mental understanding and reasoning by the watcher to fully appreciate what is going on. The internet news and "new media" is the same, it puts me into the dynamic and challenges me to try to spread information. It's not me just absorbing information but also being able to challenge those who teach it to me. These skills imo are what make us more superior at IQ tests (which measure this kind of intelligence) while we appear less intelligent.
On this I'd encourage you to check out the book "everything bad is good for you", I own it, a fantastic read and could explain some things to you. [16]
You said: "... I believe that people all should understand what I am saying. I know I tend to be wrong and I know I should lower the standards that I expect people to be at. Cause people aren't perfect and I am not perfect. I just want to know: Why doesn't anyone want to learn anymore? Learning is fun."
I think these students you don't understand feel the same way. We don't understand why you can't see the value in the social networking, in the analytical problem solving, in the nature rather than the content of our entertainment. I think there are some people who don't want to learn, but I think the fact that you ask why no one wants to learn anymore shows that you don't really understand the way we work. There are a lot of ways to learn, and we've found our own ways, they seem to work for these IQ tests, these IQ tests claim to measure analytical problem solving, something that appears to be one of, if not the most important skill in the coming years (along with social skills, which we often excel at). So I don't really see a problem, we're just different generations. You ask why none of us want to read books and get the knowledge and power they hold, and I ask why you want to spend your time simply reading static text, where's the challenge? Chris M. (talk) 08:26, 7 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Dear student you make valid points, but I wasn't generally just talking about textbook. I was talking about reading as in reading a book. Like fictional book like Lord of the Rings. I see children won't even read those kind of books anymore.
Fictional books can also help you learn and help you gain powerful knowledge. I read arts of fiction because I believe in the books. Also this quote is something that inspires me a bit more: "Fiction reveals truths that reality obscures."- Jessamyn West.
I don't see why no one to experience a different reality of fiction. I can see sometimes why students don't want to learn.
One of my classes had me read How to Kill a Mockingbird. I absolutely hate hate hated that book. It was boring.
But I read it. I never ever stopped reading it or threw a fit of rebellion not to read it.
Yes I know that I spelled no as in no wrong. I tend to do that when I'm trying to make valid points. My thoughts are so racy and impatient I forget things. I get things mixed up. I am not as good at making points then writing a story.
Writing is another characteristic and I don't see them ever want to write or answer a question. Well now a days that is done on a computer, but still when there is a writing assignment no one wants to do it.
I think there was a question on the reference desk of why they have those essay questions. Anyway my point is that many children don't want to think after they have read a story either. No one wants to know why.
They just want to read the book and have easy questions.
But then again a lot of my knowledge comes from documentaries, textbooks, Internet, and other sources such as a magazine. I learn visually and not audibly. I don't learn from hands on. I learn from graphs, charts, textbook information, and anything on the paper. I have a hard time with audibly and hands on I cannot remember the information.
I think that may be another problem. Maybe some students are audible learners and others are visual.
I remember having a bit of a hard time this year in my class. Cause all we did was watch videos and I could never exactly remember what the video said. I answered the questions with a bit of help of my roommate on some parts I forgot.
When I am watching a video I have to write down the answer right after they said it. The teacher never understood that and kept on telling me to watch the screen and answer the questions later after the video or I was going to miss parts.
I'm going miss parts either way, I cannot remember information audibly I just cannot.
So I think that their should specific classes for each different type of learner. I know that sounds a bit stupid, but maybe that is what they need.
If I am driving and fall asleep or turn the steer a couple of inches too much or slip in the bathtube that could cost my life. However, we are not scared to death from all these danger in our daily life. Do we have some mechanism that makes us ignore these things? 217.168.0.115 (talk) 10:26, 6 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Risks that are 1. collective (everyone faces them) and 2. appear to be controllable (you are the one who feels in control in the tub and the car) are usually easy to ignore. Compare this to how one feels when the risks are felt to be individual or non-controllable (say, take-off and landing in an airplane).
People who can't ignore such things, in any case, find it pretty much impossible to get by in the world and are labeled with one or more psychological epithets. --98.217.8.46 (talk) 12:22, 6 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
basically, the part of our brain which calculates risks is a lousy performer, even in short term risks. you'd think evolution would have done better.Gzuckier (talk) 16:48, 6 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Evolution did the best it could. How would it be possible for people who can't have a bath or drive a car without getting a seizure to get more of their genes into the gene pool? -- Zain Ebrahim (talk) 18:09, 6 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
If our ancestors didn't walk under a tree for fear of a falling branch killing them, or didn't drink from a river out of fear of drowning, then we wouldn't be here today. Our instinct is to avoid more likely causes of death, or at least - it is supposed to be. 206.252.74.48 (talk) 18:48, 6 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
I think that if people worried about those things they would suffer from paranoia. What we don't realize in this world is that everything we are surrounded by can kill us. The chair in the middle of the room to the car we drive.
Eventually we die by something or by natural causes. Whatever the cause we can ignore it because we wouldn't be able to live depression. We might even carry out our own lives suicide.
Life, Death, and Birth is the way our world works. Its like the natural recycle life process. We can die at birth as well. Sooner or later someone faces death.
I see that I live my life to the fullest and not to worry about the shower the head killing me. If I live I live. If I die I die.
I accept it and continue on either in this world or the next.
How can some people write a whole paragraphs without telling absolutely anything? 217.168.3.246 (talk) 13:01, 7 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
The method our minds use to assess relative risk is not very good, but it's the best method that was available prior to statistics. The more times we've seen something done safely, the safer we think it is. The more times we've seen something result in a death or injury, the more dangerous we think it is. This leads us to think that events we've seen over-reported in the media (like child abductions) are a serious danger, while events which are under-reported (like lung cancer deaths due to smoking) seem like rare events we can safely ignore. We also have some instinctive fears, like falling, which makes many of us nervous whenever it appears that we are high up, such as when standing on a platform with a clear floor, while the same platform with a solid floor would make us feel safer. StuRat (talk) 16:32, 7 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
limptes
If hyperthetivcally the tide never went out, would limptes survive or do they need exposure to air and dryness from time to time?Makey melly (talk) 12:21, 6 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
As the limpet article explains, they live only in the intertidal zone because they live on algae, so they need the tides.--Shantavira|feed me 15:39, 6 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Queen Ants
Last year I collected two fertilized queen ants from my garden during the flying ant season and put each of them into a separate container. My understanding was that they would lay eggs and start an ant colony. However, one of the queens didn't lay any eggs, and the other laid a few but then ate them. I was instructed not to feed or give water until after the first worker ants had hatched because the queens would simply refuse to eat and it would go mouldy in the container. But since the queens hadn't any worker ants, and were looking weaker and weaker with each passing day, I decided to feed them a little honey, which they very much enjoyed. I have since moved the two queens into the same container and they get on well, and have even begun to dig and create a colony by themselves. I feed them regularly and they seem happy, but why didn't they lay eggs and start an ant colony? More importantly, how can I get them to lay some eggs? I am sure they were fertilized because they didn't have their wings anymore when I caught them, like the book said. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 195.194.74.154 (talk) 13:46, 6 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
You could try asking here where they'll try and answer "any ant-related questions". Please do let us know what you find. Good luck! Think outside the box 14:24, 6 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Is it possible that the ant queens were in fact never fertilized? Edison (talk) 19:44, 6 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Edison ask a great question. Are you sure the queen ants were fertilized? You shouldn't trust everything a book says. Especially, since the ants began to start trying to create an ant colony after you fed them.
I think what you need to do is get them some workers. I don't think a queen ant will start a colony without a few workers.
The workers are the ones who bring the food to the queen and the workers are the one who protect the eggs, if I am not mistaken. Also it might have to do with the fact that there are two queens, I had always thought that there was only one queen for each colony. Cardinal Raven (talk) 01:52, 7 May 2008 (UTC)Cardinal Raven[reply]
It would help if you told us which species of ant you have. Many do have more than one queen, although since you mentioned that you separated them to begin with, I am going to assume your species usually has only one. Our article Queen ant says "she may consume some of her eggs" so this would seem normal. But why she hasn't laid any more is a mystery, especially if she has sufficient strength to begin excavating a colony. Could she has laid her eggs underground where you cannot see them? It takes about 60 days for the eggs to hatch. According to this"the queen will create this new nest completely on her own, though it has been known for ... queens to come together and cooperate in the raising of the first brood. If more than one ... queen raise [a] brood together, they will soon fight to the death once the first workers have hatched, until only one queen remains victorious."Think outside the box 10:38, 7 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Women as witness
What does Islam say about women as witness?How can we justify this question in the light of Quran and Hadith? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 117.102.16.67 (talk) 14:18, 6 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
I do not have a direct answer to your question, but do want to point out that there is no one voice for Islamic jurisprudence, called Fiqh. So do you want to know what the perspectives are from as many different schools as possible?--droptone (talk) 19:17, 6 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
famous african americans
an african american who helped in the planning of the united state's capital city?....I found wikipedia had an article on washington dc and under the palnning subcategory there werent any african americans.So If anybody knows the answer.Hola.ASAP —Preceding unsigned comment added by 193.219.249.15 (talk) 14:47, 6 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Hmm it seems to have become the first link now. For the benefit of future readers, I'm referring to [18] which mentions the name Macro refers to above Nil Einne (talk) 17:15, 7 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
the best for reverse phone look up
which is the best site to use in canada to reverse a phone number in order to get the callers details.I want a canadian site because we are using canadian customers only.oooh i'm a transcriber doing canadain voicemail transcriptions and i want to save as much time as possible when researching on callers details.We are currently using whitepages.ca but its not as effective as intelius.But on intelius you have to pay.i want a free site.And Secondly if one can reccommend a site where -if a customer mentions a name of a road or building and i have never heard of it-i want to be spelling it out phonetically and then paste it onto the site that gives me a close to answer.NOTE only canadian info.PS>>>THANKS for the tips on canadian english.Truly wikipedia has massive helpful information —Preceding unsigned comment added by 193.219.249.15 (talk) 16:00, 6 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
given that diesel engines don't have vacuum for the power brake booster, how do diesel cars manage this? i know trucks use air brakes, but do cars have a similar system, or do they somehow adapt the regular vacuum powered booster with a pump or something? thanks. Gzuckier (talk) 16:47, 6 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
I think they usually have a belt-driven vacuum pump. -- Coneslayer (talk) 17:17, 6 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
At least some modern Boschanti-lock braking systems don't use vacuum but instead have an engine-driven hydraulic pump (that usually also powers the power steering). A hydraulic accumulator stores hydraulic energy so you still have a few power-boosted actuations of the brakes should the engine fail. This arrangement is certainly true of high-line Audis.
This is not what I meant. I asked about the steel\iron entry to the site. This specially been in train station. Breckinridge (talk) 11:08, 7 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
And unless you can provide more clarification, the answer is still checkpoint. A checkpoint is a point at which people seeking to move from place A (e.g. the street) to place B (e.g. the railway station, if I understand your previous comment) can be stopped and their credentials checked. Back to you. --Tagishsimon(talk) 11:36, 7 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Unless you mean the actual physical gate, which is called a gate or a turnpike, although that second usage is probably obsolete. The civilian checkpoint and border checkpoint articles both have images, although not great ones., "Border crossing" is another term that might apply to the entire area. Rmhermen (talk) 15:26, 7 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
O.k, I'll try one more time. I didn't neant to Border checkpoint, I mean to the iron barrier that serve as an entry\exit to some places, specially in train station. Breckinridge (talk) 16:15, 7 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Finding scientific studies to participate in
What is the best method to find scientific/medical studies to volunteer for (and get paid)?--SeizureDog (talk) 19:14, 6 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
It would also help if we knew which part of the world you are in. Gwinva (talk) 23:56, 6 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
You should probably be aware (if you aren't already) that the most lucrative medical/scientific studies are, not coincidentally, the ones that require the most work, commitment, or are potentially the most dangerous. There have been a number of articles in the last few months (in the New York Times Magazine and the New Yorker, I think) about how poorly regulated some of these studies are. --98.217.8.46 (talk) 00:29, 7 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Turn number algorithm question
Today, when I was at the Helsinki Central railway station, I thought of something I've already thought of many times. I was trying to buy an InterRail pass, to be able to travel from Helsinki to Seeboden. When I got there, I took a turn number for foreign railways. According to the numbers, I was the second to be served. While waiting for my turn, I watched, of people come after me, no less than five people travelling to Russia, and eighteen people travelling within Finland, being served before me. So my question is, when there is a queue system with multiple inputs, generally, how is it decided which input is handled when? Is it a round-robin schedule, or are they prioritised by popularity, do they handle longer queues first and shorter ones later, or is it all just random? JIP | Talk 19:47, 6 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Based on my (limited) observations: in many cases multi-server queues split the queued jobs according to the resources required to handle a specific individual job. In your case it may have been that only one of the different servers (ie. counters / operators) had the expertise / the required hardware / software to handle a ticket request from Finland to Central Europe. Tickets to Finland / Russia may have been available at all counters (because they are the vast majority of jobs handled), but an InterRail pass needs access to the specific ferry services and international rail services for subsequent connections.
It would be uneconomical if all, say, five counters were equipped with human resources / HW / SW for InterRail when only 20% of jobs need this function.
There are actually twenty counters at the Helsinki Central railway station, with three of them dedicated solely for international travel. But I understand your meaning, and find it very helpful. I have travelled by train within Finland more times than I can count, and to Russia once. This was my first time purchasing an InterRail pass. It took me about one or two minutes to fill in the form, and almost five minutes inquiring about connections from Helsinki to Spittal an der Drau. In less than that time, an intra-Finland passenger would have booked a trip from Helsinki to Roavaniemi and back again, and left time to casually chat around. I have now found out that I can go from Stockholm to Spittal completely by train. Danke schön, und ich habe seit Monaten wartet, endlich diese Reise zu beginnen. JIP | Talk 20:06, 7 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Human Hamster Balls
Does anyone know where I might find a website offering these huamn hamster balls, at reasonable prices, for delivery in the UK.
Its one of these or a OCZ Neural Impulse Actuator, so my time outside kind of depends upon this. I would need one that is fairly hard wearing, and easy to clean. The English Countryside usually tends to be covered in soe sort of equine/bovine detreitus.
Hamster balls for sale? Is this a method of manipulating rodentine procreative capacity?
And, what happens to the rest of the hamster? Do they perform in the defunct choir of the Vatican Castrati?
Mind you, the entire planet is covered in some sort of human detritus, so maybe you may want to donate your spare balls, unless you have become attached to them cute furry critters. --Cookatoo.ergo.ZooM (talk) 22:15, 6 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Try out maybe? They Price there Human Hamster Balls at 2,495 USD --Nick910 (talk) 22:18, 6 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
You can also read Sphereing, which details the sport of Zorbing. You can try it out at ZorbsouthUK, or follow the links to a closer UK venue. This site shows that the original Zorb is not available for private purchase, but imitations are available at hypercore. You're looking at about £800 for the cheapest model. Gwinva (talk) 00:12, 7 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Which is the smallest metropolitan area, town, village, hamlet and/or city absolutely with a LRT that also operates on the street. It might operate in the air, underground, in the water, but at least, it has to operate in the street.68.148.164.166 (talk) 23:58, 6 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
This question is open to interpretation. First, if the LRT connects two or more towns, do you count only the largest (because the system "belongs to" that town) or the smallest (because you mean the question literally)? [I'll assume you count the largest.] Does it make a difference if the towns do not touch each other? [Irrelevant under my assumption.] And second, does it count as "in the street" if the tracks are in a semi-isolated median or similar setup? [I think it counts.] Finally, are you counting only actual public transit operations where the cars run at regular intervals all day and stop frequently for people to get on and off, or do museum railways count, where they might run once an hour and only on summer Sundays, and only allow trips over the full route?
Of the 30 or so cities I've been to that have public transit streetcars, I think the smallest are Bern and Innsbruck. (Blackpool and Heidelberg are not much larger.) According to http://www.citypopulation.de/, as of estimates at the start of 2007, Bern has 122,422 people while Innsbruck has 117,693. But for all I know there could be much smaller places (much better answers) in other countries. (Here are pictures showing streetcars in the streets of Bern, Innsbruck, and for good measure Heidelberg and Blackpool, if that layout counts.)
As to museum streetcars, Yakima had a population in the 2000 census of 112,816 according to the above web site (but 71,845 according to Wikipedia; I don't know why the discrepancy). Here's a photo of one of their streetcars. But again, perhaps there are much better answers elsewhere.
--Anonymous, 02:00 UTC, copyedited 02:23, May 7, 2008.
Rephrasing my questions:
Which is the smallest (population wise) metropolitan area, town, village, hamlet and/or city absolutely with a LRT that also operates on the street. It might operate in the air, underground, in the water, but at least, it has to operate in the street.
Which is the smallest (area wise) metropolitan area, town, village, hamlet and/or city absolutely with a LRT that also operates on the street. It might operate in the air, underground, in the water, but at least, it has to operate in the street.
Criteria:
If the LRT connects two or more towns, do you count only the largest (because the system "belongs to" that town) or the smallest (because you mean the question literally)?
For both questions: Count the combined total.
Does it make a difference if the towns do not touch each other?
For both questions: Count the towns as if they were one.
And second, does it count as "in the street" if the tracks are in a semi-isolated median or similar setup?
For both questions: It does not count.
For both questions: Finally, are you counting only actual public transit operations where the cars run at regular intervals all day and stop frequently for people to get on and off, or do museum railways count, where they might run once an hour and only on summer Sundays, and only allow trips over the full route?
For both questions: "...actual public transit operations where the cars run at regular intervals all day and stop frequently for people to get on and off..." = Counts
For both questions: "...museum railways count, where they might run once an hour and only on summer Sundays, and only allow trips over the full route..." = Does not count.68.148.164.166 (talk) 03:10, 7 May 2008 (UTC)68.148.164.166 (talk) 03:18, 7 May 2008 (UTC)68.148.164.166 (talk) 03:19, 7 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
And the photo at the top of that page shows it running in the street. Well, that blows away my examples. Thanks. --Anon, 15:42 UTC, May 7.
mens pants zipper
why is the flap of material covering the fly on men's pants located on the left side of the fly/zipper, rather than the right side?66.93.60.182 (talk) 04:26, 7 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Because right is for woman. Woman's bathroom are mostly on the right and woman's buttons on dress shirts on on the right.
Men are on the left side.
71.142.208.226 (talk) 04:46, 7 May 2008 (UTC)Cardinal Raven[reply]
Maybe because shirt "flaps" are on the left and it looks better if they match? (Or maybe men just like looking sinister). Clarityfiend (talk) 04:52, 7 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
There are numerous sources for the left/right button issue but I haven't seen one for the zipper. I would say it's most likely because most people are right handed, thus they can hold the material to the side with their left hand while working the zipper with their right. Are women's pants different? Dismas|(talk) 04:52, 7 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
There's gotta be an article about this weighty issue around here somewhere. Can somebody find it (or if it isn't there, write it)? Clarityfiend (talk) 04:59, 7 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Yes, woman's clothing is on a different side then the men. The right side. Woman's buttons and zippers are on the right side.71.142.208.226 (talk) 05:36, 7 May 2008 (UTC)Cardinal Raven[reply]
Wait, I'm not sure what "side" means. It's true that men and women's shirts button differently, but the flap of material on my pants-fly is on the left side of the zipper, and so is my husband's. We are both wearing gender-appropriate clothing. --Masamage♫ 05:40, 7 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Think _ Right Handed swordsmen who wore their scabbard on their Left Hand Side so that they could more quickly reach over their midriff from Right to Left to unsheath their sword (the majority of men then and now being Right-Handed) ready for action. This was facilitated by the coat fronts being constructed in such a way as to allow easy access to the sword and scabbard (left front overlapping the right front and being fastened first with tapes, then hooks and eyes, and subsequently buttons and holes), and then continue that thinking to pants/trousers which were first constructed so that the whole front of the trouser was allowed to fall when released by the wearer (or his paramour), continuing to the button-fly (which side to place the buttons? Ahh, let us do it the same as on the gentleman's coat, and that will allow a Right-Handed Lover to more easily undo his Fly when making advances on his paramour - and then carry that thinking forward to the attachment (and undoing) of the Fly-Zipper. Easy when you know how.92.9.48.44 (talk) 09:56, 7 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
I once bought a shirt that was apparently made in China, and they either don't differentiate beween men's and women's shirts or got them mixed up, because it buttoned on the opposite side from a normal man's shirt. I found it almost impossible to button that way. StuRat (talk) 16:12, 7 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
JVS Chicago
When JVS says that it's "non-sectarian" does this mean they routinely help people that aren't Jewish, or does it mean that they routinely help people regardless of Jewish denomination? - Anon —Preceding unsigned comment added by 64.24.45.75 (talk) 07:34, 7 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Probably the latter (see the unverified: Sectarian#Sectarianism within Judaism). That would be the technically correct meaning of the usage anyway. Its possible that they mean the former though, you could email them for confirmation. Rockpocket 08:15, 7 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
It may mean that the organization is independent and not under any religious authority. It's notable that the organization's mission statement says it is to help "all people in need." -- Mwalcoff (talk) 12:26, 7 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
orgasm without stimulation of the sex organs
Is it possible to achieve an orgasm without stimulation of the sex organs? Where can I read about this? Thank you. Mr Beans Backside (talk) 11:06, 7 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Ahhh - those halcyon days - or should I say nights? - of adolescent wet-dreams. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 92.1.47.101 (talk) 14:19, 7 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
I've heard many times about being hit with the 'flat' of a sword, presumably a broadsword or similar - something that inflicts pain and may break ribs etc. without actually drawing blood. Does this actually happen? (Edit: Maybe this might be better in the historical section...) Lady BlahDeBlah (talk) 12:00, 7 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Don't think anyone would want to hit or be hit with the flat of a broadsword. Have you seen their size ! Just to swing one takes a very strong, big man. To fight with one would take years of training. Other swords, yes, the side makes a good 'spanking' tool. Not used that way in battle, of course.86.216.249.168 (talk) 14:24, 7 May 2008 (UTC)dtm[reply]
There's probably (at least) two ways to look at the question: Has it ever happened, even by accident? Sure; all the time, I'd bet. In a sword fight people would probably be flailing and swinging however they could and to hell with proper form. All kinds of weird injuries could happen, etc. Now, would you do it on purpose? Probably not. In any kind of fair fight you wouldn't want the disadvantage of a very slow swing - not to mention the extremely irritated but mostly unharmed recipient now ready to "hew your head asunder", etc. In a training exercise, you probably wouldn't want to do it either - even if you do it correctly, you've probably maimed the guy, and if you slip a bit, you've, er, disarmed him with extreme prejudice. In training, you'd use a wooden sword, like a waster, which hurt well enough! Matt Deres (talk) 14:27, 7 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Blow to the head with sword hiltDid it ever happen - certainly, anytime a fighter thought it would give him an advantage. Hollywood has given us a rather incorrect view of swordplay. All that dainty waving of thin metal wands. In reality, swords were constantly redesigned to match the current theory of fighting. Some swords had basket hilts to use as brass knuckles, some had pointed pommels to use as hammers, some had crosspieces to use as ensnaring tools - while holding the blade of your own sword. During the days of armored knights, percussive hits - especially to the head - with large, heavy and possibly dull swords were important to close to grappling and stabbing range. (In later days an Englishman is recorded as lamenting the fact that young men fighting duels of honor are not kicking each other "in the cods" nearly as much since the Italian style of fencing came into vogue.) See also German school of fencing, swordmanship. Rmhermen (talk) 15:04, 7 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
ETERNAL YOUTH?
Why do some people age quicker than others?Male and female? I know a guy who is 51 this year,and he looks like about 32? Not only by my opinion,but others as well.What is he doing that other are not? I have asked him,and he says he has lots of sex!
Fluter —Preceding unsigned comment added by 170.86.15.15 (talk) 14:53, 7 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
... and a picture in the attic perhaps. -- Q Chris (talk) 15:01, 7 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
There are many factors that affect aging, which are either environmental or genetic. One major environmental factor is exposure to sunlight, which ages the skin. Another is diet. Cosmetics and cosmetic surgey can also hide the evidence of aging. StuRat (talk) 15:08, 7 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Couple mortgage refinancing questions
I'm considering refinancing my home mortgage and I've got a couple general questions:
When we got our original mortgage, we got it through an independent "mortgage broker". This seemed to be advantageous because he could compare mortgages from different banks. Is there a disadvantage to this? That is, all else being equal, do you save money by applying to a number of individual banks on your own, rather than going through an independent broker?
Are you normally able to roll the refinancing costs into the new mortgage, or do you have to come up with the cash for this?
I currently have a fixed rate mortgage and I'm certain I'll move within five years. Does it make sense to consider getting an ARM?
(I live in the US)
Thanks for you input. ike9898 (talk) 16:32, 7 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Please see Your first article.
Please do NOT include contact details in your questions. We are unable to provide answers by any off-wiki medium and this page is highly visible across the internet. The details have been removed, but if you wish for them to be permanently removed from the page history, email this address. Astronaut (talk) 00:17, 3 May 2008 (UTC)
Resolved
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