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March 2

Theresa Lopez-Fitzgerald's death

Is Theresa Lopez-Fitzgerald really dead? Ericthebrainiac (talk) 00:22, 2 March 2008 (UTC)

Not according to our article. Though, if a fictional character dies, the writers of the fiction can always bring them back to life. See ret-con. Dismas|^(talk) 03:21, 2 March 2008 (UTC)

Is this a normal mandolin technique or did I do something original?

I just got a mandolin (Suzuki M210, looks like a lute, made in 1975 apparently) and I will go to the E strings, fret the high E string, 3rd fret, while leaving the low E string open and pluck. Is this common or did I make something up? MalwareSmarts (talk) 00:43, 2 March 2008 (UTC)

Usually the answer to "did I make something (new) up?" is no. Why not? Because if you were clever enough to have actually made it up for the very first time, you'd probably know it! ;-) Suffice to say, what you did sounds pretty simple, I doubt you're the first to do it. For a guitar that's not anything special; I doubt it is for a mandolin either. --98.217.18.109 (talk) 02:12, 2 March 2008 (UTC)

Just about anything that is possible to do on a western instrument has been done some time somewhere before. See extended technique. --S.dedalus (talk) 03:10, 2 March 2008 (UTC)

Do you mean the low G string (assuming you're in standard GDAE mandolin tuning)? Plucking two Gs (one open, one fretted), isn't new. More directly, even if you did keep trying and manage to come up with a new combination of strings to play, what's the effect? It seems to me kind of like the kids' game of stringing together a bunch of obscure and unlikely words, to be able to say that you were the first person EVER to say those words in that order. jeffjon (talk) 14:52, 3 March 2008 (UTC)

A marvellous splendidly idea what. --Dweller (talk) 15:34, 3 March 2008 (UTC)

Four thirds system - mechanical adapter rings/ring mounts for adapting other lenses (for example Canon of Nikon) to four thirds cameras

Hi Wikipedia. My first question ever!

Background information: The Four Thirds system, is a lens and mount standard, developed especially for digital slrs by Olympus.

Question: On the Four Thirds page, it says this about the system, "lenses for many other SLR types can be fitted to Four Thirds cameras with simple mechanical adapter rings. (Such mechanical adapter rings typically require manual setting of focus and aperture.)"

I have looked on the internet and asked at a photography shop. I have found no evidence of this. The given fact is not citated. Is this information correct?

Chksolic (talk) 03:57, 2 March 2008 (UTC)

It seems reasonable, as the flange focal distance of the 4/3 system is a lot smaller than the others, so a simple mechanical adapter/spacer is the only thing required to get the flange distance back to the distance the lens was designed for. Other things like autofocus and the like are more problematic though. For a practical example (Nikon->Canon though), see [1]. --antilived^{T | C | G} 08:13, 2 March 2008 (UTC)

Wiki?

Where can i start my own? --Carpenter182 (talk) 04:10, 2 March 2008 (UTC)

See Wikia for one option. Though the MediaWiki software that runs Wikipedia can be run on most any server. You just have to find a host that meets the minimum requirements. Dismas|^(talk) 05:20, 2 March 2008 (UTC)

Dagger-proof coat

How is a dagger-proof coat made? Is it as questionable at stopping daggers as a bulletproof vest is at stopping bullets? NeonMerlin 04:43, 2 March 2008 (UTC)

• Well, I notice that when I try to Google it, almost every single hit belongs to The Hunting of the Snark by Lewis Carroll. Perhaps it's a fictional object? --M@rēino 06:53, 2 March 2008 (UTC)
• You may want to search for "stab-proof vest". As an aside, I recall hearing once that UK police tried using the same type of protective vest that US police use, but found them useless because they were only bulletproof, and UK police are far more likely to face knives than bullets. Bovlb (talk) 07:37, 2 March 2008 (UTC)

And one should note, of course, that its very different materials problem to be bulletproof versus stab-proof. With a knife you'd probably want to either deflect or outright stop the blade; with a bullet you distribute the force around the body. --98.217.18.109 (talk) 16:47, 2 March 2008 (UTC)

In either case you want to deflect or stop the weapon by distributing the force around the body; the point is that the two weapons, one sharp but relatively slow-moving, the other fast-moving but blunt, act differently on the vest, so different materials are needed to resist them. People have been defending themselves against knives for longer than they have against bullets, and the technology they evolved for that was the traditional suit of armor in its various forms. --Anonymous, 22:00 UTC, March 2, 2008.

You don't deflect bullets. You don't distribute the force of the dagger. It's not the same sort of thing at all. --98.217.18.109 (talk) 22:04, 2 March 2008 (UTC)

• Eh? Of course you need to distribute the force of the dagger. What else would keep it from cutting? --Anon, 04:15 UTC, March 4.

Knife proof clothing does appear to exist. [2] --S.dedalus (talk) 22:53, 2 March 2008 (UTC)

Vikings wore leather to protect them from slices, but I'm not sure how stab-proof clothes would be made. Maybe sewing iron or steel plates into some clothes? bibliomaniac15 I see no changes 22:56, 2 March 2008 (UTC)

Hardened leather could be extremely resistant to arrows, cuts and stab wounds. Other garments, such as the gambeson, relied on quilting many layers of fabric (and strengthened by the thread used in the very tight sewing). The coat of plates and the brigantine had little steel pieces sewn within the fabric (or leather) outer. While not as protective as plate armour or mail, they were all very good. Knives or swords (etc) might penetrate slightly, but the defences served to reduce the impact or pentration or deflect the weapon. Gwinva (talk) 00:52, 3 March 2008 (UTC)

Why has the Bush cabinet been unstable?

White House shakeup Do most of these changes have to do with sucking?

66.91.224.203 (talk) 09:25, 2 March 2008 (UTC)

Perhaps it's because one of the legs is wonky. I'm sure you can easily find something to prop it up with Lemon martini (talk) 16:38, 2 March 2008 (UTC)

The Bill of Rights folded and tucked under one leg should keep it from rocking. Edison (talk) 02:11, 3 March 2008 (UTC)

Well, I'm not sure it is necessarily more unstable than other presidental administrations—you'd have to check that out in more detail to make that claim. But some of the resignations have been due to scandals, lawsuits, or failures, from what I can tell, though with others it is harder to say that with much confidence, unless there are complicated internal politics that I am not privy to, which is likely. --22:01, 2 March 2008 (UTC) —Preceding unsigned comment added by 98.217.18.109 (talk)

By my count, Bush has had 33 secretaries in his cabinet compared to 29 for Clinton. Bush had one more department (Homeland Security) for most of his term. So the difference is not that great. One difference is that Bush has had only one cabinet member with him the whole time, labor secretary Elaine Chao (not including ONDCP director John P. Walters). Clinton had four secretaries with him for the duration. -- Mwalcoff (talk) 03:27, 3 March 2008 (UTC)

Unsafe conditions

Where do I find photos of unsafe conditions in factories?196.25.222.153 (talk) 11:25, 2 March 2008 (UTC)

Searching Google images for "unsafe factory" and "dangerous factory" brings up quite a few....--Shantavira|^{feed me} 16:45, 2 March 2008 (UTC)

Reference Desk

How did the reference desk get started, and what was the first ever question? The archives only goback to Jan 04 as far as I can tell but it seems to have been nearing full flow by then, judging from the time between questions. Thanks 81.96.160.6 (talk) 13:06, 2 March 2008 (UTC)

The first question was apparently asked on February 22, 2002 and the question was...drumroll...why do dogs eat other dogs' poop?. In order to find this for other pages, instead of looking at archives, go directly to the history of the source page and click "earliest" on the history navigation links.--Fuhghettaboutit (talk) 13:23, 2 March 2008 (UTC)

Ah thank you! What a classy first question. Although in the text it actually says the question was posted on Jan 11 2001, so it goes back further than you'd think, I guess. The edit history must only go back until the actual reference desk was formalised, I guess. Thank you! 81.96.160.6 (talk) 16:20, 2 March 2008 (UTC)

You're welcome.--Fuhghettaboutit (talk) 17:16, 2 March 2008 (UTC)

This has been asked on here awhile back. The page used to be called just Wikipedia help desk. The post says it was posed on Jan. 11, 2001, but I'm betting it was actually Jan. 11, 2002, per this edit and the likelihood of screwing up the date so early in the new year. Which would actually imply that some of the other questions on the page are from earlier, from potentially as early as June 2001. Anyway it's pretty clear that Sanger's dog poop post was from January 2002, not 2001, and that a desk already existed when he asked it. Dig the revision history. --98.217.18.109 (talk) 21:11, 2 March 2008 (UTC)

The oldest version I can find at the Wayback machine is from August 10 2001 [3], and the earliest questions were posted on June 26. The first appears to be: "Who was Thomas Reid and what did he have to do with the Scottish School of Common Sense?" Warofdreams talk 04:17, 3 March 2008 (UTC)

• The reference desk couldn't have had its first post on Jan. 11, 2001, because Wikipedia didn't launch until January 15 of that year. --Metropolitan90 (talk) 06:24, 3 March 2008 (UTC)

Online Colleges

I was wondering if anyone knew what some good online colleges are or if there was a reference or guide to let me know what the top online colleges are and which ones to avoid? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 67.125.159.81 (talk) 14:51, 2 March 2008 (UTC)

Did we have this question a month or two back? Julia Rossi (talk) 09:08, 3 March 2008 (UTC)

I found something from October 2006, but nothing useful there. --Ouro (blah blah) 13:08, 3 March 2008 (UTC)

Googling "online colleges ranking" gets you some sites. Julia Rossi (talk) 23:39, 4 March 2008 (UTC)

The name of Harmony (Passions)'s prison

What is the name of Harmony (Passions)'s prison on Passions? Ericthebrainiac (talk) 15:07, 2 March 2008 (UTC)

I couldn't find one exactly, only references to being in jail in Harmony on Passions. But to create your own, it would be logical (if not actual) to call it Harmony plus prison, jail, penitentiary, detention centre, correctional facility, penal institution...in the meantime – and for fun, Harmony jug, big house, slammer and so on.Julia Rossi (talk) 04:30, 4 March 2008 (UTC)

LSD forever

Is it make true that if a human tries LSD, it will always remain in body and they will not be able to find professional employment due to potential flashbacks?The Ayatollah (talk) 16:12, 2 March 2008 (UTC)

No on both cases. And if it were a barrier to professional employment then the ranks of academia would be gutted! --98.217.18.109 (talk) 16:46, 2 March 2008 (UTC)

Even if the second half were true, how would they know? I've never been asked about (let alone tested for) LSD use at any job I've ever applied for. At any rate, our article on LSD discusses the flashback issue. —Steve Summit (talk) 16:56, 2 March 2008 (UTC), edited 17:01, 2 March 2008 (UTC)

(E/C) Never had a flashback, as I'm sure many others will attest:-) Quoting our article on LSD "70 percent of LSD users claim never to have "flashed back"; ...a higher proportion of psychiatric patients report flashbacks than "normal" users... Apparently the urban legend of permanent testing has legs but it's just that, an urban legend. See [4], [5] The only place I think this may come up in a professional setting is for certain types of jobs where they really delve into your background. I was at an FBI recruitment session a few years ago, and they advised that they would be asking every person under polygraph all about their drug history. I don't remember the specifics exactly, but we were told something like "you can't have smoked marijuana in the past 5 years or more than 7 seven times ever", something similar for cocaine but more stringent and I think they said you can never have taken LSD--Fuhghettaboutit (talk) 17:14, 2 March 2008 (UTC)

Not sure if it's true, but I heard a rumour that the LSD will retain in the spine of the person indefinitely. Acceptable (talk) 19:50, 2 March 2008 (UTC)

If you'd looked at the links given above, you'd see that the rumor is not true. --98.217.18.109 (talk) 21:03, 2 March 2008 (UTC)

Make no doubt, it has the potential to really screw you up. However, I've heard more about people being fucked up for life from Meth. That is damn scary stuff. 24.76.169.85 (talk) 04:28, 3 March 2008 (UTC)

In any case, no real point in taking it. --Ouro (blah blah) 13:06, 3 March 2008 (UTC)

Submerged Cargo Pumps

At http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Mohn_AS there is a reference at submerged cargo pumps. I noticed there isn't any article about them. Can anyone please post a rticle about the usage of submerged cargo pumps, advantages/disadvantages from the non-submergable pumps and any other information? If this is not possible, can you please link a site where I can find that information? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 77.49.10.129 (talk) 19:25, 2 March 2008 (UTC)

Baking soda whiten teeth

Looking on Google, there seems to be a lot of hits that claim brushing with baking soda will whiten teeth. Is this true? If so, why does baking soda whiten teeth? Thanks. Acceptable (talk) 19:48, 2 March 2008 (UTC)

Baking soda says that it is "marketed as a whitener because of its abrasive properties in some toothpaste brands". --98.217.18.109 (talk) 21:07, 2 March 2008 (UTC)

A dental body has today in the UK announced that too much use of teeth whitener does actual harm. So be careful.86.200.7.112 (talk) 15:14, 3 March 2008 (UTC)DT

Goat and Sheep

What does goat and sheep meat taste like? What about goat milk? and please don't tell me it taste like chicken unless it actually does.... —Preceding unsigned comment added by 64.119.61.7 (talk) 22:48, 2 March 2008 (UTC)

If you've never eaten them, they're impossible to describe accurately. It's like trying to convey an accurate sense of the colour purple to someone who's never seen purple. (And no, they don't taste like chicken.) -- JackofOz (talk) 22:57, 2 March 2008 (UTC)

Well, I'll give it a go. IMO goat's milk is quite sharp and so is the cheese, light and tangy, nothing like cow's milk products. Sheep aka lamb (from french influence on English language) is more tender and sweeter than beef steak. As for goat's meat, never tried it. The Indian diner near me makes goat meat curry, but by the time I try it, my answer will be so late. Red meat is never afaik anything like white meat (as in chicken), it's got a stronger flavour and coarse texture, and kangaroo is stronger still so that the flavour's described as "gamey" which means strong tasting, slightly tougher and lean (very low fat). Hope it helps, Julia Rossi (talk) 09:04, 3 March 2008 (UTC)

• We actually have an article on lamb and mutton and a section on goat meat, although it might not help much in this case. They are both red meat, much like beef. In fact, goats, sheep, and cows are all in the bovid family, which may explain why they each taste closer to each other than they do to, say, a Suidae like a pig or a Leporid like a rabbit. --M@rēino 17:14, 3 March 2008 (UTC)

Julia, what do you mean by 'from French influence on English language'? The word 'lamb' has nothing to do with French: it is IIRC only found in West Germanic. You are perhaps thinking of 'mutton', which is from the French 'mouton'. --ColinFine (talk) 00:11, 4 March 2008 (UTC)

Ah Colin, thank you, mouton was the thought. Julia Rossi (talk) 04:33, 4 March 2008 (UTC)

March 3

Yu-Gi-Oh! Egyiptian God Cards

Hello, im a collector of Yu-Gi-Oh! cards and i am goind to be getting the so called 'Three Egyiptian God Cards' Witch are supposed to be very rare. But there seems to be very many versions of the three cards and there is only one version that is real. So, I am looking for an image of the REAL cards so i know what i'm looking for.

If anyone happens to have an image of the three cards, please link me an image.

(E-Mail removed for security purposes) —Preceding unsigned comment added by 216.209.218.156 (talk) 00:07, 3 March 2008 (UTC)

marks left on skin from clothes that are too tight

I'm use to calling these marks bed-scars or clothing-scars but using these as search terms is useless. Are there some other terms I could use to find information about marks on the skin? —Preceding unsigned comment added by Bejjinks (talk • contribs) 00:10, 3 March 2008 (UTC)

My family always called these "beens", e.g. "socks-beens" for where your socks had been. But I can't find support for this in any dictionary.--Shantavira|^{feed me} 09:37, 3 March 2008 (UTC)

Temporary pressure lines? Scars sounds permanent unlike "indentations" or grooves. Julia Rossi (talk) 10:00, 3 March 2008 (UTC)

A couple questions about Humans

Why do you humans think they a superior then any creature on this planet? (The example for this one animals don't have feelings. Many people say animals are dumb and that they aren't as smart as us. Many people say animals don't have emotions.)

Why do humans think they can destroy whatever they want without consequences? (Let's use industrialization as an example. I live near an area of open field. Its a wonderful place where animals and humans coexist. But now they are building houses in these open fields, they are building in the animals ecosystem. Pause for a moment and think about this. You live in a house you don't want someone to knock down your house to live on it. Do you? So why is okay when its an animals home?)

Why as humans do we kill for fun? (Humans hunt for a sport. Killing another creature is not a sport. We sure hate when another man kills another man, but when its an animal its okay. How does that work? How is that even possible? Heck! The murder might have been killing the other man for fun and as sport. And yet its illegal. Yes I know animal hunting is illegal, but they have those hunting parks. I don't agree with it.)

Why do humans act on controversial ways? (I'm speaking the sense of...we can kill an animal for survival because we need the meat, but animals are not allowed to kill other animals. The animals that we hate so much lions and wolves only kill farm animals because they need to survive. Is it wrong for them to want to survive?)

Thank you for who ever responds. This is a subject that I'm very passionate about. Its also a soft spot in my heart.71.142.242.233 (talk) 01:59, 3 March 2008 (UTC)Cardinal Raven

While it doesn't address all your points, on the question as to why humans often regard ourselves as the superior species on Earth, you may be interested in our article on anthropocentrism. Warofdreams talk 03:55, 3 March 2008 (UTC)

And note that there are many species which kill other species for fun and pleasure and food, and humans don't care in general if animals kill other animals unless the animals getting killed are valuable to the humans. One thing that humans excel in more than most other animals is killing their own species—most other animals fight, but not nearly as often to the death. --98.217.18.109 (talk) 04:00, 3 March 2008 (UTC)

Obviously you didn't read that closely into it. We kill animals just because they took a cow from us. That animal is only trying to survive. Do cows want to kill us just because we have to survive? No! Well their mostly defenseless. I don't see why we ban and hiss dark remarks to a creature trying to survive. What is so wrong with survival? Why is it that human race disgracing every living thing except themselves? Are we more than important in this ecosystem,this environment? Animals help us just as much as we help them. 71.142.242.233 (talk) 04:57, 3 March 2008 (UTC)Cardinal Raven

Not all people think and act in the ways you describe. If you haven't already read it you might like the book Animals in Translation by Temple Grandin. Pfly (talk) 06:15, 3 March 2008 (UTC)

Because God told us to do it in Genesis 1:28. HYENASTE 06:36, 3 March 2008 (UTC)

Don't give me religion now. I wouldn't be able to stomach that. The people I see everyday act that way. Its disgust me and it sickens me to see them think this way. And even if they don't think consciously we probably think it subconsciously.71.142.242.233 (talk) 14:23, 3 March 2008 (UTC)Cardinal Raven

We want to survive too. We don't kill cows for fun. The cows don't kill the wolves because they want to survive either. Some animals are predators and some animals are prey. We happen to be predators. I'm not sure why you hold us to such different standards as wolves: by your calculus, wolves kill in a noble fashion because they are hungry, but when humans kill for food, it's somehow barbaric. If a human tried to kill a baby wolf with its bare hands, you can be the wolves would retaliate! But anyway, my basic point is that you seem to be idealizing nature into some sort of friendly world. It's not. It's barbaric. It's red in tooth and claw. It's full of half-stupid violent creatures trying to either kill or avoid being killed by other half-stupid violent creatures. Any tenderness you see is likely a construction of your own mind. If I were a wild animal, I'd rather be in a zoo—constant environment, constant food supply, no predators. That's what most animals want. Humans have figured out how to consistently achieve that. Does that make them so wrong? Do you think the wolves would do us any better if they had evolved bigger brains and thumbs? --98.217.18.109 (talk) 14:48, 3 March 2008 (UTC)

Why do you humans think they a superior then any creature on this planet?

Because we are. We're above them on the food chain (99.9% of the time) and we have more complex Brain functions. The fact is that animals are not as smart as us or they would have found easier ways to avoid being hungry.

Why do humans think they can destroy whatever they want without consequences?

How exactly do the animals and people coexist? Do the humans live in caves with bats? I understand that the increasing lack of biodiversity is a problem but if I had to choose between homeless humans or homeless frogs and cockroaches, I'd choose the latter.

Why as humans do we kill for fun?

Because some people honestly have fun whilst killing animals for sport. However, this is becoming increasingly frowned upon in civilised society.

Why do humans act on controversial ways?

See the response from 98.217.

Zain Ebrahim (talk) 15:10, 3 March 2008 (UTC)

Humans think they are superior to any other creature on this planet because they haven't recognised any evidence from any other species that they think the same of themselves. Ergo they're top in a self-defining category of one. 86.140.244.220 (talk) 21:11, 3 March 2008 (UTC)

I'm curious as to why you begin 'Why do YOU humans'? Are you not including yourself as a member of the human race?If not which species are you? Lemon martini (talk) 23:35, 3 March 2008 (UTC)

We want to survive too. We don't kill cows for fun. The cows don't kill the wolves because they want to survive either. Some animals are predators and some animals are prey. We happen to be predators. I'm not sure why you hold us to such different standards as wolves: by your calculus, wolves kill in a noble fashion because they are hungry, but when humans kill for food, it's somehow barbaric. If a human tried to kill a baby wolf with its bare hands, you can be the wolves would retaliate! But anyway, my basic point is that you seem to be idealizing nature into some sort of friendly world. It's not. It's barbaric. It's red in tooth and claw. It's full of half-stupid violent creatures trying to either kill or avoid being killed by other half-stupid violent creatures. Any tenderness you see is likely a construction of your own mind. If I were a wild animal, I'd rather be in a zoo—constant environment, constant food supply, no predators. That's what most animals want. Humans have figured out how to consistently achieve that. Does that make them so wrong? Do you think the wolves would do us any better if they had evolved bigger brains and thumbs?

You made my words the way you wanted to perceive. Them I didn't mean to kill them for meat. I can understand we need to survive. The human race eating is not barbaric. What is barbaric is the thought that they can step all over what they want? Destroy what they want without any consequence. In know way did I even imply that so I don't see why you did. Animals weren't meant to be caged up. I'm sorry if I were an animal I rather be able to walk were I have walked for a thousand years. Yes it does make them wrong. I'm sorry would you want to be in cage and viewed at as some show. I don't think so. Wolves are intelligent creatures just as much as we are because they have learned to survive. By the way animals aren't dumb.

How exactly do the animals and people coexist? Do the humans live in caves with bats? I answered that. I live in a open field. That means its open. Animals have their houses and we have our houses. That is coexisting in itself. I no way did I say I wanted people to be homeless. We lived caves in ancestral times with bats and other animals. We had to learn to adapt and consequently coexist. Our ancestors weren't homeless just because they lived in caves.

I'm curious as to why you begin 'Why do YOU humans'? Are you not including yourself as a member of the human race?If not which species are you?

Because I can. I didn't say I wasn't including myself, but I like to look at the world a little differently. I like to look at the world and its problems like if looking at a snow globe. I've already looked at the problem internally thats where I am living, but sometimes you need to step out of the globe to understand more.71.142.242.233 (talk) 04:38, 4 March 2008 (UTC)Cardinal Raven

Contact lens

Is there any particular way of disposing of contact lens? You can just toss them in the trash, can't you? I'm a bit new to wearing them.--The Ninth Bright Shiner 02:20, 3 March 2008 (UTC)

Yep. Into the trash they go. Dismas|^(talk) 02:46, 3 March 2008 (UTC)

The recycling part of the trash, of course. -- JackofOz (talk) 03:12, 3 March 2008 (UTC)

Really? They wouldn't harden and become un-recyclable or something like that?--The Ninth Bright Shiner 03:25, 3 March 2008 (UTC)

I'm no expert (I wear spectacles, not contacts), but I very much doubt it. There are lots of very hard things (glass, metal, some plastics) that are recyclable. -- JackofOz (talk) 03:32, 3 March 2008 (UTC)

In order for it to be recycled, it would have to be found in the recycling bin. Is putting the lens into a plastic bag your solution to this? If so, how do you know they're the same type of plastic? I thought that only similar plastics could be recycled together. Dismas|^(talk) 03:48, 3 March 2008 (UTC)

I think it depends where you live. In some places, only certain things are accepted, and you have to separate the glass from the plastic from the metal from the paper, etc. In other places, everything recyclable just goes into the one recycling bin, and people are urged to err on the side of recycling if they're in any doubt as to an item's recyclability. -- JackofOz (talk) 04:24, 3 March 2008 (UTC)

How rare is plastic now that we are having to recycle a tiny contact lens? HYENASTE 06:31, 3 March 2008 (UTC)

Well, afaik nobody has to recycle anything if they don't want to. I was simply making the point that if one has the opportunity to dispose of an item in the recycling bin as opposed to the general rubbish bin (and not everyone has that opportunity), one might choose the latter. Some people might say: "For something that small, it makes no difference and it's not worth the bother to even think about it". Others might say: "It's a question of principle, not quantity. Every sperm is sacred; and although I might prefer not to make individual atoms my personal friends, without them there would be no universe, and then where would we be?". -- JackofOz (talk) 07:37, 3 March 2008 (UTC)

Have you watched Penn & Teller's Bullshit? They said recycling is bullshit. Just wanted to let you know.71.142.242.233 (talk) 04:53, 3 March 2008 (UTC)Cardinal Raven

They're entitled to their opinion. -- JackofOz (talk) 07:37, 3 March 2008 (UTC)

Footage of a recycling plant really opened my eyes (mmm) in that there were machines that selected out different plastics, paper, metals etc. Shoop. Just like that. It explains why everything goes into one recycling bin out my way. Julia Rossi (talk) 08:43, 3 March 2008 (UTC)

I'd like to see a machine select out a dried up old contact lens :-) --Richardrj ^{talk email} 08:45, 3 March 2008 (UTC)

Me too. Hey Mick! Got a coupla skeptics here – bring out that contact lens plucker! ; ) Julia Rossi (talk) 22:27, 3 March 2008 (UTC)

Hmm...quite an...enlightening set of answers. Alrighty, thanks for the help!--The Ninth Bright Shiner 23:10, 3 March 2008 (UTC)

What tiny fraction of a gram do a pair of contacts weigh, and how does that compare to anything else made of plastic, such as a bottle that water is sold in? They would be a negligible fraction of the waste stream. Edison (talk) 03:18, 4 March 2008 (UTC)

There does seem to be a selection process for different plastics. Perhaps asking at a pharmacy will get some answers on what people are doing with plastics of that size. I don't think size would be a problem (if you had quantity) since years ago I believe, the Body Shop and pharmacies were encouraging people to return their plastic pill containers etc for recycling. Julia Rossi (talk) 03:38, 4 March 2008 (UTC)

Let me get this straight. Are you good folks telling me that putting small plastic/glass/metal items into the recycling bin is not only a waste of time but also a waste of money? That seems to be the drift; because if the recycling plant can cope only with specific items for which they have a tailor-made machine, what happens to the rest of it? The plant would have to have some way of collecting it all and somehow, somewhere, disposing of it, and that costs money that could have been avoided if those things had never been put into the recycling in the first place. Why don't local authorities tell people that their efforts to be good recyclers are not only in vain when it comes to small items, but are also ultimately costing them money? I have never seen any warnings remotely to this effect. -- JackofOz (talk) 05:35, 4 March 2008 (UTC)

I don't read the answers that way. BTW, "It has been estimated that 125 million people use contact lenses worldwide,"[6] so Ninth Bright Shiner may have found a niche in the recycling business. Julia Rossi (talk) 06:07, 4 March 2008 (UTC)

To respond to a couple of Jack's questions, I'll add my local town's recycling rules (with my emphasis added):

• • Recycling is mandatory in ***. Place only the following clean items in the recycling bin:
• Cardboard Boxes (cut to fit bin), cereal boxes, pop can cases (NO PIZZA BOXES).
• Office Paper - bundle with string or place in brown paper bag to prevent from blowing around.
• Household Batteries (NO CAR BATTERIES) placed in small clear plastic bag.
• Newspaper and everything that comes with the newspaper must be bundled with string or placed in brown bag to prevent from blowing around.
• Plastic Bottles (1 or 2 on bottom) discard lids.
• Glass Bottles/Jars (clear, brown and green) discard lids.
• Phone Books/Magazines/Catalogs - bundled with string.
• Aluminum & Tin Cans.
• Empty Aerosol Cans - discard lids.
  • We do not recycle: drinking glasses, anti-freeze or oil containers, plastic bags, shredded paper, and lighter fluid containers. If an item is left in your bin, it is probably because it is not recyclable. Rmhermen (talk) 15:13, 5 March 2008 (UTC)

earth's circumference

Who first measured the earth's circumference at the equator? I believe there is a national forest named after him. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Joeschmoe219 (talk • contribs) 06:08, 3 March 2008 (UTC)

Eratosthenes? Pfly (talk) 06:17, 3 March 2008 (UTC)

Then the national forest is either on the seafloor or the moon. HYENASTE 06:28, 3 March 2008 (UTC)

Eratosthenes was the first to compute the Earth's circumference, but it was the polar circumference, not equatorial. At the time nobody had any idea that ther was a difference anyway. Wikipedia's articles on Figure of the Earth and Equatorial bulge don't say when it was realized that there was. But Isaac Asimov's book Asimov's New Guide to Science says this:

A pendulum that swings perfect seconds at sea level, for instance, will take slightly longer than 1 second to complete a swing on a mountain top, where gravity is slightly weaker because the mountain top is farther from the center of the earth.

In 1673, a French expedition to the north coast of South America (near the Equator) found that, at that location, the pendulum was slowed even at sea level. Newton later took this finding as evidence for the existence of the equatorial bulge, which would lift the camp farther from the earth's center, and weaken the force of gravity. After the expedition to Peru and Lapland had proved his theory, a member of the Lapland expedition, the French mathematician Alexis Claude Clairault, worked out methods of calculating the oblateness of the earth from pendulum swings.

So Clairault's work would have been at least an important step in the calculation of the equatorial circumference. Whether anything is named after him, I have no idea. --Anonymous, 23:10 UTC, March 3, 2008.

Tim Cahill (3)

What town was Tim Cahill born in? Also I already know that he was born in Sydney Australia. I just want to know the town or hospital? 220.233.83.26 (talk) 07:10, 3 March 2008 (UTC)

Sydney is the town, since he was a child in the suburb of Balmain, Balmain? Balmain has a general hospital not afaik a "maternity hospital", but there will be some in the inner west and city suburbs you could check on. Why do you want the birth hospital? It seems a bit personal... Julia Rossi (talk) 03:52, 4 March 2008 (UTC)

free twins tickets

hey, I heard that if you go to Target in Minneapolis sometime in March they give you free tickets to the opening series. DOes anyone know what day and which store that they do this at? Thanks —Preceding unsigned comment added by 128.101.53.141 (talk) 07:18, 3 March 2008 (UTC)

Call or go to website of Target HQ re opening series free tickets promotion? Julia Rossi (talk) 08:39, 3 March 2008 (UTC)

Question related to research methodology

This is a question asked in a University examination in the area Research Methodology. Q. Four cells correct is used in: a, Survey b, Experiments c, Historical d, Case Study method The student is supposed to choose the correct answer from the four possible ones. I can't make head or tail out of this question. Can somebody help me? Thanks in advance. --59.165.190.49 (talk) 08:13, 3 March 2008 (UTC)

This article on statistical power, survey and research only mentions cells in the context of tables of results, I don't even understand the grammar of the question you were given, so that is all I can think of. That is, unless this is a biology experiment and they mean cell (biology) SGGH ^speak! 11:52, 3 March 2008 (UTC)

Below the carpet

Hi all.

If I was to peel my carpet off the floor in an average (middleclass suburban australian) house, what would i find underneath the carpet? Names would be nice, and links with examples (especially pictures) would be nicer. Thanks in advance!220.237.146.20 (talk) 10:34, 3 March 2008 (UTC)

I'd guess underlay and concrete, on the ground floor, maybe MDF as floorboards on the 1st floor. If you mean what animals... well, most likely mice and things like that. The occasional blue tit has been known to get under the floors in my house. -mattbuck (Talk) 11:07, 3 March 2008 (UTC)

Underlay is what I was looking for ( I think). And no, I'm not asking what animals insects etc. are under the carpet. Thanks!220.237.146.20 (talk) 11:16, 3 March 2008 (UTC)

Also likely to find a tack strip. Huh. We don't have an article on that. It's a strip of wood, attached to the concrete or whatever subflooring you have, with tacks pointing up. The tacks attach to the underside of the carpet and hold it in place. Carpet installers will attach the carpet to the tack strip then stretch the carpet as tight as they can get it, then attach to another tack strip on the other side of the room, or somewhere in the middle depending on the configuration, so that the carpet remains taut instead of bunching up over the years. Corvus cornix_talk 19:54, 3 March 2008 (UTC)

And now there is an article. HYENASTE 01:10, 5 March 2008 (UTC)

Average middle class suburban Aussie house?Couple of beer bottles,a few corpses lying about,the odd ball and chain and a dingo or two for evening pleasures... ;) Lemon martini (talk) 23:37, 3 March 2008 (UTC)

Geez mate, I've been getting those things from down the back of the couch – with the speedos! Julia Rossi (talk) 06:12, 4 March 2008 (UTC)

Very dissappointed with the pictures on the speedos page... Gertie100 (talk) 12:10, 5 March 2008 (UTC)

Banker's Lamp

Why are banker's lamps green? And where did the banker's lamp originate? Does anyone know the history of it? It's not particularly important to me, but it's something that I found curious.

If anyone knows... let me know. Thanks in advance.

jdstroy (talk) 14:36, 3 March 2008 (UTC)

Note: If this question is in the wrong category (I doubt it), please feel free to move it. If it's moved, please notify me via Talk:jdstroy. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Jdstroy (talk • contribs) 14:38, 3 March 2008 (UTC)

Coincidentally, we've just had a similar question at Wikipedia:Reference_desk/Language#Green_eye-shaded. I would guess bankers' lamps are green for the same reason as Green eyeshades: to protect from the harshness of early incandescent lamps. AlmostReadytoFly (talk) 15:30, 3 March 2008 (UTC)

Thanks for the info. Sounds reasonable, and I think that'll quell my curiosity. jdstroy (talk) 01:28, 11 March 2008 (UTC)

Designing a rugby shirt for wikipedia

In articles referring to rugby teams there is usually a shirt design showing the colours etc of the team. I have copied the code for the appropriate design from another page onto the suttonians rfc page but need to tweak the colours to get them accurate. i can do this for the shorts and socks but not the shirt stripes. where can i learn how to do this?

thanks

Robert —Preceding unsigned comment added by 86.42.105.201 (talk) 16:32, 3 March 2008 (UTC)

The documentation is at Template talk:Football kit. — Matt Eason ^{(Talk • Contribs)} 19:12, 3 March 2008 (UTC)

content file

I created a new page and would like to create a Content (hide/show) for this. Please let me know how to do it. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 66.201.45.50 (talk) 19:15, 3 March 2008 (UTC)

The Contents box is generated automatically if a page has four or more sections (ie has four or more == Headlines ==) — Matt Eason ^{(Talk • Contribs)} 20:00, 3 March 2008 (UTC)

If you want to force one to appear, add __TOC__ where you want it. --98.217.18.109 (talk) 01:01, 4 March 2008 (UTC)

What is there to do in Southern California?

I have an opportunity to visit the LA-San Diego area in late March and I am brining my wife and three kids with me for a little bit of a holiday. My question is what should I do while I am there? I am familiar with Disney and the SD Zoo - but what else should I try to take in? We are pretty much open to just about anything and I am targeting my questions to residents of the area. What advice would you give your relatives or friends who were visiting the area for a week? What is the weather normally like at this time of year? Does anyone go to the beach - or is it just too cold? I know that that hockey will still have some regular season games left - but is there other sporting venues we could catch? What about concert information? Traveling to TJ and things like that?Thanks142.68.218.238 (talk) 19:50, 3 March 2008 (UTC)corpen from Nova Scotia

My personal favorite is the San Diego Wild Animal Park, which is a separate area from the zoo, not in the city limits of San Diego. There's also Seaworld. Corvus cornix_talk 19:56, 3 March 2008 (UTC)

We are Scottish and visited San Diego last year and can't wait to go back. There is so much to do - and we didn't want to drive so we used the Red Trolley Service to go EVERYWHERE. Public transport is so CHEAP and convenient. Food is so varied and international and CHEAP. There's the Zoo, Seaworld, Balboa Park, Bay Cruises, Tijuana (Mexico) (on the Red Trolley), Old Town, Mission Beach (we swam in January), hire a cycle and spend a day exploring the man made lakes around the Bahia Resort. Go to Fashion Valley. Also take a wine tasting trip from your hotel to Temeculah - wonderful - especially on market-day. Take the kids to the fairground at the beach and see the street performers, skaters, dancers, jugglers, kite-flyers etc. Eat great sea food and chowder very cheaply along the water front. Visit the now retired Aircraft Carrier MIDWAY that is staffed by ex-crew members from Ratings to Admirals - they make it a truly memorable trip. Oh I could go on and on. Oh - and don't forget to go to the Spreckell's open-air Organ pavilion in Balboa Park on Sunday afternoons to take in a great concert with a "British" San Diego City Organist playing wonderful music whilst accompanying a guest opera singer or suchlike (the Star Spangled Banner was truly and deeply moving). But don't take my word for it. Visit the Wikipedia article on San Diego and also vist the San Diego Tourist Website. They are so full of information. We went for 2 weeks last year but next year we are going for 3 weeks - and I also got to practice my Spanish Spanish which the Mexican waiters etc. thought was wonderful as to them it sounded "proper and well articulated" instead of what they called "their slang version of the language". They even rewarded my wife and I with powerful free shots of Tequila for speaking with them in their language instead of English. Go - enjoy - you might see me there. 81.145.242.139 (talk) 20:33, 3 March 2008 (UTC)

I agree with all of that and would add Legoland California (depending on age). Also, it is warm enough to visit the beaches now, and surfing seems to be popular with kids. Bovlb (talk) 22:53, 3 March 2008 (UTC)

I recommend going mountain biking in the Santa Monica Mountains. Whether you can talk your wife and kids into it, you'd know better than I. But it's amazingly beautiful. Bicycle rentals are hard to find, unfortunately; last time I did it was on a piece of crap rented from an outfit on the pier, intended to be used on the (flat) bike paths along the ocean, but I and a friend managed to ride them up fire roads to Old Mulholland anyway. There are also some fantastic hiking trails. --Trovatore (talk) 00:01, 4 March 2008 (UTC)

Don't forget Magic Mountain up here in Santa Clarita! bibliomaniac15 I see no changes 00:03, 4 March 2008 (UTC)

I would note that in my opinion, Tijuana is more than a little touristy, depressing, and poor. If you keep going south about an hour, though, you can end up in Ensenada, which is really quite wonderful—fish tacos and Bloody Mary's on the waterfront, cheap lobster and margaritas for dinner. It has been a long time since I was last there, I regret to say, but I have very favorable memories, really quite a nice place to hang around, with about a quarter as many tourists as you'll run into in TJ or Rosarito Beach, but still touristy enough to feel safe and secure. As in all of Mexico, don't drink the water. --98.217.18.109 (talk) 01:07, 4 March 2008 (UTC)

There is no eñe in Ensenada. This sort of spurious diacritic -- a kind of hypercorrection -- stands out like a sore thumb and should be strenuously avoided. Other annoying examples are latté and Habañero, neither of which has a diacritic when correctly written (in either the source language or English). --Trovatore (talk) 01:12, 4 March 2008 (UTC)

Ah, I see you fixed it yourself. --Trovatore (talk) 01:17, 4 March 2008 (UTC)

And if I hadn't, who cares? It's not exactly a spelling bee on here. --98.217.18.109 (talk) 14:18, 4 March 2008 (UTC)

I would also recommend the USS Midway (which is really interesting, though very young kids may get bored). You could catch the San Diego Padres at PETCO Park (which is a nice new stadium right downtown) if you are here right to the end of the month. The coastal towns north of the city are really nice, especially La Jolla (where you can see seals at Children's Pool Beach, visit the Birch Aquarium, kayak into the caves at La Jolla Cove or try paragliding off the Torrey Pines cliffs) and Del Mar. A short drive into the Mountains is Julian, California, which is famous for its incredible apple pies and historic main street, and you could even take a day trip out to the Joshua Tree National Park or Mount Laguna. In addition to the SoCal theme parks, kids seem to enjoy trips to Balboa Park, especially the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center. The Mission Beach boardwalk and Belmont Park is nice on a sunny day. Also, take you kids to the Corvette Diner.

Personally, I would give Tijuana a miss, its a pretty depressing place. Go to Ensenada or if you really wanted to visit Mexico. However, there has been a lot of drug related violence in Northern Baja recently, so many locals have been avoiding heading over the border completely. You can always cheat and visit Old Town for a (semi)-authentic Mexican experience without the prostitutes, beggars and street thieves.

Weather wise, it will probably be warm and sunny (it almost always is). You should certainly be able to visit the beach, though the water will be chilly still, so you would probably want to use a suit of you were planning on surfing. I have spent the last few years taking visiting family and friends around San Diego, so feel free to drop me a line on my talk page if you have any specific questions. Rockpocket 02:33, 4 March 2008 (UTC)

I would highly recommend taking in some oddball alternative theater at the Steve Allen Theater at the Center For Inquiry-West. Tickets are always pretty cheap and the stuff they showcase is truly unique. Cartoon Dump has its live iteration there, for example, and it's lots of fun. A very small, intimate venue. Almost literally a hole in the wall. Plenty else to check out, as well.

Edit: Oh, drats, kids. May not be the best course of action, then, but I will still recommend that place to anyone and everyone! Poechalkdust (talk) 20:16, 5 March 2008 (UTC)

Animal

Does anybody know what is the single most poisonous animal species on earth? Is it the Golden Arrow Frog, the Fierce Snake, or the Black Widow or whatever...? By the way, I mean by number of humans they kill per contact.Jwking (talk) 20:03, 3 March 2008 (UTC)

The Black Mamba injects a large amount of venom per bite, is highly aggressive, and reputed to be the fastest moving snake in the world. Fatality rate is 100% if untreated. Beware of the Democratic Republic of Congo, that's where it lives. Vranak (talk) 21:35, 3 March 2008 (UTC)

My money would tend to sit with the Golden Poison Frog. Black mambas are more likely to kill you, but that has more to do with injecting you with so much venom than the efficacy of their venom. If you want to open the doors a bit, the most poisonous critter is probably Clostridium botulinum, maker of the ultra-powerful Botulinum toxin, but it's a bacterium, not an animal. Matt Deres (talk) 21:44, 3 March 2008 (UTC)

This site[7] suggests a top eight numbered 8 to 1 inthis order, the box jellyfish, Marbled Cone snail, Blue-ringed octopus, Death stalker scorpion, stonefish, Sydney funnel-web spider (urban Australia), Inland Taipan (outback Australia), and the Golden Poison Frog. Their money is on the frog as against the taipan whose venom in one bite can kill 100 people. Julia Rossi (talk) 22:47, 3 March 2008 (UTC)

Aha! I have just spotted that this is a trick question! The above species are all highly venomous, but one of the world's most poisonous animals is the dreaded fugu, a pufferfish so poisonous that the Japanese government has special restrictions on who is allowed to handle them. The poison contained in these fish is hypothesised by ethnobotanist Wade Davis to be one of the explanations for Haitian zombies. PS forgot my sig BrainyBabe (talk) 11:47, 9 March 2008 (UTC)

Congestion Charge's impact on car sales

Anyone know where I can find statistics on car sales, before and after London's congestion charge was introduced? Thanks in advance Stebu2007 (talk) 21:12, 3 March 2008 (UTC)

Try our article on the London congestion charge? Or ask on its talk pages?

The article has nothing on car sales impact.. and I didn't want to cross post between pages. I will ask there though... in the mean time has nobody got any information? Stebu2007 (talk) 16:58, 5 March 2008 (UTC)

While you are looking, would the same statistics tell you of any increases in moped, motorcycle, or bicycle sales? Or licenses for the first two? Might be an interesting comparison. Also, think laterally -- not just show-room sales of new cars, but second-hand bangers via Loot etc. BrainyBabe (talk) 11:47, 9 March 2008 (UTC)

Double cyclones

I saw yesterday on tv, the videos of two tubes above the water. I'm not quite sure but it seemed to be just off the Buenos Aires harbour. Since I can only find ref for two cyclones in 20 years I'm wondering if this was actually happening live on TV. I couldn't find any reference online. Anyone? 200.127.59.151 (talk) 22:43, 3 March 2008 (UTC)

Do you mean a multiple vortex tornado?--Shantavira|^{feed me} 11:02, 8 March 2008 (UTC)

Most painful area to get shot

Obviously this is discretionary, but generally speaking, where on the human body would be the most painful spot to take a bullet? Acceptable (talk) 22:47, 3 March 2008 (UTC)

My very uneducated speculation is that it depends, because getting shot is sufficiently traumatic that huge amounts of natural painkillers are usually released (thereby allowing them to escape from the situation in which people are shooting them). So the efficacy of that would vary from person to person and situation to situation, but I'm guessing that less critically important body parts would probably hurt more because they're easier to survive. Places with a lot of nerve endings in particular seem like they would hurt a lot, but it'd be pretty hard to get shot in the fingertip and still have any of its nerves still attached to your body, so I don't know. And I don't want to think too hard about getting shot in the genitals. It's probably safe to assume that getting shot is too excruciating to fully understand no matter where it is. --Masamage ♫ 22:59, 3 March 2008 (UTC)

Please folks WP:BEANS The human body is not designed to be filled with holes in various parts to see which one hurts most...and you know there'll be one out there who just HAS to try it Lemon martini (talk) 23:38, 3 March 2008 (UTC)

That reaction seems...unlikely. --Masamage ♫ 23:44, 3 March 2008 (UTC)

According to Ed Sizemore, a firearms specialist at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, "the most painful place to be shot would be in your pelvis. The nerve bundle located there would quickly and efficiently distribute pain throughout your body." [8] This seems consistent with the popular theory that being shot in the gut is pretty nasty too. Rockpocket 23:55, 3 March 2008 (UTC)

Gut as in the stomach? If one's gastric juices leaks out, how effective will it at dissolving the other internal organs? Acceptable (talk) 00:11, 4 March 2008 (UTC)

More the area of the intestines, really, which are located within the pelvis. No idea about the hydrochloric acid. --Masamage ♫ 01:59, 4 March 2008 (UTC)

The likliness that your stomach acid will chemically "melt" your internal organs is pretty low. Note, it takes three to four hours for the stomach to break down a meal. By this time, the acid would become too dilute when mixed with the bodily fluids in the abdominal cavity. Nor would there be a terribly large amount of fluid in the stomach in the first place (in all likelyhood). It is more likely that the objects that were in the stomach for invade the abdominal cavity and cause an internal invection or the influx of fluid in the cavity would cause some of the organs and muscles within the cavity to malfuntion (as a result of the suddenly acidic enviroment of the abdomen). Nonetheless, medical attention would be neccessary, though the truth of this may not be so horrific as your organs melting, but probably quite painful!--Porsche997SBS (talk) 04:08, 6 March 2008 (UTC)

I've heard stomach and also kneecap. Vranak (talk) 00:20, 4 March 2008 (UTC)

I'm wondering how people can compare pain between being shot in one area or another. Performance artist Chris Burden explored what it felt like to be shot (in the arm) and reportedly said he way underestimated the amount of pain involved. Since a life-threatening level of pain is the body's warning signal and being shot is one of the big ones, maybe one area is not so much worse than another, maybe it's to do with the size of the area affected along with the type of bullet. Only the black knight could be so staunch. Julia Rossi (talk) 06:38, 4 March 2008 (UTC)

My bet is the crotch. --Ouro (blah blah) 10:48, 4 March 2008 (UTC)

March 4

Funeral flowers (Germany).

I have to attend a funeral tomorrow; the family that's now one person short is German, and I think I remember reading that they have different symbolisms for flowers than us. What (if any) flowers would it be appropriate for me to take, according to the German tradition? Or should I stick with poppies/lilies? Thanks in advance. · AndonicO ^Hail! 01:47, 4 March 2008 (UTC)

Just to clarify for future answerers, when you say 'German' do you mean 'people with German nationality living in Germany' or do you mean that American thing where it's people whose ancestors were German? I would imagine this affects the answers quite a bit. Skittle (talk) 03:01, 4 March 2008 (UTC)

If the first, it might carry over to the second, so here's "Germany – Incorporating small decorations is always appreciated. The little pig and chimney sweep figurines signify good luck. Wreaths with ribbons are the most common tribute to the service, arrangements are sent to the family's home." here[9] and somewhere on google it mentioned white flowers for funerals in Germany but not as a dinner guest. Julia Rossi (talk) 07:19, 4 March 2008 (UTC)

I've never seen a small pig or chimney sweep figurines, and wreaths are hard to find here, so I think I'll go with the white flowers. Thanks Julia. · AndonicO ^Hail! 13:07, 4 March 2008 (UTC)

You're welcome! Julia Rossi (talk) 22:48, 4 March 2008 (UTC)

Piglets and chimney sweeps are good luck charms for New Years Eve / Day and clearly not meant for funerals.

As you (and presumably the family of Germanic descent) are living in Florida or in some other state of the US you should stick to what your local florists can provide. In any case, time does not permit you to locate an artisan who may have the knowledge and materials to provide you with a German style wreath.

The specific traditions would also depend highly on the area of their origin. In Hamburg, Lower Saxony an interment is conducted quite differently from a funeral in an Alpine village in Bavaria.

In any case. it seems less important that the symbols fit the ethnicity of the mourning family than that they feel supported by their local community. --Cookatoo.ergo.ZooM (talk) 20:22, 4 March 2008 (UTC)

lichtenstein is growing very fast

It's a rich country but also one of the fastest growing economies, expanding at a neck breaking 10%+. WTF is going on? 128.54.77.37 (talk) 04:49, 4 March 2008 (UTC)

When a country's population is low (like Lichtenstein's) it's easier to grow at a faster rate, at least percentage-wise. Same with the economy, it's small, so when it does grow, it is a higher percentage growth rate than it would be for a larger country with a bigger economy. Useight (talk) 06:32, 4 March 2008 (UTC)

And also it is a country with a tax efficient economy. That is, one of the ways some small countries fund themselves is by using their size and relative flexibility, to provide a favorable tax climate, to attract people to domicile there. FT2 ^{(Talk | email)} 04:52, 5 March 2008 (UTC)

this country is growing due to a bet, from a Heath ledger movie about what would happen if the name of a small country was used in one of his movies.......

The Mark Of The Beast 666

On this subject, no mention or credit is given to the Dead Sea Scrolls which are presently(to my knowledge)the oldest known complete Biblical Texts (30 to 50 A.D. approximately). These Scrolls predate any other known complete Biblical (Bible) Text(s. Various notable scholars have confirmed the contents of these scrolls to be complete and accurate (within 97%) when compared to the other known early complete Bible reference Text(s.

Ironically enough, the other 3% represents the missing Dead Sea Scroll segment pieces that have not been found or have not been able to be translated as well as the odd Scripture that has been omitted in certain early complete Bibles such as the story about Ruth.

My question is quite simple - what is the Beast's number written in the Dead Sea Scrolls. Is it 666 or 616?. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 64.230.28.239 (talk) 05:16, 4 March 2008 (UTC)

Well put. Have you seen our article, Mark of the Beast? Each variant is discussed early in the piece. Julia Rossi (talk) 06:20, 4 March 2008 (UTC)

The Dead Sea Scrolls contain primarily texts from the Hebrew Bible and other Jewish and particularly Essene writings. The Mark of the Beast was first mentioned in the New Testament Book of Revelation. New Testament manuscripts among the Dead Sea Scrolls were rare at best. One fragment found there, 7Q5, has been claimed to be the oldest known fragment of the New Testament, but it is so small that it only contains a few (mostly partial) words on a single scrap of papyrus. So the Dead Sea Scrolls probably do not address the Number of the Beast. --Metropolitan90 (talk) 10:06, 4 March 2008 (UTC)

Particularly with the commonly accepted date of Revelation (ca 95 AD) being well after the newest scrolls among the Dead Sea collection (ca 50 AD), there's no point of commonality between them. The DSS not only do not but cannot reference the number of the beast. — Lomn 22:03, 4 March 2008 (UTC)

Hi Hi!

Hi! Hi! I'm about to kill myself(not literally). I have seborrheic dermatitis on the back my head. It feels dry and I've been using my special shampoo. But its so damn itchy. Its frustrating thats why I said I was going to kill myself. Why does it itch? I just wanted to know. It itches like freak. Thank you very much. Rem Nightfall (talk) 06:06, 4 March 2008 (UTC)Rem Nightfall

See your doctor, no, really – our article is Seborrhoeic dermatitis though it may be incomplete for you. Julia Rossi (talk) 06:17, 4 March 2008 (UTC)

The articles doesn't tell you much. I've seen my doctor all ready. I just wanted to know what caused the itching? I always found it interesting to learn about my own conditions. Can seborrheic dermatitis become resistant to the type of shampoo you are using?Rem Nightfall (talk) 06:25, 4 March 2008 (UTC)Rem Nightfall

(Medical advice reverted.) --S.dedalus (talk) 06:46, 4 March 2008 (UTC)

It says in the article that the cause of seborrhoeic dermatitis remains unknown. However, it has been suggested that the condition is caused by Malassezia or possibly by genetic, environmental, hormonal, and immune-system factors. --S.dedalus (talk) 06:50, 4 March 2008 (UTC)

Pleez pleez Sdedalus let me say this: Like that cute little chipmunk in the next articles. Did you ask your doctor that question? I take it you know what's causing it and you just want to know about the mechanism of itching and scratching. Meanwhile, there's the article Contact dermatitis under medical care if you get bored with the sensation and want it fixed. Hint: allergens and irritants cause inflammation and that affects the nerves in the area. On many pharmaceutical products they say if it isn't working, "discontinue use". Any more than that and I'm busted per the instruction box at the top of this page against giving medical advice. Julia Rossi (talk) 06:52, 4 March 2008 (UTC)

Let me tell you of my experience. I suffered from this all my life, ever since puberty (too many years ago to reveal). I was the greatest head scratcher in history, and my shoulders were often covered in snow. I tried all the creams, lotions and shampoos known to mankind. Nothing ever worked completely. If it seemed to clear up for a little while, it always came back. Then last year I spent a month in Sri Lanka, where because of the climate the private homes don't generally have hot water in the showers, only cold. I don't care for cold showers, even on the hottest days, but I had no choice. My scalp improved immediately and the flaking and itching just stopped dead. I haven't seen snow for over 6 months. I've attributed the problem to the water I always showered under being far too hot, which irritated my scalp. Since coming home, I've resumed having warm showers, but the dermatitis hasn't returned. I also now wash my head with Sri Lankan coconut oil, which is the traditional remedy over there for any scalp problems; it leaves my scalp and my hair smelling naturally great as well. Once a week is more than enough. I can't give medical advice and so I can't claim this would work for you. -- JackofOz (talk) 09:18, 4 March 2008 (UTC)

Thank goodness Steve Baker is not around anymore, the last time I gave "medical advice" like the above I was shot down for being a charlatan, a troll and a promoter, as well as words that I cannot reproduce here. Sandman30s (talk) 14:40, 4 March 2008 (UTC)

Is Steve Baker dead??? He never told me.81.145.242.85 (talk) 18:12, 4 March 2008 (UTC)

lightning safety

what do i do in a lightning storm to reduce the risk of being hit because i am doing a school project on this topic —Preceding unsigned comment added by 58.107.32.134 (talk) 06:56, 4 March 2008 (UTC)

Have we got an article for you! Lightning safety – enjoy! Julia Rossi (talk) 07:03, 4 March 2008 (UTC)

And there's a nice link to a suitable site – hope it helps your project. By the way, staying in a car (all metal) is usually recommended because of the rubber tyres though they don't mention that bit. Rubber is good. Julia Rossi (talk) 07:07, 4 March 2008 (UTC)

Actually the rubber tyres don't help at all; a voltage which can jump the distance from a cloud to your car will have no trouble at all jumping the few inches from your car to the ground. The car is a safe place because it's a Faraday cage. FiggyBee (talk) 07:39, 4 March 2008 (UTC)

Does that mean a car could have no rubber tyres and still be a faraday cage? And all this time I thought they were a form of insulation. Which raises my next query, are there records of cars being struck by lightning? Julia Rossi (talk) 07:50, 4 March 2008 (UTC)

It would work without tyres, I believe, and it certainly does happen; a google search will turn up plenty. Also the article mentions that they tried it out on Top Gear, you can probably find a youtube of the segment. FiggyBee (talk) 08:11, 4 March 2008 (UTC)

I love having my misconceptions busted, thanks FiggyBee. : ) Julia Rossi (talk) 10:09, 4 March 2008 (UTC)

Oh, and while staying in the car is a good idea, getting into the car, not so much. By touching the car with your feet on the ground you can create a low-resistance pathway which actually increases your chances of getting struck. FiggyBee (talk) 12:57, 4 March 2008 (UTC)

I've had my car struck by lightning while I was inside it multiple times, and it truly is safe. Just don't hold the key while it's in the ignition or touch any metal part of the car. 206.252.74.48 (talk) 13:40, 4 March 2008 (UTC)

I wonder how long this thread will last before someone deletes it for supposedly proffering medical advice? --Richardrj ^{talk email} 14:40, 4 March 2008 (UTC)

This is more along the lines of safety advice. Also, it is a school project. I should have done such a project way back when - the death of a student by lightning happened at my school which prompted the entire state of Illinois to construct many lightning detection systems. 206.252.74.48 (talk) 16:28, 4 March 2008 (UTC)

A car, if made of metal, is a sort of Faraday Cage, but I have read of a person inside a car being killed when the car was struck by lightning. Edison (talk) 16:38, 4 March 2008 (UTC)

Maybe they touched the rearview or had a flat tyre? Just kidding. Julia Rossi (talk) 22:57, 4 March 2008 (UTC)

It can be dangerous to touch metal parts connected to the outside (gear levers, doorhandles, ignition etc). Also the car won't be an effective cage if you're not completely enclosed in metal, so convertibles or fiberglass vehicles won't offer the same protection. FiggyBee (talk) 23:16, 4 March 2008 (UTC)

Articles That May Help and Assist

I need some articles that can assist me. As I have stated before I am an author of sorts. Now I'm writing a story about a character who: Labels his food containers Monday-Sunday. Has anxiety attacks. Claims we need to keep the world to at least 1% germ and the 99% germ free. Stresses out on little issues. Overworks. Makes his meals the night before (example Sunday Night he makes Monday's lunch) Some more labeling with clothes in his closet (Summer-winter).

I need articles to assist me because I was thinking maybe Compulsive Disorder or Obsessive-compulsive disorder. But I am not sure. Could you maybe help me asses my own creations sanity? Thank you. As always Cardinal Raven71.142.242.233 (talk) 08:17, 4 March 2008 (UTC)Cardinal Raven

Monk (TV series)? Addition: I've made some of your key words into wiki links and recommend the list that appears when you put "anxiety attack" into the search box. Take your pick. Julia Rossi (talk) 08:40, 4 March 2008 (UTC)

Afterthought is that the lunch containers sounds appro, but night before prep is not so extreme and can point to simple anticipation, but labelling shelves in the kitchen from A to Z and filing all the food alphabetically is a more likely syndromey thing. If you've seen Monk, he has some counting or tics that he must do before he progresses to a car or through a door for instance. That's compulsion level. You could take out the DVDs if they have them. I'm letting go of this nowwww. Julia Rossi (talk) 10:14, 4 March 2008 (UTC)

Also, our article on Mysophobia (fear of dirt and germs) may be useful. Laïka 13:14, 4 March 2008 (UTC)

I'm not sure if the article on Nero Wolfe will help -- your character's eccentricities reminded me of his, somewhat -- but if you are going to write about a character with quirks, I promise that reading a few of the books will help. Rex Stout did a wonderful job of taking a character, giving him a lot of really quirky characteristics, but tying them all together and making them all make sense in the context of the character. If you aren't careful, you can wind up with a character who always walks on the left-hand side of the street and gives flowers to nuns for no good reason whatsoever, and it can alienate a reader, rather than engross... Faithfully, Deltopia (talk) 18:27, 4 March 2008 (UTC)

Good point. It reminds me of Poirot's signatures and how it made him different from those around him. I don't mind the Woody Allen brand of self-preoccupation and quirkiness, but I stopped watching Monk because it seemed painful and creeped me out. Still I guess it's the author's art to make the afflicted character work. Julia Rossi (talk) 23:04, 4 March 2008 (UTC)

I wasn't trying to make my character like Monk or other quirks. See those characters outwardly show their quirks. My character has secret quirks. Like a closet obsessive compulsive person. Kinda like a closet pervert. Everything is behind closed doors. But I think I rather not. Its not a very good idea. Thanks for all your help and info.71.142.210.56 (talk) 08:19, 6 March 2008 (UTC)Cardinal Raven

Texas Hold 'em

is A♣ 2♣ 3♥ 4♠ 5♦ considered as straight in Texas Hold 'em? West Brom 4ever (talk) 13:29, 4 March 2008 (UTC)

Yes. At least it would be on the little Hold 'em game I have on my cellphone. It's a straight in most variations of poker that I know of. --98.217.18.109 (talk) 14:16, 4 March 2008 (UTC)

what about serious play on a tournament (such as European Poker Tour) with classic rules? to be honest, either i have not seen or must have missed a straight consisting of 2♣ 3♥ 4♠ 5♦ and A♣. West Brom 4ever (talk) 15:05, 4 March 2008 (UTC)

See also Rank of hands (poker). You might want to look at some of the links returned when googling "ace low straight"; I can't do so from this computer. --LarryMac | Talk 15:42, 4 March 2008 (UTC)

Keep in mind that almost always, rules about poker hands are not particular to a specific style of poker. The rank article linked to above tells the whole story. Friday (talk) 15:46, 4 March 2008 (UTC)

A "wheel" is a legitimate straight in just about every standard poker game, except for certain versions of lowball. Clarityfiend (talk) 18:37, 4 March 2008 (UTC)

thanks :) West Brom 4ever (talk) 21:01, 4 March 2008 (UTC)

One more thing that might be helpful: a straight where they're all in the same suit is called a straight flush (or, if you're really lucky, a royal flush). --Masamage ♫ 04:15, 5 March 2008 (UTC)

i guess we all know that, but thanks for mentioning. my mate's sister who works in casino told me she dealt only two royal flushes in couple of years of work.. West Brom 4ever (talk) 14:56, 5 March 2008 (UTC)

Even that seems rather suspicious to me. The odds are massively in favor of any other hand. It's practically a miracle to get one. --98.217.18.109 (talk) 23:32, 5 March 2008 (UTC)

Not necessarily. Remember that in Texas Hold'em, you get seven cards to work with, in Omaha, nine, so that increases the odds of getting a straight flush considerably. Clarityfiend (talk) 06:17, 6 March 2008 (UTC)

Well, we're talking Royal Flushes specifically. Still increases the odds, but not as much. --Masamage ♫ 06:55, 6 March 2008 (UTC)

Kidney $$$.

I'm writing a novel. How much would a kidney cost on the black market? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 125.238.244.40 (talk) 14:38, 4 March 2008 (UTC)

Depends on where you ask. I looked at Gurgaon kidney scandal and put the figure at ca. 800 USD (crude math here). But I believe you'd have to pay at least an order of magnitude more in the US if you'd want one. --Ouro (blah blah) 16:03, 4 March 2008 (UTC) Strike that - too rough answer, sorry, after rethinking it's better stricken out. --Ouro (blah blah) 16:09, 4 March 2008 (UTC)

I'm not sure why you think you need to sell a kidney to get your novel written. If the topic seems too outlandish to be fiction, just market it as a memoir. Seriously, it depends on where and when your character lives. For the current Indian organ buying scandal, google Amit Kumar. --NellieBly (talk) 05:49, 6 March 2008 (UTC)

Creating articles about My Beloved Girlfriend

Would y'all help me in creating articles about my soap opera, My Beloved Girlfriend, please? Ericthebrainiac (talk) 20:32, 4 March 2008 (UTC)

When you start it add the template {{stub}} - this adds the new article to a list of articles that are not yet finished, and is intended to encourage others to add to it.87.102.44.156 (talk) 20:36, 4 March 2008 (UTC)

What makes you think you'll have any more success with your newest non-notable creation than you had with the last, Eric? --LarryMac | Talk 21:07, 4 March 2008 (UTC)

Wow. --Ouzo (talk) 21:43, 4 March 2008 (UTC)

I really am surprised Eric has never been blocked or even seriously warned. Is it just that no-one has the heart? FiggyBee (talk) 23:13, 4 March 2008 (UTC)

Verse 3 of the beatitudes is often applied liberally, even by apatheists like me. --Cookatoo.ergo.ZooM (talk) 00:27, 5 March 2008 (UTC)

I will help you Eric, only I have never heard of your beloved girlfriend, and knowledge about a subject is generally a prerequisite for writing about it. HYENASTE 00:42, 5 March 2008 (UTC)

Cookatoozoom are you claiming the fifth? Julia Rossi (talk) 01:34, 5 March 2008 (UTC)

Worldsplayer

For once I actually have a challenging question. Worldsplayer is a major chatting program. Where would one go to find where they get their music on there. This excludes any Aerosmith or David Bowie or anything else like those artists. When one plays it, they hear weird ambient music...I don't know. Anyways can someone please find out where they get music for me? Thanx.Jwking (talk) 20:46, 4 March 2008 (UTC)

Email them? Say you like the background, can they say what it is? Or ask on a music fan site maybe, too? FT2 ^{(Talk | email)} 04:48, 5 March 2008 (UTC)

Bible vs Skeptics: Skeptics to be condemned to Hell

The Book of Revealation states that unbelievers will burn in the "Lake of Fire". Does this mean that SKEPTICS will all end up in HELL ? You ought to hear some of these preachers. 65.173.104.52 (talk) 23:11, 4 March 2008 (UTC)

Is that a yell hell or a hell, hell? Julia Rossi (talk) 23:25, 4 March 2008 (UTC)

HELL yelled as loudly as possible to people who don't want to hear it. HYENASTE 01:13, 5 March 2008 (UTC)

No the Bible just means that skeptics will just go groove out to Nervana! --S.dedalus (talk) 23:29, 4 March 2008 (UTC)

No, everyone goes to heaven. 1 Corinthians 15:22, 1 Timothy 4:10, and 1 John 2:2. So continue to question, dear thinker. HYENASTE 00:49, 5 March 2008 (UTC)

Consider this (assuming one is a believer):

• God rewards faith
• God rewards the seeking for truth...

If the former: sceptics are in hell

If the latter: sceptics are in heaven

On second thoughts, this may be medical advice. Please see your doctor about precautions pertaining to post mortal inflammation. --Cookatoo.ergo.ZooM (talk) 01:02, 5 March 2008 (UTC)

Or your local priest. HYENASTE 01:13, 5 March 2008 (UTC)

It's a pretty fun crowd, for the most part. --98.217.18.109 (talk) 01:38, 5 March 2008 (UTC)

If we ask the Book of James, 2:20, it says, "Faith without works is dead." I think it takes more than faith (good works are also required) to get into Heaven. I also think that nobody has perfect faith and is, therefore, somewhat skeptical. I say that there will be some "skeptics" in Heaven and some in Hell. And by "Hell", I don't think the inhabitants will actually reside in a "lake of fire and brimestone" but instead are cast out from the presense of God. But what do I know? Useight (talk) 02:04, 5 March 2008 (UTC)

I always thought that just meant that those that don't believe in Christ go to hell, not all skeptics in general. Paragon12321 (talk) 03:05, 5 March 2008 (UTC)

Please reread the top of the page, where is says "Do not start debates." Because, yes, there are some people who staunchly believe that everyone up to and including themselves is going to hell, for any number of reasons. There are also some people who do not believe that. But this isn't really a "reference desk" sort of issue; there's absolutely no way we're going to be able to give a universally satisfactory answer. --Masamage ♫ 03:41, 5 March 2008 (UTC)

people that believe go to heaven, people that don't would go to hell, but they don't believe in hell, so they can't. problem solved. HS7 (talk) 11:25, 10 March 2008 (UTC)

March 5

Flying disc

A few days ago I saw what looked like a flying disc in the sky. At first, it looked like a greyish-coloured balloon, but it started to list and I could see that it was flat. The object appeared to be stationary as well. I looked away for about 20-40 seconds at it vanished. What could this have been? JetLover (talk) (Report a mistake) 00:58, 5 March 2008 (UTC)

I suppose it could have been a variety of things: a weather tool, a frisbee, a UFO, a balloon, a cloud, etc. Useight (talk) 01:59, 5 March 2008 (UTC)

It could also have been a kite or a remote-controlled blimp. Or a real blimp. --Masamage ♫ 03:39, 5 March 2008 (UTC)

Sorry to be pedantic, but given that JetLover couldn't identify it, it was unquestionably a UFO... —Steve Summit (talk) 05:16, 5 March 2008 (UTC)

I think more information would be helpful. Where was this incident? What time of day? About how high did it appear to be? What was the weather like? Did other people see it? How did it vanish? Surprisingly small amount of info from such an accomplished user. Richard Avery (talk) 08:06, 5 March 2008 (UTC)

Was it windblown laundry? Come in JetLover, do you hear us? Could it be you've been taken? Julia Rossi (talk) 10:30, 5 March 2008 (UTC)

An unhealthy and undernourished airborne swine? --Dweller (talk) 16:12, 5 March 2008 (UTC)

I hate it when people make fun of people who have seen UFOs. I personally have seen 3 of them and I know they aren't any of those ridiculous things people say they are in order to make me look like an idiot. But when I tell anyone my story to someone they laugh it off, call me a liar, and think it is some silly joke. Skeptism of certain explanations is acceptable, but mocking anyone who has had a sighting is not (especially if they are frightened by their first sighting, as I was). You can submit theories of what it actually was, that is fine. But don't mock people who have seen things in the sky that defy explanation (which is one of my many pet peeves...). 206.252.74.48 (talk) 20:06, 5 March 2008 (UTC)

Good job nobody's making fun of the questioner then. Currently, nobody has mocked. --Dweller (talk) 07:42, 6 March 2008 (UTC)

What about your comment on flying pigs? Although quite comical, I'd put that on the borderline. The comment about him being "taken", however, really irks me. 206.252.74.48 (talk) 13:46, 6 March 2008 (UTC)

This link may help. It is very similar to what I saw. JetLover (talk) (Report a mistake) 00:34, 6 March 2008 (UTC)

The connection to the server was reset while the page was loading. *sigh* HYENASTE 05:25, 6 March 2008 (UTC)

Absolutely too high for laundry. Glad you're stilll with us. Nice pic. Julia Rossi (talk) 07:32, 6 March 2008 (UTC)

It could have been a drone, about which, unsurprisingly, it's difficult to get up to date information. --Dweller (talk) 11:40, 6 March 2008 (UTC)

African American author Daniel Asamota

I tried your search and could not find anything on African American author Daniel Asamota. He has a book out in London called 'Mound Bayou' about an African American village in the American state of Mississippi. A lot of people seemed to like the book and talked about it often. I've found scarce information on him and would like to know more about this author and if he has anymore books out or if he's putting anymore books out. The name of the publisher of his current book is AuthorHouse in the American state of Indiana. They didn't seem to have very much info on him either. I'd appreciate your help.

Three quick sites turned up by Google: this might be his blog; and this Amazon link and his blog suggest this was his first book, perhaps, or first to get published maybe. Be aware his blog turns out to be small, and somewhat sexually explicit, before clicking. FT2 ^{(Talk | email)} 04:46, 5 March 2008 (UTC)

Just FYI, AuthorHouse is a vanity press, meaning his book is self published. Although such books do occasionally garner significant attention they generally sell very few copies outside the author himself and his family and friends. -Elmer Clark (talk) 12:47, 6 March 2008 (UTC)

Pascal's Wager vs. the Problem of Hell

What is Pascal's Wager? What is the Problem of Hell? What's the difference between Pascal's Wager and the Problem of Hell? Are there any similarities between the two of them? If so, then what are they?

Start with Pascal's Wager and Problem of Hell. --Masamage ♫ 04:11, 5 March 2008 (UTC)

What about comparing Pascal's Wager with the Problem of Hell? Are they the opposite of each other? If so, then why and how? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 60.242.166.196 (talk) 23:16, 6 March 2008 (UTC)

Pascal's Wager is the theory that, in general, the results of believing in God are more beneficial than the results of not believing in god. The Problem of Hell is not a theory at all, but a question: if God loves his children, why does he send them to eternal punishment? The two have very little to do with each other because they're not the same kind of thing. They have the same protagonist (the Christian God), but that's about it. --Masamage ♫ 18:02, 7 March 2008 (UTC)

Special interest group self-propagation

I’ve noticed a disturbing trend… certain special interest groups go to the state capital where they find jobs in food service inspection and state employment office. Before long there is an opening in the town they came from for local jobs within the state employment agency and food service inspection. Next thing you know a food service establishment has an opening and the state employment office is notified. Coincidently a reference is made by the person in the food inspection office for a person in the same special interest to the person in the state employment office. Before long the opening is filed with a person in the special interest group although they may not be as qualified. The person that fills the position then hires only persons who belong to the same special interest group except for token hirings. Is this practice a common trend everywhere or in every state or just my imagination?

It's a variation on a common trend: Patronage#Politics. --98.217.18.109 (talk) 14:52, 5 March 2008 (UTC)

Unfortunately this is happening within the very system intended to stop patronage, the Civil Service System. How? The Civil Service System is based on an employee/supervisor hierarchy. While you may have to pass a job skills test that does not prevent one special interest group from ruling and the special interest can be race. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 71.100.169.86 (talk) 19:16, 6 March 2008 (UTC)

Tim Cahill (4)

What charity things has Cahill ever done? 220.233.83.26 (talk) 08:00, 5 March 2008 (UTC)

You could start with Tim Cahill.Then the Everton FC website should have some information on him.I'm sure that Everton would even have an information pack or something similar they could send you if you contacted them.There must be an official fan club that would be able to help with all these questions you seem to have about him. Lemon martini (talk) 13:07, 5 March 2008 (UTC)

Subwoofer Problem

Hi. I was in the middle of listening to Back In Black yesterday right. All of a sudden for no reason whatsoever, my subwoofer turned right off. It's still plugged in, ON, andstill nothing. What happened?Jwking (talk) 16:10, 5 March 2008 (UTC)

Try it now; I had the switch off down here. But seriously, the possibilities that occur to me are trouble in the amplifier, bad connection or wire to the speaker, or, most likely, trouble in the speaker. Visual inspection should reveal any trouble with the wire or connection, and testing the speaker should do the rest: disconnect the subwoofer wire at the amplifier, and stroke the two ends on the two poles of a 9V battery. If you don't hear anything from the speaker, it's probably blown. Make sure the speaker wire is OK by substituting it, if possible. Unplug the subwoofer, and check to see if there is a fuse you can replace. If the battery makes sound, the trouble is in the amp. Your description of the failure suggests component death, either speaker or transistor. AC/DC will do that. --Milkbreath (talk) 16:35, 5 March 2008 (UTC)

Thank-you for that...description of how to electrecuting oneself. But yeah u think it's possible to order JUST a subwoofer on panasonic?Jwking (talk) 16:42, 5 March 2008 (UTC)

So it's broken.. Was it actively powered (ie has it's own power supply)? Is there a fuse you can replace - try that. Can you check that it's not the input that's broken - ie plug the input to the sub into another amp - does that work..

Once you've gone through all that - if it doesn't still work then you can either learn electronics quick, buy a new one, or take it somewhere for repair - subwoofers can be quite simple and repair might be cost effective. But check the fuses first - fingers crossed for you.87.102.85.28 (talk) 17:47, 5 March 2008 (UTC)

Curious

What's the record for Merseyside-based-Australian-footballer-related questions on one desk in one week? --Dweller (talk) 16:20, 5 March 2008 (UTC)

Wouldn't a better question be about gull questions instead? 206.252.74.48 (talk) 16:24, 5 March 2008 (UTC)

Interstate Highway System

Does anyone know what town or city in the "lower 48" states is located farthest from an Interstate Highway? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 66.25.68.91 (talk) 16:50, 5 March 2008 (UTC)

I have no reliable information to offer, but just from eyeballing the map of interstates, I'd say that Round Mountain, Nevada might be a good guess. Deor (talk) 17:14, 5 March 2008 (UTC)

Actually, Saco, Montana is farther from an interstate than Round Mountain, Nevada. Round Mountain is about 120 miles in a direct line from Interstate 80 near Fernley, Nevada, but 154 miles by road to the nearest exit onto Interstate 80 in Battle Mountain, Nevada. Saco is about 160 miles in a direct line from Interstate 94 near Glendive, Montana, and 189 miles by road from the nearest exit onto that highway in West Glendive. I think that Saco, Montana, is the farthest incorporated city or town from an interstate in the lower 48 states. A point on the Canadian border north of Saco would be the farthest point in the lower 48 states from an interstate. Marco polo (talk) 17:27, 5 March 2008 (UTC)

Valleytown, Montana is about 20 miles north of Saco and about 25 miles south of the Saskatchewan border. --NellieBly (talk) 05:30, 6 March 2008 (UTC)

I should add that Malta, Montana, while about 5 miles closer to Interstate 94 in a direct line than Saco, is 4 miles farther from the nearest interstate by road, namely Interstate 15 at Shelby, Montana. Marco polo (talk) 02:46, 6 March 2008 (UTC)

Soundtrack

Why is the Terminator Soundtrack so expensive?Jwking (talk) 16:58, 5 March 2008 (UTC)

tried LimeWire yet? West Brom 4ever (talk) 17:31, 5 March 2008 (UTC)

If you ask an economist, supply and demand. The greater the demand, the higher the price until supply catches up with demand and the price reaches equilibrium. It could already be at equilibrium and still be relatively expensive according to what you want to spend, but if enough consumers are willing to pay the premium price, it'll never drop. Useight (talk) 17:33, 5 March 2008 (UTC)

Blood

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

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

Really, it's not our place to speculate how, why, or wherefrom you might be bleeding. If it's worrying you, the best person to speak to is your doctor. TenOfAllTrades(talk) 17:42, 5 March 2008 (UTC)

Resort developer in mexico

Resort developer in mexico —Preceding unsigned comment added by 189.172.5.151 (talk) 17:30, 5 March 2008 (UTC)

What is the question, please? SaundersW (talk) 17:34, 5 March 2008 (UTC)

I think I figured out there strange posts. Some people think this is some sort of search engine. But how can anyone be that ignorant? You have to click a link on the bottom that explicitly explains what the RD is for, then you have to click a catagory where it says even more explicitly what to do or not to do. And then they see the question dialogue (which obviously isn't a search engine) and enter the same thing in both fields expecting a Google-like result. As hard as I try, I can't put myself into the mindset - what are these people THINKING? It literally drives me insane! 206.252.74.48 (talk) 19:50, 5 March 2008 (UTC)

If your last sentence is "literally" true, then how can we place any store in the preceding sentences?  :) -- JackofOz (talk) 22:25, 5 March 2008 (UTC)

Perhaps it hadn't driven him insane until the last sentence, so all preceeding sentences should be fine. I'd be more worried about his following sentences. :) Useight (talk) 23:41, 5 March 2008 (UTC)

Particularly amusing perhaps when you then view their next post. Or maybe that's just me. Skittle (talk) 00:35, 6 March 2008 (UTC)

That would only mean that I've always been insane. Which I think is true. But if I know I'm insane I'm not really insane, am I? No getting out of the military for me then. 206.252.74.48 (talk) 14:31, 6 March 2008 (UTC)

You know, this could be a reference to a previous question. Clarityfiend (talk) 06:25, 6 March 2008 (UTC)

ISKA

It says on the ISKA website that you can be a junior and compete. Does that count for the tournament in the Czech Republic in August? What do you win if you're a junior? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 70.216.78.220 (talk) 17:43, 5 March 2008 (UTC)

Do you get a belt? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 70.216.78.220 (talk) 18:00, 5 March 2008 (UTC)

I would suggest asking those questions of the ISKA itself - there are some contact addresses here on the website. Tony Fox (arf!) 23:53, 5 March 2008 (UTC)

Why does my new Samsung LCD HDTV make a whistling sound?

I just bought a new Samsung LCD HDTV Model: LN T3253H. It worked fine for the first couple of days, but after that, it has begun to emit a high pitched whistle/buzz around 2 hours into normal operation. I asked the tech people at samsung and no one has any idea whats wrong. The sound is not so load, but its annoying. Another interesting observation: the sound become louder when there is more black on the screen. Could someone tell me what is wrong with this device? Is it a manufacturing defect? This is the third LN T3253H that im using (after having returned the first 2 for similar reasons). —Preceding unsigned comment added by 216.9.243.111 (talk) 19:11, 5 March 2008 (UTC)

Of course the classic answer to "why is something whistling?" is "because it doesn't know the words." But seriously, sometimes a bad power supply will make a noise like that. The reviews on Amazon seem to indicate that this is not an unheard of problem for this model. I'd see if the shop will let you select a different model/manufacturer. --LarryMac | Talk 19:32, 5 March 2008 (UTC)

Do you think this is a serious problem that must be fixed or is it something that can just be ignored? coz if it is, then im throwing this baby back at futureshop. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 216.9.243.111 (talk) 19:49, 5 March 2008 (UTC)

I can only say that I, personally, would not be able to ignore it. Near the bottom of that Amazon page I linked is a discussion forum, and the "high pitched noise" topic is right at the top. From scanning through that, it looks like a certain manufacturing run from November 2007 exhibits this problem. In my inexpert opinion, the noise is only the first symptom of greater failures to come. Take it back. --LarryMac | Talk 20:01, 5 March 2008 (UTC)

I have had the same thing happen with my TV set (2000 make Grundig, if I remember correctly), depending on the level of whiteness. Very annoying with time, especially what with fluctuating. So if you do find out within a few days, do update this. :) 81.93.102.185 (talk) 20:03, 5 March 2008 (UTC)

Books

This actually has to do with Wikipedia itself. When would this website actually publish text books of all their articles in the English language?Jwking (talk) 19:59, 5 March 2008 (UTC)

An image hypothesising the size of a printed version of Wikipedia as of August 2007.

I doubt this is going to happen ever - see right for an idea of what it would look like. Hut 8.5 20:20, 5 March 2008 (UTC)

There have been plans to release CD/DVD versions in English (Wikipedia:Version 1.0 Editorial Team) that could be used where there isn't internet access. A full print edition isn't going to happen though. — Laura Scudder ☎ 20:57, 5 March 2008 (UTC)

Part of the problem is conceptual. To put something into print you've got to "freeze it" at a good version. But who decides when an article is "complete"? On Wikipedia, articles are usually in quite a lot of flux. "Freezing" article content, though often discussed, has never really taken off, as it seems very un-wiki in nature, and it's very hard to decide upon when it is right to do such a thing. --140.247.243.230 (talk) 21:55, 5 March 2008 (UTC)

Blind Mystic/New-age teacher

I'm trying to remember/work out the name of a guy I read about, or listened to an interview with, or whatever. Here's what I rather shakily remember: he was a regularish joe, had an accident and lost his sight (maybe welding??), then after some hardship (or maybe i'm my memory is just hallmarkifying) he regained a form of vision (that is, visualisation, mental images not percieved through the eyes) and had some associated religious/mystical experience(s), and subsequently became some kind of teacher/inspirational author/guru. For some reason, I think his surname might be Powers (which makes it practically impossible to search for without knowing the forename). Can anyone score some major moonpoints and help me out? Many thanks, 85.194.245.82 (talk) 20:17, 5 March 2008 (UTC)

Google alludes to Ted Gwin from San Antonio, Texas but no profiles as such and very few hits. He looks pretty regular. Then there's Shoko Asahara who runs communes in Japan.[10] Julia Rossi (talk) 22:17, 5 March 2008 (UTC)

Old Organ

I've been trying to figure this out for quite a while. What is the name of the organs used in radio dramas made around the 1930s-1940s? They are usually played when the scene transitions or something shocking is revealed. 206.252.74.48 (talk) 21:42, 5 March 2008 (UTC)

I don't know, but perhaps a Hammond organ with a Leslie speaker. --Milkbreath (talk) 21:57, 5 March 2008 (UTC)

(ec) :Hammond organ with a Leslie speaker? Think Steppenwolf, Magic Carpet Ride. --140.247.243.230 (talk) 21:59, 5 March 2008 (UTC)

Wurlitzer? -- Hoary (talk) 08:24, 6 March 2008 (UTC)

My band carried a Hammond and a Leslie to gigs in the 1960's. A pain to load and unload, but the sound made it worth it. The radio dramas probably just used the mighty Wurlitzer. Edison (talk) 20:12, 6 March 2008 (UTC)

From the Leslie speaker article - Soon afterwards, Mitchell became an organist with the Mutual Broadcasting System, and played a Hammond with the Leslie on its shows. The national exposure was swift and sure. Organists, professional and amateur alike, wanted to have "that sound". --LarryMac | Talk 20:17, 6 March 2008 (UTC)

Black Belt

What degree black belt is Chuck Norris? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 70.216.78.220 (talk) 21:50, 5 March 2008 (UTC)

According to our article, Chuck is an eighth-degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do, awarded in 1997. He also apparently has a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Tang Soo Do. Note to self: never make Chuck cranky. Tony Fox (arf!) 23:47, 5 March 2008 (UTC)

Treaty Of waitangi

Just aftre some help, have an assignment that asks how an aspect of " the treaty of waitangi" relates to the building industry. cant find anything to help! —Preceding unsigned comment added by 122.57.82.114 (talk) 23:21, 5 March 2008 (UTC)

Have you had a chance to read our article on the Treaty of Waitangi? TenOfAllTrades(talk) 23:24, 5 March 2008 (UTC)

yeah i have read that, but its quite hard to understand and to relate it some how to the building industry is beyond me. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 122.57.82.114 (talk) 23:26, 5 March 2008 (UTC)

Your assignment might be based on the idea that the Waitangi Treaty limits the places where the building industry can be active, and the differences between the Maori and English versions leads to problems of interpretation. This means that before things can be built, in many places there must be consultation with the Maori community as to whether permission is needed. Steewi (talk) 00:42, 6 March 2008 (UTC)

March 6

Just an FYI

You all are amazing. Keep up the good work. :) Nightofshiningdeath (talk) 03:17, 6 March 2008 (UTC)nightofshiningdeath

They really are. This place is brilliant. Not just brilliant, it's perfect. :D I wish I could do more to help out here. HS7 (talk) 12:58, 6 March 2008 (UTC)

Tournament bracket simulator

Anyone know of a "tournament simulator" that can be ran online? A forum I'm on wants to do a "Comedy Movie Tournament" where 64 movies are nominated and then ran down to 1, like a typical March Madness bracket. It will be done manually, I just need the "display", so to speak. Tanthalas39 (talk) 04:01, 6 March 2008 (UTC)

Would the 64-team bracket available here fit your purposes? -Elmer Clark (talk) 13:00, 6 March 2008 (UTC)

Is drinking P♥M healthier than other sugary waters?

Or should I feel like an idiot for paying $3 for this bottle?

66.91.224.203 (talk) 05:17, 6 March 2008 (UTC)

Well, POM is a juice, not just a "sugary water" of the sort that, say, sodas are. And pomegrenates have antioxidant properties, which is more than you can say about a lot of sugar water products. In the end though such small and occasional supplements to a diet are unlikely to have any real health effects other than those brought on psychosomatically. If you're drinking it regularly, then maybe it would have some effect, but one bottle isn't going to help or hurt you. It's juice, not medicine. --98.217.18.109 (talk) 05:31, 6 March 2008 (UTC)

Our article on pomegranate juice says that one glass contains 50% of the US recommended daily allowance of vitamins A, C, and E and 100% of the RDA of folic acid, as well as niacin and potassium. It's a lot better for you than "sugary water", which contains no vitamins, minerals, or anything but calories. It may also have some long-term health benefits if drunk regularly. --NellieBly (talk) 05:37, 6 March 2008 (UTC)

Right, but if you're talking about one dose of it, it's not going to have therapeutic properties, no more than taking a multi-vitamin once and only once will. --98.217.18.109 (talk) 13:40, 6 March 2008 (UTC)

And the benefits that antioxidants bring is scientifically questioned - though the benefit that fruit brings is less so... —Preceding unsigned comment added by 194.221.133.226 (talk) 11:30, 6 March 2008 (UTC)

Hot water heat

After spending the last 40 years living in houses and apartments with forced air heating, I'm buying a house that has hot water heat complete with beautiful copper radiators. Does anyone know of a book or website that describes what I as a homeowner need to know about this type of heating system? Thanks! --NellieBly (talk) 05:40, 6 March 2008 (UTC)

I don't think there's much you need to know really, other than where the stopcock is, and how to bleed a radiator when air gets into the system. There's usually a little key to do this. -mattbuck (Talk) 09:53, 6 March 2008 (UTC)

Here is a good basic page. --Milkbreath (talk) 11:36, 6 March 2008 (UTC)

In the UK, most homes have radiator-based heating. I've no idea what it's like in "forced air heating", but with rads, the heat can make the house's air quite dry. Some people find it useful to use humidifiers of varying levels of complexity/expense, the simplest amounting to little more than little reservoirs of water slung on the front of the rad. --Dweller (talk) 11:44, 6 March 2008 (UTC)

I've always found forced air heating (I'm assuming the OP means the heaters where air is heated by an element and blown into the room by a fan), drier than radiator heating. I've always thought this was because of forced-air heats a greater volume of air more quickly than a radiator. However, I failed A-level Physics... Radiators are really very easy to look after; the only thing I've had to learn, as Mattbuck mentioned, was how to bleed them. (It's the boiler that gives me ulcers).--Kateshortforbob 20:43, 6 March 2008 (UTC)

Thanks, everyone. And you're right, Kateshort; that's what forced air is. According to the provincial government, about 95% of homes in Alberta are forced air heated. The fan is attached to the furnace itself, and blows the hot air through vents into the rest of the house. There are also cold air vents in every room that feed back to the furnace. The vents have to be professionally cleaned out every year or two (forced air heat is very, very dusty, perhaps more so in a place with lots of dust and low humidity) and the furnace air filter has to be cleaned or replaced on a regular basis. Mine needs to be washed every month. --NellieBly (talk) 04:38, 7 March 2008 (UTC)

Well, here in extreme southern Canada (New Hampshire), one of the things you have to know is that you can't add air conditioning to a forced-hot-water (hydronics) heating system ;-). Other than that, the key questions have more to do with the fuel used than with the hot-water part of the system. Oil burners require routine maintenance by qualified service technicians to remove soot, adjust the fuel-air mixture, and so on. You also need to always have a good idea how much more fuel oil remains in your tank; if you run out, you get very cold very fast, all those water pipes supplying the radiators at the perimeter of the house freeze and burst, and so on. By comparison, a gas burning system can go a lot longer between service appointments; system that burn natural gas essentially never run out of fuel although propane-burning systems can run out.

Atlant (talk) 13:24, 7 March 2008 (UTC)

Thanks. I'm just psyching myself up to move to a city where you need both. Winnipeg can be much hotter than southern Alberta in the summer, but it's also much, much colder in the winter - it's +56F here right now, but in Winnipeg it's -4F - so a properly running heating system is important. (Edit to sign correctly) --NellieBly (talk) 17:37, 7 March 2008 (UTC)

Visa confusion

In the United States, how often are customs officers who ask to see entrance visas presented with credit cards? NeonMerlin 06:36, 6 March 2008 (UTC)

DieselSecret.com

Is that another scam ? They claim to get this fuel to people for $0.46 a gallon (US). Sounds like the old Gas Advance.Com scam. 65.173.104.52 (talk) 06:47, 6 March 2008 (UTC)

If it sounds too good to be true, and involves money exchanged on the internet, then yeah, it's probably a scam. --98.217.18.109 (talk) 14:31, 6 March 2008 (UTC)

Short of actually paying for their 'secret', I couldn't say for sure what they're selling. What it appears to be is instructions for how to filter and modify used cooking oils for use as biodiesel. Looking at some of the materials on their website, the 0.46 per gallon breaks down as:

• 0.15 per gallon "DSE Recommended Additive"
• 0.31 per gallon "Other ingredients" (with a note that this price "varies with region", whatever that means....)

They explicitly assume that you'll be able to get the used cooking oil (of the right type, and in sufficient quantity) for free from restaurants. This may not be a valid assumption. The estimate does not include the amortized cost of materials and equipment to build their filtration system, or the price of the starter kit from the web site. The price does not include the value of your time spent gathering oil from restaurants or filtering it for use. Finally, your state may require you to report on fuel production and pay fuel taxes on any biodiesel that you produce; this is not accounted for in the price stated.

Note also that use of this fuel will almost certainly void your warranty, particularly if you have fuel system trouble. I also don't know if there are states that forbid or restrict the use of homebrewed motor fuels – or that require extensive (and expensive) testing of said fuels before use – for environmental protection reasons. Per the comment above, be very wary of things that sound too good to be true. TenOfAllTrades(talk) 14:38, 6 March 2008 (UTC)

See also Vegetable oil used as fuel. Dforest (talk) 04:09, 7 March 2008 (UTC)

Tim Cahill (5)

What values does Tim Cahill have? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 220.233.83.26 (talk) 06:58, 6 March 2008 (UTC)

You'd really have to ask him about this. How many questions are there about Tim Cahill in your school assignment? -- JackofOz (talk) 07:24, 6 March 2008 (UTC)

Could you maybe send a link to where I can ask him stuff and contact him? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 220.233.83.26 (talk) 08:03, 6 March 2008 (UTC)

([11]) --Dweller (talk) 08:14, 6 March 2008 (UTC)

If you're referring to his contract, he got signed to a 5-year deal at Everton in 2005. ([12]) The official release doesn't mention how much he makes, but this site says "reported £27k a week." -Elmer Clark (talk) 13:05, 6 March 2008 (UTC)

Whoops, misread values as value. I'm afraid I can't help you there, other than by saying that "clean play" doesn't appear to be among them. From that second link: "In any case, he was suspended in the UK due to his less-than-stellar disciplinary record at the New Den — he topped their disciplinary table with seventeen yellow cards and two reds the season before making the move to Merseyside!" -Elmer Clark (talk) 13:08, 6 March 2008 (UTC)

A Cure?

How do you cure Wikinitis? Just a question. I continuously come on here when I have work to do. But its fun to look stuff up and read it. Then criticize it or edit it. And then think to myself who wrote this. Is there a cure?71.142.210.56 (talk) 08:26, 6 March 2008 (UTC)Cardinal Raven

See Wikipedia:Wikipediholic for symptoms and cures. Adam Bishop (talk) 09:34, 6 March 2008 (UTC)

Adam Bishop, stop giving out medical advice! -mattbuck (Talk) 09:48, 6 March 2008 (UTC)

World of warcraft?--Jabberwalkee (talk) 16:03, 6 March 2008 (UTC)

That reminds me of how they used to use cocaine to "cure" morphine addiction. 206.252.74.48 (talk) 17:58, 6 March 2008 (UTC)

Uncyclopedia ? 65.173.104.52 (talk) 18:45, 6 March 2008 (UTC)

trade finance

may i request to give information on the subject trade finance

Ajaytayshete (talk) 08:59, 6 March 2008 (UTC)

Go ahead. Click here. Remember to ensure that anything you add is notable and can be backed up by reliable sources --Dweller (talk) 10:44, 6 March 2008 (UTC)

If you are asking us to give you information, here is a booklet published by the US government on the subject. It is easier to answer questions that are a bit more specific, so I apologise for the vague quality of this response. SaundersW (talk) 10:46, 6 March 2008 (UTC)

Where does the Phrase "runs like a dog come from?

Where does the Phrase "runs like a dog come from? 62.172.209.197 (talk) 10:47, 6 March 2008 (UTC)

I can't say I'm familiar with "runs like a dog" as a set phrase. "Running dog" (see), meaning "lackey", first appeared in English in 1937. Other expressions involving coursing canines probably have their roots in antiquity and are as old as the dog itself. There is a decorative pattern called "running dog" that appears on ancient pottery. --Milkbreath (talk) 11:52, 6 March 2008 (UTC)

I've heard this phrase used in reference to a slow car. It's maybe a little funny because dogs don't tend to be particularly slow runners. Friday (talk) 16:06, 6 March 2008 (UTC)

It wasn't until I started trying to research this question that I was reminded of the phrase being used for something slow (most of the links I found were computer related; "I installed X and now my computer is running like a dog."). I didn't find any good descriptions of the origin of the phrase, so I passed this up. Before my search, I was thinking of the song "Everglades" by Treat Her Right, which tells the story of a man who is "runnin' like a dog" with the implication that the running is rather swift. --LarryMac | Talk 16:38, 6 March 2008 (UTC)

"Runs like a three-legged dog" seems to exist too, and it makes more sense. Maybe the lost leg bit got lost as well. ---Sluzzelin talk 17:20, 6 March 2008 (UTC)

To describe a car as "runnning like a dog" is to say it runs badly (is slow, inefficient, noisy, always breaking down...) since "dog" is slang for a bad car (see The Dog & Lemon Guide, for example). I've always known this slang, but can't find it in an online dictionary, but the OED does define dog as: Something poor or mediocre; a failure. (U.S. slang).; and A horse that is slow, difficult to handle, etc. slang.; and of a person: in reproach, abuse, or contempt: A worthless, despicable, surly, or cowardly fellow and there's also to the dogs: to destruction or ruin;, which all kind of give the idea. nb. I am not American, so the "dog" = "bad car" is not just used in the OED US slang context. - Gwinva (talk) 20:55, 6 March 2008 (UTC)

It's bit like describing the car as a "a bomb"; but not quite, because that suggests there are many things wrong, whereas it only needs a dirty thingamywhatzit or a loose connection to make it run like a dog today. (Interesting that it's only cars NOT considered to be "bombs" that are said to "go like a bomb"). -- JackofOz (talk) 21:19, 6 March 2008 (UTC)

I find it odd and humourous that the phrases "that car is a bomb" and "that car is the bomb" have nearly opposite meanings. 206.252.74.48 (talk) 21:23, 6 March 2008 (UTC)

What's more, if you say that a theatre(theater)play is "a bomb" in America, you're calling it a flop; in England, you'd be calling it a hit! Rhinoracer (talk) 13:46, 7 March 2008 (UTC)

Online relationships

Supposing there was this girl I knew on the internet, right, and we talked to each other through the internet but live a long way apart. we've never met and can only contact each other through the internet. Now suppose it's been exactly a month since we decided we were more than just friends, and since therefore I want to do something special for her to mark this event, is there anything I can do, other than just talking to her like i do every other day? I'm assuming there are lots of other people in this situation, so there might be some people around here with more experience at this sort of thing. And secondly, what could I do for the same girl for her birthday, since I can't actually go any buy something and sent it to her. HS7 (talk) 12:32, 6 March 2008 (UTC)

Well if she'd give you her address you could 'go and buy her something'.. How about saying 'I'd like to send you a present..." Otherwise consider and electronic birthday card87.102.74.217 (talk) 12:53, 6 March 2008 (UTC)

A web search suggests a thing known as an 'eCard' - take a look87.102.74.217 (talk) 12:55, 6 March 2008 (UTC)

Online gift certificates (to amazon.com or somewhere similar) are an option as well. -Elmer Clark (talk) 13:11, 6 March 2008 (UTC)

How can you have a relationship with some one you only talk to on the internet?? dont you even talk 2 her on the phone?? u seriously need to meet up and get down to it..... —Preceding unsigned comment added by 193.115.175.247 (talk) 14:50, 6 March 2008 (UTC)

LOL at above. You need to read some Jane Austen or get your Heathcliff on! To the OP, you could try writing her something romantic! Poetry even just a haiku would be nice! --Jabberwalkee (talk) 16:01, 6 March 2008 (UTC)

The nicest thing you could do for her is to go and buy some flowers and chocolates and pitch up at her door and say Hi, im the guy that has been chatting to you for the past year. this will make her day, alternativly, flowers can be bought online and delivered to her. Good luck dude, we all need love. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 193.115.175.247 (talk) 16:33, 6 March 2008 (UTC)

Yes...we all need it. 206.252.74.48 (talk) 16:59, 6 March 2008 (UTC)

I hate to inject a note of caution here, but before you go any further with this, you should establish beyond all reasonable doubt that this girl is who she says she is. If you've never met her, seen her on a webcam or spoken to her on the phone, there is a chance "she" is a man stringing you along. Why anyone would do this is beyond me, but there are certainly enough idiots out there to make it a possibility. --Richardrj ^{talk email} 17:07, 6 March 2008 (UTC)

I was going to say something similar, but didn't have the guts to say it. These things happen more often than you think. But, usually people who do that say they want to meet you and ask that you wire money for a plane ticket - and then you never hear from them again. By all accounts this case seems genuine. 206.252.74.48 (talk) 17:24, 6 March 2008 (UTC)

Not always. People do weird things just to get attention. I know a guy who pretended to be his son in order to "catch" a hot 19-year-old girl on the Net; he was enraged when the woman he'd been cybering with turned out to be the girl's mother! (It was perfectly all right for him to lie, but when she did it she was evil and manipulating. I'm wondering if she felt the same way.) --68.144.73.245 (talk) 17:23, 7 March 2008 (UTC)

We're too far apart for me just to pop over there with flowers and I can't write poetry at all, ever. And we've exchnaged recordings of ourselves talking, and I've seen a photo of her, and finally found a reasonable one of me to show her, so we're quite sure we are who we say we are. i'll look into the birthday present idea, it sounds like it might work. However any more ideas would also be welcome. HS7 (talk) 18:31, 6 March 2008 (UTC)

Well, just remember that the best gifts come from your heart, not your wallet. 206.252.74.48 (talk) 19:37, 6 March 2008 (UTC)

That's good, my wallet's empty. I keep all my money in my pocket or my drawer. HS7 (talk) 20:07, 6 March 2008 (UTC)

You know what I meant! And Kate's suggestion down below is brilliant, I highly recommend you do that. 206.252.74.48 (talk) 21:08, 6 March 2008 (UTC)

I would be careful if sending an e-card. These are often spam and virus vectors. (Also, all the ones I've seen are very tacky!). If you're creative, perhaps you could make your own electronic card using GIMP or similar, or even a flash animation.--Kateshortforbob 20:34, 6 March 2008 (UTC)

Send her a link to this page. Polypipe Wrangler (talk) 21:49, 6 March 2008 (UTC)

"I can't write poetry at all, ever". Aww... this is where some of the romantic poets at this desk might be able to help. Just ask them (not me). A haiku perhaps? Along the lines of ... Time, distance/No thing – but you, me worldwide,/Everything. (Pardon the cheese factor going through the roof.) Julia Rossi (talk) 23:33, 6 March 2008 (UTC)

You're missing four syllables :) Adam Bishop (talk) 18:03, 7 March 2008 (UTC)

Also, the cheese factor didn't just go through the roof, it reached escape velocity. That is why no one should write poetry unless they make it their day job. (Also, according to my high school English classes - a great poem must contain 3 allusions to another work in each word) 206.252.74.48 (talk) 20:49, 7 March 2008 (UTC)

Haha. I see I proved my point . ("Escape velocity" – I like it!) Come on Adam Bishop, come on 206.252, don't let your high school teacher's sad restraints keep you from your personal greatness. Every word you use would have appeared in another poem somewhere (a, an, the, heart, eyes, hand, feet, love, flower, light, look, etc etc) Even day job poets have to start somewhere. Illuminating, heart-squishing lines please! Julia Rossi (talk) 22:00, 7 March 2008 (UTC)

ssbb tournament

I went to the gamestop website and read everything about the super smash brothers brawl tournament, and it doesn't say anything about me having to preorder the game in gamestop to participate, but when i went to the gamestop and asked an employee, he said that i needed to preorder it first. I'm not sure if this guy just has his information wrong, or if there was something that i missed, but do i really need to buy the game there to play?--Dlo2012 (talk) 14:56, 6 March 2008 (UTC)

I would imagine that individual stores have considerable latitude regarding the precise rules of entry. I suggest calling the store and asking the manager. — Lomn 15:29, 6 March 2008 (UTC)

Wrasslin'

How many professional wrestling moves are actually impossible without the co-operation of the being-moved-upon? Vitriol (talk) 15:04, 6 March 2008 (UTC)

Impossible to calculate! Want a good example of a move that requires everyone involved's participation? YouTube Petey Williams Canadian Destroyer. --Endless Dan 15:45, 6 March 2008 (UTC)

Herbalism

I searched for medicinal plants and was redirected to herbalism What I would like to know is how one would go about nominating the writer of this article for a Wiki star award, as seen on Cliothemuse's page (well done Clio) This is one of the best, most informative, complete and interesting articles I have ever read in my 2-3 years of wiki time wasting. Give it a read. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 193.115.175.247 (talk) 16:12, 6 March 2008 (UTC)

The article's history page lists contributors & from it you can work out exactly what they contributed. Clearly this page is not the work of one author, but you might be able to work out which author(s) are deserving cases. Anyone can award an author a wikistar - known as a Barnstar - see Wikipedia:Barnstars --Tagishsimon (talk) 16:33, 6 March 2008 (UTC)

crayola crayons

Were crayola crayons ever numbered as an ID marker???? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 24.225.157.248 (talk) 16:14, 6 March 2008 (UTC)

If you mean washable, looks like they are[13]. Julia Rossi (talk) 23:22, 6 March 2008 (UTC)

I think the original poster means: Did the paper labels on Crayola crayons ever have numbers as well as (or instead of) color names? Here's a page that shows the evolution of Crayola labels: Crayon Collecting: Binney & Smith crayons. None of the labels appear to use numbers to identify the color. However, that page links to the lost color lists, where the following is mentioned:

before the idea that little hands needed bigger crayons, crayons made for younger children were SMALLER...the Young Artists Crayolas were mini-crayons, with a wrapper style similar to type 0, in the lists "type Y"...

color names do not appear on the Young Artists (type Y) wrapper...in its place is a number, such as "no. 22"...the color name is then indicated by number on the front of the box...

--Bavi H (talk) 03:57, 7 March 2008 (UTC)

Surfin'

I was surfing recently and came across a site (I have forgotten the address) Felony Fights. Basically two average Joes have a fight. Is this legal? it seemed to be in the US mostly. I heard recently about tramps being coerced into a similar thing, which is definatly wrong. However, as a pacifist, I am curious, if both people seem willing, much like a boxing match, but without the pomp. is it legal, PS this is not a legal question. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 193.115.175.247 (talk) 16:15, 6 March 2008 (UTC)

"Is this legal?... PS this is not a legal question." What a wonderful disclaimer! Presumably, there is some sort of disclaimer that the organizer requires the participants to sign, much as with any sort of hazardous activity. Legality from the organizer's standpoint would vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. — Lomn 18:10, 6 March 2008 (UTC)

See Bumfights. Seraphim♥ ^Whipp 18:18, 6 March 2008 (UTC)

It's not legal in the UK. and I'd imagine it's very similar in the US - if police officers see you fighting they will stop it? and arrest you? maybe?77.86.98.70 (talk) 18:38, 6 March 2008 (UTC)

See also bare-knuckle boxing where comes this link [14] for the mindset and street fighting mentions the illegality status not mentioned in USA Today. Julia Rossi (talk) 00:30, 7 March 2008 (UTC)

FOX News: Star may have gone Supernova, may be Betelgeuse

Seen this on the news this morning:"Will this star destroy all life on Earth ?". Well, if that star detonated, nearby star detonated, will it destroy all life here ? Pix shown was a blue mass with a spinning red mass in it. 65.173.104.52 (talk) 18:39, 6 March 2008 (UTC)

See the discussion here. --LarryMac | Talk 18:41, 6 March 2008 (UTC)

That discussion doesn't actually talk about the possible death of Betelgeuese, at least not believably. It mostly talks about Wikipedia policy. --Masamage ♫ 18:48, 6 March 2008 (UTC)

Oh, I think this part -- "Slightly longer answer - information in Wikipedia has to be verifiable with citations to reliable sources." -- applies quite well. --LarryMac | Talk 18:52, 6 March 2008 (UTC)

...You mean the part about Wikipedia policy? --Masamage ♫ 18:55, 6 March 2008 (UTC)

Not Betelgeuse. -- Coneslayer (talk) 18:57, 6 March 2008 (UTC)

God, I hate Fox News. How can a star light years away possibly destroy life on Earth? 206.252.74.48 (talk) 19:22, 6 March 2008 (UTC)

See Supernova#Impact on Earth. -- Coneslayer (talk) 19:24, 6 March 2008 (UTC)

What I meant was by the time anything happens to Earth via a supernova, life would already be gone due to something else. Why doesn't Fox News do a report on the Sun's death? Because I know that is relevent to our generation. They twist nearly anything into a "you're going to die!" story, no matter what it is. I'm surprised people who watch this crap aren't completely paranoid. 206.252.74.48 (talk) 19:30, 6 March 2008 (UTC)

It looks like your premise is flawed. While the odds of a supernova (or in this case, a gamma-ray burst) impacting Earth are quite small, they are under no particular time constraint. Physically, it could happen at any point. The sun is far more constrained and poses no such risk. Anyway, here's a more sensible approach to the topic (it also admirably answers the OP's questions). — Lomn 19:52, 6 March 2008 (UTC)

Oh, no one understands me. Probably because I don't understand anything. 206.252.74.48 (talk) 21:05, 6 March 2008 (UTC)

WP:RS AlmostReadytoFly (talk) 09:01, 7 March 2008 (UTC)

Is it just me?????

or are there loads of wikipedia users sat at home feeling a strange hatred towards tim cahill all of a sudden —Preceding unsigned comment added by 78.150.220.227 (talk) 19:09, 6 March 2008 (UTC)

yup, just to many questions about some boring footballer who obviously cant be that good or we would all know him, and would have a wiki page in his honour. lol —Preceding unsigned comment added by 86.18.34.51 (talk) 19:18, 6 March 2008 (UTC)

Oh but we DO!! And that article's talk page is where these multiple questions from the same user should be directed, because there's no prohibition on answering homework questions there, as there is here at the Ref Desk. -- JackofOz (talk) 21:27, 6 March 2008 (UTC)

I feel a disturbance in the Wiki, as if millions of edits cried out in terror and were suddenly silenced. 206.252.74.48 (talk) 19:20, 6 March 2008 (UTC)

Glad you said that 78.150.220, even stranger, I am now breathing normally again. Is someone trying to bring Tim C to our attention? Are we supposed to polish that article by calling his parents and getting his birth time? Now I legitimately feel... whatever. Julia Rossi (talk) 23:19, 6 March 2008 (UTC)

I dont even know who he is and i want to kill him, but knowing my luck we will see a "why was tim cahill murderd" БοņёŠɓɤĭĠ₳₯є 14:57, 7 March 2008 (UTC)

Hedge Funds

Why are Hedge Funds called hedge funds? isn't hedgeing bets exactly what hedge fund managers don't do?86.132.53.149 (talk) 20:42, 6 March 2008 (UTC)

From our article: "As their name implies, hedge funds often seek to offset potential losses in the principal markets they invest in by hedging their investments using a variety of methods, most notably short selling". See Hedge fund. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Tagishsimon (talk • contribs) 21:05, 6 March 2008 (UTC)

A hedge fund manager seeks to cover or hedge the systemic risk or beta of the assets in their fund, leaving themselves with the risk that is specific to these assets, which is called alpha. The hedge fund manager them aims to benefit from their high-alpha portfolio by selecting assets which will have a better performance than the rest of the market. Paradoxically, as you say, this actually creates a portfolio that has a higher volatility than an equivalent un-hedged portfolio. Think about the following analogy. Convinced that you are the best driver in the world, you find a cheap motor insurance policy that only covers you for accidents that are another driver's fault; Spending your original insurance budget on this new policy now allows you to insure a supercar instead of your old family saloon. Gandalf61 (talk) 15:37, 7 March 2008 (UTC)

Measuring Age

Are there any scientific methods available to accurately measure the age of a person (obviously aside from birth certificates, etc...). If not, how can scientists estimate the age of a person and what is the degree of error by today's best techniques? Acceptable (talk) 21:55, 6 March 2008 (UTC)

Forensic age estimation is generally done by skeletal or dental measurements, and is not especially accurate (errors of 2 years are not uncommon when assessing teenagers, and it gets less accurate as people get older). FiggyBee (talk) 22:48, 6 March 2008 (UTC)

The main issue of difficulty is that different people age differently. So if you are going by probabilistic methods (how much their teeth are worn down, how calcified their bones are), it'll give you a nice average, but in the case of any given individual it can be thrown off a lot depending on a lot of factors (e.g. diet can greatly affect how teeth age). (I was just wondering if telomere length could be used to determine age fairly accurately but according to the article the rates vary a lot from individual to individual in bird species, and I don't imagine humans are probably that different in that respect. Anyway it's certainly not one of the common forensic ways.) Actually, according to another section of the "telomere" article, it can be used to judge age in humans, maybe (the study on this seems earlier than the one which indicated that the length varies in birds). Hmm. --98.217.18.109 (talk) 00:00, 7 March 2008 (UTC)

Practically, most individuals whose age is in question aren't alive and haven't been for some time, so telomere length is a moot point: forensic scientists are lucky to get enough nuclear DNA to make identification possible. Quite often they have to settle for mitochondrial DNA. --NellieBly (talk) 04:46, 7 March 2008 (UTC)

March 7

Difference?

Is there a difference between a Nintendo DS and a Nintendo DS Lite? If so, what is it? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 68.239.33.66 (talk) 00:26, 7 March 2008 (UTC)

DS Lites are slimmer, lighter, brighter, louder, longer-lasting (in terms of battery power), and features a longer and thicker stylus than the original. It also has a nice glossy casing. If you can, get a lite instead. bibliomaniac15 I see no changes 00:53, 7 March 2008 (UTC)

There's a big difference, the Lite is superior. Ask anybody that knows Nintendo or portable systems. Mac Davis (talk) 02:41, 7 March 2008 (UTC)

Southwest Airlines Refund

if i were to purchase a itenerary from southwest and decided to cancel it while the money was being taken out would i be able to go on the website and ask for a refund within 24 hours even if the fare is restricted.--logger (talk) 01:27, 7 March 2008 (UTC)

Some tickets are nonrefundable, period. Others aren't. You should check the terms of your ticket or contact Southwest Airlines. Marco polo (talk) 02:28, 7 March 2008 (UTC)

Roman Fish Mosaic

I need help finding more information on a roman mosaic depicting various species of fish and aquatic invertebrates. The depictions are accurate enough to allow for species information and it has provided useful knoledge about the fish species known to the ancient Romans. I have been unable to find any information. Please help.

-Ben —Preceding unsigned comment added by 70.146.239.179 (talk) 03:04, 7 March 2008 (UTC)

Does this help?[15] Although the species are partly mythic as well. Julia Rossi (talk) 07:02, 7 March 2008 (UTC)

If you can post an image here (if you can get a free one), or post a link to the image you are referring to, we may be better able to help. This desk is a good place to start, but if we can't help, you can try the science refdesk -- later, not simultaneously, is considered good manners. BrainyBabe (talk) 15:23, 7 March 2008 (UTC)

Dear Brainybabe, the above link includes an image. : ) Julia Rossi (talk) —Preceding comment was added at 21:45, 7 March 2008 (UTC)

Vera Wang

Why is the date of death for Vera Wang as January 1, 2008. I thought she was still alive? Or am I ready the information incorrectly? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 24.179.27.48 (talk) 04:48, 7 March 2008 (UTC)

It's vandalism on her article. bibliomaniac15 I see no changes 04:57, 7 March 2008 (UTC)

Copyright-free materials

Where and How to find copyright-free materials? I have blog and I find a lot interesting items on the Net and elsewhere. The postings are mainly articles/materials I have read and enjoyed and which I would like to post on my blog for the benefit of friends and others.

When I tried browsing the web using the topic, I was flooded with a lot of materials from which I could make neither head nor tail. Something brief and to the point would be of great help. Could you kindly help me in this regard?

Of copyright-protected materials, how far can I make use in my postings, i.e. by condensing and by excerpting.

How to make sure that I have not broken any copyright rules?

I shall be grateful for a reply.

Surinew (talk) 05:01, 7 March 2008 (UTC)surinew

Sorry, we can’t give you legal advice here. Please consult a lawyer. --S.dedalus (talk) 07:35, 7 March 2008 (UTC)

Oh, that doesn't at all have to go into the realm of legal advice. Wikipedia is all about copyright-free materials.

To the original poster: all the text on Wikipedia, although not all of the images, are free. We prefer being linked to and not sold, but technically you don't have to follow thos. Everything at Wikisource, Wikinews, and the Commons, among others, is also free. You can get to links to all of our sister projects from the Main Page. --Masamage ♫ 07:48, 7 March 2008 (UTC)

"How to make sure that I have not broken any copyright rules?" is a specific request for legal advice. --S.dedalus (talk) 08:14, 7 March 2008 (UTC)

(Then just answer other parts of the question?) To follow on from what Masamage said, clicking on any image in Wikipedia will take you to a page which tells you whether or not it's free. Also, on Flickr, you can search for images by Creative Commons license, some types of which allow you to freely re-use the images. AlmostReadytoFly (talk) 08:58, 7 March 2008 (UTC)

(Indeed, that’s why I didn’t remove this question to the talk page.) --S.dedalus (talk) 21:59, 7 March 2008 (UTC)

Ironically, of course, you can find endless discussion on what is and what is not the public domain, fair use, etc. all over Wikipedia, because it is part of how Wikipedia itself functions. "Consult a lawyer" on a basic question of "what is in the public domain, how can I tell?" is really quite overkill. --98.217.18.109 (talk) 01:34, 8 March 2008 (UTC)

To the original poster: all the text on Wikipedia, although not all of the images, are free. Wrong, the text is copyright, and released via GFDL. (I'll forgo making a similar comment about Commons, etc.) We prefer being linked to and not sold We do? Where's the suggestion or request not to sell bits of Wikipedia? ¶ Back to the first question: The postings are mainly articles/materials I have read and enjoyed and which I would like to post on my blog for the benefit of friends and others. If the author has explicitly released something to the public domain it's free. If it's very old (and not recently edited, etc.), it's free. If it is copyrighted according to any of a number of systems (e.g. GFDL) that are collectively referred to as copyleft, it's not free but you are free to reproduce it if you follow certain conditions. -- Hoary (talk) 09:32, 7 March 2008 (UTC)

Commons is quite different, actually. Images in general can have a wide variety of licensing, ranging from the un-free (on Wikipedia, not Commons, under fair-use) to the totally free (public domain). You have to check on an image-by-image basis, unlike the text, which is GFDL licensed.

All that being said: how do you know if something is in the public domain? There are generally three approaches:

1. You know it is in the public domain because you know its copyright has expired due to age/lack of renewal/etc. See this page for an easy-to-use table on determining copyright terms in the USA.
2. You know it is in the public domain because it is created by an organization that cannot hold copyright. This primarily applies in the case of works of the US federal government. Note that not all works by government-sponsored employees or institutions are "works of the federal government". And note that this is the federal government specifically; state governments can be different in their policies.
3. You know it is in the public domain because the copyright holder has said so, or put certain "free" restrictions on its use. This is what Wikipedia and Commons and etc. does — they explicitly make their copyright assignment try to promote re-use of material. There are stipulations, but they are much freer than other copyrighted material, and they don't require you to check with the authors to get permission to use them.

Does that help? The problem is that copyright law can be both difficult to understand and the "ultimate" test of it is a lawsuit, which everyone wants to avoid. My recommendation would be to read a helpful little book like Lawrence Lessig's Free Culture (free online at link), which will give you a good sense of how these things work very quickly. It's a good book, anyway. --98.217.18.109 (talk) 23:52, 7 March 2008 (UTC)

Australia and the World Cup?

When was the last time Australia made the world cup besides 2006? 220.233.83.26 (talk) 07:26, 7 March 2008 (UTC)

Prior to 2006, Australia only qualified for one other World Cup - the 1974 FIFA World Cup. They did not make it past the group stage. Nanonic (talk) 08:14, 7 March 2008 (UTC)

I bet if they had had Tim Cahill they would have. Recury (talk) 15:13, 7 March 2008 (UTC)

They seek him here, they seek him there, they seek Tim Cahill everywhere. --68.144.73.245 (talk) 17:16, 7 March 2008 (UTC)

Tim Cahill (6)

What age was Tim Cahill when he first participated in the 2004 Olympics for the Australian team? 220.233.83.26 (talk) 08:32, 7 March 2008 (UTC)

In order to know how old somebody was at a particular time, you need to know two things, namely (1) when that time was, and (2) when the person was born. Then you sort of subtract the one from the other. Now, you'll find one needed datum in one WP article, and the other datum in another WP article. One of these articles is coincidentally titled Tim Cahill, and the other is conspicuously linked from within it. Incidentally, how about this? -- Hoary (talk) 09:03, 7 March 2008 (UTC)

Please see above to explain: AAAAHHHHHHGGGGG!!! —Preceding unsigned comment added by 193.115.175.247 (talk) 12:28, 7 March 2008 (UTC)

Tim Cahill (7)

What are some of Tim Cahill's personal acheivements? 220.233.83.26 (talk) 09:36, 7 March 2008 (UTC)

Those that are ably described in the article about him. How many more questions on Cahill do you have in store for us? -- Hoary (talk) 10:27, 7 March 2008 (UTC)

What five letter word shares the last two letters of Tim Cahill's name, perhaps? Julia Rossi (talk) 22:03, 7 March 2008 (UTC)

i have lost the will to live...Perry-mankster (talk) 23:19, 7 March 2008 (UTC)

Goebells

Goebells created a flamboyant blue suit as a uniform for himself, unlike that of any of the other Nazi's. Today, this would be seen a being rather camp Further more, Hiter apparently enjoyed being deficated on. I do not mean to imply that homosexuals enjoy defication, please dont take this the wrong way, but in the light of these to aspects of thier personalities relate to the Nazi persecution of homosexual persons. Thanks people. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 193.115.175.247 (talk) 17:09, 7 March 2008 (UTC)

You have to separate fact from rumour and propaganda, and realize that the propagandists didn't want Allied peoples just to hate the Nazis. They wanted them to also look down on the Nazis as contemptible and weird - "not like us". This is why Nazi leaders were often portrayed as being what the average person would have thought back then as "weird" or "abnormal", as this learned tome did. The Nazis tried the same kind of thing with Roosevelt and Churchill, giving them sexual proclivities they didn't have in real life.

As for flamboyant uniforms; many leaders (Eisenhower for one) had unique uniforms designed for themselves at the time. Goebbels's uniform is no more flamboyant than Ike's. It was more colourful, since Goebbels's uniform was meant to make him more obvious in a crowd while Ike's uniform was not. Goebbels wasn't a general at the front. --NellieBly (talk) 18:01, 7 March 2008 (UTC)

whare is thi question????????????Perry-mankster (talk) 23:20, 7 March 2008 (UTC)

click the edit button on the right hand side adjacent to the header of the question you wish to reply to. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 86.18.34.51 (talk) 01:10, 8 March 2008 (UTC)

There is a good response to this 'question' over on the Humanities desk by Clio the Muse. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Yes, I believe it (talk • contribs) 07:05, 8 March 2008 (UTC)

It's gone here [16] Julia Rossi (talk) 07:08, 8 March 2008 (UTC)

Race wars

this question has been moved to the humanities desk

Qualifications of volunteers working the Wikipedia Reference desk

Hello,

I am curious about the minimum qualifications of volunteers who work on the Wikipedia Reference desk. In the Wikipedia entry on Reference desks, it states specifically that a Master's degree in Library Science is commonly held by those who work at traditional library reference desks. Is that true of the Wikipedia Reference desk as well? Thank you. 208.110.235.137 (talk) 17:25, 7 March 2008 (UTC)

No. Any random person with internet access can wander by and answer questions. We sometimes get unreasonable answers. Like the rest of Wikipedia, we depend on most editors being reasonable, it usually works surprisingly well. Friday (talk) 17:27, 7 March 2008 (UTC)

Reasonable?, bugger! i better sober up. P.S. you have to have an encyclopedic knowledge of Tim Cahill:P Perry-mankster (talk) 23:24, 7 March 2008 (UTC)

And you have to be able to suitly emphazi things when called upon to do so. Otherwise, if you breathe air, you're qualified. -- JackofOz (talk) 23:49, 7 March 2008 (UTC)

I tend to stick to areas of my own expertise, so in my case, I mostly answer computer-related questions. On the other hand, I also enjoy taking a look at this miscellaneous desk because the questions are usually pretty fun. Useight (talk) 23:50, 7 March 2008 (UTC)

It helps to have patience to some degree, among others such as the third and the nth. Julia Rossi (talk) 02:30, 8 March 2008 (UTC)

糖醋肉??

Does anyone know what this chinese cuisine (糖醋肉) is called in US? I've googled for an hour and I couldn't find it. It looks like this. Janviermichelle (talk) 18:24, 7 March 2008 (UTC)

Maybe sweet and sour pork? [17] 207.148.157.228 (talk) 18:34, 7 March 2008 (UTC)

It means Sweet and Sour meat in Chinese, but the dish you linked to does not look like sweet and sour pork. bibliomaniac15 I see no changes 02:50, 8 March 2008 (UTC)

It looks very regular. chicken's not usually battered, and while fish can be, it's more organic in shape, and tofu wouldn't be "meat" though it comes in little squares, is it usually battered?

Tornadoes hit Florida , sucked up Wikipedia ?!

Is Wikipedia still functioning ? Just seen on the news that tornadoes have hit your area. 65.173.104.12 (talk) 21:05, 7 March 2008 (UTC)

One other thing, who's Admins are more helpful, sexy, nicer, cuter, kinder ? Wikipedia's Admins or Uncyclopedia's Admins ? 65.173.104.12 (talk) 21:07, 7 March 2008 (UTC)

Uncyclopedia has admins?! 206.252.74.48 (talk) 21:25, 7 March 2008 (UTC)

All of Wikipedia is down, having been blown to Oz by the tornadoes. Anything you see now is likely just a dream. Try not to walk through the poppies. --LarryMac | Talk 21:33, 7 March 2008 (UTC)

Ah, so that's where all the recent heavy rains came from. -- JackofOz (talk) 21:42, 7 March 2008 (UTC)

Wikipedia has Admins?!. Oz has rain?! the endth of the world cometh! run to the hills! etc etc...Perry-mankster (talk) 23:26, 7 March 2008 (UTC)

The above may also explain the emergence of millions of clones of Agent Cahill taking over the WP:Reference Matrix to annihilate the nonconformists. --Cookatoo.ergo.ZooM (talk) 23:31, 7 March 2008 (UTC)

March 8

Funny photos

Can someone give me a website that shows some funny things like the picture in the this website? Btw its the spetsnaz one БοņёŠɓɤĭĠ₳₯є 00:03, 8 March 2008 (UTC)

you might want to check out [18] Furmanj (talk) 01:18, 8 March 2008 (UTC)

Thanks but i wanted more military ones then just general stuff like that. Thanks though. БοņёŠɓɤĭĠ₳₯є 03:34, 8 March 2008 (UTC)

Abaya and Jilbab

What is the difference between the terms Jilbab and Abaya? —Preceding unsigned comment added by Don Mustafa (talk • contribs) 04:45, 8 March 2008 (UTC)

Have you seen the articles Jilbāb, Abaya and Hijab? They describe the difference as clothing and as meaning and function which you might like to compare as you go. Julia Rossi (talk) 07:04, 8 March 2008 (UTC)

Over the rainbow

For some reason I used to be really into the American Hip-Hop and now I have started getting back into the Japanese music scene. According to my finances it costs a lot less money as well. I was wondering if it was more expensive to be into foreign music then music from your own country. What do you guys think?--SlaveofBetrayal (Talk) —Preceding comment was added at 05:06, 8 March 2008 (UTC)

C'mon it's the 21st century here! Just download them both for free! --124.254.77.148 (talk) 07:47, 8 March 2008 (UTC)

Are you asking whether it is more expensive for you to (legally) buy foreign or domestic music, or whether it is more expensive for foreigners than locals to produce music? I think there will be national variations in both, but it will vary from country to country. I don't know the situation in Japan, but logic would suggest that local music would be cheaper to buy. Rockpocket 07:53, 8 March 2008 (UTC)