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February 26

What are the closed "taps" in this photograph for?

http://i.imgur.com/5P8D2.jpg I mean the ones on the building wall. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Xcvxvbxcdxcvbd (talk • contribs) 00:01, 26 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Firehoses, i think. 75.41.110.52 (talk) 00:05, 26 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Yes. They're fire hydrants. Dominus Vobisdu (talk) 00:07, 26 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Not hydrants, but standpipes. A hyrdrant provides water for hoses (or a pumper trunk). The connections in the photo are for the other end of the hose, to get water into the building. RudolfRed (talk) 00:23, 26 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

See Dry riser. Nanonic (talk) 20:21, 26 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

What is the song Beyoncé - Countdown about?

I've watched the music video a few times now and tried to listen to the lyrics, but it seems like it's just random nonsense? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2XY3AvVgDns — Preceding unsigned comment added by Xcvxvbxcdxcvbd (talk • contribs) 02:14, 26 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

If you can't make out the lyrics, look them up on Google. Or don't. It's basically random baby-talk nonsense about how she thinks her boyfriend is cool. Shakespeare it ain't. Dominus Vobisdu (talk) 02:22, 26 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

What's a "hot lemon"?

Somebody was ill and asked for a hot lemon. What's that? You heat up a lemon on the stove and put it on your head or something? Never heard of that. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Xcvxvbxcdxcvbd (talk • contribs) 13:25, 26 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

It's hot lemon water (a drink). Mostly just hot water with lemon juice. — Preceding unsigned comment added by XPPaul (talk • contribs) 13:37, 26 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Sounds like a boring version of a hot toddy. SmartSE (talk) 14:35, 26 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

The ones you can buy over the counter for when you are ill come in powdered form and have paracetamol in as well. --Viennese Waltz 16:40, 26 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

(In the UK at least) the generic trademark for this kind of thing is Lemsip. AndrewWTaylor (talk) 19:00, 26 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

But also perhaps one that doesn't make things worse. Nil Einne (talk) 18:07, 26 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Usually drunk when someone has a cold. Also sometimes has a spoonful of honey to sweeten it. More elaborate versions have a little Ribena, or even a small amount of glycerine (if you have a sore throat). It is a comforting folk remedy. 86.164.69.124 (talk) 21:44, 27 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Music apps on app store

A question above where someone mentioned Audacity got me thinking. I have a very clever iPad app called TempoSlow, which can adjust the tempo of a song without changing the pitch. It's also remarkably cheap (I think the free version is even nearly complete, with a few non-essential features missing). Would they be able to use Audacity to make it, and port it to iTunes? It seems that Audacity has this feature (or something similar - altering pitch holding speed constant) but can they easily enough use it with iTunes? IBE (talk) 16:10, 26 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Sure, it's possible, but they'd have to comply with the Audacity licensing requirements (GNU GPL) and probably have to rewrite the interface from scratch. I'm not sure what the advantage would be — it's sort of like grabbing an entire box full of tools when all you need is a fine screwdriver. I don't think changing the tempo without changing the pitch is very computationally difficult — it usually involves just multiplying snippets or removing snippets. You might have to port the code into C# — I'm not sure. It would still be easier to just start from scratch in that instance. --Mr.98 (talk) 17:50, 26 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

How come all "black" singers are no longer black?

This Beyonce woman, for instance, looks anything but black-skinned. Isn't she supposed to be a typical "black" person? She doesn't even look brown. Just slightly tanned. The only time I see truly black people in media, they are typically male and some kind of cop or something. How is one supposed to interpret this? I'm genuinely interested because I no longer understand what a "black" person means if Beyonce is considered "black". Xcvxvbxcdxcvbd (talk) 16:16, 26 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

You should not worry about such terminology. These days the politically correct way of looking at this is to say that someone is black if they self-identify as black. As you point out, it's hard to apply objective criteria, so the only solution is self-identification. --Viennese Waltz 16:43, 26 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

It means she is considered by her society (and perhaps by herself) to have a "significant" number of genes derived from historically Sub-Saharan African populations. It's not scientific, it's mostly cultural. It doesn't merely reflect color of skin. Definitions of Blackness have changed over time, as have definitions of Whiteness. See Race (classification of humans). --Mr.98 (talk) 17:41, 26 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Mr.98 is on the right track when saying that subjective Blackness/Whiteness is cultural. This is why in the United States you have some Blacks calling each other Uncle Toms, usually deriding their "not being black enough". It's not due to the color of their skin, but more due to the environment that they were raised in, as well as their socioeconomic status. _{Note I am not a sociologist, so my information may be inaccurate.}--WaltCip (talk) 18:27, 26 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

It may be interesting to note that northern urban African Americans have, on average, 15-20% of European genes (with some variations from city to city), and as many as 30% of African American males carry Y chromosomes of recent European origin.--Itinerant1 (talk) 05:56, 27 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

And plenty of people who are considered "white" by their society contain genes that originated in sub-Saharan Africa. The short story is that it isn't really about the genes except in the way they superficially relate to appearance (facial features, skin color, hair type), and even these can be deceptive. --Mr.98 (talk) 18:06, 27 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

There is a longstanding issue of "light-skinned blacks" being preferred over "dark-skinned blacks", especially females. This has two effects in the direction you noted:

1) Lighter-skinned blacks may be more successful, and thus more visible.

2) They may also go out of their way to have lighter skins, in order to be more successful. For example, Michael Jackson seemed to have his skin bleached. Compare early [1] and later [2] pictures of him. Makeup and airbrushing photos are other ways to lighten the appearance of the skin.

Note that when the media want to make someone look like a thug, they often darken the image, as Time Magazine did with OJ Simpson's mug shot: [3]. And yes, this is racism, plain and simple. StuRat (talk) 21:47, 26 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

It should be noted that Jackson did suffer from vitiligo, which is a disease which produces lighten splotches of skin. See Michael_Jackson's_health_and_appearance#Vitiligo_and_lupus.2C_treatments_and_effects for a longer discussion. --Mr.98 (talk) 18:05, 27 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

I am reading: "Isn't she supposed to be a typical "black" person?" From where are you deriving that? Bus stop (talk) 18:55, 27 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

"Average student prospects to become an investment banker"

hi all,

This is a question which i revolving inside my head every time I read something related to Investment banking or Private Equity or Venture Capitalists. I am a graduate in commerce & at present a final year student of Chartered Accountants. I am keen to know what all is required for an average student to start with investment banking or I can quote it in this way "that what all efforts a student is required to put in order to become an investment banker".

All the replies in this regards will be overwhelmingly appreciated.

Regards ′Bhawana joshi (talk) 18:07, 26 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Do you have any work experience in banking, accounting, or any of the related fields? In what country did you obtain your diplomas, and if applicable, at what university? Do you have any outside/personal connections to banking besides simply having the academic credentials?--WaltCip (talk) 18:22, 26 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Certainly, in my experience of seeking work, they all seem to want some previous experience in investment banking. However, there are some graduate opportunities in the field, though you might have to do an (unpaid) internship first. Check out job hunting websites (eg. Monster.com or your local equivalent) and see what the adverts are saying when it comes to skills required and expected qualifications. Astronaut (talk) 22:21, 26 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

In the UK, summer internships (usually the summer before your final year) are paid (and paid very well - you usually get the graduate salary, pro-rated) and are definitely the best way to get in (it's basically a 10 week job interview and you hear horror stories of interns being made to routinely work through the night, but if you're good you'll get a firm job offer at the end of it). It is possible to get a job without an internship if a company has places to fill that it didn't fill through its internship programme. However, investment banking is a very popular job so investment banks can, and do, demand the very best from applicants. I don't think an "average student" would stand much chance. --Tango (talk) 13:08, 27 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

What's the song in this video clip?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tBtwKFkqjEc Been trying to find this song forever... — Preceding unsigned comment added by Xcvxvbxcdxcvbd (talk • contribs) 19:18, 26 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

As the twelfth track on the remastered CD release of the soundtrack [4], it is called "Shelley Winters Cha Cha". --Atethnekos (Discussion, Contributions) 21:46, 26 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

And it was composed for the film by Nelson Riddle. Deor (talk) 21:49, 26 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Why does evolution hate zebras?

They are all white and black in a savanna setting. Logically, such an animal should've evolved into some kind of dirt-colored creature. The pattern might be okay, but the colors?! — Preceding unsigned comment added by Xcvxvbxcdxcvbd (talk • contribs) 19:43, 26 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

There are plenty of reasons why the zebra's stripes may help them survive - see Zebra#Stripes. Hut 8.5 19:59, 26 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

One of the reasons mentioned in the Zebra#Stripes section, is also the subject of an in brief story in the 18th February issue of New Scientist, p 18: The stripes confuse tsetse flies and Horseflies, and provide an unattractive surface to land on. J Exp Biol, DOI:10.1242/jeb.065540. --NorwegianBlue^talk 22:00, 26 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

You might also look at Camouflage#Motion_dazzle. AJ Cham 09:54, 27 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Logic says you're wrong. Shadowjams (talk) 09:49, 28 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Evolution doesn't love or hate anyone or anything. If zebras have survived and thrived, then their stripes are either benefiting them or at worst are not significantly harming them. ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 12:47, 28 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

The pattern is actually more important than the color. Most mammals have very bad color vision. Most nocturnal and marine mammals only see in one color (monochromacy), while most diurnal mammals only see in green, blue, and yellow (dichromacy). Take for instance, tigers. They're glaringly orange to us trichromats, but to most other mammals they're more or less indistinguishable from a background of green grass.

We humans are actually the lucky ones in that we have trichromatic vision, a gift from primate ancestors that decided to eat fruits and young leaves. The former is usually red, a color that makes it indistinguishable from unripe fruits to most mammalian herbivores, but birds (the dispersal agents targeted by the plants) see it just fine. Recessive monochromacy and dichromacy still occur in humans every now and then though - as color blindness. And even trichromacy is far far less than the usual colors seen by birds, reptiles, fish, and some invertebrates.

The main predators of zebras (lions, hyenas, leopards, etc.) are members of Carnivora. And carnivores, as far as anyone can tell, have poor color vision, though they have excellent dim-light and binocular vision. Unsurprising given that they are mostly nocturnal. At night time, colors don't matter.-- OBSIDIAN†SOUL 13:43, 28 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

If I remember correctly, what little night vision we have left is mostly black and white, our minds just fill in the other colors. Ian.thomson (talk) 14:24, 28 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Just thanx

Just wanted to tell you all how good wikipedia is looking now and in such a short time. Music, botanics, youve nailed it. Compliments for everyones commitment, wishing you all success. Find solace in that you are educating and education hopefully leads us into a better era. Kind regards Xil — Preceding unsigned comment added by 83.40.3.139 (talk) 20:17, 26 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

You're welcome, from all of us here at Wikipedia. StuRat (talk) 21:34, 26 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Of course the best way to say thanks is to join us, and help make it even better. Mitch Ames (talk) 11:00, 27 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Resolved

cutty sark

what was life on bourd the cutty sark like? — Preceding unsigned comment added by 82.45.100.94 (talk) 20:45, 26 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

These pages are from the Cutty Sark Preservation Society, who currently own the ship:

The first two pages seem like they may be of particular use to you. --Atethnekos (Discussion, Contributions) 21:28, 26 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

cutty sark answer now please

Please, I have now to find out wat the life was like abourd the cutty sark if not answered be 4 1155 then thanx alot so plese help

Presumably this is for your homework, which we're not going to do for you, however have you read Cutty Sark for a starting point? And then a few google searches for things like "life on the cutty sark" or "life on 19th century ships" should get you the rest--Jac16888 ^Talk 21:09, 26 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Also, you need to be more patient. You posted you're follow-up question 8 minutes after the first post. You really shouldn't expect an answer that fast. Sometimes answers take a week on here, although often you get a partial answer within a day. StuRat (talk) 21:32, 26 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

There's some really good film of the Cutty Sark at sea in the 1920s here and here. It gives a hint about how difficult life was - heavy manual work, no safety equipment (if you let go, there was nothing to stop you falling-off and being killed). Bad food, long hours on watch, not much sleep and no way of drying your clothes. My grandfather was an apprentice on a sailing ship from the age of 15 and had some tales to tell. Alansplodge (talk) 21:42, 26 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

I'm curious now; were we in time? Alansplodge (talk) 11:12, 27 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

...Or did he miss the boat? ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 23:32, 27 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

If it was me, just to be a smart ass, I'd do a report on the Scotch whiskey. StuRat (talk) 04:27, 29 February 2012 (UTC) [reply]

A smart ass would know that there's no such thing as 'Scotch whiskey'. Good Scotch (or even bad Scotch) has no 'e' ;-) AndyTheGrump (talk) 04:32, 29 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

In EO, under "whisky" it says "see whiskey".[5] ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 00:33, 1 March 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Junk mail economics

I get ads for the same cable company (U-verse) mailed to me about once a week. I have difficulty figuring out how such a practice can be profitable for them. Surely if a consumer doesn't respond to the first hundred such ads, the chances of them responded to number 101, one week later, with the same exact offer, must be absurdly low. Are there any studies on the effectiveness of repeat mailings that show that this really is in their interest ? StuRat (talk) 23:27, 26 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Once you have the infrastructure in place, sending an email costs almost nothing. So even if the chances of you replying to email 101 are absurdly low, they're still probably a little higher then almost nothing. Vespine (talk) 23:44, 26 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Oops, I see a clarification is needed here: I mean snail mail, not email. StuRat (talk) 23:46, 26 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Here is a discussion of "repetition effects" in advertising. Goals are to have you "overlearn" their message, and to "drown out" the message of the opposition. The article notes the risk of "wearout and negative effects." A rational consumer might hear or see an ad once and base his purchasing on what he heard. Advertisers do not really expect the consumer to run out and buy their products without many repetitions. The hazard from overzealous repetition is that the consumer may develop a positive attitude after a certain number of reps, which turns to a negative attitude after too many reps. In the 1970's US TV advertisers introduced the "irritating" commercial, a type which caused viewers to complained to one another about, and to vow never to buy the indigestion remedy or cleaning product. Yet when "indigestion" struck or there were stains the regular detergent just could not remove, the annoying brand was likely the one which came to mind. The profit they might gain from you installing their cable service seems to be enough to motivate the annoying repetition of junk mail. Edison (talk) 23:47, 26 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Virgin media are certainly doing themselves no favours by continuing to ignore the spirit of the UK Mailing Preference Service (by mailing 'the occupier' at my address). I now have a big stack of their junk mail. Astronaut (talk) 02:14, 27 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

It has always puzzled me that people will complain about spam in their email or annoying telemarketers, both easy to ignore, but seem to care very little about the incredible wastefulness of junk mail. I get credit card offers several times a week. These people in Virginia or Arizona or wherever are sending a letter, and sometimes that stupid little fake sample credit card, all the way to Alaska on the off chance that I might decide to take them up on another card exactly like the three they know I already have and barely use. And I don't even open them, they go straight in the shredder. And their stupid letter from Virginia gets buried in the dump in Alaska. It's obscene that the U.S. mail gives these idiots a break with their bulk mail rates. They're mailing me garbage that I now have to get rid of. i should send them a bill. Actually, sometimes I do open them up if I thin they included a "business reply envelope." I tear up everything else, including the outer envelope, stuff it in there, and send it back to them. Unfortunately this wastes still more resources, but I bet if enough people did it they would get the message and stop sending them out. Who's with me? Beeblebrox (talk) 04:15, 27 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Agreed. I remember reading a satirical article appearing, I think, in Reader's Digest some 30 years ago, where archeologists from the future were digging through the ruins of our society to study it, and concluded that the end came when the Post Office lowered the rate for bulk postage, and everyone was buried alive in the subsequent flood of junk mail, much like Vesuvius buried Pompeii. StuRat (talk) 07:32, 27 February 2012 (UTC) [reply]

I can believe it. UltraExactZZ ^Said~ Did 13:19, 28 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

One guy I used to know would return every single one of the free reply envelopes - Business Reply Mail or some such - since each one cost a stamp's price to the company sending him spam. There's also the story of the guy (somewhere on the internet, if I recall) who said he "felt bad" that they spent money to send him a catalog or whatever, so he put $.86 in coins in the return envelope. This would, because of weight, cost more to send for the company - and they refunded it to him by check, which probably cost more for them to print and mail than the value of the check. Didn't stop the junk mail, though... UltraExactZZ ^Said~ Did 13:19, 28 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Even Honest Abe Lincoln would probably stop short of that. One thing to consider, though, is that for every bit of junk mail you add to the weekly recycling drive will be a donation toward making more paper bags for grocery stores. ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 04:38, 1 March 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Or even more junk mail. StuRat (talk) 04:58, 2 March 2012 (UTC) [reply]

February 27

Free wi-fi on board?

Is the wi-fi network on planes free of charge and free of limitations? XPPaul (talk) 00:17, 27 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

It's going to vary by airline. American Airlines charges for it [6], and it looks like Delta does, too. RudolfRed (talk) 00:52, 27 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

I'm a bit confused by the whole premise myself. During takeoff and landing, they want you to turn your phone, laptop, tablet, etc, off. As in all the way off, not just sleep mode or airplane mode. Supposedly this is because these devices will somehow interfere with the plane's avionics and cause a crash, even with all wireless features turned off. But when you are up 30,000 ft it is somehow ok to have a wireless router and dozens of devices going at once. How does that work? How do they get wifi up there at all, and could you hypothetically do it yourself with the Android phone with the built in wireless hotspot? Beeblebrox (talk) 04:04, 27 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

I have long since concluded that this was a myth; otherwise Al Qaida would be looking to bring down planes by shipping a few dozen iPods. I have decided that if they allowed phone calls on planes (other than the very expensive air to ground), people would kill each other long before ocean was crossed.--Wehwalt (talk) 09:32, 27 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Airlines normally don't give you an explicit reason to turn everything off, but I could imagine several for not using your laptop, cell-phone or what-you-got during takeoff and landing: by a harsh maneuver the device could fly off your hand, you won't pay much attention to security instructions, and a laptop on your lap would delay a possible evacuation (what would you do in case of an accident, throw the laptop on the floor, where someone could stumble, or carry it and have your hands occupied?). XPPaul (talk) 12:37, 27 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

No. As Beeblebrox said above, they do indeed give an explicit reason to turn such devices off, namely that they interfere with aircraft equipment. The question is how to reconcile this with the availability of wi-fi onboard. --Viennese Waltz 12:44, 27 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

I'm not sure they do say that any more because by now everyone knows that is isn't true. How could a plane that could crash because someone had a mobile phone switched on in their pocket ever pass the stringent safetly requirements for passenger planes? It's a ridiculous claim. They might interfere with the entertainment system, or something, but they won't interfere with critical systems - they are all shielded from stray EM. I think XPPaul is right - they don't want you being too distracted during takeoff and landing, they also probably don't want the stray illumination from screens (you may have noticed their turn off the cabin lights for takeoff and landing at night so as not to have a difference in lighting between the inside and outside of the plane - I expect the reading lights are designed to turn off automatically in an emergency, but your laptop screen won't). There are also issues with mobile phones connecting to too many cell towers because so many are visible from the sky. And, finally, they want to be able to charge you ridiculous amounts to use their onboard phones. --Tango (talk) 13:15, 27 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

This sort of thing has been discussed many times on the RD including Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Science/2011 September 23#Wifi and cell-phones on board of a plane. Some of the points discussed have already been mentioned here but I'd raise a few other key points. Airliners and regulators are generally very risk adverse and many authorities don't consider it conclusively proven that there's no way phones could interfere with the important airline systems, particularly since there have been some cases of coincidences of problems that went away when devices were turned off. And in case it isn't obviouy, landing and takeoff are considered crucial times with little room for error. Also, even if there really is some small risk, that doesn't mean it would make sense for al-Qaeda or whoever to send them to down planes. In fact iPods have lithium ion batteries, some airlines and regulators do have regulations on the size, number and packaging of lithium ion batteries because they consider them a risk. In a similar vein, the fact that some devices are occasionally left on doesn't prove there is no problem or suggest it doesn't make sense to require such devices be turned off. If there is a risk and it depends at least partially on the number of devices, then the more you turn off, the lower the risk. Finally if someone is using electronic device it's easier to tell them to turn it off then tell them to make sure it's in flight mode. (While I don't think flight attendants will generally check you actually turn it off they probably will hassle you if they see you using it again before you're supposed to. And I suspect people are more likely to comply if they know they can't use the device. Whereas if you can use the device, some may just claim it's in flight mode even if the device doesn't have such a setting or they have no idea how to set it.) BTW, remember that some planes have pico or microcells, so they do allow people to call with their phones during the flight, although generally with a high cost and not during takeoff or landing. Nil Einne (talk) 15:59, 27 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

I had thought that this warning was only put for takeoffs and landings since even a small navigation error during takeoff and landing could crash the whole plane. But if a small blip occurs at 30,000 feet, it won't noticeably affect the overall flight. 67.185.1.213 (talk) 16:57, 27 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

The OP asked if the wi-fi network on planes is free of charge and free of limitations. The answer to the first question (free of charge) is yes at least for some airlines. I used it last week-end on my android phone, and it worked flawlessly. The "free of limitations" question I cannot answer. What kind of limitations would that refer to? Bandwidth/Gb downloaded? Pr0n sites? Other kinds of censorship? Dunno, I just read and wrote some emails. As to the "during landing and take-off" bit, I once overheard a crew member talking to a passenger friend, saying that the real reason for the restriction, is that take off and landing are hugely more dangerous than the rest of the flight, and that they don't want the passengers to be distracted by their electronic playthings. --NorwegianBlue^talk 21:50, 27 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Watches and Water Resistance

Per Water Resistant mark, a watch that is rated as being 200m Water Resistant (not Diver's 200m) is not suitable for diving and should be used for no deeper than a recreational pool. It states that the apparent depth misconception is due to the fact that the 200m WR rating was measured under a pool of static water and does not take into consideration the extra pressure that will be applied to the watch when the wearer moves through the water.

But suppose I am wearing a watch that is 200m WR, and I am diving recreationally to say, 50m, is the additional pressure from the movement of my hand while I am swimming able to apply the equivalent of 150m of water pressure and hence, render the watch unsuitable for diving?

Edit: I am aware of the other ISO requirements necessary, such as a uni-directional bezel, for a watch to be given a "Diver" designation, but purely in terms of the watch's ability to prevent water leakage, will a 200m WR watch be suitable for diving to 200m?

Acceptable (talk) 05:15, 27 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

I agree that the movement of the watch through the water is rather insignificant. If that was all that was going on here, then a watch rated for 200 m should be able to handle 190 m or more. I suspect that they simply lied when they gave it that rating, and this is an attempt to cover up the lie. StuRat (talk) 07:26, 27 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

"Water resistant to 200m" is ridiculous. If you are going deeper than about 4m then you must be diving, in which case you should get a divers watch. "Water resistant" is useful for doing the washing up and for swimming pools, that's about it. I don't understand why they give depths for water resistance. --Tango (talk) 13:18, 27 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

I'd think the main difference between non-diving and diving watches is that the latter are designed for prolonged exposure. Hence non-diving watches are immersed (when tested) only 10 minutes at the rated pressure, and 1 hour at 10 cm depth, while diving watches are immersed 2 hours at 125% of rated pressure and 50 hours at 30 cm depth. In addition, diving watches are tested for immersion in salt water (24 hours) and for external forces. I've had a 50m W.R. rated watch, and eventually water came into the casing (though I never swim deeper than 2m). -- Lindert (talk) 16:13, 27 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Also, a diver's watch is likely made so that you can press its buttons while underwater without risking that the water gets in around the buttons. – b_jonas 11:04, 28 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Style, academic publishing

I'm submitting a paper soon that uses Author (year) style citations. I'll be saying plenty of things like "Jones et al. (2010) showed that ...". I'm confused as to how to indicate possession, e.g. to refer to a system used by Jones et. al (2010). So, which of these is least jarring?

"Jones et al.'s (2010) system is..."
"Jones et al. (2010)'s system is..."
"Jones' et al. (2010) system is..."
other options?

These all look horrible and clunky to me, but I would prefer to not re-write the whole sentence to use something like "the system used by Jones et al. (2010)" I have also looked at the style guide for authors from the publishers. It does not begin to address this issue. Thanks in advance! SemanticMantis (talk) 18:41, 27 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

The option you've explicitly ruled out — "the system used by Jones et al. (2010)" — squares most completely with how I've seen it done in formal periodicals. #3 is 100% wrong. #2 and #1 both look bad. I would go with the simple re-write. --Mr.98 (talk) 19:21, 27 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Agree with Mr. 98. Generally, you can avoid the problem by putting the citation at the end of the sentence. Unless there is a good reason too, don't mention author's names in the body of the sentence. Include them in parentheses at the end. This generally avoids the use of indirect discourse.

Examples:

Members of the alliance Crothinion prefer wet, acidic subtrates in full sunshine (Korski et al., 2007).

One study on calciphilic lichens revealed that species growing on concrete were resistant to dessication (Pinkleton and Rabycz, 2012).

Using the author's name in the body of the sentence indicates that the author is significant, and not only the information they provide. This is more common in reviews or in the discussion section of a primary article, and maybe sometimes in the introduction:

Finley et al. (1998) concluded that the species was xerothermic, whereas Rachelson (2002) and Connors (2003) found that it grew best in moist habitats.

The only exception I make to this rule is with methods or formulas:

The study area was surveyed in accordance with the methods described by Rudolphe and Hu (2001).

All data were transformed using the formula proposed by Surontong and Mbembe (2005).

Even then, I try to make sure that the sentence ends there.

Avoid using indirect discourse as much as you can. Too much is irritating.

Last of all, don't interupt a sentence with parentheses unless it's absolutely necessary:

Clumsy: Vitamin C is found in cherries (Budzinski and Wallis, 2007), greengages (Porter, 2002; My et al., 2003), apples (Kurtz et al., 1999; Szojner and Myśliński, 2007) and dingleberries (Santorum, 2012).

Better: Vitamin C is found in cherries, greengages, apples and dingleberries (Budzinski and Wallis, 2007; Porter, 2002; My et al., 2003; Kurtz et al., 1999; Szojner and Myśliński, 2007; Santorum, 2012).

The first version is almost unreadable. Actually, I once translated a sentence like this with about a dozen different fruits. In the end, it worked better as a bulleted list. Dominus Vobisdu (talk) 19:52, 27 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Thanks for the responses. Dominus: my usage is much more like your 'review' example. The author is important, in that it is the only name I have to identify their method. I ended up re-writing to avoid a possessive citation, but it seems like there should be some way to do it :) SemanticMantis (talk) 14:38, 28 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Resolved

February 28

Deodorizing clothes

I'm storing my clothes in sealed plastic bags and would like to give them a pleasant scent for when they come out. I don't like the scent of dryer sheets. So, what else could I use ? I considered cedar chips, cinnamon sticks, mint leaves, and whole cloves. However, since these items might come into direct contact with the clothes, I'm afraid they might leave greasy stains on them.

1) Would each of those items leave stains ?

2) I suppose I could set up some type of barrier, but would prefer something that won't stain the clothes if it touches them. Any suggestions ? StuRat (talk) 00:14, 28 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Have you read up on the literature on first world problems? --2.127.117.253 (talk) 00:34, 28 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Any of those you mention will work fine, but wrap them thinly in a porous cloth. I use cedar chips, but get an old cotton undershirt, cut into squares, and wrap it once to avoid direct contact with the clothes, especially if stored for a long time. A very small scented candle (like tea candles) works too, but be sure to warp them in something to avoid direct contact with the clothes. Also, store at room temp...not an attic or outside shed where it might get really hot or cold. Quinn ^{░ RAIN} 01:23, 28 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Hang the clothes outdoors on a sunny day on a clothes line or drier where fresh air and direct sunlight can reach them, and leave them out for a whole day. (You don't need them to be wet for this.) That usually gives them a nice scent. – b_jonas 10:45, 28 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Since it's winter and my lot is heavily treed, that should give me clothes covered in a combo of pine tar, bird crap, and ice. StuRat (talk) 04:23, 29 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Cedar oils can potentially stain clothing, although it depends on how often you're planning to rotate your clothing. You can prevent any oil escaping by wrapping the cedar chips or balls in fabric. You can also store clothing in a cedar chest. Cinnamon sticks won't leave as strong a scent, but they will stain things red; whole cloves will also stain, and they can leave an acerbic scent. Sprinkling baking soda can help to deodorize already problematic clothing. Mint leaves contain oils that are sticky and hard to remove. Probably your best bet is to use cedar chips. Temperature isn't that important if you're only storing clothing, but I'd note that cedar has to be exposed to friction every couple of months to keep the scent strong. I've used cedar balls in all of my drawers and a big cedar chest for my blankets. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 161.130.188.51 (talk) 01:40, 2 March 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Thanks. Where do you buy cedar balls ? StuRat (talk) 18:00, 2 March 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Just spray Febreeze on them. -- Mwalcoff (talk) 03:06, 2 March 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Yuck, that's the same nasty chemicals I hate in fabric softener sheets. StuRat (talk) 18:00, 2 March 2012 (UTC)[reply]

SSI

So, a friend of mine, his parents get some SSI money thing for looking after him, (I don't know what that is, hoping people here do) but turns out they're not looking after him at all, to the extent that they've thrown him out of the house. So we're wondering, any way he can stop his parents getting the money and have it diverted to his own account?

148.197.81.179 (talk) 01:45, 28 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

SSI = Social Security income? -- Jack of Oz ^{[your turn]} 02:03, 28 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Yeah, SSI is a form of social benefit that's part of Social Security in the US (although your IP address shows as being in the UK). We can't give legal advice here. Your friend should contact his local Social Security office. -- Mwalcoff (talk) 02:07, 28 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

(EC) The OP's IP locates to the UK, but we don't have anything called SSI - that's an American name, I think. OP, is your friend in the UK? If so, your friend can locate his nearest Jobcentre Plus and explain the situation from there. He can then apply for numerous types of benefits, such as Jobseeker's Allowance, Income Support, and Incapacity Benefit, as well as Housing Benefit from the DWP via the Jobcentre. In the course of his application, he can make it clear that he no longer lives at his parents' house, and their benefit will be stopped accordingly. If your friend is in the US, I believe there should be a similar system (albeit with different names for the various benefits and institutions). KägeTorä - (影虎) (TALK) 02:12, 28 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

yea, he's in america, we've been talking over the phone. is it the same there? 148.197.81.179 (talk) 02:16, 28 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

SSI is an American program, so, again, he needs to contact his local Social Security office, which he can find in the blue pages of the phone book (if anyone uses phone books anymore) or on the Social Security website. -- Mwalcoff (talk) 02:20, 28 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

The hard copy phone book is still indispensable for a great many people, including me. -- Jack of Oz ^{[your turn]} 02:24, 28 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

indeed, but hard to get at when you're homeless, I guess. I'll look on the website. 148.197.81.179 (talk) 02:28, 28 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Relevance? I was responding to "if anyone uses phone books anymore". -- Jack of Oz ^{[your turn]} 02:31, 28 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Your friend could also go into any police station and ask where the local DCFS office is. Some states call this by different names but in general it's Department of Children and Family Services. DCFS would be able to help him out with the SSI or at least direct him to whoever can. Additionally, they could give him other assistance that he doesn't even know that he's entitled to. (I only suggest the police station because most people know where their local police station is but rarely know where any other random governmental office might reside. Dismas|^(talk) 02:34, 28 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

OK, problem over, turns out you can't be homeless in america or they take all the other children away into care, so he's had toi blockade himself in his parents' laundry room until he starts uni. thanks for all the help anyway though. 148.197.81.179 (talk) 03:08, 28 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

First off, I think I've heard a question almost identical to this on the RD before. Second, you're asking for specific answers about government benefits... which makes it the purvey of quite a few nonprofit legal organizations... and incidentally... a legal question... so nobody here is qualified to answer you, or if they are, wouldn't dare do so on here. Find your local Legal Aid organization. If they can't help you directly they'll refer you to the next best option. Shadowjams (talk) 09:45, 28 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

announcement chime

What are the "dingdong" chimes at thes tart of announcements eg at airports called and where do airport operators get them? ----anon — Preceding unsigned comment added by 139.184.30.131 (talk) 11:39, 28 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Have you tried calling someone at an airport? They might not know, but they might know who might know. ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 12:44, 28 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

For one method, see here at 6:40. (It's at a 1950's holiday camp, but doubtless the technique was more widely utilised.) {The poster formerly known as 87.81.230.195} 90.197.66.193 (talk) 13:10, 28 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

They are electronically built into the PA system, using much the same technology as an electronic door chime.--Shantavira|^{feed me} 15:47, 28 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Marriage license

My father and mother were married on April 12,1944 at the San Bernardino,court house,Where do I go to get copy of that marriage/license? Their names are Forrest Luther Denick and Ella Mae Potter. This information is needed so that we can get the SS benefits for my mother as my father died on 2/12/2012, we have looked every where and can not find the license any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank You Sharon Keeney — Preceding unsigned comment added by 173.74.126.169 (talk) 15:24, 28 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Perhaps from the Recorder of San Bernadino County, details here. You probably need their marriage certificate, not their marriage licence. --Viennese Waltz 15:33, 28 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Right, the marriage license merely gives permission to marry; the marriage certificate is evidence that the marriage took place.--Shantavira|^{feed me} 15:51, 28 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

If you strike out at the courthouse, see if you can find a contemporary marriage announcement in a local paper; that might not help for Social Security, but you might get lucky elsewhere. If your father was a veteran (and getting married in 1944 would imply that he was of age to be at that point), the Veteran's Administration may be a resource as well. There may be additional benefits as a result, though YMMV. Condolences for your loss, by the way. UltraExactZZ ^Said~ Did 16:35, 28 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Does California have a state Bureau of Vital Statistics or some such? That might be worth a look as well; some states keep centralized records of births, deaths, and marriages. UltraExactZZ ^Said~ Did 16:36, 28 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

The California Office of Vital Records warns that "processing time can easily exceed 6 months". [[7]] Best bet is to go directly to the county recorder. Also, things will be easier if your mother makes the request herself. Otherwise, be sure to take your birth certificate with you to prove that you are authorized to request the record. Dominus Vobisdu (talk) 16:46, 28 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

The county recorder page is here. For mail-in requests, it estimates 3-5 weeks. Shimgray | talk | 22:43, 28 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

I drove to the Office of Vital Records in Sacramento to get a copy of my birth certificate and was able to get it that same day because I was in the office. Of course, that was years ago, so that might not happen any more. But then, if you're not within driving range of Sacramento, that could present a problem. The Mark of the Beast (talk) 19:53, 28 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Same-day for a walk-in request for a birth certicicate seems plausible. Marriage certificates seem to be a whole nother matter. See [[8]]. Dominus Vobisdu (talk) 20:03, 28 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Hueytown AL. School Teacher

I graauated from Hueytown High School in 1963 and was wondering if you have any information on a teacher Mrs. Mae Gilmore. Do you know when she retired, and has she passed away. Thank you Cecelia McCullough — Preceding unsigned comment added by 108.70.244.232 (talk) 19:59, 28 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

As the school website no longer seems to exist I suggest you try asking other former students or staff via Friends Reunited.--Shantavira|^{feed me} 08:37, 29 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

According to this family research, Flora Mae Gilmore (née Payne) passed away aged 74 on September 12, 1971. She is buried in the cemetery of Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church, Hueytown. - Cucumber Mike (talk) 12:34, 29 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

WOW, you are the winner of ref desk award, Mike. --SupernovaExplosion ^Talk 16:27, 29 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Well, steady on - my head'll get too for my boots! I can't claim credit for anything more than knowing the right Google search in this case. I was hoping to find a local newspaper archive with an obituary or a story on the occasion of her retirement or something, but failing that I just put in 'Hueytown history', came up with this site, followed the link to Family History and bingo! Gilmore family history. A search on 'Mae Gilmore Hueytown High School' told me that the person in question was married to Harley Gilmore, who died in 1966, which allowed me to verify that her full name was Flora Mae Gilmore, and gave her maiden name and date of death. With that, a further search for 'Flora Mae Gilmore Payne' found the burial record. 10 minutes work, max. I reckon that someone 'on the ground' in Alabama could find a lot more information in the archive, but I guess that wasn't bad at a distance of 4,500 miles! - Cucumber Mike (talk) 22:05, 29 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

If everyone suddenly died...

There are a couple of pages relating to the scenario of what would happen with the world if humans were to suddenly disappear, but they tend to deal with how the various forces of nature would gradually claim the world back. For example, how long it would take for structures to crumble or towns to become overgrown. My question is more related to a scenario where a very few people have survived and find themselves virtually alone. In those first few days, how much of the things we take for granted 'electronically' would remain active and for how long? Presumably they would be able to use their phones and the internet for at least a few hours? Surely electricity would be produced and supplied automatically for a day or two? Until the places that produce/supply these services suffer some kind of breakdown. Is it possible that some of these services might remain active for a few weeks? or would the unmanned power stations, etc. shutdown or explode way before this? Interested as I'm writing a story set in this scenario, thanks. 87.113.119.16 (talk) 22:37, 28 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

If you haven't already seen it, Life After People is a good show that covers this - I remember in particular that the Hoover Dam would produce electric without humans for some time. ^Avic _ennasis @ 23:09, 5 Adar 5772 / 23:09, 28 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

This Straight Dope staff page discusses in some detail what would happen to electrical power if everyone were to turn into a zombie, which is similar to your scenario, as zombies are not known to maintain power grids. The author's best guess was that within 24 hours, North America would be without power except for a few isolated "islands" of electrification. It doesn't discuss the Internet, without which of course we would all wither and die. Comet Tuttle (talk) 00:10, 29 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Unless you already were dead, as hypothesized. But don't rule out that the proverbial infinite number of monkeys might get hold of a bunch of cellphones and start texting and tweeting each other. ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 02:15, 29 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

How long electricity would last would depend on the type:

1) Fossil fuel: Not long at all, just until the "tank" ran dry. Presumably most power plants have a relatively small fuel supply which feeds directly into the flames, as keeping larger amounts that close to the combustion area would be dangerous. So, I'm thinking a few hours.

2) Nuclear reactors: Could be quite short if there's some type of automatic shutdown and everything is run manually. Presumably some valve wouldn't get opened and some meter would go into the red quickly. If the plant is more automated, it might continue until a critical component needed maintenance, maybe months ?

3) Hydroelectric and wind: Could last for a few years, until the machinery gave out. I'm assuming some automatic lubrication system.

4) Solar: Should last for years, for the life of the solar cells.

Of course, the power distribution system might also fail, so you might do better to move close to the power plant, to minimize the distance the electricity must travel. If you could do some really basic maintenance, like adding oil to the reservoir when it runs low (for everything but solar), you might have electricity far longer. StuRat (talk) 04:17, 29 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

The book The World Without Us is about this topic. Pfly (talk) 04:33, 29 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

All those unmaintained nuclear power plants - surely some of their fail-safe systems will, erm, fail, catastrophically, meaning that the few survivors enjoy a whole new challenge. --Dweller (talk) 10:32, 29 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

So, what are you saying? Voluntary Human Extinction Movement will be catastrophic for other animals? --SupernovaExplosion ^Talk 10:59, 29 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

I'd never heard of that group, but their philosophy seems to imply a fairly lengthy decline in the human population, which would give enough time for engineers to make the reactors safe before the engineers were too decrepit to do any work, so the animals would be fine. I wonder who the members of the group think would look after them in their old age? --Dweller (talk) 13:21, 29 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

There's a interesting sequence in Nevil Shute's On the Beach where the survivors (briefly) of a nuclear war journey by submarine to find out why a rather random transmission is coming from a naval base in an area thought dead. I won't spoil it, but obviously that might give you inspiration. S. M. Stirling's Dies the Fire series considers a related question: what would happen if electricity (and explosions, thus guns no longer fire) is no longer possible because of (apparently alien) action? In my opinion, his books are just an excuse for people swinging outdated weapons at each other for pages on end, but you might want to glance at the first book in the series and also there's a Yahoo! group that discusses his books in which he is active. The participants there are lively and undoubtedly would have a lot of ideas for you. link.--Wehwalt (talk) 10:49, 29 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

The notion of just a few humans surviving some global catastrophe is as old as the Noah's Ark story and its variations. It has been explored countless times. The Twilight Zone TV series just by itself had more than one story about that scenario. All such stories make for interesting reading or viewing. The most interesting story, or theory, is that it may actually have happened, in the sense that the human species was near extinction at some point, explaining an apparent lack of genetic diversity among the species despite its global dispersion. ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 13:14, 29 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Think these articles deal with what Bugs is referring to: population bottleneck (generally) and Toba catastrophe theory in particular. --PalaceGuard008 (Talk) 16:37, 29 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Billionaires per capita by country

How many billionaires are there in the G20 countries? I am curious whether for example high marginal tax rates or types of economy might be particularly good or bad for creating billionaires.92.21.232.57 (talk) 22:51, 28 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

There's information on this at the articles Billionaire and Forbes list of billionaires (2011). --Jayron32 23:53, 28 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

I think any kind of analysis of this has to determine where the money came from and how, not where the billionaire currently resides. Comet Tuttle (talk) 00:11, 29 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Precisely. Country of residence or even country of citizenship isn't indicative of where the billionaire is making his money. Nor is the country of incorporation for his corporations. Taking such a list at face value might even do more harm than good.99.245.35.136 (talk) 00:15, 29 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

What are we counting the billions in? US dollars? Euros? Yen? Australian dollars? Pesos? HiLo48 (talk) 00:26, 29 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

I brought a 100 trillion Zimbabwean dollar bill off ebay for 3 USD. I hope my name doesn't end up on the list :) 99.245.35.136 (talk) 01:06, 29 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

At least you didn't buy a billion razzbuckniks. ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 02:12, 29 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

See List of countries by the number of US dollar billionaires --SupernovaExplosion ^Talk 02:27, 29 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

And this. --SupernovaExplosion ^Talk 02:29, 29 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

February 29

About the Picture Of Buzz Aldrin ( Walking on the Moon Surface )

Starofthenight09 (talk) 06:05, 29 February 2012 (UTC)If you see the photo of Buzz Aldrin while walking on the surface of the moon, have you noticed his shadow while on the moon which is fully lighted my question is from where his shadow came?[reply]

Is this a question? If it is, it doesn't seem to make much sense. What the heck is a 'fully lighted' shadow? AndyTheGrump (talk) 06:09, 29 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Unless the OP thinks that there is no light from the sun on the moon (space is dark, isn't it?), I assume he means the shadow cast by the sun. The answer, therefore would be that the shadow comes from the sun. Just like it does down here on Earth. Mingmingla (talk) 06:25, 29 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Shadows should actually be sharper on the Moon, since there's no atmosphere to diffract and reflect the light. There could still be reflected light off other objects to make shadows less than completely dark, though, as well as Earthshine and light from stars. StuRat (talk) 06:37, 29 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

I think the OP might be asking about this image, and the question might be why Aldrin's side facing the camera (which is on his shadow side) is lighted at all. And the answer is that while the moon has no atmosphere distributing light by diffraction, it still has a fairly large surface doing so by reflection. So the light that lights up the dark side of Aldrin is mostly reflected off the surface of the the moon (and, to a lesser degree, off the equipment nicely reflected in his faceplate). --Stephan Schulz (talk) 06:59, 29 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

And it's because the moon's surface reflects sunlight so well that we can see it so well. HiLo48 (talk) 07:01, 29 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Actually, the moon is a comparatively poor reflector (albedo of .12, as contrasted with Venus, Jupiter, and Saturn all in the .5-.6 range). We can see the moon well because it's close and the sun (or the reflection of the sun off Earth) is bright, but not because the moon is particularly reflective. — Lomn 14:10, 29 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

This reminds me of the question of why you can't see stars in photographs taken on the moon. Apparently conspiracy theorists think that black sky=night. Adam Bishop (talk) 08:25, 29 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Thirty photographs were taken of Buzz and his shadow on the moon and about a dozen or so of these have been particularly well publicized. As the question fails to specify which photograph is meant, one can only make a blind guess which one is intended. The question is also stated very unclearly so the questioner should restate his inquiry more sharply and identify the image. What does it mean to say a shadow "is fully lighted"? Such a statement is illogical since anything fully lit is not in shadow. The only part of the question that can be answered is where the shadow came from: it was cast by the sun which was shining at a low sunrise angle of 11.6 degrees, from the east. — O'Dea (talk) 09:15, 29 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Every question raised by the moon landing hoaxsters has been answered in detail over and over. However, there's always someone new coming along who hasn't seen the explanations, only the conspiracy theories, and mistakenly thinks they're onto something. ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 13:06, 29 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Indeed. That's part of why we have an article like Examination_of_Apollo_Moon_photographs in the first place. UltraExactZZ ^Said~ Did 13:25, 29 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Don't I know it. It brings back bitter memories of my early times here. That article subject is where I learned all about WP:ANI and SPI's and AIV's and all manner of so-called "drama boards". ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 00:14, 1 March 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Pierre André Buffière

Hi. I´m working in an interwikipedia projects trying to fix our problems of "person died in some WP and alive in anothers". In this case, says is dead because an obituary in french, but is not clear, it seems not exist other sources in other languages and the other wikipedia when says is dead show the same link. Can someone please check is right? If so, all Wikipedia should be updated. Thanks. --Andreateletrabajo (talk) 13:33, 29 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

There is no clear evidence that this André Buffière died. The weblink “carreer” names a wife Simone and children Françoise, Dominique et Michel. The weblink “obituary” has different names for wife and children. --Pp.paul.4 (talk) 14:17, 29 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Deleted with an add in talkpage. Thanks a lot. --Andreateletrabajo (talk) 23:49, 29 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

800 Meters

I want to participate in an Masters athletic meet when I turn 40(i.e in another two years). I would like to participate in 800Mts event. The current winning time is 2 minutes 17 seconds. How should I go about it to become competitive?I have no prior running experience. Sumalsn (talk) 15:14, 29 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

I hate to say it, but you probably don't have much chance of winning no matter how thoroughly you prepare if you are running in an open competition. At the age of 38, your body is already past its prime. Also, with only 2 years to train, you may not be able to outcompete even people your own age who have been training their bodies for decades. The real issue, though, is competitors in their 20s, who could have been training since their early teens and whose bodies have not yet started to suffer significantly from aging. On the other hand, if the event in which you want to compete is separated into classes by age, especially if the youngest age in your age class would be 40, then you might just have a shot. In that case, then you should contact a trainer with a track record training runners who have won this kind of competition. You would need to pay for at least a consultation with this person but preferably for an ongoing coaching arrangement. You will get much more useful advice from this kind of expert than from Reference Desk editors. Marco polo (talk) 15:45, 29 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

In fact the youngest participant would be 40. It is a competition for groups classified by age.Sumalsn (talk) 16:13, 29 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

"The important thing... is not winning but taking part, for the essential thing in life is not conquering but fighting well." I've never won a race in my life but I've certainly had a lot of benefit by trying. 2'17" doesn't sound impossibly fast, but it is a tall order if you're not a runner already. There is a lot of advice out there about middle distance running. I found [9] [10] [11] and [12], but your best bet is to join a running club, make friends with a competent runner or seek professional advice as Marco polo wisely says. My advice would be to start with 10 to 20 minute jogs without pushing yourself too hard - picking up an injury is easy-peasy for older runners and it can take months to recover. You MUST Warm Up and Cool Down. Also, buy the best running shoes you can afford, and get them from a specialist athletics shop which can give you proper advice, rather than from a spotty youth in a high-street sports/fashion store; you need shoes that take into account your weight, pronation, and what surface you're going to train on. Lastly, enjoy the experience - don't torture yourself. Alansplodge (talk) 18:13, 29 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Me again - on reflection and in the interests of balance, you may of course find a spotty youth who knows more about running than most people could learn in a lifetime. One shouldn't be acneist. Alansplodge (talk) 19:33, 29 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

My apologies for assuming that winning the race was your main motivation. Of course Alansplodge is right that there is value in running a race whether or not you win. Marco polo (talk) 21:23, 29 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Why apologize? There would be no apparent reason for mentioning the current winning time if the OP wasn't interested in winning. ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 00:12, 1 March 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Thanks a lot, sirs. Marco Polo, Alansplodge and Baseball bugs. The idea is to participate and if possible, win. I mentioned the time so that other posters could be in full picture of the enormity of the task. So should I go ahead?Sumalsn (talk) 03:50, 1 March 2012 (UTC) March 2012 (UTC)[reply]

I recommend you consult a doctor before making that decision. He could tell you if you're fit enouh to try it. ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 04:35, 1 March 2012 (UTC)[reply]

That's a sensible suggestion Bugs. Doctors like to check the blood pressure etc of us older chaps. You do occasionally hear of older runners dropping down dead, and middle distance is quite intense. When you've done that, I would go for it - it's much more common for people who do no exercise at all to keel over. Alansplodge (talk) 17:13, 1 March 2012 (UTC)[reply]

oldest archeological find

is it possible to pick the oldest archeological find? or is this too broad a subject? i am curious what ia the oldest relic or settlement we have discovered. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 74.12.172.203 (talk) 21:09, 29 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

It really depends on where you draw the line between archaeology and prehuman paleontology, and that in turn depends on who you think were the earliest human beings. As our Human (disambiguation) page shows, there is some disagreement on who the earliest "humans" were. Marco polo (talk) 21:20, 29 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

The oldest objects found which are associated with humans are stone tools. Our article on the Oldowan type of tool states that the earliest are from Gona in Ethiopia, and were made around 2.6 million years ago. As Marco polo says, there is some dispute as to whether the hominids who made these should be counted as humans. The earliest settlements were temporary, but I believe the earliest permanent settlement found is Mureybet, founded around 10200 BC. Warofdreams talk 21:34, 29 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

And there's also the problem that the earliest stone tools are quite difficult to discern from naturally split rocks, so that for any given object, opinions may vary. StuRat (talk) 03:49, 1 March 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Doesn't a rock, even not worked or processed, become a tool (strictly speaking) the instant it is used for something i. e. to crack open a nut? --Ouro (blah blah) 08:39, 1 March 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Using that def, animal use of tools would be widespread, such as birds which swallow rocks for their gizzards. I also don't think such tools are of much interest to archeologists, unless their wear-patterns make it obvious they were used as tools. An obvious modification to the stone, to make it into a tool, is much better. StuRat (talk) 09:10, 1 March 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Neolithic#Early_settlements lists some early settlements. --Pp.paul.4 (talk) 22:42, 29 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

k thanks guys. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 74.12.172.203 (talk) 04:26, 1 March 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Continent Travel Userboxes

Are there any userboxes that apply to travel to specific continents? Allen (talk) 22:49, 29 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

You should ask this question in WP:Help Desk --SupernovaExplosion ^Talk 00:45, 1 March 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Userboxes are more to do with interests than where you have been, but see Wikipedia:Userboxes/Travel.--Shantavira|^{feed me} 08:43, 1 March 2012 (UTC)[reply]

I have checked that link. There aren't any userboxes that have to do with continents, just countries, U.S. states, and some cities. Allen (talk) 10:31, 1 March 2012 (UTC)[reply]

You could always make them... Dismas|^(talk) 02:46, 2 March 2012 (UTC)[reply]

I made them earlier. Check out this page. Allen (talk) 03:04, 2 March 2012 (UTC)[reply]

March 1

Polish tourist's anonymity

If a person from Poland were to visit the US, would they blend in both physically and verbally without anybody being the wiser? Sarujo (talk) 04:50, 1 March 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Physically, I can't see why not (Americans have ancestors almost everywhere - including a lot from central Europe), but 'verbally'? Doesn't that depend on (a) competence in American English, and (b) lack of a noticeable Polish accent? Why would a tourist be over-concerned about 'blending in' anyway, though? AndyTheGrump (talk) 05:00, 1 March 2012 (UTC)[reply]

If they knew the language sufficiently well (which for Polish people is not that difficult - we haven't got the strong accents of Germans, Russians or the French that give us away), and got acquainted with the traits of locals (i. e. awareness of history, places, cultural references including slang, etc.) then they would blend in for the most part, yes. Do you have a more specific concern You wish to address? --Ouro (blah blah) 08:38, 1 March 2012 (UTC)[reply]

One of my students here in Poland got a job in Atlantic City. She said that several times, random strangers came up to her to ask what's wrong because she was not smiling. The converse is also true. When I first came to Poland ten years ago, I was constantly asked by strangers for cigarettes (foreigners are much more likely to be generous about this than Poles, and a constantly smiling foreigner even more so). Now I totally blend in and can't remember the last time anyone tried to bum a cigarette off me. By the way, all of my grandparents came from Poland, so I physically look just like any other Pole (except a bit bigger, as Polish-Americans are on average noticibly larger than Poles in terms of both height and weight). As far as language is concerned, Americans will more than likely recognize that a Pole is a foreigner with seconds, unless their accent is really good, their vocabulary is rather large and their usage is natural. I have met one 18-year old Pole who had never been outside of the country whose English was so impressive that I assumed he was an American, but after about ten minutes, he had made enough subtle mistakes that I realized he was not. People like him are very rare, though. Dominus Vobisdu (talk) 08:51, 1 March 2012 (UTC)[reply]

I agree that they would blend in physically, but I can certainly detect a Polish accent. Many Americans wouldn't know it was Polish, but would know it was foreign. StuRat (talk) 09:02, 1 March 2012 (UTC)[reply]

As far as language is concerned, Americans will more than likely recognize that a Pole is a foreigner within seconds, unless their accent is really good, their vocabulary is rather large and their usage is natural. I have met one 18-year old Pole who had never been outside of the country whose English was so impressive that I just assumed he was an American. But after about ten minutes, he had made enough subtle mistakes that I realized he was not. People like him are very rare, though. Dominus Vobisdu (talk) 09:12, 1 March 2012 (UTC)[reply]

There are a lot of more or less subtle clues about national origin to be found in someone's physical appearance: their clothes (style and brands), haircut, makeup, fragrance, brand of cigarette, habits like gum-chewing, manners/mien, etc, as well as obvious things like race. You'd probably have to be an expert or central European to identify someone as Polish from these factors, but they may well stand out as non-American. Of course, tourists are easily distinguishable from natives by many things, from the way they look around, to their cameras and sensible rainwear. --Colapeninsula (talk) 10:19, 1 March 2012 (UTC)[reply]

(ec) But you don't have to blend in as sounding American to blend in as a local - surely there are Polish-sounding immigrant Americans who aren't tourists? What are the chances that the hypothetical tourist blending in as a resident rather than a visitor? --PalaceGuard008 (Talk) 10:20, 1 March 2012 (UTC)[reply]

I think many Americans can identify a Polish accent. Polish Americans are a major ethnic group in the country, especially in the Midwest. Over 600,000 Americans speak Polish at home. Others of the 10 million Polish Americans have a Polish accent, even some who were born here. 75.41.109.190 (talk) 14:16, 1 March 2012 (UTC)[reply]

It's almost impossible to master any language, including American English, to a level that passes for native-speaking ability to native speakers, without spending a lot of time in the place where that language is spoken every day. That said, someone has made the point that the United States has lots of immigrants. A person from Poland could appear to be an immigrant rather than a tourist if he or she went to a local Walmart (or someplace similar), picked out cheap clothes worn by local people, got a local haircut, and if he or she did not spend much money. Few immigrants in the United States (other than people, mainly Asian, with advanced degrees) have much money. Marco polo (talk) 17:07, 1 March 2012 (UTC)[reply]

An American probably wouldn't be able to tell a Polish person by his or her appearance. After all, many Americans are of Eastern European ancestry, and it's not like Eastern Europeans wear clothes that are that different from ours nowadays. An accent would certainly stick out, especially in places where there aren't a lot of European immigrants nowadays. In Manhattan, they might not blink an eye, but in Wichita or somewhere, they're likely to say, "Oh? Is that a foreign accent? What country are you from? Poland? Wow! I guess I shouldn't make any lightbulb jokes! What brings you to Kansas? How long are you staying? My boyfriend's family is from Russia originally. Is that near Poland? etc." Dominus's comment about frowning is telling. Americans are a lot more smiley than Eastern Europeans. I remember taking a train from Berlin to Prague and seeing immediately how much grumpier everyone looked than when I was in Germany. (And Germans aren't considered overly friendly from an American perspective.) However, Americans wouldn't assume the person is foreign; they'd assume something was wrong. -- Mwalcoff (talk) 00:38, 2 March 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Some people seem quite able to identify Polish people by appearance. And most in the US would recognize the accent as "foreign," and "Eastern European, , without being able to specify Polish/Bulgarian/Russian etc.Edison (talk) 01:21, 2 March 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Does Global Insurance Company Need to Report the Investment Made by Non-US Business into Schedule D?

I have a question regarding foreign insurer regulation. Not sure if anyone can kindly help answer it. Thanks in advance for your help.

My question is: Do foreign insurance companies doing insurance business globally need to disclose the investments from their non-US business?

For example, Prudential, the multinational life insurance company headquartered in London, has several US subsidiaries/affiliates, many of which are registered with NAIC and report their investment schedule in Schedule D filing. However, I'm not sure if these companies need to report the investment made by their related companies that are non-US subsidiaries/affiliates of Prudential in their Schedule D filing. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Yu229 (talk • contribs) 04:59, 1 March 2012 (UTC)[reply]

This looks like a request for legal advice. See a lawyer. Or an accountant at least. Answers you get on the internet are unlikely to be particularly useful... AndyTheGrump (talk) 05:02, 1 March 2012 (UTC)[reply]

excavators

Hi. There is an excavator working just outside my office, digging a hole in the road. What would happen if it tried to move something immovable? [eg trying to move a massive granite mountain]. Would hydraulic fluid squirt out of the joints? Would the engine stall? Would it seize up? Robinh (talk) 07:30, 1 March 2012 (UTC)[reply]

First thing that came do my mind: the hydraulic action might work against it, i. e. the piston would contract (or whatever), but instead of lifting the soil or whatever else, it would raise the excavator off the ground, endangering it and maybe tipping it over. But then again there are so many ifs and maybes in this... --Ouro (blah blah) 08:35, 1 March 2012 (UTC)[reply]

I'm not being clear. What I meant was, what would happen if the arm simply could not move due to some ultra-rock-solid-and-un-get-roundable constraint, but the operator tried to make the arm move regardless? Robinh (talk) 08:42, 1 March 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Yes, the engine would stall if the arm was somehow prevented from moving.--Shantavira|^{feed me} 08:49, 1 March 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Like if you took a spade and tried to lift a truck with it. The most likely results are that you would reach an impasse (your arms will not move any further, because you are using all of your muscle strength, and aren't strong enough) or you would break the spade. The same physics apply to an excavator trying to move something too heavy (such as a mountain) - either nothing would happen (the arm will not be able to move, because the engine is not strong enough), or something would break. Then, as Robinh pointed out, there's the possibility that instead of moving the mountain, you'll move the excavator, and tip it over. Falconus^{p t c} 10:46, 1 March 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Agreed, the excavator would move instead of the immovable object. You sometimes see drivers using the bucket to push down soil - they stop when the tractor unit starts lifting. I have seen one pull itself out of a hole by digging the bucket into the ground and then pulling the arm in. If it ever does come to hydraulic fluid squirting out, don't put your hand in the way - the pressure is so great that it will pierce your skin and put lots of oil inside you. Warning - unpleasant image of a hydraulic leak injury. Alansplodge (talk) 10:56, 1 March 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Somewhat related is this Youtube video (relevant part from 1:44) - Cucumber Mike (talk) 11:12, 1 March 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Even better is the digger climbing a tower. Buddy431 (talk) 15:39, 1 March 2012 (UTC)[reply]

(OP) I am still not making myself clear. An excavator is not infinitely strong. So, the arm can be stopped by a sufficiently robust object. Suppose that the excavator itself cannot move (ie it is trapped by another infinitely strong object, such as a mile-high granite cliff). Then the operator tries to extend the arm. What (literally) gives? Does the engine stall, or does some hydraulic pipe burst, or does the metal of the arm buckle? Robinh (talk) 20:37, 1 March 2012 (UTC)[reply]

So basically, leaving infinite granite cliffs aside, you want to know what fails when a hydraulic ram exceeds its safe working load? I would imagine that the hydraulic pump (that forces the fluid into the cylinder) cuts out at a certain safe pressure. So the answer is nothing gives, it just stops working. Does anyone know for certain? Alansplodge (talk) 00:35, 2 March 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Sony Bravia and BBC iPlayer

Hoping someone here can help resolve a mystery.

We have a Sony Bravia television. It's connected to the internet through a router. For a year or so, since we bought it, we've been able to watch BBC iPlayer directly through the TV - it's one of a dozen or so internet services the TV offers when it's connected.

Just recently, the iPlayer began loading very slowly and now it just won't open at all. All the other internet services still work fine, so it doesn't appear to be the connection that's the problem. I'm guessing it might have been a software update glitch, but what do I know?

Can anyone point me to something useful, like an active specialist forum for Bravia or iPlayer users? Or even a discussion where others who have encountered this problem are already discussing/resolving the problem.

Otherwise, I might just wait until the digital switch-over in London in April, because that might prompt a slew of software updates, before phoning Sony's tech team. --Dweller (talk) 12:22, 1 March 2012 (UTC)[reply]

You can contact the iplayer team via https://iplayerhelp.external.bbc.co.uk/templates/bbciplayer/emailForms/emailPage or email [email protected] This may or may not help, but it's probably a good place to start. --TrogWoolley (talk) 14:17, 1 March 2012 (UTC)[reply]

That was good advice, thanks. I've sent them an email. --Dweller (talk) 16:30, 1 March 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Could just be a problem with your ISP. The BBC uses Akamai Technologies to distribute iPlayer content and this can sometimes slow down while leaving the rest of the Internet working as normal. See this article for an example. Blakk and ekka 18:08, 1 March 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Plausible, but I can access the iPlayer on a laptop reasonably well - and that's using wifi, rather than the wired connection the TV has. --Dweller (talk) 20:10, 1 March 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Washing powder reformulation

I called out a repair man because my washer dryer was leaking from the detergent drawer. He told me that, since the reformulation of washing powders over the last couple of years to make them more concentrated, in hard water areas such as where I live, the dissolution of powder in the drawer had become next to impossible and made the drawers clog up regularly. His advice was to add the powder directly to the washing in the drum or to use a liquid detergent. I'm asking whether anyone can confirm this situation? I did a search and found that Procter and Gamble had reformulated their powders last year, but this side effect of the reformulation wasn't mentioned. --TammyMoet (talk) 15:31, 1 March 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Personally I use a liquid in my washing machine. Even though I'm in a very soft water area, I found powders didn't dissolve and clogged the machine. I think if you add powder directly to the drum, it would get stuck in the folds of the clothes and not dissolve. The liquid that I use comes with a cap that you fill and then put said cap in the drum, and the liquid is supposed to come out with the water. I have found this doesn't happen and most of the liquid stays in the cap, or it comes out on the spin cycle, which is really useful! I either use the liquid in the drawer or dissolve it in a bottle of water and pour that into the drum before I start the wash. I don't know about your machine, but mine works better if the washing is damp before it starts. --TrogWoolley (talk) 20:38, 1 March 2012 (UTC)[reply]

I found liquid too expensive, I can control the amount of powder I use much easier than with liquid. I'm currently experimenting with washing towels to see if the powder dissolves if put in the drum. Also I have a washer dryer so a dosing device wouldn't work. I haven't got time to pre-dampen the washing I'm afraid! --TammyMoet (talk) 21:13, 1 March 2012 (UTC)[reply]

In wondering whether to suggest washing tablets (I won't!), I found this where some people recommend using half as much powder. Thincat (talk) 21:56, 1 March 2012 (UTC)[reply]

I'm surprised they can change the concentration of a powder. In a liquid they can manipulate the concentration simply by adding more or less water. This won't work in a detergent, so they will need some other inactive "filler". I wonder what they use.

As far as suggestions, how about premixing your dry detergent in a container full of water (with a top, so you can shake it to fully dissolve the detergent) ? StuRat (talk) 04:49, 2 March 2012 (UTC)[reply]

That was exactly what I was going to suggest. My mother does that because water in this area is hard, the detergent was dissolving sufficiently and she wound up with caked detergent all over her cleaned clothes. I use liquid. The Mark of the Beast (talk) 06:32, 2 March 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Singular/Plural?

I've noticed that it's very common to say something like: "There's stuff missing from my bag", or "There's those who hate ice cream and those who love it." and not be pulled up for wrong grammar. But honestly, shouldn't it be "there're", an abbreviation of "there are", no "there is", since both "stuff" and people are plural? 117.227.122.140 (talk) 16:12, 1 March 2012 (UTC)[reply]

In the first case, "stuff" is a mass noun, which takes the singular. You wouldn't say "there are three stuffs in my bag" - there's always just (a) stuff, so it's always singular, and so "there is" (and thus "there's") is fine. -- Finlay McWalterჷTalk 16:17, 1 March 2012 (UTC)[reply]

"There's stuff" is correct, but "There's those" is not. You are right, in the second case, that it should be "There are those". Marco polo (talk) 16:58, 1 March 2012 (UTC)[reply]

too much of a good thing

Slightly awkward question, but I'm going to ask it anyway. After a man has 'pleasured himself' as they say, is it uncommon for the nice feelings to continue for quite some time after finishing? Like say, half an hour or so. I get the impression that for most people, it just sort of stops at that instant, then they get up and do something else.

148.197.81.179 (talk) 16:32, 1 March 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Male orgasm only lasts for a few seconds (regrettably). See Ejaculation. Anonymous.translator (talk) 16:47, 1 March 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Slightly awkward answer, but yes, it is uncommon. A continual emotional high following an orgasm is generally only present after having intimate sexual relations with a partner.--WaltCip (talk) 17:02, 1 March 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Original research, but what I've always called "afterglow" is a euphoria that can last for half an hour or so. There doesn't seem to be much written about it, and what there is (Google "afterglow" and "sex") doesn't quite square with my experience, so I assume it is not common.--Shantavira|^{feed me} 21:03, 1 March 2012 (UTC)[reply]

There's plenty of academic literature about the "afterglow" or whatever you want to call it. Males and females have distinctly different post-orgasm responses, which is one of the many little tricks evolution uses to mess with us. From what I can tell, the term used in most literature is "post-orgasmic state". It also seems to be, at least in part, related to prolactin release, although there's also some suggestion that partner based orgasm is more satisfying than self stimulation. Despite what WaltCip may suggest... these are biological processes and there are definitely chemicals in your brain that mediate this process... it's not just an "emotional high." You may find this article especially interesting. Shadowjams (talk)

The OP could have originated this oldie:

Preacher: Is an hour of sin worth a lifetime of regret?

Young church member: How do you make it last an hour?

←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 03:17, 2 March 2012 (UTC)[reply]

It's difficult to study this, as the volunteers all fell asleep right after. StuRat (talk) 04:42, 2 March 2012 (UTC) [reply]

Epilepsy

OK, follow up question, when someone has an epileptic fit, how does it feel? Do they remember it at all afterwards? (before anyone asks, yes, he is seeing a doctor, but the appointment isn't for a while, and it seems likely to be nothing serious, I just want to calm both our worries a little before that) 148.197.81.179 (talk) 18:16, 1 March 2012 (UTC)[reply]

I'm afraid that question ventures a little too close to medical advice. If you have worries of this nature, you need to speak with a medical professional. If you want to know what that person feels like after they have an epileptic episode, you should ask them. --Jayron32 18:18, 1 March 2012 (UTC)[reply]

But I don't know anyone with epilepsy, we're just trying to prove that my friend probably didn't have a fit earlier, just some sort of involuntary spasm, because from what I can vaguely remember of someone with epilepsy that I knew years ago, he never remembered them at all, never mind actually enjoyed the feeling. The doctor is being really slow, and I get paranoid about little things quite a lot. 148.197.81.179 (talk) 18:39, 1 March 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Look, I'm sorry, but we can't do anything that might help you decide one way or the other whether your friend has or has not had an epileptic fit. If you have concerns about your own or someone else's health, use NHS Direct (since your IP address suggests you are in the UK - if not, contact the health authorities in your own country). - Cucumber Mike (talk) 19:11, 1 March 2012 (UTC)[reply]

OK, fair enough, we'll just wait and see what the doctor says this evening. At least I tried, though. 148.197.81.179 (talk) 19:17, 1 March 2012 (UTC)[reply]

As someone who has epilepsy, I understand why you would like to know. But I hope you can also understand why we can't help, however much we would like to. The only people who can/should help are trained doctors who are able to see and examine the patient. However, I can say that in terms of epilepsy, try not to worry too much. Even if it does turn out that your friend had a fit, chances are he may never have another in his life. And even if he does get a diagnosis of epilepsy, life will still carry on pretty much the same as it always has. Worse things happen at sea, as they say. Tell your friend to keep his pecker up, and best of luck with the doctor. - Cucumber Mike (talk) 19:26, 1 March 2012 (UTC)[reply]

I've known a couple of folks who were epileptic, and it's fair to say that if they appear to be having some kind of seizure, try to keep them from hurting themselves. And call 911 as soon as you can. ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 02:14, 2 March 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Types of colleges and universities

What is difference between all types of colleges and universities? Mean there are community college, junior college, regular college, etc. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Mybodymyself (talk • contribs) 20:01, 1 March 2012 (UTC)[reply]

In the U.S. Junior college and Community college are two year schools that offer AA or AS degrees and lower level course work. Universities are larger schools that offer Bachelor (four year) degrees and graduate degrees (some offer Masters and others offer PhDs). Specialized graduate schools for law and medicine offer JD and MD degrees. Wikipedia probably has articles on all of these. It is probably similar in other countries. RudolfRed (talk) 21:04, 1 March 2012 (UTC)[reply]

(edit conflict) Did you read the Wikipedia articles titled community college, junior college, college, and university?--Jayron32 21:05, 1 March 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Phrase for scolding

In an earlier question, I just used to the phrase "pull someone up" as a way to say "scold someone". But later, a Google search turned up no results... I've used this phrase for quite some time now. Is it wrong/uncommon/unheard of? 117.226.152.94 (talk) 20:49, 1 March 2012 (UTC)[reply]

I've never heard of it and I've lived in various areas of the US all my life. Dismas|^(talk) 20:54, 1 March 2012 (UTC)[reply]

British English here - I think I've always used it. --TammyMoet (talk) 21:10, 1 March 2012 (UTC)[reply]

It's common in the UK. Pull up = to rebuke[13].--Shantavira|^{feed me} 21:14, 1 March 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Agree, it's pretty common in British English (googling, it looks like it's used in Australia and/or New Zealand too, at least if the fact it was used in a discussion of an Aus vs NZ football match is significant), although it's usually followed by "on", eg. "The teacher pulled him up on his spelling". I don't think I've heard it on its own. It's pretty slangy - the only professional publications I can find that use it are sites like that of Heat magazine, which mentions in this piece about I'm a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here! that "Holly pulled him up on his flirting, though, saying: “Well you were flirting – you gave her a full frontal at one point!”" (WARNING: article is dangerously banal and describes someone as "burger nips"), and some of the more informal bits of The Guardian website ("Chris is pulling the occasional mad face, which the child ballet dancers already pulled him up on"). Googling "pulled him up on his"/"pulled her up on her" finds a fair few other examples from forums etc (Edit: "I pulled him up on it" gets far, far more results, including uses by the BBC and The Telegraph). Smurrayinchester 23:21, 1 March 2012 (UTC)[reply]

American here--I've lived all over the US and never heard it. From the context that Smurrayinchester posted, it sounds like the US equivalent would be "call out", as in "Holly called him out on his flirting..." Meelar (talk) 23:28, 1 March 2012 (UTC)[reply]

That sounds about right. The only difference is that I've always thought that "calling someone out" is generally a public thing, while "pulling someone up" can be more private. Smurrayinchester 23:38, 1 March 2012 (UTC)[reply]

I should add that "I called him out" is absolutely alien to British speakers, to the extent of appearing weird unless the listener frequents internet forums populated by American-speakers. Many English speakers of English are used to it, but it still seems odd to most of those residing in England. --Demiurge1000 (talk) 23:48, 1 March 2012 (UTC)[reply]

To me I called him out means "I challenged him to a fight" (usually a fistfight). A locution I haven't heard much since high school, but that's still the meaning I'd give it without contextual cues to the contrary. --Trovatore (talk) 00:07, 2 March 2012 (UTC)[reply]

There could also be a variant in "chewing someone out", which is a common phrase in American English (especially in the workplace).--WaltCip (talk) 04:12, 2 March 2012 (UTC)[reply]

I agree that "chewing someone out" is better in that it can't be misconstrued to mean you challenged them to a fight, unlike "calling someone out". However, the phrase "he just chewed out his girlfriend" could have an unfortunate double meaning. Another US phrase is "caught it", like "I just caught it from my Dad for not telling him his car was on fire when I parked it in the garage last night". StuRat (talk) 04:29, 2 March 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Unidentified gadget in London underground station

Please help to identify this. The lower black gadget is about 10X10 cms in size, attached to the wall. Thanks! Etan J. Tal 22:36, 1 March 2012 (UTC)

For clarity, it looks like the photo is looking down at this thing (with the tiled floor in the background), so the red part of the thingmabob is facing horizontally. Is that correct? -- Finlay McWalterჷTalk 22:48, 1 March 2012 (UTC)[reply]

That is correct. There were several of those attached in various heights. Definitely not a vacuum cleaner opening. seems optical lens (?) inside. Etan J. Tal 23:07, 1 March 2012 (UTC)

Random, uninformed guess: Maybe the duct for a Central vacuum cleaner. --Jayron32 23:03, 1 March 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Was this close to an entrance or exit? In other words, could it be part of the passenger counting system to monitor the flow on people in and out of a platform. Was there any thing at the same height on the other side? --Aspro (talk) 23:10, 1 March 2012 (UTC)[reply]

No. these were not counting passengers since far from entrance and "directed" to a plane only few cms from the wall. No "counter gadget" seen anywhere nearby. My first guess was it is a sort of measuring device, or detector... Etan J. Tal 23:17, 1 March 2012 (UTC)

Google maps driving times

Google maps says that the interstate driving distance between Norman, Oklahoma and Salina, Kansas is 259 miles (417 km) and should take 4 hours and 11 minutes to drive.[14] Without fail, every time I drive that route going home on a weekend it takes me 3 hours 45 minutes ± 5 minutes. I wondered at first if this was just due to the fact I set the cruise control about 3.0 miles per hour (4.8 km/h) above the speed limit but it appears not, given that my average speed is 69.07 miles per hour (111.16 km/h) and the speed limit of the route in Oklahoma outside Oklahoma City is 70.0 miles per hour (112.7 km/h) and in Kansas outside of Wichita is 75.0 miles per hour (120.7 km/h) (both Oklahoma City and Wichita are 60.0 miles per hour (96.6 km/h)). It turns out that Google Maps' average speed for the route is 61.96 miles per hour (99.71 km/h), which seems surprisingly low given that at least ¾ of the route has a speed limit greater than 70.0 miles per hour (112.7 km/h). Why would Google Maps assume such a low average speed and what is the best way to correct for it when I'm using Google Maps for a route I've never driven before? Ks0stm ^{(T•C•G•E)} 23:04, 1 March 2012 (UTC)[reply]

I'm guessing Google wants to err on the side of caution. It's the old practice of underpromising and overdelivering. If Google tells you it will take 6 hours and it takes 5, you're pleasantly surprised. If Google tells you it will take 5 hours and it takes 6, you're angry at Google. (It's also possible that Google doesn't take the high speed limits of those states into account.) -- Mwalcoff (talk) 00:27, 2 March 2012 (UTC)[reply]

From my 20 years of driving experience (in the UK), plus that of relatives and friends with whom one (if a bloke) discusses such matters, I would not normally expect to be able to average more than about 50mph at best over a 250+ mile trip. One is generally delayed by lower-than-maximum speed limits around one's beginning and end points, if not also in intermediate places, by heavy traffic and the occasional tailback here and there, and by the sensible precaution – if not necessity – of stopping after 2 hours or so for a rest/nibble/drink/pee/leg stretch. I have done long journeys faster, but only in the early hours on certain routes with little traffic (and no speed cops or cameras) on the roads, by deliberately speeding, though I no longer do that after a serious crash a while back taught me more sense.

I can't say how much typical US driving conditions differ from ours, but it may be that a combination of a particularly trouble-free, restriction-low route and your own familiarity with it allow you to do better than what Google might assume to be a typical journey of such length as driven by a typical driver. Does anyone know if Google assumes a typical speed for all roads of a given type, or if they use more sophisticated data drawn from actual journeys on specified routes?

As for estimating unfamiliar routes, it's always wise to allow more time than you think, because you never know what unanticipated permanent or temporary (roadworks, crashes) delaying factors you might encounter. It never hurts to be too early, as you can always stop somewhere and wait: having to drive faster than is safe in the prevailing conditions because you've fallen behind schedule can range from expensive (speeding tickets), through inconvenient (damaged or written-off car, license suspension) all the way up to fatal. {The poster formerly known as 87.81.230.195} 90.197.66.59 (talk) 01:15, 2 March 2012 (UTC)[reply]

An average of 60 mph seems reasonable. Maybe you yourself can put the pedal to the metal and drive 4 hours straight. But if you've got passengers, especially kids, you're going to have to stop a time or two, and that adds to the trip time and cuts your average speed down. ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 02:18, 2 March 2012 (UTC)[reply]

I don't think Google Maps accounts for stops. I see the time between downtown Cleveland and downtown Cincinnati is listed at 4 hours, 13 minutes for the 250-mile trip. The only way you can get there in that time is if you avoid construction (a laughable idea in Ohio, especially in springtime) and don't stop for food or gas, or if you make up for that lost time by speeding. Speed limits in Ohio are 55-60mph in urban areas and 65mph in rural areas. -- Mwalcoff (talk) 02:53, 2 March 2012 (UTC)[reply]

March 2

Templates for Displaying Military Ribbons/Medals as Worn?

Are there any templates that will display a user's military ribbons/medals as worn on their uniform? Thank you. Allen (talk) 03:52, 2 March 2012 (UTC)[reply]

I think so. Look at this user page as an example: User:Gadget850/about RudolfRed (talk) 03:57, 2 March 2012 (UTC)[reply]