Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Miscellaneous/2006 November 12

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November 12

Help Me

(Subject moved to the Help Desk by hydnjo talk 01:16, 12 November 2006 (UTC))

I can't find it there. Where is it?--216.164.199.84 01:20, 12 November 2006 (UTC)

You just got there too soon, it's there now. --hydnjo talk 01:22, 12 November 2006 (UTC)

Vintage ... pickup truck

What was this "International" car company? -- Toytoy 01:24, 12 November 2006 (UTC)

Seems from something like this that it's most likely International Harvester. Cheers Dina 01:50, 12 November 2006 (UTC)

Too bad I can't make out the logo on the cap for the spare tire, it might have the whole name there. StuRat 01:54, 12 November 2006 (UTC)

I think it's International Harvester. Thank you! -- Toytoy 02:33, 12 November 2006 (UTC)

Yes, it is. Here's their logo: [1]. StuRat 21:28, 13 November 2006 (UTC)

Map showing borders over time

I would be interesting and fun to see an animated map showing an area with the national borders changing as they have over time. It seems like the kinda thing someone would have thought of before and made, but i'm not sure if it's been done, or how to search for it. Any ideas?

The borders would tend to stay the same for a while, then all change at once, like during WW1 and WW2, so don't expect to see smooth changes. StuRat 01:57, 12 November 2006 (UTC)

Might be interesting for certain countries such as Poland. Durova^Charge! 02:07, 12 November 2006 (UTC)

More confusing, I would have thought, than enlightening. How would you compensate for differing time scales? Just imagine the complete bewilderment caused in viewing the rapid 'scaling down' of the Polish Commonwealth in three jerky leaps between 1772 and and 1795, and its total disapperance between the latter date and 1919; apart, of course, from the sudden splash of cartographical colour caused by the eruption of the Grand Duchy of Warsaw and Congress Poland! Clio the Muse 02:23, 12 November 2006 (UTC)

I think you have too little faith in good user interfaces. I can think of ways of portraying such a spasmodic sequence of events, which would neither confuse nor bewilder -such as speeding up the clock then not much is happening, and slowing it down again when there is some action. --Tagishsimon (talk)

This sort of thing. Sadly not free. Agreed, would be nice to see. I think there might be more movement that StuRat anticipates. Here's some time-lapse animation of US County borders, very well done. Here's the development of the US, in flash, with a commentary. Some cool WW2 stuff from the BBC. --Tagishsimon (talk)

As far as I can tell, that software is free if you download it. It only costs money if you want to get a hardcopy CD-ROM. I've been wasting time all morning with it. --Charlene 17:17, 12 November 2006 (UTC)

Also bear in mind that borders are often disputed for years at a time. You might find The Times Atlas of World History of interest. It has lots of maps from different periods.--Shantavira 09:15, 12 November 2006 (UTC)

Best Website

Hey, what is the best free nude website out there? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 75.21.240.184 (talk • contribs)

<joke>http://127.0.0.1/ Lots of stuff guaranteed! Might be awfully familiar, though.</joke> --Kjoonlee 03:17, 12 November 2006 (UTC)

"Best" is a matter of opinion unless you give some sort of objective quality with which to judge the sites as "the best". Without any such objective qualities, we can't supply a better answer than what has already been said. Dismas|^(talk) 05:48, 12 November 2006 (UTC)

This one is excellent.--Shantavira 09:23, 12 November 2006 (UTC)

What to do?

I'm about to take 60 or so VHS cassettes and transfer them onto my computer. These are the memories of my kids, something that I expect them to cherish and keep for decades. What format / mediums would you recommend? What compression format would you rec. for storage on a computer, what would stand the test of time? What type of additional storage would you recommend? ie tape drive, dvds, etc? 69.19.14.26 03:37, 12 November 2006 (UTC)

This is probably better suited in the Computers area of the reference desk. Dismas|^(talk) 03:57, 12 November 2006 (UTC)

If you're going to store the videos on your computer, I suggest using the AVI or MOV format. But if these formats ever become unpopular, be sure to convert your videos to the new popular format. I would also suggest storing the videos on DVD, as a backup. --Bowlhover 04:10, 12 November 2006 (UTC)

I agree on the DVD recommendation. Pics stored on a computer could be destroyed by a virus, hard disk failure, etc. StuRat 05:45, 12 November 2006 (UTC)

If you don't have good tools and software, it might be recommendable to let a specialized business handle that (although VHS to DVD doesn't seem a too rough task to handle, yourself... 惑乱 分からん 12:56, 12 November 2006 (UTC)

I was doing this for a while. It's ugly work, especially if you want to edit things. I'd recommend plain mpeg2 on cd or dvd-roms. avi isn't really a format, it's a container for many formats. All in all, I think I would get it done by a service, and edit later. --Zeizmic 15:11, 12 November 2006 (UTC)

Also remember that burned DVDs have a shelf-life, which can be fairly short if a less-than-average dvd is not stored properly. --Wirbelwindヴィルヴェルヴィント (talk) 18:29, 12 November 2006 (UTC)

Question (business card slogan)

Hello Friend,

I have been trying to get an answer to this question for quite a while.

I wanted to know if a sentence I wrote is grammatically correct. I would be happy if you could give me your opinion or send me to someone who will.

"On life's journey you do not stand alone"

Is it missing a comma? Is it correct grammatically? It is going to be on my business card.

Thank you very much, Yifat Lahat

It's quite correct as it stands. Clio the Muse 03:47, 12 November 2006 (UTC)

If it's part of a paragraph, it needs a period at the end. But if it's a slogan, I agree that it's grammatically correct. --Bowlhover 04:06, 12 November 2006 (UTC)

It definitely should have a comma. Clarityfiend 04:44, 12 November 2006 (UTC)

A comma after "journey" may make the sentence clearer but is not required. It changes the emphasis slightly. —Tamfang 09:13, 12 November 2006 (UTC)

How's that? A comma is definitely indicated for an introductory element. Also, how does it change the emphasis? Clarityfiend 22:00, 13 November 2006 (UTC)

Given that it is a journey, "walk" may be a better verb than the static "stand": "On life's journey you do not walk alone." On the other hand, this can evoke possibly undesired association with the song You'll Never Walk Alone.  --Lambiam^Talk 09:53, 12 November 2006 (UTC)

How about, "On life's journey you do not travel alone." I like it better without the comma personally. --Charlene 16:52, 12 November 2006 (UTC)

(grumble warning) How do we stop OP's titling their questions "Question"? Everything that comes here is a question, dammit. JackofOz 05:19, 12 November 2006 (UTC)

Apparently "How to form a proper title" is a skill many of our readers lack. I just fix bad titles, when I find them. StuRat 05:34, 12 November 2006 (UTC)

PayPal

May you please explain what is PayPal? Do you have to give your credit card number out? Where would I find where to use PayPal.

Have a look at PayPal. All the relevant information is there. Clio the Muse 03:49, 12 November 2006 (UTC)

Do you know of any

Do you know of any younger (under 22 year old) women that regularly indulge in BDSM or fetishes? I have always associated that sort of thing with older (above 25) women. Hizzizzle 05:34, 12 November 2006 (UTC)

Why, are you looking to nail them ? :-) StuRat 05:37, 12 November 2006 (UTC)

Try Craigslist. -THB 05:42, 12 November 2006 (UTC)

I do know of such women. So what now? Did you have some question about them or did you just want to know who our friends are? Oh, and no, I won't introduce you. Dismas|^(talk) 05:44, 12 November 2006 (UTC)

There is actually a question lurking here. What age groups of people engage in BDSM? The questioner is, I'm sure, correct in his/her impression that fewer younger women (say, under 30) than women older than 30 are involved in the BDSM lifestyle. The question is why? --Richardrj ^{talk email} 20:54, 12 November 2006 (UTC)

THe question is actually a troll. Delete thread?--Light current

I think sometimes what looks like trolling may be an attempt to see if certain subjects are off-limits or censored. I firmly believe that none should be and that it is better to err on the side of giving information even if the purpose of the question is not to seek the answer to the question but to find out whether or not an answer will be given. If that makes any sense. He's already stated that bisexuality and being penetrated anally with a dildo are things he is willing to engage in, so the question may be genuine. -THB 02:12, 14 November 2006 (UTC)

This user has posted other trolling sexual questions recently. Pls look at thier contribs. Lik this one [2] 8-(--Light current 02:16, 14 November 2006 (UTC)

David Hicks

I'm interested in hearing from Americans or other non-Australians who have a strong position (pro or anti) on the Bush administration's waging of the "war on terror", whether they are aware of the case of David Hicks, and what their opinion of his post-capture treatment is. Does his case receive much U.S. media coverage? JackofOz 07:27, 12 November 2006 (UTC)

I've vaguely heard of him, but he's not big news. My (US) opinion is that we should keep him in custody because he's a terrorist, whereas Australia would likely let him go because he hasn't yet committed any specific acts, hoping that, once he was free, he would then kill some people so they could charge him. StuRat 07:39, 12 November 2006 (UTC)

If ever I heard a lame excuse ... DirkvdM 07:43, 12 November 2006 (UTC)

My position is that being a member of a terrorist organization makes him a threat to the lives of civilians, so he should be imprisoned. Do you dispute that he is a member of a terrorist organization or just think that such people should be set free until they kill someone ? StuRat 07:46, 12 November 2006 (UTC)

How can anybody dispute anything? He hasn't been brought to trial in FOUR years! We're supposed to just accept George Bush's word that he's been a baaad boy? Remember the WMD's? If the U.S. government is so sure of his guilt, let it prove it in a courtroom. The whole non-process reminds me of the sketch in Monty Python and the Holy Grail where the peasants are ready to condemn a witch.

Sir Bedevere: What makes you think she's a witch?

Peasant 3: Well, she turned me into a newt!

Sir Bedevere: A newt?

Peasant 3: [meekly after a long pause] ... I got better.

Crowd: [shouts] Burn her anyway!

Clarityfiend 10:06, 12 November 2006 (UTC)

We have his own confession (unless you think the Australian police tortured it out of him):

"In November 2005, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation programme Four Corners broadcast for the first time a transcript of an interview with Hicks, conducted by the Australian Federal Police in 2002. In this interview Hicks acknowledged that he had trained with al-Qaeda in Afghanistan, learning guerilla tactics and urban warfare. He also acknowledged that he had met Osama bin Laden."

StuRat 10:17, 12 November 2006 (UTC)

OK, so a trial would be a slam dunk. Why hasn't there been one? Hicks is alleged to have been a low-level terrorist, so it's unlikely that any national security secrets would be exposed in open court. Are you that eager to throw away centuries of legal protections and due process on Bush's say-so? Clarityfiend 10:36, 12 November 2006 (UTC)

I will give you an example. The defense, allegedly to create some doubt about his Al-Queda membership, will subpoena all records seized from Al-Queda computers. After reading through this info, this lawyer will then pass this info directly to Al-Queda, or merely leak it to the press, so that Al-Queda now knows exactly what the US intelligence agencies know, and don't know, about their operations and operatives. Thus, they can cancel operations that are being tracked and put their resources into those ops which have not yet been uncovered. StuRat 22:20, 12 November 2006 (UTC)

First, as you've already pointed out, they have his own statement that he was involved with Al-Quaida, so your example is invalid. Second, if there are some other national security issues, why has John Walker Lindh already been tried (and convicted)? Who is the greater threat to democracy? Hicks or Bush, for trying to bypass the entire judicial process? Clarityfiend 02:51, 13 November 2006 (UTC)

No, the other evidence against him makes no difference. In a criminal trial, he would still be entitled to as vigorous of a defense as he wants, unless he decided to plead guilty. Hicks is a threat to the lives of the people he will kill if released, but not to democracy. StuRat 06:07, 13 November 2006 (UTC)

My position is that those accused of terrorism (or of "membership in a terrorist organization") are entitled to the same presumption of innocence as those accused of any other crime. I also heap scorn on the concept of "unlawful combatant" as applied to the war in Afghanistan; one shouldn't need special authorization to fight an invader, even if the invader is pure of heart. —Tamfang 09:18, 12 November 2006 (UTC)

Since Australia was a member of the coalition opposing the Taliban, David Hicks, being an Australian and fighting for the Taliban, was committing treason. In such a case, the only "special authorization to commit treason" I could imagine is if he was employed as a spy to keep tabs on the Taliban. StuRat 10:10, 12 November 2006 (UTC)

Then why is he being held in a US facility and not extradited for trial in Australia? He is being held without charge. Natgoo 11:02, 12 November 2006 (UTC)

To make him a more believable spy after it all? -- Rwst 14:54, 12 November 2006 (UTC)

It seems to me that, being an Al-Queda terrorist, any country which had been attacked by Al-Queda has a right to ensure that he be kept from murdering their civilians, by permanently imprisoning him. I don't see how his citizenship bears on this. StuRat 22:15, 12 November 2006 (UTC)

To answer the original questions, I'm (a U.S. citizen) only aware of David Hicks because someone asked a question here and the respondant put in a link to the Hicks article. Being the curious sort, I read it. Had I not read it, I wouldn't know who he is. I don't watch television at all (not even an antenna in the house) but I do read the headlines of various news sites, listen to NPR, etc. I don't think I've ever heard or seen anything about him, at least not in recent memory. And not bringing people to trial for crimes they supposedly commited is one of the many many reasons why I'm looking forward to January 20, 2009. Dismas|^(talk) 11:08, 12 November 2006 (UTC)

For non-Americans, that's when Bush's replacement takes office. StuRat 22:11, 12 November 2006 (UTC)

Thanks for the views, people. StuRat, you seem to be a lone voice here. How long do you suggest "we keep him in custody because he's a terrorist". Who would determine the length of that sentence, if not a court where any charges against him could be heard, evidence presented, and, if convicted, a sentence imposed. You seem to feel that he's not entitled to the same due process that anybody else charged with any crime would be entitled, but he should just be locked away, without charge, till he dies. Am I misrepresenting your position?

Well, if bin Laden surrendered, and instructed all members of al Queda to surrender, and stop fighting, and Hirohito did after Japan surrendered, and if they complied, then, and only then, would I advocate releasing those captured members of al Queda who aren't guilty of war crimes. Those that are (including bin Laden), should then be tried and executed. StuRat 06:11, 13 November 2006 (UTC)

So, we first determine that they're guilty of war crimes, and then we try them. Is that the process you support? I think this is the classic definition of "show trial", something the USSR was very good at. I thought the U.S. regarded that country as "an evil empire". Now it seems to be copying their methods. JackofOz 00:13, 14 November 2006 (UTC)

True, Hicks was charged at one point, but those charges have since been voided; legally, it's equivalent to having never been charged. It's now 5 years on, and there's still no sign of any new charges being laid. Until that happens, and despite any confessions he may have made, we're still talking about allegations, not established facts. It is true that his alleged offences were not offences under Australian law at the time he is alleged to have committed them. This is the reason the Australian government led by John Howard has been so intransigent in ensuring that whatever happens to Hicks, happens under the American justice system. If Howard followed Tony Blair's example and insisted any Australians in Gitmo be repatriated, Hicks would have to be immediately released. That is not a comfortable notion, admittedly. Howard, being a close buddy of GWB, does not want this to happen, so he's prepared to cop the political flak of allowing an Australian citizen to languish, uncharged, in a prison of a friendly government for over 5 years, where it is alleged he has been subjected to various forms of cruel punishment (I won't get into whether or not these constitute "torture"). Such punishment may well be appropriate after he has been convicted - but not before. Howard, Alexander Downer and Phillip Ruddock occasionally make vague mumblings about encouraging the U.S. to speed up the process, but they are always much more vocal when it comes to telling us all what this evil person has done. They're all lawyers, yet they seem to have no concept of justice. JackofOz 22:42, 12 November 2006 (UTC)

The question was Does his case receive much U.S. media coverage? I find the lengthy and peripheral discussions here not only off topic but also distasteful. There are plenty of forums for people to express their political beliefs, the reason I like this one is because it isn't. ;) Peace. Vespine 01:52, 13 November 2006 (UTC)

Sorry if you find this distasteful. I also asked what their opinion of his post-capture treatment is. I think the answers so far have been very relevant to the question. JackofOz 03:15, 13 November 2006 (UTC)

I dont wish to be a killjoy, but do people think that this discussion belongs here. I mean theres no question to answer is there? Any answers are only a matter of broad opinion. Would it not be better to move it to Talk:David Hicks or someones talk page for instance? Only a suggestion 8-) --Light current 03:29, 13 November 2006 (UTC)

As I so often do, let me present a comparison. In the seventies there was a pro-Palestinian youth movement in the Netherlands, with protests and such. A few kids decided they should do something more tangible (not just talk but actually go out there and fight for what you stand for, something StuRat favours when it comes to US military actions). So they went there to receive training from the PLO. But pretty soon they realised that tangible help meant shooting people. As soon as they got weapons into their hands they started getting nervous. After a few weeks they left. This is the reason one should be careful with convicting someone for an intended crime. It may very well be that they would never have gone through with what they planned. The punishment should at least be less severe. But of course the overriding argument here is that one should not convict someone without trial. DirkvdM 07:34, 13 November 2006 (UTC)

"Conviction without trial" is a meaningless concept. Imprisonment without trial, or even charge, is what's going on here. JackofOz 00:13, 14 November 2006 (UTC)

Now make the terrorist org that they joined the "Death to the Dutch Brigades", which are dedicated to blowing up the dams and killing everyone, in retaliation for the films of Theo van Gogh, who has escaped all attempts to kill him. Would the Dutch now feel that they should be let go, on the theory that "we don't actually know that they will blow up the dams, so let's just take the chance" ? StuRat 08:20, 13 November 2006 (UTC)

I don't get the van Gogh thing and I didn't say he should not be punished, just that he should be tried before punishment, so what are you on about? DirkvdM 03:44, 14 November 2006 (UTC)

I suspect that there would be a court case if any evidence of unlawful behaviour can be found, and that otherwise those stupid Dutch would just let the terrorists go free, rather than just lock them up indefinitely without a trial. (So tipping the Dutch intelligence service that StuRat wants to blow up the dams may have no effect; possibly they might not even torture him.)  --Lambiam^Talk 15:13, 13 November 2006 (UTC)

With a policy like that, the Dutch could end up in deep water. StuRat 21:20, 13 November 2006 (UTC)

Well, if the Bush administration says he's an unlawful combatant, then he is one. Period. End of story. Case closed. See Talk:Unlawful combatant#New anti-terrorism law. JIP | Talk 13:29, 13 November 2006 (UTC)

That's exactly the issue. JackofOz 00:13, 14 November 2006 (UTC)

To follow up my previous post which seems to have been largely brushed aside, let me be a little more clear, as quoted from the top of the page: "The Reference desk is not a soapbox. If further debate regarding a particular answer is needed, please move the discussion to the appropriate talk page." Vespine 03:12, 14 November 2006 (UTC)

Yes look guys and gals, this discussion here is clearly against RD rules. Please move it somewhere else! Thanks!--Light current 03:14, 14 November 2006 (UTC)

OK. JackofOz 03:41, 14 November 2006 (UTC)

KeraKoll

What does the company Kerakoll do? --220.227.116.76 10:14, 12 November 2006 (UTC)

Try http://www.kerakoll.com --Shantavira 10:46, 12 November 2006 (UTC)

C'MON! (Vauxhall advertisements)

Any ideas on where/how I can get hold of a blue C'MON from Vauxhall's new advertising campaign? Thanks in advance! 62.136.115.55 13:39, 12 November 2006 (UTC)

eBay. The bidding is currently at £50.25 and ends on Nov 14, 13.33 GMT. ---Sluzzelin 18:41, 12 November 2006 (UTC)

musculoskeletal system

I am taking online collece and have a big report due on Sunday.I need information such as a specialty of this system,a specialist that deals with this system, diagnosis and procedures that deal with the diagnosis. I have a week before this report is due. Any information would be greatly appreciated.Thank you. Kimberly Wheeler

That is a huge subject Kimberly. Can you be more specific? Human or animal? Diagnosis of what in particular? I suggest you take a look at musculoskeletal system and follow up the links from there until you find what you're looking for. --Shantavira 15:18, 12 November 2006 (UTC)

Orthopedists and rheumatologists specialize in the musculoskeletal system, among others. -THB 02:09, 14 November 2006 (UTC)

Zidane in Dhaka, Bangladesh?

Is it true that Zidane visited Bangladesh and for what reason? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 74.12.152.87 (talk • contribs)

Yes, and he was invited by a Nobel Laureate. Here's a story from the Irish Times. --Charlene 16:42, 12 November 2006 (UTC)

nude scenes in hitman series

is there any nude scene in Hitman series?—Preceding unsigned comment added by 74.12.152.87 (talk • contribs)

Boob Tube

I was having a discussion at work, and the idea of someone watching the "boob tube" got brought up. How did the tv get this name?

You will the answer at boob tube. --Shantavira 15:09, 12 November 2006 (UTC)

Though there seems to be no connection, my first association was the concept of tittytainment, as introduced in Hans-Peter Martin's book The Global Trap. This word was possibly coined by Zbigniew Brzezinski, according to German Wikipedia. ---Sluzzelin 17:06, 12 November 2006 (UTC)

Can you believe it, some people waste a large proportion of their time staring at the wrong type of boob tube. There is often a near obsession to find a singular etymology for words ignoring the fact there is often a coalescence of meanings that make up a word. Here is a rare image of mixed etymologies by Nam June Paik http://everything2.com/index.pl?node_id=1481037 http://www.paikstudios.com/gallery/18.html MeltBanana 19:55, 12 November 2006 (UTC)

Well, a traditional TV is a CRT, or cathode-ray tube. Adding a rhyming word in front that connotes how people's intelligence drops in proportion to their viewing time was a natural next step. And, since "boob" = "idiot", that was the word of choice. StuRat 22:02, 12 November 2006 (UTC)

In the United Kingdom, it is more often slang for a strapless- or tube-top. Laïka 13:11, 14 November 2006 (UTC)

engineers

good morning, Hi my name is Denise Weber and I was wondering how much engineers make with a masters degree.I know you can not give me the exact amount but what is the base pay for a person such as this.Thankyou for your time and have a good day. Denise Weber

Denise, what country are you in, and what field of engineering are you interested in? Pay varies markedly from country to country and from specialty to specialty. (Adding) Also, don't use spaces at the beginning of lines in Wikipedia - it puts your text into a table and readers have to scroll right to read it. We all get caught by that the first time, though - don't sweat it. :-) --Charlene 16:39, 12 November 2006 (UTC)

Hot-shot microchip engineers are making $150K for a third-year co-op (in Toronto). Other fields can be a lot less. --Zeizmic 17:42, 12 November 2006 (UTC)

Is that Canadian money or real money ? :-) StuRat 22:00, 12 November 2006 (UTC)

Seen the exchange rate lately? --Charlene 07:38, 13 November 2006 (UTC)

US$132,661.18? When did Canadian dollar go up so much? Or did the American dollr go down that much? Didn't it used to be around 1:2? --Wirbelwindヴィルヴェルヴィント (talk) 08:03, 13 November 2006 (UTC)

The US dollar is in the crapper. Thank you, George W. Bush. -THB 02:07, 14 November 2006 (UTC)

Super Bowl

Has/is the Super Bowl always been played inside? I think I remember a Super Bowl in the past 10 years that the games was in blizzard like conditions. I beleive the Patiots were playing.Any help?

No. However, if it is to be played outside then the average high temperature at the venue must be least 50 degrees Fahrenheit in February. For example, Qualcomm Stadium hosted in 2003 (though i doubt there was a blizzard in San Diego)! Rockpocket 20:26, 12 November 2006 (UTC)

Further, List of Super Bowl champions seems to suggest the the Patriots have only played at Alltel Stadium, Reliant Stadium, Louisiana Superdome over the last 10 years. I wouldn't have thought blizzard conditions would be likely at any of these. Rockpocket 20:31, 12 November 2006 (UTC)

"Blizzard-like" doesn't seem like the right word. Last time they won, it was snowing I recall? X [Mac Davis] (DESK|How's my driving?) 17:58, 14 November 2006 (UTC)

I believe you're thinking of the 2002 "Snow Bowl" game between New England and Oakland, which was a divisional playoff game, not a Super Bowl -- Mwalcoff 05:09, 15 November 2006 (UTC)

car identification

Would anyone happen to know what's the car on this album cover? --user:Qviri 19:13, 12 November 2006 (UTC)

Not sure, but it could be a Citroën DS, perhaps the DS 23 Pallas. ---Sluzzelin 19:50, 12 November 2006 (UTC)

(Edit conflict) Looks like a Citroen DS. Great minds and all that :). Natgoo 19:51, 12 November 2006 (UTC)

Citroen DS Pallas--Light current 22:12, 12 November 2006 (UTC)

Thanks, seems painfully obvious now. --user:Qviri 00:19, 13 November 2006 (UTC)

update

I am riting a bibliograpgy and i need to know whens the last time this site was updated

Thie site gets "updated" several times a minute, check out Recent Changes! ;) For a particular article, you could check out the article's history, although major updates sometimes come far between. 惑乱 分からん 20:50, 12 November 2006 (UTC)

However, when writing your biography, keep in mind that the article can't be assumed to be up to date as of the last edit, as the last edit is likely a minor spelling correction, etc., as opposed to a thorough update of the article. You will sometimes get an update date within the article itself, with a statement like "As of Jan 1, 2006, the Congressman has not been convicted on any of his numerous bribery and sexual perversion charges". StuRat 21:50, 12 November 2006 (UTC)

We have a page giving advice on citing Wikipedia, which may be of help. Howard Train 06:18, 13 November 2006 (UTC)

At the bottom of every article you will find "This page was last modified.." followed by the date and time.--Shantavira 09:43, 13 November 2006 (UTC)

Yes, but it's a mistake to think that means the article was totally up-to-date as of that date. StuRat 10:03, 13 November 2006 (UTC)

Perpetual Motion Machine

I know it is supposed to be impossible, but just hear me out. Stars around the universe are always being created and destroyed. So what if there was a machine, powered by an extremely advanced solar energy collector, in which the solar panels may rotate to focus on the nearest, brightest star? When the star loses it's brightness, the machine turns to focus on another star. Please don't ridicule me if this sounds stupid, I am no student of astrology. Яussiaп F 21:41, 12 November 2006 (UTC)

A perpetual motion machine is supposed to stay in motion without any energy being added to the system. Solar energy is clearly being added to your system. StuRat 21:47, 12 November 2006 (UTC)

Hmmmmmm, back to the drawing board... Яussiaп F 21:49, 12 November 2006 (UTC)

Second law of thermodynamics. It'll get you every time. Of course if you actually find a way to break it you'll be immortalized. Durova^Charge! 23:40, 12 November 2006 (UTC)

Not really. He'd already be immortal because he'd be God. JackofOz 02:23, 13 November 2006 (UTC)

Try this one: a spinning flywheel supported on completely frictionless magnetic bearings inside an evacuated envelope! Perpetual motion. Now what you gonna do with it?--Light current 04:25, 13 November 2006 (UTC)

Use it to induce current in a nearby circuit when required. Congratulations, you have a large, expensive battery! Chack out Flywheel energy storage. Howard Train 06:07, 13 November 2006 (UTC)

Universe as a PPM

Is not the total universe itself a perpetual motion machine? -THB 03:53, 13 November 2006 (UTC)

You're supposed to put new questions at the end. I'll treat this as a continuation of the previous question.

I think that would only be true if there was something separate from the universe that could add some energy to it. Such as God. That would make sense if you accept that such a being, who created the universe, exists. Otherwise, not. JackofOz 04:01, 13 November 2006 (UTC)

No, the universe is not a PMM. Our 'mortal' perception of the term perpetual is the key here. You would need to know the ultimate end of the universe, which no one has worked out yet. The fact though is that every observable natural thing experiences entropy so we can only assume that the universe as a whole also experiences entropy which would preclude it from being a PMM. Vespine

So eventually everything runs out of energy and matter and nothing will exist? -THB 09:28, 13 November 2006 (UTC)

First, by perpetual motion machine usually a machine is meant that (if it existed) would produce useful energy. That the machine – like any mechanical contraption – might eventually wear out (so that it is not truly perpetual) is not an issue. While the universe may be in perpetual motion, it does not produce useful energy and therefore does not count. Secondly, according to the laws of physics as we know them we have conservation of energy, and so the universe cannot run out of energy per se; what may be limited is the available thermodynamic free energy. Finally, the ultimate fate of the universe is unknown, but according to the Big rip theory really nothing may be left behind.  --Lambiam^Talk 12:26, 13 November 2006 (UTC)

Thanks! I didn't know about the Big Rips and Crunches. -THB 19:59, 13 November 2006 (UTC)

Perceived framerate/second by eye

Perceived FPS by eye is in the neighbourhood of 25-ish. Electric current, depending on where you are, flickers at 50-60Hz. SO, 60 times in a second, a room is lit. 60 times in that second, the room is NOT lit. How on EARTH come we see only when it is lit? Sure we can't possibly see the changes, but it seems as if we are perceiving either half the effect of the light, or we are perceiving the full effect, but that... would be weird? 81.93.102.185 22:55, 12 November 2006 (UTC)

What we perceive when flicker fusion kicks in is more or less the average light intensity. If you have two flickering lamps, one red and one green, that are fully out of phase (when one is one the other is off), the result is perceived as yellow, just as if they are in phase.  --Lambiam^Talk 23:46, 12 November 2006 (UTC)

Also the light output from incandescent or fluorescent lamps does not go to zero every 10 ms as the filament or gases do not have time to cool down before the current starts flowing agian! 8-)--Light current 23:54, 12 November 2006 (UTC)

Plus, your eye only detects light, it doesn't detect dark, dark is the just the perception of lack of light. For example, if you are in a pitch black room and you set a camera flash off, your retina goes crazy sending signals to your brain and the image will seem to be burned into your vision for a lot longer then the fraction of a second the flash was actually lit, that has to do with persistence of vision. Vespine 01:23, 13 November 2006 (UTC)

Wordplay

What is a sentance called when all the words start with the same letter? Яussiaп F 22:38, 12 November 2006 (UTC)

Alliteration?--Light current 22:42, 12 November 2006 (UTC)

Thanks, I had been trying to think if that word for hours. :) Яussiaп F 22:48, 12 November 2006 (UTC)

OK put in a good word for us on the Wikipedia Talk:Reference Desk 8-)--Light current 23:14, 12 November 2006 (UTC)

Yes, but as we say in America, "One 'Awwshit' wipes out fifty 'Attaboys'". (Did that translate sufficiently well?)

Atlant 19:03, 14 November 2006 (UTC)

Yes over here we say 'Mud sticks when its thrown!' 8-(--Light current 21:40, 14 November 2006 (UTC)

K for konstant

Why is k used instead of c? Were the convention creators using recreational drugs at the time?

c is commonly used for speed of light--Light current 23:12, 12 November 2006 (UTK)

the obvious question now is why is c speed of light. So if anyone is wondering, its from the latin Celeritas meaning "swiftness". Philc _T^E_C^I 23:19, 12 November 2006 (UTC)

What is the context in which you encountered "k"? For constant of integration conventionally a C is used, also in languages in which the word for constant does not begin with a "c", such as Turkish "sabit". For your "k" it may be the case that the relevant bit of science was first described in German, in which case K for Konstante is a natural choice.  --Lambiam^Talk 23:22, 12 November 2006 (UTC)

do you mean in maths:

X α Y

$X=KY$

Englishnerd 23:28, 12 November 2006 (UTC)

Examples of "German" "k"s are Boltzmann's constant k, the Michaelis constant K^M and the Lipschitz constant K. I suspect the alliteration between "K" and "constant" (and the lack of alliteration with "c") also plays a role.

Scientific language should be international. In Dutch, the letter for 'hour' is not 'u' for 'uur', but'h'. Could be from English, could be from French ('heure'). Doesn't matter. Luckily, most units start with the same letter in most languages. DirkvdM 07:44, 13 November 2006 (UTC)

But why don't we make Dutch the international language of science (like it used to be in Japan; see Rangaku)?  --Lambiam^Talk 12:33, 13 November 2006 (UTC)