Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Miscellaneous/2007 February 5

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February 5

What Is the Source of This Quote?

"What is a man that you have regard for and what is a human that you have consideration for? Man is like a mist. His days are like a passing shadow. In the morning he shines and then he is gone; by the evening he fades and withers. You cause man to revert to dust. Were we wise we would understand his destiny. In his passing he does not take everything; his honor will not follow after him. Mark the innocent and behold the righteous for they shall have peace."

I think you may have the wording a little off (or maybe you are quoting a different translation of the original): http://ogreatmystery.com/newskete/psalter/kathisma20.html SteveBaker 03:28, 5 February 2007 (UTC)

i.e. the first three sentences are Psalm 144v3-4, but after that they are different. I am not sure where they are from. They are certainly not a "different translation" of the original Hebrew text since it is completely different. Darkhorse06 19:59, 5 February 2007 (UTC)

My inttiution said Star Trek or something like that... =S 惑乱 分からん 22:48, 5 February 2007 (UTC)

Israel = Isis, Ra, El? — Etymology of the word "Israel"?

In the (undated) documentary The Naked Truth, Jordan Maxwell contends that the etymology of the word Israel was such that Israel was essentially an acronym derived from the names of three deities (Isis, Ra and El). Can anyone disprove or substantiate that claim? Does anyone know the actual etymology of the word "Israel"? I have looked at Israel, but as of this writing it doesn't contain a detailed etymology. The claim is made by Maxwell at 1:18:07 into this video: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6410112404402873027

Many thanks in advance for any help. 86.56.48.12 04:21, 5 February 2007 (UTC)

The Online Etymology Dictionary says it means "the Jewish people, from L. Israel, from Gk., from Heb. yisra'el "he that striveth with God" (Gen. xxxii.28), symbolic proper name conferred on Jacob and extended to his descendants, from sara "he fought, contended" + El "God." [[1]]. Not sure if that's correct, but it looks like it's right. .V. _[Talk|Email] 05:23, 5 February 2007 (UTC)

The above is correct. It is clear from the bible that Israel is derived Gensis 32, 28 "And he said: 'Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel; for thou hast striven with God and with men, and hast prevailed". Maxwell's theory, like most theories in Biblical criticism it can be neither proven or disproven. Jon513 14:58, 5 February 2007 (UTC)

I have long since believed that the name for the modern state of Israel was partly due to the English PM Disraeli, a zionist. but this may be erronious. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 81.144.161.223 (talk • contribs) 15:22, 5 February 2007

There is the possibility that Gnostics used the term "Israel" in the exact way Maxwell assumes. The original word "Y'israel" is probably more literally correct, but many Gnostic societies use these combinations in their pantheons. One example Jahbulon, which contains "Yah" (Yahweh) "Ba'al" (from the Canaanites) and "On" (from Egypt). I think it boils down to interpretations and perspective. I don't have a lot of faith in mainstream history, so I generally am open to lots of things.

Benjamin Disraeli's name is derived from Israel, not the other way round. In Hebrew, Israel is spelt ישראל, where the final portion, אל, represents El. The spelling of the first part, ישר, leaves no room for interpretation as Isis-Ra, which, in Egyptian is ỉs.t-rȝ. Even with the feminine ending on Isis removed, the Hebrew lacks the final consonant of Ra, and the equivalence between Egyptian ỉ and Hebrew י is quite uncertain. This looks more like someone trying to be clever (without knowing any Hebrew or Egyptian), and it is not a sound hypothesis. — Gareth Hughes 15:40, 5 February 2007 (UTC)

Yes, I thought the same without knowing the languages involved. It struck me a weird that the logic was based on English words. Not to say that the film is not interesting, it is. But I wonder how much of it is accurate. For instance it makes many analogies between Christ/Buddha/Krishna as being recurrent. One that sticks with me is that it says that both Christ and Buddha are described as appearing as a flower in a crystal womb. Literally. While I can see that as Buddhist imagery, I have never seen any claim in Christianity that Mary's womb became crystal clear when Jesus entered her womb and that he appeared as flower there. Has anyone ever heard such? --Justanother 16:44, 5 February 2007 (UTC)

No, I doubt it's true. The History Channel (or History International) often messes religious things up. · AndonicO ^{Talk · Sign Here} 21:00, 5 February 2007 (UTC)

I doubt it is any of those. More like the "Fringe Channel". --Justanother 21:03, 5 February 2007 (UTC)

No, I saw the program on History International, but not this episode. They might have it elsewhere too though. · AndonicO ^{Talk · Sign Here} 15:29, 6 February 2007 (UTC)

Although it's probably worth nothing that many of the Bible name meanings are folk etymologies. Corvus cornix 18:46, 5 February 2007 (UTC)

Cleaning a down comforter

In a commercial drier how long do you think it would take to dry a giant, thick down comforter that just came out of the wash? --froth^T 05:21, 5 February 2007 (UTC)

I usually set it to 60 min and check up on 10 minute intervals to see if it was okay. If you find it hard to keep track of this, use a timer and set the alarm for 10 minutes, check on it, then set the timer again.--JDitto 05:41, 5 February 2007 (UTC)

So you'd worry that it would burst into flame or something? Or do you mean check on it just to see if it's done. It's my only blanket and my parents are out of the country right now; it would be very bad if it caught fire o_o --froth^T 05:46, 5 February 2007 (UTC)

Jesus - you need to check the material - if it's synthetic at all you need to be really careful - if it's cotton then there should be no problem.87.102.8.103 12:01, 5 February 2007 (UTC)

The safest thing would be to dry it without heat, or with only slight heat, not much more than room temperature, on the "delicate" setting, or whatever fits this description. It will take a long time, probably hours, to dry, but it will not be risky. Marco polo 14:53, 5 February 2007 (UTC)

Assuming it's cotton with down inside - and it's still quite wet - if you put it in a drier (dustbin sized ?) it still takes ages - the inside stays damp for ages (like an hour) - the best way for these things without using much electricity is to hang them outside on a line and let wind do the work (overnight maybe) - or all day.87.102.8.103 15:49, 5 February 2007 (UTC)

Hah, it would freeze solid! All's well though; I took JDitto's advice and checked on it every once in awhile and it was fine. It's all natural, no worries. It was still kind of damp in places but I was too tired to stay up any later so I just lived with it; it kind of reeks of wet bird now though --froth^T 17:31, 5 February 2007 (UTC)

My apologies. It should've been in there for more than an hour if it was still a little damp and smelled like wet bird.--JDitto 07:17, 6 February 2007 (UTC)

Accounting Practice

Sir,

Please let me know in my e mail address (redacted to prevent spam) the answer for the following.

I have one customer who owe me some money, which is a part of my major revenue. To the same customer I owe some money too. Can it be set off against each other by assuming the payments?

What shall be my accounting entry in this case.

Thanks & Regards

Shaji

It's generally good accounting practice not to net off. So you should keep both the debtor and the creditor in your books of account. By the way, I removed your email address as having it up on this page tends to attract spam. --Richardrj ^{talk email} 11:58, 5 February 2007 (UTC)

You shouldn't net off the income and expenditure items in your income statement/profit and loss account. As for the balance sheet, it really depends on whether there is a legal right of set off or not. You can only net them off if there is. jguk 12:51, 8 February 2007 (UTC)

Great Persons

Please give me some site links for getting the biography of some of the Great Persons who lived or still alive. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 62.150.215.184 (talk • contribs).

This question is too "open-ended" to be meaningful. Can you narrow it down, perhaps giving us some criteria for what you would consider greatness?

Atlant 12:58, 5 February 2007 (UTC)

You can also look at our page Lists of people, which has links to many lists of people based on various criteria, including (were we to take your question literally) List of people known as The Great. Those lists, in turn, will link to Wikipedia's biographical articles, which will in many case have references to full biographies in their citation sections. -- SCZenz 15:46, 5 February 2007 (UTC)

Brett Favre is the obvious solution. Rya Min 16:26, 5 February 2007 (UTC)

Voting for Nelson Mandela or Stephen Hawking in the "still alive" category. -- mattb @ 2007-02-05T18:14Z

Does Chuck Norris fit your bill, or are you looking for more, Genghis Khan-like people? · AndonicO ^{Talk · Sign Here} 15:31, 6 February 2007 (UTC)

cost of making passport in india

i would like to know the cost of making a passport in india and what is the procedure and where should i go for that?

I will cost Rs 1000 and you will find more information here http://passport.nic.in/ --Trieste 13:24, 5 February 2007 (UTC)

many many thanks i will be very thankful to you

Printing issues

Hello,

I have what I hope is a very simple question. I am trying to print out pages and two things are happening. First problem is the page is not print friendly and the text (etc.) sometimes is cut off in the right side of the page even when i use the print tab on the left. Second problem is when I do print a page out the links on the page print out with the address next to them.

Thanks Douglas

Regarding the margin problem, let me give you three alternatives to just hitting "print". 1) Print in Landscape. 2) Print only the main frame. You can usually right-click on the frame and select "print" or "print frame". 3)Highlight the part you actually want to print (including images) and then right click and "print selected". --Justanother 16:37, 5 February 2007 (UTC)

I would suggest that the "Printable Version" link at left is the optimal solution. — Lomn 18:19, 5 February 2007 (UTC)

I did not assume that they were referring to wikipedia since they say the page is not print friendly but you are right if they were. Wikipedia, like many sites, offers "printer-friendly" versions. --Justanother 18:45, 5 February 2007 (UTC)

Feminine hygiene

What did women use before the modern age of packaged products to manage their monthly periods? trabitt.

• Ever hear the term "on the rag"? Quite literal. See Sanitary napkin. --jpgordon^∇∆∇∆ 14:46, 5 February 2007 (UTC)

Unfortunately "packaged products" of this modern age are still above the means of much of the population of a lot of poor countries. Keria 01:11, 6 February 2007 (UTC)

Well, the first tampons were invented by the Egyptians and were made of papyrus. --Candy-Panda 06:37, 6 February 2007 (UTC)

Internet Marketing

How much is Internet Marketing worth in the UK in £'s according to latest figures.

How do I create a Political Party.

If you're interested in setting up a political party, I'd look at these pages on the Electoral Commission website. Skittle 22:14, 5 February 2007 (UTC)

help (77000)

hi am ian and sd lyke to thank the guy who helped me with my question on what do 45 percent of brazillians claim to...contrary to popular belief its not anal sex but it was african ancestry,ad like to thank him or her.wikipeia should expect a small donation from me. anyways i have another question i was handed 77000 from start to finish i suspect its a fact or trivia question.the key i have bin given is google av bin told al get the answer after 3 days.

That was me and you are very welcome! --Justanother 16:46, 5 February 2007 (UTC)

Question. It is Monday morning. Is this an assignment given to you by a teacher as a teaching tool in the use of internet search? --Justanother 16:48, 5 February 2007 (UTC)

As an aside, while your questions are very interesting, maybe you should re-read them before you post as your grammar and phrasing are attrocious.—Preceding unsigned comment added by 81.144.161.223 (talk • contribs)

Please don't BITE the questioner, especially if you can't spell atrocious. Edison 18:06, 5 February 2007 (UTC)

Eh, why can't African ancestry and anal sex both be right? Surely they don't contradict each other... (*Refusing stubbornly to admit giving a bad answer...*) =S Well, anyway, I have trouble understanding what your question is, but I guess you're asking what "77000 from start to finish" refers to... 惑乱 分からん 17:30, 5 February 2007 (UTC)

Wakuran, your answer was not wrong. It just was not what the teacher was looking for. Obviously a teacher will be more interested in teaching about ethnic diversity than anal sex. --Justanother 17:33, 5 February 2007 (UTC)

Question-asker! Have you tried using Google to find your answer? If you try, you might find it easier to find these things quickly in the future. For example, you could go to www.google.com and type 77000 "start to finish" in the box, including those speech marks, and press "enter" on your keyboard. Then, look at the results and decide which you think your teacher means. Skittle 22:06, 5 February 2007 (UTC)

seventy seven thousand (improved version)

okay am not sure whether am to repost on my earlier question or what but thanks for the advise al be checking on my grammar to make my questions more understandable. the question is seventy seven thousand from start to finish the clue is that its something u know-its a trivia quiz like maybe a famous building used 77000 bricks or something

Wait, so the question is: seventy seven thousand from start to finish the clue is that its something u know? Or is it: seventy seven thousand from start to finish, the clue is that its something? Please explain further. Giving more details helps too. --JDitto 07:31, 6 February 2007 (UTC)

Have you used Google, like I suggested? Did any of the results look likely? Skittle 19:49, 6 February 2007 (UTC)

Career in photojoirnalism

I am doing a career report for school, and my career is international photojournalism. I have a few questions for you guys at wikipedia. What union or group would I have to belong to? Is there any special licence or certificate needed? Will any further schooling or off-the-job training be needed for raises in pay or promotions? I can't find this info anywhere else. Thanks, 209.81.119.178 18:24, 5 February 2007 (UTC).

It depends where you live. In the United States*, The National Press Photographers Association is a professional organization of photojournalists, but you don't have to be a member to be a photojournalist. I would recommend taking any courses in photography or journalism (I know it sounds obvious, but these are very important foundations) that you can to obtain a solid background in the field. There is a code of ethics that you have to go by (Invasion of privacy and other issues). There is a lot more information at the Photojournalism article.GhostPirate 19:01, 5 February 2007 (UTC)

*Hawley, Minnesota, right? Don't ask me how I knew that, it's part of the magic of the Internet.

NBC / ABC / FOX / CBS

Someone please sort those four networks in order terms of U.S. viewership, including only the main channel, not all affiliates. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 209.53.181.77 (talk • contribs)

I'd imagine overall it would be CBS then NBC then ABC then FOX. However, going by individual show, American Idol (a Fox show) is consistently the most popular. You'd have to be more specific. Try Googling the four networks and/or find their Nielson Ratings. →EdGl 00:55, 6 February 2007 (UTC)

According to both our CSI article, and their television ads, CBS is "the most-watched network on U.S. television". Rockpocket 08:02, 7 February 2007 (UTC)

Ventnor Beach

Does anyone know if Ventnor Beach (on the Isle of Wight) has stones which are natural or imported? Thanks, Bioarchie1234 19:18, 5 February 2007 (UTC)

As you can see here, Ventnor has a sandy beach. Why would anyone want to import stones?--Shantavira 08:53, 6 February 2007 (UTC)

I went there for a school trip. It was, as you say, mainly sandy, but there were quite a few stones there. We had to measure them with callipers. We looked cool!Bioarchie1234 21:13, 6 February 2007 (UTC)

Valentine day concept

How did the concept of Valentines day come up? What is the essence behind it? Why is it a part of American culture?

Whats the exact proportion of individuals who enter the porn industry in the US and Europe? Garb wire 20:30, 5 February 2007 (UTC)

We have encyclopedia articles about Valentine's day and pornography, if you care to have a look. Friday (talk) 20:35, 5 February 2007 (UTC)

But the two activities are not connected .... (or are they? Hmm ......) JackofOz 01:38, 6 February 2007 (UTC)

I wouldn't mind if they occasionally were... =S 惑乱 分からん 11:31, 6 February 2007 (UTC)

Actually, they are, via the Fundamental Interconnectedness of All Things. JackofOz 00:54, 7 February 2007 (UTC)