Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Miscellaneous/2007 May 26

Welcome to the Wikipedia Miscellaneous Reference Desk Archives
The page you are currently viewing is an archive page. While you can leave answers for any questions shown below, please ask new questions on one of the current reference desk pages.

May 26

Borax

In the article concerning using borax to control ground ivy it states to use 10 ounces of borax mixed in 2 to 3 gallons of water. Is this 10 ounces by weight or dry measure? 69.14.168.126 00:37, 26 May 2007 (UTC)

This has a different recipe [1] It's only good for bluegrass, and lots of people hate it because it puts boron in the soil forever. --Zeizmic 02:49, 26 May 2007 (UTC)

Christopher Maleki's character, Spike Lester

I am sorry for this stupid question, but I want to know something about Spike Lester.

Does Spike Lester know my soap opera's storylines and the fictional locations that I create?

What a fictional character "knows" is whatever its creator decides it knows. Perhaps someone at Entertainment's Ref Desk has information about this specific situation. Bielle 02:17, 26 May 2007 (UTC)

This is just more nonsense by the soap opera troll. Don't encourage them. Corvus cornix 16:57, 26 May 2007 (UTC)

Home Owners Associations

AS a board of director member for HOA,S do the BOD pay HOA fees, the same as a non boardmember do?

What HOA? Your question is extremely vague. Wikipedia is an encyclopedia whose audience encompasses the entire world. Splintercellguy 02:23, 26 May 2007 (UTC)

As far as I know, wherever in the world the questioner might be, the answer can only be: It depends upon the rules of the specific Home Owners' Association. (I am not sure what the images add to this question.) Bielle 02:26, 26 May 2007 (UTC)

(The images are there, I suspect, because it is very easy to accidentally click on the "embedded image" or "picture gallery" buttons at the top of the Wikipedia edit box. —Steve Summit (talk) 13:24, 26 May 2007 (UTC))

Seagulls' Desk

Is this new Ref Desk something that has to wait for an Admin.to delete? See top right of page. Bielle 02:34, 26 May 2007 (UTC)

Ha, ha! Hope some people see it before it goes. --Zeizmic 02:40, 26 May 2007 (UTC)

Yeah, it made me smile. I just hope that no-one tries to nobble him with WP:POINT over this. --Kurt Shaped Box 02:44, 26 May 2007 (UTC)

I don't think they will delete it, only redirect it to Science until there are enough questions about seagulls, when it will start to work again. --subsequent fallout 03:00, 26 May 2007 (UTC)

Deleted per the WP:CSD request. Funny, though. Rockpocket 03:11, 26 May 2007 (UTC)

It met criterion 7 of general criteria, i.e., "author requests deletion". subsequent fallout 03:14, 26 May 2007 (UTC)

Trivia

1-Who said "The die is cast"

2-Was Sir W. Churchill happy in his private life?

3-Who was his wife?

4- When did we start to use money in this planet?

Jenny Hoang

1. Suetonius credited Julius Caesar with saying this after he crossed the Rubicon River in his campaign to conquer Gaul. The words uttered were "Jacta alea est" which translates as "The die is cast". See Julius Caesar.

2. He certainly suffered from depression, which he called "the black dog." See Winston Churchill.

3. Clementine Churchill. See Clementine Churchill, Baroness Spencer-Churchill.

4. That depends on how you define "money". It is likely that early hominid forms used a barter system: two of your reindeer hides for my axe. There is more in Money and History of Money. Bielle 06:25, 26 May 2007 (UTC)

Caesar crossed the Rubicon -- with his army -- after returning from Gaul, to start a civil war against the existing Roman government. Crossing the river was a big deal because it was the border of Italy and bringing his army into Italy was an act of war. See Julius Caesar. There seems to be some disagreement as to whether the word order in the original Latin was "alea iacta est" or "iacta alea est"; the meaning would be the same. (And "jacta" and "iacta" are the same word; the Latin alphabet of the time did not include the letterform "J". Caesar would have written Julius as IVLIVS.) --Anonymous, May 26, 2007, 07:09 (UTC).

Thanks for the improvements and corrections, Anonymous. I believe I made the same mistakes in my grade 10 Latin exam in 19mumblety-mumble. Having an army moving in the wrong direction is generally very bad form. Bielle 22:53, 26 May 2007 (UTC)

Not only an act of war, it was treason. —Tamfang 21:41, 27 May 2007 (UTC)

When did we use money "in" some other planet, please ?86.197.169.186 13:41, 26 May 2007 (UTC)DT

4-Probably very recently, as there hasn't historically been much worth buying in mines.

Hmmm - so you smart-ass types who think it's worth picking a simple typo out of the question and going off with it have never heard of caves and cave-men? Let he who lives by the razor-thin-technicality, die by the razor-thin-technicality! SteveBaker 05:11, 27 May 2007 (UTC)

People have used money since the world first started, about 400 years ago. But a lot of people seem to believe the world existed before then, so you should get their oppinion.

Assuming money to be actual coins, these were first used in Lycia and around 250 (500BC) :) HS7 11:54, 27 May 2007 (UTC)

Forget that, much older coins have apparently been found :( To answer this question simply- 'Money means whatever you want it to, so you could give almost any date, depending on your definition' sorry :( HS7 11:58, 27 May 2007 (UTC)

and 1-lots of people have said that, but not Julius Caesar, as he spoke latin :] HS7 15:31, 28 May 2007 (UTC)

Ex-patriot

Seriously, how many Americans are leaving the states annually? I want out and so do a lot of so called comrades. How many millions are leaving for universal health care, transpo, education, etc.?

71.126.48.220 05:30, 26 May 2007 (UTC)moe.ron

Well, you'd think in this day of strict border control and all, that it would be pretty simple to figure out, but according to this site it is rather complex as people don't just say, 'I'm outta here for good,' when they leave. This data shows less than 50,000 a year (up to about 1990), with breakdowns by age, sex, destination, etc. I'll be the first to admit the US has problems, but compare that to the millions coming in illegaly and however many legal immigrants we let in each year, I'd say we must be doing something right.--killing sparrows ^(chirp!) 06:16, 26 May 2007 (UTC)

Ever heard of False Advertising? Anyway, lots of people come here because we're well known about, not because we're the best. If you were a little kid out in Bümenfäĉκen, Asia, would your dream be to move to this wonderful America you keept hearing about, land of the free, homes with a white picket fence for everyone... or Sweden? -- Phoeba Wright^OBJECTION! 11:20, 26 May 2007 (UTC)

This is a common myth among Americans, that everyone is screaming and begging to come to America, the Only Country In the World Worth Living In(TM). Generally they're the same people who think the US gives foreign aid to Canada. --Charlene 03:51, 27 May 2007 (UTC)

The interesting question is whether such people are expatriates, or ex-patriots, or both. I'm sure there are many expatriates who are still patriots to their original country. JackofOz 07:27, 26 May 2007 (UTC)

..and maybe "ex-pats" (or is that only former Irishmen who've changed their names ?). StuRat 21:59, 26 May 2007 (UTC)

ex-Pats are former members of the New England Patriots. Corvus cornix 22:20, 27 May 2007 (UTC)

Male Orgasms

Are there any foods/vitamins that you can take that will improve the quality of male orgasms?—Preceding unsigned comment added by 68.7.130.43 (talk • contribs)

See aphrodisiac. Also consider getting a girlfriend. Then use communication and imagination.--Shantavira|^{feed me} 06:57, 26 May 2007 (UTC)

... or a boyfriend. Rockpocket 07:22, 26 May 2007

...or a sheep, baaa Perry-mankster 13:51, 26 May 2007 (UTC)(UTC)

Try eating lots of protein. StuRat 21:55, 26 May 2007 (UTC)

Not so sure about categorically going for more protein, but zinc is a good idea. Shellfish are good for zinc. Vranak

practice :] HS7 11:59, 27 May 2007 (UTC)

Lots of rest, excercise, no alcohol/smoking etc. And if that dont work, you could always try a butt plug ;-o

Really quick question

Who do I e-mail in the event I forget my password? Sr13 06:50, 26 May 2007 (UTC)

See Wikipedia:How to log in#What if I forget the password? I'd recommend activating email. Rockpocket 06:56, 26 May 2007 (UTC)

I was a little embarassed asking that question, considering I'm an admin and, well...thanks for answering the question. Sr13 07:13, 26 May 2007 (UTC)

Shhhhh. I won't tell anyone if you won't ;) Rockpocket 07:20, 26 May 2007 (UTC)

Something wrong here. I did what you told me to, but I still can't log in. Now I have to wait another 24 hours and try again... 72.234.6.235 07:25, 26 May 2007 (UTC)

I don't understand what you are talking about. Did you retrieve your new password that was emailed to you and try it with your username? Rockpocket 07:31, 26 May 2007 (UTC)

I got it now...I guess you need to wait several minutes before trying. Thanks, and sorry for the confusion. (Phew!) Sr13 07:35, 26 May 2007 (UTC)

Ok, I wasn't sure whether the IP was you or not! Rockpocket 07:37, 26 May 2007 (UTC)

Card games for children

Are there any card games using the standard 52-card deck which have simple rules and are easy for young children to play? --Richardrj ^{talk email} 06:53, 26 May 2007 (UTC)

Take a look at these.--Shantavira|^{feed me} 07:00, 26 May 2007 (UTC)

Good stuff, thanks. --Richardrj ^{talk email} 07:21, 26 May 2007 (UTC)

Also, try a game of Memory. Lay out the shuffled cards in a 4x13 rectangle, face down. Have them draw two cards, and, if they match, they get to keep them; if they don't, they put them back. Whoever has the most cards at the end wins. For very young kids, only the color has to match (1/2 chance). For slightly older kids, only the suit has to match (1/4 chance). For even older kids, only the number/rank has to match (1/13 chance). For experts, both the color and number rank/has to match (1/26 chance). If you have two identical decks, you can even challenge masters to match the exact card (1/52 chance). This will help to improve kids' short-term memorization skills. StuRat 21:18, 26 May 2007 (UTC)

This game is also called Concentration, and lent that name to a long-running TV game show involving a similar rule. Another way to play the card game is to spread out the cards haphazardly instead of the rectangular layout. --Anonymous, May 26, 2007, 22:56 (UTC).

And, for a twist, a parent can lay the cards out in some order, not randomly shuffled. Then, when the kids play, they will also try to determine the pattern as well as memorize which card is where. The one who guesses the pattern first is likely to win. This can help them develop pattern recognition skills. StuRat 23:23, 26 May 2007 (UTC)

The simplest card game is called "war." Shuffle the cards and divide them equally among the players. Each player plays one card per turn. The player who plays the highest card wins the point. Play continues until everyone is out of cards. -- Mwalcoff 01:20, 27 May 2007 (UTC)

My favorite card game for kids - and especially for mixed groups of kids and adults - is "Cheat!" (also known as Bullshit!). You need at least three players - preferably more. The objective is to get rid of all of your cards - and the game is over when the first person succeeds in doing that. Deal out all of the cards equally between the players (if there are any left over, deal them to the oldest children/adults) - each person takes turns to take between one and four cards out of their hand and place them face-down on the discard pile. As they play them they have to say what it is they claim to be playing - which must be cards of the same denomination. So you you might play three cards and say "Three sixes" or you might plasy four cards and say "Four aces". The thing is though that you are allowed to cheat. Because you need to get rid of your cards quickly - it's best to play three or four of them at a time - but most of the time you don't have three or four of the same number so you'd be stuck getting rid of just one or two cards each turn. BUT...you are allowed (encouraged!) to cheat and play a six, a two, a queen and a nine and say "Four eights" or something. Any of the other players is allowed to call "CHEAT!" which forces your to turn over the cards you played to prove whether you were cheating or not. If you cheated then you have to take ALL of the cards in the discard pile and put them into your hand (bad news!) - but if you didn't cheat then the person who wrongly accused you has to take the discard pile instead. It's a lot of fun - the game goes fast and the strategy is surprisingly deep. eg: There isn't much risk to cheating when the discard pile only has a few cards in it - but there is HUGE risk if there are a lot of cards there - but the risk is the same for the cheater and the accuser. Claiming that you are playing cards that you don't actually have in your hand is risky - if you say you are playing three sevens - and someone else has two sevens in their hand - they're going to call "CHEAT!" for sure. But one sneaky trick if (say) you have four kings in your hand is to play any old four cards and say "Four Kings" - knowing full well that nobody knows for sure that you are cheating...and then to keep playing four cards and saying "Four Kings" every time it's your turn! This annoys the heck out of the opposition because then they know for sure that you are cheating - but they never know on which turn you'll stop cheating and play your four kings for real! This is hilarious - everyone knows you're cheating but it's a matter of bluff - they have to look carefully at your face and see if you are smirking...it's a lot of fun. Of course you can always play without ever cheating - but it's unlikely you'll win against someone who is - so honesty doesn't pay! A nice variation when there are more people playing is to shuffle up two or three decks of cards and let people play any number of same-denomination cards on their turn. So with three decks you might dump 12 cards on the table - saying "Twelve three's!"...the tension gets really high when you can cheat on such a monumental scale! SteveBaker 05:03, 27 May 2007 (UTC)

The first card game I learned was California Cassino. —Tamfang 21:52, 27 May 2007 (UTC)

Seems a bit complicated for kids...Snap (game) is probably more the kind of thing the questioner is seeking. SteveBaker 00:59, 28 May 2007 (UTC)

Why does my cat smell bad?

She's usually an exceptionally clean animal. She's a Maine Coon cat and i've never detected an offensive odor from her before. I know she got a distemper shot a day or two ago. Anyone care to venture a guess as to why she might smell poorly?

It may be a sign of illness, or for some reason she is not cleaning herself properly of late. It would be best to call the vet that administered the vaccine shot recently for advice, particularly if there is a behaviour change. Vassyana 11:17, 26 May 2007 (UTC)

I agree, a change in odor can be a sign of illness, whether in a human or other animal. Take your cat to a vet. Also, see if you can identify the source of the odor. An area scratched during a fight that became infected and is now draining pus is one of many possibilities. StuRat 20:58, 26 May 2007 (UTC)

Meanwhile, you might enjoy the lyrics to Smelly Cat. :-) StuRat 21:27, 26 May 2007 (UTC)

If your cat is unable to smell or smells poorly, it may be a problem with her nose. If your cat has a bad smell, I would take her to the vet. In fact, take her to the vet anyway. - AMP'd 21:55, 26 May 2007 (UTC)

Maybe your cat's breed has something to do with it? Racism stinks. --84.67.135.166 23:34, 26 May 2007 (UTC)

I believe they're named after raccoons, 84.67.135.166. Why see racism where it doesn't exist and isn't meant? --Charlene 03:49, 27 May 2007 (UTC)

Hmm, are you sure you brought home the right animal? Does it look like this Raccoon ? because they do smell bad Mhicaoidh 04:35, 27 May 2007 (UTC)

Can the cat still get outside :? You haven't accidentally locked it in, have you :] HS7 12:00, 27 May 2007 (UTC)

Are you feeding it milk? A cat should actually not be fed large quantities of milk. It will make them smell bad. S.dedalus 03:04, 28 May 2007 (UTC)

Uh, which end smells? or is it the middle?Gzuckier 19:33, 29 May 2007 (UTC)

OK, now I'm on Shogakukan's web site...

I'm on Shogakukan's web site, but there's a problem, in fact, a few problems. First, the site has a Japanese side and an English side. Second, I don't see Naruto on the list of manga that Shogakukan processes. Third, how can I contact Shueisha at Shogakukan's web site? Fourth, how would Shogakukan transfer the e-mail to Shueisha? And fifth, would Shogakukan recognize an e'mail in English?

Shueisha is a rival company with Shogakukan, thus Shogakukan doesn't list a comic they have nothing to do with. The bottom of the article has a link to the Shueisha website. As for your fifth question, I'd imagine most large companies would have someone who could read an English email.Tantei Kid 11:15, 27 May 2007 (UTC)

A second question...

I know Japan is more in technology, but on the CIA's web site, it said that the United States is the most technologically advanced country in the world. Is the fact likely that the United States is the most in technology.

As in all such questions, this is unanswerable unless and until we more precisely define what it means for a country to be "most technologically advanced". Most spending on R&D? Most PhD's and engineers graduated per year? Most high-tech transit systems? Most men landed on the moon? Most Tamagotchis per capita? —Steve Summit (talk) 13:18, 26 May 2007 (UTC)

Yep, "best" "most", it's subjective until you describe it. And keep in mind, even though Japanese cities are very high-tech, their rural areas are very much not so.

Latest version of Pro Evolution Soccer

What is the latest version of this game?--203.124.2.24 13:07, 26 May 2007 (UTC)

Pro Evolution Soccer 6. Carom 16:33, 26 May 2007 (UTC)

howard hughes

which of howard hughes many women was married to him but they didnt leave together for a copule of years. 2.every time i start my computer it says "system could not log u own and that i shud check on my domain name bla bla blah.but it still logs me on without any problem.how do i get it to stop this annoying message.

1. See Howard Hughes.

2. Try changing the domain from whatever it is to "this computer".

—Steve Summit (talk) 14:57, 26 May 2007 (UTC)

Two by four?

If something is described as being "two feet by three feet," does that mean that this object is two feet tall and three feet long, or two feet long and three feet tall?--the ninth bright shiner ^talk 16:34, 26 May 2007 (UTC)

It's ambiguous. I'd be more inclined to think "2 wide and 3 long", but not for certain. What is the object in question? Is it more likely to be longer than it is tall? If you need to do precisely, ask the source you got the figures from. Daniel (‽) 16:37, 26 May 2007 (UTC)

It's a measure of Height and Width. Length has nothing do do with it. Height and width is based on which way you look at it , if it's on it's side the longer number indicates height and the shorter width, if it's on it's bottom, the inverse is true. -- Phoeba Wright^OBJECTION! 16:43, 26 May 2007 (UTC)

Well, it's a map on a posterboard. It's probably more likely to be wider than it is tall, but I just wanted to be sure.--the ninth bright shiner ^talk 17:02, 26 May 2007 (UTC)

In the printing industry, the convention is always to give the width first, then the height. If you look at your printer paper size settings, for example, this is what you should find.--Shantavira|^{feed me} 17:55, 26 May 2007 (UTC)

Well, it's a map of Canada...would it really make sense to have the map taller than it is wide?--the ninth bright shiner ^talk

Sometimes; Canada is a long way north, and some of the northern most islands almost reach the North Pole; choosing a different map projection can affect the shape quite a bit, especially if you include a bit of the US; see this CIA map; although not as extreme as a 2:3 width:height ratio, it is almost of portrait orientation; if a key was added at the bottom and the white space around the edges trimmed, it could reach 2:3. Laïka 19:22, 26 May 2007 (UTC)

Interesting map, i observe that Canada has three close neighbours: the US, Denmark and France Mhicaoidh 00:20, 27 May 2007 (UTC)

Bizarre map. It barely reaches to the far east and west, but includes Washington, D.C.? Also, the only community between Yellowknife and Inuvik is "Echo Bay", a largely abandoned mine, and not any of the dozen or more real communities??? --Charlene 03:46, 27 May 2007 (UTC)

Well it is a CIA map, of course it would portray the looming Northern Threat, poised to strike at the vunerable heart of the homeland. Quick vote more money for the military industrial complex! ; ) Mhicaoidh 04:28, 27 May 2007 (UTC)

Eggs

If I was rich, would it be possible for me to uncook a cooked egg? And why do we need to put salt on an egg anyways? ...on the topic of household stuff, can I also ask, What is it that shrinks a cotton shirt? If it's heat, it excites the atoms, so shouldn't it expand the shirt? Thank you. --JDitto 19:02, 26 May 2007 (UTC)

You can't uncook a cooked egg because the change that occurs within it on heating is a chemical reaction, not a physical change. You put salt on it to make it taste better, although I tend not to; it's optional :-)

Can't you reverse chemical reactions? subsequent fallout 01:25, 27 May 2007 (UTC)

Not all of them, for example, have you ever tried reversing the lighting of a safety match? When you heat an egg, its proteins denature. This happens because heat increases kinetic energy and causes the amino-acid molecules to vibrate so rapidly and violently that the structured molecular bonds are disrupted, causing misfolding. See Denaturation (biochemistry). Rockpocket 02:00, 27 May 2007 (UTC) Rockpocket 02:00, 27 May 2007 (UTC)

Well you *can* reversy any chemical reaction in theory, but it might take an ungodly amount of meticulous preperation of billions and billions of atoms at exactly the right places and speeds to mindboggling accuracy. I suggest you just buy a new egg.

The only way to uncook an egg I can think of would be to feed it to a chicken - the chicken can produce enzymes which break the proteins of the egg back into amino acids, and then reconstitute them as a raw egg. Possibly, in a few decades we may be able to use genetic engineering to produce chicken ovaries in a lab (we can already make bladders after all), so you could carefully breakdown the egg to its constituent parts (amino acids, fats, a few trace minerals) and inject these into the ovary as the feedstock, which would then build a new egg out of the old one. Of course, for at least the near future, this is science fiction. Laïka 09:47, 27 May 2007 (UTC)

That's quite interesting, Laïka. So, you can uncook an egg after all.

Rockpocket: I would expect combustion to be reversible, but I really don't know that much about the subject. subsequent fallout 13:10, 27 May 2007 (UTC)

It depends if you are talking theoretically or practically. As far as I know, any chemical reaction could theoretically be reversed given enough energy and the right conditions, but practically speaking many cannot. As for Laika's enterprising example: thats not "uncooking" an egg, its simply recycling the material to create a new egg. If we are using that as our parameters, then we could say that we can "raise the dead", since the material generated from cremation or burial will eventually make its way back into another living organism! Rockpocket 23:17, 27 May 2007 (UTC)

I asked on the Science desk whether it would be practical to reverse the lighting of a safety match. A.Z. 23:42, 27 May 2007 (UTC)

You can uncook an egg using supercritical carbon dioxide. The denaturation of an egg is not a chemical reaction, but a change in the protein conformation. It enters a lower energy and higher entropy state when enough internal energy is achieved. There is a transition state with a very specific transition volume, and by using supercritical carbon dioxide, you can return the egg to this transition volume and create a scenario in which the original protein conformation is favored.

Cotton shrinkage is caused by the relaxation of tensions within the fabric that arise from the manufacturing process - the yarn is held under tension on the loom and that tension is retained in the finished garmet. When you first wash the fabric, the heating causes the fibres to relax (due to expansion, as you guessed; they expand proportionally in all directions but since the fibres are much longer than they are thick, the effect is mostly to make the fibres longer) and this releases the tensions in the fabric. When it's cooled down, there's no way for the tensions to be re-created in the fabric as it's no longer held taut on the loom. As a result it shrinks to its "relaxed" size - after the first wash, it doesn't tend to shrink much further, if at all. --YFB ¿ 19:12, 26 May 2007 (UTC)

Aww...so it's not possible for me to shrink a shirt so much that it can go on a stuffed animal. Thanks for the thorough answer though, YFB! --JDitto 22:29, 26 May 2007 (UTC)

Maybe not, but see felting.

--TotoBaggins 04:28, 28 May 2007 (UTC)

Umm, isn't the real answer to the question to do with entropy? Once you cook an egg or light a match, you are disassembling a well-structured object and producing a disordered system. The entropy of the system has increased. Reversing entropy is very, very difficult to do. We only have localised increases in entropy on this planet because the Sun is providing the energy needed, but with a large decrease in entropy for the Sun (ball of hydrogen converts to photons scattered throughout the universe). Carcharoth 06:16, 28 May 2007 (UTC)

See also Arrow of time, Irreversibility, and Entropy (arrow of time). Carcharoth 06:21, 28 May 2007 (UTC)

To return to your question about salt, when boiling an egg, the salt softens the shell, making it easier to peel or break.[2] Laïka 16:57, 28 May 2007 (UTC)

"I'll take 'Questions you ask yourself when you are stoned' for $500, Alex..."

Do we know how long...

Do we know how long, on average, it takes for a misspelled word to get corrected? It would be possible to test with on-purpose misspellings, but I'm not going to vandalize Wikipedia, and it wouldn't be that useful because it would change in different, more popular articles where there are more people to correct the misspelling. I'm just wondering anyway, Jeffrey.Kleykamp 20:22, 26 May 2007 (UTC)

I think you've answered your own question. I'm not aware of anyone trying to measure this and I think the results would be fairly meaningless if they did. I would guess that the distribution is something close to Gaussian, probably with the peak shifted to the right a bit as there are probably more articles hardly ever get looked at than there are ones with regular editing. Basically, I dunno. --YFB ¿ 20:29, 26 May 2007 (UTC)

I don't think there is data available on the fixing of accidental misspellings. There is data on vandalism though, both internally and externally analysed. See Wikipedia:WikiProject Vandalism studies for details. "One study" (PDF). found that the word fuck lasted a median 1.7 minutes before reversion (though this was published in 2004, so it was probably prior to the creation of reversion bots that search for certain words). Amusingly, the authors note "This particular obscene word was chosen based on its disproportionately frequent use in acts of vandalism. An explanation of vandals’ attraction to this specific obscenity is beyond the scope of this paper." Rockpocket 20:47, 26 May 2007 (UTC)

I was reading some of Vandalism Studies, and I thought of a way to answer my question, all you have to do is find a misspelling in the history of a random article and find the correction in the later history (it would be time consuming to find a misspelling and the correction manually, a computer program could do it, however, it would need a list of misspellings to search for and their corrections), and then look at the time difference, I think this would be a pretty good way of answering my question. Jeffrey.Kleykamp 21:16, 26 May 2007 (UTC)

There are also bots that do specifically misspellings and common misspellings. --24.147.86.187 23:53, 26 May 2007 (UTC)

Are there? See Wikipedia:Bot policy#Spell-checking bots.--Shantavira|^{feed me}

I think there are script assisted editors who do that, which are essentially bots but require human oversight before making the change. Rockpocket 18:53, 27 May 2007 (UTC)

See also WP:Tyop. Rockpocket 06:04, 28 May 2007 (UTC)

Something in the drainpipe

Something — a bird? a mouse? — is stuck in the gutter downpipe on the side of the house. It is a very large downpipe — three stories high — made of something relatively flimsy like aluminum or tin. It has no obvious screws to remove if I wanted to liberate said animal (or retrieve it after it has expired, if the case may be). Shaking said gutter drain did not cause the animal to fall out of the bottom. What ought I do? I don't know how to take the downpipe apart, and I am not eager to break it as I am moving out of this house in a few weeks. I'm somewhat indifferent as to whether the creature lives or not (if it is a bird it is probably injured, and I do not have time or moral fortitude to take responsibility for its life) but I'd rather not have a corpse in there, and if there was an easy way to get it out I'd be interested in doing it. Any thoughts? --24.147.86.187 23:53, 26 May 2007 (UTC)

You could use a plumber's snake. Rmhermen 00:02, 27 May 2007 (UTC)

A ferret?

After you remove the corpse, it would be good to place some sort of filter at the exits of the pipe, so no more animals can get in. subsequent fallout 01:22, 27 May 2007 (UTC)

Well, tell the slumlandlord that. I'm just going to be happy to be away from the place, and I'm not going to get on a three-story ladder to fix his property. --24.147.86.187 02:26, 27 May 2007 (UTC)

I wonder if you could push a garden hose up from the bottom of the downpipe and push the obstruction out of the top of the pipe. Failing that - if it's blocking the down pipe, putting a lot of water down there might flush it out. Perhaps (again with a garden hose) you could lean out of an upstairs window close to the downpipe and maaybe duct-tape the end of the hose to the head of a broom or something - so you could get the end of the hose up into the gutter - then turn it on full to dump lots of gallons of water into the gutter and hence into the downpipe. The weight of all of that water would pretty soon flush anything out of the pipe if it's forming a reasonably tight seal. SteveBaker 04:36, 27 May 2007 (UTC)

Remember it is three. stories. high. (Actually, 3 stories PLUS the ground level itself is raised up about half a story) I think the sheer weight of that much garden hose would make it pretty impossible to push it up a three story drainpipe. I don't exactly have roof access and I'm not going to break my neck here. What I'm really looking for here is some sort of tip as to how one might take apart the pipe from the bottom, or something like that. Nothing that involves me being at the top of it or being able to push something all the way up from the bottom. --24.147.86.187 13:44, 27 May 2007 (UTC)

You could throw something in there that will help it decompose faster. subsequent fallout 15:35, 27 May 2007 (UTC)

If I've learned anything from watching old cartoons on TV, it's that dynamite is often a solution to tough problems such as this one. :P 71.113.114.231 23:26, 27 May 2007 (UTC)

How do know there is an animal in there? I could be a monster or a tiny troll. Be careful... Carcharoth 12:09, 28 May 2007 (UTC)