Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Miscellaneous/2008 July 6

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July 6

Solve this puzzle and win some bragging rights!

I created this puzzle and was then told it was too hard, so I want to see if anyone can get it. First to explain the solution correctly will win the right to gloat or a barnstar (I've never given one to anyone so be the first!). The numbers in each row share a common feature with one another. Please explain what it is.

• 1
• 2, 5, 10
• 3, 4, 6, 9, 11
• 7, 12, 15
• 8, 13, 14

The order of the numbers within a row does not matter. Additional numbers can be added to the series. If you passed 5th grade you probably have the knowledge you need to solve this puzzle. Happy solving! Sifaka ^talk 00:06, 6 July 2008 (UTC)

I *think* I've solved it. If I'm correct, then you can add more numbers like this:

• 1
• 2, 5, 10
• 3, 4, 6, 9, 11
• 7, 12, 15, 20
• 8, 13, 14, 16, 19
• 17
• 18

Mind you, four could have gone in a different row... Am I right? Cute, and nasty, too! Grutness...wha? 01:07, 6 July 2008 (UTC)

Right on! Four belongs where it is, but your placement for all the numbers is correct! You win the prize! Sifaka ^talk 03:33, 6 July 2008 (UTC)

Actually you were right about the four having the possibility of being in a different place... Sifaka ^talk 03:33, 6 July 2008 (UTC)

What's the solution??? ~EdGl (talk) 03:03, 6 July 2008 (UTC)

Spoilers!!! Highlight to see it. Sifaka ^talk 03:33, 6 July 2008 (UTC)

• Hint:Try thinking writing them in a different numeral system
• Answer:When each number is written in roman numerals, each row represents the number of strokes used to write that number. 11 = XI = 3 strokes so row 3, 5 = V = 2 strokes so row 2, 19 = XIX = 5 strokes so row 5, etc...

I'm guessing whoever told you it was too hard isn't someone who does number puzzles very much. The two things the seasoned puzzler knows to look for before anything else is patterns formed by either spelling the numbers out as words, or changing them to roman numerals. - 89.168.238.53 (talk) 14:54, 6 July 2008 (UTC)

Bass distortion

I have an Ibaneze practice amp for my bass that unfortunately does not feature distortion/overdrive... I did, however, once get it sounding like it was distorted (it was impossible to tell the difference between it and actual distortion) by fiddling around with the settings. But I can't seem to get back to that sound and I'm not sure why. On the amp I can control bass, treble, middle, and volume, and on the bass itself I can control bass, treble, pickup sensitivity, and volume. Anyone have any idea what combinations of settings might get it back to its pseudo-distorted sound? I need to just get a new amp, obviously, but I'm a little short on cash at the moment and wouldn't mind being able to play overdriven songs before then. --69.146.230.243 (talk) 02:00, 6 July 2008 (UTC)

If you boost the treble quite a lot on both you can usually get a pretty nasty sound. You could, of course, just get an overdrive pedal—it'll be cheaper than a big new amp, and probably have more variability to its sound than the distortion built into the amp. --98.217.8.46 (talk) 15:31, 6 July 2008 (UTC)

True... It's a sucky amp to begin with, though, so I need to get a new one eventually. But I'll try the treble and see if it doesn't help. Thanks --69.146.230.243 (talk) 20:48, 6 July 2008 (UTC)

Seems to me if you turn up your bass volume and pickup sensitivity all the way you have a chance of overdriving the amp. If that doesn't work the turn up everything all the way on both the bass and amp, except of course for the amp volume (you want to overdrive the circuits, not your ears). -LambaJan (talk) 18:07, 7 July 2008 (UTC)

Help Wanted

I've been trying to upload images by going to

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:Upload

but everytime I go there, I'm asked to log in, even if I already am. Then, when I try to log in, I'm told that no one with the username La Alquimista exists!! Please help. La Alquimista (talk) 05:50, 6 July 2008 (UTC)

see meta:Help:Unified login —Preceding unsigned comment added by Tcsetattr (talk • contribs) 07:31, 6 July 2008 (UTC)

Do you have an account on Commons? It is not the same system as Wikipedia. You probably need to create a new account there. --98.217.8.46 (talk) 15:32, 6 July 2008 (UTC)

instruction to use valiya narayanatailam

I would like to know how to use valiya narayanatailam. Are there any after effects for this oil? Can males and females use this regularly? (We are 64 and 60 years old). Thank you. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 78.100.2.3 (talk) 08:21, 6 July 2008 (UTC)

Please understand that we cannot give medical advice regarding your specific case or possible side-effects (whether it's conventional or ayurvedic medical advice). Please seek a professional medical doctor or pharmacist for your query. ---Sluzzelin talk 09:00, 6 July 2008 (UTC)

AS Roma Strip

Could someone be kind enough to tell me what the Red, Wite and Green circle on the AS Roma strip represents. Thanks. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 79.71.248.179 (talk) 11:15, 6 July 2008 (UTC)

It's a cockade ("coccarda"), similar to a roundel, carried by holders of the Coppa Italia. The colors are the Italian tricolore, see the article on flag of Italy for possible interpretations of the green, white, and red. ---Sluzzelin talk 11:36, 6 July 2008 (UTC)

Foot

would it be corrent to say that all animals have

a least one foot? For example snails and snakes

could be considered their whole body as one foot? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 79.75.255.21 (talk) 16:59, 6 July 2008 (UTC)

I don't think so. I can think of many examples of animals without feet. Fish, for instance. Plasticup ^T/C 17:02, 6 July 2008 (UTC)

A snail has a foot (it is a gastropod); a snake does not.--Shantavira|^{feed me} 17:16, 6 July 2008 (UTC)

The late S. Freud has proposed the term Pedis Envy for the traumata experienced by species having no feet or less. --Cookatoo.ergo.ZooM (talk) 18:36, 6 July 2008 (UTC)

Perhaps you mean limb? 87.102.86.73 (talk) 18:09, 6 July 2008 (UTC)

parodies of wikipedia

out of all the parodies of wikipedia, like

uncyclopedia and encyclopedia dramatica, w

hich is the biggest and most active. Thank

s —Preceding unsigned comment added by 79.75.255.21 (talk) 18:14, 6 July 2008 (UTC)

ED has approx 2x hits of U - source http://www.alexa.com/87.102.86.73 (talk) 18:41, 6 July 2008 (UTC)

I disagree with that. Uncyclopedia has a traffic rank of 6,309 [1] whereas encyclopediadramatica is much lower down with 13,823,307, and doesn't even show a graph as it's not in the top 100, 000 [2]. Also, a quick glance at both site's recent changes logs and Uncyc has a lot more activity than ED. JessicaN10248 12:56, 7 July 2008 (UTC)

There are 2 m's in it... http://www.alexa.com/data/details/traffic_details/encyclopediadrammatica.org87.102.86.73 (talk) 15:21, 7 July 2008 (UTC)

There is one m but it's http://www.alexa.com/data/details/traffic_details/encyclopediadramatica.com 87.102.86.73 (talk) 15:24, 7 July 2008 (UTC)

Which has 'rank' 2000-3000 depending on what day of the week.87.102.86.73 (talk) 15:25, 7 July 2008 (UTC)

drainage grids

Hi everyone! I hope someone can help me here, I'm looking for the company that makes drainage grids, similar to the one in this picture: http://www.eriding.net/media/photos/maths/060627_psimmons_mp_maths_env_maths3_120.jpg Can one order them directly from the supplier? Thanks. User:Rhodopsin drinker (talk) 19:56, 6 July 2008 (UTC)

They're almost certainly made by a foundry, and often have the foundry name on. They are also called manhole covers.. that article actually gives the names of major manufacturers of, luckily. (if you want more help on this page you'll have to tell us what country you're in, and if it's a big country possibly the state as well.) Hope that helps.87.102.86.73 (talk) 20:20, 6 July 2008 (UTC)

They would normally by purchased from your local builders' merchant rather than the manufacturer.--Shantavira|^{feed me} 07:15, 7 July 2008 (UTC)

Style of Shoes

Within the past several month here in Canada, I've seen quite a few teenagers/young adults walking around in a specific style of shoes that I am unable to name. These low-cut shoes are characterized by their slim, form-fitting shape and are very "slick" looking. Puma shoes like these ones: [[3]] are a prime example, so are these Lacoste ones: [[4]]. Adidas ones: [[5]]

By style of shoes I mean, like skater, "gangsta", "preppy", etc...

Thanks. Acceptable (talk) 20:53, 6 July 2008 (UTC)

They look like sports sneakers that would mostly be worn by atheletes (or slang, "jocks"), but really anybody could wear them. Highly doubt skaters would wear them, since they favor wider shoes like DCs, Etnies, and Vans (all skateboarding shoe brands). Also punks don't wear sneakers like that. ~EdGl (talk) 02:23, 7 July 2008 (UTC)

They actually look like track shoes, without the spikes. Maybe an athletic-inspired street version? Plasticup ^T/C 02:52, 7 July 2008 (UTC)

I've been searching around some more, could they be driving-styled shoes? Acceptable (talk) 03:09, 7 July 2008 (UTC)

How to Compliment Wikipedia?

How do I compliment Wikipedia?

Just state:"This is a hell of a website! Keep up the good Work!"?65.173.105.27 (talk) 21:25, 6 July 2008 (UTC)

• The best compliment you can give is to contribute via editing or make a donation. Exxolon (talk) 22:32, 6 July 2008 (UTC)
• I've found that it goes well with fish, chicken, and even pasta on occasion. --Several Times (talk) 16:02, 7 July 2008 (UTC)

Well, better that than "a nice Chianti and some fava beans".

Atlant (talk) 18:19, 8 July 2008 (UTC)

can someone identify this SUV?

Image:PCMS.jpg (or tell me where I should go to ask?) ninety:one 21:44, 6 July 2008 (UTC)

From the shape of the windows, this looks like a Chevrolet Tahoe to me - according to our article, the Tahoe is widely used by Brazil's police forces -- Ferkelparade π 21:59, 6 July 2008 (UTC)

wikipedia is amazing, thank you :) ninety:one 22:13, 6 July 2008 (UTC)