Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Miscellaneous/2008 June 3

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June 3

Call Centre - 3 beep caller

Working at a call centre, I used to occasionally get a mysterious 'caller' that just beeped. No one there, just a beeping sound of three quick beeps, followed by several seconds of dead air, then three beeps again. It sounded the same each time, with the third or fourth set going staticy for a second each time. After a couple minutes, it would drop. Any idea what this is? -- Consumed Crustacean (talk) 02:54, 3 June 2008 (UTC)

Remote Access attempt on a wrong number? Or alien trying to contact you :) —Preceding unsigned comment added by Ranemanoj (talk • contribs) 03:54, 3 June 2008 (UTC)

Or maybe Robinson Crusoe sending an SOS to you. :P Aanusha Ghosh (talk) 06:05, 3 June 2008 (UTC)

Someone sending a fax to a telephone number by mistake? I used to get that a lot in the office - though sometimes it would beep, sometimes it would be the annoying static/modem style noise. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 194.221.133.226 (talk) 10:11, 3 June 2008 (UTC)

I'd guess a fax machine too, Whistle back at it (at 2225/2025 Hz) and see if it begins the Bell 103 modem-based "negotiation" sequence with you. That will confirm that it's a mis-programmed fax machine.

Atlant (talk) 12:02, 3 June 2008 (UTC)

I, too, had calls like this when I did call center work. Is your call center on a toll-free number? If so, they are probably faxes being sent by cheapskates who do not want to pay the long-distance phone charges to send you a fax. They are hoping that if they call your human-answered toll-free number that you will indentify the caller as being a fax machine and transfer the call to your fax machine's extension. Helene O'Troy - Et In Arcadia Ego Sum (talk) 15:38, 4 June 2008 (UTC)

Suggestions Wanted

I have to do two case-studies and one project for Environmental Education for my school. I'd be glad to get some suggestions as to what topic to choose. Please keep in mind that it should be something fairly current, and I should be able to get lots of newspaper clippings and photos ( I don't have a printer) from magazines. Something in the lines of "the plight of Olive Ridleys" and such like. Aanusha Ghosh (talk) 06:04, 3 June 2008 (UTC)

How about the recent extinction of the Yangtse River Dolphin (caused by environmental change) and comparing it to the older extinction of another species caused by a different means like hunting (eg. Tasmanian Tiger) or the introduction of foreign species (eg. Dodo). Astronaut (talk) 11:57, 3 June 2008 (UTC)

Drought and water management for something closer to home. --76.111.32.200 (talk) 16:19, 3 June 2008 (UTC)

Turning off light bulbs? It's something kids can do for themselves to really make a difference.hotclaws 08:03, 4 June 2008 (UTC)

Purchasing Self Powered Equipment which uses NO batteries. Some even use solar power as well as a hand crank, and a radio used in Russia and Siberia uses Thermoelectric batteries powered by a flame. Not only is that "Eco-friendly", it is also part of preparing for any emergency, such as a tornado. 65.173.105.197 (talk) 00:33, 5 June 2008 (UTC)

introduction

how to represent onself at best in some interview....? and do tel me some good points to say in "introduce urself" session? —Preceding unsigned comment added by Lovindhawan (talk • contribs) 08:55, 3 June 2008 (UTC)

Think of yourself as a product and the other party as your customer. What is your customer looking for? (Check their website for clues.} How can you help them do what they do. What do you offer that the next applicant doesn't? What "good points" are depends on you and the job/situation. (I assume you're talking job interview, but the rules are about the same in any interview.)

For example: "I'm driven by my determination to achieve excellence in all I do." Is great for some office jobs. If you're applying for a "creative" job at a company with casual office style or a job as truck-driver (no slur intended, but the priorities are different) it'd sink you faster than a torpedo. Watch out a bit with how companies describe themselves, though. The most stuck up and cut-throat company I ever worked at kept emphasizing how they maintained "a casual and friendly" work environment. (Agh!) See why they'd want to hire you and how you fit in with the company vibe. --76.111.32.200 (talk) 15:59, 3 June 2008 (UTC)

Name of this machine

A friend needs to know the exact name for that machine that sits in the corner of music stores where there are about 20 CDs and it plays a small sample of each when you press the appropriate button? He wants to buy one and knowing its name would help!

Lemon martini (talk) 11:28, 3 June 2008 (UTC)

I don't know whether there is a specific name for those used in retail, but to me it sounds like a type of programable CD changer with an all disc random play function. ---Sluzzelin talk 11:34, 3 June 2008 (UTC)

I would describe it as a "music-sampling kiosk". "Kiosk" is certainly the correct generic term used by the engineers who design these sorts of free-standing, commercial, screen-and-input device computers.

Atlant (talk) 11:58, 3 June 2008 (UTC)

(edit conflict) Some stores call them "listening posts". I've seen two types, one with 6 or 8 CDs that you can listen to all the way through if you wanted (the CDs are usually displayed on the listening post), and a wall mounted device with a barcode scanner which plays short samples of every track on every CD in the store. The latter device is probably networked to a central server to make updates easier, while the first device is seved by a bank of multi-disk CD players behind the checkouts. A shop fitting company might be able to help (look for "shop fitters" in the yellow pages), but you might have more success by asking the manager of a music store where the machine came from. Astronaut (talk) 12:09, 3 June 2008 (UTC)

Travelling in Australia

What is the easiest route from Brisbane International airport to Rockhampton? Frankm195378.150.174.50 (talk) 11:49, 3 June 2008 (UTC)

The easiest might be an internal flight to Rockhampton Airport. But there's also the 618 km drive by car; or you can get the train, first from the airport to Brisbane Central (20m, AUS $13 one way), then Brisbane Central to Rockhampton (7h30m, AUS $105 one way on the North Coast line). Astronaut (talk) 12:40, 3 June 2008 (UTC)

Merit is not the criteria for promotion

My friend says the opposite of the subject i gave is true.I would like your opinion basically on this subject.I would like people who believe that merit is not the criteria for promotion and those who are against this subject to please site examples and prove themselves.I amreally gratefull to eeryone who bothers to answer.Make sure your answers are long.My riend is going to lose. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 87.109.135.156 (talk) 12:59, 3 June 2008 (UTC)

Perhaps you are looking for a discussion forum; there are many such places on the internet, however the Reference Desk deals primarily with matters of fact, not opinion. --LarryMac | Talk 13:03, 3 June 2008 (UTC)

Without getting into the whole debate aspect at all, I should perhaps point out that the criteria for promotion depends on the person or the authority doing the promoting -- so it's probably going to be different depending on whether it's a family firm or, say, Microsoft. It's not a binary system where it's either merit or something else. -- Captain Disdain (talk) 16:00, 3 June 2008 (UTC)

List of human resource management topics Maybe some of these will help. --76.111.32.200 (talk) 16:03, 3 June 2008 (UTC)

One could also point to studies that have shown that a variety of variables play into relative rates of promotion: sex, race, even height. If that's the case, then merit is almost certainly not the only variable that is factored in (consciously or unconsciously) into promotions. --98.217.8.46 (talk) 17:37, 3 June 2008 (UTC)

I remember reading an HR Management textbook which mentioned that studies have shown that attractiveness was a statistically significant factor explaining corporate success for female employees. I wonder how they measured that. Zain Ebrahim (talk) 18:38, 3 June 2008 (UTC)

I got lots of promotions and have fairly limited merit, so there may be something to what you say. Edison (talk) 22:04, 3 June 2008 (UTC)

If you are interested in a productive argument about the question somewhere (as stated this isn't likely the best place for it), I would suggest removing some of the ambiguity introduced by use of the word "merit". All kinds of qualities could be said to contribute toward a person's "merit". You might have slightly better luck with "job performance" (if that's what you mean), but even that leaves a lot of room for interpretation. You might go further than simply changing the vocabulary, in fact, and develop a full, well explained hypothesis. --Prestidigitator (talk) 23:04, 3 June 2008 (UTC)

Not only female employees, *whistles* there goes Edison! It applies to television too, using stereotypical (patriarchal?) patterns of attractiveness. I take merit to mean qualifications and job performance versus eye appeal, confidence (sometimes bs), and charm. I'd say the binaries apply in image industries, don't know about others. This is dodgy but I reason that if a person is considered attractive to the employer, then they have already "pleased" or fulfilled some arbitrary expectation long before their cv hits the table. Who knows what that factor really is. Julia Rossi (talk) 23:32, 3 June 2008 (UTC)

Fitness

So I used to be very active but then a few years ago suddenly got really lazy and stopped playing spots often and after a while I noticed that when I did play any sport I usually got tired quite quickly. My question is if I start getting back into shape is it possible/likely that I want be able to get fit past a certain point due to all that time spent being lazy? --212.120.247.132 (talk) 14:04, 3 June 2008 (UTC)

Yes, the more fit you are, the more enegery you have —Preceding unsigned comment added by 193.115.175.247 (talk) 16:26, 3 June 2008 (UTC)

Unless there are other factors at work (such as getting old) there's no reason you can't get back to your previous level of fitness or better, your muscles and cardiovascular system can be trained just as they used to be. It might be hard if you're very unfit at the moment but there shouldn't be a physical problem if you put the effort in. ~ mazca ^talk 20:53, 3 June 2008 (UTC)

I am 61 and was very overweight and unfit until New Year just past when I decided I just had to lose weight and get fit again. So I gave up alcohol, cut out one meal per day, stopped eating crap and substituted food such as fruit and vegetables and took nothing pre-processed, just fresh. I got my doctor to refer me to a public Gym where I pay for a 3 times a week fitness routine that's well within my physical reach but which extends me a bit further each time. I bought a bike and I go out for a 10-20 mile ride along the local canal towpath 2/3 times a week, weather permitting. And I haven't smoked for years by the way so that was a good starter for 10. And now? I am 38 pounds lighter, my cholesterol is down from 8.9 to 4.3. And my Blood Pressure is down from a ridiculous 170/120 or so to 120/75 or so immediately after exercising. I have thrown ALL my clothes out (actually, I gave them all to my local charity/thrift shop for which they were most grateful as I hadn't worn most of them due to me being overweight). And believe it or not, I am showing signs of a 6 pack, of which I am most proud even though that wasn't on my shopping list. Oh, and by the way, I am still inherently very lazy and ALL the above took and still takes a lot of commitment, but boy, am I glad I did it. Go for it !!! 92.18.121.35 (talk) 23:33, 3 June 2008 (UTC)

Is that you, legend? Fitness does seem to bring better health even if you start out the otehr way around. Julia Rossi (talk) 23:39, 3 June 2008 (UTC)

Abraham Lincoln

The article on Abraham Lincoln does not say if he was of mixed blood. Does anyone know? 71.100.8.192 (talk) 14:20, 3 June 2008 (UTC)

I don't believe there is any evidence of this. If you are refering to Brent Kennedy's work on the Melungeons, note that Kennedy is known more for his enthusiasm than for his scholarly rigor. Rmhermen (talk) 14:46, 3 June 2008 (UTC)

Since living and working near the site of the Lost Colony and since seeing the historical play in late childhood I have always been fascinated with the fate of the colonists and by reports of blue eyed Croatan further South on the coast of North Carolina and the Lumbee further inland. I'm not sure if this has merit or this. 71.100.8.192 (talk) 15:29, 3 June 2008 (UTC)

Lordy, I can only dream of what this has to do with your desired Obama smear campaign, I had thought you had given up on us. ;-)

There were of course many baseless rumors about Lincoln being of mixed-race that have been circulating for over a hundred years, circulated by those for whom being of mixed-race would be considered the worst of all possible states, but there is not, and has never been, any real evidence of such. There has been much speculation about Lincoln's ancestry (not all of it race related), but such speculation, as far as I know, has only been speculation, and is no doubt rooted in the political ambitions of his enemies. --98.217.8.46 (talk) 15:22, 3 June 2008 (UTC)

If Abraham Lincoln had been honest enough to inform my great great grandfather that the Civil War was part of his political platform I doubt he would have voted for him. Knowledge is power. 71.100.8.192 (talk) 17:05, 3 June 2008 (UTC)

Your wealth of ignorance is astounding, though it has ceased to be entertaining. --98.217.8.46 (talk) 17:30, 3 June 2008 (UTC)

Sticks and stones... 71.100.8.192 (talk) 17:38, 3 June 2008 (UTC)

an aside

Is there any evidence that Abraham Lincoln was in the pocket of organized crime? 71.100.8.192 (talk) 16:31, 3 June 2008 (UTC)

I call shenanigans! Rmhermen (talk) 16:47, 3 June 2008 (UTC)

Certainly he did not consider the Civil War to be shenanigans, but then I have not yet asked if he consumed intoxicating beverages to excess as did Nixon and President Grant. 71.100.8.192 (talk) 17:34, 3 June 2008 (UTC)

But you will ask it, won't you? What's next, did his hat contain a number of crime-fighting gadgets? Adam Bishop (talk) 20:59, 3 June 2008 (UTC)

Ah 71.100, you're doing it again. Julia Rossi (talk) 23:36, 3 June 2008 (UTC)

Actually, you need to start learning not to try and push people around who visit the Wikipedia and who may ask a controversial question about race or religion unless you intend to give the impression that the Wikipedia administration is biased and one sided. If you want only people who share your points of view then I suggest you turn the Wikipedia into a private club and stop using the Wikipedia as an opportunity to bait people and then to commit hazing. 71.100.8.192 (talk) 04:07, 4 June 2008 (UTC)

Please do not remove the Overfed troll box. You've been here enough to know that the refdesks are not a forum for debate/diatribes or inciting controversy for that matter. Julia Rossi (talk) 04:19, 4 June 2008 (UTC)

Lincoln may have had genetic anomalies such as Marfan's disease resulting in extra nipples, may have been derided as "King Ape" by secesh newspapers, and may have slept with men or slept with men: [1] , [2] , [3] , [4] , [5] , [6] , but I have seen no evidence he was a tool of organized crime. Edison (talk) 06:25, 4 June 2008 (UTC)

LOL @ Edison! xD --71.98.21.243 (talk) 00:36, 5 June 2008 (UTC)

Waterproofing Product Manufacturer of CIM; Chevron Industrial Membrane

About 25 years ago, I used a product "CIM", "Chevron Industrial Membrane" for waterproofing Concrete structures like concrete roofs, wastewater ponds/tanks, etc. This product was manufactured by the CHEVRON CO.- the gasoline/oil corporation. I remember it as a black, modified urethane substance packaged in 5 gallon buckets. It was a 2-part chemistry.

I want to use it on my concrete roof in Puerto Rico as well as commercially. Can you direct me to a manufacturer? I am unable to find any data on this product.Bluecanyon (talk) 15:20, 3 June 2008 (UTC)

C.I.M. Industries is the successor company: [7] Rmhermen (talk) 16:03, 3 June 2008 (UTC)

First time - what the hell should I do?

I know Wikipedia probably isn't the right place to ask this, but seriously where else can I go? Its certainly not something I can talk to my friends etc about. OK, so I'm a 18 year old guy, never had a girlfriend or been anywhere intimate with a girl before. I'm perfectly normal I just get really weird around hot girls, its like a curse. A few days ago I went online searching for escorts, call girls etc because I'm sick of the thought that at my current rate I'll probably never have a girlfriend. And don't worry, its not peer pressure or anything - this is something I want. I emailed one on a casual dating site. We've been talking and she seems really nice, and I've explained all this to her. She wants me to stay over for the night as its my first time, but I'm really nervous. On one hand I REALLY want to do it, but on the other I'm so shitting my pants at just the thought of all the awkward situations that might occur. What should I do? I mean, I'm not asking you to tell me what to do, but some friendly advice wouldn't go a miss. What am I to expect? Am I walking into a heap load of trouble - the kind I'll need years of therapy for? 79.76.201.239 (talk) 20:14, 3 June 2008 (UTC)

We can't predict what kind of experience you'll have. Meeting up with strangers for sex can be risky. It could be a setup. Her boyfriend could be a thug waiting there to attack you and steal your money or car. More likely someone is playing with you, and you will arrive at the address at the agreed time only to find out that no one answers the door. Personally, my advice would be to get to know someone who is nice and maybe not the hottest person in town and let things develop naturally. Marco polo (talk) 20:37, 3 June 2008 (UTC)

She is a call girl and I'm paying $200 so I think its genuine. 79.76.201.239 (talk) 20:40, 3 June 2008 (UTC)

Not to mention it's illegal to pay for sex in many places, so you might even be getting set up by the police. ···日本穣^{? · Talk to Nihonjoe} 02:34, 4 June 2008 (UTC)

It's not only risky in terms of STD's, but the problem with going with a 'hot hooker' the first time is that it could totally mess up your perspective on what is normal. She is a professional with a hot body trained to say all the right things, but in reality she wants your money and doesn't ever want to know you again. You don't find people like this in 'real life'. You're young so you have all the time in the world to find a nice girl and go out on a few normal dates. If looks are your priority, give it time. Eventually you will find that what counts is really what lies within. Sandman30s (talk) 20:49, 3 June 2008 (UTC)

"at my current rate I'll probably never have a girlfriend". Seriously dude, you're eighteen. The first eighteen years of your life are NOT a good predictor of how many girlfriends you'll have in the rest of your life. In the next few years a lot of things will probably happen to you - you'll leave home, get a job and a car, learn some things about women, meet new friends. Many of these will seriously increase the chances of finding a girlfriend you actually like. DJ Clayworth (talk) 20:55, 3 June 2008 (UTC)

[ec] First, I would suggest you consider what is it that truly bothers you - the possibility of never having a girlfriend, or the possibility of never having sexual intercourse? Perhaps your choice of words was a euphemism for the latter. But if it is the former, your choice of action may not have been the best.

If you do go through with this, perhaps it will comfort you to realize that:

• You are not the first, nor will you be the last, person approaching her in the exact same situation. She should be able to provide enough guidance to avoid any unpleasantness. Even if you do make a blunder, she will be used to it and not make a deal out of it.
• You have nothing to lose (except for your car, if it is stolen by aforementioned thug). You don't know her, you could screw everything up, never see her again and forget it ever happened.

-- Meni Rosenfeld (talk) 21:00, 3 June 2008 (UTC)

No indication of where in the world you are, so I can't make any specific suggestions about alternatives, they are pretty culturally varied. And 18 is not a particularly late age to be a virgin, so you may want to just see how things go for another year or two, unless you'd actully prefer to "lose it" to a sex-worker. By the way, "Certainly not something I can talk to my friends etc about" is not a good sign: why not? No one else in a similar situation you can discuss this with? Lots of shame around talking about sex? Maybe you aren't ready, which would be fine.

If you are going ahead with this, use a condom (she'll probably insist, but if she doesn't then that is all the more reason to do so). Don't lie to her about being a virgin: in all probability, she'll approach the whole thing more appropriately if she knows the score. (Sounds like you've already thought that through.) And don't be surprised if more money is really involved than the amount quoted up front. (If it's not, and if she treats you well, a tip or a gift would be a nice gesture.) - Jmabel | Talk 21:34, 3 June 2008 (UTC)

Honestly, I think this is the complete wrong place to ask this question. We don't know you, man. We have no idea who you are. You say that you can't talk to your friends about this....but if they're your close friends, I'd think they already know you're unexpierienced. You're not making a very good choice, and I think you're here to look for our OK. And I think you're going to go through with it whether we say yes or no. But here is my advice: meet up with this girl in person a few times first. Go on a few dates, don't rush into things. Would you spend a night at some Shaq-sized man's house because he "seemed nice" without meeting him first? Hell no. Would you consider it if you got to know him? Well....maybe. So get to know this chick, and if she wants you at her house NOW or else, then fuck her (no, not that way). That's my advice. Now, talk to your friends. 70.105.164.43 (talk) 00:58, 4 June 2008 (UTC)

I have never been in the exact situation you describe, but I make a few suggestions. First, be aware that there is undoubtedly a non-whore female as interested in getting together as you are. Second, if you wish to proceed with this course of action, have a friend (assuming you have any friends) watch your back, to make sure you arrive at and leave the venue of the assignation safe. Third, assume that if you spend the night the trollop will steal whatever is in your wallet. Therefore, fourth, take nothing beyond the agreed payment and the driver's license needed to drive there. Fifth, take sufficient condoms to guard against the acquisition of venereal disease. Sixth, report back on how it all worked out, for the edification of other Wikipedia Reference Desk Readers. Edison (talk) 06:20, 4 June 2008 (UTC)

As George Costanza said "why pay for something that, if I apply myself, maybe I can get for free?". Your best bet for a girlfriend/relationship is to get out there and look. If my social-group is any guide then 90% of your friends partner's will have been introduced by a mutual-friends or a place of work/study and the rest will be complete strangers that met in a bar. So your best bet for finding a girlfriend is the very people you don't want to ask about the above. Be sociable, be friendly and you'll surely realise that there are many many girls in your extended social network that you will be interested in, and doubtlessly some of those will have an interest in you. Most important lesson of all: Don't be put off from a girl you like because your friends don't want her/you don't think they'll approve. Finally with the money you would've spent on paid help, buy yourself something nice like some new clothes, or something. 194.221.133.226 (talk) 07:40, 4 June 2008 (UTC)

Hi again. I've decided to take everyone's advice and not go through with it. The fact that I almost fainted with nervousness just emailing her probably shows I'm not ready, and going home in an ambulance and having to explain to the paramedics the cause of my heart attack is something I want to avoid. I really do think she was genuinely nice though, that's why I selected her out of the other two who were very abrupt, but maybe that was all part of the act. Anyway, thanks to everyone who offered advice, you've given me a lot to think about - mainly not to trust any girl with my car keys! —Preceding unsigned comment added by 79.75.156.95 (talk) 20:21, 4 June 2008 (UTC)

Oh, and by the way, I think I've been a little overfed on this one people. Abwischbar (talk) 09:51, 5 June 2008 (UTC)