Wikipedia:Reference desk archive/Miscellaneous/2006 August 12

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[edit] Weird

The edit counter (Essjay's) says that I have made 8 edits to my user page 8 to my talk page 8 to main and 2 to Wikipedia. I keep making edits(mainly typo fixing) yet the Wikipedia counter doesen't go up. What is going on. Could someone explain this? Thanks, --Jak 00:06, 12 August 2006 (UTC)

According to your contribs, the edit counter is exactly right. It even has logged the edit in which you asked the question. Hyenaste (tell) 00:31, 12 August 2006 (UTC)
Is it possible that you made edits without logging in? Try clicking on "log out" then on "my contributions", and see what it throws up.--Shantavira 07:25, 12 August 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Diner/snack bar beverage machine question..

I'd like to know more about those drink machines common to diners and some snack bars. They are vaguely rectangular with transparent plastic cases. They continually spray the beverage in what I suppose is a means of aeration.

Thank you for your help.

--Josh

I think it is just a gimmick to make it seem more interesting/appealing, or something.--GangofOne 01:26, 12 August 2006 (UTC)
Just a guess, but I think it a) keeps the syrup evenly mixed, and b) allows the beverage to be evenly cooled with less energy.--Anchoress 07:27, 12 August 2006 (UTC)

[edit] NYC Real Estate

What's with all the doctor's offices between Fifth Ave. and Park across from Central Park (south of the Met). Why that location, isn't it ridiculouly expensive to have an office there?

Also, what's the price differencial on a place between Fifth and Park and a place on Lexington (again, south of the Met, north of the beginning of the Park) ? I'd assume Lexington is much cheaper? Wjlkgnsfb 02:29, 12 August 2006 (UTC)

I bet it's also ridiculously expensive to go to the doctor there, but those who live on 5th Avenue can probably afford it (and think they're getting better treatment by paying more). Sorry, I don't know a price differential, but in general Lexington is approaching as expensive as Park and Madison, if not 5th, these days. —Cuiviénen 20:55, 13 August 2006 (UTC)

Some urban neighborhoods retain their "identity" for generations, regardless of price fluctuations and inflation. So perhaps that area has been home to doctor's offices since the 19th century, when that area was developed.Courtney Akins 01:17, 13 August 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Voting

I don't bother voting because of political efficacy. I was trying to explain to a friend that the individual vote does not matter, only trends in individual voting matter.

Can anyone recommend any insightful papers/arguments/books on the topic of individuals voting?

Thanks. Wjlkgnsfb 03:17, 12 August 2006 (UTC)

See Voter turnout. It's generally considered a bad thing that peoples get so disenfranchised that they feel their vote doesn't matter. Their perception is invariably inaccurate. I can neither imagine nor have any heard any logical argument that an individual vote does not matter. The closest I've ever heard is that 'the corrupt politicians are bankrolled by the corrupt business owners and voting for one is just like voting for another', but this leaves out several variables such as one's influence over time in a community. It also isn't a reasonable excuse for lethargy because you can help to 'vote out' those corrupt businesspeople with your dollars. As far as I'm concerned, if you don't vote then you don't have a right to complain about what these people do (considering that the incumbent has the advantage in elections, your abstention is condoning them). -LambaJan 06:11, 12 August 2006 (UTC)
Because everyone's vote is an individual vote (what with the whole "one person - one vote" thingy), no one's vote matters, so no matter whom people vote for and whom they don't, the same guys always get elected. Therefore voting is inherently useless. Or is there a flaw in this reasoning? JIP | Talk 09:00, 12 August 2006 (UTC)
Yes - different people get elected all the time. DirkvdM 10:25, 12 August 2006 (UTC)

The problem with voting is that the individual vote is completely useless. However, the illusion of a vote mattering is what makes voting work =D --mboverload@ 09:34, 12 August 2006 (UTC)

If only everyone else would stop voting then I would rule the world (well, at least the democracies). :) DirkvdM 10:25, 12 August 2006 (UTC)

It's like this. The individual vote matters as much as the the probability of x occurring in a P(x) probability density function. Obviously, the probability of any single x is zero. There are only nonzero probabilities with you have a range of x's (or a trend of voting in this case).Wjlkgnsfb 16:01, 12 August 2006 (UTC)

That's true for practical purposes, but in theory there's a difference, as P(x) probability is nonzero only over a continuous interval (or a superset of one), whereas people who vote for candidates are a discrete set. JIP | Talk 18:28, 12 August 2006 (UTC)
In the UK, seats have been lost by very small margins. In one case, an prospective MP lost out by about 12 votes after annoying a party of people the night before the election; if they had voted for him, not against, he could have won. I think it was in Devon? I'll try to be more specific when I can. Anyway, basically your vote can count, particularly if you can persuade a friend or two to vote with you. What doesn't count is a non-voter, because nobody in power is scared you'll vote against them. Skittle 10:56, 13 August 2006 (UTC)

It was the charming Rupert Allason in Torbay. I think the story was that he was rude to some restaurant staff when he was having a meal on the evening of polling day, so the staff then rushed off to the polling station and cast their votes against Allason just in time. Damoo 11:04, 15 August 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Hair

Cocaine and Red Wine: Good for your hair or no?Courtney Akins 03:25, 12 August 2006 (UTC)

This is not the primary concern of people who consume these substances.
How do you know? Have you asked them? DirkvdM 11:37, 12 August 2006 (UTC)
Actually I consume quite a bit of one of these substances. I don't do it for my hair, but I do still have it, whereas many people my age have lost it. I hadn't considered that there may be a connection before now.-gadfium 19:27, 12 August 2006 (UTC)
Are you applying them internally or externally?
There's probably a paper in it if you're careful with your methodology.-gadfium 04:50, 12 August 2006 (UTC)
I can't imagine a reason for cocaine being good for your hair. --69.138.61.168 06:23, 12 August 2006 (UTC)
Which doesn't prove a lot. There must be loads of things that I can not think of that are nonetheless true. I just can't think of any right now. DirkvdM
I've heard beer is good for your hair (applied externally). DirkvdM 11:37, 12 August 2006 (UTC)

I was talking about consuming these products as directed :).Courtney Akins 17:28, 12 August 2006 (UTC)

Cocaine is dangerous. People die from taking it. You won't care what it does to your hair when you're dead, or an addict. BenC7 01:05, 13 August 2006 (UTC)
Thanks for the blatantly obvious irrelevant remark. Cars are also lethal. Actually, they kill a whole lot more people than all drugs put together (legal or illegal). 30 million dead so far. That's category world war. Not that that is either here or there, though. DirkvdM 07:57, 13 August 2006 (UTC)
Cars are actually made for a purpose other than killing people, though. BenC7 23:42, 15 August 2006 (UTC)
Where are you finding these directions for use? User:Zoe|(talk) 17:45, 13 August 2006 (UTC)

[edit] How do I contact the company on the article?

I'm trying to find out who to contact to pursue ordering an electric vehicle shown on your site (see below). Thanks.

It is LotusElise on English Wikipedia.

Thanks.

You can go to the company website found on the page (Lotus Elise#External links). I read the article, though, and found no mention of an electric version. -LambaJan 06:22, 12 August 2006 (UTC)
It isn't a Lotus Elise - merely built by Lotus using some of the Elise parts. It is the just-announced Tesla Roadster. Rmhermen 16:09, 12 August 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Online Videos

What legally allows a site such as youtube.com to let people post videos from copyrighted television shows such as South Park, Family Guy, or the Daily show? Just curious. Sashafklein 05:30, 12 August 2006 (UTC)

Nothing. They regularly remove copyrighted videos from their site. Publishing videos that you don't have the copyright to is prohibited in their Terms of Use, in section 5, I believe.Phelan 06:24, 12 August 2006 (UTC)
It's illegal. It's just so big that they often stay there for a while. >.> --Proficient 10:38, 12 August 2006 (UTC)
And for the moment, as I understand it, digital copyright issues under the DMCA requires the copyright holder to contact the host with every specific instance of infringement before they can sue about any individual one. My guess is that if the infringement gets to the point where the RIAA feels that it is cutting down on its profits in any way they'll just file a big lawsuit against YouTube for aiding and abetting copyright infringement the way they did against Grokster. In the case of YouTube though there is a pretty good argument that much/most of the content is not infringement which would make it legally more problematic than the Grokster case (where that was less compelling0. --Fastfission 13:41, 12 August 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Copyright Infringement

Dear Wicki,

I asked about this some time back and did not receive a response. Your biographical entry on my friend and mentor, Don Durant, uses my copyrighted bio from www.johnnyringo.net not only as uncredited source material, but frankly plagiarises content. Entire blocks of my text--some originally published in THE BIG REEL in 1991--have been lifted intact. Stolen!

I'm afraid I must insist that you remove this infringing material. I'll be happy to supply a copy of my article as long as my name appears rightly as author. The information took many years of friendly conversation to compile. Don would not have wanted this to be published under someone else's name.

I would appreciate your swift attention to this matter.

Sincerely,

M. Jacquelyn Patterson <<email address removed>>

Hello Jacquelyn. I hope you don't mind, but i removed your email address for security purposes, as this page is not really the appropriate place for your request. I will have a look at the page in question and see what i can do to enforce your copyright, but you will have a better chance of an official response by following the instructions on this page, specifically by contacting the Wikimedia Foundation Designated Agent directly. If you need further help, please feel free to leave a message on my talk page Rockpocket 05:49, 12 August 2006 (UTC)
Please see here for futher comment. Rockpocket 06:16, 12 August 2006 (UTC)

[edit] New Project

I would like to start a project to make lists of media that is considered the greatest or worst ever easy to access. For example worst songs, best songs, best films, etc. I think these pages should follow some naming convention and some style conventions. I haven't been doing this correctly because I've had a couple of page deleted. How should I go about this? - Peregrinefisher 10:56, 12 August 2006 (UTC)

If you mean writing an article on Wikipedia, then you have to source the information. If your idea is to set up something like IMDB, except without the irritating commercials (that keep on getting worse) then you have my blessing, but it can't e done here on Wikipedia because it would constitute original research. However, a GFDL project like this (in wiki form) would be a great idea because there could always be an add-free version of it. However, this is not the place to ask. Better go to the help desk. DirkvdM 12:02, 12 August 2006 (UTC)
Having said that, I now wonder if we could use imdb here. We can't copy it, but we can use the info on it (although we might have to tread lightly there). What about making a list of best and worst movies according to imdb? And could we set up a wiki that gives the rundown on the info there, eventually covering all movies, like tehy do? It would be a heel of a job but so was Wikipedia and that worked. There has to be a desire for it and with imdb popup adds and other commercials gettting ever more annoying, that might just be the case. A major advantage over imdb would be that people can discuss the movies wiki-style in stead of separate posts like there (I regularly want to react to someone and then realise I can't because it isn't a wiki :) ). DirkvdM 12:08, 12 August 2006 (UTC)
These pages are already cited, I just want to organize and possibly rename them. worst songs, best songs, best films. I'm thinking "list of Best Ever..." would be a good naming convention. - Peregrinefisher 12:29, 12 August 2006 (UTC)
The problem with lists is that they are usually copyrighted. You can copyright arrangement of material, and if there is any creativity in determining how that arrangement goes together (i.e., it is not a phone book) then it is copyrightable. So you "List of best movies according to IMDB" would probably not be copyright kosher. "List of movies released in 2005" probably would be kosher, no matter where you got it from. --Fastfission 13:44, 12 August 2006 (UTC)
Definitely not. It's intellectual property, and therefore copyrighted. User:Zoe|(talk) 17:50, 13 August 2006 (UTC)
The other problem with the IMDb list is that it's votor selected and totally dynamic, so the top 100 or 500 or bottom etc etc this second might be different next second. Anchoress 18:24, 13 August 2006 (UTC)

[edit] 1770's

Hello, I'm the person who asked about 1770's songs a few days ago. I'm now looking for information on how life was in rural/isolated britain at the time (daily routine, technology, customs, and mainly things to consider). Before someone screams HOMEWORK, I want to assure its not homework-it's much important than that, it's something i'm working on (writing). Any help at all would be greatly appreciated.203.122.80.158 12:38, 12 August 2006 (UTC)

Also, I am looking for Taboos/superstitons that would have been prominent at the time (eg friday the 13th etc).

This was a time of great social change with the formation of large estates with paid labourers which replaced small-scale 'peasant' family farming. So there was a big difference in ordinary life before and after. See British_Agricultural_Revolution.

On a more frivolous note, it seems that a lot of people were drunk most of the time - farm-workers took food and drink with them out to the fields each morning - the typical pasty and, according to local historians on the nineteenth-century here in Somerset, seven litres of cider each! Jameswilson 02:01, 13 August 2006 (UTC)

I'm very interested in the superstitions they would have held.

Hmm, I'm guessing the superstitions would have been very local and variable. Friday the 13th is generally recognised as quite a new superstition, but Fridays and 13 were generally considered unlucky. Where about in Britain are you looking at? Skittle 10:50, 13 August 2006 (UTC)

Wel anywhere in britian would be fine, but if i may be so picky, i'm looking for fishing villages/hamlets. Thanks- I understand this somewhat a hard question.

Some superstitions associated with fishing can be found in this google search, if that helps. If you want to include pasties, as someone suggested, you're looking at cornish tin mines I think. Smuggling would probably be rife if you're in Cornwall, Kent, or Sussex, among other places, so that might add some excitement. Skittle 13:59, 13 August 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Dave Mirra Commercial

Would anyone happen to know the name of the brunette in Dave Mirra's Oxy Chill commercial? - Duane 18:28, 12 August 2006 (UTC)

....!! Wjlkgnsfb 19:50, 12 August 2006 (UTC)

[edit] J.H. Allen

I need the birth year of J.H. Allen, you have an article about him with only his death date.

Herb Frizzell, Sr.

I found http://www.wholehealthnow.com/homeopathy_pro/john_henry_allen.html and was going to add this data to his artcile when I became uncertain if this is the right JHAllen. -- SGBailey 22:19, 12 August 2006 (UTC)
Definitely a different one. --LambiamTalk 22:44, 12 August 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Oban and Tiree

Do any of you hot guys know anything about the Argyll towns of "Oban" or "Tiree" in Scotland? Any help would be appreciated.  :)Courtney Akins 17:31, 12 August 2006 (UTC)

There is a very handy search bar to your left. If you typed your search term and pressed enter you would have found Oban and Tiree in less time than it would have taken to post your question. Not a hot guy, BTW. Natgoo 18:36, 12 August 2006 (UTC)
I've been called a hot guy in my time ;) and have been to both Oban and Tiree, how can i help you? Rockpocket 20:13, 12 August 2006 (UTC)

Yes I need more in depth information about these two places. More so than what I found in the articles here. Can someone help me like Rockpocket?Courtney Akins 01:12, 13 August 2006 (UTC)

For more practical information for travellers, see Wikitravel:Oban. This is not a site related to Wikipedia.-gadfium 01:24, 13 August 2006 (UTC)
You will have a to be a bit more specific, i'm afraid, what sort of thing would you like to know? Rockpocket 18:50, 13 August 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Finding my scotties registration

Hello, My name is Robert E Weeks. I have a Scottish Terrier and would like to get the info. from his registration. His Registered name Is 'Sir Angus of Fairfield" He was registered in California to:(don't know if both names Robert E Weeks/Edward J Cramer or only 1 is on the registration. he is 12 yrs old and birthdate is 09/09/94 Address at time of registration was: Nine Northridge Drive, Daly City, Ca 94015. Oh And he is Black.

Hope this is enough info. to find my request..Thank you Robert E. Weeks [address removed]

You probably want to contact the AKC. That page has info on ordering duplicate registration papers. Nowimnthing 19:22, 12 August 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Indian Song

Hey, quick question: I have recently heard a few playings of a catchy Indian song. I think it is called Tanuk Tan or something like that. If anyone has got any additional information on this, it would be much appreciated. Thanks. Russian F 19:06, 12 August 2006 (UTC)

It's called Tanuk Tanuk Tan, and the artist is Daler Mehndi. You can download a video here (4.8Mb, realplayer format). --LambiamTalk 23:26, 12 August 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Steelcase Office Chairs?

Anyone know how one would go about getting a single Steelcase office chair? They seem to only be sold in bulk. Any similarly durable office chair would do as well, but it would need to be made out of metal and not the fatiguing/easily breakable materials places like Office Depot typically sells. Thank you. --Demonesque 19:40, 12 August 2006 (UTC)

http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dll?cgiurl=http%3A%2F%2Fcgi.ebay.com%2Fws%2F&fkr=1&from=R8&satitle=steelcase&category0=
Wjlkgnsfb 19:49, 12 August 2006 (UTC)
If you don't mind secondhand, there are second hand stores that sell exclusively office furniture; unless you live in a very small community you should be able to find one. Also, check with the auctioneers that run bankruptcy auctions; that's always a great way to get office equipment and furniture. Anchoress 08:25, 13 August 2006 (UTC)
The obvious answer would seem to be from an office while security is out to lunch.--67.172.248.207 00:11, 19 August 2006 (UTC)

[edit] moving to cyprus

i wonder if you could help me .iam moving to cyprus in september 30th ,and was told if i wanted to take my car .that so long as i had owned it for 6 months that it was ok to do so .thing being i have seen another car that i would like to buy ,i wondered if i could take this car instead .having never done anythink like this i would be most grearfull ,for any information you can give me .many thanks .dave tench /e mail add <email address removed>

Are you going to the Greek part or Turkish Northern Cyprus? You'd better check with the Cypriot consulate because Cyprus joined the EU recently and a lot of their import/export laws are gradually being changed to bring them into line with Europe. But from what you say its probably not worth risking it - if they still have that six months rule and you break it, you might end up having the car impounded or having to pay duty on it. If you want to change your car it might be better to wait till you get there and buy one there. Ask about that at the consulate too (what papers to take, etc). Jameswilson 02:05, 13 August 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Gregorian chant in Angela's Ashes

Please could you tell me the name of the Gregorian chant used as background music in the film Angela's Ashes.I have heard it elsewhere (Radio 3)including another film/program on telly so I don't believe its too obscure. Thankyou, --William dady 20:14, 12 August 2006 (UTC)

I looked over the track listing, and listened to the clips, and I don't hear any Gregorian chant - you can look at it here. Perhaps it didn't make it into the soundtrack CD? --Bmk 21:12, 12 August 2006 (UTC)

It was probably Allegri's Miserere, found through a labarynthine google search process. The piece has also been featured in Chariots of Fire, Face/Off and Maurice. BTW, an interesting website, classical music used in movies, by composer.Anchoress 02:30, 13 August 2006 (UTC)
Well, is that it? I'd like to know, cuz I went to a heck of a lot of trouble to find it. :-) Anchoress 20:52, 14 August 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Checking patents

Hi. I've made an invention and would like to check whether it has already been invented (without actually revealing the invention). How could I do it? Thanks.

You neglected to give us your country, but if you are in the US try the patent search at the US Patent Office Nowimnthing 20:53, 12 August 2006 (UTC)
A less labour-intensive choice would be to contact a) a local Chamber of Commerce, b) the business development branch of your federal or local government, c) the business section of your library. All three should be able to put you in touch with (free) counselling services for inventors. Anchoress 00:52, 13 August 2006 (UTC)
Maybe he didn't mention his country because he wants a worldwide patent. I suppose one's nationality won't matter in that case. DirkvdM 08:08, 13 August 2006 (UTC)
If you are looking for a US patent, you will need to use their online database above. If you are talking about a worldwide patent, use this database. In either case, you will probably want to search by patent subject classification rather than just fulltext searching. This page explains pretty clearly how that works in the case of the US (international patents use a different classification, which I don't know as much about). You can browse subject classifications and many other things at the US Patent Office website. This page that the USPTO has up has many little search engines and things like that and guides to searching subject classifications, so I would check that out first. You'll probably want to hire a patent lawyer anyway, if you think the invention will be of any value (and want to save a lot of time when it comes to writing it up—there are very specific ways that they have to be written up if you actually plan on getting the patent and want it to have any weight. --Fastfission 14:02, 13 August 2006 (UTC)
Or maybe one can just assume he is in the U.S. as an extraordinarily large amount of unspecified questions do indeed involve the U.S. (I jest.)--Proficient 16:36, 13 August 2006 (UTC)
But one can also assume this because most people in other countries would not be ignorant enough to not place their own country in their question (I also jest, but I suspect people would like this joke less.) ColourBurst 05:58, 15 August 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Aros books published by Ralph Ginzburg

My mother owns this series of books and is interested in selling them. Do you have any idea how I can find out what they are worth? 4.242.159.22 20:59, 12 August 2006 (UTC) (shouting removed -- Hyenaste (tell))

  • First of all, please don't shout. If you mean the four hardbound issues of Eros magazine, the set seem to range between $100 and $500 on eBay. --jpgordon∇∆∇∆ 21:06, 12 August 2006 (UTC)
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