Wikipedia:Reference desk archive/Miscellaneous/2006 July 8

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[edit] Naming conventions consumer products

A look at Wikipedia:Naming conventions shows no guidelines for consumer products/brand names. Does anyone know if such guidlines exist. Or, can anyone give advice - I'm thinking specifically of the curious way in which manufacturers choose to capitalise their products. eg using all caps. or mixed (non-standard english usage) caps.HappyVR 00:27, 8 July 2006 (UTC)

Well, at least there are articles like iPod, eWorld, PostScript... –Mysid(t) 07:50, 8 July 2006 (UTC)
The title of the article should be capitalized in exactly the same way as the official brand name. If the brand name begins with a lowercase letter, you might want to add a {lowercase} template, as in the iPod article.--Shantavira 09:52, 8 July 2006 (UTC)
I disagree (especially as regards the related discussion at Talk:PlayStation 3). The title of the article should reflect "most common usage" per WP:NAME. See also Wikipedia:Manual of Style (trademarks). --Elonka 13:52, 8 July 2006 (UTC)
PlayStation is a tricky one isn't it? A very rare occurence of two conflicting policies. It might reasonably be argued that it's an exception to my previous suggestion. Good luck with the argument.--Shantavira 18:07, 8 July 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Islamic clothing

Is there ant islamic clothing website available?

Yep. Here's a couple: Shukr Jelbab.com --Allen 01:06, 8 July 2006 (UTC)

Even ants are required to wear the hijab now ? That really is strict ! :-) StuRat 14:55, 8 July 2006 (UTC)

Yup. Would you believe 19 hits on Google for "Islamic ant"? $10 seems rather a lot to pay for one though.--Shantavira 18:14, 8 July 2006 (UTC)
LOL, any "crusader anteaters" out there ? StuRat 20:40, 8 July 2006 (UTC)
Well there shouldn't be.--Shantavira 15:08, 9 July 2006 (UTC)
There is an excellent online directory of sources for Islamic and other forms of "modest clothing" to be found at Modest Clothing Directory. It includes numerous sources for Islamic clothing as well as modest clothing from other traditions that might work for an observant Muslim. Crypticfirefly 04:03, 10 July 2006 (UTC)
What, no codpieces ? StuRat 00:25, 12 July 2006 (UTC)

[edit] HFF

Recently FIFA suspended the Hellenic Football Federation, representative of greece, of all FIFA related, or FIFA run activities and competitions [1]. It was suspended because the government implemented a law which does not recognise that football matters can only be resolved by football's governing bodies. What is this law? What does it state? What are the implications of this? how does it fail to comply with FIFA? Im sorry, I just cant find it on any of the reports I've seen. Philc TECI 01:00, 8 July 2006 (UTC)

From what I read in Dutch newspapers it seems to be part of a political power struggle. The Greek minister of sport, Giorgios Orfanos, is a conservative who wanted to use the new sports law to get rid of the chairman of the Greek football federation, Vassilis Gagatsis, who has a socialist background. Among other things, the law would force the federation to change its voting rules. David Sneek 07:06, 8 July 2006 (UTC)
It may seem strange from a British perspective but a lot of countries' parliaments have passed "Professional Sports Laws", defining the legal relationship between the various groups involved, FA, league, clubs, players, unions, media companies, etc. FIFA hates this because it prefers to govern the game itself. In the end it normally has to accept it but not without a fight. Jameswilson 23:44, 8 July 2006 (UTC)
The Greek parliament amended the draft law on July 11th to bring it into compliance with FIFA/UEFA regulations, so FIFA withdrew the HFF's suspension today. -- Arwel (talk) 20:57, 12 July 2006 (UTC)

[edit] US traditional state abbreviations

When did the USPS make the change from traditional state abbreviations to the current two letter abbreviations?

I believe it happened sometime in the early 1970's. It may have begun earlier, in the 1960's coincident with the creation of ZIP codes. Interestingly, the articles on State name abbreviations and US postal 2-letter abbreviations do not mention the year that two-letter abbreviations became mandatory.
According to this site, "The United States Post Office instituted two letter state abbreviations along with five digit zip codes in 1963." The History of the US Postal Service 1775-1993 pages give the date of introducing 5-digit zip codes as July 1, 1963. Also, quoting from the latter source: "Introduced in 1983, the ZIP+4 code added a hyphen and four digits to the existing five-digit ZIP Code. The first five numbers continued to identify an area of the country and delivery office to which mail is directed. The sixth and seventh numbers denote a delivery sector, which may be several blocks, a group of streets, a group of post office boxes, several office buildings, a single high-rise office building, a large apartment building, or a small geographic area. The last two numbers denote a delivery segment, which might be one floor of an office building, one side of a street between intersecting streets, specific departments in a firm, or a group of post office boxes." The ZIP+4 seems to be optional, and nowhere did I find that the two letter state codes were "mandatory" when they were introduced. Are they now? --Seejyb 16:36, 8 July 2006 (UTC)
Seejyb- that's a good question. I'm pretty sure they are 'mandatory' (and they appear on [this official list]), which, being an official USPS site, implies they are mandatory. But I don't know if there is any written document confirming that. The US Postal System will deliver all kinds of strange things addressed in pretty unusual ways, so even mail which does not use the official 2-letter abbreviations may be delivered. --Drunk Cow 20:38, 8 July 2006 (UTC)
Indeed, the abbreviations are not mandatory, because by law the U.S. Postal Service must deliver anything that has the proper postage and does not violate any other law. The USPS strongly recommends that two-letter abbreviations and ZIP Code be used, saying that it speeds delivery time. (However, I did an experiment a few years back and determined that this is not true. I sent two envelopes to a friend across the country, and asked him to keep track of when they arrived. One was neatly computer-printed, to the exact USPS specifications, including two-letter abbreviation and ZIP+4. The other was on a colored, oversized envelope, scribbled in red crayon, with no ZIP. The scribbled one got there two days earlier!) — Michael J 18:18, 9 July 2006 (UTC)

The new 2 letter abbreviations take away some of the fun of addressing. Supposedly in the old days a letter addressed

  • Wood
  • Jack
  • Mass

was correctly delivered to Jack Underwood, Andover, Massachusets.Edison 20:56, 16 July 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Vegito & Gogeta

1. The potara fusion between Goku & Vegeta. Elder Kai says it is better. No requirements like the ones used in the Dance (identical power levels and physical build) are necessary for the earrings. When using this method, the name of the dominant individual begins the blended name of the fused being.

How does Vegeta have more characteristics such as hair and personality and more dominant role in Vegito then Goku? Vegito wears Vegeta's gloves and boots and his hair resembles Vegeta's. Goku only have a little role in Vegito, the rest belongs to Vegeta. Also Vegito uses Vegeta's attacks more then Goku's example: Vegito uses the "Big Bang Attack".


2. Goku & Vegeta fuse using the fusion dance and formed Super Saiyan 2 Gogeta in Dragon Ball Z: Movie 12 and Super Saiyan 4 Gogeta in Dragon Ball GT. The facts are Gogeta never said his name was Gogeta. When asked by Janemba he said "i'm neither Goku or Vegeta, i'm the one who will destroy you". He said the same thing in Dragon Ball GT. How did Gogeta get his name, when Gogeta himself never said he was called Gogeta? Vegito made it official that his name was Vegito.


3. In the game Dragon Ball Z Budokai Tenkaichi 2 does it require to put the capsules of Super Saiyan, Super Saiyan 2, Super Saiyan 3, Super Saiyan 4 to keep using Goku at Super Saiyan 4? Example: like the previous games when Goku reaches Super Saiyan 4 you have to put all the other capsules to make Super Saiyan 4 Goku or does each level have its own move sets example: Super Saiyan 4 Goku has its own move sets like 10 x Kamehameha? Also with the fusion i read it somewhere in the Dragon Ball sites that you can do fusion while playing? If so does it require for you to put capsules as well or the fuse warrior have its own move sets example: Gogeta has its own moves sets?

Also when you teleport in the game do you need to put a capsule? And can you teleport anytime or just teleport a blast? Can you use someone else's attacks example: Goku using Vegeta's "final flash"


4. Does anyone know why didn't the author Akira Toriyama have much to do with Dragon Ball Z Movies and Dragon Ball GT?203.98.91.216 08:45, 8 July 2006 (UTC)

[edit] One massive night

After a disgustingly massive night in my unit, i eventually sobered up to find my walls adorned with some brilliant hand drawn art in nikko marker. Although i love my new works of art, the owners of my unit may not which leads me to the pressing question, what, if any, is the best way to remove permanent marker from paint? Any help iI can get on this matter will be amazing. Thank-you. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 61.8.3.2 (talk • contribs) .

Acetone (generally found in nail polish remover) will remove permanent marker, but depending on the type of paint, it could also have the unwanted effect of removing the paint as well. White spirit could be a possibility. Whatever method you try, be sure to test it on a small out of the way area of the paintwork first, to check whether or not it will damage the paint. Oldelpaso 11:03, 8 July 2006 (UTC)
If all else fails, you might need to paint over it. --Proficient 15:37, 8 July 2006 (UTC)
Very high alcohol content, or methylated spirits works I think. Philc TECI 16:18, 8 July 2006 (UTC)
Careful. It sounds like alcohol content and high spirits are what got him into trouble in the first place... alteripse 17:35, 8 July 2006 (UTC)
Hehe, if he puts these high spirits in his mouth he'll have bigger problems than his wall. Philc TECI 21:48, 9 July 2006 (UTC)
Sometimes this works. Get a white board marker: these are a spirit ink that can be wiped off. Draw over some of the permanent marker, and immediately try to wipe it off. Sometimes the chemicals which make the white board maker removable will help lift the permanent one. Notinasnaid 18:48, 8 July 2006 (UTC)
Similar to above, I have had some success using the same marker that made the mark originally, because the wet ink will dissolve the dry ink, and immediately wipe it off. --WhiteDragon 19:45, 11 July 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Army insignia

Trying to identify a badge at top of WW1 sergeant's baton , possibly Indian army. Can you give an email address I can attach a picture to please . Thanks . Badge has a five pointed crown (includes two crosses) over two C 's or curlycues opposed and joined at the centre . to the right is a cat or panther rampant, facing inwards and to the left a boars head facing outwards . Thanks .

[edit] Finding family

Would like to know how to finf family menbers.In cape ver island

There are several online facilities that allow you to search for people. If you are physically in Cape Verde, then perhaps there are phone books that you can use. --Proficient 15:39, 8 July 2006 (UTC)

[edit] How is WW2 and Nazi-related material perceived in modern Germany?

How tender a subject is Nazism in modern Germany? Have they accepted it as part of a time long gone (as most Americans think about slavery, driving Native Americans off land, etc) or is it still something you just don't mention? Does this have anything to do with their relatively strict censorship (I recall hearing that for videogames such as Goldeneye 007 and Turok 2, the blood must be changed to green for German releases)?

It's a pretty tender subject to say the least. It is in much more recent past than slavery or Native Americans (many now elderly Germans were around at the time as participants in WWII), and in any case the issue of slavery and race relations in the U.S. is hardly a "settled" deal either (the race issue has been the most salient one in the U.S. for a hundred years now). I'm not sure if their violence censorship is related to the Nazi issue (it probably is, but in an indirect way—nobody alleges that Hitler played video games, of course), but they definitely have censorship laws relating to Nazi material (you can't advocate neo-Nazism, you can't advocate Holocaust denial, you can't sell Nazi memorabilia). --Fastfission 14:22, 8 July 2006 (UTC)
I spoke to a german freind about this, and they explained, that the germans have come to accept that their country has a terrible past, and it is by far, not something they are proud of. They do not see the germans that committed the atrocities as the same germans that inhabit the country today, they are, to them, a completely seperate group of people. But yes, it is a tender subject.
To answer your question games that glorify war ( even down to freindly games like paintballing, or war games) are banned in germany to my knowledge. Philc TECI 16:16, 8 July 2006 (UTC)

My German friends love visiting us in Edinburgh - Scotland. What they say they love most of all is the way we British patiently queue in shops, bars, restaurants, bus queues etc, without argument. At home in Germany (they say) even a battle between 3 people waiting in a bus queue for a bus that has 30 vacant seats is socially acceptable as the norm. And they think that the queues in McDonalds are the most teutonically well disciplned places on earth. So I guess we can look forward to their repeat visits for many years to come. Hitler and Nazi-ism? They are very embarrassed to talk about it but we try to re-assure them that we British are well acquainted with dealing with tyrant overlords and have laid down many British lives over the millenia trying to quell their thirst for European hegemony.

Sorry. Don't know the German for Hegemony.

On the one hand the feelings of shame will prevent them from starting another war anytime soon. On the other hand, being ashamed of something other people have done, just because they were fellow countrymen is pure nationalism, which is one of the three bases for war (the other two being money and religion). DirkvdM 06:34, 9 July 2006 (UTC)
Religion? GTubio 13:13, 9 July 2006 (UTC)
Threat? (north korea) Philc TECI 21:46, 9 July 2006 (UTC)
Nazi symols and stuff are illegal within germany, so it's a big deal--T-rex 00:11, 10 July 2006 (UTC)

Yeh but the point is, to us, we didn't fo it the germans did it, but to them, the germans didn't do it, the nazi's did. The only reason they get offended is because you are implying they are the same group of people, which in fairness they aren't. Philc TECI 11:54, 10 July 2006 (UTC)

[edit] symbolic meanings of rock colors/types

I am writing a children's book about throwing pebbles into the ocean in remembrance of a friend who died. I would like to use the "proper" meanings/symbollically (sp?) if possible. For example, a red rock, such as a garnet or cimmeron might represent love. a violet coloured one might represent friendship etc. Thank you in advance for any assistance. Kathleen C. Tachella (email removed)

It's may not be quite as straightforward as that, because symbolism of colors tends to depend on the cultural framework and context. (White, for example, tends to be a symbol for purity and serenity in Western cultures, whereas in Asian contexts it's often associated with death.) However, take a look at Color Symbolism; if all you need is the popular Western interpretations, the chart there is probably going to do the trick for you. -- Captain Disdain 14:59, 8 July 2006 (UTC)
Perhaps this reference on birthstones may be what you're looking for. -LambaJan 00:46, 17 July 2006 (UTC)

[edit] logging out on Amazon.com

I can never find the log-out button on Amazon. I always just click on "Your Account" and then click that I am not me to log-out.

Anyone seen the log-out button? It's bad website design.

Thanks, Kyle

This may be of interest to you: http://plynt.com/blog/2005/07/how-amazon-lives-without-a-log/.
You can just delete your cookies or delete Amazon cookies specifically if you feel like really logging out. --Proficient 15:44, 8 July 2006 (UTC)
Click on "your account", which is a button near the top of the page, then click on "sign out from our site" which is a link near the bottom of the page. Works for me.--Shantavira 17:45, 8 July 2006 (UTC)
Talking about bad design. Shouldn't that link be prominently visible on the top of each page they have? 0- Mgm|(talk) 21:41, 8 July 2006 (UTC)
No, because there's no reason you would want to log out. HenryFlower 11:24, 10 July 2006 (UTC)

[edit] secondary bond market

playing around with my fidelity account and I saw this:

UNITED STATES TREAS NTS 6.500% 10/15/2006 6.500 10/15/2006 100.301 100.323 5.265 5.184

where the ~100 numbers are the bid-ask and the ~5.2 numbers are the percent yield bid-ask

Turns out this is some bond from 1996 that matures on 10/15/2006

my question: when buying treasuries, don't you want the ~100 number to actually be less than 100 if you want to make money on it?

Thanks, Kyle

The money you make is a combination of the difference between your buy and sell price and the interest you get in the interim. If you hold a bond to maturity and pay more than face value for it (the ~100 number is higher than 100), you lose money on the buy/sell piece of this, but you presumably make enough interest to more than make up for this. Bonds whose coupon interest rate is higher than prevailing interest rates typically trade at more than face value. The difference should decrease the closer the bond gets to maturity (because the time left to collect the higher interest decreases). If you figure the total return (maturity value + interest - current price), a treasury bond maturing in 3 months should return about the same as a 3 month CD. -- Rick Block (talk) 19:03, 8 July 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Help ID man in photo

Does anyone know who the impressively-jowled man sitting next to Bud Selig in this photo is? Thanks, TacoDeposit 17:53, 8 July 2006 (UTC)

If you go to the story itself and click on the photo, it brings up the caption, which reveals that he is "Bob Dupuy, MLB chief operating officer". kmccoy (talk) 21:10, 8 July 2006 (UTC)
Thanks! I found the image through a Google image search, and never looked at the original news story. TacoDeposit 00:40, 10 July 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Where can I buy...

Does anyone know where (near or in Manhattan) I can buy a plush carrot? And not the dog toy kind. Thanks.--Anakata 17:54, 8 July 2006 (UTC)

If it's not for the dog, would it be insensitive to ask what you want it for, like how big it should be, whether you want one that squeaks, and so on? (Not that I know anything about shopping in Manhattan, merely curious.) '"Plush carrot" –dog' scores hundreds of hits on Google, including some from "Manhattan Toys", but it might be simpler to look on line first. --Shantavira 18:26, 8 July 2006 (UTC)
I bet ebay has some, despite it not being in Manhattan. --Proficient 22:17, 8 July 2006 (UTC)
Sounds weird, but I had a dream last night... Anyway, I think I'll just make one myself because I didn't find one on Google that met my needs. Thanks anyway!--Anakata 02:02, 9 July 2006 (UTC)
Is there any reason you are specifically opposed to plush carrots sold as dog toys? I ask only because this one seems perfectly appropriate for human use. If the seller is to be trusted, the carrot is plush and adorable and comes in five sizes, the largest of which can be had for less than $20. Honestly, what more could one want in a stuffed carrot? Bhumiya (said/done) 15:28, 9 July 2006 (UTC)

[edit] What do we understand for "shredding" a guitar solo?

Thanks. -piripi

You might find shred guitar useful. Natgoo 21:33, 8 July 2006 (UTC)

shredding is a technique used in solos, it is basically to play the same small piece of a scale over and over as fast as one can. it is a technique like hammering or bending or sliding..ooo i wanna play my guitar now!

[edit] nude mayor

Can we see the picture of Mayor Sharon Smith, who made the headlines of nude pictures?

No. Not on Wikipedia, anyway. But if you search Google diligently enough, I'm sure you'll be able to locate the pictures. --Robert Merkel 01:26, 9 July 2006 (UTC)
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