Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Miscellaneous/2007 August 13

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[edit] August 13

[edit] Catatonia?

OK, this is a weird question, but follow along please. I am a 16 year old boy who is about to be a sophomore (school in 2 weeks). As of now, I haven't talked to a girl (for more than 15 seconds), or kissed a girl, smiled (or gotten a smile) from a girl, flirted with a girl, or receive any sort of attention or interest in any form from one. Note, I want to do all of this. I went to a gifted middle school, and not to be shallow, but there were no girls there that I was actually interested in (very small class in size anyway). When I saw other middle school at the time, the girls there made me get feelings that I had never yet gotten and that everybody else probably had. Freshmen year was the same thing feelingwise times 10. However, my freshmen year was a disaster and completely fruitless. My parents and even a small form of a social life have to this point not understood eacother and I, during freshmen year, went out maybe 4 times the whole year for like 3 hours eqach to a movie with a guy. I have never been to a party, and this is bothersome, plus I have seen them on TV and internet to where I know what happens and what it is like. I consider myself fairly good looking and however have realized things I could have doen better. Now here's the question: whenever I think about girls or making out or parties or dates or interacting with girls or things of this nature, I completely frizz out and start losing focus, getting confused (almost like crazy, like nothing I say comes out serious, but more liek I'm drunk), and every time any hint of negativefeeling or thought comes about, I scream (in my head) and begin thrashing (somewhat voluntarily) around. This usually happens at night, and by the time it finishes (in about 1 and a half hours), I am walking around seething with a snarl on my face and having like no touch to reality. (For instance, if I were watching a TV and someone said 'Here I'll give you this', I'll start talking to them abotu how I;m going to give them this, whatever it is, and laughing maniacally. If my mind wanders back to anything that upsets me, it all begins again. I get completeky exhausted, I feel like energy is surging throughout my brain when it is happening. Imagine a person having a seizure on a bed, then skipping angrily around a room, the whole time seething and in theri head screaming and yelling. I'm fine therwise, but this happens liek 3 times a day, worse at night. Not in front of people, mind you, and by the way, I am straight. Just someone say something helpful to me please.

"Freezing up" in front of girls is normal for many adolescents, but this sounds like something more. You may have a physical or psychological condition which demands attention, I'd suggest you get your parents to take you to a doctor for an evaluation. If you get an all-clear from the doc, perhaps desensitization therapy would work best for you. Here is one possible schedule you could follow:
Day 1) Say "Hi" to a girl in your class that you aren't attracted to.
Day 2) Say "Hi" to a girl in your class that you are attracted to.
Day 3) Ask said girl some question about what was covered in class.
Day 4) Say "How are you today ?" to said girl, then wait for a response. If she asks the same of you, tell her.
Day 5) Ask said girl if she likes <insert your favorite TV program, band, movie, actor, etc., here>.
In this way you can hopefully gradually reduce your anxiety level and the physical symptoms produced by that anxiety. StuRat 01:12, 13 August 2007 (UTC)
(edit conflict)As for your last point: we can't give medical advice, if it's really that big of a concern talk to a psychologist. Otherwise, I'd have to say: welcome to the glory days of adolescence. If you are not interested in the girls available, you might try to pursue them as friends anyway to try to improve your social skills and nervousness. Things like this can't be rushed, opportunities will pop up. -Wooty [Woot?] [Spam! Spam! Wonderful spam!] 01:14, 13 August 2007 (UTC)

I am talkign about the latter part of the post, which is what happens to me during the day. Note, it is right now summer vacation for me. I am at home every day doing nothing. Where out of curiousity did you get the idea that this is what ZI do in front of girls? This is what I do at home. Please read it carefully.- Author

Your clarification answers your own question: you need to get out more. --Tagishsimon (talk)
Advice: get a vacation job that involves some kind of teamwork. There's nothing like working together for breaking the ice with complete strangers. And you have instant, easy conversation material. --Dweller 10:39, 13 August 2007 (UTC)
You might try doing something which involves you with other guys and girls. Do not assume that what you see on TV is the reality for other people. It may be merely the fantasy of TV writers, wishing THEY had not been loner geeks in high school. Get out of the house and make friends. Join the band (school band, rock band). Join Mathletes. Join chorus. Do yearbook. Join a sports team (then you will have cool guys as "wingmen" when you speak to a girl). Do not fall into the trap of automatically rejecting girls who are not plastic Barbie dolls. I note that you said you were "not attracted" to girls who went to the same middle school as you. This is the trap of "I wouldn't go out with a girl who would go out with me". Look up one of those girls and ask if she wants to study with you. Then ask her to go to a movie. If she says no, you at leaset have gotten some experience at how to do the asking. Ask her to go for a latte at Starbucks. From what I hear "dating" is passé and the youngsters hang out in groups at the mall, or spend endless time on celphones deciding what they want to do. Getting a driver's license and having access a car can be a help in some settings. Getting a job can be a help (you get to know the folks on the crew at the fast food shop or whatever. If social anxiety or feelings of rage are a problem, you should get medical or psychological help. Edison 15:37, 13 August 2007 (UTC)
Or volunteer. Marco polo 15:36, 13 August 2007 (UTC)
What's the big deal? Just avoid girls.. If you're not interested in women then it doesn't make sense to stress out about your lack of experience with them --frotht 19:09, 13 August 2007 (UTC)

[edit] adding a copyright tag

I uploaded a photo of two prominent religious leaders, Mother Teresa and Dr. Johannes Maas. I neglected to add a copyright tag, and now cannot figure out how the add the tag. Here is the page: 01:16, 12 August 2007 (hist) (diff) Image:Mother Teresa and Dr. Johannes Maas.jpg (This photo of Dr. Johannes Maas and Mother Teresa was taken by his personal photographer. Her name is Ms. Toni Cordell. It is not copyrighted. It was taken in Mother Teresa'a office in Calcutta during a meeting with Mother Theresa following her being awar)

I stated on the page that the image was public domain, but need to remove the tag. Carol Penrod 01:47, 13 August 2007 (UTC)

Use a tag from the public domain part of this list. Add it on the image description page by adding the {{tagname}} on it. Remember that most pictures are not in the public domain, even if they are freely available on the internet. If it isn't public domain, then ask for permission. --h2g2bob (talk) 03:01, 13 August 2007 (UTC)
Be VERY careful. You don't have to do anything to copyright an image. The law (in every country I'm aware of) is that you have copyright for works you make - unless you explicitly give it up. Just because there isn't any kind of copyright notice doesn't make it copyright-free. SteveBaker 03:55, 13 August 2007 (UTC)
In particular, as it currently stands, the image (Image:Mother Teresa and Dr. Johannes Maas.jpg) states that you, its creator, have disclaimed copyright and placed the image in the public domain. However, you also state that the photographer is "Toni Cordell". So are you the image's creator or not? —Steve Summit (talk) 11:57, 13 August 2007 (UTC)
I assume you've found your talk page and the messages there from other editors welcoming you to Wikipedia and offering their help. Also, the Help desk is a good place to ask questions about adding content to Wikipedia. (Yes, it can certainly seem overwhelming at first! But it's pretty easy and sensible once you get used to it.) —Steve Summit (talk) 12:04, 13 August 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Animaniacs/Nazi assosiation

I don't like these kinds of jokes, but for some reason, I keep seeing the main characters of the show "Animaniacs", the Warner brothers Yakko, Wakko, and their sister Dot, assosiated with the Nazi party of Adolf Hitler. Why is this? Is is a pun on thier name or something; I don't understand.

I assume this is a Rule 34 kind of thing... Someone created the pictures because the dichotomy of a wholesome kids' cartoon being Nazi could be considered amusing. Not my cup of tea, although I think the Hello, Kitty/Hitler mashup is delightfully twisted. If, perchance, you're looking for a better example of Nazi comics, might I suggest Maus: A Survivor's Tale? --Mdwyer 04:15, 13 August 2007 (UTC)
I think you are misunderstanding what Rule 34 is (if not, please link, although not relevant to my interests). And please observe Rules 1 & 2. Lanfear's Bane
I think he was saying that this is similar to the corruption of childhood memories that so often defines Rule 34 creations, not that it is actually an instance of Rule 34. Plasticup T/C 12:37, 13 August 2007 (UTC)
Please pardon the obligatory question from a dullard who's not in the know, but what are these rules? —Steve Summit (talk) 12:55, 13 August 2007 (UTC)
The Urban Dictionary has an entry for Rule 34 [1] DuncanHill 13:20, 13 August 2007 (UTC)
Ah, got it, thanks. :-) —scs
I am afraid Rules 1 & 2 forbid me from explaing Rule 34 or its 'sister rule', Rule 35. Lanfear's Bane
Mixin' yer metaphors, there, arentcha? :-) —scs
I don't know for sure, but I suspect that the Urban Dictionary entry for Rule 34 is NSFW. Plasticup T/C 18:24, 13 August 2007 (UTC)
No, by Rule 35 it wouldn't be, and isn't. —Steve Summit (talk) 04:47, 14 August 2007 (UTC)
I'm both pleased and horrified that others got the inside joke. Anonymous is legion! Aaaanyway, Plasticup has understood my meaning exactly. The internet holds nothing sacred, and finding a wholesome childhood character defiled -- sexually or otherwise -- is more the rule than the exception. Rule 34 is just one example of this. --Mdwyer 19:08, 13 August 2007 (UTC)
Anonymous? On my RefDesk? ;) -Wooty [Woot?] [Spam! Spam! Wonderful spam!] 23:24, 13 August 2007 (UTC)
It's more likely than you think. Not your personal army etc etc. Lanfear's Bane

[edit] Hazmat symbols

Could you please tell me if Hazmat symbols are patented or protected? Can anyone use them, such as the shapes or colors etc? Thank you in advance.76.4.209.128 03:53, 13 August 2007 (UTC)Linnie27804

I don't know for sure, but our copies of the radioactive and biohazard symbols are released under a free license, which suggests that those symbols are probably free to use. --Masamage ♫ 05:36, 13 August 2007 (UTC)
Hazard symbol#European hazard symbols are also free to use, but that new really scary symbol for radioactivity (this one) is however copyrighted; in order to use it one would have to pay ISO (although the normal, uncopyrighted trefoil is still recognised as a valid symbol for radiation) as use of the symbol implies that ISO has "reviewed the accuracy or veracity of this information"; we at Wikipedia actually had to ask for permission just to use it in articles. Laïka 08:53, 13 August 2007 (UTC)

Oooh,I hope not! I have a biohazard tattoo!hotclaws 11:54, 13 August 2007 (UTC)

That can be resolved. Lanfear's Bane
O_________O --Masamage ♫ 20:39, 13 August 2007 (UTC)
I question the originality of that, all the parts of it are copied, including the dude running away, which came from the European exit sign! 68.39.174.238 00:23, 14 August 2007 (UTC)
I think the copyright works out because combining all those parts of it makes a completely new picture. (Sort of like how triangles aren't copyrighted, but you could use a bunch of them to make a unique, copyrighted image.) They use well-known symbols on purpose so that people will know what it means. --Masamage ♫ 00:30, 14 August 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Bank Robbery

Does anyone have any insight on this? I have noticed that whenever a bank is robbed, "they" (police authorities and bank authorities) make a big point of not revealing the amount of money taken. Every time I see or hear this on the news, the reporter will say "police will not disclose the amount of money that the robbers made off with" (etc.). Why is that such a big deal, and why are they so secretive about that? I assume there is some logic / rationale behind it. Anyone know? Thanks. (Joseph A. Spadaro 03:56, 13 August 2007 (UTC))

The only thought that springs to mind is that maybe they want to use that information to filter false leads. Only the police, bank employees and the criminal(s) know that information. Anyone who, in the course of an investigation, mentions the correct amount could then be considered to have actual knowledge of the details of the crime. Dunno, really. Just a shot in the dark. 152.16.188.107 04:32, 13 August 2007 (UTC)
They do that so that they can claim more than the actual loss from their insurers!--88.111.35.0 06:31, 13 August 2007 (UTC)
I'd guess they don't want people to panic and make a run on the bank to get what's left. --Masamage ♫ 07:18, 13 August 2007 (UTC)
Or maybe they don't want people realising how lucrative it can be ;) Plasticup T/C 12:44, 13 August 2007 (UTC)
Awesome. --Masamage ♫ 20:39, 13 August 2007 (UTC)
  • Coming from South Africa where banks are robbed fairly regularly, and cash-in-transit heists happen dozens of times a year, I can add to the list of reasons: Sometimes robbers make off with containers of money and so the robbers themselves don't even know how much they have. There are also dye packs and other security mechanisms (especially in money boxes) which if opened without the correct security will squirt ink onto the money, and release a smoke bomb (in some cases) - so in other words, if you knew there was $200 000 in a box, as opposed to nothing or as opposed to $20 000, you might want to take your time and open it properly. Furthermore, banks are usually embarassed when they're robbed, and their members might become concerned if they know that millions of dollars are being lost to bank robberies. An official answer on this would be nice though.Rfwoolf 12:01, 14 August 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Mattresses

Why is there such a stern warning ("you will be subject to imprisonment or a severe fine") printed on a mattress tag, indicating that it is illegal to remove the tag? Why is it illegal? What's the big deal? What is behind all this? Thanks. (Joseph A. Spadaro 03:59, 13 August 2007 (UTC))

It isn't illegal for YOU to remove the tag, but it is illegal for the tag to be removed before the buyer receives the mattress. There seems to be a law stating that a tag showing the composition of mattresses and pillows must be attached to the item when it is sold. If I recall correctly, the color of the tag indicates if the bedding is new or (ew!) used. --Mdwyer 04:10, 13 August 2007 (UTC)
At least in some cases, the wording on the tags has been changed to reflect the above more clearly, no doubt a consequence of all the cartoons which showed people pulling the tag off before a SWAT team comes in to arrest the tag remover. Donald Hosek 05:10, 13 August 2007 (UTC)
Hey, whaddaya know? We've got an article on this! See Law label. --Mdwyer 06:11, 13 August 2007 (UTC)
You would know why it was such a big deal if you were the guy who bought a punching bag filled with used underwear. Recury 19:55, 13 August 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Leading thinkers of climate .

Who are are the leading thinkers of climate and especially climate change.

IPCC? F 09:20, 13 August 2007 (UTC)
To be more precise, the IPCC collects and bundles research from the world's leading researchers of climate change. I'm not sure if 'thinker' is the same as 'researcher'. DirkvdM 17:33, 13 August 2007 (UTC)
Albert Gore? Acceptable 22:38, 13 August 2007 (UTC)
I think David Suzuki would qualify. Vespine 23:29, 13 August 2007 (UTC)
James Hansen, Stephen Schneider, Bert R. Bolin, Michael Mann (scientist), Michael Oppenheimer, Hans von Storch, Naomi Oreskes and Jerry D. Mahlman are all individuals who have contributed or analysed the current scientific opinion on climate change. There are those that hold views that a contrary to the scientific consensus, such as Sallie Baliunas, S. Fred Singer, Richard Lindzen, Patrick Michaels and Willie Soon. Rockpocket 07:01, 14 August 2007 (UTC)

[edit] tuscany

who is tuscanys goverment —Preceding unsigned comment added by 144.138.23.90 (talk • contribs)

I don't suppose you've taken the time to read Tuscany? Capuchin 12:05, 13 August 2007 (UTC)
I dare you to stick Tuscany in the search box and hit 'Go'. You might be pleasantly surprised. Lanfear's Bane

I ALREADY DID THAT WHO IS TUSCANYS GOVERMENT —Preceding unsigned comment added by 144.138.23.90 (talk • contribs)

Please don't shout! Read the section of Tuscany marked Politics. If you want more details, go and look at their website, Regione Toscana. Neil ム 12:30, 13 August 2007 (UTC)
If you mean the political intents, it seems to be Unionist, however you question can mean so many different things in English that I can't be sure that's what you're after. 68.39.174.238 00:28, 14 August 2007 (UTC)

[edit] TUSCANY

Where is Italy in the world dude —Preceding unsigned comment added by 144.138.23.90 (talk • contribs)

Click Italy and see for yourself. Neil ム 12:44, 13 August 2007 (UTC)
41°54'N, 12°29'E Plasticup T/C 12:47, 13 August 2007 (UTC)
43°46′18″N, 11°15′13″E also. Lanfear's Bane

[edit] Painting on puzzles

Hi I bought this blank puzzle and I'm trying to draw on it. How can I make sure the colour doesn't come off? Any suggestions for what type of ink or paint? Something conventional please, I'm not a great artist, just making a gift for a friend!

Permanent markers such as Sharpie (marker)s will write or draw on practically anything and come in a wide variety of colors. Tiles colored with them will not be subject to color flaking off as might be the problem with some paint. Edison 15:19, 13 August 2007 (UTC)
If you want to draw with pencil, crayon or pastels or any medium which smudges easily, you can get a spray can of something called fixative from any art supply store, it's kind of like a transparent lacquer that you can spray over finished artwork to stop it from smudging or fading. Vespine 23:16, 13 August 2007 (UTC)

[edit] copy write registration

Can you register a copy write on furniture design that has been in existence and sold for several years prior

Copyrights are not like patents. When you create something that can be copyrighted - you automatically own that copyright. You don't have to 'register' it - unless you are concerned that you might have to get into a legal battle over who created what and when. Our Copyright article explains this quite clearly. Rather than registering a copyright claim 'officially', many people simply mail themselves a registered letter containing a copy of the work (in your case, a photograph of the work would be a good idea) - and keep the letter sealed. If it comes to a court battle you can present the unopened (but dated/postmarked) letter as evidence that you were in possession of the work on at least the day the letter was mailed. There may be some question as to whether your furniture design is copyrightable though...not everything is. A lot depends on which country you live in. Some allow industrial designs to be copyrighted - some have alternative laws to cover that kind of thing. However, we aren't allowed to give legal advice here - so if it's a matter of defending your design, you'd be well advised to find a lawyer. SteveBaker 19:13, 13 August 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Airline carry-on luggage leniency

I'm taking an international plane trip for the first time in October on SriLankan Airlines, from London Heathrow, via Colombo, to Tokyo Narita. I'm wondering how much you can get away with concerning carry-on luggage constraints. SriLankan's website says that I am "allowed 1 hand luggage bag measuring no more than 18"x14"x6" (46x36x20 cm) and weighing no more than 7 kgs." [2]. I've got a ordinary laptop bag which measures approximately 37x37x20cm (not including the handle, which adds a couple centimetres), which is pushing it a little bit. Not having much experience in such matters, I'm not sure whether security will go easy on me. Can any seasoned travellers allay my fears?

And further complicating matters is the fact that it gives both 6" and 20cm as the maximum width. I'm hoping that 6" is meant to be 8". Thanks. Sum0 20:35, 13 August 2007 (UTC)

They tend to be based on your bag being small enough to fit in the overhead storage. The limit will almost definitely allow plenty of space to fit in the storage, so unless the airline is being a little fussy that day I doubt they'd say. The difference you mention would be difficult to spot by the naked eye so I doubt they would notice. The worst comes to the worst you'll maybe pay a small charge and have it stored in the 'hold' (or whatever the main storage area is called). ny156uk 23:33, 13 August 2007 (UTC)
(after e/c) My experience (from 3 decades of international flights, and 15 or more since 9/11) is that your average computer case is allowable as carry-on in terms of size. Weight is a different matter, and many airlines are now charging for it, so don't stuff your computer case with gold-bearing rocks. The amount charged varies by airline and, embarrrassing as this may be, by flight class. Not only can you officially take on board, both as checked and as carrry-on, more luggage in business class, and still more in first class, but the elasticity of the rules gets greater the higher the class. As you check in, there will be a piece of equipment that allows you to test if your carry-on luggage meets the standard. If you are worried, and you live near the airport, you can go out to check in advance. As for the handle, the airline staff generally try to be helpful, so, if it folds flat, that is the way it will be measured. Bielle 23:49, 13 August 2007 (UTC)
My experience is not the same as that described by ny156uk. The charges are not small. $CAN50.00 (about 25 GBP) per kilo was what I paid about 4 years ago from Toronto to Sint Maarten, in the Caribbean. And, while it is true that your computer case might end up in with the checked baggage, this is not a safe place for it, either in terms of the way in which it will be thrown about, or the way in which it will be exposed to any passing thief, especailly at the destination airport. I would not take that risk, especially if what is on your computer is important to your trip. Bielle 23:58, 13 August 2007 (UTC)
I'm sorry but... 15 or more since 9/11? It hasn't been 10 years even! 68.39.174.238 00:29, 14 August 2007 (UTC)
I am not sure what 10 years has to do with 15 or more international flights. I know business people who take such round trips, even trans-Atlantic, more than twice a month, which is (and math is not my strength) 2 (trips)x 2 (outbound and inbound) x12 (months) = 48 trips a year. I even know someone who, for almost a year, flew Toronto-New York (Canada-US) twice a week, which is around 200 flights a year. Perhaps you are thinking only of people taking holidays, and only once a year at that. Bielle 00:43, 14 August 2007 (UTC)

I note that the flight is from London Heathrow. I have read that since last summer's liquid-explosive scare, security at British airports has been particularly strict about carry-on baggage, and Heathrow was already relatively strict even before that (notably, people changing planes had to go through security; at US airports they would be assumed to be known not to be dangerous). Advice based on experience in other countries (or from before last summer) may not be applicable. --Anonymous, August 14, 2007, 03:22 (UTC).


Sum0, one thing you might consider is getting a smaller laptop bag. Unless you've got one of those 17-inch laptops I don't know why you need such a huge bag. My 15-inch laptop, together with AC adapter, extra battery, and wireless card, fits in a bag that then fits in a small backpack (along with some writing materials and maybe a paperback), and I've never had any trouble getting the whole mess on a plane. (However, the only international flights I've taken them on have been between the US and Canada). --Trovatore 03:30, 14 August 2007 (UTC)

I have never had trouble with carry-on size restrictions, even in the weeks afer 9/11. I live in Bermuda but go to college in the states so I travel a ton, and as long as the bag fits in the overhead bin no one will care what its dimentions are. Plasticup T/C 13:20, 14 August 2007 (UTC)

A lot depends upon the airline, and the class of travel. First & Business get a lot of latitude. But try to get on a British Airways flight if they are having a blitz. They have a wire frame into which the bag must fit. No fit, no carry-on. Can you observe at an airport what your airline allows?86.219.33.104 14:48, 14 August 2007 (UTC)DT

Thanks for all the replies! Ironically I do work in an airport, though not one that SriLankan flies from. I can't get to Heathrow to check before either. I may have a word with the security staff where I work, though I'm not entirely sure whether it will be applicable.
Weight isn't really a problem, just size. My laptop is a pretty small one so I might just end up getting a smaller bag. Sum0 15:48, 14 August 2007 (UTC)

[edit] not emailing me

what are the reasons someone who regularly emailed me would not email me for two days?

They could:
  • Lack an internet connection
  • not have access to a computer
  • Have an email server problem
  • Be busy
  • Not like you anymore
  • Have fallen ill/died
Among many other reasons. Rockpocket 22:20, 13 August 2007 (UTC)
You forgot "be trapped under something heavy". :) --Sean 00:01, 14 August 2007 (UTC)
They could just not have anything interesting to say. --Masamage ♫ 00:15, 14 August 2007 (UTC)
Spam filtering software may be falsely treating messages from this person as spam. --Anon, August 14, 00:20 (UTC).
Do you reply to them? Send them an Email and say something along the lines of "I haven't gotten anything from you recently, are you still sending?". 68.39.174.238 00:30, 14 August 2007 (UTC)
They may have forgotten their password and be unable to get on to their account, their mailbox may be full and thus unable to receive new messages, or they may have stopped using this account and forgot to tell you. Do you have any other way of contacting them to ask? The problem with the otherwise sensible technique above is that if the problem is something like this, simply emailing to this same account will have no effect as they won't get the email. --jjron 09:21, 14 August 2007 (UTC)
If you mean me, it's because my older motherboard BIOS doesn't recognize my big hard drive without a driver, and it accidentally hibernated and now it can't unhibernate without reading the hibernation file which it can't read without reading the driver which it can't read without unhibernating. Sorry. Gzuckier 17:17, 14 August 2007 (UTC)
That was my next suggestion. Rockpocket 17:29, 14 August 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Fraudulent Claim about Lost Airline baggage?

Given the current volumes of lost luggage when travelling by air - supposedly attributable to knock-on effects of increased airport/airline security procedures - what is to stop anyone allegedly "losing" a piece of luggage in transit and subsequently claiming the maximum amount payable from the "offending" airline? After all, nobody actually checks to ensure that each traveller and his/her luggage are re-united on arrival at their destination. As long as a piece of luggage was recorded onto the flight's computer system at check-in - even if empty - that would surely "prove" that the claim was authentic?

Umm, but if you made the claim surely they could go back and check I imagine? Right? Video footage and that? If then the chance of getting caught is still not great, what you are attempting is called insurance fraud, which can land you in jail, so, yeah, be my guest if you want to risk it for a couple of grand. Vespine 23:03, 13 August 2007 (UTC)
Umm - Vespine - I fear you are missing the point of my rhetorical question. I have no intention of defrauding anyone - but suspect there are many who would use any loophole to do so. My question is a genuine attempt to discover how airlines actually prevent such actions. Should I really have to spell that out in a wikipedia environment? Jeez.
No, but your bags are weighed at checkin, they pay you based on the weight of your bag. Lanfear's Bane
They scan the barcodes on all luggage labels when they load the bags in and out. So they can prove whether or not a bag has reached its destination. --Richardrj talk email 09:30, 14 August 2007 (UTC)
additionally, whenever I have checked in I have received barcoded receipts for my luggage. The production of these are surely essential to any lost baggage claim.Richard Avery 10:14, 14 August 2007 (UTC)
When baggage theft is high at a particular airport's baggage checkout, guards are posted and each person carying a bag away from the checkout is asked to show the matching baggage claim ticket. I have seen this at DCA, but not at IAD. Note that in your scenario you will actually need to take the bag away at the exit end. Otherwise, when you make the claim, they will simply findthe bag and give it to you. So, you or an accomplice would need to present the ticket as you take the bag, and again when you make your claim. If this becomes a big problem, then life gets harder for honest folks as we will all need to present our tickets as we leave with our bags: your Karma will eventually get you for this. -Arch dude 14:11, 14 August 2007 (UTC)
I think Richardrj and Vespine make good points. When most baggage is lost they know that is got misplaced somewhere (because of the barcodes) and few are lost after the final barcode scan. If you claim that you lost you baggage that would raise a few eyebrows (because they know it was on at the baggage pickup place). At that point they would look at the video tape to see who stole your luggage, (or to see if you are stealing from them). I think you can find better ways to steal. Jon513 16:45, 14 August 2007 (UTC)
I can now declare that I am either an escapee from a National Institution for the Mentally Deranged, or else, a Supreme Being who has landed on the Planet WikiSubNormal. Any normal being reading the above responses to a perfectly normal question must now consider suicide as a preferable alternative to life-continuance on this aberrational planet. Durrgggghhhh.
Sorry your stay wasn't more pleasant, but you did completely misunderstand my reply! I wasn't attempting to accuse you of planning to perpetrate such a crime, I was actually pointing out the flaw in your logic argument. For anyone attempting to plan such a crime the deterrent to committing insurance fraud is that more likely then plain "theft" it can end you up in jail. So it would be easier and less risky to actually go steal things. If you actually DID want to go the insurance fraud route then it is probably easier to find someone to burn down your insured house and you would get a LOT more money then for a lost bag at the airport... Talk about hackles, sheeesh.. Vespine 23:37, 14 August 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Formula One shoes

What shoes do Formula One drivers wear when they are competing? Acceptable 22:56, 13 August 2007 (UTC)

I imagine they're wearing Nomex racing shoes. They need protection from fire as well as good 'peddle feel'. --Mdwyer 23:58, 13 August 2007 (UTC)
What about the company that makes them? Is it a shoe that I, a non-formula One driver, can buy? Acceptable 00:11, 14 August 2007 (UTC)
Sure - Just google "Nomex racing shoe". First pair I saw was $59.00. Rmhermen 03:40, 14 August 2007 (UTC)
Hi-Heels ;P Perry-mankster 15:32, 15 August 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Formula One Engine Torque

I've read that modern Formula One engines produce low amounts of torque. If torque is primarily responsible for acceleration, why can the F1 cars accelerate so quickly with so little torque? As well, when one is reading the specs of a F1 engine, very rarely is the torque given, only the horsepower is. Why is that? Thanks. Acceptable 23:50, 13 August 2007 (UTC)

Torque is just a rotational force. Acceleration is force divided by mass. Formula one cars are very light. Force is limited by traction. Formula one cars have very sticky tyres and lots and lots of grip with amazing suspensions and aerodynamics that keeps those tyres planted firmly on the road. SteveBaker 03:42, 14 August 2007 (UTC)
At 18,000 rpm, you'd be surprised how quickly even a little torque adds up. Gzuckier 17:20, 14 August 2007 (UTC)

Do you know what the torque of a Formula One engine would be around? Acceptable 23:36, 14 August 2007 (UTC)

If you know hp at a given rpm, torque can be derived. Here is a one such calculator. Also, F1 cars have low torque compared to their horsepower. It doesn't mean they have little torque compared to, say, a normal old car. The article Formula_One_engines has torque and power values for some engines. Friday (talk) 23:46, 14 August 2007 (UTC)