Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Miscellaneous/2007 February 2

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[edit] February 2

[edit] Vocal Vibrato Lessons

What is a good website with online free vocal vibrato lessons? Thx. Jamesino 02:33, 2 February 2007 (UTC)

This Google search yields a plethora of sites that are right on the money. Most of them are promotional, so they'll give you some free "tips" before inviting you to send them money for the full Monty. All in all, I'd say that most of the sites have fairly good tips. V-Man737 03:52, 2 February 2007 (UTC)

[edit] ZORK- V.1

How do I create an account on zork? Яussiaп F 02:55, 2 February 2007 (UTC)

If you mean the first version of Zork, you wouldn't create an account the way you would with an MMORPG; rather, you can simply type "save" and it will save your status on the computer. To access your save point, type "reload." V-Man737 04:00, 2 February 2007 (UTC)

So you can only save one file a time? Would you be able to copy old save files into other folders if you wouldn't want them to be overwritten? 惑乱分からん 11:16, 2 February 2007 (UTC)

Although the game was designed to have only one save file at a time,^{[citation needed]} I'm sure a person could manipulate computer files around to allow for different save files. V-Man737 11:19, 2 February 2007 (UTC)

[edit] alternative words for ocean

i am looking for alternative words for ocean or other languages words for ocean

If you go to the ocean article, and have a look down the left hand side of the page, there will be links to non-English language versions of the ocean article. So you can have a look at those to see what oceans are called in other languages. - Akamad 03:44, 2 February 2007 (UTC)

Thesaurus entry for ocean --Tagishsimon (talk)

[edit] How do I delete a note of a change I have made to a page?

I want to clear a note in a page's edit history of a change I made before I created an account on Wikipedia. I want to do this to conceal my IP address. So can I do it? If so, how? Yoshiroshin 04:37, 2 February 2007 (UTC)

AFAIK, no, can't be done. (Well, okay it could probably be done by a developer, but I think you'd have an uphill battle trying to convince one of the need, and I doubt there's a standard procedure for doing it.) --Tagishsimon (talk)

An administrator could clear an edit history, but only in certain circumstances (like slander or information that could put an editor at risk). If you have a genuine concern that it could put you at risk, you should speak to an admin about it. Rockpocket 06:42, 2 February 2007 (UTC)

I'm not sure that'll clear the IP addy, just the comment. --Tagishsimon (talk)

It would remove the edit and the record of the editor/IP making the comment. How it works is the whole article gets deleted then only selected versions get re-instated. If the selected comment doesn't get reinstated its record - and that if the contributor - remains invisible to everyone except other admins. Rockpocket 06:56, 2 February 2007 (UTC)

If you don't say what edit it is, no will know the IP belongs to you. Concealing it for fears other than it being linked to you are useless, because anyone with bad intentions will know the IP exists already whether it is displayed or not. - Mgm|^(talk) 10:48, 2 February 2007 (UTC)

Of course the best way to conceal your IP address in the future is to create a proper user account. Once you do that, only admins can find out what your real IP address is. SteveBaker 22:27, 4 February 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Webpage Font

Is there any way I can alter the font you are using on your website pages. I find it very tiring. I am 83 years old and I prefer a more conventional font like times new roman. Thanks.

Yes, there is. Your browser should have an option that allows you to over-rule the Wikipedia default font. On Mozilla Firefox, you should choose Tools > Options > Content > Advanced. Then de-select the tickbox that says "Allow pages to choose their own fonts, instead of my selections above". Then simply change the the fonts in the section above to one of your choosing. When you click "OK" Wikipedia should reload using the font of your choosing. I'm sure there is a similar function in Internet Explorer, though I don't know for sure how to access it. Rockpocket 07:26, 2 February 2007 (UTC)

Further, from Internet Explorer help: If you want to have the fonts and colors you specify in Internet Explorer to be used for all websites, regardless of the fonts that have been set by the website designer, follow these steps:

In Internet Explorer, click the Tools button, and then click Internet Options.
On the General tab, click Accessibility.
Select the Ignore colors specified on webpages, Ignore font styles specified on webpages, and Ignore font sizes specified on webpages check boxes, and then click OK twice.
Then go back to the General tab, click Fonts, and select the Fonts you wish to use.

Rockpocket 07:33, 2 February 2007 (UTC)

Quick trick: If your mouse has a wheel, you can instantly increase the font size in IE (but not the font) by holding down the ctrl key and rolling the mouse wheel one click backwards.--Shantavira 09:32, 2 February 2007 (UTC)

I remember seeing a bug on IE where the user cannot change the font size if it is defined in px in CSS. Not sure about IE7 though... --antilived^{T | C | G} 23:41, 7 February 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Cinq vins pour moi

On a TV commercial tonight, I heard again a song I sort of like, in French, that I've never been able to figure out the lyrics to. To me it sounds something like

Cinq vins pour moi

Cinq vins pour moi moi moi moi moi

Cinq vins pour moi

and continues in the same vein. Google turns up nothing. Does anyone know what song this might be? --Trovatore 07:48, 2 February 2007 (UTC)

Oh! That famous song! It is French, and it means "Five Wines For Me." It goes like this:

Five Wines For Me

Five Wines For Me Me Me Me Me

Five Wines For Me

I think it's a drinking song, though I can't remember how I figure... V-Man737 08:20, 2 February 2007 (UTC)

I'm fairly certain it would be "Ça plane pour moi" by Plastic Bertrand--or perhaps a parody of that song Melburnian 08:37, 2 February 2007 (UTC)

Plastic Bertrand... Nice! 惑乱分からん 11:21, 2 February 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Gingivitus help.

Okay, I got braces two years ago (note: non-vandalizing 15-year-old Wikipedian). I've brushed my teeth, flossed, and gargled. Yet, today, I had a sensitive tooth, and upon further examination, I had Stage 1 Gingivitis. I have chronic halitosis and I often have to scrape plaque off my teeth, even after brushing for two minutes, yet I have gingivitis. How? The velociraptor 08:08, 2 February 2007 (UTC)

Do you still have braces, or are they off now? You should call or visit your dentist. If you hadn't said that bit about brushing for two minutes and flossing and gargling (sardines?), I would have told you to do all that. There could be a different problem that you aren't aware of yet. It occurs to me that if you are able to scrape dental plaque (and you're sure it's not algebra) off your teeth immediately after brushing, you may be brushing your teeth incorrectly. V-Man737 08:29, 2 February 2007 (UTC)

Chronic halitosis is often a sign of tooth decay. See your dentist! When you do, ask her/him about your trouble with plaque - s/he may suggest an electric toothbrush. My dentist told me that brushing with even a very cheap electric toothbrush (the kind that costs $9.99 at Zellers) generally gets teeth cleaner than brushing with a regular brush. Edited because my grammar is horrible today. --Charlene 12:54, 2 February 2007 (UTC)

[edit] European Union

Hello,

I would like to know:

Based on what agreement are specified the actual rules of the European Union? —Preceding unsigned comment added by Akrepja (talk • contribs)

Nothing in the EU is simple ! The constitutional rules of the European Union are defined in a complex set of interlocking and overlapping treaties - see Treaties of the European Union. An attempt to replace these with a single, simpler and more streamlined European Constitution received a major set-back when referenda in France and the Netherlands in 2005 failed to approve the draft constitution - see our article Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe. Gandalf61 10:20, 2 February 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Citizens of honour of Trier

Hello, I have been trying to find a list of the citizens of honour of Trier,in Germany but didn't suceed. Can anyone help me

Trier, Germany#Miscellaneous says "Trier is also the birthplace of the influential philosopher and revolutionary Karl Marx," among other things. V-Man737 09:54, 2 February 2007 (UTC)

Or do you perhaps mean "people who have been made honorary citizens of Trier"? In that case, you'll find a list here (the descriptions are in German, but you can look up the names if necessary). — QuantumEleven 10:49, 2 February 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Sport quotes

Who made the confused statement: ‘Brazil aren’t as good as they used to be, or as they are now’?217.35.119.229 09:39, 2 February 2007 (UTC)

Sounds like one of Private Eye magazine's Colemanballs, although it's not listed in the article. Could have been one of any number of (probably British) football commentators. --Richardrj ^talk ^email 10:43, 2 February 2007 (UTC)

Heh. What a silly thing to say. The Brazil team is just as good as they are now. V-Man737 11:28, 2 February 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Strange problem.

I think I am strange and normal human laws dont apply to me.Sometimes I think I am a scientist but the next minute I think I am a fool.I am wasting a lot of my precious time because of my strange thinking.My problem is actually that I am very hypocritical.I think Icant change my habit.I think I dont deserve to study.I even lost a preciousopportunity to get into an IIT due to this habit.I wanted to take animation after this disaster but I didn't want to waste my assumed scientific brain.I am actually a fantasy type and never look into reality.But I can say with surity that I am very creative.Iwant forgive myself and start thinking like a normal person.My problem may seem a joke to others but for me it will always be a problem.Please help me.Shittingstar 10:30, 14 February 2007 (UTC)shittingstar

You sound like me, four years ago. ^_^ Could you put your concern into the form of a question that we could probably answer? V-Man737 10:34, 2 February 2007 (UTC)

Only those who acknowledge how very little they know become truly creative scientists.--Shantavira 12:22, 2 February 2007 (UTC)

Certainly agree with that. For instance I know sweet FA! (or so it seems)

--Light current 14:48, 2 February 2007 (UTC)

Used to happen to me a lot, now not as much as before. When I was trying to learn something from an unintelligible book I thought I was an idiot, when I played trivial with fools and "owned" them I felt like a genius. Maybe that's your case :D --Taraborn 12:37, 2 February 2007 (UTC)

I'd love to help but you'll need to go into more detail about what sort of 'strange thoughts' you're having. Don't be shy. :) Vranak

I feel the same way most of the time too:( Could it be some sort of mood swings:( And my strange thoughts are stranger:]Hidden secret 7 20:31, 3 February 2007 (UTC)

Is nobody gettting that this man sounds kinda screwed up and needs some serious help? Like psych help?

I would strongly remind everyone that we are not allowed to dispense medical advice here. SteveBaker 06:08, 6 February 2007 (UTC)

What is to "strongly remind"? A.Z. 13:40, 11 February 2007 (UTC)

[edit] hola

what is it that 45 percent of brazillians claim to. i have bin told if i carefully google it al solve it in exactly two days... that was 6 days ago so help anyone

Probably cell phones. Pretty much half the population owns one by now. — Kieff | Talk 15:45, 2 February 2007 (UTC)

Also, I found a few references to 45%. 45% of Brazilians are of African ancestry. Something about 45% of their energy is from renewable resources. --Justanother 16:02, 2 February 2007 (UTC)

I heard 40-50% of Brazilian couples regularly participate in anal sex. That might be it, or it just might be how my brain is tuned... =S 惑乱分からん 16:23, 2 February 2007 (UTC)

I like this "statistic" from that article:

"For example, in ancient Peruvian cultures, at least half of all married couples indulged in anal intercourse in their lovemaking experiences."

The writers were lucky - it is really hard to find survey data from ancient civilizations (removes tongue from cheek). --Justanother 16:29, 2 February 2007 (UTC)

Well, they did have recording devices in ancient Peru... ---Sluzzelin 17:30, 2 February 2007 (UTC)

I hold my tongue. --Justanother 17:36, 2 February 2007 (UTC)

It's not your tongue I'm worried about, it's the cheek. V-Man737 20:46, 2 February 2007 (UTC)

I believe the "statistical data" is a bunch of old pots... Second, I notice the AskMen article I linked fails to cite a source for their Brazilian survey... 惑乱分からん 18:50, 2 February 2007 (UTC)

Oh, I wouldn't doubt it. I live in Brazil and I can confirm that most Brazilians are obsessed with anal sex and asses. I honestly can't see why all the noise about it. By the way, the "hola" in the section header is probably a mistake by the OP, since here in Brazil we speak Portuguese, not Spanish... — Kieff | Talk 21:29, 2 February 2007 (UTC)

And how do brazzies greet each other, then? For instance when they try to pick up some babe with a hot ass? (Btw, what is that in portuguese?) 惑乱分からん 22:05, 2 February 2007 (UTC)

(I see 惑乱分からん is also concerned with cheek.) ;-) V-Man737 02:35, 3 February 2007 (UTC)

Hmmm, I start to realize the difference between "tongue in cheek" and "tongue between cheeks"... =S 惑乱分からん 08:40, 3 February 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Uk Tax Question

I understand self-employed people can write-off specific purchases as tax-deductable/not pay VAT on them. I know that if you have a formal dress-code at work you can approach your employer about claiming tax back for the outfits you have to buy. Can you contact the Inland Revenue/tax authority directly and claim VAT back on items you purchase specifically for work? ny156uk 19:09, 2 February 2007 (UTC)

You can only claim VAT back if you are VAT registered, so I think the short answer to your last question is No. You may be able to reduce your income tax liability (or not, I don't know). VAT != income tax. --Tagishsimon (talk)

VAT is not Income Tax. As Tagishsimon says, you can only reclaim VAT paid if you yourself are registered for VAT. Self-employed people can claim income tax allowances for equipment, particular clothes (safety equipment, for example), brought in pursuance of their work, but ordinary employees can not. Contact HM Revenue and Customs directly for information, as none of us are tax experts. -- Arwel (talk) 01:31, 3 February 2007 (UTC)

[edit] dsl

Which is the cheapest dsl service that you can get in Sanford, Florida? (NOT BELLSOUTH, THEY RAISED THE PRICE! THEY SUCK!)—Preceding unsigned comment added by 74.230.100.86 (talk • contribs)

Your best bet is to look in your yellow pages and comparison-shop by phone. You might also compare cable access through your local cable provider. Marco polo 02:09, 3 February 2007 (UTC)

[edit] James Bond Ultimate Edition DVD cases

Which brand of double-disc slim DVD cases was used for the James Bond Ultimate Edition box sets? I need to get replacements for two of them (not due to wear and tear but the fact that two of the movies were stored in really cheapo cases with brittle plastic). Tony Myers 23:38, 2 February 2007 (UTC)