Wikipedia:Reference desk archive/Miscellaneous/2006 August 14

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[edit] A type of chair

I got a chair that has 2 seats seperated by a table, it has a french name like tet atate?? where do I find the pronounceation?

Mening 'face to face' because the chairs face each other. Well, not really, but the variety I know doesn't have a table in between, so you're close enough to almost face each other. We don't have an article on tête-à-tête and actually bench is just a stub, so I added something about the tête-à-tête. I'm no expert, so correct me if I'm wrong. DirkvdM 07:31, 14 August 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Male Orgasm

Is it true that the more frequently a male has an orgasm, the less pleasurable the orgasm will become. On the contrary, is it true that the longer a male goes without an orgasm, the better an orgasm will feel?

From my experience...yes!

Same here. Actually, the sperm count even goes up or down depending on how long was the last time you had an orgasm. DirkvdM 07:35, 14 August 2006 (UTC)

um...i'm a lil' curious about this topic...how does the sperm count affect the orgasm...

Other way around—the orgasm affects the sperm count. Unfortunately I can't find out whether the count goes up or down after orgasm. Hyenaste (tell) 01:08, 16 August 2006 (UTC)
I'm sceptical about the sperm count thing. The volume of semen may be in proportion to the time since the last orgasm, but the sperm count is a measure of sperm per a given volume and sperm are being produced continuously. Our article makes one bald assertion about this, without a citation, and I'm far from convinced. JackofOz 02:42, 16 August 2006 (UTC)
I added that assertion and now you make me doubt. Sperm donors have to abstain for a few days before donating, and I assumed that was because of the sperm count, but it could also have been the total amount of spermatozoa (irrespective of the amount of 'cum' - what is the official word for that?). DirkvdM 18:10, 16 August 2006 (UTC)
Seminal fluid, I believe. Hyenaste (tell) 19:47, 16 August 2006 (UTC)
Probably for the general population. --Proficient 21:27, 17 August 2006 (UTC)

[edit] World Trade Center Movie

Ok, I just saw the WTC movie and during the credits it sates that Jimeno and McLoughlin were survivors 18 and 19 out of 20. Who was the 20th survivor and what is his or her's present status?

Hmmm... I wonder how they arrived at those specific numbers. --Proficient 21:27, 17 August 2006 (UTC)

[edit] edits

how many edits do i have now? how can i check for myself? and am i senior enough to be proposing policy changes yet?Courtney Akins 02:16, 14 August 2006 (UTC)

Here's your edit count. Anyone can propose policy; if the system is working seniority shouldn't be a big consideration, although in practice, it probably is. The best way to start is to create a sub-page of your userpage, i.e; Courtney Akins/Proposal1 and do the work there before presenting it. You might want to show a draft to a couple of trusted Wikipedians for critique.--Anchoress 02:21, 14 August 2006 (UTC)
See Special:Contributions/Courtney_Akins. This can be accessed by click the "my contributions" link that is at the top right of the window. (between preferences and log out). While you, as a Wikipedian, and discus and vioce an opinion on policy, I personally do not think you are ready yet for adminship. Give it a few months. Just have fun, don't worry about anything. User:Zscout370 (Return Fire) 02:23, 14 August 2006 (UTC) (edit conflict)

[edit] Maps from Nationalatlas.gov

Hi,

can someone tell me how this [1] was made? I canf find the parameters eg how to hide the information from states around. --Huebi 05:25, 14 August 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Clitoral Hood Piercing

Should you shave before you get the clit hood pierced? And should you keep it shaved during the healing process? Shaving seems both logical and illogical at the same time... ¡70.56.173.52 05:36, 14 August 2006 (UTC)!

Shaving before might be a good idea, but shaving after would probably cause more irritation than it would save. The hair isn't dense enough to be unhygenic, and I'd think that - apart from gentle cleansing and turning the stud - leaving it alone would be best. --Anchoress 05:53, 14 August 2006 (UTC)
Thanks. That seems like a good middle ground for what I was thinking. ¡70.56.173.52 06:18, 14 August 2006 (UTC)!

Please research this and ensure the person doing the procedure is highly qualified. Messing anywhere near the clitoris seems completely illogical to me. --mboverload@ 07:45, 14 August 2006 (UTC)

Why? Anchoress 20:46, 14 August 2006 (UTC)
One wonders if the previous respondent gets many second dates.  :-) --LarryMac 20:48, 14 August 2006 (UTC)
LOL, damn you Larry! =-D --mboverload@ 23:35, 14 August 2006 (UTC)
LOL I wondered something similar. Although maybe it would be fourth dates, rather than second. --Anchoress 23:36, 14 August 2006 (UTC)

Discrimination! If there is an article on this, then why isn't there one on the Palang? DirkvdM 07:31, 15 August 2006 (UTC)

No reason to shout as if you're being pierced. See Ampallang and Apadravya. --LambiamTalk 08:34, 15 August 2006 (UTC)
Yeah, and... Prince Albert piercing. Anchoress 09:23, 15 August 2006 (UTC)
Is that painful? --Proficient 21:28, 17 August 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Guitar

I have a Yamaha g360 accoustic, my father bought it in 1959, it is still the best accoustic i have ever played on, she is my baby, Alan is here name, can anyone tell me what she is worth,not tat she is for sale, but yamaha seem to have no records of her ever being made. ThanksAnton 10:16, 14 August 2006 (UTC)

Sounds like a lovely guitar (far better than my 20-year-old cheapo special!). I can't find any reference to a Yamaha G360 on Google at all, unfortunately. I found an FG-360 [2] that looks pretty well known. You might correspond with the fellow who set that site up and see if they have any further info on earlier guitars than the one they're discussing. Good luck! Tony Fox (arf!) 15:57, 14 August 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Alexander Graham Bell

I was once told that Bell (inventor of the telephone) said that his invention was so important that eventually all major cities would have one. This is a great quotation, but I need it verified before I can use it. Can anyone help?

There are some great quotes here [3] but I think this one is phoney. It's too close to the computer quotes. --Zeizmic 00:19, 15 August 2006 (UTC)
The version I remember has one Englishman saying "it may catch on in America but here we have plenty of messenger boys" and another replying "on the contrary, I can imagine a day when every village will have one." —Tamfang 06:19, 16 August 2006 (UTC)
On a side note, they say it is not obvious that Bell is the one to be regarded as the inventor of the phone. —Bromskloss 20:29, 21 August 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Cruise control on the 1998 ford windstar

Where is the module for the cruise control located on the 1998 ford windstar

I'm pretty sure that this information's in your owners manual.Deltacom1515 00:16, 22 August 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Gangster Chronicles TV Series

I used to watch this series in 1981 at 11pm on a Monday night back in 1981, I have tried to get these tapes but they have been a condensed version with other actors in them. I am looking for help on how to get these tapes, it ran for quite some time so there would be a few tapes here.

Here's the IMDB info for anyone interested: [4]. I found these videos at Amazon.com [5], but they're out right now. You might consider eBay as another option to keep an eye out on, as well. There's another show called "The Gangster Chronicles" that has some DVDs out that doesn't look to be the same show, so be cautious. Tony Fox (arf!) 16:03, 14 August 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Physics of a bullet

If I shoot a bullet to the air, the physics of it say that it will come back down at the same speed that it was shot at first. This is assuming of course that the initial conditions at the time of the shot havent been altered, like wind, for example.

Assuming that the above is true, my question is if its rational to think that if I shoot a bullet to the air it will not fall back at the same speed it was shot because the initial conditions are changing constantly? If the answer is no...is it that Im overrating the effect of the initial conditions?

Wind resistance will limit the speed with which the bullet will fall. See terminal velocity. Note that this applies whether there is "wind" or not. In fact, it would be better to say "air resistance". I suppose if you were to run the experiment in a total vacuum, then the bullet would either return at the same speed it left, or achieve escape velocity and not return at all. But I am not a physicist. –RHolton≡– 14:31, 14 August 2006 (UTC)
also -- the initial conditions don't "change constantly". That's the whole point of initial conditions. --jpgordon∇∆∇∆ 14:46, 14 August 2006 (UTC)

Small bullets will start to tumble, and come down relatively slowly. Larger bullets can maintain their stabilizing rotation and come down very fast, and kill people. The whole idea of bird shot is that the little pellets slow down significantly before they hit ground. (Anyway this should be in Science.) --Zeizmic 16:31, 14 August 2006 (UTC)

What is this obsession with shooting bullets into the air? Someone obsessed with gulls is one thing. Many questions about orgasms I can understand. But people regularly asking about shooting bullets into the air makes me rather suspicious. Especially when it's about shooting inside a car. That can't be purely academic, can it? DirkvdM 07:36, 15 August 2006 (UTC)

I think they are all disgruntled poets. CambridgeBayWeather (Talk) 10:42, 15 August 2006 (UTC)
It has been a while since my last physics class, but I don't think physics says that the bullet will come down at the same speed. At least assuming we are in a gravity well and we are shooting against the force of that well. The initial force is more powerful than the gravity for a period and the bullet slows to a stop as the energy dissipates. The gravity then pulls the bullet back down at a constant rate until it reaches its terminal velocity. The terminal velocity has nothing to do with the bullet's initial velocity. In one the gunpowder provides the energy in the other gravity provides the energy. Nowimnthing 20:56, 16 August 2006 (UTC)
For the pedantic among us, the reality is a bit more subtle. At the moment the bullet leaves the barrel, the bullet begins to decellerate. Some portion of its kinetic energy is transferred to potential energy (it is higher in the gravity well), while the remainder is transferred to heating itself and the surrounding air. This process continues until the bullet's kinetic energy is completely transferred at it's apogee (this may be a mis-application of the term apogee, but it is close). Then the bullet begins to fall, transferring potential energy into kinetic energy (in the opposite direction) and heating itself and the surrounding air. Assuming the apogee altitude is high enough (i.e. the bullet went high enough), the bullet will eventually reach a terminal velocity, and will fall no faster until it hits the ground. The terminal velocity an object reaches is a function of several variables, air pressure being one of them. At very high altitudes, the air pressure is very low. Therefore, as the bullet falls its terminal velocity decreases. So the speed of the bullet as it falls rapidly increases to a terminal velocity, then slowly decreases as the terminal velocity is reduced. RussellKent 22:42, 16 August 2006 (UTC)

[edit] T.E.A.M.

For which words does this abbreviation stand in englisch? Dr. Jan Kruse

Two possible meanings for that acronym are "Together Everyone Achieves More" and "Teach Everyone About Motivation." Both of which make me want to vomit. I don't think "T.E.A.M." is in common use such that there is a definitive answer. It might help if you provided some additional context, such as where you saw the acronym used. --LarryMac 15:12, 14 August 2006 (UTC)
A few more possibilities are supplied by Acronym Finder. -- AJR | Talk 15:38, 14 August 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Who would be richest?

If Sam Walton had never died, and Bill Gates had never given money to charity, which would be richer? Just idly curious, thanks.

According to the Sam Walton article (sigh; it's always worth reading them - they often answer your question...) If alive today, Sam Walton would be the world's wealthiest person, twice as rich as Bill Gates. --Tagishsimon (talk)
According to the article Principle of explosion, and given that old Sam is dead, if Sam Walton was alive today, I would be the world's wealthiest person! --LambiamTalk 02:13, 15 August 2006 (UTC)

If Sam Walton was alive, then he wouldn't have permitted Walmart to get rich off Chinese slave labor, at the price of American jobs, and so he would have to be content with less than $100 billion. StuRat 02:23, 15 August 2006 (UTC)

There can be many other factors that will effect the hypothetical richest person. --Proficient 21:30, 17 August 2006 (UTC)

[edit] My surname is Bencko.

let me know if you ahve any more questions about my surname . i know the history behind is. its pretty weird :)

If you know the history behind it, then what are you asking? Mike H. I did "That's hot" first! 17:32, 14 August 2006 (UTC)
Maybe (s)he is asking if we have any more questions about his surname. As far as I know, we didn't ask any questions in the first place. --LambiamTalk 18:05, 14 August 2006 (UTC)
Indeed. This is where YOU ask US about your surname. If you have some information you want to contribute, create a page about the surname Bencko and watch what happens. JackofOz 20:17, 14 August 2006 (UTC)
Is that a threat? --LambiamTalk 08:29, 15 August 2006 (UTC)
Gentlemen never threaten. Like the earth, a gentleman ".. does not argue, Is not pathetic, has no arrangements, Does not scream, haste, persuade, threaten, promise, Makes no discriminations, has no conceivable failures, Closes nothing, refuses nothing, shuts none out" (Walt Whitman). JackofOz 20:44, 15 August 2006 (UTC)
OK, I give in. Tell us the story of your surname. —Daniel (‽) 20:50, 14 August 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Top Hats

I have a top hat made by Huthaus Heissen in Bocholt in Germany. It has a refernce number ruf468. It is as new condition in its box, appears to be made from Beaver skin and silk.

Any ideas about value ?

Mike

It was worth a lot to the beaver... --Zeizmic 22:53, 14 August 2006 (UTC)
Can't complain; beaver felt hats helped drive my country's existence. The beaver probably doesn't mind someone else using it now...
Mike: I can't find any reference to the actual maker at all, but the value of the hat would depend on the actual age. There are some here for new hats that run for upwards of $200; I've got someone selling one over here for a whole bleedin' lot, and there's this gent who's got a Chicago-made hat for sale that might be a good resource for you to work with. Another one on eBay that went for $130, but doesn't have much detail as to when it was made or anything. That should give you a start, anyhow. Good luck! Tony Fox (arf!) 02:39, 15 August 2006 (UTC)

[edit] pounds to dollars

About how much is £500 in American dollars? KeeganB 1:11 pm

$947.2. Google is your friend for this sort of enquiry. --Tagishsimon (talk)

(comment deleted) KeeganB 3:39 pm

He's not being a smartass; he's letting you – and anyone else who reads the question – know how he got his answer (why should you believe some random person on the 'net?) so that you and others will be able to find this stuff out in the future. TenOfAllTrades(talk) 20:41, 14 August 2006 (UTC)

I'm sorry. I reacted too quickly. I've deleted the offending remark.KeeganB

Tension. o_o --Proficient

[edit] The New York Pass

Hello -

Found this sightseeing product on-line, and wonder if anyone can offer feedback on it. Seems too good to be true, which generally means it is. If you have used it, I would like to know if it really worked. Thanks!!! -- Greg W - Lubbock, TX

From scanning the Google hits on that, it would appear to be very effective, and I see one page [6] that indicates Madame Tussaud's accepts it, which would indicate legitimacy to me. (Never been to NYC, though, so that's just from a quick poke around.) Tony Fox (arf!) 20:52, 14 August 2006 (UTC)
Yup. I live in NYC and it's legit (though I've never gotten one myself. Silly tourists),--Pyroclastic 17:47, 15 August 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Can someone identify this song for me?

The song name, both in its filename and the track name that shows up in Winamp, is 'Neapolitan'. It has no attached artist or album name, and a Google search for 'neapolitan' was totally useless. Wikipedia appears to have no article about the song, so it's either non-notable or was mislabelled.

I'm not very good at describing music, but most of the lyrics are sung clearly and the singer is clearly male. There's not a lot of accompanying music, but it picks up in the chorus.

A portion of the lyrics are as follows:

When the waitress walked by
She must have caught his eye
And at that moment, he was mine
A little sleight of hand, and I had poisoned his bowl of Neapolitan
What else can I say man [chuckle]
Enjoy your ice cream

Murder is such an ugly word
[But/I'll] use another if you so prefer
Me, I like to call it art
Art is its own reward
Just ask buttwad
Years of livin' in the shadow of the bat
But we'll come back to that
Right now let's roll this little [memo/pebble] out to the big boss
Next time you think I'm goin' soft
Send some punk to knock me off
Here's a reminder, you fuckin' hind-grinder
With a cherry on top

Is this enough? I'd rather not transcribe everything now (particularly the apparently-nonsensical chorus), but I will if I need to.

CameoAppearance 07:25, 26 August 2006 (UTC)