Wikipedia:Reference desk archive/Miscellaneous/2006 August 30

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[edit] drought??

I haven't seen any changes in prices of cotton products or other agricultural products. Was there even a drought?? what gives. hey bush, I need some cash too, I was hit hard financially when my parents kicked my lazy ass otu the back door .

http://www.dfw.com/mld/startelegram/news/state/15391565.htm

I don't know, but a hailstorm ruined this year's basil crop! [1] Adam Bishop 15:05, 30 August 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Straight line

Who made the first straight line? And how did they make it?--Coasttocoast 01:17, 30 August 2006 (UTC)

do you honestly expect a straight answer for this question? This is worse than light current's question what people call cars in the US. Jasbutal 01:33, 30 August 2006 (UTC)
Hey, do you mind! That was a serious question of mine. And it brought some very intelligent and informative answers!--Light current 02:05, 30 August 2006 (UTC)
To provide a sensible answer to this, I would say that someone got a piece of string and fixed it at one point, then stretched it taut. That woud be straight. No kidding!--Light current 02:09, 30 August 2006 (UTC)
I believe it was the members of Jefferson Airplane. Pesapluvo
With a razor blade I think.  ;-) --hydnjo talk 19:01, 30 August 2006 (UTC)
Our article on straightedges may be useful - although it doesn't say who developed the techniques. Warofdreams talk 02:45, 30 August 2006 (UTC)
The oldest surviving man-made straight lines are probably irrigation ditches extending to the nearest river. While filled in with sediment long ago, the trenches can still be found, with a bit of excavation. StuRat 03:33, 30 August 2006 (UTC)
Yeah but how did they make em straight?--Light current 03:42, 30 August 2006 (UTC)
Light travels in a straight line, so it is quite handy to use for this purpose. I mean you can see when something is straight and when it's not. I think to get a better answer you need to ask a clearer question. For example, do you mean how did the Romans build straight roads?--Shantavira 07:15, 30 August 2006 (UTC)
  • Egyptians had straight stones and pyramid edges before the Roman Empire started. - Mgm|(talk) 07:39, 30 August 2006 (UTC)
Do you mean "who drew the first straight line and what tool did they use for it"? Drawing probably predates rock paintings by a fair bit (in sand or such) and drawing a straight line without a ruler isn't that difficult. What do you mean by a straight line? No line is ever perfectly straight (except for light maybe unless you look at it at a quantum scale). But this reminds me of questions I used to ask myself like "how do you make a straight ruler if you don't yet have anything that is straight?". I suppose that's a matter of getting ever closer to perfection.
As to how to make a straight ditch - put two people at the two ends, let someone with poles move from one to the other, getting directions from the others how to keep in line with them. Or just use a long rope between the two points, pull it taut and go 'dzingggg', leaving a mark on the ground. DirkvdM 07:43, 30 August 2006 (UTC)
They do say that the first straight line, the first wheel, the first shoe, the first board game, and the first alloy, were all invented by a guy called Ug. We really should have an article about him.--Shantavira 08:51, 30 August 2006 (UTC)

Note that the first VERTICAL straight line might well have been created using a plumb-bob. StuRat 10:43, 30 August 2006 (UTC)

So it wasnt Ug after all in that case, it was Bob?--Light current 11:50, 30 August 2006 (UTC)
No, actually, it was Ug. He drew a line across the floor to separate his side of the cave with Bob's.  freshofftheufoΓΛĿЌ  16:26, 30 August 2006 (UTC)

How do you actually know all this. Have you been back in time in your UFO?--Light current 18:24, 30 August 2006 (UTC)

If we couldn't identify it, how could we fly it? Ha! DirkvdM 07:32, 31 August 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Japanese Curry Secrets

Does anyone know any secrets (cooking process, ingredient) to making a Japanese curry from scratch (without boxed roux)?

  • Googling this gives plenty of hits, like this one, which also links you to a recipe for the curry roux. --LambiamTalk 02:48, 30 August 2006 (UTC)
It's not indicated in that recipe, but I find that a lot of the sweeter/not-so-spicy curry here (including school lunches and most omuretto rice stores) includes crushed pineapple.  freshofftheufoΓΛĿЌ  16:24, 30 August 2006 (UTC)
Most curries include ingredients which are relatively difficult to use. Professionals usually blend the spice mix by taste, as age and water content differences cause batches to come out wildy dissimmilar when mixed by volume. Find a roux mix you like and order it online. Or you can purchase a concentrated indian curry paste and adapt it to japanese style by using pineapple juice, honey, starch and a little soy sauce. --Darkfred Talk to me 16:43, 30 August 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Publish Poor Customer Service

Under the Wikipedia Customer Service article there's a website here which seems to be the only one I can find where I ( as a consumer of all my daily worldly goods and services ) can rate / complain / publish poor customer service perceptions and evidence that I come across. I am irritated with Toshiba for what I perceive at their poor after sales customer service for the laptop PC that I bought, but after looking in Wikipedia and a lot of Googleing (is that the word?) I cannot find what I hoped should already be out there. The rate-them.org site seems to be only for local services (restaurants, dry-cleaners, etc...) in the USA. I am looking for a global site that references global brand names. Companies such as Toshiba, and for that matter, Ford, HSBC, Carrefour, Dell etc.., these guys sell themselves all over the world on their global brand image for their products. There's nothing localised about it, so I hoped that there should be a website where I can post what I want to post so as to get the anger out of me. Of course, I could complain directly to the big company Toshiba, but such a website as I am looking for would make more of a change in the right direction than me receiving a stock letter reply from some overworked and underpaid Toshiba customer services employee.

Where are these websites that I seek, and how to find them ?

I understand that, if there are none of these out there, the reason may be cited of "legal reasons" (i.e. fears of litigation by the big companies against "trouble makers letterbox" websites). But blogs don't seem to suffer from such litigation problems (at least not as yet). And bittorrent websites, which are of dubious legality in many jurisdictions, seem to exist without to much fear of such litigation - be they hosted in western-world-litigation-non-friendly countries such as Romania or Russia. Such websites could also be structured in their data entry forms to force evidence as to the alleged complaints, so as to prevent spam and frivilous postings.

The point being is that there are no death-knell reasons that I can see why such websites as I seek do not exist ?

Any help out there please ? Someone savvy take on this project if there isn't anything in existance, and I will gladly donate a bit of cash to help get the ball rolling.

Thanks to all who ponder this posting. I feel better already..... Anon.

Hmm, I wonder if a Wiki project could be used, say "WikiConsumer" ? Logging individual complaints would be easy, but gathering statistics (like average customer rating) in a reliable way (so it can't be falsified by the company) would be trickier. Perhaps a format more like RateMyTeachers.com would be in order. StuRat 10:39, 30 August 2006 (UTC)

What I've done is find a blog dedicated to the product that scores high with Google, and then I've put in an anonymous comment. For example, iRobot Scooba only comes with a very stinky cleaning solution. I found a very good substitute. --Zeizmic 15:36, 30 August 2006 (UTC)

[edit] erp

i want to learn ERp suggest me ..in chennai. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 221.134.108.21 (talk • contribs)

OK. Which particular ERP or Erp did you have in mind?--Shantavira 08:23, 30 August 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Is it possible?

Which countries accepting asylum, if we apply from another country? I mean, without entering that territory can i file an asylum in any country?

You'll need to contact an embassy or consulate of the country to which you wish to apply for asylum. They should have procedures in place for such a request. --Canley 07:13, 30 August 2006 (UTC)

Mr.Canley... Are you sure that they will take me as refugee if i go an Australian Embassy in my country?

  • No, Canley can't be sure because he doesn't know which country you are from and on the basis of what reason you're trying to get asylum. - Mgm|(talk) 07:36, 30 August 2006 (UTC)

Mr.MacGyverMagic.. I born in India and I live here..But Nowadays here its a bad situation for me to live here. thats why i want to go any country that i can live safely..and i have only 24 year old.

You will need to convince the Australian government that you are persecuted for political opinions or religious beliefs in your country. Is your case documented? Australia may not be as bad as Japan, but it is not known for receiving refugees with open arms. Also, if you are presently not in the country where you are persecuted, most countries that honour the right of asylum require that you first apply in other countries that you have visited since leaving your own country. In any case, the consulate or embassy should be able to tell you what the rules are. I'd try the consulate first.--LambiamTalk 07:48, 30 August 2006 (UTC)

This sounds like a very serious inquiry. I suggest consulting an attorney if you can: if not, then contact the consulate for Australia or whatever other country you seek: embassies deal with government relations, consulates handle individual matters. If you're free to post the details on Wikipedia you might get more specific advice, but that might not be safe (depending on your situation) and it looks like you need expert advice. Durova 16:26, 30 August 2006 (UTC)

I have no idea whether the Australian government would admit you as a refugee, I was merely letting you know that the Australian High Commission in New Delhi (http://www.ausgovindia.com/) will have procedures in place for you to apply for a humanitarian visa. For more information on Australia's Refugee and Humanitarian program, see http://www.immi.gov.au/refugee/index.htm --Canley 06:26, 31 August 2006 (UTC)


Kappa Alpha Psi, was originally founded as Kappa Alpha Nu, and changed by resoultion at the 4th Grand Chapter meeting do to a Racial Slur. there nare many interpretations to what it REALLY means -eternal scroller St. John's University 1983


Am Trying To Find Out About A Particular Organization. I Am Trying To Find Out About An Organization Named Phi Nu Pi. I Also Would Like To Know Its Relationship To Another Organization Named Kappa Alpha Psi And Whether Or Not Phi Nu Pi Still Exist To This Day. If You Could Help Me Or Tell Me Where I Can Find More Information About This Organization Please Let Me Know. Thank You!
Doesn't Capitalising The First Letter Of Every Word Make For Very Slow Typing? DirkvdM 07:52, 30 August 2006 (UTC)
I founD severaL referenceS linkingG kappA alphA psI tO phI nU pI, buT nonE particularlY cleaR. onE pagE listS thE founderS oF kappA alphA psI undeR thE headinG: "thE founderS oF phI nU pI": [2]. --LambiamTalk 08:24, 30 August 2006 (UTC)
I HopE ThaT HelpS YoU. (NoW ThiS IS GettinG RatheR SillY...) Peter O. (Talk) 17:40, 30 August 2006 (UTC)
Maybe he/she is German and worked on the mistaken assumption that every word in the question was a noun. (Well, it's possible, what with modern-day teaching standards ...) JackofOz 07:42, 31 August 2006 (UTC)
Phi Nu Pi - that's what Kappa Alpha Psi founders were called until somewhere down in the kappas changed their name

[edit] Photos of Norwegian rural furniture

Maybe the Nordenfjelske Museum in Bergen would be the place ?Bold text

Do you mean Trondheim? It is probably the place, but for what? --LambiamTalk 08:36, 30 August 2006 (UTC)
A Google image search gives some relevant hits: [3]. --N·Blue talk 19:26, 30 August 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Dial M for Murder

Does Skype support DTMF? It seems like Bank of America does not respond to my beeps. -- Toytoy 11:12, 30 August 2006 (UTC)

If I were a bank, and I operated one of those voice-mail-hell, get your account balance thingies, I would never, ever, allow Voip connections. --Zeizmic 15:33, 30 August 2006 (UTC)

[edit] River Willow

I have been told by a Native American that river willow can be used to make peace pipe stems. I cannot seem to find a picture of river willow or a location. Can you tell me where it can be found growing in New York State, or even a place where it can be purchased? Thank you. 24.39.110.27 12:31, 30 August 2006 (UTC)

Perhaps your acquaintance means Salix eriocephala michx, the Missouri River Willow. You can find a detailed description, including distribution range and illustrations, at The USDA Plant Profile . Pictures are available at The Wisconsin Botanical Information System dpotter 14:42, 30 August 2006 (UTC)

[edit] The flag of France pre 1789

What was it like? Obviously the tricolour came with the revolution, what was there before it? Henning 13:38, 30 August 2006 (UTC)

Have you read Flag of France? It may go into it. Dismas|(talk) 13:50, 30 August 2006 (UTC)
Dude. Like, seriously. Thanks. Henning 14:06, 30 August 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Copyright question

If someone copies articles or parts of articles from a source like Time or The Boston Globe and then posts that material on a personal website without express permission of the source, can a link to that personal website page count as a reference source for a Wikipedia article? Are there copyright issues involved? Flinders 14:27, 30 August 2006 (UTC)

no, because there is no way to know that the site is reprenting the newspaper accuratly. However the newspaper can be cited even if the article is not posted online. Jon513 14:32, 30 August 2006 (UTC)
You have two questions there—one is about Wikipedia's citation policy, another is about copyrights. On the copyright issue—no, there is no copyright issue for you to link to someone else's page, even if the page may be a copyright violation (it is their copyright violation, not yours). (There are some circumstances in which linking to someone else's copyright violation could implicate you—i.e. the Grokster scenario—but in the cases of articles, probably not.) On the citation issue—it depends. If the site looks reliable and there is no reason to doubt it, it could serve as a proxy for the source itself, though ideally one would want to check it against the original. How much one would want to trust another site depends on the issue at hand, of course — for anything really controversial I'd want to be very careful, but in many cases that level of suspicion is unnecessary. --Fastfission 14:52, 30 August 2006 (UTC)

I usually like to use university and gov't sources. Newspaper articles tend to disappear. However, if somebody has made a big effort, such as archiving articles about Katrina, or Boston's Big Dig, then that web site could be cited in the External Links section. --Zeizmic 15:01, 30 August 2006 (UTC)

Thanks! Flinders 16:13, 30 August 2006 (UTC)
WP:C says at Linking to copyrighted works: "Linking to copyrighted works is usually not a problem, as long as you have made a reasonable effort to determine that the page in question is not violating someone else's copyright. If it is, please do not link to the page. Knowingly and intentionally directing others to a site that violates copyright has been considered a form of contributory infringement in the United States". ColinFine 23:36, 30 August 2006 (UTC)
Just a reminder that a reference for Wikipedia does not have to be linkable. It's fine to use a print resource—but please do verify that the reference is accurate. –RHolton≡– 12:19, 31 August 2006 (UTC)

[edit] How do I find material from specifications mentioned on drawings?

THE DRAWINGS ARE OF AUTOMOBILE - FASTENERS, SINTERED PARTS ETC

I have recently come accross drawings, presumably in German. The material specifications are as - 1.0718K; 1.0401 etc. How can I find equivalent material available in India. You can contact me on (email address redacted)

It would help if you said what the drawings were of.--Light current 16:17, 30 August 2006 (UTC)

The weirdest numbers I've come across in drawings is for the type of steel, and the type of cross-section for steel beams. Every country has their own standards for these things, and these tend to come in big thick books that you can't get on the Internet. Have fun. --Zeizmic 16:28, 30 August 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Name of that Song

There's this song sang a few years ago by an african american singer, it's a Pop song and is frequently featured on the Family Channel. The lyrics goes something like this:

  • A little bit of Mickey's all I need,
  • A little bit of monica's all i need,
  • A little bit of (name) is all I need,
  • etc...

That's roughly how the lyrics goes. I tried searching for it on lyrics engines, but I am unable to find the name of this song. It's an upbeat and lively song. Does anyone know the name of this song? Jamesino 15:40, 30 August 2006 (UTC)

That would be Mambo No. 5 by Lou Bega. --Richardrj talk email 15:49, 30 August 2006 (UTC)
Thanks alot =) Jamesino 22:57, 30 August 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Poll for non-US citizens

For the sake of a discussion elsewhere, If you're not from the US, without looking it up, do you know what 'area51' is? (And if you do, don't tell - yet). DirkvdM 17:11, 30 August 2006 (UTC)

I do! (well I think I do , but that could just be a US government conspiricy to delude the public)--Light current 17:12, 30 August 2006 (UTC)
Actually you should call this a survey, as polls are not allowed ON THIS PAGE--Light current 17:13, 30 August 2006 (UTC)
Huh? Now, why would that be? —Bromskloss 19:23, 30 August 2006 (UTC)
I do, but I am from Canada, which may not be significantly non-US for you. Adam Bishop 17:20, 30 August 2006 (UTC)
I do, but I'm a nerd. Don't forget Wikipedia:Current surveys. --Shantavira 17:52, 30 August 2006 (UTC)
I do too. :-P Jayant,17 Years, India • contribs 18:06, 30 August 2006 (UTC)
I do too; been watching too many bad movies. David Sneek 18:11, 30 August 2006 (UTC)
Yup - but I'm not supposed to talk about it. --Kurt Shaped Box 18:15, 30 August 2006 (UTC)
Yes, partially because it was mentioned in Independence Day and the Simpsons.Evilbu 19:19, 30 August 2006 (UTC)
Yes. I think most people do. I also think people that do are more likely to answer the question. —Bromskloss 19:23, 30 August 2006 (UTC)
And maybe only the more informed people come here. Or is that being educationist or informationist ?--Light current 19:26, 30 August 2006 (UTC)
I do - though i think a poll asking US people about places/knowledge in the rest of the world wouldn't take up much space...
I know about Self-selection. Does that help? --Tagishsimon (talk)
Due to the fact that DirkvdM asked this question I have been forced to have him removed by my friends in a black helicopter for reeducation. CambridgeBayWeather (Talk) 01:38, 31 August 2006 (UTC)
I do. Please don't kill me. I'm just an inoffensive (usually) Canadian. Now here's a question for you: Have you heard of 'Area 51-A'? Anchoress 01:43, 31 August 2006 (UTC)
"Cracktown, Cracktown is the stop" ;-) I see no reason why Area 51 would not be well-known outside the US... – AlbinoMonkey (Talk) 04:31, 31 August 2006 (UTC)
Just a guess, but I bet the number of people who said Yes would go down significantly if you referred to it as Groom Lake rather than Area 51. Dismas|(talk) 05:03, 31 August 2006 (UTC)
I'm an Australian and I know of Groom Lake, though only by references in The X-Files.
I know about both Groom Lake and Area 51 and have seen satelite pictures of the area. Evern so Im not much into the *censored*, just a part of general education. Oh, and a teacher at my highschool liked those stuff, he used to spend entire class talking that or some other stuff ^-^ -Shinhan 05:56, 1 September 2006 (UTC)

Hmmm, am I the only one who never heard of it? But let's wait until this has been around the clock (and around the world). DirkvdM 07:38, 31 August 2006 (UTC)

  • Yes, I heard of it and I'm from the Netherlands (just like you if I remember correctly). It depends on the kind of stuff you are interested in and if you're not interested in you-know-what (I'm not telling since Dirk asked) you're not going to know about it. - 131.211.210.11 07:40, 31 August 2006 (UTC)

Well, a day has passed and I seem to be the odd one out (unless those who didn't know didn't answer, as Bromskloss suggested). It's a military test area where 'ufo's are reported. I heard of the phenomenon, but 'area 51' didn't ring a bell. It was about a featured picture candidate on Wikimedia Commons - a map that is suppsed to be special becuase it show that area. So I now have one less argument. DirkvdM 06:53, 1 September 2006 (UTC)

Did anyone realize that the first few responses sound as if everyones getting married?? :-P. Jayant,17 Years, India • contribs 03:30, 2 September 2006 (UTC)
Yes, but as Kurt said we're not supposed to talk about it. DirkvdM 06:32, 2 September 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Jonas Roberts, "Eames-era" 1950s stoneware designer

I am looking for any information on Jonas Roberts. Here is a response from an online seller who had some of his pieces: "I believe Jonas Roberts was one of those 'Eames era' designers back in the 1950s whose work was done by a company akin to Mikasa of Japan. The stoneware line the company produced was called "cerastone" -- stoneware with a finished ceramic-like glaze." I'm not looking for Jonas Roberts items to buy--a quick search usually turns up plenty on ebay and other places--but any other information (biographical, critical, etc.) would be very welcome. Thank you for your efforts!

Jonas Roberts was born in Lvov and emmigrated to New York City. He was trained as a lawyer and graduated from St Johns University. He came from a very artistic family and was self trained. After World War II he supported his family in giftware sales eventually opening a store in New Jersey. He did indeed have a connection with the Mikasa "clan" they were personal friends and business associates. He operated his business out of the Bush Terminal in Brooklyn New York. He specialized in gift sets his signature item was a "snack" or TV set, that was a cup for soup or coffee place off center on a plate for a sandwich or cake. He was also known for his mugs. He did not maintain an official showrrom rather he sold from major trades shows such as those in Atlantic City and Chicago. His wares were carried in the giftware departments of most major department stores. His most famous and successful pattern was DOMINO which he made in snack sets as well as other novelty pieces. I am intersted in acquiring his pieces, I already have a number of them (I am his nephew).

He was truly a rennaisance man, he called himself a citizen of the world. Many people knew him better for his ice dancing, at one time he owned and operated a private rink in Manhattan. He skated well into his eighties at the Rockefeller Rink in Manhattan during the winter months and in Sun Valley Idaho during the summer months. Leo Roberts died in January 2000.

[edit] celik

What type of name is Celik in which language?1

Çelik is a Turkish word meaning "steel". Just as in English (Anthony Steel, Bill Steel, ...), it can be a last name. --LambiamTalk 03:50, 31 August 2006 (UTC)

[edit] belly dancing

WHich countries use belly dancing as their culture?

No country uses it as "their culture", but the article you referenced includes many mentions of countries where it is prominent. --Kiltman67 04:03, 31 August 2006 (UTC)

[edit] panandata vs. pananandata

The title for the subject "pananandata" is misspelled "panandata", how can it be corrected?

I've moved the article to the correct title. --Canley 22:08, 30 August 2006 (UTC)


[edit] Architectural Terms

We have been asked by a client to create an ahombria arch. 1st I'm not sure if that is the correct spelling, and 2nd we'd like to get a history preferably with picture or resource. Thank you, Denise

 Its spelled ahommbria, Den.- Bob Santanos
Perhaps they mean the Alhambra? There are several images in the article. Some are typical Roman arches, others are somewhat more distinctive.
. Durova 20:48, 30 August 2006 (UTC)


Its actually- AHOMMBRIA, Den.- Bob Santanos

Actually, given that it's really in Arabic, I'd say there are many acceptably correct transliterations. — Lomn | Talk 21:51, 30 August 2006 (UTC)
That said, a google search for ahommbria returns 0 results and suggests alhambra. — Lomn | Talk 22:05, 30 August 2006 (UTC)

Where I come from we say Ahommbria Bob Santanos

If you know so well how it's spelled, could you perhaps also reveal what is is? --LambiamTalk 03:55, 31 August 2006 (UTC).

a building Bob Santanos

[edit] Proper rules and name of a card game.

In my family there is a card game which we all love to play, but unfortunately none of us can remember its proper name or proper rules. I have tried looking it up on Google, but the closest I can find is "Spades", but that's not too related. I was hoping that if I explained the rules of the game someone would perhaps recognise it and link to the official rules. Anyway, here goes...

The game can be played with anywhere from two to five players, if you want to play it to its fullest extent, and is played with a standard pack of 52 playing cards, minus the jokers. There are nine rounds, and in the first each player is dealt ten cards (and thus five players being the maximum amount if all rounds are to be played), in the second, nine, in the third, eight, and so on. The remaining cards are not used, but top card is turned over to find out which suit is trumps. Starting from the dealer's left, each player takes it in turn to bid how many tricks he or she will win or take. However, the total amount of tricks proposed to be taken by all the players cannot equal the amount of cards dealt to each player. So, for example, if four people are playing, eight cards are dealt, and the bidding has gone 1, 3, 3, the fourth player cannot bid one. Each player receives a point for each trick he or she makes, and if they make as many tricks as they bid, they receive an added bonus of ten points. In each round, players are to follow the suit lead if possible, and the highest card played wins the trick. If a trump is played the highest trump wins.

... so those are the basic rules of the game, aside from basic card-game rules like what trumps are etc. I hope this is enough information to work with. Thanks in advance, --Zooba 22:14, 30 August 2006 (UTC).

I don't know which one you're talking about specifically, but I'd bet that it's one of the ones listed here. Ziggurat 22:19, 30 August 2006 (UTC)
Thanks for the link. It appears that the game we play is actually called "Oh Hell!". --Zooba 22:27, 30 August 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Adminship

THis is not meant to be offensive to any one. But is it possible for people to become admins and then do nothing. If so, do they then get desysopped?--Light current 22:24, 30 August 2006 (UTC)

Yes, and no. Many (perhaps most) admins are inactive. — Lomn | Talk 22:32, 30 August 2006 (UTC)
There's a php script - http://tools.wikimedia.de/~gunther/adminaktivitaet.php?dbname=enwiki_p - which gives you stats for each admin in terms of numbers of days since their last activity & last admin activity. Unfortunately, the results it gives are bollocks :(--Tagishsimon (talk)

Ahh I see what you mean. THey are inaccurate (to say the least!)--Light current 23:01, 30 August 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Air Traffic Controller

What are the training steps to become an ATC? Do you need anything to increase your odds of going into an aeronautical school to learn this career?

Air traffic control you say Hmmm. You could see Air traffic controller --Light current 22:38, 30 August 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Job Titles

Which is considered to be a more prestigious job title in most business arenas: Assistant or Associate? 128.208.109.136 00:00, 31 August 2006 (UTC)jack

Just looking at the words, "assistant" has a connotation of subservience, while "associate" sounds more equal. Hyenaste (tell) 00:07, 31 August 2006 (UTC)
I agree, in academia an associate is usually more senior than an assistant. Rockpocket 01:10, 31 August 2006 (UTC)
Assistant is frowned upon as a euphemism for secretary. Some people assume that a female who has that term anywhere in her job title performs secretarial work, no matter what her actual job is. Durova 14:59, 31 August 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Overweight

Why are most Americans overweight?

They eat too much (fatty) food?--Light current 00:24, 31 August 2006 (UTC)
...And do too little physical activity. However, be aware that "overweight" is a subjective term and "most" are not obese:
From 1980 to 2002 in the USA, obesity prevalence has doubled in adults and overweight prevalence has has tripled in children and adolescents. From 2003-2004, "children and adolescents aged 2 to 19 years, 17.1% were overweight...and 32.2% of adults aged 20 years or older were obese."
This article [4] explains more. Rockpocket 01:09, 31 August 2006 (UTC)

Overweight is defined here as a BMI (Body mass index) greater than 25--Light current 01:18, 31 August 2006 (UTC)

Some BMIs

  • Starvation: less than 15
  • Underweight: less than 18.5
  • Ideal: from 18.5 to 25
  • Overweight: from 25 to 30
  • Obese: from 30 to 40
  • Morbidly Obese: greater than 40

--Light current 01:22, 31 August 2006 (UTC)

Here's my little theory again. Because the beauty ideal in the US is too thin, normal people think they're fat and then give in to that and think "well, if I'm fat I might as well be FAT". And consequently become it. This is an example of a more general theory, that one extreme evokes the other (action - reaction). Like England is known for its high society and its hooligans (same for The Hague). If one (extreme) group gains some dominance then many people will think "I'm not part of that group, so I must be part of the opposite group" and hey pronto, the other extreme emerges. DirkvdM 07:47, 31 August 2006 (UTC)
OK, but why did they wait till they got fat and only then decided to get thin again? Why not just not get fat in the first place? JackofOz 07:52, 31 August 2006 (UTC)
That's my point - because of the ideal they think they are already fat when in fact they're not. DirkvdM 07:01, 1 September 2006 (UTC)

I suspect the reason is that food prices, as a percentage of income, are lower in the US than anywhere else. For example, someone making minimum wage probably still earns enough to buy 20 pounds of bananas for every hour worked. StuRat 10:41, 31 August 2006 (UTC)

Surely youre not suggesting that all Americans are monkeys? MMMMMM... bananas--Light current 11:09, 31 August 2006 (UTC)

Cripes, my BMI is 15.9, I'm supposed to have almost starved by now. JIP | Talk 13:07, 31 August 2006 (UTC)

Yes you really should eat more by all accounts. Or perhaps youre growing very fast. You dont say your age and Im not sure if this BMI thin applies to people under 18. If you turn sideways in front of the mirror and you disappear, then you know youre not eating enough!--Light current 15:56, 31 August 2006 (UTC)
  • I certainly hope I'm not growing any more, I'm almost 30. I like to eat, of course, but I don't have the skill or patience to cook at home. JIP | Talk 18:50, 31 August 2006 (UTC)

OK Well Im not trying to be offensive or any thing, but have you considered getting your thyroid checked at the doctors? Its a simple blood test.--Light current 18:53, 31 August 2006 (UTC)

No one's mentioned yet that many Americans hardly ever walk anywhere. This is not necessarily due to personal choice but because a lot of places in America are so spread out that walking is impractical. -- Mwalcoff 23:50, 31 August 2006 (UTC)
Yeah, I notced that in Phoenix, where I decided to buy a car because it was too far to walk back. And I'm a walker! The very fact that I decided to buy a car also had to do with that. I learned that lesson in Australia - if you don't have a car you don't get anywhere. That has to do with the lack of public transport, but that in turn has to do with everything being so spread out. DirkvdM 07:01, 1 September 2006 (UTC)