Wikipedia:Reference desk archive/Miscellaneous/2006 July 1

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[edit] Boats

What's the most expensive sea crossing in the world by distance? (I don't really know the correct phrasing, but you should know what I mean...) Vitriol 00:17, 1 July 2006 (UTC)

Do you mean what is the largest distance between two sea port cities, i.e. most expansive? Do you mean what cruise ship route is the longest and most expensive monetarily? —WAvegetarian•(talk) 04:02, 1 July 2006 (UTC)
I mean, what is the most expensive sea crossing in the world in relation to distance? I apologise if I'm not clear. Vitriol 10:56, 1 July 2006 (UTC)
Perhaps meaning, the most expensive per distance? So, a short distance with a high price? –RHolton≡– 17:32, 1 July 2006 (UTC)

...yeah. >_< Vitriol 23:33, 1 July 2006 (UTC)

I thought you meant expansive too. --Proficient 08:35, 4 July 2006 (UTC)
Still an ill-posed question. Go charter the most expensive boat you can think of, pay over the odds, and then voyage very slowly. Perhaps you means "most expensive scheduled voyage". Bottom line is "you should know what I mean" does not cut it: for that you want our telepathy page available from the following invisible link: --Tagishsimon (talk)
Prior to the construction of the Channel Tunnel, the Dover to Calais route was often cited as the most expensive ferry crossing in the world, for distance, as the ferry companies certainly took advantage of their monopoly position. -- Arwel (talk) 17:43, 12 July 2006 (UTC)

[edit] US Army Ranks

What is the difference between Enlisted Men and Officers? Can a Master Chief ever become a lieutenant? Are lieutenants higher in rank than a Command Master Chief?--Jamesino 01:12, 1 July 2006 (UTC)

All officers, even the lowliest ensign/second lieutenant, is, by definition, higher in rank than the highest enlisted person. An enlisted person calls all officers "sir" or "ma'am". But woe betide the wet-behind-the-ears shavetail who doesn't listen to what his/her ranking enlisted person has to say. Enlisted personnel can also become officers by going to Officers' Candidate School, or whatever it's called in their branch of the service. User:Zoe|(talk) 01:54, 1 July 2006 (UTC)

So, why would anyone want to become an enlisted man then?

An enlisted person in general practice has quite a bit of authority after they've been in a while. And officers need to have college degrees. User:Zoe|(talk) 02:13, 1 July 2006 (UTC)
And regardless of being enlisted or an officer, they are entitled to similar benefits, but officers worked a lot harder before joining the service, like either got a degree or went through one of the various military academies. User:Zscout370 (Return Fire) 02:17, 1 July 2006 (UTC)

Note: an enlisted man can also, in certain cases, receive a battlefield commission. zafiroblue05 | Talk 21:38, 1 July 2006 (UTC)

The legal difference is elinsted men serve in military by contract, where as offices are appointed to their commision (such requires senate approval). They also differs in what is required to become one. Officers require officers require officer training and usually a degree. Like said the lowest officer, is higher than highest in enlistee. Regarding where a master a chief can ever become officer. The answer is yes however unlikely. To become a master chief one must be in the service for years. Usually such a person would be far to old to be commision. Though they could get a warrant and become a warrant officer.

As far as why any body choose to be enlisteed instead of an officer, that is like asking why somebody choose to be an employee instead of the owner, it is much harder to reach higher rank then it is to reach a lower rank.

You have to look at age too. The average age of an army enlistee in the United States is 19. That means that the kid is fresh out of high school and is likely looking for a good job that will let him (or her, as the case may be) pay the bills. In the service your meals, housing, and nearly everything else are taken care of for you. In exchange for this ability to use government resources all you have to do in times of peace is drill for a few hours a day. That makes life in the service look very attractive for people who want to enlist. Obvisously this does not apply in times of war, so the service branches suffer from a shortfall during such times. TomStar81 19:40, 6 July 2006 (UTC)

One other thing I forgot to mention: Here in the United States the government passed the Montgomery GI Bill, which delegates monetary funds to men and women in the serivice who wish to go to an institute of high education. For those whocan not afford to put themselves through collage (like the vast majority of mexicans living in El Paso) enlisting the army is the only way to get accsess to a larger entity that will let them pursue their ultimate goal(s). TomStar81 19:45, 6 July 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Somathencialence

How can I, as the author, improve on this?

--David Little 01:56, 1 July 2006 (UTC)David Little 7:56 P.M.

I'm sorry, but I feel that this article is fundamentally unsuitable for Wikipedia for several reasons, the most important of which is that the term is not in use by anyone except you. See Wikipedia:Avoid neologisms. I have nominated your article for deletion. You are more than welcome to comment on this issue (and oppose the nomination by power of persuasion) at Wikipedia:Articles for deletion/Somathencialence. —Caesura(t) 03:04, 1 July 2006 (UTC)
  • A little less formal guideline you can read is WP:NFT. - Mgm|(talk) 21:13, 1 July 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Triple-elimination tournament

How would one of these work? Could someone link me to a bracket or explain it, please? --Trosk 02:21, 1 July 2006 (UTC)

I found this by searching google for triple-elimination tournament. Basically it means that you have to lose 3 times to be eliminated.—WAvegetarian•(talk) 04:13, 1 July 2006 (UTC)
It works like a double elemination tournament, except that everyone that would be eleminated in the third game moves down to a third bracket. So assuming 16 people, you have 4, 6, 4, and then 3 people in the bottom bracket in the 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th games respectively. For the 6th game, there will be 1 person left in each of the top two brackets, for a total of 5. It gets tricky there, but one way of doing it is to have a single elemination tournament of the 4 or 8 highest ranked people, based on oponents win-loss to settle tied wins/losses. You can also dispense with the brackets and decide matches randomly after each round. Crazywolf 07:24, 1 July 2006 (UTC)

[edit] How can I sign my name if nothing happens when I try to type where that is called for.

I gather that, even when I havee logged on, my usser name is not recorded unless I type it in. If that is correct, how can I do that, if the letteers do not rgister when I type them.

I cannot be the first person to ask for help understanding how this works due to some sort of brain damage. However, I am not especially fragile, so if those who run this tell me that there is not room or tolerance for people like me, I shall be content to read and not write, while hoping that none of YOU ever have an illlness or injury that results in similar changes.--Zelda Joseph 03:45, 1 July 2006 (UTC)--Zelda Joseph 03:45, 1 July 2006 (UTC)Zelda Joseph

When you type ~~~~ it won't turn into your name until you click the "save" button. Then you can see your name. Try it! Type "edit" somewhere, write ~~~~ somewhere (it won't suddenly turn into your name) and then click "save" / "submit", etc. Now the page shows your name! You don't ever need to type it out. 82.131.188.85 21:53, 1 July 2006 (UTC).
It seems to have worked twice followed by your manually typed name. You simply must type ~~~~. That will produce something like this: —WAvegetarian•(talk) 03:51, 1 July 2006 (UTC), as you did above.—WAvegetarian•(talk) 03:51, 1 July 2006 (UTC)

There's a link below the edit box to insert --~~~~ - which will result in your nickname (just underneath where it says "edit summary".) Saves work. I wouldn't worry about the brain damage - as long as you can suitly emphazi the right bits, you'll go far on wikipedia. --Howard Train 05:10, 1 July 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Advertising in Switzerland

I've been wondering for a while about how multilingual countries handle advertising. Lets take the example of Switzerland, which has four official languages, as well as a population that's able to speak English in a pinch.

  • What language do advertisements in Switzerland tend to run in?
  • Is there a definite preference for a single language, or do certain types of adverts go to certain languages depending on the product (perfume to to French, manufactured items to German, etc.), or is there a law somewhere that I don't know about forcing advertisers to pick one of the official languages (or English?) to run in?
  • Is there a difference between how television and print advertisers decide on the language their advert will run in? GeeJo (t)⁄(c) • 03:50, 1 July 2006 (UTC)
Generally, the locally predominant language is used, for example French is used in Geneva, and German in Zurich. Taking the country as a whole, there are more adverts in German than any other language, through weight in numbers. According to Demographics of Switzerland, 64% of the population are native German speakers, compared to 20% French, 7% Italian and <1% Romansh. The Swiss state broadcaster SRG SSR idée suisse has separate channels for each language. Oldelpaso 10:03, 1 July 2006 (UTC)
As Germans make the majority probably German. —Preceding unsigned comment added by an unknown user (talk • contribs)
Oldelpaso is correct; the locally predominant language is used. In the few places where French and German speakers are equally divided, e.g. Biel/Bienne, you can see advertisements in both languages. It is also a practice for the major retailers (Coop and Migros) to label their products in all three major languages. Sandstein 20:18, 5 July 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Bullet-proof bodies?

In movies, humans are generally depicted as bulletproof (human-shields, etc...). Is this true in real life? For example, if you were shot in the buttocks by a 5.56x45mm NATO round from a M4, would the bullet travel and shatter your pelvis? Or would your buttocks absorb the shock?--Jamesino 04:08, 1 July 2006 (UTC) EDIT: (By bulletproof, I mean will the bullet exit the body?)--Jamesino 04:11, 1 July 2006 (UTC)

Terminal ballistics is the study of what happens when a bullet hits a target - there's some information in there. Stopping power, particularly the section on over-penetration, is probably what you're looking for. In short though, a bullet that hits someone in front of you is likely to stop in their body (particularly if it's a pistol bullet) and even if it goes right through them it will have lost a good deal of its velocity and thus be less dangerous to you. If someone shoots you in the arse with an assault rifle, though, it's going to do some heavy damage. --Howard Train 05:06, 1 July 2006 (UTC)
It depends on the caliber of the bullet, primarily. A 22 caliber round will be stopped quite easily, 38 caliber possibly not, 44 caliber probably not. Military rounds probably won't be stopped that easily, either. Also, a bullet that does make it through may be deflected, deformed, or fragmented, especially if it hit bones or teeth. Also note that having a dead body on top of you may work as camouflage, so you may avoid being shot at at all, if they don't know you're under there. This is one of the most effective ways of surviving a massacre. StuRat 21:21, 1 July 2006 (UTC)
Tv shows and films usually show people being shot and then falling down. This isn't true, unless a bullet hits the brain or spinal column it can't physically knock you down (only an artillery shell has enough force behind it to do so). You can be hit by a bullet without falling over - though I understand that some people have watched enough tv & films that they subconsciously think because they've been shot they have to fall over, so they do. AllanHainey 07:58, 3 July 2006 (UTC)
Movies and TV shows also show the victim flying backwards from the imagined huge force of the bullet. In reality, the force on the victim is quite low (it's the pressure which is high). In fact, the force is lower on the victim than the recoil on the shooter, since some of the force is lost to air resistance. StuRat 16:04, 7 July 2006 (UTC)

[edit] running out of gas with a diesel engine?

How do you start a diesel engine once it has run out of diesel fuel? is there a special procedure?

You usually have to prime a diesel engine that has run out of fuel. Look for a small lever in the area of the fuel filter; cycle this lever (it will take a lot of cycles) to pull fuel from the tank through the filter and to the engine. If the engine has an electronic fuel pump, turn the key to the on position (not the start position) and leave it in there for about 30 seconds (you should be able to hear the pump running). Turn the key to the off position. Repeat about five times. —Wayward Talk 06:24, 1 July 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Italics Eureka

One ought to search with one's cursor and not with one's keyboard. I found the italics, along with all those other nifty formatting options.

24.20.159.212 05:16, 1 July 2006 (UTC)

huh? Grutness...wha? 13:43, 1 July 2006 (UTC)
Congratulations on finding the Italics!! (along with the other nifty formatting options). You may now resume editing Wikipedia. Jayant,17 Years, India • contribs 18:23, 1 July 2006 (UTC)

[edit] project steps

hi, i have given a science project and i need help from u people...i need some data about what are the basic steps to do any project..or simply how to do a project...kindly helpme out!

Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Reference_desk/Science"

You might find the page on the "scientific method" on the Simple English Wikipedia useful for you. It is meant to be very straightforward and basically gives a template for how to do a science project of any kind, with an example. --Fastfission 17:06, 1 July 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Tactical reasons

When the police are investigating a case, they won't tell the press many details even if they already knew a lot, for "tactical/investigational reasons". What could be the tactical benefits of that? –Mysid(t) 07:26, 1 July 2006 (UTC)

Well suppose they know this: it was very likely that they knew the suspect and only had to wait for him to make a particular mistake. It could be seen as a tactical error to reveal this, because the suspect would read the newspapers, and might (for example) destroy evidence. There is often a complex psychological relationship between police and suspect. Notinasnaid 07:44, 1 July 2006 (UTC)
Okay, thanks. I see it now. –Mysid(t) 09:18, 1 July 2006 (UTC)
Also, in the case of serial killers, it might be that the killer kills his/her victims in a particular way, or s/he leaves a note in a particular handwriting. If the police release details, they run the risk of copycat attacks which would complicate the investigation. And in the case of Wearside Jack, details released by the police later turned out to be a hoax: which led the police down the wrong path and let the real Yorkshire Ripper continue killing. Sum0 10:20, 1 July 2006 (UTC)
  • Imagine the following situation. A woman was just killed in an abandoned wood and the police question her boyfriend.
"I'm afraid we have some bad news for you. We found your girlfriend's body this morning. Can we ask you some questions?"
"Sure. Anything to help you catch the shooter."
"We didn't say how she died. How did you know?"
"Must've heard it on the news or something."

You then immediately know you can question the boyfriend some more when you know that bit of information wasn't released to the press. The police always likes it when killers say more than they are supposed to know. - Mgm|(talk) 21:08, 1 July 2006 (UTC)

Also, there are often false confessions in high-profile cases. I have never understood why innocent people pretend they have done it, but they often do, and if the police hold back details which only the real killer could know they can catch out the people making false confessions. Jameswilson 22:49, 1 July 2006 (UTC)
Also, it be that the family haven't been told yet. Skittle 18:33, 2 July 2006 (UTC)
Thanks for the enlightening answers. –Mysid(t) 06:42, 3 July 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Canada day wiki

Can someone look at the canada day article, it has been vandalised

The vandal edit seems to be reverted now. –Mysid(t) 09:19, 1 July 2006 (UTC)

[edit] nokia series

my question is how mobile phone company name there mobile...like 6600..now how they decide to give this mobile that number?

See Kent German's column Phone families at c|net Reviews. The column is on the right side of the article itself ("On Hold"). –Mysid(t)</font> 12:14, 1 July 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Name of the guitar solo played by Lisa in the Simpsons

In the episode about the dental insurance, while the power plant workers are on strike, lisa plays guitar for them to sing. Once, Lenny ask her if she could play classic jazz and she begins playing a guitar solo that ringed a bell... may anyone tell me the name? thanks.

THat was Classical Gas, wasn't it? Adam Bishop 15:11, 1 July 2006 (UTC)
Definitely was Classical Gas, by Mason Williams. 202.72.148.102 15:59, 1 July 2006 (UTC)
Here's a terrific version of it by Tommy Emmanuel. --Robert Merkel 08:20, 2 July 2006 (UTC)
The facial expressions on that guy makes it look like he's got classical gas... --Username132 (talk) 19:26, 2 July 2006 (UTC)
Doesn't everyone know that it's in the contract of guitarists that they have to pull strange faces while they're playing? --Robert Merkel 05:38, 3 July 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Contracts

when are contracts sent out to candidates after they have got confirmation that they have got the job?

In the UK, a contract must be offered within two months after employment begins [1]. Notinasnaid 15:40, 1 July 2006 (UTC)

[edit] U.N.

I want to know two things:

  1. Which of these countries are not participating in the 2006 National Competitive Examination, conducted by the United Nations: Israel, India, Angola, or Mauritius?
  2. WHICH PAIR IS INCORRECT..
    1. Executive Office of the Secretary General / Protocol and Liaison Services
    2. Office of Legal Affairs / Treaty Section
    3. Department of Economic and Social Affairs / Statistics Division
    4. Department of Management / NGO Section

Kindly mail me the full and correct answers at **E-MAIL ADDRESS REDACTED**

Formatted for clarity GeeJo (t)⁄(c) • 01:05, 2 July 2006 (UTC)
Did you perhaps fail to notice the instructions at the top of the page, where it says "Please don't write in ALL CAPITAL LETTERS", "Do your own homework" and "Do not list your e-mail address"? David Sneek 16:13, 1 July 2006 (UTC)
cut him some slack, it's pretty obvious where his caps key got stuck (on the N of National, which he probably meant to press shift for.) Then he hunt-and-pecked the rest, and finally, the word "early" twice punctuated (..) implies that someone was ringing his doorbell. I think it's better for him to submit it as is and get an answer "early", and certainly understandable. 82.131.188.85 21:40, 1 July 2006 (UTC).
Mmhmm... don't ask us to do your homework. If you're having trouble doing it, look it up or ask for help. We can help with homework, but not do your homework. —THIS IS MESSEDImage:R with umlaut.pngOCKER (TALK) 03:52, 2 July 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Song on SBS movie ads

SBS is currently screening an ad for its movies. (No specific movie, just movies in general). What's the anme of the song that plays during the ad.

  • Wikipedia is international. It helps if we know where you live. - Mgm|(talk) 21:09, 1 July 2006 (UTC)
    • SBS Australia? I can't think which ads you're talking about (there is one for a documentary of a movie-maker, which shows several different movie scenes), but I'll keep an eye out. – AlbinoMonkey (Talk) 08:11, 2 July 2006 (UTC)
  • It could be SBS in the Netherlands. - Mgm|(talk) 09:29, 2 July 2006 (UTC)
  • Sorry, i forgot to say. sbs australia.

[edit] Hoodie

Does anyone know who makes the hoodie that Brad Paisly is wearing in his video for "When I get Where I am Going"?

[edit] England tune

Whats the england tune they always play at matches on the trumpet during play, that starts out slow and then gets faster. People chant Eng-er-land until it gets to fast where they go into Na-na-na's (I think). Well basically what is it. --Philc TECI 18:29, 1 July 2006 (UTC)

Is it the theme from The Great Escape you're thinking of? "Da da, da-daa da da da..." --Richardrj 18:35, 1 July 2006 (UTC)
Agreed. ISTR the tune was adopted by the song Vindaloo which gave it further terrace popularity.  SLUMGUM  yap  stalk  19:11, 1 July 2006 (UTC)
Yeh ur right, man I cant believe I didnt notice that. I just never realised. Its sounds different to me when it starts slow, but yeh, thats it. Philc TECI 22:17, 1 July 2006 (UTC)

[edit] new wiki's

I like this forum and the EWrestling. I just wanted to ask how to obtain a new wiki? Any suggestions on creating a sports related wiki?

The software it runs on it free and open source, though can be difficult to install. See our page on MediaWiki for more information on that. You can also apparently apply to start a Wiki on Wikia.com (which is run by Jimbo Wales, who also runs Wikipedia), by looking at this page. Somebody apparently did try to start a sport wiki at http://sport.wikia.com/ but it seems to be defunct. --Fastfission 21:55, 1 July 2006 (UTC)