Wikipedia:Reference desk archive/Miscellaneous/2006 July 24

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[edit] Martial Arts

I'm learning Aikido, and my sensai said it was a good idea to learn other martial arts aswell to broaden your ability, cope better with different situations, and not remain reliant on the same moves. So I was thinking of taking up another martial art, but I don't know what, I want to learn something very different to Aikido, but still useful in the same situations, maybe something with some more range, so I don't really know what to learn, I was thinking maybe Ninjitsu, or one thing I want to learn is Shaolin kung fu, but I don't really know if you can learn that, I dont know. Basically someone with better knowledge help me. Basically I want to learn some sort of Capoeira or Kung Fu, though I'm open to any other suggestions, what are the basics of the styles in how they differ. Also what sort of age do people generally take up Capoeira. And any suggestions of other arts.

Also, how different are Hapkido and Aikido? Philc TECI 01:02, 24 July 2006 (UTC)

A side-question: Is Aikido the one where you don't initiate the attack yourself, but in stead just use the force of your attackers against themselves? I find that notion very appealing. The article is alas very unclear. DirkvdM 07:39, 24 July 2006 (UTC)
Yes, that is the case, there are no attacking moves in aikido. Philc TECI 15:50, 24 July 2006 (UTC)
I can't help wondering what an Aikido contest would look like... EdC 17:41, 24 July 2006 (UTC)
Heh, I was thinking the same thing. Must be some pretty uneventful sparring, unless someone trips and falls forward... Digfarenough 20:27, 24 July 2006 (UTC)
As explained there are no contests, but there are displays, in which someone just takes the role of uke, and performs a grab or attack of some sort, and the defender performs the appropriate move, the attacks are not part of the art though. They are simple as such as strike to the head. Usually the higher ranked practitioner will come out on top, as they generally know more of the counter moves, and so can turn the Qi of even other aikido learners against them. Philc TECI 21:54, 24 July 2006 (UTC)
There are no Aikido contests, and sparring is done by your sparring partner attacking you, directing his qi onto you. As for the Aikidoka that posted this question, I would suggest wrestling perhaps, it could fit good because both are grappling styles. As for Capoeira, it's quite unique, I don't think age is important as much as the feel fot the rythm(because music is very important to Capoeira), and, how do I put it, some flexibility and strenght. Further, there are many branches of Kung Fu, for some you will have to practice the minimum of 3 years to be average(that is, if you're good at it). Maybe Karate would be good for you, and even Taekwon-do, because it would improve your kicking tehniques, and not take that much of your time. As for Ninjutsu, I'm not sure how those two would blend in together, because for most martial arts you need a certain level of dedication so you could sucessfully perform it, e.g. if someone attacks you. You could always do weight training if you want. Also, the title of your teacher, is sensei, not sensai, just so you know. I hope this helps!--Captain ginyu 21:08, 24 July 2006 (UTC)
Lol, cheers, I'm not accustomed to writing it. I'm not to keen or karate, partly because I just felt like doing something original, and karate seems so sort of played now, but you are probably right, it would offer much more scope in kicking, of which aikido offers none. Is the flexibility and strength recquired for capoeira picked up during the learning, or are you expected to be relatively gymnastic when you take it up. Also if I was dedicated to kung fu, since there are so many branches, can you help me choose one, or irect me to somewhere, where there are summaries of all of the major ones (ones that are likely to be taught in the south west UK). Thanks. Philc TECI 21:45, 24 July 2006 (UTC)
I imagine that for Aikido agility is very important, and if you pump up your muscles with weight training, won't that reduce your agility? DirkvdM 07:53, 25 July 2006 (UTC)
Also strength is completely irrelavent in aikido. Philc TECI 13:33, 25 July 2006 (UTC)
It seems I have not expressed myself good enough, by saying weight training, I meant also cardiovascular training and similar. Something original, you say... I would say that one needs to be relatively gymnastic for Capoeira, it all depends on the individual, maybe he's a talent for Capoeira, maybe he is hopeless for it... It is hard to explain like this. As for Kung Fu, I would say it also depends on the sensei, how fast is he willing to introduce you to techniques. For example, in Kenpo Karate, you can earn your black belt in aproximately 2 years if you're good, and in some styles of Kung Fu, one could need over 10 years just to master one animal style. My suggestion is that you ask around in your town, where you can find Kung Fu and what styles. There are also private teachings, for those you would have to ask better, or find out yourself. What Kung Fu I would reccomend, well, Wing Chun Kung Fu can be great, as long as you dedicate yourself to it, not go just for the recreation. Also for the Kung Fu, there are many animal styles, about 10-15. My suggestion is: first find out what of all this is available to you, then go and study a few trainings or ask here for more details. Take a look here. When you decide, let us know.--Captain ginyu 13:58, 25 July 2006 (UTC)
Tae Kwon Do. 69.81.50.252 16:53, 25 July 2006 (UTC)
Wow...very general question....I'll try to keep it short. It's interesting your sensei suggested the study of another dicipline...Suppose UFC changed the way Martial Arts are being taught even in the most traditional diciplines. Kung Fu, as taught by Bruce Lee, highly encouraged students to explore all arts and chose the tactics that work best for the individual, with Jeet Kune Do as a foundation. A transition from art to art can be performed within a single movement. You were right to say this would take a lot of work to master, as the student never really stops growing or learning. As Mixed Martial Arts fighting has become more popular and evolved as a sport, it's crucial for competitors to study multiple arts. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is often utilized as a technique to obtain submissions and be effective from the ground, where most fights ulimately end up. Chokes and locks are taught to submit an opponant. Along with an art teaching strikes would provide a good contrast to Akido as well, Taekwondo is popular as is Muai Thai Kickboxing. Keep your center and should you happen accross Steven Seagal in your studies, tell him he looks funny in a dress. Son of a Peach 00:57, 26 July 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Super Smash Brothers

This is kind of a weird question that I don't know if anyone answers, but for Super Smash Brothers Melee, for the Break the Targets phase, do they still take in new records on Gamefaqs.com?--Summonmaster13 02:41, 24 July 2006 (UTC)

Why wouldn't they take new records, if indeed you do have a new record? If you're not already signed up in GameFaqs, just ask them in the message boards. Here is the link: http://boards.gamefaqs.com/gfaqs/gentopic.php?board=516492. --Proficient 06:22, 24 July 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Urination Arrangements

I very much doubt there's ever been a serious study of this, so I guess this is more like a straw poll. When guys take a pee while standing and fully clothed, do the majority remove just their penis from their pants, or their whole package (penis + testicles)? Don't ask me why I want to know this, but I promise it's not a homework question. :--) JackofOz 04:13, 24 July 2006 (UTC)

Why would you remove your testicles too? Adam Bishop 05:34, 24 July 2006 (UTC)
Ok, scrotum (plus contents). JackofOz 06:16, 24 July 2006 (UTC)
Well yeah...but same question :) Adam Bishop 06:22, 24 July 2006 (UTC)
I don't know your answer, but I would assume that if you happen to observe someone peeing standing, the manner in which they conduct business is probably consistent, meaning that I think that if they remove only their penis in solitude or whole package, they would do so everytime. ._. --Proficient 06:26, 24 July 2006 (UTC)
It seems another question should precede this one. Do you just undo the fly or loosen the button (and belt) as well? To let it all hang out, you'd have to do the latter, I suppose. Don't really know because I don't. It may depend on the undies as well. DirkvdM 07:51, 24 July 2006 (UTC)
DirkvdM, you don't what? Pee or take your penis out before you pee? CambridgeBayWeather (Talk) 15:35, 24 July 2006 (UTC)
 :) DirkvdM 19:02, 24 July 2006 (UTC)

It could also depend on where the guy is, be it a public restroom (W.C. or whatever y'all over there call it) or at his home. schyler 21:43, 24 July 2006 (UTC)

To answer Adam Bishop's question, some guys don't "go the whole hog", but some do. I know, because I tend to do this myself. And I've seen others doing it (not that I make a habit of looking). I wonder if it's related to penis length, or scrotal weight, or just a cultural thing, or being a show-off, or wanting to minimise dripping, or whatever else. JackofOz 23:14, 24 July 2006 (UTC)
You drip? DirkvdM 07:54, 25 July 2006 (UTC)
You don't? JackofOz 22:47, 25 July 2006 (UTC)
Well, yeah, there's always the last drop, if that's what you mean. DirkvdM 07:04, 26 July 2006 (UTC)

To add to my earlier comment, it could also depend on if other guys are in the restroom. I know when I get out of a movie and every urinal has a guy at it, it feels kind of uncomfortable to be next to them, so I want get it done and get out of there. Also it could be if you're standing at a urinal or standing in front of a regular toilet. schyler 23:12, 25 July 2006 (UTC)

[edit] What's an Al Gore ithm

One of our professors keep mentioning Al Gore ithms, what can he mean? I don't think it's "isms" like "Bushisms"? The professor doens't have a lisp or heavy accent. I've googled but without luck.

Algorithm. --Richardrj 08:37, 24 July 2006 (UTC)
And please consider asking your professor next time. That's what he's paid for.--Pharos 08:41, 24 July 2006 (UTC)
This is quite funny. --Proficient 14:14, 24 July 2006 (UTC)
And old! IF you do search on google for it, you'll find it a pretty common joke... Digfarenough 16:26, 24 July 2006 (UTC)

Does anybody have a good Al-Gore-ithm? --Zeizmic 14:38, 24 July 2006 (UTC)

(From Wiktionary) Algorithm: Al Gore gettin' down 2 sum phat bass. --Howard Train 15:09, 24 July 2006 (UTC)
However, an Al Gore Rhythm would be the Macarena. — Lomn | Talk 23:03, 24 July 2006 (UTC)

[edit] riddle

i have a riddle n i dont know the answer..i sit as the 3rd of the great eight,what am i.

Answer: a crap riddle. I'd plump for "Planet Earth" as the third of eight planets in the solar system. I suspect there'll be other answers (including, perhaps, the right answer.) --Tagishsimon (talk)
Since most people accept that there's 9 (or possibly 10) planets in the solar system, it's doubtful that your answer is correct. ;-) However, searching for "Great Eight" on Wikipedia reveals about a dozen different teams, groups, tournaments, etc, that all use that term. And it's quite likely that the one being referred to isn't even among those... so I do concur with your initial answer of "a crap riddle", since there's not nearly enough information given here for a conclusive answer. --Maelwys 13:04, 24 July 2006 (UTC)
For the purposes of saving my face, &c., and with regard to the definition for Pluto as "is the ninth and smallest of the traditional planets of the Solar system, though its status as a planet has been disputed in recent years." you may take it that I stand shoulder to shoulder with the disputants. And besides, maybe that explains the "great" reference in the question, Pluto clearly being as crap a planet as was the riddle. --Tagishsimon (talk)
Since the riddle was given to you, and if the person who gave it to you knows you well, perhaps they are referencing a "Great Eight" that has something to do with you/something you know. Think about it. Otherwise, it is indeed a "crap riddle." :P --Proficient 14:16, 24 July 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Selling my own GPL photos

Suppose I've given one of my own photos a GPL or Creative Commons license, or something similar, may I then still sell it myself? I suppose not. But suppose I took two identical photos of the same thing (it would of course have to be a non-moving object), and I publish one under GPL, could I then still sell the other one? They may be intentionally the same, but technically they're different photos. DirkvdM 10:08, 24 July 2006 (UTC)

  • A license, whether it be GPL, GFDL or Creative Commons allows other people to use and/or distribute and/or sell your work the way you want them to. The image itself is still your property, so you can do what you want with it. - Mgm|(talk) 10:27, 24 July 2006 (UTC)
You may sell the photos. (So may anyone else, of course, subject to license terms). You may sell your photos even if you release them into public domain. Notinasnaid 10:30, 24 July 2006 (UTC)
Licenses like the GPL or CC licenses are not exclusive, you can license your work to different people under different licenses. For example, MySQL AB make MySQL available under both the GPL and a commercial license (for example, for people who want to incorporate MySQL into closed-source software.) -- AJR | Talk 10:47, 24 July 2006 (UTC)
Would I have to use a specific license then? So far I've used CC-by (Creative Commons Attribution) (see my photos), but I'm very bad at legalese and don't get what it really means. I thought that once you've published something under a certain license you can't change that and using different licenses at the same time sounds like the same to me. Could you be a bit more specific or point me to somewhere where it is explained better? Better than the Wikipedia articles, I mean, because they don't seem to answer my question. Or did I miss something? BTW, the reason I ask is that I want to upload a buch of more artistic photos to Wikimedia Commons. So far I haven't published my best photos to avoid this problem, but now I do want to do that, but for these photos I certainly don't want to lose the rights. DirkvdM 14:10, 24 July 2006 (UTC)
The license is only the license that you used to release the photos on Wikimedia Commons, in your example. It isn't intrinsically attached to the photo itself. You, as the holder of the copyright, are free to do anything you like with the photo. You can sell them, license them out to other people using different licenses, and so on. If others download a photo from Commons, then they have the photo under CC-by, and can also sell it, but must give attribution to you. However, they can sell it under a different license - for example, they can restrict the rights of people who buy it. If you use CC-by-sa, then they will be required to sell or distribute it under CC-by-sa. --Philosophus T 17:11, 24 July 2006 (UTC)
You don't really lose rights even if you went all the way and made them public domain. It just means you have the same rights as everybody else. With photos, you could make a low res copy pd, and still make numbered prints for sale. If you have an exclusive shot of Angelina's baby, then you enter agreements (with People-mag), which means that you sue the pants off anybody else trying to make money off it. It would also mean that you can't publish your own picture because it takes expected income from People. --Zeizmic 14:36, 24 July 2006 (UTC)
  • Look at it this way. I can sell your photos. So of course, you can as well. That's even before we get into separate licenses. Notinasnaid 15:49, 24 July 2006 (UTC)
Ok, so I suppose it's a matter of keeping quiet that they're CC photos, because no-one needs to pay for photos under that license and thus any potential buyer who knows of course won't pay. So do I understand correctly that CC-by-sa is the best option? And maybe not publish the very best on Wikimedia Commons. Just enough good ones to draw attention and then link to my own page where people can find the really good stuff. Still, it doesn't seem right to withhold the good ones from Wikipedia. Maybe there should be a Wikipedia-only license, so that I can specify that only Wikipedia can use the photos without paying me. That's really what I want.
Uploading reduced-size versions is also a good idea. Anyone I could make money off will probably want a higher quality. DirkvdM 19:19, 24 July 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Jeremy(?) Baxter(?)

I have been trying for the past five minutes to find out what is actually the name of the person I refer to as "Jeremy Baxter" as I find no related google pages or wikipedia articles on that name, I am assuming it is wrong. I am currently on a gprs connection (paying for every megabyte) so I do wish to minimize the amount of bandwidth I spend on finding the name, so of course I thought of this place. The person is a UK political news reporter, famous for amoung other things, repeating a question 35(?) times when interviewing a person that kept dodging it. He has also been contriversial in the UK for various interviews (George Galloway comes to mind). Who is the person I am thinking of?

Thanks, I am just desperate to find his wikipedia article for some quick info on him :) --Clq 16:39, 24 July 2006 (UTC)

Jeremy Paxman. --Heron 16:46, 24 July 2006 (UTC)
Thank you. Appreciate is a lot. --Clq 16:54, 24 July 2006 (UTC)

[edit] FEDERAL REGULATIONS

I need to read a particular Federal Regulation that I can not find printed. Can you help me? 63.144.179.55 17:03, 24 July 2006 (UTC)

Which Canadian Federal Regulation are you looking for? CambridgeBayWeather (Talk) 18:02, 24 July 2006 (UTC)
where did the poster say Canadian?
The IP implies he is from Denver, Colorado. Jon513 20:16, 24 July 2006 (UTC)

Your local public library should have records of any laws, rules, or regulations. If it doesn't, the librarians can probably help identify a place where they exist. Google might provide your regulation, too. If you need help here, try specifing which regulation. Emmett5 03:11, 25 July 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Some quickies

Are cows really jazz musicians? Are dogs nicer people than because they have a shorter lifespan? Are my parents Gods in disguise? Why are all women beautiful? -- 70.26.123.156 18:00, 24 July 2006 (UTC)

Of course cows are jazz musicians; dogs are not people; depends on how much you like your parents; men can be beautiful too, and not all women are beautiful! (Have you saw some cards in the UK shop Papyrus..?) Iolakana|T 18:24, 24 July 2006 (UTC)
No, no, no, mu. Ziggurat 23:21, 24 July 2006 (UTC)
This question has really opened my eyes. Or something. --Optichan 23:33, 24 July 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Bernard Cardinal Law

Researchers, I hope to be in Rome next year and would like to contact Bernard Cardinal Law beforehand. I would greatly appreciate information on how to reach him. Would you please provide me with his ROME address, e-mail address and/or phone number. Thank you, Mary

Hi, I don't think anyone here would post private information on anyone - this is a public forum, and such an invasion of privacy is inappropriate. You could try contacting the Vatican press office, although I doubt you'll get much help there either. You could also try contracting a private investigator in Rome, or do a search yourself in the Italian white pages, but note that unwanted contact (even by phone or e-mail) could be considered stalking. I'm sure there are many people out there who would like to have a 'talk' with him, and I can't say I blame them, but Wikipedia is not the way to locate such information. Ziggurat 23:18, 24 July 2006 (UTC)
The Vatican's website is right here; original poster - take it from there! Tony Fox (speak) 16:32, 26 July 2006 (UTC)
Also it would be having Unlawful Cardinal Knowledge.Edison 21:00, 29 July 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Removal of Relatives

What does it mean when someone says "he's my cousin, twice removed" or "she's my 3rd cousin"? It may be that my examples do not make sense, but hopefully my question is still intelligible. Thank you. —Daniel (‽) 20:41, 24 July 2006 (UTC)

You can look it up pretty easily, but it is the following, if I recall correctly: Your first cousins are the offspring of your parents' siblings (same grandparents). Your second cousins have the same great-grandparents, but not the same grandparents. Your first cousins, once removed, are the cousins of your parents. Your first cousins, twice removed, are your grandparents' cousins. And so forth. Digfarenough 20:47, 24 July 2006 (UTC)
Not sure that's entirely true, Digfarenough. The children of my first cousins are my first cousins once removed. They are not the same people as the cousins of my parents, rather they are the children of my parents' nephews and nieces. My first cousins twice removed are the grandchildren of my first cousins. Etc. My second cousins are, as you state correctly, people with the same great-grandparents. Their children are my second cousins once removed, and their children are my second cousins twice removed etc. JackofOz 21:05, 24 July 2006 (UTC)
We have a helpful chart that sorts this out rather well. Adam Bishop 21:12, 24 July 2006 (UTC)
Ah yes, I left out the "forward generation" part of it. My bad, good catch :) Digfarenough 21:19, 24 July 2006 (UTC)

short answer: the once or twiced removed part refers to a difference in their generation. Jon513 23:07, 24 July 2006 (UTC)

So "twice removed" equals "two generations difference between us". Very interesting. Being the only child of two only children, I've never understood all this. Jameswilson 23:15, 24 July 2006 (UTC)
I've often wondered why we don't call grandgreat-nephews/nieces "nephews/nieces once removed", and call cousins once removed "grandcousins". That would better reflect the blood lines. My cousins, no matter how far removed, all share my blood, but my nieces and nephews only do so if they're from my side of the family. My nieces and nephews by marriage, and their succeeding generations, have nothing in common with my blood. JackofOz 23:25, 24 July 2006 (UTC)

Thanks all. I would never have got to that chart normally. —Daniel (‽) 07:36, 25 July 2006 (UTC)

[edit] "mapping" of regions inside US area codes

We have good coverage for US telephone area codes (e.g. Area code 530), but do the next three digits have any geographical meaning - i.e if someone has 530 123 xxxx (just a made up number) can one figure out from the 123 to which part of the 530 area code the number is assigned? (yes, I realise that the full street address requires a cop-only reverse directory). -- Finlay McWalter | Talk 22:34, 24 July 2006 (UTC)

The next three digits are called a "prefix." For land lines, they are usually assigned to a specific geographic area. However, it's a lot easier to keep your old prefix when moving to a different area of the same area code than it is to keep your old area code when you move to a new state. -- Mwalcoff 22:54, 24 July 2006 (UTC)
The three digits are more commonly called an "exchange."
The article on Telephone prefixes seems to not agree with you. And I've also always heard it referred to as the "prefix". Dismas|(talk) 23:59, 25 July 2006 (UTC)
I'm pretty sure both are acceptable. -- Mwalcoff 00:40, 26 July 2006 (UTC)
The cop-only part is incorrect. Reverse telephone directory are published for business use. You can usually find one at your local library where published telephone numbers are listed in numerical order. Some addresses will even come up if you google the phone number. Nowimnthing 19:12, 26 July 2006 (UTC)