Wikipedia:Reference desk archive/Miscellaneous/2006 July 3

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[edit] Mixed Ethnicity

Is there a mixed ethnic group between the chinese, korean, and japanese... forming one whole new group? Is there one that combines all ethnic groups related to the Japanese?--Zen 01:01, 3 July 2006 (UTC)Zenythmon

The umbrella term for Chinese, Korean and Japanese people is East Asian. The term Asian is used in the U.S. and Oriental is used in the U.K. (Asian in the U.K. is reserved for South Asians), though some Americans believe the term is derogatory. However, in East Asia, you'll rarely hear people talking about East Asians as a collective group, because they don't have that type of distinction (especially when you consider Japanese actions during World War II). Their identity is usually confined to their own country, and people of their country's descent outside their country, even if they're mixed (e.g. Hines Ward, Paul Kariya)
However, there is no specific term for a person who has a parent from an East Asian ethnicity and a parent from another East Asian ethnicity. They're not common. Takeshi Kaneshiro (mixed Taiwanese and Japanese) is the only one off of the top of my head that's famous, and he identifies with both cultures. --ColourBurst 03:34, 3 July 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Will AV switcher boxes reduce signal quality?

Yes, they will reduce the signal quality. However, I presume the question you're asking is whether they will reduce the signal quality in any perceptible manner. In practice, when I've used one I haven't noticed the picture quality being degraded in any way. Your mileage may vary. --Robert Merkel 05:40, 3 July 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Help setting up component cables.

I'm trying to connect my DVD player to my TV using component cables instead of composite cables, hoping to get a better picture quality. Currently, I have it set up thus: The three component cables (red, blue and green) run from the "component out" ports on my DVD player to 3 of the 5 "component in" ports on my TV. All three of these carry video, right? And I have two of the composite cables -- white and red (L-audio and R-audio) running from the regular "AV out" on my DVD player to the last two "component in" ports on my TV. Sounds good? But I get no picture and no sound when I set it to the component channel. Now, if I run a yellow composite cable from the composite-out port on the DVD player to the blue component-in port on the TV, I get both picture and sound (albeit tinted blue). What's going on?! Crude diagram: http://img387.imageshack.us/img387/5245/pain17vh.png

Component video carries three separate video signals: one for luminence and two for chrominance. Theoretically, your setup should work as shown (Y-Y, Cb-Cb, Cr-Cr, L-L, R-R) but you may have to change the setting in your DVD player to tell it use the component output. Check your user guide, or lacking that try the website for your manufacturer.  RasputinAXP  c 04:01, 3 July 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Aspirin dosage - quick help needed !

Help! I've got an ear infection, I'm in pain and I don't know how much aspirin I can take because the type I have is for kids, with 100 mg acetosal tablets. I've taken 5 in the last few hours and the pain is still there. The instructions say a 10 year old kid can be given 300 mg per time, with a 1500 mg daily maximum. Since I weight at least double of what a 10 year old kid weighs (75 kg) I assume I can take at least one more now. I wanted to look this up, but I can't find any info on it. Not even on the Bayer site. Nor here on Wikipedia. Could someone with aspirin for adults look op for me what the dosage for adults is? DirkvdM 03:08, 3 July 2006 (UTC)

  • uh, double the body mass does not mean you can double the dose--205.188.117.68 03:11, 3 July 2006 (UTC)
    • 10,000 mg of GO SEE THE DOCTOR. schyler 03:40, 3 July 2006 (UTC)
Of course (dawn is just breaking). And thanks. But what is the 10.000 mg? That's a pretty high dose. Is that per day? What is the maximum dose? DirkvdM 06:16, 3 July 2006 (UTC)
Schlyer was trying to make clear how important it is for you to see a doctor as soon as is possible. That said, a typical adult aspirin pill has about 300 mg of aspirin in it. this British NHS page has some indications of typical aspirin dosages. Do your own maths (I've done the sums myself, but you should check). --Robert Merkel 06:31, 3 July 2006 (UTC)
Thanks! That's a helpful site. I've taken 800 mg in the last 6 hours, so that was nicely within the limits mentioned on that site. The aspirin article says there is a lethal dose for aspirin without saying how high that is, so I was wondering if I was poisoning myself. :) I now see what schyler said. I had missed the 'of'. So he gave me potentially dangerous medical advise for the sake of a joke. Now that I do not find funny (actually, I find it hard to find anything funny at the moment - if you've ever had an ear infection, you'll know what I mean). DirkvdM 07:16, 3 July 2006 (UTC)
  • It's only dangerous if you don't read carefully. He said "10,000 mg of GO SEE A DOCTOR", not "10,000 mg of aspirin". - Mgm|(talk) 08:02, 3 July 2006 (UTC)
Like I said, I missed the 'of'. I thought they were two separate sentences. I'm in agony, so my concentration isn't what it usually is. All those disclaimers for the retarded have irritated me many times. This is the first time I notice that, if not handled with care, they can even be dangerous. Why not simply answer the question? I wasn't asking for medical advise, just asking what the instructions say. A simple look-up for someone who has some aspirin lying around. DirkvdM 09:35, 3 July 2006 (UTC)

Now that my question has been answered (and my pain is somewhat bearable), I wonder why the article doesn't say what quantitites are lethal. Probably not the 10 g that schyler mentioned. But 100 g? 1 kg? 10 kg? A rough indiction would be nice, to give an idea how careful one should be with aspirin. DirkvdM 09:35, 3 July 2006 (UTC)

The LD50 (median lethal dose) of asprin is estimated at 400 mg/kg for an adult male [1], meaning that it would take 30g of pure asprin (100 tablets, if each one contains 300mg) to kill a typical 75kg man. The lowest recorded lethal dose is 104mg per kg of body mass. Ironfrost 15:09, 3 July 2006 (UTC)
Thanks, I added that to the article. DirkvdM 05:04, 4 July 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Best Place to Take a Bullet

If someone shoots you with a gun (pistol or rifle), what is the best and "safest" place to be shot? For example: your tighs, buttocks, etc...--Jamesino 03:42, 3 July 2006 (UTC)

I wonder if anyone is going to bother you with medical disclaimers for this one. :) DirkvdM 06:51, 3 July 2006 (UTC)
  • Anywhere where major bloodvessels, organs or muscles won't get hit. - Mgm|(talk) 08:03, 3 July 2006 (UTC)
Someone else's arm is ideal. --Howard Train 08:11, 3 July 2006 (UTC)
If you have to be shot the safest place is in an emergency room at a hospital. AllanHainey 08:22, 3 July 2006 (UTC)
Lucky Kishan Patel?--Shantavira 08:52, 3 July 2006 (UTC)*

The head,at least it's instant--hotclaws**==(hotclaws**== 12:01, 3 July 2006 (UTC))

To paraphrase Blackadder, about an inch above the head...EVOCATIVEINTRIGUE TALKTOME | EMAILME | IMPROVEME 13:03, 3 July 2006 (UTC)
Actually, I believe the quite a high proportion of head shots are not fatal. I can't remember where I saw this though. It would depend on whether the shot is from a high-powered sniper rifle or if you've put a pistol to your own head. It's mainly the latter situation I'm thinking of.-gadfium 21:50, 3 July 2006 (UTC)
Through your left hand (if you're right handed). Or through your right hand, if you happen to be a lefty. Proto///type 13:19, 3 July 2006 (UTC)
Through the earlobe? Fingertips? The phone book you stuffed up your shirt when your buddy started goofing around with a shotgun? --Kurt Shaped Box 13:25, 3 July 2006 (UTC)
All these people suggesting the hand must be nuts – there's all kinds of useful nerves, tendons, and small bones that you're going to toast that way. Nope — give me a nice clean through-and-through someplace fleshy. Or, better yet, just shoot me in the hair. TenOfAllTrades(talk) 16:05, 3 July 2006 (UTC)

The relevant article is Wound ballistics. Unfortunately it's a stub. There is an external reference which might be useful for the original questioner.-gadfium 21:50, 3 July 2006 (UTC)

The buttocks would appear to be the safest area, based on quick logic. But I am merely speculating. --Proficient 08:40, 4 July 2006 (UTC)
I recall a film about a Darwin award candidate who wanted to be shot as an extreme form of body modification. If my memory is correct, he had his friend shoot him in the left biceps and managed to come through it without major damage. Afterward, his comment was that he didn't recommend that others try it. Crypticfirefly 19:17, 7 July 2006 (UTC)
Depends on the gun. If it's a .22 short-barrel pistol, the forehead is a good place to take the shot -- odds are, it'll bounce off, leaving you with only a splitting headache and an incredibly bloody (but not very dangerous) scalp wound. If it's something high-velocity and large-caliber, a through wound anywhere with lots of muscle and few blood vessels. --Serie 22:17, 7 July 2006 (UTC)
I would choose to be shot in the hair. Bhumiya (said/done) 07:08, 9 July 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Panentheism

Panentheists believe God is the heart,mind, and soul of the universe, instead of the universe itself.Do most panentheists and panentheistic religions believe that God is an actual person or some kind of power,force, or influence?If a person, then are there any of them who believe that God is not a person?60.241.147.187 05:00, 3 July 2006 (UTC)

  • I think it can be better compared to the Christian Holy Spirit, not an actual person. - Mgm|(talk) 08:05, 3 July 2006 (UTC)
By the way, it's pantheism (not panentheism). - Mgm|(talk) 08:06, 3 July 2006 (UTC)
Are you going to nominate panentheism for deletion then? David Sneek 13:11, 3 July 2006 (UTC)
Panentheism and pantheism are not the same thing. According to the articles. Nor is it the same as pandeism. Or panendeism. Or even pandaism. Proto///type 13:17, 3 July 2006 (UTC)
And don't forget Deism. And animism. User:Zoe|(talk) 01:30, 4 July 2006 (UTC)

When I said person, I actually meant all intelligent beings, including spirits.

Panentheists believe God is the heart,mind, and soul of the universe, instead of the universe itself. Do most panentheists and panentheistic religions believe that God is an actual person or some kind of power,force, or influence? neither. They think that God is the heart, soul, and mind of the Universe. What is your mind. is it you? No. is it some kind of power, force, or influence? No. It is your mind - a separate intangible intelligence which exists due to the sum of the cells within your body (especially those in your CNS). There is a long-standing theory among scientists that any sufficiently complex system has the possibility of sentience or at least of having some self-regulating nature (if you'll pardon the term). Well, there is no system as complex as the universe. As for it being "heart, mind, and soul", this is yet another of those trinities that represent one complex idea (a thing which science, christianity and paganism have in common, BTW) - "heart, mind, and soul" are three aspects of what we regard as sentience or (egotistically) "humanity". Any more questions of this nature? You seem to have asked a whole slew of them this week... Grutness...wha? 13:54, 4 July 2006 (UTC)

I don't understand.Is the panentheistic god really an intelligent and conscious entity like humans?Simple answer, yes or no?

Conscious and intelligent, yes, but not in any form that humans would readily understand the concept. A bee's hive is "intelligent and conscious", too, but again, not by any easy human-intelligence-comparable definition. So the simple answer is yes and no. Grutness...wha? 07:19, 6 July 2006 (UTC)

A bee hive is an intelligent entiity?I thought it was a group of intelligent entities(under the leadership of a single entity, the queen bee).

A beehive is a gestalt - i.e., it is greater than the sum of its parts. The bees have the intelligence, but the intelligence is shared in such a way that the sum total of the hive is an entity in itself. So by our normal definitions of intelligence, the hive isn't intelligent per se, but our definitions don't really cover the hive situation. Grutness...wha? 07:05, 8 July 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Do airship or blimp envelopes have cabins in them?

I always assumed that the envelope (you know, the big gas bag) of an airship was empty, so it could be filled with hydrogen or helium or whatever and fly. But I've been reading a bit of fiction involving airships lately (the Mortal Engines series and Airborn) and I've found that they often mention the presence of cabins "up in the envelope" or have cargo holds in there. I thought all the cabins etc. were supposed to go in the gondola, leaving the gas bag free tomake the airship, well, go.

Wouldn't the presence of cargo or cabins in the envelope just weigh down the ship and make flight impossible?

Not necessarily - just as long as there was enough lift from the envelope to counteract the mass - which is the case whether the mass is located within the envelope or outside. However, it's probably not a very sensible place to put cabins; aside from the lack of a view, they would need to be sealed and have a separate air supply as the envelope is of course filled with a non-breathable gas. --Robert Merkel
I suspect the dirigible is composed of a series of discrete "envelopes" containing hydrogen or helium or whatever, rather than being a single balloon. In which case there's little issue with siting cargo or cabins within the baloon, subject only to considerations about lift and centre of gravity. --Tagishsimon (talk)
Tagishsimon is correct about the separate bags of gas with dirigibles/zeppelins (rigid airships). They also allowed for some designs with decks inside the outer skin of the ship rather than just those attached below in a gondola. One difference that you will see between designs for helium-lifted zeppelins (I just like that word better) vs. hydrogen-lifted zeppelins is that when hydrogen was used the engines had to be placed outside the outer skin to avoid explosions, but when helium is used the engines can go inside, allowing for better airflow over the ship and therefore better speed. This also meant that engine rooms could be inside, where it was warmer. On the other hand, you wouldn't be able to have much in the way of usable interior space inside the envelope of a "blimp" (non-rigid airship). Crypticfirefly 19:46, 7 July 2006 (UTC)
It may have been poetic license but there's a film (Zeppelin maybe?) where they all go up into the balloon and have a fight. IIRC nobody came back down with a squeaky voice. Jameswilson 23:33, 3 July 2006 (UTC)
Are you thinking of The Assassination Bureau? If I remember that film correctly (I saw it once, about fifteen years ago), there is a fight within the envelope of a Zeppelin. Someone shoots a gasbag and one of the bad guys gerts a lungful of hydrogen and turns green. --Howard Train 02:01, 4 July 2006 (UTC)
Yes, thats the one I meant. Jameswilson 22:48, 4 July 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Deletion of Articles

How does one go about proposing deletion of an article? How do I get that banner up that says, "This article has been proposed for deletion?

Edit the article and put {{subst:prod|reason}} to the beginning of it, replacing "reason" with the reason why you think it should be deleted. For more information, see Wikipedia:Proposed deletion. Also, Wikipedia related questions can be asked at the Wikipedia:Help desk. –Mysid(t) 06:45, 3 July 2006 (UTC)
You should also read Wikipedia:Articles for deletion, since {{prod}} is only for special cases where there is likely to be no objection to deletion (see WP:PROD). Grutness...wha? 07:16, 3 July 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Name for strips of paper

When you put paper through a shredder, you end up with long strips of shredded paper. With chads from a perforator they're either chads or confetti, but is there a specific name for the shredded strips, or are they just called "strips of shredded paper"? Grutness...wha? 07:16, 3 July 2006 (UTC)

People are always wanting dictionary authority for words,if all language developed like that we'd be in a right state. As chad probably comes from a word for wood chip and confetti has an even less papery etymology, from comfit, I suggest inventing your own word and trying to get it caught on. I personally, if ever required to mention them, call them linguine (quite long little tongues). MeltBanana 15:31, 3 July 2006 (UTC)*

If it's used as packing,isn't it known as "excelsior"?(not sure of spelling)hotclaws**==(81.134.113.184 07:56, 4 July 2006 (UTC))

"Excelsior" is the correct spelling. --Proficient 08:42, 4 July 2006 (UTC)
I always thought that excelsior was more like shredded wood strips rather than paper? Crypticfirefly 19:48, 7 July 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Will Wikipedia, if it continues to grow for 200 years, become sentient?

Mad I know, but impossible? ;) --83.245.23.254 12:12, 3 July 2006 (UTC)

It's going to take a lot longer than 200 years. JIP | Talk 12:24, 3 July 2006 (UTC)
I asked a similar question not long ago. From the hardware's point of view its just a bunch of ones and zeros. From a bots point of view its just a bunch of random data. From a system's point of view its a lot of input, deletions, records and changes. From a student's point of view it is an amazing place to get answers to questions and establish a presence. From a teacher's point of view its a great way to be sure that everybody is on the same page. From a administrator’s point of view and so on... Some parts are already sentient and some parts never will be. ...IMHO (Talk) 12:34, 3 July 2006 (UTC)
None of wikipedia is self-aware, and it cannot become so, you think that just because it is around for 200 hundred years that suddenly the system rewires itself? Just because computers are old, doesnt mean they change, they can't evolve. Philc TECI 13:35, 3 July 2006 (UTC)
One could imagine Wikipedia becoming some sort of "memory" basis for intelligent or semi-intelligent bots, though. If I were an AI programmer that's probably what I'd be playing with—finding ways to use the pre-existing semantic networks on Wikipedia to create some sort of semi-intelligent bot. --Fastfission 14:29, 3 July 2006 (UTC)
Alternatively, you could argue that Wikipedia is already intelligent, though not autonomously so. If you take "Wikipedia" to mean the entire Wikipedia system—and where users are simply organs of the larger system—then it is already very smart, self-corrects, self-organizes, etc. The general fallacy here is that, again, it is not really autonomous—it requires external input and external energy like crazy, and I doubt one can define something as intelligent just because intelligent beings play with it—but if you take a very wide definition of intelligence (the sort which sees the entire planet as an organism, for example) it could work. But if that's the case, Wikipedia isn't very uniquely intelligent—the internet itself becomes intelligent. --Fastfission 14:32, 3 July 2006 (UTC)
If Wikipedia were self-aware, it would be the kind of person who only knows about geographical minutia, Internet memes, anime, pseudoscience, and conspiracies. And it would talk about these things ALL THE TIME. Would you want to interact with such a person? Adam Bishop 15:21, 3 July 2006 (UTC)
I'm sorry Dave, but I cannot let you edit that page.  -- Run!  17:17, 3 July 2006 (UTC)
Then sing us a little song, HAL, while I convert you back to an Encyclopedia Brittanica equivalent. alteripse 22:22, 3 July 2006 (UTC)

I would like to talk with such a person Adam... a person that has meaningful stuff to say and never criticizes nor gossips...nor has tantrums and stupid fixations... if wikipedia where embodied, then I think it'd be the (almost) perfect person... a person who is polite and respects other points of view while being as objective as possible, a person that is sincere and doesn't have ulterior motives...that'd be wikipedia... too bad I haven't met many people like that..actually..I've met none.--Cosmic girl 22:57, 3 July 2006 (UTC)

God is the only entity by definition possessing the ability to reduce an infinite number of logical equations having an infinite number of variables and an infinite number of states to minimum form instantaneously. ...IMHO (Talk) 13:14, 4 July 2006 (UTC)

...what?...--Cosmic girl 22:45, 4 July 2006 (UTC)

Given that it's about 200 years since Richard Trevithick was impressing people with a kettle on wheels and Isambard Kingdom Brunel was a farting, mewling, puking infant, I'd say wikipedia could become sentient in a lot less than 200 years. Certainly, software could be designed to give the illusion of sentience on modern machines; in 200 years there's no reason why wikipedia might not be governed by an intelligent self-maintaining system. --Howard Train 23:52, 4 July 2006 (UTC)

[edit] IRC

I've read bash.org for years and years, and always kind of wanted to become a regular in some room where I know some of the people and they know me, kind of like Cheers but without Kelsey Grammar. So I fire up bitchx every now and again and try to find a decent room, but I can't find one that isn't entirely filled with idlers. Can anyone recommend a decent server and possibly channel? Thank you in advance. Isopropyl 13:05, 3 July 2006 (UTC)

You could try the Wikipedia Ezperanza IRC channel: I was in there yesterday- the generaslly friendly regulars are always ready for a few jokes! EVOCATIVEINTRIGUE TALKTOME | EMAILME | IMPROVEME 13:13, 3 July 2006 (UTC)
"Generaslly"? Almost as bad as suitly emphazi! EVOCATIVEINTRIGUE TALKTOME | EMAILME | IMPROVEME 13:15, 3 July 2006 (UTC)
I know what you mean - IRC so often fails to live up to its promise. I don't have an answer for you I'm afraid, but I reckon your best bet is to look for a common interest channel rather than just a general chat channel. You're going to find fewer idlers in a place where the folks have something in common. Out of interest, do the quotes on bash.org tell you which server and channel they came from? If so, you could always try those places... --Richardrj 13:18, 3 July 2006 (UTC)
I very much wish that they provided the channel. Thank you for your help though. Isopropyl 13:27, 3 July 2006 (UTC)
It will be difficult to find a channel or channels to join without any other information, since channels are generally thematic. From my say 7, damn it has been a while, years of experience with IRC (first with Dalnet, then EFnet and some other servers) it takes a bit of time to find an online "click" to hangout with. I recommend searching the web through google or your favorite search engine for irc channels that match your interests. So if you were interested in politics then #politics would be a good start. In the beginning you will need to spend more time than usual trying to talk and contribute to the channel, because what you want to happen is for people to remember you, your personality, your interests, and your knowledge. A big problem is deciding on how large of a channel you'd like to join, because the bigger the channel (in terms of users) the bigger the amount of text that will be scrolling (huge amounts of text make it hard to know everything that is going on in the room) and the more people for others to remember. For example, but without divulging any channel names since some of them are private/secret/invite-only/keyed, I am in a couple of channels that is essentially a chat about independent/underground hip-hop, a channel that is devoted to discussing comic books, and a few other smaller and more intimate channels that have been created as off-shoots of other large channels (where ~20-30 people chat, everyone knows everyone else, instead of the mayhem of the ~300 user main channel and the previous ~100 person chat channel).--69.171.123.148 20:00, 3 July 2006 (UTC)
/server irc.efnet.org #weed & #rollitup ! --12.218.24.245 16:20, 12 July 2006 (UTC)SIXsixSIX

[edit] account is being hacked

Hello, my account (user:Bera) is being hacked at the moment. I can´t log in any more. Someone hacked my discussion page, too. Can somebody help me, please? --89.53.245.159 14:20, 3 July 2006 (UTC)

Go to the login page, type in your username and click the "send new password" button and you will be e-mailed the password. As for your talk page it can be edited by anyone like most other pages on this wiki, that's what it's there for. If someone have vandalised it just click on the "history" tab, find the last good version of the page, hit edit and then save, to revert to that version of the page. --Sherool (talk) 14:30, 3 July 2006 (UTC)
Sherool, thank you very much for this nice information.--89.53.245.159 14:32, 3 July 2006 (UTC)

[edit] DVD authoring

Does anyone know of a fairly good DVD authoring program which has GUI (I can't use long command lines well) and can encode video itself (i.e. doesn't depend on pre-encoded stuff). The reason is, I have a number of low-quality videos which I want to put on DVDs and Roxio 8 won't let the quality level go below 4 Mb/s i.e. its forcing me to upencode. Any help would be greatly appreciated. - Рэдхот 15:52, 3 July 2006 (UTC)


I use Ahead Nero for DVD authoring. As long as you're prepared to let it take over your computer for a few hours it's very good software. --Howard Train 02:05, 4 July 2006 (UTC)

Ok. Thanks. - Рэдхот 09:10, 4 July 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Pokémon store in NYC

I remember a few months ago in Manhattan, NYC, a store that had lots of pictures of the Pokémon characters on the outside for decoration, but the store had not actually opened. Does anybody know what it is now or is it still un-opened and where it is? Thanks, Iolakana|T 16:28, 3 July 2006 (UTC)

Is it the Pokémon Center (now Nintendo World) at Rockefeller Center in New York? That was redecorated recently (when Pokémon Center went bellyup and became Nintendo World). smurrayinchester(User), (Talk) 14:25, 4 July 2006 (UTC)
Yes! That's it! Thank you very much! Iolakana|T 18:15, 4 July 2006 (UTC)

[edit] forestry and wilidlife

1. define apiculture
b.importance of bee keeping 
2. short essay on leopards habitat
a.compare and contrast game reserve and zoological garden
3. explain with illustration the different stages of forest degradation 
b.state how the trend can be reversed
4.write on the availability of the following renewable resource in  nigeria  
(a) gum arabic(acacia senegal)
(b)lion (pantera leo)
(c) bush fowl (francolinus species)
5.explain the mophology of nigeria tree species with diagramatic illustrations
Do you own homework! or at least reword it into your own words to pretend that it is not homework! Jon513 17:28, 3 July 2006 (UTC)
Yeah that is absolute idiocy. It is without doubt homework of some kind - come on "essay" and "diagramatic illustrations"? - Рэдхот 18:23, 3 July 2006 (UTC)
Since he/she is not going to re-word it....
  1. (b) Apiculture is the keeping of bees especially on a large scale
  2. I am not going to write an essay for you.
  3. I am not going to draw for you.
  4. (a) Nigeria is the second largest country in Africa to produce gum. arabic[2]
(b) It appears that Nigeria has very few remaining lions, and are only found in remote areas.[3]
(c) Don't know about this one!
5. No. Iolakana|T 18:40, 3 July 2006 (UTC)

Well this question is funny...--Captain ginyu 19:19, 3 July 2006 (UTC)

1. Apiculture is the social structure and organisation of large primates.
1b. It prevents the bees becoming lost
2. The Leopard was once found all over West Germany, Belgium, Australia, Canada, Brazil, Chile, Denmark, Greece, Italy, Norway, Turkey and The Netherlands, but is now an endangered species.
2a. A game reserve is when someone puts their coins on the pool table, intending to take the table next. It's considered polite to ask whether winner-stays-on is in effect before doing this. A zoological garden, in contrast, is a garden owned by a zoologist. It may or may not include a pool.

3. _____
  /     \
 |       |
  \_   _/                          ______
    | |         --->              o______)
    | |                  __      ooo______)
  __| |__             __|  |__  ooooo______)

  T R E E                  L U M B E R


b. planting trees.
4 (a) gum is widely available in both Nigeria and Arabia
4 (b) The lion, manufactured by Nestlé, is a German chocolate bar available all over the world.
4 (c) If I don't wash for a few days, my bush gets foul, too.
5. Nigerian trees have trunks and branches and leaves and shit. For a detailed illustration, see question 3.

--Howard Train 00:14, 5 July 2006 (UTC)

Brilliant diagram =D --Froth 06:14, 5 July 2006 (UTC)
I'm afraid that the previous two sets of answers seem to have been concocted by malicious Wikipedians as a punishment for being so blatant in your homeworking desire. However, I did a Google search for the words and it turns out that someone (probably one of your classmates) has put the answers onto their website, and they seem quite good. You might want to edit some of the words first, though. See it here (If Internet Explorer warns you about an error, click the yellow bar and select "allow blocked content"). —Daniel (‽) 13:21, 11 July 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Marking routes in Google Maps

How do you mark a route travelled in Google Maps, along with tags for notable locations visited, like this guy has done? http://www.wherethehellismatt.com/maps/index.htm

This guy isn't actually using Google Maps. He's taken Google Maps' sourcecode and modified it to do that, before putting it on his website. --Saxsux 20:02, 3 July 2006 (UTC)
Damn!
You could try Google Pedometer. Sum0 16:19, 4 July 2006 (UTC)

[edit] An articol in roumanian language for roumanian people -

CODUL DA VINCI – VAZUT DE CATRE UN OM CARE IS PERMITA SA GANDEASCA – el fiind CONTEMPORAN CU DAN BROWN SI CU VOI CEI CARI CITITI – 2006 Era Comuna Este oare posibil ca atunci cand un ”crestin” citeste peste tot, dar in special in evanghelia lui Ioan la capitolul 13 cu versetul 1, ”Inainte de praznicul Pastelor....” şi apoi in Matei 26, ultima parte a versetului 18, ”voi face Pastele cu ucenicii mei in casa ta.” – sa nu stie si sa nu inteleaga EI ca acei Rabini, cari l’au trimis pe Isus ca sa fie asasinat de catre NEAMURI, (Mt.20:19) nu pentru ca a calcat vre’o lege a cerului, ci numai pentru ca a calcat legea elaborata de ei cu privire la sabat – el calcase legea lor, a Talmudului, o lege pamanteasca! Atunci cand ei toti 13 s’au adunat pentru a serba Pastele, dupa propriul lor, particular calendar, dar atunci cand NU era Paste, Ioan 13:1,”Inainte de praznicul pastelor’ – nu ar fi venit garda Templului sa’i aresteze si apoi sa’i biciuiasca, asa cum spune legea talmudica, ”flogging a rebellion”, ’biciuirea rebelului’, care este explicat tot de catre Talmud, ’’He is to be beaten until his soul goes out”- ”el va fi batut pana la iesirea sufletului”! din partea Talmudului numita, ’Baal Aruch’ Este destul ca oricine sa is respinga orice fel de simt antisemit si sa discute cu un Rabin al zilelor noastre, intrebandu’l despre acest caz. Rabinul, va rade de faptul ca, ’crestinii’, cred orice (prostie) este introdus acolo in Biblia lor greaca, de catre greci, luand drept bune, totul, fara a mai controla cu Scripturile [ktabe/ in/aramaica] originale scrise in limba materna a lui Isus si a ucenicilor, cari au scris evangheliile epistolele si Apocalipsa, in limba lor MATERNA, limba ARAMAICA. [nu greaca] Iar ceia ce a scris Brown, despre Isus, era deja scris de 14 secole in Qu’ran-ul (Coran) poporului lui Mahomet, in capitolul ’Sura’ 4 cu versetele 156 si 157, ca Isus nu a ajuns la punctul mortii, caci a fost salvat, ”Dumnezeu l’a ridicat pe el, el care este puternic si intelept” – iar cu privire la credinta celor ce cred in Maria ca sfanta, este ceia ce s’a declarat in Qu’ran (Coran) la Sura 5 cu versetul 116, ’Dieu ayant demande a Jesus fils de Marie, s’il avait commande aux ho--84.208.82.110 18:59, 3 July 2006 (UTC)mmes de l’adorer lui et sa mere comme de dieux;’ – ’Dumnezeu inainte de a propune pe Isus ca fiul Mariei, a comandat oamenilor de a’i adora pe el si pe Maria, ca zei.’ Adrian Johnson - <e-mail removed>

I don't know what you just said, but I can do better than an article: how about a whole Wikipedia in the Romanian language, with over 10,000 articles? Try http://ro.wikipedia.org/. Notinasnaid 19:17, 3 July 2006 (UTC)

There already is an article on The Da Vinci Code there, btw. David Sneek 19:49, 3 July 2006 (UTC)

C'mon... as much as that guy wrote an entire article in Romanian on the Ref-Desk and annoyed us all doesn't mean we leave his e-mail id over here so that he can get tons of spam!*removes e-mail id* Jayant,17 Years, India • contribs 20:50, 3 July 2006 (UTC)
Btw, why is there not a ref desk in the Romanian WP? --WhiteDragon 19:24, 11 July 2006 (UTC)

[edit] how to demagnetize a steel shaft

How can I demagnetize a steel shaft. Heat is not an option. The shaft is 0.6 inches diameter and 3 feet long.

Note I have seen several devices for sale that seem extremely expensive. Perhaps, if I know what the actual physical process is, then I can just build a device to demagnetize the steel.

Thanks in advance for any input.

Hit it reasonably gently with a hammer. This should knock the magnetic domains out of alignment. Don't do it too hard or the shaft may dent! --80.229.152.246 21:29, 3 July 2006 (UTC)

I wonder if you can demagnetize any magnet this way? A kitchen magnet? 82.131.187.36 10:04, 4 July 2006 (UTC) (not the poster).

A AC current can also demagnetise metal without the risk of dents, but unless you have a safe AC source, such as an adjustable voltage pack, I wouldn't recommend it. smurrayinchester(User), (Talk) 14:00, 4 July 2006 (UTC)

This is off the top 'o my head, so take it with a grain of salt. As Smurrayinchester said, an AC source would help. I believe that any place that tests auto generators or starters will have something called a "growler". It applies a strong AC magnetic field. If you hold the shaft close to the unit, start it up, then gradually move the shaft away from the unit while it's still on, this should demagnetize it. Good luck. Bunthorne 04:38, 5 July 2006 (UTC)

[edit] "Cyber" or "Online"?

What is the proper term to use when referring to online learning environments or e-learning? "cyber" or "online"? Based on your definitions, "cyber" seems to refer to an underground culture.

Online. "Cyber" is a little out-dated, and used by itself (i.e., not as a prefix) implies that you're talking about cybersex. zafiroblue05 | Talk 02:05, 4 July 2006 (UTC)
When people say "cyber" most internet people automatically think "cybersex". It's a term that's not longer used. --mboverload@ 07:26, 4 July 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Erythrulose

In the article about Erythrulose, it is mentioned that it is not FDDA approved as a self-tanning agent. However, several of the beauty products that I researched contain this ingredient, such as Jergens Natural Glow. Does the fact that it isn't FDA approved mean that it isn't legal to use Erythrulose, or simply that it isn't recommended and the effects are not known?

--216.212.80.98 21:54, 3 July 2006 (UTC)Starr

removed indent/font/width problem --Halcatalyst 22:10, 3 July 2006 (UTC)

Not FDA approved means that the manufacturer has not submitted clinical trial safety and efficacy data to the FDA for formal approval that the substance is both safe and effective. This is commonly done by manufacturers who are not confident that a trial would demonstrate efficacy, or who think they can sell it without making direct advertising claims, or who think the added market attained by FDA approval is too small and unprofitable to be worth the cost of the trials, and of course there is always the small chance that manufacturer is aware of safety or purity or production concerns and does not want to risk FDA closer examination of their product or production. This last is much less common, but has certainly been true of a few drugs sold as "dietary supplements" in the USA. You cannot directly claim that a substance will treat a disease without submitting safety/efficacy data to the FDA in the US. alteripse 22:19, 3 July 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Sport novice

Hi,I've decided to take up a sport to practice (I used to do tae-bo, spinning, and go to the gym every once in a while, but I want to practice an actual sport now). I can't decide which, so maybe you can help me. I like to watch soccer and basketball, yet I think they'd be really hard for me to play since soccer is mostly for guys here and basketball is kind of difficult to learn and I'm only 1.65 cms tall. I HATE voleyball, both watching it and playing it. I think I could stand playing tennis and even start to like it, but I don't care much about watching it. I find it a little boring. I was thinking about swiming,but I'm 20 years old so maybe it's too late to start. I want to get agility and flexibility,and not lose wait since I'm already kind of slim (not very much),but I want to build some muscle in the legs and arms ( kind of like madonna or paulina rubio...not like a guy!). so... does any of u have any advice?:S please?. I think I should just do what I like, but I don't know what I like...besides soccer and basketball but I'll suck at them. oh and also! can pilates and yoga make me a little taller?.--Cosmic girl 22:05, 3 July 2006 (UTC)

Netball? Hockey, field probably, unless womens ice hockey is significantly less violent. For agility flexibility and muscle build, maybe gymnastics, figure skating (but admittadly there is a lot of discipline involved in those two), a martial art of some sort, aikido is pretty all round, with zero violence involved in learning and strength doesnt matter, or dance maybe. Tennis is fun, doubles more so, unless you ultra-competitive. Theres always water borne sports, if the facilities are available, such as Water Polo. Philc TECI 23:32, 3 July 2006 (UTC)
1.5 cm's is not very tall. About 5/8 of an inch. How much taller do you want to be?
I'm not 1.5 cms :| I'm 1.65 cms...(yeah, metres...whatever...:| lol...I'm embarased:P) and yes, it isn't very tall either.:( --Cosmic girl 03:58, 4 July 2006 (UTC)
Actually, 1.65m is considered average in a lot of countries. It's not super duper high, but think about the advantage in long car rides and plane rides. --ColourBurst 06:53, 4 July 2006 (UTC)
You're not allowed to hip check in Women's ice hockey, so yes, it is less violent. Where are you located, Cosmic girl? It will help narrow down what's available and popular in your area. As for height growth, you're 20 already so you've probably grown all you can. What are your goals for taking up a sport? If you want to build agility and flexibility pilates and yoga will do the trick, but remember that yoga is more than just a physical exercise, it has strong spiritual components to it that most people in the western world tend to ignore. And I think the OP means 1.65 metres, not centimetres. --ColourBurst 00:16, 4 July 2006 (UTC)
Don't mean to be rude by answering a question not aimed at me or anything, but if it helps, I noticed her user page says she's in Arequipa-Perú. Philc TECI 01:06, 4 July 2006 (UTC)
Cosmic girl, are you in school? Are there any school programs for women? If not, look around for some local clubs. If soccer isn't something you want to do, how about team handball, or, as was suggested, field hockey? User:Zoe|(talk) 01:42, 4 July 2006 (UTC)
ISTR netball is largely unknown in South America so that one could be difficult... Can you swim? Swimming itself is a good sport to build up limb muscles, and there's always water polo, too. Grutness...wha? 02:09, 4 July 2006 (UTC)

I think I'll start with pilates and swimming...I love soccer but I'm too much of a whimp to play it:(. thanx 4 your advice everyone! XD.--Cosmic girl 04:02, 4 July 2006 (UTC)

You might also want to consider badminton. --Richardrj 04:39, 4 July 2006 (UTC)
  • If you want to build muscles, swimming is a good choice. You may be at a slight age disadvantage if you want to compete at a professional level, but if you try for speed, swimming will work fine for you. Swimming underwater will help build a larger long capacity. - Mgm|(talk) 07:24, 4 July 2006 (UTC)*

softball?hotclaws**==(81.134.113.184 08:00, 4 July 2006 (UTC))

Take a hike! Most sports are unhealthy because they make you do the same moves over and over again, which will wear out specific parts of your body and leave others untrained. Swimming is a notable exception (if you practise different strokes). But hiking/tramping/backpacking or whatever it is called exercises your body in a very natural way. And useful. Walking muscles come in handy in everyday life. And you get to see some interresting environments. And it's good for your mind as well, very relaxing.
Not sure how Pontius Pilate could help you with your height. :) DirkvdM 08:19, 4 July 2006 (UTC)
You are really short. :P --Proficient 08:45, 4 July 2006 (UTC)

I know!!! :( ... well for my country I'm average and even 'tall' sometimes...but I wanna be taller! like 1.70 or 1.75! I have tall relatives... like, my dad is 1.83 and he's the shortest of his brothers,but on the other hand... my mom is like 1.60 and all her family is short, so yeah, I guess I wasn't very lucky with the genes...lol.--Cosmic girl 15:57, 4 July 2006 (UTC)

I personally recommend table tennis. It is quite easy to get into and is reasonably cheap as well. Despite the fact that players do not appear to run around much, you do need quick reactions and the ability to move sharply and with control. In fact, looking at the article, it appears that professional table tennis players need the quickest reactions of any sport. --80.229.152.246 19:43, 4 July 2006 (UTC)

You might like fencing. It improves your fitness, balance, reactions, poise and stamina. It also involves hitting people with swords, swinging from chandeliers and being extremely cool. Your height doesn't make blind bit of difference, either, as taller people have better range while shorter people have less to guard, and they can reach their opponent's unguarded lower body (with epée at any rate) more easily. --Howard Train 00:23, 5 July 2006 (UTC)

thank you!:) --Cosmic girl 20:36, 6 July 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Investor Stuff

I am doing a project on the different types of investments. I was hoping that you could tell me the average growth and decay rate of stocks over 20-50 years. I also need the equation of this, as well as the future projected growth rate for 10-50 years. Please help me!

Thank You, HS

PS If it's not too much trouble, I would also like the same information on gold, silver, bonds, treasury bills, money market funds, mutual funds and antiques and commodities.

We don't do your homework for you. You can get historical price data from any number of finance sites, but you need to think carefully what you want. The Dow Jones Industrial Average? The S&P 500? Are you taking into account dividend payments? Are you from somewhere other than the United States and want to look at your local market?
Some other information that might be of use is how to calculate rate of return. As to future projected growth rates, that's just a guess; various government bureacracies make such guesses for the overall economy, but I don't think they attempt to project the stock market decades into the future. --Robert Merkel 23:48, 3 July 2006 (UTC)

[edit] TERRENCE HOWARD

I know your site says that Terrence Howard is currently divorced from his wife lori, but other sites say he's still married or seperated, I was just wondering which is the most recent status. Just wondering. Thanks

According to imdb, they were married from 1989 until 2003, then divorced, then remarried in 2005 and now separated. User:Zoe|(talk) 01:45, 4 July 2006 (UTC)