Wikipedia:Reference desk archive/Miscellaneous/2006 October 6

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[edit] I can't find something I found a year ago

Hello

Thank you for your time.

About a year ago I found an article in wikipedia about a particular person but I can't remember their name and would like to find it again.

The person was a Man of polish birth or decent. He was a representative of the Polish government to the Bank of England sometime between 1900 to 1930. When politics changed he became a representative of the Russian and or Soviet government to the Bank of England. In the article it stated that he married an English woman and afterwards retired to Turkey.

I never kept a record of his name but have tried crossreferncing by the Bank of England and government representatives of Poland or RUssia or USSR to England or the bank of england.

Can anyone give me more guidance or assistance as to searching or finding this information.

Thank you kindly.

I can't find this article using Google. Someone else might remember, but I strongly suspect this article does not exist anymore. -- Rick Block (talk) 03:27, 6 October 2006 (UTC)

Thank you for trying. Tinkaopala 02:59, 7 October 2006 (UTC)

[edit] moe.

Is moe. the jammingst jam band on the planet?

noe. Hyenaste (tell) 03:33, 6 October 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Is It Illegal to drink unroasted coffee?

Thanks.100110100 06:47, 6 October 2006 (UTC)

The International Roasted Coffee Police would probably have you arrested.... But no, I can't see why it would be. ☢ Ҡi∊ff⌇↯ 07:01, 6 October 2006 (UTC)
But why would you want to drink unroasted coffee? Unroasted coffee==no flavour. --Kjoonlee 08:20, 6 October 2006 (UTC)
For the drug, yea its sad:-/ Meh.198.166.59.152
which jurisdiction?martianlostinspace 16:55, 8 October 2006 (UTC)
Canada, danke.100110100 00:52, 9 October 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Does Wikipedia have pictures?

Hey, I'm studying about human mutagens in my biology class and I was wondering if Wikipedia had a section to search for pictures. I want to find a picture of some mutated humans.

Thanks for taking the time to help me out, James

Try searching Google Images for human mutation (708 hits).--Shantavira 09:38, 6 October 2006 (UTC)
Whicfh is indeed the better way to go, but to answer your question, the central repository for Wikipedia images is wikimedia commons. DirkvdM 18:46, 6 October 2006 (UTC)
It is regrettably very difficult to find an image you want if it is not connected to an article, one Wikipedia, or the Commons.Template:Susbt:User:mac Davis/Sig09:36, 7 October 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Economics of World War II

During the last war, I understand that we leased equipment from the U.S.A. to help fight and, subsequently, win the war in Europe. I believe that the cost to Britain in financial terms was considerable. A. What was the total cost? B. Has it all been paid? C. Has any contribution to these costs ever been made by the countries 'liberated? D. Has any reparation ever been made to Great Britain for the considerable financial and military investment made after the war in helping the 'liberated' countries to start rebuilding?

In what universe was WWII the last war? The UK was the recipient of much post-war financial aid from the US, as were most of the countries in western Europe - see the article on the Marshall Plan for further information. Did you mean to ask if reparation had been made from Great Britain? Natgoo 10:52, 6 October 2006 (UTC)
It's an expression that's used by quite a lot of older people to describe WWII. You might note that while the USA has been off fighting land wars in Asia, Europe, well, hasn't. --Robert Merkel 01:08, 13 October 2006 (UTC)
The question refers to the UK. Are you suggesting there hasn't been any UK troop deployment since WWII? Natgoo 11:48, 14 October 2006 (UTC)
This question was raised by an MP a few months ago, raising a few eyebrows - in three months time, we'll have paid it off. There were to be fifty installments of £45m, but they were waived on 6 occasions due to economic difficulties. As of 1 January 2007, the UK will no longer have WW2 debts. Interestingly, we do still have Napoleonic war debts, because the way the interest and inflation accumulates it's cheaper to just keep paying that than to pay off the debts themselves. See [1] As regards investment to rebuild.. Marshall Plan--Mnemeson 11:13, 6 October 2006 (UTC)

For actual Napoleonic war debt, that would imply that somebody had a piece of paper, dated 1801, that entitled him to a payment of 3 squirrels a year from the British Gov't, but would cost a million bucks to clear out. I searched a lot for that, but couldn't find it. :) --Zeizmic 14:40, 6 October 2006 (UTC)

Well, pre-Napoleonic. [2] --Mnemeson 16:02, 6 October 2006 (UTC)
See Lend-Lease for discussion of the program. $31.4 billion went to Britain, 1941-1945. In terms of purchasing a car, one is said to be "Upside Down" when the payment schedule is so long that the value of the car will depreciate so that more is owed on the car than it is worth. http://www.edmunds.com/advice/strategies/articles/104952/article.html The UK was upside down for a very long time with respect to the WWII tanks and planes.Edison 16:09, 6 October 2006 (UTC)
For the "Napoleonic" debts (originally 1752, though a lot were issued to pay for the war), see Consols. Shimgray | talk | 17:59, 6 October 2006 (UTC)

There were 3 distinct phases of US financial support for England:

  • During the first, Cash and Carry, the US was trying to preserve official neutrality while unofficially supporting England. Thus, it was necessary to require immediate payment for war materiel, as this made it a simple sales transaction, and not "giving" financial support to the enemy of Nazi Germany.
  • During the second phase, the Lend-Lease era, the US would lend or lease equipment to England on credit. This program violated US neutrality, but, as England no longer had the cash to pay for the required equipment, this was felt to be the only way for England to survive.
  • After the war, the US gave lots of money to England, as well as other victors and defeated countries, under the Marshall Plan.

Of the three, the first plan was paid for at the time, and the third was a gift. Only the Lend-Lease plan extended credit to England which was expected to be paid back eventually. So, I assume your question relates to that plan. StuRat 18:22, 6 October 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Pacific Aero Products, Inc.

Image:Metrics made easy.jpg

I have this Metrics Made Easy slider possibly printed in the 1970s by a "Pacific Aero Products, Inc." of Burbank, California. Is this "Pacific" company a part of Boeing? I think this was printed in the 1970 because it has a Boeing 747 printed on it. -- Toytoy 11:51, 6 October 2006 (UTC)

  • Pretty interesting. "Pacific Aero Products" was the first name of the company that became "Boeing" two years later. No idea what this incarnation of the name was! (Currently, 2810 North Lima Street is the home of the current user of the name "imagic", which makes (among other things) those ads that wrap around busses.) --jpgordon∇∆∇∆ 14:57, 6 October 2006 (UTC)
This page refers to a company called "PacAero" at 2810-20 N. Lima, with phone # and email address. However, a reverse search on that number brings up something apparently unrelated. Several hits suggest a longer name like "Allied Signal PacAero Inc.".  --LambiamTalk 03:40, 7 October 2006 (UTC)
OK. PacAero was a subsidiary (or a unit) of Banner Aerospace, a subsidiary of Fairchild. Fairchild sold PacAero to Allied Signal in 1998. PacAero distributes aircraft adhesives, lubricants, and other chemicals. This is nicely confusing! --jpgordon∇∆∇∆ 06:48, 7 October 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Queen

How do the people in the band "Queen" dress? It's for a school assignment, so yeah. Musli Miester 14:32, 6 October 2006 (UTC)

Why not check out the article? it's short on images, but there's a truckload of external links that should be of help. Good luck with the assignment. Howard Train 14:39, 6 October 2006 (UTC)

One leg at a time. B00P 22:45, 6 October 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Not a question, but a thank you

I am a new user of Wikipedia, and decided to use this information medium when I was recently diagnosed with dysthemia. your page regarding this disorder has been a tremendous help to me in understanding why I think and feel the way that I do. So, I just wanted to say thank you for creating this information site for people to inform other people. I, for one, really appreciate it. David D.

Thanks; feedback like this is always appreciated. I just wish the article were a little longer, or had some external links. Do remember, you too can edit the article to improve it for others, as & when you get a greater understanding of the condition. --Tagishsimon (talk)

[edit] the coloured boxes

i was thinking of creating a user page 4 my self . but i was wondering if u could tell me how to make those boxes which says "this user is ___" Mi2n15 16:33, 6 October 2006 (UTC)
and i saw a pic of a couple of birds in a sea gull question , i was wondering if i could save a copy of thatMi2n15 16:33, 6 October 2006 (UTC)

See Wikipedia:Userboxes, and experiment for yourself. 惑乱 分からん 17:17, 6 October 2006 (UTC)
Yes. Just about to say that. Iolakana•T 17:20, 6 October 2006 (UTC)
Secondly, what would you use the bird picture for? Do you remember the link? 惑乱 分からん 17:22, 6 October 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Planting something in winter

I got some free compost today in Starbucks ("used coffee grounds", as it says on the pouch). As I do not have a garden, and it is autumn/winter where I am, what flowers do you recommend planting (remember that it is winter here)? Thanks, Iolakana•T 16:57, 6 October 2006 (UTC)

You have to be careful that the grounds aren't 'for the compost'( ie. fresh). If they are truly composted coffee grounds then they should say 'safe for direct planting' or some such thing on the label. Unless compost has been well-aged, and out in the rain for a while, full of wriggly worms, it tends to kill plants. --Zeizmic 17:20, 6 October 2006 (UTC)
Uncomposted coffee grounds are, anecdotally, good for discouraging cats from poking around ones garden. Not much use in this case, I admit, but hey. Shimgray | talk | 00:18, 7 October 2006 (UTC)
One observation: I saw a Starbucks with a little front garden where they had applied coffee grounds to part of it. That part was stark barren. I don't know the direction of the causal connection, if any. I'd think coffee grounds are acidic, something not all plants appreciate.  --LambiamTalk 03:17, 7 October 2006 (UTC)

Did you hear about the man who tried to divorce his wife because she made a weak cup of coffee ? The judge refused to grant the divorce, "due to insufficient grounds". :-) StuRat 21:55, 6 October 2006 (UTC)

It composts down pretty quickly when mixed in with ordinary kitchen waste because it has a fine texture so do use it in a composter..(hotclaws**== 19:48, 12 October 2006 (UTC))

[edit] Eye proctection

Dear wikipedian,

I would very much like to know if it is safe to use a welding mask (one which is not self adjusting) to look at the sun, say during an eclipse. Many Thanks

As this site indicates, yes, welding goggles or masks that are rated 14 or higher are okay for use in observing the sun or eclipses. Space.com also says that's good[3]. Tony Fox (arf!) 18:56, 6 October 2006 (UTC)
Also, there are several tricks you can use to look at the Sun indirectly. One of my favourites consists of cutting a circle in a black thin cardboard, placing it over a mirror and letting it reflect sunlight to a dark wall. It's more comfortable and if you get it right, the effect is pretty good. More sun-viewing techniques can be found in the second half of in this link's article ☢ Ҡi∊ff⌇↯ 22:38, 6 October 2006 (UTC)

Ok, thanks very much guys.

[edit] Names and their meaning

What is the meaning of the name NADIA?

'Hope' in Russian, or 'Moist', 'tender', 'delicate' in Arabic. [4] --Mnemeson 18:34, 6 October 2006 (UTC)
So there are two different names? I heard they were the same name, and there was some socialist Arabic country that imported the Russian name (although I was a little skeptical to that explanation...) Btw, my sister's called Nadja (Swedish spelling). 惑乱 分からん 20:13, 6 October 2006 (UTC)
"nadie," in Spanish, pronounced the same, means "nobody."Edison 21:39, 6 October 2006 (UTC)
Aaaahh, that's true... ;) ...but the word has no feminine counterpart. 惑乱 分からん 22:11, 6 October 2006 (UTC)
The word for "hope" in Russian is "nadezhda", and is a common girl's name. There are various diminutive forms of most Russian names, and this one's includes "Nadia", "Nadka", "Nadenka", "Nusya", et al. JackofOz 22:01, 7 October 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Swallows

How can a one pound swallow(Bird) carry a five pound coconut?-- Meteshjj We come from the land of the ice and snow 20:11, 6 October 2006 (UTC)

Are you talking about an African or Europan swallow? (Hasn't this question been asked before?) 惑乱 分からん 20:14, 6 October 2006 (UTC)
Maybe two of them could attach a line between them?... Englishnerd 21:16, 6 October 2006 (UTC)
He swallows it first. THen you have a 6 pound swallow carrying nothing. Simple!8-)--Light current 22:21, 6 October 2006 (UTC)
I can just see it now: a determined bird rolling along the ground. Clarityfiend 02:03, 7 October 2006 (UTC)
In its talons.--Shantavira 08:27, 7 October 2006 (UTC)
It could grip it by the husk... -- Arwel (talk) 20:37, 7 October 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Who am I?

Who am I?

I could tell you, but then I'd have to kill you, afterwards... 惑乱 分からん 20:40, 6 October 2006 (UTC)
Rumpelstiltskin.  sʟυмɢυм • т • c  21:12, 6 October 2006 (UTC)
You are 64.198.112.210 —EdGl 21:16, 6 October 2006 (UTC)
McLeodUSA Incorporated MCLEODUSA-00 (NET-64-196-0-0-1) 64.196.0.0 - 64.199.255.255
AVALON SCHOOLS 03467850 (NET-64-198-112-208-1)64.198.112.208 - 64.198.112.215
  1. ARIN WHOIS database, last updated 2006-10-05 19:10
Edison 21:41, 6 October 2006 (UTC)
24601!!! ... Okay, less Les Misérables for me. ☢ Ҡi∊ff⌇↯ 22:31, 6 October 2006 (UTC)
Maybe 2-4601? Luigi30 (Taλk) 14:50, 10 October 2006 (UTC)
Chuck Norris, I hope. -- TheGreatLlama (speak to the Llama!) 22:38, 6 October 2006 (UTC)
Beenie Man? 惑乱 分からん 00:52, 7 October 2006 (UTC)
Dr G Grissom of the Las Vegas Crime Lab will be able to help you determine that. (Ж) Ask him. B00P 08:18, 7 October 2006 (UTC)

A very confused person. Temp

[edit] Lighters at Concerts

I was just wondering for what reason do you wave you lighter during a slow song/ballad and how this came to be. Good luck and thanks for searching. If someone does find an answer could you be kind enough to email the answers to [e-mail removed] :) THANKS!!

No reason really. — X [Mac Davis] (SUPERDESK|Help me improve)09:34, 7 October 2006 (UTC)
I think this began with people using lighted candles as some sort of tribute to someone who had just died, but I don't remember the details.--Shantavira 11:37, 7 October 2006 (UTC)
It seems to have started at Woodstock, with candles (although how people at Woodstock happened to have enough candles handy I do not know). Melanie Safka is attributed as starting it, although there's little definite proof. In any case, people do it to participate in the song, and often the arena lights are dimmed at the right moment to heighten the effect. Now people hold up cell phones, replacing the lighter with something a little more high-tech. Some interesting reading regarding Coldplay and mobile phone use: Mobiles.

[edit] Gardening.

How do you go about preparing a perennial flower garden in zone3 or zone4 (USA)for the winter? We live in Maine and have inherited a beautiful perennial flower garden, but we do not know how to put it to bed for the winter. Thank you. Jim Bob.

I think you might have to get an old-fashioned gardening book. They don't really need much, perhaps some extra leaf mulch. --Zeizmic 13:21, 7 October 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Music downloads

What exactly qualifies music from the interweb as illegal? I know that if you find some website that says "DOWNLOAD THE FULL ALBUM NOW! FIGHT THE MUSIC INDUSTRY!", it's obviously a bad idea to download, but if you were to go to... I dunno, Metacrawler or Dogpile or something like that, do an 'auido' search, find a home-grown site that has a song embedded, and save it to your computer, is it still illegal? --172.196.188.206 23:29, 6 October 2006 (UTC)

The only reason that its illegal is because these people have copied the original song and sold it wihtout paying back the artist for each copy sold. iTunes and things like that pay back artists, and this makes it legal. I'm not sure, but I guess artists mght be able to say that they don't care if they get paid or not, making it legal, I guess. But yeah, sadly, fighting the msuic industry is illegal. Temp
See Copyright infringement. There is nothing inherantly illegal with downloading music off the internet. The illegality comes into play when someone starts distributing copywritten works they do not own the rights to. To complicate matters more, it's not illegal to download music from a unauthorized source, but it is however illegal to offer for downloading. That is how the RIAA has prosecuted people on file sharing sites; many p2p programs by default share the music that has been downloaded, thus people (many times unknowingly) are offering unauthorized copies on the network.—Mitaphane talk 05:00, 7 October 2006 (UTC)
I recommend Free Culture (book), it was pretty good, and a download. Don't fall for the "intellectual property" arguements—copyright laws in this case are encouragement by the government to create art; artists can rest at ease and know that they will become prosperous, if their work is good. — X [Mac Davis] (SUPERDESK|Help me improve)09:31, 7 October 2006 (UTC)
Thanks all. (I asked this question in the first placce, but I'm on AOL and my IP is bouncing off the walls) --172.192.182.37 16:25, 7 October 2006 (UTC)

[edit] depression

Just out of curiousity, what would a person with depression do (besides be depressed- i'm just gonna kill that one right now) if they have no way of successfully committing suicide, as well as no medication to help, and no people to go to? I'm not suggesting they should kill themselves or anything, that's just probably a common way it goes or at least a lot of them look at it as a way out. Just wondering. Thanks Temp

If no medication, the only things one can do are
  • to wait until the period of depression disappears.
  • to engage in some activity that takes the mind off the depressing thoughts

Many people have these periods. Mostly, they do pass away in time. Churchill calles his: his 'Black dog'.--Light current 23:43, 6 October 2006 (UTC)

Curl up in a fetal position facing the wall, and refuse to eat or go out, and wither away and die.Edison 20:14, 7 October 2006 (UTC)

I tried that, it didnt work. Joneleth 17:46, 8 October 2006 (UTC)

There are different things being confused here. There's the transitory feeling of being "down" that most people have occasionally, and that goes away naturally within a day. This is not depression. Then there's Churchill's Black Dog which in extreme cases can mean years of dysfunctionality, self-loathing, self-harm, and suicide. Most people with depression have neither of these, but some experience in between. There are a lot more than 2 things you can do, but the key is talking to a doctor, a counsellor, a phone help line (such as Lifeline), a friend, or anyone who's willing to listen. The professionals are the ones who are qualified to provide good advice about this - we are not. JackofOz 21:57, 8 October 2006 (UTC)

Yeah thats right. There are only 2 things you can do without seeing a doctor!
as well as no medication to help, and no people to go to?
8-)--Light current 22:40, 8 October 2006 (UTC)
One feature of depression is that the depressed person exaggerates the negative and ignores or dismisses the positive. This may lead the depressed person to think that there are "no people to go to," when in fact this is rarely the case. There are often professionals, such as doctors, guidance counselors, or even clergy who might be able to help. One approach to overcoming depression is cognitive therapy, which involves learning to recognize the self-defeating thought patterns that may lie at the root of depression, to recognize that these thought patterns are based on flawed thinking or cognitive distortion, and to stop engaging in these distortions, which may lead to depression. Cognitive therapy has helped many people to overcome depression, without medication, and without long rounds of paid therapy, since it is possible to learn cognitive therapy from a book. That said, I agree that it is prudent to seek professional advice. Marco polo 01:31, 9 October 2006 (UTC)