Wikipedia:Reference desk/Miscellaneous - Wikipedia


2 people in discussion

Article Images

Want a faster answer?

Main page: Help searching Wikipedia

How can I get my question answered?

  • Select the section of the desk that best fits the general topic of your question (see the navigation column to the right).
  • Post your question to only one section, providing a short header that gives the topic of your question.
  • Type '~~~~' (that is, four tilde characters) at the end – this signs and dates your contribution so we know who wrote what and when.
  • Don't post personal contact information – it will be removed. Any answers will be provided here.
  • Please be as specific as possible, and include all relevant context – the usefulness of answers may depend on the context.
  • Note:
    • We don't answer (and may remove) questions that require medical diagnosis or legal advice.
    • We don't answer requests for opinions, predictions or debate.
    • We don't do your homework for you, though we'll help you past the stuck point.
    • We don't conduct original research or provide a free source of ideas, but we'll help you find information you need.


How do I answer a question?

Main page: Wikipedia:Reference desk/Guidelines

  • The best answers address the question directly, and back up facts with wikilinks and links to sources. Do not edit others' comments and do not give any medical or legal advice.

January 29

What is the thing on the left? [1] --Viennese Waltz 08:04, 29 January 2015 (UTC)Reply

Spork and a melon baller, I'd say. InedibleHulk (talk) 08:19, January 29, 2015 (UTC)
I like the melon baller but I'm not sure about the spork. Those aren't fork tines at the top end, they don't stick out. They're like grooves or ridges, it's a corrugated effect. --Viennese Waltz 08:51, 29 January 2015 (UTC)Reply
"Melon spoon" gets similar Google Images. Not sure why you'd need a baller and a spoon, but then, I'd use a fork. InedibleHulk (talk) 09:11, January 29, 2015 (UTC)
I believe that it produces fluted curls of melon, rather than balls (sorry, I couldn't find a picture). There's a similar widget for butter - see File:Butter curls.jpg. Alansplodge (talk) 10:29, 29 January 2015 (UTC)Reply
There's also the butter spreader. If anyone ever needed one. InedibleHulk (talk) 12:32, January 29, 2015 (UTC)

I'm currently sorting out my late mother's estate, and have been looking through the deeds of her house. The parcel of land the house was built on was leased to the man who built it in 1932, for a period of nine thousand five hundred years, with an annual ground rent of £10. Every time the house has been sold, the lease has been assigned to the new owner. The ground rent has not increased in that time (£10 a year would have been a significant sum of money in 1932, but is a peppercorn now), and I've found no record of my mum ever paying it, or even who it would be paid to after all this time. But why on earth would anyone find it necessary to set a lease length of nine and a half thousand years? --Nicknack009 (talk) 11:48, 29 January 2015 (UTC)Reply

I'm no lawyer, but I think I've heard that sometimes some kind of restrictive covenant prevents freehold sales of land. --Dweller (talk) 12:09, 29 January 2015 (UTC)Reply
If you don't pay the nickel each month (or whatever the lease says), the landlord (or his grandkid) can repossess the land, which, conveniently enough, now has a house (or large brewery) on it. And now we're talking future dollars. At least that's how I understand things work in Baltimore, per ground rent. Here's the UK legislation on that sort of thing. Lots of rules about needing notice, seems unlikely you'll be swooped down upon. InedibleHulk (talk) 12:26, January 29, 2015 (UTC)
The land was effectively sold sans "freehold rights". In some places, the right to vote was restricted to freeholders. All I can think of quickly <g>. Collect (talk) 12:35, 29 January 2015 (UTC)Reply
Don't think that was relevant in 1932. A landowner collecting £10 a year ground rent in 1932 was assuring himself of some income. If the lease is long enough he can collect it indefinitely, and so can his children (unless they've failed to account for inflation). But does anybody really need to guarantee that income for nine thousand years? Surely a few hundred would be more than enough. --Nicknack009 (talk) 13:39, 29 January 2015 (UTC)Reply
Enough for the current generation. No harm in doing something nice for the descendants you'll never meet. They're still family.
And there are still many breakthroughs to be made regarding immortality. Wouldn't you feel a bit stupid if you thawed out (or whatever) just to find you'd lost prime land (or all your land) through shortsightedness? Better to err on the side of caution, if someone's willing to sign. InedibleHulk (talk) 10:25, January 30, 2015 (UTC)
It's sort of like how social media data agreements give firms dibs on anything you upload "irrevocably" and "perpetually". They probably won't need it forever, but maybe. InedibleHulk (talk) 10:29, January 30, 2015 (UTC)
I'm not certain, but I think the following is probably relevant. Centuries ago, the legal mechanisms associated with real property became some cumbersome that the practice grew up of inventing a fictitious owner and a lease from that owner, so that the title (which was in practice to the freehold) could be treated in law as a lease: see ejectment. I believe it was the Common Law Procedure Act 1852 that changed this[1], but leases were not necessarily converted to freehold until much later: I own a property that was leased in 1707 for 500 years, and changed hands several times after 1852 before being converted by a Deed of Enlargement into an estate of fee simple in 1919. My guess would be that the 9500 years was the remainder of a previous lease that dated to before 1852. --ColinFine (talk) 17:42, 29 January 2015 (UTC)Reply
(edit conflict) The Thousand-Year Lease tries to explain the puzzle, but I'm not sure that I really understand the answer. It seems to hinge on the landlord and his/her descendants being able to keep some control of how the land is used. R.I.P. Ultra-Long Leases mentions the town of Paisley in Scotland, which "can boast (if that term be apt) 11 leases granted for a million years".
The article lists the disadvantages (presumably for the tenant, which may be advantages for the landlord!) of ultra-long leases as follows: (i) they tend to beget subleases which can become needlessly complex; (ii) they may be vulnerable to the landlord terminating them without the tenant’s consent for a breach of the terms of the lease – such as non-payment of rent; (iii) they may allow for an inappropriate degree of control by the landlord in relation to things like permitted uses of the property; and (iv) they may allow a landlord to extract a payment from the tenant in exchange for the landlord’s not insisting on particular conditions in the lease. Just as important perhaps as those practical reasons is the fact that ownership of land in Scotland was, until 2000, largely “feudal”: in other words land tenure was, essentially, hierarchical. That was swept away by the Abolition of Feudal Tenure (Scotland) Act 2000 ". In other words, people just want to keep the land in the family for prestige purpose, even if they have no direct control over it.
The article goes on to say that "Since 2000 it has no longer been possible to grant any type of lease for more than 175 years" (in Scotland that is). Alansplodge (talk) 17:49, 29 January 2015 (UTC)Reply

Depending on where it is, a rule against perpetuities may eventually kick in, typically after 120 years or so. 50.0.205.75 (talk) 02:45, 31 January 2015 (UTC)Reply

Someone once told me: "The circle of fifths - C increased by a fifth is G; G increased by a fifth is D; D increased by a fifth is A; A increased by a fifth is E; E increased by a fifth is B; B increased by a fifth is F#; F# inceased by a fifth is C#; C# increased by a fifth is G#; G# increased by a fifth is D#; D# increased by a fifth is A#; A# increased by a fifth is F; F increased by a fifth is C - produces the 12 notes of the octave."

How is this expressed with math, how is this exactly found?
PS: I already know the formula to 12 tone equal temperament. 440*2^(2/12). The fact that octave (on our 12tet) is 2x.
Posting this here on miscellaneous because its a mix or math and music subject. 201.78.189.0 (talk) 14:50, 29 January 2015 (UTC)Reply

A Perfect fifth is a frequency ratio of 3:2 This means that the frequency is increased by 50% going from C to G, and another 50% going from G to D and so on. The complete circle has twelve such increases. Now 1.5 to the power of 12 is 129.7463 so a complete circle of perfect fifths would represent an increase in frequency of almost 12,975%. An octave represents a doubling of the frequency, so seven octaves (from almost the lowest note to nearly the highest on a piano) represents an increase of 2 to the power of 7 which is 128 (i.e. 12,800%). A perfect circle of fifths would give slightly more than seven octaves (1.36% too much) so piano tuners slightly flatten the fifths to give perfect octaves. There is a much better explanation at Circle of fifths. Dbfirs 14:10, 29 January 2015 (UTC)Reply
(edit conflict) Start with Musical_tuning#Systems_for_the_twelve-note_chromatic_scale which explains some of the math involved. Technically speaking, the circle of fifths only works under systems of Musical temperament which adjust perfect just intonation so that the notes of the octave cycle back properly. You can read any of those articles, or follow links, to see how the math works. --Jayron32 14:14, 29 January 2015 (UTC)Reply
I am reading those articles and still not finding or not understanding the math. Lets imagine we hade 3 tone equal temperament and instead of perfect fifith we have 1.618. What would be the note symbol order?201.78.189.0 (talk) 16:27, 29 January 2015 (UTC)Reply
Sorry, your last question doesn't make any sense to me. The twelfth power of 1.5 is very close to the seventh power of 2, and if you divide each member of the finite series 1.5, 2.25, 3.375 ... by a suitable power of 2 to bring it within the range [1,2] (in musical terms, move them to the fundamental octave) they are all reasonably close to the powers of 2 ^ (1/12), though some are closer than others. What is it you don't understand? --ColinFine (talk) 17:50, 29 January 2015 (UTC)Reply
Its not miscalculation, the number 1.5 is used to make the 12 tone equal temperament (at least to select the note order number, what will have flat or not, how many letters without flats or sharps we will have...). I was just asking how the thing would work if we had 3 tones instead of 12 and 1.618 instead of 1.5. I made that expecting people to answer what the note order would be in this case, by showing how they calculated it to this alternate tuning I would be able to discover how it is done.
(edit conflict)In the normal equal tempered scale, an octave is divided into twelve intervals, so each semitone represents a frequency ratio of the twelfth root of two (that's 1.0594630943593 or about a 6% increase in frequency). When you ask about a 3-tone equal temperament, do you mean just three notes in an octave? If so, then the ratio would be the cube root of two (about a 26% increase for each interval). Alternatively, do you mean tuning in Major thirds? That's four semitones, so the sequence would be C to E to G♯ to B♯. There is the same problem here of a mismatch because a perfect third is a ratio of 5:4 (a 25% increase) whereas the equal tempered third is almost 26%. Dbfirs 17:52, 29 January 2015 (UTC)Reply
(edit conflict)I am asking/mean the tuning: 3 tones equal temperament, that uses still use octave (2x), but instead of using 1.5 to do the maths, it use 1.618

201.78.189.0 (talk) 18:01, 29 January 2015 (UTC)Reply
I think the OP is wondering what the note symbols would be if we used slightly different systems? The answer is: the same systems. The 12 notes are still the same 12 notes (A A# B C C# D D# E F F# G G#), the distinction is the exact relationship between the 12 notes. Under any two intonation/temperament systems, the notes other than the root will be a tiny bit different from each other from one system to the other. --Jayron32 17:57, 29 January 2015 (UTC)Reply
Where are you getting 1.618 (the Golden Ratio)? We have an article on Musical tuning. For tuning in fifths, you might like to read Pythagorean tuning. Dbfirs 18:03, 29 January 2015 (UTC)Reply
I said 1.618 (with 3 tone equal temperament and octave), just as a different way to ask the question, since I was not able to find the math concept, on the said articles (or didnt understood them), I was expecting, that if people answered hwhat the symbols of 3 tones equal temperament with octave and 1.618 instead of 1.5 are, I would be able to find the math by myself (or people would post it while solving the problem). — Preceding unsigned comment added by 201.78.151.47 (talk) 18:53, 29 January 2015 (UTC)Reply
... but why choose 1.618 ? It wouldn't sound tuneful, and you couldn't get an octave, so the tuning wouldn't work. Only simple ratios such as 2:1 , 3:2 , 5:4 etc are considered to be pleasant intervals in Western music, so early instruments were tuned this way. Perhaps if you study all the articles that people have linked above, you might grasp the maths of tuning, but come back and ask again if there are some bits that you don't understand. Dbfirs 19:19, 29 January 2015 (UTC)Reply
I'm sorry, IP user, but I don't think anybody understands what you're asking. The trouble for me is that I haven't the slightest idea what you mean by "3 tones equal temperament" or what "symbols" you are talking about. I get that you're asking about a "dominant" ratio of 1.618 instead of 1.5, but I don't know why. I observe that the cube of 1.618 is somewhere near 4 (but not very close), so is that what you mean by a "3 tones equal temperament"? --ColinFine (talk) 21:08, 29 January 2015 (UTC)Reply
If there were a musical culture whose most important intervals are 1:2 and 5:8 (rather than 1:2 and 2:3), their tempered scale could indeed have three notes to the octave; log(8/5) is a bit more than two-thirds of log(2). If the notes were named (in order of pitch) P Q R, then the "circle of minor sixths" would go P R Q. —Tamfang (talk) 00:53, 31 January 2015 (UTC)Reply
I wonder if the OP meant the ratio 1.681825665441... which would give an equal-tempered version of that scale. Dbfirs 12:30, 31 January 2015 (UTC)Reply

While the OP does mention that they understands the ratios, it seems to me that the original question is not actually about the frequency ratios, but about the fact that we get back to C after completing 12 steps. What matters in this case are only two facts:

  1. You have 12 steps, which you call C, C#, D, .... B.
  2. The next step, after B, gives you a C again. (You may say that this would be an octave above the original C, but since we want to use this for comparing keys, not notes, the octave doesn't matter. A key of C is a key of C, regardless the octave.) Mathematically, this circular behavior is expressed with the modulo operation. Just use 0 for C, 1 for C#, and so on.

Now we can combine the two facts, and get what's called modulo 12. Conveniently, most of us have a device in our homes that does that operation every day - twice: A clock. A jump of a musical fifth corresponds to a clockwise move of the hour hand of 7 hours, or, which is the same thing, a counterclockwise move of 5 hours. You can easily try for yourself that if you repeat these jumps often enough, you will end up where you started. In this case, you have to do 12 such jumps. — Sebastian 05:46, 30 January 2015 (UTC)Reply

Yes, I agree that's what the OP seems to be asking, but it is impossible to do this with a ratio of 1.618. The OP has never explained whether this is just a miscalculation, or some attempt to link music with the Golden ratio. Dbfirs 08:26, 30 January 2015 (UTC)Reply
The ratios between individual notes don't matter for the question why we get back to C; they only distract from the underlying mathematics. You can use any tuning system for the twelve-note chromatic scale and even some idiosyncratic system based on the golden ratio, and the above two facts still apply. — Sebastian 20:36, 30 January 2015 (UTC)Reply
That's not true. Try your clock analogy with a jump of   minutes. I agree that you can approximate the octave, but 1.618 doesn't get close within the range of human hearing. Dbfirs 11:15, 31 January 2015 (UTC)Reply
Or you can read corresponding chapter in the spin-off book . AndrewWTaylor (talk) 18:49, 31 January 2015 (UTC)Reply

Hello I am a former member of 35 Bty when it was with 25 Regiment. As you will be aware it is the 250th anniversary of the Bty this year. I am told it was formed from the 1stMadras Artillery and a re-organization was ordered in the February of 1765 Unfortunately I cannot find a date that the Bty was formed. Not being very good with computers and researching I was wondering if you could be of any assistance as myself and former 35 Bty members of 25 Regt would like to have a get together and celebrate the 250th Birthday.

Many Thanks

Tony Pearson ( 35 Bty 1971-1978) — Preceding unsigned comment added by 95.149.229.246 (talk) 20:03, 29 January 2015 (UTC)Reply

I had a good go at it, but couldn't get closer than the year. Perhaps you might try the National Army Museum; it seems to be fairly easy, see their Research Enquiries page and click on "online contact form". You could also try the Royal Artillery Museum; see their page Our Research Policy which has an email address for the librarian at the bottom of the page that you can click. Good luck. Alansplodge (talk) 22:45, 29 January 2015 (UTC)Reply

January 30

Our Voluntary Aid Detachment article includes a WWI recruitment poster File:VAD_poster.jpg. (It's non-free, so I won't embed it here.) In the background of the poster there is a list of locations, presumably where service is needed. On the right I can make out Egypt, Mesopotamia, Holland, Switzerland, and Russia, and on the left France, Italy, Malta, Gibraltar, and then one that starts "Salon...". What is that last location? -- ToE 13:54, 30 January 2015 (UTC)Reply

Salonica spring to mind. {The poster formerly known as 87.81.230.195} 212.95.237.92 (talk) 14:09, 30 January 2015 (UTC)Reply
Ah! And I see we have the article Salonican Front, a redirect to and alternate name for Macedonian Front. Thanks! -- ToE 14:45, 30 January 2015 (UTC)Reply

uncontrollably grinding my teeth

No medical advice. See a doctor. (Restored & hatted as per ANI). ←Baseball Bugs What's up, Doc? carrots→ 23:59, 31 January 2015 (UTC)Reply
The following discussion has been closed. Please do not modify it.

My doctor has put me on 30mg Vyvanse about 2 months ago and here lately school has been really stressful so when I have taken it I have been concentrating really hard for long periods of time. Well, I guess while I do school for 10-12 hours at a time I grind my teeth together the whole time (I have always grinded my teeth together at night but I never cared) but now that I grind my teeth together during the day as well, it is making my whole mouth hurt really bad. My jaw pops a lot more than it used too as well. Everytime I eat my jaw pops and the grinding is causing sores in my mouth and I can barely open my mouth anymore and it hurts my teeth to chew. I promise I am not just a hypochondriac or dramatic this really is causing a lot of pain for me. I just didn't know if there is anything I could do about this at home instead of seeing a doctor? — Preceding unsigned comment added by Alanagribble (talk • contribs) 18:47, 30 January 2015 (UTC)Reply

−

This is called bruxing and, no, you can't just treat it at home "instead of seeing a doctor." Ask your doctor and/or dentist about getting a mouth guard to wear between your uppers and lowers. Because bruxing is more than just a nuisance - it can have long-term damaging effects on your teeth. ←Baseball Bugs What's up, Doc? carrots→ 19:03, 30 January 2015 (UTC)Reply
In response to a request by User:Baseball Bugs, I see that User:Ian.thomson deleted this, citing that the Refdesk guidelines don't allow for medical diagnosis. While one can argue that Bugs' response sounds like a diagnosis (and should not be relied on as such) the equation of chronic tooth-grinding with bruxism is IMHO just a useful word for the OP's vocabulary; it's no more a diagnosis in my opinion than saying that a fracture with the bones sticking out is a compound fracture. I think it is useful reference work to direct the OP to this article, which discusses the role of amphetamines (such as Vyvanse) and dopaminergic signalling. We shouldn't give advice here (though the rave crowd could probably offer some suggestions) but I would point out that doctors are generally supposed to be available via e-mail or phone call for such questions about the side effects of things they prescribe - you probably paid a pretty penny, so you should get your money's worth. Wnt (talk) 01:54, 31 January 2015 (UTC)Reply

Is there world record for highest scores in Super Collapse 2? If there are, can you tell me the world record for TRADITIONAL, RELAPSE, and STRATEGY? Deaths in 2013 (talk) 19:38, 30 January 2015 (UTC)Reply

I think what you want is HERE...but I don't see it broken out by those three modes. SteveBaker (talk) 05:40, 31 January 2015 (UTC)Reply

January 31

A business sometimes needs to set up an office at a new location where it didn't have a presence before. It'll probably be someone in upper management who is given the task. I've never been involved in a project like that (and I'm not involved in one), but I imagine that quite a varied bit of expertise and local knowledge is involved. Among the tasks I can think of:

  • finding a suitable office space at a good location
  • finding providers for various supplies and services (telecom, cleaning, coffee, office supplies, ...; maybe banking, legal, & accounting as well)
  • coming up with floor plan(s) for the office space, and hire contractors to build/modify the space according to the plans
  • furnishing/equipping the office
  • complying with applicable laws (permits, inspections, registrations, certifications, various filings)
  • staffing the office by recruiting from the local labor market

On top of doing all these, the project probably needs to be done reasonably quickly.

If the company is large, I can imagine hiring all kinds of consultants to help with the project. But if the company is not very big, how can the executive tasked with the project know how to do all those things? Do business schools teach how to handle practical matters like the above? Is there a kind of consultants that specialize in this kind of projects? Am I imagining it to be more complicated than it really is? How is it usually done? -173.49.17.60 (talk) 14:29, 31 January 2015 (UTC)Reply

Facilities management is the appropriate discipline, and there are consultants which specialize in it. That being said, the tasks you list shouldn't really be beyond the competence of anyone in a management position, and a smaller move probably wouldn't justify getting in a specialist contractor to supervise it. Tevildo (talk) 16:36, 31 January 2015 (UTC)Reply
One shortcut is to rent an office that's more of a turn-key operation. That is, it's already provided with furniture, cubicles, utilities, security, etc. Then, instead of hiring all new staff, you can move some over from other offices. Some of those moves may be permanent, while others are only until the new office is up and running. This gets past the problem of trying to start an office with all new staff. In some cases, there may be enough laid-off employees from previous cut-backs to fully supply the new office from that pool. Presumably those employees would need less training. StuRat (talk) 16:42, 31 January 2015 (UTC)Reply
Indeed - see serviced office. A serviced office is quick and simple to organise, plus it avoids the risk of taking on a long term lease and capital expenditure for a new location that may not be successful. Of course, the tenants pay a premium for this convenience. Gandalf61 (talk) 09:59, 1 February 2015 (UTC)Reply
Good link. Some of the older readers might remember The Bob Newhart Show (that's the one where he was a "shrink", not the owner of a Bed and Breakfast). That appeared to be such an arrangement, where various self-employed professionals worked out of the same building, and they had a shared receptionist (Carol, I believe). StuRat (talk) 20:47, 1 February 2015 (UTC)Reply
Off-topic Tevildo (talk) 23:23, 31 January 2015 (UTC)Reply
The following discussion has been closed. Please do not modify it.
@μηδείς: I am the OP and I resent your hair-trigger propensity in calling legitimate questions requests for advice. Let me be clear: I did not ask for advice. And if you paid attention to the notice at the top of the Reference Desk pages, you would notice that it only mentions legal or medical advice. Have you given much thought to what "advice" is? I asked the question because I've heard of companies sending executives to open offices in new regions or even foreign countries. I've not been involved but am interesting in understanding where those executives acquire the expertise from for those projects, and whether there's a service industry segment that help with these projects that I was not aware of. Why is that not a legitimate question? I know my motives for asking the question; you can only speculate at best. I am offended at the suggestion that I was a troll. I am emphatically not! You have provided no convincing arguments why the question was inappropriate; you only made an unexplained determination. I have undone your edit. If you want to insist that question was inappropriate, cite me the relevant policies and show me a convincing analysis why the question violated the policies. I'm open to being convinced. Other respondents gave relevant responses to my question and didn't seem to have any problem with the appropriateness of my question. I don't see why I, or anyone else, should value your judgment over that of other reasonable participants of this Reference Desk. --173.49.17.60 (talk) 23:12, 31 January 2015 (UTC)Reply
I'm with Tevildo, it was an odd and long-winded question that almost answered itself from an anonymous poster (why so?). I think it was reasonable to regard it as trollwork. "I don't see why I, or anyone else, should value your judgment over that of other reasonable participants of this Reference Desk." I like that, must remember it for future use. Richard Avery (talk) 15:01, 1 February 2015 (UTC)Reply
(The "trolling" remark was from μηδείς. I fixed the previously-corrupted attribution to make that clear. There's meta-discussion, in a more appropriate forum, about the propriety of the original question. Follow this link to see that discussion. --173.49.17.60 (talk) 15:58, 1 February 2015 (UTC))Reply

February 1

Sometime in the last year or so I came across a page online that had a simple game on it, possibly written in Java or Flash. The online game featured a philosopher walking across the screen blathering, and when you pressed a button the philosopher would be quiet. The game was modeled around Wittgenstein's motto "Whereof one cannot speak, thereof one must be silent." The entertainment value of it wasn't so much the playability of it, but rather its mocking tone. I have a vague recollection of the link to the page having some connection with either Eliezer Yudkowsky or LessWrong, but I'm unsure.

I haven't been able to relocate the game. Any ideas where I might find it? Gabbe (talk) 12:43, 1 February 2015 (UTC)Reply

Whilst looking at a new Metro-North New Haven Line train a thought came to mind: what happens to the older cars (which work fine but don't have electrical outlets or bathrooms) when they replace them (with cars that do have those amenities)? Is there a market for used trains? I'd kind of like to know that for Amtrak's Northeast Corridor trains, but I'm not sure those have ever been replaced.... Sir William Matthew Flinders Petrie | Say Shalom! 12 Shevat 5775 21:11, 1 February 2015 (UTC)Reply

Depending on condition, some are sold to smaller railroads, tourist railroads, or railroads in other countries. (Many are in Mexico.) A lot are used for parts to keep other cars of the same model operating. Some are auctioned off and used as storage buildings, diners, even homes. Those that are in very bad condition are scrapped. Amtrak does a lot of rehabilitation of its cars, often taking parts from those that can't run to maintain others. Most of Amtrak's cars are relatively new — I doubt they have any original cars anymore.    → Michael J Ⓣ Ⓒ Ⓜ 21:29, 1 February 2015 (UTC)Reply
For some minor changes, like adding reclining seats, it might be economically best to upgrade the existing cars. StuRat (talk) 21:56, 1 February 2015 (UTC)Reply
Artificial Reefs Made With Sunken Subway Cars, Navy Ships Bus stop (talk) 22:01, 1 February 2015 (UTC)Reply
I can't speak to the US, but in the UK there are "cascades". New rolling stock is bought, allowing the older stock to be sent to other areas of the country. For instance the Class 313s which were replaced by London Overground's Class 378 units were sent to work on the south coast, freeing up the stock which had worked those routes to lengthen other services. In other cases, the trains may be sold abroad, as with some older Docklands Light Railway rolling stock, which now work in Germany. Other old stock, for instance the old "slam door" trains which were replaced in the Southern region, are generally sent to the scrapyard, though a few examples may be saved for use on heritage railways. -mattbuck (Talk) 22:44, 1 February 2015 (UTC)Reply

I gave my girlfriend several Christmas presents, but one of them we don't know what to call. It's a scarf, but instead of being like a | it's a closed loop. Does anyone know what it's actually called? -mattbuck (Talk) 22:41, 1 February 2015 (UTC)Reply

Infinity scarf? ---Sluzzelin talk 22:43, 1 February 2015 (UTC)Reply
Noose? Collect (talk) 22:46, 1 February 2015 (UTC)Reply
They're described as snoods in my local branch of Sainsbury's (and doubtless in other clothing emporia). Tevildo (talk) 22:52, 1 February 2015 (UTC)Reply
That's odd, since that article says it's something you wear on your head, not around your neck. I was thinking horse collar, but infinity scarf works too. ―Mandruss ☎ 22:56, 1 February 2015 (UTC)Reply
A snood is shaped like a bag, not a torus, at least in US English. StuRat (talk) 22:56, 1 February 2015 (UTC)Reply
Everybody needs a thneed. SteveBaker (talk) 04:53, 2 February 2015 (UTC)Reply
I'd call it dangerous. Catch the back in the elevator door and the front under her chin, and you may need to find a new G/F. StuRat (talk) 22:54, 1 February 2015 (UTC)Reply
They are banned in (association) football for that very reason. Tevildo (talk) 23:36, 1 February 2015 (UTC)Reply
Of course, in association football countries they don't have elevators, only "lifts". StuRat (talk) 23:38, 1 February 2015 (UTC) Reply
When I left her house after giving it to her, it was hung by the pricetag from the curtain rail, with a toy badger inside it. I assume she will be careful when out with it though - not sure how many lifts there are in her area. -mattbuck (Talk) 23:54, 1 February 2015 (UTC)Reply

How disgraceful, leaving the price tag on a gift! — Preceding unsigned comment added by 85.211.138.77 (talk) 07:40, 3 February 2015 (UTC)Reply

That's ridiculous - why would such a thing be more dangerous than any other hooded garment? Even a regular scarf could produce that consequence if you had it wrapped around your neck with the dangling ends where they could get stuck in something. The FIFA ban on them was from a concern that other players might deliberately grab them - not some bizarre accidental situation involving lifts/elevators. Show me a reference that says that such a thing is more dangerous than any of those other common items of clothing. SteveBaker (talk) 04:53, 2 February 2015 (UTC)Reply
Yes, remember Isadora Duncan. AndrewWTaylor (talk) 13:57, 2 February 2015 (UTC)Reply
[EC] See, for example, the demise of Isadora Duncan. Intuitively, snoods (if that's what we're calling them) might be more likely to get snagged than non-ouroborobian scarves, but the latter are not hazardless! {The poster formerly known as 87.81.230.195} 212.95.237.92 (talk) 13:59, 2 February 2015 (UTC)Reply
Ah! Thanks! I was scratching my head trying to remember her name.
Anyway...THIS means that we all have to go around without shirts on for fear of escalator-entanglement strangulation. THIS definitely rules out any possibility of wearing draw-string hoodies. THIS tweet speaks loudly of the dangers of pyjamas.
I was unable to find any incidents of people being strangled by their socks...so those are probably still OK.
SteveBaker (talk) 15:42, 2 February 2015 (UTC)Reply
In the British Army and Royal Marines, a woollen tube is called a Cap Comforter and can be worn either on the head or round the neck: "they became synonymous with the apparel of the commando of the Second World War." Alansplodge (talk) 17:37, 2 February 2015 (UTC)Reply
A friend of mine who knits such items sells them as "infinity scarves". --TammyMoet (talk) 20:46, 2 February 2015 (UTC)Reply
I'd call it a Mobius scarf. Dalliance (talk) 22:36, 2 February 2015 (UTC)Reply
Wow, that's an interesting twist on the idea. SteveBaker (talk) 23:29, 2 February 2015 (UTC)Reply
That's a one-sided view if I ever heard one. Clarityfiend (talk) 00:12, 3 February 2015 (UTC)Reply
Half a twist, at best. StuRat (talk) 02:43, 3 February 2015 (UTC) Reply
So you think the competition definitely has an edge over it? SteveBaker (talk) 15:14, 3 February 2015 (UTC)Reply
It's a Mobius scarf if it was given a half twist before the ends were joined together, so that it is a true Mobius strip. Otherwise I would call it an infinity scarf.--Treesprout (talk) 02:38, 3 February 2015 (UTC)Reply
Confirming User:Treesprout's response per forum query in the Ravelry web community of knitters. Further to the above, the single or multiple-looped neckwear is a cowl type of scarf. Some are wide enough to cover the wearer's hair as well, but a snood is exclusively for the head/hair. -- Deborahjay (talk) 07:51, 3 February 2015 (UTC)Reply
The trademark Buff is more or less genericized in Norway (and Spain, don't know about other European countries). The images in our article are not very good, a web image search is more likely to be successful for checking whether this was what you bought. --NorwegianBlue talk 21:13, 3 February 2015 (UTC)Reply

Does anyone know whether the Middle Branch Newport Creek spoken of here is the same as the stream officially known as Newport Creek (GNIS page), or if they've switched around the names of some creeks since the book I linked to was written? I need to know for an article I'm working on. Thanks, --Jakob (talk) 23:01, 1 February 2015 (UTC)Reply

I'm not sure that I understand your question. Though not labeled "Middle Branch" on current topographic maps (click on "Topo" in the "ACME Mapper" row at the top of the left-hand table on the GeoHack page the following coordinates links take you to), the stream appears to be the one that rises at 41°10′19″N 76°03′48″W / 41.1719°N 76.0632°W and joins the main Newport Creek at 41°11′00″N 76°03′17″W / 41.1832°N 76.0546°W. It is labeled "Middle Branch Newport Creek" on Google Maps and the Open Street Map, and the locations I've linked to correspond to those specified on the GNIS page you've cited. That the book you've linked to specifies its source as being in Conyingham township perhaps indicates that the stream formerly arose farther to the west. It's possible that mining operations or other human activities have filled in the upper reaches of the creek since that time. Deor (talk) 00:03, 2 February 2015 (UTC)Reply
@Deor: Thanks for your comment. I had figured that the creek's source had moved since there isn't any branch of Newport Creek in Conyngham Township. The source did state that Middle Branch Newport Creek is a tributary of North Branch Newport Creek, whereas the Middle Branch on modern maps is a tributary of Newport Creek (the main stem). Of course, "North Branch Newport Creek" could simply be Newport Creek upstream of South Branch Newport Creek, which confuses things further. --Jakob (talk) 00:23, 2 February 2015 (UTC)Reply

February 2

A bunch of American movies I've seen, as well as daily life, as I presume, feature a gesture when a satisfied person cheerfully stretches out his/her hand and points with an index finger towards a person he/she okayes. Is there any specific name for such approval gesture? Off the top of my head I can't link any specific video, but it could be seen when for example a politician appears on public. I got an impression that it's a typical American gesture. Brandmeistertalk 01:34, 2 February 2015 (UTC)Reply

I assume you mean this gesture? [2] I don't know its name other than pointing, but I hope this helps. Sir William Matthew Flinders Petrie | Say Shalom! 13 Shevat 5775 01:52, 2 February 2015 (UTC)Reply
I call it the "Hey, you're alright!" or "This guy gets it!". Some people (like the guy in the picture above) choose to go full out "finger gun and wink", but that's not alright, unless you're trying to be cheesy. InedibleHulk (talk) 02:13, February 2, 2015 (UTC)
It could also get a student expelled from school in some places, but yes it's generally one of the marks of being a tool. Actually, Buddy Christ is closest to what he's asking for. Forgot how it looked. Sir William Matthew Flinders Petrie | Say Shalom! 13 Shevat 5775 02:50, 2 February 2015 (UTC)Reply
I'll agree with InedibleHulk here. I would call that the "you're the one" gesture, and it doesn't have to consist of the cheesy image WMFP provided, just a single loose hand with an index finger extended. Desmond Morris has a book Gestures: Their Origin and Distribution (1979) on gestures, it may include this one. μηδείς (talk) 03:05, 2 February 2015 (UTC)Reply
I don't know if it goes as far as saying, 'You're the One,' but it definitely implies that the target is indeed both awesome and praiseworthy. Give me a break. That pic is the only one I could find without having a name for it. :( Sir William Matthew Flinders Petrie | Say Shalom! 13 Shevat 5775 03:13, 2 February 2015 (UTC)Reply
No, no breaks for "Sirs". We did away with that when we drove George bonkers. Since then you've always been a favored aunt or uncle, but not one with a blank Czech. μηδείς (talk) 05:28, 2 February 2015 (UTC)Reply
Well, the real Petrie was known to lose his head from time to time.[3] Sir William Matthew Flinders Petrie | Say Shalom! 13 Shevat 5775 05:39, 2 February 2015 (UTC)Reply
Bill Clinton was big on pointing at people as he spoke. I think the "buddy Jesus" point is just an exaggeration of Clinton's trademark way of connecting with his audience. Guettarda (talk) 06:06, 2 February 2015 (UTC)Reply
Oh dear God, you're right.[4] Though it actually makes sense given that the movie came out in '99. By the way, do we have a name for this yet? It seems like a wink or some kind of head nod is required for it to be a sort "this guy right he-ah!" gesture as opposed to rudely pointing at someone. There must be a name for it. Sir William Matthew Flinders Petrie | Say Shalom! 13 Shevat 5775 07:03, 2 February 2015 (UTC)Reply
I hadn't noticed that Buddy Christ is also doing the Clinton thumb. Guettarda (talk) 17:05, 2 February 2015 (UTC)Reply
Finger_gun(s) or finger pistol(s) - [5] [6] [7]. It doesn't always really invoke guns, but that's still a common name for the gesture. It can be a "cool guy" or "A OK" gesture, but very similar gestures could also be intended as a threat. Probably not a threat when this guy does it [8], but context is important. Here's a rage comic meme/image thing that pops up often - this site calls it "you're the man" [9] SemanticMantis (talk) 17:51, 2 February 2015 (UTC)Reply
This google image search for /you're the man/ is mostly on-point [10]. Medeis might be using "the one" in an effort toward gender neutrality, but "the one" usually has connotations of romance or a messiah figure - this /you're the one/ image search doesn't have any finger guns that I can see: [11]. /You're awesome/ has some fairly similar results to /you're the man/ or /finger gun/ [12]. SemanticMantis (talk) 18:15, 2 February 2015 (UTC)Reply
Damn it! I hate it when my attempts at gender neutrality have romantic or messianic connotations! Oh, wicked, bad, naughty, evil Zoot! μηδείς (talk) 20:49, 2 February 2015 (UTC)Reply
[It reminds me of a foam hand.—Wavelength (talk) 20:04, 2 February 2015 (UTC)]Reply
Yep, this is how the gesture looks like. It differs from finger guns, from what I see. Brandmeistertalk 21:16, 2 February 2015 (UTC)Reply
Yes, that's what I meant by the "just a single loose hand with an index finger extended", although I've never watched American Psycho. The upward pointing gesture is one of self congratulation, as if one has put a tick mark on a blackboard. People with the foam hands point up, not sideways. μηδείς (talk) 02:28, 3 February 2015 (UTC)Reply
I think it's normally done with two hands though, like so.[13] Sir William Matthew Flinders Petrie | Say Shalom! 14 Shevat 5775 02:46, 3 February 2015 (UTC)Reply
That's the one I call "Hey, you're alright!" More direct, plenty of eye contact. "This guy gets it!" is more a vague nod and sweeping point in the general direction of anyone who might nod back. Which to use depends on whether your audience are stoners or voters, but it's pretty safe to assume anyone who points at you from a stage is a charming psychopath. Doesn't always mean they're going to kill you, thankfully. InedibleHulk (talk) 03:04, February 3, 2015 (UTC)

I think this whole discussion helps to illustrate the fact that the hand gesture article is woefully inadequate. Sir William Matthew Flinders Petrie | Say Shalom! 14 Shevat 5775 03:33, 3 February 2015 (UTC) Reply

Well it does omit the most popular hand gesture of them all. Somebody add this, please. Thank you. (It's not very well executed, but it's the best example we have.) ―Mandruss ☎ 05:37, 3 February 2015 (UTC)Reply
You could have a whole separate article on Italian hand gestures (I would actually pay for that one), especially the >800 documented Sicilian ones. And yes that is a glaring omission. Sir William Matthew Flinders Petrie | Say Shalom! 14 Shevat 5775 05:47, 3 February 2015 (UTC)Reply

The question is in the title. I know Superbowl halftime is longer than the standard NFL 13 minute halftime but it's certainly not an hour longer! Why are Superbowls almost always 4 hours long? Kickoff is usually around 6:18pm EST and usually ends around 10:15pm. Thanks. Zombiesturm (talk) 03:14, 2 February 2015 (UTC)Reply

Longer halftime. Longer/more commercials. --Onorem (talk) 03:19, 2 February 2015 (UTC)Reply
This one went from about 6:30 to a little after 10. A bit over 3 1/2 hours. Not bad. And regular season 1:00 starts often go until 4:15 or 4:30. Again, that's about 3 1/2 hours. Not that much difference. ←Baseball Bugs What's up, Doc? carrots→ 03:44, 2 February 2015 (UTC)Reply
Try watching an actual international game - this one lasts for six days, sometimes...because the Gods on the field need to rest on the seventh day.... :) KägeTorä - (影虎) (Chin Wag) 05:40, 2 February 2015 (UTC)Reply
Or if 3-4 hours is too long, try watching a sport where a match often lasts for just a few seconds. (Hmm. Doesn't give a lot of time for commercial interruptions...) --65.94.50.4 (talk) 06:01, 2 February 2015 (UTC)Reply
My sport sells a half-hour to FOX for each of its shows' twelve or so bouts. If a fight ends in eight seconds, that means 26 minutes of commercials and desk banter. Same for the next one. When every match drags to a decision, it sort of makes the show less tiring. InedibleHulk (talk) 07:40, February 2, 2015 (UTC)

Do York, U of Toronto and Ryerson universities offer part time courses for degree especially in history? — Preceding unsigned comment added by 70.29.32.124 (talk) 20:32, 2 February 2015 (UTC)Reply

Here's the page for U Toronto History programs [14]. Here is a page on part time student opportunities [15]. I'd recommend you contact them directly, as they will be the authority on their own programs. My experience based on universities in the USA is that part time status should not prevent a degree from being granted, but that there are certain privileges that status as a full-time student will grant. For example, some financial aid (U Toronto here: [16]) and work study programs are restricted to full time students. But you'll have to contact the institutions directly for guidance. SemanticMantis (talk) 21:17, 2 February 2015 (UTC)Reply

Please let me know. Venustar84 (talk) 23:45, 2 February 2015 (UTC)Reply

Given the show is cancelled and the original star died of cancer, it is unlikely they'll have stand alone conventions. You have asked similar questions about a dozen times before. Such conventions are highly advertised, since they want attendees. (In other words, we can't do better for you on this than google can.) Here are various Spartacus fan club sites. I'd use google and search those sites especially. μηδείς (talk) 02:24, 3 February 2015 (UTC)Reply
It looks like the remaining cast is reuniting in June.[17] Sir William Matthew Flinders Petrie | Say Shalom! 14 Shevat 5775 02:48, 3 February 2015 (UTC)Reply
Be aware, Sir William, that the user normally asks about locations near British Columbia, here California, not Florida. μηδείς (talk) 03:08, 3 February 2015 (UTC)Reply
If they're a true and proper nerd, the OP can purchase a plane to Florida. Sir William Matthew Flinders Petrie | Say Shalom! 14 Shevat 5775 03:25, 3 February 2015 (UTC)Reply
They could do that. But it might be more economical to just book a flight on one going that way instead... --Jayron32 15:09, 3 February 2015 (UTC)Reply

February 3

After reading the story of this young fellow[18] apparently attempting to misuse the powers of Mordor and Morgoth, I got to wondering whether there was a resource anywhere listing other school disciplinary actions that the media deemed excessive (I do as well. But I'm trying to keep my opinion out of my initial question). So, anything like this? Say a webpage or a recap article? Sir William Matthew Flinders Petrie | Say Shalom! 14 Shevat 5775 02:40, 3 February 2015 (UTC)Reply

Seconded this 139.0.5.203 (talk) 06:13, 3 February 2015 (UTC)Reply

One of the caveats when dealing with stories like this is that the media often gets it fantastically wrong. I don't know the full story behind the LotR suspension story, but it is quite possible that the media has messed it up in some way just to make a sensational story. Consider a parallel (made up, but still realistic) example: A student brings a bong he made at home using Lego blocks into school, and slips off to the bathroom to smoke some weed. The school finds him out, and suspends him, and the papers write the story as "School suspends students for bringing Legos to school". That sort of thing happens with alarming frequency. Which is not to say that school administrations are not also capable of making some really bad decisions, but it is not uncommon that sensationalized news stories are written in such a way as to generate click-thrus, and not as a dispassionate and complete report on a particular event. The reporting of a type of event in the popular media is not an accurate representation of how things are really happening. What you want is actual statistics of school discipline, which is a matter of public record, usually. For example, here is the actual data from Texas, the location of the story you cite above. I would go to dispassionately reported data like that to extract some meaning behind school discipline, and whether or not it is truly "excessive" than isolated, and probably inaccurate, reports from media outlets whose motivation is questionable. --Jayron32 14:55, 3 February 2015 (UTC)Reply
Wasn't there a story at some point where someone mistook the Elven lettering on the One Ring for Arabic and thought it was a terrorist weapon? JIP | Talk 15:24, 3 February 2015 (UTC)Reply
Here are The 6 Dumbest Things Schools Are Doing in the Name of Safety and The 3 Most Insane Overreactions by School Security. There are definitely many more. 5 Things Everyone Did Growing Up (That Now Get You Arrested) isn't all about school, but mostly. InedibleHulk (talk) 21:29, February 3, 2015 (UTC)
Also, The 5 Most Ridiculous Reasons Students Have Been Expelled. InedibleHulk (talk) 21:31, February 3, 2015 (UTC)

Often during the week time I see an abundance of very young mums with pushchairs and kids in my town centre. To me it seems like these individuals are outside a certain section of society that I relate to.

So my question is, what is the consequence of so many young mums here in the U.K. what effect does it have on society, does young parenthood create a ghetto effect where subsequent generations also procreate young creating and are locked into a cycle of deprivation.

And correct me if I'm wroung, but it seems like women who procreate later in life after having pursued a career and or education seem to be much more capable and happier parents. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 188.166.53.214 (talk) 14:06, 3 February 2015 (UTC)Reply

There's a lot written about this topic, but no simple easy answers. It is true that a woman's age at first motherhood (that's a key term) tends to increase with her education. No comment on whether that makes her a happier mother. Here's a few web links about advanced age at motherhood [19] [20].
On WP, we have articles on advanced maternal age and teenage pregnancy. There are many academic papers listed on google scholar when I search for /age at first motherhood/ - [21] There probably things written specifically to the UK, but the worldwide trend in western developed countries seem to be increasing age at motherhood, not decreasing. SemanticMantis (talk) 14:34, 3 February 2015 (UTC)Reply
It's worth mentioning that childbirth is generally easier and safer (for both mother and child) for younger mothers. We evolved for women to give birth soon after their first menses...which is younger than it's legal to have sex in most countries. Having a baby in your late 30's is less safe - and the risks pile up rapidly and steeply over that decade. Societal norms often clash with biology...and biology seldom wins. But in a modern world where education takes up so much of our youth, having a child earlier than about 20 to 22 can certainly impact your education, resulting in worse life-outcomes.
There are other, less tangiable differences. Parents who have children as teenagers have a much smaller age difference with their children through later life than people who have kids in their 30's. The generation gap is smaller, they understand each other better. Also, the later you have children, the younger they will be when you die. Children still need the life-skills and wisdom of their parents when they are in their 20's because their brains are still developing then. If their parents are still in their prime - they will do better in the world. Raising kids is tough - and being young when you do it means that you have more energy - and that's no small matter either. On the other hand, older people are generally more financially stable - which could mean that they are better off and have the money it takes to bring up a child with every need taken care of...or it could mean that they are stuck in a crappy job or are unemployed and never likely to recover...which would be bad.
It's a complex equation - which makes it dangerous to rush to conclusions in this regard.
SteveBaker (talk) 15:05, 3 February 2015 (UTC)Reply
Probably also worth pointing out our article menarche, and noting that age of first menses is decreasing over the past 50-100 years. The reasons aren't entirely clear, and we also don't know with much certainty at what age menarche usually occurred in our deep evolutionary past. More coverage and refs here [22].

When I was in high school it was common to become a "welfare mother." There were many newsreports at the time of "welfare queens" taking advantage of the new welfare system. Of course, teen moms wee uncommon when my mom was young and they ran off to get illegal, dangerous abortions. Raquel Baranow (talk) 15:21, 3 February 2015 (UTC)Reply

Heres the BBC [23] pointing out that the rate of teenage motherhood isn't very high and is falling. Of course it's higher in some places than in others. And in the middle of the day, when most young people are at work or studying, the young mothers gather together in public places, and take up room with their pushchairs, so they are noticeable. When is the best time to have a baby and pursue your career? Either early or late, is the best answer. Say a girl has good A Levels but has a baby at 18, either staying with her partner or not, then when the child is five, she is still only 23, can go to university then, and be only a few years behind in her career. She might even try to go to university while the baby is still young. But if she takes a more standard career path, it might not be until she reaches 30 that she has a career that she can take maternity leave from, a steady relationship/marriage, buying a property. Is there a pattern where the children of young mothers are also likely to become pregnant young? Probably, but it isn't set in stone.Itsmejudith (talk) 20:39, 3 February 2015 (UTC)Reply
 
Road sign.

I came across this road sign in South Africa, what does it mean? --Myefloewer (talk) 17:39, 3 February 2015 (UTC)Reply

It means if you turn left, there's a big tree and two kids standing underneath it. nm. A small joke. It looks like a tourism guide sign of some sort. I think it's "botanical gardens". See [24]. --Jayron32 17:53, 3 February 2015 (UTC)Reply
It is a tree and picnic table indicating "rest area class 1". See [25] Rmhermen (talk) 18:06, 3 February 2015 (UTC)Reply

How’s the weather in LA and Canada? Was the temperature -40 degrees few/couple of days ago? -- (Russell.mo (talk) 19:55, 3 February 2015 (UTC))Reply

All the weathers 70.30.20.185 (talk) 20:21, 3 February 2015 (UTC)Reply
Your question seems to presume that the weather is the same throughout Canada. It's the second-largest country on Earth, and the weather will vary depending on which locality you're interested in. Your question also seems to presume that whatever the weather is like in Canada, it will be the same in Los Angeles. Since there is no one "Canadian weather", no comparison is possible unless you name a specific Canadian location. -- Jack of Oz [pleasantries] 21:22, 3 February 2015 (UTC)Reply
Well, not necessarily. "LA" could also mean Louisiana. However, I doubt if the temperature in either Los Angeles or Louisiana has been -40 in recorded history. --65.94.50.4 (talk) 22:32, 3 February 2015 (UTC)Reply

I have googled quite some little bit, but unsuccesfully so far. I am looking for instructions for IRS form 9209 - Bona Fide Residence/Physical Presence Questionnaire. Can anyone point me to a link or reference that explains that form and provides instructions regarding the questions there? Thanks if you can help. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 94.210.177.59 (talk) 21:47, 3 February 2015 (UTC)Reply