Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Miscellaneous/2006 November 19

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November 19

F-14 vs F-15 vs F-16 vs F-18

The USA has lots of fighter jets, which of the four are the best for a) air-to-air atatck, b) air-to-surface attack? I'm pretty sure the F-15 is the best out of the four for air to air attack, if I am correct, why doesn't the US Navy use these instead of using F-14 or F-18s? Jamesino 01:06, 19 November 2006 (UTC)

Landing on a carrier puts a lot of stress on a plane (see Arrestor cables). I suspect the F-15 just isn't structurally strong enough at those stress points. Clarityfiend 04:07, 19 November 2006 (UTC)

Precisely; An F-15 simply cannot land on an aircraft carrier like an F-14 or F-18 can. —EdGl 01:36, 20 November 2006 (UTC)

An F14 is a modified F15. There are lots of differences though. The first is the "swing wing" which makes the wing straighter at slower speeds in order to lower the landing speed for a carrier landing. The swing wing also makes the wingspan smaller for storage on a carrier. The landing gear has been beefed up for carrier landings. It has a tail hook. Navy has a refueling arm while the Air Force uses boom and receiver behind the canopy. --Tbeatty 05:00, 20 November 2006 (UTC)

So if you have 4 clone pilots of equal skill level and you put each of them into a different jet, loaded with optimal missile payloads. Which one would most likely come out on top? Jamesino 23:21, 20 November 2006 (UTC)

I believe the F-14 has a longer range and can fire more missiles simultaneously than the F-18, so in F-14 vs. F-18, the F-14 would know the F-18's location first, and be the first to fire a missle, and would destroy an F-18. Sorry for not including the other planes as I am less knowledgeable with those other aircraft. —EdGl 03:13, 21 November 2006 (UTC)

Arranged marriage

How can I get an arranged marriage —Preceding unsigned comment added by 216.164.200.39 (talk • contribs)

Die, then get reincarnated in a country which practices them. StuRat 01:27, 19 November 2006 (UTC)

Or simpler yet, go to a country which practices them. Jamesino 01:47, 19 November 2006 (UTC)

I don't think that would work, since the parents normally arrange the marriage. Thus, you would need to get adopted first. StuRat 01:56, 19 November 2006 (UTC)

Plus, why would you want one in the first place? Are you sure you understand what an arranged marriage is? Cbrown1023 01:59, 19 November 2006 (UTC)

Maybe he wants a mail-order bride? --Justanother 06:30, 19 November 2006 (UTC)

If so, he should be very careful of the spelling, or he may just get a surprise package. :-) StuRat 07:22, 19 November 2006 (UTC)

Also, listen to The Gift (song) first, so as to be aware of the potential risks involved. DirkvdM 08:34, 19 November 2006 (UTC)

Maybe it's a she who wants to be the bride.  --Lambiam^Talk 14:03, 19 November 2006 (UTC)

I personally prefer a deranged marriage. StuRat 17:12, 22 November 2006 (UTC)

"on-location"...

I remember reading somewhere (one of Dan Brown's novels maybe?) that often reporters will fake being on the scene of where the news is happening, and instead use a just use video of the place which they will stand in front of. My question is, does this really happen / how often does this happen? 68.231.151.161 01:35, 19 November 2006 (UTC)

Comment: I think the novel you are referring to is Angels and Demons. Cbrown1023 01:46, 19 November 2006 (UTC)

I imagine it's quite common, although, since they likely avoid actually saying they are there, it isn't really lying, the viewers just assume they are on-site. I saw one funny video where a reporter, in a boat on a street, is talking about the horrible flooding. Then some people walk by, showing it's only a couple inches of water. :-) StuRat 01:50, 19 November 2006 (UTC)

I don't think this is really that common in broadcast journalism. It's too easy to spot a fake background. What less-scrupulous TV crews do do is say they are reporting live from a scene when the segment is actually not live. There was a famous print case of a guy (Jayson Blair) who, when assigned to cover a funeral in West Virginia or somewhere, stayed at home in Brooklyn and wrote a story based on fabricated and stolen quotes. -- Mwalcoff 02:32, 19 November 2006 (UTC)

Many times I see rebroadcasts of live reports, where the word "LIVE" is still on the screen. This is particularly funny when you've seen the earlier boradcast as well..."Wow, this live interview is identical to the live one at 6, what are the chances of that ?". :-) StuRat 02:47, 19 November 2006 (UTC)

See Geraldo Rivera#War coverage controversies. He absolutely lied, I saw the original broadcast. -THB 18:02, 19 November 2006 (UTC)

Jayson Blair reminds me of a Russian music critic (whose name escapes me but it wasn't Stasov) in the early part of the 20th century. He was due to critique a new work of Prokofiev, but since he despised Prokofiev's music he decided to miss the concert and make up a scathing criticism based on what he knew of Prokofiev's general style. He sent the critique off to the paper, unaware that the concert had been cancelled. He lost his job. JackofOz 21:32, 19 November 2006 (UTC)

As someone who works in television news, I will say that I have never seen this happen first-hand, at any of the stations I have worked at or by any of our competitors. Nor have I ever heard of a verifiable incidence of this. It just doesn't happen. Whenever you see one of our reporters live on the scene, he or she is indeed live and on the scene. In fact, we have strict guidelines posted admonishing us to always present our reports with the utmost accuracy. — Michael J 23:38, 20 November 2006 (UTC)

Extreme Ops Location

In the movie "Extreme Ops" much of the action takes place in a hotel high in the mountains - if I remember correctly it is in Austria. (In the movie the hotel is still under construction, but I believe that it is in real life fully functional). Does anyone know the name / location of this hotel ? --Dr snoobab 04:31, 19 November 2006 (UTC)

Caliber (guns)

I have always been puzzled by the terminology used when describing a gun's caliber. When I did National Service in Australia the weapons we used were the Lee Enfield 303 and the hand gun was a 45. What do those figures signify? A 9mm is self explanatory. Shotguns come in 12 gauge and I used to play around with a 410. Also in Wild West stories the hero (or Villain) would pull out his never-empty trusty 30/30. What does it all mean. Joe Blow58.104.113.211 04:38, 19 November 2006 (UTC)Joe Blow

45 caliber means that the bore is .45 inches in diameter. A 12 guage shotgun means that 12 lead spheres with diameters the same diameter of the bore would weigh 1 pound. --froth^{T C} 05:17, 19 November 2006 (UTC)

The .30-30 mean a 0.3 inch diameter with 30 grains of powder in the cartridge. Rmhermen 05:39, 19 November 2006 (UTC)

You can gauge the caliber of a gun collector based on his familiarity with those terms. (I apologize for that rather bore-ish comment, but I had to take a shot.) StuRat 07:11, 19 November 2006 (UTC)

We usually spell it "calibre" in Australia, but that's an entirely different issue.  :) JackofOz 21:33, 19 November 2006 (UTC)

The 303 Enfield means 0.303 of an inch, or 7.7 mm. Most of the time if it sounds like a fraction it means 'of an inch', keeping in mind that the biggest calibre of personal firearm is 0.50 or 12.7mm. Vespine 22:23, 19 November 2006 (UTC)

Dolly (Parton?) song question (refactored)

when i was 14 i heard a song by dolly and it had a line about i don't want to throw rice at her if you know what it is i would love to know. thank you --—The preceding unsigned comment was added by Bigmama654ply (talk • contribs) 05:50, 19 November 2006 (UTC)

Here it is. I Don't Want To Throw Rice by Dolly Parton. --Justanother 06:26, 19 November 2006 (UTC)

Serious Question

Are there any ways in which i can legally kill a man? - Paulie —Preceding unsigned comment added by 125.236.134.181 (talk • contribs)

It depends where you are and what the circumstances are. In some jurisdictions killing someone in self-defense is ok. JoshuaZ 06:41, 19 November 2006 (UTC)

We have a good article on this at Justifiable homicide. Dave6 06:43, 19 November 2006 (UTC)

Wikipedia does not provide legal advice. But, as a general observation, you could join a military force which is engaged in a war, or get a job as an executioner at a prison, or become a police officer and find a bad guy who refuses to lay down his weapon, or be an armed homeowner in certain jurisdictions and wait for a home invader, or be a licensed gun owner in certain U.S. states and wait until someone threatens your safety. All those categories reportedly kill people legally. Edison 07:07, 19 November 2006 (UTC)

I wanted to say "join the army", but soldiers usually spend most of their time hanging around a base or something. Wars are pretty uncommon, contrary to what the news may suggest to you. And then when they do get sent to a war they rarely get a chance of killing someone. And then when they do, it is often from a distance and it may even be unclear who did the actual killing. Very frustrating! Joining the US army would probably increase your chances, but then you'd have to become a US citizen first. But then there's the question of who's legality you're speaking of. The Israeli army would also be a good choice. DirkvdM 08:41, 19 November 2006 (UTC)

You don't have to be a U.S. citizen to join the U.S. Army. In fact, they sometimes award citizenship to those foreigners who die in the service. Rmhermen 17:35, 19 November 2006 (UTC)

LOL. A citizenship to die for. :) DirkvdM 07:56, 20 November 2006 (UTC)

Yes. You could become an executioner.--Light current 11:25, 19 November 2006 (UTC)

You could also be a doctor in a nation that allows euthanasia ny156uk 13:04, 19 November 2006 (UTC)

Or abortion ;D --froth^{T C} 18:35, 19 November 2006 (UTC)

However you want, if you're wearing a mask. (Just kidding) -- Sturgeonman 19:01, 19 November 2006 (UTC)

A foetus is not a "man", but he/she is (depending on your point of view) a human being. Also, killing someone in self-defence is not "legal". In most places it is still unlawful to kill someone in these circumstances and you will probably still be charged, but the court may accept your motives as a reasonable defence and acquit you. It's not just a case of you telling the police "I acted in self-defence" and them saying "Oh, ok, that's alright then. Have a nice day". JackofOz 21:42, 19 November 2006 (UTC)

Hm, I'm not a lawyer, but I don't think you're correct that it's unlawful to kill someone in justifiable self-defense or defense of another. If you're acquitted on grounds of self-defense, then what the jury has decided is that you acted lawfully (or at least that there's insufficient evidence that you didn't). And I think if the DA charges you, then it means he's not convinced that you were acting in self-defense; if the evidence is clear that you were, then I think you won't be charged. --Trovatore 22:54, 19 November 2006 (UTC)

If by "legally" you mean "not in violation of any law", you might want to go someplace where there are no laws (and people to kill). Currently, only Somalia comes to mind, although sharia might be the de facto legal code in most of it by now. I'm not sure about outer space, Antarctica etc., and I'm pretty sure that national penal laws can be enforced on the high seas. In any case, you might still be subject to traditional forms of non-judicial dispute resolution on the part of the local population. Sandstein 19:55, 22 November 2006 (UTC)

You could go to a region in which there are no laws, such as disputed zones somalia etc.

Hong Kong banknotes

Most Hong Kong banknotes are issued by banks instead of the government. Why? Is this an unique situation worldwide? Thanks. WP 09:44, 19 November 2006 (UTC)

It is not unique. Several UK banks, based in Scotland and Northern Ireland, issue their own notes. Clio the Muse 09:52, 19 November 2006 (UTC)

Coins

I am always told the head is the 'front' of the coin and the design is the reverse. Am I alone in thinking this is quite odd? In the UK the 'value' of the coin is therefore on the 'back' of the coin (if my understanding is correct).

No idea if this is the case is other countries, but it does seem strange to me to have the details of the coin's value on the back, not front (though obviously I appreciate that which is the front/back is irrelevant due to the nature of coins) ny156uk 13:13, 19 November 2006 (UTC)

The front is usually called the "obverse". Coins are easily recognizable to users by the "head". You might think of the other information as the "fine print" which could go on the reverse. And it's not the case in all countries. -THB 17:08, 19 November 2006 (UTC)

Also, the term heads and tail might have implied that the head is the front and the tail is the back, but this is just something that occured to me as I read the question. --Wirbelwindヴィルヴェルヴィント (talk) 19:36, 19 November 2006 (UTC)

See Obverse and reverse. To clarify; in the UK, the Queen's head is always the Obverse/front/heads, while the other design, with the value and secondary symbol (portcullis, rampant lion, Britannia etc.) is always on the Reverse/back/tails. I agree with you on the slightly strange idea of the value being on the back; I've always thought of the Queen's head being on the back of the coin, as it has less useful information, but obviously some more bigheaded monarch somewhere down the line has said "No! My head must go on the front, not the back!". Laïka 19:51, 19 November 2006 (UTC)

It makes some sense to me that their heads are on the heads side. What I'd like to know is why their tails are not on the tails side.  --Lambiam^Talk 20:29, 19 November 2006 (UTC)

Talking about "heads and tails" makes obvious sense as long as someone's head actually appears on one side of the coin. Talking about "front and back" does not make sense, unless it is arbitrarily defined somewhere which side is the front and which is the back. It would have to be arbitrary because coins are inherently two-sided and neither side has any natural superiority over the other. That's why they don't use such terminology, preferring "obverse" and "reverse". JackofOz 21:55, 19 November 2006 (UTC)

"Front" and "back" are ambiguous terms, since they would refer to different sides of the coin whenever you turned it over. Edison 22:58, 19 November 2006 (UTC)

Swan winter survival and feeding

A swan has recently appeared in a small pond near our house in Maine. No one has ever seen a swan anywhere near here. I don't know if it is a male or a female.

The pond will freeze over shortly, and we are concerned because that will eliminate the ability of the swan to dive for underwater plants, etc.

Most of the birds around this area have already migrated south, but this swan just stays here by him/her self. No mate has been seen.

What might we feed the swan, and what else might we do to aid in his/her making it through the winter?

Many thanks —Preceding unsigned comment added by 66.231.199.57 (talk • contribs) 13:27, 19 November 2006

• Contact a local bird charity,or I think America does have an Audubon Society which may help. .Sometimes a local vet will have a contact number for a swan recue or something like that.hotclaws**== 16:21, 19 November 2006 (UTC)
  • You can find your local Audubon branch here, if you are in Maine. They most likely can advise you of how to proceed.—WAvegetarian•(talk) 22:02, 19 November 2006 (UTC)

How recently? The swan could be regaining its strength for the last stretch. I also thought for a moment that maybe the swan 'knows' something you don't, like that it's going to be a warm winter and the pond won't freeze over. The Amsterdam canals rarely freeze over the last few years and the winter swan population seems to be growing. However, Maine may be further south than Amsterdam, but it doesn't benefit from the thermohaline circulation. The Maine article is a bit unclear about the temperatures. I've added a question to the talk page. Maybe you could help out with that, being a resident. DirkvdM 08:19, 20 November 2006 (UTC)

copyright / free licensing

I apologise firstly for being unsure as to where to file this, but my question is as follows.

I attempted to upload a picture which was taken by my boss, who co-owns a company (of two tea houses) called Tchai Ovna Ltd (I'm currently trying to work on the Wiki for the place) - my boss has given permissions for the image to be used explicity but he hasn't licesnsed or copyrighted it in any way; the photograph is of the exterior & entrance to the shop.

I'm not sure how I would go about licensing / fair use tagging it. I previously uploaded it as available to use on wikipedia as he said that would be fine, but that wasn't alright so I tried to edit the licensing to GFDL but I believe this is wrong also.

Basically, I'm wondering what I would list the image as; it's just a picture taken on a digital camera as far as I'm aware that holds no copyright other than intellectual. I don't have much of a clue about any of this. I'd also like to point out that if I have uploaded it under false copyright that it was not done intentionally or maliciously.

Thanks in advance to anyone who helps resolve this :)

-dannerz 13:43, 19 November 2006 (UTC)

This belongs on Wikipedia:Help desk; please try it there. Copyright is intellectual ownership; there is no other meaning to the term. He is the rights owner and you, as his agent, can upload the pic. But check the help desk. --Justanother 14:20, 19 November 2006 (UTC)

Please also see WP:COMPANY and WP:AUTO. --Shantavira 14:23, 19 November 2006 (UTC)

Also, before you expend a ton of effort; what makes his teahouses notable enough to put in an encyclopedia? See WP:Notability (and User:Uncle G/On notability) and WP:NOT. Wikipedia is not the yellow pages. --Justanother 14:28, 19 November 2006 (UTC)

British top fourty pop chart

Hello. I am trying out to find WHICH year both Eagle-Eye Cherry and The Cars were on the British top forty. Do you have any idea where to find this information? Much appreciated! 81.93.102.185 14:10, 19 November 2006 (UTC)

To myself: I think Vengaboys were on the top forty this year too... Could it be 1998? 81.93.102.185 14:15, 19 November 2006 (UTC)

Try this site (http://www.everyhit.com/searchsec.php), it shows a top 40 hit for eagle eye cherry with Save Tonight in 1998. The last top 40 hit it finds for 'The Cars' is in August 1985, so it would seem that unless eagle eye cherry has been performing for a long time (his first album is 1997 according to his wikipedia page) then they look unlikely to have shared a year when they were both Top 40 artists. ny156uk 14:52, 19 November 2006 (UTC)

Armed Rebellion in Tennesee USA

I once heard a story that a upriseing occured in Tenn. in the 1950s or 40s due to the populace being fed up with corrupt county officals. A county court house was taken over for a time, the state police or National guard had to be brought in to resolve the problems. The event was considered important to gun rights activist as an example of first amendment rights. It was also supposedly suppresed in the news media under request of federal officals. Anybody know about this? Thanks76.187.36.112 14:16, 19 November 2006 (UTC)Mr.Phil

Please see Battle of Athens. -- Rick Block (talk) 18:12, 19 November 2006 (UTC)

There was also the State of Franklin in the 1790's. Edison 23:00, 19 November 2006 (UTC)

It wasn't suppressed. The rebellion was a front page story in the NY Times. lots of issues | leave me a message 23:23, 19 November 2006 (UTC)

Gulf of mexico

What kind of houses are built around the gulf of mexico? —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 68.217.100.115 (talk • contribs) .

Are you aware that the Gulf of Mexico is rather large and is bordered by Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, Tamaulipas, Veracruz, Tabasco, Campeche, Yucatán, Quintana Roo, and Cuba? Accordingly, you find all kinds of houses, ranging from sumptuous mansions to comfortable villas to working-class apartment buildings to one-room cabins to shanty-town dwellings, in a variety of architectural styles or lack thereof. Is there some specific aspect you're interested in?  --Lambiam^Talk 16:26, 19 November 2006 (UTC)

I can only speak for Texas but normally, I see raised houses resting on columns near the beach. Not really sure what they're called, but I assume those are fairly common near the beach. --Wirbelwindヴィルヴェルヴィント (talk) 19:32, 19 November 2006 (UTC)

Favourites

How do I set up a list of favourite articles on Wiki please? —The preceding unsigned comment was added by Papermaker (talk • contribs) .

Perhaps the easiest way would be to add them to your watchlist. That way you could check to see if there had been any changes in them. -THB 17:04, 19 November 2006 (UTC)

See Help:Watching pages. -- SCZenz 20:10, 19 November 2006 (UTC)

Go to your user page, pick Edit, then add the names of the articles you like with two sets of square brackets around each. You might want to put them on separate lines with asterisks in front as bullets.

For example, do this:

*[[Flying Spaghetti Monster]]

*[[Invisible Pink Unicorn]]

To get this:

• Flying Spaghetti Monster

• Invisible Pink Unicorn

StuRat 05:01, 20 November 2006 (UTC)

Note that you could also use the Favorites/Bookmarks option in your browser to store a list. StuRat 17:07, 22 November 2006 (UTC)

Arranged Marriage

Seriously, how can I get an arranged marriage? —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 216.164.192.129 (talk • contribs) .

This question was posted above. do not double post. Jon513 17:54, 19 November 2006 (UTC)

But above people were insulting and making jokes instead of answering the question.

You have to arrange for it. --Nelson Ricardo 18:31, 19 November 2006 (UTC)

Arranged marriages only occur within certain groups. You have to be a member of one of those groups. Do you belong to one of those groups? Where do you live? You didn't give enough information, that's why people couldn't answer your question to your satisfaction. Give more information. -THB 19:15, 19 November 2006 (UTC)

Giving this more thought, there are certain religious "cult" groups like the Moonies that you could join and then be required to enter an arranged marriage, but I don't recommend it. -THB 19:23, 19 November 2006 (UTC)

Did you read Arranged marriage at all? Usually such marriages are arranged through the parents. Ask your family to arrange a marriage. For us to give a meaningful answer, we need to know, at the very least: (a) where you live; (b) what you are seeking in an arranged marriage, in particular, we need to understand why such is your preference; (c) what requirements you have with regard to your future spouse (gender, age, religion, ethnicity, abilities, ...); also, does s/he need to agree with you that democracy is horrible?; (d) what you or your family are bringing to the marriage.  --Lambiam^Talk 20:09, 19 November 2006 (UTC)

(Oops, I see THB already mentioned this) Arranged marriages are, by definition, arranged. Someone would have to arrange one for you and for your future wife. You might consider joining the "Moonies". I read some time ago that the Rev. Moon got all the singles together in an auditorium (hundreds of them), paired them up, married them, gave them some advice, and told them to make it work. That is what marriage is about anyway, making it work. --Justanother 22:01, 19 November 2006 (UTC)

You might also consider getting your parents or a close friend to arrange it for you. I also remember that there are people who will find dates for you, in return for payment. They will get list of prospective dates, interview them, check them for compatibility with your personality and recommend one for you. Given that people will also arrange the wedding ceremony, all you are left with is the bit in the middle - persuading the other person they want to marry you. DJ Clayworth 18:27, 23 November 2006 (UTC)

jeans

where i can get pretty cheap jeans that fade from dark blue to whitish in the middle of the pant leg & have rips thanks —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 162.83.250.230 (talk • contribs) .

A secondhand store. --Wooty Woot? contribs 18:45, 19 November 2006 (UTC)

Stonewashed jeans comes to mind--Light current 19:00, 19 November 2006 (UTC)

Why no article on this important subject? 8-(--Light current 23:17, 19 November 2006 (UTC)

Good question. I started one. Dave6 04:46, 20 November 2006 (UTC)

Go to Tesco, buy some Value jeans for a fiver, then cut with scissors and sandpaper. Laïka 19:45, 19 November 2006 (UTC)

Look around these places. --hydnjo talk 20:31, 19 November 2006 (UTC)

I'm distressed that people like those type of jeans, they must be on acid or otherwise stoned (sorry if I appear to be on a holey crusade here). StuRat 04:40, 20 November 2006 (UTC)

The jeans article has this link.--Justanother 04:45, 20 November 2006 (UTC)

I'm also bewildered why anybody thinks these garments are in any way attractive, but you don't have to be high to wear them. TV hosts (who don't usually appear to be pharmaceutically affected, but may well be) often wear them. Fashion is sometimes a cruel master. JackofOz 00:06, 21 November 2006 (UTC)

I am sorry that no one else understood StuRat's reference to distressed, acid washed, and stone washed jeans, i.e. what this thread is referring to. I for one thought it was clever.—WAvegetarian•(talk) 00:41, 21 November 2006 (UTC)

Why would you assume that we didn't get the joke? --Justanother 00:48, 21 November 2006 (UTC)

I guess I read JackofOz's comment as too straight-faced. With no further commentary it seemed that it had been missed. Apparently I was wrong. I'll just go back to my Chinese homework. Wo.de Yingwen shuiping bugou gao, or maybe Chinese has just lessened it.—WAvegetarian•(talk) 01:17, 21 November 2006 (UTC)

Straight-faced?? Me?? Never.  :) JackofOz 01:25, 21 November 2006 (UTC)

Adding value to meetings and encouraging volunteers to attend

I am a graduate student working on a research project. I need to find articles or names of researchers who have written about adding value to meetings and encouraging volunteers to attend. If anyone can direct me in either of these areas, I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you in advance. Deb —Preceding unsigned comment added by Dpchristianson (talk • contribs)

Could you give a bit of context and clarification? What kind of meetings are these? Why should volunteers attend them at all? What would they be volunteering for, voluntarily attending the meeting? In many areas of the world you can attract any number of volunteers to attend the annual meeting of the Organization of Chartered Accountants if you just offer them a decent meal, but somehow I don't think that is what you have in mind. And what should we think of when you say "adding value" to a meeting. If the meeting has insufficient value, why have it at all?  --Lambiam^Talk 20:19, 19 November 2006 (UTC)

I will go along with the idea of giving away free stuff to encourage attendance. Ideally you would do best to give them something with little or no intrinsic value, but which has a great deal of value to some people. For example, have everyone who attends get the chance to shake George Bush's hand (or just generally shake him). If you use this method, however, be sure to install metal detectors at all the doors. StuRat 04:34, 20 November 2006 (UTC)

Wikipoll

I had an idea: what if we create a "Wikipoll" project in which users can post polls and ask the Wikipedia public for their opinion? If a good idea and feasible, how would one go about creating it? -- Sturgeonman 19:42, 19 November 2006 (UTC)

Wikipedia, as an encyclopedia, is devoted to the organization of facts and information from primary and secondary sources. We tend to avoid creating subpages where people argue their opinions, because this would not contribute to our mission. See also Wikipedia:What Wikipedia is not#Wikipedia is not a soapbox and Wikipedia:What Wikipedia is not#Wikipedia is not a publisher of original thought. -- SCZenz 19:50, 19 November 2006 (UTC)

Polls not a function of an encyclopedia--Light current 19:51, 19 November 2006 (UTC)

I was going to suggest making something at Wikipedia:Esperanza/Coffee Lounge but it seems that it was recently deleted. Jon513 20:25, 19 November 2006 (UTC)

Polls are evil! --hydnjo talk 20:27, 19 November 2006 (UTC)

Jeez- I didn't know I that polls are such a sore subject.-- Sturgeonman 00:16, 20 November 2006 (UTC)

It shouldn't be part of Wikipedia, I agree. However, there's no reason not to create a new wiki, named, say Wikipoll, for just that purpose. StuRat 04:27, 20 November 2006 (UTC)

Precisely. I've been thinking the same thing. For example for films, as an alternative to imdb, with the more handy MediaWiki format, in which people can react to each other's posts. And without the ads, which are getting to be ever more annoying on imdb. One existing opinions-wiki is http://campaigns.wikia.com/wiki/Campaigns_Wikia, on politics. Another very handy one would be a site where one can discuss various products. This is something that would greatly improve the effectiveness of the free market system, which only functions well if people are properly informed, and one good source of information would be the experience of other users with products. DirkvdM 08:28, 20 November 2006 (UTC)

Yes. Anyone can start his/her own Wiki! 8-)--Light current 08:04, 21 November 2006 (UTC)

Democracy and capitalism

What are the main criticisms and drawbacks of democracy and capitalism ? (re-asking deleted question from anon contributor with more neutral tone) Gandalf61 19:58, 19 November 2006 (UTC)

One thing to note is that democracy and capitalism, though certainly related in the view of many, are technically separate ideas. Democracy is a political system, while capitalism is an economic system. -- SCZenz 20:06, 19 November 2006 (UTC)

Capitalism is a politico-economical system. I'd go further and say democracy and capitalism cannot coexist, which I consider a major drawback of capitalism. I know some people believe that democracy cannot exist without capitalism, which then justifies intervention in other countries where an elected leader is not so enthusiastic about capitalism and globalization.  --Lambiam^Talk 20:25, 19 November 2006 (UTC)

Have you seen Democracy#Criticism (more info in articles on specific variants of democracy) and Capitalism#Critics of capitalism? The latter is especially detailed. -- SCZenz 20:09, 19 November 2006 (UTC)

Other articles you might find interesting are Comparative economic systems and Small is Beautiful. -THB 00:26, 20 November 2006 (UTC)

Note that capitalism, or rather the free market system (something distinct, but that's probably what you were thinking of) is a form of democracy, using dollar voting. That's a stub, but a better discussion can be found on the talk page. However, that was original research, so I wan't allowed to put it in the article. (sob, sob) DirkvdM 08:31, 20 November 2006 (UTC)

It might be democarcy, but it sure isn't equal... 惑乱 分からん 13:53, 20 November 2006 (UTC)

No idea why anyone thinks capitalism cannot co-exist alongside democracy. Democracy is not a one-for-one vote on every aspect of life, or guaranteed equality throughout all of life. Capitalism is a much more difficult thing to define, it's apparently like a private-ownership economy and if so there is no reason this cannot co-exist with democracy. Whether capitalisam's outcome diminishes the role of government, or not, is questionable, but there is little to suggest it prevents democracy from existing. Indeed many would argue that free-markets provide a much more real version of consumer demands/requirements than government maintained markets. As always read more on both subjects, they are fascinating. ny156uk 18:02, 20 November 2006 (UTC)

On that subject, I would recommend the works of Friedrich Hayek, and in particular, Road to Serfdom. Hayek argues – rightly so, in my opinion – that political freedom and economic freedom cannot come about, to any substantial degree, without one another. Sandstein 19:43, 22 November 2006 (UTC)

Hayek's argument has, to some extent, been superseded by new economic and political forms. At the time of writing he would have in mind the pure model of the 'command economy', typified by the old Soviet Union. However, developments in China have proved that economic freedom can indeed exist side-by-side with absence of the outward forms of political liberty. Clio the Muse 00:06, 23 November 2006 (UTC)

Help

What does [H+] mean?--Rapier of Women 21:43, 19 November 2006 (UTC)

It depends on the context. But in chemistry it could mean a Hydrogen atom with a +1 charge, which means it lost one of it's electron. Jamesino 21:45, 19 November 2006 (UTC)

This could also be a reference to the pH of something.—WAvegetarian•(talk) 21:55, 19 November 2006 (UTC)

No, it's not equal to the pH. The brackets denote concentration. In dilute solutions, pH = -log₁₀([H+]). —Keenan Pepper 22:17, 19 November 2006 (UTC)

H+ almost always means a proton. --Wooty Woot? contribs 22:56, 19 November 2006 (UTC)

To clarify, since the most common isotope of hydrogen only contains one electron and one proton, H+ means it has lost one electron, leaving zero. In other words, only a single proton is left, which gives it a charge of +1. StuRat 04:23, 20 November 2006 (UTC)

As a conclusion, in chemistry, [H+] stands for hydrogen ion concentration. –mysid☎ 08:17, 20 November 2006 (UTC)

Axe vs Tag

Which North American bodyspray lasts longer and/or have a more powerful scent: Axe Or Tag? Jamesino 21:45, 19 November 2006 (UTC)

I would think 'Axe' would have a slightly sharper edge to it! But 'Tag' tends to hang around a bit longer 8-)--Light current 00:20, 21 November 2006 (UTC)

I have no idea if they're longer-lasting, but why not try the Bod line? You can't go wrong with fragrances called "Rock Hard" and "Ripped Abs". User:Zoe|(talk) 03:27, 21 November 2006 (UTC)

Haven't you seen the commercials? Tag causes nearby women to find you completely irresistible. It's a scientifically proven fact. Someoneinmyheadbutit'snotme 03:44, 22 November 2006 (UTC)

Masking Tape

Does the adhesive of masking tape have moisture in it? --Proficient 22:21, 19 November 2006 (UTC)

When you say moisture, do you mean free water?--Light current 23:18, 19 November 2006 (UTC)

I would say not. Otherwise it might be expected to dry out in a few days. It doesnt. 8-)--Light current 23:20, 19 November 2006 (UTC)

The data sheets on the 3M Website state that masking tape uses rubber adhesive, rubber is not soluble in water, but there would be a solvent which could be considered wet or moist, but the rubber would already be disolved in it. If, for example, you stuck masking tape to tissue paper, I do not believe it would moisten the tissue. Vespine 00:34, 20 November 2006 (UTC)

Yes its a bit of a sticky subject! --Light current 01:17, 20 November 2006 (UTC)

It does, in fact "dry out", over time, and becomes brittle. However, as that takes years instead of hours, it must not be water which is evaporating, but something with a much lower volatility (tendency to evaporate). StuRat 04:18, 20 November 2006 (UTC)

That may also be the result of degradation of the polymer structure under influence of, in particular, ultraviolet radiation.  --Lambiam^Talk 08:59, 20 November 2006 (UTC)