Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Miscellaneous/2006 December 30

Welcome to the Wikipedia Miscellaneous Reference Desk Archives
The page you are currently viewing is an archive page. While you can leave answers for any questions shown below, please ask new questions on one of the current reference desk pages.

December 30

Southwest Airlines

Does anyone happen to know what amenities or extras are offered on the 737 flights. Website does not really elaborate.--Biggie 00:12, 30 December 2006 (UTC)

It likely depends on the length of the flight, with meals only on longer flights. I would call the airline and ask for details on your specific flight. StuRat 01:07, 30 December 2006 (UTC)

Southwest specializes in flights with many stopovers or plane changes, so you won't be getting any meals on board. The most you'll get is a drink and some peanuts. --Carnildo 01:50, 30 December 2006 (UTC)

I took a cross country flight with them this year and i tihnk all I got was a cup of tea and some salty peanuts. Night flights would get a pillow, there's some kinda radio if you want to buy their headphones... ST47Talk 02:15, 30 December 2006 (UTC)

With all due respect to ST47, must've been some other airline. Southwest doesn't have radios, earphones or any other entertainment (other than some lame (but I like them) jokes from the crew)).

Also, they don't have any 'red-eye' flights, if that's what you mean by night.

Until recently, flights over 2-1/2 hours got a snack pack, with some decidedly unhealthy snacks in them. They still might do that, but I didn't get any on one of my recent x/c flights. You can always ask for more peanuts or pretzels. They have never had anything that could be called a meal, but they allow (nay, encourage) you to bring some food along.

And just for the record, I love SWA. Bunthorne 05:47, 30 December 2006 (UTC)

Thanks for the info although im considering delta as well.--Biggie 07:29, 30 December 2006 (UTC)

A non-Spanish speaking American Indian from Mexico being Hispanic

Would an American Indian from Mexico who doesn't speak Spanish be considered a Hispanic? Heegoop, 29 December 2006 (UTC)

Strictly, no. As Hispanic actually refers to something that is "a derivation from Spain, its people and culture". However the term is used more loosely in the US to refer to anyone from Hispanic America (irrespective of their ethnic origin), so if you wish to use this definition of the word then, perhaps yes. However, if the individual him or herself is not a Hispanophone then it might be pushing it to include them, even in the most loose definition. Rockpocket 03:35, 30 December 2006 (UTC)

Not by Hispanic people. -THB 20:41, 30 December 2006 (UTC)

Even in US terms, I think that the more appropriate category would be Native American/American Indian. Marco polo 03:08, 31 December 2006 (UTC)

Music Conservatories in Europe

I'm looking for non-biased information and discussion about music conservatories. Particularly, I would like to enter into a conservatory that has many international students (and educates students in the country's language). I am looking at the Vienna University of Music and Performing Arts, the Preperatory course at the St. Petersburg Conservatory, the Conservatory Amsterdam, etc. but I can't find blogs or information on them in English outside of the schools' own websites. Any suggestions?

Cat Breeding 101

I would like to know at what age a kitten's sperm becomes viable? The reason I am asking is because I would like to breed my two kittens (not papered), but I don't want them to reproduce until they are at least one year old each.

The male is a Manx/tabby cross. The female is a Himalayan/??? cross. The male is about two to three weeks younger than the female, presently about 14 weeks and 16 weeks respectively. They are constantly together. I am hoping that when the female goes into her first heat the male will either not respond or if he does that his sperm will not yet be viable.

Male cats typically become fertile somewhere between 4 months-1 year old (and usually between 6-8 months [1]). If you keep them together, the chances of your female becoming pregnant before she is 1yr old is pretty high. Rockpocket 08:32, 30 December 2006 (UTC)

I'm wondering if the "incest taboo" will kick in, with them thinking of themselves as siblings, since they have been together since kittenhood. Do cats behave this way ? StuRat 15:35, 30 December 2006 (UTC)

I dont think the incest taboo kicks in unless they grow up with the same parents. Joneleth 16:27, 30 December 2006 (UTC)

Rhinoceros

I would like to know if Rhinoceroses have a herd mentality similar to those of sheeps. Please make it ASAP. Thank you Sam —The preceding [[Wikipedia:Sign your posts on talk pages comment was added by --59.180.95.2 10:07, 30 December 2006 (UTC)59.180.95.2 (talk) 10:01, 30 December 2006 (UTC).

Our article, rhinoceros, says "a group of rhinoceros is called a "crash"", which suggests they often move in groups. However, this page suggests "As solitary creatures, both male and female rhinos establish territories.". I do not know how reliable either of those sources are. The African Wildlife Foundation suggests it depends which species you pick, saying "The black rhino is usually solitary. The white rhino tends to be much more gregarious." where 'gregarious' means roughly 'friendly/outgoing'. So it generally looks like they don't have a herd mentality similar to sheep, but some species may spend more time with other rhinos than others. Skittle 14:31, 30 December 2006 (UTC)

I'd think the meaning of gregarious here is the original, literal one: "living in flocks or herds", from Latin grex, gregis, ""flock"" or "herd".  --Lambiam^Talk 14:41, 30 December 2006 (UTC)

No, Rhinoceroses do not have a herd mentality like sheep. The adult males are invariably single. The females are occasionally found in small groups (2-4), together with calves, but they wander off on their own (with the youngster) apparently as they feel like - no "follow the leader" phenomenon. One does not see large families, like elephants or hippopotami. But then, maybe we are looking at the result of decades of slaughter, maybe a hundred years ago they used to occur in large families or herds - I'll have to retract my initial response than, and say we do not find them like that "these days". Unfortunately I would not have access to older books before next year. --Seejyb 01:37, 31 December 2006 (UTC)

I attempted to edit a page, but after clicking on "save" I did not see my changes in the page.

I attempted to edit a page, but after clicking on "save" I did not see my changes in the page. I am registered, and I was logged in when I tried to save the page with my addition. What did I do wrong?

Thanks.

The911Show 12:59, 30 December 2006 (UTC)

Your history does not mention any changes made, I advice to try again. Alternatively it could be that you tried to edit a locked down article which only established users can edit. Joneleth 13:12, 30 December 2006 (UTC)

Also when you try to save while another edit has been made you will be redirected to the edit page again and have to merge your changes by hand. Aetherfukz 13:53, 30 December 2006 (UTC)

Sometimes you get a cached, earlier version. See Wikipedia:Bypass your cache for a way around. You can further click the tab [my contributions] at the top of each page to see whether you edit went through; this has always shown me the actual situation.  --Lambiam^Talk 15:31, 30 December 2006 (UTC)

Sometimes, even after the edit goes through and I clear my cache, I still get the older version of the page. I know this isn't just a problem with my cache because sometimes the following happens: I come upon vandalism on a page. I attempt to edit the page, but when I get to the edit menu, the vandalism is gone. You could argue that the vandalism was removed between when I loaded the page and when I pressed edit (and sometimes this is true), but the edit history shows that the last edit was actually a few hours before I loaded the page. --JianLi 20:30, 31 December 2006 (UTC)

Sometimes when I type something it appears, but is deleted again a little while later.172.189.77.244 20:54, 4 January 2006 (UTC)

My little puzzle

Tell me what this means and where it is inscribed:

"insensé que vous êtes pourquoi vous promettez vous de vivre longtemps, vous qui ne pouvez compter sur un seul jour."

V-Man737 13:22, 30 December 2006 (UTC)

Should be the Catacombs of Paris, but as I speak not a word french, I have to resort using babelfish: Foolish that you are why you promise to live yourselves a long time, you who cannot count over only one day. I'd say it would roughly mean something akin to Live every day as if it would be your last day. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by Aetherfukz (talk • contribs) 14:05, 30 December 2006 (UTC).

It can be found inscribed somewhere in the Catacombs of Paris and translates roughly as "demented you are why do you promise you will live long, you who cannot count on one day." Keria 14:07, 30 December 2006 (UTC)

And it is a translation of the original Latin Ha stulte, quid cogitas te diu victurum, cum nullum diem habeas securum?, from The Imitation of Christ by Thomas à Kempis.  --Lambiam^Talk 15:04, 30 December 2006 (UTC)

Here is a translation of the original, as literal as possible: "Hah fool, what do you think you shall live a long time, when you have no day for certain?" —The preceding unsigned comment was added by Lambiam (talk • contribs) 15:19, 30 December 2006 (UTC).

yellow 1st down stripe

I would like to know how the yellow stripe is done on tv broadcasts for football games. That stripe being the first down mark displayed on the screen for viewers.

    gary

—The preceding unsigned comment was added by Braggsaltydawg (talk • contribs) 15:01, 30 December 2006 (UTC).

( http://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/first-down-line.htm) is probably what you want. ny156uk 15:08, 30 December 2006 (UTC)

• It's called "1st & Ten", and Wikipedia has an article about it at 1st & Ten (graphics system). Dave6 10:08, 31 December 2006 (UTC)

Columbia Ice Company, Pittsburgh, PA

Looking for information on the Columbia Ice Company, Pittsburgh, PA. Owned and operated by Jeremiah McKinley around 1920.

Siamese behavior, part deux

A while back, I asked about my sister's cat sleeping with his head up against the corner of something here, and I finially got a picture to clarify - here. So again I ask; is there any reason behind this, or is he just a strange cat? Thank you! 71.220.127.97 18:22, 30 December 2006 (UTC)

They probably find it more comforting to be close to something, eg as though they are back with their mum. However, all cats are inscrutable. I've seen them adopt some very strange sleeping positions.--Shantavira 18:32, 30 December 2006 (UTC)

Cats do that for the same reason you lean your head against the window when sleeping on a train or use a pillow in bed. -THB 20:47, 30 December 2006 (UTC)

pawn shops

Can I please get a list of pawn shops in Orlando, Fl?

Here you go. The Wikipedia Google Queen 18:27, 30 December 2006 (UTC)

Magnet

Hello, I'm looking for an aluminum magnet. Can anyone find one and tell me where to get them? Thanks. - Xoshe 22:00, 30 December 2006 (UTC)

Well you're going to have to start by finding some Unobtanium, 'cause that's what an aluminum magnet is made from. Good luck! 192.168.1.1 2:30pm, 30 December 2006 (PST)

Aluminium is not ferromagnetic, so it can't hold a magnetic field. See paramagnetism for further info. Still, alnico alloys make good magnets, and they contain the element. — Kieff 01:10, 31 December 2006 (UTC)

It does work nicely in electromagnets, though. And it's a component of alnico.

Atlant 14:49, 2 January 2006 (UTC)

HagermanBot (talk · contribs)

How exactly does HagermanBot tell the difference between an unsigned comment, and an alternative signature, such as when people just paste the time, date, and their name, as you frequently see here on the RD? Also, how long does it take HagermanBot to find an unsigned comment

Did you read User:HagermanBot#Conditions?

Odd that HagermanBot has yet to pick up on this conversation, and sign us

Hmm, maybe HagermanBot backs off if it realizes we're talking about it. Actually, I think it could be to do with the template in the heading. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by Shantavira (talk • contribs) 10:52, 31 December 2006 (UTC).

OK. That seems to be because I left a blank line before my comment, unlike this test. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by Shantavira (talk • contribs) 11:06, 31 December 2006 (UTC).

I give up.--Shantavira 11:15, 31 December 2006 (UTC)

I'll take a crack at one of the conditions... "The edit must either create a new heading or exist as an indent under an existing heading."

Hm. And this really belongs at WP:HD. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by Froth (talk • contribs) 01:38, 4 January 2006 (UTC).