Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Miscellaneous/2007 April 22

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.

April 22

Old Obituaries

I was wondering if anyone knows of a website where I can find old obituaries and don't have to pay to get them. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 69.210.80.143 (talk) 00:20, 22 April 2007 (UTC).

Just in case no one answers with precisely what you want, there is always the fallback option of Microfiche at your local library, which is almost certain to have these in the newspaper archives. dr.ef.tymac 02:30, 22 April 2007 (UTC)

Google suggested http://www.legacy.com SteveBaker 02:43, 22 April 2007 (UTC)

How old? In which country? The Google group alt.obituaries carries a lot of archive obits, and TIME magazine's archives are free. --Charlene 07:31, 22 April 2007 (UTC)

Citing sources

I'm new at this, so I write why would anyone edit anything without citing sources? Isn't plagiarism one of the cardinal "DO NOT DO" rules? I hope I'm not being naive or appearing naive, but one would think that anyone wanting to write anything would know this. Anyone brave enough to definitely answer this? RandallJNichols 05:55, 22 April 2007 (UTC) --RandallJNichols 05:55, 22 April 2007 (UTC)

I don't understand, what writings are you asking about ? Wikipedia, the Ref Desk, or a report you are working on ? You can plagiarize whether you cite sources or not, as citing a source still doesn't mean you can copy an entire report out of an encyclopedia. StuRat 07:58, 22 April 2007 (UTC)

My experience when I started editing Wikipedia was that I found a couple of articles that I knew something about, and eagerly started adding material from my own knowledge. It was only after a bit that I started appreciating how important referenced material was. I'm slightly ashamed to say that some of my early work is still there (I'm not going to say what, as I know that interested parties can always go and find it). In some cases I have added references; in others I do not know where to find the support it needs, but I'm reluctant to remove the material because I know it's right. (grin)

On the other hand, I've never copied whole chunks of material into WP, but I can certainly imagine that some people think that is a quick way to get useful material in, and don't understand about copyright. --ColinFine 10:12, 22 April 2007 (UTC)

Sources are the main limiter on the ambitions of the Wiki. The scientists complain about the more advanced articles, but they are behind the 'pay wall', or an information cartel. When I write, and use good, stable, open sources, I would always be forced to write to the highschool level (which is good). --Zeizmic 11:39, 22 April 2007 (UTC)

There is a distinction to be made between unreferenced and unreferenceable. If I say something really obvious - like: "BMW manufacture automobiles" - I am not required to go and find a book that confirms this fact, and type in its ISBN, author, title, etc. It is clear that this could be referenced if we ever had a had a serious dispute about it - but it's a clearly obvious fact and it's equally obvious that its not worth the effort to find a reference for it. If we required every single little fact to have a reference, we would never be able to finish a single article. Having said that, there are less obvious thing thad DO need to be referenced: If I said that "BMW have been manufacturing automobiles since 1927" then that would certainly demand a reference. This is not a black-and-white matter - there are shades of grey here. SteveBaker 16:20, 22 April 2007 (UTC)

I wouldn't think that would need a source, as just going to BMW's web page would likely confirm or refute this claim. I only think facts that may be in dispute and can't easily be found by others need to have sources provided, at least in Wikipedia. StuRat 03:30, 23 April 2007 (UTC)

I disagree. Details such as when BMW started manufacturing automobiles needs a reference, at least for feature article quality IMHO. While the detail may be fairly easy to find on the web, it is a detail which isn't obvious and so should be referenced. This makes it easier for people to check the detail. Nil Einne 23:35, 23 April 2007 (UTC)

topics for short notes

Could you suggest some topics for writing short notes on? Topics pertaining to issues that have happened in the past two years, or have been happening eversince. For instance, cross border terrorism, Inflation, Coalition government, The United Nations and their recent affairs.. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 59.92.138.83 (talk) 06:14, 22 April 2007 (UTC).

How about the war/crisis in Lebanon, the Darfur genocide, or the trial and execution of Saddam ? StuRat 07:53, 22 April 2007 (UTC)

Hungary, Thailand, Sudan, Iraq, Iran, Korea, Ukraine, France, Macau, Palau. Sorry if some of these examples are a bit more than 2 years old.

The break-up of Somalia and the war currently ongoing in Mogadishu, the 2005 Pakistan earthquake and its effects, Same-sex marriage in Canada, the Iraqi legislative election, January 2005 (the first free elections in that country since 1958), the assassination of Rafik Hariri in February 2005 and its effects on Lebanese politics...--Charlene 23:55, 22 April 2007 (UTC)

Traditional Communication

What is the relevance of traditional communication to the society —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 41.204.224.10 (talk) 07:15, 22 April 2007 (UTC).

It traditionally involved teachers in the society telling students in the society what their homework assignments were, and those students then writing the answers to those assignments, without using computers to ask others in that society to do their homework for them. StuRat 07:48, 22 April 2007 (UTC)

Don't make fun of him. A simpler solution would have being to ask him to do your own attitude. The type of attitude is NOT NEEDED. --125.238.28.10 09:28, 22 April 2007 (UTC)

not needed, but appreciated... --Zeizmic 11:35, 22 April 2007 (UTC)

What StuRat was implying is that it sounds like a homework question and we have a policy of not doing students' homework for them. However, we can point you in the right direction. Reading our articles on Sociolinguistics, History of communication and History of linguistics may give you some ideas. Rockpocket 18:53, 22 April 2007 (UTC)

aborted fetueses in cosmetic beauty products?

I have heard that some comestic beauty products use aborted fetuses in their beauty products ... is this true? —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 125.238.28.10 (talk) 08:45, 22 April 2007 (UTC).

I would expect it is extremely unlikely for this to be true of human foetuses, however this (http://www.guardian.co.uk/china/story/0,7369,1568622,00.html) Guardian article seems to suggest something like what you mention. ny156uk 09:54, 22 April 2007 (UTC)

No. Even ignoring the moral, legal and public relations aspects, how could a company ensure it got a steady supply? Clarityfiend 18:28, 22 April 2007 (UTC)

Placenta is common in beauty cremes [1] , and is at least vaguely related to fetuses, but presumably of animal origin. Edison 19:15, 22 April 2007 (UTC)

Is this question perhaps about embryonic stemcells being used cosmetically? Skittle 21:46, 22 April 2007 (UTC)

That indeed happens [2]. Of course, this isn't surprising since there are a lot of controversial completely unproven stem cell treatments offered in various parts of the world Nil Einne 23:28, 23 April 2007 (UTC)

It has to do with rumours being spread on anti-choice sites about China using fetuses in cosmetics. This rumour follows up a false rumour that certain restaurants in China serve fetuses, the idea that fetuses are used in fertilizer, rumours that fetuses are used in...well, you get the idea. --Charlene 23:57, 22 April 2007 (UTC)

The foetus eating in China is covered here BTW [3] Nil Einne 23:28, 23 April 2007 (UTC)

See also Gaau ji meltBanana 02:54, 23 April 2007 (UTC)

It seems very wasteful to use fetuses as beauty products when there are so many hungry people in the world. ;) --TotoBaggins 15:31, 23 April 2007 (UTC)

Sounds like a younger version of Jonathan Swift's A Modest Proposal (1729)::“A young healthy child well nursed, is, at a year old, a most delicious nourishing and wholesome food, whether stewed, roasted, baked, or boiled; and I make no doubt that it will equally serve in a fricassee, or a ragout.” Edison 16:40, 23 April 2007 (UTC)

Problem in the cell

I have a question that I need answered. Do you know what is the name of the family-gene disease in the blood cells that makes the cell not formed normal? For example, a normal cell would be round, but with this disease, the cell will not be round.

Some effects of this disease is being weak, face getting red and being dizzy easily. It is also known if two people with this disease mate, the baby will be not formed properly.

–211.30.207.193 09:12, 22 April 2007 (UTC)

It sounds like sickle-cell anemia. --HughCharlesParker (talk - contribs) 10:39, 22 April 2007 (UTC)

What happens is that we have two genes for the formation of proper red blood cells. If both of a childs parents have one gene for the disease - then they will both seem healthy because the other gene can take over. - but the child might inherit both genes and get sickle-shaped blood cells. Interestingly though, having one 'bad' gene and one 'good' one confers a benefit in terms of resistance to maleria. In evolutionary terms, the loss of an occasional child is worth less than the malaria resistance - so the disease is quite common in people from countries with malaria problems. SteveBaker 03:05, 23 April 2007 (UTC)

organizational behaviour

i am seeking answers to some questions that i have concerning the subject of 'organizational behaviour'. i want u to give me appropriate reference to get correct answers to my questions. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 59.178.83.180 (talk) 09:30, 22 April 2007 (UTC).

You'd better ask them, then. Either that, or look the phrase up in the search bar. --HughCharlesParker (talk - contribs) 10:36, 22 April 2007 (UTC)

Tracking down a W B Yeats quote

One of my favourite quotes is "Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire." I've been trying to track it down, and I've found out it's W B Yeats, but I can't find out what it's from. Wikiquote has it listed as "unsourced", and a google search doesn't help. Any ideas, anyone? --HughCharlesParker (talk - contribs) 10:46, 22 April 2007 (UTC)

It could just be something he said, or something he wrote in a personal letter. Vranak

The earliest ascription to Yeats i can find is from Chambers Book of Quotations by Robert J. Fitzhenry (1986) but I don't know if it is sourced. A much earlier version by Plutarch is listed at the education page in Wikiquote. meltBanana 03:03, 23 April 2007 (UTC)

Phone call costs

Can anyone tell me the cost of telephoning the UK from China using a standard land line? —The preceding unsigned comment was added by Stevepat (talk • contribs) 11:04, 22 April 2007 (UTC).

Your telephone service provider? e.g. BT [4] Savvo 14:10, 22 April 2007 (UTC)

london

today is the day of the london marathon, so I have a few questions about it. 1do the reporters stopping people to talk to them actually count as runners? 2Has anyone ever died during the race. 3could someone run back to the start once they have finished and then do the race again? 4Apart from running and walking, are there any other ways of traveeling that people in the race are allowed to use? —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 172.200.224.42 (talk) 13:21, 22 April 2007 (UTC).

• Wheelchairs are now an important part of the Marathon and from what I remember even ordinary wheelchairs appeared in the first one.hotclaws**== 14:21, 22 April 2007 (UTC)
• (1) A reporter would count as a runner only if (s)he actually ran in it. (2) Death does not take a holiday during marathons. This notes that there were deaths in the London marathon in 1990, 1991, 1994, 1995, 1997, 2001 and 2003. (3) A person could run a marathon again (see Ultramarathon). Clarityfiend 17:58, 22 April 2007 (UTC)
  • And indeed, one runner died after completing yesterdays' race, too. -- Arwel (talk) 21:39, 23 April 2007 (UTC)

emotions

Can anyone help me. I am trying to make a list of emotions people are likely to have. I have got happy, annoyed, angry and worried on the list so far but I am sure there are a lot more. And I don't want any that are a lack of, or synonyms of, another emotion.172.189.102.190 14:13, 22 April 2007 (UTC)

Terror, rage, fright, eager, interested, confusion, melancholy, joy, horror, disgust, excitement, boredom... Vranak

fear, love. dr.ef.tymac 14:56, 22 April 2007 (UTC)

List of emotions --Tagishsimon (talk)

^ lol. Jamesino 20:25, 22 April 2007 (UTC)

Gotta love Wikipedia and its lists! — Kieff | Talk 01:32, 23 April 2007 (UTC)

List of lists V-Man - ^T/_C 01:55, 25 April 2007 (UTC)

ecology

what is the difference between self regulating mechanisms and self sustaining mechanisms within an ecosystem? —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 41.245.57.69 (talk) 15:11, 22 April 2007 (UTC).

Whilst this is seemingly a homework question I would say...Self-regulation = the group actively manages the system within boundaries. Self-sustaining would be an event occuring that leads to the continued sustainability of the system. I have literally no idea about this in 'ecosystems' but I would interperate self-regulation as 'active' and the other as 'passive'. ny156uk 20:00, 22 April 2007 (UTC)

ON-Line Reference for Vintage Pocket Watches

Dear Sir or Madam:

I am trying to find an encycleopedia or reference quide which can help me establish the authencity of vintage pocket watches and pendant watchs. I see many in flee markets and antique stores but do not know how to value them or establish if item is real or fake.

Any information would be appreciated.

ivorycl

This list of books may help. --Tagishsimon (talk)

cabin crew : personalit development

I want the answer for

1 specify few factors that you feel are directly responisble for personality development - asked by frankfinn institue of air hostess training

Is there any body on the net who could answer immediately

THANKS —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 59.182.56.128 (talk) 15:30, 22 April 2007 (UTC).

Try our article on Personality development. (Changed case of question) --Tagishsimon (talk)

Electric Scooters

What are the By-Laws in Calgary for riding an electric scooter (the kind with the seat and two wheels).

Magic System 19:01, 22 April 2007 (UTC)

Depending on what specific type, you may want to look at the Traffic By-Law [5]. If you can't find what you're looking for there, on Monday call 3-1-1 and ask to speak to someone in By-Law Enforcement - they'll be able to provide you with the relevant act. --Charlene 23:22, 22 April 2007 (UTC)

High resolution african child

Hi, I'm looking for a picture of a high resolution (preferably at least 2550x3300px) skinny, African child looking glum. I'm using it for a report on Sudan, so if such a picture does not exist, any other picture showing people that can capture the glum mood of the country would also be appreciated. Does anyone know where I can find the picture? Thanks. Jamesino 20:48, 22 April 2007 (UTC)

That's really huge, much larger than is ever needed online. Your best bet would be some type of art site that provides pics you can print out and hang on your walls (they will likely want money, though). BTW, is that what you want to do for your report, a large print ? If you want a free pic, you may have to settle for something around 1600x1200, as that's the largest computer resolution commonly available. StuRat 03:21, 23 April 2007 (UTC)

I would try a stock photo site like Getty Images. Did a search on their site and there were about 6800 results for "sudan". Sure enough some of the photos on the first page fit your description pretty well. I'd bet that they are at least that high-res, but you'll have to pay. Recury 13:21, 23 April 2007 (UTC)

Photoshop vs MS Word printing

What DPI does MS Word use when printing? I have a 600px x 600px picture in photoshop and when i print the same photo in the 2 softwares, the one in photoshop (72 DPI) is significantly bigger when printed out on paper. 74.14.72.250 21:41, 22 April 2007 (UTC)

I'm sure it's not anything to do with the dpi - that's to do with quality not size. Try resizing the image in Word. You can make sure it'll be the correct size if your settings are set to mm or inches.  Sʟυмgυм • т • c  22:57, 22 April 2007 (UTC)

But why is it that if I take 2 identical pictures, and i print one of them in Photoshop and the other MS Word, they come out as different sizes? 74.14.72.63 23:17, 22 April 2007 (UTC)

Because when you import it into Word it decides (who knows why) on what size it wants to print it as. 9 times out of 10 this is not exactly what you will want. When Word displays it on the screen as 3 inches tall, it's going to print it out as 3 inches tall, no matter what the DPI is. So resize it if that isn't what you want. --24.147.86.187 00:22, 23 April 2007 (UTC)

Well, "print size" is generally 72 dpi though. But yes, it's misleading because it's not really dependent on dpi. --Wirbelwindヴィルヴェルヴィント (talk) 04:10, 23 April 2007 (UTC)

New Airport Dubai Explanation side to get via Google Earth.

The explanation speaks from the new AIRPORT with an area 0f 140 km2 . I think,this is a little too big !! —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 88.134.196.194 (talk) 22:04, 22 April 2007 (UTC).

Not at all! The square root of 140 is about 12 - so if the airport were square, it would be almost 12km on a side. Since modern aircraft require runways as long as maybe 5km - with some considerable space at either end for overrun areas and regions where you can't have buildings and such - it wouldn't at all surprise me that a modern airport (in a place where land is cheap) - might cover 140 km². SteveBaker 02:57, 23 April 2007 (UTC)

The largest airport in the US, by land area, is Denver International Airport at roughly 53 square miles. Google calculator tells me that is approximately 137 square kilometers, so the the Dubai airport area seems to be within reason. --LarryMac 15:24, 23 April 2007 (UTC)

land is cheap in dubai? I thought it was a huge overcrowded city.

Yeah - but you don't build airports inside cities - you build them out on the outskirts because of noise issues. SteveBaker 16:23, 24 April 2007 (UTC)

Elephant ears

what is the liquid that is excretes from the elephants ear? is it benefical? if not what is its purpose.

You may be talking about musth, a dark secretion secreted by bull elephants in the mating season. bibliomaniac15 00:00, 23 April 2007 (UTC)

Actually, I think the poster is talking about the sap from Elephant's Ear plants, which is a powerful irritant that can cause severe stomach problems if ingested without proper processing by an experienced and knowledgeable person. UC Davis classifies it as a toxin.[6] The oxalates can cause throat swelling which can close off the airway (which without emergency medical help is generally fatal). It's more toxic to children than adults, and it's also toxic to household pets. When used on the skin it can be a potent irritant. --Charlene 00:19, 23 April 2007 (UTC)

Probably not what the original poster had in mind, but the liquid that exudes from these Elephant ears is of course the yummy grease they're fried in, and it's beneficial in terms of tastiness but not so much so in terms of healthfulness. —Steve Summit (talk) 00:55, 23 April 2007 (UTC)