Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Miscellaneous/2007 January 7

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January 7

Australian Gov. Image Copyright

I recently discovered a prominent Australian botanist does not have an article about him doing a quick internet search I located an image I would like to use. The [image]is here, it noted this condition regarding the image Use of images for non-commercial web sites is allowed on condition that credit is given to the Australian National Botanic Gardens and these words are hotlinked to our home page. The copyright and public access page is [Here]. I would like to know if these conditions would allow publication in a Wiki article as I am a little uncertain even after reading the wiki guidelines on Image uploads, or will I need to email the copyright holders? Many thanks --Matt 00:14, 7 January 2007 (UTC)

Wikipedia does not accept images with non-commercial licenses. But since the fellow is long since dead the picture could possibly be used under Wikipedia's fair use policy. --24.147.86.187 01:44, 7 January 2007 (UTC)

Mombosa Chile

I purchased ground Mombosa chile and I can't find any specific information or recipes that contain it. The label only lists it as being a hot African pepper. What exactly is Mombosa chile and are there any good recipes?

Hot chilies are pretty much interchangeable except for the quantity used. If you don't know how hot the Mombasa chili is, assume it's extremely hot and add a tiny amount, finely chopped, to something you want to spice up, like salsa or chili (Warning: wear rubber gloves and eye protection when you chop them up, then wash the gloves before taking them off). If it's not hot enough, add more, until you get it right. Keep a glass of milk handy in case it gets hotter than you want. StuRat 03:05, 7 January 2007 (UTC)

According to [1] (in the section titled "Doctor, how many varieties of capsicum exist in the world?"), Mombasa chili is "too hot to be eaten, it would blister the mouth!" Clarityfiend 03:46, 7 January 2007 (UTC)

OK, we know it's pretty hot then. I think several chilies would blister your mouth if eaten whole, however. I repeat my warnings about rubber gloves and safety glasses. Also, I didn't actually say it before, but definitely do not taste the pepper straight, even in tiny quantities. You might also want to avoid any preparations which use the raw chilies, instead going for food where the chilies will be cooked, such as chili. This will help to distribute the capsaicin more evenly. StuRat 05:00, 7 January 2007 (UTC)

I just saw that it's already ground, but eye protection and gloves might still be a good idea when handling it. StuRat 05:05, 7 January 2007 (UTC)

I appreciate the information given but I understand the properties of capsaicin and have worked with a large number of chilies in the past. I was wondering if anyone knows the origin, size, color, cultivation, if their dried from another chile etc. (like in the case of ancho vs poblano) and if there are any recipes in which this pepper is traditionally used. Can anyone help me with this information?

Mold around windows

How can mold around the inside of windows in a home be cleaned and prevented in the future? I understand it has something to do with not having enough airflow from the outside but that's all I think I know... Dismas|^(talk) 01:16, 7 January 2007 (UTC)

Try cleaning it with a weak bleach solution on a sponge. StuRat 02:51, 7 January 2007 (UTC)

As for the causes, there are many factors:

• Poor insulation, which allows condensation to form on cold windows. A plastic window liner might be the best you can do to improve the insulation during the winter. In warm weather, you might want to consider getting better insulated windows. Specifically, vinyl windows are better insulated at the edges (assuming they fit properly) than aluminum windows, and won't mold like wood windows will.

• Higher humidity inside than can be maintained with cold windows. If you have a humidifier, turn it down. Other sources of humidity are cooking (cover your pots) and showers (take baths and/or close the door and turn on the fan or open the bathroom window) and leaky steam radiators.

• The temperature differential between inside and outside is also key. If you keep it cooler inside, this will be less of a problem.

• Painted window sills are also far more subject to this than marble sills, since they absorb the moisture. StuRat 02:51, 7 January 2007 (UTC)

Weak solution? Others have told me straight bleach. Why do you suggest a weak solution? Dismas|^(talk) 06:16, 7 January 2007 (UTC)

Straight bleach will kill the mold. It may also wreck the paint, damage the underlying plaster or wood, stain any carpet or other surfaces it accidentally comes in contact with, and possibly kill you as well. --Carnildo 23:51, 7 January 2007 (UTC)

I agree with the above, although it isn't likely to kill you, assuming by "straight bleach" you mean the 3% sodium hypochlorite solution sold in most stores. It can cause lung damage and could blind you if splashed in your eyes, though. See bleach#Hazards. If you do use straight bleach, use a tiny amount on a cotton swab, wear gloves to avoid getting bleach on your skin, and leave the room after treatment to limit exposure to the fumes. StuRat 04:00, 8 January 2007 (UTC)

No. If the insulation is grout - use white vinegar undiluted. If the contamination is heavy - use the vinegar repeatedly until the problem is cleared. If the insulation is silicone, use white spirit - no arguments - this works.

Well, this isn't an argument but I'm not referring to insulation or grout. The mold is on the wooden window frames.

As for the warnings, thanks for the concern, I know how to handle bleach properly. And yes, by straight bleach I did mean the common household stuff that you can buy in any supermarket for laundry. Dismas|^(talk) 04:06, 8 January 2007 (UTC)

Straight bleach may also lighten the base color of the wood, so I'd only go with that if the dilute solution isn't getting the job done. StuRat 19:56, 8 January 2007 (UTC)

Science project with minimal involvement?

How can I do a science project with minimal involvement (as in 'do little') on my part? I don't have much time on my hands but I want to do a good experiment. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Member (talk • contribs)

You need to give us some idea of your age. I will assume you are 10. Growing bacteria is pretty easy, you can mix up a batch of gelatin, swab the inside of your mouth to get some bacteria, then rub the swab in the gelatin. Then divide it between jars you put in the fridge (properly marked) and leave out. Then observe the diff in the growth rates in the jars. StuRat 02:40, 7 January 2007 (UTC)

Good God. Don't do that! Trying to go bacteria from the human body is potentially dangerous as you have no idea what it is you are growing. This sort of experiment is banned in UK schools because of this issue. Also I'm not sure this would even work as StuRat describes as the bacteria would have nothing to eat (unless they eat the actual gelatin) Most bacteria are grown on agar gel that has had some sort of nutrient added to it. A safer microbiology experiment to do is to use yohurt bacteria (these are known to be safe) or allow bread to mould. Tie some fresh bread in some polythene bags and place some in the fridge and others in a warm place for about a week. Then examine inside the bags - no need to remove the bread as the mould will smell bad. Theresa Knott | Taste the Korn 17:14, 7 January 2007 (UTC)

They do go a bit overboard on the safety precautions, don't they ? Just keep the container closed and there is no way it's going to kill you. (Even if you opened the container and ate it all, you probably would still be OK, but don't do that, just in case). I did forget to mention that you should mix the gelatin with apple juice to provide the food source. The advantage of starting with a liquid is that you can mix it to get an identical bacteria count in each sample at the start of the experiment, something difficult to do when starting from bread. StuRat 19:49, 8 January 2007 (UTC)

They do but I suppose the thinking is why take a risk if you don't have to? Hence the yoghurt rather than a mouth swab. Many secondary schools simply buy in suitable bacteria. Theresa Knott | Taste the Korn 22:09, 8 January 2007 (UTC)

10...no, 13. --hello, i'm a member | talk to me! 03:04, 7 January 2007 (UTC)

Have you tried looking up "science projects" or "science experiments" on Google? BenC7 03:13, 7 January 2007 (UTC)

You can do "Does moisture affect the rate of growth of mold on cheese" or something. Jamesino 03:46, 7 January 2007 (UTC)

When I was in middle school, anyone who did a science project involving potential biological hazards like bacteria or mold had to fill out a buttload of safety paperwork. Apparently someone got meningitis from moldy bread and they had to crack down on that sort of thing. I suggest avoiding anything to do with living organisms, especially human subjects. How about a nice safe physics experiment, like measuring the average number of pieces into which a piece of uncooked spaghetti breaks: [2] —Keenan Pepper 04:36, 7 January 2007 (UTC)

Measuring rainfall?Just an open-topped vessel which you measure every day and chart,about 5 mins work.(hotclaws**== 16:58, 7 January 2007 (UTC))

I grew my own bacteria at school, when I accidentally sneezed on a sample. And nothing came out and et anyone.Hidden secret 7 19:21, 8 January 2007 (UTC)

Homesteading help, please?

I am a senior in high school right now but once I graduate from University I plan to pursue my dream of making a homestead in a few miles from the southern shore of Lake Superior. I read how to build a $4,000 cabin on this site, and I already know how to hunt, fish, sew, cook, chop wood, and do basic gardening/lawn care, but there is a LOT that I don't know, so I hope you can help.

First of all, how much land would I need to purchase? It will be just me and maybe my significant other living there, but I might need to use more land if, years down the road, I have children or need to take care of my parents in their old age. Plus, I would be a recent college graduate, so even though I am fiscally responsible and my parents are paying for my tuition, I won't really have a lot of spending money.

Are you talking about building in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan ? My brother lived there (although he was near the Lake Michigan shore). Two problems there are a lack of infrastructure (expect to dig wells, use septic tanks, and either pay thousands to bring in electricity or use windmills, etc.) and a lack of jobs. For communication you may need a satellite cell phone, unless you are near a major freeway or city with cell phone support. StuRat 03:30, 7 January 2007 (UTC)

That brings up the issue of further finances; how much would the rest of the homestead cost? I realise that I don't have to build it all at once, but I'd like to live there year-round as soon after I graduate as possible, so I'd need a cabin, shed, garden, and outhouse. The cabin plans listed on this site say about $4,000, but the materials could cost more, and I'd need to pay for the land, the people that help me build the thing, seeds, and some basic home furnishings.

Also beware that everything will cost more there, as it needs to be shipped in "from civilized areas". StuRat 03:32, 7 January 2007 (UTC)

Speaking of furnishings, what is the best way to heat my cabin? I'm planning it to be about 20x20x15'... about 6000 cubic feet in one room. From what I've seen, solar panels seem way out of my range, and although a wood stove looks like a great idea, I'm worried about the amount of pollution that it could cause. Plus, I have no idea how much wood I'd need.

A wood stove is definitely the way to go. The pollution might be a problem on a global scale, but not locally, since the area is so lightly populated. One problem, though, expect to get up every hour at night to toss another log onto the fire. Cutting up fallen logs will also be how you will spend much of your day. Are you getting the idea that this will be hard work yet ? StuRat 03:40, 7 January 2007 (UTC)

Burning wood isn't really a pollution problem on a global scale either, since I assume you're not expecting to clear this area of wood? I'd imagine you're planning on keeping a large patch of woodland that will continue to provide you with wood. The new wood that grows should at least equal the wood you burn, if you're not planning on running out! So it's carbon neutral. Skittle 19:15, 7 January 2007 (UTC)

The pollution concern with burning wood is the high amount of particulate matter in the smoke, relative to something like natural gas. StuRat 03:41, 8 January 2007 (UTC)

Yes, I still have more questions! As I mentioned before, there would initially be one or maybe two people living in the cabin, and I intend to use the vegetable/fruit/herb garden on the homestead as the primary source of food. How large would the garden need to be to feed the homesteaders year-round, assuming that aside from some fruit trees (how many should I plant?) and the occasional fish or small game animal from Lake Superior/ the local forests are the only other food sources? I need to figure that out before it's the middle of winter and I realise that I don't have enough food.

Living completely off the land is unrealistic for most people. Are you an experienced hunter/fisherman ? Do you know how to clean small game ? How will you store the meat until you are ready to eat it ? A diet of fruits and vegetables would be inadequate, you would also need bread and cereals. Also, are you going to preserve the fruits and veggies for the winter ? Realistically, you should expect to get most of your food, at inflated prices, from the nearest store. StuRat 03:53, 7 January 2007 (UTC)

I concur. As romantic as the idea seems, living off the land is completely untenable, and probably not at all desirable for even the most severe misanthrope. Vranak

Speaking of food, would it be a good idea to build a greenhouse at some point (not necessarily immediately) so that I can grow food in the relatively long off-season, or would the blustery cold of the long U.P. winters offset all possible gains from that? Also, would it be wise to build a cellar in which to store food I've canned, wood, and tools, or not? I wonder if a cellar would negate the physical integrity of the cabin, and if the cellar would get too soggy or make the house less heat-efficient. I promise, I'm almost done. I just would like to know how often I need to dig a new outhouse hole, how far that needs to be from the well, if I can dig the well myself or that needs to be a commercial job, and how I can get water from the well in wintertime. Also, how far do the well and outhouse need to be from the garden, and how far does all that need to be from the cabin?

The greenhouse isn't likely to work, as your lot is likely to be heavily wooded. Evergreens will block the few hours of sunlight you get in winter, and falling limbs are likely to damage the greenhouse, too. Also, the heavy lake-effect snowfall would likely collapse the roof. If the water level is high (if you're near the shore), then a cellar is out, but a well will be relatively easy. If the water level is low, say if you're up a hill from the lake, then a cellar would work but the well will need to be quite deep. I think the cellar is a good idea for keeping things cool in summer and warm in winter (you may find yourself sleeping down there). I would put the well adjacent to the cabin with underground pipes into the cabin, below the frost line. The well should use an electrical pump, controlled from the cabin. You could run the pump periodically to fill a tank inside the cabin. Hot water for baths could be a problem, you may have to settle for heating some water on the wood stove and pouring it into the tub. This works best if one person bathes while the other heats. Place the outhouse quite far from the cabin so the smell isn't a problem in summer and the water isn't polluted. Be prepared for long walks in blizzard conditions to and from the outhouse. Hanging a rope between it and the house is a good idea so you don't get lost and die in whiteout conditions. Actually, you'd best make it a series of ropes at various heights, such that the top rope is above the maximum snow depth. StuRat 04:16, 7 January 2007 (UTC)

Finally, how far ahead of time do I need to start working on the homestead so that it's ready to move into when I graduate from university? I will be attending class full-time and working part-time, so I shall have to work on the homestead in my spare time, and that is going to be a LOT of work. Though I will have the summers off from school, I'll be working full-time then. So when do I need to start working on it... the summer between my sophomore and junior years? And what do I need to do to protect the area when I'm not there/through the winter?

I'm afraid you might be biting off a bit too much here. I suggest you do this in steps. First, buy a trailer in a mobile home park near a "big" city, like Houghton, Michigan, so you will have utilities. From there, you can scout out locations, buy a property, and work on improvements. I would expect to spend several years to get it into a habitable condition. As for money, you should expect to spend tens of thousands of dollars, can you manage this ? If not, you should probably work and save up money first. StuRat 04:23, 7 January 2007 (UTC)

Thank you so much for putting up with all of my questions! I hope that you can answer some, maybe even all of them. Thank you so much again. 65.42.241.93 02:16, 7 January 2007 (UTC)

I would suggest purchasing a book on self-sufficiency; it should be able to answer most of your questions. BenC7 03:11, 7 January 2007 (UTC)

You might also try contacting people who have already started a homestead. I'm not really that familiar with the community myself but the first name that pops to mind would be Eustace Conway. In addition to other things, he runs a camp dedicated to skills that would be used in homesteading. Dismas|^(talk) 05:36, 7 January 2007 (UTC)

Hopefully you have already learned to snowshoe. That area can receive 200-300 inches of snow each winter and may have snow on the ground from November to April continuously. Rmhermen 21:40, 7 January 2007 (UTC)

Look at every issue of Mother Earth News, available free online at [3] which strongly advocated the lifestyle you are considering, especially in the early years of publication. Read "Five Acres and Independence" by M.G. Kains, revised 2003, and "The Good Life" by Helen and Scott Nearing. Try living in the area but not in a full-blown, build a cabin and live off the land mode. It works to live in a country place and work to buy the things you can't raise. Many rural areas have had a population decrease, so there are cabins and small homes for rent cheap, and you can try a year to see how things work for you, such as the relative isolation. You need to have good neighbors, because people benefit from the help of others. For heat, there are wood burning furnaces which go outside the dwelling, and there are wood heaters such as the Ashley, which have a thermostat and a damper, allowing a more even heat for a long time. Fireplaces are pretty, but impractical heat sources. Follow every rule about fire safety, since many people heating with wood burn their house down. Fireproof material under a stove, and between the stove and the wall, insulated chimney and thimble, avoid huge roaring blazes and red hot stoves. A couple of generations ago in many parts of the U.S. people had no electricity, got their water from a well they dug or drilled, heated with wood, grew most of their food, and counted themselves as fortunate that they owned their home and farm. But many people who thought they would live off the land in a 1970's free spirited, non-materialistic lifestyle gave up when the cow died and the crop failed and they got lonesome or someone got sick and they realized how far they lived from (then) 20th century medical assistance. As for protecting the structure when you are away for months, my relatives in the country say that breaking into homes is very popular. Expect seomone to break in and steal or vandalize or make it into a crack factory. There is no structure you can build so solid that someone can't break in. Someone said if you build it out of 3 inch welded armor plate, as you are finishing the last weld on the east side someone will be cutting a hole in the west side with a plasma cutter. The only way around that would perhaps be to have your friend or relative living next door, arguing again for renting a vacant cabin next to someone's rural home. Many people are desirous of a good neighbor. Good luck. Edison 13:45, 8 January 2007 (UTC)

Another way to deal with that risk is to have a portable home and take it with you, like an RV. The property, of course, would then need to have all the proper hook-ups. Of course, this particular question was about living in the home permanently, so it would be less of a risk. StuRat 19:41, 8 January 2007 (UTC)

About the green and red numbers in "My Watchlist"

Recently I have observed in My Watchlist that in each article watched there are green positive and red negative numbers in between brackets between the article's last edit time and the last user to edit it. What are the meaning of those numbers. I have never seen them before a few days ago...? --Francisco Valverde 02:18, 7 January 2007 (UTC)

See Help:Watching_pages#What_do_the_colored_numbers_mean? for more information on this. (Also note, for future reference, that the help desk is the appropriate place to ask questions related to Wikipedia.) Thanks! Flcelloguy (A note?) 02:19, 7 January 2007 (UTC)

Eyes and glasses

Why do my eyes only itch when I have my glasses on? (Serious Q)--Light current 02:54, 7 January 2007 (UTC)

Maybe your eyelashes are rubbing against the glass every time you blink.Jamesino 03:45, 7 January 2007 (UTC)

Do your eyelids itch, or the actual eye? Whenever I have itchy eyes related to my glasses, it's from loose eyelashes that are prevented from falling off completely because of the lens - they stick to my eyes! AAAGH! I feel your pain. V-Man737 04:17, 7 January 2007 (UTC)

No not the eyes themselves, but the skin around the eyes and eyelids. I have to take my glasses off the rub them--Light current 04:22, 7 January 2007 (UTC)

Maybe it has to do with the lack of air circulation? Humidity builds up in the space between your face and the glasses? —Keenan Pepper 04:26, 7 January 2007 (UTC)

I don't suppose you're allergic to light? Too ironic. V-Man737 04:31, 7 January 2007 (UTC)

Try reading something. As you read your eyes move around, and this could help clean them.Hidden secret 7 10:36, 7 January 2007 (UTC)

I had major problems with itchy eyes and such, back when I wore glasses and contacts. Eventually I just swore off glasses (and contacts) altogether. Within a couple days my vision had already markedly improved. A year and half later, I don't even have to squint anymore. Still a long way from 20/20 vision, though. Vranak

Revenue from Google AdSense

As I cannot find the information on Google's official site, does anyone know how much monthly revenue I can generate from putting Google Ads onto my webpage? Thanks. Jamesino 03:43, 7 January 2007 (UTC)

This depends on how many time visitors to your site click on the sponsored ads. It will be dependent on both site traffic and the disposition of your visitors towards ads. As for a per-click fee, that is a closely guarded secret.—WAvegetarian•(talk) 04:57, 7 January 2007 (UTC)

It not a secret. It just varies by ad. Superm401 - Talk 01:38, 8 January 2007 (UTC)

PunkBuster question

The EULA for PunkBuster says that it may scan your computer and upload anything at all that it finds (including screenshots of computer use) to its servers. If I have files on my computer that are illegal to posess under United States law, do I have anything to worry about? Does punkbuster detect anything besides cheats? (UTC)

These days, the best bet is simply to not own files that are illegal. Although companies that make software like PunkBuster may not care, there is the possibility that the government may have bugged your computer already. But to answer your question more directly, since its main purpose is to prevent cheating in online games, I'd say PunkBuster is matter-specific enough to not worry about it. At most, perhaps they have a department that deals with finding illegal files with this method, involving Federal reports, etc. V-Man737 05:09, 7 January 2007 (UTC)

At the risk of providing legal advice, I would first find what exactly the company promises about the data it collects in the EULA. Do they promise not to give it to a third parties? Do they say who has access to this data? How long do they keep it? Any answers you want are in the EULA. I'm pretty sure that anything they have can be subpoenaed with good enough reason. If you're talking about child porn, I would suggest not installing the software if you don't want to spend the rest of your life in jail. If you're talking about downloaded music/movies/etc., I wouldn't really worry. -Michael 05:13, 7 January 2007 (UTC)

More like QTFairUse, mdcrack, DeCSS sources, etc --froth^{T C} 21:36, 7 January 2007 (UTC)

I'm pretty sure PB won't fetch random things from your HD, only game related things perhaps, like saved screenshots or configuration files. I think people would be up in storm if PB took a bunch of random files off your hard drive and sent them to its servers, such a thing could compromise a business, and would be possibly classified malicious spyware. If you're still concerned, use a virtual disk (I use TrueCrypt, but that's only because that's what I first heard of, I'm sure there's others out there that save "disks" as files and you can mount them). It'd be extremely unlikely PB would read off disks rather than your main HD, and it would not be able to do so at all for passworded or encrypted volumes. --Wooty Woot? contribs 06:16, 7 January 2007 (UTC)

House of the Rising Sun

In which album is "House of the Rising Sun" (by The Rolling Stones) listed in? I can't find it! CL

I'm fairly certain that the song you are looking for is not by the Rolling Stones, but by The Animals.

The House of the Rising Sun article lists The Rolling Stones as having done a cover of the song. Anchoress 08:16, 7 January 2007 (UTC)

I think it might be wrong. All Music Guide shows no listing for the Rolling Stones among the 483 releases of the song. --jpgordon^∇∆∇∆ 16:27, 7 January 2007 (UTC)

The article doesn't really state whether it is has been recorded or not — they might have done it in concert. Of course, if it is verifiable it shouldn't be in an article... --24.147.86.187 18:06, 7 January 2007 (UTC)

No mention of The Beatles here; a view with which I am happy to concur. Eric Burdon of The Animals was by no means the first, but was by far the best in living memory - pity all the credit went to Alan Price (who nonetheless did a magnificent job on his organ). —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 81.145.240.100 (talk • contribs) 18:53, January 7, 2007 (UTC)

Well, thanks to all of you who responded! CL

Historic Flags of Yukon (Canadian territory)

Note: my question might only be able to be answered by someone with an extensive knowledge of Canadian flags and vexillology. While looking for information to work on the article Flag of Yukon, I was looking for any information on past historical flags of the Yukon, knowing that the current flag has been around since 1967/1968. I found this website: [4] which has listed two past historical flags of the Yukon, which can be viewed at

• [5] (according to the site for 1934-1956) and
• [6] (according to the site for 1956-1967)

No other information is provided, and so far it is the only site I've found with these flags or any info on past flags of the Yukon for that matter. If anyone knows if these flags are in fact correct, or any information on them or or if they were ever even used, that would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for any help I receive.--Bobo is soft 06:36, 7 January 2007 (UTC)

I haven't found any other sites, either, but have no reason to doubt that source. I do wonder what the flag of Yukon was prior to 1934, however. Also, do you intend to update our Flag of Yukon article with those flags ? Yukon do it if you want, otherwise I will. :-) StuRat 03:29, 8 January 2007 (UTC)

Volumetric Display Penguin

Does anyone know how to make a volumetric display (as in, a 3d hologram) of a penguin? They're so adorable. .V. 07:43, 7 January 2007 (UTC)

Do you actually mean a hologram ? That is basically a 3D photographic process, so you would need a penguin or reasonable facsimile as your subject, and would need a holography studio to capture the image. Perhaps you really mean a computer representation, like VRML ? StuRat 02:20, 8 January 2007 (UTC)

It would be the first case. Do you have any more info on holography studios? .V. 07:27, 8 January 2007 (UTC)

Our article has many links, especially at the bottom. You can find the info you need there. StuRat 19:26, 8 January 2007 (UTC)

Tiger barbs

I just app two weeks ago, purchased two Tiger Barbs---already had three cherry barbs and one Beta (we have had awhile). The Cherry barbs and beta have gotten along great and also the tiger barbs. But past couple days---smaller tiger barb won't leave bigger one alone. Read where they are nippers toward other fish, but did not say if nipped their own. It looked like he kept nipping same place, behind bottom fin. I know they chase each other to play and read it is better if have five or more---will get three more if that the case (have 20 gal tank. Did not know if maybe mating ritual---but looks like it is all red where the one has been nipping---don't know if blood or what. Got the aggresive nipping one seperated from all other fish. The larger one, think he may die, swimming more with face pointed down---but seems to be a little better since seperated the other one. Looked everywhere for anwsers---the kids at pet store don't know nothing---said they would all be fine together. I know Beta a fighting fish, but he's done just fine---when anyone of others bothers him, he just runs them off and goes bout his business. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks,Leggylulu 14:32, 7 January 2007 (UTC)

Tiger barbs are rather violent little buggers, aren't they? The nipping shouldn't be a problem - they tend to spend most of their time chasing each other around, so if you have half a dozen or so they'll keep each other busy. They make lovely fast-moving groups, swirling around in intricate dances trying to get at each other to establish the pecking order...

As to "swimming face pointed down", this should be okay - our friend Barbus tetrazona is a natural bottom-feeder, and will often feed like this, at about a thirty degree angle, against the bed of the tank. They're quite stable like that, if memory serves. Shimgray | talk | 14:47, 7 January 2007 (UTC)

My account

Dear Wikipedia,It seem as tough I am unable to log in. Can you help?

My email is:dan 2 man 2 at yaho0 d0t c0m 
                               Thank you and
                                            Happy New Year!

Well, I'm able to. What exactly do you try and what do you obtain (void, silly message or computer explosion ?) -- DLL ^{.. T} 18:20, 7 January 2007 (UTC)

Is your user page still there? If not, just make a new one. If it is, probably you have just misremembered your password or are typing your username incorrectly (you need to be careful with case-sensitivity). Have you tried the "Email new password" button on the login screen? BenC7 02:26, 8 January 2007 (UTC)

Mood Ring Entry

Jan 7, 2007

To; Anyone who can advise me on latest change made to the "Mood Ring" Web-page on Wikipedia,

Someone has recently added a new color to the listed "Mood Ring Color Chart" on the E-article about "Mood Rings". The new color added is "Orange- Guilty Feelings. . .etc". Would appreciate a response from whomever added that color and where they got their information from. I don't necessarily disagree with the mood that is applied to the color orange. I do disagree with where they placed the color orange on the mood chart. "Orange" should be placed inbetween "Gray" & "Amber". Anyone else can respond to my question here as well.

Thank you & respond to me here.

Signed, Dawn

Click on the history tab of the page. Please do not leave ur email address here. -- DLL ^{.. T} 18:18, 7 January 2007 (UTC)

Jan 7, 2007

To; Harvestman,

Thank you for timely response. I corrected my earlier entry here regarding email. I checked on the history of edits made to the "Mood Ring" page and did not find anything that explained the recent addition of the color "Orange" to the "Mood Ring Color Chart" (where they got their sources from). I also found many additions (and then deletions) of other colors to the "Mood Ring Chart". Some reasonably accurate and others completely incorrect. You appear to be more experienced at working with the Wikipedia Encyclopedia than I am. What is your opinion of the recent entry of "Orange" to the "Mood Color Chart"? I think that the mood attached to the color is reasonably accurate, but if it is correct- I believe that "Orange" should be placed inbetween "Gray" & "Amber".

Would appreciate any advice you have to give. Advice from anyone else is Ok too.

Thank you again,

Dawn

I couldn't find any sauce online about orange in a mood ring, so I took it out and added a source from this website backing up what is left. A Google search will yield thousands of identical indications. V-Man737 21:16, 7 January 2007 (UTC)

Retailer deception

Is the way that Wal-Mart and others have made so much money "selling" music online at a lower cost than a CD is through the deception of claiming that the transaction is a purchase on the part of the "buyer" when in fact it is a rental or lease according the the degree of control Wal-Mart retains over the ability of the "buyer" to play a song? (Microsoft's WMA format requires Windows Media Player to be online and to succeed in verifying the "buyer" has a license to play the song before the song can be played)

Since this system of license verification allows Wal-Mart to know when you play every song can Wal-Mart use this system to track your activity and if so what options do you have to keep Wal-Mart from threatening your privacy like that? 71.100.10.48 21:37, 7 January 2007 (UTC)

If that's really the case, then the best way to keep Wal-Mart out of your computer is to keep it out of your computer. V-Man737 21:52, 7 January 2007 (UTC)

That's a great idea except that after 90 days wal-Mart will not issue a refund or accept a return although it will continue to maintain control over the song. If Wal-Mart charged 1¢ everytime you played the song and stated that you were only renting the song (like putting money in a juke box) and Wal-Mart instead of claiming that you were purchasing the song and then charging you 88¢ to download it but then keeping you from playing it under a variety of different circumstances until you reacquired the license (which in some cases is not automatic or transparent and can take many emails and phone calls and even days or weeks to reacquire) then it would be hard to call it a deception but honesty has never been a policy of some retailers and never, ever will. 71.100.10.48 22:06, 7 January 2007 (UTC)

The terms and agreements of your purchase are written clearly in the company's purchase policy. That they have such strong and frankly foolish rules over how your purchase is licensed to you is a matter that the mass-market will filter out. It is clear that the mass market has a desire to purchase legal music instead of steeling it (1bn+ sold on iTunes Music Store alone), but that many users are unhappy with the terms and agreement. Intellectual Property is a very unusual area because what you are buying is not the product (in this case 5-10mb of data) but the intellectual content of that data. They sell the data to you with their choice of Digital Rights Management and you have the choice not to buy it. It is a pity that so many firms have gone (in my view) too far with DRM, but their justification is that piracy of their valuable material is rife and they need to try control it (even though their efforts are essentially futile). New start ups have tried different things, there is a site (www.amiestreet.com) which is taking off, the first X users to buy the song get it for free and as it becomes more popular the price increases until it is at the full price ($0.98), not sure of the DRM they have but the business model is quite interesting. ny156uk 23:40, 7 January 2007 (UTC)

That is the problem... most everyone would rather pay for something because the consequence of paying is entitlement and legal right of possession, resale, ownership, etc. but even though they have been duped into paying with the claim that ownership and all of the rights which accompany it remain intact by calling it a purchase rather than a rental. The problem is after calling it a purchase they then defer to the provisions in the purchase agreement for exceptions. The deception is that they do not call it a rental up front but hide this fact in the "purchase" (rather than rental) agreement. Call it what it is, a rental agreement and not a purchase agreement or live with the consequences of piracy which such deceptive practices spawn. -- 71.100.10.48 00:32, 8 January 2007 (UTC)

I recommend Magnatune. You can get the file in most formats, including original WAV, there's no DRM and they encourage you to share the songs with about 3 friends. Also, artists get half the proceeds. Superm401 - Talk 00:27, 8 January 2007 (UTC)

I really shy away from the whole concept of "buying" a song electronically. If I buy something, I want to be able to hold it in my hands and gloat over it (and possibly have the ability to accidentally break it). (Truncated rant) V-Man737 08:49, 8 January 2007 (UTC)

Well, with Magnatune you can legally burn it to CD (and break it) as many times as you want. It will even be high-quality if you download the WAVs. No, I don't get a commission, and I've only bought from them once. :) Superm401 - Talk 09:00, 8 January 2007 (UTC)

I would never buy anything at all that's DRM'd and I mercilessly strip all of the software on my computer of its protection (CD in drive, online checks, etc) even if it's legally owned. I'm especially suspicious of iTunes since it binds your music to your account and you can't get at the actual decrypted audio without using the iTunes player! It's an insane situation (and a dangerous one if it evolves into more than just music), but people don't care because they trust apple. --froth^{T C} 09:19, 8 January 2007 (UTC)

Companies have a problem when products obtained officially are inferior to products obtained unofficially. And as Superm401 said, Magnatune is a good, DRM free solution. WP 10:18, 8 January 2007 (UTC)

DRM is there to protect the stability of the record labels, they need to protect their valuable work from abuse. The development of DRM is very much in its infancy and some of the locked-down format on offer are not 100% perfect. They are not entirely different however to the Video-tape war of the 80s, or indeed software that only works on given platforms (games developers workign exclusively for one console ring any bells?). This is all an attempt to protect market-share. DRM is not some evil, it limits the things you can do with music more so than a CD but in return your product is cheaper/more conviniently bought than a CD. The problem exists because piracy is a gigantic industry with billions of songs (and increasingly DVD quality movies) moving hands across the internet without those who developed them receiving payment. Now whether you think that is fair is your own view, but the DRM is an attempt by the firms to protect themsevlves. iTunes clearly has a system that users and record-labels both accept and whilst I would love a more open system the limiations on usage have (from my purchases since launch) caused me no problems at all. ny156uk 18:09, 8 January 2007 (UTC)

That's simply not true. Record labels have been "stable" and indeed complacent, for years, without the use of DRM. They are merely using the entrance into the online marketplace as an excuse to further limit fair use rights. This is not the same as a format war, because this is not mere incompatibility. The video war was over which standards to support. With, companies are not free to support whatever format they want, because of encryption. If this encryption is broken (even for otherwise legal reasons), it is a violation of the DMCA. DRM doesn't stop piracy. How could it, when CDs can still be freely copied? What it does is limit what legitimate customers can do with music they've licensed. DRM certainly causes me practical inconvenience, because it is not supported on GNU/Linux. Thus, I support Magnatune, which seems to be doing fine without "protecting their valuable work". Superm401 - Talk 07:15, 9 January 2007 (UTC)

Whats that song?

What was that song that was in the episode of "The Bernie Mac Show" when Bernie had gotten a motorcycle and had crashed then he was shown a hallucination of how his family's life would be without him?The only lyrics I remember are "Our voices will ring together!!".Thks. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 209.247.5.216 (talk) 22:27, 7 January 2007 (UTC).

Fantasy by Earth, Wind & Fire? That's what Google seems to think it is. Dave6 23:17, 7 January 2007 (UTC)

Zipf's Law

Does the website's global traffic rank on the Internet and hits per day obey Zipf's Law? If so, can anybody give me the formula in relation to Zipf's Law?--PrestonH | talk | contribs | editor review | 23:03, 7 January 2007 (UTC)

Zipf's Law applies to frequencies, not ranks. Also, it applies to the frequencies of the occurrences of types from an ensemble of types. For example, for the ensemble of online encyclopedias, the number of consultations of each encyclopedia. Or, for the articles on Wikipedia, the number of edits to each article. It is not a meaningful concept with respect to the traffic attracted by a single website.  --Lambiam^Talk 06:05, 8 January 2007 (UTC)

Umm, I don't think so. The Zipf's law article says "the frequency of any word is roughly inversely proportional to its rank in the frequency table." In this case, the frequency would be the number of hits. It certainly could apply. I don't know if it does. Superm401 - Talk 09:03, 8 January 2007 (UTC)