Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Miscellaneous/2007 May 5

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May 5

Idiotic Commercials

Have you seen them ? They're really getting stupid, so bad that a one month old knows they're shit. I've seen some really bad ones, such as that commercial about a damn lizard, caveman and that Head On commercial (parodied by Jay Lenno as "Ass On" in which you rub a burger on YOUR ass). Do advertisers really believe that people are really dumb or even retarded ? 205.240.146.147 01:08, 5 May 2007 (UTC)

Someone even told me that sports do make people stupid as well, borne out in sports related commercials that are really stupid. (me vomiting at seeing a idiot advertising something stupid.) 205.240.146.147 01:11, 5 May 2007 (UTC)

Wellz, repetition DOES work. I can still remember the damn Head On thing long after I've seen it. Splintercellguy 01:12, 5 May 2007 (UTC)

Maybe they're deliberately making them look stupid so they will be talked about on the internet and more people will watch it. Viral marketing. --antilived^{T | C | G} 02:50, 5 May 2007 (UTC)

There is some (amusing) info at HeadOn#Commercial and in this Slate article. As a personal note, if its that idiotic why is it one of the thousands of commercials out there that sticks in your head enough to comment on. In terms of generating brand awareness, its second to none. Rockpocket 08:02, 5 May 2007 (UTC)

There's three ways to make an advert memorable: make it intelligent (eg Cog, BRAVIA Balls), stupid (eg HeadOn, Crazy Frog) or controversial (Ford Kat, Bride Has Massive Hair Wig Out). Either way, people are going to send it to other people and spread the word. Laïka 10:16, 5 May 2007 (UTC)

The point of an advert is to have you remember their name - and preferably repeat it as often as possible. They can do that just as well with a bloody annoying advert as with a good one. As bad as your examples are - you are remembering them, paying attention and passing the company name on to other people. They worked! Annoying adverts are probably easier and cheaper than amusing adverts. SteveBaker 16:54, 5 May 2007 (UTC)

A "visual thinker"'s spoken. --Taraborn 17:04, 5 May 2007 (UTC)

Imagine you're an advertiser charged with creating a commercial. You have no love for the product. You have no love for your fellow man. Why not set out to create a loud & obnoxious commericial? It's a cynical, hateful form of self-expression. A perfectly valid thing to do. Vranak

The caveman commercials are apparently so popular that there is a pilot episode being made for a sitcom with the cavemen as characters. Corvus cornix 02:50, 6 May 2007 (UTC)

Any rational person hates the commercial makers and wishes they had but one neck. Edison 06:50, 6 May 2007 (UTC)

Trains, tracks, and a saying

One occasionally hears sayings along the lines of "don't listen for trains by putting your ears to the tracks." What I'd like to know is are there any actual reports of death from being hit by a train while listening for it that way? Picaroon (Talk) 03:41, 5 May 2007 (UTC)

Well, the Darwin awards site lists one. Clarityfiend 06:55, 5 May 2007 (UTC)

Unbelievable. One can only assume he was deaf.--Shantavira 07:22, 5 May 2007 (UTC)

Motorvechile technical specifications

41.243.19.93 13:24, 5 May 2007 (UTC)where can i get hold of my vechile specifications ie. which spark plug to use? Mercedes Benz 190e 230 Sportline (1993)

A dealer or any parts store should be able to help you as far as getting parts, though you'll likely pay more at a dealer. The dealer specifically can help with getting vehicle specs. A Haynes or Chilton's manual would help you out as well. They're generally about US$20 and go over things like vehicle specs, how to do most repairs, maintenance, etc. Then you could also inquire at a Mercedes specific bulletin board or forum such as Mercedes Benz Club of America Forums. (I'm not trying to assume that you're in the States, it was just the first bulletin board I found a link for) The people there should be knowledgable enough to help you out. And finally, most vehicle manufacturers print books called Factory Service Manuals (FSM). I've bought a few of these for my vehicles and they run about US$100. More expensive than the Haynes or Chilton's manuals but they are very in depth and also model year specific. The Haynes/Chilton's generally group several years into one book if there weren't too many major changes between model years. Dismas|^(talk) 16:04, 5 May 2007 (UTC)

Socks and nakedness

Why do people always feel strange when they are naked except for the fact that are wearing socks? I also have another question, is it true that guys have better orgasms when they are doing it when wearing socks. How does that work? And does it work for girls as well? --124.180.65.165 13:54, 5 May 2007 (UTC)

Skipping the nudity and heading straight for the orgasm, I'll reply that this article refers to a Dutch study that found "both men and women found it easier to have an orgasm when they kept their socks on." An interesting commentary on the study can be found here. - Eron ^Talk 14:23, 5 May 2007 (UTC)

Some people have no style.Before rampaging off to the orgasm,may I suggest you study foreplay? Lemon martini 21:06, 5 May 2007 (UTC)

If you don't have your socks on in the first place, you cannot have sex that would "knock your socks off." Rockpocket 22:51, 5 May 2007 (UTC)

I did an experiment (the things I do for the RD) and I don't feel any less strange naked while wearing socks. So in the spirit of original research, I believe it is just you. -Wooty Woot? contribs 01:25, 6 May 2007 (UTC)

That's hardly a statistically significant sample, Wooty. The spirit of OR demands that all regular users of the Ref Desk conduct a similar experiment at the first available opportunity, and report back here with the results.  :) JackofOz 02:28, 6 May 2007 (UTC)

For what it's worth, the results of my own research support Wooty's conclusion... Carom 04:39, 6 May 2007 (UTC)

I have been naked except for my socks before (no need to try it again for the sake of the question, especially here in the cleanroom!) and I'm going to have to disagree with both Wooty and Carom. It feels odd to have all my clothes off except my socks. It's sort of a "what's the point" sort of feeling as in "what's the point of being naked if I still have these small bits of cloth on my feet. Dismas|^(talk) 04:46, 6 May 2007 (UTC)

Hmmm. This might explain why so many people "wear" sockpuppets rather than edit under their (personally revealing or "baring") true identities. The naked truth would feel too strange for them. -- Ben ^TALK/_HIST 01:46, 6 May 2007 (UTC)

Related anecdote: I've accidentally got in a bathtub more than once forgetting to take off my socks. -Wooty Woot? contribs 11:42, 6 May 2007 (UTC)

Did you find that it affected the quality of the orgasms you had while in the bath, Wooty? JackofOz 21:58, 6 May 2007 (UTC)

Saw in the 60's a funny 50's porn film "The Rent Collector" wherein he retained only his white socks. Pretty wierd. Edison 05:37, 7 May 2007 (UTC)

At the begining of summer I feel strange wearing nothing but socks from my knees down. And it is the socks that feel strange.

Support Wooty's findings per WP:SOCK. V-Man - ^T/_C 00:25, 8 May 2007 (UTC)

Thinking of making a home arcade machine, suggestions?

Well, I'm upgrading my computer, and debating on what I should do with the old one. I'm thinking that a stepmania arcade machine could be a lot of fun, so I figured I'd ask for suggestions. I figure the basic plan would be to :

1. Make DDR hard pads, using online tutorials (plenty of them out there).

• Question: Should I use PS2 pads to make the hard pads, or ones designed for PC?
  • It would probably be easier to find drivers for the PC versions: think of the difference between setting up an EyeToy and a Webcam...Laïka 17:11, 5 May 2007 (UTC)

2. Format the PC, install a light distro, download and install stepmania and songs for it.

• Question: When I ran stepmania under XP, there was occasionally some frame rate problems or hiccups, I figure using a light distro would be best for this, would Xu/Flexbuntu be light enough, or should I look more into something like DSL?
• Question: Which distro would run best on a TV? (See below)

3. Get PC working on a TV. I figure a TV set would be cheaper than a monitor large enough for an arcade

• Question: What would be the best way to get TV output from a VGA card? (nVidia GeForce MX440)
  • You may need to get a specially designed "All-In-One" graphics card: these also come with an adapter for plugging RCA or SCART connectors into. Laïka 17:11, 5 May 2007 (UTC)
• Question: What distro would run best on a TV? (see above)
• Question: How would I set up the PC to run at TV resolutions?
  • Typically an All-In-One graphics card already includes the drivers needed. TVs are surpisingly low-res: an standard 480i TV (assuming you aren't using hi-def) is only 640x480; your computer is almost certainly at least 800x600: most are 1024x768 or 1280x1024. Laïka 17:11, 5 May 2007 (UTC)

4. Get PC, TV, and speakers working with dancepad. this would be the guts of the cabinet 5. Build arcade cabinet:

1. Make sides in the shape of the cabinet
2. Make base
3. Make back. Leave a hole in the back to run a power cable through
4. Make TV stand (with room for TV/speaker power wires and speaker/video cables
5. Make keyboard drawer, place it under TV stand. Easy way to use the PC, while being discrete. Run wires for the keyboard and mouse through a hole, out the back.
6. Make case door on the front. make it easy enough to open/close so the PC is hidden away, but easy to get to. Leave a small hole in the front (about half a quarter should be enough) to allow dancepad cables through without being too noticible
7. Make a top, to rest over the TV- keep the TV controls out of reach and only show the monitor, like an arcade cabinet. A simple door on a hinge with an angled top screwed on would probably be fine.

6. Paint arcade cabinet. Get help from friends (who run art store)

• Question: Not really a question, but anyone have suggestions on the design? I figure making a DDR/ITG-like design with plenty of arrows and silhouettes but with a StepMania logo would be fine.

7. Finish cabinet assembly 8. Place items in arcade cabinet

1. Put powerstrip/surgeprotector in.
2. Put in PC
3. Put in keyboard/mice
4. Put in TV
5. Put in speakers
6. Plug in everything, including dance pads

8. Enjoy

Does anyone have any suggestions or answers to my questions? I realize most of my questions are more suited for the computer RD, but there's also a fair bit of construction and art going into this, so I figured posting it to misc. would get the best replies, especially since I could use tips on what it would take to support a TV, and how best to build the pads and assembly. Most of the ones i've seen are machined out of metal, which is something i'm not very comfortable with. it would be much easier for me to work on at least the cabinet in wood, especially since I could get help from family then (Have an uncle who's hobby is fixing up his house, and my grandpa has been working in construction for decades)

I figure the cost would be:

• Dance Pads: Depends on materials and choices. Likely 50-150$ for the pads and the materials to assemble them into hard pads.
• PC: Free, already have it
• TV: Free? Have one that should be fine, could probably use it
• Speakers: 50-100$ Could easily get something like the logitech speakers I have now (got them for 50$)- plenty loud enough. Remember, I'm planning on running this in a suburban garage, not the mall your average dance machine is in. Can't use my existing speakers, as they will be used on my new PC
• Keyboard/Mouse: Free, I have a trusty old Microsoft mouse (that came with a mac, ironically enough), or an old Logitech mouse, and an old nameless PS/2 keyboard
• Power strip: 15-20$. nothing special.
• Materials: 80-150$? I could really use some guidance on this, i'm not familiar with how much the wood, nails/screws, hinges, drawer brackets etc. would cost for this. Someone familiar with something like this give me some guidance? It's basically a hybrid between a kitchen cabinet, a TV stand, and a PC desk. Most of the effort in this section should come from painting it.
• Wifi card:20-40$ if I put this in my garage, i'll need this to connect the PC to download more songs.

Am I missing anything here? With this, the cost seems to be around 400$ max, which is really damn cheap for a home arcade cabinet. Anyone have any ideas for quick and easy addons that would add to the unit? I was thinking some easy to press buttons in front of the keyboard tray would give it a more professional look, but I have no idea how the heck I would make those or make them work, so keeping the controls on the dance pads is probably best. What would be the easiest way to add a volume control? Obviously opening the case up every time you want to raise/lower the volume would be a PITA, but you can't just cut out a hole for the volume like you can power buttons. I figure the TV and PC would be easy enough to just drill holes for for power buttons to turn the TV on and off and power buttons to turn the PC on. speakers would be somewhat of another issue though.

Thanks for reading through all this, and sorry it's about the length of two or three average posts- with replies :p Thanks in advance for your opinions -- Phoeba Wright^OBJECTION! 13:58, 5 May 2007 (UTC)

You may be able to get away with just controlling the volume in software. Arcade buttons are easy. If you only need a few you can build a paralell port adapter which can support up to 8 buttons (IIRC), linux has drivers that will turn those buttons into joystick inputs. If you want more you can get a keyboard encoder which just plugs into the USB or PS/2 port on your computer and acts like a keyboard. This may be US-specific advice, but S-VIDEO outputs from the video card are better than RCA. If you are going to build the cab you might as well go the whole nine yards and add joysticks so it is good for more than just dancing games. Also it is cheap to hook up console control pads with pre-made usb adapters or a paralell port hack. I am unfamiliar with homebuilt dance pads but I assume they interface with the computer in the same way that buttons do so you can probably just wire in additional buttons. Building is cheap if you know exactly what you are going to do, with that in mind, I would try to find pre-made cabinet plans so you don't buy any unnecessary materials. You will need a router to finish the edges with T-molding. Cover the screen and control panel with plexiglass and it will look good. -- Diletante 17:42, 5 May 2007 (UTC)

I don't think this computer has parallel ports, just PS/2 and USB, thanks for the advice though. I still don't know how to setup the video card to use Svid though, especially outside a windows enviroment it's a little trickier to go GPU setup. dance pads usually work in the same manner as gamepads from what i've seen. I have no interest in playing it with anything but dance games, so joysticks would be a waste of time to me. If I wanted to play arcade style games, i'd be using a gamepad style controller anyway. That does give me an easy solution to the button problem though, just get a 'brick' style USB controller, similar in form to an old NES controller, and put it on the front of the keyboard drawer. Software volume isn't a good solution, as I'd have to quit the game to access it, open up the keyboard/mouse drawer anyway. If i'm going to open anything up, I might as well just open up a door to wherever the speakers are. I wonder if I could find a volume knob I could just attach on the headphone jack, so it goes out the jack, into an external knob, then to the speakers, that way I could have a volume knob near the control panel (NES gamepad) on the outside, and just leave my speakers (mostly) on. Then again, I could also have the speakers on the side of the unit, that way they wouldn't need to be hidden away to look good. -- Phoeba Wright^OBJECTION! 18:04, 5 May 2007 (UTC)

Recommend replicating a Pong machine and using rotary paddles as input and a B&W TV as output. Try to make it look 8 bitEdison 06:52, 6 May 2007 (UTC)

Yes you can get volume controls like that, probably at radioshack, definietely at any vending/arcade supply like happ. I still think it will be easy to wire proper arcade buttons to your dance pad, i am a button fetishist and I think colorful arcade buttons really make a cabinet. Don't worry about the distro, as long as it has a recent version of X included. You will probably configure your card to do TV-out in the X configuration file. -- Diletante 16:15, 6 May 2007 (UTC)

If you make it, I'm sure you could send the plans to Make Magazine and become famous! --h2g2bob (talk) 16:38, 6 May 2007 (UTC)

Combs

A comb

Why combs such as this one have two clearly separated "zones of combing"? --Taraborn 16:57, 5 May 2007 (UTC)

I'm not sure for human combs, but certainly in animal combs, you use the wide-spaced side first, in order to remove any large tangles, and then you use the fine-toothed side in order to even out and straighten the individual hairs; if you go straight to the fine-toothed side, it tends to get stuck in the denser uncombed areas, which makes it more painful to use or remove. I'd imagine the concept is the same for humans. Laïka 17:03, 5 May 2007 (UTC)

Nice graphic! Smallest ones for lice could be useful. Edison 06:54, 6 May 2007 (UTC)

Credit card security

I was just reading about the TK Maxx security breach. Apparently they kept credit card details of transactions going back several years. I didn't think shops were allowed to hang on to card details. Once the transaction is confirmed surely they should have no further need of them. Does everyone I shop with keep a record of my credit card number?--Shantavira 18:12, 5 May 2007 (UTC)

There are two reasons to keep the numbers:

1. The general tendency (call it "data packratishness") to hang on to everything, in case it's useful, and more specifically
2. To make it easier to process refunds.

Until recently, there were no rules saying whether shops were or weren't allowed to retain these records. The credit card companies are starting to promulgate requirements on data retention and security practices, but I'm not sure exactly what the status of those requirements is. —Steve Summit (talk) 18:17, 5 May 2007 (UTC)

The Credit Card industry has periodic improvements to their PCI (Payment Card Industry) Security Standards Council, is a private, non-profit organization, so FOIA can't be used to force disclosure from them to let the general public know what outfits do a good job of protecting our credit, which don't, and what kind of auditing is going on. From stories getting into the news media, and places that track computer security breaches, I can nnly conclude that this is a set of voluntary rules, that if you get caught violating them, you end up with huge fines, and/or loss of permission to use credit cards in your business. User:AlMac|^(talk) 21:26, 6 May 2007 (UTC)

Here are some resources for anyone editing relevant articles:

• Electronic Privacy
• Data Breaches Chronology
• Dataloss Incidents Discussion List
• PCI actual rules (PDF)

User:AlMac|^(talk) 21:21, 6 May 2007 (UTC)

Change of House Name?

How does one go about changing a house name specifically when the address has no street number? Are there any restrictions on names which can be used? How does one ensure that post will arrive at the address when it has a new name? Gino —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 62.31.156.229 (talk) 19:17, 5 May 2007 (UTC).

You don't say what country you are in, but it seems clear that you need to talk to the post office there. They are the ones who have to know how to deliver to you. --Anonymous, May 5, 19:44 (UTC).

Memphis Wings

I have read about an old hockey team in Memphis, TN called the Memphis Wings. They were a part of the CHL and were active from 1964 to 1967. That is all of the information that I can find about them, though. Were the Memphis Wings ever affiliated with the Detroit Red Wings? Who were the players and what happened to the team after 1967? —The preceding unsigned comment was added by Katelizray14 (talk • contribs) 20:31, 5 May 2007 (UTC).

A google search for "Memphis Wings" and "hockey" yields plenty of hits, that look like they might at least start answering your questions. —Steve Summit (talk) 21:32, 5 May 2007 (UTC)

Removing Wallpaper

Does anyone have any suggestions on how to remove wallpaper? I've heard of products like DIF, and home made mixtures of fabric softener with hot water, but do they work well? If not, what could I use? Thanks! Beeaz193 21:17, 5 May 2007 (UTC)

This might help. That is just one result from a site that I tend to trust. Adrian M. H. 21:51, 5 May 2007 (UTC)

A sponge, some warm water, a wallpaper scraper and some elbow grease have always worked just fine for me - have you tried that yet? →Ollie (talk • contribs) 22:07, 5 May 2007 (UTC)

Newer wallpaper will come off pretty easily if wetted with a spray bottle. Spray an area, say 3x3, and after a few minutes start peeling, starting at a seam or floor or ceiling edge. In some areas the outer layer may come off leaving some paper and adhesive behind. Rewet and rub an edge to get a grasp and peel again. Don't try to do too large an area at a time. After getting the paper off you will still have a residue of adhesive on the walls and will need to clean it with a sponge and warm water until it is no longer sticky or gluey to the touch.

Older wallpaper that was applied with wallpaper paste may come off this way but you would be better off using wallpaper stripping compound from a hardware supply store. It can be a real pain. Good luck.--killing sparrows ^(chirp!) 22:16, 5 May 2007 (UTC)

THick Wallpaper that has been painted over is a real pig!. You cant soak it, all you can do is get behind it with a good old fashioned (sharp) scraper and a lot of elbow grease. Sometimes spraying the wall behind the paper helps by softening the glue-- but its still a long job. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 88.110.17.225 (talk) 22:24, 5 May 2007 (UTC).

There are little rotary scoring gadgets which perforate the paper to allow water to penetrate. There are also steamers which help melt the adhesive with steam. Then you can use a Scotchbright pad and work like hell. Good luck. Edison 06:58, 6 May 2007 (UTC)

Does a girl like me

I need to know if a girl likes me or not. She touched my hand lightly the other day trying to get my attention, and her friends say she likes me, and she is always teasing me. She likes me, doesn't she? I like her. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 71.28.251.13 (talk) 22:47, 5 May 2007 (UTC).

You can always ask her. A.Z. 23:38, 5 May 2007 (UTC)

How do I ask her out? 71.28.251.13 00:27, 6 May 2007 (UTC)

"Will you go out with me?" A.Z. 00:40, 6 May 2007 (UTC)

Her attitude toward you will depend on what you say and do. If you doubt yourself, she may not like you quite so much in a year's time. Just try to relax. :) Vranak

Better yet, just relax. JackofOz 02:34, 6 May 2007 (UTC)

Let me shake my Magic 8-Ball ... it says "All signs point to yes". StuRat 06:57, 6 May 2007 (UTC)

Either she likes you, or she's taunting you. If you like her, go ahead and ask, but don't be too surprised if she and her friends just laugh at you.

She doesn't know I like her. 71.28.251.13 17:30, 6 May 2007 (UTC)

Then perhaps that is the first thing you need to fix? SteveBaker 18:00, 6 May 2007 (UTC)

It might be a good idea to start teasing her back, or showing some sign of affection. Depending on the way she acts about it should tell you whether she likes you or not.--Kittycat rox 18:53, 6 May 2007 (UTC)

All girls are evil robots assassins from outer space. No but seriously, they aren't, they're all actually human, would you believe it?? It's a trip isn't it? The other crazy thing? Wait for it, it's not abnormal for a boy to like a girl, give yourself a few years for that to sink in. What you have to do is pretend as hard as you can that liking a girl isn't strange or bad or wrong, It's just about impossible when you first try, but you have to pretend so hard that you start to believe it, if she thinks you are pretending it won't work;) but if you believe that liking a girl is not a big deal, then you'll be so cool you'll need a stick to beat them off. and Good luck.Vespine 00:57, 7 May 2007 (UTC)

Faint heart ne'er won fair maiden. Go for it. Let Wikipedia know how it works out. Edison 05:32, 7 May 2007 (UTC)

But that's WP:OR! —Tamfang 18:45, 7 May 2007 (UTC)

I encourage WP:IAR when WP:OR gets in the way of a useful addition to RD information. V-Man - ^T/_C 00:33, 8 May 2007 (UTC)

The poster didn't say whether they are a boy or a girl. A.Z. 03:55, 8 May 2007 (UTC)

This is the internet, the answer should be obvious -- Phoeba Wright^OBJECTION! 12:51, 8 May 2007 (UTC)

Older Computers and Linksys

Are older computers and Linksys units really compatible, or do I have to junk the damn fucking things ? 205.240.146.147 00:04, 6 May 2007 (UTC)

Was told to ask you guys. Another person wants to know.205.240.146.147 00:21, 6 May 2007 (UTC)

This is the Miscellaneous desk, this question is better suited to the Computing desk. Dismas|^(talk) 00:30, 6 May 2007 (UTC)

Asking if a brand of routers is compatible with a PC is like asking if it's possible to install a sunroof in a Ford. Chances are if there are the right ports and the right drivers for the OS you should be ok. -Wooty Woot? contribs 01:23, 6 May 2007 (UTC)