Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Miscellaneous/2007 September 3

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September 3

What is the title of this book?

The main plot of the book is that a little boy has gained access into the fourth dimension. He soon realizes that there are an infinite amount of dimensions, with creatures to accomidate each. The creatures that are in each dimension protect one dimension lower. The little boy soon finds that his secretive neighbor is the protector of the second dimension.

I cannot remember the title or author of this book, but I'd really like to locate and read it again!

Thankyou! —Preceding unsigned comment added by 76.1.44.220 (talk) 00:46, 3 September 2007 (UTC)

If the main characters' names are Laura, Pete and Omar, it is The Boy Who Reversed Himself. I wouldn't have connected what our article has with the description you gave, but some of the reviews I read when googling the title match your description. When you've finished re-reading it, how about returning and fleshing out our article a bit? 152.16.188.107 07:32, 4 September 2007 (UTC)

Cornbread

Having moved to the south and been enlightened on the differences between northern and southern cornbread, I wonder what it was that I had back home in California - I'd suspect "northern", but that sounds like the kind I had at Boston Market that was kind of sweet, whereas the kind my dad made was a mix in a can (I remember the label being yellowish-orange) and didn't taste all that sweet - is that southern style?

(I know that'll be hard to answer since I can't remember the brand, but thanks in advance for the attempt) Kuronue | Talk 01:33, 3 September 2007 (UTC)

Did you look at the Cornbread article? Especially the Regional tastes section. --Mdwyer 05:26, 4 September 2007 (UTC)

I did, but California always has a weird position of straddling the North and the South; "Northern" seems to indicate in this case New England and "Southern" the Deep South, neither of which have the same regional tastes. Kuronue | Talk 15:14, 4 September 2007 (UTC)

I, personally, consider the "South" to stop well before you cross the Rio Grande. I'm with you, I think: I wouldn't call it "Northern". I'd just call it "Normal". (No offense meant to southerners, mind you!) California's got its own sort of style, I think. Putting the word 'California' before a food item suggests that I will include avocado, sprouts, or both. California Cornbread anyone?! --Mdwyer 00:51, 5 September 2007 (UTC)

netflix or blockbuster

looking for a side-by-side comparison of netflix and blockbuster's mail-in/hybrid rental plans —Preceding unsigned comment added by 12.217.199.246 (talk) 02:09, 3 September 2007 (UTC)

• Here, here and here Rockpocket 02:25, 3 September 2007 (UTC)

and here. Gzuckier 16:26, 4 September 2007 (UTC)

Crazy Google Image Search Problem

All the sudden, Google image search has been behaving very strangely on my computer. Any time I type anything "obscene" into the image search, and filter to show only "large images," i get COMPLETELY irrelevant images, mostly maps, only. For example, "blowjob" filtered to large images only yields lots of maps and computer screenshots of text, none of which are remotely related to my keyword. I have SafeSearch turned off, and it ONLY does this for the "large" image filter. What's up? Thanks. Steevven1 ^{(Talk) (Contribs) (Gallery)} 05:07, 3 September 2007 (UTC)

Perhaps Google has developed a sense of humor. It might be a good idea to ask on the Computing desk. —Preceding unsigned comment added by S.dedalus (talk • contribs) 05:34, 3 September 2007 (UTC) Wow that was a fast bot! It's me --S.dedalus 05:36, 3 September 2007 (UTC)

People sometimes add porn words to their images so that they get more hits. Try refining your search by adding more keywords.--Shantavira|^{feed me} 07:49, 3 September 2007 (UTC)

My first thought was 'preferences' (next to the search box) > 'Do not filter my search results'. But now I notice that with that checked, I also get a lot of maps (why maps?). I suppose the reason is that the large images are only accessible for registered users, and Google of course can not show those. The free sections of porn sites only have smaller images. DirkvdM 10:12, 3 September 2007 (UTC)

Note that "blow" has some other meaning as far as images go. Perhaps it's something like a "splash page". Does anyone know what it means in this context ? StuRat 13:22, 3 September 2007 (UTC)

Ford Tempo fleet sales back in the day

Somebody said that the Ford Tempo was 70% fleet in 1990 in the American market. Can anyone confirm that the Tempo had high fleet sales in its final years? (Anyone able to find fleet numbers from the early 1990s?) Guroadrunner 07:42, 3 September 2007 (UTC)

Questions about a pair of active speakers

I recently purchased computer speakers (manufacturer unknown). On the back, it says (3" fullrange, impedance - 4 ohm, frequency response - 70hz~16khz, THD (at 1khz)- under 0.05%, loading current - .5A followed by a picture of a square within a square). One is not sure if the manufacturer can fabricate values for THD and frequency response. It says nothing about the watts, could you please say how much it is?. Whole box is made of plastic with a hole (for bass?) in the top. Can the acoustics be made better by placing thin wood panels inside the box?. Is there anyway one can increase the bass?. Finally, can it be used at full volumes without the speakers blowing up?. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 212.201.71.125 (talk) 08:22, 3 September 2007 (UTC)

The hole is likely for treble, not bass. A properly made wooden box acting as a resonance chamber would help, but simply placing wood panels inside would likely just make a buzzing sound. StuRat 12:50, 3 September 2007 (UTC)

Fistly Power=I^2xR - so maybe the power = .5A x .5A x 4 = 1W (quite normal for computer speakers)..

The power depends on the power supply - depends if they plug into the computer for power, or have a separate power supply

Square within square means double insulated- it's an elctrica;l safety thing

Wood panels probably wont' improve it much if at all - a total rebuild - take the speaker cones and put them inside a new (stronger) box might..

To improve the base get an active subwoofer - which most computer shops sell.

Try turning the speakers up full briefly - they shouldn'y blow up - however you'll probably notice they sound terrible ( as do all speakers on full ) - so there's no reason to have them that loud - in general though these things don't blow up on full (unless you are using a separate overly powerful amplifier)87.102.47.218 14:06, 3 September 2007 (UTC)

Container shipping

Hello I have visited several websites for container shipping but they all want me to register before giving me an estimate. I just want a rough estimate. Does anyone know how much it would approx. cost to ship a container and/or a car to Buenos Aires from a big port in the UK? Thank you 80.200.229.89 10:06, 3 September 2007 (UTC)

When web sites do that to me, I give them fake info. The only prob is if they send an e-mail where you have to click on the link inside to activate your account. You can set up a temp e-mail account just for that e-mail, then delete it, but that sounds like more trouble than it's worth. My preferred fake email address is NOYFB@NOYFB.COM, but it's often already taken. :-) StuRat 12:44, 3 September 2007 (UTC)

For those interested there is a great website called www.tempinbox.com You can put whatever you want (say iamahero@tempinbox.com) and then you can just go to the site and put in that username@tempinbox.com - no password, no setting up, nothing. It exists as a site to track spam/produce spam filters but it welcomes use in situations like this as it allows it to build more advanced spam software. I use it a lot for signing up to websites which you only plan on using once (like this one sounds). ny156uk 22:02, 3 September 2007 (UTC)

At a very rough estimate, you'd be looking at a couple of thousand USD for a 20ft container, just for shipping. On top of that there may be import duties or other taxes. As far as I can tell, importing a new vehicle into Argentina attracts considerable tariffs and requires an import licence, and importing used vehicles is not legal. But WP:IANAL... FiggyBee 13:00, 3 September 2007 (UTC)

Is Apu the owner of Kwik E Mart in the Simpsons Series? please..

Ajaythewikifellow1 10:47, 3 September 2007 (UTC)aj

Apu suggests that he is, yes. Worm ^{(t | c)} 11:29, 3 September 2007 (UTC)

I think he is the manager of that particular Kwik W Mart, but I don't think he owns it. For example, he has been fired before and replaced. Skittle 11:44, 3 September 2007 (UTC)

I guess Apu is wrong; I've made a note on the talk page - though having read Kwik-E-Mart it's equally probable that he's the owner when it suits the script, and an employee ditto. KEM describes him as the "operator" (presumably of the franchise) --Tagishsimon (talk) 14:35, 3 September 2007 (UTC)

There's an episode where he and Homer go to Nepal to meet with the founder and CEO of Kwik-E-Mart. Maybe he owns the franchise for the Springfield branch? Neil ム 15:38, 3 September 2007 (UTC)

Definitely not the owner of the whole company. But he may own the Springfield Kwik-E-Mart as a franchiser. Guroadrunner 16:11, 3 September 2007 (UTC)

The Quick-E-Mart usually only has two workers, Apu and his brother Sanjay. Their work-relationship varies, but generally Apu is seen ordering Sanjay around. The overall owner of the Kwik-E-Mart corporation however is Nordyne Defence Dyanamics, as revealed in Marge in Chains. Laïka 18:35, 3 September 2007 (UTC)

Yep, pretty confident that Apu owns the Springfield franchise. --jjron 08:01, 4 September 2007 (UTC)

Remember the episode "Much APu about nothing"? He tells Marge this: "I didn't feel right leaving without paying off my student loans.. so I took a job at the kwik-e-mart". No mention of buying it. ::Manors:: 18:58, 4 September 2007 (UTC)

finding out what happen

i wuold like to know the events of the war that took place in Cam Ranh Bay on (12-15-1968) (12-5-1969) —Preceding unsigned comment added by 75.14.11.130 (talk) 14:40, 3 September 2007 (UTC)

Have you read our detailed article on Cam Ranh Bay?--Shantavira|^{feed me} 16:43, 3 September 2007 (UTC)

Who's the tallest bodybuilder in the world today?

212.143.253.36 14:54, 3 September 2007 (UTC)

Noah Steere at 6'6" is supposedly the tallest currently competing bodybuilder. David Prowse was slightly taller in his prime. FiggyBee 02:38, 4 September 2007 (UTC)

Lou Ferrigno, TV's Incredible Hulk, is 6'5" and was the tallest professional bodybuilder at the time he was competing, and he's still alive today. I seem to remember him being portrayed as even taller than this in his acting roles, such as in the Hulk, but I guess that's pretty typical. --jjron 07:59, 4 September 2007 (UTC)

Cold hands

Hidden request for medical advice
The following discussion has been closed. Please do not modify it.
Whenever I'm in a room that has a normal or below tempurature, my hands become really cold- my friends always think I'm holding an icecube next to their skin or shirt whenever I touch them because the cold even goes through clothing when I just lay my hand on their shirt or something. Everybody agrees that it's very odd and that my hands are way more freezing than the next cold person. I don't think this is normal- what could it be? 74.211.8.100 16:14, 3 September 2007 (UTC) Only a doctor can answer this, so please ask one. We cannot give medical advice. It could be any of a number of things, such as Raynaud's disease.--Shantavira|feed me 16:40, 3 September 2007 (UTC) Please see [1]. StuRat 12:47, 5 September 2007 (UTC) I'm afraid we can't offer medical advice – diagnoses, prognoses, or treatment suggestions – on Wikipedia. Please consult a physician about any symptoms that trouble you. TenOfAllTrades(talk) 19:32, 3 September 2007 (UTC) Please do not add medical advice, even a link to where you wrote specific medical advice to this person elsewhere. Skittle 11:16, 5 September 2007 (UTC) I didn't mean to cause all of this debate. I was just wondering what you people thought it might be- I wasn't actually asking advice on what to do about it. sorry once again --74.211.8.100 00:03, 6 September 2007 (UTC)

Name of this pencil

I have begun to love this specific brand of mechanical pencils. However, as hard as I search, I am unable to find it in any stores. This isn't a rate pencil and I see it all the time, but am unable to find a place where they sell it. Most writing utensils have a name, does anyone know the name of this pencil? (Please note in the photo, the clip on the pencil is broken and the eraser cap is also missing.)

• [2]
• [3]
• [4]

Thanks. Acceptable 17:52, 3 September 2007 (UTC)

Looks like a Bic Softsider to me.--Rallette 09:28, 4 September 2007 (UTC)

Ah, yes it is. Thank you =) Acceptable 20:07, 4 September 2007 (UTC)

Shifting gears in britain

In Britain, along with other countries that drive on the left side of the road and produces cars with the driver side on the right, when driving a manual, is the gear placement a mirror of the gear placement of a car where the driver sits on the left side? For example, in a British car, is 1st gear on the left side (like in a car with the driver on the left), or is it on the right side, close to the driver? Thanks. Acceptable 18:11, 3 September 2007 (UTC)

It is the same in both right and left hand drives. 1st gear is to the left, 5th to the right. Incidently the foot pedals are in the same order also. Rockpocket 18:28, 3 September 2007 (UTC)

...and (for helping bridge the linguistic gap) we call it "changing gear", rather than "shifting". The item manipulated is a "gear stick", or, more archaically, "gear lever". --Dweller 12:47, 4 September 2007 (UTC)

What's really amazing is how easy it is to switch from left hand drive (LHD) to right hand drive (RHD) and vice-versa. Despite shifting with the 'wrong' hand, whilst not mentally mirroring pedals or gear layout and driving on the opposite side of the road, it's possible to drive either way with really minimal 'conversion' time. The first time I did it, I didn't even have to think about pedals and shifter - the worst part was remembering how to wind up on the correct side of the road at junctions. After 10 minutes of driving, your brain 'adapts' and it's rarely a problem after that. The worst problem I have is when walking up to a car from the front in the parking lot and remembering which door I should be opening to get in! I also sometimes drive a British (RHD) car on Texas (LHD) roads - which means you are sitting on the right with the shifter to your left, driving on the right hand side of the road...and it's still no problem! I've also driven a French car (LHD) on British (RHD) roads - so all four possibilities are buried in my head - and it's still no problem to switch between them. The brain is amazingly adaptive. SteveBaker 15:57, 4 September 2007 (UTC)

What about visibility problems when you're driving a left-hand drive car on a British road? I'm not a driver, but I would have thought it was hard to judge whether it's safe to overtake, for example, because you're that bit further away from the right-hand edge of the car in front. Or is that not an issue? --Richardrj ^{talk email} 16:01, 4 September 2007 (UTC)

Yes, that's a problem. It reduces visisiblity and there's increased chances of a car being in your blind spot, especially on motorways. It's just as bad when British cars are taken into countries that drive on the right, such as France (which is commonly done for holidays). JoshHolloway 19:18, 4 September 2007 (UTC)

Yep - overtaking on Texas roads with a RHD car is close to suicide. Until recently, the top speed of my British Mini was 72mph - and with a 24 second 0-60 time, overtaking was more of a theoretical possibility than anything to be concerned about. But now I'm putting in a bigger engine...which may be problematic! I've been seriously thinking of mounting a small video camera to the left side of the car! SteveBaker 20:57, 4 September 2007 (UTC)

I think Steve Baker is correct in what he says about the relative ease of adapting to the opposite side of the road, with or without the confusion of also changing to the opposite side of the car - BUT - for me, the hardest part of adapting is always the rearview mirror being in the WRONG place at the most critical moments. As a British driver, I always want the mirror to be eyes above and LEFT, but it is never there, being eyes above and RIGHT instead. That apart, I always get filthy looks from other drivers when I adamantly REFUSE to proceed through a red light when it would be legal and safe to do so. I hope they never change to that Law in Britain as my brain would simply not allow me to go through a red light - not ever. 81.145.241.182 19:52, 4 September 2007 (UTC)

Fortunately, I've never felt the slightest desire to go 'right-on-red' (or even 'left-on-red') on British roads - but I do sometimes forget to go right-on-red on Texas roads when I've been away from home for a while (much to the annoyance of people behind me). Worse still is the whole 'priorité à droite' crap in France...that (and forgetting that speed limit signs are in kph, not mph) are REALLY bad things to forget to adapt to! SteveBaker 20:57, 4 September 2007 (UTC)

Car Problem

I dropped the oil cap on my car and the bottom of the engine compartment is covered so even if it fell all the way through, it wouldnt fall to the ground. The cap fell in the front of the engine where theres a fan and some pulleys under it. I cant see it because the engine compartment is so tight, but I am afraid to turn it on even when I get a new cap because I dont want to cause any damage if the cap is stuck somewhere. What do you guys suggest other then taking it to the dealer? Thanks —Preceding unsigned comment added by 76.167.145.55 (talk) 18:24, 3 September 2007 (UTC)

Tricky. I would expect the cover to be removable from underneath, so that would be my first suggestion. Otherwise turn the fanbelt slowly and listen for any noises. It is possible to probe around with a magnet on a long thin rod or string to fish the thing out?--Shantavira|^{feed me} 19:03, 3 September 2007 (UTC)

Try jacking up the car so that the cap could slide. But I would not drive it until I found it. A flying object in a contained area could do crazy things and wreck the radiator, fan belt, etc. BTW, what kind of car is it that has a sealed engine compartment —Preceding unsigned comment added by 71.147.39.60 (talk) 20:39, 3 September 2007 (UTC)

Your car may have an air deflector covering part of the bottom of the car. (My Taurus does- and it scraps every time I enter a steep driveway.) Removing this, if you have one, allows easier access to that area. Rmhermen 22:31, 3 September 2007 (UTC)

Its a 2005 BMW 325ci convertable. I looked again and I didnt see it. I turned it on for a few seconds to listen for noises, but could not hear anything out of the ordinary. So as long as I dont drive it until I get a new oil cap I should probably be fine, right? And its a lease by the way so I dont want to mess with anything like taking the cover off of the bottom, I might not be able to get it back on. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 76.167.145.55 (talk) 00:08, 4 September 2007 (UTC)

Might be worth contacting BMW to see what they have to say Lemon martini 10:12, 4 September 2007 (UTC)

Hanging ironed shirts

After one irons dress shirts, how should the shirts be hanged on the hook hangers? Should the collar be "popped" or should they be "normaled"? Should the first button be buttoned up? Thanks. Acceptable 20:32, 3 September 2007 (UTC)

I hang up my beloved's freshly ironed shirts with the collar down (as you would wear it) and the top button fastened. But then we are British... SaundersW 20:43, 3 September 2007 (UTC)

Same here (in the US). StuRat 03:03, 4 September 2007 (UTC)

I leave it unbuttoned with the collar up. I don't like to have the crease in there sitting until use so I leave it 'up'. I guess it is individual preference. I can see why you might button it up (keeps the shape perhap?) but personally I don't. Mind you i'm pretty bad at ironing so don't take my word for it! ny156uk 21:58, 3 September 2007 (UTC)

Surely on a dress shirt the collar is removable? One would not attach it until one had put the shirt on. DuncanHill 08:38, 4 September 2007 (UTC)

Removable collars on a dress shirt? Is this something that a custom tailored shirt would have? All my dress shirts, and all those that I have ever seen, though "off-the-rack", have had collars that were attached. Dismas|^(talk) 09:54, 4 September 2007 (UTC)

Nevermind, I see it's covered under Dress shirt#Dress shirts for black tie and white tie. Dismas|^(talk) 09:59, 4 September 2007 (UTC)

That section of Dress shirt is fine, but perhaps a little out of date. Nowadays, I should only wear a hard detachable stick-up collar with a 'boiled shirt' (that's one with a hard front which needs to be starched and also needs shirt studs) if the occasion called for a white tie, which I hardly ever need now. With a black tie, I only use marcella shirts with attached collars and (yes) double cuffs. They are much more sensible and comfortable and just need to be washed and ironed. Mine are put away in a drawer, folded up, with the collars flat. Xn4 21:01, 4 September 2007 (UTC)

I assumed that "dress shirt" meant "not casual shirt, the kind with which a tie is worn", rather than "the sort of shirt worn with a dinner jacket" or even "the kind of shirt worn with tails". I think that is US usage? —Preceding unsigned comment added by SaundersW (talk • contribs) 21:43, 4 September 2007 (UTC)

Sorry, we may have a crossed wire. In the UK, dress shirt is understood to mean the kind of shirt you wear with a black or white tie for dinners, dances, etc. Does it just mean 'formal shirt' in the US? In any event, I can't say I'd say dress shirt myself, I'd say evening shirt for the soft kind of black tie shirt or boiled shirt (goodness knows why!) for the hard kind.

If you're asking about hanging up everyday shirts with ordinary turn-down collars attached, then I shouldn't think it matters whether you turn the collars up or down. Doing up one button does keep them looking neat and tidy on the hanger! Xn4 03:05, 5 September 2007 (UTC)

Yes, a dress shirt, in the US, is just a shirt suitable for wearing with a suit and tie. I've worn the same type of shirt with a tux in both weddings I've been a part of, although they did have holes for cufflinks on the sleeves, in addition to the normal buttons. If there are shirts sold with separate collars here, or with rigid parts, I've never seen either. StuRat 07:33, 5 September 2007 (UTC)

Fastening the top button has the dual benefits of stopping the shirt slipping off the hanger and preventing the creases that appear in the front of the shirt when it is hung with the collar open. And Xn4, maybe the hard shirt is called "boiled" because at one time it was boiled in a starch solution to stiffen it. SaundersW 10:48, 5 September 2007 (UTC)

How is gene therapy administered?

How is gene therapy administered, is it done with needles (shots), many shots, or is it taken orally? Does gene therapy help create or increase directions in the bodies or cells to tell the body to make certain proteins or cells, like for instance make more insulin for a diabetic? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 68.120.224.112 (talk) 21:41, 3 September 2007 (UTC)

Our article on gene therapy may be of interest to you. There are many possible routes of administration depending on the type of therapy and its target. The field of gene therapy is still in its infancy; as far as I know there are no gene therapeutic techniques that have progressed beyond the earliest clinical trials. TenOfAllTrades(talk) 22:01, 3 September 2007 (UTC)

Theoretically you could use a gene gun, though these are still experimental in nature. Rockpocket 05:35, 5 September 2007 (UTC)