Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Miscellaneous/2008 March 12

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March 12

IUPUI

Has Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis ever considered changing its name? It's quite a mouthful. I know in Indiana, you can say, "I'm calling from yoo-ee pyoo-ee" or "eye-yoo-pee-yoo-eye" and people know what you're talking about. But when dealing with people from out of town, you've got to go through the whole 22-syllable name. Doesn't seem to do much for branding. Why don't they just call it "Indianapolis State" or something? -- Mwalcoff (talk) 01:58, 12 March 2008 (UTC)

Maybe Purdue was a big benefactor. Have you asked at the Uni, perhaps the PR department? Julia Rossi (talk) 09:07, 12 March 2008 (UTC)

Here "Founded in 1869 and named after benefactor John Purdue, Purdue University began its journey with six instructors, 39 students and a mission to provide agriculture and mechanic arts education." I believe that he provided the land on which one campus is built. Moreover I seem to remember that it is the only state university which is not called " ... State University", or "University of ... (state)". They are quite fond of that uniqueness. As for marketing, they just call it "Purdue". SaundersW (talk) 17:14, 12 March 2008 (UTC)

Purdue University and IUPUI are not the same thing. IUPUI is a "joint effort" between Purdue and Indiana University, hence the name. -Elmer Clark (talk) 17:41, 12 March 2008 (UTC)

As for the uniqueness bit for Purdue, far from it. Virginia Tech doesn't even have "University" in the title. It's debatable whether they even qualify within Indiana. Ball State University seems outside the spirit of the distinction (which suggests "<state> State University"). — Lomn 20:02, 12 March 2008 (UTC)

Virginia Tech is but a nickname. --LarryMac | Talk 20:14, 12 March 2008 (UTC)

You're right, my bad. Meant to reference Georgia Institute of Technology. That's the one without "University". — Lomn 04:06, 13 March 2008 (UTC)

My question is not how IUPUI got its name. My question is why they keep it! -- Mwalcoff (talk) 23:35, 12 March 2008 (UTC)

My unhelpfully terse answer meant that's likely why they keep Purdue, and the PR department might be a step to finding out where to start telling people of influence that it needs a better handle. Be sure to take along one they can't resist (with special attention to avoiding ending up with something like PUI). I get a feeling they keep it that way to make everybody happy. Julia Rossi (talk) 23:47, 12 March 2008 (UTC)

The response by User:Elmer Clark seems to answer that question. It's a join effort between the two institutions, who presumable both want their names attached to it. Carom (talk) 23:55, 12 March 2008 (UTC)

No ending

Why is it that many popular songs on the radio don't have a specific 'ending' but just finish with a repeating motif that is faded out as the song ends? 70.162.25.53 (talk) 05:34, 12 March 2008 (UTC)

Because fading out is easier than writing a proper ending, I reckon. See the article Fade (audio engineering) for some history... FiggyBee (talk) 05:39, 12 March 2008 (UTC)

...for some history... Clarityfiend (talk) 07:47, 12 March 2008 (UTC)

...for some history... :D\=< (talk) 15:47, 12 March 2008 (UTC)

A long time ago, radio stations used to play more than one song in a set. That is, they wouldn't stick in a house ad (see remnant advertising) or three between every song in their "commercial-free rock block". Songs that contain built-in fade-outs are convenient for this sort of programming as you can simply start the next song playing while the previous song is automatically fading out. This makes the engineer's life a lot simpler as the cues are easier.

Atlant (talk) 12:57, 12 March 2008 (UTC)

It's still fairly common in the United Kingdom for more than one song to be played consecutively, and for them to segue neatly into each other — with either no or minimal overlaying of "clutter" such as radio station idents and DJ jabber. Even if station idents are being used, a skilfully assembled combination of fading-out song and ident can sound pretty effective. (Admittedly I have always been a fan of idents, jingles and ads, almost as much as the music!) Hassocks5489 (talk) 13:37, 12 March 2008 (UTC)

There is, however, the fact that some commercial CDs also have this fading. 206.252.74.48 (talk) 14:24, 12 March 2008 (UTC)

I doubt the radio is really the big reason, personally. It became an audio convention relatively early on and has been re-used since then without much intellectual thought behind it. I think trying to find some excessively rational reason is unlikely to be fruitful here, as both fading and non-fading songs have been popular for ages. Hey Jude doesn't fade out the way it does because it is trying to be radio-friendly, it does it because it probably sounded better to them in the studio doing that than it did abruptly ending at some point. --98.217.18.109 (talk) 14:41, 12 March 2008 (UTC)

A non-fading ending can be jarring to the listener. If the song is intended to create a certain "mood" then ending abruptly would "kill the mood". Dismas|^(talk) 18:29, 12 March 2008 (UTC)

They might have got the idea from the final movement Neptune of Gustav Holst's The Planets (1914-16), which afaik was the first time any composer, anywhere, used a fade-out ending. -- JackofOz (talk) 01:33, 13 March 2008 (UTC)

Plenty of classical music has a "fade out" like ending. The first that comes to mind is the "Bydło" movement of Pictures at an Exhibition, by Modest Mussorgsky. The Ninth Symphony of Beethoven begins with a "fade in". I suspect the basic concept goes back a long way and was a relatively obvious musical effect -- and that it was only with recording technology that it became easy and effortless to the point of being so commonly used. Pfly (talk) 06:31, 13 March 2008 (UTC)

I've checked my score of "Bydlo" and it comes to a definite end, with a double bar line, although there's a fermata on the last note, meaning that it's to be held for a little longer than normal, maybe 2 seconds, but not for as long as the player likes. There's a similar thing with Schubert's Moment musical in F minor, and many other pieces - all of which have a definite end. In Neptune the innovation was that there was no definite end, and no final double bar line, giving the performers licence to continue the music for as long as they could sustain a gradual diminution of volume, to the point where it finally becomes inaudible. That's what a lot of pop songs do - they just gradually fade away, with no definite end (except for the actual end of the recording, of course). -- JackofOz (talk) 23:36, 15 March 2008 (UTC)

And then there's the "endless" last track on The Beatles' Abbey Road album which the CD version rather-imperfectly emulates...

Atlant (talk) 15:47, 17 March 2008 (UTC)

Maybe we should coin a term for such pieces of music. I suggest "old soldiers". -- JackofOz (talk) 02:44, 18 March 2008 (UTC)

Police in New York

I was reading the Sean Bell article, and it says that "[Police] department guidelines prohibit shooting at a moving vehicle, even if the vehicle is being used as a weapon". Why is this? Is there a famous case that caused this regulation? Surely that law could potentially cost lives? Any insight would be appreciated, especially from New Yorkers. Thanks a lot 81.96.160.6 (talk) 06:41, 12 March 2008 (UTC)

I think you will find that shooting the vechicle is illegal, shooting the person in it is not. ie. they are not allowed to try to shoot out the tyres or blow up the gas tank etc. etc.--155.144.251.120 (talk) 22:45, 12 March 2008 (UTC)

A guess: if a vehicle is stolen and used in a crime, if police damage the vehicle, the police department could be held responsible for repairs once the vehicle is recovered. Even if the perpetrator utterly totals the vehicle, the police department could be held to pay for part of replacement/repair if police-inflicted damage is discovered. Then again, I don't know the laws involving stolen vehicles and police damage. HYENASTE 19:04, 13 March 2008 (UTC)

It appears that it's an internal regulation of the New York Police Department's Patrol Guide, which states

"Police officers shall not discharge their firearms at or from a moving vehicle unless deadly physical force is being used against the police officer or another person present, by means other than a moving vehicle."

This article here supplies that text, as well as commentary from a variety of police and other sources. How – or even whether – the regulation would be enforced seems very much an open question. The full 'Deadly Physical Force' section of the 2004 Guide is available here. TenOfAllTrades(talk) 19:18, 13 March 2008 (UTC)

The Stock Market Doesn't Make Sense III

Thanks all for explaining the stock market. A new question if you can tolerate one.

From the Chrysler article:

On May 14, 2007 DaimlerChrysler AG announced the sale of 80.1% of Chrysler Group to American private equity firm Cerberus Capital Management, L.P., although Daimler continues to hold a 19.9% stake. Chrysler LLC is the new name.[1] The deal was finalized on August 3, 2007.[2]

How does a public company just sell itself like that to a private equity firm? What happens to the stock? The stockholders?

66.91.224.203 (talk) 10:11, 12 March 2008 (UTC)

The following is speculation, since I have not researched the subject, but I think it likely that:

DaimlerChrysler AG owned 100% of the stock of Chrysler Group (and, for all I know, purchased that group by swapping its stock for the Chrysler Group stock previously owned by Chrysler Group stockholders)

DaimlerChrysler AG sold 80.1% of the stock that it owned, receiving money as a consideration.

Stockholders in DaimlerChrysler AG will get some share of the money received, either in dividends or via a share buy-back (which has the effect or compensating those who sell their shares, and increases the value of the remaining stock).

There being no other Chrysler Group stockholders than DaimlerChrysler AG, there would be no Chrysler Group stockholders affected by the sale.

The Chrysler Group shares that were sold are now owned by the private equity company.

On this basis, I suspect the reason it does not make sense is that you start from the assumption that there were other shareholders of Chrysler Group, thus raising the question of their consent to the sale of the company, &c. I do not think that ssumption is sound.

I think you also assume that DaimlerChrysler AG is the same as Chrysler Group, and that DaimlerChrysler AG has sold itself. It has not; it has sold a company that it owned. --Tagishsimon (talk) 10:37, 12 March 2008 (UTC)

wireless

I live in the uk and i have virgin media tv phone and internet, i have my pc in one room with my modem and my ps3 in the other room the ethernet cable wont reach the other room, is their an easy solution to this? (not just a longer cable) —Preceding unsigned comment added by 193.115.175.247 (talk) 10:50, 12 March 2008 (UTC)

Do you have wireless? According to the Wi-Fi article, "A typical Wi-Fi home router using 802.11b or 802.11g with a stock antenna might have a range of 32 m (120 ft) indoors and 95 m (300 ft) outdoors."

no, do i simply buy a wireless router?? if so is it easy to connect>? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 193.115.175.247 (talk) 13:34, 12 March 2008 (UTC)

not at the moment, how do i get it? do i simply buy a router?? if so how do i connect it?? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 193.115.175.247 (talk) 13:33, 12 March 2008 (UTC)

OK, if you have any model of the PS3 other than the 20GB version you should be fine. All you need to do is buy a router and connect your modem to the port labeled "internet" and your PC to any other port. Then find the wireless access point with the PS3 and voila, you're online. However, I highly recommend setting up some wireless security. I think cnet.com has nice, detailed instuctions. 206.252.74.48 (talk) 14:21, 12 March 2008 (UTC)

So if i pop into pc world they should know what im talking about and i'l b able to go home and set it up easily enough?? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 193.115.175.247 (talk) 15:51, 12 March 2008 (UTC)

Probably. Things can get a little more complicated if you set up a secure network but it's not rocket science. However, this solution is certainly going to be more expensive than just buying a longer cable. -Elmer Clark (talk) 17:46, 12 March 2008 (UTC)

Do make sure that you buy only a router, and not one with an ADSL modem built in. The latter are very common because so many people have ADSL. Common terms you want to look for in consumer kit are "broadband router" or "cable router". If you see any mention of ADSL it's not what you want. 81.187.153.189 (talk) 21:08, 12 March 2008 (UTC)

what does "uhc" stand for (this thing mcdonalds use to keep food heated)?

maybe other companies too. TIA ,Etaicq (talk) 12:45, 12 March 2008 (UTC)

Is it an Upright Holding Cabinet? TenOfAllTrades(talk) 13:13, 12 March 2008 (UTC)

Sharp

Does Sharp sell any of its Laptop/Notebook PCs in Europe, or only in the US and Japan? Thanks. 125.21.165.158 (talk) 12:48, 12 March 2008 (UTC)

In the UK they don't.87.102.17.32 (talk) 14:02, 12 March 2008 (UTC)

To the edge of your chair and beyond

There used to be a space race between Russia (ussr) and USA. However, there seem to be many countries taking part in and helping with the International space station (ISS) How did this come about? were there talks? who was invited? who was not invited? what were the reactions? Who does what, and who governs who does what? is there a commitee that says eg canada will do the arm and Europe will do the other thing. and any other info relating to this will be greatly appreciated. Thanks, see yall in space in a few years. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 193.115.175.247 (talk) 14:15, 12 March 2008 (UTC)

International Space Station has most if not all of your answers in it. If you have more questions after reading it, please feel free to ask back here. --98.217.18.109 (talk) 14:30, 12 March 2008 (UTC)

Yeah, sorry about that, so, why are EVA's shuttles space suits ect always white? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 193.115.175.247 (talk) 15:20, 12 March 2008 (UTC)

So as to reflect heat, I'd speculate. --Tagishsimon (talk) 15:26, 12 March 2008 (UTC)

Bad Somalis

So far, I have heard that all Somali girls are good because they follow that much, but I heard there are some bad Somali girls because they don't follow Islam and they disgrace their culture by dressing up bad in their traditional clothing. Do bad Somali boys upload videos of bad Somali girls doing something bad on the Internet? Sorry if I have heard the Somali community. Don Mustafa Toronto Ontario Canada 10:33 UTC —Preceding unsigned comment added by Don Mustafa (talk • contribs) 14:34, 12 March 2008 (UTC)

Rule 34 suggests the answer would be yes. Somalia's telecommunications infrastructure is not good, with no access being the norm, dial-up access the exception, and broadband access rare indeed ... I suspect the answer is no. --Tagishsimon (talk) 14:57, 12 March 2008 (UTC)

You obviously haven't seen enough to be properly convinced of Rule 34. :D\=< (talk) 15:45, 12 March 2008 (UTC)

Rule 34 in action 81.187.153.189 (talk) 21:17, 12 March 2008 (UTC)

Flip-flop and slide-in sandals

Where can I get plain old flip-flops and plain old slide-ins sandals with the straps having the same colours? and these colours are: red, blue, purple, grey, orange, black, white, teal, green, yellow, brown and pink. I am buying them for my Somali friend's sister. Don Mustafa Toronto 10:43 UTC —Preceding unsigned comment added by Don Mustafa (talk • contribs) 14:43, 12 March 2008 (UTC)

Canada - Class B Security Clearance

What steps must be taken to obtai? Level of access if obtained? General definition? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 208.38.59.162 (talk) 14:48, 12 March 2008 (UTC)

Could you provide a bit more information about the context or the job where a "Class B" security clearance might be required? I couldn't find any info that obviously pertained to such a clearance. A bit of Googling suggests that the Canadian Security and Intelligence Service recognizes three levels of security clearance:

• Level I (Confidential)
• Level II (Secret)
• Level III (Top Secret)

The blurb on their site says [1],

"Level I and II security clearances involve checking CSIS databanks. Level III security clearances require a full field investigation, which involves checking CSIS records; interviewing friends, neighbours and employers; consulting with local police; and, possibly interviewing the applicant."

Is Class B a government designation, or something provided by a private company? Is it an extra endorsement on top of one of the other clearance levels? TenOfAllTrades(talk) 15:44, 12 March 2008 (UTC)

In what country? FT2 ^{(Talk | email)} 22:15, 13 March 2008 (UTC)

Mastodon

I wish to please know more about this as Metal Heads should all be brothers(and sisters)

After the televised performance, member Brent Hinds was reported of having a severe head injury. Blabbermouth.net initially reported that it was a result of a brutal assault [13] but a police report later suggested that an inebriated Hinds initiated a conflict with System of a Down bassist Shavo Odadjian and musician William Hudson.[14] Hinds suffered brain hemorrhaging, a broken nose and two black eyes but made a full recovery.

Thanks —Preceding unsigned comment added by 193.115.175.247 (talk) 16:32, 12 March 2008 (UTC)

See Sibling rivalry. --Tagishsimon (talk) 16:44, 12 March 2008 (UTC)

Very amusing. see sarcasm —Preceding unsigned comment added by 193.115.175.247 (talk) 17:12, 12 March 2008 (UTC)

Did you check out this reference from the article? Just seems like your everyday drunkenness-induced scuffle. -Elmer Clark (talk) 17:52, 12 March 2008 (UTC)

What is a Yaris?

Not the model of Toyota, but where does this word originate? Does it translate from Japanese as something? Beekone (talk) 17:38, 12 March 2008 (UTC)

Certainly not from Japanese, nor from Chinese or any syllabic language to be exact, but it has to mean something. Admiral Norton ^(talk) 17:48, 12 March 2008 (UTC)

It doesn't have to mean anything. They could very well have just made it up. Dismas|^(talk) 18:35, 12 March 2008 (UTC)

Agreed, I should have mentioned that in my first post. I don't claim to know what it means or that it means anything, that's why I'm asking. You seem uncertain or speculative in your answer, so I think I'll hold out for someone who may know for sure. Beekone (talk) 18:38, 12 March 2008 (UTC)

'According to Toyota, Yaris is a combination of the name of a goddess in Greek mythology, Charis, and the German expression of agreement, "ya," because "we think this new name best symbolizes the car's broad appeal in styling and is representative of Toyota's next generation of global cars."' from here. Be sure to follow the link and read the sentence after the above. --LarryMac | Talk 18:51, 12 March 2008 (UTC)

Ha ha, thanks! Beekone (talk) 18:59, 12 March 2008 (UTC)

OCZ Neural Impulse Actuator

Hello,

Does anyone know how this Neural Impulse Actuator thing actually works? Also I've read around and can't seem to find any information on how many inputs this thing can cover. I mean will it be simple keyboard buttons, mouse control, or many many inputs?

Feel free to move this to the computer desk if you feel it is more necessary.

Thanks

89.241.203.130 (talk) 20:12, 12 March 2008 (UTC)