Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Miscellaneous/2011 January 18

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January 18

Entering historical information on a person

I am attempting to submit historical information on a Texas musician by the name of Gary Delz. I am his manager and continue to try and navigate on your website to no avail.

I have already entered all the biographical information I have on him but nothing continues to come up when I do a search of his name.

Please advise what I am doing wrong and how to fix it.

You may email me direct at: Texas Music Artists: <email redacted> Christa Simmons Texas Music Artists — Preceding unsigned comment added by Delzhaus (talk • contribs) 00:16, 18 January 2011 (UTC)

No one will email you, as described in the instructions at the top of this page. If you are Gary Delz manager, then you may not create or edit any article about him, because you have a conflict of interest. See Wikipedia:Conflict of Interest. If you wish, you can request that someone else create an article about him at Wikipedia:Requested articles. --Jayron32 00:51, 18 January 2011 (UTC)

You have already entered some information on User:Delzhaus/new article name here. However, as it stands at the moment the content there is unacceptable as an article in the encyclopedia. If you wish to proceed further, leave a note at Wikipedia:Requested articles, perhaps linking to what you have already done, and providing reliable evidence for this musician's notability. Astronaut (talk) 01:31, 18 January 2011 (UTC)

And here is some outside advice, by a marketing professional, on how to edit Wikipedia: [1]. BrainyBabe (talk) 12:58, 18 January 2011 (UTC)

See Wikipedia:Notability (people) and Wikipedia:Notability (music). Notability of an artist needs to be demonstrated by significant coverage in independant published sources in order to be cited in Wikipedia. I found only this page of CD reviews for Gary Delz but nothing about awards or newsworthy mentions. Cuddlyable3 (talk) 15:09, 18 January 2011 (UTC)

Also, as the artist's manager, you should probably refrain from editing the artist's Wikipedia article. See Wikipedia:Conflict of interest. Kingturtle = (talk) 16:01, 18 January 2011 (UTC)

wwp. what does it stand for?

The url of a website that gives times of the world starts with wwp rather than www. I mean this site. What does it stand for? --117.204.80.40 (talk) 00:40, 18 January 2011 (UTC)

This offsite discussion asks the same question. It seems to be some sort of branding initiative. WWP is a registered trademark of Greenwich 2000 Limited; it seems to stand for World Wide Portal. TenOfAllTrades(talk) 01:05, 18 January 2011 (UTC)

We answered a similar question on the computing desk last year: "www0.?" - the quick version is that "www" or "www0" or "wwp" are totally meaningless; these prefixes are up to the server administrator who operates the DNS server. Nimur (talk) 02:51, 18 January 2011 (UTC)

Be careful with words like 'meaningless'. From a technical standpoint, I fully agree with you that these prefixes have no special consequence — but that doesn't mean that the combination of letters and numbers isn't intended to have a human-readable interpretation. TenOfAllTrades(talk) 03:42, 18 January 2011 (UTC)

Pro sports and concussions (head injuries)

Whats up with pro sports and concussions (head injuries). Especially, this year then years past. At the same time NFL is cracking down on them and other injuries as well. At the same time MLB, NBA, NHL aren't cracking down on concussions like NFL is. Not really unsure how I feel on all of this still. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Mybodymyself (talk • contribs) 01:28, 18 January 2011 (UTC)

I'm not really sure how this is a question that can be answered. The New York Times has done a number of stories on the topic that might be of interest to you. The MLB is considering a special 7 day Disabled List for head injuries. If there's a more specific question you're looking to have answered, please let us know. Thanks. Zachlipton (talk) 01:51, 18 January 2011 (UTC)

Do you have any data to suggest that there are nearly as many concussions in the NBA as there are in the NFL? Dismas|^(talk) 02:07, 18 January 2011 (UTC)

Do you have any data to suggest that an identical head injuries suffered by NBA players and NFL players should be handled differently? To answer the OP's question, this Sports Illustrated issue from November 1, 2010--Jessica A Bruno 22:49, 18 January 2011 (UTC) was eye opening regarding concussions in sports, covering all types of concussions, from a variety of causes. It's an excellent read. --Jayron32 03:14, 18 January 2011 (UTC)

That's odd, I don't think November 1, 2011 has occurred yet. Albacore (talk) 15:33, 18 January 2011 (UTC)

If your question was directed at me, I don't see how the two share that much of a link. Yes, people in both sports get concussions but at the same time, attitudes and the general status quo in both organizations may be vastly different with respect to how they react to someone getting a concussion. Just because players of both sports can get the same injuries, it doesn't necessarily mean that each organization should (or does) have the same policies in place. Dismas|^(talk) 03:45, 18 January 2011 (UTC)

Given the nature of the sports, it seems likely that concussions are a lot more common in football than in basketball or baseball, but a concussion is a concussion. And it's certainly not a new phenomenon. Boxing is probably the worst case, since the object of the sport is to knock out your opponent. The term "punch drunk" has been around for generations, and Muhammad Ali is a living example of it. I also heard something about how Jim McMahon, the quarterback of the Bears last Super Bowl win in 1985, remembers almost nothing from his career now, thanks to the effects of concussions. ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 09:00, 18 January 2011 (UTC)

Famous basketball head injury: Rudy Tomjanovich. --Jayron32 13:02, 18 January 2011 (UTC)

Also, regarding Muhammad Ali, its a popular misconception that his condition is brought on by head trauma. He has Parkinson's disease and those that have examined him directly, like his actual doctors, have drawn no such connection. In other words, even if he had been, say, an English Professor instead of a boxer, he'd be in the same condition he is in today. The Wikipedia article notes that head trauma can bring on Parkinson's in some people, however every time it comes up in regards to Ali specifically, his doctors have unequivocally ruled it out as a cause for his particular variety of Parkinson's. --Jayron32 21:35, 18 January 2011 (UTC)

Not so fast, Jayron. "Dr. Stanley Fahn, the neurologist in charge, said there was a possibility that blows to the head during his career were the cause of the syndrome, he added that there was no way to tell." (from the references links in our article on Ali). Rmhermen (talk) 19:57, 19 January 2011 (UTC)

I stand corrected. Still, its a long way from "One of his doctors said it could have" to "It definately is" For all we know, the two facts are unrelated. --Jayron32 21:28, 19 January 2011 (UTC)

Thank you for all of your answers to my question here. All of them were interesting. Wheres the data about concussions in hockey?--Jessica A Bruno 22:52, 18 January 2011 (UTC) — Preceding unsigned comment added by Mybodymyself (talk • contribs)

There is a lot of info about concussions in the NHL; I don't know where exactly to look, but I will do some searching. It's certainly A Big Deal right now though. For example, 10-15 years ago, a big star like Eric Lindros was seen as kind of a wuss for suffering so many concussions. Now, a big star like Sidney Crosby sits out for a couple of weeks, and no one questions it. Adam Bishop (talk) 23:28, 18 January 2011 (UTC)

Thank you for your answer to my question here regarding concussions in hockey.--Jessica A Bruno 00:08, 19 January 2011 (UTC) — Preceding unsigned comment added by Mybodymyself (talk • contribs)

Here is some more info about concussions in the NHL:

25% of junior hockey players (levels below the NHL) play or have played with concussions

Some players eventually develop chronic traumatic encephalopathy, which has symptoms similar to Alzheimers

Blows to the head in hockey are often intentional (80% of the concussions in those 25% of players were from intentional hits to the head)

The NHL has an official rule ("Rule 48") against hits to the head

As of December 1, there were 33 concussions suffered in the NHL this season

In the 2009-2010 season there were 84 concussions (basically an average of 1 per game, as there are 82 games in the season)

From 1997-2008 there were 688 concussions

1997-98 62

1998-99 80

1999-00 75

2000-01 84

2001-02 67

2002-03 79

2003-04 70

2005-06 51

2006-07 58

2007-08 62

In 1997 a player missed on average 8.6 games after a concussion; in 2007 it was 12.6 games.

This is all according to a series of articles by the Sun Media newspaper chain in Canada in December. This wasn't in the articles, but from following the NHL, it seems like there are at least a couple of suspensions every month of players who elbowed someone in the head or face (per Rule 48, which you can read on the NHL website). In the IIHF junior tournament, one of the Canadian players was suspended for hitting a Czech player in the head. Also, the story I mentioned about Lindros is actually more famously told about Shaun Van Allen, who suffered a concussion in 1993. The trainer told the coach that Van Allen couldn't even remember who he was, so the coach said "tell him he's Wayne Gretzky". Now, a player getting hit like that would sit out for days or weeks to recover.

I hope that is a little more helpful. Adam Bishop (talk) 03:26, 19 January 2011 (UTC)

The OP may find the Second-impact syndrome article of interest. A second concussion suffered before the first has been fully recovered from can kill or cause severe brain damage. Exxolon (talk) 19:46, 19 January 2011 (UTC)

Thank you for your latest answers to my question here.--Jessica A Bruno 20:04, 19 January 2011 (UTC) — Preceding unsigned comment added by Mybodymyself (talk • contribs)

Why it take way so long for concussions to become one of the major issues in all levels of sports and they become front and center when the poster boy/s of the sport/s gets one their selves/them selves spl and grm(spelling and grammar). Then, everyone goes crazy about it as suppose to not going crazy when a another one/s gets one their selves/them selves, spl and grm. --Jessica A Bruno 02:23, 31 January 2011 (UTC)

Buying a damaged car and then finding out that it was prior salvage before the minimal damage you bought it with??

I just bought a car at auction for my self to drive. It has very slight damage to front end. But was salvage titled due to this damage. The auto auction didn't disclose on the web site or else where that the car was also Prior-Salvage before this new damage. If they had I wouldn't have bought it. My son is an auto body man and when we got it home he discovered that it had been cliped, basicly 2 different cars put togeather. The first accident the car was in must have been totally killed. I would like to know if there is a law that requires the auctions to disclose that a car was prior salvage and repaired before the new damage? Connie —Preceding unsigned comment added by 173.19.195.224 (talk) 05:43, 18 January 2011 (UTC)

It depends on your local jurisdiction as to what is required to be disclosed prior to sale. Many (but not all) states in the U.S. have some form of Lemon laws on the books which are based on both truth in advertising and on implied warranty for the sale of automobiles. Wikipedia cannot give legal advice on how you should proceed regarding remediation for your purchase; if you have any questions you should contact a local lawyer who has experience dealing with such things. --Jayron32 05:48, 18 January 2011 (UTC)

Thank you for the advise, I probably will have to get a lawyer. I have seen other vehicles advertised at this auction that have been listed they were prior salvage before they were put in the auction with new damage. But I have no way of knowing if they are required to do that or if it is just the honest thing to do? Connie — Preceding unsigned comment added by Cjdaggett (talk • contribs) 05:59, 18 January 2011 (UTC)

I consulted a lawyer about a similar problem and pass on what I learned. You have these potential remedies:

• Car auctioneers invariably publish disclaimers intended to distance them from seller/buyer disputes. Get this to a lawyer who may find a loophole to your advantage, and may know of other on-going claims and rulings. I was told my chances were slim to nothing this way.
• Implied warranty is a form of consumer protection whose effectiveness varies with location in the US, which is where you seem to be located. I was told that it is strong in Chicago and has been stated as guaranteeing "characteristics of a product that a buyer would reasonably assume when choosing to buy". This might have helped in my case where it could be argued that the Seller's declaration of a minor fault in the vehicle implied that it was free of serious fault.
• You don't say whether the car is registered. In some jurisdictions it is illegal to register two combined cars as one, or a car that has been an insurance write-off. Evidence of wrong-doing of this kind can be grounds for a civil suit against the Seller but you definitely need an experienced lawyer to contemplate that.
  

You must contact a lawyer anyway to proceed in this matter. FWIW I surveyed all the lawyers listed in Chicago who almost unanimously refused to take on a car sale dispute; only one offered to take the case based on him taking 50% of all monies recovered. This site helps you finds a lawyer and here is information on legal rights of automobile buyers. Cuddlyable3 (talk) 14:37, 18 January 2011 (UTC)

I think welding two cars together like that is illegal in the UK, but I could be wrong. 92.28.242.93 (talk) 14:35, 18 January 2011 (UTC)

Not necessarily, see Lemon (automobile)#Used_vehicles, if properly inspected as a new car they are permitted, after which it will have a "Q" plate like a kit car or one-off import. However it is illegal to present them as either of the two donor vehicles. The interesting thing is the linked article says: "In the USA the sale of cut and shut vehicles is illegal in some states". Does this apply here? -- Q Chris (talk) 14:59, 18 January 2011 (UTC)

You are correct however that illegal cases of it are particularly hunted by the police in the UK, and often highlighted as the worst of the dodgy car tricks around due to the huge danger that driving one brings as any collision will likely cause the two halves to break up again, with disastrous results. Prokhorovka (talk) 19:23, 18 January 2011 (UTC)

I bought a car from an auction a while ago and was advised by my friends to have the car checked thoroughly by professionals before buying it because car auctions, especially damaged car auctions mostly sell the cars "as is". But as the above says, anything you hear here is just people's opinions, check with a lawyer, if "cut and shutting" is illegal then probably even the "as is" disclaimer wouldn't count. Vespine (talk) 02:41, 21 January 2011 (UTC)

Identify the city

Can anyone identify the city in this photo (subject blurred to protect her privacy)? I think it's somewhere in central Asia. Many thanks. --Viennese Waltz 09:58, 18 January 2011 (UTC)

It's Astana. You can see the Bayterek and (barely) the Presidental Palace hiding behind it. ---Sluzzelin talk 10:41, 18 January 2011 (UTC)

Splendid, thanks Sluzzelin. --Viennese Waltz 10:49, 18 January 2011 (UTC)

mining the farmland

There is a problem in farming, termed "mining," which needs to be avoided.

E.g., see such a reference in http://agecon.uwyo.edu/riskmgt/LegalRisk/FixedAndFlexCashRentalArrang.pdf

"5. There may be an increased danger that the tenant will “mine” the land. However, competition for land and appropriate requirements in a written lease can minimize this problem."

I cannot find any description of the process of "mining" the farmland.... or what it really means.... —Preceding unsigned comment added by 24.225.106.55 (talk) 22:08, 18 January 2011 (UTC)

I googled "mining farmland" and found two possibilities immediately to hand. One is the concern of farmers that mining companies will be allowed to destroy good arable land. The second is a process new to me, but named in 1977 as phytomining, which Wiktionary defines as "the planting (and subsequent harvesting) of vegetation that will selectively concentrate specific metals from the soil into their tissues". The biomass is incinerated and the metals collected in the process. A third meaning might be -- and this is my guess, which stricly speaking we are not meant to do -- the use of land in a way that drains it of its fertility; taking all the good stuff and putting nothing back; treating the land as a non-renewable commodity, just as mines are. Not sure if these answer your needs. If a tenant is given a long lease, they may well plant trees; a short one, and they will cut down what previous generations have planted, unless the legal contract binds them to behave more responsibly. BrainyBabe (talk) 23:13, 18 January 2011 (UTC)

I've heard it used on the third sense BrainyBabe proposed, that is, farming in a way whohc uses up the goodness of the soil. Can't lay y hands on a citation at the moment, will let you know if anything turns up. DuncanHill (talk) 23:16, 18 January 2011 (UTC)

Might just refer to the tendency of short-lease tenant farmers to 'overlime' the fields. This increases crop yields still further over the short term but uses up essential minerals such as magnesium. When yields suddenly drop off and the land becomes infertile, it takes years for rain and weathering to return the soil to a more suitable pH and release minerals in a form that crops can take up once more. Of course, these days there are manganese fertilizers and the like to use instead of lime. --Aspro (talk) 09:55, 19 January 2011 (UTC)

I think BrainyBabe's third choice is probably on the money. I don't recall if he used the exact term, but Jared Diamond talked about the problem rather extensively in Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed. Our article on it should probably be at soil management, but that is barely even an article, let alone a stub. Matt Deres (talk) 14:46, 19 January 2011 (UTC)