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Forum: Questions and Answers

A place for factual questions and Ask the Expert threads.

  1. Any idea how Islamic fanatics are going to convert the Chinese?

    That is, after they have overcome the dreaded infidel. Do they really believe they can convince the world to worship Allah, by terrorising us all into submission?

    Started by ivan astikov‎, 18 Jun 2009 08:09 AM
    • Replies: 6
    • Views: 2,827
    18 Jun 2009 02:33 PM Go to last post
  2. Query about cable broadband connections.

    Should my broadband connection be fluctuating between on and off, just because it's raining outside, or a bit windy? Why would my signal be at all dependent on the state of the weather? I can almost accept it when I'm on my wireless connection, but...

    Started by ivan astikov‎, 17 Jun 2009 07:35 AM
    • Replies: 3
    • Views: 1,168
    18 Jun 2009 08:11 AM Go to last post
  3. World's first national grid

    Which country had the first national grid for electricity distribution? I was watching a bit of James May's 20th Century earlier today and he said that until the 1920's there were over 20 different types of electricity socket in widespread use in...

    Started by CRSP‎, 16 Jun 2009 05:30 PM
    • Replies: 7
    • Views: 2,103
    18 Jun 2009 12:02 AM Go to last post
  4. Questions for UK peeps

    Some good friends of ours just got back from London, and they had an absolutely fabulous time there (aside from the French - are they really that bad???). So, I'm thinking that it's about time for hubby and I to start planning our trip out there....

    Started by CherryBomb‎, 12 Jun 2009 11:20 AM
    • Replies: 8
    • Views: 2,200
    17 Jun 2009 03:26 PM Go to last post
  5. Anyone Know if GM Dealers Really Did This?

    The source is dubious, but it certainly sounds plausible:Halberstam noted that all GM dealers in Michigan were required to donate one dollar to the Republican Party for every car they sold. The guy who cooked up this scheme, Arthur Summerfeld, was...

    Started by Tuckerfan‎, 15 Jun 2009 12:08 AM
    • Replies: 2
    • Views: 1,246
    17 Jun 2009 08:20 AM Go to last post
  6. Question(s) For Englishpersons About Ha-Has.

    How the frak do you not kill yourselves with these things around? I just finished re-reading Hippopotamus, by Stephen Fry. One of the major plot points revolves around an ha-ha (which I had to google, 'cause I was all kinds of confused) and...I...

    Started by WhyNot‎, 16 Jun 2009 07:40 AM
    • Replies: 8
    • Views: 2,741
    16 Jun 2009 07:49 PM Go to last post
  7. How could someone be granted copyright to someone else's work?

    I am sollicitous about that pretty thing call'd copyright. I have a book The World's Great Letters, published in 1940 (in the US by Simon & Schuster) which includes the brief letter of Voltaire to Boswell in which he responds to a question on the...

    Started by parzival‎, 15 Jun 2009 03:20 PM
    • Replies: 3
    • Views: 2,320
    16 Jun 2009 04:16 AM Go to last post
  8. Shopping Cart Wheel Lock

    I was in Denver a few months ago; modern, American city. The sign on the shopping cart said that i took the shopping cart out of the parking lot, the wheels would lock up. Sure as shooting when I pushed the cart into the area in front of the...

    Started by Paul in Qatar‎, 11 Jun 2009 11:28 PM
    • Replies: 24
    • Views: 33,209
    16 Jun 2009 12:03 AM Go to last post
  9. So you see what you think is Bigfoot

    And you're out in the remote woods and you have a rifle with you. Before Biggie can get into the next copse of trees you take aim and fire, nailing it between the shoulder blades and it goes down. Upon approach you realize that it's not actually a...

    Started by Cluricaun‎, 12 Jun 2009 10:27 AM
    • Replies: 13
    • Views: 1,950
    15 Jun 2009 01:44 PM Go to last post
  10. Math: Need help with Lagrange's theorem

    For a background, Lagrange's theorem states that the cardinality of a subgroup of a finite group is a perfect divisor of the cardinality of the supergroup. In algebraic notation: if H = (M', *) < G = (M, *) where M' < M then #H | #G . Now the...

    Started by kk fusion‎, 13 Jun 2009 03:25 AM
    • Replies: 10
    • Views: 1,172
    15 Jun 2009 03:03 AM Go to last post
  11. Another "Wut is that?" thread

    Inspired by my last "Wut is that?" thread. (been back in that area somewhat recently, by the way, but forgot to swing over that way.. I promise you guys I'll do it sometime in the next month or two). I'm using the dark room this time due to its...

    Started by Clayton_e‎, 08 Jun 2009 01:08 AM
    • Replies: 2
    • Views: 2,057
    14 Jun 2009 05:06 PM Go to last post
  12. George Wallace standing in a doorway... with unarmed guards.

    I was looking at this picture on Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Walla ... _edit2.jpg Just kind of checking out the details and noticed a strange detail. Two of the three Alabama Highway Patrol officers surrounding Wallace have...

    Started by Dangerously Unqualified‎, 12 Jun 2009 11:20 AM
    • Replies: 3
    • Views: 1,590
    13 Jun 2009 12:07 PM Go to last post
  13. Need help finding a light (web shopping experts)

    I'm having trouble finding a particular kind of light, a fairly simple kind, to meet a certain home lighting need. 1) A nightlight that plugs directly into a standard US household outlet 2) Illuminated by a red LED bulb (or uses a replaceable...

    Started by Zaffri Pieleg‎, 04 Jun 2009 07:16 AM
    • Replies: 9
    • Views: 2,384
    13 Jun 2009 09:10 AM Go to last post
  14. Religion and vaccines?

    So artifex went this morning to get a MMR booster for nursing school, and on the questionnaire, they asked not only her ethnicity, but her religion. Ethnicity I can at least vaguely understand; certain groups are more prone to certain diseases than...

    Started by OneCentStamp‎, 10 Jun 2009 08:53 AM
    • Replies: 5
    • Views: 1,244
    12 Jun 2009 11:04 AM Go to last post
  15. Butter packaging color reversal

    Giant supermarket sells salted butter with an outer carton which is predominantly red, and their unsalted butter in an outer carton which is mostly blue. BUT, when you open the cartons and remove the individual sticks of butter, the wrapper colors...

    Started by danceswithcats‎, 17 May 2009 07:35 PM
    • Replies: 19
    • Views: 7,989
    11 Jun 2009 03:07 PM Go to last post
  16. How does the "random" selection work on CD and media players?

    This seems like a very mundane question, since I've always just assumed that random means the plyer will pick tracks/files at random. But how does it pick the next selection in a randomized fashion? Is there a simple process/program it has to get...

    Started by beebs‎, 09 Jun 2009 01:11 PM
    • Replies: 13
    • Views: 10,797
    11 Jun 2009 01:08 PM Go to last post
  17. Talk to me about ipods.

    I would like to get MrScotch an ipod for his birthday. Any recommendations? Anything to avoid? I know almost nothing about them, so please feel free to dumb it down...

    Started by Butterscotch‎, 04 Jun 2009 08:12 AM
    • Replies: 21
    • Views: 3,028
    11 Jun 2009 12:07 AM Go to last post
  18. Could some sort of pressurized air method be used so voice recorders float?

    The likelihood of finding a data/voice recorder under a mile or more of water seems implausible (though IANAE). Is there a way to have a hardened data container have another outside container filled with deflated bags of some sort that could...

    Started by Clayton_e‎, 04 Jun 2009 11:10 PM
    • Replies: 6
    • Views: 1,072
    10 Jun 2009 01:52 PM Go to last post
  19. Can I carry a bow and arrow in public?

    I saw something unusual this morning and it got me thinking... In the middle of the large square in front of Shibuya Station (packed with people on the weekends), there was a 30-ish woman wearing a kimono, with a bow (as in archery) wrapped up...

    Started by sublight‎, 07 Jun 2009 10:19 AM
    • Replies: 5
    • Views: 28,219
    09 Jun 2009 10:19 AM Go to last post
  20. what is desu?

    please

    Started by ‎, 26 May 2009 09:26 PM
    • Replies: 11
    • Views: 2,302
    08 Jun 2009 09:54 PM Go to last post
  21. How Much Energy Does the Cellphone Network and the Internet Use?

    I was thinking about the Kindle and how its touted as being environmentally friendly, since it eliminates the energy needed to print and ship books all over the planet (and having worked in a book distribution center, I can tell you that its a...

    Started by Tuckerfan‎, 08 Jun 2009 12:47 AM
    • Replies: 7
    • Views: 5,978
    08 Jun 2009 12:49 PM Go to last post
  22. Finding What Was at an Old Address in Chicago

    Specifically from 1980-1983, and ideally, pictures of the area at the time, is want I'm wanting. However, simply knowing what was in the area back then would be a big help. The part of Chicago I'm interested in is 6400 block of South Halsted on...

    Started by Tuckerfan‎, 04 Jun 2009 05:21 PM
    • Replies: 15
    • Views: 1,379
    07 Jun 2009 11:23 PM Go to last post
  23. Limited release films?

    Every so often you hear about a film that gets a very limited release. For example, the 2006 film Zyzzyx Road was shown on one screen in one theatre for one weekend, where it officially took in $30 at the box office. Jessica Simpson's Blonde...

    Started by tunaman‎, 22 May 2009 02:28 AM
    • Replies: 3
    • Views: 4,285
    07 Jun 2009 04:14 PM Go to last post
  24. Inexpensive guest bed options?

    Ok, after our last set of houseguests we've realized that the 30 year old twin ain't cutting it anymore as a guest bed. None of us are that small anymore and it's uncomfortable to the point of finding guests on the floor or the sofa in the morning....

    Started by Cluricaun‎, 04 Jun 2009 01:28 PM
    • Replies: 7
    • Views: 11,866
    07 Jun 2009 12:11 PM Go to last post
  25. How do they really know I don't have any metal in me when I go for an MRI?

    Tomorrow I'm getting an MRI on my ankle, and they called to ask a bunch of questions - have you had an MRI in the past year, how much do you weigh, how tall are you, are you pregnant or breastfeeding, do you have any implants, etc. So I got to...

    Started by Zsofia‎, 04 Jun 2009 07:24 PM
    • Replies: 24
    • Views: 4,875
    06 Jun 2009 11:35 PM Go to last post
  26. Does running an appliance significantly increase the temperature of a room?

    It's really hot today and Mr SugarPlum (aka McNutty) and I disagree about the following: Party A thinks that running the dishwasher increases the temperature of the kitchen. Party A also thinks that running an extra tower-type computer in the...

    Started by SugarPlum‎, 04 Jun 2009 09:06 PM
    • Replies: 17
    • Views: 2,553
    06 Jun 2009 11:46 AM Go to last post
  27. Museum jobs that do not necessarily require a degree?

    I am curious about the diversity of employment in a typical natural history museum. I presume that most such jobs require some sort of specialized educational requirements; but are there any interesting positions that tend to hire on the basis of...

    Started by terrifel‎, 13 May 2009 09:24 PM
    • Replies: 2
    • Views: 2,129
    05 Jun 2009 09:54 PM Go to last post
  28. Anyone heard of "Tagged"?

    I got an e-mail last night from a woman I knew thirty years ago, or more precisely it was from her via "tagged@taggedmail.com" and it said that she had sent me some pictures. Figuring she quirkily decided to send me some photos from our childhood, I...

    Started by prr‎, 05 Jun 2009 06:44 AM
    • Replies: 13
    • Views: 2,647
    05 Jun 2009 08:58 PM Go to last post
  29. When did 'x' start to represent a kiss?

    As on greetings cards and in text messages, etc. Presumably it's mean to represent the shape of a mouth when kissing, but for how long has this been used?

    Started by CRSP‎, 28 May 2009 11:24 AM
    • Replies: 10
    • Views: 4,489
    04 Jun 2009 10:53 AM Go to last post
  30. What's the best way to set up an external hard-drive for back-up purposes?

    I'm planning on getting an external terabyte drive and was wondering if there is any free software, or anything worth purchasing, that will make the procedure more reliable?

    Started by ivan astikov‎, 02 Jun 2009 02:30 PM
    • Replies: 9
    • Views: 1,447
    04 Jun 2009 09:00 AM Go to last post
  31. Removing a SCOTUS judge

    Suppose the judges of SCOTUS went nuts one day and started making bizarre rulings. Is there any way to remove them?

    Started by CRSP‎, 03 Jun 2009 08:55 AM
    • Replies: 3
    • Views: 1,278
    03 Jun 2009 09:37 PM Go to last post
  32. I get the hand in Photoshop--help!!

    I use Photoshop a lot, mainly to scrutinize very closely photos, for detail-work in my paintings. I've been very successfully using the magnifying glass icon to blow up the photos, often to unrecognizable size, but today my copy of Photoshop...

    Started by prr‎, 26 May 2009 09:25 AM
    • Replies: 5
    • Views: 1,116
    03 Jun 2009 06:46 PM Go to last post
  33. Name the mystery musical instrument!

    It's played by holding it up to the mouth and blowing into a mouthpiece, and it features what looked like about an octave's worth of piano-style black and white keys. What was this thing?

    Started by OneCentStamp‎, 01 Jun 2009 04:31 PM
    • Replies: 11
    • Views: 1,753
    03 Jun 2009 03:06 AM Go to last post
  34. Why Does Walgreens' Website Still List Plan B As "Prescription Only"?

    Did I miss something? I thought it went over (well, behind) the counter in 2006. http://www.walgreens.com/library/finddr ... B&id=17824

    Started by WhyNot‎, 02 Jun 2009 08:13 PM
    • Replies: 3
    • Views: 1,777
    02 Jun 2009 09:27 PM Go to last post
  35. Why are cat's pupils elongated?

    Or ovoid, or whatever the shape is. They are definitely not round. How would this be likely to affect their view of the world?

    Started by ivan astikov‎, 30 May 2009 03:48 PM
    • Replies: 5
    • Views: 1,409
    02 Jun 2009 02:19 PM Go to last post
  36. How did you get your baby to drink formula milk?

    So, BabyScotch is now 5 months old and needs a little extra help in the milk department. Up until now she has been breastfed, and I will continue to do so as well as giving formula. She is used to a bottle as I occasionally express milk so her Dad...

    Started by Butterscotch‎, 15 May 2009 01:24 AM
    • Replies: 34
    • Views: 4,731
    02 Jun 2009 10:32 AM Go to last post
  37. I get that drugs affect different people differently, but...

    Why? My doctor gave me a prescription for Ativan, a tranquilizer. It had no effect on me. I can also take Benadryl with no drowsiness. Okay, so I'm a freak. But why? What's the actual mechanism by which you and I are affected differently...

    Started by Julie‎, 01 Jun 2009 07:29 PM
    • Replies: 5
    • Views: 1,161
    02 Jun 2009 12:39 AM Go to last post
  38. Gimme some medical advice - my ankle hurts!

    Because I think we can all assume I'm not going to sue anybody because I got a boo boo on my ankle. I ran three miles yesterday and it was fine (although I might have had one of those moments where you put your foot down and you get a twinge for...

    Started by Zsofia‎, 23 May 2009 08:13 AM
    • Replies: 9
    • Views: 3,520
    01 Jun 2009 10:07 PM Go to last post
  39. Why so many poisonous Australian animals?

    Why are there so many poison or venomous Australian animals? So, perhaps the harsh conditions in some parts of the country may explain the presence of animals with powerful venoms there, but why are there so many poisonous Australian sea creatures,...

    Started by CRSP‎, 31 May 2009 07:41 AM
    • Replies: 2
    • Views: 2,165
    01 Jun 2009 12:50 PM Go to last post
  40. Anyone familiar with this virus?

    My system has recently scanned itself and given me this report - PCguard Anti-Virus Scanning Report (30/05/2009 17:02:45) Master Boot Records and Fixed Disk Boot Sectors Scanned 1 Master Boot Record(s) for viruses. Scanned 2 Boot Sector(s)...

    Started by ivan astikov‎, 30 May 2009 11:21 AM
    • Replies: 10
    • Views: 1,950
    01 Jun 2009 12:07 PM Go to last post
  41. Black Holes - What's going on there then?

    I don't think there is any doubt that these things exist, but their very nature seems to suggest that we can't learn much about them, other than they are there. The matter that falls into these 'whirlpools in space' would seem to have to reappear...

    Started by ivan astikov‎, 20 May 2009 07:41 PM
    • Replies: 30
    • Views: 3,873
    31 May 2009 02:53 PM Go to last post
  42. Do icebergs still sink ships?

    What is the last reported case of a ship being damaged by rogue ice to the point it had to be abandoned?

    Started by kk fusion‎, 31 May 2009 04:08 AM
    • Replies: 4
    • Views: 8,712
    31 May 2009 10:54 AM Go to last post
  43. This is seriously considered "fit"?

    A recent CNN article says that you are less likely to die soon, compared to your peers, if you have a MET score of 7.9 or higher: That number, in metabolic equivalent units (METs)-- which basically measure how much work your body can do -- is...

    Started by Hatshepsut‎, 29 May 2009 09:13 PM
    • Replies: 5
    • Views: 1,224
    30 May 2009 07:50 PM Go to last post
  44. Copyright Law Question

    Can someone point me to a good link on the section of US copyright law which deals with commentary/criticism? Specifically the parts of it that say if you use a work for such purposes, there's a whole lot of nothing that the copyright holder can do...

    Started by Tuckerfan‎, 29 May 2009 01:21 PM
    • Replies: 5
    • Views: 1,378
    29 May 2009 06:28 PM Go to last post
  45. WTF Kind of Animal is This?

    It looks like an alien baby or something.

    Started by Tuckerfan‎, 27 May 2009 12:14 AM
    • Replies: 11
    • Views: 1,530
    29 May 2009 05:48 PM Go to last post
  46. How do scientists determine a natural virus from a man-made one?

    That's it really. I don't want a full dissertation, just a brief rundown of the basic differences in characteristics.

    Started by ivan astikov‎, 27 May 2009 06:39 AM
    • Replies: 12
    • Views: 2,617
    28 May 2009 03:50 PM Go to last post
  47. Patterns of flashing lights on commercial airliners—what do they represent?

    A friend lives in the corridor where planes come into LAX, and we sat on the deck one night (in food comas after a huge meal) watching them fly over. I found this cool page that describes what each of the flashing (or steady) lights on the plane...

    Started by annehere‎, 12 May 2009 06:19 PM
    • Replies: 4
    • Views: 3,854
    28 May 2009 02:36 PM Go to last post
  48. How can we determine the population sustainability of a country?

    With all the unrest in the world and people's tendency to worry about the effects of immigration, is it possible to come up with a figure for how many people a country can handle before it is deemed overpopulated?

    Started by ivan astikov‎, 21 May 2009 08:15 AM
    • Replies: 7
    • Views: 2,041
    28 May 2009 10:28 AM Go to last post
  49. Flint and steel - describe in detail the mechanism of spark generation

    Flint on steel (or flint on flint) creates sparks, but what is actually happening at a microscopic level? Is it the same as the way sparks are generated on a grinding wheel? - i.e. (I assume) little bits of material are torn off and the friction...

    Started by Mangetout‎, 22 May 2009 03:23 PM
    • Replies: 8
    • Views: 9,405
    26 May 2009 09:04 AM Go to last post
  50. What's a ballerina?

    Obviously, a woman who dances ballet. But I've encountered another usage of the word that has me stumped. My wife is taking a translation class, and the continuing class project is to translate J.D. Salinger's short story "A Perfect Day for...

    Started by sublight‎, 26 May 2009 12:14 AM
    • Replies: 2
    • Views: 5,065
    26 May 2009 03:32 AM Go to last post

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