Miscellaneous desk
< April 14	<< Mar \| April \| May >>	April 16 >

Welcome to the Wikipedia Miscellaneous Reference Desk Archives
The page you are currently viewing is an archive page. While you can leave answers for any questions shown below, please ask new questions on one of the current reference desk pages.

April 15

Where is his father?

Which websites can I use to find a French citizen who is the father (50+yrs old) of the young man I am mentor to? Is there a French telephone "white pages" or another method? The only information that I have is his name and the birthdate of the child (now 26)71.139.16.254 02:18, 15 April 2007 (UTC)[reply]

If you know where he lives, and if this is an emergency or a very serious matter (they've gone missing, for instance), you can get an international telephone operator to call the police in his hometown or city and ask them to contact the parent. All major phone companies have French-speakers to communicate with operators in France, Quebec, and other Francophone countries. --Charlene 03:36, 15 April 2007 (UTC)[reply]

I would call the French Embassy if it's any kind of moderately serious matter - they are very supportive of French citizens living outside of France. My wife is French and has use them to help out in all manner of messy situations. You can also phone the operator and ask for international directory enquiries - if you know the name, initials and city you should be able to get a phone number at least. SteveBaker 06:29, 15 April 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Mr Clean Magic Eraser

How does a Mr Clean Magic Eraser work? It just looks like a sponge...

Have you ever used one? From what I know, it is a sponge, but it has a cleaning agent inside so when you put water on it, the water mixed with the cleaner comes out when squeezed, cleaning up whatever it was on the surface. --JDitto 04:31, 15 April 2007 (UTC)[reply]

And does it very well too, but too much use on emulsion paint takes it right off the wall! —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 88.110.118.46 (talk) 05:39, 15 April 2007 (UTC).[reply]

It's actually a rather abrasive micro foam. See melamine foam. -- mattb @ 2007-04-15T06:28Z

Hyperreal Religion

What is a "hyperreal religion"? 206.124.144.3 04:27, 15 April 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Music composition competitions

Hi, I’m looking for a number of national or international classical music composition competitions geared towards young composers (30 and under is fine.) It would be good if these were well regarded competitions, but anything with a monetary and/or performance prize is good. Can anyone suggest anything? The only ones I can find are the BMI prize and the ASCAP prize. Thanks for your help. S.dedalus 05:14, 15 April 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Check out the Gaudeamus website. Competitions in April 2007, Competitions in May 2007, etc. 213.201.189.242 14:35, 15 April 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Vegetarians in prison

What happens to vegetarians in the slammer? Not that I would expect many to be there in the first place, but if they were, are there any countries in the world that would cater to their diet? Vranak

From what I can find, in the US, policies on vegetarian, kosher or halal meals vary state-by-state and even prison-by-prison. I imagine that generally speaking, the smaller the facility the more flexible they are likely to be. Federal prisons offer vegetarian, halal and kosher options. [1]

I would expect just the reverse, that only large facilities would have the budget to hire a vegetarian cook and/or buy vegetarian ingredients. I would expect, however, that some inmates at some large and small facilities are still likely forced to eat meat. StuRat 15:16, 15 April 2007 (UTC)[reply]

In some countries (eg, India) a considerable percentage of the population is vegetarian, and I'd be surprised if their prison systems didn't take this into account FiggyBee 06:16, 15 April 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Google yields many results, including a blog by a vegetarian inmate. --Mathew5000 06:42, 15 April 2007 (UTC)[reply]

wouldn't it be much easier to give everyone vegetarien food?

In some areas cheap meat is much cheaper to buy and (especially) prepare than alternatives. There are also people who simply can't eat soy (the main component in all vegetarian cooking, or at least cheap veg cooking) for one reason or the other, and while the state may not have the duty to follow preferences, it does have to provide a certain standard of care. Killing someone or making their cancer grow faster doesn't quite fall under the definition of an appropriate standard of care. --Charlene 00:41, 17 April 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Why would you not "expect many to be there in the first place"? I'm not aware that becoming a vegetarian makes one inherently more law abiding. Pretty much every jailed animal rights activist / "eco-terrorist" is vegetarian or vegan. One of their major complaints is that they suffer because they do not have access to appropriate vegetarian or vegan food and clothing. Groups like the Animal Liberation Front Supporters Group campaign to ensure their beliefs are respected. For example, Jacob Kenison who was jailed for causing $300,000 arson damage to a leather store, was apparently "being forced to wear leather work boots because he could not afford canvas shoes." Supporters are encouraged to send him money to end this cruel and unusual punishment. [2] Rockpocket 22:32, 15 April 2007 (UTC)[reply]

That's for me to know. Vranak

Use of the word"Fellow"'

I want to ask a basic query on the usage of the word "Fellow", is it offensive to use this word in context with a person who is senior to you or is your boss. Can I speak about my boss as a good fellow?Is it correct to use the word? sumal 06:13, 15 April 2007 (UTC)[reply]

No - It's a bit archaic - but I don't think I'd consider it offensive in any way. Perhaps a bit over-familiar with someone who is much more senior than you. SteveBaker 06:25, 15 April 2007 (UTC)[reply]

As Steve says, "Fellow" literally means "an equal", therefore using it to refer to someone senior in the company - particularly to their face - may be seen as presumptuous or over-familiar. It is rather archaic, and used in a serious manner may strike native English speakers (especially, I'm afraid to say, if it's pronounced with an Indian accent) as amusing. FiggyBee 06:30, 15 April 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Except in certain academic circumstances the word fellow (see wiktionary:fellow and fellow) is rarely used in modern American English. So by calling anyone a fellow, you may be seen as trying to be whimsical or theatrical. If you're in a relaxed atmosphere or toasting someone, fellow would probably be accepted. If you're writing a formal letter or in a boardroom giving a formal presentation, it might be better to go with another word. As for British English, I couldn't say if it has the same meaning. Dismas|^(talk) 06:32, 15 April 2007 (UTC)[reply]

It would certainly sound "whimsical or theatrical" in British or Australian English too. Unless you pronounce it "fella", but that's much too casual for the workplace and definitely not something you want to call your boss. FiggyBee 06:53, 15 April 2007 (UTC)[reply]

It’s not always archaic. Especially in academic literature where referring to ones “fellow scientists” (or whatever) is perfectly acceptable. S.dedalus 07:05, 15 April 2007 (UTC)[reply]

My university is full of fellows, both good and bad, and they are not all, well, 'fellows', if you take my meaning. Clio the Muse 07:11, 15 April 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Thanks, It has been most illuminating and prompt too!sumal 07:16, 15 April 2007 (UTC)[reply]

In S.dedalus's case fellow is an adjective rather than a noun, which is a different use, and Clio's is the aforementioned "certain academic circumstances". :) FiggyBee 07:26, 15 April 2007 (UTC)[reply]

"Fellow" is also a title used by those who have been awarded a Fellowship by a British Body such as the Chartered Institute of Marketing. It confers a significant status upon the Fellow. (i.e. MInstM, FInstM.)90.9.213.232 13:45, 15 April 2007 (UTC)petitmichel[reply]

Also be aware that, due to the movie Goodfellas, that term may now be used to refer to members of the Mafia. So, a wise guy would avoid using that term to describe Italians. StuRat 15:09, 15 April 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Problems with signing in

Good Morning:

I just created an account with no problem. I received the e-mail address confirmation. I tried to sign on but I was told the password is wrong. I tried several times. Do I have to wait a few hours?

Rob —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 66.46.77.3 (talk) 13:07, 15 April 2007 (UTC).[reply]

Please ask at the Help desk. See also Help:Logging in for common issues. Adrian M. H. 17:57, 15 April 2007 (UTC)[reply]

US currency

I was wondering in response to the new currency being administrated by the US treasury ie. the orange 10$ bills and blue tinted 50$ bills, how much does it actually cost to design/manufacture any given dollar bill?

(http://www.usmint.gov/faqs/circulating_coins/index.cfm?action=faq_circulating_coin#cost) for coin production costs...http://www.ustreas.gov/education/faq/currency/production.shtml is the site for currency production. I cannot find a cost per bill unfortunately. I understand the new bills should help those with poor-sight/who are illiterate to distinguish different cost bills. ny156uk 17:00, 15 April 2007 (UTC)[reply]

A little deaper digging into the 2004 US Mint annual report notes that it costs .93¢ ro produce a penny, 4.56¢ for nickle, 3.14¢ for a dime, 7.33¢ for a quarter, 16.97¢ for a half dollar (I didn't know they still make those), and 21.14¢ for a dollar coin.

Business week gives different numbers (probably because it uses 2006, not 2004. Costs of metals are rising): 1.23¢ for a penny [3], 5.73¢ for a nickle [4], 2.99¢ for a dime[5], 7.03¢ for a quarter[6], 15.11¢ for a half-dollar [7], and 15.89¢ for a Sackagawea [8].

Business week notes that it costs 4¢ to produce a dollar bill, and 5.3¢ for a $5, 7.6¢ for a $10 [9], the same for a $20 [10], and $50 [11], and 6.5 for $100 [12] —The preceding unsigned comment was added by Ybbor (talk • contribs) 19:03, 15 April 2007 (UTC).[reply]

1.23¢ to make a penny? Does that mean that a penny has more value as scrap metal than as currency? --88.111.113.136 12:29, 16 April 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Yes, which is why it recently became illegal to melt down pennies and nickels for scrap metal.[13] — Lomn 14:03, 16 April 2007 (UTC)[reply]

The background tint will also (supposedly) be bleach-proof, which (if each bill has a different background colour) will prevent counterfeiters from using bleached $1 bills to make fake $100 bills. Apparently that's a pretty common form of counterfeiting. --Charlene 19:03, 15 April 2007 (UTC)[reply]

In england we have different sized notes for each value, which seems much easier to me.

The US has never been very sensible about its paper currency. Varying the size with the denomination also has some very definite advantages for the vision-impaired/blind.

Atlant 13:09, 17 April 2007 (UTC)[reply]

English bank holiday

What year did the English August bank holiday change from the beginning of the month to the end ofthe month

Bank Holiday says that the Banking and Financial Dealings Act 1971 specified the August bank holiday to be the last Monday rather than the first. It does not explicitly say that this was when the date was changed; but since the Bank Holidays Act 1871 was still in force until that year, one presumes it must have been. --ColinFine 15:24, 15 April 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Order of New Jersey Governor

With the car crash and subsequent incapacitation of Jon Corzine, Richard Codey has become Acting Governor of New Jersey, as per the New Jersey State Constitution. Jon Corzine was elected as the 54th Governor of New Jersey. Therefore, when Corzine reassumes the governorship, will he be the 56th Governor? American Patriot 1776 17:44, 15 April 2007 (UTC)[reply]

No, because Cody is only *acting* Governor, not actual governor. Acting governors aren't counted. In the same way, when George Bush Sr. took over as acting President when Reagan was operated on, they didn't bump the numbers up. --Charlene 17:50, 15 April 2007 (UTC)[reply]

In some states this happens much more frequently. For example, in California, whenever the governor is out of the state, the lieutenant governor becomes governor. That would lead to some wacky numbers. --Ybbor ^Talk Survey! 18:39, 15 April 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Silicone lubricant stain

Is there any way you can remove a silicone lubricant stain from a comforter? —The preceding unsigned comment was added by Rc251dc (talk • contribs) 17:58, 15 April 2007 (UTC).[reply]

I'm assuming that the comforter cover is made of polycotton or cotton and is machine-washable? Silicone lube stains are difficult to remove (although silicone is not an oil, it tends to act like one in this circumstance), but some of these steps may work:

First of all, try sprinkling baby powder or cornstarch on the stain (on both sides, if it bled through), letting it sit for at least 24 hours (in the sun, preferably) before rinsing it out in cool water.
If that doesn't work, try spraying Dawn dishwashing liquid on the stain. Work the liquid into the stain with your fingers, then let that sit for an hour before washing with warm water and your regular detergent. Check the stain once it comes out of the washing machine. (Don't ever tumble-dry an item with a stain - the dry heat will set it.)
If the stain is still there, try shampoo. Avoid two-in-one shampoos or dandruff shampoos for this - something like Pantene is just fine. Rub in, soak, then wash. If you have any Dawn Power Dissolver, add it to the wash cycle along with your detergent. Rinse twice in clear water if you use the Power Dissolver in the wash cycle.
If that doesn't work, try household ammonia. Test a little on a seam to make sure the ammonia won't make the colours run. If it doesn't, then wash again with about half a cup of ammonia in the wash.

Now if that doesn't work, your next step is to put the entire comforter through a rinse cycle with nothing but water to remove any excess ammonia. Do that before trying anything else.

Next attempt: WD-40. Again, test it in an inconspicuous area; if it doesn't damage the fabric, apply it only to the stained area, rub it in, spray or rub in some dishwashing liquid, let it sit for half an hour, then wash.

You can now see why I always use water-based lube despite the drawbacks: it generally doesn't stain. --Charlene 18:45, 15 April 2007 (UTC)[reply]

I should add: if none of this works, take the comforter to your local cleaner, if it's worth it. Dry cleaning might help. Let the comforter air dry before taking it in - as I said, machine-drying a stain is the best way to make it permanent. --Charlene 18:46, 15 April 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Thanks for all that advice! Yeah, I already threw the bottle away, I thought it would be worth trying a silicone-based lubricant for once but it's just hard not to get the stuff in your sheets. I'll try these tips out --Rc251dc 19:06, 15 April 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Wikipedians have sex? <confused/> --TotoBaggins 21:09, 15 April 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Yes but without any other people present. See masturbation Nil Einne 22:10, 15 April 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Longest Article on Wikipedia

Is there any page which lists the longest article on Wikipedia? Just curious. If there's no statistic page for it, can someone hazard a guess? --Ybbor ^Talk Survey! 20:37, 15 April 2007 (UTC)[reply]

See Special:Longpages. --Mathew5000 21:02, 15 April 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Although, if you count project pages, then the reference desk probably holds the record. In February, when RefDeskBot was down, the science desk topped 1.6 MB--VectorPotential^Talk 21:11, 15 April 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Wow Talk:Scientists opposing the mainstream scientific assessment of global warming seems puny in comparison (was 694k but I just set it up for automatic archiving) Nil Einne 21:51, 15 April 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Why Homosexuality and not Polygamy?

In as plain and non-POV terms as I can put it: Why do issues supporting homosexuality have much more backing than those supporting polygamy even though homosexuality is condemned by the majority of the world due to the position of major religions and it therefore seems counterintuitive. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 71.185.131.11 (talk) 19:17, 15 April 2007 (UTC). [reply]

Probably because homosexuality is quite widespread whilst polygamy is not. --Tagishsimon (talk)

One possible reason is that polygamy more often takes the form of polygyny than polyandry, leading to a lack of available women, which in turn causes social instability. Homosexuality, on the other hand, has no such effect, as long as there are equal numbers of male and female homosexuals. Another reason is that children more often result from polygamy, and some people don't like seeing children exposed to "deviant lifestyles". StuRat 22:27, 15 April 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Polygyny also remains strongly associated with more traditional 'ideals' of the place of men and women in society (it doesn't have to be, but it is). Such 'ideals' are controversial nowadays as they are regarded as unfair and discriminatory. Nil Einne 22:47, 15 April 2007 (UTC)[reply]

(N.B. I actually wrote this earlier before the question was removed. However I decided not to post it after it began to appear 71. was soapboxing. I'm posting now but don't care if this is removed). Christian and Jewish religious leaders nowadays on the whole condemn polygamy. Many Muslim religious leaders in predominantly Muslim countries don't but polygamy is legal to some degree in many such countries while homosexuality is not. (There is opposition to polygamy in many Muslim countries however). Also, there are almost definitely many more homosexual people then polygamists in most Western countries were advocacy is most advanced. So it doesn't seem counterintuative to me... Nil Einne 22:42, 15 April 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Another reason is that homosexuality is a sexual orientation, while polygamy is not. Crypticfirefly 22:51, 15 April 2007 (UTC)[reply]

This reminds me of the time someone tried to argue bisexuals should be allowed to marry two people (a male and a female). Some people just don't understand sexual orientation sadly... Nil Einne 22:53, 15 April 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Indeed. Polygamy is not the same thing as polyamory. (Even though some polyamorists might be interested in engaging in polygamy.) Crypticfirefly 02:51, 17 April 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Maybe because homosexuals and their friends and families have been more successful in contemporary Western cultures in making a persuasive argument for marriage rights. This has not always been the case; there have been cultures where polygyny was legal but homosexual acts were not. If you think there should be a stronger pro-polygamy lobby in your country, you are free to contribute to one. -FisherQueen (Talk) 23:03, 15 April 2007 (UTC)[reply]

The difference between homosexuality and polygamy is that homosexuality doesn't hurt anyone, but polygamy -- that is, the kind of polygamy that would get someone arrested -- usually does. In the polygamous sects of the North American West, there is such a premium on women that girls are often forced into marriage in adolescence, and men who get on the bad side of the community leader get banished. There's a big difference between the crime of bigamy and the social phenomenon of "swinging." While you can't have a three-way marriage, consentual adult relationships of more than two partners are not illegal. What is illegal is forcing girls into polygamous marriages or marrying someone else behind your first spouse's back. That's the only kind of polygamy that might get prosecuted in the U.S. -- Mwalcoff 23:33, 15 April 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Polygamy is an activity — you choose to marry more than one person. Homosexuality is a state — you are or are not homosexual. They are not equatable. --24.147.86.187 04:13, 17 April 2007 (UTC)[reply]

There is only evidence to the contrary of what you just said. Both polygamy and homosexuality are widely known to be sexual practices, not "states". They are both equatable in the sense that they are illegal sexual practices (as far as state recognition) that some people would prefer.

You suggest that homosexuality is not a choice, but it clearly is, unless you believe that there is some unstoppable addiction that men can have to buttsex (or that women can have for whatever lesbians do).—The preceding unsigned comment was added by 71.175.123.139 (talk) 00:56, 18 April 2007 (UTC).[reply]

Oh, what a wrong-headed and trollish comment that was. Polygamy is being married to more than one person simultaneously. What happens in the bedroom is not a manifestation of marriage. Believe it or not, sex happens outside of marriage too (shock, horror!). One can be a homosexual all their lives (or a heterosexual) without ever having sex with anyone. It's a state, not an activity. And many homosexuals rarely, or never, engage in "buttsex", but still have sex with each other. JackofOz 05:30, 18 April 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Please do not make personal attacks.--71.185.138.46 15:55, 18 April 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Who exactly are you addressing, 71.185.138.46? Are you talking to 71.175.123.139? ---Sluzzelin talk 17:11, 18 April 2007 (UTC)[reply]

I was addressing JackofOz.--71.185.138.46 17:20, 18 April 2007 (UTC)[reply]

So I want to travel to Somaliland

Can you help me find a cheap route? Assume I will be flying out of Los Angeles or San Francisco. What would be the cheapest combination of flights? I'm willing to travel overland from another country, or even preferably take a boat ride from Yemen. Thanks. 128.54.76.78 23:31, 15 April 2007 (UTC)[reply]

I can't guarantee it's the cheapest, but here's a round-trip flight from LAX to Djibouti, Djibouti (JIB) for US$1599: [14]. You would need to arrange ground transportation from there. I didn't find any flights directly to Hargeisa, Somaliland (HGA). StuRat 00:41, 16 April 2007 (UTC)[reply]

A round-trip flight from LAX to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (ADD) costs a bit more, at US$1943: [15]. You would need to arrange ground transportation from there. StuRat 01:08, 16 April 2007 (UTC)[reply]

A round-trip flight from LAX to Aden, Yemen (ADE) costs a bit more, at US$2108: [16]. You would need to arrange a ferry to Somaliland. StuRat 00:58, 16 April 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Unfortunately, the links I provided appear to have pointed to temporary pages which have now expired. Try going to www.orbitz.com, select "flexible dates" and go from there to get my results (or something close) again. StuRat 01:16, 16 April 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Daallo Airlines links Hargeisa with both Djibouti and Addis Ababa, but their flight booking page did run properly on my rather antiquated home browser. Marco polo 01:39, 16 April 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Daallo also flies from Djibouti to Dubai, and Orbitz can get you from LAX to Dubai (DXB) for around $1000 round-trip, depending on your dates of travel. You could then use Daallo to fly from Dubai to Djibouti to Hargeisa. Orbitz does not seem to offer flights with Daallo. I have found that Orbitz and the like work okay for getting from the US to a major hub overseas. However, I have also found much better prices dealing directly with regional airlines that do not fly to the US for flights within a given region, as those airlines tend not to be offered by Orbitz, who will instead steer you to more expensive American or European carriers. Marco polo 01:51, 16 April 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Thanks guys. I've found www.airarabia.com The discount airline of the Middle East. They fly from Sharjah which is I suppose a bus ride from Dubai? Anyways, they offer round trip from UAE to Yemen for $60!!! So a new question. How do I find the cheapest deal to Dubai? 66.91.225.188 11:30, 16 April 2007 (UTC)[reply]

If you do go to Somalia (I don't know why anyone would), check [17], the state department website, beforehand to see travel warnings and other info. It's a very violent, unstable country. Good luck. -- Sturgeonman 17:35, 17 April 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Thanks for the concern Sturgeon but Somaliland is actually another country even though other countries don't recognize its independence. lots of issues | leave me a message 22:07, 18 April 2007 (UTC)[reply]