Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Miscellaneous/2007 May 17

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May 17

Career opportunities etc

I am currently finishing my first year in an honours degree in a Biology degree, though I feel.. disatisfied. I am considering changing to a Joint Degree (not honours, a 3 year one at Glasgow university) in Mathematics and a language (such as Russian or Classical Greek etc.) I am unsure of the career options in a non-honours degree in such a subject. I have also looked at the potential of Postgrad degrees and most of these have a requirement of an honours degree so.. aye. Thanks

So, you're considering certain things, and you have looked at certain things. Great. Now, how can we help you? --Tugbug 01:01, 17 May 2007 (UTC)

I found the question. She's wondering what her career options are, if she takes a non-honors joint degree in mathematics and a language. I don't know the answer, but that's definitely the question. And she mentions Glasgow, so I'm assuming we're dealing with a Scottish education system. -FisherQueen (Talk) 01:56, 17 May 2007 (UTC)

Have you tried contacting the Glasgow University Careers Service? Their website is here --Dweller 09:06, 17 May 2007 (UTC)

Model T VIN

I have recently acquired a 1923 Model T Ford Touring Car. I need to find the VIN number on the car so it can be titled correctly.

I have looked through all the manuals I have at hand and attempted to search through Google...no luck.

Can you tell me where this number is located on the car?

Thank you so much for your help.

24.20.150.233 02:25, 17 May 2007 (UTC)

It's reasonable to believe that a car made in 1923 does not have a VIN (since they were only standardised in the 1980s). I would suggest contacting your local Department of Transportation and asking them for advice, as the rules regarding vehicles with no existing VIN (vintage, home-built, etc) vary from place to place; they may issue you with a VIN, or give you a generic number to use. FiggyBee 02:45, 17 May 2007 (UTC)

Check with Model T Ford Club International and the Model T Ford Club of America those guys will tell you what works. If you plan on running the thing - you're going to need the kind of expert advice (and parts!) they have sooner or later! SteveBaker 21:24, 17 May 2007 (UTC)

WORLD COMMUNICATIONS DAY

Which day of the year is celebrated as WORLD COMMUNICATIONS DAY?

I don't know, apparently nobody bothered to tell me there even was a world communications day. :-) StuRat 02:18, 18 May 2007 (UTC)

Please do not write in uppercase text; it is considered to be shouting & hence rude. This year it appears (by inference) to be 20 May, according to [1]. For those like me who were hitherto unaware of it, it seems to be some sort of Roman Catholic initiative. Inter Mirifica may relate, though that seems to deal with World Social Communication Day, which may or may not be the same thing. This sermon gives some more background. --Tagishsimon (talk)

Be fair, maybe World Communications Day and WORLD COMMUNICATIONS DAY are two different things. (I recently transcribed an interview with an African-American-African woman who had adopted the name IMAHKÜS Njinga Okofo Ababio.) —Tamfang 20:04, 19 May 2007 (UTC)

customer role in businees

I would like to fing information on "what is the role of a customer in a business" Thank

A quick Google search turns up some links which might help you out. This is just one mention that I found that may be of interest to you. Dismas|^(talk) 11:23, 17 May 2007 (UTC)

See the guides for posting at the top. We can't help you with your homework, especially if you don't show any signs of looking for it yourself first -- Phoeba Wright^OBJECTION! 11:28, 17 May 2007 (UTC)

song help?

can anyone tell me the song in this video? note:i love lanvin the clothes are so edgy :) [[2]] - video

Yup, I'd like to know, too (having failed to find it via a lyrics search). --Tagishsimon (talk)

I can tell you that the lyrics sung by the woman are likely sampled from the song "Good Morning Heartache". Stop haunting me now/Can't shake you no how are from that old standard. --Charlene 22:16, 17 May 2007 (UTC)

What plugins do you need to see that video? Oddly I can play the trailer for Starter Wife on that same page, but for the main content I see an empty region. (Firefox on MacOS.) —Tamfang 20:08, 19 May 2007 (UTC)

Advice for learning japanese

^{OHMIGAWD! I'm asking an opinion question on the reference desk! Noo!} Does anyone have advice on learning japanese? I'd tried it before, halfassed it, and eventually just kinda stopped. A couple nights ago though, I just got this really strong urge to learn it though. Right now, I only know bits and pieces, like the standard fare at the beginning of those learning kit things, a few kana, and a couple things I picked up from random forums/experiences. Right now, i'm thinking i'm going to get back into those books I bought, but what should I do after I catch back up on that? I figure it'll probably take me longer than I would guess to learn hiragana and katakana (and longer than that to find the damn book), then basic conversational things over again, what should I do after that? I was thinking I could take classes from the local community college (JCCC, if there's an article here), but i'm not sure if that would be worth it without more of an understanding than I have now. Not to mention, when I learned spanish, my biggest problem was learning vocabulary (well, and staying awake...), I could sleep through the grammar sections (and as alluded to in the previous parenthesis, often did) and turn out alright- I'm kinda afraid of that happening again, and paying for a bunch of classes on words I can't keep up with. Also, does anyone know of any good Japanese learning programs for linux? I have one which is basically a kanji dictionary in what seems to be an order to help you learn, and one which is a kana quiz, but that's it. I'm not expecting Rosetta Stone here, but something more edumacational than that would help. I realize that it's impossible to fully learn a language without using it, and I am seriously considering joining the JET programme to help fix that, but in the short term, I would like to get a basic understanding. -- Phoeba Wright^OBJECTION! 13:14, 17 May 2007 (UTC)

fall in love with a japanese person to keep yourself motivated

Heh. Would be a nice idea, I don't think there are many around here anyway -- Phoeba Wright^OBJECTION! 22:11, 17 May 2007 (UTC)

Excuse me for not reading your question fully (I skimmed it), but I'm meant to be looking up something not answering reference desk questions! I would suggest Rosetta Stone, which allows you to learn a language through pictures. I learnt basic Italian that way, and improved my French dramatically before my roadtrip through Europe (yay!). It has both basic and advanced levels, and certainly teaches Japanese.

Also, another way of keeping in touch with the language would be to possibly start reading Japanese anime and keeping up with the story. Hope this helps! JoshHolloway 17:31, 17 May 2007 (UTC)

Could you at least have read the part around the blue highlighted "Rosetta Stone" link? -- Phoeba Wright^OBJECTION! 22:11, 17 May 2007 (UTC)

Try the Slime Forest game, mixing game with studying also helps on motivation. Joneleth 02:50, 18 May 2007 (UTC)

Transportation means in CA

I have been searching the Web for sometime now trying to find a means for traveling from my city of Modesto, CA to my final destination of the San Fransico Bay. Kaiser Hospital to be exact, Address being 2425 Geary Blvd. San Fransico, CA. I only need to find 1 or 2 different opptions for a one way trip. What's the cheapest, and or the fastest? Amtrak, Grey Hound, Bart? How many tranfers, or lay-over's? and where would these transfers or lay-over's be and for how long? I need to know this information as soon as possible please as I am trying to get to my brother who's in the hospital there in San Fransico and I'm planning on picking him up when he is released by the Doctor, only I need to find other means of transportation other than my own vehicle due to the fact I need to drive my brothers truck back into Modesto as he is unable to drive himself at this time. Thank you for your time on this matter and a quick response would be much appreciated. Your new found friend, Michelle.--75.6.173.135 14:15, 17 May 2007 (UTC)

• You can rent a car one-way - get a Taxi from the car rental place to the hospital.
• If the truck is heavy enough, you could rent a car trailer from U-Haul and use the truck to tow your car back home.

SteveBaker 21:19, 17 May 2007 (UTC)

I don't live in California, but I checked on the Internet, and it seems Greyhound is your best bet. You can take Greyhound right to San Francisco, which will take you 2 or 2.5 hours depending on which trip you take. You can then take the 38 bus right from the bus station to the hospital. The bus costs $20.50. If you take Amtrak, it will take longer, because the Amtrak train from Modesto doesn't cross the bay from Oakland to SF. They put you on a bus from the East Bay to SF, then you have to find your way to the 38. -- Mwalcoff 23:02, 17 May 2007 (UTC)

Have you thought about listing it on the ride-share section of the S.F. craigslist[3] or the (far less populated) Modesto craigslist[4]? It is a relatively common drive (from the Central Valley to the Bay Area), I bet hundreds of people make it every day, and if you offered to split the cost of gas that would probably be your best bet in terms of time and money (it would take around an hour and a half, depending on traffic, and cost maybe $15-20 or so). Barring that, Greyhound will be the quickest, though you have to factor in more than the direct travel time (there is always a lot of hullabaloo in arriving, waiting, setting off, arriving, etc.). Don't do the train; not worth it, and you don't want to end up in Oakland looking for a bus across the bridge. BART would only work if you found another way to get to Pleasanton, and even then it's not super cheap or fast. --24.147.86.187 00:09, 18 May 2007 (UTC)

Ridesharing is an option, but driving from Modesto to San Francisco will take more like two hours if there is any kind of traffic, and there usually is. Once you get to San Francisco, the 38 bus is definitely the way to go. It will cost you $1.50 each way from downtown San Francisco. It goes to the Transbay Terminal where you can connect with Greyhound. Marco polo 01:54, 18 May 2007 (UTC)

Edna, Texas

File:Edna, Texas.jpg

Why do the citizens of Edna, Texas call the town "Macaroni Station" —Preceding unsigned comment added by 12.18.90.25 (talk • contribs)

it served as a commissary for Italian railroad workers (first several Google hits for "'macaroni station' texas") — Lomn 15:02, 17 May 2007 (UTC)

internet

how do i ask an internet search engine to search only for things without a certain word in?

• On Google, at least, you can put a minus sign (-) before any words you wish to exclude. For example, to search for "Brighton" but exclude all mentions of "Hove", enter the following:

Brighton -Hove

Hassocks5489 17:10, 17 May 2007 (UTC)

Song "two people touching...

looking for a song sounds similair to love moments by Justin Robertson but the lyrics as far as i can remember a

two people kissing me then kissing each other.

its kinda ambient electronica. pretty obscure song would be happy if anyone gets it! 89.243.57.73 18:18, 17 May 2007 (UTC)

This would be a good question for the Entertainment Desk. StuRat 02:11, 18 May 2007 (UTC)

Polaroid

I woked for Polaroid for many years. At that time it was a strong company. They treated their employees with respect and most people loved working there. I am wondering if there is an organization for former employees since Polaroid no longer exists. 129.112.109.251 19:41, 17 May 2007 (UTC)

Looked around for a while on the Web and I didn't find one. I think you should be the person to start one. All you need is a Yahoo Groups mailing list (free!) and the email addresses of a few people who could spread the word to a few more. Once everyone is talking, the club will probably self-organise if people really need such a thing. SteveBaker 11:43, 18 May 2007 (UTC)

seventeen

Can anyone help me find several songs that include the number seventeen in them? I have only found like 2 so far. Thanks.oh...its also a plus if 17 is refered to as an age. --Kittycat rox 22:32, 17 May 2007 (UTC)

Well, there's "At Seventeen" by Janis Ian, which also meets your second criterion. And there's "Seventeen Seconds" by The Cure, which doesn't. --Richardrj ^{talk email} 22:43, 17 May 2007 (UTC)

There's "Edge of Seventeen (song)" by Stevie Nicks. "Seventeen (song)" four songs by different artists. Dismas|^(talk) 22:50, 17 May 2007 (UTC)

Google "seventeen lyrics" to get another few which mention the age 17 Mhicaoidh 22:55, 17 May 2007 (UTC)

For song titles, your best bet would be to go to The All Music Guide and fill in the seach box; don't forget to change the drop-down box to "Song". There's is a page full of results. Many will not match your criteria, but one I noticed which definitely does is Sexy and 17, made popular by the Stray Cats. --LarryMac | Talk 22:59, 17 May 2007 (UTC)

Don't forget "It Was a Very Good Year" by Frank Sinatra, "I Saw Her Standing There" by The Beatles and "Dancing Queen" by Abba. -- Mwalcoff 23:04, 17 May 2007 (UTC)

And how can we neglect Sixteen Going on Seventeen from The Sound of Music? —Steve Summit (talk) 01:02, 18 May 2007 (UTC)

Ah, I think I got it. Happy birthday. Nice idea.

There's 17 by Bambee, from DDR 5th Mix. -- Phoeba Wright^OBJECTION! 02:57, 18 May 2007 (UTC)

There's also "Seventeen" by ¡Forward, Russia!; one of my favourite songs. Laïka 08:34, 18 May 2007 (UTC)Sorry; the lyrics don't have the word 17. My mistake. Laïka 08:40, 18 May 2007 (UTC)

Check List_of_songs_whose_titles_are_composed_solely_of_numbers. -88.111.35.209 11:35, 18 May 2007 (UTC)

There's also 17 Again by the Eurythmics. --YFB ¿ 14:57, 18 May 2007 (UTC)

Seventeen Come Sunday is quite well known; Ralph Vaughan Williams used it in the beginning of his English Folk Song Suite, and it was recorded by folk-ish groups such as Steeleye Span and Fairport Convention.

--jpgordon^∇∆∇∆ 17:36, 19 May 2007 (UTC)

I Love Rock 'n' Roll —Tamfang 20:17, 19 May 2007 (UTC)

Soccer and Basketball

In what ways are soccer better than basketball? --Ninjawolf 23:23, 17 May 2007 (UTC)

A straightforward question with a simple answer not requiring an opinion ; ) Because "the beautiful game" is played by more people in the world and is more widespread than any other! Mhicaoidh 23:47, 17 May 2007 (UTC)

Try this reason too The Simplest Game Mhicaoidh 23:54, 17 May 2007 (UTC)

So you mean to say that soccer inspired American football? --Ninjawolf 00:03, 18 May 2007 (UTC)

Its ball is much more geometrically interesting. —Steve Summit (talk) 01:05, 18 May 2007 (UTC)

(This is my personal opinion) One reason (I believe) for the popularity of Soccer around the world is that the only equipment you need is a ball (or an empty soda can!) - and four objects to act as goalposts - which can be almost anything. It's also fun for almost any number of players - you can play it with 2 people or 22 people. The rules are fairly 'unfussy' - you don't really need markings painted on the pitch - the rules are simple enough (Kick the ball between those two poles!) that anyone can play without knowing the rules. This means that kids can play it anytime there is a piece of flat ground. To play basketball, the ball has to bounce well - so a tincan won't do! The requirement for the ball to be bounced means that you can't play it well on grass - you need concrete or tarmac. You need a basket - and the game doesn't work well with more than a half dozen people on each team and the markings on the court are relatively important. That's not too bad a problem in the USA where basketball hoops are all over the place - but the game isn't going to take off in a small village in Africa in the way soccer has. SteveBaker 11:29, 18 May 2007 (UTC)

Bubi

Is it actually pronounced /bubi/?

(NB: I couldn't figure out if this is a Language or a Humanities question, so I compromised and put it here.) 80.43.84.10 23:26, 17 May 2007 (UTC)

For the Bubi people, try Bube language but this question would be better on those other desks Mhicaoidh 01:03, 18 May 2007 (UTC)

Problem is, that page has no IPA or other phonetic transcriptions on it, so I'd have to guess from the orthography. Seeing as there's a strong Spanish/Portuguese influence on the island, I'd not be surprised if it was /bubi/ or something similar, but without a transcription, there's no way of actually knowing. On the topic of where to put this question: which one should I ask on? I'm under the impression that cross-posting is somewhat frowned upon, so I'd have to pick one or the other. 80.41.20.140 18:40, 18 May 2007 (UTC)

Language Desk, because its a language question. Shinhan 13:30, 19 May 2007 (UTC)