Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Miscellaneous/2006 July 27

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looking for map of Manhattan

I'm looking for a good, printable map of Manhattan with all of the important things on it that google maps lists. Preliminary google searches bring up nothing. Is there a way to print the whole google map of manhattan on 6-10 sheets of 8.5x11 paper?

thanks.

google's help has some information about printing google maps. Jon513 00:57, 27 July 2006 (UTC)

thanks!

There are several of varying detail if you use 'manhattan map' in google image search [1] Nowimnthing 02:39, 27 July 2006 (UTC)

Does Wikipedia provide any kind of Parental Controls?

My question is if any sort of Parental Controls might exist within Wikipedia itself. Google has a "Safe Search" option that seems to eliminate most of the more objectional site from their results. There are a number of articles within Wikipedia that are of a concern to me, and it appears that links in these articles lead directly to hardcore pornography. How can a concerned parent allow their children to use Wikipedia knowing that these articles and links are so easily accessed?

Thanks

Concerned Dad

Being an encyclopedia targeted to a general audience, Wikipedia is not censored or filtered for the protection of minors (see Wikipedia:Content disclaimer). There are currently a couple of proposals to provide a version of Wikipedia for children (Wikichildren and Wikikids), but these are still in the planning stages. Ziggurat 03:54, 27 July 2006 (UTC)

Additionally, you may want to consider pointing your child in the direction of the 2006 Wikipedia CD Selection, which "is a specific selection of 2000 articles suitable for school children and has been checked and edited by deletion for this audience" Ziggurat 04:01, 27 July 2006 (UTC)

On the rare event that an external link led directly to hardcore pornography there would almost certainly be a warning tag. Believe me though, if your kids wanna look up porn on the Internet, they will. Battle Ape 04:18, 27 July 2006 (UTC)

However of course we cannot guarantee that there will be warnings. The nature of Wikipedia means anyone can add a link to pornography. However such things are usually removed very quickly, and your child would be very unlucky to find one by accident. DJ Clayworth 13:17, 27 July 2006 (UTC)

Right, Wikipedia should be the least of your concerns. Can you give any examples? DirkvdM 07:29, 27 July 2006 (UTC)

There are a bunch of articles on people working in the porn industry, which tend to link to their home pages. For example. I don't see this as a problem, but I can understand others' milages may vary. --Tagishsimon (talk):

If you are concerned, maybe you should check out your options for Content-control software. Not that I am an advocate, I believe kids that are curious should be able to explore their curiosity in a healthy way, but you can have much better control of what comes into your home than with generic content controls like google. Nowimnthing 19:08, 27 July 2006 (UTC)

It would be nice if more kids went to an encyclopedia to learn, rather than go to porn sites. One thing Wikipedia is proud of is that if you type in something like "vagina," then you will learn about the vagina.

• 1 Anatomy
• 2 Functions of the vagina

o 2.1 Giving birth o 2.2 Menstruation

• 3 Sexual health and hygiene
• 4 The vagina and popular culture
• 5 See also
• 6 External links

Yes there are diagrams, and one picture, although they are no different than one you would find in a textbook. Because it is an encylopedia, not a porn site. — The Mac Davis] ญƛ. 20:39, 27 July 2006 (UTC)

Indeed. Wikipedia is for learning. Your kids can learn. Just tell your kids to not look at hardcore pornography. ;) --Proficient 18:10, 29 July 2006 (UTC)

Airplane lights

I just saw an airplane with an unusual lighting scheme go by. The airplane was on landing approach, with the wheels down and the landing lights on. In addition to the blinking red and green lights on the wingtips and the steady, bright white landing lights on the nosewheel and wing roots, there was a bright white lights, as bright as the landing lights, about a quarter of the way from the wingtip to the wing root on each wing. These lights were pulsing alternately with a period of about one second. What is the purpose of these lights? --Carnildo 03:58, 27 July 2006 (UTC)

Anticollision lights? Thissection of the FAR's may be helpful.

Annual economic growth.

I would be interested to find out the annual economic growth rates for all the countries of the world.

There are numerous pages dealing with GDP in it's various forms which are very interesting, but I cannot seem to find any page that gives an annual percentage increase in economic growth for different countries.

The page economic growth (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economic_growth) deals with the analysis of how it is measured in different ways, but no facts for specific countries in recent history.

I imagine that China and India would be the top two, and I was interested to compare these with EU countries.

I hope I haven't missed something somewhere!

Cheers, MRD 27/07/06

I once found something like that on this page. I believe it was the 'Angus Maddison' link, but that's dead now. The other links might still be helpful. DirkvdM 07:38, 27 July 2006 (UTC)

Try the CIA Factbook, such as the Economics section of this entry for Afghanistan: {https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/af.html#Econ}. StuRat 21:52, 27 July 2006 (UTC)

Jewish Holidays

Good morning...

Your site has been very informative on its explanations of the Jewish Holidays...My question is why do the Jewish Holidays all seem to fall in the 2 months of September & October?

Thank you...candi

Um, they don't. Firstly, they are based on the Hebrew calendar. I'd write you a list, but I can't be bothered. Read the article Jewish holiday. —Daniel (‽) 15:27, 27 July 2006 (UTC)

The holidays of Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and Sukkot all fall in the time period you mentioned. There are few other holiday that fall at other points in the year. Nevertheless those three are the most concentrated of the holidays and Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are the most observed. These holiday are explicitly written in the bible and God did not explicitly explain why he chose to place the holidays in this way. Nevertheless, there are theories by Jewish philosophers to explain the rational behind them. Some theorize that these holiday are closely related to one another and represent a unified spiritual process (the relationship between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur is much stronger than that of yom kippur and sukkot). Maimonides theorizes that the reason for the holidays falling where the do is because it is a time of less work in the agricultural cycle and would not be burdensome for farmers. Jon513 19:02, 27 July 2006 (UTC)

Simple and stupid question...

I'm interested in posting a new article/page. I've read through everything and have an idea of how to do it, but I am apparently missing the most important and simplest step. WHERE TO BEGIN? Where is the page to start a new article on someone?

Thank you, and I apologize for my stupidity but it's getting frustrated. I must find an answer!

RSS

Type the name of the article you want to create into the search box, and click Go. WP won't find it, and will offer you the chance to create a new article with that name. So make sure the name you type into the search box is definitely the name you want the article to have. By the way, this sort of question is best asked at the help desk. --Richardrj 13:39, 27 July 2006 (UTC)

Wikipedia:Your first article and Help:Starting a new page should also be of help to you. Good luck writing! — QuantumEleven 14:58, 27 July 2006 (UTC)

I found the Wikipedia articles and general help about writing Wikipedia articles difficult to use. You can ask me about anything you need help with or are confused about; I'm here everyday and am fairly experienced. Also, be sure to stick your "signature" on every page that isn't an encyclopaedia article if you "talk." Do this by typing --~~~~. It will automatically turn into your signiture with your name (or IP) and the time. — The Mac Davis] ญƛ. 20:31, 27 July 2006 (UTC)

I'd strongly recommend you start out by editing articles on subjects you know about; watch what happens to your edits; if they are removed or changed, find out why. After a few months of experience and growing confidence, you may be ready to create a new article, an otherwise very daunting task. Be sure you aren't writing about something too personal (e.g. your self, your company, your friends). Notinasnaid 09:04, 31 July 2006 (UTC)

automobiles

I am the proud owner of a 2005 Toyota Camry. But the seat belt warning chimes are driving me crazy. They are extremely loud, long, and intrusive. The dealer who sold the car to me new says they can't help.

I NEVER drive with out fastening the seat belt. How can I turn down the volume, or better yet, disable the warning chimes.

Would fastening the seat belts before turning the ignition key help? --vibo56 ^talk 14:35, 27 July 2006 (UTC)

Have you tried taking it to a mechanic? I doubt you'll be able to turn down the volume or disable the chimes, but it might be worth a try. — QuantumEleven 15:11, 27 July 2006 (UTC)

Reach under the driver's seat and disconnect the connector which has a black and a white/black wire. (Courtesy of this site). Google is your friend.--Shantavira 15:34, 27 July 2006 (UTC)

XBOX 360

I would like to know what was the highest price paid for an xbox 360when it was launched at www.ebay.com in an normal auction? Also, I would like to know what was the lowest price when it was launched too. Thank you

I am not sure that they keep records that far, but http://search-completed.ebay.com/xbox-360_W0QQcatrefZC6QQfisZ2QQfromZR10QQfrtsZ0QQfsooZ2QQfsopZ1QQsacatZQ2d1 might help. --Proficient 15:52, 27 July 2006 (UTC)

muscles

I am trying to find some information on the muscles that help with breathing? Can anyone help me.

See Respiratory_system, subheading Anatomy, Diaphragm (anatomy) and Intercostal muscles. --vibo56 ^talk 19:11, 27 July 2006 (UTC)

Try asking that one in Science next time. — The Mac Davis] ญƛ. 20:27, 27 July 2006 (UTC)

Prayer

What does a typical Muslim prayer sound like? What does the person praying say? To whom is he speaking?

See Salat. David Sneek 18:45, 27 July 2006 (UTC)

Sounds to me like asking what a typical Christian prayer sounds like. Or is there less variation in Islam? (Or more, for that matter?) DirkvdM 06:49, 28 July 2006 (UTC)

I hate salads!!

Hello! I hate salads! But recently I was told that I need to “eat healthier.” As a consequence, I’m trying to force down salads. The problem is that I really hate salads! So, how do you all improve the taste of your salads?

I have tried many difference types (Cesar, chef, etc) with different toppings (oils, Ranch, Italian, etc), but I just cannot seem to find a balance that is pleasing to my palate.

thanks,

-Rangermike 18:22, 27 July 2006 (UTC)

Eating a salad soaked in some kind of oily dressing isn't exactly eating healthier. How do you feel about other vegetables? Smaller portions? Broiled vs. fried? --LarryMac 18:25, 27 July 2006 (UTC)

eat whole vegtables there must be a least one that you like. Jon513 18:44, 27 July 2006 (UTC)

You can probably eat healthier without having to eat salad. What sort of meats and vegetables do you like? I'm sure we can suggest a healthy way of preparing it.--Shantavira 18:53, 27 July 2006 (UTC)

I appreciate the suggestions. I have stopped eating fried foods, I no longer eat fast food (but I'm in college, so when the semester starts back up, I might lapse), I stopped drinking soda (I now drink Gatorade and water). Honestly, I really don't care for vegetables, unless they're cooked into the meal (i.e. like soups, stews, pastas, etc). The vegetables that I really like are: corn (on the cob only), beans, and potatoes (I’m not very adventurous, I know). Other than that, I love meat (all kinds) and Italian food. Thanks again. -Rangermike 20:23, 27 July 2006 (UTC)

An excellent low-fat meat alternative is Quorn which you can buy in some health stores in the US, so it might not be as cheap as it is in Europe. I've eaten lasagne, spaghetti and tacos made from this, and they're all great! I'm not even a vegetarian. Now, I hardly ever eat real meat. --Bearbear 19:27, 27 July 2006 (UTC)

You may be a supertaster, which means you're unusually sensitive to bitter tastes. If that's true, you probably particularly don't like rocket (arugala) and celery. But there are plenty of non bitter, and often sweet, vegetables to try. Many things are great raw and get worse when cooked (raw cabbage and spinach are great; cooked they're frightful). Try raw carrots (or raw baby carrots, which are very sweet). Next time you have a barbeque, take a wood/bamboo skewer and put mushrooms, sliced bell peppers, and layers of red onion - barbeque that (perhaps brushed with olive oil to stop it from burning or drying out too much). At the same barbeque, rather than having a burger, have salmon or tuna steaks. Raw corn, peas, and beans taste great. Try different kinds of tomatoes, particularly small ones like cherry. I could virtually live off raw red onion, and if you're in the states you may be able to get sweet maui onions - they're fantastic raw. Those naff dressings are vile; make your own - mix virgin olive oil with (cheap) balsamic vinegar (50:50) and have it in a side bowl when you eat vegetables (so you gently dip, rather than pouring it all over the food). Or mix honey with natural yoghurt (and optionally little teeny slices of cucumber). But one problem remains - it's great that you've given up soda, but that bloody gatorade is still the cause of a lot of your problem - its powerful chemically taste nukes your taste and smell, so you can't taste the subtle little flavours in things like raw veggies (which, consequently, taste like blotting paper). For now drink only chilled water (ideally filtered) before and during food - the drink sets the "benchmark" against which everything eaten in its proximity is measured. -- Finlay McWalter | Talk 19:46, 27 July 2006 (UTC)

Thanks for those suggestions! You're correct about the bitter foods. I have tried to eat some of the vegetables that you mentioned, but something with their texture or flavor really turns me off. -Rangermike 20:23, 27 July 2006 (UTC)

Very intersting article on supertaster. I happen to dislike several of the foods mentioned in the article, mainly grapefruit, coffee, and celery. Thanks for pointing me to that article. -Rangermike 20:31, 27 July 2006 (UTC)

I had some other ideas: to garnish your salad, try toasted (i.e. dry fried) sunflower seeds, pine nuts (pignoles), or maybe almonds - toasting all of these gives them more flavour, and they in turn make the salad more interesting. As well as raw and grilled veggies, try steaming them. Fully cooked (boiled) broccoli is worse than the devil's lung biopsy, but lightly steamed (I do it in the microwave in a special steamer gadget, with a little salt and pepper and lemon juice) and they retain their nice taste and have a nice crisp texture (not boiled and smelly and vile). Similarly for carrots and green beans, and particularly asparagus. -- Finlay McWalter | Talk 21:35, 27 July 2006 (UTC)

What do you put in your salad? I don't like salad unless I'm the one making it with lots of ham, chedder, parmeson, tomato, mushroom, and I like lemon juice as a dressing because all the rest I've found are much too strong for me. — The Mac Davis] ญƛ. 20:26, 27 July 2006 (UTC)

The foundation of most greens salads in the US is iceberg lettuce, which just tastes nasty and bitter to me. I use spinach leaves instead, which are both healthier and tastier, and can't understand the popularity of lettuce. Also note that most salad dressings contain mainly "good fats" (vegetable oils and such), as opposed to bad animal fats, so don't feel you need to avoid them. However, if you do want to keep the fat low, I suggest a nice raspberry vinaigrette. Some toppings, like egg, cheese, and real bacon bits, are quite unhealthy and should be limited in quantity, while mushrooms, tomatoes, cukes, peppers, and veggies add both flavor and nutrition.StuRat 21:33, 27 July 2006 (UTC)

Iceberg lettuce® is manufactured by the DuPont corporation in its factory in Lansing, Michigan. Made from patented aramid fiber, iceberg lettuce is suitable for use as home insulation, animal bedding, as a filler material when packing delicate goods for shipping, and in the manufacture of surgical trusses. It is unsuited, however, for eating. -- Finlay McWalter | Talk 22:11, 27 July 2006 (UTC)

I can't believe you would say something so totally untrue; DuPont is in Wilmington, Delaware, although Dow Chemical Company is in Midland, Michigan, near Lansing, Michigan. The rest, of course, is perfectly true. :-) StuRat 22:48, 27 July 2006 (UTC)

True, schmue. I love iceberg lettuce. One man's meat ......  :--) JackofOz 00:02, 28 July 2006 (UTC)

• salad sandwich,on really nice bread,the bread will help to change the taste and texture-hotclaws**==(81.134.68.10 09:41, 28 July 2006 (UTC))

I love salads, and I especially like iceberg salads and "spring mix" type salads with the leaves that look like weeds :) You might want to try all those oily dressings and develop a taste for salads before you go "hardcore" and only eat healthy salads. I especially like Balsamic Vinagrette, Italian, and just plain red wine vinegar. You might want to try adding sunflower seeds or croutons or imitation bacon bits. Better Seasons makes some of my favorite dressings. And if you have an Olive Garden in your area, go there and get their bottomless salad. Probably the most unhealthy salad out there, but (at least in my circle of friends) it's unequivocally the absolute best salad for any amount of money. I used to hate salad before I tried it, and now I'm a genuine salad affectionado. It's all about the dressing IMO; the texture of most salads is unappetizing. But that's part of the beauty of the olive garden salad - the best dressing in the world, and very tasty, tender, not plant like at all, lettuce. --Froth 19:28, 28 July 2006 (UTC)

Making them taste better will not improve your health. --Proficient 18:15, 29 July 2006 (UTC)

I disagree. If it doesn't taste good, most people won't be able to stand eating it for long and will go back to unhealthy foods. StuRat 00:14, 31 July 2006 (UTC)

That's not necessarily true either. I agree they won't be able to stand eating it for long, but what they do eat may well be some good tasting alternative healthy food. JackofOz 12:38, 1 August 2006 (UTC)

mug shots

How can i go about getting a copy of a mug shot of a relative who is now in prison?--71.48.167.87 18:26, 27 July 2006 (UTC)

If you don't mind the quality, you may be able to go to the Florida Department of Corrections website. On that site is an inmate search. Simply enter in all the information and you should be able to find who you are looking for. Assuming you do in fact live in Florida. Hyenaste ^(tell) 20:03, 27 July 2006 (UTC)

Yes, Winter Park, Florida. Iolakana|^T 21:45, 27 July 2006 (UTC)

Name of this music

What's the name of the second music on this video? The one that starts just after the narrator says "the biggest player around". Thanks! ☢ Ҡi∊ff⌇↯ 19:23, 27 July 2006 (UTC)

It seems to be a version of The Who's I Can't Explain, but I can't be more specific.  Slumgum T. C.   19:42, 27 July 2006 (UTC)

No I don't think that's it. This music sounds more like something from Fatboy Slim. ☢ Ҡi∊ff⌇↯ 13:10, 28 July 2006 (UTC)

Found it accidentally, just as usual. It's called Going Out Of My Head by Fatboy Slim. ☢ Ҡi∊ff⌇↯ 00:40, 30 July 2006 (UTC)

2 Films my Dad remembers - can anyone help?

The first was a French film with a plot where a man was dating his best friends daughter, which he did not know at the time. A memorable scene is where she sees them both together at the beach and she waves to them. Both wave back and wonder why the other is waving. The second was a war film, possibly Polish or German, where three German soldiers are in charge of a small village where they treat the villagers very well. One has a child with a local girl but dies later. In the end, the mayor of this town recognises the men when they were captured and tries to save them. He convinces the allies that they were terrible and he wanted to kill them, but the firing squad used blanks and so they lived. I believe both were shown on BBC2 at one time or another. --Bearbear 19:33, 27 July 2006 (UTC)

The first one sounds like Blame It On Rio, although that's not a French film, as far as I know. --LarryMac 19:54, 27 July 2006 (UTC)

Hmm... he was fairly sure it was French, as it was in a "foreign film" series. Unless he's confused. I'll ask. --Bearbear 14:31, 28 July 2006 (UTC)

It's fairly common to remake (and rename) movies from one language to another. Blame it on Rio is a remake of the French film One Wild Moment. -- Rick Block (talk) 14:49, 28 July 2006 (UTC)

Thanks, that could be it! Not much luck on the other film though... --Bearbear 18:39, 28 July 2006 (UTC)

help choosing a game

can i have some suggestions for a game to buy on the XBOX 360. Not Oblivion, Saints Row or Dead Rising as i've already got those. Not Fifa world cup, top spin 2 , call of duty 2 , gun and perfect dak zero as i have had these but sold them back to the shop.

Thanks --86.130.255.231 20:53, 27 July 2006 (UTC)

Have a look at Gamespot's top Xbox 360 games. Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter is good fun. Sum0 22:27, 27 July 2006 (UTC)

I liked Kameo: Elements of Power. Bibliomaniac15 19:27, 29 July 2006 (UTC)

Obesity

I'm what you would call obese, how do I lose weight? Fast. I'm going to the beach in a few weeks.

You don't. Losing weight requires serious lifestyle changes like eating less food, eating healthier food, and exercising. Don't expect your weight to drop dramatically. A pound a week is a nice safe goal. Losing significantly more than this can be quite unhealthy and dangerous. One hint to weight loss is to stop drinking soda, juice, coffee, and tea (even those with artificial sweeteners) and drink water instead (with a few drops of lemon juice for improved taste). This alone can make a dramatic diff in your weight (provided you don't consume more calories to make up for those saved). StuRat 21:12, 27 July 2006 (UTC)

It should probably be pointed out that none of us here are doctors. Or if we are, we ain't your doctor. Gotta keep the lawyers at bay. --Howard Train 05:19, 28 July 2006 (UTC)

To answer half, obesity is having a body mass index of over 30. Hyenaste ^(tell) 21:00, 27 July 2006 (UTC)

There's no answer for everyone. Without surgery, losing enough weight to go from 'obese' to 'average' or even 'overweight' will probably take more than a few weeks. Talk to your doctor. Deltabeignet 21:08, 27 July 2006 (UTC)

I know that, but how do I lose weight I weigh 300 pounds, I'm relatively short, and most of it isn't muscle, but some of it might be a part of my skeletal structure. Im going on vacation in 2-3 weeks and I don't want to be embarassed by my weight. How can I lose weight fast, help me Wikipedia!?

Put simply, you can't safely lose a hundred or more pounds in two weeks. Liposuction, by the way, is off the table, as removal of more than five liters of fat is considered dangerous. If you don't want to be embarrassed, all you can change is your outlook. Deltabeignet 21:12, 27 July 2006 (UTC)

Burn more calories than you consume. It isn't healthy to lose more than 3-4 pounds per week. So in 3 weeks you would only be down to about 290. Not much of a difference in how you look. I would suggest working on your self-esteem, if you are comfortable with yourself you will be less concerned with what others think. If you are serious about losing the weight for health reasons you could drastically change how you look in about 1 year with the proper nutrition and exercise. I'm not quite as big as you but I have found it suprisingly easy to drop 50-60lbs in a year. It is keeping to the routine over time that is the problem. Nowimnthing 21:20, 27 July 2006 (UTC)

So you guys mean to tell me that all those weight loss pills and machines on the TV don't work. They advertise them as working to lose flab really fast (from flab to ab), so why couldn't those work for me? Also isn't extreme lifestyle change a little hard, how do people actually lose weight by going through with that. Even so, my lifestyle isn't that bad, I only drink 1-2 sodas per day and I eat fast food a few times a week when I am strapped for time due to my job. PLEASE, HELP ME NOT FEEL BAD ABOUT MY BODY!

The diet pills are fradulent. The exercise machines work, but the aren't any faster than anything else. And it doesn't take an extreme lifestyle change to lose weight, you just need to stop eating so much and start exercising more. --Serie 22:13, 27 July 2006 (UTC)

Also, all of those exercise machines say they only help you lose weight "when combined with a healthy, low cal diet". In other words, the machines alone don't do much. Think about it, if you could lose 100 pounds in two weeks by taking diet pills, then nobody would be obese, would they ? So, I think you will still be embarrassed this year, but can be proud of your appearance by next year, provided you get started NOW. StuRat 22:36, 27 July 2006 (UTC)

Ensure you shit a little more than you eat for a few months, while making sure you get a nutritious diet. Walk a couple of miles a day and halve the time you spend watching TV or using the computer. Learn to juggle. Try yoga. And keep track of how much weight you've lost - lose ten pounds, then carry ten pounds of flour around with you all day. You'll feel the difference. --Howard Train 05:31, 28 July 2006 (UTC)

300 pounds? That's 150 kg, isn't it? That's not "what I'd call obese", as you put it. But I won't say what I would call it because you also say (nay, shout) that you don't want us to help you feel bad about your body. :) If your lifestyle isn't that bad and you weigh this much, you probably have a medical problem, maybe a hormone problem. For once let me be the one to tell someone to go see a doctor.

Just on the off chance that you do indeed consume more energy than you lose, let me illustrate what some others said before me. I used to weigh 86 kg (close to 200 pounds, which is considered fat where I come from) and had a bet with my brother that I would lose 10 kg in one year. So I started eating less (especially less sweet food) and after half a year I was on schedule, having lost 5 kg. After that, it stabilised. One month before the end of the year I was still 5 kg short. So I stopped eating food for 5 days (drank loads of water to 'cleanse the body' in the process). After that I started eating again, like a birdy at first, slowly building it up to a normal diet again. I only just won the bet (thanks in part to a little cheating that my brother let slip (nice guy :) )). After that I kept on losing weight and even went down to 72 kg, I believe. Now I'm at around 75, which is fairly normal for my 1,86 m height.

In short, forget it, you won't really have a very noticeable effect in just a few weeks. But there's not just this summer. There's still the rest of your life ahead of you. Keep that in mind when you go on a diet. Well, diet, normal eating, I mean. Whether this should be done abruptly or slowly, I don't know. 'Listen to your body', so to say. And once your stomach has shrunk, it really isn't that hard to keep it up. At least that's how it was for me. It's just the transition that's hard. Like getting off drugs, I suppose. But easier than quitting smoking, something to which I can also attest.

By the way, I still eat fatty food, just not so much food in general, and no sugars at all. But I do sit before the computer almost all day. That's almost. I take the stairs in stead of the lift and walk or cycle in stead of driving a car (which I don't have :) ). Just figure out what works for you. Be sensible about it. There's no miracle cure (as usual). Just your own intelligence.

Finally, let me point out that it really feels great not to have that weight to lug around. It's really worth it. DirkvdM 07:27, 28 July 2006 (UTC)

• ;lose those sodas,NO fast food,take a healthy meal in for yourself,walk more-hotclaws**==(81.134.68.10 09:45, 28 July 2006 (UTC))

You could be like that girl on CSI - keep a notebook of how many ounces of food you eat and how many you poop, and if the first ever exceeds the other, stop eating until they balance out. That might be a little extreme though. At a very nerdy 17, I weigh only 110 pounds so I really wouldn't know :) --Froth 19:21, 28 July 2006 (UTC)

Geez, you're either a midget or a toothpick...go eat something, quickly ! StuRat 04:35, 29 July 2006 (UTC)

Well, he's 17. Maybe he hasn't yet had that growth spurt. About the weighing of food and poo, you can save yourself the nasty trouble because it doesn't say anything. It's how much energy your body takes out of the food and that depends on the type of food, not the quantity difference. No matter is taken from the food for energy, it's just a chemical process with the same amount of matter before and after. DirkvdM 05:32, 29 July 2006 (UTC)

That's not entirely true. If you measured the total mass going into the body and the total mass out, any difference would exactly match the mass gain or loss in the person. However, mass isn't just lost during defecation, but also urination, perspiration, respiration, evaporation from eyes, etc. So, while in theory this method would work, it's extremely impractical, as well as plain nasty. StuRat 07:07, 29 July 2006 (UTC)

Diet and eat healthy for the rest of your life. Also, excercise vigorously everyday. --Proficient 18:20, 29 July 2006 (UTC)

Adding a new entry

Hello,

I am with the Texas A&M Health Science Center and I need to add an entry for my institution. There is already one for the Texas A&M University System, which mentions the Health Science Center but we would like our own page. We already have a username, how would we go about this?

Thanks,

Will

Type in the name of the new article in the search bar (top left part of this page), and you will get a message that no such article exists and the option to create a new article. Pick that option and an edit session will be started on the new article. Be sure to pick the "Save page" button at the bottom when you are done. If the new article is poorly formatted it will either be corrected, or tagged for correction, by other editors. StuRat 21:20, 27 July 2006 (UTC)

Alternately put double brackets around the words Health Science Center on the A&M page when you save, they will be red. Click on it to start the page. See Help:Starting a new page Nowimnthing 21:24, 27 July 2006 (UTC)

I would include "Texas A&M" in the name of the article, as well. StuRat 22:23, 27 July 2006 (UTC)

Minor note: When you say "we already have a username", if "we" implies more then one person, you may want to check out WP:SOCK as far as "role accounts" go, just to make sure you don't inadvertently get tripped up. 68.39.174.238 02:20, 3 August 2006 (UTC)

Perfect crime

How do i commit the perfect crime?

Wikipedia, being the great reference for researchers and criminals alike might give you some ideas: perfect crime -Benbread 22:01, 27 July 2006 (UTC)

Do what lots of corporations do - commit the crime before the lawmakers (who are slow, and don't read magazines about new scientific, technical, or cultural phenomena) get around to making it illegal. Standard Oil did all kinds of naughty things that are now illegal, but weren't illegal then. Coca-Cola made a killing pushing cocaine before it was illegal. Of course, Congress is working hard to make everything illegal, but if you run fast you can beat 'em to it. Right now internet telephony, internet radio, and trading in virtual items on online games are all profitable and largely unregulated, but in a few years expect them to be regulated too, with many of the things people do now being illegal. -- Finlay McWalter | Talk 22:05, 27 July 2006 (UTC)

But wait: by definition, if it's not illegal, it can't be a crime (or can it?). Sum0 22:24, 27 July 2006 (UTC)

Oh, people will whine, they'll call their congressman, they'll search high and low through existing statute (look at Computer Misuse Act 1990, which features a pretty extreme attempt to streeeetch an existing law to try to cover a new "crime"), maybe you'll be prosecuted, but probably unsuccessfully. It won't really be entirely clear if it's a crime or not, so (just like hacking, and coke, and monopoly) they'll pass a law that makes sure it's a law. In the meantime its not entirely legal, but not entirely not, and you stand to make a lot of money doing little work. -- Finlay McWalter | Talk 22:31, 27 July 2006 (UTC)

I've already committed the perfect crime.Nobody knows it's me.The body has gone.No evidence.I will never be found out. *evil laugh*... 88.106.252.194 23:01, 27 July 2006 (UTC)This is not Lemon-I leave no trail

According to Alice Sebold, you should use an icicle, because it melts away...--Amanaplanacanalpanama 03:25, 28 July 2006 (UTC)

In other words, you could start by not revealing your intentions on the Internet. DirkvdM 07:36, 28 July 2006 (UTC)

Become a top manager. That way you can steal millions and get away with it. But then that is because it is not legally a crime, so again it doesn't answer your question. Sorry. DirkvdM 07:32, 28 July 2006 (UTC)

A perfect crime, by rights, should be the best crime- the one that produces the most morally admirable results. I would therefore nominate some kind of corporate fraud which steals money from the rich and greedy, with the proceeds invested wisely in helping starving Sudanese orflings. Henry^Flower 19:22, 28 July 2006 (UTC)

The perfect crime by rights would fall under the category of the Dark figure of crimeTeh Janitor 03:22, 30 July 2006 (UTC)

World's shortest reigning monarchs?

Where can I find a list of the world's shortest reigning monarchs?-in terms of length of reign,not Midget Kings of the World :) Whilst Wikipedia has a list of the world's longest reigning monarchs,it only appears to have the shortest reigns of Popes and Chinese emperors. Google's no help either :( 88.106.252.194 23:04, 27 July 2006 (UTC)Lemon

Lady Jane Grey would probably set the standard, having ruled for a mere eight days on the English throne (as ane fule no). Whether any monarchs reigned for less, I don't know. --Sam Blanning^(talk) 23:07, 27 July 2006 (UTC)

No she wouldn't as she wasn't a monarch & didn't rule from the English Throne, her husband was the monarch & it was his reign not hers. AllanHainey 07:52, 28 July 2006 (UTC)

Nope, Jane Grey was Queen regent (i.e. a Queen who is a monarch, as opposed to a Queen consort who is a Queen whose husband is monarch) and so was monarch. Of course, her nine days is more than some of those mentioned below, but still, she was monarch. -- AJR | Talk 12:45, 28 July 2006 (UTC)

Well I know of Jean I? of France who was born king after the death of his father and died a day or two later...There's a Nepali king who reigned for a couple of days after a family massacre about 2-3 years and there's a reference to a Chinese emperor who ruled for 'half a day' but no more details.A list would be helpful-perhaps this can be my first Wiki article! 88.106.252.194 23:23, 27 July 2006 (UTC)Lemon

You're thinking of Dipendra of Nepal who massacred most of his family (mostly explained as him going psycho over a dispute about who he could marry, although there are various conspiracy theories too) in 2001, and was king for 3 days (in a coma from being wounded in the incident) before dying (how unlike the home life of our own dear crown prince). No idea about the chinese emperor. Bwithh 23:49, 27 July 2006 (UTC)

The one I always think of is "Luis II" of Portugal. This is from our article on Carlos I of Portugal:

• On 1 February 1908 the royal family returned from the palace of Vila Viçosa to Lisbon. They travelled by coach to Almada and from then took a boat to cross the Tagus River and disembarked in Cais do Sodré in downtown Lisbon. On their way to the royal palace, the carriage with Carlos I and his family passed through Terreiro do Paço. While crossing the square, shots were fired from the crowd by at least two men: Alfredo Costa and Manuel Buiça. The king died immediately, his heir Luís Filipe was mortally wounded, and Prince Manuel was hit in an arm. The assassins were shot at the spot by members of the bodyguard and later recognized as members of the Republican Party. About twenty minutes later, Prince Luis Filipe died and days later, Manuel was acclaimed king of Portugal, the last one of the Braganza dynasty.

Guinness World Records used to list "Luis II" as the world's shortest reigning monarch, at 20 minutes. However it seems he was never formally recognised as king and Manuel is usually listed as succeeding Carlos. JackofOz 23:58, 27 July 2006 (UTC)

Ugh.If you extend it to all world leaders(Presidents,Prime Ministers),then you get plenty that last less than a month.Greece and France seem to have a habit of it.How much policy and government can be performed when you're Prime Minister for 2 days?Enough time to decide who's buying the coffee and plan your first meeting.... 88.106.252.194 02:24, 28 July 2006 (UTC)Lemon

Presidents are heads of state, not monarchs (except maybe in the unusual case of Andorra, and even there the French President is only a co-monarch). And Prime Ministers are not even heads of state, just heads of government. JackofOz 03:29, 28 July 2006 (UTC)

If by monarch you include monarchs during a revolution I'd say, depending on their orders of execution, one of Tsar Nicholas II of Russia's c

Well I know of Jean I? of France who was born king after the death of his father and died a day or two later...There's a Nepali king who reigned for a couple of days after a family massacre about 2-3 years and there's a reference to a Chinese emperor who ruled for 'half a day' but no more details.A list would be helpful-perhaps this can be my first Wiki article! 88.106.252.194 23:23, 27 July 2006 (UTC)Lemon

You're thinking of Dipendra of Nepal who massacred most of his family (mostly explained as him going psycho over a dispute about who he could marry, although there are various conspiracy theories too) in 2001, and was king for 3 days (in a coma from being wounded in the incident) before dying (how unlike the home life of our own dear crown prince). No idea about the chinese emperor. Bwithh 23:49, 27 July 2006 (UTC)

The one I always think of is "Luis II" of Portugal. This is from our article on Carlos I of Portugal:

• On 1 February 1908 the royal family returned from the palace of Vila Viçosa to Lisbon. They travelled by coach to Almada and from then took a boat to cross the Tagus River and disembarked in Cais do Sodré in downtown Lisbon. On their way to the royal palace, the carriage with Carlos I and his family passed through Terreiro do Paço. While crossing the square, shots were fired from the crowd by at least two men: Alfredo Costa and Manuel Buiça. The king died immediately, his heir Luís Filipe was mortally wounded, and Prince Manuel was hit in an arm. The assassins were shot at the spot by members of the bodyguard and later recognized as members of the Republican Party. About twenty minutes later, Prince Luis Filipe died and days later, Manuel was acclaimed king of Portugal, the last one of the Braganza dynasty.

Guinness World Records used to list "Luis II" as the world's shortest reigning monarch, at 20 minutes. However it seems he was never formally recognised as king and Manuel is usually listed as succeeding Carlos. JackofOz 23:58, 27 July 2006 (UTC)

Ugh.If you extend it to all world leaders(Presidents,Prime Ministers),then you get plenty that last less than a month.Greece and France seem to have a habit of it.How much policy and government can be performed when you're Prime Minister for 2 days?Enough time to decide who's buying the coffee and plan your first meeting.... 88.106.252.194 02:24, 28 July 2006 (UTC)Lemon

Presidents are heads of state, not monarchs (except maybe in the unusual case of Andorra, and even there the French President is only a co-monarch). And Prime Ministers are not even heads of state, just heads of government. JackofOz 03:29, 28 July 2006 (UTC)

If by monarch you include monarchs during a revolution I'd say, depending on their orders of execution, one of Tsar Nicholas II of Russia's children would be the shortest reigning - probably by the length of time it took to reload & fire. AllanHainey 07:52, 28 July 2006 (UTC)

Nicholas II abdicated not in favour of any of his children, but in favour of his brother Grand Duke Michael. Michael sort of accepted the throne, but relinquished it the very next day. Whether he was ever truly the Tsar has been debated for almost a century now. There is no general acceptance that that was the case. His article gives a reasonable summary of the story. JackofOz 00:34, 30 July 2006 (UTC)

If by monarch you include monarchs during a revolution I'd say, depending on their orders of execution, one of Tsar Nicholas II of Russia's c

If not, consider John Paul I. Cthulhu.mythos 18:04, 29 July 2006 (UTC)