Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Miscellaneous/2006 July 2

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Toroid graphics

It is 2006 and simple software to position, enlarge, color and modify toroids should be routine. Not so, the ACAD software has such a steep learning curve it is annoying. The old premise KISS: 'Keep it simple STUPID is appropriate for them.

Now back to your software.

I want a) color and fill ability b) rotation and sizing c) ability to change from circular tube toroid to elliptical tube toroid. d) ability to have both the circ and elliptical compard in rotatable 3-d.

Gary Brown BC Canada

You might want to post this on the math board, as they will know more about such software. StuRat 02:37, 2 July 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Jimbo Wales and Scientology

Does Jimbo Wales have anything to do with Scientology? Seahen 03:46, 2 July 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Not that anyone knows of. —THIS IS MESSED

OCKER (TALK) 03:49, 2 July 2006 (UTC)[reply]

How do you know?

And what prompted the question? DirkvdM 03:19, 3 July 2006 (UTC)[reply]

You're probably thinking of Ayn Rand and Objectivism --GangofOne 07:26, 3 July 2006 (UTC)[reply]

TV Projector Lenses

I was looking around ebay and noticed this auction: http://cgi.ebay.com/BIGSCREEN-150-TV-HOME-THEATER-PROJECTOR_W0QQitemZ280002010573QQihZ018QQcategoryZ22639QQtcZphotoQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem. I was wondering if those things really worked. Does anyone have past experiences with creating the projector as described? It seems to me to be a scam. What kind of quality is the TV and what are the other negatives? Most importantly, is it worth it? I am pretty sure there is some trickery involved somehow, but I just want to know if anyone has actual proof/experience with a thing such as that. Thanks. --Proficient 05:35, 2 July 2006 (UTC)[reply]

It's bullshit. You'll end up with a fuzzy, ultra-dim picture. --mboverload @ 22:26, 2 July 2006 (UTC)[reply]

My freind has one its quite good, as good as any telvision, only much bigger, though not to great in the light, so get blackout blinds, or hang on to your old tv, its not a scam, and there not bullshit. Philc _T^E_C^I 23:23, 2 July 2006 (UTC)[reply]

All right. Thanks. I might consider to get one, but my house is quite bright, so it may not be a good idea. It's pretty cheap, so even if it doesn't work it's not a huge loss. --Proficient 14:39, 3 July 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Pantheism

Pantheists believe everything, including nature, is God.But what is it about nature that they believe actually makes it god?Usually, people believe God to be a person with supernatural powers and properties.So, by saying that nature is a god, do they mean that nature has supernatural powers,properties, and characteristics? If so, then what do pantheists believe they are?60.241.147.187 06:21, 2 July 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Did you read the article on pantheism? It seems to me that if all is one, it makes no difference whether you call it God, nature, supernature, or Fred.--Shantavira 09:51, 2 July 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Yes, but it didn't explain whether pantheists believe that nature has supernatural properties which are part of its divinity, or not.

As someone with what you describe as pantheist beliefs, perhaps I can explain. Of course nature cannot have supernatural powers or properties! Think about it - if it's supernatural, that automatically means it's beyond nature. BUT, nature may well have many natural properties and powers which have not yet been discovered, codified or classified by human science, and these parts are intrinsically linked with its divine character. As such, pantheism is totally compatible with science - something which most other religions have a great deal of trouble with. Grutness...wha? 07:11, 3 July 2006 (UTC)[reply]

When I said nature itself, I actually meant the different living and non-living things within nature.So, do pantheists believe that some animals, vegetables, and minerals,etc, in nature have supernatural properties?If so, then what are they believed to be?

No. They believe nature has natural properties, but that these properties - including many not discovered by humans and possibly beyond our ability to discover or comprehend - toether make up the divine. Some pantheists acknowledge different aspects of nature as representative embodiments of some larger whole encompassing all nature. An analogy may be to the way some Christians will pay specific homage to one saint as an embodiment of the divinity of God. Your question therefore equates to "do Christians believe that saints have supernatural properties?" And yet again, pantheists do not believe in any "supernatural qualities". The idea of the "supernatural" is as impossible to them as the idea of something more powerful than God is to Christians. Grutness...wha? 13:20, 4 July 2006 (UTC)[reply]

A better word than 'supernatural' would be magical,paranormal, or occult.Do pantheists believe that some things in nature have supernatural properties that would fit into these categories?

"magical", "paranormal" and "occult" are all null-words. Since "natural" = "normal" then paranormal is out, to start with. As far as the others are concerned, read again what I wrote. Nature has natural properties, and these properties - including many not discovered by humans and possibly beyond our ability to discover or comprehend - together make up the divine. Grutness...wha? 07:12, 6 July 2006 (UTC)[reply]

You said that pantheists do not believe that there is anything supernatural or magical about nature?Then how come many pantheists such as Shintos and believers of New Age and Neo-Pagan religions believe that there is either something supernatural and/or magical about nature, or that there are many supernatural,magical, or occult phenomena, such as supernatural spirits that are part of nature?

As a pantheist, I can tell you point blank that it is by definition an impossibility for someone who believes in nature as being supreme to believe in anything supernatural. As I pointed out on one of the many, many, many repeats of these qyuestions which you are flooding the reference desk with, if nature is a pinnacle, "supernatural" becomes automatically a null word. As I also pointed out elsewhere in one of your reworded questions, one person's undiscovered scientific law is another person's magic. If you wish to refer to something as magical, so be it. You seem to be completely confusing the terms supernatural, magical, and divine, and until you realise that these three terms are completely different from each other you are going to keep on hammering away with the same inane reworking of a question which has been thoroughly answered several times. Then again, if you cannot even discern the difference between an animist religion such as Shinto and pantheist religions, that may be too much work for you. However, since you obviously have trouble reading my answers above, i will repeat them: "how come many pantheists...believe that there is either something supernatural and/or magical about nature, or that there are many supernatural,magical, or occult phenomena, such as supernatural spirits that are part of nature?" Nature by definition cannot be supernatural. if you want to call it "magical", so be it, but it is simply undiscovered science by another name, and the word occult is exactly the same - it simply means "hidden", in thatr it is either unknown or unknowable science. If you'd told someone 150 years ago about the energy that could be released by thumping two large lumps of uranium together, they would have regarded it as "supernatural, magical, or occult", but all it would have been was undiscovered science. Now, I advise you to read the rules at the top of the page: DO NOT DOUBLE POST. That includes re-asking the same question over and over again here and at the Humanities desk. Don't waste time by ignoring answers then reasking the same questions all over again. Grutness...wha? 07:01, 10 July 2006 (UTC)[reply]

looking for a toy

I recently bought a "SPACE Fighter II : FY-28083" From the Futuroscope theme park in France. when i got back it was devoured by my dog. i have googled it to look for a replacement but that hasn't come up with anything

thanks --86.144.157.11 08:28, 2 July 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Suggest you put it back onto regular dog food. (Sorry. Perhaps you could try contacting Futuroscope via their website.)--Shantavira 09:06, 2 July 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Poker

A friend of mine likes to play poker, but my experience with Poker games isn't particularly good. Usually "free" games, turn out only to be free to a certain degree. Last time he installed such a game on my system, a essential DLL got deleted during uninstallation. I can restore the DLL from another system (I think), but we're left with no Poker game at all. Can anyone recommend a free online multiplayer poker game without hidden fees, spy- or adware or any of the other unwanted crap additions? - Mgm|^(talk) 09:26, 2 July 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Online poker is now so big that you will no longer get something for nothing. Cheap unregulated sites are quite likely to be fleecing their customers anyway. Did you read online poker?--Shantavira 10:00, 2 July 2006 (UTC)[reply]

I kind of tried avoiding that, because I know how much that thing gets spammed. I'm still not sure why it's so hard to find a good poker game. You can play multiplayer chess for free, and the same with Settlers of Catan and loads of other games. You mean to tell me that Poker is the only game where no reliable non-scammer games can be found? Anyway, I'll give a source forge project a try and hope that one does work. - Mgm|^(talk) 10:27, 2 July 2006 (UTC)[reply]

did you try yahoo! games? Jon513 14:34, 2 July 2006 (UTC)[reply]

No, I didn't. Thanks for the idea. - Mgm|^(talk) 07:53, 3 July 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Is there a safe and efficient method of penis enlargement?

-nt—Preceding unsigned comment added by 202.7.176.130 (talk • contribs)

Sure. All listed at penis enlargement.--Shantavira 11:18, 2 July 2006 (UTC)[reply]

I find that having naked women walking around the house makes my penis get larger. CambridgeBayWeather (Talk) 13:38, 2 July 2006 (UTC)[reply]

As funny as it may have seemed at the time, that wasn't the question. Please answer properly. --JB Adder | Talk 13:53, 2 July 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Oh, don't be such a killjoy. Philc _T^E_C^I 13:54, 2 July 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Ask a doctor. --Proficient 14:04, 2 July 2006 (UTC)[reply]

You might also want to question why it is so important to you. Someone who feels strongly about you is unlikely to let "size" be a major issue, and if you are truly worried about how your partner perceives your performance in bed there are plenty of ways to improve that without having to play with a rather important part of your anatomy. If only the husband of The Barefoot Contessa had figured this out, he might have had a better lot in life... (The New Good Vibrations Guide to Sex is an excellent and straightforward book on sex and sexual technique, even if you are not feeling insecure about your practice. You can get it through Amazon.com and elsewhere if you are interested.) --Fastfission 01:09, 3 July 2006 (UTC)[reply]

There are also plenty of ways to improve that WITH having to play with that rather important part of your anatomy --Froth 06:45, 5 July 2006 (UTC)[reply]

intending international students enquiry

Gooday sir/madam compliments and beat wishes of the day,i am sawaski,from nigerian.i want to make and equiry concercing my status and an intending international students that wish to apply to the above mention university for studies,please i want u to inform me all the cost and what it takes to procure the internatinal studentship of ur univesity,u can get to me through this email address[e-mail removed]thanks for ur co-operation,i look forward to read from u soonest

Hmmmm....this is an encyclopedia, not an University. Jayant,17 Years, India • contribs 13:37, 2 July 2006 (UTC)[reply]

I just hope hes not trying to study english. Philc _T^E_C^I 13:54, 2 July 2006 (UTC)[reply]

You know it's fake when you see the word nigeria. I feel sorry for actual nigerians. --Froth 06:43, 5 July 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Page Title Case Problem

I recently created a page for the band Hoodoo Revelator. Although i have searched diligently, i can not find a way to ensure the Title case is as follows: Hoodoo Revelator rather than Hoodoo revelator. Any help in this matter is appreciated

Mgchip

To do that you would have to move the page. You may be having trouble because very new account (such as yours) are not allowed to move pages. Jon513 15:44, 2 July 2006 (UTC)[reply]

I moved it for you. Future questions about Wikipedia should be asked at the help desk, not the reference desk. —Keenan Pepper 22:54, 2 July 2006 (UTC)[reply]

To ensure the title is correctly capitalized in the future, you should take care and properly type it in with your next submission. - Mgm|^(talk) 07:55, 3 July 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Searching for contact info. for Mwenge High School in Singida, Tanzania

I am trying to find a phone number or email address for Mwenge High School in Singida, Tanzania. Alternatively, I would be content with the name and contact information of any person affiliated with the school in any way (i.e. an individual who has regular contact with the school or an organization which serves schools in the area). Any assistance in locating this type of contact information is much appreciated! Thanks so much, Mimi

Going to http://www.tanedu.org/MoreInfo_SchoolsDSM.asp?regno=S.107 shows: Head ZENDA T.; School MWENGE; Region - Singida; District - Singida Urban; Postal: BOX 195 Singida. No other contact info but on that page you also have the option of contacting the Tanzanian Education & Information Services by email: "Contact Us" at the bottom of the left column. --Seejyb 21:37, 2 July 2006 (UTC)[reply]

battlefield weapons

What fruit gave a battlefield weapon its name and why?

Hand grenades are named for the Spanish word granada, which means pomegranate. (See the article on hand grenade for the full explanation.) — Michael J 17:26, 2 July 2006 (UTC)[reply]

There's also the (fictional) Banana Bomb from Worms. smurrayinchester^{(User), (Talk)} 17:30, 2 July 2006 (UTC)[reply]

just for shits I googled "military pineapple" and the second hit is "According to him, the pineapple bomb is a military special, constructed and acquired only from the military, the most powerful military bomb in existence". try military apple, military orange, etc, then heavy hordnance orange, heavy ordnance banana, etc. The possibilities are endless! What fun roll-up will they roll out with next? 82.131.191.170 18:20, 2 July 2006 (UTC).[reply]

You might also be interested in learning the art of Self Defence Against Fresh Fruit, just in case :) GeeJo ^(t)⁄_(c) • 19:35, 2 July 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Grapeshot? —Blotwell 02:51, 3 July 2006 (UTC)[reply]

And, as another example, World War II saw the use of "pineapple" and "potato masher" hand grenades. --Serie 21:58, 7 July 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Security printing

This is a question about computer graphics and printing. Is there any way to print something in an image that barely shows up when you look at the original, but comes out clearly in a photocopy? I know there are high-end printing techniques for this, but can it be done on a simpler scale? I do graphics work for a small non-profit theater, and for certain shows we print special tickets. I use Adobe Illustrator 9.0 and Photoshop Elements for the most part, and print on an inkjet printer. I'm guessing this probably can't be done, but maybe someone knows. Thanks to all. — Michael J 17:23, 2 July 2006 (UTC)[reply]

I think you should look at watermark. --ColourBurst 03:37, 3 July 2006 (UTC)[reply]

See also the general issue of steaganography. It's how to hide stuff, and if you don't do a superb job, you may get the effect you'd like. ww 22:09, 11 July 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Everlong

At about 3:00 in Everlong by Foo Fighters, the music dies down, replaced by a distorted whispering for 20 seconds. What is he saying? smurrayinchester^{(User), (Talk)} 17:27, 2 July 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Hi, I had a look round the web with Google and found a few pages that say the same thing. The faq on the official Foo Fighters site says its three tracks scrambled into one. A love letter, technical manual and a story. Looks like that has been copied around several places, including the Easter Eggs archive. Sorry I can't offer any more info, but hopefully that is useful to you. Icey 22:42, 2 July 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Ah well, thanks anyway! smurrayinchester^{(User), (Talk)} 14:04, 4 July 2006 (UTC)[reply]

How to work in a gymnasium instructor?

What do I have to do? Is there any official knowledge needed ? thanks —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 85.50.42.231 (talk • contribs) . 18:58, 2 July 2006

It depends on where in the world you are. If you tell us what country you're in (and additional information like your age), we may be able to help you. By the way, us wikipedians appreciate it if you sign your posts by typing ~~~~ at the end. --Howard Train 18:22, 2 July 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Oh, sorry. I'm the question asker... I'm from Spain, and I'm 20 years old. I'm a veteran gym user.

Well, I wouldn't know much but you could start by asking around in the gym that you trained it. It also helps if you can learn about the various equipment and setting them up and stuff like that. And you could also get yourself some Medical training in case of any accidents. And it would look good on your resume too. Jayant,17 Years, India • contribs 22:04, 2 July 2006 (UTC)[reply]

If you want to be a personal trainer, you'd need certification. Certification probably varies from each country, but I believe you'll need experience and some courses. First Aid training is probably required too. --ColourBurst 02:52, 3 July 2006 (UTC)[reply]

if you want to work "in a gymnasium instructor" you may have to get yourself miniturized and injected into his bloodstream. AllanHainey 08:10, 3 July 2006 (UTC)[reply]

first i would chat to her, then later i would try to work inside her.

Recycling Scandal - From Bag & Box To Landfill

My mum says some told her that they saw a program on television that said the government had sent materials (collected under the premise of intent to recycle), and had them dumped in foreign landfills. Is this true? --Username132 (talk) 18:08, 2 July 2006 (UTC)[reply]

What country are you talking about? User:Zoe|^(talk) 21:01, 2 July 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Sorry, I always forget to mention. UK. Those people that put flags in there signature... how do they do that? I think I'll copy --Username132 (talk) 23:25, 2 July 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Actually, I remember reading about this in the UK: the paper waste that was being collected for recycling was found on container ships heading to Inida, I think- I'll see if I can find a source. EVOCATIVEINTRIGUE TALKTOME | EMAILME | IMPROVEME 22:25, 2 July 2006 (UTC)[reply]

I wouldn't be very surprised. Recycling is expensive, and often the recycled products aren't worth the cost of making them. Plastic recycling, in particular, is rarely worth it. —Keenan Pepper 23:25, 2 July 2006 (UTC)[reply]

This has been happening for some time. One link is BBC news. It isn't the government exporting these materials its private contractors and "waste disposal" firms. I believe organic or paper waste is legally allowed to be exported but there are limits on such exports and they are frequently flouted. Mostly with the export of dangerous computer & electronic components (most of which are picked through & torn apart by the Chinese and Indians looking for something to sell) but earlier in the year there was a story of a council waste disposal contractor that sent a batch of peoples domestic waste over to China or India. They identified it by old letters in peoples waste. AllanHainey 08:20, 3 July 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Hp Printers

Does the HP 1350 xi come with OCR software? 172.161.106.46 20:20, 2 July 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Not as far as I could see, but I wasn't too willing to trudge through all of HP's specifications: try taking a peek at HP's product spec. page for your model. EVOCATIVEINTRIGUE TALKTOME | EMAILME | IMPROVEME 22:16, 2 July 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Scanners normally come with OCR software, but I wouldn't expect to find any bundled with a printer because OCR does the opposite of what a printer does, rather than complement it.--Shantavira 08:45, 3 July 2006 (UTC)[reply]

The HP PSC 1350 is a printer, scanner, and copier. So one might expect to recieve OCR software with it. Unfortunately, that doesn't seem to be the case for the 1350. Not sure of the 1350 xi. I had never heard of that model until 172.161.105.46 asked. --Optichan 23:55, 6 July 2006 (UTC)[reply]