Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Miscellaneous/2007 June 15

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June 15

Is this a coincidence?

The Wii is white. The PS3 is black. The Xbox 360 logo is sorta green. Sega's logo is blue. Atari's logo is mostly red. White. Black. Green, blue, red. Will Sega and Atari make new systems? A 5-way console war would be sweet.--Paraguayan1 00:19, 15 June 2007 (UTC)

The colour thing is not a coincidence so much as an emergent feature of an oligopolistic market in which there is little to differentiate vendors. Who knows if Sega or Atari will produce consoles? Very doubtful. And a 5-way console war might not be sweet if games vendors don't want to face the extra costs of developing for all of the platforms. --Tagishsimon (talk)

Console makers want their system to look cool. Colors are a by product, by the end of their life span most consoles are made in at least a few different colors (the only exception I know to this in the time since PSX is the xbox). And no, Sega won't- the dreamcast killed what little hardware ability they had left, Atari is dead, and 5 major consoles at the same time would be horrible for the consumers, since you'd have to purchase at least two or three consoles to play a decent number of games, instead of just one. -- Phoeba Wright^OBJECTION! 01:02, 15 June 2007 (UTC)

Both Sega and Atari used to make consoles - but gave up when they found they could make more money selling games than selling consoles. The problem with being a console manufacturer is that you need lots of cash in the bank before you start. Almost all video consoles cost more to make than their sales price - so every time someone buys a console, the manufacturer loses money. The way to make money on the deal is to license the technology for writing games for that console to other companies. So when you buy a game, part of the money that the game manufacturer makes gets kicked back to the console vendor. It's a delicate balance though - if you sell too many consoles - but not enough games for each one - you can lose money even though you are shipping tons of consoles. In the case of Sega, they found they could sell just as many games on someone else's console as on their own - and by supporting several other consoles they could sell games to a wider range of people. I don't see anything in the market for consoles that's changed enough to make that decision something they'd think about reversing. So, no - I doubt very much that we'll see another console manufacturer pop up in the next hardware cycle. To the contrary - I think it's quite possible that Sony will drop out...but that's just speculation. SteveBaker 19:21, 16 June 2007 (UTC)

Driving from London UK to Bangkok Thailand

Which would be the safest countrys to travel through and what visas would we require.

I tried searching for answers for you, but who knew that "asian road trip" is a phrase used by so many pornographers? Anchoress 03:09, 15 June 2007 (UTC)

Once into Asia, your choices would seem to be Russia-China-Thailand, or some combination involving Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, and Burma. The first option strikes me as the safer bet, but I'm just guessing. Pfly 04:32, 15 June 2007 (UTC)

You could probably do Russia-Mongolia-China, but perhaps the toughest part would be getting from China to Bangkok. This page indicates the best bet might be to cross into Vietnam, take the main highway south to near Dong Ha, then cut west across Laos and cross the Mekong at Savannakhet. But the U.S. State Department warns that the area near the Laos-Thailand border is dangerous. -- Mwalcoff 04:55, 15 June 2007 (UTC)

Well, stay out of Burma and Afghanistan at all costs (Burma probably wouldn't let you in)...there are probably few good roads in Afghanistan anyway. Waziristan and FATA in Pakistan are very dangerous. I would also recommend avoiding Southern Thailand due to the South Thailand insurgency. Neutrality^talk 06:06, 15 June 2007 (UTC)

Do you have to drive, sailing around South Africa has worked for centuries :) HS7 14:33, 16 June 2007 (UTC)

Google

Is anybody else having trouble getting to Google? My browser keeps saying its loading but it won't come up.--71.185.138.232 03:02, 15 June 2007 (UTC)

Works fine for me -- maybe it's your ISP or browser. --Haemo 03:04, 15 June 2007 (UTC)

Google and gmail didn't work for me awhile ago either, though wikipedia worked fine --froth^t 06:48, 15 June 2007 (UTC)

If you have no look with google.com, try google.net, google.co.uk or google.com.au. Neil ╦ 09:24, 15 June 2007 (UTC)

Showering

When I took a shower today I noticed that my left hand was really red, and when I lifted it up to look at it it got normal again after a few seconds. I tried letting it hang and lifting it again and it did the same thing. Is this normal or is there likely something wrong with me. (btw I know Wikipedia doesn't give medical advice, but I'd like a response and I won't take it lke a doctor's advice please)--71.185.138.232 04:08, 15 June 2007 (UTC)

It's probably just blood rushing to your hand. In a hot shower, your body temperature rises, which can give your skin a reddish, or ruddy hue. --Haemo 04:10, 15 June 2007 (UTC)

It's not just the heat, I get that a lot any time :( It gets a lot worse if you are in a situation where that happens for a long time, so have quicker showers :) Try raising your blood pressure :] HS7 14:31, 16 June 2007 (UTC)

Rudi Bhaktiar?

Does she still work at Fox News? I haven't seen her in a while ...

Yes, see Rudi Bakhtiar. Neutrality^talk 06:13, 15 June 2007 (UTC)

Redirect created. The ref desk is awesome for highlighting these. Neil ╦ 09:20, 15 June 2007 (UTC)

Where on Wikipedia can i have a discussion

it says on talk pages 'this is not the place for a general discussion on the topic'. and on the page saying 'what wikipedia is not', it says it isnt a discussion forum. My question is, is there anywhere on wikipedia where i could have a general discussion with people about an issue? what i have in mind is a discussion about a unique form/system of government and elections i have come up with. id like to explain it, and see what flaws people think it may have. im sure there are plenty of online politics discussion forums, but i would prefer it to be on wikipedia. Willy turner 07:28, 15 June 2007 (UTC)

No. Wikipedia is not a forum. It is an encyclopedia. If you want to talk about politics, googles "politics forum", I imagine there's a dozen (read: gazillion) out there -- Phoeba Wright^OBJECTION! 17:15, 15 June 2007 (UTC)

Well, you've already seen WP:NOT, and that states clearly enough that we are only trying to build an encyclopedia. Wikipedia makes a poor discussion group anyway, because of edit conflicts and the fact that every version of every page needs to be archived. I'm sure you'll be able to find a suitable group elsewhere.--Shantavira|^{feed me} 08:35, 15 June 2007 (UTC)

thats a pity. Shantavira if thats a photo of you on your userpage; A. your cat looks hilarious, and B. you appear to be a Bond villain. Willy turner 09:07, 15 June 2007 (UTC)

*cough* *splutter* *giggle* Neil ╦ 09:21, 15 June 2007 (UTC)

You owe me a new keyboard. 213.48.15.234 12:32, 15 June 2007 (UTC)

Sorry Shantavira, but I lol'd -- Phoeba Wright^OBJECTION!

Justin Pitt? -- Jreferee ^(Talk) 01:49, 16 June 2007 (UTC)

You're a year too late: Wikipedia:Miscellany for deletion/Wikipedia:Esperanza --froth^t 13:46, 15 June 2007 (UTC)

There are thousands of places on the internet to talk about politics and general questions. Wikipedia just isn't one of them. --24.147.86.187 14:34, 15 June 2007 (UTC)

Willy, what I'd do is start a blog (free space!), expound the idea in a series of posts there, and invite comments. —Tamfang 02:22, 17 June 2007 (UTC)

what happens when there is a lightning in the ocean

hi this is venkat. i wanna know what happens when lightning falls on the ocean. do d fishes die?. though it may b a silly question but im ignorant abt it.

I've always wanted to know if birds in the air get hit by lightning, and if it does them any harm. Perhaps they just don't fly during storms. Bielle 14:02, 15 June 2007 (UTC)

It's a very good question. In theory, it seems lightning can (see here) kill fish, but it depends on a number of factors. iames 14:23, 15 June 2007 (UTC)

I doubt that a bird would get struck (unless they just happen to be near a strike when it hits) for a couple reasons. First, electricy takes the path of least resistance. Going through the air would seem to be much less resistance than going through a bird. Second, the bird isn't grounded to anything so the electricy wouldn't go to ground any easier through the bird than through the air. Though, I have no sources to back this up at this time. Dismas|^(talk) 18:27, 15 June 2007 (UTC)

While I agree with most of your post, I think you'd find a bird to be much more conductive than plain (not ionized) air, for the same reason that you can put your finger *near* an electric socket with no problem, but should avoid putting your fingers *in* those sockets. --TotoBaggins 20:34, 15 June 2007 (UTC)

See Lightning strikes fish, predators eat rotten meat, Everest scrapes stratosphere. -- Jreferee ^(Talk) 01:52, 16 June 2007 (UTC)

doubt abt d metals and non-metals!!!!!!

hey tell me if there is any non-metallic conductor and a metallic insulator. seems 2 b contradictory!!!!! —Preceding unsigned comment added by Coolvenky cit (talk • contribs)

There are certainly non-metallic conductors - graphite is an example. Not sure if there are any metallic insulators though. See our articles on conductor and electrical conduction for more details. Gandalf61 11:21, 15 June 2007 (UTC)

Yes there are metallic insulators: grey tin is an example. The metallic chemical elements - "metals" - are not necessarily metallic in all their solid phases; rather, they may be metallic in some phase(s) and semiconductor / dielectric in other phase(s). Only a few metallic elements have only one known solid phase; a majority of metallic elements have a number of solid phases, each phase being stable under different (pressure, temperature) conditions. A crystalline solid is "metallic" when there is a considerable number of charge carriers (usually at least 10²⁰ per cm³, sometimes much more) in the conductivity band, and non-metallic otherwise. The band structure depends on the element and on the parameters of the crystal lattice. The lattice parameters change between phases. Hope this helps. Dr_Dima.

its easier to think of of non-metal conductors. some everyday things are graphite (the stuff in your pencil), water with ions in it (sea water, apple juice, urine...) 209.53.180.75 19:52, 15 June 2007 (UTC)

What about that stuff you get under very high pressures when all the atoms fall apart, or something, is'nt that metallic :) HS7 14:26, 16 June 2007 (UTC)

Income Support

Hello,

I am a teenager living in the UK. My mum gets income support and is a lone parent. If I get a job (I am 16) will it compromise her income support.—Preceding unsigned comment added by 84.13.149.21 (talk • contribs)

That depends on a number of factors, especially how much you earn. As a family, however, you are likely to be much better off by getting a job. You local Citizens Advice Bureau will be able to provide you with more details.--Shantavira|^{feed me} 13:50, 15 June 2007 (UTC)

The idea of income support is to help people who are unable to support themselves. If you are able to get a job and make enough money to get off income support (or recieve less), you are obligated to by law and moraly. Also, you will probably find that it's much better for you in the long run. The earlier you can get an "OK" job and get some experience, the earlier you will be able to get a great job. 209.53.180.75 19:47, 15 June 2007 (UTC)

chat room question

Hi, was in a poker chatroom and someone used

??????????????????///

as expression several times, what does the / represent, seen it a few times!

thanks.

My guess is that they didn't mean to type it, since the / is on the same key as the ?. Looks like a typo to me. --Richardrj ^{talk email} 16:43, 15 June 2007 (UTC)

I would guess it's like the "!!!!!!111" joke. Marnanel 16:56, 15 June 2007 (UTC)

Or rather, the !!!1112three3 joke ;)--GTPoompt(talk) 16:58, 15 June 2007 (UTC)

Profile song

Does anyone have any idea what this person's profile song is, and who it is by? The table on MySpace that normally shows it is hidden in this person's profile. Thank you. 86.145.105.23 18:00, 15 June 2007 (UTC)

How do you listen to it? I went to the page but nothing played. Anchoress 02:21, 16 June 2007 (UTC)

You could message the person and ask them, though by the looks of it he's a myspace whore who probably wont answer. --203.51.147.217 05:39, 16 June 2007 (UTC)

Hmm, I suppose. It's supposed to play automatically play, Anchoress. ): Thanks anyway 86.148.185.67 10:46, 16 June 2007 (UTC)

It is 'Good Girl' by 'Ima Robot'. If you have firefox (it is an internet browser, i highly recommend you use it) and you click view > page style >no style, a persons profile will return to a standard format and the song file will become unhidden. RobertsZ 14:09, 16 June 2007 (UTC)

grand theft auto san andreas

hello. i installed the game grand theft auto san andreas in my pc. and i started the game. the title page displayed correctly but then it stops there and then nothing happens for w few minutes. then the the game ends and the desktop comes into view. a window says that the game has experienced some trouble and needs to close. before i can see the details the window vanishes. whats happening. can somebody please help me. i bought this game at a heavy price and i am driven crazy by its malfunctioning. please help me. thank u.

Heavy price? It's two years old, but dunno. Check video card/sound drivers, and try reinstalling DirectX. Specifics would help. Splintercellguy 19:20, 15 June 2007 (UTC)

You've mention virtually no details about your PC so it's difficult to offer any help. Try what splinter said & also make sure you have the latest patches for the game. Failing that, you can either ask for help again on wikipedia (probably in the computing reference desk tho) or it might be better to contact either the publisher or use the many forums that exist for the game Nil Einne 16:05, 16 June 2007 (UTC)

Households In the United States

How many households are there in the United States? How many of these households own at least one computer?

The first hit on a web search for "households United States own computer" says 113,126,000 and 69,912,000, respectively. --TotoBaggins 20:39, 15 June 2007 (UTC)

Mysterious Flag

Can anyone identify this flag? Thanks, Яussiaп F 20:22, 15 June 2007 (UTC)

Allowing for colour distortion, the most likely seems to be Jordan with a wedge, stripes with the right sort of colour relationships, and a spot of some kind on the wedge. Other candidates could be Western Sahara, Palestineor São Tomé and Príncipe. SaundersW 21:11, 15 June 2007 (UTC)

You may want to see our article Gallery of flags with triangles; the flag of South Yemen resembles it, but that hasn't been in use for many years. The flag of SPLA/M (Image:Flag of the SPLAM.svg) could look like that if the image was drained of all red, but you'd be unlikely to see that outside of Sudan. I think Jordan or ST&P are most likely, albeit with some seriously screwed up colours (however, it's possible that they are in fact the correct colours and this is some obscure flag, as they closely resemble the pan-African colours). Laïka 22:02, 15 June 2007 (UTC)

Using the Flag Identifier, I'd concur that it is most likely Jordan. -- Mwalcoff 22:03, 15 June 2007 (UTC)

Could it be a really old flag for a country that doesn't exist any more :? What I see in the picture doesn't seem to much resemble any of these suggestions, but maybe I'm looking at it wrong :( Also is it just me, or does it look like a bit of an old painting :) HS7 14:20, 16 June 2007 (UTC)

US National

Who is a US National? To apply for a job with the Transportation Security Administration, the requirements are be a US Citizen or a US National. sophietuffySophietuffy 22:35, 15 June 2007 (UTC)

The IRS defines a US National as "An individual who owes his sole allegiance to the United States, including all U.S. citizens, and including some individuals who are not U.S. citizens."[1] Basically, it's like being a US citizen, but it also counts if you live in an unincorporated territory of the US, such as American Samoa or the Northern Mariana Islands. Laïka 23:07, 15 June 2007 (UTC)

Does that mean that a dual citizen is not a US National? Nil Einne 16:03, 16 June 2007 (UTC)

See United States nationality law. Neutrality^talk 06:37, 16 June 2007 (UTC)