Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Miscellaneous/2010 November 22

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

November 22

Factors affecting utilization of an automated library system in academic libraries

I have been given a home work on this topic. Please help me to find answers to this. Thanks. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Kenyisokiri (talk • contribs) 01:00, 22 November 2010 (UTC)

Could you clarify your phrase "automated library system?" We maintain a number of distinct "automated library systems" with the main one being our Integrated library system (ILS). I note that someone has set up a redirect from Automated library system to the ILS article. Also, do you really mean "utilization" as opposed to the more common questions regarding "implementation?" In any case, this is not a trivial task. We spent several years selecting and implementing our current ILS system. The factors are legion, and the answer could be an entire thesis. You might want to refer to any lecture notes or assigned readings on this topic. --Quartermaster (talk) 13:54, 23 November 2010 (UTC)

Masturbation technique

What is tolling of the bells? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 65.91.117.73 (talk) 04:38, 22 November 2010 (UTC)

Removed text inappropriate for the RD signed "AndyTheGrump 04:54, 22 November 2010", comment on talk page. WikiDao ☯ (talk) 13:16, 22 November 2010 (UTC)

I know your comment (and this thread in general) will get deleted, but I must applaud you for that epically hilarious response. 24.189.87.160 (talk) 05:20, 22 November 2010 (UTC)

Wikipedia has a (restricted) animated image of the male masturbation technique "Tolling of the Bells". Cuddlyable3 (talk) 08:30, 22 November 2010 (UTC)

Should be obvious, but the above link is not safe for work by really any definition. --Mr.98 (talk) 15:01, 22 November 2010 (UTC)

Even if you work for Bel Ami? First result for pornography company for me. Nil Einne (talk) 15:46, 22 November 2010 (UTC)

Anyone browsing the reference desk at work instead of working is likely to be fired; nothing on the internet is worksafe unless your job is answering wikipedia questions. 83.189.71.128 (talk) 17:04, 22 November 2010 (UTC)

Only if you assume an intelligent and company-backed IT department. My experience in general is that the former is merely possible and the latter is most likely lacking. --Onorem♠Dil 17:09, 22 November 2010 (UTC)

Ask not how the bells toll, even if they toll for thee. Clarityfiend (talk) 02:17, 23 November 2010 (UTC)

Not true at all. One can browse on one's lunch break but still not be allowed to look at naked pictures. Or they could be in a public space where normal Ref Desk questions and answers are fine, but a picture of swinging testicles might be a bit embarrassing. Anyway it's common courtesy for websites to alert people about questionable content. Nobody is censoring anything just because they are warned that they might not want to click a link under all possible circumstances. --Mr.98 (talk) 02:19, 23 November 2010 (UTC)

The story behind that illustration is rather tragic, as its subject turned out to be a clapper. ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 21:47, 24 November 2010 (UTC)

Genitcally modified foods

ummm, what're the most common genetic modifications for produce? Jds500 (talk) 19:11, 22 November 2010 (UTC)

It seems to vary from crop to crop (see Genetically modified plant); some are modified to improve resistance to pests (see Genetically modified tomato, though I think tobacco is actually a more famous case, though without an article), some are modified to improve resistance to herbicides (see the Monsanto article for an example). There are other reasons, but my understanding is that those are the two big ones. Matt Deres (talk) 19:27, 22 November 2010 (UTC)

Specifically resistance to glyphosate or adding bt toxin. --Mr.98 (talk) 02:21, 23 November 2010 (UTC)

Yes. And tobacco was the early experimental subject, supposedly because its genetics were relatively simple to deal with. Plus, if an experiment didn't work quite as planned, they could maybe still smoke the results. ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 21:44, 24 November 2010 (UTC)