Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Miscellaneous/2011 November 18

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November 18

when i am (legally) a finder?

if i 'find' somewhere a wallet, take it to look into it, and then replace it just where i 'found' it returning to my own buisness - am i legally a finder (with duty to report what i found)? — Preceding unsigned comment added by 188.174.123.87 (talk) 02:05, 18 November 2011 (UTC)

Consider that your fingerprints are now on the wallet.--Shantavira|^{feed me} 08:51, 18 November 2011 (UTC)

This topic is not about suspect, proof or forensics - i just want to know the definition of what is 'finding misplaced property' in english or american law - that's all. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 188.174.123.87 (talk) 19:50, 18 November 2011 (UTC)

• We cannot offer legal advice. Please see the legal disclaimer. Contact a lawyer. Quintessential British Gentleman (talk) 02:12, 18 November 2011 (UTC)

However, don't forget the old concept, findus keepus losus weepus. ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 23:44, 20 November 2011 (UTC)

So, this internet censorship thingy...

If, heaven forbid, it is passed, would Wikipedia be a possible victim of this draconian legislation? 76.64.237.223 (talk) 07:24, 18 November 2011 (UTC)

You mean the Stop Online Piracy Act? The answer is yes: here is a blog post from Jay Walsh of Wikimedia. --Colapeninsula (talk) 10:02, 18 November 2011 (UTC)

With any luck, that would be the death knell of the "anyone can edit" principle. ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 03:57, 20 November 2011 (UTC)

I think it important that everyone who poses or reads a question here should be trusted to reach their own decisions about it without being overridden by a censor. In this way responders can give an OP the benefit of a diversity of knowledge, references and opinions and our answers that are in the archive can be referenced with no fuss whenever a similar question arises. Incidentally, I think a response like "That's a silly question because <reason>" can be tolerated but a response like "You are this idiot (because I say so)" is unacceptable. Those here who want ref. desk material censored should know that censorship has these side effects: chilling effect and forbidden fruit effect. The chilling effect may give the censor a pleasurable impression of serving a wider good but in reality nobody will ever know how much human creativity it has smothered. The forbidden fruit effect can be a recent signal to every apprentice troll that they can stampede the ref. deskers simply by posting a question about an enema. (rewritten version of a post that was suppressed by a block on 28.09.2011). Cuddlyable3 (talk) 13:40, 21 November 2011 (UTC)

Francisco_Blake_Mora

Sorry to put this here, but I have been away for a while and can't remember how to raise something I've spotted in an article... I looked at the headings above expecting to see a "talk" link, but could not see one... Perhaps someone here can point me in the right direction...

I was just reading about the sad death of Mr Mora, and spotted a few innacuracies in the article...

Several times through the section about his death, and the following section about controversies the article seems to be confused as to what was being flown in both this crash and the co-incidental crash 3 years ago to the day of the previous man to hold the same job as Mr Mora...

In the last main paragraph of the "Death" section it states : "The death of Blake Mora is the second loss in this position during the Calderón presidency, the first one being Juan Camilo Mouriño, who died in a plane crash in 2008"

Then in the "Controversy" section it says : "Before Blake Mora, Juan Camilo Mouriño, who was also head of the Interior, was killed in a helicopter accident on November 4, 2008"

The further in the same section, at the start of the following paragraph, it reads : "Moreover, the death of Blake Mora and the seven others in a plane crash "

How do I raise this to be corrected? Thanks...

But, but, you can edit the article yourself if you believe there are inaccuracies! Above the article title at Francisco Blake Mora are links: Article, discussion, edit this page, history, move, watch. Can You see them? --Ouro (blah blah) 07:49, 18 November 2011 (UTC)

The "Discussion" tab gets you into what we otherwise refer to as "Talk". I sympathise fully with the OP. When I was a newby here, this confused the hell out of me. Synonyms are alright in their place, but I still don't understand why the page called [[Talk:<whatever>]] is not accessed by a "Talk" tab rather than a "Discussion" tab. Or alternatively, why what you do get is not called [[Discussion:<whatever>]]. -- Jack of Oz ^{[your turn]} 08:15, 18 November 2011 (UTC)

Originally it was Talk. Well, actually you manually created a link to a subpage called /Talk by typing that at the end of the text of the article. Except that some people prefered /Discussion and typed that in or they wanted to avoid a topic being discussed on /Talk and created a second subpage with /Discussion. Then we got away from subpages and also got separated spaces for articles, talk, user page, policy, etc. where talk went on talk pages by a "Discuss this page" link at the bottom of page (outside of the article text). I remember debate about naming the current tab Talk or Discuss and I think some skins or styles can change it. Rmhermen (talk) 03:01, 19 November 2011 (UTC)

I see. Thanks. -- Jack of Oz ^{[your turn]} 11:15, 20 November 2011 (UTC)

how to connect hd freeview box to dvd recorder and tv

howto connect a hd freview box to dvd recorder and tv . — Preceding unsigned comment added by 86.162.59.136 (talk) 10:43, 18 November 2011 (UTC)

Use an HD cable?

We are going to need more details about the setup and devices you have if you want more help. --Lgriot (talk) 11:02, 18 November 2011 (UTC)

This seems a bit tricky. The DVD recorder probably can't record HD. You may have to connect the HD box's HD output (DVI/HTMI/component) to the TV, but a non-HD output from the HD box to to the DVD Recorder (what inputs does the DVD recorder take?). This may or may not be possible, as some boxes require you to select which output you want and won't output 2 signals on different lines. You'll then connect both the HD box and the DVD recorder to different inputs of the TV (HD box probably to TV's HDMI/DVI, or if that's not possible to component; DVD recorder to whatever it outputs). You probably can't do it like an old-school VCR (aerial to VCR to TV). This is why people buy HD boxes with integrated hard-disk based video recorders. --Colapeninsula (talk) 12:59, 18 November 2011 (UTC)

The OP geolocates to the UK so presumably they are talking about Freeview (UK). If your TV is reasonably new, it is probably equipped with HDMI, SCART and component connections. The DVD recorder probably has SCART and component connectors and maybe an HDMI output (if it supports high def upscaling). I suggest you connect the Freeview box to the TV with a HDMI cable to get best live-TV watching. Assuming the Freeview box also has SCART output (and I've not seen one that doesn't), connect that to the DVD-recorder so you can record off the Freeview box. If the Freeview box has component outputs you might get a better quality than with SCART. The thing you almost certainly cannot do is connect the Freeview box to your DVD-recorder using HDMI and then record anything. When it comes to connecting the DVD-recorder to the TV for playback, a HDMI cable is best if your recorder supports it; otherwise a SCART or component connection will do. Astronaut (talk) 17:42, 18 November 2011 (UTC)

Besides Asurion, who else insures lost cellphones?

For my Xperia Play, I signed on for Best Buy's Black Tie insurance for it. When I lost my phone for one week, I inquired about replacements, and they say they "only insure damaged and defective" phones. Thankfully, a good Samaritan found my phone and returned it to a front desk. Asurion would be the one who insures lost phones. When I called them, they said that I could only get on Asurion within 30 days because they "wouldn't make any money" otherwise, and nobody there gives exceptions.

If Asurion is a monopoly, they deserve an antitrust lawsuit like what happened to AT&T and Microsoft.

However, I've never heard of monopoly court proceedings against Asurion, so there must be another insurance provider who covers lost phones. Nobody at Asurion, Best Buy, or Verizon knew, but of course nobody can know absolutely everything.

Do you know what they don't know? Any insurance provider, at all, that covers phones that are lost anywhere (at least anywhere in the US?) Thanks. --70.179.174.101 (talk) 11:32, 18 November 2011 (UTC)

In the UK it's usually possible to cover this sort of loss under a standard household contents policy. (I don't know the US/Asurion situation, but surely it hardly counts as a 'monopoly' if one company chooses to offer a particular product or service and others don't.) AndrewWTaylor (talk) 12:16, 18 November 2011 (UTC)

Simply being a monopoly isn't illegal. Anyone may offer a unique service without fear of anti-trust lawsuits. Antitrust laws are for when you abuse your monopoly status in certain specific ways.

What do you mean "Within 30 days"? Obviously, you can't sign up for insurance after your phone is already missing. Or do you mean that they only insure new phones? APL (talk) 03:37, 19 November 2011 (UTC)

For what it's worth Verizon Wireless offers "Total Equipment Protection Plans" those plans cover loss and theft, but they're expensive and have rather large deductibles. APL (talk) 03:40, 19 November 2011 (UTC)

Press "Ctrl+F" on that page and type "Asurion." --70.179.174.101 (talk) 23:57, 19 November 2011 (UTC)

First off, you can insure practically anything in the U.S. but it'll cost you. (See you home insurance policy). But for the love of god, read what you are doing. I had an employee sign up for dental insurance with the specific goal of getting some needed bridge work done. She had the work done, then freaked out when the insurance wouldn't cover it. The clause said she must have the insurance for at least 90 days before such work would be covered. I tried explaining to her that insurance companies had those restrictions so people wouldn't just sign up before medical procedure...but you would've thought I was in the 1% out to ruin her and her family. Long story short, don't loose you cell phone. It's valuable. Quinn ^{✩ STARRY NIGHT} 02:59, 20 November 2011 (UTC)

I did say that some good Samaritan turned it in a week later. I have it here now. What do you mean by Home Insurance? It's renters' insurance for me. Will it cover my phone when lost outside of my apartment? --70.179.174.101 (talk) 19:23, 20 November 2011 (UTC)

Renters insurance is one of several sub-categories of Home insurance. In some places (such as the UK) it's common to have one insurance policy for the building itself, and another for the contents, i.e. your furniture and other possessions, the more expensive of which may need to be specifically listed in the policy. Some policies cover damage, loss or theft of specified possessions even when they occur outside the home, others may not, but all such details should be explicitly stated in the policy documents. {The poster formerly known as 87.81.230.195} 90.193.78.12 (talk) 21:40, 20 November 2011 (UTC)

clouds

can clouds form in the dark — Preceding unsigned comment added by 116.71.55.39 (talk) 13:08, 18 November 2011 (UTC)

Yes, but they're more difficult to see. In London on a cloudy night, the sky has an orange tinge, which is the reflected light from all the street lamps. See our article on Clouds. Alansplodge (talk) 13:11, 18 November 2011 (UTC)

I suspect that they mainly form at night, when the lower temperatures cause the water vapor which evaporated during the warmer day to condense to form water droplets. StuRat (talk) 15:23, 22 November 2011 (UTC)

Dogs in Afghanistan

As far as I understand it, Muslims consider dogs to be unclean or some such thing. And Afghanistan is 99% Muslim. And I often see stories about American servicemen adopting dogs who were brought to the States from Afghanistan. So where are all these dogs coming from? If they're stray, I wouldn't expect them to be friendly enough to come up to the servicemen to begin with. Dismas|^(talk) 19:54, 18 November 2011 (UTC)

Does the article Islam and dogs answer your questions? From that article, it does not seem to imply that every single Muslim has a monolithic opinion of dogs as creatures to be avoided at all costs. Indeed, I would expect that any grouping of 1 billion people would have varying opinions on just about any matter, so while I understand that some Muslim groups are opposed to keeping dogs as pets, I wouldn't anticipate that no Muslims anywhere would, nor would I expect every Muslim-majority country to be dog-free. --Jayron32 19:58, 18 November 2011 (UTC)

Have you seen many stray dogs, Dismas? I was a child in the United States before there were leash laws, and there were a lot more stray dogs roaming around, maybe because people did not call Animal Control anytime they saw a loose animal. My family adopted a couple. Most dogs, including stray dogs, are attracted to people, though if they've been mistreated they will be wary at first. If you feed a stray dog and show it any kindness, it will not want to be separated from you. I'm guessing that these dogs wandered over to an American army base and quickly found new masters. Marco polo (talk) 20:44, 18 November 2011 (UTC)

There's a big diff between a dog born and raised wild and one that had an owner previously. The dogs which were born wild aren't likely to make good pets. This is especially true if they've been wild for many generations, and have lost the tameness which was previously bred into them. StuRat (talk) 21:13, 18 November 2011 (UTC)

That may be true, but I also think it would depend on the age of the dog. A mature wild dog is going to have a hard time learning to behave as a tame dog, but a puppy or immature dog, especially one that has been separated from his mother, is more likely to be trainable. Marco polo (talk) 22:02, 18 November 2011 (UTC)

The article stray dogs is maybe what you are searching for. Take a look at it, specially the part differentiating between feral and wild dogs. Quest09 (talk) 00:59, 19 November 2011 (UTC)

Could they be pariah dogs? We don't list Afghanistan as one of the countries where they are found, but we do list neighbouring (and Muslim) Pakistan. Itsmejudith (talk) 11:34, 21 November 2011 (UTC)

What insect is this?

A friend of mine sent me this photo. He was shocked at the size and oddity of it (part of his shoe is in the photo for size comparison). Really large insects aren't typically found in inner cities in California. Any ideas as to what it is? 76.14.142.96 (talk) 21:47, 18 November 2011 (UTC)

Jerusalem cricket. Marco polo (talk) 21:58, 18 November 2011 (UTC)

Cool, thanks. I've heard of those but never have seen one. 76.14.142.96 (talk) 22:03, 18 November 2011 (UTC)

Man, if you want to see some big bugs come to south Mississippi in the fall just before it starts getting cold and rainy. Everything comes out of the woodwork, quite literally! Quinn ^{✩ STARRY NIGHT} 02:47, 20 November 2011 (UTC)

Including Gnurrs? {The poster formerly known as 87.81.230.197 90.193.78.12 (talk) 18:08, 20 November 2011 (UTC)