December 2005 Archives
December 31
Atchoo. Gimme gamma sterilization.
Why doesn't my furnace have a sterilizer? [more inside]
Art Museum Web Redesign
Redesigning an art museum website (content / design / strategy / the whole shebang). What would you expect to see? What would you like to see that they're not doing? What would totally blow your mind? What do you know they'll include that you just don't care about?
And, on a slight tangent, best web examples for art museums? Not the content that resonates for you, but rather kind of information and how it was executed.
Thanks!
Packets, and Gateways, and Routers, Oh My!
I like to pretend that I'm a big networking wiz, but in reality, I don't even have the wits to play one on TV. Either way, I've been looking for something a little more robust in the router department for my home network, and I think I've found it with the Linksys WRT54G + DD-WRT firmware (v23, 12/25/05 release). And here's where the fun begins - Getting it to manage my DSL connection. [more inside]
Does my daughter really need surgery?
Help my 7-year-old daughter hear me. (Medical, not behavioral issue) [more inside]
howto cover crack in wall
Help me cover up a crack in the living room wall. [more inside]
Secure Apache for local-only use!
ApacheFilter: I want to run Apache on my PC for testing purposes. I would like to be able to be connected to the internet when I do this, safe in the knowledge that I'm not leaving myself exposed. I only want myself to be able to access my stuff, from the local machine. How do I configure Apache to do this? I'm on WinXP Pro, running Apache 2.0.55. [more inside]
Technology and gadgets in the home.
Home gadgetry. I'm trying to move away from web design and am interested in starting a business related to home technology solutions. [more inside]
Ice cream quest
Where can I find a Purdy's ice cream bar equivalent in Toronto? [more inside]
Blogs with great designs?
What are some really well-designed, cool-looking blogs? [more inside]
Kyrgystan's religious censorship via web: technique?
Does anyone know, loosely or extensively, of Kyrgystan's methods of web censorship of religion? [more inside]
Fowl Most Foul
Fowl-Most-FoulFilter: I just roasted a chicken, and it came out ghastly. What the &?*#@ did I do wrong? [more inside]
Blog/Forum Hybrid
My New Year's resolution is to build a hybrid blog and forum as a meeting place for Australian musicians. What would be the best software to use for this? [more inside]
Preserving a wider Quick Launch toolbar
Is it possible to change the default minimum number of icons in the Windows XP Quick Launch toolbar? [more inside]
I spy with my little eye something beginning with "B"
Boxes! I'm looking for small, stackable, attractive boxes. [more inside]
Name that mid-eighties DOS game
What is this? Mid-late eighties DOS game. In space or underwater. Little submarine or spaceship guy, cruising around a platform/maze type environment. There are teleports with codes to move between some areas. x [more inside]
posted by slightlybewildered at 2:40 PM PST - 10 comments
posted by slightlybewildered at 2:40 PM PST - 10 comments
Your sound card works perfectly. Just not the network card.
1990sGamingFilter: I'm trying to set up some LAN gaming with some old IPX-dependent games (primarily WarCraft II: TOD). I've installed the IPX protocol under my network connection, but the game still can't find the network. I'm using a D-Link DI-524 wireless router, which I suspect does not support IPX natively. Is there an emulator or something I can use?
posted by DrJohnEvans at 1:43 PM PST - 7 comments
posted by DrJohnEvans at 1:43 PM PST - 7 comments
I need seed catalog suggestions for my mom.
I need seed catalog suggestions for my mom. She just bought a few acres in New Mexico and is trying to find a worthwhile activity to occupy her time, so I suggested gardening. She's not online, so I need catalogs from companies from which I can request print catalogs to be sent to her. Personally, I'm interested in obscure/rare, heirloom, and medicinal plants. I need suggestions. Thanks!
posted by theperfectcrime at 1:42 PM PST - 20 comments
posted by theperfectcrime at 1:42 PM PST - 20 comments
PC fighting game from the 90s?
I'm looking for the name of a specific PC fighting game from the 90s. [more inside]
posted by bwilms at 1:08 PM PST - 6 comments
posted by bwilms at 1:08 PM PST - 6 comments
Voice of Chunk?
Does anyone know where I can buy "Voice of Chunk" by the Lounge LIzards? [more inside]
posted by philmas at 1:00 PM PST - 9 comments
posted by philmas at 1:00 PM PST - 9 comments
Martial art instruction in N/NE Dallas area
Have any recs for good adult-oriented martial arts training in the North/Northeast Dallas area? I'm twenty-seven, in reasonably good shape, and have no martial arts experience. I'm looking for good, experienced instructors, not a belt factory. I'm not too concerned about the style being taught, as long as the instruction is good. Thanks! [more inside]
posted by arathorn at 12:36 PM PST - 3 comments
posted by arathorn at 12:36 PM PST - 3 comments
Appreciation gift for a great veterenary clinic
My dog cut his leg last night and had to have surgery on it. My vet was closing at noon today but he and his staff are staying open late to fix the leg. I'd like to get them something to show my appreciation. Please help me think of something really great. This is the friendliest most caring veterinary clinic I've ever seen. [more inside]
the faster the better
Got a deferral for a speeding ticket in Washington (if I another ticket within one year I have to pay off the old one plus the new one). If I got a ticket in another state like Michigan, would the WA court know about this and then come after me for my old ticket? Or is the system pretty much segregated by state?
Quick Layout Export?
Often when reading an article I notice that it sits in a slim column which doesn't seem to change width when I maximize the browser window. [more inside]
Using RedirectMatch with URLs containing question marks.
RedirectMatch, mod_rewrite, and question marks, oh my! Please help me redirect to urls with question marks in them. [more inside]
posted by i love cheese at 11:26 AM PST - 9 comments
posted by i love cheese at 11:26 AM PST - 9 comments
Kindly answer my question about the word "kindly"
Do you use "please" or "kindly" to soften a formal imperative? And if you say "kindly," why?
posted by Saucy Intruder at 11:13 AM PST - 22 comments
posted by Saucy Intruder at 11:13 AM PST - 22 comments
Failed WMP install leaves me in BSOD/reboot loop
I attempted to install the latest Windows Media Player, it failed and asked me to reboot and try again, and now I'm locked in a reboot - blue screen of death - reboot loop. Help! [more inside]
posted by mumeishi at 11:05 AM PST - 9 comments
posted by mumeishi at 11:05 AM PST - 9 comments
Is Google broken?
Why would Google display a lesser number of results when I remove a word from my search? [more inside]
How to buy my first car in Ontario?
I need to buy a car. I'm in Toronto. We've never had a car in Canada before. What are useful sources of information? [more inside]
Where, oh where, can my $$$ be?
FatFingerFilter: Screwed up a bank form - how bad off am I? [more inside]
posted by dragstroke at 9:25 AM PST - 5 comments
posted by dragstroke at 9:25 AM PST - 5 comments
Help me identify this 1975 toy slide projector
Help me identify this truly awesome toy I had as a child, a kind of transparency projector with groovy slides. [more inside]
posted by rwhe at 8:34 AM PST - 13 comments
posted by rwhe at 8:34 AM PST - 13 comments
National Car Repair Average
Is there a website that provides a National average for various car repairs. As an example what can I expect to pay to replace an alternator? What can I expect to pay to replace a fuel pump, ect? Thank you in advance!
Wristwatch with thermometer
WristwatchFilter: After realizing how much I love have a thermometer on the dashboard of my car I'd like to buy an inexpensive (less than US$150) wristwatch that displays the temperature. [more inside]
posted by Taken Outtacontext at 5:36 AM PST - 9 comments
posted by Taken Outtacontext at 5:36 AM PST - 9 comments
How does virus scanning work?
How does virus scanning work? [more inside]
does menthol from cigarettes crystalize in your lungs?
Does menthol in cigarettes crystalize in your lungs? [more inside]
December 30
Why Store in a Cool, Dry Place?
Conventional wisdom says that you're not supposed to store condoms in your wallet. Generally, packaging refers to them supposed to be stored in a "cool, dry place." What is biggest danger to latex condoms? Friction? Temperature? Rapid temperature changes? [more inside]
WatersFilter
In the commentary track from the DVD of John Waters' Female Trouble, he mentions that the actress who played the schoolroom snitch, Margie Skidmore, is (perhaps currently, as of the DVD release in 2004...) a talented tattoo artist. Anyone out there know where/when Margie/Margaret (?) Skidmore practiced/practices her craft?
How does Google snag restricted pdf content?
How does Google collect content that is subscription-only? I've found that I can often read the cached html versions of pdf files from subscription-only sites even when I can't get the pdf itself. How do they do that?
Is there a site search script or service that will output valid XHTML 1.1?
Is there a site search script or service that will output valid XHTML 1.1? [more inside]
Go-go music?
Can anyone recommend "go-go" music like that found in the movie "Riot on Sunset Strip?" It's the groovy stuff from the '60's, not the music-style popular in DC.
Airline policy shift?
When did the FAA/airlines stop asking those 2 questions about whether someone had given me something to bring on the plane, and whether my bags had been out of my possession at any point? What was their justification? I want to say that this changed after 9/11, but that doesn't really make sense.
posted by unknowncommand at 8:55 PM PST - 27 comments
posted by unknowncommand at 8:55 PM PST - 27 comments
Who lives in Portland Maine?
Portland, Maine: My wife and I are thinking about moving out of NYC to somewhere, well, more relaxing. (First kid due in a couple days.) Do any Mefi's live there and have any opinions on the matter? [more inside]
Please store your tray table
Why do you have to put your seatback up and store your tray table when taking off and landing on commercial airlines? Is this somehow going to save me in case of a crash?
posted by jasondigitized at 8:37 PM PST - 21 comments
posted by jasondigitized at 8:37 PM PST - 21 comments
Help me get rid of shin splints.
I need to know how to avoid/alleviate shin splints. [more inside]
Ripping != Playing ?
Why do some PC game CDs and DVDs play and install just fine on my machine, but absolutely refuse to be backed up? I'm not entirely sure it's due to actual copy protection schemes. [more inside]
posted by cyrusdogstar at 7:58 PM PST - 14 comments
posted by cyrusdogstar at 7:58 PM PST - 14 comments
Well I, for one, resent you, apple, and I'm not ashamed of that
So I'm in China teaching English to a batch of little Asianlings, and both I and the kids despise the English-language music they're forced to learn. "Apple apple I love you"??? We can do better, folks. I've tracked down the original "Bananaphone" by Raffi and had amazing success with it, but I need more kooky, interesting, easy-to-understand music for kids. Ideas?
Use a hood over a gas stove?
Ergonomic light switch replacement Suggestions?
I have elderly relatives who no longer can turn or twist the normal switch on a table lamp or touchier lamp. I am looking for an easy ergonomic solution that will allow them to be able to simply turn lamps on and off.
I remember recently seeing a replacement switch knob that was designed with 3 flat blades that protruded from the center of the knob; somewhat like the shape of a modern windmill blades.
I would appreciate any and all ideas and hints.
Mitzi just ain't gonna cut it.
Looking for foreign words for something akin to sock(s), glove(s), mitten(s), shoe(s), etc. I'm (apparently) adopting this sweet girl tomorrow morning, and am considering names for her. Given her markings, something like this may work, so long as it would make a good dog name. [more inside]
What are good free programming language environments?
What are good free programming language learning environments? [more inside]
posted by pracowity at 5:34 PM PST - 41 comments
posted by pracowity at 5:34 PM PST - 41 comments
Blue fingers for Iraqi voters
I recently noticed that an Iraqi man that I know, here in California, had a blue ink finger like voters in Iraq had. [more inside]
posted by snsranch at 5:26 PM PST - 9 comments
posted by snsranch at 5:26 PM PST - 9 comments
Simple exercises that I can do to work up a sweat
I need an exercise to do indoors w/o any equipment that will make me work up a sweat without being hard on the joints (no running on the spot). Nothing that will tire my muscles too quickly (pushups) or wind me too quickly since it takes a while to start sweating... [more inside]
Help me with my nano. Much appreciated.
How can I make my nano's library a playlist on my 5G ipod? [more inside]
posted by jasonlatshaw at 3:01 PM PST - 4 comments
posted by jasonlatshaw at 3:01 PM PST - 4 comments
And the winner is....?
So I'm playing poker (well, a poker-like game) with my family and me and my sister-in-law both get a full house. I've got 3 6's and a pair of queens. She's got 3 jacks and a pair of 10's. Which hand wins? I know the basic ranking of poker hands, but with a combination like that, which hand trumps the other, the higher pair or the higher 3-of-a-kind? We drug out the Hoyle book but couldn't find anything.
What iPod part is this?
Can someone tell me what this is? It's for my third gen iPod but I cannot find any info on the web about this part. I lost the manual. [more inside]
posted by KevinSkomsvold at 2:56 PM PST - 5 comments
posted by KevinSkomsvold at 2:56 PM PST - 5 comments
Mexico's jersey in World Cup 2006?
What jersey will Mexico be wearing in World Cup 2006 and how soon can I buy it? [more inside]
posted by superfem at 2:42 PM PST - 2 comments
posted by superfem at 2:42 PM PST - 2 comments
peer guardian connections
I use peer guardian to keep an eye on what tries to connect to my computer, should I worries about these...? [more inside]
Play DVD while recording a new audio file?
Longshot: Any software out there (I'm on a Mac) which will let you play a DVD while recording a new audio file via microphone or line-in? [more inside]
Best way to get from Prague to Vienna?
What's the best way to get from Prague to Vienna (and back) in January? [more inside]
UK will condition
I am watching ITV's Midsomer Murders at the moment, wherein Detective Chief Inspector John Nettles just heard that a 20 year old student Aidan is told he will inherit £100,000 if he reaches 21 as a non smoker.
Are these Will clauses legitimate in UK law? Or are they a convenient dramatic device, long superceded in legal practice?
What part time jobs are available if I want to work from home after my full time job?
I have a full time job and by the end of the day I am too tired to stand. But I need another source of income as I am getting married soon and need to save for all sorts of things. What type of work can I do from home part time that will actually bring in money...all I seem to find on the internet are get rich quick schemes. I don't want to stuff envelopes or anything like that. I have a communications degree and some graphic design experience, some technical writing experience and am handy with a computer. Any suggestions?
hollywood look-a-like
My friend's new boss reminds me of a movie actor, and it's driving me crazy. [more inside]
posted by tfmm at 12:54 PM PST - 21 comments
posted by tfmm at 12:54 PM PST - 21 comments
How do I find a usability consultant?
How do I find a usability consultant? [more inside]
Tools for making interior cuts in thick stacks of paper or wood laminates?
Cutting Tools: I want to cut shapes out of thick stacks of paper and maybe wood laminates. Easy enough, right? Except I want to be able to do cuts that only go from one point in the interior to another point in the interior -- cuts that don't go all the way across or otherwise break the edge. Are there good choices for tools? [more inside]
Cover the earth!
The Sherwin-Williams paint logo has always reminded me of a propaganda poster. Possibly with WWII Japan depicted as an octopus. Or maybe there's oil involved. [more inside]
Don't it make your brown eyes green?
How do I reign in my unfounded jealousy? Am I crazy? How can I just calm down and let it go? [more inside]
posted by inging at 11:56 AM PST - 34 comments
posted by inging at 11:56 AM PST - 34 comments
New York through film?
Help me discover New York City through film--before I visit! [more inside]
How do I make my bladder not piss me off so much?
When I drink comparable amounts of liquid as my friends (smaller or larger) I have to urinate much more frequently. It is annoying on car trips, in big cities, or other places where I have to hold out and others don't seem to have as much problems. Are there ways to strengthen my bladder or fix this?
CD Burning For Dummies
At the risk of looking like a total computer noob, I need a simple way to burn ISOs to CD. [more inside]
posted by Justinian at 11:30 AM PST - 15 comments
posted by Justinian at 11:30 AM PST - 15 comments
A Mac-Lovin' Cellphone
Having read this prior question, I'd like to pose something similar in the hope that six months of iSync 2.1 experience will better inform the answer. I'm looking for a phone that painlessly syncs with iSync 2.1, preferably via Bluetooth. I'm not interested in email access, or a camera, or any sort of browsing. Bonus points for T-Mobile affiliation.
my life is in default
I'm in (defaulted) student-loan hell. [more inside]
moving to bend
Any residers (either present or present) of bend, oregon? I'm coming from minneapolis, and would like to move there in march. [more inside]
Ottawa? Whaddyallthink?
Ottawa: For those of you that have heard of it, is it a generally pleasant place to live? [more inside]
Graphs like Google
How can I make graphs like the ones found in the Google Zeitgeist? [more inside]
posted by xvs22 at 8:45 AM PST - 20 comments
posted by xvs22 at 8:45 AM PST - 20 comments
marrying people in DC
DC Wedding (filter): I'm getting married in Washington, DC in seven weeks. We'd like to have a friend officiate, but District law regarding this is, of course, awkwardly complex. Our friend has now been ordained in the Universal Life Church, but we also need a ULC member who is already licensed by DC to perform marriages to vouch for him. Do you know any such wonderful people that could hope us?
Curiousity Killed the Cancer
Need some some software for viewing DIRCOM files of a PET scan. I've downloaded the Julius framework software and it looks like my work computer here isn't powerful enough to run it. I'm hoping someone knows of fast easy and free software for viewing these scans. [more inside]
posted by Moondoggie at 6:38 AM PST - 3 comments
posted by Moondoggie at 6:38 AM PST - 3 comments
a very chilly walk to work
Retailhelp: I've decided to buy a new winter coat, online, today. Problem is, most everything out there is on clearance or in limited sizes. I'm looking for some collective hunting help. [more inside]
Can you melt frozen pipes with a welder? What if they aren't entirely metal?
So here's my dilemma. The pipe that brings water to our house freezes. It’s not four feet deep.
We've lived here three years. It happened the first year, not the second year, and then again a few days ago. When it happens I have to go to the neighbors and fill two five gallon buckets and bring them into the house to meet our needs. Flush our toilets, clean our dishes, water our pets and plants, fill the humidifiers in our two babies' rooms, etc. Fifty gallons a day, at least. And that doesn’t include cleaning clothes. This continues until the ground thaws.
Now the question. It seems the folks who lived here before us knew of this problem. No, it wasn’t in the disclosure. What they did was weld wires to the pipe, from the well and then at the house, and then hook those up to an arc welder. The current would melt the pipes and the water would flow again. So, yes, in the spring we’ll dig a very expensive new supply pipe, but in the mean time, I’d like advice about circuits.?
A condition of the sale of the house required a new septic. The contractor who put in the septic broke the pipe from the well and then he repaired it with PVC.
Will the arc welder method still work or would that end in catastrophe? Did he build a fuse? There's water in the pipe and ice is conductive, but how will the PVC respond?
dating again
I've been divorced now for over a year. I dated someone early in the year for a little while but we broke up and remain friends. Anyway, I've never really been in to the dating scene and I am somewhat shy. I like a teacher at my daughter's daycare but I don't know her at all and don't really feel comfortable basically hitting on someone when they are at work. Does that make sense? She's so hot I'm somewhat certain she'll be taken or I'll get shot down anyway. Should I just go for it? The other thing is that she will be my daughter's next teacher when she moves to that room (she is 2). Of course my ex is at the school all the time. I have an ok relationship with her and we are very civil and work hard at things with our daughter. There isn't any bad blood at all but I was just thinking how that might cause some "issues". Actually I think she (my ex) would be a good sport about it (she has a serious bf now) but I just wanted to see if that set off any flags for anyone. So I haven't even really flirted with this girl and I only even introduced myself the other day so she probably can't know I like her. I was going to ask one of the other teachers if she is taken but then I thought that would look really childish. I would prob just ask if she wanted to get coffee or something first. Am I making this too hard?
posted by arh07 at 6:14 AM PST - 28 comments
posted by arh07 at 6:14 AM PST - 28 comments
automate find CEO name
i have a list of private companies and am looking to automate the collection of the ceo name for each one.
"Fasten your seatbelts. It's going to be a bumpy night."
I'm looking for a certain story or legend about a woman who's village was invaded by troops. She kills them with kindness (or, more probably, knives) [more inside]
posted by blueberry at 4:56 AM PST - 9 comments
posted by blueberry at 4:56 AM PST - 9 comments
So-Cal Music Playlist?
So-Cal Music Playlist? A friend of mine has requested a CD of songs from my music collection... specifically the Southern California sound. [more inside]
posted by bdave at 4:12 AM PST - 24 comments
posted by bdave at 4:12 AM PST - 24 comments
Picassa like software
Picassa like document archiver/browser [more inside]
Conversion experiences?
Suggestions on reliable, inexpensive (<$50) software for converting AVI to MPEG-2?
posted by Artifice_Eternity at 1:41 AM PST - 21 comments
posted by Artifice_Eternity at 1:41 AM PST - 21 comments
Help me help someone manage their trichotillomannia.
Are any MeFites here sufferers of Trichotillomannia? Or the loved one of someone who does have it, like I am? Does anyone have any suggestions how I could help them? [more inside]
Look ma, no tonsils!
How can a tonsillectomy affect one's singing voice? [more inside]
What's Albuquerque's finest?
What's Albuquerque's finest? If you were showing a stranger the most amazing sights and experiences within two hours' drive of Albuquerque, where would you go? [more inside]
Ignorance is bliss.
Ethical dilemma filter: How to move on from negative consequences of a hack done out of real concern? [more inside]
How do I remedy fecal incontinence?
I was wondering if any MeFites have experienced fecal incontinence. [more inside]
December 29
What is this painting?
How can match the wallpaper in my kitchen?
How can match the wallpaper in my kitchen? [more inside]
posted by Tacodog at 11:13 PM PST - 2 comments
posted by Tacodog at 11:13 PM PST - 2 comments
Help me fix my USB microphone?
Why does my Blue Snowball mock me? I've been attempting to get my new USB Microphone working on my Windows XP SP2 box with little luck... help! [more inside]
San Diego vs. Portland?
I am curious as to the quality of life in San Diego. The cost of living, the availability of jobs, the housing market, etc. [more inside]
posted by iced_borsch at 10:49 PM PST - 15 comments
posted by iced_borsch at 10:49 PM PST - 15 comments
Speech to text without a secretary
Is there a free/cheap speech-to-text converter (ie. dictation, verbal notes) that works reasonably well? [more inside]
Help me find a free Palm translator
Help me find a free translator program (English-Korean-English) for my Palm m500. [more inside]
Help plan a ski trip
Help me plan a crazycheap February ski trip for my Boy Scout group. [more inside]
Ski school
Can someone break down skiing terminology in a way that isn't completely confusing? [more inside]
What's causing the muscle cramps
Why am I getting muscle cramps in the strangest of places? [more inside]
posted by anonpeon at 7:10 PM PST - 14 comments
posted by anonpeon at 7:10 PM PST - 14 comments
Help me buy a winter coat before boxing week ends!
Help me buy a winter coat before boxing week ends! [more inside]
Whats the story of my mystery tattoo
I'm looking for any information regarding a danish anarchist gang of children. [more inside]
posted by jojomnky at 6:25 PM PST - 6 comments
posted by jojomnky at 6:25 PM PST - 6 comments
No wonder foot fetishes are mainly a guy thing.
Why do girls get all of the totally sweet shoes? [more inside]
posted by soma lkzx at 6:06 PM PST - 37 comments
posted by soma lkzx at 6:06 PM PST - 37 comments
Cities that have changed their names
Have any U.S. cities (or cities elsewhere) ever changed their name out of embarrassment? [more inside]
posted by interrobang at 5:55 PM PST - 41 comments
posted by interrobang at 5:55 PM PST - 41 comments
Faster delivery if mailed by earlier collection time?
US Postal Service collection times: those blue boxes at the post office or street corners often list 2 or 3 different collection times. Does my mail really get to its destination faster by my getting it in the box by 12pm as opposed to 5pm?
How did someone else's name get in my hotmail acct?
When I opened up hotmail today someone else's email address was in the saved user name spot, how is this possible? [more inside]
posted by phirleh at 5:44 PM PST - 16 comments
posted by phirleh at 5:44 PM PST - 16 comments
Identify this song!
IdentifyThisSongFilter: girl vocalist, droning guitars... what the hell is it? [more inside]
better charts than Excel?
Free Windows chart-making software that works with simple tab-separated data files and beats Excel's charts for options, esthetics, and readability?
posted by scarabic at 5:16 PM PST - 7 comments
posted by scarabic at 5:16 PM PST - 7 comments
Gameboy Micro Games?
What GBA games work best on the GameBoy Micro's small screen? [more inside]
How the heck can you make a career out of the "Real World"?!
Just how much do people make on television? I'm not talking about the big-time tv stars with well-publicized contracts such as network stars like Friends, Oprah, Letterman, Katie Couric, etc., or the many people who get sitcom/series deals on major networks where we can guesstimate how much they are earning to the right order of magnitude.
No, I'm asking about all the "little people" who fill my teevee screen. (much more inside) [more inside]
Is the 3,000-mile oil change a scam?
Toronto Massage Place (no rub-n-tug's please)
TorontoMassageFilter: Anyone know a good massage place in Toronto? [more inside]
How best to code a client-side image map with rollovers?
What's the best way to do a client-side image map w/added rollover goodness? [more inside]
posted by docgonzo at 3:43 PM PST - 4 comments
posted by docgonzo at 3:43 PM PST - 4 comments
Odd font rendering in Tiger
I've been playing around lately with fonts, and I recently installed and then uninstalled FontAgent Pro. Now I'm finding certain sites and applications are rendering certain fonts oddly, making them appear heavier then they should. [more inside]
Am I Hallucinating Canned Vegetables?
Tinned celery in the UK - have I been hallucinating canned vegetables? [more inside]
a nice place for wardrobe
What weblogs/websites would you recommend for high fashion and/or expensive cosmetics, as found at Neiman Marcus and other stores. [more inside]
posted by plexi at 2:45 PM PST - 5 comments
posted by plexi at 2:45 PM PST - 5 comments
RSS Implementation Help
Basic RSS question-- I'm trying to add RSS to my site, and since I'm teaching this to myself, I'm confused. [more inside]
It's the gym cops, man! They're after me!
Help me convince my cow orker that the YMCA isn't going to send us off to the pokey and sue us into oblivion. [more inside]
Mysterious Bob Dylan musical theory
In Bob Dylan's book Chronicles, Vol. 1 he describes an esoteric numerological scheme for playing guitar, saying most melodies are based on the number 2, but that he's taken it to the next level by choosing what to play based on the number 3. Can anyone explain what he is talking about? [more inside]
Right-click to attack!
What is the best 3-button mouse for OS X 10.3? I'm looking for a 2-button+scroll wheel mouse that's good for gaming. More buttons than that would be OK, but solid, responsive left-click, right-click, and scroll is imperative. I know, it's a very subjective question, but what do you use, and how well do you like it?
posted by bricoleur at 2:01 PM PST - 18 comments
posted by bricoleur at 2:01 PM PST - 18 comments
Why is my PC overheating?
My computer is making a funny noise and overheating. Can you help me fix it? [more inside]
posted by MrZero at 1:36 PM PST - 17 comments
posted by MrZero at 1:36 PM PST - 17 comments
Too many oranges!
My husband and I just received a gift box of Florida oranges. I know we'll never eat 30+ oranges before they go bad, so I'm looking for orange-intensive recipes. I've googled, but all I turn up are recipes that call for small quantities of orange juice or orange zest. I'd like to do something more interesting than just squeezing them for juice. Any suggestions?
posted by gokart4xmas at 1:31 PM PST - 24 comments
posted by gokart4xmas at 1:31 PM PST - 24 comments
XML/ XSL Tools
What's your favorite XML IDE? I'm looking for something that will show me the results of XPATH queries on the fly and transform XML via a stylesheet inside the tool. [more inside]
Help with vaginal pain during intercourse?
I posted this question a few months ago about pelvic (specifically vaginal) pain during intercourse. It's still happening, and it's starting to have a serious emotional toll on my relationship. Please help! [more inside]
inside scoop on renting chicago apartments
Needing the inside scoop on apartment renting in Chicago. I've read the previous threads about apartment hunting in Chicago and have looked into the suggestions that were offered, but what I think I need are some one-off apartments that are being rented out directly by the owners/ landlords. Are there any resources that list such vacancies? As I imagine it, the resource would be a bit quieter than Craigslist or the Reader. [more inside]
Tattoo artists in the City of Angels?
Similar to another recent question, who are some fantastic custom tattoo artists in Los Angeles / southern California? [more inside]
Recorder recommendations for life story recording
My step-father (in his 70s) is looking for a mini-recorder to get his life story down. Got recommendations? [more inside]
Help me choose an editing workshop!
Advice on non-degree film editing workshops? [more inside]
By the Pricking of My Thumbs...and other key points.
Alternative-MedicineFilter: I need to find a report of a Clinical Study on efficacy of Acupuncture in Chronic Pain Management. [more inside]
posted by BigLankyBastard at 11:36 AM PST - 4 comments
posted by BigLankyBastard at 11:36 AM PST - 4 comments
Revolutionary War Slogans?
Revolutionary War Slogans? I' know "No Taxation without Representation", but what other authentic revolutionary war slogans were out there? I've tried Wikipeda, and google-fu, and have seen quotes, but no rallying cries, ala "Remember the Maine" and "54 40 or fight".
Better to-do list for Palm OS?
Better to-do list for Palm OS? The bult-in "tasks" is good for singular, date-based items, but is there anything similar to Ta-da Lists for the Palm? Ideally I want to be able to create multiple lists of to-do items ("Books To Read" for example) and have checked items move to the bottom of the list or disappear. (Just bought a T|X and am having fun playing around) [more inside]
posted by Robot Johnny at 11:24 AM PST - 4 comments
posted by Robot Johnny at 11:24 AM PST - 4 comments
How to Monitor Baby with Webcam
New Baby / Webcam Question: I'll be taking our baby to work with me from now on. I'd like to hook up a webcam over her crib in my office and have it upload a pic every so often (automatically) to my website so that my wife can see her from work. What's the best program solution for this?
Date Paste in Toronto?
I have a recipe that calls for Date Paste. However, I can't find date paste. So, do you know anywhere in Toronto I can buy it or do you have a recipe for it? Or if you have some around your house, can you check the ingredients? Anything besides dates in it? [more inside]
Creative types: Help me design my mother's sketchbook cover.
Creative types: Help me design my mother's sketchbook cover. [more inside]
Odd Oldschool Rap/Dance
I'm looking for the title/artist of two rap/dance songs from around the mid-Eighties, one of which says "change the beat", and the other says "freeze...defrost". Sketchy details inside. [more inside]
Cheap way to spend a month in Mexico?
Any ideas on an affordable way to spend 4 – 6 weeks in Mexico this summer? [more inside]
How to verbalize something that is second nature to you?
How do you verbalize things that you just -do-? Specifically with regard to computers (or anything else for that matter). [more inside]
Class action risks
Might a business blacklist customers for participating in a class-action settlement? [more inside]
She's mad I tell you! Mad!
Resources for researching pre-menopause and perimenopause? [more inside]
PSP fun
Anybody have a Sony PSP? If so, what are your favorite games? I especially like first person shooters.
Italian flashcards, on heavy rotation !
I'm embarking on an intense italian vocabulary learning routine, and I need some advice on how to maximize my effort using lexicons and flashcard software. [più dentro] [more inside]
Fake Molding
I'm looking for a cheap and easy way to add molding around an arched doorway. [more inside]
Tivo modem replacement
Where can I get a replacement modem for my Tivo?
posted by hophead627 at 9:23 AM PST - 6 comments
posted by hophead627 at 9:23 AM PST - 6 comments
We need a a full-time IT guy...
So we just got a new printer at work. It has a standard USB printer cable. But I somehow need to connect it to our linksys print server which has the old-school 25 pin female printer cable receptacle -- you know, looks like this. Can this be done? And how? Thanks as always...
Can I make a Mac work on my office network?
Another Mac/PC question. I want to switch back to Mac, but my office is all PC. Help me figure out if a Mac will be compatible, and if it's worth the trouble. (I know it's been asked before, but I have specific questions.) [more inside]
Wahhhh, don't let it die!! :'(
How do I convince someone to fully "hand over" (to the public, not to me specificallY) a now dead, open source but not totally "open licensed" project. Furthermore, how do I find people who might want to work on its revival? [more inside]
Wall Chart with history of universe and Earth
EducationalWallChart Filter. I'm looking for printable web page(s) (or, alternatively, a retail product) that show a timeline of astronomical-anthopological events like: when Big Bang occurred; when our galaxy and solar system formed; when life began; when major life forms began and ended (e.g. dinosaurs); when primates appeared; when various proto-humans appeared; when homo sapiens appeared. Must be in TimeLine form. Not something vague and basic -- needs to have lots of detail.
posted by nancoix at 8:42 AM PST - 4 comments
posted by nancoix at 8:42 AM PST - 4 comments
Skiing out west
Where's a girl to ski? [more inside]
Looking for jungle-themed music for a NYE party
Looking for jungle-themed music for a NYE party. More inside. [more inside]
posted by fearless_yakov at 7:14 AM PST - 23 comments
posted by fearless_yakov at 7:14 AM PST - 23 comments
how can I get ordained?
A friend has asked me to marry her and her fiance- to perform their marriage, that is. [more inside]
PC and Mac read and write access to an external hard drive?
What is the best way to share an external hard drive between a PC and a Mac (both laptops) so that both computers can read and write to it? Can it even be done? [more inside]
Tofu - at what temperature does it cook?
Help identify this mystery meat.
[MeatFilter] What is the American equivalent of a cut of beef known as punta de anca in Spanish or picañha in Brasilian Portugese? [more inside]
posted by electroboy at 6:15 AM PST - 9 comments
posted by electroboy at 6:15 AM PST - 9 comments
Publicly-Traded Paternity
How do I investigate/trackback brands/products/companies to determine if they are (subsidiaries of) publicly traded companies? [more inside]
posted by iurodivii at 6:14 AM PST - 7 comments
posted by iurodivii at 6:14 AM PST - 7 comments
Help, I'm reading Proust!
I've started In Search of Lost Time and found I like it. Should I keep going? At page 80 I'm barely 2 percent of the way through the whole work; it would likely take me 2-3 years to get through all seven volumes.
Has anyone finished the whole thing? Was it worth it? I don't want to read a couple thousand pages only to lose interest ...
posted by futility closet at 5:38 AM PST - 18 comments
posted by futility closet at 5:38 AM PST - 18 comments
Name That Old Film
Name That Film: Black-n-white, I think, maybe set in Prohibition era (U.S.), a comedy about a big, good-natured (but not so bright) fellow who finds work as a loan collector and then somehow gets involved with polticians, finally ending up as a puppet mayor or somesuch (which of course doesn't last long.) Good fun and very cynical (especially for its time.) T'anks!
posted by Shane at 5:35 AM PST - 9 comments
posted by Shane at 5:35 AM PST - 9 comments
convincing the cat
A neighbor has an adult Maine Coon cat that moved into their home. I just lost my cat. The neighbor will be moving next summer and does not want another animal. This is an mellow affectionate cat that is comfortable around any dog that accepts him. He is skittish around me now. How do I convince him that I am a good guy and he should move in with us?
Bouncing ball game
I use to play a pretty simple game on an old computer of mine - I even played it once on a game boy. I can not recall the name of it but the play is simple. You control an arrow that can move forward, back, left & right the object is to move this arrow and connect the line you produce before a ball that is bouncing around touches you. You advance to the next level when you cover a specific amount of the given area.. 50 % 60 % etc .. as you move up the rankings they add more bouncing balls to make the game harder.. What is the name (s) of this game?! and are there any free versions out there for my PC and or Treo 650.
Thanks!
posted by crewshell at 3:59 AM PST - 13 comments
posted by crewshell at 3:59 AM PST - 13 comments
E-Books made E-asy?
E-Books: Those who get them, what's the best PDA for them? Or are they all pretty much the same? [more inside]
Web Design To Graphic Design?
Where can a current IT student find more info about going into the Graphic Design field? Does anyone have suggestions for a good Graphic Design college or program, preferably in North Carolina? [more inside]
Traditional Voice Connection Modem over CDMA digital Cellular?
Can I do a modem data connection over voice-only CDMA digital cell phone? How about other data/SMS/email hacks? [more inside]
posted by loquacious at 12:15 AM PST - 9 comments
posted by loquacious at 12:15 AM PST - 9 comments
Best tattoo place in New York?
Where's the best place in New York to get a tattoo? [more inside]
December 28
Creating an external DVD drive for a G3 iBook
For Christmas, my roommate bought me an internal LG DVD+R/RW drive. The trouble is that I have a G3 iBook (900 MHz, the last model produced before they went G4). From my scouring, it seems that Roxio Toast 6 is the latest bit of software to support G3 Macs. Will that, along with a firewire/USB2 enclosure to make it act as an external drive, be all I need to pirate like mad?
Follow up question: Where would I be able to find an enclosure in downtown Manhattan? Is it as simple as going to Radioshack? Please say it's as simple as going to Radioshack. Also, if forced to choose, is firewire or USB2 preferable?
How to restore a huge piece of wood
Need furniture (wood) restoration tips
I just made an unbelievable find in the trash on a sidewalk in manhattan (you wouldnt believe the things people throw out here). Its a solid wood restaurant butcher block table whch measures 24" X 24" X 10" thick! It weighs 85kilos / 190lbs !!
I am really excited about restoring it. I have done some furniture restoration in the past but it always involved sanding the shit out of something until its bare again and refinishing it with a polyurethane or a stain of whatever flavor.
In this case I think the butcher block has a lot of character (such as knife marks, dents and has also gotten a nice color from all the grease and oils it came into contact with) and I want to preserve that somehow. Its really dirty and kind of nasty at the moment. Can someone offer some suggestions about which solvents i can use to clean it thogroughly? I'm thinking denatured alcohol / mineral spirits but will that be tough enough to clean it?
How to give Internet access to my grandparents but not the world
How can I safeguard a Linux laptop with dial-up Internet access? [more inside]
Am I screwed?
Someone saw my pot. Am I headed off to jail? [more inside]
Opinions on Toyota Scion TC
I'm thinking about buying a Toyoto Scion TC and bidding adieu to my '97 VW Jetta. Any opinions or thoughts, stories or feelings on the Scion TC from current owners?
Best way to store wine?
What's a good solution for storing wines for up to ten years? [more inside]
Bestselling Video Game of All Time
What's the bestselling video game of all time? Boring old Ask Yahoo! takes a very literal approach, offering Super Mario and Pac-Man. But if you think laterally, then shouldn't variations of Tetris, Solitaire and Snake be in the running? If you count all games on all devices and OEM bundles count as sales, what is the bestselling video game of all time?
Will Weight Watchers at Work unsafely goof with my work reputation?
I’d appreciate people’s advice as to whether I should join my firm’s Weight Watchers at Work program. [more inside]
How do I get one of those "career" thingys?
AdviceFilter: Help a 34 year old high school dropout start his education/career over. [more inside]
“Vanity dies hard; in some obstinate cases it outlives the man.”
I'm 22, female, and caucasian. I (try to) wear sunscreen every day. I use self tanner instead of tanning beds. What else do I need to be doing to keep myself looking young? [more inside]
Post-Christmas self-respect assistance needed
Money was tight for Christmas this year, and thus I asked Family and Friends to not get me any gifts, as I wasn't able to reciprocate. Inevitably, some did, and now I feel awful (as I knew I would) that I wasn't able to get them anything in return. So, I'm wondering if anyone can help me work out posthumous gifts I can make on a very tight budget. [more inside]
Please educate me about cold sores
This thread about cold sores has prompted me to ask some long-standing questions about them. [more inside]
Foosball jerseys?
Tiny tee-shirts? [more inside]
Where do I find the symphonic piece, "White Dawn"
I am looking for a musical piece from the film "The Right Stuff" that is not on the musical soundtrack [more inside]
What the hell are these?
Can you use mail() in PHP without creating an unsecure, open mail relay?
Can you use mail() in PHP without creating an unsecure, open mail relay boon to spammers everywhere? I keep trying to read This Page, and I think I understand it, but I'm not sure. [more inside]
Recommend Apple server for a small design studio?
Need advice on selecting and implementing a file server for a small graphic design studio. [more inside]
posted by ads at 4:21 PM PST - 9 comments
posted by ads at 4:21 PM PST - 9 comments
disk tired of being read all the time?
My laptop has been everywhere and has proved to be very tough. Nonetheless, I think my hard drive may have died. Help me decipher this error message... [+] [more inside]
Songs for Children
I recently had a baby boy and I have some music-related questions. [more inside]
posted by RustyBrooks at 3:43 PM PST - 19 comments
posted by RustyBrooks at 3:43 PM PST - 19 comments
Tips or suggestions for shipping a car cross-country?
Tips/suggestions for shipping a car cross-country? [more inside]
Educational DVDs for use in homeless case management
What are some good sources of educational/workshop-type DVDs for use in teaching homeless clients life skills? [more inside]
Investment interest at tax time
Canadian Investment Loan Income Tax question. I get so sick of people telling me "You can write off the interest...." and then when I ask them what that means exactly... Silence. [more inside]
posted by TheFeatheredMullet at 2:37 PM PST - 6 comments
posted by TheFeatheredMullet at 2:37 PM PST - 6 comments
How to write a reference letter?
I have been asked to write recommendation letters for an undergrad who is applying to grad schools. Should I just automatically use a separate sheet, or should I use their form if they provide a lot of space? Any general tips for the structure of the letter? [more inside]
Menstruation as weight loss?
Do women lose weight when they menstuate? [more inside]
Gift for people without 'needs?'
Gift for dear friends, who are stinky rich and have everything they want/need? Interests inside. [more inside]
Breaking a lease, found somone to take over, but landlord refuses
I have rented an apartment in Prince Georges county in Maryland and signed a standard 1 year lease. It's been about 4 months and due to health reasons, I need to move to Florida.
The lease says I can transfer the lease to someone else with written permission from the management. I found someone ready to take over my lease, but when I went to the management to find out the procedure, they said they would not do it. I pointed out the clause, she said that's only if they give me written permission and they would not do it. They have vacant units and they would rent out those.
The lease agreement does not allow sub-leasing, either. What can I do?
Advice on purchasing a PA for a rehearsal space?
Good recommendations for a starter PA, liver mixer setup? [more inside]
posted by Tommy Gnosis at 12:54 PM PST - 10 comments
posted by Tommy Gnosis at 12:54 PM PST - 10 comments
For once, nothing angsty! Film question instead!
Film/TV question.
I've seen LiveJournal avatars and pics that look like they're from a certain TV show or film, and I'm curious as to which film it could be. It looks like a very recent film. [more inside]
posted by spinifex23 at 12:52 PM PST - 14 comments
posted by spinifex23 at 12:52 PM PST - 14 comments
How do I dispose of my father's estate?
I need information and suggestions on dealing with the aftermath of a parent's death, specifically the disposal of house and possessions. [more inside]
Should an 11 year old be drinking coffee?
Should an 11 year old be drinking coffee? [more inside]
New iMacs - yay or nay?
I am planning to buy a new entry-level iMac with the built-in iSight and was wondering if anyone else has one already. What do you think about the machine? What kind of motion control do you have with the iSight, if any? (I'm an experienced Mac user, so I'm faimiliar with the OS already)
For a long time I used to go to bed early
Why, when you wake someone up, do they almost invariably deny that they've been sleeping? [more inside]
posted by leotrotsky at 12:20 PM PST - 23 comments
posted by leotrotsky at 12:20 PM PST - 23 comments
Peppermints and Cinnamon Drops!
So I got a big bag o' peppermints in my stocking and I've been enjoying them. They've also got me thinking about making my own hard candies (peppermints, cinnamon drops, Worther's-like buttercream, etc..). The only problem is, just about everything I've been able to dig up centers more on chocolate or is shy on the basics. I picked up Candy Making for Dummies, but the closest that it gets is brittles.
Anyone an accomplished or amateur candy maker and can point me to some solid introductory information.
Also, does anyone know if you can use Splenda instead of sugar when making hard candies?
Where can I find this piece of music
DamnMusicStuckInMyHeadFilter: I am looking for a "holiday" piece of music that has been on the radio station playlists but for some reason no DJs will say what it is (I really hate that) [more inside]
How do I sell a beanie?
A friend of mine has asked me to sell her beanie babies on Ebay, and I know nothing... [more inside]
What laptop should I buy?
I want to buy a new laptop, one that might be good enough to do stuff w/ digital video. Also, should I stick with Dell or is there another company w/ a good service plan? [more inside]
Who rhymed, "I heard your record and I don't believe a word of it"?
Hip-hop filter: What rap song has a chorus that goes something like, "I heard your record and I don't believe a word of it." [MI] [more inside]
posted by haqspan at 11:07 AM PST - 8 comments
posted by haqspan at 11:07 AM PST - 8 comments
How can I tell if an iMac Ethernet card is dead?
How can I tell if an iMac Ethernet card is dead? [more inside]
posted by Grinder at 10:04 AM PST - 6 comments
posted by Grinder at 10:04 AM PST - 6 comments
Why is my cat bonkers?
Whenever I breath in and out really rapidly and loudly (just for fun), my cat goes bonkers. She starts rolling around the floor and meowing. Sometimes, if I'm sitting and she's across the room and I do it, she runs up to me and slaps me with her paw and runs away. Why does she do this??
Free Clinic in Boston Area?
My wife has cold sores (for the first time). They have been there for about 10 days. She is uninsured and has tried Abreva and is taking L-Lysine with little success. We are new to living in the Boston area. She is getting pretty distressed about them. Can anybody recommend a Free Clinic in the Boston/Cambridge/Brookline area or somewhere where we can get cheap treatment?
Help me get past flight school in GTA:SA for PS2.
Is there a way to cheat past a specific mission in GTA:SA? Lacking that, would someone be willing to take a copy of my GTA:SA game save and complete the Flight School mission for me? [more inside]
USDA Prime Brain Food
The boy really liked McSweeney's Noisy Outlaws, Unfriendly Blobs, and Some Other Things.... He's in sixth grade, and is very sharp. Though he's recently really enjoyed some larger tomes, like the entire Narnia and Hitchhiker collections, he seemed to be entranced by this volume and I want to find him something similar. My apologies if some of this has been covered before, but can you think of anything that might please him as much as the Noisy Outlaws collection has?
posted by thejoshu at 9:39 AM PST - 18 comments
posted by thejoshu at 9:39 AM PST - 18 comments
Effects of a Really-Near-Earth-Supernova?
How close would a Near-Earth Supernova have to be to Earth to cause immediate surface effects? And what would those effects be? [more inside]
one-word sentence phenomenon?
That thing where you capitalize all of the words in a phrase or sentence and put punctuation after them: Where. Did. It. Come. From? [more inside]
posted by transona5 at 9:14 AM PST - 11 comments
posted by transona5 at 9:14 AM PST - 11 comments
New Year's in the District
What does Washington DC do on New Year's Eve? Bonus points for under-21 or 21+ *wink wink nudge nudge* things. [more inside]
What is a philosophy of tagging?
How do you explain the "philosophy" of tagging to someone unfamiliar with computers? [more inside]
posted by stormygrey at 8:49 AM PST - 23 comments
posted by stormygrey at 8:49 AM PST - 23 comments
I live in New York City and I've got some time off. What should I do?
I live in New York City and I've got some time off. What should I do? [more inside]
Cell Phone Recommendations
CellPhoneFilter: I would like to get a PDA style phone that is able to function as a phone well while also giving me good access to web-features (email, txt, browser, even potentially messenger). Bluetooth would be required if the phone isn't easy to use held up to my face. Any carrier is cool. Does anyone have a glowing recomendation or a warning against certain devices? [more inside]
posted by aburd at 8:18 AM PST - 12 comments
posted by aburd at 8:18 AM PST - 12 comments
Apartment Building Holiday Tipping
Holiday Tipping Filter: I'm a few days late to the game on this, but I'm also not Christian, so I can use that as an excuse -- my roommate and I moved into our building 2 months ago and are trying to figure out how much we should tip our building manager and maintenance guy, both of whom are super nice and have gone out of their way to help us out on stuff. I say $50 each, she says $20. What do you mefites think? I'm especially curious about the building manager b/c I've never had one before.
What do I get my dad who is really into his RV?
LateChristmasGiftFilter: My dad and his wife are really into their RV. Any ideas as to what I can get them for their RV. [more inside]
I'm in hot water.
Why does hot water come out of a kitchen faucet with a milky and cloudy appearance while cold water comes out (same faucet) clear as a bell? No discernable difference in taste.
Making a Firefox profile for my kid brother.
Can I make a profile in Firefox that will only surf to sites on an approved list? [more inside]
Help Me Write Employee Handbook
I've been put in charge of writing my company's Employee Handbook. Help me. [more inside]
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 7:42 AM PST - 16 comments
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 7:42 AM PST - 16 comments
_ = " "
[OS X filter]
There was a recent question about nice fixed-width fonts. I tried Bitstream Vera Sans on OS X and love it- I'd like to make it my new Terminal.app font. Unfortunately, the _ character does not display. Since a lot of the coders I work with use _ to seperate words in variable names, this is a big problem for me. Google turns up... my comment in the referenced thread, and that's it. Any other Mac users found a solution?
posted by bobot at 7:15 AM PST - 5 comments
posted by bobot at 7:15 AM PST - 5 comments
Need Suggestion for Bar in Midtown -- Wednesday late HH preferred.
Wanted: A bar in midtown NYC (between MSG and Grand Central preferred) that has good drink specials on Wednesday early evening.. [more inside]
Scale my Richter
I just bought a house in St. Louis. Earthquake coverage or no?
How to Propose to my lucky girlfriend?
Ok, that's it, I can't hold any longer - I'm gonna propose to my lucky girlfriend. But how? [more inside]
Wher rice from in WW2?
I ate a lot of rice pudding in WW2. Where did the rice come from? [more inside]
posted by priorpark17 at 4:59 AM PST - 21 comments
posted by priorpark17 at 4:59 AM PST - 21 comments
No credit history. How to get an appartment in SF.
I just moved to San Francisco from Guadalajara, and have no credit history or bank account. How can I get a place to rent? A cell phone? [more inside]
internet phone ?
How does a laddie get on the internet to phone people up ?
Windows XP disk check problem
I'm having a problem with the chkdsk facility (windows xp). [more inside]
Get tickets for filming of Jools Holland's TV show
Anyone ever been on Later with Jools Holland or the Hootenanny? How did you get tickets? [more inside]
posted by jwhittlestone at 3:16 AM PST - 3 comments
posted by jwhittlestone at 3:16 AM PST - 3 comments
I'm ready for my closeup, Mr. DeMille.
DesignerApparelFilter: Oh, to dress like a 2002 Dogma movie star... [more inside]
Trouble setting up Tivo
I am trying to set up my non-DirecTV TiVo to a DirecTV box. [more inside]
posted by ebeeb at 12:32 AM PST - 3 comments
posted by ebeeb at 12:32 AM PST - 3 comments
which online broker is best?
Opinions on the best online online brokerage out there right now?
I want to buy some stocks and do a little trading for myself away from my retirement account which is handled by a professional. Hard to pick between the big boys (e-trade, scottrade, etc.) or maybe there's a better option I'm not aware of.
Any thoughts would be appreciated.
December 27
Where are the podcasts?
Another podcast-filter question: These are somewhat popular threads, but I would like some recommendations for podcasts along some specific lines (More inside) [more inside]
Social Security and Canada Pension Plan
Can a person collect under both the Canada Pension Plan and U.S. Social Security, based on qualifying work in both countries? [more inside]
posted by Joleta at 10:21 PM PST - 2 comments
posted by Joleta at 10:21 PM PST - 2 comments
I can't believe I actually bought all of those cards....
I have a huge number of Magic, Star Trek, and X-Files cards (well, not huge by some standards, but more than I'd like to admit to having). I haven't touched them 6 years or so. Needless to say, I want them gone. [more inside]
Why is Ezra Pound's "In a Station of the Metro" so widely anthologized?
Imagism experts: why is Ezra Pound's "In a Station of the Metro" so widely anthologized? [more inside]
Crossing the Border with an Open Container of Alcohol
How I legally transport an open bottle cognac from Toronto to Boston? [more inside]
To IUD or not to IUD, that is the question . . .Or, will they let me IUD? Who knows?
[GirlFilter] I know that questions about birth control are about a dime a dozen on here, and I've read most of the stuff that relates to IUDs, but I have some questions that I hope people here can help me with that I don't think have been previously addressed. [more inside]
Men's Fashion Book
Men's Classic Fashion - A recommended book with lots of good pictures for tailored clothing [more inside]
What do I need to know when moving from Florida to Kentucky?
My wife and I are moving from Florida to Louisville, KY. What do I need to do or know to make the transition from warm to cold weather go as smoothly as possible? [more inside]
can parents bug their children?
Can a parent legally bug and record their underage children's phone calls?
posted by StickyCarpet at 7:05 PM PST - 16 comments
posted by StickyCarpet at 7:05 PM PST - 16 comments
Stayed on jesus.
Songfilter: "Woke up this morning with my mind stayed on Jesus. Hallelujah." [more inside]
posted by Evstar at 6:40 PM PST - 5 comments
posted by Evstar at 6:40 PM PST - 5 comments
Trouble with Customs and trademark holder
I'm in trouble w/ US Customs and a clothing manufacturer has begun sending me threatening letters for sending myself some knock-off clothing with their brand. Does anybody know anything about trademark law, or has anyone ever worked for customs? [more inside]
posted by KiddAnnica at 5:49 PM PST - 14 comments
posted by KiddAnnica at 5:49 PM PST - 14 comments
What are the nuclear options?
I'm looking for objective information about the value of nuclear power. Specifically, how effective is it at generating power vis a vis its pollution A) quantity and B) um... vehemence? [more inside]
TypePad + TypeLists + del.icio.us
TypePad + TypeLists + del.icio.us . . . need some help getting them to play well with each other. [more inside]
How to use iTunes library?
iTunes help - Windows version, am confused as to how the library works. [more inside]
posted by jkaczor at 5:26 PM PST - 8 comments
posted by jkaczor at 5:26 PM PST - 8 comments
How can I cash a third-party check?
How can I cash a third-party check? [more inside]
My Dell-to-Dell hard drive transplant has been rejected, and I'm baffled.
My Dell-to-Dell hard drive transplant has been rejected, and I'm baffled. [more inside]
sharing outlook on a home network
Sharing Outlook on a home network without using Exchange? [more inside]
disability case law
Does anyone know of some good free resources/articles on the web about recent case law, lawsuits, etc. involving people with disabilities vs federal agencies, state social service agencies and federally funded non-profits and faith based initiatives? [more inside]
How to install old OS on a new laptop hard drive
My laptop's hard drive is reaching capacity. How can I install a larger hard drive without having to buy a new version of Win XP Pro (which was pre-installed on the laptop when I bought it, and IBM will no longer send me a CD-ROM version of the OS at a reasonable price, since the machine is long out of warranty).
If buying a new version of XP is the only option, how do I install it on the new hard drive (or will the laptop just boot to the installation CD-ROM if there's no OS installed when the power is turned on?)
Hindu Festival Kit
Can you identify the purpose of items in a Hindu festival kit labelled "Pujapa Samagri"? [more inside]
posted by Miko at 3:59 PM PST - 11 comments
posted by Miko at 3:59 PM PST - 11 comments
PowerBook logic board woes
Should I get my PowerBook's logic board replaced? [more inside]
Should I lease my condo, or sell it outright?
I'm moving to New York City, and I need help deciding what to do with my condo. Should I lease it? Sell it? [more inside]
What is the best brand / model of coastal sailing foul weather gear?
What is the best brand / model of coastal sailing foul weather gear? [more inside]
Giving the gift of dogma.
Fundy-In-Law-Filter: My husband's sister and her husband are hard-core evangelical fundamentalists. We are liberal Episcopalians. This causes a problem every Christmas. What do you say when you get a gift that was clearly meant to make a point? [more inside]
Is my ipod fried?
DeadIpodFilter: My ipod I just bought 2 weeks ago is dead, 4th Gen. 30gb. I am just sick and deflated and destroyed. My power blinked off this morning and I know that has to be the culprit because it was working fine last night. Is this the end of it? Are it's insides fried?....more inside [more inside]
posted by jamie939 at 1:40 PM PST - 12 comments
posted by jamie939 at 1:40 PM PST - 12 comments
What should i do in Reykjavík, Iceland for new years eve?
LastMinuteTripFilter: What should i do in Reykjavík, Iceland for new years eve? [more inside]
posted by jba at 1:07 PM PST - 6 comments
posted by jba at 1:07 PM PST - 6 comments
How much cello can I get for $500?
I'd like to buy a cello for around $500. I know nothing about celli. [more inside]
Tailing a remote logfile without opening an SSH connection?
How can I tail a remote logfile without actually opening up an SSH connection each time? [more inside]
My dog loves the litterbox but my cat doesn't.
PetOwneratWit'sEndFilter: my cat is picky about the litter he will use. The dog loves to play in the litter and strew it around the floor. A covered litter box prevents dog from strewing litter all over the floor. The cat won't use the covered litter box. Is there a solution which will please all of us? [more inside]
posted by luneray at 11:58 AM PST - 15 comments
posted by luneray at 11:58 AM PST - 15 comments
Help me eat a lot of meat.
Can you help me eat a lot of meat fast? [more inside]
What kind of car is the safest to drive?
What kind of car is the safest to drive? There are lots of studies on which cars are best in a crash, but I suspect that some cars crash less often than others, so I am interested in statistics that take the rate of accidents as well as crashworthiness into account. [more inside]
posted by procrastination at 11:51 AM PST - 24 comments
posted by procrastination at 11:51 AM PST - 24 comments
Andrew Lloyd Weber: Yay or Nay?
Why do some people hate Andrew Lloyd Weber so much? [more inside]
posted by jca at 11:31 AM PST - 50 comments
posted by jca at 11:31 AM PST - 50 comments
missed connections: wiki edition
I'm looking for a wiki I came across once. It had a button labeled "download entire wiki." One could download the contents of the wiki as static html pages with relative links.
It wasn't Wikipedia. Can you help me find it?
Fix Pop's Outlook!
Help me fix my father's Outlook. [more inside]
ow, my finger!
I'm interested in buying a rug from this company. The rug was handmade in India. I know forced child labor in rug manufacturing is a big problem in India. Is there any way of knowing whether a particular company's Indian rugs are made by exploited children? I emailed the company to ask, but it would be better to know independently. [more inside]
Should I invest in a Mac?
I'm a longtime PC user who is considering purchasing a Mac laptop for personal use. I'm relatively unfamiliar with Macs, and need advice! [more inside]
How do I judge the electrical system in an apartment?
How do I judge the electrical system in an apartment? [more inside]
posted by Caviar at 10:08 AM PST - 13 comments
posted by Caviar at 10:08 AM PST - 13 comments
Subject to income tax on a state level
Am I subject to penalties and fines if I'm not in compliance with New York State tax law, even though I do not work or live in New York State?
What is the History of English Capitalization?
What is the History of English Language Capitalization? [more inside]
posted by freebird at 9:41 AM PST - 35 comments
posted by freebird at 9:41 AM PST - 35 comments
My iPod hates Bill Gates
My 3rd Gen (click-wheel) iPod: doesn't work on PC, seems to work on a Mac. [more inside]
posted by Mick at 9:39 AM PST - 9 comments
posted by Mick at 9:39 AM PST - 9 comments
Please educate me on claret.
What can you tell me about claret? My boss gave me a bottle of it for Christmas - I'm not a drinker usually, but thought this New Years Eve I might try it. What do I serve it with and how is the best way to enjoy it?
Who will forward my mail?
I want to forward mail from "mydomain.com" to "mycurrentisp.com" forever. I'm currently using MailShell to do this but they seem to suffer performance problems. What's the best way to accomplish this? [more inside]
International Money Transfers
What is the best way to do international transfers in order to get the best currency exchange rates and avoid excessive bank transfer fees? Transferring from the UK to Canada is costing me £20/transfer.
Making a digital camera talk to my computer.
I borrowed a Samsung digital camera, but I can’t get it to work with my computer. Please help. (Using XP) [more inside]
What is the best approach to learn how to play bass guitar?
What is the best approach to learn how to play bass guitar? [more inside]
bluetooth cell phone + windows= magic!
I need help syncing my cell phone with my computer, or suggestions for a website that can help me. [more inside]
posted by MadamM at 12:56 AM PST - 5 comments
posted by MadamM at 12:56 AM PST - 5 comments
December 26
Weird things happen when I sleep
Weird things happen when I sleep. I thought this happened to other people too. Then, tonight, when I mentioned it to my mother she said, "No, that's never happened to me." What is it? Is there an explanation? [more inside]
Dealing with a loved one's Bipolar Disorder.
Dealing with a loved one's Bipolar Disorder. [more inside]
neighbors dealing drugs
My next door neighbors are running an indoor marijuana farm. [more inside]
Why have a baby?
Why did you choose to have a baby?
I'm trying to get inside the mindset of people who are older than I am and in a very different part of their life. If you're someone who has always planned on having a family, why did you always plan on it and how do you feel about it now? If you never planned on a family and changed your mind, what made you change your mind? If you never planned on children but one come along by accident, how do you feel about them now? I'm looking for personal stories/anecdotes/opinions about it, not so much statistics or figures.
your favorite waffle recipe
I hate hardware.
Why does my new video card cause a memory dump during boot? [more inside]
Homebrew on my phone?
Can I get homebrew software for my phone? [more inside]
posted by squidlarkin at 8:14 PM PST - 10 comments
posted by squidlarkin at 8:14 PM PST - 10 comments
Crank calling with fake caller id?
Is it possible to fake someone's caller ID to place a crank call? [more inside]
Help me find a new call-forwarding service.
My call forwarding service is over and done with and I need a new one. Help! [more inside]
Mac Tiger Telephone Call Note Software?
Is there any simple program for Max OS X for taking telephone notes? I'd just like something that with a keystroke opens as a phone note template -- Who Called, Date, Status pop-up (like "Spoke" "Returned No Answer" "Returned Busy", etc.), and a place for notes. I'd like to have the messages kept permanently and be searchable. Thanks
How can I get involved in filmmaking?
CareerFilter: I'm a technical person (software developer/researcher) looking for/needing a career change to something creative. I've been thinking about filmmaking. [more inside]
what the hell is happening to this country?
there are, at least to my mind, many nefarious things going on in this country, at all levels. i recently voiced a specific complaint to a friend of mind. his reply was 'this is the way the 'man' wants it.' who is this 'man' anyway?
posted by brandz at 6:20 PM PST - 16 comments
posted by brandz at 6:20 PM PST - 16 comments
Microscope viewing
Any biologists in the house? What would be a recommended book for identifying bacteria, pollen, and other nitnoy under a regular microscope? [more inside]
Icing, icing baby
Do you have a killer icing recipe? I'm making a cavalcade of cupcakes for my birthday next week and I want to make some yummy buttercream icing to go with. [more inside]
posted by sugarfish at 5:53 PM PST - 11 comments
posted by sugarfish at 5:53 PM PST - 11 comments
How do I synthesize speech like in old video games?
Wizard shot the food! What do I need to synthesize a voice similar to that in the videogame "Gauntlet?" [more inside]
posted by fatbobsmith at 5:47 PM PST - 17 comments
posted by fatbobsmith at 5:47 PM PST - 17 comments
Video projector bulb rip
Holy %#$!. I just priced out bulbs for our Proxima X350 video projector. The stores I looked at want $350, about equal to the price used projectors are going for on eBay. If I shell out $350, am I getting ripped off? Since when did it cost so much to make a light bulb?
Help with my new 100+ yr old blanket
Best juggling resources?
What are the best free online resources for 3-ball juggling? What about best books?
How to travel cheap cross country?
Are there any good options these days for cheap/easy crosscountry travel? [more inside]
How to deal with a crazy neighbor?
A friend of mine lives in an apartment in New York where for the last 8 or 9 months his downstairs neighbor has been harassing him. [more inside]
Dressing well for the large man?
Where can I learn about dressing well as an overweight man? [more inside]
Using laptop IR to control TV
How can I use the IR port on my Windows XP laptop to control my television?
What's This Song? for $100
Good paint / drawing programs for kids?
What's a good paint / drawing program for a 6 yo girl, on Windows XP? [more inside]
Am I stuck with my laptop battery life?
Laptop battery solutions: Should out-of-the-box battery life be the deciding factor in which laptop to purchase? Or are there reasonable workarounds? [more inside]
posted by poweredbybeard at 12:09 PM PST - 17 comments
posted by poweredbybeard at 12:09 PM PST - 17 comments
Cold Air Refrigeration
Using Cold Outside Air to Reduce Refrigeration Costs: Why isn't this done? [more inside]
Fix stucco underlayment beneath old ceramic tiles?
DIYfilter: We're re-tiling the kitchen countertop. Underneath is a one-inch thick stucco-like material, some of which broke and came out in chunks with the old tile. [more inside]
posted by fuzzy_wuzzy at 10:51 AM PST - 5 comments
posted by fuzzy_wuzzy at 10:51 AM PST - 5 comments
shopping for headphones
can you recommend headphones (over the head) under $50 from amazon? [more inside]
Wacom Intuos Tablet question
I have the opportunity to buy an used x Wacom intuos graphics tablet to use with my photoshop program. It would cost about $85.00 with shipping. It is being offered on e-bay without the software that the owner says is free to download from the Wacom site. My question is to those of you with Wacom experiance, would it be better for a newbe to go for the more expensive (new) wacom to take advantage of the provided software and hard copy instructions or do you think a person that is reasonalbly technologically proficient with computers / downloading etc. be able to get up to speed using advice typically found on the internet? Thank you...
posted by orlin at 10:39 AM PST - 17 comments
posted by orlin at 10:39 AM PST - 17 comments
Where can I find older New Beetle TV commercials?
Is there a place where I can download/watch Volkswagen New Beetle TV commercials of yore? [more inside]
posted by herrdoktor at 10:22 AM PST - 5 comments
posted by herrdoktor at 10:22 AM PST - 5 comments
I need to create a form that, upon completion, will redirect the user to a specific URL.
Where can I get a script for my websites that will allow me to ask questions of the user, and then, upon completion of filling out the form, that user is redirected to a specific URL? [more inside]
posted by stst399 at 8:39 AM PST - 5 comments
posted by stst399 at 8:39 AM PST - 5 comments
Metro West for dummies
I may be moving to the Metro West area of Massachusetts (east of Boston, west of Worcester). What's the coolest town in this area? Or, what are some resources that could help me make this determination for myself? Such as an equivalent to the NY Times' Real Estate Column: "If you're thinking of living in..."
posted by ericbop at 8:13 AM PST - 25 comments
posted by ericbop at 8:13 AM PST - 25 comments
I just want to know what channels are available in my car
Can anyone tell me how to make this .pdf print? [more inside]
How to find freelance editing work?
What's the best way to find freelance editing gigs? (Forget the websites like freelance.com, the rates offered are laughable.) I'm trying to find work online from reputable companies, any tips? I have experience and references, FWIW.
Windows home network not working
I'm trying to set up a very simple 2-PC network, with no networking experience, and I can't figure out why it won't work. [more inside]
posted by JanetLand at 6:51 AM PST - 12 comments
posted by JanetLand at 6:51 AM PST - 12 comments
I need songs with the name "Alex" (or Alexander) in the title.
I need songs with the name "Alex" (or Alexander) in the title. The only one i can find is "Alex Chilton" by the Replacements [more inside]
Please help me fill my pencil needs!
Where in the world can I find a company that will custom print some pencils for me?
I need to get pencils printed with something different on each of the faces. Ideally I would provide a image (either separate for each side, or one with each side detailed out) that would be aligned and printed on the pencil. [more inside]
How should I prepare to start renting?
18 year old planning to start renting within a month or so. [more inside]
December 25
How to exonerate yourself from being falsely accused of altering a prescription.
My wife is being falsely accused of falsifying a prescription. She is absolutely innocent, but the situation is complicated and her doctor's office manager is blatantly trying to get her into trouble. [more inside]
Should I feel bad?
How do I get over the guilt of estranging myself from my alcoholic mother? [more inside]
Woe betide those at CollegeHumor.com
Just how much are the customs/Department of Homeland Security people allowed to go through your personal information on your laptop? [more inside]
Playing Magnum P.I.
Distilled: I want to know how to legally gather information on somebody.
Expounded: Many moons ago, my parents had a serious row with infidelity when my stepfather admitted to a long-term affair. After much counseling, they were able to save their 15 year marriage, and in time seemed closer and happier than ever before. It was the sort of story that gave people some hope for humanity and renewed faith in the ability of people to make good. Now -- 8 years later -- the specter rears its head again... [more inside]
What breed is this dog?
Laptop audio woes!
Help me figure out what is wrong with my laptop speakers. [more inside]
Cheap vacation in Mexico? Somewhere in California? Somewhere else?
CheapVacationFilter: I want to take a cheap few-day vacation with my girlfriend. We're in Los Angeles. I'm wondering about this "Mexico" thing not too far away... [more inside]
Where to shop in San Francisco?
I'm going to be in San Francisco for three days at the end of the month - looking for specific shopping advice. [more inside]
What's it like to live in Bozeman, Montana?
What's it like to live in Bozeman, Montana? [more inside]
D50 or S2?
Help me choose a digital camera: Nikon D50 or Canon S2? I can't decide whether it's worth it to go DSLR. [more inside]
Slurping videos from the iPod
Is there a way to extract videos from the video iPod onto a Mac? [more inside]
Help me pimp my voice?
central jersey to jfk airport?
Does anyone have any polite advice on driving from central new jersey to jfk airport so to get there for a 7:00 am flight? [more inside]
Meet me in Tokyo?
Meeting strangers in Tokyo [more inside]
Looking for the name of a german actress
GermanActressFilter: Looking for the name of a german actress. I only have some vague info :-/ [more inside]
The Xmas Blues
We've really screwed the pooch this year..... [more inside]
Louis Gossett Jr. Easter Alien for Xmas?
Help identify this bizarre Christmas morning Easter movie... [mi] [more inside]
Any suggestions for email hosting?
My organization of less than 40 needs an email only host. I am having a difficult time trying to google something as they all seem a bit generic and not someone I'm familiar with. Any suggestions? We just need IMAP and quota notification and about 1GB per person (give or take). Yahoo's is perfect except they don't have IMAP.
Help me get the dry cleaners pay for my pants.
Dry cleaners help! I brought a pair of very expensive formal pants to the cleaners after one wearing (they had a stain in them). They got the stain out, so I didn't try them on for about a month. Tried them on today and they are two inches too short and won't fit around the waist. [more inside]
posted by geoff. at 9:04 AM PST - 8 comments
posted by geoff. at 9:04 AM PST - 8 comments
Our whiny dog
We gave our dogs a couple of rawhide bones for Christmas. The girl dog (chow/ lab mix supposedly) has gnawed it down to a nub and carries it around in her mouth room to room crying and whining, basically, pacing our small house. [more inside]
You spin me right round, baby...
MTBFFilter: Why is Microsoft's mouse scrolling mean time between failures different for scrolls towards the user vs. scrolls away from the user? As seen here. [PDF] [more inside]
posted by disillusioned at 12:40 AM PST - 16 comments
posted by disillusioned at 12:40 AM PST - 16 comments
Where can I find local self-improvement classes?
(Brooklyn, NY) Where can I find classes for simple things, like automotive repair? I remember there was a time when the local community college held classes like this. But I can't seem to find any in Brooklyn. [more inside]
December 24
USB hub with Aiport Express printing?
Can I connect to several printers via a USB hub through an Airport Express? [more inside]
password please
wifi password question: I'm at a relative's for the holidays. She has wifi throughout her house but does not remember the password. Her computer however, does. How do I get the computer to tell me what the password is? It's a windows machine.
Where to get coffee on Xmas eve in LA / Burbank?
What coffee shops are open on Xmas eve in the LA / Burbank area? [more inside]
How can I get cat hair out of my fleece jacket?
How can I get cat hair out of my fleece jacket? [more inside]
Please help me wake my iPod.
iPodFilter: My iPod bit the forbidden apple. [more inside]
posted by Count Ziggurat at 8:17 PM PST - 6 comments
posted by Count Ziggurat at 8:17 PM PST - 6 comments
Anyone know the NYTimes article about urban games?
Sunday New York Times, probably November 27th, an article about urban games, possibly on the front page? [more inside]
Good jewelry store - downtown Chicago?
Recommendations for a good place to buy (expensive) earrings in Chicago - downtown/loop area, on December 28th? (And yes, Tiffany & Co has a store on Michigan Avenue, but I'm looking for a place with less attitude and more value.)
posted by WestCoaster at 5:03 PM PST - 5 comments
posted by WestCoaster at 5:03 PM PST - 5 comments
New guitar for leftie string it jimmy hendrix style?
I've gotten my 5 year old a 1/2 size guitar for Christmas. I remembered as he picked it up for the first time from under the tree this morning- that he is left handed. I'd like to be able to teach him the basics. Should I restring the guitar for a leftie, or teach him to use his right hand for strumming? What do most left handers do? Should I train him Jimmy Hendrix style?
posted by Dag Maggot at 3:11 PM PST - 32 comments
posted by Dag Maggot at 3:11 PM PST - 32 comments
External 5G iPod Battery
I'm looking for an external battery for my 5G iPod. Less than $100, at least five hours, the smaller the better. Any suggestions?
posted by JPowers at 3:08 PM PST - 4 comments
posted by JPowers at 3:08 PM PST - 4 comments
Help me come up with something nice to write inside this book I'm giving for Christmas.
For Christmas I am giving my ex-girlfriend (who i am still very close with) a copy of the PostSecret book. I would like to write something nice to her on the inside cover but I'm coming up blank. Help me out.. [more inside]
Please help translate this email
Does anybody know what this says, or at least what language it is?
Stastne vianocne sviatky vrodinnom kruhu a v novom roku vela zdravia a spokojnosti praju LIZAKOVCI.
My girlfriend received it in a text message from an international number, and we are both perplexed. It doesn't appear to be Polish or Russian.
[posted for kyleg who has used his weekly AskMe and posted to MetaChat. The agreed possibility of the language is Slovak.]
how do you archive important letters and paper documents?
How do folks handle archiving paper documents like personal correspondence (the snail mail kind), journals and the like? I have about 17 years worth of stuff and am trying to conceptualize of some sort of project to be able to look back on different years at a glance. BTW, it's not like I'm one of the Collyer brothers--all told, we're probably talking about 4 boxes of letters and such that I've saved over the years. I was thinking of organizing something chronological, using something like magazine files but I'm curious to hear how other folks organize and archive their stuff. Special bonus question--what about electronic documents, like emails and things you write? I know, I could store them online forever, but what's neat about old fashioned paper is that the reader and the information are self contained. Do you print things out, and again, if so, do you have any tricks for storing them?
Where can we get furniture in Santa Barbara, California?
Where can I get affordable household stuff near Santa Barbara, California? My boyfriend and I just moved here and we need furniture. [more inside]
Help me restore brain cells killed during my college years.
FrenchYoungAdultFictionFilter: back in the early 1980's, I bought a contemporary novel at Brentano about a young French girl-woman. It was a paperback. [more inside]
Printing jewel cases in iTunes
How do I properly print out jewel cases? [more inside]
Google video
What is the catch for uploading to Google Video? It looks like a great place to share one's own videos, but what are the cons of posting videos there (letting Google eat all the bandwidth costs) instead of on my own site? Why not move all of one's multimedia content there?
text editing software for teaching webdesign?
I'm going to be teaching a 5 week (30 contact hours) of intro web design as part of a larger digital art class. I'm planning to use text based as opposed to wyswyg tools (no dreamweaver). I'm trying to decide on what software to use. It's an OSX lab. [more inside]
Why is my Mini-ATX crashing?
I have a Micro ATX Celeron 900mhz 512MB RAM WInXP Pro. It crashes completely (blank screen, reset required) when ever I open an Office document or try to access any website. [more inside]
How can social scientists learn database skills?
What resources exist for non-techy social scientists who want to use relational databases to store their data, but don't know how? [more inside]
Why is he called a "body man"?
The personal aide to a President, other politician, and certain other muckety-mucks is sometimes known as a "body man". (This usage was popularized, but not invented, by Charlie's role in The West Wing.) Why "body man"? Does anybody know the origin/etymology of the term?
Thaw, you little bastard! THAW!
We screwed up the timing for preparing our turkey. How can we thaw and brine by tomorrow without risking bacterial contamination? [more inside]
Hanukkah candles
Can anyone give me some advice on where to get Hanukkah/menorah candles today, here in Salem, Oregon? Specifically, anyone know if the big box stores, or Hallmark, etc. are carrying them. Normally me mum has sent them but not to be this year...
Home printing solution
Help me set up a printing system for the whole family... [more inside]
What to do in Greensboro, NC?
What to do in Greensboro, NC on Christmas Eve Afternoon? [more inside]
Wallpaper woes
Actual "on a wall" type wallpaper question. Previous owners put up a 24" pickett fence border around the bottom of a bedroom that just will not come off. [more inside]
posted by sandra_s at 4:53 AM PST - 16 comments
posted by sandra_s at 4:53 AM PST - 16 comments
Alternative Places Of Learning
Alternative colleges, universities, and other forms of post-secondary learning worldwide - any suggestions? [more inside]
On the Destruction of Our Neighboring Planets
Given our current state of technology and the world's nuclear armaments, I ask the question that the world needs an answer to: Could we destroy Mars? [more inside]
December 23
Why were they so leechy-keen?
While reading this excellent thread, an interesting question popped into my mind - why was bloodletting so popular for so long when it so obviously doesn't work? [more inside]
posted by Afroblanco at 11:03 PM PST - 27 comments
posted by Afroblanco at 11:03 PM PST - 27 comments
Not a Grammy category yet
I'm looking for nominations for the Best Use of Hoots, Hollers, and Grunts for Male Rock Vocalists. These would include the most fantastic utterances that are not typically part of the lyrics. Hooooo. Ha! [more inside]
SF Bike Map + Google
I have no coding skills, but I have an idea for a really usefull san francisco based google maps hack... [more inside]
I need websites of Political Research
I am looking for reasonably well-known websites that deal with government corruption. I live in the United States, so I have a particular interest in any US corruption, but I'm interested in other countries as well. Logically, it is easy to find information on corruption of countries we don't like, so I'm mainly looking for websites dealing with the US and its allies.
(more info inside)
if you know of any respected political websites that issue indepth reports on various things like human rights (Human Rights Watch for example) or that release declassified documents and memos not necessarily from the us, but the US is great too ( http://www.gwu.edu/~nsarchiv for example) then tell me [more inside]
Need family friendly activity in Orange County - Los Angeles area for Dec. 24
Help! Need family friendly activity in Orange County - Los Angeles area for Dec. 24. Otherwise, wife will kill me. [more inside]
View CSS cascade on IE for Windows
Is there an application for Internet Explorers on Windows that will let you click on or select a page element and view the cascading css rules that are being applied to that element? (Something similar to the Web Developer toolbar for Firefox or Xyle scope for Safari).
posted by alana at 6:33 PM PST - 7 comments
posted by alana at 6:33 PM PST - 7 comments
I know this hurts.
Why is a blank stare and a quizzical, staccato head-tilt to the left or right Hollywood shorthand for "I am inhumanly evil/possessed by a demon/a liquid metal killing machine/a humanoid but emotionless android", amongst others? [more inside]
posted by Jon Mitchell at 5:34 PM PST - 20 comments
posted by Jon Mitchell at 5:34 PM PST - 20 comments
Anyone know the average level prescription of Depakote?
I have a family member who has recently been diagnosed with bipolar disorder type 2. The psychiatrist has prescribed them 1000 mg of Depakote a day, what is the average prescription if anyone knows? Is this a lot or only a minor dosage? [more inside]
Know of any good New Orleans-based charities?
I'm looking for a charity related to rebuilding New Orleans to donate to as a gift to someone that used to live there and was heartbroken by the hurricane aftermath. The Red Cross or United Way seem too big and non-specific. I'd like to give to something with a bit more direct impact on improving things there. Suggestions?
posted by mathowie at 4:14 PM PST - 7 comments
posted by mathowie at 4:14 PM PST - 7 comments
Coffeemakers for hot, lip-scalding coffee?
Can you recommend a good drip coffee maker? Most important criterion: Makes HOT, lip-scalding coffee. [more inside]
How do I tell my girlfriend that I have herpes?
I just started a new relationship.. It's phenomenal and we've both felt that we're in love. I care deeply for her, but I don't know how to tell her about the fact that I have Herpes. Does anyone have advice on how to break the news? [more inside]
The grass really *is* greener on the other side...
We just bought a new house. The good news: the house has a front and back yard, which we have never had before. The bad news: the previous owners did not take good care of the lawn. Help! [more inside]
Corona Beer Ad
I'm looking for an image from the Corona beer commercial... [more inside]
PC Game controller round-up
Game controllers for the PC? Tell me about them? [more inside]
Causing deaths by rapture?
ReligionEthicsFilter: in all the Apocalypse/Rapture stuff, planes will crash and cars and trains, etc, because the drivers will have been swept up. Doesn't that mean that Christians shouldn't do those things, esp if other people will be harmed as a result? [more inside]
help me help my sister make latkes!
ChrismukkahFilter! My sister's asked me to help on Xmas/Hanukkah by grating the potatoes and onions for the latkes ahead of time. Help me avoid the dreaded oxidation. [more inside]
Is this hypochondria?
I have a friend who constantly medicates herself with OTC medications/remedies as a source of comfort. Is this hypochondria? [more inside]
Big hands big gloves
What are some products that are made/comfortable for people with large hands? Computer specific, but anything else would be cool. [more inside]
Itchy Red Bumps -- what's eating me?
Best Winter Route SLC to Orlando
What's the best overland route between Salt Lake City, UT and Orlando FL?
A friend has just moved out of state for work, and he needs me to drive his car out for him. So I'm hopping in the car early Friday morning and driving from Salt Lake City to Orlando... MORE INSIDE [more inside]
posted by silusGROK at 11:10 AM PST - 9 comments
posted by silusGROK at 11:10 AM PST - 9 comments
Emergency issues in London.
Emergency help needed in London, who do we call? [more inside]
SC300 Water Lights
LexusSC300Filter: The headlight on my 1993 Lexus SC300 is slowly filling up with water. How can I fix this without buying a new light? [more inside]
Need a good case for a Canon Rebel XT
Help me protect my new digital camera (Rebel XT) with a case or skin or something. [more inside]
My mouse cursor often moves on its own...is it a mouse problem or something else?
For the past two days, I have noticed that my mouse cursor will move itself and point to the systray. I've never had this issue before so I am extremely confused over it.
Does anyone know what it could be? Thanks!
How can 'opposite' genetic mutations have the same effect?
MolecularBiologyFilter: How can knocking out one copy of a gene have the same effect as a mutation that leads to increased activity? [more inside]
posted by greatgefilte at 10:05 AM PST - 17 comments
posted by greatgefilte at 10:05 AM PST - 17 comments
Photocopy Watermarking Designs
designfilter How do I go about creating a Photocopy-Proof background for a document? [more inside]
about a blog.
All about blogs. - I, like many others, began blogging on blogger... I find that I want to do more with my blog and I would like to move to a better service... I love Typepad but I do not want to pay for ithe service..... I have heard good things about Wordpress.... any other suggestions...??
Also, I read that it was possible to move my blogspot entries to my new blog, can anyone guide me through this process or can anyone refer me to a site that does? TIA!
Changing From address in Outlook
How do I change my From address in Outlook/Exchange? I have a regular old e-mail account and also a forwarding address that I like better; I want recipients of my e-mail to see (only?) my forwarding address. [more inside]
Help me find rare Texas rock music
Help me find two super-rare 1980's recordings from Dallas/Ft. Worth-area bands: My Three Sons and The White Shapes. [more inside]
McCartney
Why do people dislike Paul McCartney so much? [more inside]
How to autoformard GMail Spam messages ?
How can I autoforward my Gmail messages labelled as "SPAM" [more inside]
"If it's been in the trash, it's trash." -- Jerry Seinfeld
Is there some sort of mental disorder, syndrome or condition that causes people to prefer eating off OTHER people's plates? [more inside]
sing a song of sixpence...
I found a lump in my underarm earlier in the week which has since disappeared, leaving me to believe the doctor was right and it was a cyst. My doctor (just to be on the safe side) ordered blood work and I had my blood drawn on Monday. Now it's Friday and I haven't heard my results. [more inside]
Where can I host my code?
I need recommendations for a web host for serious (personal/hobby) coding. Everything I've seen so far requires compromises between flexibility and affordability. [more inside]
posted by ny_scotsman at 7:03 AM PST - 13 comments
posted by ny_scotsman at 7:03 AM PST - 13 comments
Modern Inconveniences
All of a sudden, my dish-washing machine no longer works. [more inside]
posted by Jon-o at 6:38 AM PST - 11 comments
posted by Jon-o at 6:38 AM PST - 11 comments
Turning off XP special mp3 sorting functions
Here's a real simple problem that's been annoying me since I switched to Windows XP. If I have a folder that's full of mp3 files, XP "intelligently" decides that it's a music folder and changes the "Arrange icons by" options from "name/type/size/modified" to "name/type/size/artist/album title/year/track number/duration". Importantly missing is MODIFIED! How do I tell XP to sort files by date modified if it insists on only letting me sort by the ID3 "year" value?
posted by rxrfrx at 6:11 AM PST - 9 comments
posted by rxrfrx at 6:11 AM PST - 9 comments
What english-speaking jobs are there in Germany?
What sorts of English-speaking jobs are available in Germany? [more inside]
Version 2.01--homebrewable?
PSPFilter: I recently received a Playstation Portable for Christmas, and I want to "homebrew" the thing so I can play games, movies, etc. I've been reading up on how to do this, but my version is 2.01, and what I've read so far leads me to believe it to be an impossibility. Anyone try this with v. 2.01? [more inside]
Where can I find the man who can move his nose like crazy?
I once watched a comedy variety show on a plane that featured, among others, a guy who could move his nose around his face in an astonishing variety of ways... it's as if it had a life of its own. Try as I might, I can't find him on the web -- any ideas? Thanks.
posted by shivohum at 2:55 AM PST - 6 comments
posted by shivohum at 2:55 AM PST - 6 comments
Children's Psychiatric Hospital Christmas Concert - 1978
I'm looking for a download of Christmas songs performed at the 1978 Children's Psychiatric Hospital Christmas Concert. Anybody have a copy? [more inside]
Favorite Xmas Tunes
What are your favorite Christmas tunes? [more inside]
Undeletable file
On Windows XP, I have a problem deleting an .avi file. Please help? [more inside]
posted by Meatbomb at 1:27 AM PST - 13 comments
posted by Meatbomb at 1:27 AM PST - 13 comments
December 22
pendulum dowsing?
has anyone ever tried pendulum dowsing? whats it all about?
Is eating cheese made from unpasteurised milk dangerous?
Is eating cheese made from unpasteurised milk dangerous? If so, to whom? [more inside]
posted by unSane at 10:19 PM PST - 15 comments
posted by unSane at 10:19 PM PST - 15 comments
Heat bag - how does it work?
My employer has a knack for finding the oddest Christmas presents for the staff. This year: a heat bag. How does it work? [more inside]
Help me decide on a project...
Help me decide on a project... [more inside]
I am the Sofa King!
I've installed Firefox version 1.5 onto my computer (the original version was already on there), but the "bookmarks bar" isn't showing up. I thought it was a feature on this version. What gives?
How much should I pay for a solid walnut table?
Bourgeois furniture value question(s). [more inside]
Is the "ideal" HDTV coming?
Is the "ideal" HDTV coming? [more inside]
Fun stuff for couples other than the obvious
My wife and I are bored, but we can't think of any good games for couples. Is there anything out there? [more inside]
Did this mail item get lost?
Is my ebay item lost in the mail? [more inside]
help my Dad hear the TV
My father is hard of hearing. I'm looking for suggestions regarding easy audio devices that will let him listen to the TV at the volume he needs, but also let the rest of the family enjoy the program at a more reasonable volume. [more inside]
posted by Galvatron at 7:29 PM PST - 9 comments
posted by Galvatron at 7:29 PM PST - 9 comments
How big is the Pitrpod Zepto?
I want to develop an education curriculum to teach kids (smart 9th graders to adults) about scale. That is, I want people to realize exactly how small things like atoms, photolithographed conduits and electrons are, and how large galaxies are. [more inside]
posted by arrhn at 7:23 PM PST - 13 comments
posted by arrhn at 7:23 PM PST - 13 comments
20-something girls vs. 30-something women?
Starting your career at 30... [more inside]
Steve Forbert song quest
MOR-filter! I'm trying to find a Steve Forbert song released before 1991 featuring lyrics about being hung/washed out/up etc.. [more inside]
Need something to carve
I am in intermediate sculptor and am looking for someplace to find a good piece of wood to carve, such as curly maple, walnut or mahogany.
I live in the Philadelphia area and would love to find a shop here or someplace on the internet. Any suggestions?
Call me Hubble Jr.
I want to photograph the night sky, and I don't know how with my camera. [more inside]
You can't blame them, it is a catchy tune...
Song Identifcation Filter: I heard a song on KCRW within the past few days that lifted the melody (just the note sequence, it wasn't sampled) from Kraftwerk's "Computer Love". It had a male vocalist and the last words he sang were "Let's talk". Searching playlists on KCRW has been fruitless, but I remember hearing the Dresden Doll's "Coin Operated Boy" shortly before or after this track.
posted by phrontist at 6:17 PM PST - 10 comments
posted by phrontist at 6:17 PM PST - 10 comments
Best music download site that does not install software on my pc?
I'm looking for recommendations for a good music download service that allows me to download mp3s to my pc without having to install software (e.g. iTunes...). The larger the library the better. Thanks. [more inside]
itunes installation problems
Quicktime / itunes installation problems: [more inside]
Will Dell's prices go up after Christmas?
Will Dell's prices go up or down after Christmas? In January? [more inside]
posted by ScottMorris at 5:57 PM PST - 26 comments
posted by ScottMorris at 5:57 PM PST - 26 comments
Email Newsletter program?
Hi
I would like to send email newsletters to my clients (about 100) and would like to do it all in-house. Are there good programs or tools to do this. If possible, I would like to know who reads it (I know ... privacy) by using images? / some sort of tracking if possible. Any ideas?
posted by bright77blue at 5:53 PM PST - 6 comments
posted by bright77blue at 5:53 PM PST - 6 comments
Honest, honey, I've never even met that other iPod!
Apple thinks I've registered an iPod. I haven't. Do I bother correcting them? If so, how? [more inside]
The American would like to go adventurin'.
What are some "little known" countries that are worth visiting? [more inside]
I want my 5 dollars!!!
Credit woes: How bad is 30 days late? [more inside]
Isn't that the capital of Kopenhagen?
Do non-European people know where the Netherlands are? [more inside]
posted by davar at 3:31 PM PST - 64 comments
posted by davar at 3:31 PM PST - 64 comments
It was worth it. Damn that was fun
I just got a speeding ticket in my good ol' hometown in Colorado. Ordinarily, not such a strange thing. But now I reside in California. I have a court date. What do I do? [more inside]
posted by symphonik at 2:52 PM PST - 19 comments
posted by symphonik at 2:52 PM PST - 19 comments
Present for a 13 year old.
Present Filter: What does a 13 year old girl want for a Christmas present from a 30 year old male friend of the family? [more inside]
Flash perimeter algorithm
I have a list of coordinates (in [x,y] format), and they define the perimeter of a shape. I can't quite work out an algorithm for drawing round the perimeter of this shape, without crossing the shape. Google has failed me, and my A-level in maths is all but a hazy memory now... Algorithm gods, your time is now! [more inside]
posted by gaby at 2:25 PM PST - 5 comments
posted by gaby at 2:25 PM PST - 5 comments
Help me be wireless!
I need a recommendation for a 802.11g pcm/cia card. [more inside]
toast
Is there a traditional Muslim/Islamic toast for the New Year?
posted by Heatwole at 2:14 PM PST - 7 comments
posted by Heatwole at 2:14 PM PST - 7 comments
power strips with individual on/off strips?
Can you buy power strips in the US that have separate on/off switches for each socket? [more inside]
posted by holgate at 2:10 PM PST - 15 comments
posted by holgate at 2:10 PM PST - 15 comments
You're a dirty robot.
On the topic of songs with robots and warped vocals, I seem to remember a video of Bender from Futurama to the tune of "Dirty Robot" by Arling & Cameron (from their "We Are A&C" album). Did I just dream this or did it really exist? If so, where? Bonus points for providing a link to media.
Tagging Technology on My Local Machine
Is there software available that lets me use tagging (a la del.icio.us and Flickr) to tag Word (or other) files on my local computer?
Here's the scenario. I am new to a job where I write a lot of reports. Although these aren't cookie cutter reports, it is often helpful to look at old reports when writing new ones. I would love to be able to organize them by overlapping themes so the collection of files is more useful to me. Instead of reinventing the wheel, I'd like to be able to plug in a few tag words and find just what I need. Can you help?
Battery Recharger
i am thinking of getting a battery recharger and am asking if this particular type/model
http://www.battery-recharger.com/
works well
thank you
yet another name this tune
MusicFilter: What's this song - the only lyrics I can recall are "Mila Hoo Mila Haa" or something like that, which is the chorus. It's techno, robot-like/warped vocals, loud bass, and I've seen people dance the robot to it.
posted by lpctstr; at 1:10 PM PST - 7 comments
posted by lpctstr; at 1:10 PM PST - 7 comments
Two great tastes..do they taste great together?
Is it a bad idea to do (1 hour of) yoga and (1 hour of) weight training and (30 minutes of) cardio all on the same visit to the gym? If it is not a bad idea, what's the best ordering of the three?
Miracle car drives after it runs out of gas...or does it?
What happens when a Hybrid car (i.e. Prius) runs out of gas? Can it keep driving on the battery? [more inside]
posted by clgregor at 12:30 PM PST - 10 comments
posted by clgregor at 12:30 PM PST - 10 comments
Looking for a Rowan knitting pattern
I'm looking for a particular Rowan knitting pattern -- does anyone have a copy of "The Bigger Picture" handy? [more inside]
MP3 player that lets you pause live content?
Are there any other Windows MP3 players that have something like RealPlayer's LivePause feature, which "enables pausing and seeking within live Internet clips"?
font me up plz. tia.
fontfilter: What are some cool fixed-width fonts for using with terminals, code editors, etc? [more inside]
How to correct and/or prevent a spamming problem?
Spamhaus says my server is a spammer. How do I check to see if this is true and if it is, how do I stop it? Baring that, how can I prevent spamming in the future? [more inside]
Rip audio from WMV
Does anyone know a good utility to rip the audio from WMV files? [more inside]
Intruder Alert!
Is there any way to monitor the users or traffic on my wireless home network? [more inside]
Need help starting a Real Estate Corporation
RealEstateFilter: Some friends and I are looking to create a real estate corporation to maximize our buying power while lowering our individual risk. [more inside]
posted by fenriq at 11:00 AM PST - 7 comments
posted by fenriq at 11:00 AM PST - 7 comments
Blog, Wiki, Intranets : Any experience?
Is anyone using blogs and wikis at work on a corporate intranet? I'd love to hear about how successful they are? What kind of projects do you use them for?
Rear Admiral Nylon is having problems with his battleship
Tandy Electronic Sea Battle (retro Battleship rip-off): I just bought one for a quid, but there was no manual in the box. How do I make it work? Pictures inside. [more inside]
posted by nylon at 10:52 AM PST - 4 comments
posted by nylon at 10:52 AM PST - 4 comments
Tools and resources for simple self-publlishing and bookbinding?
A colleague is interested in doing some personal desktop publishing and bookbinding. He came to me and asked a few questions I couldn't answer offhand and don't have the terms to google efficiently. [more inside]
posted by George_Spiggott at 9:59 AM PST - 15 comments
posted by George_Spiggott at 9:59 AM PST - 15 comments
Christmas birthday?
Is your birthday on or near Christmas Day? If so, how do you feel about it? [more inside]
posted by peep at 9:41 AM PST - 49 comments
posted by peep at 9:41 AM PST - 49 comments
CSS Implementation
I've read plenty of good tutorials on CSS, but I don't understand how I could implement it on an existing website.
Ad Agency for IBM Middleware's Boxing Glove campaign?
Seeking contact info for the advertising agency responsible for IBM Middleware's "You VS [Concept]" campaign that has been appearing in glossy business mags lately... [more inside]
posted by vanoakenfold at 9:20 AM PST - 2 comments
posted by vanoakenfold at 9:20 AM PST - 2 comments
Where can I find exotic meat in the Boston area?
Where to find rabbit meat and quail in Boston? [more inside]
posted by darsh at 8:53 AM PST - 8 comments
posted by darsh at 8:53 AM PST - 8 comments
Corn syrup vs honey
I'm going to ice a cake and the icing recipe calls for 1 tsp (5 mL) light corn syrup. Can I use honey instead? [more inside]
Zulu War cigarette advert...
Does anyone have a link to (or a copy of) the famous 'Zulu War/Rorke's Drift' pastiche Silk Cut cigarette advert shown in British cinemas in the 1970s?
Poker tips for a novice player?
I've begun playing some casual Texas Hold'Em with friends (some of whom are far less casual). I don't really know what I'm doing. Thus far I am 15% ahead (of my cumulative buyin), but that's only be because I fold early and often. I mostly get into trouble when I play weak hands or try to bluff, so I don't tend to do either. I'd like some additional pointers. [more inside]
posted by jdroth at 8:50 AM PST - 27 comments
posted by jdroth at 8:50 AM PST - 27 comments
Awesome gift certificate in SF?
San Francisco Filter: What would you recommend as a local gift certificate for 2 people moving to San Francisco early next year? [more inside]
How do I take decent home video?
feed them
Help the underdog in the kitchen: I need to bring a dish to Christmas dinner with my in-laws. [more inside]
posted by cior at 7:42 AM PST - 28 comments
posted by cior at 7:42 AM PST - 28 comments
Five Minutes from 38 Gallons?
WaterHeaterFilter: How much shower-time should I expect from my new electric water heater? [more inside]
Who's afraid of Kurt Gödel?
Help show me that Gödel's theorem isn't that big of a deal. [more inside]
Commercialfilter..have you seen this commercial?
Can anyone identify this commercial? Bonus points if you can steer me towards a download or stream that's not AdCritic. [more inside]
posted by tetsuo at 6:34 AM PST - 13 comments
posted by tetsuo at 6:34 AM PST - 13 comments
Linkswapping programs of value?
Occasionally our university web site gets solicitations from link-swapping programs. Although they are reputed to increase one's search engine rankings, I believe that they are of dubious value (at best) as I'm sure that Google is aware that links from such places are not as valuable as "real links" from "real pages" and deprecates them accordingly. However, I don't have any real data or sources to back up my hunch. Can you point me to some - or, if I'm wrong - correct me regarding their value?
Secure wireless connection
Wi-Fi for dummies: I have a brand-new AirPort Express. My iBook already has an AirPort card, and I'm about to set up a reasonably secure wireless connection at home (I have an iBook, OSX, and a Windows 2000 IBM laptop). Online resources are either pretty dry and technical (as I said, I'm not really a computer person) and some advice seems, frankly, a bit confusing. Can you point me to a good online tutorial for setting up the network? Thanks and happy holidays.
posted by PenguinBukkake at 6:22 AM PST - 10 comments
posted by PenguinBukkake at 6:22 AM PST - 10 comments
Navy, Air Force, or other for IT?
I'm thinking of joining the Navy. The main reasons are the training, marketability, and the experience. However, I'm not sure if the Navy is where I would want to be or if one of the other armed services would be more suitable for what I want. [more inside]
Lightbulbs they use in bookstores?
Why is it that one can go into the library or a bookstore (Borders/B&N) and read for several hours without getting tired or distracted? And yet reading at home for half an hour can be a chore because your eyes get tired, or you fall asleep? Is "Full spectrum" lighting the answer? [more inside]
posted by Quami77 at 4:06 AM PST - 16 comments
posted by Quami77 at 4:06 AM PST - 16 comments
Is my paranoia at all justified?
In relation to this post on the subject of personal privacy: is there really good reason to be concerned? Is there any point in keeping personal information private anymore? [more inside]
Power converter for PSP?
My brother lives in England and while he was visiting the states, he bought a PSP (playstation) Now that he's back in the UK, the psp needs to be recharged. He has the adapter from the UK (3 prong) to the States (2 prong), but needs an adapter from the States (2 prong) to the UK (3 prong) to charge it. [more inside]
Is there a better problem solution or was the interviewer an @$$clown?
In an interview for a programming job today, I was asked to write out code for a programming problem on a whiteboard. After the interview, it's bugging me that I can't figure out the "optimal" solution that they said existed, but we didn't have time to discuss. [more inside]
December 21
The DIY website... looks tasty
I need to create an online portfolio for my small business. What are my do-it-myself options? [more inside]
Joseph Smith-Johnson-Williams-Jones
What happens when two people with hyphenated last-names marry? [more inside]
Ch-ch-ch-changes...
How often do you you change your sheets? (I'm specifically interested in single apartment-dwellers - if you're married, please feel free to contribute, but make a note of your marital status ... or ideally, note the difference between you as part of a married couple and as a single person). Thanks!
Should I use an exercise/balance ball instead of an office chair?
Should I use an exercise/balance ball instead of an office chair? Anyone done it? Is it actually comfortable for long stints at the computer? If so, what size should I get? [more inside]
Firefox and Streaming Video: No Can Do
Firefox 1.5 on Win XP refuses to play streaming video. [more inside]
Screen-me up Scotty!
CraftFilter: I want to start screening graphics onto tshirts, patches, hoodies, etc.... [more inside]
drag & drop windows taskbar buttons?
Is there a program that allows me to drag and drop (reorder) the buttons in the XP taskbar? Something similar to the Firefox drag and drop for tabs?
posted by masymas at 8:00 PM PST - 10 comments
posted by masymas at 8:00 PM PST - 10 comments
Has anyone here ever sold their old school assignments (research papers) online?
MoneyFilter: Has anyone here ever sold their old school assignments (research papers) online? [more inside]
posted by sjvilla79 at 7:29 PM PST - 21 comments
posted by sjvilla79 at 7:29 PM PST - 21 comments
Do I support Google ads?
When using google to get a link to a commerce site, what are the ramifications for clicking on the "sponsored links" versus clicking on the commerce site as it appears in the non-sponsored links, below the googe ads on the google results page? [more inside]
posted by aliksd at 7:25 PM PST - 11 comments
posted by aliksd at 7:25 PM PST - 11 comments
Should I buy a tankless gas water heater?
Anyone have any thoughts on Tankless Water Heaters, specifically gas ones however thoughts on electric ones too would be nice I guess. Distance to kitchen/shower? Ok to put one in a cold room such as a garage? Other important things to know about one before calling the plumber? [more inside]
How much is a new bumper for an old Escort going to cost me?
I put a 2x2" hole in someone's bumper the other day. Does one have to be insured to file a claim on someone else's insurance? and what do you think a brand new bumper for a shitty old Escort will cost me? [more inside]
How do I interpret statistics from an ESP test?
How do I interpret the statistical results of an ESP test? At this ESP testing site there's a tabulation of the daily results of people from across the world attempting to guess which of 5 cards is a target card. In the results for 12/20/2005 the top scorer had 13 hits in 25 trials for a hit rate of 52%, random chance would be 0.20. Now the website says the odds against this are 2708 to 1. First question: is this correct? Second question: if it is correct, then how weird is this statistically speaking given that there were a total of 19,886 trials by 189 users. [more inside]
Should I become an IBO?
Tonight at 7:00pm I had representatives of Quixtar come into my home. Should I join or not? Apparently by being an Independent Business Owner (IBO), I can make tons of money just through referrals. As a poor college student, this sounds enticing. [more inside]
posted by j-urb at 6:02 PM PST - 32 comments
posted by j-urb at 6:02 PM PST - 32 comments
Software/scripts for user profiles and coming events calendar.
Looking for suggestions for pieces of web site software to manage (1) user profiles and (2) a coming events calendar. [more inside]
Im looking for a job that deals with politics or activism
The other day a few college - aged people came to my door (and everyone's in the nieghborhood) lobbying something political. I didnt talk to them but by dad said they made pretty good money doing that. Anyways, I am personally kind of obsessed with politics, and would be thrilled to have a job in the field of politics. My question is does anyone have suggestions on where to look or who to ask for a job? I am looking for a job that I can start right away, without any schooling etc. Something that doesnt take any special qualifications. [more inside]
posted by JokingClown at 4:58 PM PST - 19 comments
posted by JokingClown at 4:58 PM PST - 19 comments
topless pic found online
I found a topless picture of someone I know on a site. [more inside]
How do I find publishing interest in a poem?
Where do I get a poem published? [more inside]
Is it steamy in here, or is it just me?
Are there women's bathhouses in the US? [more inside]
How can I tell my boyfriend that I want to have a child?
What is the best way to tell someone that you want to have a child with him? [more inside]
Web based self-scheduling application?
Do you know of a web-based self-scheduling application or volunteer management system? [more inside]
I am looking to make a pendant for my wife out of a favorite guitar pick...
I am looking to make a pendant for my wife out of a favorite guitar pick... [more inside]
How to best build high school alumni website
AlumniSiteFilter: I run the alumni site for my high school, and I'd like to put it on a decent back-end (its currently manually updated). Feature list and embarrassing photos inside! [more inside]
my tongue defines grime
As Withnail said in "Withnail & I"; "Look at my tongue. A grey yellow sock." [more inside]
Less Fumey Commute
Aside from not driving behind other vehicles, how do you keep ambient exhaust fumes out of your car cabin during a commute? Filters? Ionization? Impossible?
It can be all that bad...
I'm an eternal optimist. But, tsunamis, hurricanes, terroism (and threats), numbskull president, fanatic religion and politics, bird flu, war...stand out more than anything positive in 2005. What happened for the common good of the world and what do we have to look forward to in 2006 and beyond? (Both as a nation and a world?)
Windows Sound Effects in Real Time
How can I add sound effects to a Windows sound source in real time, and then pipe the input into Skype or other programs that expect direct input from the sound source? [more inside]
posted by jeffbarr at 3:00 PM PST - 5 comments
posted by jeffbarr at 3:00 PM PST - 5 comments
Where can I find a php developer to donate some time to a Peace Corps project?
Where can I find a php developer to donate some time to a Peace Corps project? [more inside]
How do I clean up a voice recording?
How do I clean up a voice recording? [more inside]
posted by blue_beetle at 2:34 PM PST - 21 comments
posted by blue_beetle at 2:34 PM PST - 21 comments
You Sir, name password.
WebSecurityFilter: I'm looking for a PHP or CGI script which would redirect a user to their password protected folder when they enter their username and password. [more inside]
speaking spanish quickly
Spanish conversation: Ive spent some time abroad living in Spanish-speaking countries, and have been taking Spanish classes, but I still find it difficult to speak quickly in Spanish on command. Speaking after a few minutes is easy, though. [more inside]
Perl regular expression question
Perl regular expression question inside. Trying to parse a list of items... [more inside]
posted by pornucopia at 2:04 PM PST - 8 comments
posted by pornucopia at 2:04 PM PST - 8 comments
2 small KDE usability questions
Fixing Broken Pet Owners
PitifulPetOwnerFilter: My neighbors across the street are completely irresponsible pet owners, and I don't know what to do... [more inside]
posted by iurodivii at 1:57 PM PST - 39 comments
posted by iurodivii at 1:57 PM PST - 39 comments
Getting back to Japan
How do I find a non-teaching job in Japan? [more inside]
flag external emails in outlook
Can I create an Outlook 2003 rule or use a plug-in to flag all exernal emails? [more inside]
posted by hokie409 at 1:43 PM PST - 5 comments
posted by hokie409 at 1:43 PM PST - 5 comments
Recommend a server hosting comapny?
Recommend a server hosting company that's reliable and responsive. I want to be able to upgrade my plan in a hurry. Also, a cheap mirroring service. [more inside]
DV Compression Quality Differences?
DV video compression question - Do I have to recapture all these tapes?! [more inside]
posted by squirrel at 12:53 PM PST - 9 comments
posted by squirrel at 12:53 PM PST - 9 comments
Who are the heavyweights of the academic ethnic entrepreneurship field?
Who are the heavyweights of the academic ethnic entrepreneurship field? [more inside]
posted by tozturk at 12:36 PM PST - 5 comments
posted by tozturk at 12:36 PM PST - 5 comments
Recent book on crap cars - need title
Book-filter: help me find a book called (I think) "Crummy Cars" [more inside]
posted by dbmcd at 12:11 PM PST - 8 comments
posted by dbmcd at 12:11 PM PST - 8 comments
What can I do with a Sociology degree?
What can I do with a degree in Sociology? [more inside]
posted by pwally at 12:00 PM PST - 28 comments
posted by pwally at 12:00 PM PST - 28 comments
How could the NSA's snooping be foiled?
Could the US government's efforts to scan the contents of everyone's email be overloaded by everyone routinely using encryption for every message? [more inside]
Sleeping disorder?
My girlfriend breathes very rapidly and loudly while she sleeps; not all the time, but often enough. She never stops breathing. But her breaths are short/shallow, rather loud (but not the same as a snore), very quick and the rate between breaths and the length of the breaths vary between just about every breath. Anyone know what's going on here?
Why is mysql constantly exiting with signal 11?
I run a fairly large Guild Wars fansite, using MediaWiki. Lately we've been having some database problems. Basically, mysql refuses to stay running for more than 10 seconds at a time, and occasionally complains of an InnoDB error, then exits with a signal 11. I've shut it down, run myisamchk, repaired, restarted, but it keeps coming back. Anyone care to lend a hand? After the repair, myisamchk doesn't show any errors on the table, or any others, but it always crops back up.
We've tried everything from replacing the RAM in the machine, to completely rebuilding mySQL. Help! (last lines of mysql error log inside) [more inside]
I need apr!
I need a credit card with good benefits... [more inside]
posted by outsider at 10:04 AM PST - 22 comments
posted by outsider at 10:04 AM PST - 22 comments
What to get for Mrs. Curley?
What can I get my wife for Christmas? I'm stuck so I'm thinking jewelery, but that kind of says "I couldn't think of anything else." [more inside]
Forwarding traffic to the appropriate application and port with IIS
I've just installed Plone (www.plone.org) for a client on their server. They currently run their sites on Windows 2000 with IIS on port 80. I set up Plone to run on port 81, but what do I need to do to make this accessible to outside traffic? It is currently inaccessible to anyone outside the offices, and I'm afraid I have no expertise with IIS. [more inside]
Liquor in the back....
I'd like to get my uncle a nice and/or unique liqueur for Christmas. Does anyone have any suggestions for good liqueurs or good liquor stores in the Annapolis area where something like that could be acquired?
Need permission for farm photo?
Should I ask the farmer's permission before taking pictures on his field? [more inside]
posted by cgs at 8:50 AM PST - 48 comments
posted by cgs at 8:50 AM PST - 48 comments
French TV on the web?
French language tv on the web? (more inside) [more inside]
Ever worked for a start-up?
Ever worked for a start-up? I'd like to hear about your experience and get your advice. [more inside]
brooklyn to newark
park slope brooklyn to newark airport by car service. how long should i give myself, given the transit strike [more inside]
Single Cup Coffee Makers (need guidance)
So, at this late stage in the game (aka - Christmas Shopping), my Mom has expressed interest in the single-cup coffee makers such as the Senseo. She currently gets Gevalia coffee and says that they have one as well.
The last I heard about these things, the coffee 'pods' were incompatible between brands, but otherwise they were very useful machines. I also vaguely remember hearing about one person who figured out how to make their own coffee pouches.
Has anyone had experience with these machine and have any recommendations?
Free/cheap proxy server?
Free (or very cheap) proxy server that runs on W2k3? We just need it to block access to internet for some, not for others. Optimally, would like it to be tied into Active Directory (W2k3) so we don't have to use new username/passwords. Any suggestions? About 60 user company. [more inside]
posted by aacheson at 7:39 AM PST - 6 comments
posted by aacheson at 7:39 AM PST - 6 comments
A practical way to learn Adobe Illustrator?
A practical way to learn Adobe Illustrator? [more inside]
posted by andrewzipp at 7:38 AM PST - 14 comments
posted by andrewzipp at 7:38 AM PST - 14 comments
How can I replicate the Google Maps UI?
AJAX: I have a project I'm building where I'd like to replicate the Google Maps click-and-drag UI, to view a very large graphic that's cropped so you can only view a section at a time. Any idea where I can find a tutorial on how to do that? [more inside]
posted by paulrockNJ at 7:37 AM PST - 2 comments
posted by paulrockNJ at 7:37 AM PST - 2 comments
What is the name of this golf book?
I read about a golf coffee table book in a magazine and I cannot find it now. It was a collection of photos of unusual situations, and the cover had people running from the green as a bear ran onto the course. Does anyone know what this book might be called? [more inside]
posted by cmicali at 7:34 AM PST - 1 comment
posted by cmicali at 7:34 AM PST - 1 comment
Limited internet access solution for teenagers?
My 15 year old son is getting a computer for Christmas. Any way to reliably and safely limit his internet access without restricting it so much it makes it useless? [more inside]
posted by genefinder at 7:24 AM PST - 62 comments
posted by genefinder at 7:24 AM PST - 62 comments
Best $20-$30 Cognac?
Cognac Filter! Looking for a reasonably-priced ($20-$30?) but decent bottle of cognac to give as a gift. Not my drink so I don't know where to start.
What should I do in the car for a 20 hour drive?
What should I do in the car for a 20+ hour drive? [more inside]
Why is Dasani called Kinley in India?
India Bottled-Water Filter -- I noticed in India that Dasani brand is sold as "Kinley." Why? Does the word "dasani" mean something nasty in Hindi (or another Indian tongue)?
posted by nancoix at 7:05 AM PST - 25 comments
posted by nancoix at 7:05 AM PST - 25 comments
Would you drink a bottled water sourced from an Amazon Rainforest aquifer?
BottledWaterFi: For the same price and quality as regular brands would you buy a bottled water sourced from the Amazon Rainforest? And would it influence your purchase decision if the bottled water company (US) also conserved Amazon rainforest and biodiversity? [more inside]
laptop won't boot with battery installed
My laptop won't boot with the battery in, even when it's plugged in. Is it dead? [more inside]
posted by miniape at 6:08 AM PST - 9 comments
posted by miniape at 6:08 AM PST - 9 comments
What to do see in DC area
Washington DC, Bethesda, Chevy Chase....Off beat, ( off the mall too probably), things to do between Christmas and New Years.
Bonus for vegan, macro, farmers market food ideas
posted by flummox at 5:02 AM PST - 11 comments
posted by flummox at 5:02 AM PST - 11 comments
Build a web bot?
Can I build/run a web bot? [more inside]
Painless Version Control?
I'm a graduate student in computer science. It's often that I wish I had some form of painless version control for all the code and papers I produce.
What should I use version control? How? Solutions need to be cross-platform and integration with Emacs is a big plus. [more inside]
Can anyone identify this song from the movie Cypher?
Can anyone identify this song? (mp3 snippet, 154 kB) I heard it in the movie Cypher. [more inside]
posted by martinrebas at 3:25 AM PST - 13 comments
posted by martinrebas at 3:25 AM PST - 13 comments
How to greet an old Hungarian mate
I'm struggling to find a way of saying "buddy" in Hungarian. [more inside]
What's the best way to turn my stuff into cash?
What's the best way to sell my stuff? I am a college student with a very small bank account. I'm home on break, and see all this crap sitting around in my old room. Help me turn it into money. [more inside]
December 20
Can you name a reasonable price for a late wedding ring?
Can you name a reasonable price for a late wedding ring? Family Drama Inside! Come Look! --> [more inside]
How to control nighttime utterances?
After a several-month breakup, I'm trying to get back together with my long-term girlfriend. During the break, another girl who I've known for some time became one of my closest friends and we saw each other nearly every day. We ended up kissing once and once she slept over (but nothing else). I have no desire for Other Girl, but somewhat problematically have twice called Long-Term Girlfriend by her name. [more inside]
New Verizon phone four months early?
I've heard that if you're a Verizon Wireless customer, the reps are allowed to give you a new phone four months before your contract is actually supposed to renew - sort of a secret rule. Is this true?
Wall work
Relocating non-load-bearing walls in an apartment: broad cost range and any other suggestions? [more inside]
Mastering audio for broadcast television.
Mastering audio for broadcast television. [more inside]
posted by erebora at 7:19 PM PST - 5 comments
posted by erebora at 7:19 PM PST - 5 comments
How can I narc and still keep my job?
My company engages in immoral, and borderline illegal behavior; how can I do something about it and still keep my job? [more inside]
VHS to Powerbook vidcap?
VidCapFilter:Help me get my VHS tapes onto my Powerbook! [more inside]
High-res color day/night visible satellite images?
Where can I get high-res color visible satellite images showing the approach of "night" (sample low-res link inside)? [more inside]
posted by idontlikewords at 6:12 PM PST - 13 comments
posted by idontlikewords at 6:12 PM PST - 13 comments
to tell or not to tell
Should I tell my doctor something about my medical history that might keep her from prescribing me the birth control I want? [more inside]
Should I cancel my trip?
What to do about Holiday Depression-related Decision. I have a pair of tickets for me and my partner to travel to my parents' home and then on to a tropical place. My partner is in a very low point and no longer wants to go because everything seems overwhelming. Do I go alone (which would be sad and possibly leave my partner at risk of deeper depression)? Do I cancel for both? Do I cut the first part of the trip off and try to explain to my family (who knows about depression but doesn't "get" it)? [more inside]
Legal consequences of bigamy?
Legal consequences of bigamy? [more inside]
Building a well in Ghana
What is the best way for individuals in the US to have a well built in a particular village in Ghana that lacks potable water? [more inside]
Should I Drink?
Should I Drink? [more inside]
Gravity pulls water down how far?
How much potable-ish water is water is extremely deep underground? [more inside]
posted by Kickstart70 at 3:59 PM PST - 7 comments
posted by Kickstart70 at 3:59 PM PST - 7 comments
My iPod needs a little help
My iPod needs a little help! [more inside]
Who can I donate my old PC to?
I'm in Toronto and would like to donate my old PC to a worthy cause. Suggestions? [more inside]
How do you use a machintosh Clarisworks DAT file in a windows version of illustrator?
How do you use a Macintosh Clarisworks DAT file in a windows version of illustrator? [more inside]
Prescription sunglasses for cyclists
For the glasses-wearers out there, who makes good prescription sunglasses geared toward road cycling? [more inside]
Pi is exactly 3!
Did we really not know pi to more than 740 decimal places before 1947? [more inside]
posted by obiwanwasabi at 2:54 PM PST - 19 comments
posted by obiwanwasabi at 2:54 PM PST - 19 comments
Missed connections: You on a silver serving platter next to the crackers...
Give me cheese recommendations! I tasted a delicious soft tangy cheese at a party a few weeks ago and have been trying to find similar types. [more inside]
posted by hindmost at 2:24 PM PST - 24 comments
posted by hindmost at 2:24 PM PST - 24 comments
What are words spelt the same on phone keypads called?
Is there are word (like homonym and homophone) for words that are spelt with the same numbers on a telephone keypads? If not, any ideas? [more inside]
posted by caek at 2:22 PM PST - 16 comments
posted by caek at 2:22 PM PST - 16 comments
Ancient Chinese Mystery
CalgonFilter: Ancient Chinese secret or ticket to "away" . . . or both? [more inside]
posted by Fezboy! at 2:22 PM PST - 7 comments
posted by Fezboy! at 2:22 PM PST - 7 comments
Advise on selling my car
I need help selling my car. [more inside]
What is the origin of the term "Hip Hop"?
What is the origin of the term "Hip Hop"?
Entertainment Sytem Setup
How much picture quality is lost in routing cable through three devices (satellite, VCR, DVD recorder? Also, how can I set up an entertainment system so it's as easy to switch from device to device as possible? [more inside]
VoIP problems: internet provider or VoIP provider?
My VoIP is horrible today - calls dropping constantly. This is not new, but it's at an all-time high and is impossible to use the line for business. How do I know if it's the VoIP provider, or is this my broadband service (it's cable modem)? Who do I call and complain to?
Is this site a scam?
Internet Scam Filter: A good friend of mine has recently been hawking on about an internet site: 12dailypro.com. It sounds way too good to be true, and I'm thinking scam, or worse, illegal. Yet the guy has actually pulled out $800 in 2 weeks. Thoughts, fellow me-fites? [more inside]
I need winter boots.
I'd like to get a pair dressy looking winter boots in Toronto. [more inside]
Cabling: how do I run stereo audio from my mixer to my breakout box?
Audio Cables 101: tell me exactly how to feed a stereo mix from my mixer to my breakout box. [more inside]
Dell Fan Noise problem
My computer is driving me crazy... and others around me I'd imagine. I work in a cubefarm... [more inside]
posted by Mark5four0 at 12:21 PM PST - 5 comments
posted by Mark5four0 at 12:21 PM PST - 5 comments
Amazon.com doesn't work
Firefox can't establish a connection to the server at www.amazon.com. [more inside]
Are freelance writer marketplaces a racket?
Anyone out there ever forked over money to join a freelance writing marketplace website, like the one at MediaBistro, or Freelance Work Exchange? What's it like in there: are reputable folks hiring? Is it drawing away employers from free sites like Craigslist, or vice-versa? And was it worth it?
testing, testing, is this thing on?
I had ViaVoice 98, but with a new computer, I'm wondering what the latest, greatest voice recognition program is. It'll mainly be for dictation. What are you using?
Google ads
Calling all webmasters that display Google ads -- how much do you, in your own experience, make from them? And to put it in context, how busy is your site and what is the essence of it, primarily? (blog, forum, fun DB, static page, etc) I have thought about slipping ads into my websites, but I'm not sure it's worth it just to earn 47 cents.
Liver enzymes
My friend Mary was an alcoholic. She told me that she hasn't taken a sip of alcohol for a year. On December 9th, she had her liver enzymes tested. The GGT enzyme was out of range. [more inside]
posted by skjønn at 11:25 AM PST - 21 comments
posted by skjønn at 11:25 AM PST - 21 comments
How to give a MS Word document amnesia?
MyGoogleFuIsWeak: Is there a way to completely strip a MS Word document of all tracking/revisions/undo/&c? [more inside]
posted by PurplePorpoise at 11:15 AM PST - 4 comments
posted by PurplePorpoise at 11:15 AM PST - 4 comments
touchpad problems on laptop
I have a Sony PCG-GRX700 laptop. When I type an email, suddenly the cursor jumps to the top of the page and deletes all that I have written. Can I turn off the touch pad to just use a mouse?
posted by DOM1 at 11:14 AM PST - 11 comments
posted by DOM1 at 11:14 AM PST - 11 comments
Fried Pickles
Is there a place in southern NH/NE Massachusetts that serves fried pickles? I followed the suggestion of a member of this board (you know who you are) and tried the deep fried pickles in Chattanooga Tennessee. I am hooked and am looking for a source closer to home. help me out here.
Excel sorting
How can I make Excel sort rows the way I want it to? [more inside]
Lisp dialects
What dialect of Lisp should I learn? [more inside]
Who is responsible for a stolen and "washed" check?
Who's responsible when a bank cashes a check that has been stolen and "washed"? [more inside]
How to disconnect from wireless signal?
My LAN won't unconnect from a wireless IP address! [more inside]
Where can I view a massive display of Christmas light pageantry in L.A.?
Where can I view a massive display of Christmas light pageantry in L.A.? [more inside]
What is a life worth?
Some years back, I recall hearing an interview with someone regarding the relative value of the awards given out to survivors in wrongful death suits. Might have been on "This American Life." Help me find it... [more inside]
posted by googly at 10:38 AM PST - 7 comments
posted by googly at 10:38 AM PST - 7 comments
A picture of the Hayes-Healy Building?
I need a picture of the (intact) Hayes-Healy Building from DePaul University in Chicago. [more inside]
posted by cusack at 10:38 AM PST - 4 comments
posted by cusack at 10:38 AM PST - 4 comments
Fresh turkey storage?
Turkeyfilter. How long can a fresh turkey be kept refrigerated? We are planning to cook a fresh bird on Christmas day. I just phoned the store, and they said they received a shipment today that will be good for seven days. Can this be possible? [more inside]
posted by Otis at 10:37 AM PST - 13 comments
posted by Otis at 10:37 AM PST - 13 comments
Picking a good CPA in South Jersey?
My wife and I are probably going to have a complicated 1040 this year. I've found plenty of places that list licenced accountants, but no clear idea how to judge one from another. Does anybody have personal reccomendations or ideas of what to look out for?
posted by Orb2069 at 10:34 AM PST - 2 comments
posted by Orb2069 at 10:34 AM PST - 2 comments
How much is this old Grundig radio worth?
We're cleaning up my grandparents' apartment, and have found an old radio. It's a Grundig Majestic 4006. Should I sell it on eBay or give it to Goodwill? [more inside]
The best microphone for recording vocals?
Can anyone recommend a high quality, reasonably priced, project studio microphone specifically for vocals? Are preamplification and compression as important as the microphone? [more inside]
posted by stagewhisper at 10:13 AM PST - 16 comments
posted by stagewhisper at 10:13 AM PST - 16 comments
sluggish, aging pc seeks hot young linux installation
I have an old pc. Celeron 600mhz processor, 376mb ram. The ram is maxed out (I believe) and the overhead of microsoft's anti-spyware combined with AVG antivrus, along with XP sp2, have slowed the machine to a crawl.
Is there a way to speed things up that is compatible with quicken 2004 and will leave me protected from net nasties?
I thank you, hive-mind. [more inside]
posted by craniac at 10:00 AM PST - 23 comments
posted by craniac at 10:00 AM PST - 23 comments
Free, multi-user, community website
Looking to start a tiny, tiny, tiny version of MeFi (not really). Just a blog or community website that allows for multiple posters... [more inside]
Cake Disaster
Are you an expert cake baker who can tell me why my cakes are exploding? [more inside]
posted by Secret Life of Gravy at 9:40 AM PST - 25 comments
posted by Secret Life of Gravy at 9:40 AM PST - 25 comments
keyboard suggestions
I'm looking for musical keyboard suggestions... [more inside]
IE doesn't display gifs, but FireFox and Safari have no problem.
WebDevFilter: Why do some gifs GIFs *not* appear in Windows/IE, but do appear in Win/FireFox Mac/Safari and Mac/FireFox? Specific example inside. [more inside]
Adults and Mnemonic Devices
A conversation w/ a friend has left me curious about adults and mnemonic devices. What mnemonics, perhaps learned or created as a student, do AskMefi-ites still 'consult'?
Help me choose a computer to buy!
I need a new computer - any suggestions for which to buy?
I'm open to both Mac and PC and I'd appreciate any advice on the best computer to buy. I'm not broke, but would prefer not to spend an unnecessary amount of money. A little about what I'm looking for - I use computers all day, but am not particularly tech-savvy. I'd like a good, solid, reliable home computer that I can use for internet, word processing, pictures and some layout (flyers, newsletters etc).
I'd really appreciate any advice on what is the best way to go, both for a mac and a pc.
Travel Plans that Include Shopping
So my wife and I are headed from Boston to Annapolis this Thursday for the holidays. We’ll be returning north on Tuesday. Since finding out that I am 36th on the preorder list at my EB for an Xbox 360 I reserved in August, I’d like to spend these travel days trying maximize my chances at locating a system in a store so I would have it for the week off I get at the end of December. [more inside]
posted by robocop is bleeding at 8:21 AM PST - 5 comments
posted by robocop is bleeding at 8:21 AM PST - 5 comments
Getting From NJ to JFK on Strike Day
MeFiNewYork, I ask you this. Today, I need to make it from Union, NJ to JFK Airport via public transit. I need to be at JFK by 7pm. I am leaving Union at 1:38pm, taking NJT to Penn Station, and LIRR to the Jamaica-JFK Airtrain. I am doing this with 100 pounds of luggage in a large rolling suitcase about the size of another person. There is a strike going on. Am I doomed? [more inside]
Why does so much good music come from Sweden and Belgium, and relatively little from Holland?
Why does so much good music come from Sweden and Belgium, and so little from Holland?
posted by goodnewsfortheinsane at 8:00 AM PST - 40 comments
posted by goodnewsfortheinsane at 8:00 AM PST - 40 comments
Good Gift for Haircutters?
I'd like to get a small gift for the lady that cuts my hair -- ideally, something to share with her other five employees (all female). They are all very sweet ladies, and take good care of me, so I'd like to get something for her/them just to say thanks and show some holiday cheer. Ideas?
posted by davidmsc at 7:34 AM PST - 7 comments
posted by davidmsc at 7:34 AM PST - 7 comments
Advertising Examples
I'm looking for websites with lots of adverts, or sites that have the most egregious use of online advertising. [more inside]
Communication Breakdown
How do I get my external hard drive to talk to my computer again? They seem to be pissed off about something, and now they won't even recognize the other's existence. [more inside]
What does a cracked bone feel like?
I fell and hurt my arm. Now it hurts to lift things, how do I know if this pain is from the normal bruising or from a cracked bone? [more inside]
How to make a bare room more friendly?
We have a new "conference room" for our department that is a little too much like an interrogation room. We'd like to make it better, and I'm looking for ideas. [more inside]
Will a pet fish survive in my office over the weekend?
Will a pet fish survive in my office over the weekend? [more inside]
Quoting the Simpsons
I was recently was watching an episode of the Simpsons, which had me reflecting on the fact that the show is quoted all the time by everyone, to some people's great annoyance. My question is, was there ever a show before it that was so widely quoted? [more inside]
Is New York really losing 400 million dollars a day?
What does it mean when they give an estimate of a financial loss to a city? Bloomberg has given an estimate that the strike will cost the city $400 million a day. But . . . [more inside]
Lines going up my TV. GRRRRRR.
I've just moved into a new apartment and plugged in my entertainment center. My television, a 32 inch CRT Samsung which has always before had an excellent picture, now has these bars moving slowly upwards over the picture. [more inside]
posted by shanevsevil at 1:27 AM PST - 12 comments
posted by shanevsevil at 1:27 AM PST - 12 comments
Tips for cold press coffee?
What can I do with a cold press coffee maker? [more inside]
December 19
Why are we so thirsty...?
My girlfriend and I have just moved to Davis, California from London, England, and we have both noticed that we drink lots more water than ever before....Why? It's winter here so it's not the heat. [more inside]
posted by xoe26 at 11:29 PM PST - 24 comments
posted by xoe26 at 11:29 PM PST - 24 comments
How best to end a date going badly?
DatingFilter: Is it acceptable to end a first-date midway through if I've realized within the first half hour that I won't be going on a second date with her? [more inside]
posted by Handcoding at 11:21 PM PST - 35 comments
posted by Handcoding at 11:21 PM PST - 35 comments
Business cards on black card stock?
Where can I find black (on both sides) business cards? Online if possible... [more inside]
Is my USB broadcast going to be bogus?
And on the subject of USB, I just bought parents a webcam for Christmas - the idea being that I buy one too and then we can see each other during our weekly chat. The problem I've just realized is that my Thinkpad (X22) isn't USB 2.0, so is that going to make the broadcast from my end unbearably slow? [more inside]
Hw to donate clothing
I want to donate about few dozen clothings (shirts, pants, suites, sweaters, maybe some lamps) [more inside]
posted by curiousleo at 10:12 PM PST - 10 comments
posted by curiousleo at 10:12 PM PST - 10 comments
Unplugged
What's the deal with USB cables? They're supposed to be "universal", but every time I get a new device (or buy a new cable at the store), I end up with a different kind of plug or receptacle. The only cable I can use with my digital camera is the one that came with it -- I've never found another with the same tiny plug on one end. Now my MP3 player requires yet another type of tiny plug. I left the cable that came with it at work, thinking I could surely use one of the various USB cable types I had at home. None of them fit! [more inside]
posted by Artifice_Eternity at 9:34 PM PST - 29 comments
posted by Artifice_Eternity at 9:34 PM PST - 29 comments
How did American and British English become different?
Why is American English so different from British English? [more inside]
posted by gregb1007 at 9:29 PM PST - 29 comments
posted by gregb1007 at 9:29 PM PST - 29 comments
what kind of stereo should I get for a car I might be selling soon?
My car was broken into two months ago, and I still haven't replaced the stereo. I want to take care of that soon, but it also looks like I might be getting a whole 'nother car in the near future. So, what kind of stereo should I get knowing I might be selling the car in a couple of months? [more inside]
posted by jetskiaccidents at 9:17 PM PST - 7 comments
posted by jetskiaccidents at 9:17 PM PST - 7 comments
turkish delight please
Where can I find nice Turkish Delight? [more inside]
Your lucky numbers are 1, 7, 8, 27, and 4 billion.
Segregation in the South?
Is there still segregation in the South (of the U.S.)? Are there still white only establishments that still exist?
How can I clear my throat tickle?
I have a tickle at the back of my throat, way up high... just where it triggers my gag reflex. It's like I've half-swallowed a hair and it's been bothering me all day. I've tried the usual methods of getting rid of it - drinking lots of water, coughing and clearing my throat (i.e. trying to "hock" it up) and IT'S STILL THERE. Does anyone have any other home remedies for me to try before I give in to my urge to purge? [more inside]
posted by web-goddess at 8:03 PM PST - 16 comments
posted by web-goddess at 8:03 PM PST - 16 comments
What to get to cheer up a friend?
Cheer-up-a-friend-fliter: My friend was just let go from her job because hiring someone new would be cheaper on her employer's budget. [more inside]
Help me find a quote to increase an essay's pretentiousness.
Epigraph Filter: Writing an essay on the reasons for the Iraq invasion, thesis is that Bush and Co. had an aggressively nationalistic / Hobbesian worldview which combined with Democratic Imperialists (Wolfowitz et. al) found conviction post-9/11. Can you think of a relevant quote or poetry excerpt to stick in the beginning? [more inside]
Help me like where I live!
How do I come to terms with living in a city I'm not crazy about? [more inside]
Best Bill Hicks album?
I'm afraid I bought the wrong Bill Hicks album. [more inside]
Files lost when burning to CD-- HELP!
Help! I (well, my boyfriend, actually) just burned a CD a lost all his files! [more inside]
Suggest some female C&W singers
Looking for albums by female singers with breathy voices who sing in a sort of contemporary C&W style, eg with twangy guitars and violins. Something like Shawn Colvin? [more inside]
This cushion, it...
Can anyone recommend a good massaging back cushion? [more inside]
Identify this novel about Jewish family during WWII
Identify-a-novel-filter. My girlfriend remembers reading a novel about ten years ago recounting the experiences of a Jewish family before, during and after World War 2. [more inside]
web host reccommendations?
2ndWebHostFilterofthedayFilter: Some time ago, my friend gave me access to his FTP server, a luxury which I have enjoyed until now, when the server has become increasingly unreliable...so I pose the following question: [more inside]
Have placenta, will travel.
Keeping frozen stuff frozen, while moving halfway across the country. [more inside]
Seeking Kung Fu Knowledge
What can you tell me about sheng hun kung fu?
I'd also appreciate some info on the role of dragons in Chinese history (e.g. are Chinese dragons generally considered benevolent?)
posted by iced_borsch at 5:30 PM PST - 5 comments
posted by iced_borsch at 5:30 PM PST - 5 comments
Find this railroad print?
Calling all railroad geeks! Does anyone know where I can buy a print/poster of this Southern Pacific artwork? I've fallen in love with it for numerous reasons that none of you care about. [more inside]
posted by keswick at 5:20 PM PST - 10 comments
posted by keswick at 5:20 PM PST - 10 comments
Online shopping cart minus the kitchen sink?
phpHelpFilter: Is CoffeeFool.com based on an existing shopping cart system? [more inside]
fix my cd rom please?
Folks, what on earth is wrong with my dvd/cd drive? If you can fix this i'll shower you with free drink if you ever come to Ireland. [more inside]
charity
It's time for end of year charitable donations. Anyone have any suggestions for deserving candidates? Places where one's money can really make a difference?
Photoshop tricks for a newbie
What tricks separate a Photoshop/Illustrator newbie from a master? [more inside]
posted by gregchttm at 2:08 PM PST - 35 comments
posted by gregchttm at 2:08 PM PST - 35 comments
ID3 tag utility
ITunes Filter: Is there a utility that will take track numbers or information in a file name and put it into the ID3 tag? [more inside]
posted by Infernarl at 1:08 PM PST - 13 comments
posted by Infernarl at 1:08 PM PST - 13 comments
L. Ron Hubbard's Al-Anon? Really?
Is Al-Anon related to Scientology in any way? [more inside]
posted by splatta at 12:27 PM PST - 18 comments
posted by splatta at 12:27 PM PST - 18 comments
got r00t?
Where's a good place to get cheap Unix or windows hosting, meaning a server that I have root/Administrator access too? I don't need much bandwidth, but most of the deals out there that give you admin rights are high bandwidth and high cost. [more inside]
posted by delmoi at 12:24 PM PST - 44 comments
posted by delmoi at 12:24 PM PST - 44 comments
What's the best way to sell back (used) college textbooks?
What's the best way to sell back (used) college textbooks? [more inside]
renew or reNo?
The boss "heard somewhere" that we don't have to pay for domain name registry, since they've had the domain for years. Anyone ever heard of such a thing? [more inside]
posted by penciltopper at 12:16 PM PST - 30 comments
posted by penciltopper at 12:16 PM PST - 30 comments
What's a good SF charity that helps the homeless?
What are the effective non-religious charities that help homeless people in San Francisco? [more inside]
posted by Nelson at 11:30 AM PST - 9 comments
posted by Nelson at 11:30 AM PST - 9 comments
Cost of Compliance to S-OX?
SOX Compliance Statistics? [more inside]
Google query syntax query
Google syntax query. So: I want to be able to find all the links to Site X, while filtering out all internal links from within Site X. I'm using [link:sitex.org -site:sitex.org] as my query and get about 3 results. However I know there are thousands of links out there. Others seem to have had the same problem. Any ideas? Thanks in advance!
posted by carter at 11:28 AM PST - 9 comments
posted by carter at 11:28 AM PST - 9 comments
Help me get rid of large chunks of styrofoam.
Hints on how to discard enormous pieces of styrofoam? [more inside]
Adjustable-speed Random Slide Show?
Help me find (or failing that, make) my ideal screensaver. I'm running OS X, and Apple's built-in image folder Slide Show is too slow for my tastes, but there doesn't seem to be any way to adjust the speed... [more inside]
Help me Locate a Lost Bracelet, PLEASE.
My fiancee lost a (sentimentally) valuable bracelet in Manhattan on Saturday night. What could I do to help locate it? It's silver with interlocking hearts -- one larger gold heart. It may have been lost on the N train or the 6 train uptown or downtown or in the area between 63rd and York and 59th and Lex. I'll do anything to get -that- bracelet back.. any ideas?
Name that tune!
Excel: Help give my students higher grades.
Excel Wizards (or Apprentices, Probably) Grading is upon me again and there's something I've always wanted to do in Excel automatically -- from a range of values, drop the lowest N values and average the rest. [more inside]
posted by ontic at 10:44 AM PST - 7 comments
posted by ontic at 10:44 AM PST - 7 comments
Quebec Metro Screw Up
I have been charged 210$ for using a metro pass in Montreal that I am not supposed to be able to use. What's the best way to not have to pay this amount? [more inside]
Which banks are the most secure?
Which banks are the most secure? [more inside]
When did it last snow in San Francisco?
Can anyone remember the last time it snowed in San Francisco? [more inside]
It's that damn lump in my throat...
My appetite disappears when I'm stressed out. [more inside]
posted by heatherann at 9:42 AM PST - 28 comments
posted by heatherann at 9:42 AM PST - 28 comments
Erector on the projector
Has anyone heard any tales about someone doing a conference or seminar, setting up their laptop, and having porn or something similarly embarrassing accidentally come up on the big screen? It's gotta have happened. I've tried searching Usenet but it's a tough cookie to do keywords for.
Trying to get website visibility
I'm trying to get a new phpBB forum going, and I can't figure out how to begin getting word out. I have a few questions. [more inside]
Help me get my groovetube on!
I really love this product (it is cool, isn't it?) - but as a Canadian, it seems just out of my grasp as they won't ship it to me. This site also has it, but again, discriminates against Canadians. Does anyone know anywhere else I can get it, either online or in person (I'm in Toronto) or something similar? [more inside]
posted by loquax at 8:27 AM PST - 11 comments
posted by loquax at 8:27 AM PST - 11 comments
Effects of slavery
What would the world be like if there never was slavery? [more inside]
Bookends in Chicago?
Where would one find a decent set of bookends in Chicago? [more inside]
Complete Film Soundtrack
Is there a good online resource for the complete list of music that appears in a given film but may or may not be included in the released soundtrack?
basket case
Should I take the fancy gift basket that is addressed to my office? [more inside]
posted by SassHat at 8:14 AM PST - 20 comments
posted by SassHat at 8:14 AM PST - 20 comments
Construction companies and civil fees
Do large construction companies have to pay (the city, I guess) when they block off a lane of a city street with jersey barriers during construction? I'm sure this varies by locale, but is it a nominal fee or something that more substantially compensates the locality for inconvenience?
posted by OmieWise at 7:58 AM PST - 6 comments
posted by OmieWise at 7:58 AM PST - 6 comments
"Your garden gnome has been freed by..."
What should I do the the garden gnome I just liberated? [more inside]
Can anyone help me with a troublesome home theater problem?
I'm having some problems with my AV receiver and I'm hoping someone here can help. I'll post the details inside. [more inside]
Under pressure (doo doo doo doot doot doo doo)
How much lower is the air pressure on the 23rd floor of a standard apartment building than at ground level? [more inside]
Where to start learning more about practical Judaism?
I was brought up in a non-religious family with a vague Protestant background. I'm currently considering converting to Judaism (not because of a relationship with someone who's Jewish, simply for my own reasons.) I know next to nothing about the organised aspects of the religion - I've never even set foot in a synagogue - but I'm interested in learning more. I'm not really ready to approach a rabbi yet to discuss things, I think I need to explore the whole religion a bit more before I consider starting on any possible path that might later lead to conversion. Where should I start?
posted by different at 7:33 AM PST - 37 comments
posted by different at 7:33 AM PST - 37 comments
Losing Ctrl
Broken Keyboard Filter: So my GF managed to splash a bit of water from on the corner of the keyboard of her Dell Inspiron 600m. At first it appeared fine, but now a day later the Ctrl key appears to be stuck. [more inside]
posted by Heminator at 7:22 AM PST - 9 comments
posted by Heminator at 7:22 AM PST - 9 comments
One year in Bangkok
Foreign tchotchke filter: Bangkok Bank gives banking customers a nice illustrated calendar each year as a gift. A friend received the 2005 calendar as a gift/souvenir while visiting Bangkok last year and would like to obtain a copy for 2006. Unfortunately, not being in Bangkok and not being a Bangkok Bank customer has made this task rather challenging. [more inside]
posted by shoepal at 7:10 AM PST - 15 comments
posted by shoepal at 7:10 AM PST - 15 comments
Mail merging above my abilities...
I need help with the Microsoft Word mail merge feature. [more inside]
Declare desire for relationship with my friend/lover?
I have known Ben for about a year. We went on dates a few times at the beginning of our acquaintance, but nothing happened. A while later, we declared our desire for each other and ended up in bed. He has been in an open relationship with Sarah for the last 9 months, and in that time he and I have become close friends and also slept together three times. I have really fallen for him - should I declare my desire for a relationship with him? [More details...] [more inside]
A couple of issues with my PS2
Problems with a PS2 and stuttering video playback in games... [more inside]
Safe dieting
How low in calories can a diet get and still be considered healthy? [more inside]
DVD Solutions for persons with limited dexterity?
DVD Solutions for persons with limited dexterity? [more inside]
December 18
Interesting church in Portland for Christmas?
My wife (who was raised Buddhist) wants to go to a church on Christmas day. As it happens, we'll be in Portland, Oregon on that day. Having been raised Jewish myself, and being away from my home city, I haven't a clue as where to go. [more inside]
How do I get my work to pay me?
I haven't received payment from my supposedly biweekly paying job for nearly two months. This lack of payment has resulted in financial difficulties for me. How do I force payment? Do I have any recourse for the financial difficulties that have resulted due to their negligence? [more inside]
posted by honeyx at 10:17 PM PST - 22 comments
posted by honeyx at 10:17 PM PST - 22 comments
Artwork from Six Feet Under Season 4 finale
Who created the artwork shown alongside Claire's in the season 4 finale of Six Feet Under? [more inside]
How do audiobooks work and where can I find them
How do audiobooks work on a 3rd gen iPod and where can I find them for free?
awkward interview question filter:
I'm an attorney from D.C. moving to San Fran to join my boyfriend. In every interview, the first question is "why did you move?" For several reasons, I don't like referring to "my boyfriend" in interviews. What can I do? [more inside] [more inside]
Is listening to an audio-book less intellectually stimulating than reading the same book?
Is listening to an audio-book less intellectually stimulating than reading the same book, especially in terms of literacy and increasing vocabulary?
posted by nthdegx at 8:47 PM PST - 19 comments
posted by nthdegx at 8:47 PM PST - 19 comments
Welding question
Arc-welding or Oxy-Fuel welding? [more inside]
Open source ecommerce software vs. something else, cheap
OSCommerceFilter: I need to find a new ecommerce site package for a small business client. OSCommerce has been fun, and that whole open source terrain is a real kick, but security problems have become serious, and it's time to consider something else. [more inside]
posted by ValveAnnex at 7:28 PM PST - 8 comments
posted by ValveAnnex at 7:28 PM PST - 8 comments
How do I locate the data files for Mac programs?
I'm having trouble recovering my data from my external HDD after I used Carbon Cloner for Mac 10.4.3. [more inside]
why did flash randomly stop working in Firefox 1.0.7 on Linux and how can I get it working again?
arrrrh. This is probably a stupid question. Flash 7.0.61 plug-in, Firefox 1.0.7, and Linux 2.6.14 : Flash was working. Then it stopped working. [more inside]
Looking for a song title
This song is about a letter found in the glove compartment of a used car (maybe a chevrolet) The letter says something to the effect that "If you read this, I have died." Want to get this song as a Christmas present for my dad.
Are the terms ontology, taxonomy, and folksonomy interchangeable?
Are the terms ontology, taxonomy, and folksonomy interchangeable? [more inside]
posted by nramsey at 5:39 PM PST - 20 comments
posted by nramsey at 5:39 PM PST - 20 comments
Resource-friendly popular software alternatives?
Any recommendations on software alternatives that are more resources friendly than their mainstream competitors? Examples: Firefox vs. IE, Winamp vs. ITunes, alternate anti-virus programs, etc.
Bluetooth keyboard with status LEDs?
Are there any Bluetooth keyboards with on-keyboard status lights like caps lock, num lock, and scroll lock? [more inside]
How to get an External Hard Drive to show up in WinXP SP2 again?
How can I get an External Hard Drive to show up in WinXP SP2 again? [more inside]
Neocon Quote?
Political Memory Hole Filter: Can you help me find the quote?
Before the Invasion, some neocon (?Wolfowitz?) was quoted in a major paper complaining how the CIA was always wrong because they were too conservative in their estimates... My google-fu has failed me.
Anyone have the link or the quote?
early/ alternate song versions
Last night I stumbled across a demo version/early live recording of Karma Police (Radiohead song). Like it. Any suggestions for other early versions of songs, interesting collaborations, good live recordings, or hard to find songs by good artists? I want to go on a musical treasure hunt. [more inside]
Toddler no longer able to sleep on his own
Help us get our 20 month old to sleep on his own again. [more inside]
Logo contest ideas / resources?
Know any good tutorials or resources on visual effects? My company is having an animated logo contest, the winner would become the 'stinger' for our reel. I'm not sure I'll win, but I would like to have an interesting submission. I just don't have a decent idea for the logo, nor do I know much about motion graphics. I know photoshop and 3dsmax (which is what we use at work), so maybe the resouces could reflect that?
Are retinoscopy and visual acuity related?
Is there a relationship between visual acuity (ie. the 20/20 or 20/xx scale) and retinoscopy results (the -6.50 +1.00 that is the prescription for your glasses/contact lenses)?
posted by ajpresto at 1:30 PM PST - 9 comments
posted by ajpresto at 1:30 PM PST - 9 comments
My programs all got rather picky about how to play a CD.
I had a brief power outage last night; today some of the computer programs are not reading a CD in the DVD drive correctly, while others still read it without a problem. What's going on? [more inside]
posted by Tuwa at 1:05 PM PST - 6 comments
posted by Tuwa at 1:05 PM PST - 6 comments
Which is Dead: My iBook or Its Battery?
If my iBook's battery were to be dead, as opposed to my iBook clearly being defective, how might it behave? [more inside]
Help me find a DVD recorder that doesn't suck.
Help me find a DVD recorder that doesn't suck. [more inside]
Was ist Zimtstern?
why do I lose my cheese to my napkin?
Stupid Pizza Question:
I sometimes attempt to blot the grease on the top of pizza. How come sometimes this works just fine, but other times I end up pulling half the cheese off the pizza? [more inside]
posted by piratebowling at 11:08 AM PST - 25 comments
posted by piratebowling at 11:08 AM PST - 25 comments
unwed mother
UK social services: Unmarried twenty year old with an unplanned pregnancy, baby due in a few months... [more inside]
Could a giant radiometer generate electricity?
PhysicsFilter: Is there any reason why a giant radiometer couldn't be used as a way to generate electricity?
animated shorts
I would like to make 'experimental' animated shorts using some of my own abstract drawings (scanned) and various other image-sources (miniDV, pictures, etc). I do not seek to animate cartoon characters (although that could happen on rare occasions). What animation software would be best for me? [more inside]
How to get my 92 year old father on Oprah?
My 92 year old father has written a book about his life and he wants to appear on Oprah and similar shows to promote the book. Does anyone know anyone who can help gets this to a national market? [more inside]
Oh, and another onion bhaji ...
Is there a good (and reasonably priced) Indian restaurant in Soho? [more inside]
posted by essexjan at 9:05 AM PST - 24 comments
posted by essexjan at 9:05 AM PST - 24 comments
Strategy and workplan to get funds to rebuild a hiking trail destroyed by major dam failure
I need a strategy and workplan to get funds to rebuild a hiking trail destroyed by a major dam failure. [more inside]
Where can I order a cervical cap online in the UK?
Where can I get a FemCap or similar sort of cervical cap product online in the UK? [more inside]
posted by By The Grace of God at 9:00 AM PST - 5 comments
posted by By The Grace of God at 9:00 AM PST - 5 comments
Re: the streets of St. Pete's...
Help me not miss the coolest parts of St. Petersburg. (Russia, not Florida.) [more inside]
posted by joshjs at 8:23 AM PST - 14 comments
posted by joshjs at 8:23 AM PST - 14 comments
Referencing dvd commentaries using the Harvard Bibliographic system.
Referencing dvd commentaries using the Harvard Bibliographic system. I've looked around online and although many pages tackle similar items I haven't been able to find anything satisfactory.
posted by feelinglistless at 5:27 AM PST - 1 comment
posted by feelinglistless at 5:27 AM PST - 1 comment
Privacy with Yahoo?
Does it bother you to click on Yahoo! links and unexpectedly see your Yahoo! name on the screen because you prefer to store your Yahoo (enough with the exclamation point already) password in a cookie? [more inside]
December 17
should we tell our daughter the tryuth about santa?
Should I lie to my three year old daughter about Santa Claus? [more inside]
posted by crazyray at 11:16 PM PST - 162 comments
posted by crazyray at 11:16 PM PST - 162 comments
Mac OS - lower the menu bar?
Tiger 10.4.3 - Can I lower the menu bar? [more inside]
posted by shino-boy at 10:19 PM PST - 11 comments
posted by shino-boy at 10:19 PM PST - 11 comments
What causes long-term relationships to end?
What causes long-term relationships to end? [more inside]
posted by teem at 10:17 PM PST - 42 comments
posted by teem at 10:17 PM PST - 42 comments
Recreational abuse of medication.
What happens if I eat all my Celexa (citalopram) at once? [more inside]
Moral Nitpicking
What's worse, manners wise? (Elevator behavior / Train behavior) [more inside]
Help me find the name of a soul song used as a fade-out on a hip-hop track.
Calling all hip hop heads: Please help me find the name of a soul song used as a fade-out on a Little Brother track. [more inside]
posted by anthill at 10:03 PM PST - 6 comments
posted by anthill at 10:03 PM PST - 6 comments
Good games for Sidewinder Pro 3D Joystick? Descent 3 config?
I've just aquired a Microsoft Sidewinder Precision Pro for $1.50 US at a thrift store. It works and Windows grabbed the right drivers for it. 1) What good games are there that take advantage of the "3D" controls? 2) How do I make it work in Descent 3? I can only get the POV hat and various buttons to work - the joystick/twist portion does nothing. I'm probably being clueless as to how to configure it in Descent 3.
Choosing a professional variation of your name
Did you ever reach a crossroads in your life when you had to choose which variation of your name to use professionally? For example, for somebody named Joseph Quailsford Smith: Joseph Q. Smith, or Joe Smith, or Joseph Smith, or J. Q. Smith, or J. Quailsford Smith, or Joseph Quailsford Smith, or Quailsford Smith? [more inside]
Playing Music on my Mac Keyboard?
I just discovered that GarageBand is on my new PowerBook. Is it possible to use the keyboard keys as keys gor GB's musical keyboard? I couldn't find an answer to this quest on the Web or on Apple's site.
posted by ParisParamus at 8:56 PM PST - 18 comments
posted by ParisParamus at 8:56 PM PST - 18 comments
Why don't Jews like Jesus?
What is the deal with the Jews and Jesus? If Jesus was a jew, why are the Jewish not Christians, and seem so touchy about that issue? Christmas vs. Hanuka. Jesus on the cross, etc. Don't they acknowledge him the way Christians do? Or am I wrong? Always seems to invoke an eye rolling when I see Jesus mentioned to a Jewish person on TV...why? [more inside]
How do I adapt to a pregnancy-induced heightened sense of smell?
I am nine weeks pregnant. As a result, I now have a frightenly acute sense of smell which is wreaking havoc with my life - a bad scent will trigger nausea and even vomiting. Walking down a city street has become excruciating as I am very sensitive to the smells of cigarette smoke and perfume in particular. Suggestions?
posted by echolalia67 at 5:20 PM PST - 27 comments
posted by echolalia67 at 5:20 PM PST - 27 comments
I injured my back and have no insurance.
I fell on slipper stairs and hurt my back. ouch! [more inside]
posted by freudianslipper at 5:18 PM PST - 13 comments
posted by freudianslipper at 5:18 PM PST - 13 comments
Procrastinator's Christmas Tree
Where can I buy a reasonably fresh Christmas tree on December 28? [more inside]
posted by PadrePuffin at 5:17 PM PST - 8 comments
posted by PadrePuffin at 5:17 PM PST - 8 comments
What are some good books about Japan's role in WWII?
What are some of the most important books about Japan's role in World War II? Read on... [more inside]
what happens if someone stals my laptop?
Next spring I will be starting grad school and be carrying a laptop with me to class. The school is in a downtown building of a not so safe town and most the classes are at night. Is there any insurance that would cover it being stolen from my person (versus the car or home)? [more inside]
posted by TheLibrarian at 2:00 PM PST - 18 comments
posted by TheLibrarian at 2:00 PM PST - 18 comments
What is the deal with Santa Claus
Does Santa have a middle name?
posted by Botunda at 1:51 PM PST - 22 comments
posted by Botunda at 1:51 PM PST - 22 comments
what is the loudest possible way to play back a sound recording?
what is the loudest possible way to play back a sound recording?
Identify crime novel about a kidnapped boy
Help identify this literature/crime novel filter... [more inside]
Help my friend stay away from the Loan Tree!
I am seeking some unbiased advice on personal loan consolidation. Search engines are too spammed by commercial outfits of dubious value to be of any help. But MeFi knows everything! [more inside]
posted by blindcarboncopy at 11:48 AM PST - 19 comments
posted by blindcarboncopy at 11:48 AM PST - 19 comments
Did Comcast install spyware on my mac?
I think Comcast installed spyware on my Mac. Boing Boing now redirects to ebay, through a series of URLs. Please help me debug and fix it! [more inside]
How to move parents to a retirement community?
How can I convince my parents to move to a retirement community? [more inside]
posted by jamie939 at 10:54 AM PST - 17 comments
posted by jamie939 at 10:54 AM PST - 17 comments
The Ultimate Nonconformist
How would the Ultimate Nonconformist behave, dress, eat, and live? [more inside]
How do I make an idea into reality?
I have an idea for an invention. The only part of it I have is "concept". How do I bring it fruition? [more inside]
Alternatives to GoDaddy
I have a website that is hosted by DreamHost but the domain registration is at GoDaddy. I want to transfer the registration somewhere else because of GoDaddy's politics. One thing I'm looking for is private registration so that my info is not available to spammers on Whois -- GoDaddy and a few other companies do that. Anyone have any suggestions for good registration companies? Namecheap? 1&1? RegisterFly? Thanks.
Foam sealant removal
Is there any household item that will get foam sealant (the stuff in the can at the hardware store) off your fingers? I tried Lava and it didn't do anything, then I tried vegetable oil and it made it less sticky (except with the bond to my fingers).
Dropped my HP laptop, DVD player busted.
Laptop repair filter: I dropped my laptop (HP Compaq nc8000, warranty expired) and now my DVD player doesn't work. As this is my first laptop I know nothing about laptop repair. [more inside]
Need to buy an indoor hammock... help!
Who makes a kickass indoor hammock? Who sells a kickass indoor hammock (online or, preferably, in Toronto)? What makes an indoor hammock kickass? What should I look for and what should I avoid? Thanks!
Individual custom feeds?
I'm starting a new blog on a wide-ranging and ever-shifting set of topics, and I want to let my readers choose which of those topics to follow via RSS. I could offer tons of separate feeds, but many of these would be ephemeral, so I'd want to make it really easy to unsubscribe. Ideally, each user would get a single custom feed, the content of which they could control from my site (see here and here). Is there any way of doing this? [more inside]
simplifying ratios and fractions
Is there a mathematical technique for simplifying ratios/fractions? [more inside]
Firefox stalls on certain sites and Opera 8 font-rendering bug
I'm having major problems with both Firefox (my browser of choice) and Opera 8. Firefox stalls consistently for a considerable amount of time (1 min - 5 mins) on specific sites (for instance del.icio.us/popular/) and Opera has a font-rendering bug on most sites (for instance, again, del.icio.us/popular/). [more inside]
posted by Frankieist at 2:28 AM PST - 15 comments
posted by Frankieist at 2:28 AM PST - 15 comments
Carry case for Xbox 360 and accessories?
Carry case for Xbox 360 and accessories? [more inside]
Urge to bite, rising.
Does anybody else get the urge to bite something (like say, an arm) every once in a while? [more inside]
posted by lychee at 12:18 AM PST - 62 comments
posted by lychee at 12:18 AM PST - 62 comments
December 16
Cat + Water + Laptop= Disaster
H2OFilter: Laptop disaster! The cat spilled a vase-full of water on the keyboard of my Dell Latitude C800 laptop. I managed to avoid getting the thing completely drenched, but the machined did shut down immediately, unprompted. [more inside]
posted by yellowcandy at 10:31 PM PST - 14 comments
posted by yellowcandy at 10:31 PM PST - 14 comments
Let me watch my porn
Does Thunderbird have trouble rendering html-email from YouSendIt? [more inside]
gnome kids playing tug-of-war
Help me identify the location of this photo. So far I know it's in Finland, and it's an annual traditional event. It's a photo of 6 kids dressed as gnomes, taking part if a tug-of-war. [more inside]
Help me choose a barebones SFF computer.
Thinking about building my own PC. Looking for smallest possible form factor barebones system with Socket 479 (Pentium M). [more inside]
Interracial Dating, how do you handle it?
Interracial Dating Filter. How do I introduce my mom to my boyfriend? [more inside]
What do I do about my food-addicted boyfriend?
My boyfriend of three years has an eating disorder. It's getting worse, and I need help (advice, emotional support, AskMeFi words of wisdom). [more inside]
Should I tell her my feelings?
Should I or shouldn’t I? I’ve known this girl for about six years, and we have always been really good friends. Trouble is I like her and don’t know if I should tell her or not. And, as always there’s more to this… [more inside]
Ad-hoc networking problems
Help me connect my laptop wirelessly to a desktop with a hardwire connection and a pci wireless card. [more inside]
can a man be voluptuous?
Geek Gifts
Gifts For Geeks? Geeks of Metafilter: what gift would you want? [more inside]
posted by anastasiav at 6:43 PM PST - 26 comments
posted by anastasiav at 6:43 PM PST - 26 comments
Snow and liability
If a bunch of kids decided to have a snowball fight on my lawn, near my drive way and if one of them gets hurt. Can they blame me? It's my lawn, but surely it's not my snow. I shovel my drive way but I do not encourage kids to come and have fights.
posted by phyrewerx at 6:26 PM PST - 21 comments
posted by phyrewerx at 6:26 PM PST - 21 comments
19th Century Senate History
I am looking for histories of the U.S. Senate in the 19th century. [more inside]
Where can I scuba dive in Florida?
Floridian Scuba-diving Mefites, help!
There's one full week left before Christmas, and I want to get in some diving in Florida. I'd especially be interested in finishing up my Nitrox certification (I just need to do the checkout dives). Help me figure out how! [more inside]
Scratched lens repair for Oakleys?
Scratched Oakleys: My girlfriend just scratched her Oakley Haylons (Cork / VR28 Gold Iridium lenses), and is kicking herself. Can I help? (What are my lens repair/replacement options?)
Favorite Astronomy Photos
What is your favorite astronomy picture? Would you please provide a link to it? The higher the resolution, the better. [more inside]
How can I implement a HUD in my automobile?
I want a Heads-up Display for my car. [more inside]
Where can I find a bathrobe in Toronto?
I'm looking for a super-comfortable bathrobe for my wife. I'm in in Toronto, and I need to buy it locally (no time to order it). Little help? [more inside]
Metalsmithing, jewelry -- how to?
I want to make jewelry! Like, real jewelry. Read: metalsmithing, not putting manufactured beads on wires. What tools should I buy? What books would you recommend? Do I need to take a class or not? [more inside]
posted by fishfucker at 2:29 PM PST - 17 comments
posted by fishfucker at 2:29 PM PST - 17 comments
Do hormones mess with your head?
Does anyone have any experiences with pregnancy and postpartum hormones having a negative effect on mathematical or logic skills? [more inside]
posted by Alison at 2:17 PM PST - 19 comments
posted by Alison at 2:17 PM PST - 19 comments
How can I use JavaScript to get an anchor from the URL?
How can I use JavaScript to get an anchor from the URL? [more inside]
Where can I find a split comforter?
A friend went to Norway and slept in a king-size bed with an interesting feature: the comforter was split down the middle so that each occupant had his or her own half. Where could I buy one of these comforters in the US? [more inside]
que pasa?
Is this my imagination? In going thru my blog list today it seems a bunch of them are missing their latest posts...as if someone came along and chopped the last one or two posts from each one. Assuming I have not dropped into a time warp that put me back two or three days, what's the deal?
posted by konolia at 1:10 PM PST - 13 comments
posted by konolia at 1:10 PM PST - 13 comments
gifts for my elderly FIL.
GiftFilter: What do I get my 76-year-old Father-in-Law for Christmas? (additional parameters inside) [more inside]
Do medicinal mushrooms have beneficial impacts for you?
Tell me more about medicinal mushrooms! [more inside]
What is the proper etiquette for dealing with my deceased Mom’s jewelry?
What is the proper etiquette for dealing with my deceased Mom’s jewelry? [more inside]
Good keyboards for RSI problems
RSI - a dear friend has bad repetitive injuries (carpal tunnel problems)...it gets bad when she types....and allieviates when she stops. Oh, yeah, she's a professoinal writer. No - not RSI advice....keyboard advice. Have you (or someone you know) had comfort (or a reduction of discomfort) from using a particular keyboard? [more inside]
posted by filmgeek at 12:24 PM PST - 36 comments
posted by filmgeek at 12:24 PM PST - 36 comments
Wearable computing and one handed key-boards
I'm interested in wearable computing and am curious if anyone has any resources for information. More importantly, I'm wanting to get a one handed keyboard. I've seen the Frogpad but would like to know all of my options. I'm preferablly looking for something bluetooth that can be used with my Blackberry.
Thanks in advance.
Good Free Mac software and utilities
New Mac UserFilter - Loading up a new iBook: What software and utilities should I put on it. [more inside]
Prudent repair or giddy consumerism?
Can a meat lover and a vegan ever be together?
Can a meat lover and a vegan ever be good for each other? [more inside]
Save my Christmas tree
Our Christmas tree has a drinking problem. [more inside]
posted by _sirmissalot_ at 11:44 AM PST - 16 comments
posted by _sirmissalot_ at 11:44 AM PST - 16 comments
Grownup skincare regimen?
I'm ready to put away the Sea Breeze. Help me choose a grownup skin care regimen that works. [more inside]
Describing an algorithm in stats speak.
Any statistics wizards around? I have a algorithm I need to describe in the language of stats and all the books are full of words and symbols I don't understand. [more inside]
Archiving WAY too many files
Automated file archiving for Windows? [more inside]
How much do you spend in a semester's time?
Two-part question about money and spending per semester: first part for college students, second part for those in the post-collegiate working world. [more inside]
How much to spend?
How much would you spend on presents for someone you've been dating 3 months? [more inside]
PSP or Palm TX or PocketPC? Which to buy and why?
PSP or Palm TX or even Pocket PC? I've been given the option of picking my own electronics gift for Xmas. Which one should I go for? I currently use a Sony Clie TG-50. [more inside]
posted by damiano99 at 10:08 AM PST - 11 comments
posted by damiano99 at 10:08 AM PST - 11 comments
Why do some people park backwards?
Why do some people take the time to back their car into a parking space? Is it vanity or utility?
Help me, Mr. Piano Man
CMS For Newbies
I'm looking for CMS options for an alumni community site I'm building - one that has the features we want and yet still user-friendly to relative beginners. I've got a few options (Xoops, PhpNuke, Drupal, CivicSpace) but I don't know what to choose. [more inside]
How to sync Palm and Mac text files?
Help me simplify my life. Need help with Palm .txt and Mac. I want to sync a text file (large) between the two. [more inside]
Are there any career track evalutation tools for someone who doen't know what they want to be when they grow up?
I remember taking a long sort of evaluation test in high school where it asked question regarding career interest. At the end, it would provide suggestions, though broad range, gave a good idea. I have not been able to find something like this online (I know, it seems strange) or usually are not very comprehensive. Any ideas?
posted by _zed_ at 9:17 AM PST - 17 comments
posted by _zed_ at 9:17 AM PST - 17 comments
Wall Plug Power Inverter
Power Inverters for cars - the thing you plug into your cigarette lighter, with a regular wall-plug on the other end. I bought one last night, for use with gadgets on a road trip. Thing is, they offer two types, excuse the B-st B-y links: this one (95W), which I bought, and a stronger one (150W) here - Question is, I went with the smaller cheaper one but I know nothing about power use for things. Should I return it for the larger, or is this sufficient power to charge a laptop, camera, PSP, ipod, etc? Mostly concerned with safety to equipment and car's electrical system. THANKS FOR YOUR ADVICE. [more inside]
posted by Peter H at 9:11 AM PST - 16 comments
posted by Peter H at 9:11 AM PST - 16 comments
How to manage computer storage issues?
Help me figure out how to manage large amounts of data on a laptop. Music, Tivo downloads, photos... I'm running out of room! [more inside]
Help me get my domain back.
Help me get my domain back.
My domain name expired. My spam filter ate the renewal messages so I never saw them. Simple as that. I'm scrambling to fix the problem but I'm having big problems reaching an actual human at namecheap.com (the domain registrar I used) to renew.
To make things worse, I run a small ISP so this affects over 1000 people directly.
What can I do? I have backup domains but that switch would be very painful for my customers.
New Year's in NYC
What should I do on New Year's Eve in NYC? [more inside]
Find the right statistical test
Statistics problem: Suitable statistical test for data containing rankings of preference for men and women for 4 alternatives. (more inside) Help me extract some meaning from my data, please. [more inside]
posted by JeNeSaisQuoi at 7:33 AM PST - 13 comments
posted by JeNeSaisQuoi at 7:33 AM PST - 13 comments
Siem Reap to Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City
A friend has organised a huge tour for us taking in Ho Chi Minh, Phonm Penh, Siem Reap and Hanoi. Unfortunately, the travel agent now tells us that the flight between Siem Reap and Hanoi / Ho Chi Minh is overbooked, and we're on "standby" just after the New Year. Which presumably means we won't make it.
How else can a party of 15 people get from Siem Reap to Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City, in Vietnam, in the first week of January? Many thanks for your help!
"Handwriting" Printer?
Computer Peripheral Filter: I am looking for a device (other than a plotter) which I can hook up to a computer which can then generate text that looks hand written. I know you can get handwriting TT fonts , but the documents produced do not really look hand written.
Getting a plotter is a last resort. I'm pretty sure I have heard of a device that will do what I need, but I can't seem to google it. Any assistance will be greatly appreciated.
Why does Outlook 2000 think I am offline when I am not?
Outlook 2000 thinks I am offline, however I'm not. Is there any way I can make it see sense without rebooting the computer? [more inside]
posted by mr_silver at 6:46 AM PST - 7 comments
posted by mr_silver at 6:46 AM PST - 7 comments
fading jeans
How do I fade the colour only on an area of a pair of jeans? [more inside]
I want to paint ceramic coffee mugs.
I want to paint ceramic coffee mugs without going to one of those bake places (too expensive.) If I use acrylic paints and a gloss varnish, will they last a careful handwashing? (I'm not going to expect to make them dishwasher safe.) [more inside]
Submarine Scene
What are your favorite books about submarines? [more inside]
Stuck in Dubai, could use some help
Visa problem, could use some help [more inside]
posted by allen.spaulding at 2:03 AM PST - 8 comments
posted by allen.spaulding at 2:03 AM PST - 8 comments
Promotion ideas & advise for online business.
Has anybody had any success making good business out of an online business such as CafePress? [more inside]
Need audio clip of Christian song
Need mp3/MIDI/any audio for an old Christian song by Jon Byron called "We Are the Family of God" [more inside]
What is the "indelible" purple dye used to mark Iraqi voters?
What is the "indelible" purple dye used to mark Iraqi voters? [more inside]
December 15
How to fix a CRT scratch?
My CRT monitor has a scratch on it. Can it be fixed or made less noticeable? [more inside]
Looking for an OS X HP ScanJet 7400C driver
I need OS X drivers for a HP ScanJet 7400C. HP does not offer the OS X drivers for download, rather you must purchase them. I have checked DriverGuide. I have tried the VueScan demo and TWAIN SANE, but neither works with the scanner's document feeder. Does anyone happen to have the drivers?
What do I get her for X-Mas
Okay, I'm stumped. I have no idea what to get my girlfriend for Christmas. I got her some nice jewelry for her birthday in October, and I got her art last Christmas (shortly after we started dating). I'm not ready to be buying any rings, but don't want to trod down the same path giftwise.What do I do?
Any ideas (she has an iPod) would be welcome!
posted by trox at 9:18 PM PST - 23 comments
posted by trox at 9:18 PM PST - 23 comments
Positive pregnancy test?
A pregnancy question, regarding pregnancy testing and HCG... [more inside]
posted by sperare at 9:10 PM PST - 6 comments
posted by sperare at 9:10 PM PST - 6 comments
Yaktrax with sensible dress shoes?
Anyone use these "Yaktrax" thingys? More importantly, any experience using them on not-entirely-flat-soled-shoes? [more inside]
posted by desuetude at 8:41 PM PST - 11 comments
posted by desuetude at 8:41 PM PST - 11 comments
Non-Flickr Flickr Zeitgeist?
Flickr Zeitgeist for my non-flickr photo collection? [more inside]
la sushi
Where did you dig up that old fossil?
Pint-size paleontology: Where in WA state (Seattle area), is a good place for an 8-year-old to be able to look for and (probably) find fossils? (And take some home) [more inside]
Where can I find episodes of Takeshi's Castle?
Where can I find episodes of Takeshi's Castle? [more inside]
posted by WinnipegDragon at 7:38 PM PST - 4 comments
posted by WinnipegDragon at 7:38 PM PST - 4 comments
Ultrasonic Mouse Repellers: What's the deal?
Does anyone have any experience with these these ultrasonic mouse repeller things? Do they actually repel the mice? [more inside]
I feel good, na na na na na na.
MedicFilter: I'm on Prednisone for 5 days for the second time of my life, and just like the first time, it's working as intended to clear up my severe congestion, but it's also making me king of the freaking world. Why is this? [more inside]
posted by thanotopsis at 6:34 PM PST - 38 comments
posted by thanotopsis at 6:34 PM PST - 38 comments
Help me spend my travel budget!
Disk drive me crazy
Some years ago I accidentally disabled the media drives (compact flash, memorystick) on the front of my HP Pavillion. I didn't worry so much at the time. But now I want to use it, and I can't make it come back. [more inside]
Where cn I buy a cheap Santa Suit in San Francisco?
Where can I buy a cheap Santa Suit in San Francisco? [more inside]
posted by dty1 at 5:43 PM PST - 8 comments
posted by dty1 at 5:43 PM PST - 8 comments
Early web video meme: Christmas pimp?
I'm looking for the name of the funny, slickly-produced, xmas-themed videos that went around like a web meme. They featured a 70s pimpy-looking guy called "[firtstname] Christmas." It was one of the first net memes, probably around the time of "Mahir - I kiss you!" I don't know much else, except that he punched an old lady in the face in one episode. [more inside]
posted by scamper at 5:27 PM PST - 2 comments
posted by scamper at 5:27 PM PST - 2 comments
Historical Hemp
Is it true that the original US Constitution is written on hemp paper? Cite? [more inside]
posted by furiousxgeorge at 5:11 PM PST - 15 comments
posted by furiousxgeorge at 5:11 PM PST - 15 comments
It's too big for email, what do I do now?
I'm looking for a simple web FTP interface to allow clients to upload files to my web server. I'm using Dreamhost, so it has to be installable on standard Apache / PHP / MySQL, etc. I'd like to have a simple "upload file" area in the client's section where they choose 1-3 files and click "upload."
Online backup for mac.
How to calculate per second versus per minute billing?
Telcos bill calls in varying minimum time increments (e.g. per second, per 6 seconds, per 30 seconds). Is there a formula to tell the difference this makes? Bonus points if it is on a web page or spreadsheet I can download. [more inside]
USB Phone connection
Just got a USB Telbox to connect normal phone to Computer via USB, so i can use skype AND normal phone. Connected per instructions, configured firewall, system shows all hardware there but no ringtone, no work! OS XP pro, Zone Alarm Pro, DSL
Small business inventory control software?
I'm looking for recommendations for inventory management software (Windows) for a small engineering company. [more inside]
posted by jacobsee at 2:59 PM PST - 13 comments
posted by jacobsee at 2:59 PM PST - 13 comments
Mac Barteder Equivalent
I am looking for a Mac equivalent to bartender by seagull software. Specifically I need a program that can print barcodes and read the data from an external data file.
What is the name for the mechanical device used in Speedlaces?
Which version of the bible should I read and why are there so many versions?
BibleFilter: Why are there so many versions of the new testament? [more inside]
Hipster PDA foldable thingy
Hipster PDA question
A few months back I saw a website that had a applet that let you drag and drop various pages into a templet and then print out on a normal sheet of paper a set of six pages that would fold book style. I've been searching all day and can't seem to find it, any idea where this website resides?
posted by JonnyRotten at 12:25 PM PST - 5 comments
posted by JonnyRotten at 12:25 PM PST - 5 comments
Songs with hand claps
What are some songs that prominently feature hand claps? [more inside]
How can I improve the performance of our showerboard dry erase boards?
How can I improve the performance of our showerboard dry erase boards? [more inside]
After the Nutcracker, I promised her the Firebird
I'm looking for a good collection of Russian Fairy Tales for my four year old. There are several available on UK Amazon. Can anyone recommend one book in preference to the others?
posted by sagwalla at 11:51 AM PST - 8 comments
posted by sagwalla at 11:51 AM PST - 8 comments
Missing a really important OSX default font
2000 fonts, and I'm missing something really important! Last week I converted from Suitcase to FontBook, and somewhere, somehow in the process I toasted a system font and everything is now really, really bad... [more inside]
What is the legal status of software developed with OSS tools?
What is the legal status of software developed with OSS tools? [more inside]
posted by mkultra at 11:36 AM PST - 11 comments
posted by mkultra at 11:36 AM PST - 11 comments
How do I redirect images?
How can I redirect images to stop bandwidth leeching? [more inside]
posted by jasonlatshaw at 11:23 AM PST - 16 comments
posted by jasonlatshaw at 11:23 AM PST - 16 comments
Better sound device management on OSX?
Is there a widget or other worthwhile utility out there that can give me slightly easier, and better, control of the "Sound" settings on my Mac? [more inside]
posted by pzarquon at 11:02 AM PST - 10 comments
posted by pzarquon at 11:02 AM PST - 10 comments
Hw can I transfer Mp3's from my Ipod to an external hard drive?
I have a 60gig Photo Ipod. In order to keep my computer's hardrive relative clean, I do not keep my MP3's stored in the Itunes library. All 9500 are strictly on my IPOD. I know I run the ris of losing all that upload work should my ipod get lost or break, but it was by choice. I recently bought a 250 gig external hard drive for the sole purpose of keeping all of my MP3's and important computer files on there....What I want to do and havent been able to figure out is, how could I go about transferring all the MP3 files from my IPOD to my computer and then to the external drive. (more inside) [more inside]
Help me find this song!
SongFinder: I've spent hours searching for a christmas song that I really don't know anything about. Very little details inside. [more inside]
posted by jazzman at 10:34 AM PST - 7 comments
posted by jazzman at 10:34 AM PST - 7 comments
muffinish
So...what are your favorite muffin-type recipes? And what do you do to keep them from becoming chewy rocks?
How do I watch .dvdf files in Mac OS X?
How do I watch .dvdf files in Mac OS X? [more inside]
posted by Utilitaritron at 10:23 AM PST - 3 comments
posted by Utilitaritron at 10:23 AM PST - 3 comments
Dead digital camera
I have a Sony digital camera DSC-F505V that suddenly will not power on (and yes, the batteries are charged and in proper working order). Any suggestions on potential cures?
RSS feed doesn't validate.
My RSS feed isn't validating, and I can't figure out why... [more inside]
posted by o2b at 10:05 AM PST - 5 comments
posted by o2b at 10:05 AM PST - 5 comments
Cell phone review site
Is there a cell phone equivalent to dpreview? There seems to be plenty of user reviews and sites more interested in selling you phones, but I would like a more unbiased opinion with some actual testing/benchmarks/results.
Need pointers: Efficient File System Organization
43Filters: I'm looking to re-organize my home directory on my Mac OS X laptop, and I want to do so with a clear organizational structure in mind. The majority of data is work-related, though I have a lot of personal data as well. I need to have a clear distinction between work and personal data, to make backups easier. I tend to create deep hierarchies, and I'd like to simplify where possible. [more inside]
I want a flute
I might be getting a flute for Christmas... [more inside]
How far can I go to return a laptop to its owner?
Last week I was walking home from work and found a laptop in the street. How far can I go, ethically, to get this system back to its owner? [more inside]
Does not play well with others.
I've searched Apple Forum, iPod Lounge, and others, yet have not been able to get a satisfactory answer. I need a plan, a strategy if you will, concerning iTunes for Windows on my Toshiba, iTunes for Mac on my iBook, an NTFS formatted external drive, and an iPod...too many elements. [more inside]
posted by sourwookie at 9:25 AM PST - 12 comments
posted by sourwookie at 9:25 AM PST - 12 comments
Isn't this covered by NAFTA?
I want to buy a NetFlix gift certificate for my parents. They live in the U.S. I live in Canada. The online order form (including credit card info) can't handle my non-US address. Furthermore, the customer service number isn't accessible from Canada. Any suggestions, ranging from alternative access method to alternative DVD by mail service providers? [more inside]
posted by Swack at 9:18 AM PST - 12 comments
posted by Swack at 9:18 AM PST - 12 comments
What to do in mountain country?
Appalachia (Hillbilly) Filter: My parents are building a home in Butler, TN. Any mefites have any knowledge of the region? I am going there for the first time over the holidays. Any suggestions relating to things to do/see?
Merry First Christmas, Baby Boy
What is a good Christmas present for a six-month-old boy? [more inside]
Gas and Groceries
Over the past few years, grocery supermarkets on the West Coast of the U.S. have been getting into the business of selling gasoline. Is this happening other places? Does anyone know why this is happening? Why gasoline? Why not fast food drive throughs or some other revenue producer in that section of their parking lot?
Help me ID a song from a google video.
SongIDFilter: First, watch this Parkour demo on Google video. Next, help me identify the hip-hop track that starts just after the 5 minute mark. [more inside]
posted by stungeye at 7:53 AM PST - 8 comments
posted by stungeye at 7:53 AM PST - 8 comments
Where can I purchase oversized Christmas tree decorations?
Where can I purchase oversized Christmas tree decorations (about 12 inches at the middle) for hanging from the ceiling? [more inside]
Left, Left, Down, Down, Up, Up, X, B, Y, Right trigger, Black, White, L, R, R
What is cruel and unusual punishment?
What constitutes cruel and unusual punishment? [more inside]
Help me with maths / betting
Need someone to do a bit of maths for me: [more inside]
Chinese wedding gift customs
Chinese wedding gift customs: A close friend of mine is from mainland China, and she recently got married to a guy from England. I'd like to buy them a very nice wedding gift. Are there any Chinese customs that I should be aware of? Are certain gifts traditional? Should I stay away from certain colors? [more inside]
I want to frame myself!
Why is it so expensive to to frame a print? [more inside]
posted by phox at 4:51 AM PST - 14 comments
posted by phox at 4:51 AM PST - 14 comments
Help me pass! (or at least commiserate)
Has anyone ever taken the 50cc scooter license test in Japan? Perhaps some of you Japan-dwelling (or former Japan-dwelling) MeFites? I'm having a hell of a time passing the thing... [more inside]
Power shower hacks?
Help me become a power shower power-user. [more inside]
Any idea what war movie this is
Any idea what this film is? As a child i remember seeing a war film in which the main character is blinded, he may actually have his whole head bandaged and has all four limbs amputated. He sees lots of flashbacks (I think). It may have been set in the first world war (although i'm not certain). I'm pretty sure it was colour and English language. Any idea???
Getting started in alternative photography?
I want to get started with alternative photography. I've been using my 350D and a normal film 35mm SLR for a while now and I feel creatively stale. I want to delve into the world of alternative photography. Help me MeFi. [more inside]
How do you interpret BitTorrent file names?
BitTorrent filter: what do all the letters mean? [more inside]
posted by londonmark at 1:58 AM PST - 10 comments
posted by londonmark at 1:58 AM PST - 10 comments
December 14
Gifted toddlers
Resources for parenting gifted toddlers and pre-schoolers. [more inside]
What's the secret to baking cookies that stay soft?
What's the secret to baking cookies that stay soft? [more inside]
Good clean jokes.
I am going to an office holiday party with a joke telling contest! Alas, my only 2 jokes are terrible. What are some good (clean) jokes to add to my (and our collective) repitoire? [more inside]
I want to screw without pain.
I'm a guy who has really bad, stitch-like cramps during sex. [more inside]
Ever been asked to be the best man for a not so close friend?
Have you ever been asked to be the best man for a "friend's" wedding and you: 1. Are not really that good friends with the guy anymore. and 2. Have absolutely no type of desire to organize a raunchy style bachelor party and 3. Are not friends at all with his other guy friends so would have a hard and awkward time getting people to come to the bachelor party anyways? Even if not, any advice on how to handle the situation? [more inside]
Why was I changed from exempt to non-exempt at my job?
Changed from an exempt to a non-exempt employee; what gives? [more inside]
Best ways to make an audiobook?
Audiofilter: So, I'm narrating a book and recording it digitally for someone as a Christmas present. (The individual reads AskMe, hence the anon question.) There's about 10 hours of material. Each chapter is ~ 40 minutes long. Are there programs out there that will automatically parse the chapter files I've recorded into small segments for easy indexing while listening? [more inside]
Flexible Digital SLR recommendations
I am planning to buy my first Digital SLR camera. What are your recommendations and why? [more inside]
Help my local elementary school
Charter School/Voucher System Filter: Are they really tools to deconstruct public education? [more inside]
Ik wil zingen...
Seeking reccomendations for music with Dutch vocals, any dialect, any genre.
iCan't See with iSight.
Having problems with iSight on a Powerbook. It worked well up until recently. Now I get a spinning beachball anytime I use a program that uses the iSight as a video source. [more inside]
Acrobat upgrade kills Firefox as we know it
Firefox and (surprise!) Acrobat Reader problems. Upgraded Acrobat Reader via its internal upgrade routine (while in Firefox). The upgrade crashed halfway through. Now neither Firefox nor Adobe Download Manager seem to have DNS capability. Also, neither program can be removed from memory—using End Process in the Windows Task Manager does nothing. What gives?
I couldn't draw a smiley face on a sheet of paper to save my life (almost)
I'm craft challenged. I'd like to make one of those daily calendars (where you tear off or flip back each day). Two questions... [more inside]
posted by devilsbrigade at 6:09 PM PST - 6 comments
posted by devilsbrigade at 6:09 PM PST - 6 comments
What anime is this?
AnimeFilter: about two years ago on Adult Swim there was an anime featuring, in one of its more iconic shots, a sort of gothic-waify-schoolgirly-Alice-esque girl standing atop a building. I seem to recall the color palette as having been heavy on the slate and black, with many skyscrapers. It may have been set in the future, but with retro sensibilities. Does anyone know what I'm talking about? What show was this? [more inside]
posted by Sticherbeast at 5:48 PM PST - 17 comments
posted by Sticherbeast at 5:48 PM PST - 17 comments
Best Simpsons episode?
Please help me identify the apotheosis of Simpsons episodes. [more inside]
Freelancing?
Freelancing: I recently left a web/graphic design position on good terms. I have verbally offered my services on a freelance basis, and they are interested... [more inside]
Obtaining 'The Dream of a Bear' documentary
Can anybody tell me how I might obtain a copy of this program. It doesn't seem to be available from their archives or shop.
What's this weird PS2-related code?
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
?rev2line?
// Extracts an nPort npo file to mc0:/
?rev2line?
//
?rev2line?
int npoExtract(char *filename)
What the hell is this? Thanks!
posted by PenguinBukkake at 4:45 PM PST - 4 comments
posted by PenguinBukkake at 4:45 PM PST - 4 comments
This is one case where dancing won't help.
ObscureMedicalFilter: Why do my feet itch when I do the dishes? [more inside]
Problem with WiFi
How come when my laptop is jacked into an Ethernet cable (going to a regular router then to DSL) my Internet connection works fine, but when I jack my Linksys WRT54G Wifi Router into the same cable and connect through my wireless card, I don't have an Internet connection? The Linksys front-end shows a good connection to the WiFi. [more inside]
new job title: editor+flash/web
Job title: editor to ____ ?
I work with an online publishing company and I started out as a editor/production editor. Recently, I've started to learn Flash and more HTML, and basically the goal is to add more multimedia/design to my role. They want to create a new job title/position for me. (I work on a team of SMEs and instructional designers, and there's one multimedia developer that works with us a few times a year.) What job title should I recommend/ask for? If you can't tell, my boss isn't particularly tech-savvy or that knowledgable about the field.
a better auto club? Betterworld?
Auto club/Road service/car club question. I've decided to join AAA or an equivalent, for the road service. A while ago, The Center for a New American Dream recommended Better World Club which sounds good, doesn't lobby against transit and for the car mfr coalition. And Car Talk likes it, or did, a few years ago. But how is their service? [more inside]
posted by judybxxx at 3:28 PM PST - 9 comments
posted by judybxxx at 3:28 PM PST - 9 comments
My mom is insane - how do I cope?
My mom is insane - how do I cope?
That's pretty much it. My mother has mental health issues that I think are getting worse, and I don't know what to do, nor how to cope with it. (this is long, thanks for reading.) [more inside]
Multiple Monitors, Remote Desktop
I use two monitors at work, and remote desktop in at home. Some applications, which persistently remember the window location will be hidden on startup because they're off the screen. Is there a utility out there to move all windows on the screen?
posted by anomie at 2:40 PM PST - 13 comments
posted by anomie at 2:40 PM PST - 13 comments
Release my sippee cup NOW, or you die, Sister!
Advice for how to stop a 2.5 year old boy from annihilating his 1 year old sister. [more inside]
What do you do with works of art that you like?
What do you do with works of art that you like? When you go a museum or take an art history course and you find some paintings and things that are particularly good/touching/etc, do you buy posters? Get an artist online to paint a reproduction? Just think about them from time to time? [more inside]
Where did the carnival target dummies go?
A while back, perhaps on Boing Boing, I saw some artsy carnival throwing game target dummies -- the kind shaped like bowling pins, but with faux fur edging. I believe they were art pieces made for sale. I can't find a link to these (or the 'real thing' version) anywhere, probably because I don't know the correct name. Any help?
posted by felix at 2:31 PM PST - 3 comments
posted by felix at 2:31 PM PST - 3 comments
Is the "zawahiri letter" authentic?
Bush used the "Zawahiri letter" today as part of his justification for his policies and the war in Iraq ... I have heard a number of doubts about it's authenticity, does anyone know what the chain of custody/origin of this letter is? and what the current conventional wisdom is on its authenticity?
posted by specialk420 at 2:29 PM PST - 3 comments
posted by specialk420 at 2:29 PM PST - 3 comments
Law school is sucking up my soul
Where can I get a really good downloadable PDF or Word copy of the Constitution with Amendments? So far I have only found crappy or incomplete copies. [more inside]
Windows users want to feel pretty too!
Help me get pretty icons like the Mac people have. So there's this set of icons that's OSX only. I use XP. I've got an unzipper, and I've got a converter. But I don't know what I'm doing wrong, or if it's even possible for me to convert them without access to a Mac. [more inside]
posted by calistasm at 1:37 PM PST - 13 comments
posted by calistasm at 1:37 PM PST - 13 comments
Help me tell my nearly 3-yr old about his new sibling.
Help me tell my nearly 3-yr old about his new sibling. The baby is due in early August. Since we'll tell the grandparents over Christmas, should we tell our son first so he can take part in the excitement too? Or keep it secret because it's too far away for him to understand? I remember being quite jealous at age 5 when my own brother was born so I'm nervous about this whole transition. Parents of mefi, share your stories! What worked, what didn't?
Hitchhiking to Europe in 247 easy steps...
Flying to Europe: How can I truly get cheap flights? [more inside]
For that fake personalised card touch
I need to send a birthday card to a US friend by Dec 23rd. Unfortunately, I've just missed the last post for transatlantic posts.
I keep hearing of online services that'll post the card for me in the US - but can you suggest any? Also, any that allow me to "scan" in my handwriting for that personal touch get bonus points.
posted by badlydubbedboy at 12:48 PM PST - 8 comments
posted by badlydubbedboy at 12:48 PM PST - 8 comments
Where's my Godzilla DVD?
Anyone have information as to when (if?) the restored version of Gojira (Godzilla) that toured movie houses last year is going to make it to DVD? I get nothing but blank stares from retailers and my Google-fu returns nada.
XP lite?
Has anyone used one of the hacked windows XP-lite distros? The ones that remove unnecessary stuff and leave you with a faster machine? a- how stable are they, can you use them for resource intensive apps like photoshop, autocad, etc.? b- do they support non-english keyboards? c- is the performance gain worth the hassle of finding and installing them? [more inside]
Why won't my iPod Shuffle play anything in the order I've set?
Why won't my iPod Shuffle play anything in the order I've set when in "play in order" mode? [more inside]
Has anyone seen ceiling ducks?
Looking for those duck bottom ceiling decorations... [more inside]
Thesis defense tips
I am defending my MA Thesis (finally!) this afternoon. I would like advice from those who have gone through this, specifically on things I shouldn't do.
Find me a class that really cooks
Please recommend good cooking classes in Seattle. I would like to give a friend a cooking class as a holiday gift. Said recipient is an omnivore (no dietary restrictions), has strong beginner (I wouldn't quite say intermediate) skills in cooking, loves both "American" and a wide variety of ethnic cuisines, and (just a random fact) is a fan of the Food Network. [more inside]
posted by matildaben at 11:01 AM PST - 11 comments
posted by matildaben at 11:01 AM PST - 11 comments
Using facets and tags together for navigation
Do you know any good examples of sites that use both facets and tags for navigation? [more inside]
Is it legal to eavesdrop on someone with a hidden camera placed in their home?
For reasons that don't particularly make sense I believe that someone is spying on me with a camera hidden somewhere in my room. Ignoring for a moment the fact that I'm clearly nuts, what exactly would the law be on this (I live in the US)? [more inside]
why do colds like the cold
I have a question about colds. Why do folks get them when the weather gets colder? Don't germs and viruses and what not typically thrive in the heat? Do other illnesses thrive when it gets cold?
about:blank causes explorer to crash
My brother has an older Win98 machine on dialup. Recently, I had to clean it of viruses, and now internet explorer does not work. It goes to about:blank but as soon as you try any other address explorer crashes, saying that there is an exception in urlmon and that explorer will now close due to an internal error. The computer is second hand without any driver disks, so formatting is not really an option. Has anyone else encountered this or know how to fix it?
Can nightmares be caused by the need to urinate?
Can nightmares be caused by having to use the bathroom? [more inside]
Help me find a home improvement magazine aimed at a low-budget/DIY audience.
Help me find a home improvement magazine aimed at a low-budget/DIY audience. [more inside]
Boston area culinary class
For Christmas, I'd like to give my sister and brother-in-law, who live in Boston, a gift certificate to take a cooking class together. Can you recommend or help me select a school or instructor? [more inside]
posted by palegirl at 9:14 AM PST - 7 comments
posted by palegirl at 9:14 AM PST - 7 comments
How much is a man's hair worth?
I'm 22 and I've been shaving my head due to the fact that I experienced some hair thinning. Honestly, does the fact that I have no hair really matter that much to women? And if so how much? And if having no hair really is a big issue, then how can I counter it besides growing my hair out? There also seems to be a cultural difference in that black woman don't care so much about my hair, whereas white women flip out. FYI I'm white.
Help me get out of bed and to the gym.
Mrs. DakotaPaul and I are having difficulties getting out of bed and to the gym in the morning. Can you help? [more inside]
Get this Citibank monkey off my back
I would like to find the best credit union in or around Westchester, NY, that I am eligible to join [more inside]
Miss him already
My boyfriend just took the graveyard shift. How to make sure our relationship doesn't take too much of a hit. [more inside]
Hmm... Which game would he like?
Help me get a computer game for my brother... [more inside]
Where to stay in Mumbai?
What part of Mumbai should we try to stay in? [more inside]
posted by stevil at 8:32 AM PST - 7 comments
posted by stevil at 8:32 AM PST - 7 comments
community building resources
I'm looking for web sites, books, ideas, thoughts on local resources for creating and building awesome community here locally in Columbus, Ohio. [more inside]
Computer Programming for Dummies
I'm interested in learning how to program, I'm really interested in some of the cool new Web 2.0 apps that I have seen popping up recently and I would like to get under the hood and start trying some things out, mostly as just a hobby. [more inside]
posted by mhaw at 8:18 AM PST - 14 comments
posted by mhaw at 8:18 AM PST - 14 comments
What do candles put in the air?
What sorts of things do scented candles put into the air? I am wondering whether or not they release some sort of chemicals that might be harmful to one's lungs and also if anything is released that might create a film/buildup or cause problems for electronics, etc.
Alternative history literature
Help me find alternative history books [more inside]
Confessions of a font junkie
I humbly request help organizing my excessive horde of fonts. [more inside]
posted by kryptondog at 7:39 AM PST - 10 comments
posted by kryptondog at 7:39 AM PST - 10 comments
Difficult to find Emma Watson interview
I'm looking for the movie footage (digital or otherwise) from which these screencaps are taken... [more inside]
Why does it take so long for me to go to sleep?
Why does it take me over an hour to go to sleep at night? [more inside]
Firefox Keyboard Shortcuts For Navigating Between Tabs (OS X)
The keyboard shortcuts for moving between open tabs in Firefox 1.5 on OS 10.4.3 don't work - any ideas on how to fix this, possibly using the Keyconfig extension? [more inside]
posted by jack_mo at 7:03 AM PST - 7 comments
posted by jack_mo at 7:03 AM PST - 7 comments
I suck at the internet :(
I need some javascript/php coding help, can anyone help? [more inside]
Converting to XHTML?
I'm planning to move from Blogger to WordPress, migrating about 1,000 posts that currently validate as HTML 4.01 Transitional. I'd like to convert them to XHTML on the way. What's the smart way to do this?
Help me define a Philosophical term
Need help defining a philosophy/logic term [more inside]
posted by sk381 at 6:49 AM PST - 16 comments
posted by sk381 at 6:49 AM PST - 16 comments
How to dispose of useless wires?
Cleaning out the basement... What do I do with all these useless wires? [more inside]
posted by danblaker at 6:45 AM PST - 11 comments
posted by danblaker at 6:45 AM PST - 11 comments
How can you bolster your retirement income using your house as collateral?
My in-laws are in their late sixties and have recently retired. They own their house outright and it is worth about £150,000. What is the best way for them to obtain an additional income (or a lump sum) to bolster their pensions, using their house as collateral? How much could they expect to get? [more inside]
Where in the UK can i get a picture i supply printed into a large (1m x 1m) block canvas?
Where in the UK can i get a picture i supply printed into a large (1m x 1m) block canvas? [more inside]
posted by Nik_Doof at 3:43 AM PST - 7 comments
posted by Nik_Doof at 3:43 AM PST - 7 comments
Pollution from Hemel hempstead
Is the pollution released by the Hemel Hempstead oil fire greater or less than the pollution that would have been released if that fuel had been refined and used to power cars etc?
Online Quotation system.
I'm looking for an online product quotation system that I can host on my domain. [more inside]
i'm sorry
Having good relationships with insecure/overly apologetic types? [more inside]
Lookin' in your big brown eye
My male cat puts his butt in my face. A lot. ¿Por que? [more inside]
posted by FortyT-wo at 12:26 AM PST - 21 comments
posted by FortyT-wo at 12:26 AM PST - 21 comments
Tell me about sex
So, I'm a 22 year old male, straight virgin. I used to be really nervous and self-conscious around women, but lately I've gotten a lot more relaxed. I've started doing some online dating, and it seems to be going fairly well. I've had relationships in the past, but nothing serious or sexual, but I think that's going to change soon. I could use some advice. [more inside]
Wham video location...
Does anyone know whereabouts in Switzerland Wham shot their "Last Christmas" video? This will settle a vitriolic little debate, so thanks...
December 13
What are some good "experience" gifts? Like a hot-air balloon ride, for example.
What are some good "experience" gifts? Like a hot-air balloon ride, for example. My Dad has cancer and the prognosis is not good. I don't want to give him just another material THING for Christmas and upcoming birthday. For one thing, he has pretty much everything he could want materially (at least everything he could want that's still in my price-range). He's also an extreme workaholic (he's still working as much as he can from home) and I want to kind of force him to go and do some living while he can. [more inside]
Help me write a legal document for house-sitting.
Recently, a nice-sounding girl posted in a local forum, asking for help over Christmas. She needed someone to come to her house and feed and administer a pill to her cats while she's away. Fearing an unscrupulous individual may try to take advantage of her (as this is a public forum), and genuinely feeling generous and helpful this Christmas season, I offered myself for help.
One small thing: I want to prepare a legal document ahead of time to ensure that both of us are protected in the event of a break-in or other calamity, and I need help! [more inside]
posted by Imperfect at 10:02 PM PST - 35 comments
posted by Imperfect at 10:02 PM PST - 35 comments
How to re-housetrain an already housetrained dog...
Help me figure out what's wrong, and re-housetrain my pug... [more inside]
posted by gwenzel at 8:53 PM PST - 10 comments
posted by gwenzel at 8:53 PM PST - 10 comments
To all the girls I've loved before
When is it time to lie about how many people you've had sex with? [more inside]
Practice girlfriend or stay lonely?
I have never had a girlfriend in my life and I'm 26 now. I am sort of getting lonely and want a girlfriend, but every time I attempt to do something with a girl I like, I get really nervous about it and scare the girl away. It isn't as though I am horribly looking either, although I probably look bad when I become distressed. I've been thinking lately that what I need is a practice girlfriend so I can get some experience. I don't get nervous around girls I don't like, but I never attempt to do anything with them because I don't like them. Maybe I should reconsider and do something with a girl I don't like so I get some experience. With the experience I think can gain some confidence for the next time I go after a girl I actually like. The problem is that I'm not sure if it is right to pretend I care about someone just to get practice, however, I don't want to continue to scare away girls I like either.
Finding a Crow On A Teacup
Back in the early 90's, I saw a color magazine ad for a piece of art I've been unable to locate since. It was a crow poised on the edge of a teacup. [more inside]
posted by crw at 8:15 PM PST - 4 comments
posted by crw at 8:15 PM PST - 4 comments
Organic food in the boonies
I'm stuck in the middle of nowhere with Wal-Mart as my only option for purchasing groceries. What are some online retailers that sell organic food and the like? [more inside]
posted by panoptican at 8:03 PM PST - 6 comments
posted by panoptican at 8:03 PM PST - 6 comments
How much of a loser should I be?
How much should I weigh? [more inside]
Searching inside files in Windows
How do I make Windows XP search inside TPL files? I know they're text files, but because Windows doesn't recognise the extension, when I try to search for "a word or phrase in the file" it won't search inside the TPL files.
I know I did this once before to get it to search PHP files, but I can't remember how I did it.
I'll never forget a conversation. Does that help?
Why do people get offended when you forget their name?
(also here, here, and here) [more inside]
posted by Afroblanco at 7:41 PM PST - 27 comments
posted by Afroblanco at 7:41 PM PST - 27 comments
STP Cars?
In the early 70s, there was a cool line of toy cars, which I seem to remember being called STP cars. [more inside]
posted by dbiedny at 6:46 PM PST - 13 comments
posted by dbiedny at 6:46 PM PST - 13 comments
name changes
My wife wants the oddest gift for xmas this year, to legally change her name. [more inside]
posted by Hands of Manos at 6:43 PM PST - 11 comments
posted by Hands of Manos at 6:43 PM PST - 11 comments
American verb
How can I say "to skull a beer" in American English? It means to drink a whole lot of beer in one gulp.
Iodine Solution help?
ScienceExperimentFilter: Iodine Watch.....A science experiment for my daughter is requiring "Iodine Solution" which I know is different from the alcohol-based first-aid "tincture of Iodine" found at the drug store. Where would I go to find a water-based "Iodine Solution?" I would like to find it locally as opposed to the net where I found several places. But what kind of establishment would SELL the solution? Thanks in advance!
I want to be on TV
Have you noticed all the cool background music in television commericals these days? A lot of it is electronica, some ambient, some house, some trip-hop, etc. Who creates all of this music, and how do you break into the 'Television Commerical Music Production' business? How can I drop the hot beat for the next L'Oreal commercial?
posted by jasondigitized at 5:03 PM PST - 18 comments
posted by jasondigitized at 5:03 PM PST - 18 comments
What is a good math/science book for a non-math/science person?
Can you recommend science or math books (non-fiction) that are interesting but accessible to someone with a limited math/science background? [more inside]
Moo-oo-oo-oo-oo-oonin' over you-ou.
So I don't have any lunulae (half-moons) anymore. What's up with that? [more inside]
Looking for an explosive clock
Years ago, my wife and I lived in Sonoma County, CA. There was a little gift shop right off the main square in the town of Sonoma that sold the coolest clocks I've ever seen. We couldn't afford one at the time, but I've always wanted it and am hoping that, by some miracle, someone knows where to find one. [more inside]
Sex, Drugs, Stock and Rolls and rolls of cash
Medical professionals can buy shares in pharmaceutical companies. Is this good for my health? (Both my medical and economic health) [more inside]
how to fold a light tent?
How do you fold a photographer's light tent?
I bought a light tent as a gift for someone using ebay as a part-time living and wanting to take better photographs of items for sale.
i opened it to check it when it was delivered but now i have no idea how to get it back in the carry bag - it popped right open the first time i unwrapped it so i have nothing to compare it to [more inside]
Help me get FF8 running!
Help me get Final Fantasy VIII working (WinXP Pro). It freezes during the EIDOS Interactive intro movie, causing CPU usage to go to 100%. [more inside]
Where to find a tacky bow-tie
Does anyone know where I can find a revolving bow-tie to give a friend for Christmas? I have googled galore and found nothing but other cheesy gag ties but not this particular one. I live in NYC so maybe there are specific stores for this item? Thanks for any suggestions!
I need early issues of Internet World.
Does anyone have early back issues of Internet World magazine? [more inside]
How do I collect thousands of band URLs?
I have a huge list of band names in a text file. I need them turned into links to each band's website. Perhaps there is such a thing as a bulk "I'm Feeling Lucky" Google query? Plz help, CS gurus. [more inside]
posted by Count Ziggurat at 2:32 PM PST - 17 comments
posted by Count Ziggurat at 2:32 PM PST - 17 comments
Is it 5 o'clock yet?
Can a B-Wing fly? [more inside]
How do I write arbitrary SQL queries in Ruby on Rails?
How do I write arbitrary SQL queries in Ruby on Rails? [more inside]
posted by smackfu at 1:49 PM PST - 9 comments
posted by smackfu at 1:49 PM PST - 9 comments
Why the sudden breathing problems?
Why would I, an asthmatic man, all the sudden start having abnormal breathing issues?
(Note: I am not using Ask MeFi as a substitute for a doctor's opinion) [more inside]
posted by Anoxs at 1:29 PM PST - 25 comments
posted by Anoxs at 1:29 PM PST - 25 comments
How do you check to see if a name has been copywritten?
How do you check to see if a name has been copywritten?
I can't go a whole day without offending someone.
I can't go a whole day without offending someone. Should I be true to myself or please you? [more inside]
posted by Xurando at 1:23 PM PST - 96 comments
posted by Xurando at 1:23 PM PST - 96 comments
Used textbooks in Canada
Where can I get used textbooks online... in Canada? [more inside]
You know, it's for the kids.
What do you get for people who have everything? Make a donation to those who don't in their name. A couple years ago my grandmother made a donation in my name to an organization that helped african communities buy livestock, water pumps and other agricultural supplies. This year I'd like to do the same. Unfortunately I've lost the card and am seeking information on similar charities.
posted by elwoodwiles at 1:08 PM PST - 16 comments
posted by elwoodwiles at 1:08 PM PST - 16 comments
DIY Mouse
DIY Mouse. I want to make a mouse, where should I start? How does one go about getting custom plastics molded? Should I use CAD? [more inside]
Printer Cartridge Alignment Failed
Printer Cartridge Alignment Failed! Printer won't print now. HELP! I need to make all my Christmas presents! [more inside]
Regular expression question
RegexFilter: I want to strip out all HTML from a string except for approved tags of B and I. [more inside]
How do you use generic interfaces in Java 1.5?
How do you use generic interfaces in Java 1.5? [more inside]
I’m in a relationship and I think we have conflicting expectations. How big of a deal is this?
My girlfriend and I have been dating for a few months now and it’s managed to get pretty serious relatively quickly. We now live together, though not “officially” (she technically lives with her sister) we’ve already established daily routines. I really enjoy being with her and love her dearly. Hands down she is the most complete woman I’ve ever dated and I feel we both compliment each others lives nicely.
However there are a few places in our relationship where we struggle and I’m having trouble resolving it. Sex: My libido is higher than hers. I prefer to have sex 5-6 times a week while she doesn’t prefer anything over 3. We’ve tried finding a middle ground (maybe 4) but this often leads to arguments because we both end up feeling under-appreciated. Down Time: After a long day at work, most of all I want to sit and talk with her. Not necessarily about anything. Just to relax. She prefers to sit alone and read a book or a magazine. This often leaves me feeling alone. Lately, I’ve been going to workout and hangout with the fellas as a way to mitigate this issue, but it only helps a little. Romance: While I’ll openly admit that I’m not the most romantic person in the world, I do try. She mentions that our relationship could use a bit more romance but when I do so, it seems as if it goes un-noticed. She’ll appreciate it at the time, but it seems after a day or so, it is simply forgotten about. And finally - The Past: Her theory on the past is whatever happened back then is irrelevant now. I mostly agree, but some things I want to know about simply for curiosity’s sake. This mostly leads to arguments however.
With all of that said, I’ve begin to take the frame of mind that all of these concerns since they are not “deal-breakers” I’ll just deal with the best way I know how. I love her and I don’t want this to end but there is the thought in the back of my mind saying “maybe we just aren’t compatible”. Is this thinking rational thinking or am I just being petty. I know a relationship is hard work, but how hard is “too hard”? How do I resolve this?
posted by ButWhatDoIKnow at 11:23 AM PST - 36 comments
posted by ButWhatDoIKnow at 11:23 AM PST - 36 comments
I hate Miva, yes I do...
Miva Merchant 4.0 and security certificates...why don't IE customers see the darned lock? [more inside]
posted by miss tea at 11:14 AM PST - 5 comments
posted by miss tea at 11:14 AM PST - 5 comments
Finding European deodorant?
My SO picked up a few sticks of Axe roll-on deodorant while in Europe this summer. I figured they'd make good stocking stuffers this Christmas, but can't seem to find a place that will ship to America. Any ideas?
posted by Hot Like Your 12V Wire at 11:11 AM PST - 20 comments
posted by Hot Like Your 12V Wire at 11:11 AM PST - 20 comments
Help me win a wager on podcasting.
PodcastFilter- My co-worker thinks that podcasting is just a fad and that a year from now this "craze" will have passed. I think she's wrong and have wagered her on it. What independent third party source can we use to measure how wrong she is? [more inside]
Passive Aggressive, or Not?
Please help me identify and address a specific negative workplace behavior. Is this person being passive aggressive? [more inside]
Job negotiations
I've got a job offer out of state, but I'm not quite ready to move the whole family. Does anyone have suggestions on how to negotiate a "commuting" setup? I'm in the southwest and the job is in the southeast.
Why the blazes won't this display correctly in Internet Explorer?
We use an internal survey tool which automatically generates and collates web-based surveys. It wasn't written by me. I'm having a problem with one particular page; have a look at the following: [more inside]
posted by blag at 10:47 AM PST - 14 comments
posted by blag at 10:47 AM PST - 14 comments
Blog Setup Advice
I am starting a blog. (I'm a little late to the 21st century.) What resources, blogs, and tutorials should I study up on before launching? I'm using WordPress but I'm looking less for technical info on the software and more for general tips and guidelines I can study. Personal suggestions are also welcome. Thanks.
Where to find an .eps map of Manhattan?
Looking for an electronic map of Manhattan. [more inside]
breathe in, breathe out
So, one five hour surgery later, I can finally breathe properly out of my nose after 25 years of growing up, exercising, and playing sports taking breath mostly through my mouth. I want to learn to use this new function properly. [more inside]
Deliberate typos in phishing scams?
Why do phishing scam e-mails always seem to have at least one very obvious typo? [more inside]
posted by PinkStainlessTail at 9:43 AM PST - 20 comments
posted by PinkStainlessTail at 9:43 AM PST - 20 comments
Advice on building a raid 5 server.
I have 6 Western Digital PATA 250GB Hard Drives and I'd like to build a Raid 5 Server. Has anyone done anything similar and have any advice they would like to impart on what components worked (or didn't work) for them?
Looking for an LA based lawyer and accountant
Can anybody provide a referral to a lawyer and/or an accountant with experience advising small businesses (internet based) in the start-up phase?
I'm located in Los Angeles in the South Bay area. [more inside]
Can I turn a buttercream bar of Skinny Dip back into a shower gel?
Lush has discontinued their shower gel line of Skinny Dip and my wife is irreconcilable. Help me bring a smile back to her face. [more inside]
Inspirational Quotes
I need some inspriational quotes. [more inside]
Kid's Table Cut-Up
Kidjokefilter: Help me make my nine year old cousins laugh. [more inside]
How to fall out of love
I have no problems falling in love - it's falling out I need some help with. [more inside]
Finding a Decathlon Initech Geologic bow
Does anyone know where to buy Decathlon's Initech Geologic bow? It's an archery bow designed for beginners by a French company. It won an ID Magazine design award (scroll to the middle of the page), and yet I can't find it anywhere and especially not on the web.
posted by symbebekos at 8:59 AM PST - 4 comments
posted by symbebekos at 8:59 AM PST - 4 comments
Fitted Utility Trailer Cover
Where can I find a fitted utility trailer cover like this.
$129 seems pretty rich for what you're getting, but I can't find any competing offerings out there. Google has been only frustrating on this hunt.
what the fuc>|?
Busted Ibook screen?
Twelve-Inch Ibook screen demonically possessed... [more inside]
posted by TeamBilly at 8:45 AM PST - 13 comments
posted by TeamBilly at 8:45 AM PST - 13 comments
What to take to Iraq?
What should I get for my son to take to Iraq [more inside]
Dual-Citizenship Planning for Future Children
My fiancee (soon to be wife) and I are planning on getting pregnant in 2006. Because we are smart people we have discussed the possibility of having the child born in a foreign country (we are both American) which would give him or her the advantage of dual-citizenship. [more inside]
Can I wirelessly connect my iBook to my (rather restrictive) work intranet?
How can I become a rogue employee? I want to set up an unauthorized hotspot in my office, that "circumvents" the IT policy, by wirelessly linking my iBook to the all-PC network. [more inside]
early dating: more than one iron in the fire
What is with the seams in my ceiling?
I need some advice about house structure/frame problems. I don't know if it is foundation or what. But we are having issues with seams in our ceiling and walls. I have no Bob Villa in me at all. [more inside]
posted by dios at 8:31 AM PST - 10 comments
posted by dios at 8:31 AM PST - 10 comments
How do I heat my home uniformly?
Homeheatingfilter: How do I heat the first floor of my house without sweltering upstairs? [more inside]
Someone activate the migs-signal!
Chance to be assigned to flag duty in Lisbon, Portugal... [more inside]
posted by tetsuo at 8:03 AM PST - 12 comments
posted by tetsuo at 8:03 AM PST - 12 comments
Moving services from DC to Colorado?
Help me choose moving services for my DC small condo to Colorado? [more inside]
Non-standard sized artwork frames
I need to buy several frames for non-standard sized artwork (30x26, 10x12). I would like to get them online. Where should I go? [more inside]
posted by blackkar at 8:00 AM PST - 10 comments
posted by blackkar at 8:00 AM PST - 10 comments
What synth is used in Dracula's Wedding (Outkast)?
Name-That-Synth-Filter: Help me identify the monophonic synthesizer used on "Dracula's Wedding", from the Outkast album The Love Below. Samples inside... [more inside]
posted by sluggo at 7:57 AM PST - 9 comments
posted by sluggo at 7:57 AM PST - 9 comments
penguin-human relations
Is there a Jane Goodall of penguins? [more inside]
posted by leapingsheep at 7:47 AM PST - 13 comments
posted by leapingsheep at 7:47 AM PST - 13 comments
Emigrate to the US or Canada
Im english and live in England. This county is f***ed i would like to emigrate to the US or Canada, can i? How can i do it?
I have a good job working in TV so its not like im a bum or something.
Idioms poster
Please help me find a print depicting idioms and slang. [more inside]
Can this USB be saved?
Is my USB hub evil? [more inside]
Magellan GPS Installation
Question about Magellan RoadMate 300-- [more inside]
Neither a brain surgeon nor particularly ham-fisted, should I dissassemble my iBook?
The internal hard drive on my G3/600Mhz iBook is not long for this earth. I'm looking for advice from MeFis who have replaced the drive themselves; specifically, if faced with the task again would you say "Hell no!" or rather "Wow, that wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it would be"? [more inside]
posted by blueberry at 12:05 AM PST - 17 comments
posted by blueberry at 12:05 AM PST - 17 comments
Hack the Man
Can one hack a settings file or something to overcome the five (or ten) user limit on networking under WinXP Home (or Professional?) Am I violating the DMCA by asking?
posted by mwhybark at 12:05 AM PST - 7 comments
posted by mwhybark at 12:05 AM PST - 7 comments
December 12
Flying before GPS
How did airplane pilots figure out their speed in relation to the ground, when over water, before GPS? [more inside]
Projecting big without distance
Lense-filter: I made a few DIY projectors out of overhead projectors and 14" LCD monitors. These works great, and now I want to make it project a large image onto a screen only 1 metre away. I've got a few questions and am looking for any advice [diagram inside] [more inside]
posted by holloway at 11:53 PM PST - 15 comments
posted by holloway at 11:53 PM PST - 15 comments
How to meet other Stay at Home Dads in Salem, OR?
My family (consisting of myself, my wife, and my 10-month old daughter) recently moved to Salem, OR. For financial and parenting reasons, my wife works and I am a stay-at-home-dad (SAHD). I need more adult contact during the day! We've recently been attending parent/infant swimming classes at the local YMCA, but I'd really like to meet other SAHDs in the Salem area. I've searched online, but haven't come up with much. Any suggestions?
Winter driving, cross-country
I'm driving from San Francisco to Toronto right before Christmas. I-80 is the most direct route. How are the winter driving conditions? Would I be better off with a more southern route? [more inside]
Word Notebook View Default Formatting
How can I change the default formatting for Notebook View in Word 2004 (for Mac, of course)? [more inside]
Getting it up since the divorce
Since my separation and divorce from my wife of five years, I've had a really hard time maintaining an erection during sex with other women. [more inside]
know this song?
Does anyone know the song featured in this Jack Daniel's commercial?
What book should I turn into a movie?
I'm a professional screenwriter. I have $5000 to option a book to adapt into a movie. That means it can't be a past or present best-seller, or have been previously adapted for stage, TV or screen. It should have a strong narrative, preferably in a clearly defined genre (eg thriller, love story, crime story, horror, coming-of-age) but NOT science fiction. It should also NOT be a classic which everyone will complain I've ruined. What books (or short stories) meeting this description have you read that you thought would have made a great movie?
Why is my apartment so cold?
Brownstone filter: Why is my apartment so cold? [more inside]
Transferring email addresses & archives
First time poster here... I am changing employment and I have some huge archives on my GroupWise email. How do I optimally transfer the archives [and address book!] to another GroupWise system? (Our Novell guys tell me I can't)
How do I transfer the address book and archives to a NON-GroupWise system? (For complicated reasons, Outlook is probably not available on either end.) I'd hate to lose all that history -and all those addresses!
Thanks in advance!
Why do people steal shit?
Credit card number and address was stolen. $2200 of camera/DVD equipment was bought. Stranger: it's been shipped to my address. Tomorrow. What would you do? [more inside]
posted by symphonik at 9:14 PM PST - 42 comments
posted by symphonik at 9:14 PM PST - 42 comments
Please help me give money away!
I have the opportunity to select the recipient for a very large charitable donation. GuideStar's products helped me find a list of eligible candidates, but it's still too long to meet with every possibility.
How do I narrow the field without wasting an enormous amount of time and energy? The amount of money involved makes choosing randomly seem irresponsible.
posted by I Love Tacos at 8:49 PM PST - 15 comments
posted by I Love Tacos at 8:49 PM PST - 15 comments
Making Firewire devices work with WinXP
Firewire and Windows XP: I bought an external Firewire Drive on Ebay. When I plug it into a PC, it's not recognized, and the driver search does not go well. Similarly, if I start up my Powerbook G4 as a Firewire device, and hook it to my PC, Windows is again puzzled. What can I do to help Win XP succesfully work with these devices? Or should I send back the drive and pick my Firewire devices more carefully? [more inside]
How can I make fruit-infused grappa?
Do hotels still have house detectives?
Do hotels still have house detectives? You always hear about them in old movies and radio shows; do they still exist? If they do, what are their responsibilities?
How can I send music over my network?
I have thousands of songs on my laptop. Unfortunately, my laptop's speakers are terrible. My desktop, however, has a great set of speakers. I want to listen to music from my laptop on my desktop speakers, and I want to control the audio from my laptop. The desktop and laptop can connect to each other over my network. Is there anything out there that will let me do this easily and at no cost?
How much does your GPA really matter after college?
How much does your GPA really matter after college if you don't plan on doing a stint in grad school right away? [more inside]
posted by tozturk at 6:33 PM PST - 21 comments
posted by tozturk at 6:33 PM PST - 21 comments
How to get creative work after a self-imposed exile?
RoyalTenenbaumFilter: You're a precocious artsy wunderkind. You have a nervous breakdown and the years fly. How to claw your way back up? [more inside]
posted by mykescipark at 6:28 PM PST - 21 comments
posted by mykescipark at 6:28 PM PST - 21 comments
Where can I find a special kind of European chocolate bar?
ChocolateFilter: I'm trying to find a delicious kind of candy bar from Europe that they only produce during Christmastime. [more inside]
posted by TunnelArmr at 6:20 PM PST - 13 comments
posted by TunnelArmr at 6:20 PM PST - 13 comments
The big hand is pointing to I'm and the little hand is pointing to confused
emacs, LaTex, and graduate school
Emacs & LaTeX: Do I make the leap? [more inside]
SF Genre Benders
I'm looking for SF books that may not be classified as sci-fi, but instead as standard adult fiction "literature" at my local library. Examples would be Mary Doria Russell's "The Sparrow" or David Mitchell's "Cloud Atlas" [more inside]
Books about escape and survival?
Any suggestions for books based on the theme of escape and/or survival? I especially love books based on desert islands, in prisons or in some post-apocolyptic world. [more inside]
E-ink Librie functional chinese clones
E-ink devices, have you tried one ? How does it feel ? This guy was rather disappointed with Sony Librie. This chinese company apparently produces (and sell, where, who, how much ?) two functional clone without the DRM bull. That'd be a nice xmas present for geeks.
Suggestions for New Years in San Francisco?
We'll be in San Francisco for New Years. Any good suggestions about what might be interesting to do?
Tell Me Where To Vacate?
Christmas Vacation Rentals: I need an island. Or, maybe a peninsula. Or fine, just some peace and quiet. [more inside]
Where can I buy custom furniture in San Francisco?
I'm looking for someone in San Francisco who can custom-make a desk for me out of wood. [more inside]
Are higher car insurance rates for males under 25 discimination?
How is charging more for car insurance to males under 25 not discrimination? [more inside]
the key issue
Every year my parents visit, and they want to be able to come and go at will while I'm at work. So I have to give them my keys to the building and my apartment. This makes me nervous, because if they lose my keys, I'm screwed. The obvious solution is to get copies but... [more inside]
How do you automate podcast reception with a Dell Pocket DJ.
How do you automate podcast reception with a Dell Pocket DJ.
This is probably a bit too specific for askmefi, but I'm desperate enough to give it a shot. I'm trying to make a Dell Pocket DJ work like an ipod, where you plug in the player, run a program and the shows appear on the device. [more inside]
posted by Manjusri at 3:21 PM PST - 5 comments
posted by Manjusri at 3:21 PM PST - 5 comments
Is there a combined bluetooth/wifi miniPCI card?
Is there a combined bluetooth/802.11g miniPCI card that will work as a replacement for the Intel PRO 2100 in my Centrino laptop? It would need to support WPA as well, I suppose. Googling seems to show that such things exist, but I couldn't find any at Amazon or my normal online hardware shops. [more inside]
"We're headed for the Promised Land!" "Baltimore?"
CharmCityFilter: OK, so I'm going to be in Baltimore for New Year's Eve.
Now what? [more inside]
How do I "back that thing up?"
What's the best and easiest way to back-up the memory on my computer. [more inside]
Can I really change my local government? Maybe.
How does one go about having a city municipal code changed? My city council is the city’s legislative authority and sets the policies under which the city operates. I'm looking to convince our city government to change our beach curfew from 10:00pm to midnight.
I have never tried to petition the government for anything. So I have no idea where to begin. I'm looking for the basics here. How do I bring my case to the city council? What would the process be? What formalities/legalities are involved, etc? I will appreciate any insight into this.
I would also like any advice on how to research my case for the change. Any insight is great!
I look forward to your answers!
Microsoft Access with other data sources
Database filter: I have a Microsoft Access application that is split into two .mdb files for the interfaces and data. This app is distributed on a CD to be used on computers that have no internet access. When someone needs an updated dataset the backend .mdb is refreshed from a load of Oracle tables and sent on CD so that the user only needs to replace a single file. The front end links to the tables in the back end. [more inside]
Morning Sickness: Can it be all in your throat??
MorningSicknessFilter: I am eight weeks pregnant. I've been suffering through "morning" sickness for about two-three weeks (which lasts throughout the day, and is worst in the evening), but I'm noticing something increasingly strange.... [more inside]
Can I be a quasi-healthy drunk?
How much can I drink before cirrhosis sets in? [more inside]
How do I go about collecting a debt from a (so-called) friend of the family?
I really need AskMefi's collective wisdom on this one. How do I go about collecting a debt from a (so-called) friend of the family? [more inside]
HL2:Lost Coast most realistic game?
What navy rank's epaulet is three bars, with a circle that has an X inside?
I purchased a navy surplus coat, and it came with epaulets. I've been wearing them sometimes, and strangers jokingly call me "captain" on the street. I'd like to know what rank these epaulets truly are. [more inside]
Giving the gift of…?
What gift to put under a far-away-tree for a one-year-old boy? [more inside]
posted by t0astie at 1:15 PM PST - 14 comments
posted by t0astie at 1:15 PM PST - 14 comments
impossible puzzle?
I played this IQ test online a few days ago here: http://www.iqtest.dk/main.swf and didn't do too badly. However, the last question (no. 39) seems completely impossible. I worked out by elimination which answer must be the right one but I still can't figure out why it's right. Are there any genuises out there who can put me out of my misery please?
posted by leibniz at 12:57 PM PST - 43 comments
posted by leibniz at 12:57 PM PST - 43 comments
Help me be the cool Uncle!
I'm looking for an ACTUAL book-of-the-month club, for children younger than ten, which serves the UK.... [more inside]
posted by BigLankyBastard at 12:52 PM PST - 3 comments
posted by BigLankyBastard at 12:52 PM PST - 3 comments
concussion and c++
If I've suffered a mild concussion, will excessive use of reasoning and logic harm the regenerative process going on in my brain? [more inside]
Why do I get sick so often?
I've been sick a lot in the last two years. And not just cold sick, I've had pneumonia and bronchitis at least 4 times a year. It seems to be triggered by physical work. [more inside]
What's this song?
OK music geeks. I was having lunch the other day and this song came over the speakers. I knew that I'd heard it before, but I didn't know who sang it. Sorry about the lousy recording quality, but it was loud in Chipotle and the recorder on my phone is crappy. Anyway, if you can make it out and identify this song for me, that would be great... because it's stuck in my head!
Click here to listen.
posted by lunarboy at 12:39 PM PST - 21 comments
posted by lunarboy at 12:39 PM PST - 21 comments
Moving iPod Playlists without the music.
How do I get a Playlist off my iPod and into iTunes? I know how to get music on and off my iPod, but how can I transfer just the Playlist not the music files? [more inside]
posted by FreezBoy at 12:37 PM PST - 9 comments
posted by FreezBoy at 12:37 PM PST - 9 comments
How to combine internet connections?
Is there a way to combine two broadband internet connections? For the time being, I have two ISPs, one cable and the other DSL. They both have their own modems. If possible, I'd like to use both at once and double my throughput.
My cat the love whore
My cat uses vertical clawing and pitiful yowling to get attention when we're going to bed or waking up. How to make him stop? [more inside]
Incontinence Filter
Incontinence filter: My father, while more or less OK, has some health problems that have affected him mentally and physically. My Mom and I can deal with this, but what's difficult is that he's got some control issues with his bodily functions - it's very hard for him to travel, and sometimes even to go out to dinner. We need to find a solution. [more inside]
Best budget electric razor to buy?
What's the best kind of electric razor? The kind with three shaving circles or the kind that is long and wide? [more inside]
Friend: Do I report my boyfriend to HR?
For a friend: "My boyfriend and I work for the same company. After a couple of years, we are becoming very serious. I work in human resources. He works elsewhere in the building. As part of building our total trust in each other, he told me that he was once arrested for a non-violent, non-drug crime and jailed for a few days. Do I report him?" [more inside]
posted by Mo Nickels at 11:44 AM PST - 253 comments
posted by Mo Nickels at 11:44 AM PST - 253 comments
Looking for an on-line BA in Info Design
Back-to-schoolfilter: Is there a college that offers a BA in Information Design (or related degree) on-line? [more inside]
Free & Simple solution for uploading files via a web page?
My current project at work requires a form for users to upload their resume's to the client. I got the upload part working, now how can I let the client now each time something is uploaded via email or some other method? [more inside]
What does my sister-in-law want for Xmas?
I need a gift for someone who suffers from Celiac (can't eat wheat gluten). [more inside]
What can stay in a bottle for 23 years and still be good?
OldLiquorFilter: Help me find a decent bottle of something 23 years old and containing alcohol. [more inside]
posted by kalimac at 11:03 AM PST - 19 comments
posted by kalimac at 11:03 AM PST - 19 comments
exporting blogger to del.icio.us
Is it possible, without custom scripting, to take the contents of a blogger blog and import the links into del.icio.us and auto-tag them?
Sheep is a bookmarklet that has auto-tagging, but I'd rather not individually click through five years of posts on multiple blogs to do this. [more inside]
Ektelon Shoes in Canada?
Help me! I'm looking for a pair of Ektelon men's racquetball shoes, model name "NFS Game", model number 8E015, size 9. I need a retailer that is in Montreal (best), is in Canada (good) or will ship to a Canadian address (ok). [more inside]
Append to text file?
What's an easy way to append to a text file in Windows XP, like Quicksilver does in OS X? I know about the solution for ActiveWords, but I'd rather not shell out for what seems like basic functionality.
posted by monju_bosatsu at 10:39 AM PST - 11 comments
posted by monju_bosatsu at 10:39 AM PST - 11 comments
How to hire a day laborer?
Day laborers. You know, the guys hanging around Home Depot (or Chavez Street in San Francisco) waiting for work. What's the protocol for hiring them for a day? What's the going rate? There's got to be a lunch break, but they don't seem to be carring lunch. Besides being paid in cash, what else is expected? If your Spanish is muy malo like mine, what do I need to know? How do I choose? Does anyone here have any experience in hiring a day laborer?
posted by kk at 10:37 AM PST - 25 comments
posted by kk at 10:37 AM PST - 25 comments
What Brechtian playwright cast children in his plays?
I'm having trouble remembering a playwright I read about long ago. IIRC, this playwright is considered an heir to the Brechtian tradition, and he accordingly hated using professional actors with practiced mannerisms. In order to achieve verfremdungseffekt when directing, he would sometimes cast high schoolers with no previous acting expreience. I think it might be Edward Bond, but I'm not sure. Any ideas? I'm pretty sure that he's British.
What matters most when picking a place to live?
What matters most to you when selecting a place to live? [more inside]
Oral History tape recorder and microphone recommendations?
I need to buy a recorder and microphone(s) to record an oral history. [more inside]
posted by Coffeemate at 9:56 AM PST - 4 comments
posted by Coffeemate at 9:56 AM PST - 4 comments
Magazine reccomendations for a pre-teen girl.
Help me order a magazine subscription for a pre-teen girl. I know she reads and enjoys the "bubblegum" teen magazines her mother buys for her occasionally, but I think they're mindless crap. [more inside]
Catholics & Masturbation
There was a rumor going around back when I was a kid back in the 1950s than masturbation was a venial sin in Indiana and a mortal sin in Illinois (or visa versa.) Is/Was this true?
Calendar program with automatic reminders?
Is there a calendar program that will automatically remind me to do things on a certain date every month? Like, you know, pay my (ahem) credit card bills... [more inside]
posted by MrZero at 8:25 AM PST - 24 comments
posted by MrZero at 8:25 AM PST - 24 comments
Christ, am I really almost 30?
What the heck was this random thing Filter: In the early 80's there was a popular children's toy called the Fisher Price Magic Show. (Here's a picture.) The kit included a magician's wand with a silk flower that would pop out of one end... [more inside]
posted by peppermint22 at 8:09 AM PST - 22 comments
posted by peppermint22 at 8:09 AM PST - 22 comments
Interlingual game communication: when "nyeeet!!!" just isn't enough.
How do you communicate with non-english speakers when playing sports or gaming? [more inside]
posted by soma lkzx at 8:07 AM PST - 8 comments
posted by soma lkzx at 8:07 AM PST - 8 comments
What to gift?
What to buy a 16-y-o girl for X-mas? [more inside]
Access VB to Delphi switch
How difficult is it to switch from MS Access programming to Delphi? [more inside]
Retail/Consumer Price Index Comparison
My government produces a monthly breakdown of the RPI - I'd like to find other countries that provide the same level of information. [more inside]
Playstation 2 game for a 9-year-old
I want to give my 9 year old nephew a Playstation 2 game. Any suggestions? Preferably one he could play with his 13 year old sister.
posted by einarorn at 6:23 AM PST - 28 comments
posted by einarorn at 6:23 AM PST - 28 comments
Will our Protools backup scheme work?
A few questions about our Pro-Tools setup. [more inside]
Jazz cd for papa - help!
I suspect I've left this too late but I'm looking to buy a jazz cd for my father for Christmas. [more inside]
posted by ceri richard at 5:02 AM PST - 33 comments
posted by ceri richard at 5:02 AM PST - 33 comments
What are key events in the history of international mass media?
What are important dates and events in the development of international mass media? I have this list so far, but any MeFites that have an interest in this area, please contribute! I have a specific interest in the development of media in the developing world.
Xooma Multi-Level Marketing : Should my dad stay away?
Xooma Multi-Level Marketing : Should my dad stay away? [more inside]
posted by mikeanegus at 4:15 AM PST - 22 comments
posted by mikeanegus at 4:15 AM PST - 22 comments
Screen Break Enforcement Software
I need some software that advises me to take a screen break [more inside]
posted by ajbattrick at 3:58 AM PST - 10 comments
posted by ajbattrick at 3:58 AM PST - 10 comments
Lawyer v. Teacher
What to be? A teacher or a lawyer? [more inside]
Cheap trip Vancouver to Nova Scotia?
What's a cheap and reasonably quick way to get from Vancouver to Nova Scotia (and back)? Are there any? [more inside]
Jumpy footage in FCP5?
I'm trying to capture some footage into Final Cut Pro 5, and it ain't working. In the words of a certain fly/human, "Help meeeee!" [more inside]
posted by brundlefly at 12:14 AM PST - 3 comments
posted by brundlefly at 12:14 AM PST - 3 comments
do YOU have javascript disabled?
How many browsers really have javascript disabled? I want to implement a stats program on a client's site that uses javascript to collect stats, but don't want to exclude a big chunk of people [more inside]
posted by menace303 at 12:07 AM PST - 12 comments
posted by menace303 at 12:07 AM PST - 12 comments
December 11
subletting nightmare
My roommate and I are subletting an apartment. How can we steal the lease from the leaseholder? [more inside]
posted by randomstriker at 11:02 PM PST - 31 comments
posted by randomstriker at 11:02 PM PST - 31 comments
Finding a huge electronic list of personality traits?
I need to find a lengthy list of English-language personality traits. Allport and Odbert's 1936 list would be awesome, and a searchable text version (meaning, not a scanned book) would be even better. [more inside]
posted by electric_counterpoint at 10:56 PM PST - 6 comments
posted by electric_counterpoint at 10:56 PM PST - 6 comments
Removing Nalgene bottle graphics
I've received a lot of 32 oz. Nalgene brand bottles, 10 to be exact. I want to use them and decorate them as gifts. Before decorating, I want to remove the graphics from the bottles, how can I do it without scuffing the bottles too much and without compromising the bottles structure? [more inside]
Merchant and
No smoking?
I have a blender that I've used for several months with no real problems. I tried making cookies today and found a setting called "Mix" which I set it too and the blender started mixing the ingredients into cookie dough. However, a few minutes into it, smoke came out of the bottom and it smelt like burnt electronics, although everything seemed fine otherwise. My roommate swears he's had hand mixers smell like that. What's the deal? Are mixers supposed to smoke?
Cooties?
Please explain to me about hugging and social touching in human relationships. [more inside]
Indian food condiments: how to use
How do I use these Indian food condiments? [more inside]
posted by Brian James at 6:54 PM PST - 15 comments
posted by Brian James at 6:54 PM PST - 15 comments
I'm drowing in a sea of sea terms!
I started listening to Master and Commander by Patrick O'Brian and am seeking books and documentaries that will explain all of the naval terms and jargon. [more inside]
Looking for two video game art sites
There are two things on the internet that I would like to find again, both art pages related to old video games. [more inside]
posted by Lirp at 6:33 PM PST - 7 comments
posted by Lirp at 6:33 PM PST - 7 comments
Help, My Dad Married a Magician!
How can my step-mom tell if a standard issue Bicylce playing card is a face card or not by looking at only the back of the card? [more inside]
What is the easiest way, on OS X, to automatically crop folders of digital photos to a square?
What is the easiest way, on OS X, to automatically crop folders of digital photos to a square? [more inside]
posted by joshgray at 5:42 PM PST - 12 comments
posted by joshgray at 5:42 PM PST - 12 comments
Like Metafilter...only different.
I want to find other sites like Metafilter that focus solely on creativity rather than political issues or current affairs. [more inside]
Is one below freezing night enough to kill an iPod? How to bring it back?
I think I froze my iPod to death. Is there anything I can do to revive it? [more inside]
posted by mathowie at 4:50 PM PST - 12 comments
posted by mathowie at 4:50 PM PST - 12 comments
How to Clean a Cloudy Sink?
Calling *NIX shell wizards.
Calling *NIX shell wizards. [more inside]
hebrew
Where can i find an Automated Online Hebrew to English Translator ?
How do I make these labels?
How can I make this? I want to make small - 1" x 3" or so - labels that are rigid, weatherproof, and can be made one at a time. Needs to be low-tech, low investment, but decent looking. For instance, is there a simple way to etch / transfer computer-generated text on to a piece of metal or plastic? If I can't do this on my own, who can do it for me cheaply?
Advice from arsonists needed
My brother wants to take a photograph of a flower burning from fairly close up. But so far he's having problems finding the right household product to make it burn "right" [more inside]
Making a mixCD from iTunes
Mefiswap filter: I'm putting the finishing touches on my Mefiswap cd (Hey swapset gray!) and I've got a couple of general questions: [more inside]
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 3:23 PM PST - 15 comments
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 3:23 PM PST - 15 comments
Why tie newly planted palms upward?
Certain palm trees in the San Francisco area tend to have their palms tied upwards for a while after they're replanted in an urban setting (they're full grown already). I think this has to do with encouraging the roots to grow downward rather than sideways (and disturbing the concrete around them) by not allowing the palms to drip water in a wider circle around the base of the tree but I can't find any information to corroborate this theory. Can anyone with tree-fu help me out with a link or two?
posted by authenticgeek at 3:03 PM PST - 3 comments
posted by authenticgeek at 3:03 PM PST - 3 comments
Where can I find funding for Peace Corps projects?
Where can Peace Corps volunteers go to find funding for projects that they want to carrying out? Volunteers aren't given very many resources to locate funding to initiate projects. Where can a volunteer go to find organizations or funding sources?
Try Alpha Danielson?
I really like the Danielson Famile. Any suggestions of other artists that would appeal to me? [more inside]
Accelerate the exercise high
I want to maximize endorphins and minimize injury [more inside]
Who was O. Dorsey, beyond inventor of the door knob?
Does anyone have any information on O. Dorsey, inventor of the door knob (and doorstop)? [more inside]
Best Sci-Fi anthology?
Is it possible to split up and rebind a very large book?
Is it possible to split up and rebind a very large book into three or four smaller books? (Yes, I know this was asked a year and a half ago, but my question is a little different.) [more inside]
posted by Ian A.T. at 11:42 AM PST - 11 comments
posted by Ian A.T. at 11:42 AM PST - 11 comments
What's that Buckaroo poem?
CowboyPoetryFilter: identify a poem whose
every verse ended in the word buckaroo. [more inside]
Roland MKB-1000 manual
I have been looking for an online version of the user manual for the Roland MKB-1000 MIDI controller without any luck. Does any Mefite by any chance have a PDF or whatnot of said manual laying around?
posted by fondle at 11:03 AM PST - 4 comments
posted by fondle at 11:03 AM PST - 4 comments
UK urban energy conservation case study?
In a recent interview on Sky TV, a Greenpeace campaigner cited a UK town (or district) effectively unplugging itself from the national grid power distribution system, using local power generation, and reducing its power consumption by 75% (if I recall). Do you know where he was talking about?
posted by nthdegx at 9:39 AM PST - 5 comments
posted by nthdegx at 9:39 AM PST - 5 comments
Superglue Issues
What is the best way to get superglue off of a countertop? [more inside]
tanant changes his locks
What resources do I have or what can I do when one of my tenants changes the locks on me on their unit?
posted by sandrapbrady at 8:10 AM PST - 18 comments
posted by sandrapbrady at 8:10 AM PST - 18 comments
Advice for buying new dinnerware / flatware?
Buying my first set of Flatware / Dinnerware (and chopsticks). Advice? Recommendations? [more inside]
Given P outcomes, how many different P's are chosen when N choices are made?
Basic statistics: given P possible outcomes, how many different P's are chosen on average when N choices are made? [more inside]
posted by DaShiv at 2:06 AM PST - 23 comments
posted by DaShiv at 2:06 AM PST - 23 comments
(why) are these French caricatures funny?
Third Republic French caricature: I'm trying to figure out four lithographs by André Gill. [more inside]
posted by obliquicity at 1:47 AM PST - 11 comments
posted by obliquicity at 1:47 AM PST - 11 comments
Tiny Elvis
Help me find a video of any of the the Nicholas Cage SNL skits where he plays "Tiny Elvis". I've done the quick Google and Yahoo video searches and only came up with the transcript.
thanks in advance
"Hey, man.. look at that salt shaker, man. That is huge!"
posted by jimmereeno at 1:04 AM PST - 12 comments
posted by jimmereeno at 1:04 AM PST - 12 comments
December 10
Recommend music that combines jazz with baroque classical.
In Nina Simone's "Love Me or Leave Me" she plays a piano solo that incorporates a bit baroque* classical piano. Makes sense, since she was trained as a classical pianist, and the effect is wonderful. Please recommend some other songs or artists that use this kind of jazz/baroque combo.
* Disclaimer: I'm not a classical music expert, so I may have the terminology wrong. I welcome your corrections.
posted by Typographica at 11:08 PM PST - 24 comments
posted by Typographica at 11:08 PM PST - 24 comments
unexplained pressure differential
My old apartment had extremely leaky single-pane windows, so in the winter my roommate and I would always cover them with tightly sealed heat-shrink plastic film. Why would the plastic nearly always be bulging inward? [more inside]
posted by Galvatron at 10:48 PM PST - 18 comments
posted by Galvatron at 10:48 PM PST - 18 comments
How can I make a fluorescent light less bright and more like home?
I live in an apartment overseas in China. If any of you have been over here you know how asthetically unpleasing apartments here are: no carpet, dirty white walls, wood furniture with no padding. I'm adjusting to most things fine, but the lighting in my rooms is driving my crazy. Each room is equipped with a long (a little over a meter) white fluorescent bulb. Obviously, I can just not use it at all and just use lamps and such, but I'd rather not buy a bunch of lamps since I'll live here for less than a year. What suggestions do ya'll have for making the lighting nicer on the eyes and more "homey" feeling? [more inside]
posted by riverjack at 10:42 PM PST - 32 comments
posted by riverjack at 10:42 PM PST - 32 comments
seriously frivolous but nagging question
In a picture of me in first grade, I have loosely-curly red hair and freckles. Now, in my twenties, I have dark brown, medium-curly hair and a mostly-clear complexion. I can grow quite the fierce afro if I want to (and I have), but my hair laid down and flowed when I was a kid. I don't remember when the change happened (it was probably gradual, I guess), but I do remember that I had brown hair already when I was 12. Is this common? Or am I a freak? Is there a scientific explanation? My mom was a fair freckled redhead with and my dad had black tight-curly (nappy) hair and a dark (but not black) complexion. My hair is still really soft, just a different, darker color and with somewhat tighter curls. Has your hair changed as dramatically as mine since childhood?
Do car clickers have batteries?
Do car remote entry clickers have batteries, or are they passively activated by a field generated by the car? [more inside]
How can I clean a dirty pasta maker?
What is the best way to go about cleaning a very dirty pasta maker? [more inside]
What the Hell is a "Bullet Carafe"?
A friend of mine insists that he's seen what he refers to as a "bullet carafe." Evidently it's a glass carafe with a bullet embedded in the side within a raised circle of glass. Nobody seems to believe him, though a few people have asserted that they think such a thing might possibly exist. [more inside]
Pagan Christmas tree ornaments?
Ahh, Christmas time. MeFites are a bunch of blasphemous heathens, so I'm hoping you can suggest some interesting pagan Christmas ornaments. Also interested in cool pagan wall hangings. [more inside]
Can I use my iMac integrated monitor as a MacMini monitor?
Can I use my G4 iMac (the one that has a round base and a swivelly flat monitor) as a monitor/second hard drive for a new mac mini? [more inside]
posted by AgentRocket at 7:00 PM PST - 10 comments
posted by AgentRocket at 7:00 PM PST - 10 comments
Looking for PS2 games...
Trying to think of the name of a PS2 game, and looking for another in Australia... [more inside]
posted by tomble at 6:33 PM PST - 8 comments
posted by tomble at 6:33 PM PST - 8 comments
How to respond to negative self comments about weight?
How do you respond when you're with people and they complain about their weight? [more inside]
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 5:50 PM PST - 72 comments
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 5:50 PM PST - 72 comments
Looking for a site where animals looked like people
A website featuring animal portraits in a human style... [more inside]
posted by fire&wings at 5:33 PM PST - 5 comments
posted by fire&wings at 5:33 PM PST - 5 comments
microwave rotation switch?
Why does the turntable inside most microwave ovens switch its direction of rotation when interrupted?
Burma Shaved Cat?
My partner and I are looking into a Burmese cat and were wondering a few things: [more inside]
posted by Rothko at 5:10 PM PST - 8 comments
posted by Rothko at 5:10 PM PST - 8 comments
ligatures on windows
automatic ligatures on windows? i guess indesign does it, but i'm hoping you know of an openoffice plugin or another solution about the same price as openoffice.
Internetaholic needs help remembering TV show schedules.
This thread inspired my question: does anyone know of a tivo-like app that can alert me when my favorite shows come on? [more inside]
Should I use RSS or avoid it for my concert listing?
RSSFilter: I run a website that promotes independent music [link inside] and has become the authoritative source for concert listings and a variety of other info in my local area... How do I best utilize RSS for our shows list without negating the need to come to my site? Or should I not bother? [more inside]
Wet versus dry sanding
What is the general rule as to when should I use wet sanding versus dry sanding?
posted by bobbeene at 1:44 PM PST - 3 comments
posted by bobbeene at 1:44 PM PST - 3 comments
Where can I buy a doorbell featuring the cruise ship dinner chime?
Can someone buy a doorbell that plays those "chimes" that we hear as the dinner announcement on cruise ships? [more inside]
Poker gifts for a pair of jokers...
Gifts for poker players. $25-$50 limit, and 1 week to go. [more details on the flop] [more inside]
posted by i love cheese at 12:46 PM PST - 18 comments
posted by i love cheese at 12:46 PM PST - 18 comments
Two player games.
Two player games. [more inside]
cellfilter
I'd like to get a friend of mine a new Cellphone for Christmas, since the one she has no longer works properly. Is it possible to buy her a phone such that she could just swap her old phone out with the new one, keeping the same account?
She has some sort of contract-free account with Cingular under the AT&T wireless brand (more on that inside), and I don't think that her phone uses a SIM card. [more inside]
posted by delmoi at 11:35 AM PST - 18 comments
posted by delmoi at 11:35 AM PST - 18 comments
After Market Firewire Burning on a Mac
Will an IDE DVD Burner "just work" with an iMac G5, if put in an external drive enclosure, and plugged in via Firewire or USB 2.0? [more inside]
Help me win her over with music
Im just starting out in a relationship with a really great girl. Problem is, when we met she was also starting a relationship with another guy. Now shes torn between us. Help me win her over musically. [more inside]
Toughing out a hated job for 2 months...
HatedJobFilter: How do you deal with toughing out a job you hate for a couple of months? [more inside]
How do you live a computer-independent computing lifestyle?
As a computer geek, I've wasted a lot of time contemplating how to build a system that would let me access, preserve, and share my information without being dependent on any particular computer. What are your thoughts? [more inside]
posted by shivohum at 10:31 AM PST - 21 comments
posted by shivohum at 10:31 AM PST - 21 comments
phpBB or SMF
Austin Restaurant for a Date
I'm looking for a good restaurant to take a date to in Austin. Suggestions?
Google not adding my sites
How can I stop biting my nails?
How can someone who's been biting their nails for 20 years stop?
Is this online poker offer legit or not?
A friend of mine told me about a site that will give you $50.00 on PartyPoker.com just for registering for a certain online poker forum. (mi) This is not advertising, I swear. [more inside]
A simple DVD authoring program?
Does anyone know of a program that will take a DVD-compatible MPEG2 file, and generate a very simple DVD VIDEO_TS folder - ie, no menu, just the file in a format that a DVD player can recognize [more inside]
Stop smoking with lasers or acupuncture?
Any of you stopped smoking (or not) after acupuncture or laser therapy? [more inside]
posted by nj_subgenius at 5:27 AM PST - 16 comments
posted by nj_subgenius at 5:27 AM PST - 16 comments
Website that shows TV listings, done by volunteers wiki-style. Legal?
I have an idea for a website that will show tv listings, but editable by anyone wiki-style. Would such reproduction of TV listings be legal? [more inside]
I should have taken the new car.
Car Question. My speedometer just broke. How worried should I be? [more inside]
posted by oddman at 1:30 AM PST - 23 comments
posted by oddman at 1:30 AM PST - 23 comments
Did I fry my Palm Tungsten E?
Did I fry my Palm Tungsten E? I'm currently residing in Nepal, and when I arrived and the battery ran down, I plugged it in without thinking and without using a voltage converter. Is it toast or is perhaps the battery dead? I know that the batteries in Tungsten Es often go quickly. I have a chance to send it back to the US with a friend to get it repaired or the battery replaced, and I want to know if this is worth the time and money. It's not under warranty.
December 9
Why is Columbus not CLB?
Why is the Columbus Blue Jackets hockey team often abbreviated as "CBJ"? [more inside]
Help me find this Figaro DVD
I'm looking for a DVD version of the Marriage of Figaro as performed by the Metropolitan Opera circa 1998/9. [more inside]
posted by mule at 10:03 PM PST - 2 comments
posted by mule at 10:03 PM PST - 2 comments
Convenient Windows mp3 splitter
Desperately Wanted: a Windows mp3 file splitter designed for usability, not mere functionality. I'm looking for particular features: [more inside]
posted by Moistener at 7:31 PM PST - 7 comments
posted by Moistener at 7:31 PM PST - 7 comments
Why can't men keep their hands to themselves?
My ex wants me to come over and find out where we're at in our relationship. We were in a long distance relationship that ended a few months ago when I was intimate with another man (no sex, just so you know, but enough to make it cheating). When I told him, we swore we still loved eachother, but decided break up so we could have a chance to grow, and start again when we lived in the same city (likely spring '06).
Since then I've found clarity, come to terms with the nearly unbearable guilt and done my best to change the part of me that went wrong. Come to find out he's been busy....very busy...with many women where he lives. I made a mistake, I know that....so it confounds me that he says he loves me but turns around and does all that stuff with all those girls?
I'm very in love with this man, and I want to believe in him so badly, but I can't understand how he can hold such a double standard. Is it just too much to ask of a 24 year old, to actually live the lifestyle he expects of his partner? Is it a Man thing, that you have to get action?
And, in light of all this, can I believe that he loves me or am I playing the fool.
How to buy poker chips.
I want to buy my friend a set of poker chips for Christmas. What should I look for? [more inside]
posted by BigVACub at 6:58 PM PST - 12 comments
posted by BigVACub at 6:58 PM PST - 12 comments
hearing voices in my head. . .
Does anyone know of any existing studies, articles, etc. about parents who kill (or even attempt to kill) their children because God told them to? I'm curious about how common this phenomenon is. [more inside]
Population Map?
Where can I find a world or US map where the size of each country/state reflects its population? [more inside]
posted by hermitosis at 6:39 PM PST - 5 comments
posted by hermitosis at 6:39 PM PST - 5 comments
Snopesiquitte
Miss Mefi Manners: What's the proper way to respond to a relative who has sent you a hoax email? [more inside]
posted by Saucy Intruder at 6:08 PM PST - 27 comments
posted by Saucy Intruder at 6:08 PM PST - 27 comments
Modem+Router=No internet?
Techsupportdesperation: Long time listener, first time caller, axmefolk. So, I had the internet. And then I got a router. And now I have no internet, and I'm all out of clues... [more inside]
Info on self-contained composting toilets
Recommendations for composting toilets, please. [more inside]
Our landlord wrote a curse on a Post-it and stuck it to our doorframe. What now?
Apparently, our landlord has put some sort of a hex or curse on us. What would your response to this be, if any?
stock portfolio code
Does anyone know where i can find code that will display my stock portfolio on my personal website? [more inside]
How do I prolong the life of my electric toothbrush's battery?
My electric toothbrushes keep dying... [more inside]
Extracting XML schema documentation into lovely documentation
Help me figure out how to extract an XML schema in a .dtd file into lovely XML documentation. [more inside]
Zoooooooommmm.... not so much.
Hey! Know a good subaru repair shop in Palo Alto? What about the Mission side of SF? [more inside]
Help me identify this "G," g.
Identify this font from one sketched character; challenge of the year! [more inside]
posted by Optimus Chyme at 11:30 AM PST - 37 comments
posted by Optimus Chyme at 11:30 AM PST - 37 comments
Griffin iFM reviews?
A few months back I read about the upcoming release of an FM receiver for iPods - the iFM by Griffin. Soon after that, I read that it was cancelled before even being released. I just received a MacMall catalog in the mail yesterday, and lo and behold - an iFM receiver was listed for sale. I haven't been able to find any reviews of this online. Anyone here have experience with these? [more inside]
Help me keep warm this winter
Our (rented) house seems to have been built without insulation. Tips on keeping the house as warm as possible this winter? [more inside]
Last minute house move - your advice here!
How to move house in two weeks or less! [more inside]
posted by Space Kitty at 11:01 AM PST - 28 comments
posted by Space Kitty at 11:01 AM PST - 28 comments
How can I preserve and share my grandmother's final writings?
Help me preserve and share my grandmother's final writings. [more inside]
Free ear training CD images
I want to do ear-training while driving to and from work. Several $20+ books come with CD's but I am just positive there is a free CD image somewhere I can make my own with. Anyone? [more inside]
posted by jester69 at 10:56 AM PST - 10 comments
posted by jester69 at 10:56 AM PST - 10 comments
Ye Olde Holiday Work Party.
Ye Olde Holiday Work Party. [more inside]
What to do with darkroom equipment?
Have darkroom equipment (black and white enlarger etc.) - need suggestions where to donate, sell or dump. I'm in Jersey City beside Manhattan. [more inside]
Help me choose a new Verizon phone
I need a new mobile phone on the Verizon network. What do you recommend? [more inside]
DMV help in New York?
New York DMV Filter:
A friend (really) let her car insurance lapse twice in the last three years, the second time you allow the insurance to lapse you must hand in your plates for a set amount of time (in her case a month)... [more inside]
SQL Query Question
SQL_Filter: I have two tables. They both share a common ID field, but one of the tables as multiple rows of that ID (it's a history table that contains revisions). I want only 1 row to be returned when I join the tables... [more inside]
Walking Wounded
MedicalFilter: Don't worry, this isn't about real life. I'm writing a novel in which a character receives a long knife gash (but not too deep) along the side of one calf. What I need to know is, how long would she need to keep weight off of it? The story assumes she'll spend some time on crutches, but I want to keep that time to a minimum before I move her to a cane. I'm flexible about which leg... if it's her right leg, would she be able to drive a car; if her left leg, would she be able to drive a standard transmission?
How creepy is polyamory?
Non-swingers and non-polyamorous people: Do swingers and polyamorous people creep you out? [more inside]
Should I get my Pomeranian a friend?
Six months ago I got a pomeranian puppy, and I absolutely love her. Should I get a second puppy to share the love? [more inside]
posted by ackeber at 8:35 AM PST - 15 comments
posted by ackeber at 8:35 AM PST - 15 comments
How do I get my webpage to work for everybody?
How far do I have to go to make my website accessible? [more inside]
Best Beatles Bio
What is the "best" Beatles biography in publication? Definition of "best" inside. [more inside]
posted by spicynuts at 7:49 AM PST - 22 comments
posted by spicynuts at 7:49 AM PST - 22 comments
pdf printing
.pdf printing: How can one print only a selection of pages a pdf document without printing the entire document?
What is this song with whistling?
I was in Mexico City and went to Lipstick, a cute loungy gay bar and they played this song that I cannot for the life of me find. It had a female singer, and was a kinda dance/pop/gay song, thought dont remember if it was in english or not, but the chorus was this catchy whistling tune that everyone in the bar knew as they imitated the whistling in a funny/cute/innocent way. Anyone know what Im talking about?
posted by _zed_ at 7:05 AM PST - 6 comments
posted by _zed_ at 7:05 AM PST - 6 comments
Data Overload, How Do I Manage?
How can I manage my databases that are exploding in size? Can I run SQL Server on my laptop? [more inside]
Bow Wow Wow Yippie Yo Yippie Yea
GettingaDogFilter: How much time does it take for an adopted dog need to bond with its owner? I am in a long distance relationship and generally leave town once a month to visit the SO, should I hold off on getting a dog until that situation is rectified and I am not travelling nearly as much? [more inside]
domain
What's the most reliable place to register a new domain? Register.com seems expensive, but on the up and up.
Yeah, yeah...what to buy for the guy who has eveything?!?
Anyone have any suggestions for Christmas gifts for a really, really hard to buy for guy? [more inside]
Passing on the ephemeral.
Who owns my mp3s when I die?
Blue Swatch Bisoux Ring? Help me Make a Christmas Miracle.
Looking for a Blue Swatch Bisoux "Love Explosion" Ring - Help me make a Christmas miracle. [more inside]
Successful career in sales possible?
Introvert. Fear of public speaking. Marketing degree. Successful career in sales possible? [more inside]
How to find a painting
December 8
how do i make my blog invisible?
how do I make my blog be invisible to search engines? [more inside]
Wait up, bash!
UnixFilter: How can I force a shell or other execution environment to wait for a process to finish, instead of allowing normal behavior for apps which like to fork / go into the background? [more inside]
posted by cyrusdogstar at 11:01 PM PST - 15 comments
posted by cyrusdogstar at 11:01 PM PST - 15 comments
Druglord for other platforms?
Druglord the pc game....
has anybody written it for any other platforms? can i get it for the palm os or mac os x? have tried googling to no avail, though have seen mention of a longwinded method of getting it running for os x. anyone interested in porting to other platforms?!!
posted by spyke23 at 10:59 PM PST - 8 comments
posted by spyke23 at 10:59 PM PST - 8 comments
Help me, Obi-Wan Kenobi
There are several inches of snow on the ground. My keys are locked inside my 1998 Chrysler Cirrus. The engine is running. No help will arrive for three hours. Any suggestions? [more inside]
How do I give donations in others' names without them getting junk mail?
If I want to make donations in peoples' names without them being subjected to an onslaught of requests for more $ from the organizations I choose, where do I turn? [more inside]
Help me help my sister
Beside myself filter: My 22 year old sister is close to hitting rock bottom, and she is heading there fast. [more inside]
How do I tell iTunes to search my Library for something?
AppleScript: How do I tell iTunes to search my Library for something? [more inside]
posted by nickerbocker at 10:06 PM PST - 8 comments
posted by nickerbocker at 10:06 PM PST - 8 comments
How can I do "track changes" stuff without using Microsoft Word?
How can I do "track changes" stuff without using Microsoft Word? [more inside]
Getting the (dog) hair out?
Anyone have tips on effective and efficient dog hair control? [more inside]
InDesign and Word workflow?
InDesign workflow? Help me, print designers! I'm using InDesign for the first time and need to collaborate with several clients making edits to this one big text file while I work on the design.... [more inside]
posted by eileen at 6:36 PM PST - 8 comments
posted by eileen at 6:36 PM PST - 8 comments
Name my baby daughter after a superhero...
SuperheroNameFilter: Name a baby girl after a comic book superhero... [more inside]
I'm helpless!
I've got a bunch of spyware/adware. It got on to my computer all in one go, though I'm not sure how, and now I can't completely get rid of it. Worse, I don't even know exactly what it is. [more inside]
SONGFILTER: Need to ID song only using notes of melody
SONGFILTER: need people who can read musical notes to help me find the name of this opera-esque song! [more inside]
posted by beammeup4 at 5:45 PM PST - 6 comments
posted by beammeup4 at 5:45 PM PST - 6 comments
C is for Cookie, and H is for Help me make my cookies not suck.
What is wrong with my chocolate chip cookies? I make the recipe off the back of the chocolate chip bag, or from different cookbooks... it doesn't matter. Every time, they spread out too much and get too thin. It isn't pretty. They taste sort of OK, but what might I be missing?
posted by voidcontext at 5:25 PM PST - 41 comments
posted by voidcontext at 5:25 PM PST - 41 comments
You secretly hate me, don't you?
How do I get over my shame at not staying in touch? [more inside]
What to do near Karlsruhe
I'm headed to Karlsbad Germany next week, which is near Karlsruhe. I'll be there for a week on business, and am anticipating having most of the weekend free. Any suggestions as to what to do? [more inside]
What are these bumps on the inside of my lips?
I have lots of little bumps of varying sizes on the inside of my lips. Maybe "lips" isn't the 100% correct term -- but they're scattered throughout the area between my lips (where lipstick goes) and my gums. Both top and bottom of my mouth. What are they? The larger ones appear whitish (they aren't raised bumps -- they're under my pink mouth flesh). Is it cancer? How long do I have, Doc? [more inside]
What film is this picture from?
Does anyone know the name of the film that this picture is from? [more inside]
posted by adoran2 at 3:53 PM PST - 11 comments
posted by adoran2 at 3:53 PM PST - 11 comments
Hacking Amazon searches
Amazon-fu. How do I get Amazon, a) to show e.g. 100 hits per page; b) show just author/title and not the other crap? [more inside]
posted by TheRaven at 3:27 PM PST - 9 comments
posted by TheRaven at 3:27 PM PST - 9 comments
Name this weird social phenomenon
name this weird social phenomenon. google proof. can involve chewing gum. [more inside]
Set number of copies in Firefox 1.5 Print Dialog once and for all?
Firefox 1.5: I want to set the number of copies in the Firefox 1.5 Print Dialog box once and for all for all the diffrent printing jobs I need. I was able to do this in 1.0x, can I get 1.5 to function in the same way? [more inside]
Seeking violin and piano duets
Seeking violin and piano duets, preferably old recordings. [more inside]
posted by nylon at 1:30 PM PST - 6 comments
posted by nylon at 1:30 PM PST - 6 comments
How can I Big Brother a user's computer?
I'm a sysadmin, and I've been asked to check the browsing habits of a particular employee. We don't use a proxy, but all traffic is routed through a PIX firewall. What's the best way/software to do this? [more inside]
Slot cars for a 5 year old.
While on a factfinding mission to a toy store, my 5 year old son had to be dragged away from the demo slot cars. Does anybody have any recommendations on purchasing a track for a young child? I don't want him (or me) to be frustrated with constantly having to put the car back on the track.
SuspensionFilter: Can a strut jam?
Can a strut fail such that it doesn't move? My 96 Grand Prix has a rear wheel of which the suspension is a bit squashed in and stuck. It looks as though there is a bit of weight in the trunk, but of course there isn't. It won't compress when I push on the fender, nor will it extend when I jack up the car. Has anyone heard of this before? Can I do anything other than have new struts put in?
posted by kc0dxh at 12:30 PM PST - 7 comments
posted by kc0dxh at 12:30 PM PST - 7 comments
How to display URL when printing a .PDF?
How do I display an online .PDF's URL when printing it? [more inside]
Flash names site - forgotten!
Anyone remember a great interactive "naming" site, run in flash I think, where you could see how popular or not a name was over a period of time (even by country I think)? I have searched, I promise - but I just can't find it!
Itunes podcasting DTD?
What happened to www.itunes.com and the podcasting XML DTD that used to be hosted there? [more inside]
Rapid transit
I need to get from Boston, MA, to Denver, CO, as fast as possible. How do I do that? [more inside]
Moving a music studio.
Cheaply moving instruments, a PA, and an Amplifier from DC to PA. [more inside]
Fighting WordPress spam
Best spam-fighting solutions for WordPress? [more inside]
posted by Robot Johnny at 11:35 AM PST - 17 comments
posted by Robot Johnny at 11:35 AM PST - 17 comments
Homeward Bound III: The Incredible Journey (Of Cheapskates)
I saved a puppy from certain death. Now I need help getting home for the holidays. Is it possible and cost-effective to travel from Baltimore, MD to Kalamazoo, MI using only public transportation? [more inside]
TN Visa vs Green Card conflict?
Will applying for a new TN Visa (I-94) cause any problems with if currently filing for a green card? [more inside]
How do I tell people I quit my job and don't have another lined up?
So. I quit my job. What do I tell people? [more inside]
salon recommendation for waxing
does anyone have a specific salon recommendation in the washmetro area for a bikini (brazilian) wax. i know we've covered the topic generally a couple of times, but i'm looking for specific salon recommendations in DC or on the MD side. places to avoid would be useful as well. thanks!
We've got company
Not even kidding: What are some good ways to avoid being tailed after a downtown meeting with people I don't want to follow me home and find out where I live? Anyone know of good tips for shaking pursuers, either from the movies or real life?
Finding Gay People to Date
I'm an still-in-the-closet (but perhaps soon to be out) gay man in his early 20s. What are the best ways to meet good-hearted, intelligent, and personable gay men in Boston (or generally), people who are interested in relationships and not just quick hookups?
Cartoon speech balloons
Is there a good way to do cartoon speech balloons? I sometimes toss together cheap cartoons in an old version of Paintshop Pro. What's the best way of doing this, aside from hacking up something with an ellipse tool? Are there usable clip art samples out there I can import & paste? I'm sure there's a Photoshop plugin for this kind of thing, but I don't have Photoshop.
Stream music within a website?
I'm interested in posting a stream of music on my site, say a one-hour loop, much like David Byrne does at http://www.davidbyrne.com/radio/index.php ... question, are there legal issues (given that i won't repeat an artist within the loop)? Also, what's the best way to implement, especially if I want to play the music in the Web browser while people are using the site... i.e. is there a PHP solution, or are the examples of sites that do this in the Web browser? Just interested in any and all resources around this.
I need help finding a new IM client, please.
I need help finding a new IM client, please. [more inside]
Where do you find your volunteer opportunities?
Where do you find your volunteer opportunities? [more inside]
Help me develop my career "plan b"
I’ve been chronically underemployed since I graduated from college. At the moment I am at home with my infant son, which will be my primary employment probably for the next 2-3 years. I want to start preparing now to improve my career potential down the line. Right now I’m pursuing creative ambitions, but they aren’t necessarily practical and it seems sensible to keep an eye on the pragmatic. [more inside]
I got the job! Now, what?
So, I was just offered a job. It's a 12 month contract that will be going perm in the next year. So, first order of business is to find health insurance. Help me find the best option for me. [more inside]
What's with the little road cuts?
Roadconstructionfilter: Why do I see so many highway crews replacing only a 10' by 2' section? [more inside]
posted by notsnot at 9:38 AM PST - 13 comments
posted by notsnot at 9:38 AM PST - 13 comments
Why would journalists embrace/eschew blogging?
Professional journalists having blogs associated with their names - Cost/benefit analysis. [more inside]
Challenge based spam filtering
Can anyone recommend a challenge-based spam filtering system with good usability? mailblocks.com recently shut down. [more inside]
External Hard Drive Data Loss!
I am turning to the Meta community for help since I am at a loss on how to answer this question. A good friend of mine has suddenly lost a lot of data from an external drive that he keeps on all the time. He has a Western Digital 320GB drive that stores mostly live recording of the DMB. The drive reads as 298GB total size and 78GB free space, but the only folder on the external is showing that there is only 123GB of data being stored (therefore ~98GB of data is missing). He has searched the drive for the folders but they are not showing up.
Any idea of what could have happened to his files? Also, would it be safe to shut down the external (since its always on) and see if that fixes the problem?
DataFilter: Where can I get old weather forecasts?
I need around 10 years or so of daily temperature forecasts for a few representative US cities.
Cancer benefit
So we're throwing a large benefit for a friend diagnosed with Squamous Cell Cancer and could use some suggestions on how to keep it interesting [more inside]
How to improve and practice my english conversation skills using skype
I'd like to improve my english (french is my mother language). [more inside]
posted by vincentm at 8:44 AM PST - 27 comments
posted by vincentm at 8:44 AM PST - 27 comments
One day around London
WhatToDoInThisTownFilter : single day in London, this very saturday. What to do ? [more inside]
posted by XiBe at 8:34 AM PST - 12 comments
posted by XiBe at 8:34 AM PST - 12 comments
Three perfect December Days in London
London at the holidays...so much to do, so little time... [more inside]
posted by jeanmari at 8:19 AM PST - 20 comments
posted by jeanmari at 8:19 AM PST - 20 comments
Conflict of Interest
Need help drafting Conflict of Interest guidelines for a community radio station. Media folks, law folks, journalistas, can you help? [more inside]
posted by Miko at 7:50 AM PST - 3 comments
posted by Miko at 7:50 AM PST - 3 comments
How do DVD manufacturers convince DVD player manufacturers to cripple their product by include region restrictions?
How do DVD manufacturers convince DVD player manufacturers to cripple their product by include region restrictions? And why isn't the high cost of region-free DVD players considered a form of price-fixing? [more inside]
posted by tweebiscuit at 7:49 AM PST - 18 comments
posted by tweebiscuit at 7:49 AM PST - 18 comments
Name for Wood Box?
Anyone know the term for a book-like box about a particular wood made from that wood? [more inside]
posted by provocateur at 7:47 AM PST - 2 comments
posted by provocateur at 7:47 AM PST - 2 comments
Can I tell iSight to not autofocus?
Is there anyway to set an Apple iSight's focus to infinity rather than the default autofocus? [more inside]
posted by terrapin at 7:27 AM PST - 9 comments
posted by terrapin at 7:27 AM PST - 9 comments
Beyond Supermario
What are your favorite original Nintendo NES games? [more inside]
FTP upload problems
Problems uploading via FTP in Windows XP (SP2). [more inside]
Restricting Site Access
Is there a way I can automatically restrict/deny access to my website from certain regions/locations (states/parts of states), possibly by redirection? [more inside]
Good PC gaming websites?
Recommend me good PC gaming websites. [more inside]
posted by uncle harold at 5:02 AM PST - 14 comments
posted by uncle harold at 5:02 AM PST - 14 comments
Bush Highlight Video Riff?
Reggie Bush highlight tape riff? [more inside]
No, it doesn't have to be Guinness Flavoured
Where is a cheap supplement store in Dublin? [more inside]
posted by antifuse at 2:55 AM PST - 6 comments
posted by antifuse at 2:55 AM PST - 6 comments
UK -> US money transfer
Transfering money from the UK to the USA: When? [more inside]
posted by normy at 2:29 AM PST - 15 comments
posted by normy at 2:29 AM PST - 15 comments
Rubber Chickens?
What's the story with rubber chickens? Why are they funny? Where do they come from? What are their origins in comedy?
What are/where can I buy good, inexpensive darts?
What's a good set of darts for the recreational player, and where can I buy them (reasonably) cheap? [more inside]
December 7
Who popped the weasel around 1980?
1980-ish Top 40 version of "Pop Goes the Weasel" -- who was it by? [more inside]
posted by Aknaton at 10:37 PM PST - 12 comments
posted by Aknaton at 10:37 PM PST - 12 comments
Scanner for library research?
I want to be able to scan pages from books whilst I am researching in the library, so I am looking for a flatbed scanner that is thin, lightweight, USB/Firewire powered, good with OCR software and reasonably fast.
Any recommendations or is this too much too ask?
posted by xoe26 at 9:49 PM PST - 12 comments
posted by xoe26 at 9:49 PM PST - 12 comments
christmas gift
How and where to buy a jewelry for my girlfriend? [more inside]
posted by curiousleo at 8:59 PM PST - 43 comments
posted by curiousleo at 8:59 PM PST - 43 comments
Amazon Duplicates?
Does anyone else get multiple items shipped by Amazon? Its happened twice now in only ten orders. Two shipments with duplicate books, CD's DVD's.
Odd. What?
Looking for Arizona desert photographer
Looking for a photographer specializing in desert photos in Arizona. [more inside]
secret sportster shoes?
Do such shoes exist? I'm planning a new look, and I'd love any tips on where to find black mens shoes that, unlike running shoes or sneakers, look vaguely like (informal) dress shoes, but are in fact kickass running/climbing/jumping shoes in disguise. [more inside]
posted by -harlequin- at 8:37 PM PST - 20 comments
posted by -harlequin- at 8:37 PM PST - 20 comments
Dell Dimension to Quiet PC
Transplanting Dell Dimension 8200 to new case. Need new motherboard. I'm lost in options! [more inside]
posted by figment at 8:37 PM PST - 10 comments
posted by figment at 8:37 PM PST - 10 comments
What's going on with his brain?
I find the Bush Jaw Thing incredibly creepy. What the hell is behind it, and has he always done it? [more inside]
I want to know what I've been listening to a lot recently.
iTunes Smart Playlists: how do I see what I've been listening to a lot recently? [more inside]
Weave me a dream. Weave, damn you!
Dreamweaver 8 (on OS X 10.3.9) seems to have forgotten how to authenticate via SFTP, and at the worst possible time. Help! [more inside]
posted by Acetylene at 8:07 PM PST - 12 comments
posted by Acetylene at 8:07 PM PST - 12 comments
Big compressed file with a small drive.
I have a large .rar file--just over 3 gigs--that I want to unpack to a drive on my computer. The source drive and the destination drive both have plenty of room, at least 15 gigs each, but my C drive has just under 3 gigs.
When I try to unpack, say from drive E to drive D, the C drive becomes full(!), and I have to cancel. I can't really free up any space on my C drive, so how can I unpack this thing? Is there any way that I can "bypass" the unpacked files being routed through the C drive?
10-4 AC/DC dB GHz WTF?
We're thinking of buying my dad a Ham Radio for Christmas. I know nothing about them and don't know where to even start. Help! [more inside]
What is going on with David Lynch?
Account Aggregators
My bank (Wells Fargo) is discontinuing its account aggregation service. I'm looking for recommendations for a replacement. [more inside]
posted by nathan_teske at 7:06 PM PST - 4 comments
posted by nathan_teske at 7:06 PM PST - 4 comments
Rescue my anniversary!
Last minute anniversary plans in San Francisco. Help! [more inside]
posted by JackarypQQ at 6:34 PM PST - 10 comments
posted by JackarypQQ at 6:34 PM PST - 10 comments
How can I help a child who isn't mine?
How can I help a child who isn’t mine? [more inside]
posted by justonegirl at 6:17 PM PST - 42 comments
posted by justonegirl at 6:17 PM PST - 42 comments
Starting Tai-Chi or Yoga in Los Angeles
I want to learn Tai-Chi or Yoga in Los Angeles. Where's a good place to do that? (For those outside of L.A., what are good things to look for when finding a place to start Yoga or Tai Chi? How often should one go when starting out? What else should I know?) [more inside]
Lex Luther vs. the San Andreas fault-line
In the original 1978 Superman movie Lex Luther plans to split apart the San Andreas fault-line using Nuclear armaments - the resulting explosion destined to send the entire Californian coastline and its inhabitants to murky ocean depths.How much explosive force would be needed to cause any such kind of earthquake? And, using the San Andreas fault as a model, could Lex Luther's diabolic plan have any degree of success? [more inside]
What is dating and how does it work?
New truck, old truck, big truck, small car?
We need a new (used) vehicle, but can't decide what we're seeking...I'd like to hear some more opinions from disinterested parties. [more inside]
posted by Kickstart70 at 5:06 PM PST - 15 comments
posted by Kickstart70 at 5:06 PM PST - 15 comments
Looking for Cape May, NJ artist name
Attn Jersey Shore beach bums -- can't remember the name of an artist in Cape May, NJ in the Washington Mall area. His "paintings" are specially processed digital photos. I can't remember the name of the process or the artist. Anyone happen to know?
uses for an air compressor?
I had to buy an air compressor to blow out some outside plumbing for the winter. What are some other fun/useful things I can do with it? Already know about: airbrush painting, snowmaking, inflating tires. Others?
posted by stupidsexyFlanders at 4:51 PM PST - 18 comments
posted by stupidsexyFlanders at 4:51 PM PST - 18 comments
Honda Odyssey van speed sensor cost?
What's a reasonable price to pay to replace a speed sensor in a 1995 Honda Odyssey van?
and it begins...
DevFilter: For those of you who have started large-scale software development projects, what worked during the initial design & framework stages? Did UML->C++ work for the class framework? Was UML remotely worth it (my first instinct is no, but I've never done a project this big before). Other ideas? Things you'd do differently next time?
FTA systems
Free to Air: I am seeking straight forward info on an FTA system... [more inside]
"They have a large barge"?
Godspeed You! Black Emperor - East Hastings: "They have a large barge with a radio antenna tower on it, that they would charge up and discharge."
Where's this from (if anywhere)? I've looked around several places that weren't here including Google and no one could answer.
will you be my girlfriend? [ ] yes [ ] no [ ] maybe
How did you make the transition from "just dating" to boyfriend/girlfriend? [more inside]
posted by skjønn at 3:44 PM PST - 33 comments
posted by skjønn at 3:44 PM PST - 33 comments
Can you help me find a song title to some lyrics?
What song are these lyrics from: "I like it when it rains" and "Sideways on my window pane"? Unfortunately that's all I've got. Anyone have any ideas? I, thinking I had some amazing internet skills told my girlfriend I could figure it out to no avail. So now I leave my dignity to you, fellow Ask Mefiers. Please, save my geek cred.
posted by nbrier at 3:18 PM PST - 27 comments
posted by nbrier at 3:18 PM PST - 27 comments
Looking for iPhoto plugin help.
Where can I find an iPhoto plugin developer? I'd like to modify an existing open-source plugin, but I'm not a Mac developer, and calls for help have gone unanswered. [more inside]
Home Based Business
I was looking online into some home based businesses. You know those things you read about..."make millions just packing envelopes?" Well, this one is not quite that. Ever heard of www.assuranceplus.net? They just called me and basically said that I could try them out and if I don't make the amount of money that I spent getting my business started, than I would get a full refund. Is this legit? If so, why doesn't everyone do this? Anyone ever made money doing this?
How can I move a map saved on Google Earth (.kml file) to a website using the Google Maps API?
How can I export a map from Google Earth to a website using the Google Maps API? [more inside]
How can I tell if my Octapad works
Anyone know how to use an Octapad?I have recently aquired a (used) Roland Octapad II, an old MIDI drum trigger set that looks like this, via eBay. I want to test it to see if it works, but I (presently) have no synth/drum machine or anything else with a MIDI IN to test it with. (more inside) [more inside]
Can I plug my dryer into this outlet?
Can I plug my dryer into this outlet meant for an electric range? [images inside] [more inside]
posted by FearTormento at 2:40 PM PST - 23 comments
posted by FearTormento at 2:40 PM PST - 23 comments
Excel bells & whistles
Microsoft Excel. Is it possible to insert some "alarm" function that will notify me if I insert duplicate text in later cells? [more inside]
posted by Amizu at 2:28 PM PST - 4 comments
posted by Amizu at 2:28 PM PST - 4 comments
virginia is for lovers
I'm looking for a historic home (or school/library/what-have-you) wedding venue in Virginia. So far my google-fu has led me to the Museum of the Shenandoah Valley. Can anyone relate experiences with this venue or suggest others? [more inside]
Manni olive oil in NYC?
Xmas filter: I read about Manni olive oil in a Gothamist post--it's a super-fancy olive oil used by Thomas Keller et al. I'd love to get some for my mom for xmas, but the only way I've found to buy it is through the official site, where you have to buy an entire case (for like hundreds of dollars.) I know there has to be somewhere I can get this stuff by the bottle. Any ideas? I'm in NYC. Google skills are weak but I've checked Dean and Deluca, Whole Foods, and Zabars. Thanks!
How can I fill my mp3 player via complex rules?
What's the easiest way to fill my new 1GB DAP (works like a USB flash drive when plugged into the Windows PC) with 30% songs I love, 40% songs I've most-recently added to my library, and 30% randomly-selected songs? [more inside]
Getting a lease with an unpleasant background
MetaFilter landlords: Please help me aquire a lease... [more inside]
why can't I peel an egg?
I've lost my ability to peel a hardboiled egg. Are the eggs different, or is my technique? I used to be able to take the shell and the icky membrane off in one fell swoop, but now things have changed, and I seem to mangle every egg I touch. If I eat any more bits of eggshell, I may calcify. Any hints from people who really like their egg salad?
How to make things?
I've been inspired by Make Magazine and Readymade magazine, unfortunately, I don't have all the how-to knowledge I'd like... [more inside]
i like coffee, i like tea, i like the java jive and it likes me
What are some really nice varieties of coffee beans, and where can I find them in Vancouver? [more inside]
Advice -- seeking new food processor.
HTML + CSS = job?
I am not a programmer or a designer. However, I am strong with (x)html and css and I have the ability to convert photoshop mockups into clean, standards compliant web pages. Is this a job? Do people out there do this for a living? What are they called? [more inside]
A New Font For Law Letters?
Help me chose a font for my legal correspondences: I love Optima, but it's hard to read in multiline paragraphs, and is a tad too modern. Isn't there something more distinctive than Times Roman? Bonus points in the font is already on my Powerbook.
Where do you like to navigate?
What are some sites with nav bars that you like? I need some inspiration.
posted by Mayor Curley at 12:26 PM PST - 5 comments
posted by Mayor Curley at 12:26 PM PST - 5 comments
How much to spend on office holiday gifts
How much should I spend/what should I buy for support staff/secretaries at work for the holidays? [more inside]
Making a poster from a Corbis image
There seems to be no shortage of posters of the 1980 Olympic "Miracle on Ice" hockey team. However, I can't find a poster size, un-autographed version of the podium photograph. Corbis has it. What are my options? More research inside. [more inside]
Help me pick a suitable wiki
What recommendations do you have for an intranet wiki?
I need:
- page-level access controls
- a simple calendar of events (birthdays, travel dates, etc)
- written in PHP
I love MediaWiki, but there is no concept of private pages (there is a plugin script that supports it, but I want something in the core to ease upgrades).
I've also checked out Wackowiki which looks good, but doesn't seem to have any calendar integration.
Any suggestions?
My kingdom for a sturdy dishwasher
My husband is ready to pitch our two month old Whirlpool Gold 3200 dishwasher. We need advice on what to expect from a replacement. [more inside]
Does "I have a high tolerance for pain" actually mean the opposite?
When you say you have a high tolerance for pain, don't you really mean to say "I love to complain about how much I hurt"? Or: is this really a case of the more you say it the less you mean it? [more inside]
posted by quacky at 11:51 AM PST - 40 comments
posted by quacky at 11:51 AM PST - 40 comments
Encrypting a USB thumbdrive for OS X and Windows?
I'd like to password protect the contents of a USB thumbdrive that will be accessed from an OS X and Windows platform. [more inside]
Teach me how to fish .. FOR CARS
Mechanics: I've got a 1964 chevy bel air which is my daily driver that needs some work. I'd like to do it myself, but I'm sorta a car newbie. What online communities and resources will be useful to me? Do you have any specific anecdotes, tips and tricks for working on old cars? [more inside]
posted by fishfucker at 11:30 AM PST - 25 comments
posted by fishfucker at 11:30 AM PST - 25 comments
Applying for a job I'm currently doing.
How do I apply for a job I'm already doing? [more inside]
posted by raedyn at 11:23 AM PST - 3 comments
posted by raedyn at 11:23 AM PST - 3 comments
Working with a client in Switzerland?
Thinking about doing business overseas. Caveats? [more inside]
Help me restore my old bible.
I have an old (200+ years?) Bible that I want to get restored, any suggestions? Pics and more info inside. [more inside]
posted by skrike at 10:29 AM PST - 8 comments
posted by skrike at 10:29 AM PST - 8 comments
Toothpaste quandary
What toothpaste is the best for the health of my teeth and gums? [more inside]
posted by riffola at 10:23 AM PST - 42 comments
posted by riffola at 10:23 AM PST - 42 comments
Lakka (Finnish cloudberry liqueur)
ISO Lakka (Finnish cloudberry liqueur). No one seems to import it into the U.S. Does anyone know a U.S. source or a European place that will ship to the U.S.?
Exporting outlook email as common format
How do I export outlook email to a common format that I can read anywhere including a MAC.
I want to be able to save all my outlook emails but not as a .pst because outlook is the only one that can later read that pst. Is there any tool or export I can use to get each message as a rich text file or some other standard format? The only way I see possible right now is to use the export function to create a tab separated windows or dos file. This sort of works but its messy and all the emails show up as one file.
I also thought about maybe exporting it to an access MDB where each record is an email and then creating a report to display them nicely but i dont think the field is large enough to store entire messages in some cases.
If anyone knows of cheap software that can do this or perhaps a neat hack please let me know.
Thanks!
posted by postergeist at 9:46 AM PST - 7 comments
posted by postergeist at 9:46 AM PST - 7 comments
Sexy but practical?
Mrs. Mitheral would like to get some sleepwear like this, or this, or even this or this for actually sleeping in. The problem is she's got shoulders like Gordie Howe so all those thin strap jobs either just slip right down and off or twist around choking her. She's convinced that if she could find something similiar but with more tank top style straps it would work out. I've wasted more time than I like to think about cruising the women's wear stores at the mall and on line with no luck. Anyone got a recommendation to an online retailer with a product of the style I'm looking for? [more inside]
posted by Mitheral at 9:45 AM PST - 14 comments
posted by Mitheral at 9:45 AM PST - 14 comments
How much to fix a cluth?
What is a reasonable price to pay to get the clutch replaced in a Jetta? [more inside]
Men didn't die face down in the mud in Vietnam so I can get a gutterball.
Donnie, I'm out of my element. Help me improve my bowling. [more inside]
Filling Out My Back-End
I'm a graphic designer for a non-profit who has been drafted into something of a web role. I'm comfortable with design, HTML, and CSS, but feel rather ill at ease with larger 'back-end' technologies. I would greatly appreciate any suggestions for what technology I should learn, and the best book (or other method) by which I could do so. [more inside]
Looking for French Train Announcement Sound Files.
I’m looking for sound files from trains and buses in specific cities of Europe. [more inside]
WiFi repeater or extender?
WiFi Repeater - how feasible is this? I am affiliated with a university that offers free wireless internet access. I live less than .2 miles from the nearest building which broadcasts this signal. I can't connect to this network from home, obviously, but I would like to. Is it possible to access such a network by putting an antenna on my roof? How about by placing a repeater in a friends house closer to the source? What are my options likely to be here? [more inside]
Whence "Bitsy Pookums"?
Remember the Calvin and Hobbes where Hobbes says he wants a girl he can call "Bitsy Pookums"? [more inside]
Where to get a quality LCD TV (15-20") for a good price?
My fiancee still lives at home with her TV-crazy parents. As a gift before our wedding, to thank them for letting me stay at their house literally hundreds of nights, I want to get them a nice 15-20" LCD TV for their kitchen to replcae their crummy 13" CRT. [more inside]
posted by seinfeld at 7:36 AM PST - 16 comments
posted by seinfeld at 7:36 AM PST - 16 comments
How do you make friends?
My girlfriend has had most of her friends move far away recently. I, on the other hand, have just moved away from most of my friends. How does one make new friends now that we're not in school any more? [more inside]
Should I get a cell phone signal repeater?
Is it worth it to get a cell phone signal repeater in my house? How much should I expect to spend? [more inside]
am i too stupid for her?
My girlfriend says our conversations suck. [more inside]
Online Wedding List?
Is there a online wedding list service where the gifts can be from anywhere (just a descriptive list, not for ordering)? [more inside]
posted by sdevans at 4:24 AM PST - 10 comments
posted by sdevans at 4:24 AM PST - 10 comments
Converting MOV to animated GIF
How can I convert a Quicktime MOV file to an animated GIF on Windows XP? [more inside]
posted by snowgoon at 2:43 AM PST - 3 comments
posted by snowgoon at 2:43 AM PST - 3 comments
What floor should I live on in an earthquake zone?
Disaster filter: So, I live in an earthquake zone and am looking for a new apartment. What floor should I live on? [more inside]
December 6
Songs about shame
What songs are about shame?
How to determine real from ruse member, on the outside?
How can the difference be determined between a genuine member vs. a fake member bent on deceptive overthrowing/subverting of a socio-political group's public perception (speaking from an outsider's POV, not belonging to either group)? [more inside]
"I envy people who drink -- at least they know what to blame everything on."
I don't drink, but for one night, I want to look like I do. [more inside]
X-rated photos posted by ex
X-rated pictures posted on the internet. Any recourse? [more inside]
What websites would you want to remember?
What websites would you write yourself a note to remember if your entire memory of the internet was about to be erased? [more inside]
Apple iMovie writing big file to regular 4-gig DVD
i have a 58-minute video in iMovie - just regular digital video import (30 FPS, 720x480 pixels) which for some reason takes up 12 gigs on my hard drive. I want to burn this to make a DVD out of this movie, but 12 gigs is way too big.
How do I burn this regular 58-minute video on a regular 4-gig DVD? there must be some way, since you can get 2 hours of Hollywood movie on a DVD... why not my 58 minutes of amateur video? (Why would it take up so much space, anyway?)
posted by mark7570 at 8:53 PM PST - 9 comments
posted by mark7570 at 8:53 PM PST - 9 comments
What to get for a samurai movie fan/middle school teacher?
What to get for a samurai movie fan/middle school teacher? [more inside]
posted by nakedcodemonkey at 8:39 PM PST - 25 comments
posted by nakedcodemonkey at 8:39 PM PST - 25 comments
When faced with a small pile of dog kibbles, how does my dog know which one I just threw?
My dog and I play a game every day, in which I spend ten minutes sliding kibbles of dog food across the floor while she chases them. Easily half of them go unnoticed by her because of bad timing on my part, or because she gets distracted mid-throw. Dozens of them end up all over the floor. She will only eat a just-thrown kibble. I can throw one that hurls past her, and she can turn around and touch her lips to each kibble, one at a time, until she finds, unfailingly, the one that I just threw. How does she know?
posted by waldo at 8:17 PM PST - 21 comments
posted by waldo at 8:17 PM PST - 21 comments
Can I use an iBook's power adaptor for my PowerBook?
I have a new 12 inch PowerBook with original power adaptor, my girlfriend has a 1 year old iBook with original power adaptor, I also have an old 15 inch 877 MHz "TiBook" PowerBook with an aftermarket power adaptor supposedly built just for that TiBook (at least I was told it would work with that TiBook.) Can we share power adaptors? Or should I only use my new power adaptor with my new PowerBook?
posted by pwb503 at 8:16 PM PST - 7 comments
posted by pwb503 at 8:16 PM PST - 7 comments
Gimime a simple international cellphone dammit!
Wanted: Phone for T-Mobile.
Must be GSM triband (for international roaming), have Bluetooth, long battery life, unlockable and * Simple Quick operation * [more inside]
posted by lalochezia at 8:11 PM PST - 16 comments
posted by lalochezia at 8:11 PM PST - 16 comments
Christian Hypnosis Secrets Revealed
I understand what right wing christians are upset about, but how do I get them to understand and not dismiss my beliefs?
Recommend date spots in Chicago?
I could use some first-hand recommendations for first-date meetup spots in Chicago. Looking for reasonable and interesting places for drinks, dinner, maybe some background entertainment, that foster conversation without shouting. Prefer classy & pleasant vs. trendy and cool. i.e. not looking for dance clubs or meat markets.
Fundraising for a university speaking engagment?
University fundraising for speakers - please help! [more inside]
Which cat should I get?
CatFilter: There are two cats I would like to adopt, but I only have room for one. I'm agonizing over which to choose. Help me decide! [more inside]
Where can I buy a nice XXL Tall black suede jacket in NYC?
Where can I buy a nice XXL Tall black suede jacket in NYC?
Please help me find this interview with former House Appropriations Chairman Jamie Whitten of Mississippi.
Please help me find this interview with former House Appropriations Chairman Jamie Whitten of Mississippi. [more inside]
posted by Mr. Justice at 6:11 PM PST - 3 comments
posted by Mr. Justice at 6:11 PM PST - 3 comments
Managing bibliographic references in OS X
Help me choose a bibliographic reference manager for OS X... [more inside]
posted by sanitycheck at 5:49 PM PST - 11 comments
posted by sanitycheck at 5:49 PM PST - 11 comments
'65 Mustang
Electric Guitar Filter: 1965 Fender Mustang. Suck or not? I've looked it up and as it is considered a "student" guitar it's not supposed to be worth much however; [more inside]
posted by snsranch at 5:48 PM PST - 5 comments
posted by snsranch at 5:48 PM PST - 5 comments
Making EndNote correctly cite a website?
Is there any way to get EndNote -- yes, yes, I know, a steaming pile of rancid bits of a software app -- to correctly cite a website? [more inside]
posted by docgonzo at 5:37 PM PST - 10 comments
posted by docgonzo at 5:37 PM PST - 10 comments
renewing employment contract
I am on a volunteer board that is renewing the executive director's contract. When renewing a contract (non profit organization) is it traditional to give a big bump in base pay, expand fringe benefits, etc. We are looking for advice. Is the raise close to what the annual raise is normally ie: 4-5% or different.
posted by lag at 5:06 PM PST - 5 comments
posted by lag at 5:06 PM PST - 5 comments
Meaning of "eloecea"?
Meaning of "eloecea"? [more inside]
Any reasonably priced boutique hotels in Singapore?
Travelling to Singapore at the end of the month. Does anyone know of any reasonably priced boutique hotels there? A nice place to be my base camp during my visit. [more inside]
Mood music: snowflakes and bonfires
Looking for seasonal music. We are not Christian, so we are looking for, in order of preference, Yule music, winter music (OK, I don't know exactly what I mean by that, but maybe you do), secular "Christmas" music. Got favorites you'd care to recommend? I'm mainly looking for CD titles, but would welcome song titles too.
Who Sells Multicolor Pen + Pencils?
I saw someone in one of my classes that has this neat 5-color pen + mechanical pencil. I thought that it might be a fun item to add to my online store, and wanted to find the manufacturer. I found one of the pens themselves online at an e-commerce site, but I can't find any information on them.
Can you help me find a manufacturer or distributor? [more inside]
Why can't the executives at my job spell?
I've just now received one of countless pieces of gibberish email from an executive at work. Why is it that the more money someone makes, the less able they are to write even a semi-coherent message? [more inside]
How do I stop a sleazy journalist from using my name?
Seven years ago, I had an extended affair with a celebrity, and it has recently come back to haunt me. [more inside]
Ergo sumbitch
I unwisely coasted through college, and here I sit, one year later, Communication degree and 2.8 GPA, grinding it out from menial job to menial job. I'm not here to make excuses, but rather to make up for past mistakes, as I finally discovered that inner drive that's pushing for me to pursue a career in Law. Other than acing the LSATs and getting some law firm internships under my belt, what other sorts of steps can I take to buffer my standing before applying to Law school?
sorry, we have detected you live in another licensing area
I'd like to understand more about how music licensing works (especially for online music downloads, which seems particularly maddening), how it relates to traditional pre-internet music licensing, and if there's any chance the system may change in the near future. [more inside]
posted by funambulist at 2:47 PM PST - 8 comments
posted by funambulist at 2:47 PM PST - 8 comments
How can our office assistant manage our Outlook calendars?
Both my wife and I use separate Microsoft Outlook installations to manage our calendars and to sync our calendars with our cell phones and pdas. Now, we need a way for an assistant to manage our calendars from another computer. [more inside]
posted by richardhay at 2:19 PM PST - 11 comments
posted by richardhay at 2:19 PM PST - 11 comments
Don't ask, don't tell, please
I believe my dad is gay (but still in the closet); I'm curious about how other families/children handle this situation. [more inside]
Mystery books for a 13-year-old.
Book suggestions for a 13-year-old. [more inside]
Automated Bluetooth file transfers
Is there anyway to automate Bluetooth file transfers on Windows SP2 using the Microsoft Bluetooth software? (This is a followup of sorts to a previous query of mine.) [more inside]
Noisy Knee
My right knee is making strange noises when I flex my leg. [more inside]
posted by srboisvert at 12:43 PM PST - 12 comments
posted by srboisvert at 12:43 PM PST - 12 comments
How to synch Apple's Mail folders without using IMAP or iSynch.
AppleMailFilter: I’d like to synchronize my (non-smart) mailbox folders in Apple’s Mail program to use on two computers without using IMAP folders or iSynch… [more inside]
posted by tulseluper at 12:31 PM PST - 7 comments
posted by tulseluper at 12:31 PM PST - 7 comments
"I can see my house!"
Looking for a fun strategy/war video game. [more inside]
posted by starman at 12:30 PM PST - 29 comments
posted by starman at 12:30 PM PST - 29 comments
selling artwork
Any suggestions on how to sell a framed serigraph by Eyvind Earle, that is worth a few thousand dollars?
What's the WWE introduction song called?
What is the WWE introduction song called? [more inside]
posted by arimathea at 11:39 AM PST - 3 comments
posted by arimathea at 11:39 AM PST - 3 comments
How can I coil up my iPod headphones cord so that it doesn't tangle?
How can I coil up my iPod headphones cord so that it doesn't tangle? [more inside]
posted by event at 11:32 AM PST - 19 comments
posted by event at 11:32 AM PST - 19 comments
Basic lighting kit for indoor photography?
Basic lighting kit for indoor (mostly portrait-in-setting) photography? [more inside]
How can I get my 20+ yr old Timex windable watch fixed?
I own a windable Timex watch given to me about twenty years ago. I have been using it for the past few years without problem, but now it doesn't seem to keep time very well. Timex HQ says that they won't fix it because of its age and parts likely being unavailable.
How can I get this watch tuned up/repaired? I'd like to keep it - great sentimental value plus my name engraved in the back.
posted by cadge at 11:25 AM PST - 8 comments
posted by cadge at 11:25 AM PST - 8 comments
Simple animation tool as an alternative to Flash
I used to make little movies in Flash. Nothing big, just fun little projects. I'd like to start making them again, and was wondering if there are any alternatives to Flash. [more inside]
posted by soplerfo at 11:20 AM PST - 6 comments
posted by soplerfo at 11:20 AM PST - 6 comments
forecast forecast
Is there a measure for the accuracy of weather predictions? Have predictions been increasing in accuracy recently? Over the last decades? Any notable major changes? Is a temperature prediction much more accurate than a precipitation % forecast? [more inside]
How to pick an HDTV antenna?
HDTV Antenna question: My folks are getting a new HDTV delivered in two weeks or so. Their local cable company doesn't offer all of the local networks in hi-def so my folks are thinking of getting an antenna in the attic to pull in the rest of the local hi-def signals. [more inside]
posted by gyc at 10:43 AM PST - 12 comments
posted by gyc at 10:43 AM PST - 12 comments
Need Netopia pcmcia utility
Can I get carbon from the air?
Theoretically, if I needed large amounts of carbon, could I extract it from the air? How could I do it?
posted by Mwongozi at 10:20 AM PST - 18 comments
posted by Mwongozi at 10:20 AM PST - 18 comments
Czech Airlines: good or bad?
Has anyone flown on Czech Airlines recently? I'm flying them from NYC to Prague in January and the most recent reviews I've seen of them are 2-3 years old.
posted by parttimesaint at 10:18 AM PST - 9 comments
posted by parttimesaint at 10:18 AM PST - 9 comments
Setting up a huge database
I'm about to set up a database (pet science project) that has about 200 million records consisting of about 50 mostly-numeric fields. Is mysql up to this task? If not, what is? And since many fields are null, how can it be optimized to consume the least possible disk space? I'm worried about bloat eating up my 100 GB drive.
savannah?
I'm going to Savannah, GA this weekend; so what should I see (and what should I avoid?)
Will magic and earnest hope fix my car?
Car trouble! It's freezing cold out this morning. The car won't start. The engine doesn't turn over or make any regular engine-y noises. (obviously I'm not the best with cars, so please use small words in your advice...) [more inside]
Help me become an Illinois P.I.
Any ideas on how to go about becoming a private detective in Illinois? Read on... [more inside]
Single-Parent woes
SingleParentFilter: I am a single dad with primary custody of my son. His mother has a live in boyfriend who she met and moved out for while we were still married. I am having trouble dealing with my feelings towards this man as I see him becoming a bigger part of my son's life. What are strategies I should know? [more inside]
posted by DragonBoy at 8:29 AM PST - 43 comments
posted by DragonBoy at 8:29 AM PST - 43 comments
What happened after you were gagged with that spoon?
What is the origin of the "I just threw up a little bit in my mouth" phrase? [more inside]
I have Digi 001 with ASIO sound drivers installed on WinXP, how can I control the volume?
For all ye audiophiles:
I have Digi 001 with ASIO sound drivers installed on WinXP, how can I control the volume? [more inside]
posted by Edible Energy at 8:18 AM PST - 3 comments
posted by Edible Energy at 8:18 AM PST - 3 comments
Can I use a flash mp3 player to transfer songs from one computer to another?
DummyFilter: Can I use a flash mp3 player to transfer songs from one computer to another? [more inside]
We will name our first child after you.
DatingFilter: I'd like to send a message to a guy on Friendster, but I can't decide what I'd like to say. [more inside]
Where to find a list of 'labeled generations'?
Where can I find an extensive list of 'labeled generations'? (i.e. 'X', 'Y', 'The Greatest', 'Baby Boomers', etc.) [more inside]
Medieval Christian iconography - why a ball?
What is the significance of Christ holding a ball/globe in Medieval Christian art? [more inside]
All Roofing Contractors Suck
I can't seem to find a roofer who is interested in working on my house, but there is water pouring through my kitchen ceiling! [more inside]
posted by anastasiav at 6:36 AM PST - 27 comments
posted by anastasiav at 6:36 AM PST - 27 comments
Can I recycle and have an uncluttered kitchen?
Does anyone know any good recycling storage options? [more inside]
posted by Alison at 6:12 AM PST - 11 comments
posted by Alison at 6:12 AM PST - 11 comments
Medicine vets prescribe to fight cat worms?
What is the name of the medicine or medicines that vets prescribe to fight the worm inside cats that looks like a small white grain of rice? [more inside]
posted by mediareport at 5:26 AM PST - 11 comments
posted by mediareport at 5:26 AM PST - 11 comments
How to develop a social software application?
How to develop a social software application? [more inside]
posted by germanguy at 3:43 AM PST - 7 comments
posted by germanguy at 3:43 AM PST - 7 comments
Quotes from the Bush administration.
I am looking for a website (not a specific one) that has a list of quotes from members of the Bush administration, with the quotes now obviously misleading, incorrect, and or lies.
This is the kind of thing I am looking for.
http://www.house.gov/schakowsky/iraqquotes_web.htm [more inside]
posted by JokingClown at 3:31 AM PST - 9 comments
posted by JokingClown at 3:31 AM PST - 9 comments
Toys Gone By.
I need to identify a toy from years gone by. It was made perhaps by Playskool. It had a white plastic base that extended upward into a handle. The bottom of the base itself had a half-sphere of transparent plastic at the bottom connected to two blue wheels. Within the half-sphere of transparent plastic were numerous plastic ping pong balls colored in primary colors. When this wheeled contraption moved, it resulted in much "pock pock pock" noise as the balls were rattled about by a popping plate at the bottom of the half-sphere. [more inside]
posted by TwelveTwo at 1:36 AM PST - 16 comments
posted by TwelveTwo at 1:36 AM PST - 16 comments
December 5
What do I do with all this plastic?
How to pronounce Powys?
How do you pronounce the Welsh "state" of Powys?
posted by jsteward at 11:01 PM PST - 46 comments
posted by jsteward at 11:01 PM PST - 46 comments
What's the best way to sell a shearling coat?
Advice on selling an expensive shearling coat? [more inside]
posted by larva at 10:16 PM PST - 2 comments
posted by larva at 10:16 PM PST - 2 comments
"I'll never turn to the Dark Side!"
I'm looking for movies where the hero finally has the opportunity to kill the villain, but chooses to "do the right thing" and to spare him instead. [more inside]
Best way to handle a paid-for hotel room that won't be used?
Nice hotel room in Manhattan, 12/7, one night, non-refundable reservation that cannot be changed or canceled - and my wife isn't going on her business trip (last-minute change of plans). Is there anything that can be done? Any way to use/donate/offer it for some money and/or a good purpose? [more inside]
Who is that hottie in the mirror?!
Do most gyms have mirrors that make you appear thinner? Are deceptive mirrors used in department store fitting rooms? How common is this practice?
Firefox (1.5, XP Pro) upload history?
Firefox (1.5, XP Pro) upload history? [more inside]
How do I make a doll to a somersault over a trapeze?
I am trying to buy or make a "trapeze artist", a stuffed animal or doll that does trapezes, like they have on the ceiling in stew Leonards. can anyone tell me how to make one or where to buy one? [more inside]
posted by Izzmeister at 6:53 PM PST - 6 comments
posted by Izzmeister at 6:53 PM PST - 6 comments
Music with silence
Looking for music with interesting or creative uses of silence. Please no John Cage.
posted by Joseph Gurl at 5:45 PM PST - 50 comments
posted by Joseph Gurl at 5:45 PM PST - 50 comments
Richard Leakey's wine
I'm looking for a wine produced by Richard Leakey. [more inside]
How do you trust websites when they edit their comments?
How can you trust websites that include a comments section but delete comments that disagree with the original poster? [more inside]
posted by SeizeTheDay at 5:34 PM PST - 22 comments
posted by SeizeTheDay at 5:34 PM PST - 22 comments
Interviewer tips?
I am particpating in a group interview tomorrow for someone who is potentially a new boss for me. Any ideas of good questions to ask? [more inside]
posted by TheLibrarian at 5:18 PM PST - 12 comments
posted by TheLibrarian at 5:18 PM PST - 12 comments
Pre-New Year's in Oslo?
Should I go to Oslo at the end of December? [more inside]
posted by Marquis at 5:18 PM PST - 7 comments
posted by Marquis at 5:18 PM PST - 7 comments
All about Electrostatic Cleaning (cloths)
Should I buy a bulk pack of Swiffer electrostatic cleaning cloths, the 3M version, or a washable electrostatic cloth? Or is there a DIY route to charge cloth or other materials? [more inside]
Feline Regularity
Help my cat get regular. [more inside]
help me find a portfolio for my designs
i need a portfolio for an upcoming interview. help me find one that is stylish and inexpensive [more inside]
posted by chuckforthought.com at 4:46 PM PST - 5 comments
posted by chuckforthought.com at 4:46 PM PST - 5 comments
Good resumes
Just how good does a resume have to be? Please post links to some of the resumes that have blown you away.
Cold weather womens shoes for sight-seeing
Calling fellow london mefites: suggestions on relatively inexpensive womens shoes or boots to withstand all day sightseeing in London`s December weather. Also bonus points on where to buy them (she will be staying in Kensington). [more inside]
Love Rhapsody. Hate territorial restrictions.
Rhapsody has launched for free on the web, and it's compatible with Macs. Great - except I'm based in the UK, and they're using IP blocking to prevent non-US residents from using the service. So what's the most efficient, most reliable, least painful way for my UK-based Mac to spoof Rhapsody into thinking I'm in the States? I don't mind paying a little.
What is the etymology of the phrase flaming liberal?
What is the etymology of the phrase flaming liberal? [more inside]
posted by sequential at 2:12 PM PST - 14 comments
posted by sequential at 2:12 PM PST - 14 comments
How do I prepare to speak on a conference panel?
I'm speaking on a panel at a tech conference tomorrow for the first time. I'm nervous. Any last-minute suggestions or advice for preparing for a 1.5 hour moderated discussion in front of a big crowd? [more inside]
posted by waxpancake at 2:05 PM PST - 19 comments
posted by waxpancake at 2:05 PM PST - 19 comments
Where should I live in Atlanta?!?
I'm moving to Atlanta in January... Where should I live??? [more inside]
Christmas tree alternatives?
Creative alternatives to a Christmas tree? [more inside]
the curse of immortality
I'm looking for the origination of the "immortality as a curse" archetype. [more inside]
I need help locating a screen grab/shot from the West Wing.
I need help locating a screen grab/shot from the West Wing. I'm looking for any shot in which Bartlet is slamming something on his desk - books, papers etc... These scenes usually take place when Jed is mighty angry. I want to incorporate the picture into an Xmas present for my boyfriend.
html email: css or not css?
I am working on an application that will send an html-newsletter. It looks great in thunderbird or Outlook, and like crap in Gmail or Hotmail, which a lot of the recipients use. The template uses css, which is included in the headers of the message (not linked).
What is the common wisdom about html-email that looks good in Hotmail and Gmail? Is there any way to keep the CSS or do I have to start over from scratch? [more inside]
posted by signal at 12:30 PM PST - 11 comments
posted by signal at 12:30 PM PST - 11 comments
UPS woes
I have two UPS boxes (APC CS 500 and APC ES 500). Both have this issue: I have two machines plugged into it. I shut the power off. What's supposed to happen is that the UPS is supposed to power the boxes for X number of minutes on its battery, but what actually happens is both machines shut right down in that second when the thing(s) go(es) to battery. Any ideas why? Isn't that... wrong?
Need ideas: designing UI for Q & A with audio/video content
Posting this for a friend whose MeFi account is not active yet.
I have a UI issue I'm trying to solve. How to create a casual but efficient interface to a series of audio and video clips of an author, talking about themselves and their book. It's a "conversation with the author" feature for a book site, and I'd like to avoid making the feature just look like a "clip browser". It should have a conversational feel to it. [more inside]
Discounted registration fee for Macworld?
I'm thinking of attending Macworld 2006 but I'm puzzled by the array of available discount codes to use when registering online. Any tips to share about that or about things to do while at Macworld?
posted by runningdogofcapitalism at 12:06 PM PST - 12 comments
posted by runningdogofcapitalism at 12:06 PM PST - 12 comments
Fun in St Austell and the Eden Project
Should my girlfriend and I drive to The Eden Project this weekend? And what to see and do in St Austell? [more inside]
Which PDA for a Pharmacy student
My wife is a pharmacy student and needs a PDA, primarily to run pharmacy-related databases from Lexi-Comp. I've owned only Palm handhelds in the past, but I want the best value for the money and have narrowed the field down to the Palm TX and the Dell Axim X51. [more inside]
got mp3blogs?
mp3Blogs: What are your current favorites? I'm less interested in pop and indie stuff. I want more world, old-timey, novelties. I know they are lots of lists out there but I'd like to know about your faves.
Yahoo's gone and ruined blo.gs
Unused checkouts
If retail space is really lorded over by bean counters, why do big boxes build so many checkouts that sit unused? On the morning after Thanksgiving, the north Dallas Super Target I went in briefly only had 9 out of 24 registers open. Why do they build them this way? Has anyone ever seen 90%+ of them open?
Is there a Gratuity Index?
Does anyone have a good resource (book, magazine article, web site, etc) that shows what the etiquette is for tipping in difference circumstances? [more inside]
Acid test?
Is my flatware sterling, silver-plate, or something in-between? [more inside]
Beginner's single malt Scotch
Scotchfilter! What's a decent, inexpensive and readily available single malt or good blend for a brand-new scotch drinker whose current dram of choice is a good dark sipping rum? [more inside]
Using up Flexible Spending Plan allocation
We have $3,000 left in our Flexible Spending Account (FSA)... pre-tax dollars that must be used by year's end or we forfeit them. We're married, about 40, with no children. Any ideas for good big-ticket items/appointments (health-related) to avoid losing our own money? [more inside]
Is there a word for those carnival cutouts?
Is there a word for those life-sized painted wooden figures (most commonly at carnivals) with the oval cut out for your head to stick through, the purpose of which is to give the impression (for the camera?) that you are a strong man with strong arms or that you are one super sexy lady?
Who calls me at the same time everyday?
Who keeps calling me at the same time everyday? [more inside]
Rome Adventure
Going to Rome tonight and staying a week. Recommendations for a couple in the mid-twenties for fun night time activities. [more inside]
Reviving cling decals
Is there any way to recharge electrostatic vinyl cling decals? You know, the kind that stick to glass without adhesive.
Does Feynman's approach to QED render the observer problem moot?
This site:
http://www.skepticreport.com/print/quantum-p.htm
...suggests that Feynman's 'sum over all histories' approach to Quantum Electro-Dynamics has sidestepped the well known 'observer problem' in quantum mechanics (exemplified by the Wigner's Friend paradox). Is this true? [more inside]
Your best sickness prevention methods:
Let's hear your method for preventing colds and other sicknesses! [more inside]
Where to find French fountain pens, blue cartriges, and eraser pens?
..French pens.. Anyone know if there is a way to buy French school-type pens online? What I'm talking about are the fountain pens with the blue ink cartridges and the corresponding eraser pens.
Asset tracking solutions?
What are some good asset management IT solutions for a small company? Primarily with laptops and cameras. No need to track small <$50 items. [more inside]
posted by geoff. at 9:58 AM PST - 6 comments
posted by geoff. at 9:58 AM PST - 6 comments
Scanner with automatic photo feeder?
I am looking for a scanner that can automatically feed photographs (not negatives or slides) in a variety of sizes (no larger than 8" x 10"). The pictures are almost exclusively black and white (or sepia), but there are a few thousand to be digitized, so something automated would be preferred. [more inside]
extending wifi range
Can I set up a wifi "repeater" to extend the range of my wifi? [more inside]
Recommendations for small group tour.
I’m looking for reviews/recommendations with respect to small-group or small-boat tour companies. I’d like to go somewhere exotic, have someone else worry about all the details, and be assured of a great experience. Any advice?
If a hosting service shuts you down for TOS, do they delete your site or just shutdown access?
If a hosting service shuts you down for TOS, do they delete your site or just shutdown access? [more inside]
What do "publishing rights" entail?
What do "publishing rights" entail? Game maker Acclaim is selling off publishing rights to over 200 games, and I was wondering what I'd get if I bought the rights to one. Basically: If I set up some kind of collective donation site, and we bought the rights to a game, could I then creative commons or public domain license it's content, or just the production (DVD, CD, etc)?
Best encyclopedia for a Palm?
I am looking to buy my Dad either an encyclopedia or a dictionary/thesaurus for his palm this christmas. Is anybody using one of these that they love?
Where can I buy a pair of bunny slipper in a large (EUR47 UK12M US13M) size?
Winter is approaching, and I need a decent pair of Bunny Slippers (you know the kind, fuzzy and with long ears). The problem: I take a size 47 shoe (european, that's a Men's 12 in the UK and a Men's 13 in the US), and nobody sells them that large. Does anybody have any leads on people that would sell them in my size? If they'll do shipping to the Netherlands it would be useful, but any leads are useful. [more inside]
Fix my Firefox...
Firefox 1.5-Filter... I just installed Firefox 1.5, and now when I open it up there's this huge grey toolbar-like space at the bottom of the window with a small red upwards pointing arrow on the left [screenshot]. How do I get rid of it? [more inside]
posted by ruwan at 9:27 AM PST - 9 comments
posted by ruwan at 9:27 AM PST - 9 comments
Encrypting Chinese, pre-computers
A friend of mine and I were wondering today how encryption was done in character-based languages like Chinese and Japanese before the advent of computerization. Whereas all kind of substitution and transposition ciphers come to mind immediately for letter based languages like Latin, it isn't obvious how you could use them for a language with many thousands of distinct characters.
posted by sindark at 9:23 AM PST - 9 comments
posted by sindark at 9:23 AM PST - 9 comments
How to get to Turin?
I'll be in Europe during the Winter Olympics in Turin, so I thought I'd swing by to catch an event or two. I got online to book a hotel today, and there's nothing available (big surprise). However, I still want to go... should I stay in Milan or Genova and catch a train into town for a day trip or something? I've never been to Italy... so I don't know how complicated it would be to "catch a train" for a day trip.
posted by bamassippi at 9:18 AM PST - 2 comments
posted by bamassippi at 9:18 AM PST - 2 comments
2x2 mixer w\ 2 level controls
AudioFilter: Looking for a mixer that does just enough to get by. [more inside]
How do I find a IP subnet that Sprint uses to send email for it's Treo product?
I have a Treo 650 using Sprint. I need to use POP & Exchange Active Synch for my mail synching/sending/receiving. But my Exchange 2003 server is locked down so it can't relay except for a few IP addresses. I need to discover the IP subnet that Sprint is using to send mail so I can allow it to use my exchange server as a relay so I can send email from my Treo. Any ideas what this is, how to find it, or how to do it otherwise?
Help me find these Merrell boots!
Help me find these Merrell boots! [more inside]
Old hard drive access
Is there a cable I can purchase that will connect an old hard drive (i.e. the one I just removed from my old computer before donating it) and my new computer, preferably with a USB interface? I'm mainly interested in making sure there are no useful files on it before I destroy it. I run WinXP, if it matters.
How can I find a post WWII concentration camp birth certificate?
My best friend's dad (who is like a father to me) was born at a Nazi POW camp soon after WWII. We are going to Germany on holiday in a few days, and he would like to hunt down a birth certificate because his father does not have one. Help? [more inside]
Advantages of creating playlists?
Organizing MP3s questions. I've got about 50 gigs of music on my hard drive with everything in its place, all nice and neat like. I don't have just random music all over the place, but everything is separated by artist-album in their own folder in the "C:\my music" folder (if that even matters). [more inside]
posted by NoMich at 8:04 AM PST - 19 comments
posted by NoMich at 8:04 AM PST - 19 comments
Austin, TX recommendations
I'm going to be in downtown Austin, TX for a conference at the end of this week and would appreciate recommendations to any good food/brew in the area. [more inside]
posted by spock at 7:52 AM PST - 14 comments
posted by spock at 7:52 AM PST - 14 comments
You still datin' that one chick?
WhydItEndFilter: Why did your marriage/long term relationship end (or almost end)? If you dodged that scythe, how'd you save it? [more inside]
posted by soma lkzx at 7:41 AM PST - 25 comments
posted by soma lkzx at 7:41 AM PST - 25 comments
Homes for the little things?
How do your organize all your little stuff (ipods, wires, knick knacks, doojobbies, etc.)? [more inside]
Ann Magnuson doggerel
AnnMagnusonFilter: Sometime in the ’90s I heard Ann Magnuson on the radio delivering a kind of doggerel using J.G. Ballard–style bland newspaper-reporter phrasing... [more inside]
Preventing Excel applying time formatting to imported data
I hate Excel. I have a load of data in an HTML table. One of the columns has the data in the format xx:xx.x (e.g. 03:45.7). THIS IS NOT A TIME. IT JUST LOOKS LIKE ONE. Whenever and however I import this into Excel, it will always import it as a time causing me no end of aggrevation. [more inside]
posted by Hartster at 5:49 AM PST - 17 comments
posted by Hartster at 5:49 AM PST - 17 comments
curmudgeonly compaq doesn't want to evolve
My laptop is a Compaq that came from ebayland. The fella who sold it to me had 'lightly' used it, and he sent it to me with the drive wiped and XP SP 1 installed. Yet it refuses to install SP 2 or any other update. [+] [more inside]
posted by moonbird at 4:26 AM PST - 11 comments
posted by moonbird at 4:26 AM PST - 11 comments
One Night in Sydney
We will be spending 24 hrs in Sydney at the end of a 3 week tour round Oz & NZ. Any one have any tips on a nice relaxing hotel? [more inside]
Which area of the Great Wall is the greatest?
What is the best area of the Great Wall of China to see, with one full day to devote to the trip? [more inside]
posted by evadery at 3:06 AM PST - 13 comments
posted by evadery at 3:06 AM PST - 13 comments
free internet?
Any word on the SF free wireless offer? [more inside]
Hub-motor drive electric bicycles?
Do you have any first or second hand electric bicycle experiences, particularly with the new hub drive retrofit kits? [more inside]
Stop the snot!
It's that time of year and I've got my first cold. I can deal with the body aches, the sore throat and the stuffy head...but how do I stop my nose from running?! I mean, it's so bad that I can't get to sleep because I can feel the drip and it's driving me INSANE. Help!
posted by youcancallmeal at 12:00 AM PST - 25 comments
posted by youcancallmeal at 12:00 AM PST - 25 comments
December 4
What should I know before I go (To San Francisco)?
I'm moving to San Francisco in January. What should I know before I go? [more inside]
posted by BuddhaInABucket at 11:24 PM PST - 25 comments
posted by BuddhaInABucket at 11:24 PM PST - 25 comments
Where can I find an organic turkey in Toronto?
Where can I order a reasonably-priced organic turkey in Toronto? [more inside]
posted by Felicity Rilke at 10:20 PM PST - 7 comments
posted by Felicity Rilke at 10:20 PM PST - 7 comments
Forex Alert Signals
This pertains to Forex EUR/USD trading. Is anyone aware of a service that will alert you via email when the RSI indicator hits a certain Indicator point (RSI down crossing 30%) ?
Old PDA Hardware
I have an old (first generation?) Handspring Visor that I'd like to use as a portable writing device. Will I be able to find the hardware to do this? Images of device here. [more inside]
Go Go Go!
Hey, NYC MeFites. I need some help getting around. [more inside]
posted by Jon-o at 8:10 PM PST - 17 comments
posted by Jon-o at 8:10 PM PST - 17 comments
How do I get my library to fully sync with my iPod?
iPodFilter: How do I get my library to fully sync with my iPod? [more inside]
Help me install Perl modules on my Windows machine!
Help me install Perl modules on my Windows machine! [more inside]
posted by joshuaconner at 7:11 PM PST - 7 comments
posted by joshuaconner at 7:11 PM PST - 7 comments
Is the domain I'm acquiring tainted by its past life as a spam source?
I've found a domain name I want to acquire from its current owner, and it looks like I may be able to do so. The IP address at which the domain resides is listed in a spam blacklist database. If I acquire the name and give it a new IP address, I assume that particular problem goes away. What's the best place, though, to check and see if the domain name itself is widely considered to be a spam source? Should I consider the IP listing to sully the domain -- am I buying a potential Superfund site? [more inside]
posted by precipice at 6:58 PM PST - 5 comments
posted by precipice at 6:58 PM PST - 5 comments
What's the etymology of "gully"?
What's the etymology of "gully" (as in "street", "badass")? Thanks.
Fun things to do in the Charlotte Douglas Airport (or nearby)?
Fun things to do in the Charlotte Douglas Airport (or nearby)? [more inside]
Feeding my Reading
What do you retain and gain from casual reading? I was just looking over my mostly non-fiction bookshelf and a few questions came over me. Of all the hours I have spent reading all of this, how much have I really retained? I look back on books I have read and can remember the premise and theme, but as far as recalling all or even some of the many arguments, anecdotes, etc. included within the book, I don't have a clue. Do I have a incredibly bad 'reading' memory or is this a common occurence. And what am I really gaining from all of these hours spent reading if I have a scant recollection of it all? Am I being entertained in the moment? Becoming subconsiously wiser? Most of what I have read about intelligent reading seems too rigourous for a lazy sunday afternoon in the hammock. How can I remember what I read and extract the most value?
Help solve two G4 Powerbooks' battery problems!
Help solve two G4 Powerbooks' battery problems! (One wakes up from sleep and depletes itself to death, one can't estimate time remaining accurately and goes to sleep when battery isn't empty) [more inside]
Never judge a book by its movie!
I'm interested in hearing personal experiences of movies based upon literary works. Which movies are best experienced only after you've first read the book? Has reading the book afterwards altered your opinion of a movie or indeed has your appreciation of a book changed after you watched the film adaptation? [more inside]
Blocking Bearshare
Is there an effective way to block the use of Bearshare and Kazaa on my home network? I suspect there should be a way to diable the ports used by these programs but I can't find any definitive info. The router is a Linksys WRT54GS. Thanks
What to do in Montreal
What to do in Old Montreal? My wife and I will be spending Saturday through Tuesday in Montreal. Much of the time will be spent visiting with "the kid" who is there from L.A. to shoot a movie.. But we'll have some time to kill... [more inside]
Why is it beef, not cow?
Why do we use euphemistic names for some kinds of meat? [more inside]
posted by 5MeoCMP at 4:06 PM PST - 52 comments
posted by 5MeoCMP at 4:06 PM PST - 52 comments
Temporary fast cheap internet access?
Internet access for a short-term rented house? [more inside]
Alternative careers for biologist?
Alternative careers for biologist?
I have reached a point that I absolutely HATE my new job (science teacher at a high school/first year). I was hoping that other posters could brainstorm or think of options that I have not thought about - I plan to do a lot of work (informational interviews to reading career alternative books) - but this post may give me new ideas!
I am a bit worried as I frequently become bored with jobs and what I am looking for may not exist.
I have a Ph.D. in a neuro field. I hated research but subsequently enjoyed teaching college courses (everything from intro biology to advanced courses, especially reading and discussing recent literature with students).
My own interests that have evolved over the years although not in my field - I love anatomy. In grad school, I taught myself basic anatomy, enough to teach anatomy labs. I had a chance to teach human anatomy at a small college - loved working with cadavers, although I am not an anatomist. Taught comparative anatomy and loved that too - again, dissecting, looking at bones, etc.
I enjoy reading about science (NY Times science section) to keeping up with what is new in the field (mental health, pharmacology, genetic studies) - a bit broad, but again, I don't want to do research. I am interested in psychiatric disorders - mainly because those close to me have been severely affected. Also really enjoyed psychopharmacology and neurochemistry in graduate school.
I have also been interested in diseases (how do they work?).
Finally, I do not want to work in development, but I feel passionate about world events especially in some of the African countries (i.e., Aids). I loved overseas a few years as a volunteer in Africa.
I am not really a people person - very introverted/shy - although I did relate well to college students (connected through the material).
I've been dissatisfied with high school teaching because (besides the fact that as a first year teacher, I have a wild class) - it does not seem to be intellectually challenging, it is riddled with emotions (=high school students), I miss the creativity and freedom, and most of my job no longer involves the field I love, biology. I actually want out of the job now but am trying to hold on until the end of the academic year.
I am in my 30s. I am also committed to living in the New York city area (that is actually why I took this job).
I would love to have free time for my other interests, whether it be museums, biking, reading or staring at the wall. Or maybe there is a job that incorporates other interests too?
posted by Wolfster at 3:48 PM PST - 14 comments
posted by Wolfster at 3:48 PM PST - 14 comments
Remote control of Mac by PC?
My Mom has a new Mac (OS X) and I have a PC (WinXP). How can I remotely see her screen and manipulate it easily? [more inside]
Things to do in Boston for New Year's Eve?
I'll have some people visiting Boston from out of town, and I'm trying to get a list of places to go for New Year's so we can figure out what to do. [more inside]
DIY community events portal
Craigslist has yet to visit my community, and from what I can tell there's a real dearth of comprehensive entertainment/events listings. There are two local colleges, a very small local music scene, and the usual array of chain restaurants and movie theaters, plus some community events. There are some listings in a freebie paper entertainment guide.
Anyway, I want to make a site that aggregates all of this information and is searchable by category or key word. Is there a pre-existing content management system that might work well for this? [more inside]
posted by craniac at 2:12 PM PST - 18 comments
posted by craniac at 2:12 PM PST - 18 comments
Anyone know about portable mic preamps or recording on mp3 players?
Are my recording needs met by a Creative Zen Nano Plus? If not, what device would easily allow fairly good recording from an unamplified single point stereo mic onto my computer (Mac) at low cost? Alternatively, anyone know much about small, cheap, portable microphone preamps? [more inside]
is it worth buying xbox360
Is it worth buying xbox360 without having a HDTV?
Slow Mac connection.
My Mac is suddenly downloading very slowly. [more inside]
posted by lackutrol at 1:06 PM PST - 22 comments
posted by lackutrol at 1:06 PM PST - 22 comments
Should I switch from PHP to Ruby?
Should I switch from PHP to Ruby? I know this topic has been covered before, but I have some specific questions that I haven't been able to find answers to, here or elsewhere: 1. How complete are the Ruby libraries? and 2. How is Ruby's performance compared to PHP? [more inside]
posted by jay.jansheski at 12:55 PM PST - 22 comments
posted by jay.jansheski at 12:55 PM PST - 22 comments
Out-of-the-box Web2.0/Google Maps?
After checking out the latest Google Maps API/Web2.0 deal, and making a map which hits on an obscure piece of local history, I got to wondering: Are there any more-or-less out-of-the-box packages for making a site such as that one, so people who don't know how to code can create interesting usages of this sort of technology themselves?
Detailed Baseball Stats?
Anyone know where I can get detailed baseball stats? I'm not looking for batting averages and strike out counts; I'm looking for play-by-play logs of as many seasons as I can get my hands on.
For example, for a given inning:
Batter One strikes out. Batter Two singles. Batter Three singles, runner goes to third. Batter Four hits into a double play, end of inning. In other words, I don't need pitch-by-pitch stats, I just need the result of each at-bat.
Many thanks in advance.
Batter One strikes out. Batter Two singles. Batter Three singles, runner goes to third. Batter Four hits into a double play, end of inning. In other words, I don't need pitch-by-pitch stats, I just need the result of each at-bat.
Many thanks in advance.
DIY WiFi x.10?
What would be involved with coming up with a wireless (WiFi) solution to remotely control one or several 110v relays over a wireless network? While this is not necessarily the application, think remote control of Christmas lights. I'd prefer to avoid X.10 if possible. [more inside]
What type of electric train should I get?
I'd like to get my two sons (six and two) an electric train set. Mostly, it would be for under the tree and other special occasions. Help me not be overwhelmed by the choices. [more inside]
Vintage Canvas Giclee Reproductions
Anyone have any experience with large giclee canvas reproduction prints (of vintage posters)? [more inside]
Dancing about architecture here
What do you like about your favorite music? Or, really, how do you describe music you like to someone else who has no clue who you're talking about? [more inside]
Dish or DirecTV? Best bang for the buck
Dish Network or DirecTV? Which plan? [more inside]
why is there an ATM withdrawal fee in the US?
i live in boston. i love to travel. why is it that when i go to spain or italy or australia or new zealand, or even fiji, there is no fee to withdraw money from an ATM, but when i go to portland, ME, a mere 100 miles north, the ATM withdrawal fee is always $1-$2?
Free or cheap way for kids to get supervised web sites hosted?
Can you recommend a way to enable about 100 high-school students to get their small low-tech web sites hosted for free or very cheap? [more inside]
posted by iffley at 9:19 AM PST - 9 comments
posted by iffley at 9:19 AM PST - 9 comments
I don't have periods. Anyone else?
I don't really have periods. I have one maybe twice a year and when it comes it's very normal (slight PMS symptoms, minor cramps, lasts about 5 days). I started my period when I was 11 and I've never had regular periods, it's always been this exact pattern. [more inside]
evolutionary theory for beginners
Help me introduce evolution to my parents. [more inside]
Myspace email search
Search myspace.com using my address book? [more inside]
Have any internship ideas?
[Internship filter] Any ideas for a summer internship for a college student? Here are her stats: not a U.S. citizen, but can work in the U.S.; native speaker of Russian and Turkmen, fluent speaker of English and Turkish, moderate speaker of Spanish; business major; very personable; college sophomore. Paid internship would be best, but any place that could lead to a future job would be good.
posted by k8t at 7:37 AM PST - 8 comments
posted by k8t at 7:37 AM PST - 8 comments
Lavatories: Laboratories of Human Behavior
Inspired by this thread, I am interested in learning about idiosyncratic public restroom behavior. [more inside]
December 3
How does one start a SourceForge Project and get volunteers to help?
How does one start a SourceForge Project and get volunteers to help? [more inside]
Charcoal topcoat and khakis: inspired or insipid?
Can I wear a long charcoal overcoat with khaki pants, and look presentable? [more inside]
Do you make a noise when someone enters if you're alone in a public bathroom?
Do you announce your presence in a public bathroom if you're in a stall by making subtle sounds? [more inside]
Internet access while biking cross-country
I'm taking three months this summer to bike cross-country with my father. Is there any way for us to have (reasonably) uninterrupted wireless internet on the route? [more inside]
Do people watch full music videos anymore?
Do people watch complete music videos anymore? MTV and VH1 don't seem to show full videos these days, mainly excerpts.
It's not yesterday here
WordPress Filter: I am trying to show the local time on my WP sidebar. I am located in Sydney, AUS but my server is in the US. I have set the the offset on the WP>Options page under "Times in the weblog should differ by: to the correct setting and posting times are correct. However, when I add the PHP function echo date("M d, h:ia") in my sidebar.php, I get the local time/date of my server. How to I offset this function call to show the correct local time here in Sydney?
posted by qwip at 7:15 PM PST - 10 comments
posted by qwip at 7:15 PM PST - 10 comments
Firefox blocking gmail popups
Firefox is blocking gmail popups, such as the ones for attachments and user info. How to fix? [more inside]
The next million dollar gimmick
GimmickFilter: Where have all the gimmicks gone? [more inside]
tab characters in my textarea
HTML + javascript question. Changing the text-cursor position of a textarea? [more inside]
posted by Tryptophan-5ht at 6:20 PM PST - 6 comments
posted by Tryptophan-5ht at 6:20 PM PST - 6 comments
the joy of a child, in a 70-minute cd
Songs about motherhood? [more inside]
What is the best CPU/RAM meter for OS X?
What is the best (small, simple, and efficient) CPU/RAM meter for OS X? [more inside]
posted by Typographica at 5:52 PM PST - 13 comments
posted by Typographica at 5:52 PM PST - 13 comments
why do the nice people drive funny
I’m driving considerably more than I used to, and have noticed an interesting phenomenon as a result. At least once a day, I see a driver coming towards a stop sign, prepared to make a rolling stop, fixated on looking to their right. At the final second, they look to the left and slam the brakes upon seeing an approaching vehicle.
I’d like to figure out why these folks look to the right, instead of the left, which is the lane that will crash into them first. Am I just noticing the bad drivers because they stand out, or there a better explanation?
I want to make a Christmas present for my girlfriend
I want to make a Christmas present for my girlfriend! [more inside]
posted by sveskemus at 5:36 PM PST - 31 comments
posted by sveskemus at 5:36 PM PST - 31 comments
Volunteer work in Chicago?
Where can I find a place to volunteer in the Chicago area? [more inside]
Mary Tyler Moore Theme Cover
Who covers the Mary Tyler Moore theme song "Love Is All Around" in the Chase bank commercial? [more inside]
posted by IndigoRain at 5:21 PM PST - 14 comments
posted by IndigoRain at 5:21 PM PST - 14 comments
Firefox extension streamlining
Need some firefox help. Is there any way to combine the toolbars from two different extensions? [more inside]
posted by herting at 5:21 PM PST - 5 comments
posted by herting at 5:21 PM PST - 5 comments
Examples of pretty websites
I am looking for "pretty" websites... [more inside]
Photo of Nadia Anjuman
Looking for a photograph of Nadia Anjuman, the Afghan Poet that was recently killed. [more inside]
Super mega fun gadget that does EVERYTHING?
What PDA or smartphone do I want? [more inside]
posted by By The Grace of God at 2:51 PM PST - 14 comments
posted by By The Grace of God at 2:51 PM PST - 14 comments
The lonely walk
What is being referenced when a movie or TV show depicts a lonesome character walking down a darkened street as images of neon signs fly by that all have something to do with the plot? I presume it's some famous movie that I've never seen.
posted by evilcolonel at 2:08 PM PST - 20 comments
posted by evilcolonel at 2:08 PM PST - 20 comments
Buying Christmas Trees in Boston
Where can I buy a Christmas tree in Boston? I moved to Boston in August and live in the Jamaica Plain neighborhood. In every other city I've lived in, there were Christmas Tree stands all over the place. So far, I've seen none. I want to buy a live tree, but where do I go? So far, all I've seen are the cut-your-own places far out of town. Any ideas?
posted by abbyladybug at 2:05 PM PST - 12 comments
posted by abbyladybug at 2:05 PM PST - 12 comments
Does cgi negatively affect pagerank?
Will converting a home page from shtml to cgi negatively impact its pagerank? [more inside]
posted by Manjusri at 2:03 PM PST - 6 comments
posted by Manjusri at 2:03 PM PST - 6 comments
Cultivating Mad Science
Cultivating mad scientists? [more inside]
What on earth is that sound?
At the end of Abbey Road, John, Paul and George are trading guitar solos and the section ends with John playing a guitar part that sounds like a howling or blaring car horn. How did he get this sound? Is it feedback? Or is it maybe some kind of pedal effect?
multiple day hikes
Multiple day hikes? I'm interested in information on hikes that take place over a series of days. The caveat is that at the end of each day, you arrive in some lodge or other place even though the hike itself is fairly rural. [more inside]
posted by vacapinta at 12:25 PM PST - 23 comments
posted by vacapinta at 12:25 PM PST - 23 comments
Last minute airfare
I need to visit a family member in Santa Fe, NM, in less than two weeks. (I live in Miami.) The airfare right now isn't pretty, but I've heard people say that you can get cheaper fares at the last minute. Is this true? Should I hold off buying a ticket?
posted by chrisgrau at 11:22 AM PST - 19 comments
posted by chrisgrau at 11:22 AM PST - 19 comments
How to convert ANM format to GIF
How to convert late 1980s/1990s vintage ANM Deluxe Paint animations to animated GIFs/PNGs? [more inside]
posted by meehawl at 11:17 AM PST - 15 comments
posted by meehawl at 11:17 AM PST - 15 comments
Outlook PIM alternative for desktop/smartphone sync?
I have an Audiovox SMT 5600, which runs Windows Mobile 2003SE for Smartphones, and I'd like to sync calendars/tasks with my PC. This is normally done in Outlook, but I'm a Thunderbird user. Is there a desktop PIM/calendar/tasks package that can sync with a smartphone? I don't really need to sync email - I don't have a data package anyway. [more inside]
Spoken English courses in Manhattan / elsewhere in NYC?
Spoken English courses in Manhattan / elsewhere in NYC? [more inside]
Injured bird... help!
So I found a still-live bird trapped under the wheel of a car. It's now in my bathroom... [more inside]
posted by You Should See the Other Guy at 10:14 AM PST - 17 comments
posted by You Should See the Other Guy at 10:14 AM PST - 17 comments
Must... Kill... ... iPod
How can I get a new iPod, or at least a new iPod battery, for free using my still current Apple Care Plan? [more inside]
Wine not?
A friend of mine has recently gotten really into wines. I think the whole thing is pretentious, silly, and barely covers the fact that he has become sort of a lush.
HOWEVER, if this kind of thing actually impresses women, I would say that it's worthwhile. So here's my question - does it?
posted by afroblanca at 9:08 AM PST - 68 comments
posted by afroblanca at 9:08 AM PST - 68 comments
CD burning with Nero
Nero... the custom crossfader settings, for burning CDs, is working, but not really. What's up with that? [more inside]
U.S. Census income data
How many people in the United States make over $25 million a year in pre-tax income? How many over some other threshold? Google is failing me, and census.gov is resisting my navigational efforts.
Outer space screensaver from "Me And You And Everyone We Know"?
What is the screensaver used in the movie Me And You And Everyone We Know? [more inside]
Twins of different race?
I am looking for a picture and scholarly reference to twins with different fathers where one father is white and one father is black. [more inside]
posted by brevator at 7:20 AM PST - 9 comments
posted by brevator at 7:20 AM PST - 9 comments
What's the best book on how to become a successful salesman?
Can anybody recommend a particularly good generic book (or video) on how to become a successful salesman? [more inside]
A guide to classical philosophy?
My mother has asked me if I can find a book for her for Christmas. She's after something on philosophy - the classical variety in particular. Any suggested titles? [more inside]
Japanese-English electronic dictionary recommendations?
A friend of mine would like to buy an electronic Japanese-English dictionary. What model do you recommend? [more inside]
Whats that song?
Song from a commercial Identity filter.
Who are the rappers, and what is the song, on the verizon broadband commercial? The one where the woman in her kitchen and the guy in his tub are in the middle of a concert.. [more inside]
posted by JonnyRotten at 3:48 AM PST - 8 comments
posted by JonnyRotten at 3:48 AM PST - 8 comments
Peak oil, oil shale and tar sands.
Peak oil, oil shale and tar sands. Is peak oil a concern? [more inside]
posted by bystander at 3:27 AM PST - 17 comments
posted by bystander at 3:27 AM PST - 17 comments
Looking for a waterproof backpack
Do affordable and effective waterproof backpacks really exist? [more inside]
posted by intoxicate at 12:32 AM PST - 16 comments
posted by intoxicate at 12:32 AM PST - 16 comments
December 2
Dealing with a toothache.
Make it stop hurting-filter: How can I deal with my horrible toothache until I can go to the dentist? [more inside]
The end of time
How do we know the mathematical models of physics — equations modeling the universe — apply across the universe, to data we collect about the universe that may be billions of years old? (What would be the process for verifying this?) [more inside]
posted by Rothko at 10:44 PM PST - 22 comments
posted by Rothko at 10:44 PM PST - 22 comments
Sofa, so good, but the rest of the room needs work
How can I arrange my living room so that I can have a living area, a computer desk and a soon-to-be toddler? [more inside]
Help me invade my cats' privacy
RFID cat door: how hard can it be? [more inside]
cyrillic hat
Can anyone translate the cyrillic text on my hat? [more inside]
posted by apetpsychic at 9:39 PM PST - 14 comments
posted by apetpsychic at 9:39 PM PST - 14 comments
Phone Hack?
If I want to alter what people see on their caller ID when I call, is that possible (without ordering a new line from the phone company)? [more inside]
Other countries with mention of diety on currency?
Are there other countries that mention God / Allah / etc on their currency like the US currency's "In God We Trust" ?
Flush, you bastard!
Weekend (emergency) plumber needed in Seattle! [more inside]
Who used the money from short stories to buy art?
I remember reading at some point about a fairly well known author who, every time he (or she) sold a short story, used the money to buy a piece of artwork. Who is/was this?
Where to find a sleek laptop backpack?
Looking for a sleek and compact woman's laptop backpack for the 14" ibook. [more inside]
Gget the gnats ggone.
Gnats in the kitchen - Help me get rid of these little annoyances ASAP. [more inside]
Long walks in Europe?
Where should I go in Europe for a 2-week long walking/hiking in early September? [more inside]
Ha! The TV Comedy Network
On an admittedly silly nostalgic whim, I'm looking to buy memorabilia relating to Ha!, the TV Comedy Network. [more inside]
Big hospital charge
A month ago I went to the hospital ER (tiny city) as it was Saturday and I had some weird chest pain. Basically the doctor asked a few questions, an EKG, blood test, and chest X-ray was done, and I was out in 45 minutes after observation. The damage: $475 for the doctor, $95 for the blood test, and $1800 for the hospital (unspecified). No insurance. I'm glad to pay for my care, but this is ridiculous. Any good tips for bargaining this down? Obviously I am in the U.S.
Where can I learn more about the dangers of harmful bacteria in poultry?
Where can I learn more about the dangers of harmful bacteria in all kinds of poultry? [more inside]
in search of utility, perl, or other script to organize over 2,000 files quickly
I have 2,028 zip archives and a problem that should be trivial but isn't for me. If I unzip them all with a batch utility and don't clear the path saved in the archive I end up with 2,028 directories each containing a single file. If I do clear the saved path I end up with a mess. I need either a windows utility or a perl script to do the following: [more inside]
posted by Grod at 3:51 PM PST - 7 comments
posted by Grod at 3:51 PM PST - 7 comments
Hard snowboard boots?
Hard snowboard boots - whether? which? and where to shop? [more inside]
Help me buy a car
CarFilter: the lease is up on my 2002 Jetta 1.8T in just under 2 months, and I'm looking to lease a new car. Help me make sure I consider all of the models I should! [more inside]
posted by mikel at 3:20 PM PST - 20 comments
posted by mikel at 3:20 PM PST - 20 comments
Help me find a poem
Help me find a poem. I believe these things about it: (1) from the early 1990s, (2) appeared in the New Yorker or Atlantic, (3) written by an elderly woman, (4) about her husband's suicide, (5) contained a line resembling "I do not understand/I will never understand." It is possible that these beliefs are founded on nothing except my faulty memory.
posted by goatdog at 3:19 PM PST - 10 comments
posted by goatdog at 3:19 PM PST - 10 comments
250gig drive shows as 1000gigs
Macfirewirefilter: I just bought a minimate--250gigs. It shows up on my desktop as being 1000gigs plus. Do i really have that extra space? Is something wrong?
Recommend a web calendar.
I'm looking for a web-based, shareable calendar that can import tab-delimited files for populating the calendar quickly... bonus points for being able to share via RSS, and/or being able to comment on up-coming events.
Celebrities have mothers?
Celebrities speaking their mother tongues [more inside]
DC Tourist AsksMefi; Area Man Responds
TravelFilter: Specific Washington D.C. questions from a tourist. [more inside]
posted by ikkyu2 at 1:33 PM PST - 26 comments
posted by ikkyu2 at 1:33 PM PST - 26 comments
What action should I take for a rearend collision
Driving to work, I was (mildly) rear-ended at a sudden stop in a traffic crawl. [more inside]
Riedel Alternatives
What are the best, low cost alternatives to Riedel stemware? [more inside]
What was the book?
Help me identify a young adults sci-fi/fantasy book I borrowed from the Bookmobile over a decade ago. Contains the line: "one of the five!" [more inside]
posted by lbergstr at 11:45 AM PST - 9 comments
posted by lbergstr at 11:45 AM PST - 9 comments
Karaoke help
A never ending cycle....
How do I survive Christmas, control my anxiety, maintain my sanity and find a good therapist? (Very long inside) [more inside]
Howlin Wolf cover of "I'm A Man" by Bo Diddley
Looking for a live Howlin Wolf cover of "I'm A Man," by Bo Diddley. [more inside]
posted by fearless_yakov at 11:24 AM PST - 4 comments
posted by fearless_yakov at 11:24 AM PST - 4 comments
If everything were Creative Commons...
The ethics of screen scraping? [more inside]
Tea help!
computer science simplified
Is there a good book/series/website that simplifies comp. sci. concepts (I'm thinking encryption, hashing, etc.) enough for the average engineer to comprehend? I'm thinking "Computer Science for Theory Dummies". [more inside]
Will I get water up my nose? I hate that.
How can I try out this "waterboarding" I've heard so much about? [more inside]
Winter Driving Tips
Winter Driving: Subaru AWD, automatic transmission, ice, and other fun. [more inside]
Looking for the band Upsurt
Looking for a copy of a CD by the Bulgarian music group "Upsurt". I am totally hooked on this song and I'm having trouble finding any releases by them for sale online. I'll pay purchase price and shipping+ if anyone can help me locate a copy. Also, bonus points if you can suggest any other great Eastern European pop/rap.
posted by jonah at 10:45 AM PST - 10 comments
posted by jonah at 10:45 AM PST - 10 comments
Christmas carols by brass quintet?
Recommend unaccompanied brass quintet recordings of Christmas carols on CD. [more inside]
XanGo Mangosteen Juice
Is mangosteen juice a scam? [more inside]
How to make a giant Christmas card?
I'm completely artistically and artsy-craftily challenged. But I'd like to design and print a giant Christmas card that starts out looking more or less like a regular-sized one but then unfolds and unfolds and unfolds, etc. until it becomes more of a Christmas greetings poster... Problem is, I can't draw a straight line to save my life, much less envision how I'd design one using some software tool. Does anybody have any suggestions for someplace to look for any guidance? Thanks!!!
Ein Lämmchen, ein Lämmchen!
Please help me locate a place to buy a copy of the german animated short from 1930 called Das Lämmchen (the original title seems to be Chad Gadjo. [more inside]
How to force Windows Media Center addition to prompt for a username and password when connecting to network shares?
Windows XP Media Center Edition / Home Edition Networking Problem: I don't get prompted for login info when I try to access network shares. I just get "Access Denied"-type errors. [more inside]
Origami for the bows and ribbons set
Are there any good websites showing Christmas wrapping techniques in a clear manner? [more inside]
Can Outlook automatically foward Email based on body content?
I need Outlook to automatically forward received email to different addresses based on text in the body of the email. Can this be done with an outlook add-in/plug-in, or possibly done outside of Outlook? [more inside]
posted by de void at 10:01 AM PST - 8 comments
posted by de void at 10:01 AM PST - 8 comments
A quick-drying pen for Moleskines?
What are your favorite (preferably gel) pens for writing in a Moleskine that dry quickly and won't smudge or bleed? [more inside]
What makes certain jewelry good?
Jewelry design? Suppose, for the sake of conversation, I'd like to know about key designers and what makes for "good" jewelry. [more inside]
posted by mikeh at 9:04 AM PST - 5 comments
posted by mikeh at 9:04 AM PST - 5 comments
Looking for an old Apple game
I'm looking for the name of an old computer game, that ran on an Apple IIe (I think). [more inside]
Is it possible to set up Hotmail to only display unread messages?
Is it possible to set up Hotmail to only display unread messages? [more inside]
posted by goodnewsfortheinsane at 8:26 AM PST - 6 comments
posted by goodnewsfortheinsane at 8:26 AM PST - 6 comments
Credit where credit is due?
Blog question. Should I ask folks who I'm pretty sure are getting their ideas from my blog and not linking back to do so? [more inside]
posted by fixedgear at 8:24 AM PST - 11 comments
posted by fixedgear at 8:24 AM PST - 11 comments
Is advent calendar chcoloate special?
Is advent calendar chocolate made using a different process, or different ingredients than your usual chocolate bar chocolate? [more inside]
I just want to watch a movie, damn it!
Traveling on business with a company laptop -- has a DVD drive, but no DVD software. I want to watch a DVD to make the long train ride home bearable, but I don't have administrator privileges to install any software. [more inside]
posted by Heminator at 8:21 AM PST - 5 comments
posted by Heminator at 8:21 AM PST - 5 comments
Where can I get classic sports fonts?
I'm looking for some free classic baseball jersey fonts to use for mocking up some team apparel ideas. I'd love to have the variety
found here
I am trying to track down the title of a book that was read to my 2nd grade class by the school librarian.
I am trying to track down the title of a book that was read to my 2nd grade class by the school librarian, so it is at least 23 years old or so. It is about a boy who falls asleep in his parents truck. The truck is stolen, with him in it, and is driven through the desert where the boy escapes from the truck only to be stranded in the middle of the desert with no food or water. He nearly dies of thirst, and survives just barely by collecting dew off of a plastic sheet that he finds. I have tried every kind of Google search I can think of both. Does any body know of and remember this book?
posted by moseymose at 7:52 AM PST - 7 comments
posted by moseymose at 7:52 AM PST - 7 comments
Linking monitors together
How should I link my monitors for a gig I'm running the PA system for? [more inside]
posted by xvs22 at 7:38 AM PST - 5 comments
posted by xvs22 at 7:38 AM PST - 5 comments
Wendy's "Rock Your Burger" ad... high quality copy?
Anyone know where to find a high quality copy of the Wendy's "Rock Your Burger" ad featuring Benny Benassi's "Satisfaction," and a whole bunch of Wendy's burgers looking like the bars on a spectrum analyzer? There is one copy out there, but is pretty bad.
Here is said low quality copy. [more inside]
True, Useful and Kind
Help me source a bit of wisdom about advice and criticism. [more inside]
How do I prevent Outlook from resizing inserted images?
How do I prevent Outlook from resizing inserted images? [more inside]
posted by Blue Buddha at 7:20 AM PST - 2 comments
posted by Blue Buddha at 7:20 AM PST - 2 comments
Easy DVD Menus?
DVD Authoring software with easy visual interface? [more inside]
How should American living overseas handle inheritance
Expat American hates money, inherits share of house, perhaps $100,000. Do I need an accountant, a lawyer or something else to advise? [more inside]
posted by planetkyoto at 6:51 AM PST - 12 comments
posted by planetkyoto at 6:51 AM PST - 12 comments
short-term investment recommendation
I have a large sum of money (more than $200K) that was secured as part of a mortgage refinance for a house renovation. The renovation will not be undertaken until summer at the earliest. In the interim, where would you recommend I keep the money for a decent return in this short period? (e.g. Ing Direct savings account, a fund, or even a portion in the stock market?)
most popular heather in america
There has to be a word that means "popular because it is popular". [more inside]
posted by raaka at 6:19 AM PST - 42 comments
posted by raaka at 6:19 AM PST - 42 comments
File me!
Is there an easy way to allocate downloaded files to specific folders on a mac? [more inside]
posted by brautigan at 5:52 AM PST - 9 comments
posted by brautigan at 5:52 AM PST - 9 comments
What should we name our cat?
NameMyCatFilter: So we are fostering a kitten that was rescued from a house in Mississippi destroyed by Katrina -- a situation that will likely become permanent, and now we are thinking about a name for the little guy. Constraints inside. [more inside]
How to record tv on my PC?
There's a ton of tv recording/viewing software out there for the computer, but which is the best and the cheapest? [more inside]
posted by NekulturnY at 2:58 AM PST - 11 comments
posted by NekulturnY at 2:58 AM PST - 11 comments
What is this G-D music?
I feel silly for asking this, because I really feel as though I should know the answer, but what the heck is the music in the link in this FPP?
posted by dersins at 12:42 AM PST - 6 comments
posted by dersins at 12:42 AM PST - 6 comments
Free WiFi Access via m0n0wall?
I'm using m0n0wall as my router/firewall. I have two NICs, one for WAN, one for LAN, and attached to the LAN NIC is another wireless router, acting as a switch. I'm trying to setup the Captive Portal now. I need some advice. [more inside]
CPU heat epoxy solvent?
How can I de-epoxy my P4 from its heatsink? [more inside]
posted by ChasFile at 12:15 AM PST - 7 comments
posted by ChasFile at 12:15 AM PST - 7 comments
Open Source GPL Groupware Options
What open source groupware package to use? [more inside]
December 1
winter skincare
Winter skincare: do's and don'ts? [more inside]
This place sucks- Get me outta here!
How to handle an annoying roommate?
Roommate filter: We're having issues with a housemate/friend. [more inside]
The quintessential image of Web hypnosis
Looking for an image to include in a lecture I'm giving next week that conveys the physically isolated, immersive experience of being jacked into the Internet, staring deeply into a computer screen, preferably lit with ambient Web glow.
posted by donovan at 9:56 PM PST - 12 comments
posted by donovan at 9:56 PM PST - 12 comments
Quiet call at or near JFK?
I'm in NYC next week and flying out of JFK right after I finish a conference call. I'm wondering about someplace at or near JFK that I might be able to take the call in relative peace and quiet. [more inside]
Wife's xmas present help!
PresentFilter:
I want some amazing socks for my wife, and perhaps a couple other things... Looking for mefite ideas. [more inside]
Things to do in LA for 12 hours?
Something to do in Los Angeles for about 12 hours? [more inside]
German language novel on nuclear proliferation
Name that book: It's a German language novel in which several heavyweights of science address nuclear proliferation. [more inside]
posted by FissionChips at 9:23 PM PST - 9 comments
posted by FissionChips at 9:23 PM PST - 9 comments
Looking for an LA based lawyer and accountant
Can you provide a referral to a lawyer and/or an accountant with experience advising small businesses (internet based) in the start-up phase? I'm located in Los Angeles in the South Bay area. [more inside]
Lord have MRSE (or MRSA)!
How to cope with unpleasant and not fully explainable longterm medical issues? [more inside]
posted by plinth at 7:52 PM PST - 10 comments
posted by plinth at 7:52 PM PST - 10 comments
Tennesse: A Good Idea?
How do I get my money back from my ex-roommate?
How do I get my money back from my ex-roommate? [more inside]
Till we meet again?
Have you ever been visited by a (spirit, ghost, apparition, etc.) of a friend or loved one after they have passed on? [more inside]
Help me find this song.
So I heard this song awhile back and all I can remember is that it was a techno song with what I would guess was an organ as the main instrument. [more inside]
posted by MJaffaDMB at 6:27 PM PST - 11 comments
posted by MJaffaDMB at 6:27 PM PST - 11 comments
Fun things for kids in NY?
Tourism with children in New York - where shall I take my 10 year old daughter? [more inside]
I quit... hopefully!
Can my boss NOT let me resign my position at his organization? [more inside]
posted by elkerette at 6:16 PM PST - 11 comments
posted by elkerette at 6:16 PM PST - 11 comments
Optometrists- big chains or solo practitioner?
When shopping around for an optometrist, is it better to go to a solo practitioner, or a national chain (i.e. Pearle Vision, LensCrafters)? Which do you prefer, and why? [more inside]
the circle line
What is the origin of the universal power symbol? You know the one with the circle and the vertical line. [more inside]
posted by sammich at 5:44 PM PST - 14 comments
posted by sammich at 5:44 PM PST - 14 comments
Paths to a Good Life by Henrick Syse?
Please help me find the book Paths to a Good Life - Philosophical Reflections on Everyday Ethics by Henrik Syse. [more inside]
posted by Sasquatch at 5:31 PM PST - 5 comments
posted by Sasquatch at 5:31 PM PST - 5 comments
Jewish/Non-Jewish marriage
InterFaithFilter: Jewish/Non-Jewish intermarriage. Any Mefites have personal experience? [more inside]
Ideas needed - interesting packaging for books
Looking for interesting yet professional ways to package a hardback book which will be sent through the mail. [more inside]
emo hip hop song
I heard this great hip hop song on some college radio station while driving through Des Moines, IA. The song featured emo bands in the lyrics. For example, I think the first line was, "I took a death cab to see my cutie". Other bands listed in the lyrics were Sunny Day, Burning Airlines, My Chemical Romance, etc. It kinda sounded like Blackalicious, but I don't think it was them. Any idea who did it and where I can get it? Thanks.
posted by emoeby at 3:29 PM PST - 14 comments
posted by emoeby at 3:29 PM PST - 14 comments
How do I replace my guitar strings?
Someone bought me an electric guitar two years ago. Maybe one. I never played it. When I hauled it out of the closet yesterday and took it out of the bag, I discovered that one of the strings was off; it is no longer attached at either end. How unfortunate. Especially for someone who has no idea what to do. How do I fix the guitar?
Merry Christmas
Is there any place I can download or purchase the complete NPR broadcast of the SantaLand Diaries, read by David Sedaris? [more inside]
posted by ducksauce at 2:35 PM PST - 13 comments
posted by ducksauce at 2:35 PM PST - 13 comments
Notation for Hip Hop lyric transcription
What is/could be a useful "notation" used to transcribe hip hop lyrics that would account for the lyrical delivery (i.e. syllables, accents, pauses, word length, etc.)...? [more inside]
Any one help to identify this mystery book?
Someone help (Please). I remember reading a book at School in about 1979-1980, although it may have been printed way before that, it was similar to Tin Tin, and may have been about A Adventurer in space. It also contained a section where our adventurer meets aliens (I think) and you were provided with a Translation section!! Any ideas, i know it's vague, but it's kinda driving me nuts.
PS I'm from England so it might be a English publication.
What happens when "resident aliens" retire?
When people who have worked all or most of their lives in a country in which they are not a citizen - I'm thinking of European countries like Switzerland that have very restrictive citizenship rules - are they typically eligible for government retirement benefits and state health care?
What not to do in Jamaica?
I have one week in Jamaica. I have advice on what I should do there - but what tourist activities should I avoid? [more inside]
Moving to FL
Hi, I wondered if any of you knew about where to live in Naples, Florida. My husband and I are in our mid-thirties, with 6 month baby. If the web is to be believed the average age is 137 and all there is to do is shopping and hurricane boarding and hoarding. We are a pretty hip couple moving from Brooklyn NY. We really enjoyed our neighbors and sense of community in Brooklyn but now our husband's job is moving us down to FL. We will probably rent in the short term and would like to be within walking distance of the beach and shops. Any advice would be great, thanks.
posted by libelula at 1:06 PM PST - 13 comments
posted by libelula at 1:06 PM PST - 13 comments
Help me shake away the morning foggies and become a morning person.
Help me shake away the morning foggies and become a morning person. [more inside]
Why is nothing easy?
Earringfilter: good god, why are there so many? [more inside]
posted by ohcanireally at 12:36 PM PST - 16 comments
posted by ohcanireally at 12:36 PM PST - 16 comments
ITunes playlist question
I-Tunes filter; I want to have a Playlist of Christmas songs, but I don't want them to be included in the general Library shuffle (So I don't hear Christmas songs the rest of the year). There must be an easy way to do this, can somebody guide me?
When is the best time to put Xmas decorations up at home?
Is December 1st too early to put Xmas decorations up at home? [more inside]
posted by barnsoir at 12:19 PM PST - 29 comments
posted by barnsoir at 12:19 PM PST - 29 comments
How do I get rid of dead skin?
SkinCareFilter: I always have lots of calluses and dead skin on my hands. What's the best way to smooth it out? [more inside]
posted by TunnelArmr at 12:07 PM PST - 13 comments
posted by TunnelArmr at 12:07 PM PST - 13 comments
I don't remember kissing a frog...
Help me! I'm warty! [more inside]
How should I get my wedding photos printed?
Wedding Photos: we decided to go with an all digital photographer for our wedding. How should we print the photos? [more inside]
Region 0 DVD won't play
I have a Sony DVP-NS975 dvd player. I just purchased a DVD (Front 242 "Catch the Men") which lists its region settings as 0 (will play worldwide). The DVD player comes up with an error stating that I'm trying to play an out of region DVD and will not play the disc. The disc works fine in my computer and I have other Region 0 discs that this Sony machine plays just fine. Who do I contact, the DVD seller or Sony?
posted by sharksandwich at 11:40 AM PST - 12 comments
posted by sharksandwich at 11:40 AM PST - 12 comments
Poem about the Finnish winter
I once read (on the web) a poem by a finnish poet describing the harshness of winter in northern Finland. I don't remember the name of the poet, the name of the poem or any other characteristic. I think that the poem was called "-50C" or something, but even that can be wrong. Any pointers?
posted by falameufilho at 11:27 AM PST - 5 comments
posted by falameufilho at 11:27 AM PST - 5 comments
How do I deal with my sister and I's different recollections of the past?
My sister and I have very different "memories" of our childhood. It makes it extremely difficult to communicate. I'm wondering if anyone has the same experience and what can be done about it. [more inside]
Is a seized electronics auction site a scam?
Is a 'seized electronics' auction site for real or is it a scam? [more inside]
posted by TeamBilly at 11:17 AM PST - 10 comments
posted by TeamBilly at 11:17 AM PST - 10 comments
Miracles
This question is for people who believe in religious miracles. [more inside]
posted by ab'd al'Hazred at 11:16 AM PST - 38 comments
posted by ab'd al'Hazred at 11:16 AM PST - 38 comments
Is my dog kissing me?
Is my dog really kissing me? [more inside]
Employer demanding a third life insurance policy
Ever have an employer require you to get a life insurance policy as part of the terms of your employment? [more inside]
Can you recommend any mid-century modern furniture stores in or around Houston, Texas?
After not having much success finding mid-century modern furniture online, this weekend we're driving to Metro Retro, a big vintage furniture warehouse in Houston. Can you recommend any other modern furniture stores in the area?
Where to buy Lactobacillus GG in Canada
I'm looking for sources for the probiotic Lactobacillus GG in Canada. Can someone help?
IMAP Access on the Web?
Does Draught Beer Contain Formaldehyde?
BeerFilter: I've been told by 3 separate bartenders that draught beer has formaldehyde in it, that's why they only drink from bottles. A Google search shows at best that there may be two reasons for formaldehyde being in beer. (1) Can manufacturing and (2) ethanol breakdown. Are either harmful enough to avoid draught beer? [more inside]
Where to find statistics proving shorter, easier-to-remember URLs get more visitors?
I am trying to make the case for an organization that it is important for them to have a shorter, easier-to-remember URL for their new website. It seems obvious to me that a website like this would get more visitors, more word-of-mouth spread, and more repeat visitors as well--but I can't find any statistics on this in my searching. Can anyone point me to a study or report which may be useful? Thanks!
typeyfilter
I'm almost 30 and I can't type properly--that is, I can't touch-type. My problem: I am fairly good (~35 wpm) at the three-finger-and-thumb-vision-assisted-hunt-and-peck. Unfortunately, this goes to heck when I transcribe or read while typing and can no longer glance at the keyboard.
Has anyone out there successfully broken bad keyboard habits? How? [more inside]
posted by pullayup at 9:22 AM PST - 43 comments
posted by pullayup at 9:22 AM PST - 43 comments
Carnegie Deli pickles?
Where can I buy pickles exactly like the ones they put on your table at the Carnegie Deli? [more inside]
posted by bondcliff at 9:11 AM PST - 13 comments
posted by bondcliff at 9:11 AM PST - 13 comments
RomanceFilter: Attempting to win her back
RomanceFilter: Attempting to win her back
I (let's call me "C") am pretending to do a faux "dissertation" (or a few pages of one) about us to share with a girl (let's call her "M"), who I am trying to win back. [more inside]
online creidt cards
Is there a credit card product for shopping online? [more inside]
Gross! It smells like cat pee in here
I'm currently considering buying a circa 1900 house that has one major issue, both the first and second floors reek of cat urine. Does anyone have experience with erradicating this odor from an older home? [more inside]
posted by Yukon at 8:48 AM PST - 15 comments
posted by Yukon at 8:48 AM PST - 15 comments
How to be friends with both divorcing partners
My friends are getting divorced. How can I be a good, supportive friend to both of them? [more inside]
Help me think of a slogan for automation tools
My company develops chromatography software. It has recently developed several ways of automating certain processes that will help the user save time and automate things. I'm trying to think of a collective name for them. "Timekeeper Technology" is one I've just thought of. Can you think of any others?
Have stationary bikes fallen out of favor?
Have stationary bikes fallen out of favor? [more inside]
posted by LordSludge at 8:35 AM PST - 20 comments
posted by LordSludge at 8:35 AM PST - 20 comments
IP Security Cameras for home use
Home Security Camera Filter: I'm looking for a wireless camera that can transmit over my existing 802.11g network. Ideally, it would have motion detection and the ability to record to the web rather than just my hard-drive. Where to look? What to Buy? Personal Experiences? [more inside]
posted by Mave_80 at 8:14 AM PST - 15 comments
posted by Mave_80 at 8:14 AM PST - 15 comments
Help me find a larger version of my favorite video clip
Where can I find a larger version of the surreal Muppets Over Time[QT] short? Maybe a format other than QuickTime?
posted by furtive at 8:05 AM PST - 10 comments
posted by furtive at 8:05 AM PST - 10 comments
Need help finding CD...
MusicFilter - Looking for the name of a CD of jazz remixes/reimaginings/versions of "alternative" songs. [more inside]
posted by weirdoactor at 8:03 AM PST - 21 comments
posted by weirdoactor at 8:03 AM PST - 21 comments
Does online chemistry translate into physical chemistry?
So you met someone online and experienced the technological equivalent of the "thunderbolt." You found yourself in love, based only on text, knowing it was crazy. Then you met in person. How did it go? [more inside]
posted by helcat at 7:53 AM PST - 54 comments
posted by helcat at 7:53 AM PST - 54 comments
how to get started in recording on Windows
Looking to do multi-track recording on a Windows notebook. [more inside]
Selling into the Adult Products Industry
What's the best distribution strategy for selling a new product into the U.S. adult products market? [more inside]
Alabama getaway!
Civil Rights tour of Alabama, destinations, places to avoid? [more inside]
HD-based MP3 players and running?
Hard Drive based MP3 players and running? [more inside]
Grant money for learning
Is there such a thing as grant money for independent research or learning? [more inside]
Who's a modern judicial pragmatist?
What modern jurists could be considered the heirs of the pragmatism of Benjamin Cardozo and Karl Llewellyn? [more inside]
posted by BeerGrin at 6:18 AM PST - 7 comments
posted by BeerGrin at 6:18 AM PST - 7 comments
my mantra
Help me find an island paradise.
IslandParadiseFilter: Help me find a dream island getaway vacation spot. [more inside]
posted by jedrek at 5:37 AM PST - 16 comments
posted by jedrek at 5:37 AM PST - 16 comments
NTI appliance for TMJ?
Has anyone had an experience with an NTI appliance for TMJ? Or possibly a similar device for dental/jaw pain? [more inside]
Two very important pickle related questions
What is the definitive difference between kosher dill pickles and Polish dill pickles? And, in a related question, is there anything harmful about drinking the juice from a pickle jar when I feel the intense (pregnancy induced) need?
posted by leapingsheep at 4:40 AM PST - 18 comments
posted by leapingsheep at 4:40 AM PST - 18 comments
Paper for walls and not for desktops
Help! I am looking for peacock feather motif wallpaper, as in paper for walls and not for desktops. [more inside]
Self Cyst Removal, not self trepanation
I have what's been diagnosed as a harmless sebaceous cyst under my hair. Can I cut it open with an Exacto or Stanley knife? [more inside]
posted by Dag Maggot at 3:10 AM PST - 28 comments
posted by Dag Maggot at 3:10 AM PST - 28 comments
How to get Spanish to work in my computer?
I would like to add a Spanish keyboard (language interface pack?) to Windows XP in order to make typing Spanish more efficient. [more inside]
posted by Colloquial Collision at 12:51 AM PST - 5 comments
posted by Colloquial Collision at 12:51 AM PST - 5 comments