Ask MetaFilter

Scanning pics on an HP Laserjet 3030 multifunction unit into Paint Shop Pro (or any other app) via TWAIN. The HP Scan dialog closes after every scan and it takes a while to reopen on this older PC. Is there any way to make it stay open for multiple scans?
posted by AstroGuy at 8:20 PM PST - 0 comments

What website should I be locked into on Tuesday night? I want raw data, real-time lists of media and VNS calls for various states, as well as info on Senate and House returns.
posted by PrinceValium at 7:50 PM PST - 10 comments

I know that the RIAA has sued users of certain P2P networks like Kazaa, with mixed results. I'd like to know if there are any other examples of companies or agencies suing individuals for alleged copyright infringement...(like maybe the MPAA going after people on BitTorrent or something.) [more inside]
posted by thewittyname at 7:20 PM PST - 5 comments

CarTroubleFilter: My '84 Dodge has started stalling out every once and awhile. I don't know much about cars, but I'm guessing carburetor problems? [more inside] [more inside]
posted by dogwalker at 7:20 PM PST - 9 comments

How should I buy a mattress? [more underneath] [more inside]
posted by Vidiot at 4:45 PM PST - 16 comments

Using projectors to play video games. [more inside]
posted by Hildago at 3:58 PM PST - 10 comments

Checking a suitcase in New York City: is it possible? I'd like to leave my suitcase somewhere for the day. Many moons ago, I checked my bag at Grand Central Terminal, but I've heard that the luggage room was discontinued after 9/11. Does anyone know if it's back (or have other suggestions)?
posted by 4easypayments at 3:31 PM PST - 8 comments

How do you figure out who owns the rights to something? Specifically, I want to know who owns the rights to an old movie ("Dead of Night"). But I thought it might be useful to open the question up a bit more. Are there good databases out there where I can look up a book, song, movie, or whatever and find out if it's public domain or owned by someone -- and, if so, who owns it?
posted by grumblebee at 2:44 PM PST - 10 comments

We live (rent) on the second floor and attic of a house. The attic is finished in such a way so that there are crawlspaces on each side of the gable, which we use for storage. Something, presumably a squirrel or other manner of rodentia, has taken up residence either in the recesses of one of these crawlspaces or between the floors and scratches away annoyingly, most often at 5:30am. Is there anything we can do to drive the thing away* or should we just invest in a humane trap?

* We have a cat and two dogs live below, so things that emit animal-annoying frequencies are out of the question.
posted by stefnet at 2:37 PM PST - 10 comments

XMLFilter: I need to format an XML file nicely, with the correct indentation and so forth. Unfortunately the file is all on one line. Any suggestions for a Windows user? [more inside]
posted by John Shaft at 1:14 PM PST - 5 comments

My spouse and I are ending our marriage, and I would appreciate advice on how and when I should tell people.

We pretty much decided to do this a couple months ago, but I hadn't talked about it with anyone out of hope that we would reconcile. Recent events have made it clear that this isn't going to happen. Now I want to know how long I should wait before I explain what's happening to my child, family, friends, and acquaintances.

Tips on how I should raise the issue are also appreciated. Obviously telling my parents will require a different approach than telling, e.g., my boss. My spouse and I are both fairly introverted, and few of my friends are acquainted, so I can't count on this information spreading itself through any circle of friends. Without forcing anyone to chose sides or evoking pity, I am simply looking to minimize the inevitable awkwardness facing me.

I will definitely seek the help of a therapist, especially for guidance on how best to guide my first-grader (whose emotional well-being is most important to me) through this very difficult thing. However, I'm also interested in the input of anyone who has either been through this situation or know someone who has.
posted by anonymous at 12:17 PM PST - 14 comments

New Laptop. I have a new laptop waiting for me (Dell/WinXP) when I get home next week and I want to treat this one right. The one I have now is three years old and has served its purpose, but has been stumbling lately. Any tips on making your laptop last longer? (specifics inside) [more inside]
posted by jonah at 11:48 AM PST - 16 comments

"Winter is icumen in, lhude sing 'Goddamm' ...
Was thinking of augmenting my rickety ol' furnace by getting a portable kerosene space heater for inside the house. Bad idea or unfairly maligned by price-gouging gas & electric companies?
posted by RavinDave at 10:56 AM PST - 5 comments

Do you go to the toilet in front of your partner? [more inside]
posted by benzo8 at 10:49 AM PST - 46 comments

HalloweenFilter: What are some good movies for a halloween party? Scary, Silly, you name it.
posted by hughbot at 10:48 AM PST - 17 comments

Forgive me if I should know this already. but do I really have to buy additional software to play DVDs on my PC? I mean, I bought this combo (CD-RW/DVD) drive so I could burn CDs and play DVDs, but Win XP has no native DVD codec. So is InterVideo's WinDVD or PowerDVD the only options? And does this all come back to the controversy over DeCSS?
posted by grabbingsand at 9:22 AM PST - 8 comments

Random question : How would you describe people who create HTML? We're not programmers. We aren't really coders. How would you describe us? [more inside]
posted by twine42 at 9:04 AM PST - 26 comments

In GTA San Andreas, every time I attempt a home invasion there's someone sitting in the living room. Is there a way to ensure that people will be upstairs more often?

And if I'm quicker with a baseball bat, can I prevent the majority of the population that sleeps sitting upright in the living room from calling the cops?
posted by Mayor Curley at 8:51 AM PST - 18 comments

No, seriously: What are the pros and cons of wearing underwear vs "going commando"?
posted by Shane at 8:23 AM PST - 7 comments

Why do boys like to date bitchy, bossy girls?
posted by dame at 8:12 AM PST - 48 comments

All over Berlin (west and east) there are large pipes sticking out of the sidewalk. They're painted light purple. Sometimes they cross a single street before going back underground. What are they?
posted by Nelson at 7:20 AM PST - 15 comments

I need advice on how to find and communicate with a hairstylist or barber. [more inside]
posted by Eamon at 10:09 PM PST - 9 comments

I want to attach a popcorn machine to a bike like this. The machine takes 120 Volts, any idea how I could power it?
posted by TurkishGolds at 9:07 PM PST - 9 comments

SongSearch: The other day I heard a terrific bluesy rock song and I'd like to know the artist/band. The vocalist has a great sneering style - sorta like a Jagger/Van Morrison hybrid. Lyrics were cliched "rolling down the highway" type stuff but man, it sounded so good. Anyone have a clue who I'm talking about? Think Allman Brothers fronted by Johnny Thunders.
posted by davebush at 6:47 PM PST - 5 comments

Custom t-shirts: I don't have a silk screen, nor the inclination to acquire and learn how to use one. What are my other options? I can only think of thermal transfer, but I remember that being an unreliable, short-lived approach. Is there a better way to do thermal transfers, or a better way altogether?
posted by blueshammer at 6:42 PM PST - 5 comments

SongFilter: Songs/Artists with choral grandeur? Heard often in films at the pending apocalypse, judgement day, climax, etc. Like the one that goes di, di. da, da. di, di. da, da. di di da daaaa da di daaaaaah. :-P
posted by omidius at 3:47 PM PST - 28 comments

I've found a great deal on a Canon digital camera. Problem is the place I would buy it from resells surplus and salvage goods. Though this store backs up new purchases, will I have problems getting warranty service from the manufacturer 6 months down the line?
posted by SteveInMaine at 2:42 PM PST - 5 comments

The lights along the dim hallway flickered as she walked toward the door at the end. The floor of the old house creaked underneath her webbed feet, but otherwise all was still. Until she heard the sound of footsteps behind her, and she turned and saw.... I love ghost stories. Can any of you recommend some good ones? To give you some idea of what I would like, I loved Edith Wharton's creepy tales and Shirley Jackson's The Haunting of Hill House, but I'll pass on any more Stephen King or Peter Straub. I want good writing, subtlety, suspense, and enough thrills and chills to scare the feathers right off me.
posted by orange swan at 12:55 PM PST - 16 comments

BreakfastFilter: How do I go about preparing and consuming a big, satisfying, yet also healthy breakfast? [more inside]
posted by josh at 12:02 PM PST - 29 comments

Good OS X CD Burning software? I need a few specifics: a. able to burn playlists; b. able to check the length of the CD prior to burning. iTunes isn't able to do B and Audion is absolute garbage. Help. [more inside]
posted by dobbs at 11:05 AM PST - 8 comments

I've been a DJ for many years...but only in the last two have I really embraced CD's...and still carry a huge chunk of vinyl to every gig. Now the club I am at is going completely digital - and its worse than just CD's...I need advice...theres more once you get past the doormen... [more inside]
posted by mattr at 11:03 AM PST - 5 comments

GenealogyTilYourEyesGlazeOverFilter: Trying to figure out (and this page just confuses me more) the whole "second cousin" and the whole "cousin x removed" thing. (more family relationships inside) [more inside]
posted by WolfDaddy at 10:08 AM PST - 13 comments

Is my cat possessed or did a large bunny kill her parents? (More inside.) [more inside]
posted by adrober at 5:24 PM PST - 8 comments

My voice has a nasal sound to it - not high-pitched-nasal, more like it sounds like I have a perpetually stuffy nose. Anything I can work on to change that, or am I stuck?
posted by ferociouskitty at 3:53 PM PST - 6 comments

"Now Playing" MT trackbacks from Winamp. [more inside]
posted by muckster at 3:28 PM PST - 5 comments

I haven't had a date in five years. Advice?
posted by Pretty_Generic at 2:25 PM PST - 69 comments

This is for a friend, I swear!

I’ve got a big date tonight and as all of you know from being my friend, though I may be a stellar conversationalist, I don’t have a good sense of boundaries and what are appropriate 1st date questions to ask. So can you all send me a list?  It may also be helpful to give me a list of things not to say.
posted by rschroed at 10:38 AM PST - 36 comments

I've got several cool old t-shirts that are too small for me now, but that I'd like to use for something. So far the only idea I could come up with was pillows. Any suggestions?
posted by drezdn at 9:40 AM PST - 11 comments

So I've been shortlisted for a job, and I've been sent a Health Declaration to fill in and return before the interview. Filling in the form truthfully would mean disclosing my history of clinical depression and my current medication. I'm afraid that, if I disclose this information, it may damage my chances of being offered the job. So what should I do? Answer truthfully, and hope for the best? Or say nothing, and risk the consequences? What's the worst that could happen to me if I withhold this information?
posted by anonymous at 9:03 AM PST - 13 comments

How can you overcome pee shyness in public urnials? As in, stepping to the plate, but being unable to pee until the bathroom is empty?
posted by anonymous at 9:03 AM PST - 28 comments

Historical Fiction. I want to branch of of reading almost only middle ages English history. Does anyone have a recommendation for a book about Japan surrounding the nuclear bombs during WW2? Or the Holocost. Or other good historical fiction of other varieties. (I like times of disaster/difficulty.) Heck, I'll even take recommendations for middle ages..but I've probably read it.
posted by aacheson at 8:36 AM PST - 30 comments

HellFreezesOverFilter: I'm actually interested in finally giving electronica a chance. The only previous songs of the genre I've appreciated were tracks by Moby (esp. "Flower") and Fatboy Slim ("Going Out Of My Head") and the Avalanches ("Frontier Psychaitrist"). Most of you know my sensibilities well enough to make reccomendations. (for those who don't, here's an idea.) Fire away, kids.
posted by jonmc at 8:16 AM PST - 57 comments

Printers: I am looking at photo printers and have pretty much narrowed it down to the Canon i9900 and the Epson Stylus Photo 2200. Which should I choose? (Output continues inside) [more inside]
posted by TedW at 6:58 AM PST - 3 comments

Why do we need boxsprings? [more inside]
posted by Eekacat at 6:51 AM PST - 16 comments

Balding - check. Hairy backness - check. What else does the aging process bring? [more inside]
posted by biffa at 3:00 AM PST - 43 comments

How do I begin to go about specifying a sound system for my new, small (theoretical) bar, restaurant and night club?
posted by nthdegx at 1:27 AM PST - 6 comments

XML/RSS: I'm completely ignorant here. What's a good program for receiving/reading XML feeds? (Not even sure that I want/need to do this, but I feel like trying it out. Like I said, I don't know what I'm doing.) [more inside]
posted by MrAnonymous at 12:02 AM PST - 11 comments

For some reason I just started considering the Peace Corps as something to do. Does anyone have any personal experiences to share with it, positive or negative?
posted by angry modem at 11:12 PM PST - 2 comments

I have a Halloween party to attend on Saturday night and need a costume idea! Cheap and easy is the key!
posted by amandaudoff at 10:09 PM PST - 23 comments

How do I create a bookmark icon for my website using Windows XP and Photoshop 7? I can't find a way to save as an .ico file. Googling leads to a lot of older Photoshop version stuff.
posted by swank6 at 9:47 PM PST - 12 comments

Someone in my immediate family was involved in a car accident today on a highway, and he was in the wrong (though no alcohol or drugs were involved). Not only that, but the other driver was killed, and he is probably going to be charged. He is traumatized, extremely distressed, in a bad state mentally. My question is for advice from anyone who has dealt with this kind of situation.
posted by anonymous at 6:27 PM PST - 15 comments

Cleaning tips for a Heywood-Wakefield dining table (champagne finish)? It has quite a bit of build-up and dust that Murphy's oil soap has failed to budge, but otherwise is in good shape (no chips, scratches, etc.). I've only found brief references online to using GoJo hand soap (which only seems available in bulk as an office supply) or naphtha (which I vaguely associate with flaming weapons of medieval warfare), so I'm at a bit of a loss as to how to proceed.
posted by scody at 4:09 PM PST - 3 comments

Spyware/Junkware question. I've just spent six hours trying to remove what seems to be a new parasite based on VX2. There's plenty of information, tools, tips and advice, but nowhere have I been able to find how this particular pest actually works. Does anyone know? [mi] [more inside]
posted by grahamwell at 3:36 PM PST - 8 comments

Multiregional or Out of Africa?
posted by four panels at 2:53 PM PST - 13 comments

Firefox ~ Mozilla What is the relationship between Firefox and Mozilla? Is Firefox just the revised browser component of the suite of programs called Mozilla?
posted by ParisParamus at 2:27 PM PST - 37 comments

I've just bought a Lacie 160 gigabyte firewire drive. It's to be plugged into a Windows XP machine, but also to be written to and read by a Mac OSX machine. I want to format it with the FAT32 file system, but Windows won't let me. Is there a way to force the drive to format as FAT32? [More inside...] [more inside]
posted by skylar at 2:10 PM PST - 6 comments

Can Apple's X11 and Xdarwin coexist in peace and harmony on my Imac?

I ask because there are a number of cool Fink packages that crave the love of Xdarwin, and Fink teases me with cryptic references to peaceful cohabitation but leaves out specifics.
posted by mecran01 at 1:31 PM PST - 7 comments

What do you use to block ads when you browse the internet? Does it ever erroneously block sites? Does it cost much, does it have special features? I'm looking for something to scrub the web clean - any/all platforms - without blocking innocent third parties. [more inside]
posted by dabitch at 12:41 PM PST - 26 comments

Can I fly from the United States to Canada without a passport?
posted by jjg at 12:12 PM PST - 20 comments

Last night I watched my neighbor's dog kill a cat. [more inside - may be disturbing to cat lovers]. [more inside]
posted by scarabic at 12:08 PM PST - 78 comments

Are there any circumstances under which adult children become responsible for a parent's debts? [more inside]
posted by widdershins at 11:48 AM PST - 5 comments

Double Insurance Coverage: I am now in an interesting situation -- I am covered under my employer's health plan (Regence/Blue Cross Utah), and an individual plan I bought earlier. What kind of rules might exist about how coverage from each applies? [more inside] [more inside]
posted by weston at 10:24 AM PST - 7 comments

[EU-Filter] I'm an American currently studying in Germany. I'm planning to travel to the Netherlands soon; unfortunately, I had to give out my passport to start the student-visa process. I've managed to lose the copies I made. I'm travelling by train. Will not having a passport be a huge problem? I've heard yes, I've heard no - so I'm turning to the Green for the answer.
posted by ruddhist at 10:19 AM PST - 19 comments

Is there a concise, google-able term for an image of this variety [Detail 1, 2]? 'Wedge-shaped drawing that is tessellated into a circle to give the appearance of one unbroken, repeating image' isn't doing the job. More background inside. [more inside]
posted by adamkempa at 10:01 AM PST - 10 comments

Where do cobwebs come from?
posted by stupidsexyFlanders at 9:46 AM PST - 24 comments

I am in Wisconsin and forming an agreement with a company interested in oursourcing some web design. I'd like to charge a flat fee per project. What is a fair percentage of the profit they make for me to ask for? 40%?
posted by anonymous at 9:33 AM PST - 7 comments

Can anyone recommend some alt.country? I remember I had a mix cd a few years ago that had some really nice stuff on it (Lucinda Williams singing "Passionate Kisses" really stands out in my memory) but I have no idea where to start. I really like the female vocalist aspect, but I am open to all suggestions. Bonus if I can snag it on iTunes.
posted by sugarfish at 9:17 AM PST - 45 comments

Do you have significantly more friends of one gender than the other? [more inside]
posted by kenko at 9:07 AM PST - 33 comments

HistoryFilter: Odd reference to McCarthy in Kerry's 1971 Senate Testimony. He said: "I realize that we cannot negotiate treaties and I realize that even my visits in Paris, precedents had been set by Senator McCarthy and others, in a sense are on the borderline of private individuals negotiating, et cetera. What was the incident involving McCarthy that set a precedent? [more inside]
posted by RavinDave at 8:09 AM PST - 7 comments

My hair is thinning. This really sucks. I knew it would happen (uncle on mom's side has it) but what can I do to slow it down? Rogaine is out of the question as it is bad for my wife if she gets near it when trying to have kids. I have been using this "hair thickening" shampoo which doesn't seem to be doing much. Also why is it called male pattern baldness? Where's the pattern?
posted by thebwit at 5:57 AM PST - 30 comments

In Arthur C. Clarke's novel, "3001: The Final Odyssey", he postulates the idea of a "ring around the world", an artificial ring surrounding the entire globe, sitting in geostationary orbit, connected to the Earth with four space elevator towers at 90 degree intervals.

Has anyone ever rendered or painted what this would look like from space, or on Earth?
posted by Mwongozi at 5:39 AM PST - 18 comments

Holiday phrase book: As a leaving present for a girl travelling to Fiji, Singapore, Japan, and the Philipines, I want to make a book containing some useful phrases. Anyone help me translate them into the languages, or suggest more phases? (MI) [more inside]
posted by Pericles at 5:35 AM PST - 4 comments

Could a tight presidential result in lead to civil war? [more inside]
posted by davehat at 3:37 AM PST - 50 comments

FreshTunaFilter:
a) What do you like to make with fresh tuna?

b) What are other interesting ways in which you've seen it prepared?

(Leave out the stuff involving raw fish e.g. sashimi.)
posted by madman at 1:13 AM PST - 17 comments

Legal advice question - statutory rape. More inside. [more inside]
posted by Tryptophan-5ht at 8:51 PM PST - 16 comments

My car was recently stolen and I just recieved a check for $2600 from the insurance company to purchase a new car. I'm not sure how much I should spend on the car and how much to save for registration costs, switching my insurance over to this car, etc. Aside from potential problems with the car that may need to be fixed, what costs can I expect to incur just getting everything switched over to a new car?
posted by untuckedshirts at 7:49 PM PST - 11 comments

If someone were asking me to redesign a table-based small business site with full CSS and an integrated blog (visuals wouldn't change much, but navigation structure would be completely different), how much should I, hypothetically, charge?
posted by Tlogmer at 6:59 PM PST - 5 comments

Uses for an unstable PC? A department manager purchased a laptop, I won't say what brand, about a year and a half ago. It's had new RAM and two new hard drives. The power socket is coming off the motherboard. It wasn't cheap and is more powerful than some of the other laptops currently in use. However, you can't be sure it's going to start up on any given morning. We would normally add old laptops to a pool of portable equipment used by our 70+ lecturing staff, but they have enough problems with working equipment. There are several interesting hobbyist projects I could pursue (a digital picture frame springs to mind), but I'd like to at least attempt some sort of work-related deployment when he breaks down and buys a new laptop. Any ideas?
posted by krisjohn at 6:44 PM PST - 7 comments

Domestic absentee voting predicament: So I sent away for an absentee ballot, from a county elections office 8 hours away. They goofed, mistakenly thought it was a registration to vote at the local polls -- and mailed me a sample ballot instead. Now it's too late to get an absentee ballot. Am I pwned, or is there some (federal?) backup form I can use? I live in California.
posted by inksyndicate at 5:25 PM PST - 4 comments

I was recently diagnosed with HPV. The strain I have does not cause genital warts (thank god) but does cause cervical abnormalities that could lead to cancer. I've done my research on this, and I've learned that HPV is extremely prevalent and shouldn't be stigmatized, but it is nonetheless. Here's my question: I know my ex gave it to me, and I know he doesn't know he's a carrier (because he got tested for STDs and came back clean before we did it). I think he's a jerk and I don't really want to talk to him, but am I obligated to tell him so he can tell all the other girls he's infected? I'm afraid he'll tell all of our mutual friends that I have an STD. Help.
posted by anonymous at 3:49 PM PST - 31 comments

I turn 30 in two weeks. About two years ago, I went from only having to shave a couple of times a week, to shaving every day (or I look like a mountain man). I've also started growing great amounts of hair on my back (ick!), where there was none before.

Is this sudden burst of hormones (I almost want to call it "second puberty") normal for guys going through middle age? I'm just much harier than I was two years ago, and nothing else has changed.
posted by anonymous at 3:47 PM PST - 18 comments

ChiliFilter: When I make chili, I use cayenne pepper and red pepper powders and sauces, respectively. But the 'bite' of the heat comes a second or two after the chili hits my mouth and is rather metallic, versus right away and nice and warm and full like chili you get at a restaurant. What's the difference? What ingredients can I add to bring the heat forward earlier, and make it warmer and less "bite"-y?
posted by SpecialK at 3:34 PM PST - 22 comments

How do the cut the big socks into the grass of the infield at Fenway? Giant baseball diamond sized graph paper? GPS? A guy with a walkie talkie circling in a blimp above barking instructions?

And a follow up; How do they layout corn mazes? Layout the maze with string/surveyors tape and plant accordingly?
posted by Keith Talent at 3:03 PM PST - 3 comments

What is a good way to get the residual glue from medical tape / EKG pads off the skin? Lots of soap and water doesn't seem to be doing the trick. [mi]
posted by Chanther at 3:02 PM PST - 12 comments

Any recommendations for a high quality, possibly amplified, indoor FM antenna? [mi] [more inside]
posted by rorycberger at 2:56 PM PST - 8 comments

How to stir fry broccoli correctly? [more inside]
posted by skwm at 2:21 PM PST - 10 comments

[VegetableFilter] What should I do with the brussel sprouts I bought?
posted by Utilitaritron at 1:38 PM PST - 24 comments

My mother will celebrate her 60th birthday in a few weeks. Since I'm afraid a regular present will not suffice this time, I am looking for an entertaining birthday-game. The party will consist of approximately 15 people, and it's going to be a rather sedate round so drinking games might not be the appropiate answer. Thanks in advance.
posted by tcp at 12:10 PM PST - 6 comments

FitnessFilter: I want to buy a treadmill for the house. Are there any brands/makes I should either avoid and/or seek out? I will be running on it, so it can't be completely junky.
posted by benjh at 12:09 PM PST - 4 comments

Ce n'est pas l'Arc de Triomphe, stupide! C'est l'Arc de Défaite! I've recently become aware that my feet have high natural arches. I am trying to learn how to best accommodate them and so avoid the backaches and sore feet that have probably been triggered by their former lack of support. Does anyone have any tips for me, such as orthotic user reviews or ways to strengthen the arch?
posted by orange swan at 12:03 PM PST - 5 comments

Next week David Lapham, one of my favorite comics writers, begins a year-long run on Detective Comics. I haven't read anything Batman related since "Hush", so is there any site I can go to for general synopses of the storylines since then, so I'm not completely lost when I pick up issue #800?
posted by emptybowl at 11:50 AM PST - 3 comments

How does one go about writing a really good cover letter without sounding like an utter wanker? [more inside]
posted by cmonkey at 11:15 AM PST - 20 comments

WinXP: my laptop downloaded a windows update (not sure what sort). Now, when I shut down, it tries to update my machine. I get a message saying that Windows is updating, and it advises me NOT to turn off my machine until it's done. But it continues to "update" forever. I've let it sit for two hours, and it still claims to be updating. Finally, with clenched teeth, I shut off the machine and rebooted. Everything seems okay. Now, whenever I shut down, it asks me if I want to install the upgrade or not. If I say yes, the machine stalls on that upgrading message. If I say no, it shuts down fine. I'm ok with saying no all the time, except that now I can't ever add any new updates. What should I do?
posted by grumblebee at 11:14 AM PST - 14 comments

What's a good link checker for building web sites? The sites are on UNIX boxes and I'm on Mac OSX. I need to run something that's just gonna go thru the site and find any broken links and build a report. One that I can set to do this weekly would be best. Thanks!
posted by dobbs at 10:04 AM PST - 3 comments

I'm a big fan of mashups, but only recently wondered what software people use to make them. Specifically things like:
A Night at the Hip Hopera, The Grey Album and more recently the Scummer Mix (scroll down for link)
Vocal stripping, beat matching, sampling, the ubiquitous handclap track... Help me AskMe, where do I begin?
posted by FreezBoy at 9:43 AM PST - 8 comments

We are in need of an application which will allow us to advance a Digital Video Disk to specific intervals (0:00:00) for the purpose of screen capture. [more inside]
posted by tenseone at 9:27 AM PST - 15 comments

Due to having to use the laundromat to wash my clothes, I have taken to leaving the detergent in the back of my car. Well, that detergent decided to explode all over the back of the car. Luckily, it is a teeny car with a teeny trunk area. Any suggestions for cleaning it out of the carpet it the back? And yes, I am glad that for all of the substances to explode in one's car, I managed to be lucky enough to get "detergent".
posted by stefnet at 9:22 AM PST - 8 comments

I finally took a spill rollerblading and tore out the knee of my jeans. Does anyone know of any iron-on patch vendors with a Threadless sensibility? [more inside]
posted by o2b at 8:43 AM PST - 6 comments

NewsReaders - I'm looking for a good newsreader to download huge multipart binaries from usenet. I've tried Forte Agent and Quadnews, and both choke when downloading massive amounts of headers from my news server {mi} [more inside]
posted by quibx at 8:23 AM PST - 8 comments

In a land without WiFi, those with offline content would be king [mi] [more inside]
posted by m@ at 8:07 AM PST - 3 comments

What are the three things on the body (just above the fretboard) of Jeff Tweedy's guitar in this picture? I've been seeing them on that guitar at Wilco shows for years, and have never been able to figure out what they are. At some shows, it seemed like they were glowing, but it could have just been the stage lights.
posted by COBRA! at 7:55 AM PST - 8 comments

Parents: how often do/did you bathe your young kids (those too young to handle it themselves). We put our 3 year old in the tub about once a week, sooner if really dirty. Some of our friends dunk theirs every night. Consensus?
posted by luser at 7:37 AM PST - 17 comments

I need to find a method/product that allows me to analyze the contents of a website. [More Inside]
posted by smcniven at 7:24 AM PST - 7 comments

How do you take a vacation? I want to take a few days off, get away from home, relax and not feel any particular pressure to do anything. It seems like every vacation I've ever been on has been work. If I'm not touring or driving, I'm skiing or hiking. I don't want to take time off and just be home, but I don't know how to travel and relax. Any general tips or specific vacation recommendations?
posted by croutonsupafreak at 11:28 PM PST - 16 comments

I'm putting together a playlist for an election-results-watching party (Go Kerry!). Any recommendations for songs relating to the current administration?
So far, I've got: Ani DiFranco's 'Self Evident', Saul Williams' 'Pledge of Resistance' and Eminem's Mosh from the recent post. I know I've heard others, but can't seem to find them right now.
Any genre is OK, just curious as to how much I can find, my google-fu doesn't seem up to the task of finding political songs without too much stuff from the Vietnam era.
posted by bashos_frog at 11:13 PM PST - 40 comments

Is it safe to always keep the car air conditioner on, and on recirculate? A good idea? Because apparently that's what people in Taiwan do, but I've never seen it done in the US.
posted by calwatch at 9:08 PM PST - 10 comments

Can the President use a recess appointment to appoint a Supreme Court Justice?
posted by mhaw at 9:00 PM PST - 12 comments

What's the best way to buy tangible gold and/or silver? [more inside]
posted by calwatch at 8:52 PM PST - 10 comments

Shoes and boots for the extra wide foot... [more insole] [more inside]
posted by oflinkey at 8:50 PM PST - 8 comments

Get your ears pinned back: anyone done it? as an adult? Is it sore? How long does it take to recover? Do they pop back out? Is it expensive? Any and all info gratefully received.
posted by bonaldi at 7:07 PM PST - 2 comments

MacHeads: I'm a good son and am going to get my mom a laptop. All she does is play Mahjong, and shop/check e-mail online. I've had unusually bad luck with Toshiba widescreen laptops for her, and a Compaq. All were taken back because of fundamental problems (blue screening, wireless card with crappy range). I'm wanting to stick around $1000. How's the standard 12-inch iBook? Good wireless range? Is the 256MB of RAM enough for a Mac? I'd go up to the 14-inch iBook if I won't be spending another $200 to get it up to spec. Thanks!
posted by geoff. at 6:17 PM PST - 18 comments

Digital Camera repair: I have a Canon S-40 that has stopped working. It just doesn't power on. What is the best way to go about repairing it? Do local camera shops do this kind of work these days or will this entail sending it in to Canon world headquarters? If you think I should just pitch it and buy a new one, what do you think of this one?
posted by jacobsee at 5:39 PM PST - 7 comments

AskMovieSpoilerFilter - So a while ago I was watching the excellent "The Color of Money" and I can't figure out exactly why the Tom Cruise character was so pissed at the Paul Newman character at the very end. [spoiler] Did Fast Eddie throw his match because he had been payed off to do so? Presumably simply resigning a match would arouse suspicions if that were the case. Or did he do it to avoid playing Tom Cruise in a tournament? I can't find a precis anywhere on the net that goes into that level of detail...
posted by sfz at 5:34 PM PST - 7 comments

Which software do you use for minor digital video editing? I'm wanting to crop and color correct a few .avi files on Win2k and/or WinXP, but I'm sure others would appreciate different systems and formats being represented.
posted by rhapsodie at 4:28 PM PST - 4 comments

Lawyerfilter: I'm curious about the legality of replicating content (designs, catchphrases, etc) from a given medium into another. For example, I love the "Real Genius"-inspired shirts that founditemclothing.com is producing ( "I Love Toxic Waste," "International Order for Gorillas," and "Surf Nicaragua,") but I'm wondering if it's permissible under the law. Thanks in advance to anyone willing and able to take a stab at explaning it.
posted by Sinner at 3:35 PM PST - 8 comments

I recently found out that Shakespeare based Romeio and Juliet on Arthur Brooke's Tragical History of Romeus and Juliet. What are some other examples of artists (both modern and historical) "borrowing" or "sampling" from other artists? I'm interested in any kind of art: writing, painting, musical composition, etc... [MI] [more inside]
posted by thewittyname at 3:13 PM PST - 16 comments

I'm looking at nolo press' site for info on LLCs, and the simple ~$300 method of creating one online at corporation.com, but I seem to recall reading somewhere that LLCs incorporated in Delaware and Nevada are the only ones that are tax-free when money goes into them -- that money going into another state's LLC does get taxed, and when money goes into your personal bank account it gets taxed in both cases. So aside from Delaware and Nevada, money going into an LLC would be taxed twice. Is that correct? Are there any drawbacks to making a Delaware or Nevada LLC as opposed to your home state?
posted by mathowie at 2:55 PM PST - 14 comments

Stripped screws: I have three screws whose heads have become so worn that no screwdriver will grip them. I've been told to try a screw extractor. Has anyone used these successfully? Easy or hard? Success rate? Handy tips? Or should I just get a pro in to do the job instead? [more inside]
posted by humuhumu at 2:15 PM PST - 8 comments

Why are tin cans (ie soup cans, milk cans, bean cans, etc) ridged?
posted by ashbury at 1:17 PM PST - 12 comments

Any way to reverse clothing shrinkage from the dryer?
posted by mert at 1:01 PM PST - 3 comments

Three days in Buenos Aires in early December - what to do? Think offbeat, unique, and budget-minded. But must-sees are not out of the question either.
posted by gottabefunky at 12:33 PM PST - 2 comments

Small- to medium-scale inventory management system recommendations? [more inside]
posted by NotMyselfRightNow at 11:25 AM PST - 6 comments

About two weeks ago I was in Chicago and saw a billboard stating something along the lines of "A Day Without Mexicans..." and gave a url of adaywithoutmexicans.com as well as a date for last month (Sept) that this was supposed to happen. I was kinda shocked by this and went to the website but all I get is a godaddy default page. Anyone from Chi-town know what this was about?
posted by thebwit at 8:53 AM PST - 11 comments

Software Firewalls:
a) Are they necessary/useful at all?
b) which one works OK and will not screw up my Apache, SMTP, Pop3 and Imap servers or my use of ICS to give my wife's laptop net access (< -dealbreaker)?br> I am on an XP Pro box, connected directly to a cable modem. I am not going to buy a router/hardware firewall.
posted by signal at 8:49 AM PST - 12 comments

It has been recommended that my 6 y.o. see a psychiatrist for possible ADD. Has anyone else had experience with someone so young being administered drugs for this? I'm having fears that he'll turn into a zombie. Minus the flesh eating.
posted by adampsyche at 8:19 AM PST - 29 comments

Mendocimo & Napa Filter
A friend is going to spend 2 nights in Mendocima, CA in November. Currently he's tempted by the Joshua Grindle Inn's water tower. Anyone have any better/similar suggestions for some accomodation and also a place around Napa for a night as he heads back to SF? [more inside]
posted by i_cola at 8:15 AM PST - 8 comments

ChicagoFilter: I'm looking for small presses in Chicago - the type that churn out lots of creative zines, etc. I LIVE here, but I'm having trouble finding where to go to get a good list going. Can anyone point me in the right direction?
posted by agregoli at 8:05 AM PST - 3 comments

My little boy wants to be a robot for Halloween, and I'd like to include a 60's style bank of randomly blinking lights on his robot chest. Cardboard and spraypaint I know and can work with; electronics, not so much. Is there a fairly easy and cheap way to do such a thing? [more inside]
posted by crumbly at 7:35 AM PST - 9 comments

Looking at pumpkin receipes, they all seem to be mostly sugar and gunk with a little pumpkin thrown in to make sure it lives up to its name. Am I looking at the wrong receipes?
posted by twine42 at 7:18 AM PST - 16 comments

UK immigration: My cousin (an American) is investigating ways that she can become a permanent resident or citizen of the United Kingdom. [more inside]
posted by Mayor Curley at 6:56 AM PST - 14 comments

When does the polling places for the presidential election i the US open (and close)? I'll be following it from Denmark, and I would like to know if it's going to be an all-nigther.
posted by Eirixon at 5:16 AM PST - 12 comments

I have to make a recommendation for my work to purchase some software for page layout on a Mac. I've only used Quark, but due to the ridiculous price, I would like to know how InDesign compares and what your preference would be out of the two. [MI] [more inside]
posted by floanna at 12:25 AM PST - 17 comments

Any children of the 70's on board who remember those wacky styrofoam gliders shaped like hot dogs etc? A spoof on the traditional balsa wood version. Fuselage, wing and tail in a simple paper package. There were several different ones besides the hot dog.

I'm feeling nostalgic and Google's not helping.
posted by davebush at 10:05 PM PST - 8 comments

Wireless Network Security: I'd like to know more about keeping my info safe on OS X. [MI] [more inside]
posted by fionab at 9:33 PM PST - 7 comments

SolidWasteFilter (oh boy!):
How to deal with compost in an urban setting. [more inside]
posted by Hackworth at 9:07 PM PST - 13 comments

In past presidental election nights I've sat around a TV with others or been at a campaign headquarters/party. This year I'll be at work though. Suggestions for sites/links for us numbers-obsessed people who want a constant stream of data/graphics/discussion?
posted by gluechunk at 8:31 PM PST - 11 comments

Wireless Mooching? Dishonest? Dangerous? Or what? [more inside] [more inside]
posted by wendell at 8:23 PM PST - 29 comments

Assume you're being chased through the woods near a highway by an armed man with the intent to kill or at least mame you. How do you escape?
posted by Evstar at 8:14 PM PST - 44 comments

As a pissed-off pedestrian and all-too-frequent near-victim of vehicular homicide, what can I do in the way of inflicting public shame (or, at the very least, education) on drivers who run red lights? (Without resorting to violence. Or childish name-calling.)
posted by PrinceValium at 7:50 PM PST - 30 comments

How would one stop a company from using footage of your property in their TV ad campaign? [MI] [more inside]
posted by schoolgirl report at 6:42 PM PST - 14 comments

What's the difference between podcasting and mp3blogging?
posted by Tlogmer at 6:32 PM PST - 3 comments

I have a friend who is being harassed via AIM [MI] [more inside]
posted by swift at 6:06 PM PST - 12 comments

Today after an appointment, I stopped by a local bar for a beer. An over 60 hispanic gentleman walked in and sat at the stool next to me. Without him ordering the bartender brought him a mug, a bottle of beer, and a salt shaker. I was expecting the tender to bring a shot of tequila but that never happened. The guy filled his mug with beer, and every few gulps shook a bit of salt into his brew. I didn't ask him what he was up to, for reasons that escape me now, possibly because his english seemed iffy and he looked ornery. Anybody ever seen this before?
posted by jonmc at 5:48 PM PST - 27 comments

Where can I find some easily understandable tips on taking good clinical images with a digital camera? [more inside]
posted by melissa may at 12:35 PM PST - 8 comments

New Motorcycle Leathers

I'm in the hunt for a new set of biking leathers (not necessarily leather but full coverage is preferred. i.e. not just a jacket). Can anyone make any recommendations on what's worked for them? And (perhaps more importantly) what to avoid?

Also, has anyone tried any of the new Scorpion EXO helmets? Any feedback would be great!
posted by fenriq at 12:29 PM PST - 6 comments

Does anyone have a good template for a software architecture specification and/or technical design specification? Does anyone know where I could find something like this?


(I know, WHAT an exciting question...)
posted by lilboo at 11:53 AM PST - 1 comment

Do you know of any online application that I can install on my own server for organaizing a petition?
posted by hoder at 11:43 AM PST - 1 comment

What should I do with (acorn, butternut, other hard) squash? [more inside]
posted by kenko at 11:38 AM PST - 18 comments

I have another NYC quirks question (my first was about straws): Why is it that if a store (such as Banana Republic) has double doors at its entrance, more often than not one of them is locked? According to my observations all it does is impede traffic (which would be problematic if there was a fire).
posted by o2b at 11:04 AM PST - 11 comments

Looking for an archival, removable, acid-free glue. Preferably tacky. [mi] [more inside]
posted by keswick at 10:32 AM PST - 7 comments

Computer workspace wiring mystery [more inside]
posted by zadcat at 9:17 AM PST - 4 comments

How would you go about trying to earn $100-$200 a week working from home? [more inside]
posted by soplerfo at 9:12 AM PST - 8 comments

My son likes Boohbah, which to me just seems like a half hour of fuzzy balloons making farting noises. What, if anything, is my child getting out of his show? Sesame Street I understand. The Wiggles gets an okay nod. I just don't get the Boohbah love of his.
posted by FunkyHelix at 8:09 AM PST - 14 comments

Can people actually die in their sleep, without first waking up with the pain or surprise of the sudden crisis that lead to their death? What are the chances? [More inside.] [more inside]
posted by MiguelCardoso at 7:50 AM PST - 25 comments

When you deepfry something, what do you do with the leftover grease? Chase it down the drain with really hot water, put it in a container and toss it, or reuse it? And if you re-use it, do you strain it first, and does it make a difference whether you used the grease for meat or fish vs. potatoes or oreos? Is rancidity a concern?
posted by stupidsexyFlanders at 7:12 AM PST - 23 comments

How do you buy art? [more inside] [more inside]
posted by Vidiot at 3:04 AM PST - 15 comments

How many swing states actively use the Diebold electronic voting system?
posted by Keyser Soze at 2:48 AM PST - 4 comments

Someone once mentioned that the US was on the verge of a socialist revolution in the 30's. Can anyone recommend some literature on this subject? Thanks...
posted by black8 at 1:34 AM PST - 10 comments

If you are out for a meal with someone, and that particular someone happens to have food stuck on their face, how do you indicate this to them non-verbally? [mi]
posted by chronic sublime at 1:15 AM PST - 10 comments

Recommended political video clips from the past 4 years? [MI] [more inside]
posted by casarkos at 12:42 AM PST - 2 comments

Why do my shoelaces keep coming untied? I double-knot them. They're not terribly long. What makes that happen?
posted by adrober at 11:30 PM PST - 9 comments

I'm restarting my book review site. However, things on the Net have changed quite a bit since I launched it in 1997, and now I'm worried about breaches of etiquette. [MI] [more inside]
posted by Electric Elf at 11:14 PM PST - 6 comments

Where do slum tenants relocate, once failed government housing like Cabrini-Green is demolished?
posted by four panels at 8:27 PM PST - 5 comments

What's the best way to poach an egg? [more inside]
posted by obiwanwasabi at 6:47 PM PST - 19 comments

Credit Card Filter. I’m a college student on the verge of graduating this spring. I have never had a credit card. Should I have one to start to establish a good credit rating for the future? [mi] [more inside]
posted by asterisk at 6:10 PM PST - 31 comments

Picasa or Flickr? Why?
posted by keswick at 4:16 PM PST - 16 comments

Should I read the '89 "Avengers Kree-Skrull War" before "Universe X"? (I am already on issue 2 of UX, but wonder if I'm missing stuff from not having read KSW first).
posted by signal at 3:38 PM PST - 7 comments

We just ran my cell phone through the washing machine, accidentally, of course. Is there any hope of reviving it? How?
posted by pjhagop at 1:42 PM PST - 11 comments

How has the explosion of MP3's in the last five years (both legal and illegal), added with the explosion of low priced digital storage changed your music listening habits and how you experience music? [more inside] [more inside]
posted by Quartermass at 1:22 PM PST - 24 comments

My guy and I are about to take our first shot at making apple wine. I can't tell from our recipe: should we core the apples? Aren't the seeds poisonous in quantity, or something? Any help is appreciated!
posted by clever sheep at 1:12 PM PST - 4 comments

Is there a way to get a plain text file with all currently registered domain names? Also, is there a way to use whois (from the command line or via a web site) to do partial searches (e.g. whois meta*.com) for large searches (whois seems to cut off after 20 search results)? (domainsurfer.com can do this but their db hasn't been updated for 2 years) [more inside]
posted by gwint at 11:16 AM PST - 7 comments

I want to learn more about electrofunk music. What CDs should I listen to?
posted by Nelson at 10:11 AM PST - 11 comments

Is there really a font named German Bold Italic? [more inside]
posted by Katemonkey at 5:01 AM PST - 13 comments

The IMDB entry for Donnie Darko says: "The script initially called for Donnie's fantasies to be about Alyssa Milano. This had to be changed however when Richard Kelly was denied the legal rights to reference her in this manner." Does anyone know what laws are operating in this situation?
posted by lbergstr at 1:09 AM PST - 13 comments

I've recently become addicted to Buffy. But now I am up to season four and have a dilemma. I am planning on going back and forth between Buffy and Angel, but I don't know which to watch first, since they appear to have aired on the same night. I know there are some crossover episodes, so I don't want to mess that up. Could somebody tell me which order to watch in? [more inside]
posted by shotsy at 11:17 PM PST - 9 comments

Accident Filter. I just hit a car in a parking lot... [mi] [more inside]
posted by ruwan at 9:54 PM PST - 22 comments

Foreign customs: In Fred Plotkin's excellect "Opera 101", he describes (but doesn't explain) how many Germans behave during an intermission. This American is mystified and wants to understand more: "At intermission, many of them stand quietly, while others may join a large group walking around the lobby. This is an odd sight for a newcomer. The audience members form a circle or an oval and all walk the same direction around the perimeter of the lobby." Sounds a bit like a prison yard to me.
posted by grumblebee at 8:11 PM PST - 17 comments

Listening to the game...I'd like to listen to the World Series online - sure, I could tune in the "home of the Cardinals", KMOX, but um, yeah, I don't have an AM receiver in the house. I just noticed this (that I don't have AM). Anyone know of a *free* site to stream ballgames?
posted by notsnot at 5:37 PM PST - 7 comments

Does anyone here know how to tune a shortwave receiver that has bandspread and main tuning dials? [more inside]
posted by alumshubby at 5:26 PM PST - 5 comments

External hard drives.... I have a 160gb Lacie, which works great. (I'm on a Powerbook, btw.) However, it's nearing full of MP3s and I'm not done archiving all my stuff. Should I a) buy another 160 or b) buy a 300gb and sell the 160? {more} [more inside]
posted by dobbs at 4:23 PM PST - 12 comments

yet another computing question - in windows xp, how can i check to determine whether files in the recycle bin are copies of files elsewhere on my computer? (note - this is for a large number of music files, so i'd rather not check them one by one...)
posted by ubersturm at 4:05 PM PST - 4 comments

What's the best color printer for "fine art" printing, using OSX? I might consider color laser, but a good inkjet would also be acceptable. [More Inside] [more inside]
posted by jpburns at 2:13 PM PST - 14 comments

Who is the oldest named person that we can be pretty sure really existed?
posted by Pretty_Generic at 1:47 PM PST - 22 comments

What site gives a breakdown of who appears on your local ballot along with information on their voting record?
posted by the biscuit man at 12:11 PM PST - 7 comments

I am looking for a good low end webcam. Anybody got any recommendations ? WinXP/2000 compatible (linux drivers would also be nice but not essential). Price is a factor since I am a pov.
posted by srboisvert at 11:47 AM PST - 1 comment

IMDB.com has a list of top-grossing movies of all time. Is there a similar list of best-selling novels anywhere? The DaVinci Code topped the lists for ages...but does it approach the record?
posted by rushmc at 11:34 AM PST - 6 comments

Yet another dorky Linux question: how can I install an upgraded version of the Berkeley DB libraries on my RedHat Linux 9 machine without totally horking all the apps that are installed that rely on the older version? (more inside) [more inside]
posted by delfuego at 11:16 AM PST - 3 comments

I'm looking for some good Debussy. (MI) [more inside]
posted by Tlogmer at 9:21 AM PST - 4 comments

How hard is it to use clippers on your own hair and make it look good?
posted by smackfu at 9:19 AM PST - 23 comments

Shoes for business travel? I have week long business travel trips that involve not just sitting but quite a bit of walking. I'd rather only take 1 pair of shoes, but I find my 'business' shoes' to be uncomfortable after a day of sitting around, let alone 2 or 3 miles on the hoof. I'm willing to pay for good shoes. Anybody know what's good? [more inside]
posted by daver at 8:47 AM PST - 21 comments

VERY easy question for this gang. What's the weblog that collects unusual (i.e., Shatnerian) music clips and comments on each one. It's run by a woman whose father was somebody famous.
posted by luser at 6:31 AM PST - 10 comments

What is the absolute easiest way to get started using IRC?
posted by JoanArkham at 6:01 AM PST - 10 comments

WysiwygFilter: For those website creators out there, Adobe GoLive and Dreamweaver seem to be the two major web apps. But it seems that Dreamweaver is the overwhelming favorite amongst people doing the work and I was wondering why? Yes, I know that there are other ways to create web pages and manage sites, but I am interested only in comparing these two.
posted by jeremias at 5:29 AM PST - 5 comments

How many members of MetaFilter have been ex-communicated?

Either short term or permanently? [more inside]
posted by fenriq at 11:40 PM PST - 26 comments

Adult acne & combination skin: have any MeFites won the battle over persistent & social-anxiety-creating skin problems? Want to share your secrets?
posted by anonymous at 10:14 PM PST - 24 comments

What are some strategies and tips for better managing your music collection in iTunes?
posted by mhaw at 8:42 PM PST - 14 comments

Before the recent death in Boston, has anyone been killed in a US based sports "riot"?
posted by alana at 8:15 PM PST - 4 comments

How did you successfully conquer a severe phobia?
posted by nakedcodemonkey at 6:48 PM PST - 17 comments

I'm confused by a hip-hop subtlety that I'm not picking up on: what's the difference between when MF Doom raps and when Viktor Vaughn raps? Same guy, same subjects, seems like the same basic persona: what am I missing?
posted by PinkStainlessTail at 6:39 PM PST - 4 comments

I have a legit movie produced by my employer on DVD that I need to convert to mpeg (mpeg2 I'm guessing) to upload to the Internet Archive. All the l33t warez converters seem to do divx or vcd or vob. I can't seem to find anything on mac or windows that will do this simple task for me. I just want the 10 minute long movie at track 4 on the disc as a mpeg file. Sounds simple but after using half a dozen apps, I can't seem to get the job done.
posted by mathowie at 6:03 PM PST - 13 comments

Is President George W. Bush related to Vannevar Bush?
posted by ikkyu2 at 5:08 PM PST - 5 comments

Would it be legal for a member of the NYAG's office to start shorting a company Spitzer's about to sue shortly before he makes his first press release about it, given that my impression from this article is that his doing so tends to lead to drops in stock prices?
posted by kenko at 4:33 PM PST - 6 comments

Friendship with an Ex? (added wrinkle: 17 year age difference, and of course, more inside) [more inside]
posted by amberglow at 3:46 PM PST - 17 comments

Anyone know more sites like ihateyouall.com and itsatrap.net that are just one page, elegantly simpleminded, and exactly as advertised in the url?
posted by e^2 at 2:31 PM PST - 33 comments

I ended up getting to be friends with an indie rock star via email. 6 months later, we hung out at one of his shows, had some drinks, good conversation, etc. Afterwards, the email responses slowed and eventually stopped.

So, I think maybe I offended him, but I can't think of how. Maybe he didn't notice I tipped for my drinks on my credit card. Maybe he was mad I didn't buy a round. On the other hand, maybe his increased popularity has just left him with less time to respond. Who knows. Any good/polite/non-threatening way to find out if the hanging out that night went badly, or he was otherwise offended, or do I just give up on being friends with him?
posted by anonymous at 2:03 PM PST - 10 comments

I'm pretty clear what the phrase "massage with release" means, but is it code language for male-on-male action? 2. If so, is there equivalent code language for female masseuse - male client activity? 3. How do you go about locating a masseuse or establishment that offers these services? Finally, how much would a person expect to pay for this?
posted by anonymous at 12:06 PM PST - 13 comments

SickFilter:
If you caught a cold this week
and hacked and sneezed and lacked some sleep
And when you talk you simply squeak —
How do you ward off bronchitis? [more inside]
posted by Happydaz at 11:45 AM PST - 10 comments

StrangeDiseaseFilter: After playing tonsil hockey with a girl a few days ago, I began to notice that my nose and throat was, to put it mildly, fouling up. She kindly informed me that she had the same problem when she was kissing me, but that it wasn't really going away. The strange thing is that there is no soreness or signs of swelling anywhere, just a slight dryness and a really foul smell. It bothers me, and I can only imagine what it does for those around me. Can anybody shed light on what I might have contracted?
posted by Jongo at 11:34 AM PST - 7 comments

What does a location scout do, exactly? How do you become one?
posted by gottabefunky at 11:27 AM PST - 4 comments

Open Source / free software:
My new Nokia 6820 comes with software called PC Suite 6.4 which can synchronise with either Lotus Notes or Organizer (v. 5 or 6), or with MS Outlook (98, 2000, 2002 & 2003). It also will transfer info to the Outlook Express - but not Calendar info, only Windows Address Book. This latter I don't want to use, and anyway won't do what I want, which is transfer calendar info.

I'm not about to buy Outlook, Notes* or Organizer (unless I can get it for free!), so...anyone know of Lotus or Outlook clones/compatible progs I might try? Thanks.

*Apparently Notes is incompatible with XP Home as well.
posted by dash_slot- at 10:38 AM PST - 1 comment

While we're on the topic of iTunes, mine crams the artist name into the song title tag. Like this. [MI] [more inside]
posted by neilkod at 7:56 AM PST - 18 comments

How can I become cool?
posted by Stynxno at 7:28 AM PST - 72 comments

This morning I woke up, coughed, and saw silver sparks in the air in front of my face. They were like little bits of airbourne lint, only silver, and not really there. I watched them pop up here and there for about ten seconds before they disappeared. I've seen them before, although not often, and the last occurrence was at least three or four years ago. They usually seem to appear spontaneously. Does anyone know what they are, and if they portend anything serious?
posted by orange swan at 7:02 AM PST - 32 comments

I have about 73GB worth of music in iTunes. The "my music" folder on my HDD has about 85GB of music in it. I want to identify the music that's NOT in iTunes so I can either delete it, or organize it and import it into iTunes. Advice? I'm using WinXP.
posted by stupidsexyFlanders at 6:13 AM PST - 8 comments

Guitar Tablature Software: I'm looking for pro stuff I could actually use to publish with. I'm thinking PostScript or PDF output is therefore a must. It's gotta do the rhythm-notated tab. Is this pretty much Sibelius vs Finale, or are there other options?
posted by weston at 2:01 AM PST - 2 comments

CSS.

I have to redesign a horribly convoluted frames based site with no frames. This is a Good Thing. One problem - there's a small block that has to use (for reasons I have no control over) it's own stylesheet, completely independant of the main CSS (that is, the content will be independant - the block itself has to be sized and placed using the site CSS...). And it has to be inside a larger block level element that will take the site CSS. Is there a way to stop the CSS cascading, or reset every property of the block, or do I have to manually reset each inheritable property separately?
posted by monkey closet at 1:57 AM PST - 7 comments

HTML form to CSV file: Simple enough for a remedial programmer, but difficult for an artsy designer. Any advice? [mi] [more inside]
posted by aladfar at 1:05 AM PST - 7 comments

A friend mentioned to me this morning that ACDC's Back In Black album is the third highest selling album worldwide of all time. I found this hard to believe so I set out to verify it with the help of Google. Surprisingly worldwide sales figures appear to be tricky to come up with. Is there a page out there with accurate information?
posted by salmacis at 1:03 AM PST - 13 comments

GPS solutions. I hate getting lost and not knowing alternate routes when I'm driving and it seems that increasingly I wish I had some sort of navigation unit. So I started looking. In-car systems are about $2k (and stuck in a single car), portable handheld ones are about $600 (I can use in other cars, which is good), but I hear iPaq PDA units with GPS are only about $500. Has anyone used an iPaq for road trips? Does it work ok with the small screen? What's the best add-on GPS to get for it? And what kind of iPaq do I need as a base to make it work?
posted by mathowie at 11:38 PM PST - 15 comments

Hi..
I wanna know how many people live in the world.
posted by Octaviuz at 10:31 PM PST - 5 comments

Election season special. Just to make sure I'm not missing anything: when a ballot measure says it will "issue $30 million in bonds" to pay for a highway or school retrofit, that means "go into debt" or "borrow the money," right?

Secondarily, let's say such a measure passes - what's to stop a legislature from canceling it thereafter, in order to balance a state/federal/municipal budget? Is that bond money somehow "separate" from the general fund?
posted by scarabic at 8:27 PM PST - 7 comments

What have you done with your old childhood and teenage-era athletic awards and trophies? Did you keep them, or did you throw them out? What do/did you feel towards them, either way? And if you threw them out, did you find a means of disposal that allowed both for environmental concerns and the fact that you had your full name engraved on some of them?
posted by orange swan at 8:06 PM PST - 12 comments

Drywalling: putting up gyproc over an insulated interior wall. From cutting to affixing to mudding, what tips and tricks have you learned? Aside from learning to pay someone else to do it, though I suspect that's ultimately the lesson...
posted by five fresh fish at 7:56 PM PST - 14 comments

HaveGuitarWillTravelFilter: Has anyone flown with a guitar lately? How did you secure the case? Any tips? What did you do with it at the hotel when you wanted to go out without it?
posted by mischief at 7:52 PM PST - 5 comments

What is the best mid-level hotel to stay at in St. Louis? Uniqueness and/or swimming pool preferred if possible.
posted by agregoli at 7:43 PM PST - 2 comments

IE Lists and Floats
I've been playing around with lists and have run up against what I believe is one of IEs box model bugs. Every workaround I know of is useless. I've created a simplified example of what I am doing that contains only what is needed to get the lists to style properly in a standards compliant browser. In the actual layout they are contained in a center column. If you view this in Firefox or Mozilla and then in IE 6 you'll see the problem. Example Can anyone figure out what is going on here?
posted by Grod at 6:50 PM PST - 7 comments

I may have my citizenship revoked, or perhaps I will lose my google priveleges, but...please help if you can, fellow mefites. I am looking for an image of A.Y. Jackson's proposed image for the Canadian flag. A wee bit more in the ol' inside... [more inside]
posted by Richat at 6:39 PM PST - 17 comments

Spending the weekend in Burlington, Vermont. Any suggestions on getting off the beaten path / weird museums / tours / cool pubs appreciated.
posted by yoga at 5:15 PM PST - 8 comments

Where can I find out about a specific company's campaign contributions?
posted by solistrato at 4:12 PM PST - 4 comments

Male pubic hair grooming. Looking both for tips on tools, technique, etc. as well as the female response - i.e. should I even bother? If so, what's ideal? Shave? Trim? Wax? Rogaine? Clean it up? Lose it all? Dye it blue? Context: gf just got a bikini wax and i'm looking to return the favor as a surprise.
posted by rorycberger at 3:52 PM PST - 40 comments

Time to kill in the Finger Lakes area (Geneva, Seneca Falls, Canandaigua) and what shall I do? I've already got the National Women's Hall of Fame and the Drain Tile Museum (yes, really) on the schedule, anyone know anything else that might be good for a couple of hours?
posted by Dreama at 3:37 PM PST - 14 comments

Does anyone remember/can anyone find the Metafilter thread that linked to a website that could take an image, split it into a grid, and allow the user to print that image wall-size? In 8X11 increments? It's driving me insane and I'm in desperate need of an immense Bela Lugosi for my Halloween party.
posted by juniper at 3:17 PM PST - 3 comments

I'm looking for basic online project management software or hosted service. I've checked out BaseCamp an ProjectForum. All I really need is a blog that allows users to attach files for easy file exchange and get updates on the project. Can you recommend anything else? Or do you heartily endorse one of the above?
posted by strangeleftydoublethink at 2:56 PM PST - 4 comments

TravelFilter: What companies make good lightweight luggage? [more inside]
posted by werty at 2:13 PM PST - 7 comments

PC verson of iTunes: all my mp3 & aac files are on my C drive, which is almost full. I want to lighten the load on that drive by moving all the songs to my E drive, which has much more space. Is there a way to do this without wrecking iTune's database? I don't want to have to re-import everything.
posted by grumblebee at 1:51 PM PST - 6 comments

We have a paper form that says it needs to be returned "by return". What does this mean? [more inside]
posted by chrismear at 1:29 PM PST - 5 comments

Clipart Filter: I am working on a power point for work for the boss and need to get some clipart regarding the situations where one would take lots of shit/negativity for doing the right thing. (The word funny was bold and underlined in the email, so please make it funny... explodingdog probably wouldn't fly, but far side would)
If anyone has any pictures or clipart handy and could link me, I would much much appreciate it.
posted by Lizc at 1:10 PM PST - 2 comments

What the bleep is the deal with this film? It is coming to a theatre near me and I was wondering if I should be prepared for a docudrama, a mockumentary or a cult instructional video??
posted by boost ventilator at 12:59 PM PST - 19 comments

I (female) don't like cats. My (male) partner has 2. We're considering living together. However, I can't stomach the filth, the smell, the cat hair, the mewling, the destruction of furniture, and the litterbox. I don't want this thread to turn into a vilification of me for not liking cats and I don't want the situation itself to become "the cats go or I go". Surely a mefite or two has had this happen. How did you work it out? What were the compromises?
posted by anonymous at 12:40 PM PST - 42 comments

What do you say or do when someone out of the Blue - generally a fellow user who rarely comments and so is quite new to you - suddenly e-mails for the first time saying he or she will be in town, is interested in something you could help with and would like to have a drink with you?

It's clearly a friendly invitation but how do you politely decline, without having to lie and/or appearing to be a stuffed shirt?
posted by MiguelCardoso at 11:35 AM PST - 45 comments

Let's suppose I wanted to go on holiday to various countries. Is there a reliable resource on the Web (short of reading a few hundred pages) telling me which are the countries where English is fairly widely spoken and understood? (It doesn't need to be the national language, but enough that I could comfortably move around without hitting a serious language barrier.)
posted by madman at 11:34 AM PST - 5 comments

Step by step instructions for an absolute newbie (who knows nothing about OS X Utilities) on getting all the like files (mp3s, jpgs, etc.) from a url...? [more inside]
posted by dobbs at 10:41 AM PST - 8 comments

How do you rediscover your spouse after a few years of doing Really Big Things, and kinda losing each other along the way?
posted by anonymous at 10:30 AM PST - 11 comments

In episode 3 of Lost (which, by the way, rocks my cock) there's a nice, kinda mellow song that plays at the end of the episode. Does anybody know who it was? My Googling has brought me nowhere. [more inside]
posted by hughbot at 8:42 AM PST - 15 comments

PDA recommendations:
Needs: Must have CF slot, 802.11b.
Wants: External GPS unit which will work with both my laptop & the PDA
Budget: 399$ or less, not including GPS/additional memory. Must come with standard accessories - cradle, cable, charger, etc.
Etc: Add-on software for viewing PDFs, Word/Excel files, map software.
posted by skwm at 8:39 AM PST - 2 comments

I've got a network in my home - one PC, connected by wire to the router, and one Apple, connected by an Airport card (which I believe is 802.11G). The fastest speed I can get transferring files from one to the other is 2.5MB/s, which seems slow. Am I right, or is this standard?
posted by ascullion at 7:48 AM PST - 4 comments

DietFilter: I'm on a diet, and losing weight, which is nice. But in weird spurts, which is, well, weird. I sit at approximately the same weight for 2 weeks. Then I lose 5 pounds in 2 days. Then I sit at that new weight for 2 weeks. Repeat. This seems weird to me, but I've never watched my weight this closely while dieting before. Is this how it usually goes, or am I just weird? [more inside]
posted by jacquilynne at 7:33 AM PST - 17 comments

Firefox (un)check all extension: Does anyone know if there exists a firefox extension or linux app that allows you to check or uncheck all checkboxes on a given web page? {mi} [more inside]
posted by littlegreenlights at 6:56 AM PST - 4 comments

Matt's thread about God Bless America reminded me: When I was a kid and Kate Smith had a hit record of God Bless America, there was talk that she had a follow-up song that was never released called God Is An American. I have never been able to track it down, but it might be suitable for today if the recording exists. Has anyone ever heard of it? Or failing that can someone write one quick and get it online? [more inside]
posted by donfactor at 6:51 AM PST - 4 comments

I'm taking a four day trip to Augusta/Atlanta, GA. Is there anything that I absolutely must do while I'm there?
posted by graventy at 6:48 AM PST - 10 comments

Using the SharedObject in flash. [more inside]
posted by FidelDonson at 2:49 AM PST - 1 comment

Is there any way to recover files saved under a temporary profile in Windows XP? (MI) [more inside]
posted by brookedel at 1:44 AM PST - 5 comments

I have a Motorola E365. One of the Java games it comes with is a card game called Big 2 Garden. The idea appears to be to get rid of your cards by playing them according to some rules. What the hell are the rules to this game? There's a review of the phone which includes a screenshot of this game here.
posted by salmacis at 1:03 AM PST - 2 comments

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon question. (More Inside) [more inside]
posted by Slimemonster at 11:57 PM PST - 5 comments

Help me identify the title and composer of a song. [Details inside] [more inside]
posted by cyniczny at 9:43 PM PST - 4 comments

Why do athletes chew gum? [no more inside]
posted by mdeatherage at 9:03 PM PST - 10 comments

When did "God Bless America" replace "Take me out to the ballgame" as the seventh inning stretch song in baseball? Is this just a NYC thing for the ALCS? Or did crackerjack sue someone?
posted by mathowie at 7:58 PM PST - 16 comments

Straight up: Has John Kerry said what he's going to do about Iraq if he's elected? I'm probably voting for him anyway, but I don't remember what he's said specifically about an end strategy.
posted by alumshubby at 5:50 PM PST - 10 comments

What's the best way to weasel out of a blind date in a smooth manner?
posted by inksyndicate at 5:45 PM PST - 30 comments

I would like to go to school (for a PhD in English Literature) in New Zealand and would very much like some advice. [more inside] [more inside]
posted by lumiere at 5:04 PM PST - 3 comments

Fashionistas: Has the cut of women's slacks radically changed recently? [mi] [more inside]
posted by Juicylicious at 4:25 PM PST - 15 comments

MedicalFilter: Sticky skin: I have been having stickyness of my skin for several months now - the skin of my hands, and the skin of my genitals, mostly around (under) the foreskin area (I am circumcised, but this causes the foreskin to roll up and 'stick' to the glans). It is not a wet stickyness; more of a tacky feel. This is something completely new and I can't find any information on it on the web. Any doctors in the house?
posted by anonymous at 3:30 PM PST - 8 comments

Sports superstitions: Okay Red Sox/Yankees fans, what crazy things will you be doing tonight to help your team win? My wife and I (Sox fans) will be watching from the exact same spots on the bed, and she is instructed to fall asleep by 9:30, just as we've done for the past three games. What nutty stuff do you do to make yourself feel like you have some control over the fate of the team you love?
posted by schoolgirl report at 2:00 PM PST - 12 comments

I'm thinking about finally using an instant messenger. Any suggestions on which I should choose? [MI] [more inside]
posted by me3dia at 1:49 PM PST - 16 comments

Help me buy a new car. (more under the hood) [more inside]
posted by scody at 12:01 PM PST - 19 comments

Thinking of visiting Singapore over winter break (post Xmas, through New Year's). I'm a student, so have some time and date flexability. Any suggestions for finding cheap flights? [more inside]
posted by gramcracker at 11:45 AM PST - 4 comments

Looking for office cube decoration inspiration. My current job is in a grey cube farm. Floor to ceiling, everything is grey. I'm in the middle of the room away from the windows and I need to make my space more cheerful. Any ideas? What plants will survive in these conditions? (MI) [more inside]
posted by onhazier at 11:24 AM PST - 15 comments

I'm 27, and getting to the point where I understand I'm not a big kid but an adult in denial. I want to change that attitude. I like who I am (hey, been that way for 10 years!), but apparently that's no good for an adult. I keep saying I like to seize the day, but I'd like to seize my future now (woohoo). I need to become responsible, to think long in advance, to make decision quickly... such things I tend to procastinate through, or let wane until the problem arises again.
So, my question : how do I grow up ? I have found such things as "planning your future" or even the "Life Assessment Quiz". I'm kinda looking for more advices on what I should do next, pointers, ways to kick my own ass, that sort of things.
Please, no "have a kid, that shall do the trick" tips :)
posted by anonymous at 10:23 AM PST - 26 comments

I've been a freelance web designer operating as a sole trader for six months. Now I've gotten a contract that can only hire people as limited companies. I've been told to use an umbrella company, but after reading up on them online, I'm just at a loss. I can understand what they do, but why don't companies want sole traders? And does anyone have any recommendations on umbrellas to use? (Save, of course, the Umbrella Corporation)
posted by Katemonkey at 10:15 AM PST - 4 comments

What is a good Mail application for Mac OS X (10.3.5)? Requirements: can send html email, generally produces "windows friendly" formatting. [slightly more inside] [more inside]
posted by rorycberger at 9:43 AM PST - 14 comments

LostLink: Looking for links to the story/photos of the incredibly messy, disgusting house. I believe it was a metafilter link, but I've had zero luck finding it here or googling it... [more inside]
posted by daver at 9:36 AM PST - 8 comments

I'm looking for recent, reliable statistics on exactly what percentage of climatologists think global warming is (1) occuring, (2) human-caused, and (3) dangerous.
posted by Tlogmer at 9:27 AM PST - 3 comments

What can I do in Minneapolis? I'm going to a conference next week and I 'll have some free time in the evenings. But I won't actually be in Minneapolis. I'll be at the Radisson in Plymouth. Is there anything interesting near the hotel? Can I get downtown without a car?
posted by maurice at 8:48 AM PST - 8 comments

Last week I received my absentee ballot for Central Massachusetts. I haven't been there in a few years, so I don't recognize some of the candidates running for the more obscure offices. When Google fails, and the local newspaper coverage is sketchy, how do you go about finding out more information about these candidates? [more inside]
posted by ar0n at 1:58 AM PST - 7 comments

If you were going to throw out the etiquette books, forget every tradition you've ever learned and try to build an inexpensive, small (30-50 person) wedding from the ground up, what traditions would you absolutely want to hold on to? What would you throw out the door? What would you do to make it less stressful for a couple that doesn't handle crowds well? And if you've got more than a year lead time, when would you even start thinking and worrying about this? [more inside]
posted by croutonsupafreak at 12:19 AM PST - 22 comments

Guitar Tabs. Does anyone know of a web site that explains how to translate guitar tablature into standard music notation? Or, if this is relatively easy to explain, would anyone like to do that?
posted by epimorph at 12:16 AM PST - 7 comments

Does anyone have a source that lists the total number of US troops, the number currently deployed, where these troops are specifically deployed and the number of troops that are not on active duty.
posted by quadog at 10:52 PM PST - 4 comments

Audio editing on OSX: I have a 30 minute long .aiff file that I'd like to break into separate tracks and convert to mp3. I know that iTunes can handle the .aiff -> .mp3 conversion. Is there software that can do the 1 .aiff -> 6 .aiffs part? Or one that can do 1 .mp3 -> 6 .mp3s if I do the conversion first?
posted by Dreama at 9:00 PM PST - 8 comments

I am looking for a ten minute video from Virgin Atlantic played in hotels' On-Demand listings. The video highlights Virgin's upper-class service by making you think you're watching porn, but of course, ha ha, it's a commercial.
posted by Doug at 8:10 PM PST - 2 comments

DVI connection types! (who knew there was more than one?)

The "Apple Mini-DVI to DVI Adapter" that came with my 12" Powerbook (revC/1.33) won't connect to the DVI cable I bought. According to this chart (scroll down), the Apple adapter is a DVI-D Dual Link type (female) and my cable is a DVI-I Dual Link type (male). As you'll see from the diagrams, the 4 pins around the big flat pin are where the mismatch lies. The Apple adapter doesn't have 4 holes to accommodate them. Can I just snap the extra pins off the cable and use it?
posted by scarabic at 6:55 PM PST - 6 comments

quitting smoking -> my favorite girl is ready to try to quit, and we are wondering if the nice people here have any tips, suggestions, fool proof methods ...?
posted by specialk420 at 6:43 PM PST - 29 comments

I live in Oregon, and our elections are all vote-by-mail. In an effort to get out the vote, there are organizations (like ACT) accepting ballots all over Portland. There's a lone man with a Kerry sign outside my apartment complex accepting ballots who seems to have no organizational affiliation whatsoever. Does anyone know any non-confrontational ways to make sure he's legit? more inside... [more inside]
posted by pikachulolita at 6:21 PM PST - 26 comments

I'm stumbling through css. Is there a way through CSS to make anchor color in one div different than anchors in another div? I have a div class="menu" - with links in that div, that I want to be a different color than the other links on the page - I have tried .menu:link {color:#660000;} but that doesn't seem to be working. Anyone?
posted by TuxHeDoh at 5:30 PM PST - 4 comments

Okay, on a recent trip to Costa Rica, I got robbed. The bastards got my all my camera equipment. Now, I'm filing a claim through my homeowners insurance. Does anyone have any experience with this? (mi) [more inside]
posted by trbrts at 5:06 PM PST - 8 comments

Tonight I am watching my daily dose of the Simpsons and Seinfeld. At least 50% of the commercials are for automobile companies. My Marketing 101 question: Why do car companies advertise so heavily in proportion to other companies? The average American buys a car once every few years, and a traffic jam can give you all the brand recognition you need. Why the hard sell on tv and in magazines?
posted by tlong at 4:41 PM PST - 10 comments

I'm thinking of getting Vonage voip but I share my dsl with another business. Is that an issue? Any advice based on experience?
posted by subpixel at 3:31 PM PST - 11 comments

When writing an outline, how deep should you go? [more inside] [more inside]
posted by adamrice at 2:43 PM PST - 8 comments

Every day, we are"treated" to new poll numbers showing Kerry and Bush at various percentages (Bush is leading, and seems to be widening that lead, according to most, except on that Wacky electoral-vote.com thing, but whatever...)

What I don't understand is how these percentages correlate with (or do they describe?) Electoral Votes. Does anyone understand how these correlate/connect? Can someone explain?
posted by ParisParamus at 1:55 PM PST - 29 comments

You know how sometimes that black sharpie and an empty desk seem like a canvas? You know how tempting it is to draw on that work desk? I do. I have bitten into my forbidden fruit and woe is me. "Porthole Multi-Purpose Glass and Surface Cleaner" got it to he point of being faded. A slow Tuesday has elevated me to the gossip of the day after my little cartoon drawings were discovered. The surface is standard office/cubicle fare. The area is perhaps 6"x8". Save me! [more inside]
posted by geoff. at 1:17 PM PST - 25 comments

What are the best middle-brow / high-brow "think-pieces" you've read on the topics of: the macropolitical consequences of 9/11; relations between the West and "the rest" after 9/11; and how "we" (whoever "we" may be) think of "ourselves" after 9/11? [more inside]
posted by stonerose at 12:43 PM PST - 7 comments

Anybody ever flush out their gastrointestinal tract? I don't mean just an enema, as that's totally lower-GI based. I'm talking about really detoxifying their insides. I heard about a product on the radio a year or two ago (something akin to this, but less snake-oily) that purports to do this, and have no idea what it is or what it's name is, all I know is that it supposedly flushes out most of the gunk in your small and large intestines and can really improve health. Anybody know what I'm talking about, and does anybody have any recommendations?
posted by taumeson at 11:56 AM PST - 23 comments

Are you getting the 12-year bonus this year? Questions about 2004 and its 27 pay periods for employees paid bi-weekly inside... [more inside]
posted by loquax at 10:15 AM PST - 16 comments

A shadow can go faster than light, but apparantly this does not break any physical laws as a shadow cannot communicate information. What happens if I tell someone that I will make a large shadow on the moon, visible from Earth, and that if the shadow does not move, then they should phone me. However, if it does move (at a speed faster than light), they shouldn't phone me. Hasn't information been transmitted?
posted by Orange Goblin at 9:15 AM PST - 13 comments

SnoreFilter: Apparently, I have a giant uvula. One that's flopping around in my throat at night and keeping my girlfriend up with its monsterous noise. At least, that's what the ENT doctor said. She recommended Radiosurgery to either shave the uvula down or remove it completely and make more space in my throat. Has anyone heard of/had this procedure done?
posted by emptybowl at 6:01 AM PST - 11 comments

JetLagFilter: I am flying with a friend from JFK to Hong Kong via Tokyo. From what I understand, we will be flying west / northwest, somewhat towards the North Pole and then back down to Tokyo. What is the best way to battle jetlag?
posted by jasondigitized at 5:55 AM PST - 10 comments

I have to use a disgusting bathtub. I refuse to use it without cleaning it first. But the task looks daunting. What's the best heavy-duty bathtub cleaner? I'd also be grateful for any cleaning tips.
posted by grumblebee at 5:32 AM PST - 18 comments

A friend and I are looking to mail Bill O'Reilly some falafel. [more inside] [more inside]
posted by Ryvar at 11:53 PM PST - 25 comments

My friend is suddenly getting married. It's a court-house wedding for immigration etc reasons. The "real" wedding will be in spring when all the parents will be here. Despite the fact that this is a paper wedding it's still a huge deal for all concerned and at the very least we want to go out to a fancy restaurant.

The wedding will be in Marin, California. What is a pretty restaurant on the water in the area? Edible food is a bonus. Sausalito? Tiburon? Pt. Reyes? Any place? Any place?

Help! This is for Tuesday, the 19th!
posted by small_ruminant at 11:36 PM PST - 12 comments

I need a search tool replacement for the built-in windows XP search, or suggestions for it. I have a lot of files on different drives in different directories (C:\AA F:\BB ...) and I when I want to find a specific file that I know is in one of those directories, I have to select and search each directory one at a time. (searching all folders on all drives would take too long.) Anyway to make this quicker?
posted by Iax at 10:34 PM PST - 7 comments

Is it worth becoming a registered travel agent to buy personal tickets? [mi] [more inside]
posted by louigi at 8:53 PM PST - 11 comments

How long do I need to keep household paperwork (ie bills, pay stubs, W-2s, etc, etc, etc.)?
posted by keswick at 7:09 PM PST - 13 comments

Is there a service like Flickr that would allow one to post a movie clip online and allow viewers comment on it? If not, does anyone have any advice on how a person with little to no web authoring experience could accomplish this?
posted by kmel at 6:42 PM PST - 4 comments

Do you live in your nation's largest city? Do you feel like you are on a totally different planet when you leave? [more inside]
posted by dame at 1:47 PM PST - 74 comments

A friend has asked me to volunteer at a partisan phone bank calling (supposedly) registered yet undecided voters in Swing States. I'd really like to do my part, but I'm having a tough time swallowing the fear that I'll be a nuisance and wind up doing more damage than good. Does anyone have any experience in such an environment - postive or negative? How does the populous at large feel about unsolicited political calls?
posted by Ufez Jones at 1:08 PM PST - 20 comments

We just moved into a new place, and the neighbors' incessantly-barking Jack Russells are driving us crazy. [more inside]
posted by MrMoonPie at 1:08 PM PST - 10 comments

I am using Ical on my Imac and Ibook. I need to Isynchronize them without using Webdav or .mac. Given that the files generated by Ical are straight text, and complient with the IETF spec., is there some simple, smart way to do this?
posted by mecran01 at 12:48 PM PST - 8 comments

How do I properly socialize a dog-aggressive dog? [more inside]
posted by mr_roboto at 12:34 PM PST - 9 comments

We just moved into a townhouse. In the guest bathroom, the light and fan are operated by the same switch, so that the fan automatically comes on when you turn on the light. We hate the sound of the fan and would prefer to have two separate switches, one for the light and one for the fan. How complicated is this to do? Is it something we could reasonably learn how to do ourselves or should we leave it to an electrician?
posted by widdershins at 11:15 AM PST - 10 comments

I've been Drudged! How can the drudgereport launch a popup window when I am using Firefox? It is the only site that seems to be able to do that. Constructive answers only please, I'm sure that the first response will be "don't read drudge". I can't help it, I love sensationalism.
posted by jonah at 10:17 AM PST - 10 comments

I'm thinking of getting away from the whole NYC corporate rat race, selling the house, buying a considerably cheaper one in the boonies, and living a simpler and less stressful life. This, of course, depends on being able to make a living, ideally working from home. Two questions: [more inside] [more inside]
posted by languagehat at 10:08 AM PST - 10 comments

From the Black Thumb Dept.: I've been trying for the past few years to grow mango plants from seeds and failing. [more dead plant shenanigans inside] [more inside]
posted by Johnny Assay at 9:46 AM PST - 6 comments

I'm trying to find some web design recruitment agencies serving West Yorkshire, UK, with no luck. Anyone know of any places up here that I can get the (apparently essential) experience required to get a real job in an HTML factory?
posted by armoured-ant at 9:07 AM PST - 1 comment

WeatherFilter: How can i find my Sea Level Pressure of my area? [mi] [more inside]
posted by ShawnString at 8:14 AM PST - 3 comments

I'm flying to France from the states at the end of next month, and I'm wondering what experiences are on different carriers. [more inside]
posted by o2b at 7:59 AM PST - 15 comments

Two weeks and counting... Is anybody planning to participate in nanowrimo this year?
posted by codger at 7:46 AM PST - 34 comments

Cigarette Smoke Filter.
I am currently working at 305 Broadway, a building full of lawyers, (inlcuding me) in lower Manhattan. On the adjacent floor below, someone, or some set of people is smoking, and [more inside]
posted by ParisParamus at 7:17 AM PST - 19 comments

What's a lightweight, simple email server I can install on my XP box? It will only serve like 2 addresses. IMAP and web access is a plus. Running as a service would also be nice.
posted by signal at 5:33 AM PST - 4 comments

Given that game four of the ALCS starts at 5:10 PM EST this evening, it will finally played at a decent hour in Paris, France (11:10 PM). Does anyone know a club or bar in Paris that would possibly be showing the game? [more inside]
posted by themadjuggler at 3:50 AM PST - 24 comments

NYC for "significant" birthday FEB 2005. Second week Boston or Frisco prior to that hop back over the Pacific ? [more inside]
posted by johnny7 at 1:24 AM PST - 7 comments

It's late, you're starving and the only store open within striking distance is a 7-11. Is it possible to throw together a decent and fairly healthy meal exclusively from your local convenience store?
posted by arha at 1:13 AM PST - 20 comments

Can anyone advise me which is the best online survey creation site to use? I need to send a questionnaire to a group of customers I work with. But many of the online survey systems I've seen on Google seem to charge a large one-off or annual fee, whereas I'm looking to pay just a smaller fee (under $50) for one survey. Any recommendations?
posted by skylar at 12:51 AM PST - 3 comments

Eyebrow waxing: is it torture? Is it simple and easy? Somewhere in between? [more inside]
posted by Dreama at 11:15 PM PST - 22 comments

Canadian song alert: I'm trying to remember a tune that was played incessantly on Canadian (or at least, St. Lawrence Valley-area) commercial radio sometime in the 1990s. [MI] [more inside]
posted by skoosh at 8:28 PM PST - 8 comments

I've decided that I need a new hobby and am thinking that growing bonsai trees might be it. [Guess what waits inside...] [more inside]
posted by shotsy at 7:43 PM PST - 9 comments

I deleted iChat a while back when I swore off internet chatting. Except now I'd like to have it back. And when I download iChat AV from the Apple site it says, "Sorry. Can't install. You don't have original iChat." How do I get the original iChat back? (Sorry this is so long-winded.)
posted by adrober at 7:18 PM PST - 7 comments

I have seen steaming manhole covers in many cities. Big deal, you say, and yet . . . they steam during the summer. Like this one. Can anybody tell me why?
posted by ashbury at 5:46 PM PST - 6 comments

I've been researching trends in major label record sales lately. On a constant exchange rate basis, global major label record sales have declined $6.2 billion (U.S.), or 16.3 percent, since 1999. But what I can't seem to find any information on is the fate of the independent record industry. Is there any quantifiable way of determining if indie record sales have declined in the past 4 years as well?
posted by Pinwheel at 5:39 PM PST - 5 comments

Is there a term to describe instances where a word has a single spelling, but multiple pronunciations based upon the definition needed? Some examples: wound, bass, read, etc. [more inside]
posted by mcsweetie at 2:31 PM PST - 7 comments

Why would my 6 year old cat suddenly stop using the box? (more) [more inside]
posted by mathowie at 2:00 PM PST - 20 comments

Here in North America, our zoos are packed with exotic animals from Africa, Europe, and Australia. They interest us because we can't otherwise see them live without actually traveling to their country of origin.

So I was wondering: Do zoos in other continents feature any of North America's more 'exotic' animals prominently in their zoos? Are moose, for instance, a popular attraction in some countries?
posted by Evstar at 12:19 PM PST - 20 comments

Anyone go to CMJ? I'm curious what the best (and worst) things you saw were. In addition, any good place online to read reviews and whatnot?
posted by dobbs at 11:07 AM PST - 14 comments

When converting an MP3 to WAV (for playback on a CD player that can't handle MP3s) What's the best method? Playback MP3 and record to WAV with a program like Total Recorder? Convert formats directly with something like Audacity or CDex? Doesn't matter? [more inside]
posted by PinkStainlessTail at 9:43 AM PST - 18 comments

Problems with Mail: Running OS 10.3.5 and using the Mail app. I haven't changed anything, and suddenly some of my settings seem to have been altered such that my deleted/sent messages aren't being saved. [MI] [more inside]
posted by fionab at 10:58 PM PST - 2 comments

Can you recommend a good beginner's book or web tutorial on XML? Most books I've seen have been heavy on exposition and light on hands-on work.
posted by maudlin at 10:06 PM PST - 5 comments

Using a laptop and a GPS to navigate. [more inside]
posted by Hildago at 9:47 PM PST - 9 comments

Ladies of AskMe: Help! What are your best tried & true methods of preventing a yeast infection?
posted by anonymous at 9:07 PM PST - 20 comments

When you vacuum up a large spider, what are its odds of creeping back out of the vacuum bag? Does the ride through the hose kill it (she asked hopefully)?
posted by icetaco at 8:26 PM PST - 21 comments

Are there any special protocols concerning the use of photos/portraits of the POTUS? I'm asking because I'm curious as to why all the Presidents up to Bush I here used a painting while Clinton and W. Bush used photos. Is there a set number of years before a President should get a portrait?
posted by phyrewerx at 7:46 PM PST - 3 comments

My wife just got admitted to a psych ward for a week's holiday. What sort of things can I get her to keep her entertained and to remind her of home? Difficulty: must be able to get said items on a sunday morning and can't cost more than about £20 / $40.
posted by twine42 at 7:20 PM PST - 9 comments

Windows Slide Show Viewer in Dual Monitor Mode. I need to run a full-screen slideshow of some jpgs in a folder from a peripheral monitor, while doing other stuff on my laptop screen. Windows XP slideshow viewer (the one that comes up when viewing a folder with pictures in it) is perfect, but every time I try to run it from the monitor, the slideshow actually takes place on the LCD screen. How the hell do I get the show to run on the monitor?
posted by nylon at 6:44 PM PST - 3 comments

How might one capture an embedded flash movie and convert it to quicktime, in OS X?
posted by swift at 5:37 PM PST - 3 comments

My PC has developed a sudden allergy to various types of Media files (Windows, Quicktime) causing the PC to freeze and have to be rebooted! (MI) [more inside]
posted by zaelic at 4:15 PM PST - 2 comments

On Tuesday I'm going to find myself with five or six spare hours as I pass through Los Angeles. I haven't really seen L.A. before, so what should I do? What should I see? Where should I eat?

For what it's worth, my hotel will be near LAX on Highway 1.
posted by mrbula at 2:33 PM PST - 13 comments

Goofy Frontpage question: I use Frontpage to just get a basic visual framework of a site in front of me, then I go in and do my own coding. Yet I'm stupmed as to why, when I use a DHTML effect that previews fine, but upon load is non-existent or gives me an error... any suggestions? [more inside]
posted by moonbird at 12:59 PM PST - 4 comments

Word to PDF Distortion Filter
I'm distilling a bunch of Word Files which contain tables, over which I am superimposing "semi-transparent" light gray text boxes. When these pages are distilled, the resulting .PDF displays the gray text boxes as "varigated," i.e., having bands of light and dark gray.

Does any kind stranger know if there is some setting I can adjust to make this go away? Thanks!
posted by ParisParamus at 12:25 PM PST - 4 comments

There's this guy I like and have liked for a long time. I don't know if he has any idea how I feel, or if it would scare him away if I just asked him "Hey, I like you a lot, how do you feel about that?" I only know him online, we've never met, but it feels like we've known each other forever. Do I risk the cherished friendship we have by taking this step, or do I keep the status quo and hope that someday he'll realize that I'm always here for him, waiting?
posted by anonymous at 12:06 PM PST - 33 comments

When making software user instruction booklets for the Windows-based Compleat Idiot, in which you want to include screen captures of absolutely everything the user sees, is there a way to do screen caps of things like popup tool tips, right-click context menus and so forth that close automatically the instant you press a key? Can you do it without installing an additional screen-capture utility? If you have to have an additional utility, what's a good (= lightweight and cheap) one? I don't need any special features except one, what-I-see-goes-to-clipboard.
posted by jfuller at 11:50 AM PST - 7 comments

I'm working on something like a glorified graphing calculator application, based on a small functional programming language. Each input program describes a function of some number of parameters, and the app's job is to plot the function's output across various input ranges. Is there an existing language with an open-source parser I can reuse for this job instead of inventing and implementing a new language from scratch? [more inside]
posted by Mars Saxman at 11:43 AM PST - 13 comments

Where should I go for my birthday? [mi] [more inside]
posted by Juicylicious at 7:28 AM PST - 7 comments

How can I keep my dogs from pulling large strips of bark off our tree, and how can I keep said tree from dying now that it's missing much of it's bark? [more inside]
posted by RustyBrooks at 6:43 AM PST - 20 comments

I'm stationed overseas and need help with my iSight connection. Help me out MeFi networking gurus! (MI) [more inside]
posted by tetsuo at 6:14 AM PST - 6 comments

Do comedic films age poorly? [more inside] [more inside]
posted by mr_roboto at 11:08 PM PST - 54 comments

Mefi typographers and historians, lend me your knowledge!
What typefaces were most common for the following applications during the following time spans and in the following locations? (follow inside) [more inside]
posted by Grod at 10:18 PM PST - 11 comments

I have an extremely humid bathroom with no exhaust fan and no electrical outlets. Are there any dehumidification solutions which don't require electricity? [more inside]
posted by nathan_teske at 4:40 PM PST - 10 comments

Someone's dog keeps urinating in our apartment building's elevator. The smell is really disgusting and I'm tired of cleaning it up. Any recommendations on a next course of action? [more inside]
posted by mert at 3:06 PM PST - 12 comments

Is there such a thing as a Web site where you can type in the name of a particular organization or domain, and find out what e-mail scheme they assign their employees? Let's say you're trying to locate John Smith at the fictitious Omni Product Corporation...then you could look up the company and find out whether they typically give out addresses that are "john.smith@omniproduct.com," "johnsmith@...," "js,"...etc.? I realize this sounds like a spam apocalypse, but it would be so useful.
posted by inksyndicate at 1:52 PM PST - 6 comments

Tone Filter. I have an Epiphone Dot (Gibson ES335 copy) semi-acoustic, hollow body guitar. I love it, but I'm thinking of upgrading the pickups and tone pots, as well as the tuning machines. For the machines, I think I'll go with Planet Waves Auto-Trim Tuning Machines, as I love a locking machine. But I'm at a loss WRT choosing pickups. I play through a Mesa Boogie Mark IV, and I want a real crisp rhythm tone, perhaps even a little weak in the midrange, and I want a clean, fat solo tone that I can always run through the "rhythm 2" channel or "lead" channel on the Mark IV for blues or serious overdrive. As far as pots go, I'm in the dark.
Any Suggestions?
posted by gnz2001 at 1:34 PM PST - 5 comments

Is there anyway to create an HTML page with inline scrollbars other than an iframe? ie, can I add scrollbars to a div somehow?
posted by sauril at 1:31 PM PST - 8 comments

camera filter - i am looking for a cool little vintage or new standard (film) camera, an aluminum clad, small and nifty point and shoot... recommendations?
posted by specialk420 at 1:15 PM PST - 15 comments

Has anyone here besides kk (although of course he can respond too) taken the data-projector approach to home entertainment? I'd be interested in hearing your opinions, especially relative to where you fall on the videophile axis.
posted by blueshammer at 10:46 AM PST - 16 comments

A request for opinions on the sticky situation regarding an absolutely filthy keyboard ? [more inside]
posted by tenseone at 10:36 AM PST - 19 comments

What's your favorite Apache log analyzer?
posted by frenetic at 10:17 AM PST - 18 comments

Potentially-really-obvious-mac-question-filter. Why does Safari want to open MP3 streams in QuickTime no matter what I do - and how can I stop it?
posted by ascullion at 7:17 AM PST - 8 comments

My system clock (on Win XP) creeps forward every day, ending up 5-10 mins fast. Whats going on? It's normally switched on 24/7, does this have something to do with it?
posted by Orange Goblin at 7:09 AM PST - 6 comments

We are going to Barcelona for our honeymoon. We will be there one week. Any suggestions about things to see during our visit?
posted by alball at 7:02 AM PST - 9 comments

How do you overcome extreme shyness?
posted by adampsyche at 6:44 AM PST - 38 comments

I'm looking for a command line program for linux, that will take screenshots / screengrabs of webpages automatically ... [more inside]
posted by ajbattrick at 6:10 AM PST - 13 comments

When I went with iMovie's "web compression" option -- 240x180, 12 frames a second, unspecified level of compression and "medium-quality" stereo sound -- for a recent 5.5 minute DV clip I shot, I got a 6MB .mov that I felt had serious compression issues. My first swipe at using the "expert" compression settings, conversely, gave me a 230MB file for the same resolution; a second pass was "only" 54MB but the nature of the "better" compression scheme made it look worse. And in my experience, making it an .mpg only makes it bigger. And yet I've seen TV episodes that look reasonably good full-screen and are only 350MB .avi files. I feel like I should be able to get 1 MB/minute of 240x180 video at great quality -- I've downloaded streaming video that would back up that assumption. Can someone point me toward wisdom?
posted by blueshammer at 4:27 AM PST - 9 comments

Special/unique/great restaurants in Oxford? (of course there's more inside) [more inside]
posted by sueinnyc at 11:58 PM PST - 17 comments

Are there any text editors for the Mac that will let me write in full-screen mode--i.e., with, say, yellow text on a black background, and no menu bar, dock, desktop, and so on? [more inside]
posted by josh at 8:09 PM PST - 13 comments

So I'm thinking of starting a new small business... it involves food, though. My idea is to make a very small range of products -- say, baked goods -- and sell it at farmer's markets and upscale grocery stores. Since it involves food, I imagine I have to jump through more hoops than I might otherwise, but I don't even begin to know where to look about what all is involved. Health inspections? Licenses? Anyone have any experience in this sort of thing?
posted by crunchland at 8:03 PM PST - 7 comments

How did East Asians do math before the adoption of arabic numerals, which are universally used today? Were there a variety of local systems? When did the switchovers happen? [more inside] [more inside]
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 7:16 PM PST - 19 comments

FilterFilter: Recent forays into php programming have lead me to the conclusion that it's really hard to stop people adding javascript hacks, dodgy html and injected SQL queries into the box which says "post this to my site". Are there any known, good and actively managed libraries which allow me to sanitize any html entered in, for example, comment boxes so that I can stop the hacker ownzering my site?
posted by seanyboy at 5:00 PM PST - 7 comments

Web services - is there a server that supports both REST and SOAP protocols? I'd like to write the service code (in Java) once and then support both, as simply as possible. Simplicity is more important that features and throughput. Or should I just focus on one (which)? Thanks. [more inside]
posted by andrew cooke at 4:22 PM PST - 1 comment

Hello, my name is Orange Swan, I'm a Canadian, and [takes deep breath] I don't know very much about hockey. Kids' hockey teams have levels, and the levels seem to be Novice, Atom, PeeWee, Bantam, and Midget. Does anyone know the age range breakdown for each of these levels?
posted by orange swan at 4:22 PM PST - 6 comments

What did Bush say to Kerry after the debate last night? [more inside] [more inside]
posted by Vidiot at 2:32 PM PST - 14 comments

I'm working as a contractor. Recently management has decided that they will not pay overtime for contractors only. What we are to do is report the 40 hours to our respective agencies, and anything over that to our admin. Comp time is given equal to the amount you worked over 40 hours, not as time and a half. I asked if our agencies had been notified, and no one knew. Is the comp time policy legal?

How can I ask my recruiter if he has been notified and if so, should I have this added to my contract? My current contract states I get time and a half overtime for any hours over 40 a week. How do I address this without looking like a greedy malcontent?
posted by anonymous at 1:09 PM PST - 18 comments

Good lovin--what's a good basic book on s-e-x? I would like to improve, but don't really want to break out the whipped cream and riding crop, or get all kama sutra. I am a monogamous hetero male who has only had one partner, and I don't think she would be into accessories.
posted by anonymous at 1:06 PM PST - 18 comments

Are there PayPal alternatives? A friend would like to charge for some content, but her site contains material that PayPal may deem pornographic (although it is not), and would therefore refuse services because of.
posted by o2b at 12:11 PM PST - 5 comments

Does anyone have any advice on software for tracking wine? I am looking for a personal database kind of thing for my own tasting (the more wines that already exist in it the better) and/or a point of sale inventory tracking system.
posted by Irontom at 11:48 AM PST - 1 comment

Looking for recommendations for non-lame Celtic music. I like the instrumental, complex stuff. I hate the cheesy "world beat" or simplistic poppy crap.
posted by signal at 11:18 AM PST - 17 comments

Part One: I've heard people say that the "close doors" buttons in elevators don't work. They certainly don't seem to do anything in my building. Do they not work because of poor design or are they literally (purposefully) not hooked up to anything?

Part Two: Are there other examples of mechanical (or software) placebos? I've heard that the "progress bar" you see when Windows boots doesn't actually mean anything. Microsoft just discovered that people were happier if there was some sort of animation going on while their computer was starting up.
posted by grumblebee at 11:11 AM PST - 44 comments

CameraFilter: So I just bought this memory card from Best Buy and I... mmphh... grr.... there must be a way to open this.... arr... okay, I'll try my knife... ARRRGGGH! How the heck do you open these stupid Vacuum Sealed Plastic Packages that everything is coming in nowadays??? I think I'm bleeding!
posted by Stan Chin at 10:54 AM PST - 23 comments

Body hair: how much of a turn-off (or perhaps turn-on) is copious body hair? I'm a straight, hairy, man and am really interested in what straight women think but feel free to chime in if you are otherwise oriented or gendered.
posted by anonymous at 10:11 AM PST - 29 comments

OS X: All of a sudden clicking things on the menu bar of any program makes a SF-like "click" noise. (I checked under sounds in the system preferences and noises from the interface is unchecked.) It happens when I click on the Apple in the top right or the program name and sometimes File. I have not installed any news software. My question is: WTF? [more inside]
posted by dobbs at 10:08 AM PST - 7 comments

Residential Real Estate rent-to-own: what are reasonable numbers? [More in the back bedroom] [more inside]
posted by baylink at 10:04 AM PST - 8 comments

Social science research, online indexes, and EndNote. Help? [more inside]
posted by stonerose at 9:55 AM PST - 3 comments

Why is it impossible for me to watch/listen to streaming video without the program stopping every few seconds to buffer? I tried to watch this video on both RealPlayer & Windows Media the same thing happened with both.
posted by Juicylicious at 9:39 AM PST - 5 comments

Is there an easy way to download my gmail messages to Apple Mail (bearing in mind I'm a computer dunderhead)? I've tried creating a gmail account in Mail; but when I use Mail to check gmail, Mail prompts me for my gmail account password - and then nothing happens.
posted by carter at 9:16 AM PST - 6 comments

How to design for CSS: can anyone direct me to a resource on learning how to think about designing templates for use with CSS? Particlarly, how it's best to subdivide your page into divs and spans, and when to use a div id vs. a div class? [more inside]
posted by Zed_Lopez at 8:44 AM PST - 12 comments

I'm looking for a good, reliable on-line store for Australian DVDs that ships worldwide. I hear that ExyDVD is one of the largest sites, is it good? Any ideas about shipping prices to Europe? Thanks. [more inside]
posted by matteo at 8:43 AM PST - 6 comments

AutographFilter : I'm going to a concert in a few weeks time, and was wondering about the ideal pen to use (if any) on glossy paper with a dark background. [More inside] [more inside]
posted by mragreeable at 8:19 AM PST - 8 comments

When I filed my absentee ballot yesterday, the clerk insisted that my father and I vote in pencil... (more inside) [more inside]
posted by nelleish at 7:38 AM PST - 15 comments

Is there any way to write to a directory via a script without giving both the directory and the script 777 perms? More specifically the script is writing to a different directory than it is in and I cannot write to that directory without giving it 777 perms. This is a Linux server using Apache web server.
posted by thebwit at 6:50 AM PST - 8 comments

Anyone ever donated a car to charity? (Drive inside for more) [more inside]
posted by NotMyselfRightNow at 6:03 AM PST - 20 comments

I foolishly left my plastic-frame eyeglasses lying on my bed last week, and managed to roll onto them and snap them in half right at the bridge. Is there any hope of repairing them? [mi] [more inside]
posted by sanitycheck at 3:39 AM PST - 9 comments

Can I replace dashboard light bulbs on a '97 Ford Windstar myself? If so, how? [more inside]
posted by DevilsAdvocate at 12:32 AM PST - 5 comments

Can anyone recommend an effective cat-safe cockroach extermination measure? I have a roach infestation problem in my apartment. I've sprayed the nooks and crannies with Raid, plugged the cracks with Combat Gel in the cracks, left a dozen traps in a dozen corners, and mercilessly kill any roach I see, but their population is not dropping. I'm Googling and Froogling about for possibilities, but firsthand accounts would be great. Again, I need something cat-safe.
posted by brownpau at 10:40 PM PST - 21 comments

Reading, watching TV, and surfing the web. All three of these involve equal levels of inactivity -- so why is it that I only think of TV watchers and computer users as "at risk" for sedentary-lifestyle health issues, but not avid readers? Why is it that I feel like I'm burning more calories when I'm curled up with a book than when I'm clicking with my mouse?
posted by arielmeadow at 9:51 PM PST - 10 comments

Are there any precautions I should take when shipping a hard drive in regards to packing? I've heard that it's important to have a certain amount of padding around it, but I don't know what would be best.
posted by mindless progress at 8:10 PM PST - 4 comments

S.O.S. We're being hacked! I run a small community website and somebody is trying to hack our VBulletin-powered forum. So far our passwords and usernames have been tampered with. How do we prevent this bastard from messing up years of dedicated volunteer work? Can we trace who the offender is? Any strategies in dealing with his demented mind? Its depressing/ I'm taking this personally. After years of thankless effort this is what my partners and I get. Please help.
posted by anonymous at 7:57 PM PST - 6 comments

Tell me lies, tell me sweet little lies: I am sick and tired of this American election cycle. My biggest frustration, especially in the presidential debate: When a candidate lies outright, no one says 'You're a liar.' Why not? [More falsehoods inside] [more inside]
posted by Happydaz at 6:42 PM PST - 14 comments

Alcoholfilter- anybody know a place in Los Angeles where I can buy Brugal Rum? I can order it online, but I'd like to just go pick it up if possible.
posted by dogwelder at 6:28 PM PST - 6 comments

I'm considering making a pilgrimage to the French Laundry in January, and was hoping someone could give a me a realistic estimate of the total cost (food, wine, anything else?) for dinner for two. [more inside]
posted by rorycberger at 5:34 PM PST - 17 comments

I have been asked to develop in-program help and demos for an IT company (working in the Health Industry, backend stuff).

a) For the help system, what's the best approach? I know there's windows help format, html help and other (more) proprietary stuff, but have no experience with any of them (I have plenty of experience with HTML, CSS and Flash). What help format / application would you choose? Portability and easy updating are pluses. End users will be mostly on Windows.

b) For the demos I'm thinking RoboDemo, but wonder if there's anything easier, or opensource, or some other reason to choose it instead of R.D?
posted by signal at 5:24 PM PST - 4 comments

What happens, if for some reason, say, the Democrat candidates were unable to stand for election (plane crash)? What if both pairs were out? What would happen if they were incapacitated after winning the election and before inaugaration?
posted by Gyan at 5:06 PM PST - 5 comments

Why toilet paper? On the subcontinent we wash the area with our lil water pots (lota). Just like if your hands get very dirty, you wash them, not just wipe off excess with tissue paper. So why the departure down there? Isn't it unhygenic?
posted by Mossy at 4:30 PM PST - 41 comments

OK, I have Drain Flies. Dirty, disgusting, ewww, gross!!!! How can I get rid of them quickly without poisoning myself in the process? I hate flies more than spiders, snakes, mice, more than anything; so THIS IS AN EMERGENCY!!!!
posted by lilboo at 4:29 PM PST - 9 comments

I'm looking for information about importing products to the US from China. Specifically, I'm trying to turn this concept into a reality. I have sussed out local business licensing requirements , have legal representation, and have found a manufacturing company who can provide the product. Specifically, I'm interested in either (a) finding a domestic manufacturer or (b) getting advice on the best way to navigate US import rules & regulations and/or identify an import agent I can trust.
posted by donovan at 4:28 PM PST - 1 comment

Librarianfilter: My girlfriend is "wondering if anyone could recommend good websites containing lists/reviews for educational books/videos/software for children (ages 5 up through high school)? I recently acquired the responsibility of selecting materials (I'm a librarian) for our University's Educational Resource Center and don't have an education background so I'm new to this. I know about the Parent's Choice Foundation. I was wondering if there is something similar for librarians/educators? I get tons of catalogs but want lists/reviews, preferably online. Thanks!"
posted by adamkempa at 4:07 PM PST - 3 comments

My boyfriend and I met when I was very young and inexperienced, and we've been together for almost 10 years now. I've always enjoyed our sex life, especially my ability to have multiple orgasms. But wait. Now that I'm older and a bit more in touch with myself, so to speak, I've realized I hadn't really been having orgasms at all. Because I'm just starting to now. My boyfriend thinks he's losing his skills because I'm having one orgasm with him, if at all, and I've skirted around talking about it by saying that it's just different now. We're really open with each other and we talk about everything honestly, but I'm having a hard time figuring out how to gently broach this topic since I didn't when I first became aware of it. How can I share the truth and preserve his ego?
posted by anonymous at 4:04 PM PST - 18 comments

Need advice on make-ahead meals, saving money on food & buying a freezer... (More inside) [more inside]
posted by Shoeburyness at 3:15 PM PST - 5 comments

My brother would like to do some recording (acoustic guitar mainly, maybe other things) at home and is looking for recording software for OS X. The ideal price would be $500 or under, but it should be something decent rather than just cheap. He "doesn't need pre-recorded loops, etc, so [he] figure[s] GarageBand isn't what [he's] looking for." Any recommendations? [more inside]
posted by Utilitaritron at 2:49 PM PST - 12 comments

Please post links, anecdotes, horror stories, etc. designed to scare me out of my internet porn habit, focusing on ethical, moral, and legal issues. I want to stop cold turkey and the only way out is through my liberal guilt.
posted by anonymous at 2:47 PM PST - 13 comments

If you heat up a metal plate with a hole drilled in it, does the diameter of the hole get bigger or smaller as the metal expands?
posted by rhruska at 2:31 PM PST - 14 comments

Do you dvd or DVD? [more inside]
posted by feelinglistless at 2:07 PM PST - 16 comments

How hard is mounting and framing a poster? Are there good guides (preferably online) for covering the basics? [mi] [more inside]
posted by mkultra at 2:03 PM PST - 6 comments

MIDIFilter: I recently had the good fortune to acquire four MIDI instruments: a Roland Juno 106 and three "modules" (synths w/o keyboards). I want to be able to control the three modules with either the Juno 106 or a MIDI controller (keyboard w/o a synth) or maybe even my Mac. (I use Ableton Live and Reason). [more inside]
posted by eustacescrubb at 2:03 PM PST - 6 comments

Are people who are from countries in the British Commonwealth 'British'? For instance, would you say that someone from New Zealand is 'British'? Is being 'British' cultural, or legal, or some amalgamation of the two? Anyone care to explain this to a confused Yankee?

Sorry if this has been asked before. I looked, but my google fu is not super.
posted by geekhorde at 1:36 PM PST - 21 comments

I need an ATA controller that fits in a short PCI slot, can control two 200GB drives (The Western Digital WD2000) and works extremely well under Linux. Any suggestions?
posted by djacobs at 1:26 PM PST - 5 comments

Anyone ever taken their dog to a dermatologist? My dog's allergic to stuff and has been for 5 years (he's on steroids). The vet says there's now a dermatologist in the city that takes blood/scrapings and then creates a vaccine. Apparently, it also costs a small fortune. Anyone ever tried this? What were the results?
posted by dobbs at 1:22 PM PST - 6 comments

Looking for a recommendation for a table and chairs. Requirements: Leaf (or drop-leaf), simple, available online if possible or in chain stores (need to get it delivered ASAP). Have been running around town (Portland, OR) and am tired of looking. Parents coming in six days.
posted by strangeleftydoublethink at 12:19 PM PST - 4 comments

Should I throw away batteries? --> [more inside]
posted by eas98 at 11:52 AM PST - 4 comments

What's a "normal" number of previous sexual partners to have had? Or, more to the point, if I can count mine on one hand with some leftover fingers, does it make any sense to be a little freaked out by dating someone who can't put an exact number on his?
posted by anonymous at 11:29 AM PST - 47 comments

Do you have any collections? [more inside]
posted by Dreama at 11:24 AM PST - 42 comments

One of my best friends is getting married, and I am thrilled to be the best man. I have to write a speech. Now, that's tricky enough in and of itself, but there's an additional wrinkle: My friend is having a pretty traditional wedding in Mexico. My Spanish is somewhat broken, but I have friends and family who can help me translate whatever I write. My question is: what is appropriate in such a speech in Mexico? How long should it be? What can I expect? More inside... [more inside]
posted by kahboom at 11:16 AM PST - 3 comments

After reading this, and especially this, I'm wondering what will happen if Bush is relected? I'm not asking for an answer based on fear, but conjecture on actual policies he's supported in the past, and has said he would support in the future. Because someone pointed out to me that Kerry can't fix most of those problems (at least with the plans he's made public). So would life here in America be the same either with or without Bush; and if so, how can someone like me, just one stay-at-home mom, make positive changes?
posted by FunkyHelix at 11:05 AM PST - 9 comments

Career Advice Filter: Is it worth it to get a CPA 15 years out of college? [more inside} [more inside]
posted by psmealey at 10:52 AM PST - 3 comments

Our second car went belly up this weekend, and we are now looking for a replacement. I'd like to get some advice on the new vs. old dilemma [More Inside] [more inside]
posted by smcniven at 10:50 AM PST - 8 comments

TechSupportFilter: When I upload (perfectly legal) bittorrent files at speeds greater than about 13 kbps, my Comcast internet connection gets completely swamped, and I'm unable to surf the web or download email. Comcast tech support has been out three times over the past month, and they're still scratching their heads. But I get the feeling they don't exactly know what they're doing. Does anyone have any idea what might be going on, or what further tests I should run to find out?
posted by gd779 at 10:31 AM PST - 14 comments

I recently inherited a looks-brand-new copy of The London Illustrated News from 1947 dedicated to the wedding of Princess Elizabeth. It's amazing; it includes a pictorial family tree tracing both Elizabeth and Philip back to Victoria, baby pictures, pictures of the crowds in Trafalgar Square, etc. What's the best way to keep this treasure as pristine as possible, while still being able to look at it from time to time? [more inside]
posted by WolfDaddy at 10:16 AM PST - 6 comments

"I think of you.. more as a friend." A girl I really, really (seriously) 'like' sprung that one on me yesterday. Her explanation was rather strange in general: apparently I'd make a great boyfriend, but she'd make a lousy girlfriend, and she's saving me from myself. Is this low self-esteem, or plain lies, or what? And what the heck should I do about the whole thing?
posted by anonymous at 9:46 AM PST - 55 comments

New Home Filter: I just bought my home, and want a fence for the back yard. I've received a couple of estimates, but don't want to pay cash, preferring to keep cash on hand for an emergency. Would a loan to finance be better, or a credit card? Are there other options? I plan to pay off within a year.
posted by benjh at 8:42 AM PST - 11 comments

Fed-Up-With-My-WebHostFilter: Is it time to move to VPS? What are your experiences with VPS or dedicated servers? When did you make the switch from shared hosting? How much time per month would you say you spend on administration duties? [mi] [more inside]
posted by romakimmy at 8:05 AM PST - 5 comments

What are you going to be for Halloween?
posted by ssmith at 7:53 AM PST - 28 comments

Voters rights filter: I am in New York State (Brooklyn). I have moved since the last election, I sent in my change of address form before the registration deadline and it was returned to me unopened today. So....? [more inside]
posted by Divine_Wino at 7:30 AM PST - 8 comments

ElectronicsFilter : I've got a knackered power supply in my hands. I need to replace it, but I'm having a hell of a time. Any help would be appriciated. [MI] [more inside]
posted by twine42 at 7:11 AM PST - 1 comment

Has anyone seen something so amazing they wanted to tell everyone about it, but by the time they could, the event had passed? [MI] [more inside]
posted by SpaceCadet at 1:49 AM PST - 29 comments

[LondonFilter] Its my birthday next month and i'd like to hire an area of a bar for 30 or so people. Preferably for free (or low cost) with no minimum bar spend in zone 1 or 2. Music-wise, I'd rather a place that doesn't play cheesy 80's. Does anyone have any recommendations?
posted by ralawrence at 12:49 AM PST - 4 comments

How much should I tip movers? [more inside]
posted by faustessa at 12:31 AM PST - 13 comments

When I lived in LA, there was a wacky local cable channel that played all sorts of crazy stuff they shouldn't have. I saw the entire Tommy Lee/Pamela Anderson tape, unedited, while channel surfing one night. But my question is about another odd thing on this channel. Once I was surfing and saw Jenna Jameson on this channel, but it wasn't porn. There was little to no nudity, and what I most remember is a scene where she's eating taco bell and talking about how screwed up her life is, while a bodyguard sits on the other side of the room. Most of the scenes were interviews with her as she traveled from place to place with a bodyguard. Does anyone know what this documentary was called?
posted by mathowie at 12:29 AM PST - 13 comments

Crawly linguistics: What is the association between crabs (the crustaceans) and cancer? We all know the zodiac sign of the crab is called "Cancer", Cancer is also the genus of some crabs, and I've just discovered that other crabs are of the genus Carcinus, which sounds very close to "carcinogen". What's the reasoning and history behind this?
posted by Jimbob at 11:47 PM PST - 3 comments

Say one wanted to one day serve as the US ambassador to (or is it of...) a particular country. Or if that seemed out of reach, maybe the Consulate General / Consulate to (again, or is it of...) a particular country. Or if even that seemed out of reach, and hell just get a job in the embassy or work for the Consulate. So, any chance an everyday average Joe, with a clean record, and a sharp intellect could get such a gig? Or is it just for former senators, congressmen, and big donors to political campaigns?
posted by pwb503 at 11:29 PM PST - 15 comments

The MetaFilterist's Quarterly Public Transportation Survey:
Do busses in your country make (give) change? [more inside]
posted by Danelope at 10:40 PM PST - 43 comments

I have an HP Pavilion mx703 that runs on Windows XP. Lately, right in the middle of working on it, the screen will get these wavy black lines on it (can't really be more specific than that) that start at the bottom and work their way to the top. It's annoying as hell, and nothing gets rid of them except shutting down completely - rebooting doesn't help. A friend suggested "Degausse", but that doesn't work. I'm not as computer-savvy as other MeFites here - anyone know what to do? It's done it four or five times this evening alone, and I'm at my wits end. Please help!!
posted by ScarletSpectrum at 9:12 PM PST - 5 comments

Bus Driver Filter - Any one know a long distance bus driver? [mi] [more inside]
posted by phyrewerx at 8:57 PM PST - 3 comments

I'm having trouble getting health insurance in Illinois. I'm 25 years old, 6', 175 pounds, don't smoke, and in pretty good health, but I'm being categorically denied coverage because I've been taking Paxil CR for several months now. It's really changed my life, but now I seem to have been blacklisted. Has anyone else had any experience with this?
posted by anonymous at 8:33 PM PST - 9 comments

English/Literature question: I was watching some old Futurama episodes, and I noted on two occasions the use of the phrase "fevered dream"... [mo inside yo] [more inside]
posted by ac at 8:26 PM PST - 7 comments

Are pretty and popular women more likely to cheat than unpopular women? I have always gone for the quiet, shy girl that was pretty, but pretty in the sort of way that most guys wouldn't notice. Are girls that can have any guy they want more likely to cheat? Or are they more faithful because they have trouble finding guys interested in more than their looks or popularity?
posted by anonymous at 8:11 PM PST - 19 comments

I'm getting ready to buy an iRiver H-120, but I'd like clarification on a few issues [MI] [more inside]
posted by TurkishGolds at 8:04 PM PST - 13 comments

I'm trying to find out what my grandfather did during World War II. He was in the 101st and I know he saw a lot of the worst of the Battle of the Bulge. He mentioned going to Hitler's retreat (I believe he means Eagle's Nest). He also won, I believe, an important medal that he refuses to accept and was invited to France to do something. He hates talking about it, he's getting up there, and I was hoping to figure out as much as I can. Sorry to be vague but I'm telling all that I know. My preliminary google searches don't turn up anything. More inside. [more inside]
posted by geoff. at 7:42 PM PST - 10 comments

Podcasting. Yes I get the basic idea behind it (endless hours of "radio" programming available for my automatic download through RSS and replay on my computer or iPod), but I'm being stupid about the software. Do I go with iPodder, or iPodderX? What's the diff? Is there a site that reviews/recommends in this infant medium?
posted by baltimore at 7:03 PM PST - 2 comments

My long-distance relationship is disintegrating, basically because it is now totally open-ended, and the visa situation is such that only a marriage will keep us physically together.

Our current idea is an open relationship. I'm not sure how I feel about this. Does anyone have any experience? I can't help but think if I wanted to be with the new person I wouldn't be with the old, and it seems somehow wrong to use new people just for sex or short-termism...
posted by anonymous at 6:08 PM PST - 15 comments

Anybody know a good place to try Kobe beef in the San Jose area? [pink on the inside] [more inside]
posted by rorycberger at 6:06 PM PST - 6 comments

Trapped in a maze of twisty cables, all alike: yesterday one of my harddrives (about two years old) started fucking up (I/O errors) whenever I tried to read some directories (like /usr/bin and /sbin, helpful). Boot with knoppix, by some miracle am able to read the drive, fsck it. I switched the cable going from the mobo to the CD drive with that going to the hard drives, and then it worked. At some point my other hard drive (less than a year old) starts to have similar errors, but worked on reboot after a fscking. Today: same problem as before! But, on merely switching which drive was above which, so the cable fit in more naturally, it works! So my question: could simply twisting the cable have caused those errors? If not, where's the error more likely lie—with the drives or the motherboard?
posted by kenko at 5:39 PM PST - 9 comments

From time to time I will see a vehicle with a Barcode sticker on the rear driver side window. I live in SC and have seen them in FL/GA as well. These cars do not seem to be rental cars. What is this Barcode sticker used for?
posted by chiababe at 4:34 PM PST - 7 comments

Bush Food and Kerry Food: Any ideas for a light-hearted Election Night buffet and cocktail party? [More inside.] [more inside]
posted by MiguelCardoso at 4:34 PM PST - 33 comments

Linux Filter: Had to re-install XP on a dual-boot machine because I borked it. It overwrote the MBR, where Grub was installed. How do I get GRUB back on the computer, and seeing my linux partition?
posted by SpecialK at 4:15 PM PST - 5 comments

Another question from the AskMe Anonymizer:

Two of my close friends, each married to other people, started having an affair about a year ago. One of them got caught and is now divorced. (That participant lied to me about who the other person was when they first told me about it. They also nearly got caught early on and lied to me about what happened. Also, one of their encounters was at my house without my knowledge.) They're still carrying on even though the other person says their spouse is the one for them. (More Inside) [more inside]
posted by headspace at 4:14 PM PST - 15 comments

Here the short story...Is there anyway to remotely disconnect/connect dsl connections under OS X? the long story inside.... [more inside]
posted by ShawnString at 3:34 PM PST - 8 comments

E-MailAttachmentFilter.
I regularly mail out reports to about 30 clients via e-mail attachment using OutlookExpress for Mac Classic.

Unfortunately, the most elegantly simple way of doing this mailing--using the Resend Button doesn't work; I can't just keep each client's file report name the same, write-over the file and RESEND the same e-mail (I have to manually detach and then attach each report).

In otherwords, if, on October 1, I attached file SmithReport to an e-mail and send it to Smith, on October 15, I can't just create the new report, again name it SmithReport, put it in the same folder, and RESEND the prior e-mail; if I do, the prior attachment (report) will be sent.

Any ideas on how to RESEND the existing e-mail but automatically send the new report/attachment? Another e-mail program? The attachments are PDFs, but I don't think that matters. [more inside]
posted by ParisParamus at 3:27 PM PST - 6 comments

From the brand new AxMe Anonymizer

"Is my friend an alcoholic?" [MI] [more inside]
posted by LimePi at 2:50 PM PST - 19 comments

Could anyone provide links or cite specific examples of ways in which President Bush is kept insulated from his detractors? [more inside]
posted by Ryvar at 2:40 PM PST - 10 comments

I have an SCM eUSB Smartmedia card reader that I got with my Fuji MX-2900 camera a few years ago. I need to locate the Mac OS X driver for it. I had the driver installed on my laptop, but my laptop was stolen. I looked for the driver and contacted SCM directly, but the product is discontinued and not supported. Does anyone have the driver or know how to get it?
posted by neuroshred at 12:51 PM PST - 2 comments

Question for the logwebbers (gwebbers, if you will): how do I split a REALLY big log? (more inside) [more inside]
posted by stupidsexyFlanders at 12:36 PM PST - 10 comments

For an e-mail to management, I need some quick examples of technically superior products that lost out in the marketplace to inferior competition, much as Beta did to VHS. I'm drawing a blank, and my mad google skilz suq.
posted by mojohand at 11:38 AM PST - 14 comments

Can I use the OSX CDs that came with my iBook to upgrade a desktop G4 from OS9? [more inside]
posted by kmel at 11:35 AM PST - 11 comments

quality temporary living quarters in florence? with internet access? i have a friend who is there and could use some help... thanks in advance.
posted by specialk420 at 11:06 AM PST - 4 comments

Guitarists and gearheads! I need assistance connecting an electric guitar and a microphone directly into a MOTU 828 soundcard. [more inside]
posted by fishfucker at 10:23 AM PST - 11 comments

I'm looking for some good road trip music, specifically instrumental music, acoustic guitar if possible.
posted by 4easypayments at 9:25 AM PST - 23 comments

Anyone know what happened to Gawker? As of this morning I'm seeing a netsol placeholder page. The whois info is ...odd.
posted by PinkStainlessTail at 8:53 AM PST - 7 comments

Please recommend some true crime books. I've read through most of Ann Rule's stuff, In Cold Blood, Under the Banner of Heaven. What other writers would I like?
posted by dydecker at 8:48 AM PST - 17 comments

Today is my 21st birthday. None of my friends have any money, I have 50 dollars to spend, and I can drive. What can I do for my birthday in and around Portland, Oregon? [more inside]
posted by Keyser Soze at 5:41 AM PST - 28 comments

Is the Queen of England genetically related to William the Conqueror?
posted by Pretty_Generic at 2:45 AM PST - 15 comments

[CrampFilter] My son woke up again last night with cramp in his legs...its painful for him, and disturbing for us...(morecrammedinside) [more inside]
posted by mattr at 12:42 AM PST - 26 comments

We have big trees on our property in San Mateo county, CA. Really big trees -- about 120 feet tall, some Coastal Redwood. Is there a clever way to legally protect the trees forever (from being cut down) by deeding them in some way?
posted by kk at 11:53 PM PST - 9 comments

How can I download/listen to a large number of streaming music tracks (ram format) without having to click each link individually and wait for each song? [mi] [more inside]
posted by ruwan at 11:13 PM PST - 5 comments

Is there any particular way to break into the composing-music-for-soundtracks biz?
posted by Tlogmer at 11:07 PM PST - 4 comments

How do you cross out words in Hypertext?
posted by semmi at 7:26 PM PST - 30 comments

I'm combing the web for a substantial, well-designed titanium necklace from a reputable online store. Pickings seem slim, and googling turns up more chaff than substance. Simple link design with some heft and a T-bar clasp are preferred. Anyone here seen such a beast?
posted by vers at 5:48 PM PST - 5 comments

When was the last time that anyone convinced you to change your mind about something important? (e.g. politics, religion, job, boyfriend/girlfriend, lifestyle, haircut, annoying personal habits.) How did they do it? [mi]
posted by armchairsocialist at 5:36 PM PST - 24 comments

Music journalism clichés. I'm trying to compile a list of clichéd rock journalism similes, along the lines of 'sounds like a cat being strangled', or 'sounds like a drum-kit being thrown down a stairwell'. Trawling through 40 years of archives will prove to be somewhat time-consuming. Can anyone help me out with any? Points scored for the ridiculous/absurd, points deducted for ones you've made up yourself. Thanks!
posted by nylon at 5:27 PM PST - 25 comments

If you wanted to make a Swedish girl very happy, what would you do?
posted by reklaw at 5:21 PM PST - 22 comments

Source Control: I need a good, free GUI that runs on Linux and Windows that will allow me to create, manipulate, and update a CVS repository on a remote Linux machine via SSH. [more inside]
posted by SpecialK at 5:04 PM PST - 5 comments

I'm attempting to block a single advertisement for the Suicide Girls from BoingBoing.
[MI] [more inside]
posted by mecran01 at 4:56 PM PST - 12 comments

Ambulance Etiquette: Divided highway, two lanes in each direction, pull over into shoulder and stop? [more inside]
posted by anathema at 3:41 PM PST - 12 comments

I'm looking for a video of this wonderful bridge design by Thomas Heatherwick.
posted by richard m at 3:22 PM PST - 1 comment

Can any one recommend a general consumer goods/trends blog? Sort of like an online Cargo magazine or Gizmodo or Engadget but with a broader focus?
posted by phyrewerx at 2:49 PM PST - 7 comments

NetworkedPrinterFilter. Today while changing some old HP networked printers from static to dynamic IP addresses, I made the mistake up upgrading the firmware. Now they don't work. Anyone know how to roll back the firmware on a JetDirect card? more inside. [more inside]
posted by caution live frogs at 2:00 PM PST - 5 comments

Ever since I was a kid it's always baffled me what the technical term for those 'magic' rulers is - the ones that display an image, and as you tilt it in the light, it displays another, or multiple images, to give the impression the image is moving. They were usually cartoon based, depicting Transformers or some similar childhood cult characters. People always told me to accept they were called holograms and be done with it, but I am convinced they are not holograms, as holograms are a 3D image, or should I say give the illusion of a 3D image, which these rulers did not, only a moving image. Can anyone shed any light on the matter?
posted by si at 1:20 PM PST - 10 comments

what is the name for the style of dining table that, instead of having four legs, is supported in the center by a single post, which spreads out near the ground into four legs that are parallel or nearly parallel to the ground? Some longer tables have two of these posts supporting either end of the table.
posted by luser at 12:35 PM PST - 4 comments

Production folks: How small can a barcode be and still scan?
posted by dame at 12:32 PM PST - 10 comments

I have older windows in my home that weren't taken care of properly (layers upon layers of paint, some don't open, broken weights, etc). Window replacement is about a year off, and I'm trying to get my rental unit up to snuff. Is there some good how-to repair advice anyone has come accross for old windows? I have a couple of fix-it books but they only have cursory info and concentrate more on installing new windows.
posted by sharksandwich at 11:35 AM PST - 9 comments

Ok, how about tipping when you're being served by the owner of the joint? [MI] [more inside]
posted by pwb503 at 11:07 AM PST - 15 comments

I am taking a brain-painful networking class (hint: it's all about the routers, baby!) and the studying is intense. It's hard, but I'm holding my own. I see questions here on AskMe that bring really cool answers from lots of folks, with a lot of repeat answerers, which leads me to ask, How Did You Learn What You Know About Computers/the Internet? Was it in school? Did you apprentice with someone who had m4d sk1lz? Did you teach yourself? Other?
posted by Lynsey at 10:47 AM PST - 18 comments

GoogleBombing: Suppose I register 10 domains, and upload an HTML page to each domain that has a named link - for example, "Click here to buy Cheap Shoes" - and these named links all point to the same webpage....when someone searches on Google for "Cheap Shoes", will the page that has 10 domains linking to it stand a better chance of being higher up in the rankings?
posted by SpaceCadet at 9:28 AM PST - 19 comments

I'm looking for a recommendation for small-business contact management software program. (more inside). [more inside]
posted by monkeyman at 8:47 AM PST - 10 comments

After moving around some furniture, my one-room appartment has two large areas of empty wall, both about 2m by 2m (above the bed and the couch). While there's always posters and framed art, I'm looking for something that leaves a little less wall uncovered; I can't find any posters that approach those dimensions. The rasterbator is nice, but I want something with a little more high-saturation colour. I'm currently toying with the idea of buying lots of film, music, fine art, etcetera posters and tessellating them, but this isn't cheap. Any better ideas? [more inside]
posted by fvw at 8:22 AM PST - 11 comments

I'm a white guy trying to shop for food in Chinatown. Are there any resources to help me with some key vocab? [mi] [more inside]
posted by mkultra at 8:20 AM PST - 15 comments

So I have a 40GB iPod that's two months old, and one suspicious behavior had mutated into calamity: [simorede]
posted by blueshammer at 6:17 AM PST - 15 comments

What is a good, cheap alternative to Microsoft Exchange Server for sharing Outlook calendar data over a network?
posted by nthdegx at 6:00 AM PST - 3 comments

What is the cheapest you could live and still maintain a fairly normal lifestyle? [more inside]
posted by Jaybo at 1:18 AM PST - 31 comments

I've been told the computer hardware industry is based on holding back the release of existing technologies so that people upgrade in small increments. Is this true? If so, wouldn't the first company to break the rule get a chance to dominate the market? Is there some kind of backroom deal going on?
posted by Pretty_Generic at 12:59 AM PST - 9 comments

What are some other ways to accomplish the equivalent of the ASP "include" command? (And if so, which is the easiest?) Is there any way to achieve the same effect with regular HTML?
posted by Jaybo at 12:53 AM PST - 14 comments

This may sound like a dumb question, but I can't find any basic info online. I've never used my airline miles before, and I'm trying to take a vacation to London and Ireland this xmas. But how do I try to score business or first class upgrades using the miles I have? (more inside) [more inside]
posted by mathowie at 12:53 AM PST - 14 comments

Last month, I injured the nerves in my left forearm. Since then, I have not been able to work - I type for a living. Worse yet, I type code for a living. (more inside) [more inside]
posted by sequential at 12:51 AM PST - 10 comments

My wife & I saw the video for "Safety Dance" by Men without Hats at the weekend and had a bet about where it was filmed. I say SW England, she says Wales. My basic googling skillls have turned nothing up - can anyone help?
posted by jontyjago at 12:30 AM PST - 6 comments

Help me decorate my apartment, please. [more inside]
posted by adrober at 9:46 PM PST - 9 comments

Are there any blogs/regularly updated web sites out there focusing on stem cells? I want to follow not only all the latest research (both successes and failures), but also ethics and related public policy so I'll know when to write my Congressperson. [more inside]
posted by Soliloquy at 9:42 PM PST - 9 comments

Puffy eyes from crying...[mi] [more inside]
posted by gottabefunky at 9:19 PM PST - 13 comments

When I have a stuffy nose from allergies or a cold, jogging up a flight of stairs momentarily reduces the swelling of the nasal passage. Ascending at a walk does not have this effect. Why? Is it the change in air pressure? The bounciness of my gait?
posted by Scoo at 8:35 PM PST - 7 comments

European disposable mobile phones: My parents, who are American, are going to Edinburgh, London & Paris later this week. They've asked me what I know about disposable/rentable phones since their phones won't work over there. I know nothing. So now I'm asking all of you: What do you know about good deals on disposable/rentable phones in the UK & France? (I believe they're looking to use the phones for a period of 7-10 days, and if it makes things simpler I think they are willing to do without during the French portion of the trip if necessary)
posted by bcwinters at 7:13 PM PST - 7 comments

Are there plush Dick Cheney dolls available on the net?
posted by drezdn at 5:11 PM PST - 1 comment

Does anyone still get upset about split infinitives? [more inside] [more inside]
posted by reklaw at 3:31 PM PST - 29 comments

Any non - confusing sites that illustrate how to play basic guitar chords ?
posted by sgt.serenity at 3:14 PM PST - 3 comments

A friend with a free Blogger account has asked me to recommend a way to track visits to her site (e.g. hits, views, maybe even geography and IPs.) She'd prefer something invisible (no big tracker badge) and is willing to pay. I don't have any experience with any and Google fails to distinguish anything useful. Suggestions?
posted by vacapinta at 2:32 PM PST - 8 comments

My sister was asked if she wants to join a friend teaching english in europe. One thing she said raised a red flag, though. [mi] [more inside]
posted by SpecialK at 1:38 PM PST - 5 comments

CapitalistFilter. So I'm selling some jewelry for a friend and need some advice on what sort of cut I should ask for. (MI) [more inside]
posted by jeremias at 1:04 PM PST - 4 comments

Now that I know whether to tip for carry-out and whether to tip the delivery guy, all I need to know is how much to tip when you're out with a party of 8 or more, and the restaurant has already charged you 15%. [MI] [more inside]
posted by spacewrench at 12:58 PM PST - 12 comments

How can I bypass my VPN's blockage of several IRC ports? [more inside] [more inside]
posted by Stynxno at 10:03 AM PST - 7 comments

What with all the brouhaha over Howard Stern's move to saltellite radio, I've become interested in this service. But I listen to music almost exclusively on-the-go. So I'd only subscribe if I could listen on an iPod-like device. Are there any small, portable satellite radio receivers? I tried Googling, but I'm too ignorant about receivers to understand the results.
posted by grumblebee at 9:36 AM PST - 9 comments

Tipping etiquette: Should I add a tip on top of a delivery charge?
posted by gd779 at 9:24 AM PST - 16 comments

I just watched Olivier's version of Richard III twice and I still can't figure out why, during the Battle of Bosworth Field, while Richard and Richmond's forces are engaged in hand-to-hand combat, they suddenly stop fighting, let out a cheer, and embrace each other. I can't seem to google anything about it. What's the dilly-o? [more inside]
posted by jpoulos at 8:59 AM PST - 3 comments

Web browser image cache mayhem: We've got a fairly ancient Dell box running Win98. On Javascript-intensive websites like the New York Times, following a link or a form button ends up redirecting to a random GIF image on the source page, rather than the target destination. We have to hit refresh a bunch of times before the page actually loads. Switching between IE and Firefox doesn't seem to make a difference. Any software fixes for us? (We don't want to install XP as we don't want to rock the boat and we're not sure the system can handle it.)
posted by PrinceValium at 8:28 AM PST - 5 comments

When I read about the movie Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow, I found that Kerry Conran, the creator of the movie, had gotten Gwyneth Paltrow to agree to be cast based on a short film he'd made to sell the concept. Does anyone have a link to the original short online?
posted by alumshubby at 8:26 AM PST - 4 comments

I had a wild idea today. I'm pondering several career moves, mulling over various choices. Suddenly I thought: hey, what about politics/civic office?

Suggestions?
posted by scarabic at 10:14 PM PST - 12 comments

Belated Honeymoon : My husband & I are planning on taking a much-put-off honeymoon next spring, preferrably somewhere in Caribbean/Latin America, and could really use some tips. (more inside) [more inside]
posted by littlegirlblue at 9:21 PM PST - 8 comments

Zoloft and sexual side effects, specifically the amelioration thereof. [Too much information inside.] [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 6:15 PM PST - 21 comments

You Are Not A Doctor: Three weeks ago, I got a nasty head cold that never quite went away. It's now settled into my chest, and I have a chronic, slightly productive cough. Ordinarily, I would just wait it out, but I'm exhausted, can't really get a full breath, and the stuff I'm coughing up tastes like bleach. I swear, I haven't been inhaling or gargling bleach. I do have an appointment to see my doctor on Wednesday (the earliest I could get in,) but I was wondering if anyone else had had these symptoms and could tell me what caused them, so I can quit Googling medical conditions and diagnosing myself with lung abscesses and tuberculosis.
posted by headspace at 5:16 PM PST - 16 comments

I'm going to Taiwan and am looking for places to find cheap electronics. Is there any equivalent of Tokyo's Akihabara?
posted by calwatch at 3:31 PM PST - 2 comments

How can I harness the power of the internet to get people I've never met to send me gifts?
posted by Grod at 2:54 PM PST - 22 comments

Lawn mower 101. We're renting a new place. It has a large garden, with a petrol/gas-powered push lawn mower to keep it tidy. The mower has two orifices, one for petrol/gas, the other for oil; what goes in each? [more inside]
posted by carter at 2:32 PM PST - 6 comments

Lightning bolt! Lightning bolt! [more inside] [more inside]
posted by FunkyHelix at 1:46 PM PST - 15 comments

Besides the spatial utility, does a meat/deli/cheese drawer in a refrigerator serve a purpose? [more inside]
posted by werty at 1:36 PM PST - 3 comments

I live on a block in browstone Brooklyn, NY. For the last few weeks, the air has been, periodically, filled with a somewhat unpleasant onion-y smell. At first I thought this was someone's bad cooking, but I'm wondering if it's a tree of some kind. Does anyone know what this is? (and no, this is not the horrid smell of the ginko tree, whose "fruit", in the fall, smells like darkroom chemicals...)
posted by ParisParamus at 1:08 PM PST - 8 comments

Do you sleep better when you brush your teeth before bed?

Most of the time, I do brush before bed. But on the rare occasions when I forget or I don't feel like it or I'm too tired, I find that my sleep is MUCH less fulfilling. Obviously, it could be the conditions that cause me to not brush that contribute, but I'm wondering if anyone else has seen the same thing.
posted by Caviar at 12:07 PM PST - 7 comments

When you think "middle class," what does that mean to you? Income range? Education level? Does it vary from region to region and country to country? (Inspired by the Sean Hannity post)
posted by LittleMissCranky at 11:34 AM PST - 25 comments

Is it possible for a mid 30's person to change their life habits? Even more specificially, can a lifetime of disorganization be turned around into one of organization? (MI) [more inside]
posted by jeremias at 10:42 AM PST - 10 comments

Pips and I were just discussing Coca-Cola. More specifically, the concept of having it for breakfast. She's a high school teacher and says that for half her students breakfast is a bag of Doritos and a Coke. I also used to have a boss who would drink a liter bottle of the stuff before arriving at work every day and finish another in the course of working and another who would have one regularly at 8am to start the day. Now, I understand the craving for caffeine and I even enjoy the occasional Coca-Cola myself, but the idea of soda pop before lunch, I find, quite frankly, disgusting. Any breakfast Coke-heads here? How and why, I'm just wondering?
posted by jonmc at 10:08 AM PST - 42 comments

Since moving, my DVD player is unable to play some DVDs it once was able to play. There's sort of a rolling/fading picture at all times, or the menus look fine but the movie itself is messed up. The sound is okay, and some discs play perfectly. It's a Samsung DVD-S221.

Is there anything I can do, or is it just plain broke? [more inside]
posted by swift at 9:08 AM PST - 7 comments

Where can I download a somewhat high quality video of last night's debate?
posted by punishinglemur at 8:41 AM PST - 8 comments

How do you comfort yourself when you are ill? [more inside]
posted by melissa may at 1:37 AM PST - 33 comments

[TruthStrangerThanFictionFilter] I have come across this extremely compelling, and somehwat NSFW, document. It claims to be fiction, but the details don't seem to conflict with reality in any way. How does one go about verifying such documents? [more inside]
posted by Kwantsar at 10:18 PM PST - 16 comments

2 family home, shared my myself and a friend of mine. I am in the second floor unit, he is in the first floor unit. Wireless Doorbells are put on one on top of the other, since that is where there is space. Should the second floor doorbell be on top because it is the top floor, or should the first floor doorbell be on top because it would be considered the first unit of the building?
posted by benjh at 9:38 PM PST - 7 comments

A co-worker is buying a computer for the first time for her family and is concerned for the safety of her children online. [MI] [more inside]
posted by lola at 4:53 PM PST - 13 comments

When are Massachusetts absentee ballots sent out? [more inside]
posted by ar0n at 3:08 PM PST - 3 comments

What is the scientific name of the process by which chameleons change color? I.e., plants convert sunlight to food via photosynthesis; chameleons change color via ... what?
posted by Acetylene at 1:33 PM PST - 3 comments

I've been thinking about the music industry lawsuits. They're based on the IP addresses of the 'uploaders', correct me if I'm wrong. If I live in a shared flat, and we share broadband via a router - how can anyone tell which PC is the evil lawbreaker? [more inside]
posted by ascullion at 11:37 AM PST - 21 comments

I'm looking for a web page that asks for a zip code (or an address) and returns the voting district, what candidates are running on the ballot and any other measures or items up for the vote. Does anything like this exist on a national, state or more local level?

I know that Paul Ford is screenscraping the Government, but I'm assuming that won't be done in time for this November's election.
posted by djacobs at 10:50 AM PST - 1 comment

Can someone please explain why a candidate gets all of the electoral votes in a given state if they have the majority of votes in that state?

Wouldn't it be more sensible and accurate to allow electoral votes to be distributed according to the percent of votes carried by each candidate in that state?

Am I missing something?
posted by fenriq at 10:19 AM PST - 19 comments

I have an mp3, but I don't know the name of the song or the artist. [mi] [more inside]
posted by Juicylicious at 9:46 AM PST - 12 comments

Simpsons DVDs. A really weird and annoying thing is happening when I watch Simpsons DVDs (happens with all the seasons). The colors flash in sync with the dialogue. [Help a Homer out inside]. [more inside]
posted by Otis at 9:10 AM PST - 9 comments

At the end of the most recent episode of The Wire (episode 28- dead soldiers), what was the song they sang at the wake?
posted by drezdn at 8:57 AM PST - 5 comments

I'm considering a major career switch and wonder if anybody has gone through a similar experience. Right now I'm an IT manager but am finishing an MA and considering going for a phd. [More inside] [more inside]
posted by drobot at 8:06 AM PST - 13 comments

Here's a question from 1992: How do I get 1200 people in the US, Canada, and Mexico up and running with PCs and MS Office from a previous dumb terminal environment? (More inside of course) [more inside]
posted by pomegranate at 8:05 AM PST - 5 comments

Is death the end?
posted by stupidsexyFlanders at 6:59 AM PST - 74 comments

Book binding: I want to make some one-off children's books for my daughter and her friends, and I'm trying to determine the most cost-effective way to make something extra-durable. These kids are all about 2 years old; my own daughter has been known to rip pages out of favorite books as a sign of enthusiasm. My current thought is laminating two-sided color pages and spiral binding it, but to me that's only about a 6 out of 10 on cheapness and durability. Other thoughts?
posted by blueshammer at 6:22 AM PST - 7 comments

I need to move a technology-related discussion list with about 1500 members and 10-15 messages per day to a Mailman-hosted list service. The list was formerly hosted by a charitable person whose software didn't quite cut the mustard. What are the most affordable and reliable services on the Web for me? [more inside]
posted by madman at 6:03 AM PST - 4 comments

I would like to get hold of a clip of Casey Kasem saying 'Hello, I'm Casey Kasem', googling hasn't helped as yet. Can anyone point me in the right direction?
posted by biffa at 3:37 AM PST - 6 comments

Hopefully this will be less controversial than my last question... I've got three Kilos (six pounds?) of minced beef defrosting... what shall I do with it? [MI] [more inside]
posted by twine42 at 2:31 AM PST - 15 comments

I need phrases synonymous with "dictator for life"
posted by Tlogmer at 1:41 AM PST - 46 comments

Which license should I choose? [more inside] [more inside]
posted by deaddodo at 11:46 PM PST - 11 comments

Good, multiplayer, web based strategy games. They have to be out there. None have quite done it for me yet, for which I should be thankful but am not.
posted by freebird at 10:58 PM PST - 4 comments

I am looking for sound recordings (preferably available online) of a person/persons talking. No reading, no poetry, no spoken word, no plays, no lectures. Just ordinary, everyday talking. Single person rambling preferred, but conversations are okay.
posted by TheIrreverend at 10:51 PM PST - 7 comments

Rencently I installed something that decided to associate a bunch of common file extensions with it. This re-brought to my attention a problem that has plagued me for quite some time:every time I try to modify what programs are associated with a given extension the I am unable to. Example: say I'm browsing a directory using Explorer. I notice that .tif files are no longer associated with photoshop. I right-click and select Open With>Chose Program. The task hangs. The same thing happens when I view file properties:
Type of file: $filetype
Opens with: $someapp ........ CHANGE...
If I click CHANGE, the properties dialog "is no longer responding". Lastly, trying to change the default file associations by going to: Settings>Control Panal>Folder Options>File Types>
results in that applet freezing. HELP [more inside]
posted by Grod at 7:32 PM PST - 29 comments

Can anyone recommend a good screensaver (Win32)? I've got ecotonoha at the moment, which is pretty cool, but would like something that works well w/out an internet connection and is darker (ecotonoha is dark only during the night).
posted by andrew cooke at 6:41 PM PST - 15 comments

CookingFilter redux: It sure would be nice to have a computerized database of all our recipes, something both my wife and I could use. What's the best Mac-based solution? Or, better yet, are there good web-based solutions? I'm not opposed to paying a few bucks a year to maintain a database of recipes, but I'd balk at a few bucks a month.
posted by jdroth at 6:09 PM PST - 7 comments

Combining .rm files on OS X? I have a bunch of Real Video files and I want to join them together. I wouldn't mind if they ended up in Quicktime, either.
posted by nicwolff at 5:57 PM PST - 1 comment

I need a message board / discussion forum for an online community that's been evicted from its old home. What's the best message board software out there, and are there particular extensions or services I need on my server in order to run it? It doesn't have to be free software, but it can't be super-extravagant, either.
posted by Chanther at 4:03 PM PST - 8 comments

Where's Woolsey ? - Last year, I read that Jim Woolsey was going to be the Minister of Information for Iraq's Interim Government. But I can't seem to determine whether he's there now or not. can anybody find Woolsey ? He's a tricky one.
posted by troutfishing at 3:27 PM PST - 3 comments

Adult thumb sucking (more inside)... [more inside]
posted by naxosaxur at 1:25 PM PST - 20 comments

What is the best way to create a 6'x10' sign if a standard-resolution photo from the web is used as source material? [more inside]
posted by Eamon at 12:57 PM PST - 9 comments

I need a wireless security camera system. My requirements are that it be able to support at least 8 cameras, be reasonably high-res, and be able to capture and record streams digitally (not just take still snapshots). Motion sensitive activation is a plus, but not required. Ability to view the streams using a standard web browser is a big plus, but not necessarily required.

Budget is flexible, but I'd like to spend less than $5K total if possible. If that's not realistic (high or low), say so.
posted by Caviar at 11:52 AM PST - 8 comments

I am looking for an index data structure and query algorithm to solve a specific problem. Each row in the table represents a range, with a start/end value; I want to look up all the rows that overlap a certain value. [more inside]
posted by Mars Saxman at 11:25 AM PST - 14 comments

Imagine someone made an 6'x10' sign featuring the Talented Mr. Goatse with the caption "Massachusetts Welcomes You" and draped it over the actual welcome sign on I-95 south at the New Hampshire border. Early on Thanksgiving morning. What would happen to this person if they were caught?
posted by Mayor Curley at 10:26 AM PST - 47 comments

So my parents have offered to buy me a camera amongst other things for my 30th birthday. I'm looking for a compact camera with a zoom function for under £40.00. Any recommendations? If you can buy it at Argos, even better.
posted by feelinglistless at 10:24 AM PST - 4 comments

What is going on in the last chapter of Gibson & Sterling's "The Difference Engine"? The story makes sense until just about the last paragraph of the second-to-last chapter, but the closing series of vignettes, titled "Modus: The Images Tabled", flies right over my head.
posted by Mars Saxman at 9:58 AM PST - 6 comments

Diesel engine cold starting problems... { mi } [more inside]
posted by derbs at 9:09 AM PST - 9 comments

Why must the toilet seat be left down?
[more inside - if you'll pardon the phrase] [more inside]
posted by twine42 at 7:44 AM PST - 77 comments

I'm pretty good at visual things. Heck, it's my job. However, the more and more I get into multimedia, the more concerns I have about my musical ability. I've never cared about it until now (don't dance either), but now I realize that having a sense of rhythm or tempo could really help my work. How do I even begin improving my aural and timing skills? Do I have to go find Kevin Bacon and get footloose? [more inside]
posted by Stan Chin at 7:40 AM PST - 12 comments

Can anyone recommend 'small' operating systems for educational purposes at high school level? [MI] [more inside]
posted by plep at 7:36 AM PST - 14 comments

What classical music webcasts do you recommend? [more inside]
posted by sohcahtoa at 7:34 AM PST - 7 comments

What are the stereotypes of the native English speaker's accent as perceived by non-English-speakers? (More inside-->) [more inside]
posted by Shane at 7:07 AM PST - 17 comments

Here I am enjoying "Dear Heather", the new record from Leonard Cohen, who turned 70 last month and wondering how many other septuagenarians and eightysomethings are still out there and still adding a fine song or three to the repertory of popular song?
posted by MiguelCardoso at 6:11 AM PST - 16 comments

You have an .ogm file of a non-subtitled movie and a .srt subtitle file -- what's the best OS X tool to watch the movie with subtitles? For educational purposes only, etc, (more inside) [more inside]
posted by matteo at 4:10 AM PST - 6 comments

Is there a rule of thumb for the amount of money your employer is making off your effort? (MI) [more inside]
posted by jeremias at 4:01 AM PST - 16 comments

I am looking for a good server side rss aggregator that will give results in a very simple manner for mobile devices. I would use bloglines but their interface is a mess of frames and things. I'm looking for a few, maybe 10, feeds presented in flat text. MySQL is ok if required.
posted by rhyax at 12:16 AM PST - 7 comments

MarinadeFilter: Is there life beyond Teriyaki? What are your favorite meat/fowl/fish/tofu marinades, home-made or (don't be ashamed, we all do it) pre-packaged? [more inside]
posted by LimePi at 11:10 PM PST - 19 comments

Rojo: anyone have a beta account? For that matter, can anyone tell me what, exactly, they are doing?
posted by falconred at 9:49 PM PST - 5 comments

In search of a missing webpage: an aviation autobiography [description inside]. [more inside]
posted by tss at 9:08 PM PST - 2 comments

I need recommendations on how to find a super-good deal on a romantic, relaxing vacation for two, less than a week ahead of travel time. It has to be within the US (visa reasons). I'm looking for ideas on where to go, but mostly I'm wondering where people find deals on such last-minute trips. I've always been a planner -- help me be impulsive!
posted by edlundart at 8:37 PM PST - 5 comments

What would I need to get Skype to function on a pda or mobile phone?
posted by timyang at 8:36 PM PST - 3 comments

This election year, four states have medical malpractice award limits on the ballot. Since I know there are doctors (and lawyers) on mefi, I was wondering if any of them know of any other solutions to the issue of "frivolous lawsuits" driving up insurance costs (more inside). Note: not looking for a debate on the ballot measures in question, just looking for alternative solutions. [more inside]
posted by pikachulolita at 3:56 PM PST - 20 comments

I want to create a website which visitors can "annotate" with something more than a simple commenting system. Basically, I'm looking for Flickr's photo annotation capabilities, but for html documents instead of jpegs. My instincts say this could be accomplished with some fancy CSS and javascript, but I would prefer not to start from scratch if something already exists. Any ideas?
posted by sanitycheck at 3:24 PM PST - 8 comments

Gearheads and axe-masters, hear my plea: I want to go from a standard Strat to an ideal guitar in an affordable and sensible manner. [more inside]
posted by cortex at 3:19 PM PST - 14 comments

So apparently it's legal to have sex in a bar bathroom in Italy, but what about the U.S.? Related question: is it illegal for a woman to go in the men's room (or vice versa)? Anybody ever gotten in trouble (beyond just embarrasment) for something like this?
posted by rorycberger at 2:03 PM PST - 22 comments

Yes there have been other eczema questions. This one is about other things they don't address. [please come inside] [more inside]
posted by dame at 1:57 PM PST - 10 comments

Evaluating a "closed" online community: I really like the magazine Cook's Illustrated. Their website is private and requires an annual membership, above and beyond the magazine subscription. So, anyone know what the website is like? Is it worth the fee? And, as a more general question, are there any good sites that offer reviews/information/evaluations of sites that are locked away behind membership fees? [more inside]
posted by bcwinters at 1:53 PM PST - 6 comments

GameShowFilter: 18 years ago my dad was on Wheel of Fortune. Eight years ago while in the process of moving the only copy we have (VHS tape) of that episode was destroyed in a fire. Anyone know of a way to get a copy of the show on DVD or tape (including payment of a small fee)?
posted by billsaysthis at 12:57 PM PST - 9 comments

We're shopping for an analog tv, 24" - 27", flat screen, stereo sound. This will be our first purchase of a decent tv. My methodology consists of the usual suspects (amazon, epinions, cnet) and looking at boxes in the store and trying to determine which one looks the best.
[M.I.] [more inside]
posted by mecran01 at 12:24 PM PST - 15 comments

Usually I'm pretty "hep" to the "lingo" you kids use, but will someone tell this clueless geezer the provenance of "Oh, snap!"? (sorry, that's it, no more inside)
posted by briank at 12:09 PM PST - 36 comments

Travel without your s/o.. Any of you do it? ---> [more inside]
posted by eas98 at 11:41 AM PST - 15 comments

Let's say that I had an old CueCat. And let us say also that I have a 900+ CD collection in need of being inventoried. Might there be a way for the CueCat to help me with the collection?
posted by grabbingsand at 11:05 AM PST - 6 comments

A friend's off to NYC this weekend (Fri-Tues). I said I'd ask if anyone knows of anything that's going on that's specific for this weekend. She lived in the city before so knows the regular stuff but if there's anything someone in NY should definitely check out this weekend, please let me know. She's staying in Harlem but is eager to trek.
posted by dobbs at 10:45 AM PST - 4 comments

Is an LJ image feed bandwidth theft?
posted by brownpau at 10:29 AM PST - 21 comments

Book discussion mailing list? I want to find a mailing list that discusses books. I'm not comfortable with like in-person reading groups because I am afraid of other people. They are weird, you know? I also like the intimacy of mailing lists as opposed to like bulletin boards. Anyone?
posted by xmutex at 10:09 AM PST - 2 comments

Where does oil refined to make gasoline on the west coast of North America come from? Alaska? Mexico? Alberta?
posted by Keith Talent at 9:55 AM PST - 5 comments

Ever get a "reversible" vasectomy, um, reversed? [all tucked inside] [more inside]
posted by mimi at 9:39 AM PST - 10 comments

I'm trying to buy some jackets with our company's logo embroidered onto them for some key staff members. I really like the Carhartt canvas style jacket, but they're just too expensive and I can't get them embroidered at the Point of Sale, which would make this whole thing a lot easier. I've checked out Land's End and LL Bean, both of which have catalogs specifically for embroidering company logos onto merchandise, but neither one of them has exactly the selection or type of jacket that would be ideal. Any thoughts?
posted by TurkishGolds at 9:37 AM PST - 4 comments

So Crazy It Just Might Work Dept.: I first heard about this solution to a magnet-defaced TV here on the green, and I'm wondering if anyone here has any firsthand experience with it. Any tips or tricks? Also, what kind of magnets should I be looking for, and where can I find them? The best CompUSA, Menards or the local hobby shop could offer were some tiny horseshoes that could live a couple of pounds. What kind of store would stock something like these? (I'm in Madison, WI.)
posted by blueshammer at 9:32 AM PST - 14 comments

A NYC Question: Just what are the socioeconomic and cultural stereotypes for Manhattan's more traditional department stores? In other words, why is Bloomingdale's often referred to as exclusive by (possibly ignorant) British journalists? [More inside.] [more inside]
posted by MiguelCardoso at 1:26 AM PST - 18 comments

I recently read there was software out there for manipulating outgoing caller id information. Can anyone tell me what it is? Also, is there any software out there that will manipulate incoming calls based on caller id -- ie, can I whitelist calls? Integrated with answering machines? [more inside]
posted by namespan at 12:06 AM PST - 8 comments

I'm looking at keyboard/mouse/monitor switches with DVI & USB. I want to set one up with 1 PC and 1 PowerBook G4. Audio switching included would be nice. It's hard to beat the price tag on the Belkin SOHO ($200 including cables), but the series has gotten some tepid reviews. Everything else I've seen is closer to $400. Any suggestions?

Also - what keyboard would I use with such a device?
posted by scarabic at 10:09 PM PST - 4 comments

During tonight's debate the Vice President talked about meeting an Ob/Gyn who screens potential patients and then refuses, for financial rather than medical reasons, to accept those who are high-risk. Is that allowed? In my vast medical law/ethics experience cough*Dr. Abby Bartlett*cough this doesn't sound kosher, but...um...what do the actual rules say?
posted by nakedcodemonkey at 10:06 PM PST - 5 comments

Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of sex.

How could anyone possibly be against THAT?

[mi] [more inside]
posted by John Kenneth Fisher at 8:51 PM PST - 12 comments

I was given a ton of vaccinations today (IPV, MMR, Tetanus, MGC, HEP A, HEP B, PPD). Any suggestions on how to minimize soreness in the days to come? I've heard that doing push-ups helps "spread" the vaccine and loosen up the muscles. Sounds like bunk to me. Is this true? Any other suggestions on what I can do now to minimize pain in the future?
posted by yangwar at 5:58 PM PST - 6 comments

MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS

I'm not expecting a cure: just stuff that's helped fellow sufferers.

Apart from the drugs I'm prescribed: I'm trying a low fat/dairy diet, taking multi-vitamins, fish oil & evening primrose oil (which, as a combinaton, aren't a bad thing for me)

Is there anything else that someone with MS has found helpful that I don't know about? I'm thinking about acupuncture? specific exercises? suppliments? or dietary changes? or anything really.
posted by selton at 5:18 PM PST - 12 comments

Help-Me-Decide-Filter?
I just won a $500 gift certificate/shopping-spree from the good folks at Vanns. From their limited selection I've narrowed down my choice to either a 40gig iPod or a Sony 17" LCD Monitor (SDM-HS73/W). I don't really need either item, as I have a monitor that works just fine and I have a 10gig 2nd generation iPod (although its getting really scuffy looking). The LCD monitor is more expensive (so I would feel like I am taking better advantage of the prize), but I've only seen a few reviews out there (mostly positive) on its quality. So is there anybody out there who's used this LCD monitor? If not, do you think I'd be wiser to go with one product over the other?
posted by Boydrop at 5:02 PM PST - 8 comments

I need to construct an HTML-based email, with sound clip links, for our glorious marketing dept. But I am having problems with how the clips launch. When you select my link (you choose real or windows media format) the clip launches in the player, but a new browser window launches as well. So, how the hell do I get the !@#%$ player to launch without launching the &*#$% browser window?!? (Real Audio especially)
posted by lilboo at 3:10 PM PST - 4 comments

How do you keep your desk organized? [more inside]
posted by grateful at 2:23 PM PST - 22 comments

What's your preferred method for dealing with IE's less-than-stellar CSS box-model interpretation (specifically, where it adds padding to DIVs). Currently, I am using 2 divs, the outside one has the "width" attribute set, the inner one the padding. Works, but is kind of clunky.
Do you have anything simpler or more elegant?
posted by signal at 1:59 PM PST - 6 comments

Amy Chua's book "World On Fire: How Exporting Free Market Democracy Breeds Ethnic Hatred and Global Instability"discusses how ethnic minorities in many developing countries dominate the country economically. (The Chinese in many southeast Asian countries, whites in parts of Africa, etc)

Do any other MeFites know of other books or resources that discuss this phenomenon? (which undoubtely will only become more prevalaent as the world globalizes)
posted by jare2003 at 1:28 PM PST - 3 comments

A new puppy in the house. Where should she stay when I am at work? I've been told a crate, but then some people said crating is only when you're home.
posted by benjh at 1:15 PM PST - 16 comments

Does cancelling your credit cards hurt your credit rating? [more inside]
posted by Hackworth at 11:55 AM PST - 9 comments

Health insurance: CIGNA vs. Kaiser Permanente. My employer offers a choice of partially-subsidised HMO plans with either CIGNA or KP. KP seems a lot (about 50%) cheaper, but my co-workers seem to prefer CIGNA. Is there a catch? Are they being snobbish? Are KP bad? Or are they just more efficient because they do everything in-house? I'm assuming that either will be a step up from the provider at the student health centre.
posted by carter at 11:51 AM PST - 15 comments

HikingCampingNaturalBeautyFilter: I'm new to NYC. I'd love to escape the city and do a bit of hiking or camping in the great fall weather we're having. I'm looking for stuff that is a) beautiful and b) accessible by train. I have "sometimes" access to a car for weekends, though, so just spill your favorite camping or hiking area, even if it requires a car. Hitchhiking into and outa town is also ok by me. [MI] [more inside]
posted by zpousman at 10:42 AM PST - 8 comments

My brother just got engaged, and we're brainstorming about the engagement party... [MI] [more inside]
posted by MsVader at 10:18 AM PST - 4 comments

I'm trying to remember a tv movie that was featured on ABC's Weekend Special with O.G. Readmore. The problem is I only vaguely remember certain parts of the movie. The few things I DO remember is that there were a couple kids stranded on an island (possibly brother and sister) and that the brother had to protect his sister from a tiger that entered their camp. Does this ring a bell for anyone?
posted by JFunk2800 at 9:35 AM PST - 2 comments

Okay, MTV generation (which is probably most of us?) ... we all know that songs themselves can make one cry, but has a music video ever made you cry? I mean cry from sadness, not because the video was a terrible example of the concept "art".
posted by WolfDaddy at 8:31 AM PST - 59 comments

out of my depth: i'm on the holiday benefit planning committee of a local philanthropy which advocates for architectural preservation, on the silent auction and raffle subcommittee. tip, suggestions, approaches for getting businesses to donate goods for the auction? tips for getting people to bid? when you go to charity gigs, what do you like to see? [more inside]
posted by crush-onastick at 8:12 AM PST - 8 comments

My daughter's birthday is coming up and we would like to get her some Bratz Rollerblades. Unfortunately, the only ones we can find are in the UK and Argos won't ship outside of the UK and Ireland. Is there any way to get these in the US? (Nothing on Ebay, US or UK version)
posted by Apoch at 6:40 AM PST - 4 comments

My high school daughter has been assigned some odd books for her English class. Decent books, but not heavyweights. Thinking back it was the same when I was in high school: weird selections: Silas Marner, Invisible Man, Scarlet Letter. So I was wondering: what would be some great books to read in a high school English class?
posted by kk at 12:36 AM PST - 41 comments

looking for a simple 3d-modeler [--->] [more inside]
posted by lkc at 10:06 PM PST - 10 comments

Do you regret having spent all that money and energy on your big, splash-out wedding? [MI] [more inside]
posted by squirrel at 10:05 PM PST - 38 comments

Inspired by this question
Attention all men: I need your expert advice. How do I get my longtime SO to have a conversation about "our relationship" without frightening him and driving him into a clamlike silence? [more inside]
posted by anastasiav at 8:05 PM PST - 65 comments

PHP / MySQL Q: Is there anywhere I can get a script that will scan the contents of a page when it loads and replace a certain value with a string of text? {more} [more inside]
posted by dobbs at 6:48 PM PST - 10 comments

RegisterToVoteFilter: I've just moved from one state to another, accompanying my wife while she attends graduate school. Should I register to vote in the new state or the old one? [MI] [more inside]
posted by maniactown at 3:31 PM PST - 5 comments

What do you want that you are not getting? [more inside]
posted by strangeleftydoublethink at 3:10 PM PST - 70 comments

OnTheTipofMyTongueFilter: I am trying to think of this word, but I just can't place/remember it. It's keeping me up at night now, so it's off to the Green... [MI] [more inside]
posted by robbie01 at 2:30 PM PST - 48 comments

Simple Pop Email client recommendation. [MI] [more inside]
posted by Mitheral at 2:19 PM PST - 15 comments

Digital Music: Anyone know of some blinding pro-level software to remove vinyl rumble. (We're remastering old band music from vinyl for re-issue on CD; master tapes lost. Waves Renaissance software suite via Cubase takes too much of wanted bottom end out). Also: I can find software to remove vocals from a track; anyone know how I can isolate *only* vox from a wav?
posted by Pericles at 1:56 PM PST - 8 comments

I have a couple of nuts-and-bolts questions about the Pacific theater in World War II. [more inside]
posted by COBRA! at 12:22 PM PST - 8 comments

Does anyone know where I can buy or obtain the Big Country song "The Crossing" (not the album of the same name, which of course doesn't contain "The Crossing")? My ancient cassette of the Wonderland EP is toast and the song doesn't seem to be on any available CD :-( It's a cool instrumental and I miss it.
posted by Shane at 11:49 AM PST - 3 comments

Note: I'm asking the following on behalf of a friend...

How do you confront your SO about trolling for sex on the internet? [more inside]
posted by jpoulos at 11:49 AM PST - 38 comments

Conventional wisdom says that it's easier to find a job while you're currently employed. Why is this? [more within] [more inside]
posted by weston at 10:52 AM PST - 17 comments

What is the name of the curve or theory illustrating humans' comfort level with robots that look like people? Example: the more a robot looks like a person, the more uncomfortable people are in its presence, but the moment an artificial being is absolutely indistinguishable from the real thing, the comfort level goes back to normal. My Googling leads me nowhere, but I seem to recall reading about this somewhere on MeFi...
posted by Robot Johnny at 10:31 AM PST - 6 comments

DonationFilter: Musical Gear and 20 Years Of Guitar Magazines To Donate. Does anyone know a suitable candidate? (MI) [more inside]
posted by mischief at 8:46 AM PST - 3 comments

How might one convert Real Media to Quicktime video, on a Mac?
posted by mwhybark at 8:00 AM PST - 6 comments

I have a Palm V running OS 3.3. It works fine except for one annoying problem that I cannot for the life of me solve or find out anything about: the HotSync cradle button always invokes HotSync by Infrared, no matter what the setting. Has anyone heard of this before, and if so, is there any fixing it? [mi] [more inside]
posted by tommasz at 7:53 AM PST - 5 comments

Perl, semaphores, linux, problems [mi] [more inside]
posted by pissfactory at 6:24 AM PST - 6 comments

As I was reflecting on the numerous road trips with the family of my youth, one thing keeps resurfacing: those little activity books with the "magic" pen that revealed the answers, games, etc. The pen was white with an orange cap, and I remember the books being about 12 inches tall and 6 inches wide, with some hip 70's-ish font well into the 80's. What were they called, and where can I get them?
posted by ferociouskitty at 5:06 AM PST - 9 comments

This episode (RealAudio) of This American Life (last segment) contains a debate where both sides seem to seek common ground and refrain from using cliches or insults. Is there anywhere else on the internet that I can find debates (text/audio/whatever) where both parties are reasonable, polite, and at least partially open-minded? Extra points if the parties are well-informed.
posted by callmejay at 9:51 PM PST - 3 comments

When did this "I'm George W. Bush, and I approve this message" meme start? Why? (As if a candidate would not approve a message put out by his/her campaign.) And why am I seeing it for all candidates?
posted by msacheson at 9:41 PM PST - 4 comments

Well, for $125,000 you can now buy a book scanning robot that will scan 1000 pages an hour of any rare book w/out damageing the book (which has always been the hold-up in the past requireing manual labour and shipment to India). Can anyone think of a business model for providing the content of old rare books online and/or DVD? [more inside]
posted by stbalbach at 9:32 PM PST - 10 comments

Renting a car in (or near) NYC. Prices are wicked expensive if you rent in-town, and go down dramatically once you leave. If I'm looking to go upstate, where's the best place to pick up a car, that's close to the Metro North stop there?
posted by mkultra at 8:49 PM PST - 4 comments

BallsFilter: Why is male semen best created and stored at temperatures below normal body temperature? Why keep those delicate ovoids outside the body where they're exposed to a good swift kick? Shouldn't they be tucked deep inside for safety?
posted by five fresh fish at 7:44 PM PST - 30 comments

Mathfilter: Have you ever found any really, really good explanations of complicated mathematics topics online? Where "good" here gives higher marks for clarity, analogies, examples, and even aesthetics than for strict formal completeness, though that's not taken lightly either. (E.g.) [More inside] [more inside]
posted by tss at 7:41 PM PST - 9 comments

I realize this may have been addressed before, but I would greatly appreciate some job-seeking advice, since I seem to have no clue how to do it [yes, more inside]. [more inside]
posted by O9scar at 4:40 PM PST - 9 comments

Part of my apartment's bedroom ceiling collapsed. Can I get compensation from the management company or should I be glad that they're coming to work on it tomorrow? [more inside]
posted by lychee at 4:10 PM PST - 14 comments

The ovens in my wonderful student residence have three settings - off, small flame, and big flame. Suggestions for what to do when I need to cook at 180C, 280F, Gas Mark 4, or what ever else takes my fancy?
posted by Orange Goblin at 11:27 AM PST - 6 comments

I would like to use Skype on OS X with a bluetooth headset. Is this possible? I don't yet have any bluetooth devices and would also like some recommendations.
posted by the biscuit man at 11:12 AM PST - 4 comments

Oddball semantics question: Yesterday my wife and her mother were talking about chutney for some reason. Her mother remarked that she always thought that chutney was something that "the blacks" ate. Setting aside the fact that chutney is an Indian thing, what is so distasteful about mom-in-law's choice of words? [MI] [more inside]
posted by yalestar at 11:07 AM PST - 48 comments

CatPeeFilter

We have 2 cats; one an ancient, sickly 17+ year-old male and the other one a 2 year-old male. The 2 year-old has started peeing in weird places around the house (on top the dryer!!) like he's marking territory, although he's always been dominant. They both share a large catbox that's kept fairly clean. Any thoughts?
posted by jpburns at 10:36 AM PST - 11 comments

ColorFilter
When I create a background color is MS Word, and then print it out, the yellow on the screen takes on a green cast, and after a bit of fiddling, I can't seem to compensate for this effect. Is this inevitable, or, is this a function of working on a 5 year-old iMac, whose screen is losing it's phosphors? Any suggestions on how to efficiently match the screen color to the paper color? (I've adjusted the screen options in the OS already)
posted by ParisParamus at 7:41 AM PST - 4 comments

So I've had an Apple G5 for exactly 1 year and a week. My warranty ran out 5 days ago and of course my computer died yesterday. What to do? (MI) [more inside]
posted by jeremias at 7:34 AM PST - 21 comments

Hey, check out all these crazy digital pics I took at my sister's wedding last night! Wait... wtf? Where'd they go? [mi] [more inside]
posted by Witty at 7:29 AM PST - 7 comments

How do you maintain your longevity in online community participation?
posted by WolfDaddy at 6:46 AM PST - 12 comments

QuickSilverFilter: After purusing this thread on cool Mac OS apps, I decided to try out Quicksilver. I think it's pretty darn spiff, but there's one thing I can't figure out. (MI) [more inside]
posted by hughbot at 5:57 AM PST - 6 comments

I just heard about Manhwa (Korean Manga) today, and was wondering if there are any good titles available in English?
posted by drezdn at 10:40 PM PST - 3 comments

To encourage people to comment on your blog: The comments in a popup, or on the entry page itself? (And more generally, what design features encourage commenting?)
posted by Tlogmer at 9:40 PM PST - 13 comments

iMovie question (more iNside) [more inside]
posted by inksyndicate at 8:34 PM PST - 4 comments

What's so dad-blasted special about #2 pencils? Surely a test-scanning system could be devised that just looked for the blackened marks?
posted by kenko at 7:40 PM PST - 8 comments

I'm going to Thailand for two and a half months on a grant to study engaged Buddhism and its intersections with international development projects. Any suggestions? (more inside) [more inside]
posted by AwkwardPause at 11:48 AM PST - 10 comments

What does one do with two pounds of Key Limes? They were selling them at the local produce mart today and I picked them up on a whim. The eponymous pie is an option, of course, but I'm wondering if there's anything else worth trying.
posted by Johnny Assay at 11:00 AM PST - 16 comments

What sites compose the best of the French Web? [more inside]
posted by grrarrgh00 at 10:57 AM PST - 4 comments

Is there any way to punish comment spammers? [more inside]
posted by willnot at 10:13 AM PST - 13 comments

What's the difference between a province and a state? (mo' insi') [more inside]
posted by John Kenneth Fisher at 9:56 AM PST - 10 comments

NotSportsFilter: I've trained as a quarterback for many years, just like half the population. Several years ago, I started playing games against real opponents. A trend I've been noticing, especially with the last few serious opponents: I'm highly successful at making completions, but my throwing arm gets scuffed up. I'm pretty sure it's from friction while I'm trying to complete the pass. But the point is, whether I'm going for a short pass, a touchdown or setting up a field goal, my arm is always in a bit of pain. Especially the next day. My question: Is there a way to let my arm heal while still getting game? [more inside]
posted by Happydaz at 9:40 AM PST - 16 comments

What do you do about an eBay transaction that didn't quite go well 100%, but the seller aggressively gives negative feedback for anyone that doesn't spill accolades? [more inside]
posted by mathowie at 9:18 AM PST - 24 comments

Which zombie movies do you consider to be canonical?
posted by Prospero at 8:49 AM PST - 21 comments

How did you successfully leash train your cat? [more inside]
posted by tomharpel at 8:26 AM PST - 8 comments

What's the best way to get rid of lingering odors? [more inside]
posted by theNonsuch at 8:09 AM PST - 7 comments

Automotive engineering software - chassis setup, shock graphing, etc. - any good resources? Recommendations? We're building a system to be used in a small racing shop. We'd like to outfit them with some tools that come in handy for race car setup and design (late models, modifieds, etc). Any nudges in the right direction are very much appreciated.
posted by annathea at 7:40 AM PST - 1 comment

Is there a blacklist of misbehaving web robots? [MI] [more inside]
posted by gimonca at 7:36 AM PST - 5 comments

Does milk go bad faster if you drink straight from the container? [Moo inside] [more inside]
posted by ssmith at 6:02 AM PST - 10 comments

Is there any way/device to hook up an external harddrive full of my mp3'ed cd's and tapes to my stereo? I am not thinking of going the ipod way.
posted by FidelDonson at 1:13 AM PST - 3 comments

Help needed for a complete programming novice. I'm trying to design a simple web page to help out a colleague.. (more inside) [more inside]
posted by ascullion at 1:10 AM PST - 6 comments

How can I get Firefox to open links I click in IM windows instead of Avant Browser? [more inside]
posted by Espoo2 at 11:53 PM PST - 4 comments

Is it possible to teach myself how to be ambidextrous? [mi] [more inside]
posted by invisible ink at 11:48 PM PST - 12 comments

I just moved 15 minutes from where I used to live and my cell phone is suddenly getting bad reception (Motorola v120t). Can buying a new phone help me to get better reception in this town without changing service providers?
posted by TurkishGolds at 9:35 PM PST - 6 comments

So I have this home page. It looks pretty good (which is to say, it looks like I intended) in Safari, and passable in Internet Explorer. But in FireFox the CSS completely dissapears for some reason, so everything just comes up in a big unstyled pile. So in trying to find out why this is, which I have not done, I came to wonder: Is there a place on the web that has information about the differnces between browsers and how they render various bits of HTML, CSS and so on?
posted by donkeymon at 9:19 PM PST - 9 comments

What were other names considered before the name United States of America was decided upon?
posted by riffola at 8:40 PM PST - 5 comments

I'm moving from Tokyo to Toronto in a few weeks, and I have about 100 books (many of them hardcover) that I'd like to bring home. I can't really take all of these with me, since when boxed they're almost impossible to lift. Anyone have a suggestion on a cheap way of getting them home?
posted by LukeyBoy at 6:32 PM PST - 8 comments

I'm trying to remember a sitcom in which midway through its life, or perhaps towards the end, one of the main characters (a housewife) starts a home-based catering business. What sitcom was it?
posted by swift at 5:54 PM PST - 20 comments

My washer is broken. It will fill with water, and drain the water normally, but it will not agitate or spin. It is a 3.3 gallon high quality non-digital model. What should I do? [more inside]
posted by Keyser Soze at 5:41 PM PST - 17 comments

Sendmail problem: Keep getting NOQUEUE errors. [more inside] [more inside]
posted by spilon at 4:20 PM PST - 8 comments

I will be at a conference in Lausanne, Switzerland next week. When the conference is over, I have a few days before I have to fly home. I think I'd like to rent a motorcycle and spend that time riding in the mountains. Does anyone have any recommendations for going about this? Should I try to rent the bike ahead of time, or just do it once I'm there? Can I expect to find a place that will rent bikes in Lausanne, or should I plan on going back to Geneva to get one?
posted by badstone at 3:42 PM PST - 8 comments

Every day, Norton Antivirus pops up with an "Expired Subscription" message, asking me to "renew now" or "renew later". My only options for renewing later are one or fifteen days. How about never? How do I get this damn thing to not pop up anymore?
posted by jdroth at 2:49 PM PST - 13 comments

My wife and I are notoriously bad at keeping plants alive. Our best success is an Aloe Vera plant (which we ignore) and a Peace Lilly which tends to behave like a plant in The Sims - colapsing as it dies, and then perking up as soon as we notice.

Accepting that plants feel pain and scream when hurt, are we evil torturing sadists?
posted by twine42 at 2:46 PM PST - 8 comments

In Toledo, Ohio, about 20-25 years ago, there used to be this commercial played on TV all the time about "The Crusade of Love" [more inside]
posted by greasepig at 1:53 PM PST - 4 comments

Who is going to gin up an RSS feed for the New York Times Corrections page for me?
posted by Mo Nickels at 10:59 AM PST - 2 comments

Minor riff on the mixed belief marriage question of earlier:

Has anyone ever participated in a marriage ceremony that had no legal basis? That is, a wedding without a marriage license, the public commitment without the contract law behind it. Your experience and opinions are appreciated.
posted by pieoverdone at 10:52 AM PST - 12 comments

Since web hosting companies tend to come and go like ships on the tide, I would like to revisit this question ... with a few alterations. I want the price to stay below $10 a month, possibly even under $5. Instead of 20mb of space, I want 500mb or more. Also, I want PHP, MySql, CGI scripting, FTP, webmail, etc ... and if their servers run on Apache, then all the better. Any recommendations?
posted by grabbingsand at 10:18 AM PST - 28 comments

My otherwise perfectly fine PC booted after 20-25 false starts this morning. Hitting the power button brought it to life for a second, then nothing. Eventually it started up. What's going on?
posted by davebush at 8:00 AM PST - 11 comments

Last night's debate made me think of something I heard regarding Kerry's senatorial campaign strategy boiling down to banking everything on his endgame (it may have even been in the Blue, but good luck finding that...). Is that true? Can someone shed some light on his previous campaigns?
posted by mkultra at 7:44 AM PST - 3 comments

Can anyone recommend a good third-party book (like the Dummies series) for Adobe Premiere Pro 7.0? My co-worker is not a nerd, I repeat, not a nerd. [more inside]
posted by KathyK at 7:37 AM PST - 2 comments

Name That Band: Mexican punk band featured on NPR two days ago (Wednesday); fun music aimed at kids, but kind of "anti-fairy tale" stuff with in-your-face references to corrupt police officers and politics and such, no mollycoddling whatsoever. Who are they? They're cool (and fun for adults too). Google and Search NPR are not helping.
posted by Shane at 6:43 AM PST - 14 comments

Bad behavior with alcohol as an excuse: what's the worst thing you ever stole while inebriated (larceny only objects; some guy/girl's heart doesn't count.) [more inside]
posted by filmgeek at 12:15 AM PST - 53 comments

Causes of data corruption in computers/networks. What modes of data transfer are most likely to cause corruption in a file, and what safeguards exist to prevent that from happening? See more now. _{See it inside.} [more inside]
posted by shoos at 12:12 AM PST - 8 comments