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October 2006 Archives
October 31
My flight from Bangkok to New York includes a seven-hour layover in Beijing. Is it feasible (and worthwhile) to leave the airport to do a little exploring?
[more inside]posted by chickletworks at 11:44 PM PST - 14 comments
I teach graduate writing and research. I'm pretty confident with the way I teach the
spirit of citation (it's what we have in the humanities instead of the scientific method), but what draconian pedagogy can I use to soul-crushingly impose format dread on my unruly grad students?
[more inside]posted by Mngo at 8:50 PM PST - 21 comments 
Help my roommate locate a certain book about an ancient king who discovers the secret to immortality, lives for hundreds of years, and now owns a fragrance shop in Paris.
[more inside]posted by PercussivePaul at 8:38 PM PST - 14 comments
Female fertility questions. I'm in my mid thirties and married within the last year. I want to know what my chances of having kids are, but everything I find on the web says you can go to a "fertility clinic" after you have tried to have kids for a while and not succeeded. That's not going to help me, because we're not ready to have kids RIGHT NOW. Also, what are fertility tests for women like?
[more inside]posted by Go, now. Go! at 7:43 PM PST - 19 comments
What I suspect is a fairly stupid javascript question, but one I haven't found an ideal solution for. I four menus made out of unordered lists. I'm using a modified version of the suckerfish dropdown script to make it work in IE (code inside), in one place I want 1 of the four menus to stay open except when I hover on one of the remaining menus. i.e. menu1 is visible. when I mouseover menu2, menu1 is hidden. When I mouseout of menu2 menu1 reappears.
[more inside]posted by Grod at 6:57 PM PST - 6 comments
I'm researching nearlyfreespeech.net. So far I find their operating policies & philosophies very solid, but I see another mf user commented, "Aren't the nearlyfreespeech servers auto banned by many filters?" (No one answered, since that was a piggyback question.) If there's any truth to that, it could be a dealbreaker for me since I need to not exclude users in academic/institutional settings. What say ye?
posted by allterrainbrain at 5:58 PM PST - 13 comments
Where did the phrase "It's ____, stupid!" come from & what was originally in the blank? I knew at one point (and remember that it's political in nature), but I've since forgotten & it's driving me crazy!
posted by eunoia at 5:11 PM PST - 12 comments
Does anyone know where to get/order St. Norbert and/or St. Hubert candles? I'd like to get 7 day candles if I could, but any help would be appreciated. I'm trying to get something along the lines of
this. posted by Attackpanda at 4:59 PM PST - 1 comments
We're trying to find
Drumgray Cream Liqueur in the US. Does anyone know of a way to get this awesome stuff in the states, or do the limeys get to keep it all to themselves?
posted by SpecialK at 3:49 PM PST - 3 comments
Can someone point me to an online copy of the taxonomy of detective story plots done by either the Oulipo or the Oulipopo? My Google-fu is failing me.
[more inside]posted by juv3nal at 3:42 PM PST - 3 comments
Does anyone publish a ranking list that combines colleges and universities? I'm interested in seeing how Columbia might stack up (academically) against, I don't know, say, Haverford.
[more inside]posted by anonymous78 at 3:25 PM PST - 12 comments
Is a microfiber sofa with a 'W' actually washable? Will I need to wash it?
[more inside]posted by sLevi at 3:22 PM PST - 5 comments
Urgent Halloween Costume Question! How would you simulate taser burns on a white cotton t-shirt using only household implements?
posted by unknowncommand at 2:55 PM PST - 7 comments
Can I use the key from an English version of Microsoft Office 2003 Small Business Edition to install the French version from the discs?
posted by ODiV at 2:32 PM PST - 7 comments
Arty substitute for corkboard? Building a nice looking bulletin board...
[more inside]posted by cgs at 2:00 PM PST - 11 comments
Why should I look at Ruby on Rails for development of applications instead of the traditional LAMP stack, especially given the advancements in PHP since 5.0?
[more inside]posted by xmutex at 1:58 PM PST - 12 comments
at the decemberists' concert at the 9:30 club on monday, october 30th, lead singer colin meloy mentioned some terrifying story involving the band korn and some activities that had taken place backstage...on the couch cushions. he said it was too terrible to tell. now i'm dying of curiosity. anybody got the scoop?
posted by pablohoney at 1:41 PM PST - 15 comments
Alt codes.Straight forward enough.Press Alt and then the four digit number.Except my daughters laptop doesn't have an alpha-numeric keyboard and that row of numbers above QWERTYUIOP don't work.Google has failed me.Oh hive...help me retain my status as Mr.Know It All.
posted by Dr.Pill at 1:05 PM PST - 10 comments
I have a giant blank wall in my new rented bedroom and I'd like to do something awesome with it, but nothing permanent so I lose my security deposit. What should I do?
posted by adrober at 12:46 PM PST - 21 comments
Easiest way to cross-post some (but not necessarily all) entries from a WordPress-powered blog to a LiveJournal account?
posted by Robot Johnny at 12:19 PM PST - 6 comments
I'm trying to apply for a Canadian skilled-worker visa, with the ultimate intention of moving to Montreal to live.
Can I apply for my Quebec Selection Certificate at the same time as I apply for the federal Canadian Permanent Resident skilled-worker visa?
[more inside]posted by autonia at 12:04 PM PST - 7 comments
A café or such in downtown Chicago where one can have a long conversation in peace and comfort ?
[more inside]posted by raheel at 11:55 AM PST - 12 comments
In college, a classmate was convinced that Max Cady in Scorsese's
Cape Fear was supposed to be the embodiment of Nietzsche's Übermensch. My take was that Cady was more like the Nazi's: picking and choosing as he saw fit, from the Bible as well as Nietzsche. Whether or not you liked the film, how do you weigh in?
posted by malaprohibita at 11:42 AM PST - 11 comments
I need to estimate and compare the expense of a two-week business trip to the following cities: Hong Kong, Tokyo, and Beijing.
[more inside]posted by nyu2 at 11:40 AM PST - 5 comments
Does anyone remember an older Macintosh single-player shareware role-playing-game, possibly called "Boden," "Boden," or some variation thereof?
[more inside]posted by Kadin2048 at 11:19 AM PST - 8 comments
Is there a perl/shellscripted way to automatically check a pop3 account and copy new messages directly into a specified IMAP folder? I've already set up a "forwarding rule" that sort of does this, but if there's a more direct way to accomplish it, that would be cool...
posted by idontlikewords at 10:49 AM PST - 4 comments
What are the best boxing books in these three categories: History of Boxing, a specific fight, and a specific boxer bio?
posted by holdkris99 at 10:47 AM PST - 11 comments
iTunes filter: I'm trying to get a text file of a playlist in itunes...any way to do this?
[more inside]posted by ellebee at 9:49 AM PST - 8 comments
A good friend is getting married on a cruise ship. I get seasick on certain types of boats under certain conditions, but have never been on a cruise ship before. Am I going to toss my cookies during the ceremony?
[more inside]posted by centerweight at 9:49 AM PST - 21 comments
My wife is turning 40 and is going to have a big party.
I am supposed to make some "cultural entertainment" for our 50 guests, mostly family.
But I am lacking a great idea.
Please help me out.
posted by mitocan at 9:49 AM PST - 14 comments
[Posting-for-girlfriend filter]: Help me find a reasonably priced face wash for winter.
[more inside]posted by kdern at 9:31 AM PST - 30 comments
A twist on the question "is it better to let a cold run its course or is it better to medicate?". There have already been AskMeFi threads to this regard
but I repeat the question because of something a doctor told me: if you dry up the runny nose/postnasal drainage, you prevent the mucus from going into your upper respiratory tract, thereby precluding the chest-clearing cough. Is this sound medicine? I've gone through four Kleenex just typing this question.
posted by the sobsister at 9:29 AM PST - 12 comments
I have a 40 gig hard drive that is currently in two equally-sized partitions; over time the first partition (C: drive) has become full (due, in large part, to program files, which I've pared down to only those I want to keep). I would like to re-do the partitions, such that the C: drive would have, say 25 gig and the D: drive the other (roughly) 15 gig. I'm looking for suggestions/recommendations for what is the best software available for such a task? Thanks in advance for any ideas.
posted by zephyrbill at 9:24 AM PST - 18 comments
I'm trying to be good and drink lots of water. I feel better when I do. I work in an office, so I bought one of those knockoff nalgene bottles from target so i can have ice water and not be in danger of spilling it on my computer. 2 problems - how do I keep my desk free of bottle sweat, and how do I keep my bottle from smelling?
[more inside]posted by mrblakwell at 8:48 AM PST - 42 comments
If a group is said to be cyclic if it is generated by a single element (single generator), is the quaternion group an example of a finite group that is not cyclic, since it has four generators {-1, i, j, k}? Also, why is the group of rationals under addition not cyclic?
posted by Mr. Six at 8:46 AM PST - 14 comments
I am developing an access app for a UMPC, and because of the lack of a keyboard, I want to make a keypad number entry popup.
[more inside]posted by JonnyRotten at 8:29 AM PST - 5 comments
Is there anyway to display the currently playing song (on iTunes) on the empty space of Menu Bar at the top of the screen? (OSX)
[more inside]posted by ruwan at 8:20 AM PST - 6 comments
Is there an easy, cheap way to create an image of my hard drive and put it on DVD(s), without installing software that screws around with my hard drive or requires activation?
[more inside]posted by fvox13 at 8:19 AM PST - 7 comments
Is there an armband or similar useful accessory for an i-River HP-140?
[more inside]posted by ob at 8:00 AM PST - 3 comments
What are some good portable music composition tools? I'm mostly looking for stuff that would work on a handheld electronic device, but anything that'd fit in a pocket or small bag is fair game.
[more inside]posted by weston at 7:45 AM PST - 10 comments
We are going to be on Malta for the last 5 days of December and are looking for specific suggestions of unique things to do, explore, special places to eat, nightlife etc.
posted by frizelli at 7:43 AM PST - 3 comments
What is your favorite and most colorful expression or phrase? Speaking about two idiots that we work with, my coworker said that they looked like '
Two monkey's f*cking a football', which led me to say '
They couldn't organize a piss-up in a brewery', and as a final touch, which made me laugh, my coworker states '
They're about as handy as a bear cub with a toothpick'. I would love to write a book or create a website with colorful phrases from around the world. What are some of your favorite idioms that you use or have overhead in the boardroom, bar, or barnyard?
posted by jasondigitized at 7:42 AM PST - 192 comments
Where can I sell a Yamaha MusicCast MCX-1000, a digital jukebox / music streaming device that came out two years too early to be useful?
[more inside]posted by reflexed at 6:52 AM PST - 1 comments
In Lost in Translation, when Bob Harris meets the woman in the hospital waiting room, what (in English) does she say to him, and what if anything does it sound to her like he's saying? I would also love to hear any other spot-translations from the movie if you happen to know them!
posted by lorimer at 6:35 AM PST - 9 comments
Hey financial wizkids..... Are some financial products forbidden for Americans?
What are X-markets (in plain english)?
[more inside]posted by ruelle at 5:30 AM PST - 11 comments
A portrait taken with a semi glossy surface behind the subject now has an odd 'halo' effect, how do I edit this out?
[more inside]posted by IronLizard at 5:23 AM PST - 2 comments
Theoretical physics of a ball in flight: could I put so much spin on a ball that it came back at me?
[more inside]posted by gleuschk at 4:00 AM PST - 14 comments
Does anyone have access to a subscription to the British Journal for the History of Philosophy (1996 article) that I could borrow / Request a PDF from?
[more inside]posted by takeyourmedicine at 2:55 AM PST - 33 comments
Is there a way I can figure out the moon's path across the night sky as viewed from a specific location on Earth on a given day?
[more inside]posted by yellowlightman at 12:39 AM PST - 6 comments
October 30
Could someone point me in the right direction for downloading interviews of famous celebs in something like mp3 format. I have an audio assignment and will be splicing my questions together with someone like Tom Cruise's answers, so I need to find a good resource, be they torrents or google.
Does anyone know of any particular site that hosts these files?
posted by taita_cakes at 11:50 PM PST - 5 comments
A Good Employee is defined by 4 characteristics- I can remember 3 of them.
[more inside]posted by ptm at 10:54 PM PST - 12 comments
Looking for statistical data of United States economy / consumption / production in Excel (or other) format to convert to XML
[more inside]posted by dvjtj at 9:12 PM PST - 6 comments
AmbianceFilter: How can I control a wall socket with a wall-mounted switch or remote or something convenient without rewiring anything?
[more inside]posted by Willie0248 at 9:10 PM PST - 10 comments
Posting for a friend: He just decided on his Halloween costume, and we need to temporairily tattoo his arms. Are then any health concerns for drawing sleeves on each arm in Sharpie?
posted by duende at 8:52 PM PST - 24 comments
In Firefox, is there a way to "Open All in Tabs" in a bookmark folder
without closing the ones I already have open? If so, is there a way to have that happen by default when I "Open All in Tabs?"
[more inside]posted by callmejay at 8:13 PM PST - 4 comments
How do I get my itunes 7 to point back to the Canadian itunes store? I clicked on a link that asked me to change stores (to the USA one), and now I would like to get Itunes to default to the Canadian store instead of the American one.
posted by burhan at 7:56 PM PST - 5 comments
How can we convert our wine cooler to reach refrigerator temperatures of 35 degrees farenheit or below?
posted by Jujee at 7:27 PM PST - 7 comments
How to share files between a Mac and a PC over an 802.11g network? There is of course
[more inside]posted by LoopyG at 7:11 PM PST - 5 comments
Purple dress seen on the latest Bachelor... can you help me find it? (spoiler inside)
[more inside]posted by slim at 7:04 PM PST - 8 comments
What is the name of this novel/short story? A father is speaking to his daughter (Melanie maybe?) on the phone, and she tells him either that she's pregnant or marrying a much older man, who I think was her professor. I distinctly remember the professor being older than the father by quite a bit; I think the professor gets on the phone and calls the father "sir." The father is horrified, and to make matters worse, he and his wife are getting a divorce, which he doesn't want to tell his daughter about.
posted by tatiana wishbone at 7:01 PM PST - 5 comments
What is the best way to add summaries/titles of my recent blog posts (Blogger) to my personal website?
[more inside]posted by imposster at 6:51 PM PST - 7 comments
Help me figure out what to do with all this space! What should I do with my den?
[more inside]posted by ASM at 6:44 PM PST - 9 comments
What is there to do in Capetown? I mean I plan on buying a cool cape from one of the legendary cape tailors of cape town but after that...what do I do?
[more inside]posted by rileyray3000 at 6:16 PM PST - 8 comments
Box Cutters: I get lots of boxes, and I'd like a device that turns those boxes into small piles of cardboard that fit in my small trash can. What would you recommend?
[more inside]posted by sirion at 6:09 PM PST - 9 comments
HTML Form filter: How can I require entry in a text field based on which radio button has been checked?
[more inside]posted by Joleta at 5:59 PM PST - 14 comments
Anyone got any idea why
these items are greyed out when I run update manager after updating Ubuntu 6.06 dapper to 6.10 Edgy?
[more inside]posted by chrissyboy at 5:28 PM PST - 6 comments
I'm searching for a 3-month law-related not-for-profit summer job outside of North America. Where should I go, and what should I do?
[more inside]posted by evadery at 5:19 PM PST - 5 comments
I want a little wiki to host on my web space just for my use and possibly for some friends' use, but I can't seem to find anything to fit my preferences: (1) stores data in text or HTML files rather than a database, (2) lets me change the template by editing the files themselves, and (3) can have cruft-free URL's.
[more inside]posted by freddymungo at 3:48 PM PST - 11 comments
I need an awesome housewarming gift for my friend that can be drop-shipped from the other side of the country. Recommendations? (posted anon because this friend reads MeFi).
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 3:41 PM PST - 19 comments
A very sweet person who I am friends with began coming on to me very strongly. I like her but am not interested in anything serious. Ideas for letting her know in a respectful way?
posted by Zebtron at 3:06 PM PST - 13 comments
We're in a financial hole, and we're looking for ways that my wife -- now a full-time mom to a 2- and a 4-year old -- can earn some income. How can we make this happen?
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 3:01 PM PST - 12 comments
I am a writer new to western Washington. I am short on experience but long on skill and drive. In the coming months, I shall complete my English education. But I need work now!
[more inside]posted by EatTheWeak at 2:50 PM PST - 4 comments
I have a WAV file of a lecture I'm trying to edit into a Podcast using Audacity. There's some feedback and ringing during some of the speaker's talk. How do I get rid of it (or at least minimize it)?
[more inside]posted by dw at 2:48 PM PST - 13 comments
how does one go about improving their speaking skills i.e. argument, presentation and general eloquence.
posted by thegeezer3 at 2:39 PM PST - 11 comments
Upcoming anniversary... anyone in or around Bucks County, PA have particularly pleasant experiences with fine dining in the area?
[more inside]posted by dorothy humbird at 2:21 PM PST - 9 comments
I have the task of converting 60 .csv (comma comma delimited) files to a format that can be read by the IDEN phone manager. I cannot import anything other then a .mdb which is normally a Access file, and if I open their default .mdb it opens with access with 4 tables that I cannot do anything to. Is there a program out there to convert different formats to .mdb for IDEN?
posted by Jonsnews at 2:11 PM PST - 4 comments
We have 2 mature boxwood bushes (about 10 years old) that are roughly 5 feet tall and 4 feet in diameter. My wife hates them because they obscure our front door. She wants me to cut them down and trash them. Being the cheapskate I am, I would like to dig them up (difficult, I know) and sell them. My question - is there a market for these and roughly how much do they sell for? It looks like small ones sell for $10-$20, but I couldn't find any large ones. Thanks for helping settle this marital dispute.
posted by stockaholic at 1:16 PM PST - 8 comments
I'm having a party on Nov 11th to celebrate the release of
Guitar Hero 2 and to rock out to new songs with my friends. I was thinking it might be cool to hang up some fake flyers for my in-game band (Della Rhesus Monkey) around my place for flavor. I have no idea how to go about it, though. I have access to Photoshop, but have very little skill in it. How best to capture that "crappy local band flyer" feeling? Any other suggestions on how to add some nice flavor to the party? (I already have a wig and leather wristbands.)
posted by emptybowl at 1:09 PM PST - 14 comments
The evil 'missing tooth clause": is it reinforced strictly by insurance companies? If they have approved the 'pre-estimate' of a dental implant without demanding proof of the contrary, how likely is it that they will also overlook this when the actual claim is submitted?
posted by of strange foe at 12:35 PM PST - 3 comments
I'm heading to Moscow soon. What is the best way to see the city properly during a few days stop-over?
[more inside]posted by snarfodox at 12:09 PM PST - 6 comments
My iPod no longer works properly with iTunes after upgrading to 7. It's frustrating. Help!
[more inside]posted by deafmute at 12:06 PM PST - 12 comments
Looking for a place for a small wedding reception in the Tiwn Cities, with a few other specifications.
[more inside]posted by Zosia Blue at 11:44 AM PST - 11 comments
How can I make favicons appear on the bookmarks toolbar in Firefox 2 on OS X? The default theme hides them; is there a way to undo this? I've tried editing the userChrome.css and about:config to no avail. I'm willing to try another theme, if necessary. Are there any out for FF2 that show the favicons? I read
this thread, but it doesn't offer any real solution (not for FF2 anyway).
posted by GS1977 at 11:41 AM PST - 10 comments
Honeymoon groom completely useless and disorganised and needs help. Nice places to stay in Seattle and Vancouver. Budget about 200 bucks a night.
[more inside]posted by Vroom_Vroom_Vroom at 11:21 AM PST - 15 comments
I have noticed in a few public parks lately that there is a white foam that has been sprayed into the base of oak trees where the roots join the trunk where there is a gap occasionally. I assume that this is like foam insulation for the home. Is it something that I should think about for my oak trees? I have read conflicting answers about doing this for holes in the trunk but I am not sure if this might be something different since it is at the base of the tree.
[more inside]posted by GrumpyMonkey at 11:20 AM PST - 5 comments
Does Capital One REALLY have airline miles with no blackout dates? With seats available? I think it's too good to be true, and possibly they just have very few or no seats on those flights. My experience with Northwest is that often you have to use double the miles to get flights in non-blackout times. But it would be nice to get miles on other airlines. anyone have experience on this?
[more inside]posted by judybxxx at 11:12 AM PST - 6 comments
In search of an episode of what I thought was The Outer Limits, but it's not listed in the episode guide,
[more inside]posted by DandyRandy at 10:47 AM PST - 9 comments
I'm having car trouble. Someone with a similar car suggested I get a certain car part in order to attempt to fix the problem. Help me remember the name of the car part.
[more inside]posted by starbaby at 10:41 AM PST - 16 comments
My wallet just went through the washing machine. What effect (if any) will that have on my credit cards?
posted by Taken Outtacontext at 10:30 AM PST - 9 comments
Where can I find some good, solid software for my HP Imagesmart C618 camera with the Digita Operating system?
[more inside]posted by ZackTM at 10:19 AM PST - 0 comments
Turducken
said it concisely: "When (most) freelance writers want to have a family or buy a house, they get jobs as... editors." I am wondering just how they (we) do that!
[more inside]posted by Eater at 10:11 AM PST - 7 comments
I'll be visiting Memphis for the first time by train in November. Will have one weeknight and two weekdays there. I'll be alone (I'm female and in my 40s) and am specifically looking for a good (centrally located, not too expensive, safe, fun) place to stay and things to do.
[more inside]posted by mmw at 9:51 AM PST - 11 comments
Find me a good, thin eye mask for sleeping that would allow me to sleep on my stomach comfortably.
[more inside]posted by sdis at 9:47 AM PST - 7 comments
Am I making enough money? According to salary.com my pay should range between $50k and $70k, but I make $40k. Are online salary comparison tools to be trusted? Am I getting ripped off?
[more inside]posted by youthenrage at 9:19 AM PST - 18 comments
Windows XP has stopped offering me the option of resizing my pictures before I email them. I use outlook express.
What has happened?
[more inside]posted by Beaufort at 8:55 AM PST - 2 comments
I want to generate a full-screen traversal of the entirety of RGB colour space. This is to be played back on a Windows computer.
[more inside]posted by handee at 8:48 AM PST - 7 comments
So, I have a 'judgement' on my credit report. In terms of my credit, does it even matter whether I pay, and is there any way to reverse/erase it?
[more inside]posted by bingo at 8:29 AM PST - 15 comments
A good friend of mine spends each evening with her Mom in a nursing home. An aide told her that they had a staff meeting due to murders in Colorado (perhaps she has state wrong).
[more inside]posted by beccaj at 8:23 AM PST - 16 comments
What does it mean when you have prophetic dreams that can be independently verified by others? How many of you have prophetic dreams, independently verified or otherwise? Is there something I should be doing?
[more inside]posted by milarepa at 8:05 AM PST - 48 comments
I'm getting married in February, and the honey moon is planned for Hong Kong and Vietnam (Ho Chi Min). Does anyone have any recommendations on things not to miss in either place? Or ideas of extra special things to do?
posted by Jonnykid at 7:49 AM PST - 10 comments
My PS2 is not working as a DVD player. Never has. I get audio, but the image alternates from a few seconds of program to a few seconds of brilliant blue screen. Games work perfectly.
FWIW, the PS2 is hooked up to a VHS machine (my TV is elderly) which then feeds into the Co-ax on my TV. VHS works perfectly also.
posted by sourwookie at 7:33 AM PST - 12 comments
FirstDigitalCameraFilter: in the light of recent posts on unrecommended made-for-kids-digicams, what basic&sturdy point&shoot camera should i be looking for, used, on ebay, for my little'uns?
[more inside]posted by progosk at 7:21 AM PST - 4 comments
I'm looking for a good vegetarian-focused (as opposed to just vegetarian-friendly) restaurant or buffet for Thanksgiving brunch/dinner somewhere around the Twin Cities area. It doesn't need to be actually in Minneapolis or St. Paul, but within a few hours' driving distance is preferred. Bonus points if the city where this elusive destination also has family friendly Thanksgiving-themed events like hay rides, etc.
posted by jennaba at 7:09 AM PST - 2 comments
Amateur photographer here. Any Chicagoans know of great vantage points to capture the city with my digital camera?
[more inside]posted by RDNZL at 6:43 AM PST - 17 comments
Any help identifying
this plant? It's a shrub about 10' high and the photo shows what it looks like in October in New England. Bonus points if you can provide a reference about whether it's poisonous or not.
posted by cocoagirl at 6:23 AM PST - 9 comments
We're planning a family holiday in Köln (Cologne) in early December. Aside from the Christmas markets, the Dom and Kölsch bier, anything unmissable? The kids are 5 and 3.
posted by sagwalla at 6:06 AM PST - 10 comments
Color scheme help: This weekend I got bold with my interior colors, painting two adjacent rooms two colors I love. The problem is making it all work.
[more inside]posted by shiu mai baby at 5:35 AM PST - 15 comments
DoesThisWebsiteExistFilter: Are there any sites that have downloadable sets of data in easily-parseable formats? For example, a list of all US presidents? Or the name of every country's capital? And then have the data available in different formats (XML, CSV, or an on-the-fly generated SQL Insert query)?
[more inside]posted by slater at 3:28 AM PST - 22 comments
I'd be interested in hearing strategies for allowing employees' personal computers access to a company VPN.
[more inside]posted by chill at 3:19 AM PST - 6 comments
October 29
Is the Atkins diet worthwhile as a
temporary diet for dropping about 10 lbs, or does this type of diet have a higher rate of rebound compared to the same weight loss from portion control, Weight Watchers, etc? I'm aware Atkins is intended to be a lifestyle change, but I tend to keep a constant weight just fine and simply want to take 'er down a notch.
posted by rolypolyman at 11:22 PM PST - 9 comments
I 'rescued' a cat off the street today because it looked just like a cat I saw on a 'lost cat' poster. The missing cat's owner just came by and said it wasn't the right cat. Now what?
[more inside]posted by nyterrant at 10:37 PM PST - 17 comments
When fleas can't nibble on your cats ('cuz you've treated the felines with Advantage or something), what do tehy live on? Fur? Cat food? They should just starve. But they say that if you don't sweep them daily you don't get rid of them...
[more inside]posted by Shane at 9:45 PM PST - 19 comments
What is the next number in this sequence: 4, 58, 40, 27, 18, 12, 8, ? Please give your explanation.
[more inside]posted by scodger at 6:10 PM PST - 42 comments
Questions about Jewish funeral customs. My husband's grandmother sadly passed away this weekend and I was hoping for some advice. She was Jewish, I'm not. I have a load of questions inside...
[more inside]posted by dogsbody at 5:11 PM PST - 25 comments
I'm looking for books that demonstrate the awful consequences of lying and are appropriate for a 9 year old boy. Subtlety is appreciated, but not required. Any suggestions?
posted by apocry_phil at 4:22 PM PST - 15 comments
A friend has a DSC-H1 Sony Cybershot camera. It got some salt water in it yesterday (probably not completely soaked, but definitely in the camera).
[more inside]posted by shivohum at 3:54 PM PST - 7 comments
Can anyone help me make sense of
this newsstory:
VietNamNet Bridge – Just a few days after the Vietnam Writers’ Association announced the awards for 2006, Ly Hoang Ly, a young Vietnamese poet, sent a letter of refusal to the association.
The Vietnam Writers’ Association awards are the most prestigious ones in the country for written works. This year, the fiction award was given to the book “Boundless rice field” by Nguyen Ngoc Tu, a young writer from the south, while the award for poems was given to poet Huu Thinh, chairman of the association. [more inside]posted by Kattullus at 3:08 PM PST - 4 comments
Posting for a friend. He has a 1971 Chevelle that his Grandfather gave to him, but the paint is hazy and oxidized. He has tried a variety of different products with little to no luck. Can you help him find a way to get the paint as bright and shiny as possible without repainting?
posted by FearAndLoathingInLJ at 2:49 PM PST - 9 comments
Does draught Guinness really have less calories than skimmed milk? Wikipedia seems to think so but is that right, and can you help me understand why? Thank you :)
posted by fingerbang at 2:34 PM PST - 20 comments
Anybody know where I should start looking for a Kitchen computer? Recipies, news, music... etc.
[more inside]posted by cschneid at 2:23 PM PST - 10 comments
What makes crunchy deviled eggs crunchy? Alternatively, give me good deviled egg recipes. (Quick! The water's almost boiling!)
[more inside]posted by anonymoose at 1:37 PM PST - 25 comments
What are these small prefab buildings that I see while traveling on the train (and elsewhere) every once and a while?
[more inside]posted by yellowbkpk at 1:08 PM PST - 6 comments
How can I switch my mouse sensitivity between two settings with the touch of one (or two) keyboard buttons?
[more inside]posted by allthewhile at 12:48 PM PST - 1 comments
I have a long time friend (25+ years) who has a spouse I absolutely cannot stand. The spouse is a bore to end all bores. The problem is, since marrying the person (10 years ago), I have not once seen the person without the spouse. I dislike the spouse so much that I now avoid the friend. Advice?
[more inside]posted by Manhasset at 9:55 AM PST - 37 comments
Last night in the course of being "Mime Donald Trump", I got white grease paint on my pants. Is there a way to get this off of the pants? Will a dry cleaners be able to do it? Are there any home remedies I can use?
posted by josher71 at 7:33 AM PST - 6 comments
Filemaker Pro 8 refuses to launch. Why? Mac OSX 10.4 Server, Powermac G4 Quicksilver, 1GB RAM. It ran fine for months and then, with no changes to anything, just started crashing on startup, with no warning or dialogue boxes. I've deleted preferences, fixed permissions on all drives, reinstalled FM8, removed FM7 (which I also had on the machine) to no avail. Trying to avoid reinstalling OS X server. Advice?
posted by fourcheesemac at 6:56 AM PST - 10 comments
Martial Arts Filter: To make this short and easy, do any of the MeFites in their collective wisdom have any good suggestions on where a 27 year old with no martial arts experience should look to begin learning such in the D.C. area? I not quite that interested in jujitsu, but all other forms I'm wide open to. Any advice you all might have, I certainly appreciate.
[more inside]posted by Atreides at 6:37 AM PST - 15 comments
Norton Antivirus 2007 is killing my wife's PC (I think). How do I get in there and disable/uninstall it. And what should I use instead?
[more inside]posted by wheat at 6:14 AM PST - 27 comments
I'm looking for fax software for XP, and wondering what programs other than Winfax are being used.
[more inside]posted by tomble at 3:30 AM PST - 6 comments
I've recently painted my bedroom a deep, rich purple. I absolutely adore it, but about 80% of the way through, I ran out of paint. I went back to Home Hardware to pick up another gallon, it is mixed to the exact specs the first can was mixed as, however, after finishing up the room, and doing patch work, it is apparent that there is a slight difference in the color. There's a little
[more inside]posted by irishkitten at 1:44 AM PST - 20 comments
October 28
[PhysicsFilter] In movies, when a tire comes off of a speeding car, it begins to move faster than the car. Why does the velocity increase?
[more inside]posted by spiderskull at 9:59 PM PST - 62 comments
Being forgetful, I turned my digital camera sideways when making a video on it. So now I have a sideways video. Is there any way to make it play right side up?
[more inside]posted by catburger at 9:37 PM PST - 6 comments
EtiquetteFilter: Need help on deciding about a gift for a friend I'm meeting in-real-life for the first time.
[more inside]posted by gadha at 9:17 PM PST - 16 comments
Why don't I like to be touched on certain parts of my body?
I'm a 38 year old male, and for as long as I can remember, there are places on my body I don't like to be touched. Some of them make sense, given certain events in my past, but most of them not so much.
To explain...
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 9:04 PM PST - 25 comments
You buy a frozen cheesecake at the natural food store. It doesn't come with directions. You're hungry. Do you eat it frozen? Wait while it thaws on the counter? Heat it up in the microwave? Heat it up in the oven? Something else?
posted by croutonsupafreak at 8:37 PM PST - 23 comments
High Intensity Gaming: I'm looking for video games that don't let up or have long periods of time where you're just wandering around looking for something to do. (See: Quake 3, Counterstrike, Dead Rising. Seriously, think about it, it's not obvious.) Potential candidates aren't genre specific; some good examples include Grid/Geometry Wars, SSX3, Dynasty Warriors, Viewtiful Joe 2, and Soul Caliber 3.
Suggestions?
[more inside]posted by effugas at 8:30 PM PST - 42 comments
I have recently been diagnosed with depression. I am taking 40mg of Prozac a day. I have also been advised to persevere with a course of Cognitive behavioural therapy. I am worried that CBT isnt relevant to me. Has anyone else had or currently having success with it?
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 8:22 PM PST - 48 comments
Orthofilter: So, I've got a damaged medial meniscus and MCL in my right knee. The pain since this began (July) has really subsided to the point of mild inconvenience. Arthroscopy and debridement seem to be fairly common procedures, and I'm wondering whether I can achieve relief without surgery?
[more inside]posted by moonbird at 8:00 PM PST - 7 comments
Is there any browser which can be configured to make use of the full width of my 1400x1500 monitor in displaying websites?
[more inside]posted by tabulem at 6:27 PM PST - 20 comments
How to write a blog about my work (I am a senior lecturer in a university) without making myself exposed, and without breaching rules of confidentially?
[more inside]posted by slimeline at 5:46 PM PST - 20 comments
Crime fighting comic books minus super heroes? I'd love recommendations for comic book equivalents of crime fighting/investigative television dramas.
[more inside]posted by aebaxter at 5:07 PM PST - 18 comments
I'm thinking about being waterboarded, just to see what it's all about. How can I do it correctly, ie. not end up dead?
[more inside]posted by five fresh fish at 4:38 PM PST - 31 comments
I've been cleaning some sterling silver necklaces with a jewelry polishing cloth. The necklaces now seem clean, but there is still a lot of black stuff coming off on the cloth, no matter how long I scrub the necklaces with it. Why is this?
posted by zembla3 at 3:12 PM PST - 8 comments
I want to start a website as a hobby basically. I have several books/articles on a subject that interests me and seemingly some other people too. I think I have all the books/articles available in English on this topic.
This area is very poorly covered on the internet.
I want to use the knowledge I have, but I don't want to be accused of plagiarism or run into copyright problems. I won't "copy" anything word for word or scan any of the illustrations from the books.
[more inside]posted by selton at 2:37 PM PST - 8 comments
Are gift certificates allowed to expire in California? I thought there was a law that says that they can't legally expire. Am I wrong?
posted by aacheson at 1:10 PM PST - 3 comments
I've browsed the archives but not really come up with anything satisfying. What should I do for archiving media?
[more inside]posted by mzurer at 1:00 PM PST - 8 comments
I just bought a black down coat and the down is constantly stuck to the outside of it. Is this normal?
[more inside]posted by mike_bling at 12:35 PM PST - 6 comments
Suggest some good donor fulfillment services to send out feelers to, for a 7-figure NPO fundraiser that will largely be conducted online.
posted by Tlogmer at 11:40 AM PST - 2 comments
MatLabFilter: Printing figures to memory? I know that I can use the versatile print command to print a figure to a file. But how might I be able to turn a figure into a matrix in matlab's memory?
[more inside]posted by garethspor at 11:36 AM PST - 3 comments
I'm going to be getting Final Cut Studio 5.1 at work. Can I edit mpeg-2 files in it? I couldn't in the old versions, and I can't figure out the tech specs to know whether I can INPUT mpeg-2 to edit or just export to it.
posted by Mayor Peace Love and Unity at 10:58 AM PST - 3 comments
A few years back I was diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. For a while I was fairly dubious of this diagnosis but now that it has been confirmed as a genetic disorder I feel maybe I should get over my pride and start treating this like the life-affecting problem it is.
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 10:58 AM PST - 9 comments
How can I view and search csv files exported from excel on my mac, using free tools?
posted by mecran01 at 9:08 AM PST - 9 comments
Help me identify this instrumental latin-ish (?) downtempo/trip-hop song from this mp3 clip
[more inside]posted by pooya at 8:51 AM PST - 7 comments
I'm looking for a private place to write for a weekend (with the possibility of multiple weekends if it seems extremely productive) within about 30-45 minutes of the city of Pittsburgh. I'm thinking a little cabin in the woods, or something similar. I'm also thinking cheap!
[more inside]posted by theantikitty at 8:31 AM PST - 3 comments
Why can't I print from my laptop using the digital camera socket on the front of my printer?
[more inside]posted by A189Nut at 4:55 AM PST - 9 comments
OSX SoftwareFilter: How can I fix what MySync did to my Mac mini, and find a new solution to keep my machines in sync?
[more inside]posted by SansPoint at 4:35 AM PST - 2 comments
I'm currently working a job with soul-sucking 60+ hour weeks. How can I get myself motivated/un-exhausted enough to enjoy my weekends? Of course, there's
[more inside]posted by Alterscape at 4:28 AM PST - 15 comments
I'm looking for examples of stripped-down bluegrass songs with the kind of eerie/sad sound that gives you goosebumps and makes your heart ache.
[more inside]posted by empyrean at 2:25 AM PST - 40 comments
Does anyone here remember an incident that may have happened during the filming of Titanic? I remember a story that I read in the newspaper around that time saying that several people were taken to hospital after unknowingly ingesting a hallucinogen at a cast party.
[more inside]posted by alltomorrowsparties at 1:57 AM PST - 4 comments
How does colour-coding of medications work? For instance, Prozac is typically the combination of green and white, and the generic brands also perserve this colour. Is there some kind of universal system that pharmaceutical companies adhere to? How are the colours of medications determined?
posted by perpetualstroll at 1:47 AM PST - 13 comments
October 27
Help this desktop power user protect his new laptop from evil internet demons while using public Wifi hotspots.
[more inside]posted by chrominance at 11:22 PM PST - 18 comments
Quick question for the poker players--What do you enjoy doing to confuse/befuddle your opponents? What interesting devices have you seen other players do? I am talking about making comments, sending off false tells etc...psychological manipulation, in other words.
[more inside]posted by Mrs.Doyle at 9:00 PM PST - 16 comments
Help me understand/explain anomalous laptop power adapter and/or battery behaviour. Why would it be dead, then fine? Why would the system crash when it should hibernate?
[more inside]posted by tiamat at 8:28 PM PST - 6 comments
I have a Thinkpad G41. About an hour ago, I (shut it off) packed it in a backpack-style case, and rode my bicycle to the radio station where I work. Upon arriving, I turn it on and the screen does not do anything at all. Everything else about bootup appears normal, except the total deadness of the screen (the light behind the TFT does not appear to come on). Also, there are (what I presume to be) BIOS beeps, one long two short. Googling produces
this which informs me I have a "video adapter error". What do I do now? (This laptop is about a year old, I think it's out of warranty now... is it just doomed to become a server?)
posted by phrontist at 7:49 PM PST - 14 comments
I'm booked for surgery for a deviated septum on November 27th. My wife has heard 'horror stories' and now my choice is to cancel the surgery and live the rest of my life continuing not to be able to breath through my nose properly, or have the surgery and *allegedly* needing my wife to 'take care of me' for a week and *allegedly* not being allowed to let our baby near my face for more than a month.
[more inside]posted by Kickstart70 at 7:46 PM PST - 29 comments
I read this article a few years ago about a Silicon Valley programmer who committed suicide after getting rich off a startup. I can't remember the name of the programmer but I do remember some of the details. Does anyone know this story?
[more inside]posted by onepapertiger at 7:33 PM PST - 9 comments
A few years ago I was diagnosed with MS. Since then, I've grown increasingly confused about how I should plan my future due to the possible future effects of the disease. At this point I've completely lost perspective on the matter, and the more I think about it, the less sure I am of any decision being the correct one. I'm hoping for some objective advice.
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 7:19 PM PST - 17 comments
I want to build a small, inexpensive geodesic dome using cardboard. Where can I find good specs and instructions? Is this even feasible with regular cardboard?
[more inside]posted by goalyeehah at 6:10 PM PST - 8 comments
What is the sources of this quote attributed to Dostoevsky?
"The degree of civilization in a society can be judged by entering its prisons." [more inside]posted by Stauf at 5:59 PM PST - 8 comments
I just got a new Creative Zen Nano Plus 1gb mp3 player as a surprise gift from a friend. The trick is that I'm a Mac user, and by all official accounts the two are incompatible. Help, please.
[more inside]posted by soviet sleepover at 5:44 PM PST - 4 comments
Winamp playlist help. I have a bunch of playlists in Winamp, but frequent re-organization of my music directory has broken all the links. Is there a way for Winamp to find the new locations of the files so I don't have to re-assign hundreds of songs, or, barring that, is there a smarter music library program that will do the work and can import Winamp playlists?
posted by schroedinger at 5:13 PM PST - 3 comments
Either I lose 20 lbs by December 10, or lose $150. That's the agreement I made with 2 friends and my daughter. And it's in writing. So I figure I'm going to pull out my bag o' diet tricks and document everything along the way - but I need a catchy title for my blog.
[more inside]posted by dropkick at 4:47 PM PST - 47 comments
After only a week or so of
job search, I've been offered a software development position at a little startup that does almost
exactly what I want to do. Seriously, I cannot imagine a more ideal group to work for. I'm supposed to contact them next week to discuss terms and salary. However, during the interview, some of the statements seemed to imply that they didn't have the budget to satisfy my requested salary. I really want to work for these folks, but don't want to sell myself short. Can you think of creative suggestions I might make during negotiations to make up the difference?
[more inside]posted by Netzapper at 4:34 PM PST - 19 comments
My boyfriend bought an 8-string (dual string) ukulele in Tahiti and we can't find info ANYWHERE online. Everything we find is about the traditional 4 string ukulele. Looking for any links re: chords, tutorials, tuning, charts, books, etc. on Thank you!
posted by camfys at 3:19 PM PST - 7 comments
Looking for a web-based FLV player (ideally want it to approximate the youtube one.) For-pay is fine. The usage has to be just 'pass your flv url to the player and it plays' (ie. not something that requires manipulation in Macromedia Flash to work.) Any pointers? Thanks.
posted by Firas at 3:05 PM PST - 5 comments
A friend of mine would like to share
Channel One educational video with her graduate class. While Channel One makes programs available through their website, they don't include any of the "in between" content; advertisements, etc. As there isn't much demand for this content outside of schools, file sharing networks aren't very useful. Any ideas on how to track down some content?
posted by aladfar at 2:55 PM PST - 3 comments
Name that (commercial) tune! Ask.com is currently running a television ad that features no spoken script. The ad begins "Why is Ask.com the fastest-growing search engine?" in white text against a red background, and the ad continues with snippets of newspaper reviews, etc. There is an electronic/techno background soundtrack. What song is playing, and is it available for purchase?
posted by jafmuse at 1:48 PM PST - 3 comments
The ink with which we signed our ketubah (a Jewish marriage contract, in this case a beautifully illuminated one) has almost completely faded in less than three years! What should we do?
[more inside]posted by ericbop at 1:29 PM PST - 11 comments
Does anyone remember the name of a music video where the band is playing, and they keep getting moved about and assaulted by a pointer, as if they were part of a computer's GUI? And, if possible, where to find it online? Or, if you know of any other videos along that theme?
posted by fungible at 1:23 PM PST - 5 comments
Why would a newspaper reveal a murder victim's house value and transaction history?
[more inside]posted by acoutu at 1:03 PM PST - 9 comments
Where can I find grown up stuff with a Peter Pan theme? Mr. Orangemiles loves Peter Pan but I don't want to get him green tights for his birthday. Something that says, "Yeah, you're getting older but I still love that little boy inside," would be better. Recognizable connection to Peter Pan, if possible, and a $30 budget. Suggestions?
posted by orangemiles at 12:56 PM PST - 9 comments
Yes, another Halloween question. Help me out with my obscure costume! In short, I'm going as a visual representation of the Weimar Republic.
[more inside]posted by kalimac at 12:45 PM PST - 8 comments
Why has democracy, at least our version of it in the west, proven so difficult a system of government to maintain in the third/developping world?
[more inside]posted by dflemingdotorg at 12:41 PM PST - 35 comments
A math terminology question. What is meant by a "log-linear" relationship, and what distinguishes it from a plain logarithmic one?
posted by shoos at 12:27 PM PST - 13 comments
I'm going as the wolf from Little Red Riding Hood. I don't want to do a whole wolf outfit...just something that gives the impression of a wolf.
[more inside]posted by Brainy at 12:20 PM PST - 15 comments
Newb sysadmin filter: I've got an internal website 'blahblahblah/blah' that I want people to be able to get at by just typing 'blah' in their browser... where do I specify this? hosts?
posted by Cosine at 12:07 PM PST - 11 comments
There aren't enough days in the week for me to make enough money to live. Hm.
[more inside]posted by bash at 12:03 PM PST - 47 comments
I just landed a well paying job in Seattle after having a soul sucking job, where I did not save a penny for about a year. While the new salary will be great, I am essentially broke, and I need a $3000 loan to relocate and get started (which has been determined to be my responsibility to cover by negociation). None of my relatives or friends have this kind of cash, nor do I have a credit card. So how would I go about getting $3000? Can I just take my job offer into a bank and use that as leverage for a loan? Mefites, help me back out of this corner and find the cash to live my dream.
posted by |n$eCur3 at 12:00 PM PST - 16 comments
How can I make sure I'm not being overcharged for surgery and/or ripped off by my health insurance company?
[more inside]posted by gottabefunky at 11:38 AM PST - 6 comments
New Macbooks? Am I right in thinking that every one of Apple's new intel line products have been updated except the Macbook? I know that the Mac Pro and Xserv have not, but they were released later, so that's ok. The iMac, the Mini, and now the Macbook Pro have all received nice quiet little bump-ups in specs that make a considerable difference. A little more within...
[more inside]posted by eleongonzales at 11:24 AM PST - 15 comments
I have a bilingual website hosted on Typepad and want to create a sitemap for both sites that is friendly with Google Webmaster tools.
[more inside]posted by Blue Buddha at 11:21 AM PST - 0 comments
I'm going to be traveling in Boston on election night. Any suggestions for friendly bars that would be tuned in and friendly for watching election returns?
[more inside]posted by j-dawg at 11:16 AM PST - 11 comments
Employment history filter: I am starting a new job after about a year of intermittent contract work padded between various stages of unemployment. Though I never lied about anything, they might uncover that my past year has in fact been really spotty in terms of work (during interviews, we talked about my contract projects, but they didn't ask about specific dates or durations). Does this make me screwed?
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 10:20 AM PST - 7 comments
Total beginner to investing and finance, researching how to start investing maybe $2K each year, mostly in socially responsible mutual funds -- and how a young, healthy person should balance retirement investment with other kinds of investments.
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 10:20 AM PST - 10 comments
Anyone have a tried-and-true pumpkin seed recipe? I've tried making them in the past with veggie oil and Lawry's seasoned salt, but they turn out chewy and oily and awful. I'd like to make the glorious, pure-white, salt-encrusted type you can buy in little packs at the Quickie Mart. Advice? Besides going ahead and buying the little packs at Quickie Mart?
posted by printchick at 10:17 AM PST - 13 comments
Just got my first eye prescription for mild farsightedness. The optometrist said my eyes could still focus on things fine so I didn't
need glasses, but if I noticed eyestrain or headaches, then I could fix those problems with glasses. I don't notice eyestrain and only get headaches when I'm low on coffee. Is there any reason to go ahead and get glasses? Do glasses accelerate or slow any futher eye degeneration?
[more inside]posted by stopgap at 9:36 AM PST - 9 comments
How can I get around the geographic restrictions on purchasing some books and/or where can I buy the audiobook for The God Delusion by Richard Dawkins in the US?
[more inside]posted by travis vocino at 8:56 AM PST - 4 comments
mp3-aiff: What's the best way to preserve the questionable quality of mp3s when converting to aiff so that they'll play on a mix cd?
posted by OmieWise at 8:32 AM PST - 15 comments
I need to fake whipped cream for a costume. (Ok, I'll admit it: I'm trying to dress my dog as a slice of pie.) Is spray foam insulation safe? It won't be in contact with skin or fur. Any other ideas?
posted by juniper at 7:59 AM PST - 14 comments
What would be a good restaurant for a pre-show dinner in Boston, near the Public Gardens? (There's more inside, unless you're my mother, in which case there isn't, so don't click.)
[more inside]posted by CrayDrygu at 7:51 AM PST - 13 comments
TxRealEstateFilter: What rights do i have if someone backs out of a selling their house after the contract is signed?
[more inside]posted by flipmiester99 at 4:02 AM PST - 13 comments
What is the name of the music that accompanied the Pink Panther cartoon series?
[more inside]posted by viama at 3:35 AM PST - 4 comments
Frame-wise (or not) what's the best way to display posters like
these (sized 12 x 18)?
I just bought three of them and it feels wrong just to put push pins through them.
posted by pealco at 2:58 AM PST - 12 comments
Here in the far-flung reaches of the English-speaking world, we're constantly being told our local language is being taken over by "American Slang". But does it go the other way? Are there any British / Australian / New Zealand or wherever phrases and words that have become commonly used by people in North America recently? Do Brooklynites ever exclaim "Crikey!" or "Bloody Hell!"?
posted by Jimbob at 2:42 AM PST - 50 comments
I have a large excel spreadsheet that contains various html tags, mainly bold and anchor tags (in upper case and lower case). How can i automagically remove them?
[more inside]posted by anonaccount at 2:22 AM PST - 9 comments
October 26
how to connect HDTV to notebook to display video streaming content from notebook?
[more inside]posted by dy at 9:48 PM PST - 8 comments
Looking for a Bill Bernbach quote on the advertising business that was used in an ad in HOW magazine a few years back.
[more inside]posted by pman78 at 8:37 PM PST - 1 comments
Has there been any discernible change recently regarding public opinion of anthropogenic climate change in your neck of the woods?
[more inside]posted by wilful at 6:20 PM PST - 22 comments
I'm searching for a specific quote about the use of quotes I read online a few years ago in a feature about The Designer's Republic where Ian Anderson was answering questions submitted by the public.
[more inside]posted by jchgf at 6:10 PM PST - 4 comments
What can I do with just-turned-stale bread, besides make French toast?
posted by Lisa S at 5:55 PM PST - 34 comments
How can I set up my own voice mail service? I want to set up something where people buy/rent phone numbers from me and setup voice mail greetings for their friends to hear when they call. How do I go about procuring multiple phone numbers in multiple area codes like "gotVmail" and similar services do? How do I setup voice mail to email? Basically, I want to set up a service like "gotVmail" without 99% of the bells and whistles. Can I do this with asterisk? Any insight into this is well appreciated.
posted by Ezrie at 5:47 PM PST - 5 comments
I updated to Firefox 2.0 yesterday and everything was fine. Today, after using Firefox periodically, I came home and tried to start it and nothing happened. In Windows Task manager, I can see that the firefox.exe process is running, but the actually browser is not popping up. I've tried rebooting and I've checked for spyware. What gives?
[more inside]posted by Falconetti at 5:32 PM PST - 11 comments
I just got a new battery in my ipod. The instructions say I need to charge it for a few hours before using. Is there any reason for me not to unplug it before it fully charges and start using it?
posted by ManInSuit at 4:45 PM PST - 22 comments
Is there a name for the behaviour where someone becomes so fixated on 'family' and family visits/occasions that they become controlling, unreasonable and obsessive to the point where they end up driving family members away? Is there a psychological disorder or term which might cover this?
[more inside]posted by Flitcraft at 4:08 PM PST - 18 comments
My cat's flea medication makes him ill. I need some alternatives to it to discuss at my next vet appointment.
[more inside]posted by Mayor Curley at 3:37 PM PST - 9 comments
Now that I'm consulting, how can I gracefully tell colleagues that I'm not going to give them free advice?
[more inside]posted by arielmeadow at 3:23 PM PST - 20 comments
A new car costs, say, $16,000. A state's sales tax is, say, 8.5%. That would add an additional tax of $1,360. Which is about the price of a nice new laptop. Is there a way to do this interstate over the internet to avoid the extra tax?
[more inside]posted by felix at 3:13 PM PST - 21 comments
What kind of softer-food meals can I prepare for my partner and I that we won't get tired of?
[more inside]posted by rhapsodie at 3:06 PM PST - 13 comments
I'd like to start Yet Another T-Shirt Selling Site. I need help coming up with a good name. Winner gets a free shirt!
[more inside]posted by o2b at 3:03 PM PST - 24 comments
Strauss Without Singing - I'm a huge fan of Strauss' orchestra compositions but dislike the opera singing. I know this will make me sound unclassy but I have to ask: is there an orchestra recording of "Four Last Songs" that is just the orchestration and no voice? I've looked and can not find. And additionally, if I wanted to do it m'self - what software/hardware exists to either cancel out voice from music, and music from voice? THANKS AS ALWAYS.
posted by Peter H at 2:51 PM PST - 7 comments
I am traveling to Bucharest next week for work and do not know anyone there or what to do. I have little time and have more interest in people than buildings or artifacts. Any suggestions?
[more inside]posted by kingfisher, his musclebound cat at 2:49 PM PST - 2 comments
How are the volumes of (tea) cups commonly measured? For instance, does a “6 oz” tea cup hold 6 oz of liquid when filled to a normal level, or must it be filled to the brim to reach 6 oz?
[more inside]posted by Alex Handcoding at 2:45 PM PST - 7 comments
Is there a free simple web to email gateway or scriptable email responder that will run on windows server 2003?
[more inside]posted by Nothing at 2:37 PM PST - 3 comments
More US TSA questions. So this all your 3 oz or smaller liquid/gel personal hygeine items must fit in a one quart plastic bag thing, is that including the lipstick & other cosmetics, or just including the liquids & gels? I've checked TSA and several airport/airline sites and all the examples just show shampoo & shaving cream, &c in the baggie. Even the "woman business traveler" video doesn't show lipstick in her baggie. The only people I know who have flown since the new requirement are men and they have no idea. Is there any woman of MeFi who has flown in the last week (bonus if you left from O'Hare) and can tell me whether *all* my cosmetics, as well as my toiletries, must fit in the single one quart zip top baggie?
posted by crush-onastick at 2:31 PM PST - 15 comments
Using htaccess, I'd like to redirect all requests from a random set of IPs to a text file explaining that the IP has been banned. What would be the easiest and most efficient way to do this?
[more inside]posted by maxpower at 1:30 PM PST - 5 comments
What do I do about an old friend who wants to get back together with his old girlfriend, who I am now pursuing? They broke up a long time ago.
[more inside]posted by rhizome at 1:22 PM PST - 30 comments
I'm looking for recommendations for electronics kits that have explanations of how the circuits work.
[more inside]posted by drezdn at 1:14 PM PST - 9 comments
I'm opening a retail store that will sell CDs, books, photographs and other music-related collectibles. We hope to open a web store concurrently and have found a web designer. I'm looking for advice about point-of-sale systems for our store, and in addition we are interested in linking the inventory in our retail store to our inventory for our web store. Our webstore is being developed using
x-cart. Any recommened POS systems or vendors? Anyone set up a system like this recently?
posted by mfherman at 1:07 PM PST - 2 comments
I am going to be in Los Angeles from mid-day November 6 thru mid-day November 10th for a conference. Since I've never been there before, what should I make an effort to see in my spare time after 5pm? Also, should I rent a car or rely on public transportation (cabs)?
[more inside]posted by tadellin at 12:51 PM PST - 21 comments
Our bedroom fan with light bulbs makes a quick snapping or popping noise when it's off. Normal? Bad?
[more inside]posted by LadyBonita at 12:47 PM PST - 14 comments
What is the name of the sound at the start of cassette tapes and where can I find one online?
posted by Old Man Wilson at 12:45 PM PST - 7 comments
I am looking for the name of some delicious French biscuits or, ahem, cookies which seem easily found in any French supermarket or corner store, but elusive on the internets....
[more inside]posted by clarkie666 at 12:43 PM PST - 9 comments
Where can I find serious religious debate/discussion? I'm looking for a place to read and maybe discuss religious views (primarily Christian-based) that don't constantly delve into ranting and/or idiocy.
[more inside]posted by bluejayk at 12:43 PM PST - 21 comments
EarlyAdopterFilter: After several happy months of running Windows Vista RC1, I've upgraded to RC2. Ever since that day, I've been intermittently getting a "Limited connectivity" error that requires my network adapter to be reset. I don't want to go back to XP or RC1, so I need to make this work.
[more inside]posted by superboy422 at 12:39 PM PST - 5 comments
Is there a way, possibly via scripting, to export the top-level Layers of an Adobe Illustrator CS2 document as a multi-PAGE PDF?
[more inside]posted by robbie01 at 12:16 PM PST - 3 comments
I need to provide a foreign student studying in Sweden with information about relocating to New York for a semester.
[more inside]posted by dshargel at 12:14 PM PST - 3 comments
Can anyone recommend a reliable, reasonably priced handyman in the Bay Area/East Bay? Need basic drywall repair and finishing, installation of a French Door, some painting, carpentry, etc. Nothing major.
posted by cubedweller at 11:31 AM PST - 2 comments
My friend recently received a large orange wrench is his "Bag of Crap" purchased from Woot.com. What impromptu Halloween costumes could stem from using this wrench as a prop-piece....
[more inside]posted by rlef98 at 11:31 AM PST - 23 comments
My web browsers (FF 2.0 and IE 7 on XP SP2) have stopped working (kinda). I have to click on links over and over again to get the browsers to respond. When they do finally go to the page, they usually load half of it and give up. This started while I was still on FF 1.5 but seems to have gotten worse.
[more inside]posted by adi at 11:12 AM PST - 7 comments
I am
a del.icio.us power use, and I am trying to use the new Firefox 2.0 which integrates with del.icio.us. I'm having some trouble. First, all of the bookmarks I had stored locally that were in folders seem to have disappeared. Where did they go? Second, because I have soooo many bookmarks on del.icio.us, I have the "Bookmaek synching in progress" bar loading constantly, and it REALLY slows down my Firefox speed.
Can anyone help me find my missing bookmarks? Does anyone have tips on how to use Firefox 2.0 with bookmarks without the molasses speed?
posted by abbyladybug at 11:04 AM PST - 10 comments
Can you identify this song from the late 1920s? I'm trying to find the title of this song that was likely released in 1928 or thereabouts. All i have to go on is this short excerpt which I've put
here. posted by storybored at 10:47 AM PST - 9 comments
Please help me find non-opera classical Chinese and Japanese koto music.
[more inside]posted by Vaska at 10:25 AM PST - 4 comments
AutomationMeta-
How do I create a simple automation to search webpages for offensive language (job).
[more inside]posted by redhotchips at 10:24 AM PST - 5 comments
Hey MetaCooks, your opinion on heritage, pasture-raised or otherwise fancypants turkeys please? Complicating factors inside...
[more inside]posted by Sully6 at 10:20 AM PST - 20 comments
How can I force Thunderbird to open links in Firefox when IE is set as my default browser?
[more inside]posted by bondcliff at 9:47 AM PST - 5 comments
What does it mean that I must constantly re-boot my wi-fi access point in order to get an internet connection? My desktop is not on a wireless connection (it's wired directly from the router) and doesn't have this problem--only the laptops that are on wifi. In addiiton, I'll often have to reboot the laptops as well, even though I'm getting a "signal" but not internet connection. Do I need a new access point? Cable company (Time Warner) is of absolutely no help since it's not their equipment.
posted by quintno at 9:29 AM PST - 15 comments
Is it possible to set the
action attribute of an HTML form, such that the
method is
POST, but the
action includes GET variables?
[more inside]posted by Blazecock Pileon at 9:02 AM PST - 8 comments
Where can I find sales figures for novels (new and/or classic)? I am aware of Bookscan and Publisher's Lunch, but those are very expensive.
posted by Gnostic Novelist at 6:45 AM PST - 9 comments
How does one increase foot speed? My 12 year old son inherited his lack of foot speed from me. He's thin, skinny and a little below average height. This is not a weight issue, he is just slow. (All of which is subject to change when puberty kicks in full gear) In the meantime, are there exercises or drills he could do to increase his speed? He plays baseball and he fences - being a bit quicker would be a benefit in both.
posted by COD at 6:09 AM PST - 32 comments
Any good tips on managing approved software applications within an enterprise?
[more inside]posted by daHIFI at 6:08 AM PST - 4 comments
This summer I want to do some self-improvement in terms of writing skills (essays for university), study techniques, etc. Basically I want to maximise my abilities and develop the best possible studying routine. What books did you find helpful when you were an undergrad? Or what books do you wish you had read early on?
[more inside]posted by mjao at 5:55 AM PST - 8 comments
Does trademark law really offer any basis for the practice of using legal threats to prevent a trademark from becoming common usage?
This article in the Google Blog strongly suggests that trademark law prohibits me from using (in a non-commercial context like a post on MeFi) the verb "to google" to mean "to search on the Yahoo search engine." Is this so?
[more inside]posted by winston at 5:49 AM PST - 30 comments
What's the equivalent of Public Radio in the UK? I've become hooked on This American Life over the web, and I would like to get involved in something similar over here. Bit
[more inside]posted by Happy Dave at 4:15 AM PST - 5 comments
Posting on behalf of a friend:
CSS Absolute / relative positioning problem. In designing a course website which has to validate as XHTML (Strict or Transitional), I've come up against a problem with an image. I want the image to remain in the right hand div but resize gracefully. My problem is that the trowel image either interferes with the header (is too high) but IS able to move with the page or doesn't interfere with anything but won't resize with the page!
[more inside]posted by dance at 2:50 AM PST - 4 comments
GMail login problem - It's taking forever to login and I usually just get a blank screen at "https://www.google.com/accounts/ServiceLoginAuth"
[more inside]posted by ciaron at 2:36 AM PST - 7 comments
My kitchen is systematically going on strike. Last week, my kitchen faucet stopped working. The sprayer thingee still works when the water is on. All other water appliances still work. Just no water from the kitchen sink.
The next day, my roommate tells me that the garbage disposal isn't running. Everything else on that circuit is running fine.
What to do? How do I fix this? Do I call an electrician, a plumber?
posted by donmayo at 1:47 AM PST - 7 comments
I am really curious if there is any help out there in regards to creating band site (myspace) layouts such as the ones that are sold on www.bandspaces.com/samples.html.
[more inside]posted by cheero at 12:02 AM PST - 2 comments
October 25
How do I properly tie my shoes without them quickly getting loose again? They're the flat laces (rounded ones are worse) and I keep double-knotting them, but after an hour or so of just sitting at work, they come loose. What am I doing wrong? It's especially bad with the ones I'm wearing.
posted by i8ny3x at 11:29 PM PST - 20 comments
The clock starts today. I just sold a house yesterday and ended up with a decent chunk of change. On next year's tax form, I'm going to have to pay taxes on the gains, but I have 6 months to make the tax money work for me...
[more inside]posted by LGCNo6 at 11:27 PM PST - 16 comments
Is there a way to retrieve the old files I have saved on 5.25" Apple IIc floppy disks?
[more inside]posted by zooropa at 10:09 PM PST - 4 comments
Help me evaluate the pro's and con's of my current employment situation. I'm contemplating leaving, but have never been a job-hopper, so I don't think I know the time to leave for a new job...
[more inside]posted by youngergirl44 at 9:48 PM PST - 20 comments
My wife and I need a pair of Blackberry-type devices (which also function as cell phones) for lots of text-messaging between ourselves throughout the day. We were thinking we wanted Blackberries, but when we went to the Cingular store tonight (we're locked into a Cingular contract until February 2008) the clerk made it sound as though a Windows Mobile device would be better. Any advice?
[more inside]posted by jayder at 8:16 PM PST - 17 comments
I teach English in Buenos Aires and one of my students has asked me if we can watch some TV that's 'set in an office' and 'is in British English' (I haven't watched a lot of TV for some time).
I've looked at The Office (too hard for all but the very advanced non-native speakers) and The IT crowd (too weird for this chap). Any suggestions?
[more inside]posted by itsjustanalias at 7:10 PM PST - 18 comments
I am looking for good scholarly resources on the social influences on childhood and adult obesity.
[more inside]posted by oflinkey at 6:28 PM PST - 3 comments
What's an effective and practical personal safety/self-defense device to carry when walking home alone at night in a shady neighborhood?
[more inside]posted by crack at 6:28 PM PST - 59 comments
[ubuntu filter] I have an old school tablet pc with no floppy drive, cd drive or usb support (due to a dud windows 98 installation). I'd like to move to ubuntu. I have a separate drive in a USB enclosure I'd like to use. How can I get everything I need for ubuntu on to the external drive, then move this drive into the tablet PC to complete the installation? I don't want to boot from USB or anything, I just want to physically replace the drive in the tablet.
[more inside]posted by kaydo at 6:22 PM PST - 7 comments
I have a Moveable Type weblog. I would like to redirect the feeds. This probably involves using .htaccess and mod_rewrite. My mind has grown weary after two hours of trying to get this to work. Can anyone offer advice?
[more inside]posted by jdroth at 5:51 PM PST - 4 comments
How do I write Terms and Conditions for a website, without spending too much on a lawyer?
[more inside]posted by jesirose at 5:13 PM PST - 15 comments
What databases might I try to get to high-end fashion magazines, specifically, one of the European Vogues (e.g. French Vogue, Purple Magazine)? ProQuest only has American Vogue. Is it possible to buy any PDF format?
[more inside]posted by geoff. at 5:09 PM PST - 2 comments
LegalFilter: Need some direction in regards to a miscommunication which can affect a cases outcome...
[more inside]posted by Izzmeister at 4:58 PM PST - 4 comments
Name-That-Movie-Filter. I'm asking for my girlfriend because she can't think of the name for this movie she remembers and it's driving her nuts. Its not much to go by but what she does remember you will find inside.
[more inside]posted by Effigy2000 at 4:50 PM PST - 17 comments
My bank offers both a standard and a gold Visa card with the same 19% interest rate and no annual fee. The gold card's features are:
[more inside]posted by mendel at 4:38 PM PST - 11 comments
'The Flâneur': What fascinating titbits can you add to my knowledge about this concept? Art, history, philosophy and literary theory links all welcome.
[more inside]posted by 0bvious at 4:38 PM PST - 22 comments
Could I possibly get in trouble for snapping a picture of my ballot/voting screen with my phonecam?
[more inside]posted by Ufez Jones at 4:32 PM PST - 9 comments
Single Item Online Stores. They are popping up everywhere, which ones do you like?
[more inside]posted by jonah at 4:13 PM PST - 9 comments
(Writing/Hypothetical Filter) Are there any poisons that (could) mimic the symptoms/effects of cancer if administered to a person over time?
[more inside]posted by teststrip at 4:11 PM PST - 15 comments
Is there ANY way I can listen to Mike Shannon's telecast of the rest of the Cardinals' World Series games? As one blog commenter put it, listening to Miller and Morgan sucks away my intelligence.
posted by ontic at 3:53 PM PST - 9 comments
AmericanFamilyLawFilter: If you haven't heard
anything from social services, do you still owe child support?
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 3:43 PM PST - 7 comments
This:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/63024118@N00/279377485/
is a nail hanger of some sort.
What is it called and where can I buy some more?
posted by allelopath at 3:04 PM PST - 7 comments
OK, I'm looking for the name of a modern technique popularly used to organize notes, tasks and projects. It's been discussed many times here and there are a couple of popular books that discuss the techniques. I believe it may be known by an acronym or initials.
[more inside]posted by lyam at 2:56 PM PST - 3 comments
Ethics and friendship: I lost touch with a fairly close friend about six or seven years ago; he'd gotten married, had a kid, moved, etc. We recently reconnected and have been hanging out. My girlfriend likes his wife, I like his kids, so all this is good. BUT...also about ten years ago, he and I happened to be competing for a pretty prestigious job at a major corporation - one people have heard of. I got the job, he didn't. There didn't seem to be any hard feelings; I gave him some (lucrative) freelance work, maybe a little out of guilt, but mostly because he was really good. He did great work, and continued to do so on freelance projects until I left the job a couple of years later...
[more inside]posted by soulbarn at 2:45 PM PST - 34 comments
When I was a kid--reference point: I was born in 1980--there was a singer named "Paulo" (or at least that's what I remember him being called) and he sang songs about Alberta and its history. He had songs about the Frank Slide, the big fire in Calgary, how Alberta got it's name, stuff like that. From the eons old dubbed tape my parents had his album was aptly named "Alberta Songs"...does anyone recognize this guy? Can you tell me where--if it's possible--to purchase this album? I would love to have a real copy of it now.
posted by popsicletoes at 2:33 PM PST - 3 comments
(MacWinFilter) - How do I access a Mac OS/X Server share from Windows XP using AFP (iTunes)?
[more inside]posted by bkdelong at 1:47 PM PST - 7 comments
What's wrong with my blog? Using Blogger, everything appears normal and functioning within the Blogger "Dashboard", but the content has turned all wonky on me. Help!
[more inside]posted by booknerd at 1:18 PM PST - 4 comments
How can I scan a book that is precious to me? The book is a couple hundred pages and I just want to produce high-quality pdfs.
[more inside]posted by vacapinta at 1:13 PM PST - 9 comments
How do I re-establish a research relationship with a professor I kinda-sorta worked with in college a few years ago?
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 1:08 PM PST - 13 comments
What happened to A9's Yellow Pages feature? Are there any similar websites?
posted by none at 12:33 PM PST - 5 comments
Could someone please explain the meaning and (philosophical) significance of the German term
Voraussetzungslosigkeit? No more inside, I'm afraid.
posted by Urban Hermit at 12:27 PM PST - 9 comments
Looking for examples of simple HR-type training programs. For example, can anyone remember an online excercise that asked participants to quickly answer yes/no when faced with a series of photos or statements? The goal was to provide evidence of bias.
[more inside]posted by Badmichelle at 12:05 PM PST - 4 comments
There is an extra refrigerator in my apartment left over from the previous tenants. They neglected to clean it out; it has been unplugged for months. I opened it once and the stench - which rapidly spread throughout the apartment and lingered for several hours - was overpowering. I want to be able to use it: how should I go about cleaning it?
posted by davidriley at 11:08 AM PST - 26 comments
If my sister and I didn't live halfway across the country from each other, I would take her out for sushi for her birthday. Since I can't be there, and she can't be here, I'd like to pay for her and her boyfriend to go out for dinner instead. What's a decent sushi place I could send them to in or near Fort Collins, CO, and how do I pay for it?
[more inside]posted by vytae at 10:35 AM PST - 14 comments
What kind of internet provider and other stuff do I need to run a website out of my apartment?
[more inside]posted by mrkohrea at 10:20 AM PST - 14 comments
Meta Halloween; Need Costume Ideas for four guys that would like to do a group costume, though there are some conditons to make this harder!
[more inside]posted by boyinmiami at 10:03 AM PST - 28 comments
PsychExperimentFilter: Suggest some funny and sad death scenes from recent (last 15-20 years) films. Bonus points for equally funny and sad non-death scenes to use as control.
[more inside]posted by Smegoid at 9:55 AM PST - 47 comments
It's that time of year again...it's getting cold and I'm craving soup more and more. The only problem is I'm sick of canned soup and I'd rather make most of it homemade. Lay your best soup recipes on me, ingredients/prep the works!
Any type of soup accepted! Hot, cold, lukewarm! Chicken, cream-based, potato leek, broth-based etc. I want to start a good collection of new recipes to try!
posted by PetiePal at 9:46 AM PST - 49 comments
How do I submit an advertising campaign/billboard idea to a company? Who do I approach? Is there a way of presenting my idea without their angency just running off with it?
[more inside]posted by upc_head at 9:46 AM PST - 6 comments
Fake pig's blood for my prom dress: anything out there that's realistic looking and not too sticky?
[more inside]posted by witchstone at 9:44 AM PST - 9 comments
I've been having incredibly unpleasant jaw pain for the past week. What can I do to make it stop?
[more inside]posted by defreckled at 8:30 AM PST - 10 comments
I'm trying to find a study I remember seeing that basically argued that the presence of more information on the screen at CNN (i.e., the 'crawl' or 'ticker') left people less likely to remember what was actually on the station during a given time (versus without)... does that ring anyone's bell? A reference would be amazing...
posted by jgballard at 8:28 AM PST - 2 comments
Is there an easy way to crop a rectangular portion of an Illustrator (CS, CS2) document?
[more inside]posted by pmbuko at 8:15 AM PST - 8 comments
In the past few months our 16 month old son has been getting little zits on his cheeks. They're only there for a few days, then poof, their gone. What the heck causes this, and is it normal?
posted by ducktape at 7:43 AM PST - 9 comments
[My-copy-of-Emily-Post-is-in-the-shop-Filter:] I have two diplomas, a JD and a BA, and I want to hang them in my office, one above the other. Which one goes on top?
posted by Saucy Intruder at 7:28 AM PST - 17 comments
I'm a college student, being flown up for a job interview in Manhattan this Friday. I asked the firm I'm interviewing with to schedule my return flight for Saturday morning instead of Friday night so that I can explore the city, but now I'm finding out how expensive lodging in the city is.
[more inside]posted by btkuhn at 7:12 AM PST - 14 comments
Free Hummer/Escalade due to U.S.
tax break -- is this for real, and if so, why isn't everyone flocking to get one?
posted by chef_boyardee at 6:50 AM PST - 14 comments
OK, I've got MAME installed, and a (pretty much) complete (15Gb) set of ROMs. I've played my old favorites... Galaxian, Galaga, Gauntlet, Sonic, Mario... but now I'm daunted by the
thousands of games I have to choose from.
So what should I play next?
(assume if I don't have the ROM I can get it)
posted by unSane at 6:35 AM PST - 35 comments
Someone in my work environment is providing an ad-hoc wireless network called 'Free wireless internet'. I can connect to this network using my (firewalled, unix) laptop, but don't get a functional internet connection when I do this. I see numerous similar networks (sometimes 'Free wifi') when using my laptop at airports. Is this the result of a virus? If so, which one?
posted by beniamino at 6:34 AM PST - 5 comments
What are your favourite, most scary, campfire-esque, "torch under the chin" type stories....
[more inside]posted by MarvinJ at 6:27 AM PST - 9 comments
An American friend of mine who is also an expat in France is going home to visit his family for Christmas this year. The problem is he is in default on his federal school loans.
[more inside]posted by hazyjane at 5:27 AM PST - 17 comments
What is the most convincing argument you have ever heard, read or devised for the existence of free will in humans? If you can't think of one, can you think of a test for proving its existence?
[more inside]posted by vizsla at 3:11 AM PST - 61 comments
I'm looking for tips and/or advice on buying a
used pre-loved 1960's Volkswagen Beetle.
[more inside]posted by cholly at 1:16 AM PST - 17 comments
October 24
What place/city/town/region is referred to as "The OL"?
posted by lpctstr; at 11:44 PM PST - 11 comments
I've not been able to read books without falling asleep for about the past year, however I can read the same content on my computer just fine. I should note that I normally use my computer at a desk, whereas I don't read books at the desk (because there's not room for the book and the computer on the desk.). I've got to solve this problem, or else I can't study many of the things I'm interested in.
posted by tehgeekmeister at 11:03 PM PST - 11 comments
Does anyone else make wireless headphones that are very similar to these ones from Radio Shack?
[more inside]posted by lemuria at 10:39 PM PST - 1 comments
Blog help please! I use blogspot currently and am trying to add a "Album I'm currently listening to" feature.
[more inside]posted by bluehermit at 10:24 PM PST - 4 comments
I think I am ready to begin the transition into trying to put my photography in galleries. My main question is what are the steps that artists go through to gain exposure for their work? I understand that in the case of great artists the work usually stands on its own but I also believe that it got there not on the material items merits but due the efforts of the artist to gain exposure for their work.
[more inside]posted by occidental at 10:03 PM PST - 2 comments
What should a 3 or 4 of college students do around 18th and 7th street in NYC before 9:50 PM, Friday?
[more inside]posted by bkudria at 9:51 PM PST - 12 comments
I am an ESL teacher, and I have several types of classes; however, I have one problem, my handwriting looks as if I were a five year old scribbling with a crayon. So I am curious if anyone might have any suggestions on getting better at handwriting and printing for someone who doesn't have time to go to a course. Also, a second related question, are there any ideas for making conversation corrections? When my students are speaking, I write down various things that they are saying, and make various corrections, or simply offer alternatives, or local dialect. What are some of the most effective and useful ways to do this? If there are any people who have spent any time learning other languages, what ahs helped you most?
Thank you all in advance.
posted by Knigel at 9:36 PM PST - 14 comments
MusicFilter: Looking for songs that are like Yo La Tengo's "Our Way to Fall" or Luna's "Bewitched"
[more inside]posted by ryecatcher at 9:24 PM PST - 17 comments
Help me find some spyware. I am interviewing someone for a position in "residential IT support" and I want to infect a PC for them to fix. Where to get the warez?
[more inside]posted by disclaimer at 8:33 PM PST - 19 comments
Is there a yell of exuberance or exhilaration to which Australians are partial? Something equivalent to "woowee" or "yahoo." Maybe "cooee"?
posted by tommassit at 8:06 PM PST - 26 comments
My brother and I have an idea for a comedy piece that plays out over a video conference. How can we record both sides of our conference so we can later edit it together into a final product?
[more inside]posted by TonyRobots at 7:52 PM PST - 4 comments
Recommend some sappy science fiction/fantasy to me please! I've read and liked Anthony, Heinlein, Goodkind, Card, Stephenson, Martin, and Rowling, but what I'm really looking for is touchy-feely stuff.
[more inside]posted by onalark at 7:27 PM PST - 47 comments
A few friends and I are going to head down to Key West for Fantasy Fest this weekend (We don't have a room, it'll just be a day trip from Miami on Saturday). Anyone have experience, advice or tips for a few Fantasy Fest virgins?
[more inside]posted by jkl345 at 7:17 PM PST - 4 comments
LocalShopppingFilter. I'd really like to buy a peacoat style jacket and I'm wondering the best place to buy it from, internet or local. I'm in Vancouver, BC, Canada.
[more inside]posted by concreteforest at 7:16 PM PST - 10 comments
My partner recently confided that she occasionally 'purges' part of her meals. What, if anything, can I do?
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 7:06 PM PST - 13 comments
My stomach/throat has, for as long as I can remember, made INCREDIBLY loud (and sometimes very bizarre and unnatural) noises--sometimes after I've eaten, but usually many many hours later. I used to associate it with hunger before realizing it seems to be completely unrelated. It's clearly just digestion, but people can hear it from across the room, and they think I do it on purpose because it's so strange. Is there any reason why some people's stomachs/digestive tracts would be so much louder than "the norm", and why they might make noises like these (screeching, shrieking, humming) in addition to more normal sound? I've never met anyone else who knew what I was talking about. It literally sounds and feels like there is a small person shrieking or humming "Om" deep in my throat! WTF?
posted by dmaterialized at 6:54 PM PST - 5 comments
I have a laptop with flatscreen plugged into it, making for one large monitor encompassing the laptop and the external monitor. I've recently started recording some TV shows to watch at more convenient times.
For some reason when I go to play the recording back, whether it be with windows media player or the InterVideo program that came with the USB tuner, I only get a picture on the laptop monitor.
If I try and and move it over to the other (larger) external monitor i still get the sound playing fine, but the picture is just black.
I can watch live TV on either monitor, it's only the video playback that has a problem.
any thoughts?
posted by sorindome at 6:49 PM PST - 7 comments
My aunt called me to say that my Mum is sending off money from the UK to scam artists in Canada. Plus she's left pans on the stove (alight) several times recently, and gone out. Plus she locks herself out incessantly...
[more inside]posted by blue_wardrobe at 6:21 PM PST - 8 comments
CostumeFilter: I need a beating human heart for my costume as an Aztec human sacrifice victim. Bonus points for other suggestions on how to make this costume awesome.
[more inside]posted by arcticwoman at 6:14 PM PST - 19 comments
A special lady in my life has an insatiable lust for all things dark chocolate. What outrageous dark chocolate related present can I get for her?
[more inside]posted by null terminated at 5:27 PM PST - 30 comments
I want to move my C: drive to a different location. On my XP machine I have 5 hard drives, all 20 Gigs with the exception of my C: drive which is 15 Gigs, hence the move. What's the most painless way to do this?
[more inside]posted by zardoz at 5:06 PM PST - 7 comments
My worst nightmares were realized when I found myself in
exactly this situation last month. Negotiations with the dealer have failed and we are considering repossession, but we would like a second opinion.
[more inside]posted by Ziggy Zaga at 5:00 PM PST - 7 comments
What's the largest internal hard drive available for a Mac Book Pro? I currently have a 120 ATA drive that came preinstalled when I bought the computer. Preferably, I'd like to be able to have two internal hard drives, swapping out my DVD drive...I know that the MCE OptiBay Hard Drive 160gb/5400rpm is available, but I'd like something bigger!
posted by bronxteacher at 4:38 PM PST - 8 comments
headphone choice for non symmetrical hearing: my father is mostly-deaf in one ear. He wears an in-ear hearing aid that works well. He would like to find the following...
[more inside]posted by luriete at 4:28 PM PST - 4 comments
Help! B&H Photo discontinued the Canon 20d (body only) right before I was going to buy it.
[more inside]posted by geeky at 4:28 PM PST - 12 comments
I'm trying to find the titles of a couple of books I read as a child, and both happen to be set around Christmas.
[more inside]posted by srah at 4:05 PM PST - 6 comments
What is the best allergy medicine (prescription or over the counter) for allergies to dogs or cats? So many seem more geared towards allergies to mold, dust, hayfever, etc.
[more inside]posted by psususe at 4:00 PM PST - 20 comments
I bought a non-refundable plane ticket on Sunday night from Northwest Airlines. It's now Tuesday afternoon and I need to make a change to my reservation. I know I can easily do this by paying their $100 service fee, but I'm trying to avoid this. Any help is appreciated.
[more inside]posted by charlesroper at 3:47 PM PST - 9 comments
Suppose your partner is given choice of (U.S.) states to move in order to continue working for their employer. Which state do you choose, and why?
The (only) choices are: Texas, Illinois, Connecticut, Wisconsin, California, South Carolina, Nevada, Alabama, and North Carolina.
[more inside]posted by parilous at 3:07 PM PST - 38 comments
Is poison ivy less poisonous when it dies for the winter? I'm rather allergic and have gotten rashy several times over the spring and summer, either from preparing the garden or the dogs running through the ground cover and then rubbing up against me. I know where the ivy is, but need to know how to get it out of there without killing the desirable ground cover that it is growing in.
[more inside]posted by Roger Dodger at 1:25 PM PST - 15 comments
How do I get absurd amount of ethical, reasonably cheap publicity for a new holiday (and by extension) the website that publicizes said holiday? Does anyone have any creative ideas? Internet based is a plus. [more inside]
[more inside]posted by andoatnp at 1:10 PM PST - 20 comments
Excel wizards: is it possible to create a temperature conversion calculator (Celsius, Fahrenheit, and Kelvin)
using only 3 cells for the interface? I have the
conversions and know how to do
conditional formulas, but what tricks would be involved in having each cell handle both output and potential input?
posted by Tubes at 1:05 PM PST - 15 comments
I am planning on dressing up this halloween as an election judge. What kinds of props would you expect to see in an election judge costume ?
posted by lester's sock puppet at 12:58 PM PST - 16 comments
I've had a complete set of Sin City trading cards gathering dust for years. What can I do with them?
[more inside]posted by crickets at 12:35 PM PST - 5 comments
I'd like to have a nice formal picture of me for inclusion in my Christmas cards. Can anyone recommend a good Toronto-area photographer? "Good" in this instance means both "technically skilled if not possessed of wizard-like abilities" and "charges reasonable prices" as I am a) vain, b) plain, and c) cheap. Email me with contact info if you don't care to share the person's identity with the world. Thanks!
posted by orange swan at 12:29 PM PST - 7 comments
The wife and I are considering the purchase of a 2001 Jeep Cherokee and we have two very specific questions relating to a.) the transmission, and b.) the stereo. Hop on in...
[more inside]posted by M.C. Lo-Carb! at 12:10 PM PST - 11 comments
Englishtown (NJ) Fleamarket: How much smaller is it likely to be this weekend than at the peak of summer?
[more inside]posted by ZenMasterThis at 11:42 AM PST - 1 comments
I'm looking for a goofy, full-costumed T-Rex outfit for Halloween. Something like in this
Chapelle's Show clip (2:00 mark). Hopefully someone with better google skills or knowledge of specific outlets in the SF Bay Area.
posted by Mach3avelli at 11:36 AM PST - 1 comments
Seeking open-source (free) financial management software for a not-for-profit start up. Has anyone used something they were pleased with?
[more inside]posted by wmeredith at 11:33 AM PST - 6 comments
How can I build my own Muppet? Are there any guides, tutorials or other online resources that can detail crafting my own Muppet style puppet?
posted by Hanover Phist at 11:19 AM PST - 6 comments
Back when it was free for Hotmail to check your POP mail for you (Google says 2002, wow), I set it up to check my ISP email account. Not so long after, the option went paid-for --
meaning that I could no longer turn it off.
[more inside]posted by reklaw at 10:53 AM PST - 29 comments
Every morning, there is a puddle of pee and one or more piles of poop on my kitchen floor. I think it's the dog. Please help me.
[more inside]posted by Methylviolet at 10:44 AM PST - 23 comments
The partner and I are going to Williamsburg, VA this weekend (Oct 26-30). What is so amazing (particularly delicious) that if we miss it, we will weep over the omission.
posted by Classic Diner at 10:43 AM PST - 16 comments
What kind of problems would I encounter for registering [myname].com where [myname] isn't actually mine?
[more inside]posted by AlisonM at 10:38 AM PST - 12 comments
I will be in the Columbia/Hohenwald, TN area this weekend and am looking for some things to do. I have been told there are lots of historical sites around and lots of plantations. The problem is that I can't seem to find much online. Does anyone know of some good things to do and see? Good restaurants would be a plus!
posted by username68 at 10:38 AM PST - 5 comments
I feel like I've made a bad move career-wise. Please help me avoid making any more mistakes.
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 10:16 AM PST - 20 comments
Are there any places in Chicago that specializes in cutting Asian hair but where the stylists are maybe a little younger and actually speak english well?
posted by anonymous at 10:02 AM PST - 1 comments
Science question. Why is it that when you kill the heat to a pot of boiling water, it suddenly emits lots of condensation clouds? Shouldn't it be making those "steam" clouds while it boils?
posted by zek at 9:18 AM PST - 3 comments
Based on my job skills, what should I go back to school and study, in order to have one of those "career" thingys?
[more inside]posted by weirdoactor at 8:45 AM PST - 8 comments
I recently recieved a bill from my local utilities company stating that they had accidentily undercharged me for the last year. Now they want me to pay 438.53. Here's the letter, is there a way out of this?
[more inside]posted by Telf at 8:35 AM PST - 22 comments
When I copy text from my web browser and paste it into Word, I get an awful awful awful Lucinda font. It's too big and i hate it all over. But how do I change it?
posted by lockse at 8:22 AM PST - 14 comments
This past weekend, the family and I went to Chesapeake Beach
(
Brownie Beach) in southern Maryland. As we were looking for sharks teeth and other fossils, a woman next to us was telling us about the glass beads she was finding. These apparently were from a shipwreck from the late 1700's and were "trade goods" from England. I want to know more about them. obviously..
[more inside]posted by ShawnString at 8:19 AM PST - 5 comments
Need to create a webform with responses and .jpg attachments that go stright to email. The key word here is easy.
[more inside]posted by ThFullEffect at 8:07 AM PST - 3 comments
I'm traveling to the UK over Thanksgiving on vacation and am curious about how to get around and money issues.
[more inside]posted by jmd82 at 7:51 AM PST - 24 comments
After
great advice on the green I am getting close to asking Rachel to marry me! I have met her parents and we get along extremely well. The problem is that I would like to ask her father for his blessing but he is 2000 miles from me and I most likely will not see him for a while. What is the classiest way to ask for his daughter's hand in marriage without doing it face-to-face?
posted by jasondigitized at 6:58 AM PST - 46 comments
October 23
What's the best combination of motherboard, cpu, hard drive, and accessories to build a very fast PC? I'd like to pay $350 US or less for the total cost.
[more inside]posted by dudeman at 9:02 PM PST - 13 comments
Mac OSX Officejet Printing Problem Filter: Whenever I print from my browser (and sometimes other programs) my printer ends up just spitting out blank sheets with an occasional single line or two of text. I'm mystified ... what gives?
[more inside]posted by General Zubon at 8:29 PM PST - 8 comments
(Language filter, idle question): does the name for the Greek goddess "Eos" also mean "dawn"? More to the point, does it have a plural formation....
[more inside]posted by robabroad at 7:50 PM PST - 12 comments
Help create a playlist for background music for my firm's staff holiday lunch meeting.
[more inside]posted by lola at 7:14 PM PST - 5 comments
I'm going as a "hipster" this Halloween. This seems normal to some people on here, but I'm typical a very very preppy guy. I'm not looking for what's "in" as hipster today, but what is more stereotypical.. and sometimes my mind goes blank since none of my friends dress this way. I'm not making fun of anyone, but really just going totally against my typical style. This is what I know I need so far:
[more inside]posted by sandmanwv at 6:58 PM PST - 48 comments
Biomedical engineering grad school questions: Where are the top biomedical engineering graduate programs, especially in biomechanics? And, perhaps more importantly, where is the groundbreaking work being done? Who are the "big fish" in the field?
[more inside]posted by wondercow at 6:35 PM PST - 11 comments
I've been asked to provide a performance evaluation on my boss, by
his boss. Am I going to get screwed?
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 6:18 PM PST - 22 comments
My 20 year old son came out to my wife and I this morning. I want to support him and understand his lifestyle and decisions better. Where do I go from here?
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 6:17 PM PST - 41 comments
This question is for people with epilepsy or other lifelong conditions or spouses/boy/girlfriends of them, and is related to medical insurance and employment.
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 6:17 PM PST - 8 comments
A friend asked me to create a Wordpress-powered site on her newly-acquired domain, and wanted me to import all of her Blogger entries that are hosted on Blogspot. No problem! Except...
[more inside]posted by davidmsc at 4:59 PM PST - 4 comments
Catchy Spanish (?) song/rap; first line sounds like "mbooley Coca-Cola somprey suno jinsee hola." Could somebody please identify the song or at least write out the lyrics? (MP3 clip included)
[more inside]posted by archagon at 4:46 PM PST - 6 comments
Vector Geometry Filter: I'm working in matlab and need to transform a surface to match an arbitrary angle. I have the unit vector of the new normal (and the original normal is in the Z axis (0 0 1))...however i'm not sure how to rotate one normal to another (i know, i know, it sounds very simple really...)
[more inside]posted by NGnerd at 4:37 PM PST - 5 comments
Moving into a new place, for the first time...what do I need to do before I move in? Water, power, sewage???
[more inside]posted by TheDude at 4:13 PM PST - 9 comments
I'm going on vacation to Japan for the first time next month. Can anyone recommend a nice hotel?
[more inside]posted by minimal at 4:13 PM PST - 14 comments
I've always loved the song 'Summertime' from the musical Porgy & Bess. I think that part of that appeal is because it has always been open to a wide variety of musical interpretation. I've been trying my hardest for years to find other songs that match that level of artistic license but still maintain it's original beauty. Anyone have any other suggestions of similar songs that I can get my lugholes listening to?
[more inside]posted by floanna at 3:15 PM PST - 32 comments
Demon filter: Tell me everything you know about the demon in the Kabbalah known as “Namaah” (or “Naamah”) who was supposedly Adam’s second wife. (Spoilers for the book "Come Closer" by Sarah Gran inside.)
[more inside]posted by np312 at 2:47 PM PST - 8 comments
How do you find new (not necessarily contemporary) and obscure music? What strategies do you use? By label, era, musician, etc...?
[more inside]posted by ISeemToBeAVerb at 2:44 PM PST - 33 comments
I have a very strong image in my head of a nun who, instead of the traditional habit, is wearing a baseball cap of sorts. Where did I see this?
[more inside]posted by PinkStainlessTail at 2:00 PM PST - 8 comments
How can I do well in my required college humanities class, despite serious motivational challenges?
[more inside]posted by lunchbox at 1:24 PM PST - 25 comments
Flying Ryanair on a ticket that doesn't match my name exactly (but is really, really close). Am I boned?
[more inside]posted by cosmonaught at 12:55 PM PST - 15 comments
Does anyone know of a freeware/shareware video codec for converting video for use on my PSP?
[more inside]posted by jimmyhutch at 12:08 PM PST - 5 comments
Did Dave Eggers write a [fabricated] feature story on extreme mountain climbing under a pseudonym for Details magazine 7-8 years ago?
[more inside]posted by junkbox at 11:56 AM PST - 6 comments
Is there a firefox plugin that will allow me to search ALL text on a webpage including dropdown menus and otherwise unsearchable fields?
[more inside]posted by hypocritical ross at 10:41 AM PST - 8 comments
Lately I have been having problems at various internet sites (even Hotmail) - when I visit a site sometimes the page opens up and there is nothing but gibberish...like this - it fills the entire page
"542 ‹ì=kWÛÈ’ŸÃ9û újvÀœ1~ŒÁ$à8‰?µ?Éι?ÅÚbPÛžë¦i9Urçº!KJ¡Á¢Â0NžtÛš8 ESµVª" -
Why is this happening - is it a hardware or software problem?
Sometimes I can bring the site page back to normal by hitting the refresh button but other times I just keep getting the above nonsense even after hitting refrsh several times.
Thanks in advance in the event that anyone provides an answer.
posted by DonM at 10:32 AM PST - 6 comments
How does a male with boat-sized (46WW) feet get them decently shod in London without going broke or the custom-made route?
[more inside]posted by derMax at 10:08 AM PST - 5 comments
I've been invited to a state dinner and am just starting to freak out about it. How do I keep myself from looking like an idiot?
[more inside]posted by KathyK at 8:34 AM PST - 16 comments
Do the side impact air bags need to be deactivated in order to use a child's car seat safely in the back seat?
[more inside]posted by Caviar at 7:54 AM PST - 3 comments
Wordfilter: looking for a word or phrase that describes social paradoxical effects, where the action results in the opposite of its intention.
[more inside]posted by dragonsi55 at 7:51 AM PST - 10 comments
What is there to do in Baja California Norte in early January and where is a good place to go? More inside.
[more inside]posted by bryak at 7:20 AM PST - 3 comments
I need an Irish gift (or alternative) for a Japanese wedding, next Saturday. Must be able to arrange in time. Help, there's more inside......
[more inside]posted by Wilder at 7:13 AM PST - 6 comments
My fiance and I have an on going debate regaring the name of the night before holloween. Growing up in a new jersey city we called it mischief night, but the 'burbs she grew up in watered it down to goosey night. I know some places call it devil's night, etc... What names is it called elsewhere. What name brings the sweet memories of getting egged and flower sacked to you folks?
posted by jeffe at 7:04 AM PST - 38 comments
For some reason, when I try to rip/import anything off a CD, all the audio on my laptop slows down to a choppy crawl.
[more inside]posted by Ash3000 at 6:35 AM PST - 6 comments
In the US army, majors outrank lieutenants, but lieutenant generals outrank major generals. How did this happen?
posted by IndigoJones at 5:41 AM PST - 5 comments
My mentor makes unhelpful negative comments when I ask questions, and gets snippy when I don't do as she suggests. What can I do?
[more inside]posted by cornflake at 5:00 AM PST - 18 comments
Help me find this ANCIENT, early-internet Conan The Barbarian fanfic/spoof story! My google fu has failed me!
[more inside]posted by antifuse at 3:26 AM PST - 5 comments
How do I cite video/computer games in a research paper? I have the in-text citation done; I just need to know how to do it in the works cited page. I'm using chicago style for the paper, but if you can tell me how to do it in any style, I can convert it.
posted by fvox13 at 2:18 AM PST - 3 comments
Is there any kind of dating scene (in Australia, or out of interest similar cultures such as the UK, US, Canada...) that doesn't revolve around alcohol?
[more inside]posted by krisjohn at 1:35 AM PST - 17 comments
How much should I charge for the use of one of my photographs in a tv documentary? The picture in question features a specific person who I photographed in a public setting.
[more inside]posted by Fricka at 12:52 AM PST - 2 comments
October 22
My friend gave me a home-burned DVD of DIVX content that comes with SRT subtitles. My DVD player plays the media fine, except it seems to display the subtitles too large -- they line-break in odd places and then the second line of text doesn't appear on screen at all. But if I watch the files on my computer in VLC, everything is fine.
[more inside]posted by xo at 11:41 PM PST - 5 comments
Posting for a friend: How can a Canadian get a job in a North Carolina middle school while his partner attends graduate school?
[more inside]posted by BackwardsCity at 10:57 PM PST - 5 comments
Why is my printer spooling so slowly? Recently ( I dont know how recently) I've noticed that instead of printing page after page, there is a pause of a few seconds between each page of the pdf's i'm printing off. it takes forever, and i'd like to fix it. help!
[more inside]posted by gilsonal at 10:50 PM PST - 9 comments
Halloween websites with tons and tons of pictures of homemade costumes? Google was not good to me...
[more inside]posted by matimer at 9:55 PM PST - 4 comments
MenstrualCycleFilter: My recent periods have been freakishly short. Should I be concerned, or just excited about all the money I stand to save on tampons?
[more inside]posted by chickletworks at 9:26 PM PST - 13 comments
Frequently family members and friends on the phone speak in long, run on sentences without a natural pause. This gives me little chance to jump in and comment. So conversations are often one way. I know it probably stems from my wonderful listening skills and saying "yep," "uh-huh," and "hrm" all the time. But sometimes I would like to interject a thought or two into the conversation. I don't have this problem in meat space because facial expressions or gestures clue them in that I have something to say. So is there a good way that will get someone to pause over the phone?
posted by the giant pill at 8:29 PM PST - 18 comments
My father-in-law who's a Korean War vet has full VA benefits. Still is there anything I need to look out for so as not to get shafted by funeral/cremation companies?
[more inside]posted by rolypolyman at 7:48 PM PST - 11 comments
I was in a public location last weekend with a wi-fi enabled laptop (windows xp). Someone, with another laptop, was broadcasting a session id with the name "Free Wireless Internet." Without really thinking about what I was doing, I connected to this machine for a duration of approx 5 minutes thinking that I would get free internet. There was in fact no internet access. The next time I checked my computer for certain files, I noticed that a bunch of data was missing. Is it possible to do wi-fi computer to computer hacks? In just 5 minutes?
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 7:08 PM PST - 29 comments
My wife is thinking about starting a cake making business for kid's cakes. She is planning on buying a bunch of molds (like a ducky mold) and then putting the animal on a sheet cake.
[more inside]posted by rdurbin at 6:53 PM PST - 15 comments
What colours do other cultures use for babies? Here we have baby blue & pink. Do other cultures also have colours that are used for newborns, or is that specific to Western culture?
posted by Salmonberry at 6:27 PM PST - 9 comments
RelationshipFilter, for a female friend who's writing about this sort of thing: What annoying things do women do in relationships?
[more inside]posted by ibmcginty at 5:16 PM PST - 100 comments
Can I safely use a powerstrip with a voltage converter to charge multiple electronic doohickeys in Spain?
[more inside]posted by stet at 4:49 PM PST - 8 comments
Is it true that a horse is not capable of doing a horsepower worth of work? (And since horses are supposed to have such a high power to weight ratio are there any other animals that can do so?)
[more inside]posted by rongorongo at 3:49 PM PST - 8 comments
After having an impacted wisdom tooth removed over three weeks ago the adjacent molar seems to have relocated because it feels like it's more elevated now and I can no longer bite down completely (there's also some sensitivity).
[more inside]posted by zinegurl at 3:35 PM PST - 5 comments
My wife remembers reading a story about some famous person (Churchill, Franklin, ?) who, when interviewing a potential employee, took them to dinner. If the prospect salted his food before tasting it, he didn't get the job - presuming that they would rush to judgement without having all the facts. She can't remember who it was attributed to though. Anyone know?
posted by Pressed Rat at 3:28 PM PST - 13 comments
I foolishly parked in a no-parking spot and when I came back to my car a cop was writing me a ticket. No problem, I messed up. He asked me for my drivers license though.
Since this was not a moving violation, did I have to give it to him, or could I have refused? Why did he need it?
He said that not paying it would result in the suspension of my license. I should mention that both my license and tags are out of state.
posted by DieHipsterDie at 3:24 PM PST - 10 comments
My boyfriend asked me why the Mimi Rogers character gets mad at the Jeff Bridges character in the movie The Door in the Floor. I was at a loss for words. Spoilers and
[more inside]posted by cda at 2:59 PM PST - 3 comments
Hello! I have a backup strategy, which I think is okay but I would like some advice on whether my use of the external hdd is sensible. A little
[more inside]posted by mooders at 1:34 PM PST - 5 comments
I need a PHP script "generator" to do Change/add/delete/edit on a MySQL database. Is there a auto generator of such a script? (I use 1&1 - with ssh and a shell, and a XP machine at home)
Thanks!
posted by bright77blue at 12:54 PM PST - 8 comments
Do people ask for advice IRL? If they talk about a problem but don't specifically ask for advice, does that mean they don't want any?
[more inside]posted by meijusa at 12:45 PM PST - 14 comments
"The Prestige" spoiler question, do not read if you have any intention of seeing the movie.
[more inside]posted by hwestiii at 11:10 AM PST - 29 comments
When I am setting up printers on my Windows 2003 server, HP provides a PCL5e and PCL6 driver. What is the difference, and why do I care?
[more inside]posted by SirStan at 9:46 AM PST - 5 comments
Southern New Hampshire and/or Montreal Filter: Where do you get fashionable, thick hose with no wool in them?
[more inside]posted by joannemerriam at 9:00 AM PST - 9 comments
A laptop theif (grumble grumble) knocked out the passenger side window to my 1996 Ford Ranger. I only have liability and the YMCA where I was parked won't cover it, so I think I want to change the glass myself.
[more inside]posted by spartacusroosevelt at 9:00 AM PST - 10 comments
Can anyone recommend a
nice, mid-priced
hotel in Boston, in the city centre but not hard to get to by public transport from the airport? (Bonus points if I'm still going to be able to book a room for two weeks from now.)
[more inside]posted by Marquis at 8:40 AM PST - 20 comments
We want to paint the floor in our basement office. Having removed the dark red 1970s shag, there is cement underneath, but it is sealed.
1. Is it worth it to remove the concrete sealant to use a stain?
2. Can we paint over the concrete sealant using an epoxy paint?
3. Would it just be cheaper/easier to slap down some linoleum squares?
Thank you, Metafilterians, for your words of home improvement wisdom.
[more inside]posted by craniac at 8:26 AM PST - 12 comments
OkinawanMusicFilter: I live in New York City and want to buy some recordings of Okinawan music, but I don't want to pay $30 an album. Is there anywhere in the city or online where I can get them for less? To give you an example of what I am looking for, I really like the
collection at Far Side Music, an English website.
posted by billtron at 8:03 AM PST - 1 comments
We definitely have mice in our garage. I'm worried they may be in our attic or our house interior and I need some advice.
[more inside]posted by RustyBrooks at 2:50 AM PST - 14 comments
Training, silimming, and building at the dawn of one's thirties: tips, statistics, techniques? Way
[more inside]posted by mykescipark at 2:29 AM PST - 7 comments
Where can I find an audio clip of Conan the Barbarian screaming?
posted by diastematic at 12:23 AM PST - 2 comments
October 21
Let's say I find a shiny spherical object and under point lighting, I move it very close to my eye. I then focus on the bright spot, but focus at a distance of 1-2 feet until the patterns are in focus. At this point, it looks like a bad microscope. Am I looking at part of my own eye? Is this a documented phenomenon I could read about?
posted by aye at 8:44 PM PST - 19 comments
My wife uses Netscape 7.2 Mail for all her email needs on her Windows XP box. When she clicks on a URL from within an email message, it launches the Netscape 7.2 browser to view the URL. How can we configure it to launch Firefox or Internet Explorer instead?
[more inside]posted by jaimev at 8:43 PM PST - 2 comments
I turned 30 yesterday. My longest ever sexual/romantic relationship was 6 months long, and took place when I was 21. Since then, I've had several flings, one-night stands, and extended flirtations, but nothing even remotely resembling a real/long-term relationship.
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 7:36 PM PST - 23 comments
Aussie developer friends are looking for affordable (or freeish) hosting. They're burning through 60+ gigs a month. Ideas? Suggestions?
[more inside]posted by filmgeek at 7:08 PM PST - 10 comments
How do I clean my ThinkPad's harddrive so I can sell it WITHOUT having to reinstall XP?
[more inside]posted by phixed at 6:00 PM PST - 11 comments
I need a metaphor and an analogy for an application of social network theory.
[more inside]posted by k8t at 5:54 PM PST - 16 comments
Very straightforward: would a testy copyeditor say "take out our grammar frustrations" or "take out our grammatical frustrations" and why?
posted by vers at 4:41 PM PST - 17 comments
NerdProposalFilter: Looking for a creative way to ask my boyfriend to marry me, via World of Warcraft.
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 4:38 PM PST - 8 comments
Can you recommend a good restaurant in Bruges? Am visiting for 2 days and want to make the most of the four eating out opportunities. Would prefer local cuisine and not too expensive, but any cuisine and budget considered...
posted by janecr at 4:29 PM PST - 8 comments
How can I watch prices for a roundtrip flight for a few-day visit somewhere? The dates aren't as important as cheap fares-- pretty much any time through this coming April would be fantastic. I'd just like to watch for lower prices. How can I do this?
posted by freddymungo at 3:49 PM PST - 6 comments
Macbook Pro graphics query: For a Photoshop user, is it necessary to get the 256MB graphics card?...
[more inside]posted by timnyc at 2:43 PM PST - 23 comments
How do I configure Gnome (on Fedora Core 5, if it matters) and X11 to act like OSX with respect to keyboard input?
[more inside]posted by ChrisR at 2:16 PM PST - 4 comments
Access Field question: On a linked ODBC table, I have part number information in a MEMO field, in this format: xx-xxx-xxxx. I would like to make this a TEXT field so that I can link it to another ITEM field that is associated with cost data. How can I do this in a query?
Thanks
posted by strangelove at 1:47 PM PST - 5 comments
Memorial / Activist Art: Where in the world are there public, physical memorials of any kind (sculptures, murals, installations, etc.) for individuals who were killed by police or by governments? I'm really inspired by the
Omofuma Stein in Vienna (a self-funded/DIY granite sculpture, first installed guerilla-style in front of the Vienna Opera House and now permanently installed in Vienna's Museumsquartier) and I want to document/celebrate similar projects elsewhere in the world.
posted by allterrainbrain at 11:47 AM PST - 16 comments
Poem identification: "There are no (something) rooms. There are no (something) doors."
[more inside]posted by Jeanne at 10:44 AM PST - 2 comments
What are these people singing? It sounds like padana-whey, padana-whey, padana, chanted over and over.
[more inside]posted by Mr. Gunn at 9:50 AM PST - 4 comments
How can the identity of a web page creator be discovered?I have a problem with a local web page that is letting out sensitive cave locations and I want to try to contact the owner and let them know and perhaps inform/convince them to remove the problem.
[more inside]posted by plumberonkarst at 9:14 AM PST - 11 comments
I want to monitor activity on my computer, but I'm totally at a loss. Can you recommend any software?
[more inside]posted by damnjezebel at 9:13 AM PST - 10 comments
I've been estranged from my family for 3+ years. How can I explain this to a girl that I'm dating without seeming like a nutcase or weirdo?
[more inside]posted by Jake Apathy at 8:46 AM PST - 32 comments
JobFilter: What temp agencies are best for copy editing work in New York?
[more inside]posted by brina at 8:25 AM PST - 4 comments
Can I safely use a 5V 2.1A power adapter for a device (Linksys WET11 Wireless Ethernet Bridge) that expects 5V 2.0A?
[more inside]posted by SomePerlGeek at 8:19 AM PST - 3 comments
Any suggestions for a small, battery-powered flashing LED setup I can use for an outdoor mock alarm?
[more inside]posted by pallen123 at 7:39 AM PST - 5 comments
Since I downloaded iTunes 7, my iPod no longer updates Smart Playlists on-the-go. What to do?
[more inside]posted by crapples at 6:43 AM PST - 4 comments
Rinsing quinoa: is it really necessary? I haven't found a strainer dense enough that the quinoa doesn't get stuck in it to the point that rinsing it out is a real pain. Also, I often don't rinse it, and I don't notice any difference. Is there something inherently dirty about quinoa? I mean, it's still getting sterilized by boiling water, right? Why rinse quinoa but not rice, bulgur, etc.?
posted by bingo at 5:05 AM PST - 17 comments
how do I convert .mp3x files downloaded for free from allofmp3.com's "music for the masses" giveaway into .mp3 files i can use with my ipod?
posted by subverted at 3:25 AM PST - 10 comments
I have a potluck brunch to go to tomorrow and would like to make an egg/bread type casserole. Does anyone have any good recipes they can share (that don't require refrigeration overnight)?
posted by kechi at 2:27 AM PST - 11 comments
October 20
I'm taking a friend shopping for a home theater tomorrow in San Francisco. She has a very healthy budget, and I want to hit up some of the higher-end boutique stores that can give a good demo. Which ones should we go to?
[more inside]posted by wubbie at 10:33 PM PST - 12 comments
I'm seriously thinking about starting a small business/personal project, but the logistics are a nightmare. Help me get it off the ground, Hive Mind!
[more inside]posted by Willie0248 at 10:16 PM PST - 14 comments
Where can I find mathematical fomulas for calculating coordinating colors for interior decorating projects?
[more inside]posted by Vorteks at 9:27 PM PST - 10 comments
I'm not a smoker, so I consume most of my THC by steeping 1/4 oz of weed in 26 oz of 151-proof rum.
(After a week or so, I strain the rum and consume it about a tablespoon at a time. It suits my needs quite well.)
I remember from my days of making homemade wine that there was a fairly easy way to estimate the alcohol content of wine by measuring the specific gravity before and after fermentation. Is there any similar method to get a ballpark idea of how much THC is in my rum?
posted by Tbola at 9:06 PM PST - 12 comments
How long is "too long" to leave your laundry in a washer or dryer in a laundromat/apartment laundry room setting? What do
you do when you need to do laundry and find that someone has left stuff in a dryer?
[more inside]posted by drstein at 8:34 PM PST - 52 comments
What was the original size wheels/tires that came on the 1963 Ford Ranchero? Thanks in advance!
posted by drleary at 8:29 PM PST - 6 comments
I need help tracking down the source of a fraudulent transaction that has left me in a state of disbelief. It is quite appalling actually. Legal advice greatly appreciated.
[more inside]posted by dbk at 6:52 PM PST - 42 comments
I just finished reading Frank Herbert's "Dune", and I am in love with it. Should I continue reading the series and/or see the movie adaptations, or will it ruin my fascination with the original book?
[more inside]posted by sprocket87 at 6:02 PM PST - 58 comments
Momentarily bereft of cash, I'm left wondering how my family is going to attend a costume-mandatory Halloween party next Friday. Any ideas?
[more inside]posted by thanotopsis at 6:01 PM PST - 18 comments
MovieFilter: A friend of mine needs to see some examples of Central and Eastern European armor from about a thousand years ago. What movies could you recommend which display such sorts of armor?
[more inside]posted by Sticherbeast at 4:40 PM PST - 14 comments
A murder was confessed to me. I am a minister. What is my legal obligation: to report the crime to the authorities, or to maintain the confidentiality of the confession? This is not hypothetical.
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 4:29 PM PST - 158 comments
How much of my medical history is available to prospective employers/government institutions, and are there any questions regarding medical history or treatment that I am not legally obligated to answer?
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 4:27 PM PST - 7 comments
I have a bunch of .mkv files, a Mac (10.3.9, Toast), and a DVD player that plays divx. How can I convert those dang .mkv files to a format readable by my DVD player? Thanks.
posted by PenguinBukkake at 4:03 PM PST - 1 comments
Help me clear up my misconception about display resolution: I always understood it that on the same 15" screen that if you went to a higher resolution, it would pack more pixels into that same 15" space. But resolution appears to be length of number of pixels x width of number of pixels. So is a 1080 hdtv always going to be bigger than a 720 hdtv? What am I missing?
posted by baking soda at 3:59 PM PST - 11 comments
Hullo. I'm compiling some weblog traffic reports for a site running on two servers (for load balancing). As they are wont to do, each server has collected differnt data...
[more inside]posted by missmobtown at 3:56 PM PST - 5 comments
Barring signal strength for a location or normal lag issues, what which plan is cheapest for portable Internet (Clearw're, Xanadoo, etc) service that I can laglessly play Xbox Live with?
[more inside]posted by vanoakenfold at 3:48 PM PST - 3 comments
Is it possible for an individual who does freelance work (computer programming, design, etc.) in Texas to purchase equiment used to do such work tax-free (such as computers)?
[more inside]posted by jimmy0x52 at 3:30 PM PST - 7 comments
When installing a particular font in a Win2k networked system, the font is gone after logging out and back in....
[more inside]posted by IronLizard at 3:16 PM PST - 13 comments
I am decorating my porch for halloween. I am thinking of having an exposed hanging lightbulb (the kind normally found in attics) which keeps flickering on and off, like it's about to short out. How do I make this happen?
[more inside]posted by 23skidoo at 2:56 PM PST - 10 comments
Are muslim women who wear a veil or burka allowed to remove it to be lip read by deaf people?
[more inside]posted by A189Nut at 2:30 PM PST - 9 comments
Windows XP Home Edition won't recognize my Simpletech external hard drive. The USB ports are fine, the computer recognizes -every- other USB device I own (15+ devices.) Help!
[more inside]posted by JFitzpatrick at 1:48 PM PST - 9 comments
Screw doctors, I have diagnosed myself with adult attention deficit disorder. I can keep it in control by limiting my exposure to distracting stimuli, but occasionally I need a place to retreat.
[more inside]posted by jlowen at 1:46 PM PST - 16 comments
InterviewFilter -- Should I wear a skirt suit to a job interview for a para-professional position?
[more inside]posted by bad grammar at 12:56 PM PST - 3 comments
Where can I find radio shows that solve business problems in a case study format along the line of Harvard Business Review case study?
[more inside]posted by cluelessguru at 12:53 PM PST - 1 comments
I'm looking to get a vasectomy in NYC and need some recommendations as to where I should go.
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 10:31 AM PST - 1 comments
My partner and I would eventually like to adopt a child - not immediately but some year soon. I am wondering if my medical history would effect my chances/application?
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 10:30 AM PST - 9 comments
What's the most efficient way to transfer an entire functioning Windows XP PC to my new Mac running Parallels?
[more inside]posted by maniabug at 10:12 AM PST - 3 comments
What is the general norm of “water-cooler time” reported on an 8 to 5 timesheet?
[more inside]posted by tfmm at 10:09 AM PST - 17 comments
I looking to buy an espresso tamper and knock out "thing" in San Jose, CA today before noon. Anyone know where I can find one? I checked a few local Starbucks and looked online at Williams-Sonoma and Sur La Table. Any suggestions on local coffee shops and/or specialty retailers in the North San Jose Area that have a selection of the above items?
posted by mhm at 9:59 AM PST - 6 comments
How do tax credits work? My husband and I both bought Priuses early this year (well before the 60,000 mark), and we get tax credits of $3,150 for each car. Which is awesome, but...
[more inside]posted by Lyn Never at 8:53 AM PST - 9 comments
Now that I'm getting familiar with PHP and MySQL et al, what should I add to my portfolio to make myself hirable?
[more inside]posted by cebailey at 8:43 AM PST - 4 comments
I have seen a couple trucks owned by the city (public works trucks) with magnetic signs advertising to "Vote No" on an upcoming proposed charter amendment. I have also seen a flashing sign owned by City Hall with the same message to "Vote No on Prop. 7". Isn't this illegal?
posted by LoriFLA at 8:39 AM PST - 13 comments
Has Finnegans Wake ever been translated? How?
posted by dead_ at 8:39 AM PST - 36 comments
I have little under-cabinet space and and am looking for a somewhat elegant solution to trash/food waste/recycling. Because of the lack of under-counter space, I need something free-standing and preferably with a small footprint. Suggestions?
[more inside]posted by Manhasset at 8:29 AM PST - 10 comments
I've read a study that suggests individuals who live in perpetual poverty have impaired reasoning capabilities. Assuming this is true, how can I learn to reason better? What ways can I improve my ability to accurately assess situations and troubleshoot problems?
posted by dropkick at 8:26 AM PST - 22 comments
Linksys WRT54G Wireless Router + Comcast Broadband connection. My Comcast connection will not allow the internet to flow through the wireless router
[more inside]posted by MasonDixon at 7:27 AM PST - 14 comments
Magic Ball Filter: Stock Option Back Dating Scandal: How bad is it? How much is it going to affect the average person?
[more inside]posted by nnk at 6:46 AM PST - 15 comments
Sockpuppets and gaming Digg. What other tricks are being used to deceptively manipulate opinion online?
posted by srboisvert at 3:18 AM PST - 9 comments
Looking for recommendations for a trip to Alsace, France this weekend. Currently, we're just across the border in Germany. Should we rent a car or take the train? Which towns must we see on a weekend trip? What are the best things to do (hiking, castles, etc.) and the best places to stay? Thanks!
posted by xammerboy at 2:38 AM PST - 4 comments
Not so long ago, someone asked
this question about a hypothermia situation in a book. I would like to read said book, but the title isn't mentioned. What is the book?
posted by lazy robot at 2:25 AM PST - 3 comments
I'm looking for the story beind an album cover for (i think) a death metal band. The picture on the cover was supposedly taken by one band member posing with another band member that had committed suicide.
[more inside]posted by bob sarabia at 1:12 AM PST - 5 comments
I am in the first semester of a phd in history at a respected state school, with an M.A. under my belt. My wife and I just had our first baby in May, a beautiful daughter with a smile anyone in their right mind would die for.
As my wife has a decent job that pays very well, I'm the stay-at-home-dad, but I'm finding it increasingly difficult to juggle parenting with graduate school.
I can take a part time job with a record labe where I set my own hours and work from home; the perfect job for a SAHD
(stay-at-home-dad).
Do I throw away all the hard work to get into this phd program and the (potential) future career of a professorship, or do I sweat this out and stick with the phd program while fathering?
[more inside]posted by beelerspace at 12:59 AM PST - 19 comments
October 19
What tool can you use to perform full-text searches across PDF files that doesn't require administrative rights?
[more inside]posted by irian at 11:02 PM PST - 6 comments
Is there a way to automatically forward mail in a Yahoo account to a Gmail account without upgrading to mail plus??
posted by MJaffaDMB at 10:31 PM PST - 3 comments
How hard/expensive is it likely to be to get a ten-year-old Jeep to pass California emissions standards?
[more inside]posted by fuzzbean at 10:00 PM PST - 8 comments
I'm tired of making next to nothing writing complete bullshit. I'm so so so so tired of it. I want to maximize my freelance potential and even enter into whoredom so I can make some money to live on.
I'm in graduate school right now, but I need income, and I'd like to continue on in the field of creative journalism or analysis. What can I do? (this gets complicated)
[more inside]posted by punkbitch at 9:33 PM PST - 13 comments
Car-filter: There is something squealy and squeeking on my automobile-type machine. Help clueless person.
[more inside]posted by typewriter at 7:10 PM PST - 15 comments
I want to read a book that is gona scare the living daylights out of me. Preferably a thriller, not monsters and vampires, and it should be smart and believable. Show me the book that will make it hard for me to sleep after reading.
posted by pwally at 5:58 PM PST - 88 comments
Any X-Men experts hereabouts? What would you recommend as a starting point for someone who enjoyed the movies and the animated series from the early 90s and now would like to go back and actually read the original comic books? Are there any omnibus-type volumes that would help bring a new reader up to speed?
posted by John Smallberries at 5:53 PM PST - 20 comments
It seems like when someone is doing file sharing on the network everything else slows to a crawl. Besides setting a limit on the bandwidth in the file sharing program, can I set it on the router? Lets say the bandwidth hog was a roommate who I didnt want to have to police. Could I just do something on my end?
[more inside]posted by GleepGlop at 5:48 PM PST - 13 comments
Does John Frusciante or the Red Hot Chili Peppers have a charity organization to help battered women? (more inside)
[more inside]posted by kuppajava at 5:33 PM PST - 5 comments
What are the best deal aggregator sites out there that DON'T focus on hard drives, monitors and tech stuff? (Not that there's anything wrong with that)
[more inside]posted by rileyray3000 at 5:24 PM PST - 9 comments
I've got too many nieces and nephews to buy christmas gifts for this year and not enough money. Please, oh great and wise collective hive mind of the metafilter abyss, grant me some wisdom as to some great cheap gifts.
[more inside]posted by killThisKid at 5:19 PM PST - 31 comments
What are the most addictive, not-too-hard-to-master, good-for-casual-gamers multiplayer computer games out there? Cool graphics appreciated. Strategy games preferred, but not required...
posted by shivohum at 4:45 PM PST - 30 comments
Is there a way to search upcoming television shows for topics? For example, I would like to know if there are any upcoming television shows about the Black Plague. Short of getting a tivo, is there a way to do this via the internet?
[more inside]posted by allthewhile at 3:59 PM PST - 3 comments
Any recommendations for a no b.s. sales lead service for a one person mortgage broker biz?
[more inside]posted by swiffa at 3:13 PM PST - 1 comments
My creative coworkers aren't
famous, yet deserve some recognition for their efforts on a tough project with an impossible client. Internally, I'm singing their praises and making their successes known to management. Additionally, I'd like to get them a treat. Here's where you come in:
[more inside]posted by cior at 2:48 PM PST - 9 comments
A member of my family has been entering my house in my absence when it has been particularly impressed upon that person that it is specifically against my wishes.
[more inside]posted by aeighty at 1:55 PM PST - 40 comments
How to have an Ubuntu machine display a slideshow of the Flickr 'Interestingness' photos for that day?
[more inside]posted by mattholomew at 1:52 PM PST - 3 comments
EconomyFilter: I have a difficult time figuring out why the Dow Index breaking 12,000 translates into anything good for the average person on the street. Help me understand!
[more inside]posted by Funmonkey1 at 1:20 PM PST - 41 comments
Off to a Decemberists show tonight, and thereby wondering: What are some musical acts, especially predating 1980, with a simliar proclivity toward verbosity and the historical or arcane?
[more inside]posted by Ambrosia Voyeur at 1:02 PM PST - 37 comments
I am a mac OSX user and I want to send Huge (>1GB) files via the internet.
Does anyone have a solution other than Yousendit, dropshare or AIM?
posted by lukeomalley at 12:53 PM PST - 14 comments
Do most white guys in Alabama have their hair cut like the guys on Two-A-Days? How about the rest of the south? Is this considered attractive?
[more inside]posted by b_thinky at 12:19 PM PST - 21 comments
Need a bowling team name - work at an ad agency but having trouble being creative...
posted by cleve9 at 10:59 AM PST - 25 comments
What's the most sensible way to add redundant storage to an existing Linux system using LVM?
[more inside]posted by odinsdream at 10:55 AM PST - 7 comments
Seeking advice for someone relocating for his job from Israel to Palo Alto, CA.
[more inside]posted by MLIS at 10:45 AM PST - 5 comments
Help me prevent my Pointy Headed Boss from implementing a daily required karaoke session. Theres definatly
[more inside]posted by Jonsnews at 10:45 AM PST - 63 comments
I'm looking to identify an Eighties rap song for a friend. The only problem is that we don't know any of the words and I'm only (maybe) familiar with it through an FM morning show type Parody (Vaguely recalled from my eighties childhood). Warning: May involve Reagan.
[more inside]posted by sourwookie at 10:43 AM PST - 7 comments
Los Angeles Residents: Can anyone identify what the heck
these birds are, hanging from power lines all over Hollywood and the West Side?
[more inside]posted by donguanella at 10:28 AM PST - 9 comments
Is anyone flying from the US to Mexico in the coming week? Would you like to bring me a computer? (Or: Does anyone have any ideas for getting a fair price on a Mac in Mexico City?)
[more inside]posted by jacob at 10:21 AM PST - 9 comments
I'm interested in displaying a system modal dialog on a Symbian S60/UIQ and/or a Windows Mobile device.
[more inside]posted by oferhalevi at 10:20 AM PST - 3 comments
GreeceFilter: Traveling there for the first part of November, with my parents and 3 (adult) siblings. Itinerary inside, please suggest places to go, things to do, eats not to miss, how to avoid baby-throwing gypsies, etc..
[more inside]posted by allkindsoftime at 9:57 AM PST - 5 comments
My company has a cartload of old zip disks with non-confidential info on them (and a zip drive). Is there any good way to dispose of these...? Someplace that could erase and reuse or resell them would be ideal, since we don't have the staff to go through and erase them ourselves. (We're in N. TX but could possibly ship them off). I just hate to put them in the landfill.
posted by emjaybee at 9:15 AM PST - 9 comments
What are some good biographical/autobiographical books about inspiring women I could put together into a set for my 12-year-old niece?
[more inside]posted by troybob at 9:14 AM PST - 30 comments
What's the best way to go about going "back" to school after dropping out and taking a few years off? Of course, there is a ton
[more inside]posted by atomly at 9:00 AM PST - 7 comments
SSHFilter: How to restrict commands available to users who connect to a Linux box for file transfer, presumably via SSH?
[more inside]posted by adipocere at 8:42 AM PST - 13 comments
Is there a program that can extract all of the metadata including ISRC codes from an audio CD in my drive?
[more inside]posted by gfrobe at 8:24 AM PST - 2 comments
I'm looking for examples that turn the aphorism "form follows function" on its head. The idea that functions can be inspired by new forms.
[more inside]posted by Jeff Howard at 8:18 AM PST - 24 comments
I've never been to a spa or had a 'real' massage...but I want to now. What can I expect?
[more inside]posted by eas98 at 7:43 AM PST - 22 comments
The SO and I have been dating for over a year, and we have yet to take a vacation somewhere. I want to know if he and I travel well together, so I need a suggestion of a good city to visit for a long weekend (three days, four max) in the middle of November or December. Parameters inside.
[more inside]posted by bibbit at 7:33 AM PST - 25 comments
Why would criminals have been branded
'Fleurdeliser':
Hollyband 1593: Fleurdeliser, to burne one with an hot floure-de luce betweene the shoulders, when the
Fleur-de-lis was employed by the French monarchy as a symbol of faith, wisdom and chivalry?
posted by tellurian at 6:27 AM PST - 6 comments
In Windows XP, is there any way of discovering the WEP key that is saved for a particular wireless connection?
[more inside]posted by blue mustard at 6:06 AM PST - 14 comments
SydneySiders Filter: Where can I buy microsd to minisd converters in the Sydney area?
[more inside]posted by ranglin at 6:05 AM PST - 2 comments
Has any on had problems with Adobe Breeze 5.1 Presentations made with audio not playing in IE?
[more inside]posted by frogmoses at 4:55 AM PST - 4 comments
Im looking to purchase a DLP or Rear Projection HDTV, which brand is the best?
posted by flipmiester99 at 4:28 AM PST - 5 comments
I fondly remember an arcade game from my childhood at the local junk-food kiosk, but I can not remember the name. I have tried to search Google, but I have not found anything.
The game, as I remember it, was a side-scrolling shoot ‘em up. You flew planes (1 player or 2 players) and on the ground beneath you dinosaurs where actively trying to kill you with their prehistoric might.
[more inside]posted by Grums at 2:53 AM PST - 4 comments
Food for Faulkner: My boyfriend just suggested we go on a road trip this Sunday to
Rowan Oak, Faulkner's old digs, to celebrate his finishing
The Sound and the Fury recently. I would like to pack a picnic lunch, or some kind of car-friendly food, and it just occurred to me it'd make me a super duper brilliant girlfriend if I could think of something Faulkner related. Best would be food mentioned in his books, but even something related to Faulkner's life would be cool.
[more inside]posted by ifjuly at 2:27 AM PST - 17 comments
So, not that it matters, but, were I to make a paltry political contribution, what would be the most strategic fund for a donation?
[more inside]posted by cytherea at 1:04 AM PST - 16 comments
Which Georgia judges preform weddings (on the weekends, at venues, not the courtroom)?
Does anyone have recommedations for a good one?
[more inside]posted by gte910h at 12:46 AM PST - 3 comments
October 18
Is it legally binding in the state of Washington for a minor to accept a document delivered by a process server?
[more inside]posted by jeffbarr at 10:55 PM PST - 7 comments
What's the easiest way for a Canadian citizen to live and work in France for a few years earning a living doing freelance web work?
[more inside]posted by futureproof at 10:38 PM PST - 10 comments
I've been having a bit of problem getting my WB set just right on my new 30D. I think the canon's have a tendency to AUTOWB a bit too cool for my taste. I'm thinking about getting an Expodisc or something like it. Do they really work as well as the advertising says in setting your custom White Balance? Could I achieve the same effect by putting tissue paper or tracing paper on the lens while setting Custom WB? Help!
posted by damiano99 at 10:15 PM PST - 8 comments
I just recieved a summons to appear for jury duty in Williamson County, TX, at the end of this month. I've read a lot of the first page of google results for "jury duty", but I am hoping that my favorite (ask)mefites can give me a more personal view of their experiences with jury duty.
[more inside]posted by negative1 at 10:06 PM PST - 25 comments
In San Francisco, CA, on Valencia Street, in the Mission, I've noticed that many people park in the turn lane. Is this legal?
[more inside]posted by mto at 9:41 PM PST - 13 comments
How do journalists find 'regular people' when they profile them for public interest articles?
[more inside]posted by teem at 9:25 PM PST - 14 comments
What is the mysterious blank space that occasionally shows up at the top of my Firefox window, and how can I get rid of it?
[more inside]posted by bdk3clash at 8:46 PM PST - 11 comments
I'm thinking about applying for a government job in a field which would almost certainly require a backgound check. I've toked up. Am I screwed?
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 7:57 PM PST - 30 comments
What is there to do with a 17-year-old son when visiting Spokane, Washington this week-end (Friday, 10/20 through Sunday morning 10/22)? We'll have a car. Thanks
posted by rabbus at 7:12 PM PST - 5 comments
My partner and I really want to procreate. I also want to go to medical school. I've spoken to friends about this, to gather several schools-of-thought that might be useful in making some kind of decision as to the timing of these two things. Now I'm turning to you. Which should we do first?
[more inside]posted by mjao at 5:54 PM PST - 49 comments
Is there a way to donate money to charity without ending up on junk mail lists?
posted by blakeleyh at 5:50 PM PST - 14 comments
Has the Apple Records logo ever been used prominently on the
outside of an album cover? (I'm specifically interested in LPs -- it cannot be a CD or DVD cover.)
[more inside]posted by scody at 4:46 PM PST - 9 comments
I want to retrofit my early-60's rambler so it's less likely to kill me during an earthquake (and so I can get earthquake insurance). Any recommendations for companies or contractors in the Seattle area?
posted by The corpse in the library at 4:36 PM PST - 4 comments
Does anyone know where I might be able to find a CD called "Thunderstorms" that was sold and manufactured by the now-defunct store Natural Wonders?
[more inside]posted by awegz at 4:14 PM PST - 8 comments
GamesFilter: When I was small I used to play a side-scrolling crime game, but I can't remember what it was called.
[more inside]posted by nakedsushi at 4:10 PM PST - 2 comments
I am looking for a free service to host my podcasts. Ideally Id like a ton of storage space (unlimited if possible) to host all episodes. I host redundant copies of my podcast (enhanced, nonenhanced, etc) Anybody know of any good services for this?
posted by reverenddrjice at 4:02 PM PST - 4 comments
Where can I find recordings of Zappa influenced
Sons of Mr. Greengenes, former band of alt-movie heartthrob Cillian Murphy? (As far as I know they never released anything, but they played for a few years and were offered a record deal, so there have got to be Demo tapes somewhere!)
posted by serazin at 3:51 PM PST - 1 comments
How can I capture a photo from an online Flash slideshow? Yahoo! News and the WashPost use these slideshows and I'd love to be able to capture one or more pics. Any info appreciated.
posted by the sobsister at 3:37 PM PST - 18 comments
Part of my Powerbook's aluminum casing is bent, keeping me from plugging in an external monitor. Is this a DIY, an Apple store fix, or am I just SOL?
[more inside]posted by spaceman_spiff at 3:25 PM PST - 8 comments
What are the downsides to using Drupal versus a roll-your-own framework in a high-traffic commerce site that will need to be customised quite a bit in the future?
[more inside]posted by melt away at 2:52 PM PST - 10 comments
WinXP Filter: Does anyone know of a program to make files deleted from network drives go to Recycle Bin rather than vanish?
posted by Cosine at 2:39 PM PST - 3 comments
Is there a way to back up the songs on my iPod to a USB flash drive?
posted by zembla3 at 2:19 PM PST - 5 comments
I've got around $8000 in credit card debts, my minimum payments are costing me as much as my rent, and the interest rates are so high that I'm not gaining any ground. Help!
[more inside]posted by squidlarkin at 1:49 PM PST - 30 comments
I have a fresh B.S. in Computer Science, and I'm currently in graduate school. And I hate it. But, I want to do research. Can you help me find a "side door" into corporate R&D? Alternatively, add to my list of R&D labs.
[more inside]posted by Netzapper at 1:44 PM PST - 9 comments
They say good teachers beg, borrow and steal from one another, so I'm asking you for ideas. I'm teaching a college-level reporting and editorial writing class this spring. I've taught it before, but I'm looking for new and creative ideas to make things interesting. I'm also looking for some techniques to ward off/prevent bad habits--I've had problems in the past with students pushing the attendance policy, and problems of the "but I e-mailed my paper to you! You didn't get it?" variety.
[more inside]posted by printchick at 1:38 PM PST - 13 comments
My roomate will be running in her first marathon this weekend and she is getting the jitters. To help her out (emotionally) I want to put together a " care package" for her flight (cross country) and/or the time before/after the race. What can a put together (low cost- Im a grad student) that will give her heart the urge to run, her mind some confidence and will just let her know I'm thinking of her?
posted by Meemer at 1:17 PM PST - 10 comments
I bought some CD-RWs and noticed that they're for "high-speed drives only." Does anyone now if the internal drive on an iBook G4 qualifies?
posted by dearleader at 12:41 PM PST - 6 comments
I have an old furnace in my home that I can't get working. Now that summer is over, I'd like to run the heater again, but the burners won't ignite. I've just replaced the thermocouple and that didn't seem to help. It seems it will cost ~$100 to just get a diagnosis. If I could narrow down what was wrong, I might be able to fix it myself. Any ideas? I can post photos if that will help.
posted by shaneflyer at 12:22 PM PST - 10 comments
Can you list any bald famous (semi-famous is OK) geeks? Could be fictional or nonfictional. Must be bald for other reasons then making a statement, character role or health reasons.....
[more inside]posted by bleucube at 12:13 PM PST - 32 comments
I got the job. Now I need a little help with it. Someone I briefly worked under while at this job has posed a Microsoft Access question to me. I understand a good amount of Access but this was immediately over my head. I told her that I would see what I could find out for her.
[more inside]posted by horseblind at 12:12 PM PST - 11 comments
I'm interested in getting my own sms shortcode in the US. I have no clue about anything else involved in the technology or where to even start the search. Does anyone have some good resources to understand the technology and leads on how to go about purchasing the shortcode? OS X solutions preferred.
posted by jab at 12:07 PM PST - 5 comments
I'm looking for a term for (and famous/interesting examples of) the crisis situation that occurs in an organization when the standards to which employees are held for "success" become separated (by management policies) from the ends that the organization is actually trying to achieve. In other words: Employee X "succeeds" when completing Y task, even though Y does not contribute to the effectiveness of the overall mission. For instance,
Enron. Is there a term for this? Something dissonance? Other famous examples?
posted by greggish at 12:05 PM PST - 12 comments
I'm looking for a small, arts/music oriented web design firm to design a webpage for a retail shop with web sales (preference for firms located in NYC). Any recommendations? I don't need/want any crazy flash animations, just simple, classy, musical, yet somewhat hip, if that makes any sense. Just for reference, I very much enjoy the look and feel of the
Enja Records website.
posted by mfherman at 11:54 AM PST - 4 comments
How can I make trick-or-treating a fun experience for the kids who come to my door, without doing something time-consuming?
[more inside]posted by pricklypear at 11:49 AM PST - 44 comments
Photofilter: in a college history of photography class I remember seeing some slides from a color photographer who took pictures of lonely-looking people in hotel rooms. One in particular was a man, fully clothed, sitting on the edge of a bed in what was obviously a mid-price motel room. There was a sort of pale green cast to the shot. Anybody know who the photographer is?
posted by rossmeissl at 11:44 AM PST - 10 comments
When engaging in a high aerobic activity that causes mucus to build up, is it better to swallow the mucus or spit it out?
[more inside]posted by birdlips at 11:39 AM PST - 15 comments
I fill out a lot of the same postal form, just with small amounts of different information in it. This form needs to be printed out a couple dozen times a day. Is it possible to dreates a PDF in Acrobat or Indesign that has a user-fillable text box that will show up when printed? I'm currently just editing and printing a Word doc, which is less than ideal.
posted by clango at 10:47 AM PST - 9 comments
I just came into possession of two beautiful 'Snell Type E' loudspeakers. Am I gonna be able to hook them into my standard modern day stereo component? I don't recognize the plugs--anyone know what cables i will need?
posted by snortlebort at 10:23 AM PST - 5 comments
Fitness Filter: Please help. When I lift weights, I lift to failure but still see no gains in size or ability to lift. This also applies to push-ups and sit ups.
[more inside]posted by Ezrie at 10:12 AM PST - 31 comments
I have a lump directly below my mandible and best of all, it grow to over 3 times it's size when I eat...crunchy foods.
[more inside]posted by killyb at 10:10 AM PST - 14 comments
I need help trying to "hack" a Plantronics headset with a quickdisconnect connector to work on a "regular" phone.
[more inside]posted by PowerCat at 9:58 AM PST - 2 comments
A friend of mine is taking the GRE English Literature Subject test in a couple weeks. She was an English major in undergraduate. Any tips on a quick study plan?
[more inside]posted by mammary16 at 9:27 AM PST - 7 comments
PublishingJobsFilter: I am trying to land a job in the book publishing industry in New York, and it's been a fairly daunting process so far. Please hold my hand.
[more inside]posted by zoomorphic at 9:24 AM PST - 25 comments
The world isn't flat and pluto isn't a planet. What are some other things that the majority of the population were taught, believed, or were led to believe that we have since found out otherwise?
[more inside]posted by FlamingBore at 9:15 AM PST - 62 comments
I need a birthday cake for Friday (Sat morning at the latest). Doesn't have to be anything exciting, just something that can feed about 20 people, and says 'Happy Birthday' on it.
I live in London - where on earth would I go to get such a thing? I guess I could try large supermarkets, but there aren't many in central London, and it would be nice to get something 'handmade', by a decent bakery. All suggestions gratefully recieved!
posted by ascullion at 6:47 AM PST - 10 comments
I will be going to Thailand for most of the month of January and I was wondering if anyone could recomend a cell phone provider for the month that I could use to call back home to the states. I would like to be able to talk for roughly 10-20 hours and spend less than $100 (including the phone) if possible.
posted by thebwit at 5:42 AM PST - 13 comments
Get me off this hemisphere! Help me find cheap(er) flights out of Australia to Europe. Price are reasonable until taxes come into play (+25%). Is there a way around this? Help me beat the taxes and get a better deal!
[more inside]posted by mule at 5:36 AM PST - 11 comments
Where should we go for new year? Egypt? Canary islands? Anywhere else? What are these places
really like? Criteria and...
[more inside]posted by handee at 5:02 AM PST - 18 comments
Where can I find copyright/royalty-free botanical engravings? I'm looking more images like those on the last page of
The Grammar of Ornament. Printed catalogues, modern (copyright/royalty-free) books, or antique books that I can scan are fine (I have access to one of the UK's desposit libraries). Online sources would ideally be at a high-resolution suitable for printing, but if they're lo-res, I'd still love to take a look. Like I say, I'm particularly interested in botanical images, but sources of anything decorative and ca. 19th century are very welcome. Sadly, I can't use advertising, text or images of people.
posted by caek at 3:58 AM PST - 9 comments
Is it common for Americans to incorrectly assume that Russian is only spoken in Russia but forget that it is also a common language in the former Soviet states?
[more inside]posted by gregb1007 at 2:37 AM PST - 38 comments
Umm how do I put this? When I was younger, the trouser trumpet used to sound and feel crisp and fast but now that Im older its become more like a tuba - sort of full and airy and slow. What's happening back there? Should I be worried? (FYI it's only ever handled the usual one-way traffic.)
posted by zaebiz at 2:37 AM PST - 23 comments
what's the name for the japanese practice in which strippers eat fruit and nuts all day and subsequently let their male clientele eat their feces?
a friend is trying to a) verify that this is an actual phenomenon and b) find out the term for it
posted by k7lim at 12:25 AM PST - 15 comments
October 17
Other than abstinence, condoms and being careful, if there anything that can be done to help avoid catching HPV?
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 11:48 PM PST - 23 comments
Friends' exes are off-limits, right? Aren't you supposed to clear it with your friend before you make a move on his ex?
[more inside]posted by emelenjr at 10:16 PM PST - 49 comments
Recommendations for good explanations of waves and vibrations. I'm taking a college-level course (includes DiffEQ and some linear algebra) on the physics of waves, and it's completely stumping me. I need help parsing the topic as a whole. Much
[more inside]posted by schroedinger at 10:15 PM PST - 12 comments
Please help me find something to organize this monstrosity of a novel. Oh yes, there is definitely
[more inside]posted by sperose at 9:54 PM PST - 10 comments
I may have health information about someone that I don't want to have. Should I disclose? How on earth do I approach it?
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 9:38 PM PST - 20 comments
Will I be able to buy a Wii on the 19th of November with out much trouble?
Or will I being kicking and fighting with parents trying to buy one for their kids, like what happened with the Tickle me Elmo a few years back?
[more inside]posted by Beaufort at 9:20 PM PST - 15 comments
How do I convert a CorelDraw (.cdr) file into a more open format (pdf, jpeg, bmp, ANYTHING).
posted by Maia at 8:53 PM PST - 8 comments
Does a 'water bridge' (like the one in Magdeburg, Germany) have to be strong enough to carry both the water and the ship travelling upon it? Or, thanks to displacement, does it only need to be strong enough to carry the water?
[more inside]posted by TheOtherGuy at 8:51 PM PST - 12 comments
I received an assignment by email from a student five days after it was due. The 'sent' date on the email is the day the assignment was due, but the 'received' date was five days later.
Can I verify the real time the message was originally sent from the email header (below)? If not, if the email originated from a university address, should the IT staff be able to get the information?
Thanks MeFi.
[more inside]posted by mdion at 8:50 PM PST - 55 comments
How can I and my dog best cope with leaving her at a dog boarding place for two weeks? Dog has "issues" and perhaps so do I.
[more inside]posted by xetere at 7:55 PM PST - 9 comments
Anyone flown extremely long distances with an infant? We're planning to fly to Thailand from NYC with an 11-month-old and I'm wondering if it's best to fly direct and get it over with in one long ugly trip or fly with stops in Seattle and Taiwan so baby (and we) can get a break for a bit. There's a little more info inside.
[more inside]posted by Kraftmatic Adjustable Cheese at 7:30 PM PST - 21 comments
i'm using adobe bridge as my image browser as opposed to photo mechanic and iview, etc. i need to very meticuously organize a large amount of photos (10gigs) with many keywords, etc. problem is that i use a canon 30d and when i open the raw (CR2) images in bridge the jpeg preview does not come up. just the standard CR2 icon. i've tried downloading all the latest updates and still have no luck. any suggestions?
posted by slowtree at 7:26 PM PST - 1 comments
In the intro to The Big Lebowski, a monologue by The Stranger (which I have more or less memorized), he says "See, they call Los Angeles the "City Of Angels"; but I didn't find it to be that, exactly. But I'll allow it as there are some nice folks there. 'Course I ain't never been to London, and I ain't never seen France. And I ain't never seen no queen in her damned undies, so the feller says. But I'll tell you what - after seeing Los Angeles, and this here story I'm about to unfold, well, I guess I seen somethin' every bit as stupefyin' as you'd seen in any of them other places. And in English, too."
What is the allusion being made with "the queen in her damned undies" and who is the feller who said so?
posted by jimfl at 7:23 PM PST - 11 comments
If you were to buy just one text on probability and statistics (and their applications) that covers the subjects in some depth (building from an introductory college level, through advanced undergraduate to a graduate level and perhaps further) and does a good job of making the basic concepts clear with solved examples (employing those drawn from actual research), which one would you choose?
posted by sk381 at 7:22 PM PST - 2 comments
My friend is putting together a National Science Foundation proposal, and is looking for examples of other Ph. D. (or doctoral/maters) students' NSF proposals. Any ideas or resources would be greatly appreciated.
posted by stewiethegreat at 7:21 PM PST - 7 comments
If I'm buying a hard disk which will be put into an external enclosure (most likely a 320Gb Seagate), connected via USB2 (not eSATA), is there ANY practical difference (apart from the $5-10 price difference) between picking PATA or SATA?
posted by pompomtom at 7:19 PM PST - 12 comments
I've got mono. Mono is in your saliva. I'm a nail biter. Did I manage to infect my finger wounds with the virus, and what does that mean for my general health and my poor battered hands?
[more inside]posted by modernpoverty at 6:44 PM PST - 9 comments
Headed to San Francisco in a couple of weeks for a vacation, and would like recommendations for good stores that stock anime collectables and/or Japanese pop culture stuff in general...
[more inside]posted by May Kasahara at 6:39 PM PST - 7 comments
My sister is having trouble finding someone to marry her and her fiance in the Gastonia/Charlotte, North Carolina area. Help! See extended explanation.
[more inside]posted by katyggls at 5:20 PM PST - 15 comments
What is the best presentation software out there? I use PowerPoint on a weekly basis right now and I would like to "up" my game with better video and sound clips. Can anyone recommend an alternative.
posted by jestonb at 4:56 PM PST - 20 comments
What's the music used as the theme for Law and Order on five in the UK? It's also used in a trailer for one of the Matrix sequels -
here [WMV], music from 1:41 — 2:14.
posted by matthewr at 4:05 PM PST - 4 comments
Trying to find a Flash game that I played a good couple of years ago. It was one of your average sidescrolling fighting games, pitting you against a bunch of baddies, with the somewhat unique catch that nobody had any arms, just hands.
[more inside]posted by cyrusdogstar at 3:48 PM PST - 4 comments
This
bone was found on a Cape Cod, Massachusetts beach this week. It is about 3" tall and about 3" from tip to tip of the "horns." It looks like a vertebra of some type, but I can find no images of similar ones online. Any marine biologists out there care to tell me what kind of a bone it is? Other images inside.
[more inside]posted by Rock Steady at 2:13 PM PST - 11 comments
FreebieFilter: Looking for adult (as in more mature, not R-Rated) freebie sites like TeenFreeway on the web!
[more inside]posted by Glitter Ninja at 1:57 PM PST - 3 comments
Is there an simple/free way to list all of the residential mailing address surrounding a specific address or within a specific postal code area? (ie. What are all of the residential mailing addresses within a 1 mile radius of 123 Main St., Anytown USA?).
I know that I can always purchase a mailing list, etc. but I was hoping someone knew of a clever way to find this information online. I do not need the residents name, just the mailing address. Any suggestions?
posted by randex8 at 1:37 PM PST - 7 comments
I get migraines from MSG (including many
"hidden sources"), meat cured with nitrates, and red wine (I think tannins or sulfites or something). As long as I avoid those triggers, I'm relatively headache-free. However, I really love red wine. I haven't had it for about 4 years, and I miss it. Are there types of wines that are better than others for keeping headaches at bay? Organic or certain types?
posted by abbyladybug at 1:24 PM PST - 10 comments
PetPsychologyFilter: Our 8 year old cat disappeared a few weeks ago. We've done (most of) the usual stuff. Should I keep looking?
[more inside]posted by epersonae at 1:19 PM PST - 17 comments
In last night's episode of Studio 60, Cal mentioned something sounding like Chi-ron (or Kai ron) as part of the preshow checklist they were running through. I remember hearing this same word a few times on Sports Night. What is it?
[more inside]posted by rorycberger at 1:18 PM PST - 7 comments
What would you do if you were asked to plan the following event for 250 people on a budget of $500?:
"... a staff appreciation event celebrating the past year's accomplishments and anticipating future directions. Includes the following tasks: scheduling event, reserving location, setting agenda, arranging for speakers, ordering and purchasing refreshments, publicizing event, and handling setup and cleanup."
[more inside]posted by jay_wiese at 1:16 PM PST - 29 comments
To alleviate the boredom of sitting through lectures, I've decided to create a buzzword bingo game to play with my classmates. I’m looking for a program that can automate the game for me as much as possible…read on, there’s
[more inside]posted by Charlie Brown at 1:14 PM PST - 5 comments
My laptop isn't getting along with it's power supply. I thought it was the power supply, but apparently not. Help please!
[more inside]posted by JonahBlack at 12:57 PM PST - 11 comments
I'm a lawyer who's practiced for five years; how do I start over in a brand new field of law?
Corollary: I have no law firm experience - my legal experience is all with state government. Is it possible to start over as a first-year associate with a law firm? How?
[more inside]posted by Tin Man at 12:35 PM PST - 9 comments
I've got four heads of
celeriac - a veg that I'm not particularly fond of. Instead of wasting them, I'm after low-fat recipes that will use them up and help disguise the taste.
posted by TheDonF at 12:34 PM PST - 12 comments
I work as an Editor Producer in cable news. I've been thinking about moving on so I can have more time with my family, holidays, etc... I'm interested in teaching fine arts at a university level. I have over a decade spent in television but I don't have a masters. I am willing to earn one. Has anyone out there made this transition?
posted by Shanachie at 11:28 AM PST - 10 comments
How does copyright work when the material is in a library? Specifically, I'm thinking of the contents of a CD-ROM that is supplied with a book on computer skills. There are presets on the CD that the owner of the book can install and use in the program under discussion, and these are copyrighted. But the book is in the library... Can I use the presets as a borrower?
posted by dpcoffin at 11:28 AM PST - 4 comments
I'm trying to make Thai curry, but I don't have any reliable points of reference - is it supposed to taste like this?
[more inside]posted by ny_scotsman at 11:21 AM PST - 15 comments
Does anyone know much about IV Patient Controlled Analgesia pumps? Specifically regarding device errors?
[more inside]posted by engling at 11:00 AM PST - 6 comments
Anybody recall a children's show called "Our End of the Attic," from the seventies or eighties? There seems to be no trace of its past existence, anywhere on the internets.
[more inside]posted by jayder at 10:52 AM PST - 6 comments
U.S. airport question. I seem to recall in the late 1990s that airport gate areas were showered with the cyclic noise of CNN Airport Network coming from TVs everywhere. Having flown recently it seems like something's changed... gate areas (at least the ones I've seen) have been really quiet and devoid of TVs. Is this trend I'm seeing for real? Or do some airports continue to pipe in programming / entertainment / noise / whatever?
posted by hodyoaten at 9:44 AM PST - 21 comments
People keep telling me that I should get into voice-over work. And not just one or two of my friends, like random people that I talk to and at least twice a week. Where do I start for something like that?
[more inside]posted by Botunda at 9:42 AM PST - 15 comments
Friends are moving from London to San Francisco today. I want to send something to their hotel room for when they arrive. They're kosher. Can anyone recommend somewhere that'll deliver something (a) delicious (b) kosher (c) suitable for two jetlagged people with a baby to an address in central SF, ideally with a website?
[more inside]posted by Hogshead at 9:22 AM PST - 8 comments
Itunes deleted all my playlists and ratings, but they are still on my ipod. Is there anyway to retreive them back onto itunes?
[more inside]posted by nyu2 at 9:11 AM PST - 17 comments
I recently downloaded this tool called
Qloud and noticed to my delight that it installed a button on my iTunes GUI. Not only that but they create their own view/window with a list of playlists and songs. How can I hack the iTunes GUI to do that?
posted by jeff_w_welch at 9:03 AM PST - 4 comments
Bookfilter: I remember a kid being misled into thinking you're a robot (or some kind of cyborg) if it hurts when you chew on tinfoil. There's
[more inside]posted by shownomercy at 8:29 AM PST - 1 comments
How can I store files on an untrusted linux server such that only I can read them - and such that only I know what they are? I'd like the files to be encrypted and the filenames not to reflect the contents.
[more inside]posted by dmd at 8:17 AM PST - 15 comments
FashionFilter: Where can I buy an imitation leather men's jacket that doesn't look stupid? Do such things exist? I like leather a lot from the appearance standpoint, but while I eat meat, I don't see the consumption of leather or fur as particularly wholesome. Whenever I've tried Googling such things, the only jackets I ever find are bomber jackets, which are not my style -- I'd prefer something cleaner and more modern. Internet sites are fine, but serious bonus points for actual stores in New York City. And how much can I reasonably expect to pay for such a thing?
posted by logovisual at 8:13 AM PST - 9 comments
Has anyone got any examples or anecdotes about being a control freak for a writing project I'm working on? Maybe you know one, or are one yourself...I'm looking for unusual or funny examples of control freakery. Workplace examples particularly useful...
posted by Mrs.Doyle at 7:50 AM PST - 40 comments
Have you CANCELLED your 1and1 account successfully (by success I mean they stopped charging you and they released the domains registered through them)? If so, what steps did you follow?? I haven't started the process yet -- just researching right now -- but I've read a lot of 1and 1 cancellation horror stories here and elsewhere.
posted by lorimer at 7:34 AM PST - 8 comments
Someone suggested to me that rum and diet coke has more of an impact (metabolizes faster?) than rum and regular coke. Is this true, and if so why?
posted by rampy at 7:04 AM PST - 8 comments
OK.. so I am taking my boyfriend to NYC for the day. He went about 20 years ago with a friend that brought him to peep shows and he basically got mugged, etc.
He hated it and hasnt been back. Help me make him like the city!
[more inside]posted by beccaj at 6:17 AM PST - 36 comments
Can't remember title of an autobiographical book about a woman who lived as a man for a period of time.
[more inside]posted by pollystark at 5:07 AM PST - 5 comments
English Juvenile Historical Fiction: Help me find three books, which are written in an intelligent "teaching" style loosely based on real events. Plenty...
[more inside]posted by ninazer0 at 2:43 AM PST - 5 comments
I once heard a radio program (probably on NPR or the BBC) about the song "Willow Weep for Me." They claimed it was an extraordinary song for two reasons: it was written by a woman (rare in 1932) and there was striking tempo change in the middle of the song. However, in most recordings, the musicians skip the tempo change. But on the show I listened to, they played a rare recoding that featured the change. I want that recording.
[more inside]posted by grumblebee at 2:37 AM PST - 3 comments
It's my 30th birthday soon and my friends are telling me that I'm really difficult to buy presents for. They’re pretty much right as I don’t really know what I want. Can you help me come up with some interesting ideas for them?
[more inside]posted by mr_silver at 2:17 AM PST - 25 comments
October 16
Long ago I heard a live version of Ween's "Tender Situation" that sounded sweeter, or more straightforward, than it is presented on
Pure Guava or any of the live albums.
What bootleg was that from?
[more inside]posted by carsonb at 10:41 PM PST - 4 comments
Ok, embarrassing. I’m a late twentysomething virgin, in a relationship that will probably turn sexual very soon. He doesn’t know I’m a virgin and I really don’t want to tell him. My question is, will he be able to tell when we do have sex?
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 9:46 PM PST - 50 comments
My scooter has a wet seat. Not at first glance, but the foam cushioning seeps out water when I sit on it (I left it outside a while ago in some
heavy rain), making it necessary for me to sit on a plastic bag every time I ride. It's been dry everyday for two weeks, and the thing still seeps water! How can I dry the seat out?
[more inside]posted by zardoz at 8:59 PM PST - 13 comments
A good friend of mine completed his first feature-lenght documentary this year. Now he wants to submit it to different documentary festivals.
[more inside]posted by amusem at 8:58 PM PST - 15 comments
I am expecting two UPS packages, and I have no way to sign for them. Where can I get them delivered in Seattle for me? As usual, there's
[more inside]posted by spinifex23 at 8:55 PM PST - 13 comments
Where can I get a leather jacket (black car coat) cleaned? NYC, specifically (Brooklyn, better yet).
[more inside]posted by mkultra at 8:48 PM PST - 2 comments
Help me find a really bright colorful suit/ sportscoat for my ultimate halloween costume. Ebay is failing me and I rather not spend too much money on it. What are some other options?
posted by bilbo baggins at 8:33 PM PST - 6 comments
New job and my coworker is always trying to control me and sabotage me and then wants my sympathy. I hate her!
[more inside]posted by Superstitious at 8:22 PM PST - 13 comments
I need help converting a single mode fiber connection to a multi mode connection.
[more inside]posted by Loto at 7:47 PM PST - 4 comments
Women'sClothingFilter: If an item of clothing has a "split size", such as a 1/2 or a 22/24, which is the "correct" size to call it? Do you go with the higher or lower number?
And in a related vein--if it's a junior size 5, that's the same as a women's 3, right? Or something like that? I get confused, because I wear a Youth Medium t-shirt, but often still wind up having to buy Women's LARGE.
Clues definitely needed here!
posted by polexxia at 7:28 PM PST - 16 comments
I've just started watching
Six Feet Under on Bravo, where it's being syndicated. I was skeptical at first, because I knew the show would have to be edited for content, but I was halfway into the first episode before I even noticed any changes (at least language-wise). My question: How do they do it so well?
[more inside]posted by sarahsynonymous at 7:19 PM PST - 17 comments
EightiesFilter: Where can I buy LEGAL song downloads of slightly(?)-out-of-the-mainstream eighties artistes like The Brains, Ian Dury and the Blockheads, Tonio K., The Church ("The Unguarded Moment"
full band studio version) for my iPod?
[more inside]posted by ZenMasterThis at 6:27 PM PST - 10 comments
help me prove this is impossible:
package of goobers has 5 per package
package of marshmallows has 2 per package
package of gum has 1 per package
how can i have 9 packages totalling 13 treats?
i think its impossible. prove me wrong.
posted by fumbducker at 6:13 PM PST - 28 comments
Basically, my question is this: I have no big firm experience and I can't play up my government service, am I really truly unemployable at a mid-sized (10-50 attorney) firm in a large American legal market?
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 5:16 PM PST - 10 comments
I read about a website that you input your grocery list into, and it will locate the cheapest prices in your area, as well as find online coupons for you to print out. Trouble is, I forgot the website name and have been unable to google it. Anyone know what I'm talking about?
[more inside]posted by lane73179 at 5:03 PM PST - 6 comments
Help identifying a specific photographer who photographs libraries? I think she's female and may be German. I do have one of her photos...
[more inside]posted by vacapinta at 4:10 PM PST - 8 comments
Tipfilter: I work as a line cook at a restaurant in Canada, and I'm curious as to what is normal in regards to server tip-out to kitchen staff.
[more inside]posted by glip at 4:08 PM PST - 13 comments
How far is it from Harrah's to the Venetian in Las Vegas? I'm heading to a convention being held in the Venetian. I have the option of staying there, or at Harrah's. If I stay at Harrah's, I get a little extra money for drinks and expenses. What I really want to know is how long it realistically takes to walk from a room in Harrah's to wherever the convention center is in the Venetian.
posted by thinman at 4:06 PM PST - 17 comments
I am an undergraduate student considering entering my school's Individualzied Major Program. Is this a good idea, especially w/regards to post-graduate work?
[more inside]posted by bookish at 3:09 PM PST - 18 comments
Are there any companies that sell allergen-free foods geared towards children (e.g. snacks, cookies, kiddie meals, lunchables, and the like)?
[more inside]posted by unknowncommand at 3:09 PM PST - 7 comments
Where can I go to get involved with regular creative workshops and/or discussion in London? A little bit
[more inside]posted by Happy Dave at 3:07 PM PST - 4 comments
I'm looking for a list of Shakespeare's plays in chronological order -- in historical rather than production order. Beginning with the Roman plays right through the British histories ...
[more inside]posted by feelinglistless at 2:53 PM PST - 15 comments
I had some situational depression so I went to therapy. I'm feeling a lot better now - is there any reason to stay in therapy?
[more inside]posted by Wolfie at 2:36 PM PST - 13 comments
ZenCart Basics: The AskMe archives provide great information about e-commerce solutions. Based on previous suggestions, I've decided to go with ZenCart for my first project. But I need some help with the basics.
[more inside]posted by aladfar at 2:32 PM PST - 4 comments
Point me towards catalogs (or catalog websites) that include editorial content along with the things they sell. I need this as reference material for a project I'm working on.
[more inside]posted by jeff-o-matic at 2:17 PM PST - 14 comments
Does anyone have any experience they can share about Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, either as a patient or a practitioner?
[more inside]posted by necessitas at 2:01 PM PST - 7 comments
Mr. Walla and I will be in Freiburg (im Breisgau, in the Black Forest) for the next month or so. We know it's not a big city, but we're hoping the hive mind might have some tips on the area. Favorite places to eat, drink, walk, go on day or weekend trips? English, dancing, yoga classes? We're open to just about anything. We'll be living in the Wiehre neighborhood, and we like to walk/bike. Unfortunate limitations: we speak no German and have no car. Thanks!
posted by walla at 1:53 PM PST - 5 comments
Is there a way to get the cool new album view from iTunes 7 if you're looking at the songs on your iPod?
[more inside]posted by awenner at 1:30 PM PST - 4 comments
Audio version of YouTube? is there any free sites that allow you to record your voice and store them online? like YouTube / Google Video but just for audio?
[more inside]posted by spinko at 1:24 PM PST - 3 comments
I need a tool (web- or Mac-based) that will help me measure how long a web page will take to load. I'm familiar with tools that measure page weight based on the HTML in a document, but I need something that will measure load times including dynamic factors. Does such a beast exist?
[more inside]posted by jdroth at 1:20 PM PST - 15 comments
Writer, linguist, filmmaker, scientist? Help me give my friend advice about his career choice.
[more inside]posted by mjklin at 1:16 PM PST - 16 comments
I'm looking for a way to send, from the U.S. to Japan, money in denominations of yen. The merchant wants a money order in yen, which rules out Paypal. Do you know of a web-based or brick and mortar business that will take my payment in dollars, convert it into yen, and ship out a money order or give me a money order to ship?
posted by jeffmshaw at 12:42 PM PST - 11 comments
"This American Life" filter: a story about traveling to a city in Peru or Ecuador, and being overwhelmed by swarms of horrible insects. I caught part of this broadcast a couple of years ago. It could have been any time between 2001 and 2005. I would like to find out the date of broadcast, the name of the city & country where the events occurred, and the kind of insect that caused the problem.
[more inside]posted by Araucaria at 12:34 PM PST - 13 comments
In the RMT episode "Cruisin'" (the Bermuda Triangle one), an old man talks to Rocko about the burdens of seniority. His monologue, if I remember correctly, is about watching one's friends die and eventually becoming alone in the world. Does anyone have the exact quote?
posted by archagon at 12:14 PM PST - 2 comments
Looking for the name of a geometric-type coloring book from my childhood - every page was like graph paper but none of the shapes were square.
[more inside]posted by AuntLisa at 11:57 AM PST - 8 comments
Two (or more) people are talking and a new person enters the group. One of the current group makes an obvious joke about the third. How is the person who enters the group "supposed" to react.
[more inside]posted by jeremias at 11:47 AM PST - 36 comments
Here's the situation: I changed health insurance plans about two years ago ago. I have a good plan, based in Californa, that costs me about $250 a month. Since starting the coverage, my major medical expense - for about a year - have three monthly medications which I take for recently-diagnosed bipolar disorder. I have never claimed these expenses on my insurance, nor have I ever put any of my psychiatric costs on a claim. The reason is that I've been advised not to do this, especially with a bipolar diagnosis, since, in the words of my psychiatrist, "once that's on your record, you'll have a very hard time if you need to change insurance plans." (I should add that the diagnosis, while scary, and the resulting treatment, has changed my life so much for the better that I'd sell pretty much sell a kidney to keep paying for the meds, if I had to.)
[more inside]posted by soulbarn at 10:09 AM PST - 6 comments
What's the software being used to do the photo-manipulation in the new Dove Evolution ad?
[more inside]posted by lhl at 9:49 AM PST - 6 comments
Anyone had a will prepared through
www.legalzoom.com?
Care to share how it went? Or have recommendations to another online "will mill", or strong arguments against using one?
[more inside]posted by de void at 9:44 AM PST - 6 comments
I'm trying to start up some D&D for my 10-year-old nephew. I need a lot of advice, on multiple questions!
[more inside]posted by PetiePal at 9:31 AM PST - 27 comments
Why do stock exchanges still close? It's nice for the traders to get some time off, but in this modern age where you no longer have to stand on the floor shouting at people, is it still necessary? Does it have some economic function?
posted by fvw at 9:19 AM PST - 19 comments
What options are available for children of 5 years with Migraine? Last night my son had his first. I started with them at 5 too, but back then there were to triptans or anything else. I've put the question in to the family doctor and haven't heard back yet, but I'm sure the answer I get will be limited to the Dr's experience and training. So, MeFi, what do you do for your kids when they suffer an attack?
posted by kc0dxh at 9:10 AM PST - 9 comments
My dad was in Maine last week and he saw two yachts parked off the shoreline. The small one was the
Flamingo Daze which is 151' long. He said the larger yacht was about twice as long as the Flamingo Daze. What is the name of this
blue hulled monster?
posted by Mr_Zero at 8:52 AM PST - 6 comments
I recently moved from NOVA to Somerville, MA and the place of business that I miss most is Wegmans! Is there any store remotely like that near where I am now?
[more inside]posted by o0dano0o at 8:42 AM PST - 13 comments
Is there a name for the gesture/vocalization that consists of flapping your finger up and down between your lips while making sound with your vocal cords? It comes out as something like "wawawawawawa" or "bababababa" and is often done by people as a way to entertain/communicate with babies.
[more inside]posted by alms at 8:17 AM PST - 17 comments
High end professional dry cleaning in New York City for expensive sport coat. Suggestions?
[more inside]posted by spicynuts at 8:14 AM PST - 6 comments
The Guardian today published a list of names used around the world for the @ symbol. [reproduced inside]. Can any native speakers let me know if they take advantage to these to make intrestering/humorous/offensive email address?
[more inside]posted by handybitesize at 8:05 AM PST - 25 comments
Friend of mine is looking to track down the name of a movie. The dialogue is in English, French and Japanese. Most of the story is set in post-WWII Japan. It is about a French engineer who is working there. He is developping a relationship with a Japanese woman who runs a kimono store, but his old flame flies in from France and hijinks ensue. No it's not "Hiroshima, mon amour". As always there is
[more inside]posted by cm at 7:40 AM PST - 4 comments
Online Degree Question: Has anyone actually completed a math degree online? If so, what school did you attend and how would you rate it?
[more inside]posted by fellion at 7:09 AM PST - 6 comments
Is there any sort of recognised optical illusion or visual deficit that can make it hard to realize that a vehicle is stationary?
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 6:12 AM PST - 17 comments
Middle Aged Man's dilemma: stay w/ current situation or quit to start over - current wife cannot have children
[more inside]posted by NFLfan at 3:59 AM PST - 105 comments
October 15
LAW101 question : Let's say the law says "If you do X or if you do Y, then you're nicked". Let's also say that in reality you did Y but you didn't do X. Suppose at trial the judge incorrectly ruled that you had done X so you're nicked but didn't say anything about Y. If you appealed the decision on the basis that the judge was wrong about X and can prove it, do you win your appeal even though you did Y and should have been nicked anyway?
[more inside]posted by vizsla at 11:14 PM PST - 12 comments
This year, I turn thirty, on Thanksgiving. I need something to do that's special with my fiance, and as always, there's
[more inside]posted by FritoKAL at 10:41 PM PST - 2 comments
Name that tune/artistfilter: Mid to late eighties i think, maybe a little later?, sounds like a youngish man singing, and all i remember are the words (sorta) to the chorus:
[more inside]posted by ramix at 10:27 PM PST - 2 comments
I've been working out four times a week all year, and now I think I should at least know how to run. I have a horror of running left over from being the slow kid, and I don't really know how to do it. I started the couch to 5k today. Should I stick with it, or just do something else?
[more inside]posted by crabintheocean at 10:22 PM PST - 25 comments
Where can I buy/download the boardroom background music from NBC's The Apprentice? Thanks.
posted by 4ster at 10:15 PM PST - 3 comments
Silly question, but what is the cell phone / PDA that Veronica Mars uses throughout the first two seasons?
[more inside]posted by GriffX at 10:02 PM PST - 4 comments
Donated a laptop I thought was dead for parts, but found out it works fine. Who should get it?
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 9:22 PM PST - 36 comments
Crimefilter: Is there a program that allows me to turn RAX files downloaded from best buy's rhapsody service into mp3s?
[more inside]posted by MNDZ at 9:21 PM PST - 7 comments
My roommates have a really annoying habit of leaving the microwave door ajar after they're done using it. In other words, the microwave beeps, they take their food out, and then leave the door hanging. Am I being exposed to unsafe levels of radiation?
posted by invisible ink at 7:25 PM PST - 35 comments
I want to buy an electric guitar, but I have no idea what to get. How do I choose a good first guitar in the $200-$300 range? Any suggestions? Feel free to ask questions that might help with answers.
posted by punishinglemur at 6:14 PM PST - 22 comments
A friend of mine, who is 19 (in college), is planning on taking some money he's saved up (apparently a couple of grand) and moving to Thailand with the intent of teaching English. What are the flaws in his argument, and how can I dissuade him?
[more inside]posted by matkline at 5:56 PM PST - 38 comments
I had a friend once who became a member of some sort of organization not unlike Avon, but with housewares/knick knacks?
[more inside]posted by heavenstobetsy at 3:55 PM PST - 21 comments
Is there a simple formula to calculate how many calories are used during walking exercise ?
[more inside]posted by matholio at 3:50 PM PST - 7 comments
This American Life has at least a dozen instrumentals that they use over and over as background music. The Happy Flute Song, the Things Are Kind of Tense Song, and so on. I've really grown to like many of them, but I cannot identify any of them. Can TAL fans identify any of the standard music beds?
posted by waldo at 3:19 PM PST - 23 comments
Looking for a very nice restaraunt for my wifes birthday dinner.
We have eaten at most of the well known places in the Nashua/Manchester area and are looking for something new. Any suggestions out there?
posted by Raybun at 3:08 PM PST - 11 comments
What's the name of the tapas and setas bar on the corner of Plaça Nova and Carrer dels Boters in Barcelona?
[more inside]posted by dfreire at 2:55 PM PST - 1 comments
A while back I found a site that allowed you to search Google for products, and it would automatically add negative keywords to your search that filtered out pretty much all of those price comparison sites that seem to be all you get on Google now when you search for a product.
Only now I can't find it. Anyone?
posted by Mwongozi at 1:05 PM PST - 5 comments
Can I really make 5, 10, or even $15,000 a month working from home by getting a free video?
And why are these so-called millionares willing to give away their "secrets" for free?
[more inside]posted by joshuak at 12:34 PM PST - 28 comments
About ten years or so ago I read an article by a woman who's boyfriend worked in some sort of music related industry and she ended up having Winona Ryder, Dave Pirner, Bruce Springsteen, and Bruce's mom over for dinner. She talked a lot of trash on Winona in the article. Does anyone remember this piece of writing and where it appeared?
posted by josher71 at 12:20 PM PST - 6 comments
Hawaii has had an earthquake. I need some info sources for a friend there who is still able to get thru (to NJ) by phone. Toss me anything useful you've got and I'll do a quick sort and pass on whatever she needs. Many thanks in advance!
posted by realjanetkagan at 11:54 AM PST - 10 comments
So, I've had a DVD+R drive for about 2 years now, and I never really noticed this before. The pack of DVDs says 4.7GB/120min, but it seems no matter how I author the disc, I can only get 60 minutes of movie on there. Is there some setting or something I can use to squeeze more on there? 4.7 GB for only 60 minutes seems a little big, and I know that most people fit 120 minutes on a disc... so what am I doing wrong? For the record, I've been using DVDStyler, but I also had the same problem with Sonic.
posted by fvox13 at 10:53 AM PST - 12 comments
Excel: I am trying to create a line graph of last year's workload versus this year's workload. Problem is, I don't have consistent data and my graphs have numerous gaps between data points. How can I best fill these gaps?
[more inside]posted by Ziggy Zaga at 10:16 AM PST - 6 comments
Help! I added an internal IDE hard drive to my late-model Dell desktop, and accessing it pins my processor!
[more inside]posted by perissodactyl at 10:01 AM PST - 4 comments
I was watching yesterday's game on ABC-TV between USC and Arizona. Right at half-time three live cows para-glided into the stadium from above. Two of them were shown landing on the playing field, while the third cow landed somewhere in the stands on top of some cowering fans and a hot dog vendor. The tv quickly switched to the network half-time sports show, and when the second half started, not a word was spoken about the flying cows. I can't find a word about it in today's online press. Can someone enlighten me as to why these cows were flown onto the football field in Los Angeles at half-time?
posted by plainfeather at 8:50 AM PST - 11 comments
iTunes, Windows Media radio, XM Radio, Sirius, Live 365, Musicmatch, SHOUTcast, etc., etc. ...my ears are clogged!
[more inside]posted by NYCinephile at 8:38 AM PST - 12 comments
Permanently leaving the U.S. to go back to Europe - do I have to close my bank account and credit cards?
[more inside]posted by meijusa at 4:34 AM PST - 13 comments
I want to upgrade my pc's memory, but I noticed 6400 is the same price as 4200, and I can use the ram to in a faster system later. Does faster ram (400mhz) 6400 underlock to (233mhz) 4200? Gskill has 2 gigs for 187 on newegg, 5-5-5-15, why my system ram is ddr2-4200 4-4-4-12.
posted by IronWolve at 3:20 AM PST - 9 comments
Looking for all three Matrix films, region 1 DVD or VHS, either dubbed or subtitled in Korean. Can you help me?
posted by billtron at 1:21 AM PST - 3 comments
October 14
What would you do with 4-5 days, 60,000 frequent flyer miles, and the freedom to go and do whatever you want?
[more inside]posted by xorowo at 10:56 PM PST - 17 comments
Back Pain - It's a weekend, and my chiropractor only works tue/thurs in my area filter.
I have no idea what I did to deserve this, but I went to the gym for the first time in 2 mos last wednesday (I had been going religiously m/w/f for 8 months working up my running.. i was doing 10 minute miles for 30 minutes before..) because I broke my toe at a company event. I did a decent workout (2.2 mi in 30 min, rest, stretch, then free weights). I felt fine afterwards - no pain, no problems at all.
[more inside]posted by SirStan at 10:08 PM PST - 14 comments
What's with these FOREIGN EXCHANGE programs / workshops that I've recently seen advertised in infomercials recently ?
Can one really make money doing this ? Do I need a lot of capital ? Have any mefites any experience or insight ?
posted by dawdle at 9:27 PM PST - 11 comments
What are some good graduate fellowship programs for an electrical engineering student in the US?
[more inside]posted by homer2k1 at 9:23 PM PST - 5 comments
Whenever a relationship question is asked, it seems like the answer is always "communicate". Talk to the person, explain what's wrong, establish the communication barrier. I'm not saying the answer is wrong - after all, it's a requisite answer for a reason - but surely, it's easier said than done?
[more inside]posted by Phire at 9:17 PM PST - 13 comments
What are some good herbs and spices that I can grow in pots in a tropical climate?
[more inside]posted by Jimbob at 9:16 PM PST - 5 comments
I partied in London on Millennium New Years. Sadly I didn't take any pictures to help me remember the best party that I ever took part in. I am looking for the photo album of someone who partied on the banks of the Thames on that night too.
[more inside]posted by bigmusic at 8:43 PM PST - 1 comments
Are there tax consequences from buying and selling stock within a Roth IRA?
[more inside]posted by bink at 8:02 PM PST - 2 comments
I'm interested in trying modeling. Are there any options for a 28-year-old woman?
[more inside]posted by cadge at 7:53 PM PST - 9 comments
I'm looking for a website that has an excellent technical understanding of the technology in outdoor gear and technical fabrics. Like a dpreview.com or dansdata.com but for mountaineering etc.
[more inside]posted by dantodd at 7:29 PM PST - 6 comments
How can I stop thunderbird from automatically rendering inline (attached) images?
[more inside]posted by whir at 7:08 PM PST - 5 comments
Where do these images of a 1950's era woman doing head exercises come from? (Pretty SFW, but you might get a few odd looks)
[more inside]posted by greatgefilte at 7:08 PM PST - 4 comments
Help me find love/sex/companionship. Here's a summary of my situation with more detail to follow inside: I'm middle-aged, male and heterosexual, haven't been involved in a serious relationship in five years, haven't slept with anyone in over a year, am formally disabled and mobility-impaired and use a cane, rely on social security disability income during this period while I use the related Medicare coverage to have several major joints replaced, am a native of the city I live in but have lived here this time around for only the last two years.
[more inside]posted by Ethereal Bligh at 6:49 PM PST - 47 comments
I'm trying to find a video clip of of a fan making an amazing diving catch during Monday Night Football in 1996.
[more inside]posted by TunnelArmr at 6:35 PM PST - 7 comments
Business trip to York UK from US East Coast. Anyone ever take their dog? I always roll with my pooch on business trips, but mine's 90 lbs and this is a - what? - 7 hour flight.
[more inside]posted by nj_subgenius at 2:53 PM PST - 10 comments
Where should we donate clothing, toys, household goods, books, etc. in Northern Virginia, that's not the usual Goodwill/Salvation Army, etc?
[more inside]posted by sa3z at 1:49 PM PST - 4 comments
We've been talking to a generally nice/enthusiastic real estate agent for the purposes of selling our home. She's quoted us that approximately 9-10% of the listing price will go to cover her commission, the other agent's commission, and the various closing costs in between. This strikes us as rather high - we were thinking 5-6%. What's the breakdown and truth here?
posted by xmutex at 1:02 PM PST - 14 comments
Does anybody have any experience with "rate my _blank_" type photo rating software? Specifically, I'm looking at MiPhoto or an open-source alternative with a similar set of features. Suggestions from the hive mind?
[more inside]posted by generichuman at 12:33 PM PST - 3 comments
What's a creative way to graphically visualize user-rating vs time, taking # of ratings into account?
[more inside]posted by lpctstr; at 11:45 AM PST - 3 comments
Web dev Q: Is there a way to figure out what has been dragged and dropped from one browser window to another?
[more inside]posted by shortfuse at 10:02 AM PST - 4 comments
Namethatbookfilter: Anyone remember the title of a children's fantasy about a witch, two kids, and a goblin king?
[more inside]posted by Iridic at 9:53 AM PST - 3 comments
Can you recommend a well-designed MP3 CD player? The Sony one I have now is lacking in so many ways and I'd like to replace it.
[more inside]posted by smackfu at 9:43 AM PST - 10 comments
Ideas for respectfully avoiding cigarette smoke when visiting a strong smoking culture (especially in Wien/Vienna, but advice for other cities is very welcome too).
[more inside]posted by allterrainbrain at 6:56 AM PST - 9 comments
Polling all grandparents - would you be willing to move/spend part of the year in a different city in order to spend lots of time with, and provide daycare for, your grandkids?
[more inside]posted by n'muakolo at 6:41 AM PST - 11 comments
Help me find a motherboard upgrade to my Dell Dimension 4300 that I'm using as a HTPC.
[more inside]posted by drkrdglo at 5:50 AM PST - 4 comments
Where are the really good, really fresh, really affordable seafood restaurants in Portland, Oregon (or the nearby coast)?
[more inside]posted by melissa may at 1:56 AM PST - 12 comments
October 13
What's up with that annoying fast-motion digital effect that's been popping up in movies the past few years? I think it's supposed to make things look scary, but it really has the effect of making everything look like a bad Benny Hill comedy.
Is this something that directors do to their movies on purpose, or is it a byproduct of some sort of digital processing?
[more inside]posted by Afroblanco at 9:17 PM PST - 38 comments
I'm an alcoholic. I've been shitfaced every day for the last 9 months. I consider the booze a nepenthe; it's something that allows me to forget all the sins I've comitted in my short life on this planet.
[more inside]posted by kfx at 9:11 PM PST - 88 comments
I was attending an off-site, work-related meeting when I felt faint and passed out. An ambulance was called and yada, yada- I'm fine. Since this is work related, who foots the bill?
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 9:02 PM PST - 10 comments
I've noticed that about a day or so after a good roll in the hay, my SO and I can be a little cranky with one another. Not big fights, just a sort of removal of the rose colored glasses. My SO is not really convinced. Can you think of any reasons for this, or am I sort of insane?
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 9:01 PM PST - 22 comments
BrrrrrFilter: It's gotten cold here in Chicago and my heater appears to be broken. Google didn't help me much probably because my knowledge of HVAC is weak. Help me find out quickly if I'm being ripped off?
[more inside]posted by twiggy at 7:16 PM PST - 15 comments
Looking for smart narrative dance movies in the vein of "Billy Elliot" or "Swing Kids." Those are the only ones I can think of-- please help!
[more inside]posted by np312 at 5:55 PM PST - 28 comments
A close friend has just had a parent die after a long illness. For reasons I won't go into the situation is very, very bad overall, and I want to be as supportive as I possibly can be on the long road of handling something like this.
[more inside]posted by AthenaPolias at 5:37 PM PST - 12 comments
What are the film clips that Turner Classic Movies shows before the beginning of every movie?
[more inside]posted by La Gata at 5:30 PM PST - 5 comments
I'm learning C# right now, and I can do very basic things with it. For example, I can cause it to ask you to put in two numbers, and it will give you their sum, difference, quotient, and divisor. What command do I need for it to ask the user WHICH operation it would like the program to perform?
[more inside]posted by alona at 2:14 PM PST - 18 comments
I have, over the past several years, become the individual that lots of people come to for music suggestions and to talk about music (most metal, but some other stuff). Much like the fine folks at Pandora. So I had the great thought of starting a podcast. However:
Mayhaps I'm missing something, but I can't find anything online that spells out how to start a music podcast legally. (More after the jump)
[more inside]posted by Ikazuchi at 1:56 PM PST - 7 comments
What's the best beginning target shooting & self-defense handgun for someone with small hands?
[more inside]posted by vorfeed at 1:38 PM PST - 28 comments
Is there a way for me to restart Windows Explorer (the shell) when it crashes, eliminates my taskbar and all desktop icons, but otherwise my open programs are working fine? Don't want to have to restart everything.
[more inside]posted by kookoobirdz at 1:23 PM PST - 23 comments
How often can you feel small earthquakes in Southern California? My girlfriend thinks I'm crazy, but I'm often convinced I've felt a small earthquake. Are there degrees of earthquake perception for different people?
[more inside]posted by SBMike at 12:43 PM PST - 27 comments
I have a single switch light plate in the bathroom that controls the lights
and fan at the same time; one flip of the switch turns both on and off at the same time. You can't control them independently. I'd like to be able to. How?
[more inside]posted by nitsuj at 12:34 PM PST - 10 comments
IP Relay Scammers are plaguing our PBX operator. Is there anything we can do besides refusing to answer any IP Relay call?
[more inside]posted by IndigoSkye at 12:32 PM PST - 6 comments
Except for an early obsession with e.e. cummings, I know nothing about poetry. Can anyone recommend a good book to jumpstart my poetry literacy?
[more inside]posted by aparrish at 12:32 PM PST - 21 comments
I have an Intel Imac that I bought roughly a year ago. I connect to the internet using comcast and an Airport Express. Recently, I added WEP security to my airport, for obvious reasons. I also changed the airport channel to 7 (and then 4) from 11 because I was getting lag while playing Xbox Live using a wireless adapter (I live in an apartment with many wireless networks around me).
Every since, my computer just decides to leave the network about every 5 minutes. It's SO ANNOYING. I only have to click on the network again to rejoin, but does anyone have any ideas? I made both changes at the same time.
posted by drewcopeland at 12:23 PM PST - 4 comments
Can a retail store sell products carrying clearly recognisable logos from other corporations, if those logos are not copied but taken from existing products?
[more inside]posted by valleys at 11:43 AM PST - 19 comments
Outlook help! How do I get outlook to display the actual email address of the sender instead of just the default "from" field that displays the name associated with the address?
posted by guruguy9 at 11:23 AM PST - 9 comments
The price of Apple computers doesn't vary by retailer. How does Apple dictate pricing to their resellers — and how do they do this without breaking price-fixing laws?
[more inside]posted by kamelhoecker at 11:17 AM PST - 25 comments
Help! Need to buy a rack mounted server in New York City today that Debian can easily be installed on, only thing we can find is a Mac and thats not really going to work. Any ideas?
posted by lips at 9:52 AM PST - 14 comments
Bands! What's the cheapest service for simple 1 color screenprinted t-shirts? How about stickers and buttons?
posted by bradn at 9:49 AM PST - 11 comments
I suddenly find myself with excessive amounts of free time. What are some fulfilling and productive ways to fill it?
[more inside]posted by Willie0248 at 9:34 AM PST - 21 comments
Is there a human equivalent to premium cat food? That is to say, a single form of synthetic food that will serve all hunger and nutritional needs? If not, why not?
[more inside]posted by ontic at 9:21 AM PST - 40 comments
My front door opens directly into my living room...and there is no coat closet. Help me find some furniture (or other ideas!) to hide the shoes, jackets, purse, dog leash, mail, etc...or failing that, at least to get it off the couch and catch-all desk!
posted by sLevi at 9:19 AM PST - 14 comments
TclFilter: Assuming $var is already set, is there any performance/efficiency difference if a Tcl proc calls "return $var" versus just plain "return"
[more inside]posted by If I Had An Anus at 9:16 AM PST - 8 comments
I'm in the process of building an application and I think I want a rules engine. Assuming I do (and "No" may be the answer to my question), what's the best way to go about such a thing, given the details inside?
[more inside]posted by yerfatma at 8:49 AM PST - 7 comments
I'm looking to buy a few dwarf citrus trees as a gift. Can anyone offer tips on what/where to buy online?
[more inside]posted by veggieboy at 8:32 AM PST - 8 comments
I'm looking for a list of adult film's that borrow part of their title from big name Hollywood movies. (Answers will probably be NSFW)
[more inside]posted by dead_ at 8:25 AM PST - 54 comments
[HighschoolDramaFilter] Am I justified in my mistrust of this person who has lived a complete lie and now claims to be reformed, or should I bury the hatchet? Much, much, much
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 8:09 AM PST - 30 comments
What's the song that Eddie Murphy sings in Trading Places during the jacuzzi scene?
[more inside]posted by Jofus at 7:39 AM PST - 3 comments
A bunch of us would like to do some sort of East Coast Trip for a friend's 30th BDay.. any suggestions for something neat/fun? of course there is
[more inside]posted by niteHawk at 7:33 AM PST - 3 comments
What is the hottest mustard? Colman's is fine, but I want hotter, without having to stir wasabi into it.
posted by goofyfoot at 7:29 AM PST - 11 comments
Moto Q wifi question...
I know the Verizon Moto Q does not come with wifi becasue Verizon wants to push it's own data plan. I know it has a mini sd port and not a SDIO, but is there any chance on getting a mini sd wifi card to work?
[more inside]posted by eleongonzales at 7:07 AM PST - 1 comments
I'm thinking of upgrading to the new Blackberry Pearl. Is their desktop software that syncs info (between my calendar, email, to-do's) compatible with the Mac, or will I need third party software?
posted by bronxteacher at 6:31 AM PST - 3 comments
What video camera should I buy? Just for amateur stuff - regular home movies, clips of events, "getting my feet wet" with video editing.
[more inside]posted by mark7570 at 6:24 AM PST - 7 comments
Since the whole bashing-on-head/dragging-back-to-cave routine is a bit passe, how do I go about getting the guy?
[more inside]posted by katemonster at 2:27 AM PST - 59 comments
October 12
I have had an expensive leather couch for about 7 years with removable overstuffed cushions. One of the cushions was probably not pulled tight enough when originally sewed and has a deep crease. I know I can replace the pillow/stuffing insert to plump it up, but I can not figure out how to get the deep , seemingly permanent crease out given that leather cannot be ironed. Any ideas would be appreciated. Thank you.
posted by Lylo at 10:47 PM PST - 6 comments
MetalFilter: In "A Headbanger's Journey," there is a song playing during the scene where they show those huge stone sword monuments in Nordicland. It rules and I want to know who it is.
[more inside]posted by Darth Fedor at 10:26 PM PST - 5 comments
I've noticed that a majority of movies have at least one American flag in them; even when the movie might not be US friendly itself. I do not think this is a confirmation bias issue, and have noticed it since I was a kid. Does anyone have any ideas why this might be?
posted by Knigel at 9:48 PM PST - 47 comments
The Postal Service song "We Will Become Silhouettes" reminds me of a short story (or maybe poem?) I read in high school, but I can't remember the name or author for the life of me. I believe the action centered around an automated house going through its daily routine after the inhabitants had been vaporized on its side. There was also something about birds singing... I think. Any ideas?
posted by pokermonk at 7:46 PM PST - 12 comments
I got dumped with a project where I am out of my depth and area of expertise, and it won't go away.
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 7:01 PM PST - 19 comments
How can having bad credit keep you from getting a job?
I heard an ad from a credit counselor on the radio which said: "Don't let your bad credit rating keep you from getting a job." Just fyi, I live in the U.S.
[more inside]posted by wfc123 at 6:40 PM PST - 16 comments
what are these circular stickers i see on everyone's cars that show a blue hat and eyeballs underneath (which, when seen from afar, resembles a car k-car profile with the eyes as wheels)?
[more inside]posted by garfy3 at 6:04 PM PST - 12 comments
Even though I'm the admin, my Mac OS 10.3.9 suddenly wants me to authenticate common actions. What the hell happened?
[more inside]posted by Brandon Blatcher at 5:04 PM PST - 8 comments
I have about 300 pictures that were sent to me as .max files. I have since learned the .max files are Paperport's proprietary file format. There is a Paperport Viewer available for download, but I am looking for something that can convert them to .jpg. The Paperport program would be ridiculously expensive to purchase for only these files. Any Mefite's know of software that can convert these files? I've considered just doing screen captures, but that's a lot of work one pic at a time. Ideas?
posted by Gerard Sorme at 4:18 PM PST - 12 comments
Is there a formula for converting cubic meters to tons?
I missed this lesson in math class way back when and now I need to do these conversions for a project at work.
posted by socrateaser at 4:18 PM PST - 14 comments
Why is Paypal giving me the option to "Accept" a payment, but the "Deny" is grayed out?
[more inside]posted by zek at 4:10 PM PST - 10 comments
"You can't teach an old dog new tricks":
Can anyone think of other versions of this or similar aphorisms? ("the horse is out of the barn," etc. about aging.
From other languages or cultures, perhaps?
posted by wavejumper at 3:57 PM PST - 18 comments
My friend seeks a job as a web developer focusing on the creation of web applications. I'm trying to put together a resumé for him that will showcase his considerable tech skills, but I'm not sure which specifics to include, which ones to leave out, or how to phrase the information in a manner palatable to potential employers. He recently moved to Wisconsin and will probably soon be moving to Vermont, so he doesn't know any other local geeks who can provide info on the lay of the land.
[more inside]posted by Clay201 at 3:46 PM PST - 6 comments
I have an old Cell phone from the states ( i just moved to the US Virgin Islands) that I would like to have go to voicemail only (thus keeping the number for if / when I move back to the states and so I dont have to update everyone with my new number (they can just call it, leave a message and I can return the call with my local cell) but I am having a hard time finding a service that accomplishes this.
I want to keep my current number (on verizon wireless) but I dont want to pay 40 some bucks a month just for voicemail (thats their cheapest plan) a search online found a few options but they seem expensive... I'd like to pay something like 60 70 80 a year for this... Is that service out there where I can port my number over?
posted by crewshell at 3:22 PM PST - 5 comments
Is there a software program that can import photos and text into a nice yearbook-style template to create a book that can be printed out and binded?
[more inside]posted by pinksoftsoap at 3:16 PM PST - 7 comments
My Mom might have Multiple Sclerosis, but she has Peripheral Neuropathy that doctors and EMG say isn't related to MS. It's caused disability in her legs. I know there aren't silver bullets, but can anyone suggest alternative or complementary treatments that are worth a look? More inside...
[more inside]posted by pallen123 at 2:54 PM PST - 10 comments
[Saving Money/Shopping Filter] Has anyone used a service like
The Grocery Game -- a service that helps you save money on your grocery bill by identifying when you get the most bang for your coupon buck? Did it work?
[more inside]posted by parilous at 2:30 PM PST - 5 comments
I've often read that the way writers can maintain their momentum is to get a 'goal buddy,' someone you'd meet with or talk to once a week so you can encourage each other and kick each other in the butt and give advice.
Have any of you done this? Has it worked for you? What was the secret to staying on topic and staying motivated/focused instead of getting distracted and talking about gossip/family or general complaining?
posted by clairezulkey at 2:27 PM PST - 9 comments
Are the pictures on Google Earth in real-time?
If I look at my street via Google Earth on the computer at 6:00pm, can I see my kids playing outside (if indeed they are outside at that time)
posted by sandra194 at 2:23 PM PST - 24 comments
This 'bad' character is showing up as a box, and seems to invoke a new line. How can I find out what it really is?
[more inside]posted by CaptApollo at 2:20 PM PST - 9 comments
I'm trying to imagine what MySpace looks like in 2010. Now, of course, it’s unlikely that MySpace will be what all the cool kids are talking about in 4 years, but you get the idea. Let’s call it MySpace2010.com. It’s the most popular social network of its day. How is it different from MySpace in 2006?
[more inside]posted by dbarefoot at 2:19 PM PST - 17 comments
Where can I find specific international legal cases? What are some good resources to turn to when you only have the nature of the case in mind?
[more inside]posted by apfel at 1:57 PM PST - 12 comments
My work intranet autodetects my Firefox browser and forces me to use IE. Is there a plugin that I can get that will make Firefox masquerade as IE, so I can surf my intranet with my favorite browser?
posted by mtstover at 1:13 PM PST - 7 comments
I need to find an online class that ends with Java or PHP certification and gives out a verifiable grade. Pass/fail would be acceptable, as long as it's formal.
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 12:24 PM PST - 3 comments
Is there a good source of horse racing results in a machine readable format? I'd prefer them to be inexpensive or free, and to be up to date.
posted by david1230 at 12:18 PM PST - 3 comments
Anybody use Primus Canada as their ISP? If so, a question about Thunderbird and smtp and...
[more inside]posted by ashbury at 12:16 PM PST - 3 comments
I might have to go to court for a parking violation, and, for several reasons, I'm not sure what to do.
[more inside]posted by Ash3000 at 12:09 PM PST - 8 comments
I bought a used printer. The software is for OS 9 and I've got OS X and it won't let me install. Searching the HP website hasn't really helped me. Am I screwed?
[more inside]posted by punkbitch at 11:50 AM PST - 9 comments
I'm looking for book recommendations on feudal politics in Europe, something which gives a vivid but accurate depiction of what politics was like before the rise of strong national governments: the importance of personal loyalties, hostage-taking, assassination, mercenaries.
[more inside]posted by russilwvong at 11:16 AM PST - 11 comments
I'm playing a certain flash game. I'd like to be able to pause when I like, repeat levels at will, and so on (the game does not normally allow this). What's my best bet? Any cool standalone flash players that will let me do this?
posted by shivohum at 11:15 AM PST - 8 comments
Which graphic design schools (and degrees) are worth the time and money? I am interested in taking some graphic design classes so that I can learn the techniques and skills needed to get a good job in the field. I know I need to learn more before I can really expect to get a good job, which is why I need classes, but I'm not sure whether I should just take a few classes on the side or actually invest my time and money in a years-long program.
[more inside]posted by inatizzy at 9:54 AM PST - 10 comments
I've just had a short tutorial with two of my students, and one of them kept staring at my hands...
[more inside]posted by khites at 7:54 AM PST - 14 comments
I'm trying to find an image of note numbers with the corresponding notes on a staff.
[more inside]posted by scazza at 7:22 AM PST - 15 comments
Trafficfilter: at a problem intersection, what traffic solution would most benefit me – a stoplight, a traffic cop, a rotary, or something else?
[more inside]posted by acridrabbit at 6:35 AM PST - 13 comments
UK Mefites..
I have around £500 to spend on a laptop, to help my GF become internet capable. Nothing fancy required, as it'll be pretty much internet & e-mail only. Wireless is one requirement, decent sized screen another. Any recommendations, or any that I should avoid at all costs.
posted by the_epicurean at 5:37 AM PST - 12 comments
How do I get Windows XP Home to shut down properly? I'ts hanging and I have to power cycle.
[more inside]posted by prodevel at 2:24 AM PST - 10 comments
My coworkers took some photos of a movie being shot near our office building and I posted them online in my blog.
[more inside]posted by PWA_BadBoy at 1:07 AM PST - 8 comments
October 11
Why is it when I'm dating a guy and I call him two days in a row - I get treated like Glenn Close's character in Fatal Attraction?
[more inside]posted by wilde at 10:42 PM PST - 61 comments
Constructing adult-sized Girl and Boy Scout costumes for Halloween, where to find authentic gear?
[more inside]posted by cior at 9:10 PM PST - 10 comments
A friend of mine and I vividly remember a slightly cheesy, late 80s song that had a chorus along the lines of "Please tell them not to cry for me, it's a personal decision...(insert forgotten words here)...I'm just an old man dying to be free." Is this ringing any bells with anyone? We are both perplexed and any assistance would be greatly appreciated.
posted by ChaoticIndustry at 9:03 PM PST - 2 comments
In February, my boyfriend of a few months will be leaving to do a two year stint with the peace corps. We're emphatically in love with each other, and the thought of him leaving my life is absolutely dreadful and deeply saddening. How can I best prepare myself for what is to come?
[more inside]posted by virga at 8:29 PM PST - 24 comments
I have no problems with my job. In fact, I'm happy with it. But a few months ago I realized I don't want to be doing it forever. So after saving up some money, I've decided to quit, move back home with my parents and go back to school in a field unrelated to my job in January.
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 7:54 PM PST - 12 comments
I’ve been approached by a private investigator, who is asking questions of me in support of a medical lawsuit against my former employer.
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 7:54 PM PST - 18 comments
MySQLFilter: I'm looking for a way to display a list of recent entries from multiple blogs I have stored in a MySQL database, but allow only one entry per blog to be included in the list. What should I add to the WHERE clause?
[more inside]posted by DIYer at 7:50 PM PST - 12 comments
I am thinking of archiving a student newspaper which goes back nearly a century. However the money simply isn't there to go to a corporation to do it-- does anyone have any suggestions as to how to go about doing this in-house and on a tight budget?
posted by perpetualstroll at 7:06 PM PST - 6 comments
Do you have any favorite oblique strategy style things that are specific for the art you use them for? Like one sentence techniques that go around creative blocks and allow you to do great things?
[more inside]posted by Brainy at 6:07 PM PST - 17 comments
What's wrong with my bike- the chain or the gears? Or me? My three-year-old bike has always had, to one degree or another, a problem with slippage, in which the chain momentarily loses the gear teeth when I'm pushing especially hard on the pedals. Finally, this Sunday, the chain broke, after acting up especially bad and frequently going very slack when I was coasting. The question is, do I just need a nice new chain to fix my slippage problem, or is the problem with my gears? Do I need to replace them? Or am I just riding it too rough?
posted by paul_smatatoes at 2:48 PM PST - 20 comments
I just got a webcam and in lieu of using audio from a microphone, I'd like to play music along with the streaming video. I can't figure out how to accomplish this though and I don't really know what I'm doing.
[more inside]posted by bob sarabia at 2:39 PM PST - 6 comments
As the chair of my fraternity's Fall-Formal Committee, I hold the distinct pleasure of locating a venue for this semester's night of dressy revelry. I'd love to find a nice lodge or similar, more intimate digs where we can hire our own bartender, do our own DJing, etc. Does such a place exist in or around
Baltimore? [more inside]posted by roomwithaview at 2:10 PM PST - 4 comments
I was just replacing the driver-side headlight in my 2001 BMW 325i, fumbled, and dropped the burnt out bulb into the engine area. Right now, it's resting at the bottom, out of reach, but not visibly near anything else. I can't easily get to it to remove it. Will it work itself out and I don't need to worry about it, or do I need to find a way to get it out before I drive again so it doesn't do damage?
posted by NotMyselfRightNow at 2:06 PM PST - 5 comments
Does gravity make small pools of water curve slightly (I’m thinking a small lake size) or is surface tension enough to flatten it out? More importantly - how would I calculate whether the resistance from the surface tension is enough to keep it flat and when/what size that breaks off?
[more inside]posted by Smedleyman at 1:54 PM PST - 19 comments
What is the best book about everyday life during the American Revolution? Books focusing on the lives of women would be especially helpful.
[more inside]posted by sugarfish at 1:31 PM PST - 10 comments
NFLFilter: I am a UK-based NFL fan (go Seahawks!) and am finding it very difficult to watch any of the games or pre- and post-game analysis shows.
[more inside]posted by mooders at 1:23 PM PST - 13 comments
I'm looking to build a site that allows its users to submit and/or search pricing and availability information for "widgets" at local brick and mortar retail stores.
The model I have in mind would be similar to the user-supported gas price sites that popped up about a year ago, in which people entered what they paid for what type of gas, and other users then could type in a zip code and see the best prices near them.
So, being a non-programmer (but willing to learn through trial and error), what language/framework/open-source code do I use to build this?
[more inside]posted by pjhagop at 1:18 PM PST - 4 comments
How do you deal with other people always demanding/expecting that relationships go on forever?
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 12:18 PM PST - 42 comments
A neighbor was telling me of a restaurant in Missouri, whose "baked" potatoes were very popular. Turns out they're deep fried. Has anyone tried such a tuber, and what did you think?
posted by JABof72 at 11:51 AM PST - 12 comments
Language/Dialect-filter: In search of "authentic" Southern (American) accents...
[more inside]posted by ibeji at 11:43 AM PST - 48 comments
Where can I buy vinyl online? I've used Insound before, and although they are great, their selection is limited. The only place I usually have success finding anything is at my local music shop which isn't very local anymore. The other post I looked at regarding buying vinyl online was limited to club/deep/progressive house, but I'm looking more for indie rock records.
posted by mgrimm at 11:05 AM PST - 17 comments
Am I being lied to? I am receiving threatening/harassing emails from several yahoo accounts, but the person/people involved all have IP addresses that trace to a single university. The university has an IT Security Officer who tells me that he's done everything he could to track the IPs (they are all different but from the same institution) and he can't pin them to a single computer or person. I do not necessarily believe him. I have looked at
other questions and answers, but would like to know what you think. I should mention that a login and password is used to access the network at this institution, even for the wireless network.
posted by anonymous at 10:50 AM PST - 44 comments
Gtalk (embedded in Gmail) is not playing nicely with my FireFox (v. 1.5.0.7). When any conversation box pops up, it makes the scroll bar disappear on the right. As if that weren't enough, it teases me by popping it back into view every few seconds, and the conversation box flips back and forth by about the width of the scroll bar - kind of like the page is trying to reload the scroll bar every couple of seconds.
[more inside]posted by allkindsoftime at 10:42 AM PST - 6 comments
I'm creating a family reunion website & want to include a community forum/bulletin board. What are the pros & cons of hosting the forum on my own server vs. using an outside one?
posted by Hesychia at 10:08 AM PST - 5 comments
I have a Blackberry 7290 and live in a basement apartment. I intermittently get one bar of signal in most places inside, but full service right outside the windows. What is the most effective option to increase service indoors so that I can maintain phone calls? I've seen the expensive cellular repeaters and I can't really justify spending that much. Thanks.
posted by saraswati at 9:54 AM PST - 8 comments
Has anyone recently purchased "transitions" lenses (that go from clear to shaded) for your specs? I remember kids who had these in high school (this was 10+ years ago) and they always looked terrible- half-shaded indoors. I've had a few friends recommend them lately, though.
[more inside]posted by bobot at 9:14 AM PST - 34 comments
I'm looking for a few lines of poetry that would be appropriate for a 404 page, preferably from somewhat well-known authors. Any suggestions?
posted by sonofslim at 9:08 AM PST - 28 comments
Earl Woods filter: Does anyone have a link to that really strange quote by Earl Woods all about how Tiger was the chosen one and would change mankind? Google failing me.
posted by Cosine at 9:02 AM PST - 3 comments
I bought an Alesis MultiMix 8 the other day, which is an 8 input firewire interface. It works OK but the main problem I have is that the stereo out (from the computer to the mixer) cuts out very frequently.
[more inside]posted by RustyBrooks at 8:52 AM PST - 7 comments
Talk to me about health insurance in Austria for US Citizens (Or useful anecdotes about healthcare in Europe in general)
[more inside]posted by anonymoose at 8:40 AM PST - 6 comments
I'm trying to find an environmentaly-friendly and/or socially responsible printer. The printer needs to have a reputation of turning out high-quality product and should be able to accept Adobe suite (InDesign/Illustrator/Photoshop) files via the internets.
posted by eustacescrubb at 8:22 AM PST - 10 comments
Need a good printer for some business cards--preferably not one of those quicky jobs that looks like color photocopies on cardstock. A) anywhere online that ships is fine; 2) Bonus pts if it's in Toronto. 3) A generic "printing question" about resolution inside.
[more inside]posted by dobbs at 7:26 AM PST - 15 comments
This is a two part question: Which every day lens should I buy for my dSLR, and what other camera accessories should I get? There is
[more inside]posted by geeky at 7:13 AM PST - 25 comments
Is there a server based, spam filter that will work with any ISP? I have a friend who cannot change ISPs or email services, he is paying a lot for dial-up time, and he gets about 100 spam: 1 valid email. Is there a spam filter that will check his current email for him and delete the spam, allowing him to keep his current email and ISP?
[more inside]posted by birchhook at 6:26 AM PST - 15 comments
What's the right way to do a silent install of the Japanese input language and IME in an already setup English-language Windows XP Professional SP2?
[more inside]posted by flabdablet at 5:50 AM PST - 8 comments
I'm trying to broadcast video using Windows Media Encoder, which works fine over the LAN, but not over the internet. It'll generate a LAN address, but when it tries to generate an internet address it simply says: (could not be detected).
[more inside]posted by lemonfridge at 5:46 AM PST - 5 comments
I'm in the UK. I've been expecting a package from the states via USPS. They will not be able to get into my building. How/where can I pick it up?
[more inside]posted by like_neon at 12:50 AM PST - 5 comments
October 10
Anyway to automaticlly accept incomming files on a bluetooth connection in windows? I can do this in Ubuntu, but my server is running windows (don't ask). I want to be able to beam a pic from my phone to my server without having it ask me to accept the file... just AUTO ACCEPT DARN IT!
[more inside]posted by TrueVox at 10:55 PM PST - 3 comments
Mom's older Siamese cat has unusual ailment for over 1yr. Anal opening spasms shut causing backup necessitating repeat deostipations by vet. Any other suggested treatments?
[more inside]posted by swiffa at 10:40 PM PST - 8 comments
What's the best way for San Francisco Airport to Union Square? I'll be going from airport at 10pm Friday night and was wondering if BART would be faster. And does anyone have aany can't (less touristy) misses in SF for a 48 hour weekend there?
posted by sandmanwv at 9:20 PM PST - 13 comments
I've got a bunch of extra hard drives, and I want to setup a backup NAS type solution so I can backup my data and store movies, tv shows, media, etc. Ideas?
[more inside]posted by creeront at 9:12 PM PST - 13 comments
We're hammering out an ordinance to allow small wind turbine power generators in our town. We'd like to cover all the bases, and are looking for good and bad from other towns.
[more inside]posted by attercoppe at 8:49 PM PST - 19 comments
I've been offered a one month gig in Tokyo, Osaka, and Nagoya, with a US$85 per diem. Travel and accomodation are covered - I'm only responsible for food and fun. I know that Japan is expensive, but just HOW expensive is it? How far will this get me?
posted by fingers_of_fire at 8:47 PM PST - 31 comments
I'm going to be moving out on my own soon. What kinds of tools do I need to keep on hand for basic repairs around the house?
[more inside]posted by JDHarper at 8:41 PM PST - 27 comments
What would be the best way for a job searcher to outsource/delegate the job hunting process for an IT job?
[more inside]posted by Sharcho at 6:36 PM PST - 7 comments
I am considering getting a degree online from the University of Phoenix. Are they really considered reputable to your average employer or does it look like you took the easy way out? I've heard that in some situations they will give you partial credit for technical schools and computer certifications (MCSE, CCNA, ect.). Is this true? Can you clep classes like at traditional colleges? Are the classes and instructors the same quality as a traditional brick and mortar college?
[more inside]posted by bda1972 at 5:19 PM PST - 31 comments
How do I configure a 2.5" 60 gig usb external drive to boot Windows XP on a PC as well as be able to boot Mac OS X 10.4 on an Intel MacBook?
posted by h2 at 4:55 PM PST - 4 comments
My sister is interested in getting a white tattoo. She keeps asking me what I think. My internet research turns up little reliable information.
[more inside]posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 3:24 PM PST - 16 comments
What is the best way to save my HD recordings from my DVR box so I can view it later on?
[more inside]posted by apple at 3:21 PM PST - 3 comments
Any really excellent costume ideas?
i have thought of UPS worker, which would open up a range of package jokes, and barnstormer.
posted by KaeporaGaebora at 3:03 PM PST - 18 comments
Is there a full-sized Canadian flag mounted outdoors anywhere in or near San Francisco?
[more inside]posted by wubbie at 2:49 PM PST - 9 comments
Please to advise a friend on how she might get out of a situation where she owns a house with an ex who does not share her goal of a clean severance.
[more inside]posted by vito90 at 2:41 PM PST - 12 comments
How do I travel from the UK, enter the US, stay for a while, take a long weekend in Canada while I deal with a personal situation, then re-enter the US for the rest of my trip without causing too much immigration hassle? Is it even worth it?
[more inside]posted by saturnine at 2:35 PM PST - 13 comments
A friend of mine unknowingly agreed to be in the Borat movie. Of course, Borat made him look like a complete ass. How can I help convince him it's not the end of the world?
[more inside]posted by kidsleepy at 2:35 PM PST - 82 comments
An electrician doing some work for my employer has taken a standard 4 pair cat5 cable and split off from each of the 8 wires to feed 2 different wall mounted ethernet jacks. Should this work? So far, it isn't. One jack appears electrically inert, the other will register a link, but I can't ping or get a DHCP reply through it.
posted by Steve3 at 2:22 PM PST - 17 comments
Is there a Mac program that converts Christian dates to Hijri dates? An editor in my office said he uses a program called "CALH" on his PC - is there a Mac equivalent?
posted by anonymous78 at 1:56 PM PST - 5 comments
How do you find out for certain exactly what information appears when Canadian border guards run your information through their system? A friend of mine didn't mention a minor incident that was supposed to go off his record from when he was a kid in the 70s. It appeared in their database, and they weren't too happy that he didn't mention it. He granted entry after being roughed-up verbally and doesn't want to go through the same ordeal every time. Since there is no reason to volunteer information that's not supposed to be in the system, how does one know what they are SUPPOSED to say?
posted by augustweed at 12:44 PM PST - 20 comments
Looking for an affordable solution to send out a monthly e-newsletter to 2000 people, and maintain the mailing list.
[more inside]posted by JamesMessick at 12:28 PM PST - 19 comments
I want to get the box spring and mattress off the floor without buying a bed frame.
[more inside]posted by sian at 11:56 AM PST - 31 comments
I'm writing a php/mySQL script to create new records in my GOALS table by comparing all possible combinations of one or more records from my EXPENSES table with information pulled from my ACCOUNTS table. The actual comparison and record generation should prove relatively simple, but the 'all possible combinations' bit is kicking my butt. I simply cannot fathom a control structure that will facilitate that requirement.
[more inside]posted by The Confessor at 11:33 AM PST - 9 comments
I've been scratching my head this whole morning, trying to figure out how my 401K is doing, my own account per se. The
personalized rate of return on my statement takes into consideration other factors that don't really apply to me, and thus I think it's not a true indicator of my account performance.
I tried to find an MS Excel function to do this; so far, I have not had any luck. What I want to find out is the average return per week or per quarter given these known numbers on my statement:
1. a beginning balance in dollars (B)
2. an ending balance (E)
3. number of weeks contributed in this quarter (N)
4. weekly contribution amount (W)
5. total quarterly investment additions (W x N)
FYI, the contribution is made on a weekly basis for a same amount. It's 100% vested and is invested in one plan. What is the formula to calculate this weekly return? Thanks a lot.
posted by dy at 11:20 AM PST - 4 comments
Where can I buy cheap posters (~£5) in London? I need to cover my dirty walls!
posted by celine at 11:00 AM PST - 7 comments
I can borrow MS Word, I've got OpenOffice at home. How can lay out paragraphs of text so that I can print upside-down on a page?
[more inside]posted by Mozai at 10:09 AM PST - 6 comments
Pregnant women are advised to get the flu vaccine. Pregnant women are also advised to avoid mercury. The vast majority of the flu vaccine stock available in the US contains thimerosol. Should a pregnant woman get vaccinated with a flu vaccine that contains thimerosol? Does your answer vary depending on the stage of pregnancy?
[more inside]posted by crazycanuck at 9:58 AM PST - 26 comments
I'm having some Quicktime issues, so I tried to uninstall Quicktime to reinstall it from scratch (or perhaps install QTAlternative). However, I can't uninstall Quicktime at all, and, to add insult to injury, I can't even run Quicktime from the start menu - it hangs for a second, then nothing happens.
[more inside]posted by UKnowForKids at 9:49 AM PST - 4 comments
Is there a way to convert a .PST file created by Outlook 2001 for the Mac into a .PST file that can be read by Outlook 2003 on the PC?
[more inside]posted by willnot at 9:48 AM PST - 4 comments
My religion prof. tried to tell our class that there was a 'scholar' who did research and came up with the claim that 90% of the presumptions upon which current science is based are wrong.
Where can I find who said this so that I can find a rebuttle saying it is crap?
posted by ackeber at 9:47 AM PST - 27 comments
AgingBritishRockStarFilter: This is both incredibly random, and a longshot, but does anyone have any recent experience of meeting The Who on their present tour? If so, how did you manage this? Or are they fairly isolated from the likes of me (obsessive Who fanboys)? I'm going to my first show tomorrow night, and it would be a dream come true to talk to the boys, if only briefly behind the arena.
posted by after_hours at 9:12 AM PST - 10 comments
Does one-coat paint really work? Or: What's the fastest and cheapest way to paint a red room white?
[more inside]posted by sprocket87 at 9:12 AM PST - 27 comments
Are there any cheap health insurance options for a non-student, part-time 22 year old living on his own?
[more inside]posted by GilloD at 9:08 AM PST - 12 comments
I'd like to do a body cast, but I don't want to "break" the bank. Is there really a difference between regular old plaster of paris and cheesecloth and medical plaster strips?
posted by DenOfSizer at 8:46 AM PST - 6 comments
What's the minimum oil will it take to keep our new apartment warm through the winter? We're in a relatively moderate climate (Pacific Northwest).
[more inside]posted by croutonsupafreak at 8:38 AM PST - 3 comments
ObscureFilter: What is the term/explanation for a certain type of eyelid shape of some folks of Northern and Eastern European background? My memory is hazy, but it's considered a genetic trait, and I know there's a name for it. I guess the appearance is best described as having two eyelid folds, the higher of which is more pronounced and drapes slightly over the lower fold. (See
Bjork, for example.)
posted by veronica sawyer at 8:18 AM PST - 6 comments
PublishingBizFilter: I want to know a little about the slushpile. Who looks at it? When? Why?
[more inside]posted by Mister_A at 8:17 AM PST - 14 comments
I have decided to participate in
NaNoWriMo, but I need help with a plot point involving the U.S. presidential order of succession.
[more inside]posted by ND¢ at 7:07 AM PST - 14 comments
iMac G4 has really slow internet speed, PC on the same network is zippy - how do I track the problem and squish it?
[more inside]posted by NinjaTadpole at 4:53 AM PST - 16 comments
What do I tell prospective employers about my current job situation?
I am not happy at my new job and am looking for a different one. I began my current position only 5 weeks ago, and I realize that it is not a good fit for me. I took the job out of desperation-I was broke and stupidly decided to take the first well-paying thing that offered. What do I say, or not say, to employers that I am now interviewing with? Some background: Just finished my Master's degree and I have never done something like this before.
posted by engling at 4:44 AM PST - 17 comments
I am looking for a comprehensive list of cities by country, that can be uploaded to a database. The list needs to show the local name for the city, and if it showed the English version too that would be good, but not essential. I am able to pay if required, though obviously would prefer not to.
[more inside]posted by chill at 4:06 AM PST - 5 comments
I am having a suit and/or tuxedo made tomorrow in Shanghai. I don't know squat about fashion, and I am a pretty big guy. Help me pick some clothing that will look good on me.
[more inside]posted by juliewhite at 3:24 AM PST - 9 comments
What are the implications of using NRT (specifically, the nicotine patch) for longer than you're supposed to?
[more inside]posted by handee at 1:48 AM PST - 19 comments
If I'm listening to music predominantly through one ear I get a really intense pain in the opposite ear after about thirty seconds. What's happening?
[more inside]posted by twine42 at 12:54 AM PST - 3 comments
October 9
It's time for another installment of AskMe's identify that song sample...
[more inside]posted by quin at 10:55 PM PST - 2 comments
Did you happen to see a kids' movie on TV in the 1970s about a brother and sister who carried a Spanish-speaking disembodied head around in a box?
[more inside]posted by chippie at 10:11 PM PST - 6 comments
I want to design museum exhibits. What is the recommended course of action to make this into a career? What schools offer such a program? Are there many jobs available in this field? Anyone have any experience with this? I know that this is my calling, please help me get started.
posted by foxinthesnow at 9:52 PM PST - 21 comments
My girlfriend is looking to buy powerful laptop to use Autocad software on in it for work. Any suggestions?
[more inside]posted by matthelm at 9:25 PM PST - 16 comments
Know of a quiet-ish restaurant and a bar you don't have to shout to be heard in boston on a thursday night?
[more inside]posted by soplerfo at 9:12 PM PST - 22 comments
my friend started an online forum about bikes and he would like some information so he won't be held responsible legally.
[more inside]posted by grafholic at 9:02 PM PST - 3 comments
Is there a limit to the amount of calories the body can store as fat at any one time?
My question is, let's say you go over your caloric needs by 4,000 on one day. Does that mean that your body will add 4,000 calories worth of fat? Or is there any limit to the amount of fat the body can store in one sitting?
[more inside]posted by mintchip at 8:50 PM PST - 12 comments
Out of curiosity, I thought I would take IE7 for a spin. I'm still a Firefox guy, but there are some nice features. Anyway, the problem is, now my subscription music download service from my ISP doesn't work right. I can download songs, however I can't play them through the service. When I try to, I get "Temporarily unable to play the music or video you requested. Please call again later." I've uninstalled, reinstalled, downloaded, updated, etc., everything I can think of. Has anyone else experienced such issues? The software is "Performance" by Musicnet, through Synacor for what it's worth.
posted by mboesch at 8:24 PM PST - 2 comments
Why does my MacBook Pro hiss/bubble when I connect it to the TV (not the logic board thing, I've done that)?
[more inside]posted by tonylord at 8:17 PM PST - 4 comments
My 66 year old mother wants to make videos for Youtube on her 20" iMac with built-in camera. Suggestions?
[more inside]posted by Argyle at 7:53 PM PST - 7 comments
Powerbook 12" G4 is borking itself. HD problem. a) Replace HD or b) entire computer?
If b) How much can I sell this thing for? Also is a 12" Alu Macbook available anytime soon?
[more inside]posted by lalochezia at 7:20 PM PST - 15 comments
If someone walks into my classroom (filled with students) wielding a gun, what should I do? I have recieved no training or input in this area, and while I cannot imagine it ever happening at my school, if it ever does happen, I'd like to make sure myself and my children see the event through safely.
posted by absalom at 7:03 PM PST - 37 comments
Trying to find ways to chill out. I need something that can occupy my mind and entertain me during the evening without putting me in a trance or putting me to sleep. I can't relate to characters on TV or novels, so all I read is non-fiction. With music, it either puts me in a trance or I get bored. I've tried meditation but it just makes me go to sleep. Basically, if I'm not actively engaged with learning something new, being creative, or solving a task, my mind shuts down and I get bored or zone out. Other people tell me, oh that's good that you don't watch TV or anything, but you know, I'm just sick of being so intense. I'm 20, male. Any suggestions, fokes?
posted by Laugh_track at 6:56 PM PST - 35 comments
I need to make an exact clone of a MacBook Pro drive onto an external (fw) drive, which will then be used as the MBP's internal drive.
[more inside]posted by lorimer at 6:52 PM PST - 9 comments
I have a couple of questions about buyer's agents. My wife and I are interested in selling our current home and buying a new one. We don't have an agent yet, but we swore, after buying our current home and realizing that "our" agent didn't really represent us, that we would never again buy a home without a buyer's agent on our side.
[more inside]posted by jayder at 6:49 PM PST - 13 comments
When I lived in NYC, my favorite Italian restaurants were
Frank and
Max (and Max Court, Max Soha, etc.). Now I live in Boston. Where can I find similar food and a similar dining experience?
posted by mds35 at 6:45 PM PST - 13 comments
I currently make $800/week ($41,600/year) as a freelancer where I work. I've worked there for over a year and am now being offered a chance to work there fulltime with benefits. The benefits package is very generous but when it came time to discuss salary, they offered me $36,000/year, the rationale being that the benefits more than make up for the lower pay.
[more inside]posted by blim8183 at 6:31 PM PST - 43 comments
My boyfriend and I have a week to spend in the U.K. or Ireland at the end of December. Where to go, what to do, where to stay, and how not to accidentally bankrupt ourselves?
[more inside]posted by xaire at 6:04 PM PST - 15 comments
Looking for NYC-area hotels with stories of hauntings and/or assorted creepiness. Friends are coming to town this Friday 13th and are looking for some correspondingly creepy digs.
[more inside]posted by the jam at 4:50 PM PST - 1 comments
DIY.filter: I have a converted attic with acoustical tiles attached to the ceiling. Does anyone have any thoughts on mudding over them or covering them up with something to update the look?
[more inside]posted by retro88 at 3:36 PM PST - 11 comments
Can someone help me identify a movie I saw as a kid, featuring... thirsty silver marbles? There's
[more inside]posted by rom1 at 2:34 PM PST - 9 comments
I am thinking about asking my girlfriend to marry me. Things are great in our relationship, with one big exception: she suffers from depression, with serious depressed periods several times a year. I feel very shut-out during these times. And it's hard to not be influenced by her mood. I am looking for advice from married individuals who have depression or those who are married to someone with depression about what it takes to make a marriage like this work.
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 2:22 PM PST - 22 comments
Does anyone have actual experience with an organization called World Heritage? This is not the historic buildings and archaeological sites organization, but apparently a non-profit program for high school exchange students.
[more inside]posted by Cranberry at 1:59 PM PST - 6 comments
I'm looking for a simple, focused set of exercises I can do to tone up and reduce flab in my chest, arms, and stomach.
[more inside]posted by medpt at 1:58 PM PST - 16 comments
How likely/real is the threat of Cascadian Subduction (earthquakes, tsunamis and resulting volcanic activity)? Does it affect the lives, worries and insurance policies of Pacific North Western residents in places like Seattle and Portland?
posted by BrodieShadeTree at 1:53 PM PST - 19 comments
[Selling Stuff via. the Internet]Filter: I have a friend that would like to host a "Farmers Market" on the internet. I'm trying to search around for software that will let this happen, but my google-fu is failing me.
[more inside]posted by hatsix at 1:52 PM PST - 9 comments
Is there a program for the Mac that will scroll a window to capture a screenshot of its entire contents?
[more inside]posted by gilgamesh at 1:22 PM PST - 13 comments
I bought some loose green tea (packaged in a brown paper bag) maybe five months ago. I stuck the bag in a drawer and forgot about it. Now I just found it again (unopened) and it would make a cute little present. But… is still good? Tea doesnt go bad, does it?!
posted by silverstatue at 12:58 PM PST - 13 comments
Greetings, hive mind. I want to start an affiliate program for my web design and hosting business for folks to refer others for hosting. What software is good for tracking referrals?
[more inside]posted by jxpx777 at 12:55 PM PST - 2 comments
Why is it that if I enter the coordinates of Tiananmen Square (which are 39°54?12?N, 116°23?30?E) in any format, Google Earth responds with "Your search returned no results"?
[more inside]posted by disgustipated at 12:47 PM PST - 3 comments
CircuitBreakerFilter: Im trying to find out if my circuit breaker panel was ever recalled, its a Federal Pacific w/ Catalog #1306-12. It also has another # which is Y22455Y-1
posted by flipmiester99 at 12:43 PM PST - 3 comments
Will you be able to surf the internet with the Wii?
posted by Beaufort at 12:33 PM PST - 7 comments
Should I punish my old cat when she terrorizes my new cat? This is part of the larger question of how do I stop my old cat from bullying my new kitten, despite my adherence to everything I've read about integrating the new kitten into my cat's kingdom.
[more inside]posted by rikitiki at 12:16 PM PST - 7 comments
How likely is it *really* that there's something worse than bruising wrong with me after a minor car accident?
[more inside]posted by catfood at 12:15 PM PST - 16 comments
Fabric for Ogres! Newish sewer with aggressive bent seeks suitablly badassed fabric prints for purchase via the internets.
[more inside]posted by Ogre Lawless at 12:15 PM PST - 8 comments
Spoken-Word-Audio-Filter: What is the best way to get audio from tapes to my Powerbook?
[more inside]posted by plemeljr at 11:23 AM PST - 4 comments
Is having "blood work" done to insure a dog is healthy enough to go under anesthesia a traditional and necessary part of having him neutered or did I just fall victim to the veterinary equivalent of "your air filter is dirty, do you want us to go ahead and replace it"?
[more inside]posted by The Gooch at 10:58 AM PST - 11 comments
Computer Boffins! My two year old laptop is currently running as slow as balls. Please help! I don't know if it is significant but my CPU usage is at 100% and upto 99% of that is by a process calling itsself MSACui.exe.
Im running on windows XP and have just had the hard drive wiped but to no avail.
Apologies if asked and answered before but a search would have taken several days at present.
posted by Reggie Knoble at 10:55 AM PST - 12 comments
My on-again-off-again girlfriend of ~oneyear confided in me recently that she was raped when she was eleven by a boy approximately 4-5 years her senior. My question has two parts, one concerning my responsibility toward her and the situation I have just learned about, and one concerning my newfound apprehension with regard to her sexual preferences.
[much] [more inside]posted by anonymous at 10:25 AM PST - 26 comments
Train Trip Filter: My boyfriend and I would like to take a romantic ~week long train trip, either in Canada or in the Northern USA. We've already done research on itinerary and costs, however, would we as 20-somethings feel out of place with what primarily seems to be a common retiree-age vacation?
posted by lizjohn at 10:15 AM PST - 26 comments
I need software/service/help for recovering files from my camera's corrupted memory card. 300 photos from my trip to Spain. Poof.
I'm using a Mac, the camera's a Panasonic FZ7, and I do not have ready access to a Windows or Linux machine. Disk Warrior appears to be of no avail (Not using a separate card reader, just the camera's USB connection). Anything I can try from the command line or anything like that?
[more inside]posted by adamrice at 9:50 AM PST - 7 comments
Google Groups vs Yahoo Groups: Which would you choose? I need to pick a free email discussion group manager to serve as a digital town square for a group of 300-500 people of poor-to-decent computer skills across North America. Please help me choose.
[more inside]posted by sacre_bleu at 9:49 AM PST - 3 comments
We discussed improving penmanship
once or
twice. I'd like to know who is/was known for their distinctive hand. Links to letters or notebooks would be wonderful.
posted by pedantic at 9:18 AM PST - 13 comments
Help me celebrate the birth of my nephew today. I'd like ideas on cool memorabilia that later on he can have to remember this day.
[more inside]posted by thewittyname at 8:25 AM PST - 25 comments
I'm looking into a power scooter for my mom, and I'm realizing pretty quickly that I have no idea what I should be looking for. What makes one better than the other?
[more inside]posted by FunkyHelix at 8:00 AM PST - 10 comments
Does anyone have, or have you seen a computer with a video co-processor installed? (Like the
PhysX card by Ageia) Is it worth the extra $250?
posted by crunchland at 7:50 AM PST - 10 comments
On a device with 2 batteries, say for an example, a remote control with 2 AA batteries, the instructions for the device say, when the time comes, to replace both batteries, not just one. As if replacing one battery, while it will supply enough energy to run the device, will somehow damage the device. Is this just a ruse to sell more batteries?
posted by allelopath at 7:42 AM PST - 9 comments
I'm making up a shelter/survival kit - Now that I've got the Laser Printer hooked up, can anybody reccomend web pages I should print out and pack along?
[more inside]posted by Orb2069 at 7:38 AM PST - 6 comments
Hollywood, FL Car Repair Filter: help us maintain our 2000 Isuzu Rodeo and our 2001 Honda Accord. It's time for a tune-up.
[more inside]posted by bilabial at 5:43 AM PST - 5 comments
Does anyone know where I can buy Lego brick ice cubes in the uk
posted by baker dave at 5:36 AM PST - 10 comments
I'm 24 and work in sales. I have a huge passion for indie music. I have never been sure what I wanted to do but I think (on paper) I have found a vocation I can really love.
How do I best break into new music plugging in London? Also how awfully paid is it? Money is a motivator for me but more than anything I want to enjoy what I do.
[more inside]posted by mjlondon at 5:05 AM PST - 16 comments
I live in Beijing. I want to take a 3-day solo trip to another Chinese city to get a feel for how the majority of urban Chinese live--outside of Beijing/Shanghai/Shenzhen. Where should I go?
[more inside]posted by jbb7 at 3:02 AM PST - 16 comments
Hi, I'm hosted with TextDrive who don't provide stats or log analysis for their customers. I do have access to the raw Apache log files, though, and would dearly love to parse them and get some meaningful stats and hopefully graphical charts out of them, ala AWStats, Analog or Webalizer.
[more inside]posted by dance at 2:53 AM PST - 9 comments
So, I have 13"x21" of paper, two metres of sticky tape and a paperclip. What is the strongest free-standing structure that I can make?
[more inside]posted by PuGZ at 12:50 AM PST - 21 comments
October 8
Why is it that I can be overwhelmed or underwhelmed, but not whelmed?
posted by purplefiber at 11:42 PM PST - 27 comments
I am starting work on my MArch thesis that revolves around the development of 3 dimensional spatial analysis software (basically, Space Syntax in 3D). I am not sure yet what language to write it in.
[more inside]posted by signal at 11:34 PM PST - 6 comments
A few years ago (possibly in or around the year 2000), while channel surfing, I remember catching parts of a TV show on Australia's ABC which was set in Australia's federal Parliament House. I don't have a clue what it was called though, and my searching has turned up nothing. I think it might have been a comedy, too. Anyone know what show this is?
posted by Effigy2000 at 10:55 PM PST - 10 comments
My boss has a presentation-via-artwork to make at a managers meeting early next week and has delegated this to me. She's vetoed my first three ideas and I'm stumped. Someone help me!
[more inside]posted by ninazer0 at 10:46 PM PST - 26 comments
Ok, burning my question for the week with something really stupid yet I don't have the time to sit on the phone on hold or make the trip, so here goes: in the US, will the post office buy back your stamps at face value (and with no questions asked)?
posted by catcatwomanman at 10:24 PM PST - 10 comments
Are there any simple ways to create fake Magic cards, like the "summon bevets" or "summon languagehat" cards I've seen making the rounds? Preferably, one of those web-2.0-ey generator sites. At the least, a photoshop template. I just don't want to have to deal with getting everything right from scratch, especially since my photoshop skills are rusty. Thanks!
posted by nervestaple at 8:16 PM PST - 5 comments
I spilled olive oil on our new red oak hardwood floor, the day before the contractors are coming to sand, stain and finish it (a small bottle fell off the shelf and the top popped off) . How screwed are we?
[more inside]posted by Scoo at 8:15 PM PST - 11 comments
What is a good hair salon in the Boston area? I haven't cut my hair in three years, I have never in my life had a good, flatting hairstyle. I wish to remedy this.
posted by davidriley at 7:56 PM PST - 6 comments
I'd like to learn ASP.NET, with two objectives: (1) redesign an MSAccess application used to track incoming calls and emails for a call center, and (2) use the knowledge as a base to obtain a development job within my company. Given the cacaphony of resources to learn, what should I spend my money/time on? Are there any "bibles" of ASP.NET development?
[more inside]posted by negative1 at 7:45 PM PST - 11 comments
Two-pronged question: (1) How common are virus/spyware-infected applications on P2P, assuming the filesize is big (50+ MB) and it's not one of those stupid 50 KB bait files? (2) Are there any good free or shareware virus scanners that are especially designed to examine the contents of executable setup programs? Most protection programs just look at existing files on a hard drive.
[more inside]posted by chef_boyardee at 6:45 PM PST - 9 comments
I ordered a CD from the neighbor kid raising money for his school. I realize now I'd rather have just made a donation. How could I handle this in the future?
[more inside]posted by DevilsAdvocate at 6:41 PM PST - 15 comments
I am traveling to Kolkata for a week around Christmas. I am researching shots/meds requirements and am coming up against recommendations for malaria protection. I'm reluctant to use doxycycline or Lariam. I'm looking for personal experience info about the different options. Other travel advice, tips, or recommendations are also welcome!
posted by caitlinb at 5:52 PM PST - 8 comments
Assuming I’m equally interested in both, should I go and see The Bell Shakespeare's production of 'The Tempest' or Cirque du Soleil's Varekai?
posted by oxford blue at 5:36 PM PST - 25 comments
I really like this guy I've become friends with, but he has a live-in girlfriend. He has decided to break it off with her but hasn't actually ended things. Should I tell him how I feel? Should I ask how he feels about me? Is there a chance for a relationship even if he breaks up with her or will I just be the rebound girl?
[more inside]posted by Dr. Cherry at 5:12 PM PST - 75 comments
What are the laws in NYC regarding edged weapons (knives, swords) possession in private and in public?
[more inside]posted by clockzero at 4:06 PM PST - 12 comments
What's with the Lyndon Johnson scene in "Forrest Gump" where Lyndon Johnson asks Forrest to see his injury?
[more inside]posted by PandemicSoul at 3:50 PM PST - 18 comments
We're headed to Breckenridge later this week and not sure if i want to pack the mountain bikes. Any locals or others with experience have any two cents to add? If it's no problem, suggest any trails that aren't too technical or too much climbing as we're just two currently-mostly-out-of-shape flat-landers here.
Or would it be better to pack the road bike? Decisions.....
posted by joshgray at 3:43 PM PST - 5 comments
I have many short strings of varying lengths — between a dozen and a few hundred, most likely — and one long string. I need to write code that will find a way to assemble a copy of the long string using as few of the short strings as possible. If it's not possible to assemble a complete copy of the long string, it should assemble a copy with as few and as small gaps as possible.
[more inside]posted by nebulawindphone at 3:29 PM PST - 26 comments
I am going to be selling my wares at an outdoor arts and crafts show in a couple of weeks. This show usually gets a turnout of anywhere from 20,000 to 60,000 people, depending on the weather. I am looking for suggestions on making this a success.
[more inside]posted by Ostara at 3:05 PM PST - 21 comments
How safe is travelling around Russia by yourself if you don't speak Russian? What's the protocol for bribing? I'm thinking of visitting Moscow, St Petersburg, Tomsk, Novosobirsk. I do have friends in Tomsk.
[more inside]posted by vizsla at 2:45 PM PST - 11 comments
I have to go to a big all-company all-day meeting tomorrow. Help me stay sane while I'm there.
[more inside]posted by Jaie at 2:33 PM PST - 27 comments
What are the most useful and effective things a person can do to assist elephant conservation?
posted by i_am_joe's_spleen at 12:04 PM PST - 19 comments
Why have crime rates in the United States fallen over the last several years?
posted by davidgmarkham at 11:42 AM PST - 34 comments
If I put a glass of cocoa or milk in the microwave and get it out when it's hot, hold it in my hand and tap on the bottom of the glass (or mug) with a spoon - so with the spoon in the drink, not under the glass - the sounds it makes starts out as a really low "toc" but becomes higher with each tap. What is happening? It's not as if the glass becomes much hotter or colder in the first 10 seconds after I get it from the microwave.
posted by Skyanth at 11:30 AM PST - 10 comments
Agronomy / save the planet question: Since vast stretches of land are owned by the government running right beside the interstate highways what plant groups could be used there to provide ongoing good bio mass to harvest using those wonderful paved lanes right next to the ..er..side of the road?
posted by Freedomboy at 10:48 AM PST - 19 comments
CUPS/MacOSXFilter: I can't seem to figure out how to get my new MacBook Pro to recognize and assign the right driver to a RAW printer feed on another OS X computer. Help!
[more inside]posted by plaidrabbit at 9:58 AM PST - 3 comments
I've always wondered what happens after people are on shows like Extreme Makeover Home edition or Pimp My Ride. These people get amazing homes or cars, but now they have to pay for insurance/tabs? What's the likely hood of being able to afford that when all you could handle prior was a shack or beater car? Anyone ever looked into this?
[more inside]posted by andywolf at 9:50 AM PST - 13 comments
What kind of foods help to increase the quantity of semen ? ( I am talking about semen, not sperms)
posted by inquisitive at 7:03 AM PST - 24 comments
Help me construct the ultimate poor man's Ipod boombox. I have a Sonic Impact T-Amp and 2 Infinity bookshelf speakers. I would like to be able to carry all 3 as a connected unit (Amp velcroed to the top of a speaker, speakers somehow connected together) but separate the speakers when needed. What's a good way to connect the speakers together without damaging them? I'd like to keep it as light weight as possible. Seems like Velcro might be too weak?
posted by mattholomew at 7:01 AM PST - 7 comments
I need ideas on
emergency shelters, for the homeless in urban environments, as well as for out in the boondocks. Must be inexpensive or free and easy to set up. Please blow my mind.
posted by dropkick at 5:47 AM PST - 13 comments
how long should i wait before smoking after i had my wisdom teeth removed? did i mention that i'm deathy afraid of dry socket?
[more inside]posted by defmute at 2:04 AM PST - 20 comments
October 7
Are police officers (specifically California Highway Patrol) allowed to carry chicks in their cars?
[more inside]posted by rhizome at 11:49 PM PST - 26 comments
Just received a 2gb usb drive as a gift -what do I put on it and what do I use it for - transferring shite between work and home is not a concern.
posted by philad at 11:48 PM PST - 18 comments
An odd search question; how would I go about looking up something like, "Give me a list of major cities (100,000 population or more) with 2000km of Tulsa, OK". My googlefu is failing me.
posted by drleary at 10:46 PM PST - 9 comments
How easy would it be to set up some PCs to record the local news on several channels for purposes of offering a media clipping service?
[more inside]posted by pzarquon at 10:07 PM PST - 9 comments
WTF just happened in our kitchen? It was like a mini lightning storm! Maybe a power surge interacting with the steam from the open microwave? Complete details inside.
[more inside]posted by bienbiensuper at 8:54 PM PST - 19 comments
How can a 14 year old girl overcome severe anxiety and low self-esteem, without prescribed medication?
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 8:37 PM PST - 45 comments
Sartre's brand of atheistic existentialism places a high premium on the value of action as the only means of self-definition. Why in Sartre's life did that action fall along lefty radical activism? Was that his personal ideology creeping in, or does his brand of existentialism demand action of one kind over another?
[more inside]posted by jlowen at 7:47 PM PST - 9 comments
I'm not sure what these microcontroller/robotics components are for or what their prices are. If anyone knows any information on what they can do and what they go for please let me know (I was thinking of making a midibox SID).
[more inside]posted by Napierzaza at 6:47 PM PST - 8 comments
In 5 years, I want to become more desirable to prospective employers as the director of information systems within the education system. What can I do to enhance my profile?
[more inside]posted by jmd82 at 6:41 PM PST - 14 comments
I'm DJing a rave in a month or so, and the crowd I'll be playing to is much more of a gamer crowd than the average rave-going-crowd is. I'm going to throw in some game music remixes at some point, and I thought I'd ask for suggestions.
[more inside]posted by Jairus at 6:25 PM PST - 29 comments
ProductivityFilter: Help a work-at-home mother of two design a GTD-meets-FlyLady life management system. Very much
[more inside]posted by Andrhia at 6:25 PM PST - 6 comments
What companies can ship a box same day from SF to Texas without having an account with the shipping company?
[more inside]posted by pantufla at 5:35 PM PST - 12 comments
is there a definitive elliott smith album/cd i should have in my collection?
posted by brandz at 5:35 PM PST - 22 comments
AudioFilter... A switcher that allows me to split 1 stereo mini jack output from my sound card to 4 or more female stereo mini jack outputs. Does this exist?
[more inside]posted by fondle at 4:53 PM PST - 7 comments
I would like to download Frank Zappa albums via a subscription service that has downloads available in mp3 or ogg. Is there such a service?
[more inside]posted by bkpr at 4:25 PM PST - 6 comments
I'm in my mid-30s and am feeling like I need to find a career/professional mentor. But I'm a mid-career (7+ years) web designer/producer. How do I find a mentor in a field that's not much older than my job?
[more inside]posted by dw at 12:52 PM PST - 7 comments
Client bounces check, and threatens to sue me for defamation when I report it to an industry group.
[more inside]posted by dejah420 at 12:48 PM PST - 39 comments
About 12 years ago the wife and I where driving around Mammoth Cave KY, and there where these small shops that sold shards and chucks of colored glass in many different sizes. The glass was not manifactured for sale, but some byproduct of something or another.
[more inside]posted by edgeways at 12:21 PM PST - 10 comments
What should I know to plan a move from US to Australia? What should I take and what should I leave behind? What else should I know about moving to Australia? Where can I get more information?
[more inside]posted by wanderlust_babe at 12:21 PM PST - 16 comments
How far from my bed should I keep my condoms in order not to seem like a man-whore?
[more inside]posted by gelcap at 12:16 PM PST - 55 comments
When addressing a letter, if I was to intentionally switch the destination and return address and then drop it into a mailbox without a stamp, would it get to where I originally wanted it to go?
[more inside]posted by gfrobe at 12:07 PM PST - 10 comments
What academic programs exist for getting into [creative, helpful] international developmental work? Alternately, can someone with a B.A. in Poli Sci do something more than volunteer or intern in such a field?
[more inside]posted by trinarian at 10:34 AM PST - 10 comments
The line in from my stereo seems to be live, as in it's marginally painful to touch. Should it be?
[more inside]posted by edd at 9:53 AM PST - 14 comments
I'd like to find an old road bike ripe for conversion to fixed gear on the cheap. Thought it would be easy, as it seems to me there must be a huge cache of these sitting in a warehouse somewhere. (Doesn't WMATA and/or the cops pick these up on a regular basis?). The only source I can find is Craigslist, but that has not been very good, at least not yet. Anybody know of anything better? Police auction? Used bike wholesaler? Or perhaps my expectations are too high? Thanks.
posted by gregoryc at 9:41 AM PST - 16 comments
Hello guitarists! Technical question here: Is there any advantage to having two overdrive/distortion devices in my signal chain?
[more inside]posted by KevinSkomsvold at 9:12 AM PST - 9 comments
Am I obligated to pay for my medical appointment, despite an insurance mix-up?
[more inside]posted by bingo at 8:51 AM PST - 10 comments
Are there any recorded versions of "Krutitzuh Viertitzuh" other than Cynthia Dall's?
[more inside]posted by RGD at 8:07 AM PST - 6 comments
How can I find a doctor that speaks Thai in New York City?
posted by josher71 at 7:53 AM PST - 8 comments
I have one free wall in my tiny apartment for a cat tree. It's in my kitchen, and I would like it to look like a unique piece of sculpture -- not the traditional wood and carpet cat trees that everyone has. I want something at least six feet tall, and under $100, so it needs to be a DIY project.
[more inside]posted by bchaplin at 7:40 AM PST - 11 comments
Please help me find downloadable spanish language radio in the style of BBC Radio 4. I'm learning spanish and, while I'm doing my best in talking to native speakers, watching local TV and listening to local radio (I'm in Buenos Aires :), I can't find anything that is similar to the non-news, non-sport, non-call-in talk radio that I like on Radio 4, Plays, books of the week and so on (that I can listen to over and over while I'm on the bus, rewind etc). I haven't found too many podcasts that do it for me either but then, I'm not the hive mind.
Any suggestions?
posted by itsjustanalias at 7:26 AM PST - 3 comments
How do I create a cheap Digital Signage Network that runs without any user interaction? (You know the screens showing stuff in-stores, movie theatres, etc.)
[more inside]posted by riffola at 7:19 AM PST - 2 comments
Help me find this movie. Years ago I saw a film clip with a great drum solo. I think it was Louis Prima conducting Sing, Sing, Sing. In the middle, the drummer, I'm sure it was Gene Krupa, starts his solo and doesn't stop, so the band members all get up and go out for a smoke. After a few minutes they all come back in & start playing again. It's a great solo. Does anyone know the name of that movie?
posted by RussHy at 5:48 AM PST - 11 comments
"Could not read boot block". Trying to get my photos from a (Sony) Memory Stick, and apparently my Mac cannot read the disk. Disk utility reports that it can't read the boot block (input/output error), so I can neither verify or repair. What can I do?
posted by djgh at 5:18 AM PST - 7 comments
I know, I know, light bulbs seem to fail in clusters, but I don't think this is to do with putting a bunch of lights in at the same time.
This week for instance, I got up and turned on my kitchen lights (8 x 50w small spots) and one blew and tripped my Ground Floor Light fuse.
A day later and I get home and turn on the same lights, another goes and trips the lights circuit again.
Later in the week, another goes in my study.
I replaced all the bulbs today.
I turn them on, everything is fine, I go outside and turn on the porch/side lights (3 x 60w) and two of them blow.
I nearly always have an inop light or two.
My question is this :
Is there an electrical fault which might explain this pattern of failure ?
Thanks
posted by matholio at 4:20 AM PST - 11 comments
Help me find a store in Carnegie Hill New York that sells cool ties imported from Japan. I read a review in a hotel magazine *Gotham?) and they looked perfect for a gift I need to buy, but I lost the magazine! The store may have been called "Seige" or something similar. Google can't seem to help me! Please help, I'm only in town for today (Saturday!). Thanks!
posted by csg77 at 4:06 AM PST - 3 comments
Where online can I buy saffron grown in Pennsylvania? I did a quick google, but I'm not coming up with anything other than articles and recipes and links to buy saffron grown everywhere else.
posted by digitalis at 12:49 AM PST - 4 comments
October 6
When you made the jump from paying the rent to paying a mortgage, what was the ratio?
[more inside]posted by woj at 10:17 PM PST - 36 comments
What are the liquor laws in New York State? I tried looking on the NYS common law page, but I couldn't understand them. I am 20 years old, and therefore cannot purchase alcohol. If I were to make my own wine using
this method, would it be legal? Does the Law cover production and consumption of liquor, or does the "drinking age" just cover the sale of alcohol? I know that it is legal to make small quantities of alcohol for your own personal use, but I don't know about the age thing.
posted by anonymous at 10:01 PM PST - 8 comments
If I dial 911 from my cell phone, does it connect me with emergency services in the area I'm physically calling from, or in the area code of my phone number?
[more inside]posted by Amy Phillips at 9:29 PM PST - 15 comments
Anybody know what the pretty piano piece was that opened Thursday night's episode of CSI?
posted by puddinghead at 9:26 PM PST - 4 comments
How do I create description fields for my own iPod videos, similar to those that come with videos I get from iTunes?
[more inside]posted by WolfDaddy at 8:37 PM PST - 1 comments
Can you recommend a therapist in Seattle? I'm on a budget and I've never been to therapy before.
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 7:37 PM PST - 9 comments
I've accumulated a bunch of photos in my Flickr account of me with (now ex) girlfriends, and women who I've had shorter-term involvments with.
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 7:36 PM PST - 9 comments
I have a bajillion image files to print. Is there a way to get the file name of the image to print above or below the image when it prints?
[more inside]posted by misanthropicsarah at 5:45 PM PST - 7 comments
I'm in the process of buying a house in Chester Springs, PA (a western suburb of Philadelphia). If any MeFites are locals, I've got a few questions about the area . . .
[more inside]posted by galimatias at 5:41 PM PST - 3 comments
How can a geek/introvert establish a rapport with those soft cuddly things which possess higher fat/muscle ratio (women)?
[more inside]posted by gadha at 5:29 PM PST - 37 comments
Can anyone think of a bar in NYC that would likely be watching the Battlestar Galactica premire tonight?
[more inside]posted by milovoo at 4:04 PM PST - 5 comments
Why do altoids have that wax paper inside the tin? Is there any practical reason for it?
posted by jclovebrew at 3:16 PM PST - 24 comments
I think my dad is a hypochondriac. He made us get rid of all the house plants because they were causing him to cough. Now he thinks that "ozone" put off by either the (desktop) computer, the box fan, or both is making him sick.
[more inside]posted by IndigoRain at 2:04 PM PST - 18 comments
I'm in Waco TX for tonight and tomorrow (Fri 6th October - Sat 7th Oct) visiting family. Anytime I travel I like to visit the local record shops. I'm staying close to Baylor University. Are there any decent cool shops in the area (20 mi radius) for second hand CDs & Records? Books too while I'm at it.
posted by horseblind at 1:50 PM PST - 8 comments
NYCFilter: Just got four free tickets to the Tool concert tonight. Date decided not her thing... and I need a ride to Meadowlands.
[more inside]posted by bastionofsanity at 1:06 PM PST - 3 comments
My just-out-of-warranty electric cooktop died recently, and my handyman came up with the idea that it was feasible to replace it with a gas cooktop. Today, the project was finished up, and I now have
this dandy cooktop in my kitchen.
The only problem is that I've never cooked on gas before (other than on a propane grill).
[more inside]posted by nonliteral at 1:03 PM PST - 18 comments
I've used Forte Agent (paid) for about 10 years. However, they are now claiming they don't have a record of my most-recent upgrade and some of the tweaks they've made, I'm not cool with. Can anyone recommend a (preferably freeware) newsreader that has the following: Support for multiple servers (where it doesn't seperate each server like Thunderbird does), ease of use (remember, I'm familiar with Agent's interface), and tailored for offline (since I like to just read at leisure). I tried installing 40Tude's Dialog, but it will not run on my system for some reason.
posted by polexxia at 12:18 PM PST - 14 comments
Is there a name for the
manga style where characters are drawn so simply they have no feet, merely dull points at the bottom of their legs?
[more inside]posted by Rash at 11:38 AM PST - 8 comments
Any advice on the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program application? I'm applying in Social Science.
posted by k8t at 11:32 AM PST - 12 comments
After several months looking I have a job offer in hand. The work sounds interesting and would take my career in a new, positive direction. But I'm getting a bad vibe.
[more inside]posted by libraryhead at 11:05 AM PST - 28 comments
How do I cheer up my SO? He just found out that his dad is in hospital following a hemmorhage.
[more inside]posted by barrakuda at 10:12 AM PST - 10 comments
I need to collect a list of names and addresses at a trade show on a Windows XP Home Laptop. It needs to be setup in such a fashion that attendees walking past our booth can input thier information themselves. How can I do this?
[more inside]posted by trbrts at 9:34 AM PST - 12 comments
When was the undo invented?
Is it a computer thing, or did a mechanical undo exist before that?
posted by lorbus at 9:33 AM PST - 16 comments
I am a hopelessly moderate, hyper-responsible, mostly mellow person. How can I help my niece, who is very bright, but hyper-emotional and kind of an over-the-top drama queen, create stability for herself and/or make more responsible choices?
[more inside]posted by whatnot at 9:26 AM PST - 18 comments
Two nights ago I woke up whlie I was in a vivid dream. Last night, just before I fell asleep, the previous night's dream came back to me out of nowhere. Not a repeat, but more of a " previously on" moment like TV shows do. Has anyone else experienced this or know what causes it ? Sure, there's some
[more inside]posted by lobstah at 8:32 AM PST - 14 comments
Who were the first group of people to embrace SMS texting? Did any members of the group who designed the protocol accurately predict how it would be used?
[more inside]posted by rongorongo at 8:27 AM PST - 15 comments
Referencing roll-your-own Python modules in other Python applications. What's my deal?
[more inside]posted by Fezboy! at 8:14 AM PST - 6 comments
I'm a 5'2" 130 pound girl and I wear a size 32G (as in gargantuan) bra. I feel like a freak. Help.
[more inside]posted by fancypants at 7:08 AM PST - 71 comments
