skip to main content
October 2010 Archives
October 31
Should I eat this? Pumpkin seeds were soaking in salt water for several days. Still okay to roast and eat?
[more inside]posted by HMSSM at 10:55 PM PST - 16 comments 
I remember once seeing a diagram of the human body where all of the parts are sized based on the amount of nerves in them (it was distorted, like maps that enlarge or shrink areas so that they're representational of population size rather than area). The lips and hands were both really big. My google-fu is failing me-- does anyone know where I could find it?
posted by NoraReed at 9:38 PM PST - 5 comments
I'm in the mood for films set in days-gone-by at grand country estates, particularly those that center around (or at least include scenes of) large groups of guests. Examples that immediately spring to mind (and which I loved) include
Gosford Park,
The Remains of the Day,
La Règle du Jeu, etc. I ring the bell for the butler and ask for more!
posted by scody at 9:05 PM PST - 29 comments
were you someone who never wanted to get married, or believed they'd never get married and then one day met someone and knew instantly (or shortly thereafter) that you wanted to marry them? was it difficult to shift your paradigm?
[more inside]posted by violetk at 8:25 PM PST - 41 comments
What the hell is wrong with me? Nerve damage? Anxiety? [InsertVitamin] deficiency? Butterflies in my teeth?
[more inside]posted by doublehappy at 8:20 PM PST - 18 comments
I work in collections in Florida. We get bonuses. Please help me get big checks and behave ethically (and legally!). For sanity's sake, please note that our handbook doesn't address these concerns and my supervisor is very very busy dealing with much bigger problems than I could ever imagine presenting. My training is (rightly or wrongly) not the top priority. So, metafilter: train me, please.
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 8:18 PM PST - 8 comments
Looking for recommendations for fun, campy, European softcore sex romps from the late 60s or early 70s -- in the vein of Barbarella, Danger: Diabolik, or Radley Metzger. Bonus points for instant streaming on Netflix.
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 8:18 PM PST - 10 comments
What are some interesting culturally specific conversations students around the world might be having with their friends, parents, or teachers?
[more inside]posted by acidic at 8:05 PM PST - 16 comments
Why are stadium lights on in broad daylight? I have been to pro-games, college games and high school games. All the daytime games have the full stadium lights blazing as if the games were being played in full darkness! WHY?
posted by GGMA at 6:40 PM PST - 9 comments
I forgot to send a courtesy follow-up e-mail to my interviewer. I was told to expect a decision this week. Is it too late to make things right?
[more inside]posted by null14 at 6:27 PM PST - 14 comments
My CD/DVD drive on my HP laptop isn't working. It won't open when I push the open button, doesn't respond when I try to open it through a program, but can be forced open. However, when I insert a disc of any kind, it doesn't read it. Is there a way to solve this problem, or will I have to go through the annoying process of taking it to Best Buy and having them send it out for two weeks?
Oh, and also I am running Vista, if that means anything.
posted by hafehd at 6:10 PM PST - 5 comments
so...how do i get points added to my band for singing in rock band 3? can i?
posted by assasinatdbeauty at 5:55 PM PST - 4 comments
I've got some old VIVO Active video files from several years back when I was playing around with various forms of encoding... I'd really like to be able to play these. Supposedly Mplayer can, but I haven't had any luck getting it to work... can you help me play these videos?
[more inside]posted by setanor at 5:40 PM PST - 5 comments
What's the cheapest way to organize all of my books? I've got a small apartment, more books than bookshelves, and an extremely low budget.
[more inside]posted by ejfox at 4:35 PM PST - 16 comments
Gmail acting funny in Firefox: I have 2 gmail tabs open. One is for my personal account, the other is through my employer (the college uses google to manage their webmail service). If I try to "Compose Mail" or "Reply" or anything that would open up a new email, on either account, the top of the page goes to "Loading" but nothing ever happens. In addition, the Gmail Chat tab is missing. Only not working on my home computer; both were working fine on my office computer when I went in to check 30 min ago.
[more inside]posted by Saxon Kane at 4:30 PM PST - 11 comments
When you read or think a lot or otherwise concentrate, and you get fatigued or sleepy, what exactly is happening biologically? Is it a matter of blood sugar depletion? Something else?
posted by shivohum at 4:18 PM PST - 14 comments
I lost my last form of picture ID, and I don't think I have enough secondary forms to earn points for a new one because I'm paid under the table. Can I ask one of the companies for whom I once freelanced to send me an old W-2 form? Can they also send me old pay stubs?
[more inside]posted by Hwaet at 4:13 PM PST - 5 comments
Vacation rental filter: Asking for a friend: I know YANAL/YANML, but help me help my friend not be drowned by the cost of her second home: she bought her home with the intent of earning some vacation rental income, but is now not sure she can.
[more inside]posted by purenitrous at 4:07 PM PST - 8 comments
I've got a great big compost pile, I'd like to make it vegetable-growing ready by spring. Advice?
[more inside]posted by nevercalm at 3:23 PM PST - 7 comments
When we use our Kitchenaid mixer plugged into one socket, the coffee grinder plugged into a different socket starts to grind, sort of. What the hell?
[more inside]posted by fatbird at 3:03 PM PST - 14 comments
How did I go to Anglican High Mass twice and not realize I wasn't in a Catholic Church?
[more inside]posted by oneaday at 2:41 PM PST - 42 comments
Cheap, good places to buy baking supplies online? I like to bake and am looking for good places to buy baking supplies online, preferably at a discount. Some things I'm looking for: Dutch-processed/alkalized cocoa powder, cake flour, unsweetened chocolate, 60% cacao dark chocolate.
posted by shoyu at 2:31 PM PST - 8 comments
Any suggestions on what I can do if I have a complaint on an authorized agent of AT&T Wireless?
[more inside]posted by hazyspring at 1:54 PM PST - 6 comments
How can I get the free HD TV channels on a data-only cable package?
[more inside]posted by cgs at 1:47 PM PST - 9 comments
I'm a developer and I'm looking for career advice on whether or not to stay at my current company or move on.
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 1:29 PM PST - 11 comments
I'm donating a computer to a friend-of-a-relative. Can data be recovered from the RAM or any other part of the computer?
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 1:29 PM PST - 6 comments
Period Questions: Why do I feel fine the week before my period, then depressed, tired, anxious the rest of the month? Help me have a more productive discussion with some sort of medical provider.
[more inside]posted by sio42 at 1:01 PM PST - 10 comments
What is something an adult woman might wear next to her skin that would leave a multicolored residue/mark/stain on her skin?
[more inside]posted by Ideal Impulse at 12:44 PM PST - 45 comments
I have agreed to read a book by Bill O'Rielly that my dad wants me to read, if I can pick out the next book he reads. What should I pick?
[more inside]posted by dpx.mfx at 12:43 PM PST - 38 comments
What do I put down for references on a job application, when I don't know anyone professionally for five years?
[more inside]posted by SansPoint at 12:30 PM PST - 6 comments
Looking for a news article I read about Isreal and Egypt meeting at the State Department, and not saying anything until they agreed on how bad American coffee is. But now I can't find it!
[more inside]posted by BusyBusyBusy at 12:18 PM PST - 1 comments
I'm looking for more ergonomic solutions to snipping herbs and shredding food in the kitchen. These are the two most painful kitchen tasks for me due to existing repetitive strain injuries.
[more inside]posted by grouse at 10:46 AM PST - 18 comments
Our CSA gave us
2 1/2 pounds of extremely hot peppers, mostly naga jolokia. I'd like to make a hot sauce that I can give away at Christmastime. What do I need to know to make a sauce that will keep unrefrigerated? I'm open to other applications as well.
[more inside]posted by hydrophonic at 9:45 AM PST - 19 comments
Overstock.com has just started something called the "Main Street Initiative" where they create and promote small business microsites. I have a few questions about this.
[more inside]posted by CollectiveMind at 9:06 AM PST - 1 comments
My son's costume (barrel of toxic waste) is covered with spray foam painted with glow-in-the-dark paint. What's the best way to charge it up ahead of time so it glows for a long time?
[more inside]posted by bondcliff at 8:54 AM PST - 9 comments
Which laptop should I buy? Important are a nice 15'' screen and good battery life. It is going to run Linux.
[more inside]posted by cameleon at 8:53 AM PST - 7 comments
When you feel that you are no longer important to a sister, should you try to forget her?
[more inside]posted by striving at 6:18 AM PST - 33 comments
Potatoes are cheap, nutritious and versatile, but I need more recipe ideas for this incredible food resource.
[more inside]posted by Mutant at 3:50 AM PST - 57 comments
Freaking FOX/CableVision can't get their ducks in a row, so I'll miss the Jets game in my living room. Can anyone suggest an awesome sports bar in or near Port Jefferson, Long Island? I'm willing to drive 20 miles in any direction (except north of course haha) if it's a good spot!
posted by FireStyle at 12:23 AM PST - 2 comments
October 30
We moved two weeks ago, and my dog is still in Super-Bark-Mode at everything that moves. How can I get her to chill out and be a happier dog?
[more inside]posted by actionpact at 11:25 PM PST - 8 comments
I need help to decide what to do next with my 10 year old son. He's the sweetest most charming kid you've ever met, but he has language processing and attention issues (
much more inside), and I feel like we're at a pivotal point. But I don't know what the next step should be or even what my options are.
[more inside]posted by BaxterG4 at 9:29 PM PST - 22 comments
What part of the brain keeps someone from speaking the words they think?
posted by airguitar at 9:11 PM PST - 10 comments
How to I do effectively go from being a few friends person to being a many friends person? For most of my life I was the kind of person who had a small, intense circle of friendship and now I have a much larger and less focused social sphere - and I'm having trouble managing it and making sure I spending enough time with people - not feeling guilty about not seeing people for weeks - having people who are friendly but not your super duper friends - and just dealing with suddenly having a much, much larger social world when you're used to a private, focused one.
posted by The Whelk at 8:52 PM PST - 11 comments
How should I deal with a friend's toddler who is repeatedly aggressive toward my toddler?
[more inside]posted by chippie at 8:15 PM PST - 29 comments
What is the cheapest way to get the contents of a small apartment from Philadelphia to Toronto?
[more inside]posted by keeo at 8:06 PM PST - 6 comments
How can we get my grandma from overseas to the US as painlessly as possible without spending $$$$$ amount of money?
[more inside]posted by joyeuxamelie at 6:12 PM PST - 20 comments
I'm trying to help a friend research digital distribution options for his band's new cd release and it's all a bit overwhelming. Can anyone shed some light on the pros and cons of a couple of distributors, namely
CDBaby and
ReverbNation?
[more inside]posted by ourroute at 4:24 PM PST - 3 comments
Confectionery Filter: How can I cut a roll of candy into desirably shaped pieces without getting sharp corners?
[more inside]posted by purefusion at 3:47 PM PST - 14 comments
Help an old and behind the times lady find video to her new non-Apple media player.
[more inside]posted by drlith at 3:24 PM PST - 4 comments
My original iPod Mini, circa 2004, has finally died. I need to replace it with another mp3 player with an FM transmitter. What would you fine folks out there recommend?
[more inside]posted by Mountain Goatse at 1:49 PM PST - 12 comments
Legalfilter! My work was taken advantage of - I interned/trained for a small business but wasn't paid for any time. I asked for things to be made right, but was told to shove it. Do I go to court?
[more inside]posted by roygbv at 1:42 PM PST - 26 comments
A troubled friend wants to visit with me for a couple of weeks, and is obviously very serious about it. I don't really have the time or energy to take him in, but I know his reaction won't be pretty if I say "no," and I don't know if I can handle worrying about him. (Long.)
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 1:37 PM PST - 37 comments
I want to have a normal and healthy adult sex life. My fear of getting pregnant is stopping me. Long Catholic details inside.
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 1:37 PM PST - 35 comments
My MP3 Library is a mess. I want to fix it. I know these questions have been asked before, but mine is perhaps a bit more particular.
[more inside]posted by kbanas at 12:34 PM PST - 21 comments
I'm flying back to the US next week to attend a wedding celebration. What kind of cool kitchen things from Germany/Europe can I give the couple that are not so common in the US?
[more inside]posted by chillmost at 12:26 PM PST - 15 comments
Split with my boyfriend of six years. We were each other's best friends, confidantes, emotional support. And now, that's gone. How do I fill the void?
[more inside]posted by Everydayville at 12:10 PM PST - 16 comments
2010 Philadelphia voting guide besides the Inquirer's? Bonus points if you live in Philly and have personal voting suggestions & supportive reasoning.
[more inside]posted by furious at 11:52 AM PST - 3 comments
In association football (soccer), if a player commits a foul inside his own penalty box, does it always result in a penalty kick being awarded to the other team?
posted by WalterMitty at 11:33 AM PST - 9 comments
Yet another question about a book from one's childhood. Mission: Help me find this anthology of "bawdy" fairy tales.
[more inside]posted by kkokkodalk at 11:09 AM PST - 10 comments
A sticky pad has bonded itself to my all-wood endtable. Can I use a product like
Goof-Off to remove it, or will that damage the finish on the table?
[more inside]posted by rdauphin at 10:19 AM PST - 9 comments
I need to paint on a 6' ballon today (making Jack-o-lanterns for a party). What sort of paint should I use? Any helpful hints? These are going in a pool so the more waterproof, the better.
posted by mmmpage at 9:05 AM PST - 7 comments
Any Latin scholars out there? I'm getting a tattoo and just want to make sure it means what I think it means... Quo vadimus
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 8:48 AM PST - 10 comments
I ignored an emailed apology from somebody that caused a major emotional meltdown two years ago. Should I have replied? I feel like a coward but then again, I don't think she is sincere.
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 8:48 AM PST - 45 comments
Where can I find a red power tie, preferably for cheap, in or near union station in DC today? My train arrives at noon, and I hope to have a tie in hand by 12:15. (I'm also looking for a white dress shirt, but that's less crucial.)
posted by Ash3000 at 8:04 AM PST - 3 comments
What is the easiest and most convenient way to keep track of my physical and emotional health in great detail? I don't have a great memory and want something that reminds me to record various information throughout the day. I have a couple of chronic illnesses that I need to keep track of and I never remember to write stuff down when it happens.
[more inside]posted by smartypantz at 7:45 AM PST - 16 comments
I've got a great 1TB drive that was yanked off the coffee table...later started clicking...now won't mount...what to do?
[more inside]posted by talljamal at 7:19 AM PST - 13 comments
What system would be the best for forwarding my cellphone calls so I can stop getting robbed by RoBelLus (rogers, bell, tellus).
What I want to do is something
like this, but I'd prefer to have control over it so that I can decide whether or not my call ident sends to the recipient properly (this isnt totally necessary but I do like the idea of running my own pbx).
What I'm going to do is use the "Smart Dialing" option or some variant in my Crackberry or android phone (whenever it comes back from the repair depot), to call a PBX that will give me a dial tone than I want to have my phone automatically wait for a moment or two (to ensure the pbx has responded with a dial tone) than dial my desired number.
This way I can add my PBX's number to a "My Five" (or whatever its called for my provider). Thus essentially giving me unlimited calling.
Also forwarding calls from my pbx back to my cellphone would be ideal otherwise I would only be able to make outgoing calls from my phone and I want the best of both worlds.
Suggestions or solutions for how I'm going to be able accomplish this task would be appreciated.
[more inside]posted by Chamunks at 6:48 AM PST - 6 comments
I have to make a Halloween party dessert on a tight schedule. In my cabinet I have a box of Dr. Oetker organic blondie mix and a can of organic pumpkin. According to the box directions you're supposed to add 1/4 C. melted butter and 2 eggs to the blondie mix. Can I add some of the canned pumpkin? About how much, do you think? How much of the butter or eggs would I leave out to make it still hold together with the fats, but not too gloppy with the added pumpkin?
posted by keener_sounds at 6:11 AM PST - 11 comments
Lost my Kindle. 1. If I deregister, will it wipe my contact info as well, so that if anyone does find it and wants to return it to me, they'll be unable to? 2. Will I be unable to reregister the Kindle if I find it? 3. Anything else I can/should do?
posted by Busoni at 6:08 AM PST - 4 comments
I want to get up early on weekdays, but can't. I want to sleep in on weekends, but I can't. Why? Can I switch this?
[more inside]posted by Buffaload at 5:06 AM PST - 6 comments
Name this film: for some reason why -- I can't remember -- the main character -- who I think works in a bank -- realises that there is a lot of money -- penny and cents -- in dormant accounts and sets about retrieving them and collecting them together I think for a charitable cause but it could be something more nefarious. Any ideas?
posted by feelinglistless at 1:23 AM PST - 13 comments
October 29
I'm trying to get my head round the wealth of technologies available for creating "Rich" internet applications - featuring sound, graphics, interaction, animation - specifically from the client side. Flash, ActionScript, Silverlight, Expression, JavaFX, Java, HTML5, JavaScript, JQuery... In particular, I'm looking for the long view, preferably from people working in the field: what skills do you think you will you be looking for in new recruits a few years from now? And why?
[more inside]posted by handee at 11:53 PM PST - 21 comments
I was watching The Social Network yesterday when I realised that I don't know a thing about how economics work. What is stock dilution? What's a subprime? What are they selling in the stock market? Where can I find a simple, for-dummies guide to understanding modern economics?
[more inside]posted by Senza Volto at 10:32 PM PST - 19 comments
Why are the roads so shiny in Las Vegas, like they're a polished surface? And, as a corollary, why is the paint on the street barely visible throughout town?
[more inside]posted by speedgraphic at 8:59 PM PST - 5 comments
Is it possible for two iOS 4 apps to access and use GPS information at the same time? Specifically, would iOS let me use RunKeeper to track a run in the foreground, and let an app like PlaceTrack update Google Latitude in the background?
[more inside]posted by delfuego at 8:35 PM PST - 5 comments
I live in Washington, DC, and I'd like to get together with people and talk about interesting ideas, preferably somewhere where networking bullshit is kept to a bare minimum. I don't care what they do for a living or what big ideas they're fluent in, just want them to be interesting. Does this thing exist and, if not, how do I create it?
[more inside]posted by l33tpolicywonk at 7:42 PM PST - 9 comments
I am already blind in one eye, and blindness is slowly progressing in the other eye. I can still see, but I'd like some tips on how to prepare myself for total blindness.
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 6:55 PM PST - 20 comments
Question regarding boots and knowing what to wear to work. Can a woman wear a pair of black mid-calf or taller boots to work and look appropriate? Or do most people change shoes at work? And how can I find a pair of boots that will please my demanding feet?
[more inside]posted by amethysts at 6:43 PM PST - 22 comments
So I swore to myself that I would never ask a medical question on AskMe, and yet I find myself here anyway. Any tips on how to tell the difference between a pulled muscle and deep vein thrombosis?
[more inside]posted by twiggy32 at 6:42 PM PST - 15 comments
Where can I find flannel-lined jeans that are
not high-waisted and baggy and are available in
petite sizing? Alternatively, if you know of another pants material that keeps your bottom half warm just as well and can be found in a modern & petite fit, I'm all ears.
[more inside]posted by invisible ink at 6:04 PM PST - 22 comments
Where can I find Holocaust- or post-Holocaust related sites in the Vienna area?
[more inside]posted by j1950 at 5:12 PM PST - 4 comments
I recently participated in a research study. The cute guy helping with the research and I clicked a lot. I have his personal e-mail from our pre-study communication. Would it be weird or unkosher for me to ask him out to coffee?
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 4:31 PM PST - 22 comments
If I were to compile a small collection of live performance Jazz DVD's (say, 5-7ish), what *needs* to be in that collection? Specifically if my interests in jazz run less in the orchestra area and more in the trio-octet range?
[more inside]posted by Ufez Jones at 3:46 PM PST - 8 comments
What steps would be necessary, for an Australian superannuation fund to enable its members to exercise the voting rights associated with the shares held on behalf of those members, such as to attend annual general meetings and vote on shareholder resolutions?
[more inside]posted by compound eye at 3:38 PM PST - 6 comments
What is the best way to hang a (somewhat irregular) piece of art in a building at my school?
[more inside]posted by andoatnp at 3:20 PM PST - 4 comments
I'm writing a fiction book where the main character is a Jewish male aged in his late 30s living in London during WW2. I want to make this character sound as real as possible. My problem; I'm not Jewish and I don't really know anybody who is. Help me write this character as realistically as I can!
[more inside]posted by Effigy2000 at 2:31 PM PST - 38 comments
Chicago mechanic filter-I need some help finding a mechanic, a few stipulations inside. Guesses on estimates welcome, too.
[more inside]posted by shesaysgo at 2:14 PM PST - 4 comments
Moving within San Francisco. Need a couple of reliable, strong people for the afternoon to move a small apartment's worth of stuff about a mile. Not dropping my couch down the stairs a plus. Recommendations?
[more inside]posted by Ookseer at 1:50 PM PST - 13 comments
Much to my dismay, my boss is forcing me to wear a costume tonight and tomorrow night. The theme is 'Angels & Demons' and my budget is low, like under $20 reeeeal low. What should I go as?
[more inside]posted by item at 1:46 PM PST - 34 comments
The Mrs and I are getting a motorcycle from a kind and generous friend who doesn't want to deal with it anymore, and doesn't want to sell it for parts. It's not currently running, and insurance and registration are both expired. We're not keen to pay for it to be road-legal before the engine can even turn over. How long, if at all, can we wait?
[more inside]posted by supercres at 1:22 PM PST - 14 comments
I'm looking for good examples of blogs that exclusively post interviews -- a different interview subject each week or each day, with a specific focus (CEOs, musicians, artists, chefs, scientists, etc.!). Not really looking for video interviews, but those are OK.
posted by trillian at 1:18 PM PST - 8 comments
How can I reduce/eliminate interference from other wireless routers in my apartment building? I have a Belkin Wireless N+ router connected to a Linksys modem with Comcast cable internet.
[more inside]posted by DiscourseMarker at 1:15 PM PST - 18 comments
I'm going to be unemployed soon, and have been looking for independent health insurance as an alternative to COBRA. I'm worried about denial of coverage due to pre-existing conditions, and had questions about how likely this could be.
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 12:55 PM PST - 14 comments
Charged with a felony in California, arrested, spent two weeks in jail, but charges were dropped and the case dismissed. Will this show up on a criminal record search?
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 12:00 PM PST - 7 comments
A friend invited me to a private birthday hangout about a month and a half ago, but hasn't brought it up since. I think she may have forgotten, and I'm fine either way - how do I check and see if I'm still invited without making her feel like she has to have me over?
[more inside]posted by agentmunroe at 11:57 AM PST - 17 comments
ProgrammingFilter: You're an experienced programmer who'd like to learn a new language. What exercises or projects, of a manageable scale, do you implement in your new language as a means to convince yourself you've got a good handle on the new language?
[more inside]posted by axiom at 11:52 AM PST - 8 comments
Which is less sanitary: not washing your hands after using the bathroom; or not drying your hands after washing your hands?
[more inside]posted by mrgrimm at 11:34 AM PST - 42 comments
Do you know an online resource where I can look at a 3D model of either a face or a body that I can rotate at all angles and maybe even zoom in so I can use it as reference for my art etc?
[more inside]posted by fantodstic at 11:21 AM PST - 5 comments
Grandmother in a nursing home. Elderly grandfather caring for her and denying help from others. Grandma not getting the care she needs. What can we do?
[more inside]posted by blackcatcuriouser at 11:18 AM PST - 9 comments
Stolen prescription meds (I assume). Drugstore manager is unconcerned, or he's in on it. What should I do?
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 11:01 AM PST - 14 comments
My friend's wordpress blog is setup so that it is located at
domain.com/blog but her permalinks are located at
domain.com/category/blog-title/. Is it necessary or does it effect SEO if the permalinks don't use the /blog extension?
posted by Mroz at 10:44 AM PST - 2 comments
Looking for good questions to include on job performance peer-review forms. Co-workers giving feedback about their co-workers, in other words (i.e.:"How does this person best contribute to the organization?" "Does this person complete tasks in a timely manner?" but better).
posted by Framer at 10:18 AM PST - 3 comments
Real bad scratches on a black '08 Toyota Yaris. Can this be self-fixed by somebody with no real skills, or are we out $700?
[more inside]posted by Shepherd at 10:13 AM PST - 15 comments
Halloween Filter: Can I wear my hijab for a costume? (As a statement that HEY MUSLIMS AREN'T SCARY?) Special politically-correct snowflake details inside.
[more inside]posted by cyndigo at 10:01 AM PST - 39 comments
Should the words “old-fashioned” and “homemade” ever appear in the same sentence as “furniture stripper”? Is there a chemist in the house?
[more inside]posted by Diablevert at 9:37 AM PST - 13 comments
Does anyone know who played guitar for Nat King Cole's recording of "These Foolish Things" ?
[more inside]posted by ReWayne at 9:07 AM PST - 4 comments
Recommend me some well-made lesbian feature films. Ones I have liked: Go Fish, When Night is Falling, Bound, Desert Hearts, High Art, The Incredibly True Adventure of Two Girls in Love.
posted by maryrosecook at 8:26 AM PST - 44 comments
During the Rally tomorrow, how likely is it that I'll be able to find a place to park--paid or otherwise--within a reasonable walking distance of the National Gallery in DC?
[more inside]posted by Ian A.T. at 8:19 AM PST - 23 comments
Where online can I get photo cards (3x5 or 4x8 folded) without all sorts of designs on decent cardstock?
[more inside]posted by nnk at 8:11 AM PST - 6 comments
We get what I consider to be an excessive number of political advocation/push polls/polls/robocalls at our house (9 calls between noon on Wednesday and noon on Thursday, for example). We get 1-3 political-oriented calls per-week year round, but it is beginning to feel like harassment now. Help me figure out how to cut way back on the calls for the future.
[more inside]posted by julen at 7:56 AM PST - 23 comments
Massive unintended file deletion? I had almost my whole CD & LP collection digitized on a Maxtor OneTouch 750Gb drive. Last week, I installed Zune software on my Windows 7 PC, and all of a sudden, those files are gone, daddy, gone from the drive. Hope me recover my files!
[more inside]posted by beelzbubba at 7:53 AM PST - 7 comments
I moved in above a bar. The soundproofing is great, except for the vibrations from the lower bass frequencies. They're using wall-mounted speakers placed pretty close to the ceiling. Is it possible to soundproof against those? And what are some of the things the bar could do to help me?
[more inside]posted by maxreax at 7:43 AM PST - 18 comments
I want to be a Turing machine for Halloween. I'm going to be surrounded by language nerds. They'll get it. But I need my 'fancy dress' (aka, costume) to be fantastic and I have limited time, money and supplies.
[more inside]posted by iamkimiam at 7:33 AM PST - 14 comments
Looking for one of the thinnest, smallest digital cameras that uses AA batteries.
Thanks!
posted by luvmywife at 7:22 AM PST - 2 comments
Book-Finding Filter: I'm looking for a middle-grade book about a girl who buys a huge pair of wings and glues them to her back.
[more inside]posted by themissy at 6:40 AM PST - 5 comments
My vision is changing, which is not unusual, I'm getting older. But I'm having the odd problem when I use cameras (view cameras and medium format as well as 35mm) in getting the best focus (manually). How can I best use cameras, lupes, focussing screens and the like as my vision changes thanks to my advancing years?
[more inside]posted by itsjustanalias at 3:55 AM PST - 8 comments
I need a new push bike. My old bike died. Typically I do short distance cycling to and from work - about 5 kms plus train journey to or from work (40km round trip by road, 50km by cycle path without the train). Other times when I need a bike it's generally for getting around the inner city (I live somewhere that's for inner city people in quasi-rural exile). My question is should I get some of
these instead? Background
here.
[more inside]posted by singingfish at 3:39 AM PST - 10 comments
Is there any software to 'copy' a physical machine to a booting virtual one?
[more inside]posted by tomw at 12:52 AM PST - 12 comments
October 28
I really love the
Power Moby Dick site, which gives very helpful annotations and puts obscure words and expressions into a modern context. Where can I find more of this for other classics? And most importantly, I want to find formats that can be downloaded and viewed on my Nook e-reader.
[more inside]posted by zardoz at 11:08 PM PST - 6 comments
We have very effective artificial sweeteners that give the flavour of sugary foods without the calories. Why have we been so much less successful at creating the taste of fatty foods without the calories?
Where are my zero-calorie butters, creams, lards, oils, and fats?
[more inside]posted by -harlequin- at 9:56 PM PST - 15 comments
I crashed my bicycle today. As a result, my front four top teeth are numb. The nurse practitioner at the hospital did not seem to think there was anything to worry about. I am not so sure.
[more inside]posted by computech_apolloniajames at 9:24 PM PST - 16 comments
Why do my obsessive thoughts focus so much on my relationship, and what can I do to manage them? After living through years of sexual abuse as a child and teen, followed by a severely unhealthy relationship with an older man soon there after, I've actually found someone with whom I have potential to build something that could be really great. The trouble is that my brain is trying incredibly hard to sabotage this relationship, despite my best efforts to control it.
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 9:02 PM PST - 18 comments
I want to take a random color, and from it, generate a few other colors that are guaranteed to be legible if the first color is used as a background.
[more inside]posted by jsturgill at 8:02 PM PST - 9 comments
Assuming a grasp of college algebra, what maths would one need to understand the entirety of the
wikipedia entry on white noise. Which order would be the most advisable way to learn those maths and which books might be good for a self study on those topics?
posted by Drama Penguin at 7:37 PM PST - 7 comments
Japanese language question: I am looking for a numerical reference that means one's special trick, or signature gesture.
[more inside]posted by MonkeyMeat at 7:34 PM PST - 5 comments
Please look inside for a few questions about an inguinal hernia, particularly pertaining to surgery recovery, and being on disability.
[more inside]posted by BlahLaLa at 7:30 PM PST - 12 comments
The SRS light on my 2003 Honda Civic comes on when the ignition is turned on and remains on while the car is being driven. I googled this and understand that Hondas as well as other cars have this problem. I can take it to a mechanic to have it diagnosed and repaired. Or I can turn it off myself which I'm tempted to do since it appears that Honda has a faulty system that has nothing to do with the airbag --just the light. But there is a small part of me that wonders and is concerned if something could be wrong with the airbag. Does anyone have experience with this?
posted by Tziv at 7:14 PM PST - 11 comments
I've found that the practice of tailoring resumes and cover letters (to various jobs in various industries) is a somewhat cumbersome process. I'm looking for ideas and/or software from those who have found an efficient workflow for doing so.
[more inside]posted by hungrysquirrels at 7:01 PM PST - 11 comments
We're having a neighborhood Halloween party- have lots of ideas for music, food, decorations, but what should we do? There will be adults and kids from one to nine there.
[more inside]posted by leotrotsky at 7:01 PM PST - 6 comments
My favorite pair of shoes - Merrell World Passport slides - got swiped at the gym. Merrell doesn't make them any longer, and I'm having trouble finding some online. Any suggestions? Details inside.
[more inside]posted by hootenatty at 6:46 PM PST - 4 comments
Where can I purchase, rent, or borrow a saxophone- real, toy, or otherwise- in Chicago tomorrow?
[more inside]posted by jimmysmits at 6:29 PM PST - 8 comments
NYC restaurant filter: Taking an elderly, out-of-town couple (that we don't know well) out to dinner. We'd like to take them somewhere reasonably nice (cost not a concern), but we do know that they prefer plainer foods that are easy on the digestive system. Manhattan required, midtown preferred. A little extra detail inside.
[more inside]posted by Conrad Cornelius o'Donald o'Dell at 6:13 PM PST - 17 comments
As a brand new faculty member, should I be careful about too much involvement in the faculty association during difficult negotiations over our contract? I don't feel particularly worried about this, but I recognize that the tenure process ultimately is given the okay by the president and the board. I'm hanging signs on my office door and attending meetings...the typical stuff so far. What do you think?
posted by klausman at 5:46 PM PST - 6 comments
How should I or shouldn't I handle letting someone / "people that matter" know about a racist email that was forwarded to me and appears to have been originated by a cop?
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 5:30 PM PST - 17 comments
What are some anthems and songs of celebration for personal independence and freedom?
Off the top of my head, I've got "My Life" by Billy Joel, Sinatra's "My Way", and "Your Own Kind of Music" sung by Mama Cass.
posted by lhall at 5:03 PM PST - 60 comments
Help me dress up as Brian Wilson, the Giants reliever, for Halloween, in the Portland, OR area.
[more inside]posted by efalk at 4:46 PM PST - 7 comments
I registered to vote in California at the DMV when I renewed my driver's license in July. Now, the county clerk's office is saying that they don't have a record of my registration. Is there anything I can do?
posted by clcapps at 4:39 PM PST - 10 comments
My son just turned 4 and has become a wiz at bypassing all parental controls, and I need a browser that will restrict him to a few sites, such as stuff like starfall.com
[more inside]posted by Sallysings at 4:18 PM PST - 11 comments
Where should I start with James Tiptree, Jr.?
posted by OmieWise at 4:12 PM PST - 8 comments
I hate myself for doing this, but I have a Very Last-Minute Halloween costume requirement.
[more inside]posted by booknerd at 3:46 PM PST - 16 comments
As a U.S. resident and citizen, what happens if I neglect to claim income from a Canadian company?
[more inside]posted by Mushpuppy at 3:40 PM PST - 6 comments
Is it normal for a college to not refund someone if they have paid above the cost of tuition and fees?
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 3:40 PM PST - 18 comments
There's a certain kind of comic infographic that consists of a large, detailed drawing with tiny info-boxes about small details. Is there a name for this kind of graphic? Where can I find examples of it?
[more inside]posted by roll truck roll at 3:34 PM PST - 5 comments
Does the hivemind know similar songs to the Röyksopp songs "Silver Cruiser" and Triumphant? So instrumental, hypnotic, majestic? The sort of song you can play driving through the Nevada desert?
[more inside]posted by Eltulipan at 3:25 PM PST - 8 comments
I'm having difficulty with the idea of being a homeowner. What are some paradigm shifts, re-conceptualizations that would help me make the transition from long-term renter to homeowner?
[more inside]posted by otherwordlyglow at 3:08 PM PST - 22 comments
Canadian spousal visa question - is it possible for two EU citizens (me and SO, unmarried) to apply for a spousal visa if he goes away for six months to work in the meantime? Lots of minutae inside.
[more inside]posted by everydayanewday at 2:46 PM PST - 5 comments
I've virtually tracked down my missing/stolen iPod Touch, and have discovered all sorts of personal information about the person who is now using it. How can I reclaim it? [Details inside-- this one's a detective story]
[more inside]posted by stilly at 2:45 PM PST - 83 comments
What do you think are the most interesting / surprising / perspective-changing findings in social/cognitive psychology? I'm preparing a talk for a German hacker conference (27c3), mainly
about cogsci & socpsych.
Bonus points if it's something that has some element of
demonstrating bias / illusion / manipulability, or if it can have a
quick actual demonstration, since I try to make my talks as
audience-interactive as possible.
[more inside]posted by saizai at 2:37 PM PST - 27 comments
I have the hard drive from a broken laptop. It has really important things on it. How do I recover said things?
[more inside]posted by kgreerRN at 2:30 PM PST - 17 comments
Need advice on how to handle a HUGE stamp collection that was recently given to me. They are from all over the world, some postmarked, many not, some very old (from the 1800's)... very extensive !!! Part of this collection was appraised in the past, but not by us ... we know the value is substantial.... but how do we proceed now???
[more inside]posted by foodybat at 2:16 PM PST - 8 comments
i need a real/fake keytar/shoulder synth for a halloween costume party on saturday night. the cheapest one i can find is at guitar center for $1200. that's about $1150 over my budget. anyone have any ideas? already checked craiglist for chicagoland, which is where i am located.
posted by denaps at 2:04 PM PST - 11 comments
Where can I buy
quark (the dairy product) in NYC? Chowhound's suggestions have failed me. Brooklyn/downtown Manhattan locations are preferred.
posted by Viola at 1:50 PM PST - 18 comments
In typewritten documents from the pre-digital era, there was often a combination of dots and slashes (.../..., ..../, ./. etc.) at the bottom right corner of each page, either alone or with the page number. The practice seems to have disappeared once word processors took over. How was it called and what was its purpose?
posted by elgilito at 1:47 PM PST - 9 comments
I was involved in a car accident with no witnesses. My insurance has cleared me. The other driver’s insurance is saying they have a sworn witness statement supporting his story that I was at fault. Details inside.
[more inside]posted by Dragonness at 1:38 PM PST - 29 comments
Anec-data needed regarding dependent care FSAs and boneheaded people (ahem - me!) who unintentionally abuse them.
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 1:25 PM PST - 6 comments
We’re throwing a Hallowe’en party this weekend with all kinds of delicious goodies, and we’d like to make some “special treats” for our guests. Help us come up with something a little more inventive than brownies.
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 1:24 PM PST - 8 comments
I'm looking for recommendations on email marketing software. I'm a visual artist sending out periodic e-newsletters. I know about Constant Contact but am wondering what else is out there.
[more inside]posted by leslies at 1:12 PM PST - 10 comments
German Literature: Help me identify a story I remember from my high school German class. It was set in post-WWII Italy, and I think it included an Italian woman and a German soldier/officer/Nazi. She administers poison to him in such a way that there’s a 50% chance of either him or her getting the poison.
[more inside]posted by endless_forms at 1:11 PM PST - 2 comments
Is anyone familiar with a German publisher of high-quality, thorough, foreign language grammars? I recall seeing a pretty comprehensive series for South Asian languages....but never made a note of the publisher.
posted by anelsewhere at 1:04 PM PST - 7 comments
The short of it: avoid duplicates, show multiple sales in one row.
I am trying to aggregate sales data on an Excel workbook, and it really isn't as complicated as I'm making it out to be. Maybe MeFites have ideas?
[more inside]posted by simulacra at 12:37 PM PST - 16 comments
I have a friend who is working full-time for company A. She has accepted a job offer for a full-time position from company B. She gave notice to company A, planning to quit tomorrow (Friday), and start at company B on Monday. However, she is owed some commissions and bonuses by company A, and her management at company A has convinced her to remain in employment with company A until her commission situation is squared away and she has been paid out. She still plans to begin employment with company B on Monday but not to tell company B about her (temporary) continuing employment with company A.
For reasons I am having trouble articulating, I think she may be setting herself up for a world of hurt if company B finds out what she's doing. Is my concern ill-placed? This is all taking place in the US, btw.
posted by kcds at 12:28 PM PST - 14 comments
I'm a computer programmer, and have an exciting job interview lined up. Yaaay! Help me prepare by suggesting some difficult (but reasonable) programming interview questions to practice on. Also, I would appreciate any general advice you have for succeeding at programming interviews.
[more inside]posted by coelacanth! at 12:04 PM PST - 13 comments
I like to dress up for Halloween and have no earthly reason other than I'm childish enough to enjoy it--no costume party to go to this year. Sad face.
So...Help me pick up all the loot we can on Halloween!
[more inside]posted by misha at 12:00 PM PST - 5 comments
Hulu question: 9 times out of 10, when I'm watching a show, Hulu cuts out to its final/show over screen about 2 minutes before the show actually finishes. Help me fix it? I like cliff hangers!
[more inside]posted by quodlibet at 11:19 AM PST - 12 comments
A few years ago I bought a vinyl soft-filled cable car toy for my nephew. All it had was a pull-cord on the side that when pulled would make the toy gently shake or rattle until the pull-cord ring was back at the side of the toy. It was great! It made zero noise! It's been discontinued! Help me find something like it that I can order over the internet for a very nice three-year-old's Christmas present. It need not be a cable car but trains or other mechanicos would be awesome! Thank you so much in advance.
posted by parmanparman at 11:04 AM PST - 2 comments
Being offered a promotion at work (yay!) but was planning on asking my boss for a letter of rec to go back to school... and also to telework from home until school starts. How to gracefully and deftly handle this situation and get everything that I want?
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 11:03 AM PST - 4 comments
Is it sensible to tutor adolescents of ages 14-18 in your home without other adults present?
Plus extra CRB/ISA stuff specific to the UK.
[more inside]posted by Marlinspike at 10:45 AM PST - 14 comments
Looking for an upholstered armchair/slipper chair type chair that I can order online that will work as a desk chair. Must be under $300.
[more inside]posted by anthropomorphic at 10:35 AM PST - 5 comments
I work in manufacturing delivering parts: Also some heavy lifting...I get paid the same as my-day time counterpart (I work swings) I'm 52 he is 24. I have to relieve people for breaks, he does not, he leaves stuff to be taken care of every day which I have to complete: and this goes on everyday like in groundhog day. I have made verbal complaints to my boss but it's supposedly going to be taken care of. This was early in the summer. It was taken care of once after I complained. What should I do,I am keeping a log when things aren't done... by the way we have no union just union busting philosophy meetings every quarter. Should I get a lawyer and complain or what. There are no other jobs around and the pay actually is good and makes ends meet.
posted by Upon Further Review at 10:19 AM PST - 20 comments
Where can I get a high quality, anatomically correct boy baby doll for my 5 y.o. son? He really wants one and it's a great relief from the usual requests for guns and Star Wars figures. He'd like something that he can feed, change, dress, etc.. I'd like something that isn't made of toxic vinyl and that won't fall apart. I'd be interested to know recommended brands I can get online and stores in the NYC area that might have good offerings. Thanks.
posted by aimeedee at 10:04 AM PST - 13 comments
I'm trying to remember the name/address of a funny website I used to visit perhaps 8-10 years ago or so. It was a humor site from out of England I think, presented in kind of a newspaper 'broadsheet' format, and had a distinctly anachronistic writing style, which I remembering being kind of Edwardian/P.G. Wodehouse-ish.
[more inside]posted by pziemba at 9:50 AM PST - 5 comments
I'm a mid-career software professional (architect level, 10 years experience), US citizen, and contemplating a change. I would like to know the feasibility of working for an NGO, doing technological infrastructure in the third-world.
[more inside]posted by jivadravya at 9:30 AM PST - 9 comments
DC-Lease-Filter: Should I jointly sign a lease with 2 roommates I just met, wherein each roommate is "jointly and severally responsible for each and every provision in the lease" - including the total rent for the house?
[more inside]posted by catquas at 9:26 AM PST - 14 comments
As my school's lone Jewish teacher, the task of choosing a Hanukkah song for the holiday concert has fallen to me. Help me choose an awesome song for my lovely but very non-Jewish students.
[more inside]posted by JoannaC at 9:20 AM PST - 22 comments
What the heck do I feed my cats to keep them from getting sick? Their tummies are obviously not happy with the new food. Should I switch back to the old unsatisfactory food, or try to find another new food?
[more inside]posted by WowLookStars at 9:13 AM PST - 31 comments
In the 2005 film The New World, by Terence Malick, there are a few scenes featuring John Smith, post-Jamestown, hanging out with Inuits on a gray rocky shoreline. Any idea where they shot that?
posted by schampeo at 8:40 AM PST - 5 comments
After a near lifetime of depression I am finally coming out the other side of it, albeit tentatively. I feel energized enough to start exercising daily as my doctor has advised. Sounds great, eh? The problem? I'm 100lbs overweight and my body is screaming no at me. Help me figure out how to overcome the aches to keep going.
[more inside]posted by kanata at 8:26 AM PST - 62 comments
Two possibly related Windows 7 issues occuring simultaneously: corrupted /AppData/LocalLow/Microsoft/ folder and random chimes.
[more inside]posted by griphus at 8:23 AM PST - 2 comments
How to become friends (not a romantic interest) with someone you just went on a date with through OkCupid?
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 8:19 AM PST - 30 comments
I’m a resident of Chicago (Cook County, Illinois). I’m very much not a fan of politics, but that lack of enthusiasm doesn’t extend to not voting – I’d still like to make an educated choice when casting my ballot, but without re-engaging in the political blogosphere, etc.. So, could you help me do my due diligence by helping me find websites that would contain the three
particular kinds of information you'll see me describe inside/after the break?
[more inside]posted by Fizzgig at 8:17 AM PST - 5 comments
Bizarre self-inflicted WINE/X11 problem on Mac OS 10.5. Help me troubleshoot intelligently, or tell me how to nuke it from orbit and reinstall.
[more inside]posted by nebulawindphone at 7:54 AM PST - 7 comments
Word 2007 filter: can I keep my headers/footers in one orientation and the body text in another?
[more inside]posted by penguinliz at 7:10 AM PST - 2 comments
Does anyone remember the SNL skit that had a doctor asking a patient to turn their head and cough, then he had the nurse come in and check, then another doctor...etc... i think Jimmy Fallon was in it...
I've been trying to find a video of this... any clues?
posted by fozzie33 at 6:59 AM PST - 3 comments
I own a basic 42 inch LG LCD TV-- I believe 1080p and 60hz. The television is about two and half years old. Recently two vertical lines have appeared that run roughly in line with where the standard definition display would end on the left and right edges. It seems as if these lines are "burnt in" to the display. The lines are extremely visible under light to medium tones and are about 1 inch thick at their widest. Is the TV spent? Obviously no warranty is in effect at this point. Anyone have any solutions or recommendations?
posted by tdalton at 6:52 AM PST - 5 comments
We're giving up our studio apartment and moving on... but are too lazy (well, short on time really) to do that final, end of lease clean. What house cleaning companies in Berkeley and the East Bay are awesome (i.e. efficient and thorough)? Bonus points for companies that do carpet cleaning!
posted by Alice Russel-Wallace at 6:47 AM PST - 1 comments
Is there an easy way to make 2 scans into one file? Without photoshop? Need to upload some pages but it must be as one file. Don't have photoshop. Wondering if there's any simple way to do this. Thanks if you can help!
posted by beccyjoe at 6:45 AM PST - 14 comments
Some friends are moving to Portland, Oregon. What gifts are a good idea? I'd rather give experiences than guidebooks (less stuff to move) - gift certificates for the best spa in Portland, a 'friends' membership to the quirky movie theater they'll want to be regulars at, etc. If you've lived in Portland for a while, what's the place you've always wanted to treat yourself to membership of? What's great in Portland that I can give them?
posted by acalthla at 6:10 AM PST - 17 comments
What would remedy a leather-covered steering wheel that's worn in spots? Depending on the weather, it gets gummy-feeling and gross.
posted by SillyShepherd at 6:10 AM PST - 8 comments
I am toying with starting Polish/English conversation group in London and I want it to be a success. What can I do to make it work?
[more inside]posted by Helga-woo at 6:03 AM PST - 3 comments
How can I make being a course marshall for a 5K run fun, entertaining and/or motivating?
[more inside]posted by maxg94 at 5:47 AM PST - 11 comments
Have 2 Windows 7 Pro computers. PC1 is my primary workstation, and PC2 I've been using with the TV for WMC/Hulu. I wanted to start using PC2 to backup the data on PC1, but PC2 is always logged in to record tv or play recordings. How do I ensure that data that I backup to PC2 is only visible/modifiable to PC1?
[more inside]posted by palionex at 5:37 AM PST - 3 comments
My sister is teaching in Thailand and a colleague has just committed suicide. What, if anything, can I say or do to help?
[more inside]posted by lilyflower at 3:15 AM PST - 7 comments
I was reading an article about fiscal responsibility legislation and the author referred to passing to (what I infer) was a spectacular budget blowout or deficit condition in the Brazilian state of Sao Paulo. The article was dated 1996 so whatever it was, it would have been before that. Googling turns up nothing useful. Does anyone know anything about this, or have any pointers to any further resources (in English please)? Thanks in advance.
posted by Logophiliac at 12:04 AM PST - 4 comments
October 27
My girlfriend and I both have an Android phone each. Please recommend some good Android games which allow us to play against each other head-to-head. Puzzle games probably preferred. Thanks!
posted by chorltonmeateater at 11:50 PM PST - 5 comments
[SydneysiderFilter] Where can one buy affordable art for home decoration in Sydney?
[more inside]posted by vidur at 11:11 PM PST - 6 comments
I left half of a ticket stub, much like
this one, in the shirt pocket of my seersucker button up and put it in the wash, then dried it without noticing. It left an orange stain about the size of a half dollar coin, what can I do to try and make sure it will come out next time I wash it?
posted by hempgranola at 10:30 PM PST - 6 comments
What type of fabric is this shirt made from? Nobody at the fabric stores can give me an answer.
[more inside]posted by scrowdid at 8:49 PM PST - 12 comments
Is the impending expiration of my COBRA federal subsidy a "qualifying event" that will allow me to join my husband's insurance outside of open enrollment? (even though I'll still be eligible for unsubsidized COBRA)
[more inside]posted by lilgoyl at 7:42 PM PST - 12 comments
Was there a single event that happened on or shortly before September 7th, 2010, that caused Brown's poll numbers to start to rise and Whitman's numbers correspondingly fall in the current gubernatorial race for US state of California?
[more inside]posted by crunchland at 7:29 PM PST - 14 comments
Song stuck in my head. But I can't figure what it is! Please read what little I remember and try to help!
[more inside]posted by KogeLiz at 7:28 PM PST - 9 comments
I still want my parents' approval and support, but that's just not going to happen. How do you maintain your relationship with your unsupportive parents?
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 7:12 PM PST - 32 comments
Hi all, Just a quick one from the annals of Plant Bio: Strawberry is an octoploid right? So what is the gametic chromosome number of a single nucleus of a pollen grain produced by the plant under normal conditions?
posted by Benzle at 7:11 PM PST - 3 comments
My parents want to mount a flat TV on a wall and store the components in a closet. What do they need to know/buy/do?
[more inside]posted by nkknkk at 6:45 PM PST - 14 comments
About 15 years ago, a good friend gave me a great 3 panel poster for a film."Love Slaves of the Amazons" was made in 1957. I have never been able to find it on DVD. I have googled it, searched many sights (including eBay) but have yet to find it anywhere. My search has lasted for 3 years. Any tips on where to find obscure DVDs? or even a real film. Cost is irrelevant.
posted by flyfsh_peter at 6:36 PM PST - 5 comments
Is there a veterinarian on the house? Bella, seen
here, stuck her tail out a car door as it was closing. Big yelp, no blood, I can feel a lump about halfway down. She's also carrying it straight down which is not normal.
[more inside]posted by Talia Devane at 6:26 PM PST - 14 comments
I'm trying to figure out whether there's any possibility the pain in my right side is something dangerous, or whether it's likely a pulled muscle in my rib cage.
[more inside]posted by faustessa at 6:25 PM PST - 23 comments
The left side of my head hurts. It feels like a headache when I nod my head or have jerky vertical movements. It's been feeling like this for a few months. I'm not sure what's going on. I'm a singer, so I sing with my whole body which includes my head. So, is there a doctor in the house?
posted by InterestedInKnowing at 5:20 PM PST - 11 comments
I know a lot, if not most, of the Free iPad when-you-complete-a-bunch-of-offers deals are fake. But I do want to roll the dice and try one - does anyone know of any programs that will actually hold up their end of the bargain?
[more inside]posted by 5ean at 5:01 PM PST - 12 comments
I'm working on a new podcast with a co-host who's 3000 miles away. The podcast requires us to take telephone (or Skype) calls. What hardware & software setup will allow us to record mic-quality audio of my co-host and myself, along with telephone/Skype-quality audio of our guests?
[more inside]posted by YoungAmerican at 3:36 PM PST - 14 comments
I have a computer (Windows 7 Pro, 64-bit, 6GB RAM, i5-760 processor) on which I want to run various virtual machines. Help me decide what software to choose.
[more inside]posted by expialidocious at 2:01 PM PST - 15 comments
I'm applying for a job posting in which salary history is a requirement for being considered for the job. When writing up my salary history, I started to worry about the fact that most of my former employers are unreachable due to management turnover, business closings, short-term contract work, and the like. Is this is problem and what should I do if it is?
[more inside]posted by xenophile at 1:58 PM PST - 9 comments
I hate the type of work I'm best at, and have for as long as I've been doing it. I don't know what else I'm good at or would like. What to do?
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 1:19 PM PST - 26 comments
How do I get started as an information product publisher, when I am not writing one of those rah-rah-make-millions-on-the-internet type books?
[more inside]posted by alternateuniverse at 1:02 PM PST - 3 comments
If you've eschewed the museum-church-ruins guidebook dance when you travel, what do you do instead? How do you get a feel on the place you're visiting in a short time and figure out what you want to see and who you want to meet?
[more inside]posted by pollex at 12:50 PM PST - 26 comments
Should I switch to a HMO? My company offers Kaiser Permanente's HMO, and it's a good bit cheaper than my current plan. People tell me that HMOs are evil, but the plan looks pretty good on paper. I'm in Washington, DC.
[more inside]posted by schmod at 12:44 PM PST - 21 comments
I'm applying to grad school. How do I deal with FAFSA when I've been paid under the table for years?
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 12:38 PM PST - 9 comments
New relationship filter. (mid-30s male here)
My first actual foray into online dating seems to be doomed to failure. I'm always awkward at this sort of thing, but this seems to be a new level for me. Basically, I just can't seem to relax around the new woman, and this means that I'm unable to get an erection. She's mostly been accepting of this (and there's plenty of other sorts of funtimes to be had in the bedroom). However, it seems clear to me that she really wants to have sex soonish, and this seems like the worst possible time to deal with issues from past relationships and the fallout thereof.
Does this seem like it can be worked through in a timely fashion, or should I just cut things off early and deal with things on my own?
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 12:38 PM PST - 27 comments
Can anyone recommend a therapist specializing in eating disorders in the Savannah, GA area?
[more inside]posted by snorkels at 12:32 PM PST - 1 comments
I work on salary for a tiny company in CA. I am pregnant. No one has ever been pregnant at my company, so I can propose a Maternity Leave plan that works for me and works for them. It's a very humane company, so I'm not concerned about the lack of legal protection. But what should I propose? What is "normal"? How much time off do people who love their jobs usually want?
[more inside]posted by Mozzie at 12:28 PM PST - 8 comments
It's getting to be time I took my cat
Trilby to the veterinarian for his first annual check up since I adopted him last October 30th. But first I have to find a vet. Can anyone recommend a good vet in central or west end Toronto?
posted by orange swan at 12:26 PM PST - 7 comments
Please help me plan a month long backpacking trip through Europe. I've never done this sort of this before for this long and I need even the most basic tips as regards travel of this nature.
[more inside]posted by deafmute at 12:26 PM PST - 21 comments
Is there any problem with using VMware to run a 2nd copy of windows home server on a WHS with 2 separate licenses for 20 users?
[more inside]posted by cheesyburgercheese at 11:42 AM PST - 4 comments
I'm trying to find the name of an old short film (circa 70's-90's) about a Foley artist / showman performing Foley sound effects live to a film that is being projected in an ornate theater, with a number of props laid out in front of him.
[more inside]posted by SmileyChewtrain at 11:37 AM PST - 12 comments
You have had an endometrial ablation, or hysterectomy without oopherectomy. Did it help your non-bleeding symptoms?
[more inside]posted by not that girl at 11:34 AM PST - 3 comments
Should I pay out the nose to have my Mitsubishi HD projector fixed by these bastards, or suck it up and buy a new one?
[more inside]posted by allkindsoftime at 11:14 AM PST - 5 comments
How do I make a PHP script run only once if certain conditions are met, without involving the users?
[more inside]posted by Electrius at 11:11 AM PST - 10 comments
We’ve just found a moderately rare book on ebay which might make a perfect 50th birthday present for an old friend of my husband’s – but we wonder if we’re ignorantly overlooking something obvious about the item, because of the low starting price?
[more inside]posted by Jody Tresidder at 11:11 AM PST - 25 comments
I often work during the day in libraries or coffee shops with wifi but I'm too cheap to buy a cell phone. I have a laptop and a recent ipod touch. What are some clever ways I can contact my wife at home when I have something time-sensitive I need to share?
[more inside]posted by craniac at 11:00 AM PST - 19 comments
How do I (openly or covertly) rectify a problem with people responding to all on a email listserv that I'm a member of?
[more inside]posted by RolandOfEld at 10:48 AM PST - 12 comments
Please recommend a kennel in the south-suburbs of Chicago for my Boxer/Staffordshire mix (yes, that's a euphemism for pitbull)
[more inside]posted by ChefJoAnna at 10:46 AM PST - 8 comments
I'm looking for help with either SQL or with MS Reporting Services; not sure which, to be honest. I have a table of people (userID, username), a table of vegetable(s) each person bought (userID, vegatableID), and a table of fruit(s) each person bought (userID, fruitID). I'm trying to develop a report that has column A = name, column B = vegetables bought, and column C = fruits bought; I'm running into problems.
[more inside]posted by inigo2 at 10:29 AM PST - 14 comments
Is there software that lets me move around an ipad/iphone/android in 3D space and see the world through a huge collection of old photo? Think
Microsoft Photosynth displayed on an ipad with accelerometer data to change the picture. (I've got the photo collection; I just need to find a program/device that will let me display it.)
[more inside]posted by cmchap at 10:28 AM PST - 1 comments
A drink a day is not bad for you and depending on what you read may be beneficial to your health. Is there anything detrimental to having this drink in the morning?
[more inside]posted by WeekendJen at 10:28 AM PST - 46 comments
Looking for examples where large amounts of data + large amount of computer processing power = discovering unexpected patterns.
[more inside]posted by flashboy at 10:14 AM PST - 9 comments
[IT JobFilter] I'm hearing conflicting stories on resumes these days; purportedly, the old myth of "one page resume" is dead and recruiters want to see your entire project history even if that's four to five pages. Looking for experiences or suggestions related to software development resumes.
[more inside]posted by cavalier at 10:08 AM PST - 19 comments
Internet-etiquette-filter: So I have an anonymous blog that has been around for 3 years now with a very distinctive name. I just got a Google alert on the name that someone has started a new blog on Blogger (where I have the name already since I used to host with Blogger) with the exact name of my blog. Do I be a bitch about this and tell her to find a new name or do I just chill and let us peacefully coexist?
[more inside]posted by Leezie at 10:03 AM PST - 14 comments
My 11 month old son is getting tubes put in his ears tomorrow morning. I'm not concerned about the procedure itself so much as I am about the general anesthesia. He will only be out for about 15 minutes, but I want to know how dangerous this really is.
[more inside]posted by LizardOfDoom at 9:59 AM PST - 28 comments
Jumping on the Self-Tracking/Quantified Self bandwagon and looking for suggestions for variables apart from the usual kind (diet, exercise, sleep, time spent online etc.) to track on a daily basis.
If you do this, could you share the parameters you like to monitor and record? (Or better yet, share a template for your spreadsheet?!)
All suggestions, no matter however subjective, quirky or esoteric are welcome.
I will be using the spreadsheet tool in Google Docs. Thanks!
posted by sk381 at 9:55 AM PST - 5 comments
I think a friend of mine may have feelings for me, but I'm not sure how all that works nor what to do about it. Can you help a romantically clueless girl in the right direction? Details below.
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 9:46 AM PST - 19 comments
My wife and I love to read books in bed, just before going to sleep. I usually use my iPhone 4 Kindle app. Lately, however, the biomechanics of semi sitting up in bed have been taking there toll on my already somewhat debilitated spine (mild degeneration). I would like to be able to lie flat and read by staring straight up (or at least give this a try). Unless you've tried it, you may not know that simply holding the device or book overhead with your arms simply doesn't work. Some kind of holder is needed. I am looking for anyone's suggestions on what might work, perhaps those who are, or know someone who is, quadriplegic, or otherwise disabled might have some good ideas.I'm not so much looking for something I could kludge together, but more interested in something that is already available; I'm not firm on this, however.
All suggestions are welcome, though!
posted by Rad_Boy at 9:27 AM PST - 13 comments
Does hair brush size, shape, or material make a difference in how your hair looks?
[more inside]posted by jujube at 8:56 AM PST - 17 comments
Mid-career job switcher. Unhappy with my current job and looking to make a switch into something more stable - probably in the medical field. Ideally, I'd like a job that requires an Associates Degree (two year program) rather than a Bachelor's Degree (four year program). A one-year certificate program is even better. What are my options?
[more inside]posted by Muffy at 8:49 AM PST - 12 comments
Looking for a good marriage/couples therpaist in the Toronto area. This a more of a "tune-up" situation, not a "save my marriage!" situation.
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 8:18 AM PST - 1 comments
A question about an inexplicably inaccurate website. Luanda, Angola: world's most expensive city!?
[more inside]posted by crazylegs at 8:09 AM PST - 11 comments
My Own Private YouTube: I'm looking for a host service that will allow me to post flash (flv) videos, which would then play in a browser window. But, I also want to be able to limit access to a private group -- say, only to folks I share the video URL with. Does something like this exist?
[more inside]posted by zarq at 7:44 AM PST - 12 comments
Wrangling Excel data in InDesign: When first creating a multi-page pricelist (which will need to be updated regularly), importing data from a 2000-odd row speadsheet, what should I be considering?
[more inside]posted by puffmoike at 7:27 AM PST - 3 comments
What are some well-known products that have no competition because of patents? Or great features that are exclusive because of patents? (No prescription drugs, because that would be a huge list.)
posted by smackfu at 7:24 AM PST - 24 comments
How can a quiet and reserved person make living with very social individuals work? What's the best way to reconcile each side's concerns about the living situation?
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 7:05 AM PST - 21 comments
Landlord Fiasco Filter: landlord dug up entire yard to replace pipe, then disappeared for two months, leaving the entire yard a giant pile of dirt which has now turned to mud. And it's getting worse. He is unreachable. What to do? So much special snowflake after the jump.
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 7:04 AM PST - 22 comments
I have a 2010 Toyota Rav4, and the cupholders in the front are almost impossible to put a cup of coffee in. For example, I went to DD this morning and I tried to put my coffee in the cupholder but was afraid to because I thought the plastic piece that darts out almost punctured the side of the cup. Anyone else have this car/problem?
posted by MDK at 5:57 AM PST - 7 comments
Data mining book recommendation. I would like a recommendation for a single book which would give me a comprehensive guide to data mining. Ideally this book would contain plenty of examples of real world applications of data mining techniques in a variety of contexts. Bonus points if it contains exercises which I can do myself in whatever software package they recommend. There is no shortage of resources online but I would value a recommendation from someone on here.
[more inside]posted by therubettes at 5:19 AM PST - 4 comments
Hi, Suddenly Firefox won't let me compose mail in Gmail, all other Gmail features work. I disabled any add ons that might cause problems, didn't do any new upgrades, can compose in Chrome and IE ,thanks.
posted by jara1953 at 5:08 AM PST - 8 comments
I threw out my back pretty badly. My ability to move is limited to a low shuffle. I am also home with my two year old. What
can I do with him today?
[more inside]posted by zizzle at 3:50 AM PST - 28 comments
My cat loves to bring animals into the house. Fine, I know it's an instinct, but just today she brought in a snake that I'm pretty sure is highly poisonous. How do we stop her from doing this, or at least, protect ourselves from bad consequences?
[more inside]posted by forza at 2:00 AM PST - 19 comments
I don't have anyone to escort me from the hospital after my endoscopy. What are my options?
[more inside]posted by wireless at 1:57 AM PST - 25 comments
October 26
We're now on our China trip (thanks for the tips in our last question,
), and are looking for specific suggestions on things to do in the Guilin area that weren't covered there. Extra points for off-the-beaten-path suggestions. We're definitely interested in beginner to intermediate hikes, bike rides, and boating. We also would love to see more rural sites, and the most spectacular scenery possible, but have been having trouble finding specific info on the area.
posted by odayoday at 11:42 PM PST - 6 comments
I need a bunch of ways to answer my phone humorously, in the vein of "Jack's Mortuary, U Stab 'em, We Slab 'em", etc. This is in response to someone at work who has challenged me. How many can you help me with?
posted by pjern at 11:17 PM PST - 49 comments
Question re San Francisco State and Cal State East Bay. Particularly interested in feedback from current and recent students and staff.
[more inside]posted by ClaudiaCenter at 10:35 PM PST - 14 comments
I'm new to college and need some help with writing critiques of assigned readings. (E.g. In a history or anthro class.) One thing that keeps tripping me up is how to find authour biases. Yes, sometimes one is obvious, but sometimes I feel like I'm just not savvy enough to pick up on any.
Can anyone, perhaps, provide me with a list of biases (self-made or a link to an internet page) to check for when critiquing an article?
This previously asked question about criticial thinking was a little helpful, but i'm looking for more advice very specific to this kind of assignment.
Ideally, I'd like to have a list of authour biases that i can cross-check the article with. Note that I'm not looking for a list of every cognitive bias known to man such as in this wiki link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_cognitive_biases
Also, I realize I can talk to my prof and go to the writing lab, but just wanted to see what you guys would advise.
Thanks!!
posted by oceanview at 10:30 PM PST - 13 comments
Do I need yet another Rubella (German Measles) vaccination? Despite having all the childhood shots I needed and one after my first pregnancy, I was told that I still don't have the antibodies to be immune to German Measles during my 3rd pregnancy.
[more inside]posted by artychoke at 9:51 PM PST - 5 comments
I would like to find either a book / documentary / article or even a poster that shows a cross section of Manhattan and all the various layers of 'stuff' that most New Yorkers never think about, let alone see.
[more inside]posted by darkgroove at 8:50 PM PST - 12 comments
Leaving Friday for a monthlong stint out of town; how to maintain access to essential software on a different computer running a different OS?
[more inside]posted by alexandermatheson at 8:38 PM PST - 7 comments
NSFW - Adult Industry Related - How do I point out to my customers/potential customers a big difference between me and almost other female in my field, without coming off as bitchy or snobby?
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 8:02 PM PST - 16 comments
I'm in business school and as I progress, my ideas of what I wanted to do have changed. Accounting/Finance now sound kind of interesting. Any advice?
[more inside]posted by kpht at 7:28 PM PST - 2 comments
Mortgage Rate Question....What is the outlook for mortgage rates? Is there a reliable source for predecting where they will go?
[more inside]posted by mikedelic at 7:06 PM PST - 9 comments
What do I need to ask to decide if I want to live with you? (And you with me?)
[more inside]posted by liss at 6:48 PM PST - 20 comments
Internet Explorer 8. It's got the ability to delete individual items in address bar history by clicking little icons in the history list. I want it to stop.
[more inside]posted by disclaimer at 6:35 PM PST - 3 comments
My mom and I are planning a long weekend in Bermuda. We'd like to stay at a place with a kitchen so that we can do some cooking ourselves; my mom would prefer to be right on a (nice-for-walking) beach, if that's possible. Our budget is flexible, but we were thinking up to $200 a night. Can anyone recommend a cottage rental or something along those lines?
[more inside]posted by cider at 6:29 PM PST - 3 comments
My girlfriend is looking for a vegan-friendly doctor on Aetna health insurance in Philadelphia. She lives in Fishtown.
[more inside]posted by zeek321 at 6:27 PM PST - 2 comments
I went out with a girl twice and she just sent me a Facebook message telling me that she's seeing someone else now and that she wants to take me out to dinner to pay me back for the previous dates.
[more inside]posted by Groovytimes at 6:10 PM PST - 51 comments
1,100 songs suddenly disappeared from iTunes! Any ideas why or, better yet, where they might be hiding on my computer?
thank you.
posted by holdenjordahl at 5:21 PM PST - 9 comments
I'm rarely interested in the people who show romantic interest in me, and the people who I'm interested never return the sentiment. What's going on here?
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 4:51 PM PST - 15 comments
I am getting really frustrated with my flaky chemistry professor. I don't want to complain about her mistakes to the Dean because I think she's a nice person and has some life circumstances I wouldn't wish on anyone (illness of her own and single caregiver for extremely ill and challenged child). How do I get over my frustration with her, stop resenting her, and also stop feeling upset and anxious when I study?
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 4:51 PM PST - 16 comments
A friend of mine is here on a student visa. He's got a domestic partnership in NYC with his male domestic partner, whom he's been with for about five years. Can he get married to his domestic partner somehow? In some other state?
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 4:49 PM PST - 12 comments
I want to go back to school. Understatement: I'm a non-traditional student. I've been living below poverty levels for most of my life. I need funding - loans, grants, scholarships. How?
[more inside]posted by loquacious at 4:24 PM PST - 57 comments
Where can I lock my bicycle near A. T. and T. Park on World Series Days?
posted by doncoyote at 4:08 PM PST - 4 comments
PortionControlFilter: Help me find a pump/dispenser/whatever-setup that can accurately dispense two fixed-portion volumes of fluid (4 oz and 2 oz) from bulk containers into small containers? Oh, did I mention I need to repeat it several hundred times with several different liquids.
[more inside]posted by webhund at 3:15 PM PST - 11 comments
I'm interested in the intersection of corporations and government. I come from a legal background What area of study would you class this as, and what reading could you give me? Bonus points for UK-specific, but US and global are fine as well.
[more inside]posted by djgh at 3:08 PM PST - 2 comments
Is it possible for a Hepatitis B vaccine to be ineffective? Are there any risks to being vaccinated twice?
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 3:05 PM PST - 9 comments
I don't know ANYTHING about video games, but is there one where you "explore" or are otherwise in a rich "forest-type" environment -- i'm thinking it would be something a bit psychedelic or trippy, where a players aren't required to kill things, but discover/explore "LOTR/Avatar-ish" worlds, with hidden surprises perhaps....
posted by mrmarley at 2:52 PM PST - 27 comments
I need new insurance - homeowners and car. Do I need an actual human agent or can I do it all by myself online? Bonus related question! Should I add my son to my policy or keep him on his own?
[more inside]posted by mygothlaundry at 2:39 PM PST - 7 comments
Remember the time Michael Scott went to New York, pointed over at Sbarro's, and said, "My favorite New York pizza joint!"... I'm looking for similar examples of "missing the point", or coming home with the wrong idea.
[more inside]posted by eleyna at 2:38 PM PST - 77 comments
Please suggest classics publications that might accept an article by a non-scholar.
[more inside]posted by msalt at 2:36 PM PST - 7 comments
what kind of business can repaint my glasses frames, or more simply strip the paint off them?
[more inside]posted by figTree at 2:28 PM PST - 5 comments
Greetings. One of my high school biology students made the statement today that "Giraffes aren't real, it's a government cover-up." When I asked her where on earth she got this idea she stated that "It's a long story". Anyone out there have any idea what she is talking about?
posted by gammer at 2:17 PM PST - 38 comments
Hey folks. Long time reader, first time 'asker.'
Help me find a cheap, used computer parts store in San Francisco - I'm particularly looking for Dell laptop parts.
Just inherited a Dell D810 Latitude laptop - needs some love - almost free love, that's my budget... Any chance in getting a line on a used dell charger (type pa-10) or a used battery for a Latitiude d810 (type Y4367)? Anyone know of a recycle-ry that I can hit up for cheap? I've scouted ebay, put a call out on freecycle (Marin, SF), and scoured craigslist. Suggests?
posted by firestorm888 at 2:04 PM PST - 5 comments
Assuming you don't drive due to poor vision (so you can't rent a Zipcar) is it feasible to live in the Bay Area and have a decent life, with the ability to get around, go to work, and socialize? With respect to San Francisco and Silicon Valley, what areas would be best, and what parts would be too inconvenient or time-consuming to get by without driving?
posted by anonymous at 1:50 PM PST - 17 comments
What dinner can I make to bring over to a sick friend's place? Difficulty -- no spicy foods, and I must transport it via mass-transit. Oh, and I am in a foreign-to-me country.
[more inside]posted by Peter Petridish at 1:42 PM PST - 13 comments
Can someone recommend a reasonably priced optometrist/optician in the Dallas/DFW area?
posted by naveed at 1:32 PM PST - 4 comments
I'm looking for a coach to help me with several things, but primarily to get me started with either Getting Things Done or some other time management system. I know I could do it myself, but I also know that I won't without outside help. Beyond that, if the person was also a business coach I could work with going forward, that would be great. A step further, if they're also a life coach, not required but all the better. My first choice would be someone in the NYC area who I could work with in person some of the time, but I'm also open to a phone-only situation. Thanks!
posted by The Dutchman at 1:21 PM PST - 6 comments
How can I reconcile my needs/desires for independent free time when my significant other wants lots of couple time?
[more inside]posted by shornco at 12:20 PM PST - 24 comments
Looking for some suggestions for camp sites in the vicinity of Southern California for a camping trip this weekend.
Amenities-wise the basics would work fine - water, a fire pit, and level ground to pitch our tent. Anything above and beyond that is icing. The campsite must allow dogs (we plan on bringing our pug, Hoggle).
We really enjoy trail hiking and solitude and we most likely won't be doing any kind of water-related activities, although picturesque lakes and streams are a plus.
Past places we've enjoyed camping at:
-Coral Pink Sand Dunes - outside of Kanab, UT
-Tanner's Flat Campground - UT
-Fernwood Lodge - Big Sur, CA
-Joshua Tree State Park
-Malibu Creek State Park
This is going to be a weekend trip so the driving distance has to be manageable. So, please, no recommendations for Redwoods National Park or Zion or something like that.
posted by AsRuinsAreToRome at 11:27 AM PST - 9 comments
What is a good expected share price in the U.S. initial public offering of Velti? It's unclear how the value of the overseas parent company will relate to shares in the U.S. Asking for a friend with possibly an immediate opportunity to obtain some equity.
[more inside]posted by exogenous at 11:21 AM PST - 1 comments
I need recommendations on reputable first-aid or CPR classes in NYC. I'm looking for something that would work well for injuries caused by power tools, blunt force trauma or anything that could happen in a carpentry shop with adults.
posted by edbles at 11:05 AM PST - 5 comments
Are there any good online resources or even quizzes to help me define or at least better identify my general taste or personal style through specific categories? For everything, not just fashion.
[more inside]posted by Diagonalize at 10:46 AM PST - 11 comments
My sister-in-law just approached me to see if I would help pay for a "college coach" for my oldest nephew. I've helped with various things like camp, acting lessons, a computer, etc. and normally don't mind at all. However, she is telling me that this women wants $4,000! I know getting into college is way different these days, but that seems outrageous. My nephew is bright and the apple of my eye--but he's not a super-elite student. Is this the going rate for personalized help with choosing a school, essays, etc.?
posted by agatha_magatha at 10:44 AM PST - 77 comments
What are some good resources, preferably online, for learning about chicken behavior?
[more inside]posted by toodles at 10:43 AM PST - 4 comments
You are not a dentist, but maybe you are real clever and know how I can get this nasty abscess-pus taste out of my mouth?
[more inside]posted by Syllables at 10:31 AM PST - 12 comments
Where is the best place to purchase tickets for the Boston Ballet's Nutcracker this year (2010)? I'd like to find some decent seats for a family of 5 without breaking the bank.
posted by GernBlandston at 10:11 AM PST - 2 comments
MacFilter: Looking for a program or shell script that will allow me to quickly and easily scan my computer (Mac) for duplicates of images and consolidate them so that aren't redundant copies taking up space everywhere.
[more inside]posted by Bengston at 10:02 AM PST - 3 comments
Improving how a print magazine is viewed online in PDF format/format that keeps the integrity of the print version: 1) What's your favorite PDF viewer and 2) What's this example?
[more inside]posted by sambiamb at 9:58 AM PST - 2 comments
There's been a jar of duck fat in my fridge since I last had a duck.. ooh... last December. Should I throw it away, and if not, how should I use it?
[more inside]posted by hannahlambda at 9:23 AM PST - 17 comments
Help me identify a movie or tv show based on a half-remembered scene involving a bar patron ordering whiskey and water.
[more inside]posted by 1f2frfbf at 9:18 AM PST - 21 comments
I adore chicken salad, but I hate chopping. What gadgets, appliances, or techniques can I use to streamline the process of finely cubing cooked chicken breasts?
[more inside]posted by Bardolph at 9:15 AM PST - 17 comments
Dumb question here, especially coming from a web developer ... But I use a Twitter widget on occasion on the front page of the site I work on. We'll be using it again Election night from about 4pm through to the wee morning hours.
The widget is the standard-variety Twitter-supplied widget (
http://twitter.com/widgets).
The problem is, this widget always seems to "die" at some point during its use. That is, it will display tweets just fine for an hour or two (maybe even three, if I'm lucky), then it stops displaying tweets altogether, showing just the styled box, completely devoid of tweets.
Search as I have, google-fu has failed me. Can't seem to come up with an explanation that seems reasonable to my supervisors. Any ideas?
posted by jrchaplin at 9:15 AM PST - 6 comments
How did producer Gary Katz get those Steely Dan records to sound so much "cleaner" than the other popular music being recorded at the time?
posted by Joe Beese at 8:07 AM PST - 12 comments
I meet girl, like her, but she is engaged. We spend time together at a party, she admits afterwards via text message that she has had feelings for me for a while. I find out her relationship is more complicated then it seems. What do?
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 7:49 AM PST - 41 comments
My husband is on a new psychiatric medication and he is now convinced that he was abused as a child. I am not sure... and it is tearing us apart right now.
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 7:49 AM PST - 27 comments
Does MeFi have any tips or tricks to help me start managing a team that has already 'formed' without a manager?
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 7:47 AM PST - 3 comments
I'm trying to purchase a coffee mug and/or travel mug from Sweden's Wayne's Coffee as a present, but living in Canada I'm running into some major roadblocks. Any advice on how to get one to my neck of the woods?
[more inside]posted by evadery at 6:59 AM PST - 7 comments
What are some good resources for learning about oceangoing cargo steamships in the 1880s?
[more inside]posted by Hoenikker at 6:49 AM PST - 3 comments
I'm considering writing a critical review of a popular online service - what are the ethics regarding the quoting or summarizing of email messages?
[more inside]posted by syzygy at 4:57 AM PST - 13 comments
I have two of
these Seagate 1TB external hard drives. Both formatted the same way: Mac OS Extended, GUID partition table. One has 400GB stored on it. When I drag and drop from one external hard drive to the other, after a while (anywhere around 8GB and up) I get an error 36 message - says I cannot read/write file. The lady on the phone for Seagate support says it's because you can't drag and drop large amounts of data via USB: in other words, it's not the drive's fault. Really?
[more inside]posted by omnigut at 3:53 AM PST - 20 comments
What kind of house plants were popular/fashionable in the past? I'm most interested in the 1950s/60s, but would like to know other decades as well.
[more inside]posted by Stewriffic at 3:42 AM PST - 29 comments
I'm a first-year Ph.D student (in chemistry), and I'm having a hard time choosing what lab I want to work in. What factors are most important to look at?
[more inside]posted by kagredon at 3:19 AM PST - 12 comments
Any serious opposition to tonsillectomies for children? We have two excellent doctors for and against it for our son.
[more inside]posted by viggorlijah at 2:46 AM PST - 30 comments
Mrs. Killaseal's best friend started a business less than a year ago (so far, so good). Mrs. K would like nothing more than to be able to assist best friend at the new business (food industry), but distance we live apart will not permit that, so that is out. So, we would like to give her a nice gift to congratulate her. Mrs. K wants to know, should we buy her an actual item (or items), in the 200-300 dollar range, or should we just give her a nice card with equivalent cash, since every budding entrepreneur could probably use the extra cash to help out with the new business? Mrs. K worries that although they are best friends, cash might still be tacky.
[more inside]posted by KillaSeal at 1:51 AM PST - 9 comments
Is there a "-cracy" word for a political system where ultimate (and repressive) power is held by Corporate entities
outside of any government? Not just Monopolies or Oligopolies controlling their own markets, but the all-too-common sci-fi dystopian system...
[more inside]posted by oneswellfoop at 1:34 AM PST - 6 comments
Who are your favourite pop/rock/whatever singers with deep voices? I'm talking Stephin Merritt deep, I'm talking Calvin Johnson deep, I'm talking... deep voices.
posted by Ted Maul at 1:28 AM PST - 62 comments
October 25
How do I talk to my mother about her depression, especially when I'm trying to create better boundaries but simultaneously plan for my family's future?
[more inside]posted by Madamina at 10:46 PM PST - 9 comments
I want to buy a Macbook from the Apple website in the US. However, I now live in China. How can I avoid any import/custom fees and taxes when it is shipped... such as by having it shipped to my parents address in the US, then have them ship it to me in my address in China?
[more inside]posted by peachtree at 10:15 PM PST - 7 comments
An opportunity came up and I have less than one month to get a grad school application, including only half a month to prepare for and take the GRE. Is this crazy?
[more inside]posted by delladlux at 10:13 PM PST - 15 comments
Why can't I haz cheezburger? (Why can't I access the Cheezburger sites from my computer anymore?)
[more inside]posted by DMan at 10:00 PM PST - 5 comments
How do you go about requesting high school transcripts from a private school that no longer exists?
[more inside]posted by macrowave at 9:54 PM PST - 7 comments
Which websites use a "buy a day in our calendar to advertise" model? I can think of
Unicorn Booty and
I Wear Your Shirt, and I vageuly remember one from a few years ago but can't recall now.
posted by divabat at 8:37 PM PST - 1 comments
Any ideas on where I can find a list or a book detailing corporate corruption of scientific fact for their gain?
[more inside]posted by emilyclaire at 8:07 PM PST - 13 comments
First-time rider seeks bicycle advice. What should I get? From where? Rough cost?
[more inside]posted by mrme at 7:30 PM PST - 14 comments
Liberal Arts Grad. Must live green. Thinking about grad schools for 2012, or "green-collar" career, or starting a biz, or something else random. Already ruled out Law School. Ideas?
[more inside]posted by DetonatedManiac at 6:41 PM PST - 18 comments
I remember reading several ancient/medieval travelogues/ethnographies that referenced people with their faces in their stomachs. I also remember learning that their was a word for them, but I can't remember what the word was. What was it?
posted by Bulgaroktonos at 6:17 PM PST - 6 comments
I have to take a very last-minute plane trip tomorrow morning and just discovered I'm out of Xanax. There's no time for me to get more. What can I do to make it through the flight without a panic attack?
[more inside]posted by Mimzy at 6:11 PM PST - 26 comments
No one can stand my friend's fiancé. He's not a bad person and he seems to mean well, but he is obnoxious, rude and really, really, REALLY annoying. He's lonely and wants to hang out. We are running out of excuses to avoid him and my friend and her fiancé are starting to notice something's up. I hate drama. How do I deal with this?
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 5:48 PM PST - 42 comments
I'm a junior in high school. I've got a decent GPA and a bit of extra-curricular to my name. Is graduating a semester early in senior year worth it?
[more inside]posted by Askiba at 5:11 PM PST - 38 comments
My brother needs my help launching his website! Problem: it was designed in iWeb, he's a sensitive artist, and it just gets worse from there.
[more inside]posted by blazingunicorn at 4:52 PM PST - 25 comments
My right ear aches, and pain moves from one tooth to another on the right side of my mouth. I have a doctor's appointment tomorrow afternoon, but in the meantime I thought I'd ask what might be causing this. The pain in my ear is reminiscent of an ear infection I had years ago. At the same time, a single tooth will ache, but an hour later, the pain moves to a different tooth! Is it a dental problem causing an ear ache or an ear ache causing a dental problem?
posted by jackypaper at 4:15 PM PST - 12 comments
In balancing my budget, I found that I have, while not champagne tastes, microbrew tastes on a PBR budget. Help me brainstorm ways to drink on the cheap!
[more inside]posted by stellaluna at 4:09 PM PST - 26 comments
I have been tasked with showing some new friends from Europe the city of Nashville, Tennessee. One problem: I am not from Nashville and don't know anything about Nashville. I am looking for awesome local places to eat and must-see attractions.
[more inside]posted by SkylitDrawl at 4:07 PM PST - 12 comments
I'm putting together an animation storyboard portfolio and was hoping it could be nice/easy to look at on an iphone. I'm planning to use tumblr but want to know if any other free blogging options that might be better suited. Assume I'm 47, I've never owned a mobile device, that blogging will be a big step for me (and that I'm using a mac). Is this formatting question silly? Does today's software just manage this sort of thing automagically?
[more inside]posted by bonobothegreat at 3:58 PM PST - 8 comments
Please recommend for me graphic novels that combine advanced or modern technology with a slower speed of life.
[more inside]posted by attercoppe at 2:46 PM PST - 11 comments
I want to buy
pimentón (smoked paprika) online. Can you recommend good european spice shop? I've checked ebay, but I want to see if I can get a better deal somewhere else.
posted by leigh1 at 2:27 PM PST - 14 comments
Advice on how to parlay my non-normal sexuality into a normal sex life? (NSFW, obviously, and long, sorry.)
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 2:22 PM PST - 18 comments
So I'm looking for some hard data on the Alberta Oil Sands:
Employment rate, type of employment, demographics, who owns what, etc.
I'm finding plenty of opinion pieces, and plenty of environmental assessments, but not much hard data on the economics of it. Does anyone know where to look for this kind of information?
posted by Stagger Lee at 2:22 PM PST - 6 comments
Looking for anecdotal data: when you switched to a time-of-use electrical meter for your
residence, what happened to your bills in the first year, and what changes did you make that seemed to have the largest impact?
[more inside]posted by davejay at 1:38 PM PST - 1 comments
I'm writing a graphics app where I'm generating a simple gear transmission system with a variable number of gears each with variable number of teeth and placed at random orbits around each other. I generate gears in succession, placing and rotating each with respect to its parent/driver gear before moving on to the next. The problem I'm having is how to determine the initial orientation of each subsequent gear such that its teeth are properly meshed with that of its driver.
[more inside]posted by Epsilon-minus semi moron at 1:36 PM PST - 6 comments
I'm going to a wedding in the Caribbean where the invitation specifies dressy tropical as the form of dress. What do I wear?
[more inside]posted by slide at 1:30 PM PST - 12 comments
Girlfriend's birthday is coming up and it would make her day to get some flowers. Small problem, she is away at school. How can I have the flowers sent to her dorm?
[more inside]posted by Funky Claude at 1:29 PM PST - 26 comments
Am I over-reacting to new information about my boyfriend's relationship history? Which involves his current roommate?
[more inside]posted by missmary6 at 1:13 PM PST - 73 comments
What are the standard English pronunciations of the names of the characters in Plato's
Republic?
[more inside]posted by Paquda at 1:03 PM PST - 10 comments
Can anyone recommend a place to buy a laptop battery? I need a battery for a Vostro 1500 and I refuse to pay what those greedy bastards at Dell are asking.
posted by nooneyouknow at 12:49 PM PST - 10 comments
Has anybody got a Microsoft Word for Mac greeting card template for A4? I want to print two a5 cards on a piece of a4, guillotine that, and then fold those into a6 cards.
posted by By The Grace of God at 12:42 PM PST - 3 comments
I'm looking for a program that will let me quickly edit animated gifs. I'm looking to do things like combine two gifs together, applying color changes dynamically across all frames (like hue shifts and stuff), basic tweening of objects maybe... I've been using Photoshop and Imageready and haven't been impressed.
[more inside]posted by codacorolla at 12:34 PM PST - 6 comments
I have a list of IP addresses and I need to know the name of the computer they are currently hosted on. What's the best and quickest way for me to get this information?
[more inside]posted by Carillon at 12:33 PM PST - 9 comments
I'd like to be walked through the (no doubt very easy) process of moving a Wordpress blog to a different part of my website.
[more inside]posted by COBRA! at 12:15 PM PST - 7 comments
So
this is a typical example of what my dog does when I arrive at home. He is 5 years old and has always been this way. Help us get him under control.
[more inside]posted by morganannie at 12:11 PM PST - 33 comments
My husband is a second year law student in Ann Arbor. We have a 2.5 year old daughter and I'm currently a stay-at-home mom. Next summer, my husband has a job in Cleveland, where we will live after graduation. He has only one more semester of school left after the summer. We have two potential living scenarios, and need help choosing:
[more inside]posted by mrstrotsky at 11:27 AM PST - 25 comments
How should I reconfigure my Mac powerbook G4, and other mac-related growth advice.
[more inside]posted by Tchad at 11:25 AM PST - 18 comments
Is any hiver aware of an Ipad app that will allow me to view a relational database created in Filemaker pro 6?
Not having any luck so I hand this over to the geniuses
posted by citybuddha at 11:13 AM PST - 4 comments
Why did our (admittedly flawed) health insurance system develop in such a way that excludes dentistry from covered services?
[more inside]posted by mccxxiii at 10:44 AM PST - 28 comments
Advice for getting a job teaching high school in a private school or a charter school? I am a un-credentialed scientist looking to start teaching math or science next fall.
[more inside]posted by Candide at 10:26 AM PST - 21 comments
I'm looking for transcendent folk/pop/rock/country songs with strong vocal harmonies.
[more inside]posted by sockpup at 10:20 AM PST - 34 comments
Is there any way I can experience the same states and make the same changes through self hypnosis that I've experienced through being hypnotised?
[more inside]posted by Not Supplied at 10:13 AM PST - 3 comments
I'd like to be knowledgeable about politics enough to be able to state my opinion, engage in debates, and the like. I'm a one-issue person (gay marriage) and I'd like to discover my own beliefs about politics so that I no longer have to sit quietly when my friends get into it.
posted by Autumn at 10:10 AM PST - 15 comments
Whenever I start pushing myself physically, my appetite goes into overdrive. Is there anyway to prevent or combat this?
[more inside]posted by whoaali at 9:43 AM PST - 32 comments
I just joined the Appalachian Mountain Club. How can I make the most of this membership?
[more inside]posted by Miko at 9:39 AM PST - 6 comments
Hypothyroid-filter: What
can I eat?
Please help me eat delicious, healthful, creative meals and snacks without having an anxiety attack because I'm so worried certain foods will interfere with my thyroid medication.
[more inside]posted by Faraday Cage at 9:11 AM PST - 41 comments
Comfortable coffee shop/bar/cafe with wi-fi for business work near shopping/site-seeing spots somewhere between Long Beach and Downtown LA?
[more inside]posted by ejazen at 9:08 AM PST - 6 comments
Are there any bars or similar in the Boston area where a 21 year old female could go dressed as a man? Are there any stores that would be willing to rent a tux to a woman without asking too many questions? Other questions about cross dressing inside.
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 8:59 AM PST - 19 comments
How do I get my subordinates to reply to my e-mails? I work remotely, but they don't. I need to know that they've read what I send them. Details about work situation below.
[more inside]posted by stoneweaver at 8:24 AM PST - 61 comments
I recently decided to go to the gym and start exercising, in an effort to lead a healthier life. I'd like to start running, but also put on some muscle mass. Is this possible, or do I have to choose one?
[more inside]posted by althanis at 7:45 AM PST - 16 comments
Are there any websites with a flash piano (or something) where I can record, save and email to myself simple melodies I've come up with?
[more inside]posted by windbox at 7:43 AM PST - 4 comments
I need new armor. Specifically, boots that will wear like iron and look cute on a petite, curvy frame. I need a) style advice and b) help with finding a boot similar to one that has seemingly disappeared.
[more inside]posted by MonkeyToes at 7:25 AM PST - 16 comments
Next week, I have the opportunity to see one of my very favorite authors speak: Bill Bryson. I will also be attending a reception where he will be present, and should I have the opportunity to speak with him, I want to be armed with some great questions I can ask, lest I degenerate into the huge, slobbering fangirl that I am.
[more inside]posted by anderjen at 7:22 AM PST - 19 comments
Drank a liter of unfiltered, chemically treated puddle water. What's the best course of action to avoid gastrointestinal Armageddon?
[more inside]posted by toftflin at 7:11 AM PST - 14 comments
I need a hobby. I find myself getting bored and stir crazy a lot lately. Ideally this hobby would be something I can do in my living room, on the coffee table or couch, and could take it outside with me if I wanted to. It shouldn't take up a lot of room since our house is so small. I was thinking of learning to knit, but I know there have to be other crafty-leisurely-finished product- oriented hobbies that I am not thinking of. Thanks!
posted by MayNicholas at 6:44 AM PST - 27 comments
I'm the male half of a couple's costume, and the idea is "1920's silent film stars". I'm the guy, and I have no idea how to look 1) like I'm from the 1920's, or 2) how to look stereotypically "silent film". Help.
[more inside]posted by 23skidoo at 6:34 AM PST - 20 comments
My daughter's teacher told her Columbus thought the earth was flat and the usual story about falling off the edge of the earth. As far as I can tell this is just not true, and the teacher should know it. Should I bother asking about this? I know it's insignificant, but it bothers me to know she's being taught something that just isn't true.
posted by Blake at 6:32 AM PST - 34 comments
A friend asks about a movie scene: The Guy and The Girl are sitting on the roof of a movie theater, smoking and talking, under a huge marquee or sign, and with spotlights all around. Can you name the film?
posted by Silky Slim at 5:53 AM PST - 11 comments
How do I keep my sanity with a long overdue academic programming project? Especially with debugging?
[more inside]posted by Triton at 5:37 AM PST - 13 comments
Is it appropriate to give a thank you gift to a mentor, and what can I give someone who doesn't drink, doesn't eat junk food, and doesn't like flowers?
[more inside]posted by lollusc at 2:11 AM PST - 28 comments
I accidentally bought a bottle of hypochlorous /hypochloric acid (次亜塩素酸水) - what do you use your hulking bottle of hypochlorous acid for? And, what precautions do you observe when using it?
[more inside]posted by ultrabuff at 1:58 AM PST - 17 comments
Looking for a picture of an Italian elevator button panel that has the 17th floor / number 17 omitted.
[more inside]posted by querty at 12:13 AM PST - 3 comments
October 24
I am interested in people's exam preparation strategies (especially if you study psychology like me). It has suddenly occurred to me that I'm not very metacognitive about my learning. How do I intuit what are the most important concepts (likely to be on an exam, in short-answer format)? How do you pick up on hints from the lecturers?
[more inside]posted by KLF at 11:17 PM PST - 9 comments
I run an elementary school library in an economically diverse urban neighborhood. I want to buy a couple ebook readers so that my kids can see what using them is like (and so I can learn about the issues around lending and using these devices.) Various questions inside.
[more inside]posted by carterk at 10:42 PM PST - 11 comments
I am knitting a pair of socks for a friend. The yarn is 75% superwash wool and 25% nylon. The washing instructions tell me to "Machine wash warm water, no bleach, lay flat to dry." What will happen if I actually put them in the dryer?
[more inside]posted by That's Numberwang! at 9:51 PM PST - 19 comments
I have a Halloween costume question... Sorry! How do we make the most of a 9 month old baby wearing an ugly suit for Halloween?
[more inside]posted by LyndsayMW at 9:43 PM PST - 16 comments
How did you come to accept, make the best of and enjoy your body/appearance? How did you learn to really own your body type/features?
[more inside]posted by Chrysalis at 9:20 PM PST - 33 comments
I want to be involved in some sort of theater company, but my high school's theater program is less than enviable. Is there any youth musical theater group in New York I would be interested in?
[more inside]posted by auiricle at 9:08 PM PST - 1 comments
I'm a guy and have long hair that I usually keep in a ponytail. Should I cut my hair, and if so, what should I do with it? And, why am I so up in my head about the decision?
[more inside]posted by scharpy at 9:06 PM PST - 34 comments
My daughter's birthday is coming up, and I'm looking for book recs. Lately, she's fascinated by time travel and, to a lesser extent, World War II. I'd love to buy her some books about these subjects, but am sort of stuck on what, exactly, to buy.
[more inside]posted by MeghanC at 8:47 PM PST - 46 comments
Is my AVG Resident Shield warning me of something important, or is AVG itself the problem? I've been running AVG on my computer since I bought it (in August). In the last two hours, every time I open a new program, Resident Shield pops up and tells me "the file could not be scanned, probably due to invalid file structure". The programs I'm opening are not new (games I've downloaded weeks ago, Google Chrome) and my computer is otherwise not acting wonky. What's going on?
posted by epj at 7:23 PM PST - 9 comments
how hard is it to replace the third party keyless entry module in my car if i never done it before?
[more inside]posted by sammich at 7:10 PM PST - 2 comments
What is a good (and preferably inexpensive) way to safely archive and catalog old files that I want to keep but no longer want on my laptop?
[more inside]posted by stevechemist at 5:56 PM PST - 1 comments
Should I put myself through a year of being long-distance with my boyfriend to get a job in my field?
[more inside]posted by Klieserber at 5:52 PM PST - 29 comments
I want to be a sharper, wittier writer and conversationalist like the O.G. Dorothy Parker or, hey, even Coketalk. I admire funny, confident women, and while I think I'm moderately funny in person (years of low self-esteem will do wonders for your self-deprecating humor skills once you come out of it, go figure), I'd like to beef it up a bit, as well as learn how to express that more in my writing.
[more inside]posted by themaskedwonder at 4:08 PM PST - 19 comments
After going to a job interview, are there any telltale hints or signs that can help you have a basic idea if you're going to be hired or not?
posted by antgly at 3:32 PM PST - 35 comments
Oops -- I didn't mean to permanently associate a NSFW image with my business email...
[more inside]posted by ROTFL at 3:17 PM PST - 6 comments
Something fun (and gay) to do in San Francisco for Halloween next Saturday night?
[more inside]posted by jagalt at 3:12 PM PST - 11 comments
[DSLR-filter] I'm buying my first DSLR camera! Woohoo, excitement all around (except in my wallet). I've settled on a Nikon D90, but I'm not sure what lens to get with it. Options/details inside.
[more inside]posted by firei at 3:08 PM PST - 24 comments
Thoughts on moissanite engagement rings? Do you know someone who has gotten one and loved it or been disappointed? Other suggestion for non-diamond rings? Where to buy one in the DC/Richmond area?
[more inside]posted by bluejayk at 2:37 PM PST - 30 comments
I get a tingling sensation in my jaw and mouth for a second or two whenever I begin eating any type of food. This especially happens when I have not eaten anything in a while and/r if the food has a lot of flavour. I call it "flavour explosion" out loud every time it happens and my girlfriend is starting to look at me strangely. Does anybody have a similar thing happen to them or know what this could be?
[more inside]posted by 1awesomeguy at 1:55 PM PST - 13 comments
I'm looking for modern jazz artists that tour and fit my preference for jazz. A lot of the jazz I like most is played by greats who are no longer with us. I'd love to go see some great live jazz but just don't really know where to start.
[more inside]posted by bwilms at 1:52 PM PST - 7 comments
I know this is a long shot, but I've seen answers here before on occasion from Apple techs: Could someone tell me once and for all if
this is a Bad Idea That Is Going to Void My Warranty?
posted by 4ster at 1:36 PM PST - 12 comments
Country comfort food, non-kosher edition: what are your favorite bean soup/stew recipes for smoked ham hocks or pork neck bones?
[more inside]posted by availablelight at 1:21 PM PST - 8 comments
What events / meetups / groups etc might be useful for a young freelance print designer in Chicago to network with other designers, learn about the local design scene, hear about opportunities, etc.?
posted by kickingtheground at 1:14 PM PST - 2 comments
Tips to maintain a healthy work life balance when you need to put in 10 to 12 hours per day for a couple months? Things that can be automated and save time, but help me stay healthy.
[more inside]posted by Wolfster at 12:33 PM PST - 19 comments
Ever since this August's Sun Ra
thread, I've found myself digging deeper & deeper into his back catalog, which is at turns obscure, uneven, and daunting. I could use a little guidance to figure out which albums I should track down, and which I can skip. So, Sun Ra aficionados, which albums are your can't miss favorites -- the ones you return to, the ones I've
got to listen to -- and what makes them stand out to you?
This thread is of some help, but I'd like to cast a wider net than that OP did: any era, any group size are fine as far as I'm concerned.
posted by .kobayashi. at 12:23 PM PST - 10 comments
Fluorescent lightbulbs. I'm trying to replace some fluorescent bulbs in my kitchen and something's not working...
[more inside]posted by backwords at 12:18 PM PST - 12 comments
We have an old barn in our backyard that we are currently restoring. It will be fully insulated when finished (though we're recycling old windows that are probably 100 years old, which are single pane, so it won't be optimally efficient.) I am trying to decide if we should heat it with gas or electricity. Because the barn has never been heated before, and we're changing it anyway, I'm having a hard time estimating costs. (See extended explanation for details.)
[more inside]posted by djedery at 12:08 PM PST - 8 comments
Three times in the last 12 hours, my car alarm has gone off without any obvious cause. It does not appear to have been broken into. Neither I nor anyone else was sitting on the keys. It has never done this before. If it is relevant, it is a 2000 Ford Taurus. Any idea what could be causing this or how to make it stop?
posted by jaybeans at 12:06 PM PST - 20 comments
I'm looking for books or documentaries on the history of British television; not the device, but the early years of television broadcasting, the formation of the BBC, and the characters involved. Does anyone know of any?
[more inside]posted by Gonnas at 11:20 AM PST - 6 comments
Does any Atlanta retailer sell canned non-concentrate Minute Maid orange juice, such as that which you get from the drink cart on airplanes? I'm NOT referring to canned Minute Maid orange juice from concentrate that can be found in grocery freezers, and the 8oz plastic bottles on store shelves are not what I need either.
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 11:20 AM PST - 12 comments
I'm a recent college grad who has been playing the "unemployment blues" for the past 5 months and have had no real success finding full-time work. However, I've recently had two excellent interviews for an entry-level administrative assistant position at a small non-profit organization in New York (where I currently live with my parents). I'm not sure if this is the kind of work I would be able to do for more than a year (well aware that most people don't necessarily enjoy their jobs and generally have to haul ass in the early stages), and the pay is mediocre, but I am entering student loan repayment soon ($80k+ worth of debt) and need a steady paying job ASAP. Please offer me some perspective from your experiences in this situation, and help me determine if I am making the right decision.
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 11:20 AM PST - 27 comments
I've had a change of heart about a vote I made on my mail-in (Seattle) ballot. The ballot has not been mailed but it's been sealed in the security envelope and the outer mailer. Is there any way to legally modify my ballot without invalidating it? If not, can I easily get a new ballot?
posted by rouftop at 11:08 AM PST - 3 comments
HR filter - if an internet job positing provides a 3 week window in which I can submit an application via e-mail, is there any strategic advantage or disadvantage to applying sooner than later, or vice versa? Also, if I live in a city other than the location in which the job is situated, should I play this down or up?
[more inside]posted by analog at 11:03 AM PST - 8 comments
How would people fight in microgravity, either in an enclosed space with walls to push off of, or completely free-floating with nothing except each others' bodies?
[more inside]posted by d. z. wang at 11:00 AM PST - 36 comments
Can you recommend me a good desktop for home usage (ideally one that I can buy online)? Ideally within $1500 ...
[more inside]posted by justlooking at 10:28 AM PST - 7 comments
"The gunsight frames an image for destruction, whereas the camera's viewfinder frames one image for preservation, and all other possible images for destruction." Help me find the source of this paraphrased quote?
[more inside]posted by Alterscape at 10:15 AM PST - 5 comments
I want to study and do well,
really, I do. I have full intentions of spending the whole day reading my materials but when I sit down I just can't bring myself to do it. Help me!
[more inside]posted by cruncheweesy at 10:02 AM PST - 24 comments
I have the desire to re-live my youth, and rekindle my addiction to pinball machines, problem is I can't actually find any left!
So does anyone know of any in South Wales (nearer Newport the betterer).
posted by couch at 10:00 AM PST - 10 comments
What modern political theorists/essayists write very explicitly about the end-result they'd like to see in the world, rather than focusing on piecemeal reforms?
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 9:14 AM PST - 7 comments
How do I begin to structure a cap-and-trade system for keeping my co-op apartment building's owner-occupancy rate high, while rewarding owners live here, and charging/"taxing" those who don't? Details inside.
[more inside]posted by celilo at 9:08 AM PST - 10 comments
When people say "what kind of music do you like?" I don't have an answer to tell them. Two of may favorite albums ever are Martin Tillman's
A Year In Zurich and Jeremy Soule's
Morrowind soundtrack. But, I can't put my finger on what genre these albums are. Classical and Jazz are too vague.
[more inside]posted by rebent at 9:08 AM PST - 6 comments
How can someone find a domain I own from another domain I own, if I serve the content from domain B as an addon domain on domain A? Should I just buy two hosting accounts?
[more inside]posted by winna at 8:53 AM PST - 5 comments
Is it possible for a foreigner living in Japan to express his/her dissatisfaction with a work situation?
[more inside]posted by TrishaLynn at 8:40 AM PST - 7 comments
Mission: decorate our condo as an internet meme for a Halloween party. Hive mind, help me come up with awesome meme's and their physical manifestation!
[more inside]posted by olya at 8:14 AM PST - 28 comments
Once or twice a week at least, I hear a subway announcement that the line is running with delays "due to a disabled train." This might signify that the train is five minutes later than you expected, or two hours later. Does anyone know exactly what "a disabled train" means?
[more inside]posted by Countess Elena at 8:07 AM PST - 14 comments
Help me diagnose my (probably user-induced) intermittently crackling tube guitar amp!
[more inside]posted by unSane at 8:00 AM PST - 8 comments
My Linksys T-mobile HiPort Wireless Router is sporadic and weird with my MacBook Pro 2007 Santa Rosa's wireless networking. What's the ideal way to fix this? Or should I get a new router? And what will we do when our contract is up and T-mobile shuts down the landline?
[more inside]posted by mccarty.tim at 6:07 AM PST - 4 comments
a couple of years ago i watched this great documentary about DARPA grand challenge "the great robot race" . (
site
,
full video ,
transcript).
and one quote stuck with me ever since. it goes
something like this.
[more inside]posted by yosh at 4:28 AM PST - 3 comments
I just popped out to my shed, and found a hissing emaciated cat. I chased it away (I like the birds in my yard), and as it shot off over the fence and up the road, I found kittens.
[more inside]posted by Ahab at 3:39 AM PST - 25 comments
The wet organic cat food I give to my cat is highly nutritious. It is also homogenous and prepared in large quantities. Is there a human equivalent to this that I can prepare for myself?
[more inside]posted by triceryclops at 1:13 AM PST - 28 comments
I have a list of about 10,000 medical and chemical terms in an Excel file, many of which are not in the MS spell-check dictionary. How can I add all 10,000 at once? I've searched high and low on the Internet, and can't find any discussion of how to batch add a bunch of words to a MS Word dictionary. Anyone have a clue? Thanks!
posted by zachawry at 1:11 AM PST - 9 comments
October 23
How can I get rid of the audio interference caused when I use a 12v charger with an mp3 player in my car?
[more inside]posted by Popcorn at 11:54 PM PST - 10 comments
Would it be legal in America for a pharmaceutical company to develop a drug solely intended for recreational, not medical purposes. To what safety standards would such a drug be held?
posted by furiousxgeorge at 9:26 PM PST - 26 comments
If a building (in New York City) is listed as being accessible for disabled people, are you allowed to ask them if they're disabled before letting them use the elevator and deny them access to it if they say they're not? (I know this sounds offensive. It offends me. Please read the rest before judging. Thanks.)
[more inside]posted by grumblebee at 9:11 PM PST - 46 comments
I teach a lesson on interpersonal conflict where we used to have the students arm wrestle one another. Unfortunately, arm wrestling is a little too violent. I'm looking for a substitute game.
[more inside]posted by eisenkr at 9:09 PM PST - 18 comments
has anyone driven hwy 1 to key west from Miami? any suggestions on where to stop along the way?
posted by matrjety at 8:39 PM PST - 10 comments
Please help me make liquid tooth soap! I only know of two available - Perfect Prescription, which would cost ±$50 per bottle to order from Australia, and one on etsy but the seller won't answer my emails asking if she'll ship to Oz.
[more inside]posted by Zaire at 8:27 PM PST - 6 comments
I experience dizziness and nausea after hearing high-frequency sounds. Neither my wife nor stepdaughter do, so I'm beginning to wonder- is there something weird going on with my ears/brain?
[more inside]posted by Jpfed at 7:18 PM PST - 10 comments
Packing lunch with two restrictions: weekly bringing, and an office fridge that freezes things regularly.
[more inside]posted by bilabial at 6:58 PM PST - 18 comments
I really, really love corny-but-higher-quality movies made from 1985-1995. Who knows why. Recommend some!
[more inside]posted by santojulieta at 5:52 PM PST - 52 comments
I've been informed that a woman in our social circle circle finds me attractive. I am attracted to her, but I don't want a relationship. What is the best move here?
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 5:40 PM PST - 34 comments
Is it possible to send physical mail anonymously through private parties, who will then resend it?
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 5:40 PM PST - 3 comments
How can I remove the AutoFormats (circa Office 2007) from Access 2010? There is no Help documentation or AutoFormat support in 2010, but I just want them
gone in my older files!
posted by jeroum at 4:29 PM PST - 0 comments
How to maintain hope that I will find someone to be in a committed relationship in the face of what feels like overwhelming odds?
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 2:15 PM PST - 21 comments
Anyone know a nice, calm, TTC-accessible Toronto brunch spot with afternoon hours (and possibly mimosas), preferably near-ish to Dufferin and St. Clair?
[more inside]posted by ilana at 1:54 PM PST - 11 comments
What are your favorite self-improvement resources? I'm looking for a variety of resources (blogs, podcasts, books, etc) in a variety of fields (fashion, finance, social interactions, etc).
[more inside]posted by Darke at 1:20 PM PST - 11 comments
hairdressers/surgeons/creative others: I'm going to shave a shape on my head. What can I use to mark the borders of the shape on my hair/scalp to guide me?
[more inside]posted by mirileh at 1:03 PM PST - 11 comments
So, uh, how did you support yourself through college, exactly? I've returned to school full-time and I know people do this, but as silly as it sounds I'm just not sure
how. [more inside]posted by schroedinger at 12:36 PM PST - 43 comments
Which distance learning institutions in the UK have the best reputations, particularly for web design?
[more inside]posted by ZsigE at 12:26 PM PST - 4 comments
Philadelphia-filter: I need a recommendation for a good quality camera repair shop where I can get an opinion on whether to fix my camera.
[more inside]posted by midatlanticwanderer at 11:30 AM PST - 5 comments
I need to repaint my two-year-old son's room. Color and design ideas, please, for a room that will be cool, fun, easy to do, and *cheap*?
[more inside]posted by devotion+doubt at 11:08 AM PST - 12 comments
iPhone/AT&T user, tired of my iPhone and wanting a new (reasonably priced) smartphone (thinking Blackberry) WITH GPS and a reasonably priced cell phone plan with minutes/unlimited text/unlimited data. BB/smartphone users, tell me your experiences, as well as T-Mobile users.
[more inside]posted by Dukat at 10:57 AM PST - 15 comments
I want to get a business license so I can buy products from businesses-only wholesale stores like Jetro. I would not have any income from the business. Would starting this business as a sole proprietor (no fictitious name) expose me to additional tax liabilities for the income from my regular job? Company business category would be Computer Consulting. This is in New York state, Brooklyn specifically.
posted by fishfucker at 10:13 AM PST - 8 comments
I'm captain of an adult soccer team, and would like to find a pretty simple way to:
1. get each person to RSVP online for every game
2. enable discussion (e.g. 'who's bringing food on Friday?')
I'm familiar with Meetup, which matches these requirements. But it's really built around the idea of 'open' groups looking to attract new members, which we're not.
Any ideas? Thanks!
posted by subpixel at 9:51 AM PST - 12 comments
DIYFilter: I have a small hole in a brick wall. Can I use expanding-foam to repair it?
[more inside]posted by jquinby at 9:28 AM PST - 5 comments
Question for Graphic Designer types: What's the best solution for secure and reliable online storage, with 24/7 access from a desktop/laptop (Mac, PC and Linux), smart phone and/or mobile device and the web, for gigabytes of graphic design files? These files include various large image formats (JPG or TIF), Indesign, Word and Illustrater files, etc, etc.
Bonus points if this secure and reliable service allows people to seamlessly add files to a public folder, either via drag and drop or email.
[more inside]posted by nomadicink at 7:55 AM PST - 10 comments
Two-fold question: I need a picture of an embroidery pattern with red flowers that resembles the needlework along the edges of many skirts and jackets in traditional Russian/Slavic/Scandinavian clothing. Secondly, can I get
this black coat embroidered with Slavic/Russian-looking flowers? How expensive would it be to get this work done?
[more inside]posted by Hwaet at 7:25 AM PST - 10 comments
I've visited Portland Oregon once before and loved it. But that was summer time - would you recommend a visit in November? Or should I wait for the sun to come back?
[more inside]posted by sleepy boy at 5:10 AM PST - 16 comments
October 22
My very important spreadsheet has become too big to use without excel/calc slowing so much that I want to take an axe to the computer. Help!
[more inside]posted by pootler at 11:38 PM PST - 20 comments
The chocolate brown/robin's egg blue combo: when did it start being popular? Where did that combo come from? Why so pleasing to the eyes? And still trendy today? or outdated and tacky?
posted by Busoni at 11:23 PM PST - 42 comments
I'm female and in my late 20s.
I started volunteering at a local bookstore about eight months ago, and I've had a major crush on my supervisor since the very first day. It started as just a mild heart-skip, but as the weeks passed I found myself liking this guy more and more. He's got this reserved yet friendly geeky nature that I just can't get enough of. Oh my.
[more inside]posted by tamagogirl at 10:39 PM PST - 38 comments
We are expecting our first child in the new year (yay!) and we are starting to put the nursery together. We found a crib, a rocking cradle, a change table, a chair and a car seat. What else should we get?
Looking for specific product suggestions or a general list of the types of items that we will need.
Was there a favorite thing that you were happy to have (a Sophie, a Bumbo, a diaper genie etc)? Something you wish you had right away?
[more inside]posted by saradarlin at 10:36 PM PST - 48 comments
In the not-so-distant future I might have to take a DOT/FAA drug test to become a flight attendant. I'm taking Wellbutrin prescribed by a psychiatrist. Help?
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 9:38 PM PST - 8 comments
Can you recommend a reliable & affordable stereo receiver? I had a Sony receiver which worked for a couple of years and then broke.
[more inside]posted by pantufla at 8:22 PM PST - 21 comments
What are some short stories or novels (probably in the fantasy genre, but not necessarily) with the most awesome, clever, and/or thought-provoking depictions and conceptions of magic?
posted by shivohum at 7:14 PM PST - 40 comments
Solo traveler by way of Toronto, in late November, seeks beach, warmth, proximity to other nice humans. What's a good place, at a good price?
[more inside]posted by nicoleincanada at 7:06 PM PST - 2 comments
Is it possible to use an all female 3.5mm splitter backwards to allow two inputs into one set of speakers?
[more inside]posted by NotSoSiniSter at 7:03 PM PST - 9 comments
I'm looking at the recipe for pickled apples in Linda Ziedrich's "The Joy of Pickling". These are whole apples pickled by fermentation (not just vinegar-soaked). I'm intrigued. Can you tell me about your experience eating pickled apples? Or better yet making them yourself (tips/tricks/results)? The info I've found online so far is pretty thin.
posted by madmethods at 6:19 PM PST - 3 comments
What do we need to know about moving to Rochester, Minnesota? Do I need to learn to cook ethnic food if I want to eat it? Do we need engine block heaters?
[more inside]posted by treehorn+bunny at 6:00 PM PST - 22 comments
JapanFilter: My friend is going to be in Osaka for a MONTH alone on business. She knows no one there, speaks very little Japanese, and will be all in all pretty bored. What are cool things she can do? Where are places she can hang out? Are there English websites she can read for ideas?
posted by aliceinreality at 5:49 PM PST - 19 comments
I am making Dutch pancakes for a brunch. (They're an eggy thing that puffs up in the oven, kind of like a fritatta, kind of like a pancake, kind of like Yorkshire pudding.) My question is about the topping.
[more inside]posted by pipti at 4:51 PM PST - 9 comments
So we have a cat. He came with the house, and probably not the cat we would have picked for ourselves, but now he's ours and we love him. However he's recently added a new behavioral problem to a list of behavioral problems that isn't as short as all that: From 3 in the morning onwards he wanders the house and meows constantly.
[more inside]posted by Artw at 4:37 PM PST - 25 comments
My married name was "Jane Whatever Doe". I got divorced a while back and my legal (according to Social Security) name is "Jane Whatever Smith." Everyone in the art world knows me by my married name of "Jane Doe," so my driver's license says "Jane Whatever Smith-Doe." Are you confused yet? More within...
[more inside]posted by madred at 4:23 PM PST - 9 comments
I want my videos to show up in iTunes. iTunes only seems to play nice with mp4. Is there any program out there that will monitor a folder, convert the video that shows up, and add it to iTunes? I'm on a Windows 7 machine.
[more inside]posted by allthewhile at 3:36 PM PST - 4 comments
I am currently dating an ex, and we've been back together for about a month now. Everything is going really well, except for the fact that I'm starting to get a little freaked out about his revelation that he thinks I'm his soul mate and that he never got over me from the last time around. Does this guy sound sweet and sincere or potentially unbalanced?
[more inside]posted by mudlark at 2:07 PM PST - 49 comments
Wish-I'd-kept-it-now-Filter: How can I calculate capital gains/losses on an individual stock I want to sell if I didn't keep the monthly/annual statements?
[more inside]posted by anitanita at 1:59 PM PST - 5 comments
Will credit insurance programs pay if the individual is aware of and has been notified an upcoming layoff prior to enrollment?
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 1:14 PM PST - 5 comments
I'm coping with a hypochondriac/depressed boyfriend right now. I have tried to be there for him but I am very gradually starting to lose my patience and feel restless in the relationship. I love him and feel completely torn about what to do.
[more inside]posted by maggymay at 1:10 PM PST - 14 comments
Locked in a battle of wills with my dog over when and where she's gonna pee. I think she's actually holding it in on purpose! How bad is this? Should I just give in, or hold out?? also general advice on what i'm trying to train her to do would be helpful.
[more inside]posted by lblair at 1:04 PM PST - 19 comments
Help me come up with ways to easily bestow added-value upon subscribers to an online CC-licensed science fiction magazine.
[more inside]posted by 256 at 1:03 PM PST - 9 comments
I can't seem to keep track of online events - what tool or workflow should I use?
[more inside]posted by rmm at 12:50 PM PST - 2 comments
Textbooks on data mining techniques / statistical analysis on large data sets?
[more inside]posted by wooh at 12:35 PM PST - 5 comments
What books have helped you succeed and grow professionally? Although recommendations like
Getting Things Done or
How To Win Friends And Influence People would be great, I would also like to hear about fiction or non-business books that you have read that have positively impacted your career. I am familiar with this
thread about particular fields. I am more interested in books that have helped you generally in your career, regarding topics as diverse as work ethic, courage, communication, organization, leadership, relationships, work-life balance, etc. If the
Men's Style Manual has impacted your career, bring it on!
posted by jasondigitized at 12:34 PM PST - 28 comments
Suggest to me some creepy, scary, spooky stuff to read/watch/play with online. Not neccessarily Halloweeny stuff.
[more inside]posted by FunkyHelix at 12:05 PM PST - 23 comments
[Wristwatchfilter] Me: mid-20s male looking for the perfect men's analog wristwatch for my
dainty wrists. Easy-to-set alarm a strong plus. You: experienced in these matters and willing to share your insight. Go!
[more inside]posted by supercres at 11:37 AM PST - 15 comments
I'm thirty years old, and it's my first semester of grad school after working in the corporate world for 8 years. It just kind of hit me that I'm going to have a summer vacation for the first time in forever. Whoa, awesome, but what to do with myself? Also, how to fund it?
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 11:31 AM PST - 13 comments
I'm leaving for Croatia in a week and have been offered a going away present. What do I need that I don't know I need?
[more inside]posted by JimmyJames at 11:22 AM PST - 8 comments
iTunes 10.0.1 and Windows Vista. Help me kill the album art, kill it dead, for good. Permanently. For, like, EVER.
[more inside]posted by chez shoes at 11:20 AM PST - 12 comments
How can I wean my wife off of visiting her therapist? We are in the second year of our marriage, and having the typical disagreements about money. My wife started visiting a therapist nearly a year ago, shortly after the death of her father. I don't ask much about her therapy, but my impression is that she discusses everything under the sun. cont'd...
[more inside]posted by reuscam at 10:44 AM PST - 161 comments
When I start a wifi session (at a coffee shop for instance), the bubble will say "additional login may be required" which, when I open a web page, is just an "I accept" disclaimer. BUT, when I have to turn off the computer (reboot for windows update, go to the bathroom, etc) and then try to re-establish contact, it won't work. I can't get connected and I can't get the login screen. I've tried everything I can think of to get it to work but it just seems like I have to come back the next day.
Any tricks to get me back on?
posted by CodeMonkey at 10:38 AM PST - 5 comments
Some friends and I are planning on taking the Trans-Asia Express from Istanbul to Van (not continuing on to Tehran) next month. Could anyone who has taken this trip answer a few questions for me?
[more inside]posted by minicloud at 10:10 AM PST - 2 comments
I roasted some butternut squash about a week ago, but haven't yet used it. It's been in the refrigerator the whole time. Think it's safe to eat? How long might it last before it goes bad?
posted by gertrude at 10:06 AM PST - 12 comments
I am very deeply in love with and married to a man who has substance abuse problems - particularly alchohol and cigarettes. I am not interested in leaving him. My powerlessness to help him causes me pain, and my misguided attempts to "fix" him are painful for him. Watching him destroy himself is destroying me, and is making me less loving a partner than he deserves. I've looked into Al-anon but, being passionately atheist and unable to reconcile myself with its higher power BS, I have not been to any meetings. Please help me find alternatives.
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 10:05 AM PST - 23 comments
What kind of cheap/affordable cataloging software is out there for small libraries?
[more inside]posted by zsazsa at 9:49 AM PST - 5 comments
My High School student needs to record a sample of his trombone at home so he can take it to his teacher.
[more inside]posted by Northwest at 9:21 AM PST - 7 comments
Help me screencap. I'm trying to use SnagIt 10, but I can't get it to take screenshots, either with the big red button or with the Print Screen key. Once I select the big red button it just runs in the background but doesn't take the screencap. The Print Screen key does nothing at all.
This is on Windows 7. Other open apps are IE, Outlook, Communicator, Pidgin, Excel and Word.
Any ideas?
posted by chesty_a_arthur at 8:52 AM PST - 18 comments
Fiction-Writing Software recommendation? I have a large manuscript with multiple characters, chapters, themes and volumes in the planning stage. I want to move beyond a blizzard of Post-its on my wall. I've looked at Scrivener, and am seeking other suggestions from users. Anything wonderful? Anything to absolutely avoid? Needs to be Mac-friendly, as well.
posted by citygirl at 8:48 AM PST - 18 comments
I have a Linksys WRT110 router. Although it has some access controls, I find them difficult to use and counterintuitive, and I say this as someone who has been using computers since the days of the TRS-80.
Is there a router out there that will let me limit access times by MAC address of different devices, either by a daily quota or a cutoff time?
[more inside]posted by mecran01 at 8:34 AM PST - 7 comments
I am trying to make a list of short subway lines in the world. For instance, Leipzig is apparently planning a subway line with only three (!) stops. Do you know any examples for me to follow up? Thank you!
posted by Omnomnom at 7:57 AM PST - 38 comments
Parents with very old PC (e.g. 128 MB RAM, XPHome w/ no SP upgrade!) hooking this machine to Internet for first time. Will purchase newer in near future, but must work with this for now. Looking for apps that will work on this old beast given memory lack. Would portable apps do the trick? Specifically looking for anti-virus, media, browsing, torrent, etc. Recommendations?
[more inside]posted by skypieces at 7:48 AM PST - 16 comments
What should I do this weekend in New Orleans? I'm taking my girlfriend this weekend for her 30th birthday. We land tonight at about 6pm and depart on Sunday at about 6pm.
[more inside]posted by ben242 at 6:58 AM PST - 18 comments
When is really the best time to fish for salmon in the Puget Sound / Georgia Straight area? Is it exclusively a late fall/early winter sport?
[more inside]posted by thewalrus at 6:15 AM PST - 6 comments
Synaptic Touchpad in Windows 7 scroll "wheel" stopped working with no apparent cause.
[more inside]posted by fuq at 5:43 AM PST - 3 comments
I woke up today and both my Gmail account and Yahoo account have had their passwords changed. What the hell happened? Only thing I can think of is that it came through my phone-- I have an rooted Android LG Ally,(with google services) and I had a Yahoo Fantasy Football app installed.
[more inside]posted by sandmanwv at 5:25 AM PST - 8 comments
What inspirational or instructive inscription should I have engraved on a (new) military officer's sword?
[more inside]posted by emtanner at 4:56 AM PST - 34 comments
Certain news stories are predictable in advance-- because they cover stories that happen every year (like the Oscars or the Super Bowl); or because they cover events you can see coming a long time away (like the 500th birthday of some historical personage.)
Is there any comprehensive list of Things That Will Probably Be In The News Next Year? I'm looking for something like
this weekly preview from CNN, but over a longer timescale.
posted by yankeefog at 4:14 AM PST - 15 comments
Small bowel malabsorption question. CT Scan shows something nobody expects, but can't really explain. Doctor says not to worry, but...
[more inside]posted by dzaz at 3:08 AM PST - 6 comments
Starting this Sunday, me and some 40 people will be running a 2-week charity drive to get as many donations as possible for Pakistan flood victims. Do you have any ideas?
[more inside]posted by Ragingmelon at 12:34 AM PST - 5 comments
17 Months ago, I had six of my top front teeth crowned. During the last 3 or 4 months, the two front teeth have been separating & I now have a slight gap. What's going on here?
[more inside]posted by jsslz at 12:05 AM PST - 5 comments
October 21
How do I encourage people I'm working on a magazine with to do better and work harder without being a dick?
[more inside]posted by ejfox at 11:59 PM PST - 13 comments
i need to gather data from paginated tables and return them as a feed or something that can be easily pulled as a query into excel.
[more inside]posted by malcommc at 9:47 PM PST - 4 comments
Should one treat bedbugs if the only evidence is bites? My friends live in a beautiful clean home. She has been getting bites, mainly on her torso, for the last 5 days. They seem to happen at night while sleeping. He gets no bites and thinks her suspicion of bed bugs is crazy. They have not been traveling, have not had house guests. Exterminator could find no signs of bed bugs or other critters, except for the bites on her belly. no droppings, blood, nothing. Exterminator (nice guy) gave her the possible options( mattress encasement alone, mattress encasement with treatment, sniffer dog, and "wait and see", but he refused to make a recommendation saying the choice was hers...........She showed him her belly (yes, she was that desperate) and he agreed the bites were consistent with bed bug bites but that one can't really determine that for certain.
[more inside]posted by Lylo at 9:39 PM PST - 24 comments
I'm planning on a family trip with my wife and 18-month-old daughter to Kota Kinabalu, in northern Borneo, Maylasia. Where to stay? What to do?
[more inside]posted by zardoz at 9:25 PM PST - 2 comments
Is there any other explanation besides lactose intolerance? 27 year old man, can eat cream cheese, steamed milk in coffee, pizza with cheese, and cheesy pasta. But as little as 3 slices of aged cheddar, any amount of goat cheese, basically any "fancy" cheese causes intense stomach upset. Is there any way he can go back to enjoying a cheese plate at a nice restaurant again? Anybody had a similar experience and found a way to deal with it?
posted by twiggy32 at 8:50 PM PST - 19 comments
What's the least expensive way to get detailed road maps onto my Garmin Etrex Venture HC?
[more inside]posted by adipocere at 8:10 PM PST - 5 comments
My dentist put a temp crown on a broken tooth today, then sent me to the front desk to set a followup. I was expecting this to be covered, at least partly, by my insurance, but they told me I had reached the limit and asked for $600. Is this right? Should they have told me I'd be paying out of pocket before starting treatment?
[more inside]posted by anonop at 8:01 PM PST - 21 comments
My dorm is interested in doing a video game marathon for charity. Advice?
[more inside]posted by LSK at 7:17 PM PST - 12 comments
What are some good books on Chinese economic development? Especially how it's beginning to transition from a low cost low skill manufacturing to more technology intensive commodities.
[more inside]posted by maykasahara at 6:13 PM PST - 2 comments
Attention ZORK fans!
Help me build a list of props for a Zork adventurer Halloween costume.
[more inside]posted by ErWenn at 6:02 PM PST - 23 comments
I want to make Shanghai Soup Dumplings (
Xiaolongbao) but without pork (I know, I know...I'm ruining them already). What would be the best alternative to use for the filling? Does anyone have a good recipe that could be modified?
[more inside]posted by a.steele at 5:45 PM PST - 18 comments
As part of my job, I interview lots of engineering candidates (but the field doesn't really matter). One of my concerns is hiring manipulative personalities (blaming, perpetual victim, passive/aggressive, covert-aggressive, untreated personality disorders, etc). What are the best things to ask to spot trouble ahead of time?
[more inside]posted by ssqq at 5:20 PM PST - 38 comments
I will be in Mumbai for the month of January but still telecommuting to the US. Where is a good place to find a decent furnished apartment with reliable internet? Or rather, whats the craigslist of india?
posted by mewmewmew at 5:06 PM PST - 5 comments
My work area is noisy; often there are several competing conversations going on at once. How do I deal? (Yes, I read the question a week ago.)
[more inside]posted by momus_window at 4:58 PM PST - 8 comments
What were the qualifications for an honorable or dishonorable death in the first century Mediterranean world?
[more inside]posted by SpacemanStix at 4:39 PM PST - 5 comments
Does anyone still have an installer for Windows Media Player 9 for mac? Yes I know it's discontinued, and I do have Flip4Mac, but I'd also like to have WMP. I have a slow computer, and I remember in the past that the official programme, whilst it was crappy overall and showed videos a bit pixellated, highish res ones played more smoothly than in QT+Flip4Mac...or VLC, or whatever. I'm hoping someone has kept the .sitx file. Anyone? It will run on a PPC Leopard system won't it?
posted by Deor at 4:23 PM PST - 7 comments
I've been generally a loyal PC user, but I'm thinking about getting a 13" 2.66GHz Macbook Pro. I'm looking for a lightweight and sturdy laptop to carry from class to class. For my purposes, is this the right laptop for me?
[more inside]posted by jennz at 3:04 PM PST - 29 comments
I have 3-4 weeks of vacation time left for the reminder of the year. What should I do during that time?
[more inside]posted by vocpanda at 2:44 PM PST - 12 comments
Programming Filter: I'm applying for software jobs, but I don't want to forget what I know. How should I practice to keep my skills sharp?
[more inside]posted by Chicken Boolean at 2:34 PM PST - 22 comments
Why twelve jurors? Why not eleven, or thirteen? My google-fu has only uncovered suggestions that it is because there were twelve apostles. I can't find a reliable source for that and it seems odd. Does anyone know?
posted by bearwife at 1:54 PM PST - 16 comments
So my brother in Cape Canaveral and I in Tampa are planning to meet in Orlando once a month or so to hang out play an RPG game. Anyone know a good place twhere a small group could get together (some others might join us) that are open till at least 10-11pm? Coffee/tea shops, gaming stores, etc - I'm preferably looking for personal opinions since there is only so much you can get from Google Maps :)
posted by Ikazuchi at 1:48 PM PST - 2 comments
How can I get rid of my trash? My garbage pick up service has raised their prices and I cannot afford it. I am sure that there is a solution that I am not thinking of.
[more inside]posted by futz at 1:04 PM PST - 33 comments
Secure streaming of live video, 24/7, pre-existing camera infrastructure. Can this be done?
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 12:19 PM PST - 2 comments
When trying to get a Macbook repaired, how is the BEST WAY to make a stink without being an asshole?
[more inside]posted by bibliogrrl at 11:51 AM PST - 13 comments
If you had to paint
this room, both the top and bottom parts of each wall and the cabinents, what colors would you choose?
posted by particular at 11:35 AM PST - 32 comments
Is there a (preferably free) service that lets you get a count of number of tweets by hashtag for a specified date range? Being able to also get a number of unique users tweeting about a hashtag would also be helpful.
posted by OverlappingElvis at 11:23 AM PST - 1 comments
This metafilter post got me wondering - is there a robust website with all of these kinds of obscure world/national holidays?
posted by drewski at 10:55 AM PST - 4 comments
Is there an inn or bed-and-breakfast somewhere in the Southwestern USA with the distinguishing feature that (some of) its rooms' ceilings are largely or entirely glass (or, at least, contain enormous skylights)?
[more inside]posted by hoople at 10:49 AM PST - 7 comments
Help! I'm really really bad at computer programming interviews. Unfortunately ... I'm a computer programmer.
[more inside]posted by coelacanth! at 10:49 AM PST - 31 comments
He asked for a break until we see eachother again in six weeks. That's coming up this weekend. Having a hard time getting perspective and feeling out how to approach the meeting.
[more inside]posted by lizbunny at 10:37 AM PST - 12 comments
Looking for offline front-end or sync tools for Google Docs that are similar to those for SimpleNotes.
[more inside]posted by lodurr at 10:30 AM PST - 4 comments
Better late than never? I just finished my bi-annual Personal Fitness Assessment for the military and really need a "game plan" for getting a better passing score next spring.
[more inside]posted by DisreputableDog at 10:29 AM PST - 17 comments
Asking for my best bud here in Phoenix: Are there scholarships/grants, etc., available for non-traditional students (who are also the first in the family to attend college?) If so, where would I find information?
[more inside]posted by notjustfoxybrown at 10:16 AM PST - 13 comments
I've been doing some talking and thinking about WiFi in my community, and someone recently brought up the issue of wifi in schools. Apparently, parents want wifi to be banned in schools because after the introduction of wireless networks, their children are showing strange symptoms.
Does anyone know of any evidence or studies done on this?
[more inside]posted by tomcochrane at 9:18 AM PST - 21 comments
Vancouver BC bound...and the forecast calls for storms! Had planned to go birding at Stanley Park, and maybe over to the Reifel refuge near Ladner, but if the weather is blowing umbrellas inside-out, that might not be the best use of our three days up there. What's going on up there this weekend in particular? (we leave from Seattle this evening.)
posted by dorgla at 9:08 AM PST - 7 comments
My wife is traveling to downtown Toronto this weekend with 3 girls aged 8-12. Are there any events or activities on that would appeal? Perhaps Halloween related? Interests include fashion, pop culture, animals. Sunday night is spoken for.
posted by canoehead at 8:01 AM PST - 7 comments
Best Modern Books Filter: Darwin's Origin of Species, Kant's Critique of Pure Reason, Smith's The Wealth of Nations... these books have stood the test of time and should probably be on my bookshelf (only Darwin right now).
What non-fiction books have been published in the past 50 years that will also stand the test of time, that I should definitely own and read, that are classics of their field or, more to the point, any field? Bonus points for books published in the last 10 years.
posted by HopStopDon'tShop at 7:33 AM PST - 28 comments
Where do you plant a tree if you want to be sure you can visit it 50 years from now? How do you go about planting it, assuming a team of two adults?
[more inside]posted by swift at 7:06 AM PST - 13 comments
I want to talk about ethics in marketing from an in-the-field standpoint; I think it's an important conversation that nobody's having. But I'm overthinking myself right out of ever doing it.
[more inside]posted by TheFlak at 6:50 AM PST - 10 comments
How can I find out which cities (in the US or India) would be good places for me to live in? I'm in my mid-30s, single, female, and Indian-American.
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 6:07 AM PST - 23 comments
I'm married and I have a crush on a married coworker. Should I stop sexually fantasizing about him?
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 6:06 AM PST - 46 comments
Say you're in your mid-twenties and suddenly have around 50k you want to start investing/saving. How would you go about doing it?
[more inside]posted by torietorie at 5:52 AM PST - 18 comments
Lower achy back pain: something actually wrong with the spine or something with the kidneys? I know YANMD and I AM frantically trying to get an appointment, just...anyone else experienced this?
[more inside]posted by Kitteh at 5:29 AM PST - 16 comments
Short of going there myself, what would be the best way to collect, in the UK, a sample of customer magazines and catalogues from other countries?
[more inside]posted by tawny at 5:17 AM PST - 6 comments
We live in an old house that has been split into a few apartments. The guy below us smokes and there is a faint smell of smoke in our 16-month old's room. The baby's room is located above the neighbor's office, where he seems to do a lot of his smoking.
[more inside]posted by ajr at 5:16 AM PST - 8 comments
My father's birthday is coming up and he's always dreamed of going to Australia (he lives in the US). I'd like to make that happen. The catch: I don't know when him and my mother will actually be free in order to take the trip. What's the best way to give him this gift?
[more inside]posted by buddha9090 at 4:41 AM PST - 4 comments
I am a stupid Linux user: I was cleaning up my netbook's hard drive and somehow trashed keyboard & mouse support.
[more inside]posted by Mutant at 3:54 AM PST - 7 comments
All purpose 'Hiking' boots that don't look like hiking boots but are somewhat water / snow resistant.
[more inside]posted by mary8nne at 2:33 AM PST - 22 comments
I'm about to overstay my Holiday Visa in Ireland for just two days. How much trouble am I going to encounter?
[more inside]posted by gcbv at 1:05 AM PST - 14 comments
October 20
After an unfortunate meeting between my face and the floor a couple of nights ago, my teeth are tingly. Is this a bad sign?
[more inside]posted by heyho at 11:51 PM PST - 9 comments
What effect would you expect to see if a child (a pre-teen boy) who does NOT have ADHD is treated with ADHD meds (Ritalin, Adderall, or similar)?
[more inside]posted by anastasiav at 10:14 PM PST - 36 comments
I have red lentils, 2 limes, and 2 cans of coconut milk. What can I make with these (and other ingredients)?
[more inside]posted by Slinga at 9:33 PM PST - 9 comments
Heart arrhythmia and adderall. You are not my doctor, but I was hoping for some anecdotal experiences or help.
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 9:10 PM PST - 9 comments
It's a science fiction short story, from a collection. The main character finds a weird piece of technology in a store or something and works out that it's a video recording from the future. They watch it and it's a police advisory warning of 'Smoots' who can travel in time.
The narrator gets a little freaked but puts a notice in a newspaper seeking 'smoots.. no spoofs'. The tale ends on a Lovecraftian note with a figure in a long coat outside the door.
There's a character in the story called 'High Space Dick Hagger' which is what I remembered (because come on, it's awesome).
I vaguely think it might be Sheckley... but it's not quite witty enough. Help me metafilter!
posted by Sebmojo at 8:58 PM PST - 2 comments
Good Evening! I'm looking for a release liner (similar to the peel off liners that go on the back of band-aids or gift bows) that would stick to the adhesive side of a piece of 2" x 2" surgical tape. Do you have any suggestions as to what type I should use, and if so, where I might purchase it? Thanks much!
posted by htm at 8:50 PM PST - 3 comments
Help me teach the First Amendment (to my students, that is- this isn't an O'Donnell Filter)
[more inside]posted by elliss at 8:46 PM PST - 19 comments
Sure there is a way I can calibrate my 2G iPod Touch accelerometer.
It is off, big time. No matter the angle, it thinks I'm tilting it way far left. The accelerometer still works, as individual apps with calibration functions allow for recalibration, and those apps work beautifully.
More inside.
[more inside]posted by neksys at 8:42 PM PST - 4 comments
When I lived in France, I used to make a super easy, delicious cake for the kids that involved using a container of yogurt and then measuring all the other ingredients using that container of yogurt. I've totally forgotten how to make this now. Anyone know what I'm talking about or where to find a recipe?
posted by logic vs love at 8:14 PM PST - 22 comments
I'm going to be in St Augustine FL on Tuesday for one day. I'd like to stay in an interesting/scenic/walkable part of town, and would like recommendations for a hotel.
posted by adamrice at 8:12 PM PST - 4 comments
Hjälp! I need to find a site where I can buy this Team Sweden sweatshirt or other Tre Kronor sweatshirts!
[more inside]posted by camcol at 7:35 PM PST - 4 comments
I'm prescribed 30mg of Adderall XR for my adhd. I was diagnosed and prescribed it from the psychiatrist that my job's health insurance uses. He says he can only prescribe it to me one prescription at a time.
My high co-pays are adding up and its becoming costly to have to go every time. My doc tries to help by giving me two scripts at a time (one with the correct date and one a month out) but I'm still shelling out a lot six times a year to get my prescribed medication.
I completely understand that Adderall is abused in the US and there needs to be controls on how its dispensed. I wouldn't mind going every six months so he can check up on me and monitor my use of it. Usually our appointments are 15 min chats about my mood and any side effects I may be experiencing. I'm no MD but that hardly seems worth an in office visit.
Has anyone else dealt with this issue? Is there a way around this?
posted by my_thai at 7:24 PM PST - 21 comments
Help me find the perfect bench. I'd like a bench for the entryway to our house. My style tends toward vintage and mid-century modern. What's the perfect bench I haven't found yet, ideally for less than $500? Examples of what I like inside.
[more inside]posted by luazinha at 7:16 PM PST - 9 comments
We received six jalapeño peppers in the CSA share this week. What should we do with them? Caveats: vegetarian and gluten-free. Dairy's fine.
[more inside]posted by anthropoid at 7:03 PM PST - 30 comments
What's the best Mac solution for annotating academic pdfs and then searching across all the pdfs that you've annotated?
[more inside]posted by zresearch at 6:44 PM PST - 9 comments
What's the best way to commute from downtown Baltimore to Washington DC during the weekend?
[more inside]posted by Geppp at 6:40 PM PST - 18 comments
I moved from WV to relatively flat Richmond, VA. What kind of bike should I get to take advantage of the newfound flatness? ~$200-300 budget.
[more inside]posted by shortyJBot at 5:14 PM PST - 9 comments
Smart people: I'm trying to understand the issues relating to municipal broadband. It seems to me -- a complete layperson, understand -- that the proper approach here is obvious: The municipality should build out the fiber infrastructure, and leave the provision of services open to private ISPs. What is the current thinking on this issue?
[more inside]posted by Alaska Jack at 4:04 PM PST - 10 comments
What to do with thesed packaged chicken feet? Is there anything special I need to do to prepare them? My daughter is mad-keen to get stuck into one, but given there's no english writing on the pack, I'm not really sure what to do.
Pictures are
here and
here.
posted by singingfish at 4:02 PM PST - 11 comments
Why do big box stores move, build brand new box stores, the exact same size, in the same neighborhood, what seems like every couple of years?
[more inside]posted by woodjockey at 4:01 PM PST - 11 comments
Wasn't the song 'O Siem' around before Susan Aglukark recorded it in 1995? I feel certain that I heard it in the 70s. In case it matters, I lived in Fort McMurray, Alberta, Canada as a child from 1971 to 1979, and it was during this period that I believe I heard the song on the radio. The
Wikipedia entry for the song credits Aglukark as one of the writers and mentions no other versions. I also can't find any earlier reference on allmusic or via a Google search. Could it have been spelled differently? I think the lyrics were the same. I remember the title phrase being pronounced "oozy-em" and the inclusion of at least some of the same lines as in the chorus of the Aglukark song: "O Siem / We are all family / O Siem / We're all the same". I'm an amateur musician and have a very good music memory. If this is a false memory, it is an incredibly convincing one, and I have not previously (knowingly) experienced anything similar.
posted by dopeydad at 3:38 PM PST - 4 comments
Naval History Question: In the 1500s/1600s, how did people get from a large boat (ship-of-the-line) onto a smaller boat (e.g., a pinnace)? Was the pinnace hauled up to the deck of the bigger ship? Did people climb down ropes? Walk across planks? Etc. If nobody knows, what's a good resource for me to look it up?
posted by bagadonuts at 3:00 PM PST - 10 comments
Going to Philly for my 30th birthday at the beginning of November. What should I see, do, eat and drink while I'm there?
[more inside]posted by MaryDellamorte at 2:42 PM PST - 23 comments
Is it silly or futile to try and convince my university to copyleft (rather than copyright) my Master's thesis?
[more inside]posted by tybeet at 2:23 PM PST - 23 comments
Looking for philosophers/social theorists, both classic and modern, who have written about what it means to "explain" something.
[more inside]posted by pluckemin at 2:23 PM PST - 10 comments
I am looking for a place to stay in or near Washington DC - I need to move in by November 1. I have found a place which I could stay for a few months (month-to-month rent) but until I could find something that more closely fits my preferences. Should I go with this place now before it is gone, or should I try to find a place I would be comfortable with long-term within the next week and a half?
[more inside]posted by catquas at 2:21 PM PST - 9 comments
How do I remove aerosol sunscreen from my belongings after it sprayed all over my suitcase?
[more inside]posted by Lifeson at 2:21 PM PST - 5 comments
I don't know if I can manage this relationship anymore, but the problem is, I've got to. I will attempt to describe this adequately inside.
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 2:17 PM PST - 13 comments
Any suggestions to help my (unemployed, uninsured, high-risk) mother get insurance or assistance with apparent macular degeneration? Difficulty: she's in California, I'm in Oregon and we're both broke.
[more inside]posted by geckoinpdx at 1:52 PM PST - 6 comments
I've just accepted a desk job with a large airline. What are some good ideas to boost my income using my free travel benefits?
[more inside]posted by hussmanne at 1:46 PM PST - 13 comments
Please give me some advice on how to organize an Alleycat style bike event fundraiser for my nonprofit workplace, and how to make it AMAZINGLY FUN.
[more inside]posted by ialwayscryatendings at 1:37 PM PST - 7 comments
What's the outlook for the legal profession in Canada? Is going to law school in Canada as dire a choice as it seems to be in the US?
[more inside]posted by awenner at 1:16 PM PST - 1 comments
I've had more than a few relationships in life turn adversarial/ oppositional. Now it's happening at work, where I have been (anonymously) accused of acting hostile. How do I work better with people?
[more inside]posted by Anonymous.MeFite at 1:15 PM PST - 25 comments
I need to upgrade the WiFi card on my Thinkpad T60. When I try to replace it, I encounter the Lenovo BIOS whitelist which prevents you from booting the PC if you install parts from other suppliers (Error 1802). Does anyone have experience in bypassing this for a T-series Thinkpad?
[more inside]posted by Susurration at 12:30 PM PST - 5 comments
I have a teaching demonstration at University level tomorrow. This is my first. I have some questions on what to expect from the audience/evalution panel. I heard from another candidate (there are three positions open being managed simultaneously) about her experience on Monday and it sounded like a deliberately hostile audience and interview session. Is this normal or to be expected?
[more inside]posted by The Lady is a designer at 12:24 PM PST - 13 comments
Mrs. Bartonlong and I are in San Clemente, Ca for a few days and would like to upgrade her lingerie. Please suggest some stores we could visit with a great selection of unusual lingerie and high heels
posted by bartonlong at 12:14 PM PST - 1 comments
What are some creative (and inexpensive) ways to temporarily (and only slightly) tint an apartment window?
[more inside]posted by rinogo at 12:01 PM PST - 14 comments
Am I just not meant to run? I've tried Couch to 5K twice and gotten tendonitis in my knee after the second week both times.
[more inside]posted by Mavri at 11:39 AM PST - 24 comments
There is a dress that I need to cram myself into on Halloween. It fits everywhere fine except for the waist, which is insanely tight - like can't quite zip up the back insanely tight. Basically I need to be about 1.5 -2 inches smaller in the waist area on Halloween. Help!
[more inside]posted by 8dot3 at 11:29 AM PST - 33 comments
Help me perform, sing along with, or at least hear a performance of Handel's
Messiah in the Chicagoland area this Christmas!
[more inside]posted by Tehhund at 11:28 AM PST - 4 comments
Trying to remember a movie in which a woman meets her mother's (supposed?) ghost while visiting Israel. Help me remember. Please!!!! :)
[more inside]posted by royboy at 10:50 AM PST - 2 comments
What do I need to learn in library school before I graduate, if I'm not sure what I want to do when I'm done?
[more inside]posted by zoetrope at 9:57 AM PST - 10 comments
I work full time in the US. A European company wants to hire me as a consultant on a contract basis. How can I minimize my tax burden?
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 9:50 AM PST - 4 comments
photo blog filter: I enjoy the history site
shorpy quite a bit, but I also really like the member gallery (button on left side of main page; not sure why my link here isn't sticking), where contributors post family photos and other sorts of everyday images along with the date of origin and some background info, etc. What other blogs/websites do this kind of thing? Which ones do you like? (Interested in 40s-80s U.S. mostly, but some variation is fine.)
[more inside]posted by 5Q7 at 9:44 AM PST - 3 comments
Is there a site that can email me when a specific play starts selling tickets? Difficulty: it has been announced, but no dates or theater yet.
[more inside]posted by alaijmw at 9:18 AM PST - 3 comments
Speed Graphic flash adapter? I'd like to use a modern flash system with an old speed graphic lens - the kind with a two pin flash connection. Google and B&H searches fail me, perhaps because I'm using the wrong terms. Does such an adapter exist?
posted by aladfar at 9:15 AM PST - 4 comments
Netbook/Windows Starter 7 question: What is the filename (and path) for the default, non-changeable background (wallpaper) image? Can I just save what I want as that file and have it use that instead?
[more inside]posted by fiercecupcake at 8:52 AM PST - 6 comments
ShortStoryFilter: I'm looking for the name of a short story that (probably) appeared in a pulp horror collection from a good number of years back... Arid country, twin princes, Prince A locks B at bottom of a well, B escapes, pulls identifying tooth from (now king) A's mouth, locks A at bottom of well.
[more inside]posted by RolandOfEld at 8:36 AM PST - 4 comments
Is baldness preventable these days? For the past few weeks I've been noticing dozens of hairs falling out of my head every day, and I'm a bit worried.
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 8:24 AM PST - 16 comments
Statistics! I need to use them at work, but over the past few years numbers seem to make my head spin. Any tips for parsing them? Any recommended books for someone who only scraped a C at GCSE Maths?
[more inside]posted by mippy at 8:16 AM PST - 6 comments
Please help me replicate my daily Starbucks beverage at home: venti cup filled with ice with 10 shots.
[more inside]posted by davidmsc at 7:59 AM PST - 31 comments
Where on http://www.energy.gov/ can I find their weekly inventory reports for crude oil?
Thank you!
posted by Penelope at 7:54 AM PST - 1 comments
I'm retooling my
Arkham Horror game-board as a vertical, wall-mounted surface, so that I'll actually have room in my apartment for people to play without spending part of their turn sitting out in the hall. Help me figure out the best way to do this effectively, affordably, and awesomely.
[more inside]posted by hermitosis at 7:51 AM PST - 27 comments
[Stressed not Depressed Filter] Help me think happy thoughts. I feel like I'm sliding down a slippery slope.
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 7:29 AM PST - 15 comments
What to ask when shopping around for LASIK and/or PRK providers, specifically in Denver area.
[more inside]posted by angab at 7:09 AM PST - 9 comments
What's the best way to create a removable, reasonably air-tight seal in a large non-square space?
[more inside]posted by JohnFredra at 4:52 AM PST - 9 comments
I am writing an article about employment in the U.S. federal government. Where can I find information about what supervisors are allowed by law to tell other government agencies recruiters about their employees, and what they sometimes tell those recruiters that is against the law?
[more inside]posted by CollectiveMind at 4:08 AM PST - 2 comments
October 19
I want to create a web page that colleagues can use to create short improvement ideas and then have those ideas voted up or down by other users.
Is there a free software package that I can install on a server that would enable us to do this? Bonus points for open source.
posted by alby at 11:47 PM PST - 7 comments
Some spammer is spoofing my gmail account out into the world. What consequences should I be concerned about?
posted by Guy Smiley at 11:17 PM PST - 7 comments
What is the best method to accomplish the following: Assume a database of every American currently alive. For reason beyond the scope of this message assume are in a relational database and they have record numbers 1 through 310,520,158.
[more inside]posted by santogold at 10:10 PM PST - 10 comments
I'm looking for some free library shorts or documentaries that I can find online about architecture or Buckminster Fuller or space travel or any of the sort from the 60s through the 80s that are very graphical and would be good to project onto a wall on a short loop as a backdrop for a party. Can you point me to some of these?
posted by setanor at 9:46 PM PST - 6 comments
Ok, seriously: Is there any reliable information on running shoes out there? Who the hell can I trust? Every source of information seems either fraught with bias or complete fluff. What's a critical thinker to do? And more importantly, what goddamn shoes should I buy?
[more inside]posted by tweebiscuit at 9:23 PM PST - 24 comments
My exchange student's laptop has a virus. Can't connect to the net. Is there some way to download something from my desktop so I can 'boot from CD' or whatever on the laptop?
posted by TheManChild2000 at 8:56 PM PST - 9 comments
Extract
Multiple Data (email, names, dates, and IDs) from a Huge Messy Text File, and Sort Them into a CSV: How do I do this? I've read this on extracting
emails, but I can't figure out how to do this with several different data points.
[more inside]posted by darth_tedious at 8:35 PM PST - 19 comments
How do I stop feeling bad about calling in sick at work when I'm actually sick? I always ended up feeling guilty, like I should have just went and suffered through it.
[more inside]posted by rainygrl716 at 7:04 PM PST - 42 comments
I'm looking for people who have written well about about fanfic and slash. I'd particularly like to find any academics or writers who've researched or written about the phenomenon in depth, including subgenres like mpreg, yaoi, RPS etc. Can you suggest anyone?
[more inside]posted by Fanficproject at 6:31 PM PST - 11 comments
Can someone recommend a good therapist or psychologist in Swansea, Wales, preferably with a background in Asperger's Syndrome? It's important they should communicate by email or text (not just by phone), and it would be nice if they could cope with simultaneous untangling of anxiety/depression, sensory issues, bulimia, seemingly-insurmountable practical problems, a history of PTSD and neglect, and probably a few other things it would be great if they could help me uncover. It would be really helpful if they were also female and gay-friendly.
Thank-you.
(And by 'thank-you' I mean 'please, please help'.)
posted by anonymous at 5:57 PM PST - 2 comments
I'm trying to connect an LG 32" LCD TV and an MSI desktop PC using HDMI, and I'm running into a snag. The TV refuses to recognize the PC, and I'm not entirely sure why. Can anyone help me figure out how this is supposed to work?
[more inside]posted by Telpethoron at 5:55 PM PST - 3 comments
I'm looking for examples of supportive husbands (or other kind of male lifepartners) through history, men who helped their female spouses achieve greatness. I'm looking for examples from before 1900, any culture and time period before that is fine.
[more inside]posted by Kattullus at 5:17 PM PST - 35 comments
I know I tend to overreact, take things personally and get my feelings hurt easily. I tend to feel abused at times it isn't warranted. I'm working on these things in therapy and improving. But my tendencies make me question my response every time, even when hurt and self-protection might be warranted. Please help me figure out if this is one of those times.
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 3:46 PM PST - 31 comments
What are the pros and cons of medicating chronic pain with a vaporizer as opposed to a pipe?
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 3:45 PM PST - 8 comments
Is solar water distillation not economically viable for a whole home water supply? Some friends live outside the city limits and don't get city water. They have a well, but it produces smelly, sulfur (?) water that isn't potable (or at least that isn't desirable). I figured solar distillation would be the way to go, but most stills I've found only produce 3 liters a day. Is there anything that can do 400+ gallons a day that the average US home uses?
[more inside]posted by willnot at 3:24 PM PST - 19 comments
I'm trying to improve my breakfast habits in the hope that it will help improve my severe physical and mental fatigue. Tell me how this breakfast sounds to you, and what you would change, if anything.
[more inside]posted by Hot buttered sockpuppets at 2:56 PM PST - 30 comments
BucketList preparation: Traveling around the world, what kind of photography equipment would you bring with you? I'm mainly interested in (Canon) lenses, but recommendation for accessories is also welcome.
[more inside]posted by jstarlee at 2:48 PM PST - 15 comments
Is there a term for the phenomenon of unintentionally using an entirely different word when writing?
[more inside]posted by Wossname at 2:44 PM PST - 9 comments
Help me maintain my (fluent) French and (slightly worse) Italian post-graduation in a foreign language-free job.
[more inside]posted by ellieBOA at 2:30 PM PST - 16 comments
I haven't played video games since Sega Genesis and my boyfriend since Playstation 1. We are interested in buying a new game system but have no idea which one, how much they cost and what is needed.
[more inside]posted by KogeLiz at 2:22 PM PST - 25 comments
My boyfriend is in his late 40s with no career and a Bachelor's Degree in an area he didn't pursue. He's miserable in his current customer service position and he wants to reinvent himself, but doesn't know where to start. Help me help him find the happiness (which right now means job stability) he deserves!
[more inside]posted by goodetyme at 2:16 PM PST - 13 comments
Given a set of points on a plane (or in a bounded region), how do I find the radii of circles centered at each point that provide the best covering?
[more inside]posted by Eamon at 1:20 PM PST - 28 comments
I haven't used pads or pantyliners since I was a teenager. Now I want to. Can you help me make them less bad at their job?
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 12:46 PM PST - 49 comments
My wife's birthday is coming up and I am looking for recommendations for a horseback riding stable in the S.F. Bay Area.
[more inside]posted by joyride at 12:24 PM PST - 7 comments
Can the mortgage company file a claim or lien against my mom's assets upon her death?
[more inside]posted by Swede78 at 12:20 PM PST - 15 comments
My girlfriend's OCD and anxiety causes her to get stuck in loops of obsessive thought that really mess with our relationship. How can I deal with this better, and can therapy help her?
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 12:08 PM PST - 26 comments
Long shot: This one (amateur?) Finnish cartoonist had a personal web site in the late nineties. The comics were long, and I remember a part in which doctors operated on a man to figure out what was wrong with him, and they pulled out a Saab and Jimmy Hendrix.
[more inside]posted by ignignokt at 12:06 PM PST - 1 comments
My favorite color depositing shampoo has been discontinued. What alternatives do I have other than dying my hair every month?
[more inside]posted by Viola at 12:05 PM PST - 9 comments
Recently corrections officials at a local prison
turned down a proposal from the inmates for an ASL (American Sign Language) program, on the grounds that teaching inmates to communicate non-verbally was a security risk.
This got me thinking: Wouldn't there already be non-verbal languages commonly used in prisons? Gang members, who are well-represented in prison populations, have systems of hang signals, would there be institutional variations? Have non-verbal communication systems been used in other institutional settings, like POW or concentration camps? Obviously, a universal cross-institutional language is unlikely, but any resources, web or book-based dealing with the topic of non-verbal communication in prisons or similar settings would be much appreciated.
posted by Alvy Ampersand at 11:51 AM PST - 11 comments
It's driving me nuts. Something brought to mind a book, and now I can't for the life of me dredge the title from my brain.
It's a sci-fi novel, set primarily on space stations. People have facial tattoos based off traditional folkloric attributes of animals. One of the main characters is a security researcher who is brought in to investigate a data hack or other computer attack against a station's computers. Is this ringing bells for anyone?
posted by daveqat at 11:50 AM PST - 2 comments
I have narrowed down my home wireless infrastructure upgrade down to two choices, could you help my decide which one is more suitable for my needs?
[more inside]posted by hariya at 11:43 AM PST - 6 comments
How much more expensive is it to get bus or train tickets on the day of travel in the UK?
[more inside]posted by Grinder at 11:33 AM PST - 11 comments
Oil Tank decommissioning. Some residual oil left in underground tank. Anything I can put in there to absorb this?
[more inside]posted by nicktf at 11:33 AM PST - 6 comments
Are employers in California required to offer registered same-sex domestic partner health benefits if they offer benefits to married partners?
[more inside]posted by nohat at 11:32 AM PST - 8 comments
Despite my profile name, my wife and I recently celebrated our two year anniversary. Yay! We recently received an engagement party and wedding invitation from a couple that didn't give us a gift for our wedding. Now, we're not sure how to handle the gift situation. Do we get them a gift as we would any other wedding, do we scale down the size of the gift, or do we not give a gift at all?
[more inside]posted by love is a murderer at 11:13 AM PST - 66 comments
Is there good examples of countries which have successfully fought corruption?
[more inside]posted by gkhan at 11:03 AM PST - 11 comments
Transferring a large sum of money from China to the US: Why would it make sense for my account to be a proxy?
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 10:56 AM PST - 10 comments
What's the best way to scour the internet for radio station playlists and then have certain songs appear on a google map?
[more inside]posted by beardlace at 10:39 AM PST - 3 comments
Is
Winclone still actively being supported/developed? I need to clone a Bootcamp partition to a new HD and almost
everyone says to use Winclone, but the
developer's site has been down for the last 24 hours and thus I cannot download the application or investigate any official documentation. Does anyone know if Winclone is still the application to use in this instance, or if there is an alternative that I actually CAN download?
posted by pwb503 at 10:29 AM PST - 3 comments
Looking for good thrift (e.g. Goodwill, Salvation Army, etc) stores in Toronto.
[more inside]posted by jb at 10:26 AM PST - 2 comments
What are the best things to do with my family during our trip to Southern India?
[more inside]posted by bove at 10:24 AM PST - 12 comments
What's a good way to automatically sock money away with a bank account (in the US) if you're doing everything yourself?
[more inside]posted by crapmatic at 9:53 AM PST - 13 comments
My dog just died and I need some answers. She was a 6 month old female stray. About 5 days ago, she became listless and weak - wanting to sleep whenever she could. In addition she felt quite feverish and she suffered from labored breathing - making a wheezing sound with each breath.
[more inside]posted by oxidizer at 9:50 AM PST - 21 comments
What's a lucrative sales career for someone wanting to work independently from home? Preferably something that doesn't require extensive experience in a particular field or technology.
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 9:02 AM PST - 4 comments
How can I minimize the risk of getting fired from my current job when the boss finds out I'm seeking employment somewhere else?
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 9:02 AM PST - 14 comments
My girlfriend and I are going to Puerto Rico for nine nights ( 11/21 to 11/30 ). We are thinking of doing a drive around the island, stopping at three different towns for three nights. Does anyone have any suggestions about which towns to visit?
Presumably the first one would be San Juan or somewhere near San Juan since that's where our plane lands. Other than that we are just looking for a pleasant vacation experience and the chance to get a feel for Puerto Rico.
This is a pretty wide open question. If anyone has suggestions/recommendations/ideas for lodging/activities/meals, that would be welcome too. Our first priority though is getting our route planned out.
Thank You!
posted by metadave at 8:58 AM PST - 12 comments
Explain to me the economics of prostitution advertising in Vegas - specifically the people who stand on the street corners on the strip and hand out cards/books with photos & phone numbers.
[more inside]posted by ish__ at 8:52 AM PST - 17 comments
Book-finder filter: trying to locate a novel that included this weird, probably invented, practice of old newspaper obituaries: the stock portrait of the deceased person is altered to darken the pupils. Intention was to cancel out the reflection from the eyes.
Does this sound familiar to anyone? I've tried searching Gale, Google, and the mssg. board on the Thanatos Archives.
[more inside]posted by wowbobwow at 8:47 AM PST - 5 comments
Yesterday my now
very unhappy and vocal pup was bitten by another dog, the result was a ripped flap of skin that required about 7 stitches to close a 5" wound (front of her rear leg, above the knee. Unhappy husky wants to lick the wound.
[more inside]posted by HuronBob at 8:16 AM PST - 20 comments
With high arches and knees that, all of a sudden, are constantly hurting on the medial side of the joint, I've got to find a walking shoe to help extend the life of these parts. I walk on sidewalks mostly, in the neighborhood. I think a weekly MoTown Dance Party at the local joint is the reason for new knee problems, because I've never had them before all this dancing.
I've had great difficulty finding a shoe made with high arches. Slipping in the "Dr. Scholls" type inserts doesn't do it (they slide around too much) and right now, I can't afford orthotics.
My mom has feet that have all but fallen apart. She's had foot and knee surgery and hobbles around. I don't want to end up that disabled!
Can anyone recommend a good shoe?
posted by sleeping beauty at 7:50 AM PST - 15 comments
A week in Reykjavik in early November and would like recommendations for places to go and things to do.
I'm particularly keen to see the Northern Lights, and would like any suggestions for how best to achieve this.
[more inside]posted by Simon_ at 7:11 AM PST - 16 comments
Help me find the source of a common information. A recent
blog post on this subject raised my interest in finding the source of an often cited Coopers & Librand study. It seems nobody is able to locate the original.
[more inside]posted by motdiem2 at 6:32 AM PST - 3 comments
Earlier this summer a couple of sportscasters were talking about a baseball player whose career stats were revised (I think?) years after the fact because a diligent sports nerd went back to the box score, reconstructed the game, and saw that something should have been classified as something else...an error was assigned to the wrong player, or something like that. Who was it? And are there other examples?
posted by thinkingwoman at 5:36 AM PST - 8 comments
Just bought a house a couple weeks ago. Evidently, there was an error on the settlement statement (HUD-1) that we all signed and got copies of. Is it a done deal or can the attorney claim we need to come back in and pay more?
[more inside]posted by I'm Doing the Dishes at 5:24 AM PST - 14 comments
I'm looking for a good solution for syncing files across several computers with several users. Something like Windows Live Mesh, except I can't use that because several of the computers run Windows XP, which Mesh doesn't support.
[more inside]posted by Mokusatsu at 3:17 AM PST - 9 comments
Why do my toes curl when I am experiencing specific emotional/physiological stimuli?
[more inside]posted by asok at 2:53 AM PST - 8 comments
Trying to find a web page that allows people to search for info about different streets in Los Angeles, and the results display info on when the street was built and named (usually with a scan of the original document). I had this link a couple years ago, but have since lost it...
posted by Unsomnambulist at 2:45 AM PST - 2 comments
I want to put together a reasonably simple book of text, interspersed with drawings and a few "full bleed" photos. Is Apple’s Pages app robust enough, or will I have to wade into learning InDesign?
[more inside]posted by blueberry at 2:27 AM PST - 7 comments
Fontagraphers: I know what a serif is - the little "tail" at the ends of character strokes. Mid-stroke, however, is what?
[more inside]posted by panmunjom at 12:26 AM PST - 4 comments
October 18
Switching from comp sci to automotive. Is it worth it? Also, work ethics and discipline dilemmas are abound.
[more inside]posted by RaDeuX at 11:50 PM PST - 6 comments
How can I tell my dad there are certain things I don't want to do for him without hurting his feelings?
[more inside]posted by IndigoRain at 11:27 PM PST - 30 comments
My sister is going through a short sale in the state of Delaware. She's received two offers. One is fairly conventional, the person will put down 25% and finance the rest. He's offered $120k. The other offer is all cash, as is, no contingencies - but only $93,000.
[more inside]posted by visual mechanic at 9:38 PM PST - 8 comments
I was a guest at a sailing club and the Commodore said I could get a flying scot or comparable boat for around $1000. Sailing was fun, fun, fun. What's the best used boat that could hold 6 people in the price range of $1-2k
[The lake is White Rock Lake in Dallas, TX -- pretty small lake]
posted by DB Cooper at 9:23 PM PST - 13 comments
Please help me find an article or book I would like to use for my literary theory thesis. This is all I know about it:
1) It was authored by two french males.
2) It is about tragedy in 5th century BC Athens.
3) It introduces the phrase 'tragic moment'
4) It is from the 20th century.
[more inside]posted by rigby99 at 9:11 PM PST - 7 comments
I need to start calling my mom more often. We are not close. We are both bad at small talk. What the heck do we talk about?
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 8:49 PM PST - 31 comments
Help me feel better about my low-low-level position in academia with anecdotes, advice, or pep-talk about how you need to pay your dues in order to reach a bigger and brighter future. Help me realize that my dull entry level job is not a reflection of my self-worth.
[more inside]posted by lacedcoffee at 8:30 PM PST - 21 comments
My friends flew 3000 miles to Seattle as a surprise for my 40th birthday party, and I just don't know how to thank them for what it meant to me! Friends: married couple, and the wife's sister (who I've known since she was like 10 and is now 35). They are super-cool and very not-poor and live in Brooklyn and don't need for anything, and I have no clue what I could do/give to express my thanks.
[more inside]posted by tristeza at 8:13 PM PST - 18 comments
I think I may have bitten off more than I can chew. I am doing a favor reluctantly for a group of friends. I will be performing a small part in a staged musical for a local theater company. Hint: I perform in a wheelchair, have a German accent and show some leg at the end of the play.
I have never sung on stage before. I am really terrified I am going to screw this up. I have held my own in rehearsal but I know I am nowhere near the level of talent of my fellow performers. The show starts Friday and runs for three weekends.
Anyone out there have any vocal exercises I can use to help build my range and confidence?
posted by extraheavymarcellus at 8:13 PM PST - 14 comments
What's that site or story where a guy keeps trading up and makes a million dollars or something? I recall a story, verrry fuzzy on the details...
[more inside]posted by bunny hugger at 8:08 PM PST - 8 comments
Hooookay. So I've been asked to play in a charity poker tournament. I'm fierce at craps and was a pool shark in my past life so it appeals to me, but I've just never had a weekly poker game or anything... truth is I haven't played poker in years.
[more inside]posted by miss lynnster at 7:56 PM PST - 16 comments
I know I should have spoken up sooner, but I didn't. Help me live with the consequences. Not life or death (or even remotely close).
[more inside]posted by Leezie at 7:31 PM PST - 11 comments
I am a Mail.app user with a personal account and a work account. I would like to stop accidentally composing messages for my friends using my work account. Can you please help?
[more inside]posted by Tristram Shandy, Gentleman at 6:57 PM PST - 8 comments
What strategies give useful aggregate ranking information when asking people to pick a favorite between two items selected at random (or close to random) from a large set of possible items?
[more inside]posted by jsturgill at 6:46 PM PST - 3 comments
I'm hoping for help finding sources for particular kinds of porn, mostly hentai/anime/cartoon based.
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 4:38 PM PST - 3 comments
I need to figure out whether I:
(a) hate my job
(b) hate working, though it's inevitable
(c) am just wiped out mentally from other circumstances in life.
The answer is probably (d) All of the Above, but that doesn't really send me in one direction or another.
[more inside]posted by theplatypus at 4:27 PM PST - 12 comments
Halloween Snowflake Filter: Friends are having a halloween party with the theme "Dine With The Dead". Everyone is going as a dead celebrity/historical figure. Who will I be?
[more inside]posted by Sara C. at 4:26 PM PST - 38 comments
I'm a new student in speech-language pathology doing my first full evaluation. My client is 3 years old. I happen to be the one who screened her and remember that she's extremely shy and unwilling to cooperate. Any thoughts as to what I could do to 1) get her to go through the necessary tests, 2) elicit a language sample, and 3) get her to open her mouth for an oral mech exam? Failing that last one, any ideas for looking at oral function that make it seem like a game? One person suggested having the child blow bubbles, anything else?
posted by RyG at 4:15 PM PST - 11 comments
OK, so yesterday I stumbled upon a Filipino supermarket and on a whim I bought a jar of
coco jam. It is not quite what I expected: extremely thick, extremely sticky, extremely sweet; like a very solid caramel; not strongly coconutty. I don't think it's going to spread on toast! So: any suggestions for how to use or cook with the stuff?
posted by We had a deal, Kyle at 4:05 PM PST - 10 comments
I have to decorate my office door for Halloween. Pasting the words "Bah Humbug" over and over is apparently not an option. Please help.
[more inside]posted by mudpuppie at 4:04 PM PST - 30 comments
Just got offered a plum academic editing job, but it would be a strange tangent to my current career path. Help me decide if it's the right direction.
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 4:02 PM PST - 7 comments
DC FILTER: Good place for a 21st birthday dinner (maybe 8 - 12 people) near Washington, D.C./College Park area? Looking for non-chain restaurants, parking/metro accessible, and prices affordable by college student standards.
[more inside]posted by pulled_levers at 3:56 PM PST - 7 comments
I want to print a series of postcards, and my aim is to have them at least
look kinda hand-made. (I don't really want to go through the whole process of learning screenprinting.)
[more inside]posted by ism at 3:49 PM PST - 10 comments
Is there data supporting the claim that wearing the color red is a bad choice for teachers in the sense that it negatively affects a student's attention, comfort level, etc.? I know a college professor that
never wears red because of this. If so, are there other colors good-or-bad to wear? Can I blame my 6360 angstrom magenta cable-knit sweater on the Is-This-Gonna-Be-On-The-Test day I've been having in my class? Would a brown leg bandanna make my students own the quadratic formula?
posted by klausman at 3:27 PM PST - 5 comments
I hate my job, but it pays me well. Seriously, I make more than $130k, have great benefits (paid health insurance, 4 weeks vacation etc). I am very lucky to have landed this position. Without divulging too much more, lets just say that the industry I am in, it won't happen again. I will likely make 35% less anywhere else.
So, I know that no one can truly answer this but me, but am I crazy for wanting to just walk away from it if I truly dislike it?
[more inside]posted by Yunani at 2:47 PM PST - 49 comments
I need help copying a table from Word to Excel in Office 2007. Where there are hard returns within a cell in the Word table, Excel splits the table cell into multiple rows. I need Excel not to split cells in the Word table into multiple Excel rows. At the same time, I need to retain the paragraphs that appear within the Word table cells - that is, I can't just get rid of all those hard returns; the formatting must be preserved. My Google-fu is failing me rather seriously. Is there any way to do this?
posted by Dasein at 2:41 PM PST - 8 comments
BayAreaFilter: Where can I get the cheapest alignment in Berkeley/Oakland or Mountain View, CA?
[more inside]posted by desl at 2:06 PM PST - 1 comments
Using Word Press as a CMS, we would like to have an (easy) way for any random client to upload a file.
[more inside]posted by TrueVox at 1:59 PM PST - 7 comments
what makes a workplace good / healthy for staff? In response to this
question and numerous others on the green, plus my own experiences of being relentlessly treated badly by those above, below and around me in organisations; I am curious what are the elements that make a good workplace? What are some examples of such workplaces that I could do my own research on?
[more inside]posted by MT at 1:48 PM PST - 15 comments
A dear friend is throwing a Halloween party. The theme is "Cocktails," as in "dress up as a cocktail/liquor/beer/your alcohol of choice." I hate the theme, but I am being forced to partake.
[more inside]posted by blackcatcuriouser at 1:44 PM PST - 66 comments
I'm going to be doing remote fieldwork in the Pacific. If you've done remote fieldwork, what GPS did you use and how did you obtain the right maps for it? I've been looking at
Garmin and
Trimble, but I'd be very interested to hear from mefites what they think would cut the mustard.
posted by Alice Russel-Wallace at 1:13 PM PST - 7 comments
What shall I do with my fridays? I hoarded my vacation days all year and now realize that I have vacation days that must be taken, so I've put in for every Friday until the end of the year. I mostly mean to catch up on sleep and errands, but it also seems like an opportunity to go out and do things.
[more inside]posted by Karmakaze at 12:55 PM PST - 22 comments
Does anyone know the name of the Asian (I think Japanese) modern photographer who takes photos of places (landscapes, interiors etc) where there happens to be a dead girl on the floor (staged)?
[more inside]posted by AbsoluteDestiny at 12:54 PM PST - 6 comments
Looking for an indoor/outdoor venue for our wedding/party in the greater Chicago area, that isn't astronomically expensive, and would offer some pretty scenery, and accomodate my ridiculous desire to dress my dog up as a ring bearer.
[more inside]posted by booknerd at 12:46 PM PST - 10 comments
I've been on a carnitas kick. My initial goal was to put them in tamales but I've been using the carnitas in tacos, on top of white rice, on gorditas from Trader Joe's, and even adding it to mofongo (instead of pernil).
[more inside]posted by mokeydraws at 12:29 PM PST - 7 comments
I'm looking for a Latin legal maxim which says something like 'if a contract is silent on a point, it should be assumed that it is silent on purpose, and you should not read terms into the contract'. It is not "sub silentio", and in fact is almost the opposite of it. Can you refresh my memory?
posted by evadery at 11:31 AM PST - 8 comments
The International Space Station apparently has an extensive menu of food choices, which I assume are manufactured by private contractors in various countries. So why can't I order real space food online?
[more inside]posted by cmonkey at 11:23 AM PST - 7 comments
I have an interview next week for a job I desperately don't want (or at the very least do not feel qualified for). I need a job. How to prepare?
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 10:55 AM PST - 13 comments
Is my job in peril? Should I be searching for another one? Why do I suck so much? These questions and so many more, answered after the jump!
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 10:54 AM PST - 16 comments
Need help configuring computer and plasma tv connection. My new TV is not working with my computer.
[more inside]posted by JohnE at 10:36 AM PST - 4 comments
I used to be a statistician. Now I work in Health Care IT. Help me unleash my inner RA Fisher and return to the land of skewness and kurtosis.
[more inside]posted by playertobenamedlater at 10:34 AM PST - 3 comments
Is there a Gmail tool that will automatically change the subject line of certain incoming emails, in order to enhance privacy?
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 10:23 AM PST - 12 comments
I got invited to a "racial stereotype" Hallowe'en party. Umm, what?
I don't like this idea but am not sure how to proceed.
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 10:23 AM PST - 54 comments
I am looking for a classical music piece, or snippet, connoting "toil" or "hardship", and I think it's Russian or at least Eastern European.
[more inside]posted by everichon at 10:13 AM PST - 4 comments
I hate fast instant coffee. I will be traveling by car from Toronto to Montreal. There are lots of stops where one can get Tim Hortons or McDonald's instant coffee. Unfortunately/fortunately I don't like their coffee. I can make good coffee at home.
What type of thermos can keep it fresh and warm for a good portion of my trip?
posted by alshain at 10:06 AM PST - 23 comments
yet another career question...Calling all event planners...wedding, corporate, whatever...Tell me about your job and how you got experience. I want to hear the gritty and the great.
[more inside]posted by sio42 at 9:59 AM PST - 2 comments
Another help-me-find-this-book question -___- When I was younger, like 9, I found a bunch of thin little paperback books in a bookstore in the mall. They were only about $1 each and were renditions of Heidi, Cinderella, etc. The most distinctive aspect was that the illustrations were anime-style!
[more inside]posted by joyeuxamelie at 9:47 AM PST - 9 comments
How can I find the 1 share of Apple stock I bought about 20 years ago? While the press was proclaiming the death of Apple, I bought one share to show my support (!). I could barely run a computer, much less the internet, but somehow I made an online purchase. I now have NO info about it. Any thoughts on how I could track this down? Thanks, smarties!
posted by largecorp at 9:20 AM PST - 11 comments
How do we get personal liability/umbrella insurance in California, possibly without getting renter's insurance (which we don't need)?
[more inside]posted by The Toad at 9:19 AM PST - 11 comments
Does anyone have experience with slightly low thyroid levels in their dog?
[more inside]posted by Danf at 9:08 AM PST - 6 comments
When you were in the midst of deep depression, painful painful fear...were there words, stories that helped, even for just a moment?
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 9:06 AM PST - 38 comments
I hardly talk on the phone any more, when I do it's usually only a few minutes (last bill I used 60 of an available 500). So I could probably make do with a prepaid plan. However, I use data all the time; email, Google calendar, etc.
Now many people out there have put the iPad data plan to use in assorted Android phones, granted that was before the AT&T unlimited cutoff.
But has anyone done it after? Split voice and data to two devices? Is the slight hassle worth it?
I'd use google voice to direct calls and such, wifi at work, home, many places I frequent so I'm not to worried about going over the 2 GB limit.
Anyone out there with first hand experience?
posted by tropikal at 8:52 AM PST - 5 comments
What are some small, knitted or felted goodies that will prove to be popular at an upcoming (Christmas) craft sale?
[more inside]posted by kitcat at 8:43 AM PST - 27 comments
My wife and I bought a car five years ago and signed a contract for a five-year loan that should be paid off this month. However, the bank erroneously set up a a six-year loan and we were initially too careless/naive to realize our monthly payment was lower than it should be (and later it was "just the amount we always paid"). Are we stuck?
[more inside]posted by JeremiahBritt at 8:42 AM PST - 14 comments
Paranoid filter: I ate one bite of a pumpkin butter that was given to me as a Christmas gift last December. Should I fear botulism?
[more inside]posted by tacoma1 at 8:41 AM PST - 18 comments
I'm thinking about building a home made camera trap, to photograph the wildlife around my house.
I've got a couple old cameras lying around, the newest being a Canon Powershot, and rather than spend a huge amount of money for a prebuilt camera trap, I'd like to convert one of these.
Does anyone have any information on doing this? Am I better off just buying something pre-made, or can I construct something myself?
posted by Stagger Lee at 8:34 AM PST - 9 comments
Where can I find a copy of the complete Fenian Cycle that's readable online, and/or what is the best translation of the Cycle, even if not online?
[more inside]posted by AzraelBrown at 8:29 AM PST - 1 comments
Am I out of line to ask my neighbor to go smoke somewhere else if I can smell his smoke at my house?
[more inside]posted by JPigford at 8:00 AM PST - 65 comments
Should I use Windows 7 or Server 2008 R2 for my home theater pc? It will also function as a server.
[more inside]posted by dvrcthewrld at 7:42 AM PST - 8 comments
Your best recommendations for well-researched, well-argued books addressing issues of poverty, sentencing, crime and drug policy in the U.S. in the last ten years? Mass market or academic press are fine.
[more inside]posted by crush-onastick at 7:32 AM PST - 11 comments
Interviews for a job I really, really want postponed because there were "not enough applicants." Help me understand this and maximize my chances.
[more inside]posted by Rykey at 7:14 AM PST - 16 comments
So, my awesome great aunt passed away, and she left me a bequest! It's coming this week. Snowflake: She was Canadian, I am an American citizen resident in the UK. It's a Canadian cheque, how long will it take to clear and will I have to pay US or UK tax on it, or both?
[more inside]posted by By The Grace of God at 7:11 AM PST - 11 comments
I'm self-employed, and looking for a formula for dividing up my income. I am currently in the UK, and just about to file my first tax return since I've been here. Once I know what tax will actually cost me in this country, I would really like to have a sense of where the rest of my money should go.
[more inside]posted by wingless_angel at 6:58 AM PST - 2 comments
I live in the Maryland suburbs of DC, and I recently bought a old house here (Mt Rainier). The house is heated with radiators and heating oil, and I need to refill the oil (there was only about 5 gallons left from the seller). Any suggestions on where and who to have refill the oil? It's my first time doing this.
posted by waylaid at 6:28 AM PST - 9 comments
I was assaulted five years ago. I was a senior in high school. I "forgot" about it until recently, and now I can't stop thinking about it. What should I do now?
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 6:28 AM PST - 15 comments
I'm starting a new job and my previous job has a terrible, toxic work environment. I tried to avoid getting infected, but it has effected me and I need help re-programming myself to be a happy, healthy, positive, collaborative co-worker.
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 6:28 AM PST - 9 comments
My brain goes haywire when I try to do certain tasks. I feel either like screaming or having a lobotomy. Psychiatrists shrug their shoulders at me. What's going on?
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 6:27 AM PST - 13 comments
MS ACCESS question (or maybe not?): I need to enter data from hundreds of marketing-type surveys. Most of the questions are free-form, but lots of people give the same answers. How can I make this easy for myself?
[more inside]posted by dmd at 5:59 AM PST - 7 comments
JobFilter: None of the advertising (boutique) agencies in my city are looking for interns. What are other internships or activities I can do that will build my resume and help me to enter the industry as a creative?
[more inside]posted by the NATURAL at 4:36 AM PST - 8 comments
Is it easier / better to marry my Spanish wife again in New York or register our Spanish marriage with the U.S. Embassy in Spain? (we live in Spain). More inside....
[more inside]posted by postergeist at 4:06 AM PST - 15 comments
Are there grammar textbooks at the middle school and high school (or even elementary school) levels that incorporate any of the developments in understanding of English grammar that have been made in the past several decades?
[more inside]posted by strangeguitars at 2:56 AM PST - 5 comments
I am suffering through Insufferable Mattress Syndrome and it's taking a toll on my back. I am doing downward-facing dog and some other back-happy yoga routines morning and night but it doesn't seem to be really helping. Can anyone suggest a mattress topper that would offer a little more oomph for a single bed that is also available in Great Britain? I can't get rid of the mattress...
posted by parmanparman at 1:13 AM PST - 7 comments
October 17
I need to resign my job sometime on monday - I'm taking a position at another company. Through contracts and sub-contracts, I have at least 3 different "bosses" who work at three locations - I only sit at the same location as one boss (one of the others is fairly accessible). Is submitting a resignation by email to the off-site bosses acceptable to mainstream north american business etiquette?
[more inside]posted by Deep Dish at 11:30 PM PST - 11 comments
Comparison of carbon reduction/energy efficiency/ cost-benefit of rain water tanks V solar heating V waste water reclamation?
[more inside]posted by parryb at 10:39 PM PST - 4 comments
I will be going on vacation to Mexico and need to remain in contact with my family. What are some ways to call the U.S. from Mexico?
[more inside]posted by lifeonholidae at 8:40 PM PST - 10 comments
I need to have the perfect personalized rock 'n' roll onesie made for my friend's baby! It may involve Etsy, but it may involve something else. You can help me on this score.
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 8:21 PM PST - 5 comments
My flight from Toronto to Newark a couple of days ago was canceled, and when I asked whether I could be put on a flight to LaGuardia or JFK instead, I was told that they couldn't transfer my bag from one flight to another -- that I would have to pass back through customs to the ticketing area to retrieve my bag, and then go through customs and security again. (And in order to do that, I'd also have to return my duty-free items and re-purchase them.)
[more inside]posted by cider at 7:14 PM PST - 9 comments
Have you given up on a dream of being a doctor, but continued to work in the medical field? Tell me how you handled it and how you avoided the "I wish I'd gone to medical school" woes.
[more inside]posted by biochemist at 6:57 PM PST - 14 comments
I found this cool, possibly old, possibly Turkish vest. Could you help me identify where it's from / when it was made or point me to other resources that might be of assistance?
[more inside]posted by cimton at 6:43 PM PST - 13 comments
Our 4.5 month old wakes 5-8 times in the night loudly requesting that his pacifier be re-inserted. I'm tired. Help me.
[more inside]posted by kristymcj at 6:35 PM PST - 51 comments
I'm a 23 y/o male, living back and forth in PA and NJ. I'm looking to buy my own health insurance of some persuasion, and I need lots of advice. I have no known health issues, and I've been slightly underemployed as of late. Thanks!
[more inside]posted by null14 at 6:35 PM PST - 6 comments
MAc OS X 10.6.X Won't boot PLEASE HELP!!! So the MBP17 (Late 2009) crashed while watching netflix in FF3.x I thought no problem, just reboot and watch the next episode...Oh how wrong I was, now it won't boot. Details after the jump.
[more inside]posted by AnOrigamiLife at 5:58 PM PST - 8 comments
For the life of me I cant find the
This American Life tenth anniversary show on the TAL website where Ira Glass replays and comments on the first ever TAL, and google fails me. Any ideas?
posted by wheelieman at 5:31 PM PST - 3 comments
We're getting married, and we're registering at Bed, Bath and Beyond for the usual housewares, but we need advice about cookware.
[more inside]posted by Allenthar at 5:09 PM PST - 32 comments
Any advice on how to give trust freely and not get caught in the cycle of waiting till others earn trust?
[more inside]posted by PeaPod at 4:58 PM PST - 12 comments
Asking on behalf of a friend: what's the salary range for an analyst or entry level urban planner without credentials in the San Francisco bay area?
[more inside]posted by soviet sleepover at 4:49 PM PST - 7 comments
Sorry for the worst headline pun ever.
Are female Bollywood singers trained to develop that unique high-pitched nasal singing voice, or is it because of the natural timbre of their voice that they are selected to become Bollywood singers?
[more inside]posted by holterbarbour at 4:30 PM PST - 18 comments
Friends are looking to find a video they describes thusly: "a video clip of a bassist (or cellist) playing the jaws theme, sitting on a chair in the ocean as the tide rolls in." I can't find it. Can you help?
[more inside]posted by pixiecrinkle at 4:07 PM PST - 4 comments
My 2-year-old will not wear socks or shoes. What can we do/buy to work with him on this?
[more inside]posted by k8t at 3:53 PM PST - 42 comments
In Texas, if I do freelance web design or web development for a client directly, do I need to charge them sales tax?
[more inside]posted by Eastgate at 3:47 PM PST - 2 comments
I love my boyfriend and want to build a life with him. He is stuck in a low wage dead end job and seems unmotivated to change this, while my career is just starting to get off the ground. I am confident and excited about the near future, but I'm afriad that my worries about his future will destroy our relationship.
[more inside]posted by Anthro girl at 3:37 PM PST - 38 comments
Anyone know of a way to get Firefox to disable animated GIFs by default, then enable them by pressing the ESC key?
[more inside]posted by aerotive at 2:55 PM PST - 2 comments
What other professions and trades besides the medical profession's Hippocratic Oath have charters, mission or oaths that guide their ethical behaviour?
[more inside]posted by pipstar at 1:59 PM PST - 36 comments
[ApneaFilter] Have you or someone you're close to tried this
Provent nasal appliance for sufferers of sleep apnea? Your experiences and recommendations would be most welcome, as would any alternatives that do not require electrical current during the sleeping period...
posted by OneMonkeysUncle at 1:52 PM PST - 9 comments
[NOVA Filter] Please recommend a therapist who specializes in relationships or women's issues in the Northern Virginia area.
[more inside]posted by dmbfan93 at 1:41 PM PST - 3 comments
For Halloweeen I'm going to be Valentine's Day and pass out homemade Valentines to people. I need a lot of repurposed pick-up lines and dirty jokes and terrible puns for the cards. Think "I CHOO-CHOO-CHOOSE YOU!" for drunken adults.
[more inside]posted by Juliet Banana at 12:54 PM PST - 12 comments
What kind of doctor, other than a psychiatrist, should I go see about tics? Onset age 18 or so.
[more inside]posted by Tulip at 12:31 PM PST - 9 comments
Is there a list somewhere that describes which industries are rated highest in public opinion?
[more inside]posted by zooropa at 12:20 PM PST - 8 comments
Can anyone recommend a non-fiction book about the Indian Emergency period (1975-1977)? I know Rushdie's
Midnight's Children uses it as a backdrop but I was looking for a more analytical non-fiction take.
posted by UncleBoomee at 11:16 AM PST - 5 comments
This-is-a-long-shot-filter: I'm just beginning to do a study of Muslims in China, a subject I find extremely interesting. Specifically, I'm looking at the Hui minority, histories of violence among Muslims in China, current ethnic tensions between the Hui and other ethnic identities, and conflict between the Hui and the Chinese government. Looking for personal accounts, opinions, and thoughts that can lead me further into research.
[more inside]posted by pyrom at 11:10 AM PST - 12 comments
[TenantsRightsFilter] I know that landlords and property management companies are required to provide hot water, but is there a time frame associated with this hot water?
[more inside]posted by sacrifix at 10:56 AM PST - 23 comments
I have two txt files with single-word lines. How can I create an automated script that will find lines that match between the two, and append a number to the end of the line for each word in one of the files?
[more inside]posted by Aiwen at 10:36 AM PST - 19 comments
I need activities for the next two weeks for visiting relatives in the Bay Area. A 16-year-old girl (who will turn 17 during the visit) and a 9-year-old boy need to be entertained, either together or separately.
[more inside]posted by pluot at 10:18 AM PST - 12 comments
I have a question about optimum levels of reference and avoiding getting snowed under by an avalanche of references. My question is clumsy because I am unsure what this is even called.
[more inside]posted by bukvich at 10:18 AM PST - 8 comments
Can the Belkin play USB wireless card work w Ubuntu & if not recommendations?
[more inside]posted by xetere at 10:11 AM PST - 3 comments
Where, within an hour of Boston, MA, can I have a custom dress (not an alteration) made?
[more inside]posted by Cygnet at 10:10 AM PST - 7 comments
Buy a used car or lease a new car? Key consideration: significant uncertainly as to whether we will want/need a car in about 2 years.
[more inside]posted by ohio at 8:41 AM PST - 16 comments
Need a recipe or ingredients for a creamy-tasting rum punch my wife and I enjoyed while on a snorkeling excursion in Nassau, Bahamas.
[more inside]posted by purefusion at 8:16 AM PST - 8 comments
Get Me Out Of My Travel Rut: My tour takes me to the beatific city of San Fransisco soon and while I visit about once a year, I usually end up going to same places/doing the same things. What's terribly new in SF? What are the fresh must-see shows, restaurants, nightspots, stores, or Things To Do. Ideally I'm looking for things/places that have opened within the year. Will have a car and able to make day trips out into the environs.
[more inside]posted by The Whelk at 7:44 AM PST - 16 comments
There's a font issue driving me insane in TeXnic: "NFSS system isn't set up properly" . Can someone please help me resolve this?
[more inside]posted by mateuslee at 6:22 AM PST - 7 comments
Is there a short, lovely, simple poem I can give to ESL students that contains significant examples of English 'count' nouns (basic stuff you can count) and 'non-count' or 'mass' (concepts, feelings, liquids) nouns?
[more inside]posted by amtho at 6:10 AM PST - 13 comments
What's a good atheist substitute for the Bible? I'm looking for something I can read periodically that encourages me to step back from all of the hecticness, and to think about how to lead a good life and how to be a good person. It doesn't have to be infallible, just something that helps me to think about what's important. Accumulated wisdom, explained simply, is a bonus.
[more inside]posted by surenoproblem at 3:59 AM PST - 84 comments
My girlfriend and I are trying to find information on short term rentals in South East Asia.
[more inside]posted by metac at 2:16 AM PST - 7 comments
WW2 books? Especially looking for anything that features a good amount of material on Rommel, though that is not required. Hoping to do a two-person book club sort of thing.
[more inside]posted by marble at 2:05 AM PST - 13 comments
October 16
I just bought some secondhand sweaters and I'm concerned about bedbugs. What can I do to make sure they're not infested?
[more inside]posted by vanitas at 11:52 PM PST - 10 comments
Grandpa died, and left a house full of items to his five children.
Seven years ago, he died. The problem resulting from this has been a never-ending Stuff deadlock in which nothing can be distributed, and nothing can be thrown away.
[more inside]posted by shipbreaker at 11:48 PM PST - 26 comments
Say I have two femurs (okay, I do have two femurs, like most people), but say I have them lying on the table in front of me (I don't, but go with me), and I know one of them is from a woman and one is from a man, is there a way an archaelogist/paleontologist/someone-smarter-than-I could tell which is which?
[more inside]posted by crossoverman at 10:52 PM PST - 11 comments
Looking for recommendations for reliable cross-country movers (San Francisco to DC).
[more inside]posted by caaaaaam at 10:02 PM PST - 7 comments
About ten years ago, I read the first two books in a sci-fi trilogy involving a world that had some kind of accelerated decay problem. Also, there were giant, intelligent ants.
[more inside]posted by thehmsbeagle at 9:55 PM PST - 5 comments
Looking for good marketing and web strategy blogs, and/or books. Please suggest some great authors.
posted by ctreadwell at 9:07 PM PST - 4 comments
What are the 1 or 2 most effective and easy-to-implement things that I (your average American) can do to reduce damage to the environment?
[more inside]posted by lunchbox at 8:50 PM PST - 37 comments
Please help me pick the right smartphone. I've researched myself into overwhelm and have a tendency towards terrible timing. My requirements aren't that complex, though I AM a gadget fan, and tech savvy.
[more inside]posted by FlyByDay at 8:41 PM PST - 19 comments
I freelance in healthcare advertising copywriting. Never learned to use a PC.. All ad firms I've worked at-staff & freelance used Macs for all Creative Dept. Latest gig I was given an old PC to produce a lot of copy quickly. What to do?
posted by Summer05 at 8:39 PM PST - 20 comments
My niece is turning 9 this week and will be visiting Manhattan with her parents over Thanksgiving. I'd like to get her a gift like a coloring book, bingo game, or map where she can track where she's been while she's there.
Something that requires a little research on her part beforehand would be great; YA historical stuff or mysteries is sort of what I'm looking for. (She's reading at a 5th grade level).
I'd like to steer clear of electronic stuff if possible; paper and crayons/pencils type of thing.
posted by dolface at 7:56 PM PST - 11 comments
