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November 2009 Archives
November 30
When I use Google Earth the menu text (not text in the map screen, but on the top and left side) is ugly and unreadable. What can I do to fix it?
[more inside]posted by thecjm at 11:56 PM PST - 1 comments
Help me learn to code a form that passes multiple fields across several pages and ultimately emails me the results.
[more inside]posted by Elminster24 at 11:06 PM PST - 12 comments 
'Best car for the money' questions have been asked over and over, but now it's my turn! I'm young, single, and fast...
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 9:21 PM PST - 50 comments
I have Diabetes II and probably IBS. Is it unusual that I have higher blood sugar levels when the IBS symptoms are at their worst.
[more inside]posted by mickbw at 7:54 PM PST - 11 comments
Why would a woman be jealous of the attention her girlfriends receive from their significant others?
There is an answer, but the issue has formed a pattern in my life that I fear is getting out of control!
I would appreciate anyone who could take the time to help me out by reading more...:)
[more inside]posted by dentro at 7:36 PM PST - 18 comments
Can you help me find the perfect non-wool, in-no-way-scratchy winter hat for moderateish activity (male recipient)?
[more inside]posted by charmedimsure at 7:14 PM PST - 15 comments
I'm trying to set up an AirPort on my Mac and I'm having some issues. It's asking for OS X 10.4 and I'm running 10.5 but it still doesn't work. Any clue as to why this is happening?
[more inside]posted by Joseppi at 6:52 PM PST - 6 comments
Who does the media often show many anti-Western Muslim leaders in a pose with the index finger pointed skyward?
[more inside]posted by xetere at 6:11 PM PST - 17 comments
How much does it cost for a letter and/or a package to be sent from Canada to a US soldier deployed in Afghanistan?
[more inside]posted by perpetualstroll at 6:06 PM PST - 6 comments
So I got these letters offering to buy my mineral rights - for land in a state I've never been to, that I had no idea I owned and in fact can't imagine that I do own. Scam or preposterously possible?
[more inside]posted by mygothlaundry at 5:55 PM PST - 13 comments
my mother used to put a few drops of hydrogen peroxide in milk to keep it fresh past the 'use by' date. it appears to work. very well. what's the chemistry behind this? and should i drink it?
posted by msconduct at 5:43 PM PST - 16 comments
I was not truthful about my past drug use in a job interview. Now I have a job offer and need to get a secret security clearance. What should I do?
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 5:22 PM PST - 23 comments
I work at the help desk for my company's IT dept, and I generally spend a lot of my time on the phone with users. Being an introverted person, this can be exhausting, so when I'm not on the phone I prefer to not have to talk to anyone. The problem is that where I work, people from other parts of IT are always coming in to the help desk office looking for conversation/socialization and this is stressing me out. In past jobs I've always handled my social awkwardness by just being a very hard worker and gaining respect that way....this is the first job I've ever had where there seems to be a definite social component to getting by.
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 5:21 PM PST - 10 comments
Is it better, environmentally speaking, to buy a physical CD for £6 and have it mailed to me, or to buy a digital copy for £7?
[more inside]posted by mstillwell at 5:09 PM PST - 15 comments
Help me create an online driving schedule for friends/family to get a patient to and from far-away medical appts. Is there a better system than Google calendar?
[more inside]posted by JannaK at 4:48 PM PST - 2 comments
I have just been invited to an open house to honor a distant relative that has just passed his Bar examination. Is a gift expected and if so what would be good for a new lawyer?
posted by Raybun at 4:34 PM PST - 16 comments
Just got a PS3, very exciting but confusing. Need advice on hookup, whether to ditch our DVD player, games you recommend, and best games for 2 people.
[more inside]posted by bearwife at 4:32 PM PST - 19 comments
What movie scenes would you show a middle school class to teach them the nature/importance of democracy?
posted by EnormousTalkingOnion at 4:02 PM PST - 19 comments
Our money management software (Quicken) is constantly getting us locked out of our online banking accounts (Keybank). Keybank is no help. Has anyone successfully conquered this?
[more inside]posted by chesty_a_arthur at 3:52 PM PST - 2 comments
I'm looking for the best E-Book Reader that will easily highlight the text. I'm in grad school and am an inveterate highlighter. I can't seem to find a review discussing which reader is best at this feature - Amazon Kindle, Sony Daily, or B&N nook?
posted by roundrock at 2:37 PM PST - 10 comments
My mom was diagnosed with Small-Cell Lung Cancer about a month ago. Her prognosis is not so good... her doctor is estimating one to two years with chemo. Last night, my mom and siblings got together to discuss her wishes, wills, money, etc. Unfortunately, there are still issues that were left unresolved. In fact, I feel like we left with more questions than answers.
[more inside]posted by Swede78 at 2:18 PM PST - 21 comments
We (two Seattleites in their mid-twenties) just booked plane tickets to Cancun over New Year's. I'm not interested in all-inclusive resorts or clubbing or vegetating at the same stretch of beach for an entire week. Now what?
[more inside]posted by halogen at 2:06 PM PST - 15 comments
I would like to make a custom boot disc that is very simple to the user. All it would do is restore an image from 6 DVDs to a hard drive. The only options I would like the user to see is:
1) format drive
2) restore drive
3) exit
I would like to create this menu and all sub menus that I see fit.
I have seen UBCD but it is too complicated for the people I know. I would like to use Driveimage XML and have it read the discs one at a time to restore the drive.
Any suggestions?
posted by CodeMonkey at 1:10 PM PST - 8 comments
There are a lot of goals that I am working towards, that are easily within my reach if I just stick to some simple routine tasks. However, I always wind up sabotaging myself by making excuses for or rationalizing getting off track, and ignoring the reminders and cues I have created for myself to stay on track. How can I knock it off so I can reach my goals?
[more inside]posted by dumbledore69 at 1:05 PM PST - 14 comments
I've got some questions about romance novel blogs. Are there good ones that focus on historical romances, or that look at romances from a feminist perspective? What about blogs that are just plain good (on books or otherwise), and whose writers happen to write about romances from time to time? Are there any bloggers who write about romances and about other kinds of books as well? I'm trying to get a handle on this particular corner of the web, and would appreciate any insight.
[more inside]posted by ocherdraco at 1:03 PM PST - 12 comments
I'm looking for a venue in Los Angeles -- the closer to downtown, the better -- where we could throw a private party (around 200 people) for watching the Oscars. Indoor location preferred!
[more inside]posted by estherbester at 12:50 PM PST - 2 comments
Please help me navigate a mess involving an expired car registration, a speeding ticket, a lost insurance card, a license held as bond and a omg I can't even think. This involves Illinois and Wisconsin.
[more inside]posted by desjardins at 12:19 PM PST - 9 comments
What's it like to work at Big Fish Games in Seattle? I've heard both good and bad things. I'm looking for more opinions and anecdotes.
posted by Cool Papa Bell at 12:05 PM PST - 4 comments
Can you recommend a good book about the WPA artists program, or a great book that came out of the Federal Writers' Program? Bonus points if you know of a fictional story that uses it as the main theme.
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 11:29 AM PST - 12 comments
Have you succeeded in losing (and keeping off) a lot of weight? Were you in a relationship at the time? Great! What did your partner do to help?
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 11:28 AM PST - 25 comments
Ex consultant wants to go it alone. What are the rules governing the use in my marketing materials of past projects that I've managed or worked on as an employee?
[more inside]posted by syzygy at 10:58 AM PST - 9 comments
Hi.
I'm looking to take some free online classes during my free time. Are there websites that have teachers, forums and others taking classes as well? I'm completely new to this and am just asking out loud.
[more inside]posted by MrningLight at 10:25 AM PST - 7 comments
I'm a veteran software engineer / technical lead working for an internet company. I think I've got an opportunity to really cash in at my job, and need guidance on how best to do this.
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 10:25 AM PST - 9 comments
Employment gap filter: Went through depression in graduate school and finished. After I graduated, I took 2 years seemingly doing nothing other than visiting friends and getting my head back on straight. What to say about my 2 year gap?
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 10:24 AM PST - 13 comments
I have "legal insurance" coverage through my employer - it works just like medical insurance but covers personal legal matters instead. I have been working with a lawyer on a probate with the understanding that the insurance company will cover the costs, but my claim was denied. Do I have any recourse with either insurance company or the lawyer I have been working with?
[more inside]posted by blindcarboncopy at 10:24 AM PST - 12 comments
I can't figure out how to get my ipod to sync an audiobook playlist, a podcast playlist and then fill up with music from another playlist. Can you help?
[more inside]posted by tonylord at 8:10 AM PST - 3 comments
Is there a very simple, free, standalone OSX application like the
HTML Post Opera widget? A dashboard widget would be fine, too; I mostly just want it to run on its own on a PPC computer.
posted by interrobang at 7:59 AM PST - 7 comments
[Various Filters] I am stuck.
I am using MS Visual Studio 2008 to create a software package. I saved all the source code and what (I thought) I needed so I could format the machine and install the Win7 Update as a fresh OS. After reinstalling the VS2008 compilers, now the project will not compile.
[more inside]posted by Drasher at 7:32 AM PST - 7 comments
I'm building a basic phrase list that I will learn for countries that I visit. What are your most useful travel phrases?
I'm also looking for anything that would be useful specifically for Egyptian Arabic.
[more inside]posted by Alison at 7:06 AM PST - 14 comments
Yesterday I accidentally bought the same season of a show on DVD that I already owned, because I forgot I'd already owned it. Faulty memory aside, it made me wish I had a mobile-accessible library of things like that I own. What options do I have? iPhone-specific for me, but other suggestions for the benefit of the hive are welcome. Bit more inside.
[more inside]posted by quixxotic at 6:23 AM PST - 13 comments
Help me find a great Long Beach or North Orange County restaurant for my rehearsal dinner.
[more inside]posted by theexpgen at 6:23 AM PST - 4 comments
We've returned from an uneventful Thanksgiving trip to the family nest to find nearly all of our baggage reeking of what can best be described as "Old Turkey." What in the world can we do to rid these bags of this awful smell?
[more inside]posted by cavalier at 6:21 AM PST - 10 comments
I want to copy the Paper Source feel for my wedding font and motif. How can I do that?
[more inside]posted by semacd at 6:00 AM PST - 12 comments
I'm looking for towels.
Big, fluffy, soft towels that are suitable for the occasional trip to Magrathea or just a long bath.
[more inside]posted by madajb at 5:23 AM PST - 16 comments
Inexplicably, my sixty-six year old father has just bought an Xbox 360. What games could I buy for it that my parents would enjoy?
[more inside]posted by Acarpous at 5:18 AM PST - 23 comments
I'm looking to buy a digital picture frame. I've never done this before. Wants and needs inside.
[more inside]posted by GilloD at 5:14 AM PST - 7 comments
To repair or replace? Should I repair a boiler with renowned reoccuring faults or replace it with a new reliable boiler with a 5 year warranty?
[more inside]posted by hjd at 4:50 AM PST - 3 comments
I'm in London and pondering taking some part time French courses. I'd probably be receiving about 3-6 hours of teaching a week, with some obvious extra study at home. Specifically I'm pondering studying with the
Institut Francais.
[more inside]posted by curious_yellow at 4:07 AM PST - 6 comments
How can I direct my IT skills to somewhere other than yet another boring IT job?
[more inside]posted by daveyt at 3:50 AM PST - 6 comments
"Anyone who was not a communist|socialist at 20 has missed half the point of life, and anyone who is still a communist|socialist at 40 has missed the other half." Who famously said this (or something very similar...)?
[more inside]posted by aqsakal at 3:43 AM PST - 11 comments
I have to decide whether to return to medical school next year or not. Looking for lots of perspective.
[more inside]posted by schmichael at 2:06 AM PST - 10 comments
Monopoly and decorating cookies aren't interesting enough to woo my relatives away from their naps. What are some fun
projects, challenges, and DIY kits the adults in my extended family can do together for entertainment over Christmas week?
[more inside]posted by ollyolly at 1:43 AM PST - 12 comments
I'm looking for some Christ-centered sex-positive how-to books. For a friend. No, really.
[more inside]posted by fuzzbean at 1:28 AM PST - 21 comments
I'm looking for non-traditional collaboration models between academia and industry (any field) or between companies/consortiums. Any pointers?
[more inside]posted by gadha at 12:31 AM PST - 7 comments
November 29
Wordpress filter: How can I use custom fields and tags to my advantage? Talk to me as if I am a Wordpress novice.
[more inside]posted by Kerasia at 10:13 PM PST - 6 comments
What happens to the separation payout for vacation time earned as a full-time employee if the employee is on part time or reduced hours when leaving?
[more inside]posted by NortonDC at 10:07 PM PST - 6 comments
I'm am massively depressed right now. I have my Masters dissertation to hand in next month but cannot do
anything at the moment involving complex thought and haven't been able to for at least the past year. I have awful memory recall - I can read something, put the book down and cannot tell you a thing I have read - I can barely string sentences together, I cannot think abstractly; in short, I'm a mess. I'm petrified that after two episodes of pretty intense depression, my hippocampus is permanently damaged.
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 8:22 PM PST - 15 comments
What's the 'law' that says "If someone says something is impossible, they're usually wrong; if someone says something is possible, they're usually right"?
[more inside]posted by meadowlark lime at 8:08 PM PST - 5 comments
Where can I find records of the date of the first snowfall in an area? I'm looking for Hanover, NH, but a tool to find first snow fall dates and records for any area is what I'd really like to find.
posted by furious at 7:32 PM PST - 4 comments
What are some physiological causes for Mutism/Aphonia? I'm looking for reasons that are organic in origin (so no 'selective mutism' or other related disorders). I'm also looking for reasons that aren't comorbid with another condition, such as Autism, Deafness, etc.
[more inside]posted by spinifex23 at 7:25 PM PST - 11 comments
This evening, I saw a man with a slate blue t-shirt on that said "Professional Troll" on the back. There was a pandalike creature on the sleeve. What was on the front?
posted by pinky at 6:51 PM PST - 6 comments
Very humid house on a slab -- what's the best kind of flooring to help alleviate my allergies?
[more inside]posted by odragul at 6:23 PM PST - 11 comments
I re-watched Scorsese's movie
The Departed recently, and one line struck as me as particularly interesting: "Honesty is not synonymous with truth." How do you interpret this line?
[more inside]posted by dfriedman at 5:53 PM PST - 12 comments
I have a bunch of (US) quarters from 1965 to the mid-70s that sound and feel different than regular quarters. What are they? Are they worth more than face value?
[more inside]posted by fogster at 5:21 PM PST - 4 comments
How do I tell my friend the truth in a way that she can hear it, then take what she can from it and do what feels right to her?
[more inside]posted by Hydrofiend at 4:24 PM PST - 29 comments
I love to read but I'm a really slow reader. I avoid reading books longer than about 300 pages because it takes me so long to get through anything longer. I read for hours everyday (mostly online stuff) so it's not lack of practice. Is there anything I can do to speed up?
posted by Andy Harwood at 4:22 PM PST - 17 comments
Movie-fi: I am trying to remember the name of a movie I saw maybe 10 years ago, involving 3-4 married couples having arguments. Does this ring a bell?
[more inside]posted by nyc_consultant at 4:07 PM PST - 5 comments
Help me dress as a rock star for Christmas! My office Christmas party theme is come as your favourite rock star and I need ideas!
[more inside]posted by Jubey at 4:05 PM PST - 14 comments
What is (or is there any) relationship between cancer, pregnancy, and a fetus?
[more inside]posted by raztaj at 3:06 PM PST - 7 comments
I am applying for a job at a nonprofit in Europe with a rather international-seeming staff. They ask for a CV. Is the European non-academic CV pretty much equivalent to the US résumé, or is it a beast of a different nature?
[more inside]posted by threeants at 2:37 PM PST - 9 comments
I have some .pages documents and do not have Apple Pages to open them with.
This question was asked back in 2005 but I was wondering if anyone has solved this problem yet.
[more inside]posted by amethysts at 2:36 PM PST - 6 comments
I'm flying into Oakland Airport arriving around 3:30. I need to get down to Santa Cruz. What's the best way to get there?
[more inside]posted by diode at 2:21 PM PST - 9 comments
Dean Ornish vs Gary Taubes. Ornish claims through clinical trials to have reversed the effects of heart disease. Taubes argues that there's evidence high carbohydrate, low fat diets increase the risk of heart disease, obesity, cancer, etc. Surely they can't both be right. Is there a unbiased opinion out there? What do the plurality of clinical trials seem to indicate?
posted by leotrotsky at 2:03 PM PST - 17 comments
Flickr filter: I'm looking for an easy way to keep up with all the photo additions to my 30+ groups on Flickr.
[more inside]posted by Mael Oui at 2:01 PM PST - 6 comments
Help!
Keyboard going haywire – behaving as if Control key is locked ON. But it’s
not the hardware (same problem occurs with 2 keyboards.) I’m on deadline and at a standstill. Anybody?
[more inside]posted by SallyHitMeOntheHead at 1:44 PM PST - 8 comments
My parents (in Canada) are trying to buy a PC for their family in the UK, but they're having trouble finding a store that will take their money. Apparently they won't accept foreign credit cards, or even money orders. He's tried Dell, PC World, Curry's, and a few others. Any ideas?
posted by krunk at 1:40 PM PST - 14 comments
Should I get a blu-ray player even though the TV is analog? And would it even work?
[more inside]posted by Danila at 1:23 PM PST - 7 comments
What rights do the public have to the planting strip (between the sidewalk and street) in a Berkeley residential area?
[more inside]posted by team lowkey at 12:31 PM PST - 9 comments
I am late in the dating game, and sex still doesn't interest me. Want to get past this. Suggestions?
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 12:06 PM PST - 26 comments
In Apple's DVD Player app for Mac (or in VLC), how can I scale the footage beyond the screen resolution? (Or specifically, scale the footage to the full width of the screen.)
[more inside]posted by kidbritish at 11:04 AM PST - 3 comments
A neighbor is trying to get a permit to build condominiums in his back yard. My neighborhood is 70% residential, and I'm afraid of what this will mean.
[more inside]posted by generic230 at 11:01 AM PST - 16 comments
Book filter: Kid's sci-fi, boy has to read to chicken brain in jar to make it smarter. Of course, it becomes evil.
[more inside]posted by cosmicbandito at 10:27 AM PST - 2 comments
Looking for a science fiction book I read a few years ago. I believe it came out within the past five years. Basic plot was that a guy died and then his mind was uploaded into a robot. I think the main character might have been fairly poor at one time and then started dating an heiress which was why he was able to do the upload after death.
[more inside]posted by sorindome at 10:05 AM PST - 4 comments
Why do I feel so weird when I return home from a long car trip and how can I prevent these feelings?
[more inside]posted by mmmbacon at 9:27 AM PST - 10 comments
Are there any services (preferably in Canada) that will attempt to get data from a damaged SD card? A friend has baby pictures on an SD card, which said baby later found and used as an inappropriate teething aid.
[more inside]posted by scruss at 8:41 AM PST - 6 comments
How can we get into grant writing for other people? I've had good luck getting money out of the Canadian government for my screenwriting, I've done successful book proposals, and my wife has done all sorts of other successful applications. I am told a grant writer can claim 30-35% of a successful grant. How do we get into this line of work?
posted by musofire at 8:40 AM PST - 8 comments
I have old clothes, I have a paper shredder (confetti style), can the two come together and make stuffing for pillows?
[more inside]posted by patheral at 8:31 AM PST - 10 comments
What's the best wireless audio bridge / networked digital audio receiver that works on the Mac?
[more inside]posted by nitsuj at 8:27 AM PST - 1 comments
I've a WinXP Professional OEM install disc that I'd like to (and tried to) install on VMWare Fusion on my 24-inch iMac (running OS X 10.5). But so far, it's a no-go. Is there some kind of restriction on installing OEM versions of Windows in a virtual environment and/or on a Mac?
[more inside]posted by jrchaplin at 8:25 AM PST - 9 comments
I am very interested in making photojournalism and radio documentaries. I'd like to approach these interests the way I usually do- jumping right in. However, I get nervous asking people to share their time and stories with me as I am not accredited to an organization. How do I get past this?
[more inside]posted by ejfox at 8:19 AM PST - 16 comments
Is there a straightforward set of recommendations or standards for how much internet bandwidth to set up per number of expected users?
[more inside]posted by BigLankyBastard at 7:52 AM PST - 3 comments
My goddaughter passed away three years ago at 19. She has an online blog (which I host) with about 4 years of entries. Is there a way to take all that text and drop it down into a program so we can print it out easily (almost in book form)? Or is the best way to cut and paste into a word doc and then put it all together?
[more inside]posted by Mysticalchick at 7:25 AM PST - 10 comments
Yesterday I woke up to my furnace screeching like a banshee. Turned it off, and called for service, but they won't be able to get out for a while. I'm not sure when, because the service will be through my home warranty. I have a fireplace and wood, south facing windows that let in lots of sun, and a very small, not-so-awesome electric space heater. I have some questions about the combination of heating sources I should use until the furnace gets repaired.
[more inside]posted by Stewriffic at 7:16 AM PST - 28 comments
Which trail mapping GPS receiver works the best to outline trails on Google Maps/Earth?
[more inside]posted by jeffmac at 7:06 AM PST - 4 comments
Looking for a good place to have a birthday brunch for my mom in midtown manhattan before a matinee at 3. There's six of us and we're leaving in an hour or so.
posted by Oktober at 7:05 AM PST - 4 comments
I am a red blooded American, but I just can't seem to grasp football. I understand very little, as in once the ball gets to the end zone the team gets points. I like watching the games, but I feel like a moron. Help me!
[more inside]posted by TooFewShoes at 6:45 AM PST - 65 comments
Starting fall 2010, I'll be going to grad school (Master's) in a pretty esoteric field (studying texts from late antiquity, written in an obscure language). If I decide not to go on to the PhD, what can I do now and during my Master's to maximize my job opportunities when I get out? Are there any skills you would really strongly recommend that I pick up?
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 5:40 AM PST - 13 comments
Can anybody explain Habermas in brief? Or point me to some good resources (other than wikipedia)?
posted by moorooka at 1:34 AM PST - 7 comments
What kind of specialist should my daughter consult? She has post-partum hpertension.
Following a c-section at 37 weeks because of pre-eclampsia (welcome to our first beautiful grandchild!) her blood pressure has been quite volatile, from 140/89 to 179/98. Her normal is 120ish over 90ish. She has been rehospitalized twice in the nine days since her delivery. Put on a magnesium sulfate drip and is on Labetalol (now 300mg 2x a day).
Additionally, she has had a few episodes of supraventricular tachycardia that took her to a cardiologist a few years ago.
[more inside]posted by mmf at 12:20 AM PST - 10 comments
November 28
Do you know a good printer in NYC who will be willing to do super-tiny runs (say, 5 issues) of digital printing and binding of books?
[more inside]posted by suedehead at 8:48 PM PST - 8 comments
San Francisco Bay Area: Looking for new running routes/paths in the Bay Area again...but this time, I have a car!
[more inside]posted by soleiluna at 7:34 PM PST - 5 comments
What is the best event listing plugin for Wordpress? Or is there a simple way to create a custom template to make event listings?
[more inside]posted by melodykramer at 6:50 PM PST - 5 comments
In the market for an HDTV, but what should I know beforehand to ensure that I can connect it to a separate hard drive and watch videos already stored on the drive?
[more inside]posted by zardoz at 6:30 PM PST - 10 comments
Trying to remember a specific quote about fear of success, and my google-fu is failing.
[more inside]posted by frwagon at 6:22 PM PST - 5 comments
My wife and I are flying into Medford, Oregon on December 7th and flying home from Seattle, Washington on December 14th. We want to spend a day or two in Seattle. Also, we're stopping in Florence, Oregon to see my aunt. But, besides that, nothing else in planned. What she should we see/do in the Pacific Northwest this winter?
[more inside]posted by sideshow at 5:40 PM PST - 9 comments
A vertical blind slat has blown out of the window and landed on a roof below. Any ideas on retrieving it?
[more inside]posted by tellurian at 5:26 PM PST - 34 comments
VacationFilter. I have a conference in late March in Birmingham, UK. My travel is covered and it is the day after my spring break from university ends. So I figure why not leave a week earlier and have a vacation? But where to go?
[more inside]posted by k8t at 4:58 PM PST - 3 comments
We have hard water and I've had to pull apart our dishwasher to clean out water deposits and gunk. Is there any way to limit accumulations without buying a water softener?
[more inside]posted by mecran01 at 4:27 PM PST - 8 comments
Dress Filter: I've never been to a wedding before. Help me figure out what to wear!
[more inside]posted by bluloo at 4:19 PM PST - 12 comments
Is there an ultra-simple and bullet proof front end for MS Windows thats suitable for elderly folks?
[more inside]posted by jorlando at 4:16 PM PST - 8 comments
What's the best way to watch live tv (sports mainly) on a PC? My gf's parents have a vacation cabin with only internet access and they want to be able to watch live sports while they are there. What's the best option. Her mother asked me about "Digital TV for PC" but I think it's a scam. They do have full cable at their main home so I was thinking of advising Slingbox. Anything else out there that won't require me installing hardware at their main home?
Thanks!
posted by paulyballs at 3:50 PM PST - 9 comments
Dual-bay SATA Enclosures! Which ones let me copy from one drive to the other on a Mac?
[more inside]posted by sdis at 3:05 PM PST - 3 comments
You: owner of in-car GPS with points of interest. Me: trying to buy one but not knowing which one to get and what other things I might need.
[more inside]posted by Leezie at 2:15 PM PST - 4 comments
What is the name of the phenomenon where words lose their original meaning once they take on an off-color meaning? For instance isn't it queer that nobody describes themselves as "gay" anymore unless they are homosexual or are deliberately being provocative?
[more inside]posted by cross_impact at 2:05 PM PST - 16 comments
Teach me how to download plugins for GIMP as if I were a person with no computer experience at all.
[more inside]posted by dchrssyr at 2:02 PM PST - 6 comments
Why do some people use false names when travelling? Is this legal?
I'm interested in the history of people using noms de voyages, people who do it now, attitudes towards them, and what practical difficulties there are and were.
posted by westerly at 1:48 PM PST - 9 comments
How long can I safely keep steamed chicken wings in the refrigerator before baking them?
[more inside]posted by 0xFCAF at 1:35 PM PST - 4 comments
While on vacation at the north shore of Oahu we kept seeing these poles that had a number of green circle things on top, sometimes four of them but up to seven. The pole also had an antenna and a solar panel attached to it. What are these for?
posted by zeoslap at 11:13 AM PST - 6 comments
Question about finding risk statistics for early pregnancy. I am newly pregnant and am a 'facts and figures' type person and really want to find out what the likelihood is of early miscarriage, 'missed abortion', ectopic and molar pregnancies in the first trimester. I know that early miscarriages are not at all uncommon, but I need numbers!
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 10:52 AM PST - 23 comments
Please help me stop cheating before I get married (in a few months). I don't want to hurt either of them.
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 10:28 AM PST - 53 comments
I know YANMED (you are not my eye doctor) but why the hell is it harder for me to see after my prescription was updated?
[more inside]posted by orville sash at 9:33 AM PST - 10 comments
Recently had my mac (V 10.4.11) defragged; by another person.
Question- I am (too late) concerned about security.
What steps can I now take to go thru and secure everything?
Change all passwords, ok. Anything else? Where are the weak points?
posted by ebesan at 8:45 AM PST - 7 comments
Toy train filter: I know not of toy trains, but would like to buy a set for a Christmas gift. Specifics inside.
[more inside]posted by cestmoi15 at 8:16 AM PST - 4 comments
My Sky+ box only receives some channels, others now display a error 25 'No satellite signal is being received'. Sky want to send an engineer at a cost of £65. Is there anything I can do to fix this?
[more inside]posted by Nufkin at 8:16 AM PST - 5 comments
Help me find a (
good) CBT psychiatrist/psychiatrist around 14th Street in Manhattan who takes Aetna student.
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 7:44 AM PST - 3 comments
I am seeking feedback on the fairness of a new tardiness policy I instituted at my company. I own an IT services firm that also has a retail storefront (the more traditional computer repair shop model). We have had a situation with chronic tardiness, to the point where on a recent Saturday, at three minutes before opening, I was the only one there (whereas four people were scheduled that day).
I have now instituted what I believed to be a fair and generous policy, and some don't like it as they say it is too strict. Please read on for the policy...
[more inside]posted by titans13 at 6:51 AM PST - 62 comments
How common is it for someone to make a devastating deathbed declaration, like "I never really loved you," or "I'm not really your father?"
posted by quidividi at 5:02 AM PST - 28 comments
November 27
Buying a ticket to Bangkok—is there a
dependable online ticket-searching service that is all about getting the truly cheapest fare? Skinflint-In-Coach.com?
[more inside]posted by blueberry at 11:27 PM PST - 20 comments
Does anyone have experience with those new-fangled reverse camber snowboards?
[more inside]posted by fshgrl at 10:33 PM PST - 6 comments
You're talking to some people about computers when you realize that somehow, they know even less than you do. How do you figure out what they need to hear? How do you phrase it clearly, simply and accurately, but not condescendingly? How do you know when you're screwing that up, and how do you recover? And conversely, when people talk to you about computers, how do you figure out what they mean even when they are using a different set of jargon from what you've learned, or incorrect jargon, or plain don't themselves know what they mean?
[more inside]posted by d. z. wang at 10:13 PM PST - 14 comments
I'm making a sort of a jukebox using Ableton Live, and I have some fairly complex and specific needs for launching scenes. I thought I had the entire thing solved a few months ago, but now I can't figure out what I was thinking!
[more inside]posted by moonmilk at 10:06 PM PST - 4 comments
Why haven't
thorium nuclear reactors been used much compared to Uranium reactors? It would appear there are
sizable reserves of thorium available and that reactors based on thorium would produce considerably less nuclear waste and could be considerably safer than Uranium based ones. Given that thorium reactors would appear to have advantages what is the catch?
[more inside]posted by sien at 10:05 PM PST - 3 comments
i am (surprise surprise) into blogs. and before i was into blogs, i was into music. now i like to post mp3s to my blog. is it a bad idea to label which song/artist it is -- as in, are there really crazy music coppers who will show up on my doorstep to arrest me?
[more inside]posted by hagelslaag at 9:33 PM PST - 19 comments
We're still not too sure what's wrong with me. I know you are not my doctor but the decision has been left to me for the most part right now. Should I consider the CT, change pills or go straight for a Laparoscopy? Possible causes we've talked about: gall stones, hemorrhagic cyst or endometriosis. Long background and possibly TMI. If anyone has dealt with any of those three, I could use some advice.
[more inside]posted by grablife365 at 9:31 PM PST - 14 comments
Two-part question regarding a potential XP/Ubuntu dual-boot setup: a)Do I still worry about viruses if I'm not accessing the internet from the XP half? b) From reading online it seems that I'll be able to access files from the XP half while in Ubuntu, but will the opposite be true?
[more inside]posted by mannequito at 9:14 PM PST - 6 comments
Is there a way to randomize the order in which slides appear in a (very large) iPhoto slideshow?
[more inside]posted by Go Banana at 7:37 PM PST - 5 comments
If a woman had a son with Mr. X, then a subsequent son by Mr. X's brother, what would the childrens' relationship to each other be?
[more inside]posted by sfkiddo at 7:36 PM PST - 16 comments
Triple whammy travel/proposal question. For those of you following my previous questions, I am almost home. I now have the diamond and the ring. I also have the flight to Europe. My questions now are: 1) How do I get from Frankfurt to Paris cheaply during the second week of January? 2) Where in Paris should I propose considering the cold January weather? 3) She knows nothing about the trip. How/when do I tell her about it?
[more inside]posted by 2legit2quit at 7:22 PM PST - 30 comments
I want to have a fast capable NAS/file server/upnp device very similar to the QNAP TS-110 TurboNAS. I have an old 12" Powerbook G4 aluminum MAC OS x laptop. Would it be possible to install a barebones linux installation on the Powerbook to have access to many of the same features of the QNAP device?
[more inside]posted by jlowen at 7:21 PM PST - 2 comments
I have several pairs of blue jeans which have ripped in the posterior section by the left pocket after about a year's worth of wear. Here's the damage:
Pants #1 and
Pants #2.
My hackish, non-seamstress attempts at mending these rips utilized a needle and thread, repeating the stitch across the rip multiple times, but this repair tends to fall apart in the wash after a wearing or two. The jeans are otherwise in fantastic shape. I recall as a little kid deploying iron-on patches on the inside of ripped pants, but this didn't work so well and eventually came loose. Does anyone have strategies to get these rips effectively mended?
I have a Jo-Ann Fabrics store on my corner where I can purchase supplies. posted by porn in the woods at 7:03 PM PST - 7 comments
RelationshipFilter: I think I should break up with my girlfriend of 4 years but I'm not sure how. This is my second relationship and the first one's break up doesn't really count as experience. I missed Human Relationships 102. Please, help me.
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 6:04 PM PST - 17 comments
How can a gimp who's got a lot going for himself get a date and maybe even get a little somethin' somethin' after a loooong dry spell? More details with minimum self-pity inside.
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 6:03 PM PST - 13 comments
I need some visual symbols representative of the American War of Independence; can anyone give me some ideas?
[more inside]posted by paduasoy at 5:31 PM PST - 15 comments
How do one become less uptight and serious? People say that you just need to find the humor in life and that the rest will take care of itself. The problem is that I don't see the humor in life. I'm constantly worried about one thing or another. I see a therapist and that helps immensely, but it seems that I'm always hypervigilant of danger on the horizon.
[more inside]posted by Garden at 3:49 PM PST - 6 comments
Shot in the dark filter: Does anyone have any ideas about how I can find a taxi/ car & driver service who can get my parents from Jersey City, NJ to Long Island for Christmas?
[more inside]posted by anitanita at 3:47 PM PST - 7 comments
A classmate of mine has passed away following a horrifying accident, leaving behind a wife and infant daughter. What sort of gesture would it be appropriate for my classmates and I to make, if any, to show our appreciation for this person and to let his family know that we're thinking of them during this difficult time?
posted by killdevil at 3:44 PM PST - 19 comments
What are some good cooking/baking/candy supply stores in Vancouver? More specifications under the cut.
[more inside]posted by Xianny at 3:23 PM PST - 7 comments
In January, I'm leaving the US for Europe, where I'll be for the next six months, if not more. I want to buy an E-reader, so I can continue to read books in English, and also to save myself from lugging books back and forth. Given the circumstances, seems to me the best choice is to buy a Kindle 2 right now. Am I right?
[more inside]posted by Busoni at 3:15 PM PST - 11 comments
What are the basic steps to remove personal information off of a hard drive? (XP Home, SP3)
[more inside]posted by salvia at 2:41 PM PST - 9 comments
I am thinking of switching to a smaller paper planner for 2010. I currently use the "classic" size where the pages are roughly 5.5" x 8.5." I've become enamored with the DayTimer wirebound 3½” x 6½” planners, but I can't figure out how anyone writes that small on the monthly pages. I'm looking for any suggestions you can give on how to maximize your paper planner (including tasks), especially if it's making the most of a smaller space.
[more inside]posted by 4ster at 2:14 PM PST - 7 comments
My father is a British ex-pat who is craving some good old fashion football/cricket/BBC. Please share some advice about best way to access this content while in the states.
[more inside]posted by ghostpony at 2:10 PM PST - 17 comments
Is there a machine that will allow me to cut a hole in a stack of paper?
[more inside]posted by edmz at 12:04 PM PST - 16 comments
Otherworldly choral elements in music - help me find some more. Been listening a lot at the moment to songs by Grizzly Bear (like Foreground, Cheerleader and I Live With You) and Bjork (in particular Unison) which have the most gorgeous, ethereal choral sounds drifting through them. What else might I like that uses similar sounds to colour the songs?
I'm not looking for choral music as such, rather rock/electronica which uses choirs to colour the sound and make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up.
posted by reynir at 11:40 AM PST - 29 comments
If I strap a suitcase to my chest so that it's open, almost like one of those trays that an old-style 'cigarette girl' has, and walk on the street downtown, selling little odds and ends, is it legal?
[more inside]posted by Sully at 11:07 AM PST - 8 comments
My mom is a graphic designer and uses Quark. She just switched from a PowerPC based Macbook Pro to an Intel based MacBook Pro. Using the new Macbook Pro, she can't seem to open the Quark files she created using the old MacBook pro. It produces an error saying something about the processor. Is there a nice program for converting such files?
[more inside]posted by aburd at 10:58 AM PST - 8 comments
Need help with Laser Printer recommendation AND forums where I can get good Laser Printer recommendations...
[more inside]posted by olddogeyes at 10:26 AM PST - 5 comments
Two part question: 1) What modern pop/hip-hop song has a very danceable beat and the word "melody" in it? It reminds me of "Down" by Jay Sean, but I don't think that's it.
2) How can I keep up to date on all these guilty-pleasure hip-hop singles?
[more inside]posted by Precision at 10:01 AM PST - 18 comments
Metropolitan Museum of Art filter: Any suggestions for visiting the Metropolitan Museum of Art with teenagers?
[more inside]posted by Flood at 9:27 AM PST - 17 comments
Please recommend romantic restaurants/cafes in Boston/Cambridge. I'd like to hear about anything you feel is exceptional and possibly off the beaten path.
posted by Behemoth at 8:12 AM PST - 17 comments
Can you superimpose your own created layers (kml) onto Google Street View for purposes of combining geocaching with augmented reality (would be nice to have floating icons appear during a GPS enabled scavenger hunt)
posted by rtraviscrocker at 7:35 AM PST - 8 comments
Burgeoning Astronomer-filter: My husband is getting interested in the cosmos and theoretical physics. Any neat gift ideas to encourage this? I've googled the interweb but don't know where to start.
posted by jennyhead at 7:14 AM PST - 27 comments
Tunes for toddlers: Help me find music that provides 'instant gratification' for my 2 year old
[more inside]posted by dimon at 5:54 AM PST - 33 comments
Please help me fix an internet/computer problem....I keep getting the message "Invalid Security Certificate" when I try to logon to my email accounts. I'm trying to logon to both my gmail account and my msn account and this morning I get the message "google.com uses an invalid security certificate"?
[more inside]posted by dmbfan93 at 5:37 AM PST - 3 comments
Help a misanthropic lapsed Muslim celebrate Eid in London! Looking for ideas from all cultures and none, on manufacturing a better holiday than the traditional one I usually dread.
[more inside]posted by tavegyl at 4:42 AM PST - 11 comments
I'd like to download a particular "Adobe Presenter" (Flash) document to show it to a group of students without having access to the Internet. How do I download
these Flash files to replay them on my computer?
[more inside]posted by mathiu at 3:29 AM PST - 4 comments
How can I record the output of one PC, up to resolutions of 1900x1200, via another PC or another piece of hardware?
[more inside]posted by khelvan at 2:50 AM PST - 15 comments
How can I make periodic, spaced reminders of items from an rss feed (or even straight from evernote) so that I know I will not forget them?
[more inside]posted by insperatum at 1:45 AM PST - 1 comments
Can anyone please help me remember the name of an artist, a woman, I think from the Philippines, who created and carried her own museum? Or similar projects of "mobile/portabe museums/galleries".
posted by bwonder2 at 12:57 AM PST - 9 comments
November 26
What are some chatty, intelligent, funny personal blogs that I should be following? I used to love reading about people's daily lives on Livejournal, as well as knowing what music, books and films they were enjoying, but I haven't been back to LJ in years, and most of my friends have stopped updating. Something like a more regularly updated Defective Yeti is what I'm looking for.
[more inside]posted by surenoproblem at 10:09 PM PST - 13 comments
My friend and I are planning to bike tour in Mexico for around three months early next year. What should we know going in to keep ourselves safe given the current drug war problems in the country?
[more inside]posted by lhputtgrass at 8:04 PM PST - 13 comments
Is there a website that tracks information about companies that have offshored information technology jobs?
[more inside]posted by cosmic.osmo at 7:25 PM PST - 0 comments
Need to find a therapist for my husband and I in the area. Preferably not affiliated with any religious organization. Need to make the appointment
soon. Wanted to go to
CAMHC, but they're booked up until January. Recommendations?
posted by Alias Unknown at 7:15 PM PST - 1 comments
Can you identify this exotic car I saw a month ago on the highway, heading towards Stratford, Ontario? It 70s vintage, low and boxy, sort of like a Delorean or a Lamborghini with gullwing doors. Painted flat black with electric orange trim. I think it had a name like Brookline or Brooklyn.
[more inside]posted by bonobothegreat at 5:45 PM PST - 7 comments
If someone contributed to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's work on climate change, for which the organization was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2007, is this person a Nobel laureate? If not, what are they?
[more inside]posted by PercussivePaul at 3:37 PM PST - 10 comments
How does one ethically play the field? I need advice on dating and being intimate with more than one person.
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 2:44 PM PST - 14 comments
I am masturbating so many times every day (6 or more times to orgasm mainly with my left hand reading erotica - yeah, I can read and work at the same time yo) that I have established a mound of scar over the top of my foreskin. How long should I abstain for it to fall off and what are some ways I should abstain while I am waiting. It's not an STD, I have been to a doc in the meantime. Frodo!
posted by anonymous at 2:40 PM PST - 13 comments
Oracle / Storage geeks: What are the alternatives to exadata for high-performance I/O with a rac system?
[more inside]posted by H. Roark at 2:07 PM PST - 1 comments
In OS X Snow Leopard, my calculator has escaped from the Dashboard and is always on my screen, and always on top. How can I send it back to the Dashboard?
[more inside]posted by siskin at 1:58 PM PST - 2 comments
Help me find wonderful books about demons, angels, and other beings of the fantastic.
[more inside]posted by past at 1:14 PM PST - 18 comments
emergency help! I'm without plans tonight at the last minute and want to volunteer in wilmington, delaware area for thanksgiving today/tonight. i can't find any specific opportunities, have already called a few places, didn't find anything on-line. PLEASE if you know of a SPECIFIC place needing volunteers tonight (not just a suggestion to call a church or soup kitchen) let me know asap. thanks!
posted by saraindc at 12:39 PM PST - 0 comments
I'm applying for an Ancestry Visa to enter the United Kingdom. How much money do I need to have in my savings account to demonstrate I can support myself?
[more inside]posted by BAKERSFIELD! at 11:39 AM PST - 7 comments
My hands sweat. A lot. They sweat when I am hot. They sweat when I am nervous. They sweat when I am holding a object in my hand. They sometimes even sweat when I look at them. What are my options?
[more inside]posted by jstarlee at 11:14 AM PST - 7 comments
Mac: How can I share a screen, including video, without lag? Help me be a game host on a budget.
[more inside]posted by lodev at 11:02 AM PST - 2 comments
I'm getting lots (I mean lots - over 50 today alone) of phishing/Trojan spam purporting to be from Facebook, asking me to "update my facebook account". How do I stop it?
[more inside]posted by idiomatika at 10:24 AM PST - 8 comments
In cancer treatment, how much does delaying chemo by a couple of weeks exacerbate recurrance risk?
[more inside]posted by Estragon at 10:23 AM PST - 9 comments
Looking to narrow my search for a used car down to just a few options. Seeking something around $5k, reliable, low maintenance and compact.
[more inside]posted by MeatyBean at 10:08 AM PST - 6 comments
My new girlfriend is still friends with her old girlfriend... how do I not let my jealousy eat me alive?!
[more inside]posted by DorothySmith at 9:48 AM PST - 13 comments
My luverly wife and I had a baby a few months ago. He's a great little feller. We're now ready, physically, to have sex again but... (possibly NSFW)
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 9:40 AM PST - 9 comments
I want my students to develop the habit of reading about current events (local to international). Instead of reading a required book over the summer, I would like them to select one to two articles a week from a list of sources I provide them and comment on the articles.
[more inside]posted by degoao at 9:03 AM PST - 11 comments
"I'm not a vegetarian, I eat meat. It's not because I love the taste of meat, it's because I hate cows." Where have I heard this joke before?
[more inside]posted by bunnytricks at 8:59 AM PST - 13 comments
Out of toner and out of cash. What's the cheapest way to get my laser printer (Lexmark E232) printing again? This is in Toronto.
[more inside]posted by Beardman at 8:53 AM PST - 4 comments
About eight years ago, I read this article on some radical-leaning progressive website, about how the author had come to love Thanksgiving, despite originally viewing it as a celebration of mass murder.
[more inside]posted by Ash3000 at 8:30 AM PST - 4 comments
Alternatives to American Girl dolls that are also realistic-looking but less expensive? Extra-challenge: I want African-American.
[more inside]posted by not that girl at 8:12 AM PST - 15 comments
I'm applying for a programming job. I've had two steps of interviewing so far. What are they going to ask in the 3rd step?
[more inside]posted by beerbajay at 8:06 AM PST - 11 comments
I would like your suggestions for something I could place on my desk or computer which would clearly and visibly indicate to me and others my work status. The status I wish to illustrate is either a) Working on project X or b) not working on project X.
[more inside]posted by therubettes at 7:37 AM PST - 14 comments
One of the things I do as holiday gifts for folks is make donations in their names to charities. I prefer to use lesser known (and/or local) charities, that are doing awesome work and have a focus of interest to the gift recipient. I'm looking for more ideas. Suggestions?
[more inside]posted by rmd1023 at 6:25 AM PST - 16 comments
Beckett translation needed badly, please. En Francais. Please look up, or translate the last couple lines of The Unnameable ( L'Innommable ) for me. In English, it works out to: "I can't go on. I'll go on." What is the French?
[more inside]posted by cascando at 6:00 AM PST - 5 comments
I want to put on an urban murder-mystery-like game in Portugal. The system would use SMS to communicate with players. Is there an online system that could send an SMS to every player at once, or to different combinations or groups within the large group (preferably free)?
posted by Josh Coe at 5:48 AM PST - 6 comments
Brand new iPod Touch 3G 32GB running 3.12 software and synched to the latest version of iTunes. Getting a "This movie could not be played" error notice when attempting to play an iTunes-purchased commercial video from a major television network (and for Youtube videos as well). Why?
[more inside]posted by fourcheesemac at 2:09 AM PST - 8 comments
My wife's from the USA and she got this on a mailing list she reads. I know nothing about US tax law or benefits. Is it a scam, or is Uncle Sam just waiting to shovel buckets o'cash into my pockets?
[more inside]posted by Joe in Australia at 1:56 AM PST - 10 comments
Please suggest a quality wireless (RF) keyboard that has an integrated touchpad, trackpoint or trackball for use with a home theater PC setup. There's a lot of different things available from Newegg ($35 to $150+) and the other usual sources, but I'm wondering about some first-hand experiences...
[more inside]posted by thewalrus at 12:30 AM PST - 13 comments
November 25
Does anyone have "hidden camera" footage of people from the 1950s and before having candid conversations? When they're giving prepared/on-camera remarks in any footage I watch, people seem very very stilted - like unskilled actors. I'm wondering if this was just the style of the "public voice" at the time, or if people actually talked to each other in day to day conversations this way
[more inside]posted by crayz at 11:16 PM PST - 14 comments
Is it worth it for a student who makes less than $10,000/year to invest outside of a tax-sheltered account?
[more inside]posted by mahoganyslide at 10:46 PM PST - 7 comments
What is the smartest and easiest way for a new non-profit society with limited financial and volunteer resources to create donation receipts?
[more inside]posted by nelvana at 9:41 PM PST - 6 comments
A month ago we purchased decorative mini corn cobs that looked a lot like the "mini indian corn" on
this page. Attached to the cobs were instructions (now misplaced) that gave instructions to soak and then pop the corn. The decorative phase for the corn is waning, and we're ready to pop it. How?
[more inside]posted by quinoa at 9:39 PM PST - 8 comments
Do you do this? How do I escape the pattern of going back to, because I can't resist helping, my (I think) mentally ill (or unstable/intense) husband. See, he's not all bad... Do you regret going back? Do you wish you had?
[more inside]posted by Toto_tot at 7:33 PM PST - 42 comments
What is the potential risk, and legality, of my idea for a prank: sending the entirety of Romeo and Juliet in text messages to a friend.
[more inside]posted by Askiba at 7:28 PM PST - 36 comments
I want to do volunteer work in NYC when I have discretionary time. I'm not sure what I want to, but whatever it is it can't have a fixed schedule, as my work hours tend to be erratic. Basically I'm looking to volunteer on short notice. Any suggestions?
posted by helios410 at 6:35 PM PST - 9 comments
Looking for examples of movies in which the heroine takes off her glasses and becomes cool/pretty/better... And ideas for encouraging the practice to stop.
[more inside]posted by meindee at 5:53 PM PST - 56 comments
Have you managed to turn an undergrad degree in the humanities/liberal arts into a satisfying and intellectually challenging career? Please tell me about it.
[more inside]posted by mellifluous at 4:13 PM PST - 29 comments
Does anyone know what the source text of this D.H. Lawrence quotation is, or if it's even correctly attributed to him? Quotation inside.
[more inside]posted by oinopaponton at 4:07 PM PST - 2 comments
Which Python GUI framework is right for someone new to GUI programming? But who may also aspire to open source community (linux) development/involvement? Cross platform, wonderful documentation/tutorials, and cruft-free new technology are also welcome.
[more inside]posted by cowbellemoo at 3:46 PM PST - 14 comments
I need a prescription for meds for depression in central/western Florida. And therapy, if that's possible, but it's mostly for the meds.
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 3:05 PM PST - 2 comments
I worked on a project with some other academics. Now I want to present on and write about the project. Help me understand the etiquette of co-authoring.
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 2:50 PM PST - 10 comments
How do I walk around Philadelphia on Saturday night? Is there anything in particular I should know?
[more inside]posted by Electrius at 2:38 PM PST - 15 comments
How can I install Windows 7 on a machine that already has XP installed?
There seems to be some conflciting information and experiences out there on the web.
[more inside]posted by feelinggood at 2:25 PM PST - 6 comments
How can I order a drug from Canada that's not approved in the US? Will I go to jail? The drug is domperidone and it is widely used to treat gastroparesis (delayed stomach empyting) in Canada and in Europe. There's a big controversy about its not having been approved by the FDA. It's considered a very safe drug everywhere in the world.
This disorder, if you're interested, involves feeling too full after eating, and is very annoying and disconcerting, but doesn't seem to be actually dangerous (at least not in my case). Diabetics get it a lot, but mine is "idiotpathic" (i.e. no cause can be found). It seems to reflect a problem with the vagus nerve (maybe).
[more inside]posted by DMelanogaster at 1:58 PM PST - 10 comments
I'm a graduate student who has been in school continuously in Canada for 10 years now. Now the student loan people want to make me pay. What can I do?
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 1:58 PM PST - 8 comments
What are some good campaign trail biographies? I'm looking for any interesting read, whether in book form or a series of articles, that follows a candidate for a period of time up to their election, preferably ones where the writer actually accompanied the candidate as they went through the process of running. I'm not only looking for presidential candidates, but any government post at all (senate, congress, local government etc). I know Hunter Thompson is a good place to start, but what else?
posted by minicloud at 1:54 PM PST - 12 comments
A desk I bought from office depot a couple of months ago has sharp edges -- not sharp enough to cut, but sharp enough to be plenty annoying if I ever touch those edges. Is there any easy and not-ugly way to deal with these?
posted by shivohum at 1:31 PM PST - 15 comments
I'm considering selling my Leica, M-6 camera on Ebay and was wondering if Ebay is a safe, reliable place to sell expensive gear like this?
posted by tangyraspberry at 1:21 PM PST - 14 comments
Between my iPhone's Stanza app and the loooooong quiet days ahead of me in the office during the holiday season, I'd like to read some stuff online. Any suggestions?
[more inside]posted by Madamina at 12:53 PM PST - 6 comments
I am looking for (recent) experiences with Android options for VoIP over WiFi to deal with places where I have a WiFi signal, but no 3G/voice signal. I'm looking for solutions for two situations:
(1) In one of my labs at work, there is plentiful WiFi coverage, but no cell/data signal. I'd like to be able to make outgoing calls, and I'd also prefer if I could receive incoming calls.
(2) For international travel, it would be nice to have a way of making calls at least where WiFi is available.
[more inside]posted by JMOZ at 12:31 PM PST - 11 comments
KODAK i220 scanner software: can any of you fine meta-types point me in the direction of the download for the operating software for this piece of hardware? I live in the UK and have Vista as an o/s.
I have tried googling but could only find an upgrade, and an email to Kodak has gone unanswered. I have borrowed this scanner from a relative who is currently contracting in Australia, so I can't just pop round and collect the original disc.
posted by cameronfromedinburgh at 11:33 AM PST - 5 comments
Teach me about Skype. Thinking of dropping my landline and getting cable internet. How would the internet phone number work? I'm in a small (LT 10,000) town. --California
posted by notned at 11:17 AM PST - 13 comments
Is this possible to search for (or prove the absence of) my Grandmother's Irish birth certificate and Irish citizenship from the comfort of my own armchair in the US, ideally inexpensively?
[more inside]posted by zippy at 11:01 AM PST - 15 comments
I’d like advice on how to either leave my church as gracefully as possible, or find a way to reconcile my lack of faith with my continued church membership.
[more inside]posted by cheapskatebay at 10:50 AM PST - 28 comments
What is the website that allows you to set a startup amount for a web -based project and allows people to invest in such a way that you won't start the business until you have sufficiently met your startup amount. I tried a bunch of google searches and couldn't come up with it. Hard to find the right keywords to search.
posted by jeffreyclong at 10:43 AM PST - 4 comments
What's the best response to a "I'm no longer with the company / Here's my new contact info" email when you're an outsider not working at said company.
[more inside]posted by sharkfu at 10:24 AM PST - 14 comments
Book recommendations: Recently I have discovered that I really enjoy a certain type of flawed character in television shows. Think Gregory House on House or Dr. Cal Lightman on Lie to Me. Wounded inside with a tough smart exterior that push people away with sarcasm or slight jerkish behaviour. Help me find examples in literature so I can continue my current obsession when I shut the tv off.
[more inside]posted by beautifulcheese at 10:21 AM PST - 47 comments
Calling all bald men (and women, I guess): what products do you use on your head? I need gift ideas for bald boyfriend who complains of peeling after shave, and oil day-to-day.
[more inside]posted by caveat at 9:15 AM PST - 15 comments
I'm in a sticky situation at work, as, I am sure most of us are these days. Please read my LONG story about my boss and tell me what you would do and what crap you put up with at work.
[more inside]posted by Oireachtac at 8:28 AM PST - 31 comments
Are there any worthwhile professional associations for web developers/designers/etc?
posted by Jairus at 8:28 AM PST - 7 comments
I live in a semi-rural area. After a rash of recent home invasions in my area (which is something new for here), I'm wondering whether to invest in an alarm system, a gun, or more motion detector lights and just keep locking the doors and windows as I have always done? I have 4 dogs that range from a beagle sized one that is mean to a 95 pound lab that barks like hell but is very loving. My wife is home alone (well, with the dogs) for a couple of hours in the morning after I go to work. Our house is set back from the road a fair distance, and we don't have neighbors that are within visual distance. What do you recommend? I've called the Sherrif's office to ask for advice and they were no help, saying just to use deadbolts etc.
[more inside]posted by dukes909 at 8:13 AM PST - 39 comments
Is there some way to do a "mail merge" type operation on plain text, xml or html files without using a word processor?
[more inside]posted by geekgirl397 at 8:04 AM PST - 11 comments
Hi all, I am looking for articles or books on how the law serves specific factions of society at the expense of others. I am specifically interested in the issue of art fraud and forgery, but I would be happy to learn about more general overviews on this issue as well. Is there a "classic" book on how law is socially constructed to serve specific factions of society at the expense of others? Or maybe an overview on the sociology or anthropology of law that you highly recommend? Or some key terms I should be aware of? My intuitive understanding of the art forgery example is that laws to prevent fraud serve the interests of people involved in the art market (dealers, galleries, museums, auction houses) but hinder artists that work in historical traditions because the border between a "copy" and a "pastiche" and a "forgery" and a "fraud" is blurry. Thanks in advance for your thoughts!
posted by tnygard at 7:56 AM PST - 13 comments
Is it feasible to mail caramels? Or will the recipient end up with a weird melty lump?
[more inside]posted by troika at 7:46 AM PST - 9 comments
I recently discovered my brother was sexually abusing my sister and how the hell do I deal with this over Thanksgiving weekend?
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 7:19 AM PST - 39 comments
Will taking a logic class really help me in talking about things like socieconomic issues that are often emotionally charged?
[more inside]posted by sio42 at 6:52 AM PST - 40 comments
Help, I can't remember the name of this reality tv show. A British Asian doctor (lady) berates an unhealthy person about their lifestyle.
[more inside]posted by jmmpangaea at 6:39 AM PST - 6 comments
I have tentatively given my freelance editing and design business the name
Words Like Notes. What do you think of it?
[more inside]posted by jlhopes at 6:08 AM PST - 21 comments
My boss is going to end a contract with one customer, although the customer would want to go on using our services. Boss's decision is because the service in question is not profitable enough anymore. I'm in charge of this contract and like the customer ie. all the people there who I work with. I think the feeling is mutual. These people also have some expertise and contacts I would like to maybe use some day. So how do I come out of this still being (business-) friends with them?
posted by gakiko at 5:32 AM PST - 12 comments
How serious are the connotations of .com and .net TLDs, and which should I choose for an art project?
[more inside]posted by Mngo at 5:01 AM PST - 15 comments
I rent an apartment in the bay area- The bedrooms have old style glass slat windows- aka jalousie or louvered windows. While i understand there is a certain charm to them they do a horrible job of insulating our bedrooms as well as for keeping noise out/in. It's getting cold (for CA) and our rooms are freezing. I'm wondering if there is any way I could convince my landlord to replace them with more energy efficient design, perhaps some building code requiring efficient windows? Alternately, if anybody has ideas on DIY fixes that don't violate my lease terms I would be very appreciative!
posted by ryaninoakland at 12:35 AM PST - 23 comments
How can I use my external hard disk drive to regularly backup my Windows XP laptop in as simple a manner as possible? Ideally, I would want something that works like Time Machine on the Mac—I would really like something I can set and forget. Free solutions are best, obviously, but I'm willing to buy software for this.
[more inside]posted by grouse at 12:08 AM PST - 13 comments
November 24
Is there such as thing as a personal audio recorder that has a rolling 'black box' feature where hitting the record button will start recording now, but also save the previous X minutes of recording data?
[more inside]posted by tiamat at 11:39 PM PST - 10 comments
I've noticed that Lady Gaga likes to link up future singles with current singles in live performance. What other pop artists have employed this tactic?
[more inside]posted by speicus at 11:05 PM PST - 12 comments
I'm searching for an completely insane recipe for a "blackened" roasted turkey that David Rosengarten prepared on his old Food Network show, "Taste".
[more inside]posted by melorama at 10:36 PM PST - 5 comments
Are there any occupations or financial opportunities that are made possible or made better for people with dual citizenship (specifically EU and US)?
[more inside]posted by verevi at 10:30 PM PST - 5 comments
I've been a happy Pc-er for the last couple years. That is, until a few months ago when my AVG failed me and my pavilion got all virused up... Twice. Ultimately I had to d-ban the poor thing. Since I was only 'mostly sure' I still had the original operating system disks, I have since been using my mom's mac. While I've been slowly getting used to the system (on a casual basis, no work yet, just internet) I still miss the windows format. My old tower is past it's prime, even with a new system. I'm about to become a student in English and am highly discouraged by previous Windows failings. Should I release the ghost and go with the more 'secure' mac? Or stick with my roots?
I would like some advice on my next computer purchase. I'm looking for a laptop that can handle a students workload for the next... lets face it, many years, with minimal extras. The only thing it needs, is to be fast. I break things that go slow. I'm not looking to game (much) or download + store music (at all), I just need to research crap at high speed.
All suggestions are greatly appreciated.
Cheers!
posted by Miss Mitz at 10:27 PM PST - 39 comments
I am 19; my life has been consisting lately of writing my research paper, school, and planning for the future. I do love these things, but it's not enough. I'm not a recluse, after all. How can I fit myself into my life? How can I fit into the scheme of things?
[more inside]posted by lhude sing cuccu at 9:37 PM PST - 17 comments
I come back to Southern California for Thanksgiving and my mom has gotten idiotic plastic surgery. Please help me cope.
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 9:27 PM PST - 42 comments
I need to take two exams in order to continue to compete for a job I have applied for. I very much want and need this job, or something like it (I am truly desperate!) The tests take place in about a week.
The email that arrived from the HR person states that the exams I need passing scores on are:
[more inside]posted by bebrave! at 8:38 PM PST - 17 comments
Beginning Sony Ericsson mobile phone programming. Where to start?
[more inside]posted by tmt at 8:30 PM PST - 4 comments
Another creative commons question concerning a photograph. The photo is on Flickr (with generic all rights reserved), and that's where an interested person spotted and communicated to me wanting to buy the rights for use of the photograph. Catch, I also uploaded the same photo to Wikipedia with a CC-attribution and share a like license on it, as well a GNU-Free Documentation License. Now what?
[more inside]posted by Atreides at 8:16 PM PST - 16 comments
My girlfriend and I are planning to give photos we had taken of us to our families (and some friends) for Christmas.
We have a few questions.
[more inside]posted by cjorgensen at 8:00 PM PST - 7 comments
A great kid. Uncomfortable in his own skin. Teen pressure. We've all been there. Help me help him.
[more inside]posted by terrier319 at 7:44 PM PST - 28 comments
Can I bring about 5 lbs of French Roquefort cheese back into the US, this December, without breaking any laws? For private use only.
posted by 77144 at 7:32 PM PST - 3 comments
What song plays over the closing credits in the last episode of The Simpsons?
[more inside]posted by miriam at 6:53 PM PST - 3 comments
I am estranged from my brother for a lot of different reasons. I want to have a relationship with him, but I only can do that if I do it 100% on his terms, which I simply cannot do (not religious and getting more anti-religious by the day). Should I continue to make the effort in the hopes of breaking through to him or just live my life without my only sibling?
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 6:35 PM PST - 24 comments
What are some good software platforms/services that will help us run our conferences? My company runs a number of small conferences, and we're looking for an events management software platform to handle session content, agendas, registration, and call for proposals. Looking for suggestions along the lines of
ExpectNation and
Cvent. Hopefully cheaper!
posted by redarmycomrade at 6:09 PM PST - 4 comments
I'm heading up to the Yukon for three days this December, and I'm pretty excited. I'm interested in getting some nice Arctic winter photographs, especially of the aurora. Any tips for getting some good shots?
[more inside]posted by elisynn at 5:02 PM PST - 7 comments
I need a book printer & binder - ideally the same company - in Northern California who is familiar with photography books. The publication may involve 4-color blacks, or black/silver traditionally litho-printed photographs and text on good paper, Mohawk superfine or something like that; hard and soft bindings may be necessary. Any ideas?
posted by luriete at 4:23 PM PST - 2 comments
I have set up a VPN connection, and two network adapters: wired and wireless. How do I force the VPN connection to use the wireless adapter, without disabling the wired adapter?
[more inside]posted by randomstriker at 4:20 PM PST - 5 comments
After reformatting my old reliable xp machine I lost a very useful firefox extension. How can I track it down again?
[more inside]posted by cirrostratus at 4:10 PM PST - 5 comments
I have been shortlisted for a job in Brisbane, Aus. Obviously I am thrilled and would like to know a little about Brisbane. (Yes, Google is my friend). I would like to know from any Aussies or someone who has been in the same "boat". I have multiple questions, which branch into....
[more inside]posted by fox_terrier_guy at 4:03 PM PST - 14 comments
Is it stupid for me to hook up with this woman in a "friends with benefits" kinda way? (SFW after the fold for a change, and no, it's not the usual "don't want to mess up the friendship" bit)
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 3:11 PM PST - 35 comments
So, this dude has been sending me extremely mixed and just plain weird signals for awhile. I've decided to get to the bottom of this. Problem: I'm hella awkward. Help me start this conversation, MeFi!
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 3:11 PM PST - 11 comments
Is it possible to automate a citation style change on an entire column in Excel, or do I need to do this by hand?
[more inside]posted by min at 2:41 PM PST - 11 comments
I have several boxes of expensive electronic components (
like this DC-DC converter, various high-freq op amps, 14-bit ADCs, several rad-hard milspec discrete devices, etc.), and I'd like to sell them online. Is there an eBay-like Mouser or Digikey-type site?
posted by spiderskull at 2:11 PM PST - 11 comments
I'm from out of town (Chicago), but I met a girl here in KC the other day and we've decided to go out tomorrow evening. We're both artsy types with a fondness for adventure and off-the-beaten-path entertainment. I know I could easily defer to her for suggestions, but I'd like to have a few ideas to throw out. I'm up for anything really. It doesn't have to be a proper event or anything- someplace cool to wander around or explore is fine too. Just toss it all out there!!
Food suggestions are good too (she's vegetarian).
Thanks!!
posted by ISeemToBeAVerb at 2:02 PM PST - 5 comments
Water privatization: I'm starting a pilot research on this subject and I am looking for quantitative data, reports and studies on any water privatization experience. At this point, anything that doesn't show up in a few obvious google searches is welcome, as well as suggestion for websites or publication on the subject.
posted by elpapacito at 1:51 PM PST - 13 comments
What is the best hardware/software system for keeping track of a) hundreds of academic papers in PDF form and b) my handwritten notes on these hundreds of papers? Bonus if the answer integrates with some sort of citation management software.
[more inside]posted by col_pogo at 1:28 PM PST - 10 comments
Vocal warm-up suggestions for a play that requires me to talk loudly for about an hour straight, and then sing loudly for another hour?
[more inside]posted by 2or3whiskeysodas at 1:11 PM PST - 3 comments
How do I go about getting back into hobbies, or finding new ones (suggest some)?
[more inside]posted by cofie at 1:10 PM PST - 15 comments
looking for some suggestions for a juicer. i really want to buy a fruit/vegetable juicer. something that can handle carrots, beets, oranges, etc. i know from friends that some machines break down really quickly but i am having trouble navigating online reviews. any suggestions would be super appreciated!
posted by anya32 at 12:56 PM PST - 14 comments
How have you reconciled failure vs. quitting? How have you managed to pick up the pieces of your most passionate undertaking after dropping it? Is the desire to reinvent myself and undertake a new passion/direction just a mechanism to hide the pain of giving up?
[more inside]posted by Gaeacon at 12:44 PM PST - 7 comments
Dealing with a neighbor's loud audio 'animal-repellent' that you can hear, even though you aren't supposed to be able to.
[more inside]posted by empath at 12:27 PM PST - 16 comments
Are there any websites or online resources for people considering a career change?
[more inside]posted by reenum at 12:22 PM PST - 6 comments
Taking money out at a non-my bank ATM last night, the screen stated you will be charged a $2.50 fee. However, looking at the receipt after it spit my money out, they actually charged a $6.00 "terminal fee".
[more inside]posted by gatorbiddy at 11:20 AM PST - 16 comments
After being laid off, do I lose unemployment benefits if I try to support myself and my family by freelancing first?
[more inside]posted by mountainfrog at 10:59 AM PST - 14 comments
On my flight back form Jamaica to Hawaii I have a layover in Los Angeles from 10PM Friday night to 8AM the next morning What can I do with myself for 10 hours.
[more inside]posted by kanemano at 10:58 AM PST - 11 comments
What are some things a single traveller can do in Singapore, mid-December?
[more inside]posted by tksh at 10:52 AM PST - 13 comments
Where in Washington DC will I be able to watch
el clasico (Barcelona v Real Madrid) this Sunday afternoon at 1pm?
[more inside]posted by uk_giffo at 10:50 AM PST - 12 comments
Looking for advice for raising an accomplished artist's profile from 'recognized' to 'esteemed' - through promotion, exhibition, and sales. How to find trustworthy/high-end calls for entries to art shows and museums? And more.
[more inside]posted by prophetsearcher at 10:42 AM PST - 5 comments
My 2-year cell phone contract with AT&T Wireless is complete, and I'm looking for advice on how to handle the next part.
[more inside]posted by anotherpanacea at 10:34 AM PST - 8 comments
A few weeks ago, an oncoming tanker truck ran me off the road on a curvy two-lane highway. I (barely) managed to avoid a collision or rollover but did clip a mailbox. Now whenever I drive the roads in this rural area, I'm constantly worried that oncoming cars are going to veer into my lane.
[more inside]posted by balls at 10:32 AM PST - 14 comments
I make independent films and distribute them myself. I've started sending my movies to independent video rental stores around the country. I've sent my movies to I Luv Video in Austin, Scarecrow Video in Seattle, Video Underground and Hollywood Express in Boston, Acme Video in Providence, and others.
What are the best independent video rental stores in your city? Don't say Netflix.
posted by davidriley at 10:13 AM PST - 68 comments
Vacation planning two part-er: Does cheap, decent skiing over the holidays exist? And if not, where else should I spend my time off from work?
[more inside]posted by AV at 10:05 AM PST - 14 comments
Vodka That Tastes Like Fall? Since I do my Thanksgiving a week or so after everyone else, I have time to infuse a massive jug of vodka with seasonally appropriate flavors for the festivities. What infuses well and tastes like fall/thanksgiving/etc?
[more inside]posted by The Whelk at 9:42 AM PST - 21 comments
Looking for a GSM alarm system for my house. I don't live in the States, so the answer should ideally be non-US specific. I was wondering about the Panasonic BL-C131A, but that needs presumably a decent amount of light and a working internet connection to alert me of break-ins. And without push email, fifteen minutes could pass before I get the alert. It's not really ideal, I don't think...
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 9:26 AM PST - 1 comments
So confused! My county thinks we have a condo but we thought we have a single-family home (i.e. a free-standing house on land we own). Then why does my property tax bill show that we've been taxed for the land?
[more inside]posted by ObeyScient at 9:15 AM PST - 11 comments
Help me have an urban adventure in Saigon / Ho Chi Minh City. I'm traveling there by myself, early 20s guy, and reasonably street smart for Asia (I currently live in southern China). I speak fluent English and advanced Mandarin but no Vietnamese. An ex-girlfriend's family lives outside of Saigon and she's got some young cousins who'll be willing to help show me around if I've got some cash to spare. The area where I live in Guilin already has beautiful scenery, I love urban areas, and I really have little interest in getting out to the countryside, except maybe for a one-day excursion. Thanks for your help in advance, everyone! :)
[more inside]posted by Televangelist at 9:10 AM PST - 2 comments
How to get a Seagate FreeAgent Desk external hard drive to work with my Mac?
[more inside]posted by yegga at 9:10 AM PST - 8 comments
What steps can company management take to minimize liability at an office holiday party where alcohol is served?
[more inside]posted by teg4rvn at 8:58 AM PST - 25 comments
What fun things are there to do in Chicago this Saturday (11/28/09) if you're in a hotel near Midway with no access to a car?
[more inside]posted by xotis at 8:47 AM PST - 14 comments
I'm stressed. Frequently. It seems like it's always to do with interactions with friends and lovers, but it's dragging me down.
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 8:46 AM PST - 9 comments
Will a prospective employer not hire me when they find out I'm repaying money to the IRS?
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 8:46 AM PST - 9 comments
Do you think it is rude for Alice (a commuter cyclist) to slipstream behind Bob (another commuter cyclist, who doesn't know Alice)?
[more inside]posted by Tapioca at 8:32 AM PST - 61 comments
My apartment flooded while I was away on vacation now my '07 iMac won't power up. So this is going to be a two-parter with specific questions about my computer and a general question about the nature of battery backups.
[more inside]posted by Bango Skank at 7:30 AM PST - 11 comments
I'm looking for a non-interactive screencasting tool for use in my application. I'm doing some usability testing where I cannot be physically present on-site, and I want to record the sessions while my program is in use. Any ideas?
[more inside]posted by lwf at 7:28 AM PST - 4 comments
Is there something I can do to chestnuts so that they are easier to peel after roasting?
posted by ovesh at 7:12 AM PST - 12 comments
Why has my sister's scoliosis suddenly resulted in partial paralysis, and what treatments are available to help her?
[more inside]posted by ajarbaday at 7:07 AM PST - 19 comments
How can I best approximate a real Thanksgiving turkey— with chicken, a gas burner, and toaster oven? What other kinds of traditional fare can I make, given the limited ingredients available where I live? Help me have a real Thanksgiving far from home!
[more inside]posted by bookish at 7:07 AM PST - 21 comments
Can someone give me a primer on translating the British terms for wall / house paint into their American equivalents?
[more inside]posted by holgate at 6:56 AM PST - 14 comments
Has anybody ever dated someone whom is schizoaffective, which is a combination of a mood disorder and psychotic symptoms. If you have , have you experienced being dumped without an explanation when you thought everything was going well.
posted by villazapat at 6:21 AM PST - 8 comments
I'm looking for some sort of web service that will keep track of previous travels and do things like make a map with pinpoints of where I've been, where I've been in the past year, etc. Mapping out highways taken and the like would be even better. Sort of like Brightkite, but without the whole social networking thing. I don't care about planning future trips or booking flights or hotels. Does this even exist?
posted by reductiondesign at 6:00 AM PST - 6 comments
I'm looking for a GPS system for the fleet at my business. We have 6 trucks and run a small service company. I'm having a hard time finding what I need.
[more inside]posted by Tavern at 5:52 AM PST - 6 comments
College freshman drama: After knowing A. for a week, I dated him for two; I was the one who broke it off. A month later, I started dating D. It's been three weeks since that started and things have been fantastic, except A. still refuses to talk to either one of us. This is awkward because we all live in the same dorm. Is there anything I can do to make things smoother?
[more inside]posted by flawsekno at 2:38 AM PST - 36 comments
November 23
Do me a favor here... make me cry. Or at least a little verlklempt. I would like to add to my collection of videos that get me a little choked up or emotional.
[more inside]posted by Cold Lurkey at 11:02 PM PST - 111 comments
How can I go about contacting CBS to ask for permission to post clips from 1970s talkshows on Youtube/Podcasts?
[more inside]posted by Jon_Evil at 10:44 PM PST - 2 comments
Out of despair I've started to respond to a co-worker's cynicism with contempt. I feel like I'm heading into an emotional trap.
[more inside]posted by Talez at 10:34 PM PST - 24 comments
Where can I find a soap bubble blowing pipe that looks like a realistic wooden smoking pipe?
[more inside]posted by leptin at 10:03 PM PST - 1 comments
My credit union (in California) switched from being federally insured to private insurance through American Mutual Share Insurance Corporation (aka ASI). Should I put my money elsewhere? Or am I needlessly worrying?
[more inside]posted by zombiedance at 9:51 PM PST - 7 comments
How can I allow anonymous users to access "Media" wordpress pages (ie a jpg image) so that it appears to anonymous users the same way as it appears to admins?
[more inside]posted by peter_meta_kbd at 9:50 PM PST - 1 comments
I'm supposed to be at the Spanish Consulate in Miami getting a student visa tomorrow (appt. at 9:25am), but I don't have all the paperwork I need because some of it hasn't arrived from the school that I'll be studying at next semester(as a visiting student). What do I do? What can I do? Fun complications after the jump.
[more inside]posted by The Esteemed Doctor Bunsen Honeydew at 9:23 PM PST - 5 comments
I need to know a rough estimate of how much I should take out in taxes. Theres no withholding with my checks because the temp agency is whack like that. But I need to know how much to take out for tax season? I live in NY, but don't live in the city. So far I earned with this agency... 7466.55. The end of the year it will be $9000 earned. Can anyone help?
posted by InterestedInKnowing at 8:57 PM PST - 12 comments
I find that it doesn't take very much alcohol for me to end up with a bit of short-term amnesia. Is there anything I can do about this? Is this a sign of Bad Things To Come?
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 8:51 PM PST - 33 comments
I sprayed my neighbour's cat with the hose and now he's missing. What should I do?
[more inside]posted by taff at 8:46 PM PST - 50 comments
What are the personal/individual audio cones are museums called? Is it possible to make one at home relatively inexpensively?
[more inside]posted by codybaldwin at 8:14 PM PST - 3 comments
I received a parking ticket, ended up paying late, and now I am looking to file an affidavit for relief. What qualifies as "good cause" in Oregon?
[more inside]posted by herda05 at 8:08 PM PST - 7 comments
Can you please help me translate this phrase:
cominciâ a butâ da bande, ce che ho ai dentri e nol è gno Thank you very much!
posted by LittleMissItneg at 8:00 PM PST - 5 comments
I honestly have no interest in money, but I'm constantly reminded to invest my money. I've tried learning about it with little success, presumably because of my uncommon beliefs regarding money. So how do I invest this stuff so that I can maximize my joy in life and minimize my reliance on money?
[more inside]posted by Kippersoft at 7:45 PM PST - 22 comments
Are there any reasonably-priced, reliable databases of US businesses that allow users to store, edit, and retransmit that data?
[more inside]posted by SemiSophos at 7:42 PM PST - 1 comments
Yet Another English Grammar Question: Which is correct?
Based on my facial expression right now, you would think I [were/was] excited. The former sounds wrong, but reading about subjunctive moods makes me think it's right. Does it matter whether I intend to imply that I was not in fact excited?
posted by phrontist at 7:33 PM PST - 27 comments
My rent check is being altered every month, the memo area completely blacked out. Feeling at risk, what are my options?
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 7:08 PM PST - 40 comments
Is there a limit to the # of users who can share a Microsoft Access database across a network?
[more inside]posted by cg1 at 7:04 PM PST - 12 comments
Any suggestions for a high powered telescope that is t-ring compatible (for DSLR) AND is tough and light enough for backpacking and camping?
I'm thinking 40 lbs max.
[more inside]posted by snsranch at 6:15 PM PST - 8 comments
So my grandfather is really sick and I haven't seen him in four years. Up until I turned eleven or twelve, our relationship was great. After that, not so much. Long, sorry.
[more inside]posted by Tha Race Card at 5:37 PM PST - 25 comments
Any experience / suggestions / pearls of wisdom / recommendations for free Subversion hosting? TIA, no more inside.
posted by mwhybark at 5:25 PM PST - 7 comments
PHP/MySQL gurus: Please help me get data out of Wordpress in a really specific fashion.
[more inside]posted by jbickers at 4:39 PM PST - 4 comments
Is it possible to ask someone out several months in advance? I've met someone great, but I've met them too soon!
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 3:59 PM PST - 55 comments
[Obscure book filter] Anyone remember a book about a grandfather hired to make a notebook to teach someone's daughter about the world, but he secretly makes two copies?
[more inside]posted by BusyBusyBusy at 3:44 PM PST - 11 comments
I'm looking for a local store that carries Nepalese hats (the kind with ear flaps and a tassle). Found lots on line, but I'd prefer to shop in person for this so I can try a bunch on before picking the pattern. REI appears to carry them, I'd prefer something along the smallish
import store style. (Can one really shop local for an import item?) Location - I'm in Oregon, between Salem and Eugene, so recommendations in either city would be fine.
posted by dorey_oh at 3:16 PM PST - 5 comments
looking to deck the halls with homemade liquor (infused vodkas, lemoncello, something like that) - but now how to get it through the mail.
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 2:41 PM PST - 9 comments
I've always thought that rock climbing soft gear had a life of 10 years. Others are now telling me that is doesn't age if looked after properly. Is there a definitive answer?
[more inside]posted by dantodd at 2:41 PM PST - 14 comments
ProgrammingFilter: Just how lame is it that I can't come up with (create from scratch) a string matching algorithm? Can I still become a programmer? I need your honesty.
[more inside]posted by kitcat at 2:38 PM PST - 45 comments
I'm looking for information on methods of introducing information literacy in higher education.
[more inside]posted by pahool at 2:25 PM PST - 3 comments
Help me figure out unique ways to get some activity during a work day to keep me healthy and occupied as I quit smoking
[more inside]posted by phrakture at 2:08 PM PST - 12 comments
Kinda excited at the prospect of my first Thanksgiving alone. Where can a twentysomething girl go, or do, for Thanksgiving - both day and night? I'm in the Los Angeles/Pasadena area.
Previous similar question, and I've taken all answers to heart. But mine has a twist: I can't stay in.
[more inside]posted by Xere at 1:49 PM PST - 5 comments
Job_Offer_Filter: I'm a struggling freelance writer trying to (someday) break into the pr/communications field. I've just been offered a staff writer position at a small local newspaper. Does accepting the job inch me closer to my desired field? Or just burden me with a ton of unmarketable experience?
[more inside]posted by sureshot at 1:46 PM PST - 11 comments
I'd like to make a presumably simple video in the style of a series of opening credits for a tv show. What's my cheapest way to do it, and how?
[more inside]posted by newfers at 1:39 PM PST - 3 comments
What are some respectful, substantive, and incisive questions to ask a senior fellow of the Cato Institute about health care reform?
[more inside]posted by Sticherbeast at 1:09 PM PST - 10 comments
The electric gate into our block of flats has malfunctioned and nobody can move their cars in or out. It's nearly 9PM here in the UK and we can't get hold of our landlord or the building company. If, come morning, we can't get our cars out of the car park can we (legally) charge someone (anyone?!) for the taxi journeys we're going to have to take instead?
[more inside]posted by alby at 12:57 PM PST - 28 comments
How can we deal with Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac's rule that, for new mortgages or refinancing in condo buildings with fewer than ten units, one person may not own two or more units if those units are rented out?
[more inside]posted by kim in chicago at 12:40 PM PST - 4 comments
My formerly oily, acne-prone skin is now severely dehydrated, horribly irritated acne-prone skin. Please help!
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 11:52 AM PST - 19 comments
I'm keeping a food log. It's the middle of the day. I know I have W calories remaining, X grams of Fat, Y grams of protein, and Z grams of carbs left. I'm wondering what are some typical meals I can eat for dinner, and an afternoon snack. Is there an online service that provides this type of info?
[more inside]posted by mdebruic at 11:50 AM PST - 8 comments
My mom has always had high anxiety, been prone to fear and pessimism, and has tended to focus on her fears in a very repetitive, verbal way that is often tiring to those around her. Her situation has worsened recently for several reasons. I want to help her find help. This question is both about therapy in general and for recommendations in San Diego in particular.
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 11:49 AM PST - 9 comments
I've been told that it's not uncommon for friends to either ignore or drop you after you've been through the process of death/dying of a loved one. Good or bad, sometimes people just can't deal with that type of situation. However I've had 2 friends in recent months go off on me, tell me that I'm a terrible person, and that I'd said/done something that offended me so much that they don't want to be my friend anymore. Both accusations took me by surprise and I'm now wondering, did they wait to say anything to me until after my loved one passed?
[more inside]posted by green_flash at 11:48 AM PST - 16 comments
Overloaded with spreadsheets! Looking for an online database program that has bug-tracking features.
[more inside]posted by mammary16 at 10:37 AM PST - 4 comments
I want to create some authentic carnival games at home so I can practice my stuffed animal gathering skills with some friends. Does anyone know of plans for such games, or info on the type of materials used, etc.?
Here's one I found for the
bottle/ring pickup game. Any others like this?
I'm mainly interested in the basket toss, but unfortunately the name of that game is also a cheerleading move, and I'm swamped in GO Team!
posted by razdrez at 10:31 AM PST - 8 comments
i'm absolutely smitten by this girl. i find myself constantly thinking about her. but what are the signs of that she may an interest back?
[more inside]posted by sniperantics at 10:29 AM PST - 27 comments
My old tube television has died a terrible sputtering death. Help me get over my sense of loss by assisting me in replacing it with a new HD television and entertainment system.
[more inside]posted by ColdChef at 10:08 AM PST - 23 comments
Numismatists: what is
this coin/token thingy? It was found inside the wall of a late 18th/early 19th century rowhouse in the Seton Hill neighborhood of Baltimore.
posted by GodricVT at 10:06 AM PST - 7 comments
[Possible Pipe Dream Filter] I used to ride horses competitively, and recently am longing to hang out with horses again. I'm not looking to compete, nor do I want to take lessons or go on guided trail rides, since I already know how to ride. I just want to get back into riding for the fun of it. What are my options, if any?
[more inside]posted by anderjen at 9:59 AM PST - 14 comments
What's the highest and best use of a duck and a goose, picked up last Saturday, but not destined for the table until our Thanksgiving meal on Friday?
[more inside]posted by paanta at 9:56 AM PST - 5 comments
[music filter] Mr jane's birthday is soon. He was just lamenting the fact that one of his fave groups, Nightnoise was no longer. Any Nightnoise-similar music that I might proffer as a suitable replacement?
posted by sarajane at 9:35 AM PST - 3 comments
Tips & tricks for adapting to the side effects of Topamax (topiramate) for a full-time office worker & part-time grad student?
[more inside]posted by onshi at 9:33 AM PST - 14 comments
Yikes! Nearly every 'healthy' cosmetic brand has
toxic waste in it! Here I thought using Burt's Bees was good for unicorns and everything, apparently they have issues too! So does the Body Shop - badly.
Search the database... Anyone have a good, healthy brand line? Please no "Stop Using." Try telling that to a 13 year old who just got permission.
posted by eatdonuts at 9:30 AM PST - 20 comments
[CostumeFilter]: My company is having a Hollywood-themed holiday party in two weeks. Please help me think of a good costume for myself and my boyfriend. Difficulty factors: He has a beard, I'm short and curvy.
[more inside]posted by Unicorn on the cob at 9:22 AM PST - 17 comments
I want to be a better storyteller. What qualities do good storytellers universally exhibit? How much does embellishment play a role? Lyndon Johnson was a great storyteller who was also known to pepper his stories with a lot of bullsh*t. Most importantly, where do storytellers get their stories? Have they led lives of extraordinary experience, or have they read a book full of awesome anecdotes? Help me spin some yarn at a party or at the water-cooler.
posted by jasondigitized at 9:21 AM PST - 15 comments
Providence, RI: Best place for a facial treatment?
posted by quodlibet at 8:59 AM PST - 1 comments
Hello. I’d like the ask the Ask MetaFilter audience for help in finding a fun, all inclusive resort for a friend vacation, ideally from your personal experiences. Sure, maybe I could read the some (possibly suspect) posts on various travel websites, but I would prefer the high quality responses for which Ask MetaFilter is known.
[more inside]posted by disguise at 8:54 AM PST - 2 comments
What are your tips when starting a new job as a software developer? Looking for coding, organizational approaches and social hints as well.
[more inside]posted by sidd.darko at 8:17 AM PST - 13 comments
My band does a great cover of St. James Infirmary Blues. What else should we do that's in the same vein?
[more inside]posted by Baby_Balrog at 7:53 AM PST - 13 comments
Does anyone know where to buy Hemp linen material at a good price and reliable supplier. I have a project coming up and need about 20 yards by next week. Light weight natural linen is what i am looking for.
posted by aisleofview at 7:42 AM PST - 4 comments
3 Brits in NYC, no plans for thanksgiving and wondering what all the fuss is about! What cool stuff can we do this weekend?
[more inside]posted by hibbersk at 7:26 AM PST - 17 comments
[ScienceFilter]: I want to drive a nuclear powered car. If nuclear power is good enough for submarines, why can't the technology be scaled down? Looking for big picture such as limitations, environment, storage, infrastructure and adaptations required.
posted by Funmonkey1 at 4:12 AM PST - 27 comments
Now that I'm a mother, I'm hypersensitive to portrayals of child abuse or child death in movies and books. I just woke up from a nightmare induced by a novel that culminated in the murder of a child. How do I depersonalize violent media depictions of children? It's a terrible feeling to have some book or some movie eat away at me because I've inappropriately projected the situation onto my own daughter and let the book/movie play off irrational parental fears.
posted by crazycanuck at 1:55 AM PST - 34 comments
How do I get a new hard drive, that's been cloned from my primary drive, to boot as the new primary drive?
[more inside]posted by willcosgrove at 12:56 AM PST - 8 comments
November 22
Will any British Columbia vineyards ship ice wine to California? A former supervisor, who lives in California, got me a job interview in Vancouver that went really well. I'd like to express my appreciation with something suitably Canadian.
[more inside]posted by mote at 10:07 PM PST - 7 comments
The world is full of lonely people. I'd like to bring some of them together... at least the ones in my general vicinity. But I need your help in finding the best ways to go about this.
[more inside]posted by Ziggy Zaga at 9:41 PM PST - 13 comments
Looking for good video blogs to watch while riding my exercise bike ... especially any indie game review video blogs!
[more inside]posted by Admira at 7:59 PM PST - 6 comments
This is REALLY not about the toilet seat...or is it?!? Men, I need your advice!! Women, there is a question inside for you too!
[more inside]posted by hollygirl at 7:46 PM PST - 75 comments
My husband and I will be celebrating our first (paper) wedding anniversary this Friday. We're really short on funds, so I'm thinking of folding him something with origami and writing our vows or a poem on the unfolded paper... Any suggestions on what to fold?
[more inside]posted by saileyn at 7:41 PM PST - 13 comments
Can't remember the name of a particular obscure religion. Or maybe it is just a philosophy? I know it ends with "ism" and includes the name of the founder, perhaps? Can't remember any other details. :(
[more inside]posted by ascetic at 7:19 PM PST - 25 comments
I want to create a website and need general and specific guidance. I don't want to give the idea away so the description is a little sketchy.
How do I deal with keeping the kids out of the "adult" section? How do I "spread the word"? (to get submissions and readers?; i.e. kickstart)
[more inside]posted by Drasher at 7:19 PM PST - 6 comments
Requesting advice with my career in computer science. Briefly, should I stay or should I go?
[more inside]posted by gadha at 6:46 PM PST - 6 comments
My wife reads my Esquire and Wired magazines and is looking for a print magazine strong enough for a man but PH balanced for a woman.
[more inside]posted by Overzealous at 6:14 PM PST - 37 comments
Years ago, I went to my aunt's house, and she made this really fun Jello mold that was red and had bits of food-processed cranberries, walnuts, celery, and pineapple bits. It was soooo delicious! Since then I've tried to replicate it a few times, all to no avail. Each time, the Jello doesn't set and it comes out like basically a cranberry sauce that tasted like whatever Jello flavor I use. Can anyone point me to a good recipe AND include some tips for success? Many thanks in advance!!
posted by choochoo at 6:13 PM PST - 14 comments
How to get a 3G SIM card for a 1 month trip to India w/out signing a 1 or 2 year contract?
[more inside]posted by Kerim at 6:06 PM PST - 5 comments
I'm a landlord for a owner-occupied 4-unit bldg. I know I can't discriminate, with respect to tenant selection, regarding "family status", but am I free to prefer a single-occupancy renter to a family? My motivation is mostly remunerative -- included in rent are: water, hot water, and heat, and so a single renter is cheaper for me than a family of three with respect to those utilities. Is my preference for 1 vs. 3 rentors actionable discrimination? (Call me a miser if you like, but I'm under rent control, and I need to watch my costs, since it is near impossible to pass inflationary costs on to tenants.)
posted by JimDe at 5:09 PM PST - 17 comments
Where should the apostrophe go in the sentence "In Memory of Great Loves Lost"? Loves is plural (referring to all the loving in the world), but does it possess "lost"? Should it be loves'?
[more inside]posted by niccolo at 4:55 PM PST - 14 comments
What can we do in Chicago for Thanksgiving dinner considering I have no time or reason to prep and cook a feast?
[more inside]posted by santojulieta at 4:49 PM PST - 10 comments
What's a good source of some kind of boxes for carting around large numbers of CDs (1000+)
in their jewel cases?
[more inside]posted by nowonmai at 4:30 PM PST - 17 comments
Should I apologize (or otherwise acknowledge our "oops") for cooking my Jewish co-worker's family a decidedly non-kosher dish following the birth of their first child?
[more inside]posted by QuantumMeruit at 4:28 PM PST - 44 comments
My girlfriend's imac keeps losing its wireless signal, despite having functioned perfectly for over a year at its present location. How can I remedy this?
[more inside]posted by ranunculus at 4:25 PM PST - 4 comments
Jabra Stone Bluetooth earpiece availablility in Canada? If not, recommendations for quality Bluetooth headsets that aren't grotesque?
[more inside]posted by WilliamWallace at 3:48 PM PST - 1 comments
I'm looking for tasteful, high-quality hardcore porn. Does what I want even exist? NSFW obviously.
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 3:45 PM PST - 21 comments
What is a good reference for learning to build a house? I need to get a basic grasp of things like building codes and best practices for electrical wiring, plumbing, roofing, etc.
[more inside]posted by bengarland at 3:32 PM PST - 11 comments
So as fate would have it, I am sharing an apartment with a girl that I am very attracted to. And now it seems as if I've been perma-friended. (For the sake of discussion, lets forgo the “dating roommates is a bad idea” discussion.)
[more inside]posted by RandomGradStudent at 2:55 PM PST - 122 comments
What's the best way to stand up to my mother about Christmas and to handle her jealousy about our better relationship with my partner's parents? She's determined to make the holiday season into a zero sum game with my partner's mother
[more inside]posted by Flitcraft at 2:45 PM PST - 42 comments
For a few months, I have a total of 30 minutes at the gym in the morning (not counting shower) at three times a week. (It's a long story.) I know this is not much at all. I am a 25 lbs overweight guy and would like to get a bit leaner. I don't expect quick results. I have asthma but control it with inhaler so I can "trot" a bit on the treadmill so far. I can't (yet) flat out run for long periods without asthma/poor shape affecting me. I am very familiar with the gym and various weightlifting exercises. I am not sure how to make the best of my time, though. At all. Within a month I would like to bump it up to 45/1hr in the gym and 4 times a week. (and then later, 5 days a week.) But for now, do you have any solid advice that works for you?
[more inside]posted by snap_dragon at 2:41 PM PST - 21 comments
I am highly motivated to avoid the blahness of YANFCB (Yet Another Fucking Conference Badge.) Help me come up with COOL conference badges. Or something.
[more inside]posted by DarlingBri at 2:40 PM PST - 11 comments
CareerFilter: I enjoy user experience design, and have a successful career at a top agency. Now I want to work fewer hours, have less stress/slower pace, and try something new. Suggestions?
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 2:28 PM PST - 4 comments
Ancient drugs...opium, morphine, even absinthe. Can they still be potent after decades?
[more inside]posted by esereth at 2:15 PM PST - 15 comments
Can anyone point me to a resource where I can learn construction industry-related lingo?
[more inside]posted by eliina at 2:06 PM PST - 1 comments
My wife loves YoVille, farm town, farmville, etc. on facebook - will she love the Sims (2 or 3) for Christmas?
[more inside]posted by chndrcks at 1:41 PM PST - 18 comments
Where in Manhattan can I find nasalcrom and ketotifen eye drops? Do they sell them at Duane Reade?
[more inside]posted by dfriedman at 1:26 PM PST - 4 comments
Need to replace a toilet seat. The hardware seems to be fixed fast to the throne; the screw is all rusty, there's a plastic-y sort of nut that has resisted all my attempts to pry off with a wrench. Would really like to do this myself and avoid having to call in a plumber.
[more inside]posted by lgandme0717 at 1:10 PM PST - 20 comments
I am an international student going to college in the US (one of the top ten schools, but not need blind to internationals). I have not applied for a scholarship when I was first admitted, because I knew that it decreased my chances and the exchange rate was relatively comparable. Then, things went downhill; my aunt who was helping my parents pay the tuition lost her job, the exchange rate went up from 1.21 to 1.85 and that is the story. I am looking for a form of scholarship, be it need-based or merit based. How?
[more inside]posted by kuju at 12:53 PM PST - 16 comments
I'm looking for book recommendations for a young woman who has recently become interested in religion. Ideas please!
[more inside]posted by schmoo at 12:37 PM PST - 20 comments
I think I might have Asperger's. In my case, should I even bother being tested? What would a confirmation/disconfirmaton mean?
[more inside]posted by edguardo at 11:32 AM PST - 20 comments
Are there any good resources that explain the logistics, equipment and practices of television broadcast production of the 1950's?
posted by parallax7d at 11:06 AM PST - 2 comments
This is starting to get seriously depressing - I'm no nearer to solving this riddle than I was 3 freaking hours ago. (Neither is my husband - and he's the smart one.)
[more inside]posted by Jody Tresidder at 10:22 AM PST - 11 comments
I want to compost, but don't have any good options at present. Can I just throw my organic waste into the bushes and let nature do its thing?
[more inside]posted by nicoleincanada at 10:14 AM PST - 21 comments
Adult Website Filter: Which payment processor should I use to sell advertising space on my porn website?
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 8:29 AM PST - 2 comments
What is wrong with my cat? We've been to both the regular and emergency vets in the last 24 hours, and we still don't know what's wrong or why she isn't improving. (Details within.)
[more inside]posted by enoent at 7:52 AM PST - 37 comments
Need to replace a PalmOS PDA used primarily as an address book. Key requirements: cheap(ish), easy to use, sane desktop software, not a phone.
posted by ConstantineXVI at 6:34 AM PST - 14 comments
MuffinFilter: Looking for a book details muffin recipes which range from run of the mill (but delicious) plain muffins thorough to healthy, alternative muffin recipes using non-wheat flours (spelt etc).
[more inside]posted by SueDenim at 4:10 AM PST - 2 comments
I've got these 2 math problems that are driving me crazy. Business optimization. Please help.
[more inside]posted by nomnomnom at 3:55 AM PST - 16 comments
Is a quick trip to Sicily worth it? I've got a ticket to fly to Rome 4-11 December, and am considering a quick trip to Sicily (max 3 days, min 1 day) via a low-cost air carrier.
[more inside]posted by purpleclover at 3:04 AM PST - 6 comments
Three years ago, I was date-raped by my then-boyfriend. Some of our mutual friends know, some don't. I just found out that a friend in the know is trying to set up another friend's sister with my rapist. What, if anything, should I do?
(Apologies for the lengthy description that follows...)
[more inside]posted by honeybee413 at 12:09 AM PST - 61 comments
November 21
After noticing some small cracks on the interior walls of one room, I went outside and saw several HUGE zig-zag cracks have appeared between the bricks at the back corner of my house. All the indications of a bad case of subsidence. Time to panic; the house is now worthless! What are my options?
[more inside]posted by moorooka at 10:52 PM PST - 13 comments
Name-my-web-show filter: I'm launching a web show that features the places and foods of Singapore. I need a shot, snazzy title for it, ending with a .tv domain. Anybody got any ideas?
Thanks so much!
posted by mordecai at 10:50 PM PST - 10 comments
What are the most basic feelings, from which all others are composed? By this I mean that some feelings are combinations of other feelings (e.g., melancholy is a combination of sadness, thoughtfulness, listlessness, etc.), whereas others are unrelated (if you feel loving, you don't feel angry, for instance). What a smallest collection of feelings which could be combined to create all possible feelings? Has this been studied? Or is the premise false?
posted by jewzilla at 10:49 PM PST - 24 comments
I'm finally on my own and liberal arts school should be the place for me. But I'm still approaching my coursework from the standpoint of "how little can I do and how late can I do it and still not utterly fail," and it's making me hate myself.
[more inside]posted by randomname25 at 10:17 PM PST - 22 comments
I took the GRE on Veteran's Day and the results were not my personal best. How do I best gear up for a second try on Dec. 8??
[more inside]posted by timpanogos at 9:44 PM PST - 8 comments
I spend a lot of time alone at home, playing video games, reading books, wasting time on the internet, etc. If I was accused of a crime, what evidence supports the fact I'm at home not really doing anything?
[more inside]posted by meowzilla at 8:45 PM PST - 21 comments
At some point in the future, I'd like to follow the recommendations of some various sites I've seen online and scan most of my paper archives to PDF. It looks like
this would be the best solution (I'm a Mac user) – or, at least, that's the device I've seen recommended a few million times. However, I really can't see having the discretionary $417+ to purchase this device, not for a very, very long time. Does anyone offer this device for rental? (I live in Chicago.) Is there a
RipDigital equivalent for this kind of thing (a
very long time ago, they did the initial move of my music from CDs to MP3s)? Are there cheaper alternatives that are
just as good?
posted by WCityMike at 8:20 PM PST - 10 comments
Legal status of inadvertently sent (supposed to be internal) automated test calls which could be viewed as "prank calls" that go accidentally to 7-13 unsuspecting recipients. And more. YANML i know, please read details.
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 8:11 PM PST - 10 comments
I tried to do someone a favor, it backfired and now I cannot get rid of them. How can I make it stop?
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 7:52 PM PST - 17 comments
Some last minute business brings my girlfriend and I to Tokyo this December, and we'll be spending a week's vacation there as well. We've been to Tokyo before, so what can a couple do out of the city (but nearby) during winter?
[more inside]posted by destrius at 7:45 PM PST - 7 comments
I'm trying to teach myself Java by writing a simple roguelike. Can you help me figure out the architecture?
[more inside]posted by ixohoxi at 7:18 PM PST - 19 comments
What sort of dairy product did I inadvertently create? Bad housekeeping details under the fold... queasy stomachs beware!
[more inside]posted by LOLAttorney2009 at 6:45 PM PST - 5 comments
I might be getting a job in Seattle soon, the job being located near Lakeview Cemetery. I'm going to be apartment hunting from a distance so I won't be able to really check things out in advance. Help me find a place to live.
[more inside]posted by Gideon at 6:44 PM PST - 6 comments
What tools can I use to help my family (adults and children) learn to speak Spanish? I am interested in CDs, software, music, TV shows,kid-friendly immersion programs, and anything else.
[more inside]posted by Nickel at 6:42 PM PST - 5 comments
Is there some online software/Web site that will take a list of addresses and generate the most efficient route to drive to all of them?
[more inside]posted by mccxxiii at 6:34 PM PST - 8 comments
Name that Film-Filter: I'm trying to think of the name of a movie that I'd like to buy before the liquidation of a nearby Blockbuster comes to a close. High fantasy, vignettes, made less than five years ago.
[more inside]posted by fook at 5:52 PM PST - 6 comments
Cartography/Google Maps: I want to represent severity of accident data on a map to show the most dangerous parts of town to walk/bicycle. I have the raw data, but I can’t seen to show the info in a compelling way.
[more inside]posted by lrivers at 3:13 PM PST - 8 comments
Looking for a specific Christmas cartoon printed in the New Yorker a couple of years ago.
[more inside]posted by cr_joe at 2:42 PM PST - 0 comments
Windows XP Home machine goes blue screen on boot. I'd like to fix it without reinstalling. Details inside.
[more inside]posted by DarkForest at 2:13 PM PST - 20 comments
Where should I take a friend out for steak in Portland? It needs to be in the downtown/Pearl/NW area. I'm looking for someplace not too expensive (under $150 for the two of us), not too stuffy or corporate feeling, and if they have a rib eye, that would be superb! Any recommendations?
posted by pdxgirl42 at 2:02 PM PST - 10 comments
Recommendations needed for storage facility (eg 5x10 or 10x10 spaces) in the San Diego area, preferably around Del Mar. Looking for inexpensive but also safe place to store miscellaneous belongings/furnishings for several months.
posted by america4 at 1:27 PM PST - 0 comments
Please help me ID this American TV show/special/variety hour from the '70s featuring life-sized female puppets/marionettes - or prove to me that I am indeed halluciremembering.
[more inside]posted by tristeza at 1:03 PM PST - 5 comments
Are miniature cacti just younger plants or do they have their own name or classification? Awhile ago I saw some tiny (~1 in. apiece) cacti for sale in a big box garden/home supply store, but am not having luck finding them online (getting a lot of hits for dollhouse miniatures, etc). I would like to buy some but know neither the right terminology to use, nor where I'd buy them. I've already browsed several online cacti stores w/o success. Thanks for your help tracking this down!
posted by artifarce at 12:11 PM PST - 8 comments
Help un-grinch my holiday season! Need suggestions for ways to get myself into the holiday spirit when I come from a family who does not really participate...
[more inside]posted by JoannaC at 11:51 AM PST - 16 comments
Does Xbox 360 have a proxy option with authentications such as username and password with it? Or PPTP w/ authentications.
Also does it have a VPN support?
posted by omaralarifi at 11:17 AM PST - 4 comments
I'm looking for recommendations on setting up a new laptop for my 92 year old grandfather. He is essentially a "first timer" to modern computers, having never used a computer with a modern operating system and internet access, so any ideas to make it simpler and safer for him are welcome.
[more inside]posted by XcentricOrbit at 11:13 AM PST - 19 comments
Please hope me: my Linux machine cannot boot when my external drive is connected: it can't get past POST tests when USB legacy is enabled, but it also can't mount the drive when USB legacy is _not_ enabled. :(
[more inside]posted by xmutex at 11:11 AM PST - 12 comments
Suggestions for places to stay in Provincetown, Massachusetts over the Christmas Holidays? Looking for guest houses or vacation rentals.
[more inside]posted by Rocket26 at 11:02 AM PST - 5 comments
My girlfriend was telling me this story last night. I think the TV guy was just having fun with them. She also said the "wand" made "colors" on the screen. I think it was a stick with a magnet on it. Does the Hive Mind have any recollections of this "tuning" wand? Story after the jump.
[more inside]posted by patnok at 10:50 AM PST - 12 comments
I've found a great potential job, given them references, and know the references will be contacted on Monday. To what extent is it typical to let your references know beforehand they will be contacted by my potential employer?
[more inside]posted by diode at 9:59 AM PST - 17 comments
I currently live in Brazil but shall be returning to my country of origin, the UK, for a month or so in December. I recently managed to get a prescription for Ritalin from a psychiatrist here in Brazil and was wondering whether I'd have any complications in bringing this back into the UK.
[more inside]posted by Zé Pequeno at 9:57 AM PST - 4 comments
Why do we refer to Galileo Galilei by his first name? Seems unconventional.
posted by found missing at 9:51 AM PST - 16 comments
My command line/scripting-fu is weak. Help me clean up and copy a lot of files without having to do it by hand?
[more inside]posted by sinfony at 9:37 AM PST - 3 comments
What kind of small toys or devices click when you rotate them forwards and backwards? Seeking mechanism or design...
[more inside]posted by pallen123 at 8:21 AM PST - 14 comments
I washed some clothes with a crayon in a pocket. Now I've got yellow crayon spread out across my clothes. But it gets better. The clothes weren't getting dry and I kept putting them through the dryer. 3 times total, never noticing that the crayon stains were there.
How can I get rid of, or at least minimize, the problem so I get some of my pants for work back?
[more inside]posted by theichibun at 7:13 AM PST - 10 comments
After cooking a chicken stew is it safe to freeze the chicken with the bone still on?
posted by citybuddha at 7:00 AM PST - 8 comments
Gmail shame! My account was accessed and all my contacts were spammed. How do I keep this from happening again?
[more inside]posted by genmonster at 6:37 AM PST - 7 comments
my kids (ages 3 and 6) are beginning to learn chinese. i am looking for useful materials and strategies to get them fluent. i don't speak chinese.
one thing that helped a lot in learning spanish (their second language) was spanish language education software that targets native spanish speakers ages 3 to 5. does anyone have any recommendations both for the chinese educational software of this type and how to buy it when you don't speak chinese. there is absolutely nothing more daunting than a chinese language web site.
posted by alcahofa at 12:48 AM PST - 20 comments
November 20
What is the best mandoline to buy with price, size, and safety in mind? It will be a present for my father who likes to cook, but has not used a lot of mandolines in the past?
posted by macowell at 11:52 PM PST - 16 comments
What are some decent-paying jobs for someone who has B.A. degrees in English and in Psychology, and a lot of unofficial and very specialized technical knowledge but no "official" (i.e. paid) experience with such?
[more inside]posted by Lakmir at 9:52 PM PST - 11 comments
I have a smart Playlist on my iTunes which functions properly and has all the right tracks in it. I have it checked as a Playlist to export to my iPhone. The iPhone has a playlist with exactly the same name ... but completely different songs. I've double checked that I don't have two playlists with the same name in iTunes. Not just one track is different--none of the tracks overlap. Why is this happening?
[more inside]posted by You Should See the Other Guy at 9:27 PM PST - 9 comments
How can I get a DVD movie to fill (at least one axis of) my screen without compromising the picture quality?
[more inside]posted by rahnefan at 8:52 PM PST - 16 comments
I'm turning 25 in a few weeks and the party theme I've decided on is "Hip to be Square". 'Cause 25 is 5^2, get it? GET IT? Yeah, I know, I'm a dork. Looking for suggestions of how to incorporate that theme into a party.
[more inside]posted by shaun uh at 8:27 PM PST - 20 comments
I have a water cooled PC that is slow building up sediment in the bottom of the reserve and inside of the tubing. I used a retail additive with de-mineralised water so this is coming as a bit of a surprise to me. I have since replaced the fluid with more de-mineralised water and car radiator concentrate, this has stopped the build-up of sediment though the existing sediment still remains. Is there a way to clean out this sediment in the form of a flush or something similar?
posted by wombycat at 8:12 PM PST - 6 comments
I'm going to a birthday party for a five-year-old tomorrow, one of my students. His mom said not to bring a present, but I was hoping to put something fun in the card. I love A.A. Milne's poem
Now We are Six and I'm wondering if anyone knows of a similar poem about turning five.
posted by easy_being_green at 7:03 PM PST - 7 comments
What does it mean to say that someone "had tests run and that the two arteries to her head are in bad shape with one being closed and the other partly closed"?
[more inside]posted by Countess Elena at 6:37 PM PST - 7 comments
What are the most fun, memorable, interesting, exciting, and long-lasting learning experiences you have had?
[more inside]posted by Cygnet at 6:10 PM PST - 25 comments
I need some advice about how to move my life forward. Relationship, job, and home. A simple question: should I stay here or should I go back home, but with the usual tortured backstory that I will try to keep as relevant as possible!
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 5:58 PM PST - 14 comments
Should I give a gift to the family who we bought a CSA farmshare from this year? I was at their house every week from May to Oct picking up produce, and even a few chickens. Complication is that they're an Amish family (maybe
Swartzentuber?), and I have no idea what would be an appropriate gift. It's the parents, and about 5 kids under the age of 10. The best idea I have at the moment is a jar of maple syrup from my trees, since that's about the only thing their farm doesn't have.
posted by saffry at 5:26 PM PST - 16 comments
Adobe Premiere Filter: how do I adjust keyframe interpolation to get a title to move the way I want it to? (I can't believe the fairly simple option I'm looking for wouldn't be available...) Exhaustive details inside.
[more inside]posted by Vic Morrow's Personal Vietnam at 4:21 PM PST - 6 comments
Can you recommend a reasonably-priced digital camera for a bright seven-year-old girl? Bonus points if it's available in pink.
posted by timeistight at 3:57 PM PST - 13 comments
Which is the best method for adding codec, playing video from remote shares, and most of all usable web browsing to an AppleTV?
[more inside]posted by rokusan at 3:40 PM PST - 5 comments
When nobody seems to think there's a generic for a drug, and yet I can order it. Is this an online pharmacy scam?
[more inside]posted by lumpenprole at 3:02 PM PST - 17 comments
gmail alerts...Through gmail alerts I try and watch which sites my son goes to. He has had some trouble. Is it possible anyone else could have the same gmail address, in another country or with a different password?
posted by sandyfrd at 2:57 PM PST - 34 comments
[Bookfinder filter] Trying to find a book I read at school, in the UK, in about 1987. It was a book for teenagers, with two interweaving stories across different times: one thread involved a teenage couple in modern times, and the other thread was about some Norse warriors, including a berserker, in ancient England. The two threads were tied together by an ancient axe head. The final section of the book was written in a cipher.
[more inside]posted by memebake at 2:27 PM PST - 7 comments
Recommendations for traveling south of Miami. We are planning to fly into Miami, rent a car and drive south down Highway 1 toward the Keys. We want to go down in Feb or March. Where should I focus my research on the area to decide which destination to go to and what we must see or do along the way. We want the adult version of spring break. That means fun parties in the evening, exploring historical or interesting places during the day. Warm sandy beaches at some point are a must. Anyone know anything about that area? There is just so much there I don't know where to start.
posted by meeshell at 1:26 PM PST - 11 comments
I’m trying to be confident, self assured, and self-aware but constantly doubt myself. It doesn’t feel like I have picked up any valuable skills and it seems like my brain is stagnating. I read constantly and always have but still feel incredibly stupid. That fact that I have not advanced professionally is eating at me. Everyone else seems to possess some magical learning skills and I am not measuring up. I am consistently bad at everything I do and fail to get the big picture or the tiny details. I’m always forgetting something or making simple mistakes. And everything takes a really long time to complete. It has become increasingly difficult for me to recognize my own skills. At this point in my life I need to get good at something because I don’t see any progression in my future with the way things are now.
[more inside]posted by mokeydraws at 12:43 PM PST - 19 comments
From the career perspective is there money in the online/e-learning space? If so, where is it, or where will it be in a few years? I specialize in software training and education and am looking to get my foot in the door if it is worth it.
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 12:32 PM PST - 6 comments
A domain name I'm interested in just "expired" 5 days ago according to its WHOIS record. However, all the registrars I've tried say that the domain is unavailable. Is there some kind of grace period for this? What's the best way for me to know if/when it actually becomes available? Any way for me to grab it right now? BTW there's nothing hosted there, and it appears to be owned by a squatter. Obviously I'm not looking to pay squatter prices here.
posted by scarabic at 12:27 PM PST - 9 comments
What Mexican song did I hear that heavily sampled (or covered) an English language rock band like April Wine or Foghat (or similar). The Spanish lyrics sort of rapping over a bed of the classic rock sound. And I'm almost positive it wasn't Molotov.
[more inside]posted by birdherder at 12:21 PM PST - 2 comments
My uncle loves "The O'Reilly Factor" and relies on it for much of his news consumption. He sees Bill O'Reilly as a "straight-shooter". I'm trying to convince him of the folly of his ways. What evidence can I point to? thank you!
posted by grammalvsu at 12:18 PM PST - 40 comments
I want to expand my (intermediate/advanced amateur) piano repertoire. Can you recommend some music?
[more inside]posted by philokalia at 11:57 AM PST - 16 comments
“The Case of Ellen West” was published by the Swiss psychiatrist, Ludwig Binswanger, in 1944–1945 and (as far as I can tell) appeared in English translation in 1958. Anyone know where I can get a copy? Usual search suspects are turning up only the Carl Rogers article, "Ellen West and Loneliness", in the Review of Existential Psychology and Psychiatry (which I've requested via interlibrary loan) and some other scholarly pubs on Rogers (behind the usual pay walls).
posted by crush-onastick at 11:45 AM PST - 4 comments
Mystery water dripping from the ceiling in the late night. No rain, so no leaking roof. No upstairs neighbors, so no one else to blame. Is this the Rising Damp the Britcom is named after or does my apartment need an exorcism or what?
[more inside]posted by oneswellfoop at 11:40 AM PST - 9 comments
Audio/mobile phone idea/question:
I was at my kid's band concert recently, trying to record some of it for Grandma. I only thought of it after we got there so I was using my iPhone. Not a bad recorder, but it's hand held. It picks up me moving in my seat, people fidgeting, etc. Why isn't there an app/service where I could record the concert on my less-than-professional-equipment, and a bunch of OTHER Dads and Moms record the same thing from other vantage points (with other noise!) then put 'em all together subtract the noise and end up with a beautifull, clear, stereo recording. With the iphone's bluetooth/wifi/gps the iphones should be able to figure out where they are relative to each other.
Is the doable? Am I nuts? Does it already exist?
posted by davereed at 11:14 AM PST - 14 comments
Who is the best cobbler in Victoria BC? I have a pair of
Black Spot Unswooshers that I like the look of, but are falling apart prematurely. The seam along the top of the toe is starting to come apart, and I'd like to have a cobbler fix them before the tear goes too far. Can anyone recommend a skilled Cobbler in Victoria BC? I'd like the repair to be as inconspicuous as possible.
posted by Sustainable Chiles at 11:11 AM PST - 3 comments
My PS3 died out of warranty, but still under the extended purchase protection of my credit card. Only problem is to make the claim I need the receipt which I lost. I called the store where I bought it (EB Games in Canada) asking if they could print me a new receipt and they said that they would but the credit card purchase log only goes back a couple months at their store. Is there any law about being able to get another copy of the receipt? Maybe if I called their corporate HQ armed with such information?
posted by GleepGlop at 11:10 AM PST - 9 comments
I intend to make this weekend a gaming weekend. I haven't played video games in a long time. At least not as seriously as I used to. Do you have any suggestions?
[more inside]posted by wolfr at 11:05 AM PST - 40 comments
For an art project, I need to take several thousand image files, reorder them randomly and rename them sequentially. Is there an AppleScript for that? Or something?
[more inside]posted by 235w103 at 10:58 AM PST - 2 comments
What was the name of the service that provided you with a free 800 number and credit card processing? Their model was that they took a percentage of the credit card fees and you billed your customers through them. It was a very neat way to setup a small service business with almost no overhead.
Are they still in business?
posted by thinktwice at 10:17 AM PST - 6 comments
this should be pretty simple - Ive got a HUGE image (72" x 96") and want to print it. Thats going to be REAL expensive to print as one piece so i was hoping to find some software that would chop it into many 8x10" pieces that I can then print in a standard printer. Suggestions?
[more inside]posted by nihlton at 10:11 AM PST - 13 comments
Bone graft gone wrong. Testicle swollen, major pain, difficulty walking, Doctors not helping. Need advice.
[more inside]posted by pmaxwell at 10:09 AM PST - 14 comments
Please help me figure out a way to encrypt a folder on my Windows XP machine, and then back it up on various media.
[more inside]posted by Rad_Boy at 9:57 AM PST - 5 comments
Where can I see a Dell Adamo (not the new XPS, but the one that was released last year) in person, in the San Francisco Bay Area? Frys doesn't seem to carry it, and I don't know who else would. I'm considering buying one, and want to handle it and check out the keyboard, weight, etc., in person, before making a decision.
Thanks for any help you can provide :-)
posted by Susan PG at 9:32 AM PST - 2 comments
I'm thinking of getting surgery to remove nasal polyps. Should I get it done in the Boston area, where I have no insurance, or in Bergen, Norway, where I'll be returning for work in January (with a worker's visa)? Or should I have it done at all?
posted by anonymous at 8:53 AM PST - 8 comments
Im looking for recommendations on the best wireless N Router for around £50ish that supports DD WRT (or similar). I have a seperate cable modem so I dont need an all in one solution. I looked through the list of Linksys products buy unfortunately the one I can afford (WRT160N) v3 isnt supported.
posted by toocan at 8:39 AM PST - 3 comments
I'm looking for a long white lacquered bookcase and found
this one at Ikea. Unfortunately, the white version of the bookcase is not lacquered like the other colors. Would it be difficult for me to apply a lacquer finish to it?
[more inside]posted by gfrobe at 8:32 AM PST - 4 comments
I have a picture of a quilt that was auctioned off, I'd like to have it made. Is there a way to request an item on Etsy?
Click for pic, on Photobucket
(I've asked the auctioneers who originally made the quilt, so I can go straight to the source. Haven't gotten an answer yet. My first choice would be to give my money / kudos to the original creator of the quilt.)
posted by steeb2er at 8:31 AM PST - 4 comments
GoodTimesFilter: Instead of going out and being social, I tend to make excuses, saying I need to stay in to complete work - which I often don't actually complete, due to procrastination and distraction issues. How I can quiet this negative voice, and go out to have a good time?
[more inside]posted by SNWidget at 8:31 AM PST - 11 comments
When your best actually isn’t good enough: What could a supervisor do to help you if you were under-performing at work?
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 8:23 AM PST - 5 comments
Why do I have to clear my throat all of the time? When I'm speaking, my voice often becomes croaky to the point where I can't speak normally without sounding like Tom Waits on his deathbed. This is normally resolved by me clearing my throat rather audibly (ahem-uh-huh-hem!), after which I can speak fine again. I might have to do this five or six times in an hour long presentation. I'm not spitting out or swallowing phlegm, my voice is just unusably scratchy until I clear my throat. Occassionally, clearing my throat does nothing, and I'm left with a voice that can barely speak. This happens with my normal conversations, too, not just presentations.
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 8:23 AM PST - 6 comments
Mrs Raybun watched the 1937 version of The Women and loved the fashion show sequences. What other late 1930s movies that showcase woman's fashions of the period would she enjoy watching?
posted by Raybun at 7:59 AM PST - 12 comments
I'm looking for recommendations on a pair of shoes that are "classy", but that look good with casual clothes (jeans and t-shirt, for example). The reason is that in Europe, many places seem to frown upon sneakers, even if they don't care about the rest of your clothing.
[more inside]posted by * at 7:48 AM PST - 27 comments
Washington Mutual lost $2,400 of my money (NOT counting 12+ years of accumulated interest). The customer service rep hung up on me when I tried to figure out how to get it back. What to do next?
[more inside]posted by GardenGal at 7:41 AM PST - 16 comments
My ability to hear volume seems fine--I hear distant birds, quietly chirping insects, etc. However, I have trouble understanding people when there are other people talking, and it's affecting my business. Is there a quick fix?
[more inside]posted by PatoPata at 7:34 AM PST - 19 comments
Why does so much of the concrete work here eventually mold? (I am in the Yucatan)
If that is the right word for this action. The discoloring.
Is there an admixture missing? Something that is used elsewhere? how much is to be blamed on the humidity?
People elsewhere are experimenting w/ new mixtures (i. e. fly ash) to make less wasteful, lighter etc.; in this area, is anyone experimenting w/ new formulas?
What is the difference between exposed formwork say, in the US, and here?
Oh, and one more. Could 'rammed earth' construction be done here? What is the raw ingredient necessary?
There is alot of limestone here.
posted by ebesan at 7:27 AM PST - 10 comments
My 3-year-old daughter suddenly hates drinking milk. Mealtimes are rife with tears and battles of will. How can we get her to drink milk happily and eagerly again?
[more inside]posted by lexfri at 5:29 AM PST - 78 comments
When completing an online job application that gives you the opportunity to attach a cover letter and resume at the end, is it necessary to fill out all of the fields if the resume contains the information?
[more inside]posted by otters walk among us at 5:24 AM PST - 15 comments
Yesterday I started having sudden sharp pain and stiffness in my left knee, above and around the kneecap. I suspect I injured it doing squats and lunges (with bad form) the night before. Could it get better on its own, if I rest for a few days? Or should I see a doctor (and what kind)?
[more inside]posted by the littlest brussels sprout at 3:52 AM PST - 19 comments
QuoteThatI'mTooDumbToFindFilter: I remember reading some quote online about popularity being a watered down kind of respect, and respect just being a pale substitue for a quiet life well-lived. Something along those lines.
[more inside]posted by Uppity Pigeon #2 at 12:16 AM PST - 0 comments
November 19
In
this photo of the Microsoft store in Mission Viejo, there are two islands of product immediately as you enter the store. On the left is various versions of Windows 7. What is the product on the island on the right?
[more inside]posted by ericc at 11:32 PM PST - 3 comments
How likely is it that in the next 2-3 years cloud computing (using for example google chrome OS with web apps running off thin clients) will be the norm and how should a non-profit organization with high tech needs (healthcare) but limited tech resources begin to position itself for the changes this might entail?
posted by dougiedd at 10:57 PM PST - 18 comments
My brother is going to Thailand for a 3 month Muay Thai training camp and I want to get him a themed or appropriate Christmas present. Any thoughts?
[more inside]posted by Silentgoldfish at 10:49 PM PST - 8 comments
Where can I find great works of fiction online or in some sort of text form that I can read on my Mac?
[more inside]posted by 2oh1 at 10:45 PM PST - 27 comments
A friend got a notice of foreclosure on a house on which he's made regular payments for over a decade. It's in Sonoma County, California; he's lived in and owned the house since the late 90s. I've advised him to lawyer up, and tomorrow will help investigate what pro bono attorneys are available to him. He has little money; his home is his wealth. Meanwhile, maybe someone here has been in this position and can provide a roadmap?
[more inside]posted by goofyfoot at 10:40 PM PST - 18 comments
A few years ago, I had a girlfriend who (gently) took me to task about my wardrobe and made a few suggestions as to how I could look better. I could see the difference after I'd tried a few new outfits, but I'm not very good at coming up with them myself, and I'm not very good at knowing what looks good and what has to change. It recently popped into my head that I could hire someone to help me out with this, but I know absolutely nothing about how to do so--although I hope MeFi harbors someone who does. Can you help me?
[more inside]posted by tellumo at 10:33 PM PST - 17 comments
What was the name of this movie? Martial arts-themed/action (think JCVD-style). Cheesy scene description - the only one I can remember - inside.
[more inside]posted by aberrant at 10:30 PM PST - 9 comments
I'm working on a project that requires at least 3 or 4 full days attention each week. What are some places in the US or world I could move to, &/or unusual living situations, that would give me a good chance of doing this?
[more inside]posted by cotesdurhone at 9:39 PM PST - 6 comments
Is there a set quota of white blood cells that the human body produces over its lifetime, and if so do routine vaccines (e.g. the flu) tax the immune system enough to significantly shorten the person's lifespan?
[more inside]posted by foulowl at 9:16 PM PST - 34 comments
I'm writing a final masters thesis on whether south Indian IT can and should be replicated in Senegal. Part of what I want to investigate is whether there has been a negative impact on marginalized populations in the Indian state of Karnataka. I need to contact NGOs, government offices, and anything in between in the state of Karnataka that deal with said marginalized populations, such as Dalits, widows, etc. Any advice on relevant organizations?
posted by msk1985 at 8:35 PM PST - 2 comments
Any good computer programs for math practice? Impoverished children need your help.
[more inside]posted by Suciu at 8:32 PM PST - 9 comments
What size was the largest (Fast) Fourier Transform ever performed to date? How many array elements? Can anyone beat 16,384
3 complex-to-complex?
posted by mqk at 8:18 PM PST - 8 comments
Is there a medical or technical reason an ultrasound facility would specify that only one person can accompany the pregnant person during the ultrasound? (And if it turns out we must follow this policy, how could the third parent observe the ultrasound from the waiting room?)
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 8:12 PM PST - 9 comments
My unplanned-pregnant soon-to-be-single-mother friend was unexpectedly invited to Thanksgiving dinner with the, err, donor and his parents. She is freaking out, convincing herself that it will be terrible, etc. Suggestions?
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 8:11 PM PST - 11 comments
I need help dealing with "unknown", especially in personal issues. I have an intense desire to know why something is happening, what someone's explanation is and I wind up a big ball of anxiety while overthinking it. I want to know how to be comfortable with just "not knowing", and how to be comfortable with the resulting feeling of not being able to control the situation.
[more inside]posted by MultiFaceted at 8:03 PM PST - 20 comments
I'm asking for my sister. And, yes I saw the previous sorta related mold questions but this is specific enough and those were long enough ago that I thought, perhaps, there might be some new mold-fighting technology or tactics: "We have a serious mold problem in our truck! Has anyone had success battling mold?
[more inside]posted by fieldtrip at 7:28 PM PST - 6 comments
Book recommendation filter: Can you point me to a book about purity of self/ respect for self/ self improvement through interactions with nature? Possibly with discussions on eating healthily/ exercising and/or with emphasis on gaining clarity of thought.
[more inside]posted by thewestinggame at 7:26 PM PST - 4 comments
Macgyver IT: I want my team to use something like del.icio.us to share links. But since this is ask.metafilter, I can't use the obvious right answer. I need to make something like it myself, using
bubblegum and string the MS Office 2000 suite and my knowledge of VB. What would be my best approach?
[more inside]posted by Monday, stony Monday at 7:23 PM PST - 7 comments
Is luggage one of those things where spending more money buys real quality? And if so, what should I spend it on?
[more inside]posted by jacquilynne at 5:26 PM PST - 25 comments
Question. I upgraded to Parallels 5.0 to run a Windows Virtual machine on my Macbook. The problem is that icons on the Windows desktop show up on the Mac desktop and vice versa. How can I set up Parallels so that both desktops are separate identities that don't impact each other?
posted by hdh at 5:13 PM PST - 3 comments
Do I have any options with the California Department of Motor Vehicle regarding having had seizures and losing my license?
[more inside]posted by goalyeehah at 5:00 PM PST - 13 comments
I'm thinking about taking a suit holiday. As in, going to a country where not only can I have a fun vacation, but I can get a bunch of suits made for a good price. Where should I go?
[more inside]posted by rileyray3000 at 3:52 PM PST - 24 comments
I'm trying to compile a list of stories that cable news went insane for. OJ, Elizabeth Smart, Jon Benet Ramsay, Di's death, balloon boy, 9/11, Chandra Levy, Clinton/Lewinsky, Katrina . What other breaking stories have provoked saturation coverage on CNN/Fox/MSNBC, even if only for a couple of days?
posted by unSane at 3:23 PM PST - 69 comments
I have perhaps a thousand delicious links (to documents in the SEC database).
All of these could be broken at anytime if the SEC changes the way it displays these.
How do I automate the process of copying the contents of those documents so I can save them in a database?
[more inside]posted by extropy at 3:13 PM PST - 12 comments
What's the title of this movie (that came out around 2005, give or take)? A teenager is left for dead and becomes a ghost. He seems to influence things around him but then what he did didn't actually happen. In the trailer, he yells his girlfriend's name in an empty high school, and it seems like she almost hears him. It turns out he's not dead but dying. The reviews were not good. Thank you!
posted by zeek321 at 3:12 PM PST - 7 comments
What's the best way to indicate a degree I've completed but haven't officially been awarded yet?
[more inside]posted by j-dawg at 3:11 PM PST - 23 comments
I have a friend who laments she cannot find a partner. She is gay (I am not) so when she tells me tales of past relationships and the aftermath of breakups I don't usually comment much. But this last time she reported actions that were boarderline stalking and she has not clue.
[more inside]posted by shaarog at 2:46 PM PST - 10 comments
I'd like some suggestions for Internet radio that are slightly mainstream and also go back to the 70s/80s/90s.
[more inside]posted by crapmatic at 2:44 PM PST - 8 comments
Late to the party, no time to prep: I'd like to have a collection of recipes that can be manufactured just-in-time; dishes that I can throw together in under 10 minutes with minimal use of kitchen tools. Bonus points if you can assemble the entire dish right out of the shopping bag. MacGyver me some meal ideas!
[more inside]posted by krippledkonscious at 2:23 PM PST - 27 comments
Woman in business looking to find a good professional association or networks to join.
[more inside]posted by rmm at 1:22 PM PST - 4 comments
Is there a word for a person who has been subpoenaed? If two people are subpoenaed, they are called co-...? They're not co-defendants. Is there an equivalent?
posted by streetdreams at 1:20 PM PST - 14 comments
I unexpectedly received several rare strawberry plants. Currently living in USDA Zone 6 -- what can I do to ensure they survive such late planting & a potentially hard winter?
[more inside]posted by muirne81 at 12:49 PM PST - 2 comments
I have an appointment to see the Mac Geniuses tomorrow regarding my Macbook's screen, which looks rather dim. However, I'm not sure if I'm asking too much, since I know the older displays dim over time. I have some photos inside comparing my Macbook to an almost identical model that is one year older than mine. Could you take a look at these pics and let me know what my chances are of getting a repair?
[more inside]posted by 4ster at 12:46 PM PST - 14 comments
Where can I find bags of various sizes that:
are spherical or ball-shaped when full of stuff
are made of durable outdoor-hardy material
and close with velcro or a drawstring or some other kid-safe closure mechanism
Bonus: Bags of other useful shapes like kid furniture, that can be filled and closed
You see, I want to make balls out of trash...
[more inside]posted by cross_impact at 12:45 PM PST - 4 comments
Fun in Austin, TX for a young couple with 2 days to spend, one of which is Black Friday?
[more inside]posted by a.steele at 12:08 PM PST - 14 comments
How close are we to handheld laser weapons? I read an article about a laser on a C-130 burning a hole through a car, a 747 that can shoot down an ICBM, and now a truck-mounted laser that can bring down a plane or UAV. What kind of science challenges do we need to meet before these weapons are issued to soldiers, etc.?
[more inside]posted by uaudio at 12:06 PM PST - 23 comments
My husband lost his job, we're not sure how we're going to pay the rent in January, and my family is being assholes about Christmas gifts.
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 12:04 PM PST - 66 comments
A wildland firefighter/fire ecologist, I have a rather unique skillset. I know most of the websites appropriate jobs are posted, but few of them have email alerts or rss feeds. Is there any way to stay abreast of new postings without going to each site every week?
[more inside]posted by RachelSmith at 11:48 AM PST - 7 comments
What interesting statistical information can I dig out of this medical billing data?
[more inside]posted by neilkod at 11:37 AM PST - 8 comments
A group of 11-year-old kids under my wife's supervision got out of control and were disruptive to the library they were meeting in. How can we make it up to the library/ its patrons, and ensure that something like this doesn't happen again?
[more inside]posted by Jpfed at 11:13 AM PST - 31 comments
What common assumptions and stereotypes do people have regarding the city and residents of Portland, Oregon? And regarding Oregon in general?
It'd help to know where respondents are from.
posted by thinman at 10:06 AM PST - 109 comments
For years I've been using Homesite on a PC, which was a great text editor. Now I've switched to Mac and all the text editors I find pale in comparison, despite the fact that Homesite hasn't been updated in years. Help me find one that I'll like.
[more inside]posted by lsemel at 10:04 AM PST - 21 comments
HabitualRobotFilter: I am looking for some ideas to start becoming more active. Naturally, this is the first place I decided to look.
[more inside]posted by SharkLangasta at 9:21 AM PST - 4 comments
Lost my camera in a NYC yellow taxi. Paid via Credit Card. No receipt. Can I track down the cab I took?
[more inside]posted by kmtiszen at 9:04 AM PST - 11 comments
Very active one year old with G button (MIC-key low profile) During night feeds and traveling in car how do I keep her Button from being pulled? It has come out once before in the crib by her moving so much the slack in the feeding tube got caught in crib and pulled out. It was painful for her since the balloon was fully inflated. I want to keep this from happening again. How do other parents keep thier kids g buttons and tube feeding cord protected at night. She is a wiggly thing and often turns in her sleep many times from belly to back and forth. The feeding is necessary and cannot be missed.
[more inside]posted by Snoogylips at 8:53 AM PST - 6 comments
I recently got a speeding ticket and received a letter in the mail telling me I have to complete a driver retraining course. My last ticket was over 24 months ago, and the officer who wrote the ticket told me that because of this I wouldn't be required to attend any such course.
[more inside]posted by jofuu at 8:44 AM PST - 4 comments
I have some questions about cacti. First, can you help me identify the awesome cactus my boss' husband gave me? It looks exactly like
this one (though that's someone else's photo).
[more inside]posted by peachfuzz at 8:15 AM PST - 3 comments
I am thinking of organizing a "two-dollar dare" party and I need simple dares that can be performed in front of a lot of people, and achievable right there. Props are fine, as is the use of another person. So far, I have things like, picking your nose, licking someone else's foot, peeing in a pair of adult-diapers, letting someone slap you hard, letting someone give you a haircut, simulating an orgasm. The idea is that if the people at the party want to see it, they can up the "bid" to a double-dare ($4) or a triple-dog-dare ($6) so I am looking for a good selection of tame dares and rather more outrageous ones. Can the hive mind help me?
posted by Sully at 7:38 AM PST - 18 comments
I'm thinking about getting a 32"/37" LCD TV. Primary applications are DVDs (and I guess, now, BluRay), NetFlix/Hulu streaming, and an existing PS2. I'm also eyeing the PS3 (or a Wii?) but haven't made a decision yet. We don't have cable/satellite, and don't typically watch over-the-air. What factors should I be considering?
[more inside]posted by Alterscape at 7:33 AM PST - 5 comments
I am looking for something I saw on the web about people's behaviour during meetings. It was funny and lighthearted, might have been a comic strip or maybe even a video?
[more inside]posted by maggiemae at 7:31 AM PST - 5 comments
Asking for a friend: Does anyone know where to find authoritative information on requirments for pets moving to the USA from Israel?
[more inside]posted by pointystick at 6:48 AM PST - 6 comments
I'm trying to find a short sci-fi story I read over 10 years ago that I barely remember. It may have involved some or all of the following: bicycle repair, ripe banana smelling bacteria used as deodorant and anti-libido medication.
[more inside]posted by jrishel at 6:16 AM PST - 7 comments
Which European countries currently provide or are planning to provide flu shots (H1N1 strain) openly, without invitation letters or national health insurance?
[more inside]posted by rom1 at 5:58 AM PST - 4 comments
Will changing/removing a factory (DELL) set RAID 5 configuration from a home desktop PC interfere with rebuilding the OS (XP Pro) from the factory restore discs?
[more inside]posted by lyam at 5:51 AM PST - 5 comments
Could I have messed up my cellphone's reception when I replaced its casing? I recently replaced the casing on my phone: taking my phone apart, unscrewing lots of things, then putting the phone into a new case. I just followed online instructions; I don't have a lot of experience with these sorts of things. I can't remember when it started, but my phone seems to say "Emergency Calls Only" or "No Carrier" quite regularly now, and I never noticed it doing this in the past. Is there something I can do to fix it?
[more inside]posted by surenoproblem at 5:36 AM PST - 5 comments
What can we do to keep this from happening again? Round Rock Texas Animal Control killed our dogs for barking and growling. The AC officer acted as Judge, Jury and Executioner .. All within two hours.
[more inside]posted by Relly70 at 5:08 AM PST - 44 comments
What are the (unintended) advantages to Britain of having a tax year that starts in April?
posted by devnull at 4:17 AM PST - 7 comments
I'm turning 21 next Tuesday. My friends want to take me to a bar. I want to avoid the mediocre college bars. Tell me where to go!
[more inside]posted by elisabethjw at 1:04 AM PST - 16 comments
November 18
I'm a grad student in Massachusetts. My school-sponsored health insurance is terrible. The maximum benefit limit is 75,000$ and covers only 80% in-network, 60% out-of-network. I'm poor, but since I'm from abroad, none of the state-supported programs will help. What are my options?
[more inside]posted by gmarceau at 9:44 PM PST - 8 comments
Fresh baked bread noob. What's the best way to keep fresh bread dough for 24 hours before baking?
[more inside]posted by SquidLips at 9:17 PM PST - 13 comments
If I want to do marketing research should I double major in Psychology and Marketing? Alternately, if I enjoy research psychology and conducting studies, what are other possible careers I might be interested in?
[more inside]posted by tweedle at 9:10 PM PST - 16 comments
I'm trying to teach myself to knit/crochet and have found that one of the major barriers to learning is the yarn - acrylic yarn to be exact. It irritates my skin.
[more inside]posted by echolalia67 at 8:31 PM PST - 41 comments
It's the holiday season and I'm feeling nostalgic and I'm wondering if there are any Norwegian (not Scandinavian and certainly not Swedish) restaurants in the Los Angeles - Long Beach - Orange County areas? Google, Bing, Yahoo, and Ask suggest no but I can't believe that's possible. Thanks!
posted by holdenjordahl at 6:48 PM PST - 7 comments
In the very beginning of
Project Grizzly, Troy James Hurtubise talks about how he "could feel a presence that was looking straight at me."
Feeling that someone is looking at you seems to be a pretty common human experience, although it's usually a person, not a bear. Is there any documentation about this experience, or research into in its source?
[more inside]posted by Pants! at 6:29 PM PST - 9 comments
I go to a small Liberal Arts school in Pennsylvania, and part of the graduation requirements involve writing a substantial Senior Composition, basically a baby thesis (Original research requirements, rigorous, etc.) I'm double-majoring in Physics and English, and I'd love to be able to combine both of these subjects into one comprehensive paper, especially because if i can't, I have to write two separate ones.
[more inside]posted by Archibald Edmund Binns at 6:25 PM PST - 18 comments
Please point me to a comprehensive resource of designing databases to be published with Filemaker Instant Web Publishing.
[more inside]posted by lalex at 6:22 PM PST - 3 comments
Both of my wife's parents died. Her dad first in January, now her mom in September. My wife is the oldest child. No will was left. What do we do?
[more inside]posted by Bageena at 5:58 PM PST - 24 comments
Middle School book club for adults! A group of friends and I have recently started a book club featuring middle school literature. The first book we read was The Giver and the resulting discussion was amazing. I am looking for more books like this - young adult literature with larger themes. We have also considered Island of the Blue Dolphins and A Wrinkle in Time. What other books would you recommend?
posted by koselig at 5:46 PM PST - 83 comments
I'm looking for writings about experiences that arise from having a name similar to a famous individual. Online sources preferred, but a trip to the library would be OK.
posted by jepler at 5:16 PM PST - 19 comments
Going to chicago this weekend and would like something other than the standard club. Where should I go?
[more inside]posted by bwilms at 4:22 PM PST - 12 comments
I just got a brand new HP G61 320US with AMD Athlon II 2.0 Ghz processor and 3 GB RAM, running Windows 7. It is still in the box. I want it to run fast. Do I need to uninstall everything and then reinstall the basics?
If so, what program should I use to do the uninstall?
[more inside]posted by kensington314 at 3:16 PM PST - 23 comments
I'm very seriously considering the foreign service, but I've never been any good at languages. Will I likely be able to learn a language, with the intense training the Foreign Service provides, without a natural apptitude for languages?
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 3:03 PM PST - 7 comments
How can I unwind in the evening if I give up pot? And no, alcohol is not an option. I'd like advice for sober ways to unwind, as well as tips for making the transition.
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 3:03 PM PST - 49 comments
Do you have any recommendations for an awesome (but not crazy expensive) florist in New Orleans? We're getting married there in April 2010 and planning the wedding from San Francisco, so it's hard to know where to start.
[more inside]posted by mostlymartha at 3:02 PM PST - 4 comments
Should we take the risk and buy a bigger house now or should we save up a safety net before we buy another house?
I am in my early 30s. I live in St. Paul, MN. I have two young boys (4 & 2 yrs - neither is in school yet). I have a good job. However, I am worried that if I lose my job I won't be able to get another at anywhere near the same salary level. Also, We don't have a financial safety net.
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 2:57 PM PST - 12 comments
Is there a word that describes a situation where you *technically* have free will, but don't REALLY have the option to choose otherwise?
[more inside]posted by jenfullmoon at 2:49 PM PST - 28 comments
Is there a term for the type of bruising that occurs after surgery,
away from the site of the surgery?
[more inside]posted by moonlet at 2:32 PM PST - 3 comments
I'm interested in finding examples of (likely extinct) brands and companies that used a letterform script for their logo. I'm positive I've seen many examples of logos that were reminiscent of the classic Coca Cola spencerian script letterform, but now that I'm looking for them I'm finding a whole lotta nothing.
posted by subpixel at 2:26 PM PST - 12 comments
What is the best way to demonstrate to 8th graders the issue of soil salinity as well as showing ways to prevent or reclaim salinized soil?
[more inside]posted by bigspoon at 2:23 PM PST - 5 comments
Can I take the formatted hard drive from one computer and stick it in another with a minimum of stress and hassle?
[more inside]posted by Kellydamnit at 2:11 PM PST - 21 comments
I'm looking for the online equivalent of a dollhouse, or Lego or Playmobil people — a Flash/Java/whatever app that lets the user dress up a bunch of characters with different clothes/props/features/whatever and arrange them in a scene. I know I've seen stuff like this on websites for kids. The catch is, we need this for a psycholinguistics experiment we're running, which means we need to be able to run the app on our own server and record the user's actions (with consent, of course). Does something like this exist?
[more inside]posted by nebulawindphone at 2:02 PM PST - 4 comments
Who is at fault in the following scenario (USA, Colorado)? "Person A" in a pickup stopped in the left lane of a 4 lane road waiting for a car in front to turn left. "Person B" in a car stopped behind "person A". "A" and "B" get tired of waiting and seeing no traffic in the right hand lane pull into it to pass the stopped car. "B" hits the right rear quarter panel of "A"'s truck. "A"'s truck is large, "B"'s car is small. "A" asserts (s)he never saw "B".
[more inside]posted by cosmac at 1:41 PM PST - 29 comments
Am I being unreasonable to think that my SO should pay for more things in our relationship just because he makes 10 times more than me?
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 1:40 PM PST - 101 comments
I'm getting a copy of Photoshop CS3 for my younger sister, who's always shown a lot of interest in graphic design. She's turning 16, what beginner's resources can I point her to?
[more inside]posted by acorn1515 at 1:19 PM PST - 13 comments
OS X: I want to batch print all the files in a source-code library. They are actionscript files, which means they are text files that all end in a .as extension. The files are in a complex directory structure (one root folder but files in multiple subfolders), and there are non .as files that I don't want printed. When the files print, I need some kind of separator ( spaces, asterisks, new page...) between each file.
[more inside]posted by grumblebee at 1:19 PM PST - 6 comments
I'm looking at a combination of Basecamp, Highrise and a time tracking/invoicing widget (probably Harvest).
You are a Highrise/Basecamp/Harvest user (preferably as a business owner), and I ask you: will taking the plunge make me happy?
[more inside]posted by NekulturnY at 1:14 PM PST - 8 comments
PS3 allows players to play with players from other countries. xBox 360 appears to restrict players in North America to only play with other players from North America. Is there a workaround here?
[more inside]posted by fantasticninety at 1:05 PM PST - 10 comments
Late start at dating, and I'm worried that I don't/can't express attraction on dates or around people I like. Halp!
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 12:32 PM PST - 8 comments
What tool should I use for publishing extended thoughts that I want to link to from Twitter? I'd like something topic-based, with tagging, that lives in the cloud? Does such a thing exist?
[more inside]posted by diogenes at 11:36 AM PST - 11 comments
I am looking for all kinds of fiction, especially for children, featuring a protagonist named Scarlett or Scarlet. Children's stories, novels, poems, movies, songs etc etc are all of interest. Thanks!
[more inside]posted by beniamino at 11:30 AM PST - 15 comments
What's a good monitor-splitting software for finance people who have wide screen monitors?
[more inside]posted by gttommy at 11:24 AM PST - 7 comments
How do I get an RSS feed of games played for an XBox360 GamerTag? In the past, certain Yahoo Pipes offered this, but they now all seem broken.
posted by boombot at 11:15 AM PST - 2 comments
I have been called back for my dream job - an internship on a public radio program. Please help me impress my potential employers and get this position!
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 11:13 AM PST - 14 comments
Once a week or so, all the applications running on my Mac go into "not responding" mode, one after another. The only way I can recover is to turn off the Mac using the power button. Any ideas?
[more inside]posted by mark7570 at 10:50 AM PST - 9 comments
Silly Request. Can you moments in anime series where an opponent is able to see/predict the moves of the enemy, but is too slow to do anything about it?
[more inside]posted by kaozity at 10:45 AM PST - 9 comments
Musicfilter: Looking for a song for a friends retirement. She's retiring from high school English teaching after 34 years. We're looking for something along the lines of: upbeat, rock and roll genre, has a positive message, sad to leave friends but happy to not grade any more papers, hoping she left a positive influence. She is considering a couple of songs, one by the Association, one by the Eagles and one by Daughtry (she can't remember the titles of the songs).
All clever and fun recommendations are appreciated.
posted by crios at 10:44 AM PST - 8 comments
On a regular basis, I'm going to be having informal discussion evenings in my home, with two to four people at each one. They (and I) need to eat dinner, but the focus of the evening isn't the food. I'm looking for food ideas that meet a number of criteria, and trying to figure out more variety.
[more inside]posted by modernhypatia at 10:43 AM PST - 16 comments
How do I take two video clips that were shot at the same time and merge them so they play simultaneously in a single video?
[more inside]posted by StimulatingPixels at 10:28 AM PST - 7 comments
My very local farmer's market has started to sell cheap rabbits. Please recommend your most delicious recipes.
[more inside]posted by biffa at 10:13 AM PST - 13 comments
Since childhood I've been a rather sensitive and justice-obsessed person, but also pretty interested in / attentive to the well-being and inner lives of other people. But I feel increasingly drained. In my field of work there is a lot of getting-ahead through nepotism/ingratiation rather than ability/ passion/effort, and it bothers me. In my life I have people whom I generally like and have opened up to, but who, at critical junctures, exhibit such self-absorption that I'm left feeling not only outraged but injured. I want to change the intensity and duration of my reaction to these things, as it's a huge waste of time, and sometimes upsets my own self-esteem. Please help me stop thinking about other people without becoming alienated and alienating.
posted by taramosalata at 10:01 AM PST - 9 comments
My graphics card is overheating. How can I make it stop, or alternatively turn off the warning message?
[more inside]posted by penguinliz at 9:52 AM PST - 16 comments
What should I do (by myself, possibly with two dogs) for Thanksgiving within a couple hundred miles of Houston, TX?
[more inside]posted by junipero at 9:49 AM PST - 4 comments
I'm trying to choose an online broker. Fees vs. site functionality and features are my main concern. (1) What is the best online broker for someone who has between 5 to 10K to invest? (2) Is there any advantage to paying higher per-trade or per-contract fees for use of a site that has better features, or can all of the common features be found elsewhere easily? (3) Which discount broker has the best site functionality?
[more inside]posted by mintyfresh at 9:41 AM PST - 7 comments
When was the first time "school lunch" was ridiculed in a movie (most likely a teen flick) or a TV show? We're currently producing a documentary on school lunch, and we know that there was a cultural shift in how school lunch was perceived (great social achievement to grotesque laughingstock). If you can help us identify the first instance of this shift in popular culture, we'll give you a film credit.
posted by jacknose at 9:09 AM PST - 17 comments
Please give advice on how to accept my atheism, let go of God and the need for one, how to get over the fourth stage of grief/letting go (depression), and how to find my passion for life again!
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 8:57 AM PST - 46 comments
My boyfriend's mother keeps trying to rename me and I find it offensive, what should I do?
[more inside]posted by Xianny at 7:11 AM PST - 77 comments
I'm uncomfortably depressed to the point of feeling completely hopeless...but I need to pass my classes. Can anyone recommend a good study/homework method that worked for you in hard times?
[more inside]posted by Taft at 6:34 AM PST - 16 comments
How can I indicate to potential female partners that I am interested in casual sex with them, and that my wife approves?
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 5:58 AM PST - 23 comments
People routinely interrupt me when I'm speaking in a group. Why does this happen, and how can I stop it?
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 5:58 AM PST - 37 comments
How much notice do I have to give at work? I'm in France, and my contract lasts 1 year.
[more inside]posted by handee at 5:43 AM PST - 3 comments
Trying to make my own vegan soy yoghourt from scratch, I ended up with an uncultured mess. Please advise on proper microbial use, or improvements upon whatever else it was that I mucked up.
[more inside]posted by monocultured at 4:35 AM PST - 8 comments
[Bookfinder filter] Help me identify a weird book about black magic from my childhood.
[more inside]posted by Ziggy500 at 3:24 AM PST - 6 comments
I'm trying to remember the name of a PC game I used to play and my mind is not helping. It was an abstract game (black background simply drawn objects), in each level you floated slowly to the ground, except when you passed through an object, which catapulted you upwards. The goal of each level was to pass through all of the objects. The trick was to relax and use very gentle mouse movements, and the soundtrack changed as you got smoother in your play.
[more inside]posted by itsjustanalias at 1:02 AM PST - 2 comments
November 17
Can anyone recommend a website that lets you design a house, inside and out, including furniture placement in realistic-looking 3D for free?
posted by VC Drake at 11:31 PM PST - 7 comments
Kabbalah Obscura: looking for the source of an old Jewish parable where either Moses or Solomon doubt an Archangel's word, and the Angel takes them along to observe what angels do to accomplish the tasks of the divine mission...
[more inside]posted by archae at 11:29 PM PST - 9 comments
YANMD filter. I have had an earache for...a long time. I need a super low cost ENT type visit in the miami/fort lauderdale area.
[more inside]posted by bilabial at 9:51 PM PST - 20 comments
Canada Post filter: I sent a registered letter yesterday. I JUST realized that the return address I put on the envelope is slightly incorrect. What can I do?
[more inside]posted by 913 at 9:00 PM PST - 12 comments
Canada Filter: I live on Vancouver Island, BC. We just had 180mm of rain in a day and a bit. I have Seasonal Affective Disorder. The two do not mix. Where should I move?
[more inside]posted by beautifulcheese at 8:02 PM PST - 38 comments
All HTTP requests time out, unless connected remotely via VPN. HTTPS (in my trusted sites) and FTP work fine. Somehow OpenDNS factors into this.
[more inside]posted by tdischino at 7:58 PM PST - 19 comments
I need to go to a professional conference in New York City at the end of December. I'll be going alone. Where can I find a cheap,
safe hotel?
[more inside]posted by Ms. Saint at 7:46 PM PST - 48 comments
My dad is a grouchy old man, and as much as I shouldn't be encouraging him I would like to make him an old-fashioned cocktail kit for Christmas. Something James Bond or an evil capitalist from 1928 would appreciate. I know I'll put some nice whiskey and some bitters in there- what else?
[more inside]posted by ohio at 7:46 PM PST - 14 comments
What's a good digital camera for someone that wants to do long exposures, macro photography, and has roughly $500 to spend?
[more inside]posted by hjo3 at 7:43 PM PST - 23 comments
Can anyone identify these two rocks from near Hatch, Utah? Picture links included inside. One we're just wondering about. For the other, we're stumped, and the geologist we've asked had never seen a rock like it.
[more inside]posted by dragoon at 7:37 PM PST - 16 comments
Our family has grown 50% this year. Sadly, the laws of science are a harsh mistress, and my Toyota Echo is unable to grow at the same rate. What car would you recommend to replace it?
[more inside]posted by nickmark at 7:36 PM PST - 27 comments
I'm about to leave a startup to go to a different company, and I need some help figuring out how to handle my stock options.
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 7:25 PM PST - 7 comments
What is your favorite online source for recipes? I'm looking for reliable recipes. Bonus points for the ones with recipe ratings.
[more inside]posted by Neekee at 7:19 PM PST - 32 comments
I'm-going-to-want-a-baby-someday-filter: My mother had a ridiculous number of issues getting pregnant (inside). I'd like to do my best to prevent these issues, but realize most are inevitably genetic. I'm looking for various pieces of advice ...
[more inside]posted by kthxbi at 6:51 PM PST - 13 comments
We want to go somewhere sunny and warm in February. We're in Vancouver BC and don't want to fly too far; cost is an issue. We would really like to bring our touring bicycles and do a mini-tour at a relaxed pace - maybe 250 miles over two weeks. So far we're looking at South Baja. Good idea? Other ideas?
[more inside]posted by PercussivePaul at 6:43 PM PST - 4 comments
Suddenly today, I can't stay logged into anything - Google, Facebook, Metafilter, Twitter, Flickr, etc. I've run through a bunch of possibilities, but could the power cutting out last night have done something?
[more inside]posted by peep at 6:17 PM PST - 11 comments
Our street in Chicago was just repaved, and in honor of The City that Works, we're closing it off on Saturday to throw a block party. We've got 100 feet of beautifully smooth black asphalt with a slight crown and a gradual west to east fall of about 3 feet or so, enough for things to slowly roll with a starter push. We don't have enough time to make soap box racers, but what else could we do with the street before it's ripped to shreds by snowplows?
posted by eamondaly at 6:15 PM PST - 13 comments
Looking for junk silver coins in or near Richmond Va or Front Royal Va. Willing to travel 35-45 miles from either location. Website recommendations welcome as well. Thanks!
posted by MayNicholas at 6:07 PM PST - 3 comments
Me = fat guy, annual health checks = "A" grade. What gives? Actual data inside, BP, LDL, HDL, Cholesterol etc, inside...
[more inside]posted by lundman at 5:47 PM PST - 24 comments
How can I plan and execute complex tasks in a job where I am frequently interrupted?
[more inside]posted by yath at 5:32 PM PST - 9 comments
What silly or insightful quotation (or object) could I include with a wedding rsvp card?
[more inside]posted by amme at 4:59 PM PST - 9 comments
More-than-a-former-coworker-filter: How do I know whether a former co-worker is more than a friend? Lengthy, quasi-insane description/details follow.
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 4:38 PM PST - 34 comments
Have been dating this guy for almost three months, am feeling very serious about him, and he about me. There’s just one thing: he doesn’t laugh. Hardly at all. Almost never. I am trying to figure out if I should move forward with a relationship which is wonderful in pretty much every other way.
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 4:38 PM PST - 30 comments
I'm trying to figure out which party to take to small claims court or if i should take both. The band i play in was hired to play at a bar by a promoter we have worked with before. At the end of the night there was no check and still is no check. We have sent a demand payment letter to both club owner and promoter and both claim they are not responsible for paying us. Do we sue both or just the club owner ?
posted by scottbass at 4:15 PM PST - 21 comments
Trying to find a hockey blog I came across during the last NHL season. I forgot to bookmark it, and Google is failing me. Hoping someone will read this description and know the one I'm talking about.
[more inside]posted by andrewcilento at 4:12 PM PST - 2 comments
I errantly deleted all of my saved usernames and passwords from Firefox. Is there any way to get them back?
[more inside]posted by sockpup at 4:11 PM PST - 4 comments
Every night that he comes home and winds up browsing the internet for hours, I feel like I'm going to scream.
Am I a nagging worrywort, is my boyfriend mildly depressed, or both? And what's the best way to work on it?
[more inside]posted by brisquette at 4:10 PM PST - 39 comments
I bought a new lamp today and the sticker by the bulb receptacle says "40 Watts max", so I think fine...
[more inside]posted by dbmcd at 4:06 PM PST - 9 comments
A public restroom at work has a
Grohe Eurosmart Faucet (part #32709) with a 2.2 gpm aerator. According to the plumbing supply place where we bought it, the aerator is metric & therefore difficult to find a lower gpm version. Grohe customer service has not responded to my question, and my googling hasn't yielded many useful leads... So where can I get a .5 or 1 gpm metric aerator or aerator insert to fit that faucet?
[more inside]posted by jenmakes at 4:00 PM PST - 2 comments
What treatments, if any, are available to a homeowner whose basement has been flooded with sewage?
[more inside]posted by Clambone at 3:39 PM PST - 10 comments
Do I need a heat diffuser on my glass top stove when using a two quart soapstone pot? And, if so, what type is recommended and where can I purchase one online...
[more inside]posted by HuronBob at 2:41 PM PST - 8 comments
Hi,
I will be living in Mumbai for 11 weeks next summer. I have an unlocked iPhone 3G. What is my best bet in terms of carrier and plan for the cheapest and most reliable data access? I plan to do local calls over the cell phone voice network and international calls via Skype on the iPhone.
Thanks in advance!
posted by jesseendahl at 2:40 PM PST - 2 comments
Does my employer owe me vacation time? Does my contract make clear an
intention of paying for my vacation?
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 2:39 PM PST - 8 comments
Does anyone know of a program that will work on a Mac that will help me easily produce an unschedule as described by Neil Fiore in The Now Habit?
[more inside]posted by Original 1928 Flavor at 2:29 PM PST - 1 comments
I'm going crazy trying to come up with a topic for a paper on St. Augustine on Memory (ie, book X of the Confessions). I've been trying for days and I just am such a blank. Help brainstorming? I need to be arguing something.
Thanks!
posted by howgenerica at 2:27 PM PST - 2 comments
Our small company is about to lay-off our sysadmin who refuses to share passwords and could go postal. Advice on how best to proceed?
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 2:13 PM PST - 21 comments
Please help me to find, and to understand Toronto's Construction and Parking By-Laws, and then how to have them enforced and upheld strictly, quickly, and legally in order to protect our rights, our property and our peace of mind.
I have been to the city's website, and have downloaded Chapter 363 Building Construction and Demolition and am trying to understand how to apply the information in it. I've Googled, and have written to the City Planner and our local Councillor's office for information and advice - but know from experience that their responses take days if not weeks and I see that we will sometimes need to immediately effect change. Jokingly mentioning to the construction workers "Please kind to your neighbours!" isn't working. I need to take Gladys Kravitzing to the next level.
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 2:13 PM PST - 3 comments
How do I COMPLETELY uninstall Photoshop CS4 to allow me to reinstall it properly? I am debating wiping my master boot sector.
[more inside]posted by Elminster24 at 1:17 PM PST - 14 comments
I'm starting a blog about question-asking (including Q&A sites, library reference, etc) and I need a good name for it. I was thinking of some kind of wordplay involving hives/bees/honey/pollen because I love bees, and because "hive mind" is kind of related. Obvious names like "hivebuzz" or "infobuzz" or "hivetalk" are a little too obvious for my tastes (and are also already taken, so it could just be sour grapes). Any ideas? Non-bee suggestions are also welcome!
posted by unknowncommand at 12:58 PM PST - 20 comments
My father is Jewish and my mother not. I was bar mitzvahed in a reform synagogue. What are my options for becoming an Israeli citizen?
[more inside]posted by nohat at 12:57 PM PST - 16 comments
NYC Food Filter: I am leaving New York City and want to get some great Italian food in the Bronx's version of Little Italy on Arthur Avenue before I go. What are your favorites?
[more inside]posted by scrutiny at 12:07 PM PST - 9 comments
Is it worth getting copies of my old transcripts now that I'm going back to school, even though I failed the last semester and my transcripts reflect that?
[more inside]posted by Zophi at 11:57 AM PST - 5 comments
What kind of activities can a 5-year-old do alone to entertain herself? My daughter goes to my mom's 2 days a week, from 9 am to 3 pm. She’s getting really, really bored.
[more inside]posted by yawper at 11:30 AM PST - 33 comments
[xmlschema filter] So, I'm trying to create a RELAX ng schema and I can't get my custom controlled vocabulary to validate! I'm a total n00b and I've been puzzling over this for a while, so I apologize if my question doesn't even make sense.
[more inside]posted by thewrongparty at 11:03 AM PST - 3 comments
Thinking about old times just now... I used to do a *LOT* of meth (I've been clean for about 5-6 years now, and I knew this guy who could snort a line and an hour later, go take a nap.) How is this possible?
posted by drleary at 10:51 AM PST - 17 comments
A friend, who leans Ron Paul libertarian, was recently trying to convince me that anthropogenic global warming is largely a myth. A central part of his argument was his claiming that there was recently a petition signed by 40,000 independent climate scientists saying that, in his words, "so-called global warming is bullshit." More inside.
[more inside]posted by Ash3000 at 10:39 AM PST - 41 comments
Recipefilter - It's winter(ish) time in my town, and I love seasonal flavored drinks, but I want to make my own (from scratch would be fun). Please recommend hot cocoa / chocolate recipes, coffee flavorings and the like.
posted by filthy light thief at 10:28 AM PST - 25 comments
Is there any computer based replacement for doing numerical engineering problems by hand?
[more inside]posted by stepheno at 9:26 AM PST - 22 comments
Can you recommend a good Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon/specialist in the greater NYC area? This is for jaw discomfort and a really screwed up bite.
[more inside]posted by KHinds10 at 9:18 AM PST - 5 comments
Is there a good website for making
flow charts or
concept maps or
cognitive maps in groups? A group of my students and I will be making a website together, and I am hoping to find a free or low-cost way for all of us to make such a chart together online. This would be to show how all of the sections of the website relate to each other. Any thoughts or experiences with such services would be most appreciated.
posted by tnygard at 9:10 AM PST - 11 comments
After approximately 10 years of using the same equipment naming convention at work we're thinking about changing, I'm curious what other people have used.
[more inside]posted by togdon at 8:28 AM PST - 8 comments
Should I go for the in-plan, cheap co-pay therapist or pony up more cash for the therapist who seems a better fit for my family? Would it be bad to switch therapists shortly into the process?
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 8:05 AM PST - 11 comments
How can I keep myself from freaking out about a medical issue that, in all likelihood, is common and minor, and for certain is not life threatening?
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 8:02 AM PST - 10 comments
Looking for info/tips/leads on local gifts for my Seattle- and Richmond, VA-residing brothers
[more inside]posted by Maarika at 7:34 AM PST - 14 comments
I'm looking for the best shared online calendar that doesn't require that I act as an admin and/or have any special rights or responsibilities. I'm happy to set it up, but I don't want to have to approve updates, invite people to view it, etc... I just want it to be available to and update-able by anyone who wants to use it.
posted by ali.perelman at 7:25 AM PST - 4 comments
Which (if any) NYC area colleges and Universities are teaching valid hand marked-up xhtml and css in their web design courses?
[more inside]posted by stagewhisper at 7:21 AM PST - 1 comments
Is there a word for the strategy of real estate companies who buy up properties in one area and keep the buildings empty in order to force out local businesses?
[more inside]posted by creeky at 7:19 AM PST - 4 comments
It's time to buy a new computer. I'm hoping that with the shopping season coming up I'll be able to snag a good deal somewhere. I would prefer to just order the complete package from somewhere, but with enough help I would be willing to purchase individual components and assemble. I need something that will let me game a little and without graphical snags, and something that will continue to perform well for several years.
[more inside]posted by miratime at 6:41 AM PST - 3 comments
Is there an Outlook setting to tell it to substitute a glyph from an alternate font if the current display font doesn't have a glyph for a particular character?
[more inside]posted by iconjack at 5:33 AM PST - 0 comments
I just ended a budding relationship with a really nice girl, for a number of reasons. I feel like shit about it, what do I do?
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 5:28 AM PST - 20 comments
Please help me analyse this workplace drama. I feel betrayed by my friends and discriminated against for being pregnant.
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 5:27 AM PST - 40 comments
What the heck was this small, two seater (two car seats side by side) with three wheels and a completely open cab--not just a convertible, but no doors and no roof, that I saw driving down the road? It had turn signals, mirrors, license plate, etc. The guy driving it was wearing a lap belt and a helmet. It looked kind of like a Miata/four wheeler hybrid but had a model name on it...something like "sunfire" or "starfire", but I can't remember exactly. It also said "limited edition". I saw it in northern Virginia.
posted by anaelith at 5:15 AM PST - 11 comments
I have a 20 gallon fishtank with three goldfish and one plecostamus. Everything's been great for over a year until yesterday. There was some water evaporation so I decided to add some plain tap water, a couple of gallons, maybe. I've done this before with no ill consequences.
Then I discovered that I had some Aqua Plus left, and poured in about 1/2 cup. It's always worked fine both in this tank and in my pond outside. However, this morning (the "morning after") my tank is completely cloudy!
The fish look okay but I just don't understand what's going on. The tap water was completely clear, and Aqua Plus is used to clear up cloudy tanks!
What could be going on here?? the fish are still looking good but the cloudy tank looks horrible.
posted by DMelanogaster at 3:58 AM PST - 9 comments
Can you recommend a known-good 4-port PCI-Express SAS adapter for Linux? I need out-of-the-box in-kernel driver support.
[more inside]posted by krilli at 3:50 AM PST - 6 comments
Is there a website where I can (legally or otherwise) watch the France v Ireland World Cup Qualifier Playoff?
[more inside]posted by micklaw at 3:30 AM PST - 5 comments
What can I do with two bottles of real milk before they go bad tomorrow? So, I bought real, straight-from-the-cow milk at the farmers market on Saturday. I have not drank it all yet and am afraid that it will turn bad tomorrow since it doesn't last too long. What can I use it in, besides coffee, that will significantly benefit from its real yummy taste?
posted by kitchencrush at 1:07 AM PST - 27 comments
November 16
A Windows 2000 hard disk got clobbered by the XP installer and is "unallocated". What are my next steps?
[more inside]posted by kristi at 11:17 PM PST - 3 comments
My housemate doesn't clean up, like ever. How can I do to make things work, or at least more bearable?
[more inside]posted by dunkadunc at 10:58 PM PST - 41 comments
I haven't had a crush since I was 14 and now I have a HUGE one. I have never had to be the pursuer before, but now I think I need to be. AskMeFi, teach me to flirt and pursue while still keeping me cool!!
[more inside]posted by SkylitDrawl at 10:09 PM PST - 19 comments
Let's say you were an astrophysicist who saw a wormhole open up in the sky above you, and you had video of it, magnetometer readings, whatever else you'd need to record it. What kind of recorded "proof" might be used to identify it as a wormhole-- after the fact?
[more inside]posted by MattS at 9:55 PM PST - 12 comments
A house across the street from mine is going up for auction. Help me find out the details.
[more inside]posted by shew at 8:00 PM PST - 7 comments
Help me not blow up my kitchen, while simultaneously not spending hundreds of dollars on a water distiller.
[more inside]posted by Flunkie at 7:42 PM PST - 15 comments
Please help me find a nice place to buy high quality stationery--either in Boston or online--so that I can congratulate two close friends on their engagement.
[more inside]posted by dubitoergosum at 7:27 PM PST - 16 comments
What type of equipment is necessary to determine the chemical makeup of a given substance, is such equipment available to the general public, and if so at what cost?
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 7:12 PM PST - 22 comments
I live in London in a flat of three, and someone wants to move out. We have someone else ready to move in. The lettings agency wish to charge £150 for swapping a person over, and £100 for admin fees. Can we dispute this, for a more reasonable fee?
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 7:12 PM PST - 6 comments
Serious mistakes made months ago at work have been uncovered. Facing possible discipline (even termination), I'm wondering how (or if) I should disclose mental health issues that likely contributed.
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 6:41 PM PST - 18 comments
Please help me remember the title and author of a short story I read maybe 15 years ago. A handicapped woman, living with her sister and her sister's family, sees a man in church she feels quite sure is the devil. In order to get away from him, she struggles to regain the physical independence she had given up. (She had gone into a wheelchair because walking was possible, but too painful.) She does manage to become self-sufficient enough to move out on her own--and then wonders if it was worth it, after all. I am almost sure the author was Italian. Can anyone help?
posted by uans at 6:29 PM PST - 0 comments
BookFilter: I read a book about the coming-of-age of a boy who's father is a Privateer. I read it around 2000 and I can't remember the name. It painted pirates in a sympathetic light. Help.
[more inside]posted by TooFewShoes at 5:51 PM PST - 4 comments
You (Possibly) Ate WHAT?! Filter: I turned my back for a second and lo, the toddler in my care had a small piece of styrofoam in his mouth.
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 5:33 PM PST - 20 comments
A bereaved work-mate is looking for escapist literature that does not treat with death, dying or human tragedy - in short - 99% of the english language canon is off limits. Can anyone suggest good books?
[more inside]posted by tabubilgirl at 5:28 PM PST - 30 comments
I'm looking for some kind of scanner software that will automatically scan every X seconds/minutes so I can easily scan in notes for my class. Preferably free.
posted by gzimmer at 5:13 PM PST - 5 comments
I met the most beautiful geeky girl I have ever seen or imagined. Help me get her out of my head, please.
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 5:06 PM PST - 66 comments
What can I do with an business degree if I don't want to work in a typical business setting?
[more inside]posted by bobber at 5:01 PM PST - 2 comments
I'm running IIS on Windows 7 to test a website locally. How can I access my local site through my virtual machines?
[more inside]posted by LeiaS at 4:29 PM PST - 4 comments
My secret santa giftee is an in-law who I have never met. 50-something, craftsman (violin-maker). Budget is £25 (ca. $40). My hope: something sock-knocking in the classical or folk vein; preferably on the new side.
posted by sagwalla at 4:11 PM PST - 15 comments
How can I replace embedded fonts in a PDF with "normal-looking" versions? I have a textbook I received from my professor for a class, and the text is incredibly hard to read.
[more inside]posted by lwf at 4:07 PM PST - 9 comments
DJ Shiftee, two-time winner of the world's biggest DJ-ing contest made
a mix for BBC. At 1:09:30 into the mix he transitions from M.O.P.'s "Ante Up" to Thunderheist's "Bubblegum" backed by an insanely catchy beat. What is this beat???
posted by JamesJD at 3:59 PM PST - 7 comments
I've decided that it is time for me to learn how to make chili and I'm looking for some pointers and resources on advanced chili theory. More composition and less paint-by-numbers, please.
[more inside]posted by toomuchpete at 3:49 PM PST - 47 comments
Reaching the observing ego has been elusive recently when months ago it wasn't. I'm not pushing for it, just waiting. Even after 45min sit, it is more common to find emptiness. Suggestions?
posted by 77144 at 2:42 PM PST - 23 comments
Is it possible for bacteria, and/or viruses to ever physically adapt to soap, alcohol, peroxide, iodine, ect.?
[more inside]posted by MrMulan at 2:17 PM PST - 14 comments
I love logic/word puzzles. Where can I find more/better puzzles? I've getting into word puzzles like the stuff you find in Games Magazine, or those PennyPress books. Are there other good periodicals or sources of puzzles I should know about? Preferably offline puzzles, as doing puzzles on the computer just isn't the same.
[more inside]posted by aspo at 2:00 PM PST - 19 comments
Inspired by the recent thread outlining
what it takes to "be a man" I've always wanted to know what it takes to be "down to earth". With the assumption that being down to earth is a good thing that people would admire, what things should one (read: I) do to be that guy/gal?
[more inside]posted by teg4rvn at 1:50 PM PST - 25 comments
I am looking to buy a desk and two-drawer lateral file cabinet in solid oak, Mission or Amish style. I have seen some nice furniture online (for example, at barnfurnituremart.com and missionliving.com), but have no idea if these are reliable sources. Does anyone have experience ordering this kind of furniture online, or alternatively, are there good stores in NYC?
posted by merejane at 1:25 PM PST - 4 comments
The easiest way to do this is to tell you what I need: I want someone to be able to work on a laptop and be able to broadcast the video information on the screen wirelessly to more than 1 TV. My question is - how?
[more inside]posted by neksys at 1:25 PM PST - 13 comments
Interview freak out: I'm concerned I may have hurt my chances with this job by being too aggressive with my follow-up. Any ideas to get me out of this hole?
[more inside]posted by Diablevert at 1:09 PM PST - 22 comments
I've been contemplating a huge career change for the better part of a year now and am almost ready to take the plunge into something completely different. But one of the nagging questions I'm still constantly asking myself is whether I'm doing this because I'm fed up with absence of personal satisfaction in my current job (divorce lawyer) or whether that feeling is something else that would, given enough time, just follow me on to the new career. So the question is:
[more inside]posted by webhund at 12:48 PM PST - 8 comments
I need recommendations on a solution that will solve the project review and approval workflow at my ad agency.
[more inside]posted by quadog at 12:29 PM PST - 4 comments
I just moved and canceled my Verizon phone and Internet service. Unfortunately, in the stress of moving, it didn't occur to me that my Verizon email account would also be canceled. Eek!
[more inside]posted by Ollie at 12:07 PM PST - 8 comments
It makes me crazy they can send a man to the moon but can’t make comfy bras. Do you have a favorite style/brand/retailer? Fitting advice? I’m looking for suggestions for my size, which is 32C, but it seems to be a problem for most of my friends: large boobs, small boob, post-breast feeding boobs--whatever.
This is for everyday wear, and of course comfort and support are primary but looking pretty is always a bonus.
posted by greensalsa at 11:57 AM PST - 38 comments
Rudder or Mint? Is there a big difference between these two services? I'm an obsessive bank account checker and pay everything online.
[more inside]posted by sarelicar at 11:52 AM PST - 15 comments
I just bought a new Canon digital camera, an SX110IS, and have discovered that it doesn't have the stitch assist mode. I may yet return it, but I'm wondering what would I need to do to still do a decent panorama without the assist? Obviously I have to frame the photos for overlap, but the real benefit of stitch assist mode was the exposure control. What should I do, manually, to get good panoramas as a result?
[more inside]posted by intermod at 11:10 AM PST - 10 comments
My mother may have pulmonary fibrosis, which her mother died of. She's been told she should have a lung biopsy, but I've been told it can make her breathing dramatically worse. She's due to have that biopsy on Thursday. I'm terrified. Is it worth it? What are the facts?
[more inside]posted by bwerdmuller at 11:03 AM PST - 8 comments
Fruit on TV? I remember someone saying something to the effect of, "If we put a piece of fruit on television every night, it will become a national icon". Who said that? And I think that someone actually did it (SNL?), did THAT happen?
posted by slactoid at 10:33 AM PST - 8 comments
Is Virgin Mobile worthwhile for their non-pay-as-you-go phone plans? They've got very competitive prices but I've heard they're terrible for their pay-as-you-go plans. Does anyone have any experience with their term plans? Are they just as bad? The main thing I've heard is their customer service being the worst and that the coverage isn't great. Any thoughts?
posted by Joseppi at 10:30 AM PST - 17 comments
My significant other will be abroad for Thanksgiving & our anniversary. What recipes can I make to celebrate belated Thanksgiviversary for two?
[more inside]posted by anthropomorphic at 10:29 AM PST - 13 comments
Can anyone recommend a decent hotel in Denver, somewhere in or around the Capitol Hill area? Up to maybe +/-$125 a night. Clean, good location to do shopping/sights/etc, but otherwise no major restrictions.
[more inside]posted by jroybal at 9:49 AM PST - 8 comments
I'm going to
Whistler for a conference. I've never been skiing or snowboarding before and I'd like to. But I know so little about winter sports that it is hard to make the right choices or to even know what I need to know.
[more inside]posted by grouse at 9:39 AM PST - 40 comments
Ireland travelers: Anyone have success using Ireland's local taxi services to travel distance of about 50 miles to save time and enjoy a different journey? Is it a doable thing or is the Irish cost structure just too high to permit that as an option?
posted by Freedomboy at 9:31 AM PST - 4 comments
Seeking old jigsaw type puzzle from my childhood. Possibly Mad magazine related, or drawn by Al Jaffee... slim details inside.
[more inside]posted by routergirl at 9:25 AM PST - 6 comments
GiftFilter: What would be a great present for someone who loves science, but not in a geeky/campy way?
[more inside]posted by daelin at 9:12 AM PST - 19 comments
Photograph of a girl dribbling milk... Where is
this from and / or who is it of?
Please help! Thanks...
posted by FuckingAwesome at 8:39 AM PST - 4 comments
Long Term Planning: I just submitted my name to the Packer season ticket waiting list, which is supposed to be 30 years long. I don't even live in Wisconsin, but life could take me anywhere in 30 years, and I like the feeling of knowing it might be an option one day. Are there any other lists or similar things I should do now?
[more inside]posted by 2legit2quit at 8:31 AM PST - 31 comments
Tea Filter: what's your favorite online tea store?
Bonus question: tell me about pu-erh.
[more inside]posted by k. at 8:24 AM PST - 38 comments
What are your most critical and helpful tips to keep in mind when evaluating the copy -- not the design, but the copy -- on a website? I'm doing some volunteer editing and want to help the organization I'm working for as much as possible.
[more inside]posted by foxy_hedgehog at 8:22 AM PST - 8 comments
Where the expression "barefoot, pregnant, and slaving over a hot stove" came from? What is the history of it in English speaking countries?
posted by ivanka at 8:14 AM PST - 8 comments
I need recommendations for a web host and software to allow people to purchase digital downloads using Paypal, etc. (think Rifftrax or eBooks, etc.)
[more inside]posted by arniec at 7:38 AM PST - 1 comments
Having a hard time finding the (mens) shirt I want. Basically, I want a high quality long sleeve tee with these specs. Not 100% cotton (no shrinkage). Not ribbed cuffs. Solid colors only, not white, no art. Thanks!
posted by luge at 7:03 AM PST - 5 comments
Kind and generous relatives have offered to buy our children (8 + 5) Nintendo DS's for Christmas. They've seen a special offer on (unused) DS-lites but I'm wondering whether to suggest that we pay part of it so they can get (the newer and more expensive) DSi's instead.
Would greatly appreciate advice from gamers and parents of child gamers out there - thank you!
[more inside]posted by monster max at 6:43 AM PST - 13 comments
I'm a male in my late 20s - I am about 5'7" and weigh 170 lbs. I have gynecomastia, or enlarged male breasts. I want to have them shrunk.
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 5:35 AM PST - 13 comments
My goal is to have a career as a successful researcher in the biological sciences; however, I do not like writing. Is my goal unobtainable?
[more inside]posted by Lord Force Crater at 5:27 AM PST - 18 comments
religious-art-filter: looking for a specific image of Christ rising from the grave. I saw it on a TV program and I'd like to see it again.
[more inside]posted by titanium_geek at 4:13 AM PST - 6 comments
I've searched here, there, and everywhere for information on the optimal time/date for viewing this year's Leonid meteor shower from my little corner of central Japan. Has anyone else out there been able to find something with a world clock style of interface or am I reaching? I checked the IMO, but found their schedule unwieldy....
[more inside]posted by squasha at 4:02 AM PST - 6 comments
I want to hone my translation skills (English to German), but I'd like my translations to be useful/needed.
[more inside]posted by carrot at 3:47 AM PST - 8 comments
I have a lot of photos on my blog that I want to put into a gallery, but there are so many that I don't want to deal with reuploading them somewhere or installing a feature-creepy (I just made that up!) gallery script and putting them all into it. They're all in a big messy directory on my server, so is there a very simple script that will look in the directory for anything that's a JPG and spit it out in gallery format? Or, if you know PHP: I could probably write the thing myself, but what would the code for "look in /directoryx/, put all filenames into this array" look like?
posted by borkingchikapa at 1:23 AM PST - 4 comments
I'm helping a friend dispose of a relative's estate. She left a lot of stuff to move out of the house. We're not sure how best to do this.
[more inside]posted by Pronoiac at 12:50 AM PST - 8 comments
Vitamin D3 is often extracted from lanolin. I would like to know how much wool is necessary to produce say 1000 IU of vitamin D.
posted by davar at 12:43 AM PST - 8 comments
I've been told by several people that I kiss "like a high schooler," and that this is a bad thing. I'm a straight male in my mid-20s and relatively a n00b, sexually. What are ways for me to become more mature in my physical intimacy?
[more inside]posted by Spock Puppet at 12:16 AM PST - 30 comments
November 15
Should one wear cotton or synthetic fibres in a tropical country ? I'm visiting guyana and the
tourism website advises "
Bring clothes made of cotton (avoid synthetic fibers) ". What is the justification for this ? I prefer synthetic fibers in hot & humid weather.
posted by lahersedor at 10:52 PM PST - 17 comments
i made a big gaffe three years ago while creating my flickr account and set my URL (which you absolutely cannot change) to include my full name. setting up a new account just to be free of my name would be a huge hassle to say the least. is it worth it?
[more inside]posted by hagelslaag at 10:31 PM PST - 8 comments
What resources would you recommend to a 29 year old woman who's got
absolutely no game whatsoever and needs help with
every aspect of the dating world, from meeting guys to keeping them?
[more inside]posted by tumbleweedjack at 9:59 PM PST - 19 comments
I am helping a friend who just got a mac set up their computer. They use gmail and I wanted to set up his macmail to get his emails from his gmail account, but when i had the mail account "auto set-up" it began grabbing ALL his emails from his gmail account, and he has more than 10,000 and a great many with large attachments.
[more inside]posted by bonsai forest at 9:43 PM PST - 7 comments
I'm drastically downsizing and cannot take my beloved books with me. I think the best solution for my new living arrangement would be to find a way to buy and store ebooks. But how and with what?
[more inside]posted by patheral at 9:28 PM PST - 20 comments
I bookmarked a site years ago that was all about people listing their favorite words - sort of like "delicious" but for word nerds. Does anyone have a clue what this is? thanks
posted by debu at 9:14 PM PST - 7 comments
My daughter, for her fourth birthday, was given a $10 Wal-mart gift card by a girl with whom she goes to daycare. We have not shopped at Wal-mart for more than a decade and would like to keep it that way, and my daughter doesn't seem to care about spending the money. But I really don't want Wal-mart to end up with what would essentially be a $10 if the card isn't used. What should we do?
posted by nbergus at 8:40 PM PST - 42 comments
How is memory typically mapped to the different chips on a DIMM, and what are the typical timing characteristics, broadly speaking? For example, are bytes/words whose address is i mod 8 typically on chip i? In the case of reads, are results returned first from chip 0 (after the RAS and CAS latencies), then promptly on subsequent cycles from each of the next 7 (or 15) chips? How about from other DIMMs on the same motherboard?
posted by espertus at 8:12 PM PST - 3 comments
Does anyone know of an online equivalent to a bicycle swap meet? I bought an old tandem bike for $100 and need to replace some rusted parts (handlebars, cranks, etc), but don't want or need new parts (nor do I think I'd find them easily). I've checked e-bay, but no luck this time. I guess my ideal would be an e-bay just for bicycles. Does such a thing exist?
posted by robverb at 6:37 PM PST - 8 comments
Does anyone have any recommendations for somewhat recent (post-2000) TV or movie popular music soundtracks (or some other kind of compilation)? I tend to like alternative rock, but I'm open to any genre.
[more inside]posted by cosmic.osmo at 6:21 PM PST - 16 comments
The magnetic closure on my new piece of furniture does not work properly. It is a simple problem, but I can't figure out a solution. Please help me fix it!
[more inside]posted by AtomicBee at 6:15 PM PST - 12 comments
Home amp filter: Shallow cabinet, 5.1-channel, three-input-HDMI, two-zone, good-quality amplifier-receiver -- does it exist?
[more inside]posted by rleamon at 6:12 PM PST - 2 comments
How do I optimize bio-availability and absorption of nutritional supplements? [(figure I'll cross-post this at ImmInst, but you guys are rather sharp so couldn't hurt to break in the new MetaFilter account :)] Question regarding bioavailability and absorption of supplements across a multi-factor spread
[more inside]posted by jerwilkins at 6:06 PM PST - 13 comments
The last few years of my life have been fairly difficult for any number of reasons. But things are finally looking up: in May I'll finally graduate with my long sought-after PhD, and I have one firm job offer and a few tentative ones, any of which I'd take in a heartbeat. As a present to myself for making it through, I want to take a few weeks and do some traveling. I'm American and would like to go someplace new and exotic and international. The only question: where?
[more inside]posted by captainawesome at 5:19 PM PST - 26 comments
LactoseFilter: Where can I get real lactose free milk (i.e. the filtered kind, not the sickly-sweet enzymated stuff) in the Bay Area?
[more inside]posted by you at 4:43 PM PST - 6 comments
SharePoint CQWP: How on earth can I use today's date to compare to another field in a calculated column or filter in SharePoint?
[more inside]posted by momzilla at 4:38 PM PST - 1 comments
I used to live with my dog and (now) ex-boyfriend. I moved out. Dog now lives with him. I live in apartment that doesn't allow dogs. Ex is abusive to dog. She can't stay with me, she can't stay with him, even though he wants to keep her. If I find her a new home, she'll be safe, but I won't get to see her again and my ex might retaliate against me. If I leave her there, I'll get to see her more often, but my ex could flip out and hurt her. I'm not sure how to do what I need to do.
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 4:22 PM PST - 39 comments
Long distance dating between 2 single parents possible? I'm asking for my sister (who doesn't know I'm asking) because I want her to be happy but don't know if these relationships ever really work.
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 4:20 PM PST - 18 comments
I'm looking for a productivity app that can help me manage both my projects and my time.
[more inside]posted by lunasol at 3:52 PM PST - 6 comments
Any tips for travel deals where your dates are fixed but you are open about possible destinations?
[more inside]posted by tangonerd at 3:09 PM PST - 4 comments
I've been following the development of the
CrunchPad with some interest. It's made me wonder, are there any famous examples in history of journalists also being successful inventors/innovators?
posted by runkelfinker at 1:55 PM PST - 8 comments
I have a bunch of old Microsoft Image Composer (.mic) files. Nothing in my current toolkit can handle the format. How can I view them and/or convert them to something useful?
[more inside]posted by Lazlo at 1:33 PM PST - 7 comments
Hey there, I hate dealing with credit cards, signing contracts. Need a good simple and reliable Prepaid cell phone.
[more inside]posted by Sentus at 1:10 PM PST - 12 comments
A friend owns one of
these antique (?) clear-plastic, free-standing, quasi-lite-bright type hobby-kit devices. The label/signature can be seen
here. Just what the hell is it? (besides the obvious trip-toy type device). Bonus = it still works.
posted by jmnugent at 11:49 AM PST - 5 comments
I heard once that many people living in poverty tend to make more luxurious purchases, such as televisions, as they see simple luxuries as way to enjoy their life in a way they deem possible. Is this true? Can anyone point to a source?
[more inside]posted by UMDirector at 10:20 AM PST - 33 comments
I missed the date to continue my state health insurance. Now my only option is to pay for the super-high-end one until 2011. Do I have any chance of fixing this?
[more inside]posted by Madamina at 10:20 AM PST - 4 comments
On the receiving end of lots of business 'networking' for the first time. How to deal with it?
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 8:55 AM PST - 4 comments
The first dead person I ever saw was my grandmother in 1964 at the age of 8. The image of her beautiful face in the casket has haunted me all these years. I have often wondered with the passing of the decades how she would look at various times. What is the speed of decomposition with an average embalmed body. What happens in 10 years? 25 years? After 50? We have seen horror movies but what is the actual look after a few years?
I know it is ghoulish, but it has been a recurring question of mine for many many years. Anyone have a good idea?
posted by Mickelstiff at 8:41 AM PST - 9 comments
I live at the top of Central Park in New York City (my park entrance is at 110th and Lenox), and I'm thinking of either getting a bike or rollerblades to commute to my job at 23rd and Fifth (or, perhaps more accurately, to my gym at 23rd and Park, where I can shower and change). What's the most direct path through the park from top to bottom, and which streets should I take to my destination once I exit the park?
[more inside]posted by ocherdraco at 8:17 AM PST - 18 comments
For the past few days (maybe longer, I'm not sure), I have not been able to connect to apple.com or the iTunes store, nor update software with Software Update, on my 10.4.11 iMac, although I can connect to the rest of the 'net.
[more inside]posted by bricoleur at 7:16 AM PST - 4 comments
I'm looking for book recommendations on the academic/literary study of memoirs. Thanks!
posted by katopotato at 6:36 AM PST - 7 comments
Gift-Filter - Please recommend a shop in Edinburgh that I can buy a tasteful new baby gift online that will deliver in a little over a week.
[more inside]posted by typewriter at 6:23 AM PST - 6 comments
Help! I need creative ideas on how a professional Jazz musician can pay the bills in Brooklyn, NYC.
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 5:25 AM PST - 5 comments
November 14
what is it called, and how do you make a simulated 3D photo using two photos, then animated to flash back and forth?
[more inside]posted by karl88 at 11:19 PM PST - 4 comments
My SO has no passion and this turns me into an asshole. When I talk to her about things like finances or anything serious, she ignores me, and she doesn't know what she wants from life and has no wish to find out. She settles for what she has with no desire to improve anything. And the very very douche-y tone that I write that description in is a problem as well.
[more inside]posted by DerangedGoblin at 11:11 PM PST - 68 comments
Dry skin and Avocado oil: My wife has excellent results with with an Avocado oil based product designed to prevent dry and flaking skin on her face during winter. We bought a tiny bottle of it at the cosmetic department of a department store that cost 55 euros. After reading the ingredient list it seems a bit of a ripoff...
[more inside]posted by thewalrus at 9:50 PM PST - 8 comments
How do I turn off the earsplitting, wakes the dead end-of-cycle signal on my clothes washer?
[more inside]posted by amro at 9:42 PM PST - 11 comments
Help me find a pair of decent, grown-up shoes to wear to work, that will last me more than six months. Preferably for less than $100 a pair.
[more inside]posted by SansPoint at 9:06 PM PST - 26 comments
My lovely husband has just accidentally set off pepper spray in our one-bedroom apartment. We're now hanging out in the building lobby, and have all the windows open and the fans going. Is there anything else we can do to make it so we can go back in the apartment tonight?
posted by EmilyFlew at 7:14 PM PST - 10 comments
Ｗｈａｔ ｉｓ
