March 2007 Archives

March 31

How do I remove candlewax from the front of a television?

how do i get candle wax (petroleum-based) off of the glass front of my CRT television? [more inside]
posted by I, Credulous at 7:54 PM PST - 14 comments

Do Atheistic Cultures Have High Instances of Hauntings?

Do reports of hauntings exist in atheist or non-Christian countries to such an extent as they do in America? I'm fascinated by the myriad of documentaries that appear every week regarding hauntings/ghosts/etc. Do atheistic countries with no particular spiritual influence (i.e. Sweden vs. China) have such high reports of hauntings or reports of ghosts? What about Islamic cultures?
posted by Gnostic Novelist at 7:26 PM PST - 31 comments

Intel management yell profanities?

Once heard a story about Intel executives going through some kind of management/communication training in which they were encouraged to swear (yell profanities) at one another... [more inside]
posted by pallen123 at 6:43 PM PST - 7 comments

pplease help set up my wireless

i am sure this is an easy problem: i have a problem on XP with my new wireless router. my laptop connects to it, but i cannot put in my user details for the adsl service. i used to log in through the lan port and put in a pwd and user. how do i get the system to prompt for the pwd? [more inside]
posted by edtut at 5:54 PM PST - 9 comments

Making a complaint about police in a college library

My university library turned vicious today when they had a policeman threaten to drag me out in handcuffs for "disorderly conduct" because I said "fucking" one time, and not loudly. He called it a "warning," but his attitude was full-bore Authoritarian Condescension. The situation is strange enough that it seems like I shouldn't just let this lie, but what is the best way to complain to the school, officially, without actually doing something brash like suing? [more inside]
posted by JHarris at 5:00 PM PST - 85 comments

Good deal on a smart phone?

Are there any deals in the smart phone world? Someone told me she had some voice plan plus unlimited internet for ~$40. She had a sidekick. Did I misunderstand? [more inside]
posted by stuart_s at 4:57 PM PST - 8 comments

How many blackouts have occurred in the U.S. over the last decade or two?

How many blackouts have occurred in different regions of the U.S. over the last decade or two? How many houses were affected? You get bonus points if you can find information about what caused the blackouts. [more inside]
posted by speedoavenger at 4:50 PM PST - 21 comments

Learning about old Thai movie theaters

Is there some sort of Mac program that can monitor a web forum and update me when there are new posts? [more inside]
posted by blueberry at 4:49 PM PST - 5 comments

Tub-stain Tears

Good lord I'm in trouble! Last night I soaked a few white shirts in Clorox, rinsed them, and then hung them up over the tub to drip dry. One of the shirts had a little black design, and when I got up in the morning I found this hideous stain in the enamel of my tub which looks like was caused by the bleach/ black dye combination drip dripping all night, and which my landlord will *freak out about* when he sees it! Any ideas?
posted by forallmankind at 4:25 PM PST - 24 comments

Does It Rain In The Pantheon?

Pantheon Filter: I need an authoritative answer to this question. Is it true that if you get a ton of people inside the Pantheon in Greece, "air pressure" will keep rain from falling through the occulus? [more inside]
posted by crapples at 4:18 PM PST - 31 comments

I need advice about getting a wireless network card for a PC laptop...

I need advice about getting a wireless network card for a PC laptop to get my boyfriend out of the house! We're going to both be working at home soon, but I would love it if he could go to the local cafe, park, whatever and work so we don't drive each other crazy. [more inside]
posted by semidivine at 4:18 PM PST - 8 comments

. What's the best workflow for moving between Final Cut Pro and After Effects?

Digital video workflow question: I'm editing a greenscreened music video, and wish to do a rough cut in Final Cut, then move the project into After Effects to do compositing. However, the only automated means of conversion the project is Automatic Duck's plugin, the price of which exceeds my budget. What's the best workflow for moving a sequence between the two applications under these conditions? [more inside]
posted by tweebiscuit at 2:55 PM PST - 10 comments

Where do I go from here? I'm 50 & need a new direction.

Hi, I'm new to all this, so forgive me if I breach any etiquette I'm not aware of. I'm male, 50, in the UK. Married, no kids, not debts, no ties, not much savings, don't need a huge income. I'm going thro' a classic mid-life crisis (a bit late, I guess), which has emotional & practical repercussions; I'll leave the emotions for another time. [more inside]
posted by vulch at 2:44 PM PST - 12 comments

Headphone jack issues: "Garble garble foofoofooo." "Exactly right, Rose."

The main headphone jack on my computer has a huge distortion (to the point of making words incomprehensible) for higher pitched voices and instruments. Why? [more inside]
posted by flibbertigibbet at 2:23 PM PST - 11 comments

Nothing like the taste of fresh grown spaghetti.

Where can I found a good quality download of the infamous April 1, 1957 Swiss Spaghetti Harvest story from the BBC program Panorama? All I can find is the crappy Real video stream in my link or conversions of it.
posted by timeistight at 2:20 PM PST - 2 comments

Iron Chef cooking techniques

There are couple of cooking techniques I've seen on Iron Chef that I can't find any info about... [more inside]
posted by dino terror at 1:52 PM PST - 13 comments

SpaFilter: Jacuzzi, CalSpa and L.A. Spa -- what are the qualitative differences?

SpaFilter: Jacuzzi, CalSpa and L.A. Spa -- what are the qualitative differences? [more inside]
posted by frogan at 1:50 PM PST - 1 comment

Intermittent Laptop Power Prob

OK it is well known that one of the weak links in the power system of a laptop is the AC adapter cord, BUT. . . . [more inside]
posted by Danf at 12:29 PM PST - 7 comments

Housebuying - what is the bidding process like? How do I make a bid effectively.

I think we might have found "THE" house for my mother to retire in. She has spent her whole life living my father's life and for us "kids". Never came close to enjoying any of the things that interest her. So she wants her home in the country in upstate NY. DH and I have been dedicating weekly trips upstate to help her find this home. We've recently decided to check out Chengango County. Based on pictures, this house looks and sounds great. We're not worried about cosmetic work and will naturally look into the structure of the home and land. Is there anything else I should look for? [more inside]
posted by Jujee at 12:20 PM PST - 11 comments

Phygrian Domination

There's probably a way to ask this question that doesn't expose my ignorance of world music, but I can't think of it. Please help me get my block-rocking culture on. [more inside]
posted by EatTheWeek at 12:03 PM PST - 28 comments

How do I find reputable web developers in Poland?

How do I find reputable web developers in Poland? [more inside]
posted by runkelfinker at 11:43 AM PST - 8 comments

looking for a song, goes something like this: "sexy girl, sexy girl, sexy guitar, sexy guitar, sexy sexy" google didnt help.

looking for a song, goes something like this: "sexy girl, sexy girl, sexy guitar, sexy guitar, sexy sexy" google didnt help.
posted by freddymetz at 11:17 AM PST - 12 comments

SGVscCBtZSE=

What encoding is this source code? Alternately, any ideas on this puzzle? [more inside]
posted by provolot at 9:48 AM PST - 23 comments

risperidone for alzheimer's agitation?

Alzheimer's/Dementia Filter: Anyone have experience with an elderly relative who takes risperidone (risperdal) for agitation and anxiety during the night? My dad (with Alzheimer's) was put on half a milligram per day, starting tonight. Just wondering if you have anecdotal success or failure stories. I know it's used for other mental illnesses, but want to know specifically about the night-time agitation relief with dementia.
posted by nancoix at 9:23 AM PST - 4 comments

Will this Wendell?

Should I 'sell' my online identity? Or maybe just rent it out? [more inside]
posted by wendell at 6:50 AM PST - 33 comments

Bands with more than one (good) lead singer

Mainstream bands with more than one (good) lead singer? [more inside]
posted by I_Love_Bananas at 6:40 AM PST - 74 comments

Help me identify this song

I'm trying to figure out the name of the song or band associated with a music video I saw on New York Noise about a year or so ago. It was an animated music video involving birds flying across the sky for a song that I believe was instrumental. I'm guessing the band might be Icelandic since the song was played when I went to a Bjork festival at a bar in Williamsburg.
posted by zinegurl at 6:16 AM PST - 8 comments

Sticky pictures

How do i get photos to unstick to the glass in picture frames? [more inside]
posted by BigBrownBear at 5:23 AM PST - 5 comments

My First Yard! (tm)

After years of renting apartments, I have moved up in the world: I am now renting a house. Strangely, the house comes with small organic green things projecting from the ground. Having never been responsible for a lawn before, I don't really know what to do with it. I also have two, I don't know, shrubs (I think). One is low growing, thick, with branches that kind of double as rhizomes, and one might be a juniper. As you can see, I'm pretty clueless. What do I need to know/what must I do/what must I buy to take good care of my lawn and it's various planty inhabitants? [more inside]
posted by arcticwoman at 4:04 AM PST - 17 comments

How much are customs fees in Japan for a Nintendo DS Lite?

Is it worth it to have a Nintendo DS Lite shipped halfway around the world and back? [more inside]
posted by greasepig at 3:37 AM PST - 10 comments

Best way to sound-insulate a hollow metal door and bare hallway?

How can I sound-insulate my rental apartment's hollow metal door and bare entrance hallway? They're amplifying the already loud noises in the common hallway outside. [more inside]
posted by lorimer at 1:04 AM PST - 10 comments

March 30

Best iPod functions and/or hacks?

I've finally broken down and purchased an iPod. And I love it! Now I'd like to hear everyone's favorite features/hacks. [more inside]
posted by willie11 at 10:16 PM PST - 18 comments

Good Sports for a Non-Sporty Person

Help me find a sport that I could be good at. [more inside]
posted by divabat at 9:40 PM PST - 58 comments

Book scanning business

Business idea feedback. Scanning copyright books into PDF format and lending those books out for a weekly rental fee, similar to what is being done with DVD movie download rentals. A DRM enabled self-destruct system, such as Adobe Digital Editions, would provide the technical framework. Since libraries lend books, why not lend a digital copy of the book. One digital copy out on loan for every paper copy kept in stock. Legal, or publishers nightmare?
posted by stbalbach at 9:29 PM PST - 24 comments

What matters in law school admissions?

I'm a recent graduate of a top 50 undergraduate school with a 3.6 GPA, a major in history and a minor in philosophy, and a 170 LSAT. LSAC says I have around a 50% chance of getting into NYU or Columbia, both of which interest me. I know this is just a representation of the number of students with comparable scores that get in. What determines whether I fall on the good 50% or the bad 50%? Is it extracirriculars (I have none), work experience (I have none), or the prestige of the undergraduate school (decent, but not great)? Do I have a good shot at these schools or should I just save my money and aim a little lower?
posted by toughdecisions at 8:31 PM PST - 24 comments

Mac pixelated display problem

I moved my monitor and Mac to another room and now everything is pixelated. [more inside]
posted by ontic at 7:06 PM PST - 10 comments

Help me travel in Slovenia and Austria

My family and I are travelling to Slovenia and Austria at the end of June, and I could use some help planning the trip. [more inside]
posted by leahwrenn at 6:59 PM PST - 6 comments

How do I calm irrational pregnancy fears?

How do I convince my girlfriend that she's NOT pregnant? We haven't slept together in two months but she's still worried to the point of distraction that she somehow might be pregnant. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 6:49 PM PST - 74 comments

Help me escape the cycle of pain!

Help me find some relief. Injured my back years ago in a bicycle accident and the chronic pain is getting old. Long explanation inside. [more inside]
posted by ganzhimself at 5:53 PM PST - 10 comments

Seat backs with no spine! Why?

Why are chairs so uncomfortable? I mean the less-expensive corporate type, like you might find in an American meeting room or new-style classroom. There's only negligible support when you lean back! [more inside]
posted by Rash at 4:33 PM PST - 7 comments

ActionScript book for an experienced programmer?

Can someone recommend a good ActionScript book for an experienced programmer? [more inside]
posted by whir at 4:19 PM PST - 8 comments

coitus interruptus blues?

Okay, we've established that there's postsex blues...what about interrupted-sex blues? [more inside]
posted by fizzyliftingdrink at 3:56 PM PST - 14 comments

I've invented a complete imaginary world. Am I insane?

I've invented a complete imaginary world. Am I insane? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 3:25 PM PST - 83 comments

Can I keep ignoring this thing?

Is there a statute of limitations on a red-light camera ticket fine received in California and not paid? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 3:25 PM PST - 9 comments

What to do with a large amount of old porn DVDs?

I have a lot of old porn DVDs that never get watched and are taking up space. How should I get rid of them? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 3:24 PM PST - 39 comments

LAMP scaling and NFS. Good Idea or Not?

So, I've got myself a web application. LAMP. I need to scale it up. Can I run the php application across multiple machines loaded off a mounted NFS share on another machine? [more inside]
posted by Freen at 2:41 PM PST - 15 comments

Hypothyroid or hypochondriac?

Is my thyroid underperforming, or am I just being a hypochondriac? My TSH level is 3.47 and my primary care physician thinks I'm fine. But I don't feel quite right. The endocrinologist is expensive and takes forever to get an appointment with. I just want to know if I'm wasting my time. [more inside]
posted by apostrophe at 2:26 PM PST - 13 comments

How many redirects is too many?

.htaccess question -- how many redirects is too many? [more inside]
posted by crickets at 2:23 PM PST - 13 comments

Whence the beatings?

What is the origin of the phrase "the beatings will continue until morale improves". Google has failed me on this, only the hive mind will save me.
posted by bumpkin at 2:21 PM PST - 12 comments

Where can I find a mouse playground?

Is there a product that acts as a 'mouse playground'? [more inside]
posted by ThirstyEar2 at 1:04 PM PST - 14 comments

What is the best printer for specifically printing envelopes? (iMac/Tiger)

What is the best printer for specifically printing envelopes? (iMac/Tiger) [more inside]
posted by defenestration at 12:54 PM PST - 3 comments

Google, was verfolgst du mich?

My website/blog has all but disappeared from Google. What happened, and what can I do to fix it? [more inside]
posted by mendel at 12:45 PM PST - 10 comments

Is it realistic to leave Astoria, OR in the a.m. to arrive at SEATAC for a 1:30 flight?

Is it realistic to leave Astoria, OR in the a.m. to arrive at SEATAC for a 1:30 flight? [more inside]
posted by unccivil at 12:26 PM PST - 18 comments

How does Feedburner know how many subscribers my podcast has?

How does Feedburner know how many subscribers my podcast has? [more inside]
posted by joshjs at 11:56 AM PST - 4 comments

Can my lease deposit come from someone else's account?

I am applying to rent a house this weekend, and my mother has generously offered to loan me the earnest money (deposit) that's required for the application. (We're still paying rent on current place and don't have a spare $1400 at the moment.) Will the realtor/owner/property management place not accept/think it's weird that the deposit check will come from someone besides the two lease signers?
posted by juniper at 11:55 AM PST - 23 comments

good secure "mail to friend" type script?

I've been asked to create a promotional type email for an event. Initially it is sent to people who signed up for these emails. If they can't receive html email there's a link to the page. For those who don't want to forward the email or don't know how to, there is a link in the message taking one to a form where you can enter up to 10 recipients and a personal message. I need a moderately secure way to do this. The page will only be online for a couple of weeks but the potential for abuse still worries me. Any suggestions on scripts to use?
posted by Grod at 11:48 AM PST - 4 comments

Can high frequency sounds transmit through windows?

Can a 17kHz sound transmit through windows? [more inside]
posted by SoulNoise at 11:42 AM PST - 7 comments

Which heavy metal bands have umlauts in their names?

Which heavy metal bands have umlauts in their names? Apart from Mötley Crüe and Motörhead, of course.
posted by tombola at 11:39 AM PST - 24 comments

I'm not drunk! I just have speech impediment...

What breed is Brian, the talking dog from Family Guy?
posted by furiousxgeorge at 11:26 AM PST - 20 comments

Millions of images

A project that I am working requires the storage and retrieval of several million images. What is the best way to do this? [more inside]
posted by Mr_Zero at 10:46 AM PST - 14 comments

Chicago Filter: Going to Chicago for 2 days, what MUST I see/do?

Chicago Filter: Going to Chicago for 2 days, what MUST I see/do?
posted by jeff_w_welch at 10:45 AM PST - 41 comments

Upgrading to Intel

Should I use the Migration Assistant when updating from a Powerbook to a Macbook Pro? Or just reinstall the software and/or look for Intel native or Universal binaries?
posted by four panels at 10:39 AM PST - 9 comments

DNS/Registrar/Hosting questions galore!

Registrar & DNS Quetions Galore. How do I setup with a registrar my domains so they point to my hosted directories? [more inside]
posted by filmgeek at 10:39 AM PST - 4 comments

U of Toronto vs McGill

GradSchoolFilter: Help me choose between U of Toronto and McGill. [more inside]
posted by boubelium at 10:36 AM PST - 13 comments

Did I ruin my car?

Did I totally screw up my car? It got all wet inside and I'm worried that I've ruined it. [more inside]
posted by sutel at 10:35 AM PST - 12 comments

8"x12" photo frames and mats

Where do you buy mats and frames for 8"x12" prints? I have several photographs that I would not like to crop to any of the other "standard" ratios (5"x7", 8"x10" or square.) I would like to print these larger than 4"x6". I realize that making my own mats and frames is an option but I would like to find some good and not-too-expensive sources that I can order from. Thanks for your help!
posted by hellhammer at 10:19 AM PST - 10 comments

Scottish Gaelic Translation

Does anyone know how to say "Family Man" in Scottish Gaelic? [more inside]
posted by Berts76 at 9:32 AM PST - 4 comments

Help me revive a Western Digital hard drive

Is there any way to get my western digital external hard drive to properly display the disappeared files & folders on it so that I can back them up? [more inside]
posted by pantufla at 9:15 AM PST - 7 comments

Help me make use of my old PDA

Help me make use of my old PDA. [more inside]
posted by zacharyseibert at 9:14 AM PST - 11 comments

Cheap storage in Bay Area?

Cheap storage in the Bay Area? [more inside]
posted by ikkyu2 at 9:13 AM PST - 7 comments

Learning how to teach according to development level of students

I'm interested in learning about curriculum development. More specifically on understanding what types of information different age students can understand and be challenged by, without "going over their helmet". [more inside]
posted by peripatew at 8:45 AM PST - 9 comments

Help me determine if something odd happened with my friends's determination

Help me help a friend - wrongful termination? [more inside]
posted by unvivid at 8:45 AM PST - 15 comments

WTB GH2 PST

What's the fastest way to get a copy of the upcoming Guitar Hero 2 for the 360? [more inside]
posted by heresiarch at 8:44 AM PST - 15 comments

Where would you go with 5k, one week and your sweetie?

Help us find our honeymoon! If you had one week and 5k for two people, where would you go? [more inside]
posted by Alison at 8:36 AM PST - 32 comments

Can this marriage be saved?

My fun, happy, fairy-tale marriage of 2 months is imploding because my husband suddenly can't accept my past. Super-long explanation inside. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 8:31 AM PST - 72 comments

Motorcycle commuting? No sweat.

No sweat motorcycle commuting? [more inside]
posted by 1f2frfbf at 8:23 AM PST - 13 comments

Electric Hammer Time

My wife would like to demolish two 28'l x 2.5'w x 4"d concrete sidewalk tomorrow. She went and talked to Home Depot about renting an electric jackhammer per the recommendation of a buddy who will be helping her. When talking to the tool rental guy*, he suggested that she think about a demolition hammer but in reading their site the breaker seems like a better bet. She really wants to be the one to do this and she is small framed which may be the reason for the demo hammer recommendation. I suspect that it will end up being me doing the work after she realizes how jarring it will be so her doing the work should probably not be a factor. Does anyone have any experiences that would point us to one or the other? * Tool rental guy is apparently a Hilti guy who is onsite at this home depot and the demo hammer is a Hilti too.
posted by GrumpyMonkey at 8:21 AM PST - 20 comments

2 dogs + 2 cats = rental nightmare?

My boyfriend and I are moving to suburban Chicago with our 2 dogs and 2 cats. How best to find a home to rent that will be pet friendly? [more inside]
posted by desjardins at 7:53 AM PST - 8 comments

Saving / Redirecting IE history by user?

Redirecting or relocating the settings for Shell Folders and User Shell Folders for Internet Explorer in such a way that they are separated out by username? [more inside]
posted by korej at 7:48 AM PST - 0 comments

Viable, socially conscious small business?

GentrificationFilter: Help convince my boss that our independent coffee shop can be both profitable and actively engaged with the community. Social/community activists, please read on & help me out! [more inside]
posted by coolhappysteve at 7:42 AM PST - 15 comments

looking for a transformative urban planning program

i'm looking for a master's Urban Planning program that incorporates significant amounts of radical urban sustainability, healthy communities/liveable streets, 'alternative' energy use, sustainable design, public/alternative transportation, and other transformative ideas. info/advice/experiences? thanks.
posted by entropone at 7:39 AM PST - 11 comments

looking for photo: exec being carried out of his building

Help finding photograph of corporate executive being carried out of his building by MPs? [more inside]
posted by mojohand at 6:59 AM PST - 10 comments

American moving to the GTA

American moving to the greater Toronto area... [more inside]
posted by the dief at 6:32 AM PST - 30 comments

Looking for multiproc demo video

I'm looking for a demo video of how a multiproc system handles processes and switching for a Intro to CS class. [more inside]
posted by tjbarrett at 5:53 AM PST - 3 comments

March 29

Can an American visit friends in Kyrgyzstan safely?

Is it safe/practical for an American to visit Kyrgyzstan for leisure? And can their postal system be trusted? [more inside]
posted by Vorteks at 10:22 PM PST - 15 comments

Not waving but drowning...in crap

I am gravely in need of help with an issue that has long perplexed me: namely, how to intuitively store and organize all of my miscellaneous crap. [more inside]
posted by granted at 9:48 PM PST - 19 comments

Help for a rental refugee?

Can anyone provide advice, suggest tenant rights resources, courses of action or even refer a good pro-bono lawyer for a friend of mine who's getting screwed by her landlord during the conversion of her apartment complex from rentals to condos in Studio City, CA? [more inside]
posted by zarq at 9:46 PM PST - 13 comments

Reading an unwritten constitution?

Reading an unwritten constitution? [more inside]
posted by awesomebrad at 7:45 PM PST - 14 comments

The Drive to Nowhere

This may be an easy one (at least I hope so - and no, it hasn't been easy for me). Is there a site, or more than one site, that is somewhat devoted to compatibilities in hardware? I'm looking at notebook cdrw/dvd-rom (slim) drives and it would be nice to know which models will - ostensibly, anyway - work with which laptops. Help if you can. Thanks.
posted by zephyrbill at 7:07 PM PST - 5 comments

Need Fast Desktop File Search That Doesw NOT use Indexing

I'm looking for a desktop file search tool that does NOT use indexing (compacted database). I have used the file search that comes with Powerdesk Pro for years, however, I am taking this off my system to lighten the load. I've kept it only for the blazing fast file search. Now, I want to find a desktop file search that can replace the one from PD Pro, while using less resources. As we all know, the XP search is slow as molasses. Can anyone help? Again - no search tool that indexes files. Thanks in advance!
posted by Gerard Sorme at 6:55 PM PST - 26 comments

My YouTube Favorites feed

I would like to display my favorite videos on youtube through some sort of feed contraption on my Bloggy McWebloggerson, but I don't use wordpress. Any suggestions? [more inside]
posted by billtron at 6:53 PM PST - 8 comments

Negotiating Help!

I'm negotiating on a job offer tomorrow. Has anyone ever negotiated doing freelance work on the side? [more inside]
posted by sfkiddo at 6:32 PM PST - 8 comments

Can Logoff scripts be run for over 10 minutes?

How can I make WinXP give my Logoff script more time to complete? [more inside]
posted by crack at 6:31 PM PST - 5 comments

eBay retaliatory negative feedback retaliation

I won an eBay auction, but the seller didn't have the item in stock at the time of the auction's completion. Two weeks later I was given a full refund via PayPal. I left neutral feedback (pretty neutral experience, wouldn't you say?), and got retaliatory negative feedback from the seller, along with a request to have the feedback mutually withdrawn. How can I stick it to him? [more inside]
posted by tipthepizzaguy at 6:15 PM PST - 30 comments

Best online photo printing service?

Which is the best online photo printing service? This was asked two years ago, but things may have changed. My priorities would be: archival quality prints; good service; and reasonable prices, in that order. Most ideal would be a Canadian service, but a second choice would be a U.S. service that mentions that they ship to Canada with reasonable fees.
posted by jellicle at 5:57 PM PST - 6 comments

Why has my hosting become so slow?

GoDaddy hosting has become intolerably slow: is it certainly their fault? If so, can I do anything about it? If it isn't their fault, what am I doing wrong? [more inside]
posted by sindark at 5:29 PM PST - 9 comments

Seeking motor controller for F&P MW512 washing machine

Please help me find a second-hand motor controller for my Fisher & Paykel Smartdrive MW512 washing machine. [more inside]
posted by flabdablet at 5:28 PM PST - 5 comments

no-frills iPod speakers?

Please recommend cheap-ass speakers for my iPod. [more inside]
posted by The corpse in the library at 5:12 PM PST - 13 comments

Help me enable advertising on my website/blog

What's the best way to implement non-Adsense advertising on my website? [more inside]
posted by acoutu at 5:08 PM PST - 8 comments

Am I a Union man?

I've been offered a job as the political director of a regional labor federation. Should I take it? [more inside]
posted by jlowen at 4:56 PM PST - 6 comments

How can I make the most of my college visit?

How can I make the most of my college visit? Details: I'm a high school senior, visiting University of Washington at Seattle and University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign. I'll have 3-4 hours at the campus to myself, but times are flexible. [more inside]
posted by theiconoclast31 at 4:50 PM PST - 24 comments

850/1900 MHz Motofone?

I want to buy an unlocked 850/1900 MHz (Americas) Motorola Motofone for use in the US. [more inside]
posted by Utilitaritron at 4:17 PM PST - 43 comments

How to put form data into a .pdf?

What's the best way to take form data from a website and drop it into a print-ready .pdf? [more inside]
posted by jmevius at 4:12 PM PST - 10 comments

Inches A Weigh?

I need information about Inches-A-Weigh. [more inside]
posted by sugarfish at 4:04 PM PST - 6 comments

Weight Plateau. Please help me break it.

I eat right, I exercise, and yet my weight is a plateau. Is there anything I can do about it? [more inside]
posted by gadha at 3:56 PM PST - 31 comments

How do I break up with someone who I don't think can take care of themselves?

How do I break up with someone who I don't think can take care of themselves? [more inside]
posted by mphuie at 3:45 PM PST - 20 comments

smoked but now want to be smokin' again

I recently quit smoking and am starting to show up at the gym again. How do I build workout endurance in the first month? [more inside]
posted by parmanparman at 3:24 PM PST - 20 comments

How can I get more exposure for my music?

Help me expose myself! How can I get my music heard? [more inside]
posted by SampleSize at 3:12 PM PST - 29 comments

Stupid computers.....do what I want!

I asked an earlier question about using Apache to redirect a request to a Tomcat server running Jython. With your help I've gotten that running, but now I have a new problem. I need the hostname of the computer making the request to be available to the Jython scripts that are running, but the mod_rewrite changes REMOTE_ADDR to be name of the Apache server, not the hostname of the user. Is there some other way I can get this information?
posted by emptybowl at 12:17 PM PST - 1 comment

Webpage to database for a nonprogrammer?

How can a nonprogrammer make a database from a set of search query results? [more inside]
posted by Mr. Gunn at 12:16 PM PST - 14 comments

Network hard drive makes external internet connection impossible!

I have a NAS network hard drive plugged into my router that I use to host my iTunes library. Whenever I'm accessing the drive (especially when syncing the iPod or ripping CDs, but also sometimes when playing songs) all the computers on the network including mine lose most of their external internet connectivity. Is there any way to fix this? [more inside]
posted by stopgap at 12:12 PM PST - 5 comments

What is the annual average water temperature of each of the Great Lakes?

What is the average annual water temperature of each of the Great Lakes? I've only found the one for Lake Superior, and have Googled and searched NOAA's website. I need this info for a book about the Great Lakes for children. The book is sold to schools and libraries. Include in your reply, the source of your information. Thanks!
posted by pkummer at 12:00 PM PST - 3 comments

Any (ad)Words to make (ad)Sense of Adwords and Adsense?

Is there any 3rd-party software that is any good for managing AdWords campaigns? [more inside]
posted by prophetsearcher at 11:43 AM PST - 5 comments

Looking for an ergonomic extended laptop use solution

I am looking for a using a laptop in bed solution for health reasons. [more inside]
posted by GleepGlop at 11:39 AM PST - 8 comments

Where to live and what to do in Minneapolis?

I need a place to live in Minneapolis this summer. Help me find a place and stuff to do. [more inside]
posted by Quazie at 11:34 AM PST - 20 comments

Who took this grayscale photo of a woman's back?

Who took this grayscale photo of a woman's back? [more inside]
posted by koudelka at 11:10 AM PST - 19 comments

How can my Jewish girlfriend and I find a family to have a Passover Seder with in Bordeaux, France?

How can my Jewish girlfriend and I find a family to have a Passover Seder with in Bordeaux, France? [more inside]
posted by jordanian2 at 11:09 AM PST - 6 comments

Recognize these choral music lyrics?

Looking for a certain piece of choral music, but I don't know the composer or the title. [more inside]
posted by JanetLand at 10:38 AM PST - 7 comments

How to get outsourced projects ?

How can I start getting small software development projects outsourced to me in India ? [more inside]
posted by inquisitive at 10:08 AM PST - 14 comments

examples of artists who employ vocal samples and equipment for same

Vocal sampling and sequencing in music: examples and equipment? [more inside]
posted by nanojath at 9:49 AM PST - 24 comments

Click where for (legit) hot deals on digital cameras?

Digital camera sought for as little of my hard-earned cash as is reasonable. Newest, bestest thing not necessary. Best place to find it? [more inside]
posted by desuetude at 9:42 AM PST - 13 comments

How can I add functionality to a Tumblr tumblelog?

Can I set up archives, tagging and a search function on a tumblelog using Tumblr? [more inside]
posted by Nugget at 9:21 AM PST - 5 comments

help me get from JFK to central NJ

My German cousin is arriving on a flight into JFK on the evening of Tuesday April 10th. I will be unable to pick him up, and he's happy to take transit to where I am in Central Jersey (where I CAN pick him up). Help me get him from JFK to Central Jersey (and help me know the subtleties of the transit options) ... [more inside]
posted by intermod at 8:56 AM PST - 18 comments

How to Date Interracially?

How do I make the best of dating interracially? Are there resources or counselors that could help me be successful? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 8:19 AM PST - 59 comments

Dude, I'm growing a beard here!

I need an iPod dock with TV navigation (or screen on remote) that isn't slower than a hydro-cephalic Box Turtle with a knee injury checking out art at the Louvre on a lazy Sunday afternoon. [more inside]
posted by sourwookie at 8:05 AM PST - 7 comments

Calling all baking experts!

I'm baking a cake on short notice. How should I substitute vanilla essence for vanilla extract? More importantly, the cake pan is a different size than is called for in the recipe, so how long and hot should I cook it? [more inside]
posted by Drop Daedalus at 3:57 AM PST - 10 comments

Best cell service option whilst living overseas?

I'm in the market for a quadband GSM phone, for extended travelling purposes. Should I buy one independently or go through a cell provider? [more inside]
posted by the luke parker fiasco at 12:03 AM PST - 11 comments

March 28

extracting email from yahoo

I need to extract a few thousand customer e-mail addresses that are mixed in with tons of spam in my yahoo mail and store them in a program/database. I'm not sure where to start on this, is there a program, script, or relatively painless method on how to do this? thanks!
posted by debu at 10:57 PM PST - 5 comments

Does anyone know of an audiophile/hi-fi club in the St. Louis area?

Does anyone know of an audiophile/hi-fi club in the St. Louis area? I have recently become interested in DIY Hi-Fi and being a college student with little electronics experience I am looking for a way to get myself better acquainted with everything before I start to spend too much money. The internet has been a great resource, but having some real people around me who know what they are doing and would be willing to provide me with some direction would be very helpful.
posted by Bengston at 10:31 PM PST - 4 comments

What's a cheap car to insure?

What kind of car is cheapest to insure for an 18 year old driver in NSW, Australia? [more inside]
posted by weegreentoad at 9:41 PM PST - 8 comments

'Exercising to failure' makes me feel like a failure.

Why is exercise making me feel depressed? All I read and hear is that exercise goes a long way toward alleviating depression and making one feel better. All it has done for me lately is cause mini-panic attacks in the gym, make me feel like a failure and cause me to feel depressed for hours after I work out. I am just able to get over myself for the next day just to have it all happen over again as I somehow force myself back into the gym. [more inside]
posted by playmobil at 8:49 PM PST - 41 comments

The devil you know, or the devil you don't?

You have an online business in Canada and you have this choice: accept U.S. payments via Paypal in the U.S. dollar account you have (with a Canadian bank) and have the bank make the currency conversion to Canadian dollars, or letting Paypal handle the conversion directly. Which do you choose (and why)?
posted by zadcat at 8:42 PM PST - 2 comments

How can I get my cheekbones back?

I noticed that after I had my wisdom teeth removed, I lost all definition in my face (specifically my cheek bones). Can scar tissue inside my mouth be removed? Or what can be done to restore my cheekbones? Also, I am a male. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 8:28 PM PST - 5 comments

What is a good high mileage car?

I'm going to have to start driving many many miles throughout the week...let's say around 500-600. What kind of car should I get? [more inside]
posted by taumeson at 8:06 PM PST - 34 comments

Is this perforated vinyl on my motorcycle helmet illegal?

Would this perforated vinyl on my motorcycle helmet be illegal in any states? (I live in Phoenix, AZ) It's perfectly see through and doesn't hinder my vision any worse than a tinted visor. [more inside]
posted by stlboi at 7:33 PM PST - 16 comments

Decent Letters-to-the-Editor pages?

Any recommendations for decent Letters-to-the-Editor pages? [more inside]
posted by UbuRoivas at 7:12 PM PST - 9 comments

Is the stuff I'm recycling heading for the dump?

How do I know if my stuff is actually being recycled? [more inside]
posted by fermezporte at 6:34 PM PST - 16 comments

Perfectly plain leather slippers

Where can I buy the perfect unlined leather slippers of yester-yore? [more inside]
posted by kaytrem at 6:03 PM PST - 4 comments

How long should a femoral nerve block last?

How long should it take a femoral nerve block to wear off? [more inside]
posted by sherlockt at 5:47 PM PST - 3 comments

Fios or Optimum Online?

Verizon Fios or Cablevision Optimum Online? [more inside]
posted by Marky at 5:27 PM PST - 13 comments

Can you help me choose a sewing machine for my husband?

Can you help me choose a sewing machine for my husband? [more inside]
posted by katkel at 5:22 PM PST - 6 comments

Where to find metaphysical information?

What's the best online repository for metaphysical information?
posted by jitterbug perfume at 5:12 PM PST - 9 comments

Recording Calls for QA - Is Automated Transcription Available?

My employer runs a large customer-service call center. We record calls for quality assurance, and are looking for a recording tool that will automatically transcribe the conversations. [more inside]
posted by mrbula at 4:29 PM PST - 5 comments

do the right thing AND know what day it is !

Running XP as a non-administrator (like MS recommends ;-) how do you get access to some form of Calendar ? [more inside]
posted by southof40 at 4:11 PM PST - 13 comments

Beepless watch with a timer and a stop watch?

I'm looking for a digital watch that has both a timer (set the amount of time and it counts down) and a stopwatch (starts at zero and counts up) that doesn't beep when you press any of the buttons to start or stop the timer/stopwatch. [more inside]
posted by buriedpaul at 4:05 PM PST - 14 comments

Can alcohol be consumed in a moving RV?

Is it legal for alcohol to be consumed in an RV (recreational vehicle)while it is moving on the road? [more inside]
posted by Sprocket at 3:11 PM PST - 19 comments

Help me save my underwear!

Is heavy spotting an expected side effect in the first several weeks of taking Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo? if so, how long should I expect this to occur? [more inside]
posted by josher71 at 3:06 PM PST - 11 comments

Mission Statements in Film

Mission Statements in Film: I'm working on a presentation about the importance of having clear objectives, and am interested in relevant video clips. [more inside]
posted by Pater Aletheias at 2:56 PM PST - 23 comments

How can i schedule video podcast downloads in Vista?

I am having some difficulty in finding a way to schedule downloads of video podcasts so as they happen during the night (off peak downloading = no limits > daytime = limits). Any recommendations (Vista based)? [more inside]
posted by mrbenn at 2:36 PM PST - 5 comments

Can any recommend a good realtor for Central/North Jersey?

(Realtor filter) Can anyone recommend a realtor for New Jersey (Central-to North Central Jersey that is)? [more inside]
posted by narebuc at 2:07 PM PST - 5 comments

Well, as civil as could be expected, given the circumstances...

Am I "currently a party in a civil suit"? I'm getting divorced. I need to know for my Peace Corps application. [more inside]
posted by solotoro at 1:56 PM PST - 10 comments

Can you join the force if you have a record?

Does having a minor arrest record automatically disqualify one from joining the police force? [more inside]
posted by fugitivefromchaingang at 1:42 PM PST - 16 comments

Getting into Japan with a criminal record

So I have a small issue with my criminal record and obtaining a Japanese student visa. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 1:11 PM PST - 9 comments

Make the demons in my head go away

How do I get terrible images and memories out of my head? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 1:11 PM PST - 30 comments

Crazy friend!

My friend is crazy, and does not accept it, and will not consider getting help [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 1:10 PM PST - 32 comments

MeFi Teachers - Help me with my educational blog

I've created (what I think) is a pretty good/useful educational-blog, but it still has relatively zero traffic. How do I get my blog in front of more teachers/students eyeballs? [more inside]
posted by jmnugent at 12:21 PM PST - 28 comments

How to deal with bad group members?

Students: What do you do when group members don't do much at all? Educators: Do you want to hear if a student is not pulling their own weight in a group work situation? [more inside]
posted by Mookbear at 11:40 AM PST - 34 comments

Erm, I don't know what voltage actually is.

I'm a straight-A electrical engineering student but I have almost no understanding of basic theory and principles. Will I get a job or into grad school? (long post inside) [more inside]
posted by pravit at 11:28 AM PST - 41 comments

Get off the lease

Asking for a friend. She's on a lease with an ex-boyfriend who is threatening to not give notice and allow the month by month tenancy to kick in. Can she get off the lease? [more inside]
posted by Annon E Moose at 11:17 AM PST - 16 comments

How do I make friends without breaking the bank?

I need a less expensive way to make friends. Any suggestions? [more inside]
posted by notjustfoxybrown at 10:38 AM PST - 38 comments

Invisible tumbleweed?

Big News! Mounds of tumbleweed cover homes, driveways. Are there any pictures? [more inside]
posted by clgregor at 10:34 AM PST - 3 comments

Help me fix a software RAID-5?

I've got an nVidia nForce 570 motherboard with 5 drives (500 GB each -- 465 GB actual) in a RAID-5 array. The RAID has been working well in Vista until yesterday, when my system froze. Now nVidia's Storage control panel reports a "Healthy" array with 5 drives but with a capacity of only 465GB (rather than the expected 1.81 TB). Can this be fixed? [more inside]
posted by scottnic at 10:11 AM PST - 5 comments

Can I go get eaten in Borneo?

So let's say you're a white dude wandering around in the Amazon. Or whatever. Are there actually still indigenous people anywhere in the world that would chase you down and attempt to kill you with bows and arrows, without provocation besides territorial invasion, a la this terrible movie I'm watching? [more inside]
posted by borkingchikapa at 9:51 AM PST - 22 comments

How do I turn off menu auto-hiding in Microsoft Word?

How do I turn off menu auto-hiding in Microsoft Word? [more inside]
posted by nonmyopicdave at 9:22 AM PST - 4 comments

How can I help my husband?

Is my husband's behavior normal, or is this indicative of depression or some sort of anger-issue? And is there anything I can do to help? [more inside]
posted by catfood at 9:14 AM PST - 53 comments

Home network with IP phone, wifi, multiple hard-line access points

Wifi: Can I have 1 wireless router & 1 non-wireless router in the same location? Or 2 wifi routers? [more inside]
posted by cg1 at 8:57 AM PST - 9 comments

Looking for information on an artist

ArtFilter: For several generations, my family has had a large painting that's a reproduction of Guido Reni's Aurora. At some point it was water damaged, and my father just had it restored. The woman who restored it fond an artist's name on the back, "R. Menchetti - Roma." Aside from the artnet link, we haven't been able to find anything else out about him. I'm not an art or art history expert. Where can I look to find more information, online or off?
posted by emptyage at 8:18 AM PST - 3 comments

Getting into showbiz in China

How do I get into drama, acting or TV extra work in China? [more inside]
posted by gttommy at 8:05 AM PST - 8 comments

MDF and PVC are nice, but do you have something more...standard?

Is there an adult equivalent of a modular construction set (Erector Set, fischertechnik, K'Nex, Tinker Toys, etc.,) suitable for building more serious projects (desks, projector enclosures, tables)? [more inside]
posted by ostranenie at 8:01 AM PST - 14 comments

Nondestructive Climbing Vines

I am looking for a nondestructive climbing vine that does well in shade. [more inside]
posted by pheideaux at 7:56 AM PST - 12 comments

How do I get Apache working on Vista?

I tried to install Apache on my new Windows Vista laptop, and it ain't working. When I try to start up Apache, I get a command prompt window that says "No installed service named Apache". [more inside]
posted by teaperson at 7:55 AM PST - 4 comments

Calculating Complicated Cost Basis

How the heck do I figure out the cost basis of long-ago inherited stocks? [more inside]
posted by bink at 7:54 AM PST - 6 comments

How to find a web host that doesn't get blacklisted?

Our webhost keeps getting blacklisted. What can we do? [more inside]
posted by reborndata at 7:47 AM PST - 10 comments

I'm extremely disappointed. I send you out for exciting, new designer drugs, you come back with tomato sauce.

Tivo and DVD to another room of the house. [more inside]
posted by striker at 7:33 AM PST - 7 comments

The Nameless Anarchist

Help me remember the name of an anarchist. [more inside]
posted by scratch at 7:31 AM PST - 10 comments

Help me find an ethical bank in the US please!

In the UK I banked with the Co-op Bank because of its ethical policies. Now I live in New York and I want to open a US checking account with a bank with a similar ethical outlook, so my money (such as it is!) doesn't get used to finance bad stuff. Googling doesn't show up anything similar apart from the Common Good Bank which isn't actually open yet. So who should I use ethical Mefites?
posted by merocet at 7:24 AM PST - 8 comments

Load Testing the Hard Disk on a Win2k Server.

Are there any utilities for windows that continuously read/write to a hard disk? [more inside]
posted by seanyboy at 7:22 AM PST - 15 comments

Ever have your handwriting professionally analyzed?

Did you ever have your handwriting analyzed by a professional graphologist? What did you learn about yourself? What does it cost? Was it worth it?
posted by stupidsexyFlanders at 7:21 AM PST - 17 comments

Remeber this?

Does anyone have any info on a Liquid Television animation that I remember as a guy driving a race car around an inside track (kind of like "RollerBall" w/ James Caan) and the guy refuses to stop his car and melts or dies? I also remember about halfway through the segment a cigarette falling from someone's hand in slow motion and hitting the floor. And no, I haven't been smoking anything illegal (though I might have been then). I'm getting nowhere with my search.
posted by sluglicker at 7:21 AM PST - 10 comments

Bad Broker Blues

My family's broker hasn't moved my money. It's accruing at less than 1% and has been for the past 7 months. Do I have any recourse? [more inside]
posted by craven_morhead at 7:01 AM PST - 13 comments

Where is the info on Tokyo Design Week 2007?

How can I find information (dates, location) about Design Week in Tokyo so that I can make my travel plans? [more inside]
posted by cadge at 7:01 AM PST - 5 comments

This place is an institution!

I like eating at classic, old-timey, been-there-forever and still as good as back-in-the-day, "this place is an institution" -type eateries. Point me to some new ones... [more inside]
posted by mds35 at 6:52 AM PST - 85 comments

MSIE is the bane of the internet

Annoying MIE Javascript/AJAX question: I'm making an Ajax site and am trying to get it to work with Explorer. It works perfectly in Firefox and Safari but not in Explorer, damn MS and their constant exceptions! [more inside]
posted by Napierzaza at 6:35 AM PST - 22 comments

Test-in or backdoor into research and/or higher education?

As an "outsider", how do I find a back door in to a school or institution of research? Is there any way to "test in" to such a program - or to a degree? [more inside]
posted by loquacious at 5:28 AM PST - 13 comments

Statues atop Episcopal churches?

Do Episcopal churches ever have statues of saints, e.g., Saint George, atop their steeples? Thanks.
posted by the sobsister at 5:15 AM PST - 5 comments

How can I locate old / limited release CD?

Is there a good place, repository, store, outlet from which to acquire music CDs that are long out of print or short run? [more inside]
posted by Tommy Gnosis at 4:58 AM PST - 9 comments

Where has my parcel gone?!

I’m trying to track a parcel posted in the US with the USPS to my work address in Nottingham, England. I have a tracking number, but all the information I can get is this: [more inside]
posted by timpollard at 4:54 AM PST - 11 comments

I want to write once, get paid twice

I have written a couple of travel/food articles for large U.S. newspapers. Once they are published, I am free to resell them. The questions: Where? How? [more inside]
posted by veggieboy at 4:35 AM PST - 1 comment

Any information on Mario Rivoli?

Where can I find information and images on the Web of work by American artist Mario Rivoli (b. 1943 in NYC - now based in Denver CO)? Haven't been able to find much - there's this article but little more. Done all the usual Googling and gotten nowhere. Any help or leads would be greatly appreciated.
posted by tommorris at 3:04 AM PST - 2 comments

Don't let me miss the boomerang exhibition!

Help me not miss anything on my "once in a lifetime" trip through southeast Asia, Australia and New Zealand! [more inside]
posted by antifuse at 3:02 AM PST - 25 comments

the gods must be similar!

What are the similarities between Hindu and Chinese mythology? [more inside]
posted by mordecai at 12:54 AM PST - 7 comments

March 27

Old Thief Want to Repay Victims

When I was younger I stole some stuff from a store and I want to make reparations now, how do I do this? [more inside]
posted by Deep Dish at 11:39 PM PST - 42 comments

watching other people's (televised) fun

Where can I watch tv show tapings in Melbourne or Sydney? [more inside]
posted by kaydo at 10:54 PM PST - 5 comments

Why can't I play Flash content on my Mac?

Why can't I play Flash content on my Mac? [more inside]
posted by nasp at 10:37 PM PST - 7 comments

Suspended License

What recourse do I have in this situation? Girl meets jail when license is unknowingly suspended in Tennessee. [more inside]
posted by finitejest at 10:29 PM PST - 20 comments

create screensavers from PowerPoint

I would like to create a screensaver using a PowerPoint presentation. I am aware that I can save the slides and then create a My Pictures slideshow-type screensaver, but this method loses the animation, which is critical. Searching on Google, there is an abundance of software that promises to convert PPT shows to screensavers, but I have never heard of any of the companies providing the software, and I am hesitant to just start downloading it willy-nilly. Can anyone recommend a method for creating screensavers from PowerPoints based on their own experience? I am especially interested in free methods. If it matters, I am using Windows XP and PowerPoint 2007.
posted by foxinthesnow at 10:20 PM PST - 2 comments

people painter. painting people.

Suggestions for portrait painters in Vancouver or San Francisco? We're trying to find a painter to commission two portraits for an anniversary present. The painter should be within striking distance to either city and have portraits in their portfolio. And yes, we are generally thinking of paintings, but should you know of a fantastic photographer in the same vein, post it here too. [more inside]
posted by fionab at 9:52 PM PST - 3 comments

Workbooks for a Gifted 7-year-old?

Help me choose some work books for my very bright first grader. [more inside]
posted by LarryC at 8:40 PM PST - 11 comments

Out damn spot!

How do I get these black spots off my car? [more inside]
posted by backseatpilot at 8:23 PM PST - 8 comments

You don't get what you give.

Should I learn not to care that much about people? [more inside]
posted by daninnj at 8:22 PM PST - 37 comments

What can I print poetry onto?

I would like to print out poetry onto something other than paper, with the intention of hanging it for display on a wall. [more inside]
posted by avoision at 8:16 PM PST - 18 comments

Non-monogamy Filter: Do you have experience with fluid bonding in a committed non-monogamous relationship?

Non-monogamy Filter. Do you have experience with fluid bonding in a committed non-monogamous relationship? (Or have you considered it and decided against it, or do you otherwise have thoughts about it?) [more inside]
posted by allterrainbrain at 8:10 PM PST - 23 comments

What to do with an iSight?

MacBookFilter: Are there any good uses for the built-in iSight that I'm missing? [more inside]
posted by DarkElf109 at 7:57 PM PST - 19 comments

Maritime / Pirate History sites?

What are the best maritime / pirate history sites on the east coast and within a 6 hour drive of the DC area? [more inside]
posted by COD at 7:43 PM PST - 11 comments

Japanese Transformers with Subs

I'd really like to watch all of the transformers episode in their native japanese, with subtitles. [more inside]
posted by PowerCat at 7:42 PM PST - 6 comments

Help me find a service that hacks electronics!

Does anyone know of a service that creates or modifies custom electronics? For instance, I review a lot of concerts for various web sites and would love to have something like a decent quality 0 lux video cam w/ sound that's housed in a cell phone. Don't need any phone functions, just something inconspicuous to film small parts of the show for the review. Something that looks like a phone but is really a good low light video cam. Any suggestions?
posted by Geoffh at 7:31 PM PST - 6 comments

atomic radius of He compared to H2

how does the atomic/molecular radius of hydrogen gas molecules (H2) compare to that of helium gas (He)? [more inside]
posted by jjsonp at 6:46 PM PST - 6 comments

Why Don't I Rent Anymore?

A pipe in the basement is dripping. It goes to the boiler. What can I do to make it stop? Do I need a plumber? (Pictures inside) [more inside]
posted by toddst at 6:15 PM PST - 7 comments

What is Deleuze and Guattari's "abstract machine"?

Explain Deleuze & Guattari's "abstract machine" in a way I can understand? [more inside]
posted by Joseph Gurl at 6:00 PM PST - 10 comments

Where is MY little black dress?

Too big for the regular stores, too small for the big girl stores... Please help me find a size 18 non-froofy "semi-formal" dress. [more inside]
posted by meindee at 5:42 PM PST - 19 comments

My six year old wants to go to a car race. Help!

[BayAreaCarRacingFilter]: My son is six. He loves the movie Cars. He reallyreallyreally wants me to take him to a race -- he wants to see a big oval track spectacle, as glamorized in the movie. I want to be a good dad and oblige him, but we live in the Bay Area (specifically, San Mateo County), and as far as I can tell, my options are limited. [more inside]
posted by mosk at 5:10 PM PST - 25 comments

Help me plan a meeting in my own back yard

We are thinking of hosting a small (around 100 people) scientific conference in Colorado some time in April-June 2008. Our office in Boulder doesn't have a room that's big enough. A colleague suggested holding the meeting in Steamboat Springs, but Steamboat is three hours' drive away. I'd prefer something equally scenic but closer to Boulder/Denver. Any suggestions? Thanks!
posted by lukemeister at 5:04 PM PST - 10 comments

Very late W-2

My employer has not given me my W-2. I've contacted the IRS, and gotten a substitute form that I have to fill out myself, but since I was never given paystubs, (tax information was usually written on the paycheck itself, and, being silly.lazy, I didn't photocopy my checks,) I have to guess at the amount I owe. I'm also concerned about filing for Arizona income tax, but when I called them they said I don't need a W-2, which dosen't make much sense. I've gotten the run-around from my employer (the company owner,) with her blaming the accountant. I want my W-2, but I also think they deserve some sort of punishment/sanction for this. What can I do?
posted by Snyder at 5:00 PM PST - 10 comments

How can I spice up a boring cheeseburger?

Boring old homemade cheeseburgers for dinner. No lettuce and tomato. How can I spice this up? [more inside]
posted by hodyoaten at 4:53 PM PST - 43 comments

Finally making the jump to cellphone. Some questions...

Finally getting a cell phone. The only "feature" I care about is reception. I don't need any doodads, email, mp3s, video etc. etc--the only exception is I need to store 75 numbers or more. Price doesn't matter. What phone should I get? I'm in Toronto (east end/beaches) but am willing to buy thru eBay or whatever if necessary. Should I go with Rogers? Fido? Telus? (Refuse to go with Bell so that one's out). Lastly, I'm okay with doodads and whatnot as long as they don't affect reception so if you've got opinions on those, please share. I'm on a Mac.
posted by dobbs at 4:11 PM PST - 17 comments

Should my new MacBook's power button tilt like that?

Should I be worried that my new MacBook's power button is no longer flush with the keyboard surface? It's tilted a tiny bit, and seemed to happen yesterday. Coincidentally, this was the first time I took it out of the house, albeit only briefly. I just got the thing this week, so I'm worried that I've got some sort of new parent syndrome ("My baby doesn't like grabbing my pinky with her left hand as much as her right- is she dying?"). So...is she dying? Should I get to the nearest Apple Store ASAP?
posted by paul_smatatoes at 3:27 PM PST - 7 comments

TrustX11Applications I don't trust you...

How can I prove the ssh_config keyword TrustX11Applications is working? [more inside]
posted by nomisxid at 3:14 PM PST - 2 comments

Maps vs. GPS - Choosing High Tech or Low Tech Travel

Roadtrip technology. Which would you prefer, high-tech solutions (web-enabled phone/Palm, laptop, GPS) or low-tech solutions (maps, AAA Triptiks, GoogleMaps printouts) or some combination? [more inside]
posted by Dreama at 3:02 PM PST - 29 comments

Will energy saving light bulbs burn my house down?

What is normal when a compact flourescent bulb burns out? [more inside]
posted by Shoeburyness at 2:37 PM PST - 21 comments

The missing de meets the Big O

Given two unsorted lists, size N and M (N < M), how long [ O (???) ] and how much storage [ O (???) ] would be required to find elements in common between N and M (the number of common elements could range from 0 to N)? How would you go about doing this? [more inside]
posted by langeNU at 1:59 PM PST - 29 comments

She's qualified, but she smells bad!

Help me not smell like smoke on my job interview! [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 1:58 PM PST - 40 comments

I need suggestions for getting over my CSS block

I have found it impossible to grasp the concept of CSS. A friend taught me to hand code HTML, then I taught myself how to use Dreamweaver. I love HTML and design nice looking sites that are full of tables, repeated font tags, etc. I really want and need to move on. I want to learn CSS, but it just does not sink into my pea-brain. I've tried various online tutorials but just can't stay interested, mainly because I get lost pretty quickly into the tutorial. Certainly it can't be that difficult, what can I do to make this easier for me to absorb?
posted by luckyshirl at 1:46 PM PST - 42 comments

Help a webbie out...

CSS aid needed: I'm going to see a client tomorrow morning and I want to get this working before I see her. I have a horizontal rollover image menu, but I would like to have a different image to display when rolling over the link. [Single image demo] I've searched and tried the usual suspects, nothing that helps. Any code/suggestions/links ?
posted by Webbster at 1:33 PM PST - 8 comments

Need professional (in Brooklyn) to make car smell better.

Know of any car care specialists in or around Brooklyn that can make my car stop smelling so bad? [more inside]
posted by blapst at 1:20 PM PST - 5 comments

Buying Beautiful Brain Boxes

I need a slim, attractive men's bicycle helmet. [more inside]
posted by Cycloptichorn at 1:04 PM PST - 42 comments

Buring CDs with Toast Titanium

What exactly does the verification step in Toast Titanium do? Is it an absolutely necessary step when burning a disc? Sometimes the verification fails but it doesn't seem to make any difference whatsoever and the new disc works fine.
posted by Joseppi at 12:23 PM PST - 5 comments

Automotive frontend issue

While driving I heard a crunch from the cars front end, got out and saw that the left front wheel was angled inwards at the top about 17degrees. [more inside]
posted by Iron Rat at 12:02 PM PST - 10 comments

How best to "country-hop" in Asia?

I would like to visit Thailand, Cambodia, Bali, and Singapore during a month I have off this summer. Can anyone recommend an efficient, possibly inexpensive way to get to all the places inbetween here? [more inside]
posted by skepticallypleased at 11:13 AM PST - 19 comments

How do I handle this (latest) speeding ticket?

Got a speeding ticket that may cost me my license. But wait! Happened in State A, I live in State B, and my license is from State C, where I used to live. And there are small errors on the ticket. Is there hope? [more inside]
posted by CommonSense at 10:45 AM PST - 45 comments

How can I do cool non-cleared computer security work?

Help me figure out how I can do really cool computer security stuff for a living. The catch: it can't be work for the NSA or Justice Department or anything that requires a security clearance. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 10:44 AM PST - 15 comments

Where did my Picasa hidden photo information go?

I restored my Picasa data from a backup after a crash. Now none of the previously hidden photos are still hidden. Can I recover this automatically somehow? [more inside]
posted by grouse at 10:41 AM PST - 5 comments

Help me find my job title

I'm French and I'm doing my CV in English. Help me find my job title. [more inside]
posted by celine at 10:37 AM PST - 24 comments

Can I learn yoga from a book?

Can you recommend a good yoga book for a beginner? [more inside]
posted by Amizu at 10:23 AM PST - 11 comments

How can I learn to speak intelligently about SEO?

What are some good resources out there such that I can bring myself up to speed quickly on Search Engine Optimization? [more inside]
posted by ScreechingEyeballStupidShitboxClownshoes at 10:04 AM PST - 13 comments

Please help this Mac user avoid having to buy a Windows laptop in Egypt. Please.

How can I get connected to my company's network via Cisco VPN? Difficulties: I have an iBook experiencing firewall mismatch, I'm not exceptionally wealthy, and I'm currently in Egypt. [more inside]
posted by Deathalicious at 10:00 AM PST - 4 comments

Rent-to-own home?

Great housing deal? [more inside]
posted by toastchee at 9:46 AM PST - 10 comments

Outlook Express/Hotmail?

I can't set up my hotmail account with outlook express 6. [more inside]
posted by clairezulkey at 9:10 AM PST - 3 comments

What is the ultimate cell phone?

Help me find the perfect convergence communication device (i.e. phone!) to make my nerdlife complete while I'm (endlessly) on the road. Hours upon hours of searching have turned up naught and I'm getting desperate. [more inside]
posted by TheNewWazoo at 9:08 AM PST - 13 comments

How do I delete a stubborn mpeg file?

My computer is refusing to let me delete a fairly large file. It's an mpeg movie file I downloaded from Limewire (have mercy, MPAA)! Whenever I try to delete the file, I get a message claiming the file is in use by another program, but I don't see any programs running in task manager that would be using this file. The file is in my documents folder. Any thoughts on how this stubborn mpeg can be deleted?
posted by zembla3 at 8:58 AM PST - 24 comments

Today's Tom Sawyer: Painting our picket fence

We are replacing a section of our white wood picket fence that someone's car hit and want to give the whole thing another coat of paint while we're at it so that the new section will blend in with the old section. What do we need to do? [more inside]
posted by onlyconnect at 8:56 AM PST - 5 comments

Taking the plunge into plasma

Cold-feet-before-buying-the-plasma-department: How can I reproduce, or come within a stone's throw towards, the rich blacks of a CRT? [more inside]
posted by Gordion Knott at 8:42 AM PST - 12 comments

Can I legitimately ask prospective anthology contributors for money?

I want to publish a fiction anthology, and pay contributors for accepted submissions. Is it unutterably shady and horrible to ask prospective contributors to send a token fee (perhaps $1) with their submissions to defray costs? [more inside]
posted by Faint of Butt at 8:27 AM PST - 16 comments

What do you call the doohickie that allows you to drill into dirt?

I saw my landscape contractors using an extended drill auger bit, to drill holes for plants, rather than digging them manually. What are these called?
posted by Tacos Are Pretty Great at 8:25 AM PST - 7 comments

Boulder Scenics

Boulderites - what would be scenic, unique or picturesque to film? [more inside]
posted by jazzkat11 at 7:58 AM PST - 6 comments

Email to the Universe

Where can I send an email to the Universe? [more inside]
posted by allelopath at 7:56 AM PST - 23 comments

How do I make Google Reader and Del.icio.us work together?

Can I "post" to Del.icio.us from Google Reader? [more inside]
posted by zooropa at 7:41 AM PST - 6 comments

How do I turn a random encounter into a possible romantic relationship?

I've lost the ability to have anything more than a five minute chat with people of the opposite sex. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 6:37 AM PST - 16 comments

Recommendations for films to improve your sex life?

Neither my boyfriend nor I have a particularly high libido, and we make love once every few weeks or so. We've discovered, though, that we really enjoy watching good movies that are also....well....hot. And I do mean good films -- not porn -- that also are sexual. (Sex & Lucia, Shortbus, etc.) We enjoy watching a film, find it arousing, and then we have great sex! I'm curious what other films are out there that tell a good story....have strong character development....and are sexy. Any recommendations?
posted by anonymous at 6:37 AM PST - 73 comments

Is it possible to use hypnosis to aid in memory recovery?

Is there any validity or reliability to using hypnosis to explore forgotten memories? Also, recommendations for therapists in the Seattle area or what to look for in a therapist? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 6:37 AM PST - 32 comments

I am about to own a Mac for the first time in 25 years. Has much changed since then?

About to become a Macbook owner. Please help me manage tasks and e-mail. [more inside]
posted by 4ster at 6:31 AM PST - 11 comments

Selfish or Seen the Light?

How do you know if the time has come to end a 10 year relationship? Given that we both want completely different things out of life- it that grounds for termination? (My apologies in advance for the LONG post inside) [more inside]
posted by MayNicholas at 6:00 AM PST - 58 comments

Toilet paper cozies for hipster-wannabes?

Our cats have discovered the joy of shredding toilet paper. Is there a cool and stylish toilet-paper cozy that can be a solution? [more inside]
posted by commander_cool at 5:29 AM PST - 15 comments

Where to get a business wardrobe?

Where can I load up on *cool* business clothes? [more inside]
posted by phaedrus441 at 5:24 AM PST - 21 comments

Does the headline have any purpose?

The USPS charges for shipments based on package size and weight and in the case of media mail- the contents. Once your package clears the counter, is it safe to say it won't be checked for compliance of these things beyond that point? [more inside]
posted by Thrillhouse at 4:20 AM PST - 19 comments

How feasible is it for me to live and work abroad?

I've always wanted to spend some time living/working abroad, preferably Spain. However I'm from the UK, and like many of us, I speak practically no languages other than English. [more inside]
posted by tomw at 2:00 AM PST - 12 comments

What programming language/tool should I use?

ApplicationDevelopmentFilter : I want to write an application that allows the user to "build" a flyer based on templates I design. Think of the old Spreadshirt website where you could choose your t-shirt size, type and colour, choose your graphic and where it goes, size etc... and gives you visual progress until you get your finished product. [more inside]
posted by paterg at 1:14 AM PST - 10 comments

March 26

"That's So ____"

How to respond to "casual" homophobia and other similarly immature behavior? [more inside]
posted by rossination at 10:25 PM PST - 145 comments

Pittsburgh, PA to Chestertown, MD

Another "here-to-there" question: Pittsburgh, PA to Washington College in Chestertown, PA. Is this possible without a car? Here's the information I have gathered so far: [more inside]
posted by nervestaple at 10:08 PM PST - 9 comments

Yarr! I be needin' the plans fer pirate ships!

Where can I get deck plans for pirate ships? Websites are welcome, a good book or two of many different ship plans would be ideal. [more inside]
posted by Rubber Soul at 9:55 PM PST - 8 comments

Seeking a specific heat-fetish story (description inside)

Seeking a specific fetish story, published on the web in the mid 90s or earlier, that had to do with a heat fetish (being heated to extreme temperatures as sexually arousing). I know it's a long shot but this story made such an impression on me and I can't find it again. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 9:29 PM PST - 3 comments

Looking for this particular shirt...

Where to get this shirt and shirts like it. Thank you.
posted by Manhasset at 9:19 PM PST - 1 comment

Strangely symmetrical pain

CarpalTunnelMysteryFilter: I have carpal tunnel syndrome, or something similar, but my hands don't generally hurt unless I work too much. Here's the weird thing: [more inside]
posted by martinrebas at 9:01 PM PST - 13 comments

Help me identify this painting

Please help me identify a painting. [more inside]
posted by aceyim at 8:06 PM PST - 8 comments

Please help me understand why this cat meows so loudly

For nearly a year, we have been feeding a few stray cats in the yard. Two cats in particular, we'll call them Dale and Greenbean, come to visit every day... [more inside]
posted by waywardgirl at 7:31 PM PST - 10 comments

And s-so I told him, n-no, man, y-you can't keep that h-horse!

FirstDateFilter: How do I keep my calm and not turn into a stammering sticky pile of jello? [more inside]
posted by Glitter Ninja at 6:54 PM PST - 22 comments

What kind of therapist does my son need?

What kind of therapist does my son need? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 6:42 PM PST - 47 comments

First, get a name.

Need a band name! Can't wait to see what the AskMeFiLites come up with! [more inside]
posted by TiredStarling at 6:38 PM PST - 68 comments

XP>MacBook: Firefox bookmark's order disarranged

I just bought a MacBook Pro after my dead Toshiba. Interesting. Different. I installed Firefox and moved my bookmarks from my XP computer. But now they're all screwed up on the Mac! They had been ordered alphabetically with the folders full of links on top, but now the folders are on the bottom (having ordered them alphabetically on the Mac). XP keeps folders together and Mac doesn't, it seems (this seems also to be the case in the "Finder"). Let me know if I'm missing something.... Please float my folders....
posted by rumbles at 6:27 PM PST - 8 comments

Is there a slot-machine ambient tone?

Any information on the ambient tone that seems to emanate from many casino slot machine halls? It seems to be consistent from casino to casino, and I can't tell if it comes from the combined sounds of the machines, or if it is an underlying tone.
posted by pt68 at 6:15 PM PST - 9 comments

Maids of the non-French variety.

Recommendations for Cleaners in Toronto? [more inside]
posted by jacquilynne at 6:11 PM PST - 7 comments

I want to teach in Canada. Will I be able to find a job and will I be paid like a pauper?

Can a California boy find work as an elementary/primary school teacher in one of the BIG Canadian cities? What is the salary for a teacher like? [more inside]
posted by HotPatatta at 5:44 PM PST - 10 comments

What are the political implications of my favorite coffee?

Which Italian coffee matches my political leanings? [more inside]
posted by bonecrusher at 5:36 PM PST - 6 comments

I want to upgrade my cellphone but keep my old plan

I have a $29.99 per month cellphone plan that Cingular doesn't offer anymore. Can I upgrade my phone and keep the plan? [more inside]
posted by Dec One at 5:32 PM PST - 18 comments

Sorting data in Open Office

Open Office Calc and sorting data question. [more inside]
posted by Eekacat at 5:19 PM PST - 6 comments

Educational software - no copy protected

Can anyone recommend educational children's software, for grades 1-3 or so, that's not copy-protected? [more inside]
posted by richg at 5:16 PM PST - 8 comments

Washer&dryer without the hookups. Can I still use them?

Found the condo of my dreams except for one huge deal-breaker: No washer and dryer hookups! Is there anything I can do to get a washer & dryer into the condo? [more inside]
posted by jmd82 at 5:01 PM PST - 17 comments

IE7 favicons

How do I make IE7 not use "favicons"? [more inside]
posted by Steven C. Den Beste at 4:58 PM PST - 11 comments

MediatedExperienceFilter

I'm looking for scholarly research and writing on the topic of experience mediated through recording devices, with an emphasis on cell-phone still/video cameras, point-and-shoots, etc -- casual, frequent media gathering activities performed by nonprofessionals in support of blogging and other personal storytelling. [more inside]
posted by Alterscape at 4:17 PM PST - 4 comments

What's the worst that could happen if we buy a house from my husband's boss?

I'm interested in buying a house that is owned by my husband's boss. Is this a bad, bad, bad idea? [more inside]
posted by saffry at 4:08 PM PST - 11 comments

How much auto insurance is needed?

How much auto insurance does my friend need? [more inside]
posted by gtr at 3:48 PM PST - 8 comments

Help me dumpster dive for my lost car keys!

Two dumpsters of trash. One lost car key. Help me avoid spending $1,600. [more inside]
posted by docgonzo at 3:31 PM PST - 27 comments

ordering a vegan subway

1)Ordering a vegan subway. Due to religious reasons, when i eat at Subway restaurants, (in U.S.A) i prefer that while the subway is made, they use separate handcover while preparing my vegan order and not to intermix my order with other non-vegan orders. Is this something common/reasonable. Because whenever i say, the person who takes the order seems to get upset. 2)Any one liner message so that i can make them understand my preference. Sometimes they get confused. when i say please use separate handcover for my order.
posted by tom123 at 3:22 PM PST - 88 comments

When losing weight, is it normal to have loose stools?

When losing weight, is it normal to have loose stools? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 3:04 PM PST - 19 comments

BS but did it take me too long?

I have a BS from a well known school with a high GPA. The problem is it took me 6 years to do it. What are the chances of me getting into a master's program?
posted by 517 at 2:26 PM PST - 17 comments

Missing Database

Help me find a missing database. [more inside]
posted by Jandasmo at 2:25 PM PST - 2 comments

Maybe the problem is that the world CAN'T listen.

Why won't this CD rip properly? 12 out of 18 songs are completely garbled, regardless of which program I try to use. [more inside]
posted by punchdrunkhistory at 2:24 PM PST - 17 comments

Given a poorly described music video, identify a song.

Late 90's Alt-Rock Video Identification: Name that Band and Song from Vaguely Remembered Clues. Hint: the guitarist has connected the strap to his guitar with a lot of duct tape. [more inside]
posted by leapfrog at 2:23 PM PST - 9 comments

Maybe I should work non-stop

I'm having trouble getting back into work-mode after any time off. Even a single day. Any suggestions? [more inside]
posted by hazel at 2:23 PM PST - 7 comments

Tax planning advice for the self employed.

Tax planning advice for the self employed. The web is full of articles, the bookstores are full of guides. But there is so much "get rich quick" and "pay zero taxes" crap out there that I am not sure where to go for good, solid tax planning advice. [more inside]
posted by Nothing at 1:57 PM PST - 5 comments

Old Debt

An old debt has found it's way back to me. Should I pay it? If not, is there an optimal strategy for not paying it? [more inside]
posted by poppo at 1:51 PM PST - 33 comments

where to sit at the at&t center

I have two pairs of tickets in two different sections for a concert at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Tx. Where should I sit? [more inside]
posted by CrazyLemonade at 1:48 PM PST - 5 comments

Why not gigabit?

Why do some networking products have 10/100 ports instead of gigabit ports? [more inside]
posted by rathikd at 1:45 PM PST - 9 comments

What gets you out of bed in the morning?

What's your favorite coffee (brand and roast/flavor) that's available over the internet? I like a full bodied coffee, but nothing that borders on bitter. Bonus if I'm not paying $20+/lb (you know who you are, Illy). I know 100% Kona coffee is supposed to be the best, but, again, I can't really afford $30/lb. Right now I'm drinking various dark blends from Starbucks and enjoy them, but I know there must be truly amazing coffees out there. [more inside]
posted by roundrock at 1:40 PM PST - 50 comments

Eine Kleine Hack Musik: music to code by?

What's good music to program by? [more inside]
posted by Zed_Lopez at 1:33 PM PST - 43 comments

Help me choose cast-iron cookware.

What do I need to consider when choosing cast-iron cookware (a skillet or a griddle)? Do brands, price, pre-seasoned v. not, or anything else make a difference? [more inside]
posted by gauchodaspampas at 1:07 PM PST - 28 comments

What does "XXL Athletics" stand for on the front of shirts?

What does "XXL Athletics" represent on t-shirts? [more inside]
posted by davey_darling at 1:07 PM PST - 10 comments

Portrait of the Macbook as a river of text

Is it possible to get Macbooks to display in portrait mode? [more inside]
posted by Happy Dave at 1:06 PM PST - 10 comments

Is it nuts to consider buying a hitch and attaching a small trailer to my 2006 Honda Civic EX 2-door?

Is it nuts to consider buying a hitch and attaching a small trailer to my 2006 Honda Civic EX 2-door? [more inside]
posted by bitterkitten at 1:00 PM PST - 10 comments

I can't stop eating sand...will it hurt me?

I can't stop eating SAND...will it hurt me in any way? [more inside]
posted by annie7978 at 12:53 PM PST - 31 comments

Make my resolution greater, please?

Dell laptop question, is this all the resolution I can get? Certainly not! [more inside]
posted by TomMelee at 12:51 PM PST - 11 comments

Can our landlord kick us out before the lease starts?

Less than a week after signing a new rental lease, my landlord calls and says that he's canceling our agreement and plans to move into the unit himself. What's our best course of action? [more inside]
posted by treebjen at 12:42 PM PST - 23 comments

Looking for a freebie digital camera. Sorta.

Dublin Airport Security accidentally broke my digital camera this weekend, and I'm looking for creative and cheap options to get a replacement digital camera to use for the rest of my trip. [more inside]
posted by KevCed at 12:40 PM PST - 9 comments

My Brother the Nerd Now my Champion

I want to have a closer relationship with my brother. [more inside]
posted by generic230 at 12:23 PM PST - 12 comments

Bubble Thrombosis: Fact or Fiction?

Air bubble in the artery... we've seen the TV murder mystery where someone is killed by having air injected directly into their artery, resulting in heart failure. My question is how much air would it take? A little or a lot?
posted by lekvar at 12:08 PM PST - 18 comments

My floor was finished and now it's finished.

I spilled methyl alcohol on the hardwood floor in my rented apartment and the finish dissolved. Now what? [more inside]
posted by cardboard at 11:25 AM PST - 8 comments

Pick Me A Political Polemic

A friend and I want to read a current and topical book about U.S. politics together for online discussion, and we're looking for suggestions... [more inside]
posted by peacecorn at 11:17 AM PST - 12 comments

Living, Working, and Biking in Miami

I may be moving to Miami and was wondering about neighborhoods, working in healthcare, and biking as transportation. [more inside]
posted by aussicht at 10:59 AM PST - 15 comments

California Housing Market

How does one monitor the Housing Market of Southern California? [more inside]
posted by matthelm at 10:46 AM PST - 5 comments

Setting out for the City of Brotherly Love...

Moving to Philadelphia later this year. I want a general overview of what's going on in the city (politics, demographic trends, etc.) in one place, as well as some advice about places to live. [more inside]
posted by midatlanticwanderer at 10:43 AM PST - 24 comments

How can I learn to love an asshole (and I don't mean someone who is inconsiderate)

[GaySexFilter] Help me overcome being disgusted by buttholes. If I don't get over it soon, it's going to be a major problem for me in relationships. [more inside]
posted by DarwinianDan at 10:27 AM PST - 52 comments

Getting out of the procrastination hole

When the deadline for all of your projects was two weeks ago, everything is at priority #1, and stress levels are at an all time high, how do you step back, get things in order, and progress so you can catch up and get back on top of your life? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 9:48 AM PST - 24 comments

Email to SMS Quickly and Cheaply?

What is the best / cheapest / most reliable Email to SMS service? I want to find out when certain people email me (friends, family, work colleagues), ignoring the spam or the newletters. [more inside]
posted by philsi at 9:48 AM PST - 7 comments

What else can I do with Windows Vista Media Center?

I just got a new PC with Windows Vista and have been exposed to Windows Media Center for the first time. What neat things can I do with it? [more inside]
posted by Servo5678 at 9:16 AM PST - 4 comments

My high school junior insists on leaving home someday ...

Best undergraduate options for the business of music/music managment majors? [more inside]
posted by thinkpiece at 8:49 AM PST - 15 comments

Email Lock-out!

Forgot my Yahoo password and login help is useless. How can I get back into my email? [more inside]
posted by MasonDixon at 8:44 AM PST - 9 comments

French Guy Maddin DVD releases?

Have any of you obtained this French DVD set of Guy Maddin films, or any of the individual releases? The region 1 releases are full of compression artifacts (annoying since the actual finish of the film is pretty important here) and I was wondering if these were any cleaner. [more inside]
posted by Lentrohamsanin at 8:35 AM PST - 0 comments

When is the right time to tell a woman how I feel about her?

RelationshipFilter: How long after a divorce should I wait to declare my feelings to another woman? Should I say anything at all? Ever? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 8:10 AM PST - 29 comments

Long lost daughter

An ex-girlfriend from when I was 18 yrs old recently got back in touch. She says I have a 10 year old daughter. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 8:10 AM PST - 51 comments

It's a tight fit!

[PCHardwareFilter] Socket AM2 or 775 motherboard in an Antec Aria case? [more inside]
posted by ChazB at 7:56 AM PST - 1 comment

How to fix an ailing sump pump?

SumpPumpFilter: Is my sump pump incorrectly installed? The pump runs periodically when it's wet in the basement, and the water seems to run back in the sump pump bucket immediately after the pump runs. [more inside]
posted by Xazeru at 7:35 AM PST - 4 comments

Broken Macbook

BrokenMacbookFilter: This morning I started up my macbook and all that comes up is a gray screen. Midterms are this week. [more inside]
posted by jne1813 at 7:12 AM PST - 16 comments

French movie about WWII

When I was in college, I watched a French movie for one of my classes. The premise, as I remember it, was that a French Jew is separated from his wife and child during World War II. He starts paying a old farming couple to hide him, giving them some of the gold and valuables he is carrying. Eventually, the old couple decide that hiding him is rather lucrative, and manage to fool him into remaining in hiding after the war is over so that they can squeeze him dry. [more inside]
posted by Johnny Assay at 7:00 AM PST - 5 comments

Boston dinner with the Boss

Bostonfoodfilter: The president of the company my boyfriend works for is coming to Boston and wants meet me and told my boyfriend he wants ME to pick the restaurant to go out to Thursday. [more inside]
posted by beccaj at 6:54 AM PST - 34 comments

It'll fit in the back of a Volvo

Any Suggestions on how to get a 180lb flight case from JFK to lower Manhattan today without a car? [more inside]
posted by ob at 5:53 AM PST - 13 comments

Jewish History Month

Do you know any site where Jewish history and the Torah are actively debated? Something like a forum? [more inside]
posted by markovich at 1:52 AM PST - 3 comments

March 24

Help me put on a junior high rock concert!

MeFi musicians help me! I am in charge of the guitar club at my school, and we need to stage a concert in a few weeks. [more inside]
posted by donkeymon at 11:27 PM PST - 11 comments

What are those little clocks?

I make stuff out of old computers. I may know that most towers/cabinets today are made out of Cycolac, but what are those little clock looking things that are molded into the plastic walls?
posted by wallstreet1929 at 10:29 PM PST - 7 comments

Software to grab DVD scenes

Is there software that will let me convert a scene from a DVD? [more inside]
posted by RobotHero at 10:24 PM PST - 5 comments

Where can I find a one-arm drive wheelchair that is lightweight and portable?

We would like to purchase a new wheelchair for our father, who suffered from a stroke some years ago and can only control the right side of his body. Main criteria: one-arm drive (or can be otherwise operated with only right limbs), portable and lightweight. [more inside]
posted by leptin at 9:54 PM PST - 6 comments

PhD program "waiting list?"

Help me interpret the response I received from graduate school, and give me advice on how to proceed. [more inside]
posted by contraption at 9:45 PM PST - 25 comments

Getting a Steelcase Think in Ottawa

The Steelcase Think chair: is it worth it, and how to find around Ottawa, Canada? [more inside]
posted by paperclip at 9:29 PM PST - 5 comments

Things to do in Vancouver when it rains?

My girlfriend and I are having a great time in Whistler, BC at the moment and are anticipating a great week in Vancouver, starting tomorrow. It is, however, raining. Quite a bit. [more inside]
posted by dflock at 8:32 PM PST - 15 comments

Find me a Qur'ān!

Which translation of the Qur'ān should I read? [more inside]
posted by Aloysius Bear at 7:55 PM PST - 9 comments

Does a tank of helium weigh more or less when empty?

Does a helium tank weigh more or less after it is empty? [more inside]
posted by perpetualstroll at 6:43 PM PST - 14 comments

Fat Free Half-and-half questions

Is fat free half-and-half acutally half-and-half? Will it kill me? [more inside]
posted by Jenny is Crafty at 6:18 PM PST - 14 comments

I love me some science... her, eh, not so much...

Er... so my new girlfriend doesn't believe in atoms... [more inside]
posted by wfrgms at 5:55 PM PST - 157 comments

Good conversations (often about culture, politics) in other countries?

When vacationing in a new country for a few weeks, what are the best ways to find interesting, thoughtful people with whom to have conversations (including but not exclusively about that country's culture, politics, etc.)? Would you recommend some kind of volunteer or more organized cultural learning expedition to serve this aim?
posted by Malad at 5:55 PM PST - 8 comments

Yeah, yeah, I know... another question about blogs and blogging and the blogosphere.

When it comes to blogging, has it all been done? [more inside]
posted by susiepie at 5:41 PM PST - 11 comments

Large Key case for larger keys?

Large Keycase for larger keys? [more inside]
posted by skillet at 5:28 PM PST - 1 comment

iTunes library moving issues

I've moved my iTunes folder from a network drive to a local drive. I need to reformat the remote drive... but Apple says I need to leave certain files from the old directory in place. Also, there's a big size difference between the old and new folders. Help! [more inside]
posted by onshi at 5:22 PM PST - 4 comments

Can my Ethiopian food be kosher?

Kosher Ethiopian food? Niter kebbeh in particular? [more inside]
posted by geekhorde at 5:07 PM PST - 7 comments

major drain woes

any ideas for a drain clog emergency? [more inside]
posted by mandlebrotz at 5:06 PM PST - 4 comments

Making professsional contacts in a new city

How do I build a network of professional contacts in a new city? [more inside]
posted by TrashyRambo at 4:46 PM PST - 5 comments

Why do corn pops come in that weird, waxy-papery bag?

Why do Corn Pops come in that weird, waxy-papery bag?
posted by BuddhaInABucket at 4:43 PM PST - 15 comments

AspieFilter

Is there any point to my seeking a diagnosis of Asperger Syndrome (AS), and how can I avoid quacks? [more inside]
posted by bad grammar at 4:05 PM PST - 12 comments

Lawyer helps client engage in fraud - what we do about it?

Can I sue a lawyer who helped his client commit financial fraud against my dad? [more inside]
posted by Kimpossible at 3:39 PM PST - 12 comments

Labeling photos on a Mac?

What's the best way of tagging/labeling pictures on a Mac? [more inside]
posted by aberrant at 3:31 PM PST - 4 comments

Bigfoot seeks big shoe

Have you bought women's shoes online? [more inside]
posted by FunkyHelix at 3:21 PM PST - 18 comments

Is a halfway-rolled down car window dangerous?

Is a halfway-rolled down car window dangerous? [more inside]
posted by IvyMike at 2:54 PM PST - 10 comments

What mini van should my sister buy?

Please recommend a mini van for my sister! She will soon be having her third kid, and the hand-me-down Buick LeSabre she drives now isn't going to cut it anymore. The tough part with this one is budget - she needs to get something for around $16k. [more inside]
posted by autojack at 2:36 PM PST - 14 comments

Honeymoon Help!

Secluded Rustic cabin Honeymoon getaway [more inside]
posted by slowtree at 2:21 PM PST - 7 comments

Shrink my shoes?

How can I make a pair of slightly larger shoes fit? [more inside]
posted by lpctstr; at 2:03 PM PST - 6 comments

How to style my moustache

With what do I wax my moustache - not hair-removal style waxing, but old-school-grooming style waxing? [more inside]
posted by attercoppe at 12:31 PM PST - 9 comments

Somebody save me. I need some super help on legaly downloading Smallville.

We just moved, and the one single show that my wife loves (and I don't mind much actually - minus its whiny soap opera moments, but I think Chloe is nice to look at) is Smallville. The newest episodes are not on the TV channels here. We're in Canada. I want to download the newest episodes ASAP after they appear. I want that to happen legally. [more inside]
posted by Kickstart70 at 12:26 PM PST - 17 comments

Help me find yellow barley

I'm looking for yellow barley...or something that looks a lot like barley, only yellow, and might or might not be in a Korean market. [more inside]
posted by clavicle at 12:24 PM PST - 2 comments

Where does a Human Rights & Social Movements major find work without prior experience?

I'm an International Relations: Human Rights and Social Movements major graduating next year.What should I do to find a job/ earn experience in this field that doesn't involve just filing papers? This is quite a new major at my Uni, and therefore, doesn't have a solid or thorough post-graduation resource bank, so to say. [more inside]
posted by Etta Hollis at 12:07 PM PST - 7 comments

A useful travel vest that won't make me look like my father-in-law?

We're traveling abroad for the first time this year (UK, Ireland). My wife has decided that she doesn't want me carrying bags (camera, book, etc.) around with me when we're sight-seeing. She wants me to wear a vest like this one. I admit that all of the pockets are cool, but I'm not that keen on the idea otherwise. I think the vest looks dumb. And I doubt its practicability. What can you tell me about travel vests? Are they useful? What should I look for when shopping for one? Can I get one that actually looks good? Is durable and comfortable? I haven't checked my Filson catalog yet, but that's my next stop.
posted by jdroth at 11:15 AM PST - 55 comments

Inexpensive Scanner with Feeder for Music OCR?

Looking for an inexpensive (under $200) scanner with a document feeder. This will be used for OCR, including MUSIC OCR using "Photoscore" software so greyscale resolution should be good. Speed and capacity are important -- I'd like to be able to put a stack of pages in and let it run while I'm out of the room. Duplex would be a plus.
posted by Alabaster at 11:15 AM PST - 5 comments

Fool Suffering Filter!

It's a fact of life: some of us are brilliant & utterly delightful to deal with, and then there are... other people. [more inside]
posted by miss lynnster at 10:40 AM PST - 38 comments

Needing shared hosting that doesn't suck

I need a recommendation for decent shared hosting (NOT Dreamhost.. see inside). [more inside]
posted by zek at 10:39 AM PST - 19 comments

Digital Photography Basics and OCR

Figuring out digital photography to support an OCR project [more inside]
posted by gov_moonbeam at 10:24 AM PST - 6 comments

Searching for SuperDress

So there's this dress I saw in a New Orleans' dress shop a few years ago... [more inside]
posted by jenh at 9:59 AM PST - 15 comments

read dont write

How do I keep patrons from editing the itunes library while still letting them download? [more inside]
posted by petsounds at 9:50 AM PST - 5 comments

downloading itunes

iTunes: Is it possible for me to purchase tv show subscriptions on iTunes and for someone else to download them, copy to an external hard drive and send to me to view on my laptop? [more inside]
posted by Juicylicious at 9:32 AM PST - 10 comments

A woman's Hair is Her Crowning Glory.

Help me add hair to my hair. [more inside]
posted by Secret Life of Gravy at 9:32 AM PST - 6 comments

clarification needed

STD-filter - men spreading bacterial vaginosis? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 8:36 AM PST - 8 comments

what happened?

I had a weird experience with briefly losing consciousness last night. Should I be worried and/or do something about it? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 8:15 AM PST - 13 comments

Need a UK gadget fix..

Does anyone know a UK supplier for one of these little gadgets?
posted by ascullion at 6:58 AM PST - 7 comments

How do I keep my overactive pores clean?

Okay, so this is gross. Bear with me. The pores on my face are huge, and as a youth I had troubles with acne--now mostly solved, thank goodness. But my nose continues to produce icky white gunk, visible down there in the pores, and I have no way to keep it from producing. It's gross when I can actually squeeze it out. Mind you, no pimples are forming; my pores are just clogged with white goo. Is there is a specific product I can use or some miracle process that will help combat this? Thanks!
posted by jackypaper at 6:55 AM PST - 16 comments

Blank Do It... Blank

Where is a list of all the "blank do it blank"? [more inside]
posted by chase at 6:32 AM PST - 15 comments

What can't I store in the attic?

What can't I store in the attic? [more inside]
posted by clearlynuts at 6:25 AM PST - 10 comments

Where to go in Atlanta after eating at Sun Dial?

How would you spend 6 hours on a Saturday night in Atlanta without kids? [more inside]
posted by skunkspinner at 5:40 AM PST - 8 comments

A Story About a Beaver

A friend asked my to try and find a story her grandfather used to tell her mother, possibly by Rudyard Kipling. The info is pretty slim; All she knows is it's about a beaver who keeps going back to chomp at the same tree, and the other animals all say to him "the tree will fall into the lake". They set traps for the beaver, including a pit of spikes and smearing the tree with some bitter substance. In the end, the beaver goes away. Sorry, that's all I got. Hope it rings a bell! Thanks in advance!
posted by Silky Slim at 5:29 AM PST - 1 comment

A German gentleman writes a masculine letter of feminine love to a neuter young lady

What is the function of gendered articles of nouns in (German|Spanish|etc)? [more inside]
posted by beerbajay at 4:53 AM PST - 23 comments

Depressive Compulsive?!?!?!?!Then please help

Is there such a thing as DEPPRESIVE COMPULSIVE? Is it something real? Chemical? What and why can't I stop feeling sad, depressed, inadequate? [more inside]
posted by eve28 at 1:41 AM PST - 14 comments

After a tough day, what can I do to get back in the mood to do more work?

After a tough day, what can I do to get back in the mood to do more work? [more inside]
posted by lunchbox at 12:22 AM PST - 15 comments

Who does awesome guitar repairs in NYC?

I own a 50s reissue Stratocaster that I need to get some work done on. It's been in storage (not in a storage locker but someone's house, and not in a garage) for a couple of years, since I moved away from my hometown. Next month I'll be retrieving it. (Yay!) However, I'm not quite sure where to go in NYC to get that work done properly. I don't want my baby screwed up. Details inside. [more inside]
posted by secret about box at 12:21 AM PST - 8 comments

March 23

Nonprofit salaries

Is there a way to find exact salary information for jobs at a nonprofit? [more inside]
posted by Freecola at 10:43 PM PST - 7 comments

How to get the tax info of an uncooperative spouse?

My very close friend's soon-to-be ex-husband is being extremely vindictive. Does he have a legal leg to stand on? [more inside]
posted by srrh at 9:54 PM PST - 24 comments

Gandhi Soundtrack

Hi Anyone knows where I can get a copy of the soundtrack from the movie Gandhi. It must be in cd format, the only ones I have come across is LP. thanks
posted by Noodles at 9:32 PM PST - 4 comments

Name that tune...The "No" Song

Help me relive my childhood! When I was a kid, I loved this song, which I always called "The 'No' Song"...but what is it actually called, and who sings it? [more inside]
posted by tomatofruit at 8:55 PM PST - 7 comments

Help me find books on coping with a family that doesn't understand my husband's ethnicity

Help me find books on coping with a family that doesn't understand my husband's ethnicity. [more inside]
posted by sara558 at 8:11 PM PST - 10 comments

Bass... how low can you go?

What's a good, versatile and powerful electric bass rig to buy in the $750-1,500 range? [more inside]
posted by psmealey at 8:03 PM PST - 7 comments

Know anything about canned butter from the 1950's?

Help me figure out the name of the brand of canned butter my mother loved as a child growing up in Taiwan. [more inside]
posted by phonebia at 7:22 PM PST - 12 comments

Help me Pick a New Guitar Amp!

Help me pick a new guitar amp. Specifically for recording. [more inside]
posted by snsranch at 6:44 PM PST - 13 comments

Escape from New York

Escape from New York: Toronto or Minneapolis / St. Paul? My wife and I have decided to leave the Big Apple after 8 years by the end of this year. One option is to transfer within my company to either Toronto or St. Paul. Looking for opinions from Mefites on the respective merits of your burghs... [more inside]
posted by mtstover at 6:37 PM PST - 54 comments

Fired by voicemail

I got fired via voicemail. Am I allowed to publish this voicemail to the web? [more inside]
posted by Mijo Bijo at 6:23 PM PST - 28 comments

Identifying a book from years ago.

I'm trying to remember a kid's book from the late 70's. Nerdy child explorer who gave you interesting facts from around the world. Cartoonish. Remember him discovering a bilbao tree. Hope me. [more inside]
posted by Frasermoo at 5:52 PM PST - 7 comments

Lock beamed documents?

If I beam to you a document or spreadsheet from my pocket computer, is there a way for me to secure the file to prevent you from sharing it by beaming it to others?
posted by Shalerman at 5:41 PM PST - 7 comments

Does leaving a pizza stone in the oven make the oven more or less efficient?

Does leaving a pizza stone in the oven make the oven more or less efficient? [more inside]
posted by chefscotticus at 4:24 PM PST - 15 comments

What's a creative souvenir?

I need creative souvenir ideas. [more inside]
posted by BradNelson at 4:20 PM PST - 20 comments

Help break my fall.

Where can I buy the most throw pillows for the least amount of money? [more inside]
posted by hermitosis at 4:13 PM PST - 15 comments

Snip snip snip

What are great resources for cutting apart a photoshop file into a standards-compliant webpage? [more inside]
posted by dentata at 4:13 PM PST - 4 comments

MUJI equivalent notebooks in the US

Stationery question: Where in America can I buy a spiral bound notebook with a dot-grid (similar to those sold in Muji)? [more inside]
posted by Artw at 4:03 PM PST - 14 comments

How to help...

How do I help an Iraqi dentist friend? [more inside]
posted by RandlePatrickMcMurphy at 3:30 PM PST - 5 comments

Chantix and it's side affects

Chantix....Have you stopped smoking with it or had any experiences with it? [more inside]
posted by Megafly at 3:29 PM PST - 21 comments

Flirting--fun or folly?

There's a guy at work who fascinates me and I would love to get to know him as a friend, but I'm afraid to pursue it for fear he'll think I'm coming on to him. (I'm happily married and not looking for an affair). Should I just relax, not overthink it and let things develop, or should I run? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 3:29 PM PST - 26 comments

Mysterious/Nefarious Pumpy Handly Trucky Things...

What the heck are these pump handle thingies on the back of this truck? I am seeing more and more full sized trucks (which appear to be personal vehicles, not corporate vehicles) with these pumps on the tool box. It looks like the pump handle you would use to pump gas INTO your car, and clearly it's attached to some kind of pump, but I don't see and reservoirs on the truck which would lead me to believe these pump handles are used to pump something OUT of the truck. Anyway, photo inside... Would love to know what the heck they are...
posted by jwhowa at 3:29 PM PST - 10 comments

Is it possible to homebrew edible silkscreen ink?

Is it possible to create edible ink for an edible silkscreen? [more inside]
posted by GilloD at 3:14 PM PST - 11 comments

Where can I find vintage NASA animations?

I'm a fan of vintage NASA animations (like this one), but they are hard to find. I suspect that there's an archive of this stuff available to the public somewhere -- maybe a stack of dusty U-Matic tapes at the Library of Congress. Any ideas where I can find more?
posted by Chinese Jet Pilot at 2:42 PM PST - 2 comments

Using WordPress for Multiple Same-Site Feeds

How can I use a single WordPress install to run multiple mini-blogs on one domain? [more inside]
posted by mikewas at 1:29 PM PST - 7 comments

Heard “Music for Airports” in an airport?

Anyone actually heard “Music for Airports” in an airport? [more inside]
posted by joeclark at 1:10 PM PST - 16 comments

Wanna race?

What can I do to lower my heart rate by Monday? [more inside]
posted by Acetylene at 1:03 PM PST - 17 comments

How to protect my nest egg without losing my shirt?

Tax question: Is it better to diversify (and pay a lot of taxes) all at once, or to spread it out over a few years? [more inside]
posted by svenx at 12:38 PM PST - 15 comments

What is the mysterious fourth rail for?

I'm relatively new to New York and ride the subway every day. When I'm on the above-ground lines I notice another "fourth" rail in between the two running rails that doesn't look like it is used, but is securely tied down. Sometimes there's even a fifth rail, also in the middle. Usually this rail doesn't run continuously and it occasionally curves or has other oddities. What is this fourth rail for? [more inside]
posted by pithy comment at 12:33 PM PST - 15 comments

A script to find a bargain?

Is there a script that can help me optimize used book and dvd shipping expenditures on half.com, or can this be accomplished elsewhere? [more inside]
posted by Ambrosia Voyeur at 12:33 PM PST - 2 comments

Help me identify a paint color

I'm planning on painting my apartment. I know what color I want my living room, but I'm bad at identifying colors. Can you help me out? [more inside]
posted by o2b at 12:32 PM PST - 11 comments

Itunes is not counting play counts and recently played tracks from my ipods.

Itunes is not counting play counts and recently played tracks from my ipods. [more inside]
posted by rglass at 12:26 PM PST - 7 comments

No budget short film tips

I need tips and suggestions for shooting a short film on DV at night, mostly in a car. [more inside]
posted by strangeleftydoublethink at 11:47 AM PST - 7 comments

Foggy Wine Glass

I left water in a wine glass for a couple weeks. Now the wine glass is all foggy. Is my glass doomed or can this be undone?
posted by umlaut at 11:34 AM PST - 12 comments

NoDaddy

Getting screwed by a domain registrant. [NOT REGISTERFLY] [more inside]
posted by DU at 11:09 AM PST - 18 comments

What is there for a wheat gluten allergy sufferer on Passover?

What is a Matzos substitute for someone with a wheat gluten allergy? [more inside]
posted by paddingtonb at 11:06 AM PST - 12 comments

Please help me not become my parents

How can I keep from calcifying my beliefs and becoming like most of the actual adults that I know? [more inside]
posted by khaibit at 10:16 AM PST - 48 comments

How many people in the USA have email addresses?

Is there any way to find out what percentage of the population of the USA has an e-mail address? [more inside]
posted by worker_bee at 10:06 AM PST - 10 comments

Video Montage

Help me with my "photo montage" video! I'm putting together a treatment for a documentary film using Final Cut Pro, and want to jazz up a sequence wherein the main character runs a bar in the early '60s. As you can see from the rough draft I've done so far: (http://www.wavejumper.org/DirtyBird.mov) - besides being roughly and amateurishly executed, my 3D effect is pretty lame. [more inside]
posted by wavejumper at 10:03 AM PST - 4 comments

When is a sympathy card way out of line?

Is this a bad idea? I just recently discovered that an old friend/boyfriend from high school has been arrested on a murder charge. I'd like to send a note to his family regarding my sympathy. [more inside]
posted by teleri025 at 9:52 AM PST - 44 comments

Technological Cassandra Complex

The company I work for wants to outsource ownership of all its domains to a third party. Is there any way I can fight this? [more inside]
posted by lornoss at 9:23 AM PST - 13 comments

Help us buy a van in Spain!

Have you bought a vehicle in Spain before? Some friends and I are looking to buy a van in Spain with which to travel around Europe, and we need your help! [more inside]
posted by Acey at 9:19 AM PST - 2 comments

ChampagneFilter: glasses or flutes?

Champagne: glasses or flutes? [more inside]
posted by stance at 9:17 AM PST - 13 comments

Help with my mix cd while not mocking our musical tastes

Fun roadtrippy songs that mention the states of Louisiana and/or Alabama (or cities therin) prominently? Bonus: showtunes that do so! [more inside]
posted by elkerette at 9:06 AM PST - 46 comments

What cosmetic brands are *really* hypoallergenic?

My wife has fairly severe contact dermatitis on her face. She has tried several different types of "hypoallergenic" brands of makeup, including Almay and Neutrogena, but they all give her hives. Are any made-up MeFites familiar with brands/lines that will not cause her allergies to flare up? [more inside]
posted by Rock Steady at 9:01 AM PST - 32 comments

I don't want to be Carrie Bradshaw, how do I avoid it?!

I jokingly refer to my life and every experience I've had so far as "research" and say I'm going to write a book about it. But I'm not trying to be the next Carrie Bradshaw. [more inside]
posted by slyboots421 at 8:47 AM PST - 8 comments

Help me help my daughter

How involved should I be in my 8-year-old’s friendship woes? [more inside]
posted by BluGnu at 8:40 AM PST - 31 comments

PC / iTunes for Retail Store?

Is it possible to run large speakers from a PC, or do I need to go through an amp? Looking to play music in-store using iTunes rather than a CD player. [more inside]
posted by valleys at 8:40 AM PST - 18 comments

Help me give my monitor a split personality

I have a PC running Windows XP. For 2 different reasons I want to split my monitor into two independent screens which Windows would then see as completely independent i.e. in Control Panel display there are two separate monitors etc. [more inside]
posted by empedia at 8:24 AM PST - 9 comments

IT skills for finance work

I graduated a couple years ago and have been working in financial/operations analysis since then. I'm interested in developing my IT skills in a way that will be beneficial to my current & future marketability in the finance field. [more inside]
posted by PFL at 8:16 AM PST - 7 comments

Son Of A...

Has anyone used the Beaches all-inclusive resorts? I'm specifically looking for feedback from people with families as to the quality and whether it compared favorably or unfavorably to a self-planned/self-directed vacation. If you have experience with alternatives (vacation outfitters that specifically cater to people with sprogs along), please do speak up. [more inside]
posted by scrump at 8:12 AM PST - 9 comments

Help me help people send newsletters

What is a good program for sending a corporate newsletter to clients and sales reps? [more inside]
posted by bristolcat at 8:03 AM PST - 8 comments

Is this bookstore existent? Or is this a scam?

Am I being scammed? BookFilter... [more inside]
posted by suedehead at 7:27 AM PST - 23 comments

Everything I do, I do it for you.

What are some ridiculously cheesy lines I can say to a girl? [more inside]
posted by yeti at 7:21 AM PST - 61 comments

Can I combine two thermostats into one?

Do I need to have separate thermostats for my central air conditioning & my radiator heat? [more inside]
posted by zempf at 7:15 AM PST - 5 comments

PHP/MySQL to IBM WebSphere?

I'm a fairly recent college grad that never really worked with an IBM iSeries computer. Now I'm being asked to maintain an existing project at my job which resides on our iSeries machine. Where should I look for advice? I've scoured IBM's resources, and none of them make very much sense at all. I just want to get this project off of my plate. [more inside]
posted by bofe at 7:06 AM PST - 2 comments

Multi-Media project with old photos

I have recently been given old photographs of my family and would like to do a multimedia presentation of them adding music, fades, effects etc. What is the best software to use to make this project possible. I would like to share it over the net also maybe make dvd's out of it. I am presently using a pc but am not averse to doing it with a Mac.
posted by aisleofview at 6:23 AM PST - 20 comments

Royalty fee for creating spin-offs?

What are the legal issues and requirements regarding the use of someone else's creative property/material in spin-offs, and fan related projects? [more inside]
posted by Sevenupcan at 5:15 AM PST - 20 comments

March 22

Should I get a real estate broker license?

How is having a broker's license useful for doing one's own or a family member's real estate investments? I am thinking of getting one. [more inside]
posted by KimikoPi at 11:56 PM PST - 6 comments

Old Slackware fvwm config

Trying to locate a .fvwmrc file from an old Slackware distribution [more inside]
posted by Ritchie at 11:53 PM PST - 7 comments

clomipramine

I have been prescribed clomipramine for OCD/depression. Does anyone have any experience with this medication for treating these conditions? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 11:19 PM PST - 7 comments

finding a doctor.

i'm 31. i recently got medical insurance for the first time in 13 years. i am exhibiting some symptoms of stomach cancer and would like to get it checked out. how do i find a good doctor? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 11:19 PM PST - 14 comments

Help me distance myself from my family (and not feel guilty).

Help me distance myself from my family (and not feel guilty). [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 11:19 PM PST - 17 comments

Anyone know anything about "probate genealogy"?

A friend has been contacted by a private investigator who represents a "successional" or "probate" genealogist in Europe. I was very suspicious, perhaps because of the amount of entertaining Nigerian spam I've received, but at first glance things seem relatively legitimate. Is this a common thing, and what steps do one take to deal with it? [more inside]
posted by lackutrol at 10:57 PM PST - 5 comments

Tracking out of hours printer usage.

I want to keep an eye on out of hours printer usage. [more inside]
posted by tomble at 10:31 PM PST - 5 comments

How do I make a book out of newspaper front pages?

How can I turn my collection of newspaper front pages into a nice, keepsake book? [more inside]
posted by Flying Saucer at 10:17 PM PST - 4 comments

How to get exposure for my video mashup?

Where can I get exposure for my mashup / DIY-music-video? [more inside]
posted by Tlogmer at 9:59 PM PST - 8 comments

How do I assign mouse input to the proper window with multiple GLX windows?

How do I assign mouse input to the proper window with multiple GLX windows? [more inside]
posted by Java_Man at 9:19 PM PST - 3 comments

How to prevent plagarism?

A friend of mine recently wrote a play, and now someone who read it has written and is producing a show very similar to it. What can be done to prevent this? [more inside]
posted by dazed_one at 9:00 PM PST - 16 comments

Spending a week in Worcester (UK)

Spending a week in Worcester (UK, that is) for work and I have some questions. [more inside]
posted by internal at 6:42 PM PST - 10 comments

My sub woofer turns on randomly and makes noise, please help!

I just moved into a new place and my powered home theater subwoofer is giving me a weird issue. With the entire system off, the sub starts pop-ing in a rapid succession. Like, pop,pop,pop,pop,pop,pop,pop,pop,pop,pop, etc. The only way to kill it is to get up and actually cut the power to it by pulling the plug and then plugging it back in. Anyone have a clue as to what this could be? Is my sub dying? Is the wiring in this place faulty and possibly a hazard? Any ideas? Thanks!
posted by TheDude at 6:17 PM PST - 10 comments

Jack and Jill

Yet another RelationshipFilter: This is the story of Jack and Jill... [more inside]
posted by ASM at 6:08 PM PST - 77 comments

Itunes, why have you forsaken me?

Loco-Itunes! Why shut down on me after 3 minutes of glory? [more inside]
posted by Meemer at 6:05 PM PST - 5 comments

Tower....to the moon!

Math Question Kinda: I realize it's not possible. But if it was....how tall would the structure need to be if it were to be seen from both US coasts. Or is it impossible because of the curvature of the earth or whatever else I'm not thinking about it. [more inside]
posted by ryecatcher at 6:02 PM PST - 26 comments

Need to restore a Win3.1x backup onto a WinXP system

I need to restore a Windows 3.1x backup from 3.5" disks to a safe area of my Windows XP machine. Is that even possible? If so, how can I do it? [more inside]
posted by Hogshead at 4:41 PM PST - 8 comments

Insane to Try to Leave a Job Right After Starting It?

Should I try to leave the job I just started? [more inside]
posted by hazelshade at 4:33 PM PST - 15 comments

VLC crashes!

ran os x (10.3.9) software update last night, now vlc opens movies, then crashes immediately. what's up with that?
posted by valkane at 4:28 PM PST - 5 comments

Books similar to "The Prestige"

I am looking for books similar in style with Christopher Priest's "The Prestige". What i want is complex stories, epistolary in structure where the plot has to be puzzeled together by the reader.
posted by ilike at 4:07 PM PST - 26 comments

Get out and do something, you punk kid!

My 17-year-old little brother needs something enriching to do this summer. Any suggestions? [more inside]
posted by pcameron at 4:00 PM PST - 29 comments

Tips for Beyond Basic Stick Shift Driving

I'm a reasonably adept stick shift driver but what do I need to know to be a great stick shift driver? [more inside]
posted by otherwordlyglow at 3:42 PM PST - 48 comments

What's the best e-book reader?

What's the best e-book reader? [more inside]
posted by showmethecalvino at 3:36 PM PST - 19 comments

bourne shell == line noise

Please help me understand what this OS X shell script is doing. [more inside]
posted by Armitage Shanks at 3:31 PM PST - 19 comments

Apartment Security: How can I make my particular set of door and windows more secure, on a budget?

Apartment Security: How can I make my particular set of door and windows more secure, on a budget? Details inside re. my existing setup. [more inside]
posted by sparrows at 3:25 PM PST - 12 comments

Apache limiting my transfer speed?

Apache Filter: Why are my downloads so slow from my web server running Apache? [more inside]
posted by mjger at 2:59 PM PST - 9 comments

How to stop displaying gmail headers?

In Eudora, how do you eliminate seeing headers from gmail? [more inside]
posted by tommassit at 2:19 PM PST - 2 comments

Gelatin-free ice cream brands

Gelatin-free ice cream brands? [more inside]
posted by UKnowForKids at 2:05 PM PST - 26 comments

searching for a file

Is there a way to find an excel file on your hard drive that contains a certain sequnce of digits in adjacent cells? [more inside]
posted by goethean at 1:32 PM PST - 8 comments

Heinlein Quote Question

I ALMOST remember a quote from a book by Robert A. Heinlein. It was something like "I'm as tender-hearted as the next man, but if there was a way of sortin' em out at birth, I'd take my turn at drowning 'em." Of course, there's ... [more inside]
posted by davereed at 1:21 PM PST - 8 comments

Places for queers to dance and hang out in San Antonio?

Where's a nice place for two queer women to hang out, eat, or dance in San Antonio this weekend? We're staying at a hotel about half an hour west of downtown, and we'll have a car. [more inside]
posted by expialidocious at 12:34 PM PST - 11 comments

Which camera should I get?

I've been using a Canon S2IS for the past year or so to take crappy pictures that would have been great with a better camera. Which one should I be saving for? [more inside]
posted by sarelicar at 12:33 PM PST - 15 comments

Need list of autism schools

Is there a comprehensive list of US schools for autistic children available in print or on the web ? [more inside]
posted by jurczyk at 12:22 PM PST - 6 comments

To Do application with task-specific reminder options?

Is there a To Do/task list application that offers reminder options per task? [more inside]
posted by thatgirl at 12:05 PM PST - 8 comments

Which psychology degree should I pursue?

Which psychology degree to should I pursue? (MS Counseling psych. vs. MS Clinical psych. vs. MA in Counseling psych. vs. Psy.D.). [more inside]
posted by man on the run at 11:54 AM PST - 10 comments

Copyrights on a deleted blog post

What's the copyright and reprint status of the original content of a blog post that has since been deleted? I'm considering both the legal implications and the ethical concerns, plus don't know how much "fair use" applies in a commercial case. [more inside]
posted by pineapple at 11:48 AM PST - 10 comments

eBay scam?

Is this a simple eBay scam or something else? [more inside]
posted by rocco at 11:36 AM PST - 13 comments

Picasa Tagging & Download

Two Picasa2 Questions: (1) Is there any way to tell what tags have been attached to a particular photo? (2) Is there any way to download an entire Web album to a particular folder? (The "Save Imported Pictures In" option doesn't seem to work.) [more inside]
posted by srt19170 at 11:31 AM PST - 4 comments

It wasn't "just a headache."

My husband's stepdad just got a tumor removed from his brain yesterday. It was malignant. [more inside]
posted by konolia at 11:13 AM PST - 17 comments

squish! chomp! yum!

Help me squish my food! [more inside]
posted by Cat Pie Hurts at 10:40 AM PST - 48 comments

Teambuilding industry statistics?

Team building industry statistics: how would I go about finding these? I'm looking for typicals like how much is spent, who spends it, what types of activities (lasertag, brainstorming) and how the numbers may have changed since 1990 - in the US, mainly, but elsewhere is also appreciated, as well as any other search terminology. [more inside]
posted by yoga at 10:35 AM PST - 6 comments

I need gift ideas for my grandfather who is turning 80.

I need gift ideas for my grandfather who is turning 80. [more inside]
posted by disaster77 at 10:31 AM PST - 14 comments

Do I need an adapter to plug my American GPS into my Irish rental car?

My brothers and I are going to Ireland for a week-long trip beginning Sunday. We'll be driving around the countryside in Clare, Galway and Kerry, and I'm bringing my car GPS along to help us navigate. Here's a quick last-minute question: is the power adapter jack in European cars the same as the one in American cars or do I need some sort of converter similar to the kind needed for household outlets?
posted by briank at 10:11 AM PST - 8 comments

Love Television? Help me out.

I enjoy watching television shows once they're on DVD, but never sit down to watch when they're actually on. I'm picky, so now I'm out of stuff to watch. [more inside]
posted by frykitty at 9:54 AM PST - 89 comments

Should I go to a bar that I don't like but that my friend chose?

My friend invites a group to a bar, for which I have disdain and is expensive. I am selective about where I go, and I am on a budget. Should I go? [more inside]
posted by beautiful at 9:53 AM PST - 27 comments

Why do students at Oxford University wear carnations to exams?

Why do students at Oxford University wear carnations to exams? [more inside]
posted by geeky at 9:50 AM PST - 23 comments

Or, imagine, being able to be magically whisked away to...Galena.

What would you do on a three-day visit in Galena, Illinois? [more inside]
posted by asuprenant at 9:49 AM PST - 6 comments

Termninate a contract = terminate service?

When referring to T-Mobile, is contract termination the same as service termination? [more inside]
posted by DandyRandy at 9:30 AM PST - 9 comments

Conference calling, damn the man

So the big telcos are blocking freeconferencecall.com (read more here). Nasty corporations, this is outrageous, etc etc. Anyone got a quick and easy workaround (other than skype)?
posted by snortlebort at 9:15 AM PST - 2 comments

To err is human

What are some of the ways I can use to fight my enormous fear of failure? [more inside]
posted by hadjiboy at 9:11 AM PST - 34 comments

Internationa Driving Permit

International Driving Permit: A Malaysian citizen with a Malaysian driving licence and an IDP which allows them to drive in the UK. Would they (a) be legal to drive in Denmark and (b) able to rent a vehicle in Denmark?
posted by biffa at 9:02 AM PST - 4 comments

How to redirect a webpage request while keeping all POST variables to another PHP page

Is there an easy way in PHP to send all the POST variables submitted in a form to another webpage? [more inside]
posted by JakeWalker at 9:01 AM PST - 4 comments

Domain redirection

Anyone know of a free DNS system that offers "domain aliasing"? [more inside]
posted by triolus at 8:49 AM PST - 3 comments

Carrying things while running

How to carry stuff while running... [more inside]
posted by dial-tone at 8:47 AM PST - 19 comments

Extinguish My Ego

Help me extinguish my ego. [more inside]
posted by jasondigitized at 8:27 AM PST - 29 comments

I'm a wreck

How do you get over some of the disturbing things you read in the news? [more inside]
posted by hollygoheavy at 8:19 AM PST - 28 comments

Is Misshelved.com illegal?

Is my site legal? [more inside]
posted by dkleinst at 8:10 AM PST - 88 comments

Where can I get a chocolate brownie with chocolate icing in NYC?

Where can I get a good chocolate brownie with chocolate icing in NYC or Brooklyn? I've got a craving for one... Any recommendations?
posted by yeoz at 7:58 AM PST - 3 comments

Going to Beirut

I'm considering a stop in Beirut for a few days in late April on my way back from Syria to the US. Any recommendations on things to see or places not to miss? On that note, things to be particularly careful about right now? Unfortunately my stay is limited to about 3 days.
posted by pranalaxmi at 7:54 AM PST - 2 comments

Domain Registration

How can I make sure I get a domain name registered that is currently in pendingDelete status? [more inside]
posted by mr_crash_davis at 7:53 AM PST - 4 comments

Calculate length of a pipe from the volume it holds

How long would a 3/4 inch inner diameter pipe need to be to hold exactly 27 gallons of water? [more inside]
posted by putzface_dickman at 7:37 AM PST - 33 comments

How can I get a list of all the bars and restaurants in New York City?

How can I get a list of all the bars and restaurants in New York City? [more inside]
posted by jeffxl at 7:23 AM PST - 11 comments

Pupils that are always dilated -- what does this mean?

People always comment that my pupils are dilated. As far as I know they have always been more dilated than other people's. But why? I have heard heaps of "reasons", but they seem pretty mythical. [more inside]
posted by mjao at 7:21 AM PST - 12 comments

Freedom! Horrible freedom!

How do I automate the mundane aspects my life? [more inside]
posted by ajp at 7:01 AM PST - 20 comments

Wife may have MS

MSFilter: My wife, who is only 30 yrs old may have MS. They have found spots on her brain that have demyelination. We just found out about this so we dont have an official diagnosis yet. My question is how can help her with this? Be there for her while were waiting? Keep her spirits high? **Additional question...What else could she have? Anything else demyelination could point to?
posted by flipmiester99 at 6:34 AM PST - 11 comments

Get Hitched

My finance and I are planning on getting married in March 2008. She is from the West Indies and I am from the States. We would like to get her Visa application started sooner rather than later. Because of that, we thought we would get a marriage license / civil ceremony now so that we could get the Visa process going while we save money and plan for our proper wedding in 2008. So....where is a good place in the States to get a license / civil ceremony? Can we go to Vegas and get all this done in one day? Is there a typical waiting period between filing the application and actually getting the license? What's the easiest state to get married in? What about legislation regarding marriage? Help us get hitched!
posted by kaizen at 6:19 AM PST - 15 comments

I am considering taking over a small grocery store in Brooklyn.

I am considering taking over a small grocery store in Brooklyn. I am looking for reading material that would better prepare me for running this type of business. In absence grocery specific books, I would be interested in general small business management books that others have found useful. Thanks.
posted by Morgangr at 5:52 AM PST - 10 comments

Should I talk to my boyfriend about me leaving, or ignore the situation?

Should I talk to my boyfriend about me leaving, or ignore the situation? [more inside]
posted by trampesque at 3:53 AM PST - 28 comments

How can a UK citizen by US shares?

How would a private UK citizen, living and working in the UK, with no financial connection to the US, go about buying a few thousand dollars of shares in a NASDAQ-listed company? Talk to my broker, right? Where should my broker be? In the US or the UK? Any specific broker recommendations? Any tax/duty issues of which I need to be aware? Any other advice?
posted by caek at 3:30 AM PST - 7 comments

When people make us think we're thinking, we love them. When people make us actually think, we hate them."

"When people make us think we're thinking, we love them. When people make us actually think, we hate them." I love this quote, was reminded of it by this comment, and it's driving me nuts that I can't remember who said it (and neither can Google, in any of the configurations I've tried). Can anyone help?
posted by Superfrankenstein at 2:40 AM PST - 3 comments

March 21

Wary of bringing gifts to Greeks....

What booze to give the Greek relatives? [more inside]
posted by longdaysjourney at 11:54 PM PST - 17 comments

Husker Du?

I like Sugar. Would I like Husker Du? [more inside]
posted by kirkaracha at 10:51 PM PST - 31 comments

Should I port my application to .NET?

Will managed code (.NET) work for me when I'm writing computationally intensive software? [more inside]
posted by jpdoane at 10:13 PM PST - 8 comments

3-5-0-0

What's the significance of the numbers 3-5-0-0 in the controversial song of the same name from the musical Hair? [more inside]
posted by inconsequentialist at 8:53 PM PST - 3 comments

How to remove inappropriate user reviews from Alexa.com?

How do I remove an inappropriate user review from Alexa.com? For instance, this page: http://www.alexa.com/data/details/main?q=&url=theonion.com Reviews appear to be stored at Amazon.com, but I can find no way to formally request a review be removed (even if it is blatantly obscene).
posted by phonepimpster at 7:43 PM PST - 1 comment

Get me a license, quick!

What's the best location for a driving test in New York? Does anyone have any experience at the Wantagh location? [more inside]
posted by mhz at 7:05 PM PST - 7 comments

Moving to Europe: Finances?

Moving to Europe: Finances? (Credit cards, bank, etc) [more inside]
posted by sirion at 6:55 PM PST - 12 comments

Sick since Nov. How do I get the doctor to pay attention?

I've been sick since November. My doctor seems less than concerned. Now what? [more inside]
posted by Biblio at 6:41 PM PST - 44 comments

Seeking charity funding...

CharityFilter: I'm helping a friend get funding to start an orphanage in China, and I'm looking for organizations, nonprofits, and/or foundations that fund charitable activities (specifically healthcare-related efforts)... [more inside]
posted by 777 at 6:28 PM PST - 6 comments

What is the right birth control for me?

Help me find the best form of birth control for me! [more inside]
posted by Mrs PuGZ at 6:19 PM PST - 32 comments

Home theater assistance

What sort of speakers/setup should I go with for my home theater? [more inside]
posted by Nihility at 6:14 PM PST - 9 comments

How can I reattach my chair backs?

I need help fixing my retro dinette chairs. I can't reattach the chair backs because the screw holes are too big to hold the screws. [more inside]
posted by rachelpapers at 6:03 PM PST - 5 comments

Caffeine fixes for a coffee hater

Please help me learn to love coffee, or suggest an alternative caffeine delivery method. [more inside]
posted by chickletworks at 5:59 PM PST - 47 comments

should I just throw out my university course notes?

should I just throw out my university course notes? (more details below) [more inside]
posted by esolo at 5:58 PM PST - 41 comments

Flowers for Algernon Sci Fi alternate ending?

Short story filter: Help me identify a science fiction short story I read this year about a "Flowers for Algernon" type situation, where instead of the Algernon-ish character reverting back to his former state, his intelligence becomes unlimited and he goes on to (sort of) control the world. [more inside]
posted by np312 at 5:50 PM PST - 6 comments

Name this Grotesque surreal album art.

Please help me track down this disturbing vinyl album cover. Reminiscent of a Raphael painting with grotesque deformed dinosaur heads and carnage. (possibly psychedelic rock?) [more inside]
posted by Count at 5:47 PM PST - 3 comments

Girls are to flowers as Boys are to _______

What is the male equivalent of receiving flowers at the office? [more inside]
posted by damnjezebel at 5:30 PM PST - 44 comments

How could I make the same (cleaning) mistake twice?

How do I get rid of the brown stain that bleach left on my old porcelain tub? [more inside]
posted by Ookseer at 5:29 PM PST - 10 comments

Needed: Antique/Used/Abused lumber or tables

Sources for antique wood from old construction, like old crossbeams, etc? Or used/abused antique tables? [more inside]
posted by Phyltre at 5:05 PM PST - 10 comments

Why hate the midwest

Why is it that many people from outside of the midwest (US) think that we are somehow 'different'? It seems like every time I hear someone talk about people in the midwest, they make us all out to be slow. A bunch of yokels. All farmers (grrr, I hate that!). Whats the deal? [more inside]
posted by ducktape at 4:58 PM PST - 77 comments

How do I connect a Nintendo Wii to a Samsung Syncmaster 940BW monitor?

How do I connect a Nintendo Wii to a Samsung Syncmaster 940BW? [more inside]
posted by lia at 4:39 PM PST - 11 comments

Got histamine?

Has anybody here been diagnosed as having abnormally high histamine levels (histadelia)? [more inside]
posted by punkfloyd at 4:37 PM PST - 4 comments

I have a toothache

My tooth hurts . . . a lot and it shouldn't because it's dead. [more inside]
posted by Sassyfras at 3:21 PM PST - 12 comments

How to transfer files onto my upgraded macbook pro internal hard drive?

I'm installing a new internal hard drive in my MacBook Pro. CompUSA has offered to move everything from my existing hard drive onto the new drive, but they want to charge $100. Is this easy enough that I should just do it on my own? How would I do it? [more inside]
posted by stilly at 3:16 PM PST - 16 comments

Microsoft Office X does & doesn't work on my Mac Book.

Microsoft Office X Doesn't work on my Mac Book, but sometimes it does. Why? [more inside]
posted by UncleHornHead at 3:13 PM PST - 6 comments

Blow your nose, blow out your pitching arm...

Sometimes when I sneeze, my whole upper body hurts. Specifically my shoulders and, to a lesser degree, my elbows. It almost feels like I'm being punched. What gives? [more inside]
posted by rileyray3000 at 3:10 PM PST - 23 comments

Do we need a lawyer or a deprogrammer?

Some family members have gotten involved with a cult/pyramid scheme called Psi Seminars. They've been spending money they don't have (up to $4000/seminar, for which they travel to another state and have to stay in hotels) and it's wreaking havoc on their lives. One has lost his home, two are threatening to end their marriages and are alienating their grown children. They are demanding that our relationships with them be within the context of us paying them to attend these seminars as well. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 3:05 PM PST - 14 comments

Origins of the gentleman's c?

I am looking for the etymology for the term "gentleman's 'c'" and my google-fu is just pulling up Bush-bashing. Any advice from the hive?
posted by B-squared at 2:39 PM PST - 8 comments

How did the phishers get my email address?

My SO and I are receiving phishing emails on brand new email addresses. The addresses hadn't been given out to anyone when the first ones arrived. Are spammers just constructing likely email addresses and sending blindly? If not, how is this happening? [more inside]
posted by DarkForest at 2:37 PM PST - 12 comments

Can you split a 7.1 destination in Windows Audio?

Is there a third-party Windows Audio shim that can make a 5.1/7.1 audio destination device into 3/4 stereo audio destination devices, so you can aim different programs at them? [more inside]
posted by baylink at 2:30 PM PST - 2 comments

Shoes for a month?

30 days in Europe. One pair of shoes. Suggestions? [more inside]
posted by pdb at 2:25 PM PST - 38 comments

PC sound effects

How do I stop two PCs from turning themselves into a very annoying musical instrument? [more inside]
posted by twine42 at 2:05 PM PST - 12 comments

How to be a financial advisor

I want to be a financial advisor. Now what? [more inside]
posted by blueplasticfish at 1:46 PM PST - 10 comments

Is it possible to run Flash projector files (EXEs) on Windows CE?

Is it possible to run Flash projector files (EXEs) on Windows CE? [more inside]
posted by ciocarlia at 12:47 PM PST - 2 comments

Recompense for Incompetance

I received a letter last December from UCLA stating that "a restricted campus database containing personal information has been illegally accessed by a sophisticated computer hacker" (gotta love the assumption of "sophisticated there"). And that they regret to inform me my name is in the database. My question is, can I sue for damages? Is there already a class action lawsuit for damages against UCLA? What are my options? What traditionally happens to victims in these cases in terms of compensation?
posted by about_time at 12:13 PM PST - 11 comments

Overactive imagination. Disorder?

Overactive imagination. Disorder? [more inside]
posted by treepour at 11:58 AM PST - 27 comments

Danger, Miss Robinson!

I need suggestions for songs that evoke a sense of 'danger' or a dangerous situation. [more inside]
posted by MarkLark at 11:49 AM PST - 46 comments

Is one hour enough to make connectons at O'Hare and LAX?

Flying from Toronto to Melbourne, via Chicago and LAX. The "via" is worryingly short! [more inside]
posted by generichuman at 11:43 AM PST - 25 comments

reliable RAID on SATA PCI card?

AcronymFilter: SATA RAID on PCI. I had one, now it's broken. [more inside]
posted by notsnot at 11:40 AM PST - 11 comments

cheap gym in DC?

I live in DC, and I'm looking for somewhere with a cheap gym membership. I don't need time with a personal trainer, I don't need access to tons of amenities, just basic exercise equipment. [more inside]
posted by jare2003 at 11:34 AM PST - 18 comments

Motel in Nebraska

Help me find a nice mom&pop motel on I-80 between North Platt and Grand Island, NE. This should be nice enough to not go "eww" at the bathroom, but less than $70. It'll be me, the mrs and three little ones.
posted by kc0dxh at 11:11 AM PST - 5 comments

What do you do for drug-induced depression? Well, it's more complicated than that...

My mom-in-law is suffering from 1) a new life in a nursing home 2) diabetes 3) Myasthenia gravis 4) the prednisone that is controlling the Myasthenia 5) her other son who rarely visits and pretty much cuts her out of his life. What can I do to help? [more inside]
posted by Sallysings at 11:05 AM PST - 9 comments

Instead of going on my honeymoon, namely because I am recently and unfortunately single, I would like to take the time to treat myself to a vacation.

Instead of going on my honeymoon, namely because I am recently and unfortunately single, I would like to take the time to treat myself to a vacation. [more inside]
posted by sequential at 11:02 AM PST - 29 comments

Thick bloke asks worlds hardest question on macroeconomics

Interest rates and Inflation, does anyone actually understand it? [more inside]
posted by complience at 10:43 AM PST - 28 comments

Beach reads about the Caribbean

Anybody know any good novels either about or a good chunk of which is set in the Caribbean? [more inside]
posted by Heminator at 10:22 AM PST - 41 comments

Breast-feeding mores in St. Louis

How do I politely breast-feed my baby while visiting in St. Louis, Missouri? [more inside]
posted by Margalo Epps at 10:11 AM PST - 14 comments

More like this please!

What kind of electronic music am I looking for? [more inside]
posted by puffin at 9:43 AM PST - 19 comments

Mosh-up, Mash-up, Mesh-up, Mish-up, Mush-up

In this NYT article about the new This American Life TV show, the writer uses the term "mosh-up". It seems to be synonymous with how I think of "mash-up". Is this an invention of the writer? Is it just a play on "mash-up"? Is one term older than the other? [more inside]
posted by These Premises Are Alarmed at 9:36 AM PST - 8 comments

Being a friend during divorce

How do I be a friend during a bitter divorce? [more inside]
posted by cgs at 9:32 AM PST - 11 comments

How can I find people who have designed their own homes?

How can I find people who have designed their own homes? [more inside]
posted by It ain't over yet at 9:23 AM PST - 12 comments

Personal finance SOS!

My wife and I have a relatively high combined income for the first time ever (much to our surprise), but we are pretty financially unsophisticated and getting hit hard by taxes. I am beginning to think the big tax bill for 2006 is a lost cause, but can anyone in MeFi-land offer any advice about how to take better control for 2007? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 9:11 AM PST - 27 comments

Sticky situation.

I made a credit card purchase and subsequently realized it was to a scam site. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 9:11 AM PST - 24 comments

MR=MC - Why?

EconomicsFilter: why does profit maximize when marginal revenue = marginal cost? [more inside]
posted by champthom at 9:07 AM PST - 12 comments

Anyone who predicted failures of Iraq war and why?

Was there anyone who publicly predicted, before the start of the Iraq war, the absence of WMDs and/or the extended occupation we would face, and justified those predictions in thoughtful detail?
posted by shivohum at 8:35 AM PST - 37 comments

Does temporary acquired LQTS exist?

Has anyone else had acquired LQTS that is only temporary (and sometimes comes and goes)? Because I'm starting to wonder if that is the case with me. [more inside]
posted by ForeverAKid at 8:31 AM PST - 7 comments

Has Toynbee ever said this?

On the back cover of my copy of Gates of Fire it says something like (quoting on the top of my head here) "Toynbee said that 'what ifs' are generally irrelevant in history, except for one - what if the Persians had conquered Greece? Then what we regard as western civilization would not exist". Has Toynbee ever said such a thing? Where?
posted by falameufilho at 8:27 AM PST - 1 comment

What's the best short-term safe investment?

Is the best option for a low-risk, short-term investment a CD? If so, which CD? The amount in question is $10-15,000. [more inside]
posted by jeffmshaw at 8:25 AM PST - 11 comments

Non-Ugly American?

Obnoxious American visits charming European city. What do I wear in London to appear less of an ugly American? [more inside]
posted by Tiddles at 7:42 AM PST - 94 comments

How to convert a Dynatext book on CD-Rom to something else ?

How can I convert a Dynatext book (with SGML exporting capabilities) to something that can be viewed on a web server ? [more inside]
posted by vincentm at 7:25 AM PST - 4 comments

Simple Backup Strategy for a small business?

Suggestions for backup solutions for a small daily paper? Long story after the break. [more inside]
posted by The Behatted Wild Man of Greenfield at 7:17 AM PST - 5 comments

What can two late twenties new parents who really. really. really. need a vacation do in Virginia Beach in mid-May?

What can two late twenties new parents who really. really. really. need a vacation do in Virginia Beach in mid-May? [more inside]
posted by bradn at 6:52 AM PST - 10 comments

How do blood diamonds and artificial diamonds not cancel eachother out?

How do blood diamonds and artificial diamonds not cancel eachother out? [more inside]
posted by Bugbread at 6:51 AM PST - 21 comments

Will I be able to live with myself if I contribute to "gentrification"?

Ethics question. Should I contribute to gentrification or not? [more inside]
posted by n'muakolo at 6:41 AM PST - 29 comments

Am I Jor-El?

[MorbidityFilter]: I have written a letter to my 20-month old son, so that were I to die tomorrow I would leave behind some small measure of such wisdom I have accumulated. Am I weird? [more inside]
posted by mooders at 6:17 AM PST - 34 comments

Pimp my newsletter

Looking for hosted newsletter software that goes beyond Campaign Monitor [more inside]
posted by ukdanae at 5:15 AM PST - 2 comments

Exotheology

I have a question regarding the religious response to extraterrestrials... [more inside]
posted by Sangermaine at 12:52 AM PST - 15 comments

Can you identify the song/artist used in this video?

Can anyone identify the name of the song and artist that these dancers are performing to in the following video? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-QhmegOMzOw [more inside]
posted by DudeAsInCool at 12:27 AM PST - 9 comments

My car's get up and go, done gone up and went

What is causing my engine to cut out when I come to a stop? [more inside]
posted by jaybeans at 12:04 AM PST - 16 comments

March 20

My ear is clogged - it isn't wax -- and I'm frightened.

Something is really wrong with my ear - It feels very clogged, very stuffed, and I can't hear out of it well at all - It isn't wax, after a week of trying over the counter wax removal stuff, I went to a Doc who confirmed that my ears were clean and not waxy - so it must be stuffed up on the other side, and she gave me some prescription decongestant. She said it would clear in 24 hours or so - That was Saturday. It's very unpleasant, and with it not going away, it's actually really scary - and with my work hours, I can't get back to the doc until the weekend at the earliest. Anyone have thoughts, suggestions, anything? I'm really quite desperate at this point.
posted by John Kenneth Fisher at 10:59 PM PST - 29 comments

Where are you my delta...

Lancia Deltas are great cars - why are there none/next to none in the US? [more inside]
posted by devilsbrigade at 10:39 PM PST - 12 comments

Why can't everyone play fancy dressup?

Uniform filter: So, the US Surgeon General gets to have a military-style uniform. Why doesn't the Attorney General also get one? They're both Generals...
posted by Dagobert at 10:33 PM PST - 13 comments

Help my friend be a strategic mastermind at home as well as at work

I’m posting this on behalf of my friend CK. No, not Calvin Klein, but a female friend who is 34, married, the mother of a 22-month-old son and a senior level civil servant. And despite her considerable organizational abilities, she’s feeling a little overwhelmed these days. [more inside]
posted by orange swan at 8:58 PM PST - 7 comments

Best Tools For Fabricating With PVC

I need to fabricate some stuff out of PVC sheets. It seems the cheapest way to get the materials I need is to order a few 8" or 12" wide replacement PVC strips that are used in the PVC strip doors since I don't need anything very large. I'll probably end up with PVC that is an eighth of an inch thick. However, I'm not sure if cutting it with a razor is the best course of action. Can anyone here advise if there are specific PVC tools for cutting as well as for creating holes? Would just a razor and punch/mallet do? Anything I should be careful of? Any tips or tricks? Thanks!
posted by Brian Puccio at 8:32 PM PST - 10 comments

Mystery Hockey Jersey

Can anyone identify this hockey jersey for me? [more inside]
posted by lee at 8:30 PM PST - 9 comments

Help the electro-stupid on holiday

I'm going to London + Paris and don't want to blow up my electric/electronic gadgets. [more inside]
posted by wheat at 8:22 PM PST - 9 comments

Corporate and white collar crime in films or TV

What are some films or television shows/episodes about corporate or white-collar crime? Bonus if you have a videoclip.
posted by catburger at 8:02 PM PST - 20 comments

Can you sense me now?

Can I purchase, or easily make a bluetooth keychain device which I can detect with my laptop? [more inside]
posted by bkudria at 7:39 PM PST - 7 comments

Keeping the Rock Alive

I've always been annoyed by people who make a racket in the neighborhood. I'm likely to be one of those people next year. How can I soundproof a room, pacify neighbors, and avoid police? [more inside]
posted by tmcw at 7:22 PM PST - 25 comments

What should I look for in a credit card?

Financially responsible, 18 year old college student looking to get a credit card to start building credit. What should I look for in a card? [more inside]
posted by comwiz at 7:19 PM PST - 39 comments

Induction cooktops - go or no go?

Has anyone had experience with single plate counter top induction hot plates such as these? If there are engineers out there is there some reason why these units shouldn't work as well as inbuilt units? If people have had experiences with induction cooktops in general that would also be appreciated. I've looked around and couldn't find many reviews except those on Amazon.
posted by sien at 7:02 PM PST - 9 comments

i need a wifi-capable smartphone

I need a smartphone with wifi capabilities. Should I purchase a smartphone now or wait? [more inside]
posted by beammeup4 at 7:00 PM PST - 15 comments

Help me learn about politics and law!

I'm in Western Australia and have a BA Journalism. I want to do a couple of short courses in politics and law to further my knowledge (and therefore, be better at my job). Help me find the right course! [more inside]
posted by indienial at 6:59 PM PST - 10 comments

I failed college again. What now?

What do I do now? I haven't attended a class since sometime in February. Do I try to go to every class from now on, or just chill out until May since I've already screwed myself. Again. [more inside]
posted by cellojoe at 6:58 PM PST - 40 comments

Info for a live show on U of Chicago campus

[UofChiFilter] Any Chicagoan mefites familiar with the University of Chicago and it's Cobb Coffee house out there? Live show info appreciated! [more inside]
posted by ronmexico at 6:22 PM PST - 7 comments

Teach a Martian how to be a boyfriend.

Throughout my life, I've had to learn social interaction as if I were a Martian anthropologist... consciously studying, taking notes, and practicing. A few years ago, I finally cracked "how to make friends" and seemingly overnight, I started making real connections. It was amazing. But now, from experience and from talking to my all-too-quickly growing posse of close female friends (most of whom I wished could have been more than that), I'm learning that the way you interact with someone you're interested in isn't as simple as having a great friend that you make out with like there's no tomorrow. There are subtle, maybe very simple, but essential things that separate lovers from pals. I need you to tell me-- in the most literal terms possible-- what those things are. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 6:14 PM PST - 39 comments

Are there tutorials for a "Macrumors Live" style feed?

Are there any tutorials on how to make a low-traffic version of the AJAX MacRumors Live page they use for keynotes? [more inside]
posted by Jairus at 6:10 PM PST - 4 comments

Whaddya mean I owe you 700 bucks?!

Options for (re)building my credit...how best to re-build my credit history with an eye towards home ownership... [more inside]
posted by richter_x at 5:53 PM PST - 13 comments

Shouldn't M$ have shipped my free shit by now?

Did you sit through the insufferable webcasts, via the Microsoft "power together" campaign, in an attempt to get a free copy of Vista or Office 2007? If so, have you received your software yet?
posted by Kwantsar at 5:52 PM PST - 10 comments

Help me look even more like Little Orphan Annie

I'd like to find a reasonably-priced shampoo and conditioner for curly, color-treated hair. [more inside]
posted by hamster at 5:51 PM PST - 13 comments

I never give congratulations in restaurants...

Spelling filter: Why do I ALWAYS struggle with the same few particular words? [more inside]
posted by allkindsoftime at 5:34 PM PST - 44 comments

Teaching the Non-Rational Part of Yourself that Risk Isn't Always Pain?

How do you convince a part of your brain that seems unaccessible by cognitive function, yet holds beliefs that are affecting your life poorly? The combination of two such "unalterable" opinions has me currently locked into a course that will exacerbate, not solve, some very long-lasting problems. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 5:10 PM PST - 29 comments

Index everything with Firefox or GDT

Is it possible with either a firefox extension or a google desktop plugin to cache or index everything I view on the internet? [more inside]
posted by antisocialiting at 4:31 PM PST - 9 comments

What tracks should I play at a totally awesome dance party?

I'm hosting a large dance party next week (combined birthday party and other celebration), and I'm trying to put together a playlist for it. I'm leaning toward electro, synthpop, funk, and remixes, but after looking through my library (which is pretty weighted towards indie rock and folk), I've realized I don't have very much. Any suggestions for songs that should go on there? [more inside]
posted by OverlappingElvis at 4:20 PM PST - 30 comments

Help my figure out what’s wrong with my hands.

Manos and The Hands that don’t type! So my hands: they stopped typing correctly, and I need to type, a lot. The last three or four days I have been nearly incapable of typing. What’s Up? [more inside]
posted by French Fry at 4:17 PM PST - 24 comments

What is private equity?

Please explain private equity firms to me. Assume I'm an economics idiot. [more inside]
posted by punilux at 4:15 PM PST - 8 comments

What does he take me for?

I'm pretty sure my boss's accountant lied to me about sending out my paycheck to cover up my boss's lack of funds, thus leaving me without a paycheck for a full pay period. [more inside]
posted by Jess the Mess at 4:15 PM PST - 22 comments

the quest to be esoteric

does anyone sell Royal Mail Carrier Bags? [more inside]
posted by markovitch at 4:03 PM PST - 8 comments

Laptop data transfer?

Wife just bought new laptop...wants to transfer gobs of applications and data from old laptop. Are we better off reinstalling the apps on the new machine and transferring the data manually or using a piece of software like PC Laplink to manage the transfer? [more inside]
posted by cyclopz at 4:03 PM PST - 7 comments

Best. KVM. Ever.

Help me wrap my head around what KVM splitters and switches and extenders I need to interconnect two computers. [more inside]
posted by donguanella at 3:55 PM PST - 8 comments

Can I Get My Schefflera to Branch?

How do I make my schefflera (umbrella tree, S. actinophylla) branch out? [more inside]
posted by goatdog at 3:23 PM PST - 6 comments

How do I fit to page multiple landscape slides in Mac Preview?

How do I "Fit to Page" two slides (landscape orientation) in Mac's Preview if I'm printing two to a page? [more inside]
posted by remixer96 at 3:09 PM PST - 2 comments

Ice cream delivered in the UK?

Seeking a home-delivery ice cream service in the UK (London), either branded or generic. Google gives us nothing. Help us fill our new chest freezer!
posted by goo at 3:01 PM PST - 5 comments

Name a technical term with Latin or Greek

Latin and/or Greek experts, I need help naming a technical term. [more inside]
posted by PercussivePaul at 3:01 PM PST - 30 comments

Am I still infected, or am I just impatient?

Should I still consider myself as having a yeast infection? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 2:53 PM PST - 13 comments

How do I de-stench my toilet without killing my cat?

ToiletFilter: How do I de-stenchify a smelly toilet and not kill my cat in the process? [more inside]
posted by grapefruitmoon at 2:47 PM PST - 18 comments

Energy-efficient web pages?

Are black-background web pages more energy-efficient? [more inside]
posted by molybdenum at 2:28 PM PST - 8 comments

Should we use save our Illustrator files as .ai, or .eps?

Should we use save our Illustrator files as .ai, or .eps? [more inside]
posted by iamkimiam at 1:26 PM PST - 21 comments

Plantation Mentality?

What does 'Plantation Mentality' mean? [more inside]
posted by jadanzzy at 1:02 PM PST - 11 comments

Veggie in San Jose, CA?

Where to eat near the San Jose Museum of Art (San Jose, CA) that's veggie-friendly? [more inside]
posted by Pocahontas at 12:30 PM PST - 6 comments

Denominated Urscenes

There are some scenes in films that are so famous that they are referred to by shorthand, such as the "Odessa Steps" in Battleship Potemkin or "Tears in Rain" in Blade Runner. Some friends and I have been trying to come up with others, but I am drawing a blank. What are other scenes that fit this criteria (and I am not looking for famous scenes per se or anyone's personal favorites, just scenes that, for whatever reason, have been bestowed a specific and generally known name).
posted by Falconetti at 12:22 PM PST - 147 comments

How do I tame the tangle o cords at my desk?

LifeHack: Does anyone have a clever way to hide multiple cords at an exposed desk before I trip on them? [more inside]
posted by Koffeeman at 12:07 PM PST - 11 comments

Caffeine—can't live with/out it

Caffeine is killing me but I need it to work well. Is there an alternative? [more inside]
posted by humblepigeon at 11:50 AM PST - 37 comments

Is there a Flylady for FlyFulltimeworkingCouples?

Is there anything like FlyLady but for people who actually work outside the home? Lazy 20-something couple is looking for help keeping our apartment from being a sty. [more inside]
posted by tastybrains at 11:46 AM PST - 34 comments

Casino Royale

I have a question about the ending of Casino Royale, the most recent James Bond flick. Spoiler inside! [more inside]
posted by widdershins at 11:21 AM PST - 16 comments

Software Specification Soup

How do I get a handle on the hydra that is the set of software specifications I'm currently writing? [more inside]
posted by syzygy at 11:05 AM PST - 8 comments

Seeking invoice generator

I would like to generate a couple of thousand invoices per week, using a data file with either fixed-width or tab-delimited fields. [more inside]
posted by beagle at 11:04 AM PST - 5 comments

Help finding Apache 2.2.4 x86_64

I can't seem to find the rpm for Apache 2.2.4 x86_64 for RedHat 4 and/or CentOS 4.4... does anyone know where it is or if it even exists? Gracias.
posted by hummercash at 11:03 AM PST - 8 comments

How long will my cheese live?

How long will a big deli-sized block of cheese stay good if it's properly stored, wrapped, and refrigerated? As in: taken out in the morning, kept cool throughout the day, wrapped again in the evening, and stored in the refrigerator overnight. [more inside]
posted by bjork24 at 10:55 AM PST - 15 comments

I want extra large fonts in plum. How hard can that be?

WinXP appearance question... [more inside]
posted by Irontom at 10:39 AM PST - 5 comments

Is Public Gold an MLM scam?

ScamFilter: Is Public Gold a multi-level marketing scam? Or a "legit" MLM? [more inside]
posted by ObscureReferenceMan at 10:36 AM PST - 8 comments

Jimmy Hoffa in California?

Is there a body buried under the lawn of my apartment? [more inside]
posted by SBMike at 10:21 AM PST - 31 comments

Amateur video, ideally closed captioned.

Playing it safe in the digital age-- how can I record and store very private video of myself and him together (for us to enjoy together), but reserve the right to rescind access if the relationship ends? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 10:13 AM PST - 45 comments

Need to find out what misunderstanding with friend will mean for my parents

Generally in most states, especially Oregon, if one person claims another has "personal property," do the police deal with this in an immediate sense or is this a case for small claims? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 10:12 AM PST - 11 comments

How do I quit my Ph.D. program?

How do I quit my Ph.D. program? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 10:12 AM PST - 25 comments

MobileComputingFilter - Help me pick a mobile computing device

Mobile Computing Filter - my boss has informed me he would like me to get some sort of mobile computing device to become more efficient while on the road. I've been looking at Pocket PCs, Blackberrys, Tablet PCs, Trios etc. What do you use? What works and what does not? What features do you wish you had? (I've done some Ask.Mefi research with little success) [more inside]
posted by bkdelong at 10:02 AM PST - 14 comments

Suggestions for our autumn holiday please!

My partner and I went to Italy about three years ago (tuscany) and I fell in love with the place. I just love the hilltop towns, the landscape, the history and the people. We were set to go this Autumn but she just mentioned to me that she might like to go somewhere else instead but has no idea where [more inside]
posted by twistedonion at 9:27 AM PST - 22 comments

Please recommend an Apache log analysis?

What open source package do you like for Apache logfile analysis? [more inside]
posted by Nelson at 9:02 AM PST - 6 comments

Good scientist, good boss?

What books should I recommend to my scientist friend who is having a hard time with being a good manager in his lab? [more inside]
posted by agent99 at 8:48 AM PST - 10 comments

iTunes is driving me batty

How do I make iTunes remember my column setup? Every time I open iTunes, I right-click on the columns and set the "Track #" column to be visible. And every time, iTunes forgets! How do I make it remember? [more inside]
posted by qvtqht at 8:26 AM PST - 5 comments

1920's Party Help

I am going to be throwing a 1920's themed party. All the guys are coming as mobsters (pin striped suites) and all the girls will be wearing little cocktail dresses (no sense in making them all go out and buy a flapper dress unless they want to). Other than having all the liquor in one of the bathrooms (think prohibition) what other ideas do you all have? Food, specific beverages, anything as I am kind of at a loss for what else to do.
posted by thebwit at 7:59 AM PST - 38 comments

What to do in Nashville this Saturday?

My wife will be in Nashville for a conference and has Saturday free. Staying at the "Gaylord Opryland" (!), no car. Have never been in that part of the country, would appreciate suggestions for things to do, places to eat. She likes parks, museums, culture (including , but not limited to , traditional & alternative country music). Any local events of interest? What kind of weather can be expected?
posted by canoehead at 7:50 AM PST - 14 comments

Stupid database! Be more connecty!

Can I connect a flash program to a local offline Access database without having to run my computer as a webserver? [more inside]
posted by Brainy at 7:33 AM PST - 5 comments

How to help a friend with mental health problems

How can I help a friend with mental illness? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 5:45 AM PST - 17 comments

VolokhShip Down?

This is a link to a very widely read legal weblog. I have not been able to get access to it for a week. Is it down everywhere or just in my area?
posted by yclipse at 5:09 AM PST - 24 comments

Inkjet or laser?

Should I buy a laser printer or an inkjet for my home office? [more inside]
posted by doctorpiorno at 3:23 AM PST - 39 comments

What you trying to say to me?

There's a song clip that plays on Arrested Development whenever George Michael gets into a sexy predicament. Is it an actual full-length song, or was it written just for the show? [more inside]
posted by flod at 12:14 AM PST - 8 comments

March 19

Origins of traditional nursery rhymes

Folk/Childrens songs and similar traditional nursery rhymes or lullaby/melody/ditty, do we know where they originated? And why some cultures share them, and others do not.. [more inside]
posted by lundman at 11:35 PM PST - 4 comments

What is the book on the public's knowledge of statistics that I have seen reviewed?

Help me find this quote and book on the general public's misunderstanding of statistics. [more inside]
posted by chorltonmeateater at 11:34 PM PST - 6 comments

Its not my biggest fan, so why it screaming at me?

My graphics card is too noisy! Can i just disconnect the fan? Will that make it catch fire? [more inside]
posted by gergtreble at 10:50 PM PST - 21 comments

Why does streaming video always fail for me?

I constantly have this problem: I try to play a streaming video (youtube, g.video, dailymotion, doesn't matter) and the clip will start playing fine. Then it will stop playing somewhere into the clip, but continue to load, but won't let me keep playing! What's going wrong? [more inside]
posted by linus587 at 10:31 PM PST - 8 comments

Am I too crazy to be in a relationship with a virgin?

I never thought that I would ask a relationship question, but I also never thought that I would be 28 and dating a virgin. Please help me with my virgin (and my craziness). [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 10:13 PM PST - 32 comments

Trigging out.

Trigonometry-related design problem inside. [more inside]
posted by glibhamdreck at 10:06 PM PST - 3 comments

Should i quit my job? (its sucking my will to live)

Should I quit my job? Should i quit my high-pressure (for me at least), high responsibility part time job and try to find something that won't make me dread getting out of bed. [more inside]
posted by lrobertjones at 10:05 PM PST - 17 comments

moms rule

my mother was recently diagnosed with terminal cancer. do any of you have ideas for little things i can do for her to remind her how awesome she is? girls especially. what are some of the best, most thoughtful things loved ones have done for you? [more inside]
posted by andywolf at 8:36 PM PST - 27 comments

Stomach-safe Birth Control Pills?

About six months ago, my girlfriend went on The Pill - first Yasmin, then Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo. Both caused mood swings and significant intestinal distress, but her physicians (internist and OBGYN) thought that she'd be safe to stay on, if she could put up with the side effects. This month, as a test, she went off, and she feels hugely better. So, now, we're considering alternatives, and looking for anecdotal advice. [more inside]
posted by thomascrown at 7:58 PM PST - 37 comments

Daily Weight Watchers Points after Weightloss

How many weight watchers points should I eat daily to maintain my weight, not loose any more? [more inside]
posted by jwiener at 7:53 PM PST - 14 comments

Power Window Power

Can anyone with classic car restoration experience help me with a strange electrical problem that I'm having with a 1961 Lincoln Continental? [more inside]
posted by Jon-o at 7:48 PM PST - 7 comments

Help with Italian translation

What does this Italian note say? [more inside]
posted by Lotto at 7:35 PM PST - 3 comments

Don't Wanna Wreck Grandma's Closet

I need Cleaning Vintage Clothing 101. [more inside]
posted by Medieval Maven at 7:28 PM PST - 5 comments

Any Dave Ramsey Fans?

Anyone out in the hive have any experience with Dave Ramsey's programs? I have been reading his Total Money Makeover book, and it seems to make sense... Thoughts?
posted by keep it tight at 6:28 PM PST - 16 comments

Things to do in New York this weekend.

Some happy business is taking me to New York City Thursday through Sunday. I'm coming from Tucson, though, so to me it'll be freaking cold and I'm looking for indoor activities. Can anyone suggest any good vegan or vegetarian restaurants, astounding modern art museums (famous or obscure), Off-Broadway or Off-Off-Broadway shows worth seeing, or anything fun I haven't thought of, whether off the beaten track or on it?
posted by kyrademon at 6:03 PM PST - 27 comments

My first askmetafilter post!

MexicanRoadTrip Filter: Im driving my car to Oaxaca. Where should I stop? [more inside]
posted by ElmerFishpaw at 5:39 PM PST - 12 comments

Best way to slice fresh mozzarella?

What's the best way to slice fresh mozzarella? [more inside]
posted by rageear at 5:16 PM PST - 23 comments

How do I stop my RSS feed from being abused?

The RSS feed from my blog is being copied in full (pictures and all, hot linking no less) to someone else's blog. The blog is is clearly a spam blog, harvesting hundreds of feeds and republishing them in full. The whois for this site is not helpful, what if anything should I do? [more inside]
posted by stilgar at 3:48 PM PST - 34 comments

Reading for the snatched minutes before the baby wakes up, the toddler wants to play hiding again or my sister falls asleep.

Looking for recommendations of comfort reading. [more inside]
posted by paduasoy at 3:42 PM PST - 43 comments

Human factors research material

As a former software QA analyst and a current system administrator I've long been interested in human factors engineering, specifically related to HCI. I think some deeper self-learning in this area will help me a great deal professionally so I'm looking for recommendations on learning materials. [more inside]
posted by saraswati at 3:39 PM PST - 6 comments

Aww Yeah, Girl...

SongIdentificationFilter: This song would be well suited to a slow motion lovers-into-each-others-arms scene. [more inside]
posted by phrontist at 3:18 PM PST - 9 comments

Help me get a date with a girl 7 years younger

Let's put it simple. I'd like to get a date with a cool, intelligent, 18 years old girl that I met last saturday on a pub. I'm 25, haven't been in a relationship since I was 21 and don't know how to proceed. More (much more. maybe too much more) inside. [more inside]
posted by ArchEnemy at 3:18 PM PST - 36 comments

Help me find a carpenter in NY

Anyone know of a reliable carpenter to make two built-in cabinets for a New York (Upper West Side) apartment? Thanks!
posted by walla at 3:12 PM PST - 8 comments

Dear God, I think I broke my weiner somehow.

JohnThomasFilter: Sudden penile-head pain, below the skin, not the urethra, no urinary oddities, shockingly painful to touch. Aargh, pain has outweighed embarrassment. Lads (et al.), help? [more inside]
posted by waxbanks at 2:59 PM PST - 29 comments

Or should I just become a famous artist?

I'd like to be able to live and work in Germany in the next couple of years. I know that their employment system is the definition of old school - virtually every job requires a multi-year apprenticeship or internship. I'm wondering, are there any exceptions I could exploit to get a job? [more inside]
posted by kamelhoecker at 2:56 PM PST - 12 comments

Wedding Shower Location in Alexandria, VA

Hello All--Does anyone know of a fun, inexpensive place in or near Alexandria, VA to have a wedding shower for about 20 people?
posted by nalyd at 2:40 PM PST - 8 comments

What seashell does she see?

Does anyone know what kind of seashell this is? They are fairly small and look like eyes. [more inside]
posted by agregoli at 1:59 PM PST - 14 comments

Examples of Web Branding Gone Awry?

Can you think of any examples of established companies seeking user-generated content and the results backfiring? [more inside]
posted by jmprice at 1:57 PM PST - 21 comments

Vista+Ubuntu=Death

I just installed Ubuntu on a new laptop, and now I can't boot into Vista. [more inside]
posted by punishinglemur at 1:40 PM PST - 18 comments

What does my US colleague mean?

My US colleague wants to take me out for a few drinks, see the local establishments, and maybe some 'pure gold'. [more inside]
posted by daveyt at 1:37 PM PST - 24 comments

How much to charge for tutoring?

What is the going rate for one-on-one tutoring in chemistry? [more inside]
posted by janell at 1:20 PM PST - 10 comments

NYC area counciling for traumatic events

A friend of mine is having a very hard time dealing with the aftermath of a recent traumatic event that remains prominently in the forefront of the local news. [more inside]
posted by stagewhisper at 1:08 PM PST - 5 comments

What does expungement do and what doesn't it do?

What does expungement do and what doesn't it do? [more inside]
posted by Skwirl at 12:57 PM PST - 12 comments

Reinstall Mac OS on G3 iMac after installing Linux?

Reinstall Mac OS on G3 iMac after installing Linux? [more inside]
posted by AmbroseChapel at 12:50 PM PST - 16 comments

DejaVuRomanceFilterWithATwist: is it ON or do my sensors need adjusting?

DejaVuRomanceFilterWithATwist: is it ON or do my sensors need adjusting? Stakes is HIGH. Hivemind help me call this one. Deets inside! [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 12:19 PM PST - 31 comments

Lizards in Medical Illustrations

I am doing some research for a paper and have been looking at old medical illustrations. In many of these they have drawn a lizard, and sometimes a fish suspended from the ceiling by a cord. They are hanging from their neck as well as their tail so that they are hanging the way they would look if they were on land ( or in the water). Why did they draw these? Were they an everyday decoration in those times? Did they signify something medical?
posted by haikuku at 12:12 PM PST - 18 comments

Looking for a rehearsal dinner location in Toronto

I'm looking for a good restaurant for a rehearsal dinner in Toronto (more inside). [more inside]
posted by The Card Cheat at 12:02 PM PST - 7 comments

Please help me out of this financial quicksand

I need to find a free or very low cost service where I can sit down with a live person on a weekly or monthly basis and help make a budget we can stick to and sort out my family finances. I am not low income. Does such a service exist for me in Maine? [more inside]
posted by anastasiav at 12:02 PM PST - 15 comments

Culturally Insensitive Foot-in-mouth Filter

Last fall, I met for the first time a Rwandan woman who was in the U.S. for work, and I made a really unfortunate culturally/racially/ethnically charged remark. I've been kicking myself ever since, but I never had a chance to do anything to remedy the situation because I haven't seen her again since. Now, more than six months later, I will be seeing her again. How should I handle this? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 11:58 AM PST - 36 comments

Fun things to do in Steamboat Springs?

Reccomendations of what to do in Steamboat Springs, CO? [more inside]
posted by genefinder at 11:30 AM PST - 3 comments

Good webmail for phones

Webmail IMAP client: like SquirrelMail, but smaller, for a mobile phone? My new phone (S/E w810i) does "email", in the sense that it can talk to a small range of pre-selected partners like Yahoo or AOL. I'm looking for a web-based IMAP client that I can use to access my own IMAP server. It should be something along the lines of MIR, but that allows writing mail as well as reading it. I like SquirrelMail a lot, but it doesn't have a non-framed, minimal view.
posted by migurski at 11:24 AM PST - 8 comments

Looking for web design (short) courses in NYC area

I'm looking for a non-degree web design program in the NYC area. In other words, something that would last a week or less to teach the basics of web design, layout, different packages, etc.
posted by schoenbc at 10:47 AM PST - 4 comments

how should i choose a surgeon

looking for advice on choosing a surgeon. [more inside]
posted by alkupe at 10:16 AM PST - 17 comments

How to transfer songs TO an Ipod?

Ipod question: Two pc's, how to transfer songs from both to the Ipod? [more inside]
posted by tesseract420 at 10:00 AM PST - 6 comments

Bespoke suits in Eastern Europe?

Bespoke suits in Eastern Europe? [more inside]
posted by Marquis at 9:58 AM PST - 2 comments

Grandpa attacked me at work!

My office manager/grandfather verbally and physically attacked me recently. Can my boss/father expect me to work in the same office with gramps? We have a sales meeting next week we both are to attend but I am refusing to go if gramps attends as well. Do I have the right to refuse to go to this important meeting or be around my grandfather in the office? [more inside]
posted by 4Lnqvv at 9:52 AM PST - 33 comments

Where can I volunteer-teach programming in Toronto?

Are there any organizations in Toronto where a person with a few months of time on his hands and a bachelor's degree in computer science could really help? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 9:20 AM PST - 4 comments

Cats are too picky.

I have questions about: feeding two cats different kinds of cat food, getting a cat that's used to grazing to eat on a schedule, premium brands of cat food, and possible alternatives to prescription diets. This is surprisingly long. [more inside]
posted by amarynth at 9:13 AM PST - 12 comments

Lubricant for fire escape window bar hinges?

What type of lubricant should I use on the hinges to the fire escape window bars? It is exposed to the outdoors. Also, should I use a penetrant to clean them beforehand?
posted by doctorcurly at 9:11 AM PST - 5 comments

Where do I buy my first DSLR?

I'm buying my first D-SLR and I'd like to get it from a local camera shop where people know what they're talking about. However, I can't seem to find one. What's the second-best way? [more inside]
posted by ultraultraboomerang at 9:08 AM PST - 27 comments

Ruby on Rails email automation

What is the best way to automatically send emails from a ruby on rails website on a schedule such as weekly or daily based on stored user info?
posted by srboisvert at 9:05 AM PST - 4 comments

Ratfilter: getting around

FamilyVacationTime! I'm arriving in Orlando via air on Easter Sunday to meet up with my family. What's the Taxi situation like on holidays at the airport? Also, I am departing via Amtrak on the following Friday. What's the area around the train station like? What's the best way to get to the Downtown Amtrak station from the Kissimee area? [more inside]
posted by Geckwoistmeinauto at 8:56 AM PST - 2 comments

Ethnic minorities in the British Army

Advice needed on joining the British Army for ethnic minorities (Chinese in particular). Any servicemen on AskMe? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 8:28 AM PST - 6 comments

Recording continuous audio

Is there any sound recording program for Windows that is designed to record continuously, such as for archiving police radio? [more inside]
posted by chef_boyardee at 8:15 AM PST - 5 comments

Chicago Bike Stores/Bike Recommendations

Chicago Bike Questions: It looks like winter is finally receding and it's time for me to buy a new bike. Looking for advice on stores in Chicagoland and potential models for a relatively novice biker on a short, flat commute. [more inside]
posted by fancypants at 7:40 AM PST - 21 comments

What is the easiest/best way create a secure tunnel or VPN connection back to my home network to act as a relay for private interneting?

What is the easiest/best way create a secure tunnel or VPN connection back to my home network to act as a relay for private interneting? Is it possible to do this using just a router that would be on anyway so I don't have to have a computer running all the time just to act as a relay? [more inside]
posted by willnot at 7:36 AM PST - 10 comments

[BondFilter]

[BondFilter]: What is this bond and is it still worth something? [more inside]
posted by yoyo_nyc at 7:18 AM PST - 5 comments

Where does "bread and butter" come from?

When walking on the strip in Vegas recently, a couple walking toward me was forced to split to either side of me, and the woman said "bread and butter!". I remember my mom using this phrase when I was a kid, but it was the first time I'd heard it from someone else. What's the origin of this phrase? [more inside]
posted by zardoz at 5:12 AM PST - 39 comments

What to do for a week in Medford, Oregon

Visiting the Ashland/Medford area of Oregon... [more inside]
posted by efalk at 2:12 AM PST - 7 comments

Cool stuff to do with bunch of unused computers?

I've got a bunch of HP DC7100 SFF Pentium 4 computers sitting on a table at work, left over from people who have migrated to using laptops as their primary workstations. Any ideas for cool stuff I could do with them? [more inside]
posted by lifeless at 2:09 AM PST - 12 comments

How do I work wicker?

Resources for wicker basket making? I need to learn wicker working. [more inside]
posted by Mister Cheese at 1:47 AM PST - 1 comment

March 18

What should I know before tutoring Sudanese refugees in highschool?

So I'm going to start teaching English and Maths to Sudanese kids (refugees) struggling in high school for free. What should I know? [more inside]
posted by PuGZ at 11:28 PM PST - 2 comments

You must be at least this smart...

About half a dozen years ago a cartoon popped up where I used to work that had "You must be at least this smart to use the Internet" with a sliding scale that included humans, some sort of ape or monkey and one or two simpler forms of life. Can anyone point me to it? [more inside]
posted by krisjohn at 10:48 PM PST - 2 comments

Sixties Party Music Filter

I'm looking for sixties party music. [more inside]
posted by TheOnlyCoolTim at 10:43 PM PST - 27 comments

Fine Food For Fatties Finding Fitness

My beloved and I are on diets, and we're sick of eating at crappy chain restaurants. Help us move on up... [more inside]
posted by jewzilla at 10:37 PM PST - 24 comments

Decompress After Disney?

VacationFilter Redux: What should we do *after* Disney World? Extra week of vacation after the extravaganza, and I want some beach time. [more inside]
posted by ZakDaddy at 10:33 PM PST - 9 comments

Two pounds of funk in a five pound bag - Concert-going 101

I have never been to a rock concert before. What do I do? Wave a lighter in the air? Shout "Freebird"? Mosh? Will I get served? I need Rock Concert 101, stat. [more inside]
posted by unixrat at 10:28 PM PST - 41 comments

Bye Zire, hello Nano?

I'm considering retiring my Palm Zire and using my iPod Nano for my portable calendar. Anyone else try this with success? [more inside]
posted by lucyleaf at 9:08 PM PST - 9 comments

And behind THIS dor we have...

[Riddle Filter] You are on a game show. There are three doors to choose from, two of which contain smelly goats, and one containing a million dollars. [more inside]
posted by Phire at 8:54 PM PST - 80 comments

What's the motherfucking source of these motherfucking lyrics?

In Black Snake Moan, Samuel L Jackson sings an unusual version of Stackerlee. Were those particular lyrics written for the movie, were they cobbled together out of other versions, or was he copying an earlier performance outright? [more inside]
posted by nebulawindphone at 8:18 PM PST - 16 comments

Falling asleep quickly part deux

If you experienced an extended period of sleep-deprivation while in the military or med-school or what have you and found that you started falling asleep quickly anytime that you had a chance, did you retain that ability? How long did it take for you to acquire that ability? Exactly how sleep-deprived were you for this to start happening? This is a follow-up to this question.
posted by who else at 7:25 PM PST - 16 comments

Firefox to Internet

Why won't my laptop connect to my wi-fi? :-( [more inside]
posted by jefficator at 6:41 PM PST - 21 comments

Can I get a new mattress for my Ikea kids bed?

Can you recommend a new mattress for this kid's bed from Ikea? [more inside]
posted by dhacker at 6:19 PM PST - 4 comments

Hoot Your Belly and Give Your Backbone Ease

What does "hoot your belly" mean? [more inside]
posted by breezeway at 6:18 PM PST - 4 comments

What's a good way of dealing with long-term goals?

What's a good way of dealing with long-term goals? [more inside]
posted by gregb1007 at 5:57 PM PST - 8 comments

AAARGGGHHH!

What do you do when you've hit the wall career-wise? [more inside]
posted by philad at 5:47 PM PST - 13 comments

Help to locate eyeglasses--Chanel #2092 wine color

Looking for the cheapest place to buy authentic eyeglasses by Chanel, Model #2092, wine color. My local eyeglass place has it for $325, and having trouble finding it on the net at a significant discount. Ideas?
posted by america4 at 5:41 PM PST - 6 comments

Need a celebration of male sexuality!

I'm looking for a show about men behaving badly. I am NOT by any means looking for the actual sitcom by that name! Clarification after the flip. [more inside]
posted by Willie0248 at 5:38 PM PST - 26 comments

Similar quality to Polo/Ralph Lauren T-shirts??

I have always enjoyed the quality of Ralph Lauren/Polo clothes. I have a professor who used to work in the textile industry, who said that most clothing is made in just a dozen or so mills worldwide. I am looking for long-sleeve t-shirts of the same thread-count and quality of these Polo t's. I could care less about the brand...any suggestions??
posted by tdabbott at 5:00 PM PST - 5 comments

How can I stop being a snobbish jerk about music?

I'd like to be able to respect and enjoy people who like music that I think is lame, and listen to said music without making a lot of snarky comments. How can I stop being thirteen freaking years old about this? [more inside]
posted by crinklebat at 4:52 PM PST - 73 comments

Does this look like mortgage fraud?

Mortgage fraud/appraisal fraud question. Does the following transaction look suspicious? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 4:50 PM PST - 10 comments

Recommendations for Game Controller for Mac

Mac Gaming Filter: Recommendations for a Controller? Like playing first person games. Can't seem to find one that looks good. [more inside]
posted by krudiger at 4:39 PM PST - 8 comments

Help me locate a "This American Life" episode.

Help me find a "This American Life" episode. [more inside]
posted by zorro astor at 3:59 PM PST - 3 comments

does apple's warranty cover this?

does apple's 1-year warranty cover damage caused by static electricity? [more inside]
posted by thinkingwoman at 3:56 PM PST - 6 comments

Vancouver transportation

Help me gauge transportation options and travel distances in Vancouver, BC. [more inside]
posted by umbú at 3:53 PM PST - 21 comments

Fascination with Brad Pitt's hair and/or hair colour styles for men

Late last year (November?) I saw Brad Pitt with a sort of patchwork of highlights on the cover of one of those major gossip magazines at a supermarket checkout. Which magazine/issue was it--or more to the point, where can I find an image of Brad Pitt with that look--or even more to the point, is there a more precise way of referring to it than 'patchwork of hilghlights'? [more inside]
posted by Firas at 3:19 PM PST - 4 comments

Help me not faux pas

Questions about guesthouse etiquette. [more inside]
posted by speranza at 2:53 PM PST - 5 comments

What is the service that lets you change your DNS settings to route through a safe-site filter?

What is the service that lets you change your DNS settings to route through a safe-site filter? [more inside]
posted by JPigford at 2:16 PM PST - 6 comments

I walk on the edges of my feet - to dire results!

Without fail, the soles on the heels of my boots wear down unevenly. The outside part (the edge) of the heel on each shoe wears down more quickly than the inside part, so each shoe become lopsided. How can I prevent this? [more inside]
posted by eswusp86 at 2:10 PM PST - 16 comments

How do you introduce yourself to a potential employer?

(Job interview filter) A friend of mine has been shortlisted for a job interview for a major european consulting company. There are 5 candidates in total and in the beginning they will participate in a group interview. The first part of it requires each candidate to introduce themselves - the time limit for this introduction is 5 min, they will have a laptop, a paper chart and a projector at their disposal. Any ideas for a creative introduction? Anyone ever participated or evaluated something like this? Should my friend stick to discussing only his professinal life or can he throw in some of the private e.g. where he grew up, what his hobbies are, etc. Any ideas and tips will be appreciated.
posted by barrakuda at 2:06 PM PST - 3 comments

Find me a long, low, cheap, and sturdy tv stand.

Trying to find a long, low tv stand for relatively cheap.... [more inside]
posted by sinical at 1:38 PM PST - 11 comments

Doctor in D.C.?

Seeking a patient-recommended GP or internist for a mid-twenties female in Washington, D.C. Recommendations of actual doctors OR places where I can find those recommendations (a la dr-oogle for dentists) welcome. [more inside]
posted by xaire at 1:15 PM PST - 5 comments

So my mom wants to do something batshitinsane for her birthday...

What should my mom do to celebrate her 50th birthday? (Please read the more inside.) [more inside]
posted by ztdavis at 1:06 PM PST - 10 comments

Tear in leather couch...

I have a small tear in my leather couch. It is about an inch long and on the top of a cushion. Any recommendations on fixing this myself?
posted by iphog at 12:57 PM PST - 6 comments

Earliest non-literal and non-"The" band name?

What was the earliest band with a name other than "The [Whatever]s" or a derivation of a person's actual name? [more inside]
posted by Bud Dickman at 12:49 PM PST - 33 comments

Can Vista and XP be dual booted from separate disks?

Is it possible to dual boot Windows Vista and Windows XP Pro if each are installed on separate hard drives? [more inside]
posted by hwestiii at 12:41 PM PST - 4 comments

'Wind of ball' injuries

Projectile filter: Anyone familiar with the injury known as "wind of ball"? [more inside]
posted by bryon at 12:21 PM PST - 6 comments

Weird knees!

It feels like the cartilage behind my knee cap is slipping out of place. I don't have health insurance. How serious is this & what's the wisest response? [more inside]
posted by soviet sleepover at 11:25 AM PST - 8 comments

How do you deal with the stress of customer service?

Any tricks or methods for dealing with post-bad customer stress? I work in customer service (at a library, so they're patrons actually) and find that one bad encounter can ruin my whole shift. [more inside]
posted by stinkycheese at 11:23 AM PST - 29 comments

Hot, save beverages for a pregant woman?

Mrs. DakotaPaul is pregnant. Yay! But, we've read from various sources that coffee, black tea, green tea, and herbal tea should be avoided. Boo. What hot beverages can she drink in the morning besides water with lemon? [more inside]
posted by DakotaPaul at 10:47 AM PST - 40 comments

I'm winning this goddamn iPhone

I'm trying to win a free iPhone from an annoying website. Is this possible? What precautions should I take. [more inside]
posted by JamesJD at 10:29 AM PST - 18 comments

What is the proper anatomical term for the top of your foot?

What is the proper anatomical term for the top of your foot?
posted by mattholomew at 10:27 AM PST - 9 comments

song from "i'm from rolling stones"

what is the song in the end credits of tv show "i'm from rolling stones" [more inside]
posted by kewlio at 10:09 AM PST - 6 comments

Successful Urban Parks

What are some good examples of successful, interesting urban parks? Particularly ones in higher crime areas.
posted by destro at 9:35 AM PST - 30 comments

Webmail solution

I am looking for a web based email solution for numerous pop accounts. [more inside]
posted by captainscared at 8:48 AM PST - 12 comments

DIY guide to building a light table for screen printing?

How do I build a light table for screen printing? [more inside]
posted by val5a at 8:27 AM PST - 5 comments

Help unclog our sink

I need some plumbing help. The drain from our kitchen sink is clogged, and we're trying to fix it DIY-style. [more inside]
posted by The Michael The at 7:31 AM PST - 9 comments

At what age should you start to have regular check ups with your GP?

At what age should you start to have regular check ups with your GP? And what things do you get checked? [more inside]
posted by koahiatamadl at 5:31 AM PST - 26 comments

I promise never to walk for miles in flip-flos again if this pain goes away.

I walked around in flip-flops all day, and now my big toes really, really hurt. [more inside]
posted by mwachs at 5:12 AM PST - 12 comments

Make the heartburn pain stop, please.

I have terribly painful heartburn. Less frequently since my doctor prescribed Prevacid a year or so ago, and less frequently still since I've been watching what I eat and losing weight for the last five months. But I still get a bout of it every month or two, usually hitting in the late evening, and keeping me awake until 6 or 7am before it subsides. How can I get some sleep instead of staying awake all night in pain? [more inside]
posted by xiojason at 1:54 AM PST - 30 comments

Intelligent Podcasts

Where can I find more podcasts like the TED talks? [more inside]
posted by alby at 1:54 AM PST - 19 comments

Good Interview Book?

What would be a good interview book for a graduating college student who has tried to interview, but comes up short? [more inside]
posted by debit at 1:26 AM PST - 18 comments

Ringfilter: How to wear this ring?

How does one wear a ring with lettering? [more inside]
posted by hannahq at 1:23 AM PST - 15 comments

Railroad tracks on fire.

So, when traveling on PATH toward Newark tonight, I noticed that some of the tracks were on fire. [more inside]
posted by oaf at 12:03 AM PST - 8 comments

March 17

All in one Comms hub?

One stop communications software? I use my laptop as a secondary moniter. I'd love one peice of software that could run full screen, and moniter or otherwise show the status of a few different services. 1-2 POP3 accounts, 1-2 RSS feeds, an MSN account, etc. [more inside]
posted by tiamat at 10:40 PM PST - 8 comments

2D Motherboard Card or 3D Accelerated Card for Photoshop CS2?

We're buying a new laptop for my wife tomorrow to replace her aging desktop. The only thing she'll use it for is to digitally scrapbook. The only program she'll use really is Photoshop CS2. Is it worth it to pay the extra to get a laptop with a real graphics card or will things work just as well with an motherboard solution such as the Intel 950 that uses your RAM to fuel it? Right now we're leaning towards the HP dv9207us. We'd like to know if it's overkill or with one of the 700$ specials you always see with motherboard built-in graphics work just as well? Help?
posted by damiano99 at 10:20 PM PST - 17 comments

Is it possible I ruined my record player by hooking it up to a 15 volt source?

Is it possible that I've permanently destroyed my record player by accidentally hooking up to a 15 volt power adapter, instead of a 12? [more inside]
posted by matkline at 9:40 PM PST - 12 comments

Is my TV growing senile?

Can a TV lose the ability to repond to remotes? If so, what then? [more inside]
posted by longsleeves at 9:23 PM PST - 16 comments

Mira or Remote Buddy?

If you've used both, which would you recommend? Mira or Remote Buddy? Why? [more inside]
posted by evariste at 7:54 PM PST - 2 comments

Online promotion of neighborhood website?

How and where do I do online promotion my neighborhood's historic home tour quickly and on the cheap? (In Phoenix, AZ) [more inside]
posted by cowmix at 7:18 PM PST - 5 comments

Help me install front door speakers on my Accord.

How do I install these speakers on the front doors of my 1999 Honda Accord? Should I even try to do it myself? [more inside]
posted by lou at 7:13 PM PST - 10 comments

Starkville, MS to Yellowstone.

I'm planning a road trip to Yellowstone NP from Starkville, MS. Tips, suggestions of roads to take and places to stop, stay, eat, and see (we're tent camping, and we're talking spring break one year from now), we'll be in my 2006 Sentra. [more inside]
posted by nile_red at 6:18 PM PST - 7 comments

Pet-safe Pesticides?

As usual, we skipped spring here in Texas and went straight to what my Yankee self considers summer. And with summer in Texas comes bugs -- fire ants, chinch bugs, and all kids of other assortments of creepie crawlies. Normally I'd simply diazinon the entire yard and just fuhgetabout it, but this year -- I have a puppy. A puppy that likes eating digging in dirt and rubbing her nose in it. [more inside]
posted by SpecialK at 6:13 PM PST - 4 comments

What are some Basic (higher-pH) beverages?

Digestive chemistry: I have a mild case of Crohn's disease, and one of the things that seems to exacerbate my condition is eating or drinking things that are highly acidic. Other than milk, what are some higher-pH drinks that I can use to replace corrosive beverages like soda, coffee, and cranberry juice? [more inside]
posted by chrisamiller at 5:22 PM PST - 20 comments

I swear I'm not a spammer - will you please deliver my mail?

Due to a mail server that was not properly mailed down, about a year ago, some spam was sent through my mail servers. That's fixed but I still seem to be on the blacklist. What can I do? [more inside]
posted by RustyBrooks at 4:23 PM PST - 11 comments

Toronto(ish) Wedding Location Ideas

TorontoFilter: So we're getting married! Can anyone recommend an intimate location to hold a wedding and reception in or around Toronto? [more inside]
posted by PaulieK at 4:22 PM PST - 21 comments

Should I Get Rid of the Crap on My Guitar?

What is this gunk on my fretboard? [grody pictures linked within] [more inside]
posted by interrobang at 3:58 PM PST - 29 comments

Pan's Labyrinth Plot point

I have a question about the movie Pan's Labyrinth. It involves a crucial plot point and so don't read inside if you haven't seen the movie...Spoilers follow... [more inside]
posted by vacapinta at 3:54 PM PST - 37 comments

Avant-garde radio drama?

I just listened to Radio Inferno and it completely blew my mind. What should I listen to next? [more inside]
posted by roll truck roll at 3:51 PM PST - 4 comments

Experience with Casa Guatemala?

Anyone have experience volunteering with Casa Guatemala? [more inside]
posted by night kitchen at 3:49 PM PST - 3 comments

What Western was Bill Hicks talking about when he said "You all saw him, he had a gun."

What Western, if any, was Bill Hicks referencing when he thought he was talking about Shane? [more inside]
posted by unsupervised at 3:31 PM PST - 12 comments

Reinstall OS X while retaining Office

Is there a way to somehow keep MS Office while reinstalling OS X? [more inside]
posted by 6550 at 3:17 PM PST - 9 comments

Can you hear me NOW?

Where can I get a good, used, Cingular-compatible phone online? [more inside]
posted by CwgrlUp at 3:16 PM PST - 17 comments

I know scrums don't always smell nice, but this was ridiculous.

I'm looking for a rather odd rugby-related photograph. [more inside]
posted by synecdoche at 3:15 PM PST - 3 comments

Who took the pony on a boat photo?

I'm looking for the photograph (I think it inspired the Lyle Lovett song) with the pony standing in a rowboat. Anybody know -who took the photograph? -where I can get a print?
posted by suess at 2:39 PM PST - 3 comments

Motion graphics studios in SF Bay Area

Recommend some good, professional motion graphic (Flash, video) studios in the Bay Area. [more inside]
posted by robbie01 at 2:27 PM PST - 1 comment

Capote article in which New Yorker issue?

Does anyone know which recent issue of the New Yorker has a Truman Capote article in it? [more inside]
posted by lisaj32 at 2:04 PM PST - 3 comments

Why did the area just above my eye become swollen (during a hot shower)?

I woke up today with a slightly sore eyelid, then during a hot shower, the area above my eye swelled to a point my eye is halfway shut. What's going on? [more inside]
posted by kingtaj at 1:19 PM PST - 22 comments

Auto Dealership Photo Inventory Workflow?

Anyone with knowledge/experience in putting auto dealership inventory online (photos, VIN scanners, ect.)? I have a several dealerships interested in outsourcing this job to me, but I want to do it in the least time-consuming way possible. [more inside]
posted by spock at 1:12 PM PST - 3 comments

Who is singing this song?

Who does this song I've been hearing on country radio? [more inside]
posted by wsg at 1:11 PM PST - 13 comments

emotional contagion

Does anyone know the source of a description by a sceptic attending a nazi rally in the 30s who was unable to resist shouting along with everyone else? I'm sure I read about it somewhere.
posted by leibniz at 12:53 PM PST - 13 comments

MP3 Tag Help in OS X

Anyone know of an applet that creates MP3 tag info from file names for Mac OS X? [more inside]
posted by gyrom at 12:38 PM PST - 5 comments

David Simonize me

What can I do to learn more about crime (without becoming a criminal)? [more inside]
posted by Bookhouse at 12:26 PM PST - 16 comments

Best neighborhoods for general surgery resident at Stanford?

The Residency Match takes us from the East coast to Stanford, and I was wondering if I could get some suggestions with regards to accomodation (1br or equivalent) taking into account rates vs neighborhoods most accessible to the core hospitals (University Hospital, VA Palo Alto, Kaiser Foundation, and Santa Clara Valley Medical Center) in terms of traffic conditions. Thanks.
posted by banderivec at 12:12 PM PST - 3 comments

Extra carrying capacity for the medically inclined.

I'm not allowed to wear cargo pants at work but I need the extra pocket space. I really don't want to wear a bumbag. What're some options? [more inside]
posted by Silentgoldfish at 11:50 AM PST - 31 comments

Seeking One Laptop Demo Per Child

How can I find out where OLPC prototypes will be demo'd nearby? I always hear about the Linux user group meetups, the talks at Harvard and MIT, and the conferences about a week after the fact. (I guess that's how they stay so small.) I'm looking for events in NYC, Boston, or elsewhere in that radius. So my specific question is are there any such events coming up in the northeast, and my general question is how can I better search for such events? An offshoot question: any regional mefi'ers currently holding an xo prototype? If so, I'd like to get in touch to ask a couple questions for a research project. Thanks.
posted by thejoshu at 11:23 AM PST - 4 comments

The Many Dangers of a Kulfi Recipe

I'd like to try this kulfi recipe, but I'm afraid that I'll either cause an explosion or poison myself and my family. (Not a cooking self-esteem issue) [more inside]
posted by textilephile at 11:11 AM PST - 8 comments

Skype changing prices?

I am getting the wrong price when I try to buy SkypeIn. Everywhere I look on the Skype webpage, the cost is listed as $12 for 3 months and $38 for 12 months. When I go to check-out, however, it offers me the choice of $18 for 3 months or $60 for 12 months. Is this a poorly-coordinated price hike or something wrong with the check-out?
posted by bethm at 10:31 AM PST - 4 comments

Alternative Remote For DVD-V7400

I would like to buy a Pioneer DVD-V7400 Industrial DVD Player, which are going pretty cheap on ebay. However, the ones on ebay don't come with remotes, and buying the remote alone costs 50-60 bucks. So the question is: what are the chances that this player will work with a universal remote? [more inside]
posted by russmail at 10:31 AM PST - 1 comment

How much does an abortion cost?

What is the average range cost for an abortion? I know there are different procedures and costs most likely vary depending on health insurance? But I just need some basic idea because I cannot talk to a health professional until monday, and I want some idea. Please no moral judgements!
posted by bilbo baggins at 10:25 AM PST - 11 comments

Macintosh Powerbook 540c project?

What should I do with an old Macintosh Powerbook 540c? [more inside]
posted by grieserm at 9:59 AM PST - 14 comments

Egyptian desserts

Please help me find recipes for two Egyptian desserts: Oum Ali and Kouskousy. [more inside]
posted by anonymous78 at 8:27 AM PST - 5 comments

Attention, folkies! Who's Singing This Song?

Music Mystery! Can someone identify the performer or group who does this version of Richard Thompson's "I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight"? [more inside]
posted by Savannah at 8:02 AM PST - 6 comments

Nethack-like copper mining game? In space?

Help me identify a computer game! Mid-late 90s, Windows, visually a Nethack or Roguelike but thematically entirely different: you were sort-of mining for copper nodules, crystals, oxygen bubbles, and possibly seeds for plants. [more inside]
posted by cobaltnine at 7:14 AM PST - 5 comments

desperately seeking schema

I'm not a programmer and I need a schema in the worst way. Stylus Studio purports to generate a schema based on xml documents--is this realistic, and if I know sql and html but it stops there, what would it take, ballpark, to get a tech freelancer to do this for me? [more inside]
posted by pessoa at 7:13 AM PST - 4 comments

cell phones in the classroom

Fellow educators / trainers, how do you deal with cell phones in your classrooms? [more inside]
posted by Meatbomb at 6:37 AM PST - 51 comments

Keep an ice cube from melting

SchoolProjectFilter: Help my son keep an ice cube from melting! [more inside]
posted by I_Love_Bananas at 6:06 AM PST - 17 comments

Does anyone understand this site?

What do you think is going on here? [more inside]
posted by Lucie at 3:57 AM PST - 8 comments

Why does repetitive music make me nauseous?

Why does repetitive music make me nauseous? [more inside]
posted by none at 2:42 AM PST - 19 comments

March 16

Sugar binge = Diabetes?

Just much binge sugar consumption would it take to cause diabetes? [more inside]
posted by mr.dan at 11:42 PM PST - 17 comments

I left my heart in Paris.

Help me fall in love with San Francisco all over again! [more inside]
posted by rndm at 11:32 PM PST - 15 comments

Books in the vein of Adam Curtis?

I've been on a (scary and depressing) kick of the Adam Curtis documentaries (Century of the Self, The Power of Nightmares). What non-fiction books does MeFi recommend in a similar vein? [more inside]
posted by Sticherbeast at 11:21 PM PST - 7 comments

Individual's survival without a society?

Which books (or movies) have a similar survivalism theme as 'I am Legend' by Richard Matheson? The specific theme I'm looking for: one person, fighting to hold on to their sanity without the support of any other people. Not necessarily postapocalyptic, just a person struggling to maintain their humanity despite limited/no other human contact.
posted by philomathoholic at 10:44 PM PST - 27 comments

honest eaters

Is there a polite way of telling people who only eat chicken and fish that they are not vegetarians? I'm at my wits end with this. [more inside]
posted by metasav at 10:13 PM PST - 112 comments

VLC and skipping DVDs.

Hi, Netflix DVDs in my wife's Toshiba Satellite skips considerably more than my macbook. She has a "tssp" dvd drive and I've got a Matsushita. Is it possible to configure VLC with some sort of monster video buffer so it will skip less? I'm familiar with other disk buffing/cleaning solutions, and am primarily curious about a software solution--VLC, mplayer, or anything else--to use in addition to cleaning the dvd. We've got to get through the rest of Monk, season four without going insane.
posted by craniac at 9:45 PM PST - 3 comments

Bookfiler: kids in drains kill people

Bookfilter: When I was a kid, I read a book or series of books about a lost tribe of children who lived in sewers, were at war with the adult world (or parts thereof) and made effective use of slingshots. There was one scene in particular I recall in which someone - a baddie presumably - was killed with a shovel that had been slowly sharpened through digging in silt for something. There might have been something odd about the children's ears as well. I know it's vague, but if I could remember more I probably would have found it without having to ask the hive mind!
posted by tim_in_oz at 8:32 PM PST - 8 comments

Are there any general rules for interior decorating, with emphasis on making the best use of space?

Are there any general rules for interior decorating, with emphasis on making the best use of space? [more inside]
posted by mintchip at 8:11 PM PST - 11 comments

Affordable health insurance in NYC?

I am a healthy 22 year old female living in New York City. I am about to be employed as a "casual" employee-- meaning no health insurance. Any ideas about how I can find affordable health insurance (preferably $200/month or under)? Everything I can find through google doesn't cover New York. [more inside]
posted by blim8183 at 7:58 PM PST - 13 comments

i cannot afford gore tex. what's the next best thing?

i need to buy a rain jacket for trekking in new zealand in the next couple of days. there's quite a lot of rain here. i cannot afford a gore tex jacket. what should i get? [more inside]
posted by ye#ara at 7:21 PM PST - 11 comments

Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency advice needed.

MediFilter: Can any of you provide any information for care, quality of life enhancements, treatment or any other useful information about alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency. [more inside]
posted by BishopsLoveScifi at 7:12 PM PST - 4 comments

Should we advertise or not?

Is a £250 advert in a specialist magazine going to pay dividends? [more inside]
posted by djstig at 6:52 PM PST - 12 comments

Depression and college

College/DepressionFilter: How do I avoid further destroying my life? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 5:56 PM PST - 51 comments

I need a doctor, stat!

Can anyone recommend a decent ob/gyn office in Sonoma County, CA? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 5:56 PM PST - 1 comment

Is the depiction of people using alcohol to take the edge off a bad day/week/month accurate?

Is the depiction of people using alcohol to take the edge off a bad day/week/month accurate? [more inside]
posted by jesirose at 4:55 PM PST - 30 comments

Recommend Stuff in Silverlake Please

Recommend some stuff for me in Silverlake (Los Angeles) [more inside]
posted by drjimmy11 at 4:40 PM PST - 16 comments

Tofu, doofu, bean curd, huh?

Help an American find different kinds of tofu in China. [more inside]
posted by found dog one eye at 4:28 PM PST - 3 comments

Vegetarian materials

Does anyone know of a vegetarian website that offers printable promotional material? I'm looking for some type of postcard for my refrigerator without ordering through the mail. Something clever like 'vegetarianism is for lovers' or something else to that effect. PETA need not apply. Thanks!
posted by mgrimm at 4:23 PM PST - 6 comments

cell phones in bangkok

i'll be going to thailand soon and i know that the 4th floor of MBK has tons of cell phone sellers. i'm interested in buying a quad band unlocked phone but i'm not sure if their prices are better than U.S. prices. also, i think they'll have some models that may not be available in the U.S. anyone know about the price difference? thanks.
posted by wondering at 3:06 PM PST - 14 comments

Breakdown; go ahead and give it to me.

Where can I find a breakdown of government contracts given to nonprofits? [more inside]
posted by viewofdelft at 2:15 PM PST - 1 comment

Where to buy a bicycle in Toronto?

Where should I buy a (used or new) bicycle in Toronto? [more inside]
posted by ori at 2:10 PM PST - 12 comments

How can I find and replace text in multiple files?

I have recently been looking for free tools, which can replace multiple lines in plain text- and Word-files. However, I could not find any effective freeware. What would you recommend?
posted by techfreak at 2:07 PM PST - 11 comments

Looking for a connector plug for a Thinkpad T60

Where can I buy that special connector plug (just the plug itself not the entire adapter) for an IBM/Lenovo t60 laptop? [more inside]
posted by postergeist at 1:10 PM PST - 5 comments

Why won't my computer use it's damn recycle bini?

How do I change my computer's "delete" and "drag/drop" settings? [more inside]
posted by radioamy at 12:17 PM PST - 10 comments

Lights come on, Audio goes out

Car Audio Filter: I have a 2003 Ford F-150 with audio that drops out completely. The receiver still works when the audio goes out, just no audio from any of the speakers. The audio does return (so I don't think its a faulty speaker). [more inside]
posted by unceman at 12:05 PM PST - 9 comments

How to copy mp3s from one Hard drive to an another?

How can i scan an internal Hard disk for mp3s and and copy them to an External Hard disk automatically ? [more inside]
posted by toocan at 11:57 AM PST - 13 comments

Tuna sandwich longevity?

I made a tuna sandwich for lunch and left it at home. Will it still be edible? [more inside]
posted by seiryuu at 11:50 AM PST - 77 comments

Who did the art for Snow Patrol's Eyes Open album?

Who did the art for Snow Patrol's Eyes Open album? [more inside]
posted by andythebean at 11:49 AM PST - 4 comments

How to get my phone to remember more of the things I need to know

When my colleagues phone me, how can I remember all the things that I am supposed to talk to them about? [more inside]
posted by verisimilitude at 11:36 AM PST - 12 comments

Gillette castles secret passage

Does Gillette Castle have secret passageways or not? [more inside]
posted by clavdivs at 11:34 AM PST - 5 comments

Car seats in the city

Car seats in cabs/cars for hire in NYC? [more inside]
posted by pomegranate at 11:31 AM PST - 12 comments

Looking for a few good web design schools in the Los Angeles area?

What are a few good schools to learn web design and web programming in the Los Angeles area? [more inside]
posted by MediaJunkie at 11:04 AM PST - 4 comments

Build me a home gym.

What's minimal but sufficient equipment for a home gym? [more inside]
posted by unSane at 10:48 AM PST - 26 comments

Manga with non-Japanese characters?

Where can I find examples of manga with non-Japanese characters? [more inside]
posted by jbelkin at 10:48 AM PST - 23 comments

What language should I learn?

Given the timeframe of a year, what European language should I begin learning (the basics, anyways) to assist me in communication? [more inside]
posted by chrisfromthelc at 10:08 AM PST - 30 comments

Personal mention on ESPN in the last day or two. Did anybody see it?

I just heard that my extremely odd online NCAA basketball pool was mentioned on ESPN in the past day or two, except I don't know in what context or on what show. Anyone see it? (more inside) [more inside]
posted by mcstayinskool at 10:06 AM PST - 5 comments

Creating a video games industry event in NYC

"Video game meetup in NYC" or "Help me not get fired from the coolest job ever." [more inside]
posted by frieze at 9:15 AM PST - 11 comments

Excel macro/ pivot table help

Need help coming up with a basic training/ presentation in Excel macros and pivot tables for my boss and his second in command! Can someone recommend a book- well written, concise? I use Excel a lot, had advanced training (paid for by my boss) , but I don't use macros or pivot table functions because there has been no need in my line of duty...... [more inside]
posted by mistsandrain at 8:48 AM PST - 6 comments

Crazy Cat Ladies

Has anyone found a cat litter box that successfully keeps the litter off the floor? [more inside]
posted by joaniemcchicken at 8:09 AM PST - 37 comments

Where did the sports term chalk come from?

What is the origin of the term "chalk", as it refers to the higher seeded team in basketball, or the betting favorite? Is this related to Rock, Chalk, Jayhawk, KU ? [more inside]
posted by stovenator at 7:51 AM PST - 6 comments

What is this diet?

What sort of strange diet has my doctor put me on? Is this the new and accepted way to treat diabetics now? [more inside]
posted by LadyBonita at 7:50 AM PST - 44 comments

Giving homesickness the boot

How to alleviate homesickness? Extra difficulty: first time out, alone. [more inside]
posted by Meifa at 7:46 AM PST - 15 comments

How to know if two proportions are statistically significant?

How do I determine whether the difference between two or more proportions is significant? [more inside]
posted by lunasol at 7:43 AM PST - 7 comments

Need an epigraph!

Epigraphfilter: Help me think of something good (or, barring that, something funny) to kick off my senior thesis. The paper is about why nations sometimes sneak around the established, public, legally recognized way of writing treaties when they cooperate. [more inside]
posted by electric_counterpoint at 6:41 AM PST - 11 comments

Is there a way i can automate the process of adding lyrics to my mp3 tags?

Is there a way i can automate the process of adding lyrics to my mp3 tags? [more inside]
posted by Chamunks at 6:24 AM PST - 8 comments

Women Rock [and rap, and country, and western, and polka . . . ]

SongFilter for a friend: In search of . . . "songs that are about changing the world, how great women are, non-violence, social change . . ." [more inside]
posted by Kibbutz at 5:37 AM PST - 38 comments

Sudden drop in loading speed of web sites, but download speed is OK.

Firefox on OSX. Sudden drop in loading speed of web sites, but download speed is OK. Please help! [more inside]
posted by kdern at 5:35 AM PST - 10 comments

Through the Eyes of Soldiers Fighting

What are good sources for seeing the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan through the eyes of the soldiers fighting? [more inside]
posted by CaptMcalister at 5:06 AM PST - 8 comments

Urban transplant worries.

What do I need to know about moving to the sticks? [more inside]
posted by kmennie at 3:18 AM PST - 27 comments

Whats a pregnant women to do to keep herself busy?

Asking this on behalf of Mrs Rus who is 4 months pregnant and is bored. She had a job that she gave up at the start of the pregnancy as it involved lifting and was stressful but now she is pining for something to do. [more inside]
posted by rus at 1:58 AM PST - 8 comments

How to get a junkie to move out?

How can I "persuade" a junkie (who's big on harrassment and intimidation) to move out of a flat/apartment? [more inside]
posted by flutable at 12:40 AM PST - 21 comments

March 15

What software is used in the phone sex business ?

I have one question which has three related parts: Q1. What companies are out there which provide the technology to operate a phone sex business where I can concentrate on marketing and they take care of all the backend processing allowing the individual phone sex operators to dial in from their own home and talk with their clients who are charged per minute ? I do not want to personally keep or maintain the software myself. I want to outsource this. So the sex operators would "clock in" at will and recieve calls at any phone they like. This software should also use some sort of accounting to keep track of time spent for each operator. Q2. Also, how are the phone sex operators paid ? by cashiers checks mailed out to them by Fedex ? This may not be practical especially if there are many operators. Q3. Finally since this business does not involve any pornographic images are there any laws I need to abide by like having to keep records and making sure everyone is over 18 years of age ?
posted by lc037 at 10:41 PM PST - 9 comments

subterranean homewatering blue

how do I irrigate a new lawn subterraneanly? [more inside]
posted by wilful at 9:57 PM PST - 8 comments

Why do dogs stick their heads out of moving cars windows?

Why do dogs stick their heads out of moving cars windows?
posted by econous at 9:39 PM PST - 34 comments

The Wire locations

Where does HBO's The Wire film? [more inside]
posted by deadfather at 9:26 PM PST - 12 comments

GLM Variable Weighting

Statistics. Generalized Linear Models; What's being done in this R script I've been handed down, with the variable weights? [more inside]
posted by Jimbob at 9:24 PM PST - 3 comments

Gimme The Blues!

Where's a good place to go, preferably online, for pointers and/or reviews of good contemporary blues albums? Or, failing that, what are the best blues albums from the last 10 years or so? [more inside]
posted by smorange at 8:50 PM PST - 7 comments

When I think about you, I touch my Elf.

The topic of sexual arousal came up with a friend the other day and I realized that I experience a strong sensation that may be unique... [more inside]
posted by Foam Pants at 8:23 PM PST - 43 comments

PS: I'll gladly take ear/headphone recommendations :-D

iPod + which eaphones/headphones = least hearing loss? [more inside]
posted by mittenedsex at 7:30 PM PST - 18 comments

Young Adult Novel with Purple Wallpaper

Young Adult Literature: A little girl in an abandoned house and a room with purple wallpaper. [more inside]
posted by macadamiaranch at 7:29 PM PST - 11 comments

What makes twitter so great?

What makes twitter so great? [more inside]
posted by deansfurniture5 at 7:17 PM PST - 22 comments

Wifi sometimes works, sometimes doesn't

Wifi acting odd... at the pub down the street I can always connect to the Wifi server, but half the time my browser times out trying to load anything, and nothing can connect. Half the time it works fine. [more inside]
posted by Yiggs at 6:59 PM PST - 24 comments

How to make a stuffed animal "talk"?

How can I add a add a "talking" chip/device to an existing, or home-made stuffed animal? [more inside]
posted by raygan at 6:56 PM PST - 7 comments

Martial arts in SoCal

I would like to start training in a martial art in Glendale, Burbank, or the surrounding area. [more inside]
posted by kamikazegopher at 6:50 PM PST - 2 comments

Name that 1990's top 40 band!

What is the name of the band that was popular in the mid-1990's with a few hit singles. I think they were from California.... [more inside]
posted by sneakin at 6:44 PM PST - 5 comments

Does the Baghdad morgue publish it's data?

Does the Baghdad morgue publish its data? [more inside]
posted by thrako at 6:39 PM PST - 2 comments

Why won't Office let me be legit?

I'm trying to clean up my act and bought a legitimate copy of Office for my Mac. Problem is, after deleting my (bootlegged) copy, it's still recognizing that copy over th legimitate one. What's up? [more inside]
posted by itchie at 6:13 PM PST - 2 comments

Gorgeous, useless thing.

Crafty MeFites: What can I do with a sturdy wooden box? [more inside]
posted by gursky at 5:44 PM PST - 19 comments

My beautiful lawn, she is dead!

Please help with my dead sprinkler heads and other lawncare problems in Burbank. [more inside]
posted by Beautiful Downtown Burbank at 5:28 PM PST - 8 comments

Giro d'Italia Route Maps

Where on the web are detailed routes or maps of the 2007 Giro d'Italia? [more inside]
posted by turbodog at 5:21 PM PST - 2 comments

FashionFilter: Are plaid flannels wayyy out of style?

When I was in my early twenties, everyone wore plaid flannel shirts. It was a staple. Are those out, as in 'you'll look funny if you wear one' out? What is "in" when it comes to twenty and thirty somethings? I'm talking out to a casual bar with friends on a Saturday night?
posted by Gerard Sorme at 4:50 PM PST - 53 comments

Sending dirty stories to a 17 year old

Is it illegal for me to send dirty, dirty stories to a 17-year-old in Oregon? [more inside]
posted by Kemayo at 3:20 PM PST - 50 comments

Symbols for night?

AncientSymbolsFilter: My google skills have failed me. I'm looking for a symbol representing night or darkness. Preferably from Antiquity or Celtic societies. Help?
posted by Roman Graves at 3:16 PM PST - 11 comments

How can I be comfortable when my body is stressed?

On my feet and awake for 32 hours straight. How can I stay as comfortable as possible? [more inside]
posted by mikespez at 3:04 PM PST - 22 comments

Applying to a company where you know no one

JobSearchFilter: What are creative ways to get an "in" at a company? [more inside]
posted by scarlet at 2:48 PM PST - 9 comments

Getaways near Cincinnati?

Nice weekend places near or within 2 hrs' drive of Cincinnati OH, for small group getaway? [more inside]
posted by LobsterMitten at 2:44 PM PST - 10 comments

How do I find a cat behavioralist?

How do I find a cat whisperer/pet behavioralist in Santa Barbara, CA? Is there some sort of association or something out there? [more inside]
posted by k8t at 2:29 PM PST - 10 comments

And they call it Bella Noche

Hitting Disneyworld at the end of April, and am looking for a good place (on site) where I can take my wife for a good romantic dinner while the kids busy themselves with kid things. [more inside]
posted by thanotopsis at 2:06 PM PST - 18 comments

Studying Martial Arts in Northern Virginia

I am a complete beginner looking to study martial arts in Northern Virginia. As I go down the list of schools in the phone book, who should I make a point of visiting/auditioning, and who should I absolutely avoid? [more inside]
posted by somanyamys at 1:37 PM PST - 11 comments

Affordable B2B Promotional Concepts for software company?

Where can I find B2B concepts/ideas/thought/inspiration for low/no budget promotional, marketing activities for a software company? [more inside]
posted by UMDirector at 1:33 PM PST - 5 comments

How to come out of the ADD closet

How to (if at all) come out of the ADD closet? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 1:26 PM PST - 16 comments

Do they still make notebooks with DB-9 serial ports?

Does anyone still make laptops with serial (RS232) ports? [more inside]
posted by Symeon at 1:22 PM PST - 15 comments

Massage DVD recommendations?

Massage DVD recommendations? I checked on Amazon and there's an overwhelming 166 results.
posted by forallmankind at 1:21 PM PST - 1 comment

radar tsunami relief article?

Before it went under (the second time), Radar magazine published a story about the relief workers in the area affected by the 2004 tsunami. (I think it was published in late 2005/early 2006.) Is it available online anywhere? I can't find it on radaronline.com or via Google.
posted by kittyprecious at 1:20 PM PST - 3 comments

How do I collect rainwater on a weird spot on my roof?

We've recently moved into a house where the previous owners removed all of the rain gutters from the roof. We've more recently had new gutters installed(bye-bye, tax refund!) except for one particular spot at the corner of a very steep valley where two edges meet. Is there a way to collect water at a spot like this? [more inside]
posted by 40 Watt at 1:01 PM PST - 28 comments

SASE question

I'm sending a letter to Germany (and a few other countries) and I'm including a self-addressed stamped envelope in it. When the German person sends it back to me, do they need to add more postage to it? It's currently stamped with a .39 stamp. Should I not bother with postage at all if they'll have to put their own stamps on it anyway?
posted by SheIsMighty at 12:27 PM PST - 16 comments

The seminal cases in deceptive internet advertising?

What are the notable legal cases regarding deceptive advertising on the internet? or ... where would I go to find out? Important cases from any country are ok.
posted by vizsla at 12:25 PM PST - 5 comments

Can I work inside my TV without killing myself?

I have a ten-year-old Sony TV that's on the fritz. It's a good enough second set that I'd like to save it if possible, but it's also big enough that it's going to be a pain to haul in to the shop for an estimate. If I decide to pop the case and dive inside for a quick sanity check, what do I need to do to avoid electrocuting myself in the process? [more inside]
posted by Lazlo at 11:48 AM PST - 16 comments

Are my painful new friends hemorrhoids?

Embarrassing medical question, re: hemorrhoids, are they or aren't they? Gross description within. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 11:25 AM PST - 8 comments

Paid to work?

Can i expect to be paid when being sent away on a business trip for a week end? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 11:25 AM PST - 19 comments

Should I use a HELOC or 2nd mortgage to improve my FICO score?

HELOC or 2nd mortgage (fixed interest) to consolidate credit card debt in order to improve FICO score? [more inside]
posted by zzztimbo at 11:11 AM PST - 5 comments

What's my best option for a multiple-user blog?

What's my best option for a multiple-user blog? [more inside]
posted by apetpsychic at 10:58 AM PST - 13 comments

What's the Lake Geneva-area expat experience like?

I'm about to move to Switzerland and need some advice and guidance. [more inside]
posted by arimathea at 10:39 AM PST - 7 comments

how do i keep my workout pants from getting so stinky?

What can I do to keep my workout pants from getting so stinky so fast? [more inside]
posted by nevers at 10:25 AM PST - 28 comments

Finger + Trackpad = Friction

How can I reduce the friction between my finger and my MacBook Pro track pad? [more inside]
posted by hsoj at 10:13 AM PST - 7 comments

How to search through all the clothes online?

Online shopping for clothing question. [more inside]
posted by JanetLand at 9:44 AM PST - 11 comments

Polycarbonate multiwall for office partitions?

Anyone have experience using polycarbonate multiwall for office partitions? Will we create an indoor greenhouse by mistake? [more inside]
posted by mrbugsentry at 8:45 AM PST - 8 comments

Are treasure maps real?

Has an ancient document ever led to an archaeological discovery? [more inside]
posted by bugloaf at 8:42 AM PST - 22 comments

I'd like my 7.00 a week back, thanks.

How can I get out of a union? [more inside]
posted by pieoverdone at 8:36 AM PST - 28 comments

Which type of batteries are best for small electronics when travelling without access to electricity?

I'm trying to figure out what kind of batteries are going to be the best option for several small electronic items that are going with me to Uganda/Sudan next week... [more inside]
posted by shawnmk at 8:11 AM PST - 7 comments

How can one send a live video signal within a local area network?

How can I send a live video signal from a digital video camera to a remote computer (Mac) within the same LAN? [more inside]
posted by kingfisher, his musclebound cat at 8:11 AM PST - 8 comments

Any environmental scientists around?

Any environmental scientists around? I've been accepted into an MSc program in the UK for Environmental Management, and I'll be learning to do environmental impact assessment and environmental auditing. I've been doing a lot of reading on the subject but am having a difficult time finding descriptions of what it's really like to work in this field. [more inside]
posted by hazyjane at 8:07 AM PST - 8 comments

How do you access MS Access in a different domain?

I'm trying to get my head around some Microsoft Access security issues, and could use some help. [more inside]
posted by chill at 7:50 AM PST - 4 comments

How to figure self-employment tax?

How to do a quick and dirty estimate of self-employment tax? [more inside]
posted by vraxoin at 7:48 AM PST - 6 comments

Where to Put Up Job Ads in Ft. Lauderdale

We're looking for workers in the Ft. Lauderdale area. Where should we place job ads? [more inside]
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 7:29 AM PST - 8 comments

Decent news archives - where?

Is there a source of just general national (U.S.) stories from the AP and Reuters wires, spanning roughly the 1980s-2000s? Plaintext news is needed. [more inside]
posted by calhound at 7:09 AM PST - 6 comments

MeFi US Tour '07

MixCDFilter: I need songs that have names of american cities or states in the title. Would prefer cities though. [more inside]
posted by ShawnString at 6:45 AM PST - 90 comments

Does Korea even have hawks?

Korean Artwork - are there any good online or print repositories of animal artwork from Korea? [more inside]
posted by niteHawk at 6:35 AM PST - 5 comments

What should a returning expat expect?

I'm an expat who may be returning to the US after many years. What to expect? [more inside]
posted by FuManchu at 5:37 AM PST - 47 comments

The hotel with the mostest

Where's a really, really nice hotel in England to stay at for a weekend? [more inside]
posted by thoughtless at 5:32 AM PST - 13 comments

Ferrari Factory Tour for mere Mortals

Whats the best way for a mere mortal (ie: non-owner) to organise a visit the Ferrari Factory in Maranello, Italy?
posted by OzMoges at 4:36 AM PST - 7 comments

Invites not automatically added to Google Calendar

Why do meeting requests sent from Outlook not show up automatically in my Google Calendar? [more inside]
posted by gfrobe at 3:41 AM PST - 2 comments

parking in valencia

Monday night I’m taking a car full of people into Valencia for the Cremà of Las Fallas. What do we do with the car? [more inside]
posted by whatzit at 3:18 AM PST - 4 comments

How to be kind but firm with an estranged parent who wants more than I am willing to give?

Cats in the Cradle. I have a sticky situation re: my estranged father (& his family) and my upcoming graduation. I broke off contact a few months ago and don't really want to open that can of worms again, but he recently emailed me to ask if I've "worked through my issues", and the distress my silence is causing the man makes me nauseous. How can I set boundaries without being cruel when what I really want is for him to forget all about me? [more inside]
posted by mer2113 at 2:41 AM PST - 36 comments

Mathematical Notation

Mathematics notation help needed please. Given the expresion: cosx(x+1), is this properly interpreted as (x+1)cosx or cos(x^2+x)?
posted by Neiltupper at 2:29 AM PST - 14 comments

Where can I get a used laptop?

Know any reputable UK suppliers of used laptops? [more inside]
posted by reklaw at 2:22 AM PST - 9 comments

Workout before breakfast?

I prefer to do my fairly intense 20 min. workout first thing in the morning before I eat...else I never get it done. If I eat, then I have to wait before working out, then I get distracted, start drinking caffeine, etc. Working out in the evening doesn't really work. I work evenings and my family and I have dinner together before I leave for work. Before dinner, I'm busy doing activities with my children (my wife and I homeschool). My question is this: Is it OK to workout (lift weights, run sprints) before I eat? If I must eat first, how long must I wait before working out? How soon after taking caffeine can I workout?
posted by keith0718 at 2:04 AM PST - 29 comments

I’m an F.O.B. in LA.

What's a n00b to do in LA and Sacramento? Spending less than two weeks on the West Coast and I want to make it count. [more inside]
posted by micketymoc at 1:29 AM PST - 5 comments

March 14

Where to park for cheap in Downtown LA?

I'm going to be staying at the Westin Bonaventure Hotel in Downtown, Los Angeles in April. The hotel wants $35/night for parking. Any ideas on ways around this? [more inside]
posted by JPowers at 11:35 PM PST - 13 comments

Oops, extra "pet" rat, non-fatal expulsion options?

What to do about an extra "pet" rat. We have two domestic rats who get a bit of freedom (out of the cage for ~ 1hr per day so there is a risk of temporary escape). But now an extra rat has come into the house. Previously I've used poison to get rid of rat visitors (we live next to a creek so they're pretty common round about) but I'm reluctant to do so in case one of the pets escape. Any suggestions on how to proceed? The two pets are called "Dotty" and "Stripey" btw so we've christened the visitor "Hidey"
posted by singingfish at 10:48 PM PST - 15 comments

Up or down for the round-and-round?

When installing a power supply does the second fan/grill that is inside the case (not the 'back' power supply fan) face up or down? [more inside]
posted by Satapher at 10:39 PM PST - 4 comments

Cat Toy Recommendations

One for cat owners - What toys have you found your cats most respond to and enjoy? [more inside]
posted by chris88 at 10:16 PM PST - 62 comments

Why does eHarmony think I am destined for a life of loneliness?

Why does eHarmony think I am destined for a life of loneliness? [more inside]
posted by thebrokenmuse at 10:01 PM PST - 39 comments

help me find a fix for my a.d.d.

looking for low cost/free mental health services in los angeles. [more inside]
posted by punch_the_mayor at 9:57 PM PST - 5 comments

Charitable donation democracy?

My girlfriend wants to auction off her 3' dreadlocks for charity. Is there a website that will track donation pledges as votes for or against the chop? Sort of like PledgeBank but with the feature of multiple competing pledges? [more inside]
posted by anthill at 9:38 PM PST - 10 comments

Is orble.com legit?

Is orble.com legit? [more inside]
posted by flabdablet at 9:31 PM PST - 4 comments

Where can I find bpm databases?

On the prowl for online databases that list BPMs of popular music. [more inside]
posted by ageispolis at 9:29 PM PST - 5 comments

Doubly awesome

comedyfilter: So, a question about double acts . [more inside]
posted by jourman2 at 8:23 PM PST - 23 comments

The vistas Vista hides

Is there any any way to play Diggnation videos in Vista with Quicktime so flaky? [more inside]
posted by @homer at 7:16 PM PST - 5 comments

Are these two week old bread slices that look just fine safe to eat?

So I have this opened bag of Trader Joe's sourdough bread that has been sitting in my kitchen for probably at least two weeks now. It looks and smells just fine, not a speck of mold to be seen. Dare I eat this franken-bread? [more inside]
posted by mahamandarava at 7:06 PM PST - 22 comments

How can I remove scratches from chrome plated steel?

How can I remove scratches from chrome plated steel? I couldn't find an answer for this, probably because it's not possible. [more inside]
posted by stlboi at 6:38 PM PST - 4 comments

Volvo gone, New car needed

Oh no! My Volvo 240 is going down the tubes due to a transmission that just decided to start clanking. I've decided its not worth the $1000-1700 to fix it, so I need to buy a different car relatively soon. I've never bought one before. How do I? [more inside]
posted by yellowbkpk at 5:25 PM PST - 10 comments

T-shirts for the atypical American

I need assistance in finding a supply of t-shirts that will fit someone with an athletic build. [more inside]
posted by Loto at 5:16 PM PST - 8 comments

Recommendations for a multi-track recorder?

Recommendations for a digital multitrack recorder? [more inside]
posted by anticlock at 5:00 PM PST - 11 comments

switching to a pc (sort of) and I need to find some equivalent packages

For reasons of folly I thought I'd give Windows Vista a go. As a long-time mac user I'm used to relying on the apple community for useful software suggestions and ideas. With windows, I'm not entirely sure where to start so was hoping for suggestions of equivalent software to the following: Unison, Toast, Adium, Transmit, iPhoto, and Stuffit/Other compression utility Low cost is good, but i'll take positive feedback over price tags any day.
posted by nickehsmith at 4:44 PM PST - 29 comments

Gigantic vegetables: threat or menace?

My partner staunchly affirms that very large vegetables and fruit from the supermarket are so big because they are GMOs. Can this be true, and is it anything to be afraid of? [more inside]
posted by arcticwoman at 4:11 PM PST - 38 comments

I've lost my confidence in academic endeavors. Can I get it back?

I seem to have lost my mojo. [more inside]
posted by northernsoul at 4:09 PM PST - 14 comments

Heated probes?

The "heated probes" on the outside of airplanes - the ones that you're not supposed to step on - what are they for? Why are they heated? [more inside]
posted by scblackman at 4:05 PM PST - 4 comments

How to fix this icon?

How can I change the icon (that shows up in My Computer, etc.) for a hard drive in Windows XP? [more inside]
posted by catatethebird at 4:04 PM PST - 6 comments

Old game, half-remembered, maze of rooms and corridors.

Need help with an old computer game, possibly Apple II. [more inside]
posted by sleevener at 4:01 PM PST - 25 comments

How do I downgrade PSP firmware 2.71?

Does anyone have clear instructions on how to downgrade PSP firmware from 2.71? [more inside]
posted by milovoo at 3:58 PM PST - 5 comments

How do I get my rug to relax?

My rug's been working out lately. Lots of push ups, but mostly CURLS. [more inside]
posted by marxfriedrice at 3:45 PM PST - 5 comments

Congenial study spots in and/or around Baltimore, MD?

I need to find a good spot to study. I like libraries, particularly of the academic sort. What's the most congenial library in the Baltimore, MD area? [more inside]
posted by killdevil at 3:44 PM PST - 5 comments

What's the best solution for a World of Warcraft Guild Website?

Can anyone point me to a great, extensive all-in-one solution for Guild Website Management? [more inside]
posted by Kraki at 3:39 PM PST - 4 comments

E-learning for math

What e-learning systems provide students with the math-related symbols they need and lets them "show their work," while still letting them submit all answers online? [more inside]
posted by ejvalentine at 3:30 PM PST - 8 comments

Should I make a fuss?

Should I file a complaint (i.e. get extra money) over my late final paycheck? [more inside]
posted by EnormousTalkingOnion at 3:23 PM PST - 11 comments

Japan/ese-ophiles: Help me find out more about this WWII-era phenomenon in propaganda in Japan.

Japan/ese-ophiles: Help me find out more about this WWII-era phenomenon in propaganda in Japan. [more inside]
posted by Lockeownzj00 at 3:14 PM PST - 3 comments

I want my bones back!

Something bad has happened with my bones, now what? [more inside]
posted by stormygrey at 2:46 PM PST - 30 comments

should i start ritually cannibilizing ibooks?

broken ibook conundrum: help me come up with an affordable and sensible replacement solution? [more inside]
posted by garfy3 at 2:44 PM PST - 5 comments

Should I get locked in?

The one year lease for my apartment in Toronto is up. Should I renew it or go month to month? [more inside]
posted by reformedjerk at 2:40 PM PST - 9 comments

Overwhelmed by money (or the lack thereof)!

What questions do I ask when trying to get a mortgage? [more inside]
posted by echo0720 at 2:18 PM PST - 10 comments

How to handle an unexpected termination in a job interview?

How to handle an unexpected termination in a job interview? [more inside]
posted by GuyZero at 2:12 PM PST - 20 comments

Low-starch recipes for the freezer?

Got any easily-frozen-and-reheated recipes with no starch? [more inside]
posted by vorfeed at 2:01 PM PST - 8 comments

n00b in the strip club

My bachelor party is in a few weeks, and my friends are likely dragging me to a strip club. Since I have never previously patronized such an establishment , I am seeking advice on etiquette and how to play it cool.
posted by anonymous at 2:01 PM PST - 41 comments

I'm looking for a good deal on a PDA/cell with cheap plans.

I am going to change my cell phone and probably my provider. What is the most savy way of going about this? [more inside]
posted by BigSky at 1:59 PM PST - 8 comments

Risks and stories about DeQuervain's release

I'm having a deQuervain's release within the next couple of weeks, and I'm nervous. [more inside]
posted by liet at 1:46 PM PST - 6 comments

Is there a "universal" book?

Which book would you consider a "universal" book? [more inside]
posted by Jaybo at 1:41 PM PST - 58 comments

I guess "Whiskey in the Jar" is out...

My mother the preschool teacher would like links to downloadable kid-friendly Irish music. [more inside]
posted by Soliloquy at 1:34 PM PST - 5 comments

Carry-On Pets - how strict are airlines?

Bringing Pets in Airplane Cabin: I know that each airline has its limits on the dimensions of the under-the-seat carrier and combined weight, but how strict are they? Do airlines actually measure your carrier and weigh the pet plus carrier? Or just eyeball it? I'm wondering particularly about Northwest and American Airlines. Any horror stories or warnings appreciated.
posted by nancoix at 1:18 PM PST - 23 comments

Quick fix iMac as monitor for another Apple.

Is there any way that I can easily use my iMac Desktop (Current Intel Model) monitor as a second or primary monitor for my Powerbook using either the wireless network or a monitor adapter? [more inside]
posted by Bengston at 1:16 PM PST - 6 comments

Are there any good scoring systems for running a NCAA bracket pool?

MarchMadnessFilter: Are there any good scoring systems for running a NCAA bracket pool? [more inside]
posted by zacharyseibert at 1:10 PM PST - 10 comments

How do I become a great video freelancer in NYC?

How do I become a great video freelancer in NYC? I graduated from college last year with a degree in filmmaking. I know how to make videos - I've used decent cameras (vx2100, pd150) and I know my Final Cut Pro. Through personal connections, I was recently approached by two non-profit organizations asking me to submit proposals to do their promotional videos. I did and I am waiting to hear back. In the meantime, I'm freaking out that I may be in over my head. Any Advice? [more inside]
posted by prophetsearcher at 1:07 PM PST - 9 comments

Where can I find a recipe for making my own fruitsnacks like the generic ones you find in stores?

Where can I find a recipe for making my own fruitsnacks like the generic ones you find in stores? [more inside]
posted by deeman at 12:04 PM PST - 4 comments

Where to find clip art of ballerinas and rainbows?

Anyone know where to find nice images (clip art or otherwise) of rainbows and ballerinas? [more inside]
posted by eileen at 11:54 AM PST - 9 comments

Understanding "Custodian of Records" legalese.

Can someone please explain in plain English the US law Title 18, Section 2257, concerning "Custodian of Records" for the adult industry? [more inside]
posted by Ezrie at 11:53 AM PST - 5 comments

Which mini-laptop should I buy?

Help me pick between a Sony VAIO TX series laptop and a Dell D420. [more inside]
posted by cashman at 11:38 AM PST - 12 comments

Strung out Mickey

My brain keeps insisting to me that somewhere, somehow, I once saw a frame from a mickey mouse film from the thirties or fourties (I think) in which mickey is reaching for a can labeled as opium. The image clearly depicted a scene of theJonez. Meanwhile, my google fu argues to the contrary. Does this sound familiar or did my memory make this up for me? Perhaps someone knows of the film it comes from.
posted by Fupped Duck at 11:35 AM PST - 10 comments

repair failing dryer

Dryer repair question for the DIY'ers or other mechaincally-inclined people [more inside]
posted by Raichle at 11:31 AM PST - 15 comments

Some music doesn't load in iTunes for XP but works fine on Mac

Some music copied from an Mac drive to a Windows drive doesn't load in iTunes on Windows XP. [more inside]
posted by TurkeyMustard at 11:25 AM PST - 5 comments

I need wide soccer shoes.

I need wide soccer shoes. Have suggestions? [more inside]
posted by tumble at 11:15 AM PST - 4 comments

Color laser printer recommendations

I am looking into buying a color laser printer for home office use. I am currently looking at either the Dell 3110cn or 3010cn, and would welcome reading about experiences with those models as well as recommendations for other printer models. [more inside]
posted by needled at 11:11 AM PST - 8 comments

What are some tasty, "umami" vegan foods/recipes?

I'm a vegetarian looking to cut back on my cheese addiction. What are some vegan foods or ingredients with that lovely umami flavour? [more inside]
posted by lindsey.nicole at 11:10 AM PST - 38 comments

MLB.TV quality

MLB.TV -- does anyone have experience with it? [more inside]
posted by dpx.mfx at 10:38 AM PST - 11 comments

Help my co-workers and I deal with our boss?

How do my co-workers and I deal with the owner of the start up company we work for when he doesn't want to change his ways? [more inside]
posted by jrdnbaade at 10:34 AM PST - 10 comments

What to consider when opening a brewery?

I think my town could support a microbrewery. Where do I start? What are some considerations? [more inside]
posted by Telf at 10:20 AM PST - 14 comments

Who wants to be the Pied Piper?

This video [NSFW] has been passed around communities that I frequent for the last week or two. Does anyone know anything of it's origin or have the skills to find out? I've tried Google and other resources but haven't found anything informative.
posted by melt away at 10:08 AM PST - 11 comments

Cheese In Ireland

What cheeses should I go out of my way to try in Ireland? [more inside]
posted by Devidicus at 9:59 AM PST - 11 comments

Are real estate prices in Cleveland too good to be true?

Are real estate prices in Cleveland too good to be true? [more inside]
posted by Grundlebug at 9:48 AM PST - 13 comments

Wow! Girls can be mean!

Hooboy. So my girlfriend is recently being snubbed by her circle of (so called) girl friends. She feels quite hurt and rejected. [more inside]
posted by Totally Zanzibarin' Ya at 9:45 AM PST - 18 comments

Foot In Shower

I have a mild case of athletes foot. I have read a fair bit about making it go away, and so far that treatment is working pretty well. But what should I do to my shower to make sure I don't get it again, and that no one else in my house gets it?
posted by LoopyG at 9:38 AM PST - 10 comments

A Fair Tactic or Not?

How and when can a company impose a union contract? [more inside]
posted by 14580 at 9:26 AM PST - 14 comments

CF to IDE

How can I plug an IDE hard drive into a compact flash slot? [more inside]
posted by popcassady at 9:13 AM PST - 7 comments

Wholesome guys' weekend suggestions, please.

Guys' Weekend Filter: Two guys, 35ish, need ideas for a fun, wholesome, testosterone-filled weekend, anywhere in the 48 contiguous states. [more inside]
posted by orangemiles at 8:58 AM PST - 28 comments

Searching for cello music

Can anyone recommend any non-classical music with prominent cello? [more inside]
posted by bda1972 at 8:19 AM PST - 62 comments

sweet or creepy?

I was walking my dog the other evening around my neighborhood and met the nicest woman. I actually ran into her again the very next night. I really wanted to ask her out but I chickened out. I would really like to get to know this girl but I am not sure what to do. Even though I saw her 2 nights in a row the odds are high I wont bump into her again. She told me she works at the local coffee shop so it occurred to me I could stop in and say hi. Would it come across as creepy if I showed up where she worked and asked her out?
posted by superduperfly at 8:14 AM PST - 41 comments

Band Names Which Are Complete Sentences

I'm looking for band names which are complete sentences. [more inside]
posted by Lord Kinbote at 8:06 AM PST - 111 comments

Whiskey in the Jar

In preparation for St. Patrick's Day: Name the best Irish drinking songs, including the best versions. And go ahead and throw the Pogues in, because I know you can't help yourself -- what's their best song about drinking?
posted by Astro Zombie at 8:02 AM PST - 56 comments

$duped$

Late salary negotiations: I'm already at the new job but need to negotiate to correct initial dupery. [more inside]
posted by meijusa at 7:32 AM PST - 15 comments

Blank message screen on WM5 Smartphone

Help! Opening any text messages or emails displays a blank white screen on my Cingular 2125 (HTC Faraday) Windows Mobile 5 smartphone. [more inside]
posted by sprocket87 at 7:05 AM PST - 4 comments

How to write the best resume and cover letter for a computer programmer

I'm a computer programmer looking for a new job. What are some tips for writing the best resume and cover letter possible? [more inside]
posted by Battlecat at 6:40 AM PST - 13 comments

NYC Neighborhoods

NYCFilter: What neighborhoods am I missing in my google earth mapping? [more inside]
posted by Mach5 at 6:33 AM PST - 6 comments

iTunes Help, please...

iTunes filter: Can I sync my music on my iTunes player to my non-apple MP3 player? [more inside]
posted by Mrs. Smith at 5:43 AM PST - 8 comments

Airport Problems On A MacBook Pro

How can I fix my MacBook Pro's Airport problems? [more inside]
posted by jack_mo at 5:37 AM PST - 14 comments

Slam Dump 4 Pointer?(sic)

How does someone that knows nothing about basketball teach it to 11-year-olds? [more inside]
posted by medium format at 5:23 AM PST - 13 comments

Fired/Sued/Quit?

I work as a freelance tech in the POS industry. What can I do to avoid litigation? [more inside]
posted by converge at 5:03 AM PST - 3 comments

Yahoo Auto-Password Entry

Help me cram my password down Yahoo's #&%*&@ throat. [more inside]
posted by KRS at 4:36 AM PST - 6 comments

Looking for a picture of a wwi monument

I'm looking for a large image of a very specific wwi monument. It is a version of the "pieta". Only instead of Mary holding a dead Christ, its a mother holding a dead soldier [more inside]
posted by allthewhile at 4:26 AM PST - 2 comments

How do I put on-hold music onto my office phone?

How do I put on-hold music onto my office phone? [more inside]
posted by jacobean at 4:21 AM PST - 6 comments

What the heck is my problem?

Why am I so bad at staying in love? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 3:37 AM PST - 25 comments

The real Shortbus

The Shortbus club in the movie by the same name... is there actually something like that in NYC? [more inside]
posted by Baldons at 3:02 AM PST - 9 comments

Love my nice cup of tea and a sit down

Is tea good for you or not? [more inside]
posted by like_neon at 2:42 AM PST - 23 comments

Paint-chipped-table?

Cool Table Filter: Table at the outside bar (near waterfall) at the Wynn. Resin + paint chips = awesome? [more inside]
posted by disillusioned at 1:56 AM PST - 5 comments

How do people listen to audio in the shower?

One Ipod. One shower. One man. How can this man listen to his audio in the shower without damaging his Ipod or his ear cavities, using only household (or otherwise inexpensive) items. IMPORTANT : Must be able to hear the words. [more inside]
posted by zaebiz at 1:09 AM PST - 15 comments

Windows 2000 box reboots on dial up

How can I repair a Windows 2000 box that reboots upon dialling up to the internet? [more inside]
posted by PenDevil at 12:47 AM PST - 8 comments

Stomach pain that won't go away.

For the past three days i've been suffering from some crazy stomach aches. [more inside]
posted by octomato at 12:23 AM PST - 13 comments

What to eat before a half marathon?

I am running my first half marathon in April and I don't know what to eat. What should I eat the night/morning of? [more inside]
posted by bigcheesegump at 12:06 AM PST - 14 comments

March 13

Help Me Help the Bride

Good sites for affordable bridesmaid dresses? [more inside]
posted by messylissa at 11:59 PM PST - 14 comments

What happened to Rosetta?

What happened to Rosetta on my OS X 10.4.8 system? It stopped working all of a sudden... [more inside]
posted by bokane at 11:00 PM PST - 3 comments

Fiction movies in which actors, portraying musician characters, actually play the instruments and/or sing?

Real music-making onscreen: Fiction movies in which actors, portraying musician characters, actually play the instruments and/or sing? [more inside]
posted by lorimer at 10:44 PM PST - 63 comments

u lock or u don't lock?

can you bring a bike lock (u-lock style) on a plane in your carryon? [more inside]
posted by Hat Maui at 10:28 PM PST - 9 comments

Hiding saggy breasts

Should I blindfold my partner or never take my clothes off? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 9:55 PM PST - 34 comments

Me no think I should speak.

Should I give the keynote speech at my local community college? [more inside]
posted by typewriter at 9:38 PM PST - 9 comments

Looking for a picture of a windy day

I'm looking for a link to a famous(ish) picture featuring an impossibly windy day. [more inside]
posted by uncanny hengeman at 8:46 PM PST - 18 comments

I'd like to redirect an entire directory to one specific file.

301 redirectrs in .htaccess: how do I redirect calendar/* to /calendar.html ? I've tried modifying various examples online and they result in either "internal server error" or a 404 caused by incorrectly redirecting /calendar/* to /calendar.html/* . [more inside]
posted by Tuwa at 8:10 PM PST - 12 comments

Make my aparment better!

How do I bargain with my landlord? [more inside]
posted by backseatpilot at 8:08 PM PST - 13 comments

USA freelancing from abroad?

Are there any US citizens here who have lived abroad but did freelance or contract work for clients in the States who can share their experiences? I am a US citizen living in Australia as a Permanent Resident since 2001. I have just gotten some freelance work from the States and need to figure out who I need to talk to on which shores to figure out the details. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 7:38 PM PST - 10 comments

OSX: Is there some way to rebuild/restore resource forks?

Is there a way to restore or rebuild resource forks for files/folders copied to a FAT32 hdd? [more inside]
posted by GS1977 at 7:27 PM PST - 4 comments

How do you replace preamp and power tubes in a guitar amp?

How do I replace my preamp and power tubes? [more inside]
posted by atmu at 7:06 PM PST - 13 comments

laptop network connections problem

I'm having a problem w/my laptop; Acer, XP Home V2002-service pack 2, .99gb ram, 80GB hd (75% empty).... I had to prematurely stop a check disk in the middle, twice. Afterwards, my desktop icons were gone & I couldn't get on the internet (under network connections everything was gone (I cannot even setup new network connections, etc); internal wireless card, even the sprint external wireless card I use from time to time, wouldn't show up when plugged in). What do I do to get things back to normal [more inside]
posted by foodybat at 6:51 PM PST - 6 comments

Broken key

Can I snap this keyboard key back in? [more inside]
posted by daninnj at 6:48 PM PST - 6 comments

Can you recommend a relatively easy to use, customizable web portfolio template that I can easily update and reorganize to show my illustration work?

Can you recommend a relatively easy to use, customizable web portfolio template that I can easily update and reorganize to show my illustration work? [more inside]
posted by pantufla at 6:02 PM PST - 5 comments

Quick get-away in New Jersey?

Mini-vacation near Princeton, NJ? [more inside]
posted by Eddie Mars at 6:01 PM PST - 11 comments

Who said "mistakes were made?"

What is the origin of the phrase "mistakes were made" - who said it, and in reference to what? [more inside]
posted by etoile at 5:10 PM PST - 14 comments

Turn-signal clicker volume

I am somewhat hard of hearing but hear quite well when I wear my hearing aids. I drive a Lexis RX300 and often drive around with my turn-signal on because I don't hear the clicker. I have not had this problem in cars that I have rented. Is there a way to make the turn-signal clicker louder?
posted by retiree at 5:05 PM PST - 11 comments

ImmunoFilter: How do B cells mature?

ImmunoFilter: How do B cells, which secrete antibodies, get selected for self vs. nonself recognition? Or don't they? [more inside]
posted by ObeyScient at 5:01 PM PST - 6 comments

1500x30 vision anyone?

Balloonfilter: How big should a sign be to be visible from a hot air balloon? [more inside]
posted by krakedhalo at 5:00 PM PST - 12 comments

What software do I need to troubleshoot Grandma's PC?

I'm going to visit my grandparents, who want me to look at their slow-running PC. What software should I bring with me? [more inside]
posted by desjardins at 4:46 PM PST - 23 comments

How far does fair use extend?

Copyright question about using sports photos in a blog... [more inside]
posted by afx237vi at 4:26 PM PST - 6 comments

Online minister legit?

What is the legitimacy of a minister ordained over the internet? Are they fully capable of performing legal marriages? A friend of mine is being married by another friend who was ordained at www.themonastery.org. I just want to make sure that my friend actually ends up married. BTW this is in Texas.
posted by JakeLL at 4:14 PM PST - 13 comments

Blue Ridge, Georgia: what's the scoop?

Is the cabin rental / investment business in Blue Ridge, Georgia as 'hot' as it appears to be? [more inside]
posted by charris5005 at 4:02 PM PST - 1 comment

Down The Drain

Switching health insurance - any way to get a prorated reimbusment? [more inside]
posted by jtajta at 3:58 PM PST - 6 comments

Work from home parent income stats

What are typical annual earnings for work-from-home parents who do not use childcare services? [more inside]
posted by acoutu at 3:57 PM PST - 8 comments

Best Hotel-Locale for a Copenhagen Tourist?

What's the best part of Copenhagen to stay in for a long weekend? [more inside]
posted by jeb at 3:44 PM PST - 15 comments

What movies/tv shows/commercials/etc. have scenes or shots of Times Square?

What movies/tv shows/commercials/etc. have scenes or shots of Times Square? [more inside]
posted by rooftop secrets at 3:24 PM PST - 25 comments

How to stay a Indie. Contractor?

I have been freelancing as TV producer for one company for over 6 months now working on various projects. The boss thinks he needs me to stand down for a few weeks to keep my independent contractor status. All of the IRS info I have found is vague on the point of continuous employment. How long will I have to stand down (aka take the vacation I want to take) before I can return to this company? And legally how long is too long to be a contactor for one company (when does the IRS question contractor vs. employee)?
posted by mcbietila at 3:04 PM PST - 12 comments

Best neighborhood in Eugene, Oregon?

Best neighborhood in Eugene, Oregon? [more inside]
posted by scrawlyman at 2:45 PM PST - 6 comments

How to return to the law after leaving the law.

I earned a law degree three years ago but I've never been a lawyer. Now I'd like to be one. How can I go about this? [more inside]
posted by notjustfoxybrown at 2:20 PM PST - 17 comments

Impossible Standards

Help my wife with her impossible standards. [more inside]
posted by Hands of Manos at 2:18 PM PST - 32 comments

Where can my 15 yr old son hang in Singapore and Hong Kong?

Where can a 15-yr old boy hang out in Singapore and Hong Kong? [more inside]
posted by srlbraintree at 1:52 PM PST - 19 comments

How to get my old copy of XP to work on a new Mac?

When I buy my new 24" imac, should I keep my PC and use it as a server, buy a hard drive enclosure, or just scrap my old PC? [more inside]
posted by smithmac_99 at 1:41 PM PST - 12 comments

Guess it's time for a DSLR...

Why do point-and-shoot digital cameras have such small sensors? [more inside]
posted by bjrubble at 1:28 PM PST - 21 comments

Damn you meth addicts!

I suffer from horrendous sinus headaches. Horrible, nausea-inducing headaches that mimic the migraines I inherited from my mom. However, unlike the migraine I managed to find those blessed blue liquid capsules Sudafed Non-Drowsy Non-Drying - that bring sweet sweet relief within an hour (can you tell I'm suffering now and desperate?) I'm not sure if it's Federal or State, but because of those damn damn meth addicts, they've made these over-the-counter pills, more difficult for drug and grocery stores to carry (behind the counter, sign the form, etc, etc). [more inside]
posted by eatdonuts at 12:14 PM PST - 30 comments

I need a neo-Moses to help partition my harddrive

I can't access 300 GBs of personal files on my external hard drive due to a file corruption. Is it possible to salvage the data? [more inside]
posted by Mach3avelli at 12:07 PM PST - 9 comments

Let 'er rip. Um, I mean, let me rip.

What's the easiest, cheapest, quickest way to move content from a DVD to individual files on a hard drive? [more inside]
posted by jbickers at 11:53 AM PST - 16 comments

How to audio record a meeting with 20 people in it.

Best setup for audio recording meetings with 20 people in them? [more inside]
posted by davidvan at 11:42 AM PST - 6 comments

Irish eyes are smiling on green beer

Where can I find green beer in New York City on St. Patrick's day? [more inside]
posted by josher71 at 11:33 AM PST - 4 comments

Legal recourse for computer espionage in Canada

Canada and Computer Espionage: What legal recourse is available in this situation? [more inside]
posted by pandaharma at 11:06 AM PST - 10 comments

Low carb, low cholesterol, low time. What to eat?

One person has high cholesterol. The other has type 2 diabetes. Both have no more than 30 minutes to cook and eat together. What do you recommend for breakfast, lunch, or dinner? [more inside]
posted by gnomeloaf at 11:00 AM PST - 20 comments

Help me relate to my friends who have mental health issues

How do I better relate with people on anxiety and anti-depressant drugs? [more inside]
posted by dead_ at 10:43 AM PST - 30 comments

Could I have bedbugs even though I don't itch?

Could these small, non-itching red welts be caused by bedbugs? [more inside]
posted by fermion at 10:40 AM PST - 17 comments

Where to begin?

StaffMeetingFilter: I'm the original employee in a growing company. Over the past few months we've hired a number of new employees. Now my boss wants to hold weekly formal staff meetings. [more inside]
posted by SoftSummerBreeze at 10:07 AM PST - 22 comments

Help me find a great mentor!

I am interested in foreign/international relations. But I need a mentor! [more inside]
posted by parmanparman at 10:04 AM PST - 4 comments

I think my air conditioner is dying. Help me not get Rheem'd.

Last spring my husband and I noticed that a small puddle of water would form on the garage floor every time we used our central a/c for more than a few minutes. We had a local a/c guy come out and he told us the pan was leaking and needed to be replaced. He quoted us around $2,000 which I thought was extremely high considering he'd done the exact same job a year previously for our neighbor (who has the same model house and, incidentally, recommended this company) for $400. [more inside]
posted by LuckySeven~ at 9:22 AM PST - 12 comments

Why is there a yellow tint on my Quicktime movies?

I have been trying to use the application Photo To Movie to make a slideshow. I used it a couple of years ago (yes, paid for the license) and never had any problems. However, now, whenever I export a file (to make the slideshow a movie), the resulting movie has a yellowish tint to it upon playback in Quicktime or any other video application. This occurs with a wide variety of export options (compression levels, no compression, ratio, etc.) [more inside]
posted by thewiseacre at 8:56 AM PST - 4 comments

robo-tourism

I'm thinking about taking some time off between jobs to travel around the U.S., and I'd like to see some robots. [more inside]
posted by logicpunk at 8:40 AM PST - 9 comments

Chords for "Ring Telephone Ring" by Buck Ram?

[obscuremusicfilter] Wondering if anyone has reliable chords and/or sheet music to "Ring Telephone Ring" by Buck Ram. [more inside]
posted by unmusic at 8:22 AM PST - 2 comments

How to get a PC to use iMac monitor

I'm thinking of getting an iMac, but I'd still like to use my PC. I would like to clear the clutter on my desk and not have 2 monitors (the iMac and the PC monitor). So is it possible to get a PC to use the display of an iMac?
posted by xmattxfx at 8:12 AM PST - 17 comments

Is the solution for us all to become Peruvians?

I am looking for a quotation similar to "Ron Paul, who believes the solution is for us all to become Peruvians..." [more inside]
posted by grouse at 7:49 AM PST - 4 comments

Out of time?

My Timex T311T Auto-set clock did not update this past Sunday morning with the time change. I've tried unplugging it, and removing the two AAA backup batteries, and when I give it juice again, it refuses to auto set. I've had this clock for a few years and it has never misbehaved. Any one else experience this with a similar model this weekend? Or am I missing something?
posted by tdischino at 7:25 AM PST - 16 comments

failing editors?

Failing college editors? Where did I read this article? [more inside]
posted by bash at 7:16 AM PST - 10 comments

Help me unlock my armored door

Help me get back into my apartment! [more inside]
posted by paul! at 7:09 AM PST - 16 comments

Need free war on terror footage for documentary.

Where can I find good quality free video footage of the "war on terror" for use as b-roll in a documentary? [more inside]
posted by kookoobirdz at 6:59 AM PST - 5 comments

How do I get long audio files onto my iPod?

I have series of lectures that I'd like to listen to on my ipod. Each lecture is about 60-65 minutes long, and there are about 35 of them. But for some strange reason, I can't get them to transfer to my ipod... [more inside]
posted by ruwan at 6:47 AM PST - 11 comments

Feelin' Blue

I don't know if this is a seasonal funk, or just an exhausted one, but I could use a few new ideas on how to escape it. [more inside]
posted by azriel2257 at 6:06 AM PST - 11 comments

Coping strategies for the evening blues

My cat died in October, and I fell headlong into depression. I'm better now, but I'm still struggling with a bluesy feeling in the evening. Coping strategies, including mindfulness techniques? [more inside]
posted by Gordion Knott at 4:04 AM PST - 31 comments

Austin, TX: Suggestions for interesting things to do/check-out that are not SXSW-related?

Austin, TX: I'm visiting for the next two weeks (with access to a car) and wondering where I can find the following: great coffee, a posh restaurant that is vegetarian-friendly, get-in-touch-with-nature getaways, and the best places to unwind from SXSW mayhem.
posted by krisken at 3:03 AM PST - 15 comments

Cheap PC Overhaul

Ok, so I fried my motherboard. [more inside]
posted by IronLizard at 2:10 AM PST - 18 comments

Recover my wedding ring?

The mountain ate my wedding ring, help me find it! [more inside]
posted by escher at 12:58 AM PST - 15 comments

March 12

Job hunting while employed. How to approach.

Job hunting while employed. How to approach. [more inside]
posted by willy_dilly at 8:32 PM PST - 9 comments

Should my girlfriend be worried about TB?

My girlfriend is currently in college, and one of her professors recently mentioned that a student on the campus has been diagnosed with tuberculosis... [more inside]
posted by RobotMonkey at 7:29 PM PST - 21 comments

Where to donate educational materials for use overseas?

In greater Vancouver, is there a charity that takes donations of used educational equipment for re-use in developing countries? [more inside]
posted by graytona at 7:24 PM PST - 3 comments

The worst bars in New York

What are the worst bars in New York? [more inside]
posted by godawful at 7:15 PM PST - 56 comments

how to stop guestbook spamming

Does anybody know what to do about guestbook spamming? I've started getting spam on my guestbook and I can't get rid of it. Thanks.
posted by spunk at 7:14 PM PST - 10 comments

How much do older Apple Cinema Displays differ from the newer ones?

How much do older Apple Cinema Displays differ from the newer ones? Do the display elements compare favorably to today's standards? Help me stay within my budget! [more inside]
posted by tweebiscuit at 7:10 PM PST - 14 comments

Good places to sell used books in Ann Arbor, MI

Where's the best place to sell used books in Ann Arbor, MI? [more inside]
posted by take me to the river at 7:10 PM PST - 11 comments

Pay Per Click Question

Newbie SEM question: .I want to launch a search campaign on google, yahoo, ask, msn, and aol. Since Google & AOL work together, do I only launch one campaign--on Google, or can I run separate campaigns on Google and AOL? Same question for MSN, Ask, etc. Also, aside from Gather.com, can you recommend other PPC site? Thank you! (any recommendations much appreciated)
posted by quiverandquill at 6:54 PM PST - 2 comments

mnemonic way to memorize amendments

I am looking for a mnemonic device (?) to remember the 27 U.S. Constitutional Amendments? Thanks!
posted by bkpr at 6:44 PM PST - 5 comments

Toys with magnets in their shoes

Anyone remember a toy series from the '80s or '90s which had figurines about an inch or so tall with magnets in their shoes? I think they were part of M.A.S.K. in space, but I can't find any info about them.
posted by riffola at 6:34 PM PST - 9 comments

Studio logo openings?

Popped in a DVD, the Paramount thing with the circle of stars around the mountain starts in with that sweet drumroll and that martial music that means the movie is starting. Wife turns to me and says, "That music?" [more inside]
posted by stupidsexyFlanders at 6:01 PM PST - 6 comments

Are these people crazy, or have I been washing dishes wrong all these years?

Things You Overhear That Make No Sense Filter: Why would you wash your glasses first? [more inside]
posted by joannemerriam at 5:49 PM PST - 44 comments

Do you recognise this song?

Do you recognise this melody? [more inside]
posted by Mwongozi at 5:19 PM PST - 4 comments

Infograph videos

What sort of software would one use to create this kind of infographical videos?
posted by signal at 4:43 PM PST - 6 comments

Best way to use iTunes on Mac to play music library on PC?

What is the best way to use iTunes on a new Mac Mini to play my music library, stored on my Windows PC? [more inside]
posted by snarfois at 4:00 PM PST - 6 comments

Why is this sale hitting a snag?

I would like to buy a car, in a private party sale, from a person who has a loan on the car. State of Pennsylvania. How does one facilitate getting the title? Or is it even needed? [more inside]
posted by sandra_s at 3:41 PM PST - 20 comments

How to deal with a bad supervisor

How do I help my husband to leave his work (and his incompetent supervisor) behind when he leaves the office? [more inside]
posted by wenat at 2:24 PM PST - 26 comments

headphone hiss

I was listening to a jazz CD on my Linn Classic, through a pair of Sennheiser HD-280s, and am noticing a static hiss when the music goes quiet. Does anyone know if the headphones might be shot, or if there's something to do with the source, or if any way to fix it? I'm guessing the disc wasn't recorded with that much ambient hiss in it, though I could be wrong...
posted by dearleader at 2:07 PM PST - 8 comments

Winter's last gasp

Things to do with snow before it's all gone. [more inside]
posted by stokast at 1:50 PM PST - 17 comments

What's the best office chair?

Office Chairs: What's the best reasonably expensive (up to $1000) office chair? [more inside]
posted by lionelhutz5 at 1:48 PM PST - 23 comments

How can I run my one-man software business from abroad?

How can I continue to operate my one-man software business while out of the country for 3 months? [more inside]
posted by csugden at 1:45 PM PST - 7 comments

How do I transfer pics from my Kodak digital camera without using the EasyShare software?

How can I transfer pictures from my Kodak digital camera to my Windows XP machine without using the Kodak EasyShare software? [more inside]
posted by adi at 1:44 PM PST - 8 comments

Non-tech Headhunters in Austin

I have a friend who lives in Austin and is looking for a good headhunter in general business and/or education industries. Her experience has primarily been with education companies, both test preparation and K-12 education supplementation, etc. [more inside]
posted by zackola at 1:14 PM PST - 0 comments

A weekend in Montreal

Visiting Montreal next week - anything I must see and/or eat? [more inside]
posted by pravit at 12:56 PM PST - 49 comments

How to merge rss feeds?

Trying to merge multiple blogs into one feed. Yahoo pipes strips out the author field-- any ideas? [more inside]
posted by empath at 12:50 PM PST - 7 comments

Things that bite in the night

What the hell can I ask the doctor for to treat the 75+ insect bites I've just woken up and found myself covered with? [more inside]
posted by t0astie at 12:29 PM PST - 37 comments

One Shouldn't Forget The Name of a Tyrant

Help me remember the name of a series of political/scifi novels. The novels centers on the life of a character referred to as "The Tyrant". [more inside]
posted by DWRoelands at 12:02 PM PST - 18 comments

How do I get my table rows to stay clumped in fives?

How do I get a the rows in a table to stay clumped in fives even if I add or change the data?I have a long list of data that I need to arrange in a table, and I want the rows grouped together in fives. I'm currently working in Microsoft Word, and what I've got looks something like this Google Doc. I want the table(s) to stay grouped like this even if I add, delete, or change the data. If I just use the Word tables, adding a new line to a group will just create an extra row. [more inside]
posted by bokinney at 11:49 AM PST - 7 comments

Peace Corps Azerbaijan

So, despite your advice, I ended up declining my first Peace Corps offer. But good news! I've been given an assignment in Azerbaijan that I've accepted. [more inside]
posted by wandering steve at 11:37 AM PST - 11 comments

How to reset your life?

Leave your job, your girlfriend, drive across the United States... done it? [more inside]
posted by bizack at 11:31 AM PST - 25 comments

Is closed circuit HDTV a possibility?

Is closed circuit HDTV a possibility? [more inside]
posted by nickerbocker at 11:01 AM PST - 7 comments

fastest rejections in short literature

What magazines have the best slush turnaround times? This is a question for submitters and editorial assistants alike about average response times for unsolicited works. [more inside]
posted by shownomercy at 11:00 AM PST - 12 comments

If only it didn't cost so much....

Any thoughts on the SALT Program for Documentary Studies, located in Portland, Maine? [more inside]
posted by megancita at 10:54 AM PST - 9 comments

Driving tunes

What kind of music do you use to help keep you alert early in the morning, in the afternoon, and late at night? [more inside]
posted by joshuak at 10:51 AM PST - 23 comments

I like to taste the young ones

Who are some passionate, exciting young (as in under 35) chefs in San Francisco? [more inside]
posted by mostlymartha at 10:49 AM PST - 8 comments

Photobooth help

I want to build a photobooth, but I have a few questions... [more inside]
posted by splatta at 9:57 AM PST - 8 comments

steel mill in the sky?

Let's say you want to build an extremely tall really tall building with giant metal rods supporting it. Would it be feasible to "forge" the rods in place with some sort of self-raising crane/steel mill? [more inside]
posted by delmoi at 9:16 AM PST - 13 comments

The Architects of Fearoes

So, spoiler warning, an ongoing, popular TV show has been revealed to have a forthcoming plot point where an act of stupefying terrorism is being engineered in order to unite mankind against the Other. This is a plot point from a seminal comic book, which borrowed it from a seminal TV show, both of which I will name after the cut. Is there an older origin of this story, and who else has been appropriating it recently? [more inside]
posted by blueshammer at 9:12 AM PST - 40 comments

Help House a Hipster in Hippie Heaven

Where shouldn't I move in Boulder, Colorado? [more inside]
posted by tsmo at 8:45 AM PST - 7 comments

Yes, I'm a woman in "sensible shoes"

I recently started an office job which requires me to dress somewhat professionally (no jeans, but generally pretty relaxed overall). I am a young woman of 24 who likes to dress comfortably but would like to look a little better. What are some sources for nice-looking, comfortable clothes that won't break the bank, and a few specific pieces? [more inside]
posted by fiercecupcake at 8:39 AM PST - 36 comments

Question about non-responding replies to Craig's list posting

I have a question about replies that i got to a craig's list forsale posting. [more inside]
posted by flyby22 at 8:22 AM PST - 14 comments

Why do I *always, without fail* have nightmares if I fall asleep on my back?

Why do I *always, without fail* have nightmares if I fall asleep on my back? [more inside]
posted by infinityjinx at 8:09 AM PST - 27 comments

resume

Help me put together a sleek resume without using Microsoft Word. [more inside]
posted by willie11 at 7:41 AM PST - 28 comments

Freeware Games For My Injured Mum.

Games-Filter: I need graphically pleasing, puzzle and arcade games for my stay-at-home mum with a back injury. [more inside]
posted by taita_cakes at 7:30 AM PST - 21 comments

Building a Wiki through MYSQL

Which Wiki systems lend theirselves to allowing me to easily do an initial setup with MYSQL inserts to create the Wiki pages? [more inside]
posted by hodyoaten at 7:29 AM PST - 4 comments

Please translate this Latin diploma from Howard University!

Please translate this Howard University diploma from Latin to English for me. [more inside]
posted by Faint of Butt at 7:19 AM PST - 4 comments

How to Market my Writing Course

Marketing Question: Suggestions needed about how I get my User Document writing course (for non-writers) in front of my target market. [more inside]
posted by mbarryf at 7:13 AM PST - 1 comment

Forgotten title of amazing online sci-fi story

[StoryFilter] About a year ago, I read a piece of sci-fi on the internet. I can't remember the web address, author or title. [more inside]
posted by pollystark at 6:58 AM PST - 11 comments

Compressed Air Car

What could be the most viable environmentally friendly car? I some how focused in compressed air powered cars. [more inside]
posted by curiousleo at 6:42 AM PST - 23 comments

Thailand & mild peanut allergy = ??

I'm scheduled to work in Thailand for about 2 months in April, and I just found out Friday that I'm allergic to peanuts. [more inside]
posted by Amizu at 6:41 AM PST - 25 comments

Free Digital Audio Workstation?

ElectronicMusicFilter: I'm familiar with Cubase SX through school and I've played around with FruityLoops in the past, and I'd like to download something similar that's free for use at home. [more inside]
posted by alon at 6:32 AM PST - 6 comments

How enamored should I be with my first place

First-Time Condo Buyers - How enamored were you with your first place? [more inside]
posted by 4months at 6:20 AM PST - 18 comments

Ok, I admit they may never have had anyone ask for a poster of it before …

Where can I buy a poster of Robert Doisneau’s photo Un regard oblique? [more inside]
posted by Aidan Kehoe at 6:08 AM PST - 7 comments

How to Win the internship and get a job in photography

Suggestions for nailing an internship at the Metropolitan Museum of Art please and best suggestions for passing out a photographer's portfolio in New York. [more inside]
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 5:53 AM PST - 8 comments

Mad relatives

My mother is going senile (approx. age 65) and is losing inhibition and ability to think rationally about her finances. She has trouble forming sentences, slurs a lot to begin with, has trouble recognizing relatives for the first five minutes of a conversation, and is developing lack of balance, and a stooped gait. Her younger sister (approx. 63) is having paranoid delusions. Family discussion reveals possible similar problems in previous generations (both males and females) historically classified as schizophrenia or "he went funny after a car accident". How concerned should I be that I or my kids could inherit / develop a similar condition and what should be done to pro-actively investigate?
posted by anonymous at 3:32 AM PST - 17 comments

March 11

Can't a simply buy and download a song?

Does buying music online really have to be such a pain in the ass? I have WinAmp and an MP3 player. Now isn't there a simple music sales website where I can buy a song without subscribing to some monthly service and downloading yet more software? No iTunes, no Musicmatch Jukebox, no Y! Music Unlimited, no Yahoo Player, no RealRhapsody player...
posted by Tubes at 11:02 PM PST - 42 comments

Are memes just the extended phenotype?

How are memes anything other than an extension/expression of the extended phenotype? [more inside]
posted by whatgorilla at 10:46 PM PST - 20 comments

Where should I travel in Asia

What country should I visit in Asia? My brother is currently teaching English in South Korea, so I'm going to fly there and spend a few days, and then he is able to take 5 days off. [more inside]
posted by hazyspring at 9:41 PM PST - 22 comments

this is not a trap

can i put this on a t-shirt and sell it? [more inside]
posted by Tryptophan-5ht at 9:22 PM PST - 21 comments

preparation for elliptical machine?

What kind of stretches should I do before/after being on the elliptical machine for 30 minutes? [more inside]
posted by mustcatchmooseandsquirrel at 9:02 PM PST - 13 comments

Back to the gym with a bad back

Can anyone offer advice for going back to the gym after a back injury and six months of downtime? [more inside]
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 8:49 PM PST - 15 comments

XREF? Whose ref?

CAD Filter: Can someone explain to me why all the layers in my file seem to be in a layer called xref? [more inside]
posted by bigmusic at 8:29 PM PST - 4 comments

Cool Compass watch

What is the ID of an analog watch with compass worn by the Myles Leland character on Sue Thomas: F.B.Eye. ? [Spoiler inside] [more inside]
posted by Mitheral at 8:08 PM PST - 7 comments

Best place for a woman to buy rock climbing shoes in Vancouver, BC?

Best place to buy rock climbing shoes in Vancouver, BC? [more inside]
posted by docgonzo at 7:53 PM PST - 5 comments

Looking for good mystery novels/films centered around missing persons.

I'm doing research (for a writing project) into Film Noirs and Mystery Pulps, and I'm looking for good selections of a certain plot type: the "missing person" scenario. [more inside]
posted by SmileyChewtrain at 7:51 PM PST - 20 comments

Can I increase the time gmail shows me as being available and online?

Can I increase the time gmail shows me as being available and online? [more inside]
posted by jldindc at 7:39 PM PST - 11 comments

What could be the problem with sharing an external drive?

OSXFileSharingFilter: I have a friend who's trying to make himself a great file server off an old iBook - and has hit a snag involving a MyBook external hard drive. The problem makes no sense to me, and my Google-fu as failed me once again. [more inside]
posted by plaidrabbit at 6:48 PM PST - 7 comments

Stop Dreamweavers Contributions to Contribute

Help me figure out how to rescue my business website from the clutches of the evil Dreamweaver? [more inside]
posted by Xurando at 6:25 PM PST - 13 comments

Antivirus for server OS at home?

Is there a decent antivirus for MS server operating systems that doesn't cost a breathtaking amount? [more inside]
posted by jfuller at 5:51 PM PST - 11 comments

neurostatus?

Anyone know what a 'neuroscore' or neurological status score is based on (in rat studies)? [more inside]
posted by wumpus at 4:40 PM PST - 4 comments

how to make the next big site

my friends and i have an idea for an awesome website - the next youtube or myspace. we know what we want it to look like, how we want it to work, the features we want it to have. but (and this is a big but) none of us have the skills to actually make it - or even know if it's possible with current technologies. is the idea worth anything without the technology or code that would bring the idea to fruition? how do we take our ideas to the next level? how to we protect our idea while trying to do this? hoping you can help a few english majors with a dream make it with an internet startup...thanks!
posted by sacho at 4:39 PM PST - 29 comments

What did this mouthwash do to my taste buds?

I used Crest Pro Health alcohol-free mouthwash about an hour and a half ago. Now I'm eating McDonald's and I cannot taste the salt on the fries -- in fact, I made my roommate eat some of them to make sure I was not crazy, as they tasted sweet to me, like they'd been honey-roasted. Furthermore, the cheese on my ketchup-free burger tastes weirdly like ketchup. What the heck did that mouthwash do to my taste buds, and is there anything I can do to undo it quickly? I put a pinch of salt directly on my tongue, and it tastes just like sugar!
posted by logovisual at 3:57 PM PST - 15 comments

Does Oracle 10g knowledge transfer to EBS?

Can a person experienced in Oracle Forms 10 easily move to Oracle EBusiness Suite? [more inside]
posted by pivotal at 3:48 PM PST - 3 comments

FIDM?

Should I go to FIDM for graphic design? [more inside]
posted by ad4pt at 2:59 PM PST - 14 comments

Mac OS X CD Cataloguing Program

Does anyone know of a mac program to catalogue cds - which will allow me to IMPORT my exisiting files (.csv) from my PC Music catalogue program? [more inside]
posted by Megamix at 2:29 PM PST - 5 comments

Whoops....(crash)

Any suggestions for movers in the I-270 area (Rockville to Frederick, MD)? [more inside]
posted by nj_subgenius at 2:23 PM PST - 8 comments

Becoming an IT Exec: Master's Required?

Do I need a Master's? [more inside]
posted by jbiz at 1:41 PM PST - 10 comments

How to help a young couple come to terms with a miscarriage?

How do I help a young couple who have recently (within the past 10 days) suffered the trauma of a miscarriage? Baby was due in just over a month. [more inside]
posted by Solomon at 1:14 PM PST - 23 comments

How to determine a CD's loudness and clipping before buying?

How can you determine if a CD is a casualty of the loudness wars - lots of clipping, mushy sound, and so on - before buying it? Or after buying it, if it comes to that? [more inside]
posted by dmz at 12:35 PM PST - 19 comments

Turn off repeated Google Notifier notifications?

How do I stop Google Notifier on OS X from notifying me repeatedly about an event? [more inside]
posted by Mo Nickels at 12:11 PM PST - 5 comments

A moment of laughter with the Rat Pack

I've always been captivated by this iconic photograph of the Rat Pack. I can't locate info on the photographer, when it was taken, and where they were whooping it up. I'd really love some backstory (sorry for the low-res photo, little else out there).
posted by moonbird at 12:05 PM PST - 4 comments

Good public study spaces in South Florida?

Favorite libraries or public study spaces in South Florida? [more inside]
posted by JamesToast at 11:50 AM PST - 5 comments

I need to do something good with my life, preferably, using my degree somehow.

How can I put my computer science degree to work helping people? [more inside]
posted by antareus at 11:11 AM PST - 16 comments

Best grilled cheese sandwich?

What cheese combination makes for the best grilled cheese sandwich?
posted by AloneOssifer at 10:54 AM PST - 72 comments

Cute little glass medicine bottles.

Pharmacy Geeks: Why are some medicines still packed in glass ampules? [more inside]
posted by dog food sugar at 10:36 AM PST - 14 comments

Too claustrophobic for the pyramids?

Have you been in the pyramids at Giza? Am I too claustrophobic to do this? [more inside]
posted by meerkatty at 10:20 AM PST - 22 comments

Business Collaboration Using Excel

Business collaboration help - how to share an Excel file so that multiple users can edit it simultaneously without being on the same network??? [more inside]
posted by roundrock at 9:52 AM PST - 7 comments

Please help me find an LCD monitor

I am on the market for a 17" or 19" LCD monitor for my pc. I am looking for recommendations and/or reliable websites that rate these. It should have VGA 15 pin connection. I would like the TV capability(?) but this is not necessary. I am not a gamer - I use this mostly for my dissertation research. Thank for your help!
posted by eebs at 9:29 AM PST - 15 comments

Cash in the Attic?

My boyfriend's mother died recently, and he and his father are starting to "take stock" of the household. They spent a lifetime traveling and collecting so there are lots of items that we believe are worth something, but we really need to get them appraised. We aren't sure how to do this given the wide range of stuff including art, pottery, furniture, antique costuming, and ephemera. [more inside]
posted by kimdog at 9:06 AM PST - 11 comments

How does the Orkut profile view feature work?

The Orkut profile view feature seems to work in a strange way. It says in the Orkut FAQ that, as one might assume, the profile view feature is based on the users who view your profile. However, it appears that people searching for a name similar to your own will count as profile views if you are included in their search results, even if they do not click through to your profile. [more inside]
posted by winna at 8:51 AM PST - 1 comment

Any reputable information out there on biofeedback?

Blinddatefilter: Help me not look stupid! Next Tuesday I have a date. Apparently the guy does research into biofeedback using EEG machines(?). However I know next to nothing about this type of technology. (If it helps, I have a background in philosophy.) The internet is such a mix bag of information. I was hoping someone semi-knowledgeable could point me to some good resources. Please help me bone up in advance, so I can at least ask a few intelligent questions. Thanks!
posted by amileighs at 8:50 AM PST - 19 comments

Short Film with Amon Tobin Soundtrack

I'm looking for a short film I saw play at a Student Film Festival in Montreal in March of 2004. Details about the film within. [more inside]
posted by piratebowling at 8:28 AM PST - 5 comments

Can I expand upon my motherboard's limited internal pin connections?

Does anyone make a PCI expansion card to add internal pin connectors for such things as USB1+/- and 1394? [more inside]
posted by kowalski at 7:15 AM PST - 6 comments

Mid-term for Schmoozing 301: Introverts v. Extroverts

What can I do to create an environment that aids my fellow Introverts toward schmoozing with the cult of Extroverts without causing distress to either type? [more inside]
posted by choragus at 6:40 AM PST - 25 comments

To Exchange or Not To Exchange

Should I go on exchange next year? [more inside]
posted by divabat at 6:31 AM PST - 15 comments

aji con maracuya ecuadoriano

Ecuadorian chilli sauce with passionfruit, it's sooo good! Any idea what it's called? Its the most common salsa de aji on ecuadorian restaurant tables, but its been ages & I can't remember the brand. There are a number of different flavours but the one that stands out is 'Con Maracuya'. Unbelieveably tasty. I want to get my hands on some in the UK, but my google-fu has failed me. Bonus points if you can point me to a shop that stocks this stuff...
posted by whoojemaflip at 6:08 AM PST - 4 comments

PC didn't change for Daylight Savings Time. Now what?

Uh-oh. My computer (MS XP) didn't make the leap and change itself for daylight savings time. I thought I was ready - I installed all the recommended updates. (Someone left the computer on overnight - that couldn't have caused our trouble, could it?) Is there any I should do other than manually change the clock in the systems tray?
posted by copystar at 4:20 AM PST - 8 comments

March 10

What is causing my laptop slowdown?

I'm having problems with my Dell laptop regularly overheating and causing everything to slowly freeze up, but I can't figure out the causality... [more inside]
posted by griphus at 10:52 PM PST - 15 comments

Spring Break Advice?

Spring Break just started for my girlfriend and I, and we're having trouble coming up with things to do. I live in Pittsburgh, and we've thought about checking out the city, but I'm not sure where to go (Other than the Waterfront or Squirrel Hill, which aren't that exciting). We'd also like to visit someplace nice in Pennsylvania or Ohio for a few days, but having not lived here for long I'm not quite sure where to go. We're looking to spend no more than a couple hundred dollars. Any ideas?
posted by Aanidaani at 10:51 PM PST - 15 comments

Does a truck work extra to pull a drafting car?

Does drafting a truck theoretically lower the truck's mileage? [more inside]
posted by condour75 at 9:11 PM PST - 19 comments

fetal soup w/ ginger and orange peel

FetusSoupFilter: Looking for an exhaustive report into a terrifying rumor about Chinese diet that seems to have more legs than any report of infanto-cannibalism should. [more inside]
posted by trinarian at 8:01 PM PST - 30 comments

No smoke or smell from crematoriums?

How come there is no smoke or cooking flesh smell coming from crematoriums? [more inside]
posted by esereth at 7:54 PM PST - 16 comments

Cirque du Soleil kid-friendly?

Is the Cirque du Soleil production “Love” kid-friendly? [more inside]
posted by yqxnflld at 7:42 PM PST - 6 comments

It's all a bunch of fun and games until....

Question about copyrights, and small clips of music. How much can I use without causing trouble? [more inside]
posted by NoraCharles at 6:23 PM PST - 8 comments

Why are DVD's sealed up so tightly?

Why do DVD manufacturers/distributors seal DVD's up tighter than Fort Knox? [more inside]
posted by 543DoublePlay at 5:53 PM PST - 12 comments

Where did numerical ratings on works of music come from?

How long have we been numerically rating music and other art? [more inside]
posted by mikeyk at 5:30 PM PST - 4 comments

Close Encounters of the YouTube kind.

Tin-foil Sunday: What's the deal with this infamous web-video of a strange creature in a Spanish/South-American forest? [more inside]
posted by Harry at 4:31 PM PST - 12 comments

Why is css doing this to me?

I've run into a problem with displacing a block of text with css. II see the same behavior in IE6, IE7 and Firefox, so I gather its supposed to behave that way, but I can't work out why. [more inside]
posted by Karmakaze at 4:13 PM PST - 3 comments

Customer injuries in employee only areas

Can a business be held liable if a customer sneaks into an off-limit area (i.e. employees only) and injuries themself? [more inside]
posted by (bb|[^b]{2}) at 3:55 PM PST - 20 comments

Cat! I'm a kitty cat!

Catfilter: What breed of cat is this? It looks as if it might be some kind of lynx cross but I've never seen anything like it in a cat show.
posted by essexjan at 3:19 PM PST - 6 comments

What are the best London street maps?

I'm going to live in London for a year, and want to know where I'm going. Which street maps should I purchase? I'll probably end up getting two: a smaller one for quick reference, and a more comprehensive one to keep at home. When I was a student in Paris, everyone carried the Atlas Routier Plan de Paris — what's the equivalent?
posted by jed at 3:06 PM PST - 25 comments

"Headset Friendly" Corded Desk Phone?

I'm looking for a good "headset friendly" corded desk phone -- one with a "line release" button or other "avoid handset lifter" type of feature. [more inside]
posted by nonliteral at 2:38 PM PST - 4 comments

Most Likely This is Hopeless-Filter

So, my friend, a new Mac user, accidentally deleted roughly five years worth of personal photos from his computer. Yeah. Is there any way to get them back? [more inside]
posted by chichimimizu at 1:45 PM PST - 18 comments

Can you help me find the perfect cool, laid back, but unpretentious bar(s) in Baltimore and/or DC?

I'd like some tips on nice, down to earth, mixed-group, unpretentious, laid back bars in Baltimore and/or Washington, DC. If you happen to know Brooklyn (NY, not MD), Moe's in Fort Greene would be the perfect example. I'm thinking music that's heavy on the not-so-obvious 70s and 80s R&B, rare grooves, funk, with a dash of reggae and jazz; a crowd that tends to be ethnically diverse; the drinks aren't at Financial District prices; and (perhaps most importantly) where ex-suburban gentrifiers would feel kind of out of place at. I realize I could very well be asking for the impossible. [more inside]
posted by CommonSense at 1:28 PM PST - 20 comments

How do I give small scholarships to at-risk kids

How do I disburse scholarships for an after-school program to underprivileged youth, who have little or no parental support? [more inside]
posted by conch soup at 1:22 PM PST - 6 comments

Is all hacking illegal?

Is hacking just to find out the identity of someone illegal? The short story is I'm being harassed via email, have IP addresses, headers, all that, but not enough stuff that comes off as threatening enough to get anyone in authority to care. I downloaded and tried to use BO2k and realized I'm in over my head. I contacted a few "public" hackers and asked for help, but they claimed they don't do that sort of thing. I just want to know who this person is who knows my name and details about my family. I don't want credit card numbers, passwords, etc. Is what I want illegal? Is it _how_ I want it that's the problem? Public replies or emails welcome: painted_nails_20@yahoo.com
posted by anonymous at 1:21 PM PST - 16 comments

How do I learn editing and layout?

I'm in college. I'd like to be trained to do editing and layout for a living. How do I proceed? Do you know anything about Simon Fraser's Editing program? [more inside]
posted by ITheCosmos at 12:49 PM PST - 10 comments

Help me find the winners of the 1780 Berlin Academy essay contest

Please help me find the prize winning essays from the 1780 Berlin Academy question: ’Is it useful for a nation to be deceived, whether by leading it into new errors or maintaining old ones?’ (“S'il peut etre utile de tromper le peuple.”) [more inside]
posted by anotherpanacea at 12:27 PM PST - 4 comments

Help salvage a dying computer

My girlfriend's PC is kicking the bucket - it's not pretty. The Active Desktop turns itself off, we can't reload any restore points, and, apparently, "the volume is dirty." What to do? [more inside]
posted by taliaferro at 10:58 AM PST - 7 comments

Craving a better tumala

Can you help me find or invent a non-standard recipe based on a tumala (a layered, baked, rice casserole that gets crunchy and golden on the outside)? [more inside]
posted by daisyace at 10:53 AM PST - 14 comments

Whoops!

Will a Karaoke CD play on a regular CD Player? [more inside]
posted by LoriFLA at 10:47 AM PST - 7 comments

Nip Tuck UK

How do I go about having cosmetic surgery in the UK? [more inside]
posted by A189Nut at 10:01 AM PST - 4 comments

Huh. Turns out silence actually IS golden.

Tinnitus. It sucks. [more inside]
posted by miss lynnster at 9:25 AM PST - 44 comments

Best way to organize trip to India?

What's the best way to organize a reasonably inexpensive (but not super-low budget) trip to India? Should we use a travel agency to tour around (we do not want a group tour, though)--and if so, which one? Any recommendations for tour books? Any recommendations for must-not-miss sights?
posted by Malad at 9:22 AM PST - 10 comments

Islam and Proto-?

Is there an Islamic equivalent to the existential precursors in Judeo-Christianity.? For example, I am mainly thinking of an Islamic equivalent to Ecclesiastes, which is seen as a precursor to Existentialism. Also, are there any writers from Islamic cultures that have existentialist leanings (i.e. versions of Emile Cioran or Paul Tillich) ?.
posted by Gnostic Novelist at 8:41 AM PST - 6 comments

When to submit a style sheet?

Question about style sheets for editors, copy editors, tech editors, proofreaders, and factcheckers... [more inside]
posted by The corpse in the library at 8:03 AM PST - 8 comments

Do you let iTunes keep your music folder organized?

Do you let iTunes keep your music folder organized? [more inside]
posted by sjuhawk31 at 5:29 AM PST - 34 comments

Fifty green bottles

Grapefilter: Can you recommend a good winery tour we can pick up from San Francisco this April? Difficulty: no car. [more inside]
posted by randomination at 5:15 AM PST - 6 comments

What is the availability of "under the table" work in Europe?

What is the availability of "under the table" work in Europe? I understand it's a per-country answer, but that's exactly what I am looking for. [more inside]
posted by wile e at 5:03 AM PST - 14 comments

I'm a great public speaker, but painfully shy in every other situation. What to do?

I'm a great public speaker, but painfully shy in every other situation. What to do? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 3:43 AM PST - 38 comments

E.T wanna call home (over the internet)

Internet Telephony Query: What combination of hardware and software runs JaJah.com? [more inside]
posted by markovich at 3:22 AM PST - 8 comments

Heating broken, I'm cold

Can anyone suggest a central-heating engineer in north-west London? My heating system has broken down and I don't want to rely on a random guy from the Yellow Pages.
posted by londongeezer at 12:30 AM PST - 4 comments

Use of our Brain's Potential

If we can't use all of our brain's potential, why does that potential exist? [more inside]
posted by theholotrope at 12:10 AM PST - 22 comments

March 9

My Boyfriend Got Violent in Mexico

I was in Mexico for three days with my boyfriend when he because physically violent. It was the first time he had ever done so. I have the bruises and cuts from earlier today. Because the incident took place in Mexico, US police say they cannot do anything. Do I have any options at this point? We're both applying to law schools, and the ABA has strict policies against criminal backgrounds. He's a criminal, but I don't know what to do. I can't believe he's getting away with this.
posted by Mister Fyodor at 11:47 PM PST - 50 comments

Why are Gilbert & Sullivan so popular?

Why are Gilbert & Sullivan so popular today, at least compared to other light opera composers? I find it hard to believe that they were the only ones creating works in that vein; so why is it that today they're the only ones we remember? [more inside]
posted by Johnny Assay at 10:57 PM PST - 15 comments

Is there an entomologist in the house?

Is there an entomologist in the house? My (then fifty-something) father developed a case of deep vein thrombosis in the '90s. They found a blood clot that extended nearly all the way up his leg. Guess what my father blames for his condition instead of a career with frequent business (plane) trips? He went to a cheap hotel in the Phillipines where there was an infestation of what he described as "little green caterpillers", one of which bit him, supposedly causing the blood clot (by means of venom). Another version of the story has it that a spider bite was responsible. A friend from his VFW post claims there is a kind of mite whose bite does this. I do not believe that there is any insect, arachnid, or caterpillar in existance whose venom does this. Who is right?
posted by bunky at 10:22 PM PST - 4 comments

Is there a kind way to tell my boyfriend that I'm breaking up with him because it seems like he's trying to take over my life?

Is there a kind way to tell my boyfriend that I'm breaking up with him because it seems like he's trying to take over my life? [more inside]
posted by the_arbiter at 9:40 PM PST - 21 comments

sweet or crap?

Art. Does this suck, or is this really a good opportunity? [more inside]
posted by pissfactory at 9:35 PM PST - 8 comments

Why WinME? My mother fears computers almost as much as she fears change.

[WindowsFilter]: I need to back up and then transfer everything to a new computer. Difficulty: Old pc is WinME; hard drive is failing. [more inside]
posted by ApathyGirl at 9:00 PM PST - 5 comments

1 Stop Job Shopping

Looking for a national job placement agency. I live in Jersey City, NJ right now but will be moving to Richmond, VA in July so I'm looking for a 1-stop-shoppping job placement agency. I am unemployed at the mo (scraping by on unemployment) and I'm scared to death that I will move and not be able to find work right away. Anyone in the NYC area have some temp agencies to recommend that are national?
posted by MayNicholas at 8:53 PM PST - 5 comments

Help me re-create my ex's über secret family salad dressing recipe.

Contacting the ex is completely out of the question, but holy mother of croutons her salad dressing was fantastic. She is of Russian-German descent and grew up in the greater Chicago area. Her German grandmother gave her the recipe, supposedly. I have researched German salad dressing to no avail. While telling the truth was not her strength, I cannot find the recipe anywhere, which lends credence to the family recipe story. I have tried and failed to re-create it on my own, many times. The ingredients that I know are in the salad dressing are: aromat (which knowing now that it is MSG, means I will probably leave it out, but might hint at when the recipe was originally created) green onions, tarragon vinegar, one raw egg, fresh cracked black pepper, salt, sugar. I would guess there is garlic in it too, but I am not certain. After reading this post, I'm pretty sure it's not this. I don't remember dill being a strong flavor in the dressing. I've experimented with adding various spices and using olive oil/vegetable oil and cannot get it right. It looks a bit like Caesar salad dressing, but darker in color and less viscous. Does this sound familiar to anyone? Thanks in advance.
posted by luminous phenomena at 8:44 PM PST - 16 comments

Taking time off from my new job to interview for another one. Umm... that'll work.

I just started a great new job. My dream company just called to offer an interview. I have no idea how I should handle all this. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 7:40 PM PST - 28 comments

What's best for the kids

Did your parents divorce when you were a small child? Do you wish they hadn't? Do you wish they had handled it differently? What did they do right? How do you feel about the custody arrangement they worked out? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 7:40 PM PST - 41 comments

Spring Restlessness: Not Sure How to Follow Through

Where -- in South Central Wisconsin -- are the best places to hang out, if you are a divorced, middle age, overweight, woman who recently decided to proactively search for short term companionship? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 7:39 PM PST - 20 comments

Non-iPod Flash DAP/MP3 That Plays WAVs?

Best non-iPod flash MP3 player that will play WAV files and allows drag-and-drop? [more inside]
posted by jjsonp at 7:36 PM PST - 11 comments

How do I start a tech heavy business?

I have an idea for a tech heavy business that I know is guaranteed to completely put blockbuster/netflix/any other dvd rental place you can think of. But I have no clue how to start a business. so where do I begin? [more inside]
posted by tylerfulltilt at 7:33 PM PST - 19 comments

How to move iTunes and iPhoto libraries to a network drive?

What is the easiest way to move my iTunes and iPhoto libraries from an external USB drive to a network drive? [more inside]
posted by drgonzo2k2 at 5:53 PM PST - 3 comments

UK Visa in short notice?

Can anyone recommend any one of these visa courier services on the British Embassy's site in LA? http://www.britainusa.com/visas/articles_show_nt1.asp?i=65016&L1=41000&a=41231 [more inside]
posted by infini at 5:43 PM PST - 2 comments

Smash in absentia

We think we may have found the guy who hit my car a month ago. What are my options? [more inside]
posted by Homeskillet Freshy Fresh at 5:33 PM PST - 14 comments

CSS Filter: making tight CSS files, style guides and learning best practices – help needed.

CSS Filter: making tight CSS files, style guides and learning best practices – help needed. [more inside]
posted by rmm at 5:32 PM PST - 13 comments

Active Release Techniques for sciatic pain??

Experiences with Active Release Techniques (ART) (TM)?? [more inside]
posted by sweet mister at 4:49 PM PST - 6 comments

What

Medical Filter: I have a small, nondiscolored, slow growing lump near my cheek bone. What could it be and what kind of doctor could help me? [more inside]
posted by stuffedcrust at 4:47 PM PST - 15 comments

What to expect after a colostomy?

Resources for a family member who will soon be getting a colostomy? [more inside]
posted by fizzyliftingdrink at 3:57 PM PST - 7 comments

Library assistant internships and visas

How do I work in the UK for a year? Visa question. [more inside]
posted by elisynn at 3:50 PM PST - 6 comments

Scheduling application for church publicity??

I am looking for a scheduling app to help me keep track of what events get publicized when, and where. [more inside]
posted by clh at 3:30 PM PST - 1 comment

What to send to far-away and recently bereaved friend

What can I send to a (female) friend who's 1500 miles away and whose father has just died? I'm of course talking to her on the phone, but I'd like to send her something that's not flowers.
posted by biscotti at 3:20 PM PST - 21 comments

recording/playing a tv show

Is it possible to record a tv show on to a pc and then later replay the recorded show on to my regular tv set, not my computer monitor but my actual tv. I know its possible to record a tv show on to a pc hard drive but I don't know for sure if its possible to replay that same show with out making a dvd.
posted by Noodles at 3:04 PM PST - 17 comments

Graphics that pop.

I program actionscript on the side and I'm looking to pick up a designer's slack on a particular project. Can anyone recommend some really great internet resources (tutorial write-ups, guidelines, video) for learning how to create "Web 2.0" style graphics? [more inside]
posted by phaedon at 2:58 PM PST - 7 comments

was für eine Frage...

Hilfe! Any resources out there to teach someone how to think German? Not think in German, but to think like a German. I've been trying to teach my other half German (at his request), but it hasn't been easy... [more inside]
posted by geckoinpdx at 2:57 PM PST - 27 comments

Twelve-step programs and non-theism

Non-theist twelve-steppers - how do you reconcile the two philosophies? [more inside]
posted by granted at 2:52 PM PST - 19 comments

Best gaming laptop under 5 lbs?

What's the best gaming laptop I can get that will come in under 5 lbs? [more inside]
posted by juv3nal at 2:07 PM PST - 13 comments

Bogus charges on the Visa

We found an unauthorized charge of about $1,000 on our Visa statement -- from seven months ago (groan). What's our best plan for recovering these funds? [more inside]
posted by diastematic at 1:45 PM PST - 12 comments

Treo 650 replacement?

I'm looking at replacing my treo 650. Is there an alternative that still has the same level of task/contact management on both the mobile as well as the desktop? [more inside]
posted by Umhlangan at 1:39 PM PST - 13 comments

Is there something similar to Soulseek for MAC?

Is there something similar to Soulseek for MAC? [more inside]
posted by deinemutti at 1:30 PM PST - 11 comments

Help a newbie stop sendmail spam

How can I keep spammers from using my sendmail server? [more inside]
posted by danblaker at 1:17 PM PST - 12 comments

Video Card Help

What Mid Priced Video Card Should I Buy to get the most bang for my buck ? (P4 3 GHZ, 1 gig of ram) [more inside]
posted by slowtree at 1:05 PM PST - 7 comments

Commercial MySpace Profiles

How do companies get ad-free MySpace profiles? [more inside]
posted by ijoshua at 1:05 PM PST - 6 comments

Credit Card solution?

Getting ready to go to Europe, I saw this morning on Consumerist.com a post revealing very poor service from the issuing bank following the person getting his credit card stolen. [more inside]
posted by Freedomboy at 1:03 PM PST - 10 comments

Where do I learn about the specifics of investing in Europe?

Where do I learn about the specifics of investing in Europe? [more inside]
posted by koenie at 1:00 PM PST - 2 comments

Campeche, Córdoba, or Quito?

Help me decide where to live for a month (all expenses paid): Campeche, Mexico; Córdoba, Argentina; or Quito, Ecuador. [more inside]
posted by dondiego87 at 12:44 PM PST - 8 comments

Ring Box Recommendation

Recommendations for a nice, unique, ring box [more inside]
posted by buddha9090 at 12:38 PM PST - 13 comments

Correct way to fill out a template for a magazine publisher?

A technical question that's probably easy-peasy for those in the know: I have to use a template to send Word documents to a magazine publisher for a publication I'm working on. Only problem is, I'm not 100% sure of the correct format. [more inside]
posted by different at 12:36 PM PST - 3 comments

Hands on robot tinkering in London?

(London, UK Filter) I am trying to find somewhere in London that might have a hands on program/session to do with electronics/robots/building. [more inside]
posted by jim.christian at 12:24 PM PST - 1 comment

Yahoo Pipes multiple author filter?

When Yahoo Pipes first came out, there was some muttering about how this would be handy for creating a feed for an individual author on a multi-author blog w/o feeds by author? But I can't seem to find anyone who's done it, or successfully do so myself. Any Pipes gurus on AskMe? [more inside]
posted by Chrysostom at 12:24 PM PST - 8 comments

Software Reccomendations: Writing a Paper While Keeping An Outline

Need toms help finding a good program or method for maintaining an outline structure within an essay. As you can tell, I'm having a hard time describing my problem. [more inside]
posted by rossination at 12:19 PM PST - 9 comments

Where can I find business address list/databases for free

I need to populate a database of a Google Maps mashup with the names and addresses of restaurants in the U.S. and Canada. Where can I find this info in digital form? [more inside]
posted by dripdripdrop at 12:12 PM PST - 4 comments

How to reduce redness after a skin abrasion heals?

I fell down while running and abraded my chin. Two weeks later, I have a red circle of healed skin on my chin. It looks silly, and I'd like it to go away faster (similar abrasions on my arms took over a year to disappear, and although I treated my chin better, I'm still worried). [more inside]
posted by obliquicity at 11:34 AM PST - 14 comments

Trying to find pregnancy-advocate website.

Looking for a website. I'm trying to track down a website for a classmate. It was a feminist site that dealt with pregnancy -- or possibly parenting/motherhood in general -- and I seem to remember them having a great deal of resources for pregnant women who had been discriminated against. [more inside]
posted by occhiblu at 11:33 AM PST - 6 comments

Is there any way I can get a rough idea of the BASE FLOOD ELEVATION and the ELEVATION OF THE FIRST FLOOR of my home without hiring a surveying company to provide me with an elevation certificate?

Is there any way I can get a rough idea of the BASE FLOOD ELEVATION and the ELEVATION OF THE FIRST FLOOR of my home without hiring a surveying company to provide me with an elevation certificate? [more inside]
posted by ITistic at 11:04 AM PST - 13 comments

How to face one's dark side?

How do I face my dark sides? [more inside]
posted by catherinem at 11:02 AM PST - 24 comments

Please help me find the retailer of this obscure t-shirt.

[ T-Shirt Filter ] Please help me find the retailer of this obscure t-shirt. (picture link included) [more inside]
posted by sharkfu at 10:38 AM PST - 8 comments

Question about WiFi security

Can WiFi packets be snooped when WEP is off but the access point is set to filter MAC addresses? [more inside]
posted by zek at 10:23 AM PST - 15 comments

Swollen uvula after general anasthesia.

I had surgery two days ago, under general anesthesia. When I got out yesterday, it kind of felt weird in my mouth. After some research, I found that my uvula was pretty swollen and it felt like I'm going to swallow it. The surgery had nothing to do with my mouth, but I did have a breathe tube, so my whole mouth felt kind of sore after the surgery. [more inside]
posted by PowerCat at 10:14 AM PST - 9 comments

Good online portfolio to practise stock/share trading?

Does anyone know of a good real-time online stocks/shares portfolio tool I can use to practise becoming a Warren Buffet style gazillionaire? I am poor and wish to become rich beyond my wildest dreams...virtually. Thanks in advance.
posted by you're only jung once at 10:11 AM PST - 7 comments

Help me restore an old photo.

What online digital photo restoration sites do you have experience with? Would recommend? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 10:04 AM PST - 3 comments

From the Ruler of the East to St. Peter's town.

In about a year, my father, brother and myself will be traveling to Russia, and I have a few questions. [more inside]
posted by vernondalhart at 9:46 AM PST - 5 comments

Packing two users/computers into one

I'm consolidating two Mac computers with unique users onto one new machine. What's my best process for setting up the users so that they can share iTunes and iPhoto libraries? [more inside]
posted by strangeleftydoublethink at 9:41 AM PST - 2 comments

Corporate history?

ResearchFilter Part 2: Some weeks ago, I asked about theories of collaboration and received some excellent research suggestions. Now, I'm reworking my thesis proposal and would like to include some details about the history of corporation. Not critiques the modern corporate entity, but an overview of the origins of incorporation, bureaucracy, etc. Any suggestions would be much appreciated! [more inside]
posted by aladfar at 9:39 AM PST - 4 comments

do you remember this Onion article?

Did I hallucinate this Onion article? It was something like, "Area man's girlfriend won't stop bugging him to beat Grand Theft Auto." [more inside]
posted by peep at 9:34 AM PST - 6 comments

What is the deal with my corn plant?

I recently purchased a three- to four-foot Dracaena Massangea, or corn plant. I have a moisture meter gauge that I use to determine whether my plants need to be watered or not (it has two metal prongs that you put into the soil, and a red, yellow or green light goes on to signal whether the soil is moist or not.) The gauge works great with all my other plants, but with the corn plant, the gauge never indicates that the soil is dry. I have now gone weeks without watering the corn plant, and the gauge still says the soil is sufficiently moist near the roots. The plant looks fine, but what gives? How often should a corn plant of this size be watered?
posted by zembla3 at 9:32 AM PST - 5 comments

Decent TV-to-LCD boxes?

Are those inexpensive, make-yer-LCD-a-TV boxes decent? [more inside]
posted by onshi at 9:25 AM PST - 4 comments

Please no plastic sleeves if at all possible.

Glossy photos facing each other? I'm putting photos into a scrapbook using old-fashioned photo corners, so they're mostly exposed. I've got half of my 200+ photos mounted, and suddenly wondered whether I should have avoided having their surfaces touch when the book is closed. [more inside]
posted by amtho at 9:23 AM PST - 9 comments

Help me get wrapped up in LaTeX

Can anyone recommend a good LaTeX editor for Windows for writing my dissertation? [more inside]
posted by JMOZ at 9:13 AM PST - 30 comments

What do I do about a broken bathroom door in my apartment?

My boyfriend punched holes in my bathroom door. Do I tell my super (who will likely tell my landlord) or do I replace it myself? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 8:46 AM PST - 58 comments

How do I stop feeling like the walking dead today?

Last night I got absolutely no sleep at all (insomnia brought on by being upset about something). Now today I feel crazy tired and really queasy. [more inside]
posted by silverstatue at 8:38 AM PST - 32 comments

Handing over the keys to my parents' money

Co-trustees, executors, personal representatives, powers-of-attorney: my sibling and I have all the authority necessary to manage my aging mother's finances following my father's death, but not all that much expertise or time. What success or cautionary tales have you had with using banks as trustees, agents, or investment advisers -- or alternatives? [more inside]
posted by Clyde Mnestra at 8:26 AM PST - 7 comments

Spring clean needed

Is there a program out there that will help me organise my hard drives? [more inside]
posted by mjlondon at 8:14 AM PST - 8 comments

Resource for the number of illegal Mexicans in DC

Posting for a friend "Anyone know of a good resource/website to find out how many illegal Mexicans there are in the DC metropolitan area? I have looked everywhere I can think of and can't find a good number."
posted by Cool Alex at 8:02 AM PST - 20 comments

Like a Giant Snail

How difficult would it be to find places to lease on which to put a house made of ISO containers? [more inside]
posted by reventlov at 8:02 AM PST - 12 comments

A port wine to drink in 20 years

I would like to buy a bottle of port wine as a baby gift [per suggestion of AskMeFi] for some friends but I don't know anything about wine really. I'd like something that would be opened in about 20 years. Does anyone have a few suggestions of a bottle of port that would be suitable for this gift. Bonus points if avail at Costco.
posted by beccaj at 7:53 AM PST - 15 comments

My Kia Optima Lost It's Mojo

I'm having car troubles and curious if this is a problem familiar to anyone: [more inside]
posted by KevinSkomsvold at 6:57 AM PST - 17 comments

I made a gun with leaves!

Is it possible to make a gun with a palm tree and some metal? [more inside]
posted by markesh at 6:49 AM PST - 11 comments

Is using material from unpublished in-house sources considered plagiarism?

Is using material from unpublished in-house sources considered academic plagiarism? [more inside]
posted by teem at 6:39 AM PST - 17 comments

Can I re-publish copyrighted extracts without permission?

Is it legal to reproduce short excerpts from copyrighted material without permission in a commercial newsletter? [more inside]
posted by nihotaniwha at 6:18 AM PST - 10 comments

One of those snark-inducing "Diagnose Me!" type questions.

My friend, who was recently diagnosed with Diabetes Type I thinks I am hypoglycemic. Is he overly concerned because of his recent diagnosis or should I investigate further? [more inside]
posted by 10ch at 5:21 AM PST - 14 comments

Fun places to live in Madrid.

What is a fun area to live in Madrid? La Latina? [more inside]
posted by slimepuppy at 4:53 AM PST - 10 comments

sports podiatrist in Boston area?

name of good sports podiatrist in Boston area [more inside]
posted by Postroad at 4:29 AM PST - 1 comment

Nuvaring & no inserter = vag pain.

Hailing all MacGyvers - help me insert my Nuvaring! [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 3:49 AM PST - 10 comments

Can I Make Myself Like My Boss Again?

Coming to terms with my dislike of my boss. What now? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 3:48 AM PST - 10 comments

Non-resident citizen? Parents without dependent? Confused.

In the eyes of Mr. US Gov'ment, who am I, with non-citizen parents? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 3:48 AM PST - 11 comments

How long does chutney keep?

Would homemade mango chutney which was placed in a strawberry jam jar as soon as it was made and hasn't been opened since (as far as I know) still be OK to eat after one year in a pantry cupboard at room temperature?
posted by Effigy2000 at 3:32 AM PST - 25 comments

faster d3 tiddlywiki

Looking for a faster version of d3 TiddlyWiki [more inside]
posted by primer_dimer at 2:53 AM PST - 2 comments

March 8

How to refresh your mind during a study break?

How to refresh your mind during a study break? [more inside]
posted by giggleknickers at 9:49 PM PST - 29 comments

Consequences of plagiarism

My partner has just been caught for plagiarism. I don't know many details because she won't talk about it, but I want to know what effect this will have on her future. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 9:15 PM PST - 40 comments

What more could I do to stop going crazy?

What more could I do to stop going crazy? [more inside]
posted by hypervenom at 8:55 PM PST - 41 comments

What to do in Brisbane?

I'm in Brisbane for the next 48 hours, with a car and time to spare. What should I do? [more inside]
posted by tomble at 8:51 PM PST - 11 comments

Irony dealt my Mac a cruel hand

I can't boot my MacBook in any way, shape, or form that I try. Much more info inside! [more inside]
posted by joshrholloway at 8:06 PM PST - 14 comments

Springtime engagement in Paris?

What's the best way to get engaged in Paris that's not the top of the eiffel tower? [more inside]
posted by bitdamaged at 7:59 PM PST - 30 comments

Can a Smartphone have no data plans and be functional?

Cell Phone - PDA Combo Help! [more inside]
posted by bytemover at 7:52 PM PST - 5 comments

Lunch Restaurant in NYC?

NYCFilter: Where can I take a group of 8-10 people to lunch in New York City? [more inside]
posted by ancientgower at 7:16 PM PST - 23 comments

I want to visit the world's oldest restaurant

Eight-Hundred-And-Fifty-Four-Year-Old-Restaurant-Filter: I would love to plan a trip to (or at least verify the existence of) the oldest restaurant in the world, supposedly founded 1153 AD. It is called Ma Yu Ching's Bucket Chicken House, and it is located in Kaifang, China. Anybody able to help? [more inside]
posted by blahblahblah at 6:51 PM PST - 6 comments

Good Dog! Silly Woman!

Why do dog shows make me cry? [more inside]
posted by oflinkey at 5:56 PM PST - 73 comments

.name transfer without auth code

I two .name domains that I very much want to transfer away from registerfly. Every registrar I've tried wants an authorization code to do the transfer. [more inside]
posted by rdr at 5:40 PM PST - 6 comments

How can I save my relationship?

I've done some awful things in my relationship, and I want to make them right. What can I do? [more inside]
posted by clcapps at 5:39 PM PST - 21 comments

Where can I find a good RSVP reader for speed reading?

Where can I find good Rapid Serial Visual Presentation (RSVP) software? I'd love to have this on my phone to read mobile web articles or PDFs. Also, being able to read text on my Macbook Pro would be nice too. [more inside]
posted by k7lim at 5:27 PM PST - 0 comments

Alternative remedies for neck pain

HolisticRemedyFilter: Any suggestions/home remedies/herbal solutions/voodoo rituals for acute neck and shoulder pain? [more inside]
posted by kmtiszen at 5:12 PM PST - 21 comments

Not my type?

Any hints or tricks for dealing with unfamiliar foreign keyboards when travelling abroad? [more inside]
posted by roofus at 4:58 PM PST - 12 comments

Help me find a short that was shown on IFC a few years ago

Help me find a short that was shown on IFC a few years ago. The short consisted of a framing narrative with a film expert describing efforts to reconstruct a mysterious silent movie from film fragments that had been discovered with no indication of their proper order. [more inside]
posted by bovious at 4:49 PM PST - 8 comments

Where can I get an engraved pizza stone?

I want to buy an engraved pizza stone. Is this something that is sold? If not, can I get a pre-purchased pizza stone engraved anywhere in NYC? If not, can I just buy an engraved brick or is there something else that can serve the same purpose? Willing to pay up to $100.
posted by unknowncommand at 4:34 PM PST - 5 comments

Cheap Japanese palmtop?

Looking to buy a cheap old WinCE palmtop. The catch? I want one that has a keyboard and allows entry of (or at least display of) Japanese text. [more inside]
posted by DoctorFedora at 4:31 PM PST - 4 comments

Looking for a quality DVD recorder with built in VCR.

Looking to purchase a DVD recorder with a built in VCR....need help finding a good one.... [more inside]
posted by TwilightKid at 4:19 PM PST - 4 comments

Don't taxes pay for this?

How do I get the State Troopers to stop calling and begging for money? [more inside]
posted by BeerFilter at 4:18 PM PST - 22 comments

How do I fix my wiring/electrical problem that just started occurring?

How do I fix my wiring/electrical problem that just started occurring? [more inside]
posted by seinfeld at 3:57 PM PST - 10 comments

Realtor Woes

Help me find a good real estate agent in Los Angeles (the Valley). [more inside]
posted by GIRLesq at 3:49 PM PST - 14 comments

problem with recording electric guitar

I'm now using a laptop to record and all is well except for electric guitar. [more inside]
posted by snsranch at 3:23 PM PST - 24 comments

How would I go about installing Ubuntu Linux to my laptop via PXE or an External HDD?

Installing Ubuntu Linux (or windows, if it's easier) on my Gateway Laptop with a dead DVD Drive. Is it possible to do with PXE? Or from an external HDD (it has working USB ports, and can (theoretically) boot from USB) with the CD image on it? If so, how? [more inside]
posted by TrueVox at 3:17 PM PST - 14 comments

What could be causing my eyeballs to spasm uncontrollably?

What can cause random eyeball spasms when brain abnormalities and eye disorders have been ruled out? [more inside]
posted by christie at 3:08 PM PST - 14 comments

Reputable Mechanic in Jersey City?

NJFilter: Coworker living in Jersey City wants to find a reputable auto mechanic. Any JC/Hoboken resident recommendations?
posted by bastionofsanity at 3:02 PM PST - 1 comment

HomeRepair Filter

I punched a hole in the drywall on my apartment. I probably should be asking about managing my anger, but instead I need advice about fixing the hole. [more inside]
posted by owenville at 2:33 PM PST - 15 comments

Am I responsible for water damage?

Do I owe my downstairs neighbor damages for a leak in my apartment building? [more inside]
posted by nursegracer at 2:29 PM PST - 10 comments

Bring on the lonely.

Where do the misanthropists work? [more inside]
posted by ninazer0 at 2:21 PM PST - 38 comments

help with monitor/display

Samsung 740N TFT 17 inch monitor - ibook G4 [more inside]
posted by cg2 at 2:11 PM PST - 5 comments

Security deposit vs. wood floors

I'm moving out of my San Francisco apartment, after renting it for almost 4 years. My wood floors have taken a beating. Any ideas what I can do to make them look their very best for my final inspection? Is there a definition of normal wear and tear? [more inside]
posted by juliplease at 2:00 PM PST - 15 comments

Help with Google Maps and Polylines

I do web work with a local government. We are wanting to put a lot of GIS related data on the web, and I'd like to use Google Maps before we lobby for a larger solution like ArcServer. I'm specifically having a problem with drawing polygons/polylines and the ordering of points. [more inside]
posted by bofe at 1:41 PM PST - 9 comments

How do I become less lazy?

How do I become less lazy? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 1:33 PM PST - 24 comments

Everyone gives me hives...no, seriously

How can I stop breaking out into stress hives in most social situations? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 1:33 PM PST - 9 comments

Therapist/psychiatrist in Austin Tx?

Therapist/psychiatrist in the Austin, Tx area? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 1:33 PM PST - 5 comments

Last minute Ottawa restaurant selection help needed!

I am travelling with my SO to meet my parents tomorrow in Ottawa, a city none of us live in or have lived in. I searched some city guides earlier for restaurants & found some places that looked good, but I hadn't yet made a reservation. Long story shortened, I've been ill & have not made a reservation yet for Saturday; I also no longer think the places I originally looked at are appropriate. [more inside]
posted by Laura in Canada at 1:21 PM PST - 13 comments

Manatee v Alligator?

Why don't alligators eat manatees? [more inside]
posted by Danf at 12:43 PM PST - 26 comments

Help me choose a bike.

Please help me choose a bicycle. [more inside]
posted by sugarfish at 12:36 PM PST - 19 comments

Looking for: Spam Email Stock Quotes, crazy stock tips. Will use for good, not evil.

I need to become the worst short-term stock trader in the world (or best, depending on your perspective). Has anyone gotten any good spam stock tips recently? Seriously...Please help. [more inside]
posted by evadery at 12:02 PM PST - 20 comments

The rug was put there to protect us, but who protects us from the protector?

Jute rug damaged my floor! My wife and I are moving out of our apartment, and when we rolled up the jute rugs, there seems to be damage to floors underneath as though the actual rug wore into the floor. [more inside]
posted by mzurer at 11:55 AM PST - 8 comments

Do any animals eat pistachios in the wild?

Do any animals eat pistachios in the wild? [more inside]
posted by BigBrownBear at 11:18 AM PST - 12 comments

How to handle a hugely disappointing experience?

I need help understanding a weird relationship-type situation I have found myself in. Involves traveling across the country to see significant other, being stranded, and being unable to communicate with this person. [more inside]
posted by meggie78 at 11:15 AM PST - 27 comments

My hard drive's about to die, isn't it?

A Google and AskMe search leads me to believe that my laptop's hard drive is about to fail. (Files missing, slow access, system running warmly). Yay or nay? Is it the software or the system? [more inside]
posted by jroybal at 11:13 AM PST - 6 comments

My computer monitor no longer displays the color red.

My computer monitor no longer displays the color red. Is this the end? [more inside]
posted by poppo at 11:04 AM PST - 18 comments

Moving a windows installation from a single processor to a new mobo and c2d. How?

Moving a windows xp installation from a single processor to a new mobo and c2d. How? [more inside]
posted by the ghost of Ken Lay at 10:46 AM PST - 5 comments

Help me find a gift for a map-obsessed friend

Gift-Filter: Friend who likes maps + Access to a map library = ??? [more inside]
posted by wannabehippie at 10:34 AM PST - 10 comments

How many Xs in a Y?

SillyGamesFilter: how many Xs in a Y (library-related)? [more inside]
posted by crepeMyrtle at 10:20 AM PST - 21 comments

Chicago sucks right now....

Please help in deciding where to stay in the panhandle of Florida. [more inside]
posted by repoman at 10:08 AM PST - 23 comments

Dividing the Rent and Being Fair

Is it ethical to divide the rent differently for a new roommate? [more inside]
posted by yeti at 10:06 AM PST - 39 comments

Muslim Online Forum?

Where are the most intelligent, thoughtful, broad English language online forums for Muslims? [more inside]
posted by By The Grace of God at 9:52 AM PST - 4 comments

How does a language decide when to translate a common word in a foriegn place name?

How does a language decide when to translate a common word in a foriegn place name? [more inside]
posted by xetere at 9:47 AM PST - 20 comments

suggestions in LA for tired newlyweds

A day and a half in Los Angeles, as the beginning of a honeymoon. Any suggestions for one or two places worth visiting for very tired newlyweds? [more inside]
posted by CrazyLemonade at 9:35 AM PST - 27 comments

Where can i find an *affordable* copy of the film "Spiral Jetty" by Robert Smithson?

Where can i find an *affordable* copy of the film "Spiral Jetty" by Robert Smithson? This film documents Smithson making his famous earthwork. I have found one site online that rents the DVD for $400.
posted by fac21 at 8:58 AM PST - 9 comments

Please Mr Taxman, just tell me what I need to do!

How do I calculate my foreign tax credit on my Canadian tax return? [more inside]
posted by antifuse at 7:38 AM PST - 4 comments

Why do orange chicken vapors make me cough?

This question is about chinese fast-food orange chicken (the deep-fried amorphous nuggets with a thick tangy glaze). When I take a deep smell from a hot bowl of this chicken, or hold it in my mouth and breathe around it, some sort of irritating vapor makes me cough (or stings my nose). Just one cough – enough to keep it from getting into my lungs. Once the chicken cools down (to mouth temperature, even) it doesn't happen. It reminds me of the reaction I've had sniffing acid in lab – could it be lots of volatile vinegar? I've experienced this with fast-food chicken in more than one college food court.
posted by lostburner at 7:34 AM PST - 20 comments

What other styles are there for silly/affectionate note-writing?

What other styles are there for silly/affectionate note-writing? [more inside]
posted by angryjellybean at 7:12 AM PST - 25 comments

Bully bully.

How to grow a spine. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 6:55 AM PST - 43 comments

please help me fix my code!

delicious java bookmarklet help [more inside]
posted by sil3ntstatic at 6:41 AM PST - 7 comments

And this bowl has a little house in it. /Goldilocks

Where in the States (or UK) can I find (and purcahse) this particular porridge bowl, perhaps last seen in France. I recall that the bowl is relatively shallow (like a soup plate), round bien sûr, and in the center is a little house with, if I recall correctly, a red roof. The thing about this building in a bowl is that it is not an image on the plate but projects upward from the center, such that it is an island in a sea of oatmeal.
posted by Dick Paris at 5:42 AM PST - 2 comments

How to soothe a man in the twilight of his life, with literature?

What is a good book to buy for a bright, elderly man who: a.) has probably read everything, and, b.) is experiencing some level of despair due to his rapidly deteriorating body (he has motor neuron disease)? [more inside]
posted by mjao at 5:09 AM PST - 31 comments

Shoe money?

Should I store emergency money in my shoe when I travel? [more inside]
posted by bchaplin at 4:13 AM PST - 35 comments

GeekFilter: Where can I get a *nix shell account in another country?

Where can I get a *nix shell account in another country? [more inside]
posted by nafrance at 4:11 AM PST - 10 comments

Escape from Autodesk's madness

AutocadFilter: I'd like to change two shortcuts that aren't possible via the "aliasedit" command. [more inside]
posted by DenOfSizer at 4:04 AM PST - 10 comments

All the basic units of life.

I'm interested in cells. As many different types as can be identified, and the more specific the better. Preferably mammalian, certainly vertebrate (otherwise the the list would be too big!). [more inside]
posted by kisch mokusch at 3:01 AM PST - 16 comments

How to remove labels from vitamin bottles?

I have good uses for white plastic (HDPE, recycling code 2) vitamin/supplement bottles, but the labels are hard to get off. Most solvents don't seem to work. Submersing in hot water for a bit and then scraping with a dull knife while glue is still hot works, but getting off all the glue residue this way is very tedious at best. Better ideas?
posted by jbotz at 3:00 AM PST - 16 comments

Single mother.

Any advice for a single mother venting? She's a good mom, I've seen her and her kids. Sometimes I feel like I'm the only friend who understands. [more inside]
posted by packphour at 1:45 AM PST - 10 comments

Boring Insurance Question

I think I need disability insurance. [more inside]
posted by libraryhead at 1:42 AM PST - 5 comments

March 7

Is it possible to hire a foreign caregiver?

Is it possible to hire a foreign caregiver for my grandparents (USA) who need a live-in caregiver? [more inside]
posted by bhays at 11:25 PM PST - 3 comments

Things to do with kids in Mekbourne

In Melbourne this weekend with my almost 12 year old daughter, staying in Carlton. What things are fun and don't require a car?
posted by i_am_joe's_spleen at 9:52 PM PST - 14 comments

What is this DELICIOUS cake?

Help my friend figure out what kind of cake she ate on Malaysia Airlines! [more inside]
posted by sleeplessunderwater at 9:24 PM PST - 11 comments

How to find someone who moved recently?

Our landlords-to-be have moved out of state, and didn't give us a forwarding address---how do we find them? [more inside]
posted by FlyingMonkey at 8:49 PM PST - 16 comments

Layout software or ideas for mosaic/decoupage projects?

Attention, crafty people! I do some decoupage (examples to follow) and have a new project I'm stumped on. I have several dozen Chinese birthday money envelopes that I want to arrange in some sort of interesting pattern on my kitchen table. I'm pretty stumped, so I'm trying to find out whether there's any Mac software (or a web-based app would work too) designed for helping mosaic makers make designs. Unfortunately, all I seem to be able to find is the Mosaic browser and various photo mosaic makers. Or, if there's not anything like that out there, I'm looking for ideas about how to lay it out. [more inside]
posted by apollonia6 at 8:47 PM PST - 10 comments

How do lawyers work in a newly created nation?

How do lawyers work in newly formed (or reformed) countries with new political systems, like Eastern Europe after the USSR, or Iraq or Timor-Leste today? [more inside]
posted by StrikeTheViol at 8:31 PM PST - 4 comments

Sisyphus Looks for a Hill

In preparation for this event on Memorial Day weekend, I'm looking for a good hill or set of stairs to train on. Problem is, I live in Queens. [more inside]
posted by Oddly at 8:31 PM PST - 5 comments

Where to go organized dancing in Austin during SXSWi weekend?

I'm in Austin, Texas from Friday (March 9) through Tuesday morning (March 13). Is there anywhere good to go dancing during that time (organized, like line dancing, contra dancing, etc.)? [more inside]
posted by cadge at 7:54 PM PST - 13 comments

Jersey Shore rookies picking a beach town

Jersey Shore neophytes trying to plan an (extended) family vacation for this summer. We've been looking, but want the hive mind's advice. [more inside]
posted by BT at 7:48 PM PST - 21 comments

What's the strange smell that's causing our cough?

Someone in my apartment building is smoking/making/cooking something that causes my girlfriend, daughter and I to cough. Any idea what it might be and what I could do about it? [more inside]
posted by rez at 7:37 PM PST - 32 comments

What is this bird?

What kind of bird is this? and where could I go for similar questions? [more inside]
posted by CitrusFreak12 at 7:23 PM PST - 9 comments

should i stay or should i go?

i've been offered a job doing what i love. however, there are a few downsides. i'm trying to figure out if these downsides really matter. please help me decide between the job i have now and the job i could have. [more inside]
posted by kerning at 7:21 PM PST - 16 comments

Worth Traveling to Nepal for Only 6 or 7 Days?

Should I go to Nepal? [more inside]
posted by bronxteacher at 7:06 PM PST - 13 comments

Surviving 11 hours at Heathrow Airport

Layover in London filter? We have an 11.5 hour layover at Heathrow airport this Sunday. Is it feasible to go somewhere for an easy walk and a nice meal without breaking the bank? [more inside]
posted by gesamtkunstwerk at 6:59 PM PST - 29 comments

Effexor and Iron

I was on Effexor for about a year to treat my depression, during which time (for the first time in 7+ years) my weight training came screeching to an abrupt halt. (My energy level just wasn't there anymore, nor was I able to focus enough to be able to have a satisfying workout.) [more inside]
posted by Tbola at 6:50 PM PST - 4 comments

How can I find more information about this Seneca Indian legend?

How can I find more information about this Seneca Indian legend? [more inside]
posted by magodesky at 6:48 PM PST - 4 comments

How do you know who's the alpha male?

Men: are you aware of who the resident alpha male is around your office, on your bowling team, in your circle of friends? Is this a shifting position? [more inside]
posted by thehmsbeagle at 6:23 PM PST - 59 comments

She works hard for the money, so hard for it honey

Are there any notable female tech entrepreneurs? [more inside]
posted by universal_qlc at 6:18 PM PST - 25 comments

My girlfriend just lost her new job. What now?

My girlfriend just lost her new job. What now? [more inside]
posted by damn dirty ape at 5:53 PM PST - 18 comments

What does a complete list of general philosophical terms consist of?

Would you consider this list of philosophical terms relatively comprehensive for lay persons seeking a general overview? [more inside]
posted by The Straightener at 5:46 PM PST - 29 comments

I need suggestions for Math Movies

(Stereotype-flouting) Math Movie Suggestions Needed for a pi-day celebration. I'm looking for movies that don't portray mathematicians as schizophrenic or otherwise deranged. [more inside]
posted by ZeroDivides at 5:39 PM PST - 31 comments

previous owner's insurance pays for damage?

I bought my house nov. 1 (in Ohio), hail storm did some damage in October...roof company sends me a letter that says previous owner's insurance will pay for this....bogus or for real? [more inside]
posted by Salvatorparadise at 5:23 PM PST - 6 comments

Where to get help identifying this book.

Now what? I tried asking MetaFilter without success, so how about suggestions on outdoor / adventure / natural history / other sites where I can ask this question: What book contains this description (and where in the book if possible)? Alaskan / Yukon rivers that freeze on the surface in the winter, then run dry beneath the ice, leaving river tunnels which bears and other animals then inhabit.
posted by Jackson at 5:20 PM PST - 5 comments

Canadian Passport Panic

We've just been told that my husband's passport will not be ready in time for our flight to Australia. [more inside]
posted by Koko at 4:50 PM PST - 31 comments

met+a+filter Chain Words and Chain Letters

Is there a name for these kind of words, and what is the longest one? [more inside]
posted by snailer at 4:17 PM PST - 20 comments

Clueless about infographics

I'm currently studying graphic design and I've been given a job creating infographics for a business magazine. I know my way around Illustrator but I don't really know anything about creating infographics. [more inside]
posted by nelle at 4:15 PM PST - 11 comments

Ruby code completion in Emacs, Intellisense-style?

Rcodetools, possibly in conjunction with Icicles, seems like it should be the bee's knees for doing Ruby code completion in Emacs. I need help getting it to actually work. [more inside]
posted by dmd at 4:09 PM PST - 2 comments

silence the static on my imac's external speakers

Audiophile-ter: I recently purchased a 20" dual core iMac. My EVENT TR6 monitors sit very close to the computer, input through a Firewire interface. I get noisy static from the Right speaker when the iMac is "thinking". What causes this, and how to remedy? [more inside]
posted by blastrid at 4:01 PM PST - 5 comments

automatically setting my computer clock

How can I set up my Win 2000 computer to automatically set its own time clock from any external source? I tried Googling on this but just get a bunch of cryptic instructions on making the computer into a time server. I don't want to build an NTP time server, I just want to have the correct time.
posted by rolypolyman at 3:57 PM PST - 8 comments

Red Light, Green Light!

How much is the fine for running a red light in Oakland, California? (Alameda County). I've searched around but can't find a definitive answer. [more inside]
posted by trixare4kids at 3:52 PM PST - 12 comments

Stop the company, I want to get off.

Workplacefilter: Is it crazy in here or is it just me? [more inside]
posted by Work to Live at 3:23 PM PST - 25 comments

What to do in Guatemala for 10 days?

What to do in Guatemala for 10 days? I'm flying to Guatemala City, Guatemala tomorrow for a ten-day vacation. This will be my first real international trip, as well as my first solo trip. What destinations/experiences/attractions can't be missed? [more inside]
posted by btkuhn at 3:00 PM PST - 9 comments

How do you translate this into Latin?

I'm working on a logo for my school's student government. How do you translate "to improve student life" into Latin? How would you symbolically represent the executive branch if the judicial was a gavel and the legislative was a quill?
posted by FearAndLoathingInLJ at 2:49 PM PST - 15 comments

Give me knowledge

Looking for mythological, fictional, and / or non-fictional characters and / or stories of a certain nature. [more inside]
posted by almostcool at 2:00 PM PST - 36 comments

Suggested treatment for bone loss in mouth, what is "scaling"?

PeriodontistryFilter: My dentist tells me that I have some pretty severe bone loss around my upper molars and that I need to have a consult with a periodontist to discuss "scaling". What is this and how much does it hurt? [more inside]
posted by Tommy Gnosis at 1:27 PM PST - 14 comments

Decrypting Italian Graffiti Symbols

Italian graffiti: questions about two common symbols in modern spray art. [more inside]
posted by Ogre Lawless at 12:44 PM PST - 8 comments

¿Cómo se dice tutor en español?

Anyone in the Seattle know of a good adult Spanish tutor? [more inside]
posted by YoBananaBoy at 11:05 AM PST - 3 comments

Battlestar Galactica Season 2 Epiode "Home, part 2"

Please help me understand the second season of Battlestar Galactica, especially the episode "Home, part 2" (spoilers inside) [more inside]
posted by CKZ at 11:02 AM PST - 13 comments

What's going on?

Why won't the vet office tell me my cat's lab results? [more inside]
posted by engling at 10:51 AM PST - 7 comments

Renting a multimedia space in L.A. for a one-night event

I'm the co-producer of over 30 short films that are intended for cell phone and internet distribution. Rather than rent a theater for the premiere, I'd like to have a space, such as an art gallery, that will house five to seven video stations where guests can sample these short videos at their leisure. [more inside]
posted by Flying Saucer at 10:49 AM PST - 3 comments

Grown-Up Family Vacation?

This summer my 25 year old brother will be out of the Army and about to go into law school (I am 27). My parents think this is a great time for a family vacation. The question is: where do we go? [more inside]
posted by clairezulkey at 10:40 AM PST - 16 comments

How can I feel more involved?

Help me figure out how to be more virtually involved. [more inside]
posted by indigo4963 at 10:40 AM PST - 12 comments

Hiking the Inca Trail

I have some questions about hiking the Inca Trail? [more inside]
posted by subtle-t at 10:22 AM PST - 12 comments

Help me find a gift-worthy copy of Finnegans Wake?

For his birthday, my SO confessed that he would like a "really nice" version of Finnegans Wake. This proves to be harder to find than I would've thought. [more inside]
posted by desuetude at 10:08 AM PST - 17 comments

Where to find awesome linens at awesome prices?

Just got a new queen bed, and my linens are too small. (Double/full fit.) I need to get some nice, comfy stuff, but really don't want to spend $150+. Do you guys know of (legit) out-of-the-way sites on the Webinet that sell nice sheets for awesome prices?
posted by secret about box at 9:52 AM PST - 28 comments

Personality assumptions based on interpersonal interaction.

What assumptions can generally be made about a person or potential partner based on their treatment of others? [more inside]
posted by Glitter Ninja at 9:50 AM PST - 32 comments

Listen all you New Yorkers....

I'm putting together a budget for a client and need to know how much cab fare would be from Penn Station to Lincoln Center. Any Web sites out there that could calculate this for me? Or can someone in NY give me an estimate?
posted by Nathanial Hörnblowér at 9:40 AM PST - 12 comments

Web Developer Magazine Recommendations

I'm looking for recommendations for a glossy, monthly publication catering to web developers and/or designers. [more inside]
posted by lyam at 9:03 AM PST - 10 comments

Two iTunes questions...

2 questions about iTunes: 1) I've ripped CDs to a laptop that has no 'Net connection so it can't get data from the CDDB. Before ripping, I've entered the artist and album info but not the tracks (too time consuming). When I copy these files to my main computer, iTunes doesn't import the title/artist info even though the file folders are appropriately named. Why? 2) Once I have these on the iTunes of my main computer and manually have changed back the title/artist, is there a way to get the track info automatically from the internet?
posted by Manhasset at 8:11 AM PST - 12 comments

Copper disks/slugs

I'm looking for a supplier of copper slugs or disks, 7/8" in diameter, 3/16" thick. [more inside]
posted by glip at 7:58 AM PST - 6 comments

License-Free Background Music

I'm looking for free and license-free background music. [more inside]
posted by davereed at 7:53 AM PST - 10 comments

Mormonism in the Modern World

Lately I've been reading quite a bit about Mormons, and I find the history of the church of the LDS completely compelling. I was wondering if there are any liberal/progressive Mormons who could help me better understand how the history of the church and the historical representation of their founder, Joseph Smith, can be squared with the modern church. [more inside]
posted by billysumday at 7:36 AM PST - 51 comments

Scottsdale hotel recs

Scottsdale hotel recommendations sought - urban, hip, preferably near boutiques, etc... [more inside]
posted by docpops at 7:10 AM PST - 6 comments

Running a Background Check on Yourself

Are there any legit online background check services? [more inside]
posted by jessicak at 6:40 AM PST - 3 comments

I do not think it means what you think it means

ChineseTranslationFilter: What does the artwork hanging on my wall say? [more inside]
posted by Lokheed at 6:18 AM PST - 8 comments

Do men get bored of seeing sexy underwear on their girlfriend all... the... time?

Do men get bored of seeing sexy underwear on their girlfriend all... the... time? [more inside]
posted by trampesque at 5:50 AM PST - 68 comments

I want a Dyson!

Dysonfilter: I know vacuum cleaner questions have been on here before, but mine is a bit more specific-mine's dead and after research my heart seems set on a Dyson... [more inside]
posted by konolia at 5:40 AM PST - 37 comments

Should I sue Apple over unpaid interview expenses?

Apple won't pay my travel expenses for an interview in London I attended a year ago despite saying they would (£50). Should I try to take them to the small claims court? What can I do? [more inside]
posted by tomw at 5:36 AM PST - 18 comments

Coping with injury to dominant hand

Broke my wrist last night (right wrist--I am right-handed). I live alone and am seeking tips for coping with activities of daily living with very limited use of my dominant hand. [more inside]
posted by Kat Allison at 5:31 AM PST - 9 comments

How do I clone an IIS 5 Website to another Server?

Does anybody know if it is possible to clone an Microsoft IIS 5 website to another webserver running IIS 5? I understand how to copy the files and permissions to another server but how do I copy the information contained in the metabase such as virtual directories and directory settings?
posted by LMG at 5:00 AM PST - 2 comments

A bad ear for color

How do I find a good interior designer/decorator in Washington DC? [more inside]
posted by RandlePatrickMcMurphy at 4:58 AM PST - 4 comments

Outting myself as a blogger

Should I out myself as a blogger to my employer? [more inside]
posted by twine42 at 4:52 AM PST - 20 comments

I've paid off all my credit cards.... now what?

I've paid off all my credit cards.... now what? [more inside]
posted by weiler63 at 2:11 AM PST - 22 comments

Problems with routers, Xbox360s, and UPnP.

My cable connection keeps losing connection when UPnP is enabled, but I need it enabled to keep my Xbox360s connected. Why is this happening? [more inside]
posted by CliffDiving44 at 1:09 AM PST - 1 comment

Hear that? Is my MacBook dying?

Last night, suddenly and without provocation, my MacBook started grinding and crackling something fierce, mid-Google Reader browse. I shut it down quickly, savored the adrenaline rush, and started it up again. It wound up with a loud whine that accelerated until... well, it slowly dropped to a low whir. And it continues to whir. But the computer runs (for now) as if there's nothing wrong. My guess is it's the fan. If so, though, what happened? It was so sudden. (And this is not the iMoo.) And does this require Apple service, or can I somehow fix this myself? Should I stop using the MacBook entirely in the meantime? Want to hear the racket?
posted by pzarquon at 12:24 AM PST - 7 comments

March 6

Help my lady find out whodunnit

Where does one to get desperately out-of-print books? [more inside]
posted by jaybeans at 11:31 PM PST - 19 comments

Wierd Behavior

Anyone heard of this before? A close friend of mine frequently blurts out words such as 'cantankerous', 'ebullient', 'gubernatorial', 'quagmire', etc. Mostly actual words, but occasionally made-up ones like 'fabramblicate ' and 'fartburn'. Rarely, a word in another language. The words she utters never have anything to do with the moment. She is a musician and the words are usually somewhat melodious. She has no idea why she does it, has done it since she was in her early teens, and feels compelled to do it. Almost sounds like Tourette, but no obscenities (which begs the question, why do they 'choose' curse words?). She has no other tics or compulsive behavior that I've seen.
posted by sluglicker at 10:02 PM PST - 33 comments

Favorite / best / any harpsichord songs?

I was recently introduced to two songs featuring the harpsichord, and I really liked them a lot. And it got me thinking: is there a lot of this kind of music out there? They're not classical (I think), but they're definitely enjoyable. [more inside]
posted by cybertaur1 at 10:00 PM PST - 22 comments

Foundation Repairs in Austin?

What's a good foundation repair contractor in Austin, TX? [more inside]
posted by kiita at 9:31 PM PST - 4 comments

Human-Powered Live-Blogging On A Bike In France

Calling all electrical engineers, cyclists and gadget freaks: How can I modify my SON dynamo bicycle wheel hub so that I can use it to power a variety of peripheral devices (cell phone, iPod, GPS, etc.)? [more inside]
posted by piedrasyluz at 9:00 PM PST - 14 comments

IE Developer Toolbar keeps going away. How to get it to stay active?

I have the Internet Explorer Developer Toolbar Beta 3 installed in IE7 on Windows XP. When I turn on the toolbar (Tools>Toolbars>Developer Toolbar) is shows up underneath the address bar up top. Sweet. But when I close the browser and reopen it the toolbar is no longer showing again. It just won't stay active. I have to got through the Tools>Toolbars>Developer Toolbar routine every time I want to use it, which is basically anytime I'm in IE since I only use it to test pages. Boo. How do I get it to stay put? A registry tweak perhaps? Mystical incantations? Mefi will know what to do.
posted by drinkspiller at 8:15 PM PST - 6 comments

Help me make a good purchase this time.

Should I buy a Dell XPS M1210, or look elsewhere? [more inside]
posted by 4ster at 8:11 PM PST - 32 comments

how to bypass windows xp registration screen?

does anyone know how to bypass the registartion screen on windows xp? [more inside]
posted by defmute at 7:44 PM PST - 11 comments

Camcorder for Africa

Please recommend a cheap camcorder for recording meetings indoors and sending the results abroad. [more inside]
posted by stonerose at 7:26 PM PST - 2 comments

Thinkpad Nipple Button?

What is this nipple on the bottom of my laptop? [more inside]
posted by .taft at 6:45 PM PST - 8 comments

I'm looking for Captain America...but a hypnotist

Does anyone know a good and affordable hypnotist in Los Angeles? I'm not looking for deep therapy or getting to the heart of long suppressed feelings. I just want to jump out of a plane and not wet my pants when I do it. Or, for that matter, get on the skydiving plane in the first place. Who knows an LA area mindbender for this sort of thing? [more inside]
posted by rileyray3000 at 6:17 PM PST - 7 comments

Why can't I see song titles of tunes streamed to me by internet radio stations in Winamp?

Why can't I get song titles to display when I listen to streams as a user in Winamp (for pc)? Googled like mad, checked Winamp forums..most of the info pertains to people who are dishing out the streams, not playing them back. Right now I'm using the brand-spankin' newest version, but I've had this problem for years, I guess, with various versions. [more inside]
posted by bitterkitten at 5:56 PM PST - 4 comments

Pregnant, Chinese, and Frustrated with the System

Immigration law, pregnancy, and aid: I've got a Chinese friend living in San Fransisco, about to have a baby, with a visa that expires in April, a due date somewhere in June, a boyfriend with permanent residency (also Chinese) who doesn't really want to get married (neither does she at this point), and unappealing options back in the home country. So San Fran residents, China law experts, and California lawyers, we need ya. [more inside]
posted by saysthis at 5:54 PM PST - 14 comments

Each of us speaks but a single sentence...

In one of his interviews (in The Grain of the Voice, p. 103) Roland Barthes quotes a linguist whose name he does not remember: "Each of us speaks but a single sentence, which only death can bring to a close." Where does this sentence come from? The interview was in May 1970, so it would have been written before then.
posted by nasreddin at 5:50 PM PST - 3 comments

So, you're telling me we should just be friends?

How can I begin changing my views on relationships and romance? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 5:16 PM PST - 21 comments

How did you redefine your relationship with food?

My eating disorder(s) are controlling my life! To those of you who have overcome serious eating issues in the past: what was it that made the difference for you? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 5:16 PM PST - 24 comments

Temporary free server space?

How can I get free web hosting for a few days or a week, just so I can post a message explaining why my web site is gone until I can work out a new permanent server situation? [more inside]
posted by croutonsupafreak at 4:57 PM PST - 13 comments

Developing Institutions

Organized religion, business, military. I am looking for info about the different phases these institutions went through and how their hierarchy developed as they grew. Anything from Antiquity to the Romantic Era. [more inside]
posted by parallax7d at 4:51 PM PST - 7 comments

Carlebach Kabbalat Shabbat recordings?

Is there are good recording of the beautiful Carlebach melodies for Kabbalat Shabbat? [more inside]
posted by tabulem at 3:59 PM PST - 2 comments

Hit It, Elwood!

What's a realistic driving time from the San Francisco Bay Area to San Diego, starting from SF around noon on Friday? [more inside]
posted by scrump at 3:42 PM PST - 21 comments

Should I go easy on potholes or speed right over them?

[Dynamics Filter] Is it less damaging to the wheels to hit a pothole at higher or lower speeds? [more inside]
posted by AnyGuelmann at 3:36 PM PST - 22 comments

Help me save a tape stuck in my Portastudio

I have a Tascam Porta05 Ministudio that's at least 10 years old. I powered it up a few weeks ago to play some old tapes and noticed that it's frozen into the "play" position. [more inside]
posted by chococat at 3:16 PM PST - 2 comments

Screenwriting classes in NY?

Does anyone have any opinions on screenwriting classes in NY? Good ones? Bad ones?
posted by o2b at 3:07 PM PST - 2 comments

Birth Control hiatus-- good or bad?

Birth Control filter: Is it going to negatively affect my health if I skip taking my birth control pills for a month (during which time I will assuredly be abstinent) and then go right back on them once I'm back home where I can renew the prescription for cheap? [more inside]
posted by np312 at 2:53 PM PST - 25 comments

What's an MPhil really worth?

What's an MPhil worth in America? (more inside) [more inside]
posted by farishta at 2:48 PM PST - 13 comments

You're the hiring manager... are you open or stone faced with the candidates?

As a hiring manager, would you ever give a candidate a hint (subtle or not) that he/she has the inside track on the position, or is it always best to put in a poker face in this scenario? [more inside]
posted by Flem Snopes at 2:46 PM PST - 14 comments

Helping out an employee who may have personal problems

How to deal with an employee who may have a drink or drug problem in a caring, conscientious manner... [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 2:35 PM PST - 7 comments

Boom....Ba tink TINK

What's that ubiquitous backbeat on Latino radio? [more inside]
posted by leotrotsky at 2:15 PM PST - 14 comments

help me make stuff cheap and free

I'm trying to give something away - with a little bit if intelligence behind the process. I want to give users of a website, a voucher/coupon entitling them to half price (or free) admittance to a nightclub. I'd like this to work nicely with wordpress - or at least be fairly simple to implement. [more inside]
posted by mattr at 1:55 PM PST - 11 comments

Industrial placement benefits

I'm going back to university in the autumn (at 24 & in the UK) for a BSc in Computer Science. Is it worthwhile doing a course that includes a year in industry? [more inside]
posted by muteh at 12:45 PM PST - 17 comments

Batch conversion of divx files to iso/nrg images

Is there a software/scripting solution which will allow me to batch convert divx files into iso/nrg image files? [more inside]
posted by snatchos at 12:16 PM PST - 4 comments

Will my mobo fit into a new ATX case?

I'm buying a new case for my computer (the old one is big and loud). Mid-tower ATX case, on paper it fits my motherboard, but the I/O panel in the back of my computer has a completely different configuration than the one in the picture at Newegg. Is the rear I/O shield part of the tower or the motherboard? Can I migrate it to my new computer? I have an Abit AV8 mobo and it's in a full tower. The specifications say it's regular ATX and it was a popular mobo so I don't see why it should have an irregular I/O panel.
posted by BlackLeotardFront at 12:10 PM PST - 7 comments

Is Firefox chasing my mouse functions away?

Why doesn't Firefox doesn't recognize scroll wheel clicking anymore? [more inside]
posted by LouMac at 12:00 PM PST - 7 comments

Exotic stereotype busting librarian jobs

What are some examples of exotic librarian jobs or jobs out of the norm for a person with an MLS? [more inside]
posted by andendau at 11:54 AM PST - 26 comments

Escape Plan

If you were 24, had just graduated from university and paid off your debts, was leaving your dreary Toronto temp job at the end of the month with $4000 in savings, and was looking to get out of the city and do something interesting for a few months, where would you go/what would you do?
posted by pcameron at 11:46 AM PST - 50 comments

The news is out to get us!

What is that alarm-like sound that you hear in the background when the news is showing footage of fires. (This question is not as stupid as it looks... look inside) [more inside]
posted by Thrillhouse at 11:08 AM PST - 16 comments

CSS and Standards-Based Enterprise Software Solutions

Is CSS and standards-based design ready for use in web-based enterprise software solutions? [more inside]
posted by syzygy at 10:53 AM PST - 21 comments

iTunes 7 not working

Troubles with iTunes 7... [more inside]
posted by Cosine at 10:17 AM PST - 1 comment

Extracting a vector image from a .pdf file

How can I extract a figure from a .pdf file and save it as a vector image? [more inside]
posted by PercussivePaul at 10:10 AM PST - 23 comments

Wordpress subscriber options?

How can I let Wordpress blog subscribers choose how often they are notified of updates? [more inside]
posted by undertone at 10:10 AM PST - 1 comment

Major laymen meet major label

Reasons for/against entering in to negotiations with a major label? Stories of effective and ineffective independent representation/promotion/publishing? Things to keep in mind during negotiations? [more inside]
posted by Slam I Am at 10:09 AM PST - 33 comments

Any reason to keep laboratory invoices?

Any reason to keep laboratory invoices? [more inside]
posted by beautiful at 10:08 AM PST - 2 comments

Present the good or the great?

PresentationFilter: One pitch. Two concepts. A great one and a good one. Which one do we lead with? [more inside]
posted by ImJustRick at 9:33 AM PST - 22 comments

Glasses for the masses

Where should I go to buy cool glasses (optical, not beverage) in NYC without breaking the bank?
posted by sonofslim at 9:14 AM PST - 8 comments

Please help me with my struggle between materialism and minimalism.

This is not about me mistakingly thinking material possessions = happiness. (I don't.) And it's not about me running up credit card debt because of impulse shopping. (I haven't.) This is about my competing urges: materialism and minimalism. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 8:58 AM PST - 44 comments

Honda parts catalog?

Great Honda parts catalog? I've previously found a great VW parts catalog from these guys (http://www.partsplaceinc.com/). I'd like to find a similar parts place for Honda that I can order a real dead-tree version to peruse at my leisure.
posted by toastchee at 8:54 AM PST - 1 comment

What is this bird?

What is this bird? [more inside]
posted by MasterShake at 8:46 AM PST - 3 comments

Where to find rental QTVR lenses in NYC

Where to rent a 360 degree lens, in the greater New York City area, for QTVR creation ? [more inside]
posted by GreenTentacle at 8:44 AM PST - 6 comments

Washington DC Temporary Housing Woes

Help me find VERY temporary housing for VERY specific dates this summer in Washington DC. I would also prefer if I didn't go bankrupt paying for it! [more inside]
posted by keribear at 8:37 AM PST - 12 comments

Money orders, overdrafts, and refunds

Yesterday *my friend* purchased a money order for x dollars with *his* debit card at the post office. He didn't keep in mind that the money order was for y dollars more than what he had in his checking account. Overdraft blues! But! It seems like maybe he might have just made out like the Monopoly man who gets an bank error in his favor...it's either that, or he's about to get screwed one way or another. [more inside]
posted by snortlebort at 8:30 AM PST - 13 comments

I have $50K from insurance proceeds but I'm on SSI/Medicaid, what should I do??

What can I do to continue recieivng SSI and Medicaid benefits if I received a lump sum insurance proceeds? [more inside]
posted by pikaboy202 at 8:23 AM PST - 11 comments

There's a hole in my face

RevoltingFilter: I have a hole in my face. It resembles a large blackhead, but is a permanent fixture. Out of curiosity, I stuck a pin in it to gauge its depth. To my horror, amazement and admiration, it was 8mm deep. What on earth is this thing?
posted by beniamino at 8:17 AM PST - 16 comments

How to seek corporate material donations for free workshops in Serbia?

Ideas for seeking corporate donations of tech equipment and air travel? I'm one of the co-founders of a free arts/tech workshop happening for the first time this August in Serbia. We've already had some modest success getting funding for this through traditional channels, but I also want to approach hardware companies and airlines to see if they can help us. [more inside]
posted by allterrainbrain at 8:14 AM PST - 5 comments

Reccommend a band

Barn dance/ceilidh in Derbyshire: looking for a recommended ceilidh or barn dance group come play at my wedding reception. [more inside]
posted by gaby at 8:09 AM PST - 4 comments

Name that Tune?

Name that tune: I need a game for iTunes / some other MP that will quiz me on track names & artists from a specific subset of my library. (on Windows) (also, advice on music memorization is welcome) [more inside]
posted by tmcw at 7:56 AM PST - 4 comments

SMIL -> MPEG

How do I convert a (simple) SMIL file into an mpeg (or anything else I can upload to YouTube)? [more inside]
posted by DU at 7:44 AM PST - 3 comments

Can This Job Offer Be Saved?

I have a job offer, but the salary they're offering is too low. How can I negotiate a better salary? [more inside]
posted by croatoan at 7:28 AM PST - 20 comments

Where to live in Memphis?

I'm looking for suggestions on places to live in Memphis. Should I rent or buy? [more inside]
posted by DiscourseMarker at 7:04 AM PST - 6 comments

Things to do in DC during the workday?

Things to do in DC during the workday? [more inside]
posted by hokie409 at 6:47 AM PST - 8 comments

Confused by the Tangled Web of Cell Phone Information

I'm probably going to get a cell phone (yes, I'm a holdout) and I want to know what is and is not going to work for me. [more inside]
posted by ChrisR at 6:43 AM PST - 23 comments

What is the origin of the phrase, "Carving nature by its joints"?

Does anyone know the origin of the term, 'carving nature at its joints' when used to describe the process of dividing up a territory into its constituent parts? I believe it goes back to Ancient Greece, but I don't know much more than that...
posted by barbelith at 5:35 AM PST - 5 comments

Cleaning up melted plastic

This morning I set my kitchen counter on fire. The only real damage is that an empty plastic bag of shredded cheese has melted to the counter, which I think is made of Formica or similar. Is there a good way to clean this?
posted by Jeanne at 5:25 AM PST - 9 comments

Put Me Through Grad School Boot Camp!

How do I prepare myself for the challenges of an MA program in the six months I have before it begins? [more inside]
posted by awenner at 1:10 AM PST - 16 comments

How do I alter an infant hat knitting pattern to fit an adult?

I found the best hat pattern ever, but it is designed for an infant's cranium. If I want to knit one that will fit my rather sizable noggin, what should I do to the pattern? [more inside]
posted by stewiethegreat at 12:51 AM PST - 7 comments

March 5

Orange County-filter: Where to buy beeswax sheets

Are there any local candle-making supply shops? Specifically, I'm looking for beeswax sheets so I can have a go at Huichol-style beadwork. Joann's and Michael's came up empty--and I really don't want to drive to North Hollywood. Thanks in advance.
posted by faunafrailty at 11:43 PM PST - 4 comments

What to give to new New Zealand friend?

What imperishable, edible, uniquely American treats might a New Zealander find irresistable? [more inside]
posted by dudiggy at 11:29 PM PST - 59 comments

Jeans are turning my legs blue!

I recently bought new jeans, but they turn anything that rubs against them blue -- including my legs and hands! I've already washed them, to no avail. What can I do? [more inside]
posted by goingonit at 10:57 PM PST - 18 comments

How to format my paragraphs in a job application?

How should I format the paragraphs in my cover letter / application materials for an academic position? [more inside]
posted by evinrude at 10:00 PM PST - 9 comments

The "little gems" of Seattle.

The "little gems" of Seattle. [more inside]
posted by bamassippi at 9:20 PM PST - 34 comments

Is it legal (if assholish) to demand reimbursement to attend your mother's death?

WTF filter: My grandmother died in November. My uncle flew out to "help out"; he sifted through the belongings, and shipped a bunch of furniture back to his home in another province. Recently he presented my mom with a "bill" for all the expenses he incurred during the process of attending my grandmother's death, expecting to be paid back out of the estate, even though my grandfather (demented and unaware of everyday reality) is in a care facility, still living on that money. What now? [more inside]
posted by Mrs Hilksom at 8:42 PM PST - 45 comments

Textual trick.

Help me find a phrase that reads the same left-to-right as up-to-down. [more inside]
posted by Citizen Premier at 8:30 PM PST - 12 comments

(Persoanlized) Mail Merge Emails Without Outlook

Is there a way I can send multiple emails personally addressed to the sendees without outlook? (preferably with os x) [more inside]
posted by andoatnp at 8:28 PM PST - 7 comments

Rats in the car!

Twice in 2 months rats have chewed the transmission cable in my girlfriend's car, how do we get them to stop! [more inside]
posted by zaphod at 8:18 PM PST - 17 comments

Issues facing physiotherapists in BC?

Issues facing physiotherapists in BC? [more inside]
posted by Milkman Dan at 8:12 PM PST - 2 comments

Great experimental music?

Avant Jazz filter: Hey all. I'm looking to expand my collection of avant-garde jazz (or just experimental music in general). Suggestions? [more inside]
posted by papakwanz at 8:06 PM PST - 54 comments

ART Filter - I want to paint on top of a pencil drawing without smearing it. Suggestions?

Fellow artists, I have drawn in pencil on a 24" x 30" gessoed wood panel. I would like to seal the drawing before painting on top of it. I've thought of spraying it with Damar varnish or coating it with acrylic gloss medium. My goal is to not smear the drawing. I can work in acrylic or oil. Any ideas are welcome. Thanks!
posted by spakto at 7:53 PM PST - 10 comments

Ethics of working for a pet store

I stopped by the local PetLand store tonight just to look at the cute puppies. My mom made a comment about me working there, and the clerk handed me an employment application. Could I, in good conscience, work there? [more inside]
posted by IndigoRain at 7:50 PM PST - 20 comments

Good experiences with leather/ suede cleaners in San Francisco?

Good experiences with leather/ suede cleaners in San Francisco? [more inside]
posted by hwickline at 7:47 PM PST - 2 comments

Wool ewe help me find some good places to buy yarn?

Knitters and crocheters of MeFi, which are the best Toronto-area yarn shops? I know about Romni Wools at Queen and Bathurst — what other stores should I check out? Alternatively, if you buy yarn online, where do you buy it (and are you really okay with not being able to feel up the yarn and ascertain the colour)?
posted by orange swan at 6:56 PM PST - 12 comments

Transfer labels

I can’t seem to find this type of label anywhere. You generally see them as text printed on some kind of wax paper. You them apply them to some surface by scratching off or pressing hard on the text. It’s for printing words on areas that can’t go into a printer. I’d love to find a way to produce these myself or purchase them someplace. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I’ve tried searches using different keywords that describe these labels but no luck. Thanks for your time. Have a great one.
posted by JohnGL at 6:54 PM PST - 15 comments

Suggestions for a mom-friendly digital camera

[MomFilter] Looking for first-hand suggestions for a good digital camera to accompany my mom on an upcoming trip. [more inside]
posted by blueberry at 6:29 PM PST - 11 comments

Easy mini DV editing software ideas?

What is the easiest way for a total neophyte to edit mini-DV video and burn it onto a DVD? [more inside]
posted by tristanshout at 6:21 PM PST - 8 comments

Mefi make me pretty!

I'm beginning to use hair product for the first time. I have fine hair and all the stuff I've used so far just weighs my hair down and makes it look greasy and dirty. Any recommendations for hair products for short fine hair? I'm looking for something that will make my hair stay in place and not flip up.
posted by Attackpanda at 5:58 PM PST - 18 comments

Why do my light bulbs hate me?

Why do my light bulbs keep burning out? [more inside]
posted by PEAK OIL at 5:16 PM PST - 17 comments

What is Not The Fed?

What is the significance of "NOT THE FED"? Where have I seen this before and what does it mean?
posted by tev at 4:46 PM PST - 5 comments

The meaning of GOC

What is a GOC? [more inside]
posted by rabbitsnake at 4:08 PM PST - 4 comments

GiftGivingFilter: What's a creative way to give my boyfriend a skydiving certificate for his birthday?

What's a creative way to give my boyfriend a skydiving certificate for his birthday? I know he's wanted to do this, so I know I won't be going into a situation of "Gee... thanks... *crying on the inside*" I want a better way of giving him a gift certificate for a tandem skydive other than handing him an envelope with a print out inside. [more inside]
posted by spec80 at 3:53 PM PST - 14 comments

Yen --> USD --> ??? --> Profit!

What's the best way to exchange Japanese Yen (in cash form) to USD? [more inside]
posted by Muu at 3:12 PM PST - 4 comments

Credit card bag swiping trick

Why did this credit card swiping trick work? [more inside]
posted by baphomet at 2:50 PM PST - 24 comments

decorative/secure iron bars for windows in San Francisco Bay Area

I'd like to put iron security bars in front of one window of my home. I've occasionally seen iron grille-work over windows that's beautiful in its own right, even independent of the security benefit. Where could I find decorative and secure iron bars in the San Francisco Bay area? [more inside]
posted by Zed_Lopez at 2:01 PM PST - 4 comments

Looking for more cheap sci fi films with lots of effects

I'm a big fan of bad, low-budget sci fi films like Star Crash, Message from Space and Battle Beyond the Stars and I've pursued a lot of televison series (like Star Fleet) that are similar in content (lots of miniature sets, ships flying on strings, etc) and I was wondering if anyone could perhaps suggest something that I haven't been able to come across from bad movie / tv review sites. I'm looking for productions with an excess of cheap, overly ambitious effects scenes that I can edit together for use on a cable access show that I would like to produce called "The Sci Fi Drive-By" ...the more obscure, the better. Thanks!
posted by squidfartz at 1:53 PM PST - 32 comments

Gift for a drumming PLF

Gift suggestions for a wanna-be drummer. [more inside]
posted by mammary16 at 1:39 PM PST - 14 comments

EnglishvirginFilter

Calling MeFi literati: What's a good (easy) thesis for an essay on The Virgin Suicides by Jeffrey Eugenides? [more inside]
posted by Count at 1:36 PM PST - 16 comments

Must keep the Wii safe!

My wife and I just got a Wii last week, and since we're the first people we know to get one, it may be doing some traveling to other people's houses to show it off. Can anyone recommend a travel case for the Wii that will hold the console, cords, and 4 remotes/nunchucks? (does not need to carry games as well)
posted by emptybowl at 12:07 PM PST - 15 comments

How can I make myself feel energized?

How can I get myself to feel refreshed & energized after feeling run-down for awhile? I constantly feel overwhelmed with life and thus stressed out and burnt out. [more inside]
posted by tastybrains at 12:07 PM PST - 66 comments

Flash won't play nice

Firefoxfilter: Flash stops playing in background [more inside]
posted by cbrody at 12:04 PM PST - 4 comments

What did my computer do on 1/31/06?

Does OSX (10.4.8) keep a record of the CDs I burn? I recently applied to a competition by sending a CD of three jpegs. I know which date I burned the CD, but I can't remember which jpegs I applied with. Is there a record of this information anywhere on my computer?
posted by xo at 11:47 AM PST - 5 comments

What do I wear to my evening wedding?

I'm a Brit getting married in San Francisco in September (outdoors). My fiancee will have her wedding dress, of course, but what should I wear? I'm not a fan of the traditional American Tuxedo-look - I'm not going to a ball. Where I come from, it's the traditional morning suit/top hat, but the event will be after 5pm so technically that's out and we're back to black tie. [more inside]
posted by xenoworx at 11:42 AM PST - 26 comments

Console cats!

When I was growing up in Russia, one of my friends had a nifty 2D console (at least NES-era, possibly better) that we played every now and then. In one of his games (a side-scroller), you controlled several humanoid cats, each with a different body shape, color, and speciality. I'm fairly certain that one of them could dig. [more inside]
posted by archagon at 11:29 AM PST - 6 comments

Help me find a recliner I saw on a Restoril commerical?

Where can I find that fantastic green recliner featured on a recent ad campaign by Restoril? [more inside]
posted by arnicae at 11:14 AM PST - 6 comments

Project Management 101

Is your job title "Project Manager"? If so, what is it that you really do on a day to day basis? [more inside]
posted by anastasiav at 11:06 AM PST - 26 comments

Will Vista-Native drivers work in XP Pro? Y/N

I have a client system that has Vista preinstalled. The client wants XP Pro on the system. It's a laptop, and the manufacturer (HP) only provides Vista drivers. Will the Vista drivers work in Windows XP? Is there a hardware-equivalent HP system that is the Windows XP version that I can get drivers for to use on this one? It's an HP DV6235NR. Thanks!
posted by SlyBevel at 10:52 AM PST - 12 comments

water through a funnel

Here's a dumb grammar school science question. If you were pour one liter of water through a funnel (say 1 inch) into a one liter container, and you were to do it all at once (so that the water "backed up" in the funnel, would that process be slower to, faster than, or equal to taking another liter of water and pouring it through the same funnel at a slower, steady rate at which hardly any water "backed up." Any references or links are appreciated...
posted by jgballard at 10:47 AM PST - 31 comments

Need a team name

My friend and I are registered for an urban adventure race (it's like the amazing race) and we need to come up with a team name. I am about as creative as a rock and I can't think of anything. Does anyone have any ideas? (We're in our 20s, female, workaholics and run for fun)
posted by oronico at 10:41 AM PST - 21 comments

My Cat. Period.

TMI question about cat behavior: Has anybody ever had a cat whose behavior seems to change with certain, um, phases in your (or your female partner's) menstrual cycle? (more inside) [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 10:39 AM PST - 14 comments

Help me design a public art project

Please help me come up with a public art project [more inside]
posted by Cuke at 10:37 AM PST - 8 comments

Do I own this domain name?

I renewed two domain names with Registerfly on January 28, 2006 and never received renewal notices. Their system has been so screwed up that I've had to make multiple requests for renewals. In early February I received a notice from Enom that they were no longer registering names for Registerfly and offering to transfer my names from Registerfly to Enom, an offer I accepted. The other day I signed into my Enom account and discovered that the two names had expired. One name they said I could renew now for $9.95, but the other they said would cost me $160! These were both normal .com registrations. [more inside]
posted by pkreutzer at 9:59 AM PST - 6 comments

Encoding DV for computer playback?

What's the best way to encode DV for playback on Mac and Windows? I'm editing in Final Cut and would like output that doesn't mess with the aspect ration (no fat/squished heads), no interlacing jaggies, and can play on a G4 ibook or Pentium4 without stuttering. (Bonus points if the file size is smaller than DV!) [more inside]
posted by kamelhoecker at 9:52 AM PST - 14 comments

Dual Citizenship & Travel?

DualCitizenshipFilter: Looking for anecdotes and advice about travelling between the US & Canada, as a citizen of both. [more inside]
posted by Alterscape at 9:12 AM PST - 19 comments

Edinburgh for Kids.

Taking our 13 and 11 year old grand daughters to Edinburgh for a week at the end of March. Things we might miss as an occasional tourist. First trip to Europe for them. [more inside]
posted by rmhsinc at 8:56 AM PST - 15 comments

Seeking pretty, Hello Kitty-free hair accessories

Where can I find pretty things for my hair? I'm looking for online shops and stores in DC, New York and Pittsburgh. No tiaras, please. [more inside]
posted by Alison at 8:26 AM PST - 16 comments

If it's because I've been running through your mind all day, please let me know

Why are my feet hurting during certain activities? [more inside]
posted by quadrinary at 8:10 AM PST - 14 comments

Why do my keyboards keep breaking?

Why do my keyboards keep breaking? [more inside]
posted by mkultra at 8:09 AM PST - 17 comments

Where is the next Pina?

DasTravelFilter: Where to see modern dance/theater in Berlin? [more inside]
posted by crookedneighbor at 7:57 AM PST - 1 comment

Getting a handle on site bandwidth

HostingFilter: Bandwidth charge back [more inside]
posted by ronmexico at 7:56 AM PST - 4 comments

Help! I desire a $700 chair. Is there any hope?

Is $700 too much to spend on an office chair? Are there any alternatives to the HAG Capisco Saddle Seat chair? [more inside]
posted by iamkimiam at 7:44 AM PST - 19 comments

How did the collapse of the Western Roman Empire affect the quality of Latin writing?

How did the Latin language degenerate during the collapse of the Western Roman Empire? [more inside]
posted by jason's_planet at 7:40 AM PST - 15 comments

Laptop with dead hard drive as print server

I want to use a laptop as a print server. Its hard drive is dead, but the CD-ROM and floppy are working. I've been able to boot it with a Knoppix CD. [more inside]
posted by ShooBoo at 7:39 AM PST - 4 comments

Should children work in high school or college?

Does having a job during high school and college affect the quality of education obtained? [more inside]
posted by tr45vbyt at 7:17 AM PST - 64 comments

Name for the study of the knowledge organization?

What is the name for the study of the organization of knowledge? [more inside]
posted by mjklin at 7:06 AM PST - 27 comments

Trenches of WW1 in film?

What films (preferably in Netflix's catalog) do a good job of depicting the misery and scale of the trenches of World War One? [more inside]
posted by bondcliff at 6:17 AM PST - 31 comments

Cool Flowcharting?

What's a cool way of doing a business flowchart? You know, one that traces the flow of transactions through the various departments of the business? Preferably something that is not too complicated nor requiring a great eye for design.
posted by limon at 6:07 AM PST - 10 comments

Name that tune (for me)

What song is used for the soundtrack of this vmware demo video?
posted by illovich at 5:56 AM PST - 2 comments

Does scrumping happen outside the UK?

Do cultures outside the UK have a concept of "scrumping"? [more inside]
posted by brighton at 4:03 AM PST - 44 comments

for folks sake

How do I make new folk music? [more inside]
posted by brautigan at 3:16 AM PST - 14 comments

Pimp my w/c!

need storage solutions for a small bathroom. [more inside]
posted by exlotuseater at 2:47 AM PST - 16 comments

potatos and.....?

I'm looking for a simple menu of foods that fill nutritional requirements, are easy to make, and that won't bother my fussy unhappy gut while I'm on a crazy schedule for the next while. [more inside]
posted by stray at 1:12 AM PST - 13 comments

MP3 player designed for audio books?

MP3 player designed for audio books? [more inside]
posted by Dave Faris at 12:34 AM PST - 16 comments

March 4

Annoying

Why won't Yahoo let me open any front page links in a separate window or tab? [more inside]
posted by generic230 at 11:44 PM PST - 7 comments

How do you get mail in "mbox" fomat into Gmail via pop?

How do you get mail in "mbox" fomat into Gmail via pop? [more inside]
posted by Popcorn at 11:01 PM PST - 6 comments

Grunge fashion comeback?

Grunge fashion comeback? [more inside]
posted by dvjtj at 10:55 PM PST - 18 comments

Chocolate.

What amazing chocolate do you recommend? [more inside]
posted by felix at 10:31 PM PST - 69 comments

Looking for a strange ring tone I heard in China in 2005.

Looking for a strange ring tone I heard in China in 2005. [more inside]
posted by photoslob at 8:46 PM PST - 4 comments

What is the most reviewed Amazon product?

What Amazon product has the MOST number of reviews/ratings? [more inside]
posted by tasty at 8:20 PM PST - 5 comments

Polo Fever

Where can I find cool polo shirts? [more inside]
posted by aburd at 7:51 PM PST - 13 comments

Which reference management software should I use?

Which reference management software package should I use? [more inside]
posted by ChasFile at 6:26 PM PST - 24 comments

Sax drugs and rock and roll?

This poorly whistled sax solo is the only clue I can provide to identify this classic rock-type song stuck in my head. What's the name of the song?
posted by Mr.Encyclopedia at 6:12 PM PST - 20 comments

Fraps is giving me craps!

How can I edit Fraps AVIs from my windows machine on my Macbook (iMovie)? [more inside]
posted by cowbellemoo at 6:05 PM PST - 5 comments

UA vs. AA: Which FF Plan is Better?

In the next couple of months I am going to start flying frequently (probably weekly) between Chicago and New York and Chicago and DC. I am currently a member of US Airways Dividend Miles, but they don't have enough flexibility in flight schedules for me. I am trying to decide whether to sign with United or American (I'd like to stick to one airline whenever possible to get status, and I'll likely pick up their credit card as well). So, I'd love to hear feedback on the two programs: which treat their customers better, which have more perks (more upgrade availability), etc. Thanks in advance!
posted by jules1651 at 5:45 PM PST - 19 comments

What's the best way for a fellow to secure his privates while swiming?

My fiancee has a varicocele which has caused one of his testicles to be quite long (about 5 inches). He'd like to take up swimming, and we're looking for a way he can wear swimming gear without worrying about falling out. Bonus points for underwear help! [more inside]
posted by FortyT-wo at 5:25 PM PST - 20 comments

Does the type of Japanese structure seen in this photo have a name?

Does the type of Japanese structure seen in this photo have a name? [more inside]
posted by BorgLove at 4:50 PM PST - 13 comments

What's above the ceiling?

So there I was, running cable through the celing, and all of a sudden this stuff starts pouring out. Think of what happens when you invert an hourglass; but instead of sand rushing out, it was this junk that looked like wooden perlite. [more inside]
posted by portabella at 3:54 PM PST - 8 comments

Is Natuzzi sketchy?

What's the deal with Natuzzi sofas--is their long lead time due to poor management, or are they just overloaded with orders? And why does there seem to be no information on the internet about ordering or styles? [more inside]
posted by ubu at 3:46 PM PST - 15 comments

EmploymentFilter: Tired of rat race, how do I create my own job?

I'm looking for advice from people who have escaped the traditional 9-5 rat race, and/or created their own job/position. [more inside]
posted by jmnugent at 3:27 PM PST - 19 comments

How to find a decently-priced studio flat in London?

How to find a decently-priced studio flat in London? I have looked everywhere you can imagine: Gumtree, Findaproperty, etc etc etc and am getting super frustrated with hours of unsuccessful virtual househunting... [more inside]
posted by heartofglass at 3:19 PM PST - 13 comments

Problem with XP thumbnails sticking

Problem with XP thumbnails sticking [more inside]
posted by koshka at 3:07 PM PST - 2 comments

Hummus producers

Is there a list of Hummus producers in the US? I know only Sabra.com and would appreciate if somebody could post some other brands.
posted by yoyo_nyc at 2:21 PM PST - 30 comments

game authoring software for young kids?

My son, who is 10, has been asking me all kinds of questions about creating mods for existing games and writing his own games. I am not a programmer, but I did show him kid's programming language and we're trying to figure it out. Any recommendations for either simple, fun game creation languages or packages that will run on our aging pIII windows machine? There's a lot out there, and I just don't know where to start. [more inside]
posted by mecran01 at 2:09 PM PST - 24 comments

books about london?

I'm going to London for a week soon - do you know of any books/stories that would offer insight/history/accounts etc. to help me better appreciate my experience there. (maybe something like Bill Bryson's "Notes From A Small Island"- but more focused on Londontown?) I read Washington Irving's "Alhambra" before visiting there and it really "brought the place alive" thank you for any suggestions!
posted by mrmarley at 1:50 PM PST - 18 comments

Welding / Metal Supply for Hobbiests in Northern VA / DC

I'm taking up welding as a hobby and was hoping someone might know of a good metal supply shop that would be a open to hobbiest (i.e.: they are willing to sell small quantities and have weekend hours). I find that home depot and lowes offer a limited selection of steel, so it would be nice to find a place i can buy mechanical tube steel, small gage pipe, and other misc steel.
posted by NGnerd at 1:17 PM PST - 11 comments

Hide IP Address

Is there a Web site or free program I can use to hide my IP address when roaming the Internet? I would like some level of anonymity when visiting some forums.
posted by cainiarb at 1:12 PM PST - 24 comments

Help me find a pedestrian friendly home!

Is there a city with an awesome public transportation system that won't break the bank? [more inside]
posted by english lit.ter bug at 12:45 PM PST - 40 comments

Curses- foiled again!

More campfire recipe requests- with a twist! [more inside]
posted by kidsleepy at 12:44 PM PST - 13 comments

XP unusably slow after STOP errors and running checkdisk - what's going on?

So it's come to this - I see no other option than to ask a "help me fix my PC" question. After some troubleshooting the STOP errors seem to have been resolved, XP now boots successfully but is excruciating slow to the point of being unusable. Details and specs below the fold. [more inside]
posted by goodnewsfortheinsane at 12:29 PM PST - 25 comments

Help me find these lyrics

Song lyrics filter: I'm looking for song lyrics that draw attention to the stupidity of following the predetermined life path that our parents or society tells us to go on. [more inside]
posted by names are hard at 11:44 AM PST - 39 comments

Who is the best lasik doctor in North Texas?

Who is the best lasik doctor in North Texas? [more inside]
posted by torpark at 11:18 AM PST - 5 comments

Wanted: Reliable porn blocking software for Mac OS 10.3.9

Looking for reliable porn-blocking software for Mac OS 10.3. Help! [more inside]
posted by zombiebunny at 10:22 AM PST - 18 comments

CSS float with dynamic content

Dynamic content in the Savings Account table on this page refuses to wrap, and forces the Interest Accounts table beyond the horizontal bounds of the page at 800*600 resolution. Request a resolution-independent solution that does not rely on an encasing table. Further caveats within. [more inside]
posted by The Confessor at 10:01 AM PST - 6 comments

Breaking news

Wow! Did that news ticker really just say that? Is is true? What effect is it going to have? What website can I go to for the real info as it happens, including discovering what the courts have just banned from being published locally? [more inside]
posted by Idcoytco at 9:49 AM PST - 23 comments

Is flying on LTU asking for trouble?

Flying on LTU == asking for trouble? [more inside]
posted by grimmelm at 9:25 AM PST - 10 comments

Tips for the culinary camper!

What are your ideas for easy camping recipes? [more inside]
posted by ClanvidHorse at 8:23 AM PST - 26 comments

But do you think they'll REALLY fire me for an eyebrow ring?

As has been pointed out, although I am a lawyer working in finance I don't look/act/talk/fit the part and my entire personality and sense of self strains and suffocates under the pressures of trying to fit in and the sacrifices it requires on various levels as such. Perhaps as a result of acting out under such strains and their increasing demands for me to pretend to be someone I'm not, I just got a facial piercing. [more inside]
posted by bunnycup at 8:10 AM PST - 41 comments

how many hits?

Is there a website that lists the number of page views or site hits of websites per day or per month? [more inside]
posted by foxinthesnow at 8:05 AM PST - 5 comments

Are all over the range microwaves built to the same size?

We need a new over-the-range microwave oven. Are all of them built to a standard size with standard ventilation ports? [more inside]
posted by procrastination at 7:49 AM PST - 7 comments

How can I safely use royalty-free images from a pirated disc?

Can I use stock images from a royalty-free disc on my commercial projects if the disc was not purchased by me? How does this kind of licensing work? [more inside]
posted by ArchBr at 7:16 AM PST - 11 comments

Books about writing non fiction

I need recommendations on books about nonfiction writing. [more inside]
posted by BradNelson at 6:49 AM PST - 16 comments

Do doooooo, do do do dooo, do dooooooo.....

IntervalSignalFilter: So, I have this archival recording of an interval signal from shortwave station WSHB, Cypress Creek, SC. Is it an excerpt from any particular song? [more inside]
posted by mykescipark at 1:59 AM PST - 4 comments

Soundtrack Search!

Does anyone know where obtain a copy of the Dead Calm movie soundtrack on cd? Any website where I can buy it or anyone I could buy it from would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
posted by lain at 12:40 AM PST - 5 comments

March 3

Identify some chamber music for me

In the summer of 2003, in Berlin, I heard a piece of music for two treble instruments and one bass instrument of the same family (or anyway closely related). In the performance I heard, these were, I think, two oboes and a bassoon—definitely everything involved was a reed instrument. It was a modern piece with lots of dissonant passages. Everything else about it I've completely forgotten. The composer may have been German but may not have been. Can't remember where I heard it. I certainly can't remember what its title was. But maybe one of you knows?
posted by kenko at 11:58 PM PST - 9 comments

What is this strange thing I found on the beach?

What in the world is this? I found a lot of them on a beach in Vietnam, and I've seen them in Thailand too. [more inside]
posted by borkingchikapa at 10:26 PM PST - 9 comments

modern slide guitar music

For a friend: I'm looking for modern rock songs that feature slide guitar. Think "I Want to be the Boy" by the White Stripes.
posted by a. at 10:26 PM PST - 22 comments

Help me find a 110V to 230V voltage converter

I have a Electric shaver, Electric kettle and a Sandwich maker that uses 230V. They have round type pins in the plug. I would like to use them in USA. So I need to find a 110V to 230V voltage converter that also supports round pin plugs. I found this worldwide adapter plug in Amazon, and it seems like the idel thing I'm looking for except for the fact that it doesn't convert voltages. So if I can find something similar to this which converts from 110V to 230 v and vise versa it would be great. If it's not possible at least a one that converts from 110v to 230v. Please recommand me any converter that you are satsfied with and show me a place to buy. Thanks in advance.
posted by WizKid at 9:26 PM PST - 11 comments

Meaning in a Meaningless world?

How does one live a meaningful life in a world that one has come to believe is meaningless? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 9:19 PM PST - 83 comments

I think I killed my car.

CarOilFilter: Oh, dear lord. I put oil in my car tonight, and thought everything was fine until ... [more inside]
posted by brina at 8:45 PM PST - 20 comments

Need some help designing and building LED light strips for an interactive table

Need some help designing and building LED light strips for an interactive table -- help me select 880nm IR LEDs, understand the circuitry, and figure out how to deal with power. [more inside]
posted by warhol at 8:31 PM PST - 23 comments

Graduating from college- now what?

I'm graduating from college this upcoming May (Finally!) with a bachelors degree in engineering. I have two job offers both with their own pros and cons, which unfortunately manage to even out both offers to me. I'm not sure what to really do now and any personal insights or advice would be much appreciated. [more inside]
posted by Jimmie at 8:23 PM PST - 16 comments

"When Frank Zappa was a little ba-aby, sittin' on his daddy's knee...?" Songs about singers?

Songs about Singers, for folk hero singalong? [more inside]
posted by Ambrosia Voyeur at 8:01 PM PST - 24 comments

Who sings this song?

Who sings this song? I don't have any of the lyrics, but it's a recent song sung by a girl in kind of a whispery voice, at least that's what it sounds like as far as I can tell. [more inside]
posted by paulrockNJ at 8:01 PM PST - 5 comments

Mind games

When I run, my mind gets left out... [more inside]
posted by god particle at 7:50 PM PST - 17 comments

Help me figure out why my DVDs won't play on my computer.

Why won't these DVDs play on my computer? For some reason, a few new DVDs I've tried to watch on my computer recently won't play properly. They won't play at all on my usual DVD program, and when I use VLC (my usual last resort) they play without any dialogue. Because older DVDs still work fine, I figure it's some fancy pants new copy protection scheme. Why aren't these DVDs playing properly, and how can I force them to? [more inside]
posted by MadamM at 7:39 PM PST - 21 comments

Moving to cold-weather climate! Help!

Teach me how to transition to a cold climate. What clothes should I buy? Other stuff I should know? [more inside]
posted by sdis at 5:42 PM PST - 48 comments

AWOL

AWOL from the US Navy. How to get into the US from Canada? [more inside]
posted by hllclmbr at 5:03 PM PST - 48 comments

USB Memory Stick: How to password protect and sync?

Just purchased a 4g Memory stick for my USB port. What's the best (preferably free) software out there to password protect the files on it, AND to have it sync? I already installed roboform on it and that works great.
posted by america4 at 5:01 PM PST - 3 comments

Not available in stores...or anywhere else

Is there an official or unofficial listing of "unreleased" albums by prominent artists and whether or not the artists have made them available online? [more inside]
posted by hwestiii at 4:38 PM PST - 5 comments

Future rugrats for Doubting Thomas

How do you give your children the benefits of your own religious upbringing when you have left that religion? [more inside]
posted by cgs at 4:33 PM PST - 25 comments

PTSD: a little help, please

I tried doing this on my own, it's pretty easy stuff really; but, it's ripping my heart out to try to proceed. I need a little help finding a good PTSD-related fund to which we can send my son's memorial fund money. [more inside]
posted by taosbat at 3:57 PM PST - 23 comments

Where to get an old ring?

Where can I find estate/antique jewelry in the Triangle area? [more inside]
posted by greta simone at 3:57 PM PST - 3 comments

Black and Whites?

I need to know where to buy the BEST black and white cookies in the Philadelphia area. [more inside]
posted by fabesfaves at 3:25 PM PST - 10 comments

Identify this bug please.

Identify this bug please. Picture inside. [more inside]
posted by RoseovSharon at 3:07 PM PST - 13 comments

Dance provides the Wow in Films

What films contain a group dance sequence? [more inside]
posted by pettins at 2:31 PM PST - 49 comments

Bad things happen, yes. But people should still be happy, right?

I'd like to find books or movies about feeling happiness while living in a world with plenty of injustice, sorrow, evil, and corruption. [more inside]
posted by beatrice at 2:31 PM PST - 27 comments

How do I best deal with overscan on my philips LCD tv when connecting it to a computer?

How do I best deal with overscan on my philips LCD tv when connecting it to a computer? [more inside]
posted by RustyBrooks at 2:25 PM PST - 3 comments

I'm in your arena, snappin' your picture.

Is there a way to sneak a camera into a sporting event or concert without it getting taken away? [more inside]
posted by phaded at 2:12 PM PST - 27 comments

Roast Whole Pineapple

Tell me about how to roast a whole pineapple. [more inside]
posted by mr_crash_davis at 1:43 PM PST - 5 comments

External Mac Fire Wire Drives

What's the best option for external Mac Fire Wire Drives? [more inside]
posted by captainscared at 12:50 PM PST - 13 comments

Help me live in Boston this summer

I'd like to live in Boston this summer, and at least break even. Any ideas? [more inside]
posted by devilsbrigade at 12:38 PM PST - 7 comments

How do I move stubborn files from Linux to Windows?

I've been in the process of moving mass amounts of music from one of my Linux partitions to my Windows partition using LTOOLS, and am running into two problems. [more inside]
posted by Hot Like Your 12V Wire at 12:04 PM PST - 5 comments

Resources on urban blight?

Where can I find examples and causes of urban blight? [more inside]
posted by Bookhouse at 11:08 AM PST - 17 comments

Fear and Loathing in Western Europe

I'm planning a summer tour around Western Europe and would love recommendations: which places are not-to-be-missed? [more inside]
posted by Acey at 10:55 AM PST - 18 comments

What's the appeal of Catch-22 by Joseph Heller?

What's the appeal of Catch-22 by Joseph Heller? [more inside]
posted by jknecht at 10:30 AM PST - 42 comments

I want to be a good substitute teacher

How can I be a good substitute teacher with elementary schoolers? I need tips on classroom management, keeping kids busy and engaged, or other general advice. [more inside]
posted by HotPatatta at 10:05 AM PST - 10 comments

How can I generate 1,000 one-time-use codes for my website?

So I'm releasing a full-length CD on my brand new record label. And with it, I want to offer a bonus, download-only live EP available to those who purchase the full-length. How the hell am I going to pull that off? [more inside]
posted by 2or3whiskeysodas at 8:05 AM PST - 19 comments

What can I do about a manager who creates a toxic atmosphere in the workplace?

What can I do about an emotionally toxic workplace environment and the manager that contributes to it? [more inside]
posted by onepapertiger at 7:50 AM PST - 24 comments

Encouraging civic responsibility on-line

I'm looking for good examples of how a newspaper's reader discussion forum should be managed. [more inside]
posted by mmahaffie at 7:17 AM PST - 7 comments

Wikimedia on CD or DVD?

I'd like to create a CD or DVD version of my company's MediaWiki-based Wiki. [more inside]
posted by MotorNeuron at 4:56 AM PST - 8 comments

Help me identify a song in Scrubs 6x11

This week's episode of scrubs had an instrumental song I want to identify. Would you know what its called? [more inside]
posted by gadha at 2:55 AM PST - 6 comments

March 2

How do I make Airport Extreme play nicely with Azureus?

How do I make Airport Extreme play nicely with Azureus? [more inside]
posted by missed at 11:27 PM PST - 4 comments

DVR Setup?

Simplest home DIY home DVR setup? [more inside]
posted by retro88 at 11:10 PM PST - 16 comments

How can I test mail-order medications for purity?

Is there an easy, inexpensive way to check if the meds I order from overseas by are real? For example, would the solution linked below be something a total novice could do? How could I actually learn the process? (and please, no lectures on whether ordering from overseas is good idea. That's what I'm trying to find out.) thanks.
posted by soulbarn at 10:30 PM PST - 10 comments

Firefox + Mac Help

MacBook Pro/Firefox: Just got a shiny new MacBook Pro. Downloaded Firefox...font is WAY too small. Why isn't it like this on my desktop or my girlfriends PC? [more inside]
posted by ryecatcher at 10:24 PM PST - 18 comments

"Mistah Kurtz - he dead."

[Man’s-Journey-to-find-himself-Filter]: I am looking for works of film and fiction that employ the imagery of traversing a difficult path/passageway as a metaphor for man’s inner journey toward connection with his unconscious shadow (in the Jungian sense of the term). [more inside]
posted by numinous at 9:55 PM PST - 37 comments

Autonomous Lights for Installation Art

I'm looking to do an art project that involves photographing a bunch of lights, 25-50 lights, spread throughout a small area of a pine forest. What would be the best, really cheap, way to make these "independent lights". [more inside]
posted by ztdavis at 9:24 PM PST - 21 comments

International shoe shopping online?

Is there a Net-based shoe reseller that carries many brands ( like zappos.com ) that will ship internationally? [more inside]
posted by Joseph Gurl at 8:33 PM PST - 6 comments

Feed Me Seymore!

I need more feeds! Looking for recommendations for feeds along the following: [more inside]
posted by bleucube at 7:49 PM PST - 8 comments

Will taking Adderall be a "permanent deferral" from donating bone marrow?

Will taking Adderall be a "permanent deferral" from donating bone marrow? [more inside]
posted by slc228 at 7:23 PM PST - 4 comments

If I have admin access to a server, can I be accused of computer misuse?

I am a photographer. My photographs are currently on a website that I used to work with but have since had a disagreement. I own the copyright to my images and would like the website to remove them. They are being very slow in their response as removing the images will create very negative publicity for them. I have maintained their website for the last 4 years and have full admin access to their dedicated server. If I log in and remove my images, could I be accused of misuse of computers? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 6:53 PM PST - 10 comments

Nice shoes, wanna have a threesome?

A threesome invitation should should be like... probably NSFW. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 6:53 PM PST - 31 comments

How do I find a gay financial planner who is in Manhattan, has inheritance, tax, and foreign country experience, and speaks Spanish?

How do I find a gay financial planner who is in (or accessible to) Manhattan (NYC), has inheritance, tax, and foreign country experience, and speaks Spanish? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 6:53 PM PST - 11 comments

Ask.Girlyfilter.com

Hair accessory filter! I recently saw someone wearing a hair accessory that was basically a jeweled chain going along her part. What is this accessory called? [more inside]
posted by arielmeadow at 5:38 PM PST - 4 comments

Help me find this website, if it still exists.

Help me find this website, if it still exists. A few years ago I ran acroos s beautiful site that had either a week by week or month by month imagery of a fetus in utero, and described what was going on as it grew. The imagery took up the whole page and was black and white. It was really breathtaking.
posted by Chuck Cheeze at 4:29 PM PST - 10 comments

Help identify this mystery object?

MysteryObjectFilter! My friend got this device on ebay. Can anyone help him figure out what it is? [more inside]
posted by scody at 3:42 PM PST - 22 comments

Looking for game where you move points of a polygon

Looking for an online polygon point-moving game I used to play but can't find. I think it was in Flash. The game would show a shape in which all lines of a shape were criss-crossed, and you had to drag the points around to move the shape, so that no lines ever crossed.
posted by jesirose at 3:29 PM PST - 7 comments

You've got to get up to get down

What happened to my down-arrow key, and why is only affected in linux (it works fine in XP, and it's never been wet) [more inside]
posted by zachxman at 3:13 PM PST - 2 comments

I Hate My Podcast Icon

How do I change the artwork (the one that gets the nifty reflection effect) associated with a podcast in the Itunes browser from iWeb? [more inside]
posted by macinchik at 2:42 PM PST - 1 comment

What is the best (free) Fantasy Baseball site?

I'm in charge of organizing our informal, low-key fantasy baseball pool this year. We've used Yahoo for the past two years and while it wasn't a bad experience, I wonder if there is better out there...
posted by gavia at 2:18 PM PST - 5 comments

Internet connectivity options in Seattle?

I live in Seattle, and I want an internet connection in my home. I don't have a landline, or cable TV. Is Clearwire my only choice? [more inside]
posted by tristeza at 1:50 PM PST - 18 comments

Safety issues with polycarbonate plastic bottles?

I'm concerned about the reports of polycarbonate baby bottles being unsafe (I read about it here). We use one of the brands that was tested -- is there more information out there about this possible problem? Any chemists care to comment on the legitimacy of the study?
posted by _sirmissalot_ at 1:27 PM PST - 11 comments

Living In A Hotel?

Ever since a month-long stay at a very nice hotel in my childhood, I've intermittently fantasized about making a hotel my full-time primary residence. Something about the idea of living in a hotel just appeals to me. Does anyone really do that? Is it commonplace? Practical advice? I know this is a pretty bizarre question.
posted by evariste at 12:51 PM PST - 55 comments

Ostensibly replaceable component filter

Where can I get a replacement cord for my Sennheiser 497 headphones? [more inside]
posted by moift at 12:49 PM PST - 8 comments

endless loop iq test?

endless IQ test? i'm looking for a semi-satirical intelligence test that didn't mind the answers, but calculated how quickly you clicked quit. [more inside]
posted by sxtxixtxcxh at 11:21 AM PST - 8 comments

Wireless invisible dog fencing

Is wireless, invisible dog fencing effective, and if so, which brand(s) would you recommend? [more inside]
posted by MrToad at 10:42 AM PST - 24 comments

Tell me it's OK to be a tree killer.

Help me figure out if I should keep or cut down a Liquidambar tree. [more inside]
posted by sLevi at 10:23 AM PST - 19 comments

How to make a child comfortable around those that are different from them

How do I expose my 2 1/2 year old son to people who have handicaps, or chronic illnesses like CP or MS? [more inside]
posted by MrMulan at 10:14 AM PST - 34 comments

Tivo Me...or Not?

So, can the Series 2 dual-tuner Tivo box record two channels at once, or not? [more inside]
posted by miss tea at 9:55 AM PST - 15 comments

What kind of laptop harddrive can I use?

I need a new laptop harddrive. Can I use any that is physically the same size, or must I stick with HP? [more inside]
posted by simonash at 9:47 AM PST - 9 comments

I need your recipes.

Feedmyfamilyforaweekfilter: Now that we finished the lasagna, what other full meal sorts of dishes can I make in my big glass lasagna pan? [more inside]
posted by thirteenkiller at 9:38 AM PST - 40 comments

Mod_Rewrite Help Wanted, Apply Within

I am in mod_rewrite hell. What a syntax! Can someone smarter than me have a look and tell me I'm not crazy? Thanks! [more inside]
posted by rokusan at 9:27 AM PST - 8 comments

India drug laws

Can anyone resident in India clear up my confusion on the drug laws there? [more inside]
posted by Meatbomb at 8:11 AM PST - 1 comment

Why the Bose Hate?

Audiophile-ter: I'm buying some old Bose 901s for my stepdad (series II) and I'm looking for info about equalizers. However, my searches for "Bose" here revealed lots of "Holy crap, don't ever buy Bose!" So now my question is, why the Bose hate? [more inside]
posted by ultraultraboomerang at 8:10 AM PST - 41 comments

What is my (whistling) malfunction?

Why can't I produce the classic taxi whistle (you know, two fingers in mouth, very loud)? And I've just spent quite a while in the attempt, following these directions. [more inside]
posted by timepiece at 7:47 AM PST - 19 comments

Advice for traveling in a tour through Egypt and Jordan?

I will be taking a tour through Egypt and Jordan at the end of April, and am looking for advice in terms of what clothes would be appropriate (I am a married woman in her late 20's, traveling with my husband, father, and brother), what kind of things I should bring or avoid, or any advice that you can give (preferrably if you have been on a similar trip to that part of the world). [more inside]
posted by Void_Ptr at 7:36 AM PST - 20 comments

Jukebox Playlist

My co-workers and I have a large amount of mp3's that we listen to, mainly playing off of one of our pc's. Is there a software package that will allow someone else, from their pc, to queue up a song in the playlist?
posted by TuxHeDoh at 6:56 AM PST - 16 comments

What is the real risk of mattress offgassing?

What do I really need to know about mattresses and offgassing? [more inside]
posted by Badmichelle at 6:23 AM PST - 2 comments

What are some fun activities in Boston for my teenage bro?

My 17-year-old younger brother is visiting me and my fiancée in Boston for the weekend. What are some fun things we can do together that he'll enjoy? [more inside]
posted by josh at 5:23 AM PST - 19 comments

How do you predict airline ticket prices?

How can you tell when to buy an airline ticket? [more inside]
posted by handee at 4:36 AM PST - 16 comments

Looking for a mac word processor with French language support to replace Word

I'm looking for a mac word processor with French language support (spelling and grammar) to replace Microsoft Word 2004. [more inside]
posted by Frankieist at 3:45 AM PST - 8 comments

looking for a used scooter in Yokosuka??

Trying to find a used scooter to buy in or around Yokohama or Yokosuka, Japan, any ideas for a gaijin with no Japanese skills. [more inside]
posted by nintendo at 3:10 AM PST - 3 comments

Thank you for your support...

UKfilter: "thank you" gift for my midwife and nurse group here in the UK. [more inside]
posted by jadepearl at 2:51 AM PST - 8 comments

second hand printer help needed

How do you check a secondhand Epson 7600 printer is in good condition and maintain it ? [more inside]
posted by sgt.serenity at 2:42 AM PST - 2 comments

... will bring you back to me.

Looking for furious angels. [more inside]
posted by Skyanth at 2:21 AM PST - 21 comments

If he could, he would study abroad, drive a car, and vote for Steven Colbert...

What legal options are available to a 19 year old "American" without a driver's license or American citizenship who's parents have overstayed their legal welcome in this country and have devolved/absolved all responsibility? [more inside]
posted by albernathy0 at 2:01 AM PST - 29 comments

1. Cloak & Scythe. 2 ...? 3. Profit!

Is there a big list (with general descriptions, optional) of jobs in the death industry? [more inside]
posted by vanoakenfold at 1:27 AM PST - 9 comments

Pleiades in 3-D!!!

Astronomy-n00b question: Let's say I wanted to make a somewhat accurate 3D model of the major visible stars of the Pleiades cluster (say for, oh, i dunno.. an art project?). How would I go about acquiring the appropriate data? [more inside]
posted by Gankmore at 12:04 AM PST - 6 comments

March 1

Miserable with a future, or on hold but with less misery?

I have almost certainly won an eighteen thousand dollar award to do my Master's degree, but every day I find myself semi-wishing that I don't win it so that I don't have to do my Master's. Do I suck it up and advance my career, or turn down more money than I make in two years and end up working at the mall? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 10:38 PM PST - 21 comments

Help me identify this sci-fi book please!

Many years ago I read this really good sci-fi futuristic book (at least when I was little I thought it was really good). I would really like to find it and read it again. Please help! [more inside]
posted by Jenny is Crafty at 10:24 PM PST - 9 comments

What can we do to make it right?

What should I do about an over-eager or clumsy loss-prevention officer? [more inside]
posted by rhizome at 8:42 PM PST - 41 comments

How to hang an asian fan on the wall?

How do I hang an asian fan on the wall? [more inside]
posted by Dennis Murphy at 8:42 PM PST - 7 comments

Can I Handle a PHP/MySQL site?

An 800 item database driven site in PHP and MySQL? Am I crazy? [more inside]
posted by mysterious1der at 8:32 PM PST - 21 comments

Please, Please, Please can we get Universal Health Coverage

I'm going to be opening a restaurant soon, and I want to provide health insurance to our employees. Will my health and pre-existing conditions be a factor in the type of insurance and rates that we can get? [more inside]
posted by saffry at 8:18 PM PST - 4 comments

Gift for new father from the wife?

Suggestions for a present from a wife to husband to celebrate the birth of their new baby? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 8:07 PM PST - 19 comments

I'm not sure I actually know how to do Kegels.

I'm not sure I actually know how to do Kegels. (Yes, I know.) [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 8:06 PM PST - 21 comments

Kikuchiyo's Robe

What was the actual predominant color of the robe worn by Toshiro Mifune in his role as wanna-be samurai Kikuchiyo for the black-and-white Kurosawa film Seven Samurai? The robe is light in tone as appears to be decorated with a pattern based on feathers or slender leaves. [more inside]
posted by mwhybark at 6:51 PM PST - 26 comments

An old New Wave act - anyone remember?

I'm trying to recall an obscure New Wave record. [more inside]
posted by davebush at 5:58 PM PST - 26 comments

Zij zullen hem niet temmen, de fiere Vlaamse Leeuw!

Where can I buy an official-design full-size Flemish Flag online? If the official version isn't available, I'd settle for the all-black type.
posted by phrontist at 5:51 PM PST - 12 comments

Where can I find information on recruiting firms?

Where can I find information on recruiting firms? I have my resume on monster and got an email from "Management Recruiters of Chicago -Far West" (which is an independantly owned franchise of MRI Networks (http://www.mrinetwork.com/). I'd like to see how reputable they are but can't find any information. Thanks!
posted by taz20075 at 5:46 PM PST - 2 comments

How screwed are we?

A birth certificate has gone missing in public. What now? [more inside]
posted by EatTheWeek at 5:31 PM PST - 9 comments

Certain program on tablet pc won't display i's or l's

An educational program on my brother's laptop called "Weld_IT" won't properly display any i's or l's. It sort of tries, but they're nearly invisible. As you might expect this is very annoying and makes for difficult reading. He's running Windows XP Tablet Edition. Resolution changes don't help, neither does reinstalling the software. The program looks fine on my (reg'lar XP) desktop. What can we do?
posted by Monster_Zero at 5:17 PM PST - 10 comments

What do I need to know for 1-week trip to Vienna, Austria?

I'm visiting Vienna for spring break (And London for a day). What should I know? [more inside]
posted by sirion at 5:08 PM PST - 19 comments

Upsidedown Cigarette

Has Anyone ever opened a packet of cigarettes and found one of them upside down? [more inside]
posted by DrtyBlvd at 4:53 PM PST - 36 comments

How do I contact author William Goldman?

The author of THE PRINCESS BRIDE and BUTCH CASSIDY AND THE SUNDANCE KID doesn't have a website or any other presence on the web. I'd like to write to him. It's not so easy as simply writing to his publisher, as he isn't releasing novels or nonfiction these days, so I'm not sure who his publisher would be. Apparently he's spending his twilight years touching up screenplays for other writers. At any rate, I'd like to send him a letter. He lives in New York. Sadly, "William Goldman" is a fairly common name in NYC, so my search isn't getting very far.
posted by jackypaper at 4:42 PM PST - 33 comments

safe tennessean home?

Help make spring break something besides a boring hell! Cool, cheap places to go, people to see, or things to do within a day or two's drive of Clarksville, Tennessee? [more inside]
posted by WidgetAlley at 4:18 PM PST - 15 comments

Why are there no freshwater squid?

Why are there no freshwater squid?
posted by jonesor at 4:13 PM PST - 12 comments

Help me build my masterpiece

I'd like to learn more about gears and design to build a wooden kinetic sculpture. [more inside]
posted by TorontoSandy at 3:48 PM PST - 12 comments

Tap this again and again. Beat on this tool.

I create loop-based MIDI music. I want to jam with a live drummer who can't play to a click track so I'll have to manually sync to him. Come!! Let us discuss tactics and tools. [more inside]
posted by Moistener at 3:34 PM PST - 9 comments

How did this particular whistle develop?

I'm looking for the origin of certain whistle tones. That is, how did the two note ascending and descending whistle ("wolf whistle") become the sound of appreciation for a comely female? [more inside]
posted by Oriole Adams at 3:11 PM PST - 9 comments

Purchasing an external drive. Questions...

Need more hard drive space... am about to buy a 500 or 600 gb external (LaCie) drive and mentioned it to a friend and she said not to go higher than a 320 due to overheating problems. Experienced MeFites, what do you say? Also, being a Firewire person, I have a dumb USB 2.0 question: can they be chained together? Any other drive anecdotes that might be useful in my purchase are appreciated. I'm on a Mac. [more inside]
posted by dobbs at 3:05 PM PST - 23 comments

How can I find out what celebrities will be in Las Vegas?

Is there an easy way to find out what celebrities will be in Las Vegas on a particular date? [more inside]
posted by nitsuj at 2:55 PM PST - 4 comments

Recent Easy Bake Graduate Seeks Instruction From 'Real Baker'

Two questions about baking. [more inside]
posted by Medieval Maven at 2:35 PM PST - 13 comments

Help me evaluate a situation regarding taxes and my sister, and her worthless ex-boyfriend

My sister's hoodrat ex-boyfriend stole money from my nephew... [more inside]
posted by Myles at 2:33 PM PST - 20 comments

Trustworthy information/advocacy sites for mental/behavioral illness?

I'm trying to find a comprehensive lists of organization and resource sites for a range of behavioral and mental disorders (similar to this, but for adults as well as children). [more inside]
posted by melissa may at 2:19 PM PST - 6 comments

The Perfect Day!

Help me give my fiancée the best 'awesome day' ever… [more inside]
posted by honeyx at 2:02 PM PST - 21 comments

It's off my back but leers behind me

Does it ever stop? I am a "recovered" heroin addict. Or maybe now I can say I "was" a heroin addict. I've been clean for 8 years, I have children, a career, a semblance of a responsible adult life that I am content with at 36, friends, the arts. I write grants for charities. I don't have to hide my past, it just doesn't come up anymore. But I dream of dope sometimes- vivid dreams in my sleep. If I am stressed out, my thoughts occasionally wander there... [more inside]
posted by mistsandrain at 1:59 PM PST - 27 comments

Al-Bashir transcript to Nation of Islam?

Looking for a transcript of the address Al-Bashir made to The Nation Of Islam conference. [more inside]
posted by ransom at 1:41 PM PST - 2 comments

Should I be worried about dust with a pinhole dSLR?

I'd like to use my Nikon D80 dSLR as an occasional pinhole camera. Should I be worried about dust getting onto the sensor through the pin hole? [more inside]
posted by nomad73 at 12:58 PM PST - 10 comments

Help me plan a great Atlanta - Arkansas roadtrip with my grandparents...

Road trip! Atlanta to Arkansas in early April. My grandparents will be visiting from California and my husband and I are taking my them on what will most likely be their last trip back to the homes of their youth in Wesson, Arkansas (near El Dorado). With an 800-mile trip one way, we'll spend over a week on the trip, and will probably have to stop overnight somewhere on the way -- Jackson? Natchez? any suggestions for where to sleep or must-see stops on the way? [more inside]
posted by mdiskin at 12:36 PM PST - 10 comments

how to deal with property management company?

How can I deal with the property management company that is stalling on getting a major repair completed, when I don't have the contract with them? [more inside]
posted by slow graffiti at 12:26 PM PST - 14 comments

Circuit bending for dummies

I have a simple Sony reel-to-reel tape deck from the 1960's that I'd like to install a speed control on. Since I have no electronics skills, can anyone here recommend an ace 'circuit bender' in the Los Angeles area? Thanks :)
posted by starscream at 12:26 PM PST - 3 comments

Live music in London

Where can I find the most comprehensive online listings of live music in London?
posted by gravelshoes at 12:21 PM PST - 10 comments

Can you help me pick out vegetarian boots and food for my trip to Alaska this May?

I'm visiting South-East Alaska in mid-May and am in need of vegetarian recommendations for the best non-leather shoes to buy/bring for the conditions, and best veg restaurants to eat at, too! Recommendations for either, please. [more inside]
posted by boygirlparty at 12:07 PM PST - 13 comments

How to trigger events on a remote pc

Creative solutions for making a (shudder) Macro Express Macro run on a remote computer within restrictive group policy (all windows) (remote desktop or vnc type solutions are out since that would be too much of a disruption to the user of the remote machine) ... means of triggering the macro: keyboard input (hotkey), schedule (won't work in this case - needs on demand), or the appearance of a window on the screen - this is the most promising I think - but the obvious solutions are eluding me... how can I make a harmless window open on a remote computer? (I've tried msg and psexec to run a bat file, but the remote server bits are all off limits due to group policy.)
posted by dorcas at 11:46 AM PST - 8 comments

Configuring a MacPro for uncompressed HD video capture and editing

Help me configure a MacPro for uncompressed HD video capture/editing [more inside]
posted by dbolll at 11:44 AM PST - 11 comments

What else can I drink all day without gaining weight?

Aspartame-free low-calorie beverage suggestions needed. Does such a thing even exist? [more inside]
posted by cgg at 11:34 AM PST - 49 comments

Short-Term, Long-Term Auto Rental/Lease/Other?

I live in Berkeley, CA and need to rent a commute car (to Palo Alto) only for about three months because we will be moving to Austin, TX in June. My searching has proved somewhat fruitless. What are the options for long term rental/short term lease? Or do you have a better idea? See everything I have already tried inside. [more inside]
posted by JLobster at 11:31 AM PST - 10 comments

Make a list of matrices in MatLab

How do I implement a Matrix (or list) of matrices in MatLab? [more inside]
posted by atrazine at 11:15 AM PST - 4 comments

How do you make due in an area where you do not speak the native language and you have no one that you know to help you?

My fiancee and I are planning a honeymoon abroad, we're thinking of visiting Spain and/or France. Neither one of us are well spoken in the native languages... do we need to worry? What are people's experiences in this situation (just traveling abroad in general, to a place where you don't speak the language)? Is it a huge burden to bear on yourselves or on the country's native peoples? [more inside]
posted by mrzer0 at 11:09 AM PST - 36 comments

Foreign-language music, for fun and learning

Foreign-language music, for fun and learning [more inside]
posted by thumpasor at 10:58 AM PST - 25 comments

Online College Education

Has anyone attended an online University or known someone who has? What are your experiences? [more inside]
posted by Niomi at 10:30 AM PST - 10 comments

Poker in Shreveport?

Where's the best poker room in Shreveport / Bossier City, Louisiana? [more inside]
posted by ivarley at 10:16 AM PST - 3 comments

Where to stash retirement funds?

I'm an employee at a small business. I need retirement fund ideas beyond the Roth IRA? [more inside]
posted by cschneid at 10:05 AM PST - 9 comments

Should I keep this ergonomic chair or return it?

Should I keep this ergonomic chair or return it? [more inside]
posted by underwater at 10:03 AM PST - 9 comments

A lock that provided intermittent and limited access?

Access Control & Electronic Lock Filter: I'm working on a project that requires a method of controlling intermittent access to a small container, can you help? [more inside]
posted by Sevenupcan at 9:54 AM PST - 2 comments

What does _The Economist_ use for mapping and page layout?

What software, typefaces, and page layout tools are used to create the newspaper/magazine _The Economist_? [more inside]
posted by arimathea at 9:52 AM PST - 6 comments

Getting back into RTS

In the market for an Real Time Strategy game: haven't played one since Dungeon Keeper II. What do you suggest? [more inside]
posted by Phyltre at 9:47 AM PST - 18 comments

What's my must-have software for my Sony DV cam?

So I've come to own a Sony DCR-HC38 DV camera. What's my best options with regards to inexpensive software? [more inside]
posted by phearlez at 9:35 AM PST - 4 comments

Second chances: how can I propose marriage, again, to my wife?

How can I propose [again] to my wife? [more inside]
posted by RikiTikiTavi at 9:30 AM PST - 15 comments

Which lawyer does my boyfriend need?

What kind of lawyer specializes in property line disputes? [more inside]
posted by contessa at 9:21 AM PST - 8 comments

MannersFilter: Getting a maybe to become a solid answer and dealing with people who break dates.

What to do when someone says yes and then backs out? How to avoid maybe and I'll-think-about-it answers, or get them sorted out before it's too late to make other plans? [more inside]
posted by anaelith at 9:14 AM PST - 40 comments

Aural psychedelia without shrooms or acid?

Can you recommend some music with some of the psychedelic qualities of the Love and Rockets album Seventh Dream of Teenage Heaven? [more inside]
posted by horseblind at 9:07 AM PST - 31 comments

Bad gas pumps?

To whom do I report a gas station that I suspect has inaccurate gas pumps in Toronto, Ontario? [more inside]
posted by jacquilynne at 8:11 AM PST - 15 comments

Apartment Exit Strategy, Part 2

Bob the Asshole, my old landlord, kept my security deposit. [more inside]
posted by LordSludge at 8:08 AM PST - 31 comments

Where to find a nice eBay/auction design template?

I'm looking for a free, simple, and attractive auction design/template for use on eBay. [more inside]
posted by Ekim Neems at 7:41 AM PST - 2 comments

G--D--- GD and PHP!

Help me with PHP configuration for GD and JPEG. I can't determine why JPEG functions aren't working. [more inside]
posted by Robert Angelo at 7:15 AM PST - 15 comments

Juggling a job and freelance work

Do my job and freelance clients all need to know about each other? [more inside]
posted by serialcomma at 6:18 AM PST - 13 comments

Static IP, what can you do for me?

New ISP offers static IP addresses. Should I take 1 or 8? What can I use them for? Should I be concerned about the RIPE database? [more inside]
posted by boosh at 5:17 AM PST - 8 comments

Buying egg puff maker, where?

Does anyone know where to get an HK style egg puff maker, preferably online or around Oakland, CA? Already checked a few places in Chinatown, but couldn't find any...
posted by rpmurph at 5:03 AM PST - 4 comments

How to extract relevant terms from text?

How can I extract relevant terms from big chunks of text in a similar style to the Yahoo Term Extraction API? [more inside]
posted by dasfreak at 2:44 AM PST - 5 comments

AIX and Solaris courses for experienced Linux admin?

Years of Linux experience, but looking for training on Solaris and AIX without having to relearn the basics [more inside]
posted by tkolstee at 1:10 AM PST - 5 comments