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April 2008 Archives (all archives)
April 30
What is the maximum amount of time a US citizen can spend in Canada at one time, with just a passport? What about over the course of a year? These would be personal and/or business visits.
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posted by zerolives at 10:55 PM PST - 21 comments
I'm applying for a scholarship. Scholarship requires academic references. Uh oh...
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posted by veol at 10:32 PM PST - 14 comments 
I've been putting off this post for fear of not getting everything across, I almost completely lack confidence and a sense of identity.
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posted by anonymous at 8:52 PM PST - 21 comments
This question has to do with number 1 and number 2. So if you're not interested in reading about bathroom things skip this question.
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posted by anonymous at 8:51 PM PST - 16 comments
Can anyone give me any background info on
this picture/painting?
posted by mand0 at 8:23 PM PST - 3 comments 
My brother is graduating from law school soon and my sister and I are looking for a gift or gifts. We usually spend around $50/person for things like this, although we'd be wiling to go a little higher.
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posted by chndrcks at 7:47 PM PST - 10 comments
I have resumed jogging. However, already after 5 minutes of running, I will have unbearable pain in my lower legs. I might be experiencing "shin splints", and I wonder what are some good ways to prevent/lessen/delay these.
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posted by randomDirtPattern at 7:14 PM PST - 22 comments
What are the alternatives to
pandoc? I'm looking for tools that will allow me to maintain a large document in a simple plain text format such as markdown and compile it to PDF and HTML.
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posted by caek at 6:55 PM PST - 6 comments
Help me figure out what to do with some travel money! Specifically interested in arts / electronics / performance festivals, but any suggestions are welcome.
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posted by hapticactionnetwork at 6:04 PM PST - 16 comments
Coffee gurus: I'm looking for a good burr grinder with control over quantity as well as grind, if possible. Usage will be for a small french press. Recommendations?
posted by sonofslim at 5:58 PM PST - 22 comments 
I'm looking for great websites that focus on the misconceptions that modern cultures have about one another. A (hopefully) better explanation, as well as a super-deluxe bonus question inside. (Including some begging!)
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posted by Fuzzy Skinner at 5:52 PM PST - 17 comments 
H1B question: Can I go on leave without pay and remain in continual employment, for the purposes of transferring the H1B to a new employer?
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posted by anonymous at 5:51 PM PST - 6 comments
I have two hard drives out of a Western Digital Worldbook (WD10000D033) that both show up as a Linux RAID partition in cfdisk. How can I mount these drives to pull the data off?
posted by jackofsaxons at 5:00 PM PST - 4 comments
Let's say I wanted to run across Canada next year, what would I need to start doing to be able to?
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posted by 913 at 4:54 PM PST - 29 comments
Please recommend me some day/weekend trip destinations from NYC, especially if they involve trains and don't require renting a car.
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posted by doift at 4:39 PM PST - 20 comments
My mom wants a book on French Indochina, and I'd like to find a good one for her. Preferably non-fiction, but good fiction with some insight into history and culture would work, too. The exact historical time range is flexible, but she's mostly interested in the area pre-Vietnam War.
posted by bookish at 4:36 PM PST - 9 comments
We're a small research lab, that uses a series of servers. A smart person would have these machines backed up regularly. But we're not that smart ...
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posted by outlier at 3:53 PM PST - 22 comments
I have come into some Amazon.com credit, and I want to spend it on the Fry/Laurie Jeeves series; although I have never seen it, I adore the Wodehouse books and the two stars so I don't see how I could go wrong! I can't afford all the episodes, though. Which season would you recommend to me, and why?
posted by misha at 3:36 PM PST - 14 comments 
The state DMV won'?t let me renew my registration on my current car because I owe property taxes on the old car. Is that legal? Can the state refuse to help me comply with one law if I am potentially violating another one?
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posted by anonymous at 3:04 PM PST - 8 comments
About a month ago I saw an exhibit at Le Palais de Tokyo in Paris that included tree-like sculptures set around big, white, globe-shaped lights. Does anyone know the artist's name?
posted by anonymous78 at 2:48 PM PST - 3 comments 
Are We Done Yet? was the sequel to an original film, but was weirdly also a remake of the classic Cary Grant comedy Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House. Along the same lines, Ocean's Twelve was based on an unrelated script first intended as a John Woo project. Can we think of any other examples of a sequel to an original movie starting life as an unconnected film?
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posted by Ian A.T. at 2:39 PM PST - 18 comments 
Does anybody know of someplace online I can purchase hot chocolate with extra caffeine in it? Looking online all I can find are a bunch of posts on how much normal hot chocolate has (not much). I'd like a warm caffeinated pick me up without having to drink coffee or tea.
posted by gilsonal at 2:28 PM PST - 16 comments
Just converted a Typepad blog to Wordpress 2.5, now users get a 404 when they try to view single posts (or categories) if they're not logged on as admin... The posts on the homepage show up, but no where else...
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posted by Glendale at 2:13 PM PST - 4 comments
Are the Comcast DVR woes over? Would anyone, today, say that the Comcast DVR with Tivo service works well? I'm moving house and want to set up a new TV and internet package with a Tivo-based DVR. Should I keep what I have or go with something new? Boston area in case it matters to the service.
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posted by galaksit at 1:56 PM PST - 13 comments 
When undergoing an ministerial ordination ceremony, is it customary or common for the about-to-be-ordained person to gift the minister who is conveying the ordination?
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posted by anonymous at 1:54 PM PST - 5 comments
I need an XPath expression that will allow me (in XSLT) to compare the value of an XML element in one node with the value of another element in a preceding node.
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posted by dw at 1:47 PM PST - 5 comments 
I'd like to make a Windows installer customizable via external parameters (e.g. from an installer.ini file).
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posted by danblaker at 1:34 PM PST - 11 comments 
Streaming radio production cost: what is the cost to a local radio station for internet streaming of one program to one listener? Not just the cost of paying the royalty cost of a national program (like Prairie Home Companion}, but the local costs incurred by the station, e.g. servers, software, staff time devoted to webcasting. Bonus question: is it more or less expensive than the cost of downloading a single podcast to a single listener?
posted by bbranden1 at 1:16 PM PST - 6 comments 
Tanzania travel. How is the visa validity defined for a UK citizen on a tourist visa?
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posted by Jakey at 12:56 PM PST - 5 comments 
Travelling +strangers is better than travelling alone right? Well, that's a dilemma my friend (I swear, it's a friend!) is in this summer as he has time off but none of his friends do. He would like to go to Europe but be a bit social about it. Everyone mentions
Contiki but I want to know if they might have any competitors that people feel are better. Do they?
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posted by skepticallypleased at 12:54 PM PST - 15 comments
Help me find a book about a Chinese businessman mentioned on NPR for my Dad!
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posted by rmless at 12:37 PM PST - 3 comments 
Been converting VHS videotapes to digital and now I have boxes of VHS tapes. Is their next destination the landfill? Is there any merit to breaking them up first and finding some recyclability?
posted by mouthnoize at 12:23 PM PST - 5 comments
Help me figure out which satellite provider has the best parental controls, specifically restrictions on time of day.
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posted by drstein at 12:16 PM PST - 6 comments 
My bro is graduating from college this month and is asking a lot of financial questions regarding investment/savings/etc. As the first college graduate in the "real world" he's asking me for some advice. I am looking to get him some books that I liked ( by
Dave Ramsey and
Suze Orman ) that have helped me out. I was seeing if there are other tomes of financial wisdom that I should get him for graduation (there are other gifts.. don't worry I'm not that lame;)
posted by aggienfo at 12:10 PM PST - 24 comments 
Broken car window, stolen iPod. Yep, I'm a careless idiot. Looking for info on renter's insurance (too little, too late?), potential new generations of iPods, dealing with emotional anxiety after being robbed.
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posted by booknerd at 11:59 AM PST - 23 comments
My HP1200 Laserjet has begun producing very unsatisfactory output - the text is repeated (faded) down the page and there are black marks at regular intervals at the side of the page and at the top.
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posted by dance at 11:43 AM PST - 11 comments
How many times would I have to roll a standard 6-sided die to get a statistically representative view of whether it was truly random or not?
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posted by bugbread at 11:41 AM PST - 9 comments 
I have never filed my taxes in Ontario, Canada before. Are there any benefits to doing so even if I have no income to declare?
posted by alse at 11:27 AM PST - 8 comments 
An email from one of my wifes co-workers -
"Last night when I picked up [Child], he was playing outside. I mentioned to one of the PT older caregivers that I was going to get him a tricycle and asked if he rode them there. She said no and pointed to the older kids’ side and indicated that they were all over there (these are kids ages 3 on up) and said that the funny thing about the boys is that they sit on the tricycle and try to push it with their feet…and don’t use the pedals. She said EVERY single one of them do that…"
Why? My son does the same thing. He won't use the pedals.
posted by ducktape at 11:17 AM PST - 20 comments
Please recommend a bar in lower Manhattan that is not loud and not crowded.
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posted by Mavri at 10:38 AM PST - 9 comments
Is there any existing software that'll let you view two or more digital video files locked in sync, say for comparing the content/quality against each other?
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posted by estherbester at 10:07 AM PST - 4 comments
Mmmm... cheese. I went to a tapas restaurant the other day and one of the things we ordered was roasted chèvre — essentially a sticky warm blob of goat's milk cheese in a dish. The edges were brown, perhaps caramelized, and it tasted deliciously sweet. How do I make it? And do I need a butane torch to do it?
posted by gentle at 9:44 AM PST - 14 comments 
I'm using Microsoft Excel 2003 at work and I need to make a chart where the category (x) axis is the y axis; is there any way of doing this?
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posted by Rustbeard at 9:29 AM PST - 5 comments 
My whole next week is basically a big long car ride (band's playin' out!). What kinda manual, car-friendly, non-electric things can I do to keep from losing my sanity? We're talkin' sitting for 5–15 hours at a time, with a few breaks (hah!) when it's my turn to drive.
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posted by Plug Dub In at 9:27 AM PST - 29 comments
Has anyone ever heard of a Windows Server process called "daupbsvc.exe"? This was using a significant amount of processor time on a VMWare Windows 2003 server. Google and Microsoft return no results, as do all of the relevant support forums for the applications that server runs.
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posted by Burhanistan at 9:22 AM PST - 8 comments
So, on Monday I went to move my car, after 4 days of being parked in the same place, only to discover that my front windshield is
all cracked up and I have a lot of questions.
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posted by nooneyouknow at 9:14 AM PST - 21 comments
My mortgage payments are overdue and I have filed paperwork for a loan modification. I just accepted an offer on the condo, and it is due to close on June 26. What is the best way to get clear with the mortgage company before closing?
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posted by hamster at 9:01 AM PST - 5 comments
I can't stop peeing in the middle of the night and its preventing my girlfriend from sleeping well. Is this normal? How do I stop this?
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posted by Elminster24 at 7:34 AM PST - 50 comments 
What are some good appreciation gift ideas for a thesis advisor who was kind when the project took far longer than originally planned?
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posted by anonymous at 7:29 AM PST - 10 comments
How do I limit an application to one screen of a dual-screen setup in Mac OS X (Leopard)?
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posted by explosion at 7:02 AM PST - 7 comments 
Is there a word that describes a limited world view that originates from North America
and Western Europe?
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posted by roofus at 6:26 AM PST - 21 comments
Looking for particularly good prices online for running shoes, if such exist. Also, general advice on the subject, maybe.
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posted by 2or3whiskeysodas at 6:22 AM PST - 12 comments
At work, we have an extensive amount of applications that are just dumped, seemingly randomly, into various folders on a network share. Is there an application that can scan or index these folders in some way, and present the results in a way that can be sorted by name, date, etc.?
posted by Shakes the Clown at 6:12 AM PST - 7 comments
I have the day to study for AP exams and prepare a presentation. How can I spend it most effectively?
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posted by LSK at 5:24 AM PST - 13 comments 
Where should I look for relatively inexpensive short-term accommodation in either Adelaide or Sydney?
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posted by PuGZ at 3:31 AM PST - 2 comments
Seems like I cannot figure out what to do with the 24 hours I'm given. Help me make use of every minute I have by doing positive and fun things, and at the same time, move on from my failed relationship.
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posted by cyanide at 3:26 AM PST - 20 comments
Best way to get reasonably priced flights from Sydney to Scotland and back with a stop off in Bali on the way back?
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posted by singingfish at 3:21 AM PST - 2 comments
How do I automatically create a series of images of sequential numbers?
( 01.jpg shows the number '1', 02.jpg the number '2', etc)
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posted by Grensgeval at 2:22 AM PST - 5 comments 
I am using
Belkin N1 Vision wireless router to get access to the internet. I need to expand my wireless network coverage but I am confuse what to buy? Another Router, Switch, or access point?
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posted by omaralarifi at 2:19 AM PST - 5 comments 
April 29
I remember reading about a subculture of vhs tapes in a northern African country (Ethiopia?), linked to its traditionally oral culture, a resistance movement, and (possibly) Haile Selassie. But it's all jumbled memories, now. Any helpful pointers?
posted by progosk at 11:52 PM PST - 5 comments
Is the Wendigo purely a Northeast American (and Canadian) myth? If so is there a Northwest equivalent?
posted by Artw at 10:36 PM PST - 15 comments
What's another word for the feeling you get after an all-nighter? It's not euphoria, giddiness, silliness, or simply high..
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posted by hobbes at 10:16 PM PST - 26 comments 
How do you get rid of unwanted email address that appear when sending a message in Apple Mail?
This is a picture of what I want to delete. As far as I can tell, there is no way to get rid of the addresses.
posted by alitorbati at 9:24 PM PST - 5 comments 
Can anyone show me some articles or books that explain or theorize why gasoline prices are so much more expensive than a decade, two decades ago? I'm a bit dense, so concise is ideal.
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posted by zardoz at 7:24 PM PST - 20 comments 
I'm thinking about a career change, and I think my long time interest in anything electrical needs to be acted on. Any electricians out there want to tell me about your day to day duties?
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posted by Jimmeh at 7:19 PM PST - 5 comments
Help me understand quit claim deeds, why they are so prevalent in this particular heavily-foreclosed-upon Washington state neighborhood I am researching, and some other fishy data I have uncovered.
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posted by croutonsupafreak at 6:32 PM PST - 9 comments 
[RFID filter] When you add money to an RFID metro card, does the information get stored in the card's chip or in a central database?
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posted by shoesandships at 6:11 PM PST - 4 comments
Question about obscure science fiction short story, "Allegory," by William T. Powers, which was reprinted in Groff Conklin's 13 GREAT STORIES OF SCIENCE FICTION. The question is: what is this story an allegory of? To put it another way, is there some real-world or historical event that this story is a comment on?
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posted by Mr. Justice at 5:56 PM PST - 8 comments
How do those overhead signs on expressways know how fast traffic is moving in order to calculate a travel time estimate? And when the traffic is light, do the estimated times on those signs reflect the legal speed limit or the current speed of the traffic?
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posted by SuperSquirrel at 5:42 PM PST - 15 comments
What are dentures like? What effects do they have on your day to day living? I'm talking full ones here, top and bottom.
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posted by beautifulcheese at 5:31 PM PST - 20 comments 
With the internet making it much easier to sell things remotely, how is Ticketmaster still able to virtually monopolize event ticket sales?
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posted by gauchodaspampas at 5:28 PM PST - 16 comments
PB (Pacific Beach) Filter....
I lived in San Diego back in the early 90's and have been told that PB has changed quite a bit. I am wondering how much of this is true. What is PB like these days? When I was there it was full of college students and aging hipsters (a lot of men in their sixties with gray ponytails, etc.). Now, I understand it has become a fashionable place to live and you find a lot of couples, families and it's really changed. Because of the change, supposedly rents have skyrocketed on and on.
How much of this is true? Has it changed all that much?
Bottom line: What is it like living in PB these days?
As always, thanks in advance!
posted by Gerard Sorme at 5:15 PM PST - 7 comments 
I ran a creative contest. 17 people submitted. 8 judges each chose their top three, in order of preference. What is the fairest way to rank each entry?
posted by stokast at 5:13 PM PST - 15 comments 
[laptopquestionoftheday filter] $750 to buy (my first laptop + shipping) with my boyfriend's paypal or bank account. Your thoughts?
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posted by damnjezebel at 4:57 PM PST - 10 comments
In the Art of Fiction interview in the current
Paris Review, Kazuo Ishiguro says of his father: "He had a Chinese characteristic, which was that he smiled when something bad happened." Is that really considered a Chinese characteristic? Are there other cultures it's commonly associated with?
posted by Cucurbit at 4:06 PM PST - 15 comments
Mail.app question. Two email addresses. I want to reply from address X, whether the original email came to address X or Y. I want this to be automatic.
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posted by provocateur at 3:52 PM PST - 6 comments
Any tips on how to up my chances of getting into a top law school? I'm shooting for UCLA or UC Berkeley.
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posted by tinatiga at 3:39 PM PST - 20 comments
Should I wait for Microsoft to get back to me in regards to my Xbox Community Developer Program (XCDP) application?
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posted by elavender at 3:20 PM PST - 2 comments
My employer is searching for an end-user friendly, drag-n-drop, WYSIWYG webpage editor that is neither a CMS or a web hosting panel. Does something like this exist?
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posted by jmnugent at 2:48 PM PST - 27 comments
Started a new job a week ago, heading to an industry informational panel tomorrow that will provide a huge opportunity for networking. How do I avoid looking like a shmuck when I'm asked a question about my new company and I don't know the answer?
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posted by undercoverhuwaaah at 2:45 PM PST - 8 comments
I'm a university student in search of a grand project to occupy my next year and a bit. Any suggestions?
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posted by snoogles at 2:43 PM PST - 10 comments 
Is there such thing as a PCI-X video card that will work in a Mac G5 tower?
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posted by dmd at 2:06 PM PST - 5 comments
How to create a dual-use DVD. Typical menu-driven dvd content for a dvd player, as well as easily-navigate computer accessible file structured content.
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posted by samuel1613 at 2:03 PM PST - 6 comments
My father-in-law asked for an "ipod radio thing that I can listen to at my desk" for his birthday this Friday. So, what's the best iPod desktop dock we can get him for $100 or less?
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posted by (bb|[^b]{2}) at 12:56 PM PST - 11 comments
Who sets how much old and collectible video games are worth? How do they know? (examples with Monkey Island inside)
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posted by lou at 12:45 PM PST - 11 comments
can a typical major retailer tell if you are returning the same exact item that you purchased?
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posted by alkupe at 12:36 PM PST - 19 comments
How to "audit" a linux/oracle system that is administered through a web front end from a windows platform ..
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posted by cantthinkofone at 12:33 PM PST - 6 comments 
Friends are canceling a long-awaited vacation because one of them is ill again. She's been sick, on and off, for several years and both were looking forward to a respite in Hawaii, where until 2005 they traveled 2x a year. What can I do to show my love and support?
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posted by stewiethegreat at 12:21 PM PST - 11 comments
I'm constructing an argument in favor of giving the U.S. Civil War a greater emphasis in secondary (High School) education. I'm interested in those events and conditions during and following the Civil War that had profound impacts on U.S. and world history. Obviously, abolition of slavery, the 13-15th Amendments, and restoration of the Union are important. However, I'm sure there are other important and far-reaching effects that many people don't know about...please, enlighten me!
posted by EKStickland at 12:17 PM PST - 25 comments 
A dear friend's mother is dying of lung cancer. It's Stage IV metastatic lung cancer that has spread to her brain, bones and lymph nodes. She very much wants her remains to be donated specifically for cancer research and we're having trouble finding out how to do that.
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posted by judith at 11:46 AM PST - 13 comments
I'm looking for websites which document people just getting together and doing weird, quasi-scientific experiments for fun.
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posted by showbiz_liz at 11:42 AM PST - 11 comments
On buying a nice watch: if I go with a local jeweler, the watch I'm after will run me about $900. If I go with an online retailer (or trust someone on the forums at
timezone.com) I can get it for $400 - $600. Aside from the cost difference, what are the pros and cons of each?
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posted by aladfar at 11:36 AM PST - 8 comments
My new boss has allotted me US$3000 and US$1500 for a new desktop and laptop machine, respectively. I'd appreciate some suggestions about what to buy.
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posted by Coventry at 10:44 AM PST - 22 comments
The phrase "high on life" is usually a sarcastic punchline, but a recently I've been wondering: how high exactly
can one get on life? More specifically: if you put your mind to it, how would you take 5 or 6 willing participants and over the course of a few hours, engineer a state of transcendental euphoria? An ecstasy party without MDMA?
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posted by the jam at 10:44 AM PST - 37 comments
What's the best 1-2 yr old 4WD-capable car? Best for us means: fuel economy, reliability, non-behemoth-SUV-ness, aesthetic and reasonable cost (<$25k). Also: any knowledge about Subaru Outbacks and SoCal 4WD dealers.
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posted by lalochezia at 10:36 AM PST - 26 comments 
QUICK - I'm voting early in the NC primary, along with the rest of my family. ASIDE FROM THE PRESIDENTIAL RACE, who are the most environmentally friendly NC Democratic Primary candidates?
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posted by DetonatedManiac at 10:30 AM PST - 6 comments
An avid amateur camera bug has a short stay in Oakland CA, including Sunday as a non-work day. Where can I go to take pictures of commercial boats, ships and related operations? Do you have any suggestions for other photo subjects in the Oakland/Berkeley area?
posted by X4ster at 10:29 AM PST - 7 comments 
OK. Hiring questions. Is it legal to ask whether an employee can stand for long periods of time if the job demands it?
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posted by bdizzy at 10:23 AM PST - 30 comments 
[Austin TX] I'd like to get a pedicure gift certificate for my wife for Mothers' Day. Where in Austin is a good place for a pedicure? I'm looking to spend between $100 and $200 (including tip). Asking anonymously in case my wife checks my activity.
posted by anonymous at 10:10 AM PST - 5 comments
I have a few basic business questions about a trademark and changing the business address when I move. Any advice would be great!
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posted by grablife365 at 10:04 AM PST - 3 comments
One of those "Suicide Girls" has decorated her wall with the antique map of an island. Ignore the tattoos for a moment: which island is shown here?
NSFW Link.
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posted by The Toad at 9:55 AM PST - 5 comments 
Should I get an XBox 360 or Playstation 3 to play Grand Theft Auto IV?
posted by plexi at 9:52 AM PST - 19 comments 
What are the sales (and other) tax implications of moving an advertising agency / creative services company from Delaware to Pennsylvania?
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posted by visual mechanic at 9:45 AM PST - 1 comments
Sometime in the last year I read an article in a print magazine about Detroit becoming the model sustainable city of the future. Help me find it.
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posted by blapst at 9:09 AM PST - 7 comments 
My nephew will soon turn two. What are the awesomest birthday gifts for a two-year-old munchkin? I have a maximum budget of about $50, and I wouldn't mind spending less than that. I would rather get him something thoughtful than something expensive.
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posted by craichead at 9:08 AM PST - 23 comments 
My younger brother is starting to look into colleges. He has a knack for (and interest in) math and engineering. However, he is also a
skilled musician(QT) and
photographer. What universities or educational paths would best combine these two interests?
posted by fake at 8:58 AM PST - 22 comments 
Is it rare, or just infrequent, to find a river branch whose confluence with a creek or other waterway, causes it to reverse direction?
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posted by skyper at 8:49 AM PST - 8 comments
Help me read people better. What are some ways that you can locate certain personality types or backgrounds based on body language and interaction with the environment?
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posted by sixcolors at 8:47 AM PST - 31 comments
Simple tricks to improve MPG?
For instance, I've thought about removing the rear seats/internal molding to lighten my car. I've also thought about aero-improvements, such as moon-disc wheel covers, or even somehow making a cover over my rear wheel wells. I'll be removing my rear wing this weekend, but what other tweaks could I do?
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posted by raikkohamilonso at 8:21 AM PST - 39 comments
Why are my Firefox privacy settings getting changed every time I exit and restart Firefox?
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posted by lucyleaf at 7:34 AM PST - 4 comments
May, 1968 - Paris
I've scoured the
Wikipedia entry (very helpful), gone over a
few articles and
collections of varying quality
(not bad), and I've seen
"The Dreamers" (a fiction film that touches on it)... Now,
what non-fiction media (book, article, film, photographic collection, etc.) should I consume to have a better understanding of the Parisian Students'/General strike of May, 1968? I'd like to start with the most general, canonical retellings, and then work towards the specific.
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posted by jjjjjjjijjjjjjj at 7:34 AM PST - 16 comments
In simplest possible terms, how do I pronounce the Khmer term 'Tonle Sap'
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posted by Fuka at 7:12 AM PST - 5 comments
In "The Happy Isles Of Oceania" Paul Theroux mentions the (alleged) location of the block of flats in Sydney appearing as the home of Jenny Agutter in the film Walkabout. What is that location, and is he right?
posted by Joeforking at 6:36 AM PST - 0 comments
Help me think of how to deal with increasingly severe anxiety problems until the next time I talk to my therapist.
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posted by kldickson at 6:32 AM PST - 21 comments
Help me plan my 30th birthday
Unlike previous ask MeFi's I don't want to go away. I have travelled so much lately that I'm considering staying at home. My birthday is also a holiday (day after Christmas) so it's near impossible to get people together for a party. How can I celebrate this milestone in a low key way, and make it a day to remember?
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posted by wingless_angel at 6:21 AM PST - 6 comments 
Can I put a slingbox on a television in Michigan and watch the video in Cincinnati?
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posted by dpx.mfx at 6:12 AM PST - 7 comments 
Where can I find accurate, concise information on short-to-medium term technical problems in the data-center/server/colo markets?
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posted by gadha at 5:17 AM PST - 1 comments
The title of the novel also appears in the book as a chapter title. Apparently, there's a name for it. What's it called?
posted by mordecai at 4:49 AM PST - 4 comments
Ok, so I'm traveling to the States from the UK for the first time and I realise that you guys tip pretty much everyone. So I need to know when to tip, who to tip and how much to tip?
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posted by stackhaus23 at 4:37 AM PST - 34 comments 
I want to explain clearly and simply why a joke I was told is racist. Embarrasingly, all I can come up with right away is: If the joke needs to perpetuate racial stereotypes in order to be funny, then it's not funny.
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posted by reflecked at 2:43 AM PST - 69 comments 
Where can a 21 year old girl go in the Dallas area for free or low cost psychiatric help besides JPS and Parkland?
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posted by holdkris99 at 2:34 AM PST - 5 comments
We are going to Vienna, Salzburg and then Munich for our holidays in the summer. How should we spend our 5th Anniversary in Munich and tips for the other places?
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posted by trashcan at 1:22 AM PST - 9 comments
Recommendations for a good, verbose online thesaurus for wandering through words? thesaurus.com seems to have changed how they serve search results and my working style is screwed.
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posted by Gucky at 12:03 AM PST - 12 comments 
April 28
I seem to have a very particular social skills deficit. Can you suggest software that might serve as a kind of brain prosthetic for me?
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posted by Naberius at 11:38 PM PST - 14 comments
How can I reconcile two different and conflicting plans for my future? (long-ish explanation)
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posted by brynna at 10:49 PM PST - 11 comments 
There has to be some reputable service that accepts MMS messages from my cell phone and will post my photos to its Web site for free. Right?
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posted by teracloth at 10:23 PM PST - 8 comments 
Do you suppose a bottle of vodka is a sufficient thank you for someone who puts together a new computer for you, goes and buys it, loads xp, Office, and whole bunch of other software, then brings it into work with the promise that if I bring in my hd he'll transfer all files over whilst at work? A bottle of vodka?
posted by mattoxic at 9:04 PM PST - 41 comments 
I'm about to embark on a PhD in cognitive neuroscience (imaging genetics, to be specific). It's going to be a long 4 years, is keeping a lab notebook going to ease the discomfort?
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posted by doctor.dan at 8:56 PM PST - 18 comments
What is the term for the sentence construction used in this quotation: "time and her aunt moved slowly"?
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posted by sciapod at 8:38 PM PST - 8 comments 
Ok, well, it turns out Dollar Rent A Car wants to take me to court for the $1000. (see:
this question) I plan to file in small claims court before they can take me to court because I think that will give me a better chance of winning. However, I only want to discuss who is responsible for the $1000 and not whether or not I was insured at the time. Help!
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posted by hulahulagirl at 8:17 PM PST - 26 comments 
Oxygen. In a can. At a convenience store.
Would you try it?
Why or why not?
Is it safe, does it do any real good?
Bonus points: Would it help migraine headaches?
posted by mmf at 8:02 PM PST - 23 comments
I'm going to be doing some pretty extensive travelling next year, and I want to keep my family and friends up to date on my experiences. However, I want to do this in a way that doesn't inform general randoms about my movements... in other words, do password-protected blogs exist?
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posted by Planet F at 7:41 PM PST - 21 comments 
I have Photoshop CS3 on a fairly new Macbook and for the last few days it's been running unbearably slowly (it takes around 3 minutes just to save a file). Everything else on the Mac seems to be working fine including Illustrator and Indesign so it must be a problem with Photoshop specifically. I tried reinstalling it but it had no effect, now I'm out of ideas.
posted by Andy Harwood at 6:22 PM PST - 14 comments
I'm asking this one on behalf of my wife:
"How can I get a custom pattern developed/made for a sweater that I want someone to knit for me?"
posted by braveterry at 5:47 PM PST - 7 comments 
My friend asked me to be the photographer for his wedding (which pleased me a lot!). As an enthusiastic amateur, what should I know about wedding photography? What photos shouldn't I miss?
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posted by tomble at 5:45 PM PST - 31 comments 
How does the caterpillar become the butterfly (why does one part of the chrysalis know to become a leg, and another a wing)? Is it as simple/complicated as the cell division of a human fetus? Does the transformation of this jelly into a butterfly occur from the head down, or all at once? Anyone?
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posted by omnigut at 5:18 PM PST - 13 comments 
Looking to find clients who need help with technology in the publishing industry (especially in academic reference and journals).
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posted by nev at 4:52 PM PST - 6 comments 
I'm looking for a folding bicycle trailer. That's a trailer that folds up and connects to a bicycle (though it coincidentally will be connected to a folding bicycle, so I guess it's a folding bicycle folding trailer). Anyway, the main thing is that it needs to fold up
really small. Please point me to the smallest, when folded, bicycle trailer you know about. Thanks.
posted by krisjohn at 4:32 PM PST - 6 comments
Aged 65, still working, have 401K, worried about it, can I move the funds to a self directed IRA money market fund?
posted by Freedomboy at 3:33 PM PST - 5 comments
REINCARNATION. Is there any compelling evidence that wouldn't be immediately dismissed by a skeptic?
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posted by Chasuk at 3:26 PM PST - 49 comments
Cairo Filter: I'm working in Egypt this summer for three months and have a few questions.
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posted by ecab at 3:25 PM PST - 7 comments 
How can I clean the plastic of a cellphone that has become matte again without ruining it?
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posted by ooklala at 3:21 PM PST - 4 comments
What do pornographers know that we don't? Namely, how to convince people to have sex on camera for not much money?
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posted by penciltopper at 3:05 PM PST - 39 comments 
Need a metric/rule-of-thumb for IT staffing. Like, X people on helpdesk for every Y users, X admins per Y servers, etc.
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posted by bartleby at 2:42 PM PST - 8 comments
How can I make Firefox open a link in a background tab, when I press and hold Ctrl, and then click on the link?
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posted by Solomon at 2:33 PM PST - 3 comments 
Flash? After effects? Maya? Toon Boom? Something else? I want to make some very simple abstract animation videos. The simplest would be just full screens of solid colors fading slowly into each other. Slightly more complex would be the same full screens of colors fading into each other, but not all at once. That is, maybe start the fade in the center or corner, and slowly leak in the new color. Or another slightly more complex: The screen divided into multiple blocks of different color that slowly fade into other colors. Real simple, slow, mellow stuff. So, what's the right software for that? Thanks!
posted by The Dutchman at 2:19 PM PST - 11 comments
I'm going to Key West for the weekend on Thursday. What do I need to make sure I bring with me? Also looking for some good warm-weather clothing suggestions.
posted by PFL at 1:07 PM PST - 11 comments
I'd like to travel to the US in october and november. Where can I best experience election day?
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posted by lodev at 12:47 PM PST - 17 comments
How can I automate the news searches that I'm performing on the same subjects day after day after day?
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posted by abkadefgee at 12:28 PM PST - 9 comments 
My boss and I are both going crazy because I can't sync with her Outlook calendar on my own computer and her Blackberry won't sync with her Outlook. If she tries to download her new schedule to the Blackberry, it will erase her schedule on the hand-held instead! Help!!
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posted by parmanparman at 12:17 PM PST - 4 comments
Has anyone had any success using Saferentals.com? I came across their list for NYC and their listings seems too good to be true. I'd love to hear what the hive mind have to say and your experiences with this site. Thanks.
posted by flxyp at 12:16 PM PST - 7 comments
I want a
rotary clothesline for my back yard. But the area in which I want to put it has concrete laid down already, so I'd like the clothesline to be freestanding rather than slotted into concrete as such clothesline usually are. Where can I find a freestanding rotary clothesline? I need to be able to either buy it in Toronto or have it shipped there.
posted by orange swan at 12:09 PM PST - 11 comments
I keep losing the same buckle filling again and again. Should I just suck it up and tell my dentist to give me a cap instead?
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posted by Unicorn on the cob at 12:09 PM PST - 7 comments 
Grand Rapids DoctorFilter: I need to find a (cheap) psychiatrist/doctor in or near Grand Rapids, Michigan. Have you or someone you know been to one that you could recommend?
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posted by silkygreenbelly at 12:09 PM PST - 1 comments 
I love
Chili's salsa, it isn't full of chunks of veggies like the salsas I've tried in the store (and I think I've tried them all). Last night I went to
On The Border and found out I liked their salsa even better. A similar consistency, but spicier and with some cilantro.
What kind of salsa am I looking for (ordering online is fine, or brick and mortar in metro NY) that is most similar to these two?
posted by Brian Puccio at 11:40 AM PST - 15 comments
Dental-insurance-filter: I'm a grad student who has the option of paying for better insurance starting next fall. If I opt for full coverage, will my insurance refuse to pay for procedures already suggested on my chart?
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posted by electric_counterpoint at 11:35 AM PST - 3 comments 
When two or more parties split the check at a restaurant, is there some kind of etiquette about matching the tips? (USA)
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posted by HarryS at 11:02 AM PST - 26 comments 
DVR watching in a different room. Our DirectTV DVR is in the basement family room, but I would like to watch shows that I've recorded late at night while I'm laying in bed on the second floor.
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posted by worker_bee at 10:59 AM PST - 4 comments 
Give me your best guess for what 3rd year associates make in small (1-10 person) for-profit firms in DC?
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posted by n'muakolo at 10:43 AM PST - 6 comments
I’ve just finished reading The Now Habit, an incredibly useful and inspiring book on overcoming procrastination. What’s the best approach to implementing and then retaining the strategies presented in this, or any other, book?
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posted by mizrachi at 9:42 AM PST - 9 comments
What are the specifics of "Cash Gifting"? All I can figure out is that it is a rip-off Ponzi scheme, but I can't find any specifics.
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posted by bensherman at 9:42 AM PST - 12 comments
Recommendation for professional 35mm slide scanning services, either through the mail or in the Washington D.C. metro area. Best recommendation for extremely long term archival storage of slides. About 400-500 slides.
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posted by Pastabagel at 9:41 AM PST - 7 comments
I live in the Southeastern US and I want to travel to New Zealand for a while (or permanently). The catch is that I'm pretty phobic of flying. I've done it many times around the US, but never for such a long flight. Is there a way to travel by boat (or mostly by boat) from the US to New Zealand? I have heard people say one can get temporary jobs or stay on freighters delivering cargo, but my google-fu is clearly not good enough.
posted by grahamux at 9:28 AM PST - 8 comments 
Is there a word or a phrase, other than the too-broad "understand," for when a listener understands what someone else is trying to convey even when the speaker doesn't express it clearly and/or correctly?
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posted by amyms at 9:23 AM PST - 31 comments 
Need recommendations for portable hard drives. The reviews on newegg and amazon are too rah rah or doomsday.
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posted by spicynuts at 9:08 AM PST - 29 comments
What is the first question people ask when you tell them what you do? Are there common misconceptions or generalizations that people make? How do you tactfully and/or humorously correct them?
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posted by iamkimiam at 9:02 AM PST - 156 comments 
Within the RSS feedreader Bloglines, is there a simple method to keep track of which feeds have been most valuable?
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posted by chase at 8:46 AM PST - 2 comments
Do American institutions of higher education collectively grant more doctorates annually in the arts and humanities than in the "hard" sciences (that is, biology, chemistry, physics, and for this discussion, mathematics)?
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posted by Prospero at 8:19 AM PST - 6 comments 
Questions about character and fitness standards for bar admission. Are they going to let me be a lawyer?
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posted by anonymous at 8:18 AM PST - 36 comments
Please help me become more genuinely modest and less arrogant... without being too self deprecating.
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posted by anonymous at 8:18 AM PST - 28 comments
I'm a graduate student. My advisor asked me to do a favor for a researcher and clean his data for him and put it into SPSS from Excel. Upon looking at the data, I realized that it was totally screwed up. What can I do now?
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posted by anonymous at 8:18 AM PST - 13 comments
Pair of mid-20s friends looking for a place to stay in Barcelona in early June. I've read up a bit on the neighborhoods and it sounds like the popular, touristy area is near Las Ramblas. However, many of the modern tourist attractions are farther to the northeast. Help!
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posted by junesix at 8:14 AM PST - 11 comments 
trying to remember a book about an urban teenager with acting/dramatic talent who moves to rural Oregon. He invents a gangster past history for himself to impress the local kids, who then take it upon themselves to become 'gangsta'. The title is something like 'And The Shadows Overtook Him', but Google does nothing.
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posted by flowerofhighrank at 8:12 AM PST - 2 comments
Is there a way to open a German bank account while I'm still in the US, in anticipation of a several-month period abroad?
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posted by foxy_hedgehog at 8:02 AM PST - 12 comments
I have a 2003 BMW 325i. There is a sticker on my windshield warning me that aftermarket electronics (and cell phones) may interfere with the car's electronic system.
For real? The dealer says they cannot install the factory iPod interface (it's only for 2004 and later). My fiance has a 2006 BMW X3 with the factory-installed iPod interface and I am insanely jealous. DO WANT.
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posted by desjardins at 7:39 AM PST - 8 comments
CompilerFilter: I've got an old project that was written with Borland C++ 5.0 for Windows. I've been tasked with porting this project to Visual Studio 2005. Easy way to do this?
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posted by jozxyqk at 7:35 AM PST - 2 comments
My sister and I would like to take our mom out for dinner on Mother's Day. My sister is moving to Des Moines that day, and doesn't know anything about the area yet. My parents will be coming out to help with the moving, and I'll be making the trip as well, but the morning is going to be filled with driving a moving truck, so we'd like to do dinner. Any suggestions on a nice, interesting place to take her? We're open on cuisines.
posted by chriswarren at 6:36 AM PST - 8 comments
I have this money-making idea in mind, and I wanted to test its potential viability and profitability with some of you who may know more about banking and credit cards...
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posted by Christ, what an asshole at 6:27 AM PST - 15 comments
Friends and I saw
Darkon this weekend. Given that many of us (not me) are historians, the question was, "What happened next?" (spoilers)
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posted by kalessin at 5:57 AM PST - 6 comments 
This question is only for people who went to public school in the United States. Did you receive any financial education there, and if so, what?
posted by Laugh_track at 5:18 AM PST - 87 comments
Diesel generator question: What is the typical fuel consumption rate of a 5kW, 10kW or 20kW unit at various load factors? How much does this vary (in litres per hour, or per day) between the same sizes of unit from different manufacturers?
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posted by thewalrus at 4:51 AM PST - 2 comments
Help me find music about music! What are some songs about music, it's culture, etc.? Songs like The VU's Rock & Roll, Joni Mitchell's Woodstock, Billy Joel's It's Still Rock and Roll to Me, etc...
posted by zenja72 at 4:43 AM PST - 71 comments
How can I create lighting in my room that simulates the patterns made when the sunlight shines through a tree?
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posted by bchaplin at 3:50 AM PST - 20 comments
Can you guys please translate these sentences into Thai for me?
They're (paraphrased) excerpts from
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.
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posted by Taksi Putra at 1:15 AM PST - 1 comments
April 27
Why was NASA made to destroy all copies of the Saturn 5 rocket plans before funding of the space shuttle was approved?
posted by micklaw at 11:31 PM PST - 7 comments
I haven't done any work yet, but I swear I will soon - (how) do I tell my thesis advisor?
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posted by jacalata at 10:24 PM PST - 20 comments
Highly technical hard drive filter: My hard drive failed. Came home, and PC was sitting at the "where's my hard drive" BIOS screen, to my great horror.
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posted by gjc at 10:15 PM PST - 9 comments
I've decided to give away my economic stimulus check to a variety of charities and foundations. I'm trying to locate a particular charity which provided financial support to blues musicians in need of assistance with food, medical bills, home repairs, burial expenses, etc. I've located the Rhythm and Blues Foundation and it seems wonderful, but I do not think this is the organization I am looking for. I don't know much more except that I believe the org I am looking for was founded by one person and more recently than the R&B Foundation.
I have lots of ideas for general donations but I'm looking to do something in this niche, so suggestions of any groups providing assistance to out of luck musicians would be great as well...
posted by rollbiz at 8:49 PM PST - 16 comments 
I'm looking for advertisements from both sides of the Gun Control issue that use current events to push their agendas.
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posted by cyphill at 8:34 PM PST - 1 comments
Can I park my motorcycle on a sidewalk (not obstructing pedestrian passage) in Oakland, California?
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posted by arnicae at 8:21 PM PST - 24 comments 
Help me remember this painting! The subject is three people in a cafe or club. One (a soldier I think) is checking out a woman across the room. She in turn is checking out another man who happens to be checking out the first. If I recall correctly, a green light is shining down on at least one of the subjects, the gay man. This was possibly painted in Weimar Germany, but I could be wrong. The style certainly fits into that time period. Thank you metafilter.
posted by munchingzombie at 7:56 PM PST - 5 comments
I have this white/cream dress made out of a viscose lace. I just discovered a faint stain of what I think is coffee or tea or something.
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posted by mooza at 7:16 PM PST - 7 comments
Spoiler inside for "Harold and Kumar escape from Guantanamo Bay". Who was that one actor?
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posted by amtho at 7:11 PM PST - 12 comments
I have a particular propriety database application that has a great feature for users to document notes and changes to the db. Annotated screenshot
here.
Basically, you click on the little yellow sticky note and the documentation window pops up and users can enter notes about changes, etc. Its so useful I would like to use it all the time.
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posted by buttercup at 6:58 PM PST - 3 comments
Holiday Ideas - Hopefully about a week for 1 - 2 grand (Australian dollars) for 12 people. Can't do cruise.
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posted by thelloydshow at 6:48 PM PST - 4 comments
I think that the online tax service I used has messed up the New York State taxes for *anyone* who filed from New York City or Yonkers. Now what do I do? (sorry, long)
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posted by unknowncommand at 6:38 PM PST - 8 comments
Can you think of any comedy sketches or scenes where a single character uses repeated backhanded compliments directed towards others for comedic effect? That is, scenes where the comedy comes from the secondary character not being sure whether they were just insulted or praised and not knowing how to respond. I'm thinking of something along the lines of SNL, Kids in the Hall or Monty Python sketches, but I am open to any such examples.
posted by iamisaid at 6:36 PM PST - 11 comments
I have lately been hooked on
Glengarry Glen Ross and
The Big Kahuna, small casts with stellar scripts and casting. What other dialogue-heavy films in this vein should I be watching?
posted by porn in the woods at 6:26 PM PST - 60 comments
Low-tech repair help needed. I have acquired a Royal Quiet De Luxe manual typewriter (The World's First Truly Modern Portable Typewriter!). The booklet has a 1948 copyright date. The cord that pulls the carriage is broken, though, and I'm not sure exactly how to thread a replacement one. Does anybody have one of these typewriters who could take a photo of the back, or otherwise instruct me?
posted by fish tick at 6:21 PM PST - 2 comments
I am desperate to find the title of a song I know little about. Could someone please take a minute of their day/evening to help me identify this song? It would be greatly appreciated.
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posted by repoman at 6:01 PM PST - 7 comments 
I'm starting a new job as a telephone concierge at a Brand-new upscale retail/housing establishment in Glendale, CA next week—can you help me get my ear to the ground?
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posted by carsonb at 6:00 PM PST - 7 comments 
How may one obtain access to a web site, or ownership of the domain, of someone who had recently died?
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posted by brandnew at 5:39 PM PST - 4 comments
My dog loves dried sweet potato chews. They go for $20 a bag in the pet store even though the only ingredients are potatoes. It must be that I can make them at home for the cost of a potato. Do I need a fancy food dehydrator or can I just cut the potatoes up into thick pieces and put my oven on 200F for a many hours? Anyone have a specific recipe or experience making them?
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posted by about_time at 5:28 PM PST - 16 comments 
I'm looking for software or a service that allows me to plan balanced meals that are free of acid reflux triggers.
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posted by komilnefopa at 5:06 PM PST - 0 comments
I am interested in taking an extended (6 months-ish) period off work, unpaid, with the intention of resuming my current job after that time, and am looking for advice in successfully broaching the subject with my employer, a smallish firm in Canada. Have you done this? Has an employee of yours done this? Any tips?
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posted by anonymous at 4:48 PM PST - 8 comments
How do I tweak the Call of Cthulhu RPG such that my players do not go splat like bugs on the windshield while the Great Old Ones play Hogs of the Road along the chilly reaches of the Milky Way with some kind of fantastical, black-glittering Durango 95?
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posted by adipocere at 3:42 PM PST - 17 comments
I am researching the growing occurence of pay-what-you-can, or pay-what-you-think-the-meal-was-worth restaurants. There are several operating both domestically and internationally, as explained
here. In light of the
Radiohead giveaway, the concept has been getting increasing, positive press.
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posted by CollectiveMind at 3:13 PM PST - 12 comments
I'm having problems being unable to cry and produce tears, and it's really getting annoying. Help me
turn on the water.
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posted by StrikeTheViol at 3:09 PM PST - 9 comments
While I know there can only ever be a woolly answer to this question, can anyone point to state-of-the-web information detailing how many blogs are actively maintained, and what percentage of blogs that is?
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posted by davemee at 1:34 PM PST - 1 comments
Going to Disneyland in 20 days with a friend. Any advice on how to make the most of my trip?
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posted by JamesJD at 1:09 PM PST - 32 comments 
Instead of getting a DJ for our wedding, I'm thinking of hiring an iTunes operator -- someone with some knowledge of music and iTunes who can fire up pre-created playlists at the right time, adjust sound levels, troubleshoot problems etc. Has anyone tried this? Any tips? (And does anyone know anyone in the Wilmington NC area who might be interested in such a gig?)
posted by davidfg at 12:38 PM PST - 26 comments 
What is the original origin and exact wording of the quote that goes to the effect: "If you have to eat a bullfrog, don't look at it for too long. If you have to eat two bullfrogs, eat the biggest/ugliest one first"?
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posted by internet!Hannah at 12:28 PM PST - 3 comments
I have trouble keeping up with the big political news on television. So I use the clips on
crooksandliars.com as a way of staying on top of what the current political stories are and how they are being discussed. What I don't like is the editorializing. It's not that I disagree with all their takes, I just find that the way they push their agenda distracts from what I am trying to get from the site. Is there another blog that can keep me up to date with the current television news cycle that is a bit more unbiased? Specifically one that includes video clips of the pundit discussions?
posted by aburd at 11:20 AM PST - 14 comments 
We've got a tiny patch of dirt in our back yard and want to grow edible stuff. We're not that serious, just mostly goofing off. What could we grow out there using existing foodstuffs? By that, I mean, we want to grow green onions, for example. Can we just grab a few green onions from the fridge, cut off the bottom, and plant those?
Are there any other simple-to-grow foodstuffs we should consider?
We're in Southern California, but the patch of dirt only gets direct sunlight maybe 1-2 hours a day.
posted by edjusted at 10:57 AM PST - 22 comments
Have you seen blog threads where commenters seem not to have read the initial post, and are way off topic? I'm seeking more examples of this for my dissertation research. Looking for blogs which have garnered comments similar to those mentioned on the earlier MeFi threads
Tuesdays with Maury,
Jeremy Jordan Loves
Demon Dogs, and
How Hawkish. Basically, commenters show up and start commenting as if they haven't read the original post at all, and they don't seem to have any idea what the discussion is about. In many cases they seem to think they're talking to a celebrity, or they are just seeking information in the wrong place.
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posted by gusandrews at 10:49 AM PST - 24 comments
I am looking for a large volume external hard drive. 1tb or more. I hear that drives of that size are not yet reliable. I will be digitizing my music collection and want to store it on a reliable drive. Any recommendations or experiences? Also how can I take care of this drive so it will last forever or almost forever?
posted by citybuddha at 10:43 AM PST - 14 comments
Shopping for a heart rate monitor
which includes an interval timer -
this is the cheapest Timex ($78),
this is cheapest Suunto ($115) and
this is the cheapest Polar ($140). Does anyone have experience of any of these, or have other recommendations to offer?
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posted by forallmankind at 10:42 AM PST - 4 comments
I backordered an expiring domain name with its current registrar, but someone else got it. Does/should its registrar (& thus by extension, me) have had first dibs on it, if its owner let it expire?
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posted by niloticus at 10:30 AM PST - 3 comments 
First-time bird owner, wants something that is relatively easy to maintain, and has a pleasant song.
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posted by aleahey at 10:14 AM PST - 10 comments
Teen daughter wants to go to California for 16th birthday. It will be a Mother/Daughter getaway. Of course I don't want to break the bank or use the college fund for a trip (not that she would mind). She likes shopping, site-seeking and staying in nice hotel rooms. We''ll probably do 4 days or so.
I'm thinking San Francisco. Any hotel and/or activities recommendations?
posted by sandra194 at 9:45 AM PST - 20 comments 
Problem: OSX to Windows direct-wired ethernet connection works, but the Mac can't see the shared PC drives.
The PC and the Mac are both normally on wifi but the Mac's Airport is turned off now. Both machines have manual addresses set on their ethernet NICs, with direct CAT5 cable between the two; PC = 10.0.0.1/255.255.255.0; Mac=10.0.0.2/255.255.255.0. (The cable isn't a crossover, because OSX now manages that.)
Ping works in both directions (i.e. from either machine to the other.)
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posted by airplain at 9:45 AM PST - 18 comments 
What is the best/cheapest way to get shots / spay and neuter 4 kittens and a mother cat in Toronto? No father to worry about... he left shortly after the young ones were born.
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posted by ndicecco at 9:34 AM PST - 4 comments
I'm a 35 yr old female, 5'6", 120lbs, in good general shape (walk loads, work out) who has never been able to achieve a single-push up. It's a key move to many of the workouts I want to do, but most strength-building programs assume that even the weakest can do at least one. What should I do?
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posted by geekgirl397 at 8:25 AM PST - 32 comments
QUESTION: The DMV form wants me to indentify injured persons - should I report the other party as injured because the insurance company has told me about their injury claim?
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posted by anonymous at 8:23 AM PST - 6 comments
Who are some famous athletes who are Scientologists? There are plenty of actors who I hear about being Scientologists but rarely an athlete.
posted by josher71 at 6:28 AM PST - 6 comments 
Final half-marathon preparations: I'm signed up for the
Sydney Half-Marathon (my first ever!) on May 18th, and I've just got a couple questions as I enter these last few weeks of preparations. Do I need to start investigating energy gels or GUs or something? And is this a *really* bad time to get new shoes? I'm getting a bit jittery so I'd be grateful for any wisdom and advice from the MeFi running contingent...
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posted by web-goddess at 5:31 AM PST - 18 comments
What is the literary or legal term for a second will that suddenly appears after someone has died, in addition to one that had been taken to be the real one?
posted by cogneuro at 4:31 AM PST - 8 comments
Help me identify the classical musical piece used as an introduction to a wildlife series shown on French TV (more inside)
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posted by Auden at 4:05 AM PST - 2 comments
UK Based question
A company have offered me a job, want references to prove I used to be self employed.
They have asked to speak to my accountant.
This is a problem, because my accountant is a family relative who does them as a favour and has only been working on the accounts for the last 6 months.
I used to be a sole trader ship, but when the IT contracting laws changed in 2007 I had to create an LTD. Before then I used a Managed service company for my contracts instead, so its a little complicated.
Does anyone know what sort of questions or evidence a Companies HR department is likely to ask of my accountant?
posted by complience at 2:31 AM PST - 5 comments
I am in the market for some new anti-virus software and possibly a new router. Any recommendations?
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posted by Brandon1600 at 12:56 AM PST - 14 comments
April 26
This is a 3rd party question and as such I am looking more for general information than specific help. It has to do with the military's policy on being gay while serving.
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posted by edgeways at 10:53 PM PST - 13 comments
Inspired by
this thread; has anyone every hired an architect? How do you do it? What sorts of things should I be looking for? How do I go about finding one that specializes in "weird". (By weird I mean, not your standard mcmansion floor plan.) What do architects charge to design a building. And do they oversee the building process as a rule, or no?
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posted by dejah420 at 10:52 PM PST - 16 comments 
I'm starting to lift weights, and my goal is simply to look as good as possible with my clothes on. What kind of exercises should I focus on?
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posted by lunchbox at 10:29 PM PST - 10 comments 
I heard this great soul/funk song that was slightly psychedelic on Baltimore radio the other day. All I can remember is that the song featured lyrics about coming home at 5 A.M. I must track down this jam.
The DJ kept talking about the Persuasions before the song, but after listening to that band I've realized the DJ was borderline full of shit.
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posted by quelindo at 10:10 PM PST - 4 comments 
I'm a single 25 year old male staying in Singapore for a couple of days in June I was wondering if anyone had any recommendations for cheap places to stay?
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posted by dohmer at 9:29 PM PST - 6 comments
What is the FireFox add-on Media Agent plugin? It is taking a lot of memory, and I don't recall installing it. What do I need this for?
posted by waywardgirl at 9:21 PM PST - 2 comments 
I read an article in a women's magazine quite a few years ago where the singer kd Lang was being interviewed. In the article she mentions a state of mind where you embrace change (in general) and look for new experiences ... or something close to that. Not sure I have it completely right. I have searched the entire Internet, it seems, and can't find any reference.
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posted by robinrs at 9:13 PM PST - 7 comments
I often eat at a couple of few different pakistani restaurant and have noticed they both play pretty much the same songs in the restaurant. Rather than ask the restaurant staff, I'm asking metafilter: Is there a common list of songs popularly played at these establishments? What are the songs that would be in such a list?
posted by mulligan at 8:37 PM PST - 6 comments
{Hipster,Scenester}filter: What's up with all of the kids on fixed gear bikes these days? And why don't they wear helmets?
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posted by virga at 7:58 PM PST - 60 comments 
I am going to a wedding in Lahore, Pakistan this August (I am an American) and staying with the groom's family. I will probably be in Islamabad as well, and will be staying with another friend's family. What places are safe to visit while I am there? I know Baluchistan, Waziristan and the territories are right out, but are places like Karachi unsafe? I would like to see the northern areas of Pakistan, like Gilgit and Hunza, but I am having a hard time getting real advice on whether I should be worried for my safety there.
posted by Falconetti at 7:12 PM PST - 8 comments 
My Dell XPS M1710 required a complete windows re-install (XP SP2 Media Centre). All went swimmingly (if not labouriously) until I went to re-install other programs. My 110Gb hard disk now only has 2 Gb free. Where are the the other 95Gb and how do I get access to it?
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posted by dangerousdan at 6:59 PM PST - 12 comments 
What can I do to prevent a toilet falling through my ceiling and crushing me, and how do I finagle the end of this (literal) mess?
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posted by Madamina at 6:51 PM PST - 22 comments
I am looking for alarmclock that would let me record a note for a certain day/time with options for repeating at same time next week or a freeware program that does the same. If anyone has seen something similar let me know google has failed me for the first time :( i would prefer it not cost a ton of money
posted by quseio at 6:39 PM PST - 9 comments 
The AC Adapter for my laptop (Dell Inspiron B120) just crapped out. Where in Houston can I find a replacement for a decent price?
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posted by nimsey lou at 6:32 PM PST - 9 comments
I am thinking of installing a metal roof. I am in central New England. My present shingled roof has a 3½" to 12 pitch and is rated for up to 30 pounds per square foot. This winter The roof had to be shoveled on a regular basis. I am both worried that with heavy repeated snows my home is at risk for structural damage and I suspect that this 30 PSF rating is not a real world figure. I also have a problem with heavy snow blocking the combustion air for my furnace which is built into the furnace stack. Would a dark colored metal roof with such a shallow pitch be self clearing under heavy snow?
posted by Raybun at 5:55 PM PST - 5 comments
Can you recommend a tax attorney in Washington State? Business taxes (Department of Revenue), specifically - but any tax attorney you've had good experience with would be appreciated!
posted by whitelight at 5:52 PM PST - 0 comments
Alternative to T61p? I'm looking for a laptop that is highly reliable, has a good graphics card and lots of storage.
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posted by Popcorn at 5:42 PM PST - 19 comments 
I'll be in downtown Toronto early next week with some free time - what are the best bookstores downtown for browsing?
posted by storybored at 5:38 PM PST - 15 comments
Google Earth 4.3 added a new feature called
Sunlight where one can simulate the lightning on different parts of the world depending on the local time. As you know, the amount of lightning depends a lot on the date (sun is "higher" during Summer and much "lower" during Winter). The thing is I can't find any way to change the date in the Google Earth interface.
As a workaround I can change my computer clock date, and this does have an effect, but I was wondering if anybody managed to get this done directly within Google Earth.
posted by V-Turn at 4:58 PM PST - 3 comments
I am a little out of sorts sorting out my life as it is.
Please give me some advice
on how I should go about life in my thirties.
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posted by rawwell at 4:35 PM PST - 23 comments 
(Electronics) Is Static Electricity frying my garage door opener, and can a partial Faraday Cage protect it?
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posted by coffeefilter at 4:22 PM PST - 3 comments 
Arrrgh Filter: How do I deal with isolation and the fear that I'll be trapped in a situation I don't like?
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posted by Phalene at 4:01 PM PST - 27 comments
India first-timer seeking general suggestions and recomendations for first few night's lodging in Delhi.
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posted by Rash at 3:29 PM PST - 12 comments 
I have just bought a Flip Ultra but the included compression software to make large video files email or YouTube ready is unbelievably slow. I'm on a PC, running XP. Can you recommend any third party compression software?
posted by lometogo at 1:54 PM PST - 7 comments
I'm looking for a particular magazine article. It was about how chef's use uncommon ingredients to separate their food from what home cooks are generally capable of. Not ingredients that are prominently featured on the menu. The little dash of this or that which the diner can't identify. The article seemed to suggest that the ingredients were a crutch or a cheat at least in some instances. Finally, one secret ingredient was something that the chef drizzles over (raw?) fish.
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posted by stuart_s at 1:14 PM PST - 14 comments
Yet another jobfilter question: any advice for a 22 year old with a graduate degree looking for one year of 'productive' employment?
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posted by farishta at 1:05 PM PST - 12 comments
Can you get big muscularly by lifting lower weight with high reps?
I have been working out on and off in my life as a way to gain weight. I'm a guy with a fast metabolism, very lean and muscular. In college I was able to put on some decent weight and bulk by eating lots and also lifting very heavy weights for low reps. Usually about 4-8 reps max. This is the conventional wisdom amongst weightlifters. However, I met a guy recently who was reallly bulked up and told me he managed to get that way by actually doing the reverse. He said he would do lower weight and aim for 3 sets of 30 reps and thats what got him that way. He was also very lean when he started. This is completley against what is taught by so many. Does anyone have any feedback on this? Can this work?
posted by postergeist at 12:45 PM PST - 14 comments
I've had tremendous luck polling all tens of thousands of you MeFites about literature, so here goes again.
The Catcher in the Rye: Can anyone recommend any short stories, poems, or essays that would complement the themes of alienation, coming of age, general phoniness of us adults, etc.? Thanks!
posted by John of Michigan at 12:21 PM PST - 28 comments
What is an appropriate birthday gift to give to someone you've only just started dating?
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posted by blithely at 10:59 AM PST - 29 comments
My parents haven't filed income tax returns for many years. I'm worried that the CCRA is going to come knocking. What's the best approach to getting them "legal" again?
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posted by anonymous at 10:40 AM PST - 17 comments
Accountant Filter: I'm a taxation student, working on a theoretical 1065 Return of Partnership Income (real tax return, theoretical situation). I've got a gain on the sale of a building that is a related-party transaction...
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posted by Incognita at 10:22 AM PST - 1 comments
High-efficiency gas furnace installed where previously there was mid-efficiency. So it vents straight out the wall while the old furnace used the chimney. The vent is right next to the sandbox. How bad is this?
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posted by winston at 9:50 AM PST - 6 comments
I want to take an Excel spreadsheet and just make it a dynamically sortable table I can put in a webpage or blog. I want people to be able to click a column, and have the table be sorted by that column. Best solutions? Also, if the table included locations, is it possible to make them selectable, and have the selected locations display on Google maps? Thanks.
posted by Malad at 9:01 AM PST - 5 comments
Is it worth the time and effort to attempt to get a third-party collect call removed from my phone bill?
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posted by dr_dank at 8:52 AM PST - 6 comments 
Can you identify the painting (or artist) that hangs over the mantle in Cate Blanchett's character's house in Notes On a Scandal?
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posted by lndl at 8:26 AM PST - 2 comments
What's the French-language equivalent, dialogue-wise, of
The West Wing? Witty, erudite, and fun dialogue is the only requirement. The series/movie being any good would also be nice. Either TV or movies would be fine.
posted by flibbertigibbet at 7:45 AM PST - 6 comments 
So I am considering venturing away from Windows for a second (and cheap) computer. I don't need anything hefty...just something to run Firefox, play music, hold pictures...basics. I am thinking about testing the waters with either a
Zonbu system or the
Everex gPC2 TC2512. Any advice on this or experience with either? Other ideas? Thanks.
posted by pazoozoo at 5:49 AM PST - 10 comments
Is it the fog from getting older, or is it something else?
As I've gone through the years (late 30s), I can clearly feel myself getting less brainy... by that, I mean that I'm not putting together things as quickly as I once did. I'm also less creative, and overall, I feel less verbose and articulate.
I've had some really stressful years, both workwise and otherwise. I don't *think* I'm depressed or overly anxious (in our 30s, we all have a bit of the anxiety, right?).
So, is this normal? Do others have the same "brain fog?" If you do, shout it out. If you did, and you fixed it, I'd love to hear your secrets.
posted by anonymous at 5:47 AM PST - 36 comments
A friend of mine's just bought a wizard-shaped bong, and it needs a name. Ideally the name would include some grandoise title, like "Archmage". Suggestions? Bonus points for Dungeons and Dragons references.
posted by nicolas léonard sadi carnot at 3:51 AM PST - 40 comments 
How do I bypass Windows XP's digital camera photo download tool? Or to be more precise, how do I treat my Canon IXUS 75 as a card reader?
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posted by aqueousdan at 3:11 AM PST - 6 comments
April 25
Did I totally mess up by meticulously preparing our yard with a tracter/box blade, spending days removing rocks and debres, planting 50 pounds of Fescue seed, thereafter covering it with 23 bails of straw, and watering it almost daily, but completely skipping the part about raking the seed into the soil? 7 days and counting.
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posted by passtehbrainz at 9:15 PM PST - 15 comments 
Are there any materials I could use to make a book that would chemically react to the reader's touch in a way that changes the appearance of the page or cover?
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posted by moift at 7:21 PM PST - 15 comments
What are the best things to do/see in Ottawa and Montreal from June 26th to June 30th (I do realize that I am just missing the amazing Canada Day activities in Ottawa but can't help it).
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posted by saradarlin at 7:11 PM PST - 6 comments
Our home builder installed cat6 network cable for me as a favor, but now that we've moved in, a cable tester now reports it as shorting out. Wires 5&6 are shorting. I guess they treated the cable too roughly. Does anyone have any advice for me on using the old cable to pull new cable through the walls to the second floor? If I was to install a messenger cable for future pulls at the same time, what should I use for that?
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posted by Jupiter Jones at 7:02 PM PST - 11 comments 
Do any fast food places have wide bendy straws? Where can I find them outside a hospital ASAP?
posted by Ambrosia Voyeur at 6:43 PM PST - 16 comments
help me find carnivals in San Diego - not just right now, but in general.
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posted by gcat at 6:40 PM PST - 1 comments
Seeking hard stats on how much of the wealthy population is genuinely rich (owns outright solid assets, stocks, cash, gold, real estate) as opposed to living rich (owns much of above but with borrowed money). I'm curious as to how many people living on, say, Fifth Avenue or in Atherton or Greenwich can actually afford it and how many are simply spinning plates on borrowed time, borrowed money, and a (for now) high income. (Time will tell, of course, and perhaps sooner rather than later, but I'm curious
now.) Many thanks.
posted by IndigoJones at 6:20 PM PST - 18 comments 
What are your experiences in taking Chinese as a language in college? How difficult is it really and did you learn enough for it to be useful?
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posted by hazyspring at 6:07 PM PST - 19 comments 
I landed a great job in the San Francisco bay area, sweet! But I'm only 22, and all the roommate-wanted listings on craigslist seem to feature people in their late 20s to 30s. Am I wasting their/my time applying to them?
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posted by patr1ck at 5:52 PM PST - 17 comments 
Is there a (free) application/widget/method to automate the process of retrieving academic articles from university's online access to journals?
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posted by norabarnacl3 at 5:51 PM PST - 8 comments
Brooklyn urgent: I'm at Peter Luger and they lost my 3 week old reservation. If i decide not to wait for 1 hour, where do i go for a good eat around here?
posted by AnyGuelmann at 5:48 PM PST - 8 comments
MajorDomesticDebateFilter : What is up? She says jig. I say gig. Google is undecided.
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posted by vizsla at 5:39 PM PST - 39 comments 
I'm preparing an exposition (a talk) for a class about blogs in general and their use in education. What should I include on it? Resources and research about the topic would be very helpful.
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posted by Memo at 5:26 PM PST - 4 comments 
We are building a low-cost video confernecing system in out conference room, and I am looking for recommendations for iChat/Skype webcams and microphones.
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posted by baggers at 3:20 PM PST - 2 comments
OK, so it's getting warmer and acne is making its annual reappearance. On my butt. How do I get rid of it??
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posted by anonymous at 2:48 PM PST - 14 comments
Please help me find an guide to dealing with Americans that deals with how Americans take criticism.
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posted by lore at 2:08 PM PST - 10 comments
VideoFilter: I have a ton of .mpg video files out of my camcorder. I would like to join them together as one file. It doesn't work using the copy command, I'm assuming because of embedded file data that messes up the indexes within the video footage.
Is there a program that will take them and join them together quickly? I don't want to edit them, just join them. So far the only options I've found is to import them all to Avid or Vegas and let it re-render it as a whole which takes forever. The second option was some cheesy software I found that did it but it also took 30 minutes for 10 minutes of footage to join, which seems ridiculous. Does anyone in out there have a blackbelt in video-fu and can help me?
posted by damiano99 at 2:03 PM PST - 18 comments
i'm about to embark on a document-imaging and archiving project. i have dozens of handwritten notebooks, a 7 megapixel camera, tripod, macbook, and large external drive. is iphoto going to be useful for this? (or sketchy i may use a separate iphoto library on an external drive?). are alternative software/strategies preferred for managing all these document images? (in case it matters, i'm
not interested in putting them online at this point).
posted by garfy3 at 1:49 PM PST - 12 comments
My employer showed up half cut yesterday morning and proceeded to botch up 2 phone calls with clients. This isn't the first time and he doesn't hide his drinking and has been sober and "tried" AA. His performance and attendance are compromised when he drinks, one client called back and asked if he had been drinking.
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posted by anonymous at 1:29 PM PST - 19 comments
How do I make my language settings for "input language" (keyboard layout) which I set via the language bar stay set program to program?
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posted by jesirose at 1:15 PM PST - 5 comments
I'd like to know the best ways to mothproof oriental rugs short of taking them to a pro for treatment. Moths are sneaky and damage is found on hidden parts of rugs. mothballs are out, they smell too bad. Currently I use an ant/roach spray containing a synthetic pyrethrin compound. Does this seem a good idea, and if so at what frequency per year? Any one have a better method?
posted by fkeese at 12:53 PM PST - 4 comments
How can I transport a sixty page document while keeping it in relatively pristine condition?
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posted by phaded at 12:22 PM PST - 15 comments 
I would like to plant some native plants/shrubs to adorn the front of our Chicago Bungalow. Problem is I don't know which plants are native to the area and i dont knwo where to get them.
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posted by blackjack514 at 12:11 PM PST - 13 comments
Should my wife buy a Macbook Air now, or is there a compelling reason to wait a month or two?
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posted by LarryC at 11:32 AM PST - 25 comments
What's the best home-repair / fixit manual for someone with little-to-no experience in such matters? Also, web sites and / or blogs in the same vein?
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posted by dersins at 11:22 AM PST - 19 comments 
Passed on a challenging job offer for the sake of an easy life, how do I stop kicking myself? Lengthy explanation follows...
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posted by anonymous at 10:27 AM PST - 26 comments
SimpsonsFilter: help me find this five-second clip of Homer singing a patriotic song.
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posted by cebailey at 10:26 AM PST - 4 comments 
I'm a grad student who was promised some funding this year that has yet to materialize. What can I do?
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posted by anonymous at 10:26 AM PST - 15 comments
Can you help me find a tutorial (or book) on the design and programming of a fantasy sports site? (My google-fu is failing me on this one)
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posted by vega at 10:18 AM PST - 5 comments
When do you ask the person you are dating if they are seeing anyone else, and how or when do you talk about or bring up the subject of being exclusive?
posted by likeapen at 9:51 AM PST - 13 comments
Using X11 forwarding to bring my Ubuntu server desktop to my MacBook Pro. Everything works fine if I run a specific program (e.g., Firefox) but goes to hell if I try 'startx' - I keep getting an AIGLX display error message. Any help appreciated.
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posted by caution live frogs at 9:35 AM PST - 11 comments 
I'm a guy 5-6 years over the legal drinking age, I have been sober all this time.
Recently I started been a
social drinker. I don't want to get drunk or stoned. Just wanted to socialize with others.
Due to the fact that I have been sober for this long I'm clueless on what to order at a bar.
My current choices are
- Beer (Stuck with Budweiser)
- Fish Bowl=vodka+cranberry juice (Introduced by a friend. It's ok but taste is not that great)
- Sparkling Wine (I like the taste)
Please suggest me some good cocktail
- That you like the taste
- Will not get me stoned
- Not girly (Is martini a girls drink?)
- Cost less than $6-$7 per drink (with relative to prices of small college town bars, not in NYC type of bars. I can understand that $5 drink in a college town will be $10 in NYC)
p.s.: Open to suggestions of good beers too.
posted by WizKid at 9:23 AM PST - 114 comments
What should I do come the beginning of September regarding college (Worcester Polytech)?
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posted by speek at 9:15 AM PST - 6 comments 
Is the organic movement (and its related environmentally-friendly pals) putting pressure on low-income consumers?
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posted by soma lkzx at 9:13 AM PST - 18 comments
How can I seek out licensing and other royalty-generating opportunities for the titles in my new music publishing company's catalog?
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posted by saulgoodman at 8:56 AM PST - 1 comments
Macbook- DVI question: How to avoid "hum" sound interference on stereo cable with DVI/HDMI cable hooked in?
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posted by tonci at 8:43 AM PST - 4 comments
I'm having a chocolate party (tonight!). I've got the chocolate all set, but I'm looking for activities, games, or entertainment. I've got some giveaways but need a unique way of awarding them.
posted by mgarnhum at 8:38 AM PST - 9 comments 
I drink a lot of diet soda. I tend to buy it in one of two formats: 12-packs of aluminum cans (which come in paperboard cartons), and individual two-liter bottles. If I were to buy one format exclusively and recycle the packaging, which would be the greener choice?
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posted by wheat at 7:59 AM PST - 34 comments 
What's the deal with
Flash My Brain? I was all set to shell out $40 for the flash card program, which looks great, and all of their contact email addresses bounce. Bad company? Temporary glitch? And what flash card software is a better option?
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posted by AthenaPolias at 7:11 AM PST - 9 comments 
I have a new IRA. Limited experience with them. How do you choose between the various mutual funds?
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posted by downstairs at 7:01 AM PST - 13 comments
May have bought an iMac a week too early, can I upgrade or at least get a refund of the price difference?
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posted by corpse at 6:08 AM PST - 6 comments
So, we're in a recession. At what point should we pull our investments out of the stock market?
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posted by raddevon at 5:28 AM PST - 30 comments
I'm trying to design an invitation to a combined housewarming/40th birthday party (two separate people) and I want some pictures on the invitation which are in the style of 'sophisticated' but also kind of naiive late 50's/early 60's illustrations/cartoons but I'll be damned if I can google search what I'm looking for. Can you help?
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posted by h00py at 5:04 AM PST - 7 comments
A rap education for an picky atheist feminist weaned on indie, punk and new wave - primarily music but books/essays would be good too.
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posted by carbide at 3:45 AM PST - 76 comments 
April 24
Do any of you have any knowledge/experience with public-files.com? I have been using publicdata.com but public-files.com is a lot cheaper and seems to offer more information. I googled public-files.com but didn't get anything more than links advertising it but no opinions or users of their service.
posted by GlowWyrm at 11:13 PM PST - 2 comments
I remember coming across a book a few years ago that detailed life in (I think) California mining camps (it may have been less specific, but the general theme was frontier/wild west). The book's focus was on customs and social mores and it had a kind of "mythbusting" approach and was fairly academic and rigorous. I've tried searching, but I can't seem to find it. Any ideas?
posted by entropicamericana at 11:09 PM PST - 4 comments 
I have booked room on a freighter from Pusan to Long Beach. I'm now looking for some tips advice on what to pack and or things I need to prepare myself for during my ten days at sea. Anyone taken the slow boat home before?
posted by vagabond at 10:52 PM PST - 12 comments
I reformatted my computer today, and I just finished reinstalling all of the programs i can't live without (Media Monkey, VLC, Firefox, uTorrent, you get the idea.) For some reason I think I remember that I had found an alternative to installing Adobe Flash Player. I really dislike Adobe Flash, though I'm sure its for stupid and mostly superficial reasons. Does anyone have any idea of an alternative? (not the one microsoft just came out with either.)
posted by Kraki at 10:19 PM PST - 5 comments
If I buy an oversized item at Target (i.e. a box of Milkbones or a pack of toilet paper), the cashier will slap on a very strong, heavy-duty strap with the red Target logo on it. It's almost like duct tape, except stronger and the sticky portion is only on each opposite end. What is this stuff called, and where can I buy a generic equivalent?
posted by invisible ink at 9:25 PM PST - 5 comments 
Is there a means of fitting curves to several independent series of points with the property that, if all the points at any given
x in the original data have a constant sum, all of the interpolated points at any given
x have a constant sum? Is there a means of doing so which generates a set of cubic or quadratic Bezier curves which I can use in SVG rather than a series of points or a function?
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posted by enn at 8:32 PM PST - 18 comments 
Does anyone remember the video of the college weatherman who was super nervous and stumbled and stuttered through his entire segment? I can't find it online anymore and wanted to see it again.
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posted by rainygrl716 at 8:30 PM PST - 5 comments 
Are there alternatives to the lotus position for classic meditation that don't leave the back unsupported? I've found that sitting in an unsupported position, or in a chair that doesn't have a seat back, ends up making my back ache rather strongly. I've thought about investigating meditation (and looking into the more classical, early practices), but have wondered if there's a "kosher" (accepted in the discipline) way of doing the more classical meditations while having your back completely supported (by lying on the ground, or doing it in a chair, or what have you).
posted by WCityMike at 8:16 PM PST - 17 comments
Im a Freshman Computer Engin. Major and I want to learn more programming/logic by myself. Any books/Resources/Sample Projects you might recommend?
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posted by Javed_Ahamed at 7:34 PM PST - 22 comments 
All day since 2:00 AM this morning, I've been getting phone calls on my cell phone who didn't dial my number. Please help.
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posted by Trinkers at 7:29 PM PST - 8 comments 
I am looking for a good place to go camping for a long weekend in August on Cape Cod. It could also be a rental cottage but by tradition we go camping so a campground is preferable. It's a memorial of sorts and there is a high chance of drinking and toasting till the wee hours... There are about 6 of us and we're looking for something that allows for a little privacy. I would prefer to be near Provincetown, if possible. Any suggestions?
posted by Shanachie at 7:14 PM PST - 4 comments
I'd like to soak in Bagby hot springs this weekend (Mt. Hood National Forest, Oregon). Never been there before so I'm looking for advice concerning when it opens and how hard it would be to get there this time of year. Also, where to camp?
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posted by charlesroper at 6:30 PM PST - 11 comments 
Is there a precursor to
Moore's Law for internal combustion engines?
If so, can you provide details, please?
posted by Exchequer at 5:44 PM PST - 7 comments
Does anyone else get this error message randomly when trying to play YouTube videos embedded on remote Web sites? The video is very much available if you go to the actual page on YouTube.com
posted by LC at 5:18 PM PST - 10 comments
Can you recommend good books and/or movies about New Orleans? I'm about to move there and want to learn about the city before we arrive!
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posted by luazinha at 4:56 PM PST - 18 comments
Is anyone aware of an "anonym.os, livecd" installation on a USB drive that runs on OS X (equivalent to DemocraKey for Windows)?
posted by ranebo at 3:50 PM PST - 3 comments 
Scooting Mefites: What do I need to know before and after buying a scooter? How do I keep it safe in my neighborhood where cars are relatively unsafe (Hyde Park, KC)?
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posted by piedmont at 3:07 PM PST - 15 comments 
I often find myself with an open weekend and an urge to fly to no place in particular, just to go exploring. Whether it's Sioux City, Billings, or Biloxi, I figure I can entertain myself anywhere for a weekend. Are there websites that allow you to search for cheap, last minute flights from a given origin, irrespective of destination? Most sites require you to enter a destination, which makes the whole process a lot more difficult.
posted by decoherence at 2:01 PM PST - 16 comments
I recently came across an article about the lack of opportunities for teenagers in rapidly developed suburban/exurban communities. Can you help me find it again?
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posted by glibhamdreck at 1:20 PM PST - 4 comments 
We'd like to be able to share calendars in a mixed Windows/Mac shop. Difficulties: delegating calendars to be writable by multiple individuals, offline access, avoiding upgrading Exchange and Entourage.
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posted by I EAT TAPAS at 1:08 PM PST - 8 comments
Arrr. There may be Quizzo booty to divide, but I want to do it fairly. This is more math than I can handle.
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posted by shiu mai baby at 12:58 PM PST - 11 comments 
I sloppily upgraded my 1.1.4 iPhone to 1.2 (2.0 Beta). The phone is locked and I cannot restore through iTunes. I only have a Windows machine at the moment. Can I get it back without going to the AT&T/Apple Store?
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posted by geoff. at 12:44 PM PST - 6 comments
Webdeveloper Mefites, I come hat in hand. I enjoy design and created a site for my medical practice in iWeb. Now I realize it stinks in Explorer. Is there an easy way to remedy the situation? If not, what's a reasonable amount to pay someone to save me from myself?
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posted by pammo at 12:38 PM PST - 16 comments 
Quiet inn, trees, a lake, maybe some hiking - where can I find these things within an hour or so of Toronto?
[more inside]
posted by minervous at 12:06 PM PST - 8 comments
Will I be able to take a pocketknife/Leatherman-style pocket tool on an Amtrak train, or will it be considered a weapon?
posted by box at 11:44 AM PST - 11 comments 
Wordsmiths, Help! -- Do you capitalize the word "left" in the phrase "the political left"?
[more inside]
posted by jak68 at 11:01 AM PST - 26 comments 
I need to plan my best friend's stagette, in Halifax. I'm in Vancouver, which makes things a tad more difficult. Any ideas?
[more inside]
posted by cgg at 10:46 AM PST - 6 comments
Two parts: 1. Is it appropriate to give a gift to someone to thank them for donated services? 2. If so, what kind of gift?
[more inside]
posted by Ruby Doomsday at 10:09 AM PST - 17 comments
According to
this chart, there have been 2,422 nuclear explosions since 1945, including above ground, under ground, and in the sea. I'm somewhat amazed that this isn't having more of permanent negative effect. Does spreading out all the nuclear activity allow our ecosystem to absorb the radiation in reasonable intervals? Chernobyl has been a wasteland since the reactor meltdown. Was it simply that much more radioactive than actually testing bombs?
posted by SpacemanStix at 9:51 AM PST - 52 comments 
I need help to come up with an idea (or a few) for a viral marketing video for my online backyard store.
[more inside]
posted by adriana at 9:48 AM PST - 8 comments
What are some "non-cramp" foods? I want some 'snack' foods that I can eat all day and not cramp on when I work out almost immediately after eating.
This summer I'll be part of a college gym which is around 5 miles from my apartment. I want to be able to go to the gym without regard to if I'm starving or not.
I know about bananas, but what other foods can I try?
posted by sandmanwv at 9:32 AM PST - 11 comments
Quantitative finance experts: What methods are available for calculating the odds the S&P will close up or down X number of points during a given day?
[more inside]
posted by yoyoceramic at 9:06 AM PST - 18 comments 
What's the best way to prepare for the PMI.org Program Management Professional cert?
[more inside]
posted by daver at 8:44 AM PST - 6 comments
What should I bring my lunch to work in? I'm looking for non-plastic, non-potentially-toxic, reusable alternatives to the zip-locs and gladware I usually bring my lunch & snacks to work in.
[more inside]
posted by tastybrains at 8:43 AM PST - 38 comments 
At what point do you give up on trying to learn a musical instrument? Are some seemingly "normal" skills impossible for some people to learn even with time and instruction? Can lack of skill trump desire?
[more inside]
posted by pixlboi at 8:09 AM PST - 51 comments
Can someone help me remember a recipe from Mark Bittman's
How to Cook Everything Vegetarian?
[more inside]
posted by milestogo at 7:53 AM PST - 5 comments 
Going to be moving into a new office space, where will will get to redesign some of the space for our needs. We will need to set of a 10TB server rack-- need to figure out how much space should we set aside for a server room. If you were starting to set up one from scratch, what would you start considering?
[more inside]
posted by ShawnStruck at 7:40 AM PST - 12 comments 
are there any private health insurance options available in canada? im australian and i want to have a baby there. also, is it possible to have a baby without involving a hospital, ie through midwives?
[more inside]
posted by beccyjoe at 7:25 AM PST - 20 comments
Do debt collectors have to pay a fee if they call you after you have had an attorney contact them?
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posted by anonymous at 6:58 AM PST - 5 comments
I would like advice on how to deal with a dog who barks every time I enter or leave my apartment. Should I talk to him? Ignore him?
[more inside]
posted by sandraregina at 6:56 AM PST - 9 comments 
Help me set up a walk-in closet. What are your experiences with the various lines of closet systems (Elfa, Ikea, FreedomRail, Closetmaid) or DIY?
[more inside]
posted by bondcliff at 6:38 AM PST - 7 comments
My boyfriend has a job offer in Chicago. We're taking a trip out there in a few weeks, and I'll have two days to walk around alone. What neighborhoods should I visit to get myself excited about the idea of moving there?
[more inside]
posted by wyzewoman at 6:19 AM PST - 19 comments
I'm wondering how to send a check in dollars to someone in the States from a bank account in Indian rupees (for a low sum like $200). Essentially I'd like the equivalent of what, out there, would be mailing a money order.
[more inside]
posted by Non Prosequitur at 3:45 AM PST - 11 comments
My friend had an album - mainly spoken word pieces with electronic noise. It was a story about a man who went out hunting with his friends, who laughed at him. Help my friend find it, please.
[more inside]
posted by scruss at 3:05 AM PST - 3 comments 
I want software which will allow me to capture text thoughts at work, to a remote web location - quickly, discreetly and privately.
[more inside]
posted by therubettes at 2:34 AM PST - 41 comments
Want to buy a manual (not electric) typewriter in the UK. What brand and where from? Not interested in vintage -- should be working and practical.
posted by long haired lover from liverpool at 1:36 AM PST - 11 comments 
April 23
I just ordered a cellphone over the internet. On a contract. It didn't seem like there was a credit check at any point. How does that work?
[more inside]
posted by heavenstobetsy at 11:20 PM PST - 6 comments
I've recorded a Skype call via Audio Hijack, and my plan is to podcast it. Now I'm editing in Audacity. What effects/compression settings should I use to improve sound quality?
[more inside]
posted by diastematic at 9:29 PM PST - 12 comments
Help me get excited about going to Williams College this fall. I would really appreciate any anecdotes about the college, the town, the area, anything. Bonus points if you went there or know someone who has, but I'm looking for anything.
[more inside]
posted by MadamM at 9:07 PM PST - 19 comments 
My friend was served by a collection agency. She owes the money but doesn't have it. What's she do now?
[more inside]
posted by b_thinky at 8:21 PM PST - 3 comments
I'm looking for websites that analyse the work of successful or well known photographers in the art genre (as opposed to documentary or portraiture styles).
[more inside]
posted by b33j at 6:55 PM PST - 5 comments
I am the CEO of a smallish non-profit (150 employees)
I noticed recently that my CFO and my executive assistant were taking vacations and days off at the same time over the past 18 months (9 of 11 vacations)
For reasons i wont go into, i doubt seriously they are having an affair.
other than an affair, and this being a strange coincidence, any possible explanations you can think of? perhaps it is just my anxiety but somehow this is strange...
posted by dougiedd at 6:03 PM PST - 54 comments
Ontario Mechanic Filter: I'm safety'ing a car tomorrow (1997 Sunfire) and I'm wondering exactly what is the guy going to be checking?
[more inside]
posted by br4k3r at 4:01 PM PST - 3 comments
I work on the production team for a long-running public radio program. We have a massive archive of shows in digital format (MP3 and AIFF) which we need to collate into a powerful and highly flexible database - something like iTunes, but much more advanced. Does a program exist to do this?
[more inside]
posted by mykescipark at 3:36 PM PST - 5 comments 
My stepdad is a tornadic houseguest whose behavior has inspired me to ban him from my abode forever and ever. How do I have this talk with my Mom?
[more inside]
posted by December at 3:25 PM PST - 37 comments 
Somebody recently developed a write-once, post-many piece of software that will take the same blog copy and post to blogger, wordpress, twitter, facebook, etc. all at once. But who? And what's the url?? Thanks, hivemind...
posted by jouster at 3:04 PM PST - 3 comments
Help an American traveling in Germany get around for a month this summer - car or train?
[more inside]
posted by FlyByDay at 2:47 PM PST - 15 comments
Help me coach a high school softball (or tennis) team when I have no real team sport experience.
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posted by absalom at 2:19 PM PST - 15 comments 
GTD Filter: How do I best decide what my next action should be? I.e, how do I map out the Cost vs. Benefit?
[more inside]
posted by markovich at 2:13 PM PST - 4 comments
LogosFilter: Could a blog entry that contains two words and their definitions be consistent with the definition of a dictionary?
[more inside]
posted by vanoakenfold at 1:59 PM PST - 8 comments 
How do I get this scabby dry skin to heal? Anon because it's in my groin and itches like hell...
[more inside]
posted by anonymous at 1:48 PM PST - 13 comments
How on earth do I get pretty URLs to work in BBpress, when in a subdirectory of a Wordpress install?
[more inside]
posted by generichuman at 1:24 PM PST - 4 comments
What are some great places for drop-off child care in Manhattan? We need to be able to bring a 3-year-old and leave her in safe hands for a few hours. Any places that are open till late at night (midnight or 1 am)? Thanks.
posted by shivohum at 12:25 PM PST - 1 comments
One of my dearest friends just got engaged (yay!) and I want to get her a little gift to mark the occasion. What can I get for the newly-engaged girl who hasn't started planning anything yet?
[more inside]
posted by pised at 11:16 AM PST - 19 comments 
I have a bachelor's in architecture but after a few years of work experience I have begun to feel that it may not be my bag. At work I find myself spending more time tweaking my computer and finding new tricks than actually drafting.
[more inside]
posted by mockdeep at 11:00 AM PST - 19 comments
I've been commissioned to take photos of a 70 year old nutritionist and her husband, showing them "as fit and healthy as possible." Can you offer advice on how to do it and what to charge?
[more inside]
posted by andihazelwood at 10:48 AM PST - 20 comments
What's the best/easiest design to build a sandbox? I'd like to build a sandbox for my boys -- who are currently ages 4, 2 and 2 months, though hopefuly they (and any more kids we happen to have) would use it for a long time. A google search yielded many, many results, but I'd like to know if anybody out there has done it and can point me to a relatively easy design (my skills exist but are limited). I'm thinking 4 feet square would be enough, though if you also have advice for size, I'd like to hear that, too.
posted by odragul at 10:37 AM PST - 24 comments 
I'm curious about vacation timeshares. What has your experience been? Do you have any recommendations? What are the drawbacks? Where are the best packages?
posted by InstantSanitizer at 10:20 AM PST - 24 comments 
My scalp seems to react badly to most shampoos. I've only been able to use one brand (Pantene) for a while now. Help me figure out why/what to do?
[more inside]
posted by disaster77 at 10:17 AM PST - 25 comments
Who first came up with the concept of lots of small (though not necessarily nanoscale) robots performing useful tasks collectively?
[more inside]
posted by Krrrlson at 10:16 AM PST - 12 comments 
I am taking the Praxix II - Elementary Education (0014) this Saturday. Needless to say, I'm a bit behind in studying. The good news is that I am on vacation this week and have some time to dedicate to the cause. Also, I took my Praxis I in November and scored very well, I am looking for guidance on how to study for the inevitable history, science and theory questions that I have not thought about in the 13 years since I graduated college. I did purchase the
REA book, have completed 2 practice tests and am copying the answers I got wrong onto notecards. Does it sound like I am on the right track?
posted by sisflit at 10:05 AM PST - 5 comments
Need help finding a good park for a high school reunion family BBQ in the Berkeley/Albany CA area.
[more inside]
posted by luriete at 9:59 AM PST - 8 comments
Incorporating still frame captures in a TV commentary blog: is it possible/affordable/practical to get general permission from the studio to do this?
[more inside]
posted by cortex at 9:54 AM PST - 9 comments
Dreamweaver filter - I have just set up a site using Dreamweaver and i am getting one piece of the code in the finished site. HELP!!! I'm a total noob at coding. Clearly.
[more inside]
posted by Sophie1 at 9:26 AM PST - 7 comments 
Is the 9th Circuit really overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court more often than the other circuits?
[more inside]
posted by goatdog at 8:59 AM PST - 12 comments
Career-filter:
I have gotten myself mired in the temp/admin world, and I want to get out! What kind of positions should I be applying for to gain experience, set myself up for grad school and get started on a meaningful career? Please help me take the next step in moving my life forward!
[more inside]
posted by allen8219 at 8:54 AM PST - 13 comments
Has anyone tried one of the electronic quick-finder dog nail trimmers (like
this)? Are they worth the extra $10 or so?
[more inside]
posted by Ufez Jones at 8:22 AM PST - 6 comments
Water filterFilter: I'm looking at purchasing a Berkey Light Water filter. This would be intended for both daily use and also to have on hand in case a hurricane or some other disaster knocks out the municipal water supply and we need to scoop drinking water out of a stream. Does anyone have experience with the Berkey filters? How is the taste compared to mainstream filters like Pur or Brita? Do they look odd in your kitchen or are they an attractive fixture? Any other thoughts or brand suggestions, random or otherwise, on this are welcome.
posted by Burhanistan at 8:01 AM PST - 7 comments
How do I transfer a normal Mac account to an Active Directory Mac account on my new Mac?
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posted by Gungho at 7:46 AM PST - 2 comments 
YANAL filter: Quick question about United States trademark law and fair use of logos on a website.
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posted by fvox13 at 7:13 AM PST - 3 comments 
How effective is Shovelglove, and will it help me in what I'm trying to accomplish?
[more inside]
posted by 4ster at 7:12 AM PST - 9 comments
I want to make next career move in Italy (experience in marketing/sales/media - but open to any industry) -- and currently live in NYC. Best strategies?
I was thinking maybe an international recruitment agency based here in the States (does this exist?) or American companies with offices in Tuscany (still cannot find a list like this).
I do speak Italian at level B2, but I think a better bet would be for a job that wants me to primarily communicate in English and liaise with folks back home. Any ideas or tips?
posted by jazzybelle at 6:50 AM PST - 4 comments
The missus and I are planning on spending a week in Puerto Rico for our first anniversary. What must-see-or-do things should we consider?
[more inside]
posted by jammer at 6:33 AM PST - 7 comments
Can you identify this challah-like pastry from my childhood? I've had no luck googling or randomly searching at bakeries.
[more inside]
posted by magicbus at 6:20 AM PST - 7 comments 
About 16 years ago there was a children's program on TV in which a woman named Xuxia(spelling?) from maybe Central or South America led children through games and contests. She had teen girl helpers who wore outfits similar to something a drum major would wear. This program aired in the US, and Xuxia spoke English as a second language. Can anyone point me in the right direction?
posted by rockhopper at 5:42 AM PST - 12 comments 
I just got a video camera, and the first project I would like to do is a family history. I'm going to see my parents this weekend (76 and 80 y.o.). What are some creative and interesting questions to ask to get them started talking?
[more inside]
posted by extrabox at 4:43 AM PST - 15 comments
I've just been offered a $20,000 scholarship to New York Law School, which is renewable each year so long as I maintain a certain GPA. To be perfectly honest, I had originally applied to NYLS as a "safety school," but this certainly sweetens the pot. I have applied to other New York City law schools, but I have not heard back from them yet - all I know is that I would like to pursue intellectual property law, public interest law, or administrative law in NYC. So I ask you, what is NYLS like, with regard to being a full-time student in his mid-twenties?
[more inside]
posted by anonymous at 4:09 AM PST - 16 comments
How do I get rid of lots of extra white space before a table (in Internet Explorer).
[more inside]
posted by Joleta at 4:08 AM PST - 5 comments 
I am looking for online magazines to submit art/literature/experimental/fun articles to. I think '
The Believer' magazine is a good example of the type I crave. UK based would be best, but not completely necessary.
[more inside]
posted by 0bvious at 3:16 AM PST - 9 comments 
CareerAdvice: How can my wife and I get back to the Gold Coast, and what job changes might I need to make to get there?
[more inside]
posted by ranglin at 3:15 AM PST - 6 comments
April 22
How do I age someone for a film? Looking for something relatively cheap/easy. We don't have any proper makeup experience.
[more inside]
posted by es_de_bah at 11:34 PM PST - 11 comments
What is the next step in my search for a job as an editor/ copy writer? I’ve been searching Craig’s List, Monster, etc. and I’ve submitted applications through some network contacts. I’ve yet to hear back from anyone and I’m wondering what to do next.
[more inside]
posted by shesbookish at 11:05 PM PST - 11 comments 
Newly single (after 10-yr relationship). How do I get from Point A to Point B, with Point A being meeting a potentially interesting person, and Point B being the point where I can smoothly ask them to do something with me. All, you understand, in service to just getting to know this other person better. The possibility of a hook-up is secondary (although not completely disregarded.)
[more inside]
posted by hapax_legomenon at 10:45 PM PST - 11 comments
I'm trying to figure out what percentage of people born in 1890 were still alive in 1920 and then 1950 and so on, until we can say for certain that every person born in 1890 is 100 percent definitely dead. I've looked at the 1890 and 1920 census, but they don't have mortality tables.
[more inside]
posted by melodykramer at 9:40 PM PST - 12 comments
Please help me identify this bird from Oregon with rather vague information [more inside]
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posted by Shutter at 8:55 PM PST - 6 comments
Practicing & Playing Music in Washington DC: Learning the banjo without getting murdered
[more inside]
posted by tmcw at 8:39 PM PST - 10 comments
If you look up my user history, you see a fair amount of stuff around trying to come to grips in a new job that has me sacrificing some technical skills for management skills. It's a struggle, especially with my personal demons, but I am making progress. I ran into a situation that finally clarified some things for me and allows me to ask this question.
[more inside]
posted by tcv at 8:37 PM PST - 16 comments
Why do I shake when I wake?
When I go to bed, I typically fall asleep very quickly. If I am woken within a few seconds, such as by my wife getting into bed, or trying to talk to me, which happens a lot, I wake with a fine but really annoying and persistent tremor right through my whole body, and the skin on my face feels like it's crawling around. The tremor prevents me sleeping until it subsides perhaps an hour later.
What gives?
[more inside]
posted by blue_wardrobe at 7:59 PM PST - 5 comments
Looking for your experiences with open-source accounting software. I am helping co-found a non-profit organization and need software that is free (if possible), easy to use for non-accountants, and preferably open-source. Someone recommended
OSAS (Open Systems Accounting Software) and
gnucash. Has anyone used these or any other programs they would recommend or not recommend?
posted by franklen at 7:57 PM PST - 3 comments
Has anyone had any experience, first- or second-hand, with the
Communication and Culture MA program jointly offered by York and Ryerson Universities? I'm also interested in graduate study experiences at both schools in general.
[more inside]
posted by scribbler at 7:36 PM PST - 6 comments
Has anyone else had weight and/or emotional problems that they attribute to hormonal birth control, specifically the Mirena IUD?
I know there have been several IUD threads – one of them helped convince me to get one. But most of them dealt with questions about getting one, and now, I'm wondering if removing mine would be a good idea. (more inside)
[more inside]
posted by anonymous at 5:17 PM PST - 20 comments
Does anyone have experience with self-treatment as an adult with dyscalculia? I think I may have it, and that I've had it all my life. Whether or not that's so, are there any tricks to "rewiring" yourself?
[more inside]
posted by anonymous at 5:17 PM PST - 7 comments
AcademicTravelFilter: Thanks to my habit of writing about obscure books, I need to detour to Austin TX this summer in order to read a bad Victorian triple-decker at the Harry Ransom Center, UT-Austin. As I will not have a rental car and would prefer not to die of heat stroke, I'm in search of recommendations for adequate hotels either within walking distance (I know there's a Days Inn or something similar about 1/2 mile away) or on one of the bus/shuttle lines. (
This thread was illuminating about the aforementioned bus/shuttle lines, but not quite what I'm looking for.)
posted by thomas j wise at 4:40 PM PST - 9 comments
I need to install some fireblocks (aka fire stops AND fire block[ing]) in my basement. What can I use to make these? Can I use regular sheetrock to make these or do they have to be some special type of sheetrock? If I can't use sheetrock, what type and thickness of wood do they need to be?
posted by tickettrader at 4:33 PM PST - 9 comments
What are some good items to keep in my purse? The current set of things I keep in there seem to serve me well but I'm looking for ideas that would help me be even more prepared for whatever comes up.
[more inside]
posted by marble at 3:44 PM PST - 62 comments
How can I get my iMac running Leopard to
show the current wallpaper in Finder? I'm using Leopard's built-in wallpaper-switching function to randomly display a wallpaper from my collection of over 1,000, but when I get one I don't like, it gives me no way to easily find the file and delete it.
[more inside]
posted by XSteveMurphy at 3:35 PM PST - 14 comments
Planning a trip to Tokyo/Kyoto towards the end of May and I'm looking for suggestions for great places to stay for two nights in Kyoto (inexpensive to moderately priced) as well as don't miss sights/restaurants in Tokyo and Kyoto. We will be there for about two weeks.
posted by mhaw at 3:29 PM PST - 21 comments
Can anyone recommend business class VOIP termination that is not a fully hosted solution by the terminating company?
[more inside]
posted by clarkie666 at 3:24 PM PST - 6 comments 
I am trying to compile a list of medical school dropouts who later went on to do great things in other fields. The term "med school" here is used loosely to allow some flexibility. So anyone who abandoned his medical training and accomplished something notable in some other field would work.
So far I've found five persons. I've listed them below to show what I am looking for. I hope to find five more to fill out a Top Ten list.
[more inside]
posted by Pantalaimon at 3:11 PM PST - 23 comments
My (soon to be former) employer wants me to repay a portion of my continuing education budget. What are my options?
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posted by sharkweek at 2:39 PM PST - 31 comments
I broke my humerus and now have a great big cast. I am concerned about the fact that I can feel some movement at times. Specifically, if I try to rotate my elbow (not the curl/uncurl motion, but side-to-side), I feel like the arm moves but in reality it doesn't (observably move). That makes me worry that the bones may be moving ... in which case how can they heal together? Also, do the cast covers for showering work?
[more inside]
posted by bsdfish at 1:59 PM PST - 4 comments
What can the colour, smell, composition of your urine in the mornings tell you about yourself?
[more inside]
posted by zaebiz at 1:48 PM PST - 29 comments
Looking for the best portable players for DRM audiobooks and other large MP3 files
[more inside]
posted by reenum at 12:42 PM PST - 9 comments 
I'm going to be building a modest split-level home this spring – 1900 sqft – in Madison, WI. Should I expect the cost of materials to be lower or higher than it was to build the exact same house 6 months ago?
[more inside]
posted by BirdD0g at 12:03 PM PST - 10 comments
I'm planning on buying a bike for road rides, but I am also planning on training for my first sprint tri. Is a regular road bike alright for a beginner tri-athlete? Can I use a tri style bike for long road rides? Does it even make a difference?
[more inside]
posted by jeffe at 11:53 AM PST - 14 comments
What's a good way to get a good deal from AT&T retention folks if I'm off-contract but planning to get an iPhone?
[more inside]
posted by gramcracker at 11:53 AM PST - 11 comments
A novel about a computer that attempts to create art? Help me identify this sci-fi book.
[more inside]
posted by bradth27 at 11:40 AM PST - 5 comments 
I have a Wacom graphics tablet. Is there a (preferably free or at least cheap) kanji handwriting recognition program for WinXP that would let me write kanji by hand without knowing the correct stroke order, and produce a translation and/or Unicode characters that I can cut and paste?
[more inside]
posted by martinrebas at 11:39 AM PST - 5 comments
where can i find an image of the fuzzy laser background that was used in school pictures in the 80's and early 90's?
[more inside]
posted by binocularfight at 11:04 AM PST - 5 comments
RelationshipFilter: I told my boyfriend I was fine with him traveling in Europe for a couple of weeks with his ex-girlfriend. Now I'm having second thoughts. Help me figure out how best to handle this and get my confidence back?
[more inside]
posted by booknerd at 11:03 AM PST - 68 comments 
Help me find longer lectures on Youtube. Is there a browsable index of what's on posted on Youtube (something more detailed and descriptive than the left sidebar on the homepage, the channels page, or the few video links that show up on any given page)? I'd like to find something to watch on my ipod at the gym, something to hold my interest for fifteen to sixty minutes, but not videos of laughing babies, music videos or teenagers beating up each other. Doing a search for "university lectures" leads me to the several UC Berkeley lecture series and the inspiring lecture from the fellow with pancreatic cancer. Is it possible to move beyond that into other college lectures or even multipart courses (arts or science), discussions, longer films, the unexpected? How do I find them?
posted by bbranden1 at 10:46 AM PST - 22 comments 
We're in the middle of a big kitchen remodel and have been stymied by (of all things!) the kitchen faucet decision. We've been looking at models with integrated sprayer heads that pull out from the faucet but just received a warning about that style of faucet. As a result, I find myself querying the hive mind looking for people who have this style faucet.
[more inside]
posted by Lame_username at 9:49 AM PST - 27 comments 
We actually want to spend 15-20 days this summer driving around America, buying gas and seeing stuff. The questions are, how to get to the stuff from the east coast, and what stuff?
[more inside]
posted by Clyde Mnestra at 9:42 AM PST - 21 comments
NetworkFilter: I have a bizarre and arcane-seeming problem with my home network, the Internet, and my ISP's DNS. Invalid URLs are being redirected to the ISP's search page—in some cases.
[more inside]
posted by adamrice at 9:37 AM PST - 22 comments
Looking for advice and strategies from experienced business networkers (or schmoozers, for lack of a better word.)
[more inside]
posted by justonegirl at 9:28 AM PST - 4 comments
I'm hungry, but nothing sounds good. Actually, most things sound gross and vaguely nausea-inducing. This has been going on for at least a month. What's wrong?
[more inside]
posted by mccxxiii at 9:12 AM PST - 28 comments
My body has an irrational prejudice against jogging, though not most other exercise - can anyone explain why? More inside...
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posted by TheOtherWay at 9:08 AM PST - 21 comments
What am I doing wrong in my HTML that the description in Google's organic search just says "Untitled Document?"
[more inside]
posted by mamessner at 8:48 AM PST - 7 comments
Looking for examples of fiction where: a.) someone uncovers an unsettling/surprising/shocking truth about a major "historical" (for that setting) figure or event, b.) the story itself is in the form of a journal or diary that gives the unsettling/surprising/shocking perspective.
[more inside]
posted by adamdschneider at 8:39 AM PST - 29 comments
Should I have our small business switch to a third party green energy provider? We had a salesman for
Accent Energy come to our door and he was a bit shady so I told him that I wanted to look into this on my own time. But from what I'm reading online it could be a great way to convert to a more environmentally responsible energy solution. And its Earth Day today too. Our company wants to do what we can to be "green" and we would even pay slightly more to do so, but if a switch to a third party will cost three times as much then we just cant do it.
[more inside]
posted by minicloud at 8:30 AM PST - 2 comments
Gifts for a stock picker: I'm looking for a thoughtful gift for my secretary. She loves to play the market, so I thought that I could buy her a Vanguard gift certificate or something and let her speculate with the money, but that doesn't seem to be possible. Any suggestions? I'd like to spend around $100. Thanks!
posted by gd779 at 7:31 AM PST - 12 comments 
Is there any way to find out the percentage of Boston Marathon runners that qualified for the race vs. the percentage that gained entry through other means (charities and such)?
posted by csimpkins at 6:07 AM PST - 8 comments 
Jill Bolte Taylor uses a very clear cut dichotomy when explaining the respective roles of the left and right hemisphere: one is oriented towards parrallel processing of sense data, the other towards serial, conscious, target-oriented processing.
Is this reflective of the modern state of the art neurological schientific knowledge? It's an intuitively attractive explanation. But is it true? It sounds simplistic.
[more inside]
posted by jouke at 5:50 AM PST - 13 comments
How do I look up current global commodity supplies? Even better, is there somewhere I can compare global commodity prices versus their supply and consumption rates over an extended period?
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posted by onalark at 5:19 AM PST - 5 comments 
We've had a sudden attack of fleas on our pets. That's been dealt with (with liberal doses of Frontline), but it's left me with a huge number of flea bites on my legs. Any suggestions for calming and healing them?
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posted by anonymous at 5:04 AM PST - 16 comments
When playing games with my friends, I tend to get very competitive and bitter. In that moment of frustration, what are some things I can tell myself so I calm down?
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posted by anonymous at 5:03 AM PST - 26 comments
My job is just not working out, and it's my first job in six years. Should I mention this job when applying for others? Also, I have to clock in five minutes before my start time, is this legal?
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posted by Melsky at 5:02 AM PST - 5 comments 
Looking to learn more about Wicca in general, and about a particular ritual specifically.
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posted by TrueVox at 5:02 AM PST - 22 comments 
An image that my friend has created has been seen before by other people. How has this happened?
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posted by djstig at 1:49 AM PST - 21 comments
April 21
I'm really, really bad at remembering the names of new people that I meet. How can I get better at remembering new names?
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posted by Effigy2000 at 10:53 PM PST - 23 comments
My broker is trying to charge another fee to put someone new on the lease for the NYC apt. we've been living in for 3 years. Is this legal? Do I have any recourse?
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posted by theseampsgoto11 at 10:15 PM PST - 4 comments
I want to buy some quality mens sunglasses. I want them to be polarized, comfortable, and stylish. What are your recommendations?
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posted by clearly at 10:14 PM PST - 16 comments
Writers like John McPhee, writing in Spanish, French, German, Italian, or Russian?
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posted by kristi at 9:31 PM PST - 5 comments 
Can I get my second monitor to emulate a higher resolution?
I have an ATI Radeon video card using two monitors. The second monitor only goes up to 800X600 (an old LCD). However, Microsoft Flight Simulator X only allows the resolution of a display to be set to as low as 1024X768. I'd like the second monitor to think it is at that resolution and display a portion of the 1024X768 on its available area of 800X600. i don't care if the rest is not visible.
Any ideas?
Thanks!
posted by spacefire at 7:21 PM PST - 4 comments
Does anyone know where to rent a high quality student cello short term in NYC? Ideally, I'd like something hand crafted and valued at 10 - 20 k, but if need be I'll go lower end. Looking for a bow, too. Thanks!
posted by paul_smatatoes at 7:13 PM PST - 2 comments
We (early-30's couple, no kids) are headed to Seattle May 7-10 and are trying to figure out which neighborhood to stay in. We have a number of hotel recommendations, many of which sound very good, but we'd also like to find a location that is in close proximity to great restaurants, non-cheesy nightlife, live music and other interesting attractions which might be a little bit off the beaten path. Not having a sense of what the neighborhoods are like is making it challenging to choose a hotel...do you have any suggestions? Thanks!
posted by underdetermined at 7:11 PM PST - 9 comments 
Point me to some books and/or websites that give advice or recount experiences of dealing with awkward situations that most sources usually avoid.
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posted by gregb1007 at 6:54 PM PST - 4 comments 
First-hand surfing advice. My 29 year old son lives in Hong Kong and is looking for a place in Asia to spend two weeks learning to surf preferably within the next few months. He's reasonably athletic, but a complete beginner. He's thinking Bali, but is open to any location. He's searched Google and found lots of possibilities, but he's looking for first-hand recommendations from someone who has done something similar. He's ready to spend what it takes, so low cost is not a requirement.
posted by Jackson at 6:18 PM PST - 6 comments 
How the heck can I get money back after I was an idiot and a victim of fraud?
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posted by jpcody at 5:57 PM PST - 8 comments 
I need a printable blueprint with the usual blue-colored blueprint font. Nothing huge, just an 8-1/2 by 11 printed sheet will be all I need.
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posted by wafaa at 5:50 PM PST - 6 comments
My car was just totaled by an unlicensed, uninsured 16-year-old driver in Chicago. I'm insured, but I have no collision coverage, so any/all expenses are strictly out-of-pocket. The teen responsible was found to be 100% liable on the police report. Can/should I take the family to small claims court? Related: Can anyone suggest a salvage guy that pays a fair price for junked cars and a decent lawyer to represent me in small claims court? Do I even need a lawyer in small claims court? Sorry - I'm new to this.
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posted by hypocritical ross at 5:38 PM PST - 33 comments
I have a friend who is having a uterine prolapse. It's not an emergency, she WILL be visiting her doctor. As her friend and major part of her support team, I'm hoping you might be able to provide some insightful stories about what to expect from surgery and stuff like that.
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posted by snsranch at 5:27 PM PST - 4 comments 
Seattle tourism recommendations please. I'm going to spend a weekend in Seattle soon and would like to hear some tourist options both typical and off-the-beaten-path. Thanks.
posted by damn dirty ape at 5:18 PM PST - 15 comments
All this talk on flickr lately of "long photos" reminded me of a VERY "long photo" I saw in SFMOMA probably around a year ago... it was a scene at a cafe, with someone at a piano, a man and woman talking, one holding a cigarette, and a couple of other people, all frozen for at least five minutes... the most noticeable movement was cigarette smoke trailing up into the air. Does anyone know who that was by, what it was called, and whether I can find it online?
posted by BuddhaInABucket at 5:03 PM PST - 6 comments 
Where did the idea of faster than light (or near light speed) travel come from, and how is it described in different science fiction/fact works?
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posted by Saxon Kane at 4:57 PM PST - 25 comments
Small company IT administrators, how do you handle users with a wide disparity of technical ability? Users who hate
computers? Who don't want to even restart before calling you? Who treat you like your a nerd from a bad teen comedy?
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posted by anonymous at 4:41 PM PST - 19 comments
Where can I find out if the Boston Red Sox won/lost on Marathon Monday on the years the game was played?
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posted by brent at 4:04 PM PST - 9 comments 
I need to spread the ashes of a deceased relative in San Diego. Does anyone have any suggestions on how this might happen?
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posted by diode at 2:44 PM PST - 17 comments
Help me identify this Post Modern cultural theory. Prime example: cops on the TV show COPS act differently than they normally would, since they're being filmed for TV. Kids watch COPS thinking that's what cops actually are like. Kids eventually grow up and be cops themselves, emulating cops-on-TV, not "true" cops.
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posted by nemoorange at 2:44 PM PST - 19 comments
Road trip from Raleigh, NC to San Deigo California. Long schedule inside, please provide any insights you have!
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posted by ZackTM at 2:18 PM PST - 5 comments
How can I convince my wife that living in a Yurt would be fun while I'm in medical school?
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posted by stuboo at 2:17 PM PST - 39 comments 
Has anyone ever flown Zoom Airlines for a transatlantic (or other long) flight? I had never heard of them until recently, and the reviews online aren't very good. This is probably due to the fact that disgruntled people take it to the Internet, so I'd like to know of your experiences, good or bad.
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posted by bluefly at 2:12 PM PST - 14 comments
My 50 year old uncle is visiting San Fran this Thursday for the first time. I am picking him up at SFO at 11 and we want to be back to Novato by about 330 to beat (most of) the traffic. On the way out we will certainly go up to the Marin Headlands, and he is a big seafood guy so I am guessing we will catch lunch down near the Wharf or maybe at the Cliff House.
Obviously we don't have much time, so what recommendations do you all have for a few cool things to see in the city on the way out? I think we'll do Lombard, but otherwise I'm not terribly interested in super-touristy stuff. Maybe some historic spots?
posted by Chuck Cheeze at 1:04 PM PST - 13 comments
Copy editors or grammar natzi's: I am pre-copy editing a manuscript for my friend. Is it acceptable to start a sentence with the word "but"? I am leaning towards no but I can't remember. Also what are the rules about mentioning name brands in novels? such as "Hilton" or "Boston Red Sox" or "Boston Globe"?
Thank you so much!
posted by meeshell at 12:33 PM PST - 28 comments
Shopping in Austin recs: cute, unique clothes for girls and cute, unique housewares with middle range prices.
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posted by dame at 12:25 PM PST - 8 comments 
Gift Filter: Really awesome Kentucky Derby/Horse Races themed gift for my dad's 50th birthday?
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posted by saucy at 12:10 PM PST - 8 comments 
Help me find a couple pairs of shoes for the summer. I'm a guy who's not a big fan of sandals or loafers/boat shoes.
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posted by PFL at 11:50 AM PST - 15 comments 
VPNFilter: I like my home network, but I want to access it outside of my home. How do I set up my WRT54GL running DD-WRT v23 SP2 to do that?
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posted by billtron at 11:40 AM PST - 11 comments
After a long time in a lesbian relationship, I'm coming to the realization that I think I'm straight. I don't want to leave my wife (I really love her), but I can't stop thinking about men. Please help me figure this out. Sexually explicit details inside. NSFW
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posted by anonymous at 11:33 AM PST - 23 comments
We made a powerpoint presentation on a Mac and sent it to a number of people both in the US and abroad. Most people are reporting difficulties with the formatting - text spilling over onto pictures, etc. What gives?
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posted by anonymous78 at 11:28 AM PST - 8 comments
Completely-random-question-filter: What's up with that glass bulb-shaped carafe some restaurants use to serve coffee and tea? Am I missing something?
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posted by peachfuzz at 11:22 AM PST - 19 comments 
How does one delicately go about bringing up a huge discrepancy in the listed square footage vs. the actual square footage of an apartment in a unit that is for sale by owner?
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posted by TryTheTilapia at 11:13 AM PST - 22 comments
I have a LG Trax phone, which uses java for games and apps. I downloaded some java games made specifically for this phone from a website, then transferred them to the phone with bluetooth. The phone will not recognize these .jar or .jad files as files it can use. Will unlocking my phone fix this problem?
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posted by schyler523 at 11:07 AM PST - 1 comments 
hi there. A friend of mine like to have a website created for his business. As someone more technical than he, he's asked me to help him find someone.
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posted by reddot at 10:49 AM PST - 5 comments
What does the navel look like from the inside?
posted by uandt at 10:42 AM PST - 5 comments
How can I set up my computer's 2.1 speakers so as to limit the inevitable amount of hate my neighbors will feel for my house music obsession?
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posted by elizardbits at 10:31 AM PST - 12 comments 
leather laptop bag. where could I have one custom made? or can you recommend one to fit my needs?
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posted by nihlton at 10:27 AM PST - 2 comments 
Are the Grado SR60's the best headphones that I can buy for under $100? I plan on using them, or whatever headphones I get, mainly with my iPod.
posted by waltzing astronomers at 10:04 AM PST - 28 comments
How long should various home or personal records be retained? I know this topic may sound tiresome as the answer comes up frequently in newspapers and magazines, but I think in many cases people are re-hashing the old dogma. Also, in the internet age, perhaps the answers have changed.
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posted by Rad_Boy at 9:25 AM PST - 5 comments
Doggy folk, your best guess about this breed/mix, please? Photos:
1,
2,
3. She is two years old, weighs around 27 pounds, and is about 17 inches tall. I don't know much more than that. I haven't met the young lady yet, so I can't tell you much about temperament, etc., except she's supposed to be very sweet, loves the loving, not barky.
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posted by taz at 7:23 AM PST - 29 comments
What epic fantasy/sci-fi series (think Wheel of Time, Song of Ice and Fire) are only just starting out?
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posted by TheOtherGuy at 7:22 AM PST - 15 comments
Are my bHcg levels rising too quickly and when my clinic says they'll do whatever I want, what should I ask for? Be warned, gynaecological things are inside. (Sorry, couldn't resist that one.)
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posted by taff at 4:30 AM PST - 7 comments 
I'm looking for a small, comfortable couch futon that converts into a small fold out bed. I live in a small basement studio and space is at a premium. I'd like one no wider than 45 inches, that can unfold to a small bed, and that sits at a high level (no ground level ikea futons)
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posted by waylaid at 4:29 AM PST - 10 comments
I have a particular furniture company in mind, but forgot the name and can't find it.
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posted by jon1270 at 3:21 AM PST - 2 comments 
I am applying for a small travel grant to fund a trip to a semi-local conference. The problem is that I have no idea how to write one!
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posted by tickingclock at 2:34 AM PST - 7 comments 
Telecom nerd filter (again): Documented instances of 802.16-2004 or 802.16e-2005 WiMax installations interfering with C-band satellite systems? 3.40 GHz to 6.425 GHz frequency range.
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posted by thewalrus at 1:04 AM PST - 1 comments
Recommend to me books with romantic relationships (not necessarily romance or chick lit) that I can sigh happily, wistfully over?
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posted by Xere at 12:56 AM PST - 59 comments
does any going through menopause have aching teeth and if so have you found any remedy
posted by johnmarg at 12:28 AM PST - 5 comments
How do i remain physically present but emotionally detached from my family and relatives?
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posted by prudie at 12:25 AM PST - 28 comments 
This page (a website for public domain scores) tells me that my daily allotment of download page visits (2 per day per IP, I imagine) has been exceeded the first time I go to one of those pages.
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posted by invitapriore at 12:05 AM PST - 3 comments
April 20
I want to eat healthy, but have an almost uncontrollable sweet-tooth. What can I do to control myself?
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posted by rybreadmed at 11:08 PM PST - 28 comments
BackpackingFilter: Travelling around Europe from mid October to mid Janruary - help me pick the right gear to take.
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posted by atmosphere at 11:03 PM PST - 16 comments
My buddies and I just finished recording a cd that we'd like to sell on iTunes and in stores but don't want our names attached to it in any way. How can we handle getting the profits in the cheapest way possible?
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posted by stewiethegreat at 10:53 PM PST - 14 comments
Looking for the name of the Comedian who did a "Dad! Look at my hands! Look at my hands! Look at my haaaands!" joke.
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posted by Bakuun at 10:53 PM PST - 1 comments
I'm going to be working in a hotel in Killarney, Ireland for two weeks in May. I'll have a few hours off here and there, but not much. Any advice on non-touristy food and drink in and around town?
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posted by kdern at 10:13 PM PST - 5 comments
I have about 6 or 7 Tiny Showcase prints that I would like to display. Does anyone have a clever way to display this collection? I'd like to display them all together.
posted by Farleece at 10:08 PM PST - 2 comments 
Recently relocated to US, trying to build credit - already got a secured credit card, should I get a store credit card or try for a real one?
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posted by shimon at 10:06 PM PST - 7 comments
Is there a way to report dangerous driving that you see on the road? e.g. speeding, weaving in and out of lanes.. or just wait and hope the police catch up with them eventually? If I have a reason to believe this bad driver is going to cause an accident - is there a way to report them? I live in the Chicago suburbs.
posted by Workingtill85 at 8:40 PM PST - 16 comments
Book-filter: Nabokov commented on
Lolita that there were only three taboos in American publishing: incest, interracial marriage and "the total atheist who lives a happy and useful life, and dies in his sleep at the age of 106."
Did Nabokov(or anyone else for that matter), ever write a notable book about this latter taboo?
posted by archae at 7:56 PM PST - 10 comments
If you have been car-less for your entire adult life in New York City and just rented a car for a work-free week, where would you go?
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posted by redhotchips at 7:32 PM PST - 7 comments
I graduated in 2004 from a fairly good university, and since then, I've held a few jobs in the retail/merchandising field. Right now, I'm an associate buyer/merchandiser for a specialty retailer. There isn't any room for advancement right now, I'm bored, and the job is totally unstimulating at this point. I live in the Boston area, where there are very few fashion retail buyer jobs. Can you help me with a career change?
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posted by anonymous at 7:08 PM PST - 4 comments
What's your best advice for reading multi-column and other large-minimum-width websites on a 480x800 screen?
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posted by mindsound at 6:57 PM PST - 3 comments
80s tv question. When i was a young man i remember this show that was semi fanasty with a plot around swordsmen who had a sword but also a dirk would come out of the hilt of the sword. This is all i remember if anyone could guide me more would apprecaite it. Show would have been before 85.
posted by Rolandkorn at 6:33 PM PST - 9 comments 
Does anyone know if they make a Tupperware or Tupperware-like food storage container system that has one interchangeable lid size for all the different bins?
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posted by killerinsideme at 6:29 PM PST - 11 comments
I just bought a used car. Do I need to get it smog checked before transferring ownership over to myself in California?
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posted by LoopyG at 6:28 PM PST - 5 comments
My friend just started coaching his work's softball team. It's a pretty competitive league, and they are not very good. They have 2 games a week, but not much of a chance to practice in between, so obviously that's a big part of the problem. Even when they do practice, though, he doesn't know how to help them improve. What can they do to get better (drills, guided meditation, amphetamines, anything)?
posted by unknowncommand at 6:24 PM PST - 12 comments 
I'm looking for dialog-heavy scenes (in books, movies, TV shows, etc) where a group of people solve a problem or make a plan in the course of one long conversation.
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posted by nebulawindphone at 6:18 PM PST - 33 comments
It's getting warm out, and the top floor of the house we live in is heating up a lot. My infant son sleeps upstairs and the heat from the day is moving up to the top floor and lingering for hours and hours. The catch is he sleeps best in complete darkness, so opening windows means screwing up his sleep for the night.
Anyone have any suggestions on how to cool down the top floor while creating a minimal disturbance for my kid?
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posted by theNonsuch at 5:41 PM PST - 15 comments
Where can one buy a beautiful flower vase that was not made in China? I would like to support a local Seattle artisan, but I am also willing to order online if it's love at first sight.
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posted by halogen at 4:47 PM PST - 6 comments 
How common is a false positive pregnancy test? Do you have any experiences you can share to help us determine our situation? More details (fears, worries, etc) inside.
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posted by theantikitty at 3:47 PM PST - 34 comments
I have some hosting. I use oldtld.com currently as a TLD, to point people at it. On oldtld.com, there are several subdirectories, which I'll call /olddir1, /olddir2, etc.
What I want is to be able to buy a new TLD - newtld.com - and point it at the same hosting, yet keep the two separate.
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posted by Rabulah at 3:41 PM PST - 8 comments
I want to set up a 3gal nano reef tank (possible slightly larger, up to 10gal).
I want the system to be as aesthetically pleasing as possible, namely by keeping any equipment out of sight.
Could I just drill two holes in the tank, and use a powerful external canister filter, to filter the water and provide water movement? Or is a seperate powerhead necessary?
In addition, is there an external way of heating the water, without the use of a sump?
Thanks a lot.
posted by BritishGas at 2:22 PM PST - 5 comments 
Are there water filtration systems with no plastic anywhere in the water's path?
posted by Skorgu at 2:16 PM PST - 5 comments 
What's the real deal with hormonal birth control and migraines? Internet says there are stroke risks, my doctor(s) say not to worry.
Asking for general info from anyone who'd done research on this, not specific medical advice.
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posted by Mr Bunnsy at 1:32 PM PST - 9 comments
I am using a computerized telephone management system called Advanced Call Center. One of its features is it emails me whenever I receive a call at my business. That feature needs and uses the Telephone Applications Programming Interface (TAPI) feature within Outlook to function.
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posted by CollectiveMind at 1:23 PM PST - 4 comments
Starting a new job which will require lots of short (i.e. 1-2 nights) travel - what's the best carry-on option that will handle a suit and tie? Is it advisable or should I just bite the bullet and check my suit?
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posted by dyerfr at 1:07 PM PST - 12 comments
I want to scan all my important papers, including documents which are on legal sized (long) paper.
I have a Canon MP830 scanner and while the glass for scanning is the size or regular notebook paper, I thought I would be able to scan in the legal sized document from the automatic document feeder.
So far, no go - all my PDF copies are only notebook sized copies.
Any suggestions?
posted by cmh0150 at 1:06 PM PST - 11 comments 
How much should an online marketing manager be paid? With a base salary and a 100% trackable sales?
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posted by anonymous at 12:29 PM PST - 1 comments
Is there an elegant algorithm to determine if a dfa is minimal? Obviously you can minimize a dfa and then check to see if the result is isomorphic to the original. Is there another way?
posted by rdr at 12:19 PM PST - 4 comments 
How do I create my own CDs from existing CD tracks, without losing quality on OS X? It seems iTunes will let me rip to WAV but will it then burn back to CD in the same quality? I don't want to go through any encoding/decoding stage.
posted by deeper red at 11:20 AM PST - 11 comments
I'm a student in the UK and have decided to take a job in the U.S. starting in the autumn. Is there any hope for me to be in a romantic relationship until then?
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posted by rwatson at 10:34 AM PST - 7 comments
Is Curves International (i.e. the company behind Curves gyms) really that bad? If it is, are there any other gyms that are similar to this chain in terms of target clientele and training plan?
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posted by LolaGeek at 10:02 AM PST - 18 comments 
Buying a house (vs. renting): How much more does it cost to buy than rent? Is it worth it (tax, asset, etc) in the long run?
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posted by arnicae at 9:50 AM PST - 25 comments
When asked, I couldn't recommend any good Computer Science or Engineering books for kids. Do such books exist? To avoid buying a stack and going through them myself, can anyone recommend any?
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posted by billy_the_punk at 9:47 AM PST - 8 comments 
Help me remember the name of this Japanese language learning magazine/CD combo.
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posted by Meagan at 9:18 AM PST - 5 comments 
I'm subletting an apartment for the summer (June-August). Is it sketchy to be asked to give the original lessee three checks—two pre-dated for July 1st and August 1st respectively—at the signing? It seems slightly odd, but not necessarily sketchy.
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posted by thebabelfish at 9:08 AM PST - 31 comments
Is there a site where I can find someone to make me a computer program or small script?
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posted by bindasj at 8:14 AM PST - 8 comments 
I'm looking for a barebones SMS service that would forward any text messages I submit to a web page (preferably via a POST request with variables formatted to my specifications) backed by PHP and MySQL. Basically, I'd like to try my hand at mobile microblogging, but without the hyper-social aspect, and retaining absolute control of the output. Pay services are fine, as are suggestions of alternative means of accomplishing what I seek.
posted by The Confessor at 8:03 AM PST - 6 comments
How can I opt out of business credit card offers for my home business when the usual junk mail filter options are geared towards individuals?
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posted by sharkfu at 7:23 AM PST - 6 comments
I realized recently that I’m ashamed of myself at a deep fundamental level. When I fail at something big or small, I beat myself up emotionally more than I should and feel ashamed. I realize that this is not emotionally healthy, but I’m not really sure what I can do to change the dynamic.
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posted by anonymous at 6:20 AM PST - 24 comments
All network cards in our LAN suddenly claim to be disconnected. Wireless still works just fine. Can you help?
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posted by lioness at 5:01 AM PST - 17 comments 
Open source Wiki software!
I'm looking to setup an open source wiki service very similar to wikipedia.org (but slightly different). However I know there is open source software available to download...
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posted by spinko at 3:43 AM PST - 6 comments 
Does anyone know where I can find a copy of the music that used to play once you had booted into Windows 98 SE?
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posted by chairish at 1:24 AM PST - 9 comments 
Give me some suggestions for classic movies that my kids (ages 19 and 15) will enjoy. I have
tried so hard [insert martyrdom here] to get them to appreciate the classics, but they mostly seem to react with "meh"...
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posted by amyms at 1:10 AM PST - 60 comments
I'm at beginner at PHP and web programming, but have been programming on the desktop for a while. I want to make a web application, about 2 dozen webpages that read/write to a database, and with user accounts. Where can I get off-the-shelf controls for PHP like a DataGrid, Membership/Authentication, Tabs, and Popup Form/Dialog?
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posted by lpctstr; at 1:04 AM PST - 8 comments
April 19
My friend is looking to find the title of a 1980s era anime she loved. Can anyone help?
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posted by olinerd at 7:10 PM PST - 4 comments 
Is there a way to automagically back up my blackberry contacts and calendar on my iMac? Bluetooth and cordless would be swell. I'm running an intel Mac with the latest OS animal.
posted by Pants! at 6:57 PM PST - 6 comments 
Imagine you're planning a trip and you know someone, maybe distantly, who used to live where you are traveling. Do you feel obligated to ask that person for advice? What do you ask them?
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posted by cabingirl at 6:44 PM PST - 12 comments 
So, I've seen Sagan's
Cosmos. I've seen
The Universe. I've listened to Feynman's lectures on physics. What's next?
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posted by Optamystic at 6:39 PM PST - 12 comments
So I wanna write a horror novel. God knows where I start. How can I make it scary, as opposed to a soppy middle of the road thriller?
posted by bobbyone at 6:38 PM PST - 30 comments
When I was younger I was told that Kraftwerk's Man-Machine/Mensch-Maschine album had a French-language version (L'homme-machine, presumably) that was never released. Does anyone know whether this is true or not?
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posted by Kattullus at 6:28 PM PST - 4 comments 
Is it worth spending a few extra dollars on a high quality propane bbq, or do they all just peter out after a few years?
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posted by gesamtkunstwerk at 5:39 PM PST - 20 comments 
What is a young couple supposed to do when 6 months after purchasing their first home a landslide occurs in their back yard?
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posted by slowtree at 5:25 PM PST - 14 comments 
After a stint in a major city, I've decided that Athens, GA is my home and I will be returning. I'd like to live downtown. Do any Mefites have advice in general for locating not-well-publicized places, or any specific ins for downtown Athens living?
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posted by quixxotic at 4:48 PM PST - 2 comments
Wonderful Mefis: I know someone will help. I seek the name of a movie, or made-for-TV movie. 1980s, probably. May have starred cast members from Absolutely Fabulous. Maybe a Brit production.
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posted by yazi at 4:24 PM PST - 5 comments 
Does anyone know of a good place to shop for/ try out vintage Traynor amps in Toronto or Montreal? Much obliged.
posted by jules1651 at 4:12 PM PST - 3 comments
Is there a name for this style of joking? Set-up: Person A asks a question. Punchline: Person B -- by pretending to misunderstand the question -- gives an unexpected response. The Marx Bros used this style a lot, and I see it over and over on "Flight of the Conchords. " ALSO: Can anyone offer further examples of this? Thank you so much! :-)
posted by coizero at 4:06 PM PST - 15 comments 
Just bought Ipod Touch....I love it, but sometimes not having internet connection makes most of my widget apps useless. Are there Todo list/grocery list etc type apps that one can use offline?
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posted by matthelm at 3:23 PM PST - 3 comments
Is there a website that lists music festivals, like Sasquatch, and their website addresses? I am interested in a wide variety of music.
posted by Foam Pants at 3:18 PM PST - 3 comments
This mefi post made me hungry. Are there any restaurants in LA that serve a Full English breakfast? I consulted one of my old coworkers who was in town from Ireland for a while, and the closest he got was buying the fixins from the Irish store on Vine and making it himself.
posted by thedaniel at 2:42 PM PST - 8 comments 
VintageMTBFilter: I'm behind the times when it comes to MTB gear and I'm looking for suggestions for a new rear hub for my commuter bike, leading to perhaps some further upgrades down the road. My question regards upgrade paths for deraillers, shifters, and brakes.
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posted by Rafaelloello at 2:26 PM PST - 8 comments 
I'm writing a monstrous paper on the "cross-curricular" teaching method for middle school and high school. I have searched ERIC, JSTOR, and psycINFO with all kinds of keyword combos, and I'm still not coming up with decent theoretical or empirical articles. I really need the help of the Collective BrainFilter. I'll explain further inside...
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posted by tzikeh at 2:25 PM PST - 10 comments
Calling all electro fans: can anyone identify the track sampled at 1:39 in
this Justice concert clip?
posted by aqhong at 2:05 PM PST - 5 comments
Waitress Shoe Filter: What shoe would you advise this Canadian to buy, online, that she can return easily if it doesn't fit?
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posted by Phalene at 1:48 PM PST - 16 comments 
If you wanted to live an hour outside of Manhattan by train, which city would you recommend moving to (in any direction)?
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posted by (bb|[^b]{2}) at 1:34 PM PST - 26 comments
Anybody have experience with cicadian rhythm alarm clocks or "sunrise" alarm clocks? More inside...
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posted by Alabaster at 12:54 PM PST - 19 comments
A good friend and former employee is going through a tough divorce. I filled an affidavit testifying to her child care and parenting skills (we both worked at a private school). Her husband's responding affidavit accused me (falsely!) of drunken altercations with the local police. Should I be worried? Should I respond?
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posted by OlderThanTOS at 12:53 PM PST - 13 comments
[Chicagolandfilter] I'm looking to move within the NW suburbs of Chicago. I want somewhere that has a small town or urban feel, like Barrington's downtown, but without the insane housing prices. (We will be renting.)
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posted by desjardins at 12:44 PM PST - 18 comments
Eatingfilter: I'm an admitted chronic meal-skipper, trying to mend my wicked ways. Help me enjoy a healthy filling breakfast and stick to it!
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posted by actionpact at 12:24 PM PST - 29 comments
What's a safe setting for transmit power in milliwatts for a Linksys WRT54G? It's default is 42- I'd like to bump it but not burn the router out. Max is 251.
posted by xmutex at 12:22 PM PST - 9 comments
Are there any handy utilities or iTunes plugins to help sync my mp3 player (which appears as simply a mass-storage drive) from my macbook? [Something like a mac version of
badapple.]
posted by kickingtheground at 11:42 AM PST - 3 comments 
What's a reasonable price for a round-trip ticket from BWI (or maybe DC, either Dulles or National) to Glasgow, UK, in September of this year?
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posted by buxtonbluecat at 11:36 AM PST - 3 comments
Is it ethical to fake conversation in your own blog's comments section? I don't mean stirring up controversy for the sake of it or setting up straw-man arguments. I mean chucking some "model" comments on to the end of a batch of posts to let readers know the comments are there and easy to use. As a codicil: Has anyone done this and found that it effectively enticed discussion?
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posted by anonymous at 10:32 AM PST - 33 comments
How do I ask for more financial assistance / financing options as an international undergraduate in a US college?
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posted by anonymous at 10:32 AM PST - 8 comments
Please help me find resources and information about Good and Evil in children's literature.
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posted by Knigel at 10:10 AM PST - 12 comments
Is there a way I can monitor latency to gaming servers easily in OSX, preferably through a widget?
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posted by mccarty.tim at 10:07 AM PST - 2 comments
classic pc video game filter: does anyone remember this game: used to be a free download way back in the dawn of the internet. what i remember.... it was a game racing some sort of airplane or anti-gravity car. (similar to a more modern game called wipeout pure). it was a free download, and if im not mistaken it was actually from or sponsored by Microsoft to show off directx. The time frame would have been '96 or '97.
posted by chasles at 10:02 AM PST - 8 comments
[GrownupFilter] Many credit threads on here, but I couldn't find one that really helped: I have shit credit, and I hate throwing money away with renting. In the next 12-18 months, what can I do to help me buy a house?
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posted by damnjezebel at 9:52 AM PST - 17 comments
A google search confirms: "Time flies when you're having fun" is actually true, because the body's internal clock is influenced by dopamine. However, when the alarm goes off and I groggily stumble out of bed, it has been my life-long experience that times passes quickly. This seems like a contradiction.
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posted by proj08 at 8:22 AM PST - 7 comments
A young, lonely girl meets a mysterious
man in a television set in her grandparents' attic. She secretly meets the man in the TV every night, falling in love. He persuades her to help him come through so they can be together for real. She does, unwittingly opening a
transdimensional invasion route for his evil army. What was the title of this show? It was made in the mid- to late 70s. A children's production similar to the ABC After School Specials.
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posted by JFP at 8:09 AM PST - 3 comments
Connecting with your own wireless access point (AP) to another one that provides access to the Internet -- help me figure out the basics here.
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posted by kchristidis at 7:56 AM PST - 6 comments
WebDesignFilter: How can I show certain elements of a form depending on the value of a radio button?
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posted by trim17 at 7:37 AM PST - 3 comments 
As a hobby photographer, I'm playing with the idea of putting my large industrial decay photo collection on a CC license. Should I?
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posted by lord_yo at 5:07 AM PST - 8 comments 
how do i design a cheap spring to attach to a small plastic lever, that will only act over a portion of the rotation of that lever?
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posted by edtut at 3:53 AM PST - 4 comments
Is a membership in AVSForum Club worth it? I'm in the market for an HDTV and I'm wondering if it's worth the $35 subscription cost for access to the
special deal forum, or if the specials posted there are similar to what I'll find looking at other sites like slickdeals, etc.
posted by longdaysjourney at 3:16 AM PST - 3 comments
My kid is going to be six next month and he wants a party. We are very short on cash. Suggestions?
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posted by maryh at 3:05 AM PST - 42 comments 
Has there been any critical recognition of the similarity of the sculptures of Jachin and Boaz from Matthew Barney's
Cremaster 3 to important helical structures (the DNA helix and the alpha helix) from molecular biology?
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posted by mr_roboto at 2:50 AM PST - 7 comments
It was a stormy night. The scroll wheel in my Mighty Mouse stuck, again. Cleaned it. Worked fine for 5 minutes. Stuck again. I snapped…
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posted by doctor.dan at 1:48 AM PST - 23 comments
April 18
My fiance loves Mervyn Peake. Can you suggest some other authors/books that are similar in style to Gormenghast?
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posted by supercrayon at 10:02 PM PST - 16 comments
I've been tasked with making the charoset for my family's seder this year. But I'm tired of the same-old-same-old. Got any recipes you love?
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posted by sourwookie at 9:37 PM PST - 7 comments
What fundamental differences keep the US from nationalizing and/or heavily regulating the oil industry as a whole, much like electricity has been regulated?
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posted by disillusioned at 9:25 PM PST - 17 comments
so ive got like $3500 or so that i want to put into either a roth ira and some index funds.....or that id like to put all together in the market. there are these funds ive been reading about a little in the market itself that are labeled as 'safe' bets. they pay anywhere from 10-15% return and are pretty much all in energy, oil, gas, drilling, and that sort of thing. it's buy and hold on a smaller scale. anyway, that's one option and the other option is to just put the minimum in a roth and buy about a grand's worth of fidelity funds. my goals are to be able to help pay rent and to build small amounts of wealth. alright, lemme know what you think.
posted by locoindio at 9:09 PM PST - 18 comments
What are the best gloves to provide protection from molten stick shellac, while still allowing for extremely delicate repair work?
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posted by alhadro at 8:58 PM PST - 4 comments 
I have a nice title at my work (Director of blah), but I have none of the responsibilities, privileges or authority being a director should entail. Do I move on?
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posted by anonymous at 8:48 PM PST - 11 comments
Is there simple software for a digital camera flash card that will offload my pics -and- change the filename to the date they were taken?
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posted by mr. creosote at 8:39 PM PST - 5 comments 
Posting for a friend: creating metal like armor for a costume, without the whole metal part.
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posted by zabuni at 7:33 PM PST - 10 comments
I have to make a salad for a Passover seder with a lot of people. Can anyone think of a good recipe for a salad that is kosher, filling (I'm thinking maybe nuts or beans), easy to make in large quantities, and delicious? Thanks for your help!
posted by Dasein at 7:23 PM PST - 18 comments 
I run a couple of WordPress blogs. Sometimes a reader will leave an excellent comment. I would love to find a plugin (or an easy method) to highlight these great comments, similar to the way AskMe highlights best answers. I can't figure out how to do this. Do you have any suggestions?
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posted by jdroth at 7:18 PM PST - 8 comments
I need to create a website in Wordpress in a test domain, and then when it's all ready, to move it to another domain. What's the best workflow to accomplish this?
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posted by stupidsexyFlanders at 6:48 PM PST - 5 comments 
Looking for information about teaching English abroad, specifically in Japan and Germany.
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posted by thekak at 6:28 PM PST - 7 comments
I'm trying to hook up my pc to my tv via DVI -> HDMI but it's not working. What am I doing wrong?
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posted by crypticgeek at 5:53 PM PST - 9 comments
Please help me remember the name of a fancy Windows screensaver from about 1996. The only points I remember clearly about it was that it was shareware, had many available modules, one of which was an animated soccer/football game that periodically had a streaker dash across the field.
posted by fish tick at 4:56 PM PST - 4 comments
My doctor prescribed 5-HTP (dietary supplement ) for anxiety. If others have used it, can you pl. let me know your experience. What side effects did you experience ? Were there sexual side effects ?
posted by tom123 at 4:02 PM PST - 16 comments
OldArcadeGameFilter: I'm trying to find a video/arcade game that my mom used to love back in the mid-1980s.
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posted by Oriole Adams at 3:58 PM PST - 9 comments 
My new iPod Touch will not sequence an album in the proper order. I cue an album, push play, and it shuffles randomly from song to song.
Any ideas to get me back on track?
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posted by prinado at 3:16 PM PST - 4 comments 
I've recently moved my blog to a collaborative environment and we're using Wordpress (and I have been for over a year now), but I'm having trouble figuring out a way for us to work that is as seamless as possible with the Wordpress install. I need some help figuring out what tools to use!
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posted by Gideon at 3:15 PM PST - 7 comments 
How can I turn my old Windows XP desktop into a print server for a wired network with Vista and XP machines?
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posted by abkadefgee at 2:07 PM PST - 2 comments
I'm looking for detailed online directions to remove/change the blower motor from a 1998 Mercury Mystique (Ford Contour). I've checked the
Contour Enthusiast Group and found nothing. Any suggestions?
posted by charmston at 2:04 PM PST - 2 comments 
I have one scanned JPG image of one typewritten page of modern German (or possibly modern Swiss-German). What's the best company, service, or person to use to get it translated into English quickly?
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posted by Asparagirl at 1:45 PM PST - 8 comments 
Hopefully this won't be too obscure...
There was a pretty popular Japanese rock band that had a song which was basically a rocked out heavy metal version of Dies Irae from Verdi's requiem. I think the CD is from the early 90's or so. What's the name of the band?
(and no, it's not from the Battle Royale soundtrack. That was a purely orchestral version)
posted by edjusted at 12:59 PM PST - 10 comments
Is the Land of the Rising Sun still expensive? Expats (recent and current) and erstwhile tourists, chime in.
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posted by Gordion Knott at 12:45 PM PST - 8 comments
I live in a bicycle friendly city which inspired me to get a new bicycle. I really want to ride it instead of using our car. Sounds simple, right?
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posted by MeeMaMN at 12:32 PM PST - 12 comments
I'm trying to put together a list of the happiest sounding songs with the saddest lyrics... can you help?
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posted by twiggy at 12:27 PM PST - 107 comments
I need help with a SQL CTE which works in SQL 2005 but doesn't in Business Objects.
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posted by onhazier at 12:22 PM PST - 1 comments
[Jailbreaking-an-iPhone-Filter]: Seduced my the possibility of various apps upping my phone's usability (and thus my own productivity), I've decided I want to jailbreak my iPhone. What is the best way to do this? What are the probable the caveats?
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posted by numinous at 12:12 PM PST - 12 comments 
Cosmopolitan, chilled out, cultural, lots to see and do all within reach of Munich....within flying, train or driving reach that is.
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posted by trashcan at 12:10 PM PST - 8 comments 
Totally silly detail of asking questions filter: When you ask for something, do you give them an out?
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posted by sully75 at 11:46 AM PST - 15 comments
Can you identify
this face? It's part of a clue in a treasure hunt. There are numerous hints that the man might be French, and/or a composer or organist. Or a philosopher. Anyway, see if this photo rings a bell. Thanks!
posted by jsbww at 10:09 AM PST - 11 comments
I just rescued a couple of fancy goldfish, and I could use some advice on how to properly care for them. Is it normal for them to rest on the bottom of the tank? How much should I feed them?
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posted by team lowkey at 10:02 AM PST - 11 comments 
Where can I find older episodes (pre-Elmo) of Sesame Street on DVD for my son? I know about the two disks of "Old School" episodes that have been released on DVD, there's still a huge gap between where those end (1979, I believe) and when Elmo became extremely prominent in the show (late 80s, I believe), and each of those sets only contain 5 full episodes, and a lot of individual segments, outside of the context of a full show.
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posted by jferg at 9:39 AM PST - 6 comments
You are not my meteorologist but . . . There are clouds and there are
clouds, I'd never seen one like this before, what kind was it?
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posted by MasonDixon at 9:34 AM PST - 13 comments 
I'm interested in understanding what a sound tech's duties entail during a concert setting, and what goes into managing a band.
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posted by FunkyHelix at 9:32 AM PST - 7 comments
Short-term investments question: In your opinion, what stable foreign currency should I invest my money?
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posted by goldism at 9:12 AM PST - 11 comments
I've gone on two dates with a guy I met online. Our second date, last Friday, ended with some groping and making out. He wanted me to sleep over his place, but I decided not to. The next day we chatted online, he said he had a great time and I did too. He called me on Monday the day after we had a flirty/ close to booty call text session. I let him know I wanted to see him again. I was hoping he would ask me out again, because i don't want to go straight to his place to see him again. I'd like to go on another date or two before we hit the sheets. How should I let him know in better words? Should I go ahead an ask him out on a date, if he doesn't?
posted by anonymous at 8:21 AM PST - 27 comments
I'm completely confused about UK immigration policy and am getting conflicting information re: extended stays for academic research.
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posted by venividivici at 8:17 AM PST - 10 comments
Is there already a precise term for the rhetorical fallacy/trick described in the following scenario:
Guy A and B are arguing. Guy A makes an assertion. Guy B counters the assertion with an argument of his own. Guy A ignores the specifics of Guy B’s argument, and asserts that Guy B’s argument does not genuinely reflect Guy B’s position (i.e., Guy A says that there are certain unstated ‘real’ reasons Guy B holds the particular position he’s arguing for, and Guy A then goes on to expound on those real reasons to Guy B on his behalf).
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posted by saulgoodman at 8:14 AM PST - 13 comments 
I have a digital video camera and a regular digital camera that both record video in the AVI format. Since AVI files, especially DV-AVI from the video camera, are so relatively large I need to find the best format for archival purposes. "Best format" is defined by me as having decent-but-not-necessarily-spectacular quality, available via free software, and somewhat easy to do (i.e. one app for everything - not one for video and one for audio, no command line, etc.). Help!
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posted by jluce50 at 8:04 AM PST - 12 comments
Totally boring firewire question: I had to reinstall windows xp, and now the system won't see my camcorder.
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posted by muckster at 7:48 AM PST - 4 comments
I was turned down for a job. The reason given was that they couldn't match the salary range that I could get from other jobs. Is this a common "polite lie" among employers or is this the actual reason for me not getting hired?
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posted by anonymous at 7:05 AM PST - 12 comments
News footage for use in a video to be distributed over the web: where can I get it, and for how much?
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posted by hazelshade at 6:43 AM PST - 3 comments 
I want to project the Ordinance Survey Grid (UK) on Google Maps. This
site which to have a KML file that might do that (it's 9 on the list), but I have no idea how to get it to work. I downloaded the file, but it doesn't seem to do anything. I say I down oaded it, I've also clicked on it a few times mindlessly too - and this has not worked either.
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posted by munchbunch at 4:11 AM PST - 5 comments 
We need to polish some antique silver, but are afraid of ruining it or removing too much metal. We're talking about flatware, cups, serving dishes, and other tableware. Ideally we'd like a method that: damages the silver as little as possible, provides a long-lasting shine/reduces future tarnish rate, won't kill whoever eats with them.
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posted by herzigma at 3:59 AM PST - 10 comments 
April 17
Suggest online or DVD resources for a new filmmaker to learn about lenses, film formats, shot composition, camera moves, dialogue staging, and other aspects of cinematography & directing?
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posted by pseudostrabismus at 10:59 PM PST - 7 comments 
Are there any stories of recovering/recovered alcoholics (with more than a few years sobriety) returning to drinking without serious consequences? I'm looking for post-sobriety 'success' stories.
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posted by anonymous at 10:28 PM PST - 21 comments
I'm thinking of taking a day/weekend trip from Lyon (Rhône-Alpes) to... somewhere. I'd like the destination city to be pretty close. Any suggestions?
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posted by flibbertigibbet at 10:25 PM PST - 10 comments 
I am taking a look at two Marx texts, Capital (V: I) and his Eighteenth Brumaire of Napoleon, which are the best translations? I know there are a few problematic translations with the latter.
posted by christopherbdnk at 9:58 PM PST - 1 comments
Server/network/IT-Filter? Windows Vista keeps, or more specifically explorer.exe drops my network transfers, how can I fix this or what is the best Explorer replacement? Also, how can I make Windows Server 2008 more useful on the small scale (more inside of course) ...
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posted by cgomez at 9:37 PM PST - 4 comments
Landlords are selling the house we are in and we would like to know what to expect from the coming months.
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posted by oflinkey at 9:33 PM PST - 9 comments 
How unsafe is it to work in a warehouse filled with hundred + year old stuffed exhibits (buffalo, cougars, birds, snakes, etc.) It contains the archives of a natural history museum. One of the scientists there told me that, although they would like to get rid of some of these old specimens, no one would want them as they were taxidermed the old fashioned way with mercury and formaldehyde, etc.
They, also, have a bar of radium from Madame Curie but its on a different floor. I've inquired as to how its packaged but I'd be surprised if its done properly in a lead box.
I just read an article that made a connection with working around formaldehyde and ALS - my most feared disease.
I only work (volunteer) there 2 days a week but am I in any danger doing so? Thanks
posted by Tullyogallaghan at 8:04 PM PST - 9 comments
My wife and I (mid 20s) will be heading to Baltimore tomorrow from Philly to enjoy the good weather, and get a change of scenery. We'll be driving in, and have got a hotel room as we quite enjoy the beer, and don't want to have to sober up and drive home (or pay $200 to take Amtrak home...) We've got daytime plans down, but I'd like to know more about nightlife.
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posted by Geckwoistmeinauto at 7:44 PM PST - 14 comments 
Is it possible for a relationship between one neuro-typical partner and one partner with asperger's to be in a genuinely fulfilling relationship?
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posted by anonymous at 7:07 PM PST - 16 comments
Looking for free or low cost (under $50) multiple linear regression software which ideally works with Microsoft Excel (but not critical). Any recommendations?
posted by vizsla at 5:58 PM PST - 17 comments 
My trusty Krups coffee excretor gave up the ghost, but would be easily repairable if ONLY I could find a source for the blown thermal fuse. Any idea where I could find one, AskMeFi?
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posted by FauxScot at 5:57 PM PST - 11 comments
Medical Filter. Recently (in the past month or so), one of my legs seems to have either grown longer than the other one, or one has shrunk.
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posted by billysumday at 5:27 PM PST - 11 comments
I'm spending a week in Toulouse, France next month. I'll be on business, so busy during the day, but I expect my evenings will be free. Anything I should be sure to do/see/eat? In addition to Toulouse, are there any nearby places within a few hours drive that I should visit?
posted by jpdoane at 4:42 PM PST - 7 comments 
Backpacking through Europe: Help me find places other than big cities to explore using my Eurail pass.
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posted by ontic at 3:57 PM PST - 18 comments 
I have two relatively equal job offers on the table. Job A will potentially provide more personal satisfaction and job B will potentially provide more future job advancement. Which do I choose?
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posted by anonymous at 3:53 PM PST - 18 comments
What did I do to my computer to make it squeal? I unplugged and unhooked up my computer to clean the carpets in my office. Now all my soundcard does is squeal at me in a high-pitched tone although it looks like it's connected correctly. Can anyone give me any trouble-shooting suggestions for figuring out how to fix this?
posted by katyjack at 3:51 PM PST - 8 comments
I'm going to Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara for 12 days and I'm looking for recommendations of things I absolutely must do/see...
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posted by rhinny at 3:35 PM PST - 5 comments 
I have a Blogger blog that I set up a while ago but never put anything on. Now I can't modify it at all, even though the URL is "taken" - by me.
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posted by gottabefunky at 3:32 PM PST - 4 comments
What would the downsides be if I unlocked and jailbroke an iPhone in the UK, and used it with my existing O2 SIM card?
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posted by samstarling at 3:27 PM PST - 5 comments
Please suggest information sources and other resources to explain how college works to a first generation potential college student.
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posted by Jacqueline at 3:20 PM PST - 8 comments
I can't find a consistent way to compare public schools in two different states, but maybe someone here has personal experience that'll help. We're considering buying a home in either the SF bay area or in Austin. Is there a substantial difference in the quality of the public schools? Regardless of which way we go, we'd pick a neighborhood that has highly rated schools.
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posted by jewzilla at 3:03 PM PST - 8 comments
I have an image. I have a Wordpress
?php previous_posts_link? . How can I make it so the image acts as that? I've googled and just can't find the right alchemy and I just know that other people are doing it.
posted by beaucoupkevin at 2:42 PM PST - 9 comments
What are the top 3 things I can do this year to avoid consuming non-renewable resources?
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posted by brandnew at 2:28 PM PST - 35 comments
My roommate owes me $500 in bills and will likely owe twice as much until our lease is up. I need the money. What do I do?
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posted by bondgirl53001 at 2:04 PM PST - 24 comments
Where should my girlfriend and I stay for a quiet, semi-romantic weekend around Big Sur in June?
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posted by autojack at 1:47 PM PST - 13 comments
Is there software to automatically manage podcasts on my Rio Carbon Pearl? I'm looking for something that will function like iTunes for an iPod or Zune for a Zune -- keep only unplayed shows on my player, download new shows when I run the software, etc. Are there any iTunes alternatives which will handle this on my Rio Carbon? I'm running XP.
posted by YoungAmerican at 1:42 PM PST - 7 comments
A childhood memory of two science fiction films has been nagging me lately. I have just a little to go on...
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posted by I, Credulous at 1:38 PM PST - 11 comments 
GrammarFilter:
I was listening to "Blackbird" by the Beatles recently, and was struck by the line:
"You were only waiting for this moment to arise."
I was intrigued by the way the phrase "to arise" has sort of an ambiguous function here.
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posted by AngerBoy at 1:33 PM PST - 26 comments
Can anyone recommend a good place for traditional Irish music near the Jurys Inn on Quay St in Galway City?
posted by Shanachie at 1:02 PM PST - 5 comments 
I have excessive dream recall (I dream too much.) I frequently confuse the details of my realistic dreams for reality meaning I reference things in conversation that never happened.
If I'm anxious the dreams are nightmares but not night terrors.
Anyone mastered this problem? If so, how?
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posted by kristymcj at 12:48 PM PST - 19 comments 
Baseball question: Why is a matchup between excellent pitchers considered a "good game" from a fan's point of view?
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posted by luser at 12:47 PM PST - 25 comments 
We have recently moved to Waterloo Ontario from Vancouver BC and friends are coming to visit. What should we do with them??? Help! I really want them (and us) to have fun!!
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posted by saradarlin at 12:33 PM PST - 16 comments 
Any Excel gurus in the room? I have an Excel spreadsheet with over 800 rows of data. Each row begins with a number (like 0001), and some have letters after the numbers (like 0001a). The Sort function doesn’t sort the way I’d like it to.
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posted by Milkman Dan at 12:26 PM PST - 7 comments 
What's your best haroset recipe? Happy Pesach!
posted by pinto at 12:18 PM PST - 12 comments 
I'd really like to read a book about Charles Lindbergh but don't know which to choose of the hundreds that seem to be available. (I'm more interested in learning about his political career as a consultant/activist etc. than I am about the whole flying thing.)
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posted by Claypole at 12:08 PM PST - 5 comments
Is there a way to create a link in an Excel spreadsheet to a specific page or destination in an external PDF file? I've read some tutorials that show how to do this in html documents but can't seem to figure out if it's possible in Excel. I'm using MS Excel 2000 and Adobe Acrobat 8.1.2 Professional. Thanks!
posted by bepe at 12:03 PM PST - 3 comments
I've moved from a claustro apartment into a place with a (small) backyard, I have a full ipod with great headphones, and I've got a stack of books to read. It's time to kick back and suntan (quickly, before the really heavy rays kick in in July/August!).
So...can anyone recommend a seriously comfortable yet reasonably portable (must store in garage between uses) chaisse lounge...or other outdoor reclining furniture appropriate for sunning?
posted by Quisp Lover at 12:01 PM PST - 5 comments
How long would it take to become decent at programming Java for someone with basic non OO programming skills?
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posted by ilike at 12:00 PM PST - 10 comments
Help me analyze a variable annuity as a tax-deferred retirement savings option.
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posted by kanuck at 11:41 AM PST - 3 comments 
I've decided to abandon '
plan A' and think it's best to connect my two houses using wifi because of electrical concerns. I've read through tons of past Askme and other threads on the internet about range boosting, repeaters, gain, antennas etc but I'm asking this question because I'm hoping that there's a kit someone can point me in the direction of that matches my needs!
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posted by dance at 10:38 AM PST - 13 comments
I have an interest in psychology that I'd like to explore further, but I'm not really sure how to start. I can't say I know much about the field of psychology. I'd like to explore alternatives to taking classes at the local community college (I'm not looking for a degree), but I'd definitely like to understand the mind more. Some books I've enjoyed reading: Prozac Nation, Paradox of Choice, Stumbling on Happiness.
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posted by defben at 10:26 AM PST - 18 comments 
Wrigleyville residents/capitalist theorists: am I obliged to honor the "dibs" system while selling my parking spot during Cubs night games?
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posted by AgentRocket at 10:25 AM PST - 40 comments
Because this question just doesn't get asked enough: please help me remember this book I enjoyed as a child in the early 1970s. In it, 3 boys are at the beach. They find at least one (maybe more) message in a bottle, and I think the message is in some sort of code. I thought the title was "Three By The Sea" but I checked Amazon.com and the book they have with that title is definitely NOT the book I'm thinking of. Anyone?
posted by bluekrauss at 10:10 AM PST - 4 comments
I have been working at an art gallery for over a two years. When I first was hired they asked me if I was okay with smoking from time to time. The two directors smoke once or twice when they are in the gallery. I had told them it was fine since I knew they wouldn't be in the gallery every single day. Now our gallery has several new people who smoke and they are in every day. I can't stand it anymore. It's 5 out of 6, who smoke or don't care if anyone else smokes in the gallery. How do I politely tell the group of smokers to smoke somewhere else in the gallery or not smoke near me at all after I had told them that it was okay for them to do it in the first place? I'm afraid they just might end up hating me and firing me.
posted by likeapen at 10:02 AM PST - 24 comments
Is it possible to have each author on a MediaWiki have a different text color automatically? I'd like the entries of my three users to show up differently.
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posted by fake at 10:01 AM PST - 1 comments
Please help me identify a fish that washed up on a Pacific Ocean beach in Oregon.
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posted by efalk at 9:54 AM PST - 7 comments 
I'm a third year Visual Communications major looking for graphic design internships in the S.F./Sac/or inbetween area. Where can I find more places to apply?
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posted by mwang1028 at 9:44 AM PST - 3 comments 
I need to find affordable or sliding-scale treatment for someone with Borderline Personality Disorder in New York City, ideally Dialectical Behavior Therapy.
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posted by anonymous at 9:27 AM PST - 3 comments
Research/recruiting-filter: How to target or reach people aged 40-60 who might be due for a colonoscopy?
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posted by AceRock at 8:54 AM PST - 7 comments
I'm going on a six-week trip to another city for an internship, and want to avoid being that person with the half-a-dozen elephant-sized bags. Unfortunately, most travel sites either focus on short business trips (>2 weeks) or backpackers. Any tips for travelling light on what will basically be a temporary relocation would be much appreciated.
posted by Tamanna at 8:42 AM PST - 11 comments 
In search of a legend: Where (or from whom) can I buy a
new Apple Extended Keyboard?
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posted by slhack3r at 8:37 AM PST - 5 comments
I'm looking for jokes that sound like they are going to be very involved at the start but end up being very short.
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posted by Carbolic at 8:28 AM PST - 61 comments 
(Posting for a Friend)
"I am doing research for a novel I'm writing. But since I'm no longer affiliated with a university I'm having a difficult time in getting responses from professors and specialists that I have contacted with questions. How can I increase my chances of having them take me seriously and answer my questions?
Also, does anyone have advice for a non-Hungarian speaker to do research with the Hungarian Archives?"
Thank you!
posted by lolalivia at 6:46 AM PST - 6 comments
I'm wanting to start a site like Woot.com but can't find a turnkey script to use. Does anyone know if such a script exists? All I can find are freelance projects and I'd really rather just buy a readymade script.
posted by Hellafiles at 6:15 AM PST - 7 comments
Anyone know a place in Bangkok to watch the NBA playoffs?
posted by lbergstr at 5:31 AM PST - 4 comments
Jetta's sunglass holder above my windshield is too small for my sunglasses. Other than getting smaller sunglasses, anyone have any ideas on what else I can use the holder for? Not a huge issue but I'd love to hear your thoughts. Thanks!
posted by rsol44 at 5:30 AM PST - 16 comments
I want to give my friends the time of their lives. Give me some ideas for spur of the moment things to do.
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posted by 913 at 1:37 AM PST - 19 comments 
Flash problem: I know it's just me, but...variables don't always seem to be passed in URL query strings.
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posted by maxwelton at 1:34 AM PST - 5 comments
Astronomy question: there's been a vertical green glow in the night sky, south by southwest (near the moon) for the last two nights in the Pacific North West. Any suggestions what it might be?
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posted by phyrewerx at 1:27 AM PST - 14 comments 
April 16
ManBagFilter: Looking for recommendations for a canvas/nylon messenger bag which is functional, fashionable and wont blow the bank.
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posted by chrisbucks at 11:40 PM PST - 21 comments 
Looking for summer courses in differential equations, online or in the Los Angeles area.
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posted by fermion at 10:59 PM PST - 3 comments
Are there any languages other than Chinese (Mandarin, Cantonese, etc.) that have a greeting that means "you (are) good"?
posted by strangeguitars at 10:54 PM PST - 27 comments
Good batch photo editing software for Mac? (I want to apply a tungsten filter to a large batch of digital images)
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posted by mnop at 10:51 PM PST - 9 comments 
Help me find an obscure song from very late 80s or early 90s radio that had a spoken verse in which the man recounted a strange dream or encounter. The singer/narrator said something like, "And then he spoke to me in a language I didn't understand." The song then broke into a few bars of chanting in some weird (and probably fabricated) language than sounded vaguely like Swahili.
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posted by tomwheeler at 10:44 PM PST - 7 comments 
Do all misdemeanor cases get to bypass the grand jury? Is there such a thing as a federal misdemeanor? I know FEDERAL capital offenses must go before a grand jury and each STATE handles this differently, ie NY both sides and a judge, no grand jury. But I am confused on this process...help, test tommorrow!!
posted by madmamasmith at 10:37 PM PST - 5 comments
I'm trying to cover all my bases for my budding book repair business. I'm sure in the process people will be asking me to appraise their books.
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posted by ikahime at 10:24 PM PST - 4 comments 
Here's a semi-tough one (at least, I think). TV show from the 80's, had at least one character that was a mannequin who would come to life after you placed his cabbie-hat on him...
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posted by pedmands at 9:54 PM PST - 11 comments 
Has anyone actually used the modified push ups that I saw in GI Jane as part of their exercise regimen? Did it work? Do you have a better suggestion?
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posted by MsLgean at 9:35 PM PST - 18 comments 
What are some exercises I can do to build upper body strength and lose some weight/inches off my waistline? Difficulty: small room, next to no fitness equipment.
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posted by phaded at 9:18 PM PST - 20 comments
Do I need to buy 4-ply tires? I am starting a research position that will involve lots of travel on rock/sand/gravel roads in Southern Arizona and Northern Mexico. A desert rat friend of mine says I need to upgrade my 3-ply tires to 4-ply tires to avoid repeated flats. Is he right?
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posted by intoxicate at 8:52 PM PST - 4 comments
I'm looking for a decent, easy to use IFS fractal drawing program that lets students interact with the affine transformations graphically. Windows program or Java applet desired (although a program that works on both Windows and Macs would be ideal!). Anyone know any good ones?
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posted by leahwrenn at 7:25 PM PST - 6 comments
Is there a blog service that has all the features I need? I've tried Blogger, Livejournal, and Wordpress.com, but none of them seems like quite the ticket. See inside for the 3 features I'm looking for.
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posted by jejune at 6:31 PM PST - 32 comments
I'm trying to replace the shower head for the shower in my apartment. The old one will not come off. Help!
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posted by raztaj at 6:20 PM PST - 17 comments 
Can anyone help me find a great blog of smart, interesting video links that I had bookmarked and lost?
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posted by Muffpub at 5:52 PM PST - 2 comments 
Can anyone familiar with Taiwanese culture or Mandarin tell me if the Yankees' PR people changed the pronunciation of Chien Ming Wang's surname to "Wong" to prevent penis jokes? Or is it really some fluke of transliteration?
posted by Mayor Curley at 5:36 PM PST - 16 comments 
I want to watch complete Pancake Mountain episodes but I don't live in D.C. and I don't want to buy 2 episode dvds at 12 dollars a pop. Do I have any other options ?
posted by carefulmonkey at 4:56 PM PST - 2 comments
This morning, my neighbors down the hall had an extended, high-volume fight. It frightened me in its intensity and content. I called the cops and slipped a note under the door when the aggressor left. Is there anything else I can or should do?
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posted by minervous at 4:21 PM PST - 37 comments
Growing up in Washington state in the 70’s and 80’s I watched a PBS show about a grandma that visited sites of interest (Columbia Gorge, White Bird Pass, etc.) in the Northwest with her grandchildren. Production quality, as I remember it, was rather crude. Does anyone else remember this show? What was the name? Thanks!
posted by rotifer at 4:17 PM PST - 4 comments 
Does anyone remember this traumatizing medical foundation advertisement from the '80s?
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posted by hwyengr at 4:03 PM PST - 2 comments
I show movies to assisted living residents at a retirement community. Movies over 90 minutes tend to be too long. I need a list of quality movies (made before 1970) that are 90 minutes long or less. Any suggestions of movies or where to find such a list?
posted by zzazazz at 3:34 PM PST - 16 comments
I just moved into a new apartment, and the heating is accomplished by these crazy built-in electric heaters. I think they are pretty old -- the brand is Wesix, and I can hardly find anything on Google.
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posted by Post-it Goat at 3:30 PM PST - 8 comments
What is going on with my teeth / gums (very disgusting stuff inside)?
If you, like me, do not like to hear or see sensitive parts of the body going wrong, please do not read this question.
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posted by cincinnatus c at 3:19 PM PST - 15 comments 
Affinity groups and terrorist cells seem do well by them, but what possible combinations are there of autonomous organisation, and what are their main characteristics? What different ways are there to organise people according to a
cell model? I'm interested in an overview of different organisational structures and ways of calculating their characteristics.
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posted by monocultured at 3:10 PM PST - 4 comments 
Can anyone familiar with bike shops in Portland recommend a place to rent a bike for a few days? I currently ride a Fuji Crosstown 3.0 hybrid, in NYC, so something similar as a rental would be great!
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posted by jacquilinala at 1:51 PM PST - 2 comments
I've had a bare Power Mac G5 case in my office since last summer (original water-cooled quad processor melted down, needing a pile of parts and netting me an extra case in the process). What should I do with this spare cheesegrater case? I don't need a PC (Boot Camp/Parallels is doing me fine), otherwise I'd try swapping in a PC mobo/PS. A MacQuarium is probably not going to work too well. What would you do if you had a spare aluminum beast like this? Giant FireWire case with stacks of drives? Humorous solutions are welcome, something that would amuse fellow geeks if it were in my office.
posted by porn in the woods at 1:49 PM PST - 10 comments
Do you donate more than $100 annually online to a charity? What motivates you to give so much and were incentives involved in the process?
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posted by parmanparman at 1:46 PM PST - 46 comments
I'm working on a site (it's a personal project) where I basically review movies that I like. Lately, I've been thinking about adding video clips from the movies/series to give visitors a better understanding of what the movies/series are about.
How do I do this legally? [more inside]
posted by Foci for Analysis at 1:30 PM PST - 13 comments 
My house is incorrectly located by MapQuest, Google Maps, Google Earth and GPS systems. I assume this means that there is an error in some common database they all rely on. Is there a way to request that the error be fixed so that future versions of the database are correct?
posted by retiree at 1:29 PM PST - 2 comments 
I am staying in Seattle for a few days at the lovely
Warwick hotel. However, I really would like to watch the Pittsburgh Penguins-Ottawa Senators playoff game tonight. Does anyone know somewhere close that I may be able to see it at?!?
posted by punkrockrat at 1:25 PM PST - 7 comments 
If I wanted to build a Social Networking Site, what are some of the software options out there that I should explore?
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posted by prk14 at 1:04 PM PST - 5 comments
I'm going to Beijing in May, and want to buy some electronics and other stuff. I wondered if there is a website where I can find prices for different goods, and if there were comparisons to prices in the US/Europe I'd be thrilled. Any other tips are also welcome.
(I'm from Norway, so anything will be cheap for me...)
posted by magnusbe at 12:56 PM PST - 3 comments 
Doctor-insurance filter: Any doctors out there have experience with becoming an "in network" provider for United Health Care? Can I convince my doctor to do this?
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posted by hulahulagirl at 12:46 PM PST - 5 comments 
When Neil Stephenson's
Cryptonomicon was published in 1999, it left vague exactly when the "modern" section was taking place. Can we narrow down the dates, based on the software/technology involved?
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posted by ormondsacker at 12:27 PM PST - 7 comments 
My fiance and I like Saratoga and Los Gatos. He works in Mountain View off 101/Shoreline. He'd like no more than a 25 minute commute. He works normal 9-5 hours generally. Google maps indicates that this commute could be done in less than 30 minutes even with traffic. He's extremely skeptical. He's tried testing the drive, but on those days he's done the drive he's felt traffic was unusually light. (Usually there are backups on 101, but on the days he tried driving the commute 101 was flowing like water).
So is there anyone out there who has done this commute who can provide a realistic picture of what it would be like?
Thank you!
posted by bananafish at 12:26 PM PST - 7 comments
I live next door to my Girlfriend and she has an Airport Extreme connected to cable internet access. The WiFi signal is weak next door. Is there a way to connect another wireless router as a range extender?
posted by MelPrice at 12:22 PM PST - 6 comments
Every job-seeker's advice guide I've ever seen says that personal references are bad and almost never looked into by the employer and you shouldn't use them.
So why am I specifically being asked for one?
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posted by FlyingMonkey at 12:19 PM PST - 11 comments 
What's the best way to go about adding a new practice area to an existing law firm?
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posted by Dignan at 12:16 PM PST - 5 comments
Every flat-panel TV I've watched at other folks' houses or in showrooms seems to me to be distorting DVD movies; they always looked slightly stretched horizontally.
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posted by dpcoffin at 12:07 PM PST - 18 comments
What was the name of a bizarre kids show that aired on PBS when I was a child (mid-to-late 80's) that stared two kids who traveled to some warped universe to solve puzzles?
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posted by nickerbocker at 11:48 AM PST - 13 comments 
Wondering if any Canadians have experience doing this...
I am moving next month from Winnipeg to Vancouver. I will be having most of my possessions shipped, and will be driving my car west.
In my car, I will just have my clothes, a small LCD-TV and my computer. Everything else will be shipped.
My question is .. I want to drive through the U.S. on I-94 and I-90 (from Grand Forks, ND to Seattle, WA) and then cross back into Canada towards Vancouver.
Does anyone know if the border officials (US or Canadian) are going to give me any hassle moving this way? I am just worried about them thinking that the stuff in my car is things I bought in the states, even though I am just moving them via the US.
I have done the Manitoba-B.C. drive a few times and I want to go through the northern U.S. for a change.
Thanks!
posted by ninefour at 11:39 AM PST - 10 comments
I am looking at different methods of digital delivery/download/payment. (I have an ebook I will soon be offering.) PayPal offers this directly, I am somewhat familiar with e-junkie and I know there are others. Do we have any Mefites who have used any of these services, or knows of someone who has, and can share their experience? Suggestions? In advance, as always -- thank you!
posted by Gerard Sorme at 11:39 AM PST - 2 comments
What are some other terms for "in the zone" or "on fire" or "in the groove" (
flow) in sports?
posted by arrhn at 11:21 AM PST - 27 comments
Help me rescue my resume! So the resume writers from TheLadders.com want $695 to rewrite my resume, my sister who seems to get every job she applies for says I don't need to, I am not sure. Should I go to a resume service? Who?
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posted by UMDirector at 10:58 AM PST - 58 comments 
What are some ways to tell the direction [North, East, South, West] you are headed? And more generally, what are some cool nature tricks you've learned through the years?
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posted by cloeburner at 10:25 AM PST - 36 comments
Planning a multi-state road trip - where should we go and what should we see? States include: IL, MN, SD, NE, WY, CO, UT, NV, and CA.
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posted by Lizc at 10:22 AM PST - 20 comments 
Shoe search is not going well.
I am looking for a slip-on shoe for casual work environment that is really well vented - I mean, with something like mesh for the main side panels. Merrell made a great version of their Jungle Moc called the 'vent' - but it seems to be long gone.
posted by mouthnoize at 9:57 AM PST - 6 comments 
Do we know of a web service where I can feed a song title and artist in the front, and get one single canonical answer to the question of when it was first released?
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posted by genghis at 9:51 AM PST - 6 comments
I hope this question doesn't come off as crass, but I've always been curious when I see blind people on campus.
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posted by bmalicoat at 9:26 AM PST - 25 comments 
Last night I was stopped for "Reckless Driving" in Charlotte, NC. The officer stated that I was going 55 in a 35, that I was weaving, and that I hit the curb when she pulled me over. She had me take a breathalyzer test, which I passed.
I know you're not my lawyer, but I've never even had a speeding ticket before! What do I need to do?
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posted by aristan at 9:15 AM PST - 19 comments
My living room smells like a restaurant. It does not smell like food, but like the old, greasy, disgusting smell left on your clothes when you leave the restaurant if you work there. This is making my living room unbearable. What is this smell?
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posted by winna at 8:43 AM PST - 14 comments 
I know a few people who repeat themselves quite often in conversation. They are doing me no explicit harm, yet I get impatient & sometimes a bit angry. In an effort to be more relaxed about such behavior, I'd like to know more about what drives people to be repetitive, and why it might strike a nerve with recipients such as myself.
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posted by yorick at 8:41 AM PST - 34 comments
I need a skinny, possibly fanless video card for a 1 U server. Linux drivers, PCI Express, very little room for it to live.
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posted by everichon at 8:40 AM PST - 7 comments
What can I do as a 26 year old who is going crazy thinking about the political economical future our country is heading towards.
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posted by Amby72 at 8:13 AM PST - 64 comments 
I am looking for an anti human trafficking/slavery group to work for this summer in South America. Can anyone offer any ideas or suggestions?
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posted by yoyoceramic at 8:09 AM PST - 7 comments
I have a question regarding a specific moving company. It's Moving Canada Systems. They've given me the best rate and the conditions I need, so I'm wondering if anyone has first hand experience with them, and were they reliable?
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posted by jon_kill at 8:03 AM PST - 2 comments
I've been offered a free boat in working condition. What didn't you think about when you bought your first boat?
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posted by scabrous at 7:58 AM PST - 19 comments 
Outlook/Exchange Filter:: I have a user that has all his mail being delivered to a .pst file. How do i change it so that it keeps all the mail on the exchange server? Also, how do i get all his mail from the .pst file back on the server. He is using outlook 2007 and the exchange server is 2003.
posted by flipmiester99 at 7:46 AM PST - 4 comments
We've just moved to Raleigh with nothing set up but a mailbox. Can someone give me a stereotyped guide to Raleigh neighborhoods?
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posted by razdrez at 7:38 AM PST - 9 comments 
My clients emails from their Blackberry always end up in my email providers spam quarantine with the text of the mail garbled. Their "from address" comes through on the headers as From: "=?utf-8?B?SmVzc2UgUmFiaW5vd2l0eg==?=". My email provider says my client needs to fix that. My client thinks that they don't have a problem. Is this the way that blackberry emails normally identify themselves in email headers or is my clients set up faulty?
posted by merocet at 7:37 AM PST - 15 comments 
Best/accurate/easy to access sources of Central & Eastern Europe and Middle East / Africa (CEEMEA) news? Global newspapers or local? Which are best?
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posted by keasby at 6:55 AM PST - 7 comments
Is sawdust produced on an industrial scale, or is it really only a secondary product of wood mfg of various kinds that is then packaged and sold?
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posted by liketitanic at 6:49 AM PST - 10 comments
I'm an electrical engineering student/hobbyist looking to buy an oscilloscope. I'd like to spend around $200 ($300 max, probes/shipping included). What should I look for, and where?
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posted by phrontist at 6:28 AM PST - 10 comments 
Wondering if anyone here has had a
Genealogical DNA test for purposes of learning more about your
distant (ie. not recent/paternity) ancestors. I have questions about the differences (price, service, thoroughness) of the various companies offering this service, the type of data that different tests can produce, and ways this data can be (constructively) interpreted.
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posted by cadastral at 6:20 AM PST - 18 comments 
Clothing Search: I was at H&M a few weeks ago and they had this sweet long-sleeved gray button-down with epaulettes on the shoulders and double breast pockets; none in my size. Sort of punk rock/nondescript uniform-looking. Any ideas where I can find the same thing online?
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posted by sciurus at 5:03 AM PST - 5 comments
April 15
Does anyone know of a template that is similar to AskMetaFilter? I'm trying to set up a communications site for my company, and I think that this format would suit it perfectly. I'm not much of a programmer, but I really like the social format of this site and think that my company could benefit from a similar structure for our interior communications. Any suggestions?
posted by ISeemToBeAVerb at 11:33 PM PST - 9 comments
I'm trying to track down two stories about recent urban planning history in San Francisco: 1) making sure plazas stay sunny at lunchtime, 2) making sure small builders could help redevelop a large area. Do you know these stories? Do you know of good online sources for San Francisco urban planning history?
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posted by salvia at 9:53 PM PST - 8 comments 
Posting for a friend: I just filed my Federal Tax extension at 12:00PM midnight. It said it got filed - did I make it? Also, I was not able to file any extension for State Tax in time for the deadline. What will happen and what should I do now?
posted by pinksoftsoap at 9:06 PM PST - 9 comments 
Stephen Colbert was just holding up a jersey on The Colbert Report (4/15) that was: part (1/4) Flyers jersey, part Sixers jersey, part Eagles jersey, and part Phillies jersey. Like a beautiful Philadelphia sports patchwork quilt jersey shirt. Can I buy this jersey? Does it exist outside of The Colbert Report?
posted by melodykramer at 9:04 PM PST - 5 comments
Are there resources available that provide information about the intuitiveness of various user interface elements to various demographics?
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posted by OrlandoFurioso at 8:46 PM PST - 6 comments
Is there such a thing as a dark-colored (black or brown) chair mat? Possibly woodgrain? If so, where can I get one?
posted by kindall at 8:45 PM PST - 5 comments 
Looking for a good place to get dentures/implants/false teeth in Chicago.
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posted by jtron at 8:34 PM PST - 1 comments
You're not my psychiatrist, and I'm not your patient. But I need some help evaluating my feelings and setting my dosage within the limits my psychiatrist has prescribed.
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posted by anonymous at 8:14 PM PST - 5 comments
I am looking for good pairs of quotes/articles/other from different points in history, which make the same observation but both think they're identifying a recent or "modern" social change.
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posted by so_necessary at 7:29 PM PST - 5 comments
I just had a HORRIBLE HORRIBLE experience with a doctor. This is the reason most people do NOT go to doctors. It kinda makes me not want to go to a doctor.
Let me give you the whole story so you can assess the situation, get really mad, and provide me with constructive advice. If you don't feel like reading it all, scroll to the bottom and tell me what I should do if I am unsatisfied with the quality of care from a doctor.
[more inside]
posted by hal_c_on at 7:27 PM PST - 44 comments 
How do I move my iTunes library from my old PC to my new PC? I listen on my iPhone, not an iPod, which I understand does not function in disk mode. I've searched other answers and can't find one that addresses these particular issues, plus the Apple website claims iTunes version 7.0 "fixes" this problem which really makes me nervous. Thanks!
posted by carriest at 7:06 PM PST - 7 comments
How do you get into funerary services if you're not in the family business? My friend is currently going to mortuary and school and could use some tips as to landing apprenticeships and such.
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posted by es_de_bah at 6:52 PM PST - 3 comments 
Taking the family to a game at Yankee Stadium before it closes, and would like suggestions for where to stay/what to do/what to see.
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posted by mr_crash_davis at 6:18 PM PST - 13 comments
I have a bit of a dilemma. I dated this guy last year, and he introduced me to a friend in order to get him hired at my company. Flash forward to now, and he's finally been hired, and a referral bonus is coming my way. More deets inside, natch.
[more inside]
posted by anonymous at 6:07 PM PST - 69 comments
I love risotto. I really do. But my recipe which is a chicken + spinach risotto is getting boring. I'd love to experiment a bit more.
[more inside]
posted by ysabet at 6:00 PM PST - 29 comments 
I know there are paying content writing jobs on the internet because I've done some commissioned articles for eHow.com and I've applied to about.com. I'd love to find more sites like these to apply to, but it's tough, because searching for "online writing jobs" generally yields a bunch of spammy pyramid schemes and so on.
[more inside]
posted by lgyre at 5:51 PM PST - 5 comments
Alternative for chest of drawers to keep clothes? I'm moving to a new apartment and don't feel like lugging a heavy chest of drawers 3 stories.
What are good ways for you to store clothes that makes it easy to access most of them daily and doesn't look too "ghetto"? Plastic drawers are an option of course.
posted by sandmanwv at 5:28 PM PST - 12 comments 
Help me choose between grad schools: I am accepted (with fellowships) to the math depts at both UC Davis and Penn State. Where do I go?
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posted by milqman at 5:26 PM PST - 8 comments
What are some (at least somewhat) objective studies on healthy children demographics? I'm specifically interested in single vs. multiple children, and for multiple children, differences in age, gender, relationship to parent (adoption vs. biological), and race.
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posted by scottreynen at 5:22 PM PST - 2 comments
Does DoCoMo still have a showroom in Tokyo? I've found many web references to this fabled window into the future but I can't find the address anywhere. Are there any other places/shops in Tokyo that would be of interest to somebody who wants to learn about the latest mobile developments in Japan and about their mobile culture?
posted by blogenstock at 4:41 PM PST - 4 comments 
How can I bring my 16 year old nephew to live with me in America? He wants to attend college here but it is so expensive for foreign students. I am an American citizen. Any suggestion is appreciated
posted by orlando1544 at 4:18 PM PST - 9 comments
How should I spend my upcoming weekends in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire; Kigali, Rwanda and Kampala, Uganda?
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posted by cptspalding at 3:57 PM PST - 1 comments
How do sufferers of Receptive (aka Fluent or Wernicke's) Aphasia understand instruction from experimenters?
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posted by nilihm at 3:52 PM PST - 8 comments 
Where should I take my sister for a nice weekday lunch in New York City?
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posted by ecab at 3:28 PM PST - 15 comments
My widescreen HP laptop has a cooling problem. But most commercial USB cooling pads don't seem to be the right size to fit my machine, and I'm wondering if they'll still work OK if my laptop hangs over the edge.
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posted by Happydaz at 2:43 PM PST - 6 comments 
I am looking to form a partnership, Company A, with someone to buy a franchise. A couple of points to note are:
This type of franchise only exists in order to each partner to do business (i.e. do deals) within the franchise territory.
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posted by thinktwice at 2:26 PM PST - 1 comments
How to render image like in google picasaweb?: I'm developing a web page. If I use img tag to put image in the web page, while loading the page, image loads very slowly (especially large images). Also the upper part of image is loaded first and then the lower part, as page is downloaded from server. But in applications like google picasa, a very low quality version is rendered first, so that you see the whole image at once (even though its blurred), slowly as the page is downloaded, image becomes sharper. How can I implement this functionality in my web page? Can someone please point me to helpful resources regarding this?
posted by tvjoshi at 2:08 PM PST - 10 comments
I want to create a batch file compatible with Windows XP and Vista that will do the following:
1) Get user input (name)
2) Rename an existing file to the input name string
3) Upload the renamed file to an anonymous FTP server that takes neither username nor password (no prompting)
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posted by Ky at 1:58 PM PST - 8 comments 
How can I get a short clip from a DVD and save it to use in the classroom?
Say I was teaching a lesson and a film had a short clip that was perfect at demonstrating something or at getting a point across and I wanted to save it and let other teachers use it in their lessons what would I have to do?
Obviously I would look to getting the right clearance in terms of copyright - but how would I do this? Is there a really quick and easy way?
Thanking you.
posted by mooreeasyvibe at 1:56 PM PST - 9 comments 
PistolFilter. I know there are lots of gun related forums/resources on the web (and am looking at those also), but I'd like to query AskMe about Glocks. Specifically what are the practical advantages and disadvantages of the Glock safety trigger mechanism versus traditional safetys?
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posted by Burhanistan at 1:54 PM PST - 21 comments 
I want to throw together 2 costumes (1 guy, 1 girl) that would scream 80's new wave high schooler. I need pictures to help us not end up too emo. "New wave" means different things to different people, so please read inside.
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posted by 23skidoo at 1:46 PM PST - 17 comments 
My google-fu is failing me on this one.
Years ago I found a program that would take all the email I recieved, add it to a database and then it would run some algorithm to associate all of the email information together; essentially tagging it all. I was then able to open up their web interface and search for any topic I wished from my past emails.
Think of tagging bookmarks ala del.ic.ious but for email but it auto-tagged everything on it's own.
Basically the flow of email would be Exchange server -> "this program" -> Outlook. I vaguely recall that the program was written in Java and was freely available.
posted by cbushko at 1:24 PM PST - 5 comments 
Please help me find a relatively easy, yet not cutesy, ballet-themed cross-stitch kit or pattern.
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posted by orange swan at 12:50 PM PST - 9 comments 
What are the essential tools needed in my kitchen for making my own cheese? Where did you get your cheesepress? Did you make your own?
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posted by NoMich at 12:26 PM PST - 13 comments
How do I view the Hitler mashups that were just deleted from the front page -- from within Germany?
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posted by creasy boy at 12:05 PM PST - 24 comments 
I don't have a history of ADD but things became fairly complicated lately and I'm certain after doing hours of research that that I have some form of adult ADD.
My doctor is refusing to prescribe anything and believes the only reason I am stressed is because of work/school/family. He suggested taking vitamins and getting more sleep.
What gives? What are my options besides switching to a different doctor?
posted by icarus at 11:51 AM PST - 20 comments
Is there a reliable service out there that will convert a single DAT tape into .wav files?
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posted by anthom at 10:56 AM PST - 3 comments
I've just recieved a letter that the Ministry of the Attorney General in Canada has set up some kind of account for me. What does this mean?
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posted by alona at 10:52 AM PST - 5 comments
A few unprepared 20somethings are going on a cycling trip from Oxford to Cambridge. Hilarity ensues. Or it will, if we don't prepare. Help us avoid unplanned-for hilarity by answering a couple of questions about preparation and what to expect. We'd really be thankful.
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posted by WalterMitty at 10:11 AM PST - 21 comments
I have a business idea. For the last 8 month I have day-dreamed about making it happen. I find myself ironing out all the details that would make the business run, but I lack the funding and experience of running a business. There are also personal issues that I keep me from moving on to the next step (not that I know what the next step is). Come on in for the rest…
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posted by anonymous at 9:33 AM PST - 11 comments
Where can I find a digitial version (i.e., MP3) of the "Jungle Strut" song that was on Side A of the demo tape that came with Sony Walkmans when you bought them?
posted by Futurehouse at 9:25 AM PST - 6 comments
I'm hosting a death metal/black metal themed party on Friday. I would love some recommendations for ways to make it memorable.
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posted by sveskemus at 9:14 AM PST - 23 comments 
Which is a better option for controlling spam? Buying the IMail Premium Anti-Spam filter for our existing IMail mail server or migrating our mail to Google Apps for Your Domain?
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posted by bcarroll at 9:14 AM PST - 6 comments
U.S. tax question: if I'll definitely be receiving a refund rather than paying tax, what will happen if I neither file nor file an extension by the end of the 15th? (Will it just mean that I won't receive my refund until I do file -- or will it mean a fine/fee that reduces my eventual refund?)
posted by lorimer at 9:09 AM PST - 19 comments 
Got any Haggadah recommendations? I'm looking for something that non-Jews can easily follow and participate with.
posted by mkultra at 8:59 AM PST - 10 comments 
I'm trying to help a friend clean up a bad situation with cats and wood floors; I'm looking for suggestions (Icky cat-related stuff inside)
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posted by anonymous at 8:50 AM PST - 7 comments
I am currently a freelance film/video editor slash motion graphic designer. One of the companies I freelance for is in the process of making me a job offer. I'm trying to figure out what a fair salary/wage is compared to what I pull in as freelance.
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posted by conigs at 8:17 AM PST - 4 comments 
Off to Israel and don't want to miss my internet fix. Anyone know the best ISP?
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posted by Blip at 8:01 AM PST - 8 comments 
Can you point me to traditional Japanese music on the web? Looking for free downloads.
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posted by ollsen at 7:57 AM PST - 2 comments
Can anyone recommend a Javascript rich text editor which provides identical output across browsers?
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posted by none at 7:27 AM PST - 4 comments
I'll be attending a Tigers baseball game tonight at Comerica Park in downtown Detroit and I'm sick of drinking crappy beer. Does anyone know if there are any vendors in the park that sell beer with flavor? If so, where are they? I'm looking for something inside the park that I can buy and take back to my seat. Even a Sam Adams will work, pretty much anything but the usual Bud, Miller, or Labatt's.
posted by mjp at 7:18 AM PST - 10 comments 
Is it a
NEC violation to simply change a non-grounded, two-prong electrical outlet with a three-prong outlet? Is it bad enough to use as leverage in price negotiation of a house?
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posted by Plinko at 6:48 AM PST - 27 comments 
I need a solution which will help me work out my revision plan automatically (Possible Excel filter?) Please help!
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posted by edbyford at 6:44 AM PST - 3 comments
Recommendations for a good place to watch NBA playoff games in Las Vegas and good spa deals. Also, NYC playoff options...
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posted by i_cola at 5:59 AM PST - 3 comments
This year's my final year of my degree. My psychologist asked me if I had any plans for next year. My original plan fell apart, so now I don't really have anything. Hmm. What could I look into?
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posted by divabat at 5:03 AM PST - 8 comments
I am looking for tips on how to move house with a cat (I'm moving tomorrow!). It's going to be a 4 hour journey in a car, with a cat who hates traveling (she breaks out of a her secure cat-box) and gets very stressed (cries and pants). Also, I want to try to address her behaviour issue, if anyone has the time to look inside and read her background info (sorry for the lengthy notes).
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posted by Happycat79 at 3:35 AM PST - 15 comments
Looking for digital recordings of rock songs played "ren faire style" on medieval-type instruments.
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posted by Gianna at 3:34 AM PST - 12 comments
Looking for good implementations of web based, on demand television, similar to BBC's iPlayer and Channel 4's 4OD services.
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posted by ReiToei at 2:14 AM PST - 4 comments 
So
Taksi Putra has challenged me to a 'chili-off' in Central America (Mexico, Guatemala, Belize) this summer.
What should we eat and where?
Higher on the Scoville the better.
Anything east of Baja is fair game. If it sounds tasty and is super-hot, we'll hunt it down.
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posted by harhailla.harhaluuossa at 1:31 AM PST - 5 comments
April 14
Please help me figure out the titles of two movies that freaked me out as a child, one involving a space expedition and one involving a mummy.
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posted by Inspector.Gadget at 10:20 PM PST - 9 comments 
Great Aunt dies in Spain, bequeaths jewellry to relatives in New Zealand. How do we get it there?
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posted by szechuan at 9:49 PM PST - 3 comments
Does the theory of the multiverse in contemporary physics mean that the top card in a deck of cards isn't "set" until it is seen? (ideal answerers have a background in physics, but all answers appreciated.)
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posted by jimmydare at 9:44 PM PST - 28 comments
US backpacker bored with the Southern Deciduous Forest ecosystem. Any suggestions in the Southeast?
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posted by dondiego87 at 8:50 PM PST - 11 comments
Are there any classical paintings that show a woman with stretch marks? Forgive me if classical is the wrong term - I'm trying to emphasize I'm not interested in modern works.
posted by agregoli at 8:50 PM PST - 6 comments
Are there any good photography courses in Amsterdam - especially ones that would be easy for a foreigner to enroll in and last one semester?
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posted by milagu at 8:24 PM PST - 2 comments
Internet connection in one room works fine for several months, then slowly quits. Moving to another room starts the cycle again. We're using a cable modem. Do I have to rewire my house?
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posted by CrazyGabby at 8:08 PM PST - 8 comments 
My wife is visually impaired and uses the high-contrast white-on-black Windows configuration on her PC. iTunes unfortunately does not recognize this setting, making it very difficult for her to read the iTunes screen. Does anyone know if there are any solutions to this problem?
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posted by garypratt at 8:01 PM PST - 10 comments 
EttiquetteFilter: Is there any graceful way of dealing with a glass-clinking toast with greater than 6 people?
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posted by Brian James at 7:58 PM PST - 24 comments
Please help me determine the best software (windows) for an interactive video/video game art project. I'd like to have participants use a video game controller to create a realtime animation by cycling through different sprites and "drawing" their paths on a single scene.
Or better yet - where can I find someone skilled in programming who might want to collaborate on such a project?
I can't seem to determine whether to look at game-construction apps or interactive video apps (vvvv, Processing, etc.)
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posted by itchi23 at 6:20 PM PST - 3 comments
I need some creative ideas for decorating the thin border of unpainted wall space surrounding some new decorative light switch covers.
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posted by Nematoda at 6:11 PM PST - 5 comments 
I am looking for examples of websites that provide "best-in-class" customer service capabilities via the online channel. What are those e-commerce websites you think have amazing self-service options and are easy-to-use?
posted by tdabbott at 5:51 PM PST - 5 comments
So a friend's just received a bonus from her employer, but the bonuses seem excessive. (The taxes from that bonus exceed the total of taxes that were paid for the entire year.) Is there anything that can be done?
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posted by leo. at 5:43 PM PST - 14 comments 
Feelin' in the gift-giving mood for my dearest boy. Am not so much feeling the ideas, for once. Suggestions?
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posted by WidgetAlley at 5:27 PM PST - 10 comments
I am using a stethoscope to control an art project so that a sculpture of LEDs responds in time to a user's heartbeat. I've started by buying a cheap stethoscope and jamming an electret mike into the tube and builiding a simple amplifier circuit (similar to
this) to connect it to the line in on a PC. it works well, but the overall sound quality is not fantastic. I have noticed that there are a lot of more expensive stethoscopes out there and I wonder if I would get a substantial improvement in sound quality by using one of them?
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posted by pombe at 5:23 PM PST - 12 comments 
Anyone with personal experience printing coffee mugs? Ordered out for a few cases from a printer I would prefer not to libel, got a mushy print job in return. Can you recommend specific printers? (Especially if they can do even, opaque flat area coverage on dark mugs)
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posted by clango at 4:56 PM PST - 2 comments
Headhunter filter: Do they actually help people get hired? Or are they just blood-sucking low-lives?
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posted by chan.caro at 4:16 PM PST - 17 comments
Egads! Last-Minute-(US)Tax-Question-Filter: Can a person generally claim the "Qualified Payments" as listed on their 1098-T form (sent from the university in addition to a W-2) towards an education credit? Or only the amount that they themselves paid, rather than the amount that was paid on their behalf by the university as part of their whole assistantship package?
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posted by zeph at 3:44 PM PST - 4 comments 
Posting for a friend. A coworker is absent due to a disease which is being heard by my friend as "shelf's disease". We can't find anything even close to resembling this online. Does anyone know of a disease that sounds similar. The only symptoms we know of the disease is that she can't be around pregnant women and that her skin is broken out.
posted by sapphirebbw at 3:28 PM PST - 9 comments
Is anybody aware of potential risks in increasing my dose of Lunesta beyond 3 mg? I have found that 3 mg of Lunesta doesn't always (in fact, only half the time) help me to sleep. Since my pills come in 3 mg form, I'm thinking of splitting them and taking 4.5 mg. I'm not on any other medications and won't be drinking when I take these.
posted by Cardinal Fang! at 3:24 PM PST - 5 comments
How much should I budget for a series of 26 illustrations for an online ABC Book? How about 26 short animations? Any tips on finding a good artist who won't break the bank?
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posted by alms at 3:11 PM PST - 5 comments
I'm going to be graduating with my PhD in chemistry within the next year or so. Should I get business cards? Should I order them with the university logo or just get something with my basic contact info?
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posted by sararah at 3:10 PM PST - 19 comments 
The Big Boss wants us to track activity created by individual emails he sends, but has no interest in copying his email addresses out of his Address Book (Outlook) into the web-based system we created.
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posted by foxydot at 2:54 PM PST - 4 comments
I'm a little unclear on the concept - Does the lack of a fink binary distribution for 10.5 mean that every package has to be built from scratch?
posted by mzurer at 2:49 PM PST - 4 comments
Where does a will get executed if I die somewhere other than where the will was written?
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posted by GuyZero at 2:38 PM PST - 4 comments 
Someone told me about a movie that tells the story of someone who starts making really different and cool cars. He starts a small company with the intention of selling them on a small scale. However, the "Big 3" learn about his company and set out to shut him down. I can't for the life of me remember what the name of that movie is. Does anyone know?
posted by J Parker at 2:29 PM PST - 11 comments 
Can I really make extra money as a Secret Shopper? I'm looking for some part-time work and am considering becoming a Secret Consumer after seeing a job listing for this on a popular job search website. Can anyone vouch for the legitimacy and profitability of first, this type of work, and more specifically the website/organization SecretConsumer.com?
If so, what's the catch?
posted by djuna at 2:25 PM PST - 11 comments
Can anyone recommend a free or cheap photoshop class that I can take in chicago?
posted by nyu2 at 2:01 PM PST - 7 comments
I'm looking for authors who write in a similar style (and perhaps tell a similar tale) as Patrick Rothfuss or Brandon Sanderson.
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posted by Chasuk at 1:59 PM PST - 7 comments 
Since 1995 I have been a self employed business consultant providing environmental, quality, and safety management system guidance (including training) to organizations large and small. Now I want to find and groom someone to gradually take over the business eventually -- but I don't know how to go about it. (more)
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posted by charris5005 at 1:49 PM PST - 2 comments
Skin filter: I've got a bad uneven sun tan that hasn't faded enough from last year. How do I get rid of it? I'm going to start hitting the tanning beds soon (it is still very cold where I live) and wonder if there are any ways to accelerate the process. How long will this take?
Related question: I have a new-ish tattoo should I be okay just putting sun block on it or should I cover it with a towel so it won't burn?
posted by cuando at 1:38 PM PST - 8 comments
I'm trying to find my half-brother in Ecuador. All I know is his mom's name and that she came to Boston in the mid-late 70's to study English. Her and my father dated for a while and I found out through letters that she sent him that they had a child.
Any ideas on how to find my half-brother?
posted by Nana at 1:37 PM PST - 4 comments
As a nontraditional student, I have had to deal with alot of things including trying to get the same exemptions as standard students.
Recently, the college I am attending pointed out to me that I still needed to take English 101. HA! 2 previous schools ( I transfered to this one ) have allowed me to skip it due to excellent SAT Scores.
The current college allows for an exemption if you scored a 680 on the verbal ( pre-split SAT ) ... I scored a 670 in 1994!
In 1996 the SAT was recentered and scores adjusted. I can NOT seem to find an official conversion chart.... my google skills have failed me. Can you find one?
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posted by petethered at 1:25 PM PST - 3 comments 
My wife's curiosity was piqued by a recent episode of Monk where the bad guys were caught because they were overheard discussing the crime by a quality control person while on hold on a call to make airline reservations.
Does this actually happen? Are there quality control people that listen in on entire phone calls even when you are on-hold?
I know that they warn you that the call may be recorded for quality control but for some reason I only ever took that to mean that it was the part where you were actually talking. I would assume that even if they do this it is a very low percentage of the calls due to the cost.
posted by GrumpyMonkey at 1:24 PM PST - 14 comments
Mrs. Hexxed and I are going out to Seattle, Vancouver, and various parts of Oregon in fall this year and we are looking for some suggestions on where to go and what to do.
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posted by hexxed at 1:20 PM PST - 9 comments 
BreakupFilter: How do I let someone down easy? How would you prefer to be told that someone just isn't that into you?
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posted by anonymous at 12:49 PM PST - 29 comments
Classic relationship cliche: I’d really like to marry my long term boyfriend. He says he wants to marry me … but he won’t actually propose.
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posted by anonymous at 12:48 PM PST - 35 comments
I'm a legal secretary in Manhattan. I'm not so crazy about my job or my boss. Is there any other job that pays as well but isn't so mind-numbingly, soul-sucking-ly dull?
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posted by anonymous at 12:48 PM PST - 8 comments
Psyching myself into a terrible state of hypnagogic startles (but not quite--please keep reading).
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posted by artifarce at 12:34 PM PST - 5 comments
How can I make it so I can see inline images that arrive with incoming emails, globally, in Outlook 2007?
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posted by bitterkitten at 12:31 PM PST - 2 comments
Where can I buy small bento boxes, or small lunch boxes or tins that would pass as bento boxes? I want to give them out at BlogHer with my business card inside. Bonus points for personalization options (but I think that will be over my budget).
posted by misha at 12:22 PM PST - 8 comments
Tastyfreshveggiesfilter: does anyone know of a public calendar or similar notification service to which an aspiring gardener who has dirt and planting in his genes but has little prior experience with the green stuff could subscribe, e.g., in Google Calendar or iCal?
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posted by socratic at 12:01 PM PST - 11 comments
Designed a web site for a guy. Short of going whole-hog blog, is there an easy way I can make it so he can log in and change one little YouTube embed (or other bit of HTML) at his convenience?
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posted by johngoren at 11:48 AM PST - 12 comments 
What is the current recommendation on how much "screen time" kids should be allowed? I'm especially interested in "Professional" (i.e. American Association of Pediatrics or similar) recommendations.
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posted by u2604ab at 11:48 AM PST - 5 comments 
I was on a Japanese variety TV show two weeks ago. Any idea how I can find it?
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posted by j1950 at 11:47 AM PST - 9 comments 
Google Analytics: my absolute unique visitor (AUV) trend is upwards, growing fast and in absolute terms is MUCH higher than the same period in March. But when I compare 2 weeks of April with 2 weeks of March I see a negative trend for April.
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posted by lapsang at 11:18 AM PST - 0 comments
Six months ago I got the cartilage of my ear pierced, about half an inch down from the top. Ever since, I’ve had a small red bump on the exit hole of the piercing. It varies in size almost daily, is somewhat tender-feeling, and produces some white crud overnight. I soak it regularly but it doesn’t seem to help. Please help me de-bumpify myself!
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posted by crosbyh at 11:16 AM PST - 17 comments 
Disclaimer: I know you aren't my doctor, and I've made an appointment with a doctor for next week, but I'd like to make sure that I'm ok not going to an emergency room (I can't afford to if it's not necessary, which I don't think it is). Also, warning: slightly gruesome/gross if you are squeamish.
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posted by btkuhn at 11:13 AM PST - 18 comments
We've been getting nonstop calls from a debt collector (IC System) looking for someone else (see my previous
post ). I sent a certified return receipt telling them to stop, and I have the receipt signed April 7. They keep calling and leaving recorded messages. Now what?
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posted by crapmatic at 11:12 AM PST - 5 comments
So I got a flat tire on my 1984 toyota corolla. I just got my rear tires replaced two months ago and the flat was one of them. I went to get it replaced because I figured it was a defect or something. The shop told me it was my fault because of snow chains. Problem is... I haven't used snow chains on them...
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posted by pontouf at 10:53 AM PST - 9 comments
I think I'd like to make a career in the management side of (preferably non-profit) theater. How should I go about doing that?
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posted by ictow at 10:48 AM PST - 3 comments 
Loan decisions for first time home buyer. Being offered three different flavors of fixed 30 year loans. Which is best?! (I know, it depends...)
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posted by wolfkult at 10:27 AM PST - 16 comments
Creative Ideas Filter: I need ideas of Famous and Memorable Photographs or Paintingsor famous and memorable scenes from History, Movies, or Television that can be Reenacted on the spot without planning by 3-6 people for me to photograph for a final project for school.
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posted by Del Far at 10:11 AM PST - 18 comments 
Can you please suggest simple pranks, stunts, and tricks that fall under the category of "physical challenges"? For example: Offer 2 kids a piece of newspaper, and challenge them to find a way for both to stand on the paper at the same time, without ripping it, such that neither kid is able to touch the other.
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posted by chr1sb0y at 9:56 AM PST - 12 comments 
I just found out that I have an phone interview for a faculty (assistant professor) position (biology) at a liberal-arts college this Wednesday afternoon. Yay! But I've never actually had a formal interview before. Help! Also, I'm pregnant. Questions and advice requests inside.
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posted by gaspode at 9:48 AM PST - 23 comments 
How can I get this diesel to start?
I have a 1996 Vandura van with a 6.5L diesel motor.
I stored it all winter...and with a quick jump it started. I drove it around and it did fine, but then right before I got it home it died. Now it won't start.
What am I doing wrong? Do I need to add something to the fuel? The batteries are fine and it cranks, but won't turn over.
posted by rocket_johnny at 9:28 AM PST - 8 comments
Intense lower back pain on the left side. It's also painful down the side of my left leg. After being stiff and mostly inactive this winter I was doing some deep knee beds and intense hamstring stretches, now I'm in a huge amount of pain. My health insurance has a hefty deductible and am hoping to avoid the doctor's office. Any ideas on what to do to relieve the pain?
posted by huxley at 9:25 AM PST - 19 comments
What are the best options (paper types, inks, etc.) for making prints of digital art?
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posted by mehum at 9:01 AM PST - 2 comments
I've taken a photo of a UFO. No, seriously, I have a photo of a UFO. I need some help figuring out where it came from.
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posted by michswiss at 7:48 AM PST - 55 comments 
I am buying the girlfriend a locket. One of the ones I am looking at has a space for a photo on each side. What goes where?
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posted by cjorgensen at 7:40 AM PST - 15 comments
I need to get up to speed on running Linux MySQL database servers so I can do a credible job of managing them. What are some resources I can access to do this?
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posted by diode at 7:34 AM PST - 2 comments
My teen is a solid B+/A- student and is interested in studying either robotics engineering or computer science in college. She will take the SATs next year--so we don't have those scores yet, but we are starting to look at colleges. She wants to go to college in or near a big city. Got any recommendations of schools she might actually get into with those grades? Of course, we are not considering the "big league" schools.
posted by sandra194 at 7:16 AM PST - 54 comments
NameMyStore Filter: Art/party/event space for kids needs a name: details inside...
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posted by zackola at 7:03 AM PST - 3 comments
Collective unconscious filter: Who
is this and where is she from? That is all, thank you.
posted by Zinger at 6:17 AM PST - 3 comments 
Surf's-up-filter: I need the body of a surf god, for mainly functional purposes (although I'm sure the side benefits will be great, too).
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posted by allkindsoftime at 5:36 AM PST - 13 comments 
Anyone here have any experience with programming using the Canon camera control toolkit? (EDSDK2.3, C++, for windows)
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posted by StickyCarpet at 4:17 AM PST - 1 comments
Is there some easy, cheap and useful way to deal with twiggy tree branch trimmings at home?
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posted by b33j at 4:15 AM PST - 7 comments 
This question is completely silly but it has been driving me nuts for months. What is the movie/TV/cultural reference when the anchor on Sportscenter says "Normally good" in a rather thick accent? I am constantly frustrated with not being able to remember what this is from.
posted by McBain at 2:49 AM PST - 5 comments
Anyone here ever been a Fraud Prevention Specialist? What's the job actually like? I was doing some job searching and saw a posting for one, though it seems it's more geared towards online fraud and stuff.
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posted by Myles at 2:25 AM PST - 2 comments 
April 13
I'm trying to nail down the font used for the "credits" in the Beastie Boys'
Sabotage video. Looks familiar, but I can't get it, and identifont and the like are no help.
posted by majcher at 10:22 PM PST - 8 comments 
We've decided to take a vacation this summer with another family. We've been looking at Lake George and the Acadia area, but it's hard to find something for 10 people. Does anyone have recommendation for a vacation spot that isn't as popular, maybe a "best kept secret" kind of place? We're looking for a place on the water (coastal or inland), with places to hike, maybe a funky little town nearby. We're in Central Mass and willing to travel 6 hours in any direction.
posted by Biblio at 10:07 PM PST - 9 comments 
Plone or Drupal? We are a non-profit organisation looking to develop our web presence and move from a hodge-podge CMS to something using either Drupal or Plone.
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posted by Kerasia at 10:05 PM PST - 15 comments
I'm a pretty petite lady (5'3 but my inseam is a ludicrously short 28") and interested in buying a motorcycle and appropriate gear.
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posted by stewiethegreat at 9:45 PM PST - 15 comments
My younger sister often complains about feeling lonely and I'm having a hard time trying to find the right words to say to her.
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posted by blithely at 9:36 PM PST - 14 comments
Where can I find a tiny wireless camera, and how much will it cost me?
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posted by DMan at 8:52 PM PST - 6 comments
What are the little black pebbly things that are in the bottom of
this floating thermometer . Are they what makes it float? Are they toxic?
posted by danb1 at 8:46 PM PST - 6 comments 
ok this is going to be long. but bear with me. about 3 years ago, I fell madly in love with a girl I hardly knew. she went through 2 relationships and it's all quite complicated, but to cut the long story short, we're together now. for about 3 months now. and we're crazy about each other. I don't mean that in a puppy love kind of way. she would die for me. and I would too, for her. I'm not saying that to scare you lot. and that certainly isn't the problem that I'm facing. some might find that kind of intensity in a relationship very suffocating but we revel in it. it's just the way we love. we don't know any other way.
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posted by anonymous at 8:05 PM PST - 23 comments
FunnyCarNoiseFilter: very high-pitched whistling/ squeaking/ chirping noise coming from dashboard vicinity on the right side.
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posted by kitkatcathy at 7:39 PM PST - 9 comments
How does one treat, eliminate, and prevent ingrown hairs and red bumps from from hair waxing, especially in the pubic region?
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posted by oldlies at 7:07 PM PST - 22 comments
Background: I am 41 years old. I am 16 credits shy of graduating with a BS in Mathemathics. my GPA is 2.79, I have over 250 hours of attempted coursework, 144 of that is being counted towards my degree. I program and design software systems for a living.
The Problem: I really love math and computer science but I am lousy at learning. when I say lousy I mean slow.
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posted by WannaBeAPhD at 6:59 PM PST - 24 comments
I think my multivitamin is/was making me sick, but I can't figure out which one so I don't repeat the problem. I need to be taking a multi but this got quite bad--anxiety like symptoms, depression, extreme fatigue and just general yuck. I'm having other causes checked out as well (I suspect there is a thyroid issue going on), but I need some help with the toxicity possibilities of some of the components.
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posted by pywacket at 6:50 PM PST - 36 comments 
Can you point me to a good web platform for hosting a grassroots activism campaign, including supporter mailing lists and the ability to send customized emails to people in power?
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posted by Scram at 6:18 PM PST - 6 comments
High school teachers - what do you like most/least about teaching teenagers? (I found
this previous thread, but it applies to teaching elementary school).
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posted by invisible ink at 6:13 PM PST - 15 comments
I'm 20 and more than halfway through undergrad. My mother is STILL having difficulty letting go of me, after three years. Help me help her.
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posted by kldickson at 6:13 PM PST - 20 comments
Do you love your photo printer? Do you have a printer that might not be a "photo printer", but it's great at printing photos? Tell me all about it, please?
[more inside]
posted by ersatzkat at 5:17 PM PST - 16 comments
Foreign Money Tax Filter: This is likely a silly question, but please humor me. Money sat in an interest-friendly account overseas for 20 years, was finally all withdrawn this year....
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posted by paperlanterns at 5:06 PM PST - 5 comments
How can I find design resources similar to the home design/interior design shows that are on cable television?
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posted by boots77 at 5:04 PM PST - 3 comments 
I'm looking for a strawberry ice cream topping that we had in Norway! Please help!
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posted by gregvr at 4:37 PM PST - 3 comments
Help! The backlight on my Macbook Pro has problems! Diagnosis and advice greatly appreciated! [picture included]
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posted by dragontail at 4:17 PM PST - 6 comments
Where in Durham or Chapel Hill, North Carolina, can I rent a copy of "Devdas" on DVD?
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posted by amtho at 4:11 PM PST - 15 comments
Looking for free online classified ad software/web application similar to Craigslist, etc. that I can host myself.
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posted by furtive at 4:10 PM PST - 3 comments
I used to get the cheapest liquid soap for washing hands I could find, but recently, I got the "shea butter" soap for $3 and found that the increased quality more than makes up for the increased cost. The question is: What else can I spend a little more on to get much more quality? (Fluffy towels, sheets, maybe?) Are there websites that review this?
posted by Furious Fitness at 3:47 PM PST - 90 comments
I'd like to buy more of a specific type of tea that my fiancée really likes, but since she obtained it abroad we don't know what the name of the type of tea is. It's a bit of a longshot, but can someone help try to identify it?
[more inside]
posted by ckolderup at 3:42 PM PST - 12 comments 
Furniture shopping: How do you know what's good? What's really the difference between cedar, pine, oak, etc., and how much of a difference does it really make? Is anything plywood implicitly crap? What else do you look for?
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posted by bingo at 3:37 PM PST - 12 comments
How many calories are there in a glue stick? This question came up in a discussion with a chef about at what point edible things cease to be food. The chef felt that the substance must contain some kind of nutritional content. Is a glue stick food if it has calories? What about elmer's glue?
posted by ben242 at 2:34 PM PST - 11 comments 
Putting together a course on the history of music as property; I have a lot of the course figured out, but am looking for really well documented and interesting case studies or chronicles of disputes over the ownership of music.
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posted by fourcheesemac at 2:32 PM PST - 29 comments 
In the next month an important anniversary of a loved one's suicide will be coming up. I have never until this year dealt with the feelings involved with the death and the emotions involved in the loss. I have very little memories of the actual funeral involved (I was 13) but it has been suggested to me (by therapist) that maybe I may like to do some sort of memorial or ritual signifying it. I like this idea. I just have no idea how.
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posted by beautifulcheese at 2:18 PM PST - 10 comments 
What's some speculative fiction that uses magic or fictional technology to explore psychology, sociology, or political science in a deep way? I'm not as much interested here in fabulous monsters or space operas or even deep thinking about physics -- I'm interested in books that explore the nature of the mind and/or human society by imagining a world that worked differently.
posted by shivohum at 12:11 PM PST - 45 comments
Help me dispute an anti-gay AIDS statistic from my mother. What (estimated) percentage of all AIDS cases are from gay sexual contact? Do homosexual men have more partners than heterosexual men?
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posted by GardnerDB at 12:07 PM PST - 26 comments
How far below street level are the NYC Sewers? And by sewers, I mean the large tunnels that you see on TV and in the movies. What might be the minimum distance below someone's basement or cellar?
Anyone have any ideas?
posted by vVCHAZVv at 12:03 PM PST - 18 comments
My wife wants to send stamps to a friend in the Philippines so the friend can write back easily. What type of stamps should she buy?
posted by stuboo at 11:34 AM PST - 10 comments
I'm a senior software developer, and I'd like to start working in the green energy sector. What are the opportunities in this area?
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posted by Sloop John B at 10:53 AM PST - 3 comments
Please point me to resources that describe the phenomenon of "switching" by some BDSM participants.
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posted by Forktine at 10:42 AM PST - 3 comments
Introduce me to some seriously awesome Brazilian music and/or Cuban and Argentinian music!
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posted by Sijeka at 10:31 AM PST - 27 comments
Where can I find a "Leatherlook Medium Brown Lined Journal" produced by Piccadilly Enterprises Inc.? ISBN: 978-1-57133-106-9
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posted by GPF at 10:04 AM PST - 5 comments
Where would one go to find medium to high quality images of President Andrew Jackson on the internet or in New York City?
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posted by sdsparks at 10:01 AM PST - 5 comments
An aging upright freezer keeps icing over. It claims to be frostless, but you coulda fooled me! Easy repair or big bucks? More inside.
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posted by GilloD at 9:32 AM PST - 5 comments
Wanted: Most expedient and financially prudent way to apply for permanent residence in Canada.
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posted by Brockles at 9:30 AM PST - 5 comments
TurboTaxFilter: Trying to figure out where to enter "Nonresident's share of net tax paid by the manager of the partnership" for a North Carolina return using TurboxTax 2007 Home & Business
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posted by doomtop at 9:17 AM PST - 2 comments
An agent is interested in my book but says that they only have an "optional" contract- authors can sign it or not, given their preference. Should I give them my book?
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posted by arnicae at 9:08 AM PST - 15 comments 
Brooklyn-Filter: What is the big building at the corner of Bedford and Atlantic Avenues?
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posted by brina at 8:53 AM PST - 2 comments 
I'm an American living in the U.S. and searching for a job in the Netherlands (with the intention of moving there permanently). My chances for success are slim, I know. What can I do to improve them?
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posted by korres at 8:07 AM PST - 16 comments
TaxFilter: Student abroad (moved in August), and don't want to get red flagged/audited due to sudden drop in income! How do I tell the IRS I moved?
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posted by sirion at 6:04 AM PST - 4 comments
If I file my federal taxes on time, but pay late, will it affect the timing of my 2008 rebate? What do I need to do to pay the taxes late?
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posted by anonymous at 6:03 AM PST - 5 comments
Do I stay or do I go? A former flame wants to be a friend, and I'm honestly at wit's end about what to do. [long explanation]
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posted by anonymous at 6:03 AM PST - 26 comments
My 70 year old father has been in ICU for 3 weeks now with no food or water because of a tear in his esophagus. Doctors are "stumped" and after 6 barium tests, can only repeat "it looks like it may heal itself." Any personal experiences or knowledge on this subject will be appreciated!!
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posted by camfys at 4:07 AM PST - 5 comments 
If I arrive at Bruxelles Midi on a train from Paris, how much time would I need to catch a train to Leuven? Is 10 minutes enough?
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posted by blue mustard at 2:53 AM PST - 10 comments
Whiny, unrelenting, know-it-all co-worker insists there's a firewire-to-USB cable. This once, I hope he's right.
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posted by wordswinker at 2:09 AM PST - 9 comments 
Do you cook beans in the water they soaked in or do you use fresh water?
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posted by juva at 1:43 AM PST - 12 comments 
Name that contemporary artist: magazine photos recreated in huge sculptures.
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posted by creeky at 1:20 AM PST - 5 comments
April 12
How can I install a window air conditioner in a patio door? Are there special things I can buy to seal the top portion, or will I need to assemble something on my own?
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posted by bsdfish at 11:17 PM PST - 10 comments
Does anyone out there own a Nokia 5300? My screen broke and I need someone to walk me through a couple of steps so I can use it "blind"!
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posted by pablocake at 10:26 PM PST - 6 comments 
I have a small collection of very collectible graphic design magazines. I really hate to just let them stack, so I really want to find a way to display them on the wall. Does anyone know of a good way to do this?
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posted by hipersons at 9:00 PM PST - 8 comments 
Is there a term for a situation where, despite the fact that it would be within one's legal rights to refuse, simple compliance would save more hassle than arguing the point?
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posted by vanoakenfold at 7:25 PM PST - 35 comments 
is there a way to combine a set of Word documents into one large file without cutting and pasting? I am using Office 2007 and I have a folder of about 20 files, all of which are lists of references. I need to have them all on one document.
Is there a quick or easy way of doing this?
posted by Nayano at 6:59 PM PST - 3 comments
what has worked for you if you consider yourself overall an anxious person?
i rarely suffer from any severe anxiety symptoms, panic symptoms or find that my anxiety is getting in the way of carrying out my daily activities, but rather it feels as if my general mood is of of rather high anxiety about a great many things and about nothing in particular, and has been so for years now.I come from a long line of worriers. i cant remember the last time i really relaxed in any kind of deep way. almost to the point where i cant even really remember how that felt, the world seems so colored with stress.
I perhaps shouldn't even be using the term anxiety. by and large i do not meet any of the clinical criteria for this as a clinical definition maybe it really is the world we are in right now.
i eat well, get plenty of rest and exercise, meditate. I take no medications. Drink a beer or glass of wine now and then.
What has worked for you if you were once feeling like this?
posted by dougiedd at 6:34 PM PST - 24 comments 
Where is the best place to buy a hammock stand? I have two hammocks, bought in Central America, that I'd like to use. One has a wood spreader bar, the other doesn't. I like to find a decent, outdoor worthy hammock stand that I can use for both.
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posted by waylaid at 6:19 PM PST - 5 comments
Whenever I yawn while listening to music, the music becomes not only distant, but out of tune. Why is that? My mother says it happens to her as well.
posted by Corduroy at 6:11 PM PST - 11 comments 
HaplessArtistFilter: I have a very particular, somewhat odd project that I'd like to have offset printed. Can anyone tell me a: if I'm communicating what I want correctly, and b: if this is something that any printer would even consider doing? (It's a small run involving 22 individual spot colors)
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posted by wreckingball at 6:06 PM PST - 16 comments
I regularly sprain my tongue. It happens often enough (and is painful enough) to make me curious about how and why this happens, and if it can be prevented. I have never met anyone else who experiences this.
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posted by wowbobwow at 5:08 PM PST - 13 comments 
What was the filming location of the final scene of "Oh Brother Where art Though?"
I have this illogical urge to know. The shot seems so southern picturesque.
(Link to Video included)
Help!
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posted by allthewhile at 5:02 PM PST - 7 comments 
Does anyone have great recipes that can use up a massive bag of vegetables? I am hoping I will end up with one or two dishes, preferably that I can then portion up and freeze.
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posted by arha at 5:01 PM PST - 17 comments 
Looking for recommendations for a prepaid cellular service that has a cellphone that can play mp3s.
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posted by aerotive at 4:53 PM PST - 9 comments
Can someone explain Bluetooth to me - please? Specifically, use of BT headsets with different devices (more inside)
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posted by lmY2K at 4:45 PM PST - 7 comments 
Does anyone have any suggestions for books about photomicroscopy or astrophotography as art? In particular I am looking for books that deal with these subjects in relation to traditional art practices like painting and photography.
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posted by coevals at 3:54 PM PST - 4 comments
How can I create a social networking site? I am in Southern California (Inland Empire/Orange County) and interested in building a social networking/message board/blog site along the lines of
Sermo or
Metafilter that isn't really about customizable media and meeting friends, as much as it is for people within a certain specialty, let's say the veterinary community, to share their ideas about their expertise with peers, receive newsletters relevant to their work, and ask for their peers' opinions or advice.
[more inside]
posted by lukeklein at 3:39 PM PST - 12 comments 
Image filter: You know those signs you see on trails and the tops of mountains, pointing in all different directions to distant cities? Like
this, or
this? Looking for such an image, high enough resolution that I can photoshop it a bit and use it in a presentation.
posted by sero_venientibus_ossa at 3:36 PM PST - 6 comments 
What composition/recording does the eerie melody played by the solo violin in the trailer to Crispin Glover's film
What Is It? come from? Does anyone recognize the tune and/or recording? (YouTube link to trailer inside).
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posted by treepour at 3:16 PM PST - 5 comments 
Investment advisor advisor. Is it unreasonable to ask for a complete one-page list of all my investments with account numbers and approximate values?
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posted by schrodycat at 2:33 PM PST - 25 comments
Suppose you take a test for a rare type of cancer that affects 0.01 percent of the population. The test is 98 percent reliable. You get a positive reading. What are the chances you have the cancer? I read this probability puzzle today and the writer said the statistical chances of you having the cancer in this scenario are less than half a percent. I don't get it. Isn't the rarity factor irrelevant compared with the test reliability? Please explain.
posted by binturong at 12:59 PM PST - 27 comments 
Does anyone know what Andrea Dromm is doing now, or what she has been doing since 1967? She was the young blonde American girl in
The Russians Are Coming! who falls in love with the Russian sailor at the beach house. There's nothing current on Google.
posted by feelinggood at 12:57 PM PST - 3 comments 
Could someone please recommend a source for canned red (salmon) caviar which ships from within Canada?
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posted by pernishus at 12:35 PM PST - 3 comments
What is my relationship lacking that I feel the urge to stray every now and then? I've been in a relationship with a 20 year old girl for 3 years now. I'm 23. We started dating when she was 17.
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posted by iceman7 at 12:32 PM PST - 12 comments 
I'm hosting a Rock Band tournament in a "battle of the bands" style competition and I'm looking for prize suggestions (as well as some other tips). I've heard of custom Guitar Hero controllers, but is there a place online that does custom Rock Band controller paint jobs?
[more inside]
posted by idleminded at 10:57 AM PST - 6 comments
Sexcellent solutions for strengthening sexual stamina? Or, what's the best exercise to help me be not so tired during non-solo sexytimes?
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posted by Cat Pie Hurts at 10:36 AM PST - 13 comments
I'm a heavyset, geeky guy with no sense of fashion or style. Can you help me change my look?
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posted by SansPoint at 10:23 AM PST - 32 comments 
I was wondering about Patrick Moberg & Camille Hayton, the
NYC subway couple from last year. Anyone know if they're still together? I suppose it's probably nobody's business but their own, but in a very cold world, sometimes the idea of "meant to be" is appealing.
posted by ktoad at 9:51 AM PST - 15 comments
Our friend left her car in front of my house for the weekend. What are some awesome, cheap, reversible, pranks and/or decorations to welcome her home?
[more inside]
posted by fieldtrip at 9:36 AM PST - 29 comments
Two questions about quitting or not quitting my job in Washington, DC: 1. What are my rights if I quit and want to collect unemployment and 2. If I stay, how do I stay sane?
[more inside]
posted by anonymous at 9:33 AM PST - 12 comments
Francofilter (part 2) (
part 1): What's my best option for a science/technical French-English/English-French dictionary?
[more inside]
posted by solotoro at 8:53 AM PST - 5 comments
I was told to falsify information at my job and then fired for it a year later. I received no training regarding the form that I was told to change and had no idea that it was considered a legal document. Do I have any recourse here or am I just a dumb rube who got played by higher-level bastards?
posted by smackwich at 8:51 AM PST - 21 comments 
Help me find the alternative superhero story I read online four years ago. Features a side character stuck in a time loop and a possibly unwilling superhero possibly named Bob.
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posted by lizzicide at 6:03 AM PST - 4 comments 
We want to get a new puppy and we are moving to a new house. Should we wait to introduce the puppy to the other pets once they are used to the new house, or make all the changes at the same time?
[more inside]
posted by loryjade at 4:19 AM PST - 3 comments
Question about audience reaction to "The Ruins"--spoiler of one line of dialogue, comments (if anyone else actually saw it) may contain more.
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posted by roombythelake at 2:38 AM PST - 5 comments
Please recommend some good inspirational illustration websites. I currently check
Drawn.ca on a daily basis and I love them, but I am hungry for more.
[more inside]
posted by citizngkar at 1:58 AM PST - 7 comments
While casually surfing, why am I getting 404 errors for pages that definitely exist (like google and facebook)? How can I stop it?
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posted by smersh at 1:58 AM PST - 18 comments
Is there an obscene pun on this Spanish-language t-shirt? (photo/nsfw language inside)
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posted by Bizurke at 12:33 AM PST - 3 comments
April 11
Looking for superheroine costume ideas.
My girlfriend and I are going to a wedding where everyone is being asked to dress as a superhero of some kind. It doesn't matter if the superhero exists as a character or not, they just have to exist in someone's mind.
[more inside]
posted by dolface at 10:05 PM PST - 22 comments 
I've given to international charities for years, but it's time to look closer to home...
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posted by matty at 9:02 PM PST - 8 comments
I have two workstations running Windows Server 2003 Enterprise that function as a PDC/BDC, with the PDC also functioning as a file server. Is there any way I can set up a sort of "network RAID" where the BDC will also act as a file server that continually mirrors the files on the PDC?
[more inside]
posted by Ziggy Zaga at 8:26 PM PST - 8 comments 
If you're enrolled in a debt management plan through Consumer Credit Services but can no longer make your agreed upon payment, how can you get it lowered?
[more inside]
posted by coffee and minarets at 7:24 PM PST - 4 comments
My wife's stuck in the Atlanta airport due to a missed flight (weather-related) and now the airport's closed (weather-related). Looks like she won't get a flight here to Tampa until 7:00 am. I hate that she's going to have such a miserable night. What can I do to make her more comfortable?
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posted by unclejeffy at 7:23 PM PST - 9 comments
SF Strip Clubs. A number of the North Beach strip clubs are owned by or affiliated with
Deja Vu (NSFW). Is there a ticket/wristband available for purchase that gives you access to some or all of the Deja Vu clubs for the evening? I've seen the concept referenced in
this Yelp review, but have been unable to find further information.
Does anyone know anything more about a single price/multiple admission pass?
posted by dbolll at 5:04 PM PST - 1 comments
Can Fibromyalgia mimic the symptoms of a serious neurological illness? Do any Fibromyalgia sufferers out there have symptoms like mine, or have I been misdiagnosed?
[more inside]
posted by anonymous at 5:02 PM PST - 17 comments
So I've already filed my tax returns for 2007. But I won't have the money to pay my April 15th taxes until next month. How badly will this hurt me?
[more inside]
posted by anonymous at 5:02 PM PST - 12 comments
What are some strategies to cope with direct reports that are in my immediate physical area and who pepper me with questions all day long?
[more inside]
posted by TheManChild2000 at 4:39 PM PST - 7 comments
does Tennessee have a separate tax all for itself like California does? or would I just get my usual 17% or so taken out of regular paycheck? I'm considering moving there so if somebody could help me out.......thanks...
Loco
posted by locoindio at 4:17 PM PST - 6 comments
Recordingfilter: Why do strange buzzing noises and "zzzt"s appear when someone isn't touching the guitar strings while recording on a computer.
[more inside]
posted by sleepy pete at 3:57 PM PST - 12 comments 
What happens in the first scene of episode three of the second season of Twin Peaks, if you can tell me without "giving away" what happens later?
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posted by neustile at 2:16 PM PST - 10 comments 
Why do so many large conglomerates have a financial services branch? Like GE Financial, Siemens etc.
posted by Student of Man at 1:54 PM PST - 8 comments
Taco Bell in London. My pregnant wifey is desirous of the taste, but there are, alas, no branches here. Anyone know of anywhere that has a similar taste here or some recipes that actually do approximate their burritos etc? Apparently the hot sauce is to die for (?)
posted by Mossy at 1:32 PM PST - 23 comments 
Two songs from "This American Life" have been gnawing at my brain for a week now. Help me find them!
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posted by aheckler at 1:04 PM PST - 11 comments
How can I restore my totally disgustingly porn-hacked Wordpress blog to its former pristine state?
[more inside]
posted by Drohan at 12:54 PM PST - 15 comments
What are some good sources, online or otherwise, of goods not made in China?
[more inside]
posted by hazel at 12:38 PM PST - 7 comments
This is an OS X multi-user question. My parents have an older iMac running OS X 10.3 and various people use it at different times. I want to set up a guest account so anyone logged in on it will not have access to my parents' private information, settings, etc. I tried setting up a "test" account on my own iMac (OS X 1.4.11) but I find when I log in to it I am still able to see folders and view contents that had been created with my regular (admin) account. How do I set up an additional account so it is only able to view its own content and not that of any other account? (I don't want to use FileVault due to the potential for catastrophic data loss or denial if my parents crash their iMac with FileVault in use.)
posted by ranebo at 12:16 PM PST - 12 comments 
I need advice for selling my used stuff online via eBay and Amazon--more specifically, the shipping and order management part of it.
[more inside]
posted by cosmic osmo at 12:05 PM PST - 7 comments
Where can I take Modern or African dance or Contact Improvisation classes in or near Olympia, WA (Seattle is too far)?
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posted by dahliachewswell at 11:59 AM PST - 0 comments
If throw an address like c:\my documents into an IE address bar, it opens up the folder in windows explorer. If I put the same thing in a firefox address bar, I get an html page that displays the folder/files as a series of links down the page. Anyway to get firefox to replicate the IE behavior on this type of address?
posted by stupidsexyFlanders at 11:26 AM PST - 7 comments 
Scusi - Italy filter: Me, my wife and 10-month old daughter. Flights to
Naples next month – then what? Travelling with baby is causing panic.
[more inside]
posted by numberstation at 11:00 AM PST - 6 comments
I'd like to create a CD-ROM with a menu. This menu should have a "visit our web site" option that opens up a web browser to that page.
[more inside]
posted by k8lin at 10:27 AM PST - 7 comments
I'm an old stodgy audiophile finding myself forced to resort to iPod, but I want to make the most of it. First of all, I'm looking for a solution that will allow me to use line-out audio on my ipod (5th generation), and simultaneously charge via AC. Does such a thing exist?
Also, what's the standard audiophile solution for on-the-go listening? Headphones into mini-preamp into dock, I'd suppose?
posted by jimmyjimjim at 9:07 AM PST - 9 comments
I need a great allergist in New York City. I told the guy I have been referred to that I get sick from February 15 to April 15 and he told me "dust mites". I didn't realize they migrate! Do you know of a great NYC allergist? Let me know.
posted by shothotbot at 9:05 AM PST - 11 comments
I have an Access 2007 database with client information and I need to make it do two relatively simple tasks.
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posted by desjardins at 8:39 AM PST - 6 comments 
Au secours! Comprehensive online resource(s) for translating an English CV into French? Proofreader referrals?
[more inside]
posted by pearl228 at 8:37 AM PST - 2 comments
I want to collaborate in real time (or not far off) on some music with someone who lives far away from me.
[more inside]
posted by sparkletone at 8:10 AM PST - 5 comments
What would be the best city for me to move to for a job as a Computer Programmer in Canada? The best city would be defined as potential for advancement and suitable for my skillset.
[more inside]
posted by sleslie at 8:02 AM PST - 13 comments
Advice/tips for what to look for in a hat... for a man who looks like a moron in every hat he's ever tried on
AND looking for a good place to get a man's hat in Toronto.
posted by dobbs at 7:56 AM PST - 15 comments 
I modified my website's search engine to log queries--including the search string, timestamp, referer, and visitor IP--in order to discover what visitors are searching for from which pages. Several of the queries have a blank referer and come from the IP 66.249.70.235. Those query strings are not spam-like. Typically they have some relation to my site's topic.
The IP appears to belong to the Googlebot, buy why would it behave that way? The queries seem like things a human would enter. Is there some method of accessing a site's search engine that strips the referer header and leaves a bogus IP? As I said, nothing about this appears malicious. I am just wondering what is happening.
posted by Fred Mars at 7:53 AM PST - 10 comments 
Tax Filter (surprise surprise!): I didn't pay my taxes in 2000 or 2004 and I need to get my hands on the W2s from those years.
[more inside]
posted by cachondeo45 at 7:38 AM PST - 2 comments
I recently turned 30 and have been regretting the fact that I never got my Master's. Now that I have been out of college for about 8 years, how do I go about getting back in?
[more inside]
posted by m0nm0n at 7:34 AM PST - 12 comments 
My 6 year old needs to have a tooth extracted for medical reasons tommorrow. Any tips/advice that my wife and I can use to ease the anxiety pre-pull?
[more inside]
posted by jeremias at 6:59 AM PST - 28 comments 
Does anyone have any recommendation of where I can find tasty cupcakes in downtown Philadelphia? My SO is craving cupcakes and I promised to bring them home for dessert tonight, and I am at a loss as to where to find them. West of Broad is preferable, but anywhere Center City-ish would be fine.
posted by 8dot3 at 6:53 AM PST - 8 comments
how do I avoid losing my voice after hours of lecturing? what can i do to prepare? singers and teachers, help!
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posted by esolo at 6:53 AM PST - 16 comments 
I remember hearing that San Francisco property taxes used to be based on door width (obviously not anymore), can anyone confirm/deny this and/or provide any articles explaining it? Thanks.
posted by wangarific at 6:41 AM PST - 8 comments
Does anybody remember the cartoon from Nat'l Lampoon of a giant hot dog standing by a mailbox, holding a letter that said, "You may already be a wiener!"?? I have searched high and low, north and south, over and under, everywhere for an image, but no luck. Can the Hive help?
Thanx
posted by sgobbare at 6:40 AM PST - 8 comments
How do I get my pastry for Cornish pasties to have the consistency of a good shop-bought pasty?
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posted by popkinson at 6:34 AM PST - 6 comments 
Help me find new and/or offbeat things to do in central North Carolina--any suggestions? Bonus if it's just as easily enjoyed alone as with company.
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posted by Stewriffic at 6:33 AM PST - 12 comments 
dilbert - yep, question about dilbert. there is a dilbert cartoon i want to send my boss, but i cant find it.
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posted by edtut at 5:17 AM PST - 6 comments
Strips-Tint-US Treasury (bonds)... I need to know the original cost/adjusted basis for reference number: XXXXXXXXX and XXXXXXXXX. What is my tax person asking? How do I get this info? Google has failed me.
posted by zeek321 at 4:24 AM PST - 3 comments 
I am looking for a movie --
but not a specific one. I want to get a sample of someone saying something like, "
Doctor -- what is that...
noise?" or "Professor,
what was that
sound?" I am thinking that something from a '50s sci-fi film would work really well.
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posted by Karlos the Jackal at 3:49 AM PST - 15 comments
Taking a shower at night instead of in the morning: what do I do about my crazy morning hair?
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posted by zardoz at 2:02 AM PST - 30 comments 
Back to my old talkative and energetic self after 5 years, I seem to have fallen for this girl. She's friendly with me but I can't understand her relationship with this other guy... Any help appreciated!
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posted by cyanide at 12:29 AM PST - 22 comments
April 10
My head feels sluggish/cloudy and I can't think clearly. This has affected me on a daily basis for months and it's interfering with my job.
I'm getting enough sleep each night and I do eat breakfast, but I feel that my brain doesn't wake up until I've been awake for a good four or five hours. I don't necessarily feel tired, just "not all there".
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posted by Sufi at 11:05 PM PST - 27 comments
I lost a bunch of music and I can't remember the name of this one electronic/rock group that was from Australia they had a video were they played on an stage with mechanical animals...and, that's all I can remember. I know it's pretty vague but y'all are my only hope...
posted by blam at 11:03 PM PST - 10 comments
I am looking for a specific ad for Star Trek: Enterprise's Sci-Fi Channel reruns.. Also a question for fans of The OC.
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posted by mediocre at 10:58 PM PST - 3 comments 
Can I get Congressional Voting Records in an easily parsed format?
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posted by SAC at 10:55 PM PST - 4 comments 
Unique gift ideas for surprise birthday/care package for female friend in the UK for under $50 (not including shipping)?
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posted by swiffa at 10:32 PM PST - 3 comments 
Got a lead on some decent-sounding, not-outrageously-pricey speakers that are shielded from GSM buzz?
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posted by evariste at 9:56 PM PST - 10 comments 
BookFilter: Help me remember this book about 3 children who go on an "incredible journey" of sorts after their parents fail to pick them up from the hotel's daycare.
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posted by acoutu at 9:56 PM PST - 7 comments 
Going mobile and recording audio in the field: what microphone preamp and phantom power solutions are going to work well on a tight budget?*
(*less than $150)
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posted by acro at 9:21 PM PST - 5 comments
So, you may think that this is a waste of a question, but I really need to know: what do I need to play Bookworm on-the-go? I am taking a long flight this week, and the only way I can envision myself passing the time is by playing Bookworm. But, my computer battery will only last for two hours or so, and the flight is much longer. Is there a handheld version of Bookworm that I am unable to find online? I mean a standalone version, not something to play on a portable Nintendo, which I do not have. If you know of one, please direct me to it.
posted by waywardgirl at 8:45 PM PST - 9 comments 
Simply put, I would like to determine which (outgoing) ports are open and which are closed on my company's network. They have a firewall blocking most ports...so far I can only get through port 80 and port 443. I know for example, ports 23, 25, 110 and 6667 are blocked.
So I may be over-thinking this, but what I think I need to do is find a way to listen on all ports (or at least a select list) on an external computer, then scan that computer's IP from inside the network to see what connects...
The catch: I would like to open these ports for connections without having to install servers that actually use those ports. If we're talking a couple hundred ports, I don't want to install and configure a couple hundred server apps. (or all 65535?)
Does anyone know of an app that will open 'fake' ports on a system and respond with some sort of generic server type?
I know I've seen such an app before, but I just don't remember what it was called, and my google skillz are not coming through this time.
Side note: I originally thought what I was looking for was a "leak tester" ...but this isn't quite right, as it is testing incoming ports, not outgoing ports.
Thanks,
posted by AltReality at 8:30 PM PST - 10 comments 
What it is the best way to deal with a compulsive-gambling father who only calls when he needs money? He is formally a successful white collar executive who now can't pay the rent. After watching many episodes of "Intervention", I don't think I can just refuse to help him out and then have him end up on the streets.
posted by Farleece at 8:15 PM PST - 8 comments 
Do you recognize
this melody? I remember an elementary school friend playing this during his lessons about 15 years ago. This is a 20 second recording of how I remember it now.
posted by reishus at 8:08 PM PST - 15 comments
MacPro Leopard 10.5.2, Problems with the Quadro FX 4500 card. It has dual DVI ports. It'll run 2 DVI devices when it's DVI to DVI,
but it won't run the same two screens if they go via VGA (both DVI ports having a DVI to VGA adapter).
The second port (port 2) has the screen detected in the Displays System Preferences but the screen never lights up. Yes, I know all about DVI extenders, etc; I need the VGA to work.
posted by Towelie at 8:00 PM PST - 1 comments
Help me compensate for backlight in my shots. I often have to shoot with the light directly in front of me, outside, in very, very strong sunlight. Up close, I can use fill flash, but I have massive silhouette-stylee problems if what I’m trying to shoot is far away. Help me learn to adjust the exposure so that you can at least see the subject in the foreground of the shot.
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posted by t0astie at 7:02 PM PST - 21 comments 
I'd like to find some tutorials or general guides for editing and creating music on the computer.
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posted by flatluigi at 6:52 PM PST - 6 comments 
I don't broadcast my wireless SSID - but, frustratingly, OSX 10.5 seems to forget my SSID, and often my password as well (WPA2 Personal.) Is this a simple setting in my router, or is OSX to blame, and can something be done to fix it?
posted by The Jesse Helms at 6:42 PM PST - 5 comments 
Every August the 15th my mom used to come down with a terrible case of seasonal asthma. Back in the 50's people used to do a lot of home doctoring so to try to survive these attacks she used to get a product from the local drugstore called "Asthmadora" which she would burn in a saucer and inhale in a closed room. She would feel better after several days of lying in a dark room and breathing the Asthmadora air with labored breaths.
I always thought it was an unusual product (smelled like marijuana) as the sweet, ashy smell was fairly potent and had an unforgettable scent.
As a small child I was scared when mom was sick and anxious for her to hurry up and get better so I was glad when the Asthmadora was burning as it helped her condition.
I have since "googled" this product and 'can't come up with anything. Am I the only person out there who remembers it?
Thanks
posted by Tullyogallaghan at 6:40 PM PST - 5 comments
I want to move from Texas to California. I need advice on whether or not this can/should be done within a year. Tons of questions! Help me be realistic!
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posted by grablife365 at 6:28 PM PST - 14 comments
Does anyone have any personal experience with laser-cutting or metal-casting companies in or around San Francisco?
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posted by logic vs love at 4:29 PM PST - 4 comments
I am trying to identify/verify the existence of a legend told to me by a friend. Goes something like this:
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posted by andreinla at 4:13 PM PST - 3 comments
(**HighAlert** TechQuestionoftheDay) So my laptop is not able to load windows and keeps giving me the blue screen of death with "system/system32/config/software." Please help.
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posted by Brandon1600 at 4:10 PM PST - 9 comments 
Seeking bluetooth headset advice: something that will work with two different phones, good durability & sound quality, w/out breaking the bank? I am overwhelmed by the options....
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posted by epersonae at 3:51 PM PST - 10 comments
I'm doing my bathroom over with marble for the floor and tub/shower surround area. How do I trim that area around the tub/shower?
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posted by beccaj at 2:51 PM PST - 4 comments 
For an upcoming Las Vegas trip in May, I have an extra day in my Southwest tour- Zion, Bryce Canyon, Grand Canyon, and Death Valley- which of those places would it be most worthwhile to spend the most time?
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posted by Jimmie at 2:48 PM PST - 25 comments
In the 60's (I think) and 70's paperback books used to come with the outside edges of the pages sometimes colored yellow. This doesn't seem like it is done anymore. Why is that? Why was it done in the first place?
posted by josher71 at 2:09 PM PST - 23 comments 
I'm looking for an inexpensive, used notebook computer for a 10 year old. It needs to be able to run >= Windows XP, but it will be used mostly for word processing and wireless internet access. No games (at least not as a hardware requirement spec).
Ideally something around $100-150
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posted by GernBlandston at 1:55 PM PST - 17 comments
What date acquired and cost basis should I put for two items reported on a 1099-B, when there are several unknowns?
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posted by daisyace at 1:48 PM PST - 8 comments
I'm looking for a new place to get my haircut in Albuquerque, NM. Preferably on the west side of town. Any recommendations for specific people/places? Men's haircut, open to various price points. My hair is coarse and thick, short, and very straight, and it's always been difficult to get a cut that looks just right. Bonus points for someone who can work without me needing to tell them exactly how to do it. Thanks!
posted by jroybal at 1:33 PM PST - 6 comments
Please help me decide between staying at my current comfortable job, changing jobs and continuing my education, or going an alternative route to live a simple life.
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posted by AvailableName at 1:14 PM PST - 9 comments
How'd the RIAA become so powerful, yet so villified? Does anyone (I may have heard of) have anything *good* to say about the RIAA?
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posted by derekb at 12:45 PM PST - 9 comments
Does anyone know the songs they're playing this season in Forever 21?
posted by turkishLola at 12:45 PM PST - 6 comments
Asking for a friend: I want to be a prosecutor. Badly. It doesn't have to be all glamor and glory, I just want to get into court. I am looking at the Northern CA, OR and WA areas. Does anyone have any inside information on areas that are hiring/firing?
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posted by autojack at 12:36 PM PST - 7 comments
What's the best way to get a .tv domain without paying too much? I already have a hosting account on bluehost.com so I want re