Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with use

Teach em how to fish and they'll give us better cities, or something

stormygrey — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 19:34:01 -0800

Calling all planners, public admin. types, adult education gurus and other smarty pants: I need to develop a training program or at least a strategy for developing a training program for further planning on the local level, put the hard parts. Our office is charged with further the planning efforts of local (state and county) governments. We laid out the elements needed to successfully developing and implementing a comprehensive plan and then audited it to analyze our gaps. Then we looked at other agencies and they have similar gaps.

How can we train people in the areas of administrative capacity and what we are generally calling "community will" (political will, advocacy, etc.)?

Like, how to read a site plan submitted by developers, how should staff and appointed/elected officals communicate effectively, can a circuit rider type planner work, how would you develop a program like that, how do you do code enforcement with out a dedicated staff member. For the last one, its things like making politically difficult decsions, gaining consensus, or just plain how to implement your plan (what ever that may mean).

I know I am putting a lot of info out there, I don't want to box in the answers here. So have you attended or created training on items similar to these? Are you aware of awesome (perferably free) web based training/podcasts that touch on these issues. Feel free to throw in any new ideas that you see staff or officials messing up all the time. Thank you!

"He took too much LSD in the '60s".

bunky — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 16:42:26 -0800

"He took too much LSD in the '60s". No, really. Any number of Americans approaching old age are doing so with long-term illegal drug habits. If you've seen the Osbournes on TV, Ozzy seems the picture of the sort of cognitive impairment you can expect someone to have after years of illegal drug use. Is this typical of such a person? Can someone be rendered mentally incompetent by means of a history of long-term illegal drug use? Would someone with obvious cognative impairment like Ozzy still be considered legally competant?

Does my girlfriend spend too much time on online forums?

kleenkat — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 13:25:23 -0800

Am I being unreasonable about how much time my girlfriend spends on online forums and message boards? It's ironic that I am asking this on metafilter, but I really feel like my girlfriend spends way too much time online talking to strangers about every day things, hobbies, etc. What is weird though, is that she doesn't actually participate in many of the hobbies she claims she is on the message boards for. She just talks about them and the stuff she talks about sits and collects dust in our apartment (cameras, guitars, etc.) Hasn't touched them in over a year. She is a moderator on one forum and probably spends 4-5 hours each day, if not more, on these three forums. One being Fluther, where a bunch of people ask questions that can simply be Googled. I understand online community and what not, and when I say something to her she gets pissed off because I'm doing work for school. I am not, however spending nearly as much time doing graduate work as she does online. She is only these forums throughout the work day, and on her computer when I get home from work every day, even when we are cooking dinner she intermittently checks the forums for new posts or to answer ridiculous questions on Fluther.

Am I being picky or unreasonable? I just think it's strange but hey to each their own. I just feel like she is constantly at her computer. Yet, when I try to get her to go out in the "real world" and hang out with friends, she says the general population annoys her. Since I started dating her I really miss REAL social interaction with people, even with strangers. It now makes me reluctant to participate in many social events because I know she will be bored or despise being there. What should I do? I love her very much, and I don't want to come off as insensitive....I just wonder if it is unhealthy. She's a sweet, caring girl.

THanks in advance...

Do men who date porn stars continue to use porn?

Sully — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 08:44:09 -0800

Do men who date porn stars continue to use porn? In a lot of advice columns, I keep seeing upset letters from women whose male partners use porn. Everything else in their relationship is great, except for that. So I was wondering if anyone here knew an actual person who was dating a porn actress, and had inside knowledge as to whether they continued to use porn.

Should a righty become a lefty again?

gwpcasey — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 12:12:19 -0800

Should a left-handed person forced, as a child, to be a right-handed person teach himself to be left-handed as an adult? A relation of mine was forced, innocently but ignorantly, to use his right-hand over his naturally predominant left hand. I only found this out recently and the guy has some difficulties in various areas of his life and it made me wonder if this might have something to do with it.

In any event, is there any benefit in this guy (now in his mid-30's) learning to write etc with his left hand? Scientific, anecdotal and completely baseless opinions are all welcome.

Thanks.

SETI@home questions and options

monkeywithhat — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 09:34:32 -0800

For a while I have been using the SETI@home screensaver. I do not know much about computer science but my understanding is that the purpose of the program is to create a virtual super computer by breaking up packets of information and then sending them out to all of these computers all over the world which then run them through the program and send back the information. So you end up having the same computing power as a super computer through a large number of home computers. I think this is a fascinating concept but I have 3 questions: 1. How much additional energy does this utilize? I mean is my computer now using the same amount of energy as when it is normally running? 2. Do limits to this system exist? IE what can this kind of system not do that a super computer could? 3. Anyone know of any other programs like this which allow your computer while you are not using it to be searching for knowledge?

New industrial architecture

lou — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 23:28:49 -0800

Looking for examples of creative, modern industrial architecture. When I think industrial buildings, I (and probably most people) imagine gigantic bland boxes, tens or hundreds of thousands square feet large surrounded by parking lots. But it doesn't always have to be that way, right? Zaha Hadid's BMW Central Building in Leipzig comes to mind, but even then, it's just a small piece in a collection of otherwise typical box warehouses.

What else is out there? I'd really like to see:
- Green - I'm thinking along the lines of LEED certification, or some kind of production in green materials.
- Industrial - light or heavy. Blue collar work environments. Nothing that's primarily office space.
- Mixed-use? If you can mix office, retail and residences, is it possible to mix industrial? Perhaps smaller industrial spaces? Does this even exist?
- On a similar vein, high-density is a bonus.
- The exterior environment is really important- It's not just the architecture that should be compelling but also the landscaping.

Alright, now please educate me!

Health effects of very light cigarette smoking over the long term

Simon Barclay — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 08:12:09 -0800

What are the health effects of very light cigarette smoking (1-3 per week) over the long term? The highly dangerous effects of cigarette smoking are well known, however (from my understanding) this is based on studies that have considered the difference between non-smokers and 1+ pack/day smokers.

So, what are the health effects of very light cigarette smoking? Define very light as being 1-3 cigarettes per week, perhaps less.

Are the effects at that dosage negligible or almost the same? Obviously I would expect it to be somewhere in between, but are there any studies that demonstrate this? One might expect that the effect of smoking is exponential, and there is a tipping point where the impact starts becoming much more pronounced with additional use. Or, one might expect that any exposure is detrimental.

I've googled it using the search terms that I could think of, but found nothing. Can anyone point to any research on this topic?

Anecdotal evidence, although interesting, would probably not be helpful in this circumstance.

Taking radio clips part of free usage?

fantasticninety — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 18:24:53 -0800

Could anyone check out this site to see if it adheres to fair use laws? Hi,

I've been working on a site that looks at the use of the French language. I take clips from radio shows and podcasts and transcribe them with basic explanations. There is no advertising on my site, and there is no method for making money from this.

Technically, I could make reference to every podcast that I take a clip from, but it would get pretty taxing from a paperwork perspective to do so. It would be pretty hard to keep track of.

I've felt like it's ok because even LeMonde has a podcast called LeRadiozapping which takes clips from other radio shows and doesn't cite where they all come from. Here's their site here.

Do you think that this is basically in line with fair use laws? Thanks in advance.

Help me become a computer whiz!

themaskedwonder — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 15:57:03 -0800

Here's the deal, MeFi: I know absolutely nothing about computers, other than how to access the internet and use MS Word. However, I'm starting to think seriously about careers in media and communications, and I know being a decent writer isn't nearly good enough, especially in this economy. So, what programs should I start with? I'm thinking excel spreadsheets (sad I know), Outlook, Photoshop, maybe basic html coding? Bonus points if you can point me to any useful websites or books with introductory tutorials. Thanks!

Big Brother wants to watch my 6-year old.

QuantumMeruit — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 21:28:03 -0800

My son’s elementary school Internet policy has some fairly objectionable provisions. How common are these terms, and can/should anything be done about it? My son’s new elementary school has an “Acceptable Use and Internet Safety Policy” that must be signed by both the parent and the student. The policy purports to be “in accordance” with CIPA, the Children’s Internet Protection Act. However, the policy seems to go way beyond what’s required by CIPA.

Most objectionably, the policy states that students “should make available for inspection by an administrator or teacher upon request any messages or files sent or received at any Internet location.” As a parent, I understand why a school administrator might want the authority to snoop into a troublemaker’s personal email to track down threats of violence or disruption, etc. As a card-carrying member of the EFF, this policy offends me.

I know that if a private employer tried to enforce such a provision, there would be huge problems. I want to know how common similar hamfisted Internet usage policies are in schools. (And I realize that I’m getting extra points for absurdity since my kid is all of six years old.)

Finally, I will probably donate a copy of Cory Doctorow’s “Little Brother” to the school library (even though my 6-year old is not old enough to “get” it yet). Besides that, I’d like to know what the Hive Mind has to say regarding ways to promote awareness of why policies like this one are problematic.

Getting used to a wristwatch.

ooklala — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 21:25:52 -0800

How can I get used to wearing a wristwatch? I have not worn one for a while (4 years) because of an inability to get used to them. Now it is a requirement that I wear one. I have found a watch but now have to get used to having the thing on my arm.
If it means anything, I am left handed.

It's a table, and it goes beside a bed...what shall we call it, and what shall we do with it?

oxford blue — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 08:35:26 -0800

What do you keep in your beside table? Never having a bedside table, the sudden acquisition of one has left me rather bewildered!

So many draws (three!), plus a flat surface.

How do you use this space? What sort of things do you like to keep close by? Any clever ideas that go beyond my current book and reading lamp usage?

What are my rights for republishing screenshots/promotional material in an academic text?

serial_consign — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 22:01:49 -0800

What right do I have to republish software screenshots and promotional material within a critical/academic context? Do I need to get formal permission from the corporations that own & distribute this material? I'm submitting a book chapter and the publisher for this text appears pretty stiff on copyright protocol. I want to republish screenshots from early GUI's (i.e. Xerox Star) and also some interface applications for the iphone. Do I need to get in touch with Apple/Xerox for this kind of republishing? I was planning on using promotional and or archival images..

This is all in the context of a scholarly text. Also, with the iphone specifically I'd be writing about an interface designed for it, not so much the device itself and I would have permission from that designer.

I've never got formal clearance for republication of images - I've only dealt with Creative Commons content online - if anybody could provide any input/direciton it would be greatly appreciated.

Where can I find clear rules for fair use of online videos?

m2002 — Sat, 03 Nov 2007 17:08:58 -0800

Clear rules for fair use of online videos? I'm building a website that will often use video clips from various sources, ranging from home videos to movie/tv clips hosted by Youtube. Where can I find rules and guidelines for fair use of videos?

I know the general rules for fair use but I couldn't find any hard rules (e.g. how many seconds of a clip is ok).

My website is not a video critique site, not educational, and it runs advertisements. It will be a pretty big website so it won't fly under the radar like so many personal blogs.

My biggest concern is to AVOID LITIGATION.

Thanks in advance for any responses.

Assume I already know '"look for another job"

Anonymous — Thu, 27 Sep 2007 16:30:00 -0800

How can I deal with my supervisor's drug abuse and dealing? I work in a midsize office in a department of a dozen people. My SO worked here until last year. He was an oxycodone addict. That is what indirectly cost his employment here as well as a subsequent job. One of his main sources of it was my supervisor. The supervisor was unaware that I knew of this business relationship. When the second job was lost because of the addiction, I begged her to stop selling to him. The situation with my partner's addiction was causing horrible problems at home and work. She promised that this would not continue.

Approximately 5 hours after I was assured that this was not going to happen again, she sold to him. She also went off on him stating that "she can't have her employees acting like I do about this". From what I understand she was more worried about her own ass. I had not mentioned legal action of any sort during our conversation. It was a lot of emotional pleading just to stop contributing to that horrible problem.

So currently he's been clean for 3 months and has had no contact with her. She has attempted to contact him once and he did not respond. She is still doctor shopping, missing several days of work a week, and openly dealing narcotics and benzos with other employees here. Normally I wouldn't have a problem with other people's recreational drug use, but she has never apologized for selling to him/lying to me and she resents me for taking away a source of side income. I am incredibly uncomfortable working for her. When I see her give Darvocet to a coworker, I think she's doing it to rub it in my face or something. I can't trust her about anything. The company is small enough that if I went to HR, it would be easy to identify me as the complainant and I would probably get sacked.

So to the actual questions:

Without telling HR that she's a user and part of the company supply chain, how can I have her removed? Other people here are also unhappy. Is there an equivalent of a way to do a no-confidence vote so that HR has to replace her?

lap desks for the lapless

Anonymous — Sun, 23 Sep 2007 17:37:08 -0800

I use my laptop in bed, and on the couch. I worry that I am heating up my abdomen (ie, my unborn child) excessively, although there isn't much on the internet about that. Is there anything that anyone can recommend (ie, not a pillow, that just makes me warmer) to keep that hot machine farther away from my midsection, but close enough so I can type? Many thanks.

Fair Use: Embedded video in quotation form?

Quarter Pincher — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 06:47:45 -0800

Fair Use Filter -- I want to take clips from movies and embed them in an online essay as quotation-style references. I want to write an essay to be posted online, using clips from major motion picture studios as references in a kind of quotation form, using YouTube/Metacafe/etc as the embedded bandwidth supplier for the clips. They are only pieces of scenes of movies, and used in context with a running commentary of a particular theme other than what the movies themselves are about, giving full credit of the original producers, etc, and not making any money off their reproduction (no advertisments at all).

Is this fair use?

There's got to be more than two...

cubby — Mon, 12 Feb 2007 22:39:32 -0800

What objects gain value through use and time? Some things gain value over time, like wine or rare books. But they lose value by being used -- and so many collections are dedicated to preserving objects in pristine condition. There are a few things that actually become more valuable, or even more useful, the more they are used. I can only think of two examples: the cast iron skillet (the nonstick seasoned surface gets better with each use) and the Yixing teapot (the unglazed clay absorbs oils from tea each time it is used, enhacing the flavor of each subsequent brew and making the pot more collectable - previously). Can anyone think of other examples where the value and/or utility of an object increases with both time and use?

Is a super cheap iMac really worth it for a PC user?

taita_cakes — Mon, 31 Jul 2006 05:28:17 -0800

Apple Filter: I'm a PC man, in a PC house, but I'm hoping to pick up a iMac G3 super cheap. What can I do with it? And yes, I have read the aritcle on digg etc. here...

Generally, I have a few questions. They can be researched, but I have so many it's much easier to get a general opinion:
1) Can all iMac G3s be updated to OS X?
2) Obvious one, there is a OS X download for VLC Player, so I take it I would be able to watch movies and tv eps problem free? Even on an old [333-400mHz?] system?
3) I'm unfamiliar with Apple systems, if this only has a CDROM drive, the DVD drive can be plugged in via usb? I remember my cousins using external disk drives like floppy etc. And how much can one of these cost?
4) I have a Belkin four-port wireless router. What is the chance of connecting to this? I have it set up already with two of the LAN ports taken by PC's. Fair impossible I think?
5) Are there any other great uses for a mac like this? It will probably sit up in my room, so I don't want it folding constantly. I also tend to do most of my graphic design and animation right here on this family PC. I chat a lot, but it might be a bit useless if I can't connect it to our four-port router [but it is wireless too].

Why couldn't they show the Chanel logo on The Simpsons?

benrodian — Sun, 09 Jul 2006 11:14:18 -0800

What are the rules for using company logos in creative works? Specifically, why was Marge able to refer to Chanel many times in that one Simpsons episode while the logo was never fully visible? In the Simpsons episode where Marge gets the Chanel dress really cheap, the Chanel name is never fully visible. The word is obscured by a tree, etc. This leads me to think that representing the logo would be a possible copyright violation.

I also remember the McDonald's logo being represented in a very angular version (rather than the normal curvy logo) on the show.

Why is it permissible to have a character talk about Walmart but not permissible to show the complete Walmart logo?

Can anyone explain the rules to me in a simple way?

How can I get a clip from the Daily Show?

kensanway — Mon, 12 Jun 2006 11:58:23 -0800

Looking for permission to use a clip from The Daily Show I am trying to contact the daily show for both a copy of a clip from their earlier years (specifically the alex chiu interview) as well as permissionn to use this clip in a documentary -- how does one go about doing this (for the daily show in particular, and for other TV shows in general)

Naturally, contact info for the producers of the show are not publicly available -- so how do insiders do it?

Minimalist Acceptable Use Policy?

Roach — Mon, 24 Apr 2006 17:12:18 -0800

My company does not have a computer acceptable use policy. What is the bare minimum? I'm the recently-hired IT Manager for a 400 person automotive retailer spread across 8 locations. I'm the first full-time IT employee they've ever had. I've been charged with revamping many of their technology practices, one of which is producing a computer acceptable use policy for each employee to sign.

At a recent steering committee meeting, I presented my 2.5 page version to our COO. He basically said "TLDR", and asked me to distill it to the BARE minimum.

I know of some companies that have one-line policies. Others I've seen run to five pages. I'm wondering what you consider the absolute minimum clauses that need to be included, in order to protect the company.

Thanks!

How to track how busy a customer service point really is?

robocop is bleeding — Tue, 28 Feb 2006 07:27:45 -0800

Is there an application that will run on a desktop that will record the number of times a button is clicked, the time and date that it is clicked, and will export that information into an Excel spreadsheet? I'm trying to set up the optimum staffing level for a customer service desk. To do this, I need to get some actual data of how busy the desk really is. If I ask the people who staff the desk, they say it is always super busy. If I ask upper management, they say the desk isn't used at all. The truth must be in between and I need the stats to back it up.

Rather than have people at the desk record how many times per half hour they deal with a customer, I was wondering if there was an easy technical solution to this that could run on the Windows workstations. When staff is done helping a customer, be it in person or by phone, they simply click on a button and the interaction is recorded. I could then go back later, download the records, and produce a nice Excel sheet and from there figure out the busiest times on the desk, how often both people on the desk are helping customers at the same time, and so on.

Cheap as in free, easy to install, and easy to use are all pluses. This is for an academic library.

(How|Where) does one find Google's (guide|help) on (searching|querying) using regular expressions?

Gyan — Thu, 28 Jul 2005 04:34:41 -0800

Well, what do you know, err.. what do I know, Google does support some sort of regular expressions. However, I can't find the usage guide. Anyone?