July 2006 Archives
July 31
Place to Stay at Tofino
A good place to stay at Tofino, Vancouver Island? [more inside]
Thinking of opening a game store...
Thinking of opening a Gaming store...help...So me and the wife are seriously considering opening a gaming store, (roughly half board/casual type games and half "hobby" type games). I've read a bunch of stuff on opening a retail store in general, including some threads on here, but not much on anything gaming specific. [more inside]
Lets Pool Our CollectiveKnowledge About Underground Theatre !
Is there a theater underground in Chicago? [more inside]
Finance For Dummies.
What are some good books for beginners on finance?
I prefer a book on a variety of finance subjects, anything from taxes, to real estate, to the stock market. (several books dealing with specific subjects work just as well). While I want a book on the basics, it doesnt need to be written for children or the average teen.
Pitchers! Purdy pitchers! Get yer pitchers here!
How do I get my photographs into galleries and/or sell prints? [more inside]
Getting water out of an ear?
We went swimming two days ago. My boyfriend still has water in his ear, and the Swim-EAR (95% isopropyl alcohol, 5% glycerin) we got at the drug store hasn't helped. Is this normal? And what can he do to make his ear feel better? [more inside]
Bulgarian CDs in SFO.
Where in the San Francisco/Berkeley area can I get a truly good selection of Bulgarian music?
(By which I mean a BulgarianCDs.com-style selection, not the usual Le Mystere des Voix Bulgares stuff. HMV/Tower-type places probably don't apply.)
Dates in Middlebury, VT?
Fun activities for a couple in or near Middlebury, VT? [more inside]
What brand of t-shirt fits me?
T-Shirts: I'm trying to find a brand of t-shirts that fit me well, aren't very expensive, and don't have stupid things printed on them. [more inside]
Recommended auto repair facility in San Diego?
I think I need an alignment; looking for a recommended mechanic in San Diego. I need Saturday hours, and am hoping for some place near a movie theater, shopping, or the like. [more inside]
Toy creatures that grow to 600% their size when you immerse them in water
Toy creatures that grow to 600% their size when you immerse them in water. We bought a few from a street seller in New York, and they're cool. We want more, but now the seller has moved on. Where can I buy these toys, preferably online? [more inside]
We just moved into a rental house, and found the place filthy! What do we do?
We just moved into a rental house, and found the place filthy! What do we do? [more inside]
Broken RCA jack?
My turntable has a broken RCA jack - it only plays out of one channel. Can I fix this myself? [more inside]
Missing MegaByte
I'm trying to work my way through the activation process for my new RoadRunner service. The flash wizard that analyzes my computer tells me that I have only 127 MB of RAM, 1 short of the necessary 128 to continue setup. My computer disagrees with the wizard. Is it even possible that this is the case? If so, how do I get back my essential 1 MB?
VW Jetta service record?
Are VW Jettas really that bad? [more inside]
How can I convert my AAC and MP3 audio files to FLAC?
Is there a tool I can use to convert my archive of music from AAC and MP3 to FLAC? [more inside]
Oy Vey! Not an IE problem again!
My dad's Internet Explorer has gone crazy! Fortunately, Mozilla runs fine.... [more inside]
Premonition before big move?
How much stock should one put in a scary premonition? [more inside]
Help us find this lancel bag!!
Help my roommate find the perfect bag! [more inside]
Going Dutch with foreigners
I'm an American hosting a couple of guests from Greek Cyprus for whom I am doing professional (scientific) training. We may go out to dinner on one of those nights. Will "going Dutch" be nothing unusual to them? Or being from a Mediterranean culture where friends become extended family, might they expect one of us (me or them) to pick up the entire tab? Granted I am the host and can do what I want, but I'm still interested in what they'll expect.
..other than sex.
I just got a shiny new girlfriend. Now what..? [more inside]
The lump IS my throat...
Doctor at the clinic said I don't have strep throat, but I'm not convinced. What else could this be? Should I take antibiotics? Other ways to fight strep? [more inside]
The other white meat.
I have a question about bacon. And sausage. I currently live in Japan, and the bacon here is...well...different. Try to fry it like American bacon and it just sort of scorches--it's more like regular ham in that respect. The sausage here too is strange, like hot dogs but not as good (if that's even possible). But it's not just Japan... [more inside]
Nice sports coat. Where'd you get it?
Men's Fashion Filter: Where can I buy a sports coat like this (Washington, DC area would be nice)? [more inside]
How do I get started in tutoring?
I'm thinking about trying to get into tutoring, particularly English tutoring. I've worked with ESL students via the internet before, but that has been on a mutual basis: I've helped them improve their English while they helped me improve my German. What steps would I need to take to get started in my area? Do I need any particular qualifications? Should I go to the schools, or perhaps to the University in town? How does one get started in tutoring as a part-time job?
Back to school at 40?
Should I go back to school at 40, and get that degree? [more inside]
Is a universal oxygen sensor really universal?
ScoobyFilter: It's time to replace the oxygen sensors in my 2001 Subaru Outback. "Universal" replacements run about half the cost of the OEM version. Am I asking for trouble by taking the cheap way out? [more inside]
Baking classes in Washington, DC - NoVA ?
I am looking for classes in the Washington DC area specifically for baking cakes.. So far, the ones I have come up with are:
1. Cake decoration (not preparation)
2. Cookies, cones, holiday preparations
3. $100 for a 3 hour session
4. Semester long programs
To put it simply, I want to make my own tiramisu !
Earrings for men
Fashion Question. [more inside]
How do I wash my shoes?
I sometimes think I'm more other people than I am myself
I often seem to confuse what other people want or think for what I want or think. I'm fearful this has led to me making a number of decisions I'll ultimately be unhappy with, and may make more in the future. I'm also afraid I'll hurt others as well. [more inside]
Solutions for the hearing impaired
What kind of options are available for someone who has suffered hearing loss due to long term exposure to loud sounds? [more inside]
Notify a Yahoogroup about blog updates?
Can you automatically notify a Yahoo group that a blog using the blogger.com engine has been updated? [more inside]
How do I make this sort of diagram?
I need help charting information in a way that's intuitive. [more inside]
Chicken parasite?
Found a "worm" in a supermarket chicken! Is it fair game or foul play? [more inside]
Songs with homophobic lyrics?
Songs with homophobic lyrics? [more inside]
Need more TV shows to download. Recommendations please!
Need more TV shows to download. Recommendations please! [more inside]
Disabling comcast bridge-mode on a Comcast modem
How do I bypass router bridging on a Comcast cable modem? [more inside]
Recommend me something to read!
BookFilter: I've read Richard Morgan's Kovacs trilogy through and through, and I'm looking for something similar to read... [more inside]
Does Baton Rouge, LA have a steamship rail head stop?
Does Baton Rouge, LA have a steamship rail head stop? [more inside]
Accumulated amortization what?
Suggestions for good, simple to understand, accounting books? [more inside]
Herculean labor
Can anyone recommend a non-agency house cleaner in Hercules, CA (east San Francisco Bay Area)? [more inside]
Train cats? Plants they can safely eat?
A two-parter. Is it _really_ possible to train a cat? And if not, what kind of houseplants should I get that my cat can chew on and not regurgitate (as much?) ? [more inside]
How does one remember how to think?
How does one go about "remembering how to think"? A good friend recently mentioned to me that she no longer has any motivation to think deeply about anything, be it religion, philosophy, or even which side of her toast to butter. Help me kick-start her curiosity by suggesting films and books. [more inside]
What is a creative engagement proposal idea?
What is a creative way for me (male, 22) to propose to my girlfriend (female, 21) in the area of Atlanta, GA or somewhere in NW GA? I do not want to do something that has been overdone (megatron @ ballgame). I want it to be romantic, semi-private (not drawing huge attention if is out in public), and memorable. She loves art and nature (not this damn heat). I am drawing a blank and need help ASAP!
Pen me!
MoleskineFilter: Can anyone recommend a non-gel ink, commercially available pen to use with my pocket Moleskine? [more inside]
How do I send a book to Valhalla?
Help me plan a Viking funeral for a hated book. [more inside]
lucas, the prince of darkness has possesed my computer!
My computer has developed a mind of its own and shuts down when it feels like it! [more inside]
Where to go in NYC for cheap arts programs?
I'm looking for a way to keep busy and pick up some new skills in NYC. [more inside]
Detatchable skate wheels?
What's the inline skate brand that has a removable boot? [more inside]
This contract's binding, right?
Insurance Underwriting. Property. Florida. These three statements combined can cause poodles to faint, white to change to black, AC to become DC, and various flora to mutate in the Tropics. My question: If an underwriter actually agrees to bind a policy, are they legally bound to follow their own document? [more inside]
How to bike to work in Florida?
How can I bike to work in Florida? [more inside]
One man's shirt, and 5 women's? That'll be $50, please.
Why does getting articles of women's clothing laundered, dry cleaned and/or pressed at the cleaners cost more than it does for comparable articles of men's clothing? [more inside]
How to impress in a quasi-interview?
College Student working for large corporation the past two summers in a field unrelated to my degree. My boss set me up an appointment with an area I am very interested in. How can I secure a internship with that department next year? [more inside]
Doing/Eating/Seeing something in BarbaDOS
Going to Barbados this week for a friend's wedding. What must I see/eat/do?
Gurus only
Perhaps advanced MSSQL question.. [more inside]
Name for a magic potion shop?
Imagine there is a store that sold magic potions that cured whatever was bothering you. What would this shop be called? [more inside]
How to migrate mailboxes in exchange
My company is splitting up soon. We have centralised exchange servers in another country, I need to get away fast. [more inside]
How much money do I give for a wedding gift?
I've been invited to the wedding of the daughter of some casual friends. I live in the US now but most of the weddings I've been to were when I lived in the UK. I'm not sure what an appropriate amount is for a money wedding gift. I've heard it should be equal to or greater than the amount per head the family is paying for the reception. How accurate is this? It seems to me if that's the case, the wedding is less of a celebration than a business transaction. Anyway, I'm afraid of giving an inappropriate amount. Advice please!
How do I set up alternate PDF navigation?
I swear I once saw a PDF with tabbed navigation along the bottom edge of the pages, kind of like what you'd see on an Excel workbook. How do I set up that effect? [more inside]
Rockin' with the King of Babylon
Did I imagine this song from the 80's? [more inside]
Does Verizon DSL still suck or have they cleaned up their act?
I live in Queens, NY. I want to take the plunge into broadband. Verizon is offering a pretty good deal ($18.00 a month for as much bandwidth as I'll ever use) but I am a little leery. Four or five years ago, I was hearing nothing but complaints about Verizon's DSL offerings. So . . . does Verizon DSL still suck or have they cleaned up their act? [more inside]
Can I recover data (pictures) from a bad DVD-R?
Can I recover data (pictures) from a bad DVD-R? [more inside]
I love horrible music! Help!
Experimental music venues in Edinburgh? [more inside]
Consoling a loved one over a dying pet.
Help me do something nice for somebody whose beloved dog is dying. [more inside]
HCMC Piano Teacher
Needed: Piano teacher in Ho Chi Minh City [more inside]
What advice do you have for a new PhD candidate?
PhD advice! I am starting a PhD program in Communications this fall. I'd like some general advice from those who have survived. I'm looking for ideas on wise steps to take as far as department politics, TAing, getting published, attending conferences, funding, trying to survive on no money, being in a relationship with a non-student, etc. [more inside]
Remixes Database
Where can I find a list or database of song remixes? [more inside]
Help me find the smallest, most perfectly fomed bag for carrying the essentials
I have far too many bags (work, gym, travel etc) and am always leaving things behind when I transfer stuff from one bag to another. I am looking for a small bag that is just big enough for the essentials (phone, keys, purse, PDA, pens, glasses) that I can transfer from one bag to another or can carry on its own if needed. Availability in or delivery to UK essential. Any suggestions?
lots of plants
back when the world was relatively new, it seems like the world could support much much more life. why not now? [more inside]
Should my wife contest a parking ticket in court?
My wife got a parking ticket - is it worth it to go to court? [more inside]
How do I get back into technical work again?
UKJobFilter: Techie/System Admin at heart, CV filled with Helpdesk experience. How do I get into techie work again? [more inside]
Suggest a North American coding conference/seminar.
MadSkillzFilter: Help this computer engineer find an interesting North American coding conference/seminar. [more inside]
Whitewater Rafting near NYC
Looking for awesome class III (or II) whitewater rafting in New York State or PA (within a few hours of NYC / North Jersey). Any recommendations? Also, we don't want a guide, we just want to rent everything and go on our own - will most companies agree to that?
Can I use the word redirect in every sentence? Let's find out.
Is there a way that I can tell if a page has been redirected by conf.d or .htaccess? [more inside]
BreastPumpFilter
What's the best breast pump? [more inside]
How do I de-register an ISBN?
A book I wrote was going to get published but then the publisher went out of business. Before they went under the publisher assigned my book an ISBN, so the never-published book still appears in various databases. How do I de-register the ISBN and remove it from the web?
How can I stop my landlord invading my privacy?
My landlord keeps letting himself in to my flat when I am not in. What can I do? [more inside]
Is a super cheap iMac really worth it for a PC user?
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? [more inside]
Recommendation wanted for a good sports massage therapist or reflexologist in London
Can anyone recommend a good sports massage therapist or reflexologist in London? Also, what therapy have you found is best for treating tension headaches? [more inside]
I come from gay pareee
OK, don't laugh, what goes with pink jeans on a guy? [more inside]
Looking for a JAVA Telnet/SSH class library
I'm looking for a JAVA package/class library that would allow me to connect, send and receive data via the telnet and SSH protocol. I would love for the package/library to handle the connecting, handshaking, authentication, etc. I would like the the protocol to be transparent to me, meaning that the way I send data and receive wouldn't change my code if it was SSH or telnet. Any version of the JAVA is fine. I'm trying to develop a different kind of telnet/ssh client and would rather not rewrite code if there is something already out there. I could even get started with just telnet. Thank you for your time and help. Have a great one.
Brain Age equivalent for Windows/Mac?
Are there any games or programs similar to Brain Age for Windows or OS X-based systems?
I love the concept, but I can't see myself buying a Nintendo DS to play a single title.
VAIO shutdown - startup issues
Sony VAIO SZ shutdown - startup issues. [more inside]
My music is in ruins!
Having read this thread, I downloaded several *awesome* box sets... but then I download Itunes which resulted in this annoying problem. What can I do?! [more inside]
Looking for a unique, quiet Chicago cafe with great tea
Looking to find a cafe in Chicago that meets a very specific set of criteria. [more inside]
What do I need to know to understand Beckett's Waiting for Godot?
How can I make sense of Beckett's play Waiting for Godot [more inside]
July 30
Can lists be copyrighted?
Can lists be copyrighted? [more inside]
Mystery marks muddle my mind
(what?) the Po-lice!
What are my rights, as a canadian citizen, dealing with police? [more inside]
What liberal country should I move to?
What liberal country should I escape to? [more inside]
Will an external monitor bamboozle my laptop?
I want to use an external monitor on my laptop, can I install the driver for it or will it confuse the laptop? [more inside]
Will using 3rd generation ice make me sick?
Will using ice that melts and is then refrozen over a couple of weeks (thru a portable icemaker) make me sick? [more inside]
Comfortable IKEA-esque couches?
Help me choose a cheap IKEA (or similar) couch without actually sitting on it first. [more inside]
This is supposed to never happen... so how did it?
So, on July 5th I had a positive pregnancy test. It was two nice dark lines that appeared right away. (I even scanned it.) Friday, I went to my first prenatal appointment, where on the ultrasound they found... nothing. Just got the blood test results back, and they are negative for pregnancy. I'll probably get a call from the nurse practitioner tomorrow, but she's not likely to be helpful, since [more inside]
A no-debt financial advisor?
How can I find a financial advisor with specific requirements? I'm sure you know by now that there is [more inside]
Are left hand ring finger rings a for sure sign of being in a relationship?
Are there any reasons for a female to wear a ring on her left ring finger that would not indicate she is engaged or married? Do females do this often or is that finger strictly for signifying she is in a relationship. [more inside]
What's beneath DC?
Is there anything below Washington, DC? [more inside]
What sort of gear would I need for snow/cold-weather camping?
What sort of gear would I need for snow/cold-weather camping? [more inside]
walking sux
How do I get my bike lock open? [more inside]
Dental tourism in India?
Dental tourism in India - anyone have any good experiences? I need several crowns done as well as maybe some implants. How do I find a respectable dentist, what are waiting lists like and what are the approximate costs? Are they fully equipped and painless? [more inside]
Please help us move on...
How can we move on from the loss of our pet? How do we know when we're ready to find a new dog? Is our experience common amongst dog owners? [more inside]
It just works, right?
Data recovery in target disk mode: what are the pitfalls? [more inside]
Help me identify this painting!
ArtFilter: I'm looking for the name and/or artist of a painting that I have a print of. It's a Victorian-era (we think) painting of a Roman scene. The original is in the Philadelphia Museum of Art. [more inside]
Bypassing Kodak Easyshare Software
How can I bypass using Kodak Easyshare software to upload photos from my Kodak camera? [more inside]
Flamenco / Spanish type Stairway To Heaven cover on Jonathan Ross
For UK MeFites and UK TV watching MeFites: Apparently on Friday Night with Jonathan Ross recently one of the guests was a band or duo playing a spanish / flamenco type version of stairway to heaven.... [more inside]
How can I catch up on the news for the last two weeks?
Let's say you've been living in a hole for the last two weeks or so and have no knowledge of current events and limited reading time. Where would be a good place to gain information quickly? [more inside]
Is it really so bad to plug an air conditioner into a 2-prong outlet with an adapter?
Is it really so bad to plug an air conditioner into a 2-prong outlet with an adapter? [more inside]
Throw mama from the train?
My mother has gone bonkers, but she won't admit it on her own. How can I help her get help? [more inside]
iTrip Problem
iTrip for iPod Nano: Just received shiney new iTrip FM transmitter for iPod Nano - But it doesn't work at all!
Any clues or suggestions? [more inside]
Is DreamHost always this bad?
Is DreamHost always this bad? Are they going to get better? [more inside]
GMAT probability question
For one toss of a certain coin, the probability that the outcome is heads is 0.6. If this coin is tossed 5 times, what is the probability that the outcome will be heads *at least* 4 times? [more inside]
Postal System - mail routes
Postal service - how does a letter travel from Canada to Namibia - via Europe? Does it go to one country in Africa, and then to Namibia. I have looked everywhere, UPU etc, but cannot find an answer. Is there a directory of physical postal routes?
Thanks!
BB [more inside]
Techno dance clubs in London
Please advise me on cool techno dance clubs in London. My hubby and I will be there from this friday to next saturday. I love techno, and want to experience a wide variety of dance clubs (trendy, unique, old school, hard core just dancing, etc.) Please include how you typify the club (trendy, old school, etc.) when you list them, as well as what nights are best there. We are especially interested in any near the Waterloo station (that's where we will be staying.) Thanks! [more inside]
Are All Drive Enclosures Basically The Same?
Hello, Hive Mind. I'm about to buy a Mac Mini for my space-cramped office. However, I want to be able to use my two old IDE drives. So, what kind of enclosure should I buy? Are they all essentially the same? Should I go for USB or Firewire?
Was it just a bad acid trip?
I'm working on a story idea which involves the European witch hunts in the middle of the last millennium. I have read that they may have been caused, in part, by mass hallucinations resulting from a fungal infection on the rye crop. Rye ergot is an ingredient in the manufacture of LSD. Is there anyone who can point me to some research (valid or not) which might confirm/deny the mass hallucination angle?
Help Configuring Home Video Solution
Home Theater Question: I have a LG 32LX1D LCD TV, Tivo Series 2, Sony DVD player with Component Outputs, and a Comcast CableCard, and an old-school VCR, all of which I would like connected. (No special audio considerations, for now). [more inside]
Running in Central Park
I have questions on etiquette and safety for running the 6 mile loop in Central Park. [more inside]
contacting elected officials
Is there an online tool that simplifies writing similar letters to each of one's elected officials? [more inside]
I need video on my ipod!!
How can I download my existing videos into my ipod? [more inside]
How to write my congressperson?
What is the most effective way of influencing my senator or representative? [more inside]
why should i have my wisdom teeth removed?
is it important to have your wisdom teeth removed? why? they really don't bother me at all.
Is there any safe way to double up speakers on my AV receiver?
AVFilter: Is there any safe way to double up the surround speakers on my home theater system? [more inside]
imac boot failure
I've been given a pretty old g3 iMac that boots up to "MacOS: Boot failure - unexpected value for MacOS ROM entry in segment table" and what appears to be a prompt. I know nothing about macs! Is this thing fixable? And if so, how? [more inside]
Dear Mr Supercomputer...
Can anybody point me to a free contact form with an included file upload field that I can use at my site? My Googlefu fails me.
Blooperstown
Bruce Sutter's Hall of Fame plaque notes that he ..."lead the league in saves five times." Is this a typo? Or this one of those things that can go either way? ("led" or "lead" for the past tense of "lead")
om mani padme hum
Can someone suggest a Buddhist Dharma group in NYC, preferably scripture/class orientated, rather than meditation orientated? [more inside]
martial arts and a dislocating shoulder?
I have a chronically dislocating shoulder. I want to learn a martial art (aikido, jujitsu, something else perhaps). Possible? Stupid? As usual there is ... [more inside]
Quick maths question!
Quick maths [very basic trigometry] question. [more inside]
Was she right? Are kung-fu films less popular these days?
I just went to a screening of The Five Venoms at my art museum's in house movie theatre, and the lady that runs the place said in a sort of an off hand way (in the middle of a reminiscence about the old days when they had first started showing kung fu films as part of their schedule) something along the lines of 'of course now with the satellite TV and DVDs not nearly so many people are interested in these pictures'. That sounded strange to me, because would have assumed that those two factors would have increased interest in that kind of movie. Does anyone have any insight or information about changes in peoples interest in kung fu films?
Does that
I want their cash!
How do I go about getting corporate sponsors for a trek down the Murray River (Australia) in order to raise money for a charity? I'm doing it for a legitimate charity, so how do I get companies to donate? I've never done anything like this before, so all help is appreciated. [more inside]
Lost Outlook File?
Where's my Outlook data after using the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard? [more inside]
Looking for an obscure play I read in udergrad...
i am looking for the title of an obscure play; all I have for reference is the content on the preface page of the play. [more inside]
July 29
Why is my home town fuzzy?
I grew up in Greenwich, Connecticut. But when I try to view the town in Google Earth, the whole town is fuzzed out. Why? The Bush dynasty has long been resident in the town, and presumably some of them still live there, but ... the whole town obscured?
Bass Ackwards Gas Prices?
GasFilter: Why are gas stations in central Iowa selling premium gas cheaper than regular gas? [more inside]
In this house, we obey the laws of thermodynamics
What can we do to get more air from the air conditioning (and the heat in the winter) to the back of the house? [more inside]
Did Woody Cut Mark?
Can you help us tie the rainbow knot?
Gayfilter: Where can/should my girlfriend and I get married? [more inside]
Who will take care of my kid if I go nuts?
Depression: My depression is outpacing my doctors' (yes, plural) ability to control it, and the time has come for something more than a will and a divorce settlement. My primary concern is my son's welfare. He is in his mother's custody, but she has her own mental issues and my parents would hock their souls if given the opportunity to take him from her.
I know I need a lawyer, and I will be making an appointment the next time I emerge from the 'dark place'. I want to cover as many bases as possible, like ensuring disability insurance payments continue, the runaround with Social Security is handled, mental illness clauses in insurance policies, legal expenses if I commit a crime, etc.
My question is: What else should I consider that even a good lawyer could miss? Also, how much might this cost? [more inside]
What does this "e" stand for?
What does this "e" symbol with a diagonal arrow coming out of the top and an upside down cross (?) coming out of the bottom represent?
Am I damaging my hearing?
Often when listening to music or a film on my in-ear (ipod) headphones I fold my ears forward and hold them. Is this damaging my hearing? [more inside]
Save my roommate's mp3 player!
Asking for my roommate: He just got stuck outside in a freak summer rainstorm. His mp3 player (a creative zen micro, if it matters) was in his (leather, normally fairly waterproof) bag. The rain was hard enough to drench everything in the bag.
It got wet, and it looks like there's some water trapped in the display. [more inside]
Need to sell my art, what software do I use?
What best open source software can I used to sell 10,000 paintings? [more inside]
A romantic spot in Bay Area
I will be in the Bay Area (around San Rafael) next month for a few days meeting with my sweetheart. Any recommendations for something romantic or fun to do there? Maybe an isolated scenic spot, or a small nice restaurant. Nothing too fancy, crowded, or elaborate and better if it involves nature.
Removing wool fiber from chair casters.
What would dissolve wool fibers but not plastic? I have a bunch of office chairs on which the casters have become clogged with wool fibers from an oriental rug. The wheels do not come off the casters, and the casters are difficult to remove from the chairs. After spending an hour laboriously removing the wool fibers from just one wheel axle with a mat knife and tweezers, I'm looking for an easier way. Maybe some fluid in which I could set the wheels and dissolve the wool fibers without harming the plastic casters? Any ideas on this or other directions?
Internet controllable webcams for Macs.
Is there an internet controllable webcam or robot arm available for OS X? [more inside]
Help me pay my rent and live happily ever after
In the next few months I'm planning to move out of the family home for the first time and rent a place with a couple of friends. I have a decent income (i work 9-5 5 days a week), but would like to earn something on the side to pay my monthly rent, and leave me with my existing income to enjoy. [more inside]
Skill with people
I am a 49 year old man, and I have no close friends. Over the course of my life I’ve had a few friends at a time, but no close ones. The reasons are mysterious to me: I make a conscientious effort to be friendly and interested in others and to be trustworthy. Nonetheless, I am almost always on the social periphery. [more inside]
Don't wanna throw in the towel
Out-of-the-box ideas for buying income real estate during the bubble? [more inside]
Flame temperature
What is the lowest possible flame temperature? No, not your cold-hearted ex, but actual fire. Google-search provides a host of information suitable for engineers and mathmeticians, but not for me. Help?
The only time I wished I owned a Hummer
What are your tips and tricks for going to the drive-in? [more inside]
Can you help me train for a marathon?
Is there anything like the AIDS Marathon training starting in Washington DC after Sept. 11? [more inside]
I am not your slave, Glaxo Smith Kline!
I want to know the WHY of warnings on things. Often, there's just the warning, but no explanation of why IGNORING it would be so bad. [more inside]
Cream and sugar, hold the Jesus please
Advice for an agnostic amongst Evangelical Lutherans... [more inside]
Correct Usage
So there has been an invasion of portuguese man of war jellyfish locally..... [more inside]
Art Filter: Please Help Identify This Drawing (Possibly Dali)
Someone has gone out of their way to try and sell a friend of mine the linked drawing, claiming that it was a preliminary drawing (left) before the final print was produced (right), done by Salvatore Dali. If anyone could please provide any other information regarding this image, or its validity, help would be much appreciated! The claim is that the left is an original, and the right is a print. Also, as far as I know this image has no name, so I am unable to find out anything about it, but then again - I know nothing about art. Thanks for your help!
See the image below (400 kb):
http://geaugasleep.com/image.jpg
I <3 you AskMeFi!
-Rob
MacBook Pro PRIMARILY for use with Windows?
Please comment on the wisdom of buying a MacBook Pro PRIMARILY for use as a Windows computer. [more inside]
Is this a computer virus?
For the past few days, when I start up my computer or start Word, I get dialog boxes about Windows Installer and Norton that want me to uninstall Norton. This has to be some kind of virus, right? [more inside]
The importance of prayer
I need scriptural quotes regarding prayer, meditation and fellowship. Any scripture. [more inside]
How did plentyoffish.com get my name and work email?
I browse the site at work from time to time. Thing is I don't remember if I've signed up or not. I know if I did I would have done it at work. In any case I did not sign up with my work email address, nor would I have used my real name.
The other day I get an email addressed to me by name saying I've got a someone who wants to meet me blah blah. It's kind of fsking me up because I only use the email internally, though I've sent a couple of thing to my personal email account. This is the only external email I've ever received on that account.
Can anybody tell me how they could have gotten my name and email?
Coral Cache: What's the Catch?
What's the catch with Coral Cache? Is there... [more inside]
It's not that I'm lazy...
I've got a few questions regarding playing audio & video on a Macbook Pro using its remote. [more inside]
Palm-friendly web calendars?
I need a web-based calendar application, for multiple users, that will sync (or at least read-in) calendars currently in palm pilots. [more inside]
"go-go gadget?"
Has anyone else heard about this? [more inside]
housewarming party: a do or don't?
When is it tacky to have a housewarming party? [more inside]
So my mother-in-law died and I feel like my siblings haven't been there for us at all..am I expecting too much?
So my mother-in-law died and I feel like my siblings haven't been there for us at all..am I expecting too much? [more inside]
How can I boost my testosterone level without hard exercise?
How can I boost my testosterone level without hard exercise? [more inside]
Money Money Money, it's a rich man's world
Credit filter: How do companies know you're using a debit card? [more inside]
safe domain search
Where is it safe to search for domain names? I've heard that many search sites collect recent searches and register them. I don't want to give away my precious. Is whois safe, or are searches made public?
Help me help my sister
My sister was ditched by her friends in high school. It's been almost three years and she still has very few friends. It has also led to her having low self esteem. How can i help her? [more inside]
Learning Spanish online
How and where to learn Spanish online [more inside]
Needed: High Endurance Stethoscope for Rigors of Wilderness
I need an ultra-high quality stethoscope that can endure the rigors of third-world country medical usage. [more inside]
How to deal with criticism of your body
So I am about to join a gym. In most ways, I am a rational human being - but this membership comes with fitness evaluation and body composition test and if I have someone tell me that I am a big, fat, pudding of a man I am going to be posting an "ask metafilter" thread about how to hide a body. How do I handle this is a constructive manner? [more inside]
Kosher/halal meats on a huge scale?
How is it that animals are slaughtered in manners either kosher or halal on an industrial scale to feed the billions of adherents? [more inside]
July 28
Cleveland rocks, but what if you're in your late 30s?
Burning river filter: in the Cleveland area, there's a plethora of über-hipster joints and loud party bars catering to college students and members of Generation Y, and gin mills for the old-school union card-carrying blue-collar crowd. However, I haven't been able to find a place where a professional in their 30s or 40s would feel comfortable, especially on the East Side/[fill in the blank] Heights area. Does such a place exist? Better yet, does such a place exist that doesn't play music at ear-deafening volumes?
Los Angeles area liquor wholesalers pricelist please?
Los Angeles Filter. Anyone in the restaurant/liquor biz in the LA area willing to help me with a pricelist from their liquor suppliers? (more inside) [more inside]
Dreadlock removal. Help!
Help me come up with a good home remedy for dreadlock removal. [more inside]
Locked my keys in a Ford Explorer
I'm currently barrowing a car from my aunt and uncle and I just managed to lock the keys into the car. They are on vacation and I can't find a spare key. I'd really rather not pay a locksmith right now (college budget) and I don't have AAA. Does any one have any tips? Is there anything I should know before contacting a locksmith, any way to keep the prices low?
I'm open to any suggestions, if it were my car I'd just go in with a coat hanger, but the doors are sealed up pretty tight and I don't want hurt the car.
While it's not in a bad part of town, I'm also a little nervous about leaving it for more than a night with keys laying right there (as well as my PDA and my external hard-drive, which I'd really hate to lose).
Thanks in advance!
Cashed rubber checks - now I want my money!
I'm a newbie freelancer. Two of my clients, owing me money for services, wrote me checks that bounced. [more inside]
Sharing a DVD drive (and watching movies) on a LAN
A three pc LAN (running 2000/XP) but only one dvd drive. I'd like the other two pc's to be able to watch dvd movies from that shared drive... [more inside]
Help me choose the best cell phone plan in Japan.
Help me choose the best cell phone plan in Japan. I'm moving to Tokyo next week so this will be a normal contract, not a rental. [more inside]
Cleaning a cat crate
Help me figure out a way to clean kitty's crate... [more inside]
Any world maps in Arabic?
Where can one easily purchase large world maps in Arabic? I've Googled this and can only find localized maps and even then, I don't think I can easily purchase one here in the US. I already called MapLink, but they don't have any.
Help me find a volunteer position in the Bay Area.
Suggestions for legal internships / volunteer positions for a recent college graduate in the Bay Area? [more inside]
The Whens and Wheres of European Travel?
Can you recommend any time-specific European destinations? [more inside]
My web site's getting crushed. How to keep it alive for another day or two...
Help! I'm participating in tomorrow's Blogathon and my site got mentioned today on Pitchfork because I'll be giving away music during the event. My site's getting pounded and was down for about 3 hours right after the article appeared. The thing is, I haven't even put the tracks up yet! I fear the site may go down during the 'thon or, if it stays up, my bandwidth bill will be murderous. Suggestions? Questions inside. [more inside]
Links won't link
Why won't my browser open from links embedded in programs? When I click on links to the web (e.g. "check for updates") in, say, Skype chat, or Zone Alarm, or CCleaner, or DeepBurner nothing happens -- no browser or tab pops open to the corresponding site. Firefox is my default browser and works fine on its own.... Thoughts or suggestions?
hazelnut soy latte
How can I make something that tastes like a hazelnut soy latte with the supplies at hand? [more inside]
Why does the dirt stink?
My backyard stinks like a stable. Not all the time, but when we have dry, hot weather (as we do this week). What to do? [more inside]
Marketing mailing ideas?
Marketing Ideas? I am looking to send out a snail-mail mailing in order to reach out to new clients for my web development company. I already have a list of contacts at several companies in my city, but I'm looking for ideas as to what to send... [more inside]
Do chargers use electricity when they aren't being used?
ChargerFilter: Do chargers for things like mobile phones, digital cameras, camcorders etc. use power (and cost money) if they are left plugged in? [more inside]
Why Can't I Use My Modified GMail Address?
Why are so many contact and registration forms kicking back my spamguard-modified GMail address (myaddressas+nameofcompany@gmail) as "invalid?" [more inside]
Jawa dens in LA
Where can I find "surplus electronics" stores in Los Angeles? [more inside]
White and black wires, no green and blue?
I want to install a timer wall switch to my bathroom fan, and have a wiring question. [more inside]
Best 12 albums for the 60's & 70's
We are sending a capsule into deep space to carry a sample of America as it was in the 60's and 70's. We can include 12 CDs (or albums transferred to CD) to reflect popular music of the time (1960 through 1979.)
What 12 CDs best represent what was happening then?
Books about city life in ancient Rome
Any good books/sites you can recommend about city life in ancient Rome? [more inside]
How to arrange celebrity contact?
How to arrange contact with a famous singer for a very deserving young woman? [more inside]
You met online. You got married. Some friends know. Other people you lied to but are now close to them too...How to handle?
What do you do if you met online, got married, and completely told your close friends how it happened BUT didn't tell other people? In fact, you lied, declaring you were set up by friends. You thought the other people would be passing acquantainces but they became much closer friends..... [more inside]
How can I develop a better sense of direction?
I have no internal compass and no inherent sense of direction. When I think north, south, east, west, I have to picture a map of the whole U.S. in order to remember where they all are in relation to each other. At work, statements such as "meet in the south parking lot" bring up no immediate mental image of where that might be. Is there anything I can do to not be lost all the time? [more inside]
Help me graduate!
So I'm an undergrad working on my honors thesis, and the deadline is disconcertingly soon. (less than a month!) and I still can't get my sample size large enough! How can I recruit children ages 8-18 with ADHD with school out? I've already asked all the kids at the practice I'm associated with. Any suggestions, especially ones that would work quickly are much appreciated. I'd like to begin data analysis within a week to be able to start writing. Target number of kids: 10-15 more [more inside]
How can I get back my wireless functionality?
Yesterday my wireless connection to my home network on my Windows XP laptop kept dropping and I had to reconnect. Since then, wireless networks kept randomly disappearing from my list, and now mine plus all the neighbors' networks except one are gone and no amount of refreshing or restarting brings them back. I can still connect to the Internet through a wired connection. How can I get back my wireless functionality?
Women Born Rich, Made Good?
Can you think of women born into significant wealth and status who have gone on to public and powerful careers of their own, not on the basis (even in part) of having married someone famous, powerful, or rich? Anywhere, anytime . . .
Help us choose an online advertising supplier
Is anyone using the following to place advertisements on their own web site: Accipter AdMarket, BurstMedia, LinkShare, Clicksor, Banner Boxes, Bidvertiser? [more inside]
Help settle an argument about "Virtual Insanity."
Music Video Filter: Help settle an argument about "Virtual Insanity." [more inside]
My kingdom for a Large!
Why do clothing stores end up with so many extras of the smallest and largest sizes? [more inside]
Is there a Windows utility that is (semi-)equivalent to Mint?
Is there an analytics tool similar to Mint that will run on a Windows server? I'm specifically looking for a tool like the session tracker included with Mint. I thought maybe I could get that with Google Analytics, but if it is there, I can't find it.
Casual Interview?
About one month ago, I had a phone interview for a position at a company based in a Seattle (I live in CA). Though I did not get the job, a mutual fit was evident with the only exception being that I do not have the desired management experience. Next week I will be on vacation in Seattle and I initiated a "casual chat" meeting with my contact at his office. How should I handle the meeting given that his company aligns fairly closely with my "dream employer" scenario? A subtle yet important detail is that... [more inside]
What is my last name?
IdentityCrisisFilter: What is my last name? [more inside]
What's the name for emphasizing the medium?
Art students; what's the word for drawing more attention to the production method vs. the subject matter? Being able to see the ink blotches and finger-prints, for example, versus making a painting that looks a photograph. [more inside]
This puppy's nicknamed 'Munch Rat' for a reason...
Puppyfilter: My lady-friend has three dogs: a male Great Dane, a male Boxer mix, and a 18 week old female Rhodeisan Ridgeback mix puppy. All are fixed. The Ridgeback has the other two dogs terrorized. How do I get them to play nice when I'm not around to supervise? [more inside]
Tips on creating a viable business-to-business blog
Do you know any really good business-to-business blogs? [more inside]
Are there dangers in using an uncovered public toilet seat?
My friend is shocked to learn I don't make a "nest" when I use a public restroom. Are there any real dangers to sitting on a uncovered toilet seat which has been used by others?
How do I get rid of a large area of weeds?
I have a flower bed in the backyard that has become a weed bed due to gross neglect and needs to be tamed . . . [more inside]
What has infested our deck?
Could this be fleas? My Hubby and I went out on our deck (wood if that matters) sat on our deck furniture (metal - no fabric) to eat dinner. With in two minutes, he looks at his legs where dozens of tiny little black jumpy bugs were crawling around that looked like fleas and exhibited very 'flea like' behavior. [more inside]
Saving the Kitchen Sink
Recently I was contacted by a company called Liberty Settlements regarding my outstanding debt. [more inside]
Know any wacky facts about Edmonton, AB?
Can you help me put together a list of interesting and wacky facts about Edmonton, Alberta? [more inside]
Vegas during World Series of Poker
So, I'll be in the U.S. next week, and I'll have a free weekend, during which I'm probably heading to Las Vegas, so I'd like to:
1) See the WSOP Main Event, from the rails if possible. Is it possible? Must I get tickets or something?
2) Play some cheap (up to $75) tournaments, Texas Hold'em or Omaha Hi/Lo split.
3) Check out the nightlife, specially bars where I can have a couple of drinks and see some nice girls (hey, poker is not everything!)
Any recommendations? I'm specially concerned about hotel prices, and not being allowed to the Main Event as an spectator.
NYC Carts
I need a resource to find out about various models of New York City street carts. [more inside]
Where/how can I watch Jeremy Piven's Journey of a Lifetime?
What's a good cheap Linux-compatible laser printer?
What's a good cheap Linux-compatible laser printer? [more inside]
2 day accidental layover in Sao Paulo.
2 day accidental layover in Sao Paulo due to Varig and Llodd Aereo Boliviano airline bankruptcy. Suggestions on a cheap place to stay or what to see? Recommendations on a particular guidebook? [more inside]
Suggestions for over-the-counter orthotics?
Non-custom orthotics: any suggestions? I overpronate on my right foot, and I'm looking for something to put in running shoes and daily walking shoes to help this. [more inside]
Where are the telecommuting gigs at?
Where can I find a software engineering telecommuting contracts? [more inside]
Looking for Guenhwyvar
I'm looking for a gift in San Francisco. A small onyx figurine of a black panther that could pass for R.A. Salvatore's Guenhwyvar. I've found a few speciments online. But I'd rather find something local or in the surrounding Bay Area that I can see up close before I buy. Can anyone recommend a place that might carry this sort of thing?
where's the fruit.
please recommend a place to pick some fruit or berries near to nyc. [more inside]
Burien, WA (Seattle-area) martial arts question
I have practiced Shito-Ryu karate for about 3 years but my dojo has closed. I'm looking for recommendations for a new karate dojo. I know I won't find another Shito-Ryu dojo in my home town, so I'd consider switching to Shotokan or even perhaps to something else (kung fu or TKD?), but it needs to be close to my home in Burien.
Anybody have a recommendation?
Too Much Information
Why is my computer sending and receiving so many bytes of information in such a short amount of time? [more inside]
accomodation for the venice fil mfestival.
following up on this great thread about venice; i'd like to attend this year's film festival, and wondered if anyone - especially a foreigner - had attended this festival and has any specific tips about affordable accommodation, and any other tips you may have.
How can we make our paper better?
I'm trying to find resources for college newspaper editors and/or writers... [more inside]
Photoshop and InDesign are not getting along.
I just installed the Creative Suite2 on my new Intel-based iMac. If I have InDesign open Photoshop will crash upon opening or crash InDesign and open Photoshop. The two will not run simultaneously. A fresh reinstall did not fix the problem. [more inside]
Funny stories about money?
I'm looking for funny stories about money, both funny "ha-ha" and funny "strange". These can be news stories, fictional stories, video clips, or whatever. It's best if these are available online in some fashion — actual URLs are a bonus. Anything funny/odd about shopping, saving, bank robberies, currency, rich people, poor people — I want it. Anything funny about money at all. Even funny money jokes! [more inside]
Looking for lenses in all the wrong places.
Looking for 35mm lens rental in Stockholm, Sweden. [more inside]
Where to stay on the PCH
California peeps: Where's a good place to spend the night while driving the coastal route south from Redwoods to San Francisco? Assume a noonish flight out of SFO the next day after dropping a rental car off downtown, so it should be well south of the midpoint.
Time travel
Does the lack of time travellers, or artifacts from the future, indicate that time travel into the past will never be invented/possible/feasible at any point in the future? Is anyone looking for time-travel artifacts? [more inside]
This Morning Was a "Burden"...Today Will Be a "Grind"
Coffee Achievers filter: The grind settings wheel on my La Pavoni burr coffee grinder seems to have jammed...I suspect that I will need to replace the entire unit.
Please support my caffeine addiction by referring me to a top-performing burr grinder that will cost me less than $50. It may help you to know that I use the ground coffee in a French press.
Rain, rain, go away!
Do you have any fun (and able to be put together in one day) ideas for a 10 year old's birthday party that is being moved indoors due to the weather? [more inside]
Who else writes the kind of essays that David Foster Wallace writes?
I really like the essays that David Foster Wallace collects in _A Supposedly Fun Thing I'll Never Do Again_ and _Consider the Lobster_. Which essayists take a similar approach? [more inside]
Penguin movie inconsistency
Attention penguin mavens. Something about "March of the Penguins" ain't right. [more inside]
Who's looking at my kid?
Over the last few days, one of my pictures on Flickr has received about 300 views. This represents a quarter of all views to all my pictures since I joined. Someone must be linking to it, how can I find out who's doing so?
i'm gonna fail a credit check...!
New Job. Credit Check. Got the fear... (UK) [more inside]
Normalize audio within imovie
Is there any way to normalize audio within iMovie? A plugin or something? [more inside]
July 27
what's up with chat lines?
what's up with chat lines like livelinks & quest? are they fronts for escort services? I'm up late a lot & they play those commercials on tv constantly. I've always been kind of curious.
Business is good, am I asking the wrong price?
How much to charge for podcast transcription? [more inside]
World War Averted?
Historyfilter: What are the times in history when a major war seemed inevitable, but didn't happen? [more inside]
Vonage sucks!
Roommate's vonage router is a pain in the butt. Who's job is it to buy a new one? [more inside]
Are there any ways to save documents when the monitor stops responding in WinXP Pro?
Computer responding but monitor blank. Any WinXP keyboard commands to save all documents (before shutting down/rebooting)? Please hope me! [more inside]
Can I take graduate courses before I'm enrolled in a Ph.D. program?
Can I take graduate courses before I'm enrolled in a Ph.D. program? Do any grad students do this? [more inside]
Who thinks science doesn't know everything?
I am interested in reading books that contain philosophical / intellectual critiques of science or scientism. I'm particularly interested in people whose critiques are based on exploring or defining the limits of science. I'm not at all interested in partisan / political critiques of science (i.e. George Bush - please skip this question). Can anyone recommend any books? [more inside]
You've got skid marks.
I need advice how to make my street safer for pedestrians and pets. [more inside]
The Itchy and Scratchy Show!
Every time I get sick (common cold), I get an itch on my back that persists. It's annoying, but as soon as I get better, it goes away. Anyone have any ideas as to what causes it, or am I just a medical anomaly? [more inside]
Withdrawal Symptoms
What is the name of the condition caused by abrupt discontinuance of anti-depressent medications like Xanax... said condition is described as a feeling of immense internal physical pressure/stress/twisting... [more inside]
Getting around earthlink's "Home Networking" fee?
Earthlink charges me 10$ a month extra to use more than one computer on my connection, on top of the 42$ a month I normally pay. I don't want to pay this. [more inside]
Oh Lord.
Why is he called Alfred Lord Tennyson? [more inside]
Novels with man wrestling with brothel habit
Novels in which a character (preferably main character) goes frequently to the whorehouse and has difficulty controlling this habit? [more inside]
Spectrophotometer Instruction Manual
anyone know where i can get hold of a copy of an instruction/user's manual for a Pharmacia LKB Ultrospec II Spectrophotometer?
eight is enough?
How big should a family be? What's relevant when undertaking your family planning? [more inside]
Help me fool the Citrix Client software. Please.
I am having trouble conecting remotely to work via Firefox/Citrix. [more inside]
Help Me See What's In The "Hidden" Partition
My laptop comes with a "hidden" partition that is approximately 1.5GB in size that contains drivers, configuration settings, recovery utilities, etc. How can I see what's inside and browse that partition?
I have tried assigning a drive letter using Partition Magic - but that returns error messages. I would like to take a peek for a couple of reasons, but the major purpose would be to grab the drivers and perform a clean install of XP, free of all the "crapware" that is all over the C: drive. Any ideas?
What do I do with these birds?
There are a few baby birds on my front porch right now, what should I do with them? Last night there was a torrential downpour and this birds nest was washed down the downspout and my neighbor rescued them from the ground and put them in a safe place on our (shared) porch. She is moving out tonight. [more inside]
Should-Have-Bought-The-Right-Edition-of-the-Textbook-Filter
Help with Gastric Banding
Two-fold question: 1) Can you share your personal anecdotes about gastric banding surgery? 2) How would you feel if you found out your (now skinny) significant other had surgery to lose the weight? [more inside]
Is Landis a dope?
Floyd Landis' positive test-are there ANY other scenarios that would cause this test to be positive other than him doping? I'm not ready to have all my illusions shattered just yet...
Only in Portland: Tiara-Wearing Trash Ladies
PortlandFilter: Have you seen the ladies in tiaras picking up trash on the bus mall? [more inside]
Source/recency of "i pooped a little"?
I've recently noticed "I pooped a little" as an expression of joyful mirth/surprise. Local example. Googling reveals examples of this mixed in with non-examples. [more inside]
Jumping the pond, where to live?
I will soon be transferring from San Diego, CA to the UK. The office is near Farnborough, Hampshire but from what I can tell, I don't want to be living there. I am debating between living in London with a 40 minute train commute (from Waterloo), versus living in another town closer to work and probably cheaper rent. What to do? [more inside]
How can I get ready for a grad program in econcomics?
I'm about to enter a graduate program in economics, but as an undergrad, I studied anthropology and sociology. I'm feeling really out of the loop. What do I need to do, learn, or get to be ready for econ at the graduate level? [more inside]
Help me make a clever employee bio page.
I'd like to make an interesting and funny bio web page for the student employees in a college IT department. Can anyone suggest some funny questions to include in the bios? [more inside]
Inhibiting fuzzy search possible?
How can I force many sites' search functions to not treat the entry in the Title: field as a keyword? [more inside]
XM-What?
Recipe formatting and XML/XHTML - what am I getting myself into? [more inside]
Everybody lympho! ...cyte.
My Abs Lymphocytes are out of range. What's that mean to me? [more inside]
open-side shoes -- appropriate for work?
I've heard that both shoes with open toes and shoes with open heels are considered too casual for some professional environments. But what about shoes with open sides, like this? [more inside]
Portable microscopes?
I have always been intrigued by the micro world. I am looking for a tool to help me enjoy it further. What better tool than a microscope, however I want it to be portable and allow me to examine things with out too much preparations.
I saw some of the small microscopes like 'pocket scope' 30x, and 'illuminated microscope' between 25x and 50x. [more inside]
Goodbye traffic?
Real-time traffic info on GPS car navs: gimmick or gold? [more inside]
small business 401k options
What are the best options for a small business in need of 401k services? [more inside]
Water vs. fat soluble herbs and spices
I'm looking for a single-source exhaustive list of water-soluble and fat-soluble herbs and spices. [more inside]
Removing Laser Engraving from iPod
How can I remove laser engraving from my iPod? [more inside]
God hates the gogglebox
Disaster! Our flat was struck by lightning. Even worse, now our TV doesn't work. [more inside]
Urban Survival Skills
SoutheastDCFilter: Survival Skills for the Urban Jungle? [more inside]
Should I take a permanent job knowing I'll only be there 10 weeks?
There's a job I really want and I think I have a good shot of getting hired for it. The problem? They're looking for someone permanent and I know I'll only be able to stay for 10 weeks. [more inside]
What should I eat to obtain a flat stomach?
This is a tangent on the various posts asking about how getting a six-pack stomach. I'm 5'10' and 155 lbs and once and for all, I want to get rid of my slight beer gut and get a flat stomach (any pack would be a welcome bonus). I know that it's all about dieting/nutrition and exercising. I have the exercising thing down, but I have no clue about nutrition. Without giving me intake percentages or confusing me with omega fructose 3 fatty acid stuff, what should I eat to make my stomach flat? [more inside]
How does a non-feminine woman dress professionally for an interview?
Dressing for the interview with a twist or two. I am flying to an interview with an Internet company in less than two weeks. I received the agenda just now and the recruiter notes "I would recommend professional attire." Help... [more inside]
What essays for freshman composition?
Pimp my freshman composition class: what essays would you put on the syllabus? [more inside]
Where can I hold a baby monkey or ape?
I've always wanted to hold a baby monkey or ape - actually, particularly a baby ape. Are there any places in New England where I can make this dream happen? [more inside]
How to take up barista-ing as a hobby?
How can I combine my dream of being a barista with my full-time desk job? [more inside]
painting $
Pricing making album cover art: [more inside]
Pimp My Blogroll
Has anyone come across a Movable Type blogroll plug-in similar to this Wordpress blogroll plug-in (in that it can expand and contract)?
Are there places with giant indoor fans that blow you into the air?
Are there recreational places with giant indoor fans that blow you up into the air and give you a simulated indoor experience of flying -- or did I just dream this idea? I can't remember...
Tattoo question
I am about to get my first tattoo. I would like to get the zen enso symbol on my upper back. My question to the mefi community is does anyone have any good example pictures for me to bring to the artist. [more inside]
Conversion of LCD to VGA
ElectricalEngineerFilter: I have an Intel XScale processor (on a gumstix, with integrated LCD controller. I think I've rigged up a way for it to output a VGA signal. Will you reality check my work? [more inside]
Does "economies of scale" really make a business efficient?
Economies of Scale [more inside]
Does anyone have any experience with the Swopper chair?
does anyone out there have any experience with the swopper chair? [more inside]
How does the Huff Post People Tracker work?
What do I get my grandma?
Good gifts for a loveable curmudgeon? [more inside]
Do you know this funny animorphic goalie cartoon?
Do you know this funny animorphic goalie cartoon? [more inside]
Macaroni and cheese cheese
Freshly-made macaroni & cheese from a kit has a gritty, zesty note. But when I rewarm it the next day, that zing is lost and it just tastes like pasta and cheese. What's that lost ingredient? Is it just powdered cheese that hasn't hydrated thoroughly, or is it something else? Can I add anything in to get that back?
So perfect every time
How does the popcorn button on a microwave work? [more inside]
Can I libel someone in fiction without using their name?
Can you libel someone in fiction if you don't use their name? If I were to write a story based on a real murder, in which anyone from my home town would instantly recognize the source, can an acquitted murderer sue me? [more inside]
What NYC Neighborhoods Do I Need to Visit?
What NYC Neighborhoods Do I Need to Visit?
I'm a big solo-walking-around-random-neighborhoods kind of guy. I'm taking my 4th trip to NYC in a year, and would like to keep it varied. Where should I go? I'm huge on walking around, something interesting, you know, the you-can't-really-get-it-anywhere-other-than-NYC place. Any interesting/cheap food (quick/takeout) places in those areas? I have already visited... [more inside]
Help me upgrade the video on my Dell Dimension 2400.
Help me upgrade the video on my (PCI-only) Dell Dimension 2400. [more inside]
Name that film...
Film Recognition - Two guys shoot each other by agreement whilst trapped in a cellar - World War II film? [more inside]
(Gracie) Ju-Jitsu in NYC?
I'm looking for a self-defence oriented (gracie?) jujitsu school in the NYC area. [more inside]
Selling a picture for online use
How do I sell a photograph for online use? [more inside]
What type of music is it?
i been jammin out to the Firestarter soundtrack by MoozE, and before that i was listnin to the OST's from Quake 2, and Quake 3 Arena.... i love this type of music! ok, so here's my question,
what type of music is this?
i'm asking because i want to find more
Why is Active Directory being such a son of a....
Help me keep my Windows server from DoS'ing my nameserver! [more inside]
I'm not drinking any merlot!
Looking for New York State Wine Tasting Suggestions [more inside]
Help a felon find employment!
Advice for a convicted felon trying to find work? [more inside]
What is this green ball?
I cough something up every morning. I would like to know what it is. Description inside [mildly gross]. [more inside]
The Magic of the Big Sky
Origins of the phrase "Big Sky"? Was it first used to describe Montana? Might it have Native American origins?
Yet another XP file sharing question
Can someone point me to a resource that will help me configure file sharing properly in XP? [more inside]
The clock is ticking...
Will I make my flight? [more inside]
Kazaa fesses up, limewire next?
Well, the makers of Kazaa just paid out a decent chunk of change to recording industry in a settled lawsuit. My question is -- how come limewire/morpheus are still ok?
Kazaa news link: http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/technology/AP-Downloading-Music.html [more inside]
Please help me find a way to sleep comfortably in the same bed as my fiancee.
Please help me find a way to sleep comfortably in the same bed as my fiancee. [more inside]
the post-postmodern
What will replace postmodernism? [more inside]
The McKenzie Brothers take off, eh.
Help me help my rabbits cope with a long car drive. [more inside]
I want more control over the light coming into my bedroom
Please help me block all light through my bedroom's sliding glass doors - without damaging them, violating my community's rules, or using anything ugly or smelly. Blinds and shutters aren't opaque enough. [more inside]
iriver firmware update -to rockbox or not to rockbox?
I have an iriver Hp-140. I've had it for nearly two years and I haven't updated the firmware. I know I should do this, but should I update using iriver's firmware or rockbox? [more inside]
Linux music software.
So, what's the state of music production software in Linux? What are people using? [more inside]
Stop the chafing!
What are your solutions for everyday chafing around the thighs? [more inside]
Where can I find "low-tech" jobs online?
Where can I find "low-tech" jobs online?
We just had a baby and so my wife has to stay at home and take care of him.
However, she still has some free time and she would like to do some stuff from home. She's a medical doctor with a bit of IT experience (mostly as a user, though). So I was thinking to find her some work online, maybe entering some data or as a translator (she speaks English and German, German is her mother-tongue) or maybe other "low-tech" jobs like this...
So do you have any idea where can I find such jobs?
Thanks!
"You've got voicemail!"
Looking for a good service (free or paid) to grab voicemail from existing devices (cell, work) and send it as mp3 attachments to my email. [more inside]
free my filmmaking
What are the best digital (still) cameras for video? [more inside]
What charities are working in the Lebanon and Palestine?
Which charities are currently doing humanitarian aid work in the Lebanon and Gaza, and which charities are most likely to be involved in the inevitable re-building program?
Opposite Siblings?
What are the odds of a sibling inheriting the absolute opposite complement of chromosomes from their parents compared to another sibling? It has to be a pretty slim but not zero chance, right?
Improving Creativty Video?
I think I originally saw it in the blue, but now I've lost it. My GoogleFu has failed. Help me find a video about improving creativity in the workspace. [more inside]
what is proper maintenance of cold air intake ?
Installed a cold air intake on my car. How does one maintain a CAI?
July 26
Biological Warfare: Destroy All Caterpillars!
Any recommendations about the use of Bacillus thuringiensis? I've got some nasturtiums that are being devoured by caterpillars, and I'd like an option that's a little simpler than "pick them off by hand".
I feel like a guitard
I'm left-handed, but I'm torn as to whether I should invest in left or right-handed instruments. Any musicians care to provide some direction? [more inside]
Recycled Water; Fit for human consumption?
There's a bit of a debate going on in my home state of Queensland about using recycled water for drinking purposes. Premier Peter Beattie says that London has been doing it for years and it's never hurt anyone but Opposition leader Lawrence Springborg says that's a lie. This raises a few questions for me, and I want some answers. [more inside]
All my bags are packed, I'm ready to go.
How do I get a free airline ticket? I've had two airlines independently lose my luggage this week, and one airline sent me to another airport to get on a flight that was eventually delayed another few hours after my initial flight was cancelled. With all these inconveniences, and the fact that my current trip is open-ended, I'd like to fly home for free. How can I make this happen? [more inside]
friends, trounce my shit-readedness
Douglas Adams and Neil Gaiman both mused on the idea of ancient gods who continued to exist despite their waning popularity. Who came up with this idea first? Either of them? Someone else? [more inside]
what is this book?
Can anyone remember this book from my childhood? I know it was by two authors, science fiction. [more inside]
Uninsured Motorist Accident
What happens when you hit an uninsured driver? [more inside]
Uncanny, strange deja vu
What is this dream-like state that sometimes overtakes me? [more inside]
How do I keep podcasts from showing up in the "Songs" section of my iPod?
How do I keep podcasts from showing up in the "Songs" section of my iPod? [more inside]
chop chop chop, flash video
How to split a flash movie (.FLV) file? [more inside]
Big dust bunnies in Toronto
Can anyone recommend a a good non-agency house cleaner in Toronto? (Also bonus points: out of curiousity, does anyone know the maid service that Globe and Mail reporter Jan Wong worked for in her series, "Maid for a Month"? [more inside]
How do I load this thing?
I recently bought a used Bolex H16 Reflex Motion Film Camera. Now my problem is. . .I have no idea how to load the film. [more inside]
Can an Ontario driver with a G2 licence drive in New York State?
Can an Ontario driver with a G2 license drive in New York State? [more inside]
Where I become a guest of Jerry Springer's
I need survial strategies to make it through establishing residency in order to file for divorce. Melodrama inside. [more inside]
Pain in arm from sneezing
Part of the time when I sneeze it causes a sharp pain and then a sort of light numbness from my right elbow to my hand. Occasionally I get the sharp pain in my shoulder instead or along with the pain in the lower arm. Any explanation for this? [more inside]
Sloooow flushing toilet.
This toilet has been good to me. However, it has become so slow in flushing that it barely flushes at all. [more inside]
Gnarls Barkley, Crazy
Is there a name for the type of art/visualizations found in Gnarls Barkley's video, Crazy? Where would I go about finding more visualizations similar to the ones in the video? [more inside]
What's the beer?
HoustonBeerFilter: Help me find out what that microbrew is!! [more inside]
A Night Elf Rogue Comes to Hogtown
Help me entertain my gamer buddy in Toronto next week! [more inside]
Firefox & Wordpress in OS X: I have to publish posts twice for links to work
When I use Firefox to create and publish an entry on my Wordpress 2 blog I have to go back and re-publish the entry to get any HTTP links I have included in the post to actually work. Am I doing something wrong? A bit more detail inside. [more inside]
Parish Read Ideas
I'm looking for book suggestions for a (Catholic) parish read. Good things would be wide appeal, a fairly short and very readable book, something that lends itself to interdisciplinary programming (slideshows, music, participatory discussions or lectures led by social scientists, doctors, etc., and the like), and ecumenical (appeals not just to Catholics but to others). If it's fiction, then it should have characters that people can really identify with. Anyone?
historical fiction identification: rome, china
Historical fiction children's book ID filter: scholars and bandits in 1930s China and bull-jumping children in Rome. [more inside]
Looking for user-friendly newsletter software
Looking for extremely user-friendly newsletter software... [more inside]
what the heck is broad and narrow money?
When economists talk about broad- and narrow-money, what exactly are they talking about?
Help a 20-nothing rent a car!
I need to rent a car in Chicago! Caveat: I'm only 20. [more inside]
Who was this crazy preacher?
Help me identify and find a recording of this extraordinary sermon, possibly by Malcolm X, heard accidentally on the radio fifteen years ago. [more inside]
Can I get one without a clutch?
Traveling in Ireland and want to rent a car. I heard that all the rental cars there are standard (manual) transmission.. [more inside]
There are two Uncle Jesse's, How many other TV uncles are there?
I'm trying to create a list of tv characters with the relation as part of their name. For example, Cousin Itt or Uncle Jesse. Please post any that come to mind.
Screencasting Tips Please
I'm looking for screencasting tips. [more inside]
What album cover is this?
Classic Rock Filter: I'm looking for the name of a rock LP with a cover design that features a screaming face, essentially purple-hued. I believe it's either Deep Purple or Humble Pie, but Google is failing me ... [more inside]
Break Excel password?
Is there a way to break/uncover/crack/hack an Excel spreadsheet password? [more inside]
Is a PDA what I need?
I need to organize alot of daily and long term information [more inside]
Non-iPod mp3 player for the Mac?
I currently have a 3g iPod and a g4 PowerBook (1ghz TiBook) running OSX 10.4.[latest].
I'm looking to get a new, smaller mp3 player but I want neither a shuffle nor a nano (unless they're the only choices).
What non-apple MP3 players work with a Mac, if any? [more inside]
Any shaved ice places in Atlanta?
Are there any good shaved ice places in Atlanta? [more inside]
Just like 1-800-I-FEEL-OK
Scriptable multiline voice menu system for a one-day event. Does anyone offer this service? [more inside]
need a local in unkraine to do a cemetary photo shoot.
Help me find someone in ukraine that would take pictures of old tombstones in a small town. [more inside]
Cell phone madness?
Is it possible to do this large group cell phone activity easily and affordably? [more inside]
Help me save money without killing my husband.
What's the best way to save money when you have a financially irresponsible spouse? [more inside]
Where can I find a large 6 ft. segmented LCD display?
Where can I find a large (> 6 ft.) segmented LED display? [more inside]
How do you refer to a divorced couple attending a formal function together?
What is the formal etiquette on how to address an invitation to a divorced couple who are attending a wedding together? [more inside]
Please recommend great non-fiction books & documentary films
What non-fiction books or documentary films explore a subculture or lifestyle as effectively as Henry Chalfant & Tony Silver's Style Wars and Hunter S. Thompson's Hell's Angels? [more inside]
Did I dream this or was this actually written?
Another "what is this story I read as a child?" question: All I can remember was there was a beautiful young girl who was locked in a closet or shed by her mother-figure-type person, who then had to bathe herself by moonlight by rubbing an apple over her skin. Sound familiar?
Can you actually make money with Amazon Mechanical Turk?
I’ve read all askMeFi references to Amazon Mechanical Turk, but has anyone actually participated, and if so, based on your experience, what would your recommendation be to someone interested? I’d appreciate answers from folks with actual experience only – if no one answers, then I think that’s my answer. (It sounds like a sweatshop to me - but what do I know?)
Living in a fishbowl
I have been searching in vain for a way to make my outdoor space more private. Can you all help me find a specific type of screen (if it exists)? [more inside]
Looking for the most universal dialect of Arabic
What is the most universally accepted dialect of Arabic? [more inside]
Name that Tune!!
Name that tune!! It's in a commercial in which a lady is walking around with an engine warning light on her forehead... [more inside]
Looking for a Russian tea set
I am looking for a "Russian" tea set--specifically a silver tea pot and glass cups with the nice little holders. I'd prefer a brick and mortar shop in the Chicago area (and an alternative to the Maison Russe in Lisle). Antique or authentic are not requirements.
Hotels in Indy?
Indianapolitans: Headed to GenCon (held at the Indiana Convention Center) and am trying to determine which lodgings are most or least sketchy? [more inside]
How to most efficiently reorganize a filing system?
I am looking for a resource or advice on organizing files and folders on a shared hard drive. I am faced with 12 GB of files that need to be reorganized - many files and folders are out-of-date, irrelevant, or obsolete, and many were created by people who no longer work at my company for projects that are no longer active. I'm hoping to hear about a strategy that helps me methodically organize all of this data, archiving what's no longer needed and coming up with an intuitive filing system for what is. [more inside]
Listing ActiveX Controls
Is there a way to view what ActiveX controls are installed on my Windows XP machine? Surely there's something built-in to the OS, but I can't seem to find it. [more inside]
What's the use?
Don't roll your eyes but I think my soul, if there is such a thing, may be empty [more inside]
DaVinci or Darwin? How crazy is aesthetic gun modifcation for non-gunsmiths?
Gun modification safety: I'm a geek that likes to customize and modify gadgets. Can I extend this to guns and ammo, without killing myself, by taking great care and following reasonable precautions, or should I STOP RIGHT THERE! ARE YOU CRAZY!? More specific examples inside. [more inside]
Contractor Scratched My New Windows
Contractor ignored warning label on windows now they are scratched. What should I do ? [more inside]
Celebrity Bargain Bin Books
I'm looking for books by famous people that they wrote early in their career or under a nom de plume. [more inside]
Where can I find some obscure mp3s?
Where can I find the theme songs from thespark.com? [more inside]
Tagging MP3s and the Rock genre
How much or how little and in what ways should one consider breaking up the "Rock" genre when tagging MP3s? [more inside]
selfish to confess a crush?
Would confessing my crush be selfish? [more inside]
mac / pc remote desktop solution?
mac / pc remote desktop solution? Similar to gotomypc? [more inside]
What should I listen to?
I spend most of my work day listening to interview and essay type radio shows on the internet. My favorite, of course, is This American Life. I also love Fresh Air . I've checked out Radio 4 a little, and sometimes I listen to Democracy Now and even more rarely Air America. Keeping in mind what I already like, what else would you recommend I listen to? [more inside]
Copying pages from books in a bookstore
What's the best way to copy 5 or 10 pages from a book in a bookstore? What's the legality of it if I was "busted"?
Looking to re-enter my field, but I'm terribly rusty. Best choice to sharpen up?
I haven't worked in my field for over a year, so I need to spend some time getting back in the habit of programming, and probably to learn some more current skills. The problem is: which? [more inside]
Clueless about Canada, seeking info on Toronto.
Torontoites: tell me what it's like to live in your city. What do you love/hate about it? More detailed questions inside. [more inside]
Bibliographic reference management on the web?
Is there some "Web 2.0" (by which I mean "well designed", not "shiny and in large type for no good reason) style site or package out there for managing bibliographic references online?
Ontario Tenant Filter:
Ontario tenant filter: We are renting without a lease on a month-to-month basis: one of our roomies is really losing the plot and is about to be delinquent on paying rent for the 2nd month in a row. Are we going to go down with him? (the LL left a message last time saying 'Id like to remind you guys that the apartment is being rented for $900, not the $300 you individually pay'. But my dad seems to think that we are under "rooming house" rules where the LL is accepting rent from us individually and as long as I pay my $300 I dont have to worry. The only thing is that I cant find any info on what happens when you dont have a lease on the ORHT website.
Can just swapping out the lenses multiple times damage glasses frames if done properly?
Can just swapping out the lenses multiple times damage glasses frames if done properly? [more inside]
How to break the ice for a large group of people?
Ice breakers for a large group of people. [more inside]
Strategy vs. Tactics: Nobody told me I needed both
Strategic thinking vs. Tactical thinking. Help me understand the difference and improve my abilities [more inside]
Is the film on my teeth related to sinusitis?
What is this film on my teeth? [more inside]
This sucks
Why won't my Shark HEPA vacuum roller spin on it's own any more? [more inside]
No-Xplode says "Do not shake"
No-Xplode says "Do not shake" on the label. Why not? [more inside]
Yet Another 'Indentify This Bit of Pop Culture I Barely Remember' Question
Help me recall a film briefly, and somewhat boozily, recommended to me at a party: A woman knocks on the office door of some random professional, believing him to be her new therapist. He isn't, but pretends to be. Released in the last five years.
Where is the proper spot to sign a book or leave comments?
Where is the proper spot to sign a book or leave comments? [more inside]
My Shoes Hurt My Feet. Help!
I just got a new pair of Bostonian shoes, which fit quite well and which *would* be comfortable, except...they rub my feet under the ankle. What can I do?
Did anyone receive an album they liked from either Columbia House or BMG's selection of the month?
Did anyone receive an album they liked from either Columbia House or BMG's selection of the month? [more inside]
How do publishers make rough-cut pages?
BookFilter: I have a book ("The Essential Confucius" by Thomas Cleary) that has rough-cut pages. Instead of the pages being perfectly square, the outer edge looks raw and uneven. It's a really neat effect, and makes the book feel older and more weathered than it really is.
Does anyone know how publishers produce these rough-cut pages?
Help me find my deleted SMS messages
I have deleted a molder of SMS messages from my Nokia N80. I did it by accident, and I'd quite like them back. I am a clutz. Can anyone tell me if there's an easy solution or software to "undelete" them?!
Why Goooooogle?
Why does Adsense/Adwords use "Ads by Goooooogle" instead of "Ads by Google" in their text ads? [more inside]
Who like The Royal Tenenbaums?
What else is like The Royal Tenebaums? [more inside]
Does everyone call cats in the same silly way?
Does everyone yell "here kitty kitty" in a comically high-pitched voice when calling to a cat? My family did when I was a child, and I do now. But while doing so, I always feel like a total dork. Why the voice modulation? Why the same pattern of "here kitty-kitty-kitty-kitty"? Surely if the cat knows your voice, he'd respond to "Fluffers! Come here now!" in a regular voice. Or are cats taught at an early age to listen for this vocal affront to dignity? Do they secretly enjoy it? Is this regional, or universal? Thanks.
Looking for camera(wo)men for a documentary-style shoot in SF
I'm looking for two freelance camerapeople for a documentary-style shoot in San Francisco... [more inside]
One hour on Amazon to find the definitive book on a subject.
Amazon.com Ninjas: You have one hour to find the definitive book on a new subject you are interested in but know very little or nothing about. You may use only the features of Amazon (e.g. search, purchase circles, ultimate buys, customer reviews etc). What's your strategy? [more inside]
July 25
Cooking Challenge Part 2: Food Allergies + No Kitchen for 3 Days
Cooking Challenge Part 2: Food Allergy + No Kitchen for 3 Days! Tips needed for keeping food fresh, for making food that doesn't go bad, and for getting all my nutrients! (And Davis, CA suggestions for restaurants! See inside) [more inside]
How can an expat buy a scooter in Paris?
Help me buy a scooter in Paris. I've just moved to Paris for work, and will be getting my carte de sejour (longterm visa) in a few weeks. I would like to find a decent second-hand Vespa or something similar. Some of the questions I have: Can I get a nice ride for under 1000€? Will I need an expensive French license (I currently hold one from NJ)? What type of insurance will I need and how much should I expect to pay? I'm looking to buy in September, so any help would be appreciated!
GPS ready Digital SLR Cameras
GPS ready Digital SLRs : What are the best available? Coming soon? Am I better waiting until the industry catches up? [more inside]
Helpless bunnies released on the scary Intarweb
Am I dumb for being paranoid about putting pictures of my kids on the net? [more inside]
Anybody know how to program a keyless remote?
How do I program the keyless remote to work with my '95 Honda Odyssey van? [more inside]
Should I get this TV?
I am planning on buying a Syntax 37" LVD TV. Any pros or cons you know about?
Online Backup Services
Should I use an online backup service to back up my computer? [more inside]
Midwest - East Coast Roadtrip
We've figured out the route for our upcoming road trip, so now I have a few questions, involving hotels in the Indianapolis area and must-sees in IL, OH and WV. [more inside]
Virginity is actually driving me insane ...
Here's the problem: I'm fat, I'm balding, I'm in my early thirties, I'm a virgin, and I am beginning to very much need sex. [more inside]
Hopping poop machine, indeed!
How to easily scoop out rabbit poop from wood shavings? [more inside]
Why are you "in" the movies, but "on" TV?
Why are you "in" the movies, but "on" TV?
how to help an alcoholic stop drinking
What is the best way for a long-time alcoholic to quit? Primarily concerned with medical aspects/health risks of detox. [more inside]
Married in Grand Cayman, trying to exit in Ireland
Married in the Caribbean, had a (wonderful) kid, now trying to get out of the situation... with the kid. What are my chances? [more inside]
Obsessing over ancient history
I can't understand why I'm still thinking about a very ex-boyfriend. [more inside]
Bet-settlin'-filter: Exponential pond scum growth?
Mrs. Everichon is convinced that there is a law or principle (as in "Foo's Law") which describes the phenomenon wherein a pond can take weeks to become 50% covered in algae, but then the remaining 50% takes only a day. [more inside]
Text message my computer
I would like to set up my computer so that it could receive sms messages. What is the easiest and cheapest way to accomplish this ? I live in montreal if that helps. [more inside]
Looking for advice on network certifications
My girlfriend is thinking of getting some of the Cisco or Microsoft network certifications as a way of getting out of her current field (glorified data entry, basically) and into something more interesting and lucrative. She's smart, incrediblly detail-oriented and good at understanding complicated processes, but she has no background in computers. How should she go about this? [more inside]
Putting jelly on one's shoulder?
Need some explanatory help from deviants and/or Lou Reed fans. Why would one put jelly on one's shoulder?
should I prosecute the thief of my car?
My car was stolen and I've been asked whether I would be willing to prosecute the theft, if the police find him/her. Does anybody know what would be involved in this and/or what my options would be concerning handling of the theft/thief?
-Purplefiber's roommate
Help me be not illegal.
Would facitiously naming a website "Government Hit List" put me on a government hit list? More specifically, would it be illegal if the title was properly disclaimed and the content appropriately limited? Of course, there's a bit [more inside]
How to stop listenin to a street musician?
How can I stop listening to an annoying street musician? [more inside]
Remicade?
Remicade? I have a child whose Crohn's disease has proved refractory to most standard medications (except prednisone, but that's not a viable long term treatment). [more inside]
Action!
[filmfilter] What are some of your favorite chase sequences and/or man with a bomb sequences? [more inside]
Video Filter Programming Filter
Software gurus: Help me scope out a video programming job, involving firewire, HDR tonemapping, autofocus and more jargon... [more inside]
Is there a term for cross-over cosplay outfits?
I went to Comic Con this year, and as usual, there were tons of people in costume. The most original however, are the ones that do some sort of cross-over/mash-up/call it what you will, like Stormtrooper Elvis. So here's my question... is there a particular term for this kind of costume/cos-play?
Rehabing myself while he is in rehab
What to do with myself, more about an alcoholic loved one inside. [more inside]
Taking the mickey (mouse)
Rats/mice. I seem to have a new friend living in my flat. It's small, brown and furry and I'd like to dispose of it (them?) quickly and effectively. I have absolutely no intention of giving it the humane treatment as I simply don't have any way of removing a living creature from my flat in london to somewhere else (no car etc.). How can I kill it? Kill it up good. [more inside]
Looking for a two-color Game of Life on Linux
I'm looking for the source code to a Linux screensaver that plays something like Conway's Game of Life, only with red and blue squares as the cells. [more inside]
StatsFilter: Evidence challenging/contradicting conventional controlled/placebo trials?
StatsFilter: Evidence challenging/contradicting conventional controlled/placebo trials? [more inside]
Who am I to judge?
I'm starting a photography competition between my friends. Help me out with subject and grading ideas! [more inside]
Wireless 802.1x with Fedora Core 5?
Trying to get a wireless 802.1x connection working in a more-or-less vanilla Fedora Core 5 installation and not making much progress... [more inside]
How to get a regularly clean-looking bikni line?
I am a woman with thick dark hair and very pale skin and I'm looking for the best way to get a clean-looking shave on my bikini line. [more inside]
Black Holes for dummies
Can someone please explain to me in very basic terms the modern understanding of black holes and worm holes as a conceivable means of space/time travel? [more inside]
GOAL! How to have best Premier League fantasy team?
Fantasty Futball:
After a couple of years of playing fantasy baseball and fantasy football (American), my pals have decided to level our playing field a little by creating a fantasy league for English Premiership games (mostly in order to give us a vested stake in watching the games, since we're Americans without the loyalties of home squads).
Regarding this— What should I know about the English Premier League? Who are the players to watch? Who are the teams to love? Who should I develop irrational hatred for? [more inside]
Ubuntu help?
I switched from Windows XP to Ubuntu one month ago. Everything was working perfectly well until this week, but now I am having keyboard problems. [more inside]
When Lying to cute girls from Manilla, have a restaurant in mind
Filipino Food Filter: To pick up a really cute filipina girl, I said I knew the best place for the taste of adobo in Los Angeles...which I was totally making up at the time. It worked. I have the date. Now I need the restaurant. Does anyone know a really good Filipino restaurant in LA or the Valley?
Any experience with American Funds?
Any experience with American Funds? Could use some opinions about financial planners, too. [more inside]
Wager ideas for PSU vs. ND?
What's a good wager I can make with a colleague for the ND-PSU game this year?
Who pays for me to hear "fly away!"
Who pays the for the local broadcast (TV and radio) of a major league baseball team? [more inside]
Do not bring: Non folding bicycles
How do I get to Stansted Airport with a boxed bicycle?!!?! [more inside]
PHP class for externally posting to blogs?
Anyone know of a decent PHP class or function library out there for externally posting to various weblog packages (Wordpress, Blogger, Movable Type) via XML-RPC? [more inside]
Stone Age Video Editing in DOS. Kinda.
Can you recommend a video editing software that will run on my crappy old computer? [more inside]
Is this hose dangerous?
Why would a soaker hose marketed for vegetable gardens have what looks like a Proposition 65 warning for cancer-causing chemicals? [more inside]
Sticky when dry...slippery when wet. :(
How do I get self-adhesive velcro to stick to a pedestal sink? [more inside]
CartoonFilter:
Does O'Grady have a regular timeslot on the N?
плохой вахта?
Has anyone had any experience with Vostok watches? [more inside]
Must... not... lick... Macbook.
What word am I thinking of? There's a word that means something like, "an object that compels you to want to eat or lick it, even though the object is in fact not edible or meant to be licked". If it helps at all, I believe I've seen this word used to describe the new Macbook and its resemblance to an oversized piece of Chiclet gum. And btw, "pica" is not the word.
Help me stop calling her!
Give me some ideas to help me avoid calling someone. I am grieving the break-up of a long-term relationship. I dont know if the relationship can be salvaged at any point in the future but if it can be it will only be after we have some space and time apart. What can I do to dampen down the overwhelming desire to call her? [more inside]
I'm weird.
A maze of twisty bamboo floorboards, all different
Have you ever seen a warped, damaged engineered hardwood floor? [more inside]
ProjectNameFilter: Help me find a better name for my open source project
I need to come up with a more descriptive name for an open source project. [more inside]
Anyone know how to get "Out at home" by Glenn Burke?
Anyone know how to get a copy of the book "Out at home" by Glenn Burke without breaking the bank? I'm suddenly fascinated by this guy, who was an openly gay baseball player who many credit with inventing the high-five. [more inside]
Auto Proxy Disable?
Looking for a free app that can enable/disable the proxy settings in Internet Explorer on a timer. [more inside]
Where can I discuss movies online?
Where can I discuss movies online? [more inside]
Help me buy a hidden camera
Hiddencamerafilter. Help me find an affordable camera that can be used as a hidden camera. [more inside]
Fine, funky, filthy.
Help me clean my adopted couch. [more inside]
No worms please...we're American
Are threadworm/pinworm infections more common in the UK than in the US? [more inside]
iTunes, why do you hurt me so?
I need to fix 200+ song titles in iTunes. [more inside]
An introductory or soft intermediate applied econometrics textbook that discusses cointegration?
Please recommend an introductory or soft-intermediate applied econometrics textbook that discusses cointegration. [more inside]
What are the odds of catching something from this girl? Threepio! Oh where can he bee!...
Help me find some non-conservative no taboo something I can use resources on sex education for adults [more inside]
Secret Apple Pie Recipe
TV Trivia question - what sitcom was this? Thanksgiving episode, frustrated wife & her mother-in-law's 'Secret Apple Pie Recipe'. [more inside]
How do I reverse engineer a margarita?
A friend and I love the margaritas served by a particular restaurant and wish to make our own, as the location is somewhat distant for both of us. We'd like to reverse engineer the recipe. [more inside]
Generating student seating charts?
Dear Mostly-Random-Student-Seating-Filter: Can you think of a tool (or a clever method) for regularly generating new seating assignments for students sitting at tables? Other criteria inside... [more inside]
How to start an experiment on 5 laptops at the same time?
How to start a program on five computers simultaneously. Usb splitter (not hub)? Network tool? Send ASCII code over ethernet? [more inside]
Teamspeak on Ubuntu: Is there a repository which can be added for the Teamspeak client/server applications?
Teamspeak on Ubuntu: Is there a repository which can be added for the Teamspeak client/server applications? [more inside]
Need to find insurance
I currently work full time for a company in southern Tennessee that does not offer health insurance, and probably won't in the near term future... [more inside]
Help an American find a soccer Web site
Soccer Filter: Find me a specific Web site that compared/contrasted American pro sports leagues with international soccer. [more inside]
The Price Is Altered
PriceIsRightFilter: How do they determine the pricing for items on The Price Is Right? Do they use the MSRP or are they just pulling figures out of left field? [more inside]
How can a layman come up with a rough but reasonable valuation for a private company?
How can a layman come up with a rough but reasonable valuation for a private company? Assume access to information a typical employee of the company would have, plus overall revenue and profit history, maybe value of significant assets, if any. [more inside]
Looking for weird stuffed animals
Looking for a site with weird dolls/stuffed animals made with parts of a few dolls into weird hybrids. [more inside]
What would be a great family history gift?
Now that I've scanned all my family photos and videotaped every living ancestor, what should I do with it? [more inside]
My Hard Drive Crashed. What now?
My 12" Powerbook G4's hard drive has gone belly up. Help me figure out my options. [more inside]
Cool Newsgroups Providers
Usenet question. [more inside]
Linksys WRT54G questions
A couple questions about my new Linksys WRT54G... [more inside]
Make my cycling faster! Plus vite! Macht schnell!
How should a newly-serious but just beginning road cyclist work on becoming a faster and better sprinter and hill climber? [more inside]
Meth Mouth? malware?
Has anyone heard of a computer virus/worm/trojan that causes a photo of someone's rotten teeth (meth mouth) to pop up at startup and occasionally? [more inside]
Gravestones against walls
In my impressionable youth I was told that the gravestones in coastal SE England towns were put against the churchyard walls to obviate church and thus town identification by the Luftwaffe. [more inside]
Who will be sending help from the states?
Where does one go if they're interested in humanitarian work in war-torn countries. [more inside]
Find a list of available 8th grade Social Studies Textbooks
8th Grade Social Studies Textbooks - I'm trying to compile a list of all available Social Science textbooks from major publishers. Does anyone know of a definitive list, or where to start? Most of the publishers don't seem to delineate between 7th and 8th grade textbooks. [more inside]
Measuring the waist
I thought it would be useful to track my weight loss by also measuring my waist or stomach. Is there a reliable method by which I can tape myself to get consistent readings? I thought maybe of anchoring the tape on the navel, and with it pinned on that point, mess with the tape to find the lowest reading. Has anyone found tape measurements to be a good motivator for weight loss?
Wireless print servers - simple for the stupid?
Wireless Network Filter: Wireless print servers - simple for a networking neophyte to set up? [more inside]
Watched Folders
Watchedfolderfilter. Is there software (free or otherwise, but free is better :-) that will watch a folder and when a file appears in there, email it to a particular (always the same) recipient, then delete or move the original file? Oh, and for XP only, not OSX.
Or is there a function of Thunderbird (preferred) or Outlook that does that? [more inside]
Finding that not-a-home within a home
I have the last three weeks in August to get away from it all. The caveat: I have little money and minimal transportation. What now? [more inside]
What's the best way to set up broadcast TV?
What's the best way to set up broadcast TV? [more inside]
Selling stock on one's own?
Without a brokerage account, may I legally and easily sell common stock? If so, how? [more inside]
Help me set Maw up for another 67 years of financial well-being
Forgiving or otherwise reducing Maw's debts? [more inside]
Do people in Asia drink soy milk?
Did/do people in Asia drink soy milk? [more inside]
Scam or great deal?
Is this a legit hotel booking site? Does anyone have any experience with hotelsireland.com, good or bad? I found a too good to be true rate for a hotel in Ireland (Trim Castle Hotel) that's about half the normal rate, but want to know I'm not going to be scammed when I give them money. Googling around isn't yielding anything in the way of reviews for this site. Thanks!
What do I need to know to plug my TV into my neighbour's antenna?
What do I need to know to plug my television into my neighbour's rooftop television antenna? [more inside]
Am I losing my mind while trying to save it?
What are the more serious side effects that can come from taking Lamictal? [more inside]
Stage Management 101
What does stage management entail? [more inside]
Help me fix my Coke addiction
MedicalPersonFilter: Ok, I admit it, I'm addicted to caffeine. No, not coffee, I'm addicted to coca-cola. Basically, I'm wondering how I can kick the habit or reduce the heartburn I now get from drinking it? [more inside]
How do i get emergency contraception in italy?
How do I (as a foreigner, but an EU citizen) go about getting the morning after pill in Italy? Furthermore, what is the italian for the term?
The Question is not Linux itself, but what flavour?
IT Experts and Linux Fans - I need your advice cutting through the clutter. Can you please recommend the best linux distros for Beginner, Intermediate and Expert users? There are so many options out there and most people only skim the surface. [more inside]
Help me pick out a D50?
I'd love some help choosing a specific D50...please! [more inside]
Has english conquered the entire computer world?
Are there any programming languages where the keywords/reserved words are in a language other than English? (ie; if, else, for)
July 24
Firefox filter: How do I get my scroll bar back?
Firefox filter: Where oh where did my scrollbar go? [more inside]
John Roberts' résumé??
My googlefu is failing me. During the debate over the nomination of John Roberts to the Supreme Court, I saw somewhere a pdf copy of his résumé from when he was fairly young — just out of his clerkships and applying, probably, to some government job. It was typed on a typewriter and was multiple pages long, in a style and format that would be quite abnormal today. Now I can't find it. Can you?
Help for finding an old Donald Duck comic book
I'm looking for a particular Dell Donald Duck comic book (I don't know the story line, only what the front cover looks like), and no, don't know the issue number, etc. My guess somewhere between 1958 and 1964, but purely a guess. What's the best "source" to try and identify the comic book in question? [description of the front cover, follows]Thanks! [more inside]
Is Ikea really a responsible corporation, or is the quote in their catalog just PR bullshit?
Is Ikea really a responsible corporation, or is the quote in their catalog just PR bullshit? [more inside]
Post Interview Thank You Cards
What should I write in the the thank card post job interview — especially for a position within my current company?
It's East of Here, Right?
Starting point: Chicago.
Destination: Niagara Falls.
Transportation: Honda Civic.
Question: Am I nuts? [more inside]
Can't Stop the Acne
It appears as if I have a acid sensitivity. I get acne fairly often (which apparently according to homeopaths can be from acid) and I also have chronic heart-burn issues that can become very painful. Unfortunately I am not willing to give up coffee, coca-cola or spicy foods. Maybe spicy foods, but caffeine is pretty important to me, I think caffeine pills are less acidic but I always end up strung out after a few months of a consistent periodic dose of caffeine. [more inside]
non-monumental heritage in Germany or the Netherlands
I am preparing an application for an exchange to either Germany or Holland to study non-monumental heritage sites. I need to justify why I need to go to one of these places. (posted for signal) [more inside]
How do I respond to an anti-Islam email?
My girlfriend's parents (future inlaws?) forward me a lot of those awful right-wing emails. The latest one is an anti-Islam rant (inside). [more inside]
Getting into the music management industry without experience.
My friend is interested in getting into the music management industry without experience. [more inside]
Heatwave Filter
Should I blow the hot air out or the suck the cool air in? [more inside]
Apache/Linux permissions issue
How do I set permissions on a Fedora Core 5 system so that two different users can create, edit, and delete files in the web root (/var/www/html), yet all files retain the ownership of apache:apache? [more inside]
Hardcore Apache question: How to have an .htaccess file pull from WordPress?
Hardcore Apache question: How can I write an .htaccess file that will apply a RewriteRule to only the most recent file posted to my Wordpress blog? [more inside]
3rd gen iPod woes
3rd gen 20 gig iPod on the fritz. Seemingly a software problem. All you appletastic MeFites, I invite you inside. [more inside]
Clueless Co-Workers on Shopping Spree
Salesmen and clueless co-workers: how to cope? [more inside]
Stuck in the dark ages!
I cant program my universal remote [more inside]
Can't see the forest for the carbon absorption rates
I'm trying to figure out carbon absorption rates by trees. So far the best source I have is an eBay ad. [more inside]
Help me find co-op housing in Chicago
Looking for co-op housing in Chicago. Does any one have any suggestions? Even better if the co-op is run by graduate students but it is not a necessity. [more inside]
Oooh, after that haymaker his eye looks bad!
What is being used by the cutman to heal your boxer (reduce swelling) in the video game ESPN Fight Night Round 3? [more inside]
Take a picture, if you can.
Does an actual photos of small things like atoms, molecules or DNA? [more inside]
Broke but suffering from sleep apnea.
Unemployed and uninsured but suffering from sleep apnea. What can I do? [more inside]
Non-Braces Overbite Correction
What are some non-braces alternatives for correcting an overbite? [more inside]
How did I lose weight by eating MORE and exercising LESS?
How did I lose weight by eating MORE and exercising LESS? [more inside]
iCal / Google Calendar sync?
It's been months now and I still can't find a synchronization solution for Google Calendar / iCal (or palm desktop) / Palm Pilot. The very fact that it's taken so long is making me suspect that there's some technical issue that makes it actually not possible. Is this correct? Is there a solution out there to sync (push data both ways) my google calendar with my palm pilot?
Help me find the sandals worn in The Big Lebowski
Where can i find the Jelly sandals that the Dude wore in The Big Lebowski?
Victorian courtship
How can I find out what dating/courtship was really like in upper-class Victorian England? [more inside]
Storing data online & piping data info to a file
I'm selling my current computer soon. There's a few GB worth of files that I'd like to preserve. Are there any free or cheap online services that will provide this service? I'll only need access to it once or twice later on, to restore it on my new computer. I only have a few blank CDs and not enough time to burn everything, and no concurrent access to the two computers. Besides, I prefer flexible online access. On a related note, I'd like store some information about the files in a text file. In the good ol' DOS days, I could pipe the 'dir' output to a text file. Except these files have some metadata that can't be displayed in the command prompt. Equivalent functionality for Windows Explorer or other GUI shells?
ZabaSearch/Intelius weirdness involving my personal info . . .
ZabaSearch/Intelius weirdness involving my personal info . . . [more inside]
Help me keep these students awake?
What are some short small-group exercises for a class on introductory business management? [more inside]
How do write a cover letter for the exact position I left two years ago?
How do write a cover letter for the exact position I left two years ago? [more inside]
Killing spiders in awkward places
Does anyone have reliable techniques for killing spiders you find in awkward places? [more inside]
What the heck is coinduction?
Can someone explain coinduction (mathematics, computer science) in English? [more inside]
How do I put a front plate on my Scion XB?
How do I mount a front license plate on my Scion XB? I got a fixit ticket for having only a rear plate, but there's no holes to screw on a front plate. [more inside]
Looking for a USB conntector
I am trying to purchase, online or in the Seattle area, a Type A (female) right angle dual stacked USB connector. I have been unable this far to find someone willing to sell be just one (as opposed to a ship container full from China). Anyone knoew where I might be able to? Radio Shack and Westlake Electronics do not carry them and Radar Inc did not have any right angle ones.
Talking about yourself
How can I be more active in talking about myself with my friends? [more inside]
What's the cheapest mid-term parking option near Reagan National Airport?
Flying Out of DC-Filter: This coming Thursday morning, I'm flying out of Reagan National Airport for a conference. I'm going to be driving in out of Philadelphia and was wondering what the cheapest/safest parking option would be. I'm returning Sunday afternoon, so roughly 3, 3.5 days.
Please explain this strange domain name situation.
Are there people/businesses that somehow track domains that people try but don't exist, and purchase them? [more inside]
What bands have drummers as lead singers?
What bands have a drummer as a/the lead singer? [more inside]
A short story written in the form of personal checks?
Short story filter--does anyone know the title and author of a short story that's written entirely in the form of personal checks? The idea of the whole thing is to kind of read between the lines and figure out what is going on by who the person is writing checks to, for what amount, what's in the memo line, etc. A teacher friend would like to know. I remember seeing this but have no idea where to look. Thanks!
A group voice mail service with mobile alerts?
Do you know of a group voice mail service with mobile alerts? I'm looking for a way for my 30+ person band to communicate using cell phones while on tour. [more inside]
Help me keep the hospital's thugs from breaking my kneecaps over $100 they seem to have lost.
Is there anything one can do to fight a medical bill that appears to be incorrect? I visited the emergency room last fall. I paid a $100 copay at the time of service that appears to have never been applied to my bill. Despite several calls to the ostensible hospital billing office (really a cube-farm in Texas) pointing out some discrepancies, they've left the clock ticking, sent threatening notices, and are apparently determined to slash my credit rating if I don't pay *now*. What can I do? [more inside]
Best practices for researching classical music?
What's the best way to locate scholarly writing and analysis of a given piece of classical music? [more inside]
Google News has dropped my site as a news source! Help!
My organization's web site was recently redesigned (late May), and since then, Google News has dropped us as a news source! The Google Gods are vain and capricious! What can I do? [more inside]
Translation Help Please
Please help me translate from English to Latin. [more inside]
How to setup W2K3 to allow users to manage user accounts without being an admin?
I've got a web server that we've just put into our DMZ. I need to be able to grant the web developers the ability to manage user accounts, but I don't want them to be administrators (in other words: regular users who can manage other user accounts: change passwords, create new ones, delete old ones, etc). [more inside]
My Car is a Sitting Duck: How can I stop thieves from taking it?
My apartment was broken into last week and the thieves stole my car keys (among other things). Curiously, they didn't steal my car out of the driveway on their way out, but I'm worried they might come back. I've got the Club protecting the car as best it can for now, but what else do I have to worry about? [more inside]
How can I delete defunct RSS feeds from my blog?
Removing defunct RSS feeds from blog? [more inside]
Travelling in Mexico by car.
I'm planning a trip to mexico by car. I want to find out some basic travel details such as mileage between cities, length of journey, etc.. I know I can find this in your typical Rand mcNally map, but is their an Online service such as Mapquest that does the same thing? Mapquest has no service for mexico apart from some maps of cities, but nothing to help me with planning a trip between cities. [more inside]
Why do I wake up at 3 am every day?
No matter what time I go to sleep I always wake up within 15 minutes of 3 am. I may or may not get up and take a lap of the house and then I go right back to sleep until my normal wakeup time of 6:30. Why? What's special about 3 am?
Your Bermuda holiday/survival tips, please...
My fiancee and I are holidaying in Bermuda for the first time ever. 2 week stay, already loaded up with snorkel gear and guidebooks and the accommodation is sorted. Anyone have tips for dealing with things like August's (85% ?) humidity or anything else not covered by the books? Stuff to make me look clever (more easily said than done) or save us bother, please.
P-p-p-pics
MeFotographers and other 'ites, how do I print out ~50 pics to put 'em on my wall? [more inside]
is my shoulder gimpy forever?
rough and tumble lifestyle finally (inevitably) leads to serious shoulder injury. am i to be gimpy forever? [details inside] [more inside]
Podcasting to the Masses
Looking to produce a weekly podcast, but I need to start somewhere! [more inside]
Train tracks don't grow on trees, son
Why are they watering the railroad tracks? [more inside]
More time in the chair.
Recommendation for an endodontist in or around Irvine, CA? [more inside]
iBook G4: from computer to doorstop
From iBook to MacBook. [more inside]
Any 1080p HDTV reviews/recommendations ?
Given the wife's blessing to buy a big screen for our new home, I'm laden with the burden of selecting a TV that will meet our family's needs until we move again (unlikely). That said, what's a good future-proof 1080p TV, and where can I compare models for myself? [more inside]
How do I deal with wrist pain?
Wrist pain, RSI? How do I deal with it? [more inside]
Pocket PC Gym Workout Logging
What's a good way to keep track of workouts using a PocketPC? [more inside]
Importing a Toyota hybrid minivan from Japan to US?
We love our Prius. We reproduced. Hybrid SUVs are lame. Is there any way to import this from Japan? [more inside]
Dealing with drug addiction
Please help my family deal with my drug-addicted cousin. Actually, please help my family deal with my passive-aggressive grandmother who is completely supporting and empowering my drug-addicted cousin. [more inside]
And what exactly is my salary??
I am a full time college student right now and have just gotten a job at a bicycle shop. The problem is, I have no idea what I am being paid. When I inquired about employment I was initially turned down, saying that there was not any positions currently available. After some pleading and explaining my passion for bikes the manager entertained the idea. During the interview he asked me when I was looking to make. This question somewhat blind-sided me as I didn't want to give too high of a number and leave a bad taste in his mouth or worse, lose the job. I told him that pay was really not important to me and just working with bikes and learning was the most important aspect of the job. Long story short I got the job but we have yet to discuss salary [more inside]
Sam Adams Utopia Clone
Homebrew Filter: I am looking to homebrew a Samuel Adams Utopia clone, but I am having difficulty finding a clone recipe. Do any metafilterites have experience of ideas about how to do this? [more inside]
Where to get away from it all in California.
What's a good, cheap, out-of-the-way spot for a week-long solo vacation in California or Oregon? [more inside]
Databasing static data
How can I harvest data from static HTML pages? [more inside]
American History Books
AmericanHistoryFilter: Looking for a book (or books) to learn about american history from 1500 to 1850. [more inside]
COBRA across state lines
COBRAFilter: I'm quitting Thursday and moving out of state. Can I still use COBRA? [more inside]
Chrysin for anxiety?
Has anyone ever used the herbal supplement Chrysin for anxiety? [more inside]
Powerbook : Audio In
I'd like to record music (multiple synths, mics, etc.) with my Powerbook, which has one 1/8 input. Should I run everything through a mixer, and run the mixer out directly to the Powerbook in? Or should I run the mixer out to something like a MAudio firewire box? [more inside]
Help redirecting to a different url after an embedded movie is done playing
I have a webpage that has an embedded movie (wmv) that starts when the page loads. My client is wanting the page to redirect to a different url after the movie is done playing instead of the movie just sitting there in the done position. Please help as my googlefu has failed me on this and I am not familiar enough with movies to figure this out. I am sure there is some javascript that can do this, but I cannot find it.
For those that are a little confused I hope this helps:
Client visits domain.com/movie.html and when the movie is done playing it needs to go to domain.com/done.html
Do webcomics make money? If so, how?
What webcomics are actually making money? How do they generate these revenues?
Xbox Live but not 360
Xbox Live : So finally got around to setting my original Xbox up for Xbox Live and have got a 2 months trial subscription. Have successfully tried PGR2 & Halo 2 so far. Looking for suggestions of other games. [more inside]
No Healthcare. Bad idea?
No health care! Is this a really bad idea? [more inside]
Should I get a Java Cert?
As a programmer who prefers coding in Java, would it be worthwhile to get a Sun Java Certification? Particularly a Sun Certified Programmer or a Sun Certified Enterprise Architect?
Entering the workforce after 10 years of self-employment...
ApplyingForAJobFilter: I am applying for a job for the first time in a decade (I currently work for myself) and am a bit confused. Some specific questions inside. [more inside]
Is Brad Pitt a particle physicist?
In order to inspire my pupils, and demonstrate to them that studying science does not mean you have to become a scientist, I'm trying to compile a list of famous people with science-related qualifications (bachelors degrees and better, preferably).
I'm specifically interested in those with physics, chemistry or biology qualifications (or variations thereof, e.g. biochemistry, astrophysics) but if it turns out that Orlando Bloom has a degree in geology or Christina Aguilera is an expert neuroscientist then I'll take them too. [more inside]
Parking a motorcycle on a city street
Is consistently parking a motorcycle on the street outside my apartment a bad idea? [more inside]
Internal HD Enclosure?
Internal HD enclosure/bay suggestions? I've got a Dell 5150 with a Serial ATA primary drive. I'm trying to install a second hard drive which requires an older IDE connection. Because of the 5150's case design, the best place to put this IDE drive is in the second "slot" just below the CD drive. However, just placing the HD in that spot isn't a great option, because a) the drive is smaller than the slot, so I can't secure the drive against the case, and therefore it might slide around if the case is bumped and b) I'm concerned that the drive might overheat if it is placed directly on top of the solid-metal shelf which protects the floppy drive beneath it. Therefore, I'm looking to buy online a bay or enclosure which will solve these two problems. [more inside]
Distributed KM system for non-profit
Distributed knowledge management system: I'm working with a large internationally distributed non-profit group on the design and needs specification for a knowledge management system. What are the best technologies out there today? What are some of the key issues to think about? [more inside]
Help me beat my fingers into submission
Help me become an entertainer! Help me beat my fingers into submission without boring my friends and neighbors with the same two songs over and over again. Help me -- I am looking for songs I can play on the guitar using only the following chords: A, Am, C, D, E, Em, and G. [more inside]
An online tool to help us schedule which family house is free to drive to
ScheduleFilter : my familly has 3 houses we can all use during week-ends and holidays. We'd like an online tool to make some sort of "reservation" for a given house. [more inside]
Pairing data and video frames in MATLAB
I have a 10 FPS video, and a set of numerical data for every frame in the video. How can I pair up each frame with its set of data in MATLAB?
Two for the price of one?
In a cover letter, is it alright to mention interest in another similar opening in the same company? [more inside]
How does the Iranian government work?
How much authority does the Iranian President have? Basically I'd like to know more about the Iranian government system? How does the guardian counsel work? Is it sort of like a supreme court? Does it come up with it's own laws? How often does it get involved in non-religious issues? Also, how much political discussion is allowed in Iran? I know the Iranian constitution allows free speech "except where it contradicts Islam" Does that forbid criticism of the guardian counsel? What about the president?
Resources for teaching myself to play the santur
What are good resources for teaching myself to play the santur? I'm an American composer with no training in Persian music -- just a deep love for it and a gradually improving (self-taught) structural understanding of it. My "more inside" lists some ideas I've had so far, but I would love to hear any suggestions of CDs, websites, books, etc., on Persian music and/or the santur. [more inside]
Well if you don't want my money, I'm happy to keep it!
How long can a business wait to withdraw the money I charged on my debit card? [more inside]
Help me choose a color laser printer.
Should I buy (a) an Epson C1100 (b) a Fuji Xerox DPC525A (c) some other low-end color laser printer (d) a not-so-low-end color laser printer? [more inside]
July 23
What is this bug?
What is this bug? (pic) [more inside]
How can I attach a golf club to a motorcycle?
My friend just got a motorcycle, but he's bumming since it's become nearly impossible to carry a golf club (for the driving range) with him anywhere. Any tips on how to safely strap a club to a bike? [more inside]
DNS behind L4
Authoritive DNS behind L4? [more inside]
It's my own damn file...
Adding DRM to a ringtone [more inside]
What's so grape about these seeds?
Can I do anything useful with these grape seeds? [more inside]
??????????
worm/bug thing - what on earth is this? [more inside]
12 year old thief. Help us teach her the error of her ways.
How do you get through to a 12 year old girl that stealing is seriously not a good idea? [more inside]
Scraaaaaape
How do I go about executing minimal, but adequate repairs to a damaged car paint job? [more inside]
Shipping across Canada on the cheap?
I'm moving from Prince George, BC, to London, Ontario, and need to transport a number of boxes. [more inside]
Health / Sports Injury Filter: How can my girlfriend reduce/remove her hip pain?
My girlfriend did ballet from early childhood up until the middle of high school. She was very much into it, doing everything she could to improve. Through doing so, she severely injured both of her hips (I believe it was due to "turn outs"). She still suffers from hip pain today, 1 semester away from her graduating college. What can she do to remove/reduce pain in her hips? [more inside]
Nuked from orbit?
What is the origin of the phrase, "(something) should be nuked from orbit," or "nuke it from orbit?" [more inside]
How to make a first date work.
So I finally plucked up the courage and am now in possession of one very cute girl's phone number. What next? [more inside]
Part timers insuranceIs there a list of employers that provide health insurance to part time employees somewhere on the internet?
Is there a list of employers that provide health insurance to part time employees somewhere on the internet? [more inside]
Who is this ballerina?
I've been wondering since 1984... [more inside]
Everyone's a cousin.... right?
Are cousins transitive? That is; if A and B are cousins, and B and C are cousins, are A and C cousins? If so, what terminology would you apply to this relationship?
Is this ac adapter compatible with my 600m Inspiron?
I purchased (accidentally) a generic ac adapter to replace my non-functioning dell adapter. Will it destroy my computer? [more inside]
Chess on the computer for a 6-year-old
My 6-year-old daughter has recently developed an interest in playing chess. We have a blast playing together, but I think it would be fun for her to play against the computer (or other novices) during her "screen time." What are some good computer chess games/websites that would develop the game of a young novice? Free is best, but I'd be happy to buy something (Win XP) if needed. Pretty graphics would be a bonus, but aren't necessary.
What would women wear if men didn't exist?
What kind of clothes would women wear if men were not around to look at them? [more inside]
Where's the solipsism references?
From what I can tell, the concept of solipsism is grossly under-explored and under-exploited by the arts (books, movies, fine art, etc). Are there any good references to solipsism in modern books, movies, or other entertainment media? If not, why not?
Cockroaches in my dishwasher. Ewww!
I have cockroaches in my dishwasher. Help me kill the little bastards with extreme prejudice. [more inside]
More sand or stars?
Are there more grains of sand on Earth or stars in the sky? [more inside]
Caution: Purse
CraftFilter! I need some tips on how to make an awesome purse out of a safety sign. [more inside]
Can ya help me be geeker?
Can you help me with my innumeracy? [more inside]
How does this Irish/English joke go?
How does this joke go? [more inside]
Not wasting
What is the opposite of wasting? [more inside]
Thinkpad Macbook RAM exchange?
Can I use a 256 MB PC5300 DDR2 SO-DIMM removed from an Apple MacBook in an IBM R40 Thinkpad (2722-gcu)?
What do I do with this thing?
I received a Braun hand mixer as a gift. What are some good ways to use it? [more inside]
Detective Work Time!
Playing detective after a stolen cell phone. [more inside]
The dirt on LightScribe
LightScribe DVD and CD labelling -- do you find it's worth it? Is this another "overpriced consumables" trap? Is it better pricewise than labels?
thrips in screens
How can you get thrips (or some other very tiny bugs) out of an LCD screen? [more inside]
filter tips: do I really need one on my wet-dry vac?
If I'm using my wet-dry vacuum to vacuum up water only (no dust), do I really need to use the filter? [more inside]
Can my shrink be a reference?
Is it completely absurd to use one's psychiatrist as a reference for admission to medical school? [more inside]
Do these things even exist?
Where can I find CD Sleeves like these in the real world? They're super-easy to find online, but I'm on a bit of a time crunch, and I'm not dying to pay overnight shipping. [more inside]
MP3 files being squirrely
Why am I finding lots of duplicate songs and "unknown folder" files in my hard drive? Meh... [more inside]
Help with GMAT Math Question
A boat traveled upstream a distance of 90 miles at an average speed of (v-3) miles per hour and then traveled the same distance downstream at an average speed of (v+3) miles per hour. It the trip upstream took half an hour longer than the trip downstream, how many hours did it take the boat to travel downstream? [more inside]
What was this show called?
I'm trying to help my brother remember the name of a late '70s or early '80s detective(?) TV show. [more inside]
Good non-fiction books about comic books?
Anybody know any good non-fiction books about comic books, their publishers, their history, etc?
How can I make her see that there's no chance for a romantic relationship between us without making a mess of things?
SeriouslyLetsJustBeFriendsFilter: How can I make her see that there's no chance for a romantic relationship between us without making a mess of things? Details inside. [more inside]
Help me bracket!
Can someone tell me how to auto-bracket using my Canon 10D? [more inside]
Are they all going to make fun of me?
So it looks like my iMac G5 hard drive died some time this afternoon while the computer was on and I was not in front of it. Great! I'm still covered by warranty, so there's that. BUT. When the hard drive died... I, err, may have been in the process of downloading porn through BitTorrent. (Nothing illegal, but y'know, it's porn.) Obviously I have to bring this computer in for repair, and will probably have to give the HD to some kind of data-recovery service, and so when some techno-wizard hopefully gets things going again, there that porn file will be, sitting right out on my desktop. This happens all the time, right? Are they going to be scandalized? (I am in NYC, so my guess is no, but...) What level of humiliation or other problems am I looking at here? [more inside]
Looking for a tech job - too much experience?
I'm having a difficult time finding a tech job two thirds of the way across the US from where I am now. I'm wondering if it’s because my age is showing through, or if it's something else. [more inside]
School Vouchers and Private Indoctrination
What do people opposed to school vouchers think of private schools in general, and is supporting them hypocritical? [more inside]
African violet:Such worth is rare
Anyone know the history and/or purpose behind /usr/share/misc/flowers ? [more inside]
I'm insulted! (I think.)
Pardon if this is vulgar or offensive:
What do "Mada chod" and "Bey shalam" mean? How is the latter a retort to the former? [more inside]
Rim ding removal.
I want my car to look nice before I sell it - how can I get dings and scrapes out of the rims? [more inside]
Note Taking With A Tablet: Brilliant or Bonehead?
DorkyStudentFilter: Looking to see if anyone else has used a tablet to assist in taking notes in class, and other ideas for note taking. [more inside]
2003 vw jetta overheating
favorite girls 2003 volkwagon jetta is over heating - low miles (30k) - she's semi-stranded in rapid city south dakota... anyone have any experience with similar problems with their late model vws? [more inside]
Basements and mold and carpet
Basements, mildew, and mold, oh my... [more inside]
Oh, SNAP!
PhotoBlogFilter: Tips on starting a photo journal? Oh, snap! There's [more inside]
S. Testing
Need a great source of info (online or book) on software testing: servers and databases: unit testing, interface, regression, accuracy. Basic and advanced, anything appreciated.
Help me enter the viral video pantheon, will ya?
I'd like to remix a handful of videos from Youtube. What's the best/easiest/cheapest (i.e. free) way to do this? [more inside]
How to remove Firefox autofill entries?
How do I remove "autofill" form choices from Firefox? For example, for my gmail account I once mistyped my user name and that mistyped name always appears in the list of user names to select from. Or on the URL entry field on Firefox, suppose you once entered a URL for a site that you really don't want to show up again as one of the sites to choose from. [more inside]
The optimal amount of beach volleyball clothing
From a purely functional standpoint, what is the optimal amount of beach volleyball clothing? [more inside]
How do you stay motivated creatively?
How do you stay motivated creatively? [more inside]
Conversion: ppt to mpg.
ppt -> mpg ?? [more inside]
Who made this tile-picture?
Can anyone identify the picture shown in this photograph? It’s a framed group of six ceramic tiles, which collectively depict a group of colourful, elongated figures, in a boat. It was hanging on the wall of a Spanish villa where my wife and I spent a vacation in 2001. [more inside]
Getting around "No Phone Calls Please" for employment.
Prospective employer: "No Phone Calls Please." So, how to follow up on a resume submission? [more inside]
What does 'LCM' stand for in Kellogg's LCMs?
Body soap/shower gel suggestions
Suggestions for body soap and shower gel for a man in the UK and U.S.? [more inside]
Cracked FlashCard Calculator LCD
I cracked my FlashCard Calculator LCD. Can I fix it? [more inside]
Help me buy a basic business wardrobe.
My role and environment at work has recently changed and I have forgotten how to dress. How can I quickly buy the right wardrobe? [more inside]
July 22
Web hosting and "illegal" activity
Web hosting and "illegal" activity [more inside]
Moving out of one's own head.
I live in my own head too much. I over-analyze my own feelings/thoughts as well as the actions of others. How do I overcome this? [more inside]
Home virtual tours for realtors business???
I'm considering doing a side-business creating home virtual tours (360 degree panos + stills) for local real estate professionals. I understand there are companies out there, that provide info and marketing materials that allow you to be an affiliate. Anybody doing this/done this have any words of wisdom?
Where can I find concice definitions of the legal status of "Native American"/"First Nation" "reservations" in the Americas.
Where can I find concise definitions of the legal status of "Native American"/"First Nation" "reservations" in the Americas. [more inside]
Urinating from sex organs
Why do humans and animals(?) urinate from their sex organs? Are these two bodily functions in some way related?
Are their examples of animals that pee & have sex with parts of their bodies that are spaced far apart? [more inside]
How do I remove invisible fiberglass splinters?
Invisible fiberglass splinters in my hands -- how do I get them out? [more inside]
Paternal rights advocacy organization
Legal advocacy group filter: I'm having a hard time tracking down legitimate paternal rights advocacy groups (I know they are out there). Can anyone point me in some useful directions? [more inside]
How to appeal a university's rejection?
Does anyone have an experience appealing an admission decision by a university? I recently applied as a transfer student to a private university in California and was rejected. I'm putting together an appeal now and I was wondering if anyone had any tips or advice from first hand experience. [more inside]
Can you help with a Latin translation?
How would this motto translate into Latin? "Embrace change, never compromise." [more inside]
How can Greasemonkey Change My Life?
I don't really understand Greasemonkey, and I feel like I should. I get what it is more or less, but I want to know how it can Change My Life. So, for those of you who use Greasemonkey extensively, what do I need to be using? [more inside]
Brave New Exercise
Today at the gym I saw a couple guys (football players, as it happens) doing an exercise I hadn't seen before. They started with a 50lb dumbbell in one hand, bent over towards that side (that quad ~ 45 degree angle to the floor), the dumbbell fairly close to the floor. They then pushed off with that quad, jumped/transferred weight to their other foot so their body was completely under their arm, & did a military-press-like motion with the weight. They did 3 sets of 10 with each arm. What is this exercise called? Also, what is that general style of exercise called (more active/full body than simply isolating a particular group), & what are some other examples of this style?
How can I learn the elements of humor?
How can I learn the elements of humor? [more inside]
Do Preferences about Anti-Smoking Legislation Have a Political Affiliation?
Do preferences about anti-smoking legislation have a political affiliation? [more inside]
I lost my pants!
I left some pants in the dryer at my dorm and when i got back they were gone. How can I make an effective poster asking for them to be returned? [more inside]
Raising a nine-year-old
We're looking for a good book on parenting that lays out what kids are like at different ages. [more inside]
Selfish in bed... what to do?
How common is it for someone not to get any pleasure from bringing sexual pleasure to their partner? Is there anything that can be done about it? [more inside]
Accident car insurance advice
My car rolled today and hit another parked car .. i guess I forgot to apply the emergency brake .. My car is fine .. her car has a huge dent in the back :( [more inside]
Ultimate camping in northern California?
Recommendations for tent camping in Northern California? [more inside]
Need Daycare Advice, Please...
I'm looking for safe, reliable, and affordable daycare in Portland, Ore. [more inside]
Tips for a new standardized test tutor?
So I'm applying for a standardized test (LSAT) tutoring position, right? I've got an "audition" next week, where I need to prove that I can teach. The material isn't as important as the ability to understand and react to the needs of the individual student. Any tips for one-on-one teaching like this? [more inside]
LLC Implications
Implications of an LLC? [more inside]
Pittsburgh to Washington, PA?
What's the easiest/quickest/cheapest way to get from Pittsburgh to Washington, PA without a car? [more inside]
"Or" Filters in iPod Smart Playlists
iPodFilter: Can you do complex filters in Smart Playlists? [more inside]
unique nyc experience?
Unique New York experience for a couple - beyond helicopter rides? [more inside]
Best Route?: Boston to Philly
What is the best driving route from Boston to Philadelphia? [more inside]
Java the Glut
Which of these Java runtime components do I actually need? [more inside]
Where to view London tube posters online
On the London tube there are posters called "Above Ground" that show an above ground view of the route of the train you're riding in relation to various landmarks, museums, major streets, etc. Does anyone know if these posters can be viewed online somewhere? [more inside]
What percentage of the profits should I be asking for?
Through a mutual friend, I've been approached to develop the back end of a website. My compensation for my work will be a percentage of the profits this website brings in. I have no idea what percentage to ask for, or what's fair. [more inside]
LAN Party for 8yr Olds
I have 10 eight yr olds coming for my son's birthday party. I have five pcs running XP. He has heard the words LAN party. I am broke. [more inside]
Help meeting people outside the big city
I live in a large town in Texas, population 20,000 and am having trouble finding friends. [more inside]
Eenie Meenie Miney Mo, pick a love and make a go.
Which love option should I choose? [Much, much [more inside]
NO, I would not like to open the link in a new tab
Can I get rid of the "open in new tab" option on the right-click menu in firefox? [more inside]
Help me find the great Linux downloader for Emusic that I lost.
Help me find the great Linux downloader for Emusic that I lost. [more inside]
What spectacularly original long playing album came out of Holland in the 60s?
What is Tony Judy talking about here:
[...]the European Sixties were always Eurocentric. Even the 'Hippy Revolution' never quite crossed the Atlantic. At most it washed up on the shores of Great Britain and Holland, leaving behind some sedimentary evidence in the form of a more developed drug culture than elsewhere -- and one spectacularly original long-playing record.-- Postwar: A History of Europe Since 1945, page 398 No footnote, no endnote, nothing. Anyone have any theories about what album he's talking about?
Chess owns me.
Help me enjoy playing chess. [more inside]
Toll charges website?
Is there a website that lists the toll charges for major highways in the US? [more inside]
Kiosk and wayfinding design specialists! What is unique to your task that does not overlap with web UI and Interaction design?
Design for Kiosks / Interactive wayfinding systems. What are the unique factors to consider? [more inside]
What's within a five hour drive of my home city if I can drive in any direction?
Is there a google maps hack that will draw a circle around a given location to show a radius of distance (by mileage or time) around that location? [more inside]
Am I going crazy?
Recently, I've been having problems figuring out what's real and what's not. [more inside]
In search of a natural high
Help me kick the green, sticky stuff. [more inside]
Laptop DiskSpace issues
I have an older (3+ yrs) Dell Inspiron laptop that is running out of disk space (due to music files, tax and bookkeeping software programs). [more inside]
CBC Radio; The Contrarians
Where or how can one easily download CBC Radio's "The Contrarians"? Thanks
Who speaks Indonesian?
Does any one speak Javanese? I need a Javanese or Indonesian translation of a couple of words for a Tsunami Relief Concert. [more inside]
How do I prevent someone from stealing my central A/C?
How do I protect my central air conditioner unit from theft? [more inside]
Weight training with a Mitral Valve Prolapse
Is it really dangerous to lift weights with a mitral valve prolapse? [more inside]
Why won't hotmail work?
Why haven't I been able to connect to hotmail? [more inside]
July 21
Will I make my bus after Os Mutantes in Chicago?
I need logistical information on the set Os Mutantes have been playing for their current reunion tour. Will I be able to make it to my Megabus at Union Station by 11 PM to make it home? [more inside]
Old Bad Credit Marks - How do they go away?
I am trying to repair very old credit problems.
I was a freelance designer for a few years and I had little to no money extra to pay some of the high bills I had. I'm trying to repair the old delinquencies - is this possible? (more inside) [more inside]
Adopted Powerbook G4. Should I sell her?
I just adopted a barely used 12” 1.33 G4 Powerbook free of charge. I’ve been a jealous WinXP user for some time and couldn't be happier with my new acquisition, but I’m a little torn over it’s usefulness. [more inside]
My back hurts, stupid car.
How can I reduce back pain while driving? [more inside]
Freakgronmics Chair Question
Religious oppression
Could you describe any notable incidents when you, personally, have suffered or faced oppression from organized religion in Europe or North America? How did you deal with it? [more inside]
Can you help me find this online video?
I'm trying to find a video that I watched about 3 or 4 months ago (it was online). In it, there's these two older guys, wearing tie dye shirts, dancing really weird. It's outdoors, and they're dancing behind a gazebo, where a crappy band is covering Sublime songs. [more inside]
EPSON R300, why doth thee sucketh so bad?
I've just about had it with that total P.O.S. known as the EPSON Stylus Photo R300 printer. Not only does it suck expensive ink like a vampire (and will refuse to print in ANY color, including black, even if just one of the color cartridges becomes empty!) but using that dinky CD/DVD tray feeder to print onto is always a hit or miss proposition. [more inside]
Fill a suddenly-free week in Berkeley, without a car
I just found out that I don't need to show up at work for almost all of next week - giving me a totally unexpected 6-day vacation. How should I best amuse myself? I'm in Berkeley, car-less, and am not very familiar with the area.
Should we stay or should we go?
I'm considering selling my house and moving back into an apartment. [more inside]
Please give me advice on what I can do to give myself a satisfying future.
WORKFILTER: Input needed on what I should do with my future, immediately (next 5 weeks) and distantly (4 years)? (Long) [more inside]
my files my files my files come back!
Why are my files suddenly old?! [more inside]
Burning smell coming from engine?
Burning smell coming from engine after not being driven for a year. Any ideas? [more inside]
How to get to Israel?
How can I get from Turkey to Israel via boat given the current open border crossings? Does anyone know of specific companies that make this trip? If it is not possible to go direct, can I go through Cyprus or Egypt?
DIY airbag replacement-- how tough?
Has anyone here ever installed a salvaged airbag? How hard is it to do yourself? My car got bumped ludicrously lightly, the airbag deployed, and a new airbag is fantastically expensive while a salvaged one is cheap. But I would have to install it myself because local shops won't do it. The car is a volvo 940 1994. [more inside]
Workout Accountability
MotivationFilter: Need a website thingy where a friend and I can both enter information about workouts we do. [more inside]
How can we share our files accross several laptops?
Help me figure out the best solution to this problem: File sharing between 3 laptops and 1 pc (no server software). [more inside]
How to search an interior matrix/array and lookup a corresponding value in Excel?
Excel Powers Active! Vague Excel spreadsheet lookup problem inside. [more inside]
Running down the road trying to loosen my load...
Traveling from Washington DC to St. Johnsbury (actually Greensboro) Vermont towing a trailer. Is there a way to minimize the hills? [more inside]
ungreen my machine
I recently started using "High Contrast White" color scheme in Windows XP. I tweaked it a little bit (changed the fonts, etc.) and am generally happy with it EXCEPT: text which should be greyed out is now bright green. [more inside]
Mmm ... tacos.
What are you favorite taco recipes? [more inside]
Presentation software help
Looking for software that can deliver very high quality, professional, attractive multimedia presentations that can be burned to a CD, sent to a customer, and "walk" the customer through the presentation in the absence of a speaker/presenter. [more inside]
Won't you let me live?
Starting with Sumer, approximately how many human beings have died? [more inside]
RAWK.
How can I rock out like Wolfdog? (or Sabbath, for that matter). One caveat--I prefer the fiddle, thanks. [more inside]
Teaching Math Facts at 15
My sweet son has many disabilities--type 1 diabetes, ADHD, depression. At 15, he just confessed with great pain that he doesn't know his multiplication tables very well. Explains a lot.
Any really wonderful suggestions that don't infantilize and humiliate him. Ones that work? Any personal success stories and moral support will make me heart you.
How to get my Electribe to sound good?
HelpMyMusicSoundBetterFilter: EQing on an Electribe? [more inside]
Someone is phishing my mind.
How does the game on www.milaadesign.com work? [more inside]
Help me learn to program simple Windows desktop applications
I want to learn to create simple Windows desktop applications for my own personal use. What programming language should I start learning? [more inside]
Why you should buy a camera that takes AAs
My girlfriend's luggage got lost on the plane to Spain. Any hope it can catch up with her on her trip? And where can she replace her camera battery charger? [more inside]
Two VPN's clients installed at once?
How can I install both Watchguard and Cisco VPN clients on my PC? [more inside]
Help us find the right wedding venue in Pittsburgh, PA
We're gettin' hitched in Pittsburgh!
I need help finding a reception/ceremony venue that 1) will hold at least 150 people, 2) will let me bring in my own catering, 3) will have a bar or a way to bring in a few kegs, and 4) be in a tent or indoors. [more inside]
Let's go buy some shoes.
Personal Shoppers - or Mefites who feel like doing a favour -- in Buffalo? [more inside]
A career in anthropology?
What sort of career options would one have with a bachelor's degree in anthropology? [more inside]
Buildig a tiny house in a big city?
Perhaps a ridiculous question: is it possible in a major city (I'm in Toronto) to buy a small piece of land and build a tiny house (like the B-52 on this page) on it? What's involved? If possible, what are the pros and cons? Is it pointless, financially? [more inside]
How to "deal" with car salesman?
CarFilter: What are the typical hidden fees and pricing scams I should look out for when I buy or lease my next car? [more inside]
Good software for scheduling employee shifts in a restaurant.
I'm looking for good software to schedule employee shifts in a restaurant. [more inside]
What is the deal with Lipo Dissolve?
Has anyone had any experiences or opinions with Lipo Dissolve? [more inside]
Is it stupid to buy a convertible as the only car in Seattle?
Is it stupid to buy a convertible as the only car in Seattle? [more inside]
Gift for a 16 year old American going to Norway for a year.
Gift for a 16 year old American going to Norway for a year. [more inside]
is my son racist?
Is my son racist? [more inside]
Toilet limescale
How do I remove 4 years of monster London limescale from my toilet? [more inside]
How to define relationships post-marriage?
How can I define my feelings, having a small field of reference? [more inside]
File listing help
How can I easily get all the music files on my computer listed on to an excel spreadsheet? [more inside]
Best Family Heirlooms?
What sort of heirlooms have parents passed to children? Which are most thoughtful and well received? Which do you wish your parents would have passed to you? [more inside]
When can one expect to be let out of a tv show taping in NYC?
When can one expect to be let out of a tv show taping in NYC? [more inside]
Carry On Camping
I'm looking for UK camp site resources/info that are a bit less mainstream. I've done a fair amount of camping locally to where I am in Sussex on farms and other less organised camp sites -- all found via word of mouth -- but I'm looking to head a bit further away. The problem I'm finding is that most camping info is either 'proper' camp/caravan (*shudder*) sites or 'alternative' eco/politics-type places. Any ideas? [more inside]
Who was that little yellow man painted on the side of the glass?
I saw this on here like two years ago but I can't find it now. Anyway, I'm trying to remember the name of these little television spots (it may have been a full show, but I don't thinks so) that featured a little yellow man painted on the side of a glass. It was for children. Anyone?
How can I keep my watch running?
Are there any tricks that'll keep my self-winding watch from running down? [more inside]
Help me name a financial services company!
Help me name a financial services company! [more inside]
californication
does anybody here live in big sur, california, and if so, is it possible to live there unless you are megarich? what type of jobs are in the area? whats it like to live there? can my wife and i pulling in about $150k live there? ive never been there but it seems like a place i would rather live in than north jersey. im kind of obsessed with it....
Excel Hours Mins
Excel Filter: I need to convert a wallop load of cells that are in decimal format to hours & minutes format. Please. More Inside. [more inside]
sprouted potatoes
So I bought this big (5 kg) sack of cheap potatoes, ate a few, and then left them for a few days. When I looked at them today, they'd all grown little green sprouts. If I remove the sprouts, are these potatoes safe to eat? [more inside]
World Service
I am in Canada, but want a website to think I am in the UK. Can I do this? [more inside]
Where did it all go wrong?
Are there any confirmed and documented cases of famous people that have lost everything for one reason or another and ended up broke, alone, and homeless? [more inside]
Help! My diamond ring is missing!
Where is my girlfriend's diamond ring? We think it got stolen.... [more inside]
Two identical laptops: one connects, one doesn't.
Yes, it's time for yet another tiresome wireless connection conundrum. If you're brave and true, come take my hand and follow me into the [more inside]
Thanks for the tug
What should I buy to say thank you? [more inside]
best visionary architecture/urbanism books
Could you suggest good visionary (realized or unrealized) architecture and urbanism books ?
I'd be interested in well illustrated books. I can afford a 50 to 150 dollars book on that topic.
I'd like to find things like that.
Tax Dollars at work?
search: Can you help me find a citation?
There was an article or post, possibly a pdf, that is a template used by our wonderful homeland security et al, to track and monitor would be terrorist's, one of these criteria's were certain flag signals for them. [more inside]
Help me find this book for teenagers
I read a book when I was a teenager about a poor girl living in England, who is raped by a pop star and then hounded by him and his fans to go out with him. I can't remember the title - does anyone know the book? [more inside]
How to send digital audio wirelessly
Is there a device (pair) that can take digital audio out and wireless-ly transmit it 30 feet to allow for digital audio in on a receiver? [more inside]
Swashbuckling sea-plunderer seeks parrot/perch solution
Ahoy askm[ateys]! Help a pirate keep her parrot on its perch. There is [more inside]
In our play we reveal what kind of people we are. Ovid
In "today's insane world" should children ever be allowed to play outside, alone, unsupervised? [more inside]
July 20
butterfilter:
Why feed babies butter? [more inside]
Chess & Go
I'm looking for two things on OSX:
1) A chess trainer
2) "Go" (and if it has a training function, even better) [more inside]
Pixel fonts versus TT fonts.
I’m looking for font recommendations for a multi-lingual online Flash application. [more inside]
Help out with home recording studio configuration!
Home Recording Studio: What is causing buzzing on the speakers? [more inside]
Does chelation therapy == snakeoil?
Is chelation, as a therapy for atherosclerosis, only recommended by quacks? [more inside]
A book everyone should read?
Please tell me a book you think everyone should read and why. [more inside]
Too much PDA
My friends got together last year and are full-on with the pda. (more inside) [more inside]
Where in the world should I buy a camera?
Where is the cheapest place to buy a digital camera? Ebay, London, Dubai, Qatar, or Bangkok [more inside]
Help find low-cost health care in Southern California
Please help my Mother-in-law get low-cost medical care in southern California. [more inside]
I will gladly give you a pound of flesh Tuesday for a hamburger today.
Will making a plan to pay off a creditor improve my credit rating...even before the whole balance is paid? Or do collectors not report to the agencies until the whole balance has been collected?
Help me help my father!
Please, please help. For the past two years my father has been suffering from these weird red ear episodes, which no one can seem to explain. [more inside]
How much to move
I am interviewing for a new job shortly. I am trying to come up with a dollar figure for how much I should ask for. I will be changing cities, working a fairly similar job to the one I am in now, and moving to a city where the housing costs are slightly higher. How do I figure out how much I need to make the move? Is a calculator available to help with this decision? I am looking for raw numbers here, I will factor in social costs later. [more inside]
master of my domain
If I want to create sub-sites within my main site, which option is better -- and why? [more inside]
War Corresponding!
I wanna be a WAR correspondent. How? [more inside]
The ole switcharoo!
Ticketfilter: It is possible for me to switch my seats with someone else's if it's Will-Call only? [more inside]
Help me find a vaguely-described book.
I read a book when I was 12 or 13 about a boy who may have been living in Wales. The only things I remember about the book are that it involved aliens, cairns (as grave markers?) and that it scared the heck out of me. Does this ring any bells with anyone?
Can anyone answer this IQ test question?
Can anyone answer this IQ test question? [more inside]
My own private Guantanamo
What recourse do fathers who receive Massachusetts 209A restraining ? From what I can gather, a woman can say absolutely anything and get a restraining order imposed. I got one yesterday taking custody away from me for alleged threat of violence I made. At the time I was over 200 miles away. I didn't think I was that powerful. [more inside]
Outlook 2003 is a stubborn whore
How can I make Outlook 2003 "adopt" current text formatting when replying to an email by inserting text in-line? [more inside]
Wish I could send her a California Burrito
I'd like to send a birthday care package to a friend who recently moved from California (San Diego) to Massachusetts (Burlington). Suggestions on sending a little Cali love? [more inside]
Room Fragrance help
Looking to find a source of a room fragrance for a friend. She bought it from a catalog that she cannot remember the name of, but it was discontinued. [more inside]
13W3 to VGA Madness!
Does anyone have any experience hooking up a regular VGA Monitor to a NeXTStation Color? What's the best way to do it? [more inside]
How do I stay sane while home all day with a newborn?
Metaparenting: How do I stay sane while home all day with a newborn? [more inside]
Seeking Chevy Suburban in Washington D.C.
We're looking to rent/take on loan, a white or black Chevy Suburban in Washington D.C. for a specific date. How can we locate one? [more inside]
Missing my ride
My non-pimped ride (1993 sedan, BB value: $825) was just totaled in an accident with a commercial truck (the truck driver's fault, and he was cited). Are there any ways to get the adjuster to value the car more highly than $825 so that I have any chance of replacing it? [more inside]
Dont let me loose my playcounts!!!
Save my itunes playcounts and ratings! Damnable windows has crashed! [more inside]
How do you get to St. Petersburg from Tampa with no car?
What form of transportation can one use to get from partying in Tampa then getting back to a hotel in St. Petersburg without a car?
Telenovelas are the next big thing!
What are your favorite shows on Spanish TV? [more inside]
Must all statutory laws be written?
Is there a constitutional provision in the United States that all statutory laws must be written and/or available to the public for review? [more inside]
Where can we go from London for a few days in Europe?
[EuroTripFilter]What European city can we go to CHEAPLY for a few days from London? [more inside]
Traffic phobia
Embarrassing phobia. I need to drive myself 10 or so hours in a couple of weeks, and I am very afraid that I will find myself in a traditionally panicky situation. [more inside]
Foreign sports sedans really are expensive to maintain.
Ouch, I just got a quote for $895 on a brake job for a 2001 325i BMW. Previous thread indicates that this may be way out of line. The parts supposedly cost $500 alone. Is this right? Any experience bringing a BMW to a non-dealer? [more inside]
The more you know ...
Can you recommend a program on DVD or PC for learning English as a second language? [more inside]
How do I get the names of an ActiveX control's members?
I have to write a Visual Basic 6 program that checks that an ActiveX control's properties and methods are correctly documented in a Word document. How do I get a list of a control's properties and methods, given its filename? [more inside]
Boat won’t start. Help!!!
Help save my vacation. Boat won’t start. More inside. [more inside]
"You kids better pray to the god of skinny punks this wind doesn't pick up, cuz if it does..."
What sports, exercises, and activites are best suited to tall skinny people? [more inside]
Help me look at good looking women without guilt.
Why do good looking women make me nervous and guilty when looking at them? [more inside]
Should I bring someone on as a business partner?
Should I bring someone on as a business partner? [more inside]
Ever thus to deadbeats, Lebowski.
What does "ever thus" mean? [more inside]
Know any cool DC Clothing Stores?
Do you know cool local female clothing stores in DC? [more inside]
What can we do to preserve the repertory movie-going experience in Montreal after the closing of Cinema Du Parc?
What can we do to preserve the repertory movie-going experience in Montreal after the closing of Cinema Du Parc? [more inside]
Do you remember a classic Mac game with midgets on a canyon floor?
Can you identify this classic Mac game? [more inside]
Do I have a Mysterious Disease?
Do these symptoms add up to anything? Repeated sores/cracks at the corners of my mouth, night sweats, fatigue...and I am posting anonymously because there is more inside... [more inside]
Nice free-wifi cafe in DC?
Good cafe in DC to work with laptop, one with free wifi? [more inside]
Grace under fire
How can I learn to keep a cool head in stressful situations ? [more inside]
Humongous PDF files
Why are my PDF files so huge? [more inside]
I just installed Ubuntu, now how do I install programs?
I just installed Ubuntu, now how do I install programs? [more inside]
Recommendations for international movers?
Seeking recommendations for international shipping/moving companies. I have a small household's-worth to ship from California to the UK (no furniture that's worth keeping, but a large studio full of stuff). There are many companies online but I know from friends' experiences that these waters are shark-infested.
Travel to Dublin
Next month, I am going on a trip to Dublin for a week. I have three questions for anyone who has experience with the city:
- Where would you recommend staying? (Hostels in the £10 / night range are my usual style.)
- What would you recommend seeing? (There is an AskMeFi post on this already, but it only covers a weekend-length stay)
- Is there anything particularly useful to know about going to Dublin?
Which light best portrays an accurate depiction of the whiteness of your teeth?
What kind of light do you use to accurately measure how white your teeth are? [more inside]
Browser download without a Content-Length header?
How do I get the browser to prompt a user to save a huge file when I don't know it's size in advance? [more inside]
Boffin hats on chaps, what the hell is this about?
Looking for a
8 unit condo in Jersey City needs an energy (HVAC, heating) consultant to look at our boiler and heating system and advise us on how to lower our heating bills. We are keen to consider green options but economy is the main criterion. Thank you for your recommendations and advice. [more inside]
can't sweep correctly
I can't sweep the floor! This is something I thought I knew how to do-I mean, I do it at home sporadically and I used to sweep the porch and the kitchen for my clean-freak mom and she never complained. [more inside]
Nike+Ipod Sport Kit in Ontario, Canada?
I am having a difficult time locating the Nike+Ipod Sport Kit in Canada. Apple.ca doesn't have it listed in their store and Nike.ca is just a horrible [but cool looking] website.
My google-fu is failing me miserably and I was hoping that someone has seen these around.
I called a local [Kitchener] Apple reseller and they say it should be available in 2-3 weeks. My greedy little hands cannot wait that long. :)
Can anyone help?
Web browser market share reference
What is the definitive online reference for web browser market share? [more inside]
Why do our fundies like their fundies?
Is there some reason that christians support Israel? I was browsing the Rapture Ready message boards, and while I realize they are a bit of a fringe, they seem to be fanatically pro-israel (see this signature), and that sentiment seems to be echoed amongst many other christians I know. I would have figured christians to be mildy anti-israel, as it's inhabitants sort of shunned their prophet/savior. What gives?
Buzzy Hell!
What can I expect from living next door to a wasps nest as the summer progresses, and is there any humane way to get wasps to leave the nest etc. if they are already well established. More Inside... [more inside]
How hard is it to start a hedge fund?
I know several people who have started in small-scale hedge funds that seemed to be initiated by a single investor/founder who happened to have some capital. What steps are required to start a hedge fund? What kinds of relationships should a founder have before starting one? What kind of restrictions are there on hedge fund creation?
Camisetas Bobas
Where can I find Portuguese-language t-shirts? Surprisingly, not in Brazil! [more inside]
Metals trade secrets
About half of billion-dollar divorces seem to involve a "metals trader". I'm not hoping to divorce, but how does one become a "metals trader"?
Got into an ugly fight with my former boss. How do I solve this?
Got into an ugly fight with my former boss. How do I solve this? [more inside]
I'm afraid I'm pregnant, but maybe I'm just crazy.
Could a moderate diet and a lot of stress account for my missed period? [more inside]
Foot-sore in Mississippi
I was arrested and convicted for DUI in Mississippi over 3 years ago. I have not driven since (small town, good friends, I live close to work), and now I am wanting to get my license back. . . . [more inside]
Help me help her
Well the mixtape worked (together 7 months now), but things are getting difficult as my girlfriends various issues become more and more of a problem. Help me help her. [more inside]
Currency Conversion
I'm going to the States on the weekend and I'm wondering what the best way is to convert Canadian dollars to American dollars? What option provides the best conversion rate for $300-500?
sophisticolism
I'm going to a beer tasting, help me sound like I'm fancy. [more inside]
July 19
How long will food and milk last in a refrigerator without power?
How long will food and milk last in a refrigerator without power if I don't open the door? [more inside]
Effing Tailgaters.
Does anyone know where I can buy a bumper sticker that says "The closer you get, the slower I go" in the Perth metro area?
"23" Coincidences
Where can I find William Burroughs, Robert Anton Wilson's and other's written pieces of "23" coincidences on-line? [more inside]
My laptop screen wants to escape -- What do I do?
My laptop screen is separating from the rest of the computer! It looks like one of the two hinges is hanging on for dear life, and I'm concerned -- if it gets much worse, it will be detached on that side. Is there anything I can do? [more inside]
Why does artificial sweetener make my teeth numb?
Why does artificial sweetener make my teeth numb? [more inside]
iBook May I
Read/write permissions on an iBook. [more inside]
Polish/Ukrainian Film Recommendations
I'd like recommendations for Polish or Ukrainian historical documentaries or fact-based films. [more inside]
Microfiber + cat: wise or unwise?
Is this sofa compatible with this cat? [more inside]
Cartoon with Schubert's Ghost?
Where can I find a cartoon short with the ghost of Schubert and possibly Bugs Bunny? [more inside]
Help me learn how to program before I tear my hair out.
I've been trying to learn how to program, but it's not going well. [more inside]
Your future holds a flaming confection...
Birthday Fun: Looking for psychics in downtown Chicago/River North. [more inside]
oh give me a home, where the spelunkers roam, and the trails are not marked and lit...
I went spelunking in the Nutty Putty caves in Utah a few years ago, and -loved- it... Can anyone recommend similar non-commercialized caves in which to go exploring with friends in California, Oregon, Nevada, or possibly Arizona? [more inside]
I really think it's dead this time
I am ready to toss my computer out the window, do you think I am doing the right thing? [more inside]
Wireless without broadband
Boonies Wireless Networking with a Phone Line. Help needed! [more inside]
How to Burp
How can I learn to burp? [more inside]
Cat Hair Killed My Shift Key!
My cats are shedding a lot. As a result, my laptop (Dell Inspiron 700m) keyboard is filled with hair. I have had to remove a few keys to fix the problem. Until today, no problemo. But I didn't know how weird that shift key was. I can't get it to click back into place correctly. I really can't go without my laptop, given my current job, so sending the thing off to Dell is pretty much out of the question. Can I get some tips on fixing this myself? Or does anyone know what kinds of stores fix laptop keyboards? While I'm at it, anyone know a good way to protect laptop keyboards from cat hair so this won't happen again?
What equipment do I need to bake a giant cake?
What sort of stuff do I need to bake a big sheet cake? [more inside]
NOLS or Outward Bound?
I’d like to learn more about what to expect on a typical backpacking (or insert activity here) trip through organizations like NOLS or Outward Bound. I’m 30 years old and while I’m in pretty good shape I don’t have a lot of experience with long camping/backpacking/climbing trips. I’d like to join a short expedition to learn new skills and gain confidence I need to go out by myself. Besides, it just sounds fun. [more inside]
Counterstrike Machinima: deagle video to Tool's Parabol/Parabola
A ways back, and I think this was about 5 years ago, there was a short video clip made using Counter-Strike (the Halflife mod) that played to the soundtrack of Parabol/Parabola by Tool. It was one counter-terrorist and one terrorist and basically just involved one guy walking over, then diving in slow-mo and firing the Desert Eagle (deagle).
Couldn't find it with Google...does anyone have it or know where I can find it?
In Windows XP: Migrating from the general Administrator Account to a Personal User Account...how?
In Windows XP: Migrating from the general Administrator Account to a Personal User Account...how? [more inside]
Why won't my machine post?
I just put together a pc from new parts. It won't post-- fans turn on, but that's it. No video signal, no power light, no beeps, cd trays won't open. Power supply is 400w and tested in another machine. What should my next steps be? [more inside]
My rain barrel won't swell.
Any idea why my wooden rain barrel won't swell when filled with water like it did last year? [more inside]
How do I get my lost Mac Keychain password back?
How can I recover my Apple Mac Keychain password. [more inside]
MT PHP API?
Movable Type PHP library: is it possible to use the PHP library in the same fashion as the perl library? [more inside]
Dumb calculus question...
Stupid calculus question inside. [more inside]
Apple Remote Play
I just bought a brand new MacBook Pro and when I use the remote control feature and try to load videos that I've downloaded on the iTunes music store, nothing plays. Has this happened to anyone else?
Need a system for organizing electronic files
Need to clean out and organize 15 years of electronic files. [more inside]
Mono and Melatonin
Is there any printed studies or evidence that having had mononucleosis or a similar infectious disease could permantly affect a person's melatonin production? [more inside]
iWeb Comments without .Mac
Is it possible to get "comments" to work on an iWeb web-site -without- using .Mac? [more inside]
How can I keep my office cooler?
How can I keep my office cooler? [more inside]
Bad, but good!, potluck dish.
I'm looking for a potluck-type recipe that is a) horrifying, but b) tasty. Something like an entree or side dish that makes use of vegetables, meat, and jello.
San Francisco to Davis
Kinda urgent: A friend's flight was re-routed and now he needs to know the best way to get from the San Francisco airport to the University of California, Davis (about 70 miles away). [more inside]
How Do I Show Movies?
Is there anyway to get commercial exhibition rights for scheduled public performances for movie prints you own? Of course, there's... [more inside]
Sunglass scratches
Why don't they make sunglasses with the coating on the *inside*? [more inside]
What fun things are there to do in Gulf County, Florida?
Vacationfilter: Anyone know any cool things to do, sights to see, or places to eat in Gulf County, Florida? [more inside]
Bypass administrator priveleges!?!?
What did I do to gain Administrator privileges to install software and how can I do it again? [more inside]
How did singer Bobby Bloom die?
Bobby Bloom is the artist on one of my favorite 70s pop songs, Montego Bay. How did he die? [more inside]
Why Click It?
What information would you like to know before clicking on a link? For example, is it safe for work.
pdf form text field lines limit
I want to limit the number of lines that users can input in a printable pdf form text field so that there is no overflow/scroll bars or auto-resizing of the text. How can i do that? [more inside]
Pre-1900 dates in Excel?
Is there any way to make Microsoft Excel recognize dates before 1900? [more inside]
I want to convert from Word to Pages
I'm a professional writer and book editor. I'd like to buy an Apple Mini and at long last get out of the grips of Microsoft. This means I want to use Pages as well. Does anyone have experience converting from Word to Pages.? [more inside]
What's the best air conditioner I can get?
I'm moving to third floor apartment in Brooklyn with giant windows facing east and west. My landlord says I should buy an air conditioning unit if I want to function. What unit should I buy? I'm looking for the best balance of price and quality. [more inside]
Driving from Seattle to San Francisco
What's a good 2-3 day route for driving from Seattle to San Francisco? [more inside]
stick figure death
I remember an animated gif online where a stick figure bashes on his computer till his computer is destroyed, his hands are bloody stumps, he hits the computer with his head, and eventually dies. Where can I find it again? [more inside]
Small Changes that can positively impact weight loss?
Help me come up with some easy, small changes to make to my lifestyle to help me lose weight while dealing with other life issues (e.g. depression). [more inside]
Website Store Locator
Adding a searchable "store locations" to your website. [more inside]
Last Minute Travel Planning-Filter
What's the best route to take from Philadelphia to State College, PA? [more inside]
svn on my macbook help
Can you help with installing svn-client-ssl (and fink in general) on my macbook? [more inside]
Can you recommend any poems about university life?
Can anyone recommend any poems about university life? It is for a book group where we're reading some campus novels and we're looking for a poem on the same subject.
And I thought the most stressful thing was supposed to be the "marriage"...
What do I do about our now-outrageously-priced wedding photographer, a year after the fact? [more inside]
Alas, poor Laptop!
My laptop has suddenly run into problems... That is, it seems to like turning itself off with no warning whatsoever. [more inside]
Firefox hates me
Every time I start up Firefox, the search box is turned to Yahoo and GreaseMonkey is disabled. How do I ajust this?
I'm having AIM withdrawal
Why can't I access certain things on New Orleans City-Wide WiFi? [more inside]
Introduce my dad to NYC
My parents are visiting me the first week in August, but I just found out that I need to briefly interrupt their visit to attend a meeting in New York. My dad has never been to NYC and I'll have some down time, so I'm thinking about taking him with me. Help me plan a fun two day visit for him. [more inside]
Washington Dermatologist?
Can anyone recommend a dermatologist in Washington, D.C.? [more inside]
Old FW enclosure problem...
I have an external firewire CD burner that I want to repurpose as an external firewire hard drive. [more inside]
few words for a friend who passed
I have been asked say few words for a good friend who passed away young... [more inside]
Christmas Invasion
In the 2005 episode of Doctor Who titled The Christmas Invasion there was a song near the end that starts "Well I woke up today". The song takes place as The Doctor's 10th personality is choosing his outfit from the stores in the Tardis. Can this song be had in it's entirety anywhere?
I need a Jolt!
Where in Seattle can I purchase Jolt Cola?
Ein bisschen Frieden
Looking for examples of German anti-war, anti-nazi poetry. [more inside]
What do BMI/ASCAP charge?
How much does an average-sized restaurant pay ASCAP/BMI to play music? [more inside]
Ancient Hard Drive
I'm having trouble getting files off an ancient hard drive using an enclosure. Help! [more inside]
Find a Buck
ShopFu: Help me find "A buck well spent" [more inside]
Geography resources for graduate students
Where can I learn about graduate opportunities (funded) in geography [more inside]
Cycling t-shirt-Hors Categorie
Does anyone know of a place to get a tshirt with the red Hors Categorie (HC) circle symbol? [more inside]
Asking for a raise
Help me ask for a raise! [more inside]
What are some slang words for a hangover?
Looking for slang words for a hangover. [more inside]
Classic Investment Books... What Have I Missed?
Classic Investment Books... What Have I Missed? [more inside]
Please identify this picture.
Picturefilter [more inside]
Research findings in languages other than English
How much research is being conducted that never crosses the language barrier into English and/or how long does it typically take research to disseminate into English-speaking journals? [more inside]
No, no—*million* with an M.
MySQLFilter: Help me with my 56 million record table! Lots of cumbersome background inside... [more inside]
Lonely no more
Advice for an otherwise well-adjusted person who misses being in a relationship? [more inside]
Whose jurisdiction am I under when making a connection at a foreign airport?
I always assumed that, when making a connecting flight in an international airport, I was under international jurisdiction - the logic being that I clearly haven't 'entered' the airport's host country (haven't got a visa/filled out a landing form/whatever). My personal experience and now recent events suggest otherwise, so what are the rules about this, and do they vary from country to country? [more inside]
She's hoping to lose what feel like moon boots
My friend has Morton's Neuroma but she'd still like some nice looking shoes. [more inside]
Continents for dummies
What should I read if I want to understand continental philosophy? [more inside]
Forums for experts?
Are there any forums on the internet in which only people accomplished in their field can contribute but they are open for reading to the general public? Or where the public can contribute but the expert members are clearly identified? [more inside]
July 18
Pleasing the sweet lad from Scotland
How to woo a Scottish/Irish boy.. are there tricks or sexual customs I should know? What is he used to from the local girls? [more inside]
Help Me Learn High Finance
Help me learn high finance! [more inside]
Songs that feature night...
Songs which feature night? [more inside]
"Ya ne govo'ryu po russki"
Can anyone recommend an English translation of Tolstoy's Anna Karenina? [more inside]
Blogger to Wordpress for a Fee?
Moving from Blogger to Wordpress: Can I pay someone to have it done? [more inside]
Fish my wish
What are some good sauces and marinades for fish? [more inside]
Monster.com scam or great opportunity?
Who are these consulting agencies contacting me off Monster.com, and are their offers too good to be true? [more inside]
How would I go about becoming a member of a board of directors of a company?
How would I go about becoming a member of a board of directors of a company?
How can I pay for Oxford's Mst. in creative writing?
Is there any way for me to fund Oxford's Mst. course in creative writing? Or will I need to suck it up and decline their offer? [more inside]
How can I get and stay connected to the 'net while travelling in Europe?
How to best stay "connected" while travelling in Europe? [more inside]
Clinical Trial Inside Gouge??
Clinical Trial Filter: My stepfather was diagnosed with colon cancer today. [more inside]
How to market/sell a Pimped-out Car
How to market/sell a pimped-out car? [more inside]
Post-Katrina N.O. Tourism Suggestions
It was asked pre-Katrina but now I think it's worth asking again: where should a tourist stay in New Orleans nowadays? [more inside]
How do I de-cat a room?
My cat-allergic friend wants to stay with me for a couple of days. How can I make his stay more comfortable? [more inside]
ASCAP or BMI?
What are the differences between ASCAP and BMI? Does anyone consider one performing right organization superior to the other and, if so, why? [more inside]
What To Do At The Beach
VacationFilter: We're going to Duck, NC on the Outer Banks for a week, leaving on the 22nd. I know what I'm going to do; what sorts of things might be fun for the kids? [more inside]
How much work would it take for me to learn to be able to tumble and somersault?
How much work would it take for me to learn to be able to tumble and somersault? [more inside]
classic bored teenagers
classic bored teenagers what can we do? [more inside]
Help be get the best deal on memory for my cameras.
Digital camera memory, does brand matter for SD or CF? (looking for two different cameras) [more inside]
pros/cons of being a therapist
What might I hate about becoming a therapist? [more inside]
What can I do after teaching for a few years?
I have always been very interested in education and wonder if I began teaching, if it would open up some interesting job opportunities later on that are different from being a teacher? [more inside]
Deal or No Deal?
My workplace is doing a little motivational contest based on the TV show Deal or No Deal (stupidest name ever, IMHO). I believe I've developed a strategy for the game that's not really covered anywhere else. Am I off my rocker, or is this valid? More importantly, how else can I improve on the basic strategy? [more inside]
Sleek and stylish trend lines and histograms.
What shareware/web app can I use to make clean, pretty graphs? [more inside]
Help Me Have a Giant Desktop
I now have an iMac G5 and an iBook G4. I'd like to be able to move items from one desktop to the other, in real time. [more inside]
What is the most cost-effective solution for banking while living overseas for ~4 months?
What is the most cost-effective solution for banking while living overseas for ~4 months? [more inside]
Menstrual Cycle Problem
Menstrual-cycle Filter: What methods are available to delay... [more inside]
What would you do if you hated your job?
Yet another "I hate my job" filter. Is it irresponsible to quit my job with absolutely nothing lined up? How about if finances for the next year weren't a huge issue? [more inside]
hawaii honeymoon
what should i do in hawaii in august [more inside]
Why 'meeting admission criteria' doesn't mean 'you're in' at a Montessori school?
We went very carefully and timely through the application process for the admission of our son to a Montessori school (first grade). Then, with one month delay, we were notified that due to the higher than expected demand, and despite meeting the admission criteria, our son was not admitted, but placed on the waiting list. This response just drives me crazy, as I cannot understand what else than admission criteria can get a child in. [more inside]
Finding songs with a similar beat
Please help me find songs that fit my running pace! [more inside]
I Came, I Saw, I Conquered?
Why am I only interested in long term relationships? [more inside]
Fatherless
I grew up without a father. He wasn't dead, but he might as well have been. My mother divorced my father when I was one because he was throwing away his music career and life on drugs. Soon after the divorce, his parents and brothers essentially divorced him as well. He wrote me one letter when I was 12. Last year, my father passed away before I could ever meet him. As I am getting older ( 32 ), I am starting to wonder how this experience, or lack therof has shaped my character. Do guys who grow up without a father exhibit certain character flaws or attributes. Without making me feel totally jipped, what is it like to have a father? Am I doomed to have deep reaching gender identity issues? Are there any good books on the subject? Does anyone have some good perspective on growing up fatherless and how you manage(d) it?
How can I communicate upcoming events to volunteers?
What would allow multiple people to both upload information about events and view events that others have posted? [more inside]
Can you have your wedding cake and open gifts too?
Cheapskatefilter: If I'm traveling out of town (1500 miles) to a wedding for people who live in town, do I have to get them a gift? [more inside]
Should I join ASCAP? (not a simple question in my case)
Should I finally join ASCAP, despite my misgivings about copyright, the music-licensing industry, and certain practices by ASCAP and similar orgs? Yes, the cash would make a real difference for me, given the way ASCAP handles my genre and given my low income overall. [more inside]
Finding Fun in Falmouth
Anything hip to do on Cape Cod? [more inside]
Quick turnaround Canuck to Yankee
What is the best case time line for a Canadian to obtain US citizenship? [more inside]
Is it considered a breach of protocol or courtesy to wear a thobe if you're not an Arab?
Is it considered a breach of protocol or courtesy to wear a thobe if you're not an Arab?
Is the A/C broken cuz it HOT in herr!
A/C filter: Is mine broken or is it just because it's 100 degrees outside? [more inside]
Zero
Does absolute zero actually exist in the universe or is it just a theoretical concept? [more inside]
KoreanRedGinsengFilter
What's the best brand/kind of Korean red ginseng? [more inside]
Is there a musical "feen" out there?
Do you know of a musical instrument that has name that sounds like "feen"? [more inside]
Gimme Gimme Gimme
Tampa Bay thoughts?
I'm thinking about a move to the Tampa Bay area (possibly to set up shop and raise the family)....Can any Mefites familiar to the area or living there tell me stuff about schools, crime, culture in the area...? Of course, assorted pros/cons would be great. [more inside]
Auditory hallucination or sign of something really really bad
You know the movie Scanners? I think that happened to me last night. Is there some sort of real medical condition that could duplicate that? [more inside]
Things to do in/near Dartmouth College
Things to do in Hanover, NH and on the Dartmouth College Campus? [more inside]
pirg.org legit?
Know anything about jobs with pirg.org? [more inside]
Help! It's dark! I can't VNC!
VNC gets me a black screen. Help me connect ! [more inside]
good morning, good morning - it's great to stay up late
Web-based alarm clock [more inside]
How to get started with part-time freelance design
I'm looking to do some part-time, on-the-side freelance design to provide some additional income. What are your suggestions for getting started? Where should I look for jobs?
Should I lose my landline phone in favor of my cell phone?
The pro's and con's of killing my land line phone service in favor or going purely cell phone.....Go! [more inside]
How do I control the placement of new files on the OS X desktop?
(How) can I control the placement of new icons on my dual-head Mac desktop? They always land on the wrong monitor [more inside]
Mystery Game
Can someone identify this mystery "game"? [more inside]
How to print your own wedding programs at home
How can I go about printing my own programs for my wedding? [more inside]
Why is my website so popular in South Korea?
Why in hell is my site getting so much traffic from South Korea? [more inside]
Are my rotors *really* damaged?
Our front brakes were making a grinding noise. The shop (which was recommended by neighbors, fwiw) said our rotors were damaged by excessively hard brake pads, and replaced the rotors. They suggested we get the pads changed too. It is making the grinding sound again. [more inside]
Which is a more environmentally friendly choice, an electronic PDA or a paper-based planner?
Which is a more environmentally friendly choice, an electronic PDA or a paper-based planner? [more inside]
Does my car need this repair?
Shadetree filter: Does my car need this repair? [more inside]
You got your Puma in my Wipeout!
Downloadable content for PSP Wipeout Pure - is there any way to get a US Delta Pack to work on the EU version of the game, or otherwise remove the obnoxious Puma ads? [more inside]
Is it possible to convert an IMAP account to a POP account?
How do change an IMAP account to POP? [more inside]
HELOC: now or later?
Home equity line of credit: should I get one now or later? [more inside]
Can I drive with an expired New Jersey drivers' license in Spain?
Can I drive with an expired New Jersey drivers' license in Spain? [more inside]
Right up my alley
What is the origin of the phrase "right up my (his, her, etc.) alley"??? Is it as simple as referring to being "in my neighborhood of expertise" or is there some sort of bowling reference going on? Google's letting me down here -- but maybe my search capacities are a little rusty.
drill press force multiplier?
Power Tool Filter: Is there some kind of 'force multiplier' in effect when using a drill press? i.e. when you put two pounds of pressure on the handle, is there more pressure applied to the work surface? Perhaps most importantly, how hard would this be to calculate? [more inside]
Buying Local Meat in Chicago
Where can I buy locally-raised meat and dairy products in Chicago? [more inside]
Where in Northern Virginia should I go for a new car radio?
Where in Northern Virginia should I go for a new, installed car radio? [more inside]
How do I get my money back
How do I get my money back from a friend? [more inside]
Best books about psychotherapy?
I want to learn about psychoanalysis/psychotherapy/etc. -- what are the best books? [more inside]
Myspace Music
I have a standard Myspace account. Can I turn this into a MySpace "Music" , or artist, account? Or do I have to create a new account?
TyingTheKnotFilter
Where can I get married in Yorkshire? [more inside]
Why are my sunglasses polarized diagonally?
Why are my sunglasses polarized diagonally? [more inside]
Troubleshootin The Tale: Temperature Traveler
Abstract Thinking Filter: So I created this creature that travels by temperature instead of time, so to speak. [more inside]
Janken pon!
How do (did) you decide who goes first? [more inside]
rubbing elbows with the gods.
How to (tactfully and successfully) get some major names to look at some of my writing? Of course there is [more inside]
What muscle group opposes the pectorals?
I'm trying to revise my dumbbell-based home workout. I do bench presses for my chest, but what's the best exercise to oppose that? I'd been doing rows, but I've been noticing that my posture is bad and I want to be sure the weights aren't contributing to the problem.
Broadbandfilter: How can I get internet setup without a current phone number (in SF)?
Gah! Broadbandfilter! Moving to a new apartment next week (in SF). What broadband provider, and how do I search for it without a current phone number? (Cable vs. DSL vs. FIOS vs. Wireless?) [more inside]
Where should I apply to go for my Ph.D.?
Okay, so I'm hoping to apply this winter for Ph.D. programs in computational linguistics. (Thanks for the encouraging advice, guys!) The question is, where? [more inside]
Help me get a job!
IT/IS Managers: Help Wanted. How do i get a job in IT or IS? [more inside]
Learning classes in PHP
Can you point me in the right direction for good tutorials on using classes in PHP? [more inside]
You've Got Mail.... for now.
Help me fight The Man: My mail carrier is leaving me notes telling me that he is going to stop delivering mail to me unless I start locking my mailbox every day. Can he? [more inside]
A Legit Music Collection
Straight up: Is it legal for me to loan a CD to a friend so that he can copy it for his own use? [more inside]
Should I worry about these thousands of bug bites?
I very stupidly fell asleep on the beach and woke up with an enormous number of unusual bug bites. 24 hours and a whole tube of cortizone cream later they're still here. What kind of bug did I likely encounter, and should I be worrying about this? [more inside]
It's all greek to me!
Can somebody translate this east-asian language spam for me? [more inside]
What processor should I base my new machine on?
Building a new computer: Athlon 64 or Pentium D? [more inside]
Out! Out of that damn job!
I told the CEO of my company that it was time to talk "exit plan" a week ago. In the interim I'm at an industry convention... [more inside]
Sleeping on the streets of Venice?
Planning on traveling to Venice: Are there any cheap hostels or hotels that are available? If so, where are they? On the extreme side, we're even willing to rough it out and sleep on the streets for a few nights. Anyone ever tried this and is this safe, or are we batshit crazy? [more inside]
How do I crack my Windows XP user profile password?
How do I recover a user profile from a previous Windows XP (Professional) installation? Old user profile is still there, but keeps denying me access. [more inside]
How can I build muscle on a single speed bicycle?
48 x 16 single speed... have I topped out in muscle building? [more inside]
July 17
Grammar Check
Is there are any software that can perform a decent grammar check? [more inside]
London beckons
LondonRelocationFilter: Help me find a headhunter in London! [more inside]
Stop the infidels! Destroy the TP!
CatFilter: What are the best ways of ending my cat's jihad against the infidels when "the infidels" happen to be rolls of toilet paper? [more inside]
What's with all the bearded women in "Shaolin Soccer"?
What's with all the bearded women in Stephen Chow's movie "Shaolin Soccer"? [more inside]
Better with age
Why does my tomato sauce taste so much better the day after? [more inside]
Clover say "Owie!"
Does my newly spayed dog need pain medication? [more inside]
Is it possible do a tri-country, bi-continenental, radio-style "chat" podcast?
Is it possible do a tri-country, bi-continenental, radio-style "chat" podcast? [more inside]
The neverending crush
Has anyone had neverending dreams well into adulthood about a childhood crush? [more inside]
Good websites for cell phones?
What are the best websites to view on a mobile phone? I have a Samsung A900 and it has a pretty large viewing area, what websites would be best that are specifically formatted for cell phones? I am interested in any website that you can think of but specifically good news sites. Also any website that is leading the pack in UI for cell phones would be great. Also if you know any sites that aren't formatted for cell phones but still function well i'm interested.
What has been your experience with filing a claim with PayPal?
What has been your experience with filing a claim with PayPal? [more inside]
A political history of Wikipedia?
Does there exist a political and/or sociological history of Wikipedia? I'm fascinated by the explosive growth of that community and would like some insight on how it has evolved. I'm not so much looking for Jimbo-in-the-news type controversies as I am interested in learning how contributors "rise through the ranks" of the bureaucracy and garner support for side projects and policy changes.
simple spanish language media to increase understanding
I want to practice my spanish. Is there spanish language media that can hold my interest; available solely through the internet? [more inside]
Personal cooling methods sought
Creative (non-insane) ways to keep cool in Florida needed [more inside]
Help me make music for MuFi
Can you help me be a better home recording engineer? I've posted some things to MuFi which were pretty fun, but are technically suck-tronic. [more inside]
Did wellbutrin give you hives?
Hello fellow depressed meFites! For those of you who have taken wellbutrin, did you ever have itchiness or hives as a side effect? Did it go away after a while or did you have to go off of the drug completely? [more inside]
Power Adapters on a Plane!
Help! It's my father-in-law's birthday and he wants a "power adapter so he can use his laptop on an airplane"... (details inside) [more inside]
Furnace replacement - what to ask the contractors?
I'm having three HVAC contractors come to my house tomorrow to give me estimates for replacing my gas furnace. What should I look for to identify a "reputable" contractor, and what questions should I ask? [more inside]
Israeli/Palistinian conflict: the death toll.
Canadian Border Patrol and Legal History
What legal history record can the Canadian, US border patrol sleuth out, and what do they care about?
I am going on tour with a musical group from NY to Montreal. I heard that when passing the border with a van with music equipment, they can be very scrupulous and even do background checks. I have a non-felony on my record in Chicago, in which I won the court case, but never sent the $300 to my lawyer to finish the expungement process. Will they be able to sleuth out this information at the border? How have your experiences been at the border?
Camera Choice
My husband and I can choose one of two cameras as a gift from our credit card..... [more inside]
The land of high expectations.
What is it like to live and/or work in the Silicon Valley? [more inside]
When and how to give my kid a computer?
I'm a dad now, and recently I've been wondering when I should give my son a computer, and how it should be set up. [more inside]
Let's all chill out...
TooDarnHotFilter: Since most of the U.S., including me, is having a broiling heat wave right now, I thought it would be useful to share suggestions on keeping cool.
Particularly, what are the best recipes? What I'm looking for are things that heat up the kitchen the least. I tried the slow cooker today, but it's still making things hotter than I like in the kitchen, and tomorrow's forecast is 102. There is always grilling, but that requires (eek!) going outside.
Other suggestions for keeping cool for the under-A/C'ed (like myself) or the A/C-less?
Please help me find shirts which are interesting not just for their pattern!
It would be great if people could share their favourite suppliers/retailers/tailors for affordable, quality shirts. I'm talking about shirts which are either interesting, different or vintage. I'd be especially keen on those with detachable collars - this was in fact the reason for my asking the question. [more inside]
Help me be a worker bee
I start a new job next week at a local newspaper in the production end of ad sales...ie. design. This will be the first time I've worked in three years. I dumbed down my resume a lot to get the job, which I really want. It's in a small town, which I moved to three years ago and the paper publishes twice a week....small town....really small town. I used to work at a high profile 24 hour Cable News Network located in Atlanta, GA, which shall remain nameless, wink. wink, in a very stressful, high responsibility position... [more inside]
What should I do about my girlfriend's abusive ex?
My girlfriend's ex is destroying our relationship. [more inside]
Help me hotwire my POS truck.
Help me hotwire my POS truck. [more inside]
Realistic Cartoons
Realistic potraits cartoons: are there any art available of known cartoon/comic characters drawn as though they were real-life potraits? [more inside]
Where were those troops, anyway?
Where were the Israeli troops when they were abducted by Hezbollah? [more inside]
A trivial pursuit
Where can my co-workers and I go for a bar trivia outing in NYC? [more inside]
Snort.
Help me find a good sleep disorder clinic around SF (East Bay, hopefully). [more inside]
What is the Best Web-Based Encyclopedia?
What is the best Web-based encyclopedia, and why?
Who can legally perform a marriage in Los Angeles County?
Who can legally perform a marriage in Los Angeles County? [more inside]
sing us a song, you're the piano man
Many pianists I know know many of the popular songs -- moonlight sonata, chariots of fire, piano man, the "Peanuts" song, fur elise, etc. Is there a list of the most popular piano pieces out there, both contemporary and classical? Even better if there is a songbook with the sheet music? Even better if it's available online? I'm looking to learn a few dozen songs with my free time in the Fall.
Cleaning gasoline stains from paint.
Over the last couple of years, I guess I overfilled the gas tank of my motorcycle each time that I stopped for gas and now there are streaks on the tank. Is it possible to clean those dried gasoline streaks? If so, what products and methods do you suggest? Or do I give up before starting and have the tank completely stripped and repainted?
25th Anniversary Gift?
My future in-laws are celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary this month. What can my fiancee, his 3 siblings and I get them that will make their day? [more inside]
The [Title] bone's connected to the [Lyrics] bone...
MySQL/PHPmyAdmin for a band: How do I easily create a repository of lyrics that can be brought in for multiple albums? [more inside]
What do I do with dead media and old discs?
The tyranny of data: what should I do with dead media and old data? [more inside]
WTF bin ich?
Korrekt? Ich bin ein Vegan. Ich bin Veganisch.
You have to be crazy to work in accounting, but since you want a job, you must not be crazy
Ok, this is getting ridiculous. I'm incredibly qualified for data entry work, but all the data entry in my area falls under the heading of "accounting". I'd love to get some accounting experience, but every job that would give me accounting experience requires at least a year of -- wait for it -- accounting experience. What can I do?
I'd like a keg to stand on...
PartyStoreFilter: Best place to buy kegs (decent prices, good selection) in the northeast Los Angeles area? [more inside]
Wontcha make my bad license, wontcha make my bad license, won'tcha make my bad license trueeeeeee?
How do people get legit with Windows licenses? [more inside]
Bringing the funhouse slide home... without the splinters?
I want to build the ultimate indoor slide [for kids, not adults]... help me plan it out. [more inside]
Surf camera leash?
Point and shoot surf photography: how do I hold onto my gear and swim in rough water? [more inside]
Oh, it's not a police car, just another taxi...
I have noticed that there are a lot of taxis that are Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptors. Are they actually old police cars or are they purchased new? [more inside]
Cooking Meat Safely
When barbecuing, are you increasing the meat contamination risk by using the same spatula from beginning to end? And what about grill presses? [more inside]
Why is it that salty things make me hungry for sweet things, and sweet things make me hungry for salty things?
Why is it that salty things make me hungry for sweet things, and sweet things make me hungry for salty things?
Recreations of famous paintings
Inspired by this picture recently featured on the flickr blog, can someone point me to other recreations of famous paintings?
brief stop in Alabama
What to do in the Riverchase Galleria area of Alabama (besides shop)? [more inside]
How do I fix a bent stiletto heel?
Alas, the 3 1/2-inch stiletto heel on one of my glorious Calvin Klein brown suede pumps has broken, after a year of intensive catwalking on NYC pavement. The steel rod inside the heel bent in half. I tried to straighten it out with a vise, but the heel bent again as soon as I tried to walk on it. The shoe repair guy I went to claimed it's impossible to fix. But I know I can fix it by replacing the steel rod. Any ideas on where to find one?
Do you have any tricks to ensure that you track your money?
Do you have any tricks to ensure that you track your money? [more inside]
dental self cleaning?
is it ok to do self cleaning of one's teeth with dental picks? [more inside]
FCP on a Plane... or, rather, a PowerBook
How are your experiences with Final Cut Pro on a PowerBook G4? [more inside]
Terminal illness and credit card debt
Suppose you have a terminal illness, and only have a few months to live. What's to keep you from running up huge credit card bills. Can the creditors make the next of kin pay up?
Sometimes it's good to be wrong.
Symptoms of skin cancer, in more detail. How fast does it develop? How worried should I be? Just from checking health websites I'm starting to panic and the only dermatologists I can get ahold of don't have any appointments open until late August. I have no primary care physician so checking it with them is out. My symptoms are inside. [more inside]
Weight of body parts
How much does a typical human adult male (a) arm (b) leg weigh? [more inside]
Quebec, French, Desert - I just can't remember the title of this film is all...
What is the title of this french-canadian film...that's also set outside Las Vegas? [more inside]
Make my car go away for free?
Recently, my little '90 Civic was towed away. Perhaps it was the fact that my car had been unregistered since November. Or it could have been the $900 in unpaid tickets. [more inside]
eBay Username Filter
A friend of mine has been running a successful business on eBay for several years selling collectibles related to the music industry. He is branching out into furniture and other antiques. He is thinking about using a separate user name from his regular business. There's [more inside]
Where should I camp in New England?
I live in Western Massachusetts and I'd like to go camping for a few days in the middle of the week in the beginning of August, perhaps somewhere in Maine. Requirements include proximity to the beach, scenic biking, and ... [more inside]
Idle hands are the devil's playthings.
The Devil went to Carolina,
Looking for a place to hide;
He found a pot,
And so he thought,
Now there will be [more inside]
Looking for a place to hide;
He found a pot,
And so he thought,
Now there will be [more inside]
Cataloging research materials
How do I catalogue (somewhat informally) a stack of letters, articles, photos and cassettes. I don't have any specialized software other than good old Excel and that MS database program (Access?). Thank you, fellow office zombies! [more inside]
Is one of my users trying to h4x0r
I need to know the process to set up a "evil twin" ad hoc network.
I think one of my users here may be trying to play around where they should not, and I need to know how to check if they are trying to set up a "evil twin" called "free wifi access" [more inside]
American history in fifteen books or less
Help me create a comprehensive reading list on American history [more inside]
Looking for the URL to a comic on a site that sells swords.
A while back someone posted a link to a web comic in one of the threads. unfortunately, I failed to bookmark it and cannot find it via searches. It was unusual in that the main web site was a eshop for swords and other fantasy weapons. The comic was a bit of an afterthought and difficult to dig up through a series of links within the site.
The comic itself was a tale about a son of a blacksmith who wasn't good at smithing himself. His companion was a cheeky intelligent sword that uttered acerbic opinions frequently.
Does this sound familiar to anyone?
My whack explanation needs refining
I have this weird theory involving ghosts (sort of) and I want to know if there are essays or writers out there with similar theories I can use to develop my own... [more inside]
How best to learn Drupal?
Can anyone recommend a book, group and/or person who can help us and give tips about developing a website in Drupal? [more inside]
Is there an online alternative to Quicken?
I've been tracking my expenses in Quicken in conjunction with using Bank of America's Internet site for bill payment. Primarily, I'd like to get better at managing my cash flow and keeping track of both how I spend my money and what big expenses are coming up. Quicken is working ok for me, but I've got two big problems with it - 1) in order to keep it someplace convenient for me to use it every day I've been storing it on my work computer, which I'm uncomfortable doing and also I'd like my husband to have access to the information, but there doesn't seem to be a good way for us to share the info. What I'd like is on an online solution that works similar to the way BofA works (shows what's cleared the bank, allow online bill payment) but also lets me enters transactions like checks I've written so I (and my husband) know they will clear the bank soon and that we really don't _have_ that money and will let me keep a calendar of upcoming expenses so I can know what my cash flow situation is. I've looked around and all I've found so far was http://www.mvelopes.com which seemed unnecessarily complicated and not calendar based which is really what I'm looking for. I'd like to be able to look at the whole month in advance and see exactly when my bills are due. And again, it needs to be something online so I can access it from any computer and so that my husband and I can both use it. Is there anything like that out there?
Budget DVD authoring in a nutshell.
Looking for better DVD authoring software. [more inside]
Things to do in Greenwich, CT?
Things to do in Greenwich, CT? [more inside]
SQLFilter: Advancing Dates
How can I increment a value directly using SQL? [more inside]
Best day trip beach from Orlando?
Where is the best beach day trip from Orlando? [more inside]
Laptop has gone dim ...
I left my HP/Compaq laptop in my work bag an un-air conditioned part of the house during the 90-degree weekend. I can't imagine that it was under sustained temperatures any higher than 85 deg., give or take the high humidity. This morning, the screen is ultra-dim. Is this likely to be an effect of the heat?
Anyone use Look in Toronto?
Does anyone have experience using Look for digital television in Toronto? [more inside]
Help me make a great slideshow for Mom!
Any ideas for how to put together a great slideshow with music for a birthday party? [more inside]
My girlfriend has no sensation in her breasts
My girlfriend has no sensation in her breasts. [more inside]
Suppose you could help jumpstart a real progressive youth movement.
Help me prepare a presentation on the use of social media, especially networks like facebook and myspace, to help grow and enhance progressive youth groups, particularly College Democrats. [more inside]
Can you help me identify this current hip hop track with lots of MCs on it?
Hip hop song identification plea: the song is super-minimal, recently released, and has lots and lots of MCs on it. [more inside]
Cool Camping Crap
Help me be the coolest camper on the block...er field. [more inside]
How to rotate a masthead.
How do I create a rotating masthead on my blog? [more inside]
What does it mean to "be yourself?"
How do you "be yourself?" [more inside]
July 16
Quest for daylight?
MovieFilter: Name this 70s or 80s Sci Fi flick I remember seeing in daycare. There's a hero who has to play a futuristic version of chess/checkers against Sasquach in order to cross a retracting bridge. [more inside]
My old Saturday School teachers would kill me if they saw this.
Dog discussion websites for the Dallas area?
I'm looking for a Dallas website with forums where I could chat about dogs (local dog parks, good trainers, veterinarians). I've been using craigslist but would like something geared more towards Texas (Dallas/Addison area). The CL pet section just doesn't have enough local people to chat with and I'm not sure where else to look. [more inside]
Is there any advantage to running portable applications rather than their normal equivalents from your hard drive?
Is there any advantage to running portable applications rather than their normal equivalents from your hard drive? [more inside]
PC Mac Mini equivalent
What's the Mac Mini equivalent in the Windows world? [more inside]
You've hit it on the head...
Toddler capabilities. What are 14- to 18-months old capable of doing with regard to physical safety? [more inside]
Wounded on Death Row: still executable?
Let’s say you’re on Death Row and you break your leg the night before your scheduled execution. Do they have to nurse you back to health before they can kill you? [more inside]
Living with both Keratoconus and Astigmatism
Has anyone sucessfully had keratoconus and astigmatism treated at the same time? [more inside]
My guide to the visible night sky?
Observational astronomy aids in Palm OS 3 format? "Current viewable at this location and time" information about satellites a huge plus. [more inside]
What's the worst that could happen?
My power supply is whining, but I'm okay with that. Do I really need to buy a new one? [more inside]
Please help me pick an appropriate set of speakers and a subwoofer.
Please help me pick an appropriate set of speakers and a subwoofer. [more inside]
Sort of a porn related question
Psst... porn related question (thread/links probably NSFW). [more inside]
Herpes + Marriage?
Question for those of you who are married/committed where one partner has genital herpes: Is there a time frame after which you'd consider not using condoms? [more inside]
Remapped or Broken Keyboard - And I didn't even kill my daughter!
My daughter stepped on my laptop. Now some of the keys are remapped to the wrong keys, some of them don't work at all. I can't even log into windows now. Am S.O.L.? [more inside]
Golden Girls quote
What Golden Girls is the quote "I like celery, I like tomatoes, I don't like broccoli. Why force it down my throat?" from? [more inside]
Free or subsidized therapy in Toronto?
Depressed and broke in Toronto ... is there such a thing as therapy covered by OHIP? [more inside]
How to handle vapor barrier around electrical boxes?
How do I seal holes in the vapor barrier around electrical wires? [more inside]
High-res image or print of Pedro grabbing Zim's head
Where can I get a really high-resolution image (or big print) of Pedro Martinez throwing Don Zimmer to the ground? It would be an image like this or this. [more inside]
Good OCR options?
Is there a good OCR program that can convert my old government science papers into nice electronic replicas? [more inside]
Why do opposites attract?
Do opposites really attract? And if so, why? What is it about opposites, specifically personality types, that makes some relationships click? [more inside]
Corrupt from day one?
How were early American political campaigns funded? [more inside]
The mp3 player ate my homework
My cheapo mp3 player broke the win32 file system on my flash card, and so destroyed the pictures I had stored on it. How can I recover them? [more inside]
Worried about my authorship in PhD publications
Computer Sc. PhD student: Should I be worried that I am the second author in most of my publications ? [more inside]
How can I tell how many of my website's users have Quicktime 7 installed?
How can I tell how many of my website's users have Quicktime 7 installed? [more inside]
tv tuner?
Watching Tv on the PC, tv tuner choices? [more inside]
I can't enter data into a query based on two tables in a one to many relationship.
I have two tables in access, linked by a one to many relationship. I've made a query that pulls the information I want from both tables into one place. But now I can't type any data into the query or the form I made based on the query. Why not? [more inside]
Help me speak Welsh!
Who knows how to pronounce Welsh near Chapel Hill, NC? I think I'd like to throw a small party at which we all learn the basics of pronouncing Welsh, and I'd love to find an expert, preferably one with experience teaching, to help us. [more inside]
quiet window air conditioner?
Can anyone recommend a very very quiet window unit air conditioner? [more inside]
Free LAN Software Recommendations?
Any free 2000/XP networking software the hive mind can recommend? [more inside]
May I ask a (German) favor?
What's a "German Favor"? [more inside]
Buddhists and marraige
Are Buddhist monks and nuns in the U.S. allowed to marry and have children? Or are they supposed to be celibate?
Thigh-rubbing friction
For all the big-thighed women out there... In hot weather, do you have problems with wearing skirts sans pantyhose and walking any distance? If so, how do you deal with the inner-thigh chafing? [more inside]
Help with gmail on firefox?
I give up. Question about gmail opening in the same window then closing when I send the message. Using Firefox. [more inside]
yellow pills animation
Animation search: I'm looking for a short cartoon (possibly mid 90's when it was made) with a chronically wheezing guy who goes to the doctor for yellow pills. He travels in thick smog, which turns out is coming from the factory making the yellow pills. It's in color, but I don't think there is any speech. That's all I got, sorry. :/
Shimer College - Help
Does anyone know about "Shimer College"? [more inside]
How can I keep track of my progress towards personal goals?
Is there a web-based "Balanced Scorecard"-application available for individuals to evaluate progress towards goals in their personal lives? I know there are applications like NetWorthIQ for finance and several services (like FitDay) for tracking fitness/diets/weight loss. I am looking for a "personal dashboard" where I can create metricks to track all my goals -- including finance and fitness/diets, but also education, work, love life, etc -- preferably with charting...
Honda Civic Si Suspension - too bumpy?
There's a wait list for the Honda Civic Si, so I can't test drive it. Can you help me know how it will compare to the Civic EX and/or Mini Cooper? [more inside]
Find a file that isn't there?
I need a (Linux) shell command. Ready? [more inside]
Help me recycle my old electronics
Can anyone recommend a cheap (i.e. doesn't charge or barely charges) place to recycle electronics (very old computer, monitor, scanner, printer) in North Jersey? [more inside]
Grandmother returns products every chance she gets...why?
Why does my Grandmother always return products? [more inside]
elevator malfunction
I am currently renting a home that has an installed elevator built by American Crescent, that spans three floors. It appears to be 'jammed'... [more inside]
Cheaper cellphone texting from the UK to the USA.
How can I save money sending hundreds of SMS messages (and making occasional phonecalls) from my UK mobile phone to a USA cell? [more inside]
Who first rapped "my name is __ and I'm here to say..."
In what rap song do we first hear this much-imitated lyric pattern?
"my name is ____ and i'm here to say...
[followed by a line that rhymes with 'say']"
Was there an actual sincere use of this rhyme by a hip-hop artist, or was this conceived of as a joke from the start?
It may be hard to have an answer for sure, but perhaps we can approach the origins by listing examples and dates for the examples.
One of the more ridiculous instances I've seen is the Sushi K rap in Snow Crash.
Help us upgrade our gaming PC without breaking the bank.
Help us upgrade our gaming PC without breaking the bank. [more inside]
Help me geek out in Cambridge, MA
I'm scheduled to be in Cambridge, MA from August 1-4 for a training class, and I'm looking for geek/tech-oriented ways to pass my downtime. [more inside]
July 15
Good translations of the world's religious texts?
Gandhi suggests that every person should read the major religious texts of the world, translated by people who wish to convey the beauty of their religion. I'd like to start with the Qu'ran and the Bhagavad Gita (though suggestions for the others are appreciated). Find me some good translations! [more inside]
Corked wine identification?
This wine's cork has gritty brown crystal and organic matter on the bottom. What is that? Is it bad? I don't want to drink it until i know... [more inside]
(NYC, Japanese) Martial arts recommendations, please!
I'm looking for recommendations for martial arts instruction in the New York City area, with an emphasis on those of Japanese origin; and/or recommendations for which such art(s) to consider. [more inside]
reading in Russian
What should I read in Russian and where can I get it? [more inside]
Help me design a website + sex
Web-design help? SQL server? [more inside]
How do I learn magic?
I want to learn magic. [more inside]
What happened to me?
Did this lousy childhood happen to anyone else? [more inside]
Wherefore iTunes stats for podcasts?
How many podcasts are in the iTunes directory? [more inside]
Where do you go to take over someone's cell contract
I'm looking to take over someone's Verizon Family Plan cell contract (preferably one that has less than 6 months to go). Is there a popular/effective website where folks who want to get out of their cell contracts can meet folks who are interested in taking them over? This seems like a nobrainer to those who don't want to pay a cancellation fee due to circumstances in their life. And if anyone knows anyone who is trying to get out of a verizon family plan, send them my way! Thanks!
What is the price of evacuation?
After reading this (second to last paragraph) and thinking about this situation, how much do they charge you for evacuation? [more inside]
sword fighting games
I'm looking for PC Sword fighting games, in the style of the old boshido blade games... doesent have to be commercial
If a digital camera says it can handle USB 2.0, does that mean it won't work in a USB 1.0 port?
If a digital camera says it can handle USB 2.0, does that mean it won't work in a USB 1.0 port? I'm in the market for a digital camera, and have been looking at the Canon PowerShot series, namely the A620, SD450, and SD600. All of these have USB 2.0 listed as the interface. However, my 800mhz G4 Powerbook has USB 1.0. Does this mean those cameras won't play nice with my laptop?
What neat things can I do with my new cellphone?
What awesome services are there for cell phones? [more inside]
help me purchase a cnc router
I have been tasked with purchasing a CNC router for a small art program. Looking for advice on what to get and not to get. [more inside]
School of hard....weather?
Advice for an aspiring broadcast meteorologist. [more inside]
Japanese text messages. Nothing but mojibake?
Cell phone help: I want to send/receive Japanese text messages/email from my cell phone in the US. Is this possible? [more inside]
Corporate governance, esp. for small business
How does corporate governance work in a small- or micro-business environment? [more inside]
The legality of lane-splitting.
BC Motorcycle Riders and Lawyers: is lane-splitting actually illegal in BC, or assumed illegal? [more inside]
Flame suit on.
Without starting a flame war; is it possible to be Anti-Zionist, without being Anti-semitic? [more inside]
It's so gross!
Please help me figure out how to replace this nightmare of a (rental) counter! See [more inside]
Boost Volume on MacBook Pro?
How do I boost the volume output on my MacBook Pro? Even with everything maxed out it barely dents the volume my old Gateway produced. Is there a hack that will allow me to take the governor off?
Practical Jokes Involving Kids
Practical Joke Filter: I need some clever prank ideas that can involve kids. [more inside]
Single guy needs furniture.
Please recommend your living room set if you like it! [more inside]
oooh, that's gotta hurt
Is it possible to seriously hyperextend your knee without doing any permanent damage? Nauseating details inside. [more inside]
How tall was Jesus?
How tall was Jesus? [more inside]
Glueckschmerz. Help?
When someone else wins, I feel like a loser, even if I'm not involved. How can I stop feeling this way? [more inside]
Quality Nintendo DS Titles...
What are your favorite Nintendo DS games? [more inside]
High quality album art?
I need high quality album art (> 450px square), and I am willing to pay for it. Anybody know anything? Obviously the iTunes Album Art hack doesn't work and freecovers.net is unreliable, annoying, and the images are sometimes not very crisp.
Open Source Trouble Ticket system help - OTRS or other
Open Source Ticket system - I am looking at OTRS, but cannot figure out if the system can send alerts to a supervisor/co-worker if a ticket is not resolved within a certain period of time. Any pointers? Any other open source trouble ticket systems out there that can do this?
Perl Peril
Can anybody suggest a gentle forum or mailing list for a Perl newbie? [more inside]
Why won't amazon.com load in Firefox?
Why won't amazon.com load in Firefox? [more inside]
Excel help needed
How do I work with (merge) these 2 Excel Spreadsheets? [more inside]
Where to travel from Stockholm for 2-3 days?
What are some good side trips from Stockholm? [more inside]
Intellectual property is theft!
Legal status of creative works from the USSR. [more inside]
Where can I find an comfortable alternative to New Balance sneakers?
Where can I find wide-width casual shoes in New York? I'm looking for alternatives to New Balance. [more inside]
The Best Binoculars
What are the best binoculars I can buy for my money?
Why do children in the United States perfom so poorly in math?
Why do children in the United States perform so poorly in math? [more inside]
no one really listens to the music unless it sucks...
Playlist help: Having a party at my place for a bunch of trendy 20 something new yorkers, what songs should I be sure to play? [more inside]
Date stamp on prints from Canon EOS 20D?
Is there a way to include a date stamp on prints taken with a Canon EOS 20D digital SLR? [more inside]
Whats the process like for trademarking a new for a multi-media studio that does music videos and short films?
Whats the process like for trademarking a new for a multi-media studio that does music videos and short films? [more inside]
July 14
Oh Montreal
I live in New Zealand. In general I have no desire whatsoever to visit North America, except... for some reason I have a hankering to see Montreal. Why should I? (I blame Mordecai Richler.)
TO delicacy?
Is there Toronto specific food? [more inside]
Franco Cozzo TV jingle
Can anyone name (or ideally point me to an mp3 of) the old Franco Cozzo theme music? [more inside]
Duh nuh nu nuh nu nu nuh nuh Oh Yeah!
Do cheap sunglasses protect you from the sun at all? [more inside]
How to find Mac owners in my county?
I want to expand my business by sending out a postcard to Macintosh owners in my county. How can I get their addresses? [more inside]
Help us find a ROM!
Name that classic arcade game! [more inside]
1st person Persective Film
Remember that MASH episode that was entirely filmed from the perspective of the wounded soldier? He couldn't talk, but he could nod, and when he nodded the camera would nod, like you were looking out his eyes. I'm wondering if there have been any films created from a 1st person perspective. [more inside]
zip code map for boston
boston zip code map - online? [more inside]
Where can I access back issues (or copies thereof) of the expensive, limited-run Visionaire magainze?
Where can I access back issues (or copies thereof) of the expensive, limited-run Visionaire magazine? Can you recommend any libraries that have extensive collections of fashion publications? [more inside]
How can I broadcast real-time screen capture video to multiple other computers on a network?
How can I broadcast real-time screen capture video to multiple other computers on a network? [more inside]
chat between a Mac and a PC
I have a Logitech Messenger webcam and a Mac (10.3.9) and I downloaded the macam software. How do I chat with a friend who has a PC and another Logitech webcam? Should we use AIM? Yahoo? Excuse me if the question's too easy but I'm a total webcam n00b and what I found on Google is quite contradictory. Thanks!
Modern music that sounds like the eighties?
I love 80s New Wave synthpop in a completely non-ironic way. I came of age with this music, and it's still a big part of my life. What contemporary music has that mid-80s synthpop vibe? I'm looking for both individual artists and songs. (For example, I think Kylie Minogue's "I Believe in You" has an 80s vibe, but not everything of hers does. But The Postal Service would be right at home in 1984.) Here are some examples of what I'm looking for: [more inside]
Shared walls in San Francisco
How annoying is living with shared walls in San Francisco? [more inside]
Lasik recommendations for Ottawa
My brother is interested in getting laser eye surgery and is looking for a doctor in (or near) Ottawa, Canada. [more inside]
Soapy cheese
Why does my cheese taste like soap? [more inside]
80s Super Hero Program?
Does anyone remember an older (80s) live action TV about a group of people with super powers? I have a terribly, terribly, terribly vague recollection of it. I seem to recall one guy could shrink and one could freeze things. I also seem to recall them all wearing the same jumpsuit. It may, honestly, have only been a TV special but I recall a short series that I may have made up on my own.
Voting in Foreign Elections
Can I vote in the Dutch elections in November? I have dual US and Netherlands citizenship. I have only voted in US elections in the past, never in Holland. How do I find out if I can vote in the upcoming Dutch elections, what I need to do, etc., and importantly, will I jeopardize my US citizenship by doing so? Thank you.
I've just had this hissed at me for the second time.
Arabic speaking mefites: What does "(pu)ta karaysee " (sic) mean? [more inside]
Rice. it gets me all choked up!
Can someone explain the seemingly common phenomenon that your throat feels weird when you eat rice too quickly? [more inside]
i know a guy, who has a friend, who knows this other guy, who heard about someone maybe wanting to talk to a pro about...
i'm curious if anyone has experience getting counseling or therapy (for career-advice/depression/whathaveyou), *without* losing the security clearance (and hence the job)? or scotching chances to get another job where a clearance is all-too-assuredly-required (here in d.c.)? how is that done? alternatively, where could...my friend...go to read about the policies attending to such a quandary? kthxby. [more inside]
Why was my kitty spazzing out in her sleep?
What the hell was happening to my cat last night? [more inside]
How can I get the files off an old 40 Meg Syquest disc?
Are there any companies out there that will transfer files from obsolete removable media? [more inside]
Out of my dome to see Half Dome in a day?
Am I crazy to spend only 1 day (2 nights) in the Yosemite Park area? We've got a limited budget, and Yosemite is just one stop in our road trip down the PCH. [more inside]
Nuke Duplicate Firefox Extensions
How do I remove duplicate extensions from Firefox 1.5 Mac? [more inside]
"Kick the kid with one shoe" commercial origin?
There was a commercial that featured an older caucasian male (possibly Scottish/Irish) reminiscing not-too-fondly about a childhood game called "kick the kid with one shoe." What was that commercial advertising? [more inside]
What should she read?
Help me find a book for someone who doesn't like to read. [more inside]
viagra for plugs
How do you secure a plug so that even if someone yanks on the chord, it doesn't come out of an outlet? It does need to be POSSIBLE to get the plug out sometimes, and it won't work to glue/staple the chord to the wall, because sometimes equipment needs to be moved to another room. [more inside]
Some guitar micing/recording questions
Metafilter music has re-invigorated me to get some stuff recorded (thanks matt!) and I am going to need some help. Mostly I have questions about getting ideal guitar sounds recorded. [more inside]
Secure free/cheap video hosting site
Is there a secure, free video hosting service for my .mpg home movies? [more inside]
Name that Street Sign Typeface!
What typeface comes closest to that shown on this street sign? [more inside]
stillnouvistics??!!??
so i'm in this email chat with a new grad school colleague who seems awful smart, and she just unloaded this one on me:
"dantean stillnuovistics"
nothing on google. nothing on wiki. nothing on dictionary.com. anybody know what the hell this could possibly be referring to? (yeah, i get the Dante part).
What are the Marine Corps Daily Dozen
I would like to know what some of these Marine Corps calisthenic exercises are. [more inside]
How to delete mail without first moving it to the trash?
In Entourage 2004, with an exchange account, is there a way to immediately delete selected messages without first having to move them to the Deleted Items folder? [more inside]
Reel-to-reel audio tape desires loving transfer to contemporary format
Old (circa-fifties) reel-to-reel audiotape: how do I read it and get it on CD or hard disk? [more inside]
How is my neice's baby related to me? And to my son?
My neice is due to give birth any day now to a little boy. How will her new son be related to me? (ie. grand-nephew?) And what will be his relationship to my son?
Any help finding an online resource for determining relationships such as this would be appreciated.
Need help with NiagaraFalls trip during the Sep1-4 Labor day weekend.
NiagaraFalls filter: Wifey and I (not US citizens), are planning a trip to Niagara Falls Canada side from Austin, TX during Sep 1-4 weekend. Need help with several things. [more inside]
Romance in San Francisco?
I'm looking for not-too-expensive, romantic things/places in San Francisco. [more inside]
Yick I smell bad...
Smelly Filter: I have an awesome watch with a "genuine leather" wrist band. In the summer heat I can't find a way to keep it from smelling. [more inside]
Hot window breeze or cool car breeze?
What is more fuel efficient? Driving with your window(s) down, or with the air conditioner on? [more inside]
New York rental agent referral?
New York rental agent referral. My recently single, now-homeless coworker's current residence is my couch, and that's not OK for yet another week. [more inside]
What $20 gift is good for a 15-year-old boy (not a book)?
What gift can I get for my godson who is turning 15 years old? He will not read a book. I'm thinking $15-$20. [more inside]
Best Man Speech Help
I am the best man at an upcoming wedding. i have the speech almost completely written and i am happy with it. the one problem i have is how do i start it? i really want to thank the bride/groom parents and people for attending but every attempt at writing that down comes out as incredibly awkward. please, any advice is much appreciated. [more inside]
Whats good on the boob tube?
Is there a place to easily discover new tv shows? It would ideally just list (with short descriptions) all the new series, and when they start. [more inside]
Culinary career change?
Am I batshitinsane for considering an Associates Degree in Culinary Arts at 27 years of age while holding a BBA and having some great experience? Before you comment, please read the [more inside]
Gonorrhea -- Now What?
So I think I went out and got myself a case of gonorrhea. (Just what I always wanted!) What are my treatment options for getting this taken care of ASAP? I understand that it can generally be handled with a course of antibiotics... but how can I best go about getting them? I don't have a regular doctor right now -- I've just made an appointment with a new doctor for the end of the month, but I'd prefer to get on top of this before then (since leaving it unattended for more than two weeks seems like a bad idea). I'm a gay guy in NYC, so advice specific to that milieu would be superb, but in the name of creating a valuable reference thread I'd be interested to see information aimed at less specific contexts as well. [more inside]
How do I learn to forgive?
How do I learn to forgive my father? [more inside]
From a t-shirt idea to a geek badge of pride
I've come up with the one geek/holiday-related T-shirt idea to rule them all. Its will just be plain text on a black t-shirt, not unlike the thinkgeek.com shirts. Where do I go from here? [more inside]
Converting Postrges-specific query to Mysql
I need help converting a Postgres-specific SQL query to MySQL [more inside]
What makes web ads work?
What data is there, academic or otherwise, on the effectiveness of various types of web advertisements? [more inside]
Help name a retro-style burger joint in Georgia!
Help name a new burger restaurant in Georgia! [more inside]
How do I tell my friend I have strong feelings for him without being too intense?
I've known a great guy for about 5 years and we have all the facets of a wonderful relationship... So how can I find the courage to tell him I want one? It's so hard to just blurt it out, and we have a pretty light-hearted relationship where we laugh more than anything, so I don't know how to be all dramatic and "I need to get something off my chest" - I need to be funny, casual and still genuine. [more inside]
External drives recognized, but not mounting
My 2 external hard drives (that I use with my Powerbook G4), which worked fine last week, are recognized, and Disk Utility *says* they're mounting, but they do not appear on my desktop. I cannot access the files or copy new items. [more inside]
Need some wheels.
Looking for a wheel kit for my ATA case. [more inside]
Intuitionism?
I just finished Rebecca Goldstein's (excellent) book Incompleteness. If I'm understanding this correctly, Godel's theorems were instrumental in ending logical postitivism, by showing that the movement could never produce a mathematical system which defines arithmetic while being complete and self-consistent. So what about Intuitionism? Isn't that nominalist as well, and subject to the same logical inconsistencies? How do they answer this? (Also, any relevant book suggestions would be appreciated)
Why am i so tired??
Why am I so tired????? [more inside]
My Samsung DLP tv is completely messed up!
My Samsung DLP HDTV is giving me major grief. I was having minor convergence issues on the cable component and then yesterday I came home and there is huge blue streaking on all the components! It looks as if the blue projection has been bent across the top and bottom of the screen. [more inside]
Looking for Keith Floyd TV Shows
Multiple Mac Migration
Is it possible/advisable/etc. to use Migration Assistant to migrate data to one Mac from more than one Mac? [more inside]
Scared of the Dark
Two part question. I'm afraid of the dark. When I go to sleep I either leave the TV going, or the door open and a nearby light on. If I don't do this then I lie in the dark and watch shadows move, I'm on edge, and I lay awake for hours.
This would be fine if I was 8, but I'm nearly 30.
Am I the only adult in the world with this phobia?
I'm planning to travel soon and will be staying in places that don't have a regular electricity supply, so I'll need to be comfortable in the dark.
Painter's block!
I want to paint my car (even though 'artcars' are so '90). It is old and ugly. I need help with choosing a theme/design/inspiration. [more inside]
One week in India--what to do?
I'm going to India with my girlfriend for 8 days in late August. I've just got my Lonely Planet guide, but it's my first time there and I'm not sure what would be a good itinerary. For such a short trip, we can't venture too far from Dehli (we fly in there, fly out a week later). We're taking the requisite visit to Agra to see the Taj Mahal, but I've read there's not much else there, so I want to know other places in the area worth seeing. [more inside]
Help me get my old my documents files
My old Dell just died, bought a new toshiba, am able to get some but not all files from old computer. Help me get the rest! [more inside]
God's watching me have sex!
[ReligiousSexGuiltFilter] How can I lift the mental block that seems to be impending my ability to enjoy sex without turning into a blubbering mass of paranoia? [more inside]
July 13
Planning a California Road Bike Trip
California or southwest geography buffs -- a great 200 miles of travel, starting within a day's drive of San Francisco? Road bike tourers -- tips on preparing for and planning a bicycle tour? [more inside]
Which sites use these colors?
Which websites use color schemes similiar to this ?
Missing Capa
How can I get access to a copy of the American Masters episode Robert Capa: In Love and War? [more inside]
fragile, expensive... broken
Help me diagnose my broken expensive headphones… again. [more inside]
myspace, WTF?
Why is MySpace so popular? [more inside]
self auditing
How do you audit yourself? [more inside]
Reverse Rosenberg
How many US citizens (including, but not limited to, employees of US espionage) lost their lives, careers or had family members hurt or killed as a direct or indirect result of Valerie Plame's cover status being blown? [more inside]
Moving to the UK for almost a year, can I keep my USA cell phone number?
I don't know anything about cellular providers in the UK, which is where I will be living for nine months starting this September. I need a phone in the UK, but I will also need one when I return to the US after nine months. I have a verizon cell phone right now, but I my two year agreement with them has expired, so I can cancel without being charged a termination fee. What are my best/least expensive options? [more inside]
Escape from Lebanon
Help me get my sister out of Lebanon! [more inside]
Can I get rid of the alcohol in a tincture?
Here's one for all the chemistry majors out there. I'm going to be making an herbal tincture using Everclear as the solvent. After the tincture has been made, is it possible to get rid of the alcohol by heating the solution gently in a double boiler without affecting the potency of the tincture? [more inside]
Wherever we go, there we are, but where from?
Is vegetarian-ism based on wealth/class?
Is vegetarianism based on wealth or class? [more inside]
Help me learn to properly mix tracks.
Help me learn to properly mix tracks. [more inside]
I will buy square wheel before I buy another Netgear router.
I want to plug a WPA-enabled Netgear WGR614 POS-edition (that I hate) into a WEP-using Linksys WRT54G (that I love). It doesn't work, and I'm about ready to inentionally brick the Netgear just out of spite. [more inside]
Gay to Straight Woes
Have any MeFites had experience dating someone of the opposite sex after previously only being attracted to members of the same sex? [more inside]
Whatcha gonna do with all that junk; all that junk inside your trunk?
[Break-up Filter] What do I do with all this stuff? [more inside]
Where is Chicago balls deep?
Is there any brick and mortar in Chicago where I can acquire some juggling equipment? [more inside]
Out Of Control
The CTRL keys on my Kinesis Advantage ergonomic keyboard have suddenly gone wrong. Why? [more inside]
Lots to do in LA when you're lost
LA nightclub recommendations - or in fact, anything to do or places to go in LA over the weekend? [more inside]
Selling a guitar
I have a fairly steel-string guitar (an 1987 Alvarez Yari DY77). I'd rather have an inexpensive guitar and some cash. Would I do better to sell the guitar on eBay, or to trade it at a guitar store? Any recommendations for guitar stores in the Seattle area?
Learning to play guitar Old World style.
How/where can I learn some simple, instrumental spanish guitar-sounding songs on my acoustic? Attn: SpecialK. [more inside]
What are they fighting about now?
Why is Israel and Palestine so important on the world stage? [more inside]
MacBook Pro Hissing
I just got a new MacBook Pro 15.4 (1.83 GHz). Everything's great, except for a hissing from the right-hand internal speaker anytime a sound plays through it. When just idle, in Word for example, there is no noise. But anytime a sound-using program is booted, iTunes or GarageBand for example, there is a continual hissing and popping noise, similar to fuzz on a television screen, that is very loud. Anytime a system sounds plays, such as the Trash sound, hissing accompanies it. The only way to make the noise stop is to plug in headphones, or external computer speakers. This hissing only occurs through the internal speakers. Does anyone know how to stop this annoying sound?
UML Certification
Which UML Certification is the best choice? IBM OOAD/UML or OMG Certification? [more inside]
WMV + DRM + maybe OSX = SUX
Help me defeat Thai internet television cooking show WMV DRM! [more inside]
What are good, easy part-time jobs?
What are good, easy part-time jobs? [more inside]
Managing my GTD wiki is cutting in to my productivity
Using MonkeyGTD 1.0.5, the source html file gets way too big over time when "done" items are crossed off the list. [more inside]
How do I explain feminism to my sister?
Feminism Filter: How do I explain feminism to my sister? [more inside]
He won't. stop. waving.
Really-vague-book-(or movie)-filter: Looking for a boy in a stamp [more inside]
Suggestions for an architecture thesis?
My girlfriend is in the brainstorming stage of her architecture thesis and leaning toward sustainable community planning — any ideas? [more inside]
Photoshop question
Simple photoshop question... How do I replace all pixels of one color with a different color? (in photoshop 7.0).
I'm trying to get a leg up on the competition.
Where do I find foot prostheses/shoes designed like those pictured and described in this article? [more inside]
Where do I find investors?
MoneyFilter: Where would a 21 year old college student look for investors willing to help said student get started building wealth? [more inside]
Birthday present for a 4 year old boy?
What to get a 4 year old boy for his birthday? I know nothing about 4 year olds or boys... [more inside]
The Science of Herbs and Spices?
Cookingfilter: How do you decide which and how many herbs and spices to use? [more inside]
Important Theoretical Works from the 21st Century?
In 2001 Norton released the Norton Anthology of Theory and Criticism. Stuart Moulthrop's 1993 article "You Say You Want a Revolution?" was the most recent piece included. If the Anthology were to be updated which more recent articles are important enough that they might be candidates for inclusion? [more inside]
sexy baby and bad connection?
can I turn a wireless router into a range extender/relay? [more inside]
yet another mp3 player question
Help me select an MP3 player. [more inside]
Need help finding a cheap car for a tall guy
My 6 foot 5 inch tall friend is looking for a car. He doesn't have too much money to throw around, but he's tired of being cramped. TALL PEOPLE! What do you drive? [more inside]
What song is this?
Song I heard at a salsa club last night.. [more inside]
I've got a lot of pent up drumming. Where can I release it by the hour in Manhattan?
Where can I rent a room and a drum set by the hour in Manhattan? [more inside]
Hot tubbing time! Maybe.
Any thoughts on buying a new spa? [more inside]
Editing Seem Files for RAZR
Anyone have experience with changing "seem files" on Verizon's Motorola Razr Vc3 cell phone? I am a Mac user but have an intel Macbook with windows running via Parallels. Most of the directions on various web pages appear to be written for advanced windows users. Is there anyone with suggestions for the best web page description of overcoming the crippled BT OBEX or with personal experience? Or would you advise against even trying. [more inside]
San Francisco - friend with new baby - help!
Help for a friend who has just had a c-section in San Francisco [more inside]
Help me find out about an ill remembered well known (oxymoron, I know) photograph.
Help me find out about an ill remembered well known (oxymoron, I know) photograph. [more inside]
How is this a good diet?
Has anyone here tried Nutrisystem? [more inside]
Should I be worried about this background investigation?
I'm looking for advice from people who have undergone or conducted a police background investigation, relating to references, credit history, and legal intoxicants. [more inside]
Is it possible for a woman to have genital canker sores and *not* have Behcet's Disease?
Is it possible for a woman to have genital canker sores and *not* have Behcet's Disease? [more inside]
german translation
Could some please translate a couple of phrases from German for me? [more inside]
Find me an alarm clock that doesn't suck.
AlarmClockFilter: I'm picky about exactly what I need for an alarm clock and I'd like to harness your collective searching powers to find what I want [more inside]
Tourism in the Vatican City
A co-worker and I were talking about the Vatican City as a tourist locale, and came up on some questions that we can't find answers to easily. For those questions, check the... [more inside]
Good billing/invoicing software for Mac
Good billing/invoicing software for Mac that's suited to a graphic designer's needs?
la ilaha illa rihla
I just finished reading a book on Ibn Battuta's travels throughout the medieval Muslim world and I really enjoyed it. I am looking for non-European travel narratives from over 300 years ago or so (pre-1700s). Any suggestions as to the best books of this type, either the originals or more mediated presentations?
Beijing Construction Blues?
Beijing Mefites: Will the construction for the 2008 Olympics in Beijing interfere with a trip there this autumn? [more inside]
Who writes your favourite light verse?
Ogden Nash made quite a splash.
And somewhat darker, Dottie Parker.
Silverstein was near divine,
And all revere old Edward Lear.
But now I suffer from a curse:
My thirst for rhyme has grown perverse!
I need a doctor or a nurse;
My problem is becoming worse.
So lest I end up in a hearse,
Please point me t'wards some more light verse!
Books about nomads?
I have an idle craving for knowledge. Specifically, I'd like to read some books about nomadic cultures - the Bedouin, Mongolian, Gypsies, Train-riding... any group really. Any suggestions?
Weekday-appropriate songs?
I would like a wake-up song or sound file for each day of the week. Wake up, everybody! There's [more inside]
Look under your seat!
Help me get someone else on a TV talk show. [more inside]
Sweatpants Snob
Help me find comfortable sweatpants. [more inside]
How long is a check really good for?
Is an arbitrary "not valid after..." date printed on a check enforceable? I thought checks were good for a year. [more inside]
So I'm the victim of a hit and run... now what?
Advice on filing an accident report where I'm not at fault, but was in a situation that commonly defines me as being at fault? (Chicago, IL if that matters, oh and the vehicle who hit me left the scene) [more inside]
Why do dropped wifi connections cripple my computer?
My wifi connection drops when I stream radio requiring a full restart of my computer to repair the connection. Any ideas on how to isolate and fix the problem? [more inside]
Help coming up with a name for my dessert company...
Following up on this AskMe, I have my first customer: dessert for 15 ppl in late August. (Woohoo!) However, I still need to come up with a name for this dessert/catering company. Suggestions? [more inside]
How to fix the number format of an Excel file
Is it possible to stipulate that a Microsoft Excel file will always display a specific number format e.g. the Anglo-American decimal point, regardless of the local settings of the computer where it is viewed? [more inside]
Office productivity and website blocking?
Are there any studies which show a correlation between office productivity and website monitoring/blocking that have not been funded or produced by a website monitoring/blocking company?
"God gave us memory so that we might have roses in December"
Please describe to me your most interesting idea for a method of documenting a road trip. [more inside]
Ergonomic Mouse suggestions?
Any suggestions for a good ergonomic mouse for my computer? Can be wired or wireless (I have a PC.) Tendonitis in my hand, wrist, arm is killing me!!
poor student wants to eat
Cheap student food. [more inside]
Suggest eccentricities for me to adopt
In my quest to become more distinctive, I'm looking for suggestions of harmless eccentricities to adopt. Who better than the MeFi hive mind to provide them? Anecdotes of eccentric folk you've known in the past welcome.
I'm Starving! Help Me Eat!
Help a girl who is kitchen challenged and has goofy food restrictions put together a grocery shopping list/easy meal ideas. [more inside]
Car Lease Question
How to get out of a car lease with the least amount of pain. A family member leased a car for commuting after she ran the numbers and found that a lease was less expensive than purchase and then private sale after five years. They are now working from home and do not need a personal car. The lease holder will take the car back, sell it at auction, subtract that from the balance on the contract and she will make up the balance. This balance due for early release number is about $5K over the retail sale value of the car. Anyone out there who has dealt with this problem? Can leases on cars be transferred?
Name a fundraiser night for cancer treatments
Help me come up with a witty name for a fundraising night for a friend's Herceptin (Trastuzumab) treatments. [more inside]
Day Classes in Honolulu/Oahu?
Day classes in/around Honolulu/Oahu or other immersive activities for the loner? (and yes, I realize this is remarkably close to rkent's below question, tho see also the MI...) [more inside]
Places to see on a road trip?
A friend and I are taking a long drive from Philadelphia to Taos, NM. Which route should we take, and what should we see along the way, particularly in terms of national parks and campsites? What sites and campgrounds are a must? And what's some good advice for two people planning to be on the road for about a week? [more inside]
WebCam Software
What should I do with my webcam? What software should I download? [more inside]
July 12
Things I shouldn't miss on Kauai?
I'm spending 3 days in Hawaii, about 8 hours of which is dedicated to attending a wedding in Honolulu. What else on the island of Kauai should I be sure not to miss? [more inside]
usb drive in ethernet = damage?
So, I accidentally stuck my usb pen drive into my ethernet socket. Now it doesn't seem to be working, is it likely that the USB drive has damaged it?
What's with the football scene in Mamet's Oleanna?
At the very end of the movie version of Oleanna there is a curious scene which seems to bear no relation to the story at all: Two men, presumably students, play American football in front of the college building. Why did Mamet include this scene in the movie? [more inside]
What good website image gallery solutions are out there?
what's the best way to integrate a photo gallery into an extant website? [more inside]
What is the real value for my work?
Freelance filter: How much of a cut do temp agencies like Aquent get? [more inside]
Is this another migraine symptom?
I keep losing sensation in my face; is this a new migraine symptom? [more inside]
What the *@#! is NADH?
What is NADH, does it work, is it safe to use? [more inside]
No ashes, what to do?
DeadDogFilter: My vet lost my dog's ashes - what should I do? [more inside]
£300 - best amp and speakers?
I have £200 to £300 to spend on an amp and speakers - what should I get? [more inside]
Mr. Natural
My Boss' boss came by my cube with an
'assignment'. My boss (who I like) becomes a naturalized citizen
tomorrow, and, conveniently enough, will be out of the office for most
of the afternoon. My assignment is to come up with some way to
'defile' his office (in the tradition of cube defilement that takes
place among our engineering team when someone goes away for any length
of time...) that celebrates his becoming a us-ian. [more inside]
Help me get started making drum and bass/idm.
MuFi has got the best of me - help me get started making electronic music, particularly drum 'n' bass/idm. [more inside]
Gmail.xml
I use bloglines for my RSS reader, I have gmail as my email, I want to know is it possible to get new emails via bloglines? [more inside]
Song on promo?
Who does the song on the commercial for the Friday Night Lights TV version coming this season? [more inside]
WinMac Media Player
Daily Show on a Mac [more inside]
Does it filter out the flouride?
Calculate the overall lifetime dollar value of using a Brita (or similar filter) versus the costs and savings, including general impact on healthcare costs, etc, associated with using tap water. [more inside]
Need a laptop for my new job
I've been given up to $2000 (and change) to buy a PC laptop for my new job. What do you recommend? [more inside]
How can I get a short-term job in NYC?
How can I get a short-term job in NYC? [more inside]
BBQ Pug... I hope not!
When you place a T-bone steak on the BBQ it starts to cook from the outside. But what about my dog? [more inside]
Sprinklers off or friendly neighbor?
Do I need to turn my sprinklers off when someone parks in front of my house with their car windows down? There's currently someone, probably next door or a few houses down parked in front of my house with their windows down. The idea of having our sprinklers on a timer is so we can kind of "forget" about turning them on and off. My gut instinct is to go next door and tell the person - they're relatively new neighbors. But then again I'm almost always too nice. Most everyone I talk to says it's not my problem - it's theirs. Part of me thinks I should be nice but the other part of me thinks I can't be street monitor. Opinions? Similar experiences?
I want to enjoy sex!
A question, maybe medical, maybe psychological, about gay sex & a medical condition (NSFW and gross discussion inside) [more inside]
laws surrounding involuntary commitment for psychiatric treatment in CA?
What are the laws surrounding involuntary commitment for psychiatric treatment in California? [more inside]
My wife and I have been together for 7 years, married for 4.5. I am crazy in love with her and completely devoted to her. There is just this one nagging (big) problem and it's killing me...
My wife and I have been together for 7 years, married for 4.5. I am crazy in love with her and completely devoted to her. There is just this one nagging (big) problem and it's killing me... [more inside]
Audio/video stuttering
Audio and video has recently started stuttering on my computer. It might have something to do with the installation of new hard drive on Monday. It seems to be worse in some applications than others. Any ideas? [more inside]
Bush leaks again?
I heard a snippet on the radio about Bush naming the General that was responsible for capturing Abu Musab al-Zarqawi. Turned out the General's involvement and association to anything was highly confidential, his name not even being listed at the base he worked out of. Anyone Know of something to back that up? I can't find anything.
Getting ripped off of my camera guarantee
Do I have a leg to stand on regarding the guarantee on my camera and what do I do about it if I do () [more inside]
Tiger mascot mauls 2nd baseman... or does it?
Am I Crazy-filter: Did the Detroit Tigers used to have an actual Tiger as a mascot AND do they not have one now because it mauled a player? [more inside]
Microsoft's Virtual PC 2004 is now FREE - Does it work from MCE 2002?
Seeing that it's now free, can Microsoft's Virtual PC 2004 work with Windows Media Center Edition 2002 - sp2 as the host OS? [more inside]
Help me find a mathematical formula.
Help me figure out a mathematical formula I need. [more inside]
Mozilla Extensions Help
I'm stumped by Mozilla extensions. I cannot load any new ones. I get a notification that my settings are "locked," and to EDIT options. I've tried all the obvious things. I've turned on JAVA and everything on or off that I can think of - anything else I'm missing? I remember I once loaded something that allowed me to change some settings in Mozilla by accessing settings in a browser window as text - was it some setting I changed there? [more inside]
Want my music? Ask me for it!
How do I prevent copying of shared itunes music? [more inside]
remove old carpet pad glue from concrete floor?
Anybody know how to remove old carpet padding glue from concrete basement floor? Remodeling the room, want to paint the concrete floor (more inside). [more inside]
Word most decidedly not Perfect
I have to use WordPerfect at work, and an awful thing started happening today out of nowhere-- whenver I type a comma, WordPerfect types a comma period-- so it looks like this ",." instead of just ","....how do I fix this permanently??? I have no idea what caused it to start happening. It's driving me insane.
Name that tune
What is this mystery song?
Nose-piercing in Toronto
I am giving my wife a nose-piercing for her birthday. Does anyone have good suggestions for pirecing studios/artists in the Toronto west end?
This is going to be pretty simple so I'm mostly concerned with hygiene, professionalism and the longevity of the business/artist.
Thanks all,
Wikipedia user submission question
My friend submitted information about his artwork to wikipedia. They accepted his submission but it only shows up when you search for it as "user: inky dreadfuls". What is the user heading? Why would it not show up with the other articles?
What can he do to get rid of the user heading?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:Inky_Dreadfuls
Best free or cheap word processor to write resume on OS X?
What's the best (free, or cheap) word processor (or other program) to write my resume with? I'm on Tiger OS X and don't have MS Word. [more inside]
Getting from I95 to I76
Getting around Philly late at night. How and where to eat? [more inside]
Certificate of Occupancy Deviations
NewHomeFilter: I want to buy a house with NO floor covering installed! [more inside]
Any other writers who have the same writing style as Theroux ?
Any other writers write like Paul Theroux ? [more inside]
Good, simple blogs in Spanish?
Know of any good blogs in Spanish, written in a pretty simple style? [more inside]
Who would figure out this pattern?
Who keeps track of adopted/fostered children on the federal level in the US? [more inside]
Thank you for paying Verzon
My Verizon cell phone broke. What's my best course of action? [more inside]
Why should I stop drinking coffee?
Why should I stop drinking coffee? [more inside]
Forum and function
Does anyone have a recommendation for a forum / board (preferably PHP based) that is particularly painless to integrate with a pre-existing member database? [more inside]
Help my cookies make it cross-country without crumbling!
What's the best way to ship mostly semi-dry desserts like cookies, cakes, and brownies around the country? There's [more inside]
Why does our dog whine when we give him a new toy?
Why does our dog whine when we give him a new toy? [more inside]
How to create a customized, portable Ubuntu environment?
How to create a customized portable ubuntu image? I would like to do something like an Ubuntu livecd but with either flash or a USB hard drive. Basically I would like to have a completely customized Ubuntu environment that will save all my settings when I log out, that I can take to any computer. Ideally I'd like to install a few apps that don't come standard with Ubuntu like Amarok and have those as part of the package. I have a 60 GB Ipod so I could launch from that if possible. I'm a Linux newbie so the simpler, the better!
Macbook Keyboard
Are the keyboards on the MacBook really that bad? [more inside]
Business travelers, give me tips!
Looking for a good hotel to live in for three months in DC. [more inside]
What powers to ASCAP/BMI have in regards to independent/original music not in their catalog?
Can ASCAP/BMI sue you or levy fees for original music not in their catalog? [more inside]
MacBook Hardrive Replacement
Have you replaced the the hardrive in a MacBook? [more inside]
ISO: New York park - with tennis, fishing and/or crabbing, picnic / bbq area, beach?
Would there happen to be any parks in New York (driving distance from NYC) that has a picnic /bbq area, fishing and/or crabbing, tennis courts, and hmm, a beach? TIA!
How to find copies of obscure silent films?
Searching for copies of obscure silent films which my great-grandfather directed or acted in. [more inside]
Catalog photograph shoot
Our art department is shooting its own photographs for our catalog this year and we are facing the challenge of taking high-res shots of beach towels and tapestry blankets. [more inside]
The Outlook on Lotus.
Sharing contacts b/t Lotus and Outlook: An associate has been running Outlook for years and has 1000s of contacts organized there. His new job uses Lotus 6.5 and he wants a way to share his contacts b/t each program. Is this possible? [more inside]
How do I convert a ZGL file to XGL?
How do I convert a .ZGL (compressed binary) file to a .XGL (uncompressed ASCII) file?
Concert Listings Online
In browsing several concert venue websites, I noticed that many of them don't list their upcoming concerts and instead link off to www.livenation.com or www.pollstar.com. Does anyone know why this is? Is it a legal issue regarding the promoters of these events?
What bird call is this?
Bird call identification help please: a simple, slow melancholy three note call, then five - very clear notes, no warbles, chirps, trills etc. in descending pitch (eg. ti la so, ti la so-so-so) [more inside]
levitate balloon catfish love nabisco
how can i make poems like spam email? [more inside]
Looking for the Bizarro airplane
What's the opposite of an airplane? [more inside]
How do centrists differe in multi-party democracies?
A centrist in American politics takes positions between two opposing views, the two views espoused by the leaders of the two major parties. But what do centrists do in contries with actual (not just rhetorical) multi-party systems? [more inside]
Is my workout routine stupid or ok?
Ok, I know 50 million mefis have asked these kinds of questions before, but I swear this is different. I have a new workout plan and simply need somebody to validate the plan. Good idea, bad idea, whatever. [more inside]
Is the townie bike a goodie bike?
My wife would like a new bike. She really loves the Electra bikes (she really wants the Petro Zillia but found the Townie 21 much more comfortable).
We went to a different bike shop and the guy there explained that she would not enjoy those bikes on long rides and would not be able to keep up with people on hybrids over the long haul.
Does anyone have any experience with these bikes and are they good for more than just going to the grocery store? Will she be able to keep up on longer rides (road/bike path)?
How can I easily test the page weight of my webpages?
Anyone have a good page weight calculator? I'm working on re-developing a fairly large site, and as part of that we're looking to keep download times (and thus, page weight) down. Is there a Firefox extension/tool out there that provides a good page weight test?
Seriously, was Plame 'covert'?
I need to know, definitively, was Valerie Plame's status 'covert'? [more inside]
Does a Blackberry make a good pager?
Does anyone out there use a Blackberry successfully as a pager? [more inside]
Should I Put a Yakima on the Roof?
I'm thinking about buying a big Yakima or Thule roof cargo box. I'd appreciate your advice/tips on whether this would be a good idea and whether you found either brand to be better. [more inside]
How to start recycling and become green?
I'm working on becoming a better person in all aspects of life. One area that I severely lack in is being friendly to the environment. I would like to start off small and began recycling everyday household trash. But how do I begin? Is there a straight forward newbie guide to recycling? What other small steps can I take that would have a big impact on the environment?
"If you can't be with the one you love, love the one you're with." Wait, seriously?
It seems that almost every guy I know is currently dating someone that they don't actually like, much less love. [more inside]
Is there a term fo when people go by a single name?
Is there a term for when people go by a single name like Madonna or Cher? [more inside]
Listen up, Gumshoes...
Was it possible to actually catch Carmen Sandiego? [more inside]
Post-WWII Mustering Out Riots? Where? When?
History-Filter: Post WWII riots by soldiers in Europe... I need to find out the exact where, when, etc. for the mustering out riots that took place after the end of WWII. From what little I know, soldiers were upset about not being able to go home once the war was over, and riots broke out. History Buffs - help!
Carpet Tile?
Has anyone used carpet tile? If so, were there any problems with the tiles not staying in place? Also, if anyone can recommend a manufacturer, I'd appreciate the tip. I've seen Interface Flor but want to explore my options, if any exist. [more inside]
What is the name of this movie?
I'm trying to find the name of a murder mystery movie (or TV movie) that I've seen a couple of times on TV. It starts out as a reading of a new play. As it goes on, it turns out that the guy who set up the reading is actually trying to solve the murder of his wife by staging a play of it with people who could have killed her. (More inside, including spoilers) [more inside]
How Do I Get the Aqua Look?
Does anyone know a simple way to achieve the Aqua look using CorelDRAW 12?
Bag of books...
Does anyone know of a used book store in Suffock, NY (Long Island - preferably near Babylon) where I can unload a large amount of books I appear to have unintentionally horded? I'm an avid reader and those that don't get filed for rereading have started to take over a corner of my kitchen. I'd donate them, but would much rather trade them in for cash or credit for more reading materials.
A ring for my Betty Jo Bialaski
Where to buy a "two bit ring from a cracker jack box" in Chicago? [more inside]
Laptop slow to shut down
My six month old Dell laptop (WIN XP) has started taking forever shutting down. It seems sometimes like five minutes or more. I recently switched from wireless broadband to Telco ISPs which I suspect may have something to do with the problem. I've done Ad-aware, found some stuff I removed but it doesn't solve the problem. Can anyone suggest what the pblm might be and how I can fix it without spending a lot of precious cash?
Yes, there is a hard drive there...
Debian won't find my hard drive! Please help! I have details so there's [more inside]
What Not To Wear?
Paranoid-white-people-from-Indiana-filter...
My kids are travelling to San Diego next week for a church-camp thing. Their church has issued some curious clothing warnings... [more inside]
Fares to Japan
I have a year to plan for a flight to Tokyo from the U.S. west coast or central U.S. (preferably DFW) in Sept or Oct 2007. All the fares I'm pulling up as far out as I can go are $800-1050 roundtrip. Is this as good a deal as I can expect to get?
Need a specific screensaver
I'm hunting for a screensaver for my company with some very specific requirements. I need one that can rotate through images in a directory (and specify a directory, not the images themselves so that we can just push new slides out to our machines without having to muck with the configuration of the screensaver). Also, when the screensaver activates, it locks the computer, and when the user comes back to the machine, it asks if you want to unlock or logoff the machine (in case someone locks a public machine and leaves for the day or what have you). Any suggestions? This is going to be distributed on a lot of Windows XP machine and mandated through group policy.
Construction equiv. to a financial audit?
I've lost faith in the big dig, and I know I'm not alone. Is there a construction/engineering equivalent to a financial audit? [more inside]
If I had a boat, I'd go out on the ocean...
How can I get to Grape Island in Boston Harbor next Friday afternoon / evening? [more inside]
Yahoo! Messenger: Problem logging in
I can't log into Yahoo Messenger.
When I try to log in, the message "There was a problem signing into Yahoo! Messenger with Voice (BETA). Please try again a little bit later."
That's been going on for two days now.
Anyone else having this problem? Any suggestions on how to fix the problem so I can log into YM?
Excuse me miss, what are these pills?
I'm flying to America tomorrow (from the UK). I will have various loose pills in a... receptacle. Could I get into trouble because customs might suspect they're drugs? [more inside]
UK Industries/Employers that are actively recruiting
Which industries in the UK are looking for recruits and can provide or fund necessary training e.g. NHS, teaching? [more inside]
How to check if a website is "safe" for downloads
How can I check if a website is actually what it advertises itself as (a game site)? [more inside]
Web 2.0 in Higher Education
I'm looking for examples of Web 2.0 principles and tools being used in higher education. [more inside]
Argh DPCs!
Every 60 seconds my PC freezes momentarily. Audio stutters and inputs stop...inputting. I think i've tracked this down to "DCP"s, or Deferred Procedure Calls, but where do I go from here? [more inside]
Was it out there?
Warning Potential Spoilers inside (I Hope)
Caught an episode of X-Files last night, and suddenly remembered that for the 1st 5 seasons I watched religiously, but then kind of stopped watching. Now I want to know what happened, how the story unfolded, Did it have an ending? etc. etc. [more inside]
July 11
Advice in designing a web application for a self-taught developer.
I'm going to write a web application that, if it is successful, will need to be "enterprise-level" -- that is, robust, secure, and extensible. Given the limitations of my current skills, what can I do to minimize design errors? Lots more inside. [more inside]
Recommend a good microphone for recording voice on a PC
I need to record a significant amount of voice using my PC at home. I've picked up a couple of consumer-level, $20-$40 computer microphones (tried two different cheapie Logitech models) but haven't been overly impressed. Recommend something better? Assume I know virtually nothing about microphones or associated mic lingo, and that this mic would be used exclusively for single-person voice recording (no interview situations, and no musical instruments, etc.) [more inside]
How does VoIP connect to POTS lines?
How exactly do VoIP services place calls to POTS lines? [more inside]
engine break in
Do modern auto engines still require a break in period? [more inside]
Where are the ground cherries
Where can I buy Ground cherries (gooseberries?) in Seattle? [more inside]
Super-human ability to stick myself in others shoes?
If I stare at something and "zone out," after a while a little switch in by brain flips and I suddenly feel as if I am seeing that something for the first time, as someone with a very limited knowledge of that thing. Is that weird? Has anyone else experienced this before? [more inside]
How do I successfully fail a drug test?
How do I successfully fail a pre-employment drug test? [more inside]
roll your own wisp
roll your own wisp [more inside]
Tom Gay?
Why does everyone assume Tom Cruise is gay? Call me naive, but I have never understood this. Yeah, I get that he is a batshitinsane Scientoligist. But what has he ever done to make people assume he is gay and all of his wives/girlfriends are just beards?
Make me a hero in a half shell.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle costume in Minneapolis? [more inside]
Gift ideas for virtual friends?
I have a few friends to whom I'd like to give gifts, and I'm stumped. [more inside]
she taught him things he already knew
Lost Book: Juvenile sci-fi. A girl from an advanced society befriends a boy on a primitive planet, and gives him a magic rock that makes him telekinetic. The twist is that he (and all other humans) are already telekinetic, but not advanced enough to know how to bring it out in themselves. I think that the girl actually had other powers, including pyrokinesis. I also know how it ends, but will put that inside. [more inside]
PC games to appeal to a 12 year old?
My little brother wants some new pc games to play, any suggestions? [more inside]
Looking for an old horror movie
Back in the early 1980s I saw part of a horror movie on television. Heck, I'm not even sure it counts as "horror" but it scared the crap out of 8-year-old me. I'll tell you everything I remember: the film is in color. It seemed to be from the 1970s or early 1980s. The plot revolved around two catholic sisters, one good and one bad. The good one got a rosary for her birthday, pissing off the bad one. On the way home after that, the bad one tricked the good one and somehow locked her inside an old, disused bank vault (I think?). That's about all I know. It's been bugging me for years! Thanks for any help you can offer.
Help me get drunk for cheap!
I'd like to find one of those "make your own wine" places in Toronto.. [more inside]
Bulletproof Stapler?
Anyone know of a solid, reliable stapler with a mounting point for a security chain or cable? [more inside]
Are there any OSX burning programs that let you edit the tracks on the fly?
Are there any programs out there for OSX that allow you to burn a standard audio disk from MP3 Files that also allow you to, within the program itself, do simple editing of the CD tracks? In other words, I don't want to edit the mp3 files, but I'd like to be able to do things like clip the start and end of the tracks a bit to cut out extra noise and/or adjust the timing of the transitions. Nero for the PC let me do this, but I haven't been able to find a single program for the Mac that lets me do the same thing.
Alternative MovableType interface?
Are there any alternative interfaces - web or desktop-based - for MovableType? I'm a Macintosh user. [more inside]
How to find missing video drivers
After refromatting my Dell PC, my device manager shows I am missing several drivers. The problems come up in Studio and other video applications. I downloaded a driver toolkit and it wasn't much help finding anything. Here is what my device manager lists as missing:
Video Controller
Video Controller (VGA compatible)
BT878/fusion878AVideo Capture (Audio Section)
BT878MediaStream Controller
How can I find the right ones?
mysterious bruising
After heavy nights of drinking I always end up with mysterious bruises on my inner upper arms and sometimes even my inner thighs.... It looks like I was grabbed and I know that I was not....what is this all about? [more inside]
Pitching an Art Book
How do you pitch an art book? [more inside]
I seek it here, I seek it there. But mainly in this column.
Calling MS Access wizards... A batch find and replace conundrum. [more inside]
HBO Productions?
Who makes--actually produces--cable TV series like The Sopranos, Battlestar Gallactica, and The Shield? Independently contracted production companies, or in-house, cable-owned outfits? [more inside]
Novice Backpacking in Maine in September
Backpacking in Maine In September: What do I absolutely have to bring? And what should I expect? [more inside]
How to make pictures look more like cartoons/illustrations?
I would like to make some photographs look more like cartoons or illustrations in Fireworks (or Photoshop if necessary). Anyone have some tips on getting this accomplished? I have Fireworks 8 on my machine and access to Photoshop CS2 at school if worse comes to worse. [more inside]
Decent submarine games?
Are there any decent submarine games for PC or Xbox? Looking for something relatively modern.
Focalin question
ADD sufferers: If you've taken Focalin, what's been your experience? Both Ritalin and Focalin leave me shakey, depressed and unmotivated.
If they can find out my DNA line why couldnt OJ pay to find real killer?
Has anyone ever done the National Geographic Genographic Project ?? [more inside]
Finding the right frame of mind
Good inexpensive framing shops in or around Los Angeles? [more inside]
How can I recover data from a broken hard drive?
I recently purchased a 250 GB Western Digital Caviar SE hard drive. It's a internal hd and I foolishly thought it would be ok sitting on my desk hooked up through a ide-usb cable. It also has a power cable which runs down the side of my desk. Well long story short it fell off of my desk due to someone snagging the power cable and now my computer will not recognize it. I have a lot of important data on it which I would really like to recover. Any ideas?
Lawyer research
Help me with my Census-fu. [more inside]
HP, Microsoft and CompUSA OH MY! How do I get them to work together?
Help me get Windows XP Pro on my HP dv8000 laptop. It has something to do with SATA, I can't figure it out -- tech support is not helpful. [more inside]
Help me help her
How can I help my girlfriend find a job in product development/PR/advertising in LA? [more inside]
Wake up iMac
Every time my Intel iMac sits idle for a few hours and goes into sleep mode, it won't wake up. I have to restart it. Any ideas on programs running or software issues that might be causing this? Any other suggestions?
Simple way to know what I'm doing on my Mac, hour-by-hour
I am trying to manage my time a little better, and I would like a way to automatically track what I do on my Mac - how many minutes daily I spend in various applications, along with, possibly, a breakdown of documents and web pages by time, as well. I don't want to enter anything manually, or use this for billing or anything similar. Does anyone know of such an application (especially one that is inexpensive or free - many of the programs that do this are aimed at business and billing, and quite costly.)
Other suggestions on how to accomplish this are also welcome.
Moving to Marry in Massachusetts
Are there any documented cases of gay men or lesbians moving to Massachusetts to take advantage of our marriage laws? Has anyone written profiles of people or couples who have done this?
Straight or by two?
I just moved to Brooklyn (Carroll Gardens). Where are the best outdoor courts to play (full-court, not-with-children) pickup basketball?
Plus-Size shirt for under med student lab coat
I'm looking for the perfect shirt for a plus-size woman doing med school rotations [more inside]
Old Norse Wedding Ring Inscriptions?
What Old Norse phrase would be appropriate for an inscription on the inside of a wedding band? [more inside]
Needle through arm magic trick?
How did actor/magician Harry Anderson's "Needle Through the Arm" magic trick work? [more inside]
check please...
Since become borderline obsessed with Anthony Bourdain, the idea (not that I would ever get there mind you) of going to one of the high end restaurants that he has visited (namely el Bulli or The French Laundry) and have wondered, just how much would dinner run?
Where do I find travel insurance for an athlete.
I'm looking for travel medical insurance that specifically covers a traveler engaged in sporting competitions/professional sports. [more inside]
Is is safe to give blood on a diet?
I'm giving blood today. I'm eating 1200 calories per day in an effort to lose a few pounds. Should I eat more to make up for the calories "burned" during donation?
They were lost, but know they are found?
How can I find someone who's missing, and probably wants to stay that way? [more inside]
Dating in St. Louis
Dating in St. Louis: Where are the good, upscale, fun places for a guy in his mid-twenties to take a date? Jazz, great food, art, and weekday availability are each a big plus. [more inside]
What should I do?
How do I go about asking for a letter of recommendation in this situation? [more inside]
Convert video+ppt to mp4 for Ipod?
How do I convert a window media presentation (AVI + PPT presentation) to a single MP4 file to play back on an iPod? [more inside]
Help me find some brown-ink pens!
I'm not sure if these even exist - but is anyone aware of either ballpoint or rollerball pens that come in brown ink? [more inside]
Help me make a night light from a stop light
How to turn stop light into night light? [more inside]
No, really, I promise you I make *this* much!
How does the way I'm paid affect my ability to secure a loan or mortgage in the future? [more inside]
Dealing With Stomach Acidity
How do I get rid of my stomach acidity problems? [more inside]
Can I get auto insurance using a PO box or other address I don't reside at?
I need to buy a car in a state that I am not currently resident in. [more inside]
How can I monitor electricity usage in my home?
How can I monitor electricity usage in my home? More specifically, how would you go about making a home-brew version of the Wattson [more inside]
What are these Russian foods called?
While on exchange in Russia (near Novgorod), I was served two foods that I loved but have not been able to find again, and don't know the names for. First was a confection -- semi-dried but juicy berries covered in powdered sugar, about the size of blueberries, but red with lots of little seeds, that came in a small box. Second was a cake that seemed to be made of dozens of layered pancakes with some sort of cream or frosting in between. Anyone know what these are, and where I can find them or a recipe for them in the US?
Introverts vs Extraverts. Who does better?
Has there been any respected comprehensive research about whether extraverts are more successful in life than introverts or vice versa? Financially? What about in terms of life satisfaction, suicide rates, number of marriages etc? [more inside]
What language is Jeff speaking in episode 5 of Coupling?
Episode 5 The girl with two breasts from the TV series Coupling features a sequence where Jeff is speaking in a foreign language. What language is it? [more inside]
When did Peanut Butter and Tuna become one?
"You got peanut butter in my tuna!" Or maybe "You got tuna in my peanut butter!" Where does this phrase come from? [more inside]
Which side of the pond should I live on?
Where-to-live filter: specifically, which side of the pond. Help me figure out where I should settle after grad school. If you have lived in both the U.S. and the UK/Europe, which did you prefer, and why? [more inside]
How much for Botox?
How much does a Botox treatment cost? Is $500 about right? And how long does it last? I have a lot of wrinkles around my eyes. thanks
Low heart rate - uses and origin?
A recent medical exam showed that I have bradycardia - an abnormally low resting heart rate (32-34bpm). Does this mean I'm physiologically suited to endurance sports? [more inside]
Smelly Silk Sweater
How do I get the fishy smell out of a silk (well, silk and cashmere blend) sweater? [more inside]
July 10
Burning your party card
Are shifts in your political beliefs really inevitable as you get older? [more inside]
What's this thing sticking out of my dog?
What's this thing sticking out of my dog? [more inside]
How to get out of wrongful late fees?
My brother has received notice of a rather large DVD rental late fee. The trouble is, we know he returned the DVD. Is there an optimal strategy for getting the store to remove the charge? [more inside]
How do I process user ratings of content fairly?
How do I process user ratings of content without skewing results of items that have only been rated once? [more inside]
Assistance with JavaScript
Javascript: How to focus on the original window after opening additional windows? [more inside]
Vietnam War computer games
Do any strategy / pseudo-strategy computer games exist for the Vietnam War? Or are they all just shoot-em-ups?
What's the phone-like sound at the end of my video tapes?
So I've been watching a bunch of older movies on VHS like Wait Until Dark (1963) and Sword in the Stone (1967). At the end when everything's black, right before it turns to the black and white noise, there's a sound of a phone dialing very quickly, or something similar. Anybody else ever noticed it? Out of curiosity, any ideas on what that is, how it happens, why it's there, or anything at all about it?
New religion?
How would an emerging idea be recognized as a religion? [more inside]
Luggage trailer recommendations.
We are taking our minivan with four kids, two adults, to the coast in Oregon.
My wife and I have an unresolved disagreement about which is best--a trailer, or a roof top carrier--for hauling all of our camping junk that won't fit in the vehicle. Please enlighten me about trailers. [more inside]
Where to go swimming on the Upper West Side?
We're taking our family (5 kids ranging from ages 3 to 16) to Manhattan for a week at the end of August; we'll be staying in an apartment on 111th Street, near Columbia. We'd like to find a pool where we can buy daily passes to go swimming--in a hotel, at Columbia, in a health club, etc. Googling has turned up nothing. Help!
How does an iceberg get such an intense color of blue?
Blue ice. How? (gorgeous picture involved, best one you'll see today) [more inside]
Bulk USB drives? For cheap?
Does anybody know where I can buy USB flash drives in bulk? I do not need them to be very large, 16 mb (or even smaller is such a thing exists) would be just fine. I just need them to be cheap, perhaps less than $5.00 each? Am I dreaming? I have searched, but I am having a hard time finding prices. I do not care if they are customizable or not.
Gift for a special occasion
I need to get a gift and I'm struggling with coming up with an appropriate idea. All suggestions appreciated. [more inside]
Is Poser 6 fixed?
The Meter numbers in church songs?
In church Hymnals what do the numbers below the title mean? [more inside]
I don't think they want to help me
network management filter: I'm working for a local government education department. My team is meant to be maintaining/improving several large websites. The IT support people refuse to install a web browser that isn't IE 6, citing network security as the reason.... are their fears reasonable? [more inside]
Easy way to destroy financial papers?
Three bags of financial papers. No shredder. Looking for an easy safe way to destroy them. [more inside]
How can I make it up to you?
How do I make amends for being a complete jerk to a family member? I'm looking for something specific I can do to express my regret without coming across as condescending or smarmy. [more inside]
Don't even tell me to see a White Sox game.
What should I not miss in Chicago while I am there for 2 weeks? [more inside]
Who writes for The Economist?
Who writes for The Economist?
Help me with my nuts.
Shelled nuts taste like disinfectant? [more inside]
How can I write friendlier emails?
The tone of my emails has been called condescending. I really don't want to come off this way. What can I do? [more inside]
Delivering a bottle of champagne...in Antwerp?
Help getting a bottle of champagne delivered in Antwerp this week? [more inside]
Help me fix my hair
HaircareFilter: I just had my hair bleached and dyed. It was in pretty good condition to start with, but now it's somewhat dry and tangles more easily. [more inside]
kilkenny cream ale
How do I turn a successful World Cup blog into a soccer groupblog?
I have a World Cup blog that's been so successful I've been asked to turn it into a regular soccer (football) blog by the powers-that-be. I need some help coming up with a plan for doing that. [more inside]
Good reads for a trip to Germany
Need suggestions for good reads to bring along on a two week vacation to (mostly) rural Germany for an American Lit and Creative Writing teacher. [more inside]
Uninsured, parked motorcycle is hit by insured car--what happens now?
What happens if someone crashed into my motorcycle while it was parked, and I don't have insurance on it? [more inside]
How do I get rid of a large TV no one wants?
Advice for quickly disposing of a large TV? [more inside]
Full disk encryption: Is there a holy grail?
Encryptionfilter: I'm looking for a full disk encryption solution for desktop and laptop use. [more inside]
Lost childhood filter: balsa wood gliders
Anyone have ideas for a retail chain (I'm thinking something like Walgreens, omnipresent in most of the US) where I can buy those fantastic little balsa wood gliders? [more inside]
I'm mean but is this Kosher?
So, a MacBook at about a 17% discount - what could possibly go wrong? [more inside]
Are protein bars worth it?
Are protein bars really a good substitute for a meal? So many seem loaded with sugar and calories and they're certainly packaged to resemble candy bars. I'd be grateful if someone could let me know whether these bars are nutritionally sound and if they are, which ones you'd recommend in terms of taste and food "value."
Help me give a great kids' birthday party
Who knows of any fantastic outdoor party games for a group of about 10 kids (and several grown kids) that don't need much in the way of expensive equipment? [more inside]
Available treatment facilities for mental illness
MentalHealthFilter: To try and sum up a fairly long and complicated issue: My brother, 23, is diagnosed as bipolar. It's been an uphill battle ever since he was admitted to the psych hospital at 11/12 years old. Although his diagnosis and medications have switched many times, nothing seems to work. [more inside]
Wearing all black to a job interview
Would it be bad to wear all black to a job interview? [more inside]
who are these drummers?
Which band(s) have released a (probably recent) DVD with a long drumming duet on it? [more inside]
Why won't images show up in Firefox?
Why won't images show up on my website when viewed in Firefox? [more inside]
Fiat Lux!
Looking for a crash course in "lighting" as it applies to photography. [more inside]
The many faces of poison ivy
Being in the midst of my first bout of urishiol-induced contact dermatitis, I'm using some of my downtime to read up on the culprit: Poison Ivy. Along the way, however, I've come across some confusing information... [more inside]
How long should the withdrawal symptoms from Tamadol (Zydol) last?
How long should the withdrawal symptoms from Tamadol (Zydol) last? [more inside]
Making friends in a new neighbourhood
Looking for a brainstorm about tips for a shy, semi-square kind of guy to make friends with locals in a cool neighbourhood. [more inside]
How do I stop worrying so much?
How do I stop worrying so much? [more inside]
Sandwiches Are Beautiful, Sandwiches Are (I Guess) Fine!
The challenge: 125 sandwiches suitable for quartering, most of which can be made the day before. [more inside]
New company
New company....what do I need to learn? [more inside]
How do PBS shows animate children's books?
How do PBS shows like Reading Rainbow or Between the Lions animate existing children's books? [more inside]
an article of tableware made of glass
Glassware search: does this glass exist in the real world? [picture and] [more inside]
Help me feed some vegetarians.
Anyone in the DC/MD/VA area - please tell me where I can purchase soy chorizo/"soyrizo". [more inside]
From TV into reality...
Have any of you ever seen any of the vehicles refurbished on shows like Trick My Truck, Monster Garage, or Pimp My Ride out in public or in real life? Not just at a car show or special appearance, but actually out driving around somewhere.
Can someone really be that ignorant?
"It is absolutely not true, I did not call him a terrorist. I'm ignorant. I don't even know what the word means." [more inside]
I haven't fallen and I can get up...for now.
In the last couple of weeks I swear that I've seen a story, read a story, a dreamed a story about senior citizens and falling. The gist was something about senior citizens being too cautious about walking (taking tiny, slow steps) and that leading to more falls. I think. After that it is fuzzy. Do they then suggest stretching, yoga, or something else? I can't remember. Does this ring a bell? Or maybe the idea was to to teach them to fall...Or maybe have them take bigger steps...my memory fails me.
Artist looking for eyeballs
My brother is an artist living in downtown Toronto. His medium is primarily paint, and he has done huge murals for bars and restaurants. He now wants to promote his artwork and services online. [more inside]
Help me fix-up my Mustang Cobra.
Tell me what I should be doing to fix-up my inherited 1994 Mustang Cobra. [more inside]
Why do my stainless steel pans look so bad out of the dishwasher?
Why does my new stainless steel cookware come out of the diswasher covered with white splotchy stains that I have to hand wash? [more inside]
What is this dessert?
Please help me identify this dessert, which is possibly from the Philippines. [more inside]
How to go camping up north?
CampingFilter: Strategies for getting as far upstate New York as possible for a weekend camping trip. [more inside]
Questions about South-Asia
I'm planning a trip to India,Nepal,Bhutan,Tibet,Bangladesh & Myanmar [more inside]
Portable AC - help me stop sweating
Portable air conditioning - I am completely clueless and not very mechanically savvy - what should I consider, be on the lookout for, drawbacks, etc - plenty of details inside... [more inside]
New Nissan?
Mysterious new Nissan car? (wow that sounded like viral crap) [more inside]
How to remote reboot my router
Need ideas for a remote reboot of a router. [more inside]
What kind of bugs will hover above trees in giant, narrow columns?
What kind of bugs will hover above trees in giant, narrow columns? [more inside]
Land Cruiser Filter
I'm thinking about buying a used, diesel, Toyota Land Cruiser to supplement my 1987 BMW 635csi mid-life-crisis car, which is much more fun than practical. [more inside]
Mark as Not Junk
Any tips for keeping email I send out of the recipients' spam folders? [more inside]
Do I need a special power cord for my hi-fi system?
Does it make sense to use a special power cord for hi-fi equipment? I'm a novice hi-fi enthusiast, and I've read that you should replace the stock power cords that come with your audio equipment, using designated hi-fi power cords (like those made by AudioQuest or Cardas) instead. But I'm wondering if laying out all that money will actually make an appreciable difference in sound quality to someone who isn't an audio engineer. My hi-fi system consists of a Cambridge Audio receiver & CD player and Hsu Research's Ventriloquist 6.1 speakers and subwoofer. My speaker cables & interconnects are AudioQuest.
MySQL hosting provider?
Can you recommend a MySQL hosting provider? [more inside]
How to save Adobe PS Elements metadata?
My wife's (Windows XP) laptop took a dive. Our digital image library was on it, organized with Adobe Photoshop Elements 3.0. I was able to pull the hard drive, stuff it in a USB2 box, and access it on my Windows XP laptop. So the images are not lost. Any tips on how to preserve the metadata? [more inside]
What does it take to become a financial analyst from a non-finance background?
I'm currently in a career dilemma, debating myselfe whether I should continue doing what I do as a data analyst (in sales analytics) or start a new career as a financial analyst (FA) after taking some necessary classes or training. One of my motivations is that FA gets paid more than data analyst, very easily, and FA deals with cross-department data and plays a much bigger, visible role in terms of decision advising and/or making.
I did very well in accounting, finance, and economics when I was in the business school and still have clear understanding of the concepts. However, I don't have experience or proper training in financial analysis. Will an online course like this one financial analysis gear me up in a short time? If not, whatelse shall I do to get myself ready besides taking classes from a university?
My other question is:
How likely will companies hire someone like me with strong background in data analysis but none from financial perspective?
If you have any experience, thought or input, please share it with me. Thank you so much.
What's got into that cat?
Why does my cat go a little crazy when I whistle? [more inside]
Can you post a comment to this article?
Am I the only one who can't add comments to this thread on the ABCNews web site? [more inside]
Help me get into videoblogging.
How do I get into video blogging? [more inside]
Help Wanted: Truck Idling Low
96 Jeep Grand Cherokee V6: my truck idles low and i think my spark plugs are misfiring [more inside]
Nuts and bolts of effective psychological therapy from a patient's point of view.
How much, and in what way, does psychological therapy reduce problematic patterns of behaviour and thought? How can I, as a patient, make the process work for me? Layperson's eye view sought. [more inside]
Help me find this fancypants cargo divider
Where can I find a cargo divider that keeps dog and luggage separate? [more inside]
Default Player for Firefox
I just updated Firefox for Mac OSX. Now my default player is now quicktime. Even when I launch a RealPlayer movie it opens QuickTime and plays nothing. I want it to be RealPlayer. Any suggestions?
Faxfilter
I need to send out a fax to about 130 advertising contacts and am looking for either troubleshooting tips or recommendations for faxing software (Mac.) [more inside]
the is what we call the zip zap rap
Is there a way to play my ipod through my computer? [more inside]
Car problem
Auto Mechanic Filter: What is preventing my car from starting? Happens about every 10th time I attempt to start. No click, no churn, but the lights (including those on the dashboard) work fine as does the radio. I get it going by rocking the front end of the car up and down, and back and forth for a few seconds. Head back in, turn the key and it starts normally. [more inside]
How to dual boot XP from a drive from another computer.
Can I dual boot from an XP drive that came from older (dead) computer? [more inside]
Peugeot 306 D Turbo overheating problems...
Peugeot 306 D Turbo overheating problems... [more inside]
What is the best way to workout using weights?
Help me understand newer trends in muscle development with weights. [more inside]
Revolutionary M&M biographies
FoundingFathersfilter: What would be considered the best biographies of James Madison and James Monroe? [more inside]
relationship advice
Should I get back together with my ex-fiance or try it out with this new man? [more inside]
How can I help my underachieving older brother?
How can I help my underachieving older brother? [more inside]
Help me be a better DJ!
Help me be a better DJ. [more inside]
Is human flesh vegan if given freely by its owner?
Is human flesh vegan if given willingly by its owner? [more inside]
SinoPod
[DIY-filter] Need creative ways to protect an iPod in a far away land. [more inside]
Any good wedding readings or vows?
I am getting married in the fall and I'd like to find some smart, unusual readings to include in the ceremony. [more inside]
How best to share an old booklet online?
Best way to share a photoalbum? I have an old U.S. army booklet (62 doublespread pages) called "The Punch Below The Belt" from 1944, and I was interested in putting it online for others to see. It's a fascinating, virulently racist propaganda piece about the tactics the Japanese soldiers used in the Pacific theater of operations. [more inside]
July 9
Impress my girlfriend with some mad online registration skillz
My girlfriend handles registrations for swim lessons, and it's a very time-consuming, badly-executed process. I told her that an online implementation of her forms, class rosters, and maybe even payments would simplify the process. Guess who gets to make this happen? (And needs your help to figure out how!) [more inside]
Hey, where did everyone go?
What movie features a main character singing "Everyone's Gone to the Moon"?? [more inside]
Help me get out, meet people, and experience life!
Help me get out, meet people, and experience life! I don't know how to relax enough to have fun when meeting new people or trying something new. [more inside]
Hotel California
We are driving from LA to a wedding in Oakland, CA, in a few weekends. The reception will end around 9pm, and we are looking for a place to stay somewhere south of Oakland for one night. Any suggestions? The cooler the better.
Max and Jinx... friends... forever...
NostalgiaFilter: Where can I find John Williams' soundtrack for Space Camp? [more inside]
Not even a cherry.
GardenFilter: Help! Our tomato plants are 6 feet tall and thriving in our NYC garden, but we can't get them to produce a single fruit. [more inside]
How can I learn how to plan meals?
I have a hard time preparing and eating three healthy meals a day. I 'm a great cook and I've taken college-level nutrition courses, but there's a big difference between knowing how to make one particular dish and being able to shop for, prepare and eat three meals a day, five or six days a week.
I've tried many times to have a healthier diet. It's not that I crave fast-food or junk - I prefer foods that are good for me. But I just can't get to a point where I consistently eat good food on any sort of schedule. [mi] [more inside]
Recommend some sleeves for my halter dress
Fashion sense enabled MeFites: I need your help. What kind of warmth related accessory can I wear to a wedding, over a halter dress? [more inside]
Friend Finder?
FriendFindingFilter: Want to make some new friends this summer while living in Manhattan/Brooklyn...suggestions on venues, methods, etc? [more inside]
Please name that bug
Does anyone know what kind of bug this is? I've seen like 10-15 of them in my shower and basement in the last week. It's about 3/4 inch, has six legs, claws and antennas. Thanks!
Sept. Beach Honeymoon Wanted
What's the best place in this world to go for a cool secluded house on a beach for a week in mid/late September where hurricanes won't touch us. Picturing something like the place at the beginning of the film Betty Blue, before they go to Paris. Open to all suggestions! Need a honeymoon pad!!
What is the Dell equivalent of a Thinkpad T-Series?
What is the Dell equivalent of a T-series Thinkpad? [more inside]
moving iphotos to picasa--metadata transfer?
I am moving almost 7 gb of Iphoto pictures to my wife's pc laptop/picasa. If I drag my photos library to my ipod (which has been formatted to work on her pc as well) will any metadata, such as the date the picture was taken, be transferred?
Or should I just rename all of my photos to the date they were taken before doing the transfer? Has anyone else done this? [more inside]
Know of any good journals?
Does anyone know of good blank writing journal (moleskine-esque) companies? PLEASE HELP [more inside]
Our guinea pig is in limbo.
Last week, our guinea pig broke a tooth. What should I do now? [more inside]
Weekend Getaway
Need ideas for a fun/romantic weekend getaway for two this coming weekend (Jul 15/16). Preferably within 2-3 hours from Manhattan (New York). [more inside]
NYC's all coupled-up! Help!
I seem to be stuck in a middle age range/income category that is making it difficult for me to find a new group of people to hang with/date in NYC (more inside)... [more inside]
Our Money, Our Presents.
I am a little confused regarding the shared economics of a long term serious relationship; specifically, how it relates to gift giving. [more inside]
Help me lessen my shaving frequency.
I hate shaving! Thankfully I don't have the same problem as some other men which requires me to shave every day, but even at every second day it's a hassle. Is there anything simple I can do to slow my facial hair growth so that I need only shave, say, once a week at most?
Mental Action
Can we believe at will in the same way that we can raise our arms at will? [more inside]
Firefox Navigation Toolbar Problem
Firefox Navigation Toolbar problem: When I add an email icon to the navigation toolbar from Tools Customize, it does not remain and I have to re-add it each time I open Firefox.
the personal salad bar that doesn't spoil
Anyone have experience with freezing salad or any other method to keep produce around? I want to have more salads with lots of variety at home. Unfortunately, the more variety I add, the more produce I have that rots before making it into my belly. [more inside]
Stairway to Heaven as last dance
In Toronto, the traditional last song at a high school dance is "Stairway to Heaven". Does this happen elsewhere? [more inside]
Music History Lessons
I'm looking for books that in some way discuss the distribution of popular music, especially pre-phonograph (though a bit of that is fine). Accurate, but not necessarily academic- if it happens to be in a particular musician's biography or a novel of some sort, that's cool. [more inside]
What was said to Zidane?
What was said to Zidane? [more inside]
What's this red cross ring?
Quickie CSS help?
CSS Q: how come when I put a border around an image with consistent padding there is always a pixel or two extra at the bottom? How do I get rid of it? [more inside]
Any suggestions on cheap equipment to record 8 tracks to a laptop?
Recording Filter: I want to make some almost studio quality recordings. I have a laptop, but I'm looking for good, well priced equipment (max $300 total). [more inside]
Want to smell of dog, hashish, and algae. Please help.
Trying to find another bottle of the scent "Rotterdam - Olfactory Object" by the architects Herzog and De Meuron... [more inside]
How low can you go?
Furniture store price haggling. I've heard that it's ok to negotiate the listed prices on furniture at independent, mom-and-pop stores. [more inside]
What does 'Only In Theatres' mean?
Why do all movie advertisements and trailers state that the movie will be shown "Only In Theaters"? [more inside]
How to transfer a large file over dialup?
Please help me work out how transfer a 28Mb file over dialup internet from a machine running Windows 98SE, via an easy-to-use, failsafe/resumable transfer method. [more inside]
Why couldn't they show the Chanel logo on The Simpsons?
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? [more inside]
Stinky Nuts
How to treat a coconut cup? [more inside]
Side Mechanic?
How do you find a mechanic that takes side jobs? [more inside]
Nice, inexpensive hotels in NYC?
My beloved and I are headed to NYC for our honeymoon in early September, and we're looking for nice but inexpensive accomodation. Any pointers? [more inside]
Coax splitter problems
What can cause a coax splitter to go bad? I've narrowed our connection problems down to this cause, but can't figure out what's causing the cause... [more inside]
Why is nose partially blocked in some cities but not others?
Why is my nose blocked outside in LA and New York but not in Pittsburgh or Boston? [more inside]
Surviving a Total Perspective Vortex
I'm on the hunt for sites and/or blogs about big ideas...
Who wants to join me? [more inside]
Sony Vaio Desktop Wierdness
Sony Vaio Desktop Wierdness:
My Sony Vaio Desktop has started to bleep and the illuminated logo on the front flashes for no apparent reason. Any ideas why? [more inside]
What kind of paint should I use on a Rubik's Cube?
What kind of paint should I use to replace the stickers on a Rubik's Cube? [more inside]
Insurance coverage on an insured vehicle, un-insured driver?
What happens when a licensed driver gets into an accident while driving an insured vehicle, even though he or she is not listed as a driver on the car's insurance policy? [more inside]
Help me, I need Dopewars
Dopewars for the PC? [more inside]
Help us get our freak on!
Help my partner and I find a place to do BDSM play where we'll fit in. [more inside]
Netflix type services in Australia
Recommendations for Netflix type services in Australia. [more inside]
How do I change and jumpstart my life?
I'm 23 years old and stationed in Japan with the military. Over the past 2 years, I've slowly gotten lazy and started leading a lethargic lifestyle. I'm starting to become overweight and generally unhappy with my life. I can see it happening but with no will power, how can I stop it? [more inside]
Lady / Don't cha know we love ya? Sweet lady / Dear mama / Place no one above ya, sweet lady / You are appreciated / Don't cha know we love ya?
What's the best way for a tech-impaired, budget-conscious mom in the US to talk to her son while he's living in Indonesia? [more inside]
new homebuilt computer is acting very odd with the internet
i just built my first 'home built' computer - and I am curious as to why I cannot get it to connect to the network that I have set up here in our office.
I am getting two orange lights on the ethernet port, if that helps, and I'm connected through a Linksys WRT54G, and our cable connection. It's a brand-spanking-new machine. more details inside... [more inside]
July 8
graph editors?
Graph editor: I'm looking for a graph editor I can use to create print quality graphs (the node/edge kind, not the excel kind). Requirements inside. [more inside]
Tips / hints for using Priceline.
Experiences or tips for using Priceline.com [more inside]
What kind of notebook shall I buy?
laptopfilter: I'm looking to buy a new laptop (or notebook, whatever they call it these days)! Any help is appreciated. [more inside]
Turns out I _don't_ know what I'm doing...
"Math 51H provides a rigorous, proof-based introduction to linear algebra and differential calculus in several variables." Recommend a book to catch me up to the starting point for this course! [more inside]
What the heckaroni is this thing?
China Filter: Ok, on the way to see the Great Wall at Badaling I was in a car with a woman who spoke very little English. We passed by this deserted amusement park looking castle thing. There was part of it that looked to still be under construction but the whole thing looked as though it was mostly forgotten about. Does anyone know what I'm talking about and, if so, what the heck it is?
Full disclosure on all characters, please.
Why does Jane Austen make her readers fill-in-the-blanks? [more inside]
Tearin down the house
I bumped into my neighbour the other day and he asked to meet with us and his neighbours on the other side. Apparently it is a legal requirement in Ontario that when you undertake serious renovations that you discuss it with the neighbours. So I asked him what he planned on doing. His response: we're going to demolish the existing house and build a new one. [more inside]
Help me create a slide show on an iBook
What app do I use to make a slide show on an iBook? [more inside]
Things people in 1854 Warsaw did for a living
What does the Polish word "Haftarz" mean? I see it listed as the occupation of one of my ancestors in the 1854 Warsaw Police census, but I can't find a translation.
Million monkeys in my head
Thinking too much: I believe I have too many thoughts going on in my head almost constantly. How do I quieten my mind when it says - No! you have to finish this stream of thought or you will lose not coming to conclusion. [more inside]
Why does my cough get worse at night?
Why do I only cough at night? [more inside]
Notiquence?
Is there a word for when you hear a word for the first time only to again encounter the word (or pursuit, or username) many times in the days after you first here it? [more inside]
polo?
Where can I play polo within a four hour drive of Lawrence, KS?
WPA? Why not?
Why hasn't anyone restarted the WPA as an alternative to welfare?
How to avoid paying an insane broker's fee when renting a Manhattan apartment?
How to avoid paying an insane broker's fee when renting a Manhattan apartment? [more inside]
Recommend me a CMS for my video podcast
I need a recommendation on what CMS / Blogging system to use for my video podcast. My big restriction: The main homepage of my site is flat HTML -- I want it to stay that way, but include a very abbreviated version of the blog (i.e., "links to the last five posts only") on it, via an iframe or something similar. What's the best system to use to do this? [more inside]
Eathlink Mailbox to Thunderbird?
My mom just got a laptop and wants to get her mail moved across from Earthlink Mailbox (I assume its an Outlook Express clone?) to Thunderbird. Apparently the export does not work import into Thunderbird, has anyone had any success with this? [more inside]
What has changed since 9/11?
What has changed since 9/11? [more inside]
What genre novels have women who have "too much power"?
Is the Woman Who Has Too Much Power and Must Be Stopped a commonly recurring plotline in genre works? If so, what are some examples? [more inside]
Bit by my own dog.
My own dog just bit me. Why, and how do I deal with this? [more inside]
Free voicemail for Canadians?
Are there any Canadian free voicemail services a la Netzero Privatephone (as seen in the blue)? [more inside]
What scam is this?
I posted an electronics item for sale on craigslist and began receiving several questionable offers for purchase, but none that are explicitly described by craigslist as a scam. [more inside]
Help me help myself
I'm dropping my laptop off for service--what do I need to do to protect myself? [more inside]
What's that art installation I saw?
Artfilter: What's the name of the installation I saw a video of at the Hirshhorn in Wash DC? [more inside]
installing os x via firewire?
I have a gray g4 running os 9, a g4 ibook running tiger, a firewire cable, a DVD copy of the tiger installation, and a burning desire to get tiger onto the (DVD drive-lacking) desktop. What are my options? [more inside]
Pimple on penis, is it normal?
I got a pimple on my penis. Is it normal? [more inside]
Could a reference checking agency help me out?
Has anyone out there successfully used a reference checking agency to check out a potentially bad reference? If the reference was, in fact, bad, were you able to solve the problem? [more inside]
How do we know so much about Roman history?
How do we know so much about Roman history? [more inside]
Frenched Chicken Breast
I have a recipe. It calls for a "frenched chicken breast." Have no ideas what that means. help! [more inside]
Good online traffic school?
Got a ticket for running a red light, want to go to traffic school. Are any online traffic schools better than the rest, or does it not matter? [more inside]
Celebrity NorthFace Jacket
Where can I buy this celebrity NorthFace jacket? [more inside]
multi user web calendar
Looking for the best web-based project management app where different users can update a wall planner style calendar, leave notes and lists for each other etc etc. [more inside]
How to highlight cells in excel with a keystroke.
MS Excel XP: What is the keyboard shortcut to highlight a cell? My searches turn up no answers.
July 7
Help me call and surf for less
And to think I grew up with a rotary phone and a typewriter… I'm moving in November, and I'm trying to figure out what my best options are for phone and internet service (I won't be getting cable unless it’s free or something). I'm asking these questions together because I understand bundling isn't just for the Amish anymore;-) [more inside]
How do you respectfully tell someone they're nosy?
How far must you go to be kind to your elders? Details inside. [more inside]
Washington D.C. Bachelor Party Suggestions?
I'm throwing a bachelor party in the D.C. area in October. Groom and guests are all mid 30s. Techies, med school, law school, etc--generally nice guys. As far as I know, they are equipped with penises. Yet they're not really the "stripper" sort--more likely to appreciate a pint of Guinness and a well-turned smart-ass remark. What kind of unique and interesting events/activities can I arrange that will cause groom and guests to expound to no end about what a great weekend they had? Bars and restaurants suggested will be appreciated as well.
Sorting out my pr0n insecurities
Are guys more obsessed with BJs than they used to be? [some slightly NSFW talk follows] [more inside]
Linux for a Windows Power User
What are some books and resources that can help a Windows expert make the transition to Linux for good? [more inside]
A new kind of X-Wing?
Is there a bird whose name begins with X? [more inside]
to dam or not to dam and family vegas fun
My family and I are headed to Vegas for a few days in a few days! I'm looking for any must see and do things, bonus points if they are family friendly and cheap or free. [more inside]
Dr. Mefi's Sexual Advice Chat
Help me help my less experienced fella in bed. [more inside]
Not those kinds of yoga balls.
I recently started taking yoga and on more than one occasion I have been in class behind a man who was wearing...revealing undergarments. [more inside]
How to sell a platinum wedding ring?
I have a platinum wedding band that I no longer need. I bought it for about a thousand. I know I'll never get near that much, but I'm going to sell it regardless. How do I get the most money possible?
Moving to Pittsburgh gift for my lovely wife.
My wife and I are moving to Pittsburgh in 9 days and I want to get her a good gift! Help me yinz Pittsburgh folks! [more inside]
MENA blogs
I'm looking for great blogs about the Middle East and the Maghreb. I would like viewpoints from all over but am especially interested in Morocco and Lebanon. I would prefer intelligently written/academic material about the region.
My TV is randomly muting tv stations... Why?!?
The sound is muted on 95% of the tv channels and perfectly fine on the remaining 5%. Video quality is great. What is wrong with this cheap TV?!? [more inside]
Public Speech, Public Domain
If an individual makes a speech in a public setting, does the text of that speech become part of the public domain?
Adventures in modding for the non tool inclined.
Adventures in computer case modding for someone who's never done anything remotely close to it... [more inside]
MT CrossPost is making me cross
Can someone help me with the Movable Type CrossBlog plugin? I've installed this, and also the related HighWater plugin. But I can't get CrossBlog to work. [more inside]
How can I make a cool looking book?
What's the coolest book I could possibly make myself? [more inside]
The Lost Art... a picture from 20 years ago.
ArtFilter: This is a long shot... I'm trying to find a painting that I first saw in high school in my European History class. I don't know the name or the artist, but I can describe it... [more inside]
Identify this movie about a government clerk sent to observe wolves.
Identify this movie: Low level government clerk asks to be sent on assignment to observe wolves... [more inside]
I want to commit
Does Outlook have a way for people to easily "commit" to email requests from others (e.g. "can you please do this by next Thursday"). Perhaps a "commit by" button which sends a confirmation back to the requestor, and adds the task to your Outlook Task list, with multiple reminders set to remind you as you get closer to your commit date. Is there software to do this, or (better yet) a macro/add-in that could be built to support this? [more inside]
CMS vs. Blogging Software - whats exactly is the difference and which would you recommend?
CMS vs. Blogging Software - whats exactly is the difference and which would you recommend? [more inside]
I wanna play Super Mario Bros.!
Help me make my old-school Nintendo (NES) work. [more inside]
Maine Romantic Spot Wanted
Looking for ideas for the best romantic hotel/inn in Maine, along the coast on any island offshore? Any ideas/suggestions?
Greasy DS Lite Button
Any ideas on how to remove grease and other slimy stuff off of a videogame controller's button? Namely a Nintendo DS Lite. [more inside]
Travelling to San Diego for the first time and need a place to stay that is relatively in expensive and near the Hotel Circle area.
I am traveling from VA to San Diego for the first time in August. I have never been further west than Leawood, KS. The purpose of my trip is to attend a continuing education event being held at the Town and Country Resort, which is located at 500 Hotel Circle North (San Diego, CA 92108). [more inside]
TAKE IT! JUST TAKE IT ALREADY!
Ok. so what, exactly, does the expression "I will not take the thing from your hand" mean?
I understand that it is a reference to shunning within the Amish community, but where does the expression come from?
Finished Basement Flooding & Cinder Block Walls - How to Fix
The torrential rains here on the east coast a few weeks ago resulted in some fairly minor flooding in my finished basement - one room floor was completely covered by 1/2" of water (where the leak seems to have originated) , and 2 other rooms were partially covered by the same amount. Have owned the house since 1991 (it was built in the mid-1970's), and we met the original owner a few years ago who said he had done an extremely thorough job water-proofing the lower floor/basement area. Until this incident, we never had a single drop of water come through. [more inside]
Should I pay the collections fees on my student loan or try to get them to sue me for it?
Student Loan question: I've started paying off my delinquent perkins loans to a collection agency and discovered they're adding a 40% collection fee to my total. If I stop paying them, my school will seek a judgement, but will it be sans the outrageous 40% fee? [more inside]
I left my heart in San Francisco
...on the 7 to Haight.
A while back, I read a newspaper article about two people, who committed a month (or the summer) to riding every single route on MUNI last year. I think I read it in the SF Gate. Does anyone know where I can find this article, or any other sources for this? Please tell me I didn't hallucinate this, because it sounded cool at the time.
Arrrrr Where be me rot gut!
After having just spent a week in Kill Devil Hills on the outer banks, I have become infected with pirate fever! I thirst for a good pirate quality Rum.
I want the rot gut hopefully in a non fancy pants round bottle to swig out of next time I go to the beach. [more inside]
Boston nightlife primer?
Advice on the Boston nightlife? Where to go? What to wear? [more inside]
OutFoxed by FireFox
Why is FireFox failing to load so many pages? [more inside]
Can an employee of a non-profit donate back to the organization?
Can board members of a non-profit business, who also act as the orginazition's primary salaried employees, donate a portion of their salary back to the non-profit, and if so, would it be tax deductible? [more inside]
Is the Man watching me?
How can I tell if my computer use at work is being monitored? [more inside]
Trimming one's own eyebrows?
GuyGroomingFilter: How do I trim my eyebrows? Not for length/shape, but just the bushiness [more inside]
Why do I get these blistery-rash reactions when I run?
Why do I get these blistery-rash reactions when I run? [more inside]
I want a Peugeot. Am I insane?
I'm looking for a diesel that I can cram my kids, dog, girlfriend and friends into. (I posted previously about this.)For some reason I'm now obessed with getting a used Peugeot.
I live near San Francisco. How would I go about finding a Peugeot? (They aren't sold new in the US.) I called a local European car repair shop and asked who sells them used and he said "no one". Not promising. Any ideas?
Mysql - Deleting items omitted from an insert|update
MysqlFilter: I need someone with mighty mysql-Fu to help me out here.
I have a list of items stored in my database (60 or so per user), they get sent to the flash application that I have, then once the user is done with everything, they press "save" (20 to 60 times a day), and it saves the list of items back to the database. I was doing an insert on duplicate update, but this doesnt get rid of the items that may have been deleted. [more inside]
Filtering through the crap.
Giving away stuff to the bestest person.[mi] [more inside]
Lets Dialog
Windows dialog box question - can I customize the way File Open, File Save, etc. dialogs are organized when they open? [more inside]
Tree roots invade sewage pipe - what to do?
Tree roots clogged our sewer pipe. What next? [more inside]
How to Play da Blues Piano?!
So i'm an adult intermediate piano player, i've been playing classical for some years but would like to hammer out some blues for fun. What are some good books that you would recommend (ones with CDs especially)? Any good web resources too?
How to access Win2k workgroup?
My work laptop running Win2k belongs to workdomain. My home computers are on homeworkgroup. How can I mount a share on my home network on my work laptop? [more inside]
Looking for an ankle brace
That's it. I've had it. My delicate ballerina ankles get sprained if I step on a piece of string the wrong way. I just sprained the right one again today and enough is enough. I'm going to try to put a plan into action that I thought about a couple years ago. I want to get an ankle brace, maybe even custom-made, that I can wear regularly to prevent this from happening so much. [more inside]
Know any good copiers?
My small office (~20 people) needs a new copier. We don't need an uber-copier, just something to handle a few hundred copies a week. Any advice?
A good Interactive Design Masters Program?
I've been a professional in the Web world for almost a decade, but I'm all self-taught. I'm looking for a Masters program that will solidify and expand on what I already know. [more inside]
Olympic doping scandal
Help me find interesting articles, books, interviews about American steroid scandals in the Olympic Games. [more inside]
Missiles: Pass or Fail?
How would a country determine the success or failure of a missile test? [more inside]
Something smells fishy...
Fish Oil Filter: I know fish oil is supposed to be good for you, but exactly *how* good for you is it? [more inside]
How to find a hosting solution for a complex setup?
I need help finding a hosting solution that will allow for a combination of PHP and ColdFusion, allow me to use a Google Mini we purchased and be able to connect to our members database securely. Any ideas? [more inside]
From Which I Came
Does anyone know what movie Eels song, "From Which I Came/A Magic World" is in? Can't seem to remember. Thanks.
"Oh, Two One, Three Four"!
I'm trying to find a list of Washington counties by zip code. Why is it so hard to find? [more inside]
Help me find a health club
Are there any websites where consumers review and rate health clubs in the U.S.? [more inside]
Practical ways to gain a little more knowledge about a range of things.
What are these kinds of "smarts" called, and how can I help my friend get more of it? [more inside]
When does the body die?
I've got a probably horribly complicated question about death. How long after the brain stops braining does the body actually die? [more inside]
Extremely Menacing Vibrations
Merging PC audio sources? [more inside]
Birthday Celebration in San Francisco Bay Area
I need a good idea for a birthday celebration in the San Francisco Bay Area - my house is under construction so I can't host - about 30 people attending. [more inside]
I am looking for a quote about a horrific human tragedy.
I am looking for a quote about a horrific human tragedy. [more inside]
Is it a sausage party on the cold streets?
Why do you see more male homeless than female homeless? [more inside]
Static, argh!
Why do I get an extreme amount of static on my TV when I have my computer connected to it? [more inside]
Shrubbery
Help me pee like a man!
Women who pee standing up: have you used any of the different disposable/reusable products available out there? And if so, what did you think?
I am specifically interested in something that would be good for hiking, camping, that kind of thing. [more inside]
Filling in a DOC form
I have received an employment application as a DOC file. [more inside]
How can I use the Internet to promote an interactive film and arts site?
There are a lot of buzzwords being bandied about regarding the 'viral' 'grassroots' ways that 'Internet 2.0' can be used to 'create a groundswell' through 'guerilla marketing'. What? What do these buzzwords actually mean? After getting vague advice like 'use MySpace' by people with marketing degrees who don't use the internet to market anything, I am interested in cutting through the crap by hearing from real people with actual experience in these matters. How can the Internet be used to promote a site with interactive stuff, games and short film... and little-to-no budget for marketing?
Pesonal Development Sites?
I want to compile a list of personal development and productivity sites. (Most are probably weblog-based, but that's not a requirement.) I'm looking for sites with real, practical information that you can use in your everyday life, sites that motivate you to be a better person, to try new things. Examples: 43 Folders, Steve Pavlina. Please point me to your favorites!
paroleFilter
I have a friend who has served time for several DUI's, and is currently on parole. He is worried about failing a drug test, and being sent back to the slammer to complete his sentence. Are there any MeFis out there that have been on parole, failed a test for marijuana, and not been sent back to jail? [more inside]
AirTunes, anyone?
Suggestions for AirTunes Fun / Hacks, please! [more inside]
Question about biodiesel
Why is biofuel diesel, instead of standard gasoline? [more inside]
Could one run 4 monitors off one desktop?
I have a client who wants to be able to run his PC with the desktop extended over 4 monitors...all for the purpose of playing multiple hands of online poker. What is the easiest way to technically accomplish this?
The price of skin products scares me.
What moisturizer should I buy? [more inside]
iBook Automatically Booted Up in Safe Mode
MacFilter: My wife just called me to tell me when she booted our iBook (OS 10.4.6) it went into Safe Mode by itself and after it finished booting she saw the cursor but it wouldn't move. [more inside]
Survival of the species
How can the human race survive the next hundred years? [more inside]
How can I become less risk-averse?
How can I become less risk-averse? [more inside]
Buying family domain name
I want to buy a domain a .com domain for my quite unique last name. It is for sale at Buydomains.com. They are asking over 1.200 dollars, which seems totally out of proportion. How much should I pay max and how should I convince them to sell it to me for that (low) price? [more inside]
How can I get panoramic pictures printed?
Are there any good services in the UK that can print digital photos which are panoramic? [more inside]
Looking to buy a MacBook, but...
Looking to buy a MacBook. Wanting to make sure it's ready for primetime. [more inside]
July 6
Demand for payment on already-paid-off credit card
SketchyDebtCollectionsFilter: Someone calling and demanding payment on a credit card that was paid off and cancelled in 2002. Fraud? Error? What can be done? [more inside]
Flexible, low-fee payment methods in Europe?
Suggestions on handling/spending money in Europe? [more inside]
Replace the Teen Titans!
My husband's two favorite cartoons, Teen Titans and Justice League, are not returning next season...what can he replace them with? Adult humor, dark themes, superheroes all good. He likes The Tick, but watches Cowboy Bebop on fast forward just for the action scenes.
How much to commission a painting of a logo?
How much should we expect to pay for an artist to create our logo on canvas? [more inside]
Scientific Illustrations
Where can I find vintage scientific illustrations online, along the lines of these? Images of flora, fauna, human anatomy, sea creatures, and the like. [more inside]
Fly anywhere US or Caribbean free!
2 round-trip U.S. continental or Caribbean tickets, now what? [more inside]
Editing system files on shared drive
I need to edit a file on a shared network drive but Windows XP tells me that I can't because it's a system file. [more inside]
Raw stream of bytes to / from Hyperterminal
How can I find out the raw stream of bytes that the Hyperterminal is sending to the EPABX machine and the raw stream (including the control characters) that it is getting back from the EPABX machine ? [more inside]
Are there any cheap DEVONthink alternatives?
What's a good free, or at least cheaper alternative to DEVONthink? [more inside]
How do I beat up an image in Photoshop?
How do I beat up an image in Photoshop? In other words, how do I add what looks to be physical wear-and-tear to images, like this, or the border images here. I love that look.
How much should I worry about earthquakes in Seattle?
How much should I worry about earthquakes when looking at apartments in Seattle? [more inside]
Late Payment
I just realized that I had a credit card payment due on June 29th! I hadn't seen the alert in my e-mail box until tonight. I made a payment (50%+ of the balance) but I found out that it was late and the card company does not offer a grace period. What should I do? I don't want it to ruin my credit score.
Please help me make my apt into a great party space!
Help a college student decorate a living room/kitchen on the cheap. Theme: Martini glasses and tiki. [more inside]
Online travel map
I want to create a map, marking every town I've ever been to on my travels around Australia and the world. I have a pin-board at home where I've done this, but it would be cool to create an online version. In this Web 2.oh world, what's the best Google Maps hack to use to achieve this? Note that I don't want to write the code to do this through the API myself - I'm just looking for a site that lets me easily place markers on my own personal Google Map, and associate some very basic information with each marker.
Node Sim
Is there a way to simulate 100 networked nodes on my computer? I would want to set variables like latency between nodes, nodes disconnecting, and sending my own custom call and response back and forth to the different nodes.
Take the job or leave it?
Should I stay or should I go now? How do I decide? [more inside]
TMB Substrate Creation
Biology Research Filter: How do you make your own TMB substrate solution for use with an ELISA kit? [more inside]
Faking a Blogger comment
On Blogger, is it possible to post a comment that appears to have been made by another (registered) user? This is without the post having been made using a stolen or guessed password.
Help me figure out this BIOS Error
I'm experiencing the following BIOS error: "CPU Fan Error!" Please help me figure out how to solve the problem. [more inside]
The greatest henge of all.
Translation help (Korean & Japanese). Help me translate some graffiti found at Carhenge. [more inside]
Can I make money off of a "newsletter"?
moneyfilter! I have a website that I started a while back hoping to "monetize". Well, I got lazy, and gave up. I was going to start a newsletter in conjunction with the site and never got around to it. But someone found the site, and the newsletter sign up page, and wants to distribute it to their clients (it relates to their brick and mortar business). The company seems legit. Can I turn this into a business opportunity? [more inside]
Loops, Loops, Loops
Alright Visual Basic Gurus: Do your worst! Why Can't I Loop? (VB6) [more inside]
Dance lessons
Hi i'm searching for inexpensive flamenco dance lessons in Manhattan. Anyone familiar with a place?
Possible to send ice cream in LA?
Is it possible to get a gallon or two of ice cream delivered on a specific day to an address in Los Angeles? Who should I contact? [more inside]
How does Superman cut his hair and nails?
How does Superman cut his hair and nails?
Computer games set in London
I am trying to find as many computer games as I can that are set in London, or have some significant background action/scenarios in London.
Can any gamers help me increase my list. Any platform, old or new is ok [more inside]
Can you recommend any non-Rapidshare music share blogs?
Can you recommend any non-Rapidshare music share blogs? [more inside]
Netvibes
Netvibes users: you know how you can add text notes by adding a webnote ; well how can I add images that I want to keep and look at? I tried pasting an image into a webnote but it doesn't stay there
I want my money
My paycheck is late again. [more inside]
Time to get a watch, in Austin
I'm looking for a wristwatch in Austin. [more inside]
eye spy
Video security for gated first level parking garage (condos are above the garage). How can I do this easily and cheaply? [more inside]
Arabic Readers: Please help me decode this tattoo.
Arabic Readers: Please help me decode this tattoo. [more inside]
What do sick eight-year-olds like?
What should I bring to an eight-year-old boy who just had major surgery? [more inside]
bad people scurr me
At the end of the month, I'll be heading to a certain country with, uh, a high level of military activity/insurgent activity to do humanitarian aid. I'm looking for protection. [more inside]
Translate MySQL dates
How do I translate a MySQL date (like '1152215517') into standard dd/mm/yyyy (or any other human readable format)? [more inside]
How do we help a newly disabled, depressed family member?
How can we help a family member who has recently been disabled and is not dealing well with it? [more inside]
My 8088 with a 20MB Hard Drive was HAWT
Fidonet: Where can I find archives of my posts from a bygone era? [more inside]
How do I deal with a Muslim co-worker who doesn't like me?
How do I deal with a Muslim co-worker who doesn't like me? [more inside]
Domain Name Prices
Why are there places that charge you $35 dollars a year for a domain name (register.com, netsol.com) while there are others that charge you as low as $7 dollars a year for a domain (godaddy.com, namesecure.com)? What's the catch?
My keyboard wants to talk...
My keyboard has something to say...how can I listen? [more inside]
Sprained my Wrist, But I Can Still Use the Internets
Wrist Injury Filter: I sprained my wrist. Help me find an appropriate wrap or treatment. [more inside]
What can be sent as a present to an 8 years old kid recovering in a hospital from serious cardiac surgery?
This 8 years old kid came from Madrid, Spain to New York where he was treated for a serious cardiac problem at Mount Sinai. He had surgery and is recovering well. He will leave the ICU soon and a group of friends from Madrid wanted to send him some kind of present to cheer him up.
I don't actually know the kid. But a friend of mine is part of said "group of friends" and they asked me to figure out what can be done.
Hire a magician? send him a bunch of toys? books? a stripper? all of the above?
I suppose the stripper would be a bad idea, what with blood pressure and all that. But I'm sure there are plenty of "special surprises" and original ideas for his age group and health condition.
Oh, and he speaks both english and spanish, so language shouldn't be an issue.
Where to go for a three day get away within driving distance of North Carolina?
Where to go for a three day get away within driving distance of North Carolina? [more inside]
Dogs for a cat person?
What dog breeds are most suitable for a "cat person"? [more inside]
Help me make friends with a pyscho cat
PsychoCatFilter: So my roommate has a demon for a cat… [more inside]
Colbert Report censored?
Conspiracy filter: Has anyone ever experienced this strange, suspicious phenomenon on TV before? [more inside]
California Real Estate Broker Exam Test Prep books
California Real Estate Broker Exam: I'm looking for the best self-study books for this exam. [more inside]
Please help me find a new AntiVirus to replace others that had failed to root a virus.
Please help me find a new AntiVirus to replace others that had failed to root a virus. [more inside]
Arbitrary [x]html DOM Containers
Is it "standard" for a browser to parse an arbitrary tag as part of the DOM? [more inside]
XP Drive maitenance/recovery options
Windows XP Drive maintenance, recovery and restore tools. Looking for what's in your toolboxes. [more inside]
Tech companies founded in 2002?
I'm looking for names of prominent technology companies that were founded or took their first round of VC investment in 2002, during the post-bubble nadir. [more inside]
Will a UK post-grad diploma help me get an MA in the US?
I have a post-graduate diploma from England and want to finish my MA, but the requirements are unreal. Should I scrap and start over in the US? [more inside]
What do I need next to my batarang?
I'm becoming a costumed crimefighter -- what should I have on my utility belt? [more inside]
take my moth eggs! please!
I woke up this morning to find that a moth had laid eggs on a curtain in the computer room. How do I get them off? [more inside]
Podcasts for Writers
Can any of you recommend any good podcasts for writers? I'm thinking specifically for freelance writers, creative writing, magazine writers, editors, etc. [more inside]
Windows XP DEP error
when i log on to windows xp i keep receiving an error message that reads as follows : Data Execution Prevention [more inside]
Trying to recal a magazine from late 1980's
Magazine Filter: I trying to remember a magazine that was briefly introduced to North America in the late 1980's. As I recall, the magazine was a sort of cross among Spy Magazine, The New Yorker and Harpers (of that era). [more inside]
The Cat Pees Awry
I have an old cat. He misses the box. He enters, but aims right over the edge. In the deeper, hooded boxes, he just lets loose, right out the door. I clean this every day, but am slowly going batty. What solutions might there be? Um, "out of the box" thinking needed. [more inside]
I'm buying a new TV: Explain to me the mumbojumbo!
HDM-Wha?! 1080i-who? I'm buying a new TV for the first time EVER and I'm in over my head. [more inside]
Movin' to the country, gonna eat a lot of peaches
Why are there more Peaches and Cream flavored instant oatmeal packs in Quaker's Fruit and Cream variety packs than any other flavor? [more inside]
Heroic suicide bombers.
Heroic suicide bombers. I'd like some good examples from western film and literature of suicide bombers being depicted as heroic. [more inside]
He's watching porn. At work.
OMFG. He's watching porn at work. What do I do now? [more inside]
Can you plagiarize in a draft copy?
In academia, is it plagiarism if you haven't finished writing your document, and you give it to a colleague/professor to review for content changes/problems and they find uncited sources? [more inside]
Who to call for chimney repair?
Chimney Repair: With all the rain we've been having, we've found we have water coming in our fire place chimney. We want it fixed and need your recommendations... [more inside]
How To Make A 3-D Image?
All of my searches have led me only to instructions for computer graphics or stereograms, so I turn to you, MetaFilter. Tell me, how do I make an old-school red-and-blue 3-D image I can use with those cool old glasses?
ADSL pricing soars in Kenya
Dear MeFites, please can you help me to challenge recent ADSL broadband price increases in Kenya. [more inside]
The Thing That Covers Your Head if You're Harvesting Rice
OtherPeoples'HatsFilter. I have to describe an illustration from the 1940s in which the "Asian" (nationality unspecified) character is wearing the kind of conical peaked hat usually seen on traditionally dressed Vietnamese peasants. I know that in the past these hats were referred to as "Saipan hats" or, more offensively, "Saipan coolie hats." Is there a more anthropologically correct and culturally accurate term for them?
Thanks for any and all insight on this one.
Help me feel good!
I moved to London two years ago, and feel as though I've had a low-level infection since, with a few bad bouts of illness. What can I do to boost my immunity? [more inside]
Help me stop falling asleep
I have a question about why I am falling asleep during my training course. [more inside]
Creating flash casino games
Im looking at creating a couple of mini flash casino games for a university project, probably just blackjack and roulette. [more inside]
July 5
Hope me, Humbert Humbert!
Slang term for statutory rape laws? [more inside]
Household Smellfilter
The reek of fresh vomit ..... [more inside]
Good grief, Metafilter.
Are there any books out there that talk about the philosophy of Charlie Brown? [more inside]
maybe this is a good thing
Haven't done a #2 in a few days now. No pain or discomfort whatsoever...anything to worry about? [more inside]
SpeedUpMyMacFilter
SpeedUpMyMacFilter: Is there any way to optimize the amount of memory I have to make my Mac run certain programs at a more acceptable speed? [more inside]
Sexual humiliation by the Japanese Army in WWII
How did the Japanese force unwilling Chinese men to rape their own family members? [more inside]
Damn Yeast, Damn It To Hell
CandidaFilter: I am being treated for Candidiasis. I know I should not eat dairy, sugar, black tea, white bread, fermented stuff like soy and wine, mushrooms, etc. However, I am kitchen challenged.... [more inside]
Votebusters
Doonesbury, November 1984. Does anyone remember the "Votebusters" running gag? I have only a foggy memory of it, perhaps being a mashup of Ghostbusters and the Presidential election. What was the joke exactly?
Frizzy Hair Begone!
My friend is a young Indian woman in her early 30's and this NYC weather is killing her hair. She has long, naturally black thick-stranded (coarse, really) hair and her problem is that it's frizzy. Really really frizzy. Okay, ladies, how can she make her hair more healthy? Anti-friz shampoo isn't working here. Grease isn't either. It's been a life-long problem, too. Advice from Indian women welcome :D
How to find a certain kind of hip hop music?
I love the song "Zingy Final" (?) by Ak'Sent - I especially love the jungle, tribal kind of drum feel to this style of hip-hop. Every now and then I hear a song like this, but I'm at a loss as to what to search for - can anyone give me other examples of artists or songs to look for that project this kind of sound and feel?
Absolute path woes
Help me make my removable drive shortcuts not break when plugged into different computers! [more inside]
Bellsouth DSL + Dell Wireless Configuration
Computer problem:
Signed up with bell south DSL. Attempting to use my laptop wirelessly and sat through countless hours with BS Technical Reps attempting to finalize my connection. Unfortunately it isnt in the cards primarily because my computer is detecting my Bellsouth Wireless config as well as my Dell wireless configuration. (FYI: I'm using a netopia 3d wireless card)-- I was told that I would need to contact Dell to disable their wireless configuration. Can I reach them? No. It has been several days. No luck. I can still connect to the internet but I am chained to my desk, unable to take my laptop around (the entire reason for even having this contraption!)
Any suggestions as to how to disable my dell wireless configuration?
"Read no history: nothing but biography, for that is life without theory."
Apropos of the above, can anyone recommend an excellent Benjamin Disraeli biography? [more inside]
Famous instances of the press being threatened?
What are some famous instances of the press being threatened or coerced by government, corporations, or other groups? [more inside]
Help me get the lint out of my hairbrush
Please help me get the lint and grossness out of my hairbrush.
I've had this problem for several years now, my hair brush gets full of what looks like dryer lint. I'm assuming it's a combination of dust, cat hair and lint from my clothing. Actual hair isn't a problem, I can pull that out easily enough, but this stuff wraps around the bristles and gets stuck in there. Please help me clean it out because I'm sick of buying a new brush every six months. [more inside]
yellowstone acommodations
yellowstone accomodations - any suggestions for an especially cool, rustic, funky, fun, offbeat, and or vintage accomodations in or around yellowstone national park- thinking small old funky lodge type place? [more inside]
Don't let distance become a barrier to the love of my grandfather
My seventy-seven year old grandfather, maker of pierogies and violins, will have his bladder removed this Friday to help stop the spread of cancer. What can I do to keep him positive? [more inside]
What's the best way to deliver streaming videos of lectures to students?
What's the most reliable, simplest, and cheapest way for my company to deliver streaming videos of lectures to students? [more inside]
Help me dye my shirt with coffee!
I have this fabulous fitting, great quality white shirt - with a very very permanent very light brownish/greyish stain on the shoulder. So I've been thinking of dyeing the shirt using coffee - i figure I like the colour of my other accidental coffee stains, now I just have to do it on purpose. Help me do it right, the first time! [more inside]
In this case, it's not the humidity.
What is the safe operating temperature range for a macbook pro [more inside]
Enlargement guaranteed! or not...
How much can I enlarge a digital photo? [more inside]
Which sound system iPod Hifi or Bose Sounddock?
Which sound system: iPod Hifi or Bose Sounddock? [more inside]
how many tickets can I get for expired tags?
I have gotten two tickets now for expired registration tags on my truck. When I got the first ticket, I removed it from the windshield. The next day, there was a new one. I am late with the renewal but it's in the mail). Can I be hit again and again for this? It's $25 every time, and could get expensive. I'm in Berkeley, CA.
I gotta go, I think I left my oven on. Again... My souffle!!!
How easily would my house burn down if I left something cooking in the oven and forgot about it? Also share your favourite tips for not forgetting that theres something in the oven! [more inside]
Science and literature, post-1945
Next year I'm teaching a course on science and literature after 1945. What should I put on the syllabus? [more inside]
Help me, Obi AskMe, you're my only hope...
I need to find a water-powered toy rocket, like one of these, by Friday night, here in the New York metropolitan area.
Any suggestions, New York AskMeFi'ers? [more inside]
To tow or not to tow?
Honda Accord V6 + U-Haul Trailer, Bay Area to Chicago? [more inside]
Pricing a marketing video?
What is a reasonable price for a 3-5 minute marketing video? [more inside]
how do we share the cost of a ride?
My roommate and I have the same job and we usually work the same days and shifts. Our workplace is a 30 minute walk away, so once or twice a week when I'm feeling lazy I call the local transit service for a ride. [more inside]
On-line map site that can indicate magnetic north on any given map?
Is there an easy-to-use, on-line mapping site that can optionally indicate magnetic north on large-scale map images? [more inside]
Smart casual clothes in England?
Where's a good place for a mid-twenties man to get slightly smart casualwear in England? [more inside]
Free moped parking in Seattle?
Free moped/motorcycle parking downtown Seattle? [more inside]
Do you know you have a lazy eye?
What is the proper etiquette for asking someone about their lazy eye? [more inside]
Data monitoring conference in the Bay area?
Are there any Systems Monitoring / Data Integrity conferences in the bay area this year? [more inside]
Why must I cook Patak's Curry Paste?
Why must I cook Patak's Curry Paste? [more inside]
Pinarello...Alone
In the late 80s there was a Pinarello Bicycles ad that was a horizontal banner at the top of the page in Bicycling magazine. It was a long distance shot of a single cyclist riding over some rolling hills, and the text said: "Pinarello...Alone." I loved it. I'm pretty sure it was produced as a poster as well, and I'd love to find it. [more inside]
Converting .PSDs to .PDFs while preserving layers
Can I convert a multi-layer .psd to a multi-layer .pdf? [more inside]
Should I get an MA in Counseling or a really expensive MSW?
Should I get an MA in Counseling or spring for the super expensive MSW? [more inside]
Where to eat and drink in downtown Toronto?
Can you recommend an upscale restaurant and a nice bar in downtown Toronto? [more inside]
Recovery CD for HP 750N?
Anyone know a reputable location to get a recovery CD for an HP Pavilion 750n - or if such a thing even exists? [more inside]
Halogen bulb makes crackling noise
Is it normal for a halogen light bulb to crackle a little bit after you first install it? [more inside]
Help me stay young!
Skin care products for men -- do they work? [more inside]
I'd like to buy a cow, please Alex
What is the charity you can "buy" an animal or seeds for a 3rd world family to help them become self sufficient? I'd like to get my kids involved this year.
Demographic Data for Brazil
Does anybody know where (be it on the net or a certain book) I can get the (self-reported?) ethnic demographics of Brazil for every state? Wikipedia has this data for several states, but not all of them.
Chess website?
Can anyone recommend a decent online chess program? [more inside]
Virtual PC Headache
My friend has a dual 2GHz Apple G5, and is unable to run Virtual PC 6.1 on his computer. He knows Virtual PC 7 will work, but is unsure if he can buy solely the upgrade, or if he will need a full version of Virtual PC 7. Anyone have any insight into this situation? Thanks in advance!
movin' on up!
Moving in Boston on the cheap? [more inside]
Illuminate me.
Anyone have firsthand experience of the Paulding Light? [more inside]
How to rip audio only from a dvd.
How to rip audio only from a dvd. [more inside]
I wanna sell booze.
I'm curious what it would take to make and sell a bottle of booze commercially. A new tequila or vodka for instance. What would it take to have my own bottle for sale in Albertson's (etc...) nationwide. I know Sammy Hagar wanted his own tequila and now has it, and I know some guy started Skyy vodka. Now, Sammy is clearly a $$$$$-onaire, and for all I know, so was the Skyy guy before he started. Does it take a million bucks? Or can I start small for $10,000? What kind of barriers to entry are there? Legality issues? Initial production? Production scalability? Any info would be appreciated.
How much will my cell phone bill be?
Is there an online calculator to determine how much my cell phone bill will be? [more inside]
Where can I find a cartoon illustrators forum?
Looking for forum or community for people who, for want of a better term, do illustrations (of mainly cartoony type things a la Pictoplasma, www.zeloot.nl, Los Logos, etc) in Adobe Illustrator or similar. [more inside]
How to clean my ceramic water dispenser
I have a ceramic water crock and have recently noted an odd taste in the water that it dispenses. I've tried pouring several kettles of boiling water through it, and running the water through the spout, with no results.
I'm wondering if anyone has suggestions for cleaning out the crock, getting rid of the strange mildew-ey taste..?
Cole Porter Lyrics
Cole Porters song "Anything Goes" contains these lines.
"When folks who can still ride in jitneys
Find out Vanderbilts and Whitneys
Lack baby Clo'es,
Anything goes!
What or who was Porter referencing when he wrote these lyrics?
Expiring Domain Name Help
I'm interested in buying an expiring domain name (currently it's in redemption period). Most of the info I've found is vague, outdated, or doesn't answer my specific questions. Help me strategize! [more inside]
picture framing
Art/picture framing training - recommendations? [more inside]
Cooking Challenge: Elimination Diet Recipes
Cooking Challenge 2006: Someone once said that anyone can make great food if they can use any ingredients, but the real challenge is coming up with something with a very limited selection of ingredients. So, make/find/modify me recipes using *only* the ingredients on the (somewhat short) list inside, or conversely, that don't include any of the ingredients on the (very long) list provided inside. (Elimination diet) [more inside]
Looking for storage for home items for 6 months
Need storage recommendation for near Jersey City 07302. Leaving the country for a few months so want to put away books, bikes, tables, chairs, LP records, mattress etc etc. Thanks.
paging all rocket scientists..
whats the origin of the phrase 'you dont have to be a rocket scientist..? [more inside]
Move to Salem OR?
Considering moving to Salem Oregon. Do you live there? Have you lived there before? How can I learn more about the area before we visit? There is [more inside]
What is a good program scheduler?
Can someone recommend a good technical scheduler to schedule program tasks? [more inside]
Type 2 diabetic with a sex starved girlfriend
I am 33 years old and I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes about two years ago, with an initial blood sugar reading of 350. Currently, I have it under control with the help of Metformin, Glipizide, and Avandia.....I have also have now been in a monogamous new relationship with my girlfriend for about 2 months ......My dilemna... [more inside]
Where to buy an embosser in Toronto?
Where can I get a custom embosser made in Toronto? Or shipped to Toronto? [more inside]
My rose of San Antone
Can anyone recommend any good restaurants and interesting attractions in San Antonio? [more inside]
Bridge my troubled water!
I have a 50 acre property divided in half by a creek. I need to build a bridge so I can drive my tractor into the back half. What are my options? [more inside]
Help me sail away...
VacationFilter: I am planning to rent (bareboat) a sailboat in Croatia and sail on the Croatian Islands / Rivera. The problem is [more inside]
Best Fry's Electronics in Bay Area
What is the largest/best Fry's Electronics in the Bay area? [more inside]
A Real Pain In The Ass
Every once in a while I get a very sharp pain in my bum-hole that seems to be related to a:) Gas or b:) BM (Bowel Movemement). Once it was so bad I thought I was going to pass out from the pain... until the BM happened. The pain feels as if I would be clenching my bum-hole as tight as I could beyond normal pressure and is usually relieved after a BM. Sometimes this pain comes after sexual intercourse (NO, I am not sticking things up my bum-hole, not that there is a problem with that sort of thing) which leads me to believe it has something to do with the tightening of the sphincter muscle?
I have heard that there are ways to relieve this pain in the ass, but how? Any relief tips or suggestions?
Light video editing on the Mac
Recommend free or low cost Mac video solution for light editing (resizing, rotating and compression export) please. [more inside]
Framing Disaster
I got a few posters and prints framed via a chain craft store's framing department instead of the frame shop I've used in the past. Yesterday I removed them from their brown paper wrapping to hang them and each of the three pieces now appears to be 'curling' or 'crinkling' up inside their frames. [more inside]
Is the Pacific Coast of Mexico too hot to visit in August?
(Vacation filter) -- Can anyone give their thoughts or experiences about the Puerto Vallarta area of Mexico during August? [more inside]
Advice for recovering long-overdue debt
I'm trying to recover a debt owed to me (currently $1300+) by a client for whom I worked as an independent tech contractor in 2002-03. He's very slowly paid off a lot of the original debt ($5000), but he stopped making the payments almost two months ago with no explanation, and has been completely non-responsive to all my contact attempts ever since. It's a matter of very high personal importance that I recover the full debt in this case (because this is a very slimy guy, and because his company could not have started up or earned money without my work). I also need the money, so this is not something I can walk away from in that sense either. [more inside]
russian drawings from films
I found this page of Russian illustrations from films via Kottke this morning, and am curious if anyone can help identify the films. Some are obvious (The Terminator, Spiderman, LOTR, The Matrix) others less so...
How can I receive a one-time fax if I have no fax machine?
How can I receive a one-time fax if I have no fax machine (and don't want to ask the guy "could you scan it and email it")? [more inside]
Prepaid Mobile Phone roaming through the UK, France and Belgium recommendations...
Prepaid Mobile Phone roaming through the UK, France and Belgium recommendations... [more inside]
Quick way to test an iPod Nano?
I'm about to buy a used iPod Nano. Any combination of buttons I can press to test this thing out on the spot? The seller's a stranger. [more inside]
Decent music by famous non-musicians?
I'm looking for music written and performed by people who are famous for something besides being musicians. [more inside]
Where would you look to find a vacation rental villa in spain?
Where would you look to find a vacation rental villa in spain? [more inside]
Plone Hosting Recommendations
Anybody have experience with plone hosting service providers? I need to find a good reliable provider. So far I have come across High Speed Rails, Siteground and Interlix. Any feedback on them would be helpful. [more inside]
Sour mixed drink recommendations.
Sour/bitter mixed alcoholic drink recommendations. [more inside]
folderising gmail?
How to organize my gmail mail in folders (NOT tags)? [more inside]
July 4
Recent experience with prescriptions from Canada?
Is it no longer safe to order prescriptions from Canada? I know there was a US Customs crackdown recently, but was that temporary? Any first-hand experience appreciated. [more inside]
How can I make a lot of money?
I'm serious... being a graduate student barely pays the bills. It drives me crazy that I'm a 30 y.o. guy with no house, essentially no savings (say $10 000), and no 401K.
But I do have heaps of flexibility and quite a bit of free time. I am good with computers and math and so on. Any ideas on how to make as much money as possible, spending say three or four hours a day? I don't want a regular job, my immigration status does not allow me to work off campus.
A cut of the profits to the best answer... :)
What brand of backpack do the characters in LOST use?
What is the brand of backpack used by the actors in the US television drama "LOST"? [more inside]
Should we buy a house or keep renting?
Should we buy a house or keep renting? [more inside]
STOP AUTOREFRESH NOW!
how do i prevent certain webpages from autorefreshing? [more inside]
Help my power up my Powerbook one last time please
Please help me power up my Powerbook G3 Wallstreet 300mhz one last time. I'm on my second 45W power supply... [more inside]
Is there a place online to find old episodes of the Daily Show?
Where can I find an old Daily Show episode online? [more inside]
Stopgaps for a broken a/c?
Why is my window air conditioner blowing hot air into my apartment, and can I possibly fix this myself? [more inside]
How did you get that scar?
Please help me identify possible causes of an abdominal scar. [more inside]
ive been called a robot before....
psychology(?): I don't "attach" [more inside]
Obesity and oil consumption
My parents came to visit and my father couldn't fit in our Honda Civic. His girth makes it necessary for him to drive a behemoth in order to be comfortable. This got me thinking: How many barrels of oil do you think the U.S. would save if we cut our obesity rate in half? I can think of a half dozen ways that being thinner would consume less oil. I'm especially curious to know if carrying around heavier people affects the average car's fuel economy in any meaningful way.
Background Music: free/cheap
Background music for a store... free, unencumbered, appropriate, and available through the net? [more inside]
Font used on Hard Day's Night?
Can somebody identify the chunky font used on The Beatles' Hard Day's Night album cover? I need to recreate the artwork but can't find that font (or one very similar). The usual free font sites haven't come through for me.
UGH!! I'm no Demi Moore
Paging Mrs. Robinson: How should a lady gracefully discourage a Bright Young Thing who seems to have formed an inappropriate crush? [more inside]
Pain that only strikes at night
Pain that strikes only at night ? [more inside]
What to do with a rediculously long & narrow balcony?
My new apartment has a balcony with some pretty strange dimensions. It's only 3 and a half feet deep (wall to railing) but it's over 25 feet long.
I'm really not using the space, I'd like to come up with some cool uses for it.
The best idea I have so far is a hammock (there's a pretty solid wooden awning above that I could anchor it to) but I'd almost be afraid of toppling out over the (3 foot high) rails if I rolled over.
How can I make this a space that me and my guests will want to use?
Help me not look insane.
Can I learn to show affect? [more inside]
Should I stay in group therapy?
Should I stay in group therapy? [more inside]
Youtube for space stuff
Where can I find good, or even quality, quick time videos of (at least the most recent) space shuttle launch that I can download and keep on my computer? [more inside]
How do I find investors?
How do I find investors to pitch my startup plan to? [more inside]
Mango Vanilla Mojito recipe anyone?
Does anyone have a recipe for a Mango Vanilla Mojito? [more inside]
Where can I get a George Bush doll?
Where can I get a George Bush doll, in the next few hours, in the Seattle area? I want to explode him with fireworks later tonight.
Looking for events in Toronto this week
I will be in Toronto over the next week for work, and I want to make the most of any spare time I have. Are there any interesting events going on? Where should I go to get some good photos? [more inside]
Mama, I want to sing!
What are we using to play Karaoke files on OS X? [more inside]
How to get my WRT54G router back in the loop?
Is SBC/ATT screwing with my DSL? [more inside]
Looking for an attractive recycling bin/station
Looking for attractive, cheap recycling bin options. Open the lid, because there's [more inside]
Cost-effective, shared storage for Mac?
Cost effective, shared storage for Mac? [more inside]
Timer App?
Can anyone recommend a timer application? [more inside]
Problem installing program by DVD
Why doesn't my computer recognize a program I want to install by DVD. I use XP. It happens to be a bible program and my DVD does recognize other DVD's but when I put in the installation DVD for this program, nothing shows up under the "D" drive where the DVD is located. If I go to "Start," "Open" I get a message "Please insert a disc in drive D." I've rebooted a number of times and this does not help. I've called the (bible program) help desk and they sent me a complete new program (free) and low and behold, it does not recognize the DVD? Any ideas' to try? Do you think I have a defective DVD?
commercial use of photo
Someone wants to use one of my Flickr photos for commercial use, and pay me for it. I'm flattered, but clueless about what I'm getting into. AskMe, please hope me! [more inside]
Name this cracker from my past!
SnackFilter! In the 70s my grandmother would always have a bag of these tasty cracker snacks handy, and now I can't figure out what they were. [more inside]
How much to charge an ex-employer?
How much should I charge as a consultancy rate to my ex-employer? [more inside]
Help fix a Macbook's iSight?
Why won't my Macbook's iSight work? [more inside]
What kind of water heating system is this?
What kind of water heating system do I have? And can I install a timer on it? [more inside]
London Underground
I have recently moved to London and now that I am quite situated I am starting to explore. Can any Londoners suggest any abandoned building, nooks and crannies, creepy backalleys or little known places that would be ideal to visit. [more inside]
Recovering a damaged DV tape
Is there any way to recover a damaged DV tape? [more inside]
Who's this Z-grade Canadian actor?
Who's this Z-grade Canadian actor? [more inside]
Getting non-prescription drugs in Spain
How do I obtain non-prescription drugs/supplements that are unavailable in Spain? (e.g. Melatonin, Vicks Vaporub). [more inside]
Need a beginner's guide to setting up domains and webspace
Where can I find a beginner's guide to setting up domains, webspace, email and all that, with simple, comprehensive instructions, but without chapters of "there's this thing called HTML"? [more inside]
Dealing with unwanted negative attention
How to deal with someone who wants my attention – when I don’t want to give it to him. [more inside]
Best DC-area restaurant for a private group?
Best Washington, DC-area restaurant for a private group? [more inside]
Teen driver's license?
Easiest state for teen driver's license? I am being deployed to the middle east. My son is 16, but in my state a teen has to have a learner's permit for a year before s/he can drive by themselves. This hasn't been an issue, but now he will be the only driver in the family stateside. Which state will give a teen a license (as unrestricted as possible) on their 16th birthday? Any suggestions?
File Explorer Alternative
A File Explorer Replacement? (hopefully shareware) [more inside]
Telling a coworker how I feel...
Do I tell my married coworker that I'm falling for her, and how? And am I opening up the possibility of sexual harassment issues if I do? [more inside]
How to get birth control for my girlfriend?
Is there any way for me to get birth control pills for my girlfriend? I am 20, she is 17. [more inside]
Why can't I get past the first date?
DatingFilter: Why can't I get past the first date? [more inside]
July 3
What do you think is a reasonable price to charge a band for promo pix for their debut release?
What do you think is a reasonable price to charge a band for promo pix for their debut release? Details inside... [more inside]
Where do I take my girlfriend of 5 years?
Where should I take my girlfriend for our 5-year anniversary in the Upper Midwest? [more inside]
Quit eatin' everybody's tapes!
How do you fix a tape player that 'eats' tapes? [more inside]
You're just like my mother.
MyMomDamagedMeForTheRestOfMyLifeFilter: How do I stop this learned pattern of co-dependent(?) behavior? [more inside]
Why do some episodes of the Twilight zone look more modern than others?
Why do some episodes of the Twilight Zone look so different than others? Did they change the camera type in the middle of the show, or change the type of film used? This is, of course, evident by the TZ marathon going on the SciFi channel.
All I want is a simple home network that works
Argh! Can anyone give me a walkthrough for setting up a simple home network for two Windows 2000 Professional computers? I'm frustrated by unreliable mapped drive connections, and am ready to break down and follow a step-by-step procedure for creating a home network. [more inside]
Making a MacBook my World
Advice for using a MacBook as a primary machine? [more inside]
Blogger Template Glitch
I have a template/display glitch which is driving my html-ignorant frontal lobes a bit beserko. [more inside]
How to get rid of imposing friends?
What is the best way to ditch specific friends who keep imposing? [more inside]
Gift for Japanese guide
What are good gifts for our Japanese (male) guide on two-week hiking trip on Hokkaido? Are there certain American products/brands that an outdoorsy Japanese guy would love?
zzzzzzz - HICK-up! - zzzzzzzzz
Hiccup! Why do I hiccup during sleep? [more inside]
Norton Securities is a non-replicating virus:
Now that my subscription is approaching its final week Norton is going berserk on my machine. I want to put it out of its misery. I hate it now even more than when it killed Webroot Spysweeper.
Of course I need to get good virus protection before I off Norton. I’ve been following the discussion here and it looks like McAfee offers a good alternative for someone like me who isn’t tech savy.
By the way, I’m just now switching from a dial up connection to Bellsouth DSL.
Credit Card Machine Question
Did my typo on the credit card machine double-charge a customer? [more inside]
How can I help my cat?
My cat keeps ripping open a healing wound. Has anyone else dealt with this before? [more inside]
Name That Classic Russian (Soviet?) Film
Do you know this classic Russian (Soviet?) film? [more inside]
Help me choose a home theater system
Home theater plus patio speakers? [more inside]
Fake fire from steam and lights?
Is it possible to create a steam-based fake fire , like the one seen here, at home using a steamer and lighting? [more inside]
College radio wants us, but doesn't know it yet
How to get a band played on US college radio? [more inside]
Relaxing/tranquil visuals on DVD?
I recently cut the cable and now watch only DVDs on my TV. While I don't miss the cable bill, I do miss having visuals on the TV at mealtimes. Any recommendations for DVDs of relaxing/tranquil atmospherics -- such as sunsets, waterfalls, rainforests, mountains, ocean scenes, etc?
What to do in San Francisco?
Looking for good music, drinks, dancing (no pop music), theater, food, sight-seeing, adventure, etc. in San Francisco for a summer vacation. It will be me and my girl. It will also be her birthday. [more inside]
V=I*R
Physics filter: The original fuse for an Ikea lighting system was rated for 6.3A and 250V. After a power surge, I noticed that the fuse had been toasted. Upon visiting 3 hardware stores, the best I could find was a similar fuse rated for 3.15A and 125V. Since V=I*R, it follows that the resistance is identical when the original fuse is compared with the replacement. Does this mean that these fuses are functionally equal?
New card or board games
Help me come up with new card and/or board games for a family vacation. [more inside]
What song did the White Stripes play after Seven Nation Army at the 2004 Grammys?
What song did the White Stripes play after Seven Nation Army at the 2004 Grammys? [more inside]
My car won't start...sometimes.
Sometimes when I try to start my car, it doesn't seem to "catch". This only happens sometimes, and when I took it to the shop, they couldn't find anything wrong. [more inside]
Can't read audio CDs
Help! My CD drive has stopped seeing audio CDs [more inside]
Insider's Guide to Disney
Disneyana Filter: What parts of Disneyland are suitable for Senior Citizens? And how do we get "behind the scenes"? [more inside]
Triggers for sleepwalking.
I had an isolated sleepwalking incident when I was younger that I am still curious about. [more inside]
I'm alone in the dark.
The backlight on my Windows laptop randomly turns itself off. It used to randomly go into hibernate, until I turned off the hibernate-on-lid-closed feature. Any ideas? [more inside]
Mixed-sex tandem riders (yes, it's SFW)
Why, if a mixed-sex couple is riding a tandem bicycle, is the man always the one in front? (I'm sure there have been documented cases of women being in front, but I've never seen it in the wild.)
Books that examine devaiant behavior, mental illness, crime and criminals, etc.
I've just read Dostoevsky's Crime and Punishment. Now I'm looking for other books that have a somewhat similar sort of subject matter... [more inside]
How do electric meters work?
How do electric meters work? How do they measure the amount of charge you used? I suspect they must know the amount of charge that enters the home, and then they have some way to measure the amount of charge that leaves the house, but I'm really not sure. [more inside]
What don't we know?
I would like to make a "scientific discovery", or otherwise contribute something (however useful, or not) to the body of human knowledge. What are some unanswered questions, or unexplained details of the world, or (most especially) developing fields of inquirey, that an amateur might seek to investigate with possibility of making progress into the unexplored? [more inside]
Help me manage my recipes
Recipe software filter: I'm looking for a software/web service that will allow me to store recipes and collections [more inside]
Need Ending Spoiled, Please
How does "Superman Returns" end? [more inside]
some like it hotter than i like it
Is there such a thing as an inexpensive, battery-powered air conditioner? [more inside]
Aircraft for FS2004?
Does anyone know of a website that offers decent to high quality downloads for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004? [more inside]
realiable photo editing monitor to go with power mac G5
what kind of monitor should i buy to do high quality photo editing on? i am a photography student who will be purchasing a power mac G5 soon. im concerned with what monitor will be the most reliable for editing. from what i gather, i should avoid all lcd flat monitors and get a crt. is this true? i would prefer to keep the monitor price under $600. any advice is appreciated.
IT-1 Certificate of Public Trust?
Has anyone on the green gotten a government IT-1 or IT-2 clearance? [more inside]
Good gifts for pediatric nurses
What would be the best gift to give the pediatric nursing staff that is caring for my daughter? [more inside]
Make my TiVo and cable box play together
TiVoFilter. Why won't my TiVo play nice with the cable box? [more inside]
Contact Management Recommendations?
Recommendations for good, easy-to-use, hopefully free contact management software? [more inside]
what happens in a mexican strip club?
MexicanSexRelationshipFilter. How to best question my partner about his sexual escapades without accusing him of infidelity? [more inside]
EYE OF THE TIGER!
Give me anything, anything else during any other time of the day, but for my workouts nothing seems to get me revved like cheesy, overdramatic, high-beat 80's pop-rock. Being entirely unfamiliar with this area, I have no idea where to start. Can anyone recommend songs or bands that follow this pattern? To give you an idea of my tastes, the few tracks I have are part of the [more inside]
These schema's make me want to screama!
Calling all SQL / DBA / code monkey brainiac's! Please help me understand what is happening in this mess .... [more inside]
Unicode doesn't have a character for the squealing of a saxophone
Help me identify a sub-genre of Jazz. When I was abroad, I stopped by a cafe one night to find a five-piece jazz band playing some fantastic music. The only problem is that I have no idea what to call it, and so no idea where to find it at home. [more inside]
Portland, OR charities that pick up?
Are there charities in Portland, OR that will come pick stuff up? [more inside]
Short term ways of dealing with depression?
There have been lots of posts on depression, so I know some of you have dealt with it firsthand. Do any of you have advice on short-term ways of dealing with depression while waiting for longer-term methods (meds & talk-therapy) to take effect? [more inside]
Help us expand a wheat farm in Montana
Is farming capable of being profitable within a generation? [more inside]
Using MS Access files with my Mac. How?
OSX Databases: I have just migrated to Mac OSX from MS windows but have left behind several MS Access databases of varying complexity. [more inside]
Mental Health Provider Directory -- With Photos?
A few weeks/months ago, someone posted to reddit/del.icio.us/mefi/etc a link to a directory of US psychologists/psychiatrists that had photos of each provider. Naturally, I can't find it anymore. Does any one remember where this is?
Best kids' books about animals?
What are the best children's books about animals? [more inside]
C# or C++?!?!?!
C# or C++ for windows-based multimedia applications? [more inside]
coffee sellers at the tube
Who licenses those coffee-sellers who stand outside London tube stations? [more inside]
Kronan bicycle in the US?
I just returned from my second trip to Stockholm and have fallen in love (all over again) with Kronan bicycles. I don't ride my tricked out hybrid as much as I'd like - it's just too much bike - so I need to change. My plan is to sell the hybrid and buy a Kronan.
But it doesn't look like they're available in the US anymore. The shop that used to sell them here in Chicago hasn't carried them for the last two years. Where can a guy find a Kronan?
Flash Audio on OSX
I installed OS 10.4.7 the other day, and now Flash files are soundless—on all of my browsers. [more inside]
What is the value of a Secret security clearance in the software engineering job market?
What is the value of a Secret security clearance in the software engineering job market? [more inside]
Finders Keepers?
Lost and found: I lost my wallet in Russia. Someone found it and managed to find me and give it back. I'd like to buy them a present. [more inside]
Ooh, shiny! And strangely maple-scented!
How do I buy an engagement ring with a Canadian diamond in the UK? [more inside]
Im having trouble with my 90 year old neighbour. HELP
Problems with my Neighbour Filter: Im having trouble with my 90 year old neighbour. I live in a ground floor flat and she lives above us. I play music in the daytime as I work from home at a normal level. She is always reporting me to the council saying that I am a nuisance neighbour, HELP! [more inside]
7 World Trade Center collapse
Why did 7 World Trade Center collapse on 9/11? A friend thinks that its collapse was caused by our own government, but I can't say I believe that.
July 2
Best of the best movies lists?
So I'm a fan of movies. A little over a year ago I watched the top 100 of IMDB's top 250. I enjoyed almost all of them. I've since looked through many other lists, but I can't decide if any of them are worth working through (although I have seriously considered the writer's guild's top 100 screenplays).
Are there any other lists out there that any of you have enjoyed? Are there any I should particularly avoid?
Please help me break into the hobby of recreational target shooting.
To the shock of virtually everyone, including my liberal, non-violent self, I learned tonight that I like guns. Please help me learn more about them. [more inside]
Is there a word for the study of humour?
Is there a word for the study of humour? [more inside]
Audio problems with mac os x
How do I get Imbedded Flash audio/video to work again on my computer running mac os x (10.4.7)? [more inside]
Start/Settings/Missing
I lost my settings on my Start Bar of my pocket pc (a Tmobile MDA). No, not my "settings" to a particular app, but my settings option...it's gone. how do I get it back?
MacGyver Cell Phone Charging Hack
MacGyver Cell Phone Charger Hack: I'm on vacation and stuck in the middle of suburbia in SoCal with: no car or any store nearby, a working Nokia charger that's useless to me, a Motorola cell phone (t720 pic) that is about to go dead, and sadly, no Motorola charger. Badly in need of charging this guy. [more inside]
Help Wanted
i've been offered a new job as a digital cable installer with Professional Broadband Inc. Where can i find information concerning average pay rate, ect.? [more inside]
Help me sell my my car safely
I'm selling my car. Help me not be stupid. [more inside]
Bay Area Early Morning Commute
Coming from Palo Alto, I need to get to San Francisco by 9am on July 4th. What's the cheapest / fastest way to do this? [more inside]
Cold Boot Problem
Problem with starting PC: Start it up cold having been off for an hour: fresh install of windows XP SP2 doesn't load - it beeps once, goes through the BIOS, beeps again, stops, the display turns off, restarts and then windows loads perfectly. If I turn it off and it's only been off for a few minutes though, everything is fine. Help! [more inside]
How can I automatically sync a file on a Mac?
How do I automatically synchronize (via SFTP) an application data file at launch/exit of an application on a Mac? [more inside]
It's the real thing, bones in a bottle.
Any ideas on the value an unopened 12 ounce bottle of Coke, purchased in the spring of 1960, with pork bones inside? [more inside]
Are there new scanners with depth of field?
Are there any new inexpensive scanners with depth of field like the old Hewlett Packards? I would like to scan small objects like I could with an old Hewlett Packard but it's not working with my new Scanjet 4890. [more inside]
How to reverse calculate ebay fees
What is the formula for calculating ebay fees so that when I sell a fixed price item and ebay takes their fees out, I get the amount that I want back? [more inside]
God as a measure of human pain?
"God is a concept by which we measure our pain." What did John Lennon mean by this? [more inside]
In the Motor City, but without a motor
Help! We're stuck at our hotel in downtown Detroit (on a Sunday evening) without a car. Is there anything for us to do that we can walk to, or are we just stuck in our hotel? [more inside]
The Truth About Peanuts
Are there any pets other than cats and dogs that have a mutually affectionate relationship with their owners? [more inside]
Help me wean my 8-month old, please...
Help me wean my baby so I can get back on my antidepressants. She's 8 months old, is eating solids very well, but won't take a bottle (never did).... [more inside]
Help a teenage fashionista chic up her ugly laptop!
Looking for simple, cute, 2-d and mostly long-lasting and chick looking ways to decorate my laptop. There's [more inside]
"______ is the new ketchup"
Ketchup Alternatives? [more inside]
Computer Boots, Then Monitors Shut Off
My computer boots, but the monitors go black before the OS loads. [more inside]
Help Me Scale Back My Digital Life
Help! Lately, I have found that technology has truly become a burden rather than something that is fun and productive for me. I have multiple email addresses, domains, Flickr accounts, del.icio.us accounts, Bloglines, on and on and on. It has got to where I am so deluged with information that I have found my mind going to mush. It's almost scary......no, scratch that....it IS scary. However, I think the above may be the reason. Good old, "information overload." I know that sounds so cliché - but it's all too real for me.
Can MeFites help and offer ideas to scale back and maybe offer ideas for doing as much as I possibly can through the interface of ONE SITE? I'm slowly going crazy trying to "keep up," proving, for me at least, that less is probably going to be more. Thanks in advance.
I am not a pretty man. Help me best use my 6 weeks off to improve my health & fitness.
With my holiday and time off from work this summer, I’d like to utilise this time to whip myself into a good health regime. I’m not looking for a crash diet, or to lose weight before a certain point in time, just a method to get myself disciplined. Exercise-wise, I’m looking to tone my chest and stomach (flabby & lumpy) and arms as well as strengthening my back. Quitting smoking isn’t a problem as my habit is primarily work-related. [more inside]
Do US stock option market-maker have to buy and sell?
Regular old US stock options (not employee stock options): Anyone know if a) the market-maker / clearinghouse is required to buy and/or sell every call and put listed? b) and, if so, how many contracts are they required to buy and/ sell? MORE INSIDE... [more inside]
Dad wants to blog. Help me make sure he knows what he is getting into.
My dad wants to start a blog. What should I get him to read/understand about the "Blogosphere" before he does? [more inside]
iPod HELP!
We need to transfer 1400 MusicMatch files to iTunes without ripping. How?
How can I learn to enjoy art?
How can I learn to enjoy art? Most of the fine arts do nothing for me. Maybe I've grown up trying to be too logical and scientific about everything. Any advice on how to "get" art, especially from people who used to be like me?
Let's Call The Whole Thing Off
Which accent or dialect commonly pronounces "pot-tay-to" as "poh-tah-to"? [more inside]
disappearing doggies do dastardly deeds
How can I contain my houdini hounds? [more inside]
What is this goofy song about everything the band didn't do?
What is this goofy song about everything the band didn't do? [more inside]
what are the basic math skills for computer programming
What are the most helpful basic math skills for the self taught recreational programmer? [more inside]
How to get individual (permalinks) to work in Wordpress?
WordPress Filter: I've set up my wordpress site in a hosted enviroment (SSH access, FTP OK, etc). I had it running as truevox.nfshost.com/blog while the domain was resolving, then recently I switched it over to just truevox.net. Now, the main blog comes up, but no indiviual pages. As usual, there is [more inside]
A concatenated and transportable list of bookmarks
I have four browsers and want one portable list of bookmarks [more inside]
Series suggestions: Felicity, LOST, Alias...?
Recently I've become a devoted fan of J.J. Abrams' works. Felicity, Lost and Alias used to fill in my evenings perfectly. But now - during the summer break - I find myself watching something I do not even want to watch. Could you recommend some similar directors or series which are made with the same level of professionalism one can find in the series mentioned above?
Unequal marriage
You married a woman 25 years younger than you. And, yes, she was from another country and spoke another language. Are you still together? If so, what is your secret? If not, what went wrong?
Strange blistery thing.
What the heck just happened in my crotch? (Possibly not for the squeamish). [more inside]
The Great Escape?
In the movie The Great Escape, Richard Attenborough's character refers to the "X Organization" and that he has been "appointed 'Big X'". What does he mean by Big X and the X Organization?
Are there any blogs that keep tabs on new/interesting podcasts?
Are there any blogs that keep tabs on new/interesting podcasts?
Where would you make love if you were homeless?
Where can I find Rory McLeod lyrics online?
Welding at home. Should I worry?
Will putting a MIG welder in my garage make my house an insurance nightmare? [more inside]
I feel I am missing something here.
In the song Steely Dan song Your Gold Teeth the lines 'Even Cathy Berberian knows
There's one roulade she can't sing' are followed by a single flat note on the keyboard.I am familiar with CB and a roulade but that flat note is driving me to distraction.Why is it there?I feel The Dan are sniggering behind their hands and I am not in on the joke.
Online bookmarks
Is there an easy, transparent way to store your bookmarks online? [more inside]
Investing in Canada
Is there any legal way for a foreigner to invest in Canada through a Canadian financial advisor or investment manager? [more inside]
Musical mystery from Steve Martin's Pink Panther
Does this song exist from the recent Pink Panther movie? [more inside]
9/11 news archive link?
There's a site somewhere that archives a ton of news video from 9/11 -- before, during and after the planes hit. It's network news, CNN, that kind of stuff. Anyone know where that site is?
Round the World Ticket
Worldtripfilter: Is it possible to get fixed-price world trip tickets? [more inside]
independent professional photography for dummies 2.0
I know someone who wants to become an independent professional photographer (of the wedding photo / portrait variety). I want to give this person a book that will teach them how to be independent professional photographer as a gift. Something that will give them some insight into aspects of the job beyond having a keen eye and talent. Can you recommend something?
How can I figure out what that DJ is sampling?
I am trying to find a comprehensive list of all the samples (both music and film) on Wax Tailor's new album, Tales of the Forgotten Melodies. What resources are available online to help me obtain this? [more inside]
The soporific power of books
Why can't I stay awake when I read? [more inside]
Popword Dammit
Popword: How do they do it? [more inside]
name that tune (new marie antoinette trailer)?
can u identify the song in new marie antoinette trailer [more inside]
Where to go, where to go...
VacationFilter: Help my SO and I decide where to go for our vacation. We're in the Vancouver area. We have a car. We're willing to drive for up to 10 hours or so. We're looking for some peace and quiet. We have no idea where to go. [more inside]
CA labor hearing
Has anyone had experience going to a California labor board hearing. My friend has a dispute with a former employer over breaks. He didn't get any, even though he should have.
July 1
Help me figure out the best wireless instrument configuration.
What is the best stage arrangement for wireless instrument gear? [more inside]
Corpus Computational Linguistics
Corpus/computational linguistics broad question: I'm a religious studies scholar, but I have a tremendous amount of interest in one of the six Middle Iranian languages. There is substantial amount of its complete corpus already entered in Unicode, and I want some advice on how to make it work for me. Books, programs, websites etc. are all fair game. [more inside]
Where to watch the NYC fireworks show
Need a good place to watch the NYC 4th of july fireworks show from.
Being a native new yorker I should really know the answer to this question but its been such a long time since Ive done it properly that I need an inside tip from other new yorkers.
Where's a great place to watch the 4th of july fireworks show on the east river? Last year I tried 34th street in manhattan which turned out to be a bad idea. Crowded as hell, not such a great view. I think unless you know someone who has rooftop access, most places in the city suck.
I'm thinking Long Island City would be a good bet though. We're prepared to show up early.. that long pier that juts out from those new high-rise buildings in LIC would be perfect.. but i'm worried its too good to be true...does anyone know whether or not the police restrict access to it?
Any other recomendations? How early should I show up?
Thanks!
Urban exploration, the legal way.
We'd like to photograph [inside] an abandoned house in Atlanta, GA. How do we find out who owns it? [more inside]
Laundromat/Bar in San Diego
Good combination bar/restaurant/laundromat in San Diego? Preferably in a half hour radius of downtown, but I'm open to pretty much anywhere in the area. [more inside]
But we're all good people, dammit.
SanityFilter: I want out of my marriage. I know it's going to be painful. We have a child, for one thing. What body blows can I expect and prepare for, if any? [more inside]
Copywrite hints and tips
So I asked this question about writing software more than a year ago. I finally decided on Copy Write. Now I need hints, tips, or any tutorial you can point me to. [more inside]
where are the LED shop lights?
Why can't I find LED shop lights? [more inside]
Cosigning for a student loan
CreditFilter: Does co-signing for my student loans affect my parents' credit? [more inside]
More embarassing medical questions
Posting this question for a friend (obviously, since I don't have the parts involved). A rash around the base of the penis -- what could cause it? [more inside]
How to get my MacOS X User folder visible again
All of a sudden my MacOS X User folder is invisible. If I open the "Users" folder in the Finder, it's missing, but if I do an "ls -a" on the /Users dir in the Terminal, or use TinkerTool or Cocktail to make invisible Finder files visible, I can see it. What the hell happened, and how do I fix it?
Where can I find a good IT internship? and what would be the ideal roles?
What's the best way to look for a UNIX systems administration internship or apprenticeship? and what would be a realistic company to look at? [more inside]
Help find this plane crash not listed on FAA
Help me find a record/info of this air disaster: January 2/3 either '69 or '70 Peoria Illinois. Aircraft was a DC9 and company was possibly Ozark. Flight departed Chicago.
A search of the FAA website reveals nothing! No google luck either. [more inside]
Offsides - wha?
FIFA-filter. The offside rule? [more inside]
How to deal with perma-stubble?
I have perma-stubble and I'm sick of it. [more inside]
Costa Rica beach suggestion
Beach resort in Costa Rica? [more inside]
Dealing with store security
On the coattails of the thread Ridiculousness at the Grocery Store, what's the smart way to handle being approached by store security in the United States? Assuming that you absolutely did not intentionally shoplift, and either (A) you have no goods at all or (B) you have some trivial item you forgot to pay for? Also please cite the state if you're talking about specific laws where you're at.
I can't access my blog's MT control panel
This week my blog (languagehat.com) had an unprecedented flood of weird spam; as I was in the midst of deleting another chunk of it, I found myself locked out of my MT control panel (when I try accessing mt.cgi, I get "Invalid login"). Songdog, who helps me with stuff like this, posted a report at the Movable Type Community Forum, where you can find the horrid details; unfortunately, since I'm still using MT 2.63, there's not much in the way of support, and nobody's responded at the forum. If anybody here has suggestions, I'm all ears and deeply grateful.
What should I give as a wedding gift for a very small after-wedding celebration, with only friends invited?
What's an appropriate wedding gift for a friend (with whom I recently reacquainted) who decided to get married just 2 weeks ago and is having only a small party at her now-husband's house and not a reception? [more inside]
Help me set up a home studio
Inspired by MeFi Music, it's time for me to put more effort into creating things. However, my home "studio" is pretty lame. I've upgraded from being a broke college student to a less broke employee, so I want to make it better. Any musicians want to help me out? [more inside]
cooking fresh, frozen, canned vegetables
I've decided to eat more vegetables, and I have a few questions about the necessity of cooking them, the nutritional content of frozen vegetables, and how cooking affects the nutritional content. [more inside]
my filial piety needs reinforcement
My dad's birthday is on Monday and I'd like to send him a poem that would be appropriate... [more inside]
Ridiculousness at the grocery store
This afternoon my boyfriend went to our local Publix supermarket to pick up lunch. He ordered a sub, picked up two bags of chips, and started eating one bag as he walked around finishing up his shopping. When he reached the checkout line he dumped everything on the belt and started reading a magazine as he waited in line to pay the cashier. He paid and then walked out the door with his bags where he was then stopped and told to come back inside. [more inside]
Need to carry my camera gear to a World Cup viewing
Flying to DC, taking camcorder and gear. Good places to watch World Cup in DC near K St. & 9th? AND What common brick n' mortar retailers sell padded camcorder bags that aren't absurdly expensive? [more inside]
Cool and creative ideas for media storage
I've got photos, images, and brief video clips - some copyrighted, some not - on three seperate computers, and I'm looking for an ideal central location to store, view and access them. What are my options?
Ugly CSS Pages in Mozilla/Firefox
CSS Filter: I was so proud of myself. I can write HTML but could never wrap my head around CSS. Today, for the first time, I got a page up and running using CSS, and its fine in IE, but Firefox/Mozilla.... [more inside]
help needed
I am in recovery (alcohol) 6 years and some days just feel totally down mentally and full of concern regarding the future,I get plenty of sleep,go to lots of AA meetings,have a good job and eat well but this is really starting to concern me,any suggestions please
Keith's in the City
Beer Search: Does anyone know a place that sells Alexander Keith's Pale Ale in New York City? [more inside]
Crawfish crises!
Um.. now that I have 20 pounds of crawfish, what do I do with them? [more inside]
Need... more... anime...
Any good current animes in the process of being aired? I'm watching Blood+ and Ergo Proxy, but I need more quality shows. Links to your favorite English fansubbers would be greatly appreciated.
I've got soul, but the drugs like me!
Popmusic filter, I really like the gospel choir singers singing along to rock music, ala The Killers "All these things I have done", or Marilyn Manson's "I Don't like the drugs but the drugs like me". Any ideas for songs like this?
What's your favorite pair of swimming goggles?
I'm tired of taking off my goggles every five or so laps because there's a) too much suction or b) too much fog or c) too much water in them. Suggest your favorite indoor lap swimming goggles, please.
Rhubarb cherry fajita?
A couple of days ago, I was googling around for help when it came to cooking rhubarb and cherries together. I found a recipe that looked really good that called for baking them wrapped in tortillas with butter, sugar, and I don't remember what else. Now I can't find the recipe any more. Any suggestions on how this might work? [more inside]
won't SOMEBODY think of the basketball team?
"Ladies and Gentlemen, I am not selling money for no basketball team. I am just trying to stay off the streets and raise a little cash..." Who is behind this scam? [more inside]
I want to explore!
NotFirefoxagainfilter: How do I stop from having to clear my cache every 5 minutes? [more inside]
My mac has a black box
How can I get rid of a static odd translucent black box on my mac user account? Picture of it here [more inside]
Whair should I donate my hair?
Are there any reputable hair donation places? [more inside]
Movie suggestions
I recently watched the Three Colours Trilogy and Lost in Translation and am looking for suggestions of other intellectually stimulating movies to watch. My interests range over all genres.
Fingernail & Toenail Damage & Repair
Fingernail and toenail questions: I've had a split fingernail for over five years and thirty years ago I lost a toenail and since then it's grown back as thick and stubby. Anything that can be done for these? [more inside]
Movies of China
Can anyone recommend any good Chinese language films? [more inside]
Transfering large sums of money
I want to open a savings account here in the UK for my god-daughter who lives in Australia. What hidden taxes and other nasty surprises can I expect when I transfer it to her when she's 18... if its even possible.
How fast can tuberculosis symptoms appear?
How fast can tuberculosis symptoms appear? [more inside]
stranded in catalonia?
IRS- bank account problem - am I being scammed, or... am I scamming myself? [more inside]
Grimace
Totallyridicfilter:
You know Grimace, the purple something in the McDonald's pantheon? What is he called in other languages and are any of them the translation of the word "grimace"?
How to search a USB drive?
Is there a self-contained app which sits on my USB drive which will allow me to search its file contents? [more inside]