Ask a stupid question....?

[Serapth]

You know those non-themed questions you are itching to ask, but often don't fit into a posted thread, or probably don't deserve a thread to them self, well this is the place to ask them.

Don't ask stupid questions just for the sake of asking them, put if you have a question for the community and think you would dirty the forum up by asking it, ask it here. If you've got an answer, you are the lifeblood of the thread!

This thread (http://www.colonyofgamers.com/cogforums/showthread.php?t=16645) is probably a perfect example of the type of question that would fit well in here.

[Kagger]

This has been itching at me for a while.

Ever see those ads school connection websites? Or the free credit report ones? How come you see the shady ones, like FreeTripleScore and Education connect have the same commercial with a different URLs. Sometimes its FreeTripleScore3, sometimes FreeTripleScore42. With Education Connection, its the same girl (going to school in her pajamas). Sometimes its just a different random number, but other times its an entirely different URL.

So the question is why?

[Crittias]

This has been itching at me for a while.

Ever see those ads school connection websites? Or the free credit report ones? How come you see the shady ones, like FreeTripleScore and Education connect have the same commercial with a different URLs. Sometimes its FreeTripleScore3, sometimes FreeTripleScore42. With Education Connection, its the same girl (going to school in her pajamas). Sometimes its just a different random number, but other times its an entirely different URL.

So the question is why?I believe it's to track the market space for the ads, to see where their advertising is effective, and where it's not.

[Serapth]

What Crittias said. Although frankly I think its kinda stupid as it makes the service look even more shady when the URL on screen doesn't match the one they are saying.

[Handmade.Mercury]

Wouldn't it be easier to do IP-locating?

[Serapth]

Wouldn't it be easier to do IP-locating?

No, different reasoning. Say they give the link www.scamsite12.com on Cnn only, then you can measure how much traffic the CNN ads are generating.

[wyeast]

Also, it helps give them a fallback when one (or more) of the urls get spamblocked. ;)

[Serapth]

Ok, my turn... both community related questions...


1- What happened to Fitabits?
2- Who was the Loom addict? ( They may have been EvAvers, I just remember someone who had a sig about how great LOOM was ).

[Dorkandproudofit]

Where DID Fittybits go? :confused:

[Serapth]

Oh and a legal question i've often wondered but never answered...

Lets say for some reason a search warrant was granted to search your house and computers, say as part of a terrorist plot or suspected bestiality ring and no evidence is found... however, they discover that you have pirated the complete discography of Debbie Gibson and maybe a copy or two of Photoshop you aren't licensed for...

Can you be charged for copyright infringement?

[Dorkandproudofit]

Oh and a legal question i've often wondered but never answered...

Lets say for some reason a search warrant was granted to search your house and computers, say as part of a terrorist plot or suspected bestiality ring and no evidence is found... however, they discover that you have pirated the complete discography of Debbie Gibson and maybe a copy or two of Photoshop you aren't licensed for...

Can you be charged for copyright infringement?

Bestiality ring? Do you have something to tell us, Serapth? :D

[Serapth]

Bestiality ring? Do you have something to tell us, Serapth? :D

You ever wondered where your mom went ever other Wednesday?

[civil]

1- What happened to Fitabits?
We send each other the occasional email, I don't think he'd mind me sharing he's busy with (awesome) life stuff.

[Serapth]

We send each other the occasional email, I don't think he'd mind me sharing he's busy with (awesome) life stuff.

Thats good to hear... he was one guy that needed a lucky break.

You always sorta fear when someone just stops posting... that you know, stuff happened. I'd like Bad Buddha to check in just to clear that idea from the back of my mind.

[Camel]

2- Who was the Loom addict? ( They may have been EvAvers, I just remember someone who had a sig about how great LOOM was ).
flinxz! He once said he would eat a thread if he was wrong, and when he ended up being wrong, he actually printed out the thread and ate it.

He was one of my favorites. :(

[Serapth]

flinxz! He once said he would eat a thread if he was wrong, and when he ended up being wrong, he actually printed out the thread and ate it.

He was one of my favorites. :(

We forget some times some of the people that didn't make the move, eh?

[Camel]

We forget some times some of the people that didn't make the move, eh?
He actually sent me a message right before everyone left EvAv about coming to Immortal Machines. I don't think he really made the switch from IM to CoG, though.

[johnperkins21]

1- What happened to Fitabits?

I call foul. There never was a person known as Fitabits here. Now Fitbabits, that's a different story.

[Vandabo]

flinxz! He once said he would eat a thread if he was wrong, and when he ended up being wrong, he actually printed out the thread and ate it.

He was one of my favorites. :(

He actually lives right near me, and we hang out quite a bit. He used to visit IM regularly, but he just kind of lost interest in the forum thing I think. I think he probably hangs out at Gamers With Jobs more than anywhere else nowadays.

He's a good guy, it's too bad he doesn't show up here more often.

[Inspector Fowler]

Oh and a legal question i've often wondered but never answered...

Lets say for some reason a search warrant was granted to search your house and computers, say as part of a terrorist plot or suspected bestiality ring and no evidence is found... however, they discover that you have pirated the complete discography of Debbie Gibson and maybe a copy or two of Photoshop you aren't licensed for...

Can you be charged for copyright infringement?

Who knows how this works in your lawless war zone of a "country"?

[jpc_theoneandonly]

Is is strange to be friends with someone you have never actually met? I have been talking to this person for almost six years now. We talk on the phone, we send emails and pictures, but we have never actually met in person. I think if we ever did it would be like visiting an old friend or something.

[fitbabits]

Ok, my turn... both community related questions...


1- What happened to Fitabits?
2- Who was the Loom addict? ( They may have been EvAvers, I just remember someone who had a sig about how great LOOM was ).

Where DID Fittybits go? :confused:
Settle yourselves down, kids. I'm right here.

I've been very busy with work and (awesome) life stuff. You know, the important things. :)

I do still check in from time-to-time to see how the gang is doing... Rest assured, I'm watching.

[Drayven]

Oh and a legal question i've often wondered but never answered...

Lets say for some reason a search warrant was granted to search your house and computers, say as part of a terrorist plot or suspected bestiality ring and no evidence is found... however, they discover that you have pirated the complete discography of Debbie Gibson and maybe a copy or two of Photoshop you aren't licensed for...

Can you be charged for copyright infringement?

I'm pretty sure the answer is yes. The warrant is giving them the right to search for a particular item but I'm pretty sure the item itself is just to outline the types of places they can look. For example if the warrant was to search for a missing car they couldn't come in your bedroom and look under your bed. But if they were looking for something smaller that could potentially fit inside a closet they are allowed to search there and if they find the dead midget you have stashed away in there you're probably gonna get into some trouble even though the corpse wasn't the primary item.

At least that's what Law & Order has taught me...

[LongStepMantis]

Settle yourselves down, kids. I'm right here.

I've been very busy with work and (awesome) life stuff. You know, the important things. :)

I do still check in from time-to-time to see how the gang is doing... Rest assured, I'm watching.

Nice to hear from ya! Also, your user title should be "The CoG Voyeur". :D

Now, resume your awesomeness. You probably missed out on a ninja dinosaur battle just to reassure us you're still alive.

[Matthias]

Nice to hear from ya! Also, your user title should be "The CoG Voyeur". :D

Now, resume your awesomeness. You probably missed out on a ninja dinosaur battle just to reassure us you're still alive.

Is that a battle between ninjas and dinosaurs, or between two ninjas who are also dinosaurs?

[Dorkandproudofit]

Is that a battle between ninjas and dinosaurs, or between two ninjas who are also dinosaurs?

Who the fuck cares? We need someone to photoshop a pic of it, stat!

[TurboKinny]

Is is strange to be friends with someone you have never actually met? I have been talking to this person for almost six years now. We talk on the phone, we send emails and pictures, but we have never actually met in person. I think if we ever did it would be like visiting an old friend or something.
Nope, it's not strange at all. And from experience I can tell you yes, it's just like visiting an old friend :)

[boratika]

This has been itching at me for a while.

Ever see those ads school connection websites? Or the free credit report ones? How come you see the shady ones, like FreeTripleScore and Education connect have the same commercial with a different URLs. Sometimes its FreeTripleScore3, sometimes FreeTripleScore42. With Education Connection, its the same girl (going to school in her pajamas). Sometimes its just a different random number, but other times its an entirely different URL.

So the question is why?

That makes me think of one:

What's with the random characters at the end of spam subject lines?

[Inspector Fowler]

That makes me think of one:

What's with the random characters at the end of spam subject lines?

Related - who actually enjoys reading through their spam folder every now and then? I kind of get a kick out of seeing how vulgar or overtly suggestive some of the subject lines are.

[Ultima Thulian]

Here's one I've been pondering. What's the deal with citizen's arrest? I keep hearing so many different things about it, and I'd like a straight answer.

Also, my pee goes in two different directions, is that normal? :D That one is for all the old-schoolers, haha.

[maharahaj]

Here's one I've been pondering. What's the deal with citizen's arrest? I keep hearing so many different things about it, and I'd like a straight answer.

From wikipedia:

Each state, with the exception of North Carolina, permits citizen arrests if the commission of a felony is witnessed by the arresting citizen, or when a citizen is asked to assist in the apprehension of a suspect by police. The application of state laws varies widely with respect to misdemeanors, breaches of the peace, and felonies not witnessed by the arresting party. American citizens do not carry the authority or enjoy the legal protections held by police officers, and are held to the principle of strict liability before the courts of civil- and criminal law including but not limited to any infringement of another's rights.[30]

Though North Carolina General Statutes have no provision for citizens' arrests, detention by private persons is permitted and applies to both civilians and police officers outside their jurisdiction.[31] Detention is permitted where probable cause exists that one has committed a felony, breach of peace, physical injury to another person, or theft or destruction of property.[32] Detention is different from an arrest in that in a detention the detainee may not be transported without consent.

[boratika]

From wikipedia:

Aw, for a moment there, I thought that was going to be an article about pee going in two directions.

[muddi900]

I have one; Its 2010, so why the fuck hasn't anyone come up with pack-in pointing device for laptops that don't suck?

Nice to hear our lord Bootsy caught a break!

[boratika]

I have one; Its 2010, so why the fuck hasn't anyone come up with pack-in pointing device for laptops that don't suck?

I second this motion...er...question.

[Serapth]

I have one; Its 2010, so why the fuck hasn't anyone come up with pack-in pointing device for laptops that don't suck?

Nice to hear our lord Bootsy caught a break!

The multitouch trackpad on my laptop isnt bad. That said, Bluetooth is pretty much a given and you can get some decent micro sized mice these days.



I have one ( actually two ), that is pissing me off.

I am a maker of stew lately. What I am finding though, even if I cut it in > 1 inch cubes, the beef eventually turns into a soupy like consistency. Is there a way to keep beef from turning to goo over time in a slow cooker?


Also, in Ontario we have a thing called a London Broil ( not the steak cut, a different animal ), which is either a ground steak wrapped in sausage, or a ground steak with a sausage spiraled within it. Is there a name for this outside of Ontario?

Its kinda like a beef/pork roulade, just in steak/paddy form.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4010/4191265455_fa438bbe5f.jpg

Like that but not quite.

[Doogie2K]

How long are you cooking the stew? We usually wait a couple of hours before putting the meat in when we make it.

[Bingley Joe]

I am a maker of stew lately. What I am finding though, even if I cut it in > 1 inch cubes, the beef eventually turns into a soupy like consistency. Is there a way to keep beef from turning to goo over time in a slow cooker?

Toss the cubes in a bit of flour, and then brown them in a pan with a bit of oil.. just sautee them until they get a nice brown glow all over and then put them into the slow cooker to do the rest of your stewing.

You can season the flour if you like, and toss in some other stuff (onions and such) if you feel like it at the end of the sauteeing process.

They'll stay in cube form that way, but when you go to eat a cube, it'll be the most tender, juicy, melt-in-your mouth thing in the world :)

[Serapth]

I tend to cook for about 8 hours.

I brown the cubes, but not in flour, maybe that will make the difference?

[Krispy]

http://www.dianahsieh.com/blog/uploaded_images/VennDiagram_jesus-700373.gif

???????

[Badger]

This is a Venn diagram explaining the overlapping similarities between four well known mythical beings.

I hope this was helpful!

[Doogie2K]

I tend to cook for about 8 hours.

I brown the cubes, but not in flour, maybe that will make the difference?

We don't use flour; like I said, we just tend to wait a couple of hours before adding the meat specifically for that reason. I'd have to ask my mom for more precise details.

[muddi900]

The multitouch trackpad on my laptop isnt bad. That said, Bluetooth is pretty much a given and you can get some decent micro sized mice these days.



That's not the point goddamit! Yes I can buy one, but it wouldn't be packed in now would it. *grumble grumble*

[Serapth]

That's not the point goddamit! Yes I can buy one, but it wouldn't be packed in now would it. *grumble grumble*

Actually, my previous two laptops came with a bluetooth mouse packed in.... ;)

[Serapth]

We don't use flour; like I said, we just tend to wait a couple of hours before adding the meat specifically for that reason. I'd have to ask my mom for more precise details.

The only downside I can see of adding the beef later in the process is, doesnt a great deal of the flavour come from the beef?

[Bingley Joe]

I tend to cook for about 8 hours.

I brown the cubes, but not in flour, maybe that will make the difference?

The browning in flour trick has always worked for me -- I can't say whether or not it's what's responsible for keeping the beef in chunks, but they *do* stay that way, and I always cook my stews for as long as possible.

I don't use any fancy cuts, either -- just yer basic 'stewing beef' from the butcher..

[Hawkzombie]

Dammit, now I want stew.

[Ox]

Oh and a legal question i've often wondered but never answered...

Lets say for some reason a search warrant was granted to search your house and computers, say as part of a terrorist plot or suspected bestiality ring and no evidence is found... however, they discover that you have pirated the complete discography of Debbie Gibson and maybe a copy or two of Photoshop you aren't licensed for...

Can you be charged for copyright infringement?
That example sounds like ordinary copyright infringement, which is not criminal (criminal copyright infringement requires that you infringe for profit). But in general...

Drayven's answer was pretty good. He describes the doctrine of "plain view"*: if a police officer is acting lawfully (say, by executing a valid search warrant) and stumbles across obvious evidence of criminality, he is not required to ignore it and pretend he never saw the evidence. This is usually more pertinent with contraband, which is obviously illegal; however, the issue does crop up in computer searches pretty often as well, usually because of child porn (which is of course also contraband). Note that the officer doesn't have to be all, "I say, Holmes! Is that a CLUE?" The discovery does not have to be inadvertent, and pretextual searches are permissible. This is why cops will always pull you over for a broken taillight: your violation of the motor vehicle laws gives them permission to stop you, but they're really looking for evidence of alcohol, drugs, or firearms.

HOWEVER, none of this is true once you get west of the Rockies. The Ninth Circuit recently considered a case (http://www.ca9.uscourts.gov/datastore/opinions/2009/08/26/05-10067eb.pdf) where federal authorities were investigating a lab that allegedly provided steroids to Major League Baseball players. The feds got a search warrant for the lab's computer and wanted to look at the drug-testing records of the players. However, the lab offers drug testing to all sorts of people, not just the ballplayers the feds were interested in: just about anyone in the area who had to pee in a cup had a file on that computer. Traditionally, the feds would be allowed to search every file on the computer's hard drive for the ballplayers' test records, on the well-established principle that a search warrant authorizes you to look anywhere the items to be seized could be hidden. Just like people hide their porn in a folder marked, "Tax Receipts 1987-1989", the lab might have hidden the incriminating data under an innocuous name or in an unexpected directory. The feds announced that they had the right to look at every file on the computer, which would necessarily mean they would spend a lot of time looking at test records for people the warrant didn't cover. If any of those people had tested positive for illicit substances, the government could follow up on that information.

This apparently freaked the Ninth Circuit right the fuck out. So they came up with a complicated system of "guidance" to regulate these sorts of searches. First on the list:
1. [When asked to sign a search warrant, judges] should insist that the government waive reliance upon the plain view doctrine in digital evidence cases.
There are more rules, but that's number one with a bullet. This decision has generated some, ah, spirited commentary. The Department of Justice brief requesting rehearing en banc (i.e., the long document the DoJ wrote which could easily be summarized as, "WTF?!") was signed by the Solicitor General, the Deputy Solicitor General, the Assistant Attorney General, the Deputy Assistant Attorney General, and every single United States Attorney in the Ninth Circuit. Assuming the Niners don't change their minds, I am fairly confident the DoJ will ask the Supremes to fire down the kinetic energy weapons they keep in geosynchronous orbit over San Francisco.

If tl;dr, the short answer is: it depends.

* Entertainingly, there are analogous doctrines for "plain feel" and "plain smell."

[Serapth]

Thanks for the info Ox.

I suppose that leads me to another question however. You said that would be a case of ordinary copyright infringement, not criminal copyright infringement. Does that mean if the police founds reams of unlicensed music they would basically do nothing about it? That the only thing that could really happen is if the copyright holder sued me?

To use a simpler example, if Im driving down the road in a car with a broken tail light and a cop pulls me over and sees that I am listening to burned discs, he can't ask me to verify ownership or charge me in any form?

[Expugnare]

Thanks for the info Ox.

I suppose that leads me to another question however. You said that would be a case of ordinary copyright infringement, not criminal copyright infringement. Does that mean if the police founds reams of unlicensed music they would basically do nothing about it? That the only thing that could really happen is if the copyright holder sued me?

To use a simpler example, if Im driving down the road in a car with a broken tail light and a cop pulls me over and sees that I am listening to burned discs, he can't ask me to verify ownership or charge me in any form?
Burned discs could be made through dozens of legal ways and are not regulated so I believe that the officer would bear the burden of proof in such a situation. In reality, they wouldn't care, especially since you are in Canada where copyright infringement is very liberal and, even with overwhelming evidence of piracy against you, you most likely won't be tried or convicted.

My question is, if say I am in the car with a gun, legally owned and registered, and were to be pulled over for speeding, what would be the proper way to inform the officer that there is a weapon in the vehicle? Similar situation for carrying a knife on foot or any other manner of weapon that is legal to own and carry. I can't imagine just saying, "I have a gun," would be the best way to do it, but not informing them seems reckless in case they do notice a firearm.

[zarathstra]

Burned discs could be made through dozens of legal ways and are not regulated so I believe that the officer would bear the burden of proof in such a situation. In reality, they wouldn't care, especially since you are in Canada where copyright infringement is very liberal and, even with overwhelming evidence of piracy against you, you most likely won't be tried or convicted.

My question is, if say I am in the car with a gun, legally owned and registered, and were to be pulled over for speeding, what would be the proper way to inform the officer that there is a weapon in the vehicle? Similar situation for carrying a knife on foot or any other manner of weapon that is legal to own and carry. I can't imagine just saying, "I have a gun," would be the best way to do it, but not informing them seems reckless in case they do notice a firearm.

Officer, in order to prevent any mishaps, I want to inform you that I have a gun in the glove compartment. If you want, I can, very slowly, get the registration for you.

[crazyD]

My question is, if say I am in the car with a gun, legally owned and registered, and were to be pulled over for speeding, what would be the proper way to inform the officer that there is a weapon in the vehicle? Similar situation for carrying a knife on foot or any other manner of weapon that is legal to own and carry. I can't imagine just saying, "I have a gun," would be the best way to do it, but not informing them seems reckless in case they do notice a firearm.

I wouldn't volunteer any information to the police unsolicited.

[zarathstra]

I wouldn't volunteer any information to the police unsolicited.

Yeah, but bad things could happen if he reaches into the glove compartment for his registration and the cop sees a gun.

[Vigil80]

My question is, if say I am in the car with a gun, legally owned and registered, and were to be pulled over for speeding, what would be the proper way to inform the officer that there is a weapon in the vehicle? Similar situation for carrying a knife on foot or any other manner of weapon that is legal to own and carry. I can't imagine just saying, "I have a gun," would be the best way to do it, but not informing them seems reckless in case they do notice a firearm.

We must first assume, of course, that you are transporting the firearm in a legal fashion in the first place. Laws in your state will vary, but if you don't have a CCW permit, generally this means having it locked up and/or out of reach. In the trunk, for example. Therefore if it is in the glovebox and you don't have a CCW permit, you may already be in trouble. But if your car's registration is in there, there's not much way around it.

If you are pulled over, your state law likely says you should inform the officer of the weapon. Use common sense. "I should let you know that there is a firearm in the vehicle," or something similar in a calm, clear tone. It wouldn't hurt to follow that up by adding that it is registered, and/or that you have a permit. Alternatively, if you have a CCW permit, you may simply hand that over with your driver's license, and the officer should get the picture.

DO NOT ATTEMPT TO SHOW HIM THE FIREARM. It's a good way to get a weapon pulled on yourself. If he wants to see it, he'll let you know. Most likely, he'll simply acknowledge the fact, maybe ask where it is located, and move on unless there's something else amiss about the situation.

[ShivaX]

Officer, in order to prevent any mishaps, I want to inform you that I have a gun in the glove compartment. If you want, I can, very slowly, get the registration for you.

Something along these lines.

Going for the glove box and having the cop see a firearm in it, is a far more terrible scenario. My dad tends to have a firearm in his car and thats pretty much the method he uses.

[Inspector Fowler]

I would recommend that if you keep a gun in your glovebox (that is entirely legal in CO, even without a CCW), you keep your registration and insurance somewhere else.

If your center console or overhead storage thingy don't have space for one (for instance, the center console/arm rest in my WRX has a clip in the top of it), spend $10 at Wal-Mart and get one of those organizer things that slides around your sun visor.

Typically, I would recommend waiting for the officer to approach your car and ask for your license. If he sees you making movements to get documents and then later finds out you have a gun, he may wonder if you were doing something else. Once he asks for your paperwork, hand it to him, and before he walks away you can tell him that you have a firearm in the glovebox. When you say this, keep your hands on the steering wheel. If he wants to have you step outside the car and wait by the trunk, cool. If something else (or nothing), cool.

If you have a CCW and the gun is on your person, or otherwise attached to your paperwork (I often carry my gun and license in a "man purse"), tell him that and he will decide what to do. He will probably have you exit the vehicle and proceed from there. As long as you are calm and cool, this should not go badly. Most cops (hell, even working at a liberal university) are pro-carry and pro-gun, and they don't want to hassle a 2nd amendment person any more than they have to.

Also note that in some states or jurisdictions if you have a CCW you're required to tell a police officer if you are armed and you are contacted.

[Ox]

I suppose that leads me to another question however. You said that would be a case of ordinary copyright infringement, not criminal copyright infringement. Does that mean if the police founds reams of unlicensed music they would basically do nothing about it? That the only thing that could really happen is if the copyright holder sued me?

To use a simpler example, if Im driving down the road in a car with a broken tail light and a cop pulls me over and sees that I am listening to burned discs, he can't ask me to verify ownership or charge me in any form?
He can ask you to do anything he likes. Any person in the United States is entitled to request you to do anything that strikes his fancy. The question is whether he can force you to answer the question.

Would the cops do anything about it? Generally, probably not. Cops aren't usually interested in getting involved in private disputes that are of a non-criminal character; it's a pain in the ass and nobody thanks them for it. But if a cop thought your collection of copyrighted material was particularly egregious, or he just didn't like you, he'd probably be entitled to pass along a tip to the copyright holder that you were in flagrant violation. More likely, having a whole lot of copyrighted material is considered evidence that you are selling it, which is a crime. Having one pirated DVD in your car is probably not going to arouse a cop's interest. Having 50 pirated DVDs in your car probably will. But there's no rule that constrains his actions in either case; it's a question of whether he can be bothered for something that his superiors don't care about, not whether he's allowed.

Burned discs could be made through dozens of legal ways and are not regulated so I believe that the officer would bear the burden of proof in such a situation.
Burden of proof exists in a courtroom. An officer's burden during a seizure is "probable cause," which (because lawyers are bad at math and don't know what 'probable' means) is actually less than a 50% probability. "Criminality must be one plausible inference, not even the most likely inference."

I wouldn't volunteer any information to the police unsolicited.
This is an interesting stance. On the one hand, you have the legal right to remain silent (by assumption; some states require you to disclose the presence of firearms to police officers during a traffic stop unsolicited as a condition of the license). On the other, you're creating a not-insignificant risk that you will find yourself very well-ventilated.

Personally, my favorite thing about my legal rights is my ability to waive them. I have a legal right against anyone touching my body in a sexual manner, but I rather enjoy waiving that right on occasion. I have the right not to associate with my friends and family, even to the point of seeking restraining orders against them if they do not desist; but generally I am pleased to waive this right. I have the right to secrecy about my tax return, but it is with lusty zeal that I sign the waiver permitting my accountant access to my financial records so he can do my taxes for me. I view reassuring cops that it's not necessary to shoot me in the same way: I have a right not to do so, but like many of my rights, it finds its fullest expression when I choose to waive it.

[crazyD]

This is an interesting stance. On the one hand, you have the legal right to remain silent (by assumption; some states require you to disclose the presence of firearms to police officers during a traffic stop unsolicited as a condition of the license). On the other, you're creating a not-insignificant risk that you will find yourself very well-ventilated.

Personally, my favorite thing about my legal rights is my ability to waive them. I have a legal right against anyone touching my body in a sexual manner, but I rather enjoy waiving that right on occasion. I have the right not to associate with my friends and family, even to the point of seeking restraining orders against them if they do not desist; but generally I am pleased to waive this right. I have the right to secrecy about my tax return, but it is with lusty zeal that I sign the waiver permitting my accountant access to my financial records so he can do my taxes for me. I view reassuring cops that it's not necessary to shoot me in the same way: I have a right not to do so, but like many of my rights, it finds its fullest expression when I choose to waive it.

If there was a good chance the cop would see it, I'd probably give them a warning, but otherwise, I just don't like giving them any unnecessary information about myself.

[Vigil80]

I would recommend that if you keep a gun in your glovebox (that is entirely legal in CO, even without a CCW), you keep your registration and insurance somewhere else.
I visited that region of the country last summer. I admired (what I perceived as) the general attitude toward an armed citizenry.

Most cops (hell, even working at a liberal university) are pro-carry and pro-gun, and they don't want to hassle a 2nd amendment person any more than they have to.
I've noticed that trend here, too. The sheriff's departments are rather earnest about holding CCW courses.

Also note that in some states or jurisdictions if you have a CCW you're required to tell a police officer if you are armed and you are contacted.
That's the way it is here. I wouldn't think it'd be less so without a permit, though perhaps the law wouldn't be as explicit about it in that case.

If there was a good chance the cop would see it, I'd probably give them a warning, but otherwise, I just don't like giving them any unnecessary information about myself.
Not an unreasonable stance. Just a line one has to be careful about walking, I suppose.

Here's a new stupid question. I'd like a houseplant in my room, but the conditions are presently very low light. What varieties might best live in such?

[Bingley Joe]

Here's a new stupid question. I'd like a houseplant in my room, but the conditions are presently very low light. What varieties might best live in such?

Pothos (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epipremnum_aureum) is a classic low-light variety and is nearly indestructible. Should be able to find them very easily. You usually see the variegated types, but there's a variety that comes in a really nice bright spring green that I think is much nicer.

http://www.ecometro.com/Community/images/articles/golden%20pothos.JPG


Another one to look for is ZZ Plant. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ZZ_plant) It's not as easy to find as Pothos, but it's easy to take care of, looks great, and does really well with minimal light.

http://www.thegardengatesblog.com/wp-content/uploads/ZZ_plant.jpg

[Zanzibar]

http://www.dianahsieh.com/blog/uploaded_images/VennDiagram_jesus-700373.gif

???????

This is awesome.

That is all.

[Wally]

Here's a new stupid question. I'd like a houseplant in my room, but the conditions are presently very low light. What varieties might best live in such?

Might want to look into a Philodendron I have one and they are very hard to kill.

[muddi900]

Pfft! All of these questions are of borderline intellectually challenged variety at best! I have a real stupid one:

Why is the world round? O_o

[Serapth]

Pfft! All of these questions are of borderline intellectually challenged variety at best! I have a real stupid one:

Why is the world round? O_o

Gravity .

[roboninja]

Gravity .

But daddy, why is there gravity?

[Serapth]

But daddy, why is there gravity?

Mythical skyman.

[Wally]

Gravity .

Let us not forget that the spinning alters the shape as well.

[Serapth]

Let us not forget that the spinning alters the shape as well.

( Psst, the spinning causes gravity :D )

[jpc_theoneandonly]

Okay, so I googled "angel of death" looking for a good picture for a tattoo. The one I found clearly states that it is copyrighted. Should I find the artist and ask for permission to have it tattooed or does it matter?

[Serapth]

Okay, so I googled "angel of death" looking for a good picture for a tattoo. The one I found clearly states that it is copyrighted. Should I find the artist and ask for permission to have it tattooed or does it matter?

As I understand it, it would be completely legal for you to have such a tattoo, but would be copyright violation for the person who tattooed you, unless they in some way licensed the image.

[Serapth]

Ok, is there something wrong with Harrison Ford? I am watching an interview on "The Hour" on CBC and my god he seems out of it. I would say he was on drugs, but frankly he just seems senile.

I cant really recall seeing him in past interviews, has he always been so slow and lifeless in interviews, or has he gone senile?

[Vigil80]

( Psst, the spinning causes gravity :D )
Isn't it mass, rather, that "causes" gravity?

[Expugnare]

The cause of gravity is largely unknown and, quite frankly, we don't really know what gravity is. We just accept that we can use it in many forms of Newtonian physics and it explains a variety of phenomena in the universe.

[TurboKinny]

Okay, so I googled "angel of death" looking for a good picture for a tattoo. The one I found clearly states that it is copyrighted. Should I find the artist and ask for permission to have it tattooed or does it matter?

As I understand it, it would be completely legal for you to have such a tattoo, but would be copyright violation for the person who tattooed you, unless they in some way licensed the image.

The copyright violation would be if the artist wanted to use the image of your tattoo for promotion. You're fine, but I'd still suggest personalizing the design anyway- it's way better to have a tattoo that is unique to you.

[diablopath]

What do I wear to a visitation?

[ShivaX]

The cause of gravity is largely unknown and, quite frankly, we don't really know what gravity is. We just accept that we can use it in many forms of Newtonian physics and it explains a variety of phenomena in the universe.

It thought it was curvature of space.

[Serapth]

Isn't it mass, rather, that "causes" gravity?

Well, I believe it is the orbital movement of an object with mass. The amount of mass determines the strength of the gravity, as does the velocity of the orbit and finally, the radius of the orbit.

[Expugnare]

It thought it was curvature of space.
That is what we accept it as but there really isn't a cause yet. Our currently accepted theory is just the one that fits most consistently, but there are still gaps and unexplained phenomena.
Well, I believe it is the orbital movement of an object with mass. The amount of mass determines the strength of the gravity, as does the velocity of the orbit and finally, the radius of the orbit.

The velocity of an object does not have an effect on its gravitational force. The Newtonian equation is (6.673 × 10-11)(m1)m2)/(r^2). Even taking into consideration general relativity, I don't believe that the Einstein Field Equations take into account an object's velocity, but my understanding is very far from complete here.

[TurboKinny]

What do I wear to a visitation?

Like at a funeral? A suit if you have one, dress pants and a button up shirt if you don't.

[Ultima Thulian]

I think he's meaning a prison visitation.

Wear whatever. Something decent, but not overly formal is ideal.

[Serapth]

I think he's meaning a prison visitation.

Wear whatever. Something decent, but not overly formal is ideal.

Oh, in that case, stripes. :D

[jpc_theoneandonly]

The copyright violation would be if the artist wanted to use the image of your tattoo for promotion. You're fine, but I'd still suggest personalizing the design anyway- it's way better to have a tattoo that is unique to you.

I am changing a few things about the picture but not anything too drastic. It is a great pic from an artist on elfwood.com. It is a fantasy art website. Great site with some very talented artists. In fact, I am sure a few of my fellow Coggers would enjoy it.

[Matthias]

Expugnare is correct, velocity does not affect the gravitational pull of an object; indeed, every object has a gravitational pull on every object in the universe; my body is exerting a force on the sun, much less the earth. The gravitational force between two bodies is dependent on both of their masses.

Here's another look at the formula Expugnare posted above:

(G*M*m)/(d^2)

Where M is the mass of one body, m is the mass of the second body, d is the distance, and G is the "Gravitational Constant" which is a constant that adjusts the rest of the formula to match our metric system, which God/FSM likely did not use when creating the universe. Typically on earth, we'd set the mass of the earth to M (using capital just to show its bigger and because we can't use subscripts) and set the mass of any other object to m; Because the Earth is SOOO large compared to everything we've ever built, it has a much larger effect on the equation than we do; likewise, until we get pretty darn far away from Earth, the distance has relatively little effect on the equation as well. It is for this reason that in many of your high school physics classes, you always wrote in 9.81 m/s^2 as the acceleration due to gravity in all of your homework problems. This is a great value for anything remotely our size that's staying within a few kilometers of sea level, but we need to use the above full equation once we start leaving that ideal territory.

That being said, you will notice that nowhere in that equation is velocity (either linear or rotational) taken into consideration. It has no effect on gravity.

What may be confusing a few people is the notion of rotating space stations that you can find in many science fiction settings; the rotation generates an artificial gravity that allows humans to walk on the outer ring of the station, with their heads pointing towards the center of the station. The key here is that the gravity is artificial. The station is actually doing the same thing your car does when you take a fast turn- you slide to the outside of the turn, while your car generates a centripetal force that pushes you back towards the center.

[TheFlyingOrc]

That is what we accept it as but there really isn't a cause yet. Our currently accepted theory is just the one that fits most consistently, but there are still gaps and unexplained phenomena.

Even so, asking "why does gravity exist" can really only be answered by a creation myth or "it just exists". I can't really think of a reason that science could come up with that would explain WHY particles with mass pull each other together.

[Ultima Thulian]

"Fucking magnets. How do they work?"

[TheFlyingOrc]

"Fucking magnets."
Don't do this it's dangerous to your health.

[ClannerDelta]

Don't do this it's dangerous to your health.

It's like Magnet therapy for your penis. Magnet therapy works, right?

[Ultima Thulian]

Of course it does. The arthritis in my balls is gone.

But I don't ask scientists. Y'all muthafuckas lying, and be getting me pissed.

[Serapth]

Ok, I admit this is just me being too lazy to research it / the topic having too much noise to make the research non-trivial, but...


During the whole US healthcare debate, there are constant references to how country X or Y has public healthcare and that USA is the only nation that doesn't.

I guess that is my exact question... are there any actual first/second world countries that don't have some form of public healthcare? I know Canada, UK and France have public healthcare, I believe Norway, Sweden, Holland and Finland all do, but what about the rest.

What of Germany, Spain, Italy, Poland, Russia, Czech, Mexico, Brazil, etc...?

[TurboKinny]

Ok, I admit this is just me being too lazy to research it / the topic having too much noise to make the research non-trivial, but...


During the whole US healthcare debate, there are constant references to how country X or Y has public healthcare and that USA is the only nation that doesn't.

I guess that is my exact question... are there any actual first/second world countries that don't have some form of public healthcare? I know Canada, UK and France have public healthcare, I believe Norway, Sweden, Holland and Finland all do, but what about the rest.

What of Germany, Spain, Italy, Poland, Russia, Czech, Mexico, Brazil, etc...?
Totally non-scientific, but TIME magazine referred to the US as the only industrialized nation without some form of public healthcare.

[ShivaX]

Ok, I admit this is just me being too lazy to research it / the topic having too much noise to make the research non-trivial, but...


During the whole US healthcare debate, there are constant references to how country X or Y has public healthcare and that USA is the only nation that doesn't.

I guess that is my exact question... are there any actual first/second world countries that don't have some form of public healthcare? I know Canada, UK and France have public healthcare, I believe Norway, Sweden, Holland and Finland all do, but what about the rest.

What of Germany, Spain, Italy, Poland, Russia, Czech, Mexico, Brazil, etc...?

Well typically they say "Western nations". Which usually means Western European nations, ie NATO allies.

But to answer those examples:

Germany:Germany has Europe's oldest universal health care system (1883-9)
Spain: Spain has a public/national health system.
Italy: Healthcare is provided to all citizens and residents by a mixed public-private system (2nd best in the world, 3rd best performance)
Poland: I'm actually confused what the hell they have, whatever it is it apparently isn't working right, they did have universal healthcare, but it got too expensive and... then I stopped wading through crap
Russia: Universal health care program (though they're having some sort of issue so finding out any details without political bias seems impossible)
Czech Republic:Healthcare (including dental treatment) is free to all citizens
Mexico: Public health care is provided to all Mexican citizens
Brazil: Public health care is provided to all Brazilian permanent residents and is free at the point of need (being paid for from general taxation).

So... yeah we seem to be the only one.

[boratika]

I just stumbled across this (http://chartsbin.com/view/z1a) world map of universal healthcare. Seems to be, you know, researched.


So yeah, pretty much the US, most of Africa, some of South America, some south east Asia and some Middle East without it.


Also another fun map (http://chartsbin.com/view/d12).

[TheFlyingOrc]

"Fucking magnets. How do they work?"

OK I hadn't seen the video when you posted this and now that I did you are a beautiful person.

[Serapth]

Why is the spell checker in Chrome so horrible, while the spell checker at Google.com is so excellent? Is there a way to tell it to use Google.com instead? And for that matter, why the hell doesn't it now???


I love Google.com "did you mean?", I don't even really try to spell correctly anymore when searching. I mean, it can figure out I meant 'Mississippi' from 'Misasepee'!

[ClannerDelta]

I mean, it can figure out I meant 'Mississippi' from 'Misasepee'!

So... you type like JarJar Binks talks?

[Serapth]

So... you type like JarJar Binks talks?

Talkin' 'Merican.

[Superman's Dead]

Talkin' 'Merican.

We say Mississippi exceptionally, thank you.

[Wraith]

Q. On a PS3, how do you properly get a blu-ray movie to pick up at the same spot where you left off? Sometimes it does, sometimes it doesn't, and I haven't really picked up on what I'm supposed to do to get it to work.

I'm using a 60GB PS3 and the Sony remote, if it makes any difference (doubt it does). When stopping a movie, I usually hit Stop or Circle, which brings me back to the XMB, then go to turn off the system from the menu. I know you can hold the PS button and choose shut off system.

[Nerdious]

To piggyback Wraiths PS3 question, I've got a random one giving me trouble. So I got this PS3 off of craigslist about 2 weeks ago. I've been plugging in the controller into the USB port and it's been charging (I think?). So today I decide that I want to fire up some God of War collection and the controller's out of batteries.

I left it plugged in with the PS3 on the dashboard for a couple of hours and then watched a blu ray hoping it would charge the controller. When I unplugged it, I got a low battery warning again.

So question time, is my controller dead? Looking online when it's in USB the lights are supposed to flash? Because mine aren't. Is it some stupid setting I've messed up? If it's plugged in I can turn it on and use it, but it won't last a couple of minutes unplugged.

[Vigil80]

Pothos (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epipremnum_aureum) is a classic low-light variety and is nearly indestructible. Should be able to find them very easily.

Took your advice and grabbed one. I only saw variegated, but I only went to a couple of places. I like the appearance, very fresh looking. Here it is right after I re-potted it. (thumbnail)
http://img202.imageshack.us/img202/7450/pothos.th.jpg (http://img202.imageshack.us/img202/7450/pothos.jpg)

I'll probably look for a ZZ plant too, eventually. I'll be putting in some new floating shelving soon, and a small plant would look nice on the end of one.

So question time, is my controller dead? Looking online when it's in USB the lights are supposed to flash? Because mine aren't. Is it some stupid setting I've messed up? If it's plugged in I can turn it on and use it, but it won't last a couple of minutes unplugged.

I don't know the answer to Wraith's question, but in your case it does sound like the battery inside might be worn out. Rechargable batteries lose their ability to hold a charge eventually, over the course of many recharges. I sort of wish that PS3 controllers used battery packs like 360 ones do for that very reason.

[Bingley Joe]

Took your advice and grabbed one. I only saw variegated, but I only went to a couple of places. I like the appearance, very fresh looking. Here it is right after I re-potted it. (thumbnail)
http://img202.imageshack.us/img202/7450/pothos.th.jpg (http://img202.imageshack.us/img202/7450/pothos.jpg)

I'll probably look for a ZZ plant too, eventually. I'll be putting in some new floating shelving soon, and a small plant would look nice on the end of one.

Very nice!

One great thing about Pothos is that you can start new ones from cuttings really easily, and since they grow quickly and can get quite 'leggy', you'll probably be cutting it quite a bit anyway.

You can get all fancy and put the cuttings in water until they sprout roots, but I've had no problem getting them to root by just jamming the cutting straight into the soil of the same pot its parent is growing in. Super easy plant to take care of.

[Inspector Fowler]

I would bet that the last user of that PS3 just left the controllers plugged in all the time, and the batteries have developed a memory. There really isn't a good way to recondition it, as far as I know.

I much prefer removable batteries in almost any device. For the cost of the uber-lame plug and play kit for my 360 you can get 4 very high powered Energizer batteries and a recharger. I played over 24 hours of Bad Company 2 without needing to change them, but when I do it takes less than 10 seconds.

[Serapth]

Ok, this question is timely, as I am currently in the process of ripping some 200+ CDs and Media Player is slooooooooowwwwwww.


Can someone recommend a free CD ripper that is fast, encodes to mp3 at atleast 256kb?

[Wraith]

I guess I haven't ripped with Media Player in forever, so I don't know how the speed compares. I just use iTunes. It'll do 256 and 320 kbps MP3 (in addition to lower bitrates & Apple formats and WAV). And can be set to automatically start ripping when audio CD inserted, and eject when finished. But nobody likes iTunes.

[Vigil80]

I haven't sampled a bunch of programs or anything, but I like CDex (http://cdexos.sourceforge.net/) just fine.

[Serapth]

Can a white guy sing along to a song that uses the N word?

For example, if I'm driving down the street listening to Cypruss Hill, would singing the lyric "A Nigga like me is going insane" from Insane in the Membrane, be inappropriate? ( Beyond that you might view singing in public as inappropriate in the first place! ).


Now, what if the song is also from a white guy, like the lyric "Bragging that you know how the niggers feel cold" from Holiday in Cambodia by the Dead Kennedys. Would this be inappropriate for a white guy to sing along to?


( Interesting trivia bit, but HiC was on Guitar Hero and was redubbed to say "brothers" ).

[crazyD]

You can't predict how other people will react to anything, so I generally will sing it along when I am alone, but not while in groups.

[Generation ABXY]

Can a white guy sing along to a song that uses the N word?

So long as you know when turn down the radio...
CeNnQJAo6ME

[Vigil80]

Barring being with close/old friends, where all bets are off anyway, no, non-black folks are not allowed to utter the N-word, or really any variations thereof, including but not limited to the hipper, friendlier "-ga" ending, the media-friendly "ninja" or "nizzle," or especially the traditional, taboo "-ger" ending, which even black folks seem to shy away from unless he/she specifically intends to insult another black person.

Edit: Eminem may be as good an example as any. Accepted as he is as a hardcore rapper, even he doesn't dare use the word in his songs as often as his peers. If it even shows up at all, I'm willing to bet it isn't until his sophomore works or later.

In the Dead Kenendys example, I would simply classify that as a bad idea all around.

[Nura]

http://www.dianahsieh.com/blog/uploaded_images/VennDiagram_jesus-700373.gif

???????

... "Frankensteins Monster "Adam"*"

[Serapth]

I got one, been reading some soft sci/fi and it has me wondering something.


What happens if you detonate a nuke in the vacuum of space? Would it increase the effect because of the lack of resistance, or would it mute it as their is nothing to chain react against?

[Expugnare]

I got one, been reading some soft sci/fi and it has me wondering something.


What happens if you detonate a nuke in the vacuum of space? Would it increase the effect because of the lack of resistance, or would it mute it as their is nothing to chain react against?

Just off the top of my head, nothing visible would happen there would be no oxygen to combust. I guess you would see the components of the bomb explode outwards if not disintegrate. It definitely would not increase in power with no medium to transfer the energy. The nuclear reaction would still take place but the massive release of energy couldn't do anything without a medium to travel through. Radiation with still affect a very localized area though.

[Ox]

Nuclear reactions generate photons in a variety of wavelengths, including those of the proper length to be detected by human retinas. So even in space, a nuke would be visible.

Nukes in Earth's atmosphere don't usually cause further nuclear reaction in the surrounding gas; all of the nuclear activity takes place in the bomb material itself.

Nuclear blasts do three primary forms of damage on Earth: heat, overpressure, and wind. Heat's effects are obvious, and would remain the same in space. Overpressure collapses buildings by dramatically increasing the outside air pressure relative to the inside pressure; this would not occur in a vacuum. Wind has an anti-personnel effect (it turns out humans are a lot better at resisting overpressure than all but the most hardened structures), as even small objects are propelled to lethal speeds by more-than-hurricane-force winds. Again, this would not happen in space.

[Matthias]

Nuclear reactions generate photons in a variety of wavelengths, including those of the proper length to be detected by human retinas. So even in space, a nuke would be visible.

Nukes in Earth's atmosphere don't usually cause further nuclear reaction in the surrounding gas; all of the nuclear activity takes place in the bomb material itself.

Nuclear blasts do three primary forms of damage on Earth: heat, overpressure, and wind. Heat's effects are obvious, and would remain the same in space. Overpressure collapses buildings by dramatically increasing the outside air pressure relative to the inside pressure; this would not occur in a vacuum. Wind has an anti-personnel effect (it turns out humans are a lot better at resisting overpressure than all but the most hardened structures), as even small objects are propelled to lethal speeds by more-than-hurricane-force winds. Again, this would not happen in space.

Don't forget about Gamma rays. Lingering radiation is bad, but the initial blast is enough to doom a larger radius than the above three factors would.

[Serapth]

Watching Daily show from last night and I have a question...


Everyone I have heard in the past says Taliban like "tal A bon" while Obama always says "taly bon" ( as in come Mr Talybon tally me banana's ).

Which is the correct pronunciation?

[Ultima Thulian]

My understanding is both are wrong.

Tal - eh - bahn. Not tally or tallah.

[Karak]

My understanding is both are wrong.

Tal - eh - bahn. Not tally or tallah.

I think this is correct as well.

[ShivaX]

Don't forget about Gamma rays. Lingering radiation is bad, but the initial blast is enough to doom a larger radius than the above three factors would.

While that is true, in space that level of radiation is pretty much all over the place anyway isn't it? So I'm not sure it would really be that impressive. Also consider that gamma rays disperse pretty quickly, odds are you'd just be vaporized or incinerated by the blast if you were close enough to be significantly irrradiated.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Effects_of_nuclear_explosions

The character of the radiation received at a given location also varies with distance from the explosion[4]. Near the point of the explosion, the neutron intensity is greater than the gamma intensity, but with increasing distance the neutron-gamma ratio decreases. Ultimately, the neutron component of initial radiation becomes negligible in comparison with the gamma component. The range for significant levels of initial radiation does not increase markedly with weapon yield and, as a result, the initial radiation becomes less of a hazard with increasing yield. With larger weapons, above 50 kT (200 TJ), blast and thermal effects are so much greater in importance that prompt radiation effects can be ignored.

Most nuclear weapons vastly more than 50kT. Thats only like 2-3 times Hiroshima/Nagasaki.
For example this badboy, the first two-stage thermonuclear bomb:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3d/IvyMike2.jpg/800px-IvyMike2.jpg
November 1, 1952 Mike shot of Operation Ivy, Eniwetok
Yield 10.4 megatons.

Most MIRV warheads are in the one megaton range, so roughly 20 times more powerful than they need to be to make initial radiation irrelevant.