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Miscellaneous Queries
Learn about Brass Monkeys, the Memphis Three or tell us if you think that we have won hearts and minds in Iraq and Afganistan.
Question: How do you spell disque in English?, is it disc or disk? -- Ken
Question: Foolscap Paper: Why is foolscap paper so called? -- David Murchison qbox@akjol.com 7th July 2007 (Ref:1337)
Answer: The most popular paper of this size had a watermark of a fools (joker's) head and a cap. http://thetipsbank.com/papersizes.htm -- Dave Sharpe Tarzana LA 7th August 2007
Question: Right Angles in nature. Why are there no right angles in nature? -- Peter Broadbent Reply (Ref:1113)
Answer: Interesting idea, however if you are talking about living things I have to agree that I know of no examples, however nature in the form of crystals - what about the common salt NaCl crystal, it is a cube and Alum crystals are rhombic and have a square profile when viewed from the apex. I would go further than my previous assertion and suggest that the right angle found in a salt crystal is better than any achievable by human technology.
There are some numbers that occur regularly in nature - Fibonnacci's constant is one such-- Axel Klystron 12th sep 2005Question: Third Pyramid at Giza. What is the name of the third, the smallest Pyramid at Giza, I was told that they are Cheops, Chefren and something beginning with the letter N -- Nospamcedartree@rocketmail.com (to email me remove"nospam") 17th May 2005 (Ref:1113)
Question: Will Linux be killed off by the SCP litigation. Everyone should go over to the operating system to keep it alive. I believe that there are systems that fit on a floppy and some that can be run direct from a CD. Anyone out there can direct me to free sources. Thanks splyffie@blimpnospam.com 16th March 2004 (Ref:0899)
Question: Interactual software to run DVDs on your computer. I am mad that I have been scammed by the big Movie companies. I need to load special software which forces me to watch adverts downloaded from the internet. Is it legal in a civilized country? -- Dave Esmond Tarzana
Question: Brass Monkeys: In the heyday of sailing ships, all war ships and many freighters carried iron cannons. Those cannon fired round iron cannon balls. It was necessary to keep a good supply near the cannon. But how to prevent them from rolling about the deck?
The best storage method devised was a square based pyramid with one ball on top, resting on four, resting on nine, which rested on sixteen. Thus, a supply of 30 cannon balls could be stacked in a small area right next to the cannon.
There was only one problem -- how to prevent the bottom layer from sliding/rolling from under the others. The solution was a metal plate called a "Monkey" with 16 round indentations. But if this plate were made of iron, the iron balls would quickly rust to it. The solution to the rusting problem was to make "Brass Monkeys."
Few landlubbers realize that brass contracts much more and much faster than iron when chilled. Consequently, when the temperature dropped too far, the brass indentations would shrink so much that the iron cannon balls would come right off the monkey.
Thus, it was quite literally, "Cold enough to freeze the balls off a brass monkey!" (And all this time, you thought that was an improper expression, didn't you?)
You must send this fabulous bit of historical knowledge to an unsuspecting friend..... If you don't, your floppy is going to fall off your hard drive and kill your mouse -- Ray. raymondnospamwatkin@ntlnspworld.com
Answer: Could be from a HebrewSemitic for phrase shiver-frozen "freeze the balls off a brass monkey" See the discussion on:
http://www.vocaboly.com/forums/ftopic9049.html -- the reverendQuestion: RNA. What is RNA and how does it differ from DNA? -- Robin Lee R24@aperts.com
Question: The SETI Project. Surely if there were to be a superior species it's planet would not be polluted with microwaves and therefore would not be visible to the radio telescopes used by the searchers? -- glitchmonkey@worldnet.net
Question: Burning Cactus. A cactus in a pot on a window sill catches fire. How could a cactus spontaneously combust? Has it happened to you? reply
Answer#1: Hi..do you keep your cactus in a peat like soil stuff..peat when left in the sun will combust on it's own..weird but true I've seen it myself..change the soil and I think your burning cactus problem will be solved..I hope....have a nice day. "michael ching" ifoou@telusnsp.net 19 Sep 2002
Answer#2: Combustable Cactus I just saw something on the Discovery channel about certain types of plants that live in hot/dry climates and to survive (keep cool) the exude a substance like a gas - that if ignited by a spark can cause them to burn (does a burning bush sound familiar)...Maybe certain cactus types have a similar survival mechanism... Terry Holloway -- nobunaga@nospamnetcentrix.net 12 April 2003
Question: Israeli Settlers? What is a safe and acceptable strategy for the Jewish settlers? What will happen to them when the Palestinians get their own state? Do some of them wish to become Palestinians? Who will they pay taxes to? I am neither an Israeli or a Palestinian, but I do hope these guys can get it together. -- Rafael DeSouza rafdes@panworldnsp.com
Question: Time Travel. If you are a time traveller or alien and or in procession of alien or government technology I need your help! My case is truly genuine! I seek to work with someone who is of a good nature, someone I can call my savior as well as a friend.
My life has been severely tampered with and cursed!! I have suffered tremendously and am now dying! I need to be able to: Travel back in time. Rewind my life including my age back to 4.
I am in great danger and need this immediately! I want to work with you in any way possible.
I am aware of two types of time travel one in physical form and the other in energy form where a snapshot of your brain is taken using either the dimensional warp or the brain snapshot device and then sends your consciousness back through time to part with your younger self. I'm almost certain the dimensional warp would be the safest and best solution. Please explain how safe and what your method involves.
I have a time machine now, but it has limited abilities and is useless without a vortex. If you can provide information on how to create vortex generator or where I can get some of the blue glowing moon crystals this would also be helpful. I am however concerned with the high level of radiation these crystals give off, if you could provide a shielding this would be helpful. I believe the vortex would have to be east-west polarized, North-south polarized vortexes are used for cross-dimensional time travel only.
If you have this technology and can help me please send me a (SEPARATE) email to: jimer013@shrimer.com
Thanks Question: Deaf Baby. I read about the Lesbian couple who have succeeded in bringing in to this world a profoundly deaf baby which they insist is preferable to having a hearing one. I was shocked and angry when I heard this and feel that they must be breaking a law of the USA as well as God's own Law. -- Anne Gouldstone goldenanne@aol.com
Answer: Well it could be the start of a trend, blind babies stupid babies, hairless babies, limbless babies you name it and perhaps the human species could eventually end up as brainless little hairless spheres with holes at the top and bottom being fed and rolled around by robots, even needing assistance in reproduction -- Axel Klystron cyberyog@aol.com
Question: Keratosis. I have just had a small scaly growth removed from the top of my ear. The doctors said that it was a Keratosis and not a cancer, however the information I managed to get off the Internet indicates that a keratosis is an SCC (squamous cell carcinoma). To me that sounds like a cancer. Anyone out there know better -- rogerdelannney@spammenot.com (Roger Delaney) (Ref: 0633) Please reply to qznaz
Answer: Keratosis Please forward to: rogerdelanney@spammenot.com Since I've had both - keratosis and squamous spots removed - it is my belief that the keratosis - if left alone COULD become malignant. Basal cell is the least of the cancerous forms - squamous is the next - and then melanoma. Keratosis are usually the damaged sun spots that are removed with liquid nitrogen. Squamous cell is cut out with considerable good tissue to ensure removal of all. Hope this eases your mind. -- Mary Frankenfield mhnspfrank@earthlink.net
Answer: Keratosis. Defined as benign on medical websites but one of mine developed into a small cancer that had to be removed by surgery. I still get small scaley growths developing on my scalp and I remove them with repairman's freezer spray and a soldering iron, the remaining scar is not noticeable after a few months. I prefer not to wait until the doc decides it is big enough to require action. Better save than sorry -- DavenospamZeke@quartnsp.obo.com
Follow-Up: Keratosis: I have in the past been prescribed Solaraze for the small actinic Keratosis on my forearms and scalp. I found it not at all efective but was later given a preparation called Efudix which has made all of the scaly patches disappear. -- Sabina Patel-Johnson London
Question: Mustard stain I have a cotton madras napkin with spots of "French's" yellow mustard. What is the best way to remove. Haven't tried anything yet, for don't wish to set it. Thanks -- Mary Frankenfield mhnspfrank@earthlink.net
Question: World Trade Centre. What do we do after we have cleared away the rubble. Do we build another twin towers or a Garden of Remembrance? -- Yates O'Brien. cybernspyob@aol.com
Question: Special forces in Afghanistan. "Hearts and Minds" Will the raw hurt from the bombing of the World Trade Centre make us be tempted to act without first getting at least some of them on our side and how should we go about it. Can the Coalition replace Osama and the Taliban in the hearts of the Afghani people? For special operations to succeed it is always better to have the local people on one's side. The British SAS gave a very high priority to this aspect when involved in Oman and in conditions not too different from the terrain in Afghanistan - and they were dealing with somewhat similar people. sandspider@spammenot.net 12th Dec 2001
Question: Overheating Mercury Topaz
Your tips-n-hints on car repairs identified my problem with a 1993 Mercury Topaz that keeps over heating on me while idling at traffic lights. I'm certain that my problem is just a blown fuse to my electric cooling fan. My problem is LOCATING the FUSE!The manual indicates the fan has an in-line fuse. BUT from what little I can see from following the wires leading away from the cooling fan towards the rest of the mass of electrical wiring I do not see this in line fuse. Or at least ?I cannot tell it is a fuse.
How would I know it if I was looking at one? The normal fuses I have seen the in line fuses that allow for one to un- snap the fuse apart and pop in a new fuse. What are the other types? and how would I recognize them.
I'm hoping that is the only reason for this problem but I would like to try that first before I delve into the worse case scenario, going to the local mechanic!
Obviously I'm no mechanic, so enlighten me with some wisdom on these things.
Thanks, of course, Overheated in Texas -- SAVACHE@prodigy.net (BALDE G QUINTANILLA)Answer: It is probably easier to put in a new wire and fuse than try to trace the existing one thru the wiring loom. -- Mario Gol-Shekan Trysafe Milton Keynes England.
Question: Suds in fountains. One of our juvenile friends put suds in our neighbours fountain. Is there a way to neutralize the suds? -- "m&m parkscurry" parkscurry1@home.com (Ref:0191)
Answer: Epsom salts can be used to dissolve soap suds -- Ed
Question: Innocent?
"The Memphis three are innocent", The inevitable verdict of anyone who has seen the documentary films "Paradise Lost" are we seeing a twenty-first century equivalent of the "Salem Witch trials". Anyone out there convinced otherwise???????? -- Richard Budkiewicz Chicago (Ref:0868p) replyQuestion: Spindle. What does the term spindle mean in the phrase we come across continually on forms; "Do not spindle, fold or mutilate?" -- "Boots" cyberyobnospam@aol.com (Ref:0454p)
Answer: Spindle Have you ever seen a flat base, sitting on a desk, that appears to have a long nail coming up out of it, or something sharp and pointy that was stuck in it from the bottom, that is a spindle. Sheets of paper used to be stacked, or held in one place by this method, probably in days of old, way before post-its. Each paper ended up having a hole in it from being impaled on the spin-- hutch9@nospamctaz.com 6/15/2003
Answer: What's a spindle? Hi, A spindle is an old-fashioned piece of office equipment-essentially a small stand with a stiff wire spike on top. It functioned as a last-in-first-out file or to-do list. As memos or tasks arrived on your desk, you might put them on the spindle for latter action. Some word processors let you place deleted text on a "spike" for later pasting back into the document. This function mimics that of the spindle. Machines that process paper (various readers, bank equipment, etc) don't tolerate the holes left by spindle use, so you seldom see spindles anymore. -- Bob Schetgen, KU7G rschetgennospam@arrl.org
Answer #2: What's a spindle? Good afternoon - the term "do not fold, spindle or mulilate" refers to the really old system of office equipment where secretaries and often bosses had a little stand with a nail like device coming straight up out of a base. You pushed people's messages onto the "spindle" for them to read when they came back to the office. I haven't seen one in 20 years.... In other words, they to not want a hole punched through the form. Hope this answers your question. m -- MLH13662nsp@aolnospam.com 05 May 2003
Answer #3: In days gone by, a common item on office desks was a "spindle" - a sharp spike that stood upright on a stand, upon which various bits of paper (receipts, checks, reminders to pick up a quart of ice cream on the way home) could be impaled so they would not blow away or get lost before they could be properly handled. With the advent of computer-produced "punch card" checks, the act of "spindling" (impaling that check on that sharp spike) rendered computer checks useless - "spindling" created an extra hole that the computer "card readers" could not read, and so rendered the check void. That's why government checks, which still have the little square holes in them for card readers to read, still tell you not to "spindle." One extra hole, and your check is toast. -- L. Fullerton, University of Washington, Seattle Washington 98195 llfnospam@u.washington.edu
What did Mayor Giuliani do with all the homeless people? Megan Docherty - megand@probcard.com (Ref:0703p)
Subject Scotland: My holiday in Scotland left me very pleased with the country and its people, however I am a bit confused! Is Scotland a country within the United Kingdom (or Britain as some people call it)? Is England the same as Britain? If Scotland, Wales England and Northern Ireland are countries, then what is Britain? is it too a country? Are these places regions? Am I confused? -- Jay McDonald (Ref:0777p)
Reply: The Scots are a Nation, some of us live in a country called Scotland which shares a border, a parliament and a monarchy with England, Northern Ireland and Wales. we have our own legal system and second parliament and we are a member of a grouping of nations known as the UK. We do need an agreed definition of all the above as even I am a bit confused -- Dave Klystron Dysart Scotland
Can we get ourselves a new set of politicians. I was horrified to find from searches on the Internet that senior Republicans and Democrats were involved in the looting of our "Savings and Loans" organizations. Should the guilty ones be allowed to use statutes of limitations and other excuses to avoid prosecution. Anon (Ref:0717p) reply
Do we put money ahead of our consciences. Is President Clinton right to kow-tow to China, giving them a privileged trading status when they are the worst human rights abusers and are currently occupying a neigboring country (Tibet). Richard Budkiewicz Chicago (Ref:0778p)
Reply: China too has been the victim of aggression - the Opium Wars and the Rape of Nanking, to name two. Very few Americans know about these events. Leila Armstrong Denver Colorado
Yttrium in Sweden has lots of rare earth elements that could only have been the result of major atomic activity. Has anyone come up with an explanation for the strange concentration of these materials?? Also the thin layer of iridium that was laid down at the time of the end of the dinosaur's era has not been linked conclusively to a giant meteor strike in Central America. Richard Gotrik London Ontario Canada (Ref:0832p)
Should we allow Siamese twins to be separated? An English court has decided that, even though one of a pair of twins will die, that surgery to separate them should take place. Some Doctors are saying that they will both die in six months time if the operation does not take place. -- McGlitchie glitchuntrnospam@aol.com (Ref:8707p)
What is this Bluetooth thing will it make my life easier?? -- Roxanne Spong Denver -- (Ref:4877p)
Recently an embryo was selected and a baby produced so that he could save the life of her sister by donating cells. Were the doctors right to do it??? If we could afford it I am sure that we would -- Anon (Ref:9813p) reply
Can the ultraviolet radiation used by dental surgeons to cure fillings cause cancer. -- McGlitchie glitchuntrnospam@aol.com (Ref:9722p) reply
