Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Miscellaneous/2008 November 8

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November 8[edit]

"XXnm chips"[edit]

What exactly does the number refer to? Ex: 45nm, 65nm, I know it refers to the something on the die size of processors, but I'm unsure of what it actually measures. 67.169.56.73 (talk) 00:13, 8 November 2008 (UTC)[reply]

'Nanometer'. HalfShadow 00:22, 8 November 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Articles such as 65nm process and 45nm might help you. And I can tell you, they're pretty cool to see made. Dismas|(talk) 00:30, 8 November 2008 (UTC)[reply]
I know it means nanometer, I'm wondering what exactly on the chip they're measuring? I see gate pitch, line widths, line pitches, and isolation pitches, none of which match up with the stated measurements. Okay, never mind, I read the 45nm article again and saw half pitch, now what exactly is a half pitch? 67.169.56.73 (talk) 00:57, 8 November 2008 (UTC)[reply]
The half-pitch is half the distance between cells in a DRAM chip made with a given process. FiggyBee (talk) 06:24, 8 November 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Borders (The ones between countries)[edit]

Looking at google maps, I'm seeing quite a few places where 3 countries close together have a single point where all 3 borders come together. This is natural I guess, but is there a place on earth where 4 or more borders come together? This seems much more unlikely but that makes it fascinating I guess... --62.251.65.250 (talk) 02:14, 8 November 2008 (UTC)[reply]

See Four corners, its not at the national level, but there are 4 U.S. states that meet in this way. --Jayron32.talk.contribs 02:25, 8 November 2008 (UTC)[reply]
This location: [1] near the city of Kasane looks like it qualifies. It appears that the 4 corners occur between the Caprivi Strip of Namibia, Botswana, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. --Jayron32.talk.contribs 02:29, 8 November 2008 (UTC)[reply]
AH!! We have an article on this topic: Quadripoint. Read away! --Jayron32.talk.contribs 02:41, 8 November 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Thanks, Jayron!! Exactly the wikipedia page I needed but couldn't find. :-) --62.251.65.250 (talk) 02:58, 8 November 2008 (UTC)[reply]

[edit]

On the top of each page is a big "donate to wikipedia" sign. I want to donate to Wiki pedia but do not have a credik card, so what do I do? Brandon Rochelle (talk) 04:07, 8 November 2008 (UTC)[reply]

First off all, thanks for donating! It's sorely needed and extremely appriciated. There are other ways to donate, either through direct deposit or by simply sending a check through the mail. See details here: http://wikimediafoundation.org/wiki/Donate/WaysToGive/en Cheers! Belisarius (talk) 04:29, 8 November 2008 (UTC)[reply]
I can sEnd by check?? That's awesome i didn't know that. My previous crdit card expired and I haven't gotten around to getting a new one ... so I thought I couldn't donate. Thanks!! Out comes my cheque book :) ReluctantPhilosopher (talk) 10:13, 8 November 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Wait, I'm in another country (India). Can I still send through cheque? Does it have to be of an American bank? Thanks. ReluctantPhilosopher (talk) 10:16, 8 November 2008 (UTC)[reply]
The page doesn't say the cheques need to be in US dollars, so I would guess it doesn't matter. If you want to be sure, email donate@wikimedia.org and you'll get a definite answer. --Tango (talk) 14:13, 8 November 2008 (UTC)[reply]
You can also donate using PayPal. PayPal can be set up to debit your bank account directly (although whether that works with banks in India - I don't know). PayPal is useful for all sorts of online transactions - and it handles the currency conversions too. I was also wondering whether maybe going to the Hindi-language Wikipedia (here) and hitting the "DONATE" button there would get you donation mechanisms more appropriate to Indian banking practices - but sadly that just redirects to the same donation site as the English Wikipedia. SteveBaker (talk) 13:39, 8 November 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Hi I don't have a credit card or my own checking account...what to do now? Brandon Rochelle (talk) 18:05, 8 November 2008 (UTC)[reply]

If you have a bank account, just not a cheque book, you could go to your bank with the details listed under "direct deposit" on the page linked to above and they should be able to transfer the money directly from your account to the WMF account. If you don't have a bank account, you may still be able to do the same thing at a bank or maybe a post office and handover cash to be deposited in the WMF account (I'm not entirely sure how that would work, it probably depends on where you are - your best bet would be to just go into a bank and ask). --Tango (talk) 18:15, 8 November 2008 (UTC)[reply]
At this point, it starts to get really difficult. Find a friend with a credit card - have them pay online (or via PayPal or whatever) - give them cash, thank them profusely for helping. SteveBaker (talk) 15:52, 9 November 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Brandon's page says he?'s 11. My suggestion would be to ask a parent/guardian Nil Einne (talk) 13:01, 10 November 2008 (UTC)[reply]
I propose a new rule - anyone under the age of 12 gets to read Wikipedia for free. :-) SteveBaker (talk) 21:06, 10 November 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Looking for completion of Family tree.[edit]

I'm looking to find relatives still alive in Germany,Poland(East Prussia),France, and Ireland. With the last name of Janzig,Munger,Stoeffler. Or any public records of above names or close veriations? This is not part of school project,this is something I promised my Father that I would try to accomplish. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 12.219.100.54 (talk) 10:02, 8 November 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Try [2] Kittybrewster 12:16, 8 November 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Last President who wasn't the Antichrist[edit]

Who was the last US President whom the tabloids did not accuse of being the Antichrist? NeonMerlin 16:59, 8 November 2008 (UTC)[reply]

At a guess, that would be the last president before the tabloids existed! ~ mazca t|c 17:27, 8 November 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Can you cock back a Glock?[edit]

In rapper Ludacris' song, "Roll Out", he says the following in one of this verses:

"I got my twin Glock .40's cocked back..."

Since Glock pistols lack an external hammer, can a Glock actually be cocked back?

Thanks. Acceptable (talk) 17:22, 8 November 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Probably a reference to pulling the slide back to chamber the first round. Rmhermen (talk) 17:45, 8 November 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Yes you can cock back the hammer on a glock. But be careful, when the action is cocked back like that a glock will fire with the slightest touch to the trigger... So Luda cris CAN cock back his Glocks, but he better watch out for potholes, sudden jolts, and such! Brandon Rochelle (talk) 18:08, 8 November 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Please review the article at Glock 17 and point out what trigger you mean? The Glock doesn't have an external hammer - it internally half-cocks on chambering a round and the trigger pull finishes cocking the hammer. Rmhermen (talk) 02:43, 9 November 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Is this that really annoying song that seems to repeat the phrase "Roll out" several thousand times? I wasn't aware it had any other lyrics... Dismas|(talk) 02:35, 9 November 2008 (UTC)[reply]
If in the movies one can audibly click off a Glock's nonexistent safety catch, then in a song one can cock its nonexistent hammer. Perhaps it's a kōan. —Tamfang (talk) 03:09, 9 November 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Actually, there are Glocks with external safeties. None with external hammers though. FiggyBee (talk) 07:43, 9 November 2008 (UTC)[reply]

IT'S A SONG FOR CHRISSAKES! Metaphor...feelings...imagery... You aren't supposed to take everything literally. SteveBaker (talk) 15:42, 9 November 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Breathe, Steve, breathe... --Tango (talk) 16:05, 9 November 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Ypres and trains[edit]

Hello I once went to Flanders and took a train from Brussels to Ypres. On both the way there and the way back, the train halted for a short period of time on the part of the track that went past the war graves. I'm trying to find out if this is done every day, or every journey, or if it was just a one-off (it was during the period of mourning for the last King of Belgium). The page on Ypres doesn't mention it. Can any of you shed any light on it, or point me in the right direction? Many thanks for your help. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 88.108.144.235 (talk) 17:28, 8 November 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Sorry you haven't had any answers. My suggestion would be to ask The Man in Seat 61. BrainyBabe (talk) 18:21, 14 November 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Help plan housewarming party for firevictem who lost everything including his wife[edit]

need a check off list of home items to create a gift registry. for example all kitchen bath bedding and window items.

Need help with invitation ideas.

How do I get donations for a chinese auction? help me please —Preceding unsigned comment added by Fatherfaith (talkcontribs) 21:55, 8 November 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Best if you contact other members of the community. Julia Rossi (talk) 04:49, 9 November 2008 (UTC)[reply]
How about getting a catalogue from a store or supermarket in which will be listed everything you want in a home (and much you don't). This is probably more than a single person venture. I agree with Julia. However you might start with local shops for your auction gifts, it will be helpful to have some sort of identity, ask to speak to the manager he/she will have more authority than the customer service desk. Put leaflets through the doors of the local community seeking help and/or inviting people to the 'welcome home' (better term surely?) make sure you do it well in advance three weeks minimum. The invitation need only say the time, date, place and purpose. you don't need to waste money on smart invites. Richard Avery (talk) 08:33, 9 November 2008 (UTC)[reply]
I'd recommend avoiding the word 'housewarming', given the circumstances. It might be considered insenitive... Steewi (talk) 11:21, 9 November 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Yeah, I instantly thought of typing "Perhaps a housecooling party would be more appropriate" but then I was worried about a backlash. Now that I see the joke's been made, I can say it without guilt. On the topic, you'll need plenty of spoons, knives, forks, pots, pans, oven, microwave, kettle, mattresses, pillows, really, a huge list can be made. You could look around your own home for ideas too. --WikiSlasher (talk) 07:16, 10 November 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Help me ID this font (Crysis)[edit]

It's the font used in the menus and subtitles in Crysis. [3] —Preceding unsigned comment added by 67.169.56.73 (talk) 22:02, 8 November 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Just to save anyone else the trouble: WhatTheFont doesn't get anywhere with it. Angus Lepper(T, C, D) 22:27, 8 November 2008 (UTC)[reply]
... which is usually the result from WhatTheFont. --98.217.8.46 (talk) 04:15, 9 November 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Agency FB Bold, I think — Matt Eason (Talk &#149; Contribs) 23:09, 8 November 2008 (UTC)[reply]
In many cases, computer games makers simply have their art team design a font as needed - so there may in fact be no standard equivalent that's an exact match. SteveBaker (talk) 15:38, 9 November 2008 (UTC)[reply]
True, but Agency seems like the right match in this case. --98.217.8.46 (talk) 21:45, 9 November 2008 (UTC)[reply]