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Physics, Astronomy & Cosmology / What do each of these sun-dials do?
« on: 12/01/2009 08:37:16 »
Whilst out walking yesterday, I came across a cube sun-dial that had the traditional dial in the top, but also had four further dials on each of the side faces:
Eastern side
Southern side
Western side
Northern side
So what do each of these dials do?
Eastern side
Southern side
Western side
Northern side
So what do each of these dials do?
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Physiology & Medicine / How does the 'flu vaccine work if there is no "live" part to the vaccination?
« on: 09/01/2009 10:57:02 »
Most vaccinations give a dose of the live virus to promote antibodies in the body to fight off the ailment (I think!). How does the 'flu jab work if there is no live part to the dose? And is this the distinction between a vaccination and an innoculation?
Thanks!
Thanks!
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Just Chat! / Do you think that you have to have met a person to become friends?
« on: 19/12/2008 10:28:40 »
In this age of fora, FB and other internet links, it is very much easier to "meet" new people, to find out about them and to form a "relationship". If you went down the pub of a Friday night and met with the same person in this environs, eventually, you might come to call them a "friend". I think that there are people who know more about each other than these hypothetical pub people, but have never met since all the interactions have been internet based. Can they still call themselves "friends" even though they have never met, and may not actually know what the other person looks like?
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Just Chat! / How is "hold luggage" in planes security assessed?
« on: 19/12/2008 07:34:21 »
Doubtless, there is a thread about this somewhere, but my quick search didn't turn anything up.
What are the security measures in place for luggage that goes into the hold? Why is it that there is a great deal of fuss and bother about hand luggage (which is fine) but I've never seen anyone being pulled off a plane to answer questions about what has been found in their hold luggage, which potentially could lead one to think that there isn't much security at all.
[]
What are the security measures in place for luggage that goes into the hold? Why is it that there is a great deal of fuss and bother about hand luggage (which is fine) but I've never seen anyone being pulled off a plane to answer questions about what has been found in their hold luggage, which potentially could lead one to think that there isn't much security at all.
[]
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Just Chat! / How's this for an amusing corporate "cock-up"?
« on: 17/12/2008 10:14:48 »
Perhaps you've already seen this, but the story goes that the Office of Goverment Commerce spent 14,000 pounds creating a new logo. It looked like this:
However, when viewed from a different angle, it looks like this:
However, when viewed from a different angle, it looks like this:
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Just Chat! / What is your favourite xmas game?
« on: 16/12/2008 11:01:37 »
Since we all love games (don't we?), and I have some relatives coming over (don't we all?), I thought that I would try to expand the after-dinner games selection to include some with real chocolate centres.
Are you a Pictionary freak? Do you pursue trivially? Or do you monopolise the remote?
What are the best board and non-board games that you play?
Are you a Pictionary freak? Do you pursue trivially? Or do you monopolise the remote?
What are the best board and non-board games that you play?
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Just Chat! / Has anyone seen this man?
« on: 15/12/2008 14:12:39 »This imposter was recently seen delivering presents to children under the guise of "St Niklaus". (He was under the guise, not the childen...). He was caught here looking somewhat shifty, and was later seen leaving the premises with a piece of cake and some Gluhwein. If seen, you should avoid this person, but shout out "FOG" as soon as he is out of sight. Goodnight, and good luck.
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General Science / What is the required temperature differential to make the lake "steam"?
« on: 15/12/2008 09:41:11 »
Here is a picture of a Steaming lake.
I'm having delivered to Neil's place next Tuesday 'cos I'm buggered if I'm going to look after it. Anyway, the air temperature was around 0°C and clearly the water was warmer, as it had that lovely steamy effect. So, how big does the temperature diffference have to be for this to happen? I guess that the humidity of the air has a role to play too.....but it seems that with large bodies of water, this only occurs in colder air temperatures?
All insights welcome!
I'm having delivered to Neil's place next Tuesday 'cos I'm buggered if I'm going to look after it. Anyway, the air temperature was around 0°C and clearly the water was warmer, as it had that lovely steamy effect. So, how big does the temperature diffference have to be for this to happen? I guess that the humidity of the air has a role to play too.....but it seems that with large bodies of water, this only occurs in colder air temperatures?
All insights welcome!
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General Science / Why does the inverse square law apply so often?
« on: 11/12/2008 14:38:58 »
I'm assuming that this is one of those "universal constants", but if not, it seems to appear with great regularity - gravity, drag etc.
What is it about this relationship that makes it so important and frequent in natural science?
(I suspect that if I could answer this, I'd be devilishly clever and rich!)
What is it about this relationship that makes it so important and frequent in natural science?
(I suspect that if I could answer this, I'd be devilishly clever and rich!)
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Just Chat! / What is it with tattoos?
« on: 10/12/2008 13:01:55 »
It seems to me that there is an increasing number of tattoos around, especially with the girls/ladies. They seem to be something of a fashion statement, with ever more elaborate designs.
Now, call me a FOG and a prude, but I don't think that they are particularly attractive. I'm sure that there are many in this forum who have them, so perhaps you could let me know what the incentive is? What do others think of them? Do you have one that you wished that you hadn't? Are you thinking about having one? What, and where [:0]?
I'm not trying to belittle anyone who has one (or six) - it's just so far outside of my own life-scope (?) that I thought that I would find out a little more......
What do you think?
Now, call me a FOG and a prude, but I don't think that they are particularly attractive. I'm sure that there are many in this forum who have them, so perhaps you could let me know what the incentive is? What do others think of them? Do you have one that you wished that you hadn't? Are you thinking about having one? What, and where [:0]?
I'm not trying to belittle anyone who has one (or six) - it's just so far outside of my own life-scope (?) that I thought that I would find out a little more......
What do you think?
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Physics, Astronomy & Cosmology / How fast is the earth moving...
« on: 10/12/2008 07:31:51 »
...if you combine all of the various orbits together?
We know how fast the earth is moving around the sun, but is it possible to add together the orbit around the sun, the solar system's orbit around the Milky Way, the Milky Way's orbit...and so on to give a single figure for the earth?
Thankyou!
We know how fast the earth is moving around the sun, but is it possible to add together the orbit around the sun, the solar system's orbit around the Milky Way, the Milky Way's orbit...and so on to give a single figure for the earth?
Thankyou!
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Physics, Astronomy & Cosmology / Can you see the moon, Venus and Jupiter .....?
« on: 03/12/2008 11:16:43 »
visible in the south....yes you can! (The lengths we go to to put something into question format...)
If you look at about 18:00 (CET) you should be able to see these 3 together. Obviously, the moon is the brightest one (!), the next is Venus, and then above and to the right you should be able to see Jupiter. If you have some reasonable binoculors, you can see the 4 largest moon around Jupiter. Well worth a few minutes in the cold!
Astronomy Picture of the Day
If you look at about 18:00 (CET) you should be able to see these 3 together. Obviously, the moon is the brightest one (!), the next is Venus, and then above and to the right you should be able to see Jupiter. If you have some reasonable binoculors, you can see the 4 largest moon around Jupiter. Well worth a few minutes in the cold!
Astronomy Picture of the Day
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The Environment / What is it about the manufacturing of cement....?
« on: 03/12/2008 10:57:27 »
that makes it so environmentally unfriendly?
We live in and around an extinct volcano and there is nearby a small open-caste extraction of the rock. Not being a geologist, I've no idea about what they're extracting, but it seems that cement is being made. I've heard that this process is one of the most environmentally unfriendly ones around. Is it just the energy used to make the cement or are there other factors, such as carbon release from the extracted ores?
Thanks!
We live in and around an extinct volcano and there is nearby a small open-caste extraction of the rock. Not being a geologist, I've no idea about what they're extracting, but it seems that cement is being made. I've heard that this process is one of the most environmentally unfriendly ones around. Is it just the energy used to make the cement or are there other factors, such as carbon release from the extracted ores?
Thanks!
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Just Chat! / Interesting juxtapositions....
« on: 02/12/2008 11:11:09 »
Do you have some amusing examples of two things that are inappropriately next to each other?
For example, in Hinterzarten, there is a large ski-jump. At the bottom, is a cemetery.
In Slough (many years ago) there was a good chinese takeaway. Next door was a vet......
What's in your locale?
For example, in Hinterzarten, there is a large ski-jump. At the bottom, is a cemetery.
In Slough (many years ago) there was a good chinese takeaway. Next door was a vet......
What's in your locale?
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Just Chat! / So, I've organised the Christmas card, now here are some toys....
« on: 01/12/2008 15:19:39 »
that perhaps should not being given out to your kids (offspring, descendents...whatever)
But maybe to that horrible little sprog next door.........
Toys of Death!!!! ...and other things
But maybe to that horrible little sprog next door.........
Toys of Death!!!! ...and other things
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Just Chat! / What is the collective noun for ones children when they are no longer children?
« on: 01/12/2008 10:00:07 »
So, in 15 years time when my youngest turns 18, neither of my offspring will be children anymore, even though they are my "children". Is there not a better word?
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Just Chat! / This year's christmas card
« on: 28/11/2008 13:37:46 »
(http://www.telegraph.co.uk/topics/christmas/3531904/Christmas-and-holiday-cards-for-geeks-Top-11.html)
Happy Spaghetti Monster - mas
Happy Spaghetti Monster - mas
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Just Chat! / Economic Models explained with Cows
« on: 28/11/2008 10:23:25 »
SOCIALISM
You have 2 cows.
You give one to your neighbour.
COMMUNISM
You have 2 cows.
The State takes both and gives you some milk.
FASCISM
You have 2 cows.
The State takes both and sells you some milk.
NAZISM
You have 2 cows.
The State takes both and shoots you.
BUREAUCRATISM
You have 2 cows.
The State takes both, shoots one, milks the other, and then throws the milk away.
TRADITIONAL CAPITALISM
You have two cows.
You sell one and buy a bull.
Your herd multiplies, and the economy grows.
You sell them and retire on the income.
SURREALISM
You have two giraffes.
The government requires you to take harmonica lessons.
AN AMERICAN CORPORATION
You have two cows.
You sell one, and force the other to produce the milk of four cows.
Later, you hire a consultant to analyse why the cow has dropped dead.
A FRENCH CORPORATION
You have two cows.
You go on strike, organize a riot, and block the roads, because you want three cows.
A JAPANESE CORPORATION
You have two cows.
You redesign them so they are one-tenth the size of an ordinary cow and produce twenty times the milk.
You then create a clever cow cartoon image called 'Cowkimon' and market it worldwide.
A GERMAN CORPORATION
You have two cows.
You re-engineer them so they live for 100 years, eat once a month, and milk themselves.
AN ITALIAN CORPORATION
You have two cows, but you don't know where they are.
You decide to have lunch.
A RUSSIAN CORPORATION
You have two cows.
You count them and learn you have five cows.
You count them again and learn you have 42 cows.
You count them again and learn you have 2 cows.
You stop counting cows and open another bottle of vodka.
A SWISS CORPORATION
You have 5000 cows. None of them belong to you.
You charge the owners for storing them.
A CHINESE CORPORATION
You have two cows.
You have 300 people milking them.
You claim that you have full employment, and high bovine productivity.
You arrest the newsman who reported the real situation.
A BRITISH CORPORATION
You have two cows.
Both are mad.
AN IRAQI CORPORATION
Everyone thinks you have lots of cows.
You tell them that you have none.
No-one believes you, so they bomb the **** out of you and invade your country.
You still have no cows, but at least now you are part of a Democracy.
AN AUSTRALIAN CORPORATION
You have two cows.
The one on the left looks very attractive
You have 2 cows.
You give one to your neighbour.
COMMUNISM
You have 2 cows.
The State takes both and gives you some milk.
FASCISM
You have 2 cows.
The State takes both and sells you some milk.
NAZISM
You have 2 cows.
The State takes both and shoots you.
BUREAUCRATISM
You have 2 cows.
The State takes both, shoots one, milks the other, and then throws the milk away.
TRADITIONAL CAPITALISM
You have two cows.
You sell one and buy a bull.
Your herd multiplies, and the economy grows.
You sell them and retire on the income.
SURREALISM
You have two giraffes.
The government requires you to take harmonica lessons.
AN AMERICAN CORPORATION
You have two cows.
You sell one, and force the other to produce the milk of four cows.
Later, you hire a consultant to analyse why the cow has dropped dead.
A FRENCH CORPORATION
You have two cows.
You go on strike, organize a riot, and block the roads, because you want three cows.
A JAPANESE CORPORATION
You have two cows.
You redesign them so they are one-tenth the size of an ordinary cow and produce twenty times the milk.
You then create a clever cow cartoon image called 'Cowkimon' and market it worldwide.
A GERMAN CORPORATION
You have two cows.
You re-engineer them so they live for 100 years, eat once a month, and milk themselves.
AN ITALIAN CORPORATION
You have two cows, but you don't know where they are.
You decide to have lunch.
A RUSSIAN CORPORATION
You have two cows.
You count them and learn you have five cows.
You count them again and learn you have 42 cows.
You count them again and learn you have 2 cows.
You stop counting cows and open another bottle of vodka.
A SWISS CORPORATION
You have 5000 cows. None of them belong to you.
You charge the owners for storing them.
A CHINESE CORPORATION
You have two cows.
You have 300 people milking them.
You claim that you have full employment, and high bovine productivity.
You arrest the newsman who reported the real situation.
A BRITISH CORPORATION
You have two cows.
Both are mad.
AN IRAQI CORPORATION
Everyone thinks you have lots of cows.
You tell them that you have none.
No-one believes you, so they bomb the **** out of you and invade your country.
You still have no cows, but at least now you are part of a Democracy.
AN AUSTRALIAN CORPORATION
You have two cows.
The one on the left looks very attractive