Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Miscellaneous/2009 August 14

= August 14 =

How can I save a word in Chinese characters as an image?
I want to use Chinese characters in a particular font on a website, and I don't have any fancy software. I have word 2003, and Micrografx Windows Draw (a stupid little free program that won't let me input Chinese characters). Exploding Boy (talk) 01:52, 14 August 2009 (UTC)


 * I'll assume that you can input Chinese characters other than in Windows Draw, e.g. in Word 2003.


 * Using Word (for example), input the characters. Select the font, select the size, select the zoom percentage, select the font color and background color. Capture the window. Save (perhaps as PNG). Crop the result. Save again. There's your image file. -- Hoary (talk) 02:19, 14 August 2009 (UTC)
 * (EC) :Set the word up in MS-Word, take a screenshot, crop it, save it as a jpg. Download GIMP if you do not have a jpg editor. --Tagishsimon (talk) 02:21, 14 August 2009 (UTC)


 * Ahhh, much better. Thank you!  Exploding Boy (talk) 02:58, 14 August 2009 (UTC)


 * Avoid using JPEG (.jpg) for things like this - it's a "lossy" file compression system and it does particularly badly with solid-color images such as the one you're talking about making here. Use PNG or GIF.  JPEG is really only useful for photographs that you intend to be viewed from a normal viewing distance at close to their original size. SteveBaker (talk) 03:19, 14 August 2009 (UTC)
 * JPEG is terrible for bilevel images, but there is such a thing as lossy compression for bilevel images, e.g. JBIG2. -- BenRG (talk) 11:00, 14 August 2009 (UTC) (Edit to add: this had nothing to do with the original question, I only mentioned it because SteveBaker's reply made it sound like lossy compression and bilevel images don't mix.)

I suggest that while you are working on the image that you avoid using any and all comptession-type formats. Srick with bitmaps (.bmp) until you're done, then convert the image to ,png ot .svg. or .gif or wharever. Of course you could just lwave it as a .bmp. B00P (talk) 07:17, 14 August 2009 (UTC)


 * .svg is not a lossy format, nor is it a bitmap format. Leaving it as BMP is not recommended. You can save non-lossy PNGs that are much, much smaller than BMPs. --98.217.14.211 (talk) 12:58, 14 August 2009 (UTC)
 * Wooaah guys. The OP wants this for a website - since I don't think any browsers support JBIG2, BMP is not well supported in all of it's complicated variations - and Microsoft don't support SVG - you should ask a graphics guy (oh - wait, that's me) and stick with PNG or GIF. SteveBaker (talk) 14:14, 14 August 2009 (UTC)


 * I believe IE6 also has issues with transparency on PNG so that's another thing that could cause problems. Also while this is fairly OT I guess, you may want to make sure you are allowed to reproduce the fonts you plan to use in the way you wish to particularly if we're referring to a commercial website here. In other words, do the license terms of the font allow it? If they don't, while this should not be construed as legal advice, this may complicate things. Bitmap fonts are not copyrightable in the US, I'm not sure if this is definitely the case outside the US . The situation with Chinese fonts may be more unclear given the greater level of freedom in creating them  and I would expect and even greater uncertainty over PRC law. In other words, while it's possible what you are doing may be legal whatever the license terms of the font says, it's possible they won't be. Finally remember what you are doing is likely to have a significant negative effect on the website's accessibility. At the very least, remember to include an alternative text for the image you are using, and I would suggest you also consider whether the problems what you are doing is liable to cause is worth the perceived visual benefits. Nil Einne (talk) 16:18, 14 August 2009 (UTC)
 * Indeed, IE6 doesn't do transparent PNGs without a hack. However, it's not a very difficult hack - and it works for IE5.5 too: ...but perhaps our OP doesn't need transparency. SteveBaker (talk) 02:44, 15 August 2009 (UTC)

How To Spread The Word
I have this blog titled, (redacted, don't advertise it here, please TenOfAllTrades(talk) 12:19, 14 August 2009 (UTC)) on Salon.com, which warns people about the content of this website, but I don't know how to advertise it. I've heard of optimizing, but the whole process is difficult to understand and most require payment, which, especially in this economy is impossible. Is there anyway I can spread word about my blog so more people will read it? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 99.4.130.216 (talk) 05:37, 14 August 2009 (UTC)
 * Optimizing is a way of trying to get your page at the top of search engine results, and yes, it does cost money. You could just buy adverts, e.g. through Google AdWords. Text-based ads wouldn't necessarily cost very much (Google suggests an amount of 10c per person clicking on your link, up to a $5 limit per day). You can also put a link on your Facebook/Myspace/etc. page(s) if you have them. 212.114.159.142 (talk) 07:06, 14 August 2009 (UTC)
 * The tried and tested way is to provide quality content that people will find interesting and link to. Most modern search engines rank page results based on (amongst many other things) the number of times the page is linked to by other, well-respected pages. The way for that to happen is the aforementioned quality content. Otherwise, as 212.114 said, either buy adverts which will be displayed on other websites, or raise awareness by participating in discussions elsewhere on the internet which may lead users back to your site (just don't Link spam in forums and blog comments, that will only annoy people). &mdash; QuantumEleven 09:27, 14 August 2009 (UTC)
 * Advertising criticism of Wikipedia on Wikipedia itself is perhaps not the best way to go about it. Adam Bishop (talk) 13:19, 14 August 2009 (UTC)
 * The now-redacted title indicated the criticism was of another site. -- LarryMac  | Talk  13:22, 14 August 2009 (UTC)
 * Oh! Haha, I see. Adam Bishop (talk) 15:16, 14 August 2009 (UTC)
 * Look at search engine optimization this way: if you write interesting things that people actually want to read, brainiacs at Google will be *working for you* to get your site to come up in searches, but if you write stuff that nobody's interested in and then spend effort trying to game the search engines, they have an equally fell team of brainiacs *working against you* to prevent your site from coming up. If you're smarter than all those nerds put together, then the world will be beating a path to your blog anyway.  Otherwise, just write something interesting.  --Sean 16:32, 14 August 2009 (UTC)

How do Marketing firms win clients?
How does a marketing firm distinguish itself from other marketing firms so that clients will hire them? --Ye Olde Luke (talk) 07:48, 14 August 2009 (UTC)


 * Marketing :-) --Phil Holmes (talk) 09:59, 16 August 2009 (UTC)

Presume that you mean a Consulting firm, since all firms have some degree of marketing. The answer is very simple to explain, very hard to implement. Every trading company needs one or more USPs. Unique Sales Propositions. Something that they offer in such a way as to be attractive to the potential clients. Possibly the most famous is the turn round of a failing Avis by researching carefully and idenitying one single USP. The ":We try harder" campaign. brilliantly executed, turned Avis' fortunes and set them on the way to being number two to Hertz,86.219.161.186 (talk) 09:40, 14 August 2009 (UTC)DT

They do Bids and Tenders for business, they pitch based on their illustrious past-successes, they compete on price. Infact, in essence they do prety much what all businesses do to attract new customers. They sell themselves by saying what they do, how well they do it, why they're better than the competition, and sell their 'price' (if they're cheaper they hammer that, if they're more expensive they'll point out the great service and value for money you're getting etc.). 11:23, 14 August 2009 (UTC) —Preceding unsigned comment added by 194.221.133.226 (talk)


 * It sounds like the OP is asking about advertising agencies. An AA will present to a prospective client a plan for a campaign. They make the campaign idea attractive by showing artwork, slogan(s) and statistical projections about how many of the intended target audience the campaign will reach. They allege to have advantages over competitors such as value-for-money, good contacts in the industry, skilled employees and a good track record, illustrated (if possible) by previous campaigns or customers. Cuddlyable3 (talk) 12:41, 14 August 2009 (UTC)

Let us just clarify that the one key factor is to offer what the client is seeking to buy. He will check your qualifications, experience, etc. But what will sell him is an understanding of his needs, and a solution that will help to satisfy those needs. The suggestions, above, are "Product Centred" i.e. what we have. The solution is to be "Client centred" i.e. understand and satisfy his needs. Consider these openings to a job application: I am just about to leave school and am hoping that you will offer me employment,   and:  You are, I am sure, looking for people who will fit into your firm.86.219.161.186 (talk) 15:24, 14 August 2009 (UTC)DT

Commission at High-End Retailers
How much commission do sales representatives receive at high-end designer retailers such as Gucci, D&G, Lacoste, etc...? Needless to say, everyone will be in a good mood when a Saudi princess comes shopping? Acceptable (talk) 10:16, 14 August 2009 (UTC)


 * A good friend of mine worked at Louis Vuitton (doing some kind of long-term marketing, or acquisitions, or something) in the United Arab Emirates. Suffice to say, she found the work unsatisfying, the salary unsuitable, and the environment too hot; and she moved to North Carolina.  This is merely anecdotal, but I suspect it's pretty much the case that the "luxury-goods-for-Saudi-princesses" retailers are not making as much buck as you might think.  Nimur (talk) 04:27, 15 August 2009 (UTC)

What is the usual university degree possessed by bankers?
I should know this, but can't find it via Google. Specifically, I'm curious about bank managers - in general, what would an aspiring bank manager study at university (if anything)? Considered accounting and business as possibilities, but honestly have no idea. Thanks in advance, --124.184.89.119 (talk) 16:27, 14 August 2009 (UTC)


 * Just a guess, but perhaps a Bachelor of Commerce or other business degree? Maybe an MBA...  TastyCakes (talk) 16:31, 14 August 2009 (UTC)


 * I went to monster.com and typed "bank manager" in the search field. The first page of results had one listing that asked for a "Bachelor's Degree" which in the US means a 4-year university degree without any requirement of being in a particular field.  I would assume accounting would be useful.  Tempshill (talk) 16:35, 14 August 2009 (UTC)
 * I'd also guess most of them work their way up through the bank's lower positions first, and may have a variety of degrees, some of which don't seem very related (this goes for most jobs, in my opinion). I would think it also depends on the type of bank, if you're talking about a run of the mill Bank of America branch or something, that's gonna be different from a "banker" at a hedge fund or something like Goldman Sachs.  TastyCakes (talk) 16:37, 14 August 2009 (UTC)
 * Economics perchance? Or Finance.  Both of those were majors at my University  Googlemeister (talk) 16:37, 14 August 2009 (UTC)


 * Thanks for the responses, all. Hadn't considered the possibility that there wouldn't be a specific prerequisite. --124.184.89.119 (talk) 16:41, 14 August 2009 (UTC)
 * When I was at university a couple of years ago, the Milkround targeted people in degrees with a lot of maths (like Chemistry, Physics and obviously Maths). This was for investment banking. AlmostReadytoFly (talk) 18:27, 14 August 2009 (UTC)


 * For what it's worth, there is one open position on Monster for an assistant bank manager and all that's required is a high school diploma (12 years of school). Tempshill (talk) 19:08, 14 August 2009 (UTC)


 * While you can generally parlay any degree into a job at a bank, some pretty high up, (I have known English majors to later become bankers) you would be best served to get a degree in some form of economics/finance/accounting field OR get a degree in magagement. You should definately consult a career/academic counselor of some sort, but I would think some combination of a money-related bachelors (economics/finance/accounting) with a managament masters degree (like an MBA) would give you the best options if banking is your desired field.  -- Jayron  32  04:23, 15 August 2009 (UTC)


 * Knowledge of Law, Statistics, Real Estate or Taxation couldn't hurt, if those are subjects to which you feel inclined. And given what's happened to banking, Marketing and Public Relations are also more relevant than they would have been earlier. But I have no personal knowledge of the banking business, so take that for whatever little it's worth, and pay more heed to those above who do know the business. —— Shakescene (talk) 06:52, 15 August 2009 (UTC)

Public companies in porn
The only I know are Private Media Group and Jill Kelly Productions RIP. I don't count Playboy Enterprises (although they own Spice Network and ClubJenna). Are there more public companies in this field? 217.132.110.10 (talk) 20:47, 14 August 2009 (UTC)
 * What's your definition of a "porn company" if a sometimes-porn-producer like Playboy doesn't count? --Sean 21:16, 14 August 2009 (UTC)
 * A company that produce hardcore porn. 89.139.90.83 (talk) 11:45, 15 August 2009 (UTC)
 * Try starting off with List of pornographic movie studios. I'd be surprised if it were an exhaustive list worldwide though. -- Alexandr Dmitri (Александр Дмитрий) (talk) 11:25, 15 August 2009 (UTC)
 * I think they're all private companies excluding the two I mentioned above. 89.139.90.83 (talk) 11:45, 15 August 2009 (UTC)

Paydirt
Where did the term "hitting paydirt" originate? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 63.149.222.193 (talk) 23:15, 14 August 2009 (UTC)
 * Mining  http://paydirt.com.au/ 83.100.250.79 (talk) 00:11, 15 August 2009 (UTC)