Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Miscellaneous/2010 April 18

= April 18 =

Fishing lure
I am looking for manufacturer information on a fishing spoon called flasher I used in Pennsylvania in the 1970's —Preceding unsigned comment added by Walleyeuno (talk • contribs) 01:42, 18 April 2010 (UTC)


 * If you haven't already done so, try Google. Chevymontecarlo . 06:07, 18 April 2010 (UTC)


 * Would that be the Williams flasher . It was so good they took out a patent on the design. Caesar&#39;s Daddy (talk) 07:43, 18 April 2010 (UTC)

soviets
how many of the countries that were previously within the ussr are now led by former members of the kgb,military,or soviet gov. and their names/former positions??? —Preceding unsigned comment added by Rfragd (talk • contribs) 02:46, 18 April 2010 (UTC)
 * Vladimir Putin, the current Prime Minister of Russia, had a stint in the KGB, see Vladimir Putin. Gabbe (talk) 09:46, 18 April 2010 (UTC)


 * I'd suggest looking at USSR and then reading the articles of/googling the small number of premiers which follow. I'll do my part: the president of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko was a member of the Soviet Border Guard for 2 years and then the Soviet Army for another 2 or so.  Some googling says that he was some kind of officer but it doesn't sound like it was a high up position and I can't find any solid references.  The prime minister, Sergei Sidorsky, seems to have had a background in industry.  Now you can do that for the 13 other ex-USSR members. 129.234.53.144 (talk) 11:35, 18 April 2010 (UTC)


 * No one ever leaves the KGB, comrade! Adam Bishop (talk) 02:08, 19 April 2010 (UTC)
 * Vat was zat Sandvich? Kill zem all?  Good idea! FiggyBee (talk) 16:37, 19 April 2010 (UTC)
 * Some others:


 * Emomalii Rahmon, President of Tajikistan, served in the Soviet Armed Forces for 3 years
 * Vlad Filat, Prime Minister of Moldova, did compulsory military service for several years under the USSR
 * Heydar Aliyev, President of Azerbaijan until 2003 (his son is currently President) was in the KGB


 * Hut 8.5 15:49, 19 April 2010 (UTC)

Brooks Brothers; High-end?
Might be of a silly question, but generally speaking, is the fashion brand Brooks Brothers considered a high-end retailer? Generally, can one consider them to be on par with say, Hugo Boss or Gucci? Acceptable (talk) 03:24, 18 April 2010 (UTC)
 * Removed apostrophe to fix redlink 131.111.248.99 (talk) 04:06, 18 April 2010 (UTC)
 * It depends. BB has long been a maker of high-quality, but very conservative, clothing.  Its wares are designed to look good, but not to stand out.  Boss and Gucci might introduce new styles once a year; BB once a decade.  BB is less expensive than the others, but isn't of lesser quality.  BB doesn't make clothing to show off; the others do. PhGustaf (talk) 04:19, 18 April 2010 (UTC)
 * I would call it high-end, yes. I'll agree with PhGustaf in that they don't make stuff that will stand out but they are known for their name.  They have stores on both Madison Ave. and Rodeo Dr. which are two of the higher end retail streets in the US.  Dismas |(talk) 04:31, 18 April 2010 (UTC)


 * Ready to wear - never really high end. Saville Row is high end. 92.29.91.224 (talk) 12:05, 18 April 2010 (UTC)


 * I think the style associated with BB is "understatement." Bagginess as opposed to form-fitting might might accompany that. A "classicizing" principle is at work in the BB aesthetic, I think. This might be seen as in opposition to the aesthetic employing innovation and updating. Bus stop (talk) 12:24, 18 April 2010 (UTC)
 * Indeed. Off-the-peg clothes can never be among the very best. If you want a truly high-end suit, it has to be bespoke. The same goes for women's clothing. I have heard it said that a truly good suit doesn't need a label - the suit speaks for itself. --Tango (talk) 22:19, 18 April 2010 (UTC)
 * While true, I can't think of a business setting where a Brooks Brother's suit would be deemed inappropriate. Shadowjams (talk) 09:52, 20 April 2010 (UTC)

Greece and the Euro
Why is the potential defaulting of Greece on its debt seen as a threat to the Euro, given that monetary policy is controlled by the Franco-German axis? If Athens goes under, why should Frankfurt tremble? 86.41.84.199 (talk) 07:54, 18 April 2010 (UTC)


 * The way this type of thing usually happens (or is feared could happen) is that nearby nations with intertwined economies then fail, then they take out those near them, etc. A sort of cascade failure. StuRat (talk) 13:00, 18 April 2010 (UTC)


 * That's what I thought, but commentary like this suggests the currency itself rather than the underlying economies is at risk. 86.41.84.199 (talk) 16:43, 18 April 2010 (UTC)

how tall is obama
how tall is obama? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 98.244.118.28 (talk) 13:08, 18 April 2010 (UTC)


 * According to Heights of Presidents of the United States and presidential candidates, he's 6'1" / 185 cm. StuRat (talk) 13:15, 18 April 2010 (UTC)

Slipping Parking Brake
I bought a new Suzuki SX4 SZ4 (Front Wheel Drive only) a month ago and have just done over 1000 miles so far (UK). Shortly after taking it from the showroom I noticed the car rolling backwards when on an incline (even a moderate one) with the parking brake applied and out of gear - including during a hill start which makes it difficult to avoid rolling backwards. So I took it back to the showroom where they checked the car and found the settings were as manufacturer's specifications and the brake cable properly adjusted. But I was told that the problem is common on cars with disk-brakes all round the car as there is less surface area between the pads and the disks than would be the case with 2 front disks and 2 rear drum brakes (as per my last car which never ever slipped backwards on a hill). So I am left wondering if this is correct, and if so, how do these all-round disk brakes survive an M.O.T (Ministry of Transport)test. And how do the manufacturers get past the Health and Safety and other consumer-related legislation. I am led to understand that all-round disk brakes are far more efficient at slowing and stopping the car than drum brakes - (which pleases me), but I am now obliged to leave the car in gear when parked as well as applying the parking brake. Any advice here will be appreciated. Thanks. 92.30.7.103 (talk) 18:15, 18 April 2010 (UTC)


 * Sounds like nonsense to me, certainly something the size of an SX4 should be able to hold itself with the handbrake. If the lever's coming up a long way without the brakes being effectively engaged, just getting it tightened should make a big difference.  You should be leaving the car in gear when parked in any case, btw. :) FiggyBee (talk) 18:56, 18 April 2010 (UTC)


 * Hand brake don't work and “were as manufacturer's specifications” ! Try . I think they have tried to  fob you  off.  Area may be smaller but the force applied is 'higher' on disc pads - so that argument is a non sequitur. And as you point out – how does their excuse square with getting it through the M.O.T.--Aspro (talk) 19:04, 18 April 2010 (UTC)


 * If you are suspicious of this, may I suggest you contact the AA or RAC, as these organisations provide advisory services to their members, and will be in a better position to advise on the roadworthiness or otherwise of your car than a bunch of strangers on the internet! --TammyMoet (talk) 19:32, 18 April 2010 (UTC)


 * It's road worthiness is clear (the MOT requirements defines that). I'm sure the OP would have contacted the RAC or AA if  he had been a member.  Come on,  disappoint me 92.30.7.103. Tell me you are a member but did not think (despite all their promotional bumf)  to take  advantage of their services (I avoid adding any  sarcastic comments because the people working for said organizations are hard working, contentious people).  The OP should not have to fork out membership, to get some background info, for a fault that occurs within what amounts to some 24hrs  (1,000 mile) of driving time,  and  just  in order to resolve  a problem that the dealership should be capable of resolving themselves. After all, what is the point of buying from a dealership...? e-Bay would be cheaper if it was simply a matter of price.--Aspro (talk) 21:50, 18 April 2010 (UTC)
 * I don't know much about how things work in the UK but am I right that it most likely won't pass a MOT test. If so, even though it may not be due for a MOT test anytime soon, is it possible to get one carried out anyway? Yes this would cost money (I don't know how £54.00 compares to AA or RAC membership), but it may or may not be a more effective way to deal with the problem. If you're sure it won't pass, and indeed it doesn't pass, you then have the evidence to take with you for the dealership and you should I presume be entilted to a refund of the cost, since they refused to deal with the issue and you needed the test to prove to them they were wrong. Of course you probably should inform them of your concerns and plan, and ask for a written confirmation that they believe the brake issues are by design, and not a fault that would cause the vehicle to fail a MOT test. I'm not saying this is necessarily the best way to deal with the problem and obviously you shouldn't need to do so, but if the dealership is being silly it may be a way to deal with the problem. Nil Einne (talk) 09:32, 19 April 2010 (UTC)


 * The dealership is talking complete nonsense. Why would we install disk brakes if they weren't as effective as drum brakes?  If the handbrake won't hold the car on a moderate slope then it's not working.  Don't stand for this kind of run-around.  The car isn't functioning correctly - period.  Having said that, you should always leave the car in-gear and with the handbrake on when parked (you probably know that!).  But you're 100% right.  The british driving test requires you to hold the car on the handbrake while doing a hill-start and if you can't do that - even on a really steep hill - then the car is undrivable.    If they continue to disagree - demand that they let you drive one of the new cars on their lot and see that one slipping under the same conditions...if it does, then you just bought a terrible car - if it doesn't slip - then your car is faulty and they'll be forced to admit that fact.  There are lots of other things to test than just the brake cable - maybe there is some kind of contaminant on the brake pads - maybe the pads are faulty. SteveBaker (talk) 21:45, 18 April 2010 (UTC)


 * Actually, hand brakes working on disks are almost always less efficient than those on drums. With drum brakes, it's very easy to get a mechanical method to press the shoes against the drum independent of the hydraulic system.  With disks, it's completely non-trivial, and solutions have included having a separate drum brake mechanism for the hand brake, and having separate mechanically activated calipers for the disks.  When I used to rally, it was common to replace the mechanical mechanism with a hydraulic handbrake, for the same reason.  (Note: AFAIK this is not legal in the UK, which requires a mechanical brake as a fall-back to the hydraulic mechanism).  That said, it's clearly up to the manufacturers to fit a handbrake mechanism that works and can hold the car on a hill.  I never leave a car in gear, either - that's what the hand-brake's for!  --Phil Holmes (talk) 14:01, 19 April 2010 (UTC)


 * The reason I suggested AA or RAC is because they will produce an independent report, which the OP can take to the dealership as evidence that the car they sold is not fit for purpose. The OP claims to have bought a "new" car. In the UK you don't need an MOT until the car is 3 years old, and it is theoretically possible that the new car wouldn't pass the MOT because it wouldn't need to. If the car is not fit to be driven on the road, the AA/RAC report would identify why and also provide the solution, which the dealership should then implement. If they were then to quibble, then recourse to law would be necessary - and the independent report would be the evidence to start a court case with. This report would be well worth it. --TammyMoet (talk) 09:46, 19 April 2010 (UTC)
 * Twaddle --Aspro (talk) 21:38, 20 April 2010 (UTC)

Bobby Knight
what school did bobby knightcoach first —Preceding unsigned comment added by 72.184.39.209 (talk) 21:03, 18 April 2010 (UTC)
 * Our article Bobby Knight says "After graduation in 1962, Knight coached junior varsity basketball at Cuyahoga Falls High School in Ohio for one year.". SteveBaker (talk) 21:48, 18 April 2010 (UTC)
 * I'm guessing the answer the questioner is looking for is the United States Military Academy at West Point, known for sporting purposes as "Army," which was the first college Knight coached. -- Mwalcoff (talk) 22:48, 18 April 2010 (UTC)

submitting an article on new user
Dear Wikipedia moderators, users and concerned public! I'm having a real hard time using Sandbox and related programs to create an article using wikipedia and need help! easy help! I'm hoping to upload a short and cited article with a quick redirect and want to be able to just submit it to the general public. Hoping someone can give me a detailed instruction guide to the "sandbox" process and help get this article up. It's a small bio on a noted speaker David Wilcock, who talks frequently about fringe and related conspiracy theory and its relationship to spirituality. help would be super helpful! thanks! —Preceding unsigned comment added by Lukehilton (talk • contribs) 23:57, 18 April 2010 (UTC)


 * You might be best off at Articles for creation. --Tagishsimon (talk) 00:05, 19 April 2010 (UTC)
 * Check out Your first article. It should contain everything you need to know. If you have any further question, ask at Help desk (this reference desk isn't really for questions about how to use Wikipedia, the help desk is, so you'll get a quicker, better response there). --Tango (talk) 00:15, 19 April 2010 (UTC)
 * Here is your sandbox. Ghmyrtle (talk) 07:59, 19 April 2010 (UTC)
 * You can get live help, and talk to experienced users, live here.  Chzz  ►  12:16, 19 April 2010 (UTC)
 * It is unlikely that David Willcock (conspiracy theorist) is sufficiently notable. Kittybrewster  &#9742;  12:45, 19 April 2010 (UTC)

But it may be that David_Wilcock_(conspiracy_theorist) is -- go ahead, Lukehilton...be BOLD!  DRosenbach  ( Talk 02:47, 20 April 2010 (UTC)