Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Miscellaneous/2010 March 24

= March 24 =

Cowboy?
I recently learned I may be working as a ranch hand/trail guide this summer, and I inconveniently got rid of -all- of my horse related gear last year, as I thought I had finished with horses. I had a traditional pair of leather "Indian" pants and moccasin boots, and they were the best clothes I had ever worn to deal with horses. Comfortable, practical, and durable. I can't for the life of me remember how I came across them. So, I come to you, WikiNation, to help me out. I need to find -legit- pants and boots; meaning not the cheap, stylish knockoffs. I need to be able to actually work in these, and work hard. The moccasin boots need to be above ankle height (preferably mid shin or just below knee), and the pants work-practical. Any websites, suggestions, or leads that you may have would be a great benefit. I life in western North Carolina, wear a size 15 US shoe (though size 14 US is comfortably snug), and have a pants size of 36 waist / 36 or 38 length. Thanks! Hubydane (talk) 00:11, 24 March 2010 (UTC)


 * Pity the poor Horse. 92.30.74.248 (talk) 00:16, 24 March 2010 (UTC)


 * Haha, indeed. I'm actually only 200 pounds. Just a well strung out 200 pounds. Hubydane (talk) 00:29, 24 March 2010 (UTC)


 * Sorry Huby - I was feeling a bit mischievous. Whenever I hear of someone with enormous feet like yours, I think of 3 things - they must be tall - they must be heavy - and..............like a Horse. Good luck with your search. 92.30.74.111 (talk) 10:47, 24 March 2010 (UTC)


 * No worries, there are reasons why my nickname is "Hugene." —Preceding unsigned comment added by Hubydane (talk • contribs) 11:43, 24 March 2010 (UTC)


 * I'm not sure if you're saying you only want leather pants (which seem very uncomfortable summer garb even in the higher parts of NC). If not, I can attest that Carhartt work pants are very tough and well made.  I have a pair for my weekend livestock duties and when I pull them on I feel like Superman suiting up in the phonebooth.  --Sean 13:00, 24 March 2010 (UTC)

Displaying surds on the TI-84 plus
My understanding is that the TI-84 plus does not have an inbuilt function to display surds (someone correct me if I'm wrong!), is there a program I can download which can display surds on the TI-84 plus?--124.171.116.21 (talk) 02:25, 24 March 2010 (UTC)
 * The TI-84 does not have a single key to evaluate xy. However one can evaluate 10LOG(x)Xy or eLN(x)Xy which both give the same result. Cuddlyable3 (talk) 10:20, 25 March 2010 (UTC)

question about pumps
Is there anywhere that sells air pumps, for blowing things up with, that can be set to run at different speeds, in the way that fans sometimes can? 09:10, 24 March 2010 (UTC) —Preceding unsigned comment added by 148.197.115.54 (talk)


 * Try Google Shopping (and stick the word 'Inflatable' in front rather than 'blowing things up').--Aspro (talk) 12:10, 24 March 2010 (UTC)


 * Perhaps an air compressor or just an air tank would be in order. By opening the valve a variable amount, you could control the rate of inflation. (Economist are always trying to do this, too :-) ). StuRat (talk) 13:44, 24 March 2010 (UTC)

Anywhere in an actual shop? I don't really like shopping online. (A shop in England if possible) 16:18, 24 March 2010 (UTC) —Preceding unsigned comment added by 148.197.115.54 (talk)


 * Aside from a standard department store or general big-box store. Your best bet would be a camping supply store. They frequently sell pumps to inflate air mattresses, tyres, inflatable boats, etc. -- 140.142.20.229 (talk) 16:49, 24 March 2010 (UTC)


 * Similarly, perhaps a chandlers or sailing supply store might carry it - check out your local marina or port. 94.168.184.16 (talk) 17:06, 24 March 2010 (UTC)


 * I have a tiny air compressor used to inflate car tires (it runs off the cigarette lighter). You would find items like that in a car parts store.  If you tell us what you want to inflate, we can customize our suggestions to fit your needs better. StuRat (talk) 18:21, 24 March 2010 (UTC)


 * There are many sources of cheap, small compressors - but our OP wants one that can be set up to run at different speeds. I can't think of a common use for such a thing - and indeed all of the small compressors I can think of run at a constant speed. SteveBaker (talk) 00:42, 25 March 2010 (UTC)


 * I know of some large compressors (20MW+) that has a constant speed motor, as variable speed motors are more expensive then similar constant speed ones. The good news is that even if you have a constant speed motor, you could change the speed it will fill things up if you attach a valve you can open and close varying amounts.  I doubt they make small compressors that can do that, but you could modify it yourself if need be I suppose.  Googlemeister (talk) 13:28, 25 March 2010 (UTC)


 * I wish I'd thought of that, say in my first response ? :-) StuRat (talk) 13:40, 25 March 2010 (UTC)
 * Well I was going to suggest a hand operated bicycle pump. That is variable speed, depending on your energy level.  Might not be too fun to fill up an air mattress or a hot air balloon with one though.  Googlemeister (talk) 15:04, 25 March 2010 (UTC)


 * Hot air balloons are filled with hot air, not pressurised air. :) FiggyBee (talk) 15:27, 25 March 2010 (UTC)
 * Well, pressurizing air does make it hot... :) Googlemeister (talk) 15:29, 25 March 2010 (UTC)

Eight gallons
Can somebody please tell me the term for a quantity of 8 gallons?86.197.18.212 (talk) 16:09, 24 March 2010 (UTC)Froggie34
 * Bushel--Aspro (talk) 16:16, 24 March 2010 (UTC)

UK Budget paper size
Having just perused today's UK buget PDF, I observed the properties said that the paper size was 8.5 * 11.93 inches.

Both 8.5 and 11.93 occur occasionally but, according to paper size, not together.

Anyone know what sort of paper the UK government is using - and perhaps do you know why they aren't using A4? -- SGBailey (talk) 16:55, 24 March 2010 (UTC)


 * It looks to me like they took A4, and scaled the short side to 8.5 inches (US Letter). My guess is it's "software acting funny" rather than a deliberate choice of paper size.  -- Coneslayer (talk) 17:05, 24 March 2010 (UTC)

It would have helped if you had given the link! If you mean this document then this is no mistake. http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/d/budget2010_complete.pdf. 8* 11.93 are the font and back covers -Adobe InDesign CS3 (also mentioned in the 'properties'), has this size option for this very purpose. 8.27*11.69 are the pages therein. Page size also given in properties. The printer will actually use 'press sheet sizes' so that the sheets can be folded and stitched into a book. The larger cover sizes are used in case the layout page of the cover is larger than the finished cover, (i.e., so that the print finisher can cut off the bleed). In other words they don't print from the pdf. Do please provide links to sources where ever possible. --Aspro (talk) 21:22, 24 March 2010 (UTC)