Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Miscellaneous/2013 February 2

= February 2 =

Eileens' Tacky Glue - in UK and Australia.
My g/f has a business making small plywood building models (http://renm.us) - and we recommend that our USA customers glue them together with a white wood glue called "Eileen's Tacky Glue" - which comes in a gold bottle and is on sale just about everywhere (eg Walmart, HobbyLobby, etc). I'm writing the instructions for assembling her models and because she makes big sales in the UK and Australia, I'm wondering what to recommend to her customers in those places.

The critical attributes of this stuff is that it's fairly sticky when fresh from the bottle but has a long working time - and most importantly, it dries completely transparent.

Could anyone from Europe/UK and Australia (and other countries too if you can) suggest whether Eileens' is commonly available in stores there - or what a decent local alternative might be?

TIA. SteveBaker (talk) 03:05, 2 February 2013 (UTC)


 * We have a selection of PVA glues available in supermarkets and hardware stores in the UK, but I haven't seen Eileen's. It might be available in craft shops.  Eileen's seems to be more tacky than the average PVA.  Perhaps someone knows a craft equivalent.    D b f i r s   08:24, 2 February 2013 (UTC)
 * You can get Aleene's® Original Tacky Glue in the U.S. in a gold bottle (check spelling). Also Elmer's Craft Bond seems to be similar but I haven't used that one myself - is it available overseas? Rmhermen (talk) 16:24, 2 February 2013 (UTC)
 * Aleene's glue does appear to be available in the UK (e.g. here) but it wouldn't be recognised as describing a particular type of glue. The only immediately recognisable ones I can think of are Pritt Stick, UHU and Copydex, but I don't think any of these match what you're looking for. The best bet would probably to specify using 'tacky, clear PVA glue', and leave your customers to choose the brand they prefer. You can search on the Hobbycraft website (the first link I gave) to see the sorts of things that are available. - Cucumber Mike (talk) 18:01, 2 February 2013 (UTC)

eye patch
in making of an eye patch what material is used  thanks  billy  — Preceding unsigned comment added by 196.2.126.176 (talk) 06:46, 2 February 2013 (UTC)


 * An eye patch can be made of many materials, it just needs to block light and not cause any other problems. Cheap, disposable ones can be paper, with others made of cloth.  In either case, an elastic cord is needed to hold it on the head.  There also seems to be a version held on with adhesive, which is more like a Band-Aid/plaster. StuRat (talk) 06:53, 2 February 2013 (UTC)


 * If it is for a costume, black felt is usually used. See these instructions or google "how to make an eye patch" for other suggestions. μηδείς (talk) 18:46, 2 February 2013 (UTC)


 * The eye patch store mentions ultrasuede and leather as a materials for an eye patch. Vinyl is mentioned in this search. -- Uzma Gamal (talk) 12:06, 3 February 2013 (UTC)

Sony TV selling stores in Doha with estimated price
Hi, I am trying to search the website of the Sony TV selling stores in Doha with estimated prizes. Tried Sony Doha website but they don't show the prize. Thank you in advance.Nirajrm (talk) 06:55, 2 February 2013 (UTC)


 * I don't understand. Can you clarify your question ? StuRat (talk) 06:57, 2 February 2013 (UTC)


 * I want to buy the Sony LED television from Doha but fail to find the electronic stores selling TV and displaying the prizes on their website. Can you suggest a store website?Nirajrm (talk) 06:59, 2 February 2013 (UTC)


 * The confusing part is your use of the word "prize". Is there some type of contest where they give away something for free ?  Or did you mean to say "item" instead of "prize" ?  In any case, there appears to be a Sony showroom here: . StuRat (talk) 07:07, 2 February 2013 (UTC)


 * Stu, are you deliberately not understanding, or are you actually missing the obvious miss-spelling price->prize? Assuming that, I hope you can agree that all of Nirajrm's entries make perfect sense. The difference between the voiced and unvoiced is far from universal, so for many ESL speakers, those words are complete homophones, even though they're not in most English dialects./81.170.148.21 (talk) 12:27, 2 February 2013 (UTC)


 * You're right, that must be what they meant. I didn't see it, since the two sound very different to me, making a misspelling unlikely for me, and the OP repeated the word, making a typo unlikely. StuRat (talk) 16:46, 2 February 2013 (UTC)


 * Thank you StuRat but I want to do online shopping of a Sony TV in Doha. Sorry for the confusion. I mean cost of the TV.Nirajrm (talk) 07:10, 2 February 2013 (UTC)

I am interested in online shopping of the Sony LED TV in Doha. So, please suggest me the website for it. I tried Google but so far not successful. Nirajrm (talk) 07:14, 2 February 2013 (UTC)


 * I'm having the same problem. It's possible they aren't allowed to sell TVs online in Qatar.  Some nations require a local partner.  In this case, the local partner would sell the Sony TVs in it's showrooms.  51 East seems to be a local partner in Qatar: http://www.51east.com.qa/.  (If you pick "Haute Electronics" and then "TV", they list some Sony TVs, but no prices are shown.) StuRat (talk) 07:47, 2 February 2013 (UTC)


 * Note that you don't need to actually sell online to display prices. It isn't uncommon for manufacturers to list prices even though they don't sell products direct to the consumer or don't sell online. Some retailers do so too. There may be a small number of jurisdictions where this is illegal, but I doubt it's common. However the practice of selling online and listing prices varies significantly from country to country depending on how common it is etc. Although I'm somewhat confused whether the OP wants a store selling online or simply wants to a list of prices online as they've mentioned both. Nil Einne (talk) 16:38, 2 February 2013 (UTC)


 * Listing prices online where you don't sell online is problematic, as each retailer will sell for different prices, and, if they sell for more than the list price, this will let everyone know they are being ripped off there. They typically either don't list prices online, in this case, or list an absurdly high manufacturer's suggested retail price, so as to not make their retailers look bad.  Of course, such a MSRP is of little practical value, as the amount they pad the price is variable, making comparisons between brands useless. StuRat (talk) 16:51, 2 February 2013 (UTC)


 * I can't say how things work in the US, but I'd think you'd find in many places, major manufacturer online stores when they do exist sell their consumer electronic products like TVs at MSRPs (or prices close to it) anyway. Yes the prices are absurb but the OP didn't give any indication they cared. Similarly, in many countries, even if online non manufacturer retails stores do exist, for big ticket consumer electronic items the price you'll pay online is often a lot more then you can expect to pay in store (barring the occasional special) since it's expected you will haggle on the price and the online store simply lists the retail price which few people pay (one of the reasons why online stores aren't that successful). The prices may not be quite as high as MSRPs but getting there. I thought of mentioning all this during my initial reply but decided it's the OP choice and they hopefully know more about the Dubai marketplace then you and me. I'd note the OP can no indication they cared about anyone but Sony (although comparing even same manufacturer MSRPs doesn't always work very well.)Nil Einne (talk) 05:40, 3 February 2013 (UTC)

Online game map editor
Hi, I am looking to find a free to use online games map editor to keep track of enemy locations. It is to be used alongside a browser-based online game. The locations go from 0,0 to 999,999. It is important I am able to edit the locations by inputting coords directly, ie 234,567. Thanks guys — Preceding unsigned comment added by 109.148.8.63 (talk) 13:15, 2 February 2013 (UTC)


 * Do you want it to provide graphic maps for the players to view ? StuRat (talk) 16:52, 2 February 2013 (UTC)


 * No, just a visual reference for me to keep track of enemy coords. Thx — Preceding unsigned comment added by 109.148.8.63 (talk) 18:20, 2 February 2013 (UTC)


 * So, would you have a top view pic of rooms, etc., then enter enemy coords, and have it create a map with dots added to the pic at each of those coords ? And do you also need the ability to move the enemies on the map, once placed, or would you generate a new map from scratch and re-enter them all ?


 * Or perhaps you just want it to list a table with the coords for each enemy ? If that's all you want, I could write that for you myself.  StuRat (talk) 06:14, 3 February 2013 (UTC)


 * I would think the second option is closer to what I had in mind. At the moment, I am keeping tabs of locations by hand and it gets really messy :) Thanks — Preceding unsigned comment added by 109.148.8.63 (talk) 09:58, 3 February 2013 (UTC)


 * OK, would you like me to whip up a program for you ? This does mean you'd have to trust me enough to give me your email address (you could tell me on my talk page) and then run the executable I send you. StuRat (talk) 16:57, 3 February 2013 (UTC)


 * (I've now sent the program I wrote.) StuRat (talk) 22:20, 4 February 2013 (UTC)


 * How about a 1000*1000 bitmap image. Set the colour of a pixel depending upon what is at that coordinate. I would use PSP3 (An ancient program, but it works a treat). -- SGBailey (talk) 17:30, 5 February 2013 (UTC)

Mailing the Queen
I love writing letters, and just got to know that the Queen (of England :P ) will be participating in InCoWriMo. I’d love to send her a letter, but was wondering how to go about it. For starters, how do you address the queen in a letter. Keep in mind that it’s not official stuff, it’s meant to be casual. Do I still write “Your Majesty”? Or do I begin with “Dear Elizabeth”? =P Also, I’m from India, and not extremely familiar with British etiquette. What do I write about? Things I would normally write about to any old penpal I usually correspond with? Any pointers would be much appreciated. Many thanks in advance. 101.60.33.39 (talk) 17:54, 2 February 2013 (UTC)


 * We have an article on everything: Forms of address. So you would write "Your Majesty" instead of "Dear..." and I'd suggest you'd congratulate her on recently celebrating her Diamond Jubilee, and maybe you'd also like to ask her whether she plans to visit India. Unfortunately our article does not inform us how to close the letter - maybe "Yours faithfully". --TammyMoet (talk) 18:07, 2 February 2013 (UTC)


 * (ec) According to the royal website at http://www.royal.gov.uk/HMTheQueen/ContactTheQueen/Overview.aspx, "You should feel free to write in whatever sytle you feel comfortable" RudolfRed (talk) 18:10, 2 February 2013 (UTC)


 * But make sure you don't address the letter to the "Queen of England". That would be as anachronistic as sending a letter to the Viceroy of India.  You could if you like address it to her as Queen of Jamaica, or Queen of Papua New Guinea, or Queen of Tuvalu or 13 other choices - all perfectly legitimate current titles and all more correct than "Queen of England".  But I suppose the default crown she is assumed to wear is that of the United Kingdom.  --  Jack of Oz   [Talk]  20:24, 2 February 2013 (UTC)


 * Further to the information above, the envelope should be addressed thus: (ref 'How to contact the Queen')
 * HM The Queen
 * Buckingham Palace
 * London SW1A 1AA
 * UNITED KINGDOM
 * For a formal letter, you should begin the letter with:
 * Madam,
 * and end with:
 *  I have the honour to be, Madam, Your Majesty's humble and obedient servant, 
 * In the body of the letter you should be brief, but courteous. The Queen receives very many letters, so you need to explain what you are writing about in as short a time as possible. I personally would not expect to write to the Queen as if to a friend or pen pal, but to write something interesting and meaningful. I believe that Her Majesty has a strong personal interest in India, so you may wish to tell her about your life in your country, but also to ask her for her thoughts on the future.
 * Do not be disappointed if you receive a reply from an employee of the Queen's household: although the Queen receives, and reads, many letters each day, she may not have the opportunity to reply to each one personally. However, her aides do make sure that her views are represented in their replies, and that she is informed of the contents of interesting correspondence. - Cucumber Mike (talk) 00:27, 3 February 2013 (UTC)


 * Bearing in mind the OP didn't give any indication they were a citizen of any member of the commonwealth realm, is it really necessary or expected that the OP will call themselves the queen's humble and obedient servant? Nil Einne (talk) 05:29, 3 February 2013 (UTC)


 * Actually the site continues This traditional approach is by no means obligatory. You should feel free to write in whatever style you feel comfortable. Also I think this form dates to a time when people would close letters with y'r obedient servant, Benjamin Franklin even when the letter was addressed to someone the writer had no intention of either serving or obeying.  It reminds me a bit of the letter that Caryl Chessman reported receiving from the warden of San Quentin, which if memory serves went something like:  Dear Sir.  Today I received notice that an execution date has been fixed in your case.  Very truly yours, H. Teets, Warden. --Trovatore (talk) 08:10, 3 February 2013 (UTC)


 * How awful. Common etiquette demands the use of "yours faithfully" when signing a letter commencing "Dear sir". Alansplodge (talk) 22:16, 3 February 2013 (UTC)


 * It's similar to the old fashioned way of greeting someone for the first time by saying you are "at your service". If doesn't mean you are actually going to bring them their dinner, it's just courtesy. --Tango (talk) 01:48, 5 February 2013 (UTC)
 * But why do you believe its a courtesy normal for those of who are not citizens of commonwealth realm countries? Trovatore's suggestion is a possibly, but you don't seem to have given anything to suggest it is. I don't think the queen realisticly expects citizens of the commonwealth realm to be humble and obedient servants either but it's a courtesy understandable there. Note that the ref used doesn't every specify the country, so it's unclear they were directing it at people outside the UK, let alone in non Commonwealth realm countries. Nil Einne (talk) 18:47, 6 February 2013 (UTC)
 * Looking a bit, I found where the phrase was used. Also,  and  although not directed at royalty but are directed at people from different countries if I understand them correctly and do use similar phrasing. BTW, some more traditional royalists suggest British and possibly all Commonwealth realm countries  citizens (i.e. anyone who can be regarded as the Queen's subjects) should write subject rather then servant. Nil Einne (talk) 19:15, 6 February 2013 (UTC)


 * When mailing the Queen, does the stamp go on her bum ? StuRat (talk) 06:08, 3 February 2013 (UTC)


 * No, one inch from her upper and right corner, use a ruler. μηδείς (talk) 21:22, 3 February 2013 (UTC)