Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Miscellaneous/2015 June 19

= June 19 =

Advantages of reading
What are some advantages of reading? I know that reading allows you to be more imaginative, frees you from stress, but I don't know very many others.--AM Talk/Contribs 20:09, 19 June 2015 (UTC)


 * Learning new things? AndyTheGrump (talk) 20:10, 19 June 2015 (UTC)


 * See The 26 Major Advantages to Reading More Books and Why 3 in 4 People Are Being Shut Out of Success.
 * —Wavelength (talk) 20:34, 19 June 2015 (UTC)
 * My computer won't let me access it, Microsoft's Parental Controls blocks it. Is there a way that you can get the information in the article to me?--AM Talk/Contribs 20:42, 19 June 2015 (UTC)


 * Here is my summary: (1) mental exercise, (2) skill development, (3) vocabulary, (4) knowledge of cultures and places, (5) development of concentration, (6) self-esteem, (7) development of memory, (8) improved discipline, (9) portability of books, (10) improved creativity, (11) conversation topics, (12) low cost, (13) flexibility of pace, (14) mental connections, (15) improved reasoning, (16) increased expertise, (17) money-saving skills, (18) mistake reduction, (19) surprising tangents, (20) reduced boredom, (21) life changes, (22) slump solution, (23) reduced stress, (24) relief from digital competition, (25) increased income, (26) a better alternative to movies.
 * —Wavelength (talk) 21:24, 19 June 2015 (UTC)
 * Could you expand on 5, 6, 7 and 15?--AM Talk/Contribs 21:38, 19 June 2015 (UTC)


 * (5) Reading books requires concentration for extended periods of time. (6) Being more informed and more of an expert increases self-esteem.  (7) Reading involves remembering details and making connections. (15) Writers make arguments for their claims, and readers can learn how to make arguments and even counter-arguments.
 * —Wavelength (talk) 23:16, 19 June 2015 (UTC)


 * Comment @ I would also suggest strongly that you ask whoever invoked the parental controls to configure it properly for you and not leave it on the default setting. If they don't know how to do it ask a trusted neighbor.  You can even have your own parental account set up incase you have younger siblings using the same computer.--Aspro (talk) 23:54, 19 June 2015 (UTC)
 * Shouldn't fun be high on the list? Enjoyment, distraction, because even reading a sad book can be a pleasure in some sense. Itsmejudith (talk) 11:01, 20 June 2015 (UTC)


 * See the 12th item listed on the page to which I linked. I could have summarized it better as "low-cost entertainment".
 * —Wavelength (talk) 15:17, 20 June 2015 (UTC)

In addition to what has been mentioned, reading is our connection to present, past and future humanity. Without reading you would be to that degree more isolated. We could not be communication like this without your ability to read. Also, by this medium it forces us to take concepts we might normally communicate with body language and other means into concepts contained in words. The encourages more rational thought about those concepts in addition to those words being available not just to those here in the present, but also to all in the future who read it. Lastly, most people who read a lot can read faster then talk, so you can assimilate information more quickly. Richard-of-Earth (talk) 07:36, 22 June 2015 (UTC)
 * Stephen Fry wrote (possibly in Moab Is My Washpot) that as a boy, he observed that reading made his peers more clever. --Dweller (talk) 13:38, 22 June 2015 (UTC)

DC input interfering with RF cable?
I've been trying to nail some inconsistent signal / reception problems with my basic TV.

Seems that when the DC power cable gets too close to the RF cable, signal quality drops off substantially. Moving the wires further apart seems to improve the problem. Ideally, I'd prefer to keep the cables close to enable tidy routing....So my question is whether or not this is due to a faulty / leaking DC power lead. Or is it a poorly shielded RF cable. Is there anything I can do to mitigate.


 * Well, there are shielded power cords: . (BTW, why does your TV have a D/C power cord instead of A/C ?  I've only seen those on portable models that plug into car cigar lighters.) StuRat (talk) 23:36, 19 June 2015 (UTC)


 * Also, see this about what happens when you wrap cords. μηδείς (talk) 00:05, 20 June 2015 (UTC)


 * Just a thought. Has the screen of the RF cable been earthed properly?--Aspro (talk) 00:10, 20 June 2015 (UTC)


 * US English translation: "Has it been grounded properly ?" StuRat (talk) 00:15, 20 June 2015 (UTC)
 * If you have a switched mode power supply on the end of it, then this can make plenty of RF interference, especially if there is no ferrite rings or beads on the cord. Inadequate filter capacitors can also lead to the problem. If it has valid CE marks or the like then it should have passed tests for putting out RF trash. As Aspro suggests, if it is a coax cable, any noise should travel on the outer surface and not get onto the inside.  But usually you would have the cheapest cable with open braid, and the braid may not connect to the plug all around, thus leaving a gap for interfering signal to come from the outside of the cable to the inside. Graeme Bartlett (talk) 08:10, 20 June 2015 (UTC)