RationalWiki:Saloon bar/Archive13

Too much Conservapedia?
At the moment it looks like three quarters of what you write here is about Conservapedia. Yes we all know that Conservapedia is ludicrous and awful. Aren't there other ludicrous and awful things in the world that we need to highlight? Proxima Centauri 07:36, 18 March 2009 (EDT)
 * I'd have said seven eighths was cp. 07:41, 18 March 2009 (EDT)
 * Our single biggest asset is our single biggest problem. People come to Conservapedia, either get blocked or find it plain weird, they then find us which provides the answers to all their questions about Conservapedia, sign up and then start wanting to write about their experiences their. It is a huge draw card, I would estimate 95% of our visitors come via CP, unfortunately quite a few never get past it. - User   07:49, 18 March 2009 (EDT)
 * There are probably more Conservapedia-related edits on here per day than there are total edits on Conservapedia.--ConservapediaRoolz 08:15, 18 March 2009 (EDT)

Ma HaHa! How long before we're as big and as well known as Conservapedia? Proxima Centauri 09:02, 18 March 2009 (EDT)
 * I've long thought that we are too focused on CP, but there are challenges to both ignoring CP and exploring other content. CP is an "easy" source, in that it is constantly changing and a good source of material--and participatory. (The irony of a wiki is that it is supposed to be collaborative.  The paradox of CP is that the leaders want collaboration but only in the right way.)  The challenges of other content is it requires considerably more work--scoping out a website and convincing others to work on debunking it, and then actual debunking.  It is far less immediately collaborative and requires more intellectual work.  The other challenge with non-CP content is it lacks a sort of immediacy or kairos.  Sterilewalkie-talkie 08:44, 18 March 2009 (EDT)
 * I rarely bother checking CP, once you've looked at it for a month or two you've seen everything. Even fairly normal run-of-the-mill stuff gets over 50+ votes now which is an indication of how popular WIGO:CP is. People just need to take the risk and start reading/contributing to the other three too!  A rmondiko V  User_Talk:Armondikov 11:08, 18 March 2009 (EDT)
 * I write often about CP because I enjoy the immediate feedback we receive.... On top of that, I think the set up is better than just a regular blog or website... That being said, those who complain we write about CP too much, this is a wiki. Write about whatever you want and pimp it around the site.  Nobody is forcing you to write on matters CP. SirChuckB  12:22, 18 March 2009 (EDT)

We do need to something. I have just seen this loud English women being interviewed on TV talking about how she met Marilyn Monroe and Princess Diana after they were dead. What was worse was she wasn't being laughed at by the TV presenters. They actually took her seriously and talk to her as if all this had happened. This is why we have to move beyond Conservapedia, bullshit is everywhere. - User   18:20, 18 March 2009 (EDT)
 * Adding new (non-Conservapedia) content isn't that easy/obvious here. And there are a couple annoying rationalwikians that probably scare people from being serious contributors.  Teabag 00:36, 21 March 2009 (EDT)

The Behe-Durrett argument
Can someone explain what's going on between Behe and Durrett? Sterilewalkie-talkie
 * Durrett et al are "scientists". Any more questions?  ħ uman  20:25, 18 March 2009 (EDT)
 * I haven't read Durrett et al paper in full yet but it does look like we can stick this equation to this stuff and we can get an answer out, so Behe may have a point. I will print it off and read it (looks more interesting than my project). Just be thankful his Royal Idiotness isn't the one arguing against the paper. - User   20:36, 18 March 2009 (EDT)

What do the letters AIG stand for?

 * Awarding Incompetence Greatly
 * Assholes in Gotham
 * Ain't I Greedy
 * Assholes in Gold.
 * Avarice is Great.
 * America is Gullible.
 * Answers in Genesis

List of webshites
Have we anywhere a (classified) list of websites, as opposed to blogs? I just picked up this one from WP & can find only one isolated reference to it here. I know that there are a lot of webshites reffed around the site, but think that maybe a list could be created. 20:09, 18 March 2009 (EDT)
 * Simple solution in Category:Internet, place a sub category :Category:Website and then further subcats such as :Category:Blog, :Category:Fundamentalist website, :Category:Science website etc. - User   20:16, 18 March 2009 (EDT)
 * Only works if each website has its own page, though. 20:17, 18 March 2009 (EDT)
 * Don't we have websites as well as blogs at the blogroll? One stop shopping?  ħ uman  20:18, 18 March 2009 (EDT)
 * Okay I see this has been partially done, we could start an article List of Fundamentalist Christian websites. - User   20:19, 18 March 2009 (EDT)
 * I was thinking that a list of all websites we might be interested in: Fundy, Wooey, OECey, YECey, Right wingy., & etc.  20:28, 18 March 2009 (EDT)
 * While we're on a redlink binge, how about RationalWiki:Webshites to refute?  ħ uman  20:30, 18 March 2009 (EDT)
 * I like it instead of all those different categories just websites and webshites, nice, simple, and memey. - User   20:41, 18 March 2009 (EDT)
 * So better would be RationalWiki:Webshites for nutbags and RationalWiki:Websites for "friendlies"? (I don't think they should be in the mainspace really, though articles on them would be)  ħ uman  20:46, 18 March 2009 (EDT)

My isp's gone splaa & I can't use teh stylus like I used to. So I'll get on it in the morning. G'night all 21:23, 18 March 2009 (EDT)
 * Good night, Toast. - User   21:30, 18 March 2009 (EDT)
 * See you the new articles soon. Sleep tight!  PS, I deredded all the proposals above.  ħ uman  21:53, 18 March 2009 (EDT)

Brain Chemistry Made Adorable
I suspect this image is relevant to a few of your interests. Having a couple of years of university-level psychology in my relatively distant past, I still love stuff like this. --Kels 21:00, 18 March 2009 (EDT)
 * Omg, *cuddles the squishy brain creature* 21:07, 18 March 2009 (EDT)
 * awwwwww Mei 21:08, 18 March 2009 (EDT)
 * That gave me my early morning "aw!" moment. Thank you! --PsyGremlinWhut? 03:46, 19 March 2009 (EDT)
 * Very cute. :p My favourite is still the plushy Standard Model particles :p You just can't beat that for sheer level of nerdiness!  A rmondiko V  User_Talk:Armondikov 11:33, 19 March 2009 (EDT)
 * Kind of like these. Corryundefined 11:35, 19 March 2009 (EDT)
 * My mouth dropped open when I saw that they had a section for "the venereals".  14:21, 19 March 2009 (EDT)

Christ food
A little Jesus with your salt?

By the way, if they can have Christian salt, can we have atheist salt? 14:26, 19 March 2009 (EDT)

(P.S. I found the the whole thing twice as stupid because I'm a nontheist and a Jew.)  14:30, 19 March 2009 (EDT)


 * A buddy of mine once had the idea to make microwaveable mini-pizzas on communion wafers and call them "The Jesus Crust"... The Foxhole Atheist 15:03, 19 March 2009 (EDT)


 * So the Christian salt entrepeneur is called Godlewski, the Rabbi is Fishbane and the editor of the trade journal is Christine. Not quite whacky enough to be spoofs but close. Also is there no hint of irony in the closing quote - "There's no anti-Semitism. I love Jesus Christ and he was a Jew." Генгис    15:45, 19 March 2009 (EDT)
 * P.S. RA, out of interest - as an nontheist Jew do you still observe any kosherness? Or is it that many of your cultural foods just happen to be be kosher anyway? Генгис    15:45, 19 March 2009 (EDT)
 * True, but this site claims to be selling it, and it was registered in July 2000, suggesting that they aren't a parody site quickly set up to give this credence. 15:57, 19 March 2009 (EDT)
 * I'm still holding out for a Chocolate Jesus. --Kels 16:11, 19 March 2009 (EDT)
 * Mmmmmmm. chocolate. 22:38, 19 March 2009 (EDT)

Monkey on my back
Okay guys, I admit it. I'm an addict. I got an itch, and I got it bad, baby. So you gotta help me out here. I have a deep, deep need for science documentary videos. I love working while they play in the background. Like Slartibardfast, I'm a big fan of science, and I gotta find me some. So I've watched Potholer54's Made Easy series twice now, and I'm devouring TEDtalks like popcorn. And I want more, more, more! So anyone got any favourite links to science docs? I don't really care what topic in science. Archeology, anthropology, evolution, science debates, astronomy, biology, whatever. I love that stuff, and I needs me some links. So c'mon, feed the monkey! Haven't you always wanted a monkey? --Kels 15:58, 19 March 2009 (EDT)
 * Take a look at Thunderf00t's newest video on YouTube. It's umm... called "The Ride of a Lifetime", or something (sorry if that's wrong, YouTube is blocked from my work comp). (I just googled it and I was right...) Anyway, in the info box, he has a TON of links to other channels that focus on science and education. I can personally suggest Thunderf00t, AronRa, DonExodus2, and shanedk as some of my favorites. cdk007 also does a bang up job of detailing life and evolutionary sciences and AndromedasWake has some really good cosmology videos. They're all there for you, mostly with series style videos (AND they all hate YECs)! The Foxhole Atheist 16:11, 19 March 2009 (EDT)
 * Oh, I've gone through a lot of Thunderf00t's stuff, and I saw that one, it's great. I'll check out cdk007, evolutionary science is fantastic stuff, so it'll be great.  Isn't AronRa mostly debunking, though?  I'm not necessarily looking for discussions with creationists at this point. --Kels 16:15, 19 March 2009 (EDT)
 * Yes. AronRa is mostly debunking (Foundational Falsehoods of Creationism) BUT, he does a really good job laying out his case and he does so quite professionally with very little room for refutation. Each one is like a high quality rant, so I love it. Besides, I said he was one of MY personal favorites, so you don't have to like him if you don't want to. ; ) Happy watching! The Foxhole Atheist 16:23, 19 March 2009 (EDT)
 * Not saying I don't like him, I've watched the whole Foundational Falsehoods series already. Brilliant stuff, but I'm more interested in straight science at the moment than mucking around with what drivel creationists are into. --Kels 16:55, 19 March 2009 (EDT)
 * [mvgroup.org]assuming you can torrent. not that i'm telling you to do this, that would be illegal.  and i'd never suggest anything illegal.  All of the shows are documentary, not all are science.  but i loves me a good doc on just about anything.  Like most things, the less expert you are when watching a docu, the more you will enjoy it, i think. but there are some great ones here.-- 17:13, 19 March 2009 (EDT)

Many years ago I recall getting some guy's astronomy lectures on VHS out of my local library. Very no-thrills, introductory stuff, but quite welcome for a guy like me who appreciates science but has no real scientific training. Of course this does you no good whatsoever without a name or more information, and I got nothing. Just thought I'd share. DickTurpis 22:36, 19 March 2009 (EDT)

Fair warning. ..
I'll be gone for a bit- I am trying out something known as WoW. -- 16:06, 19 March 2009 (EDT)
 * See you in five years. --Kels 16:11, 19 March 2009 (EDT)
 * Hooray for slow downloads for patches. And you'll see me sooner than that, sorry. -- 16:15, 19 March 2009 (EDT)
 * see here 16:19, 19 March 2009 (EDT)
 * I would rather see you smoke crack than start playing WoW. Neveruse513 16:24, 19 March 2009 (EDT)
 * What is your arguement? I stopped the patch from loading. -- 16:30, 19 March 2009 (EDT)
 * Don't discourage him, he might "go & never come back". 16:27, 19 March 2009 (EDT)
 * Too bad, Toast. What the hell is the problem? -- 16:28, 19 March 2009 (EDT)
 * Having both played WoW and smoked crack I would recommened the crack CUR. Ace McWickedRevolt 16:33, 19 March 2009 (EDT)
 * Either this is one giant joke, or you people are actually concerned. Which one? -- 16:34, 19 March 2009 (EDT)
 * I am coming from the same place as Ace.....crack was a million time easier to break, and had a million times less of a negative effect on my life. tmtoulouse 16:36, 19 March 2009 (EDT)
 * You're losing points- my irony meter is going off. I doubt that all of you smoke crack. In addition, I get bored easily. Extremely easily. And I have a limited amount of time on the computer (1/2 hour) which serves as a controller. -- 16:38, 19 March 2009 (EDT)
 * You talking about this?
 * Well you were warned........the reward system on WoW is designed to mimic variable ratio reward scheduling, the most effective conditioning reward paradigm in existence. Boredom is not really a factor.......its rats in cages pushing the button.........this is coming from one of the rats in the cage. tmtoulouse 16:41, 19 March 2009 (EDT)
 * You are talking to a rebel rat! I do not do rewards. I am entering the game solely to be followed around by moths. I garantee you I will become bored. I became bored with Spore in a few days. -- 16:44, 19 March 2009 (EDT)

But srsly...DO NOT PLAY WoW Neveruse513 16:45, 19 March 2009 (EDT)
 * In the absence of a serious, convincing argument, I am letting the patch install. I will be careful, however, and I will alert my parents to your concerns. Thank you. -- 16:46, 19 March 2009 (EDT)
 * Social relationships ruined, years lost and a personality that you will never fully regain. Neveruse513 16:49, 19 March 2009 (EDT)
 * Stop encouraging him! 16:50, 19 March 2009 (EDT)
 * haha...
 * CUR, get drunk. Go smoke pot. Have free-wheeling sex with ugly chicks. Read a book. Burn stuff. Work out. Try to find a girlfriend. Take a shower. Try psychedelics. Get a motorcycle. Crash it. Party. Sleep. Eat. Anything but WoW. Neveruse513 16:52, 19 March 2009 (EDT)
 * WoW is trés addictive. It's chasing the dragon. You just want to play that little but more to get a "number that's higher than your current number" (level, profession skills, gold etc.). Then when you have that number, you want a number that's one higher than that..... ad infinitum Taytopacket 16:59, 19 March 2009 (EDT)
 * How many cheetahs do you know who enjoy WoW? My goat, it just occurred to me what he'll be doing there. 17:00, 19 March 2009 (EDT)
 * While it is not WoW persay, I did once play Runescape, and I was completly addicted to that game, and it took me about 6 months before I managed to completly quit, and I have not gone back in 4 months now. MMO's may be fun, but from where I am looking, they are not worth it. Again, SKIP WOW. 17:04, 19 March 2009 (EDT)
 * I agree, come one CUR - wouldnt you rather take a big hit of vapour when sucking down on the glass cock? Ace McWickedRevolt 17:05, 19 March 2009 (EDT)
 * Just don't roll a hunter just so that you can have a cat as a pet. They're a dime a dozen and you'll never get invited into groups. Be a druid, so then you can be a cat. Or take up crack. Your choice. Bondurant 17:09, 19 March 2009 (EDT)
 * I don't know the current street value, but crack could also be cheaper. Taytopacket 17:14, 19 March 2009 (EDT)
 * Enough is enough. CUR, I want to talk to your parents. Neveruse513 17:18, 19 March 2009 (EDT)
 * Fine, I won't play. Whatever. I think. See, now I'm throughly confused. --70.246.254.144 17:49, 19 March 2009 (EDT)

Wow (sorry), was that just RationalWiki's first "intervention"?  ħ uman  18:33, 19 March 2009 (EDT)
 * And now my brother. . . Now I'm even more confused. I can't change his mind, so should I help him? -- 18:51, 19 March 2009 (EDT)
 * Hello Chaps, this is CUR's mommy. Myself and Mr. CUR were a little concerned by this Warcraft thing that all the kids are into these days but we came to the agreement that CUR could play after he had finished his chores and homework. But not too close to bedtime as he gets all stringy and excited, dont you hun? CUR&#39;S Mommy 19:41, 19 March 2009 (EDT)
 * Whatever you do, don't post WoW links on the forums or you're dead meat. We get enough spam from them already. <font color=Blue>Генгис    19:43, 19 March 2009 (EDT)
 * Play WoW. Shitloads. Also, place paper bags over your head and stick your tongue in electrical sockets. ENorman 19:45, 19 March 2009 (EDT)
 * See, I never planned on playing it for a long time, and wouldn't actually be able to. -- 16:01, 20 March 2009 (EDT)
 * "wouldn't actually be able to" = right so that's why it'll be bad when you do. Mei 16:03, 20 March 2009 (EDT)

Meh, that's just a bunch of noobs who couldn't clear Naxx 25 talking. They think RW vs CP is a conflict, but they wouldn't hack it on Magtheridon (an EU pvp realm) where Horde outnumber us at least 10:1. Fox 19:10, 20 March 2009 (EDT)
 * STFU gnome. 216.221.87.112 19:56, 20 March 2009 (EDT)
 * Hah, and that coming from, so obviously, a huntard. FYI, noams aren't tall enough to tankadin: I only do humes. And your mom. Fox 20:12, 20 March 2009 (EDT)
 * I tried it. It was awful. Bleeh. Not even touching it. My brother, on the other hand. . . -- 20:28, 20 March 2009 (EDT)
 * Bah, shows what you know I am a l33t drood noob. 216.221.87.112 20:36, 20 March 2009 (EDT)
 * I think this bar needs a bouncer to check that you are all old enough to enter. - User   20:38, 20 March 2009 (EDT)

Useful link?
http://websearch.about.com//od/bestwebsites/tp/free-images.htm

If we're ever in need of stock photos. ENorman 20:33, 19 March 2009 (EDT)
 * Yes, quite interesting. Perhaps we should add it to RationalWiki:Websites? <font color="#DD00DD" face="comic sans ms"> ħ uman  22:32, 19 March 2009 (EDT)

Quotes
There's lots of quotation lists on the Web, should we have one? 09:29, 20 March 2009 (EDT)
 * That's a good idea, perhaps a "rationalquote" namespace?-- 09:45, 20 March 2009 (EDT)
 * No more namespaces. We already have at least one unused one, and adding another would confuse. 13:42, 20 March 2009 (EDT)
 * I'm not a big fan of quotes used out of context. If we find quotes which are relevant to something we write about, they can be included in articles.  Making a big lists of quotes for the sake of it doesn't strengthen any of our arguments.   15:33, 20 March 2009 (EDT)
 * How about as a sub-page of "quote mining" ;) ? ("See also:ours") <font color="#DD00DD" face="comic sans ms"> ħ uman  15:47, 20 March 2009 (EDT)
 * Quotes that exemplify the views of the quotee are perfectly acceptable. Quote mining attempts to show that the speaker/writer said something which didn't fairly represent their views, either by taking it out of context (Obama's "my religion" "my muslim faith" quote) or by not presenting the quote in it's entirety (numerous Darwin quotes). <font color=Blue>Генгис    16:04, 20 March 2009 (EDT)
 * Quotes should never be used in place of argument. But that doesn't mean that quotes are not valuable. Ideas can be expressed in many different ways. Drawing on the best practitioners of the English language not only enables one to express one's views more lucidly, but also helps shape one's views. This is one of the reasons why we read.


 * In this sense I am not even against quote mining. If someone thinks that "my muslim faith" is a particularly poetic phrase, then they should use it as they will, and reveal the original author if asked. However, quoting "my muslim faith" is not an argument against Barack Obama's claim to be Christian; and featuring "my muslim faith" in an encyclopedia article on Barack Obama as though it represented his core values or philosophy is dishonest. Building a repository of well-crafted expressions of our beliefs is different than replacing rational argument with DeMeyeresque drivel.-- 20:29, 20 March 2009 (EDT)
 * How about we just add them to appropriate articles as appropriate? Especially since "our belief" is technically an oxymoron on this site - the only unifying theme is the mission statement, which is about thought, not belief. <font color="#DD00DD" face="comic sans ms"> ħ uman  21:34, 20 March 2009 (EDT)

Michael Steele
There is no such thing as global warming! Global cooling is weal! -CUR
 * Seriously, he's an idiot. -- 15:33, 20 March 2009 (EDT)
 * No self-respecting scientist refers to "global warming" or the "greenhouse effect" (a very poor analogy). The problem is "climate change" caused by an increased global average temperature - some bits of the earth will warm up while other bits cool down. What many people don't realise is how lucky north-west Europe is to have the Gulf stream warming our shores. At the moment, parts of the west coast of the British Isles are able to grow sub-tropical plants at a latitude of 50-58 degrees. People laugh at the British when a couple of inches of snow brings the country to a standstill while New York copes with quite severe winter weather but the truth is that we just aren't used to it. If you travelled due east from New York do you know what the first European capital you come to is? It's Madrid, which is well south of London. Melting of the Greenland ice-sheets or polar ice-caps would flood the North Atlantic with a layer of cold unsalty water which could shut down the conveyor belt of the Gulf stream. When that happens, Britain and other North European countries will experience some really chilly winters and cooler summers. The paradox of "global warming" is that we could end up with a colder climate for which we are certainly not prepared.  <font color=Blue>Генгис    16:28, 20 March 2009 (EDT)
 * I found a NYT article on him. See, he claims that since Greenland is called Greenland, it must have once been green. -- 18:57, 20 March 2009 (EDT)
 * I believe that is the case. When the Vikings first discovered Greenland the climate was rather different and coastal areas of the island did appear green. We should not assume that our climate has been constant over the 10,000 years since the last ice-age. Parts of the Middle East and North Africa were quite fertile 2000 years ago and we are only just rediscovering Roman and Carthaginian farms in what is now arid desert. There was a mini ice age during the middle of the last millennium when the Thames froze over. Prior to that the climate was much warmer and oranges were grown in monasteries in England. The whole climate change issue is immensely complicated and makes the proving of anthropogenic global warming far from easy. The civilizations of central and south America appeared and disappeared without any apparent reason. Many archaeologists now think that climatic changes were to blame. <font color=Blue>Генгис    19:46, 20 March 2009 (EDT)
 * Khant- wasn't 10,000 years ago. More like a few thousand. Erick the Red is believed to have named it Greenland to attract settlers. -- 20:27, 20 March 2009 (EDT)
 * CUR how is "[w]e should not assume that our climate has been constant over the 10,000 years since the last ice-age" wrong? The Holocene period started 11,700 years ago at the end of the last ice age. Also Greenland is a mistranslation of Ground-land. - User   20:33, 20 March 2009 (EDT)
 * Whatever happened to comprehension tests? I said the ice age was about 10,000 years ago. Erik the Red discovered Greenland just over a thousand years ago. I was talking about climate in much more general terms than the late first millennium. Knight takes pawn, check! <font color=Blue>Генгис    20:41, 20 March 2009 (EDT)


 * Wouldn't even go to Colbert's show to do the challenge. The man is nothing but urban buzzwords.--Nate River 19:59, 20 March 2009 (EDT)


 * Ah, Genghis, but you forget that it is a liberal myth that Leif Ericson discovered America, because that would belittle Christopher Colombus' Christian achievement. Christian Bishop takes knight, gardeé.  User:TheemperorUser talk:Theemperor 23:03, 20 March 2009 (EDT)
 * O-O-O <font color="#DD00DD" face="comic sans ms"> ħ uman  23:18, 20 March 2009 (EDT)
 * Is gardeé when you put the queen in danger? -- 00:25, 21 March 2009 (EDT)


 * Human, that loses you your queen. PHAIL! Theemperor

This is awesome.
I know I have a history of questionable links, but I would like to share an Uncyclopedia article. Reasons to become an Atheist. Awesome article. 15:39, 20 March 2009 (EDT)
 * Yeah, that's pretty funny. One of their better efforts. <font color="#DD00DD" face="comic sans ms"> ħ uman  15:49, 20 March 2009 (EDT)
 * In addition, this is the BEST RESUME EVER. 16:13, 20 March 2009 (EDT)
 * I love it! <font color="#DD00DD" face="comic sans ms"> ħ uman  21:42, 20 March 2009 (EDT)

Limited/better file hosting service
There are strong limitations to the file uploading in the MW software, which is fine, but we seem to occasionally have need of uploading/sharing files with each other that are not images or maybe larger in nature. There are plenty of file hosting services, but there are draw backs including a lack of control over the files once uploaded. Would it be worth creating a limited "file hosting" service to allow pertinent file uploading/sharing on the RW server beyond what the MW software supports? tmtoulouse 17:35, 20 March 2009 (EDT)
 * What we set up a file hosting site for RationalWiki on the server? There is an extension that allows the inclusion of picture to a wiki that have not been uploaded using its url, we could combine the two and save ourselves some drag on the cpu. - User   19:22, 20 March 2009 (EDT)
 * Found it . Although now I think of it it probably would put a bigger drag unless the mediawiki software is very inefficient at accessing it own media. - User   19:48, 20 March 2009 (EDT)
 * Sounds like a good idea, though it might require housekeeping? Perhaps there should be a two-key system to load over 5 mB? 100 mB? <font color="#DD00DD" face="comic sans ms"> ħ uman  21:45, 20 March 2009 (EDT)
 * I've been looking at these guys recently for some of my own sites.  Seems like an excellent site - you are simply charged for what you use, if it's one cent a month, that's all they charge you.   <font color="#00F0A20">DogP  22:56, 20 March 2009 (EDT)
 * We have our own dedicated server now. - User   23:00, 20 March 2009 (EDT)
 * Exactly. If Trent has to dip into his rum fund to buy another 1 tB drive, so what?  My only worry is that our delightful trolls, a/k/a insta-sysops, might fill it up with grey goo. <font color="#DD00DD" face="comic sans ms"> ħ uman  23:20, 20 March 2009 (EDT)
 * Bah, this place still eats my rum fund even without the new harddrive :(. I am still out $50 a month flat fee for the dedicated line/backup host. Anyway, I will look into this further. 216.221.87.112 01:56, 21 March 2009 (EDT)
 * Time for another whip round? I am getting a tax credit in a few weeks. - User   01:59, 21 March 2009 (EDT)
 * savefile.com and rapidshare both have free accounts that give you some file management ability 216.93.81.189 23:25, 20 March 2009 (EDT)

Rebel without a god...
So where do you consider your self to be on the Schlaughable "reasons not to be conservative" spectrum. I'd love to be a part of the eight option in the first tirade. Makes me a rebel without a cause. That, unless proved otherwise, is coool! Taytopacket 21:25, 20 March 2009 (EDT)
 * My Dok, that whole page is just Andy projecting. Virtually everything he accuses liberals of there, he does himself. It's like a textbook case. Totnesmartin 04:48, 21 March 2009 (EDT)

Screengrab
The Firefox addon doesn't work on google maps streetview - had to use Ubuntu "take screenshot" to get a piccy. Just sayin'. 22:49, 20 March 2009 (EDT)
 * Maybe because screengrabs on Google maps is a little too stalkerish. - User   22:52, 20 March 2009 (EDT)
 * Really? Interesting.  I wonder how they defeated it.  I bet "PrintScreen" still works... <font color="#DD00DD" face="comic sans ms"> ħ uman  23:26, 20 March 2009 (EDT)

Obama Special Olympics Comment
Am I the only one in this country that understands that sometimes a joke is just a joke? I mean, in my comedy routine I have a routine that makes a lot of jokes at the expense of Gay people.... That doesn't mean I harbor a secret hatred of teh gays... We spend way too much time apologizing for jokes these days. <font color="#000066" >SirChuckB  03:33, 21 March 2009 (EDT)


 * What are the jokes?
 * One that always makes me laugh but several of mine friends find "offensive" is "Silly faggot, dicks are fer chicks."
 * When I was a lad...some 30+ years ago, one could go into mainstream, mom&pop bookstores and purchase ethnic "joke books". Nowadays, there'd be protests blocks long should someone deign to try to sell one of these. (I should check ebay?)
 * Some years ago...here in Pittsburgh there was a controversy when an artist rendered a form (in fiberglass, no less), of a steelworker and titled it "Hunky Steelworker." Well, there was such a fuss over the title...Yet (during the same time) there was a monthly publication called "The Mill Hunk Herald"...nary a word on that one. (Hunk and Hunky here do not mean "well-built, ripped man" but was/is a epithet for people of Eastern European descent. Usually one never heard the word "Hunky" without its partner, "dumb", as in "dumb Hunky".05:52, 21 March 2009 (EDT) CЯacke ®


 * 1) I'm more or less with you Chuck. The special olympics thing is actually a pretty common joke applicable to performing poorly in many situations. But it is offensive and that's why it is sort of funny.  Pretend you're telling the joke in front of someone who is a special olympian and see what I mean about the offensive part. Obama wasn't revealing his special distain for the handicaped and disabled but rather just repeating a version of something he'd  no doubt heard hundreds of times before. It was intended to be self depracating. Still, standards for public speech are understandably more atringent than standards for private speech (where Obama likely picked up the joke). He isn't supposed to tell faggot jokes either. i.e. I promise that I won't fag out and give Iran a free ride.
 * 2) My father, who is a second generation Slovenian-American, grew up in Pittsburgh, but I did not. As a kid I heard the term hunky (and dumb hunky) from him. He used it as a mark of ethnic pride and so I thought for a long time it was a perfectly servicable substitute for Slovenian-American. I still call a whisk broom (made by cutting the handle off of a real broom, A hunky broom) <font color="#ff0000">Me!<font color="#649CD6">Sheesh! <font color="#6ff6633">Mine! 10:34, 21 March 2009 (EDT)
 * I think it was mildly humorous (in that self-deprecating way, we all (?) remember his abysmal outing at the bowling lanes during the primary). It was also mildly offensive - not in a superficial way, as in "making fun of the crippled  disabled handicapable", but at the secondary level when one (or I, at least) keep in mind that Obama is a healthy, strong, coordinated, fully limbed (etc.) man, capable of banging three point shots.  That said, it's only right-wing loons jumping all over this.  He apologized, the SO people graciously accepted and forgave his slip, and I think a bunch of SO kids are now scheduled for an evening of Bowling With Obama at the White House.  Ironically, listening to discussion of the "issue", I found myself thinking "what would life be like if I lost both legs (or whatever)?", how would I survive, how would life change without easy mobility... <font color="#DD00DD" face="comic sans ms"> ħ uman  17:40, 21 March 2009 (EDT)
 * @Cracker, here's the full text of joke, although I think it loses something without the expert delivery :-)
 * I'm a Psychology major in college, and I’m taking a class called Psychology of sexual orientation. Man it is intense! About 60-70% of the people in the class are Gay, Lesbian or Bisexual, and then there’s this one guy who always carries around a picture of a Llama. Now I have no problem with that, I think gay people are usually more interesting than straight people, and they sure as hell have better fashion sense.  But there is a lot of anger in the room towards straight people. Real intense ugly anger.  Torches and Pitchfork type of anger.  Now being black, large mobs of white people scare me, gay or straight.  I figure it’s the difference between getting lynched and getting lynched with my hair done nice.  Sometimes I feel like a Mormon in San Francisco in that class.  So after a few weeks, I finally realized something odd about the whole thing:  People are angry at me for bad deeds committed by members of a large group that I happen to be a part of.  Furthermore, I get annoyed and frustrated because there is nothing I can do to make up for these deeds and I have no control over my membership in this group.  Finally it hit me, THIS IS WHAT IT’S LIKE TO BE WHITE!!!! <font color="#000066" >SirChuckB  18:17, 21 March 2009 (EDT)

Post CP: WIGO WorldNet Daily
There have been a few conversations about what else we should do as the activity of CP is reduced to a few familar villains mastubating over a handful of their favorite dead horses (I need another cliche here). One possible solution is World Net Daily. They are already featured in WIGO Clogosphere (though they are a news(note) organization, not a blogquite a bit but think they deserve their own WIGO. They are easy and immediate like CP and in some ways even more whacky-- certainly just as mean spirited. So I wonder if WIGO WND is something worth doing.

NOTE: Where news means quasi literate and mostly batshit crazy rants. 09:31, 21 March 2009 (EDT)


 * Hmm, that might not be bad. Short, snarky skewering of WND garbage, sounds like a good option. --Kels 12:10, 21 March 2009 (EDT)
 * Good idea. And for the lazy, Kangaroo's borken news "research" even provides a handful of selected skewerable items every day or two! <font color="#DD00DD" face="comic sans ms"> ħ uman  17:43, 21 March 2009 (EDT)

Hair today, gone tomorrow
Hee! 12:53, 21 March 2009 (EDT)
 * "In New Jersey especially, where the government has been picking our pockets for so long, it was like: 'Just stay out of our pants, will you?'" Best Quote Ever!!!!

What OS do you guys rock?
What Operating Systems do you guys use? I use Vista by default, but have been thinking of switching to Ubuntu (or just Linux in general, though nothing crazy like Arch or Gentoo) ENorman 13:13, 21 March 2009 (EDT)
 * Ubuntu. 13:15, 21 March 2009 (EDT)
 * I used to use various flavours of Linux (Redhat as far back as 5.2, Mandrake for a bit, Slackware, openSUSE), and eventually went back to using Windows XP. But I'm a non-technical person in general, and I've come to realize that the sole reason I was able to run any of those successfully was because I had good tech-oriented people around me.  I don't have a lot of tech geeks among my friends right now, so I know full well that even something user-friendly like SUSE would be utterly beyond me.  Linux is fantastic, and probably way superior, to people with a technical mind, but I don't really think it's ready for general use.  Also, I've found things like webcams, pen tablets and such to be incredibly hard to work through even friendly versions of Linux, and if you're into games you might as well forget it. That's my mileage, though.  Others may have different experiences. --Kels 14:02, 21 March 2009 (EDT)
 * OSX FTW. Hoping this doesn't turn into the most common online flamewar of all time.   <font color="#00F0A20">DogP  14:13, 21 March 2009 (EDT)
 * OS X also, but I'm fine with refugees from Windows using Linux (pssst! Unless you're a nerd, there's not much difference between distributions. They all use the same GUI.). Unix-based systems FTW! 14:16, 21 March 2009 (EDT)



The above images courtesy of Trent. Show RW's user's OS & browser usage March 09. 14:28, 21 March 2009 (EDT)
 * Wow. Linux outnumbers OS X. I suppose that's because we have a greater number of people who wouldn't put up with Windows, and so would use Linux as a free alternative rather than OS X, which you would only use if you bought an Apple computer. 14:26, 21 March 2009 (EDT)
 * I use Fedora, which has far better fonts than Ubuntu and graphics that do not make your desktop look like a mudhole. 14:30, 21 March 2009 (EDT)
 * Ever heard of preferences? 14:32, 21 March 2009 (EDT)
 * Did I say "mudhole"? I meant what's inside of a sewer pipe. A lot of things about Ubuntu are made of the same stuff. 14:48, 21 March 2009 (EDT)
 * What's wrong with Ubuntu? Is it just the colour scheme? 14:50, 21 March 2009 (EDT)
 * This, for starters. The second bullet-point, to be exact. 15:03, 21 March 2009 (EDT)
 * What's so awful about the Ubuntu command line? 15:06, 21 March 2009 (EDT)
 * No distribution of mine classifies use of the command line as an "Advanced Topic." 15:23, 21 March 2009 (EDT)
 * So you're complaining that they don't use an outdated and user-unfriendly interface for most simple tasks? 15:25, 21 March 2009 (EDT)
 * Quiz! Which operating system has had a CLI added after being without one for a great many years? And which operating system has had its CLI removed? 15:56, 21 March 2009 (EDT)
 * ??? I know that CLIs are necessary for today's computing, but there aren't really any advantages in them over GUIs, other than it being easier to program, and I would classify programming as advanced. 16:07, 21 March 2009 (EDT)
 * Most of the advantages of a CLI are, admittedly, technical in nature. But they are hardly "outdated," and I will tolerate "user-friendliness" just as soon as I see the GUI that does not require you to move the mouse a cumulative mile and click it a million times to do what can be done with a fifty-character command. 16:36, 21 March 2009 (EDT)
 * IMHO it depends on whether you use the computer as a means to do other things or as an end of itself. In the first case, it's a waste of time learning the CLI stuff - not to mention being daunting to teh newbies, but that's what a lot of nerds like. 16:40, 21 March 2009 (EDT)
 * Really, the GUI should be favoured over the CLI, and the CLI should be made into an "advanced" topic, used only for high-end development. 16:49, 21 March 2009 (EDT)
 * That is a matter of personal preference, and I will not support anybody's attempts to marginalize the CLI in that manner, Linux being the only major operating system where it is not thus marginalized. 20:20, 21 March 2009 (EDT)
 * I can has teh Secret Undercover Squirrel Environment, the one with the green lizard. Secret Squirrel 14:54, 21 March 2009 (EDT)
 * Unix-based? 14:59, 21 March 2009 (EDT)
 * Yeah, SUSE Linux. Secret Squirrel 15:00, 21 March 2009 (EDT)
 * Yay! Let's gang up on the Windows users. 15:07, 21 March 2009 (EDT)
 * I've got Ubuntu, Vista, and WinXP, but so far my favorite for casual use is still WinXP *hides from Linux users* 16:00, 21 March 2009 (EDT)
 * * Aims* 16:07, 21 March 2009 (EDT)
 * To many viruses aimed @ Windoze & updates too infrequent. Got caught twice. (my fault for looking @ porn, I know) 16:16, 21 March 2009 (EDT)
 * That's the main issue with Windows, though the general fact that the filesystem is a mess is also irritating. 16:24, 21 March 2009 (EDT)
 * I use XP pro (and firefox/thunderbird), which is at least stable. But as PH says, the simple act of backing up is a disaster, with "preferences" being scattered willy-nilly all over the place.  Which, sadly, makes me loathe to upgrade my computer, since I have no idea where to find the tweaks I've made to most of my application interfaces in order to hang onto them. (Except Arachnophilia, which tells you where your homemade toolbars and buttons are saved.) <font color="#DD00DD" face="comic sans ms"> ħ uman  18:00, 21 March 2009 (EDT)
 * Meanwhile on Unix-based systems you only need to back up your home folder and any proprietary programs that you wouldn't get back when you restored the system. 18:10, 21 March 2009 (EDT)
 * But can you run all the apps you need to operate smoothly in the business world? <font color="#DD00DD" face="comic sans ms"> ħ uman  00:48, 22 March 2009 (EDT)
 * Such as Word and spreadsheets and such? I know that the word processors that come with both OS X and Linux can cooperate fully with Word, and I assume the same is true of things like spreadsheets. Further data are needed. 03:45, 22 March 2009 (EDT)
 * While Mac versions of MS Office may offer interchangeability with the Windows version, converting to or from Open Office on Linux is far less successful. <font color=Blue>Генгис    05:01, 22 March 2009 (EDT)
 * I'm unfamiliar with Linux, but you don't even need Office for Mac to open word files; TextEdit can open .doc files and save files in that format. 05:09, 22 March 2009 (EDT)
 * I use Mandriva Linux. I think it has the best graphics in the world. (Though I do not have a graphics card). I switched from XP to Linux recently and I think Linux is the best.--EvilFlyingMonkey 03:00, 24 March 2009 (EDT)

Wikileaks
Can't raise 'em - timing out every time. Anyone? 13:15, 21 March 2009 (EDT)
 * According to the Google cache their server is overloaded. 14:18, 21 March 2009 (EDT)
 * The Australian Governments blacklist for when the bring in mandatory filtering was put up about 2 days agos. Turns out it was going to block about 2,395, while there are the obvious sites on the list, a lot are things like online poker and a dentist were on the list. The big suprise was WikiLeaks was on the list. -  User   04:33, 22 March 2009 (EDT)

Random
Has anyone else read the Space Odyssey books? I finished 3001 on Friday. 18:39, 21 March 2009 (EDT)
 * yes, but I perceived a slight dimishing of returns. 3001 looked to me like Arthur C Clarke pressing the Arthur C Clarke button. Totnesmartin 19:23, 21 March 2009 (EDT)
 * A far better question would be have you read the Foundation trilogy by Isaac Asimov. Yes. there are seven books in-series, but the last 4 are shit, and the first three are some of the finest literature on the planet.  User:TheemperorUser talk:Theemperor 19:24, 21 March 2009 (EDT)


 * With you there, Emperor! (Cleon I, by any chance?) Totnesmartin 19:37, 21 March 2009 (EDT)
 * Actually, I tend to think of myself as more of the MULE!!! User:TheemperorUser talk:Theemperor 19:44, 21 March 2009 (EDT)
 * I read 2001 and 2010, but Real Life butted in right before I got to start 2061. Got all four books here, though. Gonna finish all of them one of these in a binge, I guess. But speaking of Clarke, I did read "Time's Eye" by him and Stephen Baxter in the meantime. It's book one of "A Time Odyssey"... *ominous hum* --Sid 20:41, 21 March 2009 (EDT)
 * I've read the first three from Clarke and quite a bit of Asimov in general (saw him speak once and BTW met Larry Niven). I've sort of stopped reading sci fi these days. The relatively bad writing, the overt appeals to adolscent males and over-use of stock characters(in the contemporary sense) turns me off. I might pick up 3001 now that I know it exists.<font color="#ff0000">Me!<font color="#649CD6">Sheesh! <font color="#6ff6633">Mine! 09:53, 22 March 2009 (EDT)
 * I must admit, I think the last sci-fi I read was Gibson's "Mona Lisa Overdrive' series, although I've been trying to track down his newest one (set in a Victorian England where Babbage's Computer worked and had driven technology accordingly) but I can never remember what it's called. At the moment Stephen Erikson's wonderful "Malazan" series is eating up my precious free time.--PsyGremlinWhut? 12:53, 22 March 2009 (EDT)
 * The Difference Engine, as I recall. Good book.  Haven't read anything in the line of novels in a few years, but I used to be a voracious SF reader.  Never did get around to reading Foundation, and always meant to. --Kels 13:14, 22 March 2009 (EDT)
 * I think Gibson's latest work is Spook County. Or at least I think it should be newer than Difference Engine. But I'm just working from rough memory here, so I could be wrong. --Sid 14:17, 22 March 2009 (EDT)
 * Correct. I haven't read Spook Country yet; I read The Difference Engine a while ago; I found the Sprawl trilogy kind of boring. Gibson's Idoru, though, is great. If you like cyberpunk, Bruce Sterling is where it's at: Heavy Weather, A Good Old-Fashioned Future. --Marty 22:10, 22 March 2009 (EDT)
 * Asimov looks awfully like Ronnie Corbett in that picture. Taytopacket 09:12, 23 March 2009 (EDT)

Mor m ons strike back
They're after polygamy again. 12:43, 22 March 2009 (EDT)
 * It's Big Love research material par excellence.  I love that show.   Anyone else a fan?   <font color="#00F0A20">DogP  12:59, 22 March 2009 (EDT)
 * Perhaps it will be one of the topics that they will be discussing at General Conference is a few weeks. User:TheemperorUser talk:Theemperor 13:04, 22 March 2009 (EDT)


 * never mind the Mormon's our next President has 4 wives. --PsyGremlinWhut? 14:28, 22 March 2009 (EDT)

Looking forward to a good Sunday Insight
$10 says Andy's building up to a top-quality Sunday Insight today. I just feel it in the air. <font color="#00F0A20">DogP  13:58, 22 March 2009 (EDT)
 * Too bad, Dog. Nothing all day. - User   05:17, 23 March 2009 (EDT)

Twitter
I know it's stupid but RationalWki is now on Twitter. <font color=Blue>Генгис   15:57, 22 March 2009 (EDT)
 * Link? 16:08, 22 March 2009 (EDT)
 * http://twitter.com/RationalWiki 16:10, 22 March 2009 (EDT)
 * Looks like an interesting combination of football results and the RWW news feed. Is this the future of RationalWiki? KlapauciusEsteemed Constructor 16:12, 22 March 2009 (EDT)
 * How do we get to post to it? Do we get emailed teh seekrit password? Totnesmartin 16:17, 22 March 2009 (EDT)
 * I vote dictionary attack. Now lets see...atheist...godless...heathens...conservapedia...wait maybe it requires letters and numbers...atheist1...atheist2...atheist3... 16:19, 22 March 2009 (EDT)
 * The football results were just for practice. <font color=Blue>Генгис    16:27, 22 March 2009 (EDT)

Someone enlighten me how best to use twitter. I tried looking for interesting people to add, but only found a couple friends who "tweet" once a month when they are bored. Teabag 00:00, 23 March 2009 (EDT)
 * I suppose I've hit one of those seminal moments in life where you say "I'm old", but I don't get twitter. I dislike the whole news in 30 seconds, that TV made our news, or "headling news" that you see all over the place;  so to hear a 100 letter (or whatever the limit is) update about Obama's speech, the hockey game a friend is watching, or what the weather is like while my Mom is on vacation just seems so out of place.  So, I've hit the "that's not music, that's noise" moment in my adulthood, where I am not just "out of touch", I'm *choosing* to be so.  SCARY!-- 10:45, 23 March 2009 (EDT)
 * I don't get the attraction at all. Same with those 'Social' sites - I'd rather have something in common (as here) or actually meet people face to face. The detachment of such things is somewhat alien to me. You can't know people from 140 words at a go. 13:28, 23 March 2009 (EDT)
 * I do understand "link" sites, especially ones that are professional oriented, cause it is kinda nice to say "oh, your brother works at Google. I was looking at a job there, would you mind if i asked him about it" type thing.  (I used linked in).  But it's not to keep up with people, or to meet new friends, for me.  Just a way to use my existing friends to my advantage.-- 14:25, 23 March 2009 (EDT)
 * I'm not a social networker, things like MySpace & FaceBook present too much personal information to the world. However, I can see a use for Twitter & Yammer as a means of getting people's attention - a bit like SMS messages. I don't "text" like most of the younger generation seem to do, but I do send messages reporting my whereabouts. When I go to some foreign place on my own nobody knows whether I have arrived safely or not so I text my boss and departmental assistant to let them know when I have arrived safely. They don't need the immediacy of a phone call but at least they know that everything is OK. Just saying "I'm off down the shops" to the world is a bit stupid, but telling a group of friends that there's a great programme on BBC4 without having to fire up emails or ring round them all is easily done. I use the TwitterFox extension with FireFox so it sits in the statusbar and briefly pops up when a message comes in or enables one to fire off a quick note without switching away from the browser. It's not just people that have Twitter, organisations like the UK Foreign & Commonwealth office "tweet". Ok I may not need to know all the movements of David Milliband but security issues are also flashed up. To me, following 800 people you don't now seems rather silly but as someone who is often accused of not communicating much (sorry, Mum) being able to tweet lets me keeps me in touch without having to send an email or make a phone call. <font color=Blue>Генгис    17:32, 23 March 2009 (EDT)

British History 1688-1745
There's a quiz on the BBC Radio4 Today website covering the period 1688-1745. How many can you get right?

8/10 - (Newton & Downing) <font color=Blue>Генгис

5/10 Auld Nick 08:42, 23 March 2009 (EDT)

7/10 (more arse than class though - Newton, Bank of E & Blackbeard did me) --PsyGremlinWhut? 08:48, 23 March 2009 (EDT)

9/10 - Foiled by Newton. The man never lets me be. Charles SubLunar(mr) 08:53, 23 March 2009 (EDT)


 * 9/10, how was I supposed to know how long Blackbeard's illustrious career was. I knew the Newton one, though. I think I heard it on QI. -- 09:19, 23 March 2009 (EDT)

7/10 - some of those were hard. I didn't think a million pounds existed in the 18th C.--ConservapediaRoolz 10:06, 23 March 2009 (EDT)

8/10 - failed Blackbeard and Newton (and after those SDAs lectured me incessantly about Daniel and all... I dunno) Totnesmartin 12:00, 23 March 2009 (EDT)

5/10 - being a believer that History is Bunk & I was kicked out of history class @ age 12 - not bad. 13:23, 23 March 2009 (EDT)

10/10 - although to be honest it should have been 9/10: but I'd already seen above the disbelief at a million pounds being around during that period. Fox 13:27, 23 March 2009 (EDT)

7/10 - I guessed the England/Scotland one from Braveheart. ENorman 14:32, 23 March 2009 (EDT)

7/10 - but I didn't actually know any of the answers. I guess I'm still good at taking multiple guess tests! <font color="#DD00DD" face="comic sans ms"> ħ uman  15:30, 23 March 2009 (EDT)


 * That's what an education does for you. You can make "educated" guesses because you have an idea of what the correct answer should be. The same way I get reasonable marks with Andy's American History tests. <font color=Blue>Генгис    17:37, 23 March 2009 (EDT)
 * An interesting note on the Newton question - I would think the least interesting thing about him was calculation for the end of the world. So I had no idea which way to guess. <font color="#DD00DD" face="comic sans ms"> ħ uman  21:57, 23 March 2009 (EDT)

7/10 - Failed Newton, Blackbeard and Downing. I missed the period from 1688 to 1776 at all the schools I went to. PS Is this why Schlafly loves Newton, because he was a complete religious nutcase when he wasn't laying the foundations of modern science? The Real James Brown 18:27, 23 March 2009 (EDT)

9/10 - had an inauspicious start as I got the first one wrong about the bank of England, and I have to admit a few others were educated guesses. Some of those questions seemed overly trivial to me, though some were historically significant. DickTurpis 19:32, 23 March 2009 (EDT)

Redacted
Ok, so I was cleaning out some of the "wanted" pages, and one of the links was to "Redacted". I thought a fun page for that would be to have a page with big black "highlights" (blackened out text) with the only words showing being something like "and" "the", "is"...  Does anyone know if solid black blocks can be made easily? Maybe there is a character or something, that looks like a black box?-- 12:34, 23 March 2009 (EDT)

you can use the span tag to create a black background with black text. Like this <font color="#ff0000">Me!<font color="#649CD6">Sheesh! <font color="#6ff6633">Mine! 12:39, 23 March 2009 (EDT)
 * And it only took me fifteen edits <font color="#ff0000">Me!<font color="#649CD6">Sheesh! <font color="#6ff6633">Mine! 12:43, 23 March 2009 (EDT)
 * Hehe, I can take 15 edits to type my name correctly. ;-)  Thanks.  off to redact redacted.
 * I've just noticed that I was the one who red linked redacted for a different, unrelated joke on my home page. What a coincidence, or is it? <font color="#ff0000">Me!<font color="#649CD6">Sheesh! <font color="#6ff6633">Mine! 15:25, 23 March 2009 (EDT)

I just need to rant.
We have a judgment in hand, a check in the US Registry from the DOE for 9.6 Million after SEVEN years, and one of the attorneys representing a "co-client" is whining about 37 CENTS that do not now, nor never have, footed. 37 frigging cents, is being withheld from his client. HERE, I'll pay it to you. just sign the damn documents. -- 14:13, 23 March 2009 (EDT)


 * It is said that if Bill Gates dropped a $100 bill it would cost him more (in wasted time) to stop and pick it up. If it costs more to recover a debt than what you're owed, then you need to review your priorities. <font color=Blue>Генгис    17:42, 23 March 2009 (EDT)


 * Ha, I've got a story too. I was in line in the grocery store when a woman started hollering about the wrong price for a container of juice, freaking out like anything, while they checked the sale paper advert, in the end she got her way they admitted they made a mistake. After all that, she got back 2 cents. I felt like saying, I would have given you the two cents myself five minutes ago to get out of the store so I could pay for my stuff.. lol. <font color="#000066">Refugee <font color = "#00F0A20">talk page 05:22, 25 March 2009 (EDT)

Bison
I've just seen the magnificent new BBC series on Yellowstone National Park. It showed how fresh young bison calves have to cross the Snake River in full spate to get from their mothers' winter feeding grounds where they were born to their summer feeding grounds. At what point do creationists have to admit this is Stupid Design? (Seriously. Hypothesis: an Intelligent Designer wouldn't make his creation have to do a suicidally dangerous journey just days after they were born. Hypothesis disproved). The Real James Brown 18:31, 23 March 2009 (EDT)
 * Hm, that's shitty "science". You're assuming that a creator works to the same logic as the creation... You're also assuming that this is how the bison have always behaved. ASSUME... Remember what it stands for? On the plus side, the BBC pwn with documentaries. I'm still soaking up, countless viewings later, "British Isles: A Natural History", presented by Titchmarsh, and wonderfully so. My kids love that series, and it turns out to have been the most viewed DVD in the family. Fox 19:04, 23 March 2009 (EDT)
 * Loves me some BBCs. Ok, Emperor Penguin's.  THATS NOT INTELLIGENT DESIGN.  Ok, baby, mommy is going to leave you for 4 months.  hope you and your daddy don't starve.  ;-)-- 19:11, 23 March 2009 (EDT)
 * A sweet bit of aforementioned Titchmarsh. Fox 19:16, 23 March 2009 (EDT)


 * You're assuming that a creator works to the same logic as the creation... That summarises ID, doesn't it? I got thinking about this because of the PJR stuff over the weekend. At what point does an intelligent scientist, like Philip, who believes in creation accept that a vast pile of evidence disproves the hypothesis that biology is the result of an intelligent process? The Real James Brown 19:24, 23 March 2009 (EDT)
 * I'm not a beliver in YEC or, as presented, ID. I believe that a creator G-d could choose any method He fancied, including organic evolution. (Philip is not a scientist, by the way; he's an Aussie Christian who has decided to believe in YEC.) So, how does your version of evolution, which assumes logic, simplicity and survival of the fittest, end up making its creation "do a suicidally dangerous journey just days after they were born"? Or make mommy pingu say "Ok, baby, mommy is going to leave you for 4 months. Hope you and your daddy don't starve."" ... That ain't very elegant, is it? Sounds to me like evolution as proposed by you should have seen these dumbass critters off years ago... Answer that and stay fashionable, as Rick said. Fox 19:32, 23 March 2009 (EDT)
 * Two words: historical contingency. What that means is that elements of a structure that changes were never optimized for the new structure (or even for the old one...), so we see many examples of things done in a way no competent engineer would do them. <font color="#DD00DD" face="comic sans ms"> ħ uman  21:03, 23 March 2009 (EDT)
 * In Pompey, we call that "changing the goal posts". It also is followed by a smack in the mouth. Fortunately, I only hit nazis =) Change the goal posts as much as you want. Fox 21:22, 23 March 2009 (EDT)
 * I didn't "move the goalposts", but I did "change the subject" to the more general from this specific one. <font color="#DD00DD" face="comic sans ms"> ħ uman  21:59, 23 March 2009 (EDT)
 * The BBC don't get it right all of the time (who does?) but they certainly produce some of the best natural history and travel documentaries (Anglia's Survival was the only series that ever came close). The great thing about Attenborough & Titchmarsh is their love of the subject and the best thing about the BBC is ... no fucking adverts during the programmes. <font color=Blue>Генгис    19:31, 23 March 2009 (EDT)
 * And Histories. There was a divine serries by BBC with... hum, maybe Michael Palin, not sure, on the history of the English Language.   LOVED IT.-- 19:46, 23 March 2009 (EDT)
 * I think that may have been Bill Bryson and "Mother Tongue", he's an adopted American. I saw the series and have the papperbok. <font color=Blue>Генгис    19:57, 23 March 2009 (EDT)


 * Fox, genes which (in some way: e.g. "follow Mummy") make a baby bison cross a fantastically dangerous river will increase in the bison population if that behaviour increases the proportion of "cross the river" genes versus "no way, I'm staying this side" genes in the bison population. OK, you could say that an intelligent designer knows it's better for Baby on average to cross that river - i.e. the proportion which benefit from the lush grass is greater than the proportion swept off their feet to an early death - but why exactly would she do it that way?
 * Why the bison do this is a more interesting question. Was the Snake River less ferocious in former years? i.e. was the crossing safer so, having established a predictable migration route, it would now be more costly to deviate from it than to continue using it?
 * I thought Philip is (or was?) a lecturer in statistics at Monash University. The Real James Brown 19:52, 23 March 2009 (EDT)
 * That guy publishes under the name Philip R Rayment. - User   21:25, 23 March 2009 (EDT)

Oh do be brief. Your version of evolution is phail. It is reasoning such as that above which helps me to remain in my (allegedly) "irrational" religious comfort zone. Survival of the fittest doesn't really make sense when observed, does it..? Anyway. I'm really irked about other things and so cannot focus on bisons and shit. Did you ever get a slap-in-the-face moment when you realised you married the wrong girl? Oh shit, it stings. Fox 21:18, 23 March 2009 (EDT)
 * Let me guess, you bought her a limited edition can of artist's shit for your wedding anniversary? <font color="#DD00DD" face="comic sans ms"> ħ uman  22:00, 23 March 2009 (EDT)
 * By the way, I would argue that the "premise" of this section (bison migration disproves ID) is very weak. One could easily imagine a G-D that runs their fresh bison babies through a QC test that involves being able to get across that river.  Much as it might be claimed that proto-heaven residents' souls have to be run through a QC test before they are considered shippable. <font color="#DD00DD" face="comic sans ms"> ħ uman  22:04, 23 March 2009 (EDT)
 * Hehe. If I had the money, I actually would buy one of those tins of shit XD As an investment, I seem to recall that it has outperformed gold by 300% or something. But no, I was chatting with a good family friend I dated for a while when we were young and the conversation drifted to art. I was really frikking annoyed to find that she was a big fan of Manzoni =( I had a 30 minute angst session, until I eventually convinced myself that a mutual fascination for canned faeces would probably not have been a good basis for a lifelong commitment. Besides, she had the most annoying laugh and was too fond of cats. Fox 07:43, 24 March 2009 (EDT)

This site is growing rapidly!!!!11!!1!
So sometime today we should tick 10,000,000....for whatever it is worth. 216.221.87.112 02:17, 24 March 2009 (EDT)
 * Hey that is good news. I remember you were worried that wikis as a general rule tended to die sometime between 5,000,000 and 10,000,000 pageviews. - User   02:32, 24 March 2009 (EDT)
 * Built mostly around observation only, no real analysis. But my general experience when looking at wikis is that the most vibrant/active ones usually have less than 5,000,000 views or more than 10,000,000. Most wikis never make it off the ground and are DOA. If they do make it it is usually cause they have an interesting niche, like I think we do. I think the 5,000,000 number is what could be expected from a core group of dedicated users 20-30 people. But two things start to happen, if there is no significant growth or "fresh blood" the older core group drifts away and things spiral down. Another thing I think that happens is that wikis with a focus start to become more "saturated" so that there is less to write about.
 * I think you see some of that at RW, many of the original core editors are much less active than the first few months, and when I suddenly get an idea for an article more often than not there is all ready something here. It is not as easy to find something to to write about like back in the day when we didnt even have articles on things like UFOs or mormons.
 * However, I think we are doing well because plenty of new editors are coming in and signing up so there is plenty of people with motivation/drive to take over as others lose theirs. CP of course is our "fail safe" solution to "running out of things to talk about" but our integration of community and general discussion also has helped. We have more than just the "project" we are building to talk about.
 * We are certainly growing as far as traffic as well, I will get some statistics up at the end of the month but February was the first month we officially surpassed 100,000 visits, and we are on pace for 120,000 or so this month. With 50,000-60,000 unique visitors. The other thing is our traffic has smoothed out a little and is less reliant on incoming links from major sites. Previous months of larger traffic were caused be sharp peaks when reddit or something linked to us. 216.221.87.112 02:48, 24 March 2009 (EDT)
 * "9,994,120 page views," yeah, we're gonna make it.  As much as we've changed, and patterns have altered, this place really is "growing". PS, Secret Squirrel keeps seeming to find more corrupt preachers and politicians to write about every time he logs in.  A model for us all ;) <font color="#DD00DD" face="comic sans ms"> ħ uman  02:56, 24 March 2009 (EDT)
 * Er, if we hadn't "accidentally" deleted talk:WIGO CP, we'd be over tentyzillion already. Right?  Let's delete some more high traffic pages!  <font color="#DD00DD" face="comic sans ms"> ħ uman  03:02, 24 March 2009 (EDT)
 * No, the version we are using doesn't recalibrate total page views after deleted pages. That is likely to come when we upgrade to the new version of MW though. 216.221.87.112 03:07, 24 March 2009 (EDT)
 * Well, we did it. Hooray!  And with only over 200 in mental problems by its contributors! <font color="#DD00DD" face="comic sans ms"> ħ uman  17:00, 24 March 2009 (EDT)

Another reason why I hate those fucking Kennedys
With the Special Olympics in the news recently, I realised that I didn't actually know a great deal about it, so I decided to have a look and learn more about its history. I discovered it was founded by one of those sickening Kennedys. And the backstory just made me want to kick that drunk, whoring, anti-Semite Joe Kennedy right in his withered old balls. Take a look. Fox 11:14, 24 March 2009 (EDT)
 * That's pretty horrific. We could do with an article about lobotomy.   11:39, 24 March 2009 (EDT)

Hedgehog
Every night we put the cat's leftovers outside the back door & every morning they've been eaten. We always assumed it was cats, but I've just seen a hedgehog gobbling fish flavoured Felix. First this year - global warming anyone? 21:12, 24 March 2009 (EDT)
 * Took me a minute to work out what you meant. I assume they don't normally come out of hibernation this early. - User   21:15, 24 March 2009 (EDT)
 * Don't really know, but it seems early (& cold) to me. 21:17, 24 March 2009 (EDT)
 * Might be because he has found a regular supply of food he doesn't need to hibernate. My understanding is they do it because there isn't enough food around to supply their little bodies with enough heat to stay warm. - User   21:21, 24 March 2009 (EDT)
 * "In Britain the hedgehog hibernates between October and April when the weather is cold." here 21:24, 24 March 2009 (EDT)
 * Per the zookeeper wife: hibernation is different in different animals. Some hibernation, like bears, do not hibernate as deeply and are more easily able to "unhibernate" when the weather and food conditions improve.  However, some animals, such as the ground squirrels, are essentially down for the count when hibernation starts, until their fats stores are used up.  She did not know, specifically, which kind the European hedgehog is, sadly.   21:53, 24 March 2009 (EDT)
 * Sorry 'bout the mess. I had the midnight munchies. --SpinyNorman 13:15, 25 March 2009 (EDT)
 * One example of an early wakeup does not evidence make.  <font color="#00F0A20">DogP  13:21, 25 March 2009 (EDT)
 * It's OK, Spiny, but it's no good looking for Dinsdale here. 14:05, 25 March 2009 (EDT)

Conservative is crippled!
He's lost his right hand man!

I don't know if you guys have seen these already, but I ROFLed.

There's a whole collection here. The Foxhole Atheist 23:37, 24 March 2009 (EDT)
 * The guy who makes those evidently has way too much time on his hands. 14:37, 25 March 2009 (EDT)
 * Actually that is Pretty Funny.--Tolerance 15:33, 25 March 2009 (EDT)

I couldn't resist... MOAR HITLER! (Conservapedia style)
I went and made my own Hitler rant. Complete with Conservapedia references and a few Hitler jokes thrown in das boot. ;-) The Foxhole Atheist 01:30, 26 March 2009 (EDT)
 * I like it. :-) How long did that take you? --Bobbing up 04:30, 26 March 2009 (EDT)
 * A little under 2 hours, I guess. It went faster when I started breaking the clip up into "subtitle-long" segments. Then I could fit the subtitles to a more reasonable pace. Glad you liked it! The Foxhole Atheist 06:26, 26 March 2009 (EDT)
 * I adore you like .2 gay like. Nutty Roux 21:55, 26 March 2009 (EDT)

Has anyone noticed...
How many of the usual suspects have signed up as users on PJR's new wiki? I'm wondering if it's time for a new matrix-based page showing the exodus from CP to wither RW and/or ASK, or if it's more meh. --SpinyNorman 13:59, 25 March 2009 (EDT)
 * If Andy declares it anathema, I'm sure TK would be orgasmic as he blocks and deletes Ed, Addison, Geo.P et al for "being members of vandal site that isn't CP".--PsyGremlinWhut? 14:09, 25 March 2009 (EDT)
 * Nah, Ed and Geo are TK's bitches. <font color=Blue>Генгис    14:26, 25 March 2009 (EDT)
 * I can't help wondering how long PJR will be able to keep things under control. Given that aSK will be a natural magnet for both vandals/trolls and those who enjoy arguing with Fundies there promises to be a certain amount of fireworks involved. As I see it there are two ways out of this.
 * 1. The Wikipedia route - but this means that PJR will lose control and won't be able to keep the wiki 'on message'
 * 2. The Conservapedia approach where it's all locked down - but this just spurs those who would stir up trouble to work harder. How long before aSK gets it own Bugler?
 * Either way I feel that the project is doomed. Silver Sloth 14:45, 25 March 2009 (EDT)
 * Looks like it's only attracted RWers and Cpers, bizarrely working on articles and treating each other civilly, which really just shows how broken CP is. I predict this will not last long - there are a few cracks showing already - and as soon as Colbert or the Register find it, it'll sink like a stone, which'll be a shame. And Bugler? I suspect ASK's bugler is there already... Totnesmartin 14:54, 25 March 2009 (EDT)
 * The biggest bollock so far is Geo Plrd - he's defended TK all along. Also if Ed ever gets any rights, it'll be goodbye aSK. 14:57, 25 March 2009 (EDT)
 * Where`s the wiki??????-- 忍者  <font color=#707070>N <font color=#808080> <font color=#858585>I <font color=#909090>N <font color=#A0A0A0>J <font color=#A5A5A5>A <font color=#B0B0B0>A <font color=#B5B5B5>A <font color=#C0C0C0>H <font color=#C5C5C5>! <font color=#D0D0D0>! <font color=#D5D5D5>! <font color=#E0E0E0>! <font color=#E5E5E5>! <font color=#F0F0F0> 16:03, 25 March 2009 (EDT)
 * here. Taytopacket 16:11, 25 March 2009 (EDT)

I made a place to chatter about ASK here. <font color="#DD00DD" face="comic sans ms"> ħ uman  18:15, 25 March 2009 (EDT)
 * Beware, PJR! Start going in the direction of CP and I will begin an all out assault! And you WON'T survive! -- 21:27, 26 March 2009 (EDT)
 * (Shut up, cur) I just want to thank Philip, it has now been over 30 hours since I last visited CP. <font color="#DD00DD" face="comic sans ms"> ħ uman  21:36, 26 March 2009 (EDT)
 * You aint missing anything Human, Kens created a "gentleman" but thats about it. Ace McWickedRevolt 21:42, 26 March 2009 (EDT)
 * if anyones interested there are some facinating sources being used in aSK articles like Lucifer and Gap theory. and by facinating I really mean truly truly wierd 67.72.98.45 20:43, 28 March 2009 (EDT)
 * They are truly weird. 20:45, 28 March 2009 (EDT)

American English
Is "... that will likely play a critical role ..." a correct usage? I'd use "... that is likely to play a critical role ...". It just reads wrong to me. (oh - it's from CP's news bit) 20:52, 25 March 2009 (EDT)
 * Clintin will likely play a critical role in the Obama admin."   That would be very common, very correct.  (i'm quite drunk, sorry).-- 21:36, 25 March 2009 (EDT)
 * Don't worry, your spelling is no worse than normal. 04:24, 28 March 2009 (EDT)
 * I haven't been drunk on the internet for several months. I'll have to try and do it again sometime soon. <font color=red face="Tahoma"> A rmondiko V  User_Talk:Armondikov 14:41, 28 March 2009 (EDT)

Parody
I know this is going to seem like I'm making a blanket liberal/conservative statment... But I just wanna know... Why is it that so many conservatives have issues understanding parody. There are two different kinds of parody, that which is meant to mock, such as LBC and the crap people do at CP. But most parody is not meant to humiliate and mock, but rather to celebrate and enjoy a laugh with the person not at them. Why is it that many (Not all, John McCain is a great counterexample) conservatives seem to think all parody is meant to mock? <font color="#000066" >SirChuckB  03:03, 26 March 2009 (EDT)
 * Are you talking about that shitty Half Hour News Hour I saw like 2 minutes of once on You Tube? That was bad. Although I have heard commentators from both sides claim that the other side of politics doesn't have a sense of humour, but IMO what passes for jokes from the right is pretty bad stuff. What I am pissed about is that whitehouse.org is off line. I know that they didn't update it at all for a year there until the last days of the Bush presidency, but the new Obama administration should have given them new material. Comedy shouldn't be that partisan. - User   21:20, 26 March 2009 (EDT)
 * Aside: Pi are you an agent of the evil one?  01:20 (cur; last) . . (+666) . . Π (Talk | contribs | block) (→Parody - ) 21:43, 26 March 2009 (EDT)
 * That would explain a lot in my life. - User   23:18, 26 March 2009 (EDT)
 * Maybe they are still getting up to speed - as I understand it, the entire staff changes over when the real WH switches parties. <font color="#DD00DD" face="comic sans ms"> ħ uman  21:38, 26 March 2009 (EDT)
 * My two sense, Chuck, is that the core of parody is never "let's enjoy a laugh together", but is always at it's core "you do stupid things, and i'm going to make fun of them and you." People with strong else esteem can say "yah, you're right, i so suck at This or That."  But people with low self esteem find any attack to be overwhelming.  you mock my religion, and i'm simply not strong enough to laugh at myself - so i fight harder against you.  and as Taoists know, you start resisting and the pushing gets worse.  -- 21:48, 26 March 2009 (EDT)
 * It seems to me that whenever a conservative mocks/parodies a liberal, it's always mean-spirited. Like the godawful half-hour news hour. Maybe it's some unspoken code of Reaganomics that you must lose your sense of humor. My two cents. ENorman 21:59, 26 March 2009 (EDT)
 * Godot, I disagree with you... There is a lot of parody that is done in a friendly, sometimes honorary style, kinda like a comedy roast. When Dave Chapelle parodies Sam Jackson or Prince or Rick James bitch he's not trying to call them stupid or mock them in any way, he's doing an over the top charicature of their work, which implies a certain level of respect.  There is a lot of parody out there that isn't meant to be offensive, just funny. In fact what brought this up was looking the through the old SNL sketch of Ben Affleck(sp?) doing Keith Olbermann.  It was a really funny sketch, and a lot of right wing blogs wrote about it as if the two were now mortal enemies with comments to the effect that Olbermann must hate Affleck for making fun of him.  However, Ben wrote Keith a note, on one of the cue cards mentioning that he got his impression by watching the show.  And I forgot about that god awful half hour news hour altogether..... It just seems like some of the people don't quite get it. <font color="#000066" >SirChuckB  22:09, 26 March 2009 (EDT)
 * If after the cancellation of Half Hour News Hour you aren't getting your fix of bad right-wing news parody, Newsbusters still have that little BustedNews thing on their website. - User   23:18, 26 March 2009 (EDT)
 * ANd there's always CP, the ultimate in unintentional self-parody. <font color="#DD00DD" face="comic sans ms"> ħ uman  23:39, 26 March 2009 (EDT)
 * Interesting thing about parody: Doesn't have to be funny. -- 02:38, 27 March 2009 (EDT)
 * This is arguing semantics, but although The Wind Done Gone is a parody in the technical sense, it is not what a normal person would call a parody, much more of a spin off or companion novel. <font color="#000066" >SirChuckB  03:01, 27 March 2009 (EDT)

I have heard the twisted chorus of the seven hells themselves
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E24Jl1jTixY

Open this in five tabs and listen to them all at once. This is probably the closest thing you will ever get to hearing Hell. I think if you listen to it in 10 tabs, your brain will simply fry and you'll reach Schlafly-levels of insanity.

Perhaps if we force Assfly to hear it, it'll do a reverse effect and make him sane. Or just have him metamorphose into Gene Ray. ENorman 16:33, 27 March 2009 (EDT)


 * Presumably the title should be "themselves"? --Kels 16:49, 27 March 2009 (EDT)
 * Gah. ENorman 17:01, 27 March 2009 (EDT)


 * Possibly the no. 1 contender for Worst Meme Ever? <font color=red face="Tahoma"> A rmondiko V  User_Talk:Armondikov 14:39, 28 March 2009 (EDT)

Where is RW servers located?
And who pays for the servers? Who own the domain rationalwiki.com?--EvilFlyingMonkey 08:04, 28 March 2009 (EDT)
 * The physical location of the server is Trent's desk. It was bought in a fund-raiser at the beginning of the year. Trent still pays for an off site backup himself. We register rationalwiki.com, rationalwiki.org and rationalwiki.net each year for a cost of $90, I don't know who's name is next to it either Trent or Collin (doubtful) or it may even be anon. - User   08:10, 28 March 2009 (EDT)
 * I have never maintained a server, but I suspect that it is difficult to keep one on one's desk and still have use of the desk. 16:08, 28 March 2009 (EDT)
 * It's just a PC with no peripherals (screen KB, etc.) plugged into the innertube. Pi also didn't mention the broadband with fixed IP rent, but I guess only part of that is RW's fault since Trent would have BB anyway.  Which is cheaper au Canada than here in the United Monopolies.  I think that's around $40/month but I could be rather wrong. <font color="#DD00DD" face="comic sans ms"> ħ uman  18:44, 28 March 2009 (EDT)

Something I've been thinking of - I'd love to see a photo of our server. Totnesmartin 06:17, 29 March 2009 (EDT)


 * How ignominious. A potted plant. 04:54, 30 March 2009 (EDT)
 * Is that us then?  That's where we all live?   Bit sexy, innit?   Ooooh, what a life!  <font color="#00F0A20">DogP  02:37, 31 March 2009 (EDT)
 * Quite surreal looking at it. It sort of brings home the reality of the internet. <font color=red face="Tahoma"> A rmondiko V  User_Talk:Armondikov 14:44, 31 March 2009 (EDT)
 * So we've spent the last three months sat next to a philodendron. I hope he waters it carefully, and we don't get leaves falling into us. And it strike me that Andy would have a dumb cane (named after its former use - keeping slaves quiet). Totnesmartin 13:01, 1 April 2009 (EDT)
 * I'm glad to see the the screen appears to be displaying a command line interface. No GUIs for real techies, eh? Silver Sloth 13:55, 1 April 2009 (EDT)
 * No, Trent probably used his training in the forbidden arts of neurology to rig up a telepathic interface. 06:24, 2 April 2009 (EDT)

In which Stephanie Simon...
Stephanie Simon (who wrote the LATimes article about CP and RW now must be writing about the creationsim debate in TX. (Or at least I'm assuming it's the same Stephanie Simon. Sterilewalkie-talkie 08:17, 28 March 2009 (EDT)
 * It is the same person, I remember reading on CP she moved to the Wall Street Journal. They still seem to be under the impression she wrote a article supportive of them (she clearly didn't think much of us). - User   08:20, 28 March 2009 (EDT)

This site is growing rapidly...
...but if CP keeps up its decline, not for much longer. Most of our traffic comes from WIGO and TWIGO, and if CP dies, a great deal of the site will leave. Do we have a plan for this? 16:10, 28 March 2009 (EDT)
 * ....we take over CP and turn it into a parody website (well, more of one that it is right now)? EddyP 16:18, 28 March 2009 (EDT)
 * Not really worth paying money for. Hmm, hey Andy, how much you wanna pay us to haul that hunk o' junk away for you? --Kels 16:42, 28 March 2009 (EDT)
 * When CP becomes a cold, dead hulk sustained merely by Andy and co. blocking people and making fools of themselves we can always merge WIGO Clogs and WIGO CP, which should create something viably good. 18:14, 28 March 2009 (EDT)
 * As an irrelevant aside, Wine=win. 18:19, 28 March 2009 (EDT)
 * So is this sort. Middlin' good plonk, that. --Kels 18:22, 28 March 2009 (EDT)
 * I don't like the drink, as I find more or less all alcoholic drinks too bitter. 18:30, 28 March 2009 (EDT)
 * Add sugar! If CP dies, we'll just have to redouble our efforts to destroy all the evil on the innertubes! <font color="#DD00DD" face="comic sans ms"> ħ uman  19:02, 28 March 2009 (EDT)
 * CP is dying. I'm in favor of helping Andy. MOAR parody!!!! Here's the thing though: Andy, TK- you can't block us. We want to help you. You've got to open up, and let more people on. -- 19:20, 28 March 2009 (EDT)
 * Wow, you're on the wrong site, pal. Rejoice in watching its death throes. No more, no less. If you're bored, enrol in that course you always fancied but never thought you had time for. Fox 19:27, 28 March 2009 (EDT)
 * Not in high school yet. But the fact is, while I would love to see CP die, it wouldn't be worth RW's death as well. -- 19:39, 28 March 2009 (EDT)
 * Here is an idea, how about we have articles on things that aren't Conservapedia. Is that a good idea CP-centric named person? - User   20:00, 28 March 2009 (EDT)
 * Yet everyone goes berserk whenever I make an article on a family of animals. -- 11:57, 29 March 2009 (EDT)
 * I don't think RationalWiki will die when CP stops being funny, but a lot of our semi-inactive editors and more or less all of the lurkers will leave, because WIGO is our main entry point and draw. We'd still keep our core users, but the edges would die off. 03:46, 29 March 2009 (EDT)

(undent) Maybe you should do try some actual debunking type articles or come up with a purpose. Not a lot of people are going to contribute or even want to read Dinosaur and Maine, not that I didn't enjoy them. But, uncyclopedia has us beat there. There isn't enough general chat to keep me here for more than a few minutes. Baby Geebus Speed. Teabag 05:28, 29 March 2009 (EDT)
 * To be clear. There are some articles here that kick ass.  Teabag 05:38, 29 March 2009 (EDT)
 * It's going to be hard because CP is our niche. Quackwatch covers alternative medicine better than us, CSICOP pwns our frankly atrocious paranormal articles... what, apart from CP, are we covering that no-one else is? Totnesmartin 06:14, 29 March 2009 (EDT)
 * Well there is always a few other quack and unique wikis. WorldNetDaily can get pretty clogo especially if you are willing to delve through their forums. We need to reposition ourselves as you one stop shop for all you nut job needs. We need to get some momentum going on WIGO Clogo and World and maybe resurrect WIGO 4th Reich if anyone can stomach it. - User   06:18, 29 March 2009 (EDT)

If I had a dollar for every time one of us said "CP is dying," I'd be a rich man. CP is like herpes--it'll flare up from time to time, but we'll have it forever. Or until Andy's mom turns off the tap. Wanna bet? Meet me here in a year. TheoryOfPractice 14:14, 29 March 2009 (EDT)
 * By "dead" I don't mean down, I mean with most of the lulz gone. This is already happening, and unless Andy gets rid of TK, I suspect the trend will continue. 14:41, 29 March 2009 (EDT)
 * Oh, ye of little faith. As long as there is Andy, Ed and a bunch of homeshoolerz in the same (virtual) room, there will be lulz.

I think RW's niche could be as a searchable, general debunking and scepticism resource. Even just having extensive external links to relevant blog posts and whatnot would be very useful. And the side-by-side articles are good things to have on a wiki because anyone with the relevant expertise can just nip in and add their own specific rebuttal. I have every hope that RW has a lifespan way beyond CP, which may be surviving but is definitely boringer.seventhrib 07:18, 31 March 2009 (EDT)

Need some help
I need some help from anyone who's bored. Open Help:Index, choose a page, and for every term that's associated with that page, add the following template to the page: replacing stuff with the keyword obviously. If the keyword is in the first category, i.e. symbols like | and #, use instead. Disregard that, use keyword=.

I already did some for Help:Color, Help:Links and Help:Lists, see those for examples. This is for my automatic Help:Index. Thanks --  Nx / talk 07:45, 29 March 2009 (EDT)

Technology
Ain't it great. about a month ago we bought (well my other ½ bought) a cheap, really cheap, digital radio/alarm clock fro a catalogue overspill shop (£15). There were no instructions and yesterday I was not looking forward to advancing the time 1 hour. It did it itself!. Not bad for the money & BBC R7 thrown in! Just sayin' 02:37, 30 March 2009 (EDT)
 * Only problem is if the daylight saving laws change. I reckon half the optional patches I have had in the last few years for Win XP is because my state keeps changing its daylight saving times, oh well let see what happens this weekend. - User   02:43, 30 March 2009 (EDT)
 * reckon it picked it up from teh BBC or something. 02:56, 30 March 2009 (EDT)
 * Could do, if it can pick up a digital signal you could encode something in it to adjust the time. I use to run SETI@home on my uni computer because it was on 24hrs a day (stop because of some technical glitch that probably has been fixed by now), it occurred to me the other day that a really intelligent life form that wanted to go undetected could send a signal in such a way that when it passed through the filters it would make any communication appear as white noise, whether it was or not, by exploiting holes in the program. - User   03:04, 30 March 2009 (EDT)
 * My FM car radio has EDS (Extended Data Services) which picks up metadata like the station name, current time and programme or track name if the station broadcasts it. The time display on the radio has automatically changed for daylight saving. <font color=Blue>Генгис    06:37, 30 March 2009 (EDT)
 * Ah, thank you for reminding me to finally install BOINC. 04:52, 30 March 2009 (EDT)
 * If you've got BOINC and spare cycles can I point you towards the World Community Grid. Silver Sloth 05:01, 30 March 2009 (EDT)
 * I don't think I have enough hard drive space; I barely have 7 gigs free as it is. 05:24, 30 March 2009 (EDT)

A bit over a year ago I bought a new clock, straightforward analog, runs on one AA cell, from Chinamart for about $15. It has twice successfully adjusted for DST/EST (due to my sleep schedule and not paying attention I don't know if it did it at 2 AM or 2 PM though). I still wonder if it's "programmed" with some ROM, or grabbing a radio signal (it doesn't set itself, so I rather doubt the radio part). Who knows, though? Does anyone know how these things are made to work? <font color="#DD00DD" face="comic sans ms"> ħ uman  16:09, 30 March 2009 (EDT)
 * Whenever you see something like that, a wizard did it.  16:13, 30 March 2009 (EDT)
 * It shouldn't be that difficult to add a chip to the clock that keeps track of the date and adjusts the time accordingly. 16:16, 30 March 2009 (EDT)
 * At one level, no, it shouldn't. It also has to run without a power source while on the shelf (and when the battery dies), hell, the whole VCR clock joke is based on mfrs not bothering to do that.  I'd like to know if it is smart enough to identify 2 o'clock dark vs. light... <font color="#DD00DD" face="comic sans ms"> ħ uman  18:40, 30 March 2009 (EDT)
 * It was more the price that got me digital radio and self adjusting clock for that money. My first digi radio cost about (memory fails) £90 less than 2 years ago. There's plenty of clocks that read the national time signal thing (NPL?). They can't be preprogrammed - different countries - different times and different years - the dates might be altered by fiat rather than logic. 16:41, 30 March 2009 (EDT)
 * eh. My car is off by 1 hour every year, for 1/2  a year or so.  That's my solution.-- 16:54, 30 March 2009 (EDT)

Hmmm, since I don't update my XP, due to the 2007 problem, I had to manually boost my 'puter's clock a while ago. I just noticed that it was an hour behind - it seems to have sprung back at some point. <font color="#DD00DD" face="comic sans ms"> ħ uman  18:57, 30 March 2009 (EDT)

Any Good Parodist Tips?
I have an easy time making socks, and I've slipped some slightly clever nonsense that has stuck so far as I can tell, but I can't come up with a good strategy for making edits without being an obvious vandal/parodist. Anyone have any tips? 75.189.142.85 00:27, 31 March 2009 (EDT)
 * Weird Al got his start by sending in homemade tapes to the Dr. Demento show..... Other than that, I would suggest reading Conservapedia:A Parodist's Guide to Villainy. <font color="#000066" >SirChuckB  00:30, 31 March 2009 (EDT)
 * Good article, but are we trying to accomplish any greater goals? What long-term strategy will bring ultimate humiliation? Jorge 00:53, 31 March 2009 (EDT)
 * "We" aren't trying to do anything. What individuals might do is up to them. ;-) 01:02, 31 March 2009 (EDT)
 * Please create an article on bacon, the world needs to know about this tasty meat product. Regardless, even the best nonsense is no more nutty than what they put their themselves. Teabag 02:30, 31 March 2009 (EDT)
 * Don't even waste your time. CP is dead, and there is nothing we can do about that. 04:05, 31 March 2009 (EDT)
 * I second that thought. I was about to say the exact same thing.FJF
 * So would my time be better wasted at PJR's site? I haven't even checked it out yet. Jorge 14:28, 31 March 2009 (EDT)
 * No, it wouldn't; we don't want to ruin aSK by forcing it to become closed and authoritarian. 14:34, 31 March 2009 (EDT)
 * my crystal ball says PJR is gonna have an ulcer within a month. although his rebuttals are unique, so maybe he isnt stressing at all :( 67.72.98.45 16:01, 1 April 2009 (EDT)

Cabal
Was it sealed when RW 2.0 was created, or is there a way in? 14:50, 31 March 2009 (EDT)
 * As an ex-member, I believe it's invitation only. 15:00, 31 March 2009 (EDT)
 * Ex? Did they get rid of you, or did you retire? 15:03, 31 March 2009 (EDT)
 * I Quit. 15:06, 31 March 2009 (EDT)
 * Interesting... 15:07, 31 March 2009 (EDT)
 * Can your account still access it? 219.90.133.197 20:17, 31 March 2009 (EDT)
 * No I deleted myself. 20:21, 31 March 2009 (EDT)
 * So you can't divulge the inner secrets for me to take back to Andy and earn my bureaucratship? 219.90.133.165 20:23, 31 March 2009 (EDT)
 * Sorry. 20:25, 31 March 2009 (EDT)
 * How else am I ever going to get my wildly fluctuating IP address unblocked? 219.90.133.197 20:32, 31 March 2009 (EDT)
 * Remember the one about the guy who was banned from his local Chinese restaurant because he was heard saying "fluctuations"? 21:40, 31 March 2009 (EDT)

Ides
I was reminiscing about the most effective Ides Operation ever hatched last night... who here remembers it? The one that had serious RW editors terrified of its consequences? What I enjoyed most about it was that there was absolutely no behind-the-scenes planning, it all went off without a hitch via carefully-coded communications on the wiki. Ah, those were the days, my friend(s)... <font color="#DD00DD" face="comic sans ms"> ħ uman  21:36, 31 March 2009 (EDT)
 * And to think no one's noticed! Sterilewalkie-talkie 22:38, 31 March 2009 (EDT)
 * It was so long ago... oh, for the days of the cabal and our lulz and pwnage... ah, these kids these days. Get offa my lawn! Hehe. <font color="#DD00DD" face="comic sans ms"> ħ uman  22:58, 31 March 2009 (EDT)
 * The one where RA almost left in disgust? <font color=Blue>Генгис    06:38, 1 April 2009 (EDT)
 * 88FH 7754 BBX1 S4DL JJG0 66JN 74DD VFCC 90D3 T5W2 DDU7 NBAK T47Z.  You think?   <font color="#00F0A20">DogP  12:59, 1 April 2009 (EDT)
 * NO, NO! NOT 88FH!!!  88GH!!! What the heck you doing?  Sterilewalkie-talkie 23:02, 1 April 2009 (EDT)
 * Yeah, sorry, I guess there was no need to break out an operation of that magnitude.  Sorry, I'll come up with alternative set of codes later for a less 'thermonuclear' option.   Keep posted.   <font color="#00F0A20">DogP 

I'm thinking about Operation Crane-fly, or Operation Daddy Long-legs for those that know about lawns. Right, get your leatherjackets on. <font color=Blue>Генгис   08:15, 2 April 2009 (EDT)

Designer stubble: a contributory factor towards lesbianism
Watching TMF (sorry) Justin Timberlake - a good looking, quite fanciable guy; BUT: if men had to suffer the contact of hard scratchy whiskers on their more tender areas, they'd soon buy shares in Gillette. 22:36, 31 March 2009 (EDT)
 * You think we don't endure that? I guess it all depends on "where" the whiskers are, and which "tender areas" are concerned? <font color="#DD00DD" face="comic sans ms"> ħ uman  23:01, 31 March 2009 (EDT)
 * Hey, where's the love for the corporate stiffs that have to shave every day, huh?  15:31, 1 April 2009 (EDT)

"Happy new year"
It is the new year today! At least for many of us working in the UK, where the financial year beginning in April is quite important.

In other news, the BBC has discovered the shark-whale! Amazing.

Happy new year! Bondurant 05:36, 1 April 2009 (EDT)


 * Do we have our very own April's Fool joke? I think so. <font color=Blue>Генгис    12:28, 1 April 2009 (EDT)
 * I hope so! 12:36, 1 April 2009 (EDT)
 * Well it's gone noon here, so the clone eels will have to write it. Totnesmartin 12:53, 1 April 2009 (EDT)
 * On teh WWW what time is noon? 12:59, 1 April 2009 (EDT)
 * When both of Mickey's hands are massaging the "12" (or the "XII") and it's light out. <font color="#DD00DD" face="comic sans ms"> ħ uman  20:53, 1 April 2009 (EDT)

Twitter 2
Hello Ratpeople. It is quite likely that you are behind in the evolution of technology steaks. So why don't you sign up and follow Conservapedia on Twitter? Old X-Ray eyes and #2 parodist himself JPratt has tried to stop us but we will not be silenced. The truthiness shall set you free! --Silly twit 15:01, 1 April 2009 (EDT)
 * Twitter is lame.  15:30, 1 April 2009 (EDT)
 * Maybe we should make a myspace, or a bebo, or a facebook or a bla bla bla. It's all the same shit with a different name.  DSFARGEG 16:14, 1 April 2009 (EDT)
 * Maybe we should start one of those "wiki" things? <font color="#DD00DD" face="comic sans ms"> ħ uman  17:41, 1 April 2009 (EDT)


 * Let's do it here!  grabs partner & begins to dance while music starts in background and lights go up 17:43, 1 April 2009 (EDT)
 * On the subject of FaceBook... surprise and there's a couple of others too. --PsyGremlinWhut? 04:25, 2 April 2009 (EDT)
 * I remember a while ago there was a link to our Facebook group; anyone any idea where it went? 05:44, 2 April 2009 (EDT)

Speaking of ...
... Google "streetview", Private Eye mentioned today that a couple of newspaper "hacks" were visible boozing. The streeetview now has a nice black screen & "This image is no longer available". Tee Hee. 19:40, 1 April 2009 (EDT)
 * Oh, it's "gordon place, london,uk" if you wanna see. 19:50, 1 April 2009 (EDT)
 * BTW, there a slightly better angle where you can almost make out the edges of my building, and can see my car. <font color="#DD00DD" face="comic sans ms"> ħ uman  22:56, 1 April 2009 (EDT)

Farewell!
Due to harassment, I have decided to leave my active role at RationalWiki. If anyone wants me back, I'll know. Still, I refuse to keep my hopes up. Godspeed and good luck, RationalWiki. -- 21:00, 1 April 2009 (EDT)
 * Watch out for the big wide world. Sorry I lost my temper but I stick by my words (I just happen to be a bad tempered old fuck). Ace McWickedRevolt 21:03, 1 April 2009 (EDT)
 * My advice to you CUR is give it a few days/weeks and come back with an new account, quite a few people have done this successfully and we quickly forgot why they left. I don't like losing anyone from our community so I do hope you come back, but I also think you need to grow up a bit and ask yourself why you want to be here. Good luck with what ever you choose to do. - User   21:06, 1 April 2009 (EDT)
 * What Pi said. I, in fact, used to be Heart of Gold back in the day. TheoryOfPractice 21:08, 1 April 2009 (EDT)
 * Really? - User   21:13, 1 April 2009 (EDT)
 * True. However, you guys were never the official whipping boy/punching bag. Even if I come back, my editing style is so distinctive it will be recognized, and Toast, Ace, Genghis, and TOP have shown that they have long memories. If I come back, it'll be using this account, but only because I'm needed. And I'll know when I am. Keep Fall down in line. Please don't desysop me, just in case I change my mind. -- 21:20, 1 April 2009 (EDT)
 * I only have a long memory because my short-term memory has been shot to shit, and at four times your age my perception of time is probably quite different. <font color=Blue>Генгис    03:06, 2 April 2009 (EDT)
 * You were never an official anything dude, you made it to easy though. Particularly with things lke the therian stuff, bragging about socks (and then getting surprised when they were blocked) the felidea debarcle, your saloon menu etc. Ace McWickedRevolt 21:26, 1 April 2009 (EDT)
 * Nobody (besides Trent who has the box in his lounge room) is needed here, we all choose to contribute because we support the mission and want help out in anyway we can. You just need to find your niche in RationalWiki, not expect it to give you one or change itself to fit you. I think you should go down the new account road though, we don't use checkuser so we can't find out. - User   21:27, 1 April 2009 (EDT)
 * You might not use Checkuser, but you are clever enough to figure out a CUR. Anyway, what would be my account name? Acionyx (joke)? -- 21:31, 1 April 2009 (EDT)

User:TheemperorUser talk:Theemperor 22:18, 1 April 2009 (EDT)

Farewell, until your return, pet twerp. Bring us tales of strange and faraway places, and don't forget to send postcards. <font color="#DD00DD" face="comic sans ms"> ħ uman  23:01, 1 April 2009 (EDT)
 * I think I'll miss the little blighter. <font color=Blue>Генгис    02:01, 2 April 2009 (EDT)

You shouldn't leave. That is dumb. Just key yourself back to a more comfortable level of interaction and lurk otherwise.--<font color="#000066" >Tom Moore fiat justitia ruat coelum 03:03, 2 April 2009 (EDT)
 * APIRL FOOLS!!! -- 16:38, 2 April 2009 (EDT)
 * Whats "APIRL"? Ace McWickedRevolt 16:40, 2 April 2009 (EDT)
 * Actually, I did want to leave, but I physcologically can't. So I'll lurk for a while, and write an article about stars. -- 16:44, 2 April 2009 (EDT)
 * Oh shit. Welcome back, oh pet twerp.  Next time, please to go on voyage and bring back tales of adventures and send postcards, fuckwit. <font color="#DD00DD" face="comic sans ms"> ħ uman  02:02, 3 April 2009 (EDT)
 * see here 02:08, 3 April 2009 (EDT)

The Wire on BBC 2
Who's been watching? If you haven't seen it before, and you're British, and you have a television, I hope you've been taking full advantage - even if it is on at a really annoyingly late time (Grow some balls and show it at 10 o'clock, BBC!). --seventhrib 06:14, 2 April 2009 (EDT)
 * It is a pretty amazing show. I may have to rewatch it.--<font color="#000066" >Tom Moore fiat justitia ruat coelum 06:30, 2 April 2009 (EDT)
 * iPlayer? 06:31, 2 April 2009 (EDT)
 * Just got hold of Season 4&5 on DVD so we now have the lot. It is indeed a pretty impressive show.  Particularly the way that they manage to evolve a single story over a complete series without making it boring.  It's done far better than, for instance, 24 even manged (IMO) <font color="#000099">Worm  (<font color="#000099">t  06:52, 2 April 2009 (EDT)
 * Doesn't seem to be on iPlayer. Hugely lame. --seventhrib 08:17, 2 April 2009 (EDT)
 * An annoying number of things, even original BBC commissions don't seem to appear on iPlayer. I didn't watch last year's QI because it wasn't iplayerable, and seemingly nobody bittorrented it. Switching on the TV at a set time each week is passé. Maybe I'll buy the DVDs if I'm feeling enthusiastic. -- 09:08, 2 April 2009 (EDT)
 * You should. I cannot recommend it highly enough. seventhrib 10:45, 2 April 2009 (EDT)

Re: Iplayer etc. It's all to do with that hoary old copyright thing. Everyone concerned has to OK it; from author through tea boy (jest). There was recently some discussion on BBC7 about it. They play repeats of old (up to 60 years) progs & have to get these permissions. That's why they cant' broadcast H²G² for instance. I suppose it's the same for Iplayer. suggestion: get a PVR they're reasonably priced and very flexible now. Actually I have difficulty finding anything worth watching on TV now. Guess I'm just old & jaded! 01:33, 3 April 2009 (EDT)


 * It's an oft-repeated cliche, but it's the best thing on the telly. And my first contribution to RW is in: huzzah! My duck is broken.
 * Now to build my confidence and go trolling at CP..
 * Silvermute 02:00, 3 April 2009 (EDT)


 * Thinking about it, the Grauniad are live blogging the other repeats on FX: we brits can't get enough of the Baltimore drug industry, for some reason
 * Silvermute 02:11, 3 April 2009 (EDT)