RationalWiki:Saloon bar/Archive33

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, (new)(back)

I think that we should refrain from messing up the Teacher's Common Room and confine our drunken antics to here. I'm a bit busy at the mo but perhaps someone could knock up a temporary navigation template to link any RW-related areas/articles. Lily The Pink 14:36, 20 August 2009 (UTC)

Mine's a Doom Bar! Totnesmartin 16:27, 20 August 2009 (UTC)

Oops, reminds me - gotta be at a work-related pub meeting - see you all later...

Just grabbing a few seconds internet time. I think the student bar is a good idea to keep the place tidy. (And my wife wants to know why I'm so desperate to get an internet connection when I'm supposed to be on vacation in the mountains.)--Bob M 18:34, 20 August 2009 (UTC)

I had a quick look at a Nav bar, but there's no DPL so it's probably a manual job. :( Worm 19:36, 20 August 2009 (UTC)

Hi guys - I hope they don't mind us non-intellectual types crowding round the bar drinking the subsidised beer. Bob Soles 21:09, 20 August 2009 (UTC)

RW CAT

If you create any new pages or upload any images, please put {{RW}} on the page. It simply puts the page in category:RationalWiki for Bob's later convenience. Toast 10:12, 21 August 2009 (UTC)

I can merge the histories of these pages with the ones on RationalWiki, but every one you create is extra work. I'm going to merge the Student bar, WIGO CP, WIGO aSk and their talk pages, and I'll post instructions if anyone wants to do the same for their user/user talk pages. Nx 13:05, 21 August 2009 (UTC)

Scratch that, MediaWiki's import function is actually smart enough to merge edit histories on its own, the only problem is different usernames (I'm looking at you, Pi) Nx 13:32, 21 August 2009 (UTC)

Dr WHO

Sorry for the pun but.... let's raise a glass to some sanity Bob Soles 12:41, 21 August 2009 (UTC)

Nice one! Toast 14:33, 21 August 2009 (UTC)

Frasier

I dunno how many people here watch Frasier, but I had it on in the background this morning and there was a joke where Freddy (Frasier's son) is at a spelling bee competition. A kid at the competition spells a word wrong and gets buzzed off stage, followed by Frasier saying "So long, homeschool!" Reminded me of Andy. SuperJosh 15:02, 21 August 2009 (UTC)

Lol... reminds me of a scene in the dreadful Negima anime. The very shy girl is staring at some stall, um-ing and er-ing, and the stall owner says, "Oh, you're homeschooled. Well, here's some pictures to help you decide." --psygremlin 16:06, 22 August 2009 (UTC)

RIP Chicago Tribune, or That's what I called the News!

I'm almost positive that no one here is following this, but I've been slowly observing the downward spiral of the Chicago Tribune from one of the foremost newspapers in America to, well, little more than a tabloid. They seem to ignore any real news, like the coup in Honduras, (a A 5-sentence blurb on page 9, with an arrow pointing to where Honduras was, while WSJ and NYT had made it headline news) and seem to instead be hanging on to this one story about how some university in Illinois was letting in underqualified students because their parents were big donors (gasp!). So, I am now officialy unsubscribing to it. Anyways, more to the point, are there any good newspapers or magazines that you people read that you can recommend? I read

• Chicago Tribune
• Wall Street Journal
• New York Times
• Newsweek
• The Economist (fantastic!)

I'm curious to know your opinions. Theemperor 15:14, 21 August 2009 (UTC)

The Totnes Times is quite good but I don't think it covers your area. Totnesmartin 15:17, 21 August 2009 (UTC)

Don't go for the Worksop Guardian: It's all about Worksop for some reason. Toast 15:29, 21 August 2009 (UTC)

Steer clear of all British tabloids. They are inherently bad for you. SuperJosh 15:44, 21 August 2009 (UTC)

I only subscribe to one mag: Private Eye. But it's probably a tad too British for you. Toast 16:24, 21 August 2009 (UTC)

Incidentally they've got a good piece online about Ali Mohmed al-Megrahi (The Lockerbie Bomber). Toast 16:26, 21 August 2009 (UTC)

Harper's and Cabinet FTW, though they're not what you'd call news magazines. Er, especially Cabinet. DogP 20:40, 22 August 2009 (UTC)

Harpers, New Yorker, Atlantic Monthly, New York Review of Books, Fortean Times. Nutty Roux 18:46, 24 August 2009 (UTC)

I've never gone wrong with the Washington Post. Or the Financial Times.Gooniepunk2005 23:18, 26 August 2009 (UTC)

I know why RW is down.

Do you remember that Listener X was going to ask some witches if they would be prepared to curse us? Obviously they did curse us and this is the result. We need to contact Listener urgently and ask him to get them to lift the curse.--Bob M 16:20, 21 August 2009 (UTC)

HELP!! We're all bewitched!!!! Toast 16:24, 21 August 2009 (UTC)

Good one Bob, that explains the exquisite timing, too. We should add this anecdotal evidence to this fine site. Human 20:33, 21 August 2009 (UTC)

It occurs to me, has anyone checked the list of who volunteered to be cursed against who is running around unable to access RW? Perhaps the cursers were able to pinpoint their torment so that only those who volunteered cannot access RW.... Human 00:28, 22 August 2009 (UTC)

It's not that complicated. It's because Jesus has stricken down our server for being modern Pharisees. DogP 20:57, 22 August 2009 (UTC)

Well, I volunteered, but only on the understanding that they were supposed to send a succubus (or two or three) my way. --psygremlin 09:27, 23 August 2009 (UTC)

RW welcome template

I have created a welcome template for RW users {{WelcomeRW}} . It's to give a different message to RW users. Improvements are welcome.--Bob M 18:08, 21 August 2009 (UTC)

Bob, your hospitality knows no bounds! SuperJosh 23:38, 21 August 2009 (UTC)

Ken?

There's a message allegedly from Ken on the Blog (seems too coherent to really be him though):

"It appears that your Rat website is down. Perhaps this is a portion of God's vengeance due to your insistence on the atheist paradigm! I encourage you to take a look at our Barack Obama article on Conservapedia, which has been greatly expanded! Harder, Faster, Deeper!"

Toast 19:50, 21 August 2009 (UTC)

Yeah, seems too much of a deliberate parody to be Ken. Especially that last line. --Kels 20:37, 21 August 2009 (UTC)

I believe that Stuntteddwarf's actual line was " Harder! Faster! Deeper! But a little more lube if you please!", which was hilarious. 68.117.30.138 21:07, 21 August 2009 (UTC)

Block War

I'm getting block withdrawal symptoms. I can't block anyone. If I apply for adminship at Wikipedia will you all support me? then I can hand out spurious blocks for silly reasons and all will be well. Totnesmartin 22:26, 21 August 2009 (UTC)

Hang in their mate, it's only a week and a half away before we get RW back. Then we can celebrate with a massive Headless Chicken Mode block war kinda thing and all will be well. SuperJosh 23:40, 21 August 2009 (UTC)

Wahey! Of course when it goes back up I'l be away - from Tuesday I'll be in Edinburgh making weird noises onstage, and probably offline. Totnesmartin 08:39, 22 August 2009 (UTC)

Hey! You fringin'? Jealous. 16:08, 22 August 2009 (UTC)

Wednesday to Sunday. About seven spots. with this lot. sleeping on somebody's floor... maybe. Totnesmartin 17:21, 22 August 2009 (UTC)

Missed the fringe for last 3 years. Used to be a regular. Time flies (like a banana) Toast 17:28, 22 August 2009 (UTC)

I can't miss the Fringe, though I was away for the start of it this year. Phantom Hoover 17:31, 22 August 2009 (UTC)

ooh, we might pass each other in the street without knowing. This'll be the closest I've ever been to a RWian. Totnesmartin 18:21, 22 August 2009 (UTC)

An intriguing thought. Phantom Hoover 18:26, 22 August 2009 (UTC)

Don't they have wiki-conventions or something once a year? A few people could go to that to rep teh RationalWiki! SuperJosh 10:33, 23 August 2009 (UTC)

I can just how our diaries for that event would look:

Fri 2pm: Going to meet Ace in the pub for a getting-to-know-you drink

Mon 10pm: Urg. Where am I? What happened? --psygremlin 10:43, 23 August 2009 (UTC)

That would be hilarious. A massive RationalWiki piss-up. Are we all stereotypical ugly internet nerds...? (I am) SuperJosh 13:08, 24 August 2009 (UTC)

I am a handsome normal well-adjusted lad, though I can't vouch for where you'll end up after 8 hours of drinking pints and whiskey with me. BTW, this year's Fall/Spring RW prom is on the West Coast of India. See you October 17, 2009 at 2pm at The Red Lion Pub, Gaura Vaddo, Calangute, Goa, India. I'll be the one wearing a powder blue tuxedo. Nutty Roux 18:54, 24 August 2009 (UTC)

Invite from PC

Proxima Centauri dropped by my wikipedia user page and invited anyone who wants to join in to Liberapedia. Just passing the message along...^{— Unsigned, by: Human / talk / contribs}

As one of the two active sysops there, I second that welcome. SuperJosh 00:01, 22 August 2009 (UTC)

But I don't know anything about Liberia! --Kels 00:04, 22 August 2009 (UTC)

You think I do? I'm a university-bound, socialist-to-be (I hope to Christ not), I know sod all about anything!!! I nearly said 'fuck' there but I remembered to keep it clean for Bob... SuperJosh 00:08, 22 August 2009 (UTC)

I thought it was very thoughtful of her, considering how I rant at her when she comes by RW. Human 00:30, 22 August 2009 (UTC)

I've told weaseloid there about us, but no response. None from Javascap either. Edgerunner hasn't turned up either? Is it my aftershave? Totnesmartin 08:37, 22 August 2009 (UTC)

Human - I nipped over to LP after teh RW crash and filled in Proxima Centauri about it. Happy to welcome others. Btw, I checked out your WP page and you play guitar?! That's cool, I didn't know that. Makes two of us. SuperJosh 10:09, 22 August 2009 (UTC)

Next time leave PC out of the loop. Mkay? Toast 23:22, 23 August 2009 (UTC)

A good side?

I'm actually getting something done: 177 words since 11:00 (it's now 01:15) [yes! that's good: I rarely manage 400 per day]

The local police helicopter's hovering about overhead: I just opened the curtains & looked out the window & caught their night sun light full in the face - spots before the eyes. Toast 00:19, 22 August 2009 (UTC)

I love it when other users edit at ridiculous hours like me. Makes me feel warm and fuzzy and GASSY! Actually, just warm and fuzzy. As for now, I'm going to television, then I'm going to watch bed. SuperJosh 00:26, 22 August 2009 (UTC)

Red and green arrows

I still have the original images on my HDD, if anyone misses them I can upload them so we can at least "pretend" to vote. It might make us feel more at home, too, I think (not to slight Bob's wonderful hospitality!). Sadly, I don't think I saved Hoji's goat pilaf :( Oh, can we upload pictures of booze and stilton and stuff too? I'm famished... Human 00:45, 22 August 2009 (UTC)

YES I MUST VOTE!!!!! 68.117.30.138 02:47, 22 August 2009 (UTC)

I was wrong, I guess I deleted them from my "temporary" folder. Damn. I could re-create them? Human 03:30, 22 August 2009 (UTC)

Anything we can do for the voting thing? I guess that it's a customised Mediawiki extension for the latest mediawiki release? (Teflpedia is on 1.10)--Bob M 07:23, 22 August 2009 (UTC)

Probably not, I don't think it's something you can just take out of the box and run, Trent wrote it from something resembling scratch. Although I'm sure he'd share a copy of whatever "version" you'd need if you want it here for other reasons (since by the time he can share it, RW will be up again...). Human 19:42, 22 August 2009 (UTC)

Looks like we'll do without it then.--Bob M 19:57, 22 August 2009 (UTC)

I think Nx rewrote it so as to be a proper extension. I'll see if the IA or Google have a copy of the code he posted publicly. Phantom Hoover 19:58, 22 August 2009 (UTC)

Found it! Phantom Hoover 20:18, 22 August 2009 (UTC)

I'll see if it works on my local installation of MediaWiki. Phantom Hoover 20:33, 22 August 2009 (UTC)

Obviously, I have a copy of the code myself :) But installing wigo requires adding to tables to the database, and exporting the votes to RW once it comes back would be a non-trivial task (for starters, we don't know the last poll number...). Nx 20:39, 22 August 2009 (UTC)

I have to say that this looks a little bit daunting. We might end up with two wikis borked if I go with this.--Bob M 20:42, 22 August 2009 (UTC)

It doesn't work, anyway; the JavaScript file wasn't on Google. Phantom Hoover 21:07, 22 August 2009 (UTC)

I'm making a fake voting template, does anyone remember the syntax for conditional use of parameters? I want: "if{{{1}}}|{{{1}}}|0" to work. Thanks. Human 20:56, 22 August 2009 (UTC)

Got it:

25 Who thinks we should figure out how to link the arrow images to somewhere interesting (up to goat pix, down to smelly jerboa)?

Human 21:01, 22 August 2009 (UTC)

Granted the baby-eating Jerboaite scum are the very barrel-scrapings of humanity, but we still shouldn't discriminate against them as you suggest. Totnesmartin 22:13, 22 August 2009 (UTC)

Goat

I found our traditional piccy here, will someone not editing from an Itouch upload it? Theemperor 02:53, 22 August 2009 (UTC)

is this what you weer hungry for?

Human 03:32, 22 August 2009 (UTC)

Club of Mozambique? You searched long and hard to find our wondrous goat, Theemperor. here, have a nonexistent block from me! Totnesmartin 08:35, 22 August 2009 (UTC)

Conservative Candidate

I just got a knock at my front door and found myself face-to-face with a nice enough gent campaigning for my local Conservative Candidate and all the good they're going to do for my constituency. Asking about my political leaning I told him I'd be more inclined to vote Labour.

Mr Campaigny-Pants: (Probably thinking I'm a typical liberal student "douche") Why's that?
SuperJosh: I prefer to see myself as more of a supporter of the workers than the companies.
Mr Campaigny-Pants: (Definitely thinking I'm a typical liberal student "douche")Conservatives have been doing a lot for the working classes, Margaret Thatcher... (blah blah blah)
SuperJosh: (Ignoring the fact that she was Prime Minister 20 years ago) Didn't she also start a recession or something?
Mr Campaigny-Pants: Well... world recessions happen all the time under all types of government... But Labour's left us with a huge tax debt!
Mrs SuperJosh: (calling from upstairs) Josh, hurry up, the bath's getting cold!
SuperJosh: Well, thank you. I'll give it some thought.

I suppose at least they aren't as right-wing as the social Conservatives years ago. But they still resort to making half their platform bitching about Labour. SuperJosh 10:18, 22 August 2009 (UTC)

Catch up

What happened at RW while I was gone, before the crash? Phantom Hoover 12:25, 22 August 2009 (UTC)

Oh, and is Trent away, and if so, for how long? Phantom Hoover 14:38, 22 August 2009 (UTC)

Not a lot & 2 weeks from last Tuesday! Toast 14:44, 22 August 2009 (UTC)

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaargh! Another week of this, at least? I can feel TVTropes sucking me in! Phantom Hoover 16:58, 22 August 2009 (UTC)

To answer the question, we had a minor bit of headless chicken over, over, what was it over? I remember that Human was annoyed with Pi and that ToP was involved somewhere down the line. Ah yes! blocking TOR nodes. We decided not to do it. Perhaps more tellingly (and as I mentioned above) Listener X was negotiating on our behalf with a group of witches to see if we could do a scientific teat of their cursing abilities. At least those were the bits that were significant to me. (Ah yes, we sort of decided to rid mainspace of CP references as well.)--Bob M 17:29, 22 August 2009 (UTC)

Also we SBSed PJRs "evidence for God" article. Human 22:55, 22 August 2009 (UTC)

Which is what I want to reread (our side that is) Toast 23:02, 22 August 2009 (UTC)

Sneaky

Wow... either Obama had a very long-term plan, or the NYT knew something we didn't. But their article on Obama becoming HLR pres - dated 6 Feb 1990, lists his birthplace as Hawaii. --psygremlin 12:57, 22 August 2009 (UTC)

The only possible answer is that the article was created recently, then dated 1990 is yet another example of Liberal Deceit. Theemperor 16:12, 22 August 2009 (UTC)

Mark of the Beast

Found a book with the above title at work. It's all about how the end times are upon us and the rapture is on its way. Apparently "the antichrist will reveal himself any day now." It was published in 1911. Totnesmartin 17:24, 22 August 2009 (UTC)

Where the F do you work? (and on Saturday?) Toast 17:35, 22 August 2009 (UTC)

A very strange bookshop?--Bob M 17:36, 22 August 2009 (UTC)

Oxfam books and music. We don't half get some "interesting" books in Totnes. Totnesmartin 18:14, 22 August 2009 (UTC)

Remind me when we get back to create that "Fun:Totnes" article that I keep never-quite-getting-round-to. Totnesmartin 19:06, 22 August 2009 (UTC)

I keep reading that as "futnotes". Human 21:03, 22 August 2009 (UTC)

I keep thinking of TEFLpedia as ROFLpedia. Totnesmartin 21:08, 22 August 2009 (UTC)

Easy for some to confuse I'm sure.--Bob M 21:16, 22 August 2009 (UTC)

I love the way this thread has changed topic twice (so far). Totnesmartin 22:10, 22 August 2009 (UTC)

M'kay, back to the original point... that book sounds silly! SuperJosh 10:38, 23 August 2009 (UTC)

I'm tempted to buy it, but It'll probably only be the same stuff as I read in the early eighties, and now is online ad nauseam. Totnesmartin 11:33, 23 August 2009 (UTC)

I just lost the Game

Phantom Hoover 21:30, 22 August 2009 (UTC)

Me and the grape

I had two glasses of Hungarian Merlot with my evening meal; It floored me for over three hours. Abstinence makes the booze much stronger. Toast 23:26, 22 August 2009 (UTC)

Absinthe makes the hunt grow flounder. Human 03:31, 23 August 2009 (UTC)

Silly, it's "Absinthe makes the tart grow fonder." --Jeeves 11:03, 23 August 2009 (UTC)

Stumblin' around

Hit this. Toast 01:39, 23 August 2009 (UTC)

Bookmarked! SU's awfully jolly, what? Totnesmartin 11:34, 23 August 2009 (UTC)

Moer stumblin': [1]

Hmmm. That first link led me to the Divine Prepuce. Genghis Khant 18:09, 24 August 2009 (UTC)

Uncomfortable movie plot summaries (Sunday laffs)

Lol'd at some of these (send by a friend):

• 300: Gays kill blacks.
• 8 MILE: White man successfully co-opts black culture to impress other whites.
• ALIEN: Ship fails to deliver cargo, crew don’t get bonus.
• AN AMERICAN WEREWOLF IN LONDON: Tourist causes riot.
• BATMAN: Wealthy man assaults the mentally ill.
• BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER: Teenage serial killer destroys town in fit of semi-religious fervor.
• CORALINE: Misfit discovers she is special person in a secret world just beside our own.
• DIE HARD: Dysfunctional cop saves marriage by murdering foreign national.
• FERRIS BUELLER’S DAY OFF: Amoral narcissist makes world dance for his amusement.
• HARRY POTTER: Celebrity Jock thinks rules don’t apply to him, is right.
• JUNO: Teen fails to get abortion, ruins lives.
• LORD OF THE RINGS: Midget destroys stolen property.
• SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS: Layabout stepdaughter shacks up with seven miners.
• STAR WARS: A NEW HOPE: Religious extremist terrorists destroy government installation, killing thousands.
• STAR WARS: EMPIRE STRIKES BACK: Boy is abused by midget, kisses sister, attempts patricide.
• TITANIC: Crazy old widow disregards lifelong memories of husband, children, and grandchildren in favor of that one time she fucked a bum.
• TWILIGHT: Girl gives up college for stalker.
• WIZARD OF OZ: Transported to a surreal landscape, a young girl kills the first person she meets and then teams up with three strangers to kill again.

--psygremlin 10:21, 23 August 2009 (UTC)

I managed to track down dozens more here: http://www.postmodernbarney.com/2009/04/uncomfortable-plot-summaries/

It's more uncomfortable how much the guy who wrote this has race on the brain. Armondikov 18:57, 25 August 2009 (UTC)

Andy & the HLR

Trying to find something about the 1990 HLR elections (where I'm sure Obama handed Andy his ass) and I come across this link on NNDB. Seems to list a bunch of HLR editors and where they ended up. What I love is in amongst the Presidents, US Secretaries of State, Judges & Supreme Court Justices, Solicitors General, Billionaires, Business tycoons, etc, etc, there's Andrew Schlafly (Activist) - Conservapedia founder. Mummy must be so proud. -- Psy_Whut? 13:01, 23 August 2009 (UTC)

Love this one: Nadine Strossen Activist 18-Aug-1950 President of the ACLU. Good find, Psy. Toast 13:11, 23 August 2009 (UTC)

And: Michael K. Young Educator c. 1950 President, University of Utah. Eggsellent! Toast 13:15, 23 August 2009 (UTC)

Nice. Look at all the interesting details here on ALS. Wait, dear Andy was named after Lou Gehrig? How peculiar. Human 22:29, 23 August 2009 (UTC)

HitLeR. Just a thought. Genghis Khant 08:42, 25 August 2009 (UTC)

Actually Psy, thatlist is an incredible indictment of Andy's career failure. "Founder of Conservapedia" - I would bet that few on that list even know of its existence. I wonder who actually supplied the details. Did they ask the individuals? Does Schalfly dismiss his legal career (as everyone else does) and regard a hate-filled blog as the pinnacle of his life's achievement? It would be funny if it got posted on CP. Genghis Khant 08:50, 25 August 2009 (UTC)

Also

The Obama family's 2007 tax returns indicate a combined income of $4.2M, nearly all from book royalties. They paid $1.4M in federal taxes, with donations of $240K to charity. From the same source (my emphasis). Stuff that in your pipe & smoke it, Ken. Toast 13:49, 23 August 2009 (UTC)

Eh, it's still under 6% of pre-tax income... Human 22:29, 23 August 2009 (UTC)

Karajou

Ok, it's Sunday and I'm bored, but had to laugh when I did a search for Karajou on Google. RW comes up 1 & 2 (yay us!), then for karajerk's Conservapedia page summary we get "Karajou is hereby awarded the prestigious coveted Banhammer barnstar for tireless vigilence against fascist liberal trolls."
What better advertising for CP? An award for banning people is 'coveted'; an encyclopaedia can't spell "vigilance"; and "fascist liberal trolls." We must add this to his RW article when we're up and running again. -- Psy_Whut? 13:10, 23 August 2009 (UTC)

#2 link from here is this; fake but funny. Toast 17:52, 23 August 2009 (UTC)

RationalWikiWiki

I have started an article on the server crash and subsequent exodus at The Great Exodus. Can someone who was there at the start fill that in? Phantom Hoover 17:26, 23 August 2009 (UTC)

Seriously, how stupid is PC

Just look at this. And she blocked me without warning for this? She even reinserted the WRONG DATE I CORRECTED. Nx 19:43, 23 August 2009 (UTC)

At some point, I shall prepare a RWW article chronicling this. It will not be merciful. Phantom Hoover 20:09, 23 August 2009 (UTC)

RWW? Don't you mean WikiindexWiki? Totnesmartin 20:45, 23 August 2009 (UTC)

That is an eternal question, Nx. And following the diffs after that shows even more sadness. She's protected it again, and here adds redundant "information". And her lame Kendollesque pimping of LP is, well, lame and Kendollesque in its Kendollesque lameness. Human 22:34, 23 August 2009 (UTC)

What annoys me to no end is that not only does she revert that, she reverts my correction of the date - now the article says both aug 20 and aug 22... and PC asks on her talk page how long the wiki will be down when she reverted that very information. Nx 22:45, 23 August 2009 (UTC)

Oh and she didn't update the article at Liberapedia - guess it's not fun when you can't play TK... Nx 22:46, 23 August 2009 (UTC)

She's actually a (looks around at scenery) pooching monster. She's a totalitarian anywhere she can get power, and whiny bitch wherever she can't. Human 04:03, 24 August 2009 (UTC)

Oh, and is she still a sysop on RW? Remind me to be a drunken jerk about that in a couple weeks when Trent thaws out the server. Human 05:59, 24 August 2009 (UTC)

Not for long. And don't you dare promote her, I want to do that. Nx 08:03, 24 August 2009 (UTC)

Does this shed any light on how stupid she is? Pi 06:19, 24 August 2009 (UTC)

No wait, she has gone one better. Pi 06:22, 24 August 2009 (UTC)

I have a vain hope that all this is just because the sensible admins haven't turned up yet, and will still sort it out. Phantom Hoover 07:18, 24 August 2009 (UTC)

You can't promote her at RW for a non-RW related offence. SuperJosh 13:12, 24 August 2009 (UTC)

What Josh says. TheoryOfPractice 13:28, 24 August 2009 (UTC)

Surely this incident has demonstrated that she cannot responsibly hold power at any site? Phantom Hoover 13:29, 24 August 2009 (UTC)

(EC)Someone has registered my opinion! I AM A GOD!!! SuperJosh 13:30, 24 August 2009 (UTC)

@ Hoover. You're kidding me, right? TheoryOfPractice 13:31, 24 August 2009 (UTC)

I don't want to get embroiled in this too much as it's not really my issue, but you can't de-sysop her on RW - it's not really a position of power given that every regular user holds it. If PC messes about on RW (which I highly doubt, as she seems to have a very cold reception there and tends to avoid it altogether) then yeah, promote her. But not before she's done anything wrong. SuperJosh 13:41, 24 August 2009 (UTC)

I think we should let the mod decide this one. Phantom Hoover 13:43, 24 August 2009 (UTC)

She should only be promoted based on RW behaviour. Nevermind anywhere else. Otherwise I would be promoting everyone that looked at me cross-eyed. Ace McWicked 13:45, 24 August 2009 (UTC)

Lack of paranoia isn't a criterion for RW sysoppery: RobS is an obvious example. Toast 13:48, 24 August 2009 (UTC)

And isn't TK still a sysop? He's literally a terrible human being and he's still in the leagues of goat. SuperJosh 13:53, 24 August 2009 (UTC)

No, and he hasn't been one for months, and even then only as a one day joke. Phantom Hoover 14:00, 24 August 2009 (UTC)

Oh right. I wasn't sure. SuperJosh 14:01, 24 August 2009 (UTC)

He has a few obvious socks that are though. Pi 23:32, 24 August 2009 (UTC)

Also @ Ace - that's good you can't see me, cuz my eyes are totally screwed up. SuperJosh 13:54, 24 August 2009 (UTC)

Josh, you'll be the first to feel my wrath. Ace McWicked 13:58, 24 August 2009 (UTC)

And you'll be the first to wear my hat! I dunno, I got nuthin'... SuperJosh 14:01, 24 August 2009 (UTC)

thats right Josh, ya got nothing and ya playing with the big boys. careful now. Ace McWicked 14:05, 24 August 2009 (UTC)

Wait, I got somethin'! Tediousness! Tedious, weeping-from-your-arse-boils tediousness! Fear your posterior inflammation! SuperJosh 14:10, 24 August 2009 (UTC)

The last time she did come to RW was to block a vandal who was alread vandal-binned and whose last edit was three days ago. Unfortunately, google cache doesn't have it, but her responses to the inquiries regarding the block were simultaneously hilarious and sad. Plus Cur was promoted for less. Anyway, if you're going to be so pedantic about the rules now, I won't promote her. Nx 14:21, 24 August 2009 (UTC)

Given the ease with which one can obtain sysop at RW, I'd be surprised if some sock of TK's wasn't a sysop. As for PC, I agree with the comment that she should only be promoted for action which actually takes place on RW. There is always some tension between the banners and the liberals on RW and PC seems to be towards one end - but not sufficiently so for her to be promoted. As for her attempting to promote Librapedia; she may have gone a little over the top on that, but surely we can understand her wish to get some more activity over there. --Bob M 14:57, 24 August 2009 (UTC)

I was referring to this Nx 14:59, 24 August 2009 (UTC)

Well, yes, but it's really simply a bit weird, isn't it?--Bob M 15:02, 24 August 2009 (UTC)

Having just read through the activity at wikiindex recent changes, I see there is more going on than I was aware of.--Bob M 16:00, 24 August 2009 (UTC)

Yeah, it appears there were some ill-considered responses to PCs stupidity (vandalism, mostly). She really loves her power toys though, doesn't she? Deep-burning edits, arbitrary blocking and locking.... She's a one-women "almost as bad as RationalWiki"! Human 20:40, 24 August 2009 (UTC)

Teflonpedia

New name. Nothing sticks to it. Human 04:03, 24 August 2009 (UTC)

Stupidest thing I have ever heard Human. Sorry but thats fucking terrible. Ace McWicked 06:22, 24 August 2009 (UTC)

It wasn't a particularly funny joke even when I made it. Genghis Khant 06:59, 24 August 2009 (UTC)

Interesting names all. And I'm afraid that I hadn't seen that on your user page Genghis. In case anyone is wondering "TEFL" stands for "Teaching English as a foreign language". English language teaching is rife with weird acronyms. If you want some more have a look at our category acronyms - but we only scratch the surface.--Bob M 07:30, 24 August 2009 (UTC)

I knew that. Genghis Khant 17:35, 24 August 2009 (UTC)

I still prefer ROFLpedia. Totnesmartin 18:47, 24 August 2009 (UTC)

I could probably find some chemists who would love to wiki about Teflon. Sterile 02:01, 25 August 2009 (UTC)

Polytetrafluoroethylene rulzorz! Human 05:01, 25 August 2009 (UTC)

Logo

While I've got everybody here as a captive audience I'm going to try to take advantage of the vast array of computer associated creativity with RW represents and ask for some help.

The Teflpedia logo is something which I cobbled together when I first created the site, but as my skills at image manipulation are minimal it's not that good and I'd quite like to change it. Anybody want to give it a shot? Ideally it should have something to do with the idea of teaching (rather then learning) English in an international context; perhaps have some reference to technology; the name "teflpedia" doesn't need to appear; and it all needs to fit into 135x135 pixels. Equally though, if anybody has got some other great idea that might work I'd love to hear it. Any takers?--Bob M 10:36, 24 August 2009 (UTC)

Teaching... tefl... teflon... how about a teacher hitting a student with a frying pan? --147.122.3.120 12:27, 24 August 2009 (UTC)

Mmmmm. Good idea! But I don't quite see the "English" bit.--Bob M 12:34, 24 August 2009 (UTC)

Stick a top hat and a monocle on the teacher. There's your English. Phantom Hoover 12:36, 24 August 2009 (UTC)

PH is right, we do wear stuff like that! SuperJosh 13:15, 24 August 2009 (UTC)

The problem is that would indicate British English. The world of English teaching is more international.--Bob M 13:59, 24 August 2009 (UTC)

Just use the Conservapedia logo. It's American, which is the superior English anyway, it's edumacashunal, it's 135px, it's all you could ever want. --147.122.3.120 14:39, 24 August 2009 (UTC)

Another remarkable idea from our BON. Sadly it is wrong on so many levels that I can't start to respond.--Bob M 15:06, 24 August 2009 (UTC)

How about a mortar board with "The cat sat on the mat" in IPA under it? Toast 15:03, 24 August 2009 (UTC)

Like "ðiː kæt 'sæt ɒn ðiː mæt"? Phantom Hoover 17:12, 24 August 2009 (UTC)

That's an interesting idea. Or at least using IPA is. Something which would be recognized by most TEFL teachers and it's international.--Bob M 15:08, 24 August 2009 (UTC)

Yes, but what brand of IPA? I'm quite partial to a pint of Eagle myself. I'm not sure what teachers drink. --Jeeves 15:50, 24 August 2009 (UTC)

Ah yes. That IPA, always a pleasure to get some of that down. Not so common these days though, is it?--Bob M 15:53, 24 August 2009 (UTC)

I've uploaded a version of the cat sat one here; by the way, Bob, do you know how to enable image insertion in pages? Phantom Hoover 17:29, 24 August 2009 (UTC)

If you write some version of "Teflpedia" in IPA, that would probably be better, because I could make it bigger and hence readable. Phantom Hoover 17:31, 24 August 2009 (UTC)

Hmmm... Maybe "tɛfəlpiːdɪə"... Correct me if I'm wrong. Phantom Hoover 17:46, 24 August 2009 (UTC)

Yes, as we said on the IRC that would be better. The thing is that its a tad black at the moment.--Bob M 17:55, 24 August 2009 (UTC)

here. Phantom Hoover 18:02, 24 August 2009 (UTC)

Love the idea of putting teflpedia in IPA, but it perhaps lacks a bit of colour and impact.--Bob M 18:06, 24 August 2009 (UTC)

I know; that was really just this with the IPA on top. I'll try the suggestions Nx made on IRC, and feel free to suggest things yourself. Phantom Hoover 18:15, 24 August 2009 (UTC)

More debate on the logo is taking place here: here--Bob M 18:26, 24 August 2009 (UTC)

Logo test

I've adjusted Nx's additions to Common.css to give a logo test page here. Please give your opinions on the talk page. Phantom Hoover 20:08, 24 August 2009 (UTC)

A dinosaur in the hand

A velociraptor

So, this morning I was performing my morning ablutions in the bathroom when I heard an almighty thwack against the window. There were a couple of feathers stuck to the glass and I assumed a pigeon had hit the pane. When I went outside, at least ten minutes later, I found what I thought was a kestrel lying on it's back, when I approached it it flapped about a bit and got on to its legs. It was obviously still stunned. I picked it up but it had very sharp talons so I squeezed my hand into one of my wife's leather gardening gloves. A brief inspection showed that it had broken a wing and it was actually a juvenile sparrowhawk. Mrs. K took it along to the vets in the local town and they will try and fix it up. If it can't be released into the wild it will go to a raptor centre. Genghis Khant 17:47, 24 August 2009 (UTC)

Hope it survives.--Bob M 17:57, 24 August 2009 (UTC)

Lovely: Only handled a sparrowhawk once when one was caught in our hawthorn tree. Good picture: trust it'll be OK. Toast 18:01, 24 August 2009 (UTC)

If it's broken its wing, isn't it more a tardiraptor than a velociraptor? Or perhaps a pedestriraptor? --Jeeves 18:52, 24 August 2009 (UTC)

Isn't she a beaut? Totnesmartin 18:55, 24 August 2009 (UTC)

There was a nest of hawks in my backyard 4 or 5 years ago. I never had any rabbits in my garden after that. Had a lot of fur tufts, though. Theemperor 01:55, 25 August 2009 (UTC)

totally different note

Our #2 cat (the ginger tom ex-stray) has just had a mating experience on the garden path. The matee was the local feline hoor who'd drop her rear end under anything that miaowed. I got teh feelthy piccies, anybody want 'em? Toast 18:36, 24 August 2009 (UTC)

Email them to CUR? Or save them for when RW is back up? Human 19:49, 24 August 2009 (UTC)

Cat porn... nice. SuperJosh 13:11, 25 August 2009 (UTC)

A couple are here (warning: NSFW)

To help while away those cold, lonely, RW-less hours

I was introduced to two doses of loveliness yesterday, but they've gone home now (something about curfew and being home by 10), so here's two more pieces of loveliness I came across yesterday (although I'm probably the last to know about these)

• TED Talks - ideas worth spreading - free lectures by various people
• Know Your Meme - hilarious. -- Psy_Whut? 18:07, 24 August 2009 (UTC)

Michael Jackson

IT WAS MUUUUUUUUUUURDER!!!!! Web 20:44, 24 August 2009 (UTC)

AAAAAAghghghggh

I can't block anyone!!!!0neleventylevone!!!!! Totnesmartin 22:13, 24 August 2009 (UTC)

Like I said, block war when RW is back online... just hold it in man... SuperJosh 22:59, 24 August 2009 (UTC)

ggnnghhh...nyyyyuuurlll...musssst..bloooocckkkkkk.... Totnesmartin 08:04, 25 August 2009 (UTC)

Recent Changes

For the first time, recent changes is covering less than 24 hours. This site is growing rapidly! Totnesmartin 08:13, 25 August 2009 (UTC)

What do you expect? People are desperate for activity. I've even returned back to some of my old forum haunts. Armondikov 16:42, 25 August 2009 (UTC)

Penis Stuff

This made me laugh. I live close to Rockhampton, the "beef capitol of Queensland". The town has statues of bulls everywhere, complete with dangly bits. It's a major tourist activity to souvenier said bits. The council whinges constantly about the expense of replacement and gift shops around the town now stock 'dangly bits in bags' to try & circumvent the problem. RagTop 11:43, 25 August 2009 (UTC)

Wouldn't the logical solution be to just make it a female giraffe? Seems less costly than erecting a 3000 euro cock blocker. --Jeeves 12:35, 25 August 2009 (UTC)

Someone tell Lily The Pink about Rockhampton (See here). Toast 13:26, 25 August 2009 (UTC)

And that's apparently where all those wandals come from. Toast 13:39, 25 August 2009 (UTC)

Translation fail. It was the giraffe's tail Nx 21:12, 26 August 2009 (UTC)

Science or Nature?

I want to subscribe to one of them, but which?! - Clepper on RW

If you can afford one, surely you can afford both? Lucky dining room table! Human 02:24, 26 August 2009 (UTC)

Short answer, neither. If you actually need them, they should be available through your work. They are technical journals, not lite reading material. Pi 02:28, 26 August 2009 (UTC)

Although it is much cheaper than I expected. I thought it would be over a grand a year. Pi 03:05, 26 August 2009 (UTC)

I thought like $60-100 or so each? And then there's the Lancet or whatever that Brit one is... Human 03:18, 26 August 2009 (UTC)

You know, that's a good point, Pi. I can always get summaries of the latest research online, it's not like I need to know all of the technical data. I guess I'll look for a more specific journal for the fields where I really would need the technicalities. - Clepper

Things like New Scientist and Scientific America are about half the price. If there is anything there that grabs you attention and you have journal access, it is not hard to follow it up. That is how we all found out about Lenski's paper. Pi 03:53, 26 August 2009 (UTC)

Usually the pages leading up to the papers are quite good and not too technical, but you can get quite a lot of these pop and news articles (I think, haven't tried it on a non-campus computer) from their website. Individual issues have $10 stamped on them so it can't be much to get a years subscription - they don't cost thousands to subscribe to, hell no. But it is something like £50,000 per year or so to have a massive blanket coverage of all journals., of which Science and Nature are only two of the most prestigious (JACS and PNAS being examples of others). It really depends what you want them for, if you want examples of how good papers are written, get a copy and browse through something interesting. Armondikov 15:55, 26 August 2009 (UTC)

The other side of Malloy

We all know he rants and rails against the fascists who want to take over this country.

But he's also good with kids. About once a year, for instance, he'll do a "teen callers only" show, and of course the kids are amazing.

Tonight, Cassie called in from Texas. Apparently, five years ago she called in, and was struggling to prevent her brother from being deployed to Iraq (hardship case), and many people contacted her and helped with the letters she had to write, etc. Five years ago she was in eighth grade. Now she is a National Honor Society member trying to figure out where to go for college. And very well-poised on the phone/radio.

Just in case anyone is interested. Human 03:52, 26 August 2009 (UTC)

Ted Kennedy

Has died. Human 06:35, 26 August 2009 (UTC)

Out of respect, I will refrain from making my "do you know how hahd it is to dress a dead girl underwahter?" joke for the next little while. TheoryOfPractice 20:21, 26 August 2009 (UTC)

I will copy here an email that the President of the United States, my friend Barry, personally wrote me today:

"Huw --

Michelle and I were heartbroken to learn this morning of the death of our dear friend, Senator Ted Kennedy.

For nearly five decades, virtually every major piece of legislation to advance the civil rights, health and economic well-being of the American people bore his name and resulted from his efforts.

His ideas and ideals are stamped on scores of laws and reflected in millions of lives -- in seniors who know new dignity; in families that know new opportunity; in children who know education's promise; and in all who can pursue their dream in an America that is more equal and more just, including me.

In the United States Senate, I can think of no one who engendered greater respect or affection from members of both sides of the aisle. His seriousness of purpose was perpetually matched by humility, warmth and good cheer. He battled passionately on the Senate floor for the causes that he held dear, and yet still maintained warm friendships across party lines. And that's one reason he became not only one of the greatest senators of our time, but one of the most accomplished Americans ever to serve our democracy.

I personally valued his wise counsel in the Senate, where, regardless of the swirl of events, he always had time for a new colleague. I cherished his confidence and momentous support in my race for the Presidency. And even as he waged a valiant struggle with a mortal illness, I've benefited as President from his encouragement and wisdom.

His fight gave us the opportunity we were denied when his brothers John and Robert were taken from us: the blessing of time to say thank you and goodbye. The outpouring of love, gratitude and fond memories to which we've all borne witness is a testament to the way this singular figure in American history touched so many lives.

For America, he was a defender of a dream. For his family, he was a guardian. Our hearts and prayers go out to them today -- to his wonderful wife, Vicki, his children Ted Jr., Patrick and Kara, his grandchildren and his extended family.

Today, our country mourns. We say goodbye to a friend and a true leader who challenged us all to live out our noblest values. And we give thanks for his memory, which inspires us still.

Sincerely,

President Barack Obama" Human 05:58, 27 August 2009 (UTC)

That was beautiful Huw... FedEx-ed? SuperJosh 17:32, 27 August 2009 (UTC)

Naw, Barry's hip to the new technology. He emails me regularly with updates on his activities and opinions. Human 21:32, 27 August 2009 (UTC)

There's a regular column in teh Grauniad which features Obama's "emails" but I can't find a link on the website for it. Genghis Khant 21:55, 27 August 2009 (UTC)

In lieu of WIGO World

Dove World Outreach Center's message of peace

You could try WIGO WORLD instead. Genghis Khant 11:33, 26 August 2009 (UTC)

Didn't realise we had it here. I'll copy across 212.58.233.129 11:37, 26 August 2009 (UTC)