Whitechapel - ASK WHITECHAPEL -- the You Can Haz Help Now thread (Closes March 5th) Sun, 19 May 2013 01:59:34 -0700 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/ Lussumo Vanilla 1.1.4 & Feed Publisher ASK WHITECHAPEL -- the You Can Haz Help Now thread (Closes March 5th) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=323412#Comment_323412 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=323412#Comment_323412 Sun, 05 Feb 2012 11:00:13 -0800 Horrible Warning Si y’know the one, it’s on the tip of your tongue, what the fuck is that word, oh god oh god.
Bring us your yearning for solutions to mathematical dilemmas, beer-related uncertainties, genitalia-piercing indecision and demands for perspective. Bring us embarrassing questions regarding the removal of blunt objects from nether regions – it’s for a friend, honest – and bring us probing global challenges about How Those Other Guys Live.

Bring us research enquiries, cultural quandaries, opinion-baiting on relevant world events and Shit You’ve Always Wondered About.

Ask Whitechapel – anything.

And Whitechapellers? Be a brick and answer back, eh?

INSTRUCTIONS:

When posing a question, be sure and include a representative #hashtag. When answering a question, head your answer with the same tag.

An example:

Q. What is the true nature of the threat posed by the #UrethralAttackMaggots?

A. #UrethralAttackMaggots.
Horror, horror, only horror, pure horror, unmitigated horror, constant and endless horror, for those who Fail To Follow Instructions. ]]> ASK WHITECHAPEL -- the You Can Haz Help Now thread (Closes March 5th) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=323436#Comment_323436 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=323436#Comment_323436 Sun, 05 Feb 2012 16:37:06 -0800 Purple Wyrm
Yes, it's an "identify that vaguely remembered book" request - oh joy.

Recently a picture book from my childhood popped back into my head. The art was done in a really distinctive style - densely detailed, two dimensional black ink. The characters were oval shaped creatures with what looked like fronds of leaves for hands and feet, and similar frond poking from the top of their heads. I can't remember much of the plot except that in the last part of the book hundreds of dragons that were sleeping underground woke up and were released.

Yes, that's bloody vague, but Whitechapel is my last hope since neither my parents or brother have any memory of it, and web searches have proved futile. If it wasn't for the fact that I remember the art style so vividly I'd worry that I made the whole thing up. ]]> ASK WHITECHAPEL -- the You Can Haz Help Now thread (Closes March 5th) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=323730#Comment_323730 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=323730#Comment_323730 Wed, 08 Feb 2012 19:06:56 -0800 AtomicSloth
#londonfoxhuntbook

A novel. British. Probably published late 90's. The author picture is of a bald guy in a leather jacket. Set in london, this secret group of toffs like beating up the plebs, and they arrange an annual fox hunt where they chase a guy to death across london. Sorta like that bit in The Invisibles. Set over one night. The guy has some friends help him including a rasta and a drag performer.

*spoiler* he survives, kills the head toff and takes over the secret society.

Not a life changing book, but it was fun, and I love stories that are "being chased across a city at night and shit happens" like The Warriors, but I can't remember the title or author and it's been bugging me for years now. ]]> ASK WHITECHAPEL -- the You Can Haz Help Now thread (Closes March 5th) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=323738#Comment_323738 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=323738#Comment_323738 Wed, 08 Feb 2012 21:12:33 -0800 brittanica Seeing these questions reminded me of something vaguely remembered from my youth. There was a music video on MTV (US, in the 90s at some point, probably early 90s), and all I remember is the singer being buried a few inches underground and the camera showing him in profile... there may have been bugs involved, but that also may be a product of my shitty memory. I only saw a minute of it because it creeped me out so much that I made my mom change the channel.

I keep thinking of trying to figure out what it was (and I certainly hope it actually does exist, and I'm not just remembering a dream), but don't know where to start. ]]> ASK WHITECHAPEL -- the You Can Haz Help Now thread (Closes March 5th) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=323757#Comment_323757 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=323757#Comment_323757 Thu, 09 Feb 2012 02:36:25 -0800 Purple Wyrm
I know exactly that book, but also can't recall the title or author. On the plus side I borrowed it from my brother, and he'll be sure to enlighten me as soon as he can be bothered to answer the phone. Stand by!

(I thought for a long time it was by Poppy Z Brite, but apparently it's not) ]]> ASK WHITECHAPEL -- the You Can Haz Help Now thread (Closes March 5th) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=323765#Comment_323765 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=323765#Comment_323765 Thu, 09 Feb 2012 04:25:35 -0800 Ian Mayor
There was a video doing the rounds online of game played between two or more people that was kind of a cross between musical statues and fight choreography.

On either a rythmn or a 'clap' (I forget) each player would move into a different stance, trying to get a 'hit' on the other player(s). I recall the 'game' had a published rule system, which appeared on a website that inlcuded other games.

If anyone can point me at this I'd be very grateful. ]]> ASK WHITECHAPEL -- the You Can Haz Help Now thread (Closes March 5th) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=323769#Comment_323769 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=323769#Comment_323769 Thu, 09 Feb 2012 05:23:55 -0800 Littlepurplegoth
I'm doing This. Getting a bit stuck/bored/losingconfidence and need a kick up the backside/support/help.

So, um, anyone? ]]> ASK WHITECHAPEL -- the You Can Haz Help Now thread (Closes March 5th) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=323795#Comment_323795 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=323795#Comment_323795 Thu, 09 Feb 2012 09:39:18 -0800 256
? ]]> ASK WHITECHAPEL -- the You Can Haz Help Now thread (Closes March 5th) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=323801#Comment_323801 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=323801#Comment_323801 Thu, 09 Feb 2012 09:51:11 -0800 Argos
For learning to pierce, do you mean actually becoming a body piercer, or less serious? Because I've done play piercing and it's actually quite easy, if you want to do that. Here is a picture of me with my needles in (though all you can see are the hubs), I did it myself. I can give you all kinds of advice and keeping your environment clean and making sure you're minimizing all risks, if this is something you're interested in to knock that off your list. You do still have to make sure you're piercing properly (making sure you get the right needles, knowing the anatomy of a needle, knowing where to and where not to pierce, etc. etc.), but it's less serious than everything you'd have to go through to become a professional body piercer.

I also saw pole dancing on there. Go for it! I took a couple classes once and it's actually a lot of fun, and an AMAZING workout. If you can get a friend to go with you, even better. ]]> ASK WHITECHAPEL -- the You Can Haz Help Now thread (Closes March 5th) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=323811#Comment_323811 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=323811#Comment_323811 Thu, 09 Feb 2012 11:32:53 -0800 brittanica
Ugh, that is a creepy video. ]]> ASK WHITECHAPEL -- the You Can Haz Help Now thread (Closes March 5th) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=323840#Comment_323840 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=323840#Comment_323840 Thu, 09 Feb 2012 16:22:54 -0800 Littlepurplegoth years ago so its not totally alien... lol Will be 'interesting' finding someone to play though ... 0-0 at the ribboning - I'd *really* like a corset piercing and some photos but I'm not exactly surrounded with people who would go there so

I've got off backside having gone 'argh help' and am booked in on a burlesque day, a comedy day and have decided on an instrument (Theremin). Doing to grit teeth and buy a charity shop wedding dress and attack it with procion dye, as 'ball gowns' seem to have become cocktail dresses... The Ideal with that particular thing though would be to have a hurtle through central london and *lots* of photos... and a ruined dress at the end of it rofl - should feed nicely into the whole 'a portrait a week thing' as well. On which note - if anyone is vaguely nearby and want a model for an exchange of time/shots, please yell :-) ]]> ASK WHITECHAPEL -- the You Can Haz Help Now thread (Closes March 5th) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=323930#Comment_323930 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=323930#Comment_323930 Fri, 10 Feb 2012 16:02:13 -0800 Purple Wyrm
Finally got in touch with my brother.... and he has no idea what I'm talking about. Which is insane because I KNOW he lent me the bloody book.

I'll see if I can prompt his memory :( ]]> ASK WHITECHAPEL -- the You Can Haz Help Now thread (Closes March 5th) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=323931#Comment_323931 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=323931#Comment_323931 Fri, 10 Feb 2012 16:35:31 -0800 AtomicSloth
Oh well, my uncle lent it to me, but I havent seen him for a couple of years now. ]]> ASK WHITECHAPEL -- the You Can Haz Help Now thread (Closes March 5th) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=323955#Comment_323955 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=323955#Comment_323955 Sat, 11 Feb 2012 06:32:15 -0800 Osmosis
The last PC I bought was in 2004. I've been scraping by with RAM additions, external HDDs, and latterly straight borrowing friends' laptops, but it's time to bite the bullet and invest in a new desktop. I'm not asking for advice on specs (yet) but for starters, does anyone have recent experience (good or bad) of computer retailers in the UK? ]]> ASK WHITECHAPEL -- the You Can Haz Help Now thread (Closes March 5th) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=323956#Comment_323956 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=323956#Comment_323956 Sat, 11 Feb 2012 06:39:22 -0800 Littlepurplegoth ASK WHITECHAPEL -- the You Can Haz Help Now thread (Closes March 5th) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=324006#Comment_324006 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=324006#Comment_324006 Sun, 12 Feb 2012 02:45:10 -0800 Morac
I don't have any specific advice for UK purchases (never been there, actually), but I thought I'd throw out a few general thoughts on computer purchasing.

What sort of computer you want (and by this, I mostly mean Mac or PC, as once you have picked that the rest is largely cost/vs power choice) depends on a number of things: task, overall level of computer competency, time, and money.

Task: This one is pretty simple. If you want to play a lot of games (social/facebook games don't count for this), go PC. Otherwise, I'd say go Mac in this category. Compatibility isn't really an issue these days, other than in gaming, and I think the OSX is vastly superior to Windows 7.

Competency: The Mac OS provides a much better experience for someone who isn't that great with computers, but other than that the two are largely similar. As a note, you can save a few hundred dollars by going linux, but that comes with a very hefty "advanced users only" warning.

Time: This one is actually pretty important. You can save a large amount of money if you have a significant amount of time to research the possibilities. Buying Mac comes with a very large price markup compared to equivalent hardware running Windows, but they can guarantee that everything works well out of the box. If you are limited on time, this can sometimes be worth it (be warned: the amount of time needed to properly research all of the Windows options is significant). HP, Asus, and the like, will also have a markup (though not as big). If you feel confident enough (and have a significant of time) there are a bunch of retailers that will allow you to hand pick all of your parts and then build it for you. Or, for the cheapest amount (and an evening of what I consider fun, though most people disagree) you can even assemble a computer yourself, though much like linux this also carries a hefty "advanced users only" warning. (It's actually not that hard to do. Just read the manuals and maybe watch some youtube video tutorials).

Cost: Mac is going to cost more. Period. But it also requires the least amount of thought put in to it, and how much that trade-off is worth really depends on you.


Where to buy: If you decide on Mac, you are going to probably need to go through an Apple store. If you decide to go for Windows, I'd start with websites like Amazon and Newegg (the former has a UK branch, though the latter does not), as they have great breakdowns on features and give a good baseline for what prices you should be expecting.

You could also try finding a smaller local computer store run by actual techies (avoid places like Best Buy like the plague). You can generally pick them out by the boxes of computer hardware in the windows. Ask them for advice; if they are proper techies, they will find every excuse to talk shop with you, and can be great sources of information. ]]> ASK WHITECHAPEL -- the You Can Haz Help Now thread (Closes March 5th) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=324007#Comment_324007 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=324007#Comment_324007 Sun, 12 Feb 2012 03:02:26 -0800 lazarus corporation
I've always found Maplins to be reasonably competent - unlike, say, PC World, their staff tend to spend their time helping you buy a computer that will do what you want, rather than trying to upsell you Norton Anti-Virus and various other bits of software where there are better and cheaper (often free) alternatives.

As a note, you can save a few hundred dollars by going linux, but that comes with a very hefty "advanced users only" warning.


Not so much these days - compiling from source and working at the command line are now only done by choice - most Linux distros have easy-to-use GUIs that allow you to download and install software (from trustworthy repositories) at the push of a button, and changing config settings is also done through a GUI, much like the Windows Control Panel.

Over the past few years there has been a lot of work done by various parties in making various Linux distros easy to use and prettier to look at - Ubuntu/Kubuntu are very good for people not wishing to do any advanced geekery on a desktop/laptop, and obviously Linux-based distros such as Android are now very common on smartphones and tablets.

The major saving on Linux is not the OS itself, but rather the other software - 99.9% of it is all free, and so the savings can run into thousands of dollars/pounds in the long run.

But if you're used to Windows or Mac and don't want to change, then stick to what you like. ]]> ASK WHITECHAPEL -- the You Can Haz Help Now thread (Closes March 5th) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=324010#Comment_324010 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=324010#Comment_324010 Sun, 12 Feb 2012 03:13:23 -0800 Morac
I'm a big Linux proponent, so I won't try to argue too hard against it. Ubuntu and the like have certainly made major strides, but I still find it's pretty easy for a new user to fuck everything to all buggery. The free software is a huge bonus, though be wary of incompatibility issues (things like LibreOffice can read and write .doc files, but there's generally something messed up in the formatting every time you do).

Overall, I still stand by my stance of "advanced users only", but advanced as in "I don't mind relying on wikis and forums to get my computer working" rather than "I know how to compile the OS from scratch". I certainly wouldn't recommend Linux to my stepfather, who only barely knows the difference between a folder and a file. ]]> ASK WHITECHAPEL -- the You Can Haz Help Now thread (Closes March 5th) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=324015#Comment_324015 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=324015#Comment_324015 Sun, 12 Feb 2012 05:29:28 -0800 roadscum
I had a Dell desktop that lasted more than six years with no hardware problems, though their customer service when I ordered it was vile. I got my new machine, a Lenovo laptop, from Amazon. I haven't had it for long enough to judge its reliability, it works, nothing's broken off or packed up and it seems to be quite well built. Had to pick it up from the carrier's depot though as I was out when they tried to deliver it (better than asking for redelivery, trust me, that's when stuff gets kicked about or lost).

Other than that, good luck and happy hunting! ]]> ASK WHITECHAPEL -- the You Can Haz Help Now thread (Closes March 5th) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=324028#Comment_324028 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=324028#Comment_324028 Sun, 12 Feb 2012 10:16:16 -0800 nelzbub #DEBUNKING/SKEPTICS resources

I'm hoping that you guys can point me in the right direction to help tool me up for the next round of my banter/debate/heated argument with one of my regulars here at the coffeeshop.

I've always enjoyed a good conspiracy theory since discovering Robert Anton Wilson at an early age.
At the same time I've always been careful to grade them on a scale of likelihood; with 0 being for the 'lizard people rule us', bat-shit crazy kind of ideas and 100 for things like the 'CIA moving Nazi's and transporting drugs' stuff that is really just the dirty business of politics and money and how the world works.

I've always found them to be enjoyable mental exercises much in the same way I enjoy the construction of a decent science fiction universe- it appeals to the part of me that enjoys a good story.

I have a friend and regular in the coffeeshop who is something of a conspiracy nut. Funnily enough his name, "Crazy White Sean" perhaps provides some kind of clue here.
He has a certain notoriety within the freakshow scene which I'm sure google could show you more of if you're curious. ANyway I digress....

Our latest disagreement came the other day when he came out with a fully held belief that Bill and Melinda Gates are the evil masterminds behind a plot to sterilize most of the planet using GM crops.
Now this, for me, sits right on the batshit crazy end of the scale and I had to say so.

Calling on logic in a disagreement such as this is often a huge waste of time but I did my best.
He's now gone off, promising to return with his lists of interweb references by way of proof of what he's saying.

While I'm doubting that anything he's going to show me will serve to convince me,I could perhaps use some interweb ammo of my own to back me up in the next round of banging my head against a brick wall.
I'm sure that whitechapel has pointed me towards some good websites for those of a skeptical mindset before, any chance of a nudge in the right direction?
thanks in advance.. ]]> ASK WHITECHAPEL -- the You Can Haz Help Now thread (Closes March 5th) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=324041#Comment_324041 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=324041#Comment_324041 Sun, 12 Feb 2012 13:52:49 -0800 Osmosis
Hey dudes, thanks for all the really useful responses. That's really helpful.

Although I'd like to be one of those cool kids around campus with a Macbook Air (I looked around my lecture theatre last week and everyone taking notes on a laptop was using a Mac), in my heart of hearts I'm a PC. Sob. What sways me here is that I'd quite like to catch up on the last five years' worth of video games. My other uses would be to write, research, internet, and edit photographs. I'm aware that Mac does all those functional things, but not the games, which leaves my choice as Mac + TV + Xbox, or PC. Plus I can recycle my keyboard, monitor, tablet, etc, which will save a hundred pound or so.

@ Morac - I've delved into a couple of specialist forums, and you're not wrong about the time it will take to research. That's why I asked here, really - I don't even know where to start asking questions in the more computery forums. When I bought my first PC (hemhem 8 years ago), it was all single-core, so it seemed simpler to judge performance: higher clock speed + more RAM + decent gfx = faster computer. I haven't got my head around multi-core specifications, so I'm finding that quite difficult to judge. And obviously the numbers have got much bigger for memory and disc capacity, and all the grafix cards are new. So, yeah. Might come back with more n00b questions! ]]> ASK WHITECHAPEL -- the You Can Haz Help Now thread (Closes March 5th) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=324067#Comment_324067 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=324067#Comment_324067 Sun, 12 Feb 2012 19:40:28 -0800 Jason A. Quest
You could also reuse your keyboard, monitor, and mouse (and most tablets) with a Mac Mini. The Mini is basically the guts of an iMac (except the screen) folded up into a brick, sold for not much more than an iPad. It'll run Windows if you've got a copy. It doesn't make a lot of sense if you just want to run Windows (or Linux) because you're also paying for OS X and Apple's bundled software, and if you really like building your own gear you'll hate it. But if you have any interest in playing for both teams, and are OK with buying off the shelf, it's a practical and fairly affordable option. ]]> ASK WHITECHAPEL -- the You Can Haz Help Now thread (Closes March 5th) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=324075#Comment_324075 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=324075#Comment_324075 Sun, 12 Feb 2012 22:07:51 -0800 Kay Orchison
A Mac Mini has a limited amount of upgradability however due to the small form factor and Apple's paranoid control freak tendencies. I've got one and I do play some games on it but it's never going to be great shakes. ]]> ASK WHITECHAPEL -- the You Can Haz Help Now thread (Closes March 5th) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=324077#Comment_324077 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=324077#Comment_324077 Sun, 12 Feb 2012 22:56:50 -0800 Greasemonkey
If I make a replica of a famous copyrighted work and include it as part of the background in one of my own works, am I safe in claiming fair usage?

I'm doing another subway painting, and my plan is to replace the windows of the subway train with famous paintings both historical and contemporary; a tribute to the artists whose work influenced my own. My aim is to make the replicas accurate enough to be easily recognisable at a size of a few square inches, without breaching copyright law. ]]> ASK WHITECHAPEL -- the You Can Haz Help Now thread (Closes March 5th) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=324216#Comment_324216 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=324216#Comment_324216 Tue, 14 Feb 2012 06:33:52 -0800 Warped Savant ASK WHITECHAPEL -- the You Can Haz Help Now thread (Closes March 5th) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=324237#Comment_324237 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=324237#Comment_324237 Tue, 14 Feb 2012 09:31:27 -0800 Jason A. Quest
The only way to answer this definitively is to get sued, because it's decided on a case-by-case basis. Under US law there are four factors that the courts consider:
  • the purpose and character of your use
  • the nature of the copyrighted work
  • the amount and substantiality of the portion taken, and
  • the effect of the use upon the potential market.

For a more thorough explanation, see http://fairuse.stanford.edu/Copyright_and_Fair_Use_Overview/chapter9/9-b.html ]]> ASK WHITECHAPEL -- the You Can Haz Help Now thread (Closes March 5th) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=324247#Comment_324247 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=324247#Comment_324247 Tue, 14 Feb 2012 10:44:16 -0800 Steve Toase
My brain says Ray Bradbury, but so far the interweb says no. Does it ring any bells?


Ta! ]]> ASK WHITECHAPEL -- the You Can Haz Help Now thread (Closes March 5th) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=324253#Comment_324253 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=324253#Comment_324253 Tue, 14 Feb 2012 10:56:51 -0800 Greasemonkey
@Warped Savant - I'm in Canada right now, but I'll be returning to Australia at some point in the future.

@Jason - thanks, I'll check out the overview. ]]> ASK WHITECHAPEL -- the You Can Haz Help Now thread (Closes March 5th) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=324256#Comment_324256 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=324256#Comment_324256 Tue, 14 Feb 2012 11:05:43 -0800 256 is right up his street. It could be that yr merging bits of two stories by him, or that Dick wrote another similar alien-fishing story. He did churn them out.

Dunno if that helps - might be a direction to look in. ]]> ASK WHITECHAPEL -- the You Can Haz Help Now thread (Closes March 5th) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=324351#Comment_324351 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=324351#Comment_324351 Wed, 15 Feb 2012 05:52:30 -0800 Steve Toase ASK WHITECHAPEL -- the You Can Haz Help Now thread (Closes March 5th) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=324356#Comment_324356 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=324356#Comment_324356 Wed, 15 Feb 2012 07:01:31 -0800 Warped Savant
Okay, I'm pretty sure it's been discussed on here but apparently it was too long ago and I can't find it.
I've recently decided to grow a beard and it's come in rather thick. I'm trying to figure out how to keep it looking decent and I know that a fair amount of you great gentlemen on here are rather hirsute. So, what's your advice? How do you keep your great facial appendage well groomed?

It's much too early to get a decent picture going, so all you get is the beard:


Some of my friends say to let it grow at the chin and tapper it down going back towards my neck but I have no freaking clue on how to do that... ]]> ASK WHITECHAPEL -- the You Can Haz Help Now thread (Closes March 5th) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=324366#Comment_324366 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=324366#Comment_324366 Wed, 15 Feb 2012 12:05:29 -0800 Greasemonkey Beards.com has everything you ever wanted to know about growing and caring for beards. ]]> ASK WHITECHAPEL -- the You Can Haz Help Now thread (Closes March 5th) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=324484#Comment_324484 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=324484#Comment_324484 Fri, 17 Feb 2012 01:11:35 -0800 Ben Gwalchmai
@Osmosis - this is going to sound very not-me, sir, because (as we discussed once...I think:) I'm a Linux man now but I swear by HP Desktops: affordable and solid as a rock.

I've had the same one for 12 years and I've upgraded the graphics card.
Yup, just the graphics card. It came with ample storage and RAM for what I used/use it for [initially games, media, and writing; now server & storage] and I think I got it off of eBay at a better price than the HP site.

Hope that helps. ]]> ASK WHITECHAPEL -- the You Can Haz Help Now thread (Closes March 5th) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=324485#Comment_324485 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=324485#Comment_324485 Fri, 17 Feb 2012 01:18:53 -0800 Ben Gwalchmai
My request goes to all of our photographers.

I'm considering buying the Photojojo 3-pack of lenses but I'm unsure whether or not it's worth it. Anyone used these?

I want to be able to take better pictures and video with my Samsung Galaxy Nexus and am hoping that the Telephoto lens will just clear things up and make them more akin to the human eye. Don't get me wrong, I know I can't get an amazing shot without good light, etc but I'd just like to be able to take a good, steady shot that has a good level of detail that won't then look pixelated or weird when used on a website.

Any and all advice appreciated. ]]> ASK WHITECHAPEL -- the You Can Haz Help Now thread (Closes March 5th) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=324517#Comment_324517 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=324517#Comment_324517 Fri, 17 Feb 2012 12:43:32 -0800 government spy So several months ago, I helped fund a kickstarter project. Honestly, I forgot all about it. The project was funded and I had given them my address to receive my reward. Win!

Early January, I received this message:
We shipped your Kickstarter reward to you in early October and it was just returned to us after several weeks. They said no one ever claimed it and the package is pretty beat up. Did we send it to the correct address?

I sent them my address again, and I got this response:
We're willing to mail you another package (and track it) on the condition that if it's not delivered, you pay for the UPS/FED EX shipping for the 3rd attempt.
We'll mail it to the following address once we hear your approval on this.

So, far, all extremely reasonable. Shit happens, they say they resent my package.

So, last week, I asked them where the package was, still no tracking number.

They respond with the tracking number, USPS says it will arrive in one more day.

That day comes and goes, no package. Then I check tracking, it says they left a notice, but no notice was left, I was home, no delivery attempt was actually made.

The next day, I get home from work, and tracking says package was delivered. Didn't happen. I e-mailed usps customer service basically asking wtf?

Today, I check tracking and it says:
Your item was forwarded to a different address at 3:36 am on February 17, 2012 in HOUSTON, TX 77006. This was because of forwarding instructions or because the address or ZIP Code on the label was incorrect. Information, if available, is updated periodically throughout the day. Please check again later.

Am I being scammed or wtf?

They have communicated with me fairly well, but I have no idea how 5 delivery attempts could be made with no notice left on my door. I get packages delivered by USPS all the time, I kinda know my mail carrier, and haven't really had any issues before. I haven't seen her delivering mail recently, otherwise I'd ask her about the package. ]]> ASK WHITECHAPEL -- the You Can Haz Help Now thread (Closes March 5th) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=324725#Comment_324725 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=324725#Comment_324725 Mon, 20 Feb 2012 03:55:00 -0800 badbear I was given a guitar years ago by a friend and had recently resolved to finally learn to play the darn thing. However when I returned to my parents house to pick it up I discovered that my grandma had fallen over it and broken it beyond repair. That or she threw a rock tantrum and smashed it.

So now I have resolved to buy one but of course I don't really know what I'm looking for beyond something with a nice sound. Any advice or pointers?

#helpwithkickstarter
I am by no means an expert in such things. But...

I know if you send a package with fedex (and I assume UPS is the same) then you always keep the top copy of their shipping form for whatever you send. It might be worth asking the kickstarter people if they could send you a scan of the documentation so that you can chase the issue with UPS more easily? ]]> ASK WHITECHAPEL -- the You Can Haz Help Now thread (Closes March 5th) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=324727#Comment_324727 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=324727#Comment_324727 Mon, 20 Feb 2012 04:14:13 -0800 taphead
Generally speaking you should buy the best instument you can possibly afford, as that will definitely affect the amount of time you'll want to spend actually playing it. That said...

(The following applies to acoustics, too, but I'm mostly familiar with electrics.)

You should -- if possible -- have a chance to try the potential instrument out before buying it. Things to look for are:
- straight neck
- smooth ends on the frets (even a slightly jagged one will be quite nasty when playing)
- good intonation (i.e. that the strings are in tune all along the neck on all frets, or can at least be adjusted thus)
- good tuners
- appropriate action (i.e. the height of the string from the fretboard; low for speedy playing/tapping, high for slide work etc.)

Nowadays you almost never see guitars with cracks in the wood or anything else that horrible, so I usually focus on the above. It's usually also VERY easy to improve a mediocre guitar by switching in better tuners and pickups, which is really no chore at all. Many manufacturers seem to put in rather underwhelming pickups by default, to get people to buy the more expensive models just for the better pups. Bah. Get a soldering kit, save dollars.

If you're really on a budget and/or don't have access to a good music store, I've been hearing really good reviews of GFS's Xaviere line and Rondo Music's SX line of electrics, especially considering the prices... ]]> ASK WHITECHAPEL -- the You Can Haz Help Now thread (Closes March 5th) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=324748#Comment_324748 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=324748#Comment_324748 Mon, 20 Feb 2012 09:51:58 -0800 Oddcult
Do you want an electric or an acoustic?

An electric is probably easier to learn on, believe it or not. Steel strung acoustics are harsh on your fingers.

If you do really want an acoustic on a budget, there are plenty of choices. I'd stay away from ebay and find a shop and actually go and try some.

If you're happy with an electric, get a Squier Telecaster from ebay and a 10watt amp and a tuner and two leads. That's all you need. Don't get anything with a trem arm (or whammy bar). Learn how to use the tuner - I like tuning pedals - and then learn barre chords.

A squier tele is the simplest and most reliable guitar you can get and even some pros use them. You can get cheaper, but you probably can't get cheaper and better.

If you've got a decent budget, then a Gibson Les Paul Studio is the best guitar in the world, on a cost/quality basis. They're not cheap, but one of these is all you'd ever need, even up to playing pro, but saying that, they're just as good, although not as pretty, as a Les Paul that costs five grand. ]]> ASK WHITECHAPEL -- the You Can Haz Help Now thread (Closes March 5th) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=324749#Comment_324749 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=324749#Comment_324749 Mon, 20 Feb 2012 10:53:28 -0800 shannon.gilly.3 second the comment on "buy the best thing you can afford." musical instruments and equipment are one of the few areas where price is still a reliable indicator of quality. then again, there are always exceptions, as the build quality on even the cheapest guitars right now is the best it's been since the early 60s, with better consistency. my mexican made fender telecaster is one of the best guitars I've ever put my hands on, and is a pickup and tone circuit swap away from being a killer guitar. best thing to do is walk into a shop and handle every guitar that's in your price range. find the ones that are the most comfortable to play on (trust your hands. even if you've never tried to seriously learn before, they'll tell you everything you need to know), test them out, find which one sounds best TO YOU (everybody's got an opinion, and they're all wrong unless they agree exactly with you), and take that one home.

most of the better guitar guys I know recommend that you start out on acoustic. they are a bit harder to play at first, but once you've learned the basics, it's a lot easier to go from acoustic to electric than the other way around. also, when you factor the cost of a decent amp, going acoustic lets you throw more money at the guitar itself. there's nothing wrong with starting on electric, though. when I decided after a decade of playing bass that I might as well learn a bit of guitar, i picked up an electric and don't regret it.

As far as brands, generally, if it's a company you've heard of before, it's probably worth owning. fender and gibson didn't become as big as they are by making garbage (although be careful when looking at fender acoustics. some of those aren't worth the match it'd take to burn them). Martin's lower end acoustics are a bit overpriced for the quality, but if you've got the money to burn and want a good acoustic, their US made stuff is legendary for a reason. Taylor does not make a bad guitar, even at the very bottom of their range. Ibanez electrics are fast, easy to play, reliable, relatively cheap, and sound good (their acoustics on the other hand... cheap). As for brands you might not have heard of that are good, Schecter, G&L (the last company Leo Fender founded), Takamine (former maker of low end Martins in the 70s and 80s, started making under their own name after Martin ended the arrangement), Seagull (Canadian firm Godin's acoustic line), and Blueridge (this Chinese manufacturer that popped up not too long ago and is blowing the price/quality continuum to bits).

that's probably too much information, so I'll shut up now. ]]> ASK WHITECHAPEL -- the You Can Haz Help Now thread (Closes March 5th) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=324750#Comment_324750 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=324750#Comment_324750 Mon, 20 Feb 2012 11:00:14 -0800 Mark R
Try to buy a guitar you can 'put in your hands'.

When I bought mine, as a total beginner, I was trying out a few hundred dollar guitar for a bit. The guy I was working with brought me a guitar from another room and told me to play it a bit. He asked which I liked better, the few hundred dollar guitar or the one I had in hand. I liked the few hundred dollar guitar better, it just felt better in my hands. It was then that he told me the guitar I was holding was a few thousand dollar guitar. I gently handed it back to him, as I didn't have a few thousand dollars, only a few hundred. Price aside, though, I really did prefer the less expensive guitar and it'd the one I ended up buying. ]]> ASK WHITECHAPEL -- the You Can Haz Help Now thread (Closes March 5th) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=324760#Comment_324760 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=324760#Comment_324760 Mon, 20 Feb 2012 11:54:25 -0800 roadscum
It's far too easy to get obsessed with gear, the whole newest, shiniest, bestest thing.

Do go out and try some out, preferably in a shop where you don't feel pressured or uncomfortable, if you can find such a place. Pick one that feels right in your hands and looks well finished with decent quality fittings, avoid anything that feels flimsy or cheap. If you're looking at an electric, bear in mind that a lot of the sound depends on the amp and that pickups and electrics are fairly easy to upgrade if you don't mind a bit of soldering. Still, if it sounds bad to start with it's probably best avoided. Don't be afraid of it just because it's cheap, there is some rubbish about but there's also some really quite amazing quality too, especially some of the Chinese stuff. Try a good few, buy the one you like. ]]> ASK WHITECHAPEL -- the You Can Haz Help Now thread (Closes March 5th) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=324764#Comment_324764 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=324764#Comment_324764 Mon, 20 Feb 2012 12:16:39 -0800 Greasemonkey ASK WHITECHAPEL -- the You Can Haz Help Now thread (Closes March 5th) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=324769#Comment_324769 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=324769#Comment_324769 Mon, 20 Feb 2012 13:15:52 -0800 Osmosis ASK WHITECHAPEL -- the You Can Haz Help Now thread (Closes March 5th) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=324800#Comment_324800 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=324800#Comment_324800 Mon, 20 Feb 2012 15:30:10 -0800 shannon.gilly.3 ASK WHITECHAPEL -- the You Can Haz Help Now thread (Closes March 5th) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=324883#Comment_324883 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=324883#Comment_324883 Tue, 21 Feb 2012 04:48:25 -0800 badbear
You guys are awesome, thanks so much for all your input.

I'm definitely looking for an acoustic rather than an electric. Can someone tell me what the difference is between steel strings and nylon? (I assume they just sound different?) ]]> ASK WHITECHAPEL -- the You Can Haz Help Now thread (Closes March 5th) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=324884#Comment_324884 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=324884#Comment_324884 Tue, 21 Feb 2012 04:58:23 -0800 taphead
Ah, acoustics. The sound is very different, and steel strings are going to be a lot harder on your fingers, especially in the beginning. Work up those callouses. Steel string guitars tend to have narrower necks and radiused fingerboards, classical guitars have wider necks and (nearly) flat fingerboards.

That's pretty much the sum of my knowledge on acoustics, but I'll just reiterate my main point about focusing on finding a neck you like. The rest tends to be (at least for me) icing on the cake. ]]> ASK WHITECHAPEL -- the You Can Haz Help Now thread (Closes March 5th) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=324894#Comment_324894 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=324894#Comment_324894 Tue, 21 Feb 2012 07:02:08 -0800 Oddcult
Nylon string acoustics tend to be for classical music playing, which specifies one finger per fret, and uses fairly different chords and scales to 'other' music, and are towards 'fingerstyle' picking with the right hand. So, the necks are flatter and wider to accomodate this and gaps between the strings greater. You can play anything you like on them, of course but they're going to mold your style towards a specific way of playing.

You can't just put steel strings on a classical guitar intended for nylon strings, as the tensions involved are very different and you'd probably snap the guitar in half doing so. Guitars intended to be steel strung have metal rods in them to compensate for the extra tension.

A steel strung acoustic will be hell on your fingers when you're just starting, unless it's a very good one, which is set up with a low action, but that can be tricky to find or sort out. Steel strung guitars are louder and do sound different, but are also more versatile in terms of how you can play them, and you can strum them with a pick fairly easily, or play lead.

It's honestly easier to start learning on a nylon strung classical guitar, and I did so, but if you want a guitar to have forever, or which you can bash out songs on and perform with, a steel strung is probably better, despite being iniitally harder to get to grips with.

I'll stick with recommending a Squier Telecaster as the best all round guitar to start with, but you do have the limitation of having to plug it in. If you're really after an acoustic though, there's plenty of choice of decent instruments at reasonable prices, so try a few. ]]> ASK WHITECHAPEL -- the You Can Haz Help Now thread (Closes March 5th) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=325015#Comment_325015 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=325015#Comment_325015 Wed, 22 Feb 2012 06:31:29 -0800 Steve Toase
If you're achromatic (Can only see in black/white/shades of grey) do you notice textures more? Would this feature more in your descriptive terminology? ]]> ASK WHITECHAPEL -- the You Can Haz Help Now thread (Closes March 5th) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=325025#Comment_325025 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=325025#Comment_325025 Wed, 22 Feb 2012 09:21:13 -0800 government spy
So apparently they just kept leaving off part of my address. No scam, just stupidity. Awesome. ]]> ASK WHITECHAPEL -- the You Can Haz Help Now thread (Closes March 5th) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=325059#Comment_325059 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=325059#Comment_325059 Wed, 22 Feb 2012 14:28:30 -0800 Morac
At least it wasn't something you or UPS were doing wrong. ]]> ASK WHITECHAPEL -- the You Can Haz Help Now thread (Closes March 5th) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=325073#Comment_325073 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=325073#Comment_325073 Wed, 22 Feb 2012 16:27:39 -0800 Kosmopolit
If you were in Australia I'd point you at Graysonline.

Grays is a major auction house that, as part of their online business, disposes of stock for various major computer brands that they can't sell as new.

A quick example; I got a virtually new HP laptop off them for A$160. It had been returned due to a defective battery. They replaced the battery but couldn't resell the computer as new because there were some minor scracthes on the bezel.

So there's demo machines and end of line run-outs and the prices are ridiculously cheap.

I recommend you look around to see if there's something similar in the UK. ]]> ASK WHITECHAPEL -- the You Can Haz Help Now thread (Closes March 5th) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=325168#Comment_325168 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=325168#Comment_325168 Thu, 23 Feb 2012 18:47:15 -0800 Ariana
To the first part, yes: google search "color blindness camouflage" for all the sources you could possibly want or need. ]]> ASK WHITECHAPEL -- the You Can Haz Help Now thread (Closes March 5th) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=325186#Comment_325186 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=325186#Comment_325186 Fri, 24 Feb 2012 02:55:36 -0800 Foamhead
Did I miss the meeting where this was pensioned off to Eel Heaven or was it co-opted into a new all-inclusive thread? The last one Search shows is dated April 2011. Just curious is all. ]]> ASK WHITECHAPEL -- the You Can Haz Help Now thread (Closes March 5th) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=325187#Comment_325187 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=325187#Comment_325187 Fri, 24 Feb 2012 03:18:37 -0800 Kosmopolit ASK WHITECHAPEL -- the You Can Haz Help Now thread (Closes March 5th) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=325209#Comment_325209 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=325209#Comment_325209 Fri, 24 Feb 2012 07:12:56 -0800 Steve Toase ASK WHITECHAPEL -- the You Can Haz Help Now thread (Closes March 5th) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=325237#Comment_325237 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=325237#Comment_325237 Fri, 24 Feb 2012 14:43:28 -0800 Koltreg #FrenchGhostDogs

Does anyone have familiarity with #FrenchGhostDogs? I am doing some research to find if there are any black dogs/hellhounds/yeth hounds/grims that are either distinctly French or that are well known through French culture. The British Isles apparently have dozens and I can snag one from there if needed but I like having more regional names if I can for the piece I am doing. ]]> ASK WHITECHAPEL -- the You Can Haz Help Now thread (Closes March 5th) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=325295#Comment_325295 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=325295#Comment_325295 Sat, 25 Feb 2012 10:20:55 -0800 Ariana
The Beast of Flanders is from Belgium which is, you know, just next door... ]]> ASK WHITECHAPEL -- the You Can Haz Help Now thread (Closes March 5th) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=325296#Comment_325296 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=325296#Comment_325296 Sat, 25 Feb 2012 10:21:39 -0800 Jason A. Quest ASK WHITECHAPEL -- the You Can Haz Help Now thread (Closes March 5th) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=325298#Comment_325298 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=325298#Comment_325298 Sat, 25 Feb 2012 10:29:42 -0800 government spy ASK WHITECHAPEL -- the You Can Haz Help Now thread (Closes March 5th) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=325301#Comment_325301 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=325301#Comment_325301 Sat, 25 Feb 2012 11:47:42 -0800 JP Carpenter oh, yeah. as a former guitar shop employee, I should probably advise you against playing or attempting to play Stairway, Sweet Child O' Mine, Smoke on the Water, anything by van halen, or anything by stevie ray vaughan. The staff will hate you if you do any of those.

I once saw a sign in a guitar shop that said 'If you're planning on playing Stairway to Heaven or House of the Rising Sun, use this lead'. One end was a guitar jack. The other end was soldered into a mains plug... ]]> ASK WHITECHAPEL -- the You Can Haz Help Now thread (Closes March 5th) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=325302#Comment_325302 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=325302#Comment_325302 Sat, 25 Feb 2012 11:53:49 -0800 Koltreg
Awesome. That works pretty well for me. I also got into some weird old translated texts and found out about the youdic dogs which are dogs that drag people to hell. Mission accomplished! ]]> ASK WHITECHAPEL -- the You Can Haz Help Now thread (Closes March 5th) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=325307#Comment_325307 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=325307#Comment_325307 Sat, 25 Feb 2012 13:17:47 -0800 shannon.gilly.3 ASK WHITECHAPEL -- the You Can Haz Help Now thread (Closes March 5th) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=325313#Comment_325313 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=325313#Comment_325313 Sat, 25 Feb 2012 14:25:23 -0800 Greasemonkey ASK WHITECHAPEL -- the You Can Haz Help Now thread (Closes March 5th) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=325315#Comment_325315 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=325315#Comment_325315 Sat, 25 Feb 2012 15:36:15 -0800 JP Carpenter ASK WHITECHAPEL -- the You Can Haz Help Now thread (Closes March 5th) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=325355#Comment_325355 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=325355#Comment_325355 Sun, 26 Feb 2012 02:26:30 -0800 shannon.gilly.3 just missing the notes for the opening riff of a song that you know by heart from having heard it so many times, you can't ignore it, and you get a sensation akin to that feeling in your spine when somebody scrapes two pieces of metal together. it becomes physically painful after a while. in the last month I worked for the music store, I would ride home in silence; no radio, no CDs, nothing but the road noise, just to let my head decompress. until that time, i was the sort of person who constantly had music on around me 24/7. when I did turn on the radio, I'd tune in to this cajun station just so there'd be no chance of hearing anything that had been played to death. for the guy behind the counter at your local guitar shop (especially if it's one of the big chain stores), the whole stairway thing isn't a joke. ]]> ASK WHITECHAPEL -- the You Can Haz Help Now thread (Closes March 5th) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=325365#Comment_325365 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=325365#Comment_325365 Sun, 26 Feb 2012 06:27:28 -0800 Oddcult
Hmm...

Is this cool or is it what everyone does and is just as bad as Stairway or Smoke on the Water?

If I try a guitar, the first thing I do is check it's in tune by doing the thing where you go down the strings on the seventh fret, then I check the setup by doing harmonics and then the note on the twelfth. Then it's usually just powerchords and a pentatonic or two rather than a song. But is that kinda patronising to the staff to check it like that and just as annoying? ]]> ASK WHITECHAPEL -- the You Can Haz Help Now thread (Closes March 5th) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=325367#Comment_325367 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=325367#Comment_325367 Sun, 26 Feb 2012 06:37:56 -0800 taphead
That's definitely NOT patronising, as I've tried out all too many badly set up and/or intonated guitars in reputable shops. Hell, I go through all the frets on all the strings, and then move on to the intonation on chords...

To me that's more about treating the instrument with the respect it deserves. ]]> ASK WHITECHAPEL -- the You Can Haz Help Now thread (Closes March 5th) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=325385#Comment_325385 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=325385#Comment_325385 Sun, 26 Feb 2012 11:12:04 -0800 shannon.gilly.3
@Oddcult Please do that. it's not patronizing in the least, in fact your shop guy will probably love you (or, if he's like most of the guys I worked with, hate you less), because you're testing things that will tell you what the guitar actually sounds like and how it performs. just by taking the time to make sure it's in tune, you're showing that you are serious, and not just some wanker loitering around. you'll learn more about the guitar you're trying in the two minutes it takes to do all that than the guy in the back who's been playing Little Wing on the same guitar for 20 minutes, and the staff is definitely going to come answer your questions and help you out faster. you're covering all the basics, getting a good feel for the instrument, and listening to how it sounds. nothing says "good customer" better. ]]> ASK WHITECHAPEL -- the You Can Haz Help Now thread (Closes March 5th) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=325837#Comment_325837 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=325837#Comment_325837 Fri, 02 Mar 2012 20:03:39 -0800 Argos
I just tweeted about this, but I will also ask it here because you guys KNOW things.

I inherited a silverware set from my mother as a pre- wedding present. Now, she says the tiny spoons in the set are egg spoons. My associate says he thinks they're teaspoons. I compared it to two other teaspoons I bought at antique shops and it is smaller than one but bigger than the other. Whitechapel, is the smallest spoon in this picture a teaspoon or an egg spoon!?!?

Also, WTF is the square spoon for??? There is only one in the whole set of silverware, not 1/person like all the other spoons.

Dinner etiquette, teach it to me.

]]> ASK WHITECHAPEL -- the You Can Haz Help Now thread (Closes March 5th) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=325841#Comment_325841 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=325841#Comment_325841 Fri, 02 Mar 2012 20:58:41 -0800 Greasemonkey
The square one is a sugar spoon. There would only be the one because it goes in the sugar bowl. The little one is indeed an egg spoon. ]]> ASK WHITECHAPEL -- the You Can Haz Help Now thread (Closes March 5th) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=325845#Comment_325845 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=325845#Comment_325845 Fri, 02 Mar 2012 21:48:03 -0800 Argos ASK WHITECHAPEL -- the You Can Haz Help Now thread (Closes March 5th) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=325854#Comment_325854 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=325854#Comment_325854 Sat, 03 Mar 2012 05:36:06 -0800 curb
The square one is, as Greasemonkey says, definately a sugar spoon. I've also heard the little one referred to as a fruit spoon, for those who like to be all fancy and juice free when they eat soft fruit. ]]> ASK WHITECHAPEL -- the You Can Haz Help Now thread (Closes March 5th) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=325855#Comment_325855 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=325855#Comment_325855 Sat, 03 Mar 2012 05:40:55 -0800 Oddcult
Depending on how tiny it is, as scale is difficult to judge from that image, it may even be a quail's egg spoon. ]]> ASK WHITECHAPEL -- the You Can Haz Help Now thread (Closes March 5th) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=325886#Comment_325886 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=325886#Comment_325886 Sat, 03 Mar 2012 15:14:36 -0800 trini_naenae
My mom has that pattern spoon - a very small one with a long handle, that was part of her baby spoon set. I just wanted to say that. It's very pretty! Though I don't remember seeing the three-pronged leaf on it. ]]> ASK WHITECHAPEL -- the You Can Haz Help Now thread (Closes March 5th) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=325902#Comment_325902 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=325902#Comment_325902 Sat, 03 Mar 2012 23:56:22 -0800 Kosmopolit
I picked up a used laptop for the busienss at an online auction.

It was cheap becasue they'd removed the OS.

Now I've got a spare licensed copy of XP I can install on it if necessary but I tought I'd try installing the Chromium OS.

It took quite a whole but I installed it successfully - I think.

It boots and a Chromium start screen starts up and asks for a username and password.

But it won't accept my username and password combo. (It automatically adds @gmail.com to the end of the username so I 'm using my gmail username and password.)

I assume the problem is that it needs to access the interent to check my gmail ID - but without beinh able to access the machine I can't configure the internal modem.

Anyone got any idea how to solve this conundrum? ]]> ASK WHITECHAPEL -- the You Can Haz Help Now thread (Closes March 5th) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=325908#Comment_325908 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=325908#Comment_325908 Sun, 04 Mar 2012 04:50:31 -0800 Morac
I'm not especially familiar with Chromium OS (it hasn't exactly enjoyed large success), but it does look like it requires an online activation component to pretty much everything. If you are installing it on a device not initially shipped with it, you probably need a wired connection to the internet, as I presume wireless setup is off limits to you at the moment. If you are already using a wired connection, it is likely to be a separate issue. ]]> ASK WHITECHAPEL -- the You Can Haz Help Now thread (Closes March 5th) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=325912#Comment_325912 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=325912#Comment_325912 Sun, 04 Mar 2012 06:58:46 -0800 Jason A. Quest
If by "internal modem" you mean "internal modem" (and not "wifi" or "ethernet"), you might be in trouble. :) Chrome/ium needs a good broadband connection to be usable. ]]> ASK WHITECHAPEL -- the You Can Haz Help Now thread (Closes March 5th) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=325913#Comment_325913 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=325913#Comment_325913 Sun, 04 Mar 2012 07:31:01 -0800 Beamish
You might be better off with Puppy Linux if it is an older machine and you don't want to use XP. ]]> ASK WHITECHAPEL -- the You Can Haz Help Now thread (Closes March 5th) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=325930#Comment_325930 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=325930#Comment_325930 Sun, 04 Mar 2012 12:38:24 -0800 Greasemonkey
Antique silver sugar bowl!

]]> ASK WHITECHAPEL -- the You Can Haz Help Now thread (Closes March 5th) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=325952#Comment_325952 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=325952#Comment_325952 Sun, 04 Mar 2012 18:13:44 -0800 Morac
Ubuntu is also a good free OS option if you aren't familiar with linux. Definitely designed with non-linuxites in mind. ]]> ASK WHITECHAPEL -- the You Can Haz Help Now thread (Closes March 5th) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=325953#Comment_325953 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=325953#Comment_325953 Sun, 04 Mar 2012 18:30:48 -0800 Beamish
@morac That's true but I have problems getting the new Ubuntu to recognize my nic. ]]> ASK WHITECHAPEL -- the You Can Haz Help Now thread (Closes March 5th) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=325979#Comment_325979 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=325979#Comment_325979 Mon, 05 Mar 2012 04:15:45 -0800 Kosmopolit ASK WHITECHAPEL -- the You Can Haz Help Now thread (Closes March 5th) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=326044#Comment_326044 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=326044#Comment_326044 Mon, 05 Mar 2012 23:25:59 -0800 Warped Savant #PassoverSeder

Okay, so I've been invited to a friend's place for Seder and I'm trying to figure out if there's something that I'm supposed to be bringing / not bringing or if there's anything that I really shouldn't be doing while I'm there (IE: riding around on a pig while eating fish).
Is there someone on here that's good with religious things like this? I have a good grasp on the generalities, but I have no idea on the specifics, especially about the holidays.

Thanks in advance. ]]> ASK WHITECHAPEL -- the You Can Haz Help Now thread (Closes March 5th) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=326055#Comment_326055 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=326055#Comment_326055 Tue, 06 Mar 2012 05:01:49 -0800 Jason A. Quest
I've never been invited to a Seder (kind of an honor, that), but as a kid I somehow ended up hanging with the Jews at my school and thus went to a few Conservative/Reform Bar Mitzvahs, so I have a little experience as a goy among the Chosen People. :) Even though the Seder involves a bit of ritual, part of the point of the rite is to pass it along to future generations, so it includes an explanation by the host of what they're doing as they do it. If they all know it's your first Seder, they'll be more than happy to just treat you like a 4-year-old who needs instruction about everything. Judaism has as much variability in observance as Christianity; some are very by-the-Book, others not so much. They may tell you that you don't need to do one thing or another. If so, don't insist on doing it; they may be politely indicating that they'd rather you didn't. Just be polite and respectful, don't say "God" (or "Jesus"), don't draw attention to yourself, etc. But really: ask your friend. He'll be able to explain what his family expects of you, and will be able to coach you on what's appropriate or not as a non-Jewish guest at the meal.

P.S. I'm not aware of anything in the Tanakh against riding a pig while eating fish. Go for it. ;) ]]> ASK WHITECHAPEL -- the You Can Haz Help Now thread (Closes March 5th) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=326058#Comment_326058 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=326058#Comment_326058 Tue, 06 Mar 2012 05:45:42 -0800 Beamish
This may help. ]]> ASK WHITECHAPEL -- the You Can Haz Help Now thread (Closes March 5th) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=326069#Comment_326069 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=326069#Comment_326069 Tue, 06 Mar 2012 07:12:44 -0800 Warped Savant think there's going to be a whole lot of non-Jewish people there, but it seems like a lot of them have been there before. Good to know about the thing of them saying that I don't need to do something as I tend to always want to help clean and what-have-you. I'll talk to the host to see if she has any advice, especially since she's fairly by the book with her beliefs and practices.

Beamish -- I've only had a chance to skim over that, but thank you! I'll have to give it a good read over later on tonight. Like I said to Jason, I haven't had the time to look around on the 'net. ]]> ASK WHITECHAPEL -- the You Can Haz Help Now thread (Closes March 5th) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=326072#Comment_326072 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=326072#Comment_326072 Tue, 06 Mar 2012 07:31:28 -0800 Finagle
Don't be surprised if the family doesn't behave according to your expectations. As a Gentile, you might believe that it should be a really reverent occasion, like we Christians treat our holidays. However, the last time I cooked Passover seder for an Ashkenazi family (my girlfriend at the time), her mother looked at the place set for Elijah, noted that the wine was all gone, declared that "Oh, he isn't coming anyhow," and downed Elijah's wine.

I'm just sayin'. ]]> ASK WHITECHAPEL -- the You Can Haz Help Now thread (Closes March 5th) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=326082#Comment_326082 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=326082#Comment_326082 Tue, 06 Mar 2012 09:15:23 -0800 Jason A. Quest ASK WHITECHAPEL -- the You Can Haz Help Now thread (Closes March 5th) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=326083#Comment_326083 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=326083#Comment_326083 Tue, 06 Mar 2012 09:17:06 -0800 glukkake
So this is a weird question - I have a long rug (think something that would do well in a long hallway) under my desk/desk chair since my desk chair was scratching the shit out of my hardwood floors. But now the wheels keep dragging the rug everywhere and it's a messy pain when rolling forward and then pushing back and it's just a jumble of rug. I want to adhere the rug to the wood floor, but in a way that's somewhat removable since I'm renting? I tried using rolled up duct tape but it didn't cling to the rug hard enough and was pulled up within an hour. So help me out, handyfolks. ]]> ASK WHITECHAPEL -- the You Can Haz Help Now thread (Closes March 5th) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=326089#Comment_326089 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=326089#Comment_326089 Tue, 06 Mar 2012 10:41:21 -0800 taphead ASK WHITECHAPEL -- the You Can Haz Help Now thread (Closes March 5th) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=326090#Comment_326090 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=326090#Comment_326090 Tue, 06 Mar 2012 10:53:54 -0800 roadscum
In the dim, distant past i used to deliver stuff to carpet shops. Back then there were a number of different products to stop rugs sliding around - grippy underlay, glue type goo and double sided sticky tapes. Looking about today there's still a good selection of stuff online at Amazon, can't vouch for how well any of it works though. Your best bet is probably a mooch round your local carpet and flooring shops. ]]> ASK WHITECHAPEL -- the You Can Haz Help Now thread (Closes March 5th) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=326098#Comment_326098 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=326098#Comment_326098 Tue, 06 Mar 2012 12:25:07 -0800 Finagle
Careful with using that double-sided tape. I did that at my house, and when it came up, it took all the varnish off the floor along with it. Not a huge deal if you're prepared to touch up the varnish, but just be warned if your security deposit is at stake.

I would go for the rubber mat, possibly with velcro attached to the top of the mat. ]]> ASK WHITECHAPEL -- the You Can Haz Help Now thread (Closes March 5th) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=326100#Comment_326100 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=326100#Comment_326100 Tue, 06 Mar 2012 14:01:18 -0800 roadscum
Ah, i should have said, these are all specially designed to be re-positionable and safely removable and yes, don't get them confused with the permanent varieties or you'll end up in a very sticky situation. ]]> ASK WHITECHAPEL -- the You Can Haz Help Now thread (Closes March 5th) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=326112#Comment_326112 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10478&Focus=326112#Comment_326112 Tue, 06 Mar 2012 18:12:48 -0800 Warped Savant do take things really seriously, but in this case I think I can be smart enough to not mess this up). It sounds like it'll be a fairly relaxed party but it's really tough to say. The hostess doesn't work on Saturday's, her Chinese husband usually wears a kilt, so yeah... I really have no idea what it will be like so I'd kind of like to be ready for anything.

@Jason Quest -- Ahhh... okay, yeah, that makes sense. There was a time where something similar to what happened with friend happened to me when I was at a Catholic funeral.
I've known this woman for a few years and this is the first time that she has invited me to anything so I'm more concerned about not making an ass out of myself than normal (Mind you, I usually don't care at all). I'm pretty sure she'd understand if I completely flubbed something up, but it would be nice to leave with the feeling that I may be invited back again. ]]>