Monday, June 21, 2010

Is an EMI filter and an RFI filter the same thing?

An EMI filter is a device to minimize electromagnetic interference, the type of interference that can really play havoc with electronic equipment. When electromagnetic interference (EMI...get it?) occurs in the radio frequency range, it is known as radio frequency interference, or RFI. So...remembering your Venn diagrams...all RFI is EMI, but not all EMI is RFI.

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Is there really such a thing as a concrete pump? I thought it just got moved with wheelbarrows?

A shovel and a wheelbarrow are fine for doing your driveway, but for a big project, a concrete pump is just the ticket. Concrete pumps move liquid concrete slurry faster, more precisely and generally, more cheaply (though that last depends on a lot of factors) than old-fashioned sweat-of-the-brow labor.

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Where did Hooked on Phonics come from?

Gateway Educational Products in Orange, California developed Hooked on Phonics in 1987, and filed for the original Hooked on Phonics trademark. They later transferred rights to the product line to its current distributor, Smarterville Productions, in Baltimore, MD.

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What does a truck load of gravel weigh?

Well now, that depends on the truck, doesn't it?

A full size pickup truck can haul about 2 cubic yards of gravel weighing in at 5,500 pounds. A small dump truck hold 5 cubic yards (13,750 lbs) and a full size dump truck holds somewhere between 10-15 cubic yards.

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How deep should the swimming pool be for diving off a diving board?

FINA sets the rules for swimming pools and diving. The international competitive swimming organization, requires its pools to be at least 3.4 meters deep for a 1-meter high diving board. This is about 11 feet for a 3-foot high board.  A 10-meter high diving platform needs a pool depth of at least 4.5 meters...pretty danged deep.

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Who put all the melamine in the milk in China?

Melamine is an industrial chemical that entered the milk supply in China in 2008, contaminating infant formula and other dairy products, both in China and in exported products. A few children died, and thousands were sickened by the melamine contamination of the milk. The Shijiazhuang Sanlu Group Co. in Hebei province, China, was the main culprit, though the company maintains that the melamine was introduced in their supply chain by another unknow source.

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What is a Procurement Code of Conduct?

Remember the movie, Do the Right Thing? That's pretty much what a purchasing code of conduct is for a company trying to be socially responsible. The code is a statement of ethical principles and appropriate practices that the company adheres to, and expects its suppliers and sub-contractors to adhere to as well. Socially responsible codes of conduct for purchasing often cover things like worker safety, environmental quality, child labor standards, and so on.

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What is a homestead cap?

A homestead cap keeps you from getting hit with a huge increase in property tax on your home. A big increase...that's OK. But a really big one will get stopped in its track if your city or county has a homestead cap that keeps the appraised value of your home from increasing too rapidly.  In so doing, it also keep your property tax from increasing too fast.

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Wednesday, June 16, 2010

What big fad helped launch HDPE production?

HDPE plastic is the stuff of hula hoops. When the hula hoop fad hit the nation (and then the world) in the late 1950s, hundreds of millions of the things were produced, using enough high-density polyethylene -- HDPE -- to make at least five Earth-sized hula hoops.

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Is a "fossil fuel furnace" what I think it is?

Probably! A fossil fuel furnace is term used by home-heating specialists to refer to any heating equipment that uses oil, gas or other fossil fuels as a primary energy source. It's generally used in contrast to a heat pump, which does not directly use fossil fuel.

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Where can I calculate my Ingersoll Rand pension plan payments?

Ingersoll Rand's pension calculator is available online. The company, a diverse industrial conglomerate, has several "wealth programs" for employees and retirees, and its pension calculator is one tool it makes available.

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What is melamine laminate used for?

Melamine laminate is a hard, durable veneer of plastic. It has a nice appearance, and is often used to cover base materials in kitchen drawers and cabinets. Thicker layers of melamine laminate are sometimes used as countertops.

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Can I see AIG's original corporate charter?

The original AIG incorporation charter is online, and available for all to see. American International Group, or AIG as it's commonly known, incorporated in Delaware in 1967. They assured the authorities of having at least $1,000 on hand before commencing business.

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Tuesday, June 15, 2010

How much was a Toyota Sequoia in 2008?

A high end 4-wheel drive Toyota Sequoia with a Platinum package, cost $58,795 in 2008. Today, that same vehicle, used, Blue Book's for $46,195.

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Can police in, say, Florida, see my driving record in NY?

You bet! Thanks to the Drivers License Compact, and similar information-sharing agreements between states, police in Florida and almost every state can access the records of drivers from other states.

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How much will I pay for a sheet of stainless steel?

Depends on how big a sheet of stainless steel you need! A smallish, thin sheet -- say, two square feet, and a few mm thick, will only set you back $20 or so. But a 4-by-8 foot slab one-inch thick will set you back about $5,000.

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Did the Marines really invade the Bahamas?

The U.S Marine Corps was created by the Second Continental Congress in 1775. Led by Captain Samuel Nicholas, the Marines conducted their first amphibious raid in the Bahamas in March, 1776.

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How much can I make as a home health care provider?

Home health care workers earn about $8 to $15 an hour. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average wage for home health care providers in 2009 was $10.39 an hour.

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Can I file a police report online with the Las Vegas police?

The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department asks you call the LVMPD directly at 702-828-311 to file a police report. You can do some stuff online, like report an abandoned vehicle.

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What does cold-finished stainless steel mean?

Steel-makers can finish their steel hot, just out of the furnace, or cold, which means at room temperature. Either way, steel is finished by squeezing through giant rollers. Cold-finished stainless steel isn't common, but it has a lovely, unoxidized finish which is useful for some special applications.


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Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Is vermiculite good insulation?

Medium. Vermiculite has an R-value of 2.13 per inch. That's better insulation than some materials, but only about half the insulation you can get from urea foam or extruded polystyrene.  Your choice!

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Can you explain volumetric efficiency to me?

Sure thing. Volumetric efficiency is a performance measure of an internal combustion engine. It compares the actual amount of air-fuel mixture drawn into a cylinder to the maximum volume of the cylinder. Believe it or not, the volumetric efficiency can be greater than 100% in certain circumstances, such as in turbocharged engines.


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I need a provisional pontic! Where do I get one?

Better ask your dentist. A pontic is false tooth, in dentist-speak. A provisional pontic is a temporary false tooth, usually made from hard plastic or ceramic. Hope it's nothing painful

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Who manufactures compressed hydrogen gas?

The online industrial directory, ThomasNet, lists 300+ manufacturers/suppliers of hydrogen gas, so you should have no problem finding one to suit your purposes.  Some of the major manufacturers include Air Products & Chemicals, Linde, Air Liquide, and Praxair.



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Monday, June 7, 2010

What is the smallest refrigerator I can buy?

The Micro Cool Mini Fridge may not be the absolute smallest, but really now...why would you even want one smaller than this?  It's way smaller than one cubic foot.  In fact, the Micro Cool Mini Fridge is just large enough to hold a six-pack...and maybe shove in a PB&J on top. 

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I'm a federal contractor. Can I get federal government hotel rates?

Contractors generally can get federal government employee discounts at hotels.  But it's actually up to the individual hotel whether they extend their reduced rate to contractors or not.  Basic rule of thumb: it never hurts to ask. 

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Do I need to be ISO 9000 Certified?

You don't need to be an ISO 9000 company, but it may be worthwhile.  ISO 9000 is a collection of quality management guidelines created by the International Organization for Standardization, aka ISO.  You get certified by adopting the standards (not easy!) and having a third party review your quality management program.  Some companies won't do business with you unles you have an ISO 9000 seal of approval. 

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What is a Cooperative Agreement with the government?

A Cooperative Agreement is a government grant...sort of.  Unlike a typical grant -- where Uncle Sam gives out some money, and then walks away until you finish your project -- a Cooperative Agreement has you and the government working closely together.  Cooperatively, you might say.  Take a look at what the US Department of Health and Human Services has to say about it.

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Sunday, June 6, 2010

What is a corporate dissolution agreement?

A corporate dissolution agreement is more or less a divorce.  When a corporation dissolves, the principles have to decide what happens to company assets, who gets what, how to settle disputes...stuff like that.  They create a legally-binding corporate dissolution agreement that puts it all in writing.  Like I said...just like a divorce.


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What did the average new house cost in 2006?

Need to know the history of housing prices?  Ask the Census Bureau's Median and Average Sales Prices of New Homes Sold in United States .  A new house in 2006 cost just about $300,000. 

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What is the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act (UETA)?

UETA -- the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act -- is a model law designed by (believe it or not) a group that calls itself the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Law.  UETA has been adopted by almost every state in the U.S., and sets uniform standards for ecommerce transactions.

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Someone mentioned the father of the Olympian Pantheon? Huh?

Zeus is the father of the Olympian Pantheon, and you might have been talking to a Percy Jackson fan.  A pantheon is a collection of gods belonging to a particular mythology.  In the Greek pantheon, Zeus was the head honcho, and lived with his fellow gods and goddesses (and assorted demi-gods) on Mt. Olympus, which is not really atop the Empire State Building. 

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What is the federal income tax rate?

The federal income tax rate is 10%.  Or 28%.  Or 35%.  Or maybe something in between.  Income taxes are assessed by tax brackets.  The first few thousand you earn is taxed at the rate of the lowest bracket.  Anything you earn in the next bracket is taxed at a different rate, and so on.  In 2010, earnings of less than $8,375 were taxed at 10%, while earnings above $373,650 were in the highest tax bracket, and taxed at 35%.

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Saturday, June 5, 2010

What does a logistics brokerage do?

Logistics is the management of the transportation of goods.  Shipping millions of items to thousands of different destinations is a complicated challenge.  A logistics brokerage is a business that brings together the buyers and sellers of logistical services to help smooth out the overall process.

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What's the daily turnover on the NYSE?

The New York Stock Exchange is a busy place, trading over a billion shares a day with a total value of about $50 billion. There's a lot of variation, of course.  A slow trading day might only produce $30 billion in trades, while a particularly busy day can easily top $70 billion.

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What is Bonnet's Syndrome and who was Charles Bonnet?

Charles Bonnet lent his name to Bonnet's Syndrome, a disease that produces hallucinations in otherwise healthy people.  Bonnet was an interesting character.  A French naturalist and philosopher in the 18th century, Bonnet studies plants (demonstrating oxygen production during photosynthesis), insects (discovering parthenogensis -- virgin birth! -- in aphids), and working in a variety of other areas biological, medical and spiritual. 





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Will Medicare pay for mental health?

Medicare does indeed cover mental health.  Actually, Medicare is fairly comprehensive in its coverage of medical conditions, although it doesn't cover 100% of all costs.  Like most health insurance plans, there are deductibles and co-pays to consider, and these certainly apply to mental health treatments as well.

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What is an in-kind match? How do I make one?

An in-kind match is an obligation of some organization that receive a grant from a foundation of government funder.  An in-kind match is a non-cash contribution to a project.  It could be staff or volunteer time, use of facilities or equipment, or other sorts of contributions that are roughly equal to the cash value of the grant. 



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Is there a difference between an Equipment Finance Agreement and a lease?

There's a big difference.  If you take a loan through an Equipment Finance Agreement, or EFA as it's known in the biz, then you own the equipment outright, even though it serves as collateral.  When the EFA is paid off, the equipment stays with you.  With a lease arrangement, the equipment is owned by the lessor, and returns to them when the lease expires. 



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Who owns Capital One Bank?

You could say that Capital One Bank is owned by the 16,955 shareholders who hold stock in the company.  But you're probably looking for their parent, which is the Capital One Financial Corporation, a public company trading on the NYSE under the symbol COF. 



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How much can I earn as a home health nurse?

If you're a registered nurse, the Bureau of Labor Statistics says the median salary was $63,300 (2009).  A licensed home health care nurse had a median income of $42,300, and a home health care nursing aide earned about $23,000 a year.  Remember, median salaries are those in the middle...about half the people earn less than the median, and half earn more. 



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Does my bum look big in this?

It's hard to believe, but in the 1870s and 1880s there was a fashion for massively padding out the bottom of a dress at the back. The cushioning needed to be supported by a frame of wire or bent willow. The purpose was to emphasize the woman's derriere. This structure was called a bustle for a dress.  And that's the only time in European history that it has been safe for a man to answer "yes" to the question "Does my bum look big in this?".

How much did the Dow Jones drop from Dec. 31, 1929, to June 30, 1930?

You can get the history of the Dow pretty easily, along with other stock indexes and individual stocks.  A lot of sites will do it, but I usually turn to Yahoo Finance for stock market history.  The Dow closed at $241.70 on December 2, 1929.  The closing price on June 30, 1930 was 226.34.  It would be another two years before the Dow hit its all time low of $41.62 on July 5, 1932.

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What is the National Electric Code all about?

Actually, it's the National Electrical Code, and it's all about safety.  The Code is a set of standards established by the National Fire Protection Association, and as you can probably guess by now, they're designed to promote fire safety for electrical installations


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Friday, June 4, 2010

How can I get a free criminal background check on someone?

I hate to say it, but these days it pays to be careful, whether hiring a babysitter, going on a date, or entering a business partnership.  Inquiring minds want to know: Does this guy have a criminal record?  There are a number of online resources where you can check a person's background at no charge, and identify criminal records, prison time, sexual offender status, and other important information.  Start with CriminalSearches.com and other people-check resources.

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I just started up a new business as an LLC. Can I trademark my name?

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Trademark an LLC?  Sure.  Why not? Go for it. 

There's nothing about a business being an LLC (limited liability corporation) as opposed to, say, a partnership or sole proprietorship, that would prevent it from registering a trademark.  But keep in mind that trademarks mostly protect individual products and services, rather than company names. An LLC has to work within the existing trademark system, just like any other business.

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I was told I need a real estate certificate of redemption for taxes. What the heck is that?

certificate of redemption means that you (ahem) fell behind on payment of your real estate property taxes, but have now redeemed yourself (and your property) by paying your back taxes, as well as any interest and fees owed.  The certificate is proof that you are up-to-date, so keep it in a safe place.

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Are there really diamonds in Rolex Oyster watches?

It's hard to say exactly what a Rolex Oyster watch is, as the company uses the brand name Oyster to refer both to watches, and to bracelet-style watch bands.  Most Oyster watches use gems other than diamonds.  But the Rolex Datejust Special Edition watch with the Oyster Special Edition bracelet has diamonds coming out the wahzoo. 

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How many Nike factories are there?

To manufacture running shoes, clothing, and other sports gear, Nike uses the services of more than 700 factories in 46 countries around the world, with a labor force of more than 800,000 workers.  Nike publishes a detailed list of the factories around the world who work as company contractors; they are one of the few companies that make such information public as part of their corporate responsibility ethic. 

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Thursday, June 3, 2010

What is an Emergency Dark Site?

When an emergency happens (think: H1N1 flu; BP oil spill), existing web sites can get flooded with traffic from people looking for information.  That's when an Emergency Dark Site leaps into action -- a site pre-designed to handle emergency traffic, but it sits "dark" until the actual need arises. 

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What is a Good Credit Score?

In short, a good credit score is one that is high enough to get you the loan you want at the rate you want. The actual number that is considered to be a good credit score depends on the type of loan you plan to get and the institution you are working with. In general, you can get the best rates on a mortgage if your score is above 760 and the best rates on an auto loan if your score is above 720.

Even if your FICO credit score is lower, you can still get a loan, but you may have to pay a larger down payment or higher interest rate. It's a good idea to check your credit score well before you apply for a loan so that you aren't surprised if it is lower than you thought. If you plan ahead, you can take steps to improve your credit score and get a better rate.

Are there any free newspaper archives online?

Yes indeed!  There are hundreds of free newspaper archives from all over the world, and covering news from last few weeks, the last few years and the last few centuries.  These are great resources for family history searching, or just browsing through the pages of history as it happened.

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What is a legitimate way to make money on the internet?

Can you earn $1,000 a day with 2 hours of work?  Nah!  Stay away (far, far away) from any too good to be true internet scams.  But there are dozens of legit ways to earn money online, from writing content, to posting photos, to freelancing, to (believe it or not) reviewing music.  You won't get rich quick, but you can start earning some extra cash. 

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Where can I get a totally free website and domain name?

Would you believe that Microsoft gives away free websites and domain names?  There are other free sources as well, but Microsoft has one of the best offerings available, and is certainly worth checking out.

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Can I find out someone's social security number?

Social security numbers are private, and are mostly kept that way.  But believe it or not, there are times when you can find out someone's SSN...and it may be a lot easier than you think.  It's especially easy to find a social security number for someone who has passed away with a tool called the Social Security Death Index

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Wednesday, June 2, 2010

I got a letter that said I won a foreign lottery, could this be true?

If you didn't buy a ticket you did not win! Lottery scammers think they are smart sending out letters or emails saying that you have won a large amount of money in a lottery. All they need from you is your bank account and personal information in order to deposit your substantial winnings. They are really looking to take your money. Do not send money or give out your personal information. Just the act of responding puts your name on their active list to receive more such fraudulent announcements. The best thing to do is turn the letter over to your local postmaster. If the U.S. Mail was used in the scam a complaint should be filed with the U.S. Postal Inspector.




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Where Can I Buy Sugar Free Candy?

You can buy sugar free candy online at a few locations but if you’re looking for a really nice gift idea for that special Dad this Father’s Day, don’t bypass the sugar free candy idea.  Dads like chocolate too!  And even if Dad has to limit his sugar intake these days, you can still get a really nice sugar free gift basket delivered right to his door in time for Father’s Day!

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

How Can I Clean My Own Teeth?

It’s pretty easy to assume that no one wants to go to the dentist – ever!  But it’s one of those things that you just can’t avoid unless you’re very, very lucky.  If you are looking for ways to clean your own teeth in between doctor visits, you may want to invest in a Dental Pick and Scaler Kit that will make it easy for you to stay on top of plaque and tartar build up that causes cavities and gum disease.  It’s easy to do and your dentist will be glad to show you how to maintain your healthy smile the right way!

Can I Resell Used Textbooks?

Absolutely! Since textbooks can often cost several hundred dollars, getting a few bucks back at the end of class is a good thing. There are a variety of places to sell your used textbooks--the campus bookstore, for instance--but online resources often will give you top dollar. You'll need it; the next semester is right around the corner.