Conservapedia - User contributions [en]

GNU/Linux

2007-09-23T18:47:03Z

Brewer13210: Added Linux pre-installed section.

[[Image:Tuxie.jpg|thumb|right|"Tux", the Linux mascot|90px]]
'''Linux''' is a [[UNIX]]-like operating system. It incorporates the Linux "[[kernel]]" developed by Finnish grad student [[Linus Torvalds]].

The [[source code]] is distributed freely under the [[open source]] ''[[General Public License]]'' (''GPL'').

Originally the term "Linux" was used to refer to just the [[kernel]] developed by Torvalds, but today it is used interchangeably to refer to both the kernel and a complete operating system which includes the kernel, graphical user interface, file system and other software, collectively known as a ''distribution''. Major Linux distributions include [http://www.redhat.com/ Red Hat], [http://www.novell.com/linux/ Suse] and [http://www.ubuntu.com/ Ubuntu].

Linux is a unix style operating system. It is known to run 6 or more of the world's top supercomputers.{{fact}} It has legendary reliability.{{who says}} Linux servers can run without reboot for years.{{fact}} It is worth mentioning that there are other free operating systems not based on the Linux kernel that Linux borrow from and has been a source of inspiration to: namely freebsd, openBSD, netBSD, and dragonflyBSD, and the more recent Minix 3 and openSolaris. Free operating systems allow a great deal of new ideas to be tried and collaboration made possible by the Internet makes teams easy to form. NetBSD is famous for running on almost any hardware{{fact}}, OpenBSD is perhaps the most secure operating system in the world{{fact}}, and freeBSD has been powering computers for free since before Linux became popular{{fact}}. Opensolaris is a free version of SUN microsystems proprietary Solaris OS.

Newer distributions of Linux continually raise the bar for usability and creativity. Archlinux, Gentoo, and Gobolinux are 3 interesting distributions.

Owing to the nature of open source software, many variants of a Linux distribution may be created by using the original code and making changes to it to suit a particular need. For example, there is also a Ubuntu [[Christian]] Edition.<ref>[http://www.whatwouldjesusdownload.com/christianubuntu/2006/07/about-ubuntu-christian-edition.html Ubuntu Christian Edition]</ref>

Mark Shuttleworth, who is the founder of the Ubuntu Linux distribution, said about the Satanic version of Kubuntu: "Ubuntu is a broad church! We manage to keep both [[GNOME Desktop|GNOME]] and [[KDE]] folks happy and collaborating constructively, so this should be no trouble at all. Our guiding rules are enshrined in the Ubuntu Code of Conduct<ref>[http://www.ubuntu.com/community/conduct]</ref>, and as long as all sides are following that, there’s no problem with derivatives that are focused on such diverse user bases."<ref>http://www.desktoplinux.com/news/NS2432715660.html</ref>
[[Image:Gnomesword large.png|right|thumb|250px|Screenshot of Ubuntu Christian Edition.]]
Linux has become one the most commonly adopted operating systems in the world{{fact}}. While personal computers still overwhelmingly use [[Microsoft]] operating systems such as Windows XP, Linux is a common choice for web servers, file servers and embedded platforms, thanks to its perceived reliability, low/no cost, and the fact that modifications to the source code can readily be made by anyone.

As an example, in March of 2007 the server hosting the the Conservapedia web site was running the Linux operating system<ref>[http://toolbar.netcraft.com/site_report?url=http://www.conservapedia.com NetCraft site report for Conservapedia.com]</ref>

==Linux Pre-Installed==
From it's inception, and with exception of the server market, it was difficult to find new computers available with Linux pre-installed. Users typically have to download the Linux distribution of their choice and install it on a computer themselves, slowing the uptake of computers using a desktop version of Linux, as many home computer users find installing an operating system a difficult task. This situation changed in 2007 when [[Dell]] started selling laptop and desktop computers to the general public with Linux pre-installed<ref>[http://www.dell.com/content/topics/global.aspx/alliances/en/linux?c=us&cs=555&l=en&s=biz]</ref>. As of October 2007, Dell was selling "home" computers available with [[Ubuntu]] Linux, and business workstations with [[Red Hat]] Linux.

== References ==
<references />

==External links==
*[http://www.kernel.org/ The Linux Kernel Archives]
*[http://www.linux-foundation.org/en/Main_Page The Linux Foundation]

[[Category:Information technology]]

Universe

2007-05-06T02:08:56Z

Brewer13210: The universe is not expanding at the speed of light.

The [[universe]] is everything there is in regards to material existence.

Some scientists believe that the universe formed approximately 14 billion years ago, and [[Big Bang Theory|has been expanding]] ever since, making it about 28 billion [[light year]]s across. Interestingly, modern scientific ideas about the nature of the universe hypothesize that for any location, it appears that that location is at the center of this expansion.

== Young Earth Creationism View ==
Young earth [[creationism|creationists]] scientists also believe that the [[First law of thermodynamics|first law of thermodynamics]] and [[Second law of thermodynamics|second law of thermodynamics]] argue against an eternal universe and they also claim that these laws point to the universe being supernaturally created. <ref>[http://godevidences.net/space/lawsofscience.php Evidences for God From Space—Laws of Science]</ref><ref>Thompson, Bert, [http://www.apologeticspress.org/articles/2329 So Long, Eternal Universe; Hello Beginning, Hello End!], 2001 (Apologetics Press)</ref> In addition, these scientists assert the [[theory of evolution]] has had considerable influence on fields outside of biology and this includes the field of [[astronomy]]. For example, it is common for astronomers to refer to the "evolution of the universe".<ref>http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v435/n7042/edsumm/e050602-01.html</ref> [[Young earth creationism|Young earth creationist]] scientists believe the evolutionary view has had a negative effect on science of astronomy and that [[Materialism|materialistic]] explanations of the the origins of various astronomical bodies are insufficient and counter evidence.<ref>http://www.creationscience.com/onlinebook/AstroPhysicalSciences.html</ref><ref>http://www.creationontheweb.com/content/view/3836</ref>
Young earth creationist scientists also contest the [[Big Bang Theory]] stating that it is scientifically unsound.
<ref name="BB Critique">Thompson, Bert, Harrub, Brad, and May, Branyon [http://www.apologeticspress.org/modules.php?name=Read&cat=1&itemid=22 The Big Bang Theory—A Scientific Critique] ''Apologetics Press'', May 2003 - 23[5]:32-34,36-47.</ref>
<ref>Brown, Walt, 2001, [http://www.creationscience.com/onlinebook/AstroPhysicalSciences16.html Big Bang?]</ref><ref>http://www.apologeticspress.org/articles/309</ref><ref>http://www.apologeticspress.org/articles/2047</ref><ref>http://www.icr.org/article/343/</ref> In addition, creationists often cite the secular scientific literature in order to make the case that materialist explanations of various astromical bodies are inadequate:

“...most every prediction by theorists about [[planet|planetary]] formation has been wrong.” Scott Tremaine, as quoted by Richard A. Kerr, “Jupiters Like Our Own Await Planet Hunters,” Science, Vol. 295, 25 January 2002, p. 605.<ref>http://www.creationscience.com/onlinebook/ReferencesandNotes43.html</ref>

“We don’t understand how a single [[star]] forms, yet we want to understand how 10 billion stars form.” Carlos Frenk, as quoted by Robert Irion, “Surveys Scour the Cosmic Deep,” Science, Vol. 303, 19 March 2004, p. 1750. <ref>http://www.creationscience.com/onlinebook/ReferencesandNotes60.html</ref>

“We cannot even show convincingly how [[Galaxy|galaxies]], stars, planets, and life arose in the present universe.” Michael Rowan-Robinson, “Review of the Accidental Universe,” New Scientist, Vol. 97, 20 January 1983, p. 186. <ref>http://www.creationscience.com/onlinebook/ReferencesandNotes61.html</ref>

==References==
<references/>

[[Category:Astronomy]]

Universe

2007-05-06T02:08:01Z

Brewer13210:

The [[universe]] is everything there is in regards to material existence.

Some scientists believe that the universe formed approximately 14 billion years ago, and [[Big Bang Theory|has been expanding]] at the [[speed of light]] ever since, making it about 28 billion [[light year]]s across. Interestingly, modern scientific ideas about the nature of the universe hypothesize that for any location, it appears that that location is at the center of this expansion.

== Young Earth Creationism View ==
Young earth [[creationism|creationists]] scientists also believe that the [[First law of thermodynamics|first law of thermodynamics]] and [[Second law of thermodynamics|second law of thermodynamics]] argue against an eternal universe and they also claim that these laws point to the universe being supernaturally created. <ref>[http://godevidences.net/space/lawsofscience.php Evidences for God From Space—Laws of Science]</ref><ref>Thompson, Bert, [http://www.apologeticspress.org/articles/2329 So Long, Eternal Universe; Hello Beginning, Hello End!], 2001 (Apologetics Press)</ref> In addition, these scientists assert the [[theory of evolution]] has had considerable influence on fields outside of biology and this includes the field of [[astronomy]]. For example, it is common for astronomers to refer to the "evolution of the universe".<ref>http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v435/n7042/edsumm/e050602-01.html</ref> [[Young earth creationism|Young earth creationist]] scientists believe the evolutionary view has had a negative effect on science of astronomy and that [[Materialism|materialistic]] explanations of the the origins of various astronomical bodies are insufficient and counter evidence.<ref>http://www.creationscience.com/onlinebook/AstroPhysicalSciences.html</ref><ref>http://www.creationontheweb.com/content/view/3836</ref>
Young earth creationist scientists also contest the [[Big Bang Theory]] stating that it is scientifically unsound.
<ref name="BB Critique">Thompson, Bert, Harrub, Brad, and May, Branyon [http://www.apologeticspress.org/modules.php?name=Read&cat=1&itemid=22 The Big Bang Theory—A Scientific Critique] ''Apologetics Press'', May 2003 - 23[5]:32-34,36-47.</ref>
<ref>Brown, Walt, 2001, [http://www.creationscience.com/onlinebook/AstroPhysicalSciences16.html Big Bang?]</ref><ref>http://www.apologeticspress.org/articles/309</ref><ref>http://www.apologeticspress.org/articles/2047</ref><ref>http://www.icr.org/article/343/</ref> In addition, creationists often cite the secular scientific literature in order to make the case that materialist explanations of various astromical bodies are inadequate:

“...most every prediction by theorists about [[planet|planetary]] formation has been wrong.” Scott Tremaine, as quoted by Richard A. Kerr, “Jupiters Like Our Own Await Planet Hunters,” Science, Vol. 295, 25 January 2002, p. 605.<ref>http://www.creationscience.com/onlinebook/ReferencesandNotes43.html</ref>

“We don’t understand how a single [[star]] forms, yet we want to understand how 10 billion stars form.” Carlos Frenk, as quoted by Robert Irion, “Surveys Scour the Cosmic Deep,” Science, Vol. 303, 19 March 2004, p. 1750. <ref>http://www.creationscience.com/onlinebook/ReferencesandNotes60.html</ref>

“We cannot even show convincingly how [[Galaxy|galaxies]], stars, planets, and life arose in the present universe.” Michael Rowan-Robinson, “Review of the Accidental Universe,” New Scientist, Vol. 97, 20 January 1983, p. 186. <ref>http://www.creationscience.com/onlinebook/ReferencesandNotes61.html</ref>

==References==
<references/>

[[Category:Astronomy]]

Universe

2007-05-06T02:00:12Z

Brewer13210: Added required references tag to show references.

The [[universe]] is everything there is in regards to material existence.

Some scientists, particularly atheists, believe that the universe formed approximately 14 billion years ago, and [[Big Bang Theory|has been expanding]] at the [[speed of light]] ever since, making it about 28 billion [[light year]]s across. Interestingly, modern scientific ideas about the nature of the universe hypothesize that for any location, it appears that that location is at the center of this expansion.

== Young Earth Creationism View ==
Young earth [[creationism|creationists]] scientists also believe that the [[First law of thermodynamics|first law of thermodynamics]] and [[Second law of thermodynamics|second law of thermodynamics]] argue against an eternal universe and they also claim that these laws point to the universe being supernaturally created. <ref>[http://godevidences.net/space/lawsofscience.php Evidences for God From Space—Laws of Science]</ref><ref>Thompson, Bert, [http://www.apologeticspress.org/articles/2329 So Long, Eternal Universe; Hello Beginning, Hello End!], 2001 (Apologetics Press)</ref>
Young earth creationist scientists also contest the [[Big Bang Theory]] stating that it is scientifically unsound.
<ref name="BB Critique">Thompson, Bert, Harrub, Brad, and May, Branyon [http://www.apologeticspress.org/modules.php?name=Read&cat=1&itemid=22 The Big Bang Theory—A Scientific Critique] ''Apologetics Press'', May 2003 - 23[5]:32-34,36-47.</ref>
<ref>Brown, Walt, 2001, [http://www.creationscience.com/onlinebook/AstroPhysicalSciences16.html Big Bang?]</ref><ref>http://www.apologeticspress.org/articles/309</ref><ref>http://www.apologeticspress.org/articles/2047</ref><ref>http://www.icr.org/article/343/</ref> In addition, creationists often cite the secular scientific literature in order to make the case that materialist explanations of various astromical bodies are inadequate:

==References==
<references/>

[[Category:Astronomy]]

Talk:Universe

2007-05-06T01:47:04Z

Brewer13210:

I don't think this is an appropriate page. Linking to Wikipedia is A: Not really credible and B: Sort of against this site's mantra.--[[User:Elamdri|Elamdri]] 01:47, 12 March 2007 (EDT)

*What is unclear is whether it is only everything that is material, or if it also includes such immaterial concepts as [[Heaven]] and [[hell]]. While the universe is apparently very large and very old, this might merely be an illusion, created to make life interesting, and to perhaps distract us from [[spiritual]] pursuits by filling our minds with [[material]] concerns.
:Thanks, [[user:Ed Poor]], for quoting here what you removed that I once typed in the article. Maybe it was bit over the top? [[User:Human|Human]] 22:15, 18 April 2007 (EDT)

Does it have to say "Some scientists, particularly atheists"? It seems a little silly. There are many religious people, scientists included, who believe in an old universe. I would really like to remove the "particularly atheists" phrase, but considering the [[User:Aschlafly|source]] owns this site, I feel I should discuss it here first. [[User:Human|Human]] 21:14, 5 May 2007 (EDT)
:This is supposed to be an encyclopedia. Unless there is a source showing that astronomers/physicists who believe in the big bang/old universe theory are predominately atheists (and I believe you would be hard pressed to do so), it should be removed [[User:Brewer13210|Brewer13210]] 21:47, 5 May 2007 (EDT)

Environmentalist

2007-04-25T16:44:25Z

Brewer13210: It was a joke...now with reference.

Environmentalists are people who express concern about protecting [[the environment]], however some environmental organizations and movements have been used for politcal purposes with other objectives than direct concern for the environment or environmentalism. <ref>[http://www.attacreport.com/ar_terror/tframe.php?region=namerica&group=gp ATTAC Terror Report]</ref> Many claiming to be environmentalists support a program of reducing usage of power and materials, and the reusing and recycling of waste.

American Pop Star [[Sheryl Crow]], while touring the [[United States]] to raise consciousness about [[global warming]] and forest conservation made international headlines by making a joke calling for regulation of how much toilet paper an individual may use. <ref>''Washington Post'', [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/04/21/AR2007042101385_pf.html Saving the Earth: The Biodiesel Bus Blog], April 22, 2007. </ref>
<ref>BBC News, [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/6583067.stm ''Crow calls for limit on loo paper''], 23 April 2007. </ref><ref>http://www.abcnews.go.com/GMA/story?id=3071833&page=1</ref> Crow told ABC's ''Good Morning America'',

:"I propose a limitation be put on how many squares of toilet paper can be used in any one sitting."''

==References==
<references/>

Environmentalist

2007-04-25T16:07:41Z

Brewer13210: It was a joke...removed unsubstantiated reference.

Environmentalists are people who express concern about protecting [[the environment]]. Many environmentalists support the reduction of power usage and raw materials, and the reusing and recycling of waste.

American Pop Star [[Sheryl Crow]], while touring the [[United States]] to raise consciousness about [[global warming]] and forest conservation made international headlines when she made a joke by calling for regulation of how much toilet paper an individual may use. <ref>''Washington Post'', [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/04/21/AR2007042101385_pf.html Saving the Earth: The Biodiesel Bus Blog], April 22, 2007. </ref>
<ref>BBC News, [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/6583067.stm ''Crow calls for limit on loo paper''], 23 April 2007. </ref> Crow told ABC's ''Good Morning America'',

:"I propose a limitation be put on how many squares of toilet paper can be used in any one sitting."''

==References==
<references/>

Gun

2007-04-22T21:35:35Z

Brewer13210: Added references section

A '''gun''' is a weapon which fires a bullet, dart or other projectile.

The three main types of modern firearms today are bolt-operated, semi-automatic, and automatic weapons. In a bolt-action weapon, each new [[round (ordnance)|round]] must be chambered manually, by moving the breech to eject the empty casing. In semi-automatic weapons, each pull of the trigger fires a bullet. In fully automatic weapons, bullets will be fired as long as the trigger is depressed until either the trigger is released, or the ammunition is exhausted.

[[Science fiction]], such as [[Star Trek]], has postulated many different types of directed energy weapons. These are guns that fire beams, waves, or packets of energy. Some energy guns can be set to stun, not to wound or kill.

The cultural issues surrounding guns are many and widely debated. [[Conservative]]s generally prefer to reserve for the [[individualism|individual]] [[the right to self-defense]] through the use of guns and other weapons. [[Liberal]]s generally prefer to delegate this right to guards, police, and the military.{{fact}}

Law-abiding citizens carrying guns are statistically an effective deterrent and defense against lawless or criminal individuals. This has certainly been shown in the USA, which had 11,350 murders by shooting in 2005<ref>http://www.fbi.gov/ucr/05cius/data/table_01.html</ref>, compared with 50 in 2005/06 in the UK, which restricts the possession of handguns.<ref>http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/pdfs07/hosb0207.pdf</ref> However, it should be noted, that the USA has a population approximately 5 times greater than the UK,<ref>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Usa</ref> <ref>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uk</ref> so the number of murders by shooting is only approximately 450 times higher.

[[Second Amendment|Guns are also a defense against a tyrannical government.]] Theoretically, if a person has the power to take the life of another, other people will not perpetrate criminal offenses against them. In practice, few existing civilian militias are strong enough to withstand sustained warfare by a government's army. Also, countries with high rates of gun ownership, such as present-day [[Iraq]] or many countries in sub-Sharana [[Africa]], are not guaranteed to have a low crime rate.

==Military Usage==

In the military, the word "gun" is usually used to describe a weapon with an area effect. Examples include some indirect fire weapons such as field guns, large-caliber cannons (greater than 20mm), and machine guns.{{fact}}
==See also==
*[[Gun Control]]
==References==
<references/>

[[Category:Guns]]

Mozilla Firefox

2007-04-20T16:07:43Z

Brewer13210: Expanded article

[[Image:Firefox-first-run.png|right|thumb|Mozilla Firefox v2.0 running on [[Windows Vista]].|300px]]
'''Mozilla Firefox''' is an [[open source]] web browser developed by the [http://www.mozilla.org/foundation/ Mozilla Foundation]. The software is licensed under the ''Mozilla Public License version 1.1'' and is the main competitor of [[Microsoft]]'s [[Internet Explorer]].

Firefox was originally developed as an offshoot of the Mozilla Browser project, developed by [[Netscape]], as a lightweight version of the software. The original Mozilla browser was extremely feature rich, including such things as an [[HTML]] editor, which created a large and correspondingly slow piece of software. Firefox has gone through several name changes, all due to existing trademarks. It was originally named ''Phoenix'', then ''Firebird'' and finally ''Firefox''.

Since it's original release in 2003, Firefox has had a continued increase in the market share of web browsers. Exact numbers are difficult to determine, but as of March 2007, in North America Firefox had a 15% share<ref>http://marketshare.hitslink.com/report.aspx?qprid=0</ref>, and 25% in Europe<ref>http://www.xitimonitor.com/en-us/browsers-barometer/firefox-march-2007/index-1-2-3-77.html</ref>.

The browser is officially supported in 41 languages<ref>http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/all.html</ref>, and is available for the different versions of Microsoft [[Windows]], [[Apple]] Mac [[OS X]], and [[Linux]] operating systems. Unofficial builds are available for Sun Microsystems Solaris, BSD and other operating systems.

==External Links==
[http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/ Firefox Home Page]

==References==
<references/>

[[category:information technology]]

Loch Ness Monster

2007-04-20T13:31:17Z

Brewer13210:

The '''Loch Ness monster''', also known as Nessie, is a well known [[cryptid]] claimed to live in [[Loch Ness]], a large lake in Scotland. Since 1933 Nessie sightings have been regularly reported.

==Nessie's Identity==

There are numerous theories on what the identity of Nessie is, but each one has its problems. Undoubtedly the favorite theory of Loch Ness monster enthusiasts is the [[plesiosaur]].

===The Plesiosaur===
[[Plesiosaur]] is actually a broad term for extinct marine [[reptiles]] with long necks and flippers, but no one knows what type of plesiosaur the Loch Ness monster is. The elasmosaur, one of the largest of the plesiosaurs, is the considered to be the best candidate of those animals. There are others that also fit the description.

The infamous photographs taken by Robert H. Rines fit the plesiosaur theory, but with their confirmation as hoaxes they cannot be used as evidence. Plesiosaurs are generally believed to have died off approximately 70 million years ago, and while the survival of ''Coelocanth'' gives hope to cryptozoologists, the difficulties of a large, air-breathing reptile never being decisively spotted seem to speak against the possibility of a surviving plesiosaur. In addition, especially for as large a creature as a plesiosaur, the relative dearth of fish in Loch Ness would speak against the capability for supporting an isolated population of large animals.

Besides the hoax photograph, the plesiosaur theory has other problems. Loch Ness was created by glaciation, and the plesiosaur fossil evidence suggests that they lived in warm shallow seas. If Nessie was a plesiosaur, it would mean that a breeding population of cold-blooded reptiles survived for millions of years past the last evidence of their existence, swam in to the retreating cold glacial waters surrounding Scotland, and became trapped in the loch.<ref>http://www.loch-ness.org/candidates.html</ref>

===The Eel===
Probably the most scientifically plausible theory is that the Loch Ness monster could be an eel. Eels fit the hump description much better than the plesiosaur, but one of its faults is that the monster often sticks its head up out of the water, a characteristic not usually attributed to the eel. Another is that no eel has been found that reaches the alleged length of the Loch Ness monster. The largest known eel, the conger eel, reaches about 10 feet long and about 250 to 350 pounds.

===The Zeuglodon===
The [[zeuglodon]], or [[basilosaurus]], is considered to be another likely candidate for the Loch Ness monster by believers. It is a long, slender, fairly serpentine whale, which is believed to have died out long ago, but a few could conceivably have survived to today. The alleged monster of Okanagan, referred to as Ogopogo, also seems to be this sort of creature. The zeuglodon may actually be too large however; they grew to over 70 feet in length, yet tales of the size of the Loch Ness monster do not seem to exceed around 50 feet in length. It also shares one of the problems that the eel has; it doesn't have a long neck to stick out of the water.

==Other explanations==

===Trees===
The most likely explanation for many of the sightings was described in [[New Scientist]] as a rotting tree. As sunken trees rot they release a gas that could rise to the top of the surface, the trunk and branches of such trees resemble what many of the sightings claim to see. <ref>“The Loch Ness Saga,” by Dr. Maurice Burton, New Scientist, June 24, 1982, p. 872; July 1, 1982, pp. 41-42; July 8, 1982, pp. 112-113.</ref>

===Boat wakes===
Due to the shape of the lake, boat wakes in can create large standing waves that appear to rise above the lake. These elongated shapes might explain many of the sightings. <ref>http://www.biology.qmul.ac.uk/research/staff/s-araya/currents.htm#Internal%20progressive%20waves</ref>

==History of alleged Sightings==
What may be the first sighting of the Loch Ness monster was in 565 AD by the missionary [[Saint Columba]], who was visiting [[Scotland]] to spread the [[Gospel]]. He needed to cross the loch, so one of his followers swam out in the water to reach their boat, which had not been tied properly and had floated away from shore. Then a large creature arose from the water and seemed that it was going to devour the man. Saint Columba ordered the rest of his followers to be quiet, and in the name of [[Jesus]] rebuked the monster. The creature drew back "as if pulled by ropes" and the man was left unharmed.

The modern history of Nessie began in 1933 when a new road was completed along the northern shore of the Loch, providing easy access to unobstructed views of the water. Soon after this, a couple spotted an "enormous animal" in the Loch. The ''Inverness Courier'' wrote up their sighting, describing what they saw as a "monster;" intense media interest followed; and thus was born the modern legend of the Loch Ness Monster.

On November 12, 1933, Hugh Gray was walking back from [[church]] when he saw an "object of considerable dimensions—making a big splash with spray on the surface" of the Loch. Luckily he had his [[camera]] with him, so he began taking pictures. Only one of the pictures showed anything. Nessie believers hailed it as the first photographic evidence of the monster. Skeptics, however, dismissed it as a blurry mess that doesn't show anything at all

On April 19, 1934, Colonel Robert Wilson, a surgeon, was driving along the north shore of the Loch early in the morning when he noticed something large moving in the water, so he stopped and took a picture of it. At least, that was his story. For the next sixty years this picture was regarded as one of the best pieces of evidence of Nessie's existence and was known as the Surgeon's Photo. It wasn't until 1994 that the full truth came out. What Wilson had taken a picture of was not the Loch Ness Monster. It was a toy [[dinosaur]]'s head attached to a toy [[submarine]] . Moreover, Wilson hadn't even taken the infamous photograph. He had simply been the frontman for an elaborate [[hoax]].

===Other Scottish Monsters===
There is another creature reputed to be living in Loch Morar.<ref>http://www.cfz.org.uk/expeditions/morag/morag.htm</ref> It may be a close relative of the monster in Loch Ness. The Scottish parliament has recently initiated an investigation to determine if a breeding program could be established.

Whatever the Loch Ness monster may be, nearly all scientists are still unconvinced of its existence.

==References==
*http://www.cryptozoology.com/
*http://www.nessie.co.uk/
*http://www.britishcongerclub.org.uk/
*http://www.museumofhoaxes.com
*http://www.cfz.org.uk/expeditions/morag/morag.htm
[[Category: Biology]]

Walmart

2007-04-20T02:37:07Z

Brewer13210:

Wal-mart is America's largest employer, running a chain of no-frills department stores. It mainly sell imports of products manufactured in China.{{fact}}

Wal Mart is often the subject of criticism for paying low wages without health benefits and allegedly forcing "Mom and Pop" stores out of business. The company's defenders reply that Wal-mart is a well-known provider of decent employment and cheap merchandise across America and the rest of the world. Wal-mart's wages average significantly higher than minimum wage, but lower than in other retail companies.{{fact}}

Global warming

2007-04-19T22:20:27Z

Brewer13210: /* Scientific background */ - added graph

The '''global warming controversy''' centers on the controversial theory that the earth's atmosphere is heating up at a dangerous rate, because of human activities such as [[greenhouse gas]] emissions from burning [[fossil fuels]] (see [[Anthropogenic global warming]]). Some scientists feel that immediate (not to say drastic) action must be taken to reduce these omissions (see [[Kyoto Protocol]]).

The theory enjoys wide political support, though some climatologists and meteorologists disagree with it. The United Nations' climate panel ([[UNIPCC]]) has assessed the theory and found that there is a "scientific consensus" in favor of it. Scientists [[Richard Lindzen]] and John Christy, among others, deny that such a consensus exists.{{fact}}

Whether or not there is a scientific consensus on the matter, there is wide agreement among the American public that Global Warming is a reality. A poll conducted March 11-14 of 2007 found that the majority of the American public (59%) believes we are already seeing the effects of Global Warming, an additional 3% and 8% respectively believe they will see the effects with in a few years or within their lifetime, and 19% believe that Global Warming will be seen, not in their lifetime, but in future generations—only a small minority 8% believe that Global Warming will never happen. <ref>Poling report on Gallup poll for March 11-14, 2007[http://www.pollingreport.com/enviro.htm]</ref>

The name is inaccurate, and should be '''Global Climate Change''', as the increasing amount of heat stored in the atmosphere has had disruptive effects leading to colder weather in some areas.

== Scientific background ==
[[Image:Co2 concentration.gif|thumb|right|Graph of CO2 concentration from 1900 to 2000<ref>http://www.oism.org/pproject/s33p36.htm</ref>]]
The theory of climate change concerns many varied factors, but one of the most commonly cited is that of 'the [[greenhouse effect]].'

This is the phenomenon that occurs when high energy solar radiation loses energy upon entry to the Earth's atmosphere. It then is 'trapped' inside it, thus heating up the Earth, to the extent of approximately 25 ºF. It cannot escape, however, as it has a lower frequency and thus cannot re-penetrate the atmosphere. This is essential for the survival on life on Earth, but proponents of climate change theory argue that this system is being unbalanced by a human-caused (anthropogenic) increase in levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide, which trap more heat in, raising the overall temperature. They argue that this would have numerous adverse effects; it could cause polar ice to melt, thus raising sea levels, and could cause desertification to already vulnerable regions. <ref>http://www.bbc.co.uk/climate/evidence/greenhouse_effect_img.shtml</ref>

== History ==
The [[United Nations]] says that scientific theory is widely accepted within the scientific community<ref>http://www.ipcc.ch/</ref>, but individual scientists such as [[Richard Lindzen]], [[John Cristy]], and [[Fred Singer]] say that there is no scientific consensus.{{fact-science}}

Conservatives who are opposed to the political proposals that flow from acceptance of the theory, are skeptical of the theorists, and challenge the scientific validity of portions of the theory.

:1) The theory that we are currently in a period of climate change consisting of increasing temperature, which, if it were to continue, would have important socio-economic consequences well within the next century.

:2) The theory that this change is caused by increasing CO2 gasses and a resulting "greenhouse" effect.

:3) The theory that this change is caused by human activity, mostly industrial emissions of carbon-based "greenhouse gasses."
Much of the discussion of climate change concerns

:4) The proposal that global warming can and should be reversed by taking large-scale international action to reduce greenhouse emissions.

Point #1 has become very widely accepted in the past few decades, even by conservatives who were once skeptical, but argue that the rising temperature is due to other factors. <ref>http://www.nationalcenter.org/WCT012304.html</ref> <ref>http://www.californiaconservative.org/liberals/global-warming-an-ardent-liberal-opens-up/</ref>
<ref>http://gristmill.grist.org/story/2007/3/5/91239/48194</ref>

Point #1 is argued against by those showing record cold temperatures around the globe. These record cold spells tend to be in isolated locations, and the arctic and antarctic, telling indicators of global temperature trends, are both heating, and fast. <ref>http://www.physorg.com/news2860.html</ref> <ref>http://www.erh.noaa.gov/box/productDisplay.php?product=BOSRERBOS</ref> <ref>http://www.breitbart.com/news/2005/12/07/D8EBMGIO0.html</ref>

Points #2 and point #3 are more controversial, although widely accepted by many scientists. Point #3 is the one most attacked by global warming skeptics.

Point #4 is what the political and international debate are about. Both climate change itself, and the very large-scale actions that are proposed to combat it, would have enormous economic effects with identifiable winners and losers, resulting in an intense debate. For example, since the industrialized nations emit most of the CO2, if it were agreed that these emissions needed to be reduced sharply, the burden would fall much more heavily on these nations than on undeveloped nations. {{fact-political}}

== Al Gore and politics ==
Al Gore, Vice President under President Clinton from 1992 to 2000, is a high profile advocate of the full global warming theory. Promoters of this theory, including many prominent scientists and uneducated celebrities, call for international treaties, like one proposed in Kyoto, Japan, to limit carbon emissions using a combination of conservation and technological innovation.<ref>http://www.eia.doe.gov/oiaf/kyoto/kyotorpt.html</ref>

The theory is widely accepted within the scientific community, though that is not to say there is unanimity.<ref>Myths of Global Warming[http://www.ncpa.org/ba/ba230.html]</ref><ref>No Evidence for Global Warming[http://www.heritage.org/Press/Commentary/ed012298b.cfm]</ref> On February 2, 2007, an international panel of hundreds of scientists and representatives of 113 governments issued a report concluding:

The observed widespread warming of the atmosphere and ocean, together with ice-mass loss, support the conclusion that it is extremely unlikely that global climate change of the past 50 years can be explained without external forcing, and very likely that is not due to known natural causes alone."<ref>Borenstein, Seth (2007), "Warming 'Likely' Man-Made, Unstoppable." Associated Press, as published by Forbes[http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2007/02/02/ap3388409.html]</ref>

Al Gore's film [http://www.climatecrisis.net/] (already available on DVD that was reviewed by experts {{fact}} and in [http://www.amazon.com/Inconvenient-Truth-Planetary-Emergency-Warming/dp/1594865671 book format]) has recently been challenged by an entertaining and informative documentary on Channel 4 in the UK entitled [http://www.video.google.ca/videoplay?docid=4499562022478442170&q=Global+Warming+Swindle The Great Global Warming Swindle].<ref> http://www.channel4.com/science/microsites/G/great_global_warming_swindle/index.html</ref>. Despite the popularity of the Channel 4 documentary, experts claim it has flaws.{{fact-science}} One scientist appearing in it, Carl Wunsch, complained that he had been misled<ref>http://ocean.mit.edu/~cwunsch/papersonline/responseto_channel4.htm</ref>, and are is considering legal action against the documentary makers for misrepresenting him. However, he also released a letter to him from the producers wherein they DID inform him of their polemic intent:

*The aim of the film is to examine critically the notion that recent global warming is primarily caused by industrial emissions of CO2. It explores the scientific evidence which jars with this hypothesis and explores alternative theories such as solar induced climate change. <ref>http://ocean.mit.edu/~cwunsch/papersonline/responseto_channel4.htm</ref>

Criticisms of Mr. Gore have come not only from conservative groups and prominent skeptics of catastrophic warming, but also from rank-and-file scientists like Dr. Easterbook, who told his peers that he had no political ax to grind. A few see natural variation as more central to global warming than heat-trapping gases. Many appear to occupy a middle ground in the climate debate, seeing human activity as a serious threat but challenging what they call the extremism of both skeptics and zealots.[http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/13/science/13gore.html?_r=1&oref=slogin]

== The conservative view ==
Just as the pro-global warming scientists are benefiting from promoting global warming, the global warming skeptical scientists have had funding from energy companies. <ref>http://environment.guardian.co.uk/climatechange/story/0,,2004397,00.html</ref> It can be said that they profit from energy stock, just as well as the pro-global warming scientists. However, the skeptics are not selling carbon credits, but they are profiting from selling alternative energy products and services. {{fact}}

In the UK, Conservatives propose a bill that will tax flights to combat climate change.<ref>http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/6438685.stm</ref> Governor of California [[Arnold Schwarzenegger]] signed the Global Warming Solutions Act to try and curb global warming.<ref>http://gov.ca.gov/index.php?/press-release/4111/</ref> The Pentagon has told [[George W. Bush]] that global warming is a real threat.<ref>http://observer.guardian.co.uk/international/story/0,6903,1153513,00.html</ref> [[George W. Bush]] admits that global warming is a problem, but that there is still some debate about it.<ref>http://www.people.com/people/article/0,26334,1210402,00.html</ref>

Recently, a group of eleven retired American Generals urged the Bush administration to act on climate change as it "poses a serious threat to national security, as the US could be drawn into wars over water and other conflicts."<ref>http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6557803.stm</ref>

== Evangelical view ==
In Febuary of 2006, eighty-six evangelical church leaders backed an initative to combat global warming.<ref>http://www.nytimes.com/2006/02/08/national/08warm.html</ref> This call to action acknowledges the growing body of evidence that global warming is happening and acknowledges the pledge in 2004 that humans have "a sacred responsibility to steward the Earth and not a license to abuse the [[creation]] of which we are a part." <ref>http://www.christiansandclimate.org/statement</ref> This stance is not held by all evangelical church leaders; some of whom claim that this is distracting from other social issues.
<ref>http://www.creationcare.org/files/global_warming_briefing.pdf</ref>

A sharp difference of opinion over which issues ought to top the political agenda of Christian conservatives spilled out into the open at a March 8th meeting of the National Association of Evangelicals. Rev. Richard Cizik has been outspoken on the global warming issue, saying in a recent documentary that "to harm this world by environmental degradation is an offense against God." Cizik warned that "if you put the politics first and make it primary, I believe that is a tragic and fateful choice." The NAE has issued a press release which continues to back Cizik. <ref>http://www.abpnews.com/1833.article</ref>

== Conflicting Opinions/Data ==
The global warming theory is a scientific theory, that has been supported by many peer-reviewed journal articles, published in highly respected international scientific journals. However, some peer-reviewed articles have attacked the basic notion of a [[global temperature]].<ref>http://schwinger.harvard.edu/~motl/global-temperature-not-exist.pdf</ref>

== Global warming advocacy Websites ==
:[http://www.climatecrisis.net/ Climate Crisis] Educational website that offers information about An inconvenient truth.
:[http://www.stopglobalwarming.org/ Stop Global Warming] Sells books on stopping global warming, has a list of companies selling global warming items.
:[http://www.climateark.org/blog/ Climate Change Blog] Links to other global warming blogs.
:[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/topics/global+warming Huffington Post Global Warming Blog] Appears to promote news paper and advertising by promoting global warming.
:[http://www.realclimate.org Real Climate] Blogs maintained by scientists in the field

== Global warming Skeptist ==
:[http://www.climateaudit.org/ Climate Audit]
:[http://www.opinionjournal.com/extra/?id=110008220 Richard Lindzen's ''Wall Street Journal'' editorial]
:[http://video.google.ca/videoplay?docid=4499562022478442170&q=Global+Warming+Swindle Global Warming Swindle] Documentary Film

==Further Readings==
:[http://www.physics.harvard.edu/~motl/iris-effect.pdf Climate Sensitivity and Observed Negative Feedbacks] by Richard Lindzen and Roberto Rondanelli
:[http://www.physics.harvard.edu/~motl/lindzen-nature-of-arguments.pdf The Nature of Arguments for Anthropogenic Global Warming] by Richard Lindzen
:[http://schwinger.harvard.edu/~motl/global-temperature-not-exist.pdf Does a Global Temperature Exist?], ''Journal of Non-Equilibrium Thermodynamics'', June 2006.
:[http://www.nea.fr/html/ndd/climate/climate.pdf Nuclear Pwer and Climate Change]
:[http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/288/5469/1177?ijkey=HjRwmLXvnb.CM&keytype=ref&siteid=sci A Nuclear Solution to Climate Change?]

==References==
<references/>
[[category:earth science]]
[[category:ecology]]

Debate:Are alcohol, marijuana, and nicotine gateway drugs?

2007-04-18T22:23:28Z

Brewer13210:

{{debate}}

==YES==

If you start with any of these, you are likely to move on to harder stuff.
:Please define "likely" and your evidence that it is true. I drink and have never used either marijuana or nicotine. [[User:Brewer13210|Brewer13210]] 18:23, 18 April 2007 (EDT)

==NO==

There is no evidence for this. That's all a bunch of moralistic hooey.

Talk:Pepsi

2007-04-18T02:18:26Z

Brewer13210:

Do you have citations for these claims?[[User:Bohdan|Bohdan]]
::ha ha, I think I saw the "zionist pepsi" commercial in that documentry "Obsession".[[User:Jaques|Jaques]] 00:18, 17 April 2007 (EDT)
I am not agreeing with what the Iranian government said about Pepsi, I am just reporting that they said it, obviously what the Iranians said was absurd. --[[User:Pnt|Pnt]] 00:21, 17 April 2007 (EDT)

I understand[[User:Bohdan|Bohdan]] 00:22, 17 April 2007 (EDT)

Holy smokes..how about some paragraph breaks? [[User:Brewer13210|Brewer13210]] 22:18, 17 April 2007 (EDT)

Cancer

2007-04-17T13:53:48Z

Brewer13210: Small corrections based on linked references.

==Overview==
The term '''cancer''' refers to many different diseases. They all have in common uncontrolled ''cell proliferation'' (growth and division). Cancers are usually named for the organ or cell type that is originally involved. After beginning at one site, cancer may ''metastasize'' (spread) to other organs. The cancer is still named by its place or origin.

==Types of Cancer==
[[Image:Cancerxray.jpg|200px|right|thumb|X-Ray of patient with tumor cancer in right lung]]
[[Image:LUNG069.jpg|200px|right|thumb|Lung tumor]]
''Data are for USA''

*Most common cancers in men:
#[[Prostate cancer|Prostate]]
#[[Lung cancer|Lung]]
#[[Colon cancer|Colorectal]]

*Deadliest cancers in men:
#Lung
#Prostate
#Colon
#Pancreatic
#Leukemia
#[[Liver cancer|Liver]]
#Stomach
*Most common cancers in women
#[[Breast cancer|Breast]]
#Lung
#Colorectal

*Deadliest cancers in women
#Lung
#Breast
#Colorectal
#Pancreatic
#Uterus
#Stomach

==Prevention and Screening==
''Preventative strategies are continuously being revised. Please see references below for up to date information.''
*[[Breast cancer]]: In women without a family history of breast cancer, mammograms should be done yearly. Clinical breast exam by a medical professional should also be done yearly.
*[[Lung cancer]]: There are no currently accepted preventative guidelines
*[[Prostate cancer]]: evidence is inconclusive, but most doctors recommend yearly PSA blood test and digital rectal exam
*[[Colon cancer]]: in people without a family history of colon cancer, most sources recommend a colonoscopy at age 50, with further studies based on the results. Fecal occult blood testing should also be conducted yearly.
*[[Cervical cancer]]: yearly Pap smears should be done on all women who have been sexually active and have a cervix. Over age 65, women in monogamous relationships and recent normal Pap smears probably do not need to be screened as frequently.
*[[Testicular cancer]]: the evidence is unclear, however most physicians recommend routine testicular exams in young men.
*[[Skin cancer]]: keep skin protected from sunlight by use of clothing and sunscreen, and watch you skin for new moles, or changes in existing moles.

==References==

*http://www.cdc.gov
*http://www.cancer.org/docroot/stt/stt_0.asp
*http://www.ahrq.gov/clinic/pocketgd.htm

[[Category:Diseases]]
[[Category:Medicine]]

Talk:Extraterrestrial life

2007-04-16T19:38:57Z

Brewer13210: /* Opening Sentence */

== The Bible and Extraterrestrial Life ==

I'm not sure this interpratation is valid. Surely this passage doesn't rule out the possibility of of an unsaved alien race? [[User:Nematocyte|Nematocyte]] 11:27, 16 April 2007 (EDT)
:It absolutely does. "Let us make man in Our own image and likeness." Not, "Let us make humankind and Vulcankind and Klingonkind and Ferengikind and every other kind."--[[User:TerryH|TerryH]][[User talk:TerryH|Talk]] 12:09, 16 April 2007 (EDT)

::That doesn't mean there can't be life on other planets, though. It just means that the bible doesn't mention them in the story of creation. But the bible talks about the creation of the Earth, and doesn't really talk much about the creation of other planets or what's going on out there.--[[User:Epicurius|Epicurius]] 12:23, 16 April 2007 (EDT)

::I don't think that's what Nem. meant. He was asking, could their be Christians on other planets and if we find them will they look like us? Further, shouldn't we try to find them? [[User:Flippin|Flippin]] 12:19, 16 April 2007 (EDT)

:::If that is what Nematocyte is saying, then the burden of proof falls upon ''him'' to find a [[Bible]] reference that says that Christians or saved persons ''do'' exist on other planets. Can either of you cite ''one single verse'' in the [[Bible]] that says, or implies, that [[Jesus]] died more than the one death that is documented? Can either of you find ''one single verse'' that says, or implies, that any of the [[Apostle]]s took a trip to a world beyond the earth, inhabited by flesh-and-blood people?
:::And Nematocyte, I'll thank you to leave those verses where they were. Come up with verses that say that any kingdoms exist on worlds other than [[earth]], and I'll publish them--noting duly whether you or any other commentator has interpreted them properly. But don't tell me that "other kingdoms must exist because God doesn't say they don't."--[[User:TerryH|TerryH]][[User talk:TerryH|Talk]] 13:03, 16 April 2007 (EDT)

::You know, the bible also doesn't mention microwave ovens, but they exist. It is possible that the Christians on other planets have not been found, or those parts were left out of the bible. As far as the "other kingdoms must exist because God doesn't say they don't." I think he's right that GOD doesn't specifically say there are no Christians on other planets. Wouldn't the bible say "we're the only Christians in the universe if that were the case? [[User:Flippin|Flippin]] 14:34, 16 April 2007 (EDT)

:::"Parts left out of the Bible" cannot exist. See {{Bible ref|book=Revelation|chap=22|verses=18-19|version=NASB}}. And mere ''speculation'' about "parts left out of the Bible" do not and cannot constitute sufficient evidence of the things that you ''think'' that those "parts left out of the Bible" talk about. Or are you going to speculate, as did Dan Brown, about Leonardo da Vinci hiding a coded message about ET's?--[[User:TerryH|TerryH]][[User talk:TerryH|Talk]] 14:46, 16 April 2007 (EDT)

::::So if no parts were left out, and GOD doesn't say "ET doesn't exist" then there is room for Christians on other planets to just not be found yet? [[User:Flippin|Flippin]] 14:59, 16 April 2007 (EDT)

:::::Another [[loaded question]]. I addressed only the "parts left out of the Bible" question. There's more on what [[God]] has to say:
:::::# God promised a specific King of an Everlasting Kingdom.
:::::# This King would be the product of a specific line: the House of [[David]].
:::::# The [[Old Testament]] contains multiple prophecies anticipating this King's coming, His ministry, and His Passion.
:::::# This same King had to die in order to expiate the [[Sin (fundamentalism)|sin]] condition of an entity called "the world." The word used in that context is ''cosmos'', which means all of nature.
:::::# Furthermore, He had to die once--and ''only'' once.
:::::# One becomes a Christian by hearing the Gospel. Hearing implies someone speaking to you. Speech implies physical presence.
:::::# THrough ''one'' man--[[Adam]]--came sin into the world. Through ''one'' other Man--[[Jesus]]--is sin taken away from the world.

:::::Where is the room for extraterrestrial intelligence?--[[User:TerryH|TerryH]][[User talk:TerryH|Talk]] 15:14, 16 April 2007 (EDT)

::::Further, what if Jesus was born and died on another planet after Earth and those Christians aren't written about because it happened after the Bible? Like the Mormons. The Mormons don't appear in the Bible, but they obviously exist and Jesus obviously may have visited them. Just a bit to chew on. [[User:Flippin|Flippin]] 15:09, 16 April 2007 (EDT)
:::::Answered above. [[Jesus]] was born once, and died once. He was not and shall not be born and then die myriads of times.--[[User:TerryH|TerryH]][[User talk:TerryH|Talk]] 15:14, 16 April 2007 (EDT)

::So how does that explain the Mormons? They believe they saw Jesus back then. I don't know alot about their view, but didn't they see the actual Jesus? So, even if he only died once, couldn't he also come back a couple times? And if so, and since he's all-powerful, couldn't he do all these things on another planet? I know that sounds far-fetched, but is there a reason in the bible why he couldn't? [[User:Flippin|Flippin]] 15:17, 16 April 2007 (EDT)

== An extraterrestrial nation-state ==
The idea of an alien "nation-state" makes an unscientific assumption that they will organize like human beings do. What if they are a single organism with semi-independent drones, or a totally anarchy with every little green man for himself? --[[User:Lambchop|Lambchop]] 12:31, 16 April 2007 (EDT)
:Nothing like that figures in, for example, former President [[Jimmy Carter|Carter]]'s speculations. And I doubt that an anarchy could, or would even want to, achieve anything like what [[Francis Crick]] played around with back in 1973, let alone the kind of full-blown invasion force illustrated, say, in ''The War of the Worlds'' or the ''V'' series of [[television]] projects.--[[User:TerryH|TerryH]][[User talk:TerryH|Talk]] 13:05, 16 April 2007 (EDT)
::I think the point is, why is 'Nation-State' used over and over again in the article? That is simply one particular form of government, and assuming that any alien civilization would adopt it is making quite a leap. Such social organizations should probably be referred to as simply 'civilizations'. [[User:Brewer13210|Brewer13210]] 13:13, 16 April 2007 (EDT)
:::A civilization can and often does consist of more than one nation-state. The term ''nation-state'' has specific political and, more to the point, military meaning. True enough, most civilizations in the ancient world ''were'' identifiable with the nation-states that ran them. But I suggest that the term "Western civilization" refers to many, many nation-states, and indeed to a history that saw many of its member nation-states rise and fall. I use the term to go all the way back to ancient [[Greece]], then to ancient [[Rome]], then to the various kingdoms of [[Europe]] and, of course, the [[United States of America]].
:::In sum, "civilization" includes a full body of literary and artistic tradition, in addition to political tradition. Any civilization can have any number of nation-states regarded as part of it, so long as they all derive their governing models from a common source.
:::And before anyone asks: yes, I, for one, would like to see the logo changed to something better reflective of a common civilizing tradition than of ''one'' nation-state that ''happens'' to be the most powerful militarily of all nation-states that belong to "Western civilization." Those traditions are far older than the United States--indeed, they informed the founding of the United States--and I am not ashamed to own them.--[[User:TerryH|TerryH]][[User talk:TerryH|Talk]] 13:43, 16 April 2007 (EDT)

==Opening Sentence==
I don't think the opening sentence is very encylopedic ... I'd suggest removing the "if they exist" segment. Whether they exist or not is an opinion and existing or not Extraterrestrial life is life originating away from earth. [[User:Jrssr5|Jrssr5]] 14:23, 16 April 2007 (EDT)
:I disagree. By removing the dependent clause "if they exist," you mean me to imply that ET life ''does'' exist. No investigator or agency has ever shown ET life to exist. Unless and until anyone ''does'' so show, it's still an "if" and will remain an "if."--[[User:TerryH|TerryH]][[User talk:TerryH|Talk]] 14:42, 16 April 2007 (EDT)
::Why not remove that segment, then caveat it with another sentence saying "no definite proof of their existance" or something along those lines. That will make it read better and be more official. [[User:Jrssr5|Jrssr5]] 15:15, 16 April 2007 (EDT)
:::Because I could as easily have described the whole thing as a "fanciful concept." Or maybe an adjective like "impossible." I am being very generous by using a simple "if" statement, which in English stands for any condition, whether contrary to fact or very likely to be fact, instead of stating flat-out that ET life, in the sense of a civilizing species, is impossible.--[[User:TerryH|TerryH]][[User talk:TerryH|Talk]] 15:23, 16 April 2007 (EDT)
::::I have to disagree. The sentence currently reads "if such a thing existed", implying that it doesn't. Except for the biblical perspective section, the article should be neutral, as at this time, we can't prove that ET does or does not exist. [[User:Brewer13210|Brewer13210]] 15:38, 16 April 2007 (EDT)

Extraterrestrial life

2007-04-16T17:18:03Z

Brewer13210: Added a couple of internal links

[[Extraterrestrial life]], if such a thing existed, would include any life form originating away from the earth.

== Extraterrestrial life as a scientific hypothesis ==
Serious speculation on extraterrestrial life has centered on two possibilities: [[exogenesis]] of life and the possibility of prior or future contact with an extraterrestrial nation-state.

=== Microbes and other primitive forms ===
[[Image:PIA09027 a anno br.jpg|400px|right]]

With the continued development and perfection of telescopes, [[Astronomy|astronomers]] and [[rocket]] [[science|scientists]] have openly and often feverishly speculated about whether the other planets in our [[solar system]] might harbor forms of life that originated on those planets. This speculation has also extended to [[Titan]], the largest satellite of the planet [[Saturn]].

The major considerations driving such speculation are the requirements of life, and the difficulty with the theory of [[abiogenesis]] as a workable origin of [[life]] on [[earth]]. Most scientists engaged in such speculation seem to agree that life requires at least two things in order to self-generate in any environment:

*1. [[Water]]
*2. An [[atmosphere]]
[[Image:Mars_meteorite.jpg|thumb|150px|[[Meteor]]ite believed to have once been a part of [[Mars]] and to contain [[fossil]] evidence that primitive [[life]] may have existed on Mars.[http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/gallery/images/mars/meteorites/html/s94_032549.html] ]]
Currently the most exciting subject for speculation concerning extraterrestrial life is the planet [[Mars]]. Its atmosphere is quite thin, and this would militate against the presence of life or, more to the point, the presence of standing or flowing water. But photographs taken from orbit and from the surface of Mars reveal erosion channels that strongly suggest that water once flowed on Mars. Indeed, the first graphic above shows changes in a gully in two views of it, taken four years apart--as if liquid water had opened another erosion channel in the meantime. (The operators of the Mars Global Surveyor insist that such pictures might still contain artifacts that make them unsuitable for scientific research, and hence disclaim any definite conclusion that anyone might be tempted to draw from them.) The second graphic shows a [[meteor]]ite containing microscopic cavities that once might have held [[microbes]] and that, until recently, was believed to have fallen to earth from Mars.

If one could show that abiogenesis occurred on Mars, then that process was far more likely to have occurred on earth than it would be absent such a showing or finding. Yet apart from the reliability of such evidence is this one inherent weakness for this argument: it assumes that life ''found'' on Mars ''originated'' on Mars. The [[Hydroplate theory]] of the [[Great Flood]] suggests that large quantities of water, including muddy slurries, were ejected into space during the initial fissure of the original earth's crust, and that these ejecta persist today as [[comet]]s, [[asteroid]]s, and [[meteor]]oids. If such ejected water and mud fell to Mars from above, then they might have held [[microbes]]--and therefore any microbes found on Mars are far more likely to have come from earth during the Noachic Flood than to have originated on Mars.

(Note: if such life forms survived, that need not be a great shock to any observer. [[Extremophiles]], or microbes known to thrive under conditions that would kill or render dormant any other form of life, are well-known on earth and have even been the subject of engineering studies attempting to find practical uses for them.)

=== Extraterrestrial Nation-States ===
Do one or more extraterrestrial nation-states exist? In fact, a project called SETI, for [[Search for Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence]],<ref>[http://www.seti.org/site/pp.asp?c=ktJ2J9MMIsE&b=178025 Home of the SETI Institute]</ref> has existed for years. Their astronomers use [[radiotelescope]]s to search a defined frequency band that, they believe, is the likeliest region in the [[electromagnetic spectrum]] for anyone to be sending a signal intended to cross interstellar, or even intergalactic, space.

Furthermore, [[Francis Crick]] and [[Leslie Orgel]], in 1973,<ref>Crick, F. H. C., and Orgel, L. E. "Directed Panspermia," ''Icarus'', 19, 341 (1973).</ref> openly speculated on a form of exogenesis called [[Panspermia#Directed panspermia|directed panspermia]], in which such an extraterrestrial nation-state fired a brace of missiles, each laden with [[bacteria]] and/or [[blue-green algae]], in all directions. One such missile crashed on earth, and we are its by-product, as it were, their theory states. For a detailed discussion on the logical weaknesses of such a position, see the main article on [[Panspermia]].

Politicians (among them, former [[President of the United States]] [[Jimmy Carter]]) have openly speculated on the existence of extraterrestrial nation-states.<ref>Carter claims to have witnessed an unidentified flying object in 1969; he remains the only U.S. President to have formally reported a [[UFO]]. He filed a report with the International UFO Bureau in [[Oklahoma City]] after a request from that organization.[http://www.presidentialufo.com/carter_ufo_report.htm] See [[Jimmy Carter]].</ref> For further details, see the main article on [[Exotheology]].

== Extraterrestrial Life in Science Fiction ==
Extraterrestrial nation-states and, almost as often, extraterrestrial microbes, have been a staple of [[science fiction]] since soon after science-fiction writers first began speculating on what sort of inventions might carry men into outer space, and what they might discover there. H. G. Wells even speculated on an extraterrestrial nation-state on the [[moon]]--a kingdom peopled, if that is the right word, by man-sized insects (''The First Men in the Moon''). Wells also speculated that the Martian nation-state would launch an invasion of earth (''The War of the Worlds''), an invasion that would fail when the Martian soldiers and pilots fell terminally ill with earthly microbes against which their immune systems would have no defense. Edgar Rice Burroughs indulged in far richer speculation on an entire civilization on Mars, and on semi-regular commerce between his Martians and a select few visitors from earth.

The middle twentieth century saw the introduction of a number of popular-culture icons that were either:
# Humans caught up in events on other, inhabited worlds, some of which were making war against the earth, or
# An extraterrestrial "refugee" that became an obvious [[God-substitute]] after, [[Moses]]-like, he crashed to earth in a small space capsule launched from a world that later destroyed itself in a cataclysm far more devastating than the [[Great Flood]] had been.

In addition to this, the [[motion picture]] industry, especially in the [[United States]] but also in [[United Kingdom|Great Britain]], produced scores of low-budget films having a theme involving an extraterrestrial nation-state attempting either:

# To recruit humans, usually by fraudulent means, into assisting them in weapons or defensive-systems development,
# To subvert human society and/or the international community by infiltration or by playing some individual humans or human nation-states against others, or:
# To invade the earth by main force.

The motion picture industry abandoned that theme as the century progressed, and produced a number of films showing extraterrestrials to be friendly. Toward the very end of the century, the theme of extraterrestrial invasion returned, in the form of a number of high-budget films that linked the basic theme to a number of modern-day legends, including:

# The alleged crash of an extraterrestrial scout craft near [[Roswell]], [[New Mexico]], [[United States]].
# The synthetic religion, called [[Scientology]], which the late science-fiction author [[L. Ron Hubbard]] developed literally on a wager.

The [[Star Trek]] [[television]] franchise that [[Gene Roddenberry]] created, with its myriad of extraterrestrial and often trans-galactic nation-states and empires hardly needs introduction. But in addition, producer Quinn Martin created a series that centered on one man's attempt to warn his government that certain people were not what they appeared, but were instead extraterrestrial spies.

Nor have science fiction writers ignored speculation on the finding of extraterrestrial microbes. Usually they have portrayed such microbes as capable of producing deadly extinction-level pandemics. (See, for example, ''The Andromeda Strain'' by Michael Crichton.) John B. Olson and Randall S. Ingermanson, however, speculated that the first crew to fly to Mars might discover incontrovertible evidence of microbial life--including a culturable microbe. This would engender excitement in the hearts of their launch authorites, but would also inspire such fear in the mind of a [[National Aeronautics and Space Administration|NASA]] engineer that she would actually attempt to strand or murder the crew to stop them from [[back-contamination|back-contaminating]] the earth with their culture.

== The Bible and Extraterrestrial Life ==
An extraterrestrial nation-state or civilization, or any race of beings capable of forming such an institution, would be incompatible with the [[Bible]]. The presence of such a race would give the lie to the claim of [[Jesus|Jesus Christ]] that He came to take away the sin of the world.<ref>{{Bible ref|book=I_John|chap=2|verses=2|version=NASB}}</ref>, and that He died once and only once to bring this about. The only Kingdom that is not of this earth is the Kingdom of Heaven<ref>{{Bible ref|book=Genesis|chap=1|verses=26-28|version=NASB}}</ref><ref>{{Bible ref|book=Romans|chap=5|verses=14|version=NASB}}</ref>--and that Kingdom is also not of this universe, or "cosmos".

However, the presence of extraterrestrial microbes on one or more of the other planets in our solar system (most likely Mars) would ''not'' be incompatible with the Bible. For example, if the [[hydroplate theory]] is correct and a slurry of mud from the Great Flood traveled to Mars and poured itself out upon it, then such a slurry would almost certainly contain microbes. That some of these might be extremophiles, and thus capable of long-term survival even in such a harsh environment as that of Mars, is entirely possible and would allow complete harmony between the finding of microbes in such locations and the Biblical account of earth pre-history.

== References ==
<references/>

== See Also ==
[[Exotheology]]

[[Category:Astronomy]]
[[Category:Biology]]
[[Category:Mythology]]

Talk:Extraterrestrial life

2007-04-16T17:13:40Z

Brewer13210:

Open source (software)

2007-04-16T14:11:18Z

Brewer13210: Added examples of open source software and further information

[[Image:Opensource.svg.png|right|100px|thumb|OSI logo]]
'''Open Source''' is a software development model being promoted by the non-profit '''Open Source Initiative (OSI)''' corporation and other organizations.
==Open Source==
Open Source refers to software where the [[source code]] available for anyone to modify. There are many different licenses under which open source software is available<ref>http://developer.kde.org/documentation/licensing/licenses_summary.html</ref>, all varying slightly to the degree on the conditions under which the software can be modified and redistributed.

Although the development model for open source software may seem counterintuitive, for many projects it has been shown to be very successful. Generally, open source software is distributed with the underlying source code available for anyone to freely modify and redistribute. This development model is very similar to university research, where discoveries and research is published in [[peer review|peer reviewed]] journals, which is then built upon by other researchers spawning further ideas and discoveries.

There is a common misconception that open source software must be given away for free, but this is incorrect<ref>http://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-faq.html#DoesTheGPLAllowDownloadFee</ref>. Although most open source software is indeed available for free, with the authors usually charging for consulting and other services, there is no obligation for them to do so.
==Examples==
Examples of well known open source software:
*[http://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/MediaWiki MediaWiki] - Wiki software used for sites such as Conservapedia and Wikipedia.
*[http://httpd.apache.org/ Apache] - Apache web server, the most popular web server in the world.<ref>http://news.netcraft.com/</ref>
*[http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/ Firefox] - [[Firefox]] web browser developed by the [http://www.mozilla.org/foundation/ Mozilla Foundation].
*[http://www.php.net/ PHP] - PHP: Hypertext Preprocessor, a scripting language used to create dynamic web sites such as Conservapedia.
*[[Linux]] - Operating system kernel used to create distributions such as the one running the server on which Conservapedia runs on.<ref>http://toolbar.netcraft.com/site_report?url=http://www.conservapedia.com</ref>

==External Links==
[http://www.opensource.org/ Open Source Initiative]
==References==
<references />
[[category: information technology]]

Talk:Carl Sagan

2007-04-16T13:19:49Z

Brewer13210:

Going to have to revisit this article. Carl Sagan brought science and astronomy in to the mainstream in the '80s and inspired many to get involve in the sciences. He was a brilliant writer and speaker on many topics...much more than just discussing the possibility of life outside of our solar system. [[User:Brewer13210|Brewer13210]] 07:26, 16 April 2007 (EDT)

:I was reading his stuff in the 70s as a school kid.
:[[User:WhatIsG0ing0n|WhatIsG0ing0n]] 07:28, 16 April 2007 (EDT)
::My first introduction to Carl Sagan came in 1980 when ''Cosmos'' first aired on PBS. Both informative and inspirational, it made some long lasting impressions on me. [[User:Brewer13210|Brewer13210]] 09:19, 16 April 2007 (EDT)

Talk:Carl Sagan

2007-04-16T11:26:25Z

Brewer13210: New page: Going to have to revisit this article. Carl Sagan brought science and astronomy in to the mainstream in the '80s and inspired many to get involve in the sciences. He was a brilliant writ...

Carl Sagan

2007-04-16T11:23:43Z

Brewer13210:

{{stub}}
'''Carl Sagan''' (1934-1996) was a professor of [[astronomy]] at [[Cornell University]] in Ithaca, New York who became a celebrity on television and a vocal advocate for increased searches for intelligent life in outer space. Time magazine reported that Carl Sagan "talked with [[Jimmy Carter]] about such esoteric matters as [[black hole]]s and [[exobiology]] (the study of possible extraterrestrial life)."<ref>http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,951539,00.html</ref>

Professor Sagan, like many scientists throughout the 20th century, was convinced that there was intelligent life in outer space. "The significance of a finding that there are other beings who share this universe with us would be absolutely phenomenal, it would be an epochal event in human history," Sagan declared.<ref>http://www.cnn.com/US/9612/20/sagan/</ref>

Professor Sagan would slip in a subtle pitch for [[disarmament]] as he proclaimed his devotion to finding extraterrestrial life:<ref>''Id.''</ref>

"We have looked close-up at dozens of new worlds. Worlds we never saw before. And unless we are so stupid to destroy ourselves, we are going to be moving out to space in the next century," he said. "And if I'm fortunate enough to have played a part in the first preliminary reconnaissance in the [[solar system]], that's a terrifically exciting thing."

== References ==

<references/>

{{DEFAULTSORT:Sagan, Carl}}
[[Category:Astronomers]]
[[Category:Authors]]

Hubble Space Telescope

2007-04-15T21:50:59Z

Brewer13210: Corrected and added information

[[Image:Hubble 01.jpg|right|thumb|400px|Hubble Space Telescope as seen from the Space Shuttle Discovery on mission STS-82.]]
The '''Hubble Space Telescope''' is an American space probe in earth orbit that explores objects if space. It is operated by [[NASA]]'s [http://www.nasa.gov/centers/goddard/home/index.html Goddard Space Flight Center] and the [http://www.stsci.edu/resources/ Space Telescope Science Institute]. The telescope was launched April 25, 1990 and began operations soon thereafter.

After launch, it was found that all of the images from the telescope were out of focus. An investigation found that the primary mirror of the telescope had been ground to the wrong radius, preventing the telescope from properly focusing. In December, 1993, the [[Space Shuttle]] Endeavor, during mission STS-61, captured the telescope and added a lens correcting for the defect in the primary mirror. Since then, the Hubble Space Telescope has been an invaluable tool to [[astronomy|astronomers]].

The current mission of the was recently extended by NASA. On January 17, 2004, primarily due to the recent [[Colombia]] shuttle accident and the perceived risk of shuttle flights, NASA announced that the final servicing mission to the Hubble Space Telescope would not be funded. Scientists around the world and members of congress put pressure on NASA to reconsider, and on October 31, 2006, NASA announced it would go ahead with a Hubble Space Telescope service mission in 2008. This fourth mission to Hubble should effectively extend the life of the telescope by another decade.

The telescope is named after astronomer [[Edwin Hubble]] whose observations of galaxies led him to the discovery that the universe is expanding.
==Also See==
[[NASA]]

==External Links==
[http://hubblesite.org/ HubbleSite]

[http://www.aerospaceguide.net/spacehistory/hubble-history.html Hubble Space Telescope History]

[http://www.mindspring.com/~deline/ Jim's Hubble Telescope Photo Gallery]

[[category:astronomy]]

Open source (software)

2007-04-15T18:38:25Z

Brewer13210:

Open source (software)

2007-04-15T14:30:02Z

Brewer13210:

GNU/Linux

2007-04-15T14:08:34Z

Brewer13210:

[[Image:Tuxie.jpg|thumb|right|"Tux", the Linux mascot|100px]]
'''Linux''' is a [[UNIX]]-like operating system whose [[source code]] is distributed freely under the [[open source]] GNU [[General Public License]] (GPL). It was started in 1991 as a university project by Finnish student [[Linus Torvalds]] as a replacement for the [[Minix]] operating system.

Originally the term "Linux" was used to refer to just the [[kernel]] developed by Torvalds, but today it is used interchangeably to refer to both the kernel and a complete operating system which includes the kernel, graphical user interface, file system and other software, collectively known as a ''distribution''. Major Linux distributions include [http://www.redhat.com/ Red Hat], [http://www.novell.com/linux/ Suse] and [http://www.ubuntu.com/ Ubuntu].

Owing to the nature of open source software, many variants of a Linux distribution may be created by using the original code and making changes to it to suit a particular need. For example, a group of [[Satanism|Satanists]]{{fact}} have released Ubuntu Satanic Edition <ref>[http://parker1.co.uk/satanic/ Ubuntu Satanic Edition]</ref>, which is based on the Kubuntu <ref>[http://www.kubuntu.org/]</ref> distribution, using a "Satanic" theme. The software is otherwise unchanged. There is also a Ubuntu Christian Edition <ref> [http://www.whatwouldjesusdownload.com/christianubuntu/2006/07/about-ubuntu-christian-edition.html Ubuntu Christian Edition] </ref>, demonstrating how GPL licensed software which may be modified with seemingly opposite goals.

Mark Shuttleworth, who is the founder of the Ubuntu Linux distribution, said about the Satanic version of Kubuntu: "Ubuntu is a broad church! We manage to keep both [[GNOME Desktop|GNOME]] and [[KDE]] folks happy and collaborating constructively, so this should be no trouble at all. Our guiding rules are enshrined in the Ubuntu Code of Conduct<ref>[http://www.ubuntu.com/community/conduct]</ref>, and as long as all sides are following that, there’s no problem with derivatives that are focused on such diverse user bases."<ref>http://www.desktoplinux.com/news/NS2432715660.html</ref>
[[Image:Gnomesword large.png|right|thumb|250px|Screenshot of Ubuntu Christian Edition.]]
Linux has become one the most commonly adopted operating systems in the world{{fact}}, running on more varieties of computer hardware than any other operating system{{fact}}. While personal computers still overwhelmingly use [[Microsoft]] operating systems such as Windows XP, Linux is a common choice for web servers, file servers and embedded platforms, thanks to its perceived reliability, low/no cost, and the fact that modifications to the source code can readily be made by anyone.

As an example, in March of 2007 the server hosting the the Consevapedia web site was running the Linux operating system[http://toolbar.netcraft.com/site_report?url=http://www.conservapedia.com]

== References ==
<references />

==External links==
*[http://www.kernel.org/ The Linux Kernel Archives]
*[http://www.linux-foundation.org/en/Main_Page The Linux Foundation]

[[Category:Information technology]]

Vista (operating system)

2007-04-14T11:38:36Z

Brewer13210:

Windows Vista is the latest version of [[Microsoft]]'s flagship operating system. Windows Vista comes in 6 different versions: Ultimate, Home Premium, Home Basic, Starter, Business and Enterprise edition. All versions except Starter are avilable for both 32-bit and 64-bit processor types.
[[Image:Windows vista 006-ig.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Windows Vista's Aero interface with gadgets on the right side.]]
==Features==
All versions of Vista comes with Windows DVD Maker, .NET Framework 3.0, [[DirectX 10]], Windows Sidebar, Backup and Restore Center, Windows Mail, Windows Calender, Windows Photo Gallery, Internet Explorer 7, Windows Meeting Space, Windows SideShow, Speech recognition, Windows Contacts, Windows Media Player 11.

A new technology called SuperFetch is included in Windows Vista, which analyzes the usage pattern of a user then decides on which content should be loaded into system memory at any given time. A primitive version of SuperFetch called Prefetch is actully included in Windows XP.

Enterprise and Ultimate editions of Vista comes with BitLocker Drive Encryption feature that allows user to encrypt an entire hard-drive partition using 128-bit [[Advanced Encryption Standard|AES]] encryption. The encryption key itself can be stored in the Trusted Platform Module chip on a computer's motherboard or in a [[USB]] key.

==Hardware Requirement==
According to Microsoft, a computer needs to have at minimum an 800 MHz processor, 512 MB RAM to run Windows Vista. And in order to take advantage of Vista's new Aero graphical user interface, one needs a computer with a 1.0 GHz processor, 1 GB memory, and a DirectX 9 or Directx 10 graphics card with at least 128 MB memory and supports Microsoft's new Windows Display Driver Model.

==External Links==
* [http://www.microsoft.com/windowsvista/default.mspx Microsoft Windows Vista Official Website]

[[Category:Information technology]]

Debate:The liberal quotient of Conservapedia; what is it? Does it matter?

2007-04-14T11:37:21Z

Brewer13210:

[http://www.conservapedia.com/Liberal_quotient The issue for debate]

I've been wondering what this murky statistic actually is for Conservapedia; firstly, would all contributors give their summation of whether they are liberal or conservative (don't worry, Aschafly specifically said that you won't be banned because of it; he's fair and balanced, like that), so we can work it out. Should be interesting.

The second point is does it actually matter? If articles are sufficiently sourced, cited, and peer-reviewed, won't Conservapedia be 'right' (excuse the pun) automatically? Remember, the truth is the truth, no matter who says it. If Stalin had discovered gravity, we wouldn't all float up in the air.

Oh, and I would definitely say that I, according to your standards, am a [[Liberal]].

'''The Tally'''
[[Liberal]] = 1
[[Conservative]] = 0

(I do have to admit that this is a simplified version - merely a lib:con ratio; still should be interesting to see what people '''identify''' themselves as)

[[User:Wikinterpreter|Wikinterpreter]]

In the end I think the whole premise of the question has problems. The world is not black and white, and not everyone is strictly a conservative or liberal. Most Americans land somewhere in the middle; in my case I tend to be fiscally conservative and socially liberal...so do I pick both categories or neither? [[User:Brewer13210|Brewer13210]] 07:37, 14 April 2007 (EDT)

==Suggesting categories?==

To ease the process of analysis, why not create two categories (Liberal Conservapedians, Conservative Conservapedians), so that there might develop at least a basis in self-identification on which to base the LQ (and it's reciprocal, the CQ)? I know this isn't a talk page, but we should sign debate comments, right? [[User:Human|Human]] 17:07, 9 April 2007 (EDT)

This is a great idea. Now we'll all know who to ignore before we have to read a single word they've written, thus avoiding potential memetic contamination. </SARCASM> --[[User:BobD|BobD]] 05:46, 14 April 2007 (EDT)

: Ah, but then we could show Conservapedia for the hypocritical, lying site that it is, that it censors, and that all of those 'promises of neutrality' were worthless! [[User:Wikinterpreter|Wikinterpreter]]

The Hobbit

2007-04-11T23:50:32Z

Brewer13210: The Hobbit isn't a prequel

'''The Hobbit''' is a book by [[J.R.R. Tolkien]] and the first published work about [[Middle Earth]]. In the book [[Bilbo Baggins]], a common [[hobbit]], is drafted by the [[wizard]], Gandalf, to go on an adventure. He travels with 13 [[dwarves]] who seek to reclaim their treasure from the [[dragon]], Smaug. After much adventure they finally make it to the dragon's lair. In the end Bilbo returns home with only two sacks of gold and silver for all his trouble. He also finds a mysterious magical ring. This book is a delightful book for children and adults alike. In the chronology of [[Middle Earth]], Tolkien's classic [[The Lord of the Rings]] follows The Hobbit. <ref> [[The Hobbit]] by J.R.R. Tolkien, Houghton Mifflin company, 1937. </ref>

==References==
<references/>
[[category:book]]

Puffer fish

2007-04-11T21:04:53Z

Brewer13210: Made image a thumb nail.

[[Image:795px-Black-spotted puffer arp.jpg|thumb|A puffer fish at Bristol Zoo, Bristol, England.]]
The '''Pufferfish''' may also be known as the blowfish or fugu. It is called the puffer fish because when it is threatened, it puffs up to about twice its normal size by gulping [[water]]. In this engorged state, the puffer fish can swim at only about half its normal speed.

There are about 100 species of puffer fish. Most puffer fish are found in sub-tropical and [[tropical]] marine waters (including [[coral reef]]s) in the [[Atlantic]], [[Pacific]], and [[Indian Ocean]]s. Some puffers live in brackish and fresh water.

==Poison==
Many parts of the blowfish (including the [[liver]], [[muscle]]s, [[skin]], and [[ovary|ovaries]]) contain an extremely strong, paralyzing poison called ''tetrodotoxin''. This poison is about a thousand times deadlier than [[cyanide]]. There is no known antidote for this poison. Fugu (Japanese puffer fish) is eaten in [[Japan]], but is only cooked by specially-trained chefs who can minimize the amount of poison. Even so, many Japanese diners have died from eating this poisonous delicacy.

==Diet==
Pufferfish are [[carnivores]]. They eat [[coral]]s, [[sponge]]s, [[sea urchin]]s, other echinomaderms, and small [[crustacean]]s. Puffer fish crush and grind up their prey with their heavy, melded [[teeth]].
[[category:biology]]

Talk:Essay:What's wrong with the death penalty system in the United States?

2007-04-11T03:45:24Z

Brewer13210: New page: ==Logic of the article== If I understand the article correctly, the premise is that if states executed more people, more quickly, then the death penalty would be more of a deterrent than i...

==Logic of the article==
If I understand the article correctly, the premise is that if states executed more people, more quickly, then the death penalty would be more of a deterrent than it currently is.

First, it is hard to reconcile anyone who is a Christian could also support the death penalty (the whole what would Jesus do thing). Secondly, for a government to take the life of one of it's citizens, is the ultimate punishment...there is no reprieve. If it is found that mistakes were made in the judicial process, you can't release someone you've executed, which is why a very wide latitude is usually given to death row inmates when it comes to appeals. A government should give someone sentenced with a death penalty every legal option to ensure that they have had fair access to the entire judicial process. The fact is, that innocent people have been executed in the U.S., and it's easy to write off those cases until you're the one fighting for your life. Anyone who places any value on human life should be willing to allow someone sentenced to death every avenue possible to prove their innocence; because it's not a mistake that a government can atone for. [[User:Brewer13210|Brewer13210]] 23:45, 10 April 2007 (EDT)

Dalai Lama

2007-04-11T03:29:23Z

Brewer13210:

The '''Dalai Lama''' is regarded by [[Tibet]]an [[Buddhists]] as one of a succession of [[incarnations]] of the [[Bodhisattva]] of compassion, Chenrezig ("the Seeing-Eye" Lord), who long has been considered to be the patron [[deity]] of [[Tibet]]. The current Dalai Lama, [[Tenzin Gyatso]] is the 14th [[incarnation]] of Chenrezig, and is both the head of state of Tibet and the spiritual leader of Tibetan [[Buddhism]] . His Holiness has lived in [[exile]] in [[Dharamsala]], which is located in northern [[India]], since 1950. Dharamsala has been the seat of the Tibetan political administration since the Chinese [[invasion]] of Tibet in 1949.

In 1989 he was awarded the [[Nobel Prize|Nobel Peace Prize]] for his non-violent struggle for the [[liberation]] of Tibet. He has consistently advocated policies of non-violence, even in the face of extreme aggression. He also became the first Nobel Laureate to be recognized for his concern for global environmental problems.<ref>http://www.dalailama.com/page.105.htm</ref>

==External links==
*[http://news.minnesota.publicradio.org/features/200105/07_newsroom_dalai/bios.shtml Thirteen Previous Dalai Lamas]
*[http://www.dalailama.com/ Official web page of the 14th Dalai Lama]

==References==
<references/>

[[Category:Buddhism]]

Dalai Lama

2007-04-11T03:29:06Z

Brewer13210:

The '''Dalai Lama''' is regarded by [[Tibet]]an [[Buddhists]] as one of a succession of [[incarnations]] of the [[Bodhisattva]] of compassion, Chenrezig ("the Seeing-Eye" Lord), who long has been considered to be the patron [[deity]] of [[Tibet]]. The current Dalai Lama, [[Tenzin Gyatso]] is the 14th [[incarnation]] of Chenrezig, and is both the head of state of Tibet and the spiritual leader of Tibetan [[Buddhism]] . His Holiness has lived in [[exile]] in [[Dharamsala]], which is located in northern [[India]], since 1950. Dharamsala has been the seat of the Tibetan political administration since the Chinese [[invasion]] of Tibet in 1949.

In 1989 he was awarded the [[|Nobel Prize|Nobel Peace Prize]] for his non-violent struggle for the [[liberation]] of Tibet. He has consistently advocated policies of non-violence, even in the face of extreme aggression. He also became the first Nobel Laureate to be recognized for his concern for global environmental problems.<ref>http://www.dalailama.com/page.105.htm</ref>

==External links==
*[http://news.minnesota.publicradio.org/features/200105/07_newsroom_dalai/bios.shtml Thirteen Previous Dalai Lamas]
*[http://www.dalailama.com/ Official web page of the 14th Dalai Lama]

==References==
<references/>

[[Category:Buddhism]]

Kim Jong Il

2007-04-06T23:10:14Z

Brewer13210: corrected tense

[[Image:Bvdy76.jpg|right|thumb]]
'''Kim Jong Il''' has been the dictator of North Korea since coming to power in 1994. He is also the leader of the [[Communist Party]] of [[North Korea]]. He has been criticized for the human rights abuses in North Korea.

He came into power in 1994, after his father [[Kim Il Sung]] died, and has remained the North Korean leader ever since. He is an intense persecutor of Christians and other organized religions.

[[Category:Heads of state]]

Alcoholic drink

2007-04-06T23:09:00Z

Brewer13210: citation needed

'''Alcoholic drinks''' are beverages which contain [[ethanol]] (CH3CH2OH). [[Ethanol]] is an addictive psychoactive depressant. Alcohol has been found in society for thousands of years and in some cases was used in a medicinal capacity. Alcoholic drinks come in a multitude of varieties. [[Beer]] is a drink produced through the fermentation of malted grains and the addition of hops. Hops give beer its distinctive bitter taste. There are also many types of beers available, each with its own unique brewing method and history. The most popular type of beer in America is the pilsner, noted for its light golden color due to the use of lightly roasted grains. Gaining in popularity are other types of beer such as porters, lagers, wheat-beer, and ales. Liquor is derived from fermented grains or other plants with a high starch content, that are then [[distillation|distilled]] to increase the alcohol content. Liquors such as [[rum]], [[tequila]] and [[vodka]] are derived from molasses, [[agave]] and grain or potatoes respectively. Some liquors are aged for years to improve flavor. Wines are produced through the fermentation of various fruits. Wines, like beer, come in a variety of types with different bouquets and flavors.
== Beer ==
[[Beer]] was discovered independently by many societies in the past<ref>[http://www.fosters.com.au/enjoy/beer/history_of_beer.htm History of Beer], ''Fosters Australia''</ref>. In ancient Egypt, to help provide the calories needed and keep the lower classes happy <ref>[http://www.thekeep.org/~kunoichi/kunoichi/themestream/egypt_alcohol.html Ancient Egyptian Alcohol], ''thekeep.com''</ref>. With Christianity, beer was often made by monks who used the heavy ales to ease hunger pains while fasting<ref>[http://www.eat-online.net/english/habits/beer_in_the_middle_ages.htm Beer in the Middle Ages], ''Eat Online''</ref>.
== Wine ==
[[Wine]] is usually made by the fermentation of grapes, but can be made using other fruits, or other parts of plants. In ancient times there were many gods of wine that were worshipped<ref>[http://www.wineintro.com/history/religion/index.html Wine, Religion, and Gods], ''Wineintro.com''</ref> (Bacchus, Dionysus, and Geshtin for example). As wine was part of the holy traditions in both Jewish and Christian customs it was important that this wine was not blessed for other gods (which would make it unclean). Kosher and sacramental wine was watched to be sure that it was properly handled and no idolatry was preformed with it<ref>[http://www.gemsinisrael.com/e_article000033155.htm What Makes a Wine Kosher?], ''Gems in Israel''</ref>.
Wine was transformed into the [[blood]] of [[Christ]].

== Biblical References ==

The [[Bible]] speaks of consumption, or over-consumption, multiple times.

:According to Proverbs 31:6-7 the Bible recommends giving alcohol to those who are dying or depressed, so that they can forget their misery, although in nearly all other places drinking is heavily discouraged.

It is written:

:''"Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God"'' <ref>''1 Corinthians 6:9-10''</ref>

And similarly:

:''"Now the works of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, moral impurity, promiscuity, idolatry, sorcery, hatreds, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambitions, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and anything similar, about which I tell you in advance—as I told you before—that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God"'' <ref>''Galatians 5:19-21''</ref>

The Bible is not clear in these point whether Heaven would be closed to all who became drunk, or only those who drank regularly. However, further Biblical evidence points to the sinful nature of the demon drink:

:''"The Lord instructed Moses: '…When a man or woman makes a special vow, a Nazirite vow, to consecrate himself to the Lord, he is to abstain from wine and beer… He is not to eat anything produced by the grapevine, from seeds to skin, during his vow'"'' <ref>''Numbers 6:1-4''</ref>

:''"Daniel determined that he would not defile himself with the king’s food or with the wine he drank. So he asked permission from the chief official not to defile himself"'' <ref>''Daniel 1:8''</ref>

:''"But the angel said to him: Do not be afraid, Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will name him John. There will be joy and delight for you, and many will rejoice at his birth. For he will be great in the sight of the Lord and will never drink wine or beer. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit while still in his mother’s womb" <ref>''Luke 1:13-15''</ref>

Noah, singled out by God as a just man ("But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD. These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God." Genesis 6: 8-9) still indulged in strong drink.

:''"And Noah began to be an husbandman, and he planted a vineyard. And he drank of the wine, and was drunken; and he was uncovered within his tent." <ref>''Genesis 9:20-21''</ref>

Most biblical scholars agree that occasional wine is not spiritually harmful, but drunkenness, and certainly regular drunkenness, constitutes [[sin]]; as it takes you out of your normal state of mind and alters your [[will]] and ability to make good decisions. Not to mention the potentially serious physical ramifications of alcoholism which include liver disease as well as an increased risk of heart disease (but not when consumed in moderation).

Jesus himself was not opposed to the consumption of wine- one of the first miracles recorded in the [[Gospel of John]] has him turn water into wine at a wedding feast (John 2). It can be assumed that the guests had already been drinking immoderately, since they had consumed all the alcohol available to them. Matthew 11:19 also refers to Jesus being called a 'glutton and a drunkard', possibly unfairly. Some biblical scholars argue that the alcohol content of wine in that day was negligible compared to the wine of today{{fact}}.

== References ==
<references/>

[[Category:Food and drink]]

Whiskey

2007-04-06T19:49:18Z

Brewer13210: Minor fix-ups, VSA

Whiskey is a distilled [[Alcoholic drinks|alcoholic beverage]], commonly made from malted cereal grains such as barley, rye or wheat. One common example is "Scotch" which is made from malted barley and originated in [[Scotland]]. [[Ireland]] is also a large producer of Irish Whiskey.
{{stub}}

Vegetarianism

2007-04-06T00:55:40Z

Brewer13210: Rolled back previous edits which were POV.

'''Vegetarianism''' is a worldview and philosophy based around abstinence from [[meat]] consumption. Somebody who practices vegetarianism is referred to as a ''vegetarian''. Vegetarianism is a common theme among the [[Dharmic]] religions, such as [[Hinduism]], [[Buddhism]], and [[Jainism]]. This stems from the belief that all higher animal life is sacred (though in Jainism, ''all'' life is considered sacred), one of the core concepts of all of these religions. Many people outside of these religions also choose to be vegetarians because of various other beliefs, such as protesting what they see as harmful practices by the meat production industry.

==Forms of Vegetarianism==
*Vegan - Someone who consumes only a diet based on plants; no animal or animal byproducts such as milk or cheese.
*Lactovegetarian - Someone who eats a plant based diet but also eats animal produced foods such as milk and cheese.
*Ovo-lactovegetarian (or lacto-ovovege-tarian) - Similar to the Lactovegetarian but also consumes eggs.
*Pesco-ovo-lactovegetarian - as above but with the inclusion of fish.

==Biblical View==
The [[Bible]] specifically takes a position on the eating of [[pork]]:

:''Nevertheless these shall ye not eat of them that chew the cud, or of them that divide the hoof: as the camel, because he cheweth the cud, but divideth not the hoof; he is unclean unto you.''<ref>''Leviticus 11.4'', KJV</ref>

==External Links==
*[http://www.health.gov/dietaryguidelines/dga2005/document/html/appendixC.htm USDA Dietary Guidelines]

The Hobbit

2007-04-04T23:33:59Z

Brewer13210:

'''The Hobbit''' is a book by [[J.R.R. Tolkien]] and the first published work about [[Middle Earth]]. In the book Bilbo Baggins, a common [[hobbit]], is drafted by the [[wizard]], Gandalf, to go on an adventure. He travels with 13 [[dwarves]] who seek to reclaim their treasure from the [[dragon]], Smaug. After much adventure they finally make it to the dragon's lair. In the end Bilbo returns home with only two sacks of gold and silver for all his trouble. He also finds a mysterious magical ring. This book is a delightful book for children and adults alike. Tolkien's classic, [[The Lord of the Rings]] is the sequel to The Hobbit. <ref> [[The Hobbit]] by J.R.R. Tolkien, Houghton Mifflin company, 1937.</ref>

Tolkien wrote the book ostensibly for his son Christopher although it is clear from the text that he took his time over it as the later chapters such as The Battle of Five Armies are addressed to a much older audience than the early chapters. He sent the text home from the Western Front where he was serving in the British Army during the [[First World War]]. By the time he wrote Lord of the Rings, the Second World War was occurring and Christopher was the one serving abroad. Christopher subsequently edited his father's works after his death.

==References==
<references/>
[[category:book]]

The Silmarillion

2007-04-04T22:59:41Z

Brewer13210: Corrected internal link

The Silmarillion is the 'third' novel of Professor [[J.R.R._Tolkien]].

It is set in the First and Second ages of [[Middle Earth]] and describes the creation of world through the music of the Ainur to the Sundering of Valinor from Middle Earth at the end of the Second Age. It introduces characters such as Sauron the Great and Elrond Halfelvin who appear in his other novels.

The writing of The Silmarillion was started by Tolkien during the First World War and continued until his death in 1972. It provides a great deal of the back-drop to his other popular novels, [[The Hobbit]] and [[The Lord of the Rings]]. Originally conceived as a setting for the Elvish languages of Quenya and Sindarin that Tolkien had devised The Silmarillion can be seen as the 'Old Testament' to the Lord of the Rings' Gospels. Tolkien was first and foremost a philologist, which is a historian of languages and their development so the creation of his own languages was a development of this.

[[Category:Book]]

The Hobbit

2007-04-04T22:55:39Z

Brewer13210:

Talk:The Hobbit

2007-04-04T22:54:26Z

Brewer13210: New page: Note that "The Hobbit" is not a prequel to "The Lord of the Rings". The Hobbit was written in 1937, and LOTR was written from 1939 through 1949. In order to be a prequel, The Hobbit woul...

Note that "The Hobbit" is not a prequel to "The Lord of the Rings". The Hobbit was written in 1937, and LOTR was written from 1939 through 1949. In order to be a prequel, The Hobbit would have had to be written after LOTR. [[User:Brewer13210|Brewer13210]] 18:54, 4 April 2007 (EDT)

Star Trek franchise

2007-04-04T22:43:42Z

Brewer13210:

'''Star Trek''' is an American TV series created by [[Gene Roddenberry]], which premiered on [[NBC]] September 8th, 1966 and ended June 3rd, 1969. The show featured a crew of space explorers traveling around the galaxy in a ''Constitution''-class starship called the ''USS Enterprise NCC-1701'', set in the 23rd century. Many different spin-offs of the original program have now been made, most but not all of which, feature the various starships that have been named ''Enterprise''.

{| class="wikitable"
|-
| Series Name
| Star Trek: The Original Series (TOS)
| Star Trek: The Animated Series (TAS)
| Star Trek: The Next Generation (TNG)
| Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (DS9)
| Star Trek: Voyager (VOY)
| Star Trek: Enterprise (ENT)
|-
| Original Air Dates
| 1966-1969
| 1973-1974
| 1987-1994
| 1993-1999
| 1995-2001
| 2001-2005
|-
| Number Of Episodes
| 80
| 22
| 178
| 176
| 172
| 98
|}

{| class="wikitable"
|Movie Name
|Star Trek: The Motion Picture
|Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan
|Star Trek III: The Search for Spock
|Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home
|Star Trek V: The Final Frontier
|Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country
|Star Trek: Generations
|Star Trek: First Contact
|Star Trek: Insurrection
|Star Trek: Nemesis
|-
| Year of Release
| 1979
| 1982
| 1984
| 1986
| 1989
| 1991
| 1994
| 1996
| 1998
| 2002
|-
| MPAA Rating
| PG
| PG
| PG
| PG
| PG
| PG
| PG
| PG-13
| PG
| PG-13
|}

[[Category:Broadcasting]]
[[Category:Movies]]

Stephen Hawking

2007-04-04T22:35:41Z

Brewer13210:

[[Image:Bvfgdtre.jpg|right|thumb]]
Stephen Hawking is an English physicist and author. He was born 300 years to the day after the death of [[Galileo]].

Despite suffering from Motor Neuron Disease for most of his adult life he has written books popularizing science. His most famous books are 'A Brief History of Time' and 'Black Holes and Baby Universies'.

Hawking is credited with the development, although not in the origin, of the Big Bang Theory of the creation of the universe. Since 1979 he has been the Lucasian Professor of Mathematics at Cambridge University, a post once held by [[Isaac Newton]] and [[Paul Dirac]].<ref>[http://www.hawking.org.uk Stephen W. Hawking's webpages]</ref>

Stephen Hawking combines his research with family life and acts to popularize science. He has appeared on [[The Simpsons]] and [[Star Trek|Star Trek: The Next Generation]] TV shows and contributed vocals through his speech synthesizer to the [[Pink Floyd]] album The Division Bell.

==References==
<references/>
[[category:physicists]]

Dalai Lama

2007-04-02T18:16:29Z

Brewer13210:

The '''Dalai Lama''' is regarded by [[Tibet]]ans as one of a succession of incarnations of the [[Bodhisattva]] of compassion, Chenrezig ("the Seeing-Eye" Lord), who long has been considered to be the patron deity of [[Tibet]]. The current Dalai Lama, [[Tenzin Gyatso]] is the 14th incarnation of Chenrezig, and is both the head of state of Tibet and the spiritual leader of Tibetan [[Buddhism]] . His Holiness has lived in exile in [[Dharamsala]], which is located in northern [[India]], since 1950. Dharamsala has been the seat of the Tibetan political administration since the Chinese invasion of Tibet in 1949.

==External links==
*[http://news.minnesota.publicradio.org/features/200105/07_newsroom_dalai/bios.shtml Thirteen Previous Dalai Lamas]
*[http://www.dalailama.com/ Official web page of the 14th Dalai Lama]

Yard

2007-04-02T16:19:43Z

Brewer13210:

The '''yard''' is a unit of measurement, equal to three feet, one one-hundredth of a [[football]] field, or approximately one [[meter]] (specifically 0.914 meters). Just as the "[[foot]]" was originally the length of a man's foot, the "yard" was originally the length of a man's ''yard'', or the distance from the tip of one outstretched finger to the one on his other hand.

Yards are typically measured with a '''yardstick'''.[http://www.answers.com/topic/yardstick]

Arthur C Clarke

2007-04-01T18:26:10Z

Brewer13210:

'''''Arthur Charles Clarke''''' is an [[England|Englishman]] and [[science fiction]] writer. He is notable as one of the "Big Three" authors of science fiction, along with [[Isaac Asimov]] and [[Robert A. Heinlein]], both of whom he regarded as friends.

He invented the concept of the [[communications satellite]]<ref>[http://www.lsi.usp.br/~rbianchi/clarke/ACC.ETRelays.html 'Extra-Terrestrial Relays' Wireless World, 1945]</ref> and co-wrote the screenplay for the 1968 movie ''[[2001: A Space Odyssey]]''. Both the movie and the book were based on "The Sentinel", a short story written by Clark in 1948. He lives in [[Sri Lanka]].

==References==
<references/>

[[Category: Authors|Clarke, Arthur C]]

Leonardo da Vinci

2007-04-01T18:11:27Z

Brewer13210:

[[Image:Leonardo_da_Vinci.jpg|thumb|150px|Leonardo da Vinci]]
Leonardo da Vinci (A.D. April 15, 1452-May 2, 1519) Italian architect, anatomist, sculptor, engineer, inventor, mathematician, musician, and painter.

Born and raised in Vinci, Italy, Leonardo is famous for his beautiful painting of the [[Mona Lisa]]. But painting was by no means Leonardo’s greatest accomplishment. He imagined hundreds of devices that are still used today and were years ahead of their times, such as a [[bicycle]], a [[submarine]], a self-propelling car, a [[steam engine]], a clock, and machine tools. Leonardo sketched these inventions and hundreds more in special notebooks, where he wrote his notes backwards so they could only be read using a mirror.

Another of Leonardo’s famous ideas could be found his sketches and ideas of “flying machines.” Although at the time the idea of flying in the sky seemed like a fantasy, little did Leonardo know his ideas would, hundred’s of years later, become a reality.

[[Image:The_Last_Supper.jpg]]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Da Vinci, Leonardo}}
[[Category:Artists]]
[[Category:Inventors]]

Google

2007-03-26T21:48:58Z

Brewer13210:

'''Google''' is a company whose primary business is [[internet]]-based services, including an extremely popular [[search engine]]. The CEO of Google since 2001 is [[Eric Schmidt]]. Google is headquartered in Mountain View, [[California]]. Google was founded on September 7th, 1998, by [[Larry Page]] and [[Sergey Brin]]. Since then, it has grown to be the largest internet search engine in the world. According to Alexa Internet, over 25% of all Internet users visit Google monthly.<ref>[http://www.alexa.com/data/details/traffic_details?url=www.google.com Alexa Traffic Results for Google]</ref> Google also owns [[YouTube]], the home made [[video clip]] site. [[Viacom]] are suing YouTube, and thus Google, for a reported $1 billion, arguing that the economic model of YouTube is based on copyright infringement.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6446193.stm Viacom will sue YouTube for $1bn]</ref>

==History==
===Founding===
Google was originally a research project, started by Larry Page and Sergey Brin in 1996, when the two attended [[Stanford University]]. The two registered the domain name ''google.stanford.edu'', and the small search engine went online for the first time.<ref>[http://www.google.com/intl/en/corporate/history.html Corporate Information:Google Milestones]</ref>

===Google Goes Public===
===Growth===
===Purchase of Smaller Parties===

==PageRank Algorithm==
Perhaps the most innovative contribution Google has made to internet searching is it's '''PageRank''' algorithm. This system works by counting the number of sites that link to another site; the more links pointing to a page, the higher that page will be ranked. The engine also takes note of how often the page is updated. Due to this, [[Wikipedia]] is consistently ranked very highly by Google, due to it's constant updating and heavy linkage. More recently, internet-savvy Googlers have discovered ways to game the system; creating massive numbers of pages with links pointing to one page form what is known as a "Google Bomb". Some examples can be found below.<ref>[http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20040614/news_mz1b14google.html Dropping 'Google-bombs']</ref>

*'''"Miserable Failure"''': For nearly two years, searching "miserable failure" (or even just "miserable", or "failure") in the Google search engine would return the [http://www.whitehouse.gov/president/biography.html White House Biography] of [[George W. Bush]].<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/3298443.stm 'Miserable failure' links to Bush]</ref> This was orchestrated by [[Democrat]] party supporters in late 2003, as part of the 2004 Presidential election. However, at times, [[Conservative]] supporters were able to shift the phrase to [[Jimmy Carter]], [[Hillary Clinton]] and [[Michael Moore]].
*''''"Great President"''': returns the [http://www.whitehouse.gov/president/biography.html White House Biography] of [[George W. Bush]].
*'''"Waffles"''': Also as part of the 2004 Presidental election, Conservative supporters managed to link the term "waffles" to the official website of [[John Kerry]].
*'''"French Military Victories"''': Hitting "I'm Feeling Lucky" for this term directs you to a fake Google page (in reality, it is an [[AlbinoBlackSheep]].com page, styled to look exactly like a Google page. Found [http://www.albinoblacksheep.com/text/victories.html here]) giving no matches, and asking if meant "French military defeats?".

On January 25, 2007, Google claimed to have modified their PageRank algorithm to lessen the likelihood of future Google bombs<ref>[http://boingboing.net/2007/01/26/bush_no_longer_miser.html Bush no longer "miserable failure": Google tackles googlebombs]</ref>

== References ==

<references/>

[[Category:Information technology]]

Wine

2007-03-23T16:13:49Z

Brewer13210: Corrected list of wine producing nations and added reference

Wine is an alcoholic beverage made by fermenting grapes or other fruit. Traditionally grapes were trampled by barefooted vineyard workers to produce a pulp, which was fermented with tannins and sulphides to produce a rich, fruity drink. Today this process in most commercial vineyards is mechanized.

Wine is produced throughout the world. The top twenty leading wine-producing countries in order of total production are:<ref>[http://www.wineinstitute.org/communications/statistics/keyfacts_worldwineproduction02.htm]</ref> [[France]], [[Italy]], [[Spain]], [[United States of America|USA]], [[Argentina]], [[China]], [[Australia]], [[Germany]], [[Portugal]], [[South Africa]], [[Chile]], [[Hungary]], [[Romania]], [[Greece]], [[Russia]], [[Brazil]], [[Austria]], [[Bulgaria]], [[Yugoslavia]], and [[Croatia]]. Many of the best-known vineyards are in France, such as Chateau Moulin Rothschild, Chateau d'Amuse, Chateau d'Agneau de Christo, Chateau de Hennessy, Chateau de les Fruits de Mer, and many more. Most winemaking is centred in the Bordeaux region of North Eastern France.

[[Water]] can be turned into wine only through a [[Miracle]], such as the one Jesus performed. Wine is served in Churches as a representation or transubstantiation of The Body of Christ during the Holy Communion.

Vegetarianism

2007-03-22T23:53:17Z

Brewer13210: No such thing...

'''Vegetarianism''' is a worldview and philosophy based around abstinence from [[meat]] consumption. Somebody who practices vegetarianism is referred to as a ''vegetarian''. Vegetarianism is a common theme among the [[Dharmic]] religions, such as [[Hinduism]], [[Buddhism]], and [[Jainism]]. This stems from the belief that all higher animal life is sacred, one of the core concepts of all of these religions. Many people outside of these religions also choose to be vegetarians because of various other beliefs, such as protesting what they see as harmful practices by the meat production industry.

==Forms of Vegetarianism==
*Vegan - Someone who consumes only a diet based on plants; no animal or animal byproducts such as milk or cheese.
*Lactovegetarian - Someone who eats a plant based diet but also eats animal produced foods such as milk and cheese.
*Ovo-lactovegetarian (or lacto-ovovege-tarian) - Similar to the Lactovegetarian but also consumes eggs.
*Pesco-ovo-lactovegetarian - as above but with the inclusion of fish.

==Biblical View==
The [[Bible]] specifically takes a position on the eating of [[pork]]:

:''Nevertheless these shall ye not eat of them that chew the cud, or of them that divide the hoof: as the camel, because he cheweth the cud, but divideth not the hoof; he is unclean unto you.''<ref>''Leviticus 11.4'', KJV</ref>

==External Links==
*[http://www.health.gov/dietaryguidelines/dga2005/document/html/appendixC.htm USDA Dietary Guidelines]