Q&A: Questions and Answers

[crazyflower]

I've noticed my microwave making funny sounds when it is in use. It sounds quieter and almost weaker. It is hard to describe. It still heats food fine, it just doesn't sound right. Does anyone have any idea on what may be happening?

[padfoot]

if it ain't broke don't fix it

if its doing what it is designed to do and not spewing sparks or inter-dimensional beginnings then i wouldn't worry.

[0023567467]

Ok i'm trying to make an app for iTunes but i'm a noob at making them. Does anyone have a website or something that I could use for help?

 

THNX

[TikindiDragon]

@Kestra15 what is somme?

The Battle of the Somme took place in WWI. With over 1 million casualties recorded it remains one of the bloodiest battles in history. The British Army sustained nearly 60,000 casualties in the first day alone, making to opening day of the Somme the worst day in it's history. The 4 an a half month battled gained the allied troops a mere 6 miles.

Edited June 4, 2013 by TikindiDragon

[Alpha Gryph]

Does anyone here own a fursuit from a good suit maker (or know someone who does)? I'm looking to have one made and have questions. Please PM me or post here!

[lightbird]

Hey guys, does anyone know how to reason with a drunk person?

Well, potentially.

 

I'm staying with for the next two weeks with a friend who is generally decent, but who, when he's had a few drinks, has a history of asking/begging me that I should sleep with him, although ,when sober, he knows this wouldn't be a good idea (I'm in a relationship and yadayadayada). This has happened in past, once at party (and I wasn't in a relationship yet, but at that point I could shrug it off due to some conditions as an excuse), and once online, in which case he had had more than that, because he was being really vehement about it.

 

So, I'm kind-of trying to prepare for dealing with a situation like this in a setting where it's not as neutral/avoidable as in the previous cases, any pointers on how to outreason someone who might want to ignore sober knowledge?

 

The person is not an alcoholic, just fairly outgoing, social drinker and single for longer than it would be healthy for him, lol.

Edited June 15, 2013 by lightbird

[shadowgrr]

Hey guys, does anyone know how to reason with a drunk person?

Well, potentially.

 

I'm staying with for the next two weeks with a friend who is generally decent, but who, when he's had a few drinks, has a history of asking/begging me that I should sleep with him, although ,when sober, he knows this wouldn't be a good idea (I'm in a relationship and yadayadayada). This has happened in past, once at party (and I wasn't in a relationship yet, but at that point I could shrug it off due to some conditions as an excuse), and once online, in which case he had had more than that, because he was being really vehement about it.

 

So, I'm kind-of trying to prepare for dealing with a situation like this in a setting where it's not as neutral/avoidable as in the previous cases, any pointers on how to outreason someone who might want to ignore sober knowledge?

 

The person is not an alcoholic, just fairly outgoing, social drinker and single for longer than it would be healthy for him, lol.

At first try to convince him not to drink so much and also invite and another friend to stay with you (if you are more than two people, situations like this can be avoided). And get supplies of coffee, coffee does miracles with the drunken people.

[kiffren]

Is there anything I can do to prevent nosebleeds? I have them everyday, or every other day, but they only last 1-5 minutes. Any suggestions?

A little (just over two weeks) bit late but I shall respond anyways. When I was younger I'd get nosebleeds on a daily basis. Mine are genetic, as my grandpa and dad both used to get them as well. For us, they would stop if we blew out the clotted up stuff. If not, my nosebleed would stop on its own after a short time and then reoccur the next day or so. Now for nosebleeds that are caused by a different thing, this won't help, in fact it will make it worse. This is just what worked for the particular type of nosebleeds that my family gets.

 

Edit: ...how is it the 16th already? one week != two weeks. v.v

Edited June 17, 2013 by kiffren

[Kat]

I keep getting random headaches during class. Does anyone know what might be going on? By the way, I'm currently suffering right now, as I'm writing this message.

[catstaff]

I keep getting random headaches during class. Does anyone know what might be going on? By the way, I'm currently suffering right now, as I'm writing this message.

Without more information, there's a laundry basket of possible reasons.

 

Is it happening in one particular class or anytime that you're in school? Environmental possibilities would include the temperature (too warm can give me a headache, especially if I let myself get dehydrated) or mild allergies (these can start/get worse as one grows older, or if something about the environment changes). Eyestrain is another possibility; have you had your eyes checked lately? Your vision can change gradually enough that you'll have been squinting or really needing to focus to do the necessary reading for a while before you actually notice a problem. Sleep issues can be a cause; either a lack of sleep (especially if coupled with coffee or energy drinks) or else sleeping in an awkward position that puts strain on your neck or shoulders, which can end up manifesting as a headache.

 

And of course, general stress is always a possibility, too. Especially given that it's exam time.

[RWyvern]

So this is probably a silly question, but I'm asking because I am little concerned, being my drawing hand and all x3

 

So since yesterday, my right thumb, index and middle finger have been feeling a little strange. It's barely noticeable in my middle finger, a bit more so in my thumb and extremely noticeable in my index finger. Whenever I try to bend it, I can hardly bend it halfway before it starts feeling odd, and fully bending around is either impossible or very hard. If you've ever had a swelling around the first joint from the knuckle, it feels kinda like that, like something's restricting movement, even pulling. But the second day in there is no sign of a swelling. I wondered if is something caused by video games, but I've done several hour runs repeatedly ever since I got my DS several years ago, and with no side effects. Just to be on the safe side though, I'm not playing games that require constant use of the R button for now.

 

So, any idea what it is?

[S9429183F]

I'm Asian. 2 months ago, I bleached my black hair to golden brown/blonde. Now, the roots have sprouted. I want to get my current hair to white at a salon next month. Is it possible to do it in one go? Will the damage be so bad my hair will break/fall off?

[shadowgrr]

I'm Asian. 2 months ago, I bleached my black hair to golden brown/blonde. Now, the roots have sprouted. I want to get my current hair to white at a salon next month. Is it possible to do it in one go? Will the damage be so bad my hair will break/fall off?

Propably you'll need to use peroxide of hydrogen and maybe more than one visits at the saloon. About the harming of your hair, you probably know that when you change them colour, even with ecological paints, they are damaged. I would suggest you to try "open" your hair little by little and not try white directly, it would do less damage. Of course remain bold from a paint is out of the question, except you are male and in "dangerous" age which fastens it. But better ask your hairdresser.

[Kestra15]

Hey guys, does anyone know how to reason with a drunk person?

Well, potentially.

 

I'm staying with for the next two weeks with a friend who is generally decent, but who, when he's had a few drinks, has a history of asking/begging me that I should sleep with him, although ,when sober, he knows this wouldn't be a good idea (I'm in a relationship and yadayadayada). This has happened in past, once at party (and I wasn't in a relationship yet, but at that point I could shrug it off due to some conditions as an excuse), and once online, in which case he had had more than that, because he was being really vehement about it.

 

So, I'm kind-of trying to prepare for dealing with a situation like this in a setting where it's not as neutral/avoidable as in the previous cases, any pointers on how to outreason someone who might want to ignore sober knowledge?

 

The person is not an alcoholic, just fairly outgoing, social drinker and single for longer than it would be healthy for him, lol.

Always depends on the drinker. When I deal with them in the nightclub I either go for compassionate and understanding, or rather firm and hard-line, depending on which they react better to.

 

You can't out-reason someone who is properly drunk as drinking affects your logic and perception and thus there is no logical process. But distraction, jokes, or just ignoring them and leaving them in a cold ditch to sleep it off has worked in the past.

So this is probably a silly question, but I'm asking because I am little concerned, being my drawing hand and all x3

 

So since yesterday, my right thumb, index and middle finger have been feeling a little strange. It's barely noticeable in my middle finger, a bit more so in my thumb and extremely noticeable in my index finger. Whenever I try to bend it, I can hardly bend it halfway before it starts feeling odd, and fully bending around is either impossible or very hard. If you've ever had a swelling around the first joint from the knuckle, it feels kinda like that, like something's restricting movement, even pulling. But the second day in there is no sign of a swelling. I wondered if is something caused by video games, but I've done several hour runs repeatedly ever since I got my DS several years ago, and with no side effects. Just to be on the safe side though, I'm not playing games that require constant use of the R button for now.

 

So, any idea what it is?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carpal_tunnel_syndrome

 

If not the syndrome as a whole, you may have simply caught/trapped the nerve. It could also be RSI as you guessed. Either way gentle stretches and avoiding anything that is repetitive or uses fine motor skills for a while may be best.

Edited June 27, 2013 by Kestra15

[RWyvern]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carpal_tunnel_syndrome

 

If not the syndrome as a whole, you may have simply caught/trapped the nerve. It could also be RSI as you guessed. Either way gentle stretches and avoiding anything that is repetitive or uses fine motor skills for a while may be best.

I'm hoping it's a case of trapped nerves, rather than something more serious. My middle finger and thumb have long since got better, but my index finger started swelling shortly after my post and still hasn't gone down. I can't get it to touch my palm, as it kind of sticks around a centimeter away from contact. It's also getting extremely itchy, especially at night and to the extent it's a distraction from sleep, and is quite red. Until yesterday, I had difficulty even straightening it at all.

 

I'm doing my best to relax it, but it's difficult since all my main interests require repetetive motions and fine motor skills, like drawing. x3 I actually don't notice it much most days until when I need to do such work, and night when it gets insanely itchy.

 

I should probably get it checked out by a specialist, but then again it might be something quite trivial and we can't really risk wasting money.

Edited June 27, 2013 by rampaging wyvern

[Kestra15]

I'm hoping it's a case of trapped nerves, rather than something more serious. My middle finger and thumb have long since got better, but my index finger started swelling shortly after my post and still hasn't gone down. I can't get it to touch my palm, as it kind of sticks around a centimeter away from contact. It's also getting extremely itchy, especially at night and to the extent it's a distraction from sleep, and is quite red. Until yesterday, I had difficulty even straightening it at all.

 

I'm doing my best to relax it, but it's difficult since all my main interests require repetetive motions and fine motor skills, like drawing. x3 I actually don't notice it much most days until when I need to do such work, and night when it gets insanely itchy.

 

I should probably get it checked out by a specialist, but then again it might be something quite trivial and we can't really risk wasting money.

That's starting to sound more like a reaction (allergic or infectious). Sadly you're in a country where it costs to see a doctor else I would advise you go see one as soon as.

[auroshen]

What brush setting on Photoshop/GIMP does everyone here use? I honestly can't figure out why all my lines look so bad.

[Jet Raptor]

@ cheese456: Sorry I can't help, I don't know anything about PS/Gimp. I have Photoshop Elements, but my lines look terrible, too. :/

 

Question for anyone: How can I get through to someone who simply does not want to change, even if the change is good?

*frustrated*

[Kestra15]

Question for anyone: How can I get through to someone who simply does not want to change, even if the change is good?

*frustrated*

You can't. Five years taught me that.

[padfoot]

anyone know how to paint part of a yellow shirt black? I have fabric paint but I'm worried about the paint making the fabric ridged and washing off the first time in the machine. It's for a cosplay on the 11th so time is of the essence

[cfmtfm]

Little bit of a technical question here. I'm using a Dell Vostro 3500 (my brother got a new laptop and gave me his old laptop, which happens to be this one) and it's always had overheating problems. When used for over 2 or 3 hours, it got really hot - as in, over 70°C - and later on it would automatically shut down as a 'safety precaution'. After the problem really started to interfere with my brother's work - it would always shut down with no warning whilst he was doing coursework or some other important studying - he bought a cooler and the laptop was okay after that.

 

Now he has a new laptop and he's using his cooler with it (though because of the angle, the laptop keeps sliding down), I'm stuck with a very hot laptop. I use my laptop for longer (up to 14 hours a day on non-school days) and more CPU-usage-intensity (not sure if that's the right way to describe it) so I'm quite cautious about it overheating. We're thinking about me using my brother's cooler, as it's not even very convenient for him anyway, and buying him a new one; or just buying a whole new laptop. I'd rather go with the first option, but I'm wondering if there's any other way I can try to keep my laptop cooler in the meantime?

 

I've been resting my laptop on my left arm (when I'm not typing) to let the air flow; I use an air canister every few nights to clear out the dust; I use a hard, flat surface; I've tried not charging the battery so that it doesn't heat up so much; I've tried air-conditioning the room and putting a table fan near it. It still seems to heat up quite a lot. :< I've looked up some solutions and a lot of people with the same model have the same problem and replacing the fan/motherboard isn't working for them. The warranty expired ages ago (it was only a year). I'd really appreciate any more tips on cooling it down. Thanks~! :3

And sorry for the really long post. ><

[Kestra15]

Have you tried turning it off then turning it on again?

[Fin-Strider]

What brush setting on Photoshop/GIMP does everyone here use? I honestly can't figure out why all my lines look so bad.

If using a tablet: don't drag, flick your wrist, your lines will get smoother.

Here are the settings we use:

 

If using a mouse, I highly recommend checking dA for a nice tutorial for your way around with the lineart tool, which can also fake pen pressure.

 

---

 

Does anyone have a good way to hide scars? It's summer and I get a lot of stares regarding the scars on my arms and legs and it's pretty annoying. Makeup isn't my favorite method.

[hazeh]

...What language is that? o_O

[Fin-Strider]

It's Dutch! I figured it wouldn't matter because as far as I've seen, the listing has been in the same order everywhere.