Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Miscellaneous/2006 September 3

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bluejay

i have a bluejay that my father in-law has raised since falling out of the nest seven years ago.he sings many songs(like the andy giffith theme song)zip-a-de-do-da and so on.he also calls the children by their first name.recently he started losing his tail feathers and is now trying to look straight up and falling over.he is not singing or calling for the kids and is acting quite odd.he falls to the bottom of his cage and seems to scoot almost in a circle,not using his legs.any advise would be very much appreciated.i know keeping a wild bird in a cage is not ideal,but this bird has never lived in the wild and would not survive on his own.please help.thank you.Jwskygrl 00:28, 3 September 2006 (UTC)

It's not in our article but this indicates that most only live to the age of 7. On the other hand you could take it to a vet. CambridgeBayWeather (Talk) 02:21, 3 September 2006 (UTC)

Yep, I think the jay's days are numbered. It would be best to prepare the kids. StuRat 04:55, 3 September 2006 (UTC)

...."he sings many songs(like the andy giffith theme song)zip-a-de-do-da and so on.he also calls the children by their first name.recently he started losing his tail feathers and is now trying to look straight up and falling over.he is not singing or calling for the kids and is acting quite odd.he falls to the bottom of his cage and seems to scoot almost in a circle,not using his legs"...first we need to establish that this is refering to the jay's behaviour and not father-in-law's :) assuming that is the case perhaps a trip to the vet is in order? Lemon martini 08:12, 4 September 2006 (UTC)

It is very sad when a pet gets old and dies, but it is part of life. You can treasure the good times you had with the bluejay, and be glad you were there for him and vice versa. Vets do not all treat "wild" animals, so you might have to make a few phone calls. It is possible that medicine or diet changes might help, but possibly the clock is running out on this fine bird. Edison 05:22, 6 September 2006 (UTC)

Possible homework

What transpires in a stock buyout, when a privide firm buys out a firm on the stock market ?

Looks like homework! Look at link to start.--Light current 01:11, 3 September 2006 (UTC)

can't follow your scandals without a scorecard

Somehow I never did hear what depended on what the meaning of "is" is. —Tamfang 06:36, 3 September 2006 (UTC)

Is Copula helpful? Rockpocket 08:26, 3 September 2006 (UTC)

Maube Copulation is more helpful. In his interrogation before the grand jury, Clinton was asked: "Whether or not Mr. Bennett knew of your relationship with Ms. Lewinsky, the statement that there is 'no sex of any kind, manner shape or form with President Clinton' was an utterly false statement. Is that correct?". That question elicited the famous answer. Don't ask me to explain it; it doesn't make much sense to me. I suspect it may depend on what the meaning of "meaning" is. --Lambiam^Talk 11:41, 3 September 2006 (UTC)

From what I understand, the answer to the question supposedly depends on whether "is" means "currently is" or "is now or ever has been". Here's a way to think about it: How, if at all, would the question be different if the word "is" were replaced by the word "was"? Personally, I think the level of ambiguity possible makes the question poorly phrased. --Maxamegalon2000 21:39, 3 September 2006 (UTC)

I see. It would be helpful is the questions posed were a little less cryptic. Rockpocket 21:43, 3 September 2006 (UTC)

Brown US-route sign?

I was recently in Twin Falls, Idaho, and noticed that at one point along the road that was part of US-30, there was a sign pointing the way to what showed the US-30 sign, only written white on a brown background, instead of the usual black on white US-route signs (like Image:US 30.svg). I don't think I've ever seen a brown US-XX sign before, and was wondering what it meant. -Goldom ‽‽‽ ⁂ 07:00, 3 September 2006 (UTC)

I've seen them in national parks before. A quick google search turned up a couple promising results: [1] and [2] The second one says that brown is used for "scenic routes" in the state of Idaho. Dismas|^(talk) 09:23, 3 September 2006 (UTC)

That would have been my guess (since brown road signs are used for parks, etc), but I couldn't find anything on it. Thanks for the links. -Goldom ‽‽‽ ⁂ 17:35, 3 September 2006 (UTC)

You may wish to check out the Federal manual governing sign colors and specifications: MUTCD (Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices). Check out chapter 2H, Recreational and Cultural Interest signs. 192.168.1.1 20:08 4 September 2006 (UTC)

recipe for flavoured vodka

I have a glut of raspberries, & want to make raspberry vodka. Does anything else go in besides the berries/spirit? Smootster 09:43, 3 September 2006 (UTC)

How about adding some Vermeer Dutch Chocolate Cream Liqueur? (Aren't you wasting fresh raspberries and good Voddie?)---Sluzzelin 10:21, 3 September 2006 (UTC)

Try this. Or drink the vodka and send me the raspberries. Tonywalton  | Talk 10:43, 3 September 2006 (UTC)

This recipe is not a liqueur. Personally I'd leave out the vanilla bean and star anise pods. And this recipe is really simple. Something you can also do is leave the (whole) raspberries in, and eat them after you finish the drink. --Lambiam^Talk 11:15, 3 September 2006 (UTC)

Chain

Is there a chain that exists that has gaps wide enough for an average sword to slip through?Cuban Cigar 11:17, 3 September 2006 (UTC)

• I assume you mean Chainmail, or Chainmail armor, in which case, certianly the answer would be yes. Though I'm not sure what an "average" sword would be considered these days--VectorPotential^{71.247.243.173} 11:59, 3 September 2006 (UTC)

And if you're just talking chains, I think there are probably some for ships' anchors, and other similar uses, that would be big enough to allow a sword through. At least a fencing sword. Skittle 14:34, 3 September 2006 (UTC)

You could fit a dead baby through this chain.  freshofftheufoΓΛĿЌ  14:48, 3 September 2006 (UTC)

A dead baby? wouldn't a live un go through just easily if not more easily? please don't feel the need to experiment for my benefit, I am only mildly interested. MeltBanana 16:03, 3 September 2006 (UTC)

I actually ment a chain, not a chain mail armour. So it would easily fit through an anchor chain? Hmm

Age of consent

Based on this someone odd post at ANi, I've been prompted to ask, what is the youngest age of consent you can think of? and in what country is it?--VectorPotential^{71.247.243.173} 11:57, 3 September 2006 (UTC)

I imagine there are several countries where it's not defined. For example, some probably say all sex outside of marriage is illegal, so there's no need to set an age limit. As for the age of consent for marriage, there are several countries where young children are allowed to marry. StuRat 12:08, 3 September 2006 (UTC)

After looking on the "Age of consent" article here on good old Wikipedia, I believe that Yemen is the country with the youngest age of consent at 9 years old! But the catch is you have to be married, so if not counting Yemen, Iran, Japan, Spain, South Korea, Nigeria and Burkina Faso also have a very low age of consent at just 13. Jozz

Well, the context of your question is with regard to a seven year old editor, and their potential contributions. In this case, the age of consent isn't really a factor. The age of consent would be the age were legally a person could have consentual sexual interaction with someone else, and it would not be treated as a violation of law in the jurisdiction in which that happened. This brings up several issues. First, there are some laws in the U.S. that limit that kind of interaction by U.S. citizens to (I think) age 16, when they are in other legal jurisdictions. (That is it might be legal, in say, Spain, by age, but an U.S. citizen would still be guilty of a crime (in the U.S.) even though under a different jurisdiction.) Secondly, though is that the legal age of consent (for sex) has nothing to do with other factors. The legal age to smoke, to drink, to leave school, to sign a binding legal contract, to marry, or to join the military may be different in different jurisdictions.

How is the participants age pertinent to Wikipedia? That's really the question. Of course this may differ depending on jurisdiction. The english lanuage wikipedia limits this some (U.S., Canada, U.K, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, and a few other places). In the U.S. unless a teenager has been emancipated by a court action, they might not be legally responsible for their actions under the age of 18. (loosely called 'the age of majority'. And even so, that is age 21 in some places.) Below that age, there are a variety of potential theoretical situations, but all of them have to do with whether the person who contributes can be held responsible for their actions. Wikipedia could ignore all of this, and allow participation at any age, and apply the same rules for blocking and banning that apply to anyone else. Or, we would set an arbitrary age limit, such as the highest 'age of majority' represented by the representaive english speaking counties, etc.

• What if a teenager, over the age of consent, and her boyfriend, also over the age of consent, take pictures of themselves in some erotic, or possibly pornographic photo, and upload it to Wikipedia Commons for inclusion in some sexuality article? In the U.S. their sexual interaction would be legal, but their photo would be legally considered to be "Child Pornography", and they, as well as Wikipedia could potentially be held liable. This might not be the case in the U.K.

• A 7 or 8 year old participant might upload copyrighted images over and over. (but this could be handled using the standard process of an adult doing that, by warning, blocking and banning if necessary.)

Atom 14:37, 3 September 2006 (UTC)

Civilization

For the game Civilization 3 for the PC do you need the first and second Civilization games to play it? Thanks Jozz

NO. It works all by itself, without the previous versions. Atom 12:38, 3 September 2006 (UTC)

No, it's stand-alone. Enjoy! –RHolton≡– 12:40, 3 September 2006 (UTC)

Okey thanks alot guys.

Shop opening times in small French villages

My mother is about to travel to France. What are the opening times for the shops in the small village of Visan and the little larger Vaison-la-Romaine? - 87.209.70.231 14:30, 3 September 2006 (UTC)

Rain Man 1988

hey if anyone cud help id be very greatfull i am wrighting a film review on the rain man for coll and have lost my notes =[ theres only one thing i want to know and thats what the name of charlie babbits company was. thanks

• [http://www.script-o-rama.com/movie_scripts/r/rain-man-script-transcript-hoffman.html Babbitt Collectibles] dpotter 02:57, 4 September 2006 (UTC)

• I'm hoping you're writing a review rather than wrighting it... - 87.209.70.231 19:50, 3 September 2006 (UTC)

• If a wheelwright makes wheels, and a cartwright makes carts, it only stands to reason that a reviewwright writes reviews, right ? (and perhaps a wrongwright rights wrongs ?) StuRat 21:56, 3 September 2006 (UTC)

Guitar Scales

Can anybody here explain guitar scales to me? I have a book on them and all it does is explain the theory and everyhting(which I understand) and as for fingering and practice it gives me a fingering for C,G,D,A,F,Bflat,and Eflat saying that these are moveable(which they are cuz there arent any open strings)and says that these give you seven starting points for major scales and that a good practice pattern is to do each scale from each position. It calls these in-position major scales. I just don't understand it.

By your description above you do seem to understand it. What is the specific problem?--Light current 19:01, 3 September 2006 (UTC)

Guitar_chord might be a good place to start.  freshofftheufoΓΛĿЌ  07:19, 4 September 2006 (UTC)

It sounds like it's saying that you can play any of the scales starting from any of the hand positions, as long as you're on the right fret. Possibly you might play G major starting from C major hand position, but starting on a G, not a C. Skittle 20:55, 4 September 2006 (UTC)

Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy

Ive just been watching a re ren of this John le Carre story on TV. but missed the first episode,. Can anyone briefly out line what happened in it? Was is all to do with Ricky Tarr in Russia?--Light current 19:49, 3 September 2006 (UTC)

Hmmmm this smells like homework to me, best not answer it. User:jozzismint

Are you jesting? How could it be homework? I left school eons ago!--Light current 20:29, 3 September 2006 (UTC)

Try this link which delivers a synopsis of first episode (TV homework? I wish I had visited that school!)---Sluzzelin 20:15, 3 September 2006 (UTC)

Ahh. I see. Thank you. I can now watch the remainder without wondering if I missed something important.BTW I see the page has got wrong capitalisation. This needs fixing. Yes?--Light current 20:35, 3 September 2006 (UTC)

Also, I assume Ricky Tarr's character first appears in episode 2. Is that right?--Light current 20:40, 3 September 2006 (UTC)

According to my sources, he comes in at the very end of episode 1, but mostly features in episode 2. Skittle 17:34, 4 September 2006 (UTC)

Scanning the synopsis given earlier, I see this is mentioned. Carry on... Skittle 17:38, 4 September 2006 (UTC)

Ahh just watched episode 5 again. V. good. 8-)--Light current 22:21, 3 September 2006 (UTC)

Theme music

Bloody announcer came on at the end and talked all over Nunc Dimittis. Rentwa 19:24, 4 September 2006 (UTC)

Yes I know terrible! Any way thanks for saying what its called. Who wrote it an where can I get hold of it please! Its got some gorgeous key changes it appears.--Light current 21:00, 4 September 2006 (UTC)

It's a modern tune I think. I think it sounds best with alto and organ, not you and electric bass (I'll have to say sorry again, he he!) Err, anyway, modern tune (although a lot of early music has similar 'other worldly' sound and mad key changes, so you can't be certain), this website says Geoffrey Burgon, and the bbc website slash radio has forums which are often good places to find out about theme tunes. I used to attend a Church service with psalms and King James Bible. Rentwa 21:23, 4 September 2006 (UTC)

I agree it would be difficult to reproduce the feeling with any other instruments than boy soprano and organ. Maybe castrato and organ would be ok. (or is this a contradiction in terms?)--Light current 22:58, 4 September 2006 (UTC)

Or possibly clarinet/sop sax and organ! Actually a cup muted trumpet with organ may be ok too.--Light current 00:35, 5 September 2006 (UTC)

No, I don't think any Jazz playing of it would be ok (although you can't tell till you hear). I think it needs the precision and lack of ostentatious interpretation of a church type treatment. Or maybe piano variations, if played carefully and quietly.

Is it boy sorano btw? I thought it was 'alto'. Or is that the name for a baritone's falsetto voice? Rentwa 09:31, 5 September 2006 (UTC)

Hanging a gate.

How do we hang a gate who's height is shorter than the length? We built a gate that we are having trouble with dragging.152.163.100.199 20:57, 3 September 2006 (UTC)Reneemarie Preston

You need a diagonal piece going from the top hinge to the bottom part of the gates extremity in order to support the weight. Like a five bar gate. You dont say if your gate is wood or iron.--Light current 21:32, 3 September 2006 (UTC)

Not true. Bottom hinge to top corner on the diagonal. You want compression not tension.

Wouldn't that make it sag more?Edison 05:29, 6 September 2006 (UTC)

I'd say you need to put the gate on a low, flat cart (the type they have in gardening stores), or perhaps two, if the gate is quite long. Then you need to have some flat ground to roll the cart upon, you could lay down sheets of plywood for that. I suggest you pull the carts, instead of pushing them, for greater stability. StuRat 21:46, 3 September 2006 (UTC)

StuRat I fear you may be misunderstanding the question!. User:152.163.100.199 has hung the gate already, and its dragging on the floor at the end because its not benn designed/built quite right. 8-|

--Light current 22:20, 3 September 2006 (UTC)

I think you got it wrong, as I take "How do we hang a gate" to mean "How do we hang a gate" and not "How do we properly construct a gate". I may be wrong, though. StuRat 06:48, 4 September 2006 (UTC)

Well, maybe clarification from the questioner is needed!--Light current 21:05, 4 September 2006 (UTC)

A piece of steel cable and a turnbuckle to take up tension might correct the dragging, from the top hinge to the diametrically opposite corner. Make it strong enough it can support the tension. Edison 05:29, 6 September 2006 (UTC)

RESIDENT COUNSELLOR

1) COULD ANYBODY TELL ME WHO IS RESIDENT COUNSELLOR? 2) Also - he's in her pottery class at the Y. What does Y mean?

Founding editor - does it mean chief editor?

What do we mean, if we say romp about a novel?

I'll give this one a try. "Resident counsellor" could mean a lot of things depending on the context, but maybe it is some sort of psychiatrist {or maybe attorney) who works at the business or school in question and sees patients/clients exclusively from the institution. "The Y" is short for the YMCA, an organization that often hosts classes like how to make pottery. A founding editor was likely chief editor at some point, but they might not work for the publication anymore. Someone who calls a novel a "romp" is likely praising the novel as lighthearted and fun to read. Your questions aren't really related to another; is there some sort of context that these all came up in? --Maxamegalon2000 22:45, 3 September 2006 (UTC)

Yes, thank you. I think mostly I've got it. I have come across them in a book by Adrienne Brodeur that I happen to be translating at the moment ) Regarding the first item, yes, there was something like - he was her resident counsellor at college )

In that context, the counsellor could also be the person who advises the student on what classes to take, what to major in, and things like that. It could also be, I suppose, a resident assistant. --Maxamegalon2000 23:29, 3 September 2006 (UTC)

My university had two different types of counseling, both usually done by advanced students (third or fourth year undergraduates or graduate students). A residence counselor or residence advisor received free lodging in return for managing part of a dormitory. This included enforcing rules (yes, you have to get out of bed and leave the building when the fire alarm goes off at four in the morning) and dispensing general advice about life away from home (don't go overboard decorating your dorm room, you'll have to haul all that stuff away at the end of the spring term). An academic counselor had far less intensive duties that ranged from choosing a major to wisdom about specific professors (sure, contemporary literature has a great reading list, but Professor Killyourgpa gave out only three As last year to a class of over 100 students). Durova 00:32, 4 September 2006 (UTC)

American Colleges

I am an american high school student, and I was wondering about double-majoring in college. How common is it, and does it have to be two related fields, or can it be two completely different fields? Also, can you still have a "minor" if you double major? Finally, is it possible to triple-major, or is that just insane? Thanks guys! --Life 22:34, 3 September 2006 (UTC)

Yes you can add a minor. Yes, it's common. It can be in any two fields you want. Triple majoring is unusual, but no you won't be judged as insane. lots of issues | leave me a message 22:51, 3 September 2006 (UTC)

Thank you very much! --Life 22:54, 3 September 2006 (UTC)

I'm triple-majoring in Criminology & Law Studies, History, and Sociology, and quadruple-minoring in Philosophy, Theology, Ethics and Justice & Peace at Marquette University, and I'm probably rather insane. The year after I enrolled, the university changed its policies so that only two classes per degree could overlap, and there's no way I'd be able to do what I'm doing if I had to abide by that rule. If the universities you're looking at have a rule like that, it might not matter how closely related the majors are. Most of the people I know say that they are double-majoring, and most people who double-major don't seem to be worried about minors. It really depends what you want to do after college; different careers will look differently at different majors. If you're still in high school, it might be a bit too early to be looking at multiple majors; perhaps you should just focus on what colleges offer the major you're most interested. A lot of freshman start undecided; I did. --Maxamegalon2000 22:57, 3 September 2006 (UTC)

This is my opinion only. Most employers value depth over breadth, in general. So, if employment is your higher priority, showing strength and depth in your chosen field could be better. The exception is if you want to enter a field where there is a niche in two combined areas. In my case I tried for one foot in engineering, and one foot in business management, as companies are forever trying to find strong engineering people with good business sense and management skills. Another area might be medicine and engineering, or engineering and biology(genetics). Getting triple majors and miscellaneous minors just looks distracting to most employers. They think you may lack focus.

If you plan for research and teaching, rather than the work world, well, I think that other that certain niche areas, again depth is more important than breadth (especially since you will want a Ph.D to succeed in those areas, which requires depth.) Niche areas might be, for instance combining electrical engineering and computer science (which has become its own areas -- computer engineering). Or, again, getting an M.D, and supplementing it with a Ph.D in engineering or biology (bioengineering, genetic engineering).

At any rate, with your experience level (still in HS) focus on one thing first, master it, and then choose a secondary area to master. It will take you at least six years to master the first one. Atom 15:56, 4 September 2006 (UTC)

The 2 Kidnapped Israeli Soldiers

Is it true THAT THE THE TWO ISRAELI SOLDIERS WERE CAPTURED IN LEBANON ???

http://www.whatreallyhappened.com/israeli_solders.html

AND NOT IN ISRAEL as stated in http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2006_Israel-Lebanon_conflict

thanks

• Whatever you do, don't rely on sites like www.whatreallyhappened.com, but rather the sources it cites like Forbes and such. The website's name alone (okay, and it's subtitle) should be a hint they're trying to promote their opinion instead of the facts, althought facts may come out of it. Try sources that don't alledge government conspiracies. - Mgm|^(talk) 22:58, 3 September 2006 (UTC)

Read the article on What Really Happened creator Michael Rivero. He's a conspiracy freak who blames everything on "the Zionists." -- Mwalcoff 23:16, 3 September 2006 (UTC)

I expect it is true they were captured. Kidnapping is for kids (or were they kids ?) and is used to convey a sympathetic POV. -- DLL ^{.. T} 20:25, 4 September 2006 (UTC)

Pinch pot & twist

I would be very grateful if somebody could answer two more questions, although they are also not related to each other.

1) What is a pinch pot? Of course, I know what a usual pot it?

Google is normally your friend in these matters --Tagishsimon (talk)

2) and about alcoholic drinks, what do we mean by saying with a twist?

We actually have an article on pinch pot. And the Wiktionary lists as one of the definitions of twist: "a sliver of lemon peel added to a cocktail, etc." I'm not particularly familiar with alcohol, though, so there might be more to it than that. --Maxamegalon2000 23:33, 3 September 2006 (UTC)

I've always understood 'a twist' in the drinks sense to be a marketing way of saying 'a bit'. So a drink with a twist of lime might have a squeeze of lime added. However, there is also that usage of a sliver of peel. Hmmm, go by context I say. Skittle 20:51, 4 September 2006 (UTC)

No, a twist of lemon or lime is most definitely a sliver of peel. Usually, a squeeze of juice is added, but that's not the twist. User:Zoe|(talk) 22:51, 4 September 2006 (UTC)

A not so funny question: ha ha, he he

I noticed a lot of people tend to use the words he he in their posts. I assume this means they are chuckling. Is this any different from what is implied by 'ha ha'--Light current 23:25, 3 September 2006 (UTC)

hehe sounds more evilish. Jamesino 23:27, 3 September 2006 (UTC)

To me, hee hee sounds a little more restrained than ha ha, which in turn is less enthusiastic than haw haw. Then of course there's the ever-popular bwahahahaha, my personal favorite. Or were you asking about heh heh? Clarityfiend 05:20, 4 September 2006 (UTC)

For some reason, I find the above post very funny, but I dont know how to respond properly yet other than to say 'bbwahahahaha' (LOL)--Light current 23:05, 4 September 2006 (UTC)

It is also important to differentiate between "heh heh" and "Hee hee." Which sound is it that you are asking for? "Hee hee" is an innocent, high-pitched quick little laugh, "heh" is a deeper-pitched expression of enjoyment. If used twice, it means something devilish. From the culture that I live in. — [Mac Davis] (talk) (Desk|Help me improve)

To me, "heh" indicates disinterest, "heh heh" indicates a chuckle, "bwahahaha" sounds evil and "hee hee" sounds facetious.

Ho ho ho... is Santa the Pimp's groupies :) Lemon martini 08:15, 4 September 2006 (UTC)

Always wondered what Santa did the rest of the year. No wonder he was so jolly. Bwahahahaha. Clarityfiend 19:59, 4 September 2006 (UTC)

Yeah but The Ha, ha could be interpreted as being said sarcastically. Ie I see the joke but its not funny.-(or would that be Har, har? 8-)--Light current 14:28, 4 September 2006 (UTC)

Also is bwahahaha same as LOL?--Light current 14:30, 4 September 2006 (UTC)

No, bwahahaha is used to bring out the hearty evil person laugh, LOL could sound like anything, though most MSN conversations I've had lately have it substituted for something much closer to a "heh...". If people are really laughing they'll type something a little more emphatic, like "WTFOMG HAHAHAH!!!11".  freshofftheufoΓΛĿЌ  15:19, 4 September 2006 (UTC)

When I do it, its because to me haha sounds more like your laughing at someone in a bit of a cynical manner, a bit mean really, whereas hehe, is more like a laugh/giggle sort of thing... a bit more freindly.. Philc _T^E_C^I 20:20, 4 September 2006 (UTC)

Ah!... I mean Oh!

I find "Hehehe" somewhat lesser enthusiastic than "Hahaha". The latter comes from actual laughter, the other might as well just be a closed smile with "HmHmHm"-sounds. BWUAHAHAHA is of course as unrestrained as can be. Heehee is more high pitched. In Norwegian, "Hihihih" is a form of "Heeheehee", but whenever I say "Hihi" to anyone English, they just think I'm greeting them. It's also interesting to note those who write "Ha! Ha! Ha!" and "He he he", as opposed to "Hehehe". 81.93.102.39 21:43, 4 September 2006 (UTC)

Do we need a WP guideline on this?--Light current 22:54, 4 September 2006 (UTC)

"Tee-hee" would seem sneaky and mischievious. Edison 05:33, 6 September 2006 (UTC)

G36 Vs. M4/M16

Which of the 2 guns is overall, generally better- the Heckler&Koch G36 or the M4/M16? Jamesino 23:26, 3 September 2006 (UTC)

That would be three guns in total. --Tagishsimon (talk)

Define better. There are lots of criteria on which you might evaluate a weapon. Important ones often ignored by armchair warriors are cost and availability. --Robert Merkel 04:06, 4 September 2006 (UTC)

That said, given that the G36 was designed more than 30 years after the M16, it would be disappointing if it did not exceed the performance of the M16 in at least some aspects. --Robert Merkel 04:08, 4 September 2006 (UTC)

I've fired expert with both weapons. They both use the same ammo, have the same clip capacity, and firing rate (M16 might fire slightly more). I like the M16 better, especially the carbine version, as it is lighter weight. I don't know from personal experience, but the M16 has a reputation for jamming easily when it gets muddy. I don't know if the G36 is any better, but my guess is that it might be. Atom 15:47, 4 September 2006 (UTC)

Better, as in like, relliability, accuracy, ease of use, comfort, recoil and other chracteristics pertaining to firearms. Jamesino 18:13, 4 September 2006 (UTC)