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April 9

I need more money?

[1] — Preceding unsigned comment added by 46.5.16.41 (talk) 14:43, 9 April 2017 (UTC)[reply]

Get another job lined up before you ask, because if they took advantage of you once, they'll do it again. --jpgordon^{𝄢𝄆 𝄐𝄇} 15:20, 9 April 2017 (UTC)[reply]

[Edit Conflict] If you don't ask, you likely won't get.

Remember that all companies pay as little as they can get away with consistent with getting/keeping the staff they need; they're usually legally obligated to shareholders to do so.

But, remember also that they didn't give you the job as a favour, but because you were the best available candidate: with your in-job experience, they'd much rather keep you than go to the considerable expense of recruiting a replacement who'd be an unknown quantity.

If possible, find out beforehand how your salary compares to others in the same company at a similar level, and whether raises after a 6-month review are usual in the company, or if end-of-calendar or -financial year is their standard practice.

You may find that a raise after a successful review is offered (it's a common practice); if not, raise the question, but take the approach that you are (maybe) worth a raise, not that you're entitled to one.

Consider discreetly applying for other jobs: now you're in employment, you're automatically more attractive to other employers than when you were unemployed.

All the above is advice, which on the Ref Desks we're not supposed to give, but – been there myself several times. {The poster formerly known as 87.81.230.195} 90.217.249.244 (talk) 15:23, 9 April 2017 (UTC)[reply]

Wikipedia has a section about Negotiation of salary. Reasons why I won't give the OP advice what to do in that negotiation are: 1. As IP User 90.217.249.244 rightly says the Ref Desks are not here to give it. 2. If "6mth probation review" is terminology used by the employer, that implies a procedure that has probably been followed with other employees with whom the OP should by now have become aquainted enough to know what to expect. 3. How the OP says they classify themself doesn't tell us what the OP should by now have evaluated, namely their qualitative value to the employer's company. 4. Supposing the probation period leads up to a formal meeting about continued employment prospects, the WORST ways to present oneself are not to listen carefully to whatever assessment is given, or to raise the issue of salary without a) having been asked to accept a clear offer, or b) having first brought the discussion to an optimistic acknowledgment of something you can demonstrate that bodes well for what you will contribute in the future. A very critical reviewer might observe you holding a grudge about a decision that you were part of 6 months ago, or that you misspell "fair". But good luck to you. Blooteuth (talk) 22:18, 9 April 2017 (UTC)[reply]

We do not offer professional advice.--WaltCip (talk) 17:54, 10 April 2017 (UTC)[reply]

I have remove the question as a likely copyvio of the above link from 2014. Nil Einne (talk) 09:47, 12 April 2017 (UTC)[reply]

DVD vs Blu-ray

What is the difference between DVDs and Blu-rays? 81.145.108.15 (talk) 17:56, 9 April 2017 (UTC)[reply]

The discs are both the same size as plain old CDs, but DVD stores more data than CD, and Blue-ray stores more data than plain DVD. The articles that you linked give lots of detail. Dbfirs 18:28, 9 April 2017 (UTC)[reply]

See Comparison of high definition optical disc formats. Blooteuth (talk) 21:17, 9 April 2017 (UTC)[reply]

I wish that article showed the consumer's view. For example, if I speed up a DVD, I lose audio and the video skips along. If I speed up a BluRay disk, it plays the video faster with audio frequency adjusted so it just sounds like very fast talking. I would consider that a consumer feature of the different formats as it was likely not a design feature. 209.149.113.5 (talk) 19:21, 10 April 2017 (UTC)[reply]

Perhaps that feature is a design difference in the players, rather than anything to do with the recording format itself. --76.71.6.254 (talk) 19:38, 10 April 2017 (UTC)[reply]

Yes there's nothing about codecs used for DVD or Blu-Rays that prevent them being played at higher speed, although the decoder would need to be able to decode at that frame rate. (You can't really just skip frames when decoding efficiently.) And there's nothing stopping you doing Audio time-scale/pitch modification. Some computer program DVD players have been able to do these before Blu-Rays existed. Perhaps because Blu-Ray players tend to have more features of a general purpose computer they're more likely to be able to handle this although I'm not sure there is any requirement that the decoder can handle such a high frame rate. (It does depend on the Blu-Ray itself. For example I'm pretty sure 1080P30 is required so a ~1080P24 Blu-Ray could be played at this speed.) Nil Einne (talk) 09:30, 12 April 2017 (UTC)[reply]

Blu-ray players also play dvds, but dvd players don't play blu-rays. Martin. 212.178.135.35 (talk) 12:58, 11 April 2017 (UTC)[reply]

Only because the Blu-ray player is built to be backward compatible with earlier technology. Most are, but they don't have to be. Adding DVD reading and decoding capabilities to a Blu-Ray player is an added expense and Blu-ray players would continue to play Blu-ray discs without this added technology. This article does note that all currently manufactured Blu Ray players also play DVDs and Compact Discs as well, but that a) some early models ONLY played Blu-Rays and b) that there's nothing about the Blu Ray format that requires the players to be backward compatible. The current market forces require both media for the machines to be viable. When a new media format becomes standard, there are times of overlap when both media readers are installed on machines. Combo VHS/DVD machines were also common at one time. Good luck finding one of those. --Jayron 32 13:46, 11 April 2017 (UTC)[reply]

Once I had a stereo that had a built-in cassette player, CD player, and SD card reader. It was an odd combination.--WaltCip (talk) 14:32, 11 April 2017 (UTC)[reply]

April 12

Why are some listings on the Famous People Deaths pages in red?

Why are some listings on the Famous People Deaths pages in red? Simple question, but, there doesn't seem to be an answer anywhere. I've wondered about this for years!

Thanks, Dave 2601:188:C401:9969:3D71:166B:E2A6:BDA9 (talk) 17:14, 12 April 2017 (UTC)[reply]

The short answer is, because there isn't an article on those people. Now, you might well ask, if there's no article on them, they're not notable, so why are they on the famous deaths list? Which is a good question. There was a debate on this issue somewhere, I'll try and find it. --Viennese Waltz 17:21, 12 April 2017 (UTC)[reply]

They can still be notable and have no article. All it means is that nobody has got around to writing an article yet. Akld guy (talk) 20:12, 12 April 2017 (UTC)[reply]

If these are in the, say, Deaths in April 2017 page, there's a "rule" that says red linked articles can persistent for up to a month to allow someone keen to create the article, after which time they're removed. So you shouldn't find a single redlink in Deaths in February 2017, Deaths in January 2017, 2016#Deaths etc etc. The Rambling Man (talk) 20:17, 12 April 2017 (UTC)[reply]

How to carry two bags with straps?

How would be the best way of carrying two bags with straps? Each on one side looks kind of strange with the straps crossed in front. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 31.4.145.102 (talk) 21:49, 12 April 2017 (UTC)[reply]

Each bag across the opposite shoulder sounds best to me, for balance and ability to prevent theft. It might be a problem for a woman, though, if the straps hit the breasts awkwardly. Hopefully the straps can be adjusted to prevent that. StuRat (talk) 22:08, 12 April 2017 (UTC)[reply]

I think it depends on the weight of both. If one is heavier than the other, I'd carry one in the opposite shoulder and the other not. --Hofhof (talk) 22:39, 12 April 2017 (UTC)[reply]

You could buy a luggage-carrier, a little fold-up handcart - like these, except separate from the bags. ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 01:52, 13 April 2017 (UTC)[reply]

But is it better to have one bag hanging at the front and the other at the back or should you arrange the bags so that they hang at the side. Richard Avery (talk) 07:37, 13 April 2017 (UTC)[reply]

April 13

Plummer or Electrician (UK) ?

Hi. I have an immersion heater, and now when I turn it on, all the electrics short out. Assumed it was a fuse, but couldn't find one. As a call-out charge is a not inconsiderable expense, do I first call an electrician: assuming it's a problem with that; or a plummer: assuming it's a problem with the heater? Know this is not a regular ref-desk question, but thanks for any knowledgeable answers. 109.158.132.183 (talk) 15:10, 13 April 2017 (UTC)[reply]

If it was me, I would call a plumber (note spelling) on the assumption that there is a problem with the immersion heater which will likely mean it needs replacing, which a plumber would do. However, it's not me, it's you, so it's entirely your decision and if you follow what I would do and it involves extra expense, that's not down to me... --Phil Holmes (talk) 15:20, 13 April 2017 (UTC)[reply]

Immersion heater is our article. I suspect that the unit has developed a leak and will need to be replaced. Be absolutely sure to unplug it first, then, if you can remove the unit yourself and take it in for replacement, that would be your cheapest option (be sure to have a water-proof vat to place it in, or at least a garbage bag). Keep the old unit until you install the new unit and verify that it works, in case the problem is elsewhere (like the wiring in the wall). If you can't do that and don't know anybody who can, I'd go with the plumber first, but talk with him over the phone and ask if an electrician is needed first (you don't actually need a Plummer unless remaking The Sound of Music). StuRat (talk) 15:24, 13 April 2017 (UTC)[reply]

“all the electrics short out” uh. Depends on how old your home is. Sounds although you have distribution board with modern ELT's etc. There may by a fuze under a little plastic clip on the switch to the tank– check – but that should still be OK if “all the electrics are shorting out” . It will probably be just the element gone, rather than the thermostat as well and thus that is all you need to buy, along with a spanner and some PTFE tape. How to replace an immersion heater element All can can be bought at same plumber merchant or DIY store. There are two grades of PTFE tape – go for the thinner one, as you will have more chance of the gasket sealing at first try (although one shouldn’t really need it at all). Remember to wind the tape round the right way, otherwise it will try to unravel itself as you screw it in. Redring is a good brand to go for in the UK. Obviously, take precaution such as making sure that the fuze/distribution board is OFF. Don't do in bare feet – ware Wellington’s if you have a pair and have torch handy. You can tell when the tank is empty enough by tapping it. The sound will indicate the water level. Go easy with the spanner, as the tanks are very thin copper and you don't want to tear them. Estimated time less than 20 minutes but as this is your first time of doing it – say 40. Also consider buying some 'silicon grease' at the store. Not for this job -but the plumbers merchant will be happy to tell you about all the uses it has in the modern home. Oh, and in answer to your question its a plumbers job not a sparky's. --Aspro (talk) 17:09, 13 April 2017 (UTC)[reply]

KCTV (Korean Central TV)

Why does the North Korean TV station only broadcast 8 hours a day? Why can't they broadcast 24 hours a day, like a real station? Rmaster1200 (talk) 16:57, 13 April 2017 (UTC)[reply]

@@ Line 77: / Line 77: @@
 :“all the electrics short out” uh. Depends on how old your home is. Sounds although you have distribution board with modern ELT's etc. There may by a fuze under a little plastic clip on the switch to the tank– check – but that should still be OK if “all the electrics are shorting out” .  It will probably be just the element gone, rather than the thermostat as well and thus that is all you need to buy, along with a spanner and some PTFE tape. [https://www.wonkeedonkeetools.co.uk/immersion-heater-spanners/how-do-you-replace-an-immersion-heater-element/ How to replace an immersion heater element]  All can can be bought at same plumber merchant or DIY store. There are two grades of PTFE tape – go for the thinner one, as you will have more chance of the gasket sealing at first try (although one shouldn’t really need it at all).  Remember to wind the tape  round the right way, otherwise it will try to unravel itself as you screw it in. ''Redring'' is a good brand to go for in the UK.  Obviously, take precaution such as making sure that the fuze/distribution board is OFF. Don't do in bare feet – ware Wellington’s if you have a pair and have torch handy. You can tell when the tank is empty enough by tapping it.  The sound will indicate the water level. Go easy with the spanner, as the tanks are very thin copper and you don't want to tear them. Estimated time less than 20 minutes but as this is your first time of doing it – say 40. Also consider buying some 'silicon grease' at the store. Not for this job -but the plumbers merchant will be happy to tell you about all the uses it has in the modern home. Oh, and in answer to your question its a plumbers job not a sparky's. --[[User:Aspro|Aspro]] ([[User talk:Aspro|talk]]) 17:09, 13 April 2017 (UTC)
-== Anne Frank never died ==
-What if [[Anne Frank]] had survived?
-What if the betrayer never told the Nazis where they were hiding?
-What if the [[Anne Frank House|Secret Annex]] was never discovered and she, her family, the van-Pels family and Fritz Pfeffer were never arrested and sent to the camps in 1944? [[Special:Contributions/31.54.250.188|31.54.250.188]] ([[User talk:31.54.250.188|talk]]) 16:52, 13 April 2017 (UTC)
 == KCTV (Korean Central TV) ==