Answerbag: Yoyo Head's answers

Answer to what does GDC stand for in game industry? recently, i often read this word "GDC",what's the meaning? game development center, all right?

Mon, 26 Mar 2012 07:39:39 -0700

what does GDC stand for in game industry? recently, i often read this word "GDC",what's the meaning? game development center, all right?

Game Developers Conference. It's an annual gathering with lectures, roundtable discussions, awards, etc. with the target audience of game makers. See the wiki page for more info. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Game_Developers_Conference

Answer to What mispronounced popular expressions really "get your goat?" Expressions so mangled that they are either completely nonsensical and/or contradictory. Which ones particularly bother you? ("expresso vs.espresso", "mute point vs. moot point")

Thu, 30 Jul 2009 23:29:32 -0700

What mispronounced popular expressions really "get your goat?" Expressions so mangled that they are either completely nonsensical and/or contradictory. Which ones particularly bother you? ("expresso vs.espresso", "mute point vs. moot point")

I always laugh at "orientated" instead of "oriented."

Answer to Which over-used expression do you hate/use ie: "at the end of the day.."

Thu, 30 Jul 2009 23:26:10 -0700

Which over-used expression do you hate/use ie: "at the end of the day.."

My two least favorite have to be: 1. "It is what it is." 2. "Whatever." A word that doesn't bother me much, but was pointed out to me as rarely being needed, is "currently." I tried to imagine when it would ever be NEEDED, and I couldn't come up with...

Answer to Which over-used expression do you hate/use ie: "at the end of the day.."

Thu, 14 Jun 2007 15:45:37 -0700

Which over-used expression do you hate/use ie: "at the end of the day.."

Good question. I extremely dislike hearing someone say "whatever" as a blow-off response. It's a useful word at times, but it's horrible and ratchets up the rudeness when used as a substitute for "I don't care what you have to say." Also, I wonder why a few...

Answer to What are usually the main causes of inflation?

Sun, 08 Jan 2006 23:16:42 -0800

What are usually the main causes of inflation?

It's true that under a gold standard prices tend to decline over time. Prices would be stable because there is no central bank printing money, but increases in productivity make things cheaper. That's what happened historically. I should have been more specific.

Answer to What does the phrase "not yet uhuru" mean?

Thu, 27 Jan 2005 15:43:35 -0800

What does the phrase "not yet uhuru" mean?

I can't give a complete answer, but "uhuru" means "freedom" in the Kenyan language. I'm not sure but I think it's often used to mean "the struggle continues" or "not yet finished." Someone who knows more than I do, please follow up.

Answer to Is it true that a Scarface 2 movie is in production?

Thu, 12 Aug 2004 14:46:18 -0700

Is it true that a Scarface 2 movie is in production?

According to IMDB, the Internet Movie Database, there isn't anything titled "Scarface" currently in production or pre-production. If you heard a rumor, did it say anything about cast or crew?

Answer to How can I become a Major League baseball player?

Tue, 01 Jun 2004 02:53:42 -0700

How can I become a Major League baseball player?

Get a scout to see you playing baseball. But know that anyone who plays organized baseball for more than a handful of games has probably been seen already by a major league scout, whether it's at the level of high school, junior college, college, American Legion, pony league, Minor...

Answer to What qualifies as an error?

Tue, 01 Jun 2004 02:43:15 -0700

What qualifies as an error?

A scorekeeper gives a player an error if he believes an average fielder making normal effort should have made the play successfully. As you can imagine, this leaves a lot of room for interpretation by scorekeepers! It can be pretty subjective and a scorekeeper's calls do sometimes get...

Answer to Is it possible to change pitchers in the middle of a hitter's at-bat?

Tue, 01 Jun 2004 02:31:39 -0700

Is it possible to change pitchers in the middle of a hitter's at-bat?

It happens all the time, like happens when a pitcher gets injured. It happens if the manager is very close to pulling the pitcher but wants to leave him in to get one more out, then the pitcher falls behind in the count to the batter. Usually, however, if a pitching change happens during the...

Answer to If a fly ball barely hits the glove of an outfielder who is running to catch it, and then falls to the ground, is it considered an error?

Tue, 01 Jun 2004 02:27:40 -0700

If a fly ball barely hits the glove of an outfielder who is running to catch it, and then falls to the ground, is it considered an error?

In a situation like you are describing, usually there will not be an error given. The standard for error vs. hit is an average fielder making normal effort, so if a fielder is running all out and the ball glances off his glove, that sounds like a fielder making extraordinary effort. However,...

Answer to If a hit goes through the legs of an infielder, allowing the batter to get to first, is there an error on the play?

Tue, 01 Jun 2004 02:24:00 -0700

If a hit goes through the legs of an infielder, allowing the batter to get to first, is there an error on the play?

If a ball goes through a player's legs it is almost always scored an error, even if he never touches it. Usually an error is only called if a fielder touches the ball but fails to make the play. If a fielder doesn't touch the ball because he isn't quick enough, makes a mental...

Answer to In baseball, how is the ERA for a pitcher calculated?

Tue, 01 Jun 2004 02:12:38 -0700

In baseball, how is the ERA for a pitcher calculated?

The formula is: (earned runs x 9) divided by innings pitched. This will give you the average number of runs a pitcher has allowed in each nine-inning subset of his total innings pitched. So, for example, if a pitcher has 18 innings behind him, and he allowed 2 earned runs in those 18 innings,...

Answer to What remedies will soothe a sore throat?

Wed, 19 May 2004 14:35:10 -0700

What remedies will soothe a sore throat?

Gargling with Listerine. That's what Listerine is made for. (It is also good to do after you brush your teeth.)

Answer to What is a "perfect game"?

Wed, 19 May 2004 14:27:42 -0700

What is a "perfect game"?

The above is true, but the pitcher must also not allow any walks or hit any batters with a pitch. Basically, if any batter reaches first base the perfect game is over.

Answer to I own stock in a private company. How can I convert these shares to cash?

Mon, 05 Apr 2004 20:58:34 -0700

I own stock in a private company. How can I convert these shares to cash?

You can sell them to another shareholder or to the company itself. There might be transfer restrictions, which are probably written on the certificates, so have a look there before you do anything. Good luck.

Answer to What is a good P/E ratio for a company to have?

Mon, 05 Apr 2004 20:49:30 -0700

What is a good P/E ratio for a company to have?

When thinking about a company's PE ratio, it's important to consider what sector that company is in, and the typical PE in that sector. A high PE ratio in one sector might be just average in another sector, or vice versa. A technology stock that trades at 15 times earnings may be...

Answer to What was the original lineup of the Rolling Stones?

Mon, 05 Apr 2004 20:38:08 -0700

What was the original lineup of the Rolling Stones?

Isn't Charlie Watts the original drummer? I'm sure he started with the Stones very early on, if not right from the start -- maybe in '62 or '63 at the latest. Same with Bill Wyman, or I'm loonier than I think I am. Charlie, of course, looks like he's been deceased a...

Answer to What is XM radio?

Tue, 16 Mar 2004 13:22:07 -0800

What is XM radio?

XM is a company that provides radio programming by satellite transmission. They charge a fee of 9.99 a month, but they give you access to over 100 channels, many or most of which are commercial free. They let you hear music of many kinds, sports programming, and tons of news, talk, business and...

Answer to What is the technical definition of a recession?

Tue, 16 Mar 2004 12:43:29 -0800

What is the technical definition of a recession?

Officially, what defines a recession is two consecutive quarters of negative growth in real Gross Domestic Product. In practice, any period of high rates of unemployment, interest rates, inflation, or other indicator is called a receccion by politicians and media people.

Answer to How much did it cost to make The Passion?

Mon, 15 Mar 2004 12:53:37 -0800

How much did it cost to make The Passion?

About $30 million, plus another $15 million or so was spent on marketing. As of March 14 its total box-office gross was over $260 million, so you can see it's had a wonderful reception by the public. What an awesome and powerful film.

Answer to What's the difference between an IRA and a 401(k)?

Sat, 13 Mar 2004 21:28:22 -0800

What's the difference between an IRA and a 401(k)?

A 401(k) is an employer-sponsored plan. That means that it is a benefit provided by an employer to employees, and allows the employee to divert some of his salary into it. That portion will not be considered part of the employee's taxable income. In other words, that employee earned a lower...

Answer to Which is better, an IRA or a Roth IRA?

Sat, 13 Mar 2004 21:06:21 -0800

Which is better, an IRA or a Roth IRA?

Neither the Traditional IRA nor the ROTH can be said to be better in general. They are different ways to go about retirement investing in a tax-advantaged way. The question of which is better depends on you and the particulars of your financial situation. If you participate in a 401(k) or...

Answer to Is it actually possible to catch a disease from a toilet seat?

Sat, 13 Mar 2004 20:43:20 -0800

Is it actually possible to catch a disease from a toilet seat?

Toilet seats are not major culprits in spreading diseases. If you have an open sore on your bottom it's probably more likely, but in that case you'd be at risk in any public place. You can't get a sexually transmitted disease from a toilet seat, especially HIV. The HIV virus...

Answer to In Stephen King's 'Dreamcatcher', did Damian Lewis provide the exagerrated British accent for 'Mr. Grey', or was a different actor's voice used?

Mon, 08 Mar 2004 23:15:34 -0800

In Stephen King's 'Dreamcatcher', did Damian Lewis provide the exagerrated British accent for 'Mr. Grey', or was a different actor's voice used?

Damian Lewis did both voices. In fact, he said he needed a dialogue coach to help him with the American accent, but then also needed a coach to help him with his English accent because it was hard to switch back. Even though you'd think the English accent would be easy since he's a...

Answer to How is slugging percentage calculated?

Mon, 08 Mar 2004 20:38:04 -0800

How is slugging percentage calculated?

Walks do not count in slugging percentage. Batting average and slugging percentage are similar. Whereas batting average measures the percentage of the time you get a hit, it counts all hits equally. Slugging percentage counts them as 1 for singles, 2 for doubles, 3 for triples, and 4 for home...

Answer to Numerous credit-counseling agencies, all of them claiming non-profit status, want my business enough to advertise on late night TV, and even send me spam. Are these places sketchy? How should I select one?

Mon, 08 Mar 2004 19:28:52 -0800

Numerous credit-counseling agencies, all of them claiming non-profit status, want my business enough to advertise on late night TV, and even send me spam. Are these places sketchy? How should I select one?

My two cents: I have serious reservations about these places. They try to get you lower interest rates and reduced balances, but the primary thing that keeps you in debt is your own habits. A change in yourself is the only way to be out of debt long term. Their efforts might not get you out...

Answer to Are bonds or mutual funds a safer long-term investment?

Sun, 07 Mar 2004 15:00:19 -0800

Are bonds or mutual funds a safer long-term investment?

The typical bond will go up and down in value less than a typical stock. However, when you refer to mutual funds, it's important to know that there are different kinds of mutual funds. There are stock funds, which have almost all stocks. Owning shares of one of these is less risky than...

Answer to What kinds of martial arts are there?

Sun, 07 Mar 2004 00:02:01 -0800

What kinds of martial arts are there?

It's becoming a little better understood that there were fighting skills taught in medieval Europe, not just in the Far East. These don't have specific and exotic names except well-known terms like "fencing" and "wrestling." However those names evoke images of...

Answer to What is St Joseph's Day?

Sat, 06 Mar 2004 23:49:25 -0800

What is St Joseph's Day?

St. Joseph's Day is March 19 and is mainly celebrated in Italy, as far as I know. They call it La Festa Di San Guiseppe. It's a day of generosity toward others; much food is prepared and shared with the poor. The connection is the legend that long ago there was a severe drought in...

Answer to What is a 'centaur'?

Tue, 02 Mar 2004 16:06:11 -0800

What is a 'centaur'?

Yes, they had the torso and head of a human and the legs and trunk of a horse. Centaurs are creatures of Greek myth, as opposed to Celtic or Nordic myth. They are followers of Dionysius, the god of wine. They were famous for drunkenness and carrying off young maidens. Most famous was the...

Answer to What are usually the main causes of inflation?

Mon, 01 Mar 2004 14:08:23 -0800

What are usually the main causes of inflation?

The primary cause of inflation is the growth of the money supply. That means the federal government creating money. If that happens faster than the expansion of the economy, the result is too many dollars chasing too few goods and services. Thus each dollar's purchasing power is less than...

Answer to When was the q-tip invented and what was its original intent?

Sat, 28 Feb 2004 16:58:25 -0800

When was the q-tip invented and what was its original intent?

This was copied from "Ask Yahoo": According to the history section on the official Q-tips site, the "Q" stands for quality. But the familiar cotton-tipped swab wasn't always known by this quirky moniker. In 1923, Leo Gerstenzang noticed that his wife had stuck a...

Answer to What's does a movie director do in contrast to the producer and screenwriter?

Thu, 26 Feb 2004 21:30:01 -0800

What's does a movie director do in contrast to the producer and screenwriter?

- The producer gets the project started by getting funding, hiring the major people like the director, and getting a distributor. - The director is the main artistic mind behind the production. He tells the actors how to play a scene. He decides if a scene has to be re-done, saying stuff...